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Friday, October 9, 2020

The Rundown: Arrests Made In Plot To Kidnap Michigan Governor


Federal and state officials announced yesterday that 13 men had been charged in an alleged far-right domestic terrorism plot to kidnap Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Six face federal charges of conspiracy to kidnap, and the other seven, who are associated with the militia group Wolverine Watchmen, were charged by the state. The suspects also targeted law enforcement. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said, "The individuals . . . are suspected to have attempted to identify the home addresses of law enforcement officers in order to target them, made threats of violence intended to instigate a civil war, and engaged in planning and training for an operation to attack the capitol building of Michigan and to kidnap government officials, including the governor of Michigan." The plots were foiled due to undercover agents and informants.

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Whitmer has faced virulent anger from some far-right extremists over her handling of the coronavirus pandemic. She yesterday put some blame on President Trump, referring to him saying, "Stand back and stand by" when asked during the first debate to condemn the violent far-right group the Proud Boys. She said, "Hate groups heard the President's words not as a rebuke, but as a rallying cry, as a call to action. When our leaders speak, their words matter." Trump tweeted in response that he doesn't tolerate any extreme violence and that Whitmer, quote, "has done a terrible job."

➤TRUMP SAYS READY TO RESUME RALLIES THIS WEEKEND: President Trump said on Thursday, one week after his diagnosis with the coronavirus and three days after his return from Walter Reed hospital, that he's feeling good and is ready to resume rallies as early as this weekend. His physician, Dr. Sean Conley, said in a memo that Trump had, quote, "completed his course of therapy" and was showing no evidence of his illness getting worse or of any bad reactions to the experimental treatments he received. Conley also said Trump would be able to safety resume public activities on Saturday. Trump said in a Fox Business interview, "I'm feeling good. Really good. I think perfect." Trump also said, "I don't think I’m contagious at all," although it's not known if that's true. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people can end isolation 10 days after the onset of symptoms, which for Trump was October 1st.

➤NEXT TRUMP-BIDEN OFF AFTER SWITCHED TO VIRTUAL AND TRUMP REFUSES: The second presidential debate between President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden is off -- at least as of now -- after the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates announced yesterday  that it would be switched to a virtual format for safety reasons in light of Trump's coronavirus infection, and Trump said he wouldn't participate in a virtual debate. The debate was to be held next Thursday in Miami in a town hall format, with the candidates taking questions from voters. After Trump's physician, Dr. Sean Conley, released a letter saying the president had, quote, "completed his course of therapy" and could return to campaigning this weekend, Trump's campaign called on the commission to reverse its decision to hold the debate virtually. But Commission chairman Frank Fahrenkopf said the decision was guided by its medical advisers and it wouldn't be changed. The final debate, planned for October 22nd, is as of now scheduled to go forward as planned in person. Soon after Trump declined yesterday to do a virtual debate, ABC News announced that Biden would be doing a town hall sponsored by the network that night instead. Trump's campaign manager said he would do a rally.
Weather.com graphic 10/9/20

➤HURRICANE DELTA SET TO MAKE LANDFALL IN LOUISIANA TODAY: Hurricane Delta intensified into a Category 3 storm yesterday and is set to make landfall in southwestern Louisiana late today at around that same strength, according to the National Hurricane Center. Delta is expected to come onshore in the same area of Louisiana were Hurricane Laura hit just six weeks ago. 


It's forecast to bring what's being described as a "life-threatening" storm surge, as high as 11 feet in some places, and dangerous winds.

➤FED. GOV'T. SUES YALE, ALLEGING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST APPLICANTS: The Justice Department sued Yale University on Thursday, allegeing that it discriminates based on race and national origins in its admissions process. The lawsuit comes about two months after the Justice Department said its investigation found that Asian American and white students have, quote, "one-tenth to one-fourth of the likelihood of admission as African American applicants with comparable academic credentials." Yale said the lawsuit was "baseless" and that its admissions practices are fair and lawful.


⚾BRAVES, ASTROS, DODGERS MOVE ON TO LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: The Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros and L.A. Dodgers are moving on to MLB's League Championship playoff round after winning their Division Series yesterday. The only remaining Division Series that's still undecided is the one between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays, which is tied at two games each. The Braves and Dodgers both swept their Division Series 3 games to 0 against the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres, respectively, and the Astros eliminated the Oakland A's 3 games to 1.

MLB PLAYOFFS: Results from Division Series yesterday:
  • Atlanta Braves 7, Miami Marlins 0 -- Atlanta wins series 3 games to 0 (NL)
  • Houston Astros 11, Oakland A's 6 -- Houston wins series 3 games to 1 (AL)
  • Los Angeles Dodgers 12, San Diego Padres 3 -- Los Angeles wins series 3 games to 0 (NL)
  • New York Yankees 5, Tampa Bay Rays 1 -- Series tied at 2-2 (AL)

🏈BEARS EDGE BUCCANEERS 20-19: The Chicago Bears beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-19 last night at home, with a possible mental mistake by Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady sealing Chicago's victory. Brady appeared to lose count of the number of downs on his final play, holding up four fingers as if he had one more play left after his fourth-down pass with 33 seconds left was broken up and Chicago got possession. But Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians said Brady didn't lose track of downs, saying, "He knew." Cairo Santos scored the winning points for the Bears with a 38-yard field goal with 1:17 remaining. Bears quarterback Nick Foles was 30 of 42 for 243 yards and a touchdown.

BILLS-TITANS AND BRONCOS-PATRIOTS GAMES POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS POSITIVES: The NFL has postponed this Sunday's  Buffalo Bills-Tennessee Titans and Denver Broncos-New England Patriots games because of positive coronavirus tests. The Bills-Titans game was moved to Tuesday night at 7 p.m. ET on CBS as long as the Titans don't have any more positive tests. Tennessee had two more positives yesterday for a total of 23 since September 29th. The Broncos-Patriots game was moved to Monday at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN. The Patriots have had two players and one player on the practice squad test positive. If the Bills-Titans game is played Tuesday, the Bills-Kansas City Chiefs game scheduled for Thursday will move to next weekend.
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