Fury on the Senate Floor

Social media execs were in the hot seat. [For the best experience, read in browser.]( [Wake-Up Call] [by Katie Couric Media] February 1, 2024 Good morning. We’ll start in Washington, where we've got the most explosive moments from yesterday’s congressional hearing on child safety on social media. Then, we’ll take you [inside the White House screening]( of a documentary I care deeply about and share [a crucial conversation about abortion](. Later on, we’ll honor Black History Month with [the underappreciated trailblazers you need to know about](. Read on…   In the News [Mark Zuckerberg and other CEOs at a congressional hearing]( Getty Images A Tense Day in Washington The chief executives for Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, X, and Discord appeared before Congress yesterday in a contentious hearing on the sexual exploitation of children on social media. Here’s what went down: Unbridled fury: Senate hearings can be dry and dull, but this one involved full-blown shouting. Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC) said Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg had “blood on [his] hands.” Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) called online child exploitation a “crisis in America.” A somber moment: Sen. Josh Hawley (R-AR) asked Zuckerberg if he wanted to apologize to those in the crowd who'd lost children to suicide, drug overdoses, and other deaths connected to social media use. Zuckerberg faced them and said, "No one should go through the things that your families have suffered.” Stalled out: Despite the bipartisan anger on display, Congress has done little to regulate social media. Numerous bills on child safety have stalled in the Senate. When pressed if they would support such bills moving forward, the CEOs were largely noncommittal. The hearing served as a powerful reminder that the kids are not okay. [A recent poll]( by children’s advocacy group Common Sense Media shows a stunning drop in self-reported mental health rates among teenagers, with the majority of those participants blaming social media for their unhappiness.   More Stories [Christopher Wray testifying]( Getty Images A clear warning: FBI Director Christopher Wray told the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party yesterday that Chinese hackers are prepared to “wreak havoc and cause real-world harm” to the U.S. He said that "if or when China decides the time has come to strike,” hackers are positioning themselves “to find and prepare to destroy or degrade the civilian critical infrastructure that keeps us safe and prosperous.” Israel-Hamas war: The U.S. has identified a group of militants in Iraq known as Islamic Resistance as responsible for the drone attack that killed three U.S. soldiers. Per NBC News, a group of U.S. citizens has filed a federal lawsuit claiming that the October 7. attack in Israel was “masterminded and funded by the Islamic Republic of Iran.” The U.S. carried out further airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen early this morning, and Secretary of State Blinken is heading back to the Middle East amid calls for another Israel-Hamas hostage deal. Texas border: Some supporters of a far-right convoy referring to themselves as "God's Army" are headed to the Texas border — and calling for civil war, NBC News reports. Though the "Take Back Our Border" events have been billed as peaceful, prayerful assemblies, some of those responding on social media have called for violence, with one commenter posting: “All Governor Abbott has to do is call for the citizens and we are armed and ready.” Health latest: A new study has linked polycystic ovary syndrome, which affects at least one in 10 women, to cognitive dysfunction later in life. Dr. Pauline Maki, a professor at the University of Illinois, told CNN that the research “is one of the few studies to investigate cognitive functioning and brain outcomes in those women at midlife.” (PS — it's always worth seeing your doctor over symptoms like irregular periods — [they could indicate PCOS, but they're also a risk factor for another serious condition.)](   Black History Month [Marsha P. Johnson, Bessie Coleman, Howard Thurman, and Alvin Ailey (Getty/KCM)]( Getty Images / KCM Today marks the start of Black History Month, and we wanted to kick off this 29-day celebration by honoring [8 pioneers who didn't get the recognition they deserve](. Read up on their trailblazing contributions to the arts, civil rights, and more — then, continue your education with [this diverse list of movies]( that encapsulate various aspects of the Black experience.   In Conversation In 2022, Allie Phillips learned her second daughter was deemed “incompatible with life” at around 19 weeks. She was faced with the heart wrenching decision impacting women all over the country since the fall of Roe v. Wade: to leave the state for abortion care, or to continue her pregnancy and threaten her life and fertility. She chose the former and is now running for office to fight for reproductive rights. Hear more about [her inspiring case for change right here](. [READ MORE](   Extra Credit Sweet deal: Melissa Ben-Ishay, the superstar chef behind Baked by Melissa[,]( knows a thing or two about creating delectable desserts. Check out [her secret for extra fudgy blondies](. Play around: Looking to spice things up in the bedroom ahead of Valentine's Day? These are [the top toys for couples to try](, according to experts. Get low: If your squat form is wrong, you're not getting all the benefits of this exercise. My Pilates instructor Ashley Patten has a tutorial on [how to do the move correctly](.   Dispatch From D.C. [Katie Couric Media producer Adriana Fazio with Brian Wallach and Sandra Abrevaya.]( Katie Couric Media producer Adriana Fazio with Brian Wallach and Sandra Abrevaya. (KCM) Two years ago, I read a piece in Politico about Brian Wallach, a former assistant U.S. attorney who was diagnosed with ALS at 37. I was absolutely taken by Brian’s story, and when I heard his former roommate was making a documentary about it called No Ordinary Campaign, I signed on as executive producer. Cut to Tuesday, when KCM producer Adriana Fazio attended a very special screening at the White House — with the first lady! [Here’s a look behind the scenes]( at the event and the life-saving work Brian and his wife Sandra have accomplished.   Trend Spotting [Pink, brown, and purple Madewell pants]( [These Madewell pants]( are going viral, and we can see why. They come in a rainbow of hues; they're super flattering; and they're professional enough for the office, yet comfortable enough for lounging. Win-win-win! [SHOP HERE](   One More Thing About a month ago, the world’s second richest man tweeted “DEI must DIE.” Unfortunately, there are plenty of other powerful people crusading against diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in corporate America. In the latest Wake-Up Call at Work, we examine what’s behind the siege on DEI, the policy’s flaws, and its future, with insights from top-tier experts. Don’t miss this ever-important edition — subscribe [right here](.   [Know it all, and help your friends catch up, too. Share Wake-Up Call and you'll earn some superb swag.]( Thanks for reading Wake-Up Call and being part of our community! If you have questions or comments, drop us a line at info@katiecouric.com. See you tomorrow! [Alternate text] Update your preferences or [unsubscribe]( If you buy something through this email, KCM may earn a commission. Katie Couric Media, 75 Varick St, Ste 12, New York, NY - 10013-1917 Copyright © 2023 Katie Couric Media, All rights reserved.