Dear John,

I’m thrilled to share that Chris Conry, director of the 100% Campaign, former TakeAction staffer, and one of the original authors of the news digest is tapping back in through Election Day. If you didn’t hear, Patrick Burke is off to graduate school.

Starting next week, you’ll hear from both me and Chris.  Let us know if there’s content like to see more.

There has been so much news going on this week. I’m betting you’re following some of the biggest stories from the USPS to the DNC. This digest largely fits into the other category. Local news, weather, science, culture, and more.

If you’ve been reading the news digest for a while, you know that I love the sky. Marveling at the stars, sun, and moon is what keeps me grounded. No matter the state of our politics or world, we are connected to each other and to something much bigger. My favorite article this week is about Indigenous Star Stories and astronomy.

Send me what you’re reading.

Here’s what I'm reading, watching, and listening to:

1. 19th Amendment

We’ve always needed movements that are inclusive and intersectional. And real change rarely comes without civil disobedience. Read more about the 100 year anniversary of the 19^th amendment and see photos in the New York Times here.

2. Moral Leadership

Long-time TakeAction leader and Minneapolis Park Board Commissioner Londel French is moral leadership in action. Read about Commissioner French’s work to care for people living in homeless encampments in the Star Tribune.

3. DNC

Early week highlights (because I’m still catching up): Michelle Obama and activist Ady Barkan.

4. Watchmen

If you haven’t watched HBO’s Watchmen, now is the time. Get caught up on pop culture.

5. Indigenous Star Stories

Every culture on earth has studied astronomy and has a relationship with the sky. I delighted in this piece about Indigenous astronomers passing on stories of the constellations and launching Two-Eyed Seeing astronomy courses taught with Indigenous and Western lenses. Check out this article.

6. #JamGate

The jam-packed story about jam we need. Read it in the New York Times.

7. Flint

The state of Michigan will compensate Flint residents $600 million for ignoring lead poisoned water. Let’s be clear. There is no price tag on health and dignity. Whether it’s police brutality or state approved pollution, systemic racism and anti-Black racism must end and harms must be repaired. Read the story.

8. Win Rural 

Organizing work is happening in rural communities and a powerful, people-centered policy agenda for rural communities and small towns is ready. It's time for Biden’s campaign to pick up on a rural agenda adopted by the Warren and Sanders campaigns. Learn more and check out the rural agenda proposed by national partner People’s Action.

9. Gulf of Mexico

Two hurricanes are making their way to land for the first time since 1933. Read what’s happening and check out this incredible photo of water sprouts.

10. California

Wild fires rage on. Learn more and see pictures.

That’s a wrap.

-- Kenza Hadj-Moussa