Fannie Mae reportedly plans to move San Francisco office from ‘woke California’ to the South, and right off the bat, a few things come to mind. It’s easy to wonder if this is the same Fannie Mae that played a role in the housing crisis of the 2000s, raising questions about financial responsibility. This particular move, which involves a relatively small office in San Francisco, seems to be less about a complete relocation and more about making employees remote workers. The article that accompanies the story highlights an image of their Virginia headquarters, emphasizing that the physical presence in San Francisco is quite small.… Continue reading
Jared Kushner has swiftly re-emerged, rapidly accumulating economic and political influence in the early months of a second Trump presidency. He has become a central figure in a major media merger and White House foreign policy initiatives, all while securing billions in investments from autocratic governments. These governments, particularly Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, are heavily funding an acquisition that would give them and Kushner significant control over prominent American media outlets. Simultaneously, Kushner is involved in high-profile foreign policy endeavors, raising ethical concerns given his financial ties to the same nations. This convergence of interests and the potential weakening of regulatory oversight indicate a concerning consolidation of power.
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A surprising NBC News exit poll revealed that nearly 10% of voters who supported Zohran Mamdani in the recent New York City mayoral election also voted for Donald Trump in the previous year’s election. This phenomenon demonstrates an interesting cross-over of support, driven by issues of affordability, with some voters, like Adalberto Rodriguez, citing sympathy for Trump and excitement for Mamdani’s campaign as their reasons. Trump and Mamdani later had a surprisingly cordial meeting, where Trump expressed a willingness to support Mamdani’s efforts to make New York City “strong and safe.” Mamdani emphasized his campaign’s focus on affordability and the importance of addressing the cost of living as a key factor in winning back voters who had supported Trump.
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A Massachusetts federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to reinstate billions of dollars in canceled FEMA disaster mitigation funding, following a lawsuit from 22 states and the District of Columbia. The administration had halted the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, deeming it wasteful and ineffective, and halting $3.6 billion in awarded but unpaid funding. This decision disrupted numerous projects designed to improve infrastructure resilience against climate change impacts. The judge ruled FEMA’s actions unlawful, citing congressional appropriation of the funds for these specific grants and emphasizing the public interest in upholding the law.
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Two members of the Iowa National Guard were killed in a terrorist attack in Syria, ambushed by a lone ISIS gunman. The attack resulted in the deaths of the two soldiers and a civilian, while also wounding three other soldiers; the gunman was killed in the attack. The two service members killed were part of a group of 1,800 members of the Iowa National Guard deployed to Syria this past summer. President Trump vowed retaliation for the attack, and several Iowa politicians have offered condolences and expressed gratitude for the fallen soldiers’ service.
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In a world facing relentless attacks on truth and independent journalism, including the rise of AI and media consolidation, critical media literacy becomes a crucial tool for an informed public. The goal of these attacks is to create an ignorant and easily manipulated population, but independent journalists and communities must work together to fight against the powerful. Project Censored, celebrating its 50th anniversary, highlights vital independent journalism, while organizations like Movement Media Alliance work to pool resources and amplify lesser-heard voices. Critical media literacy equips individuals with the ability to question power, identify biases, and build solidarity, ultimately empowering them to take action and challenge those who seek to control the narrative.
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The White House renovation project, originally touted as a minor undertaking, has expanded significantly, with costs escalating from an initial estimate of $200 million to $300 million. This project has become a means for wealthy individuals and corporations to curry favor with the Trump administration. Simultaneously, the former president has focused on altering American landmarks, redecorating the Oval Office, modifying the Rose Garden, and expressing intent to “fix” the Reflecting Pool.
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Newt Gingrich says the GOP is in trouble for the midterms if the economy doesn’t recover, and frankly, it’s hard to disagree. It seems like a pretty obvious assessment, given the state of things. When the economic winds aren’t favorable, it’s always an uphill battle for the party in power. It’s a fundamental truth of politics, and Gingrich, despite his history, seems to understand the game. The sentiment out there is clear: if things aren’t looking up financially for the average person, the current administration is going to get the blame.
Of course, the immediate response is a chorus of “well, duh.”… Continue reading
A recent Economist/YouGov poll indicates that a majority of Americans believe Donald Trump has overused the presidential pardon power. Furthermore, most respondents support implementing constitutional restrictions on the president’s ability to pardon. Disapproval of Trump’s recent pardons and commutations far outweighs approval. This data highlights significant public concern regarding the frequency and discretion of presidential pardons.
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Following the deaths of two U.S. soldiers and one civilian in Syria, along with injuries to three others, President Trump has vowed “serious retaliation.” The attack, attributed to ISIS, occurred in Palmyra, a city in northern Syria. President Trump expressed condolences for the losses and confirmed the injured soldiers are recovering. The U.S. maintains approximately 1,500 troops in Syria to combat the resurgence of ISIS.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker