Good morning Her Campus! With a break-neck news cycle, there is no possible way for you to stay on top of every story that comes across your feeds—we’re all only human, after all.
But, life comes at you fast. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this quick and dirty guide to stories you might’ve been sleeping on (like, literally. It’s early.)
Harvey Weinstein Indicted On Rape Charges
On Wednesday, Harvey Weinstein was indicted by a grand jury on rape and criminal sex act charges. “This indictment brings the defendant another step closer to accountability for the crimes of violence with which he is now charged,” read a statement from the Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr.
A grand jury has voted to indict Harvey Weinstein.
“This indictment brings the defendant another step closer to accountability.”https://t.co/LMwICbSZx2
— Cyrus Vance, Jr. (@ManhattanDA) May 30, 2018
Though there are only two women involved in this particular case, “dozens” more women have accused the disgraced Hollywood mogul of sexual misconduct, ranging from “harassment” to “assault in various locales,” according to the Associated Press. Weinstein maintains his innocence, and his lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, said on Wednesday that he’d “vigorously defend” against the indictment.
President Trump Signed The “Right to Try Act”
Trump signed a bill on Wednesday that aims to help terminally ill patients access experimental drugs not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). More specifically, CNN reported that the “Right to Try Act” will allow these patients “the right to seek drug treatments that remain in clinical trials and ‘have passed Phase 1 of the Food and Drug Administration’s approval process’ but have not been fully approved by the FDA.”
At the signing ceremony, Trump said his administration “worked hard” on the legislation. “Thousands of terminally ill Americans will finally have hope, and the fighting chance, and I think it’s going to better than a chance, that they will be cured, they will be helped, and be able to be with their families for a long time, or maybe just for a longer time,” he added.
Most Democrats oppose the bill, but Dem Senators Joe Manchin and Joe Donnelly actually co-sponsored it.
Virginia Votes To Expand Medicaid
On Wednesday, Virginia joined the 32 other states and the District of Columbia that have already expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. According to The New York Times, the state’s Republican-controlled Senate voted to open the public health insurance program to an additional 400,000 low-income adults, beginning next year.
Congrats to #Virginia which expanded #Medicaid to another 400,000 low-income Virginians today! https://t.co/a21UkyXECI pic.twitter.com/dlMWNSPcBu
— Center on Budget (@CenterOnBudget) May 30, 2018
The vote marks the conclusion of a years-long debate over the expansion. “This budget is the culmination of five years of effort to bring our taxpayer dollars home from Washington and expand Medicaid,” said Virginia’s Governor, Ralph Northam, who’s set to sign the bill. “As a doctor, I’m so proud of the significant step we’ve taken together to help Virginians get quality, affordable care.”
What to look out for…
Today is National Meditation Day! Here‘s an explainer on meditation’s benefits and how to get started.