This article is adapted from today’s Morning Wire Afternoon Update. To listen to the podcast version, click here.
Murdaugh Trial Closes
The trial of Alex Murdaugh, the prominent South Carolina attorney accused of murdering his wife and son, came to a close today. Here’s what Daily Wire Senior Editor Ashe Short told the Morning Wire “Afternoon Update” podcast:
The prosecution and defense have delivered their closing arguments in the trial of the disgraced South Carolina attorney. The prosecution argued that Murdaugh is the only one with the means, motive, and opportunity to kill his family members. While the defense noted the sloppy investigation lacks any direct evidence to the once prominent attorney.
Blinken, Lavrov Meet
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a surprise meeting Thursday at the G20 summit in New Delhi. Here with more is Daily Wire Senior Editor Cabot Phillips:
Blinken and Lavrov met for about ten minutes, and while they didn’t reveal everything that was said, the meeting marks the most senior and positive signs for diplomacy between Russia and America since the start of the war. According to Blinken, he raised the possibility of releasing Paul Whelan — the U.S. marine veteran accused of being a spy who’s been held by Russia since late 2018. Blinken also said he encouraged his Russian counterpart to re-engage in the treaty known as START — the last remaining nuclear weapon treaty between Russia and the U.S. — which Russia pulled out of earlier this year. American officials say that agreement is necessary to prevent nuclear weapon proliferation and for the safety of the world.
White House Defends Biden’s Labor Pick
The White House is defending President Biden’s new pick for secretary of Labor, Julie Su. Su, who is currently deputy secretary of Labor, oversaw California’s labor department and billions in COVID fraud during her watch.
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Su led the California Labor Department as the state’s unemployment system witnessed as much as $31 billion in pandemic relief go to possible fraudsters. She acknowledged the matter to reporters two years ago, but nevertheless said the Trump administration didn’t provide enough guidance on how to prevent illegal activity. When one journalist raised the concerns about Su’s nomination with White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, she downplayed the scandal by pointing to the large volume of claims that officials in California had to handle.
Su will have to be re-confirmed by the Senate.
Tennessee Targets Drag Shows With ‘Pro-Child Law’
On Thursday, Tennessee’s state Senate passed a bill effectively banning any events or shows featuring drag queens performing in front of children. Republican Governor Bill Lee has said he will sign it into law, which would make Tennessee the first state to have such a law on the books.
The law, if signed, would ban adults from impersonating the opposite sex in public or near where children could see it while appealing to prurient interests — that is, engaging in a sexually suggestive performance. Anyone who violates the law would be hit with a misdemeanor, and repeat offenders could face felony charges.
Critics call it discriminatory and argue it infringes on freedom of expression, while advocates of the law describe it as “pro-child.”
Discover To Start Tracking Users’ Gun Purchases
Beginning in April 2023, Discover credit will become the first credit card company to track users’ gun purchases.
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