WATCH LIVE: Awaiting jury's decision in CNN defamation trial

Fox News

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBOTQCJ8bis

TikTok ban upheld by Supreme Court days before law takes effect

TikTok faces a ban on Sunday, unless it cuts ties with parent company ByteDance.

ByMax Zahn

January 17, 2025, 10:09 AM

The Supreme Court on Friday upheld a law set to ban social media platform TikTok in less than 48 hours.

"There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement, and source of community," the ruling states. "But Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary."

It continues, "For the foregoing Per Curiam reasons, we conclude that the challenged provisions do not violate petitioners’ First Amendment rights. The judgment of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is affirmed."

The court's ruling was unanimous, with liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor and conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch writing concurring opinions.

Unless TikTok severs ties with China-based parent company ByteDance, the ban will take effect on Sunday, the day before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office.

The ruling follows indication from the Biden administration that it would not enforce the potential ban in the immediate aftermath of the deadline, leaving implementation of the law to Trump. Trump, who opposed the ban, has said he will seek to reverse it.

TikTok which boasts more than 170 million U.S. users challenged the sale-or-ban law on First Amendment grounds, arguing that a potential ban would limit the free-expression rights of its users.

Lower courts, however, found merit in security concerns about potential data collection or content manipulation undertaken by the Chinese government.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/tiktok-ban-upheld-supreme-court-days-law-takes/story?id=117785599

Tyson plant fire sends 25 firefighters, 1 employee to the hospital, officials say

Tyson released a statement thanking emergency personnel for their quick response and stating that operations had already been resumed.

Author: Logan Begneaud, Jose Carranza

Published: 11:20 AM CST January 16, 2025

Updated: 11:23 AM CST January 16, 2025

BERRYVILLE, Ark. — A Tyson plant in Berryville Arkansas sent over two dozen firefighters and 1 employee to the hospital with chemical burns on Jan. 15, according to Carroll County Emergency Management (CCEM).

CCEM confirms that a call came in around 5 p.m. reporting a fire at the plant. First responders were not immediately aware chemicals were involved, but shortly after responding firemen reported a burning sensation on their skin, at which time they began Hazmat procedures.

"One of the guys started feeling a bit of a burning sensation," said Carroll County Emergency Manager Mike McKelvy. "At that point, we noticed that some of the gear was deteriorating, so we immediately halted any more operations."

The fire was contained around 5:40 p.m., and around 25 firefighters and one Tyson employee were transported to a nearby hospital with minor chemical burns, CCEM reports. McKelvy said that 99% caustic soda beads were the cause of the burns.

"It was all skin, most of it was to the lower extremities, just being in the water and kneeling down in the building during the fire," McKelvy said.

The Berryville, Green Forest, Oak Grove, and Eureka Springs fire departments, along with Southern EMS, CCEM, the Berryville Police Department, and the Carroll County Sheriff's Office, responded to the call. McKelvy said the firefighters injured were part of a volunteer department.

"Women and men are donating their time to protect their community, and I hope they continue because they did an outstanding job making sure that their community was safe," McKelvy said.

The emergency manager said the fire gear was now considered contaminated. Crews nearby stepped in to assist the affected departments.

"Washington County Emergency Management guys are currently on their way with extra gear from Washington County and Springdale fire to make sure that our community's safe. And that means a lot," McKelvy said.

Tyson released a statement thanking emergency personnel for their quick response and stating that operations had already been resumed.

"The safety of our team members and the community is our top priority, and we are working closely with authorities to determine the cause of the incident," said Tyson in the statement.

CCEM also confirmed that further reports on the fire are possible, stay with 5NEWS as the story develops.

https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/tyson-plant-fire-berryville-hospital-chemical-burns/527-aa93be95-3e79-45cc-8b31-9ca6e8644da2