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US/World News
ICE OCCUPATION
Cities & States Sue to End ICE Deployments (Courthouse News)
‘State officials in Minnesota and Illinois filed two separate lawsuits against the federal government in federal court Monday, claiming that the deployment of thousands of immigration agents to both states’ metro areas violated the U.S. Constitution and states rights.’
‘Both states claim the Trump administration has interfered with public safety in direct violation of their 10th Amendment right against federal overreach and state sovereignty — which reserves to states the right to protect the health, safety and well-being of its residents. Both states also accused the administration of targeting them because of their political leanings.’
Judge allows ICE to continue operation amid legal arguments (KMSP)
‘In a hearing on Wednesday held via telephone, a judge denied the state’s request to force an immediate end to the ICE operation but kept the lawsuit on the fast track. The judge ordered federal authorities to submit their response to the lawsuit no later than Monday, Jan. 19.’
ACLU sues Trump administration over ‘racial profiling and unlawful arrests’ in Minnesota ICE surge (Guardian)
‘In a 72-page lawsuit filed on Thursday on behalf of three community members who are all US citizens, the ACLU accused federal immigration agents of violating citizens’ constitutional rights, arguing that Somali and Latino communities in the state have been disproportionately targeted.’
Federal Agent Shoots Man in Minneapolis, Prompting Tense Protests (NY Times)
‘A federal agent shot and injured a man in Minneapolis on Wednesday evening, federal officials said, an incident that touched off clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers and that came just one week after an immigration agent killed a woman in the city.’
Second man shares horrific story of being blinded by officers at anti-ICE rally in Santa Ana (LA Times)
‘Homeland Security officers shot two anti-ICE protesters in the face with less-lethal rounds in Santa Ana, causing severe eye injuries and permanent vision damage, the protesters say.’
‘DHS claims protesters threw rocks and fireworks; local police say they were aware of demonstrators throwing only orange traffic cones, which bystander video shows’
Majority of Americans say ICE agent’s shooting of Good was unjustified and inappropriate; ICE making cities less safe (ABC)
‘A Quinnipiac University poll found 53% of registered voters saying the shooting of Good was not justified, 35% saying it was justified and 12% with no opinion. Over 9 in 10 Democrats and roughly 6 in 10 independents said the shooting was not justified, but over three-quarters of Republicans said it was.’
‘Similarly, a CNN poll found a 56% majority of Americans saying the shooting was an inappropriate use of force, with just 26% saying it was appropriate. Another 18% said they hadn’t heard enough to say. About half (51%) said that the fatal shooting reflects bigger problems with the way ICE is operating.’
‘The CNN poll also found 51% of Americans saying ICE enforcement actions were making cities less safe, with 31% saying they were making cities safer and 18% saying ICE was having little effect on safety.’
What Minnesota leaders are saying to ICE protesters (Axios)
‘Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz urged Minnesotans in a video Thursday to “protest loudly, urgently, but also peacefully” against ICE.’
‘He called on protesters to help “establish a record of exactly what’s happening in our communities.”’
“You have an absolute right to peacefully film ICE agents as they conduct these activities,” he said. “So carry your phone with you at all times, and if you see these ICE agents in your neighborhood, take out that phone and hit record.”
‘Ellison: Submit your videos’
‘Frey: Don’t take the bait’
‘Demonstrations are continuing with new restrictions placed on federal agents under a preliminary injunction from a judge on Friday.’
‘Federal agents cannot arrest or detain peaceful protesters or deploy certain crowd-control measures against them, according to US District Judge Katherine Menendez’s ruling. Menendez also said agents can no longer stop and detain drivers when there is “no reasonable articulable suspicion” they are forcibly obstructing or interfering with federal operations, noting, “The act of safely following” the officers “at an appropriate distance does not, by itself, create reasonable suspicion to justify a vehicle stop.”’
Trump DOJ investigating Tim Walz, Minneapolis mayor (Axios)
‘The Justice Department on Friday launched an investigation into Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for allegedly obstructing federal law enforcement officers in their state, per a senior administration official.’
‘”Weaponizing the justice system and threatening political opponents is a dangerous, authoritarian tactic,” Walz said in a statement.’
Trump Says U.S. ‘Shouldn’t Even Have an Election’ as He Threatens Insurrection Act (Rolling Stone)
“If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, “and quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great State.”
‘The Insurrection Act would allow Trump to federalize members of the state’s National Guard in order to suppress the protests, which have remained generally peaceful despite increasingly violent displays from federal agents deployed to Minnesota.’
‘Trump is musing about canceling — or refusing to accept the outcome of — the 2026 midterms.’
“It’s some deep psychological thing, but when you win the presidency, you don’t win the midterms,” Trump told Reuters in an interview published on Thursday. “When you think of it, we shouldn’t even have an election.”
Gov. Tim Walz mobilizes state National Guard amid ongoing protests (CNN)
‘Walz has mobilized the state National Guard to support the Minnesota State Patrol, a spokesperson for the guard said Saturday. An official in the governor’s office said the move was a reconfirmation of Walz’s direction for the state National Guard to mobilize in support of the local law enforcement. The guard hasn’t been deployed.’
1,500 soldiers on standby for possible Minnesota deployment (CNN)
‘Two battalions from the Alaska-based 11th Airborne Division are on prepare-to-deploy orders in Minnesota, according to a US defense official. It is unclear what tasks they would take on, though the official said it could include crowd control or support for law enforcement, similar to the role active-duty forces played in Los Angeles last summer.’
UNDERMINING INSTITUTIONS
Federal Reserve
DOJ Probes Fed Chair Powell (Politico)
‘The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s statements to Congress regarding renovations of the Fed’s headquarters in Washington’
Powell, in a Sunday night statement: “This new threat is not about my testimony last June or about the renovation of the Federal Reserve buildings,” he added in a video message. “It is not about Congress’s oversight role; the Fed, through testimony and other public disclosures, made every effort to keep Congress informed about the renovation project. Those are pretexts. The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the president.”
Past Three Fed Chairs Rip ‘Unprecedented’ DOJ Powell Inquiry (The Hill)
‘Alan Greenspan, Ben Bernanke and Janet Yellen were among 13 economic officials that served under Republican and Democratic presidents to sign on to a statement calling the inquiry into the Fed an “unprecedented attempt to use prosecutorial attacks to undermine” its independence.’
‘“This is how monetary policy is made in emerging markets with weak institutions, with highly negative consequences for inflation and the functioning of their economies more broadly. It has no place in the United States whose greatest strength is the rule of law, which is at the foundation of our economic success,” the former economic officials wrote.’
Bessent unhappy with criminal investigation of Fed Chair Jerome Powell (CNN)
‘Bessent has expressed concern that the decision will negatively impact the markets. He has warned President Donald Trump in the past that firing Powell would also cause volatility in the markets.’
Courts
No. 2 federal prosecutor in Virginia’s Eastern District fired for declining to lead prosecution of ex-FBI Director Comey (CBS)
‘Robert McBride, a former longtime federal prosecutor in Kentucky’s Eastern District, had only been on the job as first assistant U.S. Attorney for a few months after joining the office in the fall.’
‘The indictment was secured solely by Lindsey Halligan, who was hand-picked by Mr. Trump to serve as interim U.S. Attorney after her predecessor declined to pursue criminal charges against Comey or New York Attorney General Letitia James, citing a lack of evidence.’
‘In November, a federal judge dismissed the charges against both Comey and James, finding that Halligan had been unlawfully appointed.’
Free Press
FBI raids home of Washington Post reporter in ‘highly unusual and aggressive’ move (Guardian)
‘Agents descended on the Virginia home of Hannah Natanson as part of an investigation into a government contractor accused of illegally retaining classified government materials.’
‘The reporter’s home and devices were searched, and her Garmin watch, phone, and two laptop computers, one belonging to her employer, were seized, the newspaper said. It added that agents told Natanson she was not the focus of the investigation, and was not accused of any wrongdoing.’
‘In a first-person account published last month, Natanson described herself as the Post’s “federal government whisperer”, and said she would receive calls day and night from “federal workers who wanted to tell me how President Donald Trump was rewriting their workplace policies, firing their colleagues or transforming their agency’s missions.”’
Natanson said her work had led to 1,169 new sources, “all current or former federal employees who decided to trust me with their stories”. She said she learned information “people inside government agencies weren’t supposed to tell me”, saying that the intensity of the work nearly “broke” her.
Museums
Smithsonian submits additional records to White House amid Trump demand for review (ABC)
‘The White House said in a letter addressed to [Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie] Bunch last August that it plans to conduct a wide-ranging review of the Smithsonian’s museum exhibitions, materials and operations to ensure they align with President Donald Trump’s view of American history.’
‘The president signed an executive order on March 27, placing Vice President JD Vance in charge of supervising efforts to “remove improper ideology” from all areas of the Smithsonian and targeted funding for programs that advance “divisive narratives” and “improper ideology.”’
Health & Human Services
Federal judge orders HHS to restore American Academy of Pediatrics funding (The Hill)
‘A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore $12 million in funding to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) that was abruptly cut off last month.’
‘The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) cut millions in grant funding to AAP last month, saying they were cut because they no longer aligned with the department’s priorities. AAP alleged in its suit that it was cut in retaliation for its criticisms of HHS’s actions throughout 2025.’
RFK Jr. appoints 2 vocal opponents of vaccine use in pregnancy to federal advisory board (CIDRAP)
‘Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. today appointed two obstetricians-gynecologists to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Both appointees have a history of questioning vaccine safety in pregnancy, and one has erroneously claimed COVID-19 vaccines caused miscarriages.’
NATO
Vance-hosted Greenland meeting ends with ‘fundamental disagreement’ (WaPo)
‘Diplomats from Denmark and Greenland agreed to set up a “high-level working group” after meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House, but said there was little agreement so far.’
Meanwhile, US lawmakers visit Denmark (Reuters)
‘A bipartisan delegation of U.S. lawmakers met the leaders of Denmark and Greenland in Copenhagen on Friday, seeking to “lower the temperature” with assurances of congressional support after President Donald Trump’s threats to seize the Arctic island.’
European nations send additional troops to Greenland as US annexation threats escalate (CNN)
‘Several European NATO countries are deploying small numbers of military personnel to Greenland to participate in joint exercises with Denmark.’
‘Germany, Sweden, France, Norway, the Netherlands and Finland have all since confirmed they are sending military personnel to Greenland this week.’
‘Canada and France have also said they plan to open consulates in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, in the coming weeks.’
Trump says 8 European countries will face 10% tariff for opposing US control of Greenland (AP)
‘President Donald Trump said Saturday that he would charge a 10% import tax starting in February on goods from eight European nations because of their opposition to American control of Greenland, setting up a potentially dangerous test of U.S. partnerships in Europe.’
The rate would climb to 25% on June 1 if no deal was in place for “the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland” by the United States, he said.
IRAN PROTESTS
Trump threatens ‘strong’ military action as Iran protest deaths rise (NPR)
‘Protests that began over the collapse of the country’s currency in an economy already squeezed by international sanctions have spread and grown into calls to end Iran’s theocracy.’
‘The regime responded by cutting the country’s internet and phone networks last Thursday.’
‘On Monday, in response to the protests, Iranian leaders drew large crowds of pro-government demonstrators to the streets.’
‘Iranian experts say the country’s regime is the weakest it’s been since the Islamic Republic came into existence in 1979.’
How Many People Were Killed in Iran’s Crackdown? (Wall St. Journal)
‘Consensus is building that thousands of people have been killed. Even the lowest estimates—between 2,000 and 3,000—have surged past the death tolls in unrest during protests in 2019 and 2022.’
‘President Trump said Wednesday that the killings had stopped, appearing to step back, for now, from the threat of imminent U.S. military intervention.’
Exiled crown prince calls for US intervention (The Hill)
‘Reza Pahlavi, the exiled crown prince of Iran, on Friday called for the U.S. to take decisive action against the “instrument of repression” in Tehran to stop the brutal crackdown on anti-government protests and warned against any deals with the country’s autocratic leaders.’
VENEZUELA
US talks with hardline Venezuelan minister began months before raid (Reuters)
‘Trump administration officials had been in discussions with Venezuela’s hardline interior minister Diosdado Cabello months before the U.S. operation to seize President Nicolas Maduro, and have been in communication with him since then, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.’
‘The communications, which have not been previously reported, are critical to the Trump administration’s efforts to control the situation inside Venezuela. If Cabello decides to unleash the forces that he controls, it could foment the kind of chaos that Trump wants to avoid and threaten interim President Delcy Rodriguez’s grip on power, according to a source briefed on U.S. concerns.’
‘Cabello is one of a handful of Maduro loyalists Washington has relied on as temporary rulers to maintain stability while it accesses the OPEC nation’s oil reserves during an unspecified transition period.’
Trump’s Plans for Venezuelan Oil Run Headlong Into Reality (NY Times)
‘Mr. Trump’s grand plans for Venezuelan oil have already run headlong into reality, starting with the apparent reluctance of the major American oil companies to plunge immediately into Venezuela and the related fact that, unlike Russia or Saudi Arabia, the United States does not have a national oil company ready to do the government’s bidding.’
‘Mr. Trump’s strategy raises the question of how much “energy dominance” is really worth nowadays, given that many analysts believe that a vast oversupply of oil is already sloshing around global markets.’
‘Yet the view of oil as a driving force in geopolitics has been fixed in Mr. Trump’s mind since at least the 1980s.’
Trump accepts Nobel Peace Prize medal from Venezuelan opposition leader Machado (ABC)
‘Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said Friday she was “absolutely grateful” to President Donald Trump after meeting with him Thursday and presenting him with her Nobel Peace Prize medal. The president called it a “wonderful gesture of mutual respect.”’
‘The Norwegian Nobel Institute issued a statement last week saying that once the Nobel Peace Prize is announced, it “can neither be revoked, shared, nor transferred to others. Once the announcement has been made, the decision stands for all time.”’
HEALTHCARE
ACA sign-ups fall as higher premiums push people off plans (NBC)
‘On Monday, the [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services] released data showing that nationally, sign-ups are down more than 800,000 from last year. Fewer new enrollees are signing up and fewer people are renewing their coverage.’
‘Some people who signed up for 2026 plans may never make their first premium payments, and insurers typically terminate unpaid plans weeks or months later — meaning the full scope of coverage losses may not become clear until late spring or summer.’
‘California, Kentucky and New York, report that new sign-ups are down and that more enrollees are shifting to bronze plans, the lowest-tier option, which come with high deductibles.’
The Senate is nowhere near an Obamacare deal (Punchbowl News)
‘The Senate [left town Thursday] afternoon for 10 days with no deal to revive premium enhanced Obamacare subsidies, and no sign they’re moving toward any compromise on the key hang-ups.’
‘Senators involved in bipartisan health care talks are struggling to reach agreement among themselves. Even if they can, the group would need to build consensus among senators on both sides of the aisle in order to pass a bill, somehow push the measure through the House and then convince President Donald Trump to sign’
‘Anti-abortion groups are showing no sign of letting up in their pressure campaign to get new language restricting federal funding for abortion services added to any Obamacare subsidies deal. They’ve bashed potential compromises and forced many GOP lawmakers into a corner.’
‘Absolutely no detail’: experts alarmed as Trump unveils healthcare plan (Guardian)
‘Donald Trump has finally unveiled his long-awaited framework for healthcare affordability, almost a year and a half after announcing during a pre-election presidential debate that he had the “concepts of a plan” for healthcare reform.’
‘The short document, titled the Great Healthcare Plan, provides four headline objectives, but few specific details as to how they will be achieved.’
‘The Trump administration says it intends to lower prescription prices and healthcare premiums; hold big insurance companies accountable by requiring them to publish their claim costs, overheads and profits; and push insurers and medical providers to provide greater transparency over pricing.’
HEGSETH/DOD
Sen. Kelly sues Pentagon Over Attempt to Punish Him (AP)
‘Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly sued the Pentagon on Monday over attempts to punish him for his warnings about illegal orders, claiming the Trump administration trampled on his constitutional rights to free speech.’
‘Kelly, a former U.S. Navy pilot who represents Arizona, is seeking to block his censure last week from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who said he censured Kelly over his participation in a video that called on troops to resist unlawful orders.’
‘Hegseth said the Jan. 5 censure — by itself simply a formal letter with little practical consequence — was “a necessary process step” to proceedings that could result in a demotion from Kelly’s retired rank of captain and subsequent reduction in retirement pay.’
‘Although all six lawmakers served in the military or the intelligence community, Hegseth said Kelly was the only one facing investigation because he is the only one who formally retired from the military and still falls under the Pentagon’s jurisdiction.’
Slotkin Says Prosecutors Are Also Investigating Her After Video (NY Times)
‘Ms. Slotkin, a Democrat, said in an interview on Monday that she found out about the inquiry from the office of Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia and a longtime ally of President Trump’s. In an email sent to the Senate’s sergeant-at-arms, Ms. Pirro’s office requested an interview with the senator or her private counsel.’
Pentagon reviewing effectiveness of women in combat roles more than a decade after integration (ABC)
‘Women were formally integrated into ground combat units in 2015, but now, more than a decade later, the Pentagon has recently started a review of the performance of thousands of women serving in ground combat units -- a step that comes amid Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s long-expressed skepticism about their inclusion in such units.’
‘Over the next six months, the review will examine the performance and training outcomes of ground combat units, according to an internal Pentagon memo reviewed by ABC News.’
U.S. Sen. Todd Young flips vote on Venezuela war powers resolution after pressure from Trump (IndyStar)
‘Indiana U.S. Sen. Todd Young was one of five Republican senators who defied President Donald Trump and voted with Democrats last week to limit his military power in Venezuela. But on Jan. 14, he was one of two Republicans who flipped, allowing the measure to fail.’
‘In breaking with his party then, Young and four others incurred Trump’s wrath, who wrote in a Truth Social post that they were impeding the president’s authority and “should never be elected to office again.”’
‘The administration has given some assurances since then. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote Young and others a letter in which he stated that if Trump decides to bring U.S. armed forces into Venezuela for “major military operations,” he’ll seek congressional authorization first ― though he added in parentheses, “circumstances permitting.”’
Indiana News
IPS rescinds resolutions about undocumented students and floats new policy after Rokita ICE lawsuit (Mirror Indy)
‘At a retreat on Saturday, the IPS school board rescinded two prior resolutions supporting undocumented students. One was adopted early in President Donald Trump’s first term, and the other was adopted early in his second term, amid high-profile and controversial immigration enforcement efforts.’
‘One 2017 resolution stated the district’s support for creating a safe place for all students regardless of immigration status. It directed employees not to assist immigration enforcement efforts “unless legally required and authorized to do so by the Superintendent.”’
‘a new proposed policy on student access, safety, and privacy says the district will continue to protect the confidentiality of student records and information while providing “equal access to public education” for all students who live within the district — regardless of immigration status.’
‘The proposal comes in the wake of a November lawsuit from Rokita’s office that claims the district impeded federal immigration enforcement. [...] Attorneys for IPS have said in court that the district would adopt a new policy that would render the state’s lawsuit moot.’
‘The updates could ultimately change little in how the district serves and protects undocumented students, whose rights to education and privacy are already protected by a string of state and federal laws and a U.S. Supreme Court case. The lawsuit, however, claims the district policy violates a state law that prohibits government entities from restricting immigration enforcement.’
At the Statehouse
New Business Lobbying Group Looks to Limit Lawsuit Damages (Capital Chronicle)
‘The Indiana Alliance for Legal Reform, announced late last month, is endorsing House Bill 1417, filed last week by Rep. Matt Lehman, R-Berne.’
‘The bill bundles several proposals aligned with the alliance’s goal of curbing what the group describes as frivolous lawsuits and excessive jury awards against Hoosier businesses.’
‘The alliance counts the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Manufacturers Association, National Federation of Independent Business, Indiana Motor Truck Association and Indiana Bankers Association among its supporters, said executive director Stephen Wolff. Former Senate President Pro Tem David Long has been retained to assist with government and media outreach.’
Revolving Door much?
Bill redefines what a lobbyist is, reviving ‘paid protester’ accusations from redistricting fight (Statehouse File)
‘Senate Bill 267, authored by Sen. Scott Alexander, R-Muncie, would create stricter regulations for [lobbyists].’
‘Right now, anyone who earns over $500 in a year’s time working as a lobbyist at the Statehouse must register themselves with the Indiana Lobbyist Regulation Commission (IRLC). During the last IRLC registration, 884 lobbyists were recorded at the Indiana Statehouse.’
‘The bill would require the lobbyists’ employers to register them instead and they would have a shorter time period in which to do so. ‘
‘Additionally, SB 267 redefines the definition of lobbyist to include anyone who is compensated to “rally, gather, demonstrate, engage, or confront a legislative person or an executive person on public property.”
Alexander says he believes ‘paid protesters were present at the Statehouse in December during the legislature’s failed bid to establish mid-cycle congressional redistricting.”
Elections
Option for shifting years of Indiana’s city elections advances (Capital Chronicle)
‘Indiana’s cities and towns would have the option of moving their elections to even-numbered years under a bill advancing in the Legislature.’
‘A House committee’s endorsement Wednesday of the optional proposal comes after a failed attempt last year to shift the next round of municipal elections — now set for 2027— to presidential election years starting in 2028.’
‘A study led by the Indiana secretary of state’s office last year concluded that moving the municipal elections would lead to a boost in voter turnout that would “more than mak(e) up for” votes lost through “ballot fatigue.” That’s when voters lose interest in lengthy lists of choices.’
Indiana May Ban Ranked Choice Voting (Governing)
‘Even though Indiana doesn’t currently allow for that election method, those in support of the bill cite the confusion the system causes as a reason to ban it outright.’
Bill author Blake Doriot and Kegan Prentice of the Secretary of State’s Office complained ranked choice voting is ‘complicated’ and ‘confusing.’
RCV supporters from the League of Women Voters and Common Cause Indiana said the system offers voters more choice and this ban serves no purpose as ranked choice is currently not used in the state.
‘Indiana has used ranked choice voting successfully in 2020, when the state Republican Party used the method to select delegates.’
Parenting
‘Let-kids-be-kids’ bill clears Indiana House committee with bipartisan support (Capital Chronicle)
‘A bill to shield Hoosier parents from child welfare investigations solely for allowing their children age-appropriate independence cleared the House Judiciary Committee on Monday with bipartisan support.’
‘The bill follows other proposals in recent years to broaden parents’ rights and prevent “unjust” Department of Child Services inquiries and investigations. Senate Enrolled Act 143, for example, was passed during the 2025 session and requires courts to give deference to parental rights in disputes with government regulators.’
‘Authored by Rep. Jake Teshka, R-North Liberty, the latest measure pending before state lawmakers seeks to clarify that parents should not face DCS inquiries, court involvement or criminal consequences simply for allowing children to walk, bike, play outside or spend short periods alone — unless that decision is reckless and endangers the child’s health or safety.’
“Under current law, families can be investigated or charged for allowing a child to walk to a store, play outside, stay home alone, or sit in a parked car — often without meaningful reconsideration of the child’s maturity ability or the actual level of risk involved,” [Executive Director of nonprofit Strength Over Struggle Deonyae-Dior] Valentina continued. “Too often, families are pulled into the system not because a child is unsafe, but because of subjective judgments about parenting, poverty or cultural differences.”
Indiana looks to ban social media operators from allowing Hoosier children to create accounts (Chalkbeat)
‘SB 199, presented to the Senate Education Committee by Secretary of Education Katie Jenner, would require social media platforms to verify users’ ages and obtain parental permission for the accounts of teenagers aged 14 to 17. Children under 14 would not be allowed to make — or keep — accounts.’
‘The bill also enacts a curfew for teen accounts from 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. and bans social media operators from recommending algorithmic content to these accounts.’
‘But while social media bans usually face a legal battle, recent court decisions have allowed such laws to go into effect in Missouri and Florida. In December, Australia also became the first country to ban users under 16 from social media platforms.’
‘DeOnyae-Dior Valentina, the executive director of the nonprofit Strength Over Struggle, said the ban would cut marginalized youth — like LGBT youth, rural youth, and children in unsafe homes — off from sources of information and support.’
‘The ACLU of Indiana said the language violates free speech rights not just for minors, but for all by forcing users to hand over personal data to access speech.’
State of the State Addresses
Rush gives State of the Judiciary address (Indiana Citizen)
‘While giving her 12th State of the Judiciary speech, Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush, on Wednesday, highlighted the teamwork among trial court judges, prosecutors and public defenders to improve outcomes, so fewer offenders stay entangled with the justice system and taxpayers save money.’
‘Rush reminded lawmakers of the “deepening crisis” of the growing attorney shortage in Indiana. The state, she said, ranks 43rd out of 50 states in the number of lawyers per capita with the offices of prosecutors and public defenders being especially hard hit.’
Braun trumpets first-year success in State of the State speech (Capital Chronicle)
‘Most of the address focused on affordability for Hoosiers — from electric bills and rent to property taxes and child care.’
‘Democrats pointed to numerous ways that Republicans are now hopping on the affordability bandwagon, giving examples of bills that the Democratic caucuses have offered in recent years but that Republicans rejected.’
‘Braun didn’t unveil a typical legislative agenda for his office, instead simply announcing support for several bills already moving through the legislative process.’
‘For instance, he said he supports Republican Rep. Alaina Shonkwiler’s bill to protect Hoosiers from unnecessary utility rate hikes.’
‘While on the topic of energy, Braun issued a full-throated declaration of support for data centers. The behemoth centers have roiled numerous Indiana communities with Hoosiers concerned about electricity and water usage.’
‘Moving to homeownership, Braun said he supports a bill from GOP Rep. Doug Miller, R-Elkhart, to remove government hurdles and make it easier for Hoosiers to chase the American dream of owning a home.’
‘He also announced support for bills to limit cellphone use in schools; ensure that parents have veto power over their kids’ creating social media accounts; curb homelessness in public spaces and a constitutional change to make it easier to hold accused criminals in jail pre-trial.’
‘Braun said affordable child care is needed to grow the Indiana economy and help Hoosiers get better jobs. But that specific priority item will have to wait a year.’
‘Braun also took time to list key accomplishments for his administration during his first year in office.’
Touted property tax “reform,” “efficiency” in state government, improvements in education metrics, and GDP growth.
The speech also contained a few football references
Indiana lawmakers introduce bill to get Chicago Bears to move to NWI (Yahoo Sports)
‘[Senate Bill 27] would establish a northwest Indiana stadium authority and counts two major lawmakers among its authors, majority floor leader Chris Garten and appropriations chair Ryan Mishler. The authority would be tasked with acquiring, financing, constructing and leasing what’s needed to construct an NFL stadium.’
‘The team has both floated a new lakefront stadium near Soldier Field (projected price tag: $4.6 billion) and purchased land for a domed venue in the suburb of Arlington Heights (projected price tag: more than $5 billion). Both plans would require billions in taxpayer support.’
Taxpayers Shoulder a Heavy Burden for Sports Stadium Subsidies (Tax Foundation)
‘A recent literature review surveyed the past 50 years of stadium construction. The authors found that the promised tangible economic benefits—economic growth, income growth, wage growth, employment growth, and higher tax revenues—do not occur the way that sports teams claim. Often, the only economic benefits occur near the stadium—and fall far short of expectations. State and city governments are subsidizing development within a single neighborhood, with no tangible benefits for the rest of the city or state.’
Man with ‘Sieg Heil’ as nickname files to run for Congress in Indiana (WANE)
‘Richard Benedict Mayers, 54, filed with the Secretary of State’s Office on Tuesday to run in the district that covers Northwest Indiana, currently held by Frank Mrvan (D).’
‘In the candidate list on Lake County’s website, “(Sieg Heil)” is written between Benedict and Mayers. The parentheses are meant to show nicknames of candidates, like “Debbie” and “Mike.”’
‘[Lake County Republican Party Chair Randy] Niemeyer said he immediately began conversations with state party officials and other Northwest Indiana GOP chairmen to remove Mayers from the primary ballot.’
‘Niemeyer called Mayers a “serial filer” and last lost an election in Alaska in 2024. A Ballotpedia registry for Mayers shows this and many other unsuccessful attempts to reach Congress across party lines.’
Beau Bayh, vying for secretary of state, raises nearly $2 million (IndyStar)
‘Democrat Beau Bayh reported raising nearly $2 million in the first three months of his Indiana Secretary of State campaign, more than every other Democrat who’s vied for the office in more than a decade has raised their entire election cycles.’
‘While Bayh’s enjoyed several large contributions, most of his donations are under $100, and 85% are from Indiana, according to a campaign press release. His campaign has not yet filed its annual report.’
That’s some deceptive messaging
Graphic by Kurt Mullett :
Who is Marc Rowan
The Billionaire Behind Trump’s Deal for Universities (NY Times)
‘The conservative ideas behind the Trump administration’s “compact” for universities were developed in part by Marc Rowan, a wealthy financier who has sought to shape higher education.’
Two Multibillionaire, Israel-Friendly Business Figures Named to US-Led Gaza Board (Palestine Chronicle)
Among the members named to the US-led body are American billionaire Marc Rowan and Israeli businessman Yakir Gabay, both of whom hold extensive global investments and are expected to play key roles in financing and structuring reconstruction efforts in the devastated enclave.
Billionaire Behind Trump Pressure Campaign on Colleges Owns Predatory University of Phoenix (Republic Report)
‘The University of Phoenix has received tens of billions from federal taxpayers for student grants and loans, at times more than $2 billion in a single year. It reported $950 million in income last year — 88 percent of that from federal taxpayers. But the school has posted abysmal graduation rates, currently listed by the U.S. Department of Education as just 25 percent, and for many years, and many programs, far worse than that — as low as 4 percent. According to the education department, only 10 percent of former Phoenix students have paid off their student loans or are even making progress in doing so.’
