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Bipartisan bill averts a potential government shutdown.

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POLITICS House passes bill to avoid government shutdown, Senate to vote next | CNBC

House Passes Johnson’s Plan to Avert Shutdown in Bipartisan Vote | NYT

Since the war in Gaza started on October 7th, over 11,000 Palestinians, 2/3rds of which were women and children, have been killed. And as the fighting outside of Gaza City’s largest hospital, Al-Shifa, intensifies, that number is likely to go up.

Bombs and gunfire can be heard through the walls of the hospital as 650 patients, 500 staff members, and 2,500 displaced Palestinians seek shelter and medical attention. Only now, staying could be a death sentence. 32 patients, including 3 babies, have died since Al-Shifa’s emergency generator ran out of fuel on Saturday, and the lives of 36 others are now on the line. Without power, medical personnel have resorted to taping breathing tubes to infants’ faces and wrapping them in aluminum foil for warmth. Others within the hospital are struggling to attain ample food and water as conditions outside worsen. 

So why is the fighting happening so close to a major hospital? 

In their relentless pursuit of Hamas militants, Israel was led to Al-Shifa hospital due to claims that Hamas was hiding within tunnels beneath the building, using those inside as human shields. Normally, international laws prohibit attacks on hospitals during war, unless those hospitals are believed to contain combatants. Even then, there must be a chance for civilians to flee. Staff inside Al-Shifa, as well as Hamas personnel themselves, denied Israel’s claims that any combatants were hiding in or nearby, but this hasn’t stopped Israel’s tenacious firepower. And though some inside the hospital were able to escape, many had no choice but to stay. With all the fighting happening outside, staff at Al-Shifa denied any possibility for patient transfers due to the danger and lack of appropriate equipment. A prime concern for those remaining is fuel.

Though Israel continues to bombard the Al-Shifa area with missiles and gunfire, the Israeli Defense Forces claimed to have left 300 liters of fuel for the hospital nearby. Even if the staff managed to brave the destruction outside, that amount of fuel would only power the hospital for 15 to 30 minutes, according to experts. And so, patients, civilians, and medical professionals in the hospital face a very morbid question…

How long do we have left?

The population of Gaza is 2.3 million people, and 2/3rds of that population have fled their homes since the war began. Many flocked to hospitals for safe haven. Unfortunately, the list of hospitals being shut down due to lack of fuel only seems to be growing. Yesterday, the Red Cross was hoping to evacuate 6,000 patients from a second hospital in Gaza, but they were forced to abandon the plan due to fighting. This other hospital, Al-Quds is now deemed out of service.

For those who manage to escape the fighting in northern Gaza during one of Israel’s agreed-upon daily pauses, they face the familiar threats of overflowing shelters and food scarcity. But it seems nothing is more deadly than a lack of fuel, which follows the fleeing civilians everywhere they go.

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Medics and patients, including babies, stranded as battles rage around Gaza hospitals

Live updates | Fighting outside Gaza's largest hospital prompts thousands to flee

Doctors at Gaza's biggest hospital say newborns are dying after facility goes 'out of service'

Dozens of babies' lives at risk as incubators at Gaza's Al Shifa hospital run out of power, Hamas-run health ministry says - CBS News

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Michigan timeline: Sign stealing, coaching turnover, Jim Harbaugh suspension | ESPN

Coach Jim Harbaugh banned from 3 games over sign-stealing allegations. Michigan asks judge for stay | AP

Michigan Files Temporary Restraining Order Seeking to Block Jim Harbaugh Suspension | SI

Michigan sign-stealing case put on 'very fast timeline' by NCAA with resolution sought expeditiously | CBS   

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6 election night takeaways: Democrats win big, but GOP holds Mississippi | ABC News

Odd-Year Election Goes Well for Democrats, but GOP Still Runs More Chambers | NCSL

Democrat Gabe Amo projected to win open House seat in Rhode Island | CNBC

Democrats won big on abortion rights Tuesday. Here’s what the results say for the US going into 2024 | AP    

It was an otherwise quiet summer night on July 11th when 56-year-old Willie Hopkins first struck, bursting into a Mobil gas station in Washtenaw County brandishing a gun and holding the terrified clerk at gunpoint. The perpetrator vanished into the darkness with the stolen cash, leaving the shaken victim behind. 

Police thought it was an isolated incident, but as investigators dug deeper, a disturbing pattern emerged - Hopkins was connected to no less than 10 other armed robberies across Washtenaw County and in Ohio in less than one month alone. It quickly became clear a serial armed robber was on the loose.

The police started to scan security footage from multiple locations showing the same masked suspect brandishing a gun and forcing terrified clerks to empty their cash registers. Evidence from the police stated that cell phone records also placed Hopkins at the scene of several robberies. And when officers pulled him over late on August 8th for a traffic violation in a car matching the suspect vehicle, their suspicions were finally confirmed.

Hopkins had thought his criminality would go unchecked after that first successful job, but the trail of clues he left behind including: grainy security videos, cell phone calls, and evidence in the perpetrators vehicle connected the dots all leading directly back to him. His confirmed crimes involve robbing nine gas stations, one grocery store, and one convenience store.

Officers have now stated Hopkins could face over 25 years in federal prison if convicted on robbery and firearms charges for his violent crime spree. The peaceful community of Washtenaw County terrorized by his brazen acts can rest easy knowing Hopkins is responsible for these serial robberies and off their streets.

Thank for listening to this C2 Story, and share with any Michigan residents you think might be interested!

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Man accused of 10 armed robberies over 28 days in Washtenaw, Monroe counties | All About Ann Arbor 

​​Police arrest man suspected of armed robberies in Washtenaw County | All About Ann Arbor 

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This past weekend, Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the West Bank with the goal of protecting Palestinian civilians while supporting Israel's right to self-defense. A delicate balancing act.

In Ramallah, where the presidential headquarters of the Palestinian Authority are located, Blinken met with Mahmoud Abbas al-Zanoun, President of the Palestinian Authority, to ensure that Gaza's plight has US attention in Blinken’s ultimate goal to a peaceful compromise. But resolution remains elusive.

Israel has stated they will resist ceasefires until the hostages captured on October 7th are released and returned home, continuing their onslaught of Gaza in the meantime. On the other hand, the aging Abbas, who has led the Palestinian Authority since 2005, wants power in Gaza under a quote "comprehensive solution" many interpret as a bilateral treaty of some sorts, but talks have long stalled.

Blinken’s visit comes amidst strong tension in the US, visible in the mass protests seen across major cities, college campuses, and elsewhere. And while it appears he is doing his best to straddle the divide, one point he did not compromise on was the safety of US forces, highlighting that threats on the US are quote “unacceptable” in response to a recent uptick of Iranian-backed militia attacks on US forces.

While Blinken's visits have shown little physical progress in the Israeli-Hamas conflict, the trip shows promise of more U.S. involvement towards an ultimately peaceful solution.

Thanks for listening to this Current2 story, and at the end of the day all we can hope for is a return of peace to the Middle East.

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Blinken shuttles from the West Bank to Iraq trying to contain the fallout from the Israel-Hamas war | AP News 

Israel-Hamas war live updates: Blinken makes surprise visit to occupied West Bank | CNBC News 

For the first time in the history of their organization, The Texas Rangers have finally won the World Series. Led by 2023 World Series MVP, Corey Seager, the Rangers dominated in Game 5 of the World Series, closing it out 4 games to 1.

After decades of playoff heartbreak, the Rangers are finally World Series champions. This title was years in the making after GM Chris Young declared last spring training that the team was "sick of losing."

Young aggressively rebuilt the roster, signing stars like Seager and Marcus Semien. But the Rangers faced obstacle after obstacle, including injuries to key players like Jacob deGrom.

Time and again, unheralded players stepped up, embodying the team's "next man up" mentality. Rookie Josh Jung emerged when Seager was out. New acquisitions like Max Scherzer filled gaps in the rotation. And prospect Evan Carter ignited the offense late in the season.

The Rangers overcame a disastrous stretch in late summer where they lost 9 straight and 16 of 20. But this team never gave up. Their resilience paid off with a historic 11 straight road playoff wins led by Adolis Garcia, Seager, and Semien.

With this World Series victory, Seager is jokingly being crowned as "Mr. October 2.0," passing Reggie Jackson in postseason stats. And manager Bruce Bochy cemented his legacy with his 4th title, putting him amongst the greats like Joe Torre and Casey Stengel. Could we see Bochy surpass those legends for most World Series championships ever? With a gritty team like these Rangers, don't count them out for more parades down the streets of Arlington in the future.

Chris Young and the Rangers pulled off an incredible turnaround in just 2 years thanks to vision, smart acquisitions, and a team culture that overcame adversity. After decades of waiting, Rangers fans can finally celebrate their long-awaited championship.

Thanks for listening to this Current2 story and text us who you thought was gonna win the 2023 World Series!

Sources:

Rangers take out D-backs for franchise's 1st World Series title | ESPN 

World Series 2023: How Rangers' rapid rebuild led to a title | ESPN 
Texas Rangers' Corey Seager Matches 'Mr. October' Reggie Jackson's Playoff Stats | FanNation

Last night, New York Republicans were set to vote on representative George Santos’ precarious position in the House. Santos has been indicted on federal fraud charges for stealing from some of his donors. He is also in New York republicans' crosshairs for fabricating his background to appeal to voters, lying to Congress, and receiving unemployment benefits he did not deserve. 

Despite the long list of complaints against him, most Republicans voted against an ouster, and Santos easily held onto his mantle. 

Congress has only expelled five members throughout its long history. None of them were kicked out before a jury made their sentencing. And yet, it wasn’t all that long ago–May of 2022–when House Republicans overruled a Democratic motion to push ahead on charges against George Santos, sweeping the issue aside.

It seems history has once again repeated itself.

To expel Santos, the resolution needed the support of at least two-thirds of voting lawmakers, but the vote did not even gain a simple majority, the final tally showing 179 for expulsion and 213 against. 

Newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson argued that Santos should be given a fair trial before his fate as representative is sealed. This seemed to be a common thought amongst republican lawmakers who voted against Santos’ expulsion. They are looking to withhold punishment until his trial is concluded and the House Ethics Committee investigation is finalized.  

Other New York Republicans, however, do not share his sentiment. Representative Anthony D’Esposito, who officially put forth Santos’ ouster last week, called him a quote “stain” on Congressional proceedings, and Representative Steve Womack said he and other voters were sick of the quote “Santos charade.” 

Despite the slim majority held by the GOP, these lawmakers argue that the George Santos’ unseemly actions supersede politics. It was said to be a quote “moral” issue. 

But it’s an issue whose resolution must come later, to be decided by Santos’ trial and the ethics committee findings. 

One thing is for certain: the failed Santos expulsion is not the end of this conversation.

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Rep. George Santos is facing an effort by fellow New York Republicans to expel him from the House

House to vote on whether to expel Rep. George Santos from Congress

Rep. George Santos is facing an effort by fellow New York Republicans to expel him from the House