“An Inflection Point”

Biden's first interview since his exit. [For the best experience, read in browser.]( August 12, 2024 Good morning! You don't want to miss what we've got for you today, including: - [The takeaways from President Biden's first interview]( since exiting the 2024 race - [My thoughts on the changes at CBS Evening News]( - A deep dive into [the creeping influence of Christianity in public schools]( — and what's behind the push - [One woman's shocking account]( of the importance of listening to your body Let's dive in.   In the News [President Biden]( Getty Images President Biden finally got candid about his historic decision to drop out of the 2024 race — and his reasons had a lot to do with why he chose to run for the country's highest office. During his first interview since ending his reelection bid, the president said he wanted to protect democracy and ensure former President Trump doesn’t win in November. “The critical issue for me still is — not a joke — maintaining this democracy,” Biden said. Here’s a closer look at some key highlights from his sit-down, including why he thinks [Donald Trump is a “genuine danger to American security."]( [READ MORE]( PASS THIS STORY ALONG: mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Wake-Up%20Call%21&body=https%3A%2F%2Fkatiecouric.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics-and-policy%2Fwhy-did-joe-biden-drop-out-of-the-race-cbs-interview%2F   More Stories [Ukrainian soldiers wait for combat order near the 2C3 tank at their fighting position in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine.]( Ukrainian soldiers wait for orders in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. (Getty Images) Ukraine's President Zelensky has acknowledged for the first time that Ukrainian troops are fighting in Russia, marking a significant shift in the tone of the war. Meanwhile, Zelensky says Russian forces have started a fire at a Russian-controlled nuclear plant in southern Ukraine, and are using it “to blackmail Ukraine, and all of Europe and the world.” The Trump campaign claims to have been hacked by the Iranian government, after Microsoft released a report saying that Iranian operatives had ramped up efforts to hack an unnamed presidential campaign — and Politico was anonymously sent Trump campaign documents. “The Iranians know that President Trump will stop their reign of terror," a Trump campaign spokesperson said. A new study has found that more U.S. women have had self-managed abortions since Roe v Wade was overturned, with 3.4% of 15 to 49-year-olds doing so in the year since the Dobbs decision, vs. 2.4% before. The overall number of terminations has also gone up, hitting 100,000 in January for the first time in two years. On that note, GOP VP nominee JD Vance said that Trump wouldn't ban the abortion pill mifepristone, just days after Trump indicated he'd be open to the idea. However, Vance stressed that it was important to ensure "any medicine is safe." The U.S. is appealing the decision that saw American gymnast Jordan Chiles stripped of her Olympic bronze medal in favor of her Romanian counterpart, Ana Bărbosu — and has submitted additional video evidence to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.   And Then There Were None [Norah O'Donnell]( Getty Images / KCM Norah O'Donnell recently announced that she's leaving her position as anchor of CBS Evening News. I sat in that chair for five years, and I have some feelings about the changing of the guard at CBS — //link.katiecouric.com/click/36375929.610512/aHR0cHM6Ly9rYXRpZWNvdXJpYy5jb20vbmV3cy9vcGluaW9uL25vcmFoLW9kb25uZWxsLXJlcGxhY2VtZW50LW9waW5pb24ta2F0aWUtY291cmljLz91dG1fc291cmNlPVNhaWx0aHJ1JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVdVQ19Nb25kYXk/64ad542fa06bf6ade80ad77fDf6f387ff[here are some of]([my thoughts](. I wrote all about this for the New York Times. [Read my op-ed here](, and let me know what you think by emailing us at ask@katiecouric.com. [SEE MORE](   Saying Goodbye [Susan Wojcicki]( Getty Images I was heartbroken to learn that Susan Wojcicki, the former CEO of Youtube, passed away at 56 from non-small cell lung cancer. I had the pleasure of meeting Susan on several occasions; she was so lovely and was very committed to cancer research. Her husband, Dennis Troper, said, "Susan was not just my best friend and partner in life, but a brilliant mind, a loving mother, and a dear friend to many. Her impact on our family and the world was immeasurable." I'll be keeping the Wojcickis, and all those who loved Susan, in my heart.   Must-Reads [Illustration of a brain with a tumor]( First-Person A healthy 55-year-old woman felt "off" one day. It turned out, she had a brain tumor. Her eye-opening story is one we all need read. [Read More »]( [A bible on a school desk]( Sunday School? There's a growing push to integrate Christianity into public schools across the country. We did a deep dive into these mandates. [Read More »]( [ince Vaughn and Natalie Martinez in ''Bad Monkey,'']( 5 Things You Can't Miss From the new season of Emily in Paris to the Mad Men of the publishing world, here's what we're checking out this week. [Read More »](   For a Cause [Katie Couric at her Stand Up to Cancer pickleball tournament]( Kristin Gray / KCM On Saturday I hosted my first Hamptons pickleball and tennis tournament for [Stand Up To Cancer](, an organization I co-founded with nine other type-A ladies back in 2006. I’d never done anything like this tournament before, and we only had about 10 days to plan it — but thanks to my pickleball posse, we pulled it off! I'm so grateful to everyone who played, or just came and socialized and supported our efforts. The generosity of the Hamptons community was overwhelming, and people had so much fun. Check out [the shots from a great day!]( Pickleball is life! (And tennis is great too!)   Olympics Photo of the Day [Gabby Williams #15 of Team France shoots a last second basket over Breanna Stewart #10 of Team United States during the Women's Gold Medal game ] Getty Images And just like that, the Summer Olympics have come to an end — but not without a dramatic finish. Sunday's women's basketball final between the U.S. and France came down to the wire. At the last second, France's Gabby Williams hit a jumper near the three-point arc. But officials ruled her foot was over the line, making the shot worth two points, instead of the three needed to tie the game. Thanks to that last-minute victory, the U.S. nabbed its 40th gold medal, enough to tie with China's record. (Though the U.S. won the total medal count with 126 to China's 91.) See you in Milan!   Flower Power If you've got sensitive skin, you may not be able to handle harsh retinols. Enter: bio-retinol, a plant-based alternative. [Nativa SPA's new lilac line]( gently promotes skin renewal and boost collagen (and yes, it smells amazing). [Nativa SPA products on light purple background]( [SHOP HERE](   One More Thing Tory Burch is having an exclusive sale, and you're on the guest list! [Sign up right here]( to take up to 50% off.   [Good Taste by Katie Couric Media](   Thanks for reading! 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