Today’s edition of quick hits.
* I think we know how this one is going to turn out: “The Supreme Court on Tuesday appeared poised to back a free speech challenge to a Colorado law that bans conversion therapy aimed at young people questioning their sexual orientations or gender identities in a case likely to have national implications. If the court rules against the state, it could affect more than 20 states that have similar bans and raise new questions about other long-standing state health care regulations.”
* A tough time to fly: “Flight delays were reported across the country for a second straight day Tuesday as the Federal Aviation Administration braced for more airport staffing shortages amid the government shutdown. Delays due to a shortage of air traffic controllers caused delays Tuesday at airports in Boston, Philadelphia, Nashville, Houston, Chicago and Las Vegas, the FAA reported.”
* There’s no scientific or medicinal defense for decisions like these: “Acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill on Monday called on vaccine manufacturers to develop separate shots for measles, mumps and rubella instead of the current vaccine, which combines the three.”
* In South Carolina, a closely watched investigation: “Law enforcement officials in South Carolina are investigating a fire that engulfed the home of a state judge and a former Democratic state senator but say there’s no current evidence the fire was intentionally set.”
* A welcome shift at the Pentagon: “The Defense Department on Monday loosened and clarified its new restrictions for press access to the Pentagon, after more than two weeks of negotiations with national news organizations.”
* There should probably be a more robust public conversation about a possible U.S. military offensive in Venezuela: “President Trump has called off efforts to reach a diplomatic agreement with Venezuela, according to U.S. officials, paving the way for a potential military escalation against drug traffickers or the government of Nicolás Maduro.”
* This seems like a worthwhile probe: “Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond ordered an investigative audit of the State Department of Education on Wednesday, one day after Ryan Walters formally resigned as state superintendent.”
See you tomorrow.
This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
