YouTuber sentenced, supermassive black hole, and the first computer.

Happy Wednesday! Today’s edition is 703 words, a 3-minute read.

First-time reader? Sign up here!

Big Stories

YouTube mom vlogger sentenced to prison for child abuse

Ruby Franke, a mother known for her online parenting advice on YouTube, has been sentenced to prison on aggravated child abuse charges.

• Franke's 12-year-old son was found malnourished and bound with duct tape, prompting her arrest in August. One of her daughters was discovered in a similar at the home of her neighbor Jodi Hildebrandt.

• Franke and Hildebrant pleaded guilty to child abuse. During the trial Franke apologized to her children, acknowledging her distorted perception of reality, while Hildebrandt expressed hope for the children's healing. The court sentenced Franke to four prison terms of between one and 15 years each.

• The case shed light on "sharenting" dangers, where parents share their parenting beliefs and practices online for a profit. The movement has sparked concerns about privacy invasion and ethical issues. Franke's parenting style had previously raised red flags and she was reported to authorities as early as 2015.

US vetoes UN ceasefire resolution in Gaza

The US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.

• This marks the third time the US has vetoed such a resolution, amidst growing global appeals for a ceasefire due to worsening conditions in Gaza.

• The resolution, led by Algeria, demanded a ceasefire, aid delivery to Gaza, and Israel’s compliance with orders of the International Court of Justice. The US shot down the deal because it believes a hostage deal is still the best chance for all hostages to be reunited with their families and to enable a long pause in fighting.

• However, negotiations for a hostage deal have stalled due to significant disagreements on terms between Israel and Hamas. President Biden's top Middle East adviser is visiting Israel today to talk about the hostage release plan and Israel’s possible military operation in Rafah.

Supreme Court turns away appeal over mask rule violations

The Supreme Court declined to revive a lawsuit by three House Republicans whose pay was reduced for not following a mask mandate on the House floor during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Representatives Thomas Massie, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Ralph Norman were fined for violating the mask mandate, sparking a legal battle that lasted for years. The fines ranged from $500 to over $100,000, depending on the number of infractions.

• The lawmakers argued that the fines violated the 27th Amendment, which prohibits changes in congressional salaries from taking effect until after the next election.

• The lawmakers criticized the decision and said that reducing congressional pay could be used to pressure members into making decisions — especially those who aren’t independently wealthy.

Little Stories

• Missouri prosecutors charged Lyndell Mays and Dominic Miller with murder for their involvement in the shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl parade. The two men, who were strangers, quickly turned an argument into a gunfight, leaving one dead and around two dozen injured. Both suspects were wounded and have been hospitalized since the incident. (More)

• Scientists in Australia discovered a supermassive black hole that's incredibly powerful. It devours the equivalent of one sun daily and is 17 billion times heavier than our sun. Scientists say it’s the fastest-growing black hole ever seen. (More)

• Russia arrested a dual US-Russian citizen, accusing her of treason for allegedly supporting Ukrainian organizations and openly opposing Russia's war in Ukraine. The woman allegedly transferred $51 to a Ukrainian charity on the day of Putin's invasion of Ukraine. She is facing a possible 20-year prison sentence. (More)

• The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos from fertility treatments are “children” under state law. The decision comes from cases where multiple couples had embryos destroyed in an accident at a fertility clinic. (More)

• The College Football Playoff board of managers approved a format that will guarantee the five highest-ranked conference champions entry in the expanded 12-team field this fall. The next seven highest-ranked teams will also make the playoffs. (More)

Extra Credit

The world’s first desktop computers were found in a London estate sale.

The most desired home styles in every state.

Passengers are cheating their way onto planes faster.

How 10 classic foods made their way to America.