I’m not exactly sure what this congressman was thinking. What else is new?

Happening in the World: Bob Dole, the US Senate Majority Leader from 1995 to 1996, and previous chair of the Republican National Committee, died on Sunday at age 98. In addition to serving in the Senate, he also served in World War II. President Biden praised Dole for being “an American statesman like few in our history.” Dole also ran for president three times, most famously in 1996 when he won the Republican nomination (NYT).

Happening in the US: Thomas Massie, a congressman representing Kentucky, was criticized for posting a Christmas photo of his family holding assault rifles. The photo, which featured Massie and six of his family members all holding guns, was tweeted from his account with the caption, “Merry Christmas! ps. Santa, please bring ammo.” Massie was elected as a US congressman in 2012 (BBC).

Happening in NYC: The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, joined with other members of the Department of Justice, announced a civil rights investigation into the Mount Vernon Police Department. The police department, which is located in Westchester County, has been troubled with accusations of police brutality, robberies, planting drugs and more. If the investigation finds a pattern of abusive policing, the DOJ could file a lawsuit agains the department (Gothamist).

Happening in our Community: Happening today, from 4 to 5 pm, will be a virtual Naloxone training! Naloxone is a life saving drug that can rapidly reverse opioid overdose and all participants can pick up a Naloxone kit from Columbia Health after the training. See more details here.

spiky fruit via Wikimedia Commons