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Maryland House greenlights new congressional map to counter GOP gerrymanders The bill now heads to the Maryland Senate, where its future is less certain.

ICYMI: Maryland Democrats advanced their effort to counter GOP gerrymanders nationwide and passed a new congressional map that would flip the state’s sole Republican seat blue.

While the development comes as a win, the bill now heads to the state Senate, where its future remains uncertain.

Major changes to student loan borrowing and repayment are coming. Here's what to know “If you don’t understand it, that’s not your fault. It’s just phenomenally complicated,” says Winston Berkman-Breen, legal director at Protect Borrowers.

The changes, which go into effect on July 1, include fewer repayment options, different terms for many loans, and a restructuring of who is eligible for some post-graduate financing. https://to.pbs.org/45N95Ef

ICE agents can’t make warrantless arrests in Oregon unless there’s a risk of escape, US judge rules U.S. immigration agents in Oregon must stop arresting people without warrants unless there’s a likelihood of escape, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.

U.S. immigration agents in Oregon must stop arresting people without warrants unless there’s a likelihood of escape, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.

‘It’s an absolute bloodbath’: Washington Post lays off hundreds of workers Former Post executive editor blasts owner Jeff Bezos’s ‘sickening efforts to curry favor’ with Trump The Washington Post laid off hundreds of employees on Wednesday, which its former executive editor said “ranks among the darkest days” in the newspaper’s history. Approximately one-third of employees were affected. Staffers at the Post have been on edge for weeks about the rumored cuts, which the publication would not confirm or deny. “It’s an absolute bloodbath,” said one employee, not authorized to speak publicly. Continue reading...

‘It’s an absolute bloodbath’: Washington Post lays off hundreds of workers

Concerned.

But, somehow, Jeff Bezos had $75 million to squander/bribe for his useless, money-losing Melania vanity movie. Who needs accurate, smart reporting when you can have shameless, stupid propaganda?

Project 2026: Trump's plan to rig the next election From nationalizing voter suppression to flooding the streets with federal agents, the president and his allies are using all the tricks in the authoritarian playbook to tilt the midterms in their…

From nationalizing voter suppression to flooding the streets with federal agents, the president and his allies are using all the tricks in the authoritarian playbook to tilt the midterms in their favor.

DHS Secretary says filming ICE is illegal and amounts to doxxing.

They’re absolutely wrong.

Recording law enforcement in public spaces is protected by the First Amendment — and courts have affirmed that right time and again.

Watch @freedom.press’s @trevortimm.bsky.social explain.

'Targeted attack' — Tens of thousands without power in Zaporizhzhia as Russia hammers region's energy system "The Russians are conducting a targeted attack on Zaporizhzhia and the region all day long. As a result of the attacks, over 53,000 subscribers...are without electricity," Governor Ivan Fedorov report...

⚡️'Targeted attack' — Tens of thousands without power in Zaporizhzhia as Russia hammers region's energy system.

"The Russians are conducting a targeted attack on Zaporizhzhia and the region all day long. As a result of the attacks, over 53,000 subscribers...are without electricity."

Exclusive | Top Democrat Launches Probe into “Spy Sheikh” Deal with Trump Company More than a dozen Democrats have condemned the company’s decision to accept an investment by Abu Dhabi royal.

Exclusive: The top Democrat on a House committee overseeing U.S.-China competition has launched a probe into a $500 million investment by an Abu Dhabi royal in a Trump family cryptocurrency company.

Flawed economic models mean climate crisis could crash global economy, experts warn States and financial bodies using modelling that ignores shocks from extreme weather and climate tipping points Flawed economic models mean the accelerating impact of the climate crisis could lead to a global financial crash, experts warn. Recovery would be far harder than after the 2008 financial crash, they said, as “we can’t bail out the Earth like we did the banks”. Continue reading...

Flawed economic models mean climate crisis could crash global economy, experts warn

FBI’s Search of Georgia Election Center Is “Dangerous,” Experts Warn The search warrant, which sought 2020 election ballots, tabulator tapes, digital data and voter rolls from Fulton County, marked what experts described as a significant escalation in President Donald ...

“This is not legitimate. This is Donald Trump’s obsession with losing the 2020 election,” a Democratic Fulton County commissioner said. “We’ve assembled a team to fight back against this.”

To any of the talented journalists and creatives that were laid off by @washingtonpost.com today — come join our independent, pro-democracy news outlet powered by readers, not corporate billionaires.

We want to work with those who value protecting democracy and voting rights: https://bit.ly/45Qaw4K

Americans, we are living in a time of viciousness.

We are living in a time where speaking the “wrong” language or having the “wrong” skin color puts you in danger.

Congress must disband ICE and impeach Kristi Noem.

‘Our Constitution itself is at stake’: Fulton County officials challenge FBI’s seizure of 2020 election records "We will fight using all resources against those who seek to take over our elections."

BREAKING: Fulton County demanded in court that the federal government return all of the 2020 election related materials the FBI seized from its central election hub last week.

One county official stated that “our Constitution itself is at stake over this fight.”

Ed is absolutely right. But Epstein is for Trump like his taxes, one of those dark places that must remain in shadows or his career will be over. The only conclusion we are left to draw that there are crimes in his past that terrify even him, one of the world’s most shameless brazen men.

Foreign countries are bribing our president to sell out the American people.
 
Trump family businesses made $187 MILLION from this deal, and just months later he gave the UAE some of our most top-secret AI tech.
 
They are selling our national security to the highest bidder.

NYT headline

Accuse me of catastrophizing, but "‘We want to take over" is about as clear a warning as you will ever get.

I was a White House ethics lawyer.

I used to advise people not to even accept a free cup of coffee from someone who had interests before them. And staff followed those rules.

I can’t even find the words to describe the scale of Trump’s corruption here.

Accountability for ICE and CBP However bad you think the corruption and misconduct at ICE and CBP is — the reality is far far worse.

“America cannot survive as a free society if ICE and CBP continue to operate as they have over the last year — let alone as both agencies are turbocharged and empowered with even more funding, more officers, more guns, and more arrests." Garrett Graff
www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/accountabi...

With an ACA fix uncertain in the Senate, Republicans replay old health care fights Things are looking bleak for a fix in Congress for ACA premiums that doubled, on average, this month. And Republicans are making arguments against the law that haven't worked in years past.

Things are looking bleak for a fix in Congress for ACA premiums that doubled, on average, this month. And Republicans are making arguments against the law that haven't worked in years past. n.pr/3NK5sJ7

Black History Month is a time to recognize the lived, shared experience of all Black folks who have fundamentally shaped, challenged, and ultimately strengthened America. It’s about taking an unvarnished look at the past so that we can create a better future.

Today is the beginning of Black History Month. Let this month serve as a time to reflect on the profound impact Black Americans have had on the nation’s history, culture, and progress. Their contributions have shaped every part of American life and continue to do so today.

A new statement from Epstein survivors:

"Once again, survivors are having their names and identifying information exposed, while the men who abused us remain hidden and protected. That is outrageous."

What color is the sky in his world?

I appreciate the endorsement from the San Antonio Express editorial board!
Early voting starting Feb. 17 for the Democratic primaries. Endorsements from people who follow politics are important to understanding which candidates have what it takes to be effective in the general election.

Grateful you’re in the fight

Screenshot of a Forbes social media post. The headline reads: “Billionaire Elon Musk said early Saturday he had ‘very little correspondence’ with Jeffrey Epstein and claimed emails he had sent to the late financier released Friday by the Justice Department could be ‘misinterpreted’ to smear his name.” Below the headline is a photo of Elon Musk speaking at the World Economic Forum, wearing a black jacket and black T-shirt, gesturing with both hands at a podium. At the bottom, a link preview reads: “Elon Musk Says His Emails With Jeffrey Epstein Are ‘Misinterpreted’.”

I just want to clarify that I have had no correspondence that needs this kind of clarification.

Alt text: Screenshot of two stacked posts. At the top is a post from Elon Musk’s verified X account reading: “They are trying to deflect responsibility to me from the truly guilty. I have NOT been to any of Epstein’s party, his plane or his island. But many others have. Those who have committed serious crimes need to be prosecuted.” Below it is a post from Harry Sisson stating: “Elon Musk asked Epstein what night will be ‘the wildest party on your island?’ in an email. Now, he’s hoping you don’t see it.” Beneath that text is a screenshot of an email exchange dated November 2012 showing an email from Elon Musk to Jeffrey Epstein that includes the line, highlighted in yellow: “What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?”

Remember when Elon Musk tweeted:

“@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT.”