The Environmental Protection Agency has announced a change in its approach to air pollution regulations. The agency will no longer calculate the monetary value of health benefits, such as avoided healthcare costs and prevented deaths, when assessing rules for fine particulate matter and ozone, focusing instead on costs to industry. This shift, part of a broader business-friendly realignment, has drawn criticism from environmental and public health advocates who view it as a dangerous abandonment of the agency’s core mission to protect public health. While the EPA insists it remains committed to its mission and will still quantify emissions, critics argue that the change could lead to weakened safeguards, potentially allowing increased pollution and disregarding the value of lives saved and health benefits.
Read More
FBI seizes devices from Washington Post reporter in classified leak probe, and it’s a situation that immediately sparks a lot of questions. The fact that the FBI is involved, specifically going after a journalist, is something that rightfully raises eyebrows. It feels like an aggressive move, especially when it involves potentially impinging on the freedom of the press. This isn’t a run-of-the-mill investigation; it’s a direct incursion into the professional life of someone whose job is to report the news, and it’s understandable why people are reacting so strongly to it.
The context is crucial here: the probe centers around a leak investigation related to classified information, and it’s tied to a Pentagon contractor.… Continue reading
Following the shooting of an unarmed woman in Minneapolis by an ICE agent, the Trump administration quickly attempted to frame the victim as a villain involved in a “coordinated” act of domestic terrorism. Despite video evidence and local officials discrediting these claims, the administration persisted in its narrative, aiming to sway public opinion. However, a recent Economist/YouGov poll revealed a majority of Americans viewed the shooting as unjustified and believed state and federal officials should be responsible for the investigation, indicating the administration’s efforts may have been unsuccessful.
Read More
California Governor Gavin Newsom has blocked Louisiana’s attempt to extradite a California doctor accused of mailing abortion pills. This decision follows Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry’s request for extradition, as Louisiana has strict anti-abortion laws, contrasting with California’s protections for abortion providers. Newsom cited a 2022 executive order preventing state agencies from assisting in the prosecution of abortion providers from other states as the reason for his action. The doctor, Remy Coeytaux, faces criminal charges in Louisiana and potential jail time if convicted.
Read More
Federal officers shot a man in the leg during a traffic stop attempt Wednesday night in Minneapolis, approximately twelve miles from where an ICE officer fatally shot a woman last week. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the shooting occurred after law enforcement officials were attacked with a shovel or broom while attempting the stop of a Venezuelan man in the country illegally. Tensions are high due to increased federal immigration enforcement and the recent death, prompting calls for calm from city officials and a request for federal immigration authorities to leave the city and state. The incident led to protests and the deployment of pepper spray by agents, while the shooting of the woman last week is still under investigation by the FBI.
Read More
Following a late-night decision to cut $2 billion in mental health and substance use funding, an administration official confirmed the grants would be reinstated. The initial cancellation, impacting approximately 2,000 grantees, cited non-alignment with SAMHSA priorities and primarily targeted discretionary grant programs with bipartisan support. The cuts drew criticism and raised concerns about the impact on essential services, leading to intervention and reversal. SAMHSA, under Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s leadership, has undergone significant changes, prompting some organizations to modify their missions to comply with new priorities.
Read More
The Trump administration apologized in court for mistakenly deporting a Massachusetts college student, Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, despite a court order to keep her in the U.S. The government acknowledged the violation, attributing it to an ICE officer’s misinterpretation of the order. The government maintained the deportation was lawful, citing a prior removal order, while her lawyer argued the deportation violated due process. Although the judge acknowledged the error, he questioned his jurisdiction and appeared unlikely to hold the government in contempt, suggesting the student explore alternative options for returning to the country.
Read More
A federal judge ruled that the Revolution Wind project can resume construction, citing insufficient reasoning for the government’s halt due to national security concerns. The project, nearly 90% complete, is slated to provide power to Rhode Island and Connecticut. The Trump administration has frozen several offshore wind projects, claiming national security concerns and expressing a strong stance against wind farms. Energy companies like Orsted, Equinor, and Dominion Energy Virginia are challenging the freeze in court, arguing the order is arbitrary and could lead to project termination.
Read More
Verizon’s wireless service experienced a widespread outage on Wednesday, impacting both cellular data and voice services, but the company confirmed the issue was resolved by late evening. A spokesperson apologized for the disruption, attributing it to engineers working to identify and solve the problem, while also promising account credits for affected customers. The outage, which began around noon ET, prompted concern and a call for investigation from a New York State Assembly member due to its potential impact on public safety, including emergency communications. While Verizon competitors T-Mobile and AT&T reported normal operations, emergency alerts were issued in several major cities advising residents to utilize alternative communication methods.
Read More
ICE’s hiring practices have come under scrutiny after an independent journalist applied for a position and was offered the job without a background check. The journalist, Laura Jedeed, detailed her experience of being hired as a deportation officer despite never completing the necessary paperwork. Jedeed’s account reveals a concerning lack of scrutiny in ICE’s recruitment process, raising serious questions about the agency’s ability to vet potential agents. She expressed worries that individuals with violent backgrounds could be hired, and the agency is not keeping track of who is behind the masks.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
Polls Show Public Rejection of White House on ICE, Good Shooting
Following the shooting of an unarmed woman in Minneapolis by an ICE agent, the Trump administration quickly attempted to frame the victim as a villain involved in a “coordinated” act of domestic terrorism. Despite video evidence and local officials discrediting these claims, the administration persisted in its narrative, aiming to sway public opinion. However, a recent Economist/YouGov poll revealed a majority of Americans viewed the shooting as unjustified and believed state and federal officials should be responsible for the investigation, indicating the administration’s efforts may have been unsuccessful.
Read More