With PBS funding cut, the next generation will be raised by ‘Skibidi Toilet'
A Republican-backed package that slashes billions from the federal budget including funding for NPR and PBS passed through the Senate this week, putting a slate of beloved PBS Kids shows in jeopardy, the network says. Democratic politicians took to social media to condemn the cuts, some citing the role PBS programming has historically played for kids and families. Some Republicans, meanwhile, alleged that PBS censors conservative views while promoting progressive politics.
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Boston Globe
15 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
Texas dispute highlights nation's long history of partisan gerrymandering. Is it legal?
Who is responsible for gerrymandering? In many states, like Texas, the state legislature is responsible for drawing congressional districts, subject to the approval or veto of the governor. District maps must be redrawn every 10 years, after each census, to balance the population in districts. But in some states, nothing prevents legislatures from conducting redistricting more often. In an effort to limit gerrymandering, some states have entrusted redistricting to special commissions composed of citizens or bipartisan panels of politicians. Democratic officials in some states with commissions are now talking of trying to sidestep them to counter Republican redistricting in Texas. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up How does a gerrymander work? Advertisement If a political party controls both the legislature and governor's office — or has such a large legislative majority that it can override vetoes — it can effectively draw districts to its advantage. One common method of gerrymandering is for a majority party to draw maps that pack voters who support the opposing party into a few districts, thus allowing the majority party to win a greater number of surrounding districts. Another common method is for the majority party to dilute the power of an opposing party's voters by spreading them among multiple districts. Why is it called gerrymandering? The term dates to 1812, when Massachusetts Gov. Elbridge Gerry signed a bill redrawing state Senate districts to benefit the Democratic-Republican Party. Some thought an oddly shaped district looked like a salamander. A newspaper illustration dubbed it 'The Gerry-mander' — a term that later came to describe any district drawn for political advantage. Gerry lost re-election as governor in 1812 but won election that same year as vice president with President James Madison. Advertisement Is political gerrymandering illegal? Not under the U.S. Constitution. The Supreme Court, in a 2019 case originating from North Carolina, ruled that federal courts have no authority to decide whether partisan gerrymandering goes too far. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote: 'The Constitution supplies no objective measure for assessing whether a districting map treats a political party fairly.' The Supreme Court noted that partisan gerrymandering claims could continue to be decided in state courts under their own constitutions and laws. But some state courts, including North Carolina's highest court, have ruled that they also have no authority to decide partisan gerrymandering claims. Are there any limits on redistricting? Yes. Though it's difficult to challenge legislative districts on political grounds, the Supreme Court has upheld challenges on racial grounds. In a 2023 case from Alabama, the high court said the congressional districts drawn by the state's Republican-led Legislature likely violated the Voting Rights Act by diluting the voting strength of Black residents. The court let a similar claim proceed in Louisiana. Both states subsequently redrew their districts. What does data show about gerrymandering? Statisticians and political scientists have developed a variety of ways to try to quantify the partisan advantage that may be attributable to gerrymandering. Republicans, who control redistricting in more states than Democrats, used the 2010 census data to create a strong gerrymander. An Associated Press analysis of that decade's redistricting found that Republicans enjoyed a greater political advantage in more states than either party had in the past 50 years. Advertisement But Democrats responded to match Republican gerrymandering after the 2020 census. The adoption of redistricting commissions also limited gerrymandering in some states. An AP analysis of the 2022 elections — the first under new maps — found that Republicans won just one more U.S. House seat than would have been expected based on the average share of the vote they received nationwide. That was one of the most politically balanced outcomes in years.
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump on Sydney Sweeney controversy: If she's Republican, ‘I think her ad is fantastic'
President Trump on Sunday weighed in on actor Sydney Sweeney and her recent controversial ad campaign with American Eagle. 'You'd be surprised at how many people are Republicans,' the president said after a reporter stated that the 'White Lotus' and 'Euphoria' star is a registered Republican. 'That's what I wouldn't have known, but I'm glad you told me that. If Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic,' the president said while en route back to Washington on Sunday evening from Bedminster, N.J. BuzzFeed reported over the weekend that Sweeney has been registered to the Republican Party of Florida since June 2024. The ad featuring Sweeney has caused backlash online, with social media users criticizing what they claim are racist undertones surrounding the campaign's message that Sweeney 'has great jeans,' a riff on the idea of 'good genes.' 'Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color,' Sweeney says in one video. 'My jeans are blue.' Vice President Vance mocked critics of the ad in a recent interview, blaming Democrats for those who argue the commercial backs eugenics. 'So you have a pretty girl doing a jeans ad and they can't help but freak out. It reveals a lot more about them than it does us. No question,' Vance said on the 'Ruthless Podcast.' White House communications director Steven Cheung pointed to the backlash as an example of 'cancel culture run amok.' The Hill has reached out to a contact for Sweeney for comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Catherine Zeta-Jones & Michael Douglas Reportedly In Trouble In Paradise Phase After His Retirement
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas have allegedly hit a rough patch ahead of their 25th wedding anniversary. The famous couple is entertainment royalty for their stellar achievements in the industry and their years-long relationship. However, their blissful marriage, per sources, is not what it used to be after the "Basic Instinct" actor's retirement. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas tied the knot in 2000 and welcomed two children, son Dylan and daughter Carys. Despite their 25-year age gap, the couple withstood the test of time and their differences, including a brief split in 2013. Catherine Zeta-Jones & Michael Douglas Are Allegedly Facing A New Relationship Challenge According to new reports, Douglas's decision to leave the entertainment industry has allegedly impacted his marriage to Zeta-Jones negatively. An insider claimed the renowned actress wasn't upset that her husband chose to retire; instead, she was displeased by the amount of free time he had. "She's not begrudging him the right to give up his career, but knows it means they'll spend more time together, and she's not going to get the quiet and peace of mind she likes. It's going to be a challenge for Catherine having Michael around so much," the insider explained, telling RadarOnline: "The marriage has worked best when they had space from each other. At one point, they were living in separate houses in Connecticut, and Catherine loved having her freedom." The Oscar-winning Actress Reportedly Needs Space From Her Husband The source added that Zeta-Jones wasn't the type to enjoy spending time idly with her lover, noting that her need for peace and independence was stronger after her children left home. She wasn't the only one dealing with the empty nest syndrome, but Douglas chose to fill that space with her presence. Zeta-Jones reportedly did not wish to spend all her time with her husband and pushed him to attend events alone or travel, according to the source. "She'd like more space, but she's not going to get it, and he'll be around needing her to take care of him," they alleged. "She knew the day would come with their 25-year age gap, but now that it's here, it's daunting," the source claimed. Douglas became Zeta-Jones' problem after he announced his plans to retire at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Czech Republic. However, he implied he might return someday. More About The Longtime Couple's Relationship Douglas fell first for Zeta-Jones after getting enthralled by her performance in "Mask of Zorro." He asked his publicist to set up a meeting in 1998 and tried to sweep the actress off her feet with the bold statement: "I'm going to be the father of your children." Unfortunately, his attempts to be smooth fell flat, and Zeta-Jones left utterly disappointed by his words. Despite failing to leave the best first impression, Douglas did not give up and had roses waiting for the entertainer when she arrived on a small island in Scotland to film "Entrapment." Their relationship kicked off, and Douglas wasted no time ensuring his bold declaration became a reality. He proposed to Zeta-Jones in December 1999 while they were on a New Year's Eve trip to Aspen, per PEOPLE. Shortly after their engagement, they announced they were expecting their first child and welcomed their son in August 2000. The Lovebirds Were Briefly Separated In 2013 Months after welcoming their son, Douglas and Zeta-Jones said their vows on November 18, 2000. They welcomed their daughter three years later in April 2003 and remained united for years throughout their public battles, including the actor's throat cancer diagnosis in 2010. The couple proudly celebrated Douglas becoming cancer-free in 2011, opening up about how their love and support for each other helped them overcome his health battle. Surprisingly, their tune changed in August 2013 when they announced their separation. At the time, a source claimed Douglas's cancer battle and Zeta-Jones's bipolar II disorder had strained their relationship. Fortunately, the split was brief, with Douglas announcing they were working things out in September 2013. The lovebirds reunited and made their first public appearance at the annual Monte Cristo Awards in April 2014. Catherine Zeta-Jones Raved About Her Marriage To Michael Douglas Eight years after their reunion, Zeta-Jones proved she and Douglas were still going strong during a 2022 appearance on "Late Night with Seth Meyers." She noted how fantastic it was to mark her 22nd wedding anniversary, per Independent, raving: "Can you imagine 22 years? And we have the same birthday. So 25 September is our same birthday. 25 years difference. Not the same day." Zeta-Jones echoed similar sentiments a month before the interview at the Los Angeles premiere of Tim Burton's "Wednesday" series. The Blast covered the story, reporting that she felt blessed to be married to Douglas. "I lucked out big time. He's a wonderful husband. He's a wonderful father," the actress declared. Can Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas overcome the alleged rough patch in their marriage?
