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Trump inauguration moved inside U.S. Capitol amid predictions of Arctic blast

1 year 2 months ago
WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump announced Friday he will move his inauguration inside the U.S. Capitol building, instead of holding it on the terrace overlooking the National Mall, citing weather forecasts for frigid temperatures. The inauguration was scheduled to begin around 11:30 a.m. Eastern on Monday, but it wasn’t immediately clear if that would change […]
Jennifer Shutt

Banning TikTok enables online censorship

1 year 2 months ago

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Supreme Court today upheld the federal law passed last year to ban TikTok, accepting the government’s arguments that national security threats posed by the foreign ownership of TikTok’s parent company justify the ban.

This is despite U.S. officials acknowledging they have no actual evidence China is using TikTok to spy on Americans, and lawmakers having admitted the real reason for the ban is that they didn’t like what people were saying on TikTok, particularly about the Israel-Gaza war.

Seth Stern, director of advocacy at Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF), commented:

“It’s particularly ironic that the Supreme Court is upholding the ban on national security grounds when both the incoming and outgoing presidents are backtracking from their prior support of the ban. Are they implying that neither administration cares about national security? It appears this ban was a political stunt that the Biden administration didn’t expect would ever become law. But now it has, and it might not even be enforced. All we might be left with at the end of the day is a Supreme Court opinion that weakens First Amendment freedoms on the internet.

The Supreme Court cites China’s law requiring Chinese companies to cooperate with government surveillance efforts, but omits that the U.S. Congress passed a law just last year allowing the government to involuntarily enlist U.S. businesses to spy on its behalf. This opinion practically begs foreign governments to ban American apps for the same reasons America banned TikTok. If we don’t like China’s practices on surveillance and censorship we should stop adopting them back home.”

Prior to the TikTok case, the Supreme Court had recognized that Americans are entitled to consume foreign propaganda if they so choose and that hypothetical national security harms are not an adequate justification for censoring speech. The Supreme Court avoided those issues by focusing on data privacy and glossing over free speech concerns.

But Stern said “a ban will not alleviate privacy threats posed by TikTok because the U.S. still does not have a comprehensive data privacy law. It may, however, shut down a platform millions of Americans, including journalists, use to speak freely.”

Please contact us if you would like further comment.

Freedom of the Press Foundation

New rules target middlemen in Missouri cannabis industry to prevent ‘predatory’ practices

1 year 2 months ago
Missouri cannabis consultant John Payne appeared on 329 social-equity license applications last year as the designated contact — the person who handles all communications with state regulators. Amanda Kilroe, an attorney with the Michigan-based group CannaZoned, was listed on another 94. Arizona-based cannabis investor Michael Halow is associated with at least a dozen designated contacts that were listed on about 600 applications last year. The designated-contact role was envisioned as a way…
Rebecca Rivas

Community Unites to Support Weathers Family After Shiloh House Fire

1 year 2 months ago
SHILOH - In the wake of a devastating house fire that left the Weathers family homeless, community members are rallying to support them through a fundraiser organized by Emily Heightman and Rob Ayres. The fire occurred on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Shiloh, resulting in a total loss of the family’s home, although all family members and their pets were unharmed. The Weathers family, known for their generosity and active involvement in local community initiatives, now faces the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. Heightman and Ayres have launched this fundraiser to assist with the long-term recovery process, emphasizing that any contribution, regardless of size, would be greatly appreciated. “Rebuilding will be a long journey, and we’re seeking help to cover long-term recovery,” said Heightman. “Thank you for your kindness and generosity in this difficult time for the Weathers family.” To contribute to the Weathers family's recovery, donations

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Staunton Man Released After DUI, Child Endangerment, Leaving Scene

1 year 2 months ago
EAST ALTON - A Staunton resident has been released from custody after driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident in East Alton with four child passengers in his uninsured vehicle. Joseph S. Smart, 35, of Staunton, was charged with aggravated driving while under the influence (a Class 4 felony), leaving the scene of an accident (a Class A misdemeanor), four counts of endangering the life or health of a child (each Class A misdemeanors) and Improper lane usage (petty offense). On Dec. 7, 2024, Smart allegedly operated a red Dodge Ram 1500 while under the influence of alcohol on West Macarthur Drive in East Alton. Smart reportedly veered into another lane before colliding with a silver 2020 Mercedes SUV and leaving the scene of the accident. The vehicle, which was not covered by an insurance policy, contained four child passengers who were ages 1, 3, 5, and 8 at the time of the incident. Smart is accused of knowingly placing the children in circumstances that

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