9.5.2023

Texas Impeachment Trial Begins

One of the most high-profile legal proceedings in recent Texas history begins today, as the impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) gets underway in the state Senate. Paxton was impeached by House legislators in May on offenses including bribery, obstruction of justice, and misuse of public funds. The Republican-held chamber passed 20 articles of impeachment (read here) by a 121-23 vote. 

The trial is the culmination of a monthslong probe launched after Paxton requested $3.3M of state funds to settle a whistleblower lawsuit. In the suit, former aides alleged they were wrongfully terminated after tipping off the FBI to improper dealings between Paxton and donor and real estate developer Nate Paul. Among other issues, Paul is said to have employed a woman with whom Paxton was having an extramarital affair in exchange for political favors.

A two-thirds majority of the Senate's 30 voting members—Paxton's wife, Angela, is the 31st member, but will not vote or deliberate—is required to remove Paxton from office. See the main players involved here.

Desert Revelers Stranded

An estimated 70,000 festival-goers were stranded in the Nevada desert over the weekend after heavy rains created large swaths of impassable mud zones, halting events at the annual Burning Man gathering. Officials said they were investigating one death at the site, though it was unrelated to the conditions.

The weeklong event—known for its art, communal activities and atmosphere, and burning of effigies—is held in a 7-square-mile temporary city on the Black Rock Desert playa. One of the flattest places on Earth, the normally arid region saw between two to three months' worth of precipitation over the course of 24 hours. The downpour almost immediately transformed the dry desert surface into a thick layer of mud. Most vehicles became trapped and officials urged attendees to conserve resources, while some made the five-mile hike to the nearest town.

Roads out of the venue, which typically see a mass exodus each year, are expected to be passable today. See photos from the week here. 

Jimmy Buffett Dies 

Legendary singer-songwriter and businessman Jimmy Buffett passed away late Friday at the age of 76, with his death announced via an obituary posted to his website. Buffett reportedly succumbed to Merkel-cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer he was first diagnosed with in 2019. 

Known for his beach-life-themed rock music, Buffett notched 13 Billboard Hot 100 hits across his six-decade career, including "Margaritaville," "Come Monday," and "Cheeseburger in Paradise." 

Beyond music, the Mississippi native successfully parlayed his island escapist persona into a business empire. His projects included a nationwide restaurant chain, a record label, retirement communities, the Land Shark beer brand, and more—while also finding time to author multiple bestselling books. Buffett's holdings were valued at more than $1B, and he was routinely placed high on Forbes' list of wealthiest celebrities. 

See Buffett's life in photos here.

👍 Finding value in today’s email? SHARE 1440 WITH A FRIEND

Science & Technology

Business & Markets

Politics & World Affairs

In-Depth

> The Catcher Who Spied on Nazis

Smithsonian | Zachary Clary. The story of Moe Berg, a former Major League Baseball catcher, who in 1943 was recruited by the US government to travel overseas to spy on the German atomic bomb program. (Read)

> Raider of the Lost Stones

GQ | Alyssa Ages. One man is on a quest to find and document the stones used in the centuries-old tradition of Irish stone lifting, which was discarded during British colonization, before they are lost forever. (Read)

Explore some of the year's best wildlife photos. 

Nineteenth-century shipwreck found intact in Wisconsin waters.

"One Piece," the worldwide anime hit, debuts on Netflix.

Salivate over America's 12 best burgers. 

Toronto truck spills 5 million bees.

Meet Peanut, the world's oldest chicken.

... and Mississippi hunters nab a record-breaking gator. 

Explore the architectural allure of holes in buildings.

Clickbait: The rise of spite houses. 

Historybook: First Continental Congress convenes in Philadelphia (1774); Actress Raquel Welch born (1940); Freddie Mercury born (1946); Voyager 1 is launched, is currently most distant human-made object from Earth (1977); Mother Teresa dies (1997).