He brought a stuffed animal to school. Then he was handcuffed.

Summary

Apple News Today: Detailed Episode Summary Episode Title: He brought a stuffed animal to school. Then he was handcuffed. Release Date: December 3, 2024 Host: Sumita Basu

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1. Shifting Political Landscape in America

Overview: Sumita Basu opens the episode by highlighting a significant political shift in the United States. A recent analysis by The New York Times indicates that nearly 90% of American counties moved to the right in the latest election cycle. This nationwide trend marks a substantial realignment, with all 50 states showing a shift towards the Republican side.

Key Highlights:

• New York City’s Unexpected Republican Gains: Despite being a traditionally Democratic stronghold, New York City witnessed a notable increase in Republican support. Kamala Harris secured victories both in the city and the state, yet Donald Trump garnered 30% of the city’s votes—7 points higher than in 2020—the highest for a Republican in New York since 1988.

  Simon Van Zylen Wood, Features Writer for New York Magazine, explains: “As you look closer, it wasn't really where the media class or the elite wing of the Democratic Party resides. It was actually in the most multiethnic, working class neighborhoods in New York.” [01:17]

• Demographic Shifts: The surge in Republican support mainly comes from multiethnic, working-class neighborhoods. Trump attracted voters from families earning between $30,000 and $50,000 annually, a demographic Biden had previously won by 13 points in 2020.

  Simon Van Zylen Wood: “Through 2020, 2022 and now 2024, we've seen steady migration of working class voters of color migrating away from the Democratic Party and that just means working class voters in general. That's a tectonic shift in American politics.” [03:34]

• Case Study – Corona, Queens: Corona emerged as the epicenter of this shift, an area heavily impacted by the migrant crisis since 2022. With over 200,000 migrants arriving in New York City, concerns over crime, safety, and social services have driven many residents to reconsider their political allegiance.

  Simon Van Zylen Wood: “It's the epicenter of the migrant Crisis... many business owners and residents worried about things like crime safety and prostitution being on the rise.” [02:29]

2. Controversial School Threats Law in Tennessee

Overview: The episode delves into the repercussions of Tennessee’s new school threats law, which criminalizes threats of mass violence. Recent cases reveal that the law disproportionately affects students with disabilities, raising concerns about its implementation and fairness.

Key Highlights:

• Case of Ty: A 13-year-old boy with autism was arrested for bringing a stuffed bunny to school, which he used as a source of comfort. When Ty informed his teacher that the bunny would "blow up" if touched, authorities were called. The police, upon finding only the stuffed animal, arrested him.

  Aliyah Swaby (ProPublica): “He told his teacher that the backpack that he brought the stuffed animal in would blow up if anyone touched it. And then when the teacher called the police and the police checked the backpack, it turned out they just found the stuffed animal and they arrested him and took him away in handcuffs.” [04:53]

• Legal Flaws and Consequences: Despite the law’s exception for individuals with intellectual disabilities, Ty’s arrest highlights a critical flaw: law enforcement officers did not verify his disability before taking action. In Hamilton County, 18 students were arrested in the first six weeks of the school year for making threats, with a third having disabilities.

  Aliyah Swaby: “The police didn't even check that before they arrested him. And so it sort of shows the flaw in the law where even though it does have a carve out to some degree for some kids with a certain kind of disability, it's not clear in the law how police are supposed to figure that out and determine that before they make an arrest.” [05:40]

• Stakeholder Perspectives: Advocates argue that the law targets vulnerable students, exacerbating trauma for those with disabilities. Conversely, some lawmakers and officials believe the law effectively enhances school safety.

  Paige Flager (WPLN): “Whose trauma is greater right – an entire school full of kids who is really scared about a lockdown, or one kid with a disability... who ends up getting arrested and transported down to juvenile detention in the back of a cop car.” [06:40]

• Outcome for Ty: While Ty's case was dismissed in juvenile court, the school maintained its stance, leading his mother to transfer him to another school. Ty remains traumatized, frequently fearing future arrests.

  Sumita Basu: “As for Ty, his case ended up getting dismissed in juvenile court. The school stood by their actions and said they would follow the same protocol if it happened again.” [07:07]

3. Renewed Conflict in Syria's Civil War

Overview: The episode examines the resurgence of the Syrian civil war, specifically focusing on the recent capture of Aleppo by rebel fighters. This development signals a potential escalation after years of relative calm.

Key Highlights:

• Rebel Advances: Rebel groups, notably Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have capitalized on the distraction of Syria's main allies—Russia and Iran—as they engage in other regional conflicts.

  Ruth Sherlock (NPR International Correspondent): “HTS has really tried to rebrand itself as a less hardline group... many in Syria who would welcome a rebel takeover because Syria is run by a brutal dictatorship.” [09:13]

• International Reaction: Russia and Iran have responded by reaffirming their support for President Assad. Russia conducted airstrikes on rebel-held areas, and Iran continued its backing, complicating the rebels' position.

  Beth Sanner (CNN National Security Analyst): “Assad is so important. I think that Trump is going to have a real conundrum here. It's going to be hard for him to withdraw because this is at the center of stability, future stability of the Middle East.” [10:25]

• Global Implications: Syria remains a strategic battleground for global powers, with its geography facilitating arms and funds transfers between Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The U.S. maintains a significant military presence, aiming to counter ISIS and influence regional stability.

• Humanitarian Concerns: While some Syrians hope for an end to Assad's dictatorship, there are fears among religious minorities about the implications of rebel control.

4. Giving Tuesday: A Day of Generosity

Overview: Transitioning to a more positive note, Sumita Basu highlights Giving Tuesday, the world's largest day for charitable fundraising, emphasizing its impact and the various ways individuals can contribute.

Key Highlights:

• Origins and Growth: Initiated 12 years ago, Giving Tuesday has grown into a global movement encouraging acts of generosity, from donations to volunteering.

  Asha Curran (CEO of Giving Tuesday Organization): “The day isn't just about charitable donations. It's about giving back in any way you can from offering to buy someone's groceries to volunteering your time to leaving a generous tip.” [12:49]

• Psychological Benefits: Research indicates that engaging in acts of giving boosts personal happiness, making it a mutually beneficial endeavor.

• Fundraising Achievements: Last year alone, Americans raised $3.1 billion within a 24-hour period.

5. Supreme Court Heats Up Vaping Industry Battle

Overview: The episode covers the Supreme Court's recent oral arguments in a pivotal case concerning the marketing of fruit-flavored vaping products. This case represents a critical juncture in the ongoing conflict between vaping companies and regulatory bodies.

Key Highlights:

• Legal Stakes: The FDA has historically denied over a million applications for candy and dessert-flavored e-cigarettes, citing their appeal to young users and addictive potential. Vaping companies argue that the FDA has shifted its standards unfairly.

• Supreme Court’s Stance: During the oral arguments, justices appeared sympathetic to the federal government's position, potentially signaling a ruling in favor of stricter regulations.

• Political Dimensions: Concurrently, President-elect Donald Trump has expressed intentions to protect the vaping industry, adding a political layer to the legal proceedings.

6. Apple Podcasts Recognizes "Hysterical" as Show of the Year

Overview: Celebrating excellence in podcasting, Apple Podcasts has awarded "Hysterical" by Dan Taberski as its 2024 Show of the Year. The show delves into a contemporary instance of mass hysteria among teenage girls.

Key Highlights:

• Show Premise: "Hysterical" explores a mysterious illness outbreak among teenage girls, investigating whether it's a genuine health crisis or a case of mass hysteria.

  Paige Flager: “A lot of them say that we're faking and that you're faking because you want attention. Seriously, why would we fake this?” [12:49]

• Production Credentials: Produced by Pineapple Street Studios and Wonder, "Hysterical" stands out for its quality and innovative approach to storytelling.

• Award Announcement: Sumita congratulates the team behind "Hysterical" and encourages listeners to explore the acclaimed series.

7. Featured Stories in the Apple News App

Overview: Before concluding, Sumita Basu briefly mentions additional stories available in the Apple News app, inviting listeners to engage with more in-depth reporting.

Highlighted Story:

• Fortune's Feature on Bastrop, Texas: An exploration of the Texas town of Bastrop, home to Elon Musk's companies. The story examines the economic impacts, community reactions, and future prospects as Musk's enterprises become major local employers.

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Conclusion: This episode of Apple News Today navigates through a spectrum of pressing issues, from political realignments and educational policies to international conflicts and cultural milestones like Giving Tuesday. Sumita Basu effectively interweaves expert insights and personal narratives, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of each topic's nuances and broader implications.

Transcript

[Sumita Basu]

Good morning. It's Tuesday, December 3rd. I'm Sumita Basu. This is Apple News today. On today's show, how a boy who brought a stuffed bunny to school ended up in handcuffs. Major new developments in Syria's years long, somewhat dormant civil war. And a few ideas on how to give back on this Giving Tuesday. But first, a look at just how much this country has shifted to the right since Trump's first term in office. According to a recent New York times analysis, nearly 90% of counties in America moved to the right in this last election. It's a remarkable shift with all 50 states moving some degree to the right. And one place where Trump made significant gains was deep blue New York City. Now, to be clear, Kamala Harris handily won both the city and the state overall, But Trump won 30% of votes cast in the city. That's 7 points higher than in 2020 and the biggest share of votes won by a Republican in New York since 1988. And it's worth zooming in more to understand where those gains were coming from.

[Simon Van Zylen Wood]

As you look closer, it wasn't really where the media class or the elite wing of the Democratic Party resides. It was actually in the most multiethnic, working class neighborhoods in New York.

[Sumita Basu]

Simon Van Zylen Wood is a features writer for New York Magazine, and he tracked Donald Trump's rising popularity in New York City after the election. Nationally, blue collar voters of every ethnicity drifted right. And in particular, Trump was able to pick up a significant share of voters from families earning between 30,000 and $50,000 a year. Biden won those same voters by 13 points in 2020. The neighborhood where Trump did the best in New York City was Corona, Queens, an area emblematic of those types of voters.

[Simon Van Zylen Wood]

So if anyone in New York has ever been to a Mets game at Citi Field or ever been to Flushing for the US Open, you've been so close to this very interesting but very different slice of New York.

[Sumita Basu]

Corona is part of the district represented by Congressmember Alexandria Ocasio Cortez. She won reelection easily, but many voters split their ticket voting for her and for Trump. So why in a neighborhood like this are we seeing this huge shift from Biden four years ago to Trump today?

[Simon Van Zylen Wood]

It's the epicenter of the migrant Crisis. Ever since 200,000 plus migrants arrived since 2022 in New York City, a lot of them went to Corona and Elmhurst, which are heavily Latino immigrant neighborhoods in New York City.

[Sumita Basu]

Vanzilen Wood says many business owners and residents worried about things like crime safety and prostitution being on the rise.

[Simon Van Zylen Wood]

But I also think there are uncomfortable realities about the things that those voters are going through, and the solutions to their problems do not always look like what the liberal and progressive wings of the Democratic Party want them to look like.

[Sumita Basu]

He also visited neighborhoods in the Bronx where broader social issues pushed voters toward Trump. One voter told him he was concerned his kids school leaned too heavily into LGBTQ activism and he wanted to find an Islamic school instead. Another was upset migrants get government assistance while his immigrant parents got nothing when they came to the US Undocumented Van Xylen Wood says it's important to pay attention to New York because it could tell a much bigger story about what's happening nationally.

[Simon Van Zylen Wood]

Through 2020, 2022 and now 2024, we've seen steady migration of working class voters of color migrating away from the Democratic Party and that just means working class voters in general. That's a tectonic shift in American politics, like the Democratic Party for generations has been supposedly the party of the working and middle class, and all of a sudden voters don't feel that anymore.

[Sumita Basu]

Let's turn now to the ongoing issue of school shootings and the different ways schools are trying to combat it. Recent reporting from ProPublica and WPLN News in Nashville zooms in on Tennessee, where a new school threats law is having disproportionate consequences for kids with disabilities. In Hamilton County, Tennessee, on just the second day of the school year, a 13 year old boy snuck a stuffed bunny into his backpack to show his friends. This reporting calls the boy Ty, though that's not his real name. Ty has autism and that stuffed animal is his biggest comfort. He doesn't let anyone else touch it. ProPublica's Aliyah Swaby told us what happened next.

[Aliyah Swaby]

He told his teacher that the backpack that he brought the stuffed animal in would blow up if anyone touched it. And then when the teacher called the police and the police checked the backpack, it turned out they just found the stuffed animal and they arrested him and took him away in handcuffs.

[Sumita Basu]

Ty's mother said when she got the phone call that her son was going to be arrested, it was her worst fear come true. Her son's autism had been mistaken for a threat. ProPublica has done several stories on this new state law that went into effect in Tennessee over the summer that requires anyone who makes a threat of mass violence at school be charged with a felony. And while it includes an exception for people with intellectual disabilities, some say that's not enough.

[Aliyah Swaby]

Ty's lawyer said that the police didn't even check that before they arrested him. And so it sort of shows the flaw in the law where even though it does have a carve out to some degree for some kids with a certain kind of disability, it's not clear in the law how police are supposed to figure that out and determine that before they make an arrest.

[Sumita Basu]

In Hamilton county alone in the first six weeks of this school year, 18 kids were arrested for making threats of mass violence. A third of them have disabilities, more than double the proportion of students with disabilities across the district. Advocates told ProPublica that they had told lawmakers the bill could be particularly harmful for kids who were prone to outbursts as a result of their disability. While some lawmakers indicated that they would be open to maybe making changes in an upcoming legislative session, WPLN's Paige Flager told us many see the law working as intended.

[Paige Flager]

Whose trauma is greater right an entire school full of kids who is really scared about a lockdown, or one kid with a disability in this case who didn't really know what he was saying or how great the consequences might be of his actions, who ends up getting arrested and transported down to juvenile detention in the back of a cop car. How do you weigh those two things? And in many ways they're saying, you know, we think it's worth it.

[Sumita Basu]

As for Ty, his case ended up getting dismissed in juvenile court. The school stood by their actions and said they would follow the same protocol if it happened again. So his mother ended up transferring him out of that middle school. Swaby told us he hasn't fully processed the situation.

[Aliyah Swaby]

He still doesn't understand the reason why he was arrested and what happened to him. And he's really traumatized by what happened. His mom says whenever they go by the school, he asks her if he's going to get arrested again.

[Sumita Basu]

Has Syria's long running civil war been reignited? That's the question international observers are asking after rebel fighters launched an unexpected attack last week, capturing Aleppo, Syria's second largest city and surrounding territory in the west and northwest of Syria. For years, Syria's civil war has been in a stalemate. But as CNN reports, rebel groups recently saw an opening. Syria's main allies are Russia and Iran, and both have been preoccupied with their own conflicts. Russia in Ukraine, Iran with Israel. That left Assad's leadership in Syria more exposed than he's been in many years. But the developments of the past week have drawn both allies back in. On Monday, Russian fighter jets hit several targets in rebel held areas. Iran, too reaffirmed its support for Assad this week. Assad has vowed to fight until the rebels are defeated. As for the rebel fighters, it's a coalition of groups, the biggest being Hayat Tahrir al Sham, also known as hts. They've long played a role in the Syrian civil war, and over the past decade or so have gone through several leadership changes. The United States designates them as a terrorist group, but NPR explains that in recent years, HTS has publicly disavowed international terrorism. Here's how NPR international correspondent Ruth Sherlock explained it.

[Aliyah Swaby]

HTS has really tried to rebrand itself as a less hardline group, though it is still religiously conservative. And you know, there are some many in Syria who would welcome a rebel takeover because Syria is run by a brutal dictatorship.

[Sumita Basu]

But she says there are many who are very fearful of what this could mean, especially those from religious minorities. CNN reports that the United States is watching this conflict closely and has a vested interest in what happens there. And that's because for years Syria has been a proxy battlefield of SOR for competing world powers. Because of its geography, Syria is a frequent pathway to get weapons and money back and forth from Iran to Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon. Israel, for example, will occasionally strike targets in Syria in an attempt to target Hezbollah and other Iran backed militants. And the US has 900 troops stationed in Syria as part of its ongoing campaign to defeat isis. During his first term, Trump said he was eager to withdraw US Forces from Syria and he said he wanted to take out Assad al altogether. Beth Sanner, national security analyst for cnn, says that for Trump in this next term, so much has changed.

[Beth Sanner]

Assad is so important. I think that Trump is going to have a real conundrum here. It's going to be hard for him to withdraw because this is at the center of stability, future stability of the Middle East. And so, you know, as usual, the Middle east will just suck you in. And it is such a complicated place.

[Sumita Basu]

Before we let you go, a few other stories being featured in the Apple News app. Today is Giving Tuesday the biggest day for charitable fundraising in the world. Last year, $3.1 billion was raised here in the United States during the 24 hour period. The unofficial holiday started 12 years ago with a social hashtag, and it quickly took off. Last year, Vox wrote about the origins of this day and spoke with Asha Curran, the CEO of what has now become the Giving Tuesday organization. She said the day isn't just about charitable donations. It's about giving back in any way you can from offering to buy someone's groceries to volunteering your time to leaving a generous tip. Aside from making the world a better place, studies show that giving back boosts happiness. In legal news, the Supreme Court on Monday heard oral arguments in a case involving the marketing of fruit flavored vaping products. The Washington Post calls this a major test case after years of battles between the vaping industry and the fda. The FDA has denied the application of more than a million candy and other dessert flavored e cigarettes and liquids over the years, citing their addictive qualities among young people. Vaping companies say the FDA unfairly changed their standards, the Post reports Yesterday the justices appeared sympathetic to the federal government's position. President Elect Donald Trump, meanwhile, says he will protect the vaping industry and finally, some exciting news. Every year, the Apple Podcasts team recognizes one show that demonstrates quality and innovation in podcasting. This year we are pleased to announce their pick for show of the Year is Hysterical by Dan Taberski and produced by Odyssey's Pineapple Street Studios and Wonder. The show explores a real incident, what's considered a modern day case of mass hysteria, a group of teenage girls who all appear to develop a mysterious illness.

[Paige Flager]

A lot of them say that we're.

[Beth Sanner]

Faking and that you're faking because you want attention.

[Paige Flager]

Seriously, why would we fake this?

[Sumita Basu]

Congratulations to the whole team at Hysterical. To check out the show for yourself, we've linked to it on our Show Notes page. You can find all these stories and more in the Apple News app. And if you're already listening in the News app right now, we've got a narrated article coming up next. Fortune takes a look at the Texas town of Bastrop, home to 12,000 people and more recently, several of Elon Musk's companies. In the three years since he's set up shop in the small town, his companies have become some of the largest employers there. This article digs into both the excitement and anxiety among folks in the town about what might come next. If you're listening in the podcast app, follow Apple News Narrated to find that story and I'll be back with the news tomorrow.