Watch CBS News
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
Tag: Morning
This week on “Sunday Morning” (March 31)
The Emmy Award-winning “CBS News Sunday Morning” is broadcast on CBS Sundays beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET. “Sunday Morning” also streams on the CBS News app beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET. (Download it here.)
Hosted by Jane Pauley
CBS News
COVER STORY: Twin artists, and the healing power of art
Joe and Will Lawrance were identical twins who shared most everything, including an incredible gift for artistic expression. They also each suffered depression that led them to take their own lives. Now, their parents, Mark and Jan Lawrance, want their late sons to be remembered for their remarkable artwork (now on display at the Indy Art Center in Indianapolis), which they hope will give comfort and inspiration to others. Correspondent Jim Axelrod reports.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, you can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You can also chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline here.
For more info:
ALMANAC: March 31
“Sunday Morning” looks back at historical events on this date.
Eibonvale Thunderegg Gallery
MINERALS: On the hunt for thundereggs
Millions of years ago, in what would one day become Eastern Oregon’s Owyhee Canyonlands, lava and water merged to create thundereggs – sphere-shaped rock formations containing agate, jasper or opal. Correspondent Conor Knighton digs into the history of Oregon’s state rock, whose beauty is most apparent when sliced open.
For more info:
CBS News
TV: Michael Douglas on “Franklin,” and his own inspiring third act
He was the son of actors, but Michael Douglas says he was reluctant to follow in the deep footsteps of his father, Kirk Douglas. But as an Oscar-winning producer and performer, Michael has earned his own legendary status. He now stars as the revolutionary figure Benjamin Franklin in the Apple TV+ series “Franklin.” He tells correspondent Mo Rocca that the show’s story, about the founding father’s efforts to save a burgeoning democracy, is timely given today’s dangerous political climate.
To watch a trailer for “Franklin” click on the video player below:
For more info:
- The series “Franklin” debuts on Apple TV+ April 12
CBS News
BOOKS: Rebel Wilson on the sobering secrets revealed in her memoir, “Rebel Rising”
The Australian actress made a big impression in the films “Bridesmaids” and “Pitch Perfect,” but Rebel Wilson says she also faced emotional pain, professional obstacles and tabloid battles. She talks with correspondent Lee Cowan about her frank and funny new memoir, “Rebel Rising,” and describes her relationship with her real-life “Disney Princess.”
For more info:
PASSAGE: In memoriam
“Sunday Morning” remembers some of the notable figures who left us this week.
FROM THE ARCHIVES: Richard Serra’s towering steel art (Video)
Artist and sculptor Richard Serra, famed for making large-scale artworks from giant curved walls of steel, died Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at the age of 85. In this “Sunday Morning” report originally broadcast December 6, 1998, correspondent Martha Teichner talked with the artist about the disorienting effects of his massive constructions, and toured exhibits of Serra’s “Torqued Ellipses” at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, and “The Snake” at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain.
FROM THE ARCHIVES: Louis Gossett Jr. (Video)
Louis Gossett Jr., who won an Emmy Award for “Roots,” and became the first African American to win a best supporting actor Oscar for his performance in “An Officer and a Gentleman,” died Thursday, March 28, 2024, at the age of 87. In this conversation with CBS News’ Michelle Miller (originally broadcast on “Sunday Morning” July 19, 2020), Gossett talked about his long career, and said the greatest advice he could give wasn’t about acting – it was about understanding.
CBS News
BROADWAY: Hillary Clinton, Malala Yousafzai talk “Suffs” on Broadway
“Suffs” (short for suffragists) is a new Broadway musical about women’s fight more than a century ago for a “radical” idea: the right to vote. Correspondent Martha Teichner talks with two of the show’s producers, Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, about the importance of art to spread a political message. She also talks with cast members, including the show’s writer and star Shaina Taub, who says “Suffs” has a timely message: “Every generation has to fight to protect these rights and freedoms again and again and again.”
For more info:
COMMENTARY: Building healthier habitats to resist the impacts of climate change
Scientists have prescribed practical steps to heal our warming planet, including returning our towns back to a more natural state. CBS News correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti explains how taking steps to mitigate the effects of climate change can save us from the trauma of disasters brought about by extreme weather.
CBS News
GARDENING: Martha Stewart on keeping houseplants
The lifestyle entrepreneur and host of “Martha Gardens” offers advice on how to bring beauty into your home with potted plants, and how to keep them looking their best.
For more info:
- “Martha Stewart Gardening” is available on newsstands and via online retailers
- Watch “Martha Gardens” on the Roku Channel
- Read more of Martha’s tips on houseplants at marthastewart.com
CBS News
BROADWAY: Pete Townshend on the return of “Tommy” to Broadway
The rock opera “Tommy” was one of The Who’s biggest hits, and won five Tony Awards when it was translated to Broadway three decades ago. Now it’s back, in a version that Pete Townshend and director Des McAnuff say is more relevant than ever. Correspondent Tracy Smith talks with Townshend, who describes the personal price he’s paid for every iteration of “Tommy”; and with the star and creative team who discuss turning the story of a pinball wizard into Broadway magic.
For more info:
COMMENTARY: Wilton Cardinal Gregory with a prayer for peace at Easter time
As we enter the season of spring, and a significant time for many faiths, the Archbishop of Washington, D.C., offers his thoughts on unity, and a wish for long-lasting peace in every part of the world.
For more info:
MILEPOST: Farewell, Mary Lou Teel
NATURE: TBD
WEB EXCLUSIVES:
FROM THE ARCHIVES: Writers on writing IV (YouTube Video)
Enjoy a look back at “Sunday Morning” conversations with some of the most celebrated writers of our time. Featured: From 1994, Patrick O’Brian talks with David Culhane about his series of Napoleonic-era naval adventures featuring Captain Jack Aubrey; from 1997, “The Color Purple” author Alice Walker talks about literature and activism with Jerry Bowen; from 1979, William Styron discusses the writing of “Sophie’s Choice” with Heywood Hale Broun; from 1995, Barbara Kingsolver talks about her novels, and her collection of essays, “High Tide In Tucson,” with Anthony Mason; from 1990, Bill Geist joins counter-culture author Ken Kesey and some Merry Pranksters aboard a replica of the celebrated “magic bus” of the 1960s; and from 2010, Serena Altschul visits fantasy and comic author Neil Gaiman for a conversation about his novel “Coraline,” recently made into an Oscar-nominated animated film.
EXTENDED INTERVIEW: Steve Martin and director Morgan Neville (YouTube Video)
Comedian Steve Martin’s career has spanned standup, TV, albums, movies, novels, music, plays – and now, a documentary film, “STEVE (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces.” In this extended interview, correspondent Tracy Smith sat down with Martin and the film’s director, Morgan Neville, to talk about what Martin learned doing standup, and what his father thought about his line of work; making a documentary and the difficulties of looking back on one’s career; and how Martin’s current live shows with Martin Short continue to evolve.
The Emmy Award-winning “CBS News Sunday Morning” is broadcast on CBS Sundays beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET. Executive producer is Rand Morrison.
DVR Alert! Find out when “Sunday Morning” airs in your city
“Sunday Morning” also streams on the CBS News app beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET. (Download it here.)
Full episodes of “Sunday Morning” are now available to watch on demand on CBSNews.com, CBS.com and Paramount+, including via Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Chromecast, Amazon FireTV/FireTV stick and Xbox.
Follow us on Twitter; Facebook; Instagram; YouTube; TikTok; and at cbssundaymorning.com.
You can also download the free “Sunday Morning” audio podcast at iTunes and at Play.it. Now you’ll never miss the trumpet!
Illinois stabbing survivors describe attack and Evan Gershkovich detained for a year: Morning Rundown
An Illinois mother credits her son and dog with saving her life during a stabbing spree that left four people dead. Two former presidents — and dozens of protesters — attend Joe Biden’s fundraiser. And shadowy Russian actors were all too happy to spread Princess Kate conspiracies.
Here’s what to know today.
Family attacked in Illinois stabbing spree describes the fight to survive
When Rockford, Illinois, resident Darlene Weber came face-to-face with an attacker who entered her house, she said, “He looked like the devil incarnate.” A day later, Weber said that if it wasn’t for her son, she might not have survived.
A 22-year-old man is accused of going on a rampage through Rockford, Illinois, on Wednesday afternoon, ultimately killing four people and injuring seven others — including Weber and her two kids.
Recalling the attack in an interview yesterday, Weber said it felt like “it all happened in such a blink of an eye.” She took her pit bull, Brandy, out the back door, she said, and heard a man say “hey” to her before he stabbed her in the face. As Weber crawled through the house screaming for her son to help her, Brandy bit the man. It gave her enough time to escape.
When Weber’s son, 21-year-old Jacob Vollman, went to find his mom, he was confronted by the attacker. “And he literally looks at me and says, ‘Come here,’ and starts charging at me,” Vollman said.
This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your morning. Sign up here to get it in your inbox.
After a couple of minutes fighting with Vollman, the attacker turned his attention to Weber’s daughter, 23-year-old Cathy Gilfillan — but Vollman was able to keep fighting him off. “If it wasn’t for him,” Gilfillan said, referring to Vollman, “me and mom would not be here.”
Read the full story here.
Authorities identified the suspect as Christian Soto. He was arrested on charges of murder, attempted murder and home invasion. Soto’s attorney said he admitted to the crimes and that he had taken marijuana he believed was “laced with an unknown narcotic,” causing him to become paranoid.
Among those killed are Jay Larson, a mail carrier who was on the job when he was attacked, and 15-year-old Jenna Newcomb, who died saving her sister, officials said. Here’s what else we know.
Pro-Palestinian protesters pressure Biden at NYC fundraiser
Former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton joined President Joe Biden in a star-studded campaign fundraiser last night that was hosted by actor Mindy Kaling, featured photos taken by Annie Leibovitz and raised over $25 million. But anti-war protesters made their presence known at the event.
Over 100 people crowded outside Radio City Music Hall with Palestinian flags and signs with anti-war slogans. “We cannot idly sit by as our president aides and abets genocide in Gaza,” one protester said. Inside the fundraiser, protestors interrupted a moderated discussion between Biden, prompting late night host Stephen Colbert to ask Biden about the U.S. role in a peaceful future for Israelis and Palestinians.
Biden responded with talk of diplomatic efforts towards a two-state solution and acknowledged that more needed to be done to shepherd relief into Gaza but added that Israel’s existence was at stake. Here’s what else happened at the fundraiser.
Read more Israel-Hamas war coverage:
- Recent polling suggests most Jewish Israelis support Israel’s offensive in Gaza. But at a Ramadan meal with Palestinian Bedouin, some shared a different view.
- A State Department official’s resignation and increasing disapproval of Israel’s conduct in Gaza shows how U.S. ire toward its ally is growing.
- Israel’s Supreme Court on ordered an end to state funding for ultra-Orthodox students who do not serve in the army, a blockbuster ruling that could imperil the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Baltimore bridge workers were on break at time of collapse, family member says
Just days after the container ship Dali collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, details about the incident and what happened to the workers are still unfolding. Julio Cervantes was one of two workers rescued following the collapse — a miracle, his wife said, because “my husband doesn’t know how to swim.”
“All of the men were on a break in their cars when the boat hit. We don’t know if they were warned before the impact,” Cervantes’ wife, who did not disclose her name, said in an exclusive interview. Cervantes was taken to a nearby hospital after the rescue with a chest wound and later released.
Cervantes’ wife says her brother-in-law was one of the two victims recovered near the wreckage site earlier this week. And her nephew is one of the four victims still missing, she said.
The shadowy actors that spread Princess Kate conspiracies
Before Kate, Princess of Wales, announced she had been diagnosed with cancer, #KateGate conspiracies speculating about her whereabouts ran wild on the internet. British security experts say social media accounts linked to a prominent Russian disinformation campaign capitalized on the rumors.
Roughly 45 accounts that posted about Kate on X were identified as belonging to the disinformation campaign, known as the Doppelgänger, an analysis found. While these actors didn’t originate the rumors, they contributed to the rumors’ rampant spread.
Experts say they see #KateGate as an alarming test case for what can happen when fake news and disinformation is supercharged by artificial intelligence, particularly on social media.
‘We want him home’: Family of U.S. reporter jailed in Russia for a year tries to stay hopeful
Even as a child, Evan Gershkovich seemed destined to be a reporter. He was always curious, liked a good story, and was deeply interested in Russia, the country his parents had emigrated from.
He was there, as Russia instituted the biggest crackdown on the free press in decades — one that would ensnare him, left awaiting trial on espionage charges that many in the West decry as punishment for doing his job. NBC News spoke to his family and some of his closest friends as his detention reached a year today.
Michigan GOP lawmaker falsely labels March Madness athletes ‘illegal invaders’
A Michigan state lawmaker involved in former President Donald Trump’s election denials is being widely criticized making false claims that buses carrying college athletes to Detroit for March Madness were shuttling illegal migrant “invaders” into the city.
State House Rep. Matt Maddock made the claim Wednesday night in a social media post accompanied by photos of three buses near an Allegiant plane at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Maddock wrote that the buses “just loaded up with illegal invaders.” Four college basketball teams traveling to Detroit for the second weekend of the NCAA basketball tournament arrived by plane Wednesday evening, the Wayne County Airport Authority said in a statement.
Politics in Brief
Biden impeachment probe: Joe Biden was formally invited to testify in the impeachment inquiry led by two Republican-led House committees — during the same week one of Donald Trump’s trials is set to begin.
South Carolina politics: The same federal court that previously ruled a Charleston-area district was unlawfully drawn decided yesterday that the map must be used for this year’s congressional election. The reason for the decision: The Supreme Court delayed the case for too long.
Arizona politics: Kari Lake, a self-proclaimed “Trump in heels” who lost the Arizona gubernatorial race in 2022, is working to win over voters in her Senate bid. But several key Republicans in the state say her campaign faces an increasingly uphill battle as she struggles to shed her MAGA instincts.
Want more politics news? Sign up for From the Politics Desk to get exclusive reporting and analysis delivered to your inbox every weekday evening. Subscribe here.
Staff Pick: Multiple women report being punched in broad daylight
Reporter Mirna Alsharif was among the first to cover this story of women in New York City sharing videos on social media in which they said they were punched by men while they were walking the streets in broad daylight. With help from the NBC News’ social newsgathering team (more on what they do here), she verified that NYPD was investigating two incidents. She also highlighted how many women online have since expressed feeling uneasy. — Saba Hamedy, culture & trends editor
Select: Online Shopping, Simplified
If you want a good cardio session but don’t want to brave the elements, an indoor exercise bike may be the way to go. Here are the 13 best budget exercise bikes on the market, all priced under $500.
Sign up to The Selection newsletter for exclusive reviews and shopping content from NBC Select.
Thanks for reading today’s Morning Rundown. Today’s newsletter was curated for you by Elizabeth Robinson. If you’re a fan, please send a link to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.
Sam Bankman-Fried sentencing and STI increase in older adults: Morning Rundown
Details emerge about the Baltimore bridge collapse victims as investigations continue. STI rates rise sharply for older adults. And a long-rumored moonshine cave may have been unearthed under a NASCAR track.
Here’s what to know today.
Officials say they’ve ‘exhausted all search efforts’ in Baltimore bridge collapse
The recovery mission near the site of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is now a salvage operation, Maryland State Police announced yesterday, after two bodies were recovered.
The mission shifted, police said, because it is no longer safe for divers to operate around the debris and concrete in the port.
Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board shared more details about the vessel that crashed into the bridge. Currently, 23 people — including two pilots and 21 crew members — are aboard the Dali, though it remains stuck in place, the agency said. And there were 56 containers of hazardous materials on board at the time of the crash, some of which were breached. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said she expects an investigation to take one to two years.
This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your morning. Sign up here to get it in your inbox.
The bodies of the victims recovered yesterday were identified as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, who was 35, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, who was 26. Police say they were found in a red pickup that was trapped in 25 feet of water.
Four other people are presumed dead, including Miguel Luna and Maynor Suazo, whose loved ones described them as devoted husbands, fathers and workers who were simply trying to improve their lot in life.
“You come to this country to accomplish you dreams, and sometimes that dream doesn’t get fulfilled,” Suazo’s brother, Fredy Suazo, told Noticias Telemundo. “And for a tragedy like this to happen to us, can you imagine?”
Read about the victims here.
More on the Baltimore bridge collapse:
- The collapse and resulting deaths called attention to the growing Latino labor force and the risks they face on the job.
- A Utah state representative blamed “diversity” for the bridge collapse.
Sam Bankman-Fried will learn his fate
A federal judge will decide on a prison sentence for FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried today in New York, four months after a jury found him guilty of orchestrating the multimillion-dollar fraud that prompted the collapse of his cryptocurrency exchange.
Prosecutors are asking for up to 50 years in prison for Bankman-Fried, arguing that the nature of the fraud, his comfortable upbringing and the scale of victims’ losses warrant an aggressive sentence. Bankman-Fried’s attorneys are asking for 6½ years or less. In their plea for leniency, his team cited his mental health struggles, his purported selflessness in his personal life and the safety risks he faces in prison.
But Bankman-Fried’s apparent lack of remorse throughout the trial is likely to weigh heavily on U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, one legal expert said. Here’s why.
Former Sen. Joe Lieberman dies at 82
Former Sen. Joseph Lieberman, a former Democratic vice presidential nominee who later became an independent, has died after suffering complications from a fall, his family announced. He was 82.
Lieberman was former Vice President Al Gore’s running mate in the 2000 presidential election. In his later years, Lieberman served as the co-chairman of No Labels and referred to by the group as a “moral center” of its movement.
Shortly after Lieberman’s death was announced, former Gore said on X, “It was an honor to stand side-by-side with him on the campaign trail.” Former President George W. Bush, who alongside former Vice President Dick Cheney defeated Gore and Lieberman in 2000, said Lieberman was “one of the most decent people I met during my time in Washington.” The outpouring of sorrow didn’t stop there, with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle paying their respects.
Comparing Trump’s claims about crime rates to data
Surging crime levels, out-of-control Democratic cities and “migrant crime” are all familiar Donald Trump talking points as the former president campaigns for another term in office. And he’ll further signal his disapproval as he attends a wake today for New York Police Officer Jonathan Diller, who was killed earlier this week in Queens. On Truth Social, the former president said Diller’s “life was taken by a murderous career criminal.”
But the picture Trump paints contrasts sharply with years of police and government data at both the local and national levels, an NBC News analysis found.
For example, Trump claims that violent crime “skyrocketed in virtually every American city” during Joe Biden’s presidency. In reality, the reported violent crime rate dropped 6% across the board when comparing the last three months of 2022 to the same period in 2023, the FBI reported. The reported drops were especially pronounced in big cities that Trump often assails. Dive further into the numbers.
More Donald Trump news:
- The partial gag order against Trump in the New York hush money case came with a loophole, and it took less than 24 hours for him to exploit it.
Why Haitians are wary of foreign intervention
A United Nations plan drafted by the U.S. and Ecuador calls on Kenyan troops to police Haiti, where months of violence have given way to an unprecedented level of instability and a weekslong leadership void. The plan is in line with the country’s history, marked across generations by foreign intervention. But for now, it’s on hold.
Despite Haiti’s tumult, some residents believe their country will only suffer if foreign intervention is allowed. Others concede that some international support is necessary, but working with foreign actors must be on Haiti’s terms. “Yes, we need to work with different partners; yes we need help; but it is not them who will dictate what kind of help we should get and when we should get it,” said Monique Clesca, who lives in Port-au-Prince. Reporter Char Adams looks back on Haiti’s complicated history and talks to Haitians to understand how the past influences their opinions.
Moonshine cave may have been found at NASCAR speedway
Moonshine has a long history in North Carolina and NASCAR. Many early stars came to the sport after racing illegal moonshine through the rough mountain roads of Appalachia, with one legendary driver first known as a Wilkes County’s most famous bootlegger. Now, there’s another potential connection to add to the list, in the form of a 700-square-foot cave discovered under the grandstands of the legendary North Wilkesboro Speedway. Track officials revealed their recent discovery, which was made after operations staff noticed cracks in the original concrete in Section N. It hasn’t been confirmed that the cave is, in fact, an old moonshine still — but if it is, it would confirm decades-old rumors of its existence.
Sexually transmitted infection rates have risen sharply among adults 55 and older, CDC data shows
Sexually transmitted infections are becoming more common in older adults, with rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis in people ages 55 and up more than doubling in the U.S. over the 10-year period from 2012 to 2022, according to data from the Centers for Disease ContrAol and Prevention.
A presentation to be delivered today warns that both doctors and older adults are overlooking the risks of STIs in this age group. “We talk about smoking, we talk about diet, exercise, so many things, and not about sex at all,” said Justyna Kowalska, the author of the presentation and a professor of medicine at the Medical University of Warsaw.
There are a few factors that could be behind the spike in STI rates.
Politics in Brief
Trump ally in trouble: A judge recommended that John Eastman, a co-defendant of Donald Trump in the Georgia election interference case, be disbarred in California.
Congress: A New Jersey representative is planning to propose legislation this week that would prohibit people charged with certain crimes from receiving classified information. The bill implicitly targets embattled Sen. Bob Menendez — but it could also apply to Donald Trump.
2024 election: A rare and highly anticipated gathering of three Democratic presidents — Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden — is expected to generate millions for Biden’s re-election bid. It may also highlight a big vulnerability.
Biden impeachment inquiry: House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer is increasingly suggesting a potential off-ramp from pursuing articles of impeachment against President Biden.
Want more politics news? Sign up for From the Politics Desk to get exclusive reporting and analysis delivered to your inbox every weekday evening. Subscribe here.
Staff Pick: Guess why Earth’s rotation is slowing
I won’t hold you in suspense for long — the answer is global warming. Because of melting polar ice, the concentration of Earth’s mass is changing, and that’s causing the planet to spin less quickly than it would otherwise. Not only was I surprised to learn that humanity’s impact was capable of such change; I also didn’t know that this could affect how we keep time. — Elizabeth Robinson, newsletter editor
In Case You Missed It
- Four people were killed and five others were wounded in Rockford, Illinois, in what the city’s mayor called a “senseless act of violence.” A 22-year-old suspect was taken into custody.
- Idaho police are investigating after the University of Utah women’s basketball coach said her team was targeted in a series of “racial hate crimes” while in Coeur d’Alene for the NCAA Tournament.
- King Charles III will deliver an Easter message today stressing the importance of friendship, “especially in a time of need” — his first public remarks since Kate, the Princess of Wales, revealed she had become the second senior royal to be diagnosed with cancer .
- Nickelodeon star Drake Bell came forward with his child sexual abuse story, women who have previously shared their own abuse allegations against the actor are facing online attacks.
- An invasive plant is so stinky that it has forced the partial closure of an Arizona national monument.
Select: Online Shopping, Simplified
An NBC Select reporter — and an avid runner and cyclist — tested over a dozen fitness trackers. Here are his favorites, as well as some expert-recommended picks.
Sign up to The Selection newsletter for exclusive reviews and shopping content from NBC Select.
Thanks for reading today’s Morning Rundown. Today’s newsletter was curated for you by Elizabeth Robinson. If you’re a fan, please send a link to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.
6 presumed dead in Baltimore bridge collapse and Lara Trump interview: Morning Rundown
Recovery efforts continue for the six people presumed dead in the Baltimore bridge collapse. Lara Trump talks about her goals as the Republican National Committee’s new co-chair. And seven American kids who were sent to a school for troubled teens are stuck in Jamaica.
Here’s what to know today.
Last-minute mayday preceded Baltimore bridge collapse
When the Dali cargo ship lost power at around 1:24 a.m. early Tuesday, it became effectively rudderless and at the mercy of the currents. The Francis Scott Key Bridge would crumple into the harbor just four minutes later.
Video of the ship, emergency radio transmissions and analysis from maritime veterans paint a picture of a disastrous scenario. It is rare for ships of the Dali’s size to lose power and even rarer still for it to happen in a narrow channel near the pillars of a major bridge.
Still, a last-minute mayday and quick actions on the ground most likely averted a much higher casualty count.
This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your morning. Sign up here to get it in your inbox.
“In a narrow channel at night, with a bridge in front of you, I couldn’t think of a worse situation to deal with, said Henry Lipian, a retired Coast Guard lieutenant and founder of an accident reconstruction firm. He suspects that fuel or an issue with the fuel system might have caused the ship’s power to go out.
Six construction workers who were filling potholes on the bridge are presumed dead. Yesterday evening, the U.S. Coast Guard transitioned its search to a recovery mission, saying the water temperature and amount of time that had passed since the collapse made it unlikely that those missing were still alive.
Investigators are now working to piece together what happened.
Read the full story here, and follow our live blog for the latest developments.
More coverage of the bridge collapse:
- Engineering experts explain why the bridge stood little chance against a fully loaded cargo ship.
- Co-workers worry about their missing colleagues.
- Nearby residents in disbelief went to see the wreckage for themselves.
- Customers from the East Coast and Midwest could see significant cost increases.
- Unfounded conspiracy theories blaming “cyberattacks” and Covid-era lockdowns circulated online.
Lara Trump says 2020 election is ‘in the past’
Newly minted Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump said that she believes the party is “past” litigating the 2020 election, comments that come as her father-in-law, former President Donald Trump, prepares to face two juries on charges alleging that he illegally tried to overturn the election results.
In an interview with NBC News, Lara Trump said that she instead wants to help the party to start encouraging early voting and mail-in voting, which Donald Trump has also repeatedly criticized. That contrast — between Lara Trump efforts to look ahead and Donald Trump’s continued re-litigation of the last presidential election — illustrates a key dynamic in the Republican Party in 2024. Read more highlights from Lara Trump’s interview.
More coverage of the 2024 election:
- Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. named his vice presidential pick: tech lawyer and entrepreneur Nicole Shanahan.
- President Joe Biden’s case for re-election is strengthening, but he still enters the general election in a weaker position than he did in 2020. Democrats have a few theories as to why.
How the lawsuit against Apple could affect digital payments
If the Justice Department gets its way, how you pay for everyday things from coffee to clothes could be affected. The nearly 90-page landmark lawsuit filed against Apple last week claims that the company’s alleged monopoly over the smartphone market also extends to its handling of digital payments, especially as tap-to-pay options become more common. (Apple has denied that’s the case.)
If prosecutors get everything they want, consumers could eventually have multiple options for wallet apps. The goal would be to have apps that work on both Apple’s iOS platform and rival ones like Android. Prosecutors also called out Apple’s practice of charging banks 15% for credit card transactions on Apple Pay, arguing that the fees impact lenders’ ability to invest in improving the mobile banking experience.
Business and economy reporter J.J. McCorvey explains the changing digital payment landscape and Apple’s effect on the technology.
A test to protect against fatal chemo overdoses is rarely used
A common type of chemotherapy called fluorouracil, also known as 5-FU, is no picnic for anyone who uses it — but for some patients who are deficient in an enzyme that metabolizes the drugs, they can be torturous or deadly. That’s what happened to Carol Rosen, a 70-year-old retired schoolteacher whose final weeks were wracked with excruciating pain. The drug that was meant to prolong her life had caused her death. “Your body burns from the inside out,” Rosen’s daughter, Lindsay Murray, said.
Hundreds of people are killed annually by 5-FU or a nearly identical drug in pill form called capecitabine. A test for the enzyme deficiency that could potentially save lives exists, but because it’s not required by the FDA nor recommended by the most widely followed U.S. cancer treatment guidelines, it’s seldom used. Heartbroken family members are advocating for change.
7 American kids from school for troubled teens held in Jamaica
Seven American boys are being held in the custody of Jamaican child welfare authorities, more than six weeks after they were pulled from a school for troubled teens because of sexual abuse allegations. The boys were attending Atlantis Leadership Academy in Treasure Beach, which advertises itself as a faith-based school serving teens who are struggling with substance abuse, anxiety disorders and defiant behavior.
When Jamaican authorities received information that children at the program “were being mistreated,” the students were removed. They’re currently being held in Jamaican group homes.
Tarah Fleischman — who sent her son, Cody, to the school last year — said she’s “frustrated with the system” and by the long wait to bring Cody home to Wisconsin. “Unfortunately, I was a desperate mother who got preyed upon,” she said. Read the full story here.
Politics in Brief
Alabama politics: Democratic candidate Marilyn Lands won a special election for a state House seat in Alabama. Her campaign’s emphasis on in vitro fertilization and abortion rights was seen as an early test for IVF as a campaign issue.
Trump trials: Donald Trump was slapped with a partial gag order in the New York hush money case that bars him from talking about witnesses and court staffers in the case.
Abortion rights: The Supreme Court appeared likely to reject a challenge to the abortion pill mifepristone, with a number of justices questioning whether the plaintiffs — seven named doctors and associated anti-abortion groups — had legal standing to bring the lawsuit. The rejection of the case could hinge on how the justices assess “conscience objections.” Here’s what that means.
Israel-Hamas war: U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, a day after the U.S. abstained in a U.N. Security Council vote calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. At the top of the agenda was Israel’s plans to launch an offensive in Rafah.
Want more politics news? Sign up for From the Politics Desk to get exclusive reporting and analysis delivered to your inbox every weekday evening. Subscribe here.
Staff Pick: An unusual emotional distress lawsuit
After her son told her he had been sexually abused by his babysitter, a New York mom set about warning other parents, including through unsolicited Facebook messages. Those alerts have gotten her sued by the sitter, who denies the abuse. Reporter Janelle Griffith delved deep into this unusual court case — the suit is for emotional distress, not defamation — that will go to trial in New York next month.
“Because of this ridiculous lawsuit, he’s being forced to confront some painful memories. It is so unfair,” the mom said. — Jaquetta White, news editor
In Case You Missed It
- NBC News reversed its decision to hire former Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel as a political analyst after network executives faced fierce on-air criticism.
- A lucky winner hit the estimated $1.3 billion Mega Millions jackpot.
- The University of Utah’s women’s basketball coach Lynne Roberts said her team had to switch hotels during the NCAA Tournament after the team was the target of “racial hate crimes.”
- Federal agents found firearms during searches of properties in Miami and Los Angeles belonging to Sean “Diddy” Combs, three sources said.
- Immigrant children as young as 14 were found working illegally at a Tennessee firm that makes lawn mower parts for John Deere and other companies, according to Labor Department officials.
- Los Angeles city officials are considering reparations for families forced off the land where Dodger Stadium stands.
Select: Online Shopping, Simplified
Salon-quality shampoos are lovely, but they can often be a splurge. Here are eight of the best drugstore shampoos to consider instead.
Sign up to The Selection newsletter for exclusive reviews and shopping content from NBC Select.
Thanks for reading today’s Morning Rundown. Today’s newsletter was curated for you by Elizabeth Robinson. If you’re a fan, please send a link to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.
Winter-like chill Wednesday morning; high pressure takes control
High temperature reached the mid 50s late morning then fell throughout Tuesday afternoon
Tuesday’s relatively mild temperatures occurred in the late morning before readings tumbled throughout the afternoon
Tuesday highs—late season arctic air brought well below normal temperatures to much of the Plains and northern Rockies. A piece of that cold air arrives in Chicago Wednesday with daytime highs no warmer than the middle 40s, well below the typical low to mid-50s considered normal for this time of year
Gusty winds accompanied the cold frontal passage Tuesday
Peak wind gusts nearly reached 50 mph at Midway Airport just before midday
More than 32% of the lower 48 under a covering of snow as of Tuesday evening
Updated Snowfall totals Sunday through Tuesday:
Total QPF next 7 days
Courtesy weathermodels.com
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Supreme Court considers abortion pill access and major Baltimore bridge collapses: Morning Rundown
The Supreme Court will hear arguments over whether the abortion pill mifepristone should remain on the market. Federal agents executed search warrants at properties belonging to rap mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. And the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani spoke for the first time since his former interpreter was accused of “massive theft.”
Here’s what to know today.
SCOTUS considers abortion pill access — and the FDA approval process
The Supreme Court will hear arguments today in a high-stakes challenge to the Food and Drug Administration’s drug approval process. At the center of the argument is the abortion pill mifepristone and whether access to the pill should remain.
The conservative-majority court, which overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, will consider the Biden administration’s appeal of lower court rulings that restricted access to the pill.
Mifepristone is part of a two-drug FDA-approved regimen for the majority of abortions nationwide.
This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your morning. Sign up here to get it in your inbox.
Nearly a year ago, Texas-based U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk issued a sweeping ruling that completely invalidated the FDA’s approval of mifepristone. Then, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans narrowed Kacsmaryk’s decision on appeal but left in place his ruling, finding that the FDA’s move to lift restrictions on the pill starting in 2016 was unlawful.
Those loosened restrictions included allowing people to be prescribed the drug without an in-person doctor visit, expanding the number of pharmacies that can dispense the drug and extending the time mifepristone can be used to up to 10 weeks of pregnancy.
The FDA has the backing of the pharmaceutical industry, which has warned that any second-guessing of the drug approval process by federal judges could cause chaos and deter innovation.
Ahead of the hearing, doctors and patient advocates raised alarm about what might happen if the high court decides to tighten access to the drug. “While there are alternatives that people could get if mifepristone is no longer available, it still means that most people seeking abortion are going to be impacted,” said Dr. Kristyn Brandi, an OB-GYN in New Jersey and former board chair of a reproductive rights advocacy group.
Supreme Court reporter Lawrence Hurley explains more specifics in the case. Read the full story here.
Major bridge in Baltimore collapses
A major bridge collapsed in Baltimore early on Tuesday morning after it was hit by a container ship, sending several vehicles plunging into the water below.
Rescuers were searching for survivors after the ship collided with a pillar supporting part of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which carries the Interstate 695 over the Patapsco River southeast of the Baltimore metropolitan area.
The incident was captured in dramatic video, which showed smoke billowing from the boat, as the bridge and road it held tumbled into the river. A livestream showed cars and trucks on the bridge just before the collision. The boat did not sink and its lights remained on.
The U.S. Coast Guard told NBC News it received a report at 1:27 a.m. ET that a “motor vessel made impact with the bridge” and confirmed it was a 948-foot vessel named DALI, a container ship sailing under a Singaporean flag.
Julian Assange wins temporary reprieve from extradition as U.K. court asks U.S. for assurances
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange could receive permission to bring a fresh appeal against extradition to the United States on espionage charges, after a ruling by the U.K.’s High Court in London Tuesday.
The court ruled that Assange can pursue his appeal at a full hearing, unless the U.S. provides “satisfactory assurances” on the questions of whether he was able to rely on the First Amendment of the Constitution and whether he could be subject to the death penalty. It added that he should not be prejudiced at trial or sentencing “by reason of his nationality.”
Assange has been fighting extradition for more than a decade, including seven years in self-exile in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London and the last five in the high-security Belmarsh Prison on the outskirts of the British capital.
Trump team fails to push back hush money trial
Donald Trump had a rollercoaster day in terms of legal developments. His attorneys failed to persuade New York state Judge Juan Merchan to delay the April 15 trial start date in his hush money case, which revolves around a $130,000 payment from former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen to porn star Stormy Daniels, who alleged that she had an affair with Trump and was given the money to buy her silence during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
Ahead of yesterday’s hearing, Trump called the case a “witch hunt.” During the hearing, he was seen furrowing his brow and growing increasingly frustrated as his defense failed to persuade Merchan that more time was needed to review documents in the case. Read about more key moments from Trump’s day in court.
In another case, Trump and his team netted a small win. A New York state appeals court ruled that Trump and his co-defendant in the civil fraud trial case now have 10 days to post a $175 million bond, down from the $464 million bond that was originally due yesterday. Last week, Trump’s team had called coming up with the larger bond a “practical impossibility.”
More coverage of Donald Trump:
- Trump Media and Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social, is set to make its debut on the stock market today, a development that could generate a windfall for the cash-strapped former president. It’s unclear exactly how much he stands to gain. Even so, Trump won’t be able to sell his shares for six months.
- Trump said he “might” spend his own money on his 2024 presidential campaign, which he hasn’t done on his campaigns since 2016. Speaking to reporters, he added, “It’s none of your business.”
Homes of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs searched
Search warrants were executed yesterday at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and Miami, four law enforcement sources said, as the rap mogul faces a wave of lawsuits. Homeland Security officials also seized phones from Combs in Miami before he was scheduled to depart for a trip to the Bahamas, according to three law enforcement sources familiar with the warrant service.
A source familiar with the matter said Combs is the subject of a federal investigation. Three women and a man have been interviewed by federal officials in Manhattan in relation to allegations of sex trafficking, sexual assault and the solicitation and distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms, the source said. Representatives for Combs did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Combs has been the subject of multiple lawsuits. In one filed in November and settled a day later, Combs’ former romantic partner Cassie accused him of physically and sexually abusing her for years. Since then, three other women have come forward with lawsuits, alleging they were sexually abused.
Combs has denied each of the sexual assault allegations, calling them “sickening.”
Read more about the searches.
Last night, hours after the searches were announced, music producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones amended his civil complaint against Combs to add actor Cuba Gooding Jr., who is accused of sexually harassing and assaulting Jones. According to the amended federal complaint, Gooding groped Jones while on Combs’ yacht in January 2023. Gooding has not been charged with any crime.
Shohei Ohtani denies involvement in sports betting scandal
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani painted a picture of betrayal by his former interpreter, breaking his silence on a sports betting scandal that has gripped Major League Baseball since last week. In a statement to the media yesterday, Ohtani said that he did not bet on any sports or ask anyone to do it for him. Here’s what else Ohtani said.
Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, is accused of making several wire transfers from Ohtani’s account — totaling at least $4.5 million — to place bets with a bookmaking operation in Southern California. Mizuhara was fired last week after reports from ESPN and The Los Angeles Times revealed his name came up in a federal investigation of illegal gambling.
Cancer patients facing deportation to Gaza: ‘Our fate will be death’
A group of Palestinians from Gaza who have been receiving cancer treatment in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv now potentially face deportation back to Gaza, where the health care system has all but collapsed and basic medicines are scarce. Israel’s Supreme Court issued a temporary injunction last week to prevent them from being sent back to Gaza and will make its final decision next month.
While patients said they wanted to see their families, they feared what could happen in Gaza. “They would be sending us to the area of hell,” said Reem Abu Obeida, who has breast cancer. “Our fate will be death.”
Several children are among those facing deportation. That includes a 9-year-old girl who was brought out of Gaza to donate bone marrow to her sick brother. Now, she faces the prospect of returning to Gaza without her parents. Read the full story here.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled a trip to Washington after the U.S. refused to veto a U.N. Security Council resolution that passed which demanded a cease-fire in Gaza for the remainder of the month of Ramadan.
Politics in Brief
Social media: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that would prohibit children younger than 14 from joining social media in the state.
Defamation suit: A Kansas man is suing Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee over social media posts that falsely identified him as an “illegal alien” and as one of the shooters in the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade.
Election integrity: The Justice Department is investigating dozens of threats made to election workers, federal officials said, and has charged 20 individuals so far.
Want more politics news? Sign up for From the Politics Desk to get exclusive reporting and analysis delivered to your inbox every weekday evening. Subscribe here.
Staff Pick: The group bringing God to Ohio public schools
For the past year, as I’ve reported on fights over LGBTQ acceptance in classrooms, I’ve heard many Christian conservatives argue that America needed to “put God back in schools.” So I was surprised to learn recently that an Ohio nonprofit was already doing it. LifeWise Academy promotes itself as a nonpartisan program to teach children good character through Bible stories. The lessons happen during the school day, and it’s legal, so long as they’re off-campus and not funded by tax dollars. Lots of parents love it, but others say injecting religion into the school day is creating problems.
I traveled to Ohio to see how the program works and to better understand LifeWise’s ambitious goals. — Mike Hixenbaugh, senior enterprise reporter
In Case You Missed It
- MSNBC hosts criticized NBC News for hiring former Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel as a paid political analyst.
- After years in which Islamic extremist terrorism has receded as a top-tier concern, the attack at a Moscow concert hall is a reminder the threat still looms. Here’s what officials know about ISIS-K, the group that has claimed the attack, including their apparent aspirations to attack the U.S. and Europe.
- Keisei Tominaga, the University of Nebraska guard who cried after his team lost in the first round of March Madness, spoke about the reaction (good and bad) that he has received since going viral.
- Three senior Boeing executives, including CEO Dave Calhoun, are stepping down as the company deals with an ongoing safety crisis.
- Flaco the New York City owl had evidence of bird herpes and rat poison in his system at the time of his death, postmortem testing found.
Select: Online Shopping, Simplified
For the perfect walking shoe, podiatrists say you should consider factors like material, traction, cushioning, weight and much more. Learn more about what to know when shopping and see 18 great women’s walking shoes for every type of foot.
Sign up to The Selection newsletter for exclusive reviews and shopping content from NBC Select.
Thanks for reading today’s Morning Rundown. Today’s newsletter was curated for you by Elizabeth Robinson. If you’re a fan, please send a link to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.
Princess Kate’s cancer news prompts apologies and Mega Millions, Powerball jackpots at combined $1.9 billion: Morning Rundown
Four men suspected of carrying out a deadly attack at a Moscow concert hall have appeared in court, the Kevin McCarthy-Matt Gaetz feud heats up months after the former speaker’s ouster. And Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots are now at a combined $1.9 billion.
Here’s what to know today.
Moscow mass shooting suspects appear injured in court
The four men accused of killing more than 130 people at a concert hall in Moscow appeared in court yesterday, some sporting significant injuries.
The men, all from the former Soviet state of Tajikistan, were charged with committing terrorist acts, according to court information.
Two men, including one described as an alleged shooter and accused of setting fire to the Crocus City Hall building, admitted guilt during the closed-door hearings, the court said. All four were ordered held through at least May 22, according to the court.
Several of the men appeared to be badly injured, with one appearing with a bandage over his ear, while another was wheeled into court in a wheelchair.
The terror group ISIS has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack, though experts have warned it could be used to bolster Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Read more:
- A Russian long-range cruise missile heading for western Ukraine briefly entered Polish territory, prompting the country’s armed forces to launch “all necessary procedures.”
Kevin McCarthy-Matt Gaetz feud heats up months after the former speaker’s ouster
Kevin McCarthy, while speaking on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” referenced a motion filed last week by Georgia GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene aimed at removing House Speaker Mike Johnson. McCarthy, who was voted out of the speakership last fall after Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz filed a similar motion, gave advice to the Republican conference — and dinged Gaetz.
This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your morning. Sign up here to get it in your inbox.
“The one advice I would give to the conference and to the speaker is: Do not be fearful of a motion to vacate,” McCarthy said. “I do not think they could do it again. That was surely based on Matt Gaetz trying to stop an ethics complaint.” Pressed about his reference to Gaetz, McCarthy elaborated, saying, “It was purely Matt coming to me trying, trying [to get] me to do something illegal to stop the Ethics Committee from moving forward in an investigation that was started long before I became a speaker.”
The House Ethics Committee opened a probe into Gaetz in 2021 to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct against him and former New York Rep. Tom Reed, who resigned from Congress in 2022. Gaetz has not been charged with any crime, and he has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. The feud between Gaetz and McCarthy came to the forefront when Gaetz triggered the vote that led to McCarthy’s ouster. McCarthy maintained that Gaetz filed a motion to vacate because he refused to intervene in the ethics probe.
Princess Kate’s cancer treatment news sparks remorse from people who spread conspiracies online
Hundreds of people online spread conspiracy theories, posted memes and cracked jokes in an attempt to answer one question: Where is Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales?
But many people who had partaken in the online frenzy found themselves expressing regret after the princess broke her silence on Friday, announcing she had been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy.
Actor Blake Lively was among the first to make a statement online apologizing for her now-deleted Instagram post, a Photoshop joke inspired by the manipulated Mother’s Day photo released by Kensington Palace.
The questions around Kate’s whereabouts — and subsequent online remorse — underscore a pattern in which lack of information provides a perfect mix for people online to chase relevance on social media platforms, experts say. “Everybody’s trying to jump in to get a piece of the viral pie, so to speak,” said Jessica Maddox, an assistant professor of digital media technology at the University of Alabama.
The Kate news has also highlighted the strain between the public’s desire to know every detail about the royal family and the royals’ desire to keep their life private.
Shohei Ohtani set to address media for first time since his interpreter was fired
Los Angeles Dodgers player Shohei Ohtani plans to speak to the media Monday for the first time since the illegal gambling and theft allegations involving him and his interpreter, Ippei Mizhuara, emerged during the team’s trip to South Korea. Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers when the team opened the season with two games against the San Diego Padres in Seoul.
Mizuhara was let go following reports from the Los Angeles Times and ESPN about his alleged ties to an illegal bookmaker and claims from Ohtani’s attorneys that the Japanese star had been the victim of a “massive theft.”
Read more on the alleged betting scandal:
- The MLB launched an investigation into the gambling allegations surrounding Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter.
- Who is Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara? Here’s what to know.
Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots at a combined $1.9 billion
Grab your tickets! The Powerball and Mega Millions Powerball jackpots are now at a combined $1.9 billion.
The lottery prizes swelled after no tickets matched all six numbers in drawings on Friday and Saturday night. The Mega Millions jackpot grew to $1.1 billion and the Powerball jackpot rose to $800 million; the prizes were $977 million and $750 million respectively on Wednesday night. The next Powerball drawing will be today — and if there’s a winner, it would be the sixth-largest prize in the game’s history, according to the company. There have been 35 consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner since Jan. 1.
Politics in Brief
Congress: New Jersey’s first lady Tammy Murphy announced that she is withdrawing from the Democratic Senate primary. The first lady’s campaign drew some criticism, with many frustrated by the optics of her husband, Gov. Phil Murphy, pushing his wife’s candidacy.
Meet the Press: Former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel said that she disagrees with former President Donald Trump’s plan to free those charged and convicted of crimes in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Supreme Court: Former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer said it’s “possible” the Supreme Court could one day overrule its 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, which itself overruled Roe v. Wade.
Pharmaceuticals: Vaccines, birth control pills, hormone therapies and fertility drugs would be subject to new litigation if the Supreme Court endorses a challenge to abortion pill mifepristone, according to pharmaceutical industry experts.
✦ WANT MORE POLITICS NEWS?
Sign up for From the Politics Desk to get exclusive reporting and analysis delivered to your inbox every weekday evening. Subscribe here.
Staff Pick: How a satirical headline sparked real coverage of a fake feud
Today, it’s more important than ever to check your sources: That’s the message Reba McEntire posted to Instagram in response to a bogus headline claiming she was beefing with Taylor Swift. Many news outlets reported on McEntire’s post as fact, suggesting she and Swift had squashed the imaginary beef. In reality, the headline McEntire shared was from a satire Facebook account run by Christopher Blair, a self-proclaimed professional troll.
— Kalhan Rosenblatt, internet culture reporter
In Case You Missed It
- More than 20 million people from the West Coast to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula were under winter weather alerts over the weekend, with steady snow showers continuing through Monday.
- Ruby Franke, a former YouTube family vlogger who was sentenced last month on child abuse charges, detailed months of abuse in journal entries released by prosecutors.
- Airports laud the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding as a “game changer” for modernizing terminals but say it lags behind needs for upgrades.
- Passengers of the Alaska Airlines flight that was forced to make an emergency landing when a door plug blew out midair got a letter from the FBI identifying them as victims of a possible crime.
- Linda L. Bean, a granddaughter of outdoor retailer L.L. Bean. who became an entrepreneur, philanthropist and conservative activist died at age 82.
Select: Online Shopping, Simplified
A good quality phone case can only do so much to help you avoid a broken screen, but that’s where a screen protector comes in. Here’s what to look for in one and the best options to choose from.
Sign up to The Selection newsletter for exclusive reviews and shopping content from NBC Select.
Thanks for reading today’s Morning Rundown. Today’s newsletter was curated for you by Elizabeth Both and Nick Duffy. If you’re a fan, please send a link to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.
3/23: CBS Saturday Morning – CBS News
Watch CBS News
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
Montgomery brawl witnesses and Wayne Brady says he’s pansexual: Morning Rundown
High security outside a Georgia courthouse indicates Trump’s next indictment could be looming. The deaths of two FBI agents investigating an alleged pedophile ring leads to the rescue of 13 children in Australia. And at least 2 were killed by severe weather in the South.
Here’s what to know today.
In downtown Atlanta, signs that another potential Trump indictment may be near
Something major could soon be happening inside Georgia’s Fulton County Courthouse.
There are a few signs: The road in front of the building has been closed to traffic. Orange barricades and metal barriers line the street. And officers from both the sheriff’s and marshal’s offices have a visible presence.
The added security measures mean that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis will soon be presenting her 2020 election interference case to a grand jury. Her office has been conducting a wide-ranging investigation since early 2021 into whether there were any “coordinated attempts to unlawfully alter the outcome of the 2020 elections” by Trump and his allies.
This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your morning. Sign up here to get it in your inbox.
The timing isn’t completely unexpected. Willis has previously sent the chief judge and law enforcement officials letters indicating that her office could seek indictments in the first half of August. In addition, Willis sent subpoenas to witnesses, telling them to be prepared to testify before the end of the month. Here’s who we know received subpoenas.
More coverage of Trump investigations:
- Judge Tanya Chutkan indicated she plans to hold a hearing on competing proposals by federal prosecutors and Trump’s lawyers regarding what evidence in the special counsel’s 2020 election probe can be disclosed publicly.
- A Trump ally who worked with Rudy Giuliani met with investigators from special counsel Jack Smith’s team in the 2020 election probe.
- A federal judge dismissed Trump’s countersuit against E. Jean Carroll that alleged the writer defamed him by continuing to say publicly that he’d raped her.
At least 2 killed in severe weather in the South
A 15-year-old boy was killed in South Carolina after he was struck by a falling tree, and a 28-year-old man in Alabama was killed by a lightning strike, officials said yesterday. In Maryland, dozens of people were trapped in their vehicles after weather downed power lines. And more than 940,000 homes and businesses were without electricity across the South and East Coast as of last night.
Tornado watches and thunderstorm watches covered a swath of the country yesterday, resulting in damage in some communities and at least 1,000 canceled flights.
Deaths of two FBI agents played role in Australian child abuse sting
Nearly 100 people in the United States and Australia have so far been arrested after the fatal shooting of two FBI agents led to the unraveling of a suspected international pedophile ring, according to Australian Federal Police. Nineteen men in Australia were arrested for allegedly sharing child-abuse material online, the AFP said, while at least 13 children were rescued from further harm as a result of a joint operation with the FBI, dubbed “Operation Bakis.”
The probe began after two FBI agents were fatally shot in 2021 while executing a search warrant in Sunrise, Florida, for a man suspected of being in possession of child abuse material.
Nursing pillows are associated with more than 160 infant deaths, investigation finds
At least 162 babies under a year old have died in incidents involving nursing pillows since 2007, according to a first-of-its-kind analysis from NBC News based on federal data and hundreds of public records.
After years of delays, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is preparing to take the first steps toward rules to make nursing pillows safer, with a proposal expected in the coming weeks. But several leading manufacturers of baby products are pushing back against new regulation.
Grieving parents said they had no idea the popular product could be dangerous. Read the latest report in “Death by Delay,” a series on how consumer products hazards have cost lives.
Witnesses recall Alabama riverfront brawl
Those who saw a brawl unfold at the Montgomery Riverfront over the weekend say it was fueled by alcohol and adrenaline. “They just didn’t think the rules applied to them,” said one person, referring to a group of rowdy boaters who refused to remove their pontoon to make way for the Harriott II riverboat. “Everything just spiraled from there,” another said.
Video of the incident shows a group of what appear to be white men running to the boardwalk, one by one, and attacking a worker, who is Black. People were seen handcuffed after the fight, and officials said yesterday that police are still investigating.
‘Big swath’ of warm water approaches West Coast
A warmer-than-usual “big swath of water” could reach the West Coast “in the next week or so,” according to experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The intense marine heat wave in the Pacific Ocean started growing offshore in May. In recent weeks, changing wind patterns started pushing the warm water to the coast, resulting in sea surface temperatures more than 5 degrees Fahrenheit higher than normal.
While marine heat waves are not uncommon, scientists track these events closely because there can be far-reaching consequences.
Today’s Talker
Wayne Brady revealed he is…
…pansexual. The “Let’s Make a Deal” host opened up about his sexuality in an interview with People that published this month. Pansexual is defined as “a person who has the capacity to form enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional attractions to any person, regardless of gender identity,” according to GLAAD. In the interview, Brady also explained what prompted him to come out.
Politics in Brief
Biden family: Republicans have attacked Joe Biden’s age and his handling of the economy. But their mounting criticisms of his family are not as easy to defend, some Democratic allies worry, because they cut at the bedrock of Biden’s longtime appeal.
Kentuckians heckle McConnell: Mitch McConnell was met with cheers and jeers at Kentucky’s annual “Fancy Farm Picnic,” with some calling on the Senate minority leader to retire.
2024 election: Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy missed his third event in less than a month because of issues relating to his private plane.
Staff Pick: A microscopic worm and an enormous threat
There’s concern among plant experts that a mysterious disease could wipe out one of America’s most iconic trees. A subspecies of microscopic parasitic worm, called nematodes, are to blame. As reporter Rich Schapiro explains, the newly discovered nematode has proven both alarming and fascinating to the researchers studying them. — Elizabeth Robinson, newsletter editor
In Case You Missed It
Tonight’s Mega Millions drawing could yield a record-setting jackpot of $1.55 billion, if estimates for the top prize are correct. The odds of winning are 1 in 302,575,350.
The 74-year-old owner of a cheese factory in northern Italy has died after being crushed when thousands of his Grana Padano cheese wheels fell on him.
A woman was in critical condition after a shark attack off Rockaway Beach, one of New York City’s most popular Atlantic coast attractions.
A man who officials say kidnapped and held a woman captive in a makeshift cell in his Oregon garage appeared in an episode of “Judge Judy” with the mother of his two children.
Actress Sandra Bullock’s longtime partner, Bryan Randall, has died at the age of 57 after fighting ALS.
The number of officers employed by the Los Angeles Police Department dropped below 9,000, the fewest cops the city has had in a generation.
A Chicago man was charged with first-degree murder in the death of an 8-year-old girl who was fatally shot while riding a scooter.
A California black bear, nicknamed “Hank the Tank” and responsible for at least 21 home break-ins in South Lake Tahoe since 2022, is headed to a wildlife sanctuary in Colorado.
Select: Online Shopping, Simplified
With so many different types of dog foods out there, finding the right one for your pet can be overwhelming. To help you in your search, our Select team consulted veterinarians and animal nutrition experts on what to know about dog food and recommended a few of their favorite brands.
Sign up to The Selection newsletter for exclusive reviews and shopping content from NBC Select.
Thanks for reading today’s Morning Rundown. Today’s newsletter was curated for you by Elizabeth Robinson. If you’re a fan, please send a link to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.