House approves $1.9B U.S. Capitol security bill with a 213-212 vote

The House on Thursday narrowly approved a $1.9 billion security upgrade for the U.S. Capitol in response to the Jan. 6 attack. The chamber voted 213-212 in favor of the spending bill. Reps. Cori Bush, D-Mo., Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., voted against the measure, while Reps. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., …

MLB suspends Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, reliever Tyler Duffey for throwing behind White Sox’s Yermin Mercedes

Michael Hill, Major League Baseball’s Senior Vice President for On-Field Operations, released MLB’s decision on Thursday afternoon that Minnesota Twins reliever Tyler Duffeyt will receive a three-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for intentionally throwing a pitch behind Yermín Mercedes of the White Sox on Tuesday.  In addition, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli was suspended for one …

Colorado Avalanche’s Nazem Kadri faces suspension for head hit on Blues’ Justin Faulk

Avalanche center Nazem Kadri is facing a possible lengthy suspension for his check to the head of St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk in Game 2 of their Stanley Cup Playoff series. Per NHL bylaws, Kadri was offered an in-person hearing on the matter via Zoom by the NHL Department of Player Safety on Thursday …

Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy to reprise roles in ‘Hocus Pocus 2’

Disney+ announced on Thursday that Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy will reprise their roles as the Sanderson Sisters in Hocus Pocus 2, to debut next year. The sequel to the Halloween cult classic Hocus Pocus will debut exclusively on Disney+ in 2022, with production beginning this fall. Midler will return as Winifred Sanderson, …

Watch the first trailer for the film version of “Dear Evan Hansen” starring Ben Platt

Universal has released the first trailer for the “Dear Evan Hansen” movie, premiering in theaters on Sept. 24. Ben Platt returns in his Tony-winning titular role in the big-screen adaptation of the Broadway hit musical. The cast also includes Kaitlyn Dever, Amandla Stenberg, Amy Adams and Julianne Moore. “Dear Evan Hansen” opened on Broadway in December …

Texas governor Abbott signs law outlawing abortion after 6 weeks

On Wednesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into a law a bill outlawing abortion as early as six weeks into pregnancy. However, unlike the other so-called “heartbeat” bills, Texas’ bill has a provision that would allow private citizens to file civil lawsuits against doctors, staff, or even a patient’s family or friends who “aid and …

President Biden says he expects quick de-escalation of attacks in Gaza, as Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu says he’s ‘determined’ to continue the strikes

President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone on Wednesday and said he expects a quick de-escalation of military attacks against Palestinian targets in Gaza to make way for a cease-fire. In response to Wednesday’s call, Netanyahu said he’s “determined to continue” the strikes until their “objective is achieved — to bring …

Orioles’ Chris Davis to miss the rest of 2021 season due to hip surgery

On Wednesday, the Baltimore Orioles announced that veteran player Chris Davis has undergone arthroscopic surgery on his left hip and will miss the remainder of the season. Davis did not play a single game in 2021, and played just 16 games in the 2020 season. The team announced that the designated hitter is expected to be …

Nationals manager Dave Martinez says vaccinated player has tested positive for COVID-19

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez announced two players will miss play time after one of the players tested positive for COVID-19. The player who tested positive was vaccinated and is asymptomatic, while the other player is in quarantine following contact tracing. “The vaccination did work,” Martinez told reporters. “He’s not sick. He feels fine.” Major League …

Nationals manager Dave Martinez says vaccinated player has tested positive for COVID-19

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez announced two players will miss play time after one of the players tested positive for COVID-19. The player who tested positive was vaccinated and is asymptomatic, while the other player is in quarantine following contact tracing. “The vaccination did work,” Martinez told reporters. “He’s not sick. He feels fine.” Major League …