Virginia Data Centers and Platner Out, Weekend at McConnell’s Continues
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NJ.com: N.J. just passed a law making sure you won’t pay for powering AI data centers anymore
By Nyah Marshall
What?
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill signed legislation (A796) requiring large data centers to pay for their own electric infrastructure and grid upgrades, ensuring these costs are not passed on to other utility customers. The law also mandates financial guarantees from developers to protect residents if projects do not proceed or use less electricity than projected.
So What?
This law addresses growing concerns among residents about rising electricity costs driven by the significant power demands of AI data centers, aiming to shift financial responsibility from consumers to the industry. It signals a move by the state to regulate the burgeoning tech sector's impact on public utilities and consumer expenses.
WTF?
The DataOne campus under construction in Vineland is expected to require more than 300 megawatts of power, which is "enough to power a small city."
Now What?
People should watch for the governor's decisions on two additional data center bills that have passed the Legislature: S4390, which would eliminate remaining state tax incentives for data center projects, and S3379, which would require data center operators to report their energy and water use.
OilPrice.com: Why the AI Boom Is About to Break the US Power Grid
By Alex Kimani
What?
The article claims that the exponential growth in demand for electricity from the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, coupled with data centers, is poised to overwhelm the U.S. power grid, which is already struggling with reliability and infrastructure. This unprecedented energy requirement is projected to necessitate the construction of numerous new power plants and transmission lines, a process that is historically slow and faces significant regulatory and public resistance.
So What?
This matters for progressive movements as it highlights a critical infrastructure challenge that could impact energy security, environmental goals due to potential reliance on fossil fuels, and the equitable distribution of power resources. It underscores the urgent need for investment in renewable energy and grid modernization, potentially leading to increased advocacy for green energy policies and regulatory reform.
WTF?
Microsoft expects its AI power demand to rise eight-fold by 2030, a figure so large it could require the equivalent of "dozens of large nuclear power plants."
Now What?
People should watch for accelerated efforts by utilities to secure new energy sources and expand transmission, as well as potential policy shifts to streamline the permitting and construction of new power infrastructure, including potentially less sustainable options. The article suggests monitoring the pace of grid upgrades and the energy sourcing choices made to meet this burgeoning AI demand.
Politico Pro: Two stunning defeats shake Virginia’s data center capital
By Ariel Wittenberg
What?
Two of the largest data center proposals in the country, the Dulles South Innovation Center and the Digital Gateway, were defeated within a week in Prince William County, Virginia, due to increasing pushback from residents and local officials. The Board of Supervisors declined to change zoning rules for the Dulles South Innovation Center, while the Digital Gateway died after its last developer withdrew from a lawsuit challenging the project.
So What?
These defeats demonstrate the increasing effectiveness of community and local political resistance against large, resource-intensive infrastructure projects like data centers, signaling a potential shift in favor of local control and environmental concerns over unchecked development. The successful pushback against "energy- and water-guzzling facilities" aligns with progressive advocacy for sustainable development and community well-being.
WTF?
The Digital Gateway project, which had been approved three years prior, officially died when its last developer, QTS, withdrew from a lawsuit challenging the project.
Now What?
People should watch to see whether these two defeats represent a turning point for data center development in Prince William County, Virginia, which is currently the state's fastest-growing data center market.
Greenwire: Florida PSC allows Duke Energy data center rate petition to move forward
By Kylie Williams
What?
Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) voted 4-1 to deny a motion by consumer advocates to dismiss Duke Energy’s petition for a new large data center rate. This decision allows the petition to advance to an evidentiary hearing next month, despite concerns from some commissioners about its compliance with a new state law.
So What?
This matters for progressive movements as it indicates a state regulatory body advancing a utility's rate petition for energy-intensive data centers despite expressed concerns about customer protections and compliance with new state law. This action could set a precedent for how utility rates are structured for large energy users, potentially impacting energy costs and regulatory oversight in Florida.
WTF?
A commissioner, Mike La Rosa, explicitly stated he doesn’t believe "the overall customer protections are there the way the Legislature drafted it and the way current statute reads," yet the petition was allowed to proceed.
Now What?
People should watch for the evidentiary hearing next month, where Duke Energy’s general counsel stated witnesses from the utility will answer questions with more detail and accuracy regarding the petition.
By Kavya Balaraman
What?
Skyrocketing demand from artificial intelligence data centers is exacerbating shortages of critical grid equipment like transformers across the U.S., driving up costs and stretching out wait times. This shortage of equipment, particularly large power transformers, is prompting utilities and developers to lock in orders far in advance, with lead times now spanning multiple years.
So What?
This situation means higher electricity costs for households and businesses due to equipment price increases and supply chain strains, potentially exacerbating economic inequality and hindering the broader energy transition by diverting resources and causing delays. The rapid energy demands of AI infrastructure could also reshape grid development priorities, potentially at the expense of other public needs.
WTF?
California's Roseville Electric Utility is now buying equipment for projects it knows are coming five years in advance due to lengthy waiting times for large transformers.
Now What?
People should watch for the development of new federal protocols for quickly connecting large energy users to the grid, along with efforts to expand domestic manufacturing capacity for critical electrical components and potential delays in power plant retirements. It will be important to monitor how these measures impact equipment availability and energy costs for end-users.
Climatewire: AI’s no-win choice: Using huge amounts of water or energy
By Ariel Wittenberg, Arianna Skibell
What?
Tech companies are facing a fundamental challenge in cooling AI data centers, which require either millions of gallons of water or vast amounts of electricity, leading to a "no-win choice" that strains natural resources or increases carbon emissions. This dilemma has sparked widespread public opposition and disrupted numerous data center projects.
So What?
This matters for progressive movements because the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure is intensifying competition for critical resources like water and energy, contributing to environmental degradation and resource scarcity. The industry's lack of transparent and consistent data reporting hinders public oversight and effective advocacy efforts to address these impacts.
WTF?
Andrew Coppin, a business owner tracking water use for ranchers and farmers, stated, "I don’t know about you, but I’d prefer to be able to still have a steak and some salad than ChatGPT."
Now What?
People should watch for continued local opposition leading to county-level moratoriums on data center projects, and increasing calls for federal disclosure requirements to improve transparency regarding data centers' specific water and energy consumption.
The Dallas Morning News: The Texas test case experts worry Trump will use to limit dissident political speech
By Sally Avila Edwards, Kevin Krause
What?
Sixteen people connected to a protest at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, have been sentenced to a collective 562 years in prison, with legal experts concerned about the use of domestic terrorism charges under a Trump executive order to enhance sentencing for protesters labeled an "antifa cell." This case is seen as an "unprecedented" test case for limiting political speech.
So What?
This case is significant for progressive movements as legal experts fear the unusually harsh punishments and novel use of domestic terrorism charges will create a "chilling effect" on political protest and establish a "blueprint" for the Trump administration to suppress left-wing dissent. It indicates an effort to transform political expression into terrorism and target those ideologically opposed to the current administration.
WTF?
Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada is serving 30 years in prison for moving various boxes of anti-government and anti-Trump literature 56 miles.
Now What?
People should watch for the outcomes of the appeals filed by various defendants, including Sanchez-Estrada, as experts warn the initial sentences set a dangerous precedent for punishing left-wing political protest nationwide. The government now has a "blueprint" that could be used against people ideologically opposed to the current administration.
The Seattle Times: My daughter’s life should not depend on Stephen Miller’s memo
By Lynn Schmidt
What?
A Justice Department memo, driven by Stephen Miller, argues that neither the Americans with Disabilities Act nor the Rehabilitation Act requires states to provide community-based services for people with disabilities, challenging the 1999 Supreme Court decision Olmstead v. L.C. This memo, issued June 18, arrives alongside cuts to Medicaid funding, which is the primary source for community-based services.
So What?
This matters for progressive movements as it represents an effort to undermine decades of disability rights advocacy and legal protections, potentially allowing states to cease funding community-based care and revert to institutionalization. The federal government's alignment with plaintiffs challenging the integration mandate signals a significant shift that could weaken the enforcement of civil rights for people with disabilities.
WTF?
The article notes, "The cruel irony is that community-based care costs Medicaid significantly less than institutional care. This is not a fiscal rescue. It is not about saving money."
Now What?
People should watch for mobilizing efforts by disability advocacy organizations for litigation, potential oversight hearings by Congressional Democrats, and the progress of the Texas v. Kennedy case where the federal government is challenging the integration mandate.
Resilience: The Ripple Effects of Organizing Against Data Centers
By Sean P. Sweeney
What?
The article details the escalating environmental impact of data centers, particularly their energy and water consumption, and describes how communities in places like Loudoun County, Virginia, and The Netherlands are successfully organizing to challenge their unchecked expansion. These organizing efforts have led to policy changes, including moratoria and increased scrutiny of new data center developments.
So What?
This demonstrates the power of grassroots organizing to resist resource-intensive industrial growth and influence policy, offering a critical model for progressive movements advocating for environmental justice and local control. Successful local campaigns can inspire broader movements to demand sustainable development and accountability from tech industries.
WTF?
The article states that "data centers consume more electricity than many small countries, and their carbon footprint is comparable to the aviation industry."
Now What?
Future developments will likely include intensified conflicts between communities and data center developers, alongside increased pressure on governments to implement stricter regulations and more sustainable planning for these facilities. Watch for more communities to adopt similar organizing tactics to protect local resources.
Bloomberg Law: Unrivaled 2026: Trey Cox of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
What?
The article profiles Trey Cox, a partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, discussing his successful representation of Energy Transfer in a lawsuit against three Greenpeace groups. A jury awarded Energy Transfer $667 million in damages (later reduced to $345 million) for claims including trespass, defamation, conspiracy, and financial sabotage related to 2016 Dakota Access Pipeline protests.
So What?
This matters for progressive movements as it highlights a significant legal precedent where a corporation successfully pursued financial damages against environmental activist groups, potentially chilling future protest activities. The case demonstrates a successful strategy to reframe protest actions as illegal conduct, using legal tools to target organizations' funding and operations.
Now What?
People should watch for how this substantial damages award impacts the financial viability and operational strategies of environmental advocacy groups like Greenpeace, and whether similar litigation against protest movements becomes more prevalent.
Semafor: Vance in wait-and-see mode as Iran ceasefire crumbles
By Shelby Talcott
What?
Vice President JD Vance, who spearheaded the administration's deal with Iran, has entered a "wait-and-see mode" as Wednesday's strikes jeopardize the agreement. While President Trump insists Iran wants to "make a deal," Vance is focusing on domestic priorities, having not been "blindsided" by the return to hostilities.
So What?
This development signifies a potential major foreign policy reversal and a shift towards renewed conflict, which could mobilize progressive anti-war movements. It also highlights a potential strategy by Vance to distance himself from a failing international agreement, which could influence future political narratives about accountability and leadership.
WTF?
Vance’s orbit "has always believed that voters will prefer an attempt at peace, even if it fails."
Now What?
People should watch for further actions by President Trump and the military regarding the conflict with Iran, and how Vance continues to balance his domestic focus with the crumbling international agreement. It will be important to observe the political framing of the peace deal's failure and whether Vance's allies successfully portray his involvement as a credit rather than a liability.
By Caleb Ecarma
What?
Meta is developing a new prediction market feature called "Arena" to integrate into its platforms like Facebook and Instagram, aiming to increase user engagement and revenue. This comes less than four months after Meta was found liable for building addictive design elements into Instagram, and experts warn the new feature could significantly compound harms by combining addictive social media with gambling.
So What?
This initiative by Meta underscores the ongoing corporate prioritization of profit and engagement over public health, potentially exacerbating addiction and exposing a vast user base to online gambling. It highlights how powerful tech companies continue to seek new revenue streams even while facing legal challenges and public concern over the addictive nature of their platforms.
WTF?
A medical director of Addiction Medicine at Stanford University compared combining Meta's addictive mechanisms with gambling to "combining alcohol and cocaine to make cocaethylene, which is a more potent drug."
Now What?
People should watch for the official launch and implementation of Meta’s "Arena" app, particularly whether it involves real money or a "points" system, and how Meta integrates betting opportunities into its content feeds, Reels, Stories, and Messenger. Further, continued legal challenges against Meta for addictive design and any potential regulatory responses to the rise of app-based gambling should be monitored.
404 Media: LinkedIn and X Are Flooded With AI Spam, Browsing Data Suggests
By Jason Koebler
What?
An AI detection company's browsing data suggests that a shockingly high amount of content users encounter on popular social media sites, especially LinkedIn and X, is likely AI-generated. The data indicates that AI-generated writing is not confined to obscure sites but is regularly seen by users on major platforms, particularly in longer posts.
So What?
This proliferation of AI-generated content "poisons the internet that humans actually use" and acts as "a tax on readers’ time," potentially diminishing the quality of information and genuine human connection across vital digital public spaces. The article highlights that platforms are grappling with how to address this issue and its implications for user experience.
WTF?
"Contrary to what one might expect, people are overwhelmingly willing to use AI to speak on their behalf in professional settings that are associated with their real identity, and less likely to use it on casual and anonymous platforms."
Now What?
People should watch for how social media platforms like LinkedIn, X, and Reddit continue to adjust their policies and tools to either promote or disincentivize AI-generated content, and how effectively these efforts curb the spread of "AI slop."
By Alex Heath
What?
OpenAI is upgrading ChatGPT with a better voice mode designed for real-time conversation, enabling the AI to interrupt users and respond to GPT-4o with live video capabilities. These enhancements aim to make interactions feel more natural and human-like.
So What?
This advancement towards more natural and responsive AI interaction, including the ability to see via live video and interrupt, could significantly impact how information is communicated and consumed, potentially blurring the lines between human and AI interaction in progressive advocacy, public discourse, and civil society.
WTF?
The upgraded ChatGPT voice mode is described as "capable of interrupting you" and can "look at the world through a phone camera" to describe a user's surroundings in real time.
Now What?
People should watch for the real-world implications of AI that can interrupt conversations and interpret surroundings via live video, and how these more "human-like" interactions reshape daily communication and the dissemination of information.
TechCrunch: Reddit is using LLMs to solve a problem LLMs largely created
By Amanda Silberling
What?
Reddit has developed tools utilizing large language models (LLMs) to combat the increased volume of spam and bot content, much of which was generated by LLMs. The platform claims these updated tools block 23 million spam views and catch approximately 25,000 new spam posts and comments daily, reducing user exposure to spam by 20% from January to March.
So What?
The proliferation of LLM-generated spam and misinformation can degrade online spaces critical for progressive organizing and communication, making it harder for legitimate advocacy to be heard. The article suggests that effective, even if AI-driven, content moderation is essential for maintaining digital environments conducive to genuine civic engagement and combating manipulative narratives.
WTF?
Reddit is using LLMs to solve a problem LLMs largely created.
Now What?
People should watch for the long-term effectiveness of these AI-powered moderation tools against increasingly sophisticated LLM-generated content and whether platforms continue to pair them with human moderation. It will also be important to observe if the improved detection of AI-generated content translates into faster flagging of violative material like hate speech.
Cloudflare: Cloudflare Announces Research Pilot with OpenAI
What?
Cloudflare and OpenAI have announced a research pilot to explore how artificial intelligence can enhance cybersecurity measures. The collaboration aims to leverage OpenAI's large language models with Cloudflare's network data to detect sophisticated cyber threats, identify vulnerabilities, and proactively address emerging security risks.
So What?
This partnership signifies a further consolidation of control over critical internet infrastructure and security into the hands of a few powerful tech corporations, potentially expanding AI-driven surveillance capabilities without clear public accountability or oversight. It raises concerns about data privacy, the potential for algorithmic bias in threat detection, and the future balance of power in digital security for civil society and individuals.
Now What?
People should watch for specific details about the data sharing protocols between Cloudflare and OpenAI, the transparency of their AI models in identifying threats, and the potential for this pilot to establish new industry standards for AI in cybersecurity. It will also be important to observe any discussions or demands for regulatory oversight of such powerful AI-driven security partnerships.
Heatmap Daily: Trump Has No Long Game in Iran
By ROBINSON MEYER
What?
The United States has resumed bombing Iran, targeting more than 80 sites and declaring the ceasefire dead, after Iran allegedly fired missiles at oil and natural gas tankers. President Trump stated the conflict would be "over very quickly" and not "long term."
So What?
This renewed conflict is immediately driving up global fossil fuel prices, imposing an estimated $60 billion in additional costs on American households, and contributing to increased military spending and human suffering. While potentially accelerating EV sales in some regions due to costly fuel, the war diverts resources from progressive objectives and risks consuming a significant portion of President Trump's second term.
Now What?
People should watch to see if the war remains "over very quickly" as President Trump stated, or if its extension continues to impact his second term, particularly regarding the trajectory of global oil and diesel prices. The potential for China to decline tapping its reserves could lead to even higher prices, while the conflict's broader human and economic costs also warrant close attention.
BBC News: Jackdaw owner says gas field will 'not materially influence' climate change
By Kevin Keane
What?
Adura, the owner of the controversial Jackdaw gas field, claims in its updated Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that emissions from the field will "not materially influence" global warming, accounting for less than 0.02% of annual global greenhouse gases. This new assessment was required by a judge who ruled that previous ministerial consent for Jackdaw was unlawful following a legal challenge by environmental groups.
So What?
This article highlights the ongoing conflict between fossil fuel industry claims of minimal climate impact and environmental groups' warnings that new gas fields are incompatible with global warming limits. It demonstrates how legal challenges can force further scrutiny and re-evaluation of such projects, while also showing industry attempts to justify expansion through arguments like displacing imported LNG.
WTF?
Adura's new report claims the controversial Jackdaw gas field will "not materially influence" global warming, accounting for less than 0.02% of annual global greenhouse gases, despite previous assessments suggesting the field's lifetime emissions could be around 90% of Scotland's total.
Now What?
People should watch for the UK government's decision on granting fresh approval for the Jackdaw field, as well as any further legal actions or responses from environmental groups like Uplift and Greenpeace regarding Adura's updated assessment.
AP News: Michigan health officials investigating cyclospora parasite outbreak
By N/A
What?
Michigan health officials are investigating an outbreak of the cyclospora parasite, with over 30 cases reported in Kent County and at least 39 in Ottawa County. They suspect a specific food item is the source, but it has not been publicly identified.
So What?
This ongoing outbreak highlights the critical importance of public health surveillance and swift communication regarding foodborne illnesses, particularly when the source remains unidentified. It also underscores potential vulnerabilities in food safety systems and the need for prompt identification and transparency to protect public health.
WTF?
A "specific food item" is suspected as the source of the cyclospora outbreak, but "It has not been publicly identified."
Now What?
People should watch for further updates from Michigan health officials regarding the identification of the suspected food item and any additional public health advisories or recommendations. Continued monitoring of case numbers in affected and surrounding counties is also warranted.
What?
Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for the US Senate from Maine, withdrew from the race in a video statement, strongly denying sexual assault allegations against him and claiming they were false and intended to remove him. He also suggested the party's establishment and donors had withdrawn crucial support.
So What?
This event matters for progressive movements as it demonstrates how a candidate who claimed to have won against an "entrenched political system" can be forced out of a race, raising questions about internal party dynamics, donor influence, and the impact of unproven allegations on progressive campaigns.
WTF?
Donald Trump, who was found liable by a jury of sexually abusing the writer E Jean Carroll, suggested that Platner’s accuser might have been lying.
Now What?
People should watch for the state party convention later this month to see who will be chosen as the new Democratic nominee, as former Maine state senate president Troy Jackson has already announced his intention to seek the nomination.
Semafor: Why Platner’s implosion won’t singe the Sanders wing
By David Weigel
What?
Graham Platner's campaign for U.S. Senate in Maine, supported by Senator Bernie Sanders, is imploding due to a sexual assault allegation. The article argues this event will not discredit Sanders or his left-wing movement, which remains a powerful force within the Democratic Party. Platner remains the Democratic nominee, though his campaign is fighting with the state party over a successor.
So What?
This matters for progressive movements because the article suggests that the Sanders wing's "entryism" has been highly successful, positioning them securely within the Democratic Party despite candidate controversies. It implies that the establishment's weakness and need for grassroots energy mean the left can continue to shape the party's direction and extract concessions.
WTF?
"Platner remains Maine’s Democratic nominee for Senate at the time I write this; that probably won’t remain the case for long."
Now What?
People should watch for the resolution of Platner's nomination, including whether he is replaced by Troy Jackson or another candidate. Additionally, the next month's Senate race in Michigan is highlighted as a key indicator of the Democratic party's base and the ongoing struggle between its left and center-left factions.
Ken Klippenstein: Mitch McConnell Nears Dead-Line
By Ken Klippenstein
What?
Senator Mitch McConnell has been hospitalized for nearly four weeks, with a key August 3 deadline approaching that determines whether his seat would be filled by a special election or remain vacant until January 3 if he is declared dead. Congressional Republicans are reportedly trying to avoid a special election, while Kentucky's Democratic governor is seeking a health update, possibly as a step towards appointing an interim senator.
So What?
This situation highlights how partisan maneuvers and a lack of transparency among lawmakers can deprive voters of a meaningful say in their representation. It also exposes a political system where self-interest and the avoidance of scrutiny regarding health and fitness overshadow accountability to the public.
WTF?
Despite reports from officials claiming to have spoken with McConnell for "about 20 minutes about a range of complex policy issues," the article states that "fewer than 5 percent of patients McConnell's age survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, and most survivors suffer lasting brain damage."
Now What?
People should watch for further developments regarding Senator McConnell's health status before the August 3 deadline, any actions taken by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and potential legal challenges or appointments related to the Senate seat.
Reuters: US states could sue next week to block Paramount-Warner Bros deal, sources say
By Dawn Chmielewski and Jody Godoy
What?
U.S. states, led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, could sue as soon as next week to block Paramount's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery due to concerns the deal will harm competition. The proposed merger has drawn opposition from Hollywood actors, writers, and theater owners who fear job losses, fewer movies, and narrowed consumer choice.
So What?
This potential state-led legal action highlights a pushback against corporate consolidation, especially as federal antitrust authorities are noted to have "loosened their reins," which is significant for progressive movements advocating for stronger regulation, competition, and protection of jobs and consumer choice in crucial sectors like media.
WTF?
"The Paramount CEO's father, billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, has cultivated ties with President Donald Trump."
Now What?
People should watch to see if the U.S. states file the lawsuit next week and how a potential court challenge could delay the deal, impacting Paramount's costs, including the "ticking fee" and planned cost cuts.
By Abigail Bass
What?
A new study published in the journal *Personality and Individual Differences* found that 89.6% of college students "self-censor" their conservative or moderate views and "fake progressive views" to avoid negative consequences from "liberal professors." The study, which surveyed 500 students, also reported that 54.3% felt their grades would be negatively impacted if they expressed views contrary to their professors'.
So What?
This article suggests a significant segment of the student population feels compelled to express views they don't genuinely hold, which could stifle authentic intellectual discourse and critical thinking on college campuses. For progressive movements, this narrative could create a perception that academic support for progressive ideas is coerced rather than genuine, potentially undermining the legitimacy of such viewpoints in higher education.
WTF?
The study also found that 35.8% of students reported having a professor penalize them academically because of their political views.
Now What?
Given the article's claims about widespread self-censorship and academic penalties related to political views, people should watch for responses from university administrations, faculty groups, or student advocacy organizations. It would also be important to observe whether similar studies are conducted or if academic institutions propose any changes to policies regarding political expression in classrooms.
Capital Research Center: Enemies of Energy: Fred Taylor / Sequoia Climate Foundation
By Ken Braun
What?
The article identifies the Sequoia Climate Foundation as a "New Giant in Climate Change Philanthropy" that has made $862.8 million in grants over its first four years, projected to exceed $1 billion. It asserts that C. Frederick Taylor, a cofounder of a "secretive hedge fund," is the likely primary donor, with the foundation having spun out from the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund and focusing its grantmaking on "anti-energy groups" domestically and internationally.
So What?
This article highlights a significant funding stream for climate change initiatives and environmental advocacy through the Sequoia Climate Foundation and its likely donor, Fred Taylor. This matters for progressive movements by revealing the scale of financial resources deployed towards environmental causes, influencing policy landscapes and potentially drawing scrutiny or strategic responses from opposing forces.
WTF?
The original name of the Wellspring Philanthropic Foundation was the Matan B’ Seter Foundation, which in Jewish tradition means "to give anonymously."
Now What?
People should watch for the release of Sequoia Climate Foundation's fifth IRS filing, which is expected to show over $1 billion in total grantmaking, and observe the continued allocation of funds to both international and domestic "anti-energy" groups. Further scrutiny of the anonymous donor structures and the specific projects funded will also be important.
Newsweek: Irish Police Hunt Jamey Carney, Person of Interest, But Don't Release Profile
What?
Irish police (An Garda Síochána) are currently searching for Jamey Carney, who has been designated as a "person of interest" in an unspecified investigation. Despite their active pursuit, authorities have chosen not to release a public profile or detailed description of Carney.
So What?
This situation highlights a notable lack of transparency from law enforcement regarding an active person-of-interest hunt, which could impact public safety awareness and civil society's ability to engage with or comprehend police actions. The decision to withhold a public profile raises questions about police operational strategies and their communication with the community.
WTF?
The most surprising detail is that Irish police are actively hunting a "person of interest" but have specifically declined to release any public profile for him.
Now What?
People should watch for any subsequent announcements from Irish police regarding Jamey Carney, including whether a public profile is eventually released or if further reasons are provided for the current decision to withhold such information.
The Hill: The FBI is finally following the money on mass protest-funding
By Jay Rogers
What?
The FBI's new Joint Mission Center, established under a Trump presidential memorandum, is investigating "nefarious sources" of funding for mass protests, although proving cases in court is challenging due to commingled funds. The article highlights ongoing investigations into Neville Roy Singham for allegedly moving funds from Communist China to "far-left entities" and the Southern Poverty Law Center for alleged financial crimes and involvement with an informant at the 2017 "Unite the Right" rally.
So What?
This matters for progressive movements as it describes government efforts to scrutinize protest funding, potentially leading to increased legal burdens and a chilling effect on organizations involved in funding demonstrations. The mention of investigations into "far-left entities" and a prominent civil rights organization suggests a broad scope of potential targeting.
WTF?
Federal prosecutors are allegedly pursuing the Southern Poverty Law Center on bank fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering charges, claiming its executives paid an informant who helped coordinate logistics for the 2017 "Unite the Right" rally.
Now What?
People should watch for any developments in the FBI's investigations, including potential indictments against the entities or individuals mentioned, and whether Congress acts on the author's call for a "Protest Transparency Act."
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