Good afternoon. This work exists because of you. There’s no corporate funding behind it — no legal team, no PR machine, no safety net. It’s just me: reporting, investigating, and writing because I believe journalism still matters. I’m not chasing clicks or flattering power. I’m here to hold it accountable.
If you believe truth still matters — if independent journalism deserves a place in our democracy — I’m asking you to stand with it. Subscribe.
There are no billionaires or advertisers propping this up. It’s sustained by readers who value facts over spin and integrity over influence. If that’s you, I hope you’ll join them. Your support keeps this work alive — honest, independent, and uncompromising.
Thank you.With that, here’s the rest of the news you missed today:
A federal judge temporarily halted construction at the so-called “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades, as legal challenges argue it violates environmental laws and threatens protected wetlands.
Democrats condemned the FBI's agreement to help locate Texas lawmakers who fled to break quorum over the GOP-drawn congressional map, calling it political intimidation; Hakeem Jeffries accused the Trump administration of weaponizing law enforcement, while Gov. JB Pritzker warned that any FBI arrests would be "unwelcome" in Illinois.
Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez announced plans to move forward with redrawing the state’s congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterms, citing a recent Florida Supreme Court ruling on race-based districting; the process could expand GOP control of the U.S. House delegation, currently 20 Republicans to 8 Democrats, and aligns with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push for redistricting and a potential new census.
A leaked U.S. Air Force memo obtained by Reuters reveals that transgender service members with 15 to 18 years of service are being denied early retirement and instead face discharge without retirement benefits, receiving only lump-sum payouts—part of a broader policy giving all transgender personnel the choice to quit or be forced out.
NPR obtained bodycam footage showing Jared Wise—now a senior adviser in Trump’s DOJ—beating police officers and shouting “kill ’em” during the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
Former Superman actor Dean Cain announced he is joining U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to support Trump’s immigration crackdown, citing a broken system and calling his move patriotic; Cain, a conservative and sworn reserve officer, said he will be sworn in as an ICE agent soon, amid rising arrests and criticism over ICE’s harsher tactics in blue states.
Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams (R), who has claimed transgender athletes put girls at risk, is facing backlash for helping his 18-year-old relative—accused of raping a 13-year-old—avoid prison and sex offender registration by supporting a new law that reduced sentencing for certain underage offenders.
Over 60 countries are scrambling to respond to Trump’s latest wave of U.S. tariffs, now in effect; Brazil called the move “unacceptable blackmail,” Switzerland warned of major economic strain after failed talks, and Lesotho’s textile industry reported job losses and canceled orders despite a partial tariff reprieve.
Trump is expected to sign an executive memorandum requiring universities to submit detailed admissions data to the federal government to prove compliance with the 2023 Supreme Court ruling ending affirmative action, according to The Daily Caller; the order will also instruct Education Secretary Linda McMahon to expand the scope of required data to fully assess institutional practices tied to federal funding.
The U.S. federal judiciary announced it is taking additional steps to secure sensitive case documents following a series of escalated cyber-attacks on its case management system, with no immediate information on who was behind the breach.
A potential Trump-Putin summit is in doubt as Vladimir Putin refuses to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a condition reportedly set by the White House for talks to proceed. While the Kremlin confirmed planning for a bilateral meeting with Trump, it denied discussing a three-way format with Kyiv, contradicting U.S. reports.
The Daily Mail reports that Steve Bannon is in the early stages of planning an audacious bid for the 2028 presidential election.
The FBI has fired two senior officials, Brian Driscoll—former interim director before Kash Patel’s confirmation—and Walter Giardina, who was involved in investigations related to the president, according to The New York Times; reasons for the dismissals remain unclear, though neither official is eligible for retirement, and Giardina’s wife recently died of cancer.
Donald Trump has completely redesigned and paved over the Rose Garden:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed plans to fully occupy Gaza, saying Israel would remove Hamas and later transfer governance to “friendly Arab nations.” The proposal, requiring security cabinet approval, faces fierce opposition from humanitarian agencies, military leaders, and hostage families who warn it will worsen the crisis. The occupation plan could involve up to five IDF divisions and include mass evacuations of roughly 1 million people.
A medical student suspended over remarks about Israel and Gaza is suing Emory University for alleged intentional discrimination and retaliation, with the lawsuit—filed by CAIR-Georgia—arguing the case could set a national precedent for protecting student activists’ free expression.
Good news:
In Pittsburgh, a man named Gary Thynes and a mysterious pit bull helped save the lives of two unconscious people in a tent encampment. Guided by his intuition and the dog’s persistent behavior, Thynes followed the animal to the scene, where he called 911 and first responders rushed the pair to the hospital. Thynes, who is 16 months sober, credits his recovery for helping him recognize the urgency of the situation. He later connected with one of the survivors online and is fostering their heroic dog until they are well enough to reunite.
Rising Tide Car Wash, a Florida-based business that began in 2015 with a mission to employ autistic adults, now operates three thriving locations—with a fourth opening in 2026—and employs 90 neurodivergent individuals. Founded by John D’Eri to provide meaningful work for his son Andrew and others like him, the business has become a model for inclusion, offering independence, purpose, and community to workers with autism while proving that neurodivergent individuals can succeed in structured, rewarding roles.
In Wisconsin, a 2-year-old black bear was rescued after spending at least 11 days with a plastic snack jug stuck on her head. Wildlife officials, alerted by numerous residents, tracked and tranquilized the bear, successfully removing the container. Malnourished and weighing just 70 pounds—less than half the expected weight for her age—the bear was released and seen happily foraging in a berry patch, with experts optimistic about her recovery before winter.
See you in the morning.
— Aaron
Share this post