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News Brief: Week of Jan. 19-25

National

Impeachment trial begins

The impeachment trial of President Donald Trump began on Tuesday, Jan. 21, marking the start of the third presidential impeachment trial in United States history.

The trial opened on Jan. 21 with debate establishing a resolution for the trial’s rules.

On Wednesday, Jan. 22, through Friday, Jan. 24, the House managers delivered their opening arguments and presented evidence gathered during the impeachment inquiry to the Senate. 

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-California, had strong words for President Trump.

“You don’t realize how important character is in the highest office of the land until you don’t have it,” Schiff said. “There can be little doubt that President Trump will continue to invite foreign interference in our election … that poses an imminent threat to our democracy.”

White House lawyers opened their defense arguments on Saturday, Jan. 26. The defense criticized the conduct and presentation surrounding the impeachment inquiry and claimed the inquiry was intended to undermine the 2020 election and President Trump’s campaign for reelection.

“For all their talk about election interference, they’re here to perpetrate the most massive interference in an election in American history,” White House Counsel Pat Cipollone said. “We can’t allow that to happen.”

Coronavirus strikes United States

A mystery virus began spreading throughout Wuhan, China a month ago. It has now killed 50 individuals and infected hundreds more around the worldincluding three individuals in the United States.

A third person tested positive for coronavirus on Saturday, Jan. 26, in Orange County, CA. Additionally, a man in Seattle and a woman in Chicago have tested positive for the virus. Each person diagnosed had recently traveled to Wuhan, where the virus first broke out. All U.S. patients are in stable condition.

In order to contain a potential outbreak, all passengers from Wuhan to the United States are only allowed to land at one of five airports equipped with health professionals who can check passengers for symptoms. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has raised its travel warning for Wuhan to level 3, the highest possible level which recommends against all nonessential travel.

Kobe Bryant dies in helicopter crash

NBA legend Kobe Bryant, 41, died on Sunday, Jan. 26, following a helicopter crash in Calabasas, CA. His daughter Gianna, 13, was among the nine onboard who all died in the crash.

Bryant was traveling by helicopter with his daughter and seven other passengers when it crashed and caught on fire. All nine passengers are confirmed dead, and an investigation is ongoing.

During his 20 years with the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant won 5 NBA championships, made 18 All-NBA teams and won 2 Olympic gold medals with the United States team. He is ranked fourth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list and was the NBA’s MVP in 2008.

Bryant’s wife Vanessa was confirmed to not be on the helicopter. In addition to Gianna, the couple has three daughters: Natalia, Bianca and Capri.

State/Local

Penn Square shooting suspects arrested

Oklahoma City police apprehended two men on Thursday, Jan. 23; they are believed to be connected to the shots fired at Penn Square Mall on Saturday, Jan. 18.

Dequann Gresham, 23, and Terence Parker, 21, were booked into the Oklahoma County Jail on suspicion of assault and battery with a deadly weapon.

Police are still looking for a third suspect, 22-year-old Evan Gresham, who is also wanted on suspicion of assault and battery with a deadly weapon.

The suspected shooter’s identity has still not been discovered.

While no one was shot, the Penn Square shooting on Jan. 18 was the second time shots were fired at the mall in a month. A fight broke out in the mall on Dec. 19, 2019, injuring one individual.

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