Shutdown Stress & Strength: The Moon is Cheese and the Gov't is Closed

The Wayward Dragons

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16d ago 56:01

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Hello and Welcome!

The News:

Government Shutdown and Benefits: The main focus of the news section was the ongoing government shutdown. If a conclusion isn't reached, many people will lose food stamps and other benefits starting November 1st. Food banks will also be affected by losing funding. The Senate rejected a bill to pay federal workers.
Healthcare Funding: A Californian union, the Service Employees International Union, proposed a one-time 5% tax on billionaires' net worth in the state to offset federal reductions in Medicaid funding. Supporters argue it's an obligation to help and that a small portion could also fund public schools. The federal reductions could lead to the state losing $30 billion annually and up to 3.4 million people losing coverage.
Immigration and Accountability: The Governor of Illinois signed an executive order creating the Illinois Accountability Commission to investigate alleged civil rights abuses tied to federal immigration enforcement, in response to Trump's Chicago raids. The commission's core missions are to build a public record of abuses, document impacts on families, and recommend actions to prevent further harm.
D.C. Protest: A man was detained by D.C. police for protesting the National Guard patrol while dressed as Darth Vader and playing the "Imperial Death March" song. Another protest incident involved a 61-year-old woman who was arrested for "lewd and inappropriate behavior" for holding a sign and wearing an inflatable penis costume.
Quebec Religious Symbols Ban: Quebec's government is planning on banning religious symbols from being worn in government-subsidized daycares and child care centers. There would be a grandfather clause to exempt current employees.
French Rape Law: France's Assembly Nationale approved a bill defining rape as any non-consensual sexual act. The bill was supported by a vote of 155 to 31, with only far-right lawmakers opposing. Consent is defined as "free and informed. Specific. Prior". This reform shifts the burden to the alleged offender.
Golf Course on Slave Graves: The city of Tallahassee is planning to sell a golf course built on top of slave graves for $1.25 million. A condition of the sale is placing a commemorative plaque.
A woman in Michigan won $100,000 in Powerball after ChatGPT helped her pick her lottery numbers.
ChatGPT is reportedly changing its policies to allow the creation of "lewd or possibly offensive material" for users 18 and older, which the hosts predict will lead to a flood of AI-generated "smut books".
Baker and Taylor Closure: The abrupt closure of Baker and Taylor, a major supplier for many US libraries, will cause supply and demand issues, resulting in longer hold times for library patrons.
New Reading Rainbow Host: The announcement of the new host for Reading Rainbow

Books:

Johnny:The Ink and Sigil trilogy by Kevin Hearne. The Emaneska series by Ben Galley. The Legend of UH by Aaron N Hall.

Kelsey: Dreadful by Kaitlin Rozakis. When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Kanzaki. The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore.

TV Show Recommendation:

Johnny recommended the Netflix show Wayward.

Tarot Card Reading:

The Sun and Strength

We are also happy to announce that we will be beginning our book club! We will be starting The DiscWorld Series by Terry Pratchett! We are moving to book 5, Sourcery (we are reading in publication order).

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