Speaker Johnson and Vice President JD Vance Address Press on SAVE and Protect America Act
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R9HGh_FHCk
https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/fcc-end-cap-national-broadcast-ownership-1236811655/
FCC Moves to End Cap on National Broadcast Ownership
The Federal Communications Commission signaled it will vote on Aug. 6 to repeal the longstanding cap on ownership of TV stations, replacing a limit that keeps owners from controlling stations in more than 39% of markets with a case-by-case review of transactions that might come before regulators.
“Today, national programmers can distribute their programming to 100 percent of the country — either through their own streaming services or through deals they cut with nationwide ‘virtual cable companies,’ like YouTube TV. The cap no longer constrains their control over distribution in this respect,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr wrote in an op-ed published by Brietbart. “Nor does the cap limit other players in today’s media market. Cable channels like MS NOW can reach 100 percent of the country. Social media sites from Bluesky to X can reach 100 percent of the country. Netflix can reach 100 percent too. Same with podcasts and all other forms of digital content.”
A decision by the FCC to eliminate the cap might have immediate consequences. Nexstar, one of the largest owners of TV stations in the U.S., has been barred by a federal court from completing its recent acquisition of Tegna, a smaller TV station owner, on the grounds that the transaction would give Nexstar too much control over local TV properties across the country. Nexstar also owns national outlets like the CW broadcast network and the NewsNation cable-news outlet.
The decision will likely spur legal action. “This unlawful effort to hand control of the public airwaves to billionaire buddies of this administration will destroy local newsrooms, silence community reporting, and drive-up costs for the American families who depend on local stations for news and emergency alerts,” said Anna M. Gomez, a Democratic member of the FCC, who added: “Congress set the 39 percent national ownership cap in federal law, and only Congress has the authority to raise or eliminate it. The Commission cannot waive away that limit simply because these corporate behemoths want to get out from under it.”
Nexstar is in favor of the move. “The FCC’s decision to review the national television ownership cap is a welcome and long-overdue step toward bringing broadcast regulation into the modern media marketplace,” the company said in a statement. “These rules were last updated before Netflix streamed a single movie, before the first iPhone, and before Instagram existed, and they continue to single out local broadcasters based on a competitive landscape that disappeared with the VCR. No one would suggest limiting the reach of YouTube, Amazon, or CNN, yet local broadcasters are still forced to compete under rules written for a different century.”
A trade group representing TV stations applauded the initiative. The National Association of Broadcasters said it “applauds Chairman Carr and the FCC for moving forward with consideration of an order to eliminate the national television ownership cap. This reflects the understanding that decades-old ownership restrictions that apply only to broadcasters — and none of our competitors — are out of step with today’s media marketplace. The move, the organization said, “will empower local stations, ensuring they can better compete, invest and serve their communities with the most trusted and freely available news and information, premier sports and entertainment.”
The FCC said a decision to remove the cap did not represent an automatic approval of deals that might come before it in the future. “There may be transactions that would have exceeded the limits of the 39% national cap that do not promote the public interest and those will be denied,” the regulator said Wednesday. “On the other hand, there may be transactions that would have exceeded the cap that do promote the public interest and could gain Commission approval.”
One media company felt the decision was improper. “There is no doubt that the media landscape is changing rapidly. But the evidence shows that broadcaster consolidation leads to higher prices for consumers,” said Michael Hartman, chief legal officer at DIRECTV. “On the other hand, there is simply no evidence that greater national consolidation improves the quality of local programming or journalism. Broadcasting has always been grounded in serving local communities, and consumers deserve more investment in local news and diverse voices, not less.”
https://www.aol.com/articles/semi-truck-driver-sentenced-4-160830000.html
Semi-truck driver sentenced to 4 years for fatal 10 Freeway crash in Ontario
-A semi-truck driver was sentenced on Tuesday to four years and eight months in state prison for a violent eight-vehicle crash that killed three people on the 10 Freeway in Ontario.
-Jashanpreet Singh pleaded guilty to three felony counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence after toxicology reports came back negative for all substances, prompting prosecutors to drop initial DUI charges.
-While federal officials claim Singh is an undocumented immigrant, state transportation officials dispute this, noting that the federal government explicitly approved the employment documents used to secure his commercial license.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/sexualized-camera-angles-banned-during-212609540.html
(EUROPE) Sexualized camera angles banned during women’s sporting events
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – The European Broadcasting Union cracks down on sexualization of female athletes on television broadcasts.
The new rule applies to track-and-field athletes, forbidding "unnecessary" shots of a woman's body while competing. The new guidelines may interfere with how videographers and photographers capture shots, as anything that appears "sexualized" is prohibited.
The 23-page document emphasizes low-angle shots, replays, and tight shots that may "expose" athletes. According to Runner's World, the new guidelines do not detract from women's coverage or steal attention from women's bodies. Instead, it strives to make the shots make sense, with the mindset: "Does this shot actually help viewers understand the performance?"
Viewers will see a decline in tight shots from behind and more structured slow-motion replays that don't give viewers a better understanding of the action. High jump, pole vault, horizontal jumps, and running events will all be under the guidelines.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/sexualized-camera-angles-banned-during-212609540.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg0SDFLlUHE
Wild Video Shows Freight Train Surrounded By Huge Flames in Canada
https://www.dailymail.com/tvshowbiz/article-15972787/sam-neill-dead-78-jurassic-park-cancer.html
Sam Neill dead at 78: Jurassic Park star passes away surrounded by his family after revealing he was cancer-free just months ago
Sam Neill has died at the age of 78 just months after he revealed he was 'cancer-free' following a long battle with the disease.
The New Zealand actor – who starred in blockbusters such as Jurassic Park and The Piano – died in hospital in Sydney on Monday.
Family described his death as 'sudden and unexpected' in a statement published on his Instagram page. The actor was previously diagnosed with a type of blood cancer.
'It is with immense sadness that the whānau (family) of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13 July, in Sydney, Australia. Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life,' they said.
'The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer-free. They would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent's Private Hospital for their incredible care.
'More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss.'
In April, Neill – who is best known for playing Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise – announced tests had found he was cancer-free.
In an interview with Channel Seven, Neill detailed how close he came to death after chemotherapy stopped working. It was instead a costly, cutting-edge treatment that then prolonged his life.
Neill said: 'I've been living with a particular type of lymphoma for about five years and I was on chemotherapy and it's a pretty miserable business, but it was keeping me alive.
'Then the chemo stopped working. I was at a loss and it looked like I was on the way out, which wasn't ideal obviously.'
Neill underwent a special treatment called CAR T-cell therapy, which genetically modifies a patient's own T-cells to recognise and destroy cancer cells. Private treatment costs around $AUD540,000.
'I've just had a scan just now and there is no cancer in my body, that's an extraordinary thing. I'm very, very excited that this can happen,' he said at the time.
The treatment is in clinical trials to treat another blood cancer, myeloma.
Neill also said he was planning to make a return to acting.
'It's time I did another movie,' he said.
Neill first went public with his cancer battle in 2023, having been diagnosed the previous year after initially experiencing swollen glands.
He found out about his stage-three blood cancer while he was promoting Jurassic World Dominion in 2022.
In that film he reprised his role as Grant alongside original co-stars Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, as well as Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard.
He told Australian Story at the time: 'I'm not in any way frightened of dying. That doesn't worry me. It's never worried me from the beginning, but I would be annoyed.
'I'd be annoyed because there are things I still want to do. Very irritating, dying. But I'm not afraid of it.'
'We've built all these lovely terraces, we've got these olive trees and cypresses, and I want to be around to see it all mature. And I've got my lovely little grandchildren. I want to see them get big.'
Neill, who was born in Northern Ireland to an English mother and a New Zealander father, first disclosed the news of his illness in his memoir Did I Ever Tell You This, where he writes in the first chapter that he is 'possibly dying'.
Reflecting on life at the time, the seasoned actor once again said that he did not fear death, admitting, 'I'm not afraid to die. But it would annoy me. Because I'd really like another decade or two, you know?'
'But as for the dying? I couldn't care less.'
Neill's final social media post, made on June 12 this year, was one of celebration.
The actor attended the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame (ARIA) Hall of Fame ceremony and posed alongside a number of stars, including singers Jenny Morris, Kate Ceberano and Vika and Linda Bull.
'Great night in Sydney. Four women I have idolised for decades were honoured,' he wrote in his caption.
'Jenny was inducted into the Hall by no less than our former New Zealand PM, Jacinda Ardern. Another hero.'
Following news of the celebrated actor's death, social media was inundated with tributes.
'This hits hard. Thanks for the memories, Sam. You've left behind an incredible body of work. Love to your family,' wrote Australian radio host Ben Fordham.
He died "suddenly" btw.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9WKhg7ILfI
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent treats Fox News host Jesse Watters to an exclusive tour of the Treasury Department
https://lite.cnn.com/2026/07/15/politics/susie-wiles-kash-patel-leak
Officials asked to turn over phones at the White House as Wiles, Patel lead intensifying leak probe
Chief of staff Susie Wiles, President Donald Trump’s closest aide, and FBI Director Kash Patel helped personally orchestrate a sprawling investigation last week at the White House aimed at determining who in the government leaked information about the security deficiencies of a Qatari-gifted airplane meant to be used as Air Force One – with some officials being asked to turn over their phones to investigators on White House grounds, sources familiar with the matter told CNN.
Trump had fumed over disclosures about the new plane, sources said, and his government quickly stood up an intense leak probe that roiled the government. As the investigation unfolded, at least one federal agency emailed employees warning that if they were contacted by outside agencies requesting information and devices, they needed to immediately contact their own agency’s attorneys, one source told CNN.
The sources said Patel — who had been preparing to travel to Chicago — was diverted to the White House on Friday to take a hands-on role in running the probe, which became public early the next morning when the New York Times reported that the Justice Department had issued subpoenas to four of its journalists who reported on security concerns surrounding the new plane.
Patel posted up in an office next to Wiles’ for roughly seven hours, as the two established what one source referred to as a “war room” in the West Wing.
In addition to asking for cell phones, investigators sought information from those who were traveling with Trump or had a role in the trip, including officials across various agencies. Not all officials who were asked to turn over their devices did so, one of the sources told CNN.
The effort reflects the extent to which the White House was willing to exert control over a law enforcement investigation — a significant breach of the Justice Department’s historic independence, though one that has become somewhat common in Trump’s administration. CNN has previously reported that Trump also talked with Patel on the phone about the leak investigation.
CNN has reached out to the FBI for comment. A White House official said: “Leaks that jeopardize the safety of the President, his staff, and the traveling press pool are dangerous and a threat to national security. The White House takes these leaks seriously and will do everything legally to ensure the individual or individuals are caught and it does not happen again.”
Journalists and free press advocates have criticized the Justice Department’s move to subpoena the New York Times journalists as an affront to the First Amendment, and the Times has said it plans to fight them in court.
The concerns about the new, $400 million Qatari-gifted jet came to dominate the conversation in Washington last week when Trump abruptly announced he was sending the new plane ahead to England’s Mildenhall Air Force Base just before he departed a NATO summit in Turkey. Trump said in a social media post that the change in planes was simply to give US service members stationed at the base “a chance to tour the Aircraft.” He had previously touted the plane, which was remade and repainted to his tastes.
“Everybody is so excited, and we thought that they should be the first,” he wrote.
Trump departed on an older plane, then switched back at a secure US airbase in the UK. He downplayed the idea that security was the reason for the switch, though sources have told CNN and other outlets that it was.
“There wasn’t a security concern, except we sent it a little early, same line going back. We sent it a little bit early, so that we could let them see,” Trump said.
Sources told CNN that after Trump traveled to Turkey for the summit, the security assessment changed, and Wiles briefed Trump that he would need to leave the country on an older vessel. The Qatari plane, sources said, had been quickly retrofitted with defense capabilities but was still not as secure as the older version, which had been built to protect presidents in overseas travel.
One official previously told CNN that the 747 gifted by Qatar was largely seen by the military and Secret Service as having been “rushed” into service. By contrast, the official noted two new jets acquired as part of a deal Trump renegotiated during his first term have faced serious delays and aren’t expected to be ready until at least 2028. That’s partially due to the host of classified communication and defensive countermeasures that must be affixed, comprehensive design requirements by the military and the time required to train pilots on the unique aircraft.
Eric Daugherty
@EricLDaugh
🚨 JUST IN: Indian illegal alien Jashanpreet Singh — who killed several people in a semi truck — sentenced to a 4 YEARS IN PRISON
He caused several deaths in California and shouldn’t have been here in the first place.
Send him to a foreign prison after deporting him! GTFO.
https://x.com/EricLDaugh/status/2077187250144612453