U.S. NEWS

Silent Treatment

The White House press pool has packed up its floaties cameras.

One of five TV networks (ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News, or NBC) rotates the responsibility of filming the president’s movements, sharing their audio, video, and photos with hundreds of other journalists and outlets. This “press pool” system reduces the number of cameras following POTUS.

CNN was on duty this week… but President Trump banned CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House last week. The ousted outlets sued, claiming the ban was unconstitutional, and the press pool declined to replace CNN in solidarity, saying: “No administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting.”

Trump says he’s not targeting “free press,” only “fake news.” The White House announced Trump TV,* a 24/7 YouTube livestream of presidential coverage.

We’re diving into the press pool tomorrow at a 7th-grade reading level with biblical reflection and action steps in Decaf: The Pour Over for Families. Sign up free to get it in your inbox!

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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
Whether you’re critical of your government or think it’s unfairly criticized, the command for Christians is to love neighbors and enemies alike. That requires speaking about others with dignity and respect, even if we feel like they haven’t earned it.

“With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness. Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way… Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.”
James 3:9–10, 13 (CSB) (read full passage)

WORLD NEWS

81st UNGA

Nearly 130 countries are putting their heads (of state) together in NYC this week for the UN General Assembly.

On the agenda: wars, geopolitics, and AI. In his 35-minute address yesterday, President Trump emphasized defusing Iran’s nuclear program and increasing Iran’s isolation; he said Uncle Sam could “annihilate” Iran but expects a war-ending deal post midterms. Trump also tamped down concerns over artificial intelligence and announced the U.S. would “use the much more accurate term… superintelligence” moving forward (watch the announcement).

After his speech, #47 signed a security deal with Greenland and Denmark that will see two “major” U.S. military bases built on the Arctic island.

The president has a full slate of sideline meetings, including with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy (who says the talk “could change a lot” in the Ukraine-Russia war), Gulf leaders, and Britain’s new PM Burnham (their first meetup).

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PRAY WITH US
Sovereign Lord, the nations’ leaders have gathered—each bearing their country’s banner and burdens—to accomplish goals that stretch beyond their borders. May these temporary chiefs be conduits of wisdom and strength, stewarding the authority You’ve given them for good. May their leadership be like water in parched places, bringing relief to a weary world.

King of Every Nation, these superpowers’ power pales against Yours. Worldly rulers seek to make things better, but You are making all things new. Today’s leaders may fumble and fight and fade, but You, my King, are immovable, unconquerable, and everlasting. So strengthen me with forbearance and grace as I submit to imperfect leadership and wait for the day when every tribe, tongue, and nation will come together under Your perfect rule. Amen.

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“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:40 (CSB) (read full passage)

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U.S. NEWS

Austin ICE Shooting

A Venezuelan man was shot and wounded by an ICE agent in Texas’s capital Sunday, sparking protests.

The 28-year-old was shot after ICE officers ran his license plate and pursued him. He says officers sideswiped his car in an unmarked vehicle and shot him, and that he was transferred from the hospital to a detention center with the bullet still lodged in his back. The driver’s attorney says he entered the country legally through a Biden-era asylum program but missed a court hearing notice after moving addresses.

DHS says the driver entered the country illegally and had a final order of removal, but has declined to comment further on an open investigation.

There are conflicting reports on timelines and details; local officials are calling for an independent probe and the release of all footage.

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Verse to consider when the headlines stir up big emotions, or a personal conflict is heating up… “My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.”
James 1:19-20 (CSB) (read full passage)

East coast airports had their wings comms clipped Monday. Thousands of flights were disrupted after the region’s primary air traffic control communication line failed and it was discovered that the backup fiber optic line had been accidentally severed by a NJ Transit crew. Airports resumed normal operations Monday evening, but officials said it’d “take some time” for flight schedules to normalize (check the state of the misery map).


Lights, camera, merger. California and 11 other states dropped their antitrust challenge to the $110B Paramount-Warner Bros merger. Paramount committed to keep its studios in Hollywood, release 30+ films annually, spend $300M more in U.S. film production annually, and create independent editorial boards for CNN and CBS News. Pending a judge’s green light, the one-studio-to-rule-them-all deal could close in two weeks.


Coming to a retirement community near you: Zepbound. Eli Lilly’s CEO reported Monday that 700,000 seniors have started GLP-1s since Medicare launched “Bridge” coverage in July. The temporary program allows eligible beneficiaries meeting a BMI threshold to get weight-loss drugs for a $50/month copay (see the fact sheet). The biggest loser winner? Eli Lilly, which has captured 70% of those new patients.


Converse stepped in hot water. The sneaker company pulled a recent ad featuring K-pop star Karina after critics said the lighting and a dangling pair of black high-tops evoked KKK and lynching imagery (see here). Converse apologized for the “deeply upsetting” image, while critics say the Chuck-Taylor-maker’s actions “are not enough,” and that Converse should commission an independent investigation.


Hurricane Polo exploded from Category 1 to a Category 5 in a day, putting Mexico’s Pacific coast under threat of “life-threatening flooding and mudslides.” The “extremely dangerous” storm had winds of 180 mph, whipping up tropical storm watches and warnings across four coastal states. Polo is expected to skirt the coast and head back out to sea without making landfall. (Peek at Polo’s path.)

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Cue Bon Jovi… because we’re halfway to the #1 Whipped Cream on Top! Here’s #5.

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