Granholm: Low-Income Homes Can Be “Entirely Weatherized” for Free; CNN Cancels Stelter; 75% Say Wrong Track for Nearly a Year

On 8/21/2022, Energy Secretary Granholm pitched the Inflation Reduction Act’s home energy provisions, saying low-income families could get their homes “entirely weatherized” for free and moderate-income families could get 30% off solar panels. CNN cancelled Brian Stelter’s “Reliable Sources” — a show that had been a platform for media criticism of conservatives. An NBC poll showed 75% of Americans believed the country was on the wrong track — a level sustained for nearly a year, with 58% saying “America’s best years are behind us,” an all-time high. Only 26% thought the IRA would make things better.

Granholm’s Weatherization Pitch

Granholm laid out the IRA’s home energy incentives when asked what families who “can’t afford this stuff” should do. “If you are low income, you can get your home entirely weatherized. You don’t have to pay for anything — heat pumps, insulation, new windows, that is covered,” Granholm said.

For moderate-income families: “Today you can get 30% off the price of solar panels. Those solar panels can be financed so you don’t have to have the big outlay at the front,” Granholm said. “Starting next year, get rebates on appliances and equipment that will help you reduce your monthly energy bill by up to 30%.”

“This is all about reducing costs for people,” Granholm said — though critics noted electricity prices continued to rise and the benefits were years away from full implementation.

CNN Cancels Stelter

CNN cancelled “Reliable Sources” and its host Brian Stelter, ending a show that had become a flashpoint in the media wars. Stelter delivered his final broadcast. “I believe America needs CNN to be strong. I believe the free world needs CNN to be strong,” Stelter said. “For Reliable Sources, for the last time, I’m Brian Stelter.”

The cancellation came under new CNN leadership that had signaled a shift away from the partisan commentary that had defined the network during the Trump era. The show had been a frequent target of conservative criticism for what they saw as one-sided media advocacy disguised as media criticism.

75% Wrong Track — “All-Time High” Pessimism

An NBC News poll delivered devastating numbers. “Just 21% of adults say we are heading in the right direction. Three out of four Americans say we are on the wrong track,” the anchor reported. “Never before in our poll has this wrong track number been over 70% for this long — it’s been nearly a year now.”

The most alarming finding: “58% say America’s best years are behind us. That’s an all-time high in our poll.”

IRA Skepticism

Public opinion on the Inflation Reduction Act was tepid at best. “A plurality — 36% — thought the bill would make no difference. 35% thought it would make things worse. Only 26% thought it would make things better,” the poll showed.

An industry analysis was equally skeptical. “There is no indication that Biden’s other efforts — publicly shaming oil companies, calling emergency meetings with CEOs, threatening to pull unused drilling permits — have had any effect on price or production, according to industry experts,” a report noted.

10,000-20,000 Missing Children

The LA schools superintendent revealed a disturbing consequence of pandemic-era school closures. “There are roughly 10 to 20,000 children who are just simply missing — no idea where they went,” the superintendent said. The problem extended beyond Los Angeles to “other parts of our country, in particular our urban centers, where the pandemic impacted areas of higher density.”

Pennsylvania Voter ID

A Pennsylvania official called Republican efforts to require voter ID for every election “outrageous” and “illogical.” “The Republicans are looking to amend our constitution here in the state that mandates ID every time, not just when you sign up. It’s unfair,” the official said.

Key Takeaways

• Granholm said low-income families could get homes “entirely weatherized” for free and moderate families could get 30% off solar panels — while electricity prices continued rising.
• CNN cancelled Brian Stelter’s “Reliable Sources” under new leadership signaling a shift from partisan commentary.
• An NBC poll showed 75% saying wrong track for nearly a year — an unprecedented sustained level — with 58% saying “America’s best years are behind us.”
• Only 26% of Americans thought the Inflation Reduction Act would make things better; 35% thought it would make things worse.
• The LA school district reported 10,000-20,000 children “simply missing” after pandemic closures with “no idea where they went.”

Transcript Highlights

The following is transcribed from the video audio (unverified — AI-generated from audio).

• If you are low income, you can get your home entirely weatherized. You don’t have to pay for anything.
• For Reliable Sources, for the last time, I’m Brian Stelter. I believe the free world needs CNN to be strong.
• 75% say wrong track. Never before has this number been over 70% for this long. 58% say America’s best years are behind us — all-time high.
• 36% say the bill makes no difference. 35% say worse. Only 26% say better.
• There are roughly 10 to 20,000 children just simply missing. No idea where they went.
• There is no indication Biden’s efforts have had any effect on price or production.

Full transcript: 695 words transcribed via Whisper AI.