Good Morning!

It's Thursday, August 21, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• Oklahoma wants teachers to take a test to prove they aren’t too woke. 

• After getting rejected from a job, you enter a ‘hidden job market’.

• Ozempic doesn’t just kill fat, but muscle too. 

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SPILL THE NEWS

Texas House Passes New Maps After Prolonged Redistricting Battle

The Republican-controlled Texas House on Wednesday approved new congressional maps designed to secure five additional GOP seats, escalating a coast-to-coast battle over redistricting. The measure, passed 88–52 along party lines, now heads to the state Senate and then to Gov. Greg Abbott, who is expected to sign it. President Donald Trump celebrated the move as a “Big WIN”, adding, “Everything Passed, on our way to FIVE more Congressional seats and saving your Rights, your Freedoms, and your Country, itself. Texas never lets us down. Florida, Indiana, and others are looking to do the same thing.” What lies ahead.

Democrats condemned the maps as racially discriminatory and vowed lawsuits. “This bill intentionally discriminates against Black and Hispanic Texans,” said Rep. Chris Turner (D–Grand Prairie). Rep. Todd Hunter (R–Corpus Christi), who authored the bill, countered: “The underlying goal of this redistricting is to improve Republican political performance.”

The Texas fight has spurred Democratic-controlled states to consider their own aggressive redraws. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared, “It’s on, Texas,” vowing to push a counter-map that could add five Democratic seats. “We’re going to fight fire with fire,” he said. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul added simply: “Game on.” With the GOP holding the U.S. House by just three seats, the high-stakes showdown over congressional lines is rapidly reshaping the 2026 battlefield. How Obama supported the redistricting by Democrat-controlled states.

Why Is The Govt Suing LA Fitness Over Gym Memberships?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a lawsuit against LA Fitness operators, alleging the gym chain makes it “exceedingly difficult” for members to cancel their subscriptions. The complaint, lodged on Wednesday in federal court in California, accuses Fitness International and its subsidiary Fitness & Sports Clubs of illegally collecting “hundreds of millions of dollars in unwanted recurring fees” through what regulators call “opaque, complicated, and demanding” cancellation processes. The FTC is seeking refunds for affected consumers and a court order to halt the practices.

“The FTC’s complaint describes a scenario that too many Americans have experienced — a gym membership that seems impossible to cancel,” said Christopher Mufarrige, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The FTC will not hesitate to act on behalf of consumers when it believes companies are stifling their ability to choose which recurring charges they want to keep.” 

LA Fitness, which operates more than 600 gyms under brands including Esporta Fitness and City Sports Club, rejected the claims. Jill Hill, president of club operations, said the allegations are “without merit”, stressing that Fitness International “proactively launched” an online cancellation process before federal rules required it. “With just a few clicks, members may cancel online — a step we voluntarily implemented well ahead of regulatory deadlines,” she said.

‘America First Test’: Oklahoma Wants Teachers To Prove They Aren’t Too Woke

Oklahoma will soon require teachers moving from New York and California to pass a new “America First” exam before earning certification, a policy Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters says is aimed at protecting schools from “radical leftist ideology”. The 50-question test, designed by conservative nonprofit PragerU, includes questions on civics and religion, such as why freedom of religion is “important to America’s identity.” Walters said it would roll out within weeks and could later apply to other states.

“As long as I am superintendent, Oklahoma classrooms will be safeguarded from the radical leftist ideology fostered in places like California and New York,” Walters said on Monday. He added that educators must “abide by our state law, our standards, and teach those in the classroom.”

Critics quickly condemned the measure. American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten called it a “MAGA loyalty test” that “will be yet another turnoff for teachers in a state already struggling with a huge shortage.” State Rep. John Waldron, chair of Oklahoma’s Democratic Party, said, “If you want to see a textbook definition of indoctrination, how about a loyalty test for teachers.” 

DON’T MISS

🔪 Idaho murders convicted killer was flagged on multiple occasions for being violent and sexist.

🛫 United Airlines and Delta Air Lines face lawsuits for selling “windowless” window seats.

🪖 Israel calls 60,000 reservists to expand military operations in Gaza. 

👔 Target CEO steps down, but investors and customers remain skeptical of replacement. 

🏛️ Trump intensifies pressure on Fed, calls on a board member to resign.

🧑‍⚕️ Current and formal HHS workers accuse RFK Jr. of fueling violence against them.

🚢 After the OceanGate disaster, another billionaire is visiting the Titanic wreck.

📦 Texas warns health providers to stop mailing abortion pills to the State.

💼 Think you missed your chance after the rejection letter? Welcome to the ‘hidden job market’!

🎖️ After Trump’s DC takeover, Military officers moved to prosecute local crimes.

IN GOOD HEALTH

💆 Afraid exercise will worsen back pain? Turns out, motion really is lotion but only if you pick the right stretches and workouts.

⚖️ If you’re losing pounds on Ozempic, it’s not just fat, it’s muscle too. Strength training and protein are your secret weapons for lasting health.

💔 Feeling deeply is most likely to affect your mental health. So, what are the signs that you’re a sensitive person? The second one, seems personal! 

😷 Covid cases are climbing again this summer, fueled by fading immunity and crowded holiday travel across states.

IN STYLE, IN BEAUTY

👖 Your new go-to: leather pants. Whether dressed with a blazer, baby-pink flair, sneakers, or cozy knits, they nail effortless cool.

👁️‍🗨️ Think you know the smoky eye? Makeup pros say you’re doing it wrong — wait until you hear the surprisingly simple trick.

❄️ Ice-water facial: dunk your face for a glam wake-up. Derms say it de-puffs and tightens pores, but don’t overdo it!

👟 Celebrity sneaker wars are heating up. From chunky Air Maxes to slim Speedcats. Which team are you?

THE FAME FRAME

💍 Why Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce feel “genuinely ready” to get married.

😔 Julia Fox regrets cosmetic surgery for this one reason.

📺 Beloved ‘Archie’ gang gets live-action reboot from LEGO creators.

🍷 Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau have no current plans for their next date.

💕 ‘Emily in Paris’ Season 5first look images reveal glimpses of her love life.

WEIGH IN

“Hope is not a strategy, but it is a spark.”

 — Stacey Abrams