Let's run it back, one more time
ZWF #36: Sunday, October 16, 2022
Gone long, but not forgotten. The January 6 Committee resurfaced on Thursday to conclude their public hearings less than one month before the midterms.
Inside this week’s edition of Zander’s Weekend Facts, a summary of the final January 6 Committee hearing before the midterms, and a look at what Zander’s been reading this past week. Plus, a compilation of the week’s top news and sports headlines.
Also, go listen to the latest episode of the Zander’s Facts podcast! Episode 78 features a preview of the upcoming NBA season with Zander’s Facts NBA analyst Hill Billy. Get an update on all 30 teams, and find out who is best poised to make a playoff run this year in professional basketball. Go download and listen to the Zander’s Facts podcast wherever you get your podcasts!
Zander’s Weekend Facts is here to give you the facts about what has been going on in the world around us this past week. You’ll just have to read these facts, instead of listening to them on the Zander’s Facts podcast.
Here are Zander’s Weekend Facts for Sunday, October 16, 2022:
That’s a wrap for the January 6 Committee
While it’s been months since the January 6 Committee incrementally released shocking new details relating to the January 6, 2021 insurrection on the U.S. Capitol, the Committee returned this week for one final hearing.
While this was not officially announced as the final public hearing of the Committee, the sense is that this was the final hearing, at least before November’s midterm elections.
Which there wasn’t as much new information shared at this week’s hearing, new evidence was unveiled, along with a committee vote regarding former President Donald Trump.
Much of the hearing focused on the evidence the committee presented that they hope proves Trump planned to declare victory, even if he lost the election, even before Election Day. New video was played featuring Trump ally Roger Stone outlining the plans that some in the former president’s orbit had.
This was all despite the fact that Trump himself knew that he had lost the election, as many witnesses testified to. It was also revealed that after he knew he had lost the election, Trump had ordered the withdrawal of U.S. troops from several countries, including Afghanistan.
New evidence was revealed that involved the Secret Service. Messages from Secret Service agents were revealed that showed agents having concern about January 6 days and weeks before.
In perhaps the most interesting new video shown on Thursday, video was shown of several top lawmakers on Capitol Hill, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), while the riot was going on in the Capitol. This included both Pelosi and Schumer requesting assistance from various other entities, including the Department of Defense Governor of Virginia, with major Republican lawmakers in the rooms with them. The footage also included Pelosi and then-Vice President Mike Pence speaking as the Congress attempted to reconvene to finish the certification of the election.
On Thursday night, CNN released new footage after the hearing had concluded of lawmakers seeking all options to reconvene, and Pelosi appearing to be fed up with Trump.
Finally, the Committee held a vote to subpoena Trump to testify before the Committee and provide documents.
Right now, Trump has not said publicly whether he will comply with the subpoena, but he is expected not to do so.
There was much more that was revealed during Thursday’s hearing. For more on the hearing, check out this recap from NPR - The Jan. 6 Committee has voted to subpoena Trump. Here's what else happened
What Zander’s been reading this past week
As the world moves to a renewable future, Greece appears to be ahead of the pack. For about five hours last week, the entire electricity system in Greece ran on 100% renewable energy.
Check out this week’s featured article on Sky News - For five hours last week Greece ran entirely on electricity from solar, wind and water (Link for article on Apple News)
Zander’s Facts Sporting Club
Here are the top sports stories from the past week in the Sporting Club:
Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder was reported to have hired private investigators to learn potentially harmful information on other NFL owners. The allegation is the latest for Snyder, who has been accused and investigated for sexual harassment and toxic workplace culture. Snyder’s attempts to learn dirt on fellow owners is Snyder’s latest attempt to hold on to the Commanders, with the likelihood of Snyder being forced to give up the team growing. NFL league meetings are currently scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
The 2022-2023 NBA season is set to tip off this Tuesday night. the Golden State Warriors reclaiming the top spot in the sport last season, there will be several teams fighting to take away the title this year, including the Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, and more. The new season begins Tuesday with a doubleheader on TNT. At 7:30 pm et, the 76ers take on the Celtics, while the Warriors host the Los Angeles Lakers at 10:00 pm et. By the way, if you want all the facts on the upcoming NBA season, check out the latest edition of the Zander’s Facts podcast.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams has been charged with misdemeanor assault after he shoved a media worker after the Raiders lost to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night. Adams has not suffered any penalties from the Raiders or the league as of Saturday night, but the Raiders are on bye this week.
Week six in the NFL features one game that is clearly above the rest. In an AFC Championship game rematch from last season, Josh Allen and the Bills head to Kansas City to take on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs at 4:25 pm et on CBS. Sunday night features a top matchup in the NFC East featuring the Cowboys and Eagles, with only one combined loss this season between the two teams. At 1:00 pm et this afternoon, the Giants host the Ravens, the Vikings face the Dolphins, and the Bengals face the Saints, among many other matchups. Monday night has the struggling Broncos hosting the Chargers, while the Commanders eked out a 12-7 victory over the Bears on Thursday night.
Week seven in College Football featured the most hyped game of the season so far, and it definitely lived up to the hype. For the first time in 15 years, #6 Tennessee was able to beat #3 Alabama on a last-second field goal, 52-49 with Rocky Top blaring in Knoxville. #5 Michigan hosted #10 Penn State in another top-ten matchup, but Michigan was able to stand strong with a 41-17 win. #13 TCU was able to beat #8 Oklahoma State in 2OT with a 43-30 victory, #18 Syracuse remained undefeated with a 24-9 win over #15 NC State, and #22 Texas sneaked by Iowa State, 24-21. To cap off arguably the best weekend of the college football weekend so far, #4 Clemson held on against Florida State 34-28, #22 Kentucky knocked off #16 Mississippi State 27-17, and #20 Utah pulled off a massive come from behind upset at home over #6 USC with a 43-42 win.
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Rapid-fire Facts
Here are the top news headlines from the past week in rapid-fire fashion:
Right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has been ordered to pay nearly $1 billion to the families of eight Sandy Hook shooting victims. Jones spent years in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook school shooting claiming it was a hoax and attacked family members of the victims on his Infowars platform. In an attempt to avoid paying any damages, Jones declared bankruptcy earlier this year. Jones was on air while the damages were being read out in court, asking for donations from viewers but saying they would not go to any payments towards the families.
United Kingdom Prime Minister Liz Truss appears to be flailing just weeks into the job. On Friday, Truss fired Finance Minister Kwasi Kwarteng and retreated from past positions of tax cuts as the U.K. deals with record-high inflation and stock market troubles. Instead, a new business tax increase will take effect in the U.K. Despite efforts to soothe those worried with the appointment of moderate Jeremy Hunt as chancellor of the Exchequer, there are new reports that suggest the Conservatives are already plotting to remove Truss from her position.
Social Security benefits are set to increase by their highest level in over 40 years. Next year, benefits will rise by 8.7%, with the average recipient receiving over $140 more per month. The increase is due to high levels of inflation, which continued in September. The consumer price index rose 8.2% in September from one year ago and also increased 0.4% from August.
Billionaire Elon Musk is under federal investigation over his planned acquisition of Twitter. Last week, Musk reversed course and announced his intentions to buy Twitter for $44 billion, which he had previously fought in court. Additionally, Musk tweeted on Saturday night that his Starlink internet service would continue to operate in Ukraine, despite previously warning that it could shut down if he did not receive federal funding.
Kroger and Albertsons, the two largest grocery store chains in the U.S., are planning to merge. Kroger, the largest grocery store chain in the country, currently operates several store brands, such as Kroger, Harris Teeter, and Ralph’s. Albertsons also operates Safeway and Vons stores. The deal is likely to face scrutiny not just from the public, but also from the government. The FTC is more likely to act critical of this mega-merger than on previous deals.
Wrapping up the Facts
Before this edition of Zander’s Weekend Facts wraps up, here’s another reminder to check out the latest episodes of the Zander’s Facts podcast. Download and listen to the latest episode of the podcast, along with every episode of Zander’s Facts, wherever you get your podcasts.
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You can also listen to every episode of the podcast on this very website. All Zander’s Facts podcast episodes are now available on zandersfacts.substack.com under the “Zander’s Facts” tab for your enjoyment. That includes Episode 78, which comes out this Wednesday!
That’s a wrap on this week’s edition of Zander’s Weekend Facts. The Facts in print return next Sunday, October 23, 2022.
