The state of Michigan is eliminating over $144 million in medical debt for more than 200,000 residents by partnering with Undue Medical Debt. Undue uses similar tactics as debt buyers, purchasing debt at a discounted rate and forgiving it entirely. Letters from Undue will notify affected residents by the end of the month. This initiative was funded through the state’s fiscal year 2024 budget, and the governor is open to expanding it further.
Read More
A high-speed crash in San Antonio on Thursday afternoon resulted in four fatalities and 18 hospitalizations. The incident occurred when a stolen white Camaro collided with a transport bus pulling a trailer on Interstate 35. Following the crash, at least one armed suspect and three others fled the scene, and remain at large as of the latest reports. The bus, operated by Transportes Guerra, was transporting passengers to Mexico from Fort Worth, and ranged in age from young children to senior adults.
Read More
Germany recently deported 81 Afghan nationals with criminal records back to Afghanistan, marking the second such operation since the Taliban takeover in 2021. The Interior Ministry confirmed the deportations, emphasizing that those returned were legally required to leave and had come to the attention of judicial authorities. This action aligns with Chancellor Merz’s new government’s stricter stance on immigration, which includes enhanced border checks and a suspension of family reunification for many migrants. Despite these measures and warnings from human rights groups, deportations continue, with the government citing declining asylum applications as evidence of its successful strategy.
Read More
North Korea has abruptly banned foreign tourists from its newly opened Wonsan-Kalma tourist complex, a project hailed by leader Kim Jong Un. The ban’s announcement, made without specifying a reason or duration, came shortly after a visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who had expressed intentions to boost Russian tourism to the site. Experts suggest the decision may stem from a Russian media report that hinted at the mobilization of North Koreans for tourism rather than actual visitors, or from issues with attracting Russian tourists due to distance and cost. Despite the ban, which is unlikely to be permanent, the country faces financial pressures to open the complex to foreign tourists, given the significant investment and its importance in tourism development.
Read More
The Wall Street Journal recently published a lewd birthday message allegedly sent by Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003, which included a drawing of a naked woman and a suggestive message. The letter, solicited by Ghislaine Maxwell, was found in a leather-bound album of birthday messages for Epstein. Trump has vehemently denied authorship of the letter and plans to sue The Wall Street Journal, despite his past friendship with Epstein. This publication comes after the Justice Department decided to close the Epstein case and as more ties between the two men are revealed, including accusations from multiple sources.
Read More
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end in May, marking the end of the Late Show franchise on CBS. This decision, attributed to financial reasons by the network, has sparked speculation about the impact of the show’s content on its future, especially considering the current political climate and the network’s potential merger. The changing media landscape, with fragmented audiences and the rise of social media, also poses a challenge to the relevance of traditional late-night talk shows, suggesting this could be the beginning of the end for the format. CBS’s choice not to replace Colbert further emphasizes this shift, potentially influencing similar decisions at other networks in the near future.
Read More
The public’s perception of Donald Trump’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein suffered another blow following a report of a “bawdy” letter Trump wrote to Epstein. This news has led to increased voter suspicion and connects Trump to potential criminality. Commentators like Jonathan Lemire note that while Trump has overcome past scandals, this situation is different due to its association with a criminal conspiracy. The reported letter fuels ongoing questions about the nature of their relationship.
Read More
A new “visa integrity fee” will be implemented for visitors to the United States, as outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This fee, starting at a minimum of $250, is in addition to existing visa fees and is applicable to all non-immigrant visa holders. While the fee may be reimbursable under certain conditions, details regarding the start date, payment method, and the reimbursement process remain unclear. The U.S. Congressional Budget Office anticipates that the fee, alongside the increase in the I-94 fee, will increase revenues and decrease the deficit by $28.9 billion over the 2025-2034 period. The fee aims to restore integrity to the nation’s immigration system, but the U.S. Travel Association has raised concerns.
Read More
Neuralink, Elon Musk’s health tech company, filed as a “small disadvantaged business” with the U.S. Small Business Administration shortly before a financing round that valued the company at $9 billion. This designation, which could provide preferential access to federal procurement opportunities, requires the company to be at least 51% owned and controlled by “disadvantaged” individuals. The filing, which listed Neuralink executive Jared Birchall as the contact person, occurred during a period when Musk was leading the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, which targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The company’s technology aims to develop a brain-computer interface (BCI) system to help people with severe paralysis.
Read More
Senator Ron Wyden is disputing President Trump’s dismissal of renewed interest in Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes, revealing a detailed Treasury Department file documenting nearly $1.1 billion moved through Epstein’s accounts. This file, separate from the “Epstein files,” contains “actionable information” including potential links to sex trafficking and payments to women and girls from various countries. Wyden has accused the Trump administration of blocking access to the full file, and is now demanding its release to the Senate for further investigation.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker
Politics, Not Ratings, Caused Stephen Colbert’s Late Show Cancellation
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end in May, marking the end of the Late Show franchise on CBS. This decision, attributed to financial reasons by the network, has sparked speculation about the impact of the show’s content on its future, especially considering the current political climate and the network’s potential merger. The changing media landscape, with fragmented audiences and the rise of social media, also poses a challenge to the relevance of traditional late-night talk shows, suggesting this could be the beginning of the end for the format. CBS’s choice not to replace Colbert further emphasizes this shift, potentially influencing similar decisions at other networks in the near future.
Read More