Records Show Trump Commerce Secretary Entered a Business Deal With Jeffrey Epstein After Epstein’s Sex Crime Conviction

Justice Department records reveal that Howard Lutnick, the U.S. commerce secretary, continued a business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein after publicly severing ties in 2005, despite Epstein's sex crime conviction.

A necessary obituary cartoon

This blog post recounts Clay Jones' experience attending a fundraiser at the Fredericksburg Country Club for the Fredericksburg Advance, a local publication. Jones discusses the importance of local journalism and expresses gratitude for the support he has received from readers and colleagues. The post also touches on his ongoing recovery from a stroke and mentions ways to support the cartoonist.

Alt.Latino: Bad Bunny makes history at the Grammys. Up next, the Super Bowl : All Songs Considered : NPR

Last Sunday, Bad Bunny's 'DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS' made history by becoming the first exclusively Spanish language album to win Album of the Year at the Grammys. This coming Sunday, the Puerto Rican megastar will perform at the Super Bowl halftime show. In this episode of NPR's Alt.Latino, hosts Anamaria Sayre and Isabella Gomez Sarmiento discuss the significance of these milestones for Bad Bunny, Puerto Rico, and the broader impact of Latin music in America.

How Not to Defeat Authoritarianism - Boston Review

This article from the Boston Review argues that the conventional wisdom of political moderation is outdated and ineffective in the current era of intense partisanship and nationalized elections. The authors contend that moderation, once a winning strategy, has lost its electoral benefits and may even be counterproductive. They advocate for a new approach that focuses on anti-corruption and anti-establishment credibility, emphasizing the need for genuine reform and mobilization to confront authoritarian threats.

Republican Congressman Mark Harris : Making ICE follow The US Constitution is a 'nonstarter' for him

DOJ Released Unredacted Nude Images in Epstein Files

The Department of Justice released unredacted nude images in the Epstein files, exposing the identities of the women or girls in the photos. Some of the images were taken by Epstein himself and included in the 3.5 million pages of files related to the investigations and prosecutions of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

DHS keeps making false claims about people. It's part of a broader pattern

The Department of Homeland Security has repeatedly made false claims about individuals, linking them to domestic terrorism without evidence. This pattern includes falsely accusing individuals like Alex Pretti and Renee Macklin Good, and spreading misinformation about other cases. The administration's hyperbolic language and false accusations have raised concerns about the potential for abuse and the erosion of trust in government institutions.

Social media user named "Libs of TikTok" is doxxing teachers and nurses who support Alex Pretti or oppose ICE, trying to get them fired

Tesla profits slumped 46% last year, as it lost its crown as the top EV seller

Tesla's profit dropped 46% year over year, marking a significant decline in its financial performance. The company lost its position as the top EV seller to Chinese automaker BYD. Tesla is shifting its focus from traditional vehicles to its self-driving vehicle technology, robotaxi service, and humanoid robots. The company plans to end production of its higher-end Model S and Model X vehicles to allocate resources to its 'Optimus' humanoid robot and 'Cybercab' designed for its robotaxi business.

FBI raids Fulton County, Georgia election hub, probing 2020 

Federal agents executed a court-authorized search at Fulton County’s main election operations center in Georgia, seeking records related to the 2020 elections. The FBI’s investigation into the matter is ongoing, and no details have been provided. Some county officials believe the probe is driven by the president’s refusal to accept the 2020 election results.

ICE Accused of Sexually Torturing Migrants at Former WWII Camp Fort Bliss, Among 80+ Reported Violations | IBTimes UK

ICE is facing allegations of severe human rights violations at Fort Bliss, Texas, including physical and sexual abuse, denial of basic needs, and restricted legal access. The American Civil Liberties Union and Human Rights Watch have reported over 80 documented violations, prompting calls for the facility's closure. Detainees describe conditions of neglect and abuse, raising concerns about the facility's compliance with federal standards.

I.C.E. agents murder another observer on Nicollet at 26th

Here's who's canceled their Kennedy Center performances since Trump took over

Since President Donald Trump was named chairman of the Kennedy Center's board in February 2025, numerous artists and performance companies have canceled their performances to protest the renaming of the center to include President Trump. The Martha Graham Dance Company, Washington National Opera, and many others have cited political reasons for their cancellations. Kennedy Center executive director Richard Grenell has condemned the cancellations, stating that the center welcomes all people regardless of political affiliation.

Trump shares AI photo of Greenland, Canada both under American flag

U.S. President Donald Trump is continuing to talk about taking over Greenland as he heads to Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum. Trump's tariff threat on European countries opposed to a Greenlandic takeover have raised questions about his trustworthiness. European leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen and Emmanuel Macron, have criticized Trump's approach as unacceptable and colonial.

Donald Trump Orders Prison Release of GOP Congressman's Son, Who Got 8 Years for Distributing Meth

President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of James Phillip Womack, son of GOP Congressman Steve Womack, who was serving an eight-year federal prison sentence for distributing methamphetamine. The commutation, announced on January 15, allows Womack to be with his family during a difficult time. Congressman Womack expressed gratitude for Trump's action, highlighting the impact on his family and the broader issue of addiction in the country.

Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me! for January 17, 2026 - With Not My Job guest Kali Reis

This NPR news quiz show features a panel of comedians and a host discussing various news items in a humorous manner. The episode includes a quiz segment, a game where listeners guess celebrity encounters, and a discussion on the minimum amount of exercise needed for health benefits. The show also touches on topics like wombat poop, a news anchor drinking on air, and a woman mistaking a Shrek figurine for a Buddha statue.

Video: Miami Club Plays ‘Heil Hitler’ for Right-Wing Influencers

A Miami nightclub is facing backlash after playing Kanye West’s song ‘Heil Hitler’ at the request of right-wing influencers Nick Fuentes, Andrew Tate, Clavicular, and Sneako. Videos show the group singing along to the controversial song, which glorifies Adolf Hitler, while at the Miami Beach nightclub Vendôme.

ICE deports 5-year-old US citizen from Texas to Honduras

DHS Is Lying To You About ICE Shooting a Woman

This news article reports on the incident where DHS claims that ICE shot a woman in Minneapolis, while videos show otherwise. The article highlights the discrepancy between DHS's account and the actual events captured on video.

NPR : Books We Love from 2025

John Fogerty: Tiny Desk Concert

John Fogerty's Tiny Desk Concert for NPR features his family in the band and audience, with a focus on his patriotism and the inspiration behind 'Proud Mary'. He performs solo material and CCR hits, including 'Have You Ever Seen the Rain' with audience participation.

Trump Administration Orders USDA Employees to Investigate Foreign Researchers They Work With

The Trump administration has ordered employees at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to investigate foreign scientists they collaborate with for evidence of 'subversive or criminal activity'. This directive, which is part of a broader effort to increase scrutiny of research done with foreign partners, asks USDA workers to use Google to check the backgrounds of all foreign nationals collaborating with its scientists. The names of flagged scientists are being sent to national security experts at the agency, according to records reviewed by ProPublica. The new policy applies to pending scientific publications co-authored by employees in the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, which conducts research on crop yields, invasive species, plant genetics and other agricultural issues.

ProPublica examined months of Fox News’ coverage and reviewed over 700 videos posted on social media.

ProPublica found that Fox News' coverage of Portland's ICE protests was misleading, including using footage from 2020 and mislabeling dates. The network's portrayal of protesters as routinely instigating violence was also misleading, as most clashes between protesters and police did not result in criminal charges or arrests alleging protester violence.

Storm Johannes: Three killed in Sweden as major storm sweeps Nordic countries

A powerful winter storm named Johannes has swept across the Nordic countries, resulting in the deaths of three people in Sweden, widespread power outages, and significant travel disruptions. Over 100,000 homes in Sweden, Norway, and Finland are without power, and numerous rail, flight, and ferry services have been cancelled.

US quietly removes sanctions from firms accused of supplying Russia’s military