NEW: Two government watchdog groups have demanded an investigation into whether FCC officials violated ethics requirements by accepting luxury gala tickets from Paramount as it sought federal approval for its $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros.

FCC Commissioners Face Ethics Complaints for Taking Luxury Gifts From Paramount

Citing a ProPublica report on Paramount providing luxury Kennedy Center gala tickets to FCC officials, the complaints note that commissioners accepted the gifts while the FCC was reviewing or about to...

propublica.org

*whispers* you know we can do this cultural debate about art thing all the time, right? Websites and news organizations used to have culture critics on staff whose entire job was writing about books, movies, and TV. People read them and then discussed them. We have the technology to do this again.

🤡 emeraldbook.org/news/jul-262...

How “Dr.” Pitts Legally Created a “University” to Give “Dr.” Bryant a PhD – Emerald Book

◆ Emerald Pages ◆ Culture / Investigation How "Dr." Pitts Legally Created a "University" to Give "Dr." Bryant a PhD Emerald Book Publication July 26, 2026 6 min read Inside the bizarre saga of Jaquel ...

emeraldbook.org

Life in the W is a new ESPN series documenting the lives of WNBA stars A'ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier and DeWanna Bonner. n.pr/3RCQeHS

'Life in the W' reveals the challenges WNBA players face

Life in the W is a new ESPN series documenting the lives of WNBA stars A'ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier and DeWanna Bonner.

n.pr

Upon celebrating 250yrs America has become the Killing Fields Americans can't afford groceries Americans can't afford Gas Americans can't afford Rent Americans can't afford Healthcare But America can Afford To Fight A War for Billions and Billions of Dollars Happy Birthday America 🇺🇲

Xbox's big reset has scrapped studios building original ideas in favor of doubling down on legacy IP - but how will it find its next big franchise if it only focuses on the old? https://bit.ly/4hpveie

There were still fireworks and smoke bombs, but Argentina was disappointed for its soccer star after Lionel Messi lost in his likely last World Cup.

Tears in Argentina for Lionel Messi’s ‘Last Tango’

There were still fireworks and smoke bombs, but the nation was disappointed for its soccer star after he lost in his likely last World Cup.

nyti.ms

I have a funny feeling that after he's gone, we’re gonna find out that the man who ruined our country was never actually elected, aren’t we?

Poor Messi.

OSSOFF: I heard a president who is, as always, focused on his personal shame and humiliation, and above all, focused on his personal fear of the accountability that will come when we win this fall

Personally I think the guy who was convicted on 34 counts of fraud, and was charged with obstructing justice and making false statements, is not a trustworthy source on election fraud

It's old-school, swords-and-sandals cinema, yet still modern and richly satisfying. n.pr/457CVlT

'The Odyssey' is the epic only Christopher Nolan could make — and thank Zeus he did

It's old-school, swords-and-sandals cinema, yet still modern and richly satisfying.

n.pr

“It is probably viewers who haven’t read Homer who are likeliest to enjoy ‘The Odyssey,’ ” Richard Brody writes, of Christopher Nolan’s adaptation. www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...

Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” Leaves the Gods in the Outtakes

Christopher Nolan’s Homer adaptation presents a modern, relatable Odysseus, rather than trying to understand the ancient world on its own terms.

newyorker.com

Just in: South Carolina's governor says he is appointing Darline Graham Nordone to finish the term of her late brother. Top Republicans, including President Trump, have coalesced around the pick.

South Carolina's governor names Lindsey Graham's sister to serve out his term

South Carolina's governor says he is appointing Darline Graham Nordone to finish the term of her late brother. Top Republicans, including President Trump, have coalesced around the pick.

n.pr

France vs. Spain and England vs. Argentina would be an epic semifinals. #WorldCup

Morocco was no match for France, which lost 2-0. The French, one of the pre-tournament favorites, move on to the World Cup semifinals against either Spain or Belgium.

France downs Morocco 2-0 to advance to the World Cup semifinal

Morocco was no match for France, which lost 2-0. The French, one of the pre-tournament favorites, move on to the World Cup semifinals against either Spain or Belgium.

n.pr

www.npr.org/2026/07/08/n...

A new proposal for organ donation sparks concern

Should patients who choose euthanasia be able to die by having their vital organs removed for donation? The ethical concerns are substantial.

npr.org

The House’s Epstein investigation will hit the one-year mark later this month, and the saga isn’t ending anytime soon. 🔗 politi.co/4h3mC0z

#ELB: BREAKING: “Trump fires all Election Assistance Commission members, leaving agency unable to act” (This is going to be a BFD if Trump Tries to Assert the EAC’s Powers over the Federal Voter Registration Form) https://electionlawblog.org/?p=157199

👀👀

LSaddler (Xemnu Era)@lsaddler.bsky.social · last yr.

Absolute Aquaman where its Arthur Jr being raised by Black Manta

Just in on NBA Today -- league's ongoing investigation puts a pause on Clippers-Raptors Kawhi Leonard trade:

Yes. Reform the Supreme Court. Term limits. Expand the Court. Enforceable code of ethics. It’s time we address corruption on the highest court.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, who was scheduled to meet on Wednesday with President Trump at a NATO summit, has been clear on what he wants from Western allies meeting this week in Turkey: Patriot missiles and the related defense systems to counter Russian ballistic missiles.

Zelensky Renews Demands for Defense Systems Ahead of Trump Meeting at NATO Summit

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine is urging European states to sell him Patriot missiles to defend against Russian attacks and has asked President Trump to let Ukraine make the Patriot systems.

nyti.ms

BREAKING: A federal court permanently blocked Governor DeSantis’ classroom censorship law, the "Stop WOKE Act," from taking effect. The law would've restricted students and educators in Florida from discussing things like race and gender in higher ed classrooms.

Egypt was leading late, up 2-0. The Argentinians looked beaten. But they fought and fought and fought. Scoring one goal, then another to equalize. And, finally, a third to advance to the quarterfinal. n.pr/4p9cJAI

Reigning champion Argentina escapes with remarkable World Cup victory over Egypt

Egypt was leading late, up 2-0. The Argentinians looked beaten. But they fought and fought and fought. Scoring one goal, then another to equalize. And, finally, a third to advance to the quarterfinal.

n.pr

🇧🇪 Belgium 4 - 🇺🇸 USA 1 Can't say the Knicks didn't warn you Team USA.

CONGRATULATIONS NEW YORK LIBERTY 2026 COMMISSIONER’S CUP CHAMPIONS 🏆

Just one day before he announced a 90-day pause on his sweeping tariffs, Trump's investment accounts made stock purchases worth as much as $12.8 million. Then when Trump announced the pause, the S&P soared nearly 10% — one of the biggest single-day gains in the index’s history. Unusual indeed.

Man, it's a hot one! Don't go out in this summer's heat wave before you arm yourself with these tips and a really big water bottle. n.pr/4p3J63J

Going outside in this heat? Follow these guidelines to stay safe

Man, it's a hot one! Don't go out in this summer's heat wave before you arm yourself with these tips and a really big water bottle.

n.pr