'Global boiling' 🥵
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The rumors are true: July could wind up being the hottest month in 120,000 years. The Justice Department is looking into the Memphis Police Department. And we have an update on Mitch McConnell's health.
👋 Hey! Laura Davis here. Y'all doing OK? Drinking enough water? Grab a snack and buckle up – it's time for Thursday’s news.
🏡 But first: A 93-year-old South Carolina woman is battling a developer over property owned by her family since the Civil War – and now, Snoop Dogg and some other celebs are joining the fight.
The Short List is a snappy Paste BN news roundup. Subscribe to the newsletter here.
Will July be the hottest month in 120,000 years?
Hot, hotter, hottest. Ever. End of story. (Just kidding.) Scientists reported Thursday that unless a mini-Ice Age happens over the next few days, July will end up as Earth's hottest month on record, and quite possibly the hottest single month in 120,000 years. July has already seen the hottest three-week period ever recorded with deadly, record-breaking heat waves across much of North America, Asia and Europe, along with devastating heat-driven wildfires in Canada and southern Europe. The heat has also done major damage to people’s health, the environment and economies, the U.N. weather agency said in a statement. ☀️ Here's what you need to know.
- Updates: Millions under advisories, warnings as extreme heat sears much of the US.
DOJ launches civil rights investigation in Memphis
The U.S. Department of Justice is opening a civil rights investigation into the city of Memphis and the Memphis Police Department to determine whether there is a pattern or practice of conduct that violates the Constitution or federal civil rights laws. In January, Memphis police officers tased, pepper-sprayed and brutally beat 29-year-old Tyre Nichols during a traffic stop. Nichols died three days later, and federal investigators launched a civil rights investigation into his death. Officials acknowledged Nichols' death and the scrutiny it brought but said the investigation was not prompted by a single incident. 🔎 Here's what they're looking into.
What everyone's talking about
- Jason Aldean's 'Try That in a Small Town' video edited amid controversy.
- 'We want MORE!': Jonas Brothers announce more than 50 new tour dates.
- Experts: Florida's new slavery curriculum 'undermines' history of racism.
- Why are Americans less interested in owning an EV? Cost and charging, for one.
- ‘Like I was a stranger’: What happens when laws don’t recognize LGBTQ parents.
- Their cheese business kept these rural Wisconsin towns afloat. Then they were murdered.
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McConnell faces questions about health
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is once again being hounded with questions about his health after freezing for roughly 28 seconds during a news conference Wednesday. The 81-year-old Kentucky Republican, who is the longest-serving party leader in Senate history, had to be escorted from a lectern by colleagues in a startling moment that came four months after he suffered a concussion and a broken rib from a fall in March. While McConnell joked about the incident afterward, a source close to the senator confirmed he has fallen at least two other times this year. 👉 What we know about the senator's health.
- Mitch McConnell and when it becomes OK to talk about someone's personal health.
- 'Just say aye': Dianne Feinstein gets confused, had to be told to vote.
Massive fire torches freighter carrying 3,000 cars in North Sea
At least one person has died and nearly two dozen people have been rescued as crews battled a massive fire Thursday on a freighter carrying nearly 3,000 cars in the North Sea. The blaze broke out Wednesday, and 23 people have been rescued from the ship, some of whom suffered serious injuries, the Dutch coast guard said. The fire was still raging Thursday morning, the coast guard said, as crews worked save the vessel from sinking close to an important habitat for migratory birds. Boats and helicopters removed crew members from the ship after they tried to put out the blaze, and some jumped into the sea and were picked up by a lifeboat. 👉 Here's the latest.
A break from the news
- 👑 Girls make great leaders. So why do we often tell them not to lead?
- 👩💻 Need a second monitor? Here's how to use your iPad.
- 🤔 What do probiotics do? Plus, who really benefits from taking them?
- 🍎 School safety essentials to give college students (and parents) peace of mind.
Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at Paste BN. She loves new Twitter pals and emails from readers: laura@usatoday.com. This is a compilation of stories from across the Paste BN Network. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to Paste BN here.