News Brief: Sept. 2-6

International:

Mexico is under high pressure as protests break out in Mexico City. In an effort to balance the Mexican political system, legislators of the Morena party have decided to support a movement which allows judges to be elected rather than appointed. This decision caused a protestor’s overhaul in Mexico City, where citizens blocked the entrance to congress. 

“The party with the majority could take control of the judicial branch, and that would practically be the end of democracy,” Javier Reyes, a protester, said. “They want to own Mexico.”

Despite this pushback, lawmakers from the governing party of Mexico, known as Morena, are determined to immediately pass the reform. 

Unable to gather inside of the Congressional building, the lawmakers gathered in a gymnasium to vote. However, they received pushback from the National Action Party (PAN).  

“We should inaugurate a wall of shame that says: ‘Today begins the fall of our Republic,’” Paulina Rubio Fernandez, a PAN congresswoman, said. “And it should have the date and all the faces of the Morena congressmen.” 

Rubio Fernandez accused the President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of lying in order to get a majority vote during the congressional session. 

The proposed changes are said to affect over 7,000 judges, with alterations including a time limit for judges to remain in office, and “hooded judges” to preside over criminal courts with their identities masked to avoid retaliation. 

The courts would lose their power, specifically when it comes to blocking government projects or laws based on appeals by the citizens. 

“If judges, magistrates, and ministers are elected by the people, where is the authoritarianism?” Claudia Sheinbaum, president-elect, said.

National: 

An Illinois teacher started a cupcake controversy when her TikTok about appropriate classroom birthday treats went viral. In the video, Anne Brackemyer described the aftermath of combining cupcakes with kindergarteners, discouraging parents from bringing the messy dessert for celebrations. 

Brackmeyer said she expected pushback from parents, but assured them she was not against celebrating birthdays, but cupcakes, “make a ginormous mess, and the kids honestly don’t eat them that well.” Brackemyer also said parents do not understand what it is actually like in the classroom. 

“The frosting gets all over and the kids aren’t sure what to do. It’s just too much for them and it’s too messy,” Brackemyer said. 

In lieu of cupcakes, Brackemyer suggested parents bring ice cream cups with sprinkles, Loft-House style frosted cookies with sprinkles, varying Little Debbies’ snacks, brownies with color coated sprinkles and even donuts. 

Despite the initial pushback, Brackemyer received a lot of support from local school moms. 

One anonymous mother posted on her TikTok account, “I was my kindergartener’s room mom last year and helped with all the holiday parties. I actually said out loud during one, ‘Note to self, don’t send cupcakes.'” 

Brackemyer received support from school custodians and fellow teachers who concur “most of the time they leave (the cupcakes) half-eaten because they’re too sweet.” 

Ultimately, the post created to spark sympathy for local school teachers has spiraled into a national discourse. 

Local:

Parents of Oklahoma Christian students coming for family weekend (Sept. 27-28) can save a few dollars on nightly accommodations as they will just miss the hotel tax increase Oklahoma City implements Oct. 1. The tax rates on hotel rooms and rental homes will rise from 5.50% to 9.25%.  

Mayor David Holt said the new tax raise will be a “big victory for our city.” The tax is set to generate an extra 11.6 million dollars to be divided amongst tourism promotion (75%), event sponsorships (13.3%), OKC Fairground Improvements (6.7%) and improvements for the OKC Convention Center (5%). 

“By giving us the resources to compete – without taxing our residents – this solidifies our status as a tourist destination,” Holt said. “Those visitors fuel our economy and help fund our core city services. This result also illustrates why I call us the most mission-focused city in America. Our voters’ commitment to progress remains strong. We continue to do what it takes to remain a top 20 city.” 

“On behalf of Visit Oklahoma City and the nearly 35,000 locals that work in hospitality, I want to thank the citizens of OKC for voting in support of tourism and the vital role it plays in our community and economy,” Zac Craig, the president of Visit Oklahoma City, said. “We’ve built a dynamic destination, and this increased funding allows us to attract visitors that are the lifeblood of our districts, small businesses, hotels and attractions.”