Wednesday, March 10 top stories
It is Wednesday, March 10. Here are today’s top stories.
President Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus relief package passed out of the House in a 220-211 vote. It includes $1,400 stimulus checks, extension of $300 unemployment benefits, billions to help schools and colleges reopen, and more funding for vaccine distribution. Today is Biden’s 50th day as president. It is his administration’s first legislative victory. The White House said Biden will sign the bill into law on Friday.
The FBI is still trying to identify the suspect who planted two pipe bombs the night before the January 6 attacks. The FBI released several video clips of the suspect walking through DC streets with a gray hoodie, dark-colored pants, and Nike shoes. The bombs were placed outside of the offices of the Republican and Democratic national committees. The FBI said the bombs were made with metal pipe, had black powder, and a windup timer, but didn’t go off. The former Capitol Police chief said he believes the bombs were planted as a diversion because it pulled dozens of police away from their usual posts about 90 minutes before the rioters stormed the Capitol. There is a $100,000 reward for information that leads to the person’s identification.
U.S. public health officials recommended that more people take yearly CT scans to screen for lung cancer and for there to be more African-Americans and women to take the test than in the past. Lung cancer is the #1 cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Those who smoke are at high risk, and if they take annual CT scans, they have a better chance of finding the cancer early and cure it. The recommendations say people ages 50 to 80 who have smoked at least a pack a day for 20 years or more, and those who still smoke or have quit within the past 15 years, should take the screenings. The CT scans cost $300.
NBC News reported that Twitter filed a lawsuit against Texas A.G. Ken Paxton accusing him of using his office to retaliate against them for banning Donald Trump’s account after the January 6 Capitol attack. Paxton announced he was investigating Twitter and other big tech companies several days later for “de-platforming the President.” Paxton demanded Twitter to provide records of internal communications and content moderation policies. Twitter’s lawsuit says banning Trump’s account is protected free speech and seeks for a judge to stop Paxton’s investigation.
At least four jurors have been chosen in the Derek Chauvin trial, who is accused of murdering George Floyd. USA Today reported that the pool of jurors were questioned about their knowledge of the case, the protests, and Floyd’s death and whether they could set aside any existing opinions to serve impartially. So far the four jurors are three white men and one woman of color.
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ABC News reported that Bridgestone, the tire company, is going to offer its 33,000 employees in the U.S. payments of $100 to get vaccinated against Covid-19. It is to provide incentives for the shots. Its U.S. headquarters is in Nashville but has employees across the country. The money is aimed to support employees who have to spend unexpected expenses to go and get vaccinated. In similar news, Dollar General said it would provide its 157,000 employees the equivalent of four hours of pay if they get vaccinated.
A reporter named Andrea Sahouri, who worked with the Des Moines Register, who was arrested while covering the Black Lives Matter protests last summer, was acquitted of riot-related charges. She told a jury that while covering a protest, she saw an officer coming at him and despite telling him that she was pressured, was arrested and pepper-sprayed. Prosecutors said it is irrelevant whether Sahouri was a journalist or not. The jury found her not guilty. Axios said this case is important because it affirms the right of journalists to document historic and sometimes chaotic protests.
There were news reports yesterday that Joe Biden’s two German Shepherd dogs were sent back to their home in Delaware because the younger dog, Major, bit a member of the White House security team. But the White House said the dogs would return to the White House soon because the First Lady is traveling.
Today the Senate confirmed federal judge Merrick Garland to be the U.S. Attorney General. He was former president Obama’s choice for an empty Supreme Court justice seat but was blocked by Republican Senators until his term ended. Now he will lead the DOJ. The Senate also confirmed Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) to be the secretary of Housing and Urban Development, making her the second Black woman to serve in the position. She will have to deal with millions of people who are facing eviction because of the coronavirus crisis.
That’s all the top stories for today. See you tomorrow and stay with the light.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/03/10/covid-stimulus-bill-passes-house-heads-joe-biden-signature/4622954001/
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/fbi-releases-new-video-suspect-planting-bombs-capitol-riot-n1260293?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/09/health/lung-cancer-smoking-screenings-black-women-younger-adults.html?campaign_id=57&emc=edit_ne_20210309&instance_id=27893&nl=evening-briefing®i_id=85783343&segment_id=53103&te=1&user_id=2965744ad183e0850dfc9488215de450
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/twitter-sues-texas-attorney-general-claiming-retaliation-trump-ban-n1260201
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/03/10/derek-chauvin-trial-live-jury-selection-continue/4641875001/
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/tire-company-bridgestone-offers-employees-100-vaccinate-76363881?cid=clicksource_4380645_3_heads_hero_live_headlines_hed
https://www.axios.com/andrea-sahouri-verdict-des-moines-register-blm-protest-arrest-f80b51f8-e663-48bb-ba94-24a5a17ce883.html
https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/08/politics/president-joe-biden-white-house-dogs/index.html
https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2021/03/09/biden-dogs-delaware-while-jill-biden-travels-white-house-says/4640961001/
usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/02/14/bidens-cabinet-marcia-fudge-confronts-housing-crisis-hud-nominee/4291688001/