Hey friends -- we’re back with another edition of The Breakdown. Let me tell you something about myself: I love to write this newsletter because I truly believe that readers like you can impact any headline that we feature here. Doesn’t matter which cause or how much effort it takes. But sometimes on days like today, we feature upsetting stories that I hate to have to read.

However, today I did something a little different: I dove into the difficult story first so that way I could end on a positive note, feeling inspired without interruption by all of the uplifting things that are happening locally and around the world. I guess what I’m saying is there’s a lot of good in the world and I’m really happy that you’re a part of it.

- Anthony

10 democratic debate candidates on stage

Democratic Debates: So What Happened?

Who and When?

Over the course of two nights on Tuesday and Wednesday, a total of 20 Democratic candidates made their case for why they should be the next POTUS.

The Big Issues

Among the most debated topics for the evenings were criminal justice reform, immigration, and health care. While it may be too early to determine how each candidate’s performance will affect them in the long run, many saw these debates as a battle between the party’s progressive and moderate wings.

Protesters Speak Up Too

Noteworthy as well was multiple instances of candidates being interrupted by protesters who made their voices heard. In one instance, “Fire Pantaleo” (referencing the officer who killed Eric Garner) chants forced moderators to pause the debate. In another, chants of “3 million deportations” broke out while Biden was confronted on the Obama administration’s immigration record.

Winners & Losers

For more on which candidates are being declared the winners and losers of the debates, read recaps from news organizations like USA Today, MSNBC, or ABC.

Take action: Make your voice heard. Take 2 minutes and register to vote at your current address.

Olympic Organizations & FBI “Knowingly Concealed” Dr. Larry Nassar’s Sexual Abuse Of Young Gymnasts

In January 2018, former Olympic gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced to life in prison after 133 women and girls testified with their stories of their being abused by him.

According a nauseating new congressional report released earlier this week, warnings of Nassar’s abuse was largely ignored by Olympic organizations and federal authorities for over a year before they took action.

“They turned a blind eye to the ongoing evil of this monster,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal. “He was enabled and emboldened by people in positions of trust who looked the other way.” As a result of this finding, members of Congress have introduced a bill meant to protect athletes who work with Olympic-related organizations.

Take Action: Share resources with survivors of sexual assault.

Tree-t Yo Self: Ethiopia Plants Over 350 Million Trees...In a Single Day

Would you plant 100 trees to fight climate change? What about 350 million? Earlier this week, the Ethiopian government announced that citizens from across the country combined their efforts for what is being called the largest one-day tree-planting event in history. Many schools and government buildings closed on Monday so people could participate in the enormous effort to curb the effects of climate change and deforestation. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has campaigned to plant 4 billion(!!!) trees in Ethiopia, which has lost more than 10,000 square miles of forest since 1990.

Take action: Make your space greener by planting new flowers and other greenery.

The US men’s soccer team, in response to the US Soccer Federation claiming to pay women more than the men.

Why aren’t more people talking about… Chantell Grant and Andrea Stoudemire the mothers and gun violence activists were shot and killed this past Tuesday?

Meanwhile, in Nigeria… a team of volunteers and young mothers have led vaccination efforts that are expected to make the country completely polio-free.

My hero today is… this 4-year-old who used his birthday party to raise money for RAICES, an immigration service organization.

Today in viral cuteness… here are 11 dogs who couldn’t be happier when their military humans returned home.

I’m obsessed with… this weird phenomenon where Andre 3000 keeps getting spotted playing the flute in random places. I don’t need to know why because as long as he’s happy, I’m happy.

We asked, you answered. Check out some of the ways Breakdown readers are improving their communities right now.

“I have a club where we made bead bracelets sold for 1 dollar to raise money for the foster home.” - Chinmayee, 16, Texas

“I put signs near recycling bins in my school to make sure people are recycling their bottles and cans.” - Derek, 17, California

“I have started helping out my local teen court, a teen-ran and adult-supervised reformation program for troubled/delinquent teens.” - Abbey, 16, Wisconsin

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