Folks, thank you for your patience while I juggle being lifed in the face – we’re going with a sort of roundup lite this week, because I don’t want to delay indefinitely but nor am I up to full speed. Please feel free to reach out if you have questions about the abbreviated stories in this roundup! It’s my hope that I’ll be able to keep more balls in the air moving forward by the next cycle; in the meantime, the news sure does just keep going.
Standard standing reminders still apply: we may be into my eighth year of journalism, but I summarize news within my areas of expertise. NNR summaries often contain some detailed analysis that’s outside my expertise–I’m a lawyer, not a convention!–but all offroad adventures are marked with an asterisk. And, of course, for the things that are within my lane, I’m offering context that shouldn’t be considered legal advice. Okay, I think that’s about it for the disclaimers. Onward to the news!
Cleanup in Aisle 45:
By far, the biggest news stories this cycle are in the Election Et Cetera section. Here are the main highlights (and lowlights) to know:
- Election O-Rama. The Democratic National Convention was held last week, and featured a broad array of speakers and shakers – in addition to the actual candidates and many currently-serving officials, everyone from the Obamas to Lil Jon got a turn at the podium. The convention seemed to energize Harris’s base, and Harris did share some campaign priorities, though we didn’t learn as much about planned policy as I might have hoped. In the convention aftermath, there are some rumblings that Trump may be pulling out of the scheduled September 10 debate – apparently because Harris doesn’t want the muted mikes that were used in the first debate back in June. And speaking of Trump and pulling out (ew), Robert F. Kennedy finally pulled out of the election and endorsed Trump in exchange for a likely cabinet position. (Apparently Kennedy approached the Harris camp first, but they didn’t want anything to do with him.) Trump’s campaign also sprung a leak, though no outlets published any of its contents.
Meanwhile, we did have a few Capitol Hill Dales stories too. Here’s what I have for you:
- Capitol Potpourri. Though most eyes are on elections, we did have a few other stories from Capitol Hill. The House report on Biden’s impeachment was released this cycle, and features about as much specific content as you might expect. Meanwhile, special counsel on the Trump classified document case has appealed the case’s dismissal with the 11th Circuit.
Your Regularly-Scheduled “Normal”:
- Contagion Corner. As you may already be aware, we are currently experiencing another COVID spike–apparently, the largest summer surge we’ve seen yet, though it still isn’t as bad as a winter wave. Against this backdrop, the FDA has approved new vaccines targeting the latest variants, which will be made available in the very near future. If you haven’t had COVID in the last few months, now is a great time to get a booster!
The Bad:
- FTC Enjoined from Noncompete Ban. The Federal Trade Commission decision that banned noncompete clauses was enjoined by a federal judge in Texas this cycle. The rule was scheduled to go into effect next month, and it is likely that the FTC will appeal the decision.
The Good:
- Recent Health Resilience. A new form of cervical cancer screening was announced this cycle, and it’s supposed to be less painful than the traditional PAP smear. I don’t believe the tests are available just yet, but it’s good news on the horizon for people who have a cervix!
So that’s what I have for you, and I’m sorry, there are still no news refunds.
For making it through, you deserve this grooving owl and a more functional government. I’ll be back next time with more and improved news, and I hope you will be back as well–but in the meantime, feel free to ping the National News Roundup ask box, which is there for your constructive comments. Send me questions! Send me feedback! Send me fewer life items in my face!
National News Roundup 