What's Happening

Politics

It Started With a Handshake, but Then It Went Like This…

What's going on: Last night, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump faced off for the first time in what may be their only debate before Election Day. The presidential nominees answered questions on foreign policy, fracking (lots of fracking), Jan 6, and immigration. Throughout the night, Harris repeatedly put Trump on the defensive, riling him up over his criminal cases, Project 2025, and crowd sizes. In a strong moment for Harris, the VP said Trump “hand-selected” the three Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade, leading to “Trump abortion bans.” Trump would not answer if he would sign a national abortion ban as president, but said he’s been “a leader on fertilization,” presumably meaning in-vitro fertilization. On immigration, the former president repeated his running mate Sen. JD Vance's (R-OH) false claims about immigrants stealing pets in Ohio. Then, there was everything both candidates said while their mics were muted.

What it means: Right off the bat, the night struck a noticeably different tone (and pace) than the Trump-Biden debate nearly two months ago, highlighting how much the race has shifted. At one point, Harris even had to explicitly remind Trump: “You’re not running against Joe Biden. You are running against me.” While Trump’s advisers hoped he would focus on the issues, he took the VP’s bait, went on long (and, often, false) tangents, and wasn't a fan of the on-the-spot fact checking. Still, neither candidate offered specifics when it came to policy (see this and this). TBD on whether there will be a second debate between the candidates. Meanwhile, some people have already made up their minds — like Taylor Swift, who officially endorsed VP Harris last night. The impact of this showdown could soon play out, with early voting starting next week. 

Related: If Last Night Was Sensory Overload, Here Are Some Memes to Help You Make Sense of It All (Teen Vogue)

US News

Police Confrontation with Miami Dolphins Player Reignites Use of Force Concerns 

What's going on: A traffic stop involving Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill is under investigation and has put a spotlight on how, when, and upon whom police use force. Here’s what happened: Police stopped Hill for speeding this past Sunday, before his first football game of the season. After a brief exchange with one of the officers, who repeatedly told Hill to keep his car window rolled down, the situation escalated quickly. Police body cam footage shows officers handcuffing Hill and forcing him face-first onto the ground, with one officer placing a knee on his back. During the stop, Hill said: “I’m just being Black in America, bro.” Because the stop happened so close to the stadium, some of Hill’s teammates were passing by and tried to intervene (one was handcuffed himself). Hill spoke out about the incident, telling CNN: “If I wasn’t Tyreek Hill, worst-case scenario, we would have had a different article — ‘Tyreek Hill got shot in front of Hard Rock Stadium.’” 

What it means: Hill said his recent experience reflects “the talk” many Black families must have with their kids about the realities of driving as a Black person in America. Black drivers stopped for traffic violations are more likely to experience the threat or use of force by police, according to a national law enforcement survey — a finding echoed by a Bureau of Justice Statistics special report. In a statement earlier this week, the Dolphins called it “heartbreaking” to see officers use “unnecessary force and hostility” against players like Hill. A local police union countered that the officers involved were following protocol because Hill was “uncooperative.” The mayor says the incident is under review. One of the officers involved has been assigned (for now) to desk duty. 

Related: In Traffic Stops, Black People in the US “Carry the Burden of Ensuring We Are Not Murdered” (USA Today)

Health

Doctors May Be Performing Unnecessary C-Sections on Black Women

What's going on: A new study suggests doctors are more likely to perform cesarean sections on Black mothers — regardless of whether the surgery is medically necessary. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 1 million births across 68 hospitals in New Jersey, making it the largest study of its kind. They found that healthy Black mothers are 20% more likely to undergo a C-section than white mothers, even when they have similar medical histories. The procedure was also more likely to occur when hospitals didn’t have any scheduled C-sections. The researchers suggest this disparity may be driven by both the doctors’ racial biases and financial incentives to operate on Black women, leaving the patients more vulnerable to serious complications and higher medical bills.

What it means: The researchers noted that it’s not clear how racial bias among the doctors in the study developed, since only so much can be deduced from medical records and notes. Doctors may have been more willing to perform C-sections on Black women sooner due to existing racial disparities in childbirth outcomes. The maternal mortality rate for Black women remains higher than that of other women in the US. However, Black mothers might feel less empowered to challenge a decision for a C-section, and when they do, their concerns may be dismissed due to implicit bias — which continues to be a problem. Although C-sections are the most common surgery in the US, advocates and organizations have been urging doctors to reduce their use, as the procedure can lead to unnecessary complications. 

Related: The Number of Maternity Care Deserts in the US Is Growing (NBC)