Photograph: Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images
Welcome to today’s afternoon edition of NewsHero for Thursday, January 23, 2020.
As we explore topics of all subject matters we aim to seek out the heroes of the story. We know that whatever the situation it’s possible to find the people doing good over those doing harm. These are the heroes of the news, and they’re the ones in our headlines and at the forefront of our coverage.
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Team NewsHero
NewsHero Notes
This week marks the 47th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case for women’s reproductive rights. On the flip side, President Trump has announced he’ll be attending the anti-abortion March for Life event in Washington on Friday. Landmark in its own way, that move is a presidential first.
Echoing our sentiment yesterday regarding transparency in Trump’s impeachment trial, a bipartisan majority of Americans want to see new witnesses testify, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling released Wednesday.
Just when you were feeling guilty of spending too much time on your phone, the heroes at Media Matters found that in 2019 Trump live-tweeted 657 responses to Fox News. He tweeted reactions to every single show on the network. That’s a lot of time with your thumbs down.
Afternoon Brief
LGBTQ+
Utah has become the 19th state in the U.S. to ban the widely discredited practice of “conversion therapy” for minors. The ban however doesn't apply to clergy, religious counselors, parents or grandparents. So… While there are some glaring exceptions, it’s still a big step for the most conservative state so far to impose the ban.
Sgt. Byun Hui-su, a transgender soldier in South Korea, says she will sue the army after it dismissed her for violating regulations following her sex change. The army said Wednesday that Byun could no longer serve in South Korea’s military because of "mental and physical disability.”
2nd Amendment
Following Monday’s pro-gun rally at Virginia’s Capitol in Richmond, the state’s Senate voted Wednesday to move forward on the gun safety bill called a "red flag law.” Also known as an extreme risk protective order, the bill allows law enforcement to prohibit "a person who poses a substantial risk of injury to himself or others from purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm.”
In other Virginia news:
Now that the Civil War has ended (155 years ago), the state’s Senate voted Tuesday to ditch “Lee-Jackson Day”—which commemorated Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson—and make Election Day a state holiday. The times they are, y’know, a-changin’.
First Accusers Testify In Harvey Weinstein Trial
Two more women to appear in court against Cuba Gooding Jr.
Actress Annabella Sciorra, right, arrives as a witness in Harvey Weinstein's rape trial, in New York, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Actress Annabella Sciorra took the witness stand Thursday as the first woman to testify in Harvey Weinstein’s trial, which got underway Wednesday in New York. Sciorra is one of many women who have come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against Weinstein, sparking the global #MeToo movement. Weinstein has held that all sexual encounters were consensual. He could face life in prison.
Some of Harvey Weinstein’s accusers. Composite: Getty/Rex/PA
A judge declared Wednesday that two more women will be allowed to testify as witnesses against actor Cuba Gooding Jr., whose trial is set to begin April 21. Gooding, 52, faces three counts of forcible touching and three counts of sexual abuse in the third degree related to three separate incidents in New York. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
A fame no one wants
Women in cases such as these who summon the courage to speak up are often criticized for seeking attention or blowing things out of proportion, which calls to mind Christine Blasey Ford, who in 2018 brought allegations of sexual assault against now Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Brett Kavanaugh. Ford was thrust onto millions of TV screens only to be forced to recount harrowing and embarrassing situations in hopes of shedding light on Kavanaugh’s allegedly questionable character prior to his being appointed to such a high position of power. The results landed Ford on the receiving end of hate mail and death threats, and landed Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court bench. Ford, speaking at the 2019 ACLU of Southern California's Annual Bill of Rights Dinner, said, “When I came forward last September, I did not feel courageous. I was simply doing my duty as a citizen.” It’s encouraging to see these cases reach the courthouses, where hopefully victims may, in as many instances as possible, see their aggressors held accountable.
Sources:
47th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade - The New York Times Opinion on Instagram
In Presidential First, Trump Will Attend Anti-Abortion March for Life - New York Times
Let them speak: Most Americans want witnesses in Trump impeachment trial - Reuters/Ipsos poll
In 2019 alone, President Trump tweeted in response to Fox News - Media Matters on Instagram
Utah Becomes Latest State To Ban Discredited LGBTQ 'Conversion Therapy' - NPR
Utah Bans Discredited Conversion Therapy for LGBTQ Children - The Daily Beast
Utah bans conversion therapy for LGBTQ children - CNN
South Korea orders dismissal of transgender soldier - Los Angeles Times
South Korea transgender soldier to sue over dismissal - BBC News
South Korea’s Military Discharges Its First Transgender Soldier - Wall Street Journal
Virginia Senate passes 'red flag' bill days after large gun rights rally - CNN
Virginia Senate passes "red flag" gun law over fierce opposition - CBS News
Virginia’s historic gun control fight, explained - Vox
Va. senate votes to end 'Lee-Jackson Day,' make Election Day a state holiday - The Hill
Virginia Senate Votes To Scrap Lee-Jackson Holiday - Washington Post
Virginia Senate backs measure to replace Lee-Jackson Day with Election Day holiday - Richmond Times-Dispatch
Weinstein rape trial opens, marking milestone for #MeToo - AP News
Weinstein Trial Begins With Vivid Descriptions of Several Sexual Attacks - New York Times
The Harvey Weinstein Trial: A Brief Timeline Of How We Got Here - NPR
Annabella Sciorra: Harvey Weinstein held me down, raped me - AP News
Ellen Barkin goes full diva at Harvey Weinstein trial - New York Post
Cuba Gooding Jr: Two new accusers allowed to testify at groping trial - Independent
Cuba Gooding Jr.’s Groping Trial Can Include Testimony From 2 More Women - New York Times
Cuba Gooding Jr.'s groping trial will feature two witnesses testifying about uncharged alleged conduct - CNN
Kavanaugh accuser Christine Blasey Ford makes rare appearance to accept award - NBC News