[KARAH RUCKER]

WE CAN EXPECT LEGENDARY PERFORMANCES AT THIS YEAR’S OLYMPIC GAMES.

AND NOT JUST FROM THE ATHLETES. 

PLAY-BY-PLAY ANNOUNCER AL MICHAELS – WHO HAS LENT HIS VOCALS TO NEARLY A DOZEN SUPER BOWLS – WILL BE CONTRIBUTING TO NBC’S COVERAGE.

OR AT LEAST – A CLONE OF HIS VOICE WILL. 

NBC IS JUST THE LATEST ENTITY TO INTRODUCE AUDIENCES TO AI VOICE TECHNOLOGY. 

AND IF YOU’RE SKEPTICAL ABOUT IT – JOIN THE CLUB.

MICHAELS HIMSELF HAS SAID THE PROPOSAL WAS ‘A LITTLE BIT FRIGHTENING’ BUT CHANGED HIS TUNE WHEN HE HEARD HIS COPY SPEAK. 

THE NETWORK, FOR IT’S PART, SAYS THERE WILL BE A TEAM OF HUMAN EDITORS WHO WILL REVIEW ANY AI CONTENT BEFORE ITS RELEASED.

BUT WHAT ABOUT WHEN IT’S A MUSICIAN GETTING COPIED – AND THEY’RE NOT EVEN BEING ASKED BEFORE IT HAPPENS?

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE HAS BEEN USED TO BRING BACK THE VOCALS OF DEAD ARTISTS – LIKE TUPAC. 

SHERYL CROW RECENTLY SPOKE OUT ABOUT THIS PRACTICE – SLAMMING DRAKE FOR USING AI TO RECREATE THE VOICES OF THE LATE RAPPER AS WELL AS KENDRICK LAMAR FOR A SONG IN APRIL.

IT WAS ULTIMATELY PULLED AFTER TUPAC’S ESTATE THREATENED TO SUE. 

THE DEBATE RAGES ON – MAJOR RECORD COMPANIES ARE NOW SUING MUSIC GENERATION COMPANIES. ACCUSING THEM OF USING COPYRIGHTED SOUNDS AND SONGS TO TRAIN THEIR AI SERVICES. 

IT’S CLEAR THE TECH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO SHAKE UP THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY.

AND MANY EXPERTS WARN – A-I VOICE GENERATION – COULD ALSO HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON THE UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

[NAT OF JOE BIDEN ROBO-CALL]

[KARAH RUCKER]

THERE ARE TOOLS YOU CAN USE TO HELP MAKE SENSE OF THE NOISE. HOWEVER, MUCH LIKE THE TECH – THEY ARE STILL EVOLVING. 

SO YOUR BEST BET – MAY JUST BE LISTENING CLOSELY.

AUDIO RECORDINGS CREATED BY A LIVE PERSON TEND TO SOUND MORE NATURAL AND VARIED – COMPARED TO AI-GENERATED VOICES THAT ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE VERY CLEAR. 

[KARAH RUCKER]

THE NFL HAS BEEN ORDERED TO PAY NEARLY FIVE *BILLION* DOLLARS IN DAMAGES… AFTER A JURY FOUND IT BROKE ANTI-TRUST LAWS — SAYING THE LEAGUE CONSPIRED WITH DIRECT T-V AND NETWORK PARTNERS TO INCREASE THE PRICE OF THE EXCLUSIVE ‘SUNDAY TICKET’ PACKAGE.

THE LAWSUIT COVERED 2 POINT 4 MILLION RESIDENTIAL SUBSCRIBERS AND 48-THOUSAND BUSINESSES WHO PAID FOR THE PACKAGE FROM THE 20-11 THROUGH 20-22 SEASONS.

THE JURY AWARDED 4 POINT 7 BILLION DOLLARS IN DAMAGES TO THE RESIDENTIAL CLASS AND 96 MILLION TO THE COMMERCIAL CLASS.

THE LAWSUIT CLAIMED THE NFL BROKE ANTITRUST LAWS BY SELLING ITS ‘SUNDAY TICKET’ PACKAGE AT AN INFLATED PRICE AND RESTRICTED COMPETITION BY ONLY OFFERING IT ON A SATELLITE PROVIDER.

THE NFL SAYS IT WILL APPEAL THE DECISION.

[KARAH RUCKER]

THE RESPONSE TO THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE HAS BEEN SWIFT ON BOTH SIDES.

FACT CHECKERS HAVE ISSUED CORRECTIONS FOR STATEMENTS MADE BY BOTH CANDIDATES –

BUT IT IS PRESIDENT BIDEN’S PERFORMANCE GETTING THE MOST ATTENTION.

biden’s PERFORMANCE ON THE DEBATE STAGE has some democratic lawmakers telling news outlets — they are questioning HIS FUTURE ABILITY AS PRESIDENT.

THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN and white house released a statement during the debate saying biden CAME INTO THE DEBATE WITH A COLD — the timing of the news of biden feeling unwell questioned in the media’s post debate coverage.

AT ONE POINT FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP QUESTIONs WHETHER BIDEN even UNDERSTOOD HIS OWN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION ON THE BORDER.

BIDEN:

WHAT I’VE DONE SINCE I’VE CHANGED THE LAW, WHAT’S HAPPENED, I’VE CHANGED IT IN A WAY THAT NOW YOU’RE IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY’RE 40% FEWER PEOPLE COMING ACROSS THE BORDER ILLEGALLY HAS BEDROOM. HE LEFT OFFICE AND I’M GOING TO CONTINUE TO MOVE UNTIL WE GET TO TOTAL BAN ON THE THE THE THE TOTAL INITIATIVE RELATIVE TO WHAT WE CAN DO WITH MORE BORDER PATROL AND MORE ASYLUM OFFICERS

“PRESIDENT TRUMP”

“I REALLY DON’T KNOW WHAT HE SAID AT THE END OF THEIR SENTENCE. I DON’T THINK HE KNOWS WHAT HE SAID EITHER.”

[KARAH RUCKER]

DAVID AXELROD — A TOP ADVISER TO FORMER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA – SPEAKING OF THE CONCERNS FROM DEMOCRATS DURING CNN’S POST-DEBATE COVERAGE.

DAVID AXELROD | FMR. SENIOR ADVISER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA

4:03 – 4:32  “There is a sense of shock at how he came out at the beginning of this debate. How his voice sounded. He seemed a little disoriented…… There are going to be discussions about whether he should continue.”

[KARAH RUCKER]

THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN DECLARED VICTORY AFTER THE DEBATE – ISSUING A STATEMENT – SAYING BIDEN WAS UNABLE TO DEFEND HIS QUOTE “DISASTROUS RECORD ON THE ECONOMY AND THE BORDER.”

next month — both major political parties will hold their conventions to officially nominate their presidential candidate.

YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND OUR LATEST COVERAGE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ON THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP AND AT SAN DOT COM.

[KARAH RUCKER]

THURSDAY NIGHT, JUNE 27, SAW THE FIRST TIME A CURRENT U.S. PRESIDENT DEBATED A FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP TOOK THE STAGE AT CNN’S ATLANTA STUDIOS FOR THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE OF THE 2024 ELECTION.  

PER CNN’S RULES, THERE WAS NO LIVE AUDIENCE AND THE CANDIDATE’S MICS WERE MUTED WHEN THE OTHER ONE TALKED – BUT THAT DID NOT STOP BOTH FROM FIRING BACK AT ONE ANOTHER WHILE DISCUSSING TOPICS LIKE THE ECONOMY, ABORTION, IMMIGRATION, THE WARS IN GAZA AND UKRAINE AND THEIR OVERALL APTITUDE.  

THURSDAY’S DEBATE BEGAN WITH THE PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEES WALKING ON STAGE – FORGOING THE TRADITIONAL HANDSHAKE.  

THE FIRST TOPIC WAS ON THE ECONOMY, WITH BIDEN FOCUSING ON TRUMP’S RECORD AS PRESIDENT, BUT SEEMING TO LOSE HIS TRAIN OF THOUGHT AS HIS RESPONSE WENT ON.     

WHEN IT CAME TO IMMIGRATION, TRUMP HIGHLIGHTED THE CRISIS ON THE BORDER, CALLING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION’S RECENT LEGISLATION LIMITING ASYLUM ACCESS A “NOTHING DEAL” AND “INSIGNIFICANT.”  

FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP 

“He decided to open up our border, open up our country too. People that are from prisons, people that are from mental institutions, insane asylum, terrorists,” Trump said. “We have the largest number of terrorists coming into our country right now. All terrorists, all over the world, not just in South America, all over the world. They come from the middle east everywhere, all over the world. They’re pouring in.”  

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN 

“I’m not saying that no terrorist ever got through but the idea they’re emptying their prisons, where we’re welcoming these people, that’s simply not true, there’s no data to support what he said. Once again, he’s exaggerating. He’s lying.”    

ON THE SUBJECT OF ABORTION, TRUMP COMMENDED THE SUPREME COURT FOR OVERTURNING ROE V. WADE – WHILE BIDEN VOWED TO REINSTATE IT.  

FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP 

“You had Roe v. Wade, and everybody wanted to get it back to the states. Everybody without exception, Democrats, Republicans, Liberals, conservatives. What happened is we brought it back to the states and the country is now coming together on this issue. It’s been a great thing.” 

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN 

“It’s been a terrible thing once you’re done. The fact is that the vast majority of constitutional scholars supported Roe was decided support it Roe that was this idea that they were all against it. It just ridiculous.” 

AS FOR AMERICAN VETERANS, TTUMP CLAIMED HE TOOK CARE OF THEM DURING HIS PRESIDENCY, AS BIDEN TOOK EXCEPTION TO REPORTED COMMENTS MADE BY TRUMP — WHICH THE FORMER PRESIDENT DENIES.  

FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP 

“Our veterans are on the street. They’re dying because he doesn’t care about our veterans. He doesn’t like the military at all, and he doesn’t care about our veterans. Nobody been worse. I had the highest approval rating for veterans taking care of the VA he has the worst he’s gotten rid of all the things that I approved.”  

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN 

“I was recently in France for D-Day and I spoke at all about those heroes had died. I went to the World War II cemetery, World War I cemetery, refused to go to he was standing with his four-star general and he told me said, ‘I don’t want to go in there because they’re bunch of losers and suckers.’ My son was not a loser, was not a sucker. You’re the sucker. You’re the loser.  

FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP DENIED BIDEN’S CLAIM, CALLING THAT A “MADE-UP QUOTE”  

ON FOREIGN POLICY, TRUMP ARGUED BIDEN’S WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN INSPIRED RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN TO INVADE UKRAINE. BIDEN CALLED THAT “MALARKEY” AND WARNED THAT PUTIN MUST BE STOPPED.  

TO THE WAR IN GAZA, TRUMP SAID, “LET ISRAEL FINISH THE JOB.” BIDEN REMARKED THAT THE U.S. IS PROVIDING ISRAEL WITH “ALL THE WEAPONS THEY NEED AND WHEN THEY NEED THEM.”  

AND WHILE HEARING THE DIFFERENCE IN POLICIES WAS THE GOAL OF THE DEBATE, THE TWO PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES DID NOT HOLD BACK ON PERSONAL ATTACKS.  

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN 

“The only person to stages a convicted felon as man, I’m looking at right now. And the fact of the matter is he is what he’s telling you is simply not true,” Biden said.  

FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP 

“When he talks about a convicted felon, his son as a convicted felon at a very high level, his son has convicted going to be convicted probably numerous other times should have been convicted before, but his justice department let the statute of limitations laps. And the most important things. But he could be a convicted felon as soon as he gets out of office, you could be a convicted felon with all of the things that he’s done.”  

WHEN DISCUSSING THEIR ABILITIES TO HANDLE THE PRESIDENCY AT THEIR RESPECTIVE AGES — BIDEN 81 YEARS OLD AND TRUMP 78 – THE TWO BEGAN ARGUING OVER THEIR GOLF GAME.  

AS THE DEBATE ENDED – TRUMP SAID HE WOULD ACCEPT THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION IF IT’S “A FAIR AND LEGAL AND GOOD ELECTION.” IN HIS CLOSING STATEMENTS – TRUMP SAID AMERICA IS A FAILING NATION UNDER BIDEN AND HE’LL MAKE IT GREAT AGAIN IN A SECOND TERM. BIDEN, MEANWHILE, SAID HE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS AFTER WHAT HE CALLED WAS A DEBACLE LEFT BY TRUMP.    

THE TWO ARE SET TO DEBATE AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER. 

THE RESPONSE TO THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE HAS BEEN SWIFT ON BOTH SIDES. FACT CHECKERS HAVE ISSUED CORRECTIONS FOR STATEMENTS MADE BY BOTH CANDIDATES, BUT IT’S PRESIDENT BIDEN’S PERFORMANCE GETTING THE MOST ATTENTION.  

HIS PERFORMANCE ON THE DEBATE STAGE HAS PUT IN QUESTION HIS FUTURE ABILITY AS PRESIDENT, AS SOME DEMOCRATS ARE REPORTEDLY CALLING FOR HIM TO STEP ASIDE.  

NEWS OUTLETS REPORTED BIDEN STUMBLED AND SEEMED TO RAMBLE DURING HIS RESPONSES. THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN ACKNOWLEDGED THE PRESIDENT CAME INTO THE DEBATE WITH A COLD, ADMITTING HE HAD A SLOW START.   

AT ONE POINT, FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP QUESTIONED WHETHER BIDEN UNDERSTOOD HIS OWN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION ON THE BORDER.  

“WHAT I’VE DONE SINCE I’VE CHANGED THE LAW, WHAT’S HAPPENED, I’VE CHANGED IT IN A WAY THAT NOW YOU’RE IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY’RE 40% FEWER PEOPLE COMING ACROSS THE BORDER ILLEGALLY HAS BEDROOM,” BIDEN SAID. “HE LEFT OFFICE AND I’M GOING TO CONTINUE TO MOVE UNTIL WE GET TO TOTAL BAN ON THE THE TOTAL INITIATIVE RELATIVE TO WHAT WE CAN DO WITH MORE BORDER PATROL AND MORE ASYLUM OFFICERS.”  

TRUMP REPLIED, “I REALLY DON’T KNOW WHAT HE SAID AT THE END OF THEIR SENTENCE. I DON’T THINK HE KNOWS WHAT HE SAID EITHER.”  

DAVID AXELROD, A TOP ADVISER TO FORMER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, SPOKE OF THE CONCERNS FROM DEMOCRATS DURING CNN’S POST-DEBATE COVERAGE.  

“THERE IS A SENSE OF SHOCK AT HOW HE CAME OUT AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS DEBATE,” AXELROD SAID. “HOW HIS VOICE SOUNDED; HE SEEMED A LITTLE DISORIENTED. THERE ARE GOING TO BE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WHETHER HE SHOULD CONTINUE.”  

THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN DECLARED VICTORY AFTER THE DEBATE – ISSUING A STATEMENT SAYING BIDEN WAS UNABLE TO DEFEND HIS “DISASTROUS RECORD ON THE ECONOMY AND THE BORDER.” 

IN A HISTORIC MOVE, THE FORMER UVALDE SCHOOL POLICE CHIEF HAS BEEN INDICTED OVER HIS ROLE IN THE SLOW POLICE RESPONSE TO THE 2022 MASS SHOOTING AT A TEXAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THAT LEFT 19 CHILDREN AND TWO TEACHERS DEAD. FORMER UVALDE SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICE CHIEF PETE ARREDONDO WAS INDICTED BY A GRAND JURY ON 10 COUNTS OF FELONY CHILD ENDANGERMENT OR ABANDONMENT.  

HE WAS BRIEFLY BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL BEFORE HE WAS RELEASED ON BOND THURSDAY.  

A FORMER SCHOOL OFFICER AT ROBB ELEMENTARY WAS ALSO INDICTED ON SIMILAR CHARGES.  

MORE THAN TWO YEARS LATER, THEY’RE THE FIRST OFFICERS TO FACE CRIMINAL CHARGES IN ONE OF THE DEADLIEST SCHOOL SHOOTINGS IN U.S. HISTORY.  

EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT RELEASED A REPORT THAT SAID LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS HAD MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO REASSESS THEIR RESPONSE.  

MORE THAN 300 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS RESPONDED TO THE SCHOOL THAT DAY, SOME WAITING IN THE HALLWAY OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM, EVEN AS THE SHOOTER COULD BE HEARD FIRING SHOTS INSIDE. IT TOOK THEM 77 MINUTES TO SHOOT HIM AND PUT AN END TO THE KILLING.  

OKLAHOMA’S TOP EDUCATION OFFICIALS HAVE ORDERED SCHOOLS TO TEACH THE BIBLE AND HAVE A COPY IN EVERY CLASSROOM. IN A MEMO, THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS SAID EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, THE BIBLE MUST BE ADDED AS PART OF THE CURRICULUM IN GRADES FIVE THROUGH 12.  

THE DIRECTIVE WAS IMMEDIATELY CONDEMNED BY CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS AND SUPPORTERS OF THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE, WITH SOME CALLING IT AN ABUSE OF POWER AND A VIOLATION OF THE CONSTITUTION.  

OKLAHOMA LAW ALREADY EXPLICITLY ALLOWS BIBLES IN THE CLASSROOM AND LETS TEACHERS USE THEM IN INSTRUCTION, BUT IT’S NOT CLEAR IF THE STATE HAS THE AUTHORITY TO MANDATE THAT SCHOOLS TEACH IT.  

THIS IS THE LATEST CHURCH VERSUS STATE CASE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. LAST WEEK, A LOUISIANA LAW WAS PASSED REQUIRING THE TEN COMMANDMENTS BE SHOWN IN ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASSROOMS, ANOTHER ACTION CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS ARE LOOKING TO STOP. 

THE NFL HAS BEEN ORDERED TO PAY NEARLY $5 BILLION IN DAMAGES AFTER A JURY FOUND IT BROKE ANTI-TRUST LAWS. THE JURY SAID THE LEAGUE CONSPIRED WITH DIRECTV AND NETWORK PARTNERS TO INCREASE THE PRICE OF THE EXCLUSIVE ‘SUNDAY TICKET’ PACKAGE.  

THE LAWSUIT COVERED 2.4 MILLION RESIDENTIAL SUBSCRIBERS AND 48,000 BUSINESSES WHO PAID FOR THE PACKAGE FROM THE 2011 THROUGH 2022 SEASONS. THE JURY AWARDED $4.7 BILLION IN DAMAGES TO THE RESIDENTIAL CLASS AND $ 96 MILLION TO THE COMMERCIAL CLASS.  

THE LAWSUIT CLAIMED THE NFL BROKE ANTITRUST LAWS BY SELLING ITS ‘SUNDAY TICKET’ PACKAGE AT AN INFLATED PRICE AND RESTRICTED COMPETITION BY ONLY OFFERING IT ON A SATELLITE PROVIDER.  

THE NFL SAID IT WILL APPEAL THE DECISION. 

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON. THE L.A. LAKERS HAVE DRAFTED BRONNY JAMES.  

AFTER GOING UNSELECTED IN THE FIRST ROUND, THE SON OF NBA SUPERSTAR LEBRON JAMES WAS DRAFTED WITH THE 55TH OVERALL PICK THURSDAY.  

IF THEY SHOULD GO ON THE COURT TOGETHER, THEY’LL MAKE HISTORY AS THE FIRST FATHER/SON DUO TO PLAY ON THE SAME TEAM AT THE SAME TIME. 

[RAY BOGAN]

In Chile’s Atacama Desert there is a pile of clothes so large it can be seen from space. These discarded textiles are threatening the local environment, but they’re also part of a bigger problem – pollution from something called “fast fashion.” 

Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-ME: “We’ve developed these dual habits in our country keeping up with every single fashion trend and purchasing cheap, poorly made clothing, and they have become drivers of yet one more issue in our climate change crisis.”

[RAY BOGAN]

According to the EU – the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions, more than maritime shipping and international flights combined. 

So Representative Pingree is starting the Slow Fashion Caucus, a group of lawmakers who will try to convince the public to  reuse, rewear, repair, and recycle clothes. They hope to enact policies that make it easier to buy second hand or rent clothing, and improve recycling, collection and management of discarded clothes. 

They also want to mirror European Extended Producer Responsibility laws which require manufacturers to pay for the collection, sorting and recycling of textiles. 

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-WA: “Powerful institutions want you to feel silly for caring about slow fashion. But the truth is the churn of cheap, disposable goods is a very useful for extracting wealth from the middle class. When I have to replace my work boots every year, instead of the five years that used to work, American trades people lose.” 

[RAY BOGAN]

One of the biggest names in fast fashion is Shein, a Chinese based company that made $2 billion in profits in 2023 by selling everything from ball gowns to swim wear at incredibly low prices. 

There are $4 blouses and $11 sweaters. 

But there have been serious questions about its labor practices. 

An investigation by Public Eye found some employees work 75 hours per week. Members of Congress asked the SEC to look into accusations of forced-labor after it was accused of mistreating Uyghurs. 

Saturday Night Live poked fun at Chinese fast fashion’s questionable practices with this parody ad.  

“Matching sets, all workers paid, even ones with wrong religion. Wait what.” 

The lawmakers are waiting for a report from the Government Accountability Office on how the fashion industry and federal agencies like the EPA can better manage discarded clothing and textile waste. 

They say people need to move away from low quality goods that fall apart, the report will give them better ideas on how to do it. 

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-WA: “The answer is simple, you buy less stuff. Ignore trends, follow your own sense of style.” 

[RAY BOGAN]

Straight Arrow News will continue reporting on legislation that impacts the clothes you buy, so for coverage straight from the Capitol, download the Straight Arrow News app.

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

BIRD FLU FOUND IN MILK.

A PAIR OF MICHIGAN FARM WORKERS DIAGNOSED WITH H5N1. 

CONCERNS ABOUT BIRD FLU ARE ON THE RISE. 

NOW A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND STUDY OF HUMAN BLOOD COULD PROVIDE ANSWERS ON HOW TO FIGHT THE VIRUS.

THE C-D-C ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK IT’S PARTNERING WITH THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO STUDY THE BLOOD OF FARM WORKERS FOR BIRD FLU ANTIBODIES.

THEY’RE LOOKING TO SEE IF WORKERS EXPOSED TO INFECTED COWS HAVE ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS. 

THE RESEARCH COULD SHED LIGHT ON WHETHER FARMER WORKERS ARE SPREADING THE VIRUS THROUGH CONTACT WITH INFECTED RAW MILK ON THEIR CLOTHES OR SKIN– OR IF INFECTED HUMANS CAN GIVE IT TO OTHER ANIMALS.

THE F-D-A ANNOUNCED TUESDAY IT’S LAUNCHING ANOTHER ROUND OF TESTING ON DAIRY PRODUCTS , SAMPLING MORE THAN 150 PRODUCTS, LIKE RAW MILK CHEESES, CREAM CHEESE, ICE CREAM AND BUTTER. 

THE AGENCY’S INITIAL TESTING SHOWED SOME MILK AND OTHER DAIRY PRODUCTS CONTAINED REMNANTS OF H5N1, BUT SAID PASTEURIZATION MADE THEM SAFE TO CONSUME.

THE LATEST TESTING COMES FOLLOWING RECENT STUDIES ON INFECTED MILK.

RESEARCHERS USED A PROCESS SIMILAR TO FLASH PASTEURIZATION– THE MOST COMMON METHOD IN THE U-S. THEY FOUND IT MAY NOT FULLY NEUTRALIZE ALL OF THE VIRUS REMNANTS IN MILK.

FOR MORE UPDATES ON BIRD FLU– DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP— AND SIGN UP FOR NEWS UPDATES.

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

WALGREENS WILL BE SHUTTERING “A MEANINGFUL PERCENT” OF ITS 86-HUNDRED LOCATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY – THE COMPANY’S CEO -TIM WENTWORTH TOLD THE WALL STREET JOURNAL – CITING PROFITABILITY AND DECLINING MARGIN.

THE EXACT NUMBER OF STORE CLOSURES IS UNKNOWN HOWEVER, WENTWORTH SAID THE CHAIN’S MOST UNDERPERFORMING STORES WOULD BE AFFECTED.

THE COMPANY HAS ALREADY CLOSED 625 STORIES SINCE FEBRUARY – AND LOWERED THE PRICES ON MORE THAN A THOUSAND PRODUCTS IN MAY.

WENTWORTH TOLD THE PAPER – THE DECISION TO CLOSE STORES STEMS FROM A DIFFICULT WORKING ENVIRONMENT – SUCH AS PRESSURES ON THE CONSUMER AND THE LOSS INVENTORY DUE TO THEFT.

THE PHARMACY CHAIN CUT ITS PROFIT OUTLOOK FOR THE YEAR AND EXPECTS ADJUSTED EARNINGS PER SHARE TO BE BEWEEN $2.80 AND $2.95 – DOWN FROM ITS FORECAST OF $3.20 TO $3.35.

WENTWORTH SAID THURSDAY THAT CONSUMERS “HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY SELECTIVE AND PRICE-SENSITIVE IN THEIR PURCHASES.”

WALGREENS ISN’T THE ONLY PHARMACY CHAIN AFFECTED BY MARKET CHANGES: BOTH RITE AID AND CVS HAVE CLOSED HUNDREDS OF LOCATIONS – CITING A DECLINE IN PROFITS.

RITE AID EVEN FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY IN OCTOBER.

FOR SAN, I’M LAUREN TAYLOR…

IF YOU WANT MORE, UNBIASED STRAIGHT FACTS – DOWNLOAD THE SAN APP OR VISIT SAN DOT COM.

[KARAH RUCKER]

JUST AS THEY SAY THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY –

NOW THERE ARE APPARENTLY TWO SIDES TO EVERY FACT.

BEFORE TONIGHT’S DEBATE EVEN BEGINS –

THE FACT-CHECKING – HAS ALREADY BEGUN.

BUT THIS YEAR – IT ISN’T JUST THE MEDIA PREPARING THEIR OWN FACT-CHECKS.

THE CANDIDATES THEMSELVES HAVE THEIR OWN APPROACHES IN FACT-CHECKING EACH OTHER.

TRUMP’S CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED A NEW WEBSITE “FACT CHECK BIDEN DOT COM” –

SAYING BIDEN’S “PERFORMANCES ARE OFTEN FILLED WITH LIES – ABOUT HIMSELF, ABOUT STATISTICS, ABOUT HIS RECORD, AND ABOUT EVENTS THAT NEVER TOOK PLACE.”

BIDEN’S CAMPAIGN HAS A SIMILAR TACTIC –

ALSO RELEASING DAY OF THE DEBATE –

A FACT-CHECKING MEMO – FOR THE MEDIA.

DETAILING THEIR “RAPID RESPONSE STRATEGY” WITH A LOOK AT WHAT IT CALLS THE “LIES, MISSTATEMENTS, AND EXAGGERATIONS” THEY BELIEVE THE FORMER PRESIDENT WILL SAY ON STAGE.

ACCORDING TO NBC – THE MEMO STATES BIDEN’S TEAM WILL ALSO BE SENDING OUT “FACT-CHECK EMAILS” TO NEWS OUTLETS DURING THE DEBATE 

THE MEDIA ARE ALSO ALREADY IN A FACT-CHECKING FRENZY.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS GETTING AHEAD OF IT –

LAYING OUT CONTEXT TO CONTROVERSIAL TAKES THE CANDIDATES ARE LIKELY TO HAVE.

AND OTHER NEWS OUTLETS ARE ENCOURAGING DEBATE WATCHERS TO 

FOLLOW THEIR LIVE FACT CHECKING BLOGS ON ONE SCREEN WHILE THE DEBATE PLAYS OUT ON ANOTHER.

AS MEDIA OUTLETS WITH A LEFT AND RIGHT POLITICAL BIAS OFFER VERY DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS ON THE PROCESS.

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THE MEDIA ON DEBATE NIGHT.

CNN IS HOSTING.

AND HAS PREVIOUSLY SAID ITS MODERATORS WILL NOT BE FACT-CHECKING THE CANDIDATES **DURING THE DEBATE.

HOWEVER –

A SENIOR REPORTER WILL BE POSTING LIVE FACT-CHECKS ON X –

AND SAYS A RUNNING FACT CHECK CAN BE FOUND ONLINE –

LIKE ON MOST CABLE NETWORKS’ WEBSITES.

THE NEW YORK TIMES WILL HAVE 60 STAFF MEMBERS ON HAND –

29 OF THEM WILL FACT-CHECK LIVE.

AND POLITIFACT – A SITE DEDICATED TO FACT-CHECKING POLITICIANS –

SIMILARLY SAYS THEY’LL HAVE 27 STAFF MEMBERS AVAILABLE TO UPDATE THE FACT-CHECK TALLY.

HOW AMERICANS FEEL ABOUT FACT-CHECKS?

IS LARGELY PARTISAN.

PEW RESEARCH FOUND 70 PERCENT OF REPUBLICANS BELIEVE FACT-CHECKERS ARE BIASED.

29 PERCENT OF DEMOCRATS –

AND 47 PERCENT OF INDEPENDENTS FELT THE SAME.

POLL AFTER POLL SHOWS TRUST IS HARD TO COME BY.

AND WHILE FACT-CHECKING WAS ORIGINALLY MEANT TO SERVE AS A TOOL IN BUILDING TRUST –

EVEN THAT IS TAINTED BY A PARTISAN DIVIDE.

AS TWO CANDIDATES – WITH VERY DIFFERENT POLICIES. PERSONALITIES. AND APPROACHES – TAKE CENTER STAGE TONIGHT –

VYING FOR AMERICA’S TRUST –

FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

I’M KARAH RUCKER.

FOR DEBATE COVERAGE –

DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP AND TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS FOR THE MORNING RUNDOWN WHERE WE WILL RECAP THE NIGHT’S HIGHLIGHTS WITH UNBIASED. STRAIGHT FACT REPORTING.

[TROOPER]

NO, IT LOOKED LIKE YOU FLIPPED ME OFF AS YOU WERE GOING BY THERE.

IT’S LOOKED LIKE YOU WERE DOING THIS TO ME AS I WAS DRIVING BY YOU.

DID YOU NOT DO THAT?

[GREG BOMBARD]

NO, YOU MIGHT’VE [INAUDIBLE] DOING THIS.

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

THAT’S THE MOMENT A MAN WAS PULLED OVER AFTER A STATE TROOPER ACCUSED HIM OF “FLIPPING HIM OFF” BACK IN 2018.

THAT ENCOUNTER LED TO THIS.

[GREG BOMBARD]

I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS. SIR.

I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS. 

[TROOPER]

THE FIRST ONE MAY HAVE BEEN AN ERROR AND THE SECOND ONE CERTAINLY WAS NOT. 

[GREG BOMBARD]

HOW IS THAT DISORDERLY CONDUCT?

I’M NOT BEING DISORDERLY.

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

THE MAN, GREG BOMBARD—

ARRESTED AFTER AN ARGUMENT ENSUED WITH THE TROOPER– WHO THEN ACCUSED HIM OF DISORDERLY CONDUCT AFTER BOMBARD ALLEGEDLY YELLED OBSCENITIES AT HIM.

[TROOPER]

HE CALLED ME AN A******* AND SAID F**** YOU. FLIPPED THE BIRD. I’M GONNA ARREST HIM FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT.

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

THIS WEEK, BOMBARD, WAS AWARDED 175-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN A SETTLEMENT WITH THE TROOPER AND THE STATE OF VERMONT.

BOMBARD DENIED GIVING THE TROOPER THE FINGER.

BUT THE ACLU OF VERMONT SAID IT’S NOT WHETHER HE DID OR DIDN’T USE THE GESTURE.

SAYING IN A STATEMENT:

“POLICE NEED TO RESPECT EVERYONE’S FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS – EVEN FOR THINGS THEY CONSIDER OFFENSIVE OR INSULTING.”

THE ACLU OF VERMONT AND FOUNDATION OF INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND EXPRESSION OR FIRE, FILED THE LAWSUIT, ARGUING BOMBARD’S FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF FREE SPEECH AND FOURTH AMENDMENT PROTECTIONS AGAINST UNREASONABLE SEARCH AND SEIZURE WERE VIOLATED.

BOMBARD SAID HE IS PLEASED WITH THE SETTLEMENT AND HOPES IT LEADS TO BETTER TRAINING FOR TROOPERS TO “AVOID SILENCING CRITICISM OR MAKE BASELESS CAR STOPS.” 

AS PART OF THE SETTLEMENT, THE DEFENDANTS DID NOT ADMIT GUILT.

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