Trailblazing journalist and feminist activist Gloria Steinem has died at the age of 92, marking the end of an era for those who dedicated their lives to gender equality. Steinem co-founded Ms. magazine, the first mass-market feminist monthly, and remained a vocal advocate for women’s issues well into her 90s, traveling extensively to speak, organize, and raise funds for women’s rights globally.
In other developments, two Democratic lawmakers are challenging the Trump administration over the disbursement of federal election security funds. Sen. Alex Padilla of California and Rep. Joseph Morelle of New York sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and acting CISA head Nick Anderson, urging the restoration of more than $39.6 million designated in the fiscal year 2026 DHS Appropriations bill passed in April.
The lawmakers expressed grave concern that time is running out to help state and local officials protect elections from cyber and disinformation threats. Despite historically treating election security as a political issue, the Trump administration has cut federal funding and jobs in this sector, including at CISA.
On the international front, Chevron announced a $7 billion investment plan in Venezuela over the next five years, aiming to expand production to approximately 600,000 barrels of oil per day. The joint venture was unveiled in Caracas by Chevron’s CEO alongside U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodriguez. The agreement follows a Trump administration deal granting the U.S. access to 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil, a move critics argue may impede democratic transition after U.S. troops captured former President Nicholas Maduro in January.
Meanwhile, the trial of Lindsay Clancy, accused of killing her three children in 2023, reached another impasse after 28 hours of deliberation. Jurors could not reach a unanimous verdict on first-degree murder charges. Clancy has admitted to the killings; her defense attributes the acts to postpartum psychosis, while prosecutors allege she planned the deaths as part of a suicide attempt.
In economic news, San Francisco’s average apartment rent has surpassed New York City’s, reaching $3,827 per month, driven by the AI boom. Wealth from companies like Anthropic and OpenAI has intensified housing competition, with median home sales prices rising 25% year-over-year.
Additionally, jazz vocalist Cassandra Wilson died on September 2 at age 70. A 2022 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, she won two Grammy Awards for Best Jazz Vocal Album.
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