House Speaker Mike Johnson’s suggestion to eliminate federal courts in response to unfavorable rulings against the Trump administration has drawn sharp criticism from House Democrats. Ranking Member Jamie Raskin and Vice Chair Ted Lieu denounced the proposal as an outrageous assault on judicial independence, warning that such actions would fundamentally alter the country’s democratic system. While Congress possesses the authority to restructure the judiciary, concerns remain about the potential for this to lead to significant court backlogs and the creation of an authoritarian regime. At least one Senate Republican also expressed reservations about the practicality of this approach.
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The country’s most powerful institutions are indeed exhibiting a troubling tendency to yield to Trump’s influence, a phenomenon that has reached a critical juncture. The recent actions of *The Atlantic* magazine, however, suggest a potential turning point. Their publication of private chat logs detailing sensitive military discussions within the administration constitutes a direct and significant challenge to the current power dynamics.
This act by *The Atlantic* isn’t merely a journalistic scoop; it’s a calculated move that forces the administration into a difficult position. By publishing the unredacted conversation, the magazine effectively neutralizes the administration’s ability to claim national security concerns as a reason for silencing criticism.… Continue reading
Transborder flight bookings between Canada and the United States have plummeted by 71.4% to 75.7% for the upcoming summer season, based on a comparison of bookings in March 2024 versus March 2025. This dramatic decrease, exemplified by a 75.7% reduction in April bookings alone, far surpasses the minimal capacity cuts (1.6% to 3.5%) airlines have implemented thus far. The significant disparity between reduced demand and adjusted flight schedules suggests substantial further airline capacity reductions are imminent. This unprecedented drop in bookings presents a considerable challenge for airline route planning and network adjustments.
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The Prairie Land Potawatomi Nation has regained 1,500 acres in Illinois—Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area—originally promised to Chief Shab-eh-nay in an 1829 treaty but later seized by the federal government. This land transfer, signed into law by Governor Pritzker, rectifies a historical injustice stemming from the tribe’s temporary absence and subsequent illegal sale of their land to settlers. While not the precise original acreage, the returned land remains open to the public as a park, continuing its recreational function. The tribe, led by Chairman Joseph “Zeke” Rupnick, plans future development, potentially including a hotel, to enhance the park’s amenities and economic opportunities.
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A Michigan resident died from rabies contracted through a kidney transplant received in Lucas County, Ohio, in December. This is the first rabies case in Michigan since 2009 and prompted a joint investigation involving Michigan, Ohio, and CDC officials. The donor risk assessment process was followed, according to Life Connection of Ohio, and no further individuals are at risk. The identities of the donor and recipient, as well as the transplant facility, remain undisclosed. Rabies-related deaths in the U.S. are extremely rare.
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Airline capacity between Canada and the U.S. has been significantly reduced through October 2025, with the most substantial cuts impacting July and August. This reduction follows a 70% decrease in passenger bookings compared to the previous year. WestJet has responded by shifting capacity to European routes, while Air Canada faces challenges due to its reliance on U.S. hub connections. The sharp decline in forward bookings indicates a concerning lack of consumer confidence, potentially impacting the “snowbird” travel market in the future.
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Following The Atlantic’s publication of Signal group chat messages among national security officials, President Trump dismissed concerns, asserting the messages contained no compromising details and did not affect the successful Yemen attack. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz also responded, taking responsibility for the group’s creation but refuting the President’s suggestion of staffer involvement in leaking the messages. The released chat logs included a detailed timeline of the airstrike provided by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, contradicting previous administration claims. The Atlantic published the messages to allow the public to draw its own conclusions regarding the administration’s denials.
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Sixty-two-year-old Stephanie Dowells died by strangulation during a family visit with her husband, David Brinson, at Mule Creek State Prison. This is the second such death at the prison in a year, raising concerns about the family visit program’s safety protocols, particularly given Brinson’s conviction for four murders. Dowells’ family questions why Brinson, serving a life sentence without parole, was permitted such visits, highlighting inconsistencies in his account of the event. The Amador County District Attorney’s office is investigating, with charges pending against Brinson.
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Governor Beshear vetoed a Republican-backed bill intended to clarify Kentucky’s abortion ban, citing concerns that it would endanger women’s lives by hindering doctors’ judgment in emergency situations. The bill, while aiming to provide guidelines for life-threatening pregnancies, lacked comprehensive language covering all potential medical emergencies and substituted the term “reasonable medical judgment” for established medical terminology. Supporters argued the bill would protect both mother and child by offering legal clarity, while opponents contended it would create unnecessary barriers to care. The legislature will attempt to override the veto.
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Following the release of video footage depicting the forceful arrest of Tyron McAlpin, a deaf Black man with cerebral palsy, the Phoenix Police Department suspended three officers involved for 24 hours without pay. McAlpin, initially arrested on charges of resisting arrest and aggravated assault based on unsubstantiated claims, had those charges dropped by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. The incident, which sparked widespread public condemnation, resulted from an initial response to false allegations against McAlpin. The officers’ suspension is a direct response to the national outrage following the broadcast of the arrest video.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood