1 Officials: 3 Dead In Louisiana Storms; Damage Being Assessed
Authorities in Louisiana are assessing the damage after severe storm-related events have left at least three people dead. A tornado moved through New Orleans yesterday and caused damage in several communities. Especially in Gretna, which is across the Mississippi River from New Orleans. “We've seen catastrophic destruction from both ends of the city,” Mayor Belinda Constant told CNN overnight. “Worse than Hurricane Ida.” Storm officials say more than 40 tornadoes were reported across the South in recent days. A new tornado watch that's impacting about two-million people is in effect for parts of Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Now? The monster system is churning into the Northeast – threatening snow, ice and rain. This, after pummeling the High Plains with blizzard conditions.
2 American Freed From Russian Territory In Ukraine Prisoner Swap
A US Army veteran is free after a prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine. Yesterday, the head of Ukraine's presidential office announced 64 Ukrainian soldiers were included in the exchange as well as American Suedi Murekezi. Murekezi’s lived in Ukraine since 2018 and says he was detained in June after being arrested for protesting against the Russian invasion. And when Russians realized he had served in the United States Armed Forces? It got worse – and his captivity included torture. Murekezi told reporters the Russians accused him of being in the CIA and kept him in a basement he described as a "torture chamber" for weeks. He was allegedly beaten, shocked, and given very little food or water. Apparently, he was freed a few weeks ago, but without a passport, was stuck in Russian territory – until Ukrainian Special Forces were able to get him out. Now? He’ll be back in Minnesota by Christmas.
3 Senate Votes To Ban TikTok Use On Government Devices
The Senate was moving to outlaw TikTok. And while no one can guess how far that will go, there’s one place they are already beginning the process of blocking the site. In a rare show of unity, the Senate voted unanimously to ban the use of TikTok on government phones and devices. The “No TikTok on Government Devices Act,” introduced by Republican Senator Josh Hawley, the proposal would “prohibit certain individuals from downloading or using TikTok on any device issued by the United States or a government corporation.” What’s next? The bill heads to the House and if it passes there – will head to President Biden’s desk to become law.