Latest news with #Wilmington-based
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gavin Newsom demanded $787M from Fox News in his defamation lawsuit. The number isn't a coincidence.
Gavin Newsom alleges Fox News defamed him by misrepresenting a call with Trump. He asked for $787 million in damages, echoing the amount Fox News paid to settle Dominion's lawsuit. Newsom's lawsuit also cites a defamation suit Trump filed against CBS. California Gov. Gavin Newsom sued Fox News on Friday, accusing the media company of defaming him by misrepresenting his interactions with President Donald Trump. The figure Newsom demanded in damages might sound familiar: $787 million. That's nearly identical to the $787.5 million that Fox News and its parent company, Fox Corporation, agreed to pay Dominion Voting Systems in 2023 after the media company promoted falsehoods that the election technology company rigged the 2020 presidential election. Dominion's lawsuit was filed in Delaware Superior Court, the same venue where Newsom filed his lawsuit on Friday. Newsom's private lawyers, Michael Teter and Mark Bankston, worked with the same Wilmington-based law firm that Dominion used, Farnan LLP, to file their suit in the Delaware court. Newsom alleges Fox News defamed him by calling him a liar when he denied speaking with President Donald Trump on June 9. Around that time, Trump had sent National Guard troops to Los Angeles over Newsom's objections. Demonstrators had held protests around the city in opposition to the president's immigration policies. At a press conference on June 10, Trump said he spoke to Newsom "a day ago." In fact, Newsom says, they spoke for 16 minutes around midnight on June 7 Eastern time (or June 6 Pacific time), the day Trump first sent the troops. Newsom posted phone records on social media showing the timing of their call. But his lawsuit says Fox News host John Roberts misled readers about the timing in his own social media posts, anyway. The lawsuit also says Jesse Watters, a Fox opinion host, falsely called him a liar. "Why would Newsom lie and claim Trump never called him? Why would he do that?" Watters said, according to the suit. The chyron on the screen at the time read "Gavin lied about Trump's call," the lawsuit says. Newsom's lawsuit says Fox News hasn't learned the lessons of the Dominion lawsuit, and that it misled its viewers for political reasons. "Unfortunately, the past two years have shown that the Dominion settlement did not serve as the deterrent many had predicted, as Fox has continued to launder the stream of false information flowing out of the White House," the lawsuit says. "Gov. Newsom's transparent publicity stunt is frivolous and designed to chill free speech critical of him," Fox News said in a statement. "We will defend this case vigorously and look forward to it being dismissed." Dominion's lawsuit proved embarrassing for Fox News. Depositions and emails obtained by the election technology company during the litigation process showed that then-host Tucker Carlson said he "passionately" hated Trump and that Rupert Murdoch wanted to make the now-president a "non-person" after the 2020 election. The company is also defending a separate pending lawsuit from Smartmatic, another election technology company that says it was defamed, in a New York court. Fox News has denied the allegations in Smartmatic's case, which remains ongoing. The First Amendment makes it difficult for public figures, like Newsom, to succeed in defamation lawsuits. They must prove in court that the defendant acted with "actual malice," meaning the company or person knew they were lying or recklessly disregarded the truth. In a demand letter to Fox News, Newsom's lawyers said he would voluntarily dismiss the lawsuit if the outlet "retracts the claim that he lied when speaking about President Trump not calling him on June 9," and Watters issues an on-air apology. "If Fox News wants to lie to the American people on Donald Trump's behalf, it should face consequences — just like it did in the Dominion case," Newsom said in a statement. "I believe the American people should be able to trust the information they receive from a major news outlet. Until Fox is willing to be truthful, I will keep fighting against their propaganda machine." Trump himself has sued numerous media outlets, many having been dismissed. Disney settled a lawsuit with him earlier this year, and he is in ongoing settlement discussions with Paramount over a "60 Minutes" episode on CBS News that he says misleadingly edited an interview with Kamala Harris. Trump sued CBS in Texas, alleging it violated the state's consumer protection laws by editing an interview with Kamala Harris in a way he says is misleading. Newsom sued Fox on Friday under a similar California law. He said Fox "intentionally misled the public by purposefully broadcasting a deceptively edited video." "As President Trump has stated in his own complaint, 'News organizations…are responsible for accurately reporting the truth of events, not distorting an interview to try and falsely make their preferred candidate appear coherent and decisive,'" Newsom's lawsuit says, quoting from Trump's. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
Gavin Newsom demanded $787M from Fox News in his defamation lawsuit. The number isn't a coincidence.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom sued Fox News on Friday, accusing the media company of defaming him by misrepresenting his interactions with President Donald Trump. The figure Newsom demanded in damages might sound familiar: $787 million. That's nearly identical to the $787.5 million that Fox News and its parent company, Fox Corporation, agreed to pay Dominion Voting Systems in 2023 after the media company promoted falsehoods that the election technology company rigged the 2020 presidential election. Dominion's lawsuit was filed in Delaware Superior Court, the same venue where Newsom filed his lawsuit on Friday. Newsom's private lawyers, Michael Teter and Mark Bankston, worked with the same Wilmington-based law firm that Dominion used, Farnan LLP, to file their suit in the Delaware court. Newsom alleges Fox News defamed him by calling him a liar when he denied speaking with President Donald Trump on June 9. Around that time, Trump had sent National Guard troops to Los Angeles over Newsom's objections. Demonstrators had held protests around the city in opposition to the president's immigration policies. At a press conference on June 10, Trump said he spoke to Newsom "a day ago." In fact, Newsom says, they spoke for 16 minutes around midnight on June 7 Eastern time (or June 6 Pacific time), the day Trump first sent the troops. Newsom posted phone records on social media showing the timing of their call. But his lawsuit says Fox News host John Roberts misled readers about the timing in his own social media posts, anyway. The lawsuit also says Jesse Watters, a Fox opinion host, falsely called him a liar. "Why would Newsom lie and claim Trump never called him? Why would he do that?" Watters said, according to the suit. The chyron on the screen at the time read "Gavin lied about Trump's call," the lawsuit says. Newsom's lawsuit says Fox News hasn't learned the lessons of the Dominion lawsuit, and that it misled its viewers for political reasons. "Unfortunately, the past two years have shown that the Dominion settlement did not serve as the deterrent many had predicted, as Fox has continued to launder the stream of false information flowing out of the White House," the lawsuit says. "Gov. Newsom's transparent publicity stunt is frivolous and designed to chill free speech critical of him," Fox News said in a statement. "We will defend this case vigorously and look forward to it being dismissed." Dominion's lawsuit proved embarrassing for Fox News. Depositions and emails obtained by the election technology company during the litigation process showed that then-host Tucker Carlson said he "passionately" hated Trump and that Rupert Murdoch wanted to make the now-president a "non-person" after the 2020 election. The company is also defending a separate pending lawsuit from Smartmatic, another election technology company that says it was defamed, in a New York court. Fox News has denied the allegations in Smartmatic's case, which remains ongoing. Defamation cases against public figures aren't an easy win The First Amendment makes it difficult for public figures, like Newsom, to succeed in defamation lawsuits. They must prove in court that the defendant acted with "actual malice," meaning the company or person knew they were lying or recklessly disregarded the truth. In a demand letter to Fox News, Newsom's lawyers said he would voluntarily dismiss the lawsuit if the outlet "retracts the claim that he lied when speaking about President Trump not calling him on June 9," and Watters issues an on-air apology. "If Fox News wants to lie to the American people on Donald Trump's behalf, it should face consequences — just like it did in the Dominion case," Newsom said in a statement. "I believe the American people should be able to trust the information they receive from a major news outlet. Until Fox is willing to be truthful, I will keep fighting against their propaganda machine." Trump himself has sued numerous media outlets, many having been dismissed. Disney settled a lawsuit with him earlier this year, and he is in ongoing settlement discussions with Paramount over a "60 Minutes" episode on CBS News that he says misleadingly edited an interview with Kamala Harris. Trump sued CBS in Texas, alleging it violated the state's consumer protection laws by editing an interview with Kamala Harris in a way he says is misleading. Newsom sued Fox on Friday under a similar California law. He said Fox "intentionally misled the public by purposefully broadcasting a deceptively edited video." "As President Trump has stated in his own complaint, 'News organizations…are responsible for accurately reporting the truth of events, not distorting an interview to try and falsely make their preferred candidate appear coherent and decisive,'" Newsom's lawsuit says, quoting from Trump's.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Free furniture, home essentials offered to Wilmington families in need
A couch, a bed, a kitchen table — basic items many take for granted — are often missing when some Delaware families first move into housing. A new Wilmington-based initiative is working to change that. The Foundation Project, launched by Wilmington City Council member and business owner Alexander Hackett, provides free furniture and household essentials to first-time renters, homebuyers, seniors and residents receiving housing assistance. The goal is to help families build a stable foundation once they've moved into the home. Since its soft launch in June, Hackett says the program has already served more than 75 families with items like sofas, beds, dressers and nightstands. What began with deliveries from trucks and cars is now moving to a publicly accessible location. The Foundation Project will open its new hub inside the Wilmington Public Library's Dickinson Room at 10 E. 10th St. While large item deliveries will continue, residents will also be able to browse in person. HERE TO HELP: These Delaware programs bring essential resources directly to residents in need Available items range from electronics like Echo Dot smart speakers and Ring cameras to everyday essentials like soap, laundry detergent and deodorant. Both new and gently used furniture—like couches, beds, and tables—will be available, as well as kitchenware. The effort is supported by partnerships with local businesses and organizations, allowing the program, through its parent organization Community Cares, to distribute an estimated $50,000 to $60,000 in goods back into the community, Hackett said. But the initiative goes beyond material support. Hackett says the mission is about creating long-term stability. 'The first step is getting the housing,' he said. 'We want to continue to be part of the support system that helps build the foundation for our families in the state of Delaware.' The grand opening for the Foundation Project is set for June 21, with regular hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hackett encourages qualifying residents to visit the Foundation Project's new location and take advantage of the resources available. You can contact staff reporter Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Free home goods project helps low-income Wilmington residents in need
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Major weapons manufacturer to lay off over 60 Mass. employees this summer
Lockheed Martin will lay off 64 employees from its Andover facility this summer, per a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) notice. The WARN report for the week of May 9 states that the layoffs will take effect no later than July 5. According to a report from Boston Business Journal, the layoffs will primarily impact team members in engineering and product operations and quality. A representative for the Maryland-based weapons and aerospace manufacturer told the journal that the decision was 'part of an annual business review,' but did not elaborate on the reasons behind the cuts. The Andover facility on Dascomb Road is one of Lockheed Martin's Missiles and Fire Control locations. According to the company's website, the building is the 'official home and single site' for developing, testing, and producing the company's GridStar Flow Battery project. Of the 10 Missiles and Fire Control locations listed on the company's website, only two are in Massachusetts. The second location, in Chelmsford, employs 350 people and was not mentioned in the WARN report. The news marks another round of major layoffs impacting Andover workers this summer; the Wilmington-based company Symbotic LLC will also lay off 400 employees from its Andover facility by the end of June. Longtime scouting exec leaves Patriots organization Springfield protests loss of $20M federal grant to protect environment Ethics Commission accuses retired MBTA manager of violating conflict of interest law 'Such a stain': Here's what pushed a major Trump loyalist to break with him Trump's 'big beautiful bill?' Not so much, Mass. pols say, as GOP rolls it out Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
400 layoffs planned at former Walmart robotics unit in Massachusetts
A Massachusetts automation company has announced plans to lay off hundreds of employees at a facility it purchased from Walmart earlier this year. Wilmington-based Symbiotic LLC, which develops automated warehouse technology, will cut 400 jobs at the Andover location by June 27, according to a Massachusetts Workers Adjustment Retraining Notice filed with the state on April 29. Symbiotic acquired the Andover robotics unit from Walmart for $200 million, according to a Jan. 16, 2025, press release, and up to an additional $350 million in the future, as part of an ongoing relationship between the two companies, which started in 2017. The automation company said at the time that it would develop further supply chain technology to provide 'accelerated pickup and delivery options' for Walmart customers. In turn, Walmart agreed to deploy Symbiotic technology in at least 400 of its stores over the next few years, paying the company $520 million. According to the company, the layoffs are part of Symbiotic's process of combining the robotics unit with its own existing operations. 'While [layoff] decisions like these are always difficult, we made them following a thorough post-close review of our operations to ensure we are best positioned for the future with an effective structure to continue executing our long-term growth strategy,' the company said in a statement. 'We appreciate the contributions of the impacted employees and are committed to treating every employee respectfully during this change.' Famous British rocker shares colorful exchange on stage with fan Crypto surges Trump's wealth as consumer confidence hits post-pandemic low Mass. State Lottery winner: $100,000 prize won at Boston grocery store '70s rock star plays band's classic hits at first full show in 5 years Department of Justice ends 9-year oversight of Worcester schools Sign in to access your portfolio
