Author: Gist It

  • Doug Burgum is offering $20 to people donating $1 to his campaign. Is that legal?

    North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum is offering a $20 gift card to donors contributing at least $1 to his campaign, raising questions about the legality and ethics of this unconventional fundraising strategy. The big picture: Burgum’s $20 gift card for $1 donation offer is aimed at meeting the threshold of 40,000 donors required for him […]

  • Mikala Jones, Hawaii surfer known for filming inside waves, dies in surfing accident

    Mikala Jones, a renowned Hawaiian surfer known for capturing photos and videos inside waves, has died at the age of 44 after a surfing accident in Indonesia. The accident: Jones sustained a fatal injury when his surfboard fin cut his femoral artery during a trip to the Mentawai Islands off the western coast of Sumatra. […]

  • Inflation eases to its lowest in over two years, but it’s still running a bit high

    Annual inflation dropped to 3% in June, the lowest point in over two years, but remains higher than the target level set by the Federal Reserve. The Breakdown: Consumer prices overall rose by only 0.2% from May to June, largely impacted by the Federal Reserve’s aggressive rate hikes. * Rent and clothing prices saw an […]

  • It’s back-to-school shopping time, and everyone wants a bargain

    Back-to-school shopping season is upon us, but a survey reveals a potential decrease in spending due to inflation and higher costs for supplies. The Spending Forecast: Consultancy firm Deloitte predicts back-to-school spending may decline by 10% compared to last year. * This would mark the first decrease since 2014. Inflation is impacting shopping behavior, causing […]

  • Milan Kundera, who wrote ‘The Unbearable Lightness of Being,’ dies at 94

    Czech writer Milan Kundera, best known for ‘The Unbearable Lightness of Being,’ has died in Paris at the age of 94. Career Highlights: Kundera’s work often addressed serious topics but maintained a sense of humor. * Kundera’s most popular book, ‘The Unbearable Lightness of Being’, explores themes of love and philosophy during the Soviet occupation […]

  • Up First briefing: Zelenskyy at NATO; SAG-AFTRA deadline; #whitepeoplefood

    President Biden is set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the NATO summit concludes, with no set timeline for Ukraine to join the alliance, and potential strike action from the SAG-AFTRA union causing concern in Hollywood. Meeting highlights: Biden’s meeting with Zelenskyy comes as NATO leaders agreed, without providing a timeline, that Ukraine could […]

  • Doug Burgum is offering $20 to people donating $1 to his campaign. Is that legal?

    North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum is offering $20 gift cards to people donating at least $1 to his Republican presidential campaign in a bid to meet fundraising thresholds for the next GOP primary debate. The big picture: In order to participate in the debate, candidates need to have a minimum of 40,000 donors and receive […]

  • Elizabeth Holmes may be released 2 years earlier than originally sentenced

    Disgraced Theranos CEO, Elizabeth Holmes, may be released two years earlier than her 11-year sentence due to good behavior. The update: Federal officials confirmed that after six weeks of good behavior in prison, Holmes might be released almost two years ahead of schedule. * Her current projected release date is December 29, 2032, which is […]

  • Iowa Republicans pass bill banning most abortions after about 6 weeks

    Iowa’s Republican-led Legislature passed a bill prohibiting most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, in a bid that received significant opposition from Democrats and abortion advocates. Legislation details: The bill passed in an extended legislative session, and Governor Kim Reynolds intends to sign it on Friday. * The legislation will take immediate effect, banning […]

  • DOJ won’t shield Trump from claims he defamed writer E. Jean Carroll

    The US Justice Department has declared that it will not protect former President Trump from defamation claims made by writer E. Jean Carroll, reversing an earlier decision from the Biden administration. New decision: The Justice Department has informed both Trump’s and Carroll’s lawyers of its decision. * It stated there is insufficient evidence to conclude […]