January Current Events 2023: US News
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The world is a very busy place, and it's hard to stay on top of everything. Infoplease has got you covered. Here are the US news events you need to know so far for January 2023.
- Florida’s High School Bathroom Separation Upheld By Federal Appeals Court
- Worker Killed In Alabama Airport Airplane Incident
- President Biden Names New Acting Chairman Of Energy Regulation Committee
- Police Found Eight Members Of A Family Dead In Their House In Utah
- Kevin Mccarthy Elected As The Speaker Of The United House Of Representatives
- President Biden Pays Visit To US-Mexico Border
- United States House Of Representatives Adopt New Rules
- Illinois Expect Legal Challenge As They Ban Sales Of Semi-Automatic Gun
- After Several Felony Convictions, Trump Organization Gets A Fine Of $1.6 Million
- California And Alabama Get Federal Intervention Due To Storms And Tornadoes
- Domestic Shooting In California With Reports Of Six People Dead
- Bid To Block New York Gun Restrictions Declined By United States Supreme Court
- Standoff Sparks Economic Worries As United States Hits Debt Ceiling
- Gunman Opens Fire After Lunar New Year Festival, Leaving Ten People Dead
- State Ban On Semi-Automatic Gun Temporarily Blocked By A Judge In Illinois
- Another Mass Shooting In California Leaves 10 People Dead
- Meta Will Reinstate Trump’s Instagram And Facebook Account
Florida’s High School Bathroom Separation Upheld By Federal Appeals Court
Photo Source: AP Photo/Ron Harris
Friday, December 30, 2022 - A federal appeals court upheld a Florida high school’s policy. The policy forbids transgender students from using bathrooms that accord with their chosen identity.
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, after their 7-4 vote, said that because the St. Johns County School board said the student should use bathrooms that correspond to their biological sex, it does not mean they violated the constitution of the United States or federal civil rights law.
The policy was challenged by Drew Adams, a transgender man who sued in 2017 after he was barred from using the boy’s bathroom. Tara Borelli, a lawyer with Lambda Legal who is representing Adams, said the appeals court's ruling is aberrant, contrary to the ruling of every other circuit.
Two other federal appeals courts have ruled that transgender students can use bathrooms that correspond with their identities.
Source: Reuters
Worker Killed In Alabama Airport Airplane Incident
Photo Source: AP Photo/Brynn Anderson
Sunday, January 1, 2023 - Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that a worker died on the ramp at Montgomery Regional Airport in Alabama, where the regional carrier flight of American Airlines (AAL.O) was parked.
The incident occurred when an Embraer E175 that belongs to American Airlines was parked at the gate after arriving from Dallas, which an investigation by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will follow. Following the incident, FAA said the airport had been closed.
Two people that were briefed on the matter said the earlier investigation showed that the employee was killed in an accident involving one of the engines of the airplane that was still running.
The airline declined further comment on the active investigation and said they “focused on ensuring that all involved have the support they need during this difficult time.”
Source: Reuters
President Biden Names New Acting Chairman Of Energy Regulation Committee
Photo Source: AP Photo/FERC
Wednesday, January 4, 2023 - Federal Energy Regulatory Commission confirmed that the President of the United States, Joe Biden, has named a Democrat, Willie Phillips, to be the acting chairman of FERC. After being appointed by Biden and Approved by congress, Phillips joined the commission in 2021, and he will now be the first black person to take charge at FERC.
Before joining FERC, Phillips served as the chairman of the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia, starting in 2018. He also served as a regulatory attorney with nearly 20 years in public and private practice.
The appointment of Phillips as the acting chairman will lock FERC at 2-2 due to the resignation of the former head, Richard Glick. Glick left FERC because a confirmation hearing was not held by Senator Joe Manchin, a conservative Democrat, to consider his re-nomination by Biden.
Source: Reuters
Police Found Eight Members Of A Family Dead In Their House In Utah
Photo Source: AP Photo/Sam Metz
Thursday, January 5, 2023 - The police, during a routine welfare check, found eight members of the same family, which includes five children, dead from gunshot wounds in their house in Utah. They live in a town with a population of about 8,000 people and 245 miles (394km) south of Salt Lake City.
The City Manager, Rob Dotson, said, “many of them in the city have served with the family in church, in the community, and had gone to school with them. He also said, “the community is hurting, and they are feeling lost, they are feeling pain, and they have lots of questions to ask.”
According to the letter sent to parents, officials said the five children attended schools in the Iron County school district. Spencer Cox, the Governor of Utah, tweeted his condolences.
Source: The Guardian
Kevin Mccarthy Elected As The Speaker Of The United House Of Representatives
Photo Source: AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana
Saturday, January 7, 2023 - After a very extensive concession to right-wing hardliners, Kevin McCarthy, a Republican, was elected as the speaker of the United House of Representatives on Saturday.
The victory of McCarthy at the 15th ballot ended the deepest congressional dysfunction in over 160 years. But it also highlighted his difficulties, given he had to lead a narrow and deeply polarized majority.
His victory, according to Republicans, also puts an end to President Biden's hold on both chambers. In his inaugural speech, he said, “their system is built on checks and balances, and it’s time for them to be a check and provide some balance to the policies of the president.”
McCarthy’s victory became possible only after agreeing to demands by hardliners that any lawmaker could call for his removal at any time.
Source: Reuters
President Biden Pays Visit To US-Mexico Border
Photo Source: AP Photo/Andrew Harnik
Sunday, January 8, 2023 - The president of the United States, Joe Biden, for the first time in his administration, paid a visit to the United States-Mexico border, even though lots of criticism have come from lawmakers and immigrant right advocates concerning his administration’s hard-line response to the deepening humanitarian emergency there.
Biden was welcome at the airport by local politicians and the Government of Texas, Greg Abbott, who is a Republican. There have been a lot of controversies concerning Abbott’s stringent border policies and the transportation of immigrants by bus to Democratic cities.
Biden and his company of several border patrol visited a welcome center for migrants and a stretch of the border wall between El Paso and Juarez. Aside from people watching from afar, the meeting was held without any press presence. Biden affirmed that they require assistance, and he promised to get it for them.
Source: The Guardian
United States House Of Representatives Adopt New Rules
Photo Source: AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
Monday, January 9, 2023 - The United States House of Representatives, led by the Republicans, has adopted a package of internal rules that give the rightwing hardliners more leverage over the newly elected Republican speaker of the chamber, Kevin McCarthy. Only one Republican voted against the legislation as lawmakers voted 220-213.
The rule package is set to govern the operations of the House over the next two years.
Democrats said the legislation is a rule package for the “Maga extremist” that would undermine congressional ethics, favor wealthy corporations over workers, and lead to further restrictions on abortion services.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday was putting in work at Capitol Hill, prior before the House went into session to ensure that the passage of the rules package would be smooth and successful by the end of the day.
Source: The Guardian
Illinois Expect Legal Challenge As They Ban Sales Of Semi-Automatic Gun
Photo Source: AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File
Thursday, January 12, 2023 - In response to a massacre at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park last year, Illinois has banned the sale of many kinds of semi-automatic guns.
The Governor of Illinois, J.B. Pritzker, signed the new law that bans the sales of many kinds of weapons that loads the next bullet after a shot, such a semi-automatic rifles, and pistols with detachable magazines. The ban also affects riffles with more than 10 bullets and pistols holding more than 15.
In a statement, Pritzker, a Democrat, said, “no Illinoisan, regardless of their zip code, should have to go through life fearing their loved one could be next in an ever-growing list of victims of mass shootings.
Executive director of the Illinois State Rifle Association, Richard Pearson, said close to 2.5-million-gun owners are affected by the law.
Source: Reuters
After Several Felony Convictions, Trump Organization Gets A Fine Of $1.6 Million
Photo Source: AP Photo/Adam Gray/DailyMail
Friday, January 13, 2023 — A judge in New York has fined the Trump organization $1.6 million after allegedly running a decade-long tax fraud scheme; it is the only judgment for a criminal conviction that has come close to former President Donald Trump.
Joshua Steinglass, the prosecutor, asked the judge to allow Trump Organization to pay the maximum fine, though he said it might have little to no effect on the organization.
Alvin Bragg, the District Attorney of New York, regarded the fine against Trump Organization as very important and also pleaded to lawmakers to raise the penalty for companies that break the law.
In this case, Trump and his family were not charged; however, Trump’s name was mentioned severally during the trial by prosecutors concerning his connection to the un-taxed benefits doled out to certain executives.
Source: CNN
California And Alabama Get Federal Intervention Due To Storms And Tornadoes
Photo Source: AP Photo/Susan Walsh
Sunday, January 15, 2023 — The President of the United States, Joe Biden, has approved an emergency declaration for California due to storms in the Golden State since Dec. 26, which killed 19 people and caused floods, power outages, mudslides, road closures, and evacuations.
In a statement from the White House, President Biden has approved federal Aid to help state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the storm. Due to the actions of the President, federal funding will now be available to affected individuals in Merced, Sacramento, and Santa Cruz counties.
Biden also approved an emergency declaration for Alabama on Sunday due to tornadoes that killed at least nine people, destroyed homes, and caused a power outage to tens of thousands in the south-eastern United States.
Source: Reuters
Domestic Shooting In California With Reports Of Six People Dead
Photo Source: AP Photo/ABC30 Action News
Monday, January 16, 2023 — Authorities confirmed that a shooting that happened at home in Goshen, California, had left six people, including a 17-year-old mother and a 6-month-old baby, dead. The authorities described the attack as targeted and called it a “horrific massacre.”
Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said they believe the attack was not a random act of violence. He also added that it is believed that the family was targeted, and there are gang associations involved in the scene and potential narcotics investigations.
Early on Monday morning, authorities responded after hearing multiple shots and discovered the victims as they arrived at the scene. Some victims were found on the street, while others were in the house.
Upon arrival at the scene, one of the victims was found alive at taken to the hospital, but he was later pronounced dead.
Source: Reuters
Bid To Block New York Gun Restrictions Declined By United States Supreme Court
Photo Source: AP Photo/John C. Clark
Wednesday, January 18, 2023 — The Supreme Court of the United States rejected a challenge by a group of firearms dealers in New York to numerous Democratic-backed measures adopted by the state last year to regulate the purchase of guns. The justices denied the request to block the laws, some of which imposed gun safety requirements on retailers.
New York officials said the recent gun restrictions are needed to protest public safety, even though they face many challenges in the lower courts. Since 2008, the Supreme Court has broadened gun rights in three crucial rulings.
On January 11, the Justices rejected a separate bid by members of a gun rights advocacy group. The bid was aimed at blocking much of New York’s Concealed Carry Improvement Act, which was signed into law on July 1 by the Democratic Governor, Kathy Hochul.
Source: Reuters
Standoff Sparks Economic Worries As United States Hits Debt Ceiling
Photo Source: AP Images/K.M. Chaudary
Friday, January 20, 2023 — United States could be in a fiscal crisis in the coming months as they hit a $31.4 trillion borrowing limit. This comes amid a standoff between the house, which is controlled by the Republicans and President Joe Biden’s Democrats.
The corporate leaders and at least one credit ratings agency believe that a long standoff could be catastrophic to the markets.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen informed House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other congressional leaders that her department has begun using extraordinary cash management measures. While speaking to the congressional leaders, she urges them to act promptly to protect the full faith and credit of the United States.
Republicans, however, are trying to use their debt ceiling and house majority to cut off funds to government programs and argue that the Treasury could avoid default during a standoff by prioritizing debt payments.
Source: Reuters
Gunman Opens Fire After Lunar New Year Festival, Leaving Ten People Dead
Photo Source: AP Images/Jae C. Hong
Sunday, January 22, 2023 — A gunman opened fire in a ballroom dance studio and killed 10 people, while 10 others were hospitalized. The shooting happened in a city close to Los Angeles. The shooting, which happened to be one of the worst in recent memory in California, happened very close to a lunar year festival.
According to the LA county sheriff, Robert Luna, the suspect is believed to be male Asian. The Sheriff also mentioned the importance of getting the suspect off the street as soon as possible.
Authorities also believe there could be a rise in the death toll, as some hospitalized victims are in critical condition. They have also canceled the second day of the festival, which was supposed to mark the first day of the lunar test of the rabbit.
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that the president, Joe Biden, has been briefed on the shooting by United State homeland security.
Source: The Guardian
State Ban On Semi-Automatic Gun Temporarily Blocked By A Judge In Illinois
Photo Source: AP Images/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades
Monday, January 23, 2023 — A law lawmakers passed after an incident where a gunman killed seven people and wounded dozens with an AR-15-type rifle near Chicago has been temporarily blocked by a judge In Illinois.
The ban was immediately signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, after successfully passing through the legislature earlier this month. The Governor pushed for the enactment following the last year’s Independence Day massacre in Highland Park and other mass shootings around the country.
The head of the Illinois State Rifle Association said the ban would affect close to 2.5 million firearms owners in the state.
Judge Joshua Morrison, when passing judgment, said that “the defendant, in this case, did not follow the procedural requirements necessary for this legislation to stand up to the strict scrutiny that is required when restricting rights to avoid definitional irreparable harm.”
Source: Reuters
Another Mass Shooting In California Leaves 10 People Dead
Photo Source: AP Images/Jae C. Hong
Tuesday, January 24, 2023 — A mass shooting at two locations in the coastal northern California city left seven people dead. The shooter was apprehended after he drove into the parking lot of the police station while trying to turn himself in. The shooting comes just after another shooting that happened on Saturday in Southern California.
Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, said he was informed about the shooting in Half Moon Bay when he was paying a visit to the Monterey Park victims in the hospital.
The sheriff of San Mateo County, Christina Corpus, identified the shooter as Chunli Zhao, a 67-year-old who is said to be a worker at one of the shooting locations. While speaking with the reporters, San Mateo County supervisor Ray Mueller said, “there were farm workers affected tonight. There were little children on the scene of the incident.” He described the attack as a terrible tragedy for their community.
Source: Reuters
Meta Will Reinstate Trump’s Instagram And Facebook Account
Photo Source: AP Images/Alex Brandon
Wednesday, January 25, 2023 – Meta, the parent company of Facebook, announced on Wednesday that it will reinstate former President Donald Trump's accounts on Facebook and Instagram in the coming weeks, just over two years after suspending him.
This follows the Twitter reinstatement by a popular vote carried out by Elon Musk in November 2022.
Many online safety campaigners and Democratic Party Politicians slammed Meta's decision. In a tweet, Congressman Adam Schiff stated that reinstating Trump's "access to a social media platform to disseminate his falsehoods and demagoguery is hazardous."
Although the former president has yet to resume using Twitter, sources have reported that he is moving to reinstate all his social media accounts, evident by a letter sent by Trump's campaign to Meta for full reinstatement of his account.
According to Meta executives, Donald Trump now poses a “low threat to online safety,” however, future violations of platform policies could result in suspension for as long as two years.
Source: CNN
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