This week, four people were shot at an ICE field office in Dallas, the Terence “Bud” Crawford Victory Parade was announced, world leaders gathered in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly and more happened. Here are our picks for the top stories of the week.
U.S.
Trump makes unfounded claims about Tylenol and repeats discredited link between vaccines and autism (AP)
During a White House news conference on Monday, President Trump urged pregnant women to stop taking Tylenol, also known as acetaminophen, and stop giving it to infants, claiming it can increase the risk of autism. He also spoke on long-debunked claims that vaccines cause autism, but offered no medical evidence for either claim.
While a few studies have raised questions about a possible link between acetaminophen use and autism, many others have found no connection and experts say the evidence is inconclusive. Doctors say it is difficult to distinguish between the effects of high fevers during pregnancy and acetaminophen usage, as acetaminophen is used to treat fevers. High fevers during pregnancy can cause issues like miscarriages and other problems.
The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine said they still recommend Tylenol as an appropriate option to treat fever and pain during pregnancy, and the president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said that these accusations that Tylenol causes autism are “irresponsible when considering the harmful and confusing message they send to pregnant patients.”
International
Trump says he now believes Ukraine can take back all of its land after meeting with Zelenskyy (AP)
President Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Tuesday, Sept. 23. “I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO, the original Borders from where this War started, is very much an option.” This marks a shift from Trump’s previous feelings that Ukraine would need to give up land for the war to end.
Learn more about the history of the Russia-Ukraine war here.
Local
Omaha City Council holds hearing on outlawing homeless camps on city property (WOWT)
Omaha Mayor John Ewing and the City Council are taking different approaches to addressing homeless encampments in the city.
On Monday, Sept. 22, Ewing asked the City Council to give him 30 days to study the issue, devise a plan and bring together a dozen local groups to find solutions. Councilman Brinker Harding is pushing for a stricter approach. He proposed a new city ordinance that would outlaw homeless encampments on public property. Violators of this proposed ordinance could face 30 days in jail or a $300 fine.
Many Omaha residents came to the hearing to speak out against the ordinance.
The council is scheduled to vote on the ordinance next Tuesday, Sept. 30.
GEHS
The first marching band competition of the season is tomorrow at Blue Springs High School in Blue Springs, Mo.
Also, the Fall Red Cross Blood Drive is only six days away. The drive on Thursday, Oct. 2, will run from 7:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. in the auxiliary gym.
On Monday morning, Student Council is handing out free donuts from 7:20 to 7:50 a.m. at the concessions stand for students who sign up for the blood drive. Students 16 years or older can sign up online or in person on Monday.
Sports
MLB will use robot umpires in 2026 (AP)
Major League Baseball will introduce robot umpires in 2026 using the Automated Ball/Strike System. Human umpires will still make calls with teams allowed two challenges per game, with additional ones available during extra innings.
Entertainment
Kimmel is back on ABC to big ratings, but some affiliates still refuse to air his show (AP)
“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” returned to ABC on Tuesday, Sept. 23, with nearly 6.3 million viewers tuned in, and the network reported that more than 26 million people watched his return on social media. However, ABC stations owned by the Nexstar and Sinclair corporations opted not to air the show.
Caught our attention
Tracking Trump’s presidential promises (AP)
The AP examined how Trump is keeping, or breaking, his 2024 presidential campaign promises.
Trump has kept promises to pardon those convicted or charged for Jan. 6, 2021, release files on John. F Kennedy’s assassination, withdraw from the Paris Agreement, make expiring tax cuts permanent and declare a national energy emergency.
However, things like ending birthright citizenship, eliminating taxes on overtime pay, tips and social security, cutting energy prices in half, making in vitro fertilization free and more are complicated.
Other promises like closing the Department of Education, firing what he calls “corrupt bureaucrats” from the government and more are in progress.
Have a great weekend, Griffins. Thank you for staying informed.
Please note that our recap highlights a small collection of stories selected by the Wingspan staff for our Gretna East and Gretna community audience. Also, because this article is published on Friday mornings, major news events over the weekend may be covered in the following edition.