Week In Review
- Elissa D. Hecker - Editor
- Feb 2
- 14 min read
By Giancarla Sambo
Edited by Elissa D. Hecker
Below, for your browsing convenience, the categories are divided into: Entertainment, Arts, Sports, Technology/Media, and General News:
Entertainment
Sundance Says Thank You, and Goodbye, to Park City
“It’s hard not to feel a disturbance in the force,” said Ethan Hawke, whose acting career took off after his early movies appeared at the Utah festival in the 1990s.
Ye Apologizes for Antisemitic Behavior, Again
The artist formerly known as Kanye West, who first apologized in 2023 before taking it back, said a four-month manic episode in 2025 had led him to embrace swastikas and Hitler.
Amazon’s Promotion of ‘Melania’ Has Critics Questioning Its Motives
The tech giant is spending $35 million to promote its film about the first lady, far more than is typical for documentaries.
As Music Industry Readies for Grammys, Entertainment Veteran Joseph Marsh Files Lawsuit Against BBR Music Group/BMG on Behalf of Multi-Platinum Artist Jimmie Allen
Entertainment producer Joseph Marsh filed a lawsuit in Tennessee against This Is Hit, Inc., d/b/a BBR Music Group, a BMG subsidiary. The complaint alleges breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and misrepresentation stemming from BBR's treatment of multi-platinum artist Jimmie Allen.
Judge Sides with Cardi B, Fines Lawyer $1,500 for Asking Her About Potential Gang Affiliation During Trial: Reports
A judge wrote that lawyer Ron A. Rosen Janfaza violated court order by asking the rapper, "Do you have any affiliation at this time with a gang?"
50 Cent’s Ex-Girlfriend Claims She Signed Her Life Rights Away Out of ‘Fear’
Shaniqua Tompkins alleges the rapper’s late manager coerced her into signing the exclusive agreement.
Pharrell Accused of Cutting Longtime Collaborator Out of Profits and Deals
Chad Hugo is suing Pharrell Williams again, accusing him of withholding profits from N.E.R.D. and The Neptunes, according to a California federal court complaint filed on Jan. 23 and obtained by USA TODAY on Jan. 27.
‘Copshop’ Writer Settles Lawsuit Against Managers Over Conflict of Interest on Pay
Kurt McLeod accused his managers, who produced the movie he wrote, of prioritizing their compensation by failing to disclose a substantial increase to the film's budget.
Arts
Philip Glass Withdraws from Kennedy Center, as Its Symphony Vows to Play On
Amid cancellations and turmoil, the National Symphony Orchestra is planning to stay. “I cannot make everybody happy,” its conductor said.
Trump Shuts Down Kennedy Center After Artists Keep Canceling
President Donald Trump is shuttering the Kennedy Center for a MAGA makeover after a series of cancellations at the venue. Nearly a year after taking over the storied cultural institution, he announced on Truth Social that he would “temporarily” close the center for “Construction, Revitalization, and Complete Rebuilding.” Trump, who has attempted to rename the Kennedy Center after himself, said it would cease “Entertainment Operations” on July 4 for roughly two years. With difficulty booking talent, the Kennedy Center has leaned on programming tied to the president and his family, such as the premiere of Melania, the first lady’s vanity documentary. Meanwhile, ticket sales at the center fell sharply in 2025. The annual Kennedy Center Honors, hosted by Trump in December, also attracted its smallest-ever audience.
She Fought a Book Ban. She May Never Teach Again.
Summer Boismier, a high school English teacher in Oklahoma, lost her teaching license after she protested a book ban. Now she is fighting to return to the classroom.
Educator Who Read ‘I Need a New Butt!’ to Students Wins Job Back in Court
An appellate court ruled that the firing of the former assistant principal of an elementary school in Mississippi in 2022 had been “arbitrary and capricious.”
Art for All: A Smithsonian Museum Spreads Its Bounty for America’s 250th
The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden will loan scores of modern and contemporary masterworks in storage to museums in 50 states.
Judge Weighs Trump’s Removal of Slavery Markers from George Washington’s House
The administration has ordered that further changes be made to Independence National Historical Park, according to internal National Park Service documents obtained by The New York Times.
In Minneapolis, Knitters Are Protesting with Red Hats
The red tasseled hats are at the heart of a movement to galvanize opposition to Immigration and Custom Enforcement in Minnesota and beyond.
Sports
Outcry in Italy as U.S. Says ICE Agents Will Join Olympics Delegation
The Italian government said it had requested clarification from American diplomats after D.H.S. said that ICE agents would help secure the U.S. Olympic delegation next week in northern Italy.
Ysiel Puig Was Once One of MLB's Most Exciting Players. Now He Is on Trial.
Puig has been charged with obstruction of justice and making false statements to investigators, and is facing a maximum of 20 years in federal prison — though any penalty could be much lower.
Russian athletes are back for the Winter Olympics, again in a stateless existence.
Russian athletes will return to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina as "Individual Neutral Athletes" (AIN), competing without national symbols, flags or anthems because of sanctions linked to the Ukraine invasion. Only a small, approved group of Russian athletes will participate in a stateless, individual capacity.
Stanford University and Family of Women’s Soccer Captain Katie Meyer Settle Wrongful Death SuitStanford University and Katie Meyer's family settled a wrongful death lawsuit over her 2022 suicide. The agreement, with undisclosed monetary terms, includes creating the "Katie Meyer Leadership Award," starting a mental health initiative, and adopting "Katie's Law" to support students in disciplinary cases.
Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track League Owes $40.68m, According to New Filings
Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track league has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, showing over $40 million in debt with less than $1 million in assets. The startup aimed to transform track sports but did not finish its first season, leaving more than 300 creditors, including athletes and vendors, unpaid.
New USA Hockey Policy Restricts Transgender Player Access to Certain Programs
Starting April 1, 2026, a new USA Hockey eligibility policy prohibits transgender athletes from competing in sex-segregated programs (such as girls'/women's hockey), requiring participation according to sex assigned at birth. Transgender men undergoing hormone therapy are not allowed on women's teams, and the policy also applies to adult recreational leagues.
As Athletes Fill Their Homes with Treasures, Thieves Take Note
A recent uptick in burglaries of sports stars’ homes has league officials and law enforcement on alert.
How Widespread Sports Betting Affects NFL Players
Sports betting is common, with a 2026 New York Times survey showing many NFL players face aggressive fans about lost wagers or fantasy results. Few players participate, but gambling influences fan interactions. This, combined with alcohol and rivalries, shapes the NFL game environment.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7003985/2026/01/29/nfl-player-poll-sports-betting-fantasy-football/
Former NBA Player Amari Bailey Pursuing Landmark College Basketball ReturnFormer UCLA guard Amari Bailey, who played 10 NBA games with the Charlotte Hornets, wants to be the first NBA player to return to college basketball. Bailey's attorney, Elliot Abrams, confirmed to The Athletic that he will pursue a return to college, as first reported by ESPN.
Government Regulators Approve ESPN Acquiring NFL Media Assets
Government regulators approved ESPN’s $1 billion acquisition of NFL Media assets, and the deal closed on Saturday. The NFL will hold a 10% stake in ESPN, which will own and operate NFL Network, becoming the official home of fantasy football by merging NFL’s product with its own, and holding linear rights to the RedZone Channel.
Why MLB Stars Are Being Told They Can't Play in the World Baseball ClassicMLB stars are restricted from playing in the 2026 WBC mainly because insurance companies refuse coverage for players with recent or significant injuries. This prevents clubs from risking guaranteed salaries if injuries occur during the tournament, leading stars like Lindor, Altuve, and Correa to sit out.
Christian Coleman Faces Charges from Girlfriend Sha’Carri Richardson’s Speeding Incident
According to reports, U.S. Olympic sprinter Christian Coleman was not accused by his girlfriend, Sha'Carri Richardson. Instead, he was arrested with her during a traffic stop in Orange County, Florida.
Allan Saint-Maximin Leaves Club America After ‘Acts of Racism’ Against His DaughtersAllan Saint-Maximin's brief stint with Club América ended abruptly just months after his arrival in Mexico, with the club announcing his departure two days after he revealed that his children had been targeted by racist attacks. The 28-year-old former Newcastle United winger signed a two-year, $10 million deal in August but made only 15 appearances before leaving on Saturday. Club América said it supported Saint-Maximin in his exit, but details of the incident remain undisclosed.
Jeffrey Epstein Arranged Two Meetings with Todd Boehly After Disgraced Financier’s First Jail Term
Todd Boehly, Chelsea's chairman and part-owner, had two meetings with Jeffrey Epstein, according to emails released by the U.S. Department of Justice. Sent in 2011, the emails show Epstein sought an introduction to Boehly, then a managing partner at Guggenheim Partners, likely through investor David Mitchell.
Jeffrey Epstein Also Scouted Women for New York Giants Co-Owner Steve Tisch, Emails Show
Jeffrey Epstein connected New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch with many women, according to over 3 million documents released by the Justice Department. The emails, from mundane to profane, include Epstein asking if Tisch will come over and a question about contact with a woman.
Technology/Media
TikTok Settles Social Media Addiction Lawsuit Ahead of a Landmark Trial
The settlement means TikTok will avoid a trial where plaintiffs had planned to argue that social media platforms are inherently defective and subject to personal injury liability.
TikTok Blames Technical Problems After Users Claimed It Blocked ICE Posts
Some users had accused the app of blocking them from posting videos about Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The app said it was a power outage issue.
UMG Sues Anthropic For $3bn Over ‘Brazen’ Copyright Infringement Of 20,000+ Songs
A coalition of music publishers filed a second, significant copyright infringement lawsuit against AI company Anthropic, seeking over $3 billion in damages for infringing more than 20,000 songs. The suit, filed on January 28 in California, marks a major escalation from their October 2023 lawsuit against Anthropic, which involved around 500 works and $75 million in damages.
Brendan Carr Responds to Kimmel Over New FCC Equal Time Rules: “If You’re Fake News, You’re Not Going to Qualify”
In a monthly FCC press conference, Carr said that shows that don't want to comply with the standard can instead stream their shows, or move to cable.
Stealing Isn't Innovation
Big Tech is trying to change the law so they can keep stealing American artistry to build their Al businesses - without authorization and without paying the people who did the work.
Record Labels, Spotify Sue Pirate Group Anna’s Archive Over Scraping And ‘Brazen Theft’ Of Millions of Tracks
Last month, Anna’s Archive, a “decentralized group of online piracy websites," revealed it scraped 86 million music files from Spotify and planned to release them via BitTorrent. The three major music companies, Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, and Spotify filed a lawsuit against Anna’s Archive, formerly known as the “Pirate Library Mirror." The complaint accuses it of “brazen theft" of millions of files containing nearly all the world’s commercial sound recordings.
Nvidia Accused of Trying to Cut a Deal with Anna’s Archive for High‑Speed Access to the Massive Pirated Book Haul — Allegedly Chased Stolen Data to Fuel Its LLMs
Court documents appear to show Nvidia management greenlit the deal, despite Anna’s Archive’s warnings.
Washington Post Reverses Decision on Olympics Coverage
The newspaper will send a small team of reporters to cover the Olympics after it informed sports journalists that the paper would not send a group.
Meta Campaigns to Change Opinions on Data Centers
The tech giant has spent more than $6 million on TV ads in state capitals and Washington, with the message that data centers create jobs.
AI-Powered Disinformation Swarms Are Coming for Democracy
Advances in artificial intelligence are creating a perfect storm for those seeking to spread disinformation at unprecedented speed and scale. And it’s virtually impossible to detect.
Ex-Google Engineer Convicted of Stealing A.I. Secrets for Start-Up in China
A federal jury found that Linwei Ding stole thousands of confidential files to help him start a company in Beijing.
Microsoft Pledged to Save Water. In the A.I. Era, It Expects Water Use to Soar.
Driven by the artificial intelligence frenzy, Microsoft is internally projecting that water use at its data centers will more than double by 2030 from 2020, including in places that face shortages.
Newsom Files Civil Rights Complaint Against Dr. Oz Over Fraud Video
Dr. Mehmet Oz, a top federal health official, posted a video that accuses Armenian Americans in California of health care fraud.
MAGA Tab in LA-LA Land! The California Post Launches
The expansion of the Murdoch tabloid from its New York roots to the West Coast is the latest sign of the outlet’s national ambitions.
Albania Created an ‘A.I. Minister’ to Curb Corruption. Then Its Developers Were Accused of Graft.
The Albanian avatar known as Diella, a public anticorruption crusader, has been described as the world’s first government minister created by artificial intelligence.
Indonesia Lifts Ban on Grok After New Assurances from X Corp
Indonesia joined Malaysia and the Philippines in reversing its restrictions, weeks after it blocked the chatbot because it was used to generate sexually explicit images of real people.
General News
Senate Democrats and White House Reach Deal to Avoid Shutdown
Senate Democrats reached a deal with Republicans and the White House to pass five spending bills funding most of the government for the rest of the fiscal year. They also approved a two-week stopgap for Homeland Security while negotiations continue on immigration guardrails. It's unclear how quickly the House will process these bills.
Facing Immigration Backlash, Trump Called Schumer to Cut a Deal
The president and the top Senate Democrat, who are often at each other’s throats, agreed to try to keep the government open and to start talks on new limits on federal immigration agents.
Crackdown Chief to Leave Minneapolis as White House Distances Trump from Uproar
Gregory Bovino, a Border Patrol official who became a target of fierce criticism, is set to depart as Trump moves to deflect anger over a second fatal shooting. Mr. Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, will now direct ICE operations in the state.
Why Did the Trump Administration Silence Bovino on Social Media?
When the border chief got yanked from Minnesota, he lost access to his X account, too.
Fed Keeps Rates Steady
The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged, despite relentless attacks from President Trump, who wants borrowing costs to be much lower.
Federal Courts Undercut Trump’s Mass Deportation Campaign
A policy intended to keep immigrants detained indefinitely has led to a deluge of lawsuits, overwhelming some federal courts and resulting in many releases.
ICE Expands Power of Agents to Arrest People Without Warrants
An internal memo changed the standard from whether people are unlikely to show up for hearings to whether they could leave the scene.
Court Affirms Ruling That Alina Habba Served Unlawfully as U.S. Attorney
The Justice Department lost a bid to challenge a decision that had found Alina Habba was serving unlawfully as New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor.
Employment Commission Chair Recasts Workplace Discrimination in Trump’s Image
Andrea Lucas, the chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, has said she wants to undo years of what she describes as activist excess around labor law.
Administration Social Media Posts Echo White Supremacist Messaging
A flurry of posts from the White House, Department of Labor and Department of Homeland Security have included images, slogans and even a song used by the white nationalist right.
Judge Orders ICE Chief to Appear in Court Over Potential Contempt
In a brief ruling, the Minnesota judge wrote that the unusual order was necessary because “the extent of ICE’s violation of court orders is likewise extraordinary.”
D.H.S. Review Does Not Say Pretti Brandished Gun, As Noem Claimed
An initial report from an internal agency watchdog says the Minneapolis man was shot by law enforcement after resisting arrest, but makes no mention of the allegations leveled by a Trump administration official.
As Minneapolis Rages, Legislators Move to Restrict ICE in Their States
Efforts to curtail federal law enforcement tactics began last year, but with the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, Democratic lawmakers are pushing harder.
Democrats Restore Minnesota House to Even Split Amid Immigration Turmoil
In special elections on Tuesday, Democrats won two left-leaning districts, preventing Republicans from holding a majority in the State House of Representatives.
Virginia Judge Blocks Democrats’ Efforts to Redraw Congressional Maps
Democratic leaders vowed to appeal the lower court ruling, which found that the legislative process behind the redistricting push was improper.
Minnesota Judge Says ICE Violated Nearly 100 Court Orders
The judge condemned the agency for disobeying directives stemming from its aggressive crackdown in the state. In a separate case, Trump administration lawyers argued that the surge of agents there was a legitimate exercise of federal power.
Ecuador Objects After ICE Agent Tries to Enter Minneapolis Consulate
Video showed diplomatic staff blocking the agent from entering on Tuesday morning.
Judge Revives Wind Farm That Trump Halted Off Martha’s Vineyard
The project, known as Vineyard Wind, was already 95 percent complete when the Trump administration ordered construction to stop.
430,000-Year-Old Wooden Tools Are the Oldest Ever Found
The finding, along with the discovery of a 500,000-year-old hammer made of bone, indicates that our human ancestors were making tools even earlier than archaeologists thought.
Trump Says He Will Raise Tariffs on South Korea to 25%
President Trump threatened to increase tariffs on South Korean exports, including cars, citing the country’s slow ratification of a trade deal.
After Donations, Trump Administration Revoked Rule Requiring More Nursing Home Staff
Executives who donated to the president’s super PAC met privately with him and urged a repeal of the rule, which was intended to prevent neglect of patients.
Safety Board Blames F.A.A. For Multiple Failures in D.C. Crash
The National Transportation Safety Board found the probable causes of the midair collision last year included poorly designed flight routes and ignored warnings about risks.
Trump Picks Kevin Warsh as Next Fed Chair
If confirmed by the Senate, Kevin M. Warsh, a former governor at the central bank, will replace Jerome H. Powell, whose term as chair ends in May.
A Secret Panel to Question Climate Science Was Unlawful, Judge Rules
The researchers produced a report that was central in a Trump administration effort to stop regulating climate pollution.
Texas A&M Ends Women’s Studies and Overhauls Classes Over Race and Gender
New policies limiting the teaching of race and gender issues led administrators and professors to change hundreds of courses. School leaders say the rules could hurt A&M’s reputation.
Trump’s Lawsuit Against I.R.S. Creates ‘Enormous Conflict of Interest’
The president is demanding that the federal government pay him at least $10 billion over the unauthorized disclosure of his tax returns during his first term.
Federal Judge Denies Request to Temporarily Block ICE Surge in Minnesota
Minnesota officials had sought a temporary end to the deployment of 3,000 federal agents, claiming state sovereignty had been violated.
A Municipal Debt Boom Is Driving Public Projects and Tax Breaks for Investors
Municipal debt issuance surpassed $500 billion last year, a record that’s found a deep pool of buyers.
Unions Sue FEMA Over Work Force Cuts They Say Threaten Readiness
The suit argues that the recent dismissals and plans for further cuts violate laws designed to preserve the disaster response agency’s independence and capabilities.
How Trump’s 2020 Election Claims Have Been Debunked Again and Again
The Trump administration has recently escalated its efforts to prove widespread voter fraud in 2020. Election officials and top Republicans have repeatedly said these claims are baseless.
The Trump Administration Has Been Sued 600 Times. Track These Cases.
In more than 350 cases, courts allowed policies to stay in effect despite ongoing litigation. About 150 cases have seen policies halted through restraining orders or injunctions. Here is a snapshot of district court cases with final rulings for or against the administration, many of which have been appealed.
Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Protections for Venezuelans
The Trump administration has sought to end Temporary Protected Status for more than a million people from troubled nations. About 600,000 are from Venezuela.
Minnesota Updates: Thousands Protest in Minneapolis and Across the Nation
The demonstrations, expected to continue through the weekend, came as the Justice Department said it would conduct a civil rights investigation into the death of Alex Pretti.
Man Accused of Squirting Ilhan Omar with Vinegar Is Charged with Assault
Ms. Omar was sprayed with liquid from a syringe as she spoke at a town hall and called for the resignation of Kristi Noem, who leads the Homeland Security Department.
Collins Took Credit for ICE Leaving Maine. Her Democratic Opponents Pounced.
Political maneuvering by the Democrats hoping to unseat Senator Susan Collins shifted into high gear with the news that ICE had ended its surge there.
Don Lemon Released Without Bond Over Minnesota Protest Charge
Nine people have been accused of violating federal law during the demonstration at a church this month, reviving a case that was rejected last week by a magistrate judge.
Protesters Denounce Trump Immigration Tactics in ‘National Shutdown’
Demonstrators rallied across the country, leaving school and work and closing businesses in a show of solidarity with Minneapolis.
Judge Orders Release of 5-Year-Old, Whose Detention Drew Outrage
The image of Liam Conejo Ramos, wearing a blue winter hat and Spider-Man backpack while in the custody of immigration agents, fueled outrage across the country.
They Said They Weren’t Close to Epstein. New Documents Show Otherwise.
Materials released by the Justice Department revealed that leading business and political figures had enduring relationships with the disgraced financier.
Rubio Says Venezuela Will Submit a Monthly Budget to the White House
Venezuela’s interim government will submit a monthly “budget” to the Trump administration, which will release funds from an account funded by oil sales and managed by Qatar, said Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The plan faced skepticism from Democrats, with Rubio calling it "novel” and hastily designed.
Venezuelan Lawmakers Approve Sweeping Overhaul of Oil Sector
Bowing to Trump administration pressure, the new legislation improves conditions for foreign oil companies and opens the way to slash the taxes they pay.
Comments