Biden’s Exit, Global Tech Glitch, and Top August Shows: What You Need to Know

This week’s edition covers stories
from July 18th to July 24th, 2024.
Today’s issue is 562 words, an 5-minute read.

Hey folks, Mateo here.

It is almost August, which means it’s a major travel time for many trying to squeeze in an end-of-summer trip (me included). For those who have been travelling recently, it has been a nightmare, ever since the Crowdstrike glitch that occurred last week. Most thought it would be all cleared up by now, but flights are still getting cancelled, and people are still stuck. Hopefully this clears up soon and everyone is able to return to their destination safely. Over the weekend, Biden stepped out of the presidential race, as expected. The next few months will surely entail a crazy campaigning and marketing race. If you want to keep your mind off politics, you should check out one of the many different shows taking place in the Twin Cities in August. Artists of all genres are touring and it is the perfect time to get out there and explore new music.

Biden Steps Down, Opening Path for VP Kamala Harris to Run

FILE – President Joe Biden speaks at the 115th NAACP National Convention in Las Vegas, July 16, 2024. Democrats at the highest levels are making a critical push for Biden to reconsider his election bid. Former President Barack Obama has privately expressed concerns to Democrats about Biden’s candidacy. And Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi privately warned Biden that Democrats could lose the ability to seize control in the House if he didn’t step away from the race. Biden says he’s not dropping out believing he’s best to beat the Republican Trump. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

As I am sure you have heard by now, President Joe Biden has stepped out of the 2024 Presidential race, endorsing current Vice President Kamala Harris. No incumbent president eligible to run has stepped away from seeking a second term since 1968, when President Lyndon Johnson announced he wasn’t running for re-election. Biden’s exit culminates a long internal battle that democrats have been debating on for several years concerning Biden’s age and ability to defeat Donald Trump. Kamala Harris now takes the front seat in what will be a wild couple months of campaigning. In 2020, Harris became the first woman to ever serve as Vice President, and is now determined to become the nation’s first woman president. With the hopes of increased support from a wider range of left-leaning voters and democrats alike, Trump’s team must take a new direction as they move away from attacks on Biden’s age and competency. Stay tuned for our ongoing election coverage throughout the rest of election season!

Massive Tech Outage Causes Worldwide Flight Disruptions

Flights delays amidst tech outages caused serious travel delays last week, and to this point they still haven’t been fully cleared. In what has been described as “the largest IT outage in history”, Crowdstrike suffered a massive software glitch that crashed systems around the world. The largest impacts were felt in the travel industry, as airline systems were hit the hardest, temporarily grounding flights and causing flight cancellations for many. Travelers stuck in airports have shared their experience across the internet, showing long lines, increased emotions, and the now infamous “Blue Screen of Death”. Insurers have begun calculating the financial damage and are estimating that Fortune 500 companies will take over $5 billion in direct losses.

*The “Blue Screen of Death” at Los Angeles International Airport 📸 Stefanie Dazio, AP*

At MSP, 76 Delta flights were canceled, leaving travelers stranded at the airport with minimal information on any reimbursements or potential rescheduled flights. The airline is currently under investigation by the U.S. Department of Transportation after over 5,500 flights have been canceled and they are yet to get back to stability. This outage has proven the vulnerabilities of having monopolistic infrastructure systems, as having fewer entities creates a fragile system, where if one piece fails, the whole operation can come crashing down.

*Delta customers waiting at MSP airport 📸 FOX 9*

August Concerts: Top Shows to Catch This Month

Late summer always proves to have some of the best tours and shows, and this August is a prime example. This Sunday, you can catch The Foo Fighters at Target Field before viral sensation Tate McRae comes to town on Thursday, August 1st. Then that Saturday, August 3rd, I am looking forward to attending the Ken Carson show at The Fillmore. I have talked about The Fillmore several times over the last year, and some of our team was there last Friday to see Lucky Daye. It has become one of the preferred venues for small and mid-sized artists who don’t quite have the ability to pack out The Armory or want a more intimate show.

*Lucky Daye at The Fillmore, July 19th, 2024 📸 NewPrensa Team*

Further into the month there are a great variety of shows, setting the table for an exciting close to summer. Here is a list of some more upcoming awesome shows in the area: