Three Things for October 4
1. Brittney Griner’s appeal date set in Russia
After WNBA star Brittney Griner was convicted on Aug. 4 of drug possession, a judge in Moscow has set an appeal date for Oct. 25.
Griner was arrested in February and has been detained in Russia since her arrest. Despite pleas for her release from American athletes, actors, and a fugitive trade proposal from President Biden, Russian authorities have not shown any signs of relinquishing the basketball star.
President Biden offered to exchange Griner for Russia Viktor Bout, a Russian fugitive serving 25 years to life in the states, but “the White House said it has not yet received a productive response from Russia to the offer.”
For more information on Brittney Griner’s status in Russia, click here.
2. Apple announces release date of Will Smith’s ‘Emancipation’
Months after the Will Smith’s heated exchange with Chris Rock at the Oscars, Apple has given the green light to release his latest film.
“Emancipation” wrapped up filming in the summer of 2021, and the film’s administrators had planned to release the film in early 2022.
According to the Associated Press, the film was directed by Antoine Fuqua and expected to compete for several Oscars, but after Smith’s suspension from attending the Oscars, many wondered whether the film would be released at all.
Ultimately, the film is set to debut on Dec. 2 in theaters and stream online Dec. 9. As of now, Smith still “remains eligible for an Oscar nomination.”
For more information, click here.
3. Hurricane Ian death toll surpasses 100, citizens attempt to recover
Days after Hurricane Ian left the Sunshine State, the death toll continues to rise, the death toll continues to rise through ten different counties in Florida.
Many Floridians who took shelter during the storm emerged from their homes over the weekend to a new reality. Now, they look to rebuild homes, businesses, and different infrastructure.
If you’d like to help rebuild impacted communities in Florida, click here.
