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Why we’re still so obsessed with Elizabeth Holmes
You Can See Everything, a documentary about the disgraced biotech company founder Elizabeth Holmes, has enjoyed a record-breaking opening in the US. It is a testament to how fascinated we remain by the convicted fraudster, but what is behind the enduring appeal? US technology editor Blake Montgomery tells Madeleine Finlay why Holmes continues to fascinate us, and reflects on whether the Theranos scandal has had a permanent impact on Silicon Valley
Inside Hegseth’s political ambitions — and the risks threatening them
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has rarely shied away from controversy, but his latest spectacle — announcing that the convicted Fort Hood mass shooter’s execution would be livestreamed — proved a bridge too far even for President Donald Trump.
In Trump’s pardons for public officials, Republicans win most of the mercy
They include at least 11 of 15 Republican members of Congress convicted of wrongdoing over the past two decades
Rambling about politics, Christa Pike and the changing times
Are we at risk of creating another convicted murderer with a fan club?
Hegseth wants Fort Hood shooter’s execution by firing squad to be public
“We’ll make sure that people are able to watch it,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday about the firing squad execution of convicted Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan.
Christa Pike's first words after waking from botched execution revealed as lawyer lists her health issues
San Antonio tax preparing business owner sentenced to federal prison, ordered to pay $3.8 million
A San Antonio woman convicted of falsifying tax forms on behalf of her clients was sentenced to federal prison and ordered to pay more than $3.8 million dollars in restitution, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday.
What Nathan Gallagher said in final 'Below Deck' episode before arrest
"Below Deck Mediterranean" cast member Nathan Gallagher talked about his young family's future and overcoming challenges in his final episode before he was arrested and convicted on domestic violence-
Relatives of Epstein victim appear in attack ad targeting Jeff Crank
Relatives of Virginia Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epstein‘s most prominent victims, accuse U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank in a TV ad released Monday by his Democratic challenger of refusing to meet with them last year when they sought his assistance to force a vote to release federal files related to the convicted sex offender. Sky and […]
Former ‘American Idol’ singer Caleb Flynn awaits sentencing for wife's murder
A former Ohio music pastor who appeared briefly on “American Idol” is set to be sentenced after a jury convicted him last week of murdering his wife while he was having an affair | Talk 1370
Former ‘American Idol’ singer Caleb Flynn awaits sentencing for wife's murder
A former Ohio music pastor who appeared briefly on “American Idol” is set to be sentenced after a jury convicted him last week of murdering his wife while he was having an affair.
Attitudes on the death penalty have changed since Christa Pike was convicted. Using the issue for politics hasn’t
When Christa Pike tortured and killed her classmate Colleen Slemmer in 1995, support for the death penalty was near its peak in the United States.
Former ‘American Idol’ contestant Caleb Flynn convicted of killing wife as she slept
Former ‘American Idol’ contestant Caleb Flynn has been found guilty of murder in the death of his wife.
The Streamers Tried To Conquer Labor Day…and Whiffed
(Welcome to my weekly streaming ratings report, the single best guide to what’s popular in streaming TV and what isn’t. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. If you were forwarded this email, please subscribe to get these insights each week.) What? Another Streaming Ratings Report already? You betcha. Nielsen has moved up the release of their Streaming Ratings data by two weeks, which means I’ve got two extra issues to get out. But I love this change because it will make this report more timely and easier to publish regularly. This week—with the viewership data for the week of 31-Aug—we’ve got some huge, huge topics to discuss. On the film side, two theatrical films (The Mandalorian and Grogu on Disney+ and Scary Movie on Paramount+) contend with two non-Netflix straight-to-streaming films (Mayday on Apple TV and The Runner on Prime Video). The streamers went all in to win Labor Day weekend in America. And we have a bunch of TV shows to analyze, both new shows (Netflix’s The Gentleman, Hulu’s Chad Powers, and an Alix Earle reality show) and weekly shows like Reacher, Ted Lasso, House of the Dragon and Lioness. All that, plus nepotism in Hollywood, some eye-popping fantasy football stats, all the flops, bombs and misses, and a whole lot more. Let’s dive right in! (Reminder: The streaming ratings report focuses on the U.S. market and compiles data from Nielsen’s weekly top ten viewership ranks, Luminate’s Top Ten Data, JustWatch and Reelgood interest data, Samba TV household viewership, company datecdotes, Netflix hours viewed data, Google Trends, and IMDb to determine the most popular content. While most data points are current, Nielsen’s data covers the weeks of August 31st to September 6th, 2026. You can find a link to my terminology here.) Subscribe Film - A Slew of Labor Day Disappointments? A lot of streamers released big new films this week, why? My theory is that the streamers know that four-day weekends can propel streaming films to glory. But if you’ve been reading more over the last two years, you know that big holiday weekends aren’t driving big viewership numbers the way they did post-Covid. And interestingly enough, Netflix didn’t put out a big new film this week. But four other streamers did, trying to take advantage of the holiday with some (not cheap) swings, including… The Mandalorian and Grogu on Disney+ (a Star Wars film that cost $165 million and made $177 million at the US domestic box office) Mayday on Apple TV (rumored $100 million budget, no theatrical release) The Runner on Prime Video (at least a $40 million budget, but likely $50 to $80 million, no theatrical release). Scary Movie on Paramount+ ($30 million budget, made $108 million domestically). (Paramount+ also released a made-for-streaming film based on the Thundermans IP, and I’ll discuss that later.) So…how’d they do? The Mandalorian and Grogu Leads The Way (But That Isn’t Enough) Let’s start with The Mandalorian and Grogu (which I’ll abbreviate to Mando for most of this article). We’re just getting started with this issue, but the rest is for paid subscribers of the Entertainment Strategy Guy, so if you’d like to find out… How Mando, Mayday, The Runner and Scary Movie performed on streaming... How the powerhouse weekly released shows (Reacher, Ted Lasso and Lioness) have accumulate a LOT of viewership… How House of the Dragon finished its run… The latest Netflix show to have a sophomore slump… Whether top creators can drive viewers to their shows… Nepotism in Hollywood and the music business... All the flops, bombs and misses for the week… And more… ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support. Coming Soon! Since Nielsen has accelerated their streaming data release schedule, I’ve got a lot of Streaming Ratings Reports coming your way! Next issue, I’ll be looking at the second season of Peacock’s The Paper, the latest season of Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and a very, very expensive Daily Wire fantasy series that’s now on Prime Video. Plus Crew Girl and Dang! on Netflix, a new Tyler Perry film, and one of the biggest bombs of the summer, Supergirl. In the next two issues, I’ll take a look at the return of the NFL to streaming, Toy Story 5 on Disney+, Backrooms on HBO Max, and The Breadwinner on Netflix. On the TV side, we’ve got Netflix’s Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, Dancing with the Stars on Disney+, Apple TV’s Slow Horses, a Reacher spinoff on Prime Video, and Paramount+’s MobLand, a Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey comedy on Apple TV, a sequel to a Cosby Show spinoff on Netflix, The Great British Baking Show, and the Unabomber film. And while doing all that, I want to take a look at adult animated shows, Ride or Die’s cancellation, and Netflix’s summer films. So much great stuff! Long term, two bits of comic book news. The X-Men cast has been announced, and go ahead and color me bull-ish, if not very, very bull-ish on this bit of comic book IP. In weirder news, HBO Max ordered a “true crime” show by Jimmy Olsen about Gorilla Grodd being falsely convicted of murder. I mean, what? I don’t know, let’s see what happens.
A Tough Ad Reminds Nebraska Voters About a Brutal Crime and a Pardon
A group supporting Dan Osborn, the independent Senate candidate in Nebraska, is airing an ad attacking Senator Pete Ricketts, a Republican, for pardoning a man convicted of sexual assault.
Mental Health Counselor Convicted in $26 Million TRICARE Fraud and Kickback Scheme
Kevin Curry, of Texas, was found guilty by a jury after pretending to be a doctor, fabricating medical records, and forging identities for kickbacks.
Proud Boys Convicted Over Jan. 6 Go From Prosecutions to Pardons to Premiere
The gala screening of the documentary “American Martyrs” was the latest effort by Trump supporters to rewrite the history of the Capitol attack.
Texas clinic owner convicted in $26M military health fraud tied to gold-plated Cybertruck
Kevin D. Curry used TRICARE kickbacks to fund a gold-plated Tesla Cybertruck and lavish parties after billing $26 million in fake TMS therapy claims.
Texas clinic owner convicted in $26M military health fraud tied to gold-plated Cybertruck
Kevin D. Curry used TRICARE kickbacks to fund a gold-plated Tesla Cybertruck and lavish parties after billing $26 million in fake TMS therapy claims.
North Texas counselor convicted in $26 million health care fraud
Prosecutors say Kevin Curry funded a lavish lifestyle with the millions he received defrauding the federal government.
Susan Collins tears into bribery allegations as new claims emerge during critical Senate battle
Maine Sen. Susan Collins dismissed the FBI bribery probe as a "political hit job," questioning convicted fraudster Martin Kao's credibility.
Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 15 years after being convicted of sexually assaulting ex-“Project Runway” staffer
The disgraced producer appeared in court on Sept. 23.
Billionaire's political contributions make the Epstein files a focus of Ohio's US Senate race
Convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's relationship to the rich and powerful has surfaced in congressional contests across the country. In Ohio, it’s an issue that has figured prominently in the...
Billionaire's political contributions make the Epstein files a focus of Ohio's US Senate race
Convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's relationship to the rich and powerful has surfaced in congressional contests across the country. In Ohio, it’s an issue that has figured prominently in the
Billionaire's political contributions make the Epstein files a focus of Ohio's US Senate race
Convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's relationship to the rich and powerful has surfaced in congressional contests across the country
Billionaire's political contributions make the Epstein files a focus of Ohio's US Senate race
Convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's relationship to the rich and powerful has surfaced in congressional contests across the country.
The Immigration Politics of a Felon’s Pardon
How far will New York Gov. Kathy Hochul go to keep immigrant criminals in this country? So far, she’ll even pardon a man convicted of an aggravated felony, if that’s what it takes to prevent the United States Supreme Court from setting a restrictionist precedent. Keisy Guerrero Mariano is a Dominican who spent two years
Alabama man convicted of wife’s 1985 murder gets new trial, judge calls bite mark evidence ‘junk science’
Charles McCrory was convicted after an expert said he bit his wife during her murder. But the expert has since changed his mind.
Local moving business owner charged with grand theft, accused of taking thousands in payment and not showing up
IDAHO FALLS — A Bonneville County business owner is accused of taking payment for a job but failing to provide services. Golden Barrett, 44, faces one grand theft charge and, if convicted, could receive up to 14 years in prison. The court set his bail at $20,000. A plea agreement was signed and filed on […]
Convicted Greek neo-fascist tries to evade election ban
His return has also caused tensions inside the governing New Democracy party
The curious case of a Ponzi schemer’s glowing profile in a Missouri newspaper
A glowing profile of convicted Ponzi schemer Siddharth Jawahar in a Missouri newspaper raises questions about political PR, ownership and newsroom boundaries.
Daniel McCarthy: The immigration politics of a felon’s pardon
How far will New York Gov. Kathy Hochul go to keep immigrant criminals in this country? So far, she’ll even pardon a man convicted of an aggravated felony, if that’s what it takes to prevent the United States Supreme Court from setting a restrictionist precedent. Keisy Guerrero Mariano is a Dominican who spent two years […]
Convicted sex offender offered opening prayer at rally for GOP Senate nominee in North Carolina
A North Carolina pastor who led the opening prayer at a recent campaign stop for Republican Senate nominee Michael Whatley is a registered sex offender, twice sentenced to prison. Records
Former employee convicted of embezzling thousands from Cedar Rapids business
A man has been found guilty this week of stealing hundreds of thousands from his former employer.
Former crypto billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried appeals conviction to Supreme Court
Sam Bankman-Fried, the former crypto mogul who was convicted of defrauding investors by secretly diverting billions of dollars of their money, asked the Supreme Court on Thursday for a new trial and to throw out a court order requiring him to pay $11 billion as part of his sentence.
‘Don’t Let Me Disappear’: The 100-Day Scramble to Free Lue Yang
Lue Yang, who was convicted in a home invasion as a teenager, was facing deportation to Laos. With a plane on the tarmac, he wondered whether an appeal would be heard.
Kentucky lawmaker renews push for domestic violence offender registry
People convicted of a qualifying offense would appear in a public database after a second conviction.
Ratko Mladić funeral exposes gap between Serbia’s EU ambitions and political reality
A general convicted of Europe’s first genocide since World War II was buried Monday with military and religious honors, sparking alarm in Brussels.
Inside Telluride's secret screening: a meta Elizabeth Holmes doc
“You Can See Everything,” co-directed by Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, offers extraordinary access to the convicted Theranos founder before taking a reality-bending turn.
Reform UK gets another £4m from crypto billionaire pardoned by Donald Trump
Ben Delo, who was convicted in 2022 for failure to apply anti-money laundering controls, is party’s second biggest donor
The trial over Tupac Shakur’s murder ended with a guilty verdict. But did it bring closure?
A Las Vegas jury has convicted Duane “Keffe D” Davis of first-degree murder in the 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur.
Trump loses again in bid to erase his hush money conviction
It is the third time Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein has blocked Trump from having the U.S. District Court in Manhattan seize control of the case from the New York court where he was tried and convicted.
Ralph Carr, entertainment industry and AFL figure, sentenced to six years for raping ex-staffer
Melbourne talent manager was convicted of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault over 2023 attack
Las Vegas business owner convicted of $24 million cryptocurrency ponzi scheme
The owner of a Las Vegas-based business was convicted Monday of fraudulently taking $24 million from at least 400 investors.
'Move Imran Khan To Hospital': Pak Top Court Amid Health Concerns For Ex-PM
The 73-year-old cricketer-turned-politician has been in jail since August 2023 after being convicted in a string of cases that he says were politically driven following his ouster in 2022.
DOJ creates a new pathway to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies
The move is a victory for Second Amendment advocates
DOJ creates a new pathway to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies
The move is a victory for Second Amendment advocates
Russian court jails Kremlin opposition politician for opposing war in Ukraine
A court in Russia convicted a prominent opposition politician for speaking out against the war in Ukraine and sentenced him to 11 years and a month in prison in the latest crackdown on dissent ahead of next month’s parliamentary election.
Who Is Cami Clark? Anthropic CEO’s Wife Asked Epstein To Invest In Porn Business
Clark approached Epstein after he had already been convicted for soliciting prostitution.
Republicans see Minnesota fraud scandal as a chance to go on offense in a blue state
The newly minted GOP ticket wasted no time before hammering Democrats over fraud. Dozens of people have been convicted of stealing hundreds of millions of dollars meant to provide food, shelter, healthcare and childcare to people in need.
Amanda Knox says new comedy show honors murdered roommate Meredith Kercher, as Kercher’s sister slams it
Amanda Knox has answered critics of her new comedy show. Here’s what the wrongly convicted woman says about ‘Cartwheel.’
Outcome Health founders’ fraud convictions upheld
Rishi Shah and Shradha Agarwal, whose company once was a darling of the Chicago tech scene, were convicted of fraud in 2023.
Judge criticizes Trump's Justice Department as he says he has no choice but to dismiss Jan. 6 seditious conspiracy case
The move Tuesday closes the book on the Jan. 6 cases that were wiped out with Republican President Donald Trump's sweeping pardons and commutations last year, freeing from prison people convicted of violent of assaults on police and other crimes.
Indiana business owner convicted of battery in case involving teen at tire shop
An Indiana business owner was convicted of battery after prosecutors said he inappropriately grabbed a girl who went to his business for help putting air in a tire.
Mental health intervention reduces aggression and reoffending among violent offenders
Prisoners convicted of serious violent offences were found to be less aggressive and less likely to reoffend following a mental health intervention which could save money and reduce harm to society, according to new research led by King's College London.
The Other Cardenas Working in Politics
A labor union paid at least $18,000 to a digital marketing firm run by the wife of convicted Democratic political operative Jesus Cardenas. Critics say he's staging a comeback.
A 1989 Eugene murder conviction relied on junk science. Now the man wrongfully convicted has been released.
Robert Wallace Lyons was released Friday after 37 years behind bars. His arrest in 1989 and subsequent murder conviction rested on discredited forensic science.
Leon Black walked out of an Epstein House committee interview. Here’s what we know
Billionaire investor Leon Black, who for years paid Jeffrey Epstein for tax and financial advice, is facing scrutiny over his relationship with the late convicted sex offender after walking out of a closed-door interview with House investigators last month.
Blanche meets with Epstein accusers after demand from Republican senator crucial to confirmation
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche met Thursday with accusers of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein following the demand by a Republican senator whose support is crucial to advancing his nomination to lead the Justice Department.
Former Obama White House attorney says ‘it was a mistake’ to deal with Epstein and she regrets it
Former Obama White House counsel Kathy Ruemmler said she regrets interacting with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and believes now it was a mistake, according to opening remarks she delivered to House committee investigators as part of a closed-door interview.
Is court mandated mental health help working? Victim's have concerns.
Rutledge Deas, previously convicted in New Orleans and Jefferson Parish for posing as a special needs individual, was arrested again in Lafayette earlier this year, raising concerns about court-mandated mental health treatment and sentencing.
Bridgeport business owner sentenced after sexually assaulting female customers in store basement
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) — A Bridgeport store owner convicted of sexually assaulting and unlawfully restraining female customers was sentenced to 86 months in prison, suspended after 17 months, on …
George Cottrell: the crypto criminal behind Farage controversy
Reform UK leader did not declare security, staff and accommodation support from convicted fraudster
‘Serious consequences’: Farage attacks Sky News after question about George Cottrell
Reform UK leader confronts journalist after question about gifts from friend and convicted fraudster
Impeachment trial for Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte begins
The frontrunner to succeed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr will be barred from public office if convicted.
Coleman: Walz pardon of child rapist puts politics over public safety
Senate Republican Assistant Leader Julia Coleman (Waconia) denounced the actions of the Minnesota Pardon Board, including Governor Tim Walz and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, for pardoning illegal immigrants convicted of violent crimes to help them avoid deportation. The pardons were made to men convicted of criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated robbery, and...
From Parliament to prison - the fall of Jeffrey Donaldson
Jeffrey Donaldson's career took him from the UUP to the DUP leadership, but he now faces a prison sentence after being convicted of child sex abuse.
Federal jury convicts former owner of chiropractic business in Libertyville of defrauding insurance out of $600K
A former owner of a chiropractic business in Libertyville faces prison after a jury convicted him of defrauding an insurance company out of over $600,000 in non-existent services.
Congressman demands answers from Bard College about ties to Jeffrey Epstein
A Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee requested records from the college about its president's connections to the convicted sex offender.
Cambodian Supreme Court upholds incitement conviction of opposition politician
Rong Chhun, a senior adviser to the Nation Power Party, was convicted last year of inciting social unrest after meeting villagers displaced by government construction projects.
In politics: Hoyer votes a Hoyer-free ballot, Percy convicted, Schmoke steps down
Rep. Steny Hoyer votes for a congressional candidate not named Steny Hoyer, one-time Annapolis lobbyist Davion Percy convicted in federal court, and Kurt Schmoke sets a retirement date from the University of Baltimore, in political notes.
Jimmy Kimmel trolls Donald Trump on his 80th birthday with Epstein-themed card
Kimmel's e-card mimicked a note Trump allegedly sent the late convicted sex offender on his 50th birthday.
Metro Atlanta business owner pleads guilty to Medicaid Fraud, fake genetic testing services
Now convicted, the business owner will have to pay restitution and serve a 10-year sentence.
Melinda French Gates has ‘visceral reaction’ recalling ‘abhorrent’ Epstein in new interview
Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates are again reckoning with the Microsoft co-founder’s past ties to Jeffrey Epstein, with Gates testifying this week to Congress about their past interactions and his ex-wife newly opening up about her “visceral reaction” to the late convicted sex offender.
Arson convictions are getting thrown out. Experts blame 'junk science'
At least eight Michiganians convicted of arson have been exonerated since 2012. Some say it reflects agencies using debunked investigative techniques.
Bill Gates to face congressional investigators about ties to Jeffrey Epstein
Bill Gates will testify behind closed doors on Capitol Hill Wednesday after the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files earlier this year raised questions about the billionaire’s ties to the late convicted sex offender – marking one of the most high-profile appearances before congressional investigators to date.
The Delaney Hall Strike Is Exposing a Massive Thirteenth Amendment Crisis
The Delaney Hall Strike participants haven’t been convicted of anything—and are still being forced to work for nothing.
Trump pardons former GOP congressman convicted of insider trading
President Donald Trump issued a full pardon for Steve Buyer, a former Indiana Republican congressman who was convicted of insider trading in 2023.
Famed short-seller Andrew Left convicted of securities fraud
The Citron Research founder took the stand in his own defense but did not convince the jury he was innocent.
Colorado Democrats slam Tina Peters’ release, while Republicans cheer
Tina Peters, the former Colorado county clerk convicted of breaching her county’s secure voting equipment, drew cheers from fellow Republicans upon her release from prison Monday after Democratic Gov. Jared Polis commuted her sentence. Other state Democrats, however, said remarks the 70-year-old Peters made in an online interview after leaving prison demonstrate that she lacks […]
At Ramapo DNA lab, genealogy meets science to solve cold cases
Dozens of times over four years, researchers have hit on matches that bring closure to families and free the wrongfully convicted
Richmond woman convicted of defrauding Waynesboro business after guilty plea
Anne Ferguson was convicted of three counts of embezzlement following a 2024 investigation by Waynesboro police and a guilty plea.
Key things to know ahead of Pam Bondi’s interview with House committee about her handling of the Epstein files
Former Attorney General Pam Bondi is set to give a closed-door interview Friday over her handling of the federal government’s investigation into the late, convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell.
Here is who Epstein’s longtime assistant accused of sexual abuse
Lawmakers investigating the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein are turning their attention to three men who Epstein’s longtime assistant accused of sexual abuse in closed-door testimony this week, sources familiar with the matter told CNN.
Former Richland County Mental Health agency leader convicted on seven criminal charges
The former executive director of the Richland County Mental Health and Recovery Services was found guilty on seven criminal charges Thursday.
Roger Stone allegedly threatened political retribution against Cuomo brothers, others in text messages
Now that Roger Stone, the convicted and pardoned political operative and Trump ally, has reemerged under the president’s second term, a former Stone employee is stepping forward to accuse Stone of …
Colorado Gov. Polis commutes ex-election clerk Tina Peters' sentence after Trump pressure
Trump has championed the case of Peters, a 70-year-old former county clerk who was sentenced to nine years behind bars after being convicted in a scheme to make a copy of her county’s election computer system. She gets released June 1.
Nick Cannon’s business accountant accused of embezzling $2 million, reportedly leaves US
If convicted, Frank Musoke faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud charge and up to
Exclusive: Inmates describe being punished for speaking out about Ghislaine Maxwell
Julie Howell did not know what she was getting into last year when she was asked about a new inmate who had arrived at her prison – or that she was about to become an unwitting supporting character in the ongoing drama around convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Is the FDA Really Suppressing Science? Plus. . .
It’s Thursday, May 7. This is The Front Page, your daily window into the world of The Free Press—and our take on the world at large. Today: Aaron MacLean says Trump is poised to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in the Iran war. Joe Klein on the life of CNN founder Ted Turner. Jillian Lederman on why cruise ships are here to stay. And much more. But first: Is the FDA suppressing science? On Tuesday, The New York Times published a story with an alarming takeaway. “FDA Blocked Publication of Research Finding Covid and Shingles Vaccines Were Safe,” read the headline. It is the latest in a string of stories that all have the same message: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other agencies, are engaged in a cover-up—and silencing scientists trying to get the word out about the Covid vaccine. What all these stories suggest—some more subtly than others—is that the outsiders now running the public health establishment, officials such as Marty Makary at the FDA and Jay Bhattacharya at the National Institutes of Health, are on a revenge tour. That they are doing harm to the country to get back at the scientists and bureaucrats who ostracized them for deviating from the public-health consensus during the pandemic. It’s a seductive narrative. But is it true? That’s the question we address in our latest editorial. —The Editors Read [ Marty Makary's FDA Has All the Right Enemies ](https://www.thefp.com/p/marty-makary-vaccine-study-fda) [ Trump Blinks First ](https://www.thefp.com/p/iran-peace-deal-pakistan-trump-strait-of-hormuz) Aaron MacLean In return for no detectable concessions, President Trump this week gave up on forcing open the Strait of Hormuz. Now, the Trump administration looks desperate for a deal to end the war with Iran. It’s easy to understand the desire to end the war, but are they blowing the chance at victory? Aaron MacLean makes sense of the administration’s latest moves—and Iran’s response—in his column today. Read full story Aaron MacLean and Niall Ferguson: Live in New York City Join Aaron MacLean and Niall Ferguson on May 19 for a live recording of School of War at the iconic New York Historical. In a conversation as timely as it is wide-ranging, Aaron and Niall will explore the strategic stakes of the moment, including the Middle East, China, and the future of American leadership on the global stage. Get Tickets Now [ Ted Turner, the Optimist Who Built CNN ](https://www.thefp.com/p/ted-turner-cnn-tribute) Joe Klein The man who gave us CNN and the 24-hour news cycle, Ted Turner, died Wednesday at the age of 87. Today, political writer Joe Klein—who almost ghostwrote Turner’s autobiography—remembers his friend, the American media mogul who stood out for his idealism and lack of a filter—something that got Turner in trouble more than once. “His was not a traditional intelligence, but one of horizon: Ted saw things before other people did,” Joe writes. Read full story [ Nothing Can Sink the Cruise Ship ](https://www.thefp.com/p/cruise-ship-hantavirus) Jillian Lederman A viral outbreak on a cruise ship that left three passengers dead has left some people wondering: Are cruise ships on the way out? Not so fast, says Jillian Lederman, who has been on many a cruise herself. Read her piece on why 38 million people a year take a cruise—and aren’t about to stop. Read full story [ The Great Writers Who Were Terrible People ](https://www.thefp.com/p/the-great-writers-who-were-terrible) Shilo Brooks Throughout history, some of the greatest literary geniuses have also been immoral bigots. In the latest episode of Old School, Shilo Brooks is joined by Eli Lake for a conversation about those geniuses, from Voltaire to Norman Mailer and Roald Dahl—and why we should read their work despite their odious prejudices. Listen on MORE FROM THE FREE PRESS [ Inside the Digital Intifada ](https://www.thefp.com/p/digital-intifada-social-media-hamas-terror) Warren Kinsella Read full story [ This Week in American History: Trump’s Over-Arching Problem ](https://www.thefp.com/p/this-week-in-american-history-trumps-over-arching-problem) Jonathan Horn Read full story [ Humanity Is Still Evolving—and Fast ](https://www.thefp.com/p/humanity-is-still-evolvingand-fast) Razib Khan Read full story THE NEWS Thirteen D.C. Metropolitan Police officers have been placed on administrative leave and could face termination after an internal investigation found evidence that crime statistics were manipulated to make the city look safer. The Republican-led House Oversight Committee previously alleged that former D.C. police chief Pamela Smith pressured officers to skew data. Tennessee Republicans unveiled a redrawn U.S. House map yesterday that would split up Memphis’s black-majority Democratic district, the latest move in a nationwide push to redraw congressional boundaries ahead of the midterms. The effort follows a Supreme Court ruling last week on Louisiana’s districts, which Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton said gave states the green light to redraw maps along partisan lines. Israel struck Beirut for the first time since a ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect last month, saying it targeted a commander of the militant group’s elite Radwan force in the city’s southern suburbs. The strikes risk destabilizing that truce at a delicate moment, as Iran and the U.S. report progress toward a deal to resolve their own standoff. The U.S. Air Force is aiming for a Fourth of July delivery of a Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar, hoping to add it to the Air Force One fleet in time for the U.S.’s 250th anniversary, Reuters reported. (For more on the controversy surrounding the aircraft, read Jed Rubenfeld’s piece “It’s a Terrible Idea, but Trump Probably Can Accept a Free Jet from Qatar.”) Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified privately before Congress that he has no memory of why he and his family dined on Jeffrey Epstein’s private island in 2012, according to Reuters. The admission contradicts Lutnick’s earlier claim that he had cut ties with the convicted sex offender well before that visit. Weeks before a former JPMorgan investment banker filed a lawsuit packed with explosive allegations, the bank reportedly offered him $1 million to settle his sexual assault and harassment claims, according to The Wall Street Journal. The suit, filed by Chirayu Rana, alleges he was sexually assaulted by a female colleague, subjected to racial discrimination, and forced into a degrading dynamic at work. JPMorgan says the claims lack merit, and the female colleague’s lawyers call the accusations fabricated. A new report from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research shows that, for the first time in roughly 20 years, church attendance is trending upward, with more people volunteering and clergy expressing renewed optimism. The study’s authors described the findings, based on a survey of more than 7,400 congregations, as showing signs of widespread recovery from low attendance numbers.
Better late than never, Oregon is acting on junk science in the courtroom
SB 1515 helps ensure that Oregonians convicted using the forensic equivalent of haruspicy finally have a remedy.
Former congressman David Rivera convicted in case on secret Venezuela lobbying
Jurors found Rivera and an associate guilty on all counts, including failing to register as a foreign agent with the Justice Department and conspiracy to commit money laundering as part of their work for former President Nicolás Maduro's government.
Josh Duggar's prison sentence extended as cousin Amy claims he's in solitary confinement
Josh Duggar's prison sentence has been extended as his cousin claims the reality star — who was convicted of possessing child sexual abuse material — has been placed in solitary confinement.
'Dances With Wolves' actor Nathan Chasing Horse gets life sentence for sexual assault
Nathan Chasing Horse, best known for 'Dances With Wolves,' gets life in prison a month after he was convicted of sexually assaulting Indigenous women and girls.
Convicted sex offender escapes mental health facility
“He has documented violent behavior and should be considered dangerous,” the Huntington Police Department said in a release.
Loophole lets convicted criminals serve as home health aides in Kansas
Kansas law allows applicants to be considered if six years have passed since the conviction and completion date of any sentence.
Louisiana GOP passes bill to keep elected Black New Orleanian from taking office
Louisiana Republicans April 23 rammed through legislation to keep Calvin Duncan, a wrongfully convicted Black man and attorney, from taking office as New Orleans’ Clerk of Criminal Court, a move