What's happening across the US… Teacher strikes in Ohio. Yesterday, unionized teachers in Columbus — the state's largest school district — continued to strike for the third day. Over the weekend, the teachers union gave negotiations with the Columbus Board of Ed a failing grade and voted to strike until "safe, properly maintained" schools in every neighborhood are offered up. That means things like AC and heat, smaller class sizes, and full-time art, music, and PE teachers in the city's elementary schools. Until then, students will be learning remotely with substitutes while teachers picket. Abortion trigger laws. Today, trigger laws banning abortions in Texas and Tennessee will go into effect. Thirteen states have legislation that automatically restricted abortion after Roe v. Wade was overturned. Now, in Texas — where abortion was already illegal after six weeks — a near-total abortion ban will be enforced. Under the law, anyone who performs an illegal abortion could face life in prison and a minimum $100,000 penalty. And in Tennessee, all abortions will be banned — except if the mother's life is at risk. Meanwhile, in Idaho, a judge blocked part of its trigger law from going into effect today. The rule would have made most abortions illegal except in cases of rape and incest.
Who's getting justice... Vanessa Bryant. Yesterday, a jury awarded Kobe Bryant's widow $16 million for violating her privacy and causing emotional distress. Her co-plaintiff, Chris Chester, was awarded $15 million. In 2020, the basketball legend, his 13-year-old daughter, and seven others — including Chester's wife and daughter — died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, CA. Deputies and firefighters on the scene shared grisly photos of the scene and victims. Bryant and Chester sued, later testifying that they lived in fear of the photos surfacing. But LA County insisted that they had taken the photos as part of their investigation and that they were never made public. Now, a jury has agreed that the photos did violate their privacy. The widow and mother did not comment after the verdict, but later posted on social media saying, "JUSTICE for Kobe and Gigi."
What's more than just magical… Shrooms. Yesterday, a new study found that two doses of psilocybin pills — the active ingredient found in 'magic mushrooms' — reduced heavy drinking. Paired with psychotherapy, the pills reduced drinking for at least eight months post-treatment. And this isn't just any study: it's the largest clinical trial of its kind. Next up: more research is needed to see if the effect lasts and can scale up. But scientists are hopeful that this movement will better help treat those dealing with other types of addiction — like opioid and smoking — as well as mental health disorders. PS: Here's how psychedelics may also treat eating disorders.
What's leaving us confused… This. A recent study shows that companies are cutting back on paid family leave to pre-pandemic levels. Only about one-third of employers are estimated to be offering leave. That number had jumped to over 50% during the beginning of COVID-19 as companies tried to dole out more perks and benefits. But now companies may be reducing their benefits. PS: We asked our audience to #ShowUsYourLeave to hear more about their paid family leave experiences. Check out their responses here.
What's unbearably cute… These panda twins. | 
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