Volume 1 Issue 17 - September 1st, 2025

"The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities." - Stephen Covey

What's the Buzz?

Grab the fam and gather 'round the kitchen table! It's time to go over what this week is going to look like. Here's what's happening across our communities this week:

On the Home Front - National News & Your Family's Well-being

Here's a rundown of some of the important national news that families should be aware of this week:

Public Safety and School Environments:

• There's been a lot of conversation about public safety and school environments following a tragic school shooting in Minneapolis. The National Parents Union has called on leaders at all levels to address gun violence.

• In Washington, D.C., public schools reopened with an increased presence of National Guard troops, some of whom are now armed. This has caused a lot of anxiety for parents, and Mayor Muriel Bowser has spoken out, saying that troops shouldn't be policing American cities and that children should be "left alone". The possibility of similar deployments is being considered for other cities, like Chicago, which has also drawn criticism from local leaders.

Weather and Health:

• Tropical Storm Kiko has formed in the eastern Pacific and is expected to become a hurricane later this week. It's always a good idea to stay prepared for severe weather, especially if you live in a coastal area.

• The new COVID-19 vaccine is becoming available, but not in all states or at all pharmacies yet. It's something to keep an eye on for your family's health needs.

• Some beaches along the U.S. East Coast have issued warnings about "fecal contamination" ahead of the Labor Day weekend. If your family is planning a beach trip, be sure to check local advisories.

Other Notable Headlines:

• A death at the Burning Man festival in Nevada is being investigated as a homicide.

• The Powerball jackpot has grown to $1.1 billion after no one won the last drawing.

• There are some fun, lighter stories out there, too, like the chance to see the Northern Lights in over a dozen states Monday night due to a solar storm.

It's a lot to process, I know. My best advice is to take what you need and focus on what's most relevant to your family. The most important thing is that we all continue to look out for one another and help our communities thrive.

Things in the House

First, it's a short week for them because today, Monday, is a day the House is not in session.

Here's the plan for the rest of the week:

• Tuesday, September 2nd: The House will meet at noon for "morning hour" and then for legislative business at 2:00 p.m.. Any votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.. They'll be considering the "Uyghur Policy Act of 2025," which is something that has been introduced to help people in other countries.

• Wednesday, September 3rd and beyond: The House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for "morning hour" and at noon for legislative business. On Thursday, they'll meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business, with the last votes expected no later than 3:00 p.m..

• Committee Hearings: Throughout the week, various committees will be holding hearings on different topics. For example, there's a hearing on how expanding broadband can help small businesses in rural areas, and another on advancing American healthcare with artificial intelligence. They'll also be discussing other pending legislation and a number of different bills.

What the Senate is doing this week?

For this week, September 1-7, the U.S. Senate's schedule is a bit like the House's: it's a short one because of Labor Day.

Here's what the Senate has planned:

• Floor Schedule: The Senate is scheduled to reconvene for a pro forma session. While the full schedule isn't set in stone just yet, they will likely be voting on a motion to proceed with a bill on Tuesday, September 2nd.

• Committee Hearings: This is where a lot of the work happens. This week, there are several important committee meetings on the schedule, including:

  • Foreign Relations: This committee is holding hearings to examine pending nominations.

  • Commerce, Science, and Transportation: There's a hearing to discuss why Congress and NASA need to "thwart China in the space race".

  • Environment and Public Works: This committee will be considering nominations and holding oversight hearings.

  • Finance: They'll be holding a hearing on the President's 2026 healthcare agenda.

  • Intelligence: This committee is scheduled to receive a closed briefing on certain intelligence matters.

National Protests

• Labor Day Protests: Since today is Labor Day, a lot of protests are happening across the country. The "Workers Over Billionaires" protests, organized by the action network May Day Strong, are scheduled in nearly 1,000 locations in all 50 states. These actions are meant to highlight concerns about wages, unions, and social safety net programs.

• "Fight the Trump Takeover" Protests: A number of these protests are also happening today on Labor Day. These are organized by groups like Indivisible and other "pro-democracy partner organizations". The goal of these events is to "reject authoritarianism".

• "Remove the Regime" Event: An organization is calling for people to come to D.C. on September 2nd to give Congress a "warm welcome back".

  • Morning Activities (10 a.m.): The day is scheduled to start with guest speakers, including Jessica Denson and Representative Al Green, near Union Station. After that, the plan is to protest in front of the three Congressional office buildings and also to have groups visit every House and Senate office to speak with representatives and their staff.

  • Afternoon Protest (4 p.m.): Later in the day, the group plans to hold a protest in front of the White House to specifically bring attention to the "Epstein Files".

  • Continuing Events: These activities are planned to continue on Wednesday, September 3rd, with another protest scheduled for 4 p.m. at the AIPAC headquarters.

• Ongoing Rush-Hour Rallies: Another group, the DC Visibility Brigadiers, has been holding recurring "Take Down Tyranny" rallies on Tuesday mornings from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.. They are currently holding these at Scott Circle and Dupont Circle to share a pro-democracy message. It's likely they will be active that morning as well.

For families in and around the D.C. area, Tuesday, September 2nd, will likely be a day with increased activity, noise, and potential for traffic disruptions, especially around Capitol Hill, Union Station, and the White House. It's always a good idea to check local news and traffic reports before heading into the city on days like this.

Around the World - Global Events with Potential Impact

Here are some of the international events and issues that families need to be aware of:

Humanitarian Crises and Conflict:

• Syria: It's been over a decade since the civil war started, and millions of Syrians have been displaced from their homes. The ongoing conflict has led to a lack of food and crippling levels of poverty. Many families are separated, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has registered thousands of missing people.

• Gaza: Famine has been confirmed in Gaza, where many families are starving and children are suffering from severe malnutrition. Humanitarian organizations are working to deliver aid, but the situation is very difficult.

• Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): There is a long-standing humanitarian crisis in the DRC, where ongoing conflict has displaced millions of people. A lack of basic infrastructure, poor sanitation, and outbreaks of diseases like cholera are major problems for families.

• Sudan: An ongoing war in Sudan has pushed the country to the brink of collapse. Millions of people have been displaced, and there are mass killings and food shortages.

Global Issues Affecting Families:

• Family Separation: Natural disasters, war, poverty, and migration are causing families to be separated all over the world. In Europe, for example, tougher rules on family reunification are keeping families apart for years, sometimes up to a decade, which adds to a lot of trauma for children.

• Climate Change and Natural Disasters: Extreme weather events, like droughts, can affect agriculture and lead to higher food prices and scarcity, even for us. Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change because their developing bodies are more susceptible to things like heat and waterborne illnesses.

• Poverty and Hunger: Poverty is one of the most significant issues facing children today. Worldwide, about 153 million children are facing food insecurity. In some places, families are forced to take drastic measures, like selling their possessions or child marriage, just to get enough food.

• Child Labor: In the world's poorest countries, more than 1 in 5 children between the ages of 5 and 17 are forced into labor. Child labor is a violation of human rights that threatens children's health and well-being, as well as their access to education.

It can be a lot to hear about, and it's completely normal to feel overwhelmed. My advice, as a mom and a family advisor, is to stay informed but also to manage how much you're consuming. You can take steps to help, even small ones, like donating to a trusted charity that is helping with these crises. Every little bit makes a difference.

Things to Keep on Our Family Radar This Week

Here's a quick look at what families should keep an eye on this week:

Important Dates & Events

• Labor Day: Today, Monday, September 1st, is Labor Day, a federal holiday. Many schools and businesses are closed, so it's a great opportunity to spend time together as a family.

• National and International News: Keep an eye on national and international events. There are a number of ongoing humanitarian crises in places like Syria, Gaza, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo that are affecting millions of people. Closer to home, discussions about school safety and public safety continue to be a major topic.

• Weather: It's always a good idea to stay aware of the weather. There is a tropical storm in the Pacific that is expected to become a hurricane later this week, so if you live on the coast, be sure to have a plan.

What's Happening in D.C.

• Congress: The House and Senate are both in session this week, though it's a short one due to the holiday. They will be holding committee hearings on a wide variety of topics that could affect families, like healthcare and technology. The House will be considering the "Uyghur Policy Act of 2025" on Tuesday.

• Potential Government Shutdown: Congress is facing a deadline to pass spending measures to avoid a government shutdown at the end of the month. This is something to keep on your radar because it can affect all sorts of federal services and programs.

It can feel like a lot, but staying in the loop helps us as parents be prepared and have those important conversations with our kids.

Jess C's Mom's Two Cents

Here's my two cents for the week ahead:

This week, with the Labor Day holiday and a new month starting, it's a perfect time for a fresh start. We all get so busy, and sometimes we forget to just... breathe.

My advice for families this week is to focus on connection.

• Talk to your kids about what's going on. You don't have to scare them, but it's important to have age-appropriate conversations about the things they're hearing about, whether it's the news or things happening in your own community. This helps them feel safe and gives them a chance to ask questions.

• Make time for each other. Even with school starting back up and everyone's schedules getting crazy, try to schedule in some intentional family time. Maybe it's a family dinner without phones, a game night, or a walk around the neighborhood. Those little moments add up to a strong family bond.

• Give yourself grace. The world is a lot right now. It's okay if you don't get everything done or if things aren't perfect. Be kind to yourself, and remember that being a loving and present parent is the most important thing you can do.

Just my two cents! I hope you all have a wonderful and restful week.

Upcoming Events for The Hive Social Garden

• The Mysterious Bea-nedict Society - First Monday of Each Month at 1400 EST in the Hive - Join us on September 1st for mentorship and coaching

  • Queen Beas (25+)

  • Queens-in-Training (age 18-24)

• Sowing Circles - Second Thursday of Each Month at 8 pm EST in the Hive - Join us on September 11th for Show and Tell what you are working on in your garden. Whether crafting or planting, we love to share our creations!

• The Honey Bea Coven - Third Wednesday of Each Month at 1700 EST (Link will be emailed) - Join us on September 17th

  • Sparks (age 14-17)

  • Tinker Fairies (age 5-13)

• Femme in STEM - Fourth Thursday of Each Month at 1400 EST in the Hive - Join us on September 23rd!

Additional Services Available to Members of the Hive Social Garden (Let me know if you'd like to get started with these):

• Family Album - Organize your pictures and share securely with family!! Also order photo gifts.

• PrivacyBee - Cleaning up your digital footprint and protecting you against spam, doxing, fraud, scams, extortion, identity theft, and cyber bullies!!

• Monarch Money - Budgeting and Savings!! Protecting your bottom line from subscriptions that you no longer use, are of no use to you, and are difficult to cancel because you have to make 47 calls to cancel.

• Communitique - On Communitique, you can find new or well-maintained clothes in your fit and style for free, and easily pick them up in your area.

Have a fantastic week, everyone!