Sen. Cano statement on Nashville school shooting

 

            STATE HOUSE – Sen. Sandra Cano, Chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee, released the following statement concerning the horrific school shooting that took place at a private school in Nashville today:

            “This new normal of watching our children being slaughtered and hurt in their schools, spaces that are supposed to be safe havens and sanctuaries, is an aspect of our society that I refuse to accept.  We are beyond the point of recognizing that we have a serious problem in this country with children and gun violence and the excuses that prevent real and meaningful change that will keep our students safe need to end.  My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and loved ones of this horrendous and unnecessary attack and as the Chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee, I will continue working toward the solutions that will end these heinous events so that our children remain safe in their schools, as they should be,” said Chairwoman Cano (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket).

 

President Trump says the tariffs imposed on other countries are having the desired effect, and he's now open to negotiations. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said his initial tariff plan is over, and he's watching it settle in. He said every country has called, asking to cut a trade deal with the U.S. to avoid the tariffs.        Stocks are closing sharply lower one day after President Trump announced sweeping global tariffs. The S&P 500 had its worse day since 2020 as the White House announced a baseline tariff rate of ten-percent against most countries yesterday that will go into effect on Saturday. At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 16-79 to 40-545. The S&P 500 lost 274 points to 53-96. The Nasdaq lost 10-50 points to 16-550.        A multi-day severe weather event is unfolding for more than 55-million people. It comes after at least seven people were killed in the South Central U.S. after storms that included several tornadoes hit the region yesterday. Tonight, there is still a tornado threat for the same areas, but forecasters warn there could also be potentially catastrophic flooding in the Mid-South and Midwest.        The Federal Aviation Administration is offering more support to air traffic controllers at Reagan National Airport. The Critical Incident Stress Management team will be meeting with airport personnel sometime early this month. The FAA is also reviewing the arrival rate at the airport and will conduct regular wellness checks.        The Senate has confirmed Dr. Mehmet Oz as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The television personality was confirmed on a party-line vote of 53-45. Oz now assumes a role that provides health insurance to roughly 160 million Americans.        Steven Spielberg and George Lucas top the latest Forbes list of celebrity billionaires. The latest Forbes ranking of the world's wealthiest people includes 18 celebrities, with film director Steven Spielberg topping the list at five-point-three-billion dollars. Star Wars creator George Lucas is in second place with a net worth of five-point-one-billion dollars.