October Current Events 2024: 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 October 2024.
- Law To Formally Apologize For Slavery Passed By California
- United States Sues Alabama Over Voters Right Protection
- Former United States President, Jimmy Carter Turns 100
- Walz And Vance Clash At Vice Presidential Debate
- United States Supreme Court Refuses To Pause EPA Mercury, Methane Rule
- Trump Returns To Site Of Assassination Attempt In Pennsylvania
- Six Weeks Abortion Ban Reinstated In Georgia By Top Court
- President Biden Reveals New Rule To Have All Lead Pipes Removed In A Decade
Law To Formally Apologize For Slavery Passed By California
Friday, September 27, 2024 – California has passed a new law under which it will formally apologize for slavery and its enduring effects on Black Americans. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the legislation as part of a series of reparations bills aimed at addressing the racial disparities that have impacted African Americans for decades.
Newsom also approved laws to improve protections against hair discrimination for athletes and to increase oversight on the banning of books in state prisons. In his statement, Newsom acknowledged California's responsibility for facilitating and allowing the institution of slavery and for the persistent racial inequalities that resulted.
Although California's first constitution in 1849 stated that slavery would not be tolerated, it lacked explicit laws to protect Black people's freedom, creating legal loopholes that benefited enslavers. Furthermore, California passed a fugitive slave law in 1852, allowing enslaved individuals who had escaped to be returned to their enslavers in the South.
Source: The Guardian
United States Sues Alabama Over Voters Right Protection
Saturday, September 28, 2024 – The United States Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Alabama over a program that aims to remove non-citizens from its voter rolls, claiming that the timing of its implementation violates federal law. In mid-August, Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen announced the initiative, stating that over 3,200 non-citizens had registered to vote.
The Justice Department argues that Alabama’s action breaches the "Quiet Period Provision," a federal rule designed to prevent last-minute voter roll purges that may result in errors and disenfranchise eligible voters. The provision mandates that any systematic program for removing ineligible voters be completed at least 90 days before federal elections.
The Justice Department also reported that some native-born and naturalized United States citizens had received notices indicating their voter records had been made inactive and that they were on the path to being removed from the voter registration list.
Source: Reuters
Former United States President, Jimmy Carter Turns 100
Tuesday, October 1, 2024 – Joe Biden led tributes to Jimmy Carter on his 100th birthday, making Carter the first former United States president to reach the centenarian milestone. Carter, who has been in hospice care at his home in Plains, Georgia for 19 months, remains hopeful to cast his ballot in support of fellow Democrat Kamala Harris in the upcoming election.
The White House celebrated with a large "Happy Birthday President Carter" display outside the north portico, reflecting Biden's deep respect for Carter, whom he first endorsed as a senator in 1976. Biden, in a statement, praised Carter as a moral force for the country and the world, acknowledging Carter's dedication to a better country and his faith in human goodness.
Carter, who served a single term from 1977 to 1981, faced challenges such as high inflation and the Iran hostage crisis during his presidency.
Source: The Guardian
Walz And Vance Clash At Vice Presidential Debate
Wednesday, October 2, 2024 – Democrat Tim Walz and Republican J.D. Vance faced off in a vice-presidential debate that was surprisingly civil despite the heated atmosphere of the ongoing election campaign. Throughout the debate, the two candidates mostly avoided direct attacks on each other, instead focusing on the presidential candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, at the top of their tickets.
However, a tense exchange arose near the end when Vance dodged a question on whether he would challenge the election results if Trump were to lose, leading Walz to criticize Trump's false claims of voter fraud and their role in inciting the January 6 Capitol riot.
Walz, the liberal governor of Minnesota, pointedly asked Vance if Trump had lost the 2020 election, but Vance sidestepped the question, instead accusing Harris of promoting online censorship.
Source: Reuters
United States Supreme Court Refuses To Pause EPA Mercury, Methane Rule
Friday, October 4, 2024 – The Supreme Court of the United States has declined to block new federal air pollution regulations introduced by the Biden administration, which tighten limits on mercury and methane emissions. These rules, part of the Clean Air Act, aim to significantly reduce toxic metals and harmful gases released by coal-fired power plants and oil and gas production sites.
The mercury rule mandates a 67% reduction in toxic metal emissions from coal plants, with a 70% cut for lignite coal plants. The methane rule curtails the flaring of excess methane, requires leak monitoring at well sites, and establishes a program to detect major methane releases from “super emitters.”
A group of states, primarily Republican-led, along with industry groups, argued that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) overstepped its authority.
Source: Reuters
Trump Returns To Site Of Assassination Attempt In Pennsylvania
Sunday, October 6, 2024 – Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump returned to rural Pennsylvania, rallying a large crowd one month before the November 5 election. The event took place at the same site where Trump narrowly survived an assassination attempt on July 13.
Trump humorously resumed his interrupted speech and was later joined on stage by Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of the social media platform X, marking Musk’s first appearance at a Trump rally since endorsing him after the July 13 incident.
Musk praised Trump’s resilience, describing the election as a “must-win” and urging attendees to ensure voter turnout. The event also honored firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the attack, and two others who were wounded. At 6:11 p.m., the time of the shooting, Trump called for a moment of silence, followed by the tolling of a bell for the victims.
Source: Reuters
Six Weeks Abortion Ban Reinstated In Georgia By Top Court
Monday, October 7, 2024 – The Supreme Court in Georgia reinstated a near-total abortion ban after six weeks of pregnancy while it reviews an appeal from the state. The law, initially passed in 2019, bans abortions once a “human heartbeat” is detected, usually around six weeks, often before many women realize they are pregnant.
The law was blocked until the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, allowing states to enforce restrictive abortion measures. Fulton County Superior Court Judge, Robert McBurney blocked the law again on September 30, 2023, stating it violated women’s rights to privacy and liberty under Georgia’s constitution.
However, the highest court in the state allowed the law to be reinstated while it hears the state’s appeal. The lawsuit against the ban was brought by the SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective.
Source: Reuters
President Biden Reveals New Rule To Have All Lead Pipes Removed In A Decade
Tuesday, October 8, 2024 – The administration of President Biden has finalized a significant rule requiring water utilities to replace nearly all lead pipes in the country within 10 years, a move aimed at mitigating the health risks posed by lead-contaminated water, particularly to children. This initiative is central to the administration’s efforts to address racial disparities and environmental concerns, following water crises in certain cities.
President Biden emphasized the importance of prioritizing lead pipe replacement during a speech in Milwaukee, noting that the dangers have been known for years but lacked sufficient national attention.
The rule, which was proposed in 2023 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), sets the strictest limits on lead in drinking water, requiring utilities to replace lead service lines across the country. The rule However, faces criticism from Republican attorneys general, who argue that homeowners might bear the cost of replacing lead pipes on their property.
Source: Reuters
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