Good morning, NewsNation! There’s a lot happening Friday. Let’s catch up:
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Who won? President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump squared off Thursday evening in the first of two presidential debates in the 2024 election. Who won? While it largely depends on who you ask, many debate watchers on both sides seemed to agree on one thing: Biden had a bad night. A CNN flash poll of debate watchers found 67% of those surveyed said Trump won the debate, compared to 33% who said Biden won. Biden, 81, had a hoarse voice and appeared to lose his train of thoughts at certain points, sparking concerns among Democrats. Democratic operatives and political pundits suggested Thursday there are conversations happening about Biden possibly stepping aside before November’s election after his debate performance panicked some of his closest allies, but Biden’s first White House press secretary said the “chatter is not happening.” Read more >
‘We did well’: Biden brushed off concerns about his debate performance against Trump. While stopping at a Waffle House in Atlanta after the debate, he told reporters: “I think we did well.” When asked about whether he had concerns with his performance, Biden said, “No. It’s hard to debate a liar.” Details >
Avoiding questions: While analysts highlighted Biden stumbling throughout parts of the debate, Trump dodging certain questions did not go unnoticed. When asked about the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots, the former president tried to avoid answering the question and defended those who stormed the Capitol, blaming Biden for prosecuting them. “What they’ve done to some people who are so innocent, you ought to be ashamed of yourself,” Trump told Biden. At one point during the debate, Trump warned that members of the congressional committee that investigated Jan. 6 could face criminal charges, as could Biden himself. And when asked whether he would accept the results of the 2024 election, Trump said, “if it’s a fair and legal and good election, absolutely,” which did not appear to be an unqualified yes. Debate takeaways >
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On the economy: The candidates pointed fingers at each other for debt and inflation. Biden said Trump left behind an “economy that was in free fall.” Trump said Biden is on track to do the same: “He’s done a poor job, and inflation is killing our country.” Forty percent of voters believe the economy is the most important issue in the upcoming presidential election as of January 2024. Full breakdown >
On abortion: Biden said the overturning of Roe v. Wade has “been a terrible thing” for America. Trump said “everybody” wanted to give abortion control back to the states following Roe v. Wade. Trump accused Democrats of being “radical,” alleging they advocate for abortions in the eighth and ninth month of pregnancy. “That is simply not true. Roe v. Wade does not provide for that. That’s not the circumstance. Only if a woman is in danger and is going to die, that’s the only circumstance that could happen,” Biden said. “Not for late-term abortion. Period.” See Trump and Biden’s previous stances on abortion >
On the border: The candidates exchanged biting words over the state of the southern border. Trump claimed Biden “allowed millions of people to come here from prisons, jails and mental institutions to come into our country and to destroy our country.” Biden said: “It was bedlam when he left office.” Full breakdown >
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Gone viral: The heated debate was filled with viral moments, including digs at one another and even an argument over golf swings. Here are five viral moments from the night >
RFK Jr. post-debate: Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he believes the first presidential debate was a “depressing exhibition” of presidential potential that will leave Americans dissatisfied and disillusioned with their options. “It’s just depressing to say this is, you know, is this really the best that we can come up with?” Kennedy, who did not qualify to take the debate stage, claims he’s the only person who could beat Trump and Biden. Watch >
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‘This feeling of being hunted’: Two Maui visitors who were carjacked and robbed at gunpoint had to run, hide and hike for their lives to the top of Haleakalā. The victims are now speaking out about the dangers on Maui. Their warning >
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What’s happening: Families of 9/11 victims involved in a lawsuit against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia wrote a letter to the top Republican and Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, expressing frustration over stalled legislation and a lack of response from Congress to a video the group says shows evidence Saudi government officials were involved in planning the attacks on U.S. soil. Details of the letter >
The video: 9/11 Families United sent NewsNation a portion of the video after a judge released it by court order. The whole video totals around an hour, and at times shows a group of men, believed to have ties to the Saudi government and allegedly the same people seen on video in the U.S. with multiple 9/11 hijackers before the attack, pointing out landmarks like the White House, the Washington Monument and the Capitol building. The Capitol building, in particular, appeared to be a focus with the group. Take a look >
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Idaho college killings: The trial for Bryan Kohberger, accused of killing four students at the University of Idaho, is expected to start next June. The anticipated trial date was announced at a court hearing Thursday. While his trial was initially scheduled for October 2023, Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial, pushing the date back. A location for the trial has not yet been confirmed. Read more >
The charges: Kohberger faces four murder charges in connection with the November 2022 stabbing deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves in their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho. If convicted, Kohberger, who entered a not guilty plea, could face the death penalty. The latest >
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Ohio train derailment: Residents of East Palestine, Ohio, are still dealing with the fallout of the 2023 train derailment, and the deadline for residents to opt into a $600 million class-action settlement is fast approaching. A federal judge signed off on the settlement in May, but some residents of the Ohio village are concerned the agreement was rushed and that after legal fees, the payouts will not be enough to help them recover. “This should not have been settled so soon. Things need to come out. Testing needs to be done, and the town needs to be cleaned up,” East Palestine woman, Krissy Ferguson, told NewsNation. Full report >
Zoom in: Some residents are frustrated by language found in the fine print of the settlement releasing the Environmental Protection Agency from any future claims. “Governmental agencies, entities, and authorities, whether federal, state, county, or local, their employees, officers, agents, members, and volunteers” are listed among the released parties. There are also no mentions of health care for residents mentioned in the agreement. “One of our biggest concerns has always been human health, and this does not even provide any type of health fund for us,” East Palestine resident Jami Wallace said. Residents have until July 1 to decide whether to take part in the settlement. What to know >
Background: On the evening of Feb. 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern train derailed as it traveled through East Palestine, spilling toxic chemicals, including vinyl chloride, into the area. The train was then set on fire in what officials at the time said was a bid to avoid a bigger explosion. This sparked health concerns among residents. Read more >
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Yes, you read that right: A 20% down payment for a home is no longer the norm. A new analysis found that in today’s market, homebuyers need to put down 35% to comfortably afford a typical U.S. home. A recent study by Zillow found that a household making the median income would need to put down nearly $127,750, or 35.4%, to afford the monthly payments on a $360,000 home today. Cities where the highest and lowest down payments are needed >
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Contract: NASA has awarded a contract that would potentially be valued at $830 million to Elon Musk’s SpaceX company. NASA announced Wednesday the contract had been awarded to develop and deliver the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle that would have the ability to deorbit the space station at the end of its operational life in 2030. SpaceX will develop the spacecraft, and NASA will take ownership of the vehicle once it’s completed. Details >
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We’re keeping an eye on these topics today. Make sure you tune in to our latest coverage and share your thoughts with us on social media! Following the presidential debate in Georgia, President Joe Biden travels to New York for a LGBTQ+ fundraiser, and former President Donald Trump hits the campaign trail in Virginia. Friday marks the seventh annual Pride Live’s Stonewall Day, a campaign that supports the Stonewall legacy and fights for full LGBTQ+ equality.
The jury in Karen Read’s murder trial will deliberate for a fourth day.
A pretrial conference is set for Rakim Mayers, also known as A$AP Rocky, who is accused in a 2021 shooting. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discusses artificial intelligence at the State Department. The U.S. Supreme Court will likely announce more opinions. Iran’s presidential election is held following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.
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The suspect accused of killing two people near a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Texas has been taken into custody following a manhunt. The investigation >
A 9-year-old boy from Ohio who just wants to have fun and be a normal kid is searching for a new kidney. His story >
A man elected as the first Black mayor of Newbern, Alabama, is set to be reinstated to his position, years after he says white officials locked him out of town hall. Full report >
The owner of a boat that recently ran aground in North Carolina is facing charges. Photos of the vessel >
Veteran NFL wide receiver Randall Cobb says he and his family were able to escape a fire at their Tennessee home. Read more >
A representative for Montana hung posters outside his office in opposition to in vitro fertilization. The latest >
Officials believe an alligator spotted at a Missouri lake is someone’s exotic pet that was released. How community members tried to wrangle the reptile >
Visitors of a California lake have been urged to stay out of the water to avoid algae bloom that’s created dangerous levels of harmful toxins, officials said. The latest sampling results >
Migrants say they have been shot at with pepper balls by Texas National Guard members stationed at the southern border. Full report >
After online rumors swirled, Texas Roadhouse has confirmed its famous rolls will be available in grocery stores in some states, including Kentucky. What to know about the chain’s “8-week test” for the rolls in store >
A kidnapping victim left a note in a Utah gas station restroom, leading to the arrest of a Michigan man. The latest >
Part of an Illinois soccer field built over a mine was swallowed up by a sinkhole Wednesday. Photos >
The first giant pandas to enter the U.S. in 20 years will soon arrive at a California zoo but will need weeks to acclimate to their new surroundings before they are seen by the general public. Read more >
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A lemonade stand in Pennsylvania is just a small ingredient to a big movement. A movement to help others that all started because Makenzie Baranik cares. Read more >
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This NewsNation email is written by Caitlyn Shelton and NewsNation staff. |
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