Podcasts about information act

The Supreme Court temporarily stayed two lower court orders Friday that mandated the production of documents and other information from the Department of Government Efficiency. In a brief order from Chief Justice John Roberts, the high court stayed the discovery process in the public records lawsuit against DOGE pending another order by the court. The now-stayed orders from Judge Christopher Cooper of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia had granted an expedited discovery schedule that required DOGE to turn over information about its inner workings and have its administrator, Amy Gleason, give a deposition. The decision, for now, allows the Trump administration to withhold information about the Elon Musk-associated efficiency arm while the justices review the government's appeal. On Wednesday, Solicitor General D. John Sauer asked the high court for emergency relief in the case, arguing that Cooper's decision turned the Freedom of Information Act “on its head.” At the heart of the case, which was brought by the government watchdog nonprofit Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, is the question of whether DOGE constitutes an “agency” for the purposes of FOIA. While the administration says that DOGE is exempt from public records laws as a presidential advisory body, the nonprofit argues that the efficiency team has wielded “substantial independent authority” and as such is subject to FOIA and the Federal Records Act, which requires preservation of records. Staff at the Department of Homeland Security are no longer allowed to use commercial generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT and Claude, according to a memo sent to employees this month. The move is a reversal of a previous policy — which had conditionally allowed the use of commercial systems — and a pivot toward technology developed in-house. Earlier this month, DHS's chief information officer, Antoine McCord, sent a memo directing component tech offices to begin “restricting” the use of generative AI systems and pointing employees to internal tools. Older guidance, which the CIO described as “outdated” and “too narrowly” focused on commercial generative AI, was also removed from an online list of IT management directives. The decision comes as federal agencies weigh various pathways toward integrating generative AI into their workflows, a priority of both the Biden and Trump administrations. While some government agencies initially blocked generative AI systems, CIOs have slowly started to develop usage policies. Some agencies, like DHS and the General Services Administration, have now built their own platforms based on commercial technologies, while others have opted to use products like ChatGPT Gov through government cloud systems. The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

To mark his first hundred days in office, President Trump signed three executive orders related to immigration. On this week's On the Media, the powerful database that can help I.C.E. track down and deport people. Plus, the dramatic fight for power over Rupert Murdoch's media empire.[01:00] Host Brooke Gladstone talks with Jason Koebler, co-founder of 404 Media, about how a surveillance company is supplying ICE with a powerful database to identify and deport people with minor infractions or certain characteristics.[20:57] Host Micah Loewinger speaks with Jason Leopold, a senior investigative reporter at Bloomberg and writer of the newsletter “FOIA Files,” about the Trump administration's attacks on Freedom of Information Act offices at the CDC and FDA, and what they mean for the future of government transparency.[31:50] Brooke talks with McKay Coppins, a staff writer at The Atlantic, about the remarkable, extensive interviews he conducted with members of the Murdoch family — particularly James Murdoch and his wife Kathryn. (Rupert and his eldest son, Lachlan, declined to participate.) Plus, how the HBO show “Succession” influenced the family's fight over the future of their own media empire.Further reading:Inside a Powerful Database ICE Uses to Identify and Deport People, by Jason KoeblerTrump Filed a FOIA Request. We FOIAed His FOIA, by Jason LeopoldGrowing Up Murdoch: James Murdoch on mind games, sibling rivalry, and the war for the family media empire, by McKay Coppins On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today (https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm). Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing onthemedia@wnyc.org.

Agencies received a record 1.5 million Freedom of Information Act requests in fiscal 2024. That's according to the Justice Department Office of Information Policy's latest summary of federal FOIA data. Agencies nearly kept pace by processing one-point-four-nine million FOIA requests last year. Still, the governmentwide FOIA backlog increased to 267,000 cases by the end of fiscal 2024.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John is joined by Michael Gottlieb, partner in the Washington D.C. office of Wilkie Farr & Gallagher, and Nicholas Reddick, partner in the San Francisco office of Wilkie Farr & Gallagher.  They discuss the landmark $1.1 billion judgment Michael and Nicholas obtained against the Islamic Republic of Iran, on behalf of U.S. service members and civilians harmed by Iran-backed terrorist groups and the legal framework for suing state sponsors of terrorism and private organizations that support them.  Claims against sovereign states are based upon the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA).  FSIA claims require plaintiffs to prove that the foreign sovereign materially supported acts of terrorism, often through militia groups operating in conflict zones.  The process is complex and time-consuming.  Although Iran never appears to defend these cases, plaintiffs must still prove liability and damages with admissible evidence, often obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests, military reports, and expert testimony.  Because such judgments are rarely enforceable against Iran's frozen or inaccessible assets, successful plaintiffs must seek compensation through the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, which draws from congressional appropriations and settlements from unrelated sanctions violations.  Payments from the fund are made annually and prorated based on judgment size, but disbursements have been inconsistent.  Recent developments, including circuit court rulings and a pending Supreme Court case, may reshape key legal standards for FSIA claims, such as the requirement of an actual death for certain terrorism-related claims.  Several new legislative efforts seek to expand the cases that may be brought under the FSIA and increase the funds allocated for compensating victims.  Claims against private entities such as banks, contractors or companies that evaded sanctions rely upon the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).  Many such cases are currently being litigated.  ATA claims require proof of the defendant's material support and knowledge of terrorist outcomes.  The defendants in ATA cases are likely to appear to defend against the claims, but only after the plaintiffs navigate complex issues of jurisdiction and service of process.Podcast Link: Law-disrupted.fmHost: John B. Quinn Producer: Alexis HydeMusic and Editing by: Alexander Rossi

In this haunting episode, we delve into one of Yellowstone National Park's most perplexing cold cases — the 1991 disappearance of Dan Campbell and his loyal dog Freckles.Our journey begins with Dan Campbell, a 42-year-old Montana man whose life had reached a crossroads by the spring of 1991. Living in Big Timber and struggling with mounting financial troubles, Campbell was looking for a way out. Standing 5'8" and weighing about 165 pounds, with the weathered face of someone comfortable in the outdoors, he had recently begun making plans to relocate to White Sulphur Springs, but needed money to finance the move.According to his brother Billy, Dan had started "running with some pretty shady characters" who introduced him to the lucrative world of illegal shed hunting — a dangerous underground economy that would ultimately lead to his disappearance.The dark underbelly of shed hunting in Yellowstone had evolved into what insiders called "the antler wars" by the early 1990s. With elk antlers selling for up to $15 per pound on the black market, what began as an innocent springtime hobby had transformed into a fiercely competitive criminal enterprise. Reports from the time suggest that certain areas of the park had been carved up into informal territories by competing groups of poachers, some allegedly carrying semiautomatic weapons to guard their claimed hunting grounds. Into this dangerous world stepped Dan Campbell, desperately seeking quick cash.On April 4, 1991, Campbell set off with his Australian shepherd-heeler mix named Freckles from the Hellroaring trailhead, planning a four-day trek to exit near Jardine, Montana, where his girlfriend Tracy Erb would pick him up on April 8. Dressed in blue Levi's jeans and a blue coat, he carried basic survival supplies in his backpack, along with the expectation of returning with valuable shed antlers. What he couldn't have anticipated was the treacherous journey that awaited him.The Hellroaring Trail itself presents a formidable challenge even to experienced hikers. Beginning with a steep 600-foot descent over switchbacks to reach a suspension bridge spanning the Yellowstone River, the trail then traverses an expansive sagebrush plateau before dropping down to Hellroaring Creek. As Campbell navigated this difficult terrain, a powerful spring storm moved in on April 5th, dumping up to a foot of fresh snow across portions of the park and sending temperatures plummeting.This sudden weather change would not only challenge Campbell's wilderness skills but would later severely hamper search efforts.When April 8 arrived with no sign of Campbell at the designated pickup location, Tracy Erb reported him missing. Park rangers immediately launched what's known in search and rescue terminology as a "bastard search" — checking obvious locations to confirm he wasn't simply elsewhere — before initiating a full-scale operation. Ground teams and, when weather permitted, aerial search units scoured Campbell's planned route, battling the aftermath of the snowstorm that had left up to a foot of fresh snow obscuring any tracks or evidence.Despite weeks of intensive searching across multiple locations, not a single trace of Campbell or his dog was ever found — no backpack, no clothing, no equipment, and perhaps most tellingly, not even Freckles.This complete absence of evidence pushed Campbell's brothers to consider darker possibilities. As the search transitioned to an investigation, Rod and Bill Campbell, along with their third brother, transformed from grieving family members into relentless advocates. Bill's own investigation uncovered that there had reportedly been 14 other horn hunters in the area on the day Dan went missing, and one of them claimed to have heard two gunshots. This discovery aligned with the family's growing suspicion that Dan had been murdered by rival shed hunters protecting their territory. The Campbell brothers' frustration with official efforts peaked in July 1991 when they filed a lawsuit against Park County Montana Sheriff Charlie Johnson, seeking $100,000 each for what they claimed was a botched investigation. They were particularly outraged by the sheriff's decision to return potential evidence — ammunition and spent cartridges confiscated from two horn hunters legally camping outside the park's northern boundaries — without subjecting these items to forensic testing. "If Dan's in the park, he's buried," Rod Campbell told reporters, reflecting their conviction that their brother met with foul play rather than a wilderness accident.As investigators weighed the evidence, three main theories emerged about Campbell's fate. The natural causes theory suggested he might have succumbed to hypothermia during the snowstorm, suffered a fatal injury on the rugged terrain, or encountered a grizzly bear emerging hungry from hibernation. The voluntary disappearance theory, which law enforcement initially considered due to Campbell's financial troubles, proposed that he might have staged his own disappearance to escape mounting debts. The foul play theory, championed by Campbell's family, posited that he had been murdered by rival shed hunters, with the snowstorm providing ideal cover for the crime and hampering subsequent searches.Each theory had strengths and weaknesses. The natural causes explanation failed to account for the complete absence of any trace, including the dog. The voluntary disappearance scenario seemed unlikely given Campbell's attachment to Freckles and his concrete plans for the future.The foul play theory addressed many puzzling aspects of the case but lacked definitive evidence. This ambiguity has allowed the mystery to persist for more than three decades, making it one of Yellowstone's most enduring cold cases.Today, Campbell's disappearance stands as a sobering reminder of both the wilderness dangers and human hazards that persist in Yellowstone. The illegal shed antler trade continues, with recent cases demonstrating its evolution and the ongoing risks it presents. In 2023, an Idaho man was charged with attempting to transport and sell more than 1,000 pounds of poached antlers valued at approximately $18,000, resulting in substantial fines and a hunting ban. While regulations have tightened and enforcement has improved since Campbell's day, the fundamental dynamics that may have contributed to his disappearance remain: valuable natural resources, limited oversight capacity, and the human willingness to risk legal penalties for financial gain.For those who venture into Yellowstone's backcountry today, Campbell's story serves as a haunting reminder that beneath the park's spectacular beauty lies a landscape that can still harbor both natural perils and human darkness. As we conclude our exploration of this mysterious disappearance, we're left with the same questions that have troubled investigators and family members for decades: What really happened to Dan Campbell and Freckles on that April journey in 1991? And will we ever know the truth?Our research for this episode draws on extensive sources, including original search and rescue reports, interviews with former park rangers, newspaper archives from the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Freedom of Information Act documents released by the Department of Interior, Campbell family statements, and expert analysis on Yellowstone terrain, weather patterns, and wildlife behavior. Yet despite this wealth of information, Dan Campbell's fate remains one of the park's most persistent mysteries — a story that continues to fascinate and disturb more than thirty years after he vanished without a trace.

Send us a textTax Notes chief correspondent Amanda Athanasiou discusses her recent investigation into the IRS's handling of Freedom of Information Act requests and trends from two decades of agency data.For more, check out the Tax Notes coverage of the IRS FOIA system:IRS FOIA Backlog Expected to GrowFOIA Appeals Fail So Often, Taxpayers See a Broken SystemThe IRS Is Getting Fewer FOIAs. Why Aren't Response Times Improving?Follow us on X:Amanda Athanasiou: @akathanasiouDavid Stewart: @TaxStewTax Notes: @TaxNotes**This episode is sponsored by the University of California Irvine School of Law Graduate Tax Program. For more information, visit law.uci.edu/gradtax.***CreditsHost: David D. StewartExecutive Producers: Jasper B. Smith, Paige JonesProducers: Jordan Parrish, Peyton RhodesAudio Engineers: Jordan Parrish, Peyton Rhodes

Does the U.S. government know the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto?Crypto lawyer James Murphy filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to uncover documents related to a claimed meeting with Bitcoin's pseudonymous creator. Does the U.S. government know Satoshi Nakamoto's identity? CoinDesk's Christine Lee follows the trail.This content should not be construed or relied upon as investment advice. It is for entertainment and general information purposes.-This episode was hosted by Christine Lee.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hour 1 Boomer is ill and his voice is weak after attending what might have been Matt Martin's final Islanders game last night, where they discussed his career. Before Jerry's update, a caller offered a snake-related throat remedy for Boomer. Jerry has the audio of the Mets' loss to the Twins due to a Francisco Lindor error and strikeout. The Knicks/Pistons playoff schedule is out, starting Saturday, Monday, and Thursday. Travis Hunter implied he'll only play football if he can play both offense and defense. Gio then shared the story of Rosie the turkey from Roosevelt Island seeking a mate in the city, leading to a discussion about catching turkeys and calls from those who have encountered them. Hour 2 Juan Soto noted he's being pitched differently without Aaron Judge batting behind him, which Gio sees as an explanation, not an excuse. Boomer viewed it as a compliment to Judge, not a slight to Pete Alonso, while Gio thinks sensitive fans are overreacting. Soto's presence benefits Alonso. Before Jerry's update, Gio reminisced about old wedding invites, followed by audio clips of Jerry discussing divorce. They joked about using a Chef IQ to check Boomer's fever. The Yankees won, and Matt Martin played his emotional final home game for the Islanders, with goodbye audio clips from various sports figures played. Finally, someone on X shared a Vegas flu story similar to Boomer's, and Boomer had a lunch meeting where Gustav Klimt was discussed. Hour 3 Wally Szczerbiak believes the Knicks should dominate their series, implying locker room issues if they don't. Gio thinks Karl-Anthony Towns has a big chance to prove his championship mettle and shed the "soft" label with multiple high-scoring, high-rebounding games. Before Jerry's update, they used the Chef IQ and found Boomer has a 102 fever, leading to a clip from 'Back To School' referencing Gustav Klimt, who Gio supposedly resembles. Jerry recapped the Mets' loss, Yankees' win, and NBA news. The hour ended with Gio discussing a Karen Read documentary on MAX. Hour 4 Bill Belichick and his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, are receiving attention, and a reporter obtained Belichick's emails via the Freedom of Information Act. Gio joked about Hudson's potential post-breakup career in bikini betting picks. They discussed the controversy surrounding a Braves reporter asking a girl for her number on air. Jerry's update covered the Mets' loss due to a Lindor error, the Yankees' win, and Trae Young's ejection. Evan Roberts is confident the Knicks will win their series. The Nets GM discussed their free agency targets. Shedeur Sanders' Steelers interview attire caused debate, which Kay Adams addressed. The Moment of the Day involved using the Chef IQ to check Boomer's fever. The show concluded with a discussion about Matt Martin's likely final Islanders game and how fans treated him, compared to Rangers fans and Chris Kreider, followed by talk about a 400+ lb NFL draft prospect.

Bill Belichick and his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, are receiving attention, and a reporter obtained Belichick's emails via the Freedom of Information Act. Gio joked about Hudson's potential post-breakup career in bikini betting picks. They discussed the controversy surrounding a Braves reporter asking a girl for her number on air. Jerry's update covered the Mets' loss due to a Lindor error, the Yankees' win, and Trae Young's ejection. Evan Roberts is confident the Knicks will win their series. The Nets GM discussed their free agency targets. Shedeur Sanders' Steelers interview attire caused debate, which Kay Adams addressed. The Moment of the Day involved using the Chef IQ to check Boomer's fever. The show concluded with a discussion about Matt Martin's likely final Islanders game and how fans treated him, compared to Rangers fans and Chris Kreider, followed by talk about a 400+ lb NFL draft prospect.

Ralph speaks to Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank about the Trump Administration's path of destruction in our federal government. Then, Ralph welcomes legendary public interest lawyer Alan Morrison to discuss the President's authority to impose tariffs and other constitutional questions.Dana Milbank is a nationally syndicated op-ed columnist for the Washington Post. He also provides political commentary for various TV outlets, and he is the author of five books on politics, including the New York Times bestseller The Destructionists and the national bestseller Homo Politicus. His latest book is Fools on the Hill: The Hooligans, Saboteurs, Conspiracy Theories and Dunces who Burned Down the House.I shouldn't be amazed, but Mike Johnson never ceases to amaze me with the rapidity with which he'll just drop to his knees whenever Trump says something.Dana MilbankWe're going to know this shortly, but it does appear that Trump's honeymoon may be over in the House as the conservatives finally seem to be finding their backbones. But I've thought that might happen before and then only to find out that they, in fact, they could not locate their backbones. So I don't want to be premature.Dana MilbankTrump seems to be gambling (and the administration seems to be gambling) that ultimately the Supreme Court is going to a wholesale reinterpretation of the Constitution to grant these never-before-seen executive powers, and it's possible that he's right about that. We're not going to know that. There have been a couple of preliminary rulings that seem friendly to Trump, but none of those is final, so we can't really be sure of it.Dana MilbankMy guess is that Chief Justice Roberts is seeing his legacy heading toward the ditch after his decision of Trump v. United States, where he said that Presidents cannot be criminally prosecuted….My guess is he's going to unpleasantly surprise Trump in the coming months.Ralph NaderAlan Morrison is the Lerner Family Associate Dean for Public Interest & Public Service at George Washington Law School. He currently teaches civil procedure and constitutional law, and previously taught at Harvard, NYU, Stanford, Hawaii, and American University law schools. He has argued 20 cases in the Supreme Court and co-founded the Public Citizen Litigation Group in 1972, which he directed for more than 25 years.It's inevitable that even for a non-economist like myself to understand that [the costs of tariffs] are going to be passed on. Other than Donald Trump, I don't think there's anybody who believes that these taxes are not going to be passed on and that they're going to be borne by the country from which the company did the exporting.Alan MorrisonIt's an uphill battle on both the statutory interpretation and the undue delegation grounds, but our position is rather simple: If the Congress doesn't write a statute so that there's something that the government can't order or do, then it's gone too far. In effect, it has surrendered to the President its power to set policy and do the legislative function. Interestingly, Trump has trumpeted the breadth of what he's doing here. He calls it a revolution. Well, if we have revolutions in this country, my copy of the Constitution says that the Congress has to enact revolution and the President can't do it on its own. So we think we've got a pretty strong case if we can get it to court.Alan MorrisonOne of the things that I've been struck by is that laws alone cannot make this country governable. That we can't write laws to cover every situation and every quirk that any person has, especially the President. We depend on the norms of government—that people will do things not exactly the way everybody did them before, but along the same general lines, and that when we make change, we make them in moderation, because that's what the people expect. Trump has shed all norms.Alan MorrisonNews 4/9/251. Our top story this week is the killing of Omar Mohammed Rabea, an American citizen in Gaza. Known as Amer, the BBC reports the 14-year-old was shot by the Israeli military along with two other 14-year-old boys “on the outskirts of Turmus Ayya” on Sunday evening. Predictably, the IDF called these children “terrorists.” According to NJ.com – Rabea formerly resided in Saddle Brook, New Jersey – Rabea's uncle sits on the board of a local Palestinian American Community Center which told the press “The ambulance was not allowed to pass the checkpoint for 30 minutes, a denial in medical treatment that ultimately resulted in Amer's death…[his] death was entirely preventable and horrifically unjust. He was a child, a 14-year-old boy, with an entire life ahead of him.” The Rachel Corrie Foundation, founded in honor of the American peace activist killed by an Israeli bulldozer while protesting the demolition of a Palestinian home, issued a statement reading “Rabea's death…was perpetuated by Israeli settlers who act with impunity…We believe that if our own government demanded accountability…Rabea would still be alive.” The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has sent a letter to Attorney General Bondi demanding an investigation, but chances of the Trump administration pursuing justice in this case are slim.2. Meanwhile, President Trump seems to be driving the U.S. economy into a deep recession. Following his much-publicized tariff announcement last week – which included 10% tariffs on uninhabited Heard and McDonald Islands – the S&P dipped by 10.5%, among the largest drops in history, per the New York Times. Far from making Trump back off however, he appears dead set on pushing this as far as it will go. After the People's Republic of China responded to the threat of a 54% tariff with a reciprocal 34% tariff, Trump announced the U.S. will retaliate by upping the tariff to a whopping 104% on Chinese imports, according to the BBC. Reuters reports that JP Morgan forecasts a 60% chance of a recession as a result of these tariffs.3. In more foreign affairs news, on Friday April 4th, South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol was officially removed from office by that country's Constitutional Court, “ending months of uncertainty and legal wrangling after he briefly declared martial law in December,” per CNN. The South Korean parliament had already voted to impeach Yoon in December of 2024. The court's decision was unanimous and characterized the leader's actions as a “grave betrayal of the people's trust.” Upon this ruling being handed down, Yoon was forced to immediately vacate the presidential residence. A new election is scheduled for June 3rd. Incredible what a political and judicial class unafraid to stand up to lawlessness can accomplish.4. Speaking of ineffectual opposition parties, one need look no further than Texas' 18th congressional district. This safe Democratic district – including most of central Houston – was held by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee from 1995 until her death in 2024. According to the Texas Tribune, Lee planned to run yet again in 2024, triumphing over her 43-year-old former aide Amanda Edwards in the primary. However, Lee passed in July of 2024. Edwards again sought the nomination, but the Harris County Democratic Party instead opted for 69-year-old former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, per the Texas Tribune. Turner made it to March of 2025 before he too passed away. This seat now sits vacant – depriving the residents of central Houston of congressional representation and the Democrats of a vote in the House. Governor Gregg Abbot has announced that he will not allow a special election before November 2025, the Texas Tribune reports. This is a stunning Democratic own-goal and indicative of the literal death grip the gerontocratic old guard continue to have on the party.5. One ray of hope is that Democratic voters appear to be waking up the ineffectual nature of the party leadership. A new Data for Progress poll of the 2028 New York Senate primary posed a hypothetical matchup between incumbent Senator Chuck Schumer and Democratic Socialist firebrand Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – and found AOC with a staggering lead of 19 points. This poll showed AOC winning voters under 45 by 50 points, over 45s by eight points, non-college educated by 16 points, college educated by 23 points, Black and white voters by 16 points, and Latinos by 28. Schumer led among self-described “Moderates” by 15 and no other group. It remains to be seen whether the congresswoman from Queens will challenge the Senate Minority Leader, but this poll clearly shows her popularity in the state of New York, and Schumer's abysmal reputation catching up with him.6. Another bright spot from New York, is Zohran Mamdani's mayoral candidacy and specifically his unprecedented field operation. According to the campaign, between April 1st and April 6th, volunteers knocked on 41,591 doors. No mayoral campaign in the history of the city has generated a grassroots movement of this intensity, with politicians traditionally relying on political machines or enormous war chests to carry them to victory. Mamdani has already reached the public financing campaign donation cap, so he can focus all of his time and energy on grassroots outreach. He remains the underdog against former Governor Andrew Cuomo, but his campaign appears stronger every day.7. Turning to the turmoil in the federal regulatory apparatus, POLITICO reports Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has eliminated the Freedom of Information Act offices at the Centers for Disease Control, and other HHS agencies. An anonymous source told the publication that HHS will consolidate its FOIA requests into one HHS-wide office, but “Next steps are still in flux.” In the meantime, there will be no one to fulfill FOIA requests at these agencies. This piece quotes Scott Amey, general counsel at the Project on Government Oversight, who said this “sends a wrong message to the public on the administration's commitment to transparency.” Amey added, “I often say that FOIA officers are like librarians in knowing the interactions of the agency…If you don't have FOIA officers with that specific knowledge, it will slow down the process tremendously.”8. At the Federal Trade Commission, Axios reports the Trump administration has “paused” the FTC's lawsuit against major pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, related to “the drug middlemen…inflating the price of insulin and driving up costs to diabetes patients.” The case, filed against CVS Caremark, OptumRx and Express Scripts was halted by the FTC in light of “the fact that there are currently no sitting Commissioners able to participate in this matter.” That is because Trump unlawfully fired the two remaining Democratic commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Slaughter. In a statement, former FTC Chair Lina Khan called this move “A gift to the PBMs.”9. One federal regulatory agency that seems to be at least trying to do their job is the Federal Aviation Administration. According to the American Prospect, the FAA has “[has] proposed [a] rule that would mandate Boeing update a critical communications malfunction in their 787 Dreamliner plane that could lead to disastrous accidents.” As this piece explains, “very high frequency (VHF) radio channels are transferring between the active and standby settings without flight crew input.” The FAA's recommendation in is that Boeing address the issue with an update to the radio software. Yet disturbingly, in one of the comments on this proposed rule Qatar Airways claims that, “[they have] already modified all affected…airplanes with … [the recommended software updates] …However … flight crew are still reporting similar issues.” This comment ends with Qatar Airways stating that they believe, “the unsafe condition still exists.” Boeing planes have been plagued by critical safety malfunctions in recent years, most notably the 2018 and 2019 crashes that killed nearly 350 people.10. Finally, on a somewhat lighter note, you may have heard about Bryan Johnson, the tech entrepreneur dubbed “The Man Who Wants to Live Forever.” Johnson has attracted substantial media attention for his unorthodox anti-aging methods, including regular transfusions of plasma from his own son. But this story is not about Johnson's bizarre immortality obsession, but rather his unsavory corporate practices. A new piece in New York Magazine focuses on the lawsuits filed against Johnson by his all-too-mortal workers, represented by eminent labor lawyer Matt Bruenig. This piece relays how Johnson “required his staffers to sign 20-page NDAs,” and an “opt-in” document which informed his employees they had to be comfortable “being around Johnson while he has very little clothing on” and “discussions for media production including erotica (for example, fan fiction including but not limited to story lines/ideas informed by the Twilight series and-or 50 Shades of Grey.)” Bruenig says, “That stuff is weird,” but his main interest is in the nondisparagement agreements, including the one Johnson's former employee and former fiancée Taylor Southern entered into which has further complicated an already thorny legal dispute between Johnson and herself. Now Bruenig is fighting for Southern and against these blanket nondisparagement agreements in a case that could help define the limits of employer's power to control their workers' speech. Hopefully, Bruenig will prevail in showing that Johnson, whatever his pretensions, truly is a mere mortal.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

The September 6, 1901, assassination of President William McKinley by self-professed anarchist Leon Czolgosz triggered a nationwide political backlash against the killer's like-minded political adherents. It also served as the catalyst for the expansion of nascent federal government surveillance capabilities used against not only anarchists but socialists and members of other social or political movements that were challenging the prevailing political, economic, and social paradigms of the day. And it was the ensuing, decades-long persistent exaggerations of domestic political threats from those movements that drove an exponential increase in the frequency and scale of unlawful government surveillance and related political repression against hundreds of thousands of individual Americans and civil society organizations.The Triumph of Fear is a history of the rise and expansion of surveillance-enabled political repression in America from the late 1890s to early 1961. Drawing on declassified government documents (many obtained via dozens of Freedom of Information Act requests and lawsuits) and other primary sources, Cato Institute senior fellow Patrick Eddington offers historians, legal scholars, political leaders, and general readers surprising new revelations about the scope of government surveillance programs and how this domestic spying helped fuel federal assaults on free speech and association that continue to this day. Join us for a conversation about the book with Eddington led by Caleb Brown, Cato's director of multimedia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Right to Information Act was a historic piece of legislation that gave ordinary citizens a legally enforceable means to seek information about the government's functioning – a small step towards accountability. But over the years, governments have progressively diluted the provisions of this law. The latest blow to the RTI is in the form of Section 44 (3) of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. This law will come into force once the Rules under it are notified, which is expected to happen this month. law's Rules are notified, and that is expected to happen any time now. How does Section 44 (3) of the DPDP Act weaken the Right to Information Act? Why is the Opposition demanding that it be repealed? And what are the consequences for citizens if this Section stays? Guest: Anjali Bhardwaj, founder of the Satark Nagarik Sangathan and co-convenor of the National Campaign for the People's Right to Information (NCPRI). Host: G. Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Edited by Shiva Raj Recorded and Produced by Jude Francis Weston

For many decades, agencies within the United States government have collected information on a range of different unexplained phenomena. From military encounters involving UFOs, to possible evidence of ancient mysteries collected during reconnaissance missions by spy planes, several examples of the U.S. government's "anomaly files" have been made public through inquiries under the Freedom of Information Act.  This week on The Micah Hanks Program, we look at the Defense Department's current investigations into unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP), along with questions that remain about one of its most famous cases. Finally, we also explore claims revealed in CIA files involving remote viewing, the discovery of the mythical "Ark of the Covenant," and an anomaly spotted on a mountainside in Turkey during Cold War-era CIA spy plane reconnaissance flights.    Have you had a UFO/UAP sighting? Please consider reporting your sighting to the UAP Sightings Reporting System, a public resource for information about sightings of aerial phenomena. The story doesn't end here... become an X Subscriber and get access to even more weekly content and monthly specials. Want to advertise/sponsor The Micah Hanks Program? We have partnered with the AdvertiseCast to handle our advertising/sponsorship requests. If you would like to advertise with The Micah Hanks Program, all you have to do is click the link below to get started: AdvertiseCast: Advertise with The Micah Hanks Program Show Notes Below are links to stories and other content featured in this episode: NEWS: Private Data and Passwords of Senior U.S. Security Officials Found Online A stroke survivor speaks again with the help of an experimental brain-computer implant  Fish use tools too, new research reveals AARO: U.S. Government's Top UFO Scientist Has an Open Mind About Alien Contact  THE NIMITZ INCIDENT:  ARK OF THE COVENANT? CIA found the Ark of the Covenant by using psychics, declassified files claim  THE ARARAT ANOMALY: CIA evidence of Noah's Ark on Mt. Ararat? CIA Files Related to the "Ararat Anomaly" at The Black Vault  CIA's covert hunt for Noah's Ark sparks new questions amid claims Biblical boat has been found BECOME AN X SUBSCRIBER AND GET EVEN MORE GREAT PODCASTS AND MONTHLY SPECIALS FROM MICAH HANKS. Sign up today and get access to the entire back catalog of The Micah Hanks Program, as well as “classic” episodes, weekly “additional editions” of the subscriber-only X Podcast, the monthly Enigmas specials, and much more. Like us on Facebook Follow @MicahHanks on X. Keep up with Micah and his work at micahhanks.com.

In this episode, P shares her family outing to a Cirqe De Soleil show. She also shares Dani's story of being left behind while Gigi was out with a friend. Ash puts her "glass hat" back on to finalize her summary of Thank You, Dr. Fauci. She shares the many FOIA's (Freedom of Information Act document drops and answers P's questions.Follow Ash & P on Instagram and Facebook @realashandpRate and Review SWAP on your preferred podcast platform!

Professor and Associate Dean Denise Simmons of the University of Florida joins us to discuss her experiences with being “FOIA'd” (Freedom of Information Act). This conversation is really eye opening about the processes and emotions that may follow a FOIA request related to a given study. Enjoy!

It's the Friday of Sunshine Week, and a top house lawmaker is putting the spotlight on Freedom of Information Act staffing at agencies. Representative Gerry Connolly of Northern Virginia says the Trump administration threatens FOIA, but challenges with FOIA backlogs and staffing actually stretch back years. For the latest, Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's the Friday of Sunshine Week, and a top house lawmaker is putting the spotlight on Freedom of Information Act staffing at agencies. Representative Gerry Connolly of Northern Virginia says the Trump administration threatens FOIA, but challenges with FOIA backlogs and staffing actually stretch back years. For the latest, Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This Day in Legal History: LBJ Federalizes Alabama National GuardOn March 20, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson took a decisive step in the fight for civil rights by federalizing the Alabama National Guard to protect marchers participating in the Selma to Montgomery march. This action followed the brutal events of "Bloody Sunday" on March 7, when peaceful demonstrators advocating for Black voting rights were violently attacked by Alabama state troopers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. A second attempt to march on March 9, known as "Turnaround Tuesday," ended without violence but still lacked sufficient protection.Johnson's decision to federalize the National Guard came after Alabama Governor George Wallace refused to ensure the safety of demonstrators, despite mounting national pressure. With federal troops in place, the march proceeded on March 21 under the protection of U.S. Army units, the FBI, and the Justice Department. Over five days, thousands of demonstrators walked the 54-mile route to Montgomery, with their numbers growing to 25,000 by the time they reached the Alabama State Capitol on March 25.This federal intervention was a turning point in the civil rights movement, demonstrating the government's willingness to enforce constitutional rights against state resistance. The Selma marches galvanized public support for voting rights and led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which outlawed discriminatory voting practices. Johnson's decision highlighted the power of federal authority to challenge systemic racism and protect fundamental freedoms.Thousands of probationary federal employees ordered reinstated by federal courts remain in limbo as the Trump administration fights lawsuits over workforce changes. Courts in Maryland and California ruled that roughly 25,000 employees must be rehired, but many are on paid leave instead of actively working. Some workers fear they may have to return their back pay if an appeals court overturns the rulings.Attorneys representing federal employees say agencies are slow to restore full duties or compensation. Ashley Ashworth, a reinstated Health and Human Services worker, said she was rehired but given no work, making her uncertain about her future. Adding to concerns, Trump's broader federal agency reorganization plans could lead to further layoffs, with probationary employees at the highest risk.Judges have pressed the administration for details on when affected employees will return, emphasizing that indefinite paid leave is not permitted. While agencies claim they are taking steps to reinstate workers, some employees have only received vague instructions about returning to duty. With legal battles ongoing, many fear their reinstatement—and pay—may be temporary.Fired Federal Workers Stuck in Limbo After Judges Order ReturnDisney shareholders are set to vote on a proposal urging the company to withdraw from the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index, which ranks businesses based on LGBTQ-friendly policies. The proposal, backed by the National Center for Public Policy Research, follows similar exits by companies like Lowe's, Ford, and Harley-Davidson, which faced conservative pressure to scale back diversity initiatives.This effort aligns with broader conservative pushes, including those from the Trump administration, to dismantle corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Disney, which holds a perfect score on the index, has previously faced scrutiny for its opposition to Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law.Similar shareholder proposals in the past have received little support, typically failing to reach more than 2% backing. The proposal also references backlash against brands like Bud Light and Target over LGBTQ marketing. Disney has defended its transparency in such matters and called the proposal unnecessary.Anti-DEI Disney Investors Press Vote on Abandoning LGBTQ IndexA federal judge warned the Trump administration of potential consequences if it violated his order temporarily halting the deportation of Venezuelan migrants. Judge James Boasberg expressed skepticism that revealing deportation details would compromise national security, especially after Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly shared flight information. Despite the order, three planes carrying deported Venezuelans landed in El Salvador, leading to questions about whether the administration defied the ruling.Boasberg requested details on the deportation flights, extending the administration's deadline to provide information. Trump's administration pushed back, arguing that the judge was overstepping his authority and that executive branch decisions on deportations were absolute. Meanwhile, Trump called for Boasberg's impeachment, drawing a rare rebuke from Chief Justice John Roberts, who stated that appeals—not impeachment—are the proper response to judicial disagreements.Boasberg initially blocked the deportations, ruling that the 1798 Alien Enemies Act did not justify Trump's claims that the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua's presence in the U.S. constituted an act of war. His order came after two deportation flights had already taken off. While some planes landed after the ruling, a third took off after the written order was publicly filed, raising further legal disputes. The administration defended its actions, arguing that some deportations were based on other legal grounds beyond the Alien Enemies Act.Judge warns of consequences if Trump administration violated deportation order | ReutersThe Trump administration is appealing a judge's order requiring Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DGE) to provide records related to their role in reshaping the federal government. The Justice Department argues that the order, which demands Musk and DGE disclose information to Democratic state officials, raises serious separation-of-powers concerns by compelling a presidential adviser and White House-affiliated entity to comply.The dispute stems from a lawsuit by 14 Democratic-led states alleging that Musk and DGE unconstitutionally exercised power by cutting federal programs, downsizing agencies, and accessing sensitive government systems. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan's ruling allows state officials to request documents and written responses but stops short of allowing depositions or direct questioning of DGE officials. Trump himself is not subject to the evidence requests.New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, leading the lawsuit, argues that DGE must provide transparency regarding its actions. The case follows other legal challenges against DGE, including a Maryland ruling that found Musk's involvement in shutting down USAID likely unconstitutional and another requiring DGE to comply with a Freedom of Information Act request. The administration may escalate the fight to the Supreme Court if the appeals court does not intervene.Trump Administration Fights Order to Turn Over DOGE Records (1) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

In today's news: The OutCenter Southwest Michigan has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the city of Benton Harbor to obtain records related to the denial of its 2025 PrideFest permit application. Mark your calendars because the Region IV Area Agency on Aging will hold its annual Legislative Forum next month. The city of St. Joseph is going to be getting a cybersecurity audit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: The OutCenter Southwest Michigan has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the city of Benton Harbor to obtain records related to the denial of its 2025 PrideFest permit application. Mark your calendars because the Region IV Area Agency on Aging will hold its annual Legislative Forum next month. The city of St. Joseph is going to be getting a cybersecurity audit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: The OutCenter Southwest Michigan has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the city of Benton Harbor to obtain records related to the denial of its 2025 PrideFest permit application. Mark your calendars because the Region IV Area Agency on Aging will hold its annual Legislative Forum next month. The city of St. Joseph is going to be getting a cybersecurity audit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(Note: Due to technical issues, only part of this interview is available.)The case of Jeff MacDonald has been infused with controversy since the murders took place, almost 39 years ago. Through it all, Jeff has steadfastly maintained his innocence. Over the many years since trial, thousands of pages of government reports, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, that prove the existence of outside assailants, have been obtained. In fact, not only do these documents show Jeff's claim of outside assailants to be true, they also show how the prosecution deliberately set out to suppress evidence supporting these claims before, during, and after his trial. The MacDonald case has served as an example of malfeasance in the investigation of the FBI Crime Lab's misconduct, and the case has been featured in numerous congressional hearings and in such publications as The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe and The New Republic. In January, 2006, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals panel of three unanimously agreed that the affidavit of Jimmy Britt, a respected former US Marshal, was sufficient grounds to propel a rare fourth appeal (successive habeas petition) forward for review to the District Court in Raleigh, North Carolina. Jimmy Britt died in October, 2008. In November, 2008, the District Judge denied relief. The defense will appeal to the 4th Circuit. The MacDonald case is one of the most enduring and haunting legal cases of our time, and a torturous example of injustice and wrongful conviction. It continues to endure and weigh heavily on the public consciousness because the right conclusion has never been has never been issued in a court of law- that Jeff MacDonald is an innocent man and must be released. If guilt was so clear, its hard to imagine that the interest and emotion this case continues to proliferate would still exist nearly 40 years later.http://themacdonaldcase.org/index.htmlBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-opperman-report--1198501/support.

Mike Stephen talks to Pulitzer Prize-winning local journalists Sarah Conway of City Bureau and Trina Reynolds-Tyler of the Invisible Institute about the importance of the Freedom of Information Act and then gets an update on a proposed bill to regulate homeschooling in Illinois from Capitol News reporters Beth Hundsdorfer and Molly Parker.

We just survived 4 years with the Dimwit in Diapers! Don't let the stock market scare you. PLUS, Robert Steinbuch, Professor of Law at University of Arkansas - Little Rock, talks to Shaun about populism, the Freedom of Information Act and ending the Department of Education. And Sarah Westall, investigative journalist and host of The Sarah Westall Show, talks to Shaun about the wide corruption in Ukraine, USAID's coup operation, Burisma blackmailing and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert Steinbuch, Professor of Law at University of Arkansas - Little Rock, talks to Shaun about populism, the Freedom of Information Act and ending the Department of Education.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Gary Null gives a commentary on his article "It's Time for a Vaccination Reckoning"   Ask any federal health official—whether from the FDA, CDC, NIH, or National Cancer Institute—if vaccines contribute to neurological damage or autism, and their response will be unequivocal: No, there is no evidence of any association. In fact, they might find the very question offensive. After all, these agencies have access to unlimited resources, the brightest scientific minds, and cutting-edge research facilities at institutions like Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and Stanford. If there were any credible link between vaccines and neurological harm, surely, they would have found it by now. And yet, despite decades of investigation and countless opportunities, their stance remains unchanged: vaccines are safe and effective. Any claim to the contrary is dismissed as conspiracy theory and an assault on the very foundations of modern medicine. This has been the dominant narrative for the past forty years. Federal health officials and policymakers have long prioritized private pharmaceutical industry interests and upheld the belief that vaccination is the single most important tool for eradicating infectious diseases. Dissent is neither tolerated nor entertained. The agencies responsible for vaccine safety, such as HHS, FDA, NIAID and the CDC, are ruled by a rigid scientific orthodoxy that allows no room for alternative perspectives. But now, for the first time in modern history, an outsider has entered the room. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the new head of the Department of Health and Human Services, is neither a scientist nor a physician. Unlike his predecessors, he has no allegiance to the status quo. His appointment signals a possible turning point to usher a new opportunity for a truly independent investigation into whether vaccines, either individually or collectively, contribute to neurological damage. If pursued earnestly, this could be one of the most consequential moments in American medical history. The stakes could not be higher. Over the past few decades, childhood chronic illnesses have skyrocketed to unprecedented levels. The rise in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), ADHD, autoimmune conditions, and other neurological and developmental disorders has been explained away as the result of better diagnostic tools or genetic predispositions. But are these explanations sufficient? What if something more fundamental has changed in children's health over the past 30 years? Federal health agencies continue to dismiss environmental factors, including vaccines, as a potential cause. But if we truly care about children's well-being, it is time to ask the hard questions. And we must ask without fear, without bias, and without ideological blinders. The dramatic increase in neurological disorders, including autism spectrum disorders that is now diagnosed in 1 in every 36 children, has often been attributed to improved definitions for ASD and diagnostic tools. However, a closer look at government statistics reveals alarming trends in children's health that go far beyond better diagnostics. Since the early 1990s, there has been a staggering increase in several chronic conditions: ADHD rates have risen by 890 percent, autism diagnoses by 2,094 percent, bipolar disease in youth by 10,833 percent, and celiac disease by 1,011 percent. These numbers beg the question—what has fundamentally changed in our children's health over the past three decades? The media plays a crucial role in reinforcing the official vaccine narrative while systematically silencing dissenting voices. This lack of transparency allows federal health agencies like the CDC, NIAID, and HHS to evade accountability. Instead of safeguarding public health, these institutions have become politically and ideologically entangled with private pharmaceutical interests. Their close ties to the industry have led to the approval of insufficiently tested vaccines, the medicalization of normal childhood behaviors, and the delivery of subpar healthcare—all at a staggering cost of $5 trillion annually. Medical authorities insist that vaccines, even when administered in multiple doses on a single day, are safe and do not cause chronic health problems. They claim that vaccine ingredients are either harmless or present in amounts too small to pose any risk. Any attempt to challenge these assertions is met with ridicule. Despite a sharp rise in childhood neurological disorders, there has been no significant push for reform or independent long-term safety studies on the effects of vaccines. For decades, concerns about vaccine safety have not only come from parents and advocacy groups but also from government investigations. A three-year congressional investigation led by Rep. Dan Burton strongly criticized the CDC, FDA, and HHS for their failure to conduct proper vaccine safety studies. The committee found that federal agencies systematically downplayed risks, ignored growing evidence of vaccine-related neurological disorders, and relied on poorly designed epidemiological studies rather than clinical research. The report also exposed the failure of vaccine manufacturers to conduct adequate safety testing, highlighting decades of negligence. Despite these damning conclusions, little has changed, and concerns about vaccine safety remain unaddressed. While thimerosal has been largely removed from childhood vaccines, it remains in some flu shots and multi-dose vials, and broader concerns about vaccine ingredients and neurological damage continue to grow. One of the most alarming revelations came from the secretive 2000 Simpsonwood meeting, where top CDC officials and vaccine industry representatives discussed an internal study linking thimerosal exposure to increased risks of tics, ADHD, speech delays, and developmental disorders. Instead of alerting the public, the attendees decided to suppress the findings and rework the data to obscure any association. This manipulation, later exposed by Robert Kennedy Jr. through a Freedom of Information Act request, exemplifies the CDC's ongoing pattern of data suppression and scientific misconduct when vaccine safety is called into question. The congressional committee later confirmed that many participants in the vaccine debate “allowed their standards to be dictated by their desire to disprove an unpleasant theory.” Rather than conducting thorough biological studies to assess vaccine safety, federal agencies have deflected scrutiny by blaming autism and other neurological conditions on genetic factors, despite a lack of conclusive evidence supporting this theory. Today's CDC childhood immunization schedule recommends over 27 vaccines by the age of two, with some visits involving up to six shots at once. Parents are expected to trust that these vaccines are rigorously tested and proven safe. However, a review of hundreds of toxicology and immunology studies fails to reveal a gold standard of long-term, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials proving vaccine safety. There is also no comprehensive epidemiological study comparing the long-term health outcomes of fully vaccinated versus unvaccinated children. Without this research, public health officials rely on inconclusive data, which is shaped more by policy than by science. Humans possess unique biochemical makeups that make them more or less susceptible to toxins. While one child may experience minor effects from environmental toxins, another may develop autoimmune disorders, learning disabilities, or neurological impairments. Vaccine safety cannot be proven simply by stating that not every vaccinated child has autism. Given the dramatic rise in autoimmune diseases, food allergies, encephalitis, and conditions like Crohn's disease, it is imperative to investigate environmental toxins' role in childhood health. Independent research suggests that ingredients in vaccines, even in small amounts, may contribute to these illnesses, particularly as the number of required vaccines continues to grow. Ironically, the U.S. government's own Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) has awarded settlements to families whose children developed autism-like symptoms following vaccination. High-profile cases such as Hannah Poling, who developed ASD after receiving nine vaccines in one day, Ryan Mojabi, whose vaccines caused severe brain inflammation, and Bailey Banks, who suffered vaccine-induced brain inflammation leading to developmental delays, demonstrate that vaccine injury can, in some cases, result in autism spectrum disorders. A broader analysis of VICP cases revealed that 83 children with autism were compensated for vaccine-related brain injuries, primarily involving encephalopathy or seizure disorders with developmental regression. These cases contradict federal health agencies' claims that no connection between vaccines and autism has ever been recognized. The National Library of Medicine lists over 3,000 studies on aluminum's toxicity to human biochemistry. Its dangers have been known for over a century. Early FDA director Dr. Harvey Wiley resigned in protest over aluminum's commercial use in food canning as early as 1912. Today, aluminum compounds, such as aluminum hydroxide and aluminum phosphate, are found in many vaccines, including hepatitis A and B, DTP, Hib, Pneumococcus, and the HPV vaccine (Gardasil). In the 1980s, a fully vaccinated child would have received 1,250 mcg of aluminum by adulthood. Today, that number has risen to over 4,900 mcg, a nearly fourfold increase. Aluminum exposure is further compounded by its presence in municipal drinking water due to aluminum sulfate used in purification. A 1997 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that premature infants receiving aluminum-containing intravenous feeding solutions developed learning problems at a significantly higher rate than those who received aluminum-free solutions. Dr. James Lyons-Weiler at the Institute for Pure and Applied Knowledge has criticized vaccine aluminum levels, pointing out that dosage guidelines are based on immune response rather than body weight safety. Alarmingly, aluminum exposure standards for children are based on dietary intake studies in rodents rather than human infants. He notes that on Day 1 of life, newborns receive 17 times more aluminum than would be permitted if doses were adjusted per body weight. Despite these findings, federal agencies continue to dismiss concerns over aluminum toxicity in vaccines. The refusal to conduct comprehensive long-term safety studies, coupled with regulatory agencies' deep entanglement with the pharmaceutical industry, has led to a public health crisis. The growing prevalence of neurological and autoimmune disorders in children demands urgent, unbiased investigation into environmental and vaccine-related factors. Until federal health agencies commit to transparency and rigorous scientific inquiry, parents will be left to navigate vaccine safety decisions without the full picture of potential risks. Christopher Exley at Keele University analyzed brain tissue from children and teenagers diagnosed with ASD and found consistently high aluminum levels, among the highest recorded in human brain tissue. The aluminum was concentrated in inflammatory non-neuronal cells across various brain regions, supporting its role in ASD neuropathology. In a systematic review of 59 studies, Exley found significant associations between aluminum, cadmium, mercury, and ASD, further underscoring aluminum's neurotoxic impact. His research strongly advocates for reducing vaccine-derived aluminum exposure in pregnant women and children to help mitigate the rise in autism. Despite the CDC's consistent denials, researchers at Imperial College London found a significant correlation between rising ASD rates and increased vaccination. Their 2017 study in Metabolic Brain Disease showed that a 1% increase in vaccination rates correlated with 680 additional ASD cases, raising urgent concerns over vaccine components as environmental triggers. CDC whistleblower Dr. William Thompson provided thousands of pages of internal research revealing a cover-up of vaccine-autism links. His documents proved the CDC had prior knowledge that African American boys under 36 months had a significantly higher autism risk following the MMR vaccine and that neurological tics—indicators of brain disturbances—were linked to thimerosal-containing vaccines like the flu shot. Yet, instead of acknowledging this risk, federal agencies buried, in fact shredded, the findings, ensuring that vaccine safety concerns were dismissed as conspiracy theories rather than investigated as public health imperatives. The official denial of a vaccine-autism connection has become entrenched dogma, unsupported by a single gold-standard study definitively disproving such a link. Meanwhile, the health of American children continues to decline, ranking among the worst in the developed world. Neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD are at crisis levels, yet federal agencies remain unwilling to conduct the comprehensive safety studies that could expose the full impact of mass vaccination on childhood health. Now, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the helm of the Department of Health and Human Services, a long-overdue reckoning may finally be at hand. Unlike his predecessors, Kennedy is an advocate for transparency and accountability. If pursued earnestly, Kennedy's leadership could potentially reshape public health policies and exposing the truth about vaccines' role in the rise of neurological disorders, including autism. The question now is: Will the truth finally be allowed to come to light?

Hosts: Rusty Cannon and Erin Rider  A federal judge says the Department of Government Efficiency must comply with public records requests. It comes following the refusal of DOGE to give records access to a watchdog group, even though they had filed a legal request under the Freedom of Information Act, also known as FOIA. It's the latest development as government watchdog groups nationwide seek transparency from DOGE. 

Hosts: Rusty Cannon and Erin Rider  Ukraine agrees to 30-day ceasefire  Breaking just before our show today: Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire with Russia. It comes after talks with United States officials in Saudi Arabia. However, Russia has not yet agreed to the ceasefire. But it's a big step for Ukraine, which had previously been apprehensive about a ceasefire deal with Russia. Does this willingness to sign a ceasefire signal a change in how Ukraine is approaching the situation? Rusty Cannon and Erin Rider give their analysis.    Representative Blake Moore speaks on budget vote, DOGE actions  Later this afternoon, the US House will vote on a Continuing Resolution to keep the government funded past this Friday. US Representative Blake Moore (UT-1) joins Inside Sources to discuss the latest on the CR vote. Rep. Moore also shares some insights on the DOGE process and what he’s watching as co-chair of the DOGE caucus.     Federal judge says DOGE must comply with open records requests  A federal judge says the Department of Government Efficiency must comply with public records requests. It comes following the refusal of DOGE to give records access to a watchdog group, even though they had filed a legal request under the Freedom of Information Act, also known as FOIA. It's the latest development as government watchdog groups nationwide seek transparency from DOGE.    Pres. Trump announces 50% tariffs on steel, aluminum from Canada  The talk of tariffs and a possible recession have thrown the market into a free-fall over the past few days. Today, President Trump is doubling down -- announcing 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum from Canada. But just a short time ago, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the province would not impose additional surcharges on electricity. When President Trump announced the increased tariff, he blamed it on the electricity surcharge. If that’s off the table, what happens now?    11 people charged with forgery, related crimes dealing with signature gathering  A new investigation by the Utah Attorney General's Office found nearly a dozen instances of forgery and forgery-related crimes... all centered around signature-gathering for candidate petitions. While it’s a small amount – that probably wouldn’t have changed the end result – it still sparks an additional conversation on election security. The Inside Sources hosts dig into the charges.    On the Hill 2025: How the state will spend your tax dollars next year  As the dust settles, and everyone takes a deeper look at the bills passed during the legislative session, it got us thinking: what are the biggest things our taxpayer dollars are going to fund going forward? Our friends at Deseret News had similar questions and did some digging. What new things will your hard-earned tax dollars go to fund? Listen to find out.    On the Hill 2025: Passed legislation on elections, housing, childcare  Leading up to the Legislative Session -- and during the 45-day session itself -- we discussed tons of bills. Now, we check on some of the legislation that passed and now awaits the Governor's signature... or veto. This segment, we discuss legislation on elections, housing, and childcare.    Study: How much does Utah rely on the federal government for funds?  Here in Utah, we pride ourselves on self-reliance. It's one of the founding principles of our state -- a carry-over from the pioneers. It's not always possible to be 100% self-reliant though; sometimes we need assistance from the federal government. But just how much do we rely on the federal government? A new study puts us towards the bottom of the list. 

This Day in Legal History: James Earl Ray SentencedOn March 10, 1969, James Earl Ray was sentenced to 99 years in prison for the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ray had pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty but later recanted, claiming he was coerced into confessing. His conviction came just under a year after King was fatally shot on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. The murder of King, a pivotal leader in the civil rights movement, sent shockwaves through the nation and intensified calls for racial justice. Ray's arrest in London after a two-month international manhunt led to one of the most scrutinized legal proceedings of the era. Despite his guilty plea, Ray repeatedly sought a retrial, arguing that he was a scapegoat in a broader conspiracy. His appeals were unsuccessful, and he remained imprisoned until his death in 1998. The King family later advocated for reopening the case, believing the government and other entities were involved in the assassination. In 1999, a civil jury in Memphis ruled in favor of the King family, concluding that the assassination was the result of a conspiracy, not the actions of a lone gunman. This verdict fueled ongoing debates about the true circumstances of King's death and the extent of Ray's role. The case remains one of the most controversial in American history, with lingering questions about the extent of government involvement. The King family's pursuit of the truth highlighted their belief that justice had not been fully served. While the official record still names Ray as the assassin, many continue to question whether he acted alone or was merely a pawn in a larger scheme.A Baltimore judge ruled that Adnan Syed, the subject of the popular Serial podcast, will remain free after reducing his life sentence to time served. Despite this decision, his 2000 murder conviction for the death of his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee, remains intact. Judge Jennifer Schiffer stated that Syed is no longer a threat to public safety and that his continued freedom serves the interests of justice. Syed was originally convicted by a state jury, but his case gained national attention due to concerns over trial errors and potential prosecutorial misconduct. He was released from prison in 2022 after prosecutors questioned the integrity of his conviction, though an appeals court later reinstated it. The ruling ensures he will not return to prison, though legal battles over his conviction continue. His case has fueled ongoing debates about wrongful convictions and the role of media in influencing the justice system.Adnan Syed of 'Serial' Podcast Will Remain Free, Judge Rules (1)The Trump administration fired Adam Cohen, the head of the Justice Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, as part of a broader effort to remove career officials. Cohen, who had just helped draft a memo expanding the task force's role in immigration enforcement, said he was shocked by the decision and insisted his work had been apolitical. His dismissal follows other high-profile removals, including three assistant U.S. attorneys in New York, two of whom prosecuted a corruption case against Mayor Eric Adams. The attorneys were placed on administrative leave after Justice Department officials resigned in protest over pressure to drop the Adams case. Additionally, Liz Oyer, the Justice Department's pardon attorney, and Bobak Talebian, who handled Freedom of Information Act requests, were also dismissed. The shake-up reflects a broader effort to reshape the Justice Department under Trump's leadership, sparking concerns over political interference in law enforcement.Trump Justice Department fires head of organized crime drug task force | ReutersU.S. immigration agents arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student at Columbia University, as part of President Trump's crackdown on certain anti-Israel activists. Khalil, a U.S. green card holder, had been active in pro-Palestinian protests and served as a negotiator with university officials. The Department of Homeland Security accused him of leading “activities aligned to Hamas” but did not provide details or charge him with a crime. His arrest was widely condemned by civil rights groups as an attack on free speech. The Trump administration also revoked $400 million in government contracts with Columbia, citing antisemitic harassment on campus. Critics argue the move is part of a broader effort to target higher education institutions and suppress pro-Palestinian activism. Khalil, who was detained at an ICE facility, had previously expressed concerns about being targeted for speaking to the media. His case has sparked legal challenges and heightened tensions over immigration enforcement and academic freedom.US immigration agents arrest Palestinian student protester at Columbia University in Trump crackdown | Reuters This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

Ethan Klein, an emerging technology policy adviser during the first Trump administration, has been nominated to be the White House's chief technology officer, the Office of Science and Technology Policy confirmed Tuesday. After serving in the first Trump White House, Klein completed a PhD in nuclear science and engineering at MIT, where he worked to develop nuclear tech for arms control and nonproliferation with funds from a fellowship through the National Nuclear Security Administration. Klein also spent time at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, which is operated for the NNSA and focuses on weapons development, stewardship and national security. Klein has been pursuing an MBA at Stanford, while working as a summer associate for the Aerospace and Defense group within Lazard, a financial advisory and asset management firm. If confirmed as CTO, Klein would fill the same role that Michael Kratsios did during the first Trump administration, which went unfilled for the entirety of the Biden administration. The Department of Government Efficiency's increasingly vast power across the government likely makes it subject to U.S. records law, a federal judge said Monday in a ruling that ordered the Elon Musk-led group to begin processing requests on an expedited timeline. In a 37-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper concluded that DOGE — the rebranded U.S. Digital Service — “is likely exercising substantial independent authority much greater than” other components within the Executive Office of the President that are covered by the Freedom of Information Act, subjecting it to the same rules. Cooper noted as examples that the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Council on Environmental Quality are both covered by FOIA due to the substantial independent authority they wield when it comes to the evaluation of federal programs. The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

Jeffrey Epstein was reportedly terrified of his former cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione, a former police officer facing charges for multiple murders. Epstein's fear stemmed from an alleged violent encounter between the two while they were housed together at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in New York. Shortly before Epstein's first apparent suicide attempt in July 2019, he was found injured in his cell, and he reportedly accused Tartaglione of assaulting him. However, Tartaglione denied any involvement, claiming that he had actually tried to help Epstein and refuted allegations that he had harmed him. Given Tartaglione's background—charged with killing four men in a drug-related crime—Epstein's fear of him fueled speculation that his life was in danger behind bars, adding to the broader concerns and theories surrounding his eventual death.​Documents obtained by the Associated Press under the Freedom of Information Act reveal detailed insights into Jeffrey Epstein's final days at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) before his death in August 2019. These records indicate that Epstein was increasingly distressed, experiencing difficulty sleeping, and expressing fears about his safety within the facility. Despite a prior suicide attempt, he was removed from suicide watch and placed in a regular cell, a decision now scrutinized for its appropriateness. The documents also highlight significant lapses in protocol, including guards failing to perform routine checks and falsifying records to cover their negligence. Additionally, there were reports of malfunctioning surveillance cameras outside Epstein's cell, further complicating the circumstances surrounding his death. These revelations have intensified public skepticism and fueled ongoing debates about the adequacy of the measures taken to prevent Epstein's suicide.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

Weeks after being named the chief information security officer for the Defense Department, Katie Arrington was announced Monday as the Pentagon's official “Performing the Duties of the Department of Defense Chief Information Officer.” The DOD Office of the CIO announced the move by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to place Arrington as the acting CIO in a post on LinkedIn. The post also confirmed that Leslie Beavers, who had been acting CIO since John Sherman left the role last June, will return to her primary role as principal deputy CIO. A defense official confirmed Arrington started in the role Monday. An organization that's filed multiple legal challenges against the Trump administration is focusing its attention on the potential use of artificial intelligence in personnel decisions. Democracy Forward, a social welfare organization, said Monday it “launched a public records investigation” into the administration's AI use, including filing requests under the Freedom of Information Act. Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, said in a written statement that the American people deserve to know what is going on — including if and how artificial intelligence is being used to reshape the departments and agencies people rely on daily. The organization's requests come after reporting by NBC that Trump and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency planned to use AI to review employee responses to the Office of Personnel Management's “five bullets” email. The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

Jeffrey Epstein was reportedly terrified of his former cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione, a former police officer facing charges for multiple murders. Epstein's fear stemmed from an alleged violent encounter between the two while they were housed together at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in New York. Shortly before Epstein's first apparent suicide attempt in July 2019, he was found injured in his cell, and he reportedly accused Tartaglione of assaulting him. However, Tartaglione denied any involvement, claiming that he had actually tried to help Epstein and refuted allegations that he had harmed him. Given Tartaglione's background—charged with killing four men in a drug-related crime—Epstein's fear of him fueled speculation that his life was in danger behind bars, adding to the broader concerns and theories surrounding his eventual death.​Documents obtained by the Associated Press under the Freedom of Information Act reveal detailed insights into Jeffrey Epstein's final days at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) before his death in August 2019. These records indicate that Epstein was increasingly distressed, experiencing difficulty sleeping, and expressing fears about his safety within the facility. Despite a prior suicide attempt, he was removed from suicide watch and placed in a regular cell, a decision now scrutinized for its appropriateness. The documents also highlight significant lapses in protocol, including guards failing to perform routine checks and falsifying records to cover their negligence. Additionally, there were reports of malfunctioning surveillance cameras outside Epstein's cell, further complicating the circumstances surrounding his death. These revelations have intensified public skepticism and fueled ongoing debates about the adequacy of the measures taken to prevent Epstein's suicide.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

The two guards on duty at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) the night Jeffrey Epstein died, Tova Noel and Michael Thomas, claimed to have fallen asleep and failed to check on him for several hours, despite being required to conduct routine checks every 30 minutes. Instead, they falsified records to cover up their negligence, leading to widespread speculation about whether their inaction was due to incompetence or something more sinister. Adding to the controversy, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) report from the scene raised further doubts, as first responders reportedly found Epstein in a condition inconsistent with immediate resuscitation efforts, with rigor mortis already setting in, suggesting he had been dead for longer than officially stated. The conflicting accounts, missing surveillance footage, and the guards' suspicious behavior have fueled theories that Epstein's death was not simply a suicide, but rather a silencing operation orchestrated to protect powerful individuals implicated in his crimes.​Documents obtained by the Associated Press under the Freedom of Information Act reveal detailed insights into Jeffrey Epstein's final days at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) before his death in August 2019. These records indicate that Epstein was increasingly distressed, experiencing difficulty sleeping, and expressing fears about his safety within the facility. Despite a prior suicide attempt, he was removed from suicide watch and placed in a regular cell, a decision now scrutinized for its appropriateness. The documents also highlight significant lapses in protocol, including guards failing to perform routine checks and falsifying records to cover their negligence. Additionally, there were reports of malfunctioning surveillance cameras outside Epstein's cell, further complicating the circumstances surrounding his death. These revelations have intensified public skepticism and fueled ongoing debates about the adequacy of the measures taken to prevent Epstein's suicide.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

Jeffrey Epstein was reportedly terrified of his former cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione, a former police officer facing charges for multiple murders. Epstein's fear stemmed from an alleged violent encounter between the two while they were housed together at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in New York. Shortly before Epstein's first apparent suicide attempt in July 2019, he was found injured in his cell, and he reportedly accused Tartaglione of assaulting him. However, Tartaglione denied any involvement, claiming that he had actually tried to help Epstein and refuted allegations that he had harmed him. Given Tartaglione's background—charged with killing four men in a drug-related crime—Epstein's fear of him fueled speculation that his life was in danger behind bars, adding to the broader concerns and theories surrounding his eventual death.​Documents obtained by the Associated Press under the Freedom of Information Act reveal detailed insights into Jeffrey Epstein's final days at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) before his death in August 2019. These records indicate that Epstein was increasingly distressed, experiencing difficulty sleeping, and expressing fears about his safety within the facility. Despite a prior suicide attempt, he was removed from suicide watch and placed in a regular cell, a decision now scrutinized for its appropriateness. The documents also highlight significant lapses in protocol, including guards failing to perform routine checks and falsifying records to cover their negligence. Additionally, there were reports of malfunctioning surveillance cameras outside Epstein's cell, further complicating the circumstances surrounding his death. These revelations have intensified public skepticism and fueled ongoing debates about the adequacy of the measures taken to prevent Epstein's suicide.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Waste, Fraud and Abuse: it is either the new right-wing code for trickle-down economics, or another sign of Trump's dementia. Republicans want us to believe that a $4.5-TRILLION tax cut for rich folks and corporations can be covered without damaging services needed by the rest of us. Their "theory": we can cover it by having Elon eliminate WF&A, plus enact bigly tariffs on our allies and China. But just in case, Trump asks that the federal debt limit be increased by $4-TRILLION. Meanwhile, Trump keeps saying he won't cut Medicare even as House Republicans signal a cut of $800-billion or more. Trump is promising to raise tariffs on Mexico and Canada in a week, posing a direct threat to Michigan's economy and the jobs of untold thousands. Another part of Trump's balance the budget plan: sell U.S. citizenships for $5-million. We simply can't imagine that a hostile government would use that as a way to embed spies into our society. (All of this is coming from a President who added 8-trillion-dollars to the national debt in his first term, and somehow manage to drive multiple casinos into bankruptcy.) On the plus side, the Musk-Trump Chain Saw Massacre continues to provide gainful employment for a lot of lawyers, with the count of lawsuits challenging them closing in on 100. So far, the plaintiffs are winning as the courts push back against the massive constitutional violations of Musk and the Muskrats. Governor Whitmer lays out her hopes and dreams for the upcoming legislative session, even as she draws some flack from Democrats unhappy with her cozying up to Trump and state House Speaker Matt Hall. And Speaker Hall has done a 180 on applying the Freedom of Information Act to the Legislature and Governor. He was, as John Kerry memorably said, for it before he was against it. Making a triumphant return to the podcast is journalist/philosopher John Lindstrom. John covered Michigan State government for more than 42 years before retiring in 2023. For the last two years, he has been a Detroit Free Press contributing columnist. His columns offer rigorous political analysis, of course, but more than that John offers readers the tools to build their own scaffolding. He doesn't tell readers how to think — he suggests ways to think. John is also the unofficial Walking Wikipedia of Michigan's political history dating back to the mid 1970s. Joining him is another veteran of Lansing journalism with a long history covering State of the State messages. Former Associated Press reporter Cindy Kyle covered her first SOS back in 1977. Now retired, she has followed state government ever since including during her 18 years directing communications for our friends at MSU's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research and at the Michigan Political Leadership Program. We should mention that they are the John and Mika of Lansing journalism - except they haven't been to Mar-a-Lago lately! =========================== This episode is sponsored in part by EPIC ▪ MRA, a full service survey research firm with expertise in • Public Opinion Surveys • Market Research Studies • Live Telephone Surveys • On-Line and Automated Surveys • Focus Group Research • Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns • Political Campaigns & Consulting • Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research • Community - Media Relations • Issue - Image Management • Database Development & List Management

Waste, Fraud and Abuse: it is either the new right-wing code for trickle-down economics, or another sign of Trump's dementia. Republicans want us to believe that a $4.5-TRILLION tax cut for rich folks and corporations can be covered without damaging services needed by the rest of us. Their "theory": we can cover it by having Elon eliminate WF&A, plus enact bigly tariffs on our allies and China. But just in case, Trump asks that the federal debt limit be increased by $4-TRILLION. Meanwhile, Trump keeps saying he won't cut Medicare even as House Republicans signal a cut of $800-billion or more. Trump is promising to raise tariffs on Mexico and Canada in a week, posing a direct threat to Michigan's economy and the jobs of untold thousands. Another part of Trump's balance the budget plan: sell U.S. citizenships for $5-million. We simply can't imagine that a hostile government would use that as a way to embed spies into our society. (All of this is coming from a President who added 8-trillion-dollars to the national debt in his first term, and somehow manage to drive multiple casinos into bankruptcy.) On the plus side, the Musk-Trump Chain Saw Massacre continues to provide gainful employment for a lot of lawyers, with the count of lawsuits challenging them closing in on 100. So far, the plaintiffs are winning as the courts push back against the massive constitutional violations of Musk and the Muskrats. Governor Whitmer lays out her hopes and dreams for the upcoming legislative session, even as she draws some flack from Democrats unhappy with her cozying up to Trump and state House Speaker Matt Hall. And Speaker Hall has done a 180 on applying the Freedom of Information Act to the Legislature and Governor. He was, as John Kerry memorably said, for it before he was against it. Making a triumphant return to the podcast is journalist/philosopher John Lindstrom. John covered Michigan State government for more than 42 years before retiring in 2023. For the last two years, he has been a Detroit Free Press contributing columnist. His columns offer rigorous political analysis, of course, but more than that John offers readers the tools to build their own scaffolding. He doesn't tell readers how to think — he suggests ways to think. John is also the unofficial Walking Wikipedia of Michigan's political history dating back to the mid 1970s. Joining him is another veteran of Lansing journalism with a long history covering State of the State messages. Former Associated Press reporter Cindy Kyle covered her first SOS back in 1977. Now retired, she has followed state government ever since including during her 18 years directing communications for our friends at MSU's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research and at the Michigan Political Leadership Program. We should mention that they are the John and Mika of Lansing journalism - except they haven't been to Mar-a-Lago lately! =========================== This episode is sponsored in part by EPIC ▪ MRA, a full service survey research firm with expertise in • Public Opinion Surveys • Market Research Studies • Live Telephone Surveys • On-Line and Automated Surveys • Focus Group Research • Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns • Political Campaigns & Consulting • Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research • Community - Media Relations • Issue - Image Management • Database Development & List Management

This week on Look Forward, Jay and Brad return to discuss Trump's newest inane threat statements that went nowhere, NYC mayor gets a lovely quid pro quo from the Trump administration, more tariff threats send the stock market into another tumble, the push for the unitary executive theory, firing the folks who handle nukes and pandemics just because, CPAC brings out the crazies and one big drug addict has a time, Ukraine is now the blame for Russia's invasion according to their top stooge, IRS fires 6000 people, Republican budget will have massive cuts to Medicare/Medicaid, cities are prepping for how to deal with huge layoffs from the federal government, and much more. Big TopicHow much attention do we need to pay when Trump says the dumbest shit?Claims we will not militarily support Canada unless they join the unionYou are not alone in your feelings on what's happeningFast Corruption and Faster Screw-UpsTrump admin cuts a quid pro quo with nation's worst mayorLeads to a Thursday afternoon massacre!Local idiot proposes more tariffs on lumber at 25% ACROSS THE BOARD!!!!!!!!!Freedom of Information Act request are deadTrump admin fires people who handle nukes, scramble to re-hire themThe other - in retrospect - obvious reason behind DOGE's purgesNews You NeedTrump blames Ukraine for the Russian invasionZelensky makes the point that media doesn't want to address fullyIRS fires 6000 employees right in time for tax seasonWell maybe we don't NEED the IRS after allRepublicans unveil their budget plan and yeah its draconian as you'd assumeCPAC is showing up just how much the Right is enjoying this, there is a lesson in thisCities will feel the hits of these layoffs, an exampleTrump Signs New Order to Vastly Expand His Presidential PowersWhat's Dumber, A Brick or A Republican?Look, maybe we've been too harsh on AI

Drivers in Ireland forked out over €478 million in road tolls last year.New figures released to Newstalk under the Freedom of Information Act have shown that Transport Infrastructure Ireland collected a record €212 million in M50 tolls last year - marking an 11.5% increase year-on-year.Port Tunnel revenues were €32 million in 2024, up from €28.8m in 2023.Meanwhile, the rest of the road network outside of Dublin collected €190m - increasing to €234m including VAT.So, where is the money going, and what do drivers think? Sean O'Neill, Director of Communications with Transport Infrastructure Ireland joins Kieran to discuss. Jason Cullen, Chairperson of the Dublin Commuter Coalition and Eugene Drennan, Spokesperson for the Irish Road Haulage Association also join to discuss.

Since going to eFlow in 2008, motorists have paid over 2.1 billion euro in tolls on the M50, including 211 million euro last year. Meanwhile in 2024 alone, road users paid over 430 million euro at various toll bridges around the country, according to figures obtained by Newstalk under the Freedom of Information Act. To dive deeper into the figures Pat was joined by Newstalk reporter Andrew Lowth.

In this first of an ongoing series, help celebrate half a century of open government and the many ways our state's Freedom of Information Act helps make that happen as it turns 50 years old in 2025. How can our FOIA help you become a better citizen? Tune in and find out!

Did you ever look at yourself as playing an important role in our collective history? Today we're going to explain why your story is our story - and introduce you to History Chip, the organization that's going to help you tell it.  Then we're going to host an eye-opening conversation with LOVE146 that will help frame what we're facing here in Connecticut when it comes to child trafficking, and what you can do to prevent it and help these exploited children have a better life.  And we'll also celebrate half a century of open government and the many ways our state's Freedom of Information Act helps make that happen as it turns 50 years old in 2025. How can our FOIA help you become a better citizen? Tune in and find out!

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Niharika Nanda.Today is the 13th of January and here are the headlines.An estimated 40 crore people are expected to descend on the banks of the Ganga in Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela, which commenced today and will end on February 26. Besides this, 50 lakh pilgrims and sadhus plan to stay in camps for the entire duration of the event. The spiritual festival, held every 12 years, attracts millions of devotees who gather to bathe at the sacred Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers converge. It is the world's biggest religious gathering, with deep links to Hindu mythology wherein participants seek forgiveness for their sins and aspire for Moksha, or spiritual liberation.Today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Z-Morh tunnel at Sonamarg, a strategic infrastructural project that is key to all-weather connectivity to Ladakh. The tunnel has been renamed Sonamarg tunnel, after the famous tourist resort that will have round-the-year connectivity thanks to this project. Modi inspected the 6.5-kilometre tunnel and interacted with workers who played a role in its construction. The soft-opening of the tunnel was carried out in February last year, but Assembly elections delayed the project's official inauguration.Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, while speaking on the disengagement efforts along the India-China border, said that the situation across the LAC is “sensitive but stable.” The army chief further said that patrolling and grazing in traditional areas has started in Depsang and Demchok in eastern Ladakh is taking place as per routine. General Dwivedi further stated quote, “Our deployment is balanced and robust; we are capable of handling any situation.” unquote. While talking about the future of LAC, the army chief said that they are currently focused on boosting border infrastructure and capability development.The Indian Express exclusively reported that after unprecedented footfall in 2023 the Capital's mohalla clinics saw a 28 per cent dip in 2024 to 1.39 crore appointments. An application filed under the Right to Information Act and official documents sourced by The Indian Express have revealed that the decline, health department officials, doctors and experts say, is primarily due to a drug shortage that the mohalla clinics faced last year. Mohalla clinics, the centrepiece of the Aam Aadmi Party government's health infrastructure, were first set up in October 2015. Since then, the clinics, which are meant to be the first point of contact for patients with basic illnesses, have caught the attention of many from across the world.The death toll in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires has risen to 24, the LA County Medical Examiner confirmed today. As forecasters predict a return of strong winds this week, authorities warn that the toll is likely to rise, as per news agency Reuters . Firefighters continue to scramble to make headway with search and rescue operations against the blazes that have destroyed thousands of homes. The Palisades fire has burned through 23,723 acres and is only 13 per cent contained, while the Eaton fire, near Pasadena, has scorched 14,117 acres and is 27 per cent contained. Authorities report that at least 24 people are still missing, and the scale of destruction across the region is vast, with more than 12,000 structures damaged.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express

Three months after former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell's arrest in connection with the alleged murder of Sandra Birchmore, newly uncovered documents shed light on his relationship with the 23-year-old and the events leading to her death. The revelations come from a Freedom of Information Act request that granted access to email records and an FBI affidavit by State Police Lieutenant John Fanning, a lead investigator in the case. The affidavit, dated November 28, 2023, alleges that Farwell engaged in sexual encounters with Birchmore while on duty, raising questions about potential larceny charges for using taxpayer-funded patrol hours for personal purposes. "There were numerous text messages back and forth between the two that showed M. Farwell and Birchmore coordinated different clandestine places to meet," wrote Fanning. Locations included a Costco, hotels, Birchmore's family home in Stoughton, and her Canton apartment. "Many of the exchanges would include follow-up text messages indicating that they had completed their sexual encounter." These allegations coincide with Birchmore's death in February 2021, initially ruled a suicide by officials based on "physical evidence, personal notes, and the medical examiner's findings." However, Fanning's affidavit suggests otherwise, detailing a potential struggle at the scene and linking Farwell's actions to her untimely death. The affidavit also highlights a troubling pattern of behavior. Between October 2020 and January 2021, Fanning documented 17 alleged meetings between Farwell and Birchmore during his shifts. Evidence of these encounters surfaced in December 2022, the same month Birchmore's aunt, Darlene Smith, filed a civil lawsuit against the Stoughton Police Department. The lawsuit accuses three officers, including Farwell, of grooming and sexually exploiting Birchmore, a former Police Explorers trainee. An internal investigation by the department corroborated that many of these interactions occurred while officers were on duty. On December 19, 2023, Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey requested that Stoughton District Court seal a search warrant for Farwell's Verizon phone records. Morrissey cited an ongoing investigation into "false written reports, fraudulent claims for payment or benefit, larceny, and misleading police." The documents were unsealed in March 2024, revealing further details about Farwell's alleged misuse of authority and its connection to Birchmore's case. Birchmore's death and the subsequent investigation have prompted widespread scrutiny of the Stoughton Police Department. Her aunt's lawsuit aims to hold the officers accountable for their alleged exploitation of Birchmore, whose life was marked by her involvement with the Police Explorers program. "Sandra trusted these men, and they abused their power," said Smith. "We want answers, and we want justice." Although Farwell has not yet been charged with larceny, the ongoing investigations into his conduct, both personal and professional, may lead to additional charges. Federal prosecutors allege that Farwell killed Birchmore and staged her death as a suicide, a theory supported by evidence of their relationship and its troubling dynamics. As the case unfolds, it continues to highlight systemic failures and raises questions about the oversight of law enforcement personnel. Birchmore's family and the community at large await further developments in the pursuit of justice for her tragic death. #StoughtonPolice #SandraBirchmore #MatthewFarwell #JusticeForSandra #PoliceMisconduct Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com 

Three months after former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell's arrest in connection with the alleged murder of Sandra Birchmore, newly uncovered documents shed light on his relationship with the 23-year-old and the events leading to her death. The revelations come from a Freedom of Information Act request that granted access to email records and an FBI affidavit by State Police Lieutenant John Fanning, a lead investigator in the case. The affidavit, dated November 28, 2023, alleges that Farwell engaged in sexual encounters with Birchmore while on duty, raising questions about potential larceny charges for using taxpayer-funded patrol hours for personal purposes. "There were numerous text messages back and forth between the two that showed M. Farwell and Birchmore coordinated different clandestine places to meet," wrote Fanning. Locations included a Costco, hotels, Birchmore's family home in Stoughton, and her Canton apartment. "Many of the exchanges would include follow-up text messages indicating that they had completed their sexual encounter." These allegations coincide with Birchmore's death in February 2021, initially ruled a suicide by officials based on "physical evidence, personal notes, and the medical examiner's findings." However, Fanning's affidavit suggests otherwise, detailing a potential struggle at the scene and linking Farwell's actions to her untimely death. The affidavit also highlights a troubling pattern of behavior. Between October 2020 and January 2021, Fanning documented 17 alleged meetings between Farwell and Birchmore during his shifts. Evidence of these encounters surfaced in December 2022, the same month Birchmore's aunt, Darlene Smith, filed a civil lawsuit against the Stoughton Police Department. The lawsuit accuses three officers, including Farwell, of grooming and sexually exploiting Birchmore, a former Police Explorers trainee. An internal investigation by the department corroborated that many of these interactions occurred while officers were on duty. On December 19, 2023, Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey requested that Stoughton District Court seal a search warrant for Farwell's Verizon phone records. Morrissey cited an ongoing investigation into "false written reports, fraudulent claims for payment or benefit, larceny, and misleading police." The documents were unsealed in March 2024, revealing further details about Farwell's alleged misuse of authority and its connection to Birchmore's case. Birchmore's death and the subsequent investigation have prompted widespread scrutiny of the Stoughton Police Department. Her aunt's lawsuit aims to hold the officers accountable for their alleged exploitation of Birchmore, whose life was marked by her involvement with the Police Explorers program. "Sandra trusted these men, and they abused their power," said Smith. "We want answers, and we want justice." Although Farwell has not yet been charged with larceny, the ongoing investigations into his conduct, both personal and professional, may lead to additional charges. Federal prosecutors allege that Farwell killed Birchmore and staged her death as a suicide, a theory supported by evidence of their relationship and its troubling dynamics. As the case unfolds, it continues to highlight systemic failures and raises questions about the oversight of law enforcement personnel. Birchmore's family and the community at large await further developments in the pursuit of justice for her tragic death. #StoughtonPolice #SandraBirchmore #MatthewFarwell #JusticeForSandra #PoliceMisconduct Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Three months after former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell's arrest in connection with the alleged murder of Sandra Birchmore, newly uncovered documents shed light on his relationship with the 23-year-old and the events leading to her death. The revelations come from a Freedom of Information Act request that granted access to email records and an FBI affidavit by State Police Lieutenant John Fanning, a lead investigator in the case. The affidavit, dated November 28, 2023, alleges that Farwell engaged in sexual encounters with Birchmore while on duty, raising questions about potential larceny charges for using taxpayer-funded patrol hours for personal purposes. "There were numerous text messages back and forth between the two that showed M. Farwell and Birchmore coordinated different clandestine places to meet," wrote Fanning. Locations included a Costco, hotels, Birchmore's family home in Stoughton, and her Canton apartment. "Many of the exchanges would include follow-up text messages indicating that they had completed their sexual encounter." These allegations coincide with Birchmore's death in February 2021, initially ruled a suicide by officials based on "physical evidence, personal notes, and the medical examiner's findings." However, Fanning's affidavit suggests otherwise, detailing a potential struggle at the scene and linking Farwell's actions to her untimely death. The affidavit also highlights a troubling pattern of behavior. Between October 2020 and January 2021, Fanning documented 17 alleged meetings between Farwell and Birchmore during his shifts. Evidence of these encounters surfaced in December 2022, the same month Birchmore's aunt, Darlene Smith, filed a civil lawsuit against the Stoughton Police Department. The lawsuit accuses three officers, including Farwell, of grooming and sexually exploiting Birchmore, a former Police Explorers trainee. An internal investigation by the department corroborated that many of these interactions occurred while officers were on duty. On December 19, 2023, Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey requested that Stoughton District Court seal a search warrant for Farwell's Verizon phone records. Morrissey cited an ongoing investigation into "false written reports, fraudulent claims for payment or benefit, larceny, and misleading police." The documents were unsealed in March 2024, revealing further details about Farwell's alleged misuse of authority and its connection to Birchmore's case. Birchmore's death and the subsequent investigation have prompted widespread scrutiny of the Stoughton Police Department. Her aunt's lawsuit aims to hold the officers accountable for their alleged exploitation of Birchmore, whose life was marked by her involvement with the Police Explorers program. "Sandra trusted these men, and they abused their power," said Smith. "We want answers, and we want justice." Although Farwell has not yet been charged with larceny, the ongoing investigations into his conduct, both personal and professional, may lead to additional charges. Federal prosecutors allege that Farwell killed Birchmore and staged her death as a suicide, a theory supported by evidence of their relationship and its troubling dynamics. As the case unfolds, it continues to highlight systemic failures and raises questions about the oversight of law enforcement personnel. Birchmore's family and the community at large await further developments in the pursuit of justice for her tragic death. #StoughtonPolice #SandraBirchmore #MatthewFarwell #JusticeForSandra #PoliceMisconduct Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

The Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, or HR 9495, has passed a vote in the House. If approved by the Senate, this bill would grant the Treasury Department broad powers to label nonprofit organizations, especially those that have been critical of Israel, as supporters of "terrorism" and strip them of their tax-exempt status without due process. What are the chances that HR 9495 will become law? If it does, will it be used as a weapon to target political enemies and quash political dissent under a second Trump administration, as critics fear? Journalists Chip Gibbons and Noah Hurowitz join the TRNN podcast to give a full breakdown of what this bill could empower the Trump administration to do, and how we can fight back.Noah Hurowitz is a journalist based in New York City and the author of El Chapo: The Untold Story of the World's Most Infamous Drug Lord. His work has appeared in New York Magazine, Business Insider, Rolling Stone, and many other publications. His latest report at The Intercept is titled "The House just blessed Trump's authoritarian playbook by passing nonprofit-killer bill." Chip Gibbons is a journalist, researcher, and policy director of the nonprofit advocacy organization Defending Rights and Dissent. He is currently working on a book titled The Imperial Bureau, forthcoming from Verso Books. Based heavily on archival research and documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, it tells the history of FBI political surveillance and explores the role of domestic surveillance in the making of the US national security state.Post-Production: David HebdenHelp us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Sign up for our newsletterLike us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterDonate to support this podcast

(This is a bonus April Fools' episode of Disgraceland that is satire and not true crime.) John Denver was a one of the biggest stars of the Seventies. His easy listening mainstream folk and his squeaky clean, environmentally friendly image made him a favorite in homes all across America. But was John Denver hiding a dark secret? One born of a mysterious military upbringing? A secret he would do anything to protect? A secret he took to his early grave, but that may soon see the light of day depending on numerous Freedom of Information Act court challenges?  To see the full list of contributors, see the show notes at www.disgracelandpod.com. This episode was originally published on April 1, 2020. To listen to Disgraceland ad free and get access to a monthly exclusive episode, weekly bonus content and more, become a Disgraceland All Access member at disgracelandpod.com/membership. Sign up for our newsletter and get the inside dirt on events, merch and other awesomeness - GET THE NEWSLETTER Follow Jake and DISGRACELAND: Instagram YouTube X (formerly Twitter)  Facebook Fan Group TikTok Check out Kikoff: https://getkikoff.com/DISGRACELAND Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Open the Books was founded in 2011 on a simple principle: Taxpayers deserve to know where their money is going and how it's being spent.  Americans are paying “property taxes to fund local education, so wouldn't you like to know where that money is going?” asks Matthew Tyrmand, deputy director at large of the Florida-based nonprofit Open the Books.  Working at the federal, state, and local level, Open the Books files thousands of Freedom of Information Act requests every year with the aim of obtaining and publishing government spending records.  For every state in the U.S., Open the Books publishes a “checkbook” detailing how much the state spends annually and on what.  Tyrmand joins “The Daily Signal Podcast” as part of this week's money and transparency series. He share the history of Open the Books and takes time to honor the organization's founder, Adam Andrzejewski, who passed away unexpectedly in August.

Exclusive cell phone video from a Blaze News Freedom of Information Act request begs the question: Why did the feds photoshop this Crooks lookalike's badge? Sara and Blaze News investigative reporter Steve Baker expose suspicious screenshots of law enforcement officers dressed similarly to the Trump shooter. Was this planned, or is this evidence he was groomed for an inside job? The Secret Service narrative doesn't fly. Speaking of the Secret Service, why would Kamala's detail break into a hair salon so rally-goers could pop a squat? Why are those same agents leaning on social media influencers to stump for the campaign? Kamala's detail has plenty to answer for. Sara also looks at Kamala's lates campaign ad blaming Trump for her failed border policies and questions the Trump campaign's marketing strategy. Is his team up to the task? Panelist Matthew Marsden, a BlazeTV contributor, joins the show.  Today's Sponsors: Be prepared for any emergency and win a FREE Jase Case yearly for LIFE — no purchase necessary. Enter by August 31 at Jase.com/Sara for a discount. Stimulate your body's natural healing pathways to produce the miracle molecule nitric oxide and get a 60-day, money-back guarantee. Use cardiomiracle.com/SARA for 10% OFF your first order, or subscribe and save for 15% OFF with FREE shipping. Resist aging at the cellular level with Qualia Senolytic. Go to Qualialife.com/SARA for up to 50% off, and use code SARA at checkout for an additional 15% off and a 100-day money-back guarantee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices