Dear John,

What a week it’s been with huge victories for progressive candidates in Minnesota state primaries and the historic Inflation Reduction Act getting ready to pass Congress. My political heart is cautiously optimistic, and I know there is much work to be done by all of us between now and November and beyond.

This week has had me reflecting on the last general election in 2020, the Big Lie and attack on voting rights, and what all of this means for our democracy in the coming months. I highly recommend both podcasts on these subjects.  

Here's what we're reading, watching, and listening to this week:

1. Primary Results

Checkout news stories from Primary Election Day in Minnesota. It was a great night for TakeAction-endorsed candidates. Read about Erin Maye Quade’s victory in the Sahan Journal, Mary Moriarty leading for Hennepin County Attorney in MinnPost, and the close race with Congresswoman Omar in the New York Times.

2. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

From Roll Call, review what’s on track to pass today in the IRA.  

3. IRA: Climate

"The IRA’s passage doesn’t close the book on U.S. climate policy so much as open it. As ever, the best guides to navigating what comes next will likely be the people who won it in the first place, and who’ll have to live the closest to its consequences." Read this piece on climate policy in the Inflation Reduction Act that’s ready to pass.

4. IRA: Medicare Drug Costs

Congressional Democrats are lowering Medicare prescription drug costs. This is a big deal (and we still need action from state leaders).Read The IRA Is Big Pharma's First Defeat—Let's Make Sure It's Not the Last.

5. The Improvement Association

This is an excellent podcast on powerful Black political advocacy in the South and attacks on voting rights told through personal and public stories of Bladen County, North Carolina. Listen to The Improvement Association from Serial.

6. Will Be Wild

Next, I highly recommend the Will Be Wild podcast, chronically what led to the January 6^th insurrection and what comes next.

7. Democracy Defense

This TIME story was published over a year ago—I didn’t know the mass movement to protect our democracy was so thoroughly documented. The Secret History of the Shadow Campaign That Saved the 2020 Election.

8. Trump

From Politico, Why the Trump Search Warrant is Nothing Like Hillary’s Emails.

9. Dark Brandon

President Biden is winning the Internet. Enjoy ‘Dark Brandon’: How the Left Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love Biden’s Alter Ego.

10. Prey

 There’s so much buzz about the film Prey from the Predator franchise. The Indigenous-led project, both on and off screen, is the first new movie to ever be done in both English and Comanche, a Native language. Checkout this interview: Prey's Amber Midthunder Is the Action Star We've Been Waiting For and watch the trailer for Prey.

That’s a wrap. Have a great weekend. 

- Kenza Hadj-Moussa