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Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Supreme Court Looks to Issue Ruling on Affirmative Action in University Admissions on Thursday

ABC: The Supreme Court has left this term’s blockbuster decisions for last, with rulings expected this week on student loans, affirmative action and more. The justices will hand down their next round of opinions on Thursday at 10 a.m. There are seven total cases remaining from the term that began back in October. Their rulings will decide the fate of millions of Americans with federal student loans, a 40-year precedent of race-conscious college admissions processes and LGBTQ rights (ABC). Free Press: The end of affirmative action: The Supreme Court is expected to rule that colleges can no longer rig the racial diversity of their students. Some say that’s ‘dangerous and cruel.’ Others say it’s about time (Twitter).

Hunter Biden Forced to Answer Questions About His Laptop

Federalist: Hunter Biden will face hours of questioning — under oath — on Thursday when he sits for a deposition in the civil case brought by the owner of the computer repair shop where he abandoned his laptop. The deposition represents the first time the president’s son will be forced to confirm he owned the laptop that contained a cache of emails incriminating the Biden family in a pay-to-play scandal. And unlike the criminal investigation into Hunter’s conduct, this time his father’s administration won’t be able to protect him (Federalist). Sean Davis: Hunter Biden is set to be disposed on Thursday by lawyers representing Delaware computer shop owner Mac Isaac — the man who gave Hunter’s incriminating laptop to the feds, who then covered it up, lied about it, and censored anyone who mentioned it (Twitter).

Maine Senate, House Legalize abortion to Point of Birth

Life News: The Maine Senate quickly pushed through a radical and widely-opposed pro-abortion bill Tuesday to legalize killing unborn babies up to birth in the state. Lawmakers voted 21-13 to pass the bill with a minor amendment, and then sent it back to the House for final approval. The bill, LD 1619, which Gov. Janet Mills, a pro-abortion Democrat, introduced earlier this year, would legalize abortions up to birth for any reason an abortionist deems “necessary.” Currently, abortions are prohibited after 24 weeks (Life News). ABC: The Senate vote came days after the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that women don’t have a constitutional right to an abortion, returning authority to the states. The measure sailed through the Democratic-controlled Senate, unlike in the House where Democrats took an hourslong break and held the original vote open for 45 minutes before the measure passed 74-72 (ABC).

Dr. Fauci to Join Georgetown University Faculty

Georgetown: After dedicating 54 years of his life to public service, Dr. Anthony Fauci has chosen Georgetown University to play a major role in the next phase of his career (Georgetown). Outkick: Starting in 2020, Dr. Fauci quickly became one of America’s most divisive figures. His initial flip-flop on mask recommendations undoubtedly helped change global COVID policy. His promotion of school closures and lockdowns harmed millions of children while accomplishing nothing of value. Importantly, he also helped organize a group of “experts” into lying about the origins of the pandemic (Outkick).

Report Shows Over $200 Billion in Possible Covid Loan Fraud

ABC: The federal government squandered more than $200 billion in potential fraud in its aggressive rush to prop up small businesses as the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to shatter the U.S. economy, according to a report published Tuesday by the inspector general of the Small Business Administration. The hefty sum, which amounts to approximately 17% of the $1.2 trillion dispersed by SBA, updates previous estimates from the inspector general, Hannibal “Mike” Ware, as investigators from several federal agencies continue to trace and recover millions of dollars lost to fraud, waste and other abuses that occurred during the pandemic (ABC). CNBC: The inspector general office’s investigations have led to more than 1,000 indictments, 803 arrests and 529 convictions related to fraud in the loan programs, according to the report. These investigations have led to nearly $30 billion in stolen loans being seized or returned by federal law enforcement agencies (CNBC).

Disney Loses $900 Million in the Box Office in Last Year for Woke Film Releases

Just the News: The Walt Disney Company has lost nearly $900 million at the box office over the past 12 months for eight of its films, according to a recent movie industry analysis, sparking debate about whether an intrusion of LGBTQ+ issues into the iconic American media company brand has led to financial problems. In February, returning Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that the company would be cutting costs by $5.5 billion and terminating about 7,000 jobs (Just the News). Daily Mail: Even Disney’s valuable archive has seen old characters given progressive makeovers, with ‘offensive’ imagery removed from rides and movies. Some conservatives feel the company has gone too far in its woke reinvention (Daily Mail).

Biological Male Who Murdered Three People Transferred to Female Prison for Identifying as Female

Of course, it is in California. Townhall: A biological male who identifies as a woman has been sent to a women’s state prison in California for killing a lesbian couple and their child in a “hate crime.” Dana Rivers, born David Warfield, 68, was a transgender activist and high school teacher. Last week, he was convicted of killing a married lesbian couple and their adopted son in Oakland, California in 2016. Rivers was sentenced to life in prison without parole and was sent to the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla. Due to a 2021 law, transgender inmates in California can live in prisons that align with their gender identity instead of their biological sex (Townhall).

California Looks to Find Workaround to Pay Fast Food Workers Up to $22/Hour

Associated Press: A new California law aimed in part at boosting salaries for fast food workers has been delayed for nearly two years following industry resistance. Now the Democrats who control the state Legislature might have figured out how to raise worker pay anyway. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the law last year. It created a 10-member council with the authority, among other things, to increase the state’s $15.50 minimum wage to a maximum of $22 per hour for some fast food workers. But unlike in most states, California voters have the power to overturn some laws passed by the Legislature (Associated Press). HotAir: Most polling showed that it wasn’t just the business owners who didn’t want to see wages be forced that much higher overnight. The voters are very likely to approve that referendum. After all, the fast food businesses aren’t going to just pony up that money out of their own pockets. They’ll have to raise prices to make up the difference. And who wants to pay more for food when inflation continues to drive up the price of everything (HotAir)?

Democrat State Senator Caught Keying Car with “Biden Sucks” Bumper Sticker, Gets Arrested

Townhall: A Democratic state senator from Rhode Island was arrested after he allegedly keyed a car that had a “Biden Sucks” bumper sticker on it. Sen. Joshua Miller, 69, was caught on video keying a car at the Garden City Center in Cranston, Rhode Island on Thursday (Townhall). Reporter Amanda Pitts: Surveillance video shows the moments Senator Josh Miller is accused of keying an SUV with an anti-Biden sticker at Garden City. He first tells Cranston PD he didn’t do it, then when they show up at his house and say they have video, he admits to it (Twitter). Fox News: Miller told police that he thought the victim recognized him and was one of the “gun nuts” who he claims are stalking him for sponsoring anti-gun legislation. He also accused the victim of making threats toward him… In a body camera video released by the Cranston Police Department, the victim arrives back to the scene and identifies Miller as the vandal. He also told police that he did not recognize Miller as a state legislator (Fox News).

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Ryan Seacrest to Host Game Show “Wheel of Fortune” in 2024 Following Pat Sajak’s Retirement

Washington Post: Ryan Seacrest has signed a multiyear deal to host the game show “Wheel of Fortune” beginning in 2024, Sony Pictures Television announced. Seacrest will replace longtime host Pat Sajak, who announced he would step down from the show earlier this month. Sajak was at the helm for four decades (Washington Post). Associated Press: “I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” Seacrest said in a statement. “I can say, along with the rest of America, that it’s been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them.” Seacrest in his statement also praised Vanna White, another mainstay of “Wheel of Fortune,” and signaled she would remain on the show after Sajak’s retirement. Both White and Sajak have been on the show since the early 1980s (Associated Press).