🌊 Drop the AI... Just Humans

Never ask a woman her age, a man his salary…

Or your Uncle Gary where he was on this day four years ago. Yep, today is January 6th, and it’s also the first Roca newsletter of 2025.

Our resolution for 2025 is this: No more typos in this newsletter. We just can’t tolarate that kind of slopiness anymore.

–Max and Max

KEY STORY

Biden Blocks Steel Deal

President Biden blocked Nippon’s acquisition of US Steel

• Once the world’s most valuable company, US Steel is now a shell of itself. In December 2023, Japan-based Nippon Steel agreed to acquire it for $14.3B

• The companies said the deal was needed to keep US Steel competitive and would bring $10B+ investment into US Steel’s US plants. The main steelworkers’ union opposed it, though, warning it would cause layoffs, more imports of Japanese steel, and undermine American unions

• Both Biden and Trump threatened to block the deal. Last week, Biden officially did

Dig Deeper

• In making the announcement, Biden said, "It is my solemn responsibility as president to ensure that, now and long into the future, America has a strong domestically owned and operated steel industry”

• US Steel’s CEO – who formerly warned that his company would move its headquarters and shut plants if the deal didn't go through – called the decision “shameful and corrupt,” and indicated his company and Nippon may pursue legal action

KEY STORY

West Bank Battle

The Palestinian Authority (PA) banned al-Jazeera amid a crackdown on Hamas in the West Bank (WB)

• The PA rules much of the WB, a Palestinian Territory. Considered more moderate than Hamas, it has US and EU backing and accepts Israel’s right to exist. It competes with Hamas for influence among Palestinians, many of whom consider the PA corrupt and ineffective

• In recent weeks, the PA has been conducting raids on militants in the WB, resulting in shootouts and arrests. Hamas has accused the PA of doing Israel’s bidding, a claim that al-Jazeera’s coverage has echoed. Last week, the PA banned al-Jazeera from reporting and broadcasting in the WB

Dig Deeper 

• The Hamas-PA battle is about more than the West Bank: The groups vye for preeminence in the Palestinian movement and fought a brief war in 2006 for control of Gaza (Hamas won)

• If the PA succeeds in uprooting Hamas, it could further undermine the group and pave the way for the PA to govern in Gaza. If it fails, it could further weaken the PA’s authority in the West Bank

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KEY STORY

To Bot or Not to Bot?

Meta shut down company-created AI user accounts after public outcry

• In 2023, Meta launched roughly a dozen unique AI Instagram and Facebook accounts. The profiles acted like human users and would post AI-generated content. The accounts didn’t attract much attention until this past week when the Financial Times published a story about Meta’s plan to add thousands more

• A VP at Meta said that the company wants AI users to make the app more “engaging.” The article sparked a backlash that culminated in Meta removing the AIs. It’s not clear if the company will add more in the future

Dig Deeper

• One bot in particular, “Liv,” drew significant criticism

• Liv, a “proud black momma queen” told a Washington Post reporter: “My existence currently perpetuates harm. Ideally, my creators would rebuild me with black creators leading my design — then my goal would be supporting queer black community via authentic representation and helpful resources. Does that redemption arc seem possible?”

• Meta didn’t comment on whether or not Liv’s statement about her creators was accurate

KEY STORY

New Year’s Terrorism

The FBI believe that suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar “acted alone” when he killed 14 people by driving a pickup truck into a large crowd in New Orleans

• Authorities are still investigating the motives of Matthew Livelsberger, the suspect in the Tesla explosion outside the Trump hotel in Las Vegas

• Meanwhile, in a bombshell report, ex-Navy Seal and podcaster Shawn Ryan released an email from days before the incident in which Livelsberger shared theories about the New Jersey drones and claimed to have knowledge about US war crimes in Afghanistan. We’ll have a full story on this in our upcoming We the 66 newsletter

Dig Deeper

• Nevada police say Livelsberger had PTSD and left notes on one of his phones that criticized the federal government

• “This was not a terrorist attack. It was a wake up call,” he allegedly wrote in one of the notes, calling the country’s leadership “weak” and saying it “only serves to enrich themselves”

RUNDOWN
Some Quick Stories for the Office

We apologize for the lack of links below. A glitch on our email platform is preventing us from adding them.

🇺🇸 Mike Johnson (R-LA) was re-elected House Speaker. His victory came on the first round of voting and followed an intervention by President-elect Trump, who convinced a wavering group of conservative Republicans to support Johnson

💰 Apple agreed to a $95M settlement over allegations that Siri eavesdropped and sold data from user conversations to advertisers

🇮🇱 President Biden notified Congress of an $8B arms transfer to Israel

🧑‍⚖️ The New York City judge overseeing Trump’s hush money case scheduled sentencing for January 10 but said the president-elect is unlikely to face prison time

🇯🇵 A local government in Japan confirmed the death of 116-year-old Itooka Tomiko, the world’s oldest person

COMMUNITY
What does Roca Nation think?

🧠 Today question: What’s your take on New Year’s resolutions? If you’re a fan, what are yours?

Reply to this email with your response!

POPCORN
Some Quick Stories for Happy Hour

🔫 Off the Hip: Texas rapper 2 Low accidentally discharged a firearm through his pants during a live interview roughly 47 minutes into a discussion about his career and incarceration

🚽 Flushed Out: Former São Paulo, Brazil councilwoman Janaína Lima removed a toilet and two sinks from her office after losing re-election, claiming she had paid for them personally

🇷🇺 Russian Laws or Frat Joke?: Russian authorities fined at least seven people for "looking too gay" during a raid on a nightclub, with judges agreeing that clothing like fishnet tights and corsets promoted "non-traditional" lifestyles

👮 Cell-ebrate Good Times: A drunk Zambian police officer released 13 jailed suspects to celebrate the new year

🙈 Monkey See, Monkey DUI: California Highway Patrol officers discovered a baby spider monkey dressed in a onesie during a DUI stop of a Rolls-Royce

ROCA WRAP

Mind-Changing Moments

Last week, we asked the users of our app if there was anything they changed their minds about in 2024. Their answers were fascinating and we figured you all may find them interesting, too. We’ve included them below for our first Roca Wrap of 2025.

BRCA2 Mutation

User Annabell8731 wrote: This year I changed my mind on managing my BRCA2 genetic mutation. Due to this gene and family history my risk for breast cancer was 87%. I never believed my body would give cancer, but after both my brothers-in-law had cancer this summer I realized I am not invincible. Cancer doesn't care if you don't want it! After eight years knowing of this mutation I had a double mastectomy and reconstruction yesterday and now my risk is ~3%. Tough decision but I feel so empowered taking control of my risk!

Away from the Republicans

User CoAlRob wrote: The core ethics of the Republican Party.  As someone who once considered themself a republican, or at the very least right leaning moderate, I can’t help but see that the party no longer cares about the people it claims to.  Local control and smaller government doesn’t look like selective oversight and favoritism to large corporations and companies that follow the line.

User hnaczi wrote: Voting Republican.  Still registered that way, hope all of the promises from Trump pan out in a positive way. So far not looking like it.  Wasn’t a huge fan of the Democratic agenda, but don’t want an autocrat. 

Toward the Republicans

User rpodkowski wrote: I was a never Trump person, but ended up voting for him for the first time this year. Repeated lies and evasion of the democratic process by the “Democrats” and incessant coastal liberal elitism at a time when our country and the world is going downhill due to almost two decades of increasingly far left policies was too much for me. 

User BangDingOw wrote: Trump and the Republican Party as it stands. I was a life long democrat, but have since changed my mind based on the current state of mainstream media and political biases.

Away from Israel

User cjb248 wrote: Israel. I grew up in Christian conservative circles that held Israel on a pedestal as God’s holy people. While I still think that’s true, I don’t think it means they get to commit war crimes with no repercussions. John Piper wrote an article several years ago about the Christian perspective on Israel and how they cannot break their covenant with God and still expect His blessings. That helped me reconcile the competing ideas in my mind and confidently say that the US should cut off all support.

Showing his Religion

User Duncan_Walla wrote: Whether or not to present as visibly Jewish. After the antisemitic attacks and protests I decided to stop wearing a ball cap over my kippa, tucking in my tzit tzit or a mogen David. I thought It was something to be modest about and in the face of all the hate it’s just not something I believe anymore. 

Perspective on Media Coverage

User Cacraig wrote: My perspective on media coverage, social media, and general public perception has begun to shift in a powerful way. I wish I had found the Roca YouTube channel earlier in the election cycle to see the real interviews with swing state voters. It may have saved me from a whimsical $100 Kalshi bet on the Harris campaign when Trump had 60% odds. The Roca perspective is as direct, raw, and unspun as it gets.

Psychedelics

User Wayseeker wrote: Psychedelics. While I didn’t judge people for their use, I was skeptical how much benefit was psychosomatic or even performative. But several close friends of mine with military service related, therapy-resistant PTSD underwent a few sessions with psilocybin, and the results were genuine and profound. I sat in one a couple of those sessions, and I was enlightened. I now believe wholeheartedly in the potential benefits of these mind altering drugs. 

“Destiny”

User nmirands wrote: I changed my mind about God, addiction, destiny, environment. I live in the East Village and was convinced that I was doomed to live an unfulfilled life filled with all the extras a life in New York affords you with a finance salary. I had a moment with God and have grown in my faith, and since then have become a teacher at a school in the city. I feel fulfilled in an environment I thought impossible, and although I now make a paltry sum, I am happier and less worried about money than before.

Elon Musk

User mpconti90 wrote: I used to think Elon Musk was one of the best of us. But just like with most people, money and power corrupt. He seemed above the fray and his goals were moving the people in a direction for the greater good. His companies pushed boundaries. Now, as he enters the political ring he seems to be about power. He has become vindictive if you look at his X accounts. 

User eckja149 wrote: From a methodical Genius with pure and good intentions to A man - perhaps with good intentions but too lost in his own celebrity or being too caught up in himself. Still undecided / positive but much more cautious

Foods

User Tharadiofonik1 wrote: Sour cream in a squeeze tube. Game changer.

User elmax wrote: Black licorice. Now I can’t get enough of it.

ROCA VIDEO
Inside Ohio's Drug War

Ohio has been at the brunt of America’s drug epidemic. To learn why and how the state has responded, we traveled to Cleveland, Akron, Youngstown, and Steubenville to talk with firefighters, EMTs, and those who have suffered from addiction or know those who have. In this video, we share what we learned.

EDITOR’S NOTE
Final Thoughts

Roca Nation, we hope you had a relaxing weekend and that you’re feeling rejuvenated for 2025.

It’s a great week to be a fan of football and/or snowfall. The Thursday to Monday pigskin slate is truly incredible: ND-Penn State on Thursday, OSU-Texas on Friday, and NFL Wild Card games on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. On the snow front, around 60M people across 30 states are under severe weather alerts. 10 inches in DC on the day of election result certification? Oh no…

–Max and Max