09.14.2017

DACA Deal.
President Trump and Democrats moved closer to an agreement yesterday to enshrine DACA - or the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program - into law. The move follows Trump's decision to rescind DACA early last week, while leaving a six-month window for implementation for Congress to make the program permanent. The rules - created by executive order under Obama - deferred deportation of "dreamers", who entered the country illegally under the age of 16 and before 2007. Writing DACA into law has been tried before, beginning with Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) who introduced a similar bill back in 2001 (see a pre-2015 timeline here). Durbin released an updated, bipartisan version of the bill - called the DREAM Act - with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), which could form the basis of a final deal. A potential agreement would be the second time in recent days Trump has reached across the aisle, after striking a three-month budget compromise last week. The sticking point will be whether funding for a border wall needs to be included in the final package. 

Freeman.
A student opened fire at a high school yesterday near Spokane, WA, killing one and injuring three others. Though official details have not been released, informal reports indicate that another student, sophomore Sam Strahan, was killed as he attempted to disarm the attacker. Students identified the gunman - currently in custody awaiting charges - as Caleb Sharpe, who had a history of posting violence-laced videos to YouTube. Officials say Sharpe could have potentially killed a greater number if the weapon hadn't jammed when he entered the school. The attack ultimately ended after a staff member intervened, allowing police to detain Sharpe without firing a shot. The incident continues an unfortunate trend of mass shootings in the US, particularly at schools (see list of school shootings here).

Healthcare.
After failing to pass an Obamacare replacement package in July, Senators in both parties are crafting bills that would, if passed, dramatically overhaul the health care system - with the bills going in opposite directions. Republicans are considering a proposal by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) that would replace many Obamacare tax credits and Medicare expansion subsidies with block grants to states, while repealing the individual mandate (summary here). On the other side, Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced a bill he called "Medicare For All" - which would transform the elderly-focused program into a broad single payer system (see overview of single payer here). Both proposals face long odds - less than 10 Republican senators support the Graham-Cassidy, while 16 Democrats have signed on to the Sanders bill. Notably, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D, CA-12), as well as Senators facing tough 2018 elections like Sen. Sherrod Brown (D, OH), declined to support the Sanders bill. 

Frank Vincent - 'Sopranos', 'Goodfellas' actor - dies at 80 (More)
Serena Williams shares photos, reveals name of newborn daughter (More)
It's official: Los Angeles nabs 2028 Olympics, Paris to host in 2024 (More)
 

Facebook bans ads promoting violence, drugs, porn, hate (More)
Utility-scale solar power hits $0.06 per kilowatt-hour, three years ahead of government goal (More) | Federal solar program pivots to focus on reliability, storage (More)
Researchers create flexible organic battery, may shift how medical implants are powered (More)

Trump blocks Chinese takeover of Lattice Semiconductor; only 4th time deal blocked due to national security risk (More)
Bain Capital, Apple & Dell consortium win $19B bid for Toshiba's memory chip business (More)
Equifax CEO to testify before house on 10/3; shares continue to slide, down ~30% since hack announced (More)
 

8 dead after AC issue forces evacuation of FL nursing home (More)
US bans use of Russian firm Kaspersky software in federal agencies over cybersecurity concerns (More)
Current NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio wins Dem primary, eyes re-election (More)

Cincinnati.com | Staff. A look at the opioid epidemic gripping Middle America that is both panoramic and intensely personal, this piece watches the individual lives that filter through the court system in Hamilton and surrounding counties. Moving photos, 911 transcripts, and quick video clips combine to capture the colossal weight of heroin and synthetic drugs on both people and public infrastructure. 
 

Vox | Brian Resnick. During this busy hurricane season, the media has lent a large amount of attention to individuals who choose not to evacuate. Residents who decide to stay have been ostracized and shamed—but the decision to leave might not be so simple. For instance, most of the people who stayed at home during Katrina were less financially secure than those who left. Check out this short read to find out why people stay, as well as the bizarre and grim strategies to get people out of dodge.

Watch: The moving tribute to Steve Jobs at yesterday's Apple Day.

Well Read: The shortlist for the 2017 Man Booker literary award - three of six are American.

Study: Grandparents who babysit live longer. 

5 weird rules that explain this year's Emmy nominations.

A pretty accurate parody of the iPhone X announcement.

Photos: Ninety of the most memorable pictures of all time - beginning in 1855.

St. Peter's bone fragments possibly discovered at Roman church.

Critics shut down Brazil's largest ever LGBTQ art exhibition.

Science: New living-breathing workout gear from MIT uses bacteria to keep you cool.

English school caretaker discovers medieval treasure deposit buried in playground.

Clickbait: Entrepreneurs are cashing in on the poo economy.

Historybook: Aaron Burr dies (1836); HBD Margaret Sanger (1879); President William McKinley dies from gunshot wounds (1901); Teddy Roosevelt becomes youngest US President (1901); RIP Grace Kelly (1982); HBD Amy Winehouse (1983); The Golden Girls debuts (1985).

"NOBODY CARES HOW MUCH YOU KNOW, UNTIL THEY KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE."
-Teddy Roosevelt

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