CORPUS CHRISTI, Tx — Good morning Coastal Bend, it is Thursday, December 11. Sunrise Anchors Bryan & Michelle Hofmann here, and we are glad you are starting your day with us. We have a full slate of headlines for you this morning, including a Senate push to block lawmaker pay during shutdowns, a major step forward on the National Defense Authorization Act, new findings on the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, the latest from a high-profile courtroom in Manhattan, holiday shipping deadlines you need to know, and another climb for the Powerball jackpot.
Here is your breakdown of today’s top stories.
Democrats introduce bill to withhold lawmaker pay during shutdown
- A Senate committee will meet today to consider withholding lawmaker pay during shutdowns.
- The proposal would align congressional pay impacts with those faced by federal workers.
- The move follows the most recent shutdown, when many federal employees missed paychecks for more than a month.
A Senate committee is set to meet today to discuss a democrat led bill that would block senators from receiving pay during a government shutdown. Supporters say the resolution is intended to ensure lawmakers experience the same financial disruption as federal workers, thousands of whom went without pay for more than a month during the most recent lapse in funding. The discussion is expected to include whether similar requirements should apply to the House.
House passes National Defense Authorization Act
- The House approved the National Defense Authorization Act by a bipartisan vote of 312 to 112.
- The bill authorizes $901 billion dollars in military spending including a troop pay increase and aid for Ukraine.
- The Senate is expected to take up the measure next week and the president has said he will sign it.
House lawmakers approved the National Defense Authorization Act in a bipartisan vote of 312 to 112. The legislation authorizes $901 billion dollars in military spending, including an increase in troop pay and continued military support for Ukraine. The Senate is expected to pass the bill next week. President Trump has said he will sign it once it reaches his desk.
Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse report released
- A final NTSB report identifies a mislabeled wire on the cargo ship Dali as the cause of last year’s fatal power failure.
- Investigators say the vessel lost propulsion and the crew could not restore power in time.
- Communication failures prevented bridge workers from evacuating before the collapse.
New findings from the National Transportation Safety Board detail what led to the deadly collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge last year. Investigators say a mislabeled wire on the cargo ship Dali caused a power failure that left the vessel without steering. The crew was unable to restore propulsion in time and communication breakdowns prevented workers from evacuating the bridge. The final report closes a major chapter in the investigation into one of the deadliest infrastructure failures in recent memory.
Mangione in court
- Luigi Mangione returns to a Manhattan courtroom today for a seventh day of testimony.
- He is accused of killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
- Evidence presented this week includes police body camera footage and a handwritten to-do list.
Luigi Mangione is back in a Manhattan courtroom today for a seventh day of testimony. He is accused of killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The court continues to examine whether Mangione’s arrest was lawful. Evidence presented this week includes police body camera footage of officers confronting him at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania and a handwritten to-do list that reportedly included notes such as “FBI slower overnight.”
Shipping deadlines for Christmas
- The Postal Service says next Wednesday is the cutoff for standard shipping to arrive before Christmas.
- Priority Mail extends the window to Thursday and Priority Mail Express to Saturday.
- Officials caution that all dates are estimates and sending early is safest.
If you still need to mail Christmas gifts, the clock is ticking. The Postal Service says next Wednesday is the recommended deadline for packages to arrive before the holiday. Priority Mail buys you one extra day through Thursday, and Priority Mail Express provides a window through Saturday. Postal officials note that all of these timelines are estimates and recommend sending early to avoid delays.
Powerball jackpot
- No one claimed Wednesday night’s nine hundred thirty million dollar jackpot.
- The prize is expected to surpass one billion dollars for Saturday’s drawing.
- The lump sum payout could exceed half a billion dollars.
There is still time to become a billionaire before Christmas. Powerball reports no winner for Wednesday night’s nine hundred thirty million dollar jackpot. The prize is now projected to surpass one billion dollars ahead of Saturday’s drawing. The lump sum payout could climb past half a billion dollars.
That would be quite the Christmas present wouldn't it? Thank you for waking up with the Hofmanns.
As always, stay safe, stay curious and stay kind.
We will see you bright and early tomorrow morning.
-Bryan and Michelle Hofmann
