Robert Downey Jr. will sue executives if they recreate him with AI
Robert Downey Jr. is the latest star to make it clear he doesn’t want his likeness recreated by artificial intelligence. On a recent episode of the “On With Kara Swisher” podcast, the actor said he would sue all executives who allow an AI created version of him.
When he talked about his role as Iron Man, Downey Jr. said that while he doesn’t think Marvel executives would ever recreate his portrayal of Tony Stark, he would sue if they tried – even after he dies.
“I am not worried about them hijacking my character’s soul because there’s like three or four guys and gals who make all the decisions there anyway and they would never do that to me, with or without me,” Downey Jr. said.
Swisher added that new executives would likely do it.
“Well, you’re right,” Downey Jr. said. “I would like to here state that I intend to sue all future executives just on spec.”
“You’ll be dead,” Swisher responded.
Downey replied, “But my law firm will still be very active.”
Last year, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists led a strike over the same issue. Those strikes lasted four months.
SAG-AFTRA ultimately signed a deal requiring productions to get the informed consent of actors whose digital replicas are used.
A spokesperson for SAG-AFTRA said Downey Jr. can deny use of any digital replica in movies. This is because of California’s new law prohibiting the unauthorized replication of a dead performer’s likeness without prior consent.
Downey Jr.’s latest project is a broadway production titled “McNeal,” which is about the way AI is disrupting the world of literature and addresses questions about how AI is impacting creativity.
Hollywood preps for TV, film exodus as companies seek tax credits elsewhere
Hollywood is preparing to battle a major TV and film exodus. According to FilmLA, on-location shooting in Los Angeles dropped 12% in the second quarter of 2024, compared to last year. That’s even with the start of the Writers Guild of America Strike in May 2023.
The Wrap reported only two of the 12 TV shows that won primetime Emmys this year were filmed in California, which were “Hacks” and “The Morning Show.”
A big sticking point for companies is the fact that California does not permit productions to include salaries of actors, directors or other top talent toward any tax credits.
Production hubs in other locations like Georgia, where Marvel has filmed several movies, and the U.K. where “Wicked” was filmed, allowed above-the-line salaries to be deductible.
Another example is Gordon Ramsay’s show, “Masterchef,” which moved filming from LA to London.
California offers a $330 million TV and film tax credit program. It gives studios and producers tax credits up to $25 million based on eligible spending of 20% to 30% on productions in the state.
Some argue to stop the exodus in California, the incentive amount would need to triple and the types of productions that can apply would need to expand.
California Rep. Laura Friedman, D-Burbank, told The Wrap that Los Angeles city government officials would also need to look at ways to eliminate permit feeds and other costs it charges productions to film in the city.
Media Miss: Unions won at least 10% wage increases for 900K workers in 2023
Union have been busy in 2023 as they have successfully negotiated wage increases of 10% or more for 900,000 workers across the U.S., according to a CNN analysis. Some deals resulted from high-profile strikes by auto workers and Hollywood actors and writers.
According to the Straight Arrow News Media Miss™ tool, this story is a Media Miss for the right. The Media Landscape indicates that while left-leaning and center-oriented outlets are covering this story, fewer – if any – right-leaning outlets are reporting on the topic.
We will continue to move mountains.
Shawn Fain, UAW President
On Monday, Nov. 20, the UAW announced that 64% of union members voted to ratify record-breaking deals with Detroit’s big three automakers. Those deals come after more than six weeks of walkouts by UAW members.
At its peak, 46,000 union members hit the picket line and cost the three automakers, Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, a combined $4.2 billion in losses.
“With a united UAW that is more unified than I have seen in my 29 years, actually in my life, if we are not afraid to fight, we can win,” said Shawn Fain, UAW president. “And we will continue to move mountains.”
In the entertainment industry, the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA virtually shut Hollywood production down this year as the groups negotiated for better pay and job protections.
While the 11,000 writers and 160,000 actors represented by the two unions didn’t reach 10% wage increases, there were major victories as a result of the strikes, including protections from AI.
Preliminary estimates reported by Reuters put the economic impact of the Hollywood strikes at more than $6 billion.
The economic impact of strikes in 2023 has been clearly illustrated. Meanwhile, several other unions have been able to strike deals by merely threatening to strike.
The Teamsters union struck an agreement with UPS covering nearly 350,000 workers, and the Culinary union reached a series of deals to avoid strikes at 18 casinos across the country.
Even non-union members, especially non-union auto workers, are reaping the benefits of powerful unions. Department of Labor data shows the average hourly wage in October was up 18% compared to just three years ago.
Straight Arrow News strives to provide unbiased, fact-based news in addition to offering a comprehensive look at how the media is covering stories that matter most. Learn more about the Media Miss™ tool and decide for yourself.
The big takeaways from the 3rd Republican primary presidential debate: The Morning Rundown, Nov. 9, 2023
Five Republican candidates took the stage Wednesday night, Nov. 8, making their case to be the next president in the third GOP primary debate. And Hollywood actors reach a tentative deal with the studios to put an end to the nearly four-month strike. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Nov. 9.
Recapping 3rd GOP presidential primary debate
For the third time, Republican candidates for the 2024 presidential election faced off in a primary debate; this time, the field was down to five.
We’ve become a party of losers. At the end of the day, there is a cancer in the Republican establishment.
Vivek Ramaswamy
From the stage in Miami on Wednesday night, Nov. 8, the candidates spoke on a variety of issues, from China to funding Israel and Ukraine and their views on abortion. All while sparring with one another and even criticizing the Republican National Committee after the GOP lost key races the night before.
The candidates were also not shy this time to call out the Republican frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, for not showing up to the debate.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) said Donald Trump is much different than in 2016.
“He owes it to you to be on this stage and explain why he should get another chance. He should explain why he didn’t have Mexico pay for the border wall. He should explain why he racked up so much debt. He should explain why he didn’t drain the swamp,” DeSantis said. “And he said Republicans were going to get tired of winning. Well, we saw last night, I’m sick of Republicans losing.”
Tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy aimed his anger at the election results at Ronna McDaniel, the chair of the RNC.
“I think there’s something deeper going on in the Republican party here, and I am upset about what happened last night,” Ramaswamy said. “We’ve become a party of losers. At the end of the day, there is a cancer in the Republican establishment.”
At times throughout the night, Ramaswamy focused on former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley, who was almost at center stage, a reflection of her standings in the polls. While all candidates declared their support for Israel, Ramaswamy took issue with Haley’s foreign policy views.
“Do you want a leader from a different generation who’s going to put this country first,” Ramaswamy said. “Or do you want Dick Cheney in three-inch heels?”
“Yes, I’d first like to say they’re five-inch heels, and I don’t wear them unless you can run in ’em,” Haley said. “The second thing that I will say is I wear heels; they’re not for a fashion statement; they’re for ammunition.”
The candidates were divided when it came to supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said supporting Ukraine is “not a choice,” saying, “It’s the price we pay for being leaders of the free world.” DeSantis was skeptical of some of the funding sent to Ukraine, saying, “We need the war to end” so the U.S. can focus on border security instead.
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The presidential hopefuls were also asked about the social media app TikTok, owned by the China-based company ByteDance. Christie said he’d ban the app in his first week as president. The issue turned personal when Ramaswamy brought up Haley’s daughter.
“In the last debate, she made fun of me for actually joining TikTok while her own daughter was actually using the app for a long time,” Ramaswamy said. “So you might want to take care of your family first.” “Leave my daughter out of your voice,” Haley said.
“The next generation of Americans are using it, and that’s actually the point,” Ramaswamy said as the audience booed. “You have her supporters propping her up.”
After Ohio residents voted in favor of abortion access Tuesday night, Nov. 8, the GOP candidates were asked about their stance on the issue. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott said he’d commit to a 15-week national ban. Haley said no Republican president will be able to find the votes to pass any kind of federal abortion ban.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump held a rally a half hour away during the debate. A senior Trump adviser said the debate was “a complete waste of time and money.”
Ivanka Trump testifies; Hunter Biden subpoenaed
Based on polling numbers, as of Thursday, Nov. 9, the 2024 presidential election looks like it would be a rematch of 2020 between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. However, on Wednesday, Nov. 8, the focus was not on them but their family members.
The New York attorney general has accused Trump, his adult sons, and his organization of inflating his net worth on financial statements to banks and insurers in order to gain more favorable loans.
Ivanka told prosecutors she was not privy to her father’s personal financial statements.
When asked specifically by the state lawyer if she had any role in preparing Donald Trump’s statements of financial condition, Ivanka replied, “Not that I’m aware of.”
Following Ivanka’s five-hour testimony, the New York attorney rested her case. The defense is expected to begin theirs on Monday, Nov. 13.
Meanwhile, the House Oversight Committee investigating President Biden and his connection to his family’s foreign business dealings subpoenaed Hunter and James Biden, the president’s son and brother, on Wednesday, Nov. 8, marking the first time that members of the Biden family have been subpoenaed since the impeachment inquiry was opened in September.
A representative for Hunter Biden responded, calling it a “political stunt,” but said, “Hunter is eager to have the opportunity, in a public forum, at the right time, to discuss these matters with the committee.”
US strikes Syria weapons warehouse in response to attacks on troops
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, calling it a self-defense strike, said the weapons facility in Eastern Syria was used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps along with affiliated groups.
Two F-15 fighter jets dropped bombs on the target on Wednesday, Nov. 8, in what Austin called a “precision self-defense strike,” adding that the safety of American troops is paramount.
“The president has no higher priority than the safety of U.S. personnel, and he directed today’s action to make clear that the United States will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests,” Austin said in a statement.”
Also on Wednesday, the Pentagon confirmed a U.S. military surveillance drone was shot down off the coast of Yemen by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
USA Today writers accuse outlet of publishing AI-generated articles
Journalists at USA Today’s product review site, Reviewed, sounded the alarm, claiming some of the affiliate marketing articles published were AI-generated. According to a Washington Post report, staff writers and the union pointed to two reviews specifically, one for scuba masks and another for vacuum tumblers. The writers claim that the stories have similar wording throughout.
According to recent reporting, the newly published shopping page where the articles were found was taken down as of Tuesday, Oct. 24, but the individual articles can still be found. Reviewed employees, represented by The NewsGuild of New York, claimed this was an attempt by the company to replace their labor and cut costs.
But a spokesperson at Reviewed told the Post that the articles were not AI-generated. Instead, the spokesperson said that freelancers that were hired by a third party wrote the articles, adding, “the pages were deployed without affiliate disclaimers and did not meet our editorial standards.”
However, the union claims that some freelancers credited with the reviews aren’t real, with writers at Reviewed saying they could not find evidence online that they existed.
The outcry comes a week after a one-day strike staged by Reviewed’s unionized employees, and as union members across the industry and in Hollywood are trying to negotiate for protections against the use of AI.
SAG-AFTRA issues Halloween costume guidance to striking members
As the Hollywood actors’ strike nears its 100th day, another issue is being raised by the Screen Actors Guild — Halloween. The union, which represents the roughly 65,000 actors on strike since July, is asking its members to not dress up as characters from movies or TV shows produced by the studios they are striking against.
The union says this will send a clear message that actors won’t promote studio content without a fair contract.
Instead, SAG-AFTRA is recommending members dress in traditional Halloween costumes like ghosts, skeletons and zombies, or trick-or-treat as someone from an animated series.
The union says if striking actors do end up dressing up as characters based on content from the major studios, it just asks that they not post any photos to social media.
Actors have been on strike since July 14 over issues including increase pay over streaming programming and the use of artificial intelligence in Hollywood.
Last week, talks broke down between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The AMPTP said the gap between the two sides was “too great, and conversations are no longer moving us in a productive direction.”
The Writers Guild of America ratified its new contract with studios earlier this month, ending a nearly 150 day strike.
Israel continues airstrikes against Hamas in Gaza: The Morning Rundown, Oct. 10, 2023
Israel continues its retaliation on Hamas in Gaza as the White House confirms 11 Americans were killed in the militant group’s surprise attack. And thousands of pharmacy employees walk out of stores across the country citing unsafe working conditions – these stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Oct. 10, 2023.
Israel regains control of Gaza border; 11 Americans dead
Israel said this morning it has re-established control over the Gaza border after another night of air raids following the surprise deadly assault by the Hamas militant group early Saturday, Oct. 7.
The death toll continues to rise as at least 900 Israelis have been killed including at least 11 Americans, with thousands more injured. The Israeli Defense Forces says it has found around 1,500 bodies of Hamas fighters inside the country and near the Gaza Strip.
The IDF also said it planted mines where Hamas had created gaps in the border with Gaza during the initial attack.
According to Israeli officials, Hamas has taken more than 100 hostages, including women and children, back to Gaza.
Hamas, a group categorized as terrorists by both the United States and Israel, has threatened to kill a civilian hostage every time Israel bombs a Palestinian home without warning.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, at least 687 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s air strikes, including 140 children, with thousands of others wounded.
Israel has called up 300,000 reserve troops and imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip as the country is expected to plan a ground assault in the coming days.
President Joe Biden along with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom vowed their support for Israel and condemned the actions of Hamas in a joint statement.
The statement read in part:
“We make clear that the terrorist actions of Hamas have no justification, no legitimacy, and must be universally condemned. There is never any justification for terrorism… Our countries will support Israel in its efforts to defend itself and its people against such atrocities.”
The leaders of the five nations say they recognize the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people but say Hamas does not represent those aspirations.
The United States is showing its support for Israel by moving its largest Navy ship, the Ford carrier strike group, to the Eastern Mediterranean.
With the war between Israel and Hamas on its fourth day, three U.S. airlines have suspended service to the city of Tel Aviv. United, American, and Delta canceled multiple flights. United said that will remain the case until conditions allow them to resume.
President Biden is scheduled to deliver a speech on the war at 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 10.
President Biden interviewed by special counsel over classified documents
Over the course of two days, President Biden was interviewed by special counsel Robert Hur as part of an investigation into his handling of classified documents, the White House confirmed Monday.
A spokesperson says the president and the White House have been cooperating with the investigation since the beginning and have been providing updates publicly where “it has been appropriate.”
Sources tell multiple news outlets the voluntary interview conducted on Sunday, Oct. 8, and Monday, Oct. 9, was scheduled weeks ago, and it could be a sign the investigation is nearing its end.
Hur was appointed special counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland after classified documents were found in Biden’s Delaware home and a Washington, D.C. office he used after his days of being vice president.
The investigation into President Biden comes as former President Donald Trump is facing his own charges related to classified documents – charges he has denied.
A trial is set for May in Florida, though last week, Trump’s lawyers filed a motion to try and push it back. The special counsel in that case, Jack Smith said there’s no “credible justification” to move the trial date.
Walgreens employees walk out over unsafe working conditions
Employees of the pharmacy chain Walgreens are the next set of workers to walk out of their jobs in hopes of securing better working conditions.
Thousands of pharmacists, technicians, and support staff began a planned three-day walkout on Monday Oct. 9 at stores across the country. Some pharmacies in Arizona, Massachusetts, and Oregon have temporarily closed.
An organizer told the Washington Post that increasing demands on understaffed employees led to the walkout, saying they are being asked to administer vaccines while also dealing with hundreds of prescriptions making it impossible to do their job responsibly.
Walgreens replied, telling the Post that the company understands the last few years have been “unprecedented” and “a very challenging time.” Walgreens says it is making significant investments in pharmacist wages and is listening to their concerns.
Last week, pharmacy employees in multiple CVS stores in Kansas City staged a similar walkout.
Employees at both companies are not unionized. Reports say Walgreens’ walkout came together on the online site Reddit.
Writers ratify new contract with studios
One union that did walk out for better working conditions, the Writers Guild of America, voted overwhelmingly to ratify its new contract on Monday, Oct. 9. This formally ends one of the longest labor disputes in the history of Hollywood of nearly 150 days.
WGA members voted 99% in favor of the contract. The agreement between the guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television and Producers runs through May of 2026. It focuses on increases in pay and the use of artificial intelligence.
The Writers Guild is now urging the Alliance to work out a deal with SAG-AFTRA as Hollywood actors have been on strike since July.
Man climbs Santa Monica Ferris wheel claiming to have bomb
It was not fun and games at the Santa Monica Pier on Monday, Oct. 9, as a man climbed the iconic Ferris wheel with riders aboard claiming to be carrying a bomb.
The pier was evacuated as police and firefighters responded to the scene. Emergency officials used a lift to reach the riders on the 130-foot Ferris wheel.
Police said on the social media site X, they were “dealing with a person in crisis.” About an hour after the incident started, the man began climbing down the structure.
Once on the ground, he was apprehended. Police said there was no bomb and the pier soon reopened to visitors.
Flag football could be added to 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
Organizers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics have delivered a proposal to add flag football to the program. The decision ultimately comes down to the International Olympic Committee who will vote during meetings in India over the next week.
Other sports being considered for the LA games include baseball, softball, lacrosse, squash and cricket. Breakdancing, which we will see in Paris next year, will not be part of the LA edition
The 2028 Summer Olympics will be the first in the United States in 32 years.
Hollywood writers and studios reach tentative deal to end strike: The Morning Rundown, Sept. 25, 2023
A tentative agreement has been reached between Hollywood studios and the currently striking Writers Guild of America, signaling a potential end to the work stoppage. And samples collected from an asteroid which took seven years to obtain have arrived on Earth, holding possible clues about the origins of our solar system. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Sept. 25, 2023.
Hollywood writers’ strike nears end, autoworkers strike continues
The Writers Guild of America (WGA), representing thousands of Hollywood writers, announced it has reached a tentative agreement with major Hollywood studios, signaling the potential end to a strike that has disrupted the entertainment industry for more than five months. This development offers a glimmer of hope for the resumption of scripted content production in Hollywood, which had been at a standstill since May.
“We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional – with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership,” the WGA said in a message to its members. “To be clear, no one is to return to work until specifically authorized to by the Guild. We are still on strike until then. But we are, as of today, suspending WGA picketing.”
The strike, which commenced 146 days ago, has had a significant impact on the entertainment landscape. Late-night talk shows were put on hold, TV shows and movies faced production delays, and the ripple effects extended throughout the industry. Warner Brothers estimated that the strike likely cost them approximately $500 million in earnings.
Meanwhile, in a separate labor dispute, an ongoing strike among autoworkers has raised concerns in the automotive industry. The United Autoworkers Union, which represents workers at several assembly plants, appears prepared to remain on strike for an extended period.
Internal emails obtained by CNN indicate that the union’s communication director expressed the belief that a months-long strike could “damage reputations” of the automakers and lead to “production line chaos.” The strike originally affected just three assembly plants, but on Friday the union moved to expand the work stoppage to 38 parts and distribution centers across 20 states amid ongoing negotiations.
Calls for Sen. Menendez’s resignation grow amid bribery charges
Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., has found himself under increasing pressure to resign following his recent indictment on bribery charges, announced last Friday. The calls for his resignation are coming from within his own party, reflecting the serious nature of the allegations against him.
Prominent Democrats, including Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have publicly called on Menendez to step down from his position in the wake of the indictment. Furthermore, fellow party members in his home state of New Jersey, including Gov. Phil Murphy, have also urged him to resign. In response to the indictment, Menendez took the step of resigning from his role as the chair of the Foreign Relations Committee.
“Those who believe in justice believe in innocence until proven guilty,” Menendez said in a statement Friday. “I intend to continue to fight for the people of New Jersey with the same success I’ve had for the past five decades. This is the same record of success these very same leaders have lauded all along.”
While some influential Democrats have not gone as far as explicitly demanding Menendez’s resignation, they have acknowledged the gravity of the charges against him. The indictment alleges that the senator and his wife accepted bribes that ultimately benefited the Egyptian government. The charges include conspiracy to commit bribery and conspiracy to commit extortion, and they stem from the discovery of nearly half a million dollars in cash inside the senator’s home.
Deadly SUV-train collision sparks concerns over railroad safety
A collision between an SUV and a train near Tampa, Florida, resulting in the loss of six lives, has reignited concerns over the safety of railroad crossings without adequate signals. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, has raised questions about the need for enhanced safety measures at such intersections.
The crash unfolded when an SUV carrying seven people, including three children, attempted to cross the railroad tracks in front of an oncoming train. The force of the collision was so severe that it caused the SUV to flip multiple times, resulting in what authorities described as a “violent impact.”
“For unknown and undetermined reasons, the driver slowly crossed the tracks directly in the train’s path,” the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office said in a statement on Sunday. “Five rear passengers were ejected from the [SUV] as it rotated and rolled to final rest.”
Eyewitnesses reported that the train conductor had sounded the horn and activated flashing lights in an attempt to alert the SUV’s driver. Additionally, footage from cameras on the train indicated that the SUV had proceeded through a stop sign at the crossing. Despite the train’s efforts to brake, it was still traveling at a speed of 55 miles per hour at the time of impact.
Recent poll finds Trump holds 10 percentage point lead over Biden
According to a recent Washington Post-ABC News poll released on Sunday poll, former President Donald Trump currently holds a 10 percentage point lead over President Joe Biden in a hypothetical matchup. However, the poll’s authors have cautioned against drawing significant conclusions from this data, emphasizing that other surveys have shown the two candidates in a much tighter race.
The Washington Post has said that this particular poll may be an “outlier,” noting that other recent polls have depicted a much more competitive race between Biden and Trump. This includes a CBS News poll conducted earlier this month which showed the two presidential hopefuls separated by just one percentage point.
In addition to exploring potential election scenarios, the poll also assessed the two candidates approval ratings. According to the findings, Biden’s approval rating currently stands at 37 percent, a five-point drop from February, while 56 percent of respondents expressed their disapproval of his performance.
Comparatively, when asked to retrospectively evaluate Trump’s presidency, the poll revealed that 48 percent of respondents approved of his presidency, with 49 percent expressing disapproval. That 48 percent approval rating represents a ten-point increase from when Trump left office in 2021 and is higher than his approval ratings during much of his White House tenure.
Former President Jimmy Carter makes surprise public appearance
Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, made a surprise visit to their hometown in Georgia, appearing before the crowd at the annual Plains Peanut Festival. This comes seven months after the former president entered hospice care at home and amid his wife’s recent dementia diagnosis.
During the visit, the couple greeted and waved to the gathered crowd as they drove through their hometown. The Carters, who have been married for 77 years, hold the distinction of being the nation’s longest-married presidential couple. Meanwhile, the nation’s 39th president is set to celebrate his 99th birthday next week.
NASA project may uncover clues about solar system origins
NASA completed a historic mission on Sunday when a return capsule safely landed on Earth, carrying with it newly collected asteroid samples that have the potential to unlock secrets about the formation of our solar system. The mission, which spanned seven years and covered a remarkable distance of 4 billion miles in space.
“Congratulations to the OSIRIS-REx team on a picture-perfect mission – the first American asteroid sample return in history – which will deepen our understanding of the origin of our solar system and its formation. Not to mention, Bennu is a potentially hazardous asteroid, and what we learn from the sample will help us better understand the types of asteroids that could come our way,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
The capsule’s cargo of asteroid samples originates from the celestial body known as Bennu, and scientists estimate that these samples are approximately 4.5 billion years old.
Biden to announce Office of Gun Violence Prevention: The Morning Rundown, Sept. 22, 2023
The White House is set to announce a new office dedicated to gun violence prevention. And could there be a Hollywood ending? Talks continue between writers and studios as the strike approaches five months. Hear about these stories and more in The Morning Rundown for Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.
Biden to announce creation of Office of Gun Violence Prevention
The White House says the office will be overseen by Vice President Kamala Harris and will aid states dealing with rising gun violence and help with the implementation of bipartisan gun legislation that was signed into law last year.
The vice president released this statement ahead of the announcement: “The new Office of Gun Violence Prevention will play a critical role in implementing President Biden’s and my efforts to reduce violence to the fullest extent under the law, while also engaging and encouraging Congressional leaders, state and local leaders, and advocates to come together to build upon the meaningful progress that we have made to save lives. Our promise to the American people is this: we will not stop working to end the epidemic of gun violence in every community, because we do not have a moment, nor a life to spare.”
Biden called on Congress to act in 2022 after deadly attacks at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas and a supermarket in Buffalo, New York.
Congress then passed the first gun legislation in nearly three decades that included expanding background checks on young gun buyers, keeping firearms from more domestic violence offenders and providing millions of dollars for mental health services and school security initiatives.
Still, according to the Gun Violence Archive, this year there have been more than 500 mass shootings in the U.S. — where four or more people were either killed or injured.
Biden announces $325M military aid package during Zelenskyy visit
During Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House on Thursday, Sept. 21, President Biden made the announcement that the U.S. will provide $325 million in aid to his country as Ukraine remains embroiled in the war with Russia.
Biden said the package focuses on bolstering Ukraine’s air defense capabilities and includes more artillery, ammunition and anti-tank weapons. The president is still asking Congress to approve an additional $24 billion in funding for Ukraine.
Prior to the meeting with Biden, Zelenskyy spoke to a bipartisan group from the House and Senate, as Republican members of Congress are skeptical about providing more aid. On the same day as Zelenskyy’s visit, 29 Republicans expressed their opposition to the U.S. providing the additional funding in a letter to the Biden administration.
2 dead in NY bus crash involving high school marching band
The investigation continues into a deadly crash in New York State on Thursday involving a charter bus carrying members of a high school marching band that drove off the highway and down a ravine.
There were 44 people on board. Two adults died and several others were critically injured in the crash in Orange County, according to state police.
As for a cause, Governor Kathy Hochul says it appeared a faulty front tire contributed to the accident. Hochul spoke at a press conference about the students’ resolve.
“They were strong. And within 45 minutes, because of the efforts of an incredible amount of teamwork, these young people and the adults were brought to safety, many of them within a short time of the accident,” Hochul said.
The students and faculty from Farmington High School on Long Island were on a trip to a music camp in Pennsylvania.
Talks continue for third day between writers, studios
The Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers which represents Hollywood’s major studios will meet for a third day of negotiations on Friday as the writers strike inches towards five months. The WGA walked out on May 2, with issues of pay, sizing of writing staff and the use of artificial intelligence in writing scripts keeping the two sides apart.
Talks resumed on Sept. 20 after nearly a month of silence. Top entertainment CEOs have joined the bargaining conversation including Disney’s Bob Iger and Netflix’s Ted Sarandos.
According to a new Associated Press poll, a majority of adults in America, 55%, sympathize with the striking writers as well as the actors who also remain on the picket lines. Only 3% support the studios.
Half of Americans approve of writers and actors striking. Though most surveyed said they would not consider boycotting TV shows or canceling their streaming services.
Microsoft, Activision deal moves closer to approval
Microsoft has cleared another hurdle as it looks to buy the video game company Activision Blizzard. Officials with Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority signaled it will move towards approving the deal after Microsoft made some changes to address the group’s concerns, namely agreeing not to purchase Activision’s cloud gaming division. Those rights would now be sold to Ubisoft.
The U.K. regulator said the restructuring “opens the door to the deal being cleared.” Its final decision, the last needed to make Microsoft’s acquisition official, is expected in mid-October.
The deal was first announced in January 2022, but has faced pushback by antitrust advocates around the world. In July, a U.S. federal judge ruled against the Federal Trade Commission’s opposition to the deal. The European Union also agreed to the deal in May.
Poll: Highest number of young adults living with parents since 1940s
There are fewer empty nesters these days as the number of young adults living with their parents is as high as it was just after the Great Depression. A Harris Poll for Bloomberg News shows 45% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 are living with family — the highest figure since the 1940s.
The top reason given by today’s young adults was money, with 41% of respondents saying they’re living in their current environments to save up. Thirty percent said they just can’t afford to live on their own.
Another common response, 30% of people said they live at home to take care of family members. Other reasons included contributing to family finances, concerns regarding COVID-19, setting money aside for down payments and paying off debt.
While quite a few people are living with family, even more agree there shouldn’t be any judgment for it. Ninety percent of the more than 4,000 respondents said folks shouldn’t face judgment for moving back home.
UAW strike could cost billions. See the price of these 5 strikes in history.
United Auto Workers are striking against Detroit’s Big Three automakers at the same time for the first time. The impact could be financially devastating. Economists estimate 10 days on the picket lines against General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler-parent Stellantis could cost the U.S. economy $5.6 billion and push Michigan into a recession.
Strikes can financially strap companies, workers and the overall economy. Here are some of the costliest strikes in history in this week’s Five For Friday:
5: UPS, 1997
In 1997, the U.S. shipping landscape had one major player. UPS delivered around 80% of ground packages throughout the country. So when 185,000 UPS workers went on strike for 15 days over pensions, wages and part-time status, it cost the company roughly $800 million. USPS and FedEx had limited market share at the time and it was impossible to fill the void.
Since then, e-commerce has exploded with the likes of Amazon, shipping anything and everything to your home. When UPS workers contemplated another strike this summer, economists estimated that a 10-day strike would cost the U.S. economy $7.1 billion.
The fight over a salary cap in baseball — which never came to fruition — took a toll on goodwill with fans. It took more than a decade for per-game attendance to return to pre-strike levels.
3: Southern California Supermarkets, 2003-2004
In the fall of 2003, 70,000 supermarket workers in southern California went on strike against four major chains in the region. The United Food and Commercial Workers Union claimed Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions and Ralph’s were trying to reduce benefits to compete with Walmart.
