What we read this week: September 6
“Nation’s Largest School District Bans AI In The Classroom Through 8th Grade” (CNN)
Key Takeaways:
Mayor Zohran Mamdani of New York City implemented a year-long policy banning the use of generative artificial intelligence for public school students until 8th grade.
Announced on September 2nd, this policy affects nearly 600,000 public school students, designed to protect their developing critical thinking abilities and student-teacher relationships.
Many communities across the country have pushed for stricter restrictions on AI use while AI companies have promoted tools for education and provided funding to teachers’ unions to develop AI training curricula.
Los Angeles Unified School District has also announced restrictions on classroom screen use and generative AI; however, NYC’s policy is the most expansive limit around AI in schools in the country, with companion chatbots blocked for all grades.
Mamdani affirms that AI in early education is not necessary and the policy will benefit students and educators.
“Separating Fact From Fiction: The US Open Influencer Controversy” (ESPN)
Key Takeaways:
Tennis is known for strict rules of players and spectators, but many were outraged over the lack of etiquette in the U.S. Open by some spectators who disrupted by using bright lights and recording while the ball was in play.
Critics are calling the Open a ‘zoo’ (Daily Mail), with influencers taking the blame.
The USTA raised the number of credentialed influencers by almost 100% this year in order to create more engagement with fans and establish formal guidelines for content creation.
Since the disruptions, the USTA are now informing spectators about some of the rules by increasing signage and messaging ticket holders to refrain from activity that could interrupt.
Head of Communications, Brendan McIntyre believes new fans are a positive thing, as long as they do not interfere when the ball is in play, with many players like Naomi Osaka and Jessica Pegula agreeing with the sentiment.
Key Takeaways:
Gloria Steinem passed away at 92 years old on September 2nd.
She was an activist, feminist, and journalist, writing essays, delivering speeches, leading protests, and helping fundraise for women centered causes in determination to make a change in the world.
Steinem co-founded the feminist publication Ms. Magazine, and was active in politics, helping launch the National Women’s Political Caucus in 1971 to increase women’s representation in D.C.
Her intersectional work, linking feminism to race and poverty, played a role in establishing a framework for modern feminism.
Even recently, she remained an active voice advocating for women’s rights, especially during the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Throughout her life, Steinem traveled to speak and learn from women all over the U.S. facing different challenges, and was a candid writer about sexism and misogyny, reshaping what society believed to be acceptable to talk about when talking about the experience of women.
“Three Cities, 16 Years And $1 Billion later, The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Opens” (CNN)
Key Takeaways:
Filmmaker George Lucas and his wife, businesswoman Mellody Hobson proposed a cultural institution dedicated to visual storytelling more than 16 years ago, and now the grand opening for the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is set for September 22.
Visitors are greeted with an impressive sculpture garden and spaceship-like building hovering over South LA’s Exposition Park.
The museum defines narrative art as any art that tells a story and it’s important to appreciate because it depicts the stories that many people believe in, the stories that unite communities.
Lucas has called the museum “a temple to the peoples’ art”, with the goal to elevate underappreciated art forms and marginalized artists.
Senior curator Ryan Linkof promises “there will always be something new to see at the Lucas Museum”, with more than 1,300 objects displayed across 30 galleries.
“Argentina Star Lionel Messi Retires From International Soccer With World Cup Title and 125 Goals” (AP News)
Key Takeaways:
This past Monday, Argentinian soccer star Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer, ending his 21 years of playing for the national team.
He played in a record-tying six World Cups, winning in Qatar 2026, and leading the team to the title match in Brazil 2014 and U.S.A. 2026.
He stands next to Diego Maradona and Pelé as the greatest players of all time, and for many fans he’s the best player of all time.
The President of Argentina, fans, and teammates alike gave their love to Messi over social media to say thank you for his work.
Making his debut at 18 in 205, Messi finishes as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer with 125 goals, and 207 games for his country, and he will continue to play in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami indefinitely.
“A Day At The Minnesota State Fair With Dôen’s Jenny Olson” (AP News)
Key Takeaways:
Jenny Olson, clothing brand Dôen’s head of community and brand engagement, returns to her hometown every summer to work at her family’s business, Sweet Martha’s Cookie Jar for the Minnesota State Fair.
What started as a small booth, now has three permanent fairground locations and 750 employees to bake up to three million cookies in a day.
At the fair, Olson works with her brother, cousins, husband, and extended family, making each summer a tradition that becomes an annual family reunion filled with multiple generations and the fast paced joyful chaos of servicing an extreme volume of customers.
Sweet Martha’s is a brand beyond cookies now, a business that has become part of the broader Minnesota community with merchandise and collaboration, including partnerships to support the St. Paul Public Library.
Olsen isn’t just going home to sell some cookies every year, she is participating in a tradition that continues to evolve while growing the original sense of family and community.
Looking for 1:1 support on brand strategy & media outreach? Book a complimentary consultation with me here - I’d love to meet you!
Xo,
Julia, Che PR Founder
