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Today’s Big Story

Montana bans TikTok statewide starting in 2024

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) signed a bill into law on Wednesday that bans TikTok in the state starting in 2024.

Why it matters: A number of states, including Montana, have outlawed TikTok on government-issued devices after the FBI warned of possible threats to national security posed by the Chinese-owned social media company. However, Montana is the first state to completely ban the app.

What they’re saying: On Wednesday, Gianforte tweeted “To protect Montanans’ personal and private data from the Chinese Communist Party, I have banned TikTok in Montana.” TikTok released a statement that said the ban is an infringement of the First Amendment rights of the people of Montana and they will defend their users ability to use the app in and out of the state.

Who will it affect? The bill hasn’t been released publicly, but it appears that individual users will not be punished or fined. Instead, app stores that offer TikTok might face a $10,000 penalty for each new download. TikTok could also be fined for each infraction and pay an additional $10,000 penalty per day if it violates the ban.

What’s next? It is unclear how the ban will be enforced but is expected to meet legal challenges before it takes effect. Nonetheless, more states are likely to follow Montana’s lead. In the meantime, Gianforte has also forbidden state employees from using all other social media apps with ties to foreign rivals on state-issued devices.

Little Stories

Business & Economy

*Ex-Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes lost her bid to stay out of prison while she appeals multiple convictions of defrauding the company’s investors. A judge also ordered her to pay $452 million in restitution to the victims of her crimes.

*Taco Bell wants to use the phrase “Taco Tuesday” in its advertising strategies and asked the U.S. Trademark Office to cancel trademarks held by two smaller chain restaurants, Gregory’s Restaurant and Bar and Taco John’s.

World

*Nine people died and thousands were evacuated in northern Italy after rains caused flooding and landslides on Wednesday. Months of drought dried out the region and reduced its ability to absorb water making the damage worse.

*Roxanna Ruiz, the Mexican woman who killed a man in self defense when he attacked and raped her in 2021, was sentenced to six years in prison on Tuesday. Her lawyer will appeal the verdict and said it would be terrible precedent to allow women to protect themselves but only to a certain point.

US News, Politics, & Government

*An Illinois girl, who was kidnapped six years ago by her non-custodial mother, was reunited with her father after being recognized by a stranger who watched a Netflix show about missing persons that featured her story.

*The IRS is working on a pilot program that will allow taxpayers to e-file their federal taxes for free in 2024.

Sports & Entertainment

*The PGA Championship begins today with defending champion Justin Thomas looking to repeat. Liv golf members are in the field, including Phil Mickelson, who has been vocal about his dislike for the PGA’s leadership. Full TV schedule here.

*Manchester City defeated Real Madrid to advance to the Champions League Final. The team can possibly capture the “treble”, which means winning the Premier League title, FA Cup, and Champions League in the same season. Manchester United is the only other English club to achieve it, doing so in 1999.

*Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were caught up in a 2-hour car chase with paparazzi in NY. A spokesperson said six cars with blacked out windows put the couple’s lives in danger. The incident drew similarities to the event that killed Princess Diana.

Science, Health, & Tech

*North Korean leader Kim Jong Un examined a spy satellite on Tuesday that may be launched soon. He said space-based reconnaissance is crucial for countering the U.S. and South Korea.

*The CDC is warning doctors that an mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) surge is possible during the busy summer travel season after 12 confirmed cases occurred in Chicago in the last month.

Extras

*Man indicted in the theft of “Wizard of Oz” slippers worn by Judy Garland.

*A woman pleads not guilty to selling over 20 boxes of stolen body parts.

*The most popular sounds of the internet.