National News in Brief
Gavin Newsom attempts Congressional change
California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a special vote on Nov. 4 with hope to change the congressional map. The change would redistrict California to gain more Democratic seats in the House of Representatives. The California State Assembly passed this vote 57-20, and the Senate passed it 30–8. According to CalMatters, “Newsom kicked off the special election scramble after Trump declared that he was ‘entitled’ to five more GOP congressional seats in Texas.” Newsom has assured Democrats that he will “play hardball,” and “fight fire with fire,” in a conference with the Democratic National Committee. If passed, the new congressional districts could give five more Democratic seats in Congress. With a newly drawn map, Newsom also hopes to reduce the chances of the GOP gaining control of competitive California districts.
Charlie Kirk shot dead at event at Utah Valley University
Charlie Kirk, 31-year-old right-wing activist and founder and executive director of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University [UVU]. Kirk was speaking at his ‘American Comeback Tour’ hosted by Turning Point USA and Kirk himself when he was shot by someone on a nearby roof while answering questions from the crowd. After being shot in the neck, Kirk was transported to Timpanogos Regional Hospital, and was pronounced dead two hours later. On Sept. 12 Tyler Robinson, 22, was taken into custody after his father turned him in, ending a 33-hour manhunt. According to ABC News, Robinson had his first court appearance on Sept. 16, and was charged with aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, discharge of a firearm, and violent offense in the presence of a child. Robinson’s hearing will be Sept. 29, if convicted, he could face the death penalty.
Evergreen High School shooting marks 47th of 2025
47 school shootings have occurred in 2025, the 47th occurring on Sept. 10 at Evergreen High School near Denver, Colorado, according to CNN News. At 12:24 p.m., 16-year-old student Desmond Holly, open-fired a handgun in the school for nine minutes. Two students were inflicted with gunshot wounds; one unnamed student has been discharged from the hospital, while the second student, identified as Matthew Silverstone, 18, remains in critical condition at CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital. Holly was taken to the same hospital where he died that same night from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office have released information that Holly was expressing neo-Nazi and extremist views online for months before the shooting, according to The Colorado Sun.
