Thursday August 20 top news briefs
Hello! My name is Renca and I am subbing for Alex this week. Today is Thursday, August 20th. Ready for our top news?
Kamala Harris accepts VP nomination
On Wednesday night, Senator Kamala Harris accepted the nomination to be the Democratic vice presidential candidate with Joe Biden. She became the first Black woman and first Asian American woman to appear on a major party (either Democrats or Republicans). She said in her speech that she would make sure those with identities that were marginalized would have a seat at a table. She said as a former prosecutor, she knows a predator when she sees one. She said she wishes her mother, who passed away, could be alive today to see her accept the VP nomination.
Former president Barack Obama gave a speech criticizing Donald Trump as someone who craves attention like he got from his reality shows and as someone who can’t grow into the job of a president. He said Joe Biden made him a better president and will make us a better country.
President Donald Trump tweeted criticism back at Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, and Obama and said see you on the battlefield.
Former Trump aide arrested and charged with fraud
Steve Bannon, former top aide to President Donald Trump and Brian Kolfage, leader of the crowdfunded “We Build the Wall”, have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
There are four people that were arrested for this situation. Bannon, Kolfage, Andrew Badolato, and Timothy Shea. All four of them are expected to appear in court today.
“We Build the Wall” is a fundraising campaign that Bannon and Kolfage set up to raise support for the federal government to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Both of them said that they were a “volunteer organization” and 100% of the money would go to that goal.
Suspicions started when they raised about $17 million in its first week on GoFundMe, the GFM told Bannon and Kolfage that they would need to identify a legitimate non profit organization for where the money would go to.
Based on one report, it seems that this investigation started in October 2019 and discoveries have been made about Bannon and Kolfage using some of the money for their luxury spending.
This is breaking news so we are still finding out more information about this. We will keep you posted.
Reds broadcaster Thom Brennaman suspended for anti-gay slur
Thom Brennaman, a well known sports broadcaster for the Cincinnati Reds, is suspended after he blurted out an anti-gay slur on air yesterday during the double header game between the Reds and Kansas City Royals.
This happened after a commercial break on the Fox Sports Ohio feed. Thom made that anti-gay comment, but did not realize that he was back on air.
The Reds took Thom off the broadcast in the 5th inning of the 2nd game. Before that happened, Thom apologized directly at the camera and said that he is deeply ashamed that he made that comment and he was very sorry if he hurt anyone out there. For the rest of the game, Jim Day took over the broadcast.
The Cincinnati Reds said that they are devastated by the horrific, homophobic remark made by Thom and send their sincerest apology to the LGBTQ+ community in Cincinnati and Kansas City, and all across this country. They said that they have suspended Thom until further notice. Fox Ohio Sports support the Reds’ action.
Massachusetts make flu shots required
Massachusetts will require all schoolchildren to get flu shots to stay enrolled in public schools and day cares. This requirement makes Massachusetts the first state to do that for children over the age 5.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health said that this new requirement will help reduce flu-related illness and the impact respiratory illness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Students will be expected to get the flu shots by December 31, 2020 unless a medical or religious exemption is provided.
That’s all for now. See you tomorrow. Stay with the light.
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/juliareinstein/stephen-bannon-brian-kolfage-wall-charged
https://www.wralsportsfan.com/reds-broadcaster-thom-brennaman-uses-gay-slur-on-air/19244163/
https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/20/us/massachusetts-flu-vaccine-students-trnd/index.html