This article is adapted from today’s Morning Wire Afternoon Update. To listen to the podcast version, click here.
Tennessee Capitol Stormed
A group of around 400 people rushed into the Tennessee state capitol building in Nashville this morning to protest for stricter gun laws following a mass shooting at the Covenant School earlier this week. The protest was planned by a Tennessee non-profit called “AWAKE.” According to the New York Post, “AWAKE” seeks to improve conditions for women and children. Capitol police escorted members of the legislature to the restroom as protesters grew more aggressive.
WSJ Journalist Arrested
A Wall Street Journal reporter has been arrested in Russia after being accused of spying by Russia’s security agency. According to Russia’s Federal Security Service, Evan Gershkovich had “collected information constituting a state secret about the activities of one of the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex” after “acting on the instructions of the American side.” An espionage case has been opened against Gershkovich. The Journal denied any accusations of spying. An arrest of this nature has not happened since the fall of the Soviet Union.
Nine Killed In Training Accident
Two Army HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters crashed Wednesday night in Kentucky during a training exercise, resulting in the deaths of NINE service members.
Few details have been released about the crash, which occurred at around 10:00 p.m. local time between two helicopters that are part of the 101st Airborne Division. The crash took place in Trigg County, near Fort Campbell. Early Thursday morning, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced that he would be traveling to Fort Campbell to “support our troops and their families after last night’s tragic incident.”
“We know a lot about loss in Kentucky, especially these last three years. We’re gonna do what we always do,” Beshear said. “We’re gonna wrap our arms around these families, and we’re gonna be there with them, not just for the days, but the weeks and the months and the years to come. We’re gonna let them know that they are loved, they are special. And if they’ll allow us to carry some of their grief, we’ll do that for as long as we can. ”
Safe School Act Introduced
Following the horrific school shooting in Nashville on Monday, Tennessee Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Haggerty have introduced the “Safe School Act,” a bill that would unlock $900 million in grants to beef up security at public and private schools.
Fetterman Expected To Return Home Next Week
Senator John Fetterman is expected to return to work the week of April 17th, after weeks of seeking treatment for anxiety and depression at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Fetterman checked himself in for treatment in March, stating that he’d dealt with such issues in the past but they’d amplified after a near-fatal stroke, a senate campaign, and his first days in office. Sources close to the freshman senator have indicated that he recovered well and is ready to get back to work as soon as possible.
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