Trump Administration Subpoenas NYTimes Journalists

The Trump administration issued subpoenas Friday to several New York Times journalists who reported this week on security concerns with President Trump’s new Qatari-donated Air Force One.

The subpoenas compel the reporters to testify before a federal grand jury in Manhattan on Wednesday. 

In some cases, federal agents delivered the subpoenas directly to the journalists’ homes. The move marks a sharp escalation in the administration’s efforts to pressure independent news organizations.

The Times strongly condemned the action. “The appearance of federal law enforcement agents on the doorstep of news reporters should shock the conscience of any American who believes in the Constitution and the press freedom it protects,” said David McCraw, the Times’s top newsroom lawyer, in a statement Friday evening.

McCraw called the subpoenas “a brazen act” intended to intimidate journalists and prevent the public from learning how the government is operating and how taxpayer dollars are being spent.

The subpoenas, issued by U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton in Manhattan, contain few details. They require testimony only “in regard to an alleged violation of federal criminal law.” Clayton was recently nominated by Trump to serve as director of national intelligence.

White House and Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The subpoenaed journalists are Julian E. Barnes, Eric Lipton, Tyler Pager and Eric Schmitt. Their reporting revealed that Trump flew on the older Air Force One during a recent trip from Turkey at the Secret Service’s urging due to security concerns, and that the new Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar lacks certain advanced protections, such as antimissile capabilities. Sources spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the information.

Before the initial story published on Wednesday, an FBI official contacted The Times requesting the article be held for national security reasons but declined to specify the threat when asked, according to a person familiar with the conversation. The Times proceeded with publication.

This is the latest development in tensions between the Trump administration and news organizations over coverage of presidential security and foreign government involvement in U.S. assets.

Sports Has Exploded In Every Corner of Media Ecosystem

Sports Coverage Has Exploded Across Media Landscape, Including Unlikely Outlets.  Sports is experiencing a surge in attention from media organizations of all stripes, with even traditionally non-sports publications such as Politico and Vanity Fair (VF) ramping up their coverage. 

The reason is simple: sports delivers content that engaged readers deliberately seek out, rather than passively encounter while browsing.

This shift marks a significant expansion of sports journalism. Once confined largely to dedicated sports sections and specialty outlets, in-depth reporting, analysis, and storytelling on athletics have now ballooned into nearly every corner of the media ecosystem. 

Study: Sports Plays Major Role In Choosing Streaming Platforms

43% of Americans would switch their mobile, broadband, or TV provider for a better sports streaming bundle, according to new research commissioned by Bango, a U.K.-based subscription bundling platform provider. 

The finding highlights that more than four in ten customers are potentially up for grabs in the competitive telecom market. Sports has emerged as a frontline battleground for telcos fighting to win and retain customers amid fragmented sports rights across streaming platforms. 

Providers are increasingly seen as a trusted solution for consolidating live sports content into a single bundle, with more than half (52%) of respondents saying they would trust their own telco above anyone else to handle this.

Reports: ESPN Closing In On Adam Schefter Deal

ESPN is closing in on a long-term contract extension with top NFL insider Adam Schefter, according to reports, securing one of the league’s most prominent voices at the network well into the 2030s. The deal would lock in Schefter — widely regarded as the preeminent NFL insider in media — at ESPN (known as the Worldwide Leader in Sports) for several years beyond the current decade. Financial terms have not been disclosed, but his previous contract, signed in 2022, was reportedly worth approximately $9 million annually.

The move follows ESPN’s successful retention of other key NFL insiders, including Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, who joined the network as part of its broader push to dominate NFL coverage. ESPN’s roster of insiders now includes Schefter, Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, Garafolo, Jeremy Fowler, Kimberley Martin, Dan Graziano, Jeff Darlington, and Judy Battista, creating a formidable team for breaking news and analysis.

NBC's TODAY Extends Total Viewers Winning Streak

NBC News’ TODAY won in total viewers and the key demo A25-54 for the week of June 29-July 5 while remaining the #1 morning news program across the board season-to-date.

TODAY averaged 2.827 million total viewers, leading GMA by +59,000 viewers (+2%) and CBS by +1.089 million viewers (+63%). The show ranked #1 in total viewers for the 24th consecutive week, marking its longest winning streak since April 2012.

• TODAY also delivered 568,000 A25-54 viewers, leading GMA by +113,000 (+25%) and CBS by +280,000 (+97%).
• TODAY Highlights#1 morning show across the board for the week and season-to-date.
• #1 in total viewers for the 24th consecutive week, the program’s longest winning streak since April 2012.
• Posted its 35th weekly win of the 2025-26 season.
• Delivered 23 consecutive weeks of year-over-year total viewer growth, the show’s longest streak since August 2011.
• Recorded the largest year-over-year total viewer increase among the broadcast morning shows (+160,000 / +6%).
• Beat CBS by more than one million viewers for the 29th consecutive week, the longest such streak since May 2015.

Season-to-Date

TODAY ranks as the #1 morning show across the board season-to-date, leading in total viewers and the key demo A25-54, and is posting the biggest total viewer growth versus last season up +174,000 (+6%).

In total viewers, TODAY leads GMA by +134,000, its widest season-to-date advantage in 14 years.Leads CBS by +1.172 million viewers, its largest season-to-date advantage in 11 years and 62% larger than at the same point last season.

In the key demo A25-54, TODAY leads GMA by +138,000.Leads CBS by +334,000, its largest season-to-date demo advantage in five years.

ABC's GMA Delivers Week-To-Week Growth

“Good Morning America” averaged 2.768 million Total Viewers, 455,000 Adults 25-54 and 330,000 Adults 18-49 for the week of June 29, 2026, based on Live+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel Program Ratings from Nielsen Media Research.

• “GMA” improved on the previous week in Adults 25-54 (+1% – 455,000 vs. 451,000) and Adults 18-49 (+1% – 330,000 vs. 327,000).
• For the fifth week running, “GMA” grew year to year in Total Viewers (+3% – 2.768 million vs. 2.683 million) and Adults 18-49 (+27% – 330,000 vs. 260,000).
• “GMA” cut its week-to-week margins with “Today” by double digits in both Adults 25-54 (-36% – 113,000 vs. 177,000) and Adults 18-49 (-29% – 52,000 vs. 73,000). “GMA” posted its closest performance in Adults 25-54 in 6 weeks and its narrowest in Adults 18-49 in 8 weeks — since weeks of 5/18/26 and 5/4/26, respectively.
• “GMA” decreased its gaps with “Today” on the same week last year by double digits in both Adults 25-54 (-12% – 113,000 vs. 128,000) and Adults 18-49 (-45% – 52,000 vs. 94,000).
• “GMA” (2.768 million, 455,000 and 330,000, respectively) defeated “CBS Mornings” (1.738 million, 288,000 and 207,000, respectively) in Total Viewers (+1.030 million), Adults 25-54 (+167,000) and Adults 18-49 (+123,000). In addition, “GMA” led “CBS Mornings” in Total Viewers and Adults 25-54 for the last 1,432 weeks overall — since w/o 1/18/99.
• Season to date, “GMA” is up in Total Viewers (+1% – 2.852 million vs. 2.829 million) and Adults 18-49 (+9% – 334,000 vs. 307,000) compared to the same point last year.

SBS Wins Court Approval For Reorganization Plans

Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) has won court approval for its Chapter 11 reorganization plan, positioning the Hispanic media company to exit bankruptcy once federal regulators approve the transfer of its broadcast licenses.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Brendan Shannon signed the confirmation order on July 1 in Delaware. The prepackaged plan, filed in May, will slash SBS’s debt by more than 75% — eliminating roughly $240 million of its $310 million total — by transferring ownership to its creditors.

The company must now obtain FCC approval for the change in control of its radio and TV licenses, a process that could take several weeks or months.

SBS filed the Chapter 11 case after reaching an agreement with creditors. At the time, CEO Raúl Alarcón said the restructuring would strengthen the company’s balance sheet and better position it for the future. All publicly traded shares will be consolidated and transferred to debtholders.

R.I.P.: Actor Randolph Mantooth, Portrayed Firefighter-Paramedic

Randolph Mantooth, the actor who starred as firefighter-paramedic John Gage in the groundbreaking 1970s TV series “Emergency!,” has died at age 80 after a long illness, his family said Friday.

Mantooth’s portrayal and the NBC series, which aired for five seasons from January 1972 to May 1977, dramatically raised public awareness of paramedics and emergency medical services, inspiring generations to enter firefighting and EMS careers, his family said.

“The series helped introduce the public to paramedics and emergency medicine, inspiring countless individuals to pursue careers in EMS and firefighting,” the family said in a statement. “Its influence extended far beyond entertainment, contributing to greater recognition of emergency medical services throughout the country.”

The show followed the crew of Los Angeles County Fire Department Station 51 and included follow-up made-for-TV movies that aired until 1979.Los Angeles County Fire Department officials praised Mantooth as a lasting symbol of the department’s legacy. 

“Randolph Mantooth was the face of the Los Angeles County Fire Department for an entire generation,” said Capt. Aaron Katon. “Talk to any fire buff of a certain age, and Johnny Gage riding Squad 51 is the stuff of legend.”

Mantooth was born Sept. 19, 1945, in Sacramento, California. He earned a scholarship to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and later appeared in the 2003 off-Broadway production of Lanford Wilson’s “Rain Dance,” which also starred James Van Der Beek.

Radio History: July 11

➦In 1906...Harry Von Zell born in Indianapolis (Died of cancer at age 75 – November 21, 1981), He was an announcer of radio programs and an actor in films and television shows. He is best remembered for his work on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, and for once mispronouncing President Herbert Hoover's name on the air, a slip that was exaggerated on a later comedy record album.

Von Zell broke into show business as a singer and announcer at radio station KMIC in Inglewood, California in the mid-1920s. Later, auditioning for Paul Whiteman's radio show in 1929, he was chosen from a field of 250 announcers. When that series came to an end in 1930, he headed for New York and became a CBS staff announcer, working with Fred Allen, Phil Baker, Eddy Duchin and Ed Wynn. He also announced for The Aldrich Family, The Amazing Mr. Smith, and The March of Time. During the 1920s and 1930s von Zell served as announcer on some 20 shows a week.

His longest-running radio partnership was his nine seasons with veteran comedian Eddie Cantor. From October 1940 to June 1949 von Zell served as Cantor's commercial spokesperson and straight man. As Cantor cast member Dinah Shore's solo career began to blossom, she brought von Zell in as announcer on her Birds Eye Open House program.

As a young announcer, von Zell made a memorable verbal slip in 1931 when he referred to U.S. President Herbert Hoover as "Hoobert Heever" during a live tribute on Hoover's birthday. Hoover was not present at this tribute. Zell's blooper came at the end of a lengthy coverage of Hoover's career, in which Zell had pronounced the President's name correctly several times.

➦In 1934...the first appointments to the newly created Federal Communications Commission were made. The governing body was first served by seven men named as commissioners.

D.C. Circuit Dismisses Challenge to Nexstar-TEGNA Merger

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has granted the FCC's  request to dismiss appeals in the consolidated Free Press v. FCC case, clearing a key legal obstacle to Nexstar Media Group’s approved acquisition of TEGNA.

The ruling represents a significant win for both the FCC and Nexstar, the nation’s largest local television station owner. It removes a major regulatory hurdle that opponents had hoped would derail or delay the multi-billion-dollar merger, which regulators had already approved.

With the D.C. Circuit appeals now dismissed, Nexstar will shift its legal focus to the Ninth Circuit, where it is appealing a preliminary injunction. That injunction currently requires the company to maintain TEGNA as a separate “hold separate” entity, limiting integration and operational synergies while the broader litigation continues.

Nexstar officials said the company remains committed to completing the transaction and will pursue all available avenues to lift the hold-separate order. The Ninth Circuit appeal is expected to address whether the injunction should remain in place during ongoing proceedings.

The Free Press v. FCC challenges centered on arguments that the FCC improperly approved the merger, claiming it would reduce competition, harm local journalism, and concentrate too much control in the broadcast television industry. By granting the FCC’s motion to dismiss, the D.C. Circuit effectively upheld the agency’s regulatory decision and rejected those challenges at the appellate level in that venue.

The development marks the latest chapter in a high-stakes battle over media consolidation. If ultimately completed, the Nexstar-TEGNA deal would create an even larger broadcast powerhouse, owning hundreds of television stations across the country. Proponents argue the combination delivers economies of scale and strengthens local broadcasting; critics contend it threatens viewpoint diversity and local news independence.

Charlotte Radio: Future of WBT AM Towers Remain Uncertain

More than six months after Radio One moved WBT’s news-talk programming from its legacy 1110 AM frequency to 107.9 FM, the future of the Carolinas’ first commercial radio station is still unclear.

At the end of 2025, the station’s owners shifted the format to FM, promising an announcement on the AM signal “soon.” Since then, 1110 AM has aired only an instrumental music loop and a recorded message directing listeners to the new FM home. The powerful 50,000-watt “clear channel” signal continues to legally identify as WBT.

Radio listener Johnny Caudle has launched a Change.org petition to preserve part of the historic broadcast site. He cites reports that the 19-acre transmitter property on Nations Ford Road in south Charlotte is for sale and fears the three towers could be removed for redevelopment.

“I think they are probably doing the best they can locally with the cards they’ve been dealt, but their silence leaves everyone out here to draw conclusions on our own,” Caudle said. “I heard the land was for sale… I started thinking we need to save something.”

Caudle emphasized he is not trying to block any sale, only to protect a piece of local radio history. Several prominent Charlotte radio personalities, including John Hancock, Sheri Lynch, and Arroe Collins, have signed the petition.

First licensed in 1922, WBT was the Carolinas’ original commercial radio station. Its strong AM signal was once heard from Miami to Maine. The station’s transmitter site is now marketed as a “garden multifamily development opportunity” in south Charlotte. (Hat Tip To WCNC-TV)

iHM Reaches FCC Settlement Over Event Disclosures

iHeartMedia has agreed to overhaul its sponsorship disclosure practices following a U.S. senator’s complaint about alleged payola-style arrangements in which radio airplay was allegedly traded for free artist performances at company events.

The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau adopted a consent decree Wednesday closing the investigation with no fine. Under the agreement, iHeart admits the factual findings but does not admit any legal violation. 

The company must appoint compliance officers, create a formal compliance plan, train relevant staff, implement new public disclosures for major events, and file regular reports with the FCC over the next three years.

Senator Blackburn

Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) sparked the probe with a January 2025 letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. She alleged that iHeart stations were offering artists increased airplay in exchange for performing free shows at company events, with the implicit threat of reduced airplay for those who declined.

Days after the complaint, the FCC issued an industry-wide enforcement advisory on the practice. 

Chairman Carr followed up directly with iHeart in February 2025, seeking information related to the iHeart Country Festival in Austin. iHeart responded that artists appeared for promotional value—likening short festival sets to movie trailers—and said airplay was never part of any arrangement. 

The Enforcement Bureau opened a formal inquiry in May 2025 and a supplemental inquiry in February 2026.The resulting consent decree requires iHeart to name a corporate compliance officer and market-level contacts within 30 days, develop a formal compliance plan within 60 days, and train employees who interact with artists, managers, and labels on sponsorship identification rules.