Hi folks, this has been a particularly sad and demoralizing week as we saw the administration flat out lie to our faces about the entirely preventable and appalling tragedy in Minneapolis. The reasons they are able to do so with impunity are manifold - lack of consequences for lying, sanewashing by mainstream media, and the compartmentalization of news in bubbles that fracture the idea of a shared reality for American citizens. 

But all is not lost. Even extremely conservative Americans are being sickened by the authoritarian actions of the current administration and public protests are gaining momentum. In the meantime, we can all do our bit by continuing to stay informed and educating our less tuned-in families and friends. Be sure to share this newsletter in your social groups. We capture the events of the week from a wide variety of sources and it is, of course, completely ad-free.

Let’s start this week with some good news in the hopes of seeing a change in direction for the country that we call home.

GOOD NEWS

House passes bill to extend health care subsidies in defiance of GOP leaders: In a remarkable rebuke of Republican leadership, the House passed legislation Thursday that would extend expired health care subsidies for those who get coverage through the Affordable Care Act as 17 renegade GOP lawmakers joined every Democrat in support. AP

Senate advances measure to restrict Trump's power to use military force in Venezuela: The Senate fired a warning shot at President Donald Trump, voting Thursday to advance a bipartisan resolution to block him from using military force “within or against Venezuela” unless he gets prior approval from Congress. NBC

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Job openings slide to 2nd lowest level in 5 years as hiring remains sluggish: The report suggests that the “low-hire, low-fire” job market remains in effect, with workers enjoying some job security but those out of work struggling to find new jobs. The moribund labor market stands in contrast with data showing solid economic growth, which topped 4% at an annual rate in last year’s July-September quarter, the latest data available. AP

US justice department has released less than 1% of Epstein files, breaking the law: The department conceded that only 12,285 documents, totalling 125,575 pages, relating to the disgraced financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein have been published to date, despite a federal law requiring the vast majority to be released by 19 December. THE GUARDIAN 

Danish troops told to 'shoot first, ask questions later' if US invades Greenland: Denmark's defence ministry confirmed the existence of the 1952 rule and added that it "remains in force". It comes after US president Donald Trump raised the prospects of invading the Nato territory of Greenland, admitting that using US troops to do so was an option. LBC

US will exit 66 international organizations as it further retreats from global cooperation: President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order suspending U.S. support for 66 organizations, agencies, and commissions, following his administration’s review of participation in and funding for all international organizations, including those affiliated with the United Nations. AP

IMMIGRATION

Family and neighbors mourn woman who was shot by ICE agent: Witnesses described seeing the woman in the vehicle trying to flee from officers when she was shot, disputing the notion that she was trying to run officers over. Police described her as a “middle-aged white woman” who did not appear to be the target of any law enforcement investigation or activity. AP NBC

CORRUPTION ALERT

Top DOJ Official Shut Down Enforcement Against Crypto Companies While Holding More Than $150,000 in Crypto Investments: But about a month into the job Todd Blanche, the second highest official in the Justice department,  issued a memo that ordered an end to investigations into crypto companies, dealers and exchanges launched during President Joe Biden’s term. TPM

SCIENCE, HEALTH, AND SAFETY

Trump’s EPA Could Limit Its Own Ability to Use New Science to Strengthen Air Pollution Rules: In government records that have flown under the radar, the EPA is questioning its legal authority to revise pollution rules more than once when new science shows unacceptable health risks. PRO PUBLICA

Trump administration tells 5 Democratically governed states their child care funds have been frozen: The Trump administration sent out letters Tuesday night to five blue states, freezing about $10 billion in funding for child care and social services programs pending a "thorough review," citing concerns over "systemic fraud."  But a federal judge has blocked this action for now. AXIOS (PAYWALL) AP

Trump Grants Tech Firm Palantir Power To Create Mega-Database Of Americans’ Information Across Agencies: President Donald Trump has been utilizing the work data analysis and technology company Palantir to advance efforts to create a database filled with personal information on American citizens by sharing data across federal agencies. UPOLITICS

US to slash routine vaccine recommendations for children in major change: The changes are a “systematic attempt” by health officials “to erode public confidence in childhood vaccines”, said Peter Hotez, dean for the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. THE GUARDIAN

Elon Musk's Grok AI floods X with sexualized photos of women and minors: Reuters has also identified several cases where Grok created sexualized images of children. X did not respond to a message seeking comment on Reuters' findings. In an earlier statement to the news agency about reports that sexualized images of children were circulating on the platform, X’s owner xAI said: "Legacy Media Lies." The flood of nearly nude images of real people has rung alarm bells internationally. India's IT ministry said in a letter to X's local unit that the platform failed to prevent Grok's misuse by generating and circulating obscene and sexually explicit content. REUTERS

Under Former Chemical Industry Insiders, Trump EPA Nearly Doubles Amount of Formaldehyde Considered Safe to Inhale: Industry lobbyists have long pushed the federal government to adopt a less stringent approach to gauging the cancer risk from chemicals, one that would help ease regulations on companies that make or use them. Last week, in a highly unusual move, the Environmental Protection Agency embraced that approach. PROPUBLICA

JUST THE HEADLINES

After 58 Years of Service, Corporation for Public Broadcasting Closes Comes Following Congressional Defunding. 

Trump says he wants government to buy $200B in mortgage bonds in a push to bring down mortgage rates.

Trump calls for $1.5 trillion military budget in 2027, up from $901 bln in 2026.

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