Monday Scoop: Shutdown Record

The big story…

Government Shutdown Hits Record 24th Day

The government shutdown enters its 24th day, surpassing the previous shutdown record of 21 days that occurred during the Clinton administration. Right now there seems to be four viable options for ending the shutdown: the Democrats fund the border wall, Trump declares a national emergency to fund the border wall (which he has said he might do), the president reopens the government for a few weeks while negotiations continue (an idea floated by Sen. Lindsey Graham on “Fox News Sunday”), TSA agents go on strike, and both sides come to a compromise. As the Washington Post so eloquently puts it, “Congratulations on your distinguished dysfunction, lawmakers.”

P.S. The word of the day is “snurlough,” snow day plus furlough. As in a snowstorm hit D.C. this weekend so the federal government will probably be shutting down. Oh wait…

In national news…

Kidnapping Victim Jayme Closs Found Alive

Jayme Closs, a 13-year-old resident who went missing on Oct. 15 when her parents were fatally shot at her home in Wisconsin, has been found. Her captor has been arrested and faces charges of kidnapping and murder as law enforcement still tries to find a motive for this perpetrator who was seemingly unconnected to the Closs’ until that fateful night.  

In global news…

Greek PM Calls for Vote of Confidence

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is ready to call for a vote of confidence in the government on Wednesday as the government split over a vote for changing the name of Macedonia to “North Macedonia.” 

In politics…

Judge Blocks Trump Administration from Weakening Obamacare Contraceptive Mandate

A Calif. federal district court judge kept the Trump administration from weakening an Obamacare contraceptive mandate on Sunday, a day before the new rules would have been implemented.  CNN reports, “The injunction, however, only applies in the coalition of 13 Democratic states, plus the District of Columbia, that brought the lawsuit.” Judge Haywood Gilliam Jr. who halted to new rules said states would potentially face severe public health and fiscal consequences if they implemented the new rules.

In education…

L.A. Teachers to Strike Today

Today, teachers in the second-largest school district in the country will go on strike for the first time in 30 years. Read more about the strike that’s been a long time coming in last Wednesday’s Morning Scoop.

In entertainment…

Celebrities Attend 24th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards

Award show season is in full swing now, as many of the films we saw recognized at the Golden Globes took home more awards at the Critics’ Choice Awards last night. For the record, Chrissy Teigen did not want to go.

In civil rights…

Civil Rights Organization Withdraws Award from Angela Davis Over Pro-Palestinian Views

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in Alabama has decided to withdraw its own Fred Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award from Dr. Angela Davis, political activist and academic icon of the mid-20th century, due to objections from some members of Birmingham’s Jewish community over her own Pro-Palestinian views. Read more in Duane Paul Murphy’s report for CMN.

In sports…

The NFL Has Its First Female On-the-Field Official at a Playoff Game

Sarah Thomas made history for the NFL yesterday.

Trending today…

UCLA Gymnastics

This killer floor routine by a UCLA gymnast has gone viral, and don’t worry Chelsea we’re crying too.

Last but not least…

Meet the Writer: Mackenzie Dineen

Editor’s note: As part of CMN’s music journalism program, our music writers are profiling other team members, asking about how they got into music and what they see themselves doing in the future. Click here to read a profile of CMN music journalist Mackenzie Dineen.

Today’s Morning Scoop was made possible by Natalia Kolenko, Duane Paul Murphy, Brogan McCuen, and the CMN Staff. A photo of an egg has surpassed Kylie Jenner as the most-liked photo on Instagram with over 27 million likes. Eggcelent. P.S. Was this newsletter forwarded by a friend? Subscribe here to get the Morning Scoop straight to your inbox every day.