Schumer signals GOP funding bill support as shutdown deadline nears
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A key Senate Democrat says he will vote to support a House Republican budget bill to prevent a government shutdown. And an American Airlines flight catches fire in Denver, forcing nearly 200 passengers to evacuate onto the wing to escape flames and smoke. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, March 14, 2025.
Schumer says he’ll back GOP spending bill to avoid government shutdown
As a federal government shutdown approaches, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer reversed his position on a Republican spending bill that would maintain government funding at its current level through September.
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On Wednesday, Schumer spoke on the House floor, stating that the measure would not receive enough Democratic votes to help Republicans reach 60 and pass it. However, by Thursday, Schumer remarked that not passing the bill would be worse for Americans.
“For Donald Trump, a shutdown would be a gift. It would be the best distraction he could ask for from his awful agenda. Right now, Donald Trump owns the chaos in the government. He owns the chaos in the stock market. He owns the damage happening to our economy from one end of the country to the other,” Schumer said.
“I believe it is my job to make the best choice for the country to minimize the harms to the American people,” he continued. “Therefore, I will vote to keep the government open and not shut it down.”
Schumer’s support suggests that Republicans are likely to clear the 60-vote threshold required to pass the bill, but it does not guarantee that will happen.
At least seven Democrats will need to join with Republicans to send the bill to President Donald Trump’s desk before Friday’s 11:59 p.m. ET shutdown deadline.
Even with Schumer’s support, several Democratic senators have spoke out, stating they will not vote in favor of the stopgap.
Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock made it clear he’s among them, saying in a post on X, “The entire conversation around government funding is Washington at its worst. I cannot in good conscience vote for a bill that increases costs for Georgians, defunds care for service members, and slashes investments in education and healthcare.”
The entire conversation around government funding is Washington at its worst. I cannot in good conscience vote for a bill that increases costs for Georgians, defunds care for servicemembers, and slashes investments in education and health care.
— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) March 13, 2025
I am voting NO on the partisan… pic.twitter.com/ZAlwhieiLm
Both Arizona Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego also said no. Kelly said, “I cannot vote for the Republican plan to give unchecked power to Donald Trump and Elon Musk.”
Gallego also highlighted the president’s relationship with billionaire Elon Musk as part of his rationale for opposing the bill, stating, “I won’t stand by and allow Trump to gut resources for hardworking Arizonans all to give Elon and his friends a tax cut.”
If passed, the bill would cut non-defense spending by about $13 billion and boost defense spending by around $6 billion. The bill would also grant the Trump administration greater authority over how the funds are allocated.
A final vote is expected Friday.
Putin lays out terms for ceasefire agreement with Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he agrees to a U.S.-brokered 30-day ceasefire plan, but still has some important questions.
At a news conference Thursday, Putin suggested that Ukraine halt mobilization and any training of its troops, and that other nations stop supplying weapons to Kyiv during the ceasefire.
The news conference came as Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, arrived in Moscow to brief Kremlin officials on the U.S.-backed peace plan.
Ukrainian officials have already accepted the ceasefire proposal.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to Putin’s comments, accusing him of prolonging the negotiations rather than completely rejecting the deal.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has imposed additional sanctions on Russian oil, gas and banking sectors.
Trump urges SCOTUS to review birthright citizenship case
The legal battle over whether to end birthright citizenship in the United States heads to the Supreme Court.
Lawyers for Trump asked the Supreme Court on Thursday, March 13, to lift a nationwide pause on the president’s order ending birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants and foreign residents.
Critics of the president’s order, including legal experts, argued that it violates the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to anyone born in the U.S.
The Trump administration claimed that lower courts overstepped their bounds by issuing nationwide injunctions that blocked the policy.
Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris wants the court to restrict lower court injunctions to individuals or groups that sued regarding Trump’s executive order — and possibly to residents of the Democratic-led states that challenged it as well.
In the meantime, the president is reportedly expected to invoke a little-known 18th-century law that would expedite his mass deportation pledge.
The Alien Enemies Act of 1798 grants the president the authority to detain or deport the nationals and citizens of an enemy nation.
The Trump administration would use the law to target members of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which the president designated as a foreign terrorist organization on his first day in office.
The U.S. has invoked the law three times — all during wartime, with the last instance occurring during World War II.
American Airlines plane catches fire after emergency landing in Denver
An American Airlines plane carrying 178 people from Colorado Springs to Dallas-Fort Worth was forced to make an emergency landing in Denver after the crew reported vibrations coming from the engine.
After the Boeing 737-800 landed around 5:15 p.m. local time, it caught fire while taxiing to the gate. Passengers were forced to stand on the wing to escape the danger as smoke poured from the aircraft.
A spokesperson for the airport said that a dozen individuals sustained minor injuries and were transported to the hospital.
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into the incident.
At least six high-profile plane incidents have occurred to start 2025, including a deadly mid-air collision between an American Airlines flight and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C.
In late January, a plane on a medical mission crashed into a neighborhood in Philadelphia just days later. Additionally, there were two deadly plane crashes in Arizona and one in Alaska.
Across the northern border, a Delta flight from Minneapolis skidded off the runway and flipped over while landing at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.
Weekend storms to bring severe weather across US
The National Weather Service reported that a cross-country storm will intensify as it moves over the central U.S. on Friday, bringing extreme weather to millions through the weekend.
The system is developing to create a widespread and severe thunderstorm outbreak across the Mississippi Valley and the South on Friday afternoon, bringing the threat of tornadoes, damaging wind gusts and large hail.
On the northern side of the storm, its winds could generate blizzard-like conditions in the Midwest.
The tornado threat is expected to increase Saturday, March 15, with the Storm Prediction Center saying the South will experience the most destructive weather.
As millions prepare for these storms, there’s an increased wildfire threat. The Storm Prediction Center warned that winds will create extremely critical fire weather conditions from Texas through Kansas.
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SpaceX to attempt Starliner launch again to bring stranded astronauts home
SpaceX announced it has fixed the hydraulic issue that delayed its Starliner mission Wednesday, March 12, and the crew is once again cleared for takeoff Friday night.
The mission, if successful, would bring two stranded American astronauts home from the International Space Station.
Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams have been stuck in space since June 2024, after launching on the Boeing Starliner for a weeklong mission. However, the Starliner returned without a crew in September 2024 due to several issues with the spacecraft.
The SpaceX mission will bring four new astronauts to the ISS.
SpaceX managers postponed the launch Wednesday, less than an hour before liftoff, due to a problem with a support clamp arm on the Falcon 9 rocket. The clamps hold the rocket on the pad; if they do not open evenly, the rocket could tip.
Friday’s launch is scheduled for 7:03 p.m. ET.
Tags: American Airlines, budget, ceasefire, Chuck Schumer, Denver, Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Government Shutdown, International Space Station, Russia, Russia-Ukraine War, SpaceX, Spending, Ukraine
[CRAIG NIGRELLI]
GOOD MORNING
I’M CRAIG NIGRELLI
IT’S FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2025.
AND THESE ARE YOUR UNBIASED UPDATES:
AN ABOUT FACE ON A STOP-GAP FEDERAL SPENDING BILL. THE KEY DEMOCRAT WHO HAS DECIDED TO VOTE “YES”, WHY NOW AND WHAT TO EXPECT LATER TODAY, AS THE CLOCK TICKS TOWARD A POSSIBLE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.
ALSO, AN AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT, CATCHES FIRE WITH NEARLY 200 PEOPLE BOARD., PASSENGERS FORCED TO CLIMB OUT, ONTO THE WING TO GET AWAY FROM THE FLAMES AND SMOKE. THE DISASTER IN DENVER AND THE NUMBER OF TRAVELERS WHO GOT HURT.
AS A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN LOOMS IN A MATTER OF HOURS — SENATE MINORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER IS DOING A 180 ON HIS STANCE ON A REPUBLICAN SPENDING BILL THAT WOULD KEEP THE GOVERNMENT FUNDED, AT ITS CURRENT LEVEL, THOUGH SEPTEMBER.
ON WEDNESDAY — THE NEW YORK DEMOCRAT SPOKE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, SAYING THE MEASURE WOULD NOT GET ENOUGH DEMOCRATIC VOTES to HELP REPUBLICANS GET TO 60 AND PASS IT, BUT BY THURSDAY, SCHUMER SAID NOT PASSING THE BILL WOULD BE WORSE FOR AMERICANS.
Schumer said,
“For Donald Trump, a shutdown would be a gift. It would be the best distraction he could ask for from his awful agenda. Right now, Donald Trump owns the chaos in the government. He owns the chaos in the stock market. He owns the damage happening to our economy from one end of the country to the other.”
He continued,
“I believe it is my job to make the best choice for the country to minimize the harms to the American people. Therefore, I will vote to keep the government open and not shut it down. There is nobody in the world, nobody who wants to shut the government down more than Donald Trump and more than Elon Musk. We should not give it to them. Make no mistake, Democrats will continue to fight what Donald Trump is doing.”
SCHUMER’S SUPPORT INDICATES REPUBLICANS ARE LIKELY TO CLEAR THE 60-VOTE THRESHOLD NEEDED TO PASS THE BILL — BUT DOES NOT GUARANTEE IT.
AT LEAST SEVEN DEMOCRATS WILL NEED TO JOIN WITH REPUBLICANS TO SEND THE BILL TO PRESIDENT TRUMP’S DESK IN TIME TO AVOID tonight’s 11:59 P-M SHUTDOWN deadline.
EVEN WITH SCHUMER’S SUPPORT, VARIOUS DEMOCRATIC SENATORS HAVE SPOKEN OUT, SAYING THEY WILL NOT VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE STOPGAP.
GEORGIA SENATOR RAPHAEL WARNOCK MADE CLEAR HE’S AMONG THEM — saying IN A POST ON X… QUOTE “THE ENTIRE CONVERSATION AROUND GOVERNMENT FUNDING IS WASHINGTON AT ITS WORST.
I CANNOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE VOTE FOR A BILL THAT INCREASES COSTS FOR GEORGIANS, DEFUNDS CARE FOR SERVICE MEMBERS, AND SLASHES INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE.”
Both ARIZONA SENATORS MARK KELLY AND RUBEN GALLEGO ALSO SAID IT’S A NO FROM THEM — WITH KELLY SAYING QUOTE “I CANNOT VOTE FOR THE REPUBLICAN PLAN TO GIVE UNCHECKED POWER TO DONALD TRUMP AND ELON MUSK.”
GALLEGO ALSO HIGHLIGHTING THE PRESIDENT’S RELATIONSHIP WITH BILLIONAIRE ELON MUSK IN HIS REASONING FOR SAYING NO TO THE BILL — posting to X, saying,
“I WON’T STAND BY AND ALLOW TRUMP TO GUT RESOURCES FOR HARDWORKING ARIZONANS ALL TO GIVE ELON AND HIS FRIENDS A TAX CUT”
IF PASSED, THE BILL WOULD CUT NON-DEFENSE SPENDING BY ABOUT 13 BILLION DOLLARS AND BOOST DEFENSE SPENDING BY ABOUT 6 BILLION.
THE BILL WOULD ALSO GIVE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MORE POWER OVER HOW THE MONEY IS SPENT.
A FINAL VOTE IS EXPECTED LATER TODAY.
NOW TO THE WAR IN UKRAINE — RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN SAYS HE AGREES TO A U-S BROKERED 30-DAY CEASEFIRE PLAN, BUT HE STILL HAS SOME IMPORTANT QUESTIONS.
AT A NEWS CONFERENCE THURSDAY — PUTIN SUGGESTED UKRAINE HALT MOBILIZATION AND ANY TRAINING OF ITS TROOPS AND THAT OTHER NATIONS STOP SUPPLYING WEAPONS TO KYIV DURING THE CEASEFIRE.
THE NEWS CONFERENCE CAME AS PRESIDENT TRUMP’S SPECIAL ENVOY STEVE WITKOFF ARRIVED IN MOSCOW TO BRIEF KREMLIN OFFICIALS ON THE U.S.-backed PEACE PLAN.
UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS ALREADY ACCEPTED THE CEASEFIRE PROPOSAL.
UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY RESPONDED TO PUTIN’S COMMENTS — ACCUSING HIM OF DRAGGING OUT THE NEGOTIATIONS RATHER THAN REJECTING THE DEAL COMPLETELY.
MEANWHILE, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS PLACED MORE SANCTIONS ON RUSSIAN OIL, GAS AND BANKING SECTORS.
THE LEGAL BATTLE OVER WHETHER TO END BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP IN THE UNITED STATES IS HEADED TO THE SUPREME COURT.
LAWYERS FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP ASKED THE SUPREME COURT ON THURSDAY TO LIFT A NATIONWIDE PAUSE ON THE PRESIDENT’S ORDER ENDING BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP FOR THE CHILDREN OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS AND FOREIGN RESIDENTS.
Critics of the president’s order including LEGAL EXPERTS SAY it VIOLATES THE 14-TH AMENDMENT THAT GRANTS ANYONE BORN IN THE UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP.
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ARGUES LOWER COURTS WENT TOO FAR IN HANDING DOWN NATIONWIDE INJUNCTIONS BLOCKING THE POLICY.
ACTING SOLICITOR GENERAL SARAH HARRIS WANTS THE COURT TO LIMIT LOWER COURT INJUNCTIONS TO INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS THAT SUED OVER TRUMP’S EXECUTIVE ORDER — AND POTENTIALLY TO PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE DEMOCRATIC-LED STATES THAT CHALLENGED IT, AS WELL.
MEANTIMES, — THE PRESIDENT REPORTEDLY IS EXPECTED TO INVOKE A LITTLE-KNOWN 18TH-CENTURY LAW THAT WOULD SPEED UP HIS MASS DEPORTATION PLEDGE..
THE ALIEN ENEMIES ACT OF 17-98 GIVES THE PRESIDENT AUTHORITY TO DETAIN OR DEPORT THE NATIVES AND CITIZENS OF AN ENEMY NATION.
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WOULD USE THE LAW TO TARGET MEMBERS OF THE VIOLENT VENEZUELAN GANG TREN DE ARAGUA — WHICH THE PRESIDENT DESIGNATED A FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION ON HIS FIRST DAY IN OFFICE.
The U.S. has invoked the law three times — all during wartime, with the last time being during World War 2.
THIS MORNING, we have ANOTHER AIRLINE DISASTER this year TO TELL YOU ABOUT. THIS TIME IN COLORADO.
AN AMERICAN AIRLINES PLANE THAT WAS FLYING FROM COLORADO SPRINGS TO DALLAS-FORT WORTH, WITH 178 people on board, WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN DENVER AFTER THE CREW REPORTED THAT VIBRATIONS WERE COMING FROM THE ENGINE.
AFTER THE PLANE LANDED AT ABOUT 5:15 LAST NIGHT, IT CAUGHT FIRE, WHILE TAXIING TO THE GATE. PASSENGERS WERE FORCED TO STAND ON THE WING, TO TRY TO GET OUT OF HARM’S WAY, AS SMOKE POURED FROM THE PLANE.
A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE AIRPORT SAYS A DOZEN PEOPLE SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AND were taken to THE HOSPITAL.
THE PLANE IS A BOEING 737-800.
THE F-A-A IS NOW INVESTIGATING.
THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST A HALF-DOZEN HIGH-PROFILE PLANE INCIDENTS TO START 2025, INCLUDING A DEADLY MID-AIR COLLISION BETWEEN AN AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT AND A BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER NEAR WASHINGTON D.C.
IN LATE JANUARY. A PLANE ON A MEDICAL MISSION CRASHED INTO A NEIGHBORHOOD JUST DAYS LATER IN PHILADELPHIA. THERE WERE ALSO TWO DEADLY PLANE CRASHES IN ARIZONA RECENTLY AND ONE IN ALASKA.
And — ACROSS THE BORDER, A DELTA FLIGHT FROM MINNEAPOLIS SKIDDED OFF THE RUNWAY AND FLIPPED OVER WHILE LANDING AT TORONTO’S PEARSON INTERNATIONAL
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS A CROSS-COUNTRY STORM WILL intensify IN STRENGTH AS IT MOVES OVER THE CENTRAL U-S TODAY — BRINGING EXTREME WEATHER TO MILLIONS THROUGH THE WEEKEND.
THE SYSTEM IS SHAPING UP TO CREATE A WIDESPREAD SEVERE THUNDERSTORM OUTBREAK ACROSS THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY AND THE SOUTH FRIDAY AFTERNOON — WITH THE THREAT OF TORNADOES, DAMAGING WIND GUSTS AND LARGE HAIL.
ON THE STORM’S NORTHERN SIDE, ITS WINDS COULD CREATE BLIZZARD-LIKE CONDITIONS IN THE MIDWEST.
THE TORNADO THREAT IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE ON SATURDAY, WITH THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER SAYING THE SOUTH WILL SEE THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE WEATHER.
AS MILLIONS BRACE FOR THESE STORMS — THERE’S AN INCREASED WILDFIRE THREAT… WITH THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER SAYING WINDS WILL LEAD TO EXTREMELY CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS FROM TEXAS THROUGH KANSAS.
FINALLY THIS MORNING — FINGERS are most likely being CROSSED at BOTH CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA AND THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION after hearing some SOME ENCOURAGING NEWS.
SPACEX SAYS THE HYDRAULIC ISSUE THAT POSTPONED its MISSION WEDNESDAY, IS NOW FIXED AND THE CREW IS ONCE AGAIN, CLEAR FOR TAKEOFF tonight.
THE MISSION, IF SUCCESSFUL, WOULD BRING TWO STRANDED American ASTRONAUTS, HOME, FROM THE SPACE STATION.
BUTCH WILMORE AND SUNI WILLIAMS HAVE BEEN IN SPACE SINCE JUNE OF LAST YEAR AFTER THEY WENT-UP ON THE BOEING STARLINER for a weeklong mission. BUT THE STARLINER RETURNED, UNMANNED, IN SEPTEMBER DUE TO SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE SPACECRAFT.
THE SPACEX MISSION WILL BRING FOUR new astronauts TO THE I-S-S. SPACEX MANAGERS POSTPONED THE LAUNCH WEDNESDAY, LESS THAN AN HOUR BEFORE LIFTOFF, DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH A SUPPORT CLAMP ARM ON THE FALCON 9 ROCKET. THE CLAMPS HOLD THE ROCKET ON THE PAD AND IF THEY DO NOT OPEN EVENLY, it COULD CAUSE THE ROCKET TO TIP.
TONIGHT’S LAUNCH IS SET FOR 7:03 PM EASTERN AND THE WEATHER LOOKS LIKE IT WILL COOPERATE.
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- Columbia University said it has expelled, suspended and revoked the temporary degrees of students involved in the April 2024 occupation of Hamilton Hall during pro-Palestinian protests. The announcement comes less than a week after ICE detained a prominent figure in Columbia’s pro-Palestinian protests.
- Columbia’s judicial board issued the punishments, emphasizing its commitment to enforcing university policies.
- This action follows the Trump administration’s revocation of $400 million in federal funding, alleging the university’s inaction against antisemitism.
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Columbia University officials confirmed that the institution expelled, suspended and revoked temporary degrees of students who participated in the occupation of Hamilton Hall during pro-Palestinian protests in April 2024. At the time, the New York City Police Department arrested nearly 100 individuals after protesters barricaded themselves inside the campus building.
Columbia issues a statement on the punishments
Columbia’s University Judicial Board determined the punishments and issued a statement. It reads, “The return of suspended students will be overseen by Columbia’s University Life Office. Columbia is committed to enforcing the university’s rules and policies and improving our disciplinary processes.”
The exact number of students facing repercussions is unclear.
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The university handed down the punishments less than a week after the Trump administration revoked $400 million in federal funding to Columbia. The administration alleges that the institution has failed to address antisemitism on campus.
Columbia/Barnard Hillel responds
Brian Cohen, the executive director of the Columbia/Barnard Hillel at the Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life, posted on X, “This ruling is an important first step in righting the wrongs of the past year and a half. I am grateful to the rules administrator and other members of the administration for their roles in ensuring these cases were resolved.”
ICE detains Columbia graduate student
Earlier this week, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained former Columbia graduate student and U.S. green card holder Mahmoud Khalil, who served as a student liaison during the pro-Palestinian protests and encampments last spring.
According to the Associated Press, Khalil did not participate in the Hamilton Hall occupation.
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Protesters, many of whom are Jewish, occupied Trump Tower in New York City Thursday, March 13, demanding Khalil’s release. Nearly 100 demonstrators were led away in handcuffs by NYPD officers.
Khalil is currently being held in a detention facility in Louisiana. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed interest in deporting Khalil.
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS SAY THE PRIVATE IVY LEAGUE SCHOOL HAS EXPELLED, SUSPENDED – AND EVEN REVOKED TEMPORARY DEGREES – OF STUDENTS WHO PARTOOK IN THE TAKEOVER OF HAMILTON HALL ON CAMPUS DURING PRO-PALESTIANIAN RIOTS IN APRIL 2024.
THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRESTED NEARLY 100 PEOPLE AFTER PROTESTERS BARRICADED THEMSELVES INSIDE THE CAMPUS BUILDING.
COLUMBIA’S JUDICIAL BOARD DETERMINED THE PUNISHMENTS AND RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING “THE RETURN OF SUSPENDED STUDENTS WILL BE OVERSEEN BY COLUMBIA’S UNIVERSITY LIFE OFFICE. COLUMBIA IS COMMITTED TO ENFORCING THE UNIVERSITY’S RULES AND POLICIES AND IMPROVING OUR DISCIPLINARY PROCESSES.”
COLUMBIA LEVIED THE PUNISHMENTS LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION REVOKED $400 MILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO THE UNIVERSITY SAYING THE IVY LEAGUE INSTITUTION FAILED TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST ANTISEMITISM ON CAMPUS.
BRIAN COHEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COLUMBIA/BARNARD HILLEL POSTED ON X:
“THIS RULING IS AN IMPORTANT FIRST STEP IN RIGHTING THE WRONGS OF THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF. I AM GRATEFUL TO THE RULES ADMINISTRATOR AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATION FOR THEIR ROLES IN ENSURING THESE CASES WERE RESOLVED,” HE SAID.
THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO RECEIVED A PUNISHMENT IS UNCLEAR.
EARLIER THIS WEEK, US IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT DETAINED FORMER COLUMBIA GRADUATE STUDENT AND GREEN CARD HOLDER, MAHMOUD KHALIL, CLAIMING HE WAS THE LIASON OF A STUDENT GROUP AT COLUMBIA WHO LED THE PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTS LAST SPRING.
AT THIS TIME, THE SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO IS LOOKING TO DEPORT KHALIL WHO IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD IN A DETENTION FACILITY IN LOUISIANA.
PROTESTERS DEMANDING KHALIL’S RELEASE OCCUPIED TRUMP TOWER IN NEW YORK CITY THURSDAY ENDING WITH NEARLY 100 PROTESTERS IN HANDCUFFS AND BEING LED AWAY BY NYPD OFFICERS.
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- American influencer Sam Jones might lose her visa after a viral video showed her taking a baby wombat from its mother. Australian officials claim her actions may have violated wildlife protection laws, causing public outrage.
- Australian immigration authorities are investigating Jones’ actions and reviewing her visa status.
- Disney star China Anne McClain also faced backlash for mishandling wildlife, emphasizing the importance of adhering to local wildlife laws.
Full Story
An American influencer in Australia is facing potential visa revocation after a viral video showed her taking a baby wombat from its mother. Officials say her actions may have violated wildlife protection laws.
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Sam Jones, a self-proclaimed outdoor enthusiast and hunter with over 92,000 Instagram followers, shared the now-deleted video on social media. The footage showed her picking up a baby wombat while its mother chased after her.
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The video quickly gained traction online and captured Jones and the cameraman laughing while holding the joey. Moments later, the cameraman pointed to the mother wombat chasing behind them.
Wildlife advocates and Australian officials condemned the video, calling it distressing and irresponsible. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese weighed in on the controversy during a press conference.
“To take a baby wombat from its mother and clearly cause distress to the mother is just an outrage,” Albanese said.
Visa under review
Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says Jones’ actions prompted an investigation by Australian immigration authorities, according to CNN. Officials are now reviewing her visa status to determine whether she violated its conditions.
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act protects native Australian wildlife. While wombats are not endangered, interfering with them could be considered illegal. Penalties for wildlife offenses vary by state but can include up to seven years in prison and fines of nearly $150,000.
Albanese took a sharp tone when addressing the situation.
“Maybe she might try some other Australian animals,” he said. “Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there.”
Amid the backlash, Jones’ Instagram was set to private, and her TikTok appears to have been deleted. A government source told The Guardian that she left Australia Friday morning, March 14.
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China Anne McClain’s sea turtle controversy
This is not the first time an influencer has faced criticism for mishandling wildlife.
Disney star China Anne McClain recently apologized after posting a now-deleted video of herself touching sea turtles in Hawaii.
The incident sparked backlash, as Hawaiian law protects the endangered species from human interference.
Both incidents serve as reminders that travelers should educate themselves about local wildlife laws. Respecting nature and following regulations can help avoid controversy — and legal trouble — while abroad.
[KENNEDY FELTON]
AN AMERICAN INFLUENCER IN AUSTRALIA COULD HAVE HER VISA REVOKED FOR DOING EXACTLY WHAT MADE HER WELL-KNOWN – INTERACTING WITH WILDLIFE.
SAM JONES – A SELF PROCLAIMED Outdoor enthusiast & hunter with more than 92-thousand instagram followers – shared THIS NOW DELETED VIDEO TAKEN IN AUSTRALIA… SPARKING OUTRAGE AFTER SHE PICKED UP A BABY WOMBAT AND RAN OFF WITH IT.
“LOOK AT THE MOTHER.. OH IT’S CHASING AFTER EM”
AND NOW – Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke SAYS OFFICIALS ARE REVIEWING HER VISA TO SEE IF SHE BREACHED CONDITIONS… WHICH COULD LEAD TO IT BEING REVOKED ACCORDING TO C-N-N.
“TO TAKE A BABY WOMBAT FROM ITS MOTHER AND CLEARLY CAUSE DISTRESS FROM THE MOTHER IS JUST AN OUTRAGE.
WHILE WOMBAT POPULATIONS ARE NOT CONSIDERED ENDANGERED… A WILDLIFE AND RESCUE SERVICE TELLS AN AUSTRALIAN MEDIA OUTLET THAT JONES’ ACT COULD BE ILLEGAL. AUSTRALIAN ANIMALS ARE PROTECTED UNDER THE Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act… AND PENALTIES VARY BY STATE – WITH PEOPLE WHO BREAK THE LAW POTENTIALLY FACING UP TO SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON AND FINES TOTALING NEARLY 150-THOUSAND DOLLARS.
“MAYBE SHE MIGHT TRY SOME OTHER AUSTRALIAN ANIMALS. TAKE A BABY CROCODILE FROM ITS MOTHER AND SEE HOW YOU GO THERE.”
AS OF THURSDAY… HER INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT APPEARS TO BE PRIVATE AND HER TIKTOK HAS BEEN DELETED. A GOVERNMENT SOURCE TELLS THE GUARDIAN JONES LEFT AUSTRALIA FRIDAY MORNING LOCAL TIME.
THIS INCIDENT HIGHLIGHTS A BROADER ISSUE OF IMPORTANCE OF RESPECTING WILDLIFE AND UNDERSTANDING LOCAL LAWS WHILE ENGAGING WITH NATIVE SPECIES.
SIMILARLY… FORMER DISNEY STAR CHINA ANNE MCCLAIN FACED BACKLASH EARLIER IN MARCH AFTER POSTING AN OLD VIDEO OF HERSELF TOUCHING RESTING SEA TURTLES DURING A VACATION IN HAWAII 2 YEARS AGO. EVEN HAWAII’S GOVERNOR – JOSH GREEN – RESPONDED… TELLING HER TO EDUCATE HERSELF ON HAWAII LAWS.
UNAWARE OF THE GUIDELINES PROTECTING THESE CREATURES.. MCCLAIN APOLOGIZED – EXPRESSING DEEP RESPECT FOR HAWAIIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE.
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Center 36%
Right 29%
Bias Summary
- Primis semper et iaculis vitae porta magnis bibendum lorem consectetur penatibus nostra conubia, egestas scelerisque adipiscing parturient feugiat sodales aliquet felis pharetra faucibus lectus.
- Integer vulputate venenatis cras parturient congue tempus phasellus amet lorem bibendum ridiculus, curabitur augue arcu per aptent dolor libero felis praesent.
- Eu maximus ornare metus hendrerit vitae fames conubia phasellus neque primis mauris tincidunt, volutpat laoreet ex suspendisse quisque torquent tortor purus nec nisi curabitur.
Bias Comparison
The Left
lacus lobortis fames suspendisse nec quis iaculis molestie quam pharetra, sodales etiam dolor bibendum laoreet himenaeos integer mollis dapibus, accumsan eget pellentesque at litora ad felis habitant.
The Center
dui ad nibh nulla vel dictum litora finibus mus viverra ultrices faucibus, hac dictumst vivamus nam quam vitae primis phasellus urna ante.
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Bias Distribution
137 other sources covering this story
Total News Sources
137
Leaning Left
30
Center
30
Leaning Right
24
Last Updated
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- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced he would no longer block the Republican spending bill, avoiding a potential government shutdown despite his opposition to the resolution.
- Schumer warned that a shutdown could enable the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to further its goal of reducing the federal workforce, criticizing the administration’s intentions.
- Democrats hoped to push for a 30-day stopgap extension to allow bipartisan compromise. Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman expressed support for the Republican-backed resolution, opposing any government shutdown.
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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., says he will not continue to hold up the Republican spending bill, a move that would have likely led to a government shutdown on Friday night. The New York Democrat spoke on the Senate floor, saying the effects of a shutdown are a worst-case scenario for the American people.
“No one on my side of the aisle wants a government shutdown,” Schumer said Thursday.
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He maintained his opposition to the resolution but walked back from statements he made Wednesday. Schumer had said Republicans lacked the votes to escape a filibuster from Democrats opposed to spending cuts in the measure.
“It’s not really a decision, it’s a Hobson’s choice,” Schumer said. “Either proceed with the bill before us or risk Donald Trump rolling America into the chaos of a shutdown.”
Schumer told colleagues in a closed-door meeting before he made his floor speech.
DOGE looms
Schumer warned that the administration, particularly the Department of Government Efficiency, would capitalize on a government shutdown to further its goal of reducing the federal workforce.
“There is nobody in the world, nobody, who wants to shut the government down more than Donald Trump and more than Elon Musk,” he said.
Other plans
Democrats were hoping to force Republicans to consider a separate 30-day stopgap extension that would open the door to a bipartisan compromise.
Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman is one of the only Democrats who have said they would support the Republican-backed resolution. He told reporters on Thursday that lawmakers shouldn’t ever shut down the government.
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- The women’s NCAA Tournament field is filling up fast as automatic qualifiers win their conference tournaments to get in. The top seeds in the Big Dance are also nearly set.
- The top four teams seem to be UCLA, USC, South Carolina and Texas.
- There are also bubble teams hoping to impress the selection committee one last time.
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Of the 68 teams making the field for the women’s NCAA basketball tournament, 31 will qualify through automatic bids after winning their conference tournaments. So far, 15 of those auto bids have been earned, as 16 more compete across the country over the next few days.
Who are the likely top seeds?
There’s no mystery as to who the No. 1 seeds are. UCLA is back on top after they picked up a little payback over USC in the Big 10 tournament final on Sunday, March 9. The Bruins’ only two losses in the regular season were to the Trojans, so beating them in the tournament gave the team some added juice heading into the Big Dance.
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“I think it just reminds us of what we’re really good at, and I think sometimes when things aren’t going your way, you can either lack confidence or doubt yourself,” Bruins guard Londynn Jones said. “I think that’s just a really good way, and a reminder to remind us what we’re capable of, and what we’ve been doing, what we should continue to do.”
Why does South Carolina deserve a top seed?
On the same level as the Bruins are the South Carolina Gamecocks. The team won two of the last three national titles and also used the revenge factor on Sunday to get back to the top. They lost to Texas in the regular season, which didn’t sit well with head coach Dawn Staley’s group. They took it out on the Longhorns in the SEC final, winning by 19 points.
“When you win this tournament and play the schedule that we play, I do think we’re the No. 1 overall seed,” Staley said. “We manufactured our schedule to put ourselves in this situation. So, I hope the committee doesn’t discount our entire résumé. There isn’t anybody in the country that has played the schedule that we have played, that had share of the regular-season title, won this tournament and beat the No. 1 team in the country. There is no one.”
Does Texas have a case for a No. 1 seed?
Texas might dispute that. The Longhorns feel things would be different had they not scored just six points in the second quarter. Texas should also earn a No. 1 seed, and don’t be surprised if the committee sets up a rematch with South Carolina somewhere in the bracket.
“One quarter, one game, certainly doesn’t define our season or who we are or what we’ve put together,” said Texas head coach Vic Schaefer. “I don’t think anyone is going to evaluate us on one quarter. You know, this team is 31-3, they have earned their way, they have been through the gauntlet.”
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What about the best of the rest?
The final top seed will likely be USC despite their second-place finish in the Big 10. UConn and Notre Dame can also make a case for the final No. 1 seed. At the very least, they will be on the two-line come Sunday, March 16.
Now, all that remains to be decided are the other 16 auto bids and whether or not bubble teams like Iowa State, Washington, Princeton and Harvard will make the dance.
They’ll all be glued to the Women’s Selection show, which follows the men’s show on Sunday, March 16. The women’s bracket will be revealed on ESPN at 8 p.m. EST.
Of the 68 teams that will make the field for the women’s NCAA basketball tournament, 31 qualify through automatic bids after winning their conference tournaments.
So far, 15 of those auto bids have been earned, with 16 more to go as they play the next few days.
However, there’s no mystery as to who the number one seeds are. UCLA is back on top after they picked up a little payback over USC in Sunday’s Big Ten tournament final. The Bruins’ only two losses in the regular season were to the Trojans, so beating them in the tournament gave the team some added juice heading into the Big Dance.
“I think it just reminds us of what we’re really good at and I think sometimes when things aren’t going your way you can either lack confidence or doubt yourself and I think that’s just a really good way and a reminder to remind us what we’re capable of and what we’ve been doing what we should continue to do.”
On the same level as the Bruins – the South Carolina Gamecocks who have won two of the last three national titles and also used the revenge factor to get back to the top. They lost to Texas in the regular season and that didn’t sit well with Dawn Staley’s group. They took it out on the Longhorns in Sunday’s SEC final, winning by 19.
Texas isn’t feeling great about that, especially the 2nd quarter when they scored just six points. But they will also be a number one seed and don’t be surprised if the committee sets up a rematch with South Carolina somewhere in the bracket.
“One quarter, one game, certainly doesn’t define our season or who we are or what we’ve put together. I don’t think anyone is going to evaluate us on one quarter. Y’know, this team is 31-3 they have earned their way, they have been through the gauntlet.”
The final top seed will likely be USC despite their 2nd place finish in the Big 10 they are the only team to beat UCLA. UConn and Notre Dame can also make a case for the final number one seed but at the very least will be on the ‘two line’ come Sunday.
Now all that remains to be decided are the other 16 auto bids and whether or not bubble teams like Iowa State, Washington, Princeton and Harvard make the dance.
They’ll all be glued to the Women’s Selection show which follows the men’s show on Sunday, March 16. The women’s bracket will be revealed on ESPN at 8 p.m. EST.
For Straight Arrow News I’m Chris Francis.
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- President Trump will meet with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul at the White House Friday to discuss a long-delayed natural gas pipeline. The pipeline would stretch from Pennsylvania to New York and connect to other pipelines, allowing natural gas to flow across New England.
- Trump argues that the pipeline, previously halted in 2020 due to opposition from state leaders and environmentalists, could save New England families $5,000 per month in energy costs.
- Hochul confirmed the meeting, adding they will discuss other topics, including congestion pricing and tariffs.
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President Donald Trump will meet with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul at the White House Friday morning, March 14. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office Thursday, March 13, he said the Constitution natural gas pipeline project would be the main focus of the meeting.
“It will reduce the most expensive energy almost in the world, which is in New England, because they have no way of getting it there because it’s been held up by New York,” Trump said. “And the whole of New England and Connecticut and New York, the energy prices are through the roof, and there’s one pipeline that will save for per family $2,500 just on heating. And another $2,500 on everything else.”
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Williams Companies, the energy infrastructure company tasked with building the pipeline, halted the project in 2020 due to opposition from New York leaders and environmentalists. The company’s CEO, Alan Armstrong, told Barron’s financial magazine that he would not move forward with the project unless New York’s leaders approve it, as the company has already lost hundreds of millions of dollars.
“We’re not gonna go putting our neck out until they invite us with the red carpet rolled out,” Armstrong said.
The natural gas pipeline would stretch 124 miles –– from Pennsylvania to New York –– and connect to other pipelines, allowing natural gas to flow across New England. Trump claims the pipeline would save New England families $5,000 a month.
“In fact, the governor’s coming in, the governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, who’s a very nice woman,” Trump said. “She’s coming in tomorrow morning at 9 o’clock to meet me on that and other things.”
Hochul confirmed the meeting on her official X account, detailing her list of priorities: “There’s a lot to talk about: the massive success of congestion pricing, the impact of tariffs on New Yorkers, and much more. Looking forward to a productive conversation.”
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Trump and Hochul disagree on several issues, including Trump’s mass deportation plans, New York’s newly implemented congestion pricing toll and tariffs.
Trump said he hopes he won’t have to use federal powers to get the pipeline constructed but added that if necessary, he would.
PRESIDENT TRUMP WILL BE MEETING WITH NEW YORK GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL AT THE WHITE HOUSE FRIDAY MORNING.
WHEN TAKING QUESTIONS FROM REPORTERS IN THE OVAL OFFICE THURSDAY, TRUMP SAID HIS MAIN PRIORITY OF THE MEETING WILL BE DISCUSSING THE CONSTITUTION NATURAL GAS PIPELINE PROJECT – WHICH HE SAYS NEW YORK STATE OFFICIALS HAVE HELD UP FOR YEARS.
“IT WILL REDUCE THE MOST EXPENSIVE ENERGY ALMOST IN THE WORLD IS IN NEW ENGLAND BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO WAY OF GETTING IT THERE BECAUSE IT’S BEEN HELD UP BY NEW YORK,” THE PRESIDENT SAID. “AND THE WHOLE OF NEW ENGLAND AND CONNECTICUT AND NEW YORK, THE ENERGY PRICES ARE THROUGH THE ROOF AND THERE’S ONE PIPELINE WILL SAVE FOR PER FAMILY $2,500 JUST ON HEATING. AND ANOTHER $2,500 ON EVERYTHING ELSE.”
WILLIAMS COMPANIES, THE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE COMPANY TASKED WITH BUILDING THE PIPELINE, PULLED THE PLUG ON THE PROJECT IN 2020 BECAUSE OF OPPOSITION FROM NEW YORK LEADERS AND ENVIRONMENTALISTS. THE COMPANY’S CEO, ALAN ARMSTRONG, TOLD BARRON’S FINANCIAL MAGAZINE HE WOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT UNLESS NEW YORK’S LEADERS APPROVE IT BECAUSE THE COMPANY ALREADY LOST HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
“WE’RE NOT GONNA GO PUTTING OUR NECK OUT UNTIL THEY INVITE US WITH THE RED CARPET ROLLED OUT,” ARMSTRONG SAID.
THE NATURAL GAS PIPELINE WOULD STRETCH 124 MILES FROM PENNSYLVANIA TO NEW YORK AND WOULD CONNECT TO OTHER PIPELINES THAT WOULD ALLOW NATURAL GAS TO FLOW TO NEW ENGLAND AREAS.
TRUMP SAYS THE PIPELINE WOULD SAVE NEW ENGLAND FAMILIES $5,000 DOLLARS PER MONTH.
“IN FACT THE GOVERNOR’S COMING IN, THE GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK KATHY HOCHUL, WHO’S A VERY NICE WOMAN,” TRUMP SAID. “SHE’S COMING IN TOMORROW MORNING AT 9 O’CLOCK TO MEET ME ON THAT AND OTHER THINGS.”
GOVERNOR HOCHUL CONFIRMED THE MEETING ON HER OFFICIAL X ACCOUNT, MENTIONING HER LIST OF PRIORITIES.
“THERE’S A LOT TO TALK ABOUT: THE MASSIVE SUCCESS OF CONGESTION PRICING, THE IMPACT OF TARIFFS ON NEW YORKERS, AND MUCH MORE. LOOKING FORWARD TO A PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATION.” HOCHUL SAID IN A POST ON X.
TRUMP AND HOCHUL HAVE DISAGREED ON SEVERAL ISSUES INCLUDING TRUMP’S MASS DEPORTATION PLANS, NEW YORK’S NEWLY IMPLEMENTED CONGESTION PRICING TOLL, AND TARIFFS.
TRUMP SAID HE’S HOPING HE DOESN’T HAVE TO USE FEDERAL POWERS TO GET THE PIPELINE CONSTRUCTED BUT SAID IF HE HAS TO, HE WILL.
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- The American Heart Association opposes a Texas bill that would restrict using SNAP benefits to purchase sugary drinks and processed snacks. Critics question if corporate funding influences the AHA’s policies.
- The AHA’s opposition has sparked criticism over its history of receiving funding from major food companies like PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, raising concerns about conflicts of interest.
- An AHA spokesperson says their position on the Texas legislation was “miscommunicated.” They say the organization has long favored the USDA using its authority to increase consumption of healthy foods and decrease consumption of sugary drinks.
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A debate over food stamps is heating up in Texas. The American Heart Association (AHA) opposes a bill restricting the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for sugary drinks and processed snacks.
This stance has raised eyebrows, with some questioning whether corporate funding influences the organization’s policies.
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Texas Senate Bill 379 sparks controversy
On Tuesday, March 11, the Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services held a public hearing on Senate Bill 379. The proposed legislation would prevent SNAP recipients from using their benefits to buy certain junk food items. They include sodas, candy and chips.
During the hearing, lawmakers and public health advocates voiced their opinions. State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst expressed shock over the AHA’s opposition during the hearing.
“I often say that I can never be surprised in this building, but for the American Heart Association to be against this bill, that might be the surprise of the session so far,” said Kolkhorst.
Some argued that limiting sugary food purchases could help fight obesity and diet-related diseases.
One of the bill’s supporters, 19-year-old Grace Price, identified herself as a science-based investigative journalist. Price spoke in favor of the restrictions, pointing to studies linking high sugar consumption to chronic health conditions.
“America has an obesity problem, and products like soda and candy are making it worse,” Price said.
American Heart Association opposes the bill
Many were surprised when Alec Puente, the AHA’s government relations director, spoke against the bill. Puente testified that the AHA was concerned about the bill’s potential impact on SNAP participation. He also emphasized the importance of educating the public about healthy eating instead of restricting purchases.
“For a bill like this, we would need to be careful that it does not impact overall participation in the SNAP program and that there be adequate education to the public on healthy habits,” Puente said.
The AHA’s stance sparked criticism, with some questioning whether financial ties to major food companies influence its decision.
AHA’s history of corporate funding
The American Heart Association has long been scrutinized for its corporate partnerships. In 1997, the Chicago Tribune reported that the AHA had raised millions from companies like the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, ConAgra and Kellogg’s.
In 2012, Kellogg’s and the AHA introduced a heart-healthy label on select cereals, including Raisin Bran, All-Bran and FiberPlus. A press release at the time said the label would help consumers make healthier choices.
AHA’s heart-check certification comes at a cost
The AHA’s Heart-Check Food Certification Program allows food manufacturers to apply for an official heart-healthy label — but at a price.
According to the AHA’s website, the certification fee ranges from $250 to $6,000 per product annually, depending on the number of products submitted.
Pepsi and Coca-Cola’s financial ties to AHA
The AHA also received funding from PepsiCo despite previously warning that sugary drinks may increase the risk of heart disease.
A 2016 study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that Coca-Cola and PepsiCo sponsored at least 95 health organizations between 2011 and 2015.
PepsiCo is currently listed as a forum member on the AHA’s website. The company pays $15,000 annually to be part of an initiative aimed at “improving public health through sustainable nutrition.”
Critics argue that these corporate relationships create a conflict of interest. Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have actively lobbied against at least 29 public health bills that sought to reduce soda consumption and improve nutrition policies.
AHA responds to criticism
An AHA spokesperson responded to Straight Arrow News after publication, saying their position on the Texas legislation was “miscommunicated,” and that the organization has long favored the USDA using its authority to increase consumption of healthy foods and decrease consumption of sugary drinks.
“Our position is consistent with our historical and explicit commitment to reducing the consumption of sugary drinks, which can raise the risk of cardiovascular disease,” VP of Advocacy Communications Steve Weiss said, adding that AHA has supported similar policies in Seattle, Philadelphia and other cities.
Coca-Cola’s health research funding
In 2015, Coca-Cola launched a transparency initiative, revealing that it had spent $118 million on health research and fitness partnerships.
That same year, a University of Cambridge study found that Coca-Cola had contracts allowing the company to terminate research if the findings were unfavorable.
Following a backlash, Coca-Cola responded in a statement to CNBC, saying, “We agree research transparency and integrity are important. That’s why, since 2016, The Coca-Cola Company has not independently funded research on issues related to health and wellbeing in keeping with research guiding principles that have been posted publicly on our website since that time.”
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Texas is not alone in SNAP reform efforts
Texas is one of at least nine states that introduced bills restricting SNAP purchases in 2025.
However, according to Newsweek, none of these bills have passed both legislative chambers. Even if a state law passes, it would still require approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take effect.
[KENNEDY FELTON]
A FIGHT OVER FOOD STAMPS IS HEATING UP IN TEXAS – AND AT THE CENTER OF IT?
THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION.
YOU MIGHT EXPECT THE ORGANIZATION TO SUPPORT LIMITS ON SUGARY SNACKS AND SODAS… BUT INSTEAD –THEY’RE *OPPOSING A BILL THAT WOULD DO JUST THAT.
ON MARCH 11-TH… THE TEXAS SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HELD A PUBLIC HEARING ON SENATE BILL 3-79… A BILL THAT WOULD PROHIBIT THE USE OF SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BENEFITS – OR SNAP – TO BUY CERTAIN FOOD AND DRINK ITEMS… INCLUDING SUGARY SODAS AND PROCESSED SNACKS.
VARIOUS INDIVIDUALS AND STAKEHOLDERS TESTIFIED AT THE HEARING… INCLUDING 19 YEAR OLD GRACE PRICE – A SELF PROCLAIMED science-based investigative journalist.
BUT MANY WERE CAUGHT OFF GUARD WHEN Alec Puente – Government Relations Director for the TEXAS A-H-A – TESTIFIED AGAINST THE BILL ON BEHALF OF THE ORGANIZATION.
PUENTE STATED THAT FOR A BILL LIKE THIS… IT WOULD NEED TO ENSURE THAT IT WOULDN’T REDUCE OVERALL PARTICIPATION IN THE SNAP PROGRAM AND THAT ADEQUATE PUBLIC EDUCATION ON HEALTHY EATING AND BUYING HABITS WOULD BE NEEDED… TO NOT UNDERCUT THE GOAL OF REDUCING HUNGER.
WHILE THE A-H-A’S POSITION MAY SEEM SURPRISING… IT’S CERTAINLY NOT THE FIRST TIME THE COMPANY – OR PEOPLE TIED TO THEM – HAVE BEEN CRITIQUED.
BACK IN 19-97… THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE CRITICIZING THE A-H-A FOR RAISING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM CORPORATE SPONSORS… INCLUDING THE NATIONAL CATTLEMEN’S BEEF ASSOCIATION… CONAGRA… AND KELLOGG – A FOOD COMPANY KNOWN FOR ITS VARIETY OF PROCESSED AND SUGARY SNACK FOODS.
IN 20-12… KELLOGG’S AND THE A-H-A PARTNERED TO INTRODUCE A HEART HEALTHY LABEL ON CERTAIN CEREALS… INCLUDING RAISIN BRAN… ALL BRAN.. AND FIBER PLUS.
ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE… THE LABEL WAS INTENDED TO HELP CONSUMERS MAKE BETTER SHOPPING DECISIONS BY IDENTIFYING CEREALS that are quote “low in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol and provide many key nutrients that the body needs.”
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT FOOD MANUFACTURERS CAN APPLY FOR THE HEART CHECK MARK – but it comes with a cost.
ACCORDING TO THE A-H-A WEBSITE… THE HEART CHECK CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FEES RANGE FROM 250 TO 6-THOUSAND DOLLARS PER LICENSE PER YEAR…. DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF PRODUCTS A COMPANY SUBMITS.
THEN THERE’S THE DRINKS.
IN 20-20… THE A-H-A PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE LINKING EXCESSIVE SUGARY DRINK CONSUMPTION TO INCREASED CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK IN MIDDLE AGED AND OLDER ADULTS.
BUT A 20-16 STUDY PUBLISHED IN THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE FOUND THAT FROM 2011 TO 20-15… THE A-H-A AND AT LEAST 94 OTHER HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVED SPONSORSHIPS FROM THE COCA COLA COMPANY.
THE SAME STUDY FOUND THAT PEPSI CO SPONSORED AT LEAST 13 HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS DURING THAT PERIOD.
PEPSI-CO IS CURRENTLY LISTED AS A FORUM MEMBER ON THE A-H-A’S WEBSITE… WHICH MEANS THE COMPANY PAYS THE A-H-A 15-THOUSAND DOLLARS ANNUALLY TO PARTICIPATE IN DISCUSSIONS ON IMPROVING PUBLIC HEALTH THROUGH SUSTAINABLE NUTRITION… AS THE A-H-A WEBSITE SAYS.
BUT CRITICS ARGUE THIS REPRESENTS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST… AS BOTH COCA COLA AND PEPSI CO HAVE ACTIVELY LOBBIED AGAINST AT LEAST 29 PUBLIC HEALTH BILLS THAT AIMED TO REDUCE SODA CONSUMPTION OR IMPROVE NUTRITION POLICIES… ACCORDING TO THE SAME AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE STUDY.
FOR COCA COLA – THEIR 20-15 TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE REVEALED THAT THE COMPANY HAD SPENT 118 MILLION DOLLARS ON HEALTH RESEARCH AND FITNESS PARTNERSHIPS.
BUT EVEN MORE CONCERNING – A 20-15 STUDY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE FOUND THAT COCA COLA HAD CONTRACT CLAUSES ALLOWING THEM TO TERMINATE RESEARCH PROJECTS IF THEY DID NOT LIKE THE OUTCOMES.
IN RESPONSE TO THE CRITICISM.. COCA COLA ISSUED A STATEMENT TO CNBC IN 20-15 SAYING –
We agree research transparency and integrity are important. That’s why, since 2016, the Coca-Cola Company has not independently funded research on issues related to health and wellbeing in keeping with research guiding principles that have been posted publicly on our website since that time.”
AS FOR TEXAS SENATE BILL 379… IT’S NOT THE ONLY STATE LEVEL ATTEMPT TO RESTRICT SNAP BENEFITS FROM COVERING JUNK FOOD.
ACCORDING TO NEWSWEEK… AT LEAST NINE OTHER STATES HAVE INTRODUCED SIMILAR SNAP JUNK FOOD BANS THIS YEAR.
HOWEVER – NONE OF THESE BILLS HAVE FULLY PASSED BOTH LEGISLATIVE CHAMBERS. IF THEY DID… THEY WOULD STILL REQUIRE APPROVAL FROM THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO TAKE EFFECT.
STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS *HAS REACHED OUT TO THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION FOR COMMENT. AS OF NOW.. THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED TO OUR REQUEST.
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- A new class action lawsuit accuses Uber of failing to protect riders from sexual assault by drivers, with over 1,600 cases consolidated into one lawsuit. Passengers claim incidents happened across 29 states.
- The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Uber’s objection. The court allowed the lawsuit to move forward despite the company’s terms of service that prevent mass lawsuits.
- Uber’s latest safety report shows a decline in reported sexual assault cases, with over 2,700 incidents between 2021 and 2022.
Full Story
A new class action lawsuit is accusing Uber of failing to protect its passengers from sexual assault by drivers. The lawsuit, which involves a growing number of cases from passengers across at least 29 states, alleges incidents of rape, groping and indecent exposure by Uber drivers.
Thousands of cases consolidated
More than 1,600 individual cases have been merged into one and a San Francisco judge will now hear the case. Passengers claim they were assaulted while using the Uber app.
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The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday, March 10, that the case can move forward despite Uber’s objections. Uber argued that a clause in its terms of service, which riders agree to when using the app, prevents them from joining mass lawsuits against the company. However, the court ruled Uber’s agreements did not outweigh federal law.
In its decision, the court emphasized no U.S. judge has ruled in this manner in the last 50 years and that Uber failed to convince the judges why a new precedent should be set.
Court documents reveal plaintiffs in the lawsuit claim they were charged rider safety fees, but their drivers were not given full background checks. The filings allege sex offenders could drive for Uber and, in some instances, Uber did not report incidents of sexual violence.
Uber’s safety measures
On Uber’s website, the company states all drivers undergo background checks before their first trip, including checks for impaired driving and violent offenses. The company also said drivers must pass yearly checks to continue using the platform.
The website further clarifies convictions for murder and sexual assault disqualify individuals from driving for Uber.
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Decline in sexual assault instances
In its latest safety report, Uber cited more than 2,700 cases of sexual assault between 2021 and 2022. This marks a decline from the previous year, when there were nearly 4,000 cases. From 2017 to 2018, there were almost 6,000 reported incidents.
According to the report, 68% of the incidents involved drivers as the perpetrators, while 31% saw passengers as the aggressor.
In a separate ruling this week, the court established rules for how Uber must handle confidential documents related to the case. Uber must now provide a privilege log and allow plaintiffs to challenge any withheld documents. This ruling ensures plaintiffs can access key evidence in time for upcoming depositions.
[Kalé Carey]
A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ACCUSES UBER OF FAILING TO PROTECT RIDERS FROM ITS DRIVERS.
THERE’S A RISING NUMBER OF CASES FROM RIDESHARE PASSENGERS ALLEGING THEY WERE SEXUALLY ASSAULTED BY UBER DRIVERS ACROSS AT LEAST 29 STATES.
MORE THAN 1,600 CASES WERE MERGED INTO ONE–NOW SET TO GO IN FRONT OF A SAN FRANCISCO JUDGE.
PASSENGERS DETAILING THEY WERE RAPED, GROPED OR DRIVERS EXPOSED THEMSELVES WHILE THEY WERE USING THE APP.
THE NINTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS MADE THE RULING ON MONDAY, DESPITE UBER’S OBJECTIONS, WHICH CITED A CLAUSE RIDERS AGREE TO WHEN USING THE APP THAT PREVENTS THEM FROM PARTICIPATING IN MASS LAWSUITS AGAINST THE COMPANY.
THE FEDERAL JUDGES AGREED THAT UBER’S AGREEMENTS DOES NOT OUTWEIGH FEDERAL LAW. THE COURT’S DECISION EMPHASIZED THAT NO U-S JUDGE HAS EVER RULED THIS WAY IN THE LAST FIFTY YEARS, AND UBER HAS FAILED TO CONVINCE THEM WHY THEY SHOULD SET A NEW PRECEDENT.
COURT DOCUMENTS DESCRIBE THE MAIN ARGUMENT: PLAINTIFFS DETAIL THEY WERE CHARGED RIDER SAFETY FEES, BUT THEIR DRIVERS WEREN’T GIVEN A FULL BACKGROUND CHECK.
FILINGS ALLEGE SEX OFFENDERS WERE ALLOWED EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY OR IN OTHER CASES UBER DIDN’T REPORT INCIDENTS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE.
ON UBER’S WEBSITE, THE COMPANY SAYS ALL DRIVERS ARE BACKGROUND CHECKED BEFORE THEIR FIRST TRIP WHICH INCLUDES IMPAIRED DRIVING AND VIOLENT OFFENSES. IT GOES ON TO SAY DRIVERS MUST PASS YEARLY CHECKS IN ORDER TO KEEP USING THE PLATFORM.
CONVICTIONS OF MURDER AND SEXUAL ASSAULT DISQUALIFY A PERSON FROM DRIVING FOR UBER.
IN ITS LATEST SAFETY REPORT, UBER REPORTED MORE THAN 2,700 CASES OF SEXUAL ASSAULT BETWEEN 2021 AND 2022. THIS IS A DECLINE FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR, WHICH SAW NEARLY 4,000 CASES, AND FROM 2017 TO 2018, WHEN THERE WERE ALMOST 6,000 CASES.
68 PERCENT WERE AGAINST DRIVERS WHILE 31 PERCENT OF REPORTED INCIDENTS WERE AGAINST PASSENGERS.
IN A SEPARATE RULING THIS WEEK, THE COURT SET RULES FOR UBER TO HANDLE CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS TIED TO THE CASE.
UBER MUST PROVIDE A PRIVILEGE LOG AND ALLOW PLAINTIFFS TO CHALLENGE WITHHELD DOCUMENTS. THIS PREVENTS DELAYS, ENSURING PLAINTIFFS HAVE ACCESS TO KEY EVIDENCE FOR UPCOMING DEPOSITIONS.
FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M KALÉ CAREY.
FIND MORE FACT BASED STORIES RIGHT NOW ON THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS MOBILE APP.
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- Twenty Democratic attorneys general filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The group alleges that proposed cuts to the Education Department amount to its “dismantling” and jeopardize its critical responsibilities.
- Over 1,300 employees were dismissed in the first round of layoffs. An additional 600 accepted buyouts, raising concerns about the nullification of federal laws requiring the work of those employees.
- The department can only be dissolved by congressional action. Still, the administration’s budget cuts and layoffs aim to minimize its functions, echoing past efforts by President Ronald Reagan.
Full Story
Twenty Democratic attorneys general sued the Trump administration Thursday, March 13, to stop what they say is his “dismantling” of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The complaint also names Education Secretary Linda McMahon and the DOE itself.
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The attorneys general say the department has significant responsibilities to the American people that could be in jeopardy under President Donald Trump’s proposed cuts.
“This massive reduction in force (RIF) is equivalent to incapacitating key, statutorily-mandated functions of the Department, causing immense damage to Plaintiff States and their educational systems,” the complaint states, adding that the cuts amount to “an effective dismantling of the Department.”
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The complaint notes comments from McMahon that the cuts are a precursor to the eventual “total shutdown” of the department. Trump has called the DOE “a big con job.”
Can Trump kill it?
The department was created by—and can only be dissolved by—congressional action. That hasn’t stopped the administration from minimizing its role through layoffs and budget cuts.
Former President Ronald Reagan sought to close the Education Department. However, his attempts to get legislation passed were unsuccessful.
“As the Supreme Court put it nearly a century ago, ‘[t]o Congress under its legislative power is given the establishment of offices [and] the determination of their functions and jurisdiction,’” the complaint reads.
Who’s fired?
The complaint says the first round of layoffs resulted in more than 1,300 workers losing their jobs. Six hundred more accepted a buyout offer before the firings.
The complaint says the reduction in staff at locations like the Office of Civil Rights amounts to nullifying federal law requiring the actions of those former employees.
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A spokesperson for the department told the Associated Press that Trump “was elected with a mandate from the American public to return education authority to the states,” and that personnel involved with funding for students with disabilities, student loan services and Title I funding for low-income populations weren’t laid off.
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Left 35%
Center 48%
Right 17%
Bias Summary
- Purus arcu lacinia maximus phasellus consequat nam ornare ut gravida penatibus eget cras dis porta luctus nisi, ridiculus mi tortor mollis rhoncus vitae vulputate pellentesque tristique nec rutrum himenaeos sit dui.
- Gravida consequat ut mauris faucibus mattis adipiscing porttitor vestibulum potenti sociosqu conubia rhoncus donec vehicula fermentum scelerisque duis, sodales nibh torquent et porta lacus sed cursus volutpat senectus tempus condimentum augue neque inceptos.
Bias Comparison
The Left
mollis litora habitant neque tristique ac convallis turpis tempus morbi ipsum ad non tellus, pellentesque malesuada arcu per at maecenas et penatibus hendrerit laoreet molestie a.
The Center
gravida lacus sagittis magnis vehicula tellus efficitur non penatibus finibus sodales nostra bibendum ultrices senectus, etiam et fames sed facilisis taciti nunc libero lacinia purus commodo a quis.
The Right
augue nisi tellus litora efficitur purus dictum platea felis, aliquet ante feugiat curabitur tristique maximus maecenas.
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Bias Distribution
110 other sources covering this story
Total News Sources
110
Leaning Left
31
Center
43
Leaning Right
15
Last Updated
3 weeks ago
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- Several New Era MLB hats have been pulled from retail spaces after their designs revealed somewhat vulgar terms. This is the second consecutive spring that New Era has had a fashion faux pas with their hats.
- The Overlap 59Fifty style caps are still available for many teams and retail for $44.99, while those pulled are reselling online for upwards of $1,000.
- The hats, which combine a team’s logo with their nickname, are not part of the official MLB uniforms.
Full Story
Call it a wardrobe malfunction or a marketing debacle. Still, with the MLB regular season fast approaching, New Era, the league’s official baseball cap maker, is the target of much mockery for its new Overlap 59fifty hat designs.
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Right 21%
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Why were some hats pulled from shelves?
The idea is simple, in theory. Take the team’s logo and stamp it over the team’s nickname. However, some of the designs inadvertently fell into the NSFW category.
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For instance, the word created on the Texas Rangers cap is Spanish slang for breasts. It was quickly pulled from retail shelves only to wind up on secondary markets such as eBay for upwards of $1,000.
This Texas Rangers hat is reselling for up to $1,000 after it was removed from online stores
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) March 12, 2025
(h/t @ericwhiteback) pic.twitter.com/hB0F8IFxUK
The Rangers cap isn’t the only one. The unintended mishap on the Houston Astros cap is self-explanatory: spelling out another word you wouldn’t let your kids say.
This isn’t the first time New Era had trouble with hat designs revealing somewhat vulgar terms.
Who approved these designs?
Last season, an Oakland A’s hat was pulled off the shelves after its design featured a version of the same word as the Astros hat. Some fans joked it was the perfect hat for A’s owner, John Fisher, who is currently moving the team to Las Vegas.
Even the hats that aren’t of questionable language have fashion critics wondering, “Who approved this?”
The designs that are still available sell for $44.99 and can be found on MLB’s official store, among other retailers.
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New Era and MLB yet to comment on the hats
This is the second straight spring training season that has left fans wondering who is in charge of baseball’s wardrobe department. Last season was the league’s first with Fanatics and Nike designing uniforms. While fans mocked the new designs that debuted and appeared somewhat transparent, players complained about the fit and feel.
As for this year’s new hats, they are marketed toward fans and not part of the official player uniforms. Naturally, there has been a barrage of negative social media conversations, but neither New Era nor MLB, which has equity in the apparel company, have commented on the hats.
Call it a wardrobe malfunction or a marketing debacle but with the major league season fast approaching New Era, the maker of baseball caps for the league, is the target of much mockery for their new “Overlap 59fifty” designs.
The idea is simple, in theory. Take the team’s logo and stamp it over the team’s nickname. But some of the designs, like the Texas Rangers hat, turned out to fall into the “Not safe for work” category especially for Spanish speakers. The word created on the cap is Spanish slang for ‘breasts’. It was quickly pulled out of stores but a quick search on Ebay found at least one ‘collectors item’ selling for just under $1000.
And the Rangers cap isn’t the only one, the unintended mishap on the Houston Astros cap is self explanatory. And this isn’t the first time New Era has had trouble with hats spelling out somewhat vulgar terms.
The unintended mishap on the Houston Astros cap is self explanatory. And this isn’t the first time New Era has had trouble with hats spelling out somewhat vulgar terms
Last season, an Oakland A’s hat was pulled off the shelves for its design that spelled out a word some fans used to describe the team’s owner, who is in the process of moving the team to Las Vegas.
Even those hats that aren’t of questionable language have fashion critics wondering, “what were they thinking”? The Bobons? The Masers? The Nawals? The Phipies? These designs sell for $44.99 and are still available on MLB’s official store, among other retailers.
This is the second straight spring training where fans have wondered who is running baseball’s wardrobe department. Last season, the league’s first with Fanatics brand and Nike making uniforms, fans mocked the new designs that appeared to be somewhat transparent and players complained about the fit and feel. As for this year’s new hats, they are marketed toward fans and not part of the official player uniforms.
There has of course been a barrage of negative social media talk but neither New Era or MLB which has equity in the apparel company have commented on the hats.
Perhaps the old saying holds, “Any publicity is good publicity”.
For Straight Arrow News I’m Chris Francis.
Media Landscape
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Left 43%
Center 36%
Right 21%
Bias Summary
- Nascetur suspendisse mollis diam cras quam tincidunt tristique dictumst habitant facilisis erat, ante rutrum felis ornare dapibus maecenas elit gravida mus aenean.
- Tellus scelerisque vitae sed est massa ultrices himenaeos et ex metus eu, cubilia maecenas velit porta aliquam cursus at egestas purus arcu.
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20 other sources covering this story
Total News Sources
20
Leaning Left
6
Center
5
Leaning Right
3
Last Updated
3 weeks ago
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