Donald Trump may not be able to afford all those lawyers. We've got a look at Mitch McConnell's doctor's note. And businesses in Maui want y'all to come visit. |
👋 Hi! Your pal Laura Davis here. Got any big plans this weekend? I'm hoping to go pop some tags at a couple estate sales. Wish me luck! Here's Thursday's news. |
But first: Scout was over it. 🐾 An abused stray mutt kept escaping from a shelter and trying to move himself into a senior care facility. So the nurses there had to figure out what to do about him. |
Trump needs millions for lawyers – but Save America is almost broke |
As it turns out, a criminal trial is super-expensive. Former President Donald Trump is running out of other people's money to spend on his legal bills, which could continue to balloon if he takes all four of his cases to trial. His key fund has spent nearly all of the more than $150 million it raised, and he borrowed money to post bail in Georgia. Defense attorneys who spoke to USA TODAY estimated his legal bills will total millions, if not tens of millions. But Trump's political action committee account that pays for legal fees, Save America, doesn't have that kind of money. 👉 We break down the financial situation. | Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Windham, New Hampshire, on Aug. 8. JOSEPH PREZIOSO, AFP via Getty Images |
Cleanup begins in Florida, Southeast as Idalia spins out to sea |
By Thursday afternoon, Idalia – a raging hurricane when it blasted across Florida – had weakened to tropical storm status but continued to pound parts of the Southeast with downpours and flooding. The storm's center was about 120 miles southeast of Cape Lookout, North Carolina, according to a 2 p.m. advisory by the National Hurricane Center. Cleanup was in full swing in Florida, where the storm left behind battered homes and flood-damaged vehicles. "I've never seen anything like this in Perry," said Sheila Houston, 57. "And I hope we don't ever again." 🌀 More updates on Idalia's aftermath. | Rachel Cullen throws out ruined items as she helps her brother clean up his apartment that flooded during Hurricane Idalia at the in Crystal River, Fla. on Aug. 31, 2023. The apartment was ruined. GREG LOVETT, THE PALM BEACH POST via USA TODAY NETWORK |
What everyone's talking about |
🔎 Read this USA TODAY Network investigation: A college professor with a "clown fetish" offered grad students at three different schools extra credit, cash in exchange for painting their faces. Why didn't administrators stop him? |
McConnell cleared by doctor after 'freezing' spell |
Somebody get the senator some water! Saying Sen. Mitch McConnell has experienced "occasional lightheadedness" from dehydration and an earlier concussion, a doctor cleared him to continue with his schedule after he froze during a news conference yesterday. It was the second time in a matter of weeks that the 81-year-old had to pause at a news conference and be helped by aides. President Joe Biden said Thursday that he spoke to McConnell on the phone and that the Republican leader was "his old self." 👉 What we know. | Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared to briefly freeze up and was unable to answer a question from a reporter during an event on Wednesday. WCPO via AP |
Maui businesses say tourism needed after fires |
Is it too soon to visit Maui? Businesses don't think so. In the aftermath of the devastating wildfires there, tourists were told "to not travel to Maui" so resources could be used for residents. And people listened: Once-bustling – and arguably overcrowded – resorts and beaches were nearly empty. But it's causing a strain for locals who depend on tourism. Many people, including Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, are pleading for visitors to come and support Maui's economy. Some are ready, but it's complicated to travel to a place where such devastation and loss of human life happened so recently. 👉 Is it time for tourists to return? Here's a look at the big picture. | Gabriel's Ohana is a family-run eco-tourism business that's been suffering with the loss of visitors to Maui. Courtesy of Gabriel's Ohana | | | | Proud Boys member Joseph Biggs was sentenced to 17 years in prison for his role on Jan. 6, 2021, the second-longest term yet for the Capitol attack. | | | | See photos of the rare blue supermoon from around the world as spectators look up at a slightly bigger and brighter full moon than normal. | | | | Haiti's gangs have created a dangerous situation in the country, where kidnappings and violence is rampant. Calls for an international force to help stabilize Haiti have led to no action. | | | | Thomas said he accepted a private plane flight because of 'the increased security risk' after the Supreme Court's abortion opinion leak last year. | | | | At least 73 people died when a fire ripped through a multi-story building in Johannesburg overtaken by homeless people, authorities said Thursday. | | | | Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band got a "beautiful welcome home" when they kicked off an exhilarating three-night run at MetLife Stadium. | | | | Are the Colorado Buffaloes all hype and noise this year under Deion Sanders? Or will they be surprisingly good? Five keys will show the way. | | | | A Zillow listing indicated the property was sold in early August, but the company said it was an error and it has since been corrected on the website. | | | | Mila, who was moved to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo from Toronto Zoo in March 2023, was suffering from a dental issue, which needed to be operated on. | | | | The stabbing took place at an apartment complex in Houston as the man physically assaulted the girl's mother, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said. | | | | | | | Sign up for the news you want | Exclusive newsletters are part of your subscription, don't miss out! We're always working to add benefits for subscribers like you. | | | | | | |
