Congress returns to session, facing big decisions.
Congress members get back to work Monday, facing several significant decisions that will test Democratic unity in the coming weeks as lawmakers vote on President Joe Biden’s domestic agenda, routine funding for the federal government, and the size of the federal debt. A 2019 two-year agreement between lawmakers and President Joe Biden for more spending, as well as a suspension of debt limits, is one reason why so many high-profile spending bills have collided. Now the bills are coming due while pressure builds to pass Biden’s $3.5 trillion budget bill and a $1.2 trillion transportation plan to fund roads and bridges. There is also an important policy debate about election law. Here are some of the issues that will dominate the end of September and early October.
FBI searching for Brian Laundrie, fiancé of missing Gabby Petito
Police plan to resume their search on Monday for Brian Laundrie, the fiancé of Gabby Petito and sole person of interest in her missing person case. Sunday’s announcement by the FBI stated that Petito, 22 years old, was found dead near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. While a forensic examination had not yet been done to verify it was her remains, the FBI said the body was “consistent with the description” of Petito. The FBI announced while law enforcement in Florida was ending a second day searching for Laundrie. Laundrie disappeared last week. After Petito’s disappearance, the tragic twists and turns have fueled massive law enforcement and social media effort to solve the complex, cross-country mystery.
‘Ted Lasso’ ‘Queen’s Gambit’ and ‘The Crown’ score top awards at the 2021 Emmys.
TV’s biggest night lit up the silver screen as the Emmys returned Sunday. Hosted by Cedric the Entertainer, this year’s showcase looked a lot more like the usual Hollywood glitz and glamour than it did during last year’s entirely virtual ceremony. While COVID-19 precautions still applied, the actors and actresses assembled in their red carpet outfits. Golden statuettes were awarded, and the expected nominees were chosen. “The Crown” won seven awards, including the award for best drama series. “Ted Lasso” Jason Sudeikis was awarded lead actor in a comedy, and he won four wins. The HBO Max dramedy “Hacks” swept up a trio of awards, while “Mare of Easttown” nabbed a similar trilogy of Emmys with wins for Kate Winslet, Julianne Nicholson, and Evan Peters. See the complete list of winners here.
Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau up for reelection
In the Canadian elections on Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing a tough battle against his Conservative Party rival, Erin O’Toole. Trudeau called for an early election in the hopes of winning a majority in Parliament. But he’s been attacked for calling a vote in a pandemic to secure his position in power. He’s betting that Canadians will reward him for navigating the coronavirus crisis better than most countries. Trudeau recently reopened the border to the vaccinated. O’Toole says if he’s elected, he’ll close the borders to prevent dangerous variants of COVID-19 from coming in.
Here comes the harvest moon
Look up at the stars tonight because September’s harvest moon will light up the sky on Monday. Harvest moons are full moons that occur every year closest to the autumnal equinox or beginning of fall. It’s called the harvest moon because the moon rises about the same time every evening for a few nights in a row in the Northern Hemisphere. The harvest moon provides plenty of moonlight for farmers harvesting their summer crops in the early evening. China’s harvest moon is celebrated at the Mid-Autumn Festival with mooncake pastries as well as lanterns. Also known as the Moon Festival, it is also celebrated in China. At 7:54 PM EDT, the harvest moon of this year will be directly opposite the sun.