Good morning readers. As the year-end approaches, it's important to maximize your employee benefits before time runs out. Time to audit your FSA and HSA contributions, ensuring you're not leaving money on the table. Don't forget to utilize remaining flex time and paid leave. With 2023's contribution limits for HSAs, 401(k)s and RRSPs in sight, check your savings and top them up if necessary. Lastly, explore overlooked perks like gym memberships or tuition discounts. Act now to avoid missing out on these valuable benefits before they reset with the new year.

Let’s jump into today’s storylines.

In today’s digest:

• Trump's 2024 fate in the balance

• Headline Hustle: FTC curbing targeted ads to children online, Wells Fargo workers form first union for big bank, Apple’s bid to delay ban fails

• The dark side of Tesla's innovation journey

• Pulse Points: What’s Trending

POLITICS

Trump's 2024 ballot ban sparks controversy

In a decision that's ignited a firestorm of legal and political debate, the Colorado Supreme Court has boldly disqualified former President Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential ballot. This ruling, centered on Trump's alleged role in the January 6 Capitol riots, has thrust the U.S. Supreme Court into a precarious position, echoing the high-stakes drama of Bush v. Gore in 2000. The nation watches as the justices are poised to confront a complex web of constitutional questions and political ramifications.

The revival of section 3

At the core of this legal maelstrom is the 14^th Amendment's Section 3, a post-Civil War provision designed to bar those who engage in insurrection from holding office. Traditionally seen as a historical footnote, this clause has been thrust into the limelight, with legal scholars and courts reevaluating its relevance in the wake of January 6.

The Colorado court's 4-3 decision has not only jolted the presidential race but also sparked a contentious debate over due process and the power of state courts in determining electoral eligibility. Critics, including dissenting justices, argue that removing Trump from the ballot without a criminal conviction challenges foundational American principles. Meanwhile, the majority asserts the urgency of election-related decisions necessitates swift action, a point echoed by legal experts alike.

Supreme Court in the crossfire. As the Supreme Court gears up to potentially review the case, it finds itself navigating a minefield of legal intricacies and explosive political sensitivities. With a significant faction of the electorate still echoing Trump's unproven claims about the 2020 election, any decision by the court is likely to intensify existing political divisions.

Big picture: As this saga unfolds, one thing's clear: the Colorado ruling isn't just about Trump. It's a litmus test for the Supreme Court. Their decision, due by summer, is a defining moment for American democracy, blurring the lines between constitutional interpretation and political power plays.

Headline Hustle

🖥️ FTC proposes new rules curbing targeted advertising to children online. In a bold move to shield kids from tech giants' prying eyes, the FTC, led by Chair Lina Khan, is striking back with proposed rules to turn the tide against invasive surveillance. This isn't just a tweak; it's a revamp of the 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (Coppa), tailored for our digital age. The plan? No more targeted ads for kids by default, less nagging notifications, and a big no-no to surveillance in schools. The FTC's message is crystal clear: It's time for tech providers to step up and protect our children online, not just leave it to the parents. Meta and Google are staying mum for now, but this isn't just about them. It's a broader push to update Coppa, which, despite being a quarter-century old, still doesn't have the muscle to verify users' ages effectively.

🏦 Wells Fargo workers form first union at a major bank. In a landmark vote, Wells Fargo employees in Albuquerque ignited a potential unionization trend within the banking giant, a move echoing broader labor movements across industries. Despite a narrow 5-3 vote and Wells Fargo's skeptical stance, this pioneering step by a handful of employees challenges the bank's culture and seeks to address deep-rooted issues like understaffing and compensation. It's a bold stride, resonating with the national rise in labor activism and marking a significant moment in an industry traditionally resistant to unions.

⌚️ Apple’s bid to delay Apple Watch sales ban fails. Apple faces an imminent import ban on its latest Apple Watch models in the U.S. after the International Trade Commission rejected a delay request. The ban, spurred by a patent infringement finding favoring Masimo, a medical tech firm, hits Apple during its peak sales season. While older models remain available, the decision puts significant pressure on Apple, with potential White House intervention as its last hope. The dispute underscores a deeper contention between the tech giant and Masimo, with failed settlement attempts adding to the tension.

AUTO

Not so fast, Tesla: Investigation exposes serious safety shortcomings

You might want to rethink making that Tesla purchase.

In a shocking exposé, recent revelations have unveiled a troubling pattern of safety issues with Tesla vehicles that the electric car manufacturer has allegedly been concealing from the public. The documents obtained in the investigation, spanning from 2016 to 2022, reveal that Tesla owners around the world have experienced premature failures of suspension and steering components, with some incidents dating back at least seven years.

Turns out, this isn't a one-off misadventure. It's like a déjà vu in Tesla's global narrative, with similar stories echoing from China to the United States. The company, however, seems to be treating these incidents with the same urgency as a sloth crossing the road. Internal records reveal a saga of known defects, yet Tesla's public facade and regulatory conversations paint a picture rosier than a sunset on Mars.

The issue of sidelining safety isn't new in Elon Musk's empire, where the speed of innovation often seems to outrun the safety checks. From workplace injuries in rocket ventures to animal welfare issues in brain-chip experiments, it's a world where cutting corners in safety could be mistaken for a company policy.

Despite redesigns and repair costs that could make even a billionaire's eyes water, the problems persist, leaving a trail of disgruntled drivers and hefty repair bills. While the company sticks to its guns, the evidence mounts like rush hour traffic, signaling a need for a serious pit stop and checkup.

Yes, but…it's not all doom and gloom. Tesla's still young, relatively speaking. As one Tesla manager put it, they're not a century-old veteran like GM or Ford. They're still working out the kinks – a reminder that the road to innovation isn't always a smooth ride.

SNIPPETS

Pulse Points

• Southwest Airlines pilots are set to receive a 50% pay increase over the next five years under a proposed contract agreement following lengthy and often contentious negotiations.

• Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav and Paramount CEO Bob Bakish discussed a potential merger of their media companies, though no formal negotiations are currently underway.

• Toyota is recalling 1 million vehicles, including several Toyota and Lexus models, mostly hybrids, in the U.S. to inspect airbag system sensors.

• Citigroup is closing its global distressed-debt group as part of CEO Jane Fraser's ongoing overhaul of the bank, according to inside sources.

• Tinder introduces a $499 monthly premium subscription, available exclusively through invitation and an application process.

• TikTok’s parent, ByteDance, is utilizing OpenAI's technology to aid in the development of its own AI models.

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