Today’s top stories
Vice President Harris made headlines during her interview on Fox News, where she aimed to attract Republican voters seeking an alternative to former President Donald Trump. During the segment, anchor Bret Baier questioned her on immigration policies and her platform from the 2019 presidential campaign. Following the interview, she delivered a speech in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, alongside several Republicans who have endorsed her candidacy.
- 🎧 During the interview, Harris did not directly respond to questions about her strategy compared to President Biden. However, she emphasized her intent to engage more closely with Republicans, drawing from her extensive experience outside Washington. Attendees at her Pennsylvania event were primarily Democrats or Republicans who have consistently opposed Trump, presenting challenges in assessing the effectiveness of her outreach efforts.
Trump shifted his focus toward Latino voters in a town hall meeting in Miami, highlighting his economic achievements and controversially referring to January 6 as a “day of love.” His remarks included unverified claims regarding Haitian migrants. The race for the Latino vote is critical, as this demographic is expected to comprise up to 15% of eligible voters and play a pivotal role in swing states.
- 🎧Trump asserted that Latinos experienced better opportunities during his presidency. He discussed future plans to reduce energy costs and inflation, while redirecting questions about his immigration policies to focus on crime rates involving undocumented immigrants. His rhetoric poses challenges for Latino voters, many of whom come from mixed-status families, yet he appears to be gaining traction among second and third-generation Latino families.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Brussels today meeting with EU leaders to present his strategy for concluding the war with Russia by the end of next year. Zelenskyy is pushing for an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO, yet some allies, including the U.S., express caution to avoid escalating tensions with Russia.
- 🎧 Zelenskyy revealed that some Western allies have urged him to negotiate under what he considers unjust conditions. He underscored the need for a strong security guarantee to ensure Ukraine’s safety, advocating for NATO membership as crucial. However, his proposal includes lifting restrictions on Ukraine’s military actions deep within Russian territory, a stance the U.S. opposes, fearing it may escalate the conflict.
Deep dive
A new pilot program in Alabama will allocate $280,000 from opioid settlement funds to assist grandparents and extended family members stepping in as primary caregivers for children. More than 2.5 million children in the U.S. are raised by family members other than their parents, often due to substance use disorders, particularly opioids. This initiative aims to prevent children from entering foster care by supporting “grandfamilies.”
- 👵 Advocates argue that the projected financial support of $1,000-$2,000 per family is inadequate to meet the expenses of raising children, but view this initiative as a positive start.
- 👵 Grandfamilies in Alabama historically lack access to welfare programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. This program aims to address that gap.
- 👵 Eligible families can use funds to purchase essential items such as groceries, school supplies, and sports programs.
- 👵 This initial distribution of funds marks just the beginning, with expectations for hundreds of millions more in the coming years.
Life advice
If you’re struggling to improve your mood, several science-backed techniques can help boost your spirits. These quick mood enhancers can energize you or calm your stress within 15 minutes or less.
- 😊 Reflecting on positive memories can provide meaning and connection.
- 😊 Engaging with ASMR videos is known to alleviate stress.
- 😊 Creative activities such as drawing or crafting can stimulate the reward pathways in your brain and lower anxiety levels.
- 😊 If you’re feeling fatigued, incorporating more walking into your routine can be revitalizing.
For a comprehensive look at additional strategies, explore our full list of techniques.
3 things to know before you go
- Liam Payne, former One Direction member, passed away in Buenos Aires at the age of 31.
- Over 11 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry are being recalled due to listeria risks, affecting products sold at major retailers.
- Nebraska’s highest court upheld legislation allowing felons to register to vote after serving their sentences, reinforcing voting rights.
