CNBC Highlights Gig Economy Struggles

A new piece from CNBC highlights the struggles of the gig economy in California, as seen in the recent PRRI study A Renewed Struggle for the American Dream. The PRRI report found that nearly one-third of Californians are struggling with poverty. CNBC’s Jeff Daniels writes, “Nearly one in ten adult residents of California currently work in the gig economy, according to the survey, released by Public Religion Research Institute, a D.C.-based nonpartisan, independent research organization. But despite the state’s reputation as being a tech innovator and economic engine for the nation, nearly half of those working in the gig economy are barely getting by, it said.” According to the report, 48 percent of those participating in the gig economy, are struggling with poverty.

Mollie Tibbetts’ Father Rebukes Anti-Hispanic Sentiment

Rob Tibbetts, father of slain college student Molly Tibbetts, is speaking out about the politicization of his daughter’s death. Cristhian Bahena Rivera, a Mexican national who authorities said was in the country illegally, is under arrest in connection to her killing. “The Hispanic community are Iowans. They have the same values as Iowans. As far as I’m concerned, they’re Iowans with better food.” Tibbets death was seized upon by some as a reason for more restrictive immigration laws. A 2016 PRRI/Brookings poll shows that 40 percent of Americans believe the statement “Immigrants increase crime in local communities,” describes immigrants very well or somewhat well. Nearly six in ten say increasing crime in communities describes immigrants not too well (40 percent) or not at all well (18 percent).

Trump Issues Grave Warning to Evangelical Leaders

President Trump warned evangelical leaders of impending calamity if the Democrats were to secure control of Congress in the midterm elections at a meeting earlier this week. “They will end everything immediately, when you look at Antifa and you look at some of these groups, these are violent people.” The meeting was attended by approximately 100 of the president’s biggest supporters among evangelicals, one of the most consistent of the president’s constituencies. According to a recent PRRI survey, white evangelical Protestants remain among Trump’s most fervent supports; 73 percent hold a favorable view of him.

Pennsylvania Sexual Abuse Cover-up Stretches to Vatican Says State Attorney General

Josh Shapiro, the Pennsylvania attorney general, has informed CBS This Morning that the state’s ongoing Catholic sex abuse scandal was covered up by the Vatican itself. More than one thousand accounts of child abuse are detailed in the August 14 grand jury report, which states that six Pennsylvania dioceses harbored 301 “predator priests.” Shapiro has not directly implicated Pope Francis, however, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò released a letter this week that accuses the pope of knowingly covering up counts of child abuse by Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, according to the New York Times. Per a 2016 PRRIreport, those who were raised Catholic are more likely than those raised in any other religion to cite the clergy sexual-abuse scandal (32 percent vs.19 percent, respectively) as a primary reason for why they left the church.

Andrew Gillum Wins Democratic Gubernatorial Nomination

Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum made history when he became the first African American to win a major party nomination for the governor’s seat in the state of Florida. Gillum defeated the perceived Democratic frontrunner, Gwen Graham, securing support from the state’s African American and student population. On the Republican side, Trump- endorsed Ron DeSantis defeated Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. Trump’s support was key in the GOP primary. Mere hours after the election, the president took to Twitter, writing: “Not only did Congressman Ron DeSantis easily win the Republican Primary, but his opponent in November is his biggest dream….a failed Socialist Mayor named Andrew Gillum who has allowed crime & many other problems to flourish in his city. This is not what Florida wants or needs!” According to PRRI polling, approximately one in three Republicans surveyed (31 percent) say they would prefer the 2020 Republican nominee be someone other than Trump.