Oct. 4: Private Astronaut Brian Binnie *78 Dies at Age 69

Private astronaut Brian Binnie *78, the second citizen to fly a private vehicle into space, died at age 69. — Forbes
 
Catherine Ettman ’13, a researcher at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, discussed why the percentage of Americans experiencing symptoms of depression jumped threefold during the pandemic. — Pew Trusts
 
Writer Natalia Temegen ’08’s children’s play about Ruby Bridges, the first African American sent to first grade in an all-white school, just opened at the in McClure Theatre at the Springer Opera House in Georgia. — Broadway World
 
Philanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott ’92 continues to make major donations — most recently $15 million and $20 million to health foundations in Kansas City, Missouri, and Houston, respectively — as she files for divorce from her second husband. — The New York Times

Political pollster Mark Mellman ’78 said at this point in pre-election polling, “there is little question” the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision “has helped resuscitate Democrats.” — The Hill
 
Declan Farmer ’20 scored two goals when the U.S. national sled hockey team defeated Canada 4-0 in the inaugural IPH Cup. Farmer was named the winner of the Bob Johnson Award for excellence in international hockey last week. — Sports Illustrated, USA Hockey

“Sadness, tears aren’t an enemy. Those don’t poach my joy or my happiness in this life. In fact, as foils, they kind of set each other up. You don’t get life without death. These things must go together. They’re not at odds.”

— BJ Miller ’93 talking with journalist Anderson Cooper about coping with grief and their family members who died by suicide. — CNN

New America CEO Anne-Marie Slaughter ’80 said climate change poses a threat to U.S. security, and the country’s “defense apparatus” should treat it as one. — Project-Syndicate
 
As NFL games increasingly go down to the wire, former Cowboys coach Jason Garrett ’89 discussed his techniques for managing those final tense minutes, including spending time with Navy SEALs “to learn how to make crisis feel routine.” — The Washington Post
 
The publishing arm of Broderick Johnson ’90 and Andrew Kosove ’92’s production company, Alcon, is planning to commission original fiction across several genres with Titan Books in 2023. The first will be Suborbital 7, described as “a military techno thriller.” — Deadline

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