Friday, June 30, 2023

6/30 WAKE-UP CALL: Affirmative Action Policies Unconstitutional

The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the affirmative action admission policies of Harvard and the University of North Carolina are unconstitutional. The ruling is a massive blow to decades-old efforts to boost enrollment of minorities at American universities through policies that took into account applicants’ race. “Eliminating racial discrimination means eliminating all of it,” wrote Chief Justice John Roberts in the majority opinion, which all five of his fellow conservative justices joined in. Roberts wrote said that both Harvard’s and UNC’s affirmative action programs “unavoidably employ race in a negative manner, involve racial stereotyping, and lack meaningful end points.”

When liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson became the first Black woman to join the U.S. Supreme Court, she was expected to bring a different view on racial matters than Justice Clarence Thomas, its only other Black member and a staunch conservative. That dispute was front and center on Thursday when the two justices publicly battled in sharply worded, dueling opinions as the court, in a blockbuster decision. Such policies have been used by many schools for decades to boost their numbers of Black and Hispanic students. Jackson and Thomas, reflecting a deep divide in the United States, diverged on how race must be treated in the law. Jackson promoted its use to reduce entrenched inequalities. Thomas contended that the U.S. Constitution is colorblind.



FOX Business’ Charles Payne Says Scotus Ruling On Affirmative Action Case Is A Huge Victory For Black Americans



➤TRUMP MAY SKIP FIRST DEBATE: Former U.S. President Donald Trump said he might not participate in the Republican Party's first 2024 election primary debate in August and may hold an alternative event, citing his lead in opinion polls and what he claims is the hosting network's bias against him. In a telephone interview with Reuters, Trump said "possibly not" when asked if he would be at the debate, to be hosted by Fox News in Milwaukee on Aug. 23. The debate will be the first chance for voters to see the Republican presidential candidates square off against each other. Trump called Fox News, which he has criticized for not covering his campaign events, a "hostile network" and said he saw little merit in debating candidates like former New Jersey governor Chris Christie who are far behind him in polling.

➤PUTIN RETURNS TO MOSCOW: A top Russian general was questioned over his links to the mercenary group that carried out a failed revolt against the Kremlin’s military leadership as Vladimir Putin pressed ahead with a string of public appearances.  Investigators questioned General Sergei Surovikin over several days about his connections to Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, according to a person with knowledge of the matter, who asked not to be identified because the matter is sensitive. Brigadier General Pat Ryder, a spokesman for the Pentagon, told reporters that some elements of the Wagner Group remain in Ukraine.  Putin returned to Moscow overnight from a trip to the south of Russia as he continued efforts to project a sense of business-as-usual days after the mercenary rebellion marked the most serious threat to his nearly quarter-century rule. 

➤PARKLAND DEPUTY FOUND INNOCENT OF NEGLECT: The Florida sheriff’s deputy who failed to confront a heavily armed gunman inside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland five years ago has been found not guilty of child neglect and other charges. Scott Peterson was acquitted of child neglect and negligence for backing away from the scene where 17 people were killed and 17 more were injured. The gunman is serving life in prison. “This was a massacre,” Peterson said after the verdict. “The only person to blame was that monster.”

BACTERIAL GIRL'S CONDITION WAS GRAVE: Madonna's condition was so serious that her relatives were 'preparing for the worst,' a family member has told DailyMail.com. The 64-year-old was found unconscious in New York on Saturday, and rushed to the ICU where she was reportedly intubated overnight. On Wednesday, her manager Guy Oseary announced that she was suffering from a 'serious bacterial infection', and needed time to recover so was postponing her tour, due to begin in Vancouver on July 15. 'For the past couple of days, no one really knew which direction this was going to turn, and her family was preparing for the worst,' the relative said.  'That is why it was kept a secret since Saturday. 

📺GERALDO EXITS FOX: Geraldo Rivera, 79, said he had been fired from The Five - Fox's daily roundtable political commentary show - and so he subsequently quit the network after more than two decades. He added that he would have more to say about his departure on Fox & Friends tomorrow morning. Last week, he announced he would appear on his final episodes this week, but that no longer appears to be the case. He joined Fox News from CNBC in 2001.

🎥KEVIN COSTNER CLAIMS WIFE FACTORED PLASTIC SURGERY INTO CHILD SUPPORT DEMANDS: Kevin Costner claims that his estranged wife believes that she’s looking for $248,000 in child support because she needs the cash to pay for her own plastic surgery. Costner’s forensic accountant says in new divorce documents obtained by TMZ that the expenses Christine Baumgartner uses to justify a quarter-million a month include more than $100,000 in cosmetic surgery, thousands of dollars in boutique shopping, huge ATM withdrawals, construction loans and her own attorney’s fees. The Yellowstone star says he has already been paying $51,950 per month for the kids’ expenses and will continue to do so.


 ➤HUNTER'S BABY MAMA TO ALSO GET PAINTINGS: The details of the agreement reached between Hunter Biden and his Arkansas baby mama were published Thursday, and they show his four-year-old daughter will be given some of his paintings even if she won't get his surname. The deal ends years of bitter wrangling between Biden and Lunden Roberts over support for four-year-old Navy Joan Roberts. Parts of the deal were redacted before being released by Independence County Circuit Court in Arkansas. But they show Biden, who took up painting as part of his recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, must hand over some of his finished canvases.

➤CHINA BALLOONS PACKED WITH U-S MADE TECH: The Chinese balloon that floated over the U.S. early this year was crammed with American surveillance technology. The commercially available gear, interspersed with specialized Chinese sensors and other equipment, collected photos, videos and other information to transmit to China, U.S. officials said, citing preliminary findings. The craft didn’t appear to send that information back to Beijing. Defense and intelligence agencies, along with the FBI, have analyzed the debris retrieved after the U.S. military shot down the balloon. The incident derailed a fledgling attempt at rapprochement between the two countries. China has expressed concern that should the investigators’ balloon report become public, it will be forced into a strong reaction.

➤PROSPECTS ALLEGE GATES ASKED IMPROPER QUESTIONS: Women who interviewed for jobs at Bill Gates’s private office were asked sexually explicit questions. Some people described going through an extensive screening process, including being questioned by a security firm called Concentric Advisors about their sexual histories and past drug use that might indicate they were vulnerable to blackmail. A Gates spokeswoman said his private office, Gates Ventures, hasn’t heard about such questions being asked during background checks done by third-party contractors. Concentric said its protocols comply with applicable laws.

🎇TRAVEL CHAOS STARTS: Fourth of July weekend plans hang in the balance as travel chaos continues across the US - with over 40,000 flights delayed or canceled since Monday.  As of Thursday, at least 9,318 flights had been cancelled and 30,860 delayed, , with disruption expected to continue this week. Adding to the mayhem, Nashville International Airport was forced to issue a ground stop for arriving aircraft due to severe thunderstorms, which left a woman dead - before it was eventually lifted at 2:45 pm.  Willard Airport in Illinois also closed after roof damage and power outage due to severe weather at around 1:15 pm Thursday, according to the News Gazette.  Numerous flights were delayed or canceled earlier in the week at Charlotte Douglas International Airport after a Delta Airlines plane landed successfully without landing gear Wednesday morning. It came after thousands of United Airlines passengers slammed the company for ruining their July 4 weekend plans. 

➤THESE CITIES PAY THE MOST FOR GROCERIES: A recent study by Total Shape has found that the average American will spend 71% more on groceries this year compared to last year. The USDA expects the annual average spent on groceries to increase to $3,902 compared to $2,280 last year. The most expensive cities for groceries are New York, Honolulu, and Oakland. Cincinnati pays the least for groceries. The average cost of milk ranges between $2.64 and $7.50. A bottle of mid-range wine will cost $20 in Honolulu, but in Kansas City, you can buy two bottles for the same price.

⚾MLB ALL-STARS NAMED: Major League Baseball has officially announced the starters for the 2023 All-Star game, after previously revealing Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. as entrants into the game. Ohtani and Acuna were announced last week after leading the American League and the National League in votes received. The duo of voting leaders were also able to bypass the second round of voting and were immediately added to the game roster.

The Angels star received more than 2.6 million votes, well ahead of the AL's next highest vote-getter, Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette. Acuna led all major league players with 3.1 million votes.  Ohtani's honor came as a designated hitter, while he also is expected to be named a pitcher for the game, which will take place in Seattle on July 11. It will be his third consecutive All-Star Game appearance. This year's starting field will feature players from nine different ballclubs, with the Texas Rangers leading the way with four different players. The Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers are tied with three starters each for the NL lead.

Starters announced for the NL will include: Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, Miami Marlins second baseman Luis Arraez, Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia, St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, Braves catcher Sean Murphy, Dodgers DH J.D Martinez, Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll, Dodgers OF Mookie Betts, and Acuna.

The AL starters list included: Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz, Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien, Rangers shortstop Corey Seager, Rangers Josh Jung, Rangers catcher Jonah Heim, Angels outfielder Mike Trout, Rays OF Randy Arozarena, New York Yankees OF Aaron Judge, and Ohtani.

Although he has been named as a starter for the roster it remains to be seen if Judge will suit up for the game as he continues to recover from a toe injury. Judge recently played catch for the first time after sustaining the injury back in June when his foot struck the wall in a game against the Dodgers. The Yankees have remained very coy about his fitness, with manager Aaron Boone unable to guarantee he would even return in 2023 when asked last week.

⚾MLB SCORES

  • Yankees 10 Athletics 4
  • Rays 6 D-Backs 1
  • Phillies 3 Cubs 1
  • Pirates 5 Padres 4
  • Tigers 8 Rangers 5
  • Royals 4 Guardians 3
  • White Fox 9 Angels 7
  • Marlins 2 Red Sox 0
  • Blues Jays 2 Giants 1
  • Brewers 3 Mets 2
  • Astros 14 Cardinals 0
  • Dodgers 14 Rockies 3

⚾GUARDIANS' FRANCONA LEAVES HOSPITAL: Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona has been advised to stay away from the team and take a few days to rest after being released from a Kansas hospital Wednesday following a recent health scare. Francona had spent Tuesday night in the hospital after he felt light-headed before the team's game against the Kansas City Royals. 'He's doing a whole lot better,' general manager Mike Chernoff said, who flew to Kansas City after Francona's health scare.

🏈NFL SUSPENDS FOUR PLAYERS FOR GAMBLING: Three NFL players have been suspended for at least a season, and a fourth is out for six games, in a crackdown on gambling. Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers and defensive end Rashod Berry were suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games, as was free-agent defensive end Demetrius Taylor. Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Nicholas Petit-Frere got a six-game suspension for gambling on other sports while at team facilities. After the announcement of the suspensions, the Colts announced they had waived both Rodgers and Berry. NFL policy forbids players to bet on NFL games or to bet on any other sports from team facilities or hotels.
  • Separately, the NFL suspended Jacksonville Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson for four games for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. He’ll be eligible to return in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills.
➤WILDFIRE HAZE HANGS OVER MUCH OF US: Smoke from the Canadian wildfires continued to hang over much of the Midwest and Northeast yesterday, causing air quality that the National Weather Service deems unhealthy and, in some places, "very unhealthy." Last night, the worst air quality was observed in the Great Lakes region, the Ohio Valley, the mid-Atlantic and the interior Northeast. That included the cities of Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Some improvement can be expected today in the Midwest and parts of the Northeast. But the haze is expected to hang on until tomorrow in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and parts of western New England.
  • CHECK IT OUT: Click here for current air quality where you live.


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