Dear John,
Greetings from your new News Digest hosts, Jessica and Katie. We are honored to carry on Kenza’s torch and to be a part of your Friday afternoon reading, watching, and listening.
This week we bring you the news and some favorites so you can get to know your new authors.
Here's what we're reading, watching, and listening to this week:
1. Biden pardons marijuana possession
On Thursday, Biden announced he would “pardon all prior federal possessions of simple possession of marijuana.” This would impact 6,500 people with charges, and thousands more in the D.C. area. Read more about what this means and how Biden is encouraging governors across the country to follow his lead.
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2. Mental health workers
The union representing about 350 mental health workers at M Health Fairview announced a tentative first labor agreement on Monday, a year after workers voted to unionize with SEIU Healthcare Minnesota. Workplace safety was a major sticking point in negotiations because mental health workers are among the most likely to be physically assaulted on the job. Meanwhile, Allina mental health workers ended their three-day strike Wednesday by peacefully marching to the CEO’s office to request a meeting. Instead of negotiating fairly, the hospital threatened to call police on the SEIU members.
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3. Solidarity around the world
People are taking to the streets after the death of Mahsa Amini. Check out this article about protests around the world in solidarity with the women of Iran.
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4. Supreme Court session begins
And it could be even more consequential than the last session. Read about it in Vox.
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5. Hurricane mutual aid
“Mutual aid in Puerto Rico is a story about injustice and lack of access to resources and power channeled into action in order to survive,” an independent scholar in Puerto Rico said about the robust mutual aid response to Hurricane Fiona.
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6. Floods in Pakistan
The Daily podcast featured Pakistani farmers facing the destruction of their homes and farms by severe flooding last month - the floodwaters have still barely receded, and 33 million people are displaced. Give it a listen.
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7. Disabled solidarity
Covid is still with us. We can choose care, and make space for grief, and not abandon accessibility. Read “Abled-Bodied Leftists Cannot Abandon Disabled Solidarity to “Move On” From COVID” by disability justice movement worker Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarsinha.
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8. The right to choose in Canada
I (Jessica) have been celebrating the Jewish New Year and high holiday season this past month. I was moved reading this article about Jewish Canadian abortion rights activist, Dr. Henry Morgentaler.
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9. Riso
Katie creates and loves risograph prints. Risograph printers were made in Japan for efficient office printing - they’ve become beloved by artists for their versatility and unique, vibrant inks, which are made from rice and soy. The largest gallery show of risograph work is happening in NYC - and online (!) this month. Check it out.
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10. Abbott Elementary
I (Jessica) am a huge fan of Abbott Elementary and am thrilled the TV series is back for another season. Check out this fun article featuring TikTok creators auditioning for the show on the app.
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And that’s a wrap!
Send us what you’re reading, watching and listening to. We’re in this together.
Katie Blanchard (she/her)
Basebuilding Director
Jessica Zimmerman (she/her)
Development Director
Paid for by TakeAction Minnesota
TakeAction Minnesota
705 Raymond Ave Ste 100
Saint Paul, MN 55114
United States
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