Attorney General Merrick Garland is being grilled by House Republicans on Capitol Hill, we’re learning more about the death of a Patriots fan after a fight at the stadium, and Indiana authorities are searching for a “mistakenly released” murder suspect.
Wednesday, September 20, 2023 |
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Wednesday, September 20, 2023 |
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Good Wednesday afternoon. Attorney General Merrick Garland is being grilled by House Republicans on Capitol Hill, we’re learning more about the death of a Patriots fan after a fight at the stadium, and Indiana authorities are searching for a “mistakenly released” murder suspect. Here is what’s in our Nightly Rundown. |
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Garland clashes with Republicans over Hunter Biden, Trump probes |
Attorney General Merrick Garland defended the Justice Department against Republican claims of political weaponization during a contentious hearing held today by the GOP-controlled House Judiciary Committee. It’s the first time Garland has testified before the committee since special counsel Jack Smith brought two criminal indictments against former President Donald Trump, and also since another special counsel was appointed in the Hunter Biden investigation. Chairman Jim Jordan used his opening remarks to accuse the DOJ of “protecting” President Joe Biden while “attacking” Trump. “Even with the face-saving indictment of Hunter Biden last week, everyone knows the fix is in,” Jordan said. Jordan repeatedly accused Garland of “slow walking” the Hunter Biden investigation. Garland fired back in his opening statement, “I am not the president’s lawyer. I will add, I am not Congress’ prosecutor. The Justice Department works for the American people.” The attorney general also warned that politically targeting DOJ officials who are “just doing their jobs” is “dangerous,” especially at a time of rising threats against public servants. “We will not be intimidated,” Garland said. “We will do our jobs free from outside interference. And we will not back down from defending our democracy.” |
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Patriots fan did not suffer “traumatic injury” before death, DA says |
A New England Patriots fan did not suffer from a “traumatic injury” when he collapsed and diedafter a fight in the stands of Gillette Stadium, officials said today. Dale Mooney, 53, of New Hampshire, fell unconscious after a melee in the stadium’s upper deck during Sunday night’s game versus the Miami Dolphins and could not be revived, according to officials. Witnesses said Mooney was punched in the head by a Dolphins fan before losing consciousness, but the results of the preliminary autopsy suggest the blow might not have caused his death. “Preliminary autopsy results did not suggest traumatic injury, but did identify a medical issue," according to a statement from the Norfolk District Attorney's Office. “Cause and manner of death remain undetermined pending further testing.” No arrests have been made in Sunday’s incident. |
Manhunt for “mistakenly released” murder suspect in Indiana |
Indianapolis authorities are asking for the public’s help in a massive manhunt for a murder suspect who was “mistakenly released” from jail because of a clerical error. Kevin Mason, 28, was arrested in Indianapolis on Sept. 11 on three different warrants out of Minnesota, for homicide, parole violation and firearms possession, said Colonel James Martin of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, at a news conference Tuesday. Two days later, Mason walked out of the Adult Detention Center in Indianapolis due to “a faulty records review by civilian staff,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. Two inmate records clerks were fired after the error, Martin said. Authorities said they kept Mason’s accidental release out of the news for six days to have a “tactical advantage” in finding him. Now they’re asking the public for tips to help track him down. |
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Writers union resumes strike talks with studios |
Negotiators for the Writers Guild of America and Hollywood studio producers are resuming negotiations today as the strike that’s disrupted film and TV productions for more than four months drags on, the union confirmed. “You might not hear from us in the coming days while we are negotiating, but know that our focus is getting a fair deal for writers as soon as possible,” the WGA said in a message to its members. “In the meantime, please continue to demonstrate your commitment and unity by coming out to the picket lines,” the union added. The talks are expected to “last several days,” a source familiar with the negotiations told NBC News. The WGA’s efforts got a boost in recent days when talk show hosts including Drew Barrymore and Bill Maher reversed their decisions to bring their shows back while the strike is ongoing. |
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What else we're watching: |
The man arrested for the deadly shooting ambush on a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy who was in his patrol car entered a dual plea of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity today in court. |
The Federal Reserve announced today it is holding its benchmark interest rate steady at 5.25 to 5.50 percent, but signaled another hike could be coming before the end of the year as it continues to combat inflation. |
President Biden pledged to discuss the “hard issues,” including “upholding democratic values” as he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York. |
Andrew Lester, the white 84-year-old homeowner accused of shooting Ralph Yarl, a Black teen who had mistakenly come to his St. Louis home in April, pleaded not guilty today. The judge set his trial date more than a year away, on Oct. 7, 2024. |
A small plane crash landed in the street and hit a parked car in Los Angeles County today, officials said. No injuries were reported. |
In a surprise move, the FDA declined to approve a nasal spray that would have been the first needle-free alternative to the EpiPen, and called for more research. |
The Federal Trade Commission has named three senior Amazon executives in a lawsuit alleging the company enrolled customers in its Prime program without their consent. The company and the executives have yet to publicly respond. |
About 83,000 cases of Kraft Singles American cheese slices have been recalled due a “temporary issue” with a wrapping machine that could cause plastic film to stick to the cheese and cause a choking hazard, the company announced. |
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Watch us this evening at 6:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. CT on NBC, or check your local NBC station listing. After the broadcast, access Nightly News video on NBCNightlyNews.com or the NBC News app. |
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