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Keep reading to find out why Amazon is getting sued, how a Texas Judge has eliminated DACA and why you should put a pause on purchasing some Neutrogena Sunscreens.
COVID -19 cases are soaring across the country with the entry of the delta variant. This is leading to a new pandemic of the unvaccinated. States with low vaccination rates are being hit the hardest. 32% of Americans have not gotten a single dose of the vaccine while allotments are being destroyed for nonuse. As the numbers tick upward, some states are considering reinstating mask mandates to counter the surge.
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits has reached its lowest level since the pandemic struck last year, further evidence that the U.S. economy and job market are quickly rebounding from the pandemic recession.
A federal judge in Texas ruled that DACA, aka, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a program shielding certain undocumented immigrants from deportation, is illegal and blocked new applicants. Judge Andrew Hanen’s ruling would bar future applications. It does not immediately cancel current permits for hundreds of thousands of people but leaves them in devastating legal limbo and an uncertain future. President Joe Biden vows to continue fighting for DACA.
Three weeks after rescue crews began searching for victims, officials said they were nearing the end of their search for those trapped in the ruins of the Champlain Towers South condo building. In total, 97 people have been confirmed dead. No survivors had been found since the initial hours after the collapse.
In Haiti, the head of palace security for President Jovenel Moïse, who was assassinated last week at his home by a team of armed men, was taken into police custody Thursday.
Everyone is aware of former President Donald Trump’s pledge to oust Gov. Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. He is now turning against another Republican, saying he will not support Senate President Pro Tem Butch Miller in his run to become Georgia’s next lieutenant governor. Trump sent a press release claiming Miller refused “to work with other Republican Senators on voter fraud and irregularities in the state.”
A longtime deputy to Gov. Brian Kemp was tapped as the interim head of the state agency that oversees child welfare and other safety-net programs after the former director abruptly resigned. Candice Broce, who has absolutely no experience in the administration of the child welfare department, was tapped by Kemp as the interim director of the Division of Family and Children Services. Broce is a former communications director and deputy executive counsel for Kemp. She most recently served as the governor’s chief operating officer.
Celebrations of life were held for three Black giants we lost a year ago. Ceremonies were held around the country and here in Atlanta for Congressman John Lewis. A celebration of life and dedication of the Jordan Family Life Center in honor of Vernon Jordan was held at St. Paul A.M.E. Church. The Rev. C. T. Vivian, a powerful and significant civil rights leader and foot soldier to Dr. Martin Luther King, was also honored this weekend for his contributions and his work in civil rights causes.
A 742-foot Navy ship was christened in Honor of Congressman John Lewis. The naming of the USNS John Lewis was held one year to the date after Lewis’ death at age 80. It will be used to bring fuel and supplies to other vessels. The event was an opportunity for members of Congress, family and friends to remember the civil rights champion. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was among nearly 30 members of Congress in attendance. The group also included Georgia U.S. Reps. Nikema Williams, D-Atlanta, Buddy Carter, R-Pooler, and Hank Johnson, D-Lithonia.
Atlanta police are urging drivers to be on the lookout and not fall for the “bump-and-carjack” scheme that is now occurring around town. Scooter riders are riding near cars and pretending to be hit, only to have an accomplice nearby who will take off in your vehicle when you get out to investigate.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is suing Amazon in what it said is an effort to “force” the online retailer into recalling hazardous products sold on the site. Amazon is saying it had already pulled most of the products in question ahead of the lawsuit and handled the concerns raised by the agency. CPSC acknowledged that Amazon has made some efforts to protect consumers on some of the items it flagged but argued that the company’s actions were “insufficient.”
Calvin Watts, the superintendent of the Kent School District in Washington state has been named by Gwinnett County Board of Education as its next pick for superintendent of Georgia’s largest school district. The board voted unanimously to select Watts, who will become the first Black to lead this board. Watts, who earlier worked for Gwinnett for 13 years as an administrator said via video conference, “I proudly accept this opportunity to serve as your next superintendent. I look forward to seeing you and working with you very soon.” According to Georgia law, 14 days must pass before the school board takes a final vote on making Watts the job offer. Watts, a former assistant superintendent in Gwinnett, would follow J. Alvin Wilbanks, who steps down at the end of the month after a 25-year run as the longest-serving superintendent of a large school district in the United States.
Johnson & Johnson announced Wednesday that five of its aerosol sunscreen products are being recalled after some samples were found to contain low levels of benzene, a chemical linked to blood cancers such as leukemia. The recall includes four Neutrogena sunscreens — Beach Defense aerosol sunscreen, CoolDry Sport aerosol sunscreen, Invisible Daily Defense aerosol sunscreen and UltraSheer aerosol sunscreen — and Aveeno Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen.
General Motors is telling owners of some older Chevrolet Bolts to park them outdoors and not to charge them overnight because two of the electric cars caught fire after recall repairs were made. The request covers 2017 through 2019 Bolts that were part of a group that was recalled earlier due to fires in the batteries.
American tennis star Coco Gauff will not be participating in the Olympic Games in Tokyo, after testing positive for COVID-19, the 17-year-old confirmed on social media Sunday. “I am so disappointed to share the news that I have tested positive for COVID and won’t be able to play in the Olympic Games in Tokyo,” Gauff said in an image shared on Twitter and Instagram. She goes on to add, “I want to wish Team USA best of luck and safe games for every Olympian and the entire Olympic family.”
ESPN named Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank the 2021 Sports Philanthropist of the Year as part of the production of the seventh annual Sports Humanitarian Awards. The award highlighted the recent philanthropic work of The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation (AMBFF) and Blank’s Family of Businesses (BFOB) that includes: the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United; the nationwide PGA TOUR Superstore; Mercedes-Benz Stadium(MBS); and three ranches in Montana.
It was a ruff week for NFL players this week. Atlanta Falcons released linebacker Barkavious Mingo after he was arrested and accused of indecency with a child for allegedly tugging at a teenage boy’s underwear and trying to initiate sex while in a hotel room. Mingo’s attorney says the allegations are a lie and that his client will be vindicated. Richard Sherman, a 10-season NFL veteran, was charged with five misdemeanors in Washington state. Sherman was charged with driving under the influence, reckless endangerment of roadway workers, criminal trespass in the second degree (domestic violence designation), resisting arrest and malicious mischief in the third degree (domestic violence designation). The free-agent cornerback released a statement expressing his remorse for the incident earlier this week but pled not guilty to all five charges later Friday. Finally, Pittsburg Steelers backup quarterback Dwayne Hawkins was involved in a domestic incident with his wife, Kalabrya Gondrezick-Haskins. She was arrested and taken to the hospital for evaluation prior to being booked into jail for assaulting Hawkins in the mouth and knocking out a tooth after a verbal confrontation.
The Braves are making business moves to line up college athletes to pitch their products after new state laws and NCAA policies this month cleared a path for college athletes to be compensated for use of their name, image, and likeness.
Have a wonderful week!
