03/01/24

Good morning! It’s Friday, March 1st.

The first day of women’s history month.

We did it! Sexism is solved! Have a month! No rights, no equal pay, but we’ve got a whole month. Take that!

And now, the news.

Biden Visits Border

-via AP News

Let’s start with a dueling visit to the border by Trump and Biden.

On Thursday, President Biden and Future Prisoner Number 136583 Trump went to visit the southern border. Their visits were separated by a mere 300 miles.

Biden visited a town near the Rio Grande Valley called Brownsville, which has been the busiest corridor for illegal crossings in recent years, though that number has been cut in half in recent months. He went thoughtfully, with hopes of learning what needs to be done (while also, of course, getting some good press).

Trump went and lied.

We don’t cover liars here. But it is important to differentiate that while both went for press, Biden also went to see it first hand, while Trump went to call it a “Joe Biden invasion.”

An invasion of Joe Bidens? Sign me up!

Trump went to Eagle Pass, where Governor Abbott showed him the razor wire that’s still up illegally. I’m not going repeat everything he said but he again returned to his best Hitler impression, as he called people coming through the border terrorists (untrue) and repeated his disgusting belief that they are poisoning the blood of America.

He truly is the worst.

Texas Wildfire Update

-via CBS News

Also in Texas, the Smokehouse Creek wildfire has now burned through more than a million acres. It is the largest in Texas history, and now currently, as of this recording, the third-largest in U.S. history.

The second-largest was 1845’s Great Fire in Oregon. That fire burned 1.5 million acres. The Texas fire is still only 3% contained and 1.1 million acres. So it’s very likely that this fire will have taken that 2nd place spot before the weekend’s over.

Update in Gaza

-via CNN

In Gaza, a horrific milestone has been passed, as more than 30,000 have died since Israel’s war with Hamas began, after Hamas’ October 7th attack.

That 30,000 includes between 112 and 122 people who died on Thursday, after Israeli troops opened fire on Palestinians waited for food and aid in northern Gaza.

At least 760 people were injured.

While waiting for food and aid.

Information about this is hard to get, as there are conflicting reports from witnesses and Israel Defense Forces, but it does seem like part of the reason for the high count is that, after the shots, people were trampled as they tried to disperse.

It sounds like aid trucks also tried to leave and accidentally ran into people.

In short, it was chaos.

While waiting for food and aid.

It’s unknown what this means for the ceasefire negotiations.

Budget Passes House

-via NY Times

Just a quick update that yes, the House did pass that very short-term spending bill, which will keep the government open until at least March 8th.

It’s expected to pass the Senate Thursday night, which is after I record this but before you hear this, and then head to the President’s desk for a quick signature. As long as all of this happens before 12:01am on Saturday, we’re good. I don’t expect to need it, but I’ll toss a record scratch in here if something changes.

(whoosh)

Hey check that out! No record scratch! We’re good! We live to budget another day.

Alabama Passes IVF Protections

-via Washington Post

As promised, the Alabama legislature voted on Thursday to protect the right to IVF in their state, a duel set of bills that protect both the providers and patients from criminal or civil liability if embryos are damaged or destroyed.

The governor is expected to sign it.

Honestly, when I talked about it the other day I was pretty sure it wouldn’t make it through the legislature but I’m happily surprised (for now).

Caitlin Clark Headed to the WNBA

-via NBC News

And because it’s Friday, let’s end with a great story –

Caitlin Clark, the absolute legend that she is, announced on Thursday that she will enter the April 15th WNBA draft.

She is the all-time NCAA women’s scorer and 17 points away from being the top scorer in all of NCAA.

She is also one of only six women who have more than 1,000 assists, which is amazing when you think about her record as a scorer.

I just love sports.

And that’s it. That’s the news!

I’m proud of Caitlin Clark! Great way to start women’s history month, as we are watching her make history every time she steps onto the court.

I’m also proud of sleeping babies. It’s also baby sleep day.. I don’t get it. But hey, good for babies.

But more than babies, because they can’t even drink water… because you can drink water… I’m proud of you.