The Super Bowl sex traffic panic

Plus: Labor, the Big Game, and economic inequality. And a video report on all the $$ branding.

This is a special Super Bowl edition of the 48 Hills Daily newsletter. We'll be teaming up with El Tecolote and URL Media this afternoon to cover the event itself, including protests and Bad Bunny. Please follow our social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, BlueSky) for on-the-ground-coverage.

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Today's headlines:

‘Sex trafficking’ stings—or ICE deportation at the Super Bowl?

By Megan Hobza
The Super Bowl trafficking panic doesn’t reduce exploitation—it legitimizes policing that harms sex workers and immigrants.

The Super Bowl, labor, and economic inequality

By Dave Meggyesy
I played in the NFL for 7 years. If we could change the profit system in something as quintessentially American as professional football, we can change it anywhere.

WATCH: 48 Hills video reporter on the Super Bowl's big deal (and bigger brands)

By Andrew Brobst (on Instagram)
The city feels alive right now—which is important. But so is who benefits, who gets pushed out, and who gets paid.

Live Shots: Trish Toledo’s retro soul took Brick & Mortar for a ride

By D.A. Mission
Singer's sweet SoCal sounds cruised back to a different era.

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