Jessie Schuster
Edited by Elissa D. Hecker
Entertainment
SAG-AFTRA & Studio CEOs Start Talks With Revenue Sharing Still Divisive Issue; “Be Cautious”
While the historic Writers’ Strike has come to an end, SAG-AFTRA is back to negotiating with Hollywood studios and streaming services. Members of the union are warning that just because one deal has been made, there is still more to do before both sides of their negotiation table can come up with an agreement.
https://deadline.com/2023/10/actors-strike-talks-hollywood-studios-issues-remain-1235561315/
Longtime Union Leader Steps Fully into Hollywood’s Spotlight
As the SAG-AFTRA strike gets closer to an end, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, lead negotiator for the union and executive director of SAG-AFTRA, is stepping out into the public eye as he works tirelessly to take a stand for his community.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/01/business/media/actors-strike-duncan-crabtree-ireland.html?searchResultPosition=1
Supreme Court Officially Decides Against Reviewing Nearly Decade-Old Wolfgang’s Vault Case
The Supreme Court decided not to review the case surrounding the platform “Wolfgang’s Vault”, which was created by William Sagan to make available concert recordings from a number of classic rock bands. The appellate court rejected the publisher plaintiffs’ request for a new trial, overturned the order that granted $2.4M in legal fees, and reversed the decision regarding the defendant’s direct liability.
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2023/10/03/wolfgangs-vault-cert-bid-denied/
Julia Ormond Sues Harvey Weinstein, Hollywood Studios and Agency Over Alleged Sexual Assault
Despite being behind bars already for sexual assault, Harvey Weinstein was sued yet again by actress Julia Ormond for sexual battery.
https://ew.com/movies/julia-ormond-sues-harvey-weinstein-disney-miramax-caa-sexual-assault/
Rick Astley and Yung Gravy Settle ‘Betty (Get Money)’ Copyright Infringement Suit After Eight Months
Eight months after Rick Astley sued Yung Gravy and Dillon Francis for copyright infringement of his song “Never Gonna Give You Up” in their TikTok hit “Betty,” the musicians have agreed to settle the case.
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2023/09/28/rick-astley-yung-gravy-lawsuit-settlement/
Tupac Shakur Suspect Makes First Court Appearance in Las Vegas
Duane Davis was indicted for the murder of infamous rapper Tupac Shakur and made his first appearance in Clark County District Court in Las Vegas.
https://www.billboard.com/business/legal/tupac-shakur-murder-suspect-first-court-appearance-arrest-1235432697/
Music Festival Revelers in the Israeli Desert Were Massacred by Hamas Militants
Jews, Israelis, and people around the world have been left heartbroken and scared as Hamas militants have killed, kidnapped, and raped hundreds of music festival goers and Israeli citizens, marking the start of a brutal war in Israel.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/music-festival-revelers-israeli-desert-became-victims-hamas-militants-rcna119394
Hi, ‘Barbie’! Russian Theaters Find Ways to Screen Blockbusters Amid Sanctions
With the ongoing war in Ukraine, Hollywood movies have been restricting releases in Russia, however it appears that Russian theaters have still been screening these movies using illegal copies of the films.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/04/world/europe/barbie-russia-hollywood-ukraine-war.html
Arts
A Giacometti for a Cezanne: Jeffrey Epstein’s Role in a Pricey Art Deal
Billionaire Leon Black is being scrutinized after it has been found that he had attempted to sell artwork while avoiding taxes, and the man he looked to who could help him was disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/05/business/jeffrey-epstein-leon-black-art-deal.html?searchResultPosition=1
IRS Warns Taxpayers of Improper Art Donation Deduction Promotions; Highlights Common Red Flags
Taxpayers are being warned by the IRS to look out for promotions that discuss “exaggerated art donation deductions,” as an art scheme is offering taxpayers the ability to buy art at a seemingly discounted price, then advising the buyers to donate the art and claim a tax deduction for each donation.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-warns-taxpayers-of-improper-art-donation-deduction-promotions-highlights-common-red-flags#:~:text=Watch%20for%20red%20flags,appraisers%20for%20participants%20to%20use.
Spotify Gave Subscribers Music and Podcasts. Next: Audiobooks
Spotify users will now have access to 15 hours of audiobook listening per month, as the audio streaming app continues to grow from more than just music. Authors are concerned about the proposed pay-as-you listen model, which may undercut the time and work spent when writing a book.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/03/technology/spotify-audiobooks.html?searchResultPosition=1
An Elderly Couple Sold an African Mask to an Antiques Dealer for $157. It Sold at Auction for Millions. Now They Want Compensation.
A French couple is seeking compensation after an African Mask they sold for under $200 to an antiques dealer was auctioned off for $4.4M. The couple argues that the dealer withheld valuable information about the mask from them, and are now appealing their case in hopes for a bigger payout after being offered $315,000 in compensatory damages.
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/african-mask-antiques-dealer-auction-four-miilion-sale-1234681082/
Sports
Sports Betting in Florida Still on Hold as Seminole Tribe Secures a Win in Court Ruling
The Seminole Tribe will continue to control sports betting in Florida as a D.C. appellate court has refused to put a hold on the ruling that gave the tribe control in the first place.
https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/sports-betting-in-florida-still-on-hold-as-seminole-tribe-secures-a-win-in-court-ruling/3122227/
Brett Favre to give First Sworn Testimony in Mississippi Welfare Case
Former NFL Quarterback Brett Favre is to give his first testimony regarding his involvement with a Mississippi welfare scandal, as the state’s Department of Human Services has brought a civil claim over $8M that went to the hall of famer, the University of Southern Mississippi Athletic Foundation, and a drug company in which Favre invests.
https://frontofficesports.com/brett-favre-to-give-first-sworn-testimony-in-mississippi-welfare-case/
U.S. Tennis Accused of Downplaying Sexual Abuse and Trying to Silence Pam Shriver
The U.S. Tennis Association has been accused of trying to cover up sexual abuse of Grand Slam Champion Pam Shriver, and now the athletic association is attempting to defend itself against the claims.
https://theathletic.com/4928508/2023/10/05/us-tennis-sexual-abuse-pam-shriver/
Notebook and Pen in Hand, a Swiftie Watches the N.F.L. and Learns
NFL fans and Taylor Swift fans alike have been closely following the speculation that Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift have been dating. Despite the size and following of the N.F.L., Swifties make up an even bigger fan-base, making the recent Jets vs. Chiefs game the most watched game, next to the Super Bowl.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/02/arts/music/swifties-watching-nfl.html?searchResultPosition=1
Michigan Joins NY In Banning Pick ‘Em Fantasy Contests
The MI Gaming Control Board has proposed a ban on pro-style daily sports games and the proposal has cleared legislative approval. Once approved by the MI Secretary of State, some fantasy sport operators that are categorized as “Pick ‘em” companies will be forced to stop their operations in that state.
https://www.legalsportsreport.com/141281/ny-michigan-ban-pick-em-fantasy-contests/
Changes Could Be Coming to NCAA Betting Penalties
NCAA Athletes could face new penalties for betting in a few weeks, as the association has proposed new concepts that NCAA President Charlie Baker claims will be “an important step in modernizing the NCAA’s sports wagering.”
https://www.legalsportsreport.com/141336/changes-could-be-coming-to-ncaa-betting-penalties/
Fired Northwestern Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald is Suing School for $130M for Wrongful Termination
Northwestern University is being sued by former football coach Pat Fitzgerald, who is seeking $130M for wrongful termination after being fired in the midst of a hazing scandal that surrounded the school’s athletic department.
https://apnews.com/article/pat-fitzgerald-northwestern-university-hazing-lawsuit-d3a00fde8cad75d6ef8d25ca5860bb4f
Simone Biles Ties Record with Sixth Gymnastics World All-Around Gold Medal
Simone Biles has made her return to international gymnastics competitions after suffering from the “twisties,” and the athlete has managed to score a 9.5 out of 10 execution score, leaving her with the tied record for world all-around gold medals.
https://theathletic.com/4937839/2023/10/06/simone-biles-gold-world-championships-all-around/
FIFA Partially Lifts Russia’s Ban – Under – 17 Teams Can Compete Under ‘Neutral Colors’
17 boys and girls soccer teams will now be able to compete in international FIFA competitions so long as they do not openly represent their country, as FIFA has partially lifted the international play ban on Russia.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2023/10/04/fifa-partially-lifts-russias-ban-under-17-teams-can-compete-under-neutral-colors/?sh=7d45f392b1ae
MLB Expansion Suitors Grow, Even Without Formal Process
With the start of MLB postseason under way, the league is still throwing around the idea of expanding, and many cities are hoping to be home to a new team.
https://frontofficesports.com/mlb-expansion-suitors-grow-even-without-formal-process/
Forced Kiss Claim Leads to ‘Helplessness’ for Accuser Who Turned to Olympics Abuse-Fighting Agency
Following the kissing scandal involving Spain’s Women’s Soccer coach, Kristen Hawkes, an elite fencer, is speaking out about a similar situation she found herself in when her former coach forcibly kissed her twice during a meeting. After filing a complaint to the U.S. Center for SafeSport, she found her claims to be quickly rejected, as the former coach was represented by a top sports attorney.
https://apnews.com/article/forced-kiss-safesport-fencing-olympics-sexual-abuse-0770975926e77c1c0aa681c71bc13704
Spain Footballers Tell Court of Pressure on Hermoso from Rubiales to Justify “Kiss” Incident
Former Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales is being accused of trying to pressure player Jennifer Hermoso into making a public statement justifying the disgraced kiss incident that took place after the women’s team had a big win.
https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1141353/rubiales-pressured-hermoso-over-kiss
Media & Technology
Why a Little-Known Copyright Case May Shape the Future of AI
A copyright case that came about three years ago when an AI startup allegedly hired a third party to copy content from Westlaw to train its AI bots is resurfacing, as it may determine how courts will rule in future copyright infringement cases involving AI.
https://copyrightlately.com/why-a-little-known-copyright-case-may-shape-the-future-of-ai/
Microsoft C.E.O. Testifies That Google’s Power in Search is Ubiquitous
The antitrust case against Google continues, as the chief executive from Microsoft testified that Google is big enough to cause issues even for a company as big and well known as Microsoft, making Satya Nadella the highest-profile witness in the case.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/02/technology/microsoft-ceo-testifies-google-search.html?searchResultPosition=1
Crypto Goes on Trial, as Sam Bankman-Fried Faces His Reckoning
Sam Bankman-Fried is set to go on trial in Manhattan for charges surrounding his failed crypto-empire. It is expected that the trial may lead to information about crypto as a whole, just a few short years after the financial concept was on the rise.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/02/technology/ftx-sam-bankman-fried-trial.html
Elon Musk is Being Sued for Libel For Accusing a Man of Having Neo-Nazi Links
Ben Brody, a 22 year-old member of AEPi, “the world’s Jewish college fraternity,” is suing billionaire Elon Musk for libel in response to the X CEO wrongfully accusing Brody of being involved in a group of men with neo-Nazi links in a series of tweets.
https://www.npr.org/2023/10/04/1203339945/elon-musk-neo-nazi-defamation-lawsuit-ben-brody
How a Pricing Change Led to a Revolt by Unity’s Video Game Developers
Unity Technologies, a software company used by video game developers, has changed its historical model of a fixed, annual licensing fee to a new fee-per-use model, causing uproar from game development studios who have previously relied on the software.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/02/technology/how-a-pricing-change-led-to-a-revolt-by-unitys-video-game-developers.html?searchResultPosition=1
DirecTV Says CNN Streaming Service Risks Violating Deal
An existing contract between CNN and DirecTV may be at risk after CNN has announced its new plan to offer streaming through the network.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/03/business/media/directv-cnn-streaming-service-deal.html?searchResultPosition=1
Mike Lindell’s Lawyers Say He Owes ‘Millions’ in Fees
Mike Lindell, better known for his work as “My Pillow” founder and leading financial supporter of former President Trump, is being accused by his attorneys of failing to pay millions of dollars in unpaid legal fees for lawyers defending him against defamation claims.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/06/us/politics/mike-lindell-mypillow-elections-lawsuit.html
From a Capitol Hill Basement, Bannon Stokes the Republican Party Meltdown
Former Trump advisor Stephen K. Bannon has created a following since his time in the White House and has recently been using his media platforms to wreak havoc among his far-right followers in light of the recent downfall of Speaker McCarthy.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/04/us/politics/bannon-republicans-gaetz-mace.html?searchResultPosition=1
Paramount Releases ‘Mean Girls’ for Free on TikTok in 23 Parts
Paramount has created a ‘Mean Girls’ account on TikTok to play the entire movie in clips on October 3rd, the day many fans of the movie know as ‘Mean Girls Day.’ The decision to have the movie accessible for free on the social media platform is one of the first scenarios where a media company is using TikTok’s freemium model to its advantage as a marketing tool for the upcoming remake of the movie.
https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/mean-girls-free-tiktok-23-parts-paramount-1235743213/
New Dehli Police Raid Homes and Offices of Journalists
Journalists working in New Dehli became victims to a police raid, as multiple homes and offices were stripped of laptops, phones, and other journalism equipment. Many writers were detained by the police as they raided the property.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/03/world/asia/india-police-raid-journalists-newsclick.html?searchResultPosition=1
General News
Supreme Court Turns Away Challenge to New York’s Rent Regulations
The Supreme Court refused to hear a case brought by landlords that challenges N.Y. rent-stabilization regulations.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/02/us/supreme-court-new-york-rent-regulation.html
A Battered Supreme Court Returns to Confront a Challenging Docket
In the coming months, the Supreme Court will confront a docket requiring the justices to address constitutional issues including gun rights, government power, race, and free speech.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/01/us/supreme-court-docket-guns-free-speech.html?searchResultPosition=2
Supreme Court Considers Whether Americans With Disabilities Act ‘Tester’ Can Sue Hotels for Non-compliance with the Law
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that will determine whether or not the Americans With Disabilities Act will protect against hotels that do not comply with the law.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/04/politics/americans-with-disabilities-act-hotel-tester-case-supreme-court/index.html
Kevin McCarthy’s ‘Original Sin’: What Drove the House Speaker’s Historic Downfall
Representative Matt Gaetz from Florida claimed that Kevin McCarthy’s “original sin” was the debt ceiling deal the former Speaker made with President Biden back in May.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/kevin-mccarthy-original-sin-house-speaker-historic-downfall-rcna118733
Chaos in House Leads Biden to ‘Worry’ About Flow of Ukraine Aid
As the House of Representatives has been left without a speaker, President Biden has expressed concern that chaos in D.C. could cause chaos in regards to the flow of financial support to Ukraine.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/10/04/world/russia-ukraine-news
Scalise and Jordan Announce Bids for Speaker as Vacancy Paralyzes the House
As Congress was without a Speaker of the House, Louisiana Representative Steve Scalise and Ohio Representative Jim Jordan announced their candidacies.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/04/us/politics/house-speaker-mccarthy.html
Nobel Prize Awarded to COVID Vaccine Pioneers
Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine for their work on the COVID-19 vaccine and directly saving the world from additional months or years of a pandemic.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/02/health/nobel-prize-medicine.html?campaign_id=190&emc=edit_ufn_20231002&instance_id=104176&nl=from-the-times®i_id=67127294&segment_id=146247&te=1&user_id=0236c45b7ba3058bdd4cb83eb64a9d71
Newsom Names Emily’s List President as Feinstein Successor
Governor Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler as the new Senator of California, following the unfortunate passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein. Butler spent 15 years in California politics. She was the first Black woman President of Emily’s List and a proud supporter and advocate of reproductive rights.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/01/us/newsom-senate-feinstein-laphonza-butler.html
Biden Cancels an Additional $9 Billion in Student Loan Debt
Just days after student loan repayments resumed, President Biden announced his cancellation of an additional $9B in student loan debt.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/04/us/politics/biden-student-loans.html
New York City Moves to Suspend Right-to-Shelter Mandate
NYC Mayor Adams is moving to suspend the right-to-shelter mandate, which would stop the requirement for the city to provide housing for migrants seeking asylum.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/04/nyregion/eric-adams-right-to-shelter-migrant-crisis.html
Lawyers Expand Legal Fight for Longest-Held Prisoner of War on Terrorism
Abu Zubaydah has been named the longest-held prisoner in Guantánamo Bay, and lawyers are now working on his behalf to release him from life as a “forever prisoner” after being “used as a guinea pig to test the bounds of human tolerance.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/04/us/politics/abu-zubaydah-guantanamo-court-cases.html?searchResultPosition=1
A Curious Censorship Issue at the Guantánamo Court
In Guantánamo Bay, people have been left confused, as it seems as though the censorship of the term “PTSD” was invoked in some documents in a case involving a conspiracy theorist regarding 9/11, but “PTSD” was allowed to be discussed at other times.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/07/us/politics/censorship-guantanamo-court.html?searchResultPosition=1
Biden, the Border, and Why a New Wall is Going Up
After pledging not to build more of a border wall, President Biden’s administrations has announced that 20 miles of wall will be added to the one previously built during the Trump administration because, according to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas, “He has to…to prevent unlawful entries into the United States.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/06/us/border-wall-biden.html
Trump Seeks Dismissal of Hush Money Case, Saying it’s Hurting His Campaign
As the country watches their former president fight multiple legal battles as he runs for re-election, Trump has asked a NY court to dismiss the criminal charges against him relating to hush money paid to Stormy Daniels.
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/05/trump-hush-money-case-dismissal-motion-00120169
George Santos’ Former Campaign Treasurer Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud Charge
Nancy Marks, former campaign treasurer for George Santos, pled guilty to conspiring to defraud the U.S. government. Marks also stated that Santos was involved with her recording of false campaign finance documents.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/10/05/george-santos-former-campaign-treasurer-pleads-guilty-to-federal-fraud-charge/?sh=53d782864980
Where’s All the Antarctic Sea Ice? Annual Peak is the Lowest Ever Recorded
The National Snow and Ice Data Center has learned that the sea ice in the Antarctic has reached its lowest ever recorded peak this year. The climate science center warns that the warming of the ocean will dangerously affect the area’s wildlife.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/04/climate/antarctic-sea-ice-record-low.html?searchResultPosition=1