Fresh Charges

Hunter Biden is facing an indictment. September 15, 2023 Good morning! We’ll start off with some good news: One of our favorite sitcoms is getting a reboot, and we’ve got [a first look at the trailer](. We’ve also got the scoop on [Shania Twain’s refreshing words about menopause](. Then, we share a [doctor’s tips for making the most out of your appointment]( and examine [the beauty trend more men are taking part in](. Before we get into all that, though, we’re explaining the new charges against Hunter Biden. Thanks for waking up with us.   In the News [Hunter Biden walking into court]( Hunter Biden arrives for a court appearance in July. (Getty Images) Fresh Charges As President Biden campaigns for reelection, his son is in hot water. On Thursday, Hunter Biden was indicted on federal gun charges for allegedly making false statements and illegally possessing a handgun. Here’s what we know so far. Why was Hunter Biden charged? The four-page indictment accuses Hunter of lying about his drug use when he bought a firearm in October 2018. He then possessed that gun — a Colt pistol — for 11 days, which is illegal because he’d falsely claimed he wasn’t addicted to narcotics on an official form. But wait, wasn’t there a plea deal? There was an agreement in the works over the summer under which Hunter Biden would plead guilty to two tax misdemeanors and avoid prosecution on gun charges by enrolling in a diversion program. But that fell through in July after a judge appointed by former President Trump questioned some of its details, particularly around immunity. How much time could he face? The most serious charges carry up to 10 years in prison and as much as $250,000 in fines. But additional charges could be on the way regarding his failure to pay taxes in 2017 and 2018 (which, for the record, he's since paid). This indictment comes as Republicans kick off their [impeachment inquiry into President Biden](, who they allege was improperly involved in his son’s various foreign business dealings in places like Ukraine. So far, they’ve failed to produce any direct link and the White House has denied any wrongdoing.   More Stories [Autoworkers holding strike placards]( Getty Images On strike: For the first time in their union's 88-year history, autoworkers have walked out of Ford, GM and Stellantis plants after the companies failed to settle on satisfactory new contracts for employees. It's a targeted strike for now, swerving the manufacturers' biggest moneymakers. “They want to give the companies some space without putting them up against the wall,” business professor Marick Masters told NBC News. “You put an animal in the corner and it’s dangerous." High alert: About seven million people in Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire are under tropical storm warnings as Hurricane Lee moves north across the Atlantic. Hurricane watches are also in effect for parts of Canada and Maine. Lee is forecast to make landfall between Maine and Nova Scotia, and New England and Atlantic Canada should brace for heavy rain and possible storm surges as soon as today. One to watch: Ukraine's President Zelensky is set to visit President Biden at the White House next week. The meeting comes as Congress weighs Biden's request for a further $20 billion in aid to Ukraine — and as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un continues his trip to Russia with a visit to a fighter jet plant. As CNN notes, U.S. officials recently warned that North Korea and Russia are fast approaching a possible arms deal that could see the former swap weapons for sanctioned ballistic missile technology. Speaking out: Two sisters of Ruby Franke, the [former family YouTuber who's been charged with six counts of felony child abuse](, //link.katiecouric.com/click/32719291.794985/aHR0cHM6Ly9rYXRpZWNvdXJpYy5jb20vbmV3cy9mYW1pbHkteW91dHViZXItY2hhcmdlZC13aXRoLXNpeC1jb3VudHMtb2YtY2hpbGQtYWJ1c2Uv/64ad542fa06bf6ade80ad77fDfb4119cfhave released video statements about her alleged behavior. Julie Deru, who has a family channel called Deru Crew Vlogs, said: “We are kind of in complete shock... because we had no idea of what was happening." “We did not know what they were doing because like we said, we were cut off,” Bonnie Hoellein, also a vlogger, said in her video.   Honoring Our History Today kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to commemorate the values of this vibrant and special community. Here's a look at [the impactful ways our partners at P&G are celebrating](, and we hope you'll take time this month to do your part, too. [Supported by P&G](   Must-Reads [Shania Twain]( "So Unashamed" How's this for a mindset shift: Shania Twain has moving words about why menopause was "a very good thing" for her. [Read More »]( [A doctor touching her watch]( A Matter of Time Feeling frustrated by the 15-minute visits you get with your doctor? We got advice from a physician about how to make the most of them. [Read More »]( [Still from the ''Frasier'' reboot]( The Doctor Is In (Again) Nearly 20 years since it went off the air, Frasier is back for a brand-new reboot — and we've got your first look at this highly anticipated series. [Read More »](   Feel-Good Friday The news can be filled with so much doom and gloom, so to counteract that, from here on out, we’ll be sharing uplifting stories from the past week. We’ll start with this impactful educational investment: A coalition of 40 Historically Black Colleges and Universities will receive a gift of $124 million to help bolster enrollment, graduation, and employment rates. Because HBCUs have long fought against underfunding and systemic bias, there's plenty of reason to celebrate [all the ways the grant will change students’ lives](.   Extra Credit [Princess Diana in the iconic sheep sweater]( Getty Images A pretty penny: Princess Diana's iconic sheep sweater sold at auction, and we've got details at [the eye-popping price it fetched](. Fancy fingers: Who remembers the guyliner trend of the early 2000s, where men would rim their eyes with kohl pencils? We see that fad and raise you, male polish. Here’s [why more men aren’t afraid to rock a mani]( — and not just a clear one. Out of the box: DIY Pop Tarts are taking over breakfasts everywhere, and they’re a lot easier to put together than they may sound. [The Pioneer Woman’s toaster pastries]( are tasty and shockingly simple. Party of one: Traveling with someone else can test relationships, so why not skip all the drama and take a trip by yourself? My friend Martha McCully, a seasoned vet at setting off on her own, shares [the benefits of a solo getaway](.   It's the Little Things Whether or not you’re upgrading to the new iPhone, it’s never a bad idea to protect your tech. This [blue light-filtering screen protector]( can come to the rescue in case you drop your phone, and it filters the harmful effects to your eyes of staring at your screen 24/7.   [Know it all, and help your friends catch up, too. Share Wake-Up Call and you'll earn some superb swag.](   Thank you for reading Wake-Up Call and being part of our community! If you have questions or comments, drop us a line at info@katiecouric.cominfo@katiecouric.com. See you tomorrow! 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