Today's Liberal News
DeSantis flirts with the anti-vaccine crowd
The GOP governor has been drifting toward the movement for months.
Judge sets Oct. 1 hearing on DOJ request to freeze Texas abortion ban
U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman’s order keeps the law in effect and allows Texas to make its case opposing the request from Biden’s Justice Department by Sept. 29.
Centrist Democrats scramble House drug pricing effort
The moderates’ stand could complicate Democrats’ push to reform a slew of federal health programs as part of their $3.5 trillion bill.
Why Is Nicki Minaj Doing This? There Are Some Dark Theories.
Four Slate staffers attempt to unpack what happened this week with the rapper, Twitter, the White House, and swollen testicles.
New York’s Delivery Workers Have Been Exploited for Years. Now They’re Fighting Back.
Workers are banding together to support one another and demand better pay and protections.
Help! My COVID-Conspiracist Husband Made an Ominous Threat if I Get the Vaccine.
I want to keep our kids safe but don’t know what to do.
Biden hails ‘strong’ economic recovery despite disappointing jobs numbers
Biden laid blame for the sluggish growth of U.S. jobs on the “impact of the Delta variant” of the coronavirus.
Powell walks high wire as Fed plans to ease support for Biden’s economy
Central bank chief seeks to avoid market turmoil as president weighs tapping him for a second term.
U.S. jobless claims near pandemic low as economy strengthens
Thursday’s report from the Labor Department showed that jobless claims fell to 375,000 from 387,000 the previous week.
House Dem campaign chief warns the majority at risk without message reboot
“We’re not trying to hide this,” the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s executive director said.
Biden’s economic gains come with newer worries about the future
Some economists have already begun to ease back on forecasts for the rest of this year.
El Salvador Becomes First Nation to Make Bitcoin Legal Tender Amid Growing Authoritarianism
Thousands in El Salvador took to the streets Wednesday to protest President Nayib Bukele’s growing consolidation of power and a new law making El Salvador the world’s first country to recognize the highly volatile cryptocurrency bitcoin as legal tender. Protesters in El Salvador are also criticizing a recent court ruling that paves the way for Bukele to run for reelection in 2024.
As Wealthy Nations Debate Giving Booster Vaccine Shots, Calls Grow for Global Vaccine Equity
As the debate over booster vaccine shots heats up in the United States, global health leaders have issued an urgent call for global vaccine equity. The WHO reports vaccination rates on the African continent fall far below its target for 70% of the population of all countries to be vaccinated by mid-2022. “The science is not completely behind the need for booster shots yet,” says Zane Dangor, special adviser to the foreign minister of South Africa, who has called on the U.S.
$100 Million Trump Tower Loan Placed On Bank ‘Watch List’ Over Vacancies
Occupancy drops in Trump’s flagship Fifth Avenue building in Manhattan.
News Roundup: Republicans dig deeper ditch, Sacklers hit roadblock, Biden must spin plates better
Hello, Friday! For many, this past week was one of reflection. For Republicans, that is never an option. While the GOP weeds out the most unhinged members of its caucus, the Biden administration continues its attempts to return us to the 21st century, and the legislative branch of the government has a lot on its plate over the next couple of weeks.
Deplorables think ‘Justice for J6’ rally is a false flag
There are indications that Saturday’s “Justice for J6” rally is going to be a giant dud. For one, some of the leading members of the House Sedition Caucus are shying away from it—even people like Reps. Madison Cawthorn and Marjorie Taylor Greene. Never mind that the guy organizing this effort to wail that those arrested for their roles in the Jan. 6 insurrection get “justice” is a former Donald Trump campaign staffer.
White high school teacher suspended for reportedly using racial slur during classroom discussion
There are plenty of reasons for parents, students, and the community at large to be concerned about schools reopening amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to concerns about vaccines, masks, and immunocompromised family members and peers, however, white people are apparently adding to the stress by using racial slurs in the classroom.
Women Can Avoid Pregnancy With Sexual Abstinence, Texas Law Creator Preaches In Brief
No “sexual intercourse,” no conception, explains former Texas solicitor general Jonathan Mitchell in a brief submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Move over ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, anti-vaxxers are now gargling Betadine
Anti-vaxxers are reaching a point of no return. Despite warnings and consistent advisories to not ingest products that aren’t made to ingest, they just don’t seem to understand. For some reason, anti-vaxxers are willing to try anything but the COVID-19 vaccine itself to cure coronavirus. From drinking bleach to taking ivermectin, anti-vaxxers have now moved onto Betadine, an antiseptic used to treat cuts and scrapes.
France Is Mad
The dining room of the French ambassador’s residence is one of the most beautiful places in Washington, D.C., a confection of frothed plaster overlooking a garden in the poodle-clipped style the French so love. Before COVID-19, the room was known for the discussion sessions held there, hosted by a gracious series of ambassadors. It’s been a long time since anyone was able to enjoy an in-person event at the residence.
Once a GOP rising star, Ohio congressman retires following vote to impeach Donald Trump
Ohio Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, who was one of the 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Donald Trump, announced Thursday evening that he would not seek reelection out of disgust for “the toxic dynamics inside our own party.
You Can Kill Single-Family Zoning, but You Can’t Kill the Suburbs
It will take a lot more than California’s historic duplex bill to make the state affordable.
You Might Want to Wait to Get a Booster Shot
After a long and tense meeting today, an FDA committee unanimously recommended that the agency authorize third shots of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for Americans who are over 65 or at high risk of severe COVID. The vote came after the panel voted overwhelmingly against the original question up for its consideration: authorizing boosters for everyone over 16.
Trump Is Still Begging Georgia Officials To Overturn The 2020 Election Results
Officials in Georgia have repeatedly informed the president that there was no widespread voter fraud in the state.
FDA Advisory Panel Rejects Widespread Pfizer Vaccine Booster Shots
The panel did, however, endorse the extra shots for those who are 65 or older or at high risk of severe disease.
Even Steve Bannon Looks Skeptical About Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Latest Claim
People on Twitter think they spotted side-eye, and sent the term “even Bannon” trending.
CDC study finds Moderna vaccine is best at preventing Covid-19 hospitalization
However, all of the FDA-approved Covid-19 vaccines work well at protecting against Covid-19 hospitalization, the study showed.
Lil Nas X Isn’t a Fad. He’s the Future of Pop.
Charlotte Rutherford / Sony
One of the great mysteries of our lifetime is how the banjo loop and fake drawl of Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” blew up into one of the biggest hits ever. The common explanations for its popularity just don’t suffice. Yes, Montero Lamar Hill is a marketing genius and meme master, but jokes alone don’t get auditoriums of children to sing your song.
FDA panel votes against broad rollout of Pfizer booster shot, endorses narrower use
The panel unexpectedly broke with the Biden administration’s push for a widespread booster campaign this fall.