Classified
The Story
The spotlight's on some new classified documents.
Is this about Mar-a-Lago?
Actually, it’s about President Biden. Last night, Biden's lawyers said they found classified documents from his time as VP. The Nov 2 discovery — just days before the midterm elections — happened at the Penn Biden Center, a DC think tank that Biden used as office space between 2017 and 2019. The president's lawyers said they found “a small number” of classified documents in a locked closet. And that they immediately notified the National Archives, which took the docs the following day.
What are people saying?
Conservatives are ringing the alarm and drawing parallels to the investigation into former President Trump. Reminder: Gov officials recovered more than 300 classified docs at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida. Biden criticized Trump, asking how “anyone could be that irresponsible?” Now, some Republicans are saying "how ironic." With House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) saying this latest discovery proves Dems were playing "political" games with Trump. Biden has yet to comment. But his lawyers have made it clear that — unlike Trump — they handed the documents over to the National Archives.
What happens now?
The Justice Department has appointed a US attorney to review the docs and find out how they ended up at the Penn Biden Center. Then, it’s reportedly up to AG Merrick Garland to decide whether there needs to be an investigation, or whether a special counsel is necessary.
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It's unclear what kind of information is in the new batch of classified documents. But how the DOJ handles its review could further complicate its investigations into Trump and motivate future probes in the House against Biden.
And Also...This
What’s issuing new guidelines…
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Yesterday, it updated its treatment recommendations on childhood obesity. Note: Children with obesity have a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile, according to the CDC. (Though, many have argued against using BMI as a diagnostic tool.) For years, the AAP has recommended that doctors take a 'wait and see' approach to treating a child's weight. Now, the org says delaying treatment could lead to lifelong health problems like heart disease and diabetes. In addition to lifestyle changes, the AAP now recommends an “immediate, intensive” treatment involving medications for kids as young as 12 and surgery for those as young as 13. But not everyone's on board. Some experts worry doctors may jump too fast on the drugs or surgery treatment bandwagon.
There’s also a stigma: Many consider the word “obese” to be stigmatizing — something experts recommend keeping in mind as conversations over treatment happen. And others also highlight that there are social and environmental factors that can contribute to children struggling with their weight.
Who’s making their voices heard…
NYC nurses. Yesterday, 7,000 nurses from Mount Sinai Hospital and Montefiore Medical Center went on strike. They’re calling on hospitals to hire more nurses amid widespread staffing shortages and burnout. Read: Some nurses reportedly say they care for as many as 18 patients at a time. This is the latest strike to hit the health care industry, which has been dealing with a lack of staffing since before the pandemic. Now, NYC nurses apparently say all they want to do is care for their patients without being stretched to a breaking point. It’s unclear how long the strike will last. The hospitals transferred patients and postponed non-emergency medical procedures in preparation for the strike.
Who’s got some new rules to follow…
The House. Yesterday, it approved a package outlining how the lower chamber will run for the next two years. The vote was an early test for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), who won the speaker’s gavel after 15 rounds of voting. And came amid concerns that GOP lawmakers could once again drag out the process. But since the rules package included many of the concessions McCarthy made to win speakership, the measure passed largely along party lines. Now, it'll be easier to remove the speaker and harder to spend federal money. Republicans reportedly say the rules boost transparency and limit spending. But critics worry the rules could affect the national defense budget and undermine ethics standards.
What may brighten your day...
Our healing ozone layer. Yesterday, a UN report found that holes within the ozone could be mostly restored in two decades. Since the 1980s, scientists have sounded alarms about holes in the shield — which could have serious effects on human health and the environment. That’s because the ozone layer shields Earth — meaning us — from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Now, thanks to a worldwide effort to eliminate ozone-depleting chemicals (think: CFCs found in older versions of air conditioners, refrigerators, and aerosol sprays), researchers say the ozone layer could be at 1980 levels by 2040 in most of the world. A UN official called the findings “fantastic news.” Great, now about global warming…
Who’s back in Buffalo…
Who's still No. 1...
While some of us will soon get our hands on “Spare’’...
The Golden Globes are also getting ready to serve drama.
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