Extra, Extra
Caveat Renter: “Long the bedrock of family wealth for the middle class, single-family homes have been snatched up in the thousands by private equity firms and publicly traded companies, converted into rental properties and bundled into complex investment vehicles.” A special report from The Atlanta Journal Constitution: American Dream For Rent: Investors elbow out individual home buyers.
+ Absent: “An analysis … found an estimated 240,000 students in 21 states whose absences could not be accounted for. These students didn’t move out of state, and they didn’t sign up for private school or home-school, according to publicly available data. In short, they’re missing.” Since the pandemic closures, thousands of kids are missing from school. Where did they go?
+ Quake Update: The Turkey/Syria earthquake toll continues to rise (now more than 20,000), as rescuers continue to dig. Here’s the latest from The Guardian. Survivors are asking questions about the safety of buildings. Why did the modern structures supposedly built to withstand a quake of this magnitude still crumble? And photos like this: Father Holds the Hand of His Daughter Who Died Under Rubble Near Earthquake’s Epicenter in Turkey.
+ SpaceX Marks Its Spot: SpaceX admits blocking Ukrainian troops from using satellite technology for military purposes (like controlling weaponized drones). Whether you agree with that decision or not, this story is yet another reminder that big tech companies are big players in geopolitics.
+ Soddy Rule: “I think it’s bizarre that FIFA has looked to have a Visit Saudi sponsorship for the Women’s World Cup when I, myself, Alex Morgan, would not even be supported and accepted in that country. I just don’t understand it.” Alex Morgan calls potential Saudi sponsorship of Women’s World Cup ‘bizarre.’ (That’s a pretty nice word to use in this situation.)
+ Hit List: Among his most celebrated efforts with with lyricist Hal David were “Walk on By,” “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” “What’s New Pussycat?” “(They Long to Be) Close to You,” “Alfie,” “This Guy’s in Love With You” and “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” Composer Burt Bacharach, Smooth Virtuoso of 1960s Pop, Dies at 94.