Today’s Big Story

Early Voting

Half of voters plan to cast their ballots early, with a stark partisan divide

Voters in ten states can start casting ballots this week as early voting rolls out for the Nov. 5 general election. Early voting is becoming an increasingly popular method for voters to cast ballots. Over 45 states offer some form of early voting, and a recent study from the Center for Election Innovation & Research found that almost 97% of voting-age citizens live in a state with at least one option to vote before Election Day.

After all, a lot of different factors can contribute to someone not being able to take the time to stand in line and cast a vote on the actual Election Day. Maybe they can’t get off work. Perhaps they’re taking care of a loved one or it’s simply raining that day. So voting early, at your convenience, is a smart way to ensure you get your voice heard.

According to NBC News, 5% of registered voters said they had already cast their ballots (3% by mail and 2% in person). Another 47% said they plan to vote early (20% by mail and 27% in person). A new poll found that Americans are more eager to vote early than they were before the pandemic, but a deep partisan divide on early voting remains.

Republicans continue to fare much better with those waiting to vote in person on Election Day, while voters casting early ballots are more likely to back Democrats. Not surprising, after years of former President Donald Trump and his allies attacking the legitimacy of early voting.

On Tuesday, in-person voting kicked off in Georgia—setting a record for the first day of early voting. And that comes one day after a state judge ruled that county election officials may not delay or decline to certify election results over allegations of fraud or error in the battleground state. ABC News reports that Judge Robert McBurney ruled that certification of election results by county officials in the state is “mandatory”, a new ruling that is likely to be heralded by election experts amidst rising fears that rogue election officials could seek to delay or decline to certify results after Election Day amid allegations of fraud or error.

U.S. Gives Israel Deadline to Increase Gaza Aid

Having failed to secure a cease-fire, the White House now hopes for a working buffer zone in Lebanon

The Biden administration has warned Israel that it must increase the amount of humanitarian aid it is allowing into Gaza within the next 30 days or it could risk losing access to U.S. weapons funding. According to Axios, Israel is highly dependent on U.S. military aid as it fights a war on several fronts and has been under intense scrutiny as warnings emerge again about the humanitarian situation in northern Gaza.

The Israeli military denies Israel is deliberately blocking food to the area. But NPR reports that U.N. officials say that fuel, needed for hospital generators, bakeries, ambulances and water plants, is also running low.  “The situation in north Gaza is like a catastrophe within a series of catastrophes,” said Jonathan Fowler, a spokesman for UNRWA, the U.N. agency overseeing the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza. “There's simply nowhere safe in Gaza.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he opposes a cease-fire in Lebanon that would return the country to its previous state, where residents of northern Israel face the threat of Hezbollah attack. Netanyahu told French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday that he would not agree to a cease-fire deal that doesn’t “stop Hezbollah from rearming and regrouping.”

Bitcoin’s Price Is Surging Again

Market analysts forecast that Bitcoin might be approaching its all-time high near $74,000 soon

As the presidential race heats up, Bitcoin seems to be having a parallel climb to a fever pitch. Experts say the crytocurrency’s price is surging thanks to a combination of political and market factors. Bitcoin is now nearing its all-time high near $74,000, with analysts predicting it could reach this milestone before Election Day.

On Tuesday, bitcoin's price topped $66,000, reflecting ongoing optimism around the world's leading cryptocurrency. One key driver, according to The Street, is the increasing popularity of bitcoin ETFs (exchange-traded funds), “which have attracted more than $19 billion in net inflows.”

And both candidates are wading into the crypto waters as well. Vice President Kamala Harris just unveiled plans to establish a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency and digital assets, aiming to protect Black men who invest in these markets. Meanwhile, a prediction platform backed by Trump-Vance ally Peter Thiel says Trump’s chances of winning the election have increased. Despite once referring to bitcoin as a “scam,” Trump has recently positioned himself as a cryptocurrency supporter, and recently launched a DeFi platform with his sons, aiming to challenge traditional finance.

Are We Addicted to Watching YouTube While We Eat?

TV dinners are out, YouTube meals are in

I like these kind of stories … which validate what I had assumed was just my own bizarre behavior. But I’m not alone. And neither are you. Apparently, we’re ALL slightly addicted to watching YouTube while we eat.

Of course, it’s a mild addiction, right? I’m not streaming those TED Talks, K-Pop videos and architectural tours when I’m out having dinner with friends or on a date. But when I’m just eating dinner at home I’m watching YouTube via Apple TV. When I’m on my lunch break, I’m typically firing up YouTube from my phone while I heat up my leftovers in the microwave. There’s even a popular meme from years ago dedicated to the phenomenon. And an active subreddit with two million members shares specific YouTube videos they believe pair great with breakfast, lunch or dinner.

But as InsideHook points out, the concept of dinner and a show is nothing new. Dating back to ancient Rome, Roman banquets saw feasts accompanied by music, poetry and theatrical performances. Spectators tore up turkey legs while jousters rode horses around arenas in the Middle Ages. During the Prohibition era, speakeasies became popular venues for jazz performances. Then there is the true predecessor of the YouTube meal: the TV dinner.

Built to Last

The Huckberry team wears these easy pullovers a lot, so we asked for their favorite takes on the trend for Fall 2024. The outdoorsy crew had plenty of opinions but narrowed it down to these five—from a classic option from a renowned heritage brand to one that's literally guaranteed to last you a decade.

Rigidity is the enemy.