This was a bit of a quieter cycle, unsurprisingly, due to the half-week created by the holiday on Thursday. I assure you, however, that there is plenty to cringe at from this news cycle–our national news is the grift that keeps on giving.
Standard standing reminders still apply: I may be rounding out my seventh year of journalism, but I summarize news within my areas of expertise. NNR summaries often contain some detailed analysis that’s outside my expertise–I’m a lawyer, not a gag order!–but all offroad adventures are marked with an asterisk. And, of course, for the things that are within my lane, I’m offering context that shouldn’t be considered legal advice. Okay, I think that’s about it for the disclaimers. Onward to the news!
Cleanup in Aisle 45:
We continue to run 45 stories on the Election Rejection front, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Here’s what has happened since last time:
- 45 Court Cases (Again, Still). As foretold by prophecy last cycle, a Colorado appeals court concluded that the 14th Amendment can’t bar Trump from running – but that decision is being appealed by both sides, so we may see something different out of the Colorado Supreme Court. In other obnoxious court case news, the federal court on the January 6 case is considering a stay of Trump’s gag order, despite him demonstrably slagging on the New York judge immediately after the New York gag order was paused this cycle.
Meanwhile, the Biden Rebuilding front is largely about where Biden isn’t. Here’s what I have for you:
- Ballots and Summits. New Hampshire announced this week that it will hold its primary on January 23, against the wishes of the DNC – which means that it’s also officially confirmed that Biden won’t be on New Hampshire’s ballot. (Local supporters are leading a write-in campaign to account for this, but it has got to be the first time that an incumbent President didn’t show up on a state’s primary ballot.) Meanwhile, outlets also noted today that Biden is skipping this year’s U.N. climate summit, despite attending the previous two – which may be because it is being held in Dubai, and widely expected to involve a lot of oil deals.
Your New Normal:
- Your Regularly Scheduled COVID News. There was another major study published on Long COVID this cycle, suggesting that Long COVID may make individuals more susceptible to re-infection. In other COVID news, the Biden administration is again issuing four free tests per household to individuals who request them. Just like last time, the tests can be requested at covid.gov.
The Bad:
- Watching the War Fallout (cont). Though the region is on a humanitarian pause and conducting a hostage exchange as I type this, the news in the U.S. regarding the Hamas-Israel war continues to be very difficult. The tally of fatal hate crimes and violent altercations against Jewish and Palestinian Americans continues to grow, with three Palestinian American students shot in Vermont yesterday out of the blue while walking down the street. All three are still hospitalized with major injuries today, and one of them is in critical condition. I will continue to keep a close eye out for this type of story, as not all of them are making it to major news outlets.
The Good:
- Keeping the Lights On. One silver governmental lining from this cycle is that a government shutdown was officially averted by Congress, though they did kick the can down the road again – we’ll go through all of this again in early January. Still, it’s good to retain basic functionality as we head into the winter holidays.
So that’s what I have for you, and I’m sorry, there are no news refunds. For making it through, you deserve this possum snacktime and a more functional government. I’ll be back next time with more restructured and improved news, and I hope you will be back as well–but in the meantime, feel free to ping the National News Roundup ask box, which is there for your constructive comments. Send me questions! Send me feedback! Send me luck cause this week will be weird!
National News Roundup 