Wednesday, October 27th, 2021
Police Fight Mandates, Tech Execs Testify & Circus Comeback
All the news you need 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 reading about the latest happenings…
FDA Panel Endorses Pfizer Vax for Kids
Young children may be able to get a Covid-19 vaccine as soon as next week, opening up the vaccine to another 28 million children in the U.S. A key FDA advisory panel gave the thumbs up, recommending the use of a kids-sized version of the Pfizer vaccine for 5-11-year-olds. The panel of experts says the vaccine’s benefits far outweigh any potential risks. The FDA doesn’t have to follow the panel’s advice to authorize the lower-dose vaccine, but it typically does. There will likely be a final decision in the coming days, followed by a decision from the CDC on whether or not to recommend the shot.
Read More: AP, CNN, NY Times, NPR
Rare Heart-Related Side Effect
There have been some questions about a very rare heart-related side effect in teens and young adults who get adult-sized doses of vaccines from Pfizer or Moderna. A large study in Israel found an increased risk of a type of heart inflammation, especially in young boys. But, the researchers say it was found in a very small number of people, and the cases were usually mild. Most recovered without needing treatment. A pediatric infectious disease physician also told NBC News the risk of the same heart inflammation is higher from a COVID-19 infection than from the vaccinations.
Read More: Nature, NBC News, WSJ, CDC
NYC Workers Protest Vaccine Mandate
Workplace Covid-19 vaccine mandates are getting some pushback all around the country, especially from first responders. This week, New York City's biggest police union sued over the city’s vaccine mandate. All city workers there have to have at least one shot by this Friday. If they don’t there is no testing option, and they will have to go on unpaid leave. The police union thinks that’s not fair, saying the policy should have clear exceptions for medical or religious reasons.
Read More: NY Post, Newsweek, NY Times, CBS News
Other First Responders Push Back
New York City isn’t the only place dealing with backlash over vaccine mandates. About 130 city workers in Chicago are also suing to put vaccine requirements on hold. A federal judge says he will rule on that case by the end of this week. However, so far, most other similar court challenges have failed. In at least 17 lawsuits from Oregon to Maine to Massachusetts and elsewhere, judges appointed by both Democrats and Republicans have refused to block vaccine mandates.
Read More: WLS, NPR, USA Today, WaPo, WSJ
More Movie Set Shooting Details
Authorities say they still have a lot of investigating to do to get to the bottom of a deadly shooting on a movie set. However, at this point, they aren’t ruling out possible criminal charges. Last week, movie star Alec Baldwin was practicing with a gun he was told was safe to use. But, when the actor pulled the trigger, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed. Since then, investigators have been talking to witnesses and collecting evidence from the scene. News reports say crew members were using guns for target practice just hours before the deadly shooting. However, the district attorney says those reports are still “unconfirmed.”
Read More: NY Times, CNN, Fox News, TheWrap
YouTube, TikTok, and Snap Testimony
Lawmakers grilled executives from TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube about how their social media platforms impact young users and what the companies are doing to try to keep kids safe online. The executives pointed out that content about things like sex and self-harm are against their rules, so a lot of that content is taken down. However, some Senators say they are still able to see harmful and inappropriate content on the platforms. YouTube also mentioned it recently restricted targeted ads on children’s content, and TikTok promised it doesn’t share information with the Chinese government. Lawmakers are now pushing for new regulations.
Read More: WaPo, WSJ, NY Times, NPR
International Fake Drug Bust
It took ten months of investigation from authorities across three continents, but dozens of drug traffickers are now said to be off the market and in legal trouble. 150 people were arrested during a dark web drug crackdown. Prosecutors say they’re responsible for tens of thousands of illegal sales in the U.S, the UK, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, and more. Law enforcement officials also seized 500 pounds of illegal drugs, nearly $32 million in cash and virtual currencies, and 45 guns. The darknet or dark web is part of the internet that isn’t picked up by search engines.
Read More: USA Today, Politico, CBS News, DOJ
Blackhawks Sexual Assault Investigation
One of the oldest teams in the NHL is now dealing with the fallout of a serious investigation. The new investigation found the Chicago Blackhawks chose not to respond to allegations that assistant coach Brad Aldrich sexually assaulted at least one player in 2010. In response to the new findings, the NHL fined the Blackhawks $2 million. The team’s general manager, Stan Bowman, resigned along with another executive. Bowman also stepped down as GM of the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team.
Read More: CBS Sports, AP, NY Times, NHL, USA Hockey
Ringling Bros. Circus Comeback
What’s known as “The Greatest Show on Earth” could be making a comeback but with one major change: no more animals. For nearly 150 years, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus made animals the stars of their show. But, they shut down in 2017. Ticket sales had dropped, likely from backlash from animal rights groups. Now, four years later, the company says it’s planning a relaunch for 2023 with human performers only. An official announcement is expected next year.
Read More: Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Bradenton Herald, PETA
Spanx Employee Gifts
How about this for a work perk––two first-class tickets to anywhere in the world! That’s what Spanx founder Sara Blakely surprised all of her employees with. And, in case they want to grab a nice meal or stay in a nice hotel, she tacked on $10,000 for each employee to spend on their trip. Blakely was celebrating her recent deal, selling the majority stake in the shapewear company to the investment management firm Blackstone for $1.2 billion. She posted a video of the surprise announcement on Instagram, showing employees reacting with cheers and happy tears.
Read More: NPR, NBC News, CNN, USA Today, Sara Blakely on Instagram
Work Wednesday: Holiday Hiring
Tons of big, American retailers are hiring for the holidays, but filling the positions hasn’t been easy. Now, some companies are trying to entice workers with signing bonuses. Kohl's is offering new hires up to $400, and Macy’s is giving up to $500 in referral bonuses to staff who help the company land a new hire. Amazon is taking it to a whole other level, offering up to $3,000 to new workers in some places. Amazon and Walmart are both hoping to hire 150,000 seasonal workers in the U.S. to help with demand. Target, Kroger, Dollar Tree, Michael's, and Nordstrom are hoping to hire tens of thousands of workers each as well.
Read More: Fox Business, Reuters, Fortune, WSJ, WXIN