1a·1o·spread 0.00·15 hr agopolitics·via Axios15 hr agohttps://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/05/01/post-gazette-newsroom-cuts-pittsburghAxiosen2026-05-02T02:41:21.493079+00:00New owners cut Pittsburgh Post-Gazette staffBaltimore,Steve Mellon,Western Pennsylvania,Stewart Bainum,News media,Axios,Media trends,Block Communications,Pittsburgh,X (social network),Brad Everett,Zack Tanner,Abby Schnable,Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,Tracey DeAngelo,Ryan Deto,Stephen Thompson,Layoffs,WESA (FM),Sebastian Foltz,Pitt,Media deals,Stan Wischnowski,Local news,Riverhounds,NewsGuild,North Shore (Pittsburgh),Adriana Ramírez,Steve Rotstein,Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh,Post-Gazette,Institute,Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism,Scott Mervis,Barneshttps://images.axios.com/fLsppWLe3HdPJgsF3XUZIUGRjMI=/1872x0:5616x3744/320x320/2026/05/01/1777651079805.jpegThe Pittsburgh Post-Gazette offices in August 2016. Photo: Raymond Boyd/Getty Imageshttps://www.axios.com/2026/05/01/court-limits-abortion-pill-accessAxiosen2026-05-01T22:25:48.695635+00:00Appeals court limits abortion pill accessDonald Trump,Abortion-rights movement,In Our Own Voice,Prescription drugs,Anti-abortion movement,Joe Biden,Courts,Regina Davis Moss,Supreme Court of the United States,Drugs,Louisiana,Mifepristone,Guttmacher Institute,Medicaid,Abortion-rights movements,Abortion,United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit,Standing (law),United States courts of appeals,Food and Drug Administration,Top Storieshttps://images.axios.com/jWKsT_2X0wPKLb4V1Bsh7RdFH58=/953x0:4286x3333/320x320/2026/05/01/1777673476868.jpgA box of mifepristone pills. Photo: Shuran Huang for The Washington Post via Getty Imageshttps://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/05/01/tennessee-special-session-memphis-house-seatAxiosen2026-05-01T21:55:19.604269+00:00Tennessee GOP lawmakers meeting next week to carve up Memphis' blue House districtDonald Trump,Gerrymandering in the United States,Democrat,Tennessee,Redistricting,Voting Rights Act of 1965,Elections 2024,Lee,Congress,U.S. House,Voting rights,Republicans,Republican Party (United States),Supreme Court of the United States,Gerrymandering,Steve Cohen,Democratic Party (United States),Tennesseans,Tennessee General Assembly,Truth Social,Louisiana,United States House of Representatives,Race and Equity,Memphis, Tennessee,Republicanhttps://images.axios.com/edFcFmG4kw6A3R2J-BAzJX4JrI0=/320x320/smart/2023/12/28/200931-1703794171935.jpgIllustration: Maura Losch/Axioshttps://www.axios.com/pro/retail-deals/2026/05/01/olipop-200-million-raise-morgan-stanleyAxiosen2026-05-01T21:54:58.898429+00:00Olipop raising another $200 millionRed Bull,Mindy Kaling,Morgan Stanley,JPMorgan Growth Equity Partners,Keurig Dr Pepper,Beverage,Coca-Cola,Gwyneth Paltrow,Bloom Nutrition,Nutrabolt,Initial public offering,JPMorgan Chase,Axios (website),The Coca-Cola Company,Poppi,Venture capital funding,Venture capital,PitchBook,Fundraising,Simply Pop,Monogram Capital Partners,Pepsico,Olipop,Jonas Brothers,Big Sodahttps://images.axios.com/Y0TcuAXYYmjzXJ7RgWAcceFudS4=/632x0:3078x2446/320x320/2026/04/29/1777486530393.jpegPhoto: Rob Kim/Getty Images for NYCWFFhttps://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/05/01/radon-mitigation-des-moines-cancerAxiosen2026-05-01T21:21:29+00:00How I got a discount on a radon mitigation system in Des MoinesRadioactivity,Iowa,Iowa General Assembly,Radon,American Lung Association,Radon test,Des Moines,Lung
1a·1o·spread 0.00·17 hr agopolitics·via Newsweek17 hr agoPopular podcast host Joe Rogan ripped into the Trump Administration over the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey this week, calling it "nuts" and "silly", while noting that it "sets a crazy precedent" for Freedom of Speech. Comey has been charged by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of North Carolina with two counts alleging threats against President Donald Trump related to a 2025 post on Instagram showing a photo of seashells that displayed “86 47," which was argued could be interpreted as a threat to harm, "get rid of", or "kill" (aka "86") the 47th president, depending on who you ask. Comey, a longtime Trump critic, has denied any violent intent, calling it “crazy” to interpret the post as a threat and saying he plans to contest the charges in court.Newsweek reached out to the White House via email on Friday night for comment. Why It MattersThe indictments come amid heightened scrutiny of Trump’s Justice Department and revive questions about political retribution that were central to Trump’s 2024 campaign and early second term.The case also placed a high-profile clash over First Amendment questions, and alleged threats at the center of national politics, testing how courts interpret
1a·1o·spread 0.00·14 hr agopolitics·via Newsweek14 hr agoPro-choice advocates told Newsweek that a decision in a New Orleans appeals court that blocked the distribution of mifepristone through the mail is "one step closer to a national abortion ban."Mini Timmaraju, president and CEO of Reproductive Freedom for All, in an email comment wrote: "It is now much more difficult for people to access abortion care. Anti-abortion politicians know their policies are unpopular, so they are using every lever of government they can."Louisiana built this case on debunked, junk science," Timmaraju wrote. "The safety of mifepristone has never actually been in question. As this case moves towards the U.S. Supreme Court, we will fight until every person has access to the care they need.”Louisiana Appeals Court Blocks Mifepristone by Mail: What to KnowA three-judge panel in New Orleans on Friday blocked a federal rule allowing the distribution of the abortion drug mifepristone through the mail, according to Reuters. "The agency's progressive relaxation of mifepristone's guardrails likely lacked a basis in data and scientific literature," Circuit Judge Stuart Kyle Duncan, a Trump appointee, wrote for the court, agreeing that the FDA has failed to justify eliminating the in-person requirement for dispensing it. The state of Louisiana brought a challenge against
1a·1o·spread 0.00·16 hr agopolitics·via Fox News16 hr agoNEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Monica Lewinsky is admitting what led her to make choices that helped ignite one of Washington’s biggest scandals.More than 25 years after her relationship with then-President Bill Clinton detonated into a global firestorm, Lewinsky admitted her desire to feel "special" led her down a path of "bad decisions.""I think in some ways that's part of what got me in a lot of trouble in my early 20s of looking for and wanting to be special and feeling that feeling of specialness, of validation," she said on her podcast, "Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky." "And when it came, I fell into that, making bad decisions a lot of times, not just in D.C., but a lot of different ways."MONICA LEWINSKY BREAKS DOWN IN EMOTIONAL CONFESSION ABOUT CLINTON SCANDAL On her podcast, Monica Lewinsky revisits her "bad decisions," admitting her need to feel "special" played a role. (Gilbert Flores/Unknown)Fox News Digital has reached out to Lewinsky for comment.MONICA LEWINSKY SAYS BILL CLINTON ‘ESCAPED A LOT MORE THAN I DID’ AFTER WHITE HOUSE SCANDAL A photograph showing former White House intern Monica Lewinsky meeting President Bill Clinton at a White House function was submitted as evidence
1a·1o·spread 0.00·8 hr agopolitics·via Newsweek8 hr agoPresident Donald Trump’s job approval has fallen to its lowest point of his second term as voters report declining confidence in his personal traits and governing judgment, according to a new Pew Research Center survey released this week.The erosion is no longer confined to Democrats, with notable slippage among Republicans and even within Trump’s own 2024 voter coalition.The findings complicate Trump’s governing position heading into a contentious election cycle, raising questions about enthusiasm, turnout, and coalition stability.But the president has pushed back on negative interpretations of his approval rating, telling NewsMax in a phone interview earlier this week, "It is a problem I'm not on the ballot. Everyone says if I was on a ballot we'd win in a landslide. I have some of the best poll numbers I've ever had."Newsweek has reached out to the White House for further comment.Why It MattersPresidential approval rarely hinges on one issue alone; it is shaped by voters’ broader judgments about character, competence, and trust. Pew’s latest data suggest that doubts about Trump’s personal qualities are now bleeding into assessments of his performance on core policy areas....A Broad Decline in Approval and Personal TraitsA national survey conducted by the Pew Research Center between
1a·1o·spread 0.00·13 hr agopolitics·via Global News13 hr agoAs the Conservatives accuse the government of abusing its new-found majority powers, government House leader Steven MacKinnon is saying the Liberals want to ensure committee meetings are “transparent” and “open.” Since the Liberal government officially became a majority on Monday, its MPs have moved to go in camera at several committee meetings and moved to adjourn unilaterally in one instance.At a press conference Friday, MacKinnon said committees are vital to the parliamentary system and the government is responsible for ensuring accountability and transparency.“We’re determined to continue to extend our hand across the aisle and to work with opposition parties to keep those committees transparent, open and doing their work in public as they mostly always have,” he said.MacKinnon said the opposition also has a role to play and that if they cause delays, that will provoke a counter-reaction. Story continues below advertisement “Committees have jobs to do, they have work to do. And when opposition MPs seek only to impede and obstruct the work of committees, then obviously there has to be some order and balance brought to that situation,” he said.“But I accept that the burden of the government is to ensure that this work remains virtually entirely done
1a·1o·spread 0.00·17 hr agopolitics·via PBS NewsHour17 hr agoIt has been 60 days since the Iran war began, which means Friday is a legal deadline for the Trump administration to seek congressional authorization. But the White House informed Congress that it didn’t need approval because the war had been “terminated” during the current ceasefire. Nick Schifrin joins Amna Nawaz with the latest developments.Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors. Geoff Bennett: Iran today submitted a new proposal to the U.S. aimed at breaking a diplomatic deadlock, but President Trump rejected it and said he's reviewing new military options to relaunch the war. Amna Nawaz: It's been 60 days since the war began, which means today is a legal deadline for the administration to seek congressional authorization. But the White House informed Congress it didn't need to get its approval because the war had been -- quote -- "terminated" during the current cease-fire.Nick Schifrin is here. He's been following all of this.So, Nick, tell us more about what the president said today. Nick Schifrin: Amna, the president not only rejected Iran's new proposal. He expressed a deep skepticism that Iran could ever submit a proposal that would satisfy him. President
1a·1o·spread 0.00·17 hr agopolitics·via Fox News17 hr agoNEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Six transgender Idaho residents have filed a lawsuit challenging Idaho’s new bathroom law, which makes it a crime to enter a bathroom designated for the opposite sex, arguing the measure is unconstitutional, discriminatory and too vague to enforce.The complaint, filed in federal court Thursday, alleges House Bill 752 would expose transgender residents to "violence, harassment, and psychological harm" and could subject them to criminal penalties for using public restrooms that "align with their gender identity.""I've been enjoying life as a man and using the men's restrooms hasn't been a big deal," Diego Fable, one of the plaintiffs, said in a press release. "But this law would force me to use the women's facilities, and doing so would only invite suspicion, questions, and raised eyebrows... The only safe option truly available is to just stay home — or leave the state entirely, leaving my treasured friends and community behind."HB 752 passed the Legislature in March and was signed by Gov. Brad Little on April 1. It is set to take effect July 1. The law would make it a misdemeanor offense to "knowingly and willfully" enter a restroom or changing room designated for
1a·1o·spread 0.00·17 hr agopolitics·via USA Today17 hr agoUpdated May 1, 2026, 11:08 p.m. ETA familiar scene played out in Los Angeles on Friday, May 1: Hundreds of people protesting and cheering on the calls made by labor and community leaders as part of May Day demonstrations across California and nationwide.U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, leave. No war in Iran. But on May 1, a particular kind of message was emphasized — dignity for workers.The MacArthur Park area was flooded with people before noon, the same area where community and labor organizers gathered to call for people to come out for a rally and march on May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day.“We the people are the power that will ensure that our elected representatives respond to our needs, our vision for a better life: good paying jobs, affordable housing and ICE and Border Patrol out of our communities,” said Angelica Salas, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights executive director.CHIRLA was among the organizations present. So were other unions and community organizations — and a California governor hopeful, Xavier Becerra.Salas said that people are marching for the scores of people in the nation without legal status.“They need protection, and the only protection that they need is permanent residency
2a·2o·spread 0.00·13 hr agopolitics·via Fox News13 hr agoNEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A female inmate in Washington state is suing corrections officials after she says she was brutally attacked by a male-born prisoner housed in a women’s facility under the state’s gender-identity housing policy.Faith Booher-Smith, who is incarcerated at the Washington Corrections Center for Women, alleges in a federal lawsuit that she was "violently attacked" by inmate Christopher Williams, a convicted sex offender who had been transferred to the prison after identifying as female.According to the complaint, the August 2025 assault happened in a common area when Williams allegedly approached Booher-Smith from behind, struck her in the face, grabbed her hair and threw her to the ground before "kicking her repeatedly."She suffered visible injuries, including facial bruising, swelling and a laceration inside her mouth, the filing states.MY CLIENT WAS LOCKED IN A CAGE, VICTIMIZED BY A BIOLOGICAL MALE AT A WOMEN'S PRISON. WHAT ABOUT HER RIGHTS? A handcuffed man stands behind prison bars. (Getty Images)The lawsuit, backed by the Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism (FAIR) and supported by the America First Policy Institute, argues the attack was the predictable result of a policy that allows inmates to be housed based on gender identity rather
1a·1o·spread 0.00·17 hr agopolitics·via Fox News17 hr agoNEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Katie Wilson, Seattle’s new self-proclaimed socialist mayor, sparked a social media firestorm after she gave her take on reports that millionaires are fleeing Washington state due to taxes and various far-left policies.While speaking at a forum at Seattle University earlier this month, the new Democratic mayor said, "I think the claims that millionaires are going to leave our state are like super overblown.""And the ones that leave, like, bye," she continued, waving her hand and laughing. Though the line drew laughs and applause from those in the auditorium, it did not go over as well online, as conservatives quickly blasted the new Seattle mayor."Seattle's Socialist Mayor responds to exodus of wealth from Washington State by saying "BYE" ... then laughing. We're doomed," wrote Brandi Kruse.MAMDANI'S RACIAL EQUITY PLAN A HIDDEN 'MOVING THE GOALPOSTS' PLOY TO JUSTIFY MASSIVE GOV EXPANSION: EXPERT Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson looks on after the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Seattle Mariners and the New York Yankees at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Wash., on March 30, 2026. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Kruse's post has been seen over 4 million times on social media as of Friday morning.Popular conservative
1a·1o·spread 0.00·15 hr agopolitics·via Roll Call15 hr agoDuring the final vote to close out the House’s “hell week,” a handful of Republicans had a message for the Senate: You’re responsible for the “suffering” agenda. Standing on the steps outside the Capitol on Thursday, House Freedom Caucus members loudly aired their grievances with the Senate. Republicans there have shown them “no respect,” they said, and Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., needs to “get control” of his chamber. “The agenda of the American people is suffering and lagging behind, and the Senate, unfortunately, is just responsible for that,” said Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa. The feud between Republicans in the House and Senate reached a fever pitch this week as leadership faced high-stakes deadlines for expiring spy power authorities and Department of Homeland Security paychecks. They managed to figure things out — but not without stepping on each other’s toes. “Where the hell is the Senate? I mean, again, the greatest deliberative body in the world? When are they deliberating?” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, asked. The Senate had gaveled out less than an hour prior, effectively jamming the House with a short-term extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. “That’s what I want to know, because the
1a·1o·spread 0.00·16 hr agopolitics·via The New York Times16 hr agoCRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Three years ago, Evgeni Malkin told The Athletic he couldn’t retire until he returned to the Stanley Cup playoffs with Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and the Pittsburgh Penguins.It just happened, thanks in part to Malkin’s bounce-back season. So, is he satisfied?“Now I want more,” Malkin said at the Penguins’ locker room cleanup day on Friday.And so begins Malkin’s summer. A franchise icon and surefire Hockey Hall of Famer who turns 40 in July, the center-turned-winger also becomes an unrestricted free agent that month.What happens next?“I want to play in the NHL,” Malkin said. “It’s not easy for Kyle (Dubas, Penguins president/general manager). Maybe he wants new blood here. I understand it’s a business. He wants maybe (a) new team, new faces here.”Malkin said he’d like nothing more than to return for another year alongside his close friends, Crosby and Letang.“These two are special guys,” he said. “I hope we play together one more year. If not, we’ve had a great 20 years together. I’ll never forget it.”Playing in the postseason again, Malkin said, was a thrill.“It’s a different emotion when you play in the playoffs,” he said. “The fans were crazy. First game against Philly, in
1a·1o·spread 0.00·18 hr agopolitics·via Newsweek18 hr agoA former federal prosecutor said search history "can be very incriminating" in a criminal case, as a Florida sheriff revealed new details about searches made by a man accused of killing two University of South Florida (USF) students from Bangladesh.The Hillsborough County sheriff also announced on Friday that a body found in Tampa Bay has been identified, using DNA and dental records, as the second victim in the killings.The announcement is a significant development in a case that gained national attention after the two students, Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, went missing last month. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said they were "dedicated students and loyal friends." Chronister also revealed new information about the man charged with two counts of first-degree murder in their killings, Limon's roommate, Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh.Chronister said content on Abugharbieh’s phone had been erased, but a forensic examination revealed "disturbing" searches in the days before April 16, when Bristy and Limon went missing. The searches included phrases like “Can a knife penetrate a skull?” and “Can a neighbor hear a gunshot?” He said there were also purchases for large heavy-duty black contractor bags, Lysol wipes, duct tape, lighter fluid and a lighter."This was calculated. This is
1a·1o·spread 0.00·15 hr agopolitics·via USA Today15 hr agoUpdated May 1, 2026, 3:19 p.m. ETUPDATE: This story has been updated to include a statement from a representative for Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson.A longtime former executive for Curtis Jackson, known more commonly as "50 Cent," has sued the rapper for what she describes as a "years-long campaign of retaliation" that matches his public vendetta-focused persona.The lawsuit, filed in the U.S District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, alleges Jackson harassed, threatened and ultimately fired the executive, identified as Monique Mayers, when she refused to participate in illegal behavior."Curtis Jackson has cultivated a public persona as '50 Cent' built on highly publicized feuds and attacks on former associates, but as alleged in the complaint, this conduct is not performance, and it has real‑world consequences," Bennitta Joseph, representing Mayers, said in a statement. "Mr. Jackson's actions have caused serious harm to personal and professional lives and, in Ms. Mayers' case, created a sustained and credible fear for her safety. The complaint details a pattern of conduct designed to intimidate, punish, and silence those who refuse to comply with Jackson's demands."In a statement from Reena Jain, a representative for Jackson, to USA TODAY, the rapper said he "categorically and strenuously den(ies)
1a·1o·spread 0.00·13 hr agopolitics·via Newsweek13 hr agoThe United States national debt has now grown beyond the size of the country’s GDP, punctuating a long-running trajectory that has left budget hawks skittish, but Congress appears uninterested in countering.According to advance estimates released Thursday by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), America’s gross domestic product (GDP) totaled $31.22 trillion over the 12 months to March 31, now slightly under the $31.27 trillion in debt held by the country at the end of this quarter.It marks the first crossing of the 100 percent threshold—double the historical average—outside of wartime since shortly after WWII and briefly during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has renewed calls from concerned lawmakers and groups for an urgent change in course, as the U.S. continues to run historically large deficits that could soon break the 106 percent record.“We have now borrowed more money than our economy produces in a year,” Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, told Newsweek. “The debt slows economic growth, pushes up borrowing costs and prices, and leaves us vulnerable to a fiscal crisis in the future,” she said. “There are good milestones, and bad ones, and this is the worst kind there is.”Why
1a·1o·spread 0.00·17 hr agopolitics·via Fox News17 hr agoErika Kirk calls country 'unrecognizable' after WHCA Dinner scare Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk and CEO of Turning Point USA, powerfully addresses the political climate after her husband's assassination in 2025 and the recent shooting scare at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. Kirk declares "Our country has become unrecognizable" and criticizes the "epidemic of dehumanization" and "assassination culture," specifically calling out Jimmy Kimmel's "expectant widow" joke targeting Melania Trump. Fox News contributor Joe Concha offers his insights. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Utah prosecutors are accusing Tyler Robinson's defense team of misleading the public in court filings before attempting to have authorities sanctioned for trying to "set the record straight."In an ironic twist, prosecutors also noted the defense's claim had gone viral after being picked up in the media.Robinson's lawyers have previously complained coverage of the case put his right to a fair trial at risk and have a pending motion to have news cameras barred from future court proceedings.ERIKA KIRK SAYS SHE DOESN'T WANT TO BE THE ONE TO DECIDE IF HUSBAND'S KILLER GETS DEATH PENALTY Tyler Robinson is accused of fatally shooting Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk at a public speaking event
6a·6o·spread 0.00·15 hr agopolitics·via PBS NewsHour15 hr agoWASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said on Friday that he will increase the tariffs charged on cars and trucks from the European Union next week to 25%, a move that could jolt the world economy at a fragile moment. Watch Trump's full remarks to reporters in the video player above. Trump said in a social media post that the EU "is not complying with our fully agreed to Trade Deal," though he did not flesh out his objections in the post. READ MORE: Trump says he's lifting certain tariffs on Scotch whisky after royal visit Asked by reporters on Friday about the increase in import taxes as he departed the White House for Florida, Trump said the EU was not "as usual" adhering to last year's trade framework, without detailing the source of the tension. He added that he believed the shift to higher tariffs "forces them to move their factory production much faster" to the U.S. Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had agreed to the trade deal last July. It set a tariff ceiling of 15% on most goods, though the Supreme Court this year ruled against the legal authority that Trump had used
1a·1o·spread 0.00·15 hr agopolitics·via Newsweek15 hr agoA 10-year-old Venezuelan boy facing deportation proceedings in the United States appeared alone in immigration court in Texas while his mother remained in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)."I was scared because it was my first time in court," Wilfredo Hoyos-Gomez told the Spanish-language outlet Univision after attending an immigration court hearing last week in Houston without legal representation.Immigration authorities have detained more than 6,200 children during President Donald Trump's second term, according to data analyzed by the Marshall Project. Of those, more than 3,600 children have been deported from detention since the start of the administration, the analysis found.The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told Newsweek that the boy's mother, Nexoli Anyis Gomez Bracho, "CHOSE to illegally enter our country, CHOSE to bring her son with her, and CHOSE to commit a crime by resisting arrest."Newsweek has contacted the boy's legal guardian for comment via GoFundMe and his mother's attorney by email....DHS Says Mother Entered US in 2023DHS said Wilfredo and his mother entered the United States in August 24, 2023, after being released under the Biden administration following an immigration encounter. The boy's mother was taken into ICE custody in late 2025 and has remained in
1a·1o·spread 0.00·15 hr agopolitics·via Newsweek15 hr agoEditor's note: This is AI Impact, Newsweek's weekly newsletter where each week, we will explore how business leaders are unlocking real value through artificial intelligence.Tap or click here to get this newsletter delivered to your inbox.Signal CaptureSignals from the front lines of AI adoption Is AI Delivering Results or Just Activity? ...By Adam MillsFrontline tasks are already being handled by AI in many companies. Proving that it’s delivering real results is the next test.“The mindset has to shift from experimentation to operationalization,” Rich Veldran, CEO of GoTo, told Newsweek. “If you can’t answer whether it’s improving revenues, improving margins or improving productivity, you’re still just experimenting.”GoTo, formerly LogMeIn, which provides business communications and IT management software, is already applying that standard of improvement to customer operations. Veldran said most customer service calls are now handled by AI, often resolved without human involvement or routed to the right person when escalation is needed. That has allowed employees to focus on more complex issues and customer relationships.“[AI’s impact] is very real—at least for GoTo,” he said.The distinction, Veldran said, is not whether companies are using AI, but whether it is embedded deeply enough to change outcomes. Systems layered on top of existing
1a·1o·spread 0.00·12 min agopolitics·via Fortune12 min agoBuilding trades unions — long fashioned as the voice of the American worker — are now intertwined with the richest companies in the world as they create America’s artificial intelligence economy. Unionized workers are employed on a huge number of massive data center projects and scrambling to recruit new apprentices to feed the explosive demand. They’ve also become an ally of tech giants and tech-friendly government officials, echoing the talking point that the United States is in a critical national security race with China for AI superiority. Unions are a visible force in helping counter fierce opposition in communities and hostile legislation in Congress and legislatures, often aligning with traditional Republican pro-business constituencies and forcing Democrats to choose between them and progressives who want to take a harder line. Unions have aggressively answered complaints about data centers in ways that executives at tech giants and the development firms rarely do, unafraid to bluntly confront concerns about energy and water shortages, rising electric and water bills, or noise and quality-of-life objections. “When people say, you know, ‘data centers are the root of all evil,’ we’re just saying, ‘look, they do create a hell of a lot of construction jobs, which we
1a·1o·spread 0.00·16 hr agopolitics·via The Washington Times16 hr agoThe “Yes in God’s Backyard” movement is celebrating after the Faith in Housing bill, supporting expedited church-based affordable housing development, has been signed into law. Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed state Sen. Jeremy McPike (D-29)’s SB 388 and Del. Joshua Cole (D-65)’s HB 1279, which will eliminate the rezoning step for faith-based organizations and other tax-exempt nonprofits to develop affordable housing on their properties. The law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027 and will sunset on Jan. 1, 2031 unless reenacted by a future General Assembly. Jessica Sarriot, co-executive director of Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE), said the coalition is “thrilled” to see Faith in Housing let churches serve their neighbors with affordable homes. “For us, this is a huge step forward in addressing a housing shortage where Virginia is missing over 300,000 homes,” Sarriot told ARLnow. “It really shows that when communities organize and leaders listen, government can actually deliver real solutions at scale, which is something I think many of us are very hungry to see in these days.” The Faith in Housing law will allow eligible faith-based organizations that have owned the property for at least five years to pursue development by-right. The housing
1a·1o·spread 0.00·15 hr agopolitics·via Fox News15 hr agoNEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Another candid confession from Jerry O’Connell backfired fast as critics seized on the actor’s remarks about his teenage daughters’ partying and vaping habits.O'Connell, 52, revealed his high school-aged daughters — whom he shares with wife Rebecca Romijn — have begun navigating social scenes he admits can be hard to control. The "Stand By Me" star said while he aims to keep communication with his daughters open, he’s also confronting concerns about addiction as vaping becomes a constant presence."It's funny, I have teenage daughters now who are starting to go out, starting to socialize," he told Jamie Kennedy on the "Hate to Break It to Ya" podcast. "And it's funny, I had dinner with one of my daughters who party a little, my daughters party. They're nepo babies in Los Angeles. They're gonna party.""They're not quite 18 yet, but they're in high school," he clarified. "And these kids in high school do things. I know I'm supposed to be stricter. And I'm sure some of your comments will be like, 'He should lay down the law.' But like I try to — it's not how I parent."JENNIFER ANISTON, KATE HUDSON, HEATHER GRAHAM'S SHOCKING
1a·1o·spread 0.00·17 hr agopolitics·via Newsweek17 hr agoReality television star Spencer Pratt’s Democratic opponents in Los Angeles’ upcoming mayoral election have blasted his viral campaign ad, accusing him of copying from Republican President Donald Trump’s playbook.Pratt shared the ad on X on Wednesday, where it has racked up more than 10 million views. It shows him outside the homes of incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and Council Member Nithya Raman, before moving to the mobile home where he has lived with his family since they lost their home in last year’s deadly Palisades Fire.Both Bass and Raman hit back at the ad in comments to Newsweek, with a spokesperson for Bass’ campaign saying Pratt was "doing his best Trump impression."Raman called the ad a "political stunt" and that filming outside of her home "feels unnecessary and reckless."Pratt responded in a social media post that he had filmed "on the public street for two minutes."His campaign has been contacted for further comment via email.Pratt, who rose to fame on the reality television show The Hills, launched his long-shot bid for mayor in January with a mission to "expose the system" after criticizing Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom, both Democrats, over the fire that devastated the Palisades neighborhood. The
1a·1o·spread 0.00·18 hr agopolitics·via Newsweek18 hr agoGraham Platner, the presumptive Democratic U.S. Senate nominee for Maine, told Newsweek he’d spoken to Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and plans to work with the party establishment—with conditions. Schumer and the DSCC, which is headed by New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, all endorsed his primary opponent, Governor Janet Mills, who they viewed as a marquee recruit, creating a major rift within the Democratic Party as it aims to take back majorities in the House and Senate in the midterms this November. The ill will at times grew personal. As Platner began pulling ahead of Mils in the race, her campaign released an ad where several women spoke against Platner due to controversial remarks he’d made online. Speaking with Newsweek on Friday at an AFL-CIO endorsement event in Portland, Platner said he’d made peace with Schumer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, who’d backed his primary opponent Mills. “Last night, I spoke with Senator Schumer. He called me and congratulated me on a well-run race, and I said, ‘thank you very much,’” he said. “It is rather amazing how wanting to defeat Susan Collins can really bring a lot of people together. We can find a lot of common ground,
1a·1o·spread 0.00·17 hr agopolitics·via Newsweek17 hr agoTexas Governor Greg Abbott has said the planned "EPIC City" in Texas "will never see the light of day."In 2024, the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) announced plans to build a new Muslim community, dubbed EPIC City, on a 402-acre site spanning parts of Collin and Hunt counties. Abbott fiercely opposed the idea and directed state agencies to investigate and challenge it.On Thursday, a Travis County District Court ordered the Texas Workforce Commission to comply with a September 2025 fair-housing agreement made with developers of the city, which has since rebranded as the Meadow. Developers have suggested that this clears an obstacle and paves the way for the project to move forward.But writing on X, Abbott said: "Texas has ALREADY appealed & halted this flawed ruling. The Meadow (Epic City) is also subject to other legal action by the state. And, there are active investigations by State agencies and by the federal government. This development will never see the light of day."Newsweek reached out to Abbott's office via email for comment....What Is EPIC City?Preliminary plans for EPIC City reported last year showed more than 1,000 houses in a 402-acre community, along with a mosque, a faith-based school, and a community
1a·1o·spread 0.00·16 hr agopolitics·via PBS NewsHour16 hr agoCatch up on both of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's recent appearances before Congress, including day one before the House Armed Services Committee and day two before the Senate Armed Services Committee. WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared before Congress at a pair of hourslong hearings this week for the first time since the Trump administration went to war against Iran, with the Pentagon chief facing tough questions from skeptical Democrats. WATCH: Hegseth's contentious hearing in Congress reveals partisan divide over Iran war Hegseth seemed to emerge with solid Republican support over his leadership and handling of the war. But a few GOP lawmakers questioned his dismissal of a top Army general, while some sought assurances that the Pentagon is doing everything possible to prevent civilian deaths. The hearings Wednesday and Thursday before the House and Senate Armed Services committees delved into the Trump administration's 2027 military budget proposal, which would boost defense spending to a historic $1.5 trillion. Hegseth and other Pentagon officials stressed the need for more drones, missile defense systems and warships. READ MORE: Trump calls for a major increase in defense spending alongside cuts in domestic spending While Republicans focused on the details of military
1a·1o·spread 0.00·15 hr agopolitics·via The Washington Times15 hr agoWASHINGTON — When Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin was questioned by senators during his confirmation hearing about his vision for implementing President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda, he said his goal was to keep his department off the front pages of the news. To some degree, he has. Gone are the social media video clips of now-retired Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino clashing with protesters. Mullin’s predecessor, Kristi Noem, made her first trip as secretary to New York City to make arrests with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In contrast, Mullin went to North Carolina to review hurricane recovery efforts. The Republican administration appears to be recalibrating its approach to a centerpiece policy that helped bring Trump back to the White House, moving in many ways away from aggressive, public-facing tactics toward a quieter approach to enforcement. Despite that shift, the administration insists it is not backing down from its lofty deportation goals. “Clearly they’ve stepped back from the, for want of a better word, the Bovinoist tactics of before,” said Mark Krikorian, the president of the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for immigration restrictions. “But it’s not clear this means they’re actually stepping back from immigration.” The Trump administration
1a·1o·spread 0.00·17 hr agopolitics·via USA Today17 hr agoMay 1, 2026, 2:30 p.m. ETIran conflict disrupts global oil flows, tightening California supply and raising pricesReliance on Asian imports and refinery closures worsen California's fuel shortagesRising gas prices spark political debate ahead of state and national electionsCalifornia fuel stockpiles hit record lows, imports dropped sharply in April, Kpler data showsCARLSBAD, California, April 30 (Reuters) — Motorists commemorating the centennial of U.S. Route 66 — a celebrated symbol of carefree road trips — were paying $6 a gallon for gasoline in California on Thursday, the highest price in two years and a brewing political flashpoint as elections loom.The Iran war has brought the worst-ever disruption to global oil supplies, driving up gasoline prices worldwide and posing particular hardships for California, the most populous U.S. state with the most cars on the road.The Golden State also has some of the highest gasoline prices in the country because of stringent emissions standards, high taxes and its reliance on imported petroleum.With California's gubernatorial primary barely one month away, candidates sparred at a debate this week over whether to eliminate the state's $0.61-per-gallon gas tax, the highest in the nation.At the national level, high gas prices look certain to become a major political issue
1a·1o·spread 0.00·17 hr agopolitics·via The Washington Times17 hr agoAfter Moira Cathleen Delaney was diagnosed with an aggressive form of intestinal cancer, her thoughts eventually turned to her eventual death and what she wanted done with her body. Delaney’s love of gardening, birds and the forest inspired her decision to be transformed into soil - literally - through a process known as natural organic reduction. When she died in October at age 57, her family sprinkled some of her remains under her favorite backyard tree and gave some remains to her closest friends and relatives in glass jars to keep or plant things with. “For her, it was a very comforting thought to be able to return to the earth in that kind of way, and to have her final physical act contributing to the life process,” said Marcos Moliné, her son. Interest in body disposal options that are better for the planet has risen in recent years, according to research commissioned by the National Funeral Directors Association. Researchers and industry experts said people worry about how conventional death practices such as embalming, fire cremation and casket and vault burials affect the climate, environment and people’s health. Others simply want their final resting place to be in their cherished
