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The Nasdaq topped 10,000 for the first time ever, proving that during this period of economic uncertainty, America still has faith in tech stocks like Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Netflix.
Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door. (You can also get “5 Things You Need to Know Today” delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.)
1. Police reform
The allegations contained in the much-discussed whistleblower complaint released yesterday are explosive. It accuses President Trump of abusing his powers “to solicit interference” from Ukraine in the 2020 election and the White House of trying to cover it up. White House officials, allegedly disturbed by Trump’s July phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, tried to “lock down” all records of the call, including the word-for-word transcript, the complaint alleges. Democrats started a formal impeachment inquiry this week based on what’s in the complaint.
Trump later lashed out at the person who provided the whistleblower with info about his phone call. Trump said whoever did that “is close to a spy,” and then he added what some people took as a veiled threat: that in the old days, spies were dealt with differently. The identity of the whistleblower remains publicly unknown, but his or her safety was raised yesterday when acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire testified before the House Intelligence Committee about the complaint. CNN’s Stephen Collinson lays out how a week that was supposed to be filled with drama at the United Nations turned into America’s latest impeachment melodrama.
MONDAY
Syria is once again accused of launching a chlorine attack against its own citizens. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the attack by the regime of Syrian President Bashar al Assad happened on May 19. It’s unclear how many people may have been killed or wounded in the attack. Pompeo said it was part of the Assad regime’s campaign of violence in Idlib province, which has killed more than 1,000 people. Idlib is the last stronghold of the rebels who have battled Assad’s forces for years. The Trump administration ordered retaliatory strikes against Syrian regime targets in 2017 and 2018 after reports of chemical weapons attacks by Syria.
Kendrick Castillo died a hero. When a fellow student pulled out a gun in class this week, the 18-year-old lunged at the shooter, giving others at STEM School Highlands Ranch enough time to hide. Castillo’s sacrifice was remembered during a vigil at the suburban Denver school. Eight other students were injured in the shooting. The two suspects accused in the crime – both students at the school – made their first court appearances Wednesday. It’s the second time in as many weeks that a student was killed confronting a gunman at school. It happened last week at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte when Riley Howell died after knocking down a gunman. Howell’s parents say they are devastated that another family has to go through similar pain.
3. Election 2020
There’s an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in North Carolina, and it’s connected to a state fair. There are 25 confirmed cases, the state division of public health says, including one death. The source of the outbreak is under investigation, but many of the patients reported attending the NC Mountain State Fair earlier this month. Airborne droplets from water rides at the fair are being looked at as a possible cause of the outbreak.
THURSDAY
The Texas Walmart where 22 people were killed could reopen in November. A company spokeswoman said construction work at the El Paso store is “progressing smoothly,” and Walmart is aiming for a reopening on November 6. Construction crews have been renovating the property since the shooting in August. An area of the store will be dedicated to the shooting victims. The mass shooting at the store was one of the deadliest attacks against Latinos in the US.
5. Nigeria
Fall officially began this week, but it’s already winter in parts of the Rocky Mountain states. A big winter storm will blast its way through the northern Rocky Mountains this weekend. The early season snow event could be “historically significant,” the National Weather Service office in Great Falls, Montana, says. From 15 to 36 inches of snow are predicted, with even higher tallies in the mountains. Blizzard conditions are predicted, too, since winds will be as strong as tropical-storm-force, with gusts at hurricane-force. Winter storm warnings will be in effect for parts of Montana from this evening until Sunday night.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
The first ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ trailer is here
The halftime show at next year’s Super Bowl will be a hip-shaking affair, now that Jennifer Lopez and Shakira are signed up to perform.
Welcome to the (royal) family
Looks like there’s going to be another royal wedding. This one will involve Princess Beatrice, who is marrying a property tycoon next year.
Less likely
Facebook without the likes? It could happen. The social media giant will soon start rolling out a test in Australia that’ll hide the likes.
Right place, right time
A teen football player in Ohio lifted a car to save his trapped neighbor. What have you done for the folks in your ‘hood lately?
Mark was here
It took decades, but someone finally found Mark Twain’s signature in a cave he helped make famous in “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.”
TODAY’S QUOTE
Quiz time
According to the Anti-Defamation League, which hand signal is now a hate symbol?
A. Peace sign
B. Thumbs up
C. “OK” symbol
D. “Hang loose” or the shaka sign
Play “Total Recall,” CNN’s weekly news quiz, to see if your answer is right.
“C’est moi.”
TODAY’S NUMBER
The number of letters a Maine woman said she got from United Healthcare in just five days
AND FINALLY
Who’s up for a sleigh ride?
Looks like cows popping up on the road in New Hampshire is a thing. Thankfully, these kids are around to herd them up. (Click to view.)