Friday Politics Roundup | UAW preps to strike; climate crisis deepens; WVU guts faculty and programs; Musk plays king; Christian nationalist gather in York; Pennridge tests extremism; new podcast

The UAW is getting closer to striking as the latest contract offer from GM and Stellantis was rejected as not good enough to ward off a strike. UAW president Shawn Fain has made it clear that unless a deal is reached by September 14, 150,000 workers will head to the strike lines. 

Hurricane Lee rapidly intensifies to a powerful Category 5 storm in the Atlantic. While current models predict the storm will not directly hit major populated areas, the storms rapid intensification is linked to the record warm temperatures of the Atlantic, providing a window into our climate futures. 

Hong Kong was inundated with flash floods as more rain fell on the region since records started being kept in 1884. Over 19 inches of rain fell on Hong Kong in 24 hours, with over six inches falling between 11PM and midnight last night. 

West Virginia University becomes the latest “canary in the coal mine” in higher education. The university has announced deep cuts, which will eliminate 169 faculty members (7% of the faculty) and 32 of the university’s 338 majors. The president of WCU, Gordon Gee, told the New York Times, “We simply have lost the support of the American public,” when explaining the lack of funding for public universities.  

Elon Musk admits that he unilaterally denied the Ukrainian military access to the Starlink satellite internet service to prevent a Ukrainian drone attack against some of the Russian naval fleet near the coast of Crimea. Privatized, billionaire-run government anyone?

Later today and tomorrow, York, PA will play host to a “Big” Christian Nationalist/Dominionist conference featuring a who’s-who of right-wing religious ideologues. PA Representative Wendy Fink, representing PA’s 94th district, has actively promoted the event on social media, telling readers “Come out to the Big Event at Praise Community Church in York on Sept. 8 to hear me speak about how you can build a community action team at your local church.” That’s right before she and her staff provide the religious zealots and “Introduction to Firearms” followed by a cozy Pastor’s breakfast. Will any major media outlets cover the event?

Great new podcast from the Bucks County Beacon! The Civic Circle is a GenZ hosted and focused podcast from the Bucks County Beacon with production assistance from yours truly! Check out Cyril’s interview with the hosts on the latest episode of The Signal and look for the premiere of their first show right around the corner!