This Week on WURD: Jalen Hurts, Blood Clots, and Black Health, Plus One Philly HBCU Week

Dr. Ala Stanford, a national leader in health equity and founder of the Black Doctors Consortium, joined Solomon Jones on Wake Up With WURD to discuss Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts’ recent blood-clot diagnosis, which likely has him benched for the rest of the NFL season. Stanford explained the difference between superficial and deep vein thrombosis, blood clots located in different layers of the body. She questioned the timing and extent of Hurts’ examination. She also explained how Black Americans are disproportionately at risk of blood clots and what warning signs people should look out for.

Also: Read Dr. James Peterson’s piece on how Jalen Hurts’s injury lands with Black Eagles fans.

Mustafa Rashed, president and CEO of Bellevue Strategies, joined Solomon Jones on Wake Up With WURD to discuss the upcoming midterm elections and new Pew Research Center polling indicating fewer Democrats will vote by mail. Rashed pointed to President Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to sow doubt about the safety and integrity of mail-in voting as one reason these numbers have dropped. They also discussed other factors that might impact the elections, such as the gutting of the Voting Rights Act earlier this year by the Supreme Court and reignited culture wars from Republican politicians.

Leanne Robinson, theater actress and singer, joined Tiffany Bacon on The Midday Break Room to discuss Ensemble Arts Philly’s stage production of The Great Gatsby, based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic American novel. Robinson, who has been in productions such as The Book of Mormon for its United Kingdom and United States tour, discussed how she prepared for her role as Jordan, who represents “the new woman of the 20s,” and pushes back against the patriarchy. The show puts a contemporary spin on the 1920s story and runs from Oct. 20 to Nov. 1.

Leigh Owens, director of education and advocacy at the Pennsylvania Prison Society, joined Dr. James Peterson on Evening WURDs to discuss TimeDone Day and voting for incarcerated individuals in the upcoming midterm elections. The TimeDone Day campaign took place at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg on Tuesday, gathering formerly incarcerated individuals and advocates to promote criminal justice reform. Owens also stressed the importance of making formerly incarcerated people and those serving time for pre-trial or misdemeanor offenses at the county level aware that they can exercise their right to vote in the November race.

Angela Rye, social justice advocate and legal analyst, joined Dr. James Peterson on Evening WURDs to discuss her new YouTube show, Cite Your Source, which combats digital misinformation and disinformation. The show aims to help viewers think critically and challenge unverified information they encounter online. Rye and Peterson also discussed candidates across the country who are hoping to flip the map blue in the November election.