By Jessie Schuster
Edited by Elissa D. Hecker
Entertainment
John Malone and Charter Directors Reach $87.5M Deal to Settle Investor Suit
A seven-year-old lawsuit involving director and billionaire John Malone regarding the acquisition of Time Warner Cable has finally reached a settlement for a whopping $87.5 million, even after Malone and other defendants did not admit to any wrongdoing.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/john-malone-charter-settle-investor-suit-1235340608/
Grande Asks Judge to Overturn $46.8 Million Ruling in Copyright Dispute with the Major Labels
ISP Grande Communications has been ordered to pay millions of dollars to major record labels after violating copyright safe harbor laws. Now the internet service provider hopes that a judge will overturn that decision due to lack of evidence.
https://completemusicupdate.com/article/grande-asks-judge-to-overturn-46-8-million-ruling-in-copyright-dispute-with-the-major-labels/
As a Film Revives Elvis’s Legacy, the Presleys Fight Over His Estate
Following the sudden and tragic death of Lisa Marie Presley, her mother Pricilla and daughter, star of the new series “Daisy Jones & the Six”, Riley Keough, find themselves in a legal dispute as Graceland has been left in Riley’s name. Pricilla, ex-wife of Elvis, feels that her daughter’s will might contain fraudulent signatures that are inconsistent with her usual handwriting and asks the court to recognize her as a trustee along with her grandchildren.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/09/arts/music/elvis-presley-estate-dispute.html?searchResultPosition=1
Tennessee Law Limiting ‘Cabaret’ Shows Raises Uncertainty About Drag Events
It is now a criminal offense in Tennessee to perform an “adult cabaret” show anywhere where children may see it, due to conservative lawmakers’ growing concern regarding children being exposed to “male or female impersonators.” The new regulation is troublesome for members of the drag and LGBTQ+ community, as they are now being seen as harmful to minors.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/05/us/tennessee-law-drag-shows.html?searchResultPosition=1
Adidas Is Wondering What to Do With $1.3 Billion in Yeezy Sneakers
After Adidas cut ties with controversial rapper who now goes by “Ye,” the company is left with over a billion dollars’ worth of Yeezy sneakers. The potential to sell the sneakers is there, but this may send the wrong signal about the company’s view on Ye’s antisemitic remarks made earlier this year. The shoes could also be donated, but what will happen to the sneakers is still under consideration.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/08/world/europe/adidas-earnings-yeezy.html?searchResultPosition=1
Ben Savage, ‘Boy Meets World’ Actor, Is Running for Congress
Ben Savage, also known as Cory Matthews from the hit 90’s sitcom “Boy Meets World” is running for a democratic seat in congress to represent the Los Angeles area.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/us/politics/ben-savage-boy-meets-world-california-congress.html
Arts
Dance’s Communal Ethos Is Moving into the Office and Boardroom
Dance companies and organizations are moving away from the hierarchal system they are used to and are moving towards communal, collective leadership to embrace the harmony that exists when multiple people work together to create balance and imbalance, as opposed to having one director and one choreographer. This transformation is moving from dancers to administrators as the typical view of “too many cooks in the kitchen” might be worth it to embrace a more democratic view of running a dance company. These models can also help inform the not-for-profit arts structure.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/arts/dance/collective-leadership-in-dance.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
Whitney Museum Reaches Agreement with Unionized Workers
After a year of negotiations between the Whitney Museum of American Art and 180 union members, employees of the art institute will finally see a 30% raise in their paychecks. By demonstrating at galas and exhibition openings, the workers successfully got the museum to ratify their original contracts and agree to a fairer wage and work environment that union workers say will lead to more productive employees and long-lasting relationships with the museum.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/06/arts/design/whitney-museum-union-contract.html
As New York Weighs Library Cuts, Three New Branches Show Their Value
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is looking to cut funding for libraries, parks, and outdoor dining sheds, regardless of the fact that three new libraries that have opened since the COVID-19 pandemic are showing to be worth the money. In Upper Manhattan, Brooklyn Heights, and Dumbo, three branches have brought together communities while being impressive architectural sights and seem to be rejuvenating public libraries.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/10/arts/design/new-york-brooklyn-libraries-lifelines.html
Sports
How Tennis and Djokovic Are Pushing Against the U.S. Covid Vaccine Rule
Novak Djokovic, the world’s best tennis player, remains unvaccinated against COVID-19 despite travel restrictions placed in countries around the world. With upcoming tournaments in the U.S., which requires a COVID-19 vaccination from foreigners who travel to the country, representatives of the player have been attempting to get Djokovic a waiver that would allow him to play due to the special considerations that exist surrounding “the larger history and greater good sports represent,” but thus far have been unsuccessful.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/06/sports/tennis/djokovic-biden-miami-open-covid-vaccine.html
Tiger Woods’s Ex-Girlfriend Wants NDA Nullified Amid Couple’s Breakup
Erica Herman, former longtime girlfriend of golfer Tiger Woods, she hopes to get the NDA she signed when she met Woods nullified. While the golfer argues that Herman cannot sue him under terms set in the NDA, she claims that the agreement is unenforceable under a federal law that allows victims of alleged sexual assault and harassment to not be barred from filing lawsuits. This action raises questions about the golfer’s treatment to his former live-in partner.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/03/08/tiger-woods-erica-herman-nda/
Former Fox Employee Convicted of Bribery for Soccer Broadcast Deals
Hernán López, former Fox employee, made millions by secretly bribing soccer federations to secure the rights to major soccer broadcast deals, including the 2022 Men’s World Cup, which Fox won a bid to over ESPN. Following his financial winnings, he will now face up to 40 years in prison after being found guilty of money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/09/sports/fifa-soccer-fox-bribery-trial-hernan-lopez-convicted.html?searchResultPosition=1
Women’s Tennis Association Receives $150 Million Private Equity Investment
The Women’s Tennis Association is being joined by CVC Capital Partners global private equity firm to help female players receive more prize money after winning tour events and assist in marketing and production, which will hopefully bring the women’s game to the level of popularity they deserve around the world.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/sports/tennis/wta-cvc.html?searchResultPosition=1
Televised Face Slapping? What Are We Becoming?
A new sports league has reached cable TV with support from Dana White and Arnold Schwarzenegger, but spectators are skeptical that the sport is less athletic and more of a display of pure punishment. The Power Slap League involves strikers who slap their opponents, while the opponents must accept the blows to the face without flinching or avoiding the hits.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/06/sports/power-slap-league-dana-white.html?searchResultPosition=1
Media & Technology
White House Said to Consider Pushing Congress on Dealing with TikTok
The White House seems to be leaning towards supporting legislation that would provide Congress with the power that will allow it to double down on growing concerns about TikTok, the Chinese app that raises national security and data privacy concerns.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/06/technology/white-house-congress-on-tiktok.html
F.T.C. Intensifies Investigation of Twitter’s Privacy Practices
After Elon Musk, laid off most of Twitter’s work force, the F.T.C. is diving deeper into its investigation of the company and is focusing on whether users of the social media platform have protected privacy. The agency fears that Twitter may no longer have the required staff and resources to keep up with privacy and security issues.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/technology/ftc-twitter-investigation-privacy.html?searchResultPosition=1
How Murdoch Runs Fox News, in His Own (Often Terse) Words
Rupert Murdoch reveals that he rarely ran his media empire via email prior to the 2020 COVID pandemic, and the switch he had to make to a virtual work environment led him to writing what he referred to as many “stupid emails” to some of the biggest reporters and employees at Fox. Those “stupid emails”, which contain his real thoughts on some of the biggest names in the Republican party, including former President Trump, are now being dissected during the Dominion Voting System defamation trial.
Among the emails include one revealing Murdoch’s thoughts on two reporters to Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott. Murdoch wrote “maybe Sean and Laura went too far” after the two continuously pushed election fraud theories on viewers.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/09/business/media/rupert-murdoch-fox-news.html?searchResultPosition=1
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/private-fox-news-text-messages-emails-released-dominion-suit-rcna72693
‘The Whole Thing Seems Insane’: New Documents on Fox and the Election
Text messages between Fox News reporters including Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham have been revealed in the on-going defamation lawsuit brought by Dominion. On air, hosts of prime-time news shows shared claims of alleged election fraud, meanwhile their private messages show that they may not have actually believed there to be voting fraud and in fact, chairman of Fox, Rupert Murdoch, admitted he never even looked into there being voting fraud in the first place.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/business/media/fox-dominion-2020-election.html?searchResultPosition=1
Republican Lawmakers Split Over Carlson’s False Jan. 6 Claims
As speculation grows regarding Fox News host Tucker Carlson and his private messages that clearly go against everything he claimed to believe about the 2020 presidential election, it has been revealed that Speaker Kevin McCarthy granted exclusive access to January 6th surveillance footage to Carlson and his team. Some well-known republican’s including Mitch McConnell and Mitt Romney found Carlson’s coverage to be “a mistake” and “dangerous and disgusting,” while others like Elise Stefanik and Ted Cruz applauded the claims made by Carlson.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/us/republicans-tucker-carlson-jan-6.html?searchResultPosition=1
‘Media Men’ Lawsuit Ends in a Settlement
Author Stephen Elliott, one of the many names in the media industry that was included on a Google spreadsheet containing a list of sexual misconduct allegations against men in field, reached a settlement against Moira Donegan, the creator of the list. Elliott sued Donegan and other defendants referred to as “Jane Doe”, as they remain anonymous for defamation. The suit ran for over four years and was settled for at least $1.5 million, as both parties wanted to avoid going to trial.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/06/style/media-men-list-settlement-moira-donegan.html?searchResultPosition=4
Using A.I. to Detect Breast Cancer That Doctors Miss
While concerns about AI taking over human jobs have been growing, in Hungary, AI is beginning to work together with doctors and radiologists to act as an additional check on mammograms to detect breast cancer. AI can have groundbreaking results in the medical field, and this breakthrough can be a lifesaver.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/05/technology/artificial-intelligence-breast-cancer-detection.html?searchResultPosition=1
The Chatbots Are Here, and the Internet Industry is in a Tizzy
One AI chatbot, ChatGPT, has proved that artificial intelligence is more powerful than expected, as it is capable of retrieving searches more impressive than Google, and of holding human-like conversations. While this is worrisome to many, businesses including Poshmark and Microsoft are excited about what this means for the future of advertising.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/08/technology/chatbots-disrupt-internet-industry.html
Pressure Grows on Another Crypto Giant
Binance Coin, one of FTX’s biggest competitors, is catching the attention of U.S. regulators as the crypto giant’s digital token has fallen by almost 7% in one week. U.S. lawmakers and agencies, including the S.E.C. ,are accusing the company of illegal financial activity, making it possible that Binance will have a similar fate as FTX.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/06/business/dealbook/binance-regulators-crypto.html?searchResultPosition=8
General News
Nations Agree on Language for Historic Treaty to Protect Ocean Life
With growing concerns of climate change affecting ocean life, after 20 years of debate, the U.N. agreed on language for a treaty that will appoint an international body or agreement to the high seas to protect marine life.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/04/climate/united-nations-treaty-oceans-biodiversity.html?searchResultPosition=1
Biden’s $6.8 Trillion Budget Proposes New Social Programs and Higher Taxes
As Biden’s reelection campaign approaches, he proposes a $6.8 trillion budget that will allow for increased military spending and spending on new social programs. The budget proposal is criticized by house Republicans, who plan on denying the proposal until an agreement can be met that would reduce spending.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/09/us/politics/biden-budget.html?searchResultPosition=2
Senate Confirms Daniel Werfel as I.R.S. Commissioner
Daniel Werfel was confirmed by the Senate to be the new commissioner of the I.R.S., despite not having support by many Republicans. Werfel’s new responsibilities will include overseeing an $80 billion plan to modernize the agency and hiring 87,000 new staff members.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/09/us/politics/irs-commissioner-daniel-werfel.html?searchResultPosition=1
White Supremacist Propaganda Soared Last Year, Report Finds
White supremacy is on the rise across the country, from California, to Indiana, to Florida. White supremacist organizations have been spreading racist and antisemitic propaganda at an alarming rate, which acts as a recruiting method and also desensitizes the public to acts of hate and violence.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/09/us/politics/white-supremacist-propaganda.html?searchResultPosition=1
Pentagon Blocks Sharing Evidence of Possible Russian War Crimes with Hague Court
It has been found that Russian forces have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity against Ukrainian people, however, the Pentagon is against the Biden Administration sharing evidence of the crimes to the International Criminal Court, as there are concerns of what sharing the information could mean for Russia potentially prosecuting Americans.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/08/us/politics/pentagon-war-crimes-hague.html?searchResultPosition=1
More Black Women Run for Office, but Prospects Fade the Higher They Go
While Black women have been increasingly represented in government, there is still a way to go for racial and gender equality. The Senate has only had two black women members in its history, a disappointing statistic that proves that women of color must work harder to earn their spot in government positions.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/08/us/politics/black-women-senate-governor-house.html?searchResultPosition=2
Biden F.C.C. Nominee Withdraws
Gigi Sohn, one of Biden’s nominees for the F.C.C. ,withdrew her nomination by stating that she has faced attacks on her character and career.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/business/biden-fcc-nominee-withdraws.html?searchResultPosition=1
Justice Dept. Finds Pattern of Discriminatory Policing in Louisville
The Justice Department has found that Breonna Taylor is just one of many who fell victim to discrimination by police in Louisville, KY. An investigation following the shooting of Breonna Taylor has led to findings that show blatant remarks by police officers to black residents, including calling names such as “animal” and “monkey” at traffic stops. The years of discriminatory patterns in the city is finally being brought to light, forcing the police force to make changes.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/08/us/politics/louisville-police-breonna-taylor-justice-dept.html
Court Orders Defendants in Charlottesville Neo-Nazi Lawsuit to Pay Nearly $5 Million for Legal Costs
Organizers of the deadly riots in Charlottesville in 2017 are finally being charged for their racist and antisemitic behavior that lead to extreme violence. Aside from legal consequences, the neo-Nazi group will now have to pay plaintiffs almost $5 million just for legal fees.
https://www.jta.org/2023/03/09/politics/court-orders-defendants-in-charlottesville-neo-nazi-lawsuit-to-pay-nearly-5-million-for-legal-costs?utm_source=JTA_Maropost&utm_campaign=JTA_DB&utm_medium=email&mpweb=1161-55012-99166
Five Women Sue Texas Over the State’s Abortion Ban
Following the Texas abortion ban, five women were denied abortions, even with the risks to both their lives and their fetuses. Even though the ban allows abortion if the woman falls in the category of “substantial” risk to the pregnant woman, doctors did not provide the medical care to these women, as they feared that they could face substantial prison time and $100,000 worth of fines if they provided abortions.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/06/us/texas-abortion-ban-suit.html?searchResultPosition=1
Rail Heat Sensors, Under Scrutiny in Ohio Crash, Face Few Regulations
The railroad industry is responsible for setting its own standards for heat sensors, which the derailed train in East Palestine, Ohio passed through before not encountering any for 20 miles. The National Transportation Safety Board claims that the derailment could have been avoided had a sensor been more strategically placed along the rails.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/business/norfolk-southern-derailment-east-palestine-regulation.html?searchResultPosition=1
Bernie Sanders Presses Ahead with Subpoena of Starbucks C.E.O
Founder and C.E.O. of Starbucks, Howard Shultz, may be subpoenaed by Bernie Sanders following widespread misconduct in the company aimed at a union campaign started by Starbucks workers. A spokesperson for a Starbucks worker-led union claims that the billionaire C.E.O. is the “architect of Starbuck’s anti-union campaign.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/06/us/politics/starbucks-bernie-sanders-howard-schultz.html?searchResultPosition=11
Group Seeks Disbarment of a Trump-Aligned Lawyer for a Key Jan. 6 Witness
Stefan Passantino faces the end of his legal career as legal figures, including former presidents of the ABA and the D.C. Bar, call for him to be disbarred after he is brought before the Office of Disciplinary Counsel regarding his misconduct surrounding the January 6th storming of the Capital.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/06/us/politics/trump-lawyer-ethics-jan-6.html?searchResultPosition=1
Hope Hicks Meets with Manhattan Prosecutors as Trump Inquiry Intensifies
Former aide to President Trump, Hope Hicks, met with the Manhattan D.A. as she joins the list of witnesses to be questioned in the investigation of Trump’s payment to Stormy Daniels.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/06/nyregion/hope-hicks-trump-manhattan-prosecutors.html?searchResultPosition=9
Trump Asks Judge to Block Pence Testimony to Grand Jury
An investigation into Trump surrounding the January 6th attack on the Capitol leaves former Vice President Mike Pence in a position to testify before a grand jury. Trump is hoping that the judge will block Pence’s testimony, as he argues the presidential and vice-presidential pair are protected by executive privilege.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/04/us/politics/trump-pence-executive-privilege.html?searchResultPosition=1
Prosecutors Signal Criminal Charges for Trump Are Likely
Trump has the chance to testify before a grand jury in New York regarding the role he played in paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels, with whom he had an alleged affair. While it is unlikely that he will testify, it is possible that if he does, he will become the first former president to be indicted. The hush money has been found to be paid for by Trump’s businesses, which labeled the payment as legal expenses to Trump’s lawyer Michael Cohen, who paid the price for Trump and was being repaid through these “legal expenses.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/09/nyregion/trump-potential-criminal-charges-bragg.html
Trump Could Still be Elected President if Indicted or Convicted, Experts Say
Despite potentially being indicted or convicted in any of the state or federal investigations against him, Trump can still be elected President under the law. The U.S. Constitution does not include someone with a criminal record as a person who would not qualify for presidency. Trump also made it clear that he would “absolutely” stay in the race should he find himself indicted or convicted on any charges.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-elected-president-indicted-convicted-experts/story?id=97688250
Trump Lawyer Admits to Falsehoods in 2020 Fraud Claim
Janna Ellis, attorney who represented former President Trump after he lost the 2020 election, admitted that she knew facts that she publicly claimed were misrepresented regarding widespread voting fraud. The confession came in a sworn statement she gave as part of an agreement between herself and state bar officials in Colorado, after she was subject to an investigation by a bipartisan legal watchdog group.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/09/us/politics/jenna-ellis-trump-2020-election.html?searchResultPosition=1
Authorities Search for Two Fugitives Charged in Jan. 6 Capital Attack
Joseph Daniel Hutchinson and Olivia Michele Pollock, two people who are facing charges for their involvement in the January 6th storming of the Capitol, left town days before they are expected to go on trial, despite the federal monitoring they were under.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/06/us/politics/jan-6-capitol-attack-fugitives.html?searchResultPosition=1
Protesters Damage Property at Site of Planned Police Center in Atlanta
Police and construction vehicles were burned, and fireworks were set off, as protestors, including Georgia residents and non-residents, opposed the building of the new Atlantic Public Safety Training Center. The protestors included both environmentalists who aim to preserve the 85-acre wooded area, and activists, who fear increased militarization of police forces. Twenty-three of the activists were arrested for domestic terrorisms.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/05/us/atlanta-cop-city-protests.html?searchResultPosition=12
New York City Will Create New Agency to Cope with Migrant Surge
A 24-hour center for migrants in NYC is said to open shortly in conjunction with a new agency that will oversee the influx of people. The new Office of Asylum Seeker Operations will work to provide an arrival center, housing, and legal services in one place to cope with the growing population of migrants and lack of shelter for them.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/nyregion/migrant-crisis-nyc.html?searchResultPosition=1