Governor Newsom’s proposed $322 billion budget for 2025-26 includes a $500 million cut to Proposition 56 healthcare provider payments, impacting organizations like Planned Parenthood. This reduction, aimed at addressing a $12 billion deficit exacerbated by Proposition 35’s Medi-Cal expansion, would slash Planned Parenthood’s California budget by one-third. The cuts would severely limit access to essential healthcare services for low-income Californians, increasing wait times and travel distances for care. While the Governor’s office claims to support reproductive freedom, Planned Parenthood argues the cuts effectively defund the organization in California.
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Senator Chris Murphy advocates for congressional oversight of arms deals with nations, such as Qatar and the UAE, that have financially invested in President Trump’s businesses. He cites Qatar’s offer of a private jet as an example of quid pro quo arrangements potentially compromising U.S. national security interests. Murphy argues that these deals necessitate Senate votes, ensuring transparency and preventing the compromise of U.S. foreign policy through corrupt practices. He contends that such votes are crucial to safeguarding national security and preventing the transfer of sensitive technologies to potentially hostile entities.
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During Supreme Court oral arguments concerning birthright citizenship, Justice Barrett questioned Solicitor General Sauer about the Trump administration’s adherence to lower court rulings. Sauer stated that while the DOJ generally respects circuit precedents, exceptions exist, particularly when seeking to overturn rulings. This prompted Barrett, and previously Justice Kagan, to question whether this was a long-standing practice of the federal government or specific to the Trump administration. Sauer’s responses highlighted a potential conflict between the executive branch’s actions and the principle of judicial authority, with the ultimate decision on birthright citizenship and the administration’s approach to be determined by the Supreme Court.
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Former FBI Director James Comey’s Instagram post of seashells arranged to form “8647” prompted a Secret Service investigation after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem deemed it a threat against President Trump. The number’s interpretation as a threat, particularly the use of “86” as slang for “kill,” fueled outrage among Trump supporters. Comey subsequently removed the post, claiming unawareness of the potential interpretation and denouncing violence. The incident ignited a political firestorm, with several high-profile figures condemning Comey’s actions.
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Graphic footage obtained by the BBC from Dr. Tom Potokar depicts the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Younis, resulting in 28 deaths and numerous injuries. The attack, which Israel claims targeted Hamas, left the hospital evacuated and overflowing with patients suffering from severe trauma, including children with extensive nerve and brain injuries. Dr. Potokar’s account details horrific injuries sustained by patients requiring extensive treatment. This incident occurred amidst a wider Israeli bombardment of Gaza, causing at least 114 Palestinian fatalities on Thursday alone.
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A large portrait of Donald Trump has been installed on the USDA headquarters, juxtaposed with a picture of Abraham Lincoln. This has drawn strong criticism, with many comparing the move to authoritarian regimes like North Korea and the Soviet Union due to its propagandistic nature. The placement next to Lincoln, a symbol of democracy, is particularly controversial. While the USDA claims the banner honors both Lincoln and Trump, critics also point to budget cuts under Trump’s administration as ironic.
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Kanye West’s song “Heil Hitler,” glorifying Hitler, has been widely circulated on X, despite removal from other platforms. Joe Rogan, while condemning West’s views, argued against censorship, suggesting the song’s popularity on X validates West’s claims of a concerted effort to silence him. Rogan’s perspective was that allowing free speech, even offensive content, has benefits, but also risks normalizing hateful rhetoric. He expressed concern about the song’s potential to embolden others and questioned the song’s ultimate consequences. This discussion follows previous criticisms of Rogan for platforming individuals who promote antisemitic and other extremist views.
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NASA engineers successfully reactivated Voyager 1’s primary roll thrusters, deemed inoperable since 2004, to address a critical fuel line clog in the backup system. This maneuver, completed in March, involved restoring power to the thrusters’ heaters, allowing the spacecraft to automatically correct its orientation when it drifted from its guide star. The reactivation prevents the loss of communication with Voyager 1, the most distant human-made object, which is currently over 15.6 billion miles from Earth. This successful reactivation represents a significant engineering achievement, extending the lifespan of the nearly 50-year-old spacecraft.
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Three New Zealand MPs from Te Pāti Māori were recommended for suspension following a haka performance during a parliamentary vote on the Treaty Principles Bill. The unprecedented penalties—three weeks for two MPs and seven days for the third—stem from the committee’s determination that the actions constituted intimidation and contempt of parliament. The haka, which included the symbolic destruction of the bill, was deemed unacceptable due to its timing and disruptive nature, despite acknowledging past haka performances in parliament. While the MPs argued the haka was a justified response to the bill, the committee and the attorney-general characterized the incident as the most serious ever witnessed.
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The Los Angeles City Council approved a measure to raise the minimum wage for tens of thousands of tourism workers to $30 per hour by 2028, a phased increase beginning in 2025. This affects hotels with over 60 rooms and LAX businesses, aiming to improve worker living standards ahead of the Olympics. While proponents cite positive economic impacts and improved worker well-being, opponents express concerns about potential job losses and negative effects on the struggling tourism sector. The ordinance also mandates paid training and healthcare contributions from employers. A second council vote is pending.
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John Q. Hosedrinker