Happy Friday, Panthers! As you’re going into Thanksgiving Week, remember to get your much-needed rest and come back ready. Also, make sure to check out our Instagram @smhsprowler for some more news content and light-hearted videos. This week we have rescue workers who search for almost three dozen people after a landslide, the Republican Party voting to release the Epstein files, a gas explosion injuring one at the apartments near Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Donald Trump forcing the release of the Epstein files.
World – Rescue workers search for almost 3 dozen people after devastating landslides
On Monday, rescue workers continued their search for 34 missing people after the mudslides that hit two different parts of Indonesia. At least 18 people were killed. The mudslides were caused by heavy rains on Thursday. Mudslides hit dozens of houses in three different villages.
Over 500 rescue personnel including police and soldiers, 22 excavators, and 18 sniffer dogs have been deployed in 5 devastated areas in Cilacap. They are searching for 7 villagers who are still reported missing after the fifth day.
Another landslide hit Central Java’s Banjarnegara district. The mud hit at least 30 houses causing over 800 people to flee to safety, sometimes to even more risk areas. Authorities are struggling to evacuate refugees to safe government shelters.
National – Republican Party could finally vote to release Epstein files
The Republicans have been shown to be on track to release the Epstein files. The vote is projected to follow through with Trump’s blessing on the heavily controversial issue.
The effort put into the bill had been disputed by the President and the leaders of the Republican party. Last week, White House officials met with Representative Lauren Boebert on her opinions about releasing the files. Her response indicated that her stance on the subject remains unchanged. President Donald Trump went on to berate the Republican Party for pushing the motion forward, going as far as to include Representatives Thomas Massie and Marjioie Taylor Greene.
Trump spoke with reporters at the White House on Monday that the Senate had the green light to pass the bill and that he would even sign it once it made it to office. Should the Bill be passed and signed in it would force the Justice Department to release all files related to the convicted sex offender within 30 days.
State – Gas explosion injures one at apartments near Mercedes-Benz Stadium
A gas explosion demolished an apartment building at Northside Plaza in Atlanta. Investigators are already working to determine the root cause while crews assess damage and search the destroyed areas.
The explosion injured one man and displaced about 40 residents. The man who was injured was reportedly transported to Grady Memorial Hospital by EMS. The man was said to be stable last time the crew went and looked at him.
Firefighters have already checked most of the building and inspected the rubble to ensure no one is trapped inside. The damaged section of the complex remains off limits to everyone in the apartment complex while authorities work to investigate.
Politics – Donald Trump forcing release of Epstein files
Donald Trump has just signed a bill allowing the Epstein files to be released within the next 30 days. During his campaign, Trump had wanted the Epstein files to be released, but once elected in office, the issue had been put on hold.
After Trump improved the bill, Republican officials moved it through the House and then the Senate. The House Speaker had postponed the release of the bills, after the Senate would not amend it. Earlier this year the Justice Department claimed it had released all of the documents it could about Epstein while also protecting the privacy of his victims.
Democrats have used the controversy to their advantage in attempts to get Trump out of office, as Trump had a personal friendship with Epstein in 2019. Trump is now trying to flip the script by insisting that Epstein has a closer tie to the Democratic party.