- The U.S. Marine Corps is preparing for potential conflict with China in the Pacific by deploying the Navy/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, aka NMESIS. A newly formed Littoral Combat Team in Okinawa will be the first forward-deployed unit to field the anti-ship missile system.
- NMESIS is a land-based missile launcher mounted on the autonomous ROGUE-Fires vehicle, capable of firing Naval Strike Missiles and other munitions. This system enhances the Marines’ ability to strike enemy ships while remaining mobile and concealed.
- Under the USMC’s Force Design, Littoral Combat Regiments will be strategically positioned on remote islands in the Indo-Pacific, ensuring rapid response capabilities and strengthening U.S. alliances.
Full Story
If the U.S. and China ever wind up fighting it out in the Pacific, the United States Marine Corps will be charged with creating chaos and uncertainty in the region. And the Corps’ plan to do that just got a major boost.
NMESIS: The Marine Corps’ answer to China’s navy
The Navy/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System –– or NMESIS –– is a land-based way to attack ships at sea. Now, a newly formed USMC Littoral Combat Team in Okinawa, Japan, is getting 18 of them. While it isn’t the first Littoral Combat Team to field the NMESIS, the USMC’s 12th LCT will be the first to field the anti-ship battery while also being forward deployed.
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How will Marines use NMESIS?
The NMESIS is essentially a modular missile launcher that fits on the Remotely Operated Ground Unit for Expeditionary Fires, or ROGUE-Fires, from Oshkosh Defense. It’s a vehicle Straight Arrow News recently profiled on Weapons and Warfare.
The NMESIS/ROGUE-Fires combo gives Marines an autonomous mobile platform that fires two Naval Strike Missiles, the same ship-killing weapon many modern naval warships carry. The ROGUE-Fires vehicle can also be configured to fire anything a HIMARS can or be used as a logistics transport.
The Marines’ shift to the Pacific
As the United States military pivots to the Pacific, the Marine Corps needs to rethink its force posture. Unlike the land wars found in the Middle East, a fight in the Pacific means the Corps is returning to its amphibious roots.
Under the USMC’s Force Design initiative, the service branch is forming three Littoral Combat Regiments. One regiment will be dispersed into combat-ready groups and pre-positioned on remote islands across the INDOPACOM Area of Responsibility. There will be a concentration in the First Island Chain, though, which is a group of islands running from Japan southward.
Once on an island, small groups of Marines can pre-position NMESIS launch containers in different locations so the ROGUE-Fires units can basically “shoot and scoot. ” This helps conceal the Marines’ exact whereabouts on the island while also ensuring a stand-in force is ready to respond at a moment’s notice.
Strengthening alliances and readiness
It’s designed to help allies sleep a little easier while also keeping adversaries up all night. The commanding officer of the USMC’s 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, Col. Peter Eltringham, said, “We bring this combat power to Okinawa to be able to deliver it in the eyes of our adversaries and ensure we can bring it to the decisive point on the battlefield. We do this alongside our Japanese Ground, Air, and Maritime Self-Defense Force partners, because there is nothing more powerful than this alliance in this theater.”
IF THE U.S. AND CHINA EVER WIND UP FIGHTING IT OUT IN THE PACIFIC, THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS WILL BE CHARGED WITH CREATING CHAOS AND UNCERTAINTY IN THE REGION. AND THE CORPS’ PLAN TO DO THAT JUST GOT A MAJOR BOOST.
ADVERSARIES OF AMERICA, MEET YOUR NMESIS. WELL, REALLY IT’S AMERICA’S NMESIS, OR THE NAVY/MARINE EXPEDITIONARY SHIP INTERDICTION SYSTEM. IT’S A LAND-BASED WAY TO ATTACK SHIPS AT SEA, AND A NEWLY FORMED USMC LITTORAL COMBAT TEAM IN OKINAWA IS GETTING 18 OF THEM. WHILE IT ISN’T THE FIRST LITTORAL COMBAT TEAM TO FIELD THE NMESIS, THE USMC’S 12TH LCT WILL BE THE FIRST TO FIELD THE ANTI-SHIP BATTERY WHILE ALSO BEING FORWARD DEPLOYED.
THE NMESIS IS ESSENTIALLY A MODULAR MISSILE LAUNCHER THAT FITS ON THE REMOTELY OPERATED GROUND UNIT FOR EXPEDITIONARY FIRES, OR ROGUE FIRES, FROM OKSHKOSH DEFENSE. IT’S A VEHICLE WE ACTUALLY JUST PROFILED ON OUR SHOW WEAPONS AND WARFARE. SO, CHECK THAT OUT ON THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP FOR MORE.
THE NMESIS/ROGUE FIRES COMBO GIVES MARINES AN AUTONOMOUS MOBILE PLATFORM THAT FIRES TWO NAVAL STRIKE MISSILES, WHICH IS THE SAME SHIP-KILLING WEAPON MANY MODERN NAVAL WARSHIPS CARRY. THE ROGUE FIRES VEHICLE CAN ALSO BE CONFIGURED TO FIRE ANYTHING A HIMARS CAN, OR BE USED AS A LOGISTICS TRANSPORT.
IT’S JUST THE SORT OF TOOL NEEDED AS THE UNITED STATES MILITARY PIVOTS TO THE PACIFIC, WHERE THE MARINE CORPS NEEDED TO RE-THINK ITS FORCE POSTURE. UNLIKE THE LAND WARS FOUND IN THE MIDDLE EAST, A FIGHT IN THE PACIFIC MEANS THE CORPS IS RETURNING TO ITS AMPHIBIOUS ROOTS.
SO, UNDER THE USMC’S NEW FORCE DESIGN THE SERVICE BRANCH FORMED THREE LITTORAL COMBAT REGIMENTS. ONE REGIMENT WILL BE DISPERSED INTO COMBAT READY GROUPS AND PRE-POSITIONED ON REMOTE ISLANDS ACROSS THE INDO-PACOM AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY. THERE WILL BE A CONCENTRATION IN THE FIRST ISLAND CHAIN, THOUGH, WHICH IS A GROUP OF ISLANDS RUNNING FROM JAPAN SOUTHWARD.
ONCE ON AN ISLAND, SMALL GROUPS OF MARINES CAN PRE-POSITION NMESIS LAUNCH CONTAINERS IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS SO THE ROGUE FIRES UNIT CAN BASICALLY ‘SHOOT AND SCOOT,’ HELPING TO CONCEAL THE MARINES’ EXACT WHEREABOUTS ON THE ISLAND WHILE ALSO ENSURING A STAND-IN FORCE IS READY TO RESPOND AT A MOMENT’S NOTICE.
IT’S THE KIND OF THING DESIGNED TO HELP ALLIES SLEEP A LITTLE EASIER WHILE ALSO KEEPING ADVERSARIES UP ALL NIGHT. THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE USMC’S 12TH MARINE LITTORAL REGIMENT, COLONEL PETER ELTRINGHAM SAYS “WE BRING THIS COMBAT POWER TO OKINAWA TO BE ABLE TO DELIVER IT IN THE EYES OF OUR ADVERSARIES AND ENSURE WE CAN BRING IT TO THE DECISIVE POINT ON THE BATTLEFIELD. WE DO THIS ALONGSIDE OUR JAPANESE GROUND, AIR, AND MARITIME SELF-DEFENSE FORCE PARTNERS, BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING MORE POWERFUL THAN THIS ALLIANCE IN THIS THEATER.”
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- Stan Lee, the mastermind behind iconic superheroes like Spider-Man and Black Panther, is the subject of a new documentary. “Stan Lee: The Final Chapter” reveals the struggles and exploitation he faced in his final years.
- Jon Bolerjack, Lee’s assistant, documented hundreds of hours of conversations and interviews, providing a personal look into Lee’s later years.
- The documentary’s Kickstarter campaign aims to raise $300,000 to complete the film.
Full Story
Stan Lee, the mastermind behind some of the most iconic superheroes, including Spider-Man, the X-Men and Black Panther, is now the subject of a new documentary. “Stan Lee: The Final Chapter” claims to expose the struggles and exploitation he faced in his final years.
A personal look at Stan Lee’s final years
Jon Bolerjack, who worked as Lee’s assistant, documented hundreds of hours of candid conversations and interviews. He traveled the world with the Marvel legend and captured behind-the-scenes moments from his later years.
“For the last four years of Stan Lee’s life, I was his assistant, his confidant, but most importantly—his friend,” Bolerjack said in the film’s trailer.
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Bolerjack claims that during those years, he witnessed troubling situations where people allegedly manipulated and took advantage of Lee.
The documentary’s funding campaign
Along with the trailer, Bolerjack launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the completion of “Stan Lee: The Final Chapter.” The campaign aims to raise $300,000.
As of Wednesday, March 12, it has collected nearly $40,000 from over 200 backers. According to the Kickstarter page, the funds will be used to pay crew members who previously volunteered their time, cover equipment rental, editing, and other production costs.
Speculation about exploitation isn’t new
Concerns about Lee’s treatment in his final years have been widely discussed. In 2018, The Hollywood Reporter published a piece titled “Stan Lee’s Final Year Marked by Chaos and Betrayal.” The report detailed how his life changed after the passing of his wife, Joanie, in 2017.
For decades, Joanie had handled much of his business affairs, including his finances and public appearances. After her death, Lee became increasingly reliant on his inner circle, which some reports suggest led to financial and personal exploitation.
A similar 2018 report from AARP questioned whether Lee’s final year was marked by caregiving or elder abuse. The publication referenced a viral video showing Lee struggling to sign comic books while someone repeatedly spelled out his name for him.
Lawsuits and legal battles
In his final years, Lee was involved in multiple legal battles. He sued his own company, POW! Entertainment, alleging that executives stole his name and likeness. He also faced allegations of elder abuse from close associates.
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Additionally, Lee was caught in legal disputes over the ownership of his iconic Marvel characters. Some lawsuits were dropped, but others painted a troubling picture of his declining control over his personal and professional affairs.
Bolerjack admits he broke a fundamental rule of documentary filmmaking: becoming too close to his subject. However, The Hollywood Reporter stated that Lee gave his blessing for the project before his passing in 2018.
[KENNEDY FELTON]
He was the mastermind behind some of the most iconic superheroes – Spider Man, the X-Men, Black Panther. But a new documentary claims to uncover the alleged exploitation and struggles Stan Lee faced in his final years.
“For the last four years of Stanley’s life, I was his assistant, his confidant, but most importantly – his friend.”
Jon Bolerjack – who traveled the world with Lee as his assistant – documented everything along the way, including hundreds of hours of candid conversations and interviews. “Seeing Stan in that situation, being taken advantage of, was really hard to watch.”
And the footage even reveals some of the difficult situations Lee found himself in, up until his death in 2018 at the age of 95.
“I thought I was finished… but apparently I’m not.” “No.”
The documentary, “Stan Lee: The Final Chapter,” launched its trailer Tuesday. And with it, Bolerjack is making a request to help get the film completed to seek justice for Lee.
He’s turned to Kickstarter to fund the project, with a goal of raising $300,000. As of early Wednesday afternoon, the campaign has gathered nearly $40,000 from over 200 backers. The money, according to the Kickstarter, will go toward paying crew members who have volunteered their time, covering equipment rentals, editing, and other production costs.
But speculation about Lee’s exploitation isn’t new. Back in 2018, The Hollywood Reporter published a deep dive titled “Stan Lee’s Final Year Marked by Chaos and Betrayal,” detailing how Lee’s life changed drastically after the death of his wife Joanie in 2017, who had previously handled much of his business – from finances to public appearances.
In 2020, AARP also raised questions about whether Lee’s final year was marked by caregiving or elder abuse. One clip the article referenced was from 2018, showing Lee struggling to sign his own name for fans while someone repeatedly spelled it out for him.
“Stan Lee, S-T-A-N L-E-E…”
In his final years, Marvel legend Lee also found himself entangled in multiple legal battles. From suing his own company, POW! Entertainment, for allegedly stealing his name and likeness, to allegedly facing elder abuse by close associates, his later life was far from the superhero stories he created. He also fought off allegations of sexual misconduct and legal disputes over the ownership of his iconic characters. While some lawsuits were dropped, others painted a troubling picture of a man caught in a web of exploitation and controversy.
Bolerjack admits he broke a rule in documentary making – becoming too close to his subject. But according to The Hollywood Reporter, Lee gave his blessing for the project before his passing.
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- 148 colleges have implemented policies to remain neutral on political issues by the end of 2024, mostly following the Hamas attack on Israel, as political pressure rises on campuses.
- The Trump administration has threatened to withdraw federal funding from universities not taking action against antisemitism, including a $400 million cut from Columbia University.
- Critics argue that neutrality policies sidestep difficult debates on contentious issues like the Middle East conflict.
Full Story
Instead of speaking out on hot-button issues, more colleges are issuing policies to stay silent as political pressure ramps up on campuses across the country. According to a new report from the Heterodox Academy, a group that has been critical of progressive ideology on college campuses, 148 colleges adopted “institutional neutrality” policies by the end of 2024.
All but eight of those policies were adopted after the Hamas attack against Israel.
The universities are also adopting the policies at a time when the Trump administration has moved to pull funding from universities for not doing enough to crack down on antisemitism.
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The administration announced Friday, March 7, that it was withdrawing $400 million from Columbia University and said it’s looking to do the same at other universities.
During the week of March 2, the president threatened to punish any school that permits “illegal” protests following an executive order he signed on his 10th day in office combating antisemitism and focusing on what he called anti-Jewish racism at “leftist” universities.
A few days later he announced a task force to carry out the mandate.
Where do states stand with university neutrality policies?
About 4 out of 5 colleges that adopted neutrality policies are public, and they are facing scrutiny from state lawmakers.
Several states, including Texas and Utah and North Carolina, ordered their public universities to adopt the policies while others, like Tennessee, are considering it.
Most of the new policies apply to senior administrators, like college presidents, while others also include academic departments.
Critics of the neutrality movement argue administrators are just sidestepping difficult debates on the Middle East conflict and are worried about going against donors and lawmakers.
The American Association of University Professors recently issued a statement on neutrality stating the idea “is neither a necessary condition for academic freedom nor categorically incompatible with it.”
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When did ‘institutional neutrality’ begin?
Statement neutrality originally started at the University of Chicago in 1967 with a document called “The Kalven Report” that explains the university’s neutral stance on politics. It was created in response to concerns about the involvement of universities in political activism.
Tags: antisemitism, Columbia University, Donald Trump, Government funding, Hamas, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, Protests, Truth Social, Universities
[Lauren]
INSTEAD OF SPEAKING OUT ON HOT-BUTTON ISSUES, MORE COLLEGES ARE ISSUING POLICIES TO STAY SILENT AS POLITICAL PRESSURE RAMPS UP ON CAMPUSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT FROM THE HETERODOX ACADEMY, A GROUP THAT HAS BEEN CRITICAL OF PROGRESSIVE IDEOLOGY ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES, 148 COLLEGES ADOPTED “INSTITUTIONAL NEUTRALITY” POLICIES BY THE END OF 2024.
ALL BUT EIGHT OF THOSE POLICIES WERE ADOPTED AFTER THE HAMAS ATTACK AGAINST ISRAEL.
THE UNIVERSITIES ARE ALSO ADOPTING THE POLICIES AT A TIME WHEN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS MOVED TO PULL FUNDING FROM UNIVERSITIES FOR NOT DOING ENOUGH TO CRACK DOWN ON ANTISEMITISM – WITH THE ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCING FRIDAY THAT IT WAS WITHDRAWING 400 MILLION DOLLARS FROM COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY – SAYING IT’S LOOKING TO DO THE SAME AT OTHER UNIVERSITIES.
LAST WEEK, THE PRESIDENT THREATENED IN A SOCIAL MEDIA POST TO PUNISH ANY SCHOOL THAT PERMITS “ILLEGAL” PROTESTS FOLLOWING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER HE SIGNED HIS 10TH DAY IN OFFICE … COMBATING ANTISEMITISM … FOCUSING ON WHAT HE CALLED ANTI-JEWISH RACISM AT “LEFTIST” UNIVERSITIES.
A FEW DAYS LATER HE ANNOUNCED A TASK FORCE TO CARRY OUT THE MANDATE.
ABOUT FOUR OUT OF FIVE COLLEGES THAT ADOPTED NEUTRALITY POLICIES ARE PUBLIC AND FACE SCRUTINY FROM STATE LAWMAKERS.
SEVERAL STATES, INCLUDING TEXAS AND UTAH AND NORTH CAROLINA, ORDERED THEIR PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES TO ADOPT THE POLICIES WHILE OTHERS LIKE TENNESSEE, ARE CONSIDERING IT.
MOST OF THE NEW POLICIES APPLY TO SENIOR ADMINISTRATORS, LIKE COLLEGE PRESIDENTS WHILE OTHERS ALSO INCLUDE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS.
CRITICS OF THE NEUTRALITY MOVEMENT ARGUE ADMINISTRATORS ARE JUST SIDESTEPPING DIFFICULT DEBATES ON THE MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT, AND WORRIED ABOUT GOING AGAINST DONORS AND LAWMAKERS.
THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS RECENTLY ISSUED A STATEMENT ON NEUTRALITY STATING THE IDEA “IS NEITHER A NECESSARY CONDITION FOR ACADEMIC FREEDOM NOR CATEGORICALLY INCOMPATIBLE WITH IT.”
STATEMENT NEUTRALITY ORIGINALLY STARTED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO IN 19-67 WITH A DOCUMENT CALLED “THE KALVEN REPORT” THAT EXPLAINS THE UNIVERSITY’S NEUTRAL STANCE ON POLITICS … CREATED IN RESPONSE TO CONCERNS ABOUT THE INVOLVEMENT OF UNIVERSITIES IN POLITICAL ACTIVISM.
FOR SAN, I’M LAUREN TAYLOR.
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- U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said tariff policies are “worth it” even if they lead to a recession, two days after saying there would be no recession in America.
- American banks say there is an increased risk of recession over the next 12 months.
- President Donald Trump previously refused to rule out a recession as his tariff policies take effect, calling it a “period of transition” for the economy.
Full Story
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said if the Trump administration’s policies lead to a short-term recession, it’s “worth it.” Lutnick’s latest comments come as the biggest banks in the nation say there is an increased chance of an economic downturn.
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“These policies are the most important thing America has ever had, so it is worth it,” Lutnick said during an appearance on “CBS Evening News” on Tuesday, March 11, when asked whether President Donald Trump’s tariff policy causing a recession would be worth it.
“It is worth it,” Lutnick stated. “The only reason there could possibly be a recession is because of the Biden nonsense that we had to live with.”
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What’s the latest on Trump’s tariff policies?
President Donald Trump instituted 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum on Wednesday, March 12. The duty received a response from the European Union, which implemented retaliatory tariffs on items including motorcycles, whiskey and jeans.
The administration’s back-and-forth on tariffs has spooked the stock market in recent weeks. All three major indexes have given up gains since Trump was elected in November 2024. Still, the commerce secretary said that markets would adjust to the pace of Trump’s policy.
“Markets are going to learn,” Lutnick said Tuesday. “Let the dealmaker make his deals. Let the best negotiator and the best person who cares about America, let him make the deals.”
Economists say recession chances are rising
As markets fall and economic policy is uncertain, recession talk has picked up. Goldman Sachs recently increased the odds of a recession from 15% to 20%. Meanwhile, economists at JPMorgan say there’s a 40% chance of recession in 2025.
“I do think the likelihood of a recession has risen,” Morgan Stanley’s Chief U.S. Economist Michael Gapen told NPR Tuesday. “Pegging it to a particular probability is hard. Maybe 20%-25%, so maybe twice as high as you might have in any normal given year. So the probability has risen, given the combination of policies, tariffs, spending cuts, immigration controls, which all tend to soften activity in the near term.”
Tariffs impact the cost of goods
Gapen told NPR that tariffs are essentially a tax on American citizens.
“Tariffs are essentially a tax on consumption — you pay more to import that good, so the cost to the consumer ends up rising,” he said.
“So one of the simple tenets of economics is if you make something more expensive, you get less of it,” Gapen added. “So less trade activity tends to mean growth is a little softer. But you impose tariffs, it tends to push inflation higher in the short run. So that’s the balance we’re considering.”
Tariffs cause a ‘period of transition,’ so what’s the end game?
Over the weekend, President Trump didn’t rule out the possibility of a recession and suggested that due to his policies, the economy could experience a period of transition. Gapen also spoke about the transition ahead.
“You would hope the costs you pay in the short run are outweighed by the gains in the long run, but those short-run costs tend to be more obvious,” Gapen said. “The gains over time, we’re never quite sure if they materialize. But that is, I think, the argument they’re making and why we might see some softness in the near term.”
In the latest running estimate by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s GDP tracker, the economy is headed for a 2.4% contraction in the first quarter of 2025. That’s a significant swing from the end of January when it was pacing for 2.9% growth.
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A recession typically occurs when there are two consecutive quarters of economic decline. However, the final call goes to a panel at the National Bureau of Economic Research.
“Here’s what happens when you say we’re going to have a tariff on April 2,” Lutnick said Tuesday. “Everybody tries to hustle in before the tariff. So there’s lots and lots, and you could see miles of cars coming into the country to try to beat the tariff from Japan, from Korea and from Germany.”
“That creates a distorted GDP,” he continued. “It doesn’t change a darn thing about America. Americans are going to see American cars are going to be cheaper than foreign cars, and the people who make those American cars are going to be American, and these things are great for America.”
Tags: cars, CBS News, Donald Trump, Economy, GDP, Goldman Sachs, Howard Lutnick, JPMorgan, NPR, Recession, Recession, Tariffs, Trade, Used cars
[Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick]
There’s going to be no recession in America.
[Simone Del Rosario]
It only took two days for Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to change his tune. After adamantly insisting there will be no recession, in an interview Tuesday, Lutnick says if a recession comes, it’ll be worth it.
[Howard Lutnick]
Anchor: Will these policies be worth it if they lead to a recession, even a short term recession,
Lutnick: these policies are the most important thing America has ever had, so it is worth it. It is worth it a I don’t think the only reason there could possibly be a recession is because of the Biden nonsense that we had to live with.
[Simone Del Rosario]
President Donald Trump officially implemented a 25% duty on steel and aluminum on Wednesday. The European Union retaliated with tariffs on American items like motorcycles, whiskey and blue jeans.
[Howard Lutnick]
He wants to worry about major things for national security of America, steel and aluminum tariffs. That’s today, right? Autos, coming April 2. Semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, things that America must have. So you can imagine these are the kind of tariffs we’re going to make sure these things come back to America and are built in America. And then on April 2, he does his reciprocal tariffs.
[Simone Del Rosario]
Trump’s back and forth on tariffs since taking office in January has spooked the stock market. Over the past couple of weeks, the three major indexes have all seen significant losses.
But Lutnick says investors need to get with the times.
[Howard Lutnick]
Markets are going to learn. Let the deal maker make his deals. Let the best negotiator and the best person who cares about America, let him make the deals.
[Simone Del Rosario]
Trump’s tariffs are leading to more recession chatter. Goldman Sachs recently increased odds of a recession in the next 12 months from 15% to 20%. Meanwhile, economists at JPMorgan say there’s a 40% chance of recession in 2025. Morgan Stanley also upped its probability.
[Michael Gapen]
I do think the likelihood of a recession has risen. You know, pegging it to a particular probability is hard. Maybe 20%, 25%, so maybe twice as high as you might have in any normal given year. So the probability has risen, given the combination of policies, tariffs, spending cuts, immigration controls, which all tend to soften activity in the near term.
[Simone Del Rosario]
So how will all of this affect Americans? Morgan Stanley Chief U.S. Economist Michael Gapen took a stab at explaining it on NPR this week.
[Michael Gapen]
Tariffs are essentially a tax on consumption – you pay more to import that good, so the cost to the consumer ends up rising.
So one of the simple tenets of economics is if you make something more expensive, you get less of it.
So less trade activity tends to mean growth is a little softer. But you impose tariffs, it tends to push inflation higher in the short run. So that’s the balance we’re considering.
[Simone Del Rosario]
Gapen and the Trump administration may disagree that tariffs are tantamount to a tax. But both agree the U.S. is embarking on a period of transition.
Question: Are you expecting a recession this year?
President Donald Trump: I hate to predict things like that. There is a period of transition because what we’re doing is very big. We’re bringing wealth back to America. That’s a big thing. And there are always periods of, it takes a little time. It takes a little time.
[Michael Gapen]
In economics, we would say transition to a new equilibrium, it tends to mean there’s a disruptive period of transition. And so you would hope the costs you pay in the short run are outweighed by the gains in the long run, but those short-run costs tend to be more obvious. The gains over time, we’re never quite sure if they materialize. but that is, I think, the argument they’re making and why we might see some softness in the near term.
[Simone Del Rosario]
In the latest running estimate by the Atlanta Fed’s GDP tracker, the economy is headed for a 2.4% contraction in the first quarter of 2025. That’s a big swing from the end of January when it was pacing for 2.9% growth.
Remember, a recession typically occurs when there are two consecutive quarters of economic decline. But the final call goes to a panel at the National Bureau of Economic Research.
For more on how they make the call, search “NBER RECESSION” for this story at SAN.com and the SAN app. For SAN, I’m Simone Del Rosario.
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- Democratic members of Congress introduced the SAFE Bet Act, requiring states to meet federal standards for marketing, affordability and artificial intelligence in sports betting. It would require affordability checks and ban personalized ads.
- The sports betting industry made $14 billion in revenue in 2024.
- The legislation is aimed at mitigating gambling addiction, which can afflict people much the same way as drugs and alcohol.
Full Story
March Madness is less than a week away and if it’s anything like last year, Americans will place more than $2.5 billion in bets on the tournament. That’s why two members of Congress introduced the SAFE Bet Act, a bill to regulate online sports betting which they hope will save vulnerable Americans from addiction and financial turmoil.
“It’s important to balance public health with competing economic interests. Trust me, I understand that,” said Rep. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y. “But when every single solitary moment of every sporting event across the globe has become a betting opportunity in the palm of your hand, government must put its duty to protect its citizens from harm first.”
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The SAFE Bet Act would require states offering sports betting to ensure operators meet minimum federal standards in three categories: marketing, affordability and artificial intelligence.
Marketing:
- Sports books can’t run ads during live sporting events, and can’t run programs designed to induce gambling like bonuses or odds boosts.
Affordability:
- Operators are prohibited from accepting more than five deposits from a customer in a 24-hour period.
- Operators are required to conduct affordability checks before betting $1,000 in 24 hours or $10,000 in 30 days.
- Credit card deposits will no longer be accepted.
Artificial intelligence:
- Prohibits the use of AI to track gambling habits and offer individualized promotions.
- Prohibits the use of AI to create gambling products, like microbets.
Other measures:
- Bans prop bets on college and amateur sports.
- Creates a national self-exclusion list through which people can voluntarily bar themselves from gambling.
Gambling as a $14 billion industry
The bill’s sponsors say it’s necessary because the amount of money Americans lose on bets increases every year. In 2024, the sports gambling industry made $14 billion in revenue.
“The reality is that $14 billion in revenue for the gambling industry is $14 billion extracted from the pockets of everyday Americans,” Tonko said. “And the even greater concern and the even greater reality is that most of that revenue is made off of the suffering of a disproportionately small number of gamblers.”
Combatting gambling addiction
Gambling is considered an addictive product.
According to the Mayo Clinic, gambling can stimulate the brain’s reward system much like drugs or alcohol, leading to addiction.
Andrew Douglas is one of the estimated 7 million people in the U.S. who have a gambling problem or disorder. He began betting in college –– bets his father described as small and innocent. However, Douglas’ gambling got so out of hand that he tried to take his own life on May 27, 2024.
“Gambling addiction had a hold of me and had taken me to the darkest hole that I could ever imagine,” Douglas said. “For years and years, constantly being targeted and no way to escape the advertising, the offers, the predatory and targeted business practices.”
Although he’s now in recovery, Douglas’ addiction is still a source of pain for his family.
“This addiction was hidden from us because it can be done on a telephone at any hour of the day and night,” Douglas’ father, Gordon Douglas, said. “There’s virtually no way to reach a safe time or place away from the possibilities of making a bet.”
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The lawmakers say they do not want to stop sports betting. Rather, they are accusing the sports betting industry of exploiting addiction and purposefully driving people deeper into gambling abuse disorder.
“It’s a science. The algorithms, the artificial intelligence, are all tools to drive pitches and promotions at the losers, the most vulnerable, the people who are most susceptible to this addiction,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said.
The bill was introduced last year but it did not pass before the congressional term ended. Lawmakers are now starting the process again and have until January 2026 to get it approved.
March Madness is less than a week away and if it’s anything like last year, Americans will place more than $2.5 billion in bets on the tournament. That’s why two members of Congress introduced the SAFE Bet Act, a bill to regulate online sports betting which they hope will save vulnerable Americans from addiction and financial turmoil.
Rep Paul Tonko, D-NY: “It’s important to balance public health with competing economic interests. Trust me, I understand that. But when every single solitary moment of every sporting event across the globe has become a betting opportunity in the palm of your hand, government must put its duty to protect its citizens from harm first.”
The SAFE Bet Act would require states offering sports betting to ensure operators meet minimum federal standards in three categories: marketing, affordability and artificial intelligence.
Sports books can’t run ads during live sporting events, and can’t run programs designed to induce gambling like bonuses or odds boosts.
It Prohibits operators from accepting more than five deposits from a customer in a 24-hour period, Requires operators to conduct affordability checks and Prohibits deposits via credit card. It Prohibits use of AI to track gambling habits and offer individualized promotions Bans prop bets on college and amateur sports and Creates a national self-exclusion list.
The bill’s sponsors say it’s necessary because the amount of money Americans lose on bets increases every year. In 2024, the sports gambling industry made $14 billion in revenue.
Rep Paul Tonko, D-NY: “The reality is that $14 billion in revenue for the gambling industry is $14 billion extracted from the pockets of everyday Americans, and the even greater concern and the even greater reality is that most of that revenue is made off of the suffering of a disproportionately small number of gamblers.”
Gambling is considered an addictive product. According to the Mayo Clinic, gambling can stimulate the brain’s reward system much like drugs or alcohol can, leading to addiction.
An estimated seven million people in the U.S. have a gambling problem or disorder, Andrew Douglas is one of them. He started betting in college. His father described the bets as small and innocent until he spiraled and hit rock bottom.
Andrew Douglas: “May 27 2024 was a day that I attempted to end my own life. Gambling addiction had a hold of me and had taken me to the darkest hole that I could ever imagine for years and years, constantly being targeted and no way to escape the the advertising, the offers, the predatory and targeted business practices.”
Although he’s now in recovery, Andrew’s addiction is still a source of pain for his family.
Gordon Douglas, Andrew’s father: “This addiction was hidden from us because it can be done on a telephone at any hour of the day and night. There’s virtually no way to reach a safe time or place away from the possibilities of making a bet.”
The lawmakers say they do not want to stop sports betting. They are accusing the sports betting industry of exploiting addiction and purposefully driving people deeper into gambling abuse disorder.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-CT: “It’s a science. The algorithms, the artificial intelligence, are all tools to drive pitches and promotions at the losers, the most vulnerable, the people who are most susceptible to this addiction.”
The bill was introduced last year but it did not pass before the Congressional term ended. They are now starting the process again and have until January 2026 to get it approved.
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- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has temporarily paused millions of dollars in federal funding to the University of Maine System. This comes pending a review of compliance with a new order aimed at banning transgender athletes from competing in certain sports.
- The freeze follows a tense exchange between President Donald Trump and Maine Gov. Janet Mills, where Trump warned that funding would be pulled if trans athletes were allowed to participate in sports in Maine.
- UMS has provided responses to the USDA confirming its athletic programs comply with state and federal laws, as well as the NCAA’s policy barring male-assigned athletes from competing in women’s sports.
Full Story
The University of Maine System (UMS), a network of eight public colleges in the state, said the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has temporarily paused millions of dollars in federal funding, pending a review of compliance with a new order aimed at banning transgender athletes.
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The freeze comes after President Donald Trump had a tense exchange with Maine Democratic Gov. Janet Mills at the White House in February.
Speaking to the National Governors Association on Feb. 21, Trump called on Mills, warning her that the federal government would pull funding from Maine schools if they allowed trans athletes to play in sports.
“We’ll see you in court,” Mills responded to Trump.
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The day after the argument, the USDA launched a compliance review accusing UMS of disregarding President Trump’s order.
How is a lack of funding impacting Maine universities?
In fiscal year 2024, the USDA gave UMS about $30 million in funding. The frozen grants impact research to understand contamination on Maine farms as well as money for youth programs, fishermen and foresters.
According to the USDA order, “The pause will remain in effect until further notice,” or until all actions related to possible violations are evaluated.
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How is UMS responding?
The school system said Tuesday, March 11, that it had provided responses to the USDA confirming its athletic programs complied with state and federal law.
School officials also said they complied with the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s policy barring varsity athletes assigned male at birth from competing in women’s sports.
Tags: college students, Donald Trump, Government funding, Maine, Transgender, Transgender athletes, Universities, USDA
[Kennedy]
THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM, A NETWORK OF EIGHT PUBLIC COLLEGES IN THE STATE – SAYS THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HAS TEMPORARILY PAUSED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FEDERAL FUNDING – PENDING A REVIEW OF COMPLIANCE WITH A NEW ORDER AIMED AT BANNING TRANSGENDER ATHLETES.
THE FREEZE COMES AFTER PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD A TENSE EXCHANGE WITH MAINE’S DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR, JANET MILLS AT THE WHITE HOUSE LAST MONTH.
Is Maine here? the governor of Maine?
(Gov. Janet Mills, off camera: I’m here)
Are you not going to comply with it?
(Gov. Janet Mills, off camera: I’m complying with state and federal laws)
Well, we are the federal law. Well, you better do it. You better do it because you’re not going to get any federal funding at all if you don’t. And by the way, your population, even though it’s somewhat liberal, although I did very well there, you population doesn’t want men playing in women’s sports.”
“I’ll follow the law.”
“So you better you better comply because otherwise you’re not getting any federal funding.”
“I’ll see you in court.”
“Good, I’ll see you in court. I look forward to that. That should be a real easy one.”
THE DAY AFTER THE ARGUMENT, THE U-S-D-A LAUNCHED A COMPLIANCE REVIEW ACCUSING THE MAINE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF DISREGARDING PRESIDENT TRUMP’S ORDER TO KEEP TRANSGENDER ATHLETES OUT OF WOMEN’S SPORTS – WHICH HE REAFFIRMED IN HIS MARCH 4TH ADDRESS TO A JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS.
our country will be woke no longer.
we also signed an executive order to ban men from playing in women’s sports.
IN 20-24, THE U-S-D-A GAVE THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM ABOUT 30 MILLION DOLLARS IN FUNDING, WITH FROZEN GRANTS IMPACTING RESEARCH TO UNDERSTAND CONTAMINATION ON MAINE FARMS AS WELL AS MONEY FOR YOUTH PROGRAMS, FISHERMEN AND FORESTERS.
ACCORDING TO THE U-S-D-A ORDER, “THE PAUSE WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE” UNTIL ALL ACTIONS RELATED TO POSSIBLE VIOLATIONS ARE EVALUATED.
THE SCHOOL SYSTEM SAID TUESDAY THAT IT HAD PROVIDED RESPONSES TO THE U-S-D-A CONFIRMING ITS ATHLETIC PROGRAMS WERE IN COMPLIANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL LAW, AS WELL AS THE NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION’S POLICY BARRING VARSITY ATHLETES ASSIGNED MALE AT BIRTH FROM COMPETING IN WOMEN’S SPORTS.
FOR SAN, I’M KENNEDY FELTON.
FOR ALL YOUR LATEST NEWS HEADLINES – DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP TODAY.
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Center 18%
Right 52%
Bias Summary
Bias Comparison
Media outlets on the left
emphasize criticism from Governor Janet Mills as politically motivated, framing the USDA’s decision as punitive and partisan.
Media outlets on the right
stress the USDA’s enforcement of compliance, portraying the funding pause as a necessary federal action reflecting state defiance against Trump’s executive order.
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10
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6
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17
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- The Philadelphia Eagles will attend a White House ceremony to celebrate the team’s Super Bowl victory. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt made the April visit official during a press briefing.
- During his first term, President Trump canceled the Eagles Super Bowl LII event after learning that only a few players were set to attend.
- The Eagles will be the latest team to attend a White House championship event, with the ceremonies dating back decades.
Full Story
The Philadelphia Eagles have accepted President Donald Trump’s invitation to attend the White House for a ceremony celebrating the team’s Super Bowl LIX victory. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt made it official during the media briefing Tuesday, March 11.
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“April 28, I can confirm that the Philadelphia Eagles will be here at the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl victory,” Leavitt said.
It’s still not known which Eagles players will be in attendance, or how many will appear with President Trump. But it’s certainly a turn from the last time the Eagles received an invitation from a Trump White House.
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What happened the last time the Eagles won the Super Bowl?
After defeating the New England Patriots in the 2018 Super Bowl, the team did not go to the White House. During the season, Eagles players like Malcolm Jenkins spoke out against social injustice.
Jenkins declined Trump’s invite and said he was looking for a sit-down with the president rather than a photo op.
After learning that only a few of the players agreed to attend, the president canceled the Eagles event.
Trump released a statement saying in part:
“The Philadelphia Eagles are unable to come to the White House with their full team to be celebrated tomorrow. They disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country.”
Trump held a ceremony titled “The Celebration of America,” honoring the country and its heroes, instead of the Super Bowl victory event. At the time, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, now the governor of Arkansas, described the Eagles’ move as a political stunt.
During a press briefing, she was questioned about the president’s remarks of using the national anthem protests as a reason to cancel the event. The reporter pointed out that the Eagles were part of those instances.
“On the president’s decision to disinvite the Eagle, he’s suggesting this is about the national anthem. Is the president aware not a single player on the Eagles through the entire season knelt for the national anthem?” the reporter asked.
“The president’s position on not just the anthem has been clear, but let’s not forget this isn’t… There were 80 members of the Eagles organization that RSVP’d and committed to attend this event as recently as Friday, as well as over a thousand fans of the Eagles organization, and the Eagles are the ones that tried to change their commitment at the eleventh hour,” Sanders said.
The New England Patriots were the only NFL team to attend a White House ceremony during President Trump’s first term. While no NBA team made an appearance — with Trump ultimately withdrawing his 2017 invitation to the Golden State Warriors before the team made its official decision — other professional sports teams did celebrate their championships with the president at the White House.
Those teams included the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Why are these celebrations a White House tradition?
According to ESPN, the tradition of sports teams visiting the president at the White House dates back to Andrew Johnson in 1865.
The first World Series champion visitors, the 1924 Washington Senators, met with Calvin Coolidge. John F. Kennedy was the first president to welcome NBA champions — the Boston Celtics in 1963.
Jimmy Carter was the president for the first Super Bowl champion visitors — the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1980.
However, it was Ronald Reagan, as ESPN reports, who made the championship celebration a regular occasion at the White House.
“The New York Giants played great football this year, but they also had fun. That kind of spirit has always marked the great Giants teams. That’s why our fans, your fans I should say, have been so loyal for so many years. I don’t have many fans anymore,” Reagan joked during the 1987 celebration.
What about the reports of the Eagles not attending this year?
After the Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX last month, there was speculation regarding whether players would show up for their White House appearance. However, despite social media rumors and other reports, both the Eagles and the president indicated in recent days that they would be open to holding the ceremonial event.
“I know there was a lot of fake news about an invitation that wasn’t sent or was sent. We want to correct the record,” Leavitt said. “We sent an invitation. They enthusiastically accepted, and you will see them here on April 28.”
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A spokesperson for the Eagles also confirmed that the team will be there.
President Trump was in attendance for the Eagles’ 40-22 Super Bowl LIX victory over the Chiefs, becoming the first sitting president to attend the NFL’s big game.
Tags: Donald Trump, ESPN, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Super Bowl, Washington, Washington DC, White House
[CHRIS FRANCIS]
Will they or won’t they?
On Tuesday – we got our answer.
[KAROLINE LEAVITT]
“April 28th, I can confirm that the Philadelphia Eagles will be here at the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl victory.”
[CHRIS FRANCIS]
WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY KAROLINE LEAVITT MAKING IT OFFICIAL. THE SUPER BOWL CHAMPION PHILADELPHIA EAGLES WILL BE VISITING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AT THE WHITE HOUSE AT THE END OF APRIL.
IT’S STILL NOT KNOWN WHICH EAGLES PLAYERS WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE OR HOW MANY WILL APPEAR WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.
BUT IT’S CERTAINLY A TURN FROM THE LAST TIME THE EAGLES RECEIVED AN INVITATION FROM A TRUMP WHITE
AFTER DEFEATING THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS IN THE 2018 SUPER BOWL – THE TEAM DID NOT GO TO THE WHITE HOUSE.
DURING THE SEASON – EAGLES PLAYERS LIKE MALCOLM JENKINS SPOKE OUT AGAINST SOCIAL INJUSTICE. IN NOT ACCEPTING TRUMP’S INVITE — JENKINS SAID AT THE TIME HE WAS LOOKING FOR MORE OF A SIT-DOWN DISCUSSION WITH THE PRESIDENT AND NOT A PHOTO OP.
AFTER LEARNING ONLY A FEW OF THE PLAYERS AGREED TO ATTEND – THE PRESIDENT CANCELED THE EAGLES EVENT — SAYING IN A STATEMENT,
“The Philadelphia Eagles are unable to come to the White House with their full team to be celebrated tomorrow. They disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country.”
INSTEAD TRUMP HELD A CEREMONY TITLED “THE CELEBRATION OF AMERICA” HONORING THE COUNTRY AND ITS HEROES.
AT THE TIME WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS – NOW THE GOVERNOR OF ARKANSAS – DESCRIBED THE EAGLES’ MOVE AS POLITICAL STUNT. DURING A PRESS BRIEFING — SHE WAS QUESTIONED ABOUT THE PRESIDENT’S REMARKS — USING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM PROTESTS AS A REASON TO CANCEL THE EVENT – DESPITE THE EAGLES NOT BEING PART OF THOSE INSTANCES.
“On the president’s decision to disinvite the Eagle, he’s suggesting this is about the national anthem is the president aware and not a single player on the Eagles through the entire season knelt for the national anthem?
The president’s position on not just the anthem has been clear but let’s not forget this isn’t…there were 80 members of the Eagles organization that RSVP’d and committed to attend this event as recently as Friday as well as over at thousand fans of the Eagles organization and the Eagles are the ones that tried to change their commitment at the eleventh hour.”
[CHRIS FRANCIS]
ONLY ONE NFL TEAM ATTENDED A WHITE HOUSE CEREMONY DURING PRESIDENT TRUMP’S FIRST TERM – THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS.
WHILE NO NBA TEAM MADE AN APPEARANCE – WITH TRUMP ULTIMATELY WITHDRAWING HIS 2017 INVITATION TO THE GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS BEFORE THE TEAM MADE ITS OFFICIAL DECISION –
OTHER PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS LIKE THE BOSTON RED SOX, CHICAGO CUBS AND PITTSBURGH PENGUINS DID CELEBRATE THEIR CHAMPIONSHIPS WITH THE PRESIDENT AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
ACCORDING TO ESPN — THE TRADITION OF SPORTS TEAMS VISITING THE PRESIDENT AT THE WHITE HOUSE DATES BACK TO ANDREW JOHNSON IN 1865 – WITH THE FIRST WORLD SERIES CHAMPION VISITORS, THE 1924 WASHINGTON SENATORS, MEETING WITH CALVIN COOLIDGE. JOHN F. KENNEDY WAS THE FIRST PRESIDENT TO WELCOME NBA CHAMPIONS – THE BOSTON CELTICS IN 1963 — AND JIMMY CARTER WAS THE PRESIDENT FOR THE FIRST SUPER BOWL CHAMPION VISITORS – THE PITTSBUGH STEELERS IN 1980.
BUT IT WAS RONALD REAGAN – ESPN REPORTS – WHO MADE THE CHAMPIONSHIP CELEBRATION A REGULAR OCCASION AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
“The New York Giants played great football this year but they also had fun. That kind of spirit has always marked the great Giants teams. That’s why our fans, your fans I should say, have been so loyal for so many years. I don’t have many fans anymore.”
[CHRIS FRANCIS]
AFTER THE EAGLES DEFEATED THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS IN SUPER BOWL 59 LAST MONTH — THERE WAS SPECULATION IF THE PLAYERS WOULD NOT SHOW UP ONCE AGAIN FOR THEIR WHITE HOUSE APPEARANCE.
HOWEVER, DESPITE SOCIAL MEDIA RUMORS, BOTH THE EAGLES AND THE PRESIDENT INDICATED DAYS EARLIER THAT THEY WOULD BE OPEN TO HOLDING THE CEREMONIAL EVENT.
“I know there was a lot of fake news about an invitation that wasn’t sent or was sent. We want to correct the record. We sent an invitation. They enthusiastically accepted and you will see them here on April 28th.”
[CHRIS FRANCIS]
A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE EAGLES ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THE TEAM WILL BE THERE. PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS IN ATTENDANCE FOR THE EAGLES’ 40 TO 22 SUPER BOWL 59 VICTORY OVER THE CHIEFS – BECOMING THE FIRST SITTING PRESIDENT TO ATTEND THE NFL’S BIG GAME.
FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M CHRIS FRANCIS.
FOR MORE SPORTS STORIES, DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP OR VISIT SAN DOT COM.
Media Landscape
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Left 32%
Center 38%
Right 30%
Bias Summary
Bias Comparison
Media outlets on the left
highlight that the Eagles have accepted the White House invitation, emphasizing the positive aspect of the visit.
Media outlets on the right
enthusiastically describe the invitation as a celebration, although it also addresses skepticism about the team’s earlier refusal.
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53 other sources covering this story
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53
Leaning Left
12
Center
14
Leaning Right
11
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- The United States has been added to the CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist due to the group’s concerns over President Donald Trump’s actions.
- The U.S. joins 41 other countries, including France, Germany and Argentina in receiving a “narrowed” rating, indicating occasional violations of basic rights.
- The White House dismissed the CIVICUS report, calling it “nonsense,” seeking to emphasize President Trump’s commitment to transparency.
Full Story
The United States has been added to the CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist, a research platform highlighting the state of freedoms and threats to civil liberties on a global level. The nonprofit said the move is directly related to President Donald Trump’s actions since his return to the White House in January.
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“This is an unparalleled attack on the rule of law in the United States, not seen since the days of McCarthyism in the twentieth century,” Mandeep Tiwana, interim co-secretary general of CIVICUS, said in a statement.
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Which Trump initiatives did CIVICUS mention?
CIVICUS cited Trump’s effort to fire federal workers and dismantle foreign aid programs as some of the main reasons for the action. It also noted his treatment of the media.
“Gross abuses of executive power raise serious concerns over the freedoms of peaceful assembly, expression and association,” the group wrote in its report about the U.S. rating.
The U.S. joins Congo, Italy, Pakistan and Serbia in CIVICUS’ updates for 2025.
According to CIVICUS, the monitor list “draws attention to countries where there is a serious decline in respect for civic space, based on an assessment by CIVICUS Monitor research findings, our research partners and consultations with activists on the ground.”
Which other countries are on the list?
The U.S., along with 41 other countries, get a “narrowed” rating on freedom, which is the group’s second tier after “open” and used to signify countries where citizens face occasional violations of basic rights. Other countries rated “narrow” include France, Germany and Argentina.
Places categorized as “open” include the island of Taiwan, as well as the countries of Canada, Japan and Denmark.
“Closed,” “repressed” and “obstructed” are the most restrictive tiers. Thirty countries, including Russia, North Korea and Iran, are categorized as “closed.”
How did the White House respond to the CIVICUS report?
White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly told Time, “This is nonsense: President Trump is leading the most transparent administration in history.”
Media Landscape
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Left 35%
Center 53%
Right 12%
Bias Summary
Bias Comparison
Media outlets on the left
note that CIVICUS added the U.S. to its Monitor Watchlist due to a decline in civic freedoms, emphasizing actions by the Trump administration.
Media outlets on the right
outline the inclusion of the United States in CIVICUS’ first Monitor Watchlist of 2025 for rapid declines in civic freedoms, also mentioning other countries like Pakistan, Congo, Italy and Serbia.
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26
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6
Center
9
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2
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- A House subcommittee hearing ended early Tuesday after a GOP lawmaker purposely misgendered a colleague, leading to a heated exchange. Committee Chair Keith Self referred to Democratic Rep. Sarah McBride as “Mr. McBride” when ceding the floor.
- Ranking Member Bill Keating, also a Democrat, challenged Self on his use of the term “mister,” saying the meeting would not continue until Self addressed McBride in her preferred way.
- Self immediately adjourned the meeting and it is unclear if it will be rescheduled for a later date.
Full Story
A congressional hearing ended abruptly Tuesday, March 11, after a Republican lawmaker purposely misgendered Delaware Democratic Rep. Sarah McBride. McBride made history as the first openly transgender member of Congress.
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What happened?
During a meeting of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Chairman Keith Self, R-Texas, referred to the Delaware lawmaker as “Mr. McBride.”
McBride thanked Self by referring to him as madam chair. Later, a fellow Democrat called Self out publicly.
“Mr. Chairman, you are out of order,” Ranking Member Bill Keating, D-Mass., said. “Mr. Chairman, have you no decency? I mean, I have come to know you a little bit, but this is not decent. You will not continue with me unless you introduce a duly elected representative the right way.”
Point phone camera here
“This hearing is adjourned,” Self immediately replied before banging his gavel and the group dispersed.
Here’s that full exchange:
What happened after?
Self responded to a video of the confrontation on X, doubling down on his comments.
“It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes: male and female,” Self said.
Self’s comments reference an executive order signed by President Donald Trump just hours after his inauguration in January 2025. The order declares people cannot transition from one gender to another or be considered something other than male or female, such as nonbinary, which describes people who don’t identify as strictly men or women, or intersex.
McBride also commented on the exchange on X.
“No matter how I’m treated by some colleagues, nothing diminishes my awe and gratitude at getting to represent Delaware in Congress,” McBride said. “It is truly the honor and privilege of a lifetime. I simply want to serve and to try to make this world a better place.”
In an official statement later Tuesday night, McBride said she was “disappointed” Self ended the meeting early.
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So, what about that meeting?
The committee had been gathered to discuss the State Department and policies on arms control, international security and U.S. assistance to Europe.
No word yet on if or when that meeting will be rescheduled.
Tags: Delaware, Donald Trump, Europe, Executive Order, Gender identity, House Foreign Affairs committee, House of Representatives, Massachusetts, Sex, State Department, Texas, Transgender, U.S. Congress, X
[JACK AYLMER]
A CONGRESSIONAL HEARING CAME TO AN ABRUPT END TUESDAY AFTER A G-O-P LAWMAKER PURPOSELY MISGENDERED DEMOCRATIC DELAWARE REPRESENTATIVE SARAH MCBRIDE – WHO’S MAKING HISTORY AS THE FIRST OPENLY TRANSGENDER MEMBER OF CONGRESS.
DURING A MEETING OF THE HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS SUBCOMMITTEE ON EUROPE… REPUBLICAN CHAIRMAN KEITH SELF OF TEXAS REFERRED TO THE LAWMAKER AS QUOTE “MR. MCBRIDE.”
WHILE MCBRIDE TOOK IT IN STRIDE – THANKSING SELF BY REFERRING TO HIM AS MADAM CHAIR – A FELLOW DEMOCRAT CALLED SELF OUT PUBLICLY.
[REP. KEITH SELF]
“I now recognize the representative from Delaware, Mr. McBride.”
[REP. SARAH MCBRIDE]
“Thank you, Madam Chair.”
[REP. WILLIAM KEATING]
“Mr. Chairman, could you repeat your introduction again, please?”
[REP. KEITH SELF]
“Yes. It’s a… We have set the standard on the floor of the House, and I’m simply.”
[REP. WILLIAM KEATING]
“What is that standard, Mr. Chairman? Would you repeat what you just said when you introduced a duly elected representative from the United States of America, please.”
[REP. KEITH SELF]
“I will. The representative from Delaware, Mr. McBride.”
[REP. WILLIAM KEATING]
“Mr. Chairman, you are out of order. Mr. Chairman, have you no decency? I mean, I have come to know you a little bit, but this is not decent. You will not continue with me unless you introduce a duly elected representative the right way.”
[REP. KEITH SELF]
“This hearing is adjourned.”
[JACK AYLMER]
SELF RESPONDED TO A VIDEO OF THE CONFRONTATION ON X – DOUBLING DOWN ON HIS COMMENTS, SAYING QUOTE, “IT IS THE POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES TO RECOGNIZE TWO SEXES: MALE AND FEMALE” – REFERRING TO AN EXECUTIVE ORDER SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP JUST HOURS AFTER HIS INAUGURATION IN JANUARY.
MCBRIDE ALSO COMMENTED ON THE EXCHANGE ON X – SAYING, “NO MATTER HOW I’M TREATED BY SOME COLLEAGUES, NOTHING DIMINISHES MY AWE AND GRATITUDE AT GETTING TO REPRESENT DELAWARE IN CONGRESS.
IT IS TRULY THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OF A LIFETIME.
I SIMPLY WANT TO SERVE AND TO TRY TO MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE.”
IN AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT LATER TUESDAY NIGHT – MCBRIDE SAID SHE WAS “DISAPPOINTED” SELF ENDED THE MEETING EARLY.
THE COMMITTEE HAD BEEN GATHERED TO DISCUSS THE STATE DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS POLICIES ON ARMS CONTROL, INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND U-S ASSISTANCE TO EUROPE.
NO WORD YET ON IF OR WHEN THAT MEETING WILL BE RESCHEDULED.
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Media Landscape
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Left 48%
Center 13%
Right 39%
Bias Summary
Bias Comparison
Media outlets on the left
emphasize the tensions and exchanges between representatives, highlighting the incident’s implications for transgender recognition in politics.
Media outlets on the right
emphasize Rep. Bill Keating’s reaction, framing the incident as a confrontation and demanding respect towards McBride.
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Bias Distribution
58 other sources covering this story
Total News Sources
58
Leaning Left
22
Center
6
Leaning Right
18
Last Updated
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Tags: Death, DEI, Diversity and inclusion programs, Donald Trump, Executive Order, flooding, hurricane, Hurricane Helene, Hurricane season, natural disaster, North Carolina, White House
[KENNEDY FELTON]
A HURRICANE RECOVERY PLAN IS BEING REJECTED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, BECAUSE OFFICIALS SAY IT CONFLICTS WITH AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO END D-E-I INITIATIVES.
THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT REJECTED
ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA’S PLAN.
HUD SECRETARY SCOTT TURNER SAYING IN A STATEMENT IT WAS BECAUSE THE “DRAFT PLAN INCORPORATED D-E-I CRITERIA TO PRIORITIZE SOME IMPACTED RESIDENTS OVER OTHERS, WHICH WAS UNNACCEPTABLE.”
TURNER SAID AFTER NOTIFYING ASHEVILLE OF THE REJECTION “THE CITY ASSURED US THAT IT WAS UPDATING ITS DRAFT ACTION PLAN TO BE COMPLIANT.”
ASHEVILLE INTRODUCED ITS 125 PAGE DRAFT PLAN LAST WEEK WITH 225 MILLION DOLLARS IN PROPOSED HUD FUNDS, 130 MILLION DOLLARS OF WHICH WOULD BE SPENT ON INFRASTRUCTURE.
HUD TOOK ISSUE WITH A PORTION ON PAGE 76 WHICH READ, “WITHIN THE SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT PROGRAM, THE CITY WILL PRIORITIZE ASSISTANCE FOR MINORITY AND WOMEN OWNED BUSINESS WITHIN THE SCORING CRITERIA OUTLINED WITHIN THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.”
TURNER WRITING, “LET ME BE CLEAR D-E-I- IS DEAD AT HUD. WE WILL NOT PROVIDE FUNDING TO ANY PROGRAM OR GRANTEE THAT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP’S EXECUTIVE ORDERS.”
TRUMP SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER ON HIS FIRST DAY IN OFFICE SEEKING TO END D-E-I PROGRAMS IN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHICH HE CALLS “DISCRIMINATORY.”
NORTH CAROLINA REPORTEDLY SUSTAINED NEARLY 60 BILLION DOLLARS IN DAMAGE FROM HURRICANE HELENE AND THE ASHEVILLE AREA SUFFERED SOME OF THE WORST DEVASTATION INCLUDING DEADLY MUDSLIDES AND FLOODING.
FOR MORE ON THIS STORY– DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP OR VISIT SAN DOT COM.
FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS – I’M KENNEDY FELTON.
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The Center
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30 other sources covering this story
Total News Sources
30
Leaning Left
1
Center
8
Leaning Right
8
Last Updated
4 weeks ago
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