3 Things To Know Today

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Photo: Science Photo Library RF

1 Janet Yellen Makes Surprise Trip To Ukraine

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visited Ukraine yesterday as the U.S. ramps up its economic support for the country that’s going into its second year of warring with Russia. Yellen made the unannounced trip to Kyiv a week after President Biden's surprise visit. She met with top Ukrainian officials and announced a transfer of $1.25 billion in her meeting with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. The Treasury Secretary is also reported to have discussed the rollout of roughly $10 billion in financial assistance, which is part of a $45 billion package Congress passed in December. Yellen stated that the U.S. can’t allow Ukraine to lose the war because of “economic reasons” when they’re making so much progress on the battlefield. She added, “America will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes." Zelensky thanked the U.S. and urged us to "further strengthen sanctions to deprive Russia of the ability to finance the war.”

2 Judge In Murdaugh Trial Allowing Jury To Visit Murder Scene

The jury in the Alex Murdaugh double-murder trial will get a first-hand look at the crime scene as early as today, according to court insiders. A judge's ruling set the stage for the 12-member panel to visit the South Carolina estate where Murdaugh's wife and son were shot dead. Circuit Judge Clifton Newman ruled in favor of the defense team's request yesterday for a "jury view" to help jurors visualize the testimony. Defense attorney Richard "Dick" Harpootlian said he wants the jury to see the family's hunting lodge, where the bodies of Alex’s wife Margaret and his son Paul were found near outdoor kennels on June 7, 2021. However, lead prosecutor Creighton Waters objected to the request, saying the lodge looks different than it did at the time, with trees being taller and thicker than they were at the time of the murder. The objection was denied. Once the jury visits the home, it will hear closing arguments and start deliberations, likely later this week. Alex Murdaugh’s defense trial rested its case yesterday after calling up 14 witnesses over roughly two weeks. Prosecutors have argued that Murdaugh killed his wife and son to “deflect” from his theft of nearly $9 million from his law firm and clients. Murdaugh took the stand last week, admitting he lied about his whereabouts the day of the murders, stole money from clients, and was a drug addict, but insisted he had nothing to do with the murders. Closing arguments should take place this week. If convicted, Murdaugh faces 30 years to life in prison.

3 Severe Weather Will Continue To Pummel The US This Week

More severe weather is being felt by millions across the U.S. The winter storm that recently dumped several inches of snow on parts of California is making its way to the Northeast. It's expected to bring rain and snow through the end of the week. Here's how things are shaping up, coast to coast... The West: Nine western states are under winter weather alerts as more snowfall is forecasted. That includes 10 inches in Washington state’s Cascades by early later this morning, one to three feet in high elevations of western Oregon, and one to three feet in parts of the Rockies. As for California, the conditions in the San Bernardino Mountain have trapped people in their homes, vacation rentals, and even children’s science camps, and has led to people having to ration food and supplies as they wait for help. San Bernardino County officials have now declared a local emergency to get funding in order to clear highways and neighborhood streets. A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara County mountains through this afternoon. Midwest: Oklahoma reported at least seven tornadoes and 12 injuries on Sunday. Yesterday morning in Norman, Oklahoma, flipped-over cars, downed trees, and roofs that were ripped from houses were scattered throughout neighborhoods. One resident named Frances Tabler even described the event as “a blizzard inside the house”. Also impacted by the storms was an airport in the town of Goldsby, Oklahoma, where multiple aircraft were damaged, and the roofs of hangars were ripped off. Crews are also working around the clock to restore power in Oklahoma after Sunday night’s storms. OG&E says about seven-thousand customers are without power, mostly in Norman and Oklahoma City.  Yesterday’s storm brought Michigan another mix of rain and sleet. Several school districts have canceled classes for today due to poor conditions on rural roads and many residents still remain without power. Yesterday morning, DTE utility company reportedly only restored power to 30,000 out of 600,000 customers who needed it after last Wednesday's ice storm. The other big power company, Consumers Energy, said it had restored more than 200,000 customers who'd lost power last week but said they had about 73,000 customers to go. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel spoke about the problem last night saying that despite their recent efforts, local utility companies have "failed to adequately invest in their own infrastructure or prepare for these storm events, choosing instead to leave ratepayers in the dark."


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