It’s time for another installment of AirTalk’s recurring series The Update. Much of the time media outlets focus on the latest analysis and the news of the day. But where does a story go when it falls off the front page? We aim to find out. Today, we catch you up on Representative Gabrielle Giffords. On January 8, 2011, the Democratic Congresswoman representing Southern Arizona was the victim of a shooting rampage in Tucson. Giffords was critically injured by a gunshot wound to the head. Thirteen others were injured and six people were killed, including federal judge John Roll. The next day, federal officials charged the alleged shooter, 22-year-old Jared Loughner, with attempting to assassinate a member of Congress. For weeks on end, news headlines were dominated by updates on Giffords’ rehabilitation and Loughner’s mental and legal issues. On January 12, President Obama visited Giffords in the hospital. In a moving memorial ceremony for those killed at the scene, Obama publicly stated that Giffords had “opened her eyes for the first time” that day. The world was riveted by each incremental health update, Gifford’s attendance at her husband’s final shuttle launch and her dramatic surprise return to Congress on August 1st to vote for the debt ceiling deal. As for Loughner, he has yet to stand trial. His mental condition is said to have severely deteriorated during an 18-day period when he was taken off anti-psychotic meds – at his defense camp’s request. We’ll get the latest on Loughner’s defense and Giffords’ “miraculous” and continuing recovery. Will she run for Congress again? Who are the emerging challengers to her seat? Will Loughner ever stand trial?
Guests:
Ted Robbins, NPR correspondent based in Tucson, Arizona
Tim Steller, Senior Reporter, Arizona Daily Star