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U.S. NEWS

Surgeon General Warning

Just in: parenting ain’t easy.

America’s doctor has issued an official warning stating that parents have reached “disproportionate” levels of stress and loneliness. New data shows 48% of parents are “completely overwhelmed” compared to 26% of their Bluey-free counterparts; ⅔ of those cite financial hardship.

Surgeon General Murthy has suggestions to lighten mom and dad’s load: boosted child tax credits, paid family and medical leave, and investments in community supports like libraries.

There’s rare agreement among White House hopefuls on the issue. Former President Trump and VP Harris both have histories supporting paid parental leave, and both campaigns agree the current $2,000/child tax credit––set to expire at the end of the year––needs re-upping (emphasis on the upping… VP Harris suggests $3,600/child, $6,000 for newborns; Vance recently suggested $5,000/child). 

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Verse to consider when you’re feeling so stressed you cannot function… “When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your unfailing love, LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”
Psalm 94:18-19 (NIV) (read full passage)

POLITICS

Arlington Incident

Former President Trump’s Monday visit to Arlington National Cemetery caused a stir.

After attending a wreath-laying ceremony to mark the 3rd anniversary of 13 service members killed during the U.S.’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, families of the fallen invited him to the gravesites. Federal law prohibits political activity at military cemeteries, and an Arlington employee was reportedly “abruptly pushed aside” while attempting to stop a Trump Campaign staffer from entering with a camera; his campaign later posted a TikTok of Trump at the graves.

Trump’s campaign said the Arlington employee was “clearly suffering from a mental health episode,” saying the private photographer had permission to accompany the Gold Star families.

Yesterday, the Army called it “unfortunate” that the Arlington employee’s “professionalism has been unfairly attacked” but said the matter was “closed.”

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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
In this divisive political climate, followers of Christ have an opportunity to show that we won’t be shaken by news that might shake others. The word of God is a solid foundation, and we root for justice while showing love for all parties—no matter who they are. 

“The Rock—his work is perfect; all his ways are just. A faithful God, without bias, he is righteous and true.”
Deuteronomy 32:4 (CSB) (read full passage)

SPONSORED

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SPORTS

Let the Games Begin (Again)

Paris Part II began Wednesday with the Paralympic Games opening ceremony.

An estimated 300 million watched the over-the-top ceremony, which mirrored Paris Part I’s festivities, featuring a massive parade of athletes and elaborate performances (including 16 performers with disabilities). 

For the next nine days, 4,400 Para athletes will compete across 22 sports, including para-exclusive goalball (like soccer with hands for the visually impaired) and boccia (similar to bocce or lawn bowling). Uncle Sam is sending 225 athletes ranging in age from 15-52, hoping to knock China off their five-Paralympic winning streak. 

Over 2 million tickets to Paralympic events, now the third-largest sporting event in the world, have been sold. As the Paralympics grow, so have allegations of “classification doping”—athletes faking the severity of their disability to compete in an easier classification. 

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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
The Paralympics offer an opportunity to experience camaraderie with fellow fans and to enjoy the thrill of watching athletes do what God created them to do. As you watch athletes compete, thank God that He also made you to do beautiful things, and pray that you’d bring Him glory in all you do. 

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” 
Ephesians 2:10 (CSB) (read full passage)

Mosquitos just gave us another reason to hate them. A healthy 41-year-old New Hampshire man died after contracting Eastern equine encephalitis, a rare but deadly mosquito-borne virus. The U.S. has reported four cases this year, and Northeasterners are taking precautions; ten Massachusetts communities are closing parks, spraying pesticides, and warning residents to stay indoors from dusk to dawn. 
 

The FBI has not established a definitive motive for former President Trump’s would-be assassin, saying he researched multiple events and targets, apparently landing on the Trump rally because of the “opportunity.” After seven weeks and nearly 1,000 interviews, they’ve identified no co-conspirators, suggesting his attack was unrelated to Iran’s efforts to assassinate the former president around that same time.
 

Welcome to the club, Berkshire Hathaway. Warren Buffett’s conglomerate crossed $1 trillion in market value, joining the rarified air enjoyed by only six other U.S. companies. It comes with high expectations; just ask Nvidia ($2.9 trillion). On Wednesday, the AI chipmaker announced a massive 122% growth in Q2, providing a stronger-than-expected outlook… and its stock still dropped 8%.
 

Yelp is leaving Google a one-star review. The Internet’s complaint department alleges Google has unlawfully given preference to its own “inferior” local search and review service, demanding it stop (and pay damages). It’s the first such antitrust lawsuit since a judge declared Google an “illegal monopoly” earlier this month. Google called Yelp’s claim “meritless,” noting similar complaints were dismissed years ago.

 
VP Harris sat for her first interview since President Biden dropped out of the race last month. Harris and VP-hopeful Walz talked with CNN’s Dana Bash in a pre-recorded interview that aired last night. After Harris faced criticism from Republicans for eschewing interviews, she touted economic prosperity and promised to “enforce our laws” at the border. 

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

A fun optical illusion…

What We’re Energizing
Our cells, with Timeline*

Let’s get deep with each other for a second: How’s your cellular health?

I’m a boy mom, and by the time the lil’ tornadoes are in bed for the night, I’m depleted of my most precious resource: energy. So, I started taking Mitopure, a supplement that works to rejuvenate the powerhouse of the cell—mitochondria—to boost energy, strength, and endurance. 

Within a few weeks, I noticed a boost in my energy and productivity; I’ve been able to stick with my 5 a.m. workout schedule, and I’m skipping midday crashes and muscle weakness.

Feel the difference yourself. Get 30% off Timeline products with code TPO30.

Emily Hansen | Partnerships Manager

How We’re Searching the Internet
Freespoke*

If you could make three changes to searching the internet… what would they be?

We would:

1. Make it safer for families (block adult content)

2. Protect users’ privacy (no tracking by default)

3. Label media biases (so users can quickly find all perspectives)

No joke, that’s exactly what Freespoke has done. Every search is safe, private, and balanced. So the next time you need to Google something, try Freespoking it instead. 

Go make your first search (try “election 2024”).