The Up First newsletter reports that the ACLU, along with other advocacy groups, presented arguments in a federal court regarding a new Louisiana law that mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in school classrooms. This law is perceived to contradict a Supreme Court precedent and the First Amendment. The groups have filed a lawsuit against the state to hinder the law’s implementation scheduled for January, marking the initial meeting between both parties in this legal matter.
Nine families from Louisiana, who are serving as plaintiffs in the lawsuit, contend that the law could negatively impact children. In the preliminary court session, discussions centered around whether the case could proceed, as attorneys debated the validity of the plaintiffs’ case before the posters are actually displayed in classrooms. A comparable law was invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1980 in Kentucky. The federal judge in Baton Rouge is expected to decide by November 15 whether the case will advance.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin is welcoming several global leaders for the 2024 BRICS summit, which the Kremlin describes as the largest foreign policy summit in the country’s history with participation from 22 world leaders. Putin claims that companies from BRICS nations are already leading in significant economic sectors like energy and agriculture and suggests they will spearhead the global economy in the future. According to NPR’s Charles Maynes, the summit underscores Russia’s ongoing engagement with international partners despite Western narratives of isolation due to its actions in Ukraine. It was noted that Putin is keen on fostering BRICS nations to develop new financial instruments that could insulate economies such as Russia from Western sanctions.
In other political news, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris made separate appeals to Republicans while campaigning in swing states. Trump, speaking in North Carolina, reiterated discredited assertions regarding FEMA’s funding in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and linked this to his views on immigration. Concurrently, Harris visited “Blue Wall” states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, positioning herself as an alternative to Trump without shifting her policies towards more conservative stances.
As the election approaches, NPR is visiting six pivotal swing states that are likely to influence the outcome of this year’s election. This week, Morning Edition is focusing on Pennsylvania, where election outcomes may not be immediately apparent on election night. A state law established four years prior prevents election officials from opening mail-in ballots before the morning of November 5. Lehigh County Executive Phil Armstrong remarks that the delay in processing numerous ballots may lead to public distrust.
A UNICEF report highlights a surge in “severe child food poverty,” noting that one in four children worldwide under five years old lack access to a nutritious diet, affecting 181 million young children. Factors such as rising food prices, climate crises, aggressive food marketing, and disruptions in food supply are exacerbating the issue. Additionally, low-income nations face challenges in regulating the aggressive marketing of processed snack foods, resulting in many children consuming cheap, unhealthy options over nutrient-dense foods.
Lastly, three other notable incidents were reported. In Houston, a helicopter crashed into a radio tower, resulting in four fatalities. The Central Park Five have filed a defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump over remarks made during a recent presidential debate. Additionally, a heartwarming story involves Samantha Hodge-Williams, who recalls the comforting singing of an anesthesiologist during her surgery for an ovarian mass in 1996 as a source of solace during subsequent medical procedures.
