It’s been a busy week with news, sports, entertainment, and politics!
Here are the ten most important stories you need to know heading into the weekend:
10. Adam Schiff’s Luggage Stolen In San Francisco
Rep. Adam Schiff, running for US Senate in California, recently had his bags stolen at SFO in San Francisco.
“Democrat Adam Schiff had to slum it without a suit at a formal affair in the Bay Area after some sly San Francisco criminals broke into his car and stole his luggage.
The House Democrat, who represents Burbank in Southern California, was in the city for a campaign event. He’s currently running a competitive bid for the Senate to replace former Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
During the trip, Schiff committed a cardinal sin – at least in crime-ridden San Francisco – leaving his luggage in his car while it was parked in a downtown garage.”
9. Caleb Williams Chosen First As NFL Draft Kicks Off In Detroit
Caleb Williams of Southern California was chosen as the #1 NFL Draft pick by the Chicago Bears Thursday in Detroit with nearly 300,000 fans in attendance.
“The Chicago Bears selected Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft Thursday in Detroit. He was followed by the Washington Commanders’ selection of LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels and the New England Patriots’ choice of North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye.
Six quarterbacks — Williams, Daniels, Maye, J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix — were taken in the first 12 picks. In total, 23 offensive players heard their names called, the most in NFL draft history.
Williams, the consensus top prospect, threw for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions last season. He won the Heisman Trophy as the best player in college football the previous season after he took the Trojans from a four-win team to an 11-win team. Williams threw for 4,075 yards, 37 touchdowns and only four interceptions over 13 games in 2022.”
8. Harvey Weinstein’s Conviction Overturned
Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein’s New York rape conviction has been overturned on appeal.
“Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 conviction for sexual assault and rape was overturned by New York’s highest court, reopening the landmark case that fueled the #MeToo movement and highlighting the challenges of holding powerful men accountable.
Many accusers of the former Hollywood movie mogul condemned Thursday’s decision, with the actress Ashley Judd telling reporters it was “an act of institutional betrayal.” The office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg signaled it planned to retry Weinstein.
In a bitterly divided 4-3 ruling, the state Court of Appeals said the trial judge made a critical mistake by letting women testify that Weinstein assaulted them, even though their accusations were not part of the charges he faced.
The appeals court said the trial judge compounded the error by ruling that if Weinstein took the witness stand, prosecutors could question him on a wide range of “loathsome” conduct, including bullying and fits of anger toward associates.”
7. King Charles Returns To Royal Duties
After taking a break to deal with cancer, King Charles has returned to some of his “royal duties.”
“King Charles will resume public engagements next week after making encouraging progress in his cancer treatment, Buckingham Palace has said.
It won’t yet be a full return to official engagements for the King, but the palace is sending positive signals.The King will begin next Tuesday with a symbolic trip to a cancer treatment center.
His summer plans include a state visit, where he will host the Emperor and Empress of Japan.
In the coming weeks, the palace said, he would undertake more external engagements.”
6. Man Charged In Building Explosion That Killed Teen Arrested While Trying To Flee To Hong Kong
A man authorities say is responsible for an explosion that killed a Michigan teen was arrested this week on his way to Hong Kong.
“A Commerce man facing manslaughter charges in connection with a deadly, massive explosion at a Clinton Township business in March had a one-way ticket to Hong Kong before being arrested, police say.
Clinton Township and Macomb County officials held a press conference Friday morning to discuss the charges and investigation of Noor Kestou, 31, the owner of the building and business, Goo, that exploded on March 4 due to thousands of nitrous oxide and butane cans that were stored inside the business.
A 19-year-old man, Turner Salter, died after being struck in the head by a piece of shrapnel a quarter mile from the scene. A firefighter was also taken to an area hospital for minor injuries.
Law enforcement officials said Friday that they received information on Saturday, April 20, that Kestou was scheduled to depart from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Hong Kong that evening. The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office issued an arrest warrant, and Kestou was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the New York Port Authority without incident.”
5. DeSantis Says Florida Won’t Comply With Biden’s Title IX Changes
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says his state will not reply with Biden’s new federal Title IX rules.
“Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said Thursday his state “will not comply” with recently unveiled changes to Title IX by the Biden administration.
“Florida rejects [President Biden’s] attempt to rewrite Title IX,” DeSantis said in a video posted to the social platform X. “We will not comply, and we will fight back.”
“We are not gonna let Joe Biden try to inject men into women’s activities,” DeSantis continued. “We are not gonna let Joe Biden undermine the rights of parents, and we are not gonna let Joe Biden abuse his constitutional authority to try to impose these policies on us here in Florida.”
The Biden administration unveiled a final set of changes to Title IX last week that add protections for transgender students to the federal civil rights law on sex-based discrimination. The changes will take effect in early August.”
4. Arkansas Defense Attorney Shot In Armored Car Robbery
The man who was shot during an armed robbery of an armored car has been identified as a prominent Little Rock defense attorney.
“The primary suspect in Wednesday’s attempted bank robbery is local attorney, 47-year-old Chad Green.
Green approached an armored vehicle driver who was servicing the ATM at the Bank of America on Geyer Spring Road. The Little Rock Police Department dispatch report states Green asked the driver how he was doing before spraying mace in the face of the driver.
After this, the driver pulled his gun, firing it at Green multiple times who hopped on a bicycle and disappeared into nearby woods. He was later found along Interstate 430, where he was apprehended and taken to the hospital where he is in stable condition.”
3. Palestinian Protester Carries Nazi Sign
Demonstrators in oppostion to Israel reached new extremes this week, with one carrying a Nazi “final solution” sign.
“A despicable anti-Israeli protester has sparked horror after being photographed at George Washington University with a sign calling for the “final solution,” the Nazi plan to exterminate all Jews.
The unidentified man was seen mingling among students on the Washington, DC, campus carrying a huge Palestinian flag — and the sign with the expression Adolf Hitler used to sum up his plan for the “annihilation of the Jews.”
The image quickly sparked outrage from many shocked at a term used during the Holocaust.”
2. Biden Agrees To Debate President Trump
After previously saying he wouldn’t, Joe Biden announced on Howard Stern he will in fact debate President Trump this fall.
“President Joe Biden participated in a surprise live interview on Friday with radio host Howard Stern, the latest example of the White House favoring media personalities and nontraditional outlets ahead of the president’s reelection.
Biden said in the interview that he planned to debate former President Donald Trump this election cycle, but did not know when or where it would happen.
“I am happy to debate him,” Biden said.
Although Trump did not participate in any of the presidential primary debates, his campaign has called on Biden to debate and has suggested adding more debates to the general election schedule. The Biden campaign had previously been noncommittal about participating.”
1. President Trump’s Trial Is Underway In Manhattan
President Trump’s trial over payments to Stormy Daniels is underway in New York City, with testimony from former National Enuirerer Publisher Pecker taking center stage.
