Morning Headlines - Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 | Recent News

U.S. and World Headlines

Sam Altman Joins Microsoft To Lead New AI Project As OpenAI Employees Voice Displeasure With Board

The future of OpenAI appeared to remain in limbo Monday morning, after its ousted CEO Sam Altman joined Microsoft following a weekend of boardroom drama that sent shock waves across Silicon Valley.

Altman will lead a new artificial intelligence project at Microsoft, the tech giant said early Monday, after rumors swirled that he could make a dramatic return to the company he helped build into one of the world's hottest startups.

Emmett Shear, a co-founder and former CEO of the video streaming platform Twitch, confirmed that he would be the new interim CEO of OpenAI.

Senate Democrats Warn Manchin That Running For President Would Risk Disaster

Sen. Joe Manchin’s (D-W.Va.) flirtation with a third-party presidential bid after announcing his upcoming retirement from the Senate is sparking anxiety among Democratic senators who warn that Manchin would make a big mistake if he challenges President Biden.

Democratic lawmakers say that if Manchin runs for president as an independent, it will hurt Biden’s reelection chances and could result in what they view as the nightmare scenario of electing Donald Trump to a second White House term.

Earth Is Hurtling Toward Nearly 3°C Of Warming: Report

The globe is headed for nearly 3°C (5.4°F) of warming compared with preindustrial levels through 2100, new data finds, even if current policies to cut planet-warming emissions are met.

The United Nations' 2023 "Emissions Gap Report" details the distance between pledged greenhouse gas emissions cuts made by countries and the reductions needed to be on course to meet Paris targets.

The report acknowledges previous findings that have shared the same main conclusion, but with different numbers: the world is far off track in its efforts to contain global warming.

Rosalynn Carter, Former First Lady, Dies At Age 96

Former first lady Rosalynn Carter has died at the age of 96, the Carter Center announced Sunday.

The Carter Center said she died "peacefully, with family by her side" at 2:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 19, at her home in Plains, Georgia.

"Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished," former President Jimmy Carter said in a statement. "She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me."

Shakira Reaches Deal With Spanish Prosecutors In Tax Evasion Case

Pop star Shakira agreed to a deal on Monday with Spanish prosecutors, avoiding a trial in a case that accused her of tax evasion.

The settlement carries heavy fines -- totalling about 7.3 million euros, or about $8 million -- but spares the singer jail time with a three-year suspended sentence, according to court documents reviewed by ABC News.

Spanish prosecutors accused Shakira, who is Colombian, of tax evasion in December 2018, claiming she failed to pay more than 14.5 million euros -- about $14.4 million -- for the years 2012 to 2014.

Saturday's Neo-Nazi March Brings Attention To Dramatic Rise In Wisconsin Hate Crimes

Wisconsin residents are grappling with anxieties over a rise in hate crimes throughout the state - including Saturday's neo-Nazi demonstration outside the Capital building in Madison.

The group of about two dozen men, wearing face coverings and some holding swastika flags, marched up State Street to the Capitol before heading to James Madison Park.

The event drew condemnation from several elected officials who denounced demonstrations of hate in any form.

But hate crimes and demonstrations across the state are not a new occurrence, and Saturday's march was just the latest and most public example of a dramatic rise in hate crime in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Supreme Court To Hear Arguments In Case That Could Overturn Republican-Drawn Legislative Maps

The Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Tuesday in a redistricting lawsuit that seeks to declare Republican-drawn voting maps unconstitutional, a move that could shift the balance of political power that has existed in the state for more than a decade.

The redistricting lawsuit, filed by 19 Democratic voters from Wisconsin, was submitted one day after the investiture of liberal Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz, which gave liberals their first majority in 15 years. That timing, and comments made by Protasiewicz during her campaign that were critical of the maps, have spurred threats of impeachment from Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, underscoring the political stakes of redistricting as a tool used by Republicans to maintain power in the Wisconsin Legislature.

‘Upfront’ Features A Look Inside Desantis’ Milwaukee Fundraiser

Matt Neumann, one of the hosts of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ private fundraiser in Milwaukee last week, says the event had “good turnout” that included some prominent Wisconsin Republicans.

“I’m not here to drop names, but yes, there were a number of people that I’ve seen at other fundraisers from other campaigns around the state in prior cycles,” Neumann said on WISN’s “UpFront,” which is produced in partnership with WisPolitics. “It’s exciting. The momentum is building, and we’re just excited to see where the campaign goes.”

The Thursday event was hosted at The University Club of Milwaukee. An invite obtained by WisPolitics listed Kim and John Schlifske as main hosts with tickets ranging from $1,000 for an individual up to $23,000 for a host couple.

Thanksgiving Holiday Travelers Should Expect Company On Wisconsin Roads

As another construction season winds down, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) urges Thanksgiving holiday travelers to watch their speed, focus on the road and expect company on major interstates and highways across Wisconsin. According to AAA, more than 960,000 Wisconsinites will drive to their destinations this holiday weekend. Peak travel times are anticipated between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Wednesday (Nov. 22), 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 23), noon to 4 p.m. Friday (Nov. 24) and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 25-26).

“We're thankful to the thousands of people who work day and night to keep our roads safe – emergency responders, highway workers, and many more professions," WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said. “We all want to make it our destinations safely this holiday season; please buckle up, eliminate distractions, drive sober and watch out for deer."

Jordan Love's Late TD Pass Lifts Packers To 23-20 Victory Over Chargers

With Green Bay down to one healthy running back, Jordan Love realized the Packers' hopes likely rested on his right arm.

The first-year starting quarterback responded with the best performance of his young career.

Love threw for 322 yards and found Romeo Doubs for a 24-yard touchdown with 2:33 left to give Green Bay a 23-20 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. It was a milestone rally for a young Packers team that continually had come up just short late in games this season.