The shooting at a congressional baseball practice reminds us of something we too often forget: We are one country, and we’re all in this together. Here’s what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door. You can also get “5 Things You Need to Know Today” delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.
1. Congressional shooting
2. Democratic National Committee
Trump’s inability to turn the other cheek turned this into a bona fide political crisis, CNN’s Stephen Collinson said. Veterans are dismayed at the President’s insistence to “punch back” whenever he’s criticized. And none of this is helping us figure out exactly how four US soldiers ended up dead in Niger two weeks ago. Sen. John McCain says the Trump administration isn’t being up front about what happened.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren says she believes that the Democratic National Committee was “rigged” in favor of Hillary Clinton during the 2016 primary.
3. The Weinstein effect
Another day, and more allegations. Kevin Spacey is now facing a series of accusations from employees on the set of the Netflix show “House of Cards.” Eight people who currently work on the show or have worked on it in the past told CNN that the star turned the set into a “toxic” work environment through sexual harassment and abuse. One former production assistant told CNN that Spacey sexually assaulted him during one of the show’s early seasons. Earlier this week, actor Anthony Rapp accused Spacey of making sexual advances to him when Rapp was 14 years old.
4. Russian investigation
It’s going to be a red alert kind of day in Florida, as white supremacist Richard Spencer visits the University of Florida in Gainesville to give a speech. This public airing of his racist views is sure to spur protests. With memories of Charlottesville’s “Unite the Right” violence still fresh on everyone’s minds, Florida’s governor issued a state of emergency so law enforcement agencies can more easily work together to combat any trouble that pops up. The National Guard could be activated if needed, too. Spencer was in Charlottesville and has also sparked recent campus protests at Auburn and Texas A&M.
Former Trump foreign policy adviser Carter Page privately testified Thursday to lawmakers that he mentioned to Jeff Sessions he was traveling to Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign – as new questions emerge about the attorney general’s earlier comments to Congress about Russia and the Trump campaign.
5. Trump in Asia
Insects are in serious decline in some parts of Germany, and that could spell bad news for all of us. A new study found flying insect populations in German nature reserves dropped an “alarming” 75% over almost three decades. Scientists fear that if this is happening in protected areas, it could be happening “everywhere” – and that would have far-reaching consequences for the world’s crop production and natural ecosystems. Climate change, pesticides and loss of habitats likely caused the declines, the study says.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Spain will start a process to suspend Catalonia’s autonomy in an unprecedented effort to crush the region’s independence movement.
You may have to start shelling out more cash when you visit America’s national parks. The National Park Service wants to more than double entrance fees at 17 popular parks – including the Grand Canyon, Yosemite and Yellowstone – to help pay for infrastructure improvements. The fee for private vehicles would rise from $25 to $70 during peak season. Critics have blasted the proposed fee increase, saying it will make a trip to the parks unaffordable for many Americans.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
People are talking about these. Read up. Join in.
Long layovers used to mean drinks at the airport bar. Now, they can also mean deep dives in the airport’s swimming pool.
Joining the resistance
Chelsea Handler is stepping away from her Netflix talk show after two seasons because she wants to spend more time doing political activism.
If you build it …
Google’s bringing the future to Canada, as the tech giant plans to spend $50 million to build a futuristic neighborhood in Toronto.
Still on the job
The Northern California wildfires took away the job of a hotel’s HR director. But she’s right back at work, finding jobs for her unemployed colleagues.
iPhone X goes on sale worldwide.
Oh good! We’ve been wondering what to do with an extra $1,000 lying around.
NUMBER OF THE DAY
The number of workers being laid off at SeaWorld. Attendance at its parks continues to decline in the wake of the controversy over “Blackfish.”
The latest death toll in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. Water-borne infections are driving this latest increase.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“We lost one of the very best of us this morning. Gord was my friend. Gord was everybody’s friend.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, tearfully paying tribute to Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie, who died of brain cancer
“I wish them the very best. That’s what every American should wish for the people in the White House since they are our President and first family.”
AND FINALLY …
‘The voice inside sings a different song’