News Briefs: Pop, Politics, and More
POP NEWS
John Legend Gains EGOT Title
Over the weekend of Sep. 8, singer and songwriter John Legend, 39, became the youngest artist as well as the first African American man to achieve the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) title 12 years after winning his first three Grammys in 2006. Legend has won one Emmy Award, 10 Grammy Awards, one Oscar Academy Award and one Tony Award.
Serena Williams Fined for Code Violations After Crippling Loss to Naomi Osaka in U.S. Open
After a loss in the U.S. Open, Serena Williams was fined $17,000 for three code violations. CBS News reports the tournament referees office on Sunday docked Williams $10,000 for verbal abuse, $4,000 for being warned for coaching and $3,000 breaking her racket.
Apple Releases New Iphones
Apple reveals three new Iphones at their Keynote conference earlier today. The names of the phones, XR, XS, and XS Max have starting prices at $749, $999, and $1,099 in which will be released in the next coming weeks.
POLITICS
Trump Transfers Money from FEMA to Aid ICE
In a document released by Sen. Jeff Merkley on Sep. 11, the Trump Administration transferred $9.8 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement in June of 2018. The Department of Homeland Security informed Congress that ICE needed $200 million due to a higher demand for the cost of detaining and deporting immigrants. The money redistributed from FEMA cut back on infrastructure, training, budgets and response/recovery.
LOCAL NEWS
S.C. Prisons Detain Prisoners in Hurricane Florence's Evac Zones
Despite being located in mandatory evacuation zones for hurricane Florence, prisons in South Carolina were ordered by Gov. Henry McMaster to keep inmates inside because they will be safer. MacDougall Correctional Institution as well as Ridgeland Correctional Institution are both Level 2 institutions that detain over 1,000 inmates. More than 100 prison employees were also required to stay.
Hurricane Florence Devastates N.C.
Hurricane Florence wreaks havoc on N.C. beaches and inland cities like Lumberton, Whiteville, Bladenboro and more. The Hurricane has breached dams in Laurinburg, causing some to evacuate their homes. Many homes and local businesses remain flooded as a result of the storm.
NATIONAL NEWS
NIKE Sales Skyrocket
In response to Nike unveiling their “Just Do It” 30th anniversary campaign with Colin Kaepernick, on Sep. 5, the mayor of Kenner, LA issued a memorandum banning any booster club that uses the Kenner Recreation Facility from buying or wearing any equipment/apparel from the brand unless the Director of Parks and Recreation approved it. The policy has since been overturned due to pressure from the American Civil Liberties Union for calling the ban unconstitutional. Nike’s sales have increased 31% following the campaign with Kaepernick.
Fager Exits "60 Minutes"
Jeff Fager, executive producer of CBS popular news program “60 Minutes” has left the network after accusations of fostering an abusive workplace. According to the New Yorker the accusations included inappropriately touching employees, with another report from the Washington Post stating that Fager tolerated years of alleged abusive conduct by a senior producer.
Catholic Clergy Convene to Discuss Sexual Abuse Accusations
Pope Francis along with several other bishops from around the world gathered Wednesday to discuss the accusations of sexual abuse surrounding the Holy Catholic Church. New York Times said that this meeting marks the first time that presidents of bishops conferences worldwide have been summoned for a meeting on a specific topic.
