Every Vote Counts

Facebook Reveals Russian Manipulation

According to a Facebook report released yesterday, the Russian Internet Research Agency (the same Russian operatives who worked to interfere in the 2016 election) recruited unwitting journalist freelancers - some American -  to write articles targeting left-wing voters. Facebook, along with Twitter, said they removed the pages (which saw “nearly no engagement”) once they discovered this information.

NYC Delays Opening Schools

New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio delayed in-person learning at the city’s public schools until September 21. The city initially planned to operate under a hybrid structure with partial in-person learning beginning September 10, but will now start the year remotely on September 16.

DOJ Announces Campaign Surveillance Regulations

The Department of Justice and FBI on Tuesday released new surveillance regulations for elected officials and their campaign staff. The move comes after DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s Dec. 2019 report, which highlighted problems with the FBI’s surveillance of the 2016 Trump campaign.

Worth Noting: Protests broke out in Los Angeles after a police shooting of a Black man Monday afternoon. Few confirmed details of the incident are available - here’s what we know so far.

Also Worth Noting: The CDC late Tuesday ordered a nationwide halt on evictions through December for people who have nowhere else to go. Go deeper.

📚 Bonus Read: Bradley Hope and Justin Schek’s new book, Blood and Oil, depicts Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s “Game of Thrones” struggle for power. Read a review.

I’m Not Lovin’ It

More than 50 former McDonald’s franchisees filed a lawsuit against the company for racial discrimination on Tuesday. The 52 plaintiffs allege that McDonald’s steered Black franchisees toward restaurants in lower-income neighborhoods, which typically have higher associated costs and lower volume sales. McDonald’s in a statement said they “categorically deny” the allegations.

The Race To Trace

Apple and Google announced that the newest versions of iOS (iOS 13.7, available now) and Android (Android 6.0, coming later this month) will feature the companies’ COVID-19 contact tracing software. The exposure notification system, which is opt-in, uses Bluetooth signals from other smartphones that have opted-in to determine how closely and for how long two phones are together without collecting the location or identity of the users.

Walmart Adds New Service

Walmart will launch Walmart+, its new membership program, on Sept. 15. For $98 per year (or $12.95 per month), members will get unlimited free delivery, discounts of up to 5 cents a gallon on fuel, and access to a Scan & Go app that lets shoppers skip the checkout line. Unlike Amazon Prime (which costs $119/yr or $12.99/mo), Walmart+ members will need to meet a $35 minimum for each online order to avoid shipping fees.

📈 For Sale… Tesla in a filing with the SEC on Tuesday said it plans to sell up to $5B in new stock from “time to time.”

🌐 Because Of The Internet… Amazon opened its first permanent online-only Whole Foods store in Brooklyn, NY, yesterday.

🕵️ Hack: Tracked… federal agents on Tuesday served a search warrant to a 16-year-old Massachusetts resident who allegedly played a significant role in the July 15 high-profile Twitter hack.

📚 Bonus Read: From Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War to Fortnite - how videogame pricing works.

The Show Must Mow On

In June, Brian Schwartz of Wayne, NJ, lost his job as the vice president of a New York-based digital advertising agency. The country was in the midst of record-high levels of unemployment due to the pandemic. With bills piling up and a newborn at home, Brian – who has spent the last 15 years sitting in front of a computer – decided to cut a new path for himself.

The 39-year-old Brian now mows lawns for senior citizens and veterans in his community free of charge, providing the service for those who cannot afford a regular lawn service. Brian, who connects with customers through his website iwantomowyourlawn.com, refuses to accept tips and only takes donations to cover the cost of gas for his mower.

Going Off The Rails

Passengers on an Amtrak train passing through Glenwood Springs, CO, were dismayed last week when a boulder fell on the railroad tracks, blocking the vehicle’s progress for hours. Wanting to keep riders calm during the holdup, the conductor bought a $500 guitar at a local shop and jumped into action to entertain the captive audience.

With the help of Evie Joy, a singer aboard the train, the talented train operator conducted an impromptu concert for the passengers, strumming classic rock songs such as “Proud Mary” on the new guitar as Evie sang along. The touched travelers quickly turned the inconvenient delay into a serendipitous moment, capturing the spontaneous show in a viral Instagram video.

Home Sweet Home

Front line nurses Ryan and Ayleen Apathy of Miami-Dade, FL, were visiting family with their two young children on the evening of July 29th when they received a call that their house was on fire. By the time the Apathys reached their home, the damage was already done – the fire destroyed the interior of the house and killed the family’s dog and hamster.

When 16-year-old Steven Ferreiro learned of the tragedy, the thoughtful teenager enlisted Helping Others and Giving Hope, a nonprofit he founded, to find a new home for the Apathys. Working with real estate developer AHS Residential, Ferreiro and his team surprised the family with a new two-bedroom apartment, where they will be able to stay free of charge for the next three months.

Does your business live and die by how effectively you manage leads?

Follow Up Boss is the leading CRM for growing teams who know that fast, thorough follow up is the key to their success. We’re here to do two things:

1. Stop leads from falling through the cracks
2. Make following up so easy your team loves it

Are you a business owner or sales leader? We need your help! Take this quick 2-minute survey and share your opinion. You’ll be entered to win a $250 Visa Gift Card.

Take Survey →