So Much For, 'It Never Rains In Southern California'

Fortunately, the historic tropical storm did not do its worst. The Bidens visit wildfire-devastated Maui. How much will it cost Donald Trump to go free in Georgia? And the kiss that made headlines!

Alex Walsh for The New York Times

Thanks for reading RiseUP With Dawn Ennis on this Monday, August 21, 2023.

On This Day:

Hawaii became the 50th state on this day in 1959. Read its rich history here.

Virginian slave Nat Turner led the largest insurrection by enslaved people in the history of the U.S. on this day in 1831. Learn more at Encyclopedia Virginia

And in 1858, the first Lincoln-Douglas debate was held. Former Rep. Abraham Lincoln argued against slavery and subsequently lost the U.S. Senate race to incumbent Stephen Douglas of Illinois. Two years later, he won the Republican nomination for president and the White House, sparking the secession of Southern states, the formation of the Confederacy and the Civil War. Watch a 1994 re-enactment of their last debate by clicking here.

C-SPAN

Here Now the News:

PRESIDENT BIDEN AND FIRST LADY TOUR DESTRUCTION IN MAUI: President Joe Biden is visiting Maui to observe the damage and recovery from devastating wildfires on the Hawaiian island that started earlier this month. The White House said it would be an "emotional day" as they meet with families, first responders and local officials. —CNN

• "He'll meet with parents who've lost children and children who lost parents and first responders who saved other's homes while their own burned to the ground," White House principal deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton said during a gaggle with reporters on Air Force One. "So, I think it's going to be an emotional day for everyone." —ABC News

• THE DEAD AND THE MISSING: 114 victims identified so far, anywhere from 850 to 1,000 still “not located.” —Honolulu Star Advertiser

• HOW ONE MAUI RESIDENT SAVED HER HOME WITH “UPGRADES:” The Independent

HISTORIC TROPICAL STORM HILARY LEAVES ITS MARK: Rainfall records were set in Southern California, but so far there have been no reports of deaths or major storm damage in Los Angeles and San Diego, officials said. The impact in other cities is still being assessed. —The New York Times

• At last report the storm had pushed into Nevada. —The Associated Press

• There was the potential of flooding in states as far north as Oregon and Idaho. Remnants of the storm were expected to linger at least through Tuesday morning. —The Associated Press

• ON THE BRIGHT SIDE: California is drought-free for the first time in three years! — NYT

RECORD HEAT DOME IN CENTRAL U.S. POSES LIFE THREATENING CONDITIONS: Washington Post

U.K. NURSE WHO MURDERED INFANTS SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON: NYT

UKRAINE’S PRESIDENT “CONFIDENT” AMERICAN F16s WILL HELP HIM WIN THE WAR: Reuters

Politicukoos:

FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP WILL HAVE TO POST $200,000 BOND WHEN HE SURRENDERS IN GEORGIA THIS WEEK: NBC News

• HE AND 18 CO-DEFENDANTS MUST SURRENDER BY NOON ON FRIDAY: CNN

• WILL FULTON COUNTY JAIL FINGERPRINT AND MAKE TRUMP POSE FOR A MUG SHOT? Atlanta Journal Constitution

• TRUMP SAYS HE’S SKIPPING ALL THE GOP PRIMARY DEBATES: A.P.

OMG News:

SPAIN’S SOCCER CHIEF APOLOGIZES FOR KISSING STAR PLAYER: Royal Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales admitted he “made a mistake” by giving Spain star Jennifer Hermoso an unwanted kiss on the lips after the 33-year-old received her gold medal following the team’s Women’s World Cup final victory over England on Sunday. —CNN

• Rubiales has faced widespread criticism for the incident, with politicians and journalists labeling his behavior “unacceptable” and “simply disgusting.”

• “Well, I surely made a mistake, I have to recognize that,” said Rubiales in a video statement. “In a moment of elation, without any intention of bad faith, well, what happened happened — I think in a very spontaneous way. I repeat, there was no bad faith between either of the two of us.”

PENNSYLVANIA LAWMAKER PROPOSES 4-DAY WORKWEEK: CBS News

NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARRESTED FOR MAKING THREATS SKYROCKETS: And not just threats against the president or other political figures. —USA Today

BANG, ZOOM! Russian rocket to the moon crashes (into the moon). —CNN

GO TO THE MOVIES THIS SUNDAY FOR JUST $4! Any movie, any theater! It’s the second annual National Cinema Day! —Deadline

HealthWatch:

WHAT YOUR NAILS TELL YOU ABOUT YOUR HEALTH: Washington Post

THE THREAT POSED BY DEADLY FLESH-EATING BACTERIA: NewsNation

LONG-COVID SYMPTOMS LASTING LONGER THAN 2 YEARS: Washington Post

LGBTQ Revue:

CALIFORNIA SHOP OWNER SHOT AND KILLED FOR FLYING PRIDE FLAG: Los Angeles Blade and CBS News

author

Mountain Provisions Cooperative on Instagram: “In loving memory of our dear friend, mom to many, ally, organizer, entrepreneur, founding member and soul of our co-op Lauri Carleton. Lauri was a pillar in our community, an immovable force in her values for equality, love, and justice. If you knew Lauri you know she loved hard, laughed often, and nurtured and protected those she cared about. She was a force, she loved to crack jokes and wanted to live as joyful of a life as possible. We will continue to stand for the values she so selflessly stood for. Her death will not be in vain 💗 Lauri and her husband Bort were pivotal in organizing our Free Store which provided free food and supplies for 4 months after the blizzard. Lauri put her whole heart into keeping it going as long as we could. Pay an act of kindness forward in her honor. Our community needs as much as love as we can get right now. Fly your flags in honor of Lauri 🏳️‍🌈 love will prevail. Please respect the privacy and be respectful of family and friends grieving this horrific loss 💔 Sending love to our entire community, especially our queer community. Stay safe friends.”

August 21, 2023

GROUPS LOBBY FOR POLITICAL MAPMAKERS TO INCLUDE LGBTQ+ VOTERS: Washington Blade

Trans World:

FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS GEORGIA BAN ON GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE FOR TRANS YOUTH: The A.P. via ABC News

RUSSIA FINES TRANS WOMAN FOR TRYING TO FLEE COUNTRY: Moscow Times

TRANS NONBINARY SPRINTER NIKKI HILTZ PROFILED IN THE NEW YORK TIMES! —NYT

Star Trek Corner:

THE STAR TREK STRANGE NEW WORLDS SCENE YOU DIDN’T SEE: In an interview with director Jordan Canning, TrekCore reveals that actor Ethan Hunt and his co-stars improv’d a bit in the episode, “Charades,” in which a now-human Spock experiments with chewing gum… by adding nuts and a pickle all at once. —TrekCore

• ON THE 102ND ANNIVERSARY OF GENE RODDENBERRY’S BIRTH: SlashFilm looks back at the death of Star Trek’s creator and how it allowed Star Trek Deep Space Nine, which he opposed, to be created. SlashFilm

• HOW TO VIEW EVERY SEASON OF EVERY STAR TREK SERIES: Click here to subscribe to Paramount+

That’s all for tonight! I’ll be back tomorrow with more stories to help you rise up and start your day. Until then… Good night and good luck!

© 2023 EnniBuddy Productions - All Rights Reserved