Monday Scoop: Migrant Caravan

The big story…

Migrant Caravan Continues North

Migrants stuck on a bridge between Guatemala and Mexico. (image: CNN video)

More than 7,000 undocumented migrants from Central America  have crossed the border into Mexico and are headed for the United States. Despite the Mexican government’s demands that the caravan submit to processing by immigration authorities, a majority of the group has moved on because of the length of the process and the fear of being deported. President Trump has tweeted that those migrants who do not first apply for asylum in Mexico will be turned away at the U.S. border, but Mexican officials have said that migrants are not legally obligated to do so, while still encouraging the group to apply and receiving over 1,000 asylum requests. Although migrant caravans are nothing new, this one has outnumbered past caravans, usually in the hundreds, and has grown throughout its journey.

In national news…

Saudi Arabia Confirms Death of Journalist

Saudi Arabia has finally confirmed the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul almost three weeks ago. The country claims that his death was a result of a fight that occurred in the consulate and not an action requested by the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Amidst conflicting reports about what really happened, 18 people have been arrested, Khashoggi’s son has been notified, and the body has yet to be found. The world is now left wondering how this event will affect President Trump’s plan for peace in the mideast.

In human rights…

‘Transgender’ definition could be removed by Trump administration

Gender may soon be narrowly defined by the Trump administration as a biological, unchangeable condition determined by genitalia at birth. The New York Times reports, “A series of decisions by the Obama administration loosened the legal concept of gender in federal programs, including in education and health care, recognizing gender largely as an individual’s choice and not determined by the sex assigned at birth.” The Department of Health and Human Services is now working on establishing a legal definition of sex, arguing that key government agencies need an explicit, uniform definition of gender, specifically an unchangeable definition defining people as either male or female based on the genitals a person is born with.

In comedy…

Julia Louis-Dreyfus Receives Mark Twain Prize

Julia Louis-Dreyfus  received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Sunday. In a night of comedy and kind words, the “Veep” star was honored as a comedy icon, joining the ranks of past prize recipients including Tina Fey, David Letterman, and Eddie Murphy to name a few. In the words of the comedian herself, “Anybody would be lucky to be part of a night like this honoring someone like me.”

Trending today…

Selma Blair Reveals Struggle with MS

On Saturday Actress Selma Blair announced that she had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in an Instagram post. Despite the daily obstacles she faces, Blair expressed optimism and gratitude to be able to continue doing what she loves.

Last but not least…

A Brooklyn Hex vs.

a California Exorcism

On Saturday, a coven of witches convened at the Catland bookstore in Brooklyn, NY to put a hex on Brett Kavanaugh, President Trump, and Senator Mitch McConnell. A Catholic priest and exorcist in San Jose, CA caught wind of the story and held a mass to counter-protest the public hex. Read more in Duane Murphy’s report for CMN.

Monday’s Morning Scoop was made possible by Natalia Kolenko, Duane Paul Murphy, and the CMN Staff. Yes, it’s Monday. That is all.