Seven Republican candidates will battle it out on the debate stage. Michigan State has fired Mel Tucker over sexual harassment accusations. And the American soldier who ran across the North Korean border is headed home.
👋 Greetings, pals! Laura Davis here. Let’s dive into Wednesday’s news!
But first: Look around, everybody on mute. 🐻🤐 A young black bear busted up a birthday party in Mexico by jumping on the picnic table and eating everybody’s food. Check out the video.
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GOP debate night: 7 candidates, 1 absentee and high stakes
Donald Trump challengers: Assemble! Republican presidential candidates will face off Wednesday for the second GOP primary debate of the 2024 election cycle. Seven candidates qualified for the event in Simi Valley, California, and will make their case to conservative voters that they’re the best bet to defeat President Joe Biden next year. But Trump, the front-runner, won’t be there. The former president argues that he’s so far ahead in the polls, that he shouldn’t give his rivals a chance to take shots at him on stage. The debate begins at 9 p.m. EDT. 🗳 Follow along with our live coverage.
🥁 And the lineup is: Doug Burgum, Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Mike Pence, Vivek Ramaswamy and Tim Scott.
Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker officially fired
Head football coach Mel Tucker was officially handed his walking papers by Michigan State for inappropriate conduct on Wednesday, a stunning fall for one of the highest-paid coaches in college sports. Just over two weeks ago, a USA TODAY investigation revealed sexual harassment allegations against Tucker by Brenda Tracy, a prominent rape survivor and activist hired by Tucker to speak to his team about sexual violence. A complaint Tracy filed with the university’s Title IX office in December alleged Tucker pursued her romantically for months, masturbated without her consent during a phone call and later insinuated that he would ruin her career if she spoke out. The case has remained under investigation, with a formal hearing scheduled for Oct. 5 and 6. 👉 Here’s everything we know.
What everyone’s talking about
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End of writers’ strike brings late-night TV back
They’re baaa-aaaack! Late-night talk shows are making a robust return after the end of the screenwriters’ strike Wednesday. Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, John Oliver and Seth Meyers, who formed the podcast “Strike Force Five,” announced the return of their shows, starting Monday. The Writers Guild of America board unanimously voted Tuesday to affirm the strike-ending deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the group that represents studios, streaming services and production companies. The WGA said writers earned increased pay and health and pension contributions with the contract extension as well as new foreign streaming residuals and viewership-based streaming bonuses. 🍿 Here’s the latest.
US soldier who ran across North Korea border back in US custody
Appearing in “good health” and “good spirits,” Pvt. Travis King, an American soldier who drew international attention when he fled into North Korea, is back in American hands and on his way to a U.S. military facility. King, who bolted across one of the world’s most heavily weaponized borders in July, was first transferred out of North Korea into China with help from Sweden. Officials declined to say what potential punishment awaits King. They said the immediate focus is assessing his health and “making sure he has appropriate support” before he’s reunited with his family. 👉 Keep reading.
A break from the news
Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Say hello:[email protected].This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Support quality journalism like this?Subscribe to USA TODAY here.
