Compiled by Katie LaWer and Safina Syed
Writers and Actors Strike
On May 2, The Writers Guild of America went on strike over a labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The writers were joined at the picket line by the actors union — Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists — on July 14.
A report released by the WGA in mid-March described the negative impact of streaming on writers’ pay and increase of writers’ working for the terms of the Minimum Basic Agreement, which sets the baseline standard for how unionized writers are compensated. As a result, the WGA demanded larger residual payments — especially for shows on streaming services — and protections regarding the use of artificial intelligence. The actors were on strike for similar reasons: increased compensation, more stable employment, and safeguards against actors’ forms and voices being used by AI.
On Sept. 27, the writers strike concluded, with the actors strike ending soon after on Nov. 9. The newly ratified WGA contract includes increased minimum pay and provisions that bar companies from using AI to write literary material. The SAGAFRA contract covers similar agreements.
Hawaii Wildfires
From Aug. 8-11, multile wildfires erupted in Maui — Hawaii’s second-largest island — and rapidly spread due to strong winds from Hurricane Dora and drought-induced conditions. The fires prompted evacuations and extensive damage, claiming the lives of over 100 people, according to CNN.
On Aug. 8, a small fire in Upcountry Maui expanded to approximately 1,000 acres, leading to a shelter-in-place advisory and Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke’s issuing an emergency proclamation activating support from the state’s National Guard. The following day, the fires left more than 14,000 people without power, compelling them to stay in state-designated shelters as military helicopters drenched Maui County with roughly 150,000 gallons of water.
The Pacific Disaster Center and Federal Emergency Management Agency estimated that over 2,200 buildings — including residential and historic landmarks in Lahaina — were destroyed. Lahaina, once the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom and a renowned whaling port since the 1800s, has been almost entirely reduced to ashes, significantly altering Maui’s tourism prospects.
Donald Trump's Legal Troubles
Former president Donald Trump surrendered at Fulton County Jail on Aug. 24, facing more than a dozen legal charges related to the subversion of Georgia’s 2020 election results. According to The New York Times, the former president was charged with orchestrating a “criminal enterprise” to change the will of voters by an Atlanta grand jury. Trump, however, denied any wrongdoing and was released on a $200,000 bond.
The former president has been charged in four separate criminal cases related to his business and political history: In New York, the Trump Organization faces 34 felony counts due to allegations of falsifying business records. In Florida, Trump faces 40 felony counts for hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago Club, and in Washington, D.C., he faces three counts related to the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing in these legal matters and pleaded not guilty in all of the criminal cases, characterizing these indictments as a “witch hunt” to keep him from the White House in 2024.
Gov. Gavin Newsom's Visit to China
On Oct. 25, California Gov. Gavin Newsom met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other Chinese officials — such as Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vice President Han Zheng — in Beijing, China. According to the governor’s office, the meeting included discussions on climate action, cultural exchange, democracy, economic development and human rights concerns. During the visit, Newsom signed a new memorandum of understanding with National Development and Reform Commission Chairman Zheng Shanjie, stating that leadership from the California Energy Commission would attend the World New Energy Vehicle Congress in China. California officials also agreed to engage with their Chinese
counterparts at the recently-held Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco and United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai.
Throughout his visit, Newsom highlighted the importance of promoting economic development and strengthening cultural ties through regular meetings and other communication channels.
Rep. George Santos Ethics Report
On Nov. 16, The House Ethics Committee found “substantial evidence’’ that Republican Rep. George Santos violated federal law, prompting him to declare that he would not run for reelection, a process that he claimed he would pursue as recently as Nov. 3. According to a 56-page report released by the investigative subcommittee, Santos used campaign funds for personal purposes, defrauded donors and filed false campaign-finance and financial-disclosure forms. The committee — comprising two Democrats and two Republicans — voted unanimously to refer their findings to the Department of Justice. Alongside Santos’ pre-existing 23-count federal indictment, the Nov. 16 report adds previously unseen texts, emails and other documents that detail a year of fraudulent activity.
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