News brief Nov. 11-15

International:

In the town Shelf, near Halifax, a rare scarlet tanager was spotted after being flown off course by strong winds associated with the recent hurricane activity in America. 

According to the Independent, “Normally, the bird makes two annual trips between lowland South American woods and the eastern United States.”

However, the strong winds blew the vibrant red bird across the Atlantic Ocean, attracting birdwatchers all around the UK to the quiet Yorkshire street. 

Luke Nash, one of these birdwatching enthusiasts, offered his comments to the BBC: “I was a bit suspicious when I heard it was here. I was dawdling and playing with my camera, looking at my phone, and then someone shouted it was coming in and then the camera came out of the bag and the binoculars were up.”

National: 

Liam Payne, a former member of the boyband One Direction, died Oct. 16 following a fall from his hotel in Buenos Aires. 

In connection to his death, the Washington Post reported three arrests were made in Argentina for “illicit conduct.” 

According to prosecutors, one individual was charged with crimes of abandonment of a person followed by death, and the two others were charged with supplying drugs to the singer several times before his death. 

His toxicology report and subsequent investigation concluded that Payne had likely consumed cocaine, alcohol and prescription anti-depressants within 72 hours of his passing. His injuries did not suggest he was attempting to harm himself, but rather he simply fell. 

The investigation is still ongoing. 

Local: 

Oklahoma ousted a sitting Supreme Court Justice for the first time in its history, with a narrow 50.4 percent majority against retention. Yvonne Kauger, 86, an associate justice in the state’s supreme court, was initially appointed in 1984 and will now be removed from the court.

Political dark money groups targeted Justice Kauger and two other justices in slander campaigns, urging Oklahomans to vote against their retention. 

The Oklahoman reports critics of the Justice said, “Kauger was appointed by a Democratic Gov. George Nigh. Critics label the justices as ‘liberal activist judges.’ They point out that Kauger has deemed unconstitutional a number of pieces of legislation that Republican lawmakers and the governor support.”

However, supporters of Kauger said, “Kauger serves in a nonpartisan position, and that she is just following the law when striking down unconstitutional legislation. They’re concerned that people are trying to politicize Oklahoma’s court system, which is supposed to serve a check on the legislative and executive branches. Judicial ethics prohibit the justices from campaigning unless there is active opposition.”

With this historic move, Governor Kevin Stitt must appoint a justice to replace her for her remaining term. The Oklahoman expresses he will likely select a justice who aligns more closely with his views.