January 2018 Current Events: 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 U.S. news events you need to know so far for January 2018:
- Truck Hits Pedestrians in San Francisco
- New York to Install More Sidewalk Barriers
- Motel 6 Sued by the State of Washington
- John Young Dead at 87
- Pennsylvania Bans Fraternity
- Steve Bannon Leaves Breitbart News
- Joe Arpaio Announces He Will Run for Senate
- Judge Blocks Trump’s Move to End DACA
- Mental Health for Veterans
- Marijuana Legalized by Vermont Senate
- Kentucky Passes Medicaid Work Requirements
- John Feeley Resigns
- False Missile Alert in Hawaii
- Nine Charges in FSU Hazing Death
- Majority of US National Park Service Board Resigns
- Lawmakers Now Liable for Sexual Harassment Payouts
- Paramedics Called to Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s House
- Preliminary Report for Las Vegas Shooting Released
- NSA’s Internet Surveillance Program Renewed
- Senate to Vote on Bill to End Government Shutdown
- US Army Helicopter Crashes
- Women’s March Sees its Second Year
- Government Shutdown Ends
- School Shooting in Kentucky
- Gas Well Explosion in Oklahoma
- Resignation of USA Gymnastics Board
- Flu Epidemic in the US
- Five Dead at Pennsylvania Car Wash
- ATM Hackers Steal $1 Million
- Cleveland Indians Plan to Drop Logo
- Train Traveling with GOP Members Hits Truck
- United Airlines Bars “Emotional Support Peacock”
- Guantanamo Bay to Remain Open
- All Directors Have Resigned from USA Gymnastics Board
Truck Hits Pedestrians in San Francisco
On January 1, seven people were injured after being struck by a truck in San Francisco. Police say the truck made an illegal left turn, and the attack was not terrorist related. (Reuters)
Photo Source: San Francisco Fire Department via AP
New York to Install More Sidewalk Barriers
After two incidences in the past year, New York City plans to add another 1,500 sidewalk barriers to prevent pedestrian deaths. The new cylinders are meant to look aesthetically pleasing, as well. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File
Motel 6 Sued by the State of Washington
On January 3, it was announced that Washington state would sue Motel 6 for illegally providing immigration authorities with guest lists. Over 9,000 guests’ information was released by six Motel 6 locations. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Elaine Thompson
John Young Dead at 87
John Young, a well-known astronaut, was pronounced dead on January 6 at the age of 87. Young walked the moon in 1972 and had flown with 3 NASA space programs, which is a record. (Reuters)
Photo Source: NASA via AP
Pennsylvania Bans Fraternity
After the hazing death in 2013, it was announced on January 8 that Pi Delta Psi was banned from operating in Pennsylvania for the next ten years. Four individuals were also sentenced in relation to the Michael Deng case. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
Steve Bannon Leaves Breitbart News
On January 9, Steve Bannon announced that he would be leaving his post at Breitbart News. Bannon left after making remarks about President Trump’s son. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
Joe Arpaio Announces He Will Run for Senate
On January 9, Joe Arpaio announced that he would be run for senate to replace Jeff Flake. Arpaio is an ex-sheriff who was pardoned by Trump in 2017 after his conviction of criminal contempt. (BBC)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Matt York
Judge Blocks Trump’s Move to End DACA
On January 9, a federal judge in San Francisco temporarily blocked President Trump’s move to end DACA. The judge, Judge William Alsup, said the program must remain in place until litigation is resolved. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes
Mental Health for Veterans
On January 9, President Trump signed an executive order that requires government departments to treat mental health issues in veterans. The hope is that this new order will decrease the suicide rates among veterans. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Evan Vucci
Marijuana Legalized by Vermont Senate
On January 10, Vermont became the first state to legalize recreational marijuana through a legislative process rather than a ballot initiative. The bill goes in effect on July 1. (Reuters)
Photo Source: Bigstock/photoroman
Kentucky Passes Medicaid Work Requirements
On January 12, Kentucky became the first state to receive permission from the government to allow work requirements for Medicaid. This new implementation requires able-bodied recipients to work 80 hours a month and pay a premium each month. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File
John Feeley Resigns
John Feeley, the U.S. Ambassador to Panama resigned on January 12, after claiming he can no longer serve President Trump. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco
False Missile Alert in Hawaii
On January 13, a false missile alert sent the people of Hawaii into a complete panic. The state later said the false alert was due to inadequate safety measures and human error. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Caleb Jones, file
Nine Charges in FSU Hazing Death
On January 17, nine fraternity members were charged in the death of their fellow Florida State University classmate. The pledge died of alcohol poisoning due to the hazing ritual that took place during pledge week. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Joseph Reedy
Majority of US National Park Service Board Resigns
On January 17, 7 of the 10 members of the U.S. National Park Service Board handed in their resignations, claiming it was because the Trump administration had ignored them. The members were appointed by former President Obama. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Felicia Fonseca
Lawmakers Now Liable for Sexual Harassment Payouts
Though Congress has been divided these past few months, it was announced on January 18 that a proposed bill has gained the support of both sides. The new bill updates a 20-year old law, claiming that House Representatives may no longer use public funds for sexual harassment settlements. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Susan Walsh
Paramedics Called to Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s House
On January 19, it was reported that paramedics had been called to Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s house. It was later announced that the call was due to signs of low blood sugar and Justice Sonia Sotomayor is fine. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File
Preliminary Report for Las Vegas Shooting Released
On January 19, authorities released the much anticipated preliminary investigative report on the Las Vegas shooting. The report still does not contain a motive; however, information on the victim count and the shooter have been released. Authorities have also stated that they have a new person of interest who has recently been brought in for questioning. (CNN)
Photo Source: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department via AP
NSA’s Internet Surveillance Program Renewed
On January 19, President Trump signed a bill renewing the surveillance program of the NSA. The bill allows the collection of foreign intelligence, but also allows the NSA to collect data belonging to Americans. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File
Senate to Vote on Bill to End Government Shutdown
On January 20, the government shut down after an agreement on the budget was not made the day before. There will be a vote early Monday morning on a temporary bill to fund the government until February 8 in order to avoid unpaid leave for hundreds of thousand federal staff members. (BBC)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
US Army Helicopter Crashes
On January 20, a U.S. Army helicopter crashed in California, killing two soldiers. An investigation on the crash is ongoing. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert
Women’s March Sees its Second Year
Following President Trump’s first year in office, hundreds of thousands of people voiced their disapproval by participating in the second Women’s March on January 20. The marches were held in over 250 cities around the country. (Reuters)
Photo Source: Rainmaker Photo/MediaPunch/IPX
Government Shutdown Ends
On January 22, the government shutdown ended after a short three-day period. Senators were able to reach an agreement on funding until February 8. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
School Shooting in Kentucky
On January 23, there was a school shooting in western Kentucky at Marshall County High School. Two students have been reported dead and another seventeen injured. The suspect, a fifteen year old male, is currently in custody pending investigation. Details continue to be released. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Stephen Lance Dennee
Gas Well Explosion in Oklahoma
On January 23, five bodies of the missing oil rig workers were found. The remains were discovered a day after the gas well exploded in Oklahoma. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File
Resignation of USA Gymnastics Board
Due to the allegations against Larry Nassar, the US Olympic Committee stated that the board must step down by the end of January or it will lose its status as a sports governing body. As of January 27, six of the eighteen members have resigned. (BBC)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Carlos Osorio
Flu Epidemic in the US
The flu has spread voraciously throughout the United States, killing 37 children as of January 27. The CDC is predicting that this flu epidemic will surpass that of the 2014-15 season, where 34 million people were affected. (BBC)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Gregory Bull
Five Dead at Pennsylvania Car Wash
A gunman opened fire on a Pennsylvania car wash on January 28. A total of five people have been reported dead and one more has been injured. The shooter is suspected to be among the dead, but investigations are ongoing. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
ATM Hackers Steal $1 Million
On January 29, a US Secret Service official announced that hijackers have been stealing ATMs from around the US, forcing the machines to spit out bills. An estimated $1 million has been stolen so far. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Gerry Broome
Cleveland Indians Plan to Drop Logo
On January 29, it was announced that the Cleveland Indians plan to remove their “Chief Wahoo” logo for the 2019 season. The logo has been labeled as a racist, and discussions to remove it have been going on for a year. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Tony Dejak
Train Traveling with GOP Members Hits Truck
On January 31, a train carrying Republican lawmakers to a retreat crashed into a truck on its way to Virginia. One fatality and one serious injury have been reported, but all members of Congress are safe. (BBC)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Adrian Sainz
United Airlines Bars “Emotional Support Peacock”
On January 31, a woman attempted to bring her “emotional support peacock” onto a United Airlines flight. The airline could not accept the animal due to its weight and size. (BBC)
Photo Source: 123RF/Eric Issele
Guantanamo Bay to Remain Open
President Trump signed an executive order on January 31 to keep Guantanamo Bay open, something former President Obama fought to close. President Obama had signed an order to close the prison in 2008, but opposition from lawmakers prevented full closure. (BBC)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Molly Riley
All Directors Have Resigned from USA Gymnastics Board
USA Gymnastics released a statement on January 31, stating that all directors have officially resigned amidst the Larry Nassar controversy. The governing body is still attempting to ensure all members of the board resign in order to maintain its governing status. (Reuters)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Carlos Osorio
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