What's Happening

Politics

Inflation May Be Cooling, but the Political Battle Over It Is Heating Up

What's going on: Get inflation a cozy fall sweater, because it’s cooling off: specifically, inflation hit a three-year low this past August. Economists predict this sets the Federal Reserve up to cut interest rates next week, which would make borrowing money less expensive. Inflation was in the spotlight during Tuesday’s presidential debate. Former President Donald Trump blamed his opponent, VP Kamala Harris, and the Biden administration for “the worst inflation we've ever had.” Fact-checkers found this claim untrue, noting that higher inflation rates occurred in the 1980s and at several other times in history. Trump also blamed Harris for high prices on everyday items like groceries, claiming Americans can’t afford foods like bacon anymore. Grocery prices have remained steady, but it’s the consistent drop in gas prices driving the recent inflation drop. But with egg and cereal prices still high, consumers aren't feeling it in their everyday spending.

What it means: The economy was the most talked about issue of the debate. Harris dedicated six of her 37 minutes to the topic, while Trump spent four of his 43 minutes on it, according to The New York Times. This makes sense, as inflation and the economy were top voter concerns in a recent KFF poll (which echoed many other polls). Current inflation data — and the perception that inflation remains high — may shape the presidential race going forward. While both Trump and Harris pledged to lower inflation and the cost of living, neither offered detailed plans during the debate. Harris shared her economic agenda last month, which includes a ban on grocery price-gouging and affordable housing proposals. Trump also promised to bring down prices, largely via tariffs on foreign products (though economists are skeptical of this plan). 

Related: You Won’t Believe What Elon Musk Said About Taylor Swift’s Harris Endorsement (USA Today)

Sports

A QB Is Under Investigation for Sexual Assault. The NFL Is Letting Him Play

What's going on: Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson faces new sexual assault allegations in a lawsuit, the 27th accusation of its kind against him. “Jane Doe,” a single mother, claims Watson assaulted her during a first date. She alleges the assault happened in 2020 during a massage at her apartment. Other women have made similar claims, with most cases settled out of court. The quarterback has denied all allegations and has not been charged with a crime. The NFL's response? Watson can continue to play. The league said it will review the latest case “under the Personal Conduct Policy.” In 2022, the NFL suspended Watson for 11 games and fined him $5 million for prior allegations.

What it means: It’s still too soon to know what kind of disciplinary action the NFL might take against Watson (if any) as the lawsuit plays out. The NFL Players Association — a labor union that represents the players — could argue that Watson’s 2022 suspension was sufficient punishment since the alleged incident took place in 2020. Another unknown: whether this allegation would affect Watson’s $230 million-guaranteed five-year contract with the Browns. The Browns said they will “respect the due process of our legal system” and “follow the NFL’s guidelines.” Jane Doe’s lawyer said they “want a jury trial” and the “lawsuit speaks for itself.”

Related: Deshaun Watson Isn’t the Only NFL Player Accused of Assault (ESPN)

US News

SpaceX Sets Off To Make Historic Spacewalk

What's going on: SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn crew is on a quest to conduct the first-ever private spacewalk today. SpaceX has been livestreaming the event, which was rescheduled to begin at 5:58 am ET, pushed back from the original 2:23 am start. The mission marks the farthest any human has traveled into space since the 1972 Apollo mission. Among the passengers: Tech billionaire Jared Isaacman (who purchased the mission for an undisclosed amount), retired US Air Force lieutenant colonel Scott Poteet, and SpaceX engineers Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon. All four private astronauts blasted off into space earlier this week to test SpaceX’s new suits and technologies. The hope is that one day these missions will help astronauts reach Mars or the moon again.

What it means: The mission could take commercial space travel to new heights (literally and metaphorically). So far, most space tourists have only experienced quick suborbital trips, with brief moments of weightlessness, for tickets costing upwards of $450,000. (No, an extra zero wasn’t accidentally added.) While spacewalks are routinely done at the International Space Station, they are considered one of the most dangerous aspects of interstellar travel. The Polaris Dawn crew is now preparing for its splashdown landing off the Florida coast this weekend.

Related: When Are Boeing’s Astronauts (Who Have Been Stuck in Space For Months) Returning Home? (Reuters)