Happy Tuesday, September 29th!
FYSA, every Tuesday and Friday, I’ll be in your inbox with the latest in politics, tech & social media, culture, and other relevant topics – and I’ll share some notes and tips on what I’m keeping an eye on.
And finally, if you enjoy this newsletter and want to share it with your network (and/or your chronically online friends), or buy me a matcha, that would be so appreciated 🙏
REMINDER: if you have fun ways that you like to GOTV and are comfy sharing them, please send them my way!!! You can drop them here or just reply to this email!
How Student Journalists Broke the ‘Cornell Seven’ Case
For the past two weeks, reporters at the student paper have been relentlessly chasing follow-ups, from the administration’s response to the district attorney’s office reopening its criminal investigation and the larger fallout in Ithaca. The Sun also published a blistering editorial, printing the names of the accused men and taking the university to task for its lack of transparency. (The Cut, 9/29 – free version)
Lucy’s note: you can donate to the Cornell Sun here!
Vance Woos Skeptical Conservatives With His Own Take on Trump’s Messaging
JD Vance is smoothing the harder edges of President Trump’s words, or expanding on them, as he reaches out to dissatisfied conservatives and urges them to stick with Republicans in the midterms. Asked about Trump saying last week he was “proudly banning” CNN, Politico and MS NOW from the White House, Vance on Monday replied: “I take some issue with the premise, he’s not banning media outlets,” and said it was a reasonable step to withhold access for some outlets. (WSJ gift link, 9/26)
Lucy’s note: I saw someone using the term “Vance-splaining”… hate it but probably an effective moniker
These Democrats are making Christianity a centerpiece of their midterm campaigns
It’s rare for Democrats to make religion a centerpiece of their campaigns. But this midterm election cycle, a number of candidates for Congress are doing just that. At least a half-dozen candidates are ordained clergy themselves; others are studying to become ministers. They include a megachurch pastor in Dallas, a Methodist minister in Kansas and two members of the clergy in Iowa – all of whom are in competitive races. (NPR, 9/27)
Florida asks for order to halt ChatGPT development
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has asked for a temporary injunction against OpenAI and ChatGPT, claiming the company doesn’t have the ability to properly regulate its own technology. The legal fight could further test how far states can go to restrict AI companies despite the federal government declining to enact guardrails. (Axios, 9/28)
The AI Bros Are Partying
It was a party planned on the defensive, counterprogramming what the invite described as a “bipartisan psychosis” over data centers. Three men who work in libertarian and conservative spaces organized it: Jonas Du, a writer for Pirate Wires, a media company founded by conservative commentator and Peter Thiel protegé Mike Solana; Ed Tarnowski, a resident fellow at the R Street Institute; and Casey Given, the CEO of Young Voices, which supports “thought leaders for liberty in the digital age.” (The Washington Sun, 9/27)
Meta’s Muse Charm looks like a Tamagotchi, but it’s tapping into a much newer trend
Is Meta’s just-announced Muse Charm a playful device that will make AI more approachable to everyday consumers, or will it be yet another flop in a long list of AI hardware gadgets that didn’t take off, like the AI Pin, Rabbit, or Friend pendant? Reactions, so far, have been mixed. What the Charm is, however, is on-trend. Like it or not, the form factor could potentially appeal to Gen Z consumers who, in this post-Labubu era, have already been into various dangling items from keychains and bags. (TechCrunch, 9/24 – free version)
What Does Your Data Reveal About Sports Betting Apps? Help ProPublica Find Out.
ProPublica is trying to understand how sports betting apps incentivize users to keep playing and when they warn users to pump the brakes. To do that, we need your help: We’re aiming for at least 250 people to upload their gambling history from apps like FanDuel and DraftKings. We’re not quite there yet, so if you’ve used these apps, you can help our journalists. If you’ve worked in the industry, you can also help us by answering a few questions. (ProPublica, 9/26)
Lucy’s note: another important way to support independent investigative journalism!
The wall colors primed to take over next year
Paint companies Behr, Valspar and Sherwin-Williams recently named their picks for the next big hues in home design. Behr chose Grounded, a “mossy olive,” as its 2027 color of the year. Valsar went with Cottage Door, a comforting gray-blue. And Sherwin-Williams chose Celery, a pale green that looks just like, well, the vegetable. (Axios, 9/27)
Ground Cinnamon Sold In 6 States Is Being Recalled Over Lead Concerns
Galil Importing Corp has recalled one lot of Lior Cinnamon Ground Seasoning after a state test detected elevated levels of lead in the product. The good news, at least, is that no illnesses have been reported so far. Before you start clearing out every cinnamon jar you own, this recall is limited to one specific batch. Look for a 90-gram clear plastic container with UPC 794711005484 and lot code GAP11304, with the lot number printed on the side of the package below the ingredients. (Delish, 9/27)
New giant pandas from China arrive in Atlanta zoo
Two giant pandas from China have arrived in the U.S. as part of an agreement between the Chinese and American governments, the Atlanta zoo confirmed on Sunday. The zoo said giant pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Sunday morning “via a dedicated ‘FedEx Panda Express’ Boeing 777 aircraft.” (CBS News, 9/27)
What China Sees in ‘Jane Eyre,’ Now Required Reading for Ninth Graders
The book, in which the young orphan Jane Eyre works as a governess in the household of the wealthy but elusive Mr. Rochester, is widely celebrated in China for its themes of independence and equality between women and men. A Chinese translation appeared as early as 1925, and there have since been numerous translations and adaptations for stage and screen. (NYT gift link, 9/28)
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Extra Credit 🤓
Substacks That Really Substacked This Week 🤌
Elon’s Ouroboros from Ravi Mangla from Signal Break
Sneaky Links
TL;DR I’ve inexplicably started receiving codes to stuff… here are the things I actually like :)
My BNTO code for September is 8Y8R4F for $20 off (if you know me IRL, you know my rant about the Nuulification of the 20-something city dweller)
I also have a code for CampSnap??? And I do love my CS8 camera from them, but I don’t think I said that online? Either way, it’s LUCYR7 for 7% off!
That’s all for now – I’ll see you on Friday!