Good morning, NewsNation! Here’s what you need to know Friday. For more fact-biased, unbiased news coverage 24/7 – download the NewsNation app here.
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‘Wicked roller coaster ride’: Tyler Wenrich is one of five Americans charged with carrying ammunition in Turks and Caicos after authorities found bullets Wenrich says were accidentally left in his luggage. Wenrich’s father, Michael Wenrich, told “NewsNation Live” his son’s sentence could be handed down as soon as Tuesday. “It is a wicked roller coaster of a ride right now because emotions go up, and the motion has come down,” Michael Wenrich said. “We really don’t know how this is going to play out.” Watch the interview >
Florida woman charged: Authorities in Turks and Caicos arrested Sharitta Shinise Grier, 45, of Orlando, on May 13 after officials reported finding ammunition in her possession over Mother’s Day weekend. If convicted, Grier could face a minimum sentence of 12 years. She is the fifth American to be charged with the same crime under the country’s gun laws. Details of her case >
Ammunition-related laws: In Turks and Caicos Islands, which is a British territory, no firearms, weapons or stray bullets are allowed. Turks and Caicos said in a statement that it is “the travelers’ responsibility to ensure their baggage is free of” weapons and ammunition, which is “strictly forbidden” without prior permission. Read more >
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What happened: Storms moved through southeastern Texas for the second time this month, killing at least four people and knocking out power to more than 900,000 homes and businesses in the Houston area. At least two of the deaths were caused by falling trees and another happened when a crane blew over in strong winds, officials said. The latest >
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Asylum claims: The Biden administration said a new fast-track docket in immigration courts will cut the time it takes to decide asylum claims from years to months. Migrants who settle in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York will be added to a “recent arrivals docket” that aims to have judges rule on their claims within 180 days. Why the five cities were chosen >
Biden border cap: News of the new immigration court docket comes as the president may soon issue an executive order to shut down the southern borders, according to a new report. A White House source indicates Biden plans to grant himself the power to deport undocumented immigrants once crossings reach 4,000 per day, the New York Post reports. 4,000 crossings per day is a threshold that’s frequently exceeded, including this past April. What to know >
In Mexico: Officials say the country will help the U.S. keep migrant crossings under 4,000 a day at the southern border. Mexico’s foreign minister and other representatives are holding talks with seven “migrant expelling” countries to discuss legal pathways to the U.S., economic assistance, jobs in Mexico and repatriation flights. The latest >
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What’s going on: Trucks carrying aid for the Gaza Strip traveled across a newly built U.S. pier and into the area for the first time Friday. The shipment marks the first in an operation U.S. military officials anticipate could scale up to 150 truckloads per day. This comes as Israel recently seized the Rafah border crossing, which raised elevated concerns about the safety of civilians and ways to get aid into the Gaza Strip. What to know about the pier project >
Weapons to Israel: The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would force the Biden administration to end its suspension of shipping bombs to Israel. The measure also criticizes Biden for initiating the hold and would stop funding the State Department and the National Security Council until deliveries resume. The White House put a hold on shipments of 3,500 bombs earlier this month. What’s next for the bill >
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Historic shift: The Justice Department formally moved to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug Thursday. The proposed rule sent to the federal register recognizes the medical uses of cannabis and says it has less potential for abuse than some of the country’s most dangerous drugs. The plan does not legalize marijuana outright for recreational use. Read more >
What’s next: The Drug Enforcement Administration will take public comment on the proposal in what could be a lengthy process. If approved, the rule would move marijuana out of its current classification as a Schedule I drug, alongside drugs like heroin and LSD. It would instead be a Schedule III substance like ketamine and some anabolic steroids. The latest >
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Boat hit-and-run: Authorities in Florida say they are investigating a boat of interest in the hit-and-run death of 15-year-old Ella Adler and have identified the boater as Carlos Guillermo Alonso. According to investigators, Alonso was on the water by himself last Saturday when authorities say he hit and killed the 15-year-old girl who had been wakeboarding with her friends. His attorney said he’s devastated and unaware he could have been involved in the accident. Adler was wakeboarding and celebrating a friend’s birthday south of Miami. She fell in the water and was waiting to be towed back in by her boat when she was hit. The other boat reportedly never stopped to check on the teen who was left critically injured in the water. She later died from her injuries. Latest on the case >
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Editor’s note: This section of the newsletter mentions suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, resources or someone to talk to, you can find it at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website or by calling 800-273-8255. People are available to talk 24/7. Crisis resources >
Child dies by suicide: An Indiana family is grieving after their 10-year-old son Sammy Teusch died by suicide earlier this week. “How do you make it through something like this?” asked Sam Teusch, Sammy’s father. “I don’t know. It’s different every day, and an enormous piece of our lives are gone.” Sammy’s parents say he was bullied both physically and emotionally at school. They say their son was recently beaten up on a school bus and that just last week, he was cornered by bullies in the school bathroom. According to Teusch, Sammy’s school was aware of the problem and had been contacted more than 20 times about the bullying. The school system and the local police department are now investigating Sammy’s death. Full report >
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What happened: Two House committees moved ahead with contempt charges Thursday against Attorney General Merrick Garland for refusing to turn over audio from President Joe Biden’s interview with a special counsel. This follows the White House’s decision to block the release of the recording. Full breakdown >
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We’re keeping an eye on these topics today. Make sure you tune in to our latest coverage and share your thoughts with us on social media! |
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The University of Missouri recently honored Riley Strain‘s academic accomplishments and presented a diploma to the 22-year-old’s parents. Read more >
The North Carolina State Senate voted along party lines to ban anyone from wearing masks in public, even for health reasons. What to know >
A California woman was arrested after stealing a taco truck Wednesday. The investigation >
A federal appeals court rejected a bid from a group of Maryland parents to require schools to allow them to opt their children out of lessons that involve LGBTQ-inclusive material. What to know >
A Pennsylvania man is in custody after police say they found him illegally possessing guns and drugs, and that he tried to break into the impound to get them back. Read more >
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem visited the U.S.-Mexico border Thursday a few months after deploying her state’s National Guard to Texas. Full report >
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced he granted a full pardon to the man convicted of shooting and killing a Black Lives Matter protester following a recommendation issued Thursday. The latest >
A Maine man who won $1.35 billion playing Mega Millions is now fighting his family in court, with relatives saying he owes them part of the jackpot. Details of the case >
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Among the 100,000 Americans over 60 impacted by scams and fraud, one 92-year-old grandmother said she’s not falling for it and instead turns the tables on scam callers with viral prank calls. Watch >
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Kevin Spacey said that “honest journalism” is what he needs for redemption while discussing the new allegations of sexual misconduct made against him in a recently released docuseries.
“I’m trying to show that I’ve listened. I’ve learned. I’ve got the memo,” Spacey said Thursday night during his first live TV appearance in years, exclusively on NewsNation’s “CUOMO.” “I feel very strongly that whatever mistakes I’ve made in my life, that I paid a price.”
The two-part documentary “Spacey Unmasked” features testimonies about Spacey’s alleged sexual misconduct, including a claim that he allegedly groped another “House of Cards” actor on set. Spacey denies the new allegations. Watch the “CUOMO” interview >
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This NewsNation email is written by Caitlyn Shelton and NewsNation staff. |
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