News Roundup: 9/18/2017
By Andy Gutierrez
1. Protests Continue in St. Louis:
Protests continue for the fourth night straight on Monday after the acquittal of former police officer Jason Stockley, a white officer who shot and killed Anthony Lamar Smith, a black man. Protesters became violent on Sunday night as many broke planters along sidewalks and threw them at officers, more than 120 were arrested. Protesters were back in the streets for a peaceful protest on Monday afternoon after the violent events of the prior night. Police reported no injuries or arrests during this peaceful protest. Later Monday, many gathered in front of the St. Louis Justice Center for a passionate and peaceful protest.
Source: CNN
2. Down Size of National Parks:
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is proposing that four national monuments around the country be reduced in size, with the affect of clearing up more room for mining, logging and other developments. This proposal comes from a leaked White House memo and already has various environmental groups ready to fight it. These four national monuments include Bear Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante in Utah, Gold Butte in Nevada and Cascade-Siskiyou in Oregon. Zinke’s plan would also include lighter restrictions on fishing, hunting and grazing across many areas around the country. National monuments hold a place in American history as a means of protecting and preserving the natural beauty, artifacts and species associated to the land for future generations.
Source: AP News
3. Hurricane Maria Heads Towards Caribbean Islands:
On Monday night, Hurricane Maria has intensified to a Category 5 storm as its current path could take it to many of the same islands that Hurricane Irma swept through. The eye of the storm passed over Dominica on Monday night, with forecasters predicting a direct strike of Puerto Rico on Wednesday. Many of these islands are still recovering from Hurricane Irma as St. Thomas and St. John had extensive damage and many Puerto Ricans are without power. Officials are advising Puerto Ricans to evacuate to one of the 500 shelters set up around the island as the territory imposes rations on basic supplies on the island.
Source: AP News
4. Trump Makes UN Debut:
This year’s United Nations General Assembly marked the introduction of President Donald Trump to the diplomats and world leaders. This is the first time that many of the UN members will have the opportunity to meet and create positive impressions on the president. The President’s schedule is filled with meetings with these world leaders to discuss various topics, but the main event comes as Trump addresses the UN for the first time on Tuesday. Officials predict that the president will take a tone that rallies the nations together for a common cause. Despite attending the summit, Trump was once critical of the UN, but has made achievements at the Security Council when sanctions on North Korea were passed last week.
Source: CNN
5. Republicans Attempt to Repeal the Affordable Care Act:
Another attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act gained support Monday, after Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey endorsed a new bill headed by Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. The two senators are rushing to bring it to the senate floor, as they have days before a special rule expires which allows the bill to pass with 50 votes instead of 60. These votes may be hard to gain as some senators remain either undecided or opposed. Leading patient and medical groups are also strongly opposed to this new bill. The new bill would allow states to expand Medicaid and eliminate tax subsidies, but it will also allow health insurers to charge sick Americans more for coverage.
Source: Los Angeles Times