With so many crazy things happening, sometimes things fall through the cracks. Here are some headlines that you may find interesting and worth discussing.
- The New York State Bar Association on Monday announced it was launching an inquiry into whether to remove Rudy Giuliani, President Donald Trump’s personal attorney and the former mayor of New York, from its ranks following the insurrection at the Capitol last Wednesday.
- A high school teacher in Largo, Fla., is accused of abusing four students after she allegedly sprayed them with aerosol disinfectant because they weren’t wearing their face masks properly, WFLA-TV reports.
- According to a police report cited by WFLA-TV, Christina Reszetar, 51, said the students were not wearing their masks correctly and refused to do so when she asked. She is accused of then aiming the disinfectant “into the path of their faces and bodies.”
- Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) received a positive rapid antigen test result for COVID-19. She believes she was exposed during protective isolation in the U.S. Capitol building as a result of insurrectionist riots. As reported by multiple news outlets, a number of members within the space ignored instructions to wear masks.
- “I received a positive test result for COVID-19, and am home resting at this time. While I am experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms, I remain in good spirits and will continue to work on behalf of my constituents.”
- The Michigan Capitol Commission, in a sudden reversal, voted unanimously Monday to ban the open carry of guns inside the Michigan Capitol, effective immediately.
- President-elect Joe Biden said Monday he was “not afraid” of being sworn into office next week, amid vows from right-wing extremists to return to Washington for the inauguration.
- “I am not afraid to take the oath outside,” Biden told reporters during brief remarks after he received his second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
- The National Guard plans to deploy up to 15,000 troops to Washington, D.C., for the inauguration to guard against any violent attempt by pro-Trump mobs to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, Gen. Daniel Hokanson, said Monday.
- Two gorillas at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park have tested positive for COVID-19, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced during a press conference on Monday.
- Cumulus Media, a talk radio company with a roster of popular right-wing personalities including Dan Bongino, Mark Levin and Ben Shapiro, has warned its hosts to steer clear of misinformation about election fraud (or be fired).
- The Trump administration added Cuba to a list of state sponsors of terrorism Monday, reversing a signature policy move of the Obama administration and potentially hampering President-elect Joe Biden’s ability to quickly broker a rapprochement with Havana.
- “With this action, we will once again hold Cuba’s government accountable and send a clear message: the Castro regime must end its support for international terrorism and subversion of U.S. justice,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.
- Parler filed the suit against Amazon Monday in the U.S. Western Washington district court. Parler alleges in the lawsuit that Amazon breached its contract by not giving it 30 days notice before dropping service. Parler also alleged Amazon was being hypocritical by not taking similar action against Twitter, where violent posts can also appear.
