What's Happening
US NEWS
Southeast Faces Unprecedented Devastation and Recovery After Helene's Destructive Path
What's going on: Hurricane Helene has transformed the Southeast into “post-apocalyptic” landscapes, reducing entire neighborhoods to rubble and isolating towns with floods and landslides. The hurricane killed at least 182 people across six states, from Florida to Tennessee, with many more still missing. Power outages, broken water systems, and downed communication lines are hindering rescue and recovery efforts, forcing supplies to be delivered by air or even by mule in the most inaccessible areas of North Carolina. Meanwhile, countless families remain uncertain about the fate of their loved ones, and residents throughout Appalachia describe their communities as unrecognizable. In response to the widespread damage and delays in aid, President Joe Biden deployed up to 1,000 active-duty troops to support aid efforts as the region continues to grapple with Helene’s aftermath.
What it means: A week after making landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the full scale of Helene’s devastation is still unfolding. State officials across the Southeast emphasize that immediate needs like search-and-rescue and road repairs are just the beginning, as a full recovery will take years. The long tail of recovery from a devastating hurricane can be an arduous process — with individuals struggling with delayed insurance payments, underestimated damage assessments, and legal challenges to get compensation. Meanwhile, as storms get more frequent and severe, many residents flee their towns, hurting the city’s recovery. Around 3.2 million Americans have already migrated out of flood zones, according to one study. And then, there’s the long-term death toll. A recent study found that indirect deaths from health issues may reach up to 11,000 per hurricane — hundreds of times higher than official estimates — and disproportionately affect vulnerable groups like infants, the elderly, and racial minorities.
Related: Asheville Was Once Considered a “Climate Haven.” Is Any Place Safe From Climate Disasters Anymore? (Washington Post Gift Link)
Business
OpenAI Scores Billions in Funding, but Can It Buy Stability?
What's going on: The chat(GPT) of Silicon Valley? How OpenAI raised $6.6 billion in its latest funding round. The new investment nearly doubles the startup’s valuation to $157 billion (yes, that comes with nine zeros) and places it alongside giants like Goldman Sachs and Uber. In this latest round of funding, the ChatGPT maker secured checks from Microsoft, Nvidia, and SoftBank. So, why does OpenAI need the amount of money equivalent to Fiji’s GDP? Well, building, operating, and maintaining AI (read: making it smarter) comes with a hefty price tag. In the past nine months, the company has hired over 1,000 people, and it’s expected to hire even more. As part of the deal, OpenAI also secured commitments from investors not to fund direct competitors, with the aim of maintaining its leadership in the AI landscape.
What it means: The amount OpenAI raised marks the largest venture capital deal of all time, according to Axios. It highlights the tech industry’s sustained enthusiasm for AI, despite ongoing concerns about the tech’s safety and effectiveness and the lack of government regulation. Still, this means the pressure is on for OpenAI to deliver amid several challenges. The company projects $3.7 billion in revenue this year, but it expects to lose $5 billion in costs, meaning it is not yet profitable. The startup has also lost several high-profile executives, following the controversial ousting and reinstatement of CEO Sam Altman in 2023. Then, there’s the fact that OpenAI has to fully convert to a for-profit company within a certain time frame, or investors could pull their money.
Related: Are You Ready for All of the Voice Assistants That Are Coming Thanks to OpenAI? (Reuters)
Money
California Raised Its Minimum Wage for Fast Food Workers and Researchers Say It's Paying Off
What's going on: When the Golden State passed a law in 2023 mandating that restaurants pay fast food workers a minimum wage of $20 per hour, business owners claimed it would lead to significant price hikes and higher unemployment rates. However, new research from UC Berkeley found that neither of those predictions came true since the law went into effect in April. The study found that the cost of a small burger went up by an average of 15 cents, while workers are expected to take home an average of $4,000 more annually. However, it is worth noting that the pay increases apply only to large franchises like McDonald’s, Burger King, and Starbucks.
What it means: UC Berkeley’s research shows that companies may not have to slash jobs or pass on costs to consumers in order to pay workers better wages. Meanwhile, the findings come amid a larger wave of wage bumps across the country. At least 22 states have bumped employees’ paychecks this year — increasing pay for about 9.9 million workers. An analysis from the Economic Policy Institute found that Black and Hispanic workers and women benefited the most from the raises. At least 20 states currently have a minimum wage below or equal to $7.25 — the federal minimum wage since 2009. Efforts to change this have failed, and a government report earlier this year found that raising the federal minimum wage to $17 an hour would cut poverty but could also lead to the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Related: Trump and Harris Want to Stop Taxing Tips, But What About Raising Minimum Wage? (NBC)
Parents, Settle This
On Monday, we asked if you’d let your kids roam alone in a theme park. It’s settled: That’s a hard pass.
A new law in Sweden is bringing up a hotly-debated question: Should grandparents get paid for taking care of their grandkids?
We’ll share the results on Monday.
Extra Credit
Stream
Pull up a chair — after a two-year hiatus, Chef’s Table is back, and this time, it’s all about noodles. The Emmy-nominated Netflix series returns with the aptly-titled Chef’s Table: Noodles, showcasing four renowned chefs as they share their favorite recipes, noodle-making techniques, and the stories behind their signature dishes. Come for the mouth-watering food imagery, stay for the heartwarming stories.
For more recs...
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Thing to Know
~1 in 8
That’s approximately how many mothers in the US report experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression (aka PPD) after giving birth. Often dismissed as just “the baby blues,” PPD symptoms can include – but aren’t limited to – loss of interest in hobbies, changes in sleep patterns and appetite, and feelings of hopelessness.† But even though it’s one of the most common medical complications associated with pregnancy, PPD is still underdiagnosed and undertreated.
Enter: ZURZUVAE® (zuranolone), the first and only FDA-approved 14-day oral treatment for adults with PPD. Learn more about this treatment option here.
Please see Important Safety Information about ZURZUVAE below, and full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide.
Intended for audiences over 18 in the U.S.
†These are not the only symptoms of PPD. Individual experiences may vary. Please speak to your healthcare provider if you think you may be experiencing symptoms.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is the most important information I should know about ZURZUVAE?
ZURZUVAE may cause serious side effects, including:
Decreased ability to drive or do other dangerous activities. ZURZUVAE may decrease your awareness and alertness, which can affect your ability to drive safely or safely do other dangerous activities
Do not drive, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities until at least 12 hours after taking each dose during your 14-day treatment course of ZURZUVAE
You may not be able to tell on your own if you can drive safely or tell how much ZURZUVAE is affecting you
Decreased awareness and alertness [central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects]. ZURZUVAE may cause sleepiness, drowsiness, slow thinking, dizziness, confusion, and trouble walking
Because of these symptoms, you may be at a higher risk for falls during treatment with ZURZUVAE
Taking alcohol, other medicines that cause CNS depressant effects, or opioids while taking ZURZUVAE can make these symptoms worse and may also cause trouble breathing
Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any of these symptoms, or if they get worse during treatment with ZURZUVAE. Your healthcare provider may decrease your dose or stop ZURZUVAE treatment if you develop these symptoms
ZURZUVAE is a federal controlled substance (C-IV) because it contains zuranolone, which can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep ZURZUVAE in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not sell or give away ZURZUVAE, because it may harm others and is against the law.
Before taking ZURZUVAE, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
drink alcohol
have abused or been dependent on prescription medicines, street drugs, or alcohol
have liver or kidney problems
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. ZURZUVAE may harm your unborn baby
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. ZURZUVAE passes into breast milk, and it is not known if it can harm your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of breastfeeding and about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with ZURZUVAE
Females who are able to become pregnant:
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with ZURZUVAE.
You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with ZURZUVAE and for 1 week after the final dose
There is a pregnancy registry for females who are exposed to ZURZUVAE during pregnancy. The purpose of the registry is to collect information about the health of females exposed to ZURZUVAE and their baby. If you become pregnant during treatment with ZURZUVAE, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants at 1-844-405-6185 or visit online at https://womensmentalhealth.org/research/pregnancyregistry/antidepressants/
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. ZURZUVAE and some medicines may interact with each other and cause serious side effects. ZURZUVAE may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect the way ZURZUVAE works.
Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take antidepressants, opioids, or CNS depressants such as benzodiazepines.
What should I avoid while taking ZURZUVAE?
Do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities until at least 12 hours after taking each dose of ZURZUVAE because ZURZUVAE may make you feel sleepy, confused, or dizzy
Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines that make you sleepy or dizzy while taking ZURZUVAE without talking to your healthcare provider
See “What is the most important information I should know about ZURZUVAE?”
ZURZUVAE may cause serious side effects, including:
See “What is the most important information I should know about ZURZUVAE?”
Increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions. ZURZUVAE and other antidepressant medicines may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in people 24 years of age and younger. ZURZUVAE is not for use in children
How can I watch for and try to prevent suicidal thoughts and actions?
Pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings, or if you develop suicidal thoughts or actions. This is very important when an antidepressant medicine is started or when the dose is changed
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings
Keep all follow-up visits with your healthcare provider as scheduled. Call your healthcare provider between visits as needed, especially if you have concerns about symptoms
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:
attempts to commit suicide
thoughts about suicide or dying
new or worse depression
feeling very agitated or restless
trouble sleeping (insomnia)
new or worse anxiety
panic attacks
new or worse irritability
acting aggressive, being angry, or violent
an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
acting on dangerous impulses
other unusual changes in behavior or mood
The most common side effects of ZURZUVAE include:
Sleepiness or drowsiness, dizziness, common cold, diarrhea, feeling tired, weak, or having no energy, and urinary tract infection
These are not all of the possible side effects of ZURZUVAE. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
What is ZURZUVAE® (zuranolone) CIV?
ZURZUVAE is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with postpartum depression (PPD).
It is not known if ZURZUVAE is safe and effective in children.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide.
Sponsored by Sage Therapeutics, Inc. and Biogen Inc.
ZUR-US-1092 09/2024
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