June 24, 2022

Happy Friday, Roca Nation. Over the last few months, our community of readers has nearly doubled. We can't put into words how grateful we are for your thousands of referrals of friends and family. Without you, Roca is nothing but a few friends who drink too much Red Bull and write B- newsletter puns. With you, we're a movement.

For the uninitiated, every Friday we ask you 20 Questions and invite you to respond to Max@RocaNews.com. Can't wait to read your emails!

In today's edition:

• New Title IX proposal
• France's frog eating problem
• 20 questions!

 Key Stories

Instagram Demos Age Verification

Instagram is testing a new age-verification system in the US

• Instagram will require underage users to verify their age if they try to change their age to 18+. The update does not affect new Instagram users, who can still self-report their age with no form of verification
• Instagram has special rules for underage users. The change is aimed at ensuring that “teens have appropriate experiences online”
• Users will have three options: Upload an ID, get 3 adults to vouch for them, or use AI facial recognition software. The update will be tested across the US

Biden Announces Title IX Revamp

President Biden announced a proposal to greatly expand Title IX protections on the law’s 50th anniversary

• Originally passed in 1972, Title IX officially banned sex-based discrimination in education. It has been modified before, most recently under President Trump
• Among other things, the legislation seeks to “strengthen protections for LGBTQI+ students,” require colleges to investigate “all forms of sex-based harassment,” and lower the burden of proof to a “preponderance-of-the-evidence,” meaning claims require less evidence than before

• The previous changes, made in 2020 by the Trump administration, raised the standard of proof to process allegations while also requiring in-person trials. The proposed changes would undo most of the previous modifications

Ecuador Protests Continue

3+ protestors are dead and hundreds injured after 11 days of violent anti-government protests across Ecuador

• The protests, which include ~14,000 Indigenous Ecuadorians, began in response to rising fuel costs, unemployment, and discontent with the president
• While violent clashes are concentrated in Quito, the capital, one official stated that the government “cannot guarantee public safety” in Puyo, an eastern city. 117+ police officers and soldiers have been injured and 18+ are missing
• Ecuador’s president rejected an Indigenous leader’s demands on Wednesday. One government official said that the protests are a “grave threat” to Ecuador's democracy

• In October 2020, Ecuador was racked by civil unrest after the government announced a series of policies to tighten spending and reduce subsidies. 11 protestors were killed and hundreds were injured before a deal was struck between Indigenous leaders and the government

Supreme Court Overturns NY Concealed Carry Law

The US Supreme Court struck down a New York law that regulated who could carry a concealed firearm

• The Supreme Court said the law, which required gun owners to demonstrate a special need to carry a concealed gun in public, violated the Second Amendment. It was the court’s first gun ruling since 2010
• The decision, which was split 6-3, is expected to affect 10 states with laws similar to NY’s. It will likely increase the number of concealed carry permits
• In related news, the Senate passed a vote on Thursday that all but ensures that a bipartisan gun control bill will become law, the first in decades

• The last gun-related Supreme Court rulings – District of Columbia v. Heller in 2008 and McDonald v. Chicago in 2010 – upheld the Constitutional right to private ownership of a firearm for self-defense. Every decision has passed with a conservative majority

• You're a Longhorn, Archie: #1 football recruit Arch Manning, nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, committed to the University of Texas
• Bienvenidos a Miami: Large hedge fund Citadel is moving from Chicago to Miami due to concerns over Chicago crime levels
• Magic bullet: The Orlando Magic selected Duke star Paolo Banchero with the top pick in last night's NBA Draft in a surprise move

 What do you think?

 20 Questions

"You're gonna need a bigger inbox" - Roy Scheider seeing the 20 Questions responses come in

The first official day of summer was this week so it would be a crime to not do a summer-themed 20 Questions today. We can't wait to read your answers from  

Please reply to Max@RocaNews.com.

1. Best beach snack?
2. Favorite vacation spot from your childhood?
3. Snow cones or Slurpees?
4. Surf in ocean or kayak in lake?
5. Best popsicle flavor?
6. Preferred sunscreen SPF?
7. Rank the four seasons
8. How cold is too cold on a thermostat? 
9. Last time you were stung by a bee? 
10. Opinion on iced coffee? 
11. Favorite beach in the country? 
12. Describe last day of school mood in one word 
13. Best summer movie? 
14. Would you rather be stung by a jellyfish or be completely sunburnt? 
15. Best summer of your life? 
16. Song ice cream trucks should play? 
17. Song ice cream trucks shouldn’t play? 
18. How do you feel about the 4-day workweek? 
19. Any fun plans this weekend? 
20. What do you put on your hot dog? 

 Roca Clubhouse

Yesterday's Poll:

 Final Thoughts

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