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In a closely contested vote, the House of Representatives approved a measure to retract two years of funding amounting to $1.1 billion for public media outlets. The vote passed with a narrow margin of 214 to 212, primarily along party lines. Notably, two Republican members switched their votes from no to yes in support of the bill, which was requested by former President Donald Trump. Trump has accused NPR and PBS of exhibiting bias against conservative viewpoints.
This bill outlines a total of $9.4 billion in cuts, predominantly affecting foreign aid programs that address global public health, international disaster assistance, and hunger relief initiatives. The measure still requires approval from the Senate before it can be enacted.
According to NPR's David Folkenflik, while the funding cut may seem minor for NPR, the implications could be significant for public radio and television stations nationwide. NPR CEO Katherine Maher has raised alarms about potential station closures, which could leave many Americans without access to vital noncommercial media, plunging them into what could be termed a news desert.
Rep. Mark Amodei of Nevada, one of the few Republicans who opposed the measure, emphasized the need for meaningful federal budget cuts to address the national deficit but argued that removing access to news sources would harm his rural constituents.
In another development, thousands of California National Guard troops remain under former President Trump's control for the time being. This follows a federal judge's ruling that Trump violated the U.S. Constitution, which ordered him to relinquish control over the troops deployed in Los Angeles. However, an appeals court has temporarily put that order on hold, with a hearing set for Tuesday.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to return the 4,000 Guard members to their original duties, including border protection and wildfire prevention. Instead, they are currently engaged in confrontations with demonstrators protesting recent ICE raids.
In a separate incident in LA, federal agents forcibly removed Senator Alex Padilla from a Homeland Security press conference led by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. A statement from the department's X account accused Padilla of engaging in disrespectful political theatrics, stirring anger among Democrats who view this as a significant moment reflecting a troubling shift towards authoritarian governance in the U.S.
In international news, Israel has launched strikes against numerous sites in Iran, resulting in the deaths of three high-ranking military leaders. An Israeli military source stated that the Israeli air force targeted Iran's nuclear facilities, accusing Tehran of operating a covert nuclear weapons program. Iranian state media reported that one of the strikes killed Brig. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the commander-in-chief of Iran's military, who was the second most powerful military official after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The U.S. State Department clarified that these attacks were conducted unilaterally by Israel, with no American involvement. Khamenei has warned that Israel should be prepared for severe retaliation. Tensions are heightened as the U.S. and Iran have been in discussions aimed at negotiating a deal for Iran to reduce its nuclear activities in exchange for lifting sanctions that have crippled its economy. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintains that military action is the only viable method to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
This week, NPR is dedicating its coverage to Climate Solutions Week, highlighting stories and discussions about strategies for adapting to a hotter planet and the implications of climate change on where and how people live. One focus is the growing deconstruction industry, which emphasizes the dismantling of old buildings to recycle materials, significantly reducing waste sent to landfills and lowering the carbon footprint of urban environments.
This movement has gained momentum in cities such as Portland and Boulder, where aging infrastructure is being replaced to meet modern needs. Be sure to check out photos showcasing deconstruction specialists at work and learn about the challenges some communities face in keeping up with the demand for sustainable practices.
As the weekend approaches, here are NPR's top recommendations for entertainment:
Movies: Wes Anderson's latest film, The Phoenician Scheme, features Benicio del Toro as an unscrupulous industrialist traveling with his daughter to secure funding for his ventures.TV: Matthew Goode stars in Dept. Q, a crime series focusing more on character development than the central mystery.Books: This week's featured titles delve into dark themes, including murder, addiction, and retribution, offering a thought-provoking reading experience.Music: Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers has recently released three albums, showcasing her commissioned works.Food: Discover the trend of perpetual stew, a dish that simmers for an extended time and is replenished over days, weeks, or even years, with essential safety tips for those daring to try it at home.Games: The new Nintendo Switch 2 boasts numerous enhancements over its predecessor; NPR's James Perkins Mastromarino provides a comprehensive review of its launch games.Don't forget to test your knowledge with our fun quiz and see if you can outsmart us by submitting your own questions!
In some light-hearted news, a flamingo named Peaches from Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula has made his way back home after being blown off course to Florida by Hurricane Idalia. Additionally, the FIFA Club World Cup kicks off this Saturday, featuring a new and controversial 32-game format. Stay informed with everything you need to know about this event.
Finally, Disney and Universal have taken a groundbreaking step by suing the AI firm Midjourney for copyright infringement, marking a significant moment in the intersection of technology and entertainment.
