What Happened at Burning Man?

Thousands are trapped at the festival. [For the best experience, read in browser.]( September 4, 2023 Happy Labor Day! We're exploring the ever-changing world of work with stories about [a better way to take time off]( and [how much money it takes to be a top earner]( these days (plus an invitation to clock into [our newest newsletter](). Then we'll celebrate the flip side of this holiday (shopping!) with a roundup of [today's biggest sales](. But first, we're asking: what on earth happened at Burning Man?   In the News [People look at rainbow over muddy desert festival]( (Getty Images) What Happened at Burning Man? Burning Man, the legendary weeklong festival that takes place in the Nevada desert every summer, took a dark turn this year. Here's what went down — and how the partygoers are coping. Freakish weather: The remote festival site was hit with two to three months’ worth of rain between Friday and Saturday morning. The water combined with the dry desert soil to whip up an ankle-thick, clay-like mud that's "virtually impossible" to drive through, effectively trapping the vast majority of the 72,000-plus attendees. Making an escape: A few hardy festival goers managed the difficult hike off the site, including DJ Diplo, who then hitchhiked on the back of a pickup truck with comedian Chris Rock. My pal Neal Katyal, who many of you will recognize from his expert legal insight here in Wake-Up Call, was [among those who managed the perilous trek out]( — though he cautioned others not to attempt it unless "in good shape and part of a group." A death at the festival: Emergency personnel were called when a forty-year-old man died at the festival on Friday. Organizers said the tragedy was “unrelated to the weather,” and the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office is investigating. What next? Resources have been pulled in from the surrounding area to help anyone dealing with medical issues. Clear skies are due to return today, and organizers say they “expect to start Exodus on Monday morning 9/4 as long as the conditions improve.”   More Stories [Jimmy Buffett on stage in 1976]( Getty Images "He lived his life like a song": Jimmy Buffett, the folksy musician whose tropical-flavored hit Margaritaville took beachy soft-rock to the mainstream, has died at 76. “Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs,” a statement on his website reads. Jimmy had been managing Merkel cell skin cancer for four years, but carried on performing through much of his treatment. [Molner and I caught up with him during lockdown](, when the "hippie from Mississippi" (his words) chatted about everything from his friendship with Warren Buffett to the Netflix show he was binging in quarantine. We'll miss you, Jimmy. Long shot? Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine and Rep. Adam Schiff claim there's an argument for disqualifying Donald Trump from the presidential ballot under the 14th Amendment’s "insurrection clause." “My sense is it’s probably going to get resolved in the courts,” Kaine told ABC This Week. The clause bars anyone from holding public office if they “have engaged in insurrection or rebellion” — but there's no guidance in the Constitution for how to enforce it. YouTuber arrest: Neighbors of the YouTuber Ruby Franke, who was arrested on child abuse charges last week, have said they'd long been worried about the safety of her children. Franke's now-defunct family channel 8 Passengers drew criticism for its harsh parenting style, and per NBC News, Franke had a tendency to impose her strict views on neighbors as well. “Everyone is just breathing a collective sigh of relief, because we thought they were going to come out of that house with body bags,” said one local.   Make It Work In honor of Labor Day, we're sharing a batch of thought-provoking reads from our LinkedIn newsletter, Wake-Up Call at Work, which hits inboxes every other Thursday with fascinating takes about our evolving professional world. [Join the conversation right here!]( [Hand holding a dollar bill]( Show Me the Money How much does it take to be truly wealthy in 2023? We'll tell you the salary you need to be a top earner in each of the 50 states. [Read More »]( [Thumbtacks on a calendar]( A New Kind of PTO They're not personal days, sick days, or vacation days. "Care days" are a fresh spin on time off, and they could be totally game-changing. [Read More »]( [Two hands shaking]( Talkin' Bout My Generation Creativity strategist Natalie Nixon shares advice for workers who struggle to connect with peers of a different age group. [Read More »](   Don't Miss Out [Neon sign reading ''SALE'']( Getty Images We take savings very seriously, which is why we've been working so hard on [your guide to the greatest Labor Day sales happening today](. Do your wallet a favor and dive into these unbeatable deals: - For a home refresh that won't break the bank, [take up to 70% off at Wayfair]( and make your oasis even more welcoming. - You won't be able to hide your shine after using [this trusted hyaluronic acid]( from La Roche-Posay, which is offering $15 off when you spend $75 or more — and $20 off for orders over $100. - Feeling the urge to splurge? Get designer goods at a staggering discount with [up to 70% off at Saks Fifth Avenue](. [SEE MORE SAVINGS](   Another Thing How would you like to discover something new that could transform your routine for the better? We rounded up [Amazon finds you didn't know you needed](, and each one will bring you one step closer to the optimized, efficient life of your dreams.   Final Words [Molner with his arm around Jake]( We're ending today on a personal note with a huge congratulations to our friend Jake Meskin, who won the Sleepy Hollow Country Club Men’s golf championship for the second consecutive year! Jake, who's just 24, is a graduate of the University of Texas and — evidently — a very accomplished golfer. He won the 36-hole final match Sunday on the final hole, one up. Molner joined Jake’s dad, Jeff, his mom, Laurie, and his twin sister, Hannah at Sleepy — arriving at 7 am for the first tee shot and staying through the final hole 9 hours later!   [Know it all, and help your friends catch up, too. 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