Summary‍

Hezbollah and Israel exchanged heavy fire early Sunday, marking a significant escalation in conflict following Israeli airstrikes that killed 45 in Lebanon. A shooting in Birmingham, Alabama, left four dead and 17 injured, with police launching a manhunt for multiple suspects believed to have targeted one of the victims. Former President Donald Trump hinted that the upcoming election might be his last campaign, stating he would not run again in 2028 if he loses in November. Speaker Mike Johnson announced a House vote this week on a stopgap funding bill to prevent a government shutdown before the September 30th deadline. Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson faced further turmoil as four senior campaign officials resigned following the revelation of past inappropriate comments, although he remains committed to his campaign.

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Today's News

Hello everybody! My name is Gabe, today is Monday, September 23rd, and you’re listening to Current2! 

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In Must Know News:

• The militant group Hezbollah traded fire with Israel early Sunday, exchanging hundreds of rockets across the Lebanese border in one of the most significant conflicts and escalations toward all out war since October 7th. Hezbollah’s barrage was in response to Israeli airstrikes last Friday that killed at least 45 people across Lebanon including one senior Hezbollah commander. 
• Four people were killed and 17 more were injured in a shooting late Saturday in one of Birmingham, Alabama’s “most popular entertainment districts,” with a massive manhunt now underway for multiple suspects. Furthermore, Birmingham police have stated that they do not believe this was a random incident, instead putting forth that one of the four killed on Saturday was the gunmen’s intended target.  
• 2024 may be the last presidential campaign we see from Donald Trump. The former president said in an interview Sunday that if he loses November’s election, he won’t be running again in 2028. Trump expressed optimism about returning to the White House, saying “Hopefully, we’re going to be successful.” Opponent Harris leads Trump in most head-to-head polls, but the race is still close, especially in the battleground states needed to secure the presidency.
• On Sunday, Speaker Mike Johnson announced that the House of Representatives will vote this week on a three-month stopgap funding bill to avert a government shutdown ahead of its September 30th deadline. In a letter to colleagues, Johnson said “shutting the government down less than 40 days from a fateful election would be an act of political malpractice.” 
• North Carolina Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson’s disastrous week continues. Four of Robinson’s senior campaign officials have resigned, the campaign announced on Sunday. This comes after a CNN report uncovered lewd comments that Robinson left on a porn website over a decade ago. Robinson has vehemently denied the allegations and has committed to staying in the race.

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That’s all for today, folks! If you liked this episode, be sure to share it with your friends. Have a great Monday and thanks for listening to Current2, the easy way to stay informed!

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Sources:

Hezbollah and Israel trade fire (NPR, AP)

4 killed, 17 wounded in Birmingham, Alabama shooting (CBS)

Trump won’t run in 2028 (The Guardian)

House to vote on bill averting Gov. shutdown (Axios)

4 top officials for Mark Robinson resign (CNN)