There's a lot of stuff going on: we're grappling with the loss of Takeoff, COVID cases are slowly creeping back up, and the time just changed. In the midst of all this, we still gotta ask: Did you vote tho?? If not yet, will you be voting?
What the Health
The latest COVID numbers: 97M total cases & 1M total deaths (+281K & +2K from last week) in the US.
The headlines:
In the pandemic, it seems like what hits New York will surely make its way around the rest of the country. Right about now, it’s becoming a hotspot for a new group of sub-variants. Hide (and strengthen) ya immune systems.
RSV isn’t new, but this year, it’s active active. The number of cases we’re seeing now for this cold-like virus (that could also lead to serious infection) is already at December-level highs.
Here’s a plot twist we didn’t see coming: Black folks now have a lower COVID death rate than white people.
Keeping Up with Biden & Harris
The POTUS’ message for why folks need to vote blue is essentially “Democrats will preserve democracy.” Some of his colleagues don’t think his message hit like they need it to.
Because of their refusal to lower gas prices, Biden is considering a windfall tax on oil companies’ record-breaking profits. On the surface it may sound like a good idea, but is it?
Kamala Harris wants women in New York to give Gov. Kathy Hochul a full term.
As they prepare for a potential influx, Biden & crew are considering reopening Guantanamo Bay as a holding center for Haitian asylum seekers. Can someone explain to us why Haitian asylum seekers can’t get the same treatment as Ukrainians?
Congress, What’s Good?
Members of Congress are wrapping up campaigns for the midterms, but headlines are still being made:
Lindsay Graham is clear to be questioned for allegedly attempting to interfere with Georgia’s 2020 Election results (Note: He don’t even represent the state of Georgia. If “You should’ve minded your business” was a subpoena…).
Nancy Pelosi & co. aren’t pressed to get rid of Daylight Savings Time, not even in their (potential) last days of holding the majority.
Manchin blows up on Biden for some recent comments the President made about the coal industry. Y’all know Manchin plays about everything, except for what’s keeping money in his pockets.
While the Senate is supposed to be back in Session on Wednesday and Thursday, it looks like committee hearings themselves will resume next week.
Election Watch: 2022 Midterms
Over 35M people have cast their ballots for the midterms already. Where’s yours at?
Swing states aside, the red wave may also be coming from states that traditionally vote Democrat.
Reminder: there’s never a complete count of votes by the end of Election Day. Depending on the circumstances surrounding close races, it could take days (or weeks) to know who the real winners are.
Y’all. Polls say the Georgia senate race is deadlocked. The fact that so many people are really going out there to vote for Herschel Walker is…so American.
Social Justice Round Up
We were all shocked to learn of the passing of Takeoff (personally our favorite Migo). When will we look at the social & systemic factors that cause our community to mourn the loss of our loved ones–famous or not–due to gun violence?
We love this for them and us: 2 Black radio hosts own the “White Lives Matter” trademark and have no plans of allowing the slogan to be used for profit. Nope, not even that rapper that some of y’all continue to make excuses for.
The racial disparity in Major League Baseball is worsening. In this year’s World Series, there were no US-born Black people on either team’s roster. Is anyone trying to fix the issue?
24 unmarked graves from the 1921 massacre have been found in Tulsa.
Though California positions itself as the land of milk & honey, it still has a long way to go: A man convicted of stealing $14 in coins in 2002 has just been released from prison.
Around the Diaspora
Hurricane Lisa made landfall in Belize City last week. While there thankfully has been no reported loss of life, the country is seeking $11M in aid to help with immediate recovery efforts.
The Ethiopian government and Tigrayan forces agree to a ceasefire after peace talks led by the African Union.
Some Ghanaians want their president out due to inflation, his desire to take out a loan from the IMF to address said inflation & his apparent history of funneling loan funds back into his family’s pockets.
Getting to the Money
Verizon is offering grants to small business owners who do something strange (attend any combination of 2 online courses, community events, or coaching events) for a pretty large piece of change ($10K).
Buying Black
If you wanna buy Black this season, make it easy on yourself with this Black business holiday catalog from ForTheCulture STL. With listings for apparel, eyewear, home decor, and books, we’re confident that this catalog will help you find something for even the pickiest person on your list. (Note: It’s a bit of a long scroll, but don’t let that deter you from finding the gems.)
Culture that Pops
The legendary Lena Horne has become the first Black woman to have her name atop a Broadway theater.
Figure skater Starr Andrews made history last week as the first Black skater to take home the silver at the ISU Grand Prix in Canada.
WonderMan as we know it is getting a makeover. Yahya Abdul-Mateen has been tapped to play the superhero in an upcoming Disney+ Series.