Want to catch up with the news quickly? Here are the top stories from Tuesday, October 24, 2023.
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1. Hate crimes against Muslims, Arabs, and Jews on the rise
Following the deadly Hamas attacks on Israel Oct. 7, and Israel's subsequent retaliation, the Department of Homeland Security is warning that the conflict has "heightened threat environment in the near-to-medium term."
The organization warned that "targeted violence attacks may increase as the conflict progresses" against Muslim, Arab, and Jewish communities. Likely areas of attack include places of worship, such as synagogues and mosques, or at public demonstrations, such as vigils and protests.
2. 6,800 more workers join UAW on strike — 100,000 remain
6,800 Stellantis employees joined the United Auto Workers picket lines on Monday in a surprise move that targeted the company's Ram truck facility. The union noted that the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant is the automaker's “largest plant and biggest moneymaker."
There are now over 40,000 UAW members on strike following its launch on Sept. 15. There are still around 100,000 unionized workers at Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis who have not yet joined picket lines.
3. House of Representatives approaches three weeks with no Speaker
Kevin McCarthy's historic ousting has created a power vacuum within Congress. Seven out of the nine Republicans candidates for Speaker of the House discussed Monday by GOP representatives previously voted to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Today, the party nominated Tom Emmer of Minnesota, one of the few who went against the grain and certified the results.
Emmer, who is the GOP majority whip and a two-time chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, is posited as the next nominee, as he has the support of former speaker McCarthy. It remains unclear if he can gather the 217 votes needed to win, as he will likely face detraction from conservative Republicans who support former president Donald Trump.
