Photo: Science Photo Library RF
1 Hurricane Debby Making Landfall This Morning, Bringing Torrential Rains This Week
With the 10 pm bulletin last night, Debby strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane as expected. While the Big Bend area of Florida is seeing landfall early today, it’s the rain that’s expected from Debby as it moves inland that’s getting some attention from officials. The governors of both Florida and South Carolina have declared states of emergency in preparation for the storm, with evacuation orders in place for parts of Florida. Cedar Key, Florida is seeing major flooding ahead of landfall and Tampa is also seeing storm surge. The coasts of Georgia and South Carolina are expected to see heavy flooding. According to the National Hurricane Center, Debby is expected to drop between six and 12 inches of rain in parts of central and northern Florida and southeastern North Carolina, with up to 18 inches possible. Parts of southeast Georgia and South Carolina could see even more, with 10 to 20 inches of rain and up to 30 inches possible in some areas, leading to fears of flooding.
2 9/11 Mastermind Plea Deal Abruptly Rescinded By Defense Secretary
A plea deal was announced on Wednesday that would have allowed the alleged mastermind of 9/11 and two of his accomplices to avoid the death penalty. That deal was controversial, especially with the families of victims of the attack, and it wasn’t allowed to stand. Late Friday, a memo was published on the Pentagon’s press site from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Writing to retired Brig. Gen. Susan K. Escallier, Austin said, “Effective immediately, I hereby withdraw your authority in the above-referenced case to enter into a pre-trial agreement,” then followed that with “I hereby withdraw from the three pre-trial agreements that you signed on July 31st, 2024 in the above-referenced case.” The president of 9/11 Justice which represents families of the victims, Brett Eagleson, said, “We are astounded and deeply frustrated that our families were not consulted or even notified in advance of the plea deal or its subsequent revocation.” The plea deal affecting Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid bin Attash, and Mustafa al-Hawasawi was to have been presented to a judge in Guantanamo as early as this week.
3 UAW President Says Beshear And Walz Are Union's Top Two Picks For Vice President
United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain appeared on “Face the Nation” yesterday and made it clear that the union is supporting Vice President Kamala Harris for president, but then the conversation turned to who she should pick as her running mate. Fain told Margaret Brennan that the union’s top two picks are Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, two are the names that have been mentioned as potential candidates. Harris is expected to announce her pick by tomorrow.