September Current Events 2023: U.S. 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 September 2023.
- State Ban On Gender-Affirming Care For Minor Blocked By Texas Judge
- FBI Confirms That The Shooting In Florida That Killed Three People Was Racially Motivated
- Faculty Member In University Of North Carolina Shot And Killed On Campus
- Biden Administration Names First 10 Drugs For United States Price Negotiations
- President Joe Biden Boosts Spending Request To Pay For Disaster
- Judge In Florida Strikes Down Voting Map As Unconstitutional
- First Lady Of The United States, Jill Biden, Tests Positive For COVID-19
- Court Orders Texas To Remove Buoys Meant To Block Migrants From Rio Grande River
- Former U.S. House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi Announces 2024 House Re-Election
- Republicans In United States House Ready For 2024 Defense Spending Debate Next Week
- Speaker Of The House, Kevin McCarthy Launched An Impeachment Inquiry Into President Joe Biden
- Appeal Court Blocks California Ban On Gun Marketing To Kids
- Child Dies At Daycare In New York, Three Other Children Hospitalized
- New York Judge Halts Trump’s New York Fraud Trail Temporarily
- California Law On Children Protection Online Blocked By Federal Judge
- Long COVID Clinics Get $45 Million Grants From United States Government
- Federal Judge Says California Ban On High-Capacity Gun Unconstitutional
- Bob Menendez Steps Down From Post After Been Charged With Bribery
- United States President, Joe Biden Joins Picket Line In Support Of UAW Strikers
- New York Judge Finds Former President Donald Trump Guilty Of Fraud
- House Republicans Move Present Case Towards Impeachment Of Biden
State Ban On Gender-Affirming Care For Minor Blocked By Texas Judge
Photo Source: AP Photo/Eric Gay
Saturday, August 26, 2023 – A judge in Texas has blocked a Republican-backed state law that prevents gender-affirming care, which includes puberty blockers, hormones, and surgery for transgender minors, from taking effect next week.
The office of Attorney General Ken Paxton has immediately filed an appeal to the state Supreme Court. The appeal would automatically put the judge’s order on hold, allowing the law to take effect until the appeal is decided.
The law was signed in June by Republican Governor Greg Abbott, which makes Texas one of the 20 states to ban gender-affirming care. Those who support the law confirm that the treatment is unproven and risky.
The lawyer of the families that sued the state to challenge the law, Brian Klosterboer, wrote in a statement that the court's decision is a critical victory for transgender youth and their families, supporters, and health providers against the blatantly unconstitutional law.
Source: Reuters
FBI Confirms That The Shooting In Florida That Killed Three People Was Racially Motivated
Photo Source: AP Photo/John Raoux
Sunday, August 27, 2023 – Officials confirm that the shooting at Jacksonville, Florida, that killed three people was racially motivated. A white man entered the Dollar General store with a high-powered rifle and a handgun. He shot and killed three people: two men, and one woman; all three victims were blacks. He shot himself afterward.
The secretary of homeland security in the United States, Alejandro Mayorkas, condemned the shooting and said his department closely monitors the situation. The sheriff of Jacksonville, T.K. Waters, confirmed the shooter’s hatred for black people at a news conference. He also added that no evidence exists that the shooter is part of any larger group.
The shooter notified his father shortly before he drove to the store from neighboring Clay County that he should check his computer. The father notified the authorities, but the attack had already begun.
Source: The Guardian
Faculty Member In University Of North Carolina Shot And Killed On Campus
Photo Source: AP Photo/Hannah Schoenbaum
Monday, August 28, 2023 – School officials at North Carolina University confirm that a university faculty member was shot and killed in a campus building. The school posted on X that students should resume normal activities three hours after warning students to seek shelter indoors and avoid the windows.
Officers arrived at the school about two hours after the first alert. Over 50 police vehicles were seen at the scene, and multiple helicopters circled the school.
Kevin Guskiewicz, chancellor of North Carolina University, stated the community, saying that he is devastated and saddened by the shooting. He promised work would be done to rebuild the trust damaged by the shooting.
Classes and campus events for Monday and Tuesday have been canceled.
Source: The Guardian
Biden Administration Names First 10 Drugs For United States Price Negotiations
Photo Source: AP Photo/Julio Cortez
Tuesday, August 29, 2023 – The administration of President Biden has released a list of 10 prescription medicines that will be subject to the first-ever price negotiations by the United States Medicare health program that covers 66 million people. President Biden’s signature on the Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law last year, allows Medicare to negotiate the process for costly drugs.
During an event at the White House, President Biden said that the decision marks the start of a new deal for patients. He also said Americans often pay twice or three times more than other countries for the same drugs.
Due to the announcement on Tuesday, the negotiation process for 10 drugs has kicked off, and new prices will go into effect in 2026. The program aims to save $25 billion annually on drug prices by 2031.
Source: Reuters
President Joe Biden Boosts Spending Request To Pay For Disaster
Photo Source: AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel
Friday, September 1, 2023 – The administration of President Joe Biden has added $4 billion to a supplemental funding request to Congress. This is to help pay for relief efforts after a string of disasters that have ravaged large swathes of the United States in recent weeks.
In August, the President asked Congress to approve close to $40 billion in additional spending, which includes $24 billion for Ukraine and other international needs and $12 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief fund.
The White House confirmed that it was working with Congress in other to avoid a partial federal government shutdown on October. 1. The current funding for most government programs expires on September 30, and if no action is taken before the next fiscal year begins on October 1, some government functions could shut down.
Source: Reuters
Judge In Florida Strikes Down Voting Map As Unconstitutional
Photo Source: AP Photo/Kim Chandler
Sunday, September 3, 2023 – A judge in Florida has ruled against Governor DeSantis, in a lawsuit that was filed congressional redistricting map which was approved by the governor in 2022. The lawsuit was filed by a rights group, which criticized the map for diluting political power in Black communities.
Leon County Circuit judge, J. Lee March in his ruling sent the map back to the Florida legislature, asking them to redraw it in a way that complied with the constitution of the state. The focus of the lawsuit was in north Florida congressional districts, which were previously represented by Democrat Al Lawson, who is black. His districts were carved up into districts represented by white Republicans.
The decision of the court is the latest ruling in the South against Republican-drawn congressional maps, over concerns that redistricting reduces Black voting power. The Supreme Court of the United States had earlier overturned a map drawn by Republicans in Alabama.
Source: The Guardian
First Lady Of The United States, Jill Biden, Tests Positive For COVID-19
Photo Source: AP Photo/Mark Thiessen
Tuesday, September 4, 2023 – The White House confirmed that the First Lady of the United States, Jill Biden has tested positive for COVID-19, days before the president, Joe Biden is expected to travel to a Group of 20 summit in India.
The communications director of the First Lady, Elizabeth Alexander confirmed that Jill Biden tested positive for the virus and will remain at their home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The President was tested afterward but tested negative for the virus.
The official week-ahead schedule of President Biden that was released shortly after the diagnosis of the First Lady showed that he would still be traveling to New Delhi on Thursday to attend the G20 summit.
President Biden is running for re-election in the 2024 presidential election. However, there has been a question about his age. He is the oldest President to ever seek a second term.
Source: Reuters
Court Orders Texas To Remove Buoys Meant To Block Migrants From Rio Grande River
Photo Source: AP Photo/Eric Gay
Wednesday, September 6, 2023 – A judge in the United States has ordered Texas to move a line of roaring buoys that were placed in the middle of the Rio Grande. The buoys were placed there in order to block migrants from crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.
Federal Judge, David Ezra issued a preliminary injunction in the state capital, which requires Texas to relocate the buoys which are currently near the city of Eagle Pass to an embankment on the Texas side of the river. The administration of President Biden argued that the buoys disrupted navigation and were installed without seeking approval from the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
The Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott said the president has been too lenient with border security, as a score of migrants has been apprehended after crossing the border in recent years. There is a possibility that Texas would appeal the ruling in a conservative-leaning fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Source: The Guardian
Former US House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi Announces 2024 House Re-Election
Photo Source: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
Friday, September 8, 2023 – The former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi has announced that she will be seeking re-election in 2024. The announcement was made by the 83-year-old Democrat, representing California’s 11th district in San Francisco.
Pelosi has represented San Francisco since 1987 and served as the speaker of the House twice. Her first tenure as the speaker was from 2007 to 2011 when she became the first female speaker. She served as speaker again from 2019 to the beginning of this year.
She announced her resignation as the leader of the House when Republicans took control of the House with a narrow 222-212 majority. Pelosi has played a key role in international politics, which includes becoming the first highest-ranking United States official to visit Taiwan in 25 years.
Source: The Guardian
Republicans In United States House Ready For 2024 Defense Spending Debate Next Week
Photo Source: Getty Images
Saturday, September 9, 2023 – The United States House of Representatives is set to consider fiscal 2024 defense spending legislation next week. The House, which is controlled by the Republicans will return to Washington from its August recess on Tuesday. They will confer an appropriation bill covering defense spending.
Republican lawmakers however said that the party remains divided over the appropriations bills, as well as an expected short-term stopgap measure to keep federal agencies operation when current funding expires on Sept. 30.
Both the House and the Senate, which is led by the Democrats each needs to pass 12 appropriations bills for the 2024 fiscal year which begins on October 1, and then negotiate compromise legislation that President Biden can sign into law. Lawmakers would have additional time to resolve their differences over spending due to a stopgap measure known as a continuing resolution.
Source: Reuters
Speaker Of The House, Kevin McCarthy Launched An Impeachment Inquiry Into President Joe Biden
Photo Source: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
Tuesday, September 12, 2023 – Kevin McCarthy, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives announced on Tuesday that an impeachment investigation would be opened by Republicans against President Joe Biden over unproven allegations of corruption in his family’s business dealings.
The announcement by the speaker marked the beginning of several expected hearings aimed at convincing the Public that the president profited from the business dealings of his son, Hunter Biden, and other family members. It is however unclear whether or not the GOP has enough evidence to substantiate the long-running claims or even the votes for impeachment.
The impeachment inquiry will be handled by the oversight, Judiciary, and ways and means committee, which are all controlled by McCarthy allies, and have since the start of the year spent much of their time trying to make corruption allegations against the president stick.
Source: The Guardian
Appeal Court Blocks California Ban On Gun Marketing To Kids
Photo Source: AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli
Wednesday, September 13, 2023 - An appeals court in the United States has blocked a California law, that banned gun marketing that is attractive to minors, saying it is unlikely to reduce gun violence or the unlawful use of firearms.
A panel of the 9th United States Circuit based in San Francisco said that it is very likely that the hunting and sport shooting groups would prevail on claims that the law violates their free-speech rights under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
The ruling of the appeals court reversed a January ruling by a federal judge in Sacramento who said the law properly regulated commercial speech and the groups might not succeed in their challenge.
The Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, who is a Democrat signed a measure into law last year citing the need for new legislation “as the United States Supreme Court rolls back important gun safety protections.”
Source: Reuters
Child Dies At Daycare In New York, Three Other Children Hospitalized
Photo Source: AP Images
Saturday, September 16, 2023 – Authorities confirm that a one-year-old boy had died, and three other children were hospitalized after emergency workers responded to a report of cardiac arrest at a daycare center in New York City.
Police confirmed that they found equipment that is often used in the production of illegal drugs in the daycare in the Bronx. However, police said that they are still investigating the possible cause of the death and hospitalization. Officials from the fire department tested the air for environmental hazards, such as carbon monoxide, but found no evidence of that.
Investigators, however, obtained a search warrant to search the daycare, and they found what is commonly known as a kilo press. The kilo press, according to the New York Police Department’s chief of detective, is a device that is commonly used by drug dealers to package large quantities of drugs.
Source: The Guardian
New York Judge Halts Trump’s New York Fraud Trail Temporarily
Photo Source: AP Images
Friday, September 15, 2023 – A judge of the New York state appeals has temporarily halted the scheduled trial set to be held on Oct. 2. The trial is a fraud lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General, Letitia James, against Donald Trump and his family business. The order was given after Mr. Trump sued the trial judge overseeing the case, Justice Arthur Engoron, and James for defying a court order that could potentially narrow the lawsuit.
According to the spokesman of the appeals court, an interim stay was granted by Justice David Friedman, until a five-judge panel reviews the matter. However, Friedman's stay does not affect a hearing scheduled for Sept. 22.
The Attorney General is seeking a fine of $250 million, and also barring Trump and his sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump from leading the family business.
Source: Reuters
California Law On Children Protection Online Blocked By Federal Judge
Photo Source: AP Images
Tuesday, September 19, 2023 – A federal Judge has prevented California from enforcing a law meant to protect children while using the internet. The Judge said that the law’s commercial speech restrictions likely violate the United States Constitution’s First Amendment. The Judge, Beth Labson Freeman said she was aware of the harm that the internet causes to children but said California’s law swept too broadly.
The law, referred to as the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act was unanimously passed by the state legislature last September, and was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. Platforms are required to assess whether the content they offer would harm children or not before releasing it.
California’s Attorney General Office, Rob Bonta which enforces California’s laws said that they were disappointed by the decision of the court, and they will respond in court as appropriate.
Source: Reuters
Long COVID Clinics Get $45 Million Grants From United States Government
Photo Source: SOURCE
Wednesday, September 20, 2023 – The Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that the government of the United States is awarding a grant of $45 million to assist clinics treating long-term COVID to develop new models of care and expand access. The department said that nine clinics will receive $1 million in grants annually for the next five years.
Last year, President Joe Biden tasked the HHS with developing a national action plan to tackle long COVID, a complex, multi-symptom condition that arises months after COVID-19 infection and prevents many of its sufferers from working.
The funding will be used for increasing in-person and virtual visits, establishing new satellite clinics, and an education initiative aimed at growing referrals. It would also be used in social services, hiring interpreters, group patient programs, and behavioral health support.
Source: Reuters
Federal Judge Says California Ban On High-Capacity Gun Unconstitutional
Photo Source: AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes
Friday, September 22, 2023 – A federal judge in California has ruled that the state’s ban on magazine that holds more than 10 rounds of ammunition is unconstitutional and that it violated the Second Amendment rights of firearms owners. The judge said that California went too far by preventing people from using magazines for lawful purposes, which includes protecting themselves.
Attorney General of California, Rob Bonta, who enforces the state’s laws has decided to seek a stay while he appeals the ruling to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. Judge Benitez delayed enforcing his verdict for 10 days, to allow Bonta to seek a stay.
The governor of California, Gavin Newsom criticized Judge Benitez for multiple decisions that favored firearms owners. He however praised the ruling of the appeals court as a “huge victory for the health and safety of all Californians.”
Source: Reuters
Bob Menendez Steps Down From Post After Been Charged With Bribery
Photo Source: AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Saturday, September 23, 2023 – A senator in the United States has stepped down temporarily as head of the chamber’s powerful foreign relations committee pending the time, he battles the bribery charges against him.
A prosecutor from the Department of Justice alleges Robert Menendez and his wife accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in exchange for aid to Egypt’s government. The charges were however denied by the couples. Mrs. Menendez's lawyers denied any wrongdoing and said she would defend herself in court.
In 2015, he also had to step down after he was indicted in New Jersey on bribery charges. However, the case ended in a mistrial after jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict. Ben Cardin, a Maryland Democrat who took over as the committee’s leading Democrat at the time, is expected to fill the vacancy again temporarily.
Source: BBC
United States President, Joe Biden Joins Picket Line In Support Of UAW Strikers
Photo Source: AP Photo/Evan Vucci
Tuesday, September 26, 2023 – President Joe Biden became the first United States sitting President to appear on a picket line on Tuesday. He joined a protest outside a Michigan car plant in Solidarity with the striking members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union.
The President of UAW, Shawn Fain was the first person to greet President Biden following his arrival in Michigan on Air Force One, then joined him in a presidential limousine for a ride to the picket line. President Biden while speaking said the workers deserve a significant raise and other benefits.
President Biden’s visit comes a day before his Republican counterpart, Donald Trump visits the historic center of the United States car industry in Detroit. He plans to address workers in different industries in his own pitch for the strikers’ support.
Source: The Guardian
New York Judge Finds Former President Donald Trump Guilty Of Fraud
Photo Source: AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall
Wednesday, September 27, 2023 – A Judge in New York has found former President Donald Trump and his family business fraudulently inflated the value of his properties and other assets. The judges’ decision could hinder Trump’s ability to do business in the state. Attorney General of the state, Letitia James would now easily establish damages at the trial scheduled for October 2, due to the Judge’s decision.
Justice Arthur Engoron also ordered that the certificates that allow some of Trump’s business, such as the Trump Organization operate in New York be canceled. Mr. Trump and his adult sons, Donald Jr. and Eric were accused of making up valuations and inflating Trump’s net worth to suit their business needs.
Trump and the rest of the defendants have denied any wrongdoing and said all transactions were profitable. They plan to appeal Judge Arthur’s decision.
Source: Reuters
House Republicans Move Present Case Towards Impeachment Of Biden
Photo Source: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
Friday, September 29, 2023 – House Republicans opened the first day of their impeachment investigation into Joe Biden with a series of witnesses to support their case. In early September, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy initiated a formal impeachment investigation into charges that Hunter Biden committed unethical financial operations that benefited his father, the President.
The session was dominated by issues surrounding the president's son, Hunter, and his business transactions, which Republicans claim he was selling access to his father.
The investigation has been dubbed a "political stunt" by the White House, as the Republican witnesses stated that the available evidence may not be enough to support the article of impeachment.
The probe is expected to go on for weeks as the committee will further look into whether Mr. Biden ever did anything to directly benefit his family members' businesses, such as meeting with their clients or influencing US government policy.
Source: BBC
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