It’s Wednesday, but we’ll spare you the “hump day” jokes. Instead, here are the top stories everyone will be talking about today:
1. Is it just me, or is it crowded in here?
Tomorrow is the first GOP presidential debate on Fox and we finally know who’s on the guest list. There are so many GOP candidates that Fox and the Republican National Convention had to rely on national polling data to decide who to invite. The 10 candidates they’ve selected are Donald Trump, Jeb Bush, Scott Walker, Mike Huckabee, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, Chris Christie and John Kasich. The remaining candidates will debate earlier in the evening. The early debate begins at 5 p.m. EST on Thursday, with the main debate following at 9 p.m. — CNN
More:Caitlyn Jenner might be the new face of the Republican Party
2. This is huge
Netflix announced yesterday that it will now offer new parents a year of unlimited paid leave. The employees will continue to receive full pay and benefits and can return to work at any point, work part time or even come back and then leave again during the one-year period. The policy also extends to include adoptive parents. It’s extremely good news and places Netflix on top in terms of employee benefits. Very few U.S. companies offer any paid maternity leave, let alone a policy that extends to both sexes, includes adoptive parents and allows employees to keep their regular pay rate. Let’s hope this bold move by Netflix will inspire other companies to do the same. — Wall Street Journal
More:How U.S. maternity leave policies compare to other countries (INFOGRAPHIC)
3. Oops, they did it again
The anti-abortion group that accused Planned Parenthood of illegally selling fetal tissue and organs has released a new video. The group previously released four other “undercover” videos, which ultimately led GOP leaders to create a bill to strip Planned Parenthood of all federal funding. That bill was killed in the Senate on Monday, but apparently the fight continues. The new video features people posing as employees of a fetal tissue procurement company and attempting to buy organs from a Planned Parenthood clinic. Planned Parenthood’s executive vice president, Dawn Laguens, says the organization does not sell fetal tissue or organs and the video has been edited out of context. — CNN
4. Just when we thought it was over
An Alabama firefighter has been quarantined at a Birmingham hospital after exhibiting symptoms of Ebola. Eight others who had contact with him are also being held and officials are waiting on test results to determine a diagnosis. According to the Jefferson County Medical Director, the patient recently returned from a country that still has Ebola cases. He is considered low-risk and likely does not have the virus, but officials are taking all necessary precautions. — AL.com
More:Essential oils sales consultants say oils can cure Ebola
5. It’s not easy being green blue
Well, folks, love is officially dead. Yesterday Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy announced they are breaking up. In hilarious twin Facebook postings, the pair affirmed they are done but will still work together “on television (The Muppets/Tuesdays 8 p.m. this fall on ABC), and in all known media hereafter devised, in perpetuity, throughout the universe.” Kermit already has a new lady friend — Denise, who works in marketing for ABC. The bit of genius publicity comes on the heels of several other big celebrity breakups: fan favorites Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert, Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale and others have all recently boarded the train to Splitsville. — TIME
More: Gavin Rossdale, Gwen Stefani split: 14 Pics from their (seemingly) perfect relationship
6. Well, that’s terrifying
A massive sinkhole swallowed a Brooklyn intersection yesterday. The hole is estimated to be about 20 feet by 20 feet and appears to have been caused by a water leak that compromised the integrity of the road. Workers are still trying to determine the exact cause. Luckily, no one was injured, unless you count the psychological damage that comes from knowing the earth could open up and devour you at any given moment. Where’s a hoverboard when you need one? — ABC News
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