Thursday, July 23, 2026

Opposition continues to grow among autoworkers to the death threat issued by a high-ranking United Auto Workers official against Will Lehman, the Mack Trucks worker and socialist candidate for UAW president. The bureaucracy’s resort to intimidation reveals what Labor Notes underscores: in the workplace, “usualmente no vivimos el respeto, sino la coerción” — the boss calls you family while the union apparatus disciplines dissent.

The recent fatal shootings by ICE officers in Texas and Maine come at a time when the federal agency has hired a huge number of officers quickly. Some law enforcement experts worry that this kind of a hiring spree can lead police agencies to cut corners in vetting new hires. The surge mirrors a broader pattern: in Madison, Wisconsin, a police officer shot and killed a man who allegedly pulled a knife during a struggle, sparking local protests after cellphone footage circulated. The chief confirmed the shooting happened on a street lined with restaurants, bars, shops and homes.

Incumbent Democrat Haley Stevens is benefiting from $30 million of MAGA-aligned cash to fend off a progressive primary challenger. The party’s corporate wing welcomes right-wing money to crush the left flank, while in Arizona’s 1st District former state Rep. Amish Shah defeated a DCCC-backed candidate, delivering a blow to national Democrats who lined up behind their preferred contender.

Meanwhile, demand for deal toys — commemorative trinkets celebrating Wall Street transactions — is up amid the market boom. Deal toy manufacturers said AI-generated designs have become common this year, and Bennett Awards has seen an uptick in requests. Capital celebrates its own consolidation with algorithmic kitsch while the homicide rate across 30 American cities shows an 18% decrease from 2025 compared to the same period in 2026 — a statistic that won’t stop the hiring sprees or the union-busting.