Turmoil and Toxicity, Crime-Riddled Stores, and Bulletproof Financials

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Good morning. It's Tuesday, March. 12, and we're covering mass layoffs at the RNC, crime-riddled Oakland stores, NFL history with 3-year deal, and much more. First time reading? Sign up here.

American Fact of the Day!

Oklahoma: Oklahoma has outdone all other states in producing astronauts. Oklahoma is the only state to have astronauts who have taken part in all stages of the US space program, reflecting the state's pioneering spirit and its ongoing contribution to the exploration of space. Seven astronauts have hailed from Oklahoma as of 2020.

Breaking Updates

Mass Layoffs at the RNC; More Than 60 Staffers Will Be Let Go

Immediately following her election as co-chair of the Republican National Committee Friday, Lara Trump promised that she and new chair Michael Whatley weren't going to waste any time getting the organization into shape. That was evident Monday at RNC headquarters, where "dozens of officials" are being pushed out, according to Politico.

All told, the expectation is that more than 60 RNC staffers who work across the political, communications and data departments will be let go. Those being asked to resign include five members of the senior staff, though the names were not made public. Additionally, some vendor contracts are expected to be cut.

In a letter to some political and data staff, Sean Cairncross, the RNC’s new chief operating officer, said that the new committee leadership was “in the process of evaluating the organization and staff to ensure the building is aligned” with its vision. “During this process, certain staff are being asked to resign and reapply for a position on the team.” The overhaul is aimed at cutting what one of the people described as, “bureaucracy” at the RNC.

The vision of the new committee leadership, Politico reported, is both a streamlining of the RNC's structure and a merger of the operations of the Trump campaign and the RNC in which "key departments, such as communications, data and fundraising, will effectively be one and the same." The DNC and the Biden campaign already operate in such a manner.

According to two additional sources, RNC Political Director Elliott Echols; Mike Mears, the chief of staff to former co-chair Drew McKissick; and Tripp Looser are three of the senior staffers asked to resign.

Read more updates here

Resident Has Appropriate Response After Taco Bell Makes Announcement About Crime-Riddled Oakland Stores

Oakland, California is one of the crime capitals of America, as evidenced not just by its rising (by double digits) violent crime rate but by the number of businesses and residents that are fleeing it for greener pastures, leaving it looking like - as one area business leader called it - a "ghost town."

The last six months in particular have been pretty brutal for Oakland, with one restaurant after another announcing store closures, including the first-ever In-N-Out burger joint after 18 years of service, and the Denny's on Hegenberger Rd, which closed at the end of January after 54 years of serving the community.

The situation in Oakland has gotten wildly out of hand, with even the local NAACP calling out local so-called leaders and "Defund the Police" activists for the city's rapid crime-based deterioration. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has even swooped in, sending an additional 120 California Highway Patrol officers to assist the cash-strapped police department in combating crime.

The four restaurants – all operated by franchiser Diversified Restaurant Group (DRG) – made the decision to lock their doors to customers amid a spike in violent crimes in the city.

The move was described as a 'safety and business decision', insiders say. There is now only one location still offering indoor dining in Oakland, a combination Taco Bell/KFC on Telegraph Avenue. The venue is operated by a different franchiser and already has limited indoor seating due to its small size.

Recalling woke Alameda County D.A. Pam Price would be a great start, but there's so much more the voters can and need to do in the court of public opinion and at the ballot box to right the ship - assuming of course that it's not too late.

Read more updates here

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