(WASHINGTON) — Democrats and Republicans joined together on Tuesday in a renewed push to pass federal legislation aimed at safeguarding young people using the internet, as a mother testified her son was driven to suicide by bullying on social media.
With rare bipartisan unity, lawmakers on the Senate Judiciary Committee used a hearing to blame social media companies — “Big Tech” — for blocking attempts by Congress to regulate their platforms.
“I don’t know if any or all of you realize what you witnessed today. But this Judiciary Committee crosses the political spectrum, not just from Democrats to Republicans, but from real progressives to real conservatives. And what you heard was the unanimity of purpose,” the panel’s chair, Sen Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said at the end of the hearing — the first time the 118th Congress has addressed the topic following years of policy proposals hitting snags.
Durbin said committee members would consider the many bills aimed at tech regulation amid the privacy, sexual exploitation and mental health crises among young Americans.
The hearing, called by Durbin and the committee’s top Republican, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, comes after President Joe Biden renewed calls for more restrictions on Big Tech in his State of the Union address.
“And it’s time to pass bipartisan legislation to stop Big Tech from collecting personal data on kids and teenagers online, ban targeted advertising to children, and impose stricter limits on the personal data these companies collect on all of us,” Biden said last week.
While the committee heard testimony from child safety advocates and industry leaders, including the president of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the chief science officer of the American Psychological Association, it did not hear witnesses from tech companies.
One witness, Kristin Bride of Portland, Oregon, detailed how she became an activist after losing her teenage son, Carson, to suicide in 2020 after she said he was the target of floods of anonymous cyberbullying messages on Snapchat.
She described one summer night when her son was 16, when he excitedly shared with his family his day as a new pizza shop employee.
“The next morning, I woke to the complete shock and horror that Carson had hung himself in our garage while we slept,” Bride said, mentioning that investigations later found evidence of the cyberbullying on his cell phone.
Bride has made multiple trips to Washington to testify in hopes of moving the needle on tech regulation for children, specifically the Kids’ Online Safety Act, being pushed by Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee.
The measure requires that social media platforms provide minors with options to protect their information, disable addictive product features, and opt out of algorithmic recommendations, gives parents controls to monitor harmful behaviors and places a responsibility on the platforms to prevent and mitigate harms to minors, such as promotion of self-harm, suicide, eating disorders, substance abuse, sexual exploitation, among other provisions.
On Tuesday, Bride was asked how she felt about repeatedly reliving her experience.
“It is so difficult to tell our stories of the very worst day of our lives over and over and over again and then not see change … we really are looking to call for action, and I am confident that you can all come together and do this for us and for America’s children.”
In addition to the 2023 Kids’ Online Safety Act, the dozens of proposals to restrict Big Tech in Congress include a measure from Graham and Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts that would create a new consumer protection agency to regulate the tech industry and a proposal from committee member GOP Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri to raise the social media age requirement to 16.
Durbin said during the hearing that he would be he is circulating a discussion draft of a bill he has long worked on to curb the spread of child sexual abuse material.
“There are more bills being introduced in this area than any subject matter that I know of. All of them are bipartisan,” said Blumenthal.
Bride, whose lawsuit against Snapchat over what her son’s death was dismissed, said social media companies have long been shielded by a no liability provision for third-party content in Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
“It is almost as if these social media platforms are operating in the days of the Wild West,” Blackburn said Tuesday.
“It’s big tobacco’s … playbook all over again,” Blumenthal said.
Snap Inc. — the parent company of Snapchat — did not immediately respond to an ABC News request for comment for this story.
(NEW YORK) — A man driving a U-Haul was “suffering from a mental health crisis” and was off his medication when he allegedly struck nine people with the rented box truck in Brooklyn on Monday, one of whom died, NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said.
The suspect, Weng Sor, told police he saw an “invisible object” come toward his vehicle and said, “I’ve had enough” before beginning what police later called a “violent rampage” through Brooklyn, Essig said.
Sor, 62, was charged Tuesday with one count of murder and seven counts of attempted murder.
The incident left four people hospitalized, two in critical condition and two in serious condition, according to police.
Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell promised to work with the Brooklyn DA’s office to achieve a “measure of justice” for the victims.
One victim, a 44-year-old, died from his injuries, police sources later told ABC News.
The NYPD said the victims range in age from 30 to 66 years old.
One of the eight injured was a police officer who tried to stop the driver, Sewell said.
According to Essig, when police finally stopped Sor near the Battery Tunnel, he said to the officers, “You should have shot me.”
Sor lives with his mother in Las Vegas, where he has eight prior arrests dating back to 2002 for DWI, evading a police officer, battery, resisting arrest, domestic battery and battery with a deadly weapon, according to authorities.
He was also stopped in South Carolina in the rented U-Haul on Feb. 5 for reckless driving and marijuana possession, police said.
Sor rented the U-Haul in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 1 and remained in the state through Feb. 4, which police said they confirmed through ATM withdrawals.
On Feb. 6, he showed up at the Brooklyn residence of his son, from whom he is estranged, to shower. He returned to Brooklyn Monday after driving through Millburn, New Jersey, a day earlier, Essig said.
Police said the rampage lasted more than an hour, beginning at 10:20 a.m. in Sunset Park, continuing through Bay Ridge before finally ending at 11:24 a.m. in Red Hook.
U-Haul said in a statement that the truck was rented for 30 days with a return date of March 3, and that the daily cost of the rental was paid in advance and on a valid contract.
“It was an in-town rental, meaning the equipment was supposed to be returned to the location from which it was dispatched,” U-Haul said. “Our customers provide valid identification/driver’s license, valid form of payment, and any additional forms of meaningful assurance our rental agents deem necessary to try to make certain our equipment will be returned in proper condition, and at the stipulated time and place. These criteria must be met before a transaction occurs.”
ABC News’ Emily Shapiro contributed to this report.
Tool‘s Adam Jones has announced a new guitar in his Les Paul Custom Art Collection line with Epiphone.
As previously reported, the Les Paul Custom Art Collection features seven unique recreations of Jones’ beloved Silverburst Les Paul, each featuring artwork from one of five acclaimed visual artists. The latest guitar features a 1968 piece called “The Berserker” by Frank Frazetta, which was previously used as the cover for the novel Conan the Conqueror.
“I was 13 years old when I first heard the Tool song ‘Schism,’ it immediately resonated with me on a spiritual level and I’ve been a fan ever since,” says the late Frazetta’s granddaughter Sara Frazetta. “To collaborate with Adam Jones and my Grandfather’s artwork on this gorgeous new Epiphone Art Collection of guitars has been amazing and seeing the guitars, it’s clear Frazetta’s art was destined for guitars.”
For more info on “The Berserker,” which goes for $1,299, visit Epiphone.com.
Jones has previously released signature guitars with Epiphone’s parent company, Gibson.
(EAST LANSING, Mich.) — Three students were killed and five others were wounded in Monday night’s mass shooting at Michigan State University.
The Michigan State University Police Department has released the names of the young lives lost.
Arielle Anderson
Arielle Anderson was a junior from Grosse Pointe, Michigan.
Her family remembered her as a “precious daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, and friend” in a statement shared Tuesday evening through her mother’s employer, Comerica Bank.
“As much as we loved her, she loved us and others even more,” the family said. “She was passionate about helping her friends and family, assisting children and serving people.”
Anderson, who was described as “sweet and loving with an infectious smile,” wanted to be a surgeon, her family said.
“Driven by her aspiration to tend to the health and welfare of others as a surgeon, she was working diligently to graduate from Michigan State University early to achieve her goals as quickly as possible,” the family said.
“We are absolutely devastated by this heinous act of violence upon her and many other innocent victims,” the statement added.
Brian Fraser
Brian Fraser was a sophomore, also from Grosse Pointe.
Fraser was president of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity at Michigan State.
“As the leader of his chapter, Brian was a great friend to his Phi Delt brothers, the Greek community at Michigan State, and those he interacted with on campus,” Phi Delta Theta said in a statement.
Alexandria Verner
Alexandria Verner was a junior from Clawson, Michigan.
Verner, who graduated from Clawson High School in 2020, “was a tremendous student, athlete, leader,” Clawson Public Schools said in a statement.
She “exemplified kindness every day of her life,” the school district said. “If you knew her, you loved her and we will forever remember the lasting impact she has had on all of us.”
Verner is survived by her parents, sister and brother, according to the school district.
(EAST LANSING, Mich.) — Three students were killed and five other students were injured by a gunman who opened fire at an academic building and the student union on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing on Monday night, police said.
After an hourslong manhunt, police found the 43-year-old suspect, Anthony McRae, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound off campus.
All five injured students remain in critical condition Tuesday morning, officials said.
Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern:
Feb 14, 6:27 PM EST
Victim Arielle Anderson remembered for passion to help others
Arielle Anderson, a junior from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, was one of the three Michigan State students killed in the shooting. Her family remembered her as a “precious daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, and friend” in a statement shared Tuesday evening through her mother’s employer, Comerica Bank.
“As much as we loved her, she loved us and others even more,” the family said. “She was passionate about helping her friends and family, assisting children and serving people.”
Anderson, who was described as “sweet and loving with an infectious smile,” wanted to be a surgeon, her family said.
“Driven by her aspiration to tend to the health and welfare of others as a surgeon, she was working diligently to graduate from Michigan State University early to achieve her goals as quickly as possible,” the family said.
“We are absolutely devastated by this heinous act of violence upon her and many other innocent victims,” the statement added.
Feb 14, 3:26 PM EST
University releases names of victims
The three Michigan State students killed in the shooting have been identified by university police.
Brian Fraser, a sophomore, and Arielle Anderson, a junior, were both from Grosse Pointe, Michigan.
Alexandria Verner, a junior, was from Clawson, Michigan.
Five other students remain in the hospital in critical condition following the attack.
Feb 14, 2:19 PM EST
Suspect walked from his home to campus, viewed himself as ‘loner’
The FBI offered new details on the suspected gunman in a confidential briefing to law enforcement on Tuesday.
Investigators have determined 43-year-old Anthony McRae walked from his home to Michigan State and had no connection to the university or the victims.
Authorities said that when McRae was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, he had a “3-page document expressing his reasons for the attack and a number of additional locations in Lansing and Holt, Mich.; Ewing Township and Franklin Park, NJ; and Colorado Springs, Colo., which had ‘hurted’ (sic) him and, therefore, were deserving of attack.” Agents believe he had “personal grievances” with people at those locations.
McRae lived with his father, who is cooperating with the investigation, the FBI reported.
Investigators said the suspect’s writings confirmed he “was often alone.” The briefing said the gunman viewed himself as “a loner” and an “outcast” who was “never noticed or accepted by others.”
-ABC News’ Josh Margolin
Feb 14, 1:12 PM EST
Biden urges Congress to ‘enact commonsense gun law reforms’
President Joe Biden said in a statement Tuesday, “Our hearts are with these young victims and their families, the broader East Lansing and Lansing communities, and all Americans across the country grieving as the result of gun violence.”
Biden noted that the Michigan State mass shooting came one night before the U.S. marked five years since the Parkland, Florida, high school massacre. In the Feb. 14, 2018 school shooting in Parkland, 17 students and staff were gunned down.
“I have taken action to combat this epidemic in America, including a historic number of executive actions and the first significant gun safety law in nearly 30 years, but we must do more,” Biden said.
He stressed, “Congress must do something and enact commonsense gun law reforms, including requiring background checks on all gun sales, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, closing loopholes in our background check system, requiring safe storage of guns, and eliminating immunity for gun manufacturers who knowingly put weapons of war on our streets. Action is what we owe to those grieving today in Michigan and across America.”
Feb 14, 1:04 PM EST
Timeline of the shooting
The first active shooter call came in at 8:18 p.m. from Berkey Hall, an academic building, and the university immediately told students to shelter in place, the Michigan State University Police Department said.
Shots were fired soon after at the student union.
At about 11 p.m., the suspected gunman was seen on campus security cameras, police said.
Images of the suspect were shared with the public at 11:18 p.m., police said.
At about 11:35 p.m., a caller’s tip led police to the suspect, authorities said.
Feb 14, 12:36 PM EST
Suspect had 2 guns, numerous magazines
The suspected shooter, 43-year-old Anthony Dwayne McRae, lived in Lansing, officials said.
The shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound as law enforcement was approaching, a law enforcement source briefed on the situation said.
The source added that a firearm was recovered at the scene, and a second firearm was found in a backpack along with numerous magazines.
McRae served 18 months in prison between 2019 and 2021 on a weapons charge for having a loaded weapon in his vehicle, according to Michigan’s Department of Corrections.
-ABC News’ Lucien Bruggeman, Luke Barr and Josh Margolin
Feb 14, 12:25 PM EST
Michigan State police releases names of 2 victims
Two of the three Michigan State students killed in the shooting have been identified by university police.
Brian Fraser, a sophomore, was from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, while Alexandria Verner, a junior, was from Clawson. Authorities said they will not be naming the third victim at the request of the family.
Five other students remain in the hospital following the attack.
Feb 14, 11:56 AM EST
Shock, fear, confusion at Michigan State
At Michigan State, students and staff are overcome with shock, fear and confusion, Lansing Mayor Andy Schor told ABC News’ GMA3.
“It’s a terrible time. No mayor, no governor, no elected official ever wants to be up all night or wake up to a situation like this,” he said.
Schor said mental health resources are available.
Schor said the five injured students “are critical but stable.”
“It’s touch and go,” he said. “and the doctors are doing their best to work as aggressively as possible.”
Feb 14, 11:02 AM EST
Suspect had note indicating threat to NJ schools
When the suspect, 43-year-old Anthony McRae, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said there was a note in his pocket indicating a threat to two public schools in Ewing, New Jersey, according to Ewing police.
McRae had local ties to Ewing but hasn’t lived in the area in several years, police said.
Ewing Public Schools are closed on Tuesday out of an abundance of caution, police said. However, no threat has been found and schools are expected to reopen on Wednesday, police said.
McRae “had a history of mental health issues,” police added.
Feb 14, 8:47 AM EST
No motive known
No motive is known, police said. The 43-year-old suspect, Anthony McRae, had no known connection to the university, according to authorities.
After police released the suspect’s photo, a tip from a caller led authorities to finding him, officials said.
A search warrant has been executed at a home, police said.
Feb 14, 8:14 AM EST
Michigan leaders call out US gun violence
At a news conference Tuesday, Michigan leaders called out the prevalence of U.S. gun violence.
Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., said, “I cannot believe I am here again doing this 15 months later,” speaking at the scene of another Michigan school shooting, referring to the November 2021 mass shooting at Oxford High School where four students were killed and several others were injured.
“I am filled with rage that we have to have another press conference about our children being killed in schools,” she said.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer added, “We’re all broken by an all-too-familiar feeling.”
“We cannot keep living like this,” she said. “Our children are scared to go to school. People feel unsafe in their houses of worship or local stores.”
Feb 14, 6:00 AM EST
City manager thanks ‘brave’ first responders after ‘horrific act of violence’
Interim East Lansing City Manager Randy Talifarro described Monday night’s mass shooting at Michigan State University as a “horrific act of violence.”
“The City of East Lansing is mourning the devastating shooting that occurred on the campus of Michigan State University tonight,” Talifarro said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to all of the victims of this horrific act of violence as well as their family and friends. East Lansing and MSU have always shared in each other’s victories and each other’s losses. Tonight, we hold space while we grapple with this devastating loss of life together.”
Talifarro also thanked the “brave first responders who quickly responded to MSU’s campus.”
“Against every natural instinct they ran towards the sound of danger, seeking not their own wellbeing, but instead to protect and serve those in need,” he said. “And we stand shoulder to shoulder with everyone impacted by tonight’s events. Please know that you’re not alone in your grief. We stand with you and will be here as we seek to heal as a community.”
City buildings and offices, including city hall, the public library and the district court, will be closed to the general public on Tuesday. Essential city employees will be reporting to work.
Drop-in counseling services will be available for members of the community at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center beginning at 9 a.m. ET.
Pentatonix will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 21, becoming the 2,748th star in the Live Performance category. They will also become the first a cappella group to make it onto the Walk of Fame. Their star will be placed between Etta James‘ and Cole Porter‘s.
Sinéad O’Connor has lent her voice to the opening credits of season 7 of the Starz hit series Outlander. She sings the show’s theme, “The Skye Boat Song,” which features a new performer and arrangement each season.
Shakira seemingly shaded ex Gerard Piqué with her latest TikTok, in which she lip-syncs to SZA‘s “Kill Bill” — a song that fantasizes about murdering her ex and his new girlfriend. Shakira sings while mopping a floor in platform heels. Shakira and Piqué dated for 11 years before going their separate ways in June.
Andy Grammer and AJ McLean honored late friend Stephen “tWitch” Boss in a celebration of life service on Saturday, People reports. Grammer was one of the performers at the solemn event. Stephen died by suicide in December. He was 40.
If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or worried about a friend or loved one, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 [TALK] for free, confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Shakira seemingly shaded ex Gerard Piqué with her latest TikTok, in which she lip-syncs to SZA‘s “Kill Bill” — a song that fantasizes about murdering her ex and his new girlfriend. Shakira sings while mopping a floor in platform heels. Shakira and Piqué dated for 11 years before going their separate ways in June.
Lollapalooza Stockholm unveiled its lineup for 2023, which includes headliners Kygo, Lizzo, Zara Larsson and Lil Nas X. Other artists playing the event, which runs from June 29 to July 1, include OneRepublic, Sabrina Carpenter, Icona Pop, The 1975 and beabadoobee.
Speaking of beabadoobee, who is one of the openers of Taylor Swift‘s upcoming Eras Tour, she released “Glue Song,” which is about falling in love with a person who could be the one.
Andy Grammer and AJ McLean honored late friend Stephen “tWitch” Boss in a celebration of life service on Saturday, People reports. Grammer was one of the performers at the solemn event. Stephen died by suicide in December. He was 40.
If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or worried about a friend or loved one, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 [TALK] for free, confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
With 31 superhero movies under his belt, one might think there weren’t many heroes Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige would be excited to meet — but Harrison Ford was one of them.
Feige explained toEntertainment Weekly what it was like landing Ford as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, replacing the late William Hurt in the fourth Captain America film.
“I’m sure anyone you’ve ever talked with about Harrison Ford says this, but it’s unbelievable that we get to meet and talk with him and that he’s embracing this role,” Feige enthuses.
“He’s tireless with the amount of work that he does. This is certainly a big part for Thaddeus Ross. He’s the president of the United States in the film. And with Harrison, you think about Air Force One, and you think about some of his confrontations with the president in Clear and Present Danger.”
He adds of Anthony Mackie‘s character, who has taken up the mantle of Cap from his pal Steve Rogers, “There’s a dynamic between President Ross and Sam Wilson. They have a history together, but in this film, we’ll be seeing the dynamic between Captain America and the president of the United States in a way that is just incredible.”
Feige adds, “This has been a dream for years, ever since Jon Favreau cast Harrison Ford in Cowboys and Aliens. I was always very jealous of that, so to have him finally in the MCU is just incredible. It’s like, I can cross that off the wishlist.”
The studio head says the fourth Cap movie will start shooting “relatively soon.”
Marvel Studios is owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News.
Usher‘s been cooking up a music video for his new song “GLU,” which apparently features model Lori Harvey. He gifted fans a teaser Tuesday in celebration of Valentine’s Day.
“You’ll thank me later. GLU #SlowJams #BlackMusic,” Usher captioned his post on TikTok. On Instagram, he wrote, “Happy Valentine’s Day. You’re welcome. GLU.”
In the posted clip, Lori’s captured walking through a room, pulling on leather straps, touching her body, showering and stretching on a mat. As the leading lady of the video, she also shared the teaser on her Instagram alongside a “Happy Valentine’s Day” to her followers.
Selena Gomez is tired of the same old drama between her and Hailey Bieber, who married her ex Justin Bieber almost five years ago.
But the drama was dredged back up when fans thought Hailey made a video shading Selena. The timing came shortly after tabloids appeared to be poking fun at Selena’s weight when posting photos of her vacationing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, last month.
The January video saw Hailey and pal Kendall Jenner lip-syncing to the viral sound, “I’m not saying she deserved it, but I’m saying God’s timing is always right.”
Hailey deleted the video soon after — but not before others saved and posted it elsewhere.
Fans began offering commentary on Hailey’s video; eventually Selena shared her two cents on the controversy. She responded to one fan video, which had been slamming Hailey, writing, “It’s ok! I don’t let these things get me down! Be nice to everyone!”
Hailey previously denied that she was shading the singer and commented on a separate fan reaction video. The model said, “I never comment on this type of thing but we were just having a girls night and did a random tik tok sound for fun. It’s not directed at anyone.”
Both Hailey and Selena have told fans things are good between them and that they’re moving on from the drama that erupted in 2018. Fans freaked out when Justin proposed to Hailey two months after he and Selena ended their on-and-off-again relationship for good.
Incidentally, Selena previously explained her fluctuating weight is caused by the medication she takes for her health issues, including lupus and kidney problems.
