A Grocery Store Feud, the FBI's Future, How to Fix America's Healthcare System, and more.

Good morning. It’s Sunday, December 15.

Today, we are covering a feud between two major grocery chains, Biden’s historic clemency act, the FBI director resigning, Mariah Carey’s continued reign over the month of December, and if America’s broken healthcare system can be fixed.

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Rashad Drakeford

Co-Founder & Publisher, Good Diet

Albertsons vs. Kroger

The proposed $25 billion merger between Kroger and Albertsons, two of America’s largest grocery chains, fell apart this week after federal judges blocked the deal, citing competition concerns. Albertsons has since filed a lawsuit against Kroger, accusing the company of failing to uphold its obligations under the merger agreement.

• Merger Blocked by Courts: Judges in Oregon and Washington sided with the Federal Trade Commission, arguing the deal would reduce competition, raise prices, and harm workers and consumers.

• Albertsons Sues Kroger: Albertsons claims Kroger didn’t make sufficient efforts to secure regulatory approval, calling it a breach of their merger agreement. Kroger denies the allegations and has labeled the lawsuit "baseless."

• Impact on Consumers: Labor advocates and consumer groups praised the blocked merger, saying it protects jobs and prevents higher grocery prices. Critics argued the promised benefits, like lower prices, weren’t guaranteed.

• Shareholder Moves: Both companies announced major stock buyback plans worth billions, aimed at boosting investor confidence after the merger’s collapse.

Biden’s Historic Clemency Push

President Biden made headlines with a record-breaking day of clemency on Thursday, issuing 39 pardons and commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 Americans. This sweeping move responds to growing calls for action on criminal justice reform while highlighting the president’s evolving clemency legacy.

• Record-Breaking Clemency: Biden set a new single-day record, surpassing the commutation totals of both Trump and Obama, with more than 1,600 commutations and 65 pardons issued during his term.

• Focus on Nonviolent Offenders: Pardons targeted individuals with nonviolent convictions, including many who have since become community leaders, and commutations prioritized those serving sentences under outdated laws.

• Pressure and Criticism: The move followed backlash over Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, and heightened demands from advocates to address systemic inequities, including clemency for individuals on death row.

• Legacy at Stake: With only weeks left in his term, Biden has signaled potential additional clemency actions, framing his decisions as part of a broader push for fairness in the justice system.

Wray to Step Down as FBI Director

FBI Director Christopher Wray announced he will step down at the end of the Biden administration, marking the conclusion of a tumultuous tenure that spanned two presidencies. President-elect Donald Trump has already signaled his intent to nominate Kash Patel as Wray’s replacement, raising questions about the future of the FBI’s independence and mission.

• Wray’s Decision to Resign: Wray plans to serve through January 20, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining the FBI’s independence and focus during the transition. He described his decision as an effort to keep the bureau out of political crossfire.

• Trump’s Criticism of Wray: Trump has openly criticized Wray, citing grievances like the FBI’s search of Mar-a-Lago, and has vowed to overhaul the bureau with new leadership under Kash Patel.

• Kash Patel’s Nomination: Trump’s pick, Patel, is a controversial figure expected to align closely with the administration’s agenda, raising concerns about the FBI’s future independence and priorities.

• Challenges Ahead: Wray’s resignation and Trump’s plans for the bureau come as public trust in the FBI remains divided along partisan lines, with Republican leaders pushing for “transparency and accountability.”

Syria’s New Chapter

After 13 years of brutal civil war, Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad has fled the country following a rapid rebel advance that unseated his regime. While many Syrians celebrate this monumental shift, the country faces deep uncertainty as the rebel coalition, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), works to establish a transitional government.

• Assad’s Rule Ends: Assad’s departure ends over 50 years of his family’s authoritarian control, marked by repression and war crimes, including the use of chemical weapons.

• Rebel Leadership and Challenges: HTS, a group with ties to al-Qaeda in its past, is leading the transition but faces skepticism about its ability to unite Syrians and govern inclusively.

• International Impact: Assad’s fall weakens Russia and Iran, two of his key backers, while raising questions about U.S. involvement and the risk of an ISIS resurgence.

• Uncertain Future: Syria remains deeply fractured, with various factions and international players vying for influence as the country rebuilds from years of devastation.

Mariah Carey’s Christmas Classic Reigns Supreme Again

Mariah Carey’s "All I Want for Christmas Is You" has returned to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for the sixth holiday season, setting records and reaffirming its iconic status. Originally released in 1994, the song continues to dominate charts and holiday playlists worldwide.

• Historic Longevity: The track has now led the Billboard Hot 100 for a total of 15 weeks across six different years, the longest reign for any holiday song in history.

• Cultural Impact: Carey is the first artist to achieve No. 1 hits in four distinct decades, solidifying her legacy as one of the greatest pop artists of all time.

• Chart Dominance: This year, the song racked up over 38 million streams and climbed nine spots to reclaim the top position, highlighting its enduring popularity.

• Holiday Spirit: Carey’s anthem spearheads a festive takeover of the charts, with other classics like Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and Wham!’s “Last Christmas” also climbing into the top 10.

New York Times: A New Season of the ‘DealBook Summit’

“New York Times business columnist and DealBook founder Andrew Ross Sorkin brings you new interviews from this year's DealBook Summit. Featuring conversations with Sam Altman, Co-Founder and C.E.O. of OpenAI, Prince Harry, Co-Founder of The Archewell Foundation and Chief Impact Officer of BetterUp, and Serena Williams, 23-time Grand Slam Champion and Managing Partner of Serena Ventures — among other leaders shaping our world. Listen wherever you get your podcasts starting Dec 5.” (Listen)

Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso: Poet Nikki Giovanni (Rest in Peace)

“For the past 50 years, Nikki Giovanni has been one of our preeminent poets. She joins this week, reflecting on how her childhood led to a life of writing, the enduring impact of a televised conversation with James Baldwin, the story behind her famous poem, “I Married My Mother”, and why she doesn't believe in role models. On the back-half, we work our way to the present, as Nikki shares her experience of visiting the African American Museum, the evolution of her poetry, and how she grappled with two cancer diagnoses. To close, Nikki reads from her inventive about the author page.” (Listen - Recorded 10/3/21)

Plain English with Derek Thompson: Why American Health Care is a “Broken System”

“Today we have two guests. First we have Jonathan Gruber, an economics professor at MIT and a key architect of several health care laws, including the 2006 Massachusetts health care reform and the Affordable Care Act. Jon walks me through the key drivers of health inflation and American anger at the health care system. The second, David Cutler, is an economics professor at Harvard who served as senior health care adviser for Barack Obama; he helps us think comparatively about the weaknesses and strengths of the U.S. health system and what reforms could help Americans live longer and healthier lives.” (Listen)

The Ezra Klein Show: In This House, We’re Angry When Government Fails

“The core conflict in our politics right now is over institutions. Democrats defend them, while Republicans distrust them, and seek, in some cases, to eliminate them. This is really bad. It’s bad for institutions when Republicans are elected, because of the damage they might inflict. And it’s bad for institutions when Democrats are elected, because when you’re so committed to protecting something, it’s hard to be clear-eyed or honest about all the ways it’s failing. And when Democrats won’t admit to the problems that so many Americans can see and feel, that creates a huge opening for the right. So, what are Democrats missing?” (Listen)

The Gray Area with Sean llling: Are Men Okay?

“Host Sean Illing gets personal when he asks professor and podcast host Scott Galloway: What’s going on with men? There’s a growing body of evidence that men are falling behind in education, the labor market, and other areas. And when you look at the numbers on drug overdoses and deaths by suicide, it’s pretty bleak. Sean and Scott — both of whom are raising sons — talk about the struggles men are facing today, how parents can navigate the current moment, and the challenges they each faced as young men.” (Listen)