Free Republic

Journalism has experienced its share of revolutions, from Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the movable-type printing press in 15th-century Germany to the high-speed presses of the 19th century to the disruptions of radio, network television and cable television as primary sources for live, breaking news. Yet even as competition soared and the number of daily newspapers declined, local news thrived as an industry. In a 1990 Washington Journalism Review article, former Chicago Tribune editor James D. Squires called newspapers “the most profitable legal business in America.” Then came the internet.

Nearly 80 flights have been cancelled and more than 40 delayed at Newark Liberty International Airport after yet another an equipment outage brought more chaos to the NYC-area hub. A 45-minute ground stop was ordered on Sunday morning by the FAA following the outage at Newark’s air traffic control facility, officials told WABC. It comes after a radar malfunction on Friday morning brought Newark to a standstill briefly on Friday morning. The number of flights in and out of the airport will be reduced for the “next several weeks,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told NBC’s “Meet the Press,” following travel...

On Tuesday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) pushed for more gun control in her state, claiming, “Guns are the number one killer of young people in America.” Whitmer made the comments in Lansing, with members of the gun control lobby gathered behind her for Annual Advocacy Day. For years the left was called out for claiming guns were the number one cause of death for children in America. Breitbart News showed this claim to be false when President Joe Biden first made it on June 2, 2022. We noted the claim was based on reported 2020 CDC data, then dug...

Illinois bureaucrats are here to protect your kids... from you. People can’t get out of Illinois fast enough. Only two other states lost more residents between 2023–24, and the state has actually lost population for 10 years in a row. The tax burden, weather, heavy regulation, and crime levels all contribute to its residents seeking an exit. So, taking this mass exodus into account, you’d think the state would try to appeal to the families that remain. Well, think again. The Cubs (and maybe even the White Sox) are more likely to win another World Series before Illinois considers the...

Sam's Club stores is axing all self-checkouts from its 600 stores — in favor of controversial new technology. The Walmart-owned warehouse chain, often seen as Costco's biggest rival, is rolling out AI-powered 'Scan & Go' tech that lets shoppers skip the line and walk straight out the door once they're done shopping. The move is controversial because it uses a network of cameras and sensors to track shoppers and their carts. In addition, the checkout-free experience requires all customers to use a smartphone and download the store’s app. This could pose a challenge to older shoppers who may struggle with...

The center-right Demokraatit Party won the most votes in Greenland’s parliamentary elections, a surprise result as the territory went to the polls in the shadow of President Donald Trump’s stated goal of taking control of the island one way or another. Both Demokraatit — the Democrats — and the second place party, Naleraq — “Point of Orientation” — favor independence from Denmark, but they have differences on the pace of change. Demokraatit’s upset victory over parties that have governed the territory for years indicates that many in Greenland care just as much about healthcare, education, cultural heritage and other social...

President Trump announced Friday that two Fox News personalities will join the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts – exactly one month after he axed existing members and appointed himself chairman of the iconic cultural institution. Trump, 78, said Fox News anchors Laura Ingraham and Maria Bartiromo will serve on the 33-person Kennedy Center board of trustees to usher in “America’s Golden Age.” “I am thrilled to announce that Laura Ingraham and Maria Bartiromo will be joining our Kennedy Center Board – This completes our selection,” the commander in chief wrote in a Truth Social...

Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) said Monday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” that President Donald Trump was violating of The Impoundment Control Act passed in 1974. Co-host Joe Scarborough said, “So since you’re on the Appropriations Committee, you’re the perfect person to ask. Is the continued impoundment by DOGE of funds authorized and appropriated by Congress, is that a constitutional violation of Article I powers?” Baldwin said, “It absolutely is. And it is so clear in Article I that Congress makes the laws, passes the budgets and the appropriation bills. And it is the administration, the president, who implements and administers those....

Alec Baldwin Loves Me.. https://x.com/i/status/1894056180546224170

The acting head of the National Archives announced his resignation on Friday, paving the way for Donald Trump to continue his takeover of the government’s records and the agency that serves as custodian of the nation’s history. Deputy Archivist William Bosanko informed staff in an email Friday that he will step down on Tuesday. Bosanko, who has worked at the agency since 1993, has been the acting head of the National Archives and Records Administration for just a week, after Trump fired Archivist of the United States Colleen Shogan. Under federal law, a president can fire the archivist but must...

Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY) has renewed his call to repeal a little-known section of the 2021 Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (IIJA) containing a federal mandate that all vehicles sold after 2026 must have a kill switch. In a hearing before the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on Wednesday, Massie questioned Michael Hanson who was representing the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) over the requirement for a kill switch that can disable vehicles based on a driver’s performance. Hanson affirmed that section 24220 the IIJA directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require advanced impaired driving detection...

A monument honoring those impacted by COVID-19 and those who worked to limit its spread is coming to the Illinois Medical District on Chicago’s Near West Side this year, five years after the pandemic outbreak. The 25-foot, stainless steel monument, titled “COVID-19 Memorial Monument of Honor, Remembrance & Resilience,” will be built at 2023 W. Ogden Ave., on the one-acre triangle at West Polk Street, South Damen Avenue and West Ogden Avenue and nestled between Stroger Hospital and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center . Its unveiling is planned for this fall. “Now Chicago will be the physical place where the...

Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week” that President Donald Trump was attempting to seize control of power for “corrupt purposes.” Partial transcript as follows: RADDATZ: You have used incredibly strong language. A Constitutional crisis. Grossly unconstitutional. Pretty alarming language. MURPHY: Yes, listen, I think this is the most serious Constitutional crisis the country has faced, certainly, since Watergate. The president is attempting to seize control of power and for corrupt purposes. The president wants to be able to decide how and where money is spent so that he can reward his political friends, he can punish...

Democratic candidate Doron Clark is projected to win a special election for a vacant Minnesota Senate seat, giving Democrats control of the upper chamber, according to Decision Desk HQ. Clark, who works at health care technology company Medtronic, defeated Republican candidate and software engineer Abigail Wolters for Senate District 60. The district includes portions of northeastern Minneapolis. The vacancy was prompted after former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic (DFL) died of cancer last month, bringing partisan control of the state Senate to a 33-33 tie. The Minnesota House is also experiencing a tie of 67-67 after a judge ruled...

Reporters saying they’re told what questions to ask and say, even if they know it’s a lie, and if they don’t “our reporters won't get invited back into the Newsom press briefing” “There are times that we look at what we are told to say and we wanna scream at the script because we know it's a lie, but we have to do it because otherwise our reporters won't get invited back into the Newsom press briefing, and we have to be there to cover it.” If you break ranks and go against Democrats, you start getting lawsuits. “imagine getting...

Judd Apatow has become a household name in Hollywood, celebrated for his sharp wit, comedic brilliance, and groundbreaking contributions to entertainment. However, beyond his role as a writer, producer, and director, Apatow’s political perspectives and activism have significantly shaped his public persona and professional narrative. Known for combining humor with heartfelt storytelling, Apatow’s political views often weave into his work, creating a bridge between comedy and critical social commentary. From championing progressive causes to leveraging his platform to address pressing societal issues, Judd Apatow has never shied away from voicing his opinions. Whether it’s through interviews, public appearances, or even...

Students cite privacy concerns, ‘risk of collecting biometric information’ New biometric palm recognition scanners in a Dartmouth College dining hall have prompted privacy concerns among some students. The “biometric recognition technology” recently was installed in all but one entrance gate to the Ivy League school’s Class of 1953 Commons dining hall ahead of the winter term, The Dartmouth reports. Instead of scanning or swiping an ID, students can use the new technology to scan the unique palm of their hand to record their entry into the dining hall and purchase a meal. One remaining gate allows students “to swipe in...

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester City Council has passed the Good Cause legislation with a 7-2 vote. Council Vice President LaShay Harris and Councilmember Michael Patterson voted against the measure. Those in favor included Council President Miguel Melendez and Councilmembers Mitch Gruber, Willie Lightfoot, Mary Lupien, Stanley Martin, Bridget Monroe, and Kim Smith. The legislation includes an amendment from the City-Wide Tenant Union of Rochester that lowers the property size exemption. Only landlords with one unit are exempt from the new legislation ensuring protections apply to nearly all renters. Rent increases are limited to 7.7%. The move aligns Rochester’s Good...

Negative language can perpetuate feelings of doom. Don’t be a doomer. Individuals who are regularly exposed to content about global warming or climate change have reported stronger feelings of inefficacy or the inability to contribute to a desired goal, a study found. [More at link]

In case you haven't noticed, it hasn't rained in New York in a pretty long time. As nice as that might sound like, the environment—and, in turn, New Yorkers—are feeling the repercussions of the unseasonal weather. Following a red flag warning that lasted nearly a week—a forecast issued by the National Weather Service to alert the public and land management agencies about the potential for fires and rapid spread given the lack of rain and increased wind—New York State is now under a burn ban order. The statewide burn ban will be in effect until, at least, November 30. What...