In an investigative report, Kathleen McLaughlin and Noy Thrupkaew detail the dangers the Chinese workers who make fireworks for export to the United States face in their factory jobs. Overproduction and a loophole-filled system of regulation result in injuries and death, and the nature of the business means the fireworks factories face little outside scrutiny. “Consumer campaigns have had an impact naming and shaming companies with global brands to maintain,” the authors write, “but fireworks brands are so unfamiliar to consumers that they provide little leverage for such campaigns.”
Historically, candidates for president have enjoyed sweet polling bounces after their party’s summer conventions. Jamelle Bouie wonders whether Trump can even count on that. “Without a weeklong endorsement from Republican stars and luminaries—and with wide coverage of any division and disruption—there’s a strong chance that Trump gains nothing from his convention,” Bouie argues. “It might even hurt him.”
In Kansas, the Legislature’s habit of robbing the state Department of Transportation to make up for budget shortfalls is going to turn its roads to rubble, Henry Grabar writes. As the department’s current secretary resigns this month, he leaves KDOT in deep trouble; as Grabar points out, “this damage will be most keenly felt years from now, when deferred maintenance and high debt loads take their toll.”
Jessica Williams is leaving The Daily Show, and Aisha Harris will miss her. Let’s remember Williams’ work for her commentary on race and gender, but also just because it was plain funny, Harris writes. “As an interviewer, Williams is a pro at walking the delicate tightrope between deadpan and incredulousness while interviewing the clueless, the adamant, and the super-serious,” Harris points out. (Watch Williams’ final Daily Show segment here.)
For fun: How artists have depicted fireworks over the years.
Safety first,
Rebecca
