Nose-picking spreads COVID in workplace: https://www.foxnews.com/health/nose-picking-found-spread-covid-health-care-workers-new-study . This may be the first time Fox-Not-the-News reporting gains the top spot in this newsletter. But they certainly dug deep for this one …
Nursing pillows not for infant sleeping: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/nursing-pillow-baby-deaths-breastfeeding-infant-investigation-rcna97725 . I suppose this happens when the baby falls asleep while nursing. Clearly, be sure to move the baby to a flat surface, without the pillow.
Leprosy considered endemic in Florida: https://www.fox13news.com/news/disease-from-600-bc-endemic-to-central-florida-according-to-cdc . While we previously reported on the rise of leprosy in Florida, this article, published in Tampa, warns residents of the area that leprosy is now considered endemic in their area by the CDC. We also learn that 95% of the population is immune to leprosy. Armadillos were introduced to Florida by humans in the 1920’s, and now reside throughout the state. They carry the same variety of the disease that affects humans. Note that the patient in the article is a landscaper.
Significant interest in Alzheimer’s drug: https://www.aol.com/news/major-us-health-systems-expect-101020269.html . As the article notes, various precautions must be taken before commencing the drug, so full rollout will take some time.
WSJ: The growth of compounding pharmacies: https://www.wsj.com/articles/drug-shortages-compounding-pharmacies-medicine-bae67d98 . There are quality control risks here.
Latest company to order workers back to the office: Zoom: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-66432173 . I understand that the employees’ jobs are not to be on Zoom. However, this requirement seems a bit against promoting their brand, doesn’t it?
WSJ: More inflation data on the way: https://www.wsj.com/articles/buckle-up-for-another-round-of-inflation-data-930e44ea .
WSJ: The risks of coming apartment building refinancing: https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-real-estate-haven-turns-perilous-with-roughly-1-trillion-coming-due-74d20528 . As bad as China’s overbuilt property market is, our over-leveraged property market is not far behind.
Yellow’s bankruptcy drives up freight rates: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/yellow-bankruptcy-us-economy-e2761b0b . Inflation data is going to get some upward shots from this and the previous story.
Niger coup update: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/niger-coup-president-us-fumble-russia-africa-86cf1454-33d18bc . In short, there has been plenty of threatened action, but no movement to intervene so far.
WSJ: Munitions manufacture in Ukraine: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraines-ammunition-chief-battles-to-boost-production-563e5fac .
WSJ: Jack Smith doesn’t always win: https://www.wsj.com/articles/jack-smith-is-known-to-take-on-tough-cases-but-he-doesnt-always-win-d6631aad . Uh-huh. What matters is the quality of the current indictments. They are first rate.
January 6 insurrection statistics: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/charged-jan-6-riot-prison-time-doj . DOJ released the statistics Sunday, 31 months after the insurrection. So far, DOJ has charged over 1,100 people. Of these, DOJ charged 967 with trespassing on restricted federal grounds. Just over 100 of these also were charged with illegal entry with a weapon. Also, DOJ charged 372 with assaulting, resisting or impeding officers or employees”. About one-third of those also face weapons or additional assault charges. Also, 64 were charged with destruction of government property, and 51 with theft of government property.
So far, 632 (over half) have pled guilty to various charges (mostly misdemeanors), but 198 have pled guilty to felonies. Of these, 597 have received sentences, with 366 receiving incarceration. Government monetary losses are placed at $2.8 million. As Fox points out, Orange Julius has promised to pardon most of these people if re-elected.
OJ’s new lawyer tries to walk back OJ’s comments on January 6 judge: https://www.politico.com/news/2023/08/07/trump-lawyer-judge-recusal-00110103 . Lauro knew he would face this when he took the case. Like the other OJ lawyers, ego and the desire for fame won out over common sense. In that regard, these losers are a perfect match for OJ. Presumably, many of these lawyers have told OJ that Rule No. 1 is, Don’t piss off the judge. He just isn’t wired to take advice. Will this case come to trial in January or February?: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/donald-trump-nick-akerman-bad-omen_n_64d08c9be4b00c212eee94b3 . This prediction makes sense. While there is a large volume of material, much of it is already well-known. There are no special issues like classified documents. Prompt trial is in the best interests of the justice system and the public.
WSJ: The fight over a protective order in the case: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-indictment-protective-order-8a376d60 . At least the Journal recognizes that protective orders are routine. One is all the more necessary here with OJ’s threats against the prosecutors and the judge. I expect a broad protective order here.
Another Orange Julius legal loss: https://www.aol.com/news/judge-dismisses-trumps-defamation-claim-161556325.html . This stunt was a loser when filed. The judge, by calling Carroll’s comments “substantially true”, indicated his displeasure with this filing. The lawyer’s suggestion of filing an appeal is ridiculous. Actual filing should get her sanctioned.
Jen Psaki gets to the bottom line of OJ’s defense: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jen-psaki-donald-trump-arguments_n_64d092f8e4b0334ad2765029 . As usual, Jen is absolutely right. OJ believes he can win by dragging this out, getting re-elected, and pardoning himself. As readers know, Jen is my favorite current or former White House personality.
WSJ: The Georgia election fraud case may rely on Georgia’s RICO statute: https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-faces-looming-threat-of-racketeering-charges-in-georgia-case-ace4aedc . There is some useful information here, but the writer should have consulted someone with more legal knowledge. Federal prosecutors have used the federal RICO law for a long time to prosecute conspiracies outside traditional racketeering. If, as the article claims, Willis has a deep understanding RICO matters, it is no surprise she would use it in this case, a classic conspiracy.
If the Georgia law is broader than the federal statute, that’s just the way it is. The law predates OJ, and therefore there is no injustice whatsoever in prosecuting him and his cronies under it. Also, critically, OJ cannot pardon himself in this case. It would have been nice if Stacey Abrams had beaten Brian Kemp, though.
KKR buys Simon & Schuster: https://apnews.com/article/simon-schuster-kkr-book-publishing-penguin-random-house-797c3f383bfc1e60ea9a9bd48c6abfab . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/paramount-para-q2-earnings-report-2023-b4308cc6 .
Degradable bioplastic: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/08/07/biodegradable-plastic-home-thermoplastic-starch/70541724007/ .
Finding your lost luggage: https://news.yahoo.com/united-airlines-passenger-took-day-140916232.html . The Apple Air Tag proved invaluable in this situation.
Oregon kidnapping suspect previously appeared on “Judge Judy” in domestic dispute: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/oregon-man-accused-holding-woman-captive-makeshift-cell-appeared-judge-rcna98531 . Apparently reality TV didn’t capture the whole picture here …
Preseason college football rankings: https://www.aol.com/top-25-rankings-closer-look-160712785.html . Note that in the top 15, the Big 10 (pre-Pac-12) has 3 schools – Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State. The Pac-12 chips in 3 more – 2 full shares for USC and (unranked) UCLA, and 2 half shares for Oregon and Washington. No. 18 (Oregon State) finds itself left out in the cold, just after they built a new stadium relying on Pac-12 revenues. So the Pac-12 in general, and the Northwest schools in particular, got a very short stick in this deal. And as it’s a long time before Oregon and Washington get full shares, their programs will inevitably suffer. This just sucks.
NCAA president states “concerns” about conference realignments: https://www.si.com/college/2023/08/07/ncaa-conference-realignment-charlie-baker-statement . Well, thanks for speaking up. Where the hell have you been? Living in a glass bubble for the past 2 years? Are you going to actually do something anytime soon?
William Friedkin, director of “The French Connection” and “The Exorcist”, passes at 87: https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/william-friedkin-director-of-french-connection-and-exorcist-dies-at-87/ar-AA1eUUzM?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=fce6f119b23a4104ad473e78a8075b2d&ei=18 .