Monday morning news - May 30, 2022

For WORLD Radio, I'm Kent Covington. 

Biden visits Uvalde as DOJ announces review of police response to shooting » AUDIO: [CHOIR]

Many gathered for an outdoor service Sunday in Uvalde, the Texas town still gripped by grief after last week’s massacre at an elementary school.

President Biden and first lady Jill Biden were in town yesterday, where they visited a memorial to the 19 children and two teachers killed at Robb Elementary.

Meantime, questions continue to mount about the police response in the moments following the shooting. Many are asking why officers did not move in more quickly.

Democratic Congresswoman Val Demmings told CBS’ Face the Nation …

DEMMINGS: We all know, post-Columbine, there’s no time to waste, that the officers on that scene are expected to go into those active shooter situations.

And the Department of Justice announced on Sunday it will review the law enforcement response.

DOJ spokesman Anthony Coley said the Uvalde mayor requested the review. He said the goal is “to provide an independent account of law enforcement actions” and “to identify lessons learned and best practices to help first responders prepare” for future active shooter events.

Top Republicans call for tighter school security at NRA convention » Top Republicans over the weekend condemned the horrific shooting in remarks at a National Rifle Association convention in Houston. Among them, former President Trump…

TRUMP: As we gather this week, citizens across this state and across this nation are filled with grief in the wake of the heinous massacre.

He called for stepped-up security at schools across America. That was a message common among most of the speakers.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz echoed another prevailing theme …

CRUZ: What stops armed bad guys is armed good guys.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott did not attend the event as originally planned. Instead, he delivered a video message focusing his remarks on praising the teachers and staff at Robb Elementary School and on healing from the tragedy.

Outside the convention, Abbott’s rival in the upcoming November election, Beto O’Rourke joined a crowd of protesters. O’Rourke was among many Democrats who called on the NRA to cancel the event in the wake of the shooting.

Russians storm city, shell east Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits » Russian and Ukrainian troops traded heavy fire on Sunday as Moscow’s forces stormed a city in eastern Ukraine. WORLD’s Josh Schumacher has more.

JOSH SCHUMACHER, REPORTER: Russian troops charged into Sievierodonetsk after trying unsuccessfully to surround it.

Russian soldiers advanced as the ground quaked from intense shelling. The fighting knocked out power and communications in the city of about 100,000 people.

The area has emerged in recent days as the epicenter of Moscow's quest to conquer all of Ukraine's industrial Donbas region.

Meantime, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a rare visit to the frontline of the war in the city of Kharkiv.

Zelenskyy’s forces pushed the Russians back from positions near the city several weeks ago.

The president visited Ukrainian soldiers stationed near Kharkiv and posted a statement on social media saying—quote—"I feel boundless pride in our defenders. Every day, risking their lives, they fight for Ukraine’s freedom,”

Reporting for WORLD, I’m Josh Schumacher.

Sudanese military to release pro-democracy activists after deadly crackdown » In Sudan, the ruling military says it’s letting pro-democracy protesters out of jail and lifting a state of emergency. The move is reportedly meant to jumpstart talks between the military and the pro-democracy movement.

The announcement follows another violent crackdown on protesters in the streets of the capital city.

Sudanese forces fatally shot one demonstrator in Khartoum. Another suffocated after inhaling tear gas.

Roughly a hundred people have died in government crackdowns on protesters since the military seized power back in October.

But on Sunday, a top general announced that the ruling sovereign council recommended lifting the emergency declaration and releasing all detainees.

Top Gun: Maverick delivers biggest Cruise opening ever » At the weekend box office, it was the biggest opening ever in Tom Cruise’s career. And that is saying something.

TRAILER: Your reputation precedes you. I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting an invitation back. They’re called orders, Maverick.

Top Gun: Maverick finally debuted after repeated delays throughout the pandemic, hauling in an estimated $151 million over the holiday weekend.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness finished second with another $21 million. It has now raked in about $375 million in four weeks of release.

I’m Kent Covington. For more news, features, and analysis, visit us at wng.org. 

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