Jan 29, 2019

FBI unable to determine Vegas shooter's motive beyond death, infamy

A makeshift memorial to the victims. Photo: Yichuan Cao/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Following its months-long investigation into the man who murdered 58 people in Las Vegas in October 2017, the FBI has determined that the only discernible motive for 64-year-old Stephen Paddock was his desire to kill as many people as possible and gain "some form of infamy," according to AP.

Why it matters: Ever since Paddock carried out the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, opening fire on concertgoers from his hotel room, there has been confusion about his motives. According to the FBI, the attack was not about targeting "a specific casino or venue," but about destruction and notoriety. As AP points out, Paddock "took whatever motive might stretch beyond that to his grave."

Go deeper

Axios

Updated 30 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 4 p.m. ET: 31,175,205 — Total deaths: 962,076— Total recoveries: 21,294,229 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 4 p.m. ET: 6,829,956 — Total deaths: 199,690 — Total recoveries: 2,590,695 — Total tests: 95,121,596 — Map.
Health: CDC says it mistakenly published guidance about COVID-19 spreading through air.
Media: Conservative blogger who spread COVID-19 misinformation worked for Fauci's agency.
Politics: House Democrats file legislation to fund government through Dec. 11.
World: "The Wake-Up Call" warns the West about the consequences of mishandling a pandemic.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)

Axios

54 mins ago - Politics & Policy

McConnell: Senate has "more than sufficient time" to process Supreme Court nomination

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a floor speech Monday that the chamber has "more than sufficient time" to confirm a replacement for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg before the election, and accused Democrats of preparing "an even more appalling sequel" to the fight over Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation.

Why it matters: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has said "nothing is off the table next year" if Republicans push ahead with the confirmation vote before November, vowing alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) to use "every procedural tool available to us to ensure that we buy ourselves the time necessary."

Go deeper (1 min. read)

Alayna Treene

3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

House Democrats file legislation to fund government through Dec. 11

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

House Democrats on Monday released their proposal for short-term legislation to fund the government through December 11.

Why it matters: This is Congress' chief legislative focus before the election. They must pass a continuing resolution (CR) before midnight on Oct. 1 to avoid a government shutdown — something both Hill leaders and the White House have claimed is off the table.