(COVER PHOTO: Pennsylvania Cable Network via CNN Newsource)
Partial government shutdown underway
A partial government shutdown is underway, the second government shutdown of Donald Trump’s second terms president. The shutdown began Saturday and is expected to last until at least Tuesday, when the House is set to hold critical votes on a group of bills to fund the federal government. The proposed package would fund most departments through September but provide only a two-week extension for Homeland Security as lawmakers discuss potential reforms to federal immigration enforcement. Even a brief shutdown is already taking a toll: more than 10,000 FAA employees will be furloughed, and air traffic controllers will be required to work without pay until the government reopens.
Trump’s name appears about 1,000 times in newly released Epstein files
On Friday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) released more than 3 million Epstein-related documents, which reference Donald Trump more than 1,000 times, along with other prominent figures. Some references to Trump included allegations against him but do not provide details and do not establish the credibility of the allegations. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche signaled on CNN Sunday that the DOJ will not pursue new charges related to the Epstein case. The DOJ is withholding an estimated 2 million additional documents and Blanche indicated they will not be releasing any more.
Immigration protests over the weekend
Massive protests took place across the U.S. over the weekend, with demonstrators calling for ICE agents to leave their cities. The rallies and marches came after a nationwide strike on Friday prompted a shutdown of schools, workplaces and businesses from coast to coast. Many people continue to voice their solidarity with Minneapolis, where the deadly shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good have transformed the national conversation on immigration enforcement and appear to have driven a tone shift from the White House in recent days. Some top Republicans are also encouraging the administration to shift its strategy, warning that the optics of ongoing protests and violence in Minneapolis and other cities could backfire on the party.
Trump plans to close Kennedy Center
Donald Trump says he will be closing the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington in July. Trump recently had the name of the center changed to feature his name before that of President Kennedy. Trump said the center will be undergoing a significant refurbishment that will take two years. There’s speculation that if it reopens it will do so as the Trump Center. Since Trump added his name to it, many performers have refused to perform there and ticket sales have fallen. The latest programming director appointed by Trump two weeks ago has resigned.
The groundhog sees his shadow
Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog weather icon, saw his shadow when he was plucked from his warm burrow and thrust out into the frigid air Monday morning. According to Phil, that means six more weeks of winter are ahead. Phil lives in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Legend has it, if he sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter are on the way. If he doesn’t, an early spring arrives. Phil has been right about 35% of the time in the past two decades, according to data analyzed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Government meteorologists forecast colder than normal conditions for February in much of the East with warmer than normal conditions and an “early spring” in the West and Southern Plains.
Bad Bunny wins a Grammy
The music industry’s biggest stars gathered Sunday in Los Angeles for the 68th Grammy Awards. Puerto Rican musician Bad Bunny took home the top prize, album of the year, for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos (I Should Have Taken More Photos).” He opened his acceptance speech with a declaration of “ICE out,” which drew a lengthy round of applause and he then continued criticizing the Trump administration. Rapper Kendrick Lamar was another major winner, taking home the most awards of the night, including record of the year for “Luther” featuring SZA. The winner of best new artist was Olivia Dean, whose summertime hit “Man I Need” went viral online.
