A new justice will join the Supreme Court today

Listen to CNN 5 Things

View in browser

Thursday 06.30.22

In today's hectic world, the blessings of a good night's sleep may seem difficult to find. But if you can manage to regularly get seven hours of quality sleep, you'll be doing your heart a favor. Scientific findings have found sleep is closely tied to heart health, and if you get enough of it, you can reduce your risk of developing obesity, hypertension and diabetes, the American Heart Association says. Here's what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On With Your Day.

By Alexandra Meeks

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson speaks during an event at the White House celebrating her confirmation to the Supreme Court in April.

SCOTUS

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is set to be sworn in as a Supreme Court justice today at noon ET, making history as the first female African American justice and beginning what could be a decadeslong tenure. But as she starts her job, the Supreme Court is in turmoil. The country is reeling from the aftereffects of the court's majority decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, as well as the recent expansion of gun rights for the first time in more than a decade. The Supreme Court today will issue final opinions and orders, as two big cases await resolution concerning the environment and immigration. New challenges related to women's reproductive health, the Second Amendment and even same-sex marriage are also likely to swirl in state and federal courts across the US in the near future.

School shootings

After the deadliest school massacre in almost a decade, the governors of Texas and Iowa this week announced commitments of at least $100 million each to try to help prevent similar tragedies. It was last month in Texas where an 18-year-old gunman opened fire with an AR-15 style rifle at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, killing 19 children and two teachers. The funding in Texas will be allocated toward school safety and mental health initiatives, including money for bullet-resistant shields and for school districts to buy silent panic alert technology, Gov. Greg Abbott said. In Iowa, funding will be used to increase staffing of special agents, criminal intelligence analysts and communication specialists dedicated to school safety. This comes after school shootings in the US reached a 20-year high in 2021, federal data shows.

January 6

Republican Rep. Liz Cheney delivered a searing rebuke of former President Donald Trump and GOP leaders at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Wednesday night, recounting some of the damning details that the House select committee investigating the January 6 insurrection has uncovered thus far and praising the bravery of witnesses -- particularly the young female aides -- who have come forward to aid its investigation. "We are confronting a domestic threat that we have never faced before -- and that is a former President who is attempting to unravel the foundations of our constitutional Republic," Cheney said. Her remarks come after former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson delivered shocking testimony before the House select committee this week, increasing the potential criminal exposure Trump faces in the Justice Department's ongoing probe.

Ukraine

NATO formally invited Sweden and Finland to join its alliance Wednesday, a historic expansion of the defense bloc that directly undercuts Russian President Vladimir Putin's aims as his war in Ukraine grinds on. Putin issued a fresh warning over the countries' bids to join NATO, saying that while Russia would not be bothered by the two countries joining the bloc, it would "respond symmetrically" to any military or infrastructure buildup. Separately, Putin on Wednesday denied Moscow was behind a strike on a shopping center in Ukraine that killed at least 18 people, with dozens missing and wounded. "The Russian army does not attack any civilian site," he claimed. Russia's Defense Ministry previously said it hit military targets but video from the city of Kremenchuk shows the mall being obliterated by a missile.

Israel

The Israeli parliament, the Knesset, has voted to dissolve itself, triggering what will be the fifth round of voting for Israelis in less than four years. The 92-0 vote today brings an end to Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's run as the country's leader -- one of the shortest terms in Israeli history -- and gives former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a path to return to power. The coalition government had been facing weeks of mounting political uncertainty in Israel, but the announcement last week of the move to dissolve parliament still came as a surprise. New elections will be held on November 1.

Paid Partner Content

Carrying a balance? Peep this.

Balance transfer cards are here to help. Transfer your existing balance to this leading 0% intro APR card and pay no interest for 21 months while you pay it off.

Auto insurance costs are rising. Here's how to get ahead.

From inflation to supply chain issues, it's clear that car insurance costs are rising. We recommend comparing rates before renewing your current policy. You could save $610 on average.

Can you refinance with $0 out of pocket?

Lenders are competing for your business, which means you get the most competitive offers. Choose the loan that works best for you.

People are talking about these. Read up. Join in.

Dolly Parton's tour bus is available to rent for an eye-popping price

You'll have to fork over a pretty penny if you want to stay in the country singer's "Gypsy Wagon." Take a look inside here.

Airline reveals 'Skynest' bunk beds for economy class passengers

Improving comfort for *all* passengers is a top priority for a carrier that operates some of the longest flights on the planet.

What's next for Serena Williams after her first-round exit at Wimbledon?

Well, a loss is always an opportunity to begin again. Here's what the future may hold for the tennis star.

In 1922, Klondike bars sold for just 10 cents apiece. They're technically cheaper now

You don't hear about many products getting cheaper over time… Learn how this beloved -- and affordable -- ice cream snack has stayed relevant over decades.

Cameron Diaz is coming out of retirement

After an eight-year hiatus, rom-com queen Cameron Diaz is making movies again. She credits a fellow actor friend for getting her "back in action."

That's how many years disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly was sentenced to serve in prison Wednesday for federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York. As the judge read Kelly's sentence in the Brooklyn court, survivors of his abuse held hands and prayed. Kelly showed no emotion.

We are not returning this land; we are giving it back to its rightful owners.

-- Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, after a stretch of multimillion-dollar beachfront property was returned to the descendants of its Black owners this week, nearly a century after the parcel was taken by the city in the Jim Crow era. Known as Bruce's Beach, the resort in the city of Manhattan Beach had offered Black families a place to enjoy the California life in the early 1900s until harassment from the Ku Klux Klan tore away at their dreams. The land -- which was purchased by the Bruce family in 1912 for $1,225 -- is now worth an estimated $20 million.

Brought to you by CNN Underscored

We tested 8 leading models to find the emergency weather radios that are really worth your money

We put the most popular emergency radios to the test, comparing their ability to issue alerts and receive emergency weather broadcasts, and assessing how functional and useful they would be in an actual emergency situation. Check out our top pick, which is under $60.

Incredible wingsuit jump

Watch this professional jumper leap off a cliff in Italy wearing a flying squirrel suit! It's petrifying, yet so beautiful at the same time. (Click here to view)

Sponsor Content by LendingTree