# 8-9-23 - Tesla’s Truck, WellsFargo Woes, and City of Strikes

An episode of [Pray News](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1697158801), 9 Aug 2023, 15 min.

Audio: https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/ce9a673d-e313-4c0a-9df4-b4d6010c32c6/1a1998ba-ba8b-49eb-994d-b4d70022293f/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=992944cf-642c-431f-a11e-b4d6010c32cd

This is PrayNews, your beacon of hope in the stormy seas of current events. Sign up to receive PrayNews in your inbox every weekday: https://www.praynews.com/ Today’s Good News at a Glance: • Tesla is gearing up for the launch of its infamous Cybertruck! • Wells Fargo is the poster child for big bank woes. • LA is throwing more strikes than Clayton Kershaw. Download the Pray.com app and make prayer a priority in your life. Watch and listen to inspiring sermons, dramatized Bible stories, and relaxing Bedtime Bible Stories at Pray.com, the digital destination for faith. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

## Transcript

[0:00] Speaker 1: A good name is more desirable than great riches. To
[0:03] Speaker 1: be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22, 1.
[0:08] Speaker 1: Dear Lord, your name is higher than all others. Your character, works,
[0:12] Speaker 1: and words are a testament to your name. Help us
[0:15] Speaker 1: to prioritize integrity, character, and kindness over the fleeting treasures
[0:20] Speaker 1: of this world. Grant us the wisdom to recognize the
[0:23] Speaker 1: true value of a good reputation, one built on honesty, love,
[0:27] Speaker 1: and service to others. May our actions and choices reflect
[0:31] Speaker 1: your character. Let us be known, not for our possessions,
[0:34] Speaker 1: but for our compassion, not for our status, but for
[0:37] Speaker 1: our humility and love. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
[0:45] Speaker 1: Welcome to Prairie News, where hope is our only bias.
[0:48] Speaker 1: Today's news at a glance, Tesla is gearing up for
[0:51] Speaker 1: the launch of its infamous Cybertruck. Wells Fargo is the
[0:54] Speaker 1: poster child for big bank woes. And LA is throwing
[0:57] Speaker 1: more strikes than Clinton Kershaw. Thanks for joining us today
[1:01] Speaker 1: on Pray News. We don't take for granted that you
[1:03] Speaker 1: would trust us to inform you on the news and
[1:05] Speaker 1: encourage your walk with the Lord. We will always do
[1:08] Speaker 1: our best to humbly navigate current events with the truth
[1:10] Speaker 1: of Christ and a touch of joy. If this take
[1:13] Speaker 1: on the news has blessed you so far, be sure
[1:15] Speaker 1: to follow and subscribe so you never have to miss
[1:18] Speaker 1: an episode. Now, before we get into our first story,
[1:21] Speaker 1: let's hear a word from these sponsors. Our first story
[1:24] Speaker 1: of today is about Tesla's new Cybertruck. In the ever-evolving
[1:28] Speaker 1: realm of electric vehicles where innovations meet audacity, Elon Musk's
[1:32] Speaker 1: latest brainchild, the Cybertruck, is gearing up to make a
[1:36] Speaker 1: grand entrance. And boy, what a journey it has been.
[1:40] Speaker 1: Elon Musk, the visionary behind Tesla, has never been one
[1:43] Speaker 1: to shy away from bold claims, labeling the Cybertruck as
[1:46] Speaker 1: Tesla's best product ever. That's akin to a proud parent
[1:51] Speaker 1: gushing over their child's first school play. However, during the
[1:55] Speaker 1: Cybertruck's first unveiling, not everyone was as impressed with the performance. Cybertruck,
[2:00] Speaker 1: with its angular design and unpainted stainless steel, looks like
[2:04] Speaker 1: it drove straight out of a sci-fi movie set in 2050.
[2:08] Speaker 1: But as with all things Tesla, we're going to withhold
[2:10] Speaker 1: our judgment until it's officially launched. They've been known to
[2:14] Speaker 1: surprise us. The Cybertruck's journey from concept to reality has
[2:18] Speaker 1: been a bit bumpy. Originally slated for a 2021 debut,
[2:22] Speaker 1: the truck faced challenges almost immediately after its unveiling in 2019.
[2:27] Speaker 1: We all remember the broken window video. That was a
[2:30] Speaker 1: bit embarrassing for the company. Bumps in the road have abounded.
[2:34] Speaker 1: From global supply chain disruptions due to the pandemic to
[2:38] Speaker 1: design changes and cost concerns, Cybertruck's path has been anything
[2:42] Speaker 1: but smooth. And with the recent departure of Zach Kirkhorn,
[2:46] Speaker 1: Tesla's CFO, the plot continues to thicken. The Cybertruck is
[2:50] Speaker 1: not just a vehicle, it's a statement. Designed to challenge
[2:54] Speaker 1: the traditional pickup truck mold, its triangular profile and promise
[2:58] Speaker 1: of a bulletproof body has raised eyebrows and expectations simultaneously. However,
[3:04] Speaker 1: some industry experts are skeptical about its broad appeal and
[3:08] Speaker 1: potential production costs. But as Gary Black, managing partner of
[3:12] Speaker 1: Future Fund, optimistically puts it, Cybertruck's uniqueness might just jazz
[3:17] Speaker 1: up the entire franchise. I'm not sure if the truck
[3:20] Speaker 1: industry wants more jazz, but I guess we'll see. Musk's
[3:25] Speaker 1: ambitions and vision for the Cybertruck have been met with
[3:28] Speaker 1: both excitement and skepticism. From its stainless steel body, a
[3:32] Speaker 1: nod to the iconic DeLorean from Back to the Future,
[3:35] Speaker 1: to its exoskeleton design, the Cybertruck is pushing the boundaries
[3:39] Speaker 1: of automotive engineering. But with great innovation comes great challenges.
[3:44] Speaker 1: Meeting safety standards and adapting to new manufacturing processes is
[3:48] Speaker 1: are just a few of Tesla's hurdles. While the Cybertruck
[3:51] Speaker 1: is gearing up for its debut pretty soon here, competitors
[3:55] Speaker 1: are already in the race. Ford's F-150 Lightning and Rivian
[3:59] Speaker 1: Automotive's R1T are vying for a piece of the electric
[4:02] Speaker 1: pickup pie. And those models look more like typical pickup trucks,
[4:06] Speaker 1: what you would see from Ford or what you would
[4:08] Speaker 1: see from Chevy. But if there's one thing we've learned
[4:11] Speaker 1: about Tesla's journey, it's never a good idea to count
[4:15] Speaker 1: them out. In the book of Proverbs, we're reminded to
[4:18] Speaker 1: commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will
[4:20] Speaker 1: establish your plans. Proverbs 16.3. We do this because even
[4:25] Speaker 1: our best ideas are not always God's path for us.
[4:28] Speaker 1: When we look at this story, we're reminded to approach
[4:30] Speaker 1: our endeavors with humility and grace. The Cybertruck, when it
[4:34] Speaker 1: was first ideated, didn't get received very well. But now
[4:39] Speaker 1: as we're progressing, we're seeing a little bit more excitement generated.
[4:43] Speaker 1: As Tesla embarks on this new journey with the Cybertruck,
[4:46] Speaker 1: it's a reminder for all of us to approach our
[4:48] Speaker 1: endeavors with faith, perseverance, and a touch of humility. There's
[4:51] Speaker 1: going to be highs and lows with any endeavor we have.
[4:54] Speaker 1: With any new idea comes new challenges. So the highs
[4:57] Speaker 1: and lows of Cybertruck's launch remind us to never count
[5:00] Speaker 1: our chickens before they hatch, but also... don't count yourself
[5:03] Speaker 1: out either. If you need a reminder today to believe
[5:06] Speaker 1: in yourself and to keep trying new ideas, let this
[5:10] Speaker 1: be it. Believe in yourself. Try something new. Know that
[5:14] Speaker 1: the Lord has you as long as you're pursuing with
[5:17] Speaker 1: humility and grace and mercy and kindness. May we all
[5:21] Speaker 1: approach all of our endeavors with the same type of spirit.
[5:24] Speaker 1: With vision, determination, and a sprinkle of faith, anything is possible. So,
[5:29] Speaker 1: As we await Cybertruck's grand entrance, let's celebrate the spirit
[5:32] Speaker 1: of innovation, not just with Tesla, but in all of us,
[5:35] Speaker 1: as we're trying new things, making mistakes, picking ourselves up again,
[5:40] Speaker 1: and going forward. Our next story of today is about
[5:43] Speaker 1: Wells Fargo. In a world where we can order a
[5:46] Speaker 1: latte with a tap of our phone and have it
[5:48] Speaker 1: ready when we walk to the counter, it's easy to
[5:51] Speaker 1: forget that technology isn't infallible. But every now and then,
[5:55] Speaker 1: the digital realm gives us a gentle, or not so
[5:58] Speaker 1: gentle in this case, nudge, reminding us all of the
[6:01] Speaker 1: occasional hiccups that will always occur. Enter Wells Fargo's recent
[6:05] Speaker 1: technical issues that saw some customer deposits vanish faster than
[6:10] Speaker 1: a sock in a dryer. The New York Times reported
[6:13] Speaker 1: that a number of Wells Fargo customers were left in
[6:15] Speaker 1: a state of digital dismay. when their recent deposits seemed
[6:19] Speaker 1: to have taken an unscheduled vacation. In other words, customers
[6:23] Speaker 1: put deposits into Wells Fargo that they couldn't cash in
[6:26] Speaker 1: for days. Wells Fargo, in its defense, was quick to
[6:29] Speaker 1: assure that the issue was going to be resolved by Saturday,
[6:32] Speaker 1: but for many, those days seemed like an eternity. The
[6:35] Speaker 1: digital hiccup was more than just a fleeting inconvenience. There
[6:39] Speaker 1: were people who were late to paying bills, and they
[6:41] Speaker 1: faced penalties as a result. When Wells Fargo assured them
[6:44] Speaker 1: that they can give official letters that would alleviate them
[6:48] Speaker 1: of some of those burdens, Wells Fargo was very, very
[6:51] Speaker 1: slow to get those out. And this is a stark
[6:54] Speaker 1: reminder of the fragility of some of these digital dependencies,
[6:57] Speaker 1: but also just how little some of these banks actually care.
[7:01] Speaker 1: Wells Fargo's response to this whole snafu was essentially, oops,
[7:05] Speaker 1: our bad. While Wells Fargo did apologize for the inconvenience,
[7:09] Speaker 1: it was really deja vu for many customers, reminiscent of
[7:12] Speaker 1: past controversies that Wells Fargo has endured. And let's not
[7:16] Speaker 1: forget the bank's previous entanglements, including that billion-dollar settlement over
[7:20] Speaker 1: a major fraud case. The real heart of the matter
[7:23] Speaker 1: lies in these personal stories as a result of what happened.
[7:27] Speaker 1: One customer's poignant remark on social media captures the essence.
[7:31] Speaker 1: She said, They wrote highlighting the real-world implications of such glitches.
[7:40] Speaker 1: Wells Fargo's lack of urgency may be a glimpse into
[7:43] Speaker 1: how some of these big banks actually feel about their customers.
[7:47] Speaker 1: The bank has a history of, quote, technical issues and
[7:50] Speaker 1: has been fined for customer banking violations. Wells Fargo also
[7:54] Speaker 1: has a checkered past of fraudulent activities, including the opening
[7:58] Speaker 1: of fake accounts to meet sales goals. This case with
[8:01] Speaker 1: Wells Fargo speaks to the broader banking landscape. While big
[8:05] Speaker 1: banks like Wells Fargo have faced challenges, smaller banks are
[8:08] Speaker 1: actually starting to seize the opportunity and offer competitive interest rates,
[8:12] Speaker 1: drawing in customers. It's a classic David versus Goliath tale,
[8:16] Speaker 1: with the smaller banks using their agility and customer-centered approach
[8:20] Speaker 1: to challenge these behemoths, these monolithic banks. So here's a
[8:24] Speaker 1: reflection for us as we consider this story. The situation
[8:28] Speaker 1: serves as a reminder for Proverbs 22.1. A good name
[8:32] Speaker 1: is more desirable than great riches. To be esteemed is
[8:35] Speaker 1: better than silver or gold. Trust, once broken, is really
[8:39] Speaker 1: hard to rebuild. And when your name is associated with
[8:42] Speaker 1: corruption and fraud and issues, it's hard for people to
[8:45] Speaker 1: trust you. And while technology will always have its oops moments,
[8:50] Speaker 1: the integrity and accountability of institutions genuinely matter. No one
[8:54] Speaker 1: is going to fault you when you have a few
[8:56] Speaker 1: technical issues. Who hasn't? What the fault is is in
[9:00] Speaker 1: how you respond. And for a while, these banks have
[9:03] Speaker 1: operated under the assumption that they're too big to fail.
[9:06] Speaker 1: This is partially because the federal government will bail them
[9:08] Speaker 1: out when they make poor choices. However, a shift in
[9:12] Speaker 1: recent customer markets might hint at a paradigm shift as
[9:15] Speaker 1: well in these bank industries. People want to know that
[9:19] Speaker 1: their money's taken care of. Livelihoods, families, and small businesses
[9:22] Speaker 1: are at stake. Smaller companies that appreciate and recognize that
[9:26] Speaker 1: might be ready to rise. We'll see. With that being said,
[9:30] Speaker 1: let's lift this up in prayer. Lord, grant wisdom to
[9:33] Speaker 1: our institutions and businesses that they might prioritize integrity and accountability.
[9:38] Speaker 1: In a world ever dependent on technology, remind us of
[9:40] Speaker 1: the value of trust and real-world implications of our actions.
[9:44] Speaker 1: May we always uphold fairness and strive for a just
[9:47] Speaker 1: economic environment where people's needs are paramount. Give all of
[9:51] Speaker 1: us individual wisdom, but also give our institutions wisdom. Give
[9:55] Speaker 1: business leaders wisdom. And... Fill us with your spirit so
[9:58] Speaker 1: that we might navigate these challenges. with grace. We pray
[10:02] Speaker 1: all of these things with trust that you're going to
[10:04] Speaker 1: help us do the right thing. In Jesus' name, amen.
[10:08] Speaker 1: In the bustling city of Los Angeles, where the sun
[10:10] Speaker 1: shines bright and the traffic is always slow, a new
[10:13] Speaker 1: kind of traffic jam has emerged. This time, it's not
[10:16] Speaker 1: cars honking on the freeway, but city workers making their
[10:19] Speaker 1: voices heard. Thousands have decided to take the day off,
[10:23] Speaker 1: not for a beach day or a Hollywood tour, but
[10:26] Speaker 1: for a strike. And the mayor of LA is adamant
[10:29] Speaker 1: that LA is not going to shut down. But we'll see.
[10:33] Speaker 1: Adding to the infamous and ongoing Hollywood strikes, the Service
[10:37] Speaker 1: Employees International Union Local 721, representing a whopping 7,000 city workers,
[10:43] Speaker 1: initiated the strike to protest what they perceive as unfair
[10:47] Speaker 1: labor practices from the city of Los Angeles. From traffic
[10:51] Speaker 1: officers to lifeguards, from engineers to custodians, the city's unsung
[10:56] Speaker 1: heroes have decided to sing their own tune, one of
[10:59] Speaker 1: unity and demand for respect from the city. The union's president,
[11:03] Speaker 1: David Green, passionately stated that people don't understand the hard
[11:07] Speaker 1: work that they do. There's a lot of unsung heroes
[11:10] Speaker 1: in this city, And while many of us might not
[11:12] Speaker 1: notice their work, we'll certainly notice when the trash cans
[11:15] Speaker 1: overflow and the public swimming pools close for the day.
[11:18] Speaker 1: Mayor Karen Bass, however, assures the public that essential services
[11:23] Speaker 1: will continue. We'll see how they do that. Emergency responses,
[11:27] Speaker 1: summer camps, city-operated preschools, and housing facilities for the homeless
[11:31] Speaker 1: will remain operational. Libraries are also going to stay open.
[11:35] Speaker 1: So if you were planning to borrow a book called
[11:37] Speaker 1: How to Navigate Strikes, today might be a good day.
[11:40] Speaker 1: SEIU organizers have planned a series of demonstrations throughout the city,
[11:45] Speaker 1: starting with a 4 a.m. picket line at the Los
[11:48] Speaker 1: Angeles International Airport. And while the city might not shut down,
[11:53] Speaker 1: it's bound to be a day of disruption and reflection
[11:56] Speaker 1: for us all. The SEIU's walkout is not an isolated incident.
[12:01] Speaker 1: Southern California has seen a surge in labor actions recently,
[12:05] Speaker 1: from Hollywood writers and actors to hotel and restaurant workers.
[12:08] Speaker 1: The SEIU, however, is operating under a unique situation. Their
[12:12] Speaker 1: contract hasn't run out yet. It's not a contract negotiation
[12:17] Speaker 1: in a normal contract negotiating year. They've been given a 3%
[12:20] Speaker 1: pay increase along with a one-time bonus, yet there seems
[12:24] Speaker 1: to be unresolved proposals and disagreements on negotiation terms, and
[12:28] Speaker 1: this has led to this moment of collective action. City
[12:32] Speaker 1: Council Member Tim Mikosker said, A known ally of organized
[12:35] Speaker 1: labor hopes that the strike won't deter both sides from
[12:39] Speaker 1: reaching an agreement. And as the city navigates this challenging time,
[12:42] Speaker 1: it's a reminder of the importance of dialogue, understanding, and
[12:45] Speaker 1: mutual respect. All of these events about strikes and all
[12:49] Speaker 1: of these mounting picket lines remind us of Romans 12,
[12:53] Speaker 1: where it says, Be of the same mind towards one another.
[12:56] Speaker 1: Don't set your mind on high things, but associate with
[12:59] Speaker 1: the humble. Don't be wise in your own conceits. Repay
[13:02] Speaker 1: no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in
[13:05] Speaker 1: the sight of all men. And, this is the key,
[13:07] Speaker 1: if it be possible, as much as it depends on you,
[13:10] Speaker 1: live at peace with all men. If we aren't careful,
[13:12] Speaker 1: our humble and well-meaning discussions about fairness can turn into
[13:16] Speaker 1: spiteful acts of argumentation and ultimatums. Sometimes, the longer these
[13:20] Speaker 1: things drag on, the more contentious they can become. What
[13:24] Speaker 1: was once about salary increases now becomes a matter of
[13:26] Speaker 1: dignity and honor. So, we will pray for everyone in
[13:29] Speaker 1: the city and the unions as they navigate these negotiations.
[13:33] Speaker 1: We pray they seek peace and mutual honor and never
[13:36] Speaker 1: repay evil for evil. As much as it depends on
[13:38] Speaker 1: each individual, may they live at peace with one another,
[13:42] Speaker 1: both benefiting from each other's successes and not wanting to
[13:45] Speaker 1: dominate one over the other. It's a call for both
[13:48] Speaker 1: workers and employers to approach their roles with integrity, respect,
[13:52] Speaker 1: and a sense of higher purpose. As the City of
[13:55] Speaker 1: Angels faces this earthly challenge, may they find a path
[13:58] Speaker 1: of understanding, compassion, and resolution that honors the dignity and
[14:02] Speaker 1: of every individual. And may we reflect those same values
[14:05] Speaker 1: in our everyday lives as we're negotiating relationships and in
[14:09] Speaker 1: constant search of how God can be glorified in our lives. So,
[14:13] Speaker 1: with all this being said, let's lift this up in prayer. Lord,
[14:17] Speaker 1: as Los Angeles navigates these trying times, grant wisdom to
[14:20] Speaker 1: both workers and leaders. Inspire them with the spirit of understanding, respect,
[14:25] Speaker 1: and collaboration. May they endeavor to keep the unity of
[14:28] Speaker 1: the spirit and the bond of peace just as you
[14:30] Speaker 1: have declared. May they find a harmonious path forward, keeping
[14:33] Speaker 1: the greater good at the forefront and honoring the value
[14:36] Speaker 1: and dignity of every individual. May you empower them in
[14:39] Speaker 1: all of these things. Raise up believers who are among
[14:42] Speaker 1: them to be peacemakers in this situation. We pray all
[14:46] Speaker 1: these things, trusting that you will be glorified no matter what.
[14:51] Speaker 1: In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thank you for joining
[14:55] Speaker 1: us today on Pray News. It is our aim to
[14:57] Speaker 1: be informed and transformed. We pray today you would proceed
[15:00] Speaker 1: with hope. love, and determination to be a force for good.
[15:03] Speaker 1: If you've enjoyed this take on the news, consider writing
[15:05] Speaker 1: us a review and share your experience. We would love
[15:07] Speaker 1: to hear from you. You can sign up for our
[15:09] Speaker 1: newsletter at PrayNews.com. There, you will find sources for all
[15:13] Speaker 1: of our reporting. And be sure to download the Pray.com
[15:15] Speaker 1: app to make prayer a priority in your life, grow
[15:18] Speaker 1: in your walk with the Lord, and experience the Bible
[15:21] Speaker 1: in new and cinematic ways.

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