1. PUSH FOR DISMISSAL OF 96-YR-OLD JUDGE’S LAWSUIT
Judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals investigating their 96-year-old colleague have asked a federal court to dismiss her lawsuit trying to block the rare probe. They say the lower court has no jurisdiction over appeals’ internal affairs. It’s the latest twist in a fight over Judge Pauline Newman’s fitness to stay on the job. The committee formed after court staff reported the Reagan-appointee exhibited memory loss, anger, confusion, and a heavy case backlog. A July mediation attempt failed, with her neurologist calling the committee’s report a distortion of his findings and members recommending Newman be suspended one year from hearing new cases for not complying with their investigation.
2. SCOTUS ASKED IF K-9 TRESPAWSSED AT TRAFFIC STOP
Did Nero the K-9 chew up the Constitution’s claws against unreasonable searches? That question could SIT! before SCOTUS. In 2019, Idaho police pulled over a swerving driver. When Nero and his handler approached the car, the dog, no bark-a-lounger, signaled he smelled drugs, jumping up and planting his paws on the driver’s door and inside his window. Police searched his car and then his motel room and found meth. A divided Idaho Supreme Court overturned his felony drug conviction, calling Nero’s paws patrol a warrantless search. Predicting where the Supremes would fall if they hear the case is difficult. They’ve walkies! in both directions regarding K-9-initiated searches.
3. U.S. SECRETIVE ABOUT UFOS COMPARED TO OTHERS
Close encounters with UFOs pepper Brazil’s historical archives. The U.S. has similar files. But unlike Brazil and much of South America, where such reports are publicly accessible, anybody on a galaxy quest to learn about UFO sightings in the U.S., needs high-level security clearance. So, if E.T.’s trying to phone home from California? That’s top secret. There are signs that could change. Recently members of Congress have unleashed a war of the words, pushing for more transparency. Researchers say what’s shared usually comes down to military interests. Historically, the U.S. ender’s game has been denial or secrecy out of fears it could cede strategic info to military adversaries.
4. MAKIN’ BACON! 6 DEGREES OF SEPARATION’S REAL
And you thought “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” was just a drinking game. Turns out it’s based on a proven mathematical phenomenon. Players pick a random celebrity and must link them to another actor via a film they appeared in together until they connect to Bacon – within six degrees. Researchers did the math and say six really is the magic number for connecting two random individuals in society. A study of various networks found social paths center around the number six. Experts say understanding these mechanics has broad implications for improving social platforms, transportation systems, or even predicting the spread of diseases. That’s right, COVID spread in six infection cycles.
5. FLA MAN & HAMSTER WHEELER NO LONGER ROLLING
While prepping for an approaching hurricane, the U.S. Coast Guard was also trying to stop bad ideas – like the Florida man attempting to run across the Atlantic on his homemade hamster wheel of buoys and wires. What could go wrong? It’s more a matter of what has gone wrong. This is the Coast Guard’s fourth go ‘round with him. They’ve rescued him from three other “runs.” This time officers intercepted him off Georgia’s coast. He refused to let go of the wheel for several days, even saying he had a bomb. That was fake, but the federal criminal charges he’s facing are real.
