Presented by

Today’s Big Story

Choose Your America

The aftermath of the Kirk slaying shows a snapshot of a fractured nation

The sprawling search for a suspect in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk intensified on Thursday, as investigators in Utah circulated images of a person they called “the potential shooter” while poring over evidence and thousands of tips and leads in the case. As the manhunt stretched through a second day, officials said they had made significant steps forward, but their ultimate goal—identifying and locating the attacker—still remained out of reach.

Meanwhile, I happened to log onto Facebook yesterday and was confronted with way too many opinions on the shooting, on Kirk himself along with general political discourse that was anything but helpful. People are rightfully shocked, some are upset and Americans already had a third-rail mentality when it came to discussing political views. But it seems like everything is boiling over at the moment.

Following the announcement of Kirk’s death, President Donald Trump was uniquely positioned to tamp down the anger that suffuses American politics and lead a movement to bind up a bitterly divided country … but political strategists and officials from both parties told NBC News, that’s not the path Trump appears to be taking. “Trump has been both a target of assassination attempts and a fount of vitriolic rhetoric. He knows firsthand the passions that drive American voters and, were he to renounce partisan attacks and call on others in both parties to do the same, that gesture could potentially send a healing message.” But he laid blame on familiar foils, singling out the “radical left” and made no mention of cases in which Democratic elected officials in Minnesota and Pennsylvania were targets of violent attacks.

Trump was also pressed on how he wants his supporters to respond, as tensions remain high in Washington and around the country. “He was an advocate of nonviolence. That’s the way I’d like to see people respond,” Trump said.

The Associated Press points out, it can be hard to remember all the scenes of political violence in just the past few years: Butler, Pennsylvania, the Minneapolis suburbs, San Francisco, New York City, West Palm Beach. And more. Taken together, they are enough to make Americans wonder: Is there a way forward? “Many people, of course, feel America is broken. You can hear about the country’s many troubles—its ideological divides, its anger, its lack of civility—from conservatives and liberals, from socialist firebrands and evangelical preachers, from Democrats and Republicans. It is, perhaps, one of the few beliefs that unites Americans right now.”

The governor of Utah, Spencer Cox, spoke mournfully about America’s predicament, saying “Our nation is broken.” He clearly hoped Kirk’s death could help bring America together. More likely, though, the killing could drive the wedges deeper. Just listen to how people reacted to his death. Choose the take you want to believe.

The Growing Robot Workforce

American industry has a path forward, but most of the labor force isn’t interested, so robots fill the gap

Tales of an army of robot colleagues arriving at workplaces across the U.S. may seem futuristic, but plenty of labor market forecasters predict that the change will happen soon. It’s already happening in some industries—facing challenges hiring qualified human staff, some companies are turning to robots instead. For example, Civ Robotics, a small San Francisco-based startup is aiming to “revolutionize land surveying”, in the solar field. Its CEO gave an example comparing a human team, which could theoretically set out 300 markers per day, and a robot system, which could deploy more than 1,000.

Over the summer, Amazon deployed its 1 millionth robot in a sign of more job automation. CNBC says it strengthens Amazon’s position as the world’s largest manufacturer and operator of mobile robotics. The entire fleet will be powered by a newly launched generative artificial intelligence model. But although advancements in AI robotics like those working in Amazon facilities come with the promise of productivity gains, they have also raised concerns about mass job loss.

A Pew Research survey published in March found that both AI experts and the general public see factory workers as one of the groups most at risk of losing their jobs because of AI. Meanwhile, Fast Company reports that while AI and robots could save workers’ lives and improve job conditions, but instead we are using them to make jobs more dangerous.

Court Greenlights Planned Parenthood Defunding

The ruling temporarily put back in effect a law banning Medicaid reimbursements to the organization

A U.S. appeals court panel on Thursday allowed President Donald Trump’s administration to block Medicaid funds to Planned Parenthood while legal challenges continue. Planned Parenthood previously warned such a move could lead to the closure of hundreds of clinics nationwide.

"With this decision, patients and providers are in limbo," Planned Parenthood Federation of America President and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson said in a statement to Axios. “Patients who rely on the essential health care that Planned Parenthood health centers provide, can't plan for their futures, decide where they go for care, or control their lives, bodies, and futures—all because the Trump administration and its backers want to attack Planned Parenthood and shut down health centers.”

Planned Parenthood has relied heavily on government reimbursements for medical services. In past years, more than 40% of its revenue has come from government reimbursements and grants disbursed by the Department of Health and Human Services. The organization said Thursday’s ruling means that more than 1.1 million patients can’t use their Medicaid insurance at its health centers, but the fight isn’t over yet. The First Circuit will hear more substantive arguments in the case. CNN reports the case is before Judges Gustavo Gelpi, Lara Montecalvo and Seth Aframe, all of whom were appointed to the appeals court by Democratic President Joe Biden.

A Weekend Pairing

‘Spinal Tap II‘ + Nerds Candy

Keep This Stock Ticker on Your Watch List

Keep This Stock Ticker on Your Watchlist

They’re a private company, but Pacaso just reserved the Nasdaq ticker “$PCSO.”

No surprise the same firms that backed Uber, eBay, and Venmo already invested in Pacaso. What is unique is Pacaso is giving the same opportunity to everyday investors. And 10,000+ people have already joined them.

Created a former Zillow exec who sold his first venture for $120M, Pacaso brings co-ownership to the $1.3T vacation home industry.

They’ve generated $1B+ worth of luxury home transactions across 2,000+ owners. That’s good for more than $110M in gross profit since inception, including 41% YoY growth last year alone.

And you can join them today for just $2.90/share. But don’t wait too long. Invest in Pacaso before the opportunity ends September 18.

Invest While You Still Can

_{Paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the NASDAQ is subject to approvals.}

Baby steps.