DOJ ramps up criminal investigation into January 6

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Friday 07.29.22

If you're among the millions of Americans facing sweltering heat this summer, you may find a little consolation in knowing that the cooler -- and cozier -- fall season is less than 2 months away. Yes, that means wearing comfortable sweaters, savoring the colorful transformation of leaves, and sipping warm pumpkin spice lattes. But this year, your patience may be tested in the Halloween candy aisle. Hershey says it won't be able to meet consumer demand this Halloween due to manufacturing and supply chain issues. Here's what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On With Your Day.

By Alexandra Meeks

January 6

The Justice Department's criminal investigation into the January 6 Capitol riot is heating up. According to sources familiar with the matter, prosecutors are preparing for a court battle to force former White House officials to testify about former President Donald Trump's conversations and actions around the insurrection. This appears to be the clearest sign yet that federal investigators are homing in on Trump's conduct as he tried to prevent the transfer of power to Joe Biden. This court fight would put the Justice Department's investigation into a more aggressive stance than even the Mueller investigation -- a major yearslong criminal probe into Trump while he was President. He was not ultimately charged. This comes as the House select committee investigating the Capitol riot confirmed it intends to share 20 transcripts with the DOJ as the department ramps up its investigation.

Kentucky

At least eight people are dead and hundreds of homes have been damaged following catastrophic flooding in eastern Kentucky on Thursday. Rescuers are working around the clock to reach difficult-to-access areas amid continuing storms, officials said. Floodwaters have washed out bridges, wiped out power lines and sent some residents scrambling to their rooftops as water gushed into their homes. Some families' houses and cars were submerged or swept away completely by the flooding, which has been exacerbated by overflowing creeks. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear called it one of the most "devastating flooding events in Kentucky's history," adding destruction is far from over as more rainfall is expected today. Officials said the death toll is expected to rise.

Uvalde

The principal of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, has been allowed to return to work after a brief suspension, according to her attorney. Mandy Gutierrez has faced criticism about her handling of school security before the mass shooting that left 19 children and two teachers dead. She was placed on administrative leave Monday during a school board meeting. Gutierrez's reinstatement comes after an exclusive interview with CNN this week in which she defended her actions during the May 24 shooting. "I feel that I followed the training that I was provided with to the best of my abilities," she said when asked whether she felt she should lose her job. "And I will second-guess myself for the rest of my life."

Monkeypox

San Francisco and New York are sounding the alarm on monkeypox, as federal officials weigh whether to declare the outbreak a nationwide public health emergency. San Francisco became the first major US city to declare a local health emergency on monkeypox in an effort to strengthen the city's preparedness and response. This declaration goes into effect on Monday. In New York, a state health commissioner declared an imminent threat to public health, citing the virus' rapid spread. Due to the high demand for the Jynneos monkeypox vaccine, the FDA has authorized 786,000 additional doses. About 338,000 doses have already been delivered across the country.

Economy

The US economy shrank again in the second quarter, the Bureau of Economic Analysis said Thursday, fueling some recession fears. Gross domestic product, or GDP, fell by 0.9% on an annualized basis from April through June. The decline marks a key symbolic threshold for the most commonly used -- though unofficial -- definition of a recession as two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth. Although Thursday's estimate marked a sharp drop from the 6.7% expansion the economy underwent in the second quarter of 2021, the Biden administration has been adamant that the world's largest economy, despite being buffeted by decades-high inflation, remains fundamentally sound.

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That's the jackpot for the Mega Millions lottery drawing today, making it the second-largest prize in the 20-year history of the game. The cash value option of Friday's jackpot is $648.2 million, according to a news release. Mega Millions tickets are sold in 45 states, Washington, DC, and the US Virgin Islands. The drawing will occur today at 11 p.m. ET.

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