What we’re reading: Trump’s VP shortlist, new batch of student loan forgiveness and more

By Roderick Villareal, Staff Writer

Published Feb 22, 2024

Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Friday, Feb. 16, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Trump reveals shortlist of vice presidential candidates

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy are among those Donald Trump listed as possible running mates, according to Fox News.

Political pundits view DeSantis joining Trump’s ticket as a long shot, as their camps have had disagreements.

Ramaswamy supported Trump during his first run for president and campaigned many times for him in South Carolina.

Trump also spoke fondly of Republican senator Tim Scott, saying he was “a great advocate.”

“Tim, you’re better for me than you were for yourself,” Trump said.

The Trinity River is seen near where law enforcement found the body of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, Tuesday, Feb. 20, in Livingston, Texas. Divers have recovered the body Cunningham days after the girl went missing, and authorities are preparing to file a murder charge against a friend of her father who lived on her family’s property, a sheriff said Tuesday afternoon. (Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Suspect in death of Texas girl charged with capital murder

Don Steven McDougal was charged with capital murder for the killing of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, according to CNN.

McDougal, a family friend, lived in a trailer on the family’s property and walked Cunningham to the bus stop on the morning that she disappeared.

Video footage and cell phone data put McDougal at multiple areas of interest, including the river where the girl’s body was found.

McDougal joined in the searches for her and claimed innocence on social media.

He has previous convictions of violent crimes and enticing a child.

Florida elementary school confirms sixth case of measles amid outbreak

An elementary school in Broward County, Florida, has reported six cases of the measles since Friday, according to Fox News.

“We expect to receive further guidance from the Florida Department of Health tomorrow and will continue to keep the school and its families updated with the latest information,” said John Sullivan, the chief communications and legislative affairs officer for Broward County Public Schools.

The school is being deep cleaned and the air filters are being replaced in an attempt to prevent the disease from spreading. The origin of the measles in the school is unknown.

Biden announces new batch of student loan debt relief

President Joe Biden announced a new round of student loan cancellation that is expected to impact 153,000 borrowers, according to AP News.

President Joe Biden speaks on student loan debt forgiveness in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. (AP)

Biden stated that a college degree is a ticket to a better life, but that it has become too expensive for students to pay for independently.

“When people have student debt relief, they buy homes. They start businesses, they contribute. They engage,” Biden said.

The SAVE plan will clear more $1.2 billion in loans, and another 7.5 million Americans have joined the new repayment plan in attempts to get their debt paid off.