🎉 Anniversaries, 🗣️ Debates, and 🏈 NFL Week 1 Recap: Fall is Here!

This week’s edition covers stories 
from September 5th to September 11th, 2024.
Today’s issue is 1316 words, an 11-minute read.

Hey folks, Mateo here.

Autumn is already in full swing, but that doesn’t mean we get that breezy, cool fall weather quite yet. This week it reached the high 80s, and it is still expected to hover around there for the next week or so. This is likely the last time it’ll be this nice out for many months, but you truly never know in Minnesota. September is off to a busy start, and we have had the opportunity to cover and attend some spectacular events. The presidential debate went down earlier this week, and it was refreshing seeing an energized VP Kamala Harris take the stage for the Democrats. And finally, football season has returned – the several months of the year where my mood for the week is highly dependent on the outcome of a football game. It’s great. Anyways, I hope your fall is off to a thrilling start!

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Fall in Full Swing: Leadership, Culture, and Community Events

Two weeks ago, we gathered for NewPublica’s 10-year anniversary, a celebration of a decade filled with impactful connections and community empowerment. The milestone celebration was not only a look back at past successes but also a launchpad for the future, highlighted by the unveiling of our new logo and branding. The celebration was further distinguished by speeches from Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. Their presence highlighted NewPublica’s long-standing commitment to supporting BIPOC-owned businesses and advancing inclusive, multicultural dialogue. From spectacular performances by Circus Juventas, Jimmy Longoria, Mai Se Yang, Mariachi Estelar, and Mi-Peru, to the wide ranging culinary experience including Hmong, Somali, and Mexican dishes, it was a night to remember.

LatinoLEAD, a prominent organization based in Minnesota, continues to make a significant impact in the realm of leadership development through its annual leadership conference, “LiderCon.” Over the past four years, this event has become a cornerstone for advancing leadership skills and fostering professional connections. This year’s LiderCon, which took place last week, was themed “Avanzando tu Liderazgo” (Advancing Your Leadership), and successfully brought together approximately 400 leaders, primarily from the Latino community in Minnesota. NewPublica’s own VP of Public Affairs, Edwin Torres, presented on Latino organizing. The conference, which has seen an annual increase in attendees, continues to provide a platform for engaging discussions on critical topics and networking opportunities for professionals and students at various stages of their leadership journey.

Another exciting upcoming event, Fiesta Latina, takes place this Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at CLUES St. Paul. Fiesta Latina, hosted by CLUES, is a free, family-friendly festival celebrating Latine culture and will feature a range of activities including folkloric and contemporary dances, live music, health and wellness resources, and delicious food. Attendees can enjoy free medical exams, a backpack giveaway, art and crafts activities, door prizes, and explore the Mercado de Artesanías. With an expected attendance of over 5,000 visitors, it’s an exciting opportunity to engage with and celebrate the community. NewPrensa will be there, so be sure to visit our table and connect with us! More information here.

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VP Harris Dominates Debate as Swift Urges Voters to Back Her

The second US Presidential debate went down on Tuesday, and it was vastly different from the last one, where Joe Biden ultimately lost the confidence of key democrats following a difficult performance against Trump. VP Kamala Harris, seeking to reintroduce herself to undecided voters and capitalize on her recent rise in popularity, effectively dominated the stage. She made the debate largely about Trump, skillfully highlighting his controversial past, including his criminal trials, January 6th involvement, and inflammatory rhetoric. Her strategy included baiting Trump with critiques of his past policies and behavior, which led to his frequent defensive interruptions and erratic responses. Trump, on the other hand, struggled to stay focused and mount a cohesive argument against Harris. He often veered into topics like immigration and crime, but his performance was undermined by his tendency to get sidetracked and his failure to provide a clear vision for the future. His inability to effectively challenge Harris or present a strong policy agenda was evident, making him appear out of touch and less effective.

Harris’s performance was marked by her energetic demeanor and ability to address key issues, including economic concerns and abortion rights, while Trump’s aggressive and often disjointed responses failed to sway the debate in his favor. Despite Trump’s attempts to paint a grim picture of America and distract from his own record, Harris’s commanding presence and focused arguments made a significant impact. Overall, Harris’s strong performance could enhance her appeal among undecided voters, although it remains to be seen if it will result in a substantial shift in the election dynamics. Following the debate, Taylor Swift made her way to Instagram to publicly endorse Harris, using her platform to highlight Harris’s commitment to issues like LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive health. She also encouraged her followers, especially first-time voters, to research the candidates and vote early.

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Football Frenzy: Week 1 Recap

The start of September means that football is officially back! The NFL is in full swing as last weekend kicked-off the season with some eventful moments in week 1. Kendrick Lamar will headline the 2025 Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, as announced by Roc Nation, Apple Music, and the NFL. Although this is Lamar’s second Super Bowl performance, it is his first time headlining. This choice was not a head-scratcher, as Kendrick is still feeling the success following his beef with Drake, and “Not Like Us” is still a major hit. The Super Bowl will take place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9, 2025. Stay tuned for more updates on this show – it should be a good one!

News broke Sunday morning that Miami Dolphins superstar Tyreek Hill had been detained in a traffic stop right outside Hard Rock Stadium, the Dolphins home stadium. The incident began when Hill was pulled over by Miami-Dade police officers, including Danny Torres, for speeding on the way to the game. After initially complying by handing over his license, Hill raised his window, sparking tension with Officer Torres, who repeatedly knocked on the window. The situation escalated when Hill refused to lower it, leading Torres to forcibly remove him from the car, restraining him on the ground. Videos quickly emerged on social media showing the NFL’s highest-paid receiver restrained on the ground with a knee on his back, causing concern over the use of force. A teammate of Hill’s, Calais Campbell, stopped to help when he saw Hill in handcuffs, but ended up handcuffed himself. Both players were ultimately released and made it to the game on time, and Hill even mocked the incident by putting his hands behind his back while celebrating a touchdown. Though concern was heightened further upon Monday’s release of the bodycam footage, showing the quick escalation of Hill getting ordered out of the car, grabbed by the neck, and forced to the street by officers. Following the release of the footage, Officer Torres was placed on paid administrative duty, and Hill and his attorneys have called for his termination. Hill was cited for careless driving and a seatbelt violation.

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Stay informed, stay connected. 

See you next week! 

–
Mateo and the NewPrensa team

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