What's Happening

US News

CEO's Killing Renews Debate Over Ghost Guns

What's going on: One detail that’s emerged about the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting is the fact that the man arrested in connection with the killing had a “ghost gun” in his backpack. Ghost guns are typically assembled DIY at home, using kits or even 3D printed parts. Yes, some of them are made by licensed hobbyists, but they’re also a weapon of choice for criminals. This type of firearm is often obtained without a background check and traditionally hasn’t required serial numbers, making it nearly impossible to trace. The Biden administration tried to change that legacy with rules introduced in 2022 that required both serial numbers and background checks. While the rules are in effect, gun rights groups have called the move “unconstitutional and abusive” and challenged it all the way to the Supreme Court, which is currently weighing the case.

What it means: We live in a world where people can easily Google tutorials and make a fairly reliable gun, thanks to advances in technology. Meanwhile, suspected crime-use rates for these weapons have increased in the last decade, with law enforcement recovering almost 10 times more in 2021 than in 2016, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. (Although, The Trace found the number of ghost guns recovered from crime scenes dropped after the Biden rule was put in place.) And while there’s no federal law banning these weapons, at least a dozen states have laws in the books regulating ghost guns, according to Everytown for Gun Safety. Once the Supreme Court makes its decision on this topic, it could have major implications for federal firearm regulation.

Related: What the Collective Obsession With Luigi Mangione Says About Society (Wired)

Politics

Is the Democratic Party Turning to the Fountain of Youth?

What's going on: For the most part, we live in a society that values youth (we see this reflected back to us in the plot of Tangled and the 874,000 skincare promotions on TikTok). One of the exceptions to this rule has been the Democratic Party — at least until now. For Democrats in politics, the golden rule has largely been that seniority rules (though the Biden age debacle probably tipped you off to that). Once chosen to lead a House committee, Democrats traditionally keep the role until “retirement, scandal, or death,” as NBC News put it. (Republicans, while not exactly a beacon of youth, enforce term limits for their committee leaders). Now, a handful of glowy, young(er) Democrats are challenging that precedent, just in time for House committee elections. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), 35, is taking on senior colleague Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), 74, in the race for top Democrat on the Oversight Committee (and seems to have a good shot). Other powerful, septuagenarian leaders have also stepped aside (or been forced out) after younger Dems challenged them. 

What it means: Yes, it seems Democrats are beginning to realize that seniority actually doesn’t rule. Some analysts say it’s about time, pointing to President Joe Biden and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as cautionary tales of what can happen when leaders hold onto power for too long. So, can a nice shot of ageism help a flailing party? Maybe — the stereotype says that people grow less liberal as they age, and many experts feel the current party is out of touch with what youth voters want. For example, 80% of young folks said they disapproved of Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war in one CNN poll, as economic concerns (not a strong suit for Dems) topped young Americans’ list of concerns in the Harvard Youth Poll. Even some veteran Democrats can’t help but wonder if a younger generation of leaders could improve the party’s prospects, whether that looks like AOC, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, or someone else taking the reins. 

Related: What Does the Democratic Party Have in Common With the HR Department? (The Atlantic)

Living

Robotic Pets Are Helping Some Seniors Fight Loneliness

What’s going on: Alfred Jarvis had become increasingly agitated due to Alzheimer’s disease. His wife of 72 years bore the brunt of his frustration — Alfred once nearly injured her during a particularly bad episode. But things began to change when his niece gave him a robotic cat. Almost immediately, the 92-year-old started stroking the cat and speaking to it soothingly: “Don’t be scared, it’s going to be OK, Patches.” This simple act calmed him. And he’s not alone — robotic pets are becoming an unexpected and meaningful source of comfort for the elderly. They bark, wag their tails, or chirp when petted (and no, they’re not all small walker attachments, mechanical-looking police-robot dogs, or those toys from the '00s). These surprisingly lifelike pets respond to touch, sound, and movement, helping seniors — particularly those with dementia — feel a sense of companionship, reduce isolation, and engage more fully with their surroundings.

What it means: For many seniors, the emotional connection to these pets goes beyond the physical. Lots of older adults are isolated and lonely, living alone, or unable to visit family or friends easily. Real pets help your cognitive health, but aren’t always an option — due to restrictions in living spaces, physical limitations, or the financial burden of vet bills. Some seniors have even taken their robotic pets to the grocery store, sharing their day with their little companions. “They are a way for an older adult, with or without dementia, to have something to care for,” explained a professor of geriatric medicine. Robotic pets could also help lower the need for medications that help manage agitation in Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. Neurologists suggest that while these pets can’t replace human connection, they offer a gentle, soothing alternative that can make a real difference in an older adult’s daily life. Sounds like a paws-itively perfect purr-scription.

Related: Does America Need To Rethink What It Means To Be Old? (The Atlantic)