January 1, Trump Outs Ukraine Whistleblower

This Day in History |  1845

Texas joins the Union, becoming the 28th state in the United States.

Good Morning Middle Americans, 

President Trump’s holiday tweet storm continues.  And he apparently is not too concerned about naming the whistleblower from the phone call which kick started this whole impeachment push.  It’s been controversial to use the Whistleblower’s name, as people in this person’s position are normally granted some protections for being whistleblowers.  But there’s a whole other debate as to whether he actually deserves protections. 

Also we have the latest on the machete attack at Hanukkah party in New York. The attack comes after the city announced they are stepping up patrols of jewish communities because of anti-Semitic activity. 

And we have a report about 24 states, and other places raising the minimum wage in 2020. 

Finally, we are down to number three, on our list of top stories of the year. 

Read all about it

– Fraser Dixon

Trump Retweets Post Naming Alleged Whistleblower

(AP) – President Donald Trump retweeted a post that included the alleged name of the anonymous whistleblower whose complaint ultimately led to Trump’s impeachment by the House.

Just before midnight Friday, Trump retweeted a message from Twitter user @Surfermom77, an account that claims to be a woman named Sophia who lives in California. The account shows some indications of automation, including an unusually high amount of activity and profile pictures featuring stock images from the internet.

By Saturday morning, the post seemed to have disappeared on many users’ feeds, suggesting Trump had deleted it, though it could still be found in other ways, including on a website that logs every presidential tweet.

Read more here

At Least 5 People Stabbed By Machete-Wielding Suspect At Hanukkah Party

(CBS NewYork) – At least five people have been stabbed in an attack on a Rabbi’s home in New York‘s Rockland County. That attacker is now reportedly in custody after fleeing the scene.

CBS confirmed a man entered Rabbi Rottenburg’s Shul in Monsey and stabbed several people just before 10 p.m. Saturday night.

The man, covering his face with a scarf, reportedly entered the home and pulled out a machete to attack the victims during a Chanukah celebration. The suspect reportedly chased after victims as they fled the synagogue before running off and escaping in a gray Nissan Sentra.

Shortly after midnight on Sunday, Ramapo police announced that suspect had been arrested. Police tell CBS2 the alleged attacker was taken into custody in Harlem.

Learn more about the attack here

24 States Will Raise the Minimum Wage in 2020

(CNN) – The minimum wage is set to go up in 72 jurisdictions in 2020. The increases will be in 24 states and 48 cities and counties, according to the advocacy group National Employment Law Project.

Most of those changes are set to begin on the first day of 2020, though New York’s pay raise is set to begin December 31, the NELP reported.

On New Year’s Day, 20 states and 26 cities and counties, mostly in California, will raise the minimum wages. Four more states and 23 more cities and counties will join later in the year, according to NELP.

To see if the minimum wage is going up where you live, click here

The 7 Biggest Stories of 2019

 #7) The US Women’s National Soccer Team and Equal Pay Push 

#6) Internet Censorship

#5) Hurricane Dorian Slams the Bahamas, Barely Misses US

#4) The Streaming Wars Heat Up

#3) Attorney General William Barr Gives Top Priority to Investigating the Investigators 

(Reuters) – U.S. Attorney General William Barr is personally involved in investigating President Donald Trump’s complaints that he and his campaign were improperly targeted by U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies during the 2016 election campaign.

Barr earlier this year began to investigate the investigators who looked into whether his campaign colluded with Russia. Moscow interfered in the U.S. electoral process with a campaign of hacking and propaganda, according to U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who charged several Trump campaign officials with crimes but did not find enough evidence to establish a criminal conspiracy with Russia.

Barr’s investigation is one of at least three inquiries into the matter by the Department of Justice. It is being handled by John Durham, a seasoned prosecutor who is respected by Republicans and Democrats alike.

Read more here