Baltimore Bridge Collapse Caused by Cargo Ship Kills 6, Threatens City Economy

The container ship Dali struck the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26, resulting in the death of 6 construction workers on the bridge. The ridge was closed to traffic just before the Dali lost power and collided with the bridge.

Traffic across the river will be detoured for the foreseeable future to Baltimore’s two tunnels as crews work to remove the fallen bridge, a challenge given the bridge’s size and structure. Baltimore’s port will largely remain closed, posing a threat to the metro area’s economy.

 

Former US Senator and Vice Presidential Nominee Joe Lieberman Dies at 82

Former US Senator and Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Joe Lieberman died Wednesday at 82. His family said in a statement that his death was caused by complications from a fall.

Lieberman, born on February 24, 1942, to a Jewish family in Stamford, Connecticut, attended Yale University for his undergraduate and law degrees. He was elected to the Connecticut State Senate in 1970 as a Democrat, where he later became majority leader. He became Connecticut attorney general in 1983, and in 1988 he challenged incumbent US Senator Lowell Weicker, a liberal Republican. With the support of fellow Yale alumni William F. Buckley, founder of the National Review, and his brother, former Senator James L. Buckley, Lieberman won the Senate seat.

In 2000, Al Gore chose Lieberman as his running mate. The ticket later narrowly lost to George W. Bush. Lieberman lost the Democratic nomination in his 2006 reelection campaign to future governor Ned Lamont, but won the general as an independent. He continued to caucus with the Democrats to maintain his committee assignments.

He endorsed John McCain for president in 2008 and was considered as a possible VP pick for McCain. Lieberman retired from the Senate in 2012.

 

Biden Ramps Up Campaign as Trump Faces Financial Headwinds

The Biden campaign raised around $26 million from a New York City fundraiser last week attended by celebrities and two of the three former Democratic presidents. This adds to the president’s and the Democrats’ large fundraising advantage over Donald Trump and the Republicans.

The fundraiser consisted of musical performances by Queen Latifah and Lizzo, along with a panel discussion with Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton and hosted by comedian Stephen Colbert.

Biden’s team has tapped into their funds for a $30 million ad blitz in the swing states, where he largely trails Trump. Biden has closed some of the gap with Trump in these states, but he still trails Trump in the RealClearPolitics polling aggregate, both in the swing states and nationally.

Trump, facing financial setbacks as a result of his legal troubles, may have gotten a needed boost when his social media company, Truth Social, went public last week under the ticker DJT. The long-awaited listing allowed the company to reach a market capitalization of over $8 billion. Trump’s 58% stake in the company gives the former president $5.2 billion, in addition to his existing wealth from real estate and other investments.

However, a large selloff of his holdings may cause the stock price of Trump Media & Technology Group to fall, reducing the liquid wealth from which he can draw. Trump also faces a lock up period in which he cannot sell his shares for six months. He may, however, obtain a waiver from this restriction or borrow money against his holdings.

 

Former Costa Rican First Lady Marita Camacho Quiros Celebrates 113th Birthday

Marita del Carmen Camacho Quirós, the former First Lady of Costa Rica, celebrated her 113th birthday today. Born on March 10, 1911, in San Ramón, she married businessman and politician Francisco José Orlich Bolmarcich, a descendant of Croatian immigrants, who became president of Costa Rica in 1962, serving until 1966. Both shared March 10 as their birthday. 

During her husband's presidency, she promoted children's education and shelters throughout the country. She and her husband also met US Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson on official state visits.

Her husband died a few years after leaving office at 62 in 1969. Now at 113, Camacho Quirós is the world's oldest former first lady ever, the oldest living Costa Rican, and the 28th oldest living person in the world. She is the oldest living person who remains notable for reasons other than their longevity. 

Camacho Quirós in 1962
Credit: US State Department

More information on her life and images of her throughout her life can be found on her Gerontology Fandom page.

Haley Vows to Stay in Until Super Tuesday

While former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has failed to win any states so far in her quest for the Republican nomination, she has vowed to remain in the primary race until Super Tuesday. Former President Donald Trump has finished first in all states that have voted so far, including Haley’s home state of South Carolina.

Haley is the last major candidate still challenging Trump for the nomination, with all other major GOP challengers dropping out prior to the Iowa caucuses or shortly after. A longshot contender, Texas pastor and businessman Ryan Binkley, dropped out of the race this week and endorsed Trump.

Trump leads Nikki Haley in the RealClearPolitics average of polls 78.7% to 14.5%. So far, Haley has performed much better in each state that has voted than 14.5%, though in Michigan, the latest state to hold its primary, she failed to break 30% of the vote.

Trump’s campaign has appeared to transition to general election campaigning, with Trump choosing not to mention Haley in his victory speech after the South Carolina primary.