Progressive search for action

4+ min ago (1697+ words) Alexandria Jacobson is an investigative reporter at Raw Story, focusing on money in politics, government accountability and electoral politics. Jacobson joined Raw Story in 2023 with an extensive track record of social justice, business and tech reporting. Her reporting has been published by numerous national outlets, including ABC News, the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune. She earned her master's and bachelor's degrees in journalism from Northwestern University and has taught journalism classes at Northwestern University and DePaul University. She's also a skilled multimedia journalist, particularly in the realm of news and documentary video reporting and editing. Jacobson serves on the board of directors for the Chicago Journalists Association. Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award Best in Business Award The Supreme Court is poised to overturn a 90-year-old decision protecting the heads of independent federal agencies from firing by the president " a move…...

6+ min ago (1790+ words) The far right is claiming that Ahmed al-Ahmed, the bystander who intervened in the deadly, antisemitic mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach, Australia, this weekend was a Christian'and not a Muslim'to justify its Islamophobia. "The media keeps saying the man who disarmed the Muslim terrorist in Australia today is also a Muslim who owns a fruit stand," far-right commentator Laura Loomer wrote Sunday on X. "Credible reports suggest the man is actually a Lebanese or Coptic Christian. Don't fall for the propaganda." "He is a Christian Maronite! The hero that stopped one of the terrorists in Australia is called Ahmad Al Ahmad. The Anti-Israel mobs celebrated him being a Muslim, as if that made the terror attack less terrible," a large account called "Hamas Atrocities" wrote. "But he is not a Muslim! He is a Christian Maronite!" This…...

6+ min ago (1813+ words) House GOP moderates are breaking away from their party leader. At least four Republican representatives'Brian Fitzpatrick, Jen Kiggans, David Valadao, and Mike Lawler'have decided to bypass House Speaker Mike Johnson altogether amid a disagreement on extensions for Affordable Care Act premium subsidies. There are just 17 days left on the clock before the premium subsidies expire altogether. They assist individuals making upwards of 400 percent of the federal poverty level. Without them, health insurance premiums for more than 20 million Americans are expected to double. But that 17-day deadline is effectively nil. Even if the House manages to pass a package, the Senate isn't expected to follow suit. What's more, Monday is the final day for people to register for ACA open enrollment'something many may be hesitant to do if they're not sure whether or not the premiums will expire, sending health care…...

8+ min ago (314+ words) The FBI on Monday said it arrested four people connected to a pro-Palestinian extremist group that were plotting to bomb multiple locations in Los Angeles on New Year's Eve. Attorney General Pam Bondi, in an X post, said the suspects "planned to target ICE agents and vehicles." Beyond being pro-Palestine, she described the group as "far-left" anti-government, and anti-capitalist." Fox News reported the four suspects self-identified as members of the Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF), which the outlet described as an "extremist group motivated by pro-Palestinian, anti-law enforcement, and anti-government ideology." The group was targeting five separate locations across LA and nearby Orange County, Fox News reported, and were planning on using improvised explosive devices. A fifth person believed to be tied to the group was arrested in New Orleans for allegedly planning a similar attack. An Instagram account tied…...

20+ min ago (832+ words) As 2025 comes to a close, we take a look back on the feminists and movement builders we lost. Dec. 30, 2024: "Tierra Walker died from preeclampsia in Texas after being repeatedly denied an abortion. More than 90 doctors were involved in her care, but none offered her abortion care despite seizures, a high-risk blood clot and a documented high risk of death. At least 11 women are known to have died because of abortion bans, but this is almost certainly a significant undercount. Below is an excerpt from a piece she wrote for Ms., "We All Deserve the Freedom to Control Our Bodies," in March 2023: Restricting or criminalizing abortion does not eliminate abortion. These laws simply put lives at risk. " The road ahead might feel long, but the power and strength of our movement gives me incredible hope. By working together, I know we…...

22+ min ago (228+ words) Kansas City Chiefs star defensive tackle Chris Jones had to be informed by a reporter that their most recent loss just eliminated the team from playoff contention. The Chiefs lost 16-13 to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. The loss dropped the Chiefs to 6-8 with three games left in the regular season. Although the team can still finish with a winning record if they won out, the math simply isn't in their favor and they have no chance of clinching one of the AFC's seven playoff spots. Jones, however, wasn't aware of this fact. Shortly after the game " which saw quarterback Patrick Mahomes go down with a torn ACL " Jones insisting in the post-game press conference that the team still had a "fighting chance." That's when a reporter off-screen informed him that was not the case. "Are we out of the…...

22+ min ago (224+ words) Actor and director Rob Reiner made an ominous prediction on CNN in September, just three months before he and his wife were found dead in their Los Angeles home Sunday. Reiner and spouse Michelle Singer were discovered with stab wounds. Police are investigating the deaths as a homicide. On September 19, the director spoke to CNN anchor Brianna Keilar about the suspension of comedian Jimmy Kimmel, warning of broader threats to free speech and democratic institutions. There is no suggestion that Sunday's discovery is in any way connected to those threats. The award-winning director emphasized the need to protect First Amendment rights. Regarding Kimmel's suspension by ABC and Disney, Reiner stated: "I'm a friend of Jimmy's. And what happened to him is unconscionable. It just can't happen." Kimmel was suspended following comments about right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. Critics argued the networks…...

23+ min ago (1027+ words) WASHINGTON " President Donald Trump spoke the "unvarnished truth" when he openly complained about immigrants from "sh'hole" countries, one senior U.S. House Republican told Raw Story, amid outcry over the president's spate of racist remarks. "Trump tells the truth," Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) said at the Capitol. "He tells unvarnished truth. I have no problem with what he's saying. He rallies the troops like no other." Asked what he thought about Trump being accused of being racist, Norman, 72, was unabashed: "People say what they want. This man has brought this country back in less than 11-and-a-half months." In a cabinet meeting last week, Trump, 79, attacked Somalian Americans in virulent terms, including calling Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), a leading progressive, "garbage." This week, in a speech in Pennsylvania, Trump attacked Omar again. He also said he had "announced a permanent pause on third-world…...

23+ min ago (333+ words) President Donald Trump is considering naming Kevin Hassett to head the Federal Reserve after the end of Jerome Powell's tenure has ended. CNBC reported Monday that while Hassett may have the president's ear, there is a risk that he'll be seen as in Trump's pocket and do whatever he asks. Trump has spent the better part of his administration demanding that Powell reduce interest rates. When Powell finally did reduce interest rates, Trump continued to rail against Powell for being "too late" to do so. CNBC cited Kalshi, the online betting site, for the 51 percent odds that Hassett is the nominee. However, that's down 29 percent from earlier in December. Former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh is currently ranked as a distant second at 44 percent odds. That's up from 11 percent earlier this month. The concern, however, is whether someone like Hassett could…...

24+ min ago (345+ words) Aaron Perine is a writer that covers Free Streaming TV, normal TV, small TV (the kind that plays on your phone mostly!), and even movies sometimes! Phase Hero co-host. Host of Free Space: The Free Streaming TV Podcast. [Rob Reiner at the 75th Annual Cannes Film Festival]Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer died in their California home on Sunday night The news was reported by Variety, and fans on the Internet immediately leapt to process such a profound loss Reiner was the beloved actor, director, producer and screenwriter behind a number of film fan all-timers over the course of his career Movies like When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride, and This Is Spinal Tap carry some of his magic in them He was 78 at the time of his death Police are currently investigating motives and family members In…...