The Hill's 12:30 Report — Supreme Court races through case backlog

Presented by Working Forests Initiative — It's almost showtime in Atlanta, with Trump and Biden gearing up for a verbal brawl.

View Online  12:30 REPORT PRESENTED BY It's Thursday. Is there something happening tonight? I can't put my finger on it. A debate maybe?? Lol, here's what we're covering today: The Supreme Court ruled to temporarily allow Idaho doctors to perform abortions in emergency situations. It's heading back to the lower courts, hence why I said "temporarily." The Supreme Court is expected to miss its late June end date because of a backlog of cases. The talk of tonight's Trump-Biden debate is how the muted microphones will change the dynamic and what energy level both candidates bring. Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis are making "Freaky Friday 2." The New York Times is reporting that two "killer asteroids" are passing the Earth, and you may be able to see one of them.   I'm Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what's coming up. Send tips, commentary, feedback and cookie recipes to cmartel@thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here.   🏛️ News from the Supreme Court Emergency abortions *are* allowed in Idaho. Well, at least for now: ©  AP The Supreme Court ruled this morning that Idaho doctors can perform abortions in medical emergencies, but that may not be a permanent decision.   Why?: The high court sent the case back to the lower courts, meaning the case isn't fully resolved.   Read more on the decision: 'Supreme Court dismisses Idaho emergency abortion care case' ➤  👀 THE COURT IS MOVING INTO OVERTIME: Usually, Chief Justice John Roberts announces on the second-to-last opinion day that the next one will be the last day. Well, Roberts didn't make this announcement today, so there had been increasing speculation that the court will return next week.   ^ And it's official: The court added Monday opinions to its website, missing its usual end-of-June deadline, but it's unclear whether it will stretch longer than that.   Is this unusual?: "The court generally tries to meet its self-imposed deadline of handing down all opinions by the end of June, only missing it in recent memory when the COVID-19 pandemic shifted normal operations. But there is no requirement that the Supreme Court adhere to its normal deadline, save for the justices' desires to maintain their summer plans." (The Hill) And they just blocked Purdue's massive opioid settlement: The Supreme Court rejected Purdue Pharma's years-in-the-making opioid settlement in a 5-4 decision.   What was the agreed-upon settlement?: Purdue had agreed to contribute billions of dollars to victims and to fight the opioid epidemic in exchange for shielding the wealthy Sackler family from civil lawsuits.   Why the court rejected it: The high court decided the bankruptcy court could shield the Sacklers from legal liability.   💡 Why this matters more broadly: "It effectively undoes the years-in-the-making settlement that would've had Purdue Pharma transform into a public-benefit company dedicated to opioid abatement, with the multi-billion contribution from the Sacklers funding those efforts and compensating victims."     Read an explainer on the decision, via The Hill's Zach Schonfeld. 🎤 Tonight's Debate It is debate day.: ©  GIPHY/The Office President Biden and former President Trump will meet in Atlanta tonight for a verbal brawl about who should get to live at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.   Debate logistics, per CNN: Who?: Biden and Trump are the only two to qualify (i.e.: no RFK Jr.). CNN's Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will moderate. Where?: It will happen at CNN's Atlanta studios. When?: It starts at 9 p.m. EDT and will last for 90 minutes, including two commercial breaks. How to watch: It will air on CNN's platforms, as well as simulcasted on some broadcast and cable news networks. What's the deal with microphones?: The mics will be muted throughout the debate *except* when it is each candidate's allotted time to speak. What can the candidates bring on stage?: They cannot have props or pre-written notes. However, they will be given a pen, paper and bottle of water. Will there be an audience?: Nope. Five things to watch: "What version of Trump shows up?" "Does Biden come across as sharp?" "How are Trump and Hunter Biden's guilty verdicts handled?" "Does Trump spar with the CNN moderators?" "Will there be a clear winner?" The Hill's Julia Ms (Mueller and Manchester) explain the context of each question. Have any predictions? Send them my way!   We're 4+ months out. Does this debate really matter?: Actually, yes! Voters have concerns about both candidates, and the polls are very close. The Hill's Niall Stanage reports that Trump and Biden are bracing for how tonight's debate could reshape the White House race. ➤  SIGHTS AND SOUNDS: Check out this DNC billboard in Atlanta: "Donald, welcome to Atlanta for the first time since becoming a convicted felon. Congrats – or whatever …" 📸 The billboard Debate stage walk-through: CNN's Phil Mattingly gives a run-through of how the stage, podiums — and especially the mics — are set up. 💻 Watch   📹 Aerial view of the venue   🍻 Because Google Trends tells me that Americans want a debate drinking game: Ask and you shall receive. USA Today made a bingo card. And The New York Post made one. But please drink responsibly.   Bahaha: The Washington Post's Dave Jorgenson posted a screenshot of a CNN chyron that reads, "DEBATE EVE." "does your family open presents at midnight or the morning of Debate Day," he captioned the post. 📸 CNN chyron This is the first presidential debate in 30+ years not to be overseen by the commission: Biden and Trump went around the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) to make tonight's match-up happen.   The Hill's Jonathan Easley spoke with CPD co-chair Frank Fahrenkopf for The Evening Report newsletter. I mean, we're all curious what he thinks about tonight's debate. ©  GIPHY/Curb Your Enthusiasm The gist: He does not like some of the changes that were made for this debate (such as ad breaks, no audience, timing, etc.) and vows that his commission's debates will "be back in 2028."   You and me both, Frank: Fahrenkopf said he'll be watching tonight's debate with a martini. (I'll be working. But I'm with him in spirit.)   Read more on how the CPD co-chair feels about tonight's debate   Pssst: Sign up for The Hill's Evening Report newsletter. Easley does a great job with it. It's informative and well-written. Content from our sponsor: Working Forests Initiative Working forests are guided by one principle: plant more than we harvest. It's a principle that we put into action every day. In this plot, we planted 4,759 seedlings in a single day. Learn more.  🐝 Internet Buzz 🍦 Celebrate: Today is National Bomb Pop Day and National Ice Cream Cake Day!   🎥 The talk of the internet: The original cast of the film "Freaky Friday" is returning to create "Freaky Friday 2." (E! News) ©  GIPHY/Disney 👂 I've found this list *very* useful; @BrianLaManna_ posted a list of things he wishes he had done sooner. For example: TSA pre-check, LASIK surgery and getting an amazing pillow. He then asked users to add their own favorites. The post has more than 32 million views so far. 💡 Check out peoples' suggestions   ☄️ Wanna see an asteroid?: Two asteroids (which will have no chance of hitting the Earth btw!) are passing by. The first will pass this afternoon, and the second will pass by Saturday morning. Details from The New York Times 🎧 NEW EPISODE 🎧 NEW EPISODE The Switch Up podcast: Race and politics reporter Cheyanne M. Daniels sat down with the Marsha P. Johnson Institute, The Mahogany Project and D.C.'s own Blaq Dinamyte to discuss the connection between Black history and drag performance. Listen here.  📆 On The Agenda The House is in. The Senate is out. President Biden is on his way to Atlanta for tonight's debate. Vice President Harris is in Washington. (all times Eastern) Noon: Biden left Camp David and flew to Atlanta, with a stop at Joint Base Andrews. 3:30 p.m.: Last House votes of the day. 📆 Today's agenda 6 p.m.: Secretary of State Antony Blinken hosts a Pride Month reception at the State Department. 💻 Livestream 11:10 p.m.: Biden and first lady Jill Biden stop by a campaign event in Atlanta. 1:50 a.m. Friday: The Bidens arrive in Raleigh, N.C. 9 p.m.: Is there something happening tonight? (The debate. The debate's tonight.) Today: The Hill released a new episode of The Switch Up podcast, discussing how Black history and drag performance are intertwined. 🎧 Listen (TK LINK) 👋 And Finally... Because you made it this far, I'll leave you with this hilarious problem. A woman has to child-proof her light switches, but not because she has a child … Stay Engaged Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com. A friend forward this to you? Subscribe here.   View past issues of 12:30 Report here and check out other newsletters from The Hill here. See you next time! Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  Sign Up for Other Newsletters 1625 K Street NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20006 © 1998 - 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.