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Today is the deadline to file your taxes — but tens of millions of Americans have yet to submit their information to the IRS. If you haven’t filed yet, there’s still time to request an extension that will give you until October 16.
Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day.
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1. Kansas City shooting
A White, 84-year-old homeowner who allegedly shot and wounded Ralph Yarl after the Black teen went to the wrong address to pick up his siblings will face two felony charges, officials announced Monday. Homeowner Andrew Lester told police he fired immediately after answering the doorbell when he saw the 16-year-old pulling on an exterior door handle, according to documents obtained by CNN. Lester said he was “scared to death” due to the boy’s size, according to the document. After the April 13 shooting, which left the teenager with gunshot wounds to his head and arm, Ralph told police that he did not pull on the door. A prosecuting attorney in the county said that “there was a racial component to this case,” but did not elaborate. Protests have erupted in Kansas City as the teen and his family struggle with the trauma from the ordeal.
2. Disney
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis floated the idea of building a state prison or a competing theme park next to Disney World in Orlando as revenge for the company resisting a state takeover of its special taxing district. Laying out his plan to exact retribution against the House of Mouse, the Florida Republican said the GOP-controlled state legislature will take steps to “formally nullify” Disney’s attempts to maintain control of the district through last-minute maneuvering. The clash between Florida and its largest employer started last year when the state passed a new law that limited classroom instruction of sexual orientation and gender identity. Disney objected to the bill and vowed to help get it repealed. DeSantis responded by targeting the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the special taxing district that for half a century gave Disney control over the land around its Central Florida theme parks.
3. Debt ceiling
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday previewed what he hopes House Republicans can pass in the next few weeks to raise the debt ceiling during a speech at the New York Stock Exchange. “So here is our plan: In the coming weeks, the House will vote on the bill to lift the debt ceiling into the next year, save taxpayers trillions of dollars, make us less dependent on China, curb our inflation, all without touching social security and Medicare,” he told a crowd of traders and analysts. While sounding optimistic, there is no bipartisan agreement in sight and Democrats continue to argue that the debt limit should be lifted without any conditions attached. The Republican bill would not be expected to pass in the Senate. After the speech, White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said McCarthy “failed to clearly outline what House Republicans are proposing and will vote on,” arguing McCarthy only “referenced a vague, extreme MAGA wish list.”
4. FBI
The FBI has arrested two alleged Chinese agents and federal prosecutors have charged dozens of others with working to silence and harass dissidents within the US — with some even operating an “undeclared police station” in New York City. The two men, both US citizens, allegedly operated the police station in the city’s Chinatown. It has been shut down since a search warrant was executed at the location last fall, according to a spokesman for the US Attorney in the Eastern District of New York. The two men have been charged with conspiring to act as agents of the Chinese government and obstructing justice, officials said. Federal prosecutors have also charged dozens of officers of the national police of the People’s Republic of China with harassing Chinese nationals in the US critical of the Chinese government.
5. Twitter
Twitter has reversed course on another controversial decision, this time causing many in the weather community to breathe a collective sigh of relief. Earlier this year, the company said it would limit the number of tweets that can be sent from automated accounts unless they pay extra. That change would have a huge impact on the National Weather Service and other weather entities that use automated tweets to send crucial weather alerts, like tornado warnings. However, Twitter surprisingly announced over the weekend that an exception will be made for the National Weather Service, allowing its accounts to send alerts without limits. “Without this automated process, it would take minutes for forecasters to manually prepare warning information into a tweet. For every warning issued, seconds could make the difference between life and death,” NOAA said in a statement to CNN.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
McDonald’s is upgrading its burgers
The fast-food chain hopes to ketchup with competitors by making improvements to its signature burgers. Here are the upcoming changes.
Apple opens its first physical store in India
Apple’s CEO Tim Cook was seen welcoming customers today at the company’s new store in Mumbai. Learn more about the iPhone maker’s expansion in the country.
David’s Bridal files for bankruptcy
More people are having weddings now that most pandemic restrictions are lifted … but that hasn’t been enough for David’s Bridal.
Cocaine worth nearly $440 million found floating in the sea off Italy
Authorities seized nearly 2 tons of the drug sealed in waterproof packages floating off the eastern coast of Sicily, Italian police said.
Writers strike looms after union members vote to shut down film and TV production
If a strike happens, production on many shows and films will come to a halt.
TODAY’S NUMBER
2
That’s how many days until SpaceX will attempt to get Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, off the ground. Starship was left grounded on its launchpad in South Texas on Monday due to a technical issue, delaying the vehicle’s historic first launch attempt. SpaceX will have a Thursday launch window that opens at 8:28 a.m. CT (9:28 a.m. ET) and closes at 9:30 a.m. CT. (10:30 a.m. ET).
TODAY’S QUOTE
“I’m proud to announce my candidacy to run for re-election and continue to serve the people of NY-3.”
— Embattled GOP Rep. George Santos, announcing his 2024 reelection campaign Monday to represent New York’s 3rd Congressional District. The freshman congressman has faced sharp criticism from some Republicans on Capitol Hill and in his district for lying extensively about his resume, education and family background. He is also currently battling an array of federal and local investigations into his finances.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check your local forecast here>>>
AND FINALLY
Peaceful cave music
Listen to the sound of an organ played deep underground. It’s gentle and calming — but also a little haunting. (Click here to view)