By Giancarla Sambo
Edited by Elissa D. Hecker
Below, for your browsing convenience, the categories are divided into: Entertainment, Arts, Sports, Technology/Media, and General News:
Entertainment
Federal Court Tosses SiriusXM Unpaid-Royalties Suit — SoundExchange Fires Back Against the ‘Unfortunate and Incorrect Ruling’
In August 2023, SoundExchange sued SiriusXM for unpaid royalties. A federal judge dismissed the case, citing a lack of statutory authority. The lengthy process involved a venue transfer, settlement talks, and withdrawn counterclaims. In October 2024, SiriusXM sought dismissal, arguing SoundExchange has no private right of action under Section 114 of the Copyright Act, and the judge agreed.
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/08/08/soundexchange-siriusxm-ruling/
Netflix, Amazon, and Hollywood Win $15M Judgment Against U.S. Pirate IPTV Operator
A California man has been ordered to pay $15 million in damages for operating the pirate IPTV service 'Outer Limits'. After the defendant failed to respond to a lawsuit brought by a coalition of Hollywood studios, Netflix, and Amazon, a district court judge in California awarded the maximum statutory damages for willful copyright infringement.
https://torrentfreak.com/netflix-amazon-hollywood-win-15m-judgment-against-u-s-pirate-iptv-operator/
Investigation Alert: Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (FUN) Under Scrutiny
Levi & Korsinsky announces an investigation into Six Flags over possible securities law violations. On August 6, 2025, Six Flags reported a $100m loss in Q2 2025 and cut its full-year guidance to $860m-$910m from $1.08b-$1.12b. The company cited weather impacts and declines in season pass sales and renewals. CEO Richard Zimmerman will step down by year-end.
https://www.cbs42.com/business/press-releases/accesswire/1061809/investigation-alert-six-flags-entertainment-corporation-fun-under-scrutiny-contact-levi-korsinsky-for-details/
Priscilla Presley Responds to Lawsuit and Allegations Surrounding Lisa Marie's Death
Presley's attorney called the lawsuit "a sad and vicious attempt to falsely tarnish the reputation of an eighty-year-old woman."
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/priscilla-presley-lawsuit-lisa-marie-death/3765360/
Paramount Sues ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Writer’s Cousin, Who Claimed He Authored Key Action Scenes
The studio accuses Shaun Gray, a cousin of 'Maverick' screenwriter Eric Warren Singer, of fraud and copyright infringement for hiding his role in writing the screenplay for the film.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/paramount-pictures-top-gun-maverick-with-countersuit-1236344961/
Sean Kingston Sentenced to 3.5 Years in Prison for Wire Fraud Scheme
The singer and his mom, Janice Eleanor Turner, were found guilty in March before Turner was sentenced to 5 years in July.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/sean-kingston-sentence-3-half-years-prison-fraud-scheme-1236345779/
Hall & Oates Legal Battle Ends: Daryl Hall Dismisses Lawsuit Against John Oates
The legal battle between Hall and Oates is over. Daryl Hall voluntarily dismissed his lawsuit against John Oates and his trust on August 12. The dispute began in November 2023, when Hall got a temporary restraining order against Oates and his wife Aimee for allegedly selling his share of a joint venture to Primary Wave Music.
https://kfoxtv.com/news/entertainment/hall-oates-legal-battle-ends-daryl-hall-dismisses-lawsuit-against-john-oates
Universal Music CEO Lucian Grainge Has Had Enough of Drake’s ‘Ridiculous’ ‘Not Like Us’ Lawsuit
In new legal filings, the top executive has made his first public statements on the rapper’s unprecedented lawsuit against his own label.
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/universal-lucian-grainge-drake-not-like-us-lawsuit-1235408568/
Court Upholds Dismissal of Las Vegas Hotel Price-Fixing Lawsuit
A federal appeals court supported Wynn Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and Treasure Island in a dispute over Las Vegas hotel room prices. The 9th Circuit in San Francisco upheld a lower court’s dismissal of a class action claim accusing the resorts of colluding via shared use of Cendyn software, which the plaintiffs argued facilitated price-fixing by sharing sensitive data.
https://www.pymnts.com/cpi-posts/court-upholds-dismissal-of-las-vegas-hotel-price-fixing-lawsuit/
Toymaker Drops Lawsuit Against Sylvanian Drama Creator
A lawsuit against Irish content creator Thea von Engelbrechten, behind the popular Sylvanian Drama social accounts with 2.5m TikTok followers and 1m on Instagram, was dropped. She stopped posting in December 2024, prompting fans to question her whereabouts. In April, Japanese company Epoch filed a copyright infringement lawsuit in New York, claiming irreparable harm to its reputation, but has now dropped the case.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1w8g3215pvo
Del Records CEO Ángel Del Villar Sentenced To 4 Years in Prison for Cartel Ties
Latin music executive Ángel del Villar of Del Records was sentenced to 4 years in prison for violating the Kingpin Act by doing business with a known drug trafficker. Despite a possible 30-year sentence, he received 4 years and a $2 million fine. He will start serving his sentence on December 1.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/del-records-ceo-ngel-del-011649167.html
Arts
White House Announces Comprehensive Review of Smithsonian Exhibitions
The Trump administration is giving museums 120 days to replace “divisive or ideologically driven language with unifying, historically accurate and constructive descriptions.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/arts/design/smithsonian-exhibitions-review-white-house-trump.html
Historians Alarmed by White House Plan to Oversee Smithsonian Exhibits
The Trump administration’s plan to, in effect, audit the content of Smithsonian museums drew criticism from groups that represent scholars and promote free speech.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/arts/design/trump-smithsonian-exhibits-review-historians-alarmed.html
Trump Names Kennedy Center Honorees and Says He Will Host Ceremony
The president has taken a strong interest in the Kennedy Center’s affairs ever since naming himself chairman in February, when he restocked its traditionally bipartisan board with loyalists.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/us/politics/trump-kennedy-center-nominees.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/us/politics/trump-kennedy-center-pop-culture.html
As Trump Tightens Hold on Kennedy Center, Top Theater Producer Resigns
Jeffrey Finn, a Broadway producer who has overseen theater programming at the Washington venue since 2016, will leave next month.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/15/theater/jeffrey-finn-kennedy-center-theater.html
Adidas Apologizes After Mexico Criticizes Oaxacan-Inspired Shoe
Willy Chavarria, the designer of the shoe, also apologized after Mexican officials leveled accusations of cultural appropriation.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/11/us/adidas-willy-chavarria-apology-oaxaca-sandal.html
$5,000-Per-Plate Dinner Tests Museum Ban on Political Fund-Raisers
Carnegie Museums employees objected that a fund-raiser for a nonprofit with ties to a senator had violated museum policy against renting space for partisan political events.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/15/arts/design/carnegie-museums-mccormick-pa-rising.html
After a Young Arts Patron’s Donation Did Not Clear, He Was Found Dead
Shortly before Matthew Christopher Pietras’s body was discovered, the Metropolitan Opera had been told that the $10 million he had just donated did not belong to him.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/09/arts/music/met-opera-frick-donor-death.html
Sports
Members Of House Committee Ask Major Sports Leagues to Defend Broadcast Antitrust Protection
A group of House Republicans seeks testimony from major sports league heads on broadcasting markets and blackout exemptions, citing antitrust concerns. House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan and Subcommittee Chair Scott Fitzgerald wrote to NHL, MLB, and NFL commissioners about blackout games and media rights negotiations, requesting their testimony.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6550147/2025/08/13/congress-mlb-nhl-nfl-nba-antitrust-protection/
Lawsuit Accuses Shohei Ohtani, Agent of Interfering With $240 Million Hawaii Development
A Hawaii real estate investor and broker are suing Shohei Ohtani, claiming that the Dodgers star and his agent caused their firing from a $240 million luxury project on Big Island's Hapuna Coast, which they brought Ohtani in to endorse. The lawsuit in Hawaii Circuit Court states Ohtani's agent, Nez Balelo, demanded concessions from developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and broker Tomoko Matsumoto, then pressured their partner, Kingsbarn Realty Capital, to dismiss them.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6549486/2025/08/12/shohei-ohtani-nez-balelo-lawsuit-hawaii-real-estate-project/
Nevada Supreme Court Sides with Jon Gruden in Case Vs. NFL, Blocking Arbitration
Jon Gruden won a legal victory in his civil lawsuit against the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell, which has been ongoing in Nevada courts for 4 years. The Nevada Supreme Court ruled 5-2 that Gruden was not mandated by the NFL to participate in arbitration overseen by Goodell, who is sued over a supposed "malicious and orchestrated campaign" to end Gruden’s coaching career by leaking offensive emails sent years earlier.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6547625/2025/08/11/jon-gruden-nfl-nevada-supreme-court/
Former Employee Sues Blackhawks, Alleging Discrimination, Wrongful Termination
A former Blackhawks PR manager, Anthony Filomena, sued claiming he was fired for being gay after discussing his experience with 'Outsports.' The Blackhawks stated he was dismissed for 'misconduct" and policy violations.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6553636/2025/08/15/blackhawks-lawsuit-discrimination-filomena/
NCAA Fines Michigan, Suspends Coach Sherrone Moore in Sign-Stealing Investigation
The Michigan Wolverines football program received a multimillion-dollar penalty, and head coach Sherrone Moore was suspended due to a scandal involving ex-staffer Connor Stalions. The NCAA panel chose not to impose a multi-year postseason ban to avoid unfairly penalizing student-athletes, and instead, a financial penalty was deemed more appropriate.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6554669/2025/08/15/connor-stalions-sign-stealing-saga-resolution/
Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 145: Tennessee's Adidas Gambit and the New Nil Arms Race
Tennessee’s Adidas Deal Could Redefine the NIL Arms Race
Tennessee’s Adidas deal makes all athletes eligible for NIL opportunities immediately, even before switching from Nike. It questions CSC’s unclear standards on third-party pay and what qualifies as “excessive.” If successful, this model could spread across college sports, sparking a new NIL arms race.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/newsletter-image-likeness-vol-145-tennessees-adidas-gambit-heitner-fsbve/
Former Wisconsin Women's Basketball Players File Lawsuit Against Former Coach, Alleging Psychological Abuse
Five ex-Wisconsin women’s basketball players sued, alleging psychological abuse by ex-coach Marisa Moseley and that the university was passively indifferent. The lawsuit names the Wisconsin Board of Regents, Moseley, and Justin Doherty as defendants.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6557880/2025/08/16/wisconsin-marisa-moseley-womens-college-basketball-lawsuit/
‘I’m Sitting Behind the Bench’: Inside Sports’ Escalating Stalking Problem
On Valentine’s Day 2023, 19-year-old Washington, D.C., maintenance worker Latyr Thiaw saw a picture of UCLA basketball player Kiki Rice on Instagram. He watched her interviews on YouTube and felt something “magnetic” between them. She reminded him of a character from “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” Thiaw sent her dozens of unanswered messages on social media and changed his phone background to her picture.
6543019/2025/08/12/athlete-stalking-cases-wnba-tennis-nfl-college-sports/
White House Will ‘Definitely’ Host a U.F.C. Fight on July 4, U.F.C. Head Says
The event would take place on the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/us/politics/ufc-white-house-dana-white.html
Michael Phelps Adds to USA Swimming Criticism, Calls For ‘Systemic Change’
Phelps outlined steps he'd like to see USA Swimming take, including an independent review of the entire organization.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6553372/2025/08/14/michael-phelps-usa-swimming-criticism-systemic-change/
Five Norwegians Charged with Tampering with Ski Suits
Two Olympic ski jumpers and 3 staff from Norway's men's team faced ethics charges after an investigation into alleged ski suit tampering at the world championships. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation said star jumpers Marius Lindvik and Johann André Forfang, along with 2 coaches and a staff member, were charged in an investigation into "equipment manipulation" at the Nordic worlds in Norway in March.
https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/45943068/5-norwegians-charged-tampering-ski-suits
Technology/Media
Federal Judge Certifies Largest AI Copyright Class Action Against Anthropic
A federal judge certified the largest copyright class action against AI firm Anthropic, accusing it of training Claude models on pirated books, potentially involving millions of authors and billions in damages. Industry groups are appealing, warning of threats to AI innovation. This could force ethical data sourcing and reshape fair use boundaries.
https://www.webpronews.com/federal-judge-certifies-largest-ai-copyright-class-action-against-anthropic/
Major Music Publishers Seek to Dramatically Expand Their Anthropic Lawsuit Based on Damning New Evidence
Publishers expand lawsuit against AI firm Anthropic, claiming it used BitTorrent to pirate copyrighted content and share it. Major music publishers, including Universal Music Group and Concord, initially sued Anthropic in 2023 for copyright infringement, accusing its Claude chatbot of being trained on copyrighted material without permission. Now, publishers allege Anthropic hid that it used torrenting software to pirate copyrighted lyrics.
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/08/12/music-publishers-expand-anthropic-lawsuit/
AI Industry Horrified to Face Largest Copyright Class Action Ever Certified
Copyright class actions could financially ruin AI industry, trade groups say.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/08/ai-industry-horrified-to-face-largest-copyright-class-action-ever-certified/
Anthropic Is Giving Claude to the U.S. Government For $1 as AI Companies Try to Win Key Agencies
Anthropic announced it will offer Claude for Enterprise and Claude for Government to all three U.S. government branches for $1 a year. Earlier, competitor OpenAI made a similar offer. AI companies are strengthening ties with policymakers and regulators.
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/12/anthropic-claude-government-ai.html
Landmark Ruling: California Courts Adopt Generative AI Policies
California courts adopt among the nation’s first statewide generative AI rules to protect privacy, ensure transparency, and preserve public trust.
https://lamag.com/news/landmark-ruling-california-courts-adopt-generative-ai-policies?utm_source=thedailybrief.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=the-daily-brief-paramount-strikes-landmark-7-year-deal-for-ufc-rights-california-adopts-ai-regulations-for-courts-and-more&_bhlid=d4c40a03da27235e86500d7a89405a744dde698c
Lawsuit Against Roblox Alleges Sexploitation Of 10-Year-Old Michigan Girl on Platform
A California lawsuit accuses Roblox of being unsafe for children. It claims that an adult posing as a child targeted a girl, sent explicit content, and coerced her into sharing photos. The suit alleges that Roblox hid the extent of predatory behavior.
https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/lawsuit-against-roblox-alleged-sexploitation-of-young-girl/
Shari Redstone Faces Lawsuit from Billionaire Money Manager Over Paramount Sale Terms
Mario Gabelli alleges that the mogul's holding company, National Amusements, and its affiliates received nearly 3 times what other class A shareholders got in the deal.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/shari-redstone-lawsuit-paramount-sale-terms-1236343997/
Blizzard Entertainment Faces Lawsuit Over Employee Rights Violations
Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. stands accused of not providing its employees with the required meal and rest breaks as mandated by the California Labor Code. This alleged failure may have led to significant wage losses for their workforce.
https://investorshangout.com/blizzard-entertainment-faces-lawsuit-over-employee-rights-violations-363983-/
He Sold His Likeness. Now His Avatar Is Shilling Supplements on TikTok.
Welcome to a new era of commercial work fueled by generative artificial intelligence.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/17/business/tiktok-ai-avatars.html?searchResultPosition=1
PBS Slashes Budget by 21% After Federal Funding Cuts
The nonprofit will receive less revenue from its members, which are under pressure to make up for shortfalls of their own.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/14/business/pbs-budget-cuts.html
Updated Map of U.S. Copyright Lawsuits V. AI Companies
According to recent reports, there are currently 48 copyright lawsuits in the United States filed against AI companies. Of these cases, 45 are still pending, following the voluntary dismissal of three suits.
https://chatgptiseatingtheworld.com/2025/08/13/updated-map-of-us-copyright-lawsuits-v-ai-companies-aug-12-2025/
Judge Blocks F.T.C. Investigation of Media Matters
The agency began looking into the liberal watchdog group’s research critical of Elon Musk and his social media platform, X, in May.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/15/technology/media-matters-ftc-musk-injunction.html
Big Tech’s A.I. Data Centers Are Driving Up Electricity Bills for Everyone
Electricity rates for individuals and small businesses could rise sharply as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and other technology companies build data centers and expand into the energy business.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/14/business/energy-environment/ai-data-centers-electricity-costs.html
Yes, AI Copyright Laundering Is Really a Thing
Should we be as angry at AI-generated music as at the humans who use it? There's a huge amount of AI music online, and now a growing network of services to 'humanize” AI music so it passes as human made. This “copyright laundering' lets unscrupulous producers bypass detection, register the song for copyright, with AI songs not eligible in the U.S., and collect royalties, all without disclosure, attribution, or consent.
https://music3point0.com/2025/08/08/ai-copyright-laundering/
‘BlueBeat’ Streaming Platform Owner Hank Risan Faces Four-Count Wire Fraud Indictment Over Alleged Multimillion-Dollar Scheme
Another fraud case involves an individual accused of stealing millions through misrepresentations about his music streaming service, BlueBeat. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in California announced the indictment of Santa Cruz-based Hank Risan, 70, who faces 4 wire fraud charges. Risan, founder of Media Rights Technologies (MRT), a software company known for digital rights management and secure content delivery, reportedly paid a $950,000 settlement to EMI in 2011 for allegedly infringing Beatles tracks.
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/08/07/hank-risan-indictment/
U.S. Government to Take Cut of Nvidia and AMD A.I. Chip Sales to China
In a highly unusual arrangement with President Trump, the companies are expected to kick 15% of what they make in China to the U.S. government.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/10/technology/us-government-nvidia-amd-chips-china.html
Why A.I. Should Make Parents Rethink Posting Photos of Their Children Online
Artificial intelligence apps generating fake nudes, amid other privacy concerns, make “sharenting” far riskier than it was just a few years ago.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/11/technology/personaltech/ai-kids-photos.html
Judge Orders Liquidation of Infowars to Pay Sandy Hook Families
The order comes after a series of legal setbacks for the families of Sandy Hook victims as they tried to collect money owed to them by the conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/14/us/infowars-sale-alex-jones-sandy-hook.html
AOL Will End Its Dial-Up Internet Service (Yes, It’s Still Operating)
The company said the service, synonymous with the early days of the internet, will be discontinued on September 30.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/11/business/aol-dial-up-internet.html
Russia Is Suspected to Be Behind Breach of Federal Court Filing System
Federal officials are scrambling to assess the damage and address flaws in a sprawling, heavily used computer system long known to have vulnerabilities.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/us/politics/russia-hack-federal-court-system.html
General News
Trump Administration Backs Off New Attempt to Widen Control of D.C. Police
The chief will remain after a lawsuit challenged the Justice Department’s attempt to install a new leader as part of an effort to put the agency under federal control.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/08/15/us/trump-administration-dc-news#washington-dc-police-trump-lawsuit
Read Trump's Letter to Congress About D.C. Police Department
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/08/11/us/trump-letter-dc-police-letter.html
Appeals Court Allows DOGE Access to Sensitive Data at Several Agencies
The decision cited a Supreme Court order in June granting DOGE analysts sweeping access to other data stored at the Social Security Administration.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/us/politics/appeals-court-doge-data.html
Trump Administration Violated Order on U.C.L.A. Grant Terminations, Judge Says
Judge Rita F. Lin ordered the National Science Foundation to restore grants awarded to the university, which she said had been suspended in defiance of the court.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/us/politics/ucla-grant-nsf-science-trump.html
Law Firms That Settled with Trump Are Asked to Help on Trade Deals
Boris Epshteyn, a personal lawyer for President Trump, connected two firms — Kirkland & Ellis and Skadden Arps — to the Commerce Department.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/us/politics/trump-law-firms-trade-deals.html
Kennedy’s Next Target: The Federal Vaccine Court
The system for compensating people injured by vaccines needs significant reform. However, the health secretary could alter it in ways that ultimately reduce vaccine access for everyone.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/11/health/kennedy-vaccine-court.html
Small Businesses Brace for the Punishing Side Effects of Trump's Tariffs
Small businesses across America are struggling to navigate economic challenges stemming from the Trump administration's tariff, tax, and budget policies. Rising costs for supplies and ingredients, coupled with unpredictable policy changes, are forcing owners like Katrina Golden of Lil Mama's Sweets & Treats to make difficult decisions.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/11/business/economy/tariffs-small-businesses.html
Over 60,000 Are in Immigration Detention, a Modern High, Records Show
The numbers reflect the significant effort the Trump administration has put into its escalating immigration crackdown.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/11/us/politics/immigration-detention-numbers.html
Trump’s Pick to Lead Labor Data Agency Adds to Fears of Political Interference
Economists on the left and right criticized E.J. Antoni for misunderstanding the data he would now oversee.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/business/trump-bls-ej-antoni.html
Environmental Groups Sue Over D.O.E. Report Downplaying Climate Change
The lawsuit seeks to block the Trump administration from repealing the legal foundation for regulating climate pollution.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/15/climate/lawsuit-climate-change-report.html
Wildfire Fighters, Unmasked in Toxic Smoke, Are Getting Sick and Dying
The U.S. Forest Service has fought decades of efforts to better protect its crews — sending them into smoke without masks or warnings about the risks.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/17/us/wildfire-firefighters-masks-smoke.html?searchResultPosition=1
Plastic Pollution Talks Collapse as Oil States Oppose Tough Treaty
Countries failed to bridge wide gaps on whether the world should limit plastic manufacturing and restrict the use of harmful plastic chemicals.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/15/climate/plastic-pollution-treaty-talks-collapse.html
Judge Halts White House Effort to Defund Schools with D.E.I. Programs
The Trump administration had asked states to certify that their schools did not practice “illegal D.E.I.” and threatened to cut off billions of dollars from schools that did not comply.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/14/us/politics/trump-dei-schools.html
Trump Administration Minimizes Summit Papers Left in Hotel
The papers, laying out the sequence of events and including the phone numbers of several officials, were found around 9 a.m. on Friday and sent to NPR by a guest of the hotel.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/17/us/politics/trump-putin-summit-papers-hotel.html
Judge Will Not Unseal Grand Jury Papers of Maxwell, Epstein’s Companion
Trump has tried to subdue conspiracy theories by pushing to disclose the transcripts from the cases of Jeffrey Epstein, who abused teenage girls, and Ghislaine Maxwell, who assisted him.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/11/nyregion/jeffrey-epstein-ghislaine-maxwell-transcripts.html
Fact-Checking Trump’s Epstein Defenses
In the face of mounting discontent over his administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, Trump has turned to deflection, denial, and downplaying.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/14/us/politics/fact-check-trump-epstein.html
SpaceX Gets Billions from the Government. It Gives Little to Nothing Back in Taxes.
Elon Musk’s rocket company relies on federal contracts, but years of losses have most likely let it avoid paying federal income taxes, according to internal company documents.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/15/technology/spacex-musk-government-contracts-taxes.html?searchResultPosition=1
The D.N.C.’s New Leader Seeks to Curb Dark Money Influence in 2028 Primaries
The move is the first significant maneuver from Ken Martin to shape the party’s next presidential nominating process, but how much bite his proposal could have remains to be seen.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/us/politics/the-dncs-new-leader-seeks-to-curb-dark-money-influence-in-2028-primaries.html
The Harvard-Trained Lawyer Behind Trump’s Fight Against Top Universities
May Mailman is credited as an animating force behind a strategy that has intimidated independent institutions and undercut years of medical and scientific research.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/11/us/politics/harvard-trump-may-mailman.html
Border Patrol Agents Show Up in Force at Newsom Rally
The armed and masked agents assembled outside a museum where the governor was speaking in what Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles called “a provocative act.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/14/us/newsom-la-immigration-agents.html
Court Ruling Casts Doubt on New York’s Cannabis Licensing Process
A federal appeals court said that it appeared to be unconstitutional for New York to give some of its own residents priority for licenses to open cannabis businesses.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/nyregion/new-york-cannabis-licensing-unconstitutional.html
Governor Hochul Pardons Laotian Immigrant to Stop His Deportation
The man had been convicted of manslaughter as a teenager after he admitted to fatally shooting a man during a pool hall confrontation in Brooklyn, arguing it was self-defense.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/15/nyregion/hochul-pardon-laos-immigrant-deportation.html
New Texas Laws Open a Wild West for Corporate Governance
The state has handed big business a series of legislative wins as it races to woo corporations from Delaware, including a law that helped pave the way for Elon Musk’s big Tesla payday.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/16/business/dealbook/texas-incorporation-delaware.html
Florida to Open Second Immigrant Detention Center
The state says that it will run the new center from an empty prison that could hold 2,000 federal detainees. This one will be called “Deportation Depot.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/14/us/florida-immigrant-detention-center.html
Mayor of New Orleans Is Indicted on Corruption Charges
LaToya Cantrell was charged with going to criminal lengths to carry out, and cover up, a romantic relationship with a city police officer assigned to protect her.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/15/us/new-orleans-mayor-indictment.html
A $45 Treatment Can Save a Starving Child. US Aid Cuts Have Frozen the Supply
The dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has disrupted the global supply chain that provides a therapeutic food, leaving thousands of malnourished children at risk of dying.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/15/health/hunger-malnutrition-usaid-cuts.html
Trump Backs Plan to Cede Land for Peace in Ukraine
After meeting the Russian president, Trump told European leaders he now favors giving up territory Ukraine controls to Russia to end the fighting, a concession Ukraine has long opposed.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/08/16/world/trump-putin-meeting-alaska