The Pour Over Today - Friday, August 26, 2022

Episode Date: August 26, 2022

Today we’re talking about a big student loan reprieve, Ukraine’s bittersweet Independence Day, and other top news for Friday, August 26th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over. Sponsored by charity: water

Today, we're talking about a big student loan reprieve, Ukraine's bittersweet Independence Day, and other top news for Friday, August 26th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over. Here's the quote of the day. Love says, I've seen the ugly parts of you, and I'm staying. Matt Chandler. Let's start with some espresso shots. Let's start with some espresso shots. It's official. The Biden administration is ripping up IOUs. As rumored, President Biden canceled up to $10,000 in federal student loans per borrower, earning less than $125,000, $250,000 for couples on Wednesday. In a surprise bonus, low-income families who qualified for

Pell Gr grants had up to $20,000 forgiven. Biden also extended the federal student loan freeze, meaning no interest accrues, no payments are required through the end of the year, but made it clear this was the last extension. It's good news for the personal finances of 43 million Americans with federal student loans and celebrated by many. Progressive Democrats wanted more forgiven, often floating a $50,000 figure around, but moderate Democrats and Republicans say this was a poor use of money at best and damaging at worst. Think stoking inflation. Virginia Fox criticized the forgiveness as wrong, unfair, and irresponsible, saying it does not address underlying issues like ever-increasing college tuition. Others think the earning cap is too high and too much relief will go to high earners.

The loan must be held by the Department of Education. Sorry, private borrowers, but undergrad, graduate, and parent-plus loans all qualify. Finally, legal challenges are expected, since President Biden did this through an executive order, bypassing Congress. Regardless of what the government does, followers of Christ should be seeking to give generously to those in greater need. Reach out to your local church to see how you can get involved. Hebrews 13 verse 16 says, don't neglect to do what is good and to share,

for God is pleased with such sacrifices. Ukraine celebrated its Independence Day with a side of irony. Wednesday, Ukraine marked 31 years of independence from the Soviet Union. To honor the day, Ukraine paraded destroyed Russian tanks through Kiev, its capital city. Later that day, Russia launched rocket attacks on several towns in Ukraine's Donetsk province and a Ukrainian train station where 22 people were previously killed. The strikes come after Ukrainian President Zelensky repeatedly warned that Moscow might attempt something particularly cruel this week. President Biden gifted Ukraine another $3 billion to observe the anniversary. It's Washington's largest aid package since the invasion began and brings the

U.S.'s total committed aid to over $13.5 billion. The president came with a warning. U.S. officials believe Russia is planning to launch fresh attacks in the coming days. Be quick to point to God and give him credit for your hope, strength, and love during times dominated by uncertainty and fear. Even in the midst of chaos, our eternity is secure. Psalm 18 verse 2 says, The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. At 28 years old, Scott Harrison's nights revolved around partying. Morally bankrupt and exhausted, Scott spent the next two years serving on a hospital ship

off the coast of Liberia. It was there that he witnessed the water crisis for the first time. Scott learned that millions of people lacked access to clean water and that the dirty water they were consuming would often lead to sickness or even death. He later founded Charity Water, an organization working to end the water crisis. By joining Charity Water's monthly giving community, The Spring, you can help transform lives for the better with the power of clean water. Check out the link in our show notes. In other brews, here's a rapid round of updates. The Uvalde School Board voted unanimously to fire District Police Chief

Pete Arredondo three months after police took over an hour to confront the elementary school shooter who killed 21 people. Arradondo previously resigned his position on the Uvalde City Council and didn't attend the meeting, citing safety concerns. In the third strike this month, Syrian militant groups linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired rockets at an American base wounding three U.S. service members. The U.S. responded with airstrikes against the Iranian-backed militants, destroying rocket launcher vehicles and equipment and killing at least two militants. Vanessa Bryant won her lawsuit against L.A. County for deputies and firefighters sharing grisly photos of helicopter crash victims,

including her husband, Kobe Bryant, and her 13-year-old daughter. After a four-and-a-half-hour deliberation on Kobe Bryant Day, including her husband, Kobe Bryant, and her 13-year-old daughter. After a four-and-a-half hour deliberation on Kobe Bryant Day, August 24th, a jury awarded $31 million to family members of the victims. New abortion trigger laws go into effect in Idaho, Tennessee, and Texas this week. While all three already had a variety of laws banning abortion, new legislation prohibits additional procedures and outlines stronger consequences. Also in Idaho, one judge temporarily blocked the criminalization of abortion when the mother's life is at risk. California is driving away from fossil fuels. In a big move for the country's largest auto market, the sale of new gas-powered

cars will be banned starting in 2035. The announcement may pave the way for more than a third of the country to follow suit. At least 12 other states often follow Cali's auto emissions lead. That's all we have for today. Thanks so much for listening. If you're listening on the Apple Podcasts app, give us a 5-star rating and drop a review. If you're listening on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to never miss a new episode. We appreciate your support and hope you have a great weekend. We'll see you on Monday.