Good morning, everyone. I hope you are having a great weekend. Overnight, between calling for the prosecution of Vice President Kamala Harris and Oprah, Donald Trump was suggesting that he may soon revoke the licenses of major media companies that he disagrees with. I cannot overstate how dangerous this is.
At a time when corporate news outlets are retreating in the face of authoritarian threats, fearless, independent journalism has never been more essential.
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With that, here’s the news:
Trump renewed accusations that former Vice President Kamala Harris illegally paid celebrities—including Beyoncé, Oprah, and Al Sharpton—for endorsements during the 2024 election, calling for their prosecution despite denials and FEC records showing only standard production reimbursements, not direct endorsement payments.
Trump threatened to revoke broadcast licenses of major media networks like NBC and ABC, accusing them of acting as partisan arms of the Democratic Party. While such threats were once dismissed as bluster, concerns are growing amid reports of pro-Trump FCC Chair Brendan Carr applying pressure on media companies and networks altering coverage to avoid regulatory retaliation. Critics warn this signals a serious erosion of press freedom and a chilling effect on journalism.
At least 11 people were stabbed—six critically—at a Walmart in Traverse City, Michigan, after a 42-year-old man allegedly carried out a random knife attack; the suspect was quickly apprehended with help from bystanders, and authorities say the incident is under investigation as the local hospital manages an influx of patients.
A lifelong Republican expressed deep regret over supporting Donald Trump, saying his presidency turned the country into a place of “hateful, mean horrible people,” and vowed never to vote Republican again after 80 years of doing so.
Commerce Secretary Lutnick confirmed there will be no extensions or grace periods on the new tariffs, saying, “August 1, the tariffs are set. They’ll go into place.”
The White House reportedly stepped in to stop Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from routinely using polygraph tests on Pentagon staff, after a top aide raised concerns about being subjected to lie detectors amid Hegseth’s crackdown on media leaks.
Democrats have launched billboards in rural areas blaming Trump for Medicaid cuts that threaten to shutter hospitals, citing his “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which slashes over $1 trillion from the program. While Republicans added a $50 billion rural health fund, analysts say it falls short, with projections showing up to 338 rural hospitals at risk of closing and nearly 12 million people expected to lose coverage—deepening healthcare instability in already vulnerable regions.
A woman whose mother was murdered in 1994 has spoken out after the killer, a Laotian man, was deported by the U.S. to South Sudan under a controversial Trump administration policy that allows deportations to third countries with little notice or due process. The deportation defied a judge's order and has drawn international condemnation, with the UN warning it could lead to torture or death. The woman, now a history professor, criticized the denial of constitutional rights, calling it a threat to the rule of law—even while grappling with the pain of her family’s loss.
DOGE is reportedly using an AI tool to identify and delete up to 100,000 federal regulations—aiming to slash 50% of all rules by January 2026. Internal documents show agencies like HUD and the CFPB have already used the tool for mass deregulation, raising concerns about oversight and accuracy.
A youth baseball team from Venezuela, Cacique Mara, was denied U.S. visas and barred from competing in the Senior League World Series in South Carolina, likely due to Trump-era travel restrictions; the team, which dominated its regional tournament, called the decision heartbreaking after years of preparation.
An American Airlines plane caught fire at Denver International Airport; all passengers and crew were safely evacuated and accounted for.
A grenade is missing from the scene of a deadly explosion at a Los Angeles sheriff’s training facility that killed three veteran deputies; authorities say the blast occurred while handling two military-style grenades—one detonated, the other remains unaccounted for, prompting an extensive investigation and policy changes.
Gaza news:
The IDF announced a temporary halt in military operations in parts of Gaza, though fighting continues in most areas.
Israel says it will establish "secure routes" for UN and aid agencies to deliver food and medicine.
Gaza’s health ministry reports six more deaths from starvation, totaling at least 133 since October 2023; UN officials warn that limited aid access may be insufficient for malnourished children.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to urgently deliver aid to “starving” civilians in Gaza, expressing deep concern over the humanitarian crisis during a recent phone call.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk warned that governments failing to use their influence to pressure Israel to end its war on Gaza may be “complicit in international crimes,” urging global action in a video statement ahead of a Palestine conference in New York.
The Israeli military intercepted the Handala, a civilian aid ship carrying baby formula and medicine, in international waters, detaining passengers and seizing cargo—drawing condemnation from humanitarian groups and legal experts for violating international law.
Good news:
After a man recovering from surgery was seen sitting on a curb at a bus stop in Berkeley, California, local activists launched a grassroots effort to install benches across the city. Sparked by a viral photo and supported by a volunteer-built group called the SFBA Bench Collective, the initiative has led to the installation of 77 ADA-compliant benches so far—each costing around $70—bringing comfort to riders and inspiring similar movements nationwide to improve public transit accessibility through small acts of kindness.
A tiny gecko species once thought extinct on Rábida Island in the Galápagos has been rediscovered, thanks to a conservation effort that removed invasive rodents and allowed native wildlife to recover.
Walmart heiress Alice Walton has opened a new medical school in Arkansas focused on preventative medicine, combining traditional training with nutrition, arts, and community service to reshape healthcare education and promote wellness over disease treatment.
See you this evening.
— Aaron
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