Friday, July 1st, 2022
Final SCOTUS Decisions, Holiday Travel Forecast & College Sports Shakeup
All the news you need in around 10 min:
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp.com/newsworthy and Rothys.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 reading the latest happenings...
SCOTUS EPA Power Ruling
The Supreme Court limited the White House’s power to combat climate change. West Virginia led other states and coal producers who wanted the court to clarify the limits of the EPA’s authority. This week, in another 6-3 decision, the court decided the EPA does not have the power to regulate carbon dioxide emissions within the energy industry. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the conservative-leaning majority, saying when there are regulations with big economic and political consequences, they need to go through Congress. It was seen as a big win for Republicans, but President Biden called it a “devastating decision.”
Read More: SCOTUS, White House, WaPo, AP, WSJ, Politico
SCOTUS Remain in Mexico Ruling
In a second Supreme Court ruling, most justices sided with President Biden, saying he can lift the controversial “Remain in Mexico” immigration policy that’s been in place since 2019. It’s the policy that says migrants who apply for asylum need to wait in Mexico while American authorities evaluate their cases. The Biden administration has been trying to end it, arguing it’s not humane. Lower courts said Biden didn’t have enough justification to change the policy. However, the Supreme Court, in a 5-4 ruling, said those courts went too far. The justices sent the case back to a lower court to reconsider.
Read More: SCOTUS, Axios, NBC News, Fox News, WaPo
Biden Supports Lifting Filibuster
President Biden endorsed ending long-standing Senate rules that have been in place for nearly half a century to protect abortion access. We’re talking about the filibuster. The only way to get around it is to have at least 60 out of 100 Senators want to pass a bill. Biden now says it’s worth it to do away with the rule, since he said the nation needs to legalize woman’s right to abortion, and a law guaranteeing abortion access would be much more likely to pass without the filibuster. However, to make the filibuster go away, 51 Senators would have to support the idea, and not all Democrats are on board with the move. So it’s unlikely to happen.
Read More: White House, CBS News, Fox News, NY Times, WSJ, Axios
FDA Calls for New Boosters
Vaccine makers have been given the go-ahead to make new Covid-19 shots to better target omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5, as well as the original strain. The idea is to tackle the versions of Covid-19 that are most common right now. The FDA told companies like Pfizer and Moderna to make combo vaccines that can be rolled out for a fall booster campaign. Experts say it’s necessary since the current Covid-19 vaccines on the market are starting to become less effective against the latest variants. Moderna and Pfizer say they’re up for it, that they can update their vaccines pretty quickly and can start clinical trials right away.
Read More: FDA, WSJ, Axios, WaPo, CNBC
Canada Day
Today, our neighbors to the north are celebrating Canada Day. It happens every July 1st to celebrate Canada’s “birthday” since the country was officially formed on July 1st, 1867. Basically, it’s the Canadian version of the Fourth of July. Also like the Fourth of July, people around the country will celebrate with parades, festivals, barbeques, fireworks, concerts, and citizenship ceremonies. This year, many celebrations are also recognizing indigenous peoples.
Read More: Canada Gov’t, CBC, Farmers’ Almanac
July 4th Travel Forecast
Travel this Fourth of July holiday weekend is expected to be busy, potentially hitting records. Airports could see the highest number of travelers since the pandemic started. However, the problem is that airlines are facing more challenges like staffing shortages. There have already been delays and cancelations on various airlines, and Delta is reaching out to customers to offer free rebooking. A lot of people plan to drive, too. AAA predicts that 42 million people will travel by car over the holiday weekend. That will set a record, despite the high gas prices.
Read More: AAA, WaPo, AP, Axios, Fox News, The Verge
July 4th Celebration Costs
The cost of the Fourth of July celebrations will be more expensive this year. Axios reports fireworks will cost you about 25-30% more. One industry group said there has been unprecedented demand for backyard fireworks for the last couple of years. That, coupled with higher shipping costs and delays, has led to higher prices. Backyard barbeques will also be pricier this year because of the higher cost of burgers, chips, and other food. The American Farm Bureau Federation found the price of a traditional holiday cookout went up by 17%, about $10, in the last year, not including alcohol.
Read More: CNBC, Bloomberg, Axios, MarketWatch, Fox Business
California Plastics Legislation
California approved the nation’s most strict requirements for plastic packaging. State lawmakers passed the legislation with bipartisan support, and the governor signed it. Under the new law, companies will have to reduce plastics in single-use products by 10% in the next five years and 25% in the next ten years. That means any company that sells shampoo, soap, detergent, food, or other products wrapped in plastic will have to reduce the size of their packages, switch to a different material, or make the product reusable or refillable. Also in ten years, plastic will have to be recycled at a rate of 65%, a massive jump from today’s rates.
Read More: SB-54, LA Times, SF Chronicle, Forbes, AP, The Hill
FCC Authorizes Mobile Starlink
SpaceX got the green light to use its Starlink internet service on vehicles in motion like trucks, boats, planes, and RVs. The FCC granted the company’s request, saying it’s in the public’s interest. Already, SpaceX has deals to put the internet on private jets and Hawaiian Airlines flights over the next couple of years, and it’s hoping to expand beyond that soon. To get the service, customers will have to buy a personal antenna, or user terminal, that’s meant to connect with any Starlink satellites that might be overhead. Until now, those dishes had to stay in a fixed location to access the system.
Read More: FCC, The Verge, Reuters, CNBC, WSJ
USC and UCLA Join Big Ten Conference
Sports powerhouses USC and UCLA are leaving the Pac-12 for the Big Ten. The two California schools have been in the Pac-12 for the last century. The move is going to give the Big Ten a lot of reach, from as far west as Los Angeles and as far east as College Park, Maryland. USC and UCLA say the move will mean more visibility, exposure, and resources for the teams. However, the Pac-12 said in a statement it was “extremely surprised and disappointed” by the decision. The switch will happen starting in 2024, after the Pac-12’s current media rights contracts expire with Fox and ESPN.
Read More: USC, UCLA, Big 10, Pac-12, CBS Sports, NBC News, ESPN
Feel Good Friday: Teen Returns Lost Purse
People are rallying around an honest teen who went out of his way to return a woman's missing purse. Eliana Martin realized she accidentally left her purse in a grocery store shopping cart. The purse was full of cash and credit cards. 17-year-old Adrian Rodriguez found the purse and got what he thought was her address from her ID. He then drove to the home and dropped the purse off with her former roommate's family. Even though Rodriguez didn't expect anything for doing the right thing, Martin's former roommate organized a GoFundMe campaign that raised nearly $8,000 for the 17-year-old.
Read More: Upworthy, KNSD, San Diego Union-Tribune
Listen to the Upworthy Weekly podcast