RFK Jr. Off N.Y. Ballot, School Smartphone Ban, & Plane Trails.

Good Morning! Today’s edition is 769 words, a 3 minute read.

First-time reader? Sign up here!

Big Stories

Starbucks Poaches Chipotle CEO

Brian Niccol, who turned Chipotle around after food poisoning issues, is now Starbucks's new CEO and chairman.

• Niccol is known for his effective leadership at Chipotle, where he improved marketing and product innovation. He also instituted employee benefits, like paying for employee’s college tuition at certain schools. His move to Starbucks comes as the company faces declining sales.

• Niccol faces major challenges at Starbucks, including balancing fast service with a pleasant in-store experience and competing with lower-priced rivals in the U.S. and China. Starbucks has also faced boycotts in the Middle East and issues with its new products.

• Niccol was credited with nearly doubling Chipotle's revenue and enhancing customer experience during his time at the fast-casual chain. Scott Boatwright will be the interim CEO until a permanent replacement is found. Niccol’s departure caused Chipotle’s stock to drop 10% during trading.

RFK Jr. Off Ballot in New York

A New York judge decided that independent Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. won’t be on the ballot in New York.

• The judge found that Kennedy falsely claimed he lived in a New York home, which was only a temporary address used to keep his voter registration valid.

• Judge Christina Ryba said that Kennedy's New York address was not a real residence but a rented room that couldn’t house his family and belongings. Ryba also noted Kennedy has a “long-standing pattern” of using friends’ addresses to maintain a New York voter registration while actually living in California.

• Kennedy’s campaign rejected the decision and plans to appeal. Kennedy accused Democrats of trying to block his candidacy because they fear losing the election. The ruling could result in similar challenges in other states where Kennedy used his New York address to be on the ballot.

• Kennedy has claimed to be on the ballot in 46 states but is currently confirmed for 15 states. He is officially eligible in key battleground states Michigan, North Carolina, and Nevada.

East Coast Dockworkers Threaten Strike

Dockworkers on the East Coast are threatening to strike in October, close to Election Day.

• The strike could impact more than half of the cargo shipped to the U.S. A strike is not certain yet, but the International Longshoremen's Association union and employers are far apart in their contract negotiations.

• Unionized dockworkers, especially on the West Coast, are among the best-paid workers in the industry, making about $200,000 a year in 2022. They have significant power because they can halt the supply chain, which is crucial for global trade. However, dock employers remain stubborn because high shipping rates have cut into their profits. Issues like drought at the Panama Canal and Houthi Rebel attacks in the Red Sea are factors in the rate spikes.

• The East Coast union is demanding better wages and benefits than its West Coast counterparts who negotiated a 32% pay increase last year. Talks are ongoing, with a major meeting planned for early next month to finalize the union's demands.

Little Stories

• The Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy tore his right knee's meniscus during a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Doctors will decide during surgery whether he needs a procedure that will allow him to play in a month or sideline him until 2025. (More)

• California Governor Gavin Newsom asked schools to limit students’ use of smartphones to address concerns about how social media affects kids' mental health. South Carolina's education board will vote on a similar ban next month. Other states like Utah, Florida, and Louisiana are also working on rules to reduce phone use in schools to help keep students focused. (More)

• This fall, abortion will be on the ballot in Arizona alongside the presidential and Senate races. Organizers gathered a record number of signatures — 577,971 — much more than the 383,923 needed to put the measure on the ballot. (More)

• The African Union's health agency has declared a public health emergency due to a growing mpox outbreak. The disease, formerly known as monkeypox, has spread across several African countries, especially the Democratic Republic of Congo. (More)

• High inflation and rising costs have people skipping summer trips to theme parks. This has led to lower earnings for major parks like Disney, Universal, and Six Flags. Experts say the decline is partly because parks aren't adding new attractions to draw visitors. (More)

Extra Credit

Study finds more screen time equals more toddler tantrums.

Take a trip to these 52 unexpected places in the U.S.

What are the white trails planes leave behind?

Photographer captures London at night.