Not really an overstatement to say that the test of a free society is whether or not comedians can make fun of the country's leader on TV without repurcussions.

Winds push smoke from Canadian wildfires south into US and worsen air quality Air quality in some parts of the United States is worsening as smoke from dozens of wildfires in Canada travels south, pushed by winds high in the atmosphere.

Air quality in some parts of the United States is worsening as smoke from dozens of wildfires in Canada travels south, pushed by winds high in the atmosphere.

A photo of Taylor Swift on stage. Text reads: "Taylor Swift Buys Back Rights to Her First 6 Albums."

Taylor Swift announced on Friday that she had bought back the rights to her first six albums. Swift said that her record-breaking Eras Tour helped make her acquisition of the masters. She did not disclose the price. nyti.ms/3FgfXzZ

The Presidents Budget Request for NASA is out. It’s a bloodbath

Canceled are DAVINCI, VERITAS, Juno, OSIRIS-APEX, US participation in ExoMars and EnVision…

Huge cut to R&A. No funding to begin development of the Uranus Orbiter.

If you’ve ever cared about NASA, time to contact congress.

Pres, Gagliardi, of the 🇺🇸 Federation of Musicians:

“We will not remain silent as 2 of our members Bruce Springsteen & Taylor Swift r singled out & personally attacked by the POTUS. S&S r not just brilliant musicians, they r role models & inspirations 2 millions of ppl in the US & across the🌍”
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Breaking news: The US has been stripped of its top-notch triple-a credit rating by Moody’s on concerns about rising levels of government debt www.ft.com/content/e456...

E.U. imposes up to 25 percent levy on U.S. goods, in first swing at Trump’s tariffs The European Union has pursued a phased and relatively restrained response to U.S. tariffs, as its leaders weigh the risk of escalation.

Breaking news: The European Union hit back at President Donald Trump’s steel tariffs Wednesday, approving levies up to 25 percent on a broad list of U.S. products.

To see how tariffs might cost you, take a look inside my closet - The Boston Globe To see how tariffs might cost you, Ian Prasad Philbrick went shopping in his own home.

We took a look inside one household to see how tariffs could raise the cost of everyday items, from your clothes to your appliances.

Read more in today's Starting Point.

Did it occur to anyone in the administration that the best way to encourage migrants to pay taxes is by NOT allowing ICE and the IRS to exchange info? Well now they will share. What can go wrong??

Trump assembles Great Wall of America The US leader looks set to roll out a wall of “reciprocal” tariffs on April 2 to usher in an age of protectionism. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Materials from the Trump admin on tariffs do not have "any reference to any past agreements. This is untethered from past agreements & treaty obligations. It is the US behaving as a rogue. So don’t dignify it with the word ‘reciprocal’,” Marc Noland says.

Gross!

Israel launches new strikes against Hamas and promises ‘increasing military force’ after talks stall Israel launched new strikes against Hamas and promised ‘increasing military force’ after talks on on further hostage releases stalled.

BREAKING: Israel launches new strikes against Hamas and promises "increasing military force" after talks stall.

The institutional Democratic Party is guided by an almost pathological level of conflict avoidance in almost every direction. “What can we do to make the least number of people mad?” is just a bankrupt way to operate.

BREAKING: AOC blames crash on Trump / Elon

“I represent LGA Airport as well as workers for JFK. Trump gutted the Aviation Safety committee last week. Air traffic controllers, already understaffed, got Trump’s “buyout” this wk with a 1 wk ultimatum to decide. It’s not DEI - it’s him. And Elon too.”

Chuck Todd Is Leaving NBC A longtime major figure of NBC and MSNBC’s political coverage, Mr. Todd became less omnipresent in recent years.

Breaking News: Chuck Todd, the former “Meet The Press” host and a fixture of NBC and MSNBC’s political coverage, told colleagues he was leaving NBC.

He's not blaming DEI, he's blaming women and non white people.

If you are a federal worker being offered a buyout, I would advise against taking it.

Of course, this is a personal decision for everyone and it’s your choice.

But these offers are a rush job. The legality is questionable and this admin does not keep to its word.

They aren’t firing for a reason.

Stay focused. Don't allow yourself to be freaked out so much that you are not part of the solution.

YouTube video by ONEST NETWORK Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde appeals to President Trump to have mercy upon immigrants and minorities

If you watch only one short video today, make it this one. Remarkable bravery, and the looks on the various faces could be material for a dissertation on gender, the family, and authoritarianism. youtu.be/gVInX42IQD8?...

Photo of Downtown Los Angeles and text that reads "LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund"

The LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund is now taking applications. This fund aims to support artists and arts workers who were impacted by the devastating Los Angeles fires.

Check eligibility requirements and apply now through February 18 at 5 pm PST at cciarts.org.

A photograph of downtown Los Angeles and overlayed text that reads: LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund

Announcing the LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund, led by Getty and a coalition of foundations and arts organizations, to support the impacted arts community.

Impacted artists and art workers can visit cciarts.org to apply for an emergency grant starting January 20.

What to know about RedNote, the Chinese app that American TikTokkers are flooding With TikTok's days in the U.S. potentially numbered, many American users are moving to another Chinese social media app: RedNote, a heavily censored platform similar to Instagram. Here's what to know.

With TikTok's days in the U.S. potentially numbered, many American users are moving to another Chinese social media app: RedNote, a heavily censored platform similar to Instagram. Here's what to know.

Thank you, #MSNBC and #RachelMaddow. No dis to Alex, but we need this now!

This is the way we start a new day!
Share something that gives you joy.

Poetry

Supreme Court to Hear New Affordable Care Act Case on Preventative Care Lower courts ruled that a task force that determines which treatments must be covered at no cost had not been validly appointed.

The Supreme Court said it would take up a challenge to a part of the Affordable Care Act that requires insurance companies to cover some kinds of preventative care at no cost. nyti.ms/4afY2UP

A view of ceiling lanterns hanging at the Getty Villa Museum

The Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades remains safe and intact this morning, January 8, and will be closed at least through early next week.

While vegetation on the property has burned, Getty structures have been unaffected, and thankfully, both staff and collections are safe.