US invests in COVID vaccine improvement: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/u-spending-5-billion-speed-225049858.html .
WSJ: Mifepristone ruling fall-out continues: https://www.wsj.com/articles/texas-abortion-pill-ruling-ignites-new-national-battle-a9c03329 . The GOP recognizes this fight is a loser for them: https://www.wsj.com/articles/abortion-pill-ruling-draws-muted-response-from-gop-71bbdda9 . Other developments: Blue states start Mifepristone stockpile, Feds appeal Texas ruling to Fifth Circuit: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-administration-asks-appeals-court-to-halt-abortion-pill-ruling-940d8c4c .
WSJ: Weight-loss industry altered by diabetes drugs: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ozempic-wegovy-mounjaro-weight-loss-industry-89419ecb .
Mass murder du jour: Louisville shooter kills 5: https://news.yahoo.com/louisville-mass-shooting-bank-police-kentucky-governor-victims-what-we-know-164520760.html . The American slaughter continues. This is the 146th mass shooting this year. We are 100 days into 2023. More, from WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/five-dead-after-shooting-in-louisville-ky-police-say-491f441a .
WSJ: Fed official downplays market-Fed disconnect on timing of rate cuts: https://www.wsj.com/articles/top-fed-official-plays-down-divergent-rate-outlook-with-investors-c0a25383 .
WSJ: FTX’s lack of accounting controls: https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-ftx-multimillion-dollar-expenses-were-approved-by-emoji-fb91bb3a .
Nashville reinstates its ousted lawmaker: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/nashville-council-expected-consider-reinstating-ousted-former-rep-just-rcna78924 . So this has been a major, self-inflicted embarrassment for the Tennessee GOP. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/nashville-officials-vote-to-send-justin-jones-back-to-tennessee-house-864afa30 .
WSJ: Russia creeps forward in battle for Bakhmut: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-says-russia-is-using-scorched-earth-tactics-in-bakhmut-b8838a0a .
Putin’s health questioned again: https://radaronline.com/p/vladimir-putin-first-aid-suffering-loss-sensation-right-arm-leg/ .
WSJ: Pentagon hunts intelligence leaker: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pentagon-probe-under-way-in-leaks-case-303d7fda . More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/social-media-platform-discord-emerges-at-center-of-classified-u-s-documents-leak-2fa87de .
Senate Judiciary Committee plans hearing on Clarence Thomas’ “hospitality gifts”: https://www.npr.org/2023/04/10/1169131806/clarence-thomas-trips-durbin-hearings . However, all this will accomplish is embarrass a justice who is appointed for life and has no sense of shame. Still, the Committee chair feels he has to do something.
Mom indicted for 6-year-old shooting of teacher: https://abcnews.go.com/US/virginia-mom-facing-charges-6-year-shot-teacher/story?id=98479923 . Why oh why would you have a loaded gun in your house that your 6-year-old could access? WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/mother-of-virginia-6-year-old-who-shot-his-teacher-is-indicted-117f9b95 .
OJ appeals decision requiring Pence to testify on executive privilege “grounds”: https://www.aol.com/trump-appeals-order-requiring-pence-173527675.html . But as we know, multiple courts have already rejected this defense as executive privilege is available only to the sitting president. This desperate and flawed appeal seems like just another delaying tactic.
Fox Not-the-News settles election defamation claim lawsuit with Venezuelan businessman: https://www.aol.com/news/fox-news-settles-venezuelan-businessman-173535520.html . So why hasn’t Fox settled the Dominion voting defamation lawsuit? Again, my theory is that Dominion has a strong case for punitive damages. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/fox-news-settles-defamation-suit-with-venezuelan-businessman-over-election-fraud-claims-bdcc9c8f .
Plans for King Charles III’s coronation on May 6: https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-iii-coronation-crown-jewels-90276e03632ac50aa10f3b91e464ac06 .
“Lyin’ Ted” previews largest whopper yet: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/eyeing-re-election-ted-cruz-seeks-burnish-bipartisan-image-rcna77420 . So “Ted Cruz, bipartisan” is a laugh line. However, the article nails the perfect adjective for Lyin’ Ted – “self-absorbed” .
Actor Michael Lerner passes at 81: https://apnews.com/article/michael-lerner-barton-fink-dies-0f921373e3fb7b3294356973caab7086 .