Hanging by a Thread

Arizonans Are Struggling to Find Water as State Bakes

Taps will soon run dry in parts of Arizona as drought bites. Rio Verde Foothills, a desert community outside of Scottsdale, will be cut off from water haulers on 1 January — nearly a decade after officials warned it would not be possible to provide water much longer. “Some of us will borrow water from a friend’s well, others will have to pay a water hauler from far away,” resident Karen Nabity said. But for Scottsdale, it’s a matter of necessity. The city takes water from the Colorado River, declared last year to be in the early stages of emergency. (Source: NBC)

The World’s Top Methane Emitters are Private Companies

Over 10% of overall methane emissions come from the world’s largest meat and dairy companies, with some emitting more than entire countries. A report released this week from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy and the Changing Markets Foundation points to 15 industry giants sending the equivalent of a staggering 734 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually. This accounts for more than Germany’s entire yearly output. Methane dissipates in the atmosphere faster than carbon dioxide, but does more damage while it’s there. Much of the data used in the survey was self-reported by the companies. (Source: Gizmodo)

Congress, Stans Have Bad Blood Over Ticketmaster Swift Sale

Congress has thrown its weight behind demands from Taylor Swift fans for a Department of Justice-led investigation into Ticketmaster. Swifties want an antitrust inquiry into the ticketing giant after a presale earlier in the week left fans distraught, complaining of long wait times and the site going down. Ticketmaster called the presale an enormous success — reporting 2 million sales for Swift’s 2023 Eras Tour, a new record — but have opted to shelve Friday’s general sale. Congress is now taking a fresh look at the 2010 merger between Live Nation and Ticketmaster, which created a dominant player in the industry. (Source: Reuters)

Was Your Ikea Desk Made by Belarusian Prisoners?

An investigation into the Swedish home decor giant’s Belarus operations found forced prison labor was used in the production process. Belarus, Europe’s last dictatorship, had long been a production hub for wooden furniture and other Ikea products labeled as “Made in Belarus.” Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ikea vowed to “cease business activities and began to terminate contractual relations with all suppliers in Belarus,” but investigations have found products potentially made in the country’s notorious penal colonies still on the shelves. Ikea formally apologized in 2012 for sourcing prison labor-made products from East Germany in the 1970s and 1980s. (Source: Brussels Times)

Wimbledon Drops Women’s White Undershorts Requirement

It’s a win for the Address The Dress Code campaign, which has long argued the all-white requirement caused unneeded anxiety for women players who may be menstruating. Campaign supporters demonstrated at this year’s Wimbledon tournament and were boosted by backing from giants of the game like Billie Jean King and coach Judy Murray. “It is our hope that this rule adjustment will help players focus purely on their performance by relieving a potential source of anxiety,” All England Club CEO Sally Bolton said. Players will still be required to wear white for the rest of their playing uniform. (Source: The Guardian)

EPISODE ONE NOW STREAMING!

Featuring the WNBA's Didi Richards & Harlem Haberdashery's Ashlee Muhammad