Speaking Out

Why U.S. cities are passing cease-fire resolutions. March 1, 2024 Good morning! The royals have spoken: We’ve got [the official word on Kate Middleton’s whereabouts]( from Buckingham Palace. Then, we’re spilling [the details of Oprah’s public departure]( from her prominent board role. Later, we’re kicking off Women’s History Month with [6 inspiring women you should know about]( and Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month with [a guide to screening and symptoms](. But first: You might’ve noticed more U.S. cities are passing resolutions for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. We’re taking a look at [which are cities calling for a pause (and why)](. Thanks for waking up with us.   In the News [Protest advocating for ceasefire in Gaza]( Protesters hold flags and placards expressing their opinion during a Cease Fire on Gaza rally in and around Detroit. (Getty Images) Speaking Out In the nearly five months since Hamas’ October 7 attack, more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry. The war is creating a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 100 Israeli civilians are still being held hostage. With the holy month of Ramadan and Israel’s offensive into Rafah on the horizon, the stakes to reach a deal to pause the fighting and release the hostages are growing higher by the minute. While the U.S. has repeatedly vetoed cease-fire resolutions at the U.N., some American cities are taking matters into their own hands. Dozens of individual municipalities are passing resolutions to call for an end to the conflict in Israel and Palestine. (Many of these measures also call for the release of hostages and an increase in aid for Gaza.) But cities like Hollister, Calif., or Ypsilanti, Mich., don’t typically influence international politics. So why are they taking steps to pass these resolutions — and [what do these decisions actually accomplish?]( We’ve got more. [READ MORE](   More Stories [Migrants walk on a dirt road after crossing the nearby border with Mexico near the Jacumba Hot Springs on February 23, 2024 in San Diego, California.]( Migrants walk on a dirt road after crossing the nearby border with Mexico near the Jacumba Hot Springs on Feb. 23, 2024, in San Diego, California. (Getty Images) Real talk: Both Joe Biden and Donald Trump made [visits to America's southern border]( on Thursday, appearing at events about 300 miles apart to weaponize the issue of immigration against one another. To better understand this complex debate, I called up Theresa Cardinal Brown, senior advisor for immigration and border policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, for [an objective, balanced conversation about this important issue](. I hope you'll make time for this clear-headed, wide-ranging interview. Israel-Hamas war: Officials in Gaza said at least 104 people were killed and 760 injured in Gaza City on Thursday when Israeli forces opened fire on people seeking food from an aid truck. Israel said many of the deaths were caused by a stampede and the soldiers only fired warning shots when they felt endangered by the crowd. President Biden said he's still "hopeful" for a cease-fire deal, but admitted the deadly incident will complicate negotiations. Restored: After intense backlash, the Alabama House and Senate passed legislation on Thursday to protect access to in vitro fertilization after the state's Supreme Court ruled that embryos created through the fertility treatment are considered children. Gov. Kay Ivey is expected to sign the final bill into law next week. But both Republicans and Democrats fear the proposals are too broad when it comes to protecting health care workers and IVF patients. “There are parts that are still missing,” said Democratic state Rep. Adline Clarke. Insightful analysis: News that Mitch McConnell will step down from his position as Senate majority leader at the end of this year has provoked many reactions online. One that really resonated with me was [this thoughtful Politico piece]( from columnist Jonathan Martin, who breaks down McConnell's "season of losses" — and the strategy behind his decision to rejoin the rank-and-file before his term is up in 2027.   In Focus [Illustration of woman sitting with head on her arms which are placed over her knees]( Getty Images We admire the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative's commitment to understanding rare diseases, and we're continuing our coverage with [a startling story of a mistaken diagnosis](. When a 29-year-old woman started experiencing strange symptoms, doctors told her it was anxiety — but she eventually learned she had an especially uncommon form of cancer. We’ve got more on how the illness affected her life and the treatment she pursued. [READ MORE](   Must-Reads [a vial of vaccine and three syringes]( Another Round The CDC’s recommending Covid boosters for folks 65 and up. Here’s what else the agency said and why it’s left some experts conflicted. [Read More »]( [Kate Middleton]( Clearing the Air Buckingham Palace set the record straight amid ongoing rumors about Kate Middleton’s whereabouts following surgery. [Read More »]( [Oprah Winfrey]( Stepping Down What is the "conflict of interest" that led to Oprah leaving WeightWatchers's board of directors? We've got the scoop. [Read More »](   Feel-Good Friday [lemon parade float]( Photo credit: Ville du Menton Citrus lovers and francophiles, rejoice: Fête du Citron, a lemon and orange festival, is currently taking place in Menton, a small town in the French Riviera known for its lemon production. Each year, more than 200,000 people come to ogle at the jaw-dropping parade floats, which are built out of 140 metric tons (!) of lemons and oranges. This year’s festival theme, “From Olympia to Menton,” pays homage to the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. Magnifique!   March Forward This month marks two causes that are very close to my heart: It’s Women’s History Month and Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. We’ll be highlighting important info on these topics all throughout March, and kicking off with a few resources we think you’ll find useful: Girl power: Educate yourself on [6 unsung female heroes]( you probably haven’t learned about in school, then get inspired by watching these [13 empowering movies]( that highlight bias-breaking figures. Be aware: Spreading awareness about colorectal cancer has been my mission since I lost my husband Jay to the disease in 1998. This disease is horrible, yet highly preventable: Here's [what you need to know]( about how to protect yourself, and here are [the symptoms younger adults need to look out for](.   Curated by You [Nectar bed, model wearing black T-shirt and white shorts, Cornbread CBD gummies]( KCM One thing about Wake-Up Callers? You've got incredible taste. So when we're looking for a hot tip on a good product, we turn to you — and our readers have helped us discover finds like [this memory foam mattress]( and [these CBD gummies](. The only thing that could make these products better is a discount, right? Here's our complete guide to [which of your favorite products are currently on sale](. [READ MORE](   [Know it all, and help your friends catch up, too. Share Wake-Up Call and you'll earn some superb swag.](   Thank you for reading Wake-Up Call and being part of our community! If you have questions or comments, drop us a line at info@katiecouric.cominfo@katiecouric.com. See you tomorrow! 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