Talk That Talk

I Drive Myself Crazy

Here is the GPL News Brief for July 8th 2026: It’s a little insane that this is the first time I’ve used an *NSync song. Like, if you know anything about me….this is insane. Here Is Today’s Stories: Entire police department relieved of duty in West Virginia town [https://www.ktsm.com/news/entire-police-department-relieved-of-duty-in-west-virginia-town/] Gene therapy for children with sickle cell disease approved by FDA [https://ktla.com/news/gene-therapy-for-children-with-sickle-cell-disease-approved-by-fda/] Kentucky governor urges Mitch McConnell to give a public update on his condition [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/mitch-mcconnell-health-kentucky-governor-andy-beshear-b3011521.html] Senate Republican leaders say they’ve spoken to Mitch McConnell as he remains hospitalized [https://abcnews.com/Politics/senate-republican-leaders-spoken-mitch-mcconnell-remains-hospitalized/story?id=134561292] Why is everyone saying they talked to Mitch McConnell for 20 minutes? [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/07/08/mitch-mcconnell-20-minute-talks-hospital/90845137007/] U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran, Military Says [https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/07/08/world/iran-war-us-trump] Outbreak of diarrhea-causing parasite grows to more than 1,000 cases [https://apnews.com/article/cyclospora-outbreak-michigan-31e5e0034d39e85c844065a2bd593ecb] What to Know About the Diarrhea Outbreak Tied to Fresh Produce [https://time.com/article/2026/07/08/cyclosporiasis-outbreak-diarrhea-produce/] Ken Paxton vowed to crack down on “illegal voting.” He may have violated Texas election law. [https://www.texastribune.org/2026/07/07/ken-paxton-voting-election-law/] Those are your headlines for today. We release a recap of all the news of the week on Fridays, so if you haven’t yet, please like, subscribe, and restack on Substack so these and all our newsletters get delivered to your mailbox! For Free! We keep up with all the news for you, so you don’t have to. Aren’t we sweet? Talk to y’all tomorrow! 🚫🤴 Get Pod Local: Where we start Locally while thinking Globally xx Jalon 👉🏽 This daily podcast is free, but if you’d like, please buy Jalon some coffee. She can’t do these newsletters and podcasts without it! (Seriously). Good News! We are now everywhere you get your podcasts! So you can take me on your commute, in the gym, or when I like to listen to podcast, while you’re washing dishes. Subscribe and leave a review for us! Listen on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1QLFWJHBwnlJu9bRhfTifZ?si=c2e20ed4a41441cc] Listen on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gpls-daily-news-briefs/id1867604228] Your Moment Of Zen Election 2026 Wanna help Texas flip blue? Donate to the TEXAS Democratic Party. The DNC will not send us enough money to really get to work.👇🏽 This newsletter is free, but if you’d like, please buy Jalon some coffee. She can’t do these newsletters without it! (Seriously). Recent Other GPL Newsletters (in case you missed them) The Latest GPL Podcast Episode Is Up! Watch it anywhere you listen / watch this podcast. 👇🏽We’re Also On Youtube! We also post these on our Youtube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@getpodlocal]! Other GPL Goodies Get Pod Local: The Podcast (Season 2!) with Joey and Jalon Joey and Jalon sit down with Politicians, Community Leaders, and movers and shakers making a difference. And almost every episode, the Dallas Mayor catches a stray. He deserves it. It’s fine. New episodes every Thursday! GPL Presents: New Newsletter with Jalon Nichols Every week, Jalon catches you up on what is going on out here, who is doing it, how does that impact your everyday life, and what everyone is saying about. We are based in Texas, so we have a lot of Texas news, but we cover the whole wide world. There is a LOT of stuff going on everyday, and no one can keep up with it all, but we attempt to….for you. (Clap for us). GPL Presents: Organizers Corner w/ Joey Cade Every Sunday night, Joey Cade, our Resident Precinct Chair, lays out our Call To Actions for the week. Because knowing what’s going on is one thing. But doing something about it is another. Let’s do both! GPL Presents: Water Cooler with Jalon and Joey Every morning, Jalon D’na [https://open.substack.com/users/11276285-jalon-dna?utm_source=mentions] and Joey Cade [https://open.substack.com/users/95469853-joey-cade?utm_source=mentions] check in and talk about something we read or saw on slack. Videos drop on some Thursdays! GPL Presents: Daily Briefs with Jalon Nichols Everyday, Jalon reads you the headlines of the day — just to keep you in the know. Think NPR at the top of each hour, with a lot of shade some jokes. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit getpodlocal.substack.com [https://getpodlocal.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

London Summer

Here is the GPL News Brief for July 7th 2026: Here Is Today’s Stories: US launches new strikes against Iran hours after revoking oil license [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/iran-war-us-strikes-tehran-trump-b3010803.html] Manhattan high-rise is still unstable after columns buckle, forcing evacuations [https://apnews.com/article/nyc-manhattan-building-collapse-risk-04dfeb966e0daa2caba74006ad174ea1] Mass evacuations ordered after ‘buckling’ Manhattan high-rise remains unstable, mayor says [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/buckling-beams-manhattan-high-rise-construction-trigger-mass-evacuatio-rcna353343] Platner says he will ‘reflect’ on Maine Senate campaign after woman accuses him of sexual assault [https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2026-07-06/platner-says-he-will-reflect-on-maine-senate-campaign-after-woman-accuses-him-of-sexual-assault] Prominent Democrats, including Warren, call on Graham Platner to drop out of Maine Senate race [https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/07/06/nation/graham-platner-maine-senate-race/] Democrats Clash Over Who Replaces Platner Even Before He Exits [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/07/us/politics/graham-platner-maine-replacements-democrats.html] With Graham Platner, Democrats Got Drunk on the Beer Test [https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/07/graham-platner-allegations-maine-senate/687819/] Ken Paxton is continuously anywhere BUT in Texas. Britain’s Farage quits parliament in protest, but will stand for re-election [https://www.reuters.com/world/britains-farage-quits-lawmaker-trigger-by-election-2026-07-07/] Where a Trump controversy and a thumping U.S. defeat leaves Infantino’s stained World Cup [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7426846/2026/07/07/trump-world-cup-usmnt-belgium/] Donald Trump’s sports curse timeline: Why fans think president is to blame for World Cup and more recent losses [https://www.sportingnews.com/in/tsn/news/donald-trump-sports-curse-timeline/33c4132332615f92e3b2400a] Did the USMNT become the latest ‘Trump sports curse’ victims after red card drama? [https://ftw.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2026/07/07/usmnt-world-cup-elimination-trump-sports-curse-folarin-balogun/90829694007/] USMNT’s 2026 World Cup carried so much promise. It ended like it always does [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7427234/2026/07/07/usmnt-world-cup-exit-round-16-belgium/] Huh. Those are your headlines for today. We release a recap of all the news of the week on Fridays, so if you haven’t yet, please like, subscribe, and restack on Substack so these and all our newsletters get delivered to your mailbox! For Free! We keep up with all the news for you, so you don’t have to. Aren’t we sweet? Talk to y’all tomorrow! 🚫🤴 Get Pod Local: Where we start Locally while thinking Globally xx Jalon 👉🏽 This daily podcast is free, but if you’d like, please buy Jalon some coffee. She can’t do these newsletters and podcasts without it! (Seriously). Good News! We are now everywhere you get your podcasts! So you can take me on your commute, in the gym, or when I like to listen to podcast, while you’re washing dishes. Subscribe and leave a review for us! Listen on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1QLFWJHBwnlJu9bRhfTifZ?si=c2e20ed4a41441cc] Listen on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gpls-daily-news-briefs/id1867604228] The Latest GPL Podcast Episode Is Up! Watch it anywhere you listen / watch this podcast. 👇🏽We’re Also On Youtube! We also post these on our Youtube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@getpodlocal]! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit getpodlocal.substack.com [https://getpodlocal.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Right Where You Belong

Here is the GPL News Brief for June 30th 2026: Here Is Today’s Stories: Supreme Court Upholds Birthright Citizenship in Major Blow to Trump [https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/supreme-court-birthright-citizenship-ruling-trump-1235586562/] Supreme Court rejects Trump’s plan to limit birthright citizenship [https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2026-06-30/supreme-court-rejects-trumps-plan-to-limit-birthright-citizenship] Trump loses on birthright citizenship after Supreme Court strikes down sweeping attempt to rewrite Constitution [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/birthright-citizenship-ruling-supreme-court-trump-b2964713.html] Justices Reject Trump’s Effort to End Birthright Citizenship [https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/06/30/us/birthright-citizenship-supreme-court] Trump’s White House ballroom built under $500m no-bid contract: report [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-ballroom-no-bid-contract-b3005792.html] Hegseth announces new Defense Policy Board after clearing out previous panel [https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5946027-hegseth-announces-new-board/] Trump using ‘unusual arrangement’ to secretly funnel $500 million to his ballroom: report [https://www.rawstory.com/trump-ballroom-2677131574/] Former ‘Parent of the Year’ facing over 45 charges for sexually assaulting teen girls, authorities say [https://www.wwnytv.com/2026/06/27/former-parent-year-facing-over-45-charges-sexually-assaulting-teen-girls-authorities-say/] As U.S. Heat Wave Widens, Here’s Where Tuesday’s Temperatures Will Be Highest [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/30/weather/july-fourth-heat-wave-forecast.html] Holiday heat wave: As temperature climbs across much of U.S., so does the danger [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/heat-wave-temperature-danger-rcna352470] Meanwhile, In Idaho [https://www.ktvb.com/video/weather/severe-weather/streets-flood-across-idaho-during-severe-thunderstorms/277-2e44997f-83a6-4b50-8abf-a0ab63e1e1ac] Torrential thunderstorms, hail flood suburban streets with ice floats on first full summer weekend in Idaho [https://nypost.com/2026/06/28/us-news/idahos-thunderstorms-hail-flood-suburban-streets-with-ice-floats/] San Marcos becomes the first Texas city to ban data centers, testing its local control [https://www.texastribune.org/2026/06/30/texas-san-marcos-data-center-ban-zoning-laws/] Fox is having a strong World Cup. It could be its last [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7404557/2026/06/29/world-cup-tv-rights-fox-netflix-amazon/] Haaland scores deciding goal as Norway wins its 1st World Cup knockout game, [https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-norway-ivory-coast-score-ea4cf42d9dcdd4c1e485d0263da438dd]beating Ivory Coast 2-1 [https://www.theringer.com/2026/06/29/world-cup/world-cup-bracket-knockout-stage-primer] The 15 Most Intriguing Story Lines of the World Cup Knockout Stage [https://www.theringer.com/2026/06/29/world-cup/world-cup-bracket-knockout-stage-primer] Those are your headlines for today. We release a recap of all the news of the week on Fridays, so if you haven’t yet, please like, subscribe, and restack on Substack so these and all our newsletters get delivered to your mailbox! For Free! We keep up with all the news for you, so you don’t have to. Aren’t we sweet? Talk to y’all tomorrow! 🚫🤴 Get Pod Local: Where we start Locally while thinking Globally xx Jalon 👉🏽 This daily podcast is free, but if you’d like, please buy Jalon some coffee. She can’t do these newsletters and podcasts without it! (Seriously). Not in The News Brief Good News! We are now everywhere you get your podcasts! So you can take me on your commute, in the gym, or when I like to listen to podcast, while you’re washing dishes. Subscribe and leave a review for us! Listen on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1QLFWJHBwnlJu9bRhfTifZ?si=c2e20ed4a41441cc] Listen on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gpls-daily-news-briefs/id1867604228] This Week’s GPL Podcast Episode Is Up! Watch it anywhere you listen / watch this podcast. 👇🏽We’re Also On Youtube! We also post these on our Youtube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@getpodlocal]! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit getpodlocal.substack.com [https://getpodlocal.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Stupid

Here is the GPL News Brief for June 29th 2026: Here Is Today’s Stories: Trump refuses to sign bipartisan housing bill into law. What does that mean for homebuyers, renters? [https://apnews.com/article/housing-costs-congress-affordable-trump-85db7cc9fead2730dda9cfa7706f8189] HUGE Yawn, am I right, Don Snoreleon? Put this under this audio and you got a world class poltical ad. Bertie-Martin jail takeover ends; 2 detention officers safe after being taken hostage [https://www.wral.com/news/state/bertie-martin-regional-jail-hostage-situation-ends-june-2026/] Supreme Court Mail Ballot Ruling Deals New Blow to Trump’s Election Plans [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/29/us/politics/supreme-court-mail-ballots-grace-period.html] Trump and Iranian Officials Make Conflicting Remarks About Next Steps in Talks After Days of Hostilities [https://time.com/article/2026/06/29/us-iran-ceasefire-attacks-strikes-peace-talks-mou/] Americans now live longer in Democratic-held House districts. Here’s why [https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/28/politics/republican-democratic-districts-life-expectancy] Those are your headlines for today. We release a recap of all the news of the week on Fridays, so if you haven’t yet, please like, subscribe, and restack on Substack so these and all our newsletters get delivered to your mailbox! For Free! We keep up with all the news for you, so you don’t have to. Aren’t we sweet? Talk to y’all tomorrow! 🚫🤴 Get Pod Local: Where we start Locally while thinking Globally xx Jalon 👉🏽 This daily podcast is free, but if you’d like, please buy Jalon some coffee. She can’t do these newsletters and podcasts without it! (Seriously). Good News! We are now everywhere you get your podcasts! So you can take me on your commute, in the gym, or when I like to listen to podcast, while you’re washing dishes. Subscribe and leave a review for us! Listen on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1QLFWJHBwnlJu9bRhfTifZ?si=c2e20ed4a41441cc] Listen on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gpls-daily-news-briefs/id1867604228] This Week’s GPL Podcast Episode Is Up! Watch it anywhere you listen / watch this podcast. 👇🏽We’re Also On Youtube! We also post these on our Youtube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@getpodlocal]! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit getpodlocal.substack.com [https://getpodlocal.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

I (Do Not) Want...

Here is the GPL News Brief for June 26th 2026: Happy belated birthday, Georgios! Here Is Today’s Stories: Venezuela Live Updates: Rescuers Search for Quake Survivors as Leader Calls to ‘Militarize’ Area [https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/06/26/world/venezuela-earthquake] Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says [https://apnews.com/article/rubio-israel-lebanon-c263a75ad99ef5120ad8f9f65bed5911] John Bolton, Trump’s Former National Security Adviser, Pleads Guilty In Classified Information Case [https://deadline.com/2026/06/john-bolton-pleads-guilty-trump-classified-information-1236968285/] Rapist Nicholas Rossi who fled to Scotland after allegedly faking own death dies in US hospital [https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/home-news/nicholas-rossi-death-rapist-us-scotland-utah-b3003944.html] Human rights museum board member resigns over ‘one-sided’ exhibit on displaced Palestinians [https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/cmhr-nakba-exhibit-resignation-winnipeg-9.7244936] Here are the books I suggested in the News Brief: Palestine +100 [https://bookshop.org/p/books/palestine-100-stories-from-a-century-after-the-nakba-mazen-maarouf/93311df6c7ee2ad7]One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This [https://bookshop.org/p/books/one-day-everyone-will-have-always-been-against-this-omar-el-akkad/4191784c40750b09?ean=9780593804148&next=t]Letters from Gaza [https://bookshop.org/p/books/letters-from-gaza-post-october-2023-the-first-collection-of-in-the-moment-reflections-from-the-people-of-gaza-written-from-the-vortex-of-turmoil-mah/3619400f3af870ee?ean=9789815351118&next=t]and I also suggest Night [https://bookshop.org/p/books/night-elie-wiesel/65d7af2af4a15fed?ean=9780374500016&next=t] Judge orders Elon Musk to testify over alleged $1 million voter giveaway fraud [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/elon-musk-election-lottery-fraud-lawsuit-b3003489.html] Elon Musk loses trillionaire status as global tech rout hits SpaceX [https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8j2m2p8dgmo] The New [https://www.wired.com/story/the-new-odyssey-movie-is-sparking-a-right-wing-backlash-this-female-scholar-knows-it-well/#intcid=_wired-verso-hp-trending-bktb_c3edf9ee-42e5-4d37-988d-820b5c0d1158_cygnus-personalized]Odyssey [https://www.wired.com/story/the-new-odyssey-movie-is-sparking-a-right-wing-backlash-this-female-scholar-knows-it-well/#intcid=_wired-verso-hp-trending-bktb_c3edf9ee-42e5-4d37-988d-820b5c0d1158_cygnus-personalized] Movie Is Sparking a Right-Wing Backlash. This Female Scholar Knows It Well [https://www.wired.com/story/the-new-odyssey-movie-is-sparking-a-right-wing-backlash-this-female-scholar-knows-it-well/#intcid=_wired-verso-hp-trending-bktb_c3edf9ee-42e5-4d37-988d-820b5c0d1158_cygnus-personalized] Vance Downplays Watergate and Compares Himself to Nixon [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/26/us/politics/vance-nixon-watergate-deep-state.html] I can see the similarities. They both have 0% sex appeal. And are liars. Like, what is this even? I pray this kind of love never finds me. Asé. Those are your headlines for today. We release a recap of all the news of the week on Fridays, so if you haven’t yet, please like, subscribe, and restack on Substack so these and all our newsletters get delivered to your mailbox! For Free! We keep up with all the news for you, so you don’t have to. Aren’t we sweet? Talk to y’all tomorrow! 🚫🤴 Get Pod Local: Where we start Locally while thinking Globally xx Jalon 👉🏽 This daily podcast is free, but if you’d like, please buy Jalon some coffee. She can’t do these newsletters and podcasts without it! (Seriously). Good News! We are now everywhere you get your podcasts! So you can take me on your commute, in the gym, or when I like to listen to podcast, while you’re washing dishes. Subscribe and leave a review for us! Listen on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1QLFWJHBwnlJu9bRhfTifZ?si=c2e20ed4a41441cc] Listen on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gpls-daily-news-briefs/id1867604228] 👇🏽We’re Also On Youtube! We also post these on our Youtube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@getpodlocal]! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit getpodlocal.substack.com [https://getpodlocal.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]