January 25, 2024 | Read Online

Good morning. It's Thursday, Jan. 25, and we're covering Biden's UAW comments, first ever execution by nitrogen hypoxia, NBA finalists, and much more. First time reading? Sign up here.

American Fact of the Day!

People have lived in Montana for more than 12,000 years: The first group of people to populate the Americas were known as the Paleo-Indians. The first peoples crossed into North America from Russia via the Bering Strait at the end of the Ice Age, some 14,000 years ago. The first archaeological evidence of human existence in the region now known as Montana comes from a dig site known as the Anzick site near Wilsall, Montana.

Breaking Updates

Biden Goes Off Rails With UAW Comments As the Union Reveals Who It Will Endorse for 2024

Joe Biden has so many problems when it comes to the 2024 election; everywhere you turn, there's another one. His team is like the man trying to quickly bail out in a boat full of holes.

But Biden even had to visit the UAW on Wednesday, because he's losing support with workers too. Part of that is the economy, part of it is the electric vehicle push, as well as seeing him attacking fossil fuels. Not to mention the crushing economy. He's working against their interests. But when you throw him out there in front of the workers and he doesn't even know what he's saying, I don't think that gives people confidence in voting for him.

"Because of you, "Toyota, Volkswagen, Nissan, Tulsa. All gave their workers double-digit raises. Because of YOU!" What's Tulsa, besides a city in Oklahoma?

I suspect Joe was having a problem with the teleprompter again and may have meant Tesla. But if we have to spend so much time trying to figure out what he's saying, he has a big problem. And what must the workers think, when he says things like that?

He's talking about building electrical vehicle charging stations (that haven't been built yet) and he's so heavily slurring, it's concerning. Then he gets the organization name wrong. Then there's this comment, "We're fundamentally changing the economy of this country and everybody's getting a little worried about it."

However, even given what a wreck Biden is and how much he's hurt the interests of their workers, the UAW endorsed Biden, showing they don't care about the workers or what they think.

Alabama Set to Try First Ever Execution by Nitrogen Hypoxia on Thursday. Whatever Could Go Wrong?

Sometime Thursday, the State of Alabama will attempt, for a second time, to execute Kenneth Eugene Smith. Smith has been on Alabama's Death Row since 1988 (that would be nearly 36 years) for the murder-for-hire of Elizabeth Sennett. The failed execution attempt was by lethal injection.

The Supreme Court has cleared the way, and the "second time's the charm" attempt will be made by using a new and untested nitrogen hypoxia method where the condemned's oxygen supply is replaced with nitrogen, causing unconsciousness and, if luck holds death.

Smith and his co-defendants, Billy Gray Williams and John Forrest Parker, were hired by Elizabeth's husband, Church of Christ pastor Charles Sennett, Sr., for $1,000 each to kill her. That is a premium over the $20 and a bottle of Night Train that was rumored to be the going price where I was raised. Investigators became suspicious that the home invasion scene was staged because a VCR was taken, but Elizabeth's purse containing $400 and other valuables was left behind.

Because Smith's failed execution was the third in a row for Alabama, the Alabama Department of Corrections looked for something they thought their staff could handle. The answer was nitrogen hypoxia. According to the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, in humans, "breathing an oxygen deficient atmosphere can have serious and immediate effects, including unconsciousness after only one or two breaths. The exposed person has no warning and cannot sense that the oxygen level is too low."

In August 2023, Alabama released its protocol for tomorrow's execution. What is known is that Mr. Smith will be led from his cell in the William C. Holman Correctional Facility to the prison's death chamber. The complex is in Atmore, Ala., about 55 miles northeast of Mobile, and five reporters will be allowed to witness the execution. Mr. Smith will be put on a gurney and a mask will be placed over his face, and then he will be given two minutes to say his last words. Then, the prison warden or an assistant will initiate the pumping of the gas into Mr. Smith's mask for at least 15 minutes.

This case is a metaphor for what is wrong with the death penalty as administered in the United States.

American Sports & Culture

Why is almost no team interested in Bill Belichick? - Yahoo Sports

Seven NFL teams were or are looking for a new head coach, yet only one has talked to the six-time Super Bowl winner.

MLB on TBS 2024 early schedule features five Yankees games in eight weeks

The New York Yankees are a stalwart on the MLB on TBS schedule early in 2024, with five games airing in eight weeks.

Red-hot Knicks facing 2023 NBA finalists in next two games

Tom Thibodeau's surging squad will face a couple of stern tests against last year's NBA finalists in its next two games at the Garden.

American Business & Markets

From Chaos To Positive Cash Flow In Your Small Business

Maintaining a positive cash flow is critical to your small business's success. Your business needs to be profitable to generate cash flow.

25 Cash Flow Business Ideas

If you aspire to start a high cash flow business and make money fast, these cash flow business ideas will get you started and inspire you to take the next step.

Meet customers where they are (and they're on TikTok): Marketing experts urge startups to invest in brand building

Like it or not, "TikTok remains king," said Mikita Burton, encouraging startup founders to balance negative headlines about the video-sharing social media platform with its incredible potential for reaching their most-sought-after audiences.

Chipotle Rolls Out New Perks to Attract Gen Z Workers | Entrepreneur

Chipotle is rolling out new benefits to attract younger employees that will help them pay off student loans and save for retirement ahead of the company's busy "burrito season."