First Line News Articles for Thursday, September 28 2023
Top Stories
Bob Menendez Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Corruption Charges as Senate Dems Call for His Resignation
Less than a week after being indicted, Senator Bob Menendez (D., N.J.) pleaded not guilty Wednesday to federal corruption charges related to his allegedly taking bribes in an influence-peddling scheme that involved Egypt.
U.S. Soldier Who Ran Across Korean DMZ Back in American Custody
Private 2nd Class Travis King is in American custody, U.S. officials said Wednesday. This news comes after North Korean state-run news agency KCNA reported that the countryâs government would âexpelâ King, 23, the American soldier who crossed over the border between North and South Korea without permission during a tour of the Joint Security Area on July 18.
McCarthy told conference he wonât allow vote on Senate stopgap: GOP lawmakers
Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told members of the House GOP conference Wednesday morning that he will not bring the Senateâs bipartisan continuing resolution to the floor for a vote.
LDS News
BYU community tries the Book of Mormon Experiment
Although many people have heard of the Book of Mormon, leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints say few people have actually read it.
3 more cities investigating string of Latter-day Saint church burglaries
The investigation into a recent rash of break-ins and vandalism at meetinghouses of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is expanding.
The Longing Of Every Human Heart
I remember as a little girl staring up at the tall ceilings and admiring the thousands of shimmering crystals in the chandeliers at the Draper Utah Temple open house. I was in awe of the pristine white carpets, the inspiring artwork, and the intricate woodwork.
Why Elder David A. Bednar is addressing Utahâs Silicon Slopes Summit
Wednesday kicked off the annual business conference, Silicon Slopes Summit, in Utah. Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints posted on social media that he would be joining the event on Thursday.
National foundation honors Latter-day Saint woman as âpioneerâ of social work
Shirley Cox worked in social work for nearly 60 years, including 25 years teaching at BYU, and is a mother of four. The 83-year-old currently serves as a service missionary
How the Palmyra New York Stake commemorated 200 years since angel Moroniâs visit to Joseph Smith
The New York Palmyra Stake commemorated the 200th anniversary of the angel Moroniâs visit to Joseph Smith with a special devotional near the Smith farm log home.
Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra in 2023: Tour to Mexico, international singers, expanding weekly broadcasts and variety of concerts
The three words âthroughout the worldâ have set the tone for 2023 for the musicians of The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. Theyâve made the first stop on a multicity, multiyear tour in Mexico, combined voices with international singers at general conference, expanded the choirâs weekly âMusic & the Spoken Wordâ broadcast for Spanish-speaking audiences, released new music and performed in several concerts.
National
Democrats tell Clarence Thomas to recuse from major Chevron case
A group of 50 House Democrats signed a letter on Wednesday asking Justice Clarence Thomas to recuse himself from a major Supreme Court case that could dramatically alter federal agencies’ powers.
Biden’s $15 minimum wage for federal contractors blocked by US judge
A federal judge in Texas has ruled that President Joe Biden lacked the power to order U.S. government contractors to pay workers a minimum wage of $15 an hour, and blocked the plan from being enforced in three states.
Obamaâs auto task force head rips Biden for joining UAW picket line
Steven Rattner, the head of former President Obamaâs auto industry task force, called President Bidenâs visit to Michigan and a United Auto Workers (UAW) picket line âoutrageousâ in a Wednesday interview.
Tennessee Considering Cutting Off Federal Education Funding
Tennessee legislators are looking to possibly reject federal funding for public education and replace it with state funding, making it the first state to do so.
Federal court weighs details of North Carolina abortion restrictions
A federal judge is weighing a preliminary injunction on some of North Carolina’s new abortion restrictions, including hospital requirements for abortions later in pregnancy and requiring ultrasounds before prescribing abortion pills.
DOD abortion travel policy not subject to congressional review, GAO concludes
The Government Accountability Office has determined that the Department of Defense did not need to submit a report on its controversial reproductive healthcare policy to Congress or the comptroller general ahead of implementation.
Conservative groups turn to legal pressure to rein in DEI on college campuses
A conservative think tank is threatening Arizona State University with legal action over its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the latest example of conservative backlash to DEI initiatives.
Missouri Transgender Center Shuts Down Over SAFE Act Liability Provision
The Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Childrenâs Hospital has stopped providing gender-transition procedures for minors, it announced earlier this month, due to a provision in the Missouri SAFE Act which âcreates unsustainable liabilityâ for its operations.
State Election Officials Will Defer to Courts on Removing Trump From 2024 Ballot
Top election officials in multiple states have said they would defer to the courts on the question of removing former President Donald Trump from the 2024 ballot.
Biden Admin Accused of Funding Terror-Tied Group
The Biden administration is funding an organization that supports Palestinian terrorists, according to an Israeli watchdog group.
World
Costa Rica to Declare State of Emergency Amid Migrant Surge
Costa Rica’s President Rodrigo Chaves said on Tuesday that he has ordered officials to declare a state of emergency as the number of migrants passing through the small Central American nation has risen sharply.
US targets Iran drone procurement network, accuses it of aiding Russia
The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on a network it said was helping procure sensitive parts for Iran’s drone program, and accused Tehran of supplying Russia with drones to support Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Iraq fire: At least 93 killed in blaze at wedding party in Qaraqosh
At least 93 people have died and 101 others are injured after a fire broke out during a wedding in Iraq’s biggest Christian town on Tuesday night.
US shifting personnel to drone base as French forces pull out of Niger
The Pentagon said Monday that it is âassessingâ the implications of Franceâs upcoming military withdrawal from Niger for the U.S. military, which still has about 1,100 troops hunkered down at a drone site in the country.
Tensions rise amid claims of Russia, Serbia interference in Kosovo following recent bloodshed
Terror gripped a small village in northern Kosovo last Sunday, sparking renewed tensions in a restive part of the country.
U.S. admits Israel into Visa Waiver Program, allowing visa-free travel
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced Wednesday that Israel will be admitted into the U.S. visa waiver program. It allows Israelis to apply to travel in the U.S. up to 90 days without first obtaining a visa.
Iran Launches Imaging Satellite Into Orbit Amid Tensions With West
Iran claimed on Wednesday that it successfully launched an imaging satellite into space, a move that could further ratchet up tensions with Western nations that fear its space technology could be used to develop nuclear weapons.
Business
Hyundai and Kia recall over 3M vehicles due to fire risk, urge owners to park outside
Hyundai and Kia are recalling a combined 3.37 million vehicles in the U.S. after the auto manufacturers said electrical shorts in affected models could lead to fires.
U.S. sues eBay over sale of harmful products
The U.S. government on Wednesday sued eBay (NASDAQ:EBAY), accusing the online platform of violating the Clean Air Act and other environmental laws by allowing the sale of several harmful products, including devices that defeat automobile pollution controls.
Science
Three astronauts return to Earth after a year in space. NASAâs Frank Rubio sets US space record
A NASA astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts returned to Earth on Wednesday after being stuck in space for just over a year. American Frank Rubio set a record for the longest U.S. spaceflight â a result of the extended stay.
Health
Fast-Acting Nasal Spray May Ease Rapid Heartbeat
Up to 2 million people in the U.S. experience rapid-fire heartbeats from time to time, and many end up in the hospital for treatment.
Economy
Mortgage demand slumps as rates surge to 23-year high
A key measure of home-purchase applications dropped again last week as consumer demand cooled sharply amid a recent surge in mortgage rates.