Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021
Virus Milestone, Justices Back College Athletes & Spielberg’s Netflix Deal
All the news in about 10 min:
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp.com/newsworthy
Story Summaries
All the news stories mentioned in today's episode are listed with links below, so you can spend as much -- or as little -- time as you want to read the latest happenings...
Covid Deaths Hit Milestone
American deaths from COVID-19 have dipped below 300 a day. For comparison, back in January, the average number of deaths per day was more than 3,000. This is the first time the U.S. has recorded a number in the 200’s since March of 2020. These numbers mean more Americans are dying from accidents, strokes, or Alzheimer’s disease than from COVID-19. Experts say vaccines have been playing a huge part in this shift. More than 150 million Americans have been fully vaccinated so far.
Read More: AP, Newsweek, The Guardian, Johns Hopkins, CDC
Young Adults Least Likely to Get Vaccine
Vaccine rates are starting to lag, especially for adults younger than 30. The CDC did a survey to figure out why so many young people are hesitant. They found out many people in their 20s were worried about side effects, while others wanted to wait to see if the vaccines were for sure safe, and some thought they didn’t need one. Younger people are not immune to COVID-19 though, with thousands of people dying from the virus, ending up in the hospital, or ending up with potentially lifelong complications.
Read More: WaPo, NY Times, ABC News, Reuters
Medicaid Enrollment Record
A record number of Americans are now getting government-assisted health coverage. A new government report shows more than 80 million people are now taking advantage of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). That’s about a quarter of the U.S. population. These programs are specifically for low-income and disabled people. Nearly ten million more people enrolled in 2020 alone. Officials say the increase all has to do with the pandemic, partly because a lot of people lost their jobs and the insurance that came with them, but also, many people wanted to make sure they were insured in case they got COVID-19.
Read More: CNN, WaPo, NY Times, WSJ, CMS
NYC Mayoral Election
It’s time for the Republican and Democratic primaries for New York City mayor. All eyes are on the Democratic ticket since Democrats outnumber Republicans in the city by a lot, so whoever wins that race will likely become mayor. 13 Democratic candidates are running. It will probably be a while before we know who wins, though, because New York City has a new ranked-choice voting system that officials have to sort through. Voters will be allowed to choose their top five picks so that if the top results are too close to call, elections counters will move onto the lower-ranked choices. Primary results should come out by the middle of next month.
Read More: NY Times, NY Daily News, NY Post, Ipsos Survey
Tornado Hits Chicago Suburbs
People in a heavily-populated Chicago suburb are cleaning up from a destructive tornado that damaged hundreds of homes, toppled trees, and knocked out power to thousands of people. On top of that, about a dozen people were hurt, and a couple of them are still in the hospital this morning. The good news is first responders say it looks like they’ll all survive. They credit people for taking storm sirens and cell phone warnings seriously. Tornadoes hit other parts of the midwest earlier this week too. April, May, and June are typically the most active months for tornadoes in the U.S.
Read More: Weather Channel, CNN, AP, NWS
SCOTUS NCAA Decision
Student-athletes will be able to start getting more rewards this year after another unanimous decision from the Supreme Court. The justices decided the NCAA can’t limit benefits that relate to education for basketball or football players. Those benefits include computers, paid internships, tutoring, study abroad opportunities, and more. However, this case doesn’t settle the issue of whether athletes can earn real salaries. Athletes have long argued they should be able to earn money off their names and images as the schools are using them to make money. The NCAA has said the rules are necessary to keep college sports at the amateur level.
Read More: ABC News, AP, WSJ, Fox News, ESPN
Japanese Spectators Allowed at Olympics
Organizers for the Tokyo Olympic Games now say Japanese fans will be allowed in the stands, though with strict limitations. Fans won’t be allowed to shout or cheer, they must wear masks, and they’ll be asked to go straight home after each event. Attendance will be capped at 10,000 fans, or 50% capacity for smaller venues. International fans are still not allowed to attend. Opening ceremonies are set for July 23rd.
Read More: CBS News, NBC News, WaPo, AP
First Transgender Olympic Athlete
For the first time in history, an openly transgender athlete will be competing in the Olympics. Laurel Hubbard is representing New Zealand as a weightlifter. She competed in men’s competitions before she transitioned eight years ago and is now competing on the women’s side. Supporters are calling her an inspiration. Critics argue she has an unfair advantage over other competitors as scientific studies show those who go through male puberty have biological advantages that could affect their strength. Either way, she meets the IOC eligibility criteria.
Read More: The Guardian, Reuters, NPR, NZ Olympic Committee
First Openly Gay Active NFL Player
A defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders made history this week when he told fans he is gay. Carl Nassib is now the first active NFL player to come out. In an Instagram video, Nassib said he decided to make a public statement because “representation and visibility are so important.” He thanked his family, friends, and the league for giving him the support he needed. He also added he was donating $100,000 to The Trevor Project, which provides suicide prevention services to young LGBTQ people. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell praised Nassib for “courageously sharing his truth” while the Raiders tweeded “Proud of you, Carl.”
Read More: The Athletic, USA Today, Axios, NFL, Carl Nassib, Raiders
Starbucks Revives Personal Reusable Cups
Starting today, you can bring your own cup to Starbucks again for the first time in 15 months. The coffee giant stopped accepting reusable cups for drinks at the beginning of the pandemic because of germs. Now they’re allowed again, and Starbucks will give customers who use them a 10-cent discount. There are new rules, however. Only clean cups will be accepted, and baristas won’t touch them. Instead, customers will place their cups inside a large ceramic container and baristas will fill them up from there. The service is only available inside, not in the drive-thru just yet.
Read More: Starbucks, USA Today, CNBC
Steven Spielberg Signs Netflix Deal
Netflix has a new multi-year deal with Steven Spielberg. His production company, Amblin Partners, agreed to produce multiple movies a year for the streaming service. The Hollywood Reporter says Spielberg’s company will have a lot of freedom in this deal as Netflix reportedly didn’t put in any budget limits or genre restrictions. The deal came as a surprise to some, as in the past, Spielberg has defended the theatrical experience over streaming. His team later said he was taken out of context. Spielberg’s films could start showing up on Netflix later this year.
Read More: Netflix, Axios, Fox News, Deadline, Hollywood Reporter
Trivia Tuesday
Q: In which creature is it the male who carries the eggs and births the babies?
Play along on today’s Instagram Stories Quiz. We’ll also have the answer right here next week.
Last Week’s Trivia Tuesday Answer
Q: What TV series showed the first interracial kiss on American network television?
A: Star Trek
Read More: Smithsonian Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, History