Tuesday, August 16th, 2022
Giuliani Investigated, High-Profile Primaries & DIY Pelotons
All the news in about 10 min:
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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...
Rudy Giuliani Criminal Probe
One of former President Trump’s closest confidants is now the target of a criminal investigation. The district attorney in Fulton County, Georgia is looking into whether Trump’s former personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, made illegal attempts to interfere with election results. He urged Georgia lawmakers to appoint their own slate of electors to certify a Trump victory after President Biden was named the winner, among other things. Giuliani is backing up his actions, saying he was only working in the best interests of his client, which was his job. Giuliani is expected to testify about this in Atlanta tomorrow.
Read More: Reuters, Fox News, AP, WaPo
Sen. Lindsey Graham Subpoena
The same district attorney investigating Giuliani also wants to talk to U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham. Prosecutors want to ask the South Carolina Republican about calls he made to Georgia’s secretary of state soon after the 2020 election. They say he was calling to see if there was anything that could be done for Trump to win Georgia after the election was decided. Graham’s office says he wasn’t doing anything wrong, just doing his due diligence as a Senator before he had to vote to certify the presidential election. Graham has been ordered to appear as a witness next week, but he is fighting the request.
Read More: Court Ruling, Politico, CBS News, NY Post, Axios
FBI Human Trafficking Bust
In a massive nationwide bust, the FBI rescued hundreds of people, including children, who have been trafficked in the United States. It was an effort the FBI called “Operation Cross Country”. It turned up 37 missing children and 84 kids who were used for child sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. It also found more than 140 adults who became the victims of human trafficking. In the process, authorities were able to arrest or identify 85 suspects. The FBI worked with nearly 200 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies on this.
Read More: DOJ, Axios, The Hill, Fox News
China Restarts Military Drills
As expected, the American lawmakers who decided to visit Taiwan this week are facing extra hostility from China. While the bipartisan group of representatives met with Taiwanese officials, China announced new military drills in the waters and airspace around Taiwan. The Chinese government says those drills are meant to warn the U.S. and Taiwan against “playing political tricks.” China is mad about the American trips because it worries they’re a sign the U.S. is backing away from longstanding agreements over Taiwan’s status. The U.S. recognizes Taiwan as part of China but also acknowledges that Taiwan functions separately from the mainland.
Read More: PLA, WaPo, Reuters, WSJ
Alaska, Wyoming Primaries
A few high-profile Republicans have their futures on the line in primary elections today. First, there’s the congressional race in Wyoming. U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney is going for a fourth term in a state where she easily won her last three elections. However, this time, she’s expected to lose because she is leading the investigation into the January 6th Capitol riot and former President Trump’s role in it. The former president is endorsing another Republican for Cheney’s job. Also today, there are primary elections in Alaska. There, one-time vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is running for Congress, and she’s considered a frontrunner.
Read More: AP, NPR, WaPo, NY Times
Scotland Requiring Free Period Products
Scotland became the first country in the world to offer period products for free. It’s now up to local authorities and educators there to make sure supplies like tampons and pads are available in public buildings, schools, and universities. The goal is to end “period poverty”. That’s when people are forced to go without menstrual products because they can’t afford them. In the United States, there are a handful of states that offer free menstrual products for students at public schools, but there isn’t a program that would apply to anyone who needs them.
Read More: PPA, Monica Lennon MSP, BBC, USA Today, Axios, WSJ
Pig Skin Restores Human Sight
In a study out of Sweden, researchers worked with 20 people who were blind or on the verge of being blind. Their corneas were damaged or diseased, so researchers gave them a corneal implant made with pig skin. All of them ended up fully regaining their vision. The patients were followed for two years. During that time, none of them had complications. Scientists say this could be revolutionary because the only option for people with damaged corneas now is getting an implant from a human donor, and those are hard to come by. Researchers still need to do a larger clinical trial before the pig skin implants can be formally approved.
Read More: Nature, CBS News, The Hill, NBC News
Popular Baby Swings Recalled
More than two million baby swings and rockers are now recalled. The recall comes after a 10-month-old baby died and another was hurt. The crawling babies got tangled in the swing’s dangling straps below the seat while it wasn’t being used. The recall includes several versions of the 4moms MamaRoo Baby Swings and the same company’s RockaRoo Baby Rockers. Parents can contact the company to get a free strap fastener to keep the straps from dangling. In the meantime, they’re being asked to put the swing in a safe spot, away from infants.
Read More: CPSC, Fox Business, NY Times, CBS News
Peloton Changes Coming
If you buy a Peloton bike, you may soon have to DIY the assembly. Peloton’s CEO says the company is planning to redesign the bikes so they can be mailed to customers, instead of having a crew from Peloton set them up. Peloton is also thinking about letting app subscribers beam Peloton workouts to rival workout machines. It’s all part of an effort to cut costs at the company. Last week, Peloton announced it’s cutting hundreds of workers in the third round of layoffs. It’s also closing some showrooms and hiking prices for its machines.
Read More: Peloton, Bloomberg, The Verge, Reuters, NY Times
SoulCycle Closing Studios
Another one of the biggest names in indoor cycling is also making cuts. SoulCycle announced it will close about a fourth of its studio locations in the coming days.
Read More: CNN, NY Post, Business Insider
Walmart Strikes Streaming Deal
A Walmart+ subscription now comes with a new perk: a free video streaming service. Customers will get access to the version of Paramount+ that includes commercials. That plan usually costs about $5 a month and includes shows, movies, and live sports. Walmart launched Walmart+ in 2020, likely to keep competing with Amazon. This new video offering is no different since Amazon Prime has a streaming service, too. Walmart+ already offers subscribers perks like free shipping on online orders and discounts on gas. Read More: Walmart, CNBC, Variety, WSJ, Fox Business
AP College Football Rankings Poll
The Associated Press put out its annual pre-season college football poll. For the second year in a row, the Alabama Crimson Tide took the top spot. Analysts bet they’ll win a national championship after coming close last year. The last time around, the Georgia Bulldogs beat Alabama in the championship game. This year, Georgia is ranked third. Ohio State is ranked second. The ranking process is a tradition that dates back to 1936. Every year, sportswriters and broadcasters cast votes on which teams they consider the best in the country.
Read More: AP, CBS Sports, WaPo, Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated
Trivia Tuesday
What is the longest above-water mountain range?
Play along on today’s Instagram Stories quiz. We’ll also have the answer right here next week.
Last Week’s Trivia
Q: What is the best-selling album of all time in the U.S.?
A: Eagles, Their Greatest Hits 1971 - 1975
Read More: RIAA, Insider, Mental Floss