By Haley Lyons
Edited by Elissa D. Hecker
Entertainment
Universal Music Group and TikTok Strike New Multi-Year Licensing Deal - With Expanded AI Protections For Artists and Songwriters
Universal Music Group and TikTok reached a new multi-year licensing agreement that expands marketing opportunities for artists and includes enhanced protections against unauthorized A.I.-generated music. The agreement ended a months-long standoff between UMG and TikTok.
https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/universal-music-group-and-tiktok-strike-new-multi-year-licensing-deal-with-expanded-ai-protections-for-artists-and-songwriters/https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/universal-music-group-and-tiktok-strike-new-multi-year-licensing-deal-with-expanded-ai-protections-for-artists-and-songwriters/
Blake Lively’s Last Chance: A U.S. Judge’s Take on an Untested State Law
Following settlement against Justin Baldoni’s production company, Blake Lively is continuing to seek damages under a California law designed to protect people who make sexual harassment complaints from retaliatory defamation suits. The remaining dispute centers on whether Baldoni’s dismissed defamation claims entitle Lively to legal fees and other damages under the law.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/27/arts/television/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-defamation.html
Celebrity Assistants Exist to Indulge Their Bosses, but When Does Duty Cross a Line?
As Kenneth Iwamasa, Matthew Perry’s former assistant, awaits sentencing for his role in Perry’s death, the case has prompted renewed attention about the power dynamics between celebrities and their personal assistants.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/arts/matthew-perry-personal-assistant-ketamine.html
Multiple Artists Drop Out of Freedom 250 Concerts Hours After Announcement
Multiple artists, including Young MC, Martina McBride, and Morris Day, withdrew from the Freedom 250 concert series shortly after being announced, saying they were unaware of its connection to the Trump administration’s 250th anniversary celebration.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/arts/music/freedom-concerts-young-mc-milli-vanilli.html
‘Partying With a Purpose’: The Dance Party Making Millions for Parks
Concerts held under Brooklyn’s Kosciuszko Bridge have attracted more than 350,000 attendees since 2022 and generated more than $5 million to support local parks and open spaces. The revenue comes from site fees paid by concert producers and a $2 park restoration fee paid by ticket purchasers.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/nyregion/partying-with-a-purpose-the-dance-party-making-millions-for-parks.html
YouTuber Defamed Movie Star Using A.I., South Korean Police Say
South Korean police arrested YouTuber Kim Se-Ui on charges including spreading false information, accusing him of using artificial intelligence to fabricate evidence that actor Kim Soo-hyun dated a minor.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/world/asia/kim-soo-hyun-youtube-arrest.html
Austrian Man Convicted of Planning Attack at Taylor Swift Concert in Vienna
An Austrian court convicted Beran A. of plotting a bomb attack at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna and sentenced him to 15 years in prison.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/world/europe/taylor-swift-concert-vienna-guilty.html
Ye and Travis Scott Concerts Canceled in Italy Over Security Fears
Italy canceled planned concerts by Ye and Travis Scott over security concerns, citing the risk of public disorder and objections from local Jewish leaders.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/world/europe/ye-travis-scott-italy-concerts.html
Arts
Judge blocks closure of Kennedy Center and orders removal of Trump’s name
A federal judge blocked the Kennedy Center’s planned closure for renovations and ordered the removal of President Donald Trump’s name from the institution, ruling that the board overstepped its authority to rename it, as only Congress has that authority.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kennedy-center-judge-blocks-closure-trump-name-change/
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/arts/kennedy-center-trump-name-remove.html
Decision:
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.287972/gov.uscourts.dcd.287972.50.0_1.pdf
All Quiet at the Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra has faced months of canceled performances and reduced pay after a wave of artistic departures followed Trump’s takeover of the institution, leaving many musicians uncertain about the orchestra’s future.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/25/arts/music/kennedy-center-house-orchestra.html
3 Weeks After Fire, ‘The Book of Mormon’ Reopens on Broadway
“The Book of Mormon” resumed performances on Broadway after a three-week shutdown caused by a damaging electrical fire at the Eugene O’Neill Theater that forced the production to miss 25 performances.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/theater/book-of-mormon-broadway-fire-reopening.html
Why is TikTok in This Book From 2006?
A recent reprint of Pretty Little Liars drew criticism after a 2006 reference to “Fear Factor” was replaced with TikTok, highlighting a broader publishing practice of updating cultural and technological references in older books to appeal to younger readers. Critics argue the changes can erase a book’s historical and cultural context.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/27/books/why-is-tiktok-in-this-book-from-2006.html
Everlane Co-Founder, Shocked by Shein Acquisition, Wants a Redo
Everlane co-founder Michael Preysman criticized the company’s acquisition by fast-fashion giant Shein as “the complete antithesis” of Everlane’s mission. He announced plans to launch a new apparel brand built on the same principles as the company he founded.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/business/everlane-co-founder-shein-acquisition.html
Sports
‘Bing Bong!” The Knicks’ Watch Party Outside the Garden Is Dead
New York City canceled watch parties outside Madison Square Garden after postgame Knicks celebrations became increasingly rowdy.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/25/nyregion/knicks-watch-party-garden.html
Bipartisan college sports bill proposes salary cap, transfer limit
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced legislation that would give the NCAA greater authority to regulate college sports, including allowing schools to cap athlete compensation and limiting athletes to one transfer without penalty.
https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/48891780/bipartisan-college-sports-bill-proposes-salary-cap-transfer-limit
Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 186: The Protect College Sports Act Is Better Than What Came Before, But Short Of What It Claims To Be
A bipartisan Senate bill, the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, aimed at reforming college sports has drawn criticism from some advocates and legal experts, who argue it would limit athlete compensation while granting the NCAA significant antitrust protections.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/newsletter-image-likeness-vol-186-protect-college-sports-heitner-r2bge/
NCAA: Brendan Sorsby wagered at least $90k in college, gambling flagged by law enforcement
Court filings revealed that Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby placed more than 9,000 bets totaling at least $90,000 during his college career, including wagers on Indiana football while he was a member of the team, as he challenged the NCAA’s decision to permanently revoke his eligibility.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7318006/2026/05/29/brendan-sorsby-gambling-ncaa-law-enforcement/
NCAA infractions expert says Brendan Sorsby faces long odds challenging permanent ban for gambling
Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby is challenging the NCAA’s permanent ban on athletes who wager on their own teams, though experts say he faces long odds in seeking to regain his eligibility.
https://apnews.com/article/sorsby-gambling-lawsuit-texas-tech-4dec31e35292b0e24c166ff5eb8ab327
Packers running back Josh Jacobs arrested on domestic abuse charges
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs was arrested on five charges related to an alleged domestic violence incident, including felony strangulation and suffocation. Jacobs has denied all allegations.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7303288/2026/05/26/josh-jacobs-arrested-investigation-charges-packers/
The $400 Million Showdown Between a Billionaire and a California Mayor
The owner of the Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood are in a dispute over Hollywood Park and SoFi Stadium, with the development seeking roughly $400 million in reimbursements for improvements made to the property and surrounding area. Inglewood argues that the 2015 development agreement requiring those payments is void.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/27/arts/music/inglewood-hollywood-park-sofi-stadium.html
New York, New Jersey AGs launch investigation of FIFA’s World Cup ticketing practices
The attorneys general of New York and New Jersey have launched an investigation into FIFA’s 2026 World Cup ticketing practices, citing complaints that fans were misled about seat locations and charged inflated prices.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7311352/2026/05/27/new-york-nj-attorney-general-fifa-world-cup-tickets-investigation/
FIFA threatened with U.S. lawsuit over World Cup ban on pre-revolutionary flag
The Institute for Voices of Liberty, a non-profit group, has threatened FIFA with legal action over its plan to prohibit the pre-revolutionary Iran flag at World Cup venues. Opponents of the policy argue it would suppress political expression and discriminate against members of the Iranian diaspora.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7302070/2026/05/25/world-cup-iran-flag-lawsuit/
U.F.C. Fight Venue Takes Shape on the White House Lawn
Construction is underway on the White House South Lawn for a U.F.C. fight scheduled for June 14, Trump’s 80th birthday, as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of America’s founding.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/us/politics/ufc-fight-trump-white-house.html
Fertility journeys of footballers in same-sex relationships: ‘I really wanted to carry’
Female footballers in same-sex relationships are increasingly sharing their fertility journeys, highlighting the financial, medical, and career considerations involved in starting a family. The stories come as football organizations expand access to fertility education, IVF, and family-planning support for professional players.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7263172/2026/05/28/same-sex-couples-motherhood-fertility/
The world’s largest domestic sporting union announces first-of-its-kind fertility care
The Professional Footballers’ Association announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with Care Fertility that will provide football players with fertility education, assessments, preservation, IVF, and family-planning support. The initiative comes as women’s football organizations seek to expand support for players navigating fertility, pregnancy and parenthood.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7302904/2026/05/27/wsl-pfa-fertility-motherhood-football/
Nationals exec let go after video shows him saying team avoided using conservative player on social media: Sources
The Washington Nationals fired a community relations executive after a hidden-camera video showed him discussing internal team matters, including claims that the organization avoided featuring a conservative player on social media.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7318383/2026/05/29/nationals-executive-let-go-video-conservative-player-social-media/
Wander Franco granted judicial pardon in retrial. Ex-MLB player will avoid prison
Former Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was granted a judicial pardon. A Dominican court judge ruled that, while he was criminally responsible for sexual and psychological abuse of a minor, he was also a victim of extortion and blackmail by the minor’s mother. However, legal experts say that his Major League Baseball career is likely over because he will probably be unable to obtain a visa to return to the United States.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7308270/2026/05/25/mlb-wander-franco-trial-verdict/
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7311021/2026/05/27/wander-franco-mlb-career-future/
SRAM vs the UCI: How a dispute over gear ratio could change global sport forever
A Belgian court ruled in favor of cycling equipment manufacturer SRAM in its challenge to the UCI’s proposed gear-ratio restrictions, a decision that could expand the influence of manufacturers over equipment regulations across sports.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7314936/2026/05/29/sram-uci-dispute-gear-ratios/
Media/Technology
Trump Refiles $10 Billion Lawsuit Against The Wall Street Journal
Trump refiled his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal over an article about a birthday greeting to Jeffrey Epstein after a judge dismissed the previous complaint.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/business/media/trump-wsj-defamation-suit-10-billion.html
Artificial Intelligence Floods Court Dockets with Home-Brewed Lawsuits
Federal judges and legal experts say artificial intelligence is increasingly fueling a rise in pro se litigation, with A.I.-generated filings consuming more court resources and adding to already overburdened court dockets.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/25/us/politics/artificial-intelliegence-courts.html
CBS News Names Outsider to Lead ‘60 Minutes’ as Part of Major Shake-Up
CBS News named tech journalist and filmmaker Nick Bilton as the executive producer of 60 Minutes and fired two on-air correspondents.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/business/media/nick-bilton-60-minutes-bari-weiss.html
‘60 Minutes’ Journalist Who Accused CBS of Political Meddling Loses Her Deal
CBS News declined to renew the contract of “60 Minutes” correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi, six months after she accused the network of political interference for pulling a segment on Salvadoran prisons.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/27/business/media/cbs-sharyn-alfonsi-bari-weiss.html
Conde Nast Pays Over $400,000 to Journalists Fired Over Protest
Condé Nast paid three journalists more than $400,000 to settle a dispute over their firing after they confronted the company’s head of human resources about layoffs last fall.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/27/business/media/conde-nast-fired-journalists-settlement.html
How SpaceX Is Structured to Favor Elon Musk
SpaceX’s corporate governance structure has drawn criticism from corporate governance experts, who say the company’s board structure and compensation arrangements appear to benefit Elon Musk at the expense of other shareholders.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/technology/spacex-elon-musk-pay-board-governance.html
Teachers’ Union Urges Schools to Curb A.I. Chatbots and Screen Time
The American Federation of Teachers urged schools to eliminate digital devices for students in pre-kindergarten through second grade and avoid using A.I. chatbots in elementary schools. The union warned that young people are “drowning in tech.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/27/technology/ai-screens-schools-weingarten.html
Watchdog Agency Seeks to Reverse Its Own Win Against a Crypto Firm
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission asked a federal judge to overturn its own settlement with cryptocurrency firm Gemini Trust, arguing that the agency should never have sued the company for allegedly misleading regulators about its Bitcoin business.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/us/politics/cftc-gemini-winklevoss-lawsuit.html
Pope Leo Warns of Risks From A.I. in 42,300-Word Encyclical
Pope Leo XIV issued his first papal encyclical, warning of the risks posed by artificial intelligence and calling for regulation of A.I. companies, protections for workers and safeguards against autonomous weapons. The document emphasized protecting human dignity and ensuring that humans remain responsible for major decisions involving the technology.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/25/world/europe/pope-leo-encyclical.html
After China Orders a Times Reporter to Leave the Country, the U.S. Reciprocates
The Trump administration revoked the visa of a Chinese state media journalist after China ordered Vivian Wang, a New York Times reporter, to leave the country.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/us/politics/china-expels-times-reporter.html
General News
Supreme Court Reverses Ruling in Immigration Judges’ Free Speech Lawsuit
The Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration and reversed a lower-court decision that had allowed immigration judges to challenge restrictions on their work-related public statements in federal court.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/us/politics/supreme-court-immigration-judges.html
Supreme Court Rejects Lawsuit Over Commercial Driver’s Licenses for Migrants
The Supreme Court rejected Florida officials’ attempt to sue California and Washington over claims that the states improperly granted commercial driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants. The lawsuit stems from a fatal truck crash in Florida involving a commercial truck driven by an Indian immigrant.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/us/politics/supreme-court-drivers-licenses-migrants.html
Supreme Court Says Death Row Inmate Can Challenge Exclusion of Black Jurors
The Supreme Court ruled that Terry Pitchford, a Mississippi death row inmate, is entitled to challenge the exclusion of Black jurors from his trial, finding that his lawyer was not given a meaningful opportunity to contest the prosecutor’s reasons for striking potential Black jurors.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/us/politics/supreme-court-black-jurors.html
Federal Judge Bars Trump From Immediately Setting Up $1.8 Billion Fund
A federal judge in Virginia temporarily blocked the Trump administration from establishing a $1.8 billion fund intended to compensate people it says were harmed by the federal government, pending a hearing on the fund’s legality.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/us/politics/federal-judge-trump-fund.html
Former Judges Urge Inquiry Into Deal Trump Struck With I.R.S.
A bipartisan group of 35 former federal judges urged a federal court to investigate Trump’s settlement with the I.R.S., arguing that the deal may have been improperly shielded from judicial scrutiny.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/27/us/politics/judges-trump-deal-irs.html
Trump Administration Sees Striking Exodus of Legal Talent
More than 10,000 federal lawyers have left the government since the beginning of 2025, creating staffing shortages across agencies and fueling hiring by state attorneys general offices and advocacy groups.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/31/us/politics/trump-administration-exodus-of-lawyers.html
Trump Administration Chips Away at Last Traces of Broad Inquiry Into Jan. 6
The Justice Department moved to dismiss the most serious remaining Jan. 6 cases involving members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, continuing efforts to unwind its investigation into the Capitol attack.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/23/us/politics/trump-prosecutors-jan-6.html
Trump Clears Way for Corporate Tax Dodge Hidden in the Fine Print
U.S. companies have avoided at least $40 billion in taxes since the beginning of 2025 by shifting profits to low-tax jurisdictions after the Trump administration withdrew from a global effort to curb offshore tax avoidance.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/business/economy/offshore-tax-havens-trump.html
Trump Administration Wants Federal Employees to Sign Nondisclosure Agreements
The Trump administration has proposed a uniform nondisclosure agreement for federal employees aimed at preventing leaks of internal government information. Critics say it could silence employees and face First Amendment challenges.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/us/politics/trump-administration-nondisclosure-agreements.html
Southern Poverty Law Center Accuses Justice Dept. of Vindictive Prosecution
The Southern Poverty Law Center asked a federal judge to dismiss fraud charges against the organization, arguing that the case is part of a retributive campaign by the Trump administration targeting perceived political enemies.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/us/politics/southern-poverty-law-center-doj.html
Confusion and Worry After Abrupt Change to Green Card Process, but Actually, Most Immigrants Won’t Need to Leave the U.S. to Get Green Cards, D.H.S. Says
The Department of Homeland Security clarified that most immigrants seeking green cards will still be allowed to remain in the United States while their applications are processed, despite an earlier announcement suggesting otherwise.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/24/us/green-card-application-changes-trump.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/us/politics/green-cards-dhs.html
Inside the Deal to Drop Trump’s $10 Billion Suit Against the I.R.S.
A New York Times investigation detailed how Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the I.R.S. was resolved through an agreement that created a $1.8 billion compensation fund for alleged victims of government weaponization and granted tax-related benefits to Trump, his family, and businesses.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/us/politics/trump-irs-lawsuit-deal.html
Trump Squeezes Immigrants by Cutting Them Off From Jobs, Health Care and Housing
The Trump administration has sought to pressure immigrants, including many with legal status, to leave the United States by restricting access to jobs, health care, housing, and other government benefits. These restrictions eliminate incentives that draw people to the U.S.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/us/politics/trump-immigrants-health-housing.html
Trump Lifts Restrictions on Off-Road Vehicles on Public Lands
Trump rescinded two executive orders that had restricted off-road vehicles on public lands for decades, a move that could expand access to national parks for vehicles such as ATVs, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/climate/trump-off-road-vehicles-public-lands.html
Biden Sues Justice Dept. To Block Release of Tapes
President Joe Biden sued the Justice Department to block the release of recordings of conversations with his ghostwriter while writing his 2017 memoir. Biden argued that the department has a responsibility to protect the privacy of those discussions.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/27/us/politics/biden-justice-dept-tapes.html
Justice Dept. Is Said to Open Criminal Inquiry of E. Jean Carroll Over Trump Lawsuits
The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll, the former magazine writer who accused Trump of sexual assault, over whether she committed perjury in her civil lawsuits against him.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/27/us/politics/criminal-inquiry-e-jean-carroll-trump-accusations.html
Who Is the Prosecutor Investigating E. Jean Carroll’s Lawsuits?
Andrew S. Boutros, the Trump-appointed U.S. attorney overseeing the inquiry related to E. Jean Carroll’s lawsuits, has faced criticism over a series of prosecutorial setbacks and staff departures while pursuing cases aligned with the administration’s agenda.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/us/chicago-prosecutor-andrew-boutros.html
Prices in the U.S. Are Rising at the Fastest Pace in Years
The Personal Consumption Expenditures index, a key measure of inflation closely watched by the Federal Reserve, rose to a three-year high in April, reinforcing the central bank’s willingness to consider raising interest rates if price pressures do not ease.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/business/inflation-pce-gauge.html
Judge Declines, for Now, to Block Mail-In Voting Changes Ordered by Trump
A federal judge declined to block Trump’s executive order targeting mail-in voting, allowing the administration to continue pursuing changes that include creating a federal database of citizens to help guide states on voter eligibility.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/us/politics/trump-voting-executive-order.html
Cornyn’s Defeat Fuels Tensions With President Trump in Senate G.O.P.
Senator John Cornyn’s primary defeat in Texas has intensified tensions between Trump and Senate Republicans, many of whom viewed Trump’s endorsement of Ken Paxton as a move that could jeopardize both the party’s Senate majority and the president’s legislative agenda.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/27/us/trump-cornyn-paxton-senate-republicans.html
Reflecting Pool Contract Has ‘Inflated’ Profit Margin, Government Analysis Finds
A National Park Service analysis found that the contractor awarded a no-bid contract to repair the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is being paid an inflated profit margin, while documents indicate the company has struggled with parts of the repair work.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/27/us/politics/reflecting-pool-contractor-trump.html
National Park Entrance Fees Are Funding Trump’s D.C. Project
The National Park Service is using at least $67 million in park entrance fees to help fund President Donald Trump’s Washington beautification projects, including repairs to ornamental fountains and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/27/climate/park-service-fees-washington-trump.html
U.S. Seeks to Give Weapons-Grade Plutonium to Start-Ups for Fuel
The Trump administration is moving forward with plans to provide weapons-grade plutonium from dismantled nuclear warheads to companies seeking to convert the material into fuel for nuclear power plants. Supporters say the plan could help address fuel shortages, while critics have raised concerns about cost, security, and nuclear proliferation risks.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/climate/plutonium-nuclear-weapons-fuel.html
HUD Moves to Limit Assistance Animals for Disabled Tenants
The Department of Housing and Urban Development narrowed the definition of “assistance animal” by excluding emotional support animals from housing accommodations for disabled tenants.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/22/us/politics/hud-assistance-animals-disabled.html
S.E.C. Proposes to Kill Climate Change Disclosure Rule
The Securities and Exchange Commission proposed repealing a rule that would have required publicly traded companies to disclose climate-related risks and certain greenhouse gas emissions.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/climate/sec-climate-disclosure-rule.html
New York Wants to Restrict ICE Enforcement. ICE Has Other Ideas.
New York enacted new restrictions on federal immigration enforcement, including a mask ban for ICE agents and limits on searches of sensitive locations. The Department of Homeland Security signaled that it does not intend to comply with the measures.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/nyregion/ice-masks-hochul-ny.html
ICE Restrictions, a New Tax: What’s in New York’s $269 Billion Budget
New York lawmakers approved a $269 billion state budget that includes new restrictions on ICE, a tax on high-end second homes in New York City, changes to climate goals and reforms to the state’s auto insurance system.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/nyregion/budget-late-new-york.html
Lawmakers Face a Personal Fiscal Crisis: No Budget, No Paycheck
Lawmakers in New York have gone without pay since April 1 because of the state’s delayed budget, creating financial hardships for some legislators even as budget negotiations continue in Albany
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/25/nyregion/lawmakers-pay-budget-ny.html
Judge Allows Florida House Map That Could Add 4 Republican Seats
A Florida judge declined to temporarily block the state’s new congressional map, allowing it to remain in place as a lawsuit challenging the map under Florida’s ban on partisan gerrymandering moves forward. The map could give Republicans four additional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/us/florida-congress-map-redistricting.html
South Carolina Senate Does Not Act on New Midterm Map, Defying Trump
The South Carolina Senate adjourned without taking up a new congressional map that would have eliminated the state’s lone majority Black district, delaying redistricting changes until after the primary election. The move defied pressure from Trump and national conservatives to redraw district lines before the November midterm elections.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/us/south-carolina-redistricting-map.html
Court Rejects Alabama House Map, Calling It Unfair to Black Voters
Federal judges in Alabama rejected efforts to use a new congressional map for the November midterm elections because the districts discriminated against Black voters.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/us/politics/alabama-congress-map-redistricting.html
Judge Tosses Citizenship Law Aimed at New Voters in New Hampshire
A federal judge struck down a New Hampshire law requiring new voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. The judge ruled that eliminating the option to use an affidavit imposed an unjustifiable burden on the right to vote.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/us/new-hampshire-citizenship-law-voters.html
Louisiana Approves Map Eliminating a Majority-Black District
Louisiana approved a new congressional map that eliminates one of the state’s two majority-Black districts after the Supreme Court struck down its previous map as an illegal racial gerrymander last month.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/us/politics/louisiana-redistricting-map-majority-black-district.html
Memphis Residents Are Latest to Sue Over Federal Agents’ Arrest Tactics
Memphis residents backed by the American Civil Liberties Union sued the federal government, alleging that agents with a federal task force retaliated against people who documented arrests and other law enforcement activity in the city.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/us/memphis-arrest-tactics-lawsuit.html
Research Funding Slows Again for Universities Targeted by White House
The Trump administration has quietly slowed federal research funding for Harvard and other universities targeted by its campaign against higher education, though some grants were released after inquiries from media outlets.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/us/politics/trump-university-research-funding.html
Suit Says Black Infants Were Subjected to Experimental Vaccine Without Consent
The families of two Black infants sued the federal government, alleging that the children were enrolled without consent in a 1960s R.S.V. vaccine trial and later died after receiving the experimental vaccine.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/us/rsv-vaccine-testing-lawsuit.html
Judge Lifts West Point’s Restrictions on Civilian Professor’s Speech
A federal judge blocked The Military Academy at West Point from requiring civilian professors to obtain approval before speaking publicly about their areas of expertise and from restricting a professor’s ability to express his opinions in the classroom.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/nyregion/west-point-trump-free-speech.html
Fired for Criticizing Charlie Kirk, They’re Now Getting Big Payouts
Ball State University in Indiana agreed to pay $225,000 to a former administrator after he criticized Charlie Kirk on Facebook. This is the latest settlement involving workers who lost their jobs over posts made after his assassination.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/27/us/politics/ball-state-charlie-kirk-settlement.html
One-and-Done Heart Disease Prevention? Scientists Show It May Be Possible.
In a preliminary study, an experimental gene-editing treatment reduced LDL cholesterol levels by as much as 62% following a single infusion. Though researchers say larger studies are needed, the results suggest the therapy could provide a “one-and-done” approach to preventing heart disease.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/25/health/cholesterol-ldl-gene-therapy.html
A Very Lonely Caterpillar, Possibly the Last of Its Kind, Has Died
The last known Sacramento Mountains checkerspot caterpillar in human care died this month in Albuquerque, marking the loss of what may have been the final known individual of the critically endangered subspecies. Scientists hope the butterfly still exists in the wild and plan to continue searching for surviving populations.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/21/climate/a-very-lonely-caterpillar-the-sacramento-mountains-checkerspot-has-died.html
Dell Gets a $9.7 Billion Defense Contract. Trump’s Portfolio Stands to Benefit
Trump’s purchase of more than $1 million in Dell stock is drawing scrutiny after the Pentagon awarded the company a $9.7 billion contract, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/us/politics/trump-dell-stock-purchases.html
Trump Administration Updates: Bessent Endorses $250 Bill with Trump’s Image
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Treasury Department had prepared designs for a $250 bill featuring Trump’s image, though issuing currency depicting a living person would require an act of Congress.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/05/28/us/trump-news
C.I.A. Officer Arrested With Gold Once Worked With No. 2 Pentagon Official
A C.I.A. officer arrested with more than $40 million in gold bars had previously worked with Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg, though officials said the two men were not close.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/us/politics/cia-gold-bars-stephen-feinberg.html
G.D.P Is a Flawed Measure of Prosperity. Alternatives Are on the Way.
The United Nations has introduced a new dashboard of 31 metrics designed to measure prosperity beyond G.D.P. Economists and policymakers remain divided over how best to assess well-being and economic progress.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/business/economy/gdp-united-nations-prosperity-measures.html
Guatemala Agrees to Joint Strikes With U.S. Against Drug Gangs
Guatemala has agreed to carry out joint military operations with the United States against drug trafficking groups, becoming the second Latin American country to allow such action inside its borders after Ecuador.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/world/americas/guatemala-us-joint-strikes.html
Out of Gas, Cubans Cook With Charcoal and Wood to Survive
The energy crisis in Cuba has left many residents without cooking gas or reliable electricity, forcing people to cook with charcoal, firewood and other makeshift materials to survive. As fuel supplies have dwindled, the shortage has intensified across the country.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/25/world/americas/cuba-blackouts-fire-energy-oil.html
Kenyan Court Suspends Plans for Ebola Quarantine Unit for Americans
A Kenyan court temporarily suspended plans for a U.S.-backed Ebola quarantine facility intended to house Americans exposed to the virus after a civil society group challenged the arrangement's constitutionality.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/world/africa/us-kenya-quarantine-unit-ebola.html