Death toll rises for Hurricane Ida
The death toll continues to rise in states affected by Hurricane Ida as thousands of people continue to experience severe flooding, power outages and property damage. On Saturday, according to the NY Times, the governor of New Jersey announced two more deaths and six more missing persons in the state. The announcement brought the death toll to 52 across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. As of last Friday, more than 30,000 homes across the four states were still without power, including 20,000 in Pennsylvania and more than 7,000 each in New Jersey and New York.
The Supreme Court declines to halt anti-abortion law in Texas
The most restrictive anti-abortion legislation in the U.S, since Roe v. Wade, went into effect last week after the Supreme Court declined to place a temporary halt on the law. The Court’s decision, led by its conservative justices, allowed Texas legislators to carry out and enforce the nation’s most restrictive anti-abortion law, which effectively bans abortions after six weeks of pregnancy by allowing private citizens to bring suit against abortion providers. According to the NY Times, President Joe Biden referred to the new law, and the Supreme Court’s decision to let it stand, an “unprecedented assault on constitutional rights.” Thousands of abortion and women’s rights activists have spoken out against the new law, however, no formal lawsuits against the bill have been filed. The decision has also brought the concept of the Supreme Court’s “shadow docket,” which are actions taken by the court outside of its normal procedural regularity into question.
Well-known Capitol rioter pleads guilty to federal charges
According to NBC News, Jacob Anthony Chansley, one of the most high-profile individuals to storm the capitol building on Jan. 6, plead guilty to a single charge of felony obstruction in an official proceeding last week. Known for wearing horns, a fur headdress and face paint, Chansley is one of the most well-known rioters to face consequences for his involvement in the Jan. 6 attack.
Cause of death still unknown for family found dead in Sierra National Forest
Investigators in the deaths of Jonathan Gerrish, Ellen Chung, their 1-year-old daughter, Miju, and their dog have yet to identify a cause of death. The bodies of the family were found in the Sierra National Forest on Aug. 17 after being declared missing the day prior. According to ABC News, initial autopsy reports have provided no leads. Officials are investigating the possibility of lightning strikes in the area as well as toxic algae.
