Senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Ron Wyden of Oregon have introduced legislation that would allow American citizens and broadcasters to sue FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and other officials when targeted for constitutionally-protected speech and expression. thedesk.net/2026/06/jawbone-…

Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) faked a phone call for roughly 90 seconds after being asked about Speaker Mike Johnson’s comments regarding potential Social Security cuts. The phone's screen remained visible, with his cheek inadvertently tapping different parts of the display.

Go work in local news and your assignments might involve fewer press conferences in windowless rooms and more going out on boats to check on restoration efforts of historic island lighthouses.

10 years ago today:

Palm Beach and a Trump company reached a tentative trademark deal to rename PBI -Airport stores can only buy branded merchandise from Trump org approved retailers -Gives Trump veto power over any biographical info in airport marketing materials miamiherald.com/news/politic…

AG Todd Blanche tells Kristen Welker that individuals selling 86 merchandise or posting messages similar to Comey’s seashell post will not be prosecuted: “Of course not. That’s posted constantly. That phrase is used constantly.”

Spirit Airlines literally says in their press release that rising jet fuel costs — not their failed merger with JetBlue — is the reason why they've been forced to shut down.

Spirit Airlines did not shut down because the company was not allowed to merge with JetBlue. It's pretty clear that Spirit Airlines shut down because the cost of aviation fuel skyrocketed. What caused that?

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President Trump turns 80 in June

New: McClatchy journalists at newspapers in 4 states are now withholding their bylines from A.I.-generated content as tensions grow over a "content scaling agent" tool that the company rolled out nytimes.com/2026/05/01/busin…

Nexstar fires back: “By aligning with private equity-backed DIRECTV, these misguided attorneys general are strangling local journalism – the most trusted source of independent, fact-based news available to Americans. The AGs, none of whom has a track record of advocating for local media, would do well to understand the industry they purport to protect. They should also recognize the binding commitments Nexstar has made to increase the amount of local news coverage in many markets, including today's settlement with the Ohio Attorney General.  And they should be far more wary of the real drivers of the decline of local news: the unchecked rise of Big Tech platforms, the spread of misinformation on social media, and the economic pressures that have already led to widespread newsroom closures. Tellingly, none of them appeared on local broadcast news to discuss this issue, but their social media posts were immediate.    In today’s media landscape, multi-billion-dollar technology companies compete directly with local broadcasters while facing none of the same ownership, reach, or size constraints, putting untenable pressure on the economic model that supports local news. The alternative to this deal is not more independently owned outlets – it’s the demise of your local broadcast station.”

NEW: A federal lawsuit by state AGs to stop the acquisition of TEGNA (9NEWS) by Nexstar (FOX31) is expanding and newly bipartisan. Five new AGs have joined the effort today, including Republican AGs from Indiana, Kansas, and Pennsylvania.

#BREAKING: Five more states have joined in an federal antitrust lawsuit filed against Nexstar over its acquisition of TEGNA stations. The new states are Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Vermont. Statement from @AGRobBonta below... $NXST $TGNA

Yeah, not so fast. Nexstar can break the agreement based on a "materially adverse change" in economic conditions, which could something as simple as the Fed cutting or raising interest rates or ongoing softness in the ad market. So, it's practically worthless. $NXST

NEW: Ohio's Republican AG announces a deal with Nexstar to preserve the independent newsrooms of two formerly TEGNA-owned TV stations in Cleveland and Columbus until 2031. Dem AGs are suing to stop fully block the Nexstar (Denver's FOX31) acquisition of TEGNA (Denver's 9NEWS).

Former DOJ official tells me: "This might be the worst case DOJ has filed in my lifetime."

An editor friend texts me: "So on the day Trump adds his photo to passports, his DOJ indicts one of his top enemies over seashells and the FCC goes after a comedian for being mean. Amazing. I don't think Trump learned the lesson of free speech from the dinner."

A reminder that the FCC approved Nexstar's acquisition of TEGNA, despite a senior executive saying under oath that Nexstar maintains DEI as part of its "corporate philosophy," as we reported in January. thedesk.net/2026/01/nexstar-… $DIS $NXST

NEW: Disney confirms it has "received the Federal Communications Commission’s order initiating an accelerated review of the licenses held by ABC’s owned television stations." Disney spokesperson says company is "confident that record demonstrates our continued qualifications as licensees under the Communications Act and the First Amendment and are prepared to show that through the appropriate legal channels."