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Today’s Sponsor: Ground News
Today’s Rundown:
- JOHNSON WARNS SHUTDOWN COULD BE LONGEST IN U.S. HISTORY: House Speaker Mike Johnson said the stalemate could surpass past records if neither side budges on policy riders, especially health-care provisions tied to ACA subsidies. The shutdown is already straining federal services and airports, with unions warning of compounding risks the longer it lasts. Johnson insists talks can continue but won’t reopen the government first, while Democrats call that a non-starter. Analysts say the political cost rises by the day as missed paychecks and delays stack up.
- MAJOR OUTLETS REJECT NEW PENTAGON PRESS RULES IN RARE UNITY: The New York Times, Associated Press, and Newsmax are among organizations refusing to sign Defense Department credentialing rules they say would restrict reporting. The rules require agreeing not to publish certain “unauthorized” material, which critics argue amounts to prior restraint. Outlets warn they may be expelled from the Pentagon campus if they don’t comply. The dispute could shape access policies across national-security beats.
- ED DEPT LAYOFFS HIT SPECIAL EDUCATION AND CIVIL-RIGHTS OVERSIGHT: The Education Department’s cuts would leave only a handful of staff in key oversight offices, according to internal tallies and advocacy groups. Leaders warn state compliance monitoring for disability rights could stall, affecting services for students and families. Civil-rights case backlogs could also grow as personnel shrink. The reductions come amid the wider federal shutdown fight.
- AIRPORTS REFUSE TO AIR KRISTI NOEM’S SHUTDOWN VIDEO: Several airports said no to a DHS video from Kristi Noem that blames Democrats for the shutdown, citing bans on political messaging and Hatch Act concerns. Facilities in Portland, Seattle, and multiple New York locales were among those that declined. DHS said the PSA would still run elsewhere. The pushback underscores how political the shutdown messaging battle has become in public spaces.
- CITIES PUSH BACK ON FLOCK LICENSE-PLATE CAMERAS: Local governments from Evanston, Ill., to Eugene, Ore., are canceling or pausing Flock Safety contracts over privacy, accuracy, and due-process concerns. In Evanston, officials ordered 19 cameras removed; Eugene’s city manager said the network will be paused within 24 hours. Advocates say communities need stronger guardrails before deploying automated surveillance. Flock argues its systems help solve crimes and include policies to prevent abuse.
- KATY PERRY AND JUSTIN TRUDEAU PHOTOGRAPHED KISSING ON YACHT: Multiple entertainment outlets published photos that appear to show the singer and Canada’s former prime minister embracing and kissing on a yacht off Santa Barbara. Representatives for the pair haven’t issued detailed statements confirming a relationship. The images follow months of speculation after public sightings together. Coverage remains celebrity-press reporting, not official confirmation.
- ALEC AND STEPHEN BALDWIN UNHURT AFTER HAMPTONS CAR CRASH: Alec Baldwin said he swerved to avoid a garbage truck before hitting a tree; both brothers walked away without serious injury. Photos show the SUV’s front end heavily damaged amid stormy conditions. Police and local media confirmed the incident, and Baldwin posted a video explaining what happened. He was in the Hamptons for the film festival.
- FAKE TPUSA HALFTIME POSTER DUPES SOCIAL MEDIA USERS: A spoof graphic claimed Turning Point USA booked Kid Rock, Ted Nugent, and “Measles” for a Super Bowl halftime event—prompting shares before fact-checks flagged it as fake. The episode mirrors other viral parody posters that thrive in high-conflict news cycles. It also highlights how political fandoms can amplify satire as fact. Always check the source before sharing.
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