The Pour Over Today - Friday, August 19, 2022

Episode Date: August 19, 2022

Today, we’re talking about the CDC’s fall cleanup, inflation hitting tea and crumpets, a guilty plea from a former Trump Organization executive, and other top news for Friday, August 19th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over. Sponsored by TUVU

Today, we're talking about the CDC's fall cleanup, inflation hitting tea and crumpets, a guilty plea from a former Trump Organization executive, and other top news for Friday, August 19th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over. Here's the quote of the day. God has so made man's heart that nothing can fill it but God himself. Charles Spurgeon. Let's start with some espresso shots. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky announced a reset of the organization in response to frustration with its COVID-19 response. Criticism of the CDC's slow messaging has gone beyond sarcastic tweets. Experts say the agency took too long to recognize the pace and nature of COVID-19's spread

in the U.S., confused the public with conflicting guidance on masks, and delayed testing for new variants. The changes are meant to make the nation's top public health agency more nimble and will include staffing shakeups, new processes to speed up data releases, a restructured communications office, a revamped website, and a new executive council. The deep clean comes amid ongoing criticism of the CDC's monkeypox playbook. There have been roughly 13,500 cases, primarily among gay and bisexual men, and zero deaths reported in the U.S. As diseases continue to mutate and spread, it can be easy to become anxious and discouraged. Yet as followers of Christ, Scripture reminds us that Jesus will be with us in troubling and uncertain times all the way into eternity.

Psalm 23 verse 4 says, Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Allen Weisselberg, the Trump Organization's longtime CFO, pleaded guilty to 15 charges related to tax evasion, admitting to taking over $1.7 million in untaxed and sometimes off-the-books perks including free rent, tuition for his grandchildren, and two Mercedes from the company. The plea means the 75-year-old will spend up to five months in New York's Rikers Island Jail, pay $2 million in taxes

and penalties, and testify against the Trump Organization in a trial this October over whether it helped executives evade taxes. Donald Trump himself is not charged in the case, and the organization denies any wrongdoing. Separately, it seems the affidavit used to request the search warrant for Mar-a-Lago will likely be released, but only partially and not immediately. The judge gave the DOJ a week to propose redactions. Culturally hot trials frequently make people think, speak, and act poorly, including us. We can respect others and represent God better if we are quick to listen and slow to speak. James 1, verse 19-20 says,

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God's righteousness. It's not just apple pie and John Deere tractors. Tea and crumpets are getting hit by inflation, too. On Wednesday, the United Kingdom reported that annual inflation hit 10.1% in July, driven by the largest jump in monthly food prices in 21 years. While inflation is on the rise globally, this report means Britain has the highest inflation of any country in the G7 club, the world's wealthiest democracies, and all but guarantees the Bank of England will continue to aggressively raise interest rates.

Across the pond, sales of existing homes in the United States fell for a sixth consecutive month thanks to rising mortgage rates and fewer sellers. The median sales price fell to $404,000 down from its peak of $414,000 in July, but is still up 10.8% from a year ago. Rising prices can make anyone anxious, yet difficult times like these give Christians the incredible opportunity to share rather than hoard what God has given us. Remembering Jesus' command for radical generosity. Find one person you can bless with a free meal or reach out to your local church to see how you can get involved in an existing ministry.

Hebrews 13 verse 16 says, Don't neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices. Social media is broken, but it has potential. Tuvu is trying to do it right. One, there are no ads. It's paid, but the pour-over subscribers get one year free. Two, posts are shown chronologically, not curated to drive you deeper into your political ideology. And three, AI-moderated with the whole family in mind. No, technically okay, but definitely questionable photos. Tuvu is a social media platform designed for connection, not addiction. See what family and friends are up to, then hop off and carry on with your day.

Claim your free one-year subscription and try out Tuvu today. Check out the link in our show notes. In other brews, here's a rapid round of updates. In one medium step towards a 2025 moon landing, the world's most powerful rocket will travel around the moon this year. NASA's Artemis I Space Launch System rocket is scheduled for takeoff from Florida on August 29th. The uncrewed launch will be the first test of the giant spacecraft. The uncrewed launch will be the first test of the giant spacecraft. Two former Pennsylvania judges were ordered to pay $206 million in damages to the victims of their Cash for Kids scheme.

It's as bad as it sounds. From 2003 to 2008, the judges closed down a county-run juvenile center and sent children as young as 8 to for-profit jails in exchange for $2.8 million in kickbacks. LeBron James agreed to a new two-year, $97.1 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, with another option at a third year. Fans will be able to see the newly minted highest lifetime NBA earner on the court when the NBA tips off its new season on October 18th. earner on the court when the NBA tips off its new season on October 18th. A judge placed $650.6 million of blame for the opioid crisis on the shoulders of CVS, Walmart, and Walgreens. The companies were ordered to compensate two Ohio counties for oversupplying addictive pain medication, some of which ended up on the black market. The pharmacy's plan is to appeal.

Sorry, politicians. TikTok is saying no for you page for you. The talk is cracking down and enforcing their ban on influencers creating paid content for politicians ahead of midterms and is launching an in-app election center with info on how and where to vote. That's all we have for today. Thanks so much for listening. If you're listening on the Apple Podcast app, give us a five-star rating and drop a review. If you're listening on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to never miss an episode. We appreciate your support and hope you have a great weekend. We'll see you on Monday.