Source APNEWS
Transcipt:
Good Morning, here are five stories that you need to know before you go to work:
California is struggling to clean up and repair damage caused by a series of storms that began late last month. 17 people have died and more than half of the state's 58 counties have been declared disaster areas. Major highways were closed due to rockslides, flooding, and mud, and thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate due to rain-swollen creeks and rivers. Despite the rain, most of the state remains in extreme or severe drought. Damage includes washed-out roads and flooded seaside businesses, and even celebrities have been affected. Several homeless people have died and others are struggling to stay safe.
California has been hit with several storms in recent weeks, causing flooding and destruction in some areas. While this water is welcomed, it is not a cure-all for the state's long-term drought problems, which are being exacerbated by climate change. The storms have filled some reservoirs, but many remain below average, and the water will not be enough to solve the state's water problems.
Two public school districts have filed lawsuits against big U.S. social media companies, claiming they have created a public nuisance by targeting their products to children, worsening mental health and behavioral disorders, making it more difficult to educate students, and forcing schools to take steps such as hiring additional mental health professionals. The lawsuits face an uncertain legal road and the tech industry insists there are many ways social media's effects on teen mental health differ from other industries. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments next month over the extent to which federal law protects the tech industry from such claims and if the high court clears the way for the lawsuits, the districts will still have to prove that social media was to blame.
The Democratic Party has become more unified over the past year, with all members voting in favor of Hakeem Jeffries for House Speaker. This unity will be tested by the Department of Justice's investigation into potentially classified documents found in Biden's former institute, and policy issues like immigration, police reform, minimum wage, voting rights, and access to abortion. Democrats are optimistic that the party can stay together heading into the next campaign, when both Congress and the White House are at stake. Joe Biden's aides and allies are preparing for a reelection run, despite Biden's age and low approval ratings.
Joe Biden was surprised to learn that government records were found at his former office space in Washington. A Republican on the House Intelligence Committee is requesting the US intelligence community to conduct a “damage assessment” of potentially classified documents. Biden's lawyers notified the National Archives about the discovery at the offices of the Penn Biden Center, and the Department of Justice is currently reviewing “a small number of documents with classified markings” found there. The White House Counsel’s office was requested to provide copies of the documents, communications about the discovery, and a list of those who may have had access to the office. The National Archives is reviewing the situation, and the Senate Intelligence Committee is requesting a briefing on the documents. The former President Donald Trump is also asking for an FBI raid on Biden's homes.
That should be enough to make you dangerous. Thanks for listening.