The makers of "Sesame Street" say Bert and Ernie, the classic feuding Muppets who appeared on the popular children's television show, are not gay. The statement came Tuesday after former "Sesame Street" writer Mark Saltzman gave an interview to online LGBT magazine Queerty Sunday saying the characters were gay. "I always felt that without a huge agenda, when I was writing Bert & Ernie, they were. I didn't have any other way to contextualize them," Saltzman said. "I don't think I'd know how else to write them, but as a loving couple." "Sesame Street" denies the claim, however, saying the characters are simply "best friends."
Lawyers for Christine Blasey Ford say that before she testifies on Capitol Hill next week, she wants the FBI to investigate her allegation that she was sexually assaulted by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. But the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Iowa's Chuck Grassley, says an FBI investigation wouldn't have any bearing on Ford's testimony so "there is no reason for further delay." Other Republicans are suggesting that Ford will have only this one opportunity to testify.
Two people being transported in a sheriff's office van in South Carolina died Tuesday when the vehicle was overcome by floodwaters, the Horry County Sheriff's Office confirmed. The vehicle, staffed by two Horry County deputies, was transporting two detainees from Conway to Darlington and was traveling west on Highway 76 around a half mile from the Little Pee Dee River when the vehicle was overtaken by flooding from Hurricane Florence, according to an emailed statement from the sheriff's office.
The Associated Press reported the detainees were two women.
There seems to be a lot being accomplished at the summit between the leaders of North and South Korea. The two countries announcing they plan to establish a joint military committee to evaluate how to reduce tensions and maintain communication to defuse crises and prevent accidental clashes. Overnight, the two Koreas released a joint statement saying they have agreed to seek to obtain the rights to co-host the 2032 Summer Olympics.
One of Elizabeth Smart's kidnappers is being released from prison today. Wanda Barzee aided in kidnapping then-teenager Elizabeth Smart in 2002 and helped hold her captive for nine months. The Utah Board of Pardons announced that Barzee will be freed from prison today after 15 years in custody because Utah authorities miscalculated the amount of time she should serve. Smart has spoken out about how she believes Barzee is still a danger to the public and shouldn't be released.
