What's Happening

Politics

Lights, Camera, Action: VP Kamala Harris Finally Gives a Sit-Down Interview

What's going on:  On Thursday night, Vice President Kamala Harris gave her first — and highly anticipated — extended interview since officially becoming the Democratic nominee. But for those hoping she would deliver clear policy positions and substantive details, the interview may have fallen short. Speaking to CNN’s Dana Bash, Harris reiterated her early priorities: bringing down the cost of everyday goods, investing in small businesses, extending the child tax credit, and a tax credit for first-time home buyers. The Democratic candidate also described for the first time Biden's call to her when he was dropping out, and brushed off Trump questioning her racial identity. Harris did address charges she has flip-flopped on some key issues like the border wall and fracking, but emphasized that her core values remain unchanged.

What it means: The interview was supposed to be an opportunity for Harris to shut down haters and speak to voters on a national platform. However, Harris might not have quite hit the mark. When answering questions about what her administration could look like, it appeared that Harris struggled to define her platform while also defending her current boss’s policies. She also faced criticism over her decision to appear alongside her running mate, including from former President Trump who said at a campaign rally that she “didn't want to go in alone.” The vice president has less than two weeks before she meets Trump face-to-face for the very first time at their Sept 10 debate.

Related: A Look Inside of Kamala Harris's Life in LA and No, Her Neighbors Didn't Like Her (WSJ Gift Link)

Business

Why Are Big Companies Abandoning DEI Initiatives?

What's going on:  Ford, Lowe’s, and Harley-Davidson are all rolling back their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives amid rising pressure from right-wing activists and changing political environments. Ford’s recent moves include ditching LGBTQIA+ culture surveys, like those from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), and shifting the focus of their employee resource groups. Lowe’s has also reduced its DEI efforts, pulling out of Pride parades and merging minority employee groups into a single, broader category. They’re not alone. Other companies like Tractor Supply Co., John Deere, and Jack Daniel’s parent company, Brown-Forman, have taken similar steps. This trend shows the growing power of the anti-DEI movement, with companies now backing out of programs they once touted, like the HRC Corporate Equality Index.

What it means: These rollbacks are largely driven by conservative activist Robby Starbuck, whom the HRC has labeled an “internet troll” for pressuring companies to abandon what he calls “woke” policies, particularly those supporting LGBTQIA+ rights and climate change efforts. The HRC has strongly criticized Ford’s decision, arguing that by yielding to figures like Starbuck, the company is neglecting its duty to attract top talent. This trend raises concerns about the fragility of DEI programs, bringing up questions about how many companies’ commitments to diversity were more performative than genuine. The potential backlash is uncertain for companies abandoning their LGBTQIA+ commitments, specifically when it comes to appealing to younger consumers, with over 1 in 5 Gen Z members identifying as LGBTQIA+.

Related: Your Favorite Brands Are Abandoning Woke Causes (Vox)

Health

When Mosquitoes Swat Back 

What's going on: Spiders get a bad rap, but mosquitoes are actually the deadliest animal in the world. And they’re showing their own metaphorical fangs this summer, as we see more and more headlines about potentially deadly mosquito-borne illnesses, from West Nile virus to eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). West Nile left a recent high school grad in Missouri paralyzed and on a ventilator, and the same disease recently hospitalized Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Meanwhile, officials in New England are warning of an elevated risk of EEE, a rare illness that can cause headaches, vomiting, neurological problems, and even death. This follows one reported death and four total cases in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Thanks to the amassing mosquito-related headlines, nearly a dozen towns have issued warnings or closed down public parks at night (when the insects are most active). 

What it means: This comes as mosquito season has gotten longer, partially thanks to the warmer summers and milder winters thanks to climate change. This means mosquitoes are living longer, breeding faster, and biting more. Yes, most of the time, those bites are no biggie — but some cases quickly turn from annoying to dangerous. That’s why it’s a good idea to wear longer sleeves and apply bug spray, especially if you’re by the water or among wildlife. In the last few years, we’ve been focusing on stamping out spotted lanternflies, but mosquitoes pose their own scary threats that shouldn’t be ignored. Unfortunately, that’s kind of what we’ve been doing. A medical entomologist warned last year at a National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine workshop that mosquito- and tick-borne viruses could become a larger problem if we don’t take more measures to combat the diseases.

Related: How To Tell The Difference Between West Nile, EEE, and Malaria (AP)