Morning Reads for Extraterrestrial Culture Day (February 9)

Y’all knew I couldn’t resist with a day this weird, right? Enjoy! It’s also Chocolate Day and Pizza Pie Day, so y’all celebrate accordingly. I wouldn’t dare say “responsibly.”

Let’s get to the news.

Pat Conroy

• My younger sister is featured in this story about Augusta University’s study of long-haul COVID. (Alternate link.)
• Georgia voter data was posted online after a data breach. (Alternate link.)
• A bipartisan group in the legislature is fighting to prevent mining in the Okefenokee Swamp.
• Spelman College has had to suspend classes for a third time this year due to a bomb threat.
• The historically inaccurate statue of Tomochichi being installed at Atlanta’s Peace Park has predictably offended his Muscogee ancestors. No Muscogee were consulted on the design.
• Georgia-born Lisa Cook could be the first black woman on the Federal Reserve. Also predictably, those who oppose her have deemed her “unqualified.” (Alternate link.)
• Medicare has penalized 21 Georgia hospitals for having high rates of patient infections and potentially avoidable complications.
• Stacey Abrams has apologized for her maskless photo with students. (Alternate link.)

Alice Walker

• National Guard troops have been deployed as substitute teachers and bus drivers because the staffing shortages are so acute at American public schools. (Alternate link.)
• Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has denounced the RNC’s censure of Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger. (Alternate link.)
• The latest two January 6th insurrectionists’ arrests came due to the work of online sleuths, according to the FBI.
• Rep. Madison Cawthorn got bad news on Monday when the North Carolina Board of Elections asserted it had the authority to disqualify him from the ballot over his role in the January 6th insurrection.
• The group of Hill staffers pushing for a union will get a boost today when a resolution will be introduced to allow collective bargaining.
• A federal judge has approved a settlement that bars Minnesota police from arresting, threatening to arrest, or using force against journalists.
• Congress will consider banning members from trading stocks.
• Expect your car insurance to cost at least 6%-8% more very soon. (Alternate link.)
• Lindsey Jacobellis won the first gold medal for the United States at the Beijing Olympics in snowboardcross.
• 40 of 49 satellites launched by SpaceX last week have either reentered Earth’s atmosphere and burned up or are about to do so after being struck by a solar storm.
• In better SpaceX news, the company is helping reconnect the Tonga to the internet.
• The Biden Administration has approved a plan to help Americans leaving Ukraine if Russia attacks. (Alternate link.)
• Ottawa officials have threatened arrests of violent protestors as the trucker protests continue.
• The International Court on Justice has ordered Uganda to pay the Congo $325 million for the long-running conflict between the two countries that began in the 1990s.
• An angry mob surrounded and chased Labour Leader Keir Starmer after UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson falsely accused him of shielding a pedophile.

Flannery O’Connor

• A crocodile in Indonesia is finally free of the tire around his neck after six years.