John Canzano and Bay Area News Group’s Jon Wilner provide sourced, in-depth reporting and analysis on the Pac-12, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC, MWC, and more. You want the goods? We've got them.

170. Pac-12 Media Deal Reaction (and much more)

Canzano and Wilner

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Pac-12 Media Deal Overview: The new Pac-12 media deal includes CBS, CBS Sports Network, USA Network, and the CW. The deal prioritizes distribution over partnering with ESPN or Fox, ensuring all football games will be on linear television. While the financial terms may be on the lower end of expectations, the broad distribution approach makes sense for what is essentially a startup conference.

Washington State AD Firing: Washington State's athletic director Anne McCoy was fired by new president Betsy Cantwell less than 18 months into a five-year contract. The dismissal highlights a clash of leadership styles - McCoy's folksy, relationship-based approach versus Cantwell's business-focused mentality. The next AD will likely need to be a relentless fundraiser who can thrive in the modern collegiate athletics landscape.

San Diego State's Emergence: San Diego State has made significant progress under coach Sean Lewis, developing a stronger football culture that was evident during their game against Boise State. The school faces challenges with only about 7,000-7,500 season ticket holders but has made strides in building fan engagement. Retaining Lewis will be crucial for their continued growth in the new Pac-12.

Future of the Pac-12 Championship Game: The hosts expect the new Pac-12 to adopt the Mountain West model of having the championship game at the highest seed's home stadium rather than a neutral site. This approach would provide the host team with a home-field advantage and potentially better attendance than a neutral site like Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Olympic Sports Distribution Model: For Olympic sports content, the Pac-12 is likely to use PAC12 Enterprises to produce and distribute events, possibly through their own app or website rather than partnering with a streaming service like ESPN+. The conference's existing production technology is cost-effective and easily transportable to various venues.

Oregon vs. Washington Perception Gap: There's a noticeable disparity between Oregon and Washington in terms of football commitment. Oregon is perceived to "spare no expense" to win championships, while Washington doesn't demonstrate the same all-in approach. This perception affects how the programs are viewed nationally and potentially impacts coaching decisions.

College Football Playoff Implications: Several teams face crucial games with playoff implications, including Oregon vs. USC. An Oregon loss could be particularly damaging to their playoff hopes as they may finish without any ranked wins. Meanwhile, Utah, BYU, and even Arizona State still have paths to win the Big 12 and potentially make the playoff.

Texas State's New Pac-12 Deal: Texas State will receive a gradually increasing revenue share in the new Pac-12, likely starting above their Sun Belt distribution and ramping up to full membership over approximately five years. Their president emphasized that joining was about championships, playoff access, and new market opportunities, in addition to improved economics.

Oregon State and Washington State Challenges: Both schools face financial challenges in the new Pac-12, with higher expenses from their Power 5 facility debt but now competing against schools with different cost structures. Their ability to fund assistant coaching salaries, recruiting budgets, and NIL programs at competitive levels will be crucial to their success.

Athletic Director Fundraising Priority: Modern athletic directors spend much of their time on fundraising activities, constantly meeting with donors and potential contributors. This reflects the changing nature of college athletics, where external revenue generation has become a primary responsibility for athletic department leadership.
</answer>

Made for tech enthusiasts and IT professionals. Expanded coverage of your favorite technologies across Microsoft; including Office, Azure, Windows and Data Platforms. We'll even bring you broader topics such as device innovation with Surface, machine learning, and predictive analytics.

Windows 365 updates | AI‑Ready Work, Apps on Demand, Resilient Access

Microsoft Mechanics Podcast

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Windows 365 for Agents - Computer Using Agents (CUA): A new capability that allows AI agents to be assigned their own Cloud PCs to perform tasks just like human users. Admins can create pools of Cloud PCs with pre-installed apps that agents can use to complete jobs. When a user invokes an agent, it requests a Cloud PC from the pool, performs the task (like processing expense reports), and then returns the PC to the pool when finished.

Building Computer Using Agents: Creating agents is simplified through Microsoft Copilot Studio. Developers can write natural language instructions for the agent, select the appropriate Cloud PC pool, test the automation, and then publish the agent with specific triggers. The system supports real-time monitoring with activity logs and screenshots of each step taken.

Windows 365 Cloud Apps: A new feature that delivers individual app windows instead of full desktop experiences. This SaaS app publishing solution is managed through Microsoft Intune, making it the first solution that uses the same tools admins already use to manage other devices. Cloud Apps can be configured with user experience sync to ensure consistent experiences even when users connect to different underlying Cloud PCs.

Cloud Apps User Experience: Published Cloud Apps are accessible through multiple channels including the Windows app (which works on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android), web browsers, and the Start menu on Windows devices. The apps appear seamlessly integrated with the local environment, featuring rounded corners and consistent theming, while still running in the cloud.

Windows 365 Reserve: A cost-effective solution ($20 per user per year in the US) that provides users with 10 days of temporary Cloud PC access when their primary device is unavailable. It's designed for scenarios like device breakage, loss, or repair, allowing users to quickly regain productivity without compromising security.

Managing Windows 365 Features: All three new features (Agents, Cloud Apps, and Reserve) can be managed through Microsoft Intune, providing a consistent administration experience. For Windows 365 Reserve, admins can deprovision Cloud PCs on behalf of users, with self-provisioning options coming in the future to reduce support calls.
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Lance Wallnau brings you current events, politics and spiritual insight in a unique and entertaining style. His quick wit, incisive observations and engaging personality have made this one of the most popular programs in America.

How the Enemy Is Using Conspiracies to Break America's Backbone

The Lance Wallnau Show

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Responding to False Accusations: Lance Wallnau addresses being named by Candace Owens in a conspiracy theory claiming he led the January 6th insurrection and that his family is part of the "military industrial complex." He notes that these accusations came unexpectedly and represent a concerning trend of infighting among conservatives.

The Spiritual Warfare Intensifying in America: Wallnau emphasizes that Americans are entering a new level of spiritual warfare, especially heading into election cycles. He argues that believers need to be stronger than ever to withstand these attacks, which is why he's organizing a wellness conference with health experts at Trump Doral in January.

Division Within the Conservative Movement: A central concern expressed is how conservative figures who should be united against the left are now attacking each other. Wallnau specifically mentions how Turning Point USA has become a target following Charlie Kirk's assassination attempt, with conspiracy theories dividing what should be a united front.

Conspiracy Theories About Charlie Kirk's Shooting: Wallnau shares Officer Tatum's perspective (a friend of both Candace Owens and Charlie Kirk) who expresses frustration at the conspiracy theories surrounding Kirk's shooting. Tatum, having worked closely with Turning Point USA since 2017, vouches for the integrity of the staff being accused of involvement in a conspiracy.

Antisemitism Underlying Some Conspiracies: Both Wallnau and Officer Tatum identify antisemitism as a motivating factor behind some conspiracy theories, with Tatum noting that certain people try to connect everything back to "Jew street." Wallnau adds biblical context about the importance of Israel in end-times theology and warns against America becoming antisemitic.

The Real Threat vs. Manufactured Conspiracies: Wallnau points out the irony that Charlie Kirk had identified "trans extremists" and the "assassin culture of the far left" as his biggest threat before his death, yet after he was allegedly shot by someone fitting that description, conspiracy theorists blamed completely different entities.

Call for Unity Among Christians: Wallnau concludes with a prayer that "the mouths are stopped that are profiteering off of chaos" and calls for Christians to recognize this division as demonic in nature. He urges his audience to stop engaging with these divisive narratives and to reunite for the real battles ahead.
</answer>

In WEAPONIZED, Jeremy Corbell and George Knapp pull back the veil on the world of the known, to explore the unexplained. This multi-platform investigative series features exclusive interviews, never-before-seen footage, previously-suppressed documents, original audio and video recordings, and hard evidence related to UFOs, the paranormal, cutting-edge science, cover-ups, conspiracies, and big-time crimes. Original, groundbreaking conversations with government whistleblowers, spies, spooks, scientists, military officials, muckraking journalists, filmmakers, historians, artists, musicians, and major celebrities will cast a wide shadow through the other-world… and detail the human experiences that inform these extraordinary phenomena. Your curiosity will be WEAPONIZED. WEAPONIZED is a presentation of Jeremy Corbell and George Knapp.

UFO Lessons from Lacatski - The Doctor of Disclosure

WEAPONIZED with Jeremy Corbell & George Knapp

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Dr. James Lacatski's Credibility and Role: Dr. Lacatski was the head of OSAPP (Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program), the largest acknowledged UFO investigation funded by the US government, with a $22 million budget over 27 months. As a counterintelligence coordinator for OSAPP, his role was to protect the program's secrecy rather than spread disinformation to the public. The program employed 50 full-time staff with security clearances and produced approximately 30,000 pages of research condensed into 115 reports.

Confirmation of Non-Human Craft Retrieval: In recent interviews, Lacatski made the significant admission that the US government possesses at least one non-human intelligence (NHI) craft. He confirmed they have "breached the hole" of the craft, indicating a reverse engineering program focused on power and propulsion systems. The technology is described as extremely advanced—equivalent to the difference between "sticks and stones versus superconductors."

Department of Energy Connection: Lacatski revealed he held a Q clearance, which is typically associated with the Department of Energy (DOE) and nuclear/scientific information. This suggests his access to the recovered craft may have come through DOE channels rather than through OSAPP, which never directly dealt with physical UFO craft.

AARO as a Counterintelligence Operation: Lacatski identified the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) as essentially functioning as a debunker organization conducting counterintelligence operations regarding UFOs. He suggested they're "doing their job" by creating doubt, influencing media coverage, and potentially confusing Congress about ongoing inquiries.

The Paranormal Connection: OSAPP investigators discovered connections between UFO encounters and paranormal phenomena, especially at Skinwalker Ranch. This aspect of the investigation was legitimate research into potential psychological or technological effects that might have national security implications, not a distraction from the core UFO investigation.

Race for UFO Technology: Lacatski confirmed that the US is in a race with adversarial nations to master and exploit non-human technology. This revelation supports the view that UAP/UFOs represent advanced technological capabilities that multiple nations are attempting to understand and potentially weaponize.

Controlled Disclosure Approach: Lacatski is pursuing what appears to be a calculated, controlled disclosure strategy. Rather than revealing everything at once, he's sharing information through a series of books and occasional interviews after careful negotiation through the government review process (DOPSER). His approach represents a measured form of disclosure that balances public information with national security concerns.

Bob Lazar's Legacy: The hosts reflected on the 39th anniversary of Bob Lazar coming forward with claims about reverse-engineered alien craft at Area 51/S4. Despite ongoing controversy about Lazar's credibility, his revelations generated intense public interest in crashed saucers and reverse engineering programs that continues to this day, with his Joe Rogan interview remaining one of the podcast's most viewed episodes.

Nuclear Facilities and Recent Incidents: Lacatski mentioned OSAPP's "Northern Tier Project," which investigated UFO encounters at American nuclear missile bases along the Canadian border. More significantly, he alluded to a very recent incident involving a US nuclear facility, suggesting ongoing UFO activity at sensitive sites.

Congressional Engagement: Lacatski's position on sharing information with Congress has evolved. Initially skeptical due to concerns about leaks, he now appears more open to providing closed-door briefings to appropriately cleared members of Congress, potentially revealing more details about exploitation programs.

Public Reception and Skepticism: The hosts addressed the divided public response to Lacatski's revelations, noting that some dismiss him without engaging with the content of his statements. They emphasized the significance of having someone of his stature and position confirm the existence of non-human craft and reverse engineering programs.

Upcoming Disclosures: The hosts discussed the anticipated book by Jay Stratton (another key OSAPP figure) and the film "Age of Disclosure," featuring testimony from numerous credible figures including former CIA officials. They suggest these upcoming releases will continue moving public awareness forward regarding the reality of the UFO phenomenon.
</answer>

Erick Erickson hosts the Erick Erickson Show across the United States live every weekday from 12pm to 3pm ET. You can listen live at erickericksonshow.com or check out the podcast.

S14 EP203: Hour 1 - The Epstein Fall Out Begins

The Erick Erickson Show

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- Biden's "Quiet Piggy" Comment Creates Media Outrage: President Biden called a female reporter "Piggy" on Air Force One, creating media outrage. The White House defended the comment saying the reporter was being disruptive and "if she can dish it out, she's gotta be able to take it." Meanwhile, more substantive news like the President's meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince received less coverage.

- Epstein Files Release and Public Perception: Congress is preparing to vote on releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files after a federal judge prohibited their release without Congressional action. Erick Erickson questions whether people will remain non-partisan when the information is released or if they'll only condemn political enemies implicated in the scandal. He notes that while some powerful men did abuse young women, much of the abuse came from Epstein himself.

- Steve Bannon's Ties to Jeffrey Epstein: Newly unearthed text messages suggest Steve Bannon, former Trump White House chief of staff, promised to shield Jeffrey Epstein from prosecution. The messages, part of a 20,000-page document dump, reveal a relationship where Bannon advised Epstein on rehabilitating his image following his 2007 criminal conviction.

- The Failures of Rent Control: Erickson contrasts Argentina's successful repeal of rent control laws with New York City's expansion of them. After Argentina ended rent control, the real estate market exploded with increased availability, while New York faces empty apartments because landlords won't rent them under current restrictions.

- Illegal Immigration and National Security: ICE recently arrested an Uzbeki illegal immigrant who was wanted for terrorism charges in his home country. Despite being on a terrorist watchlist, the man was caught and released at the border by the Biden administration in 2023, granted work authorization in 2024, and obtained a commercial driver's license in Pennsylvania. Erickson criticizes Democrats for not acknowledging the failures of their border policies.

- Declining Trust in Experts: While Erickson believes experts have important roles to play, he argues that many people have tuned out expert advice due to overreach during COVID and on transgender issues. He cites Australian early childhood development researchers who advise parents to ask babies' consent before changing diapers as an example of why people distrust experts.

- Deportation Policy Debate: Erickson supports deportations of illegal immigrants but argues they shouldn't be cruel. He notes that ICE is "actually really good at their job" while Border Patrol tends to incorrectly detain people who shouldn't be rounded up. He acknowledges there will be some backlash from Hispanic voters but believes it won't be massive because some communities are safer after criminal deportations.
</answer>

Best-selling author and documentarian Dinesh D'Souza provides enlightened conversations about politics, history, philosophy, literature, and much more.
You can also <a href="https://salemnewschannel.com/host/dinesh-dsouza/">watch Dinesh D’Souza on Salem News Channel</a>

GREEN MOON RISING

The Dinesh D'Souza Podcast

<answer>
- Thomas Crooks Investigation Reveals Hidden Digital Footprint: New reporting shows that the FBI may have misled Congress about the Butler, Pennsylvania Trump assassination attempt suspect. Thomas Crooks had at least 17 online accounts and showed a political shift from pro-Trump to anti-Trump in early 2020. His online history included violent threats and connections to a furry/trans identity, which D'Souza connects to a pattern of trans-identified individuals involved in mass violence incidents.

- Trans Connection to Political Violence: D'Souza identifies what he sees as a troubling pattern linking transgender identity to multiple high-profile violent incidents, including the Nashville Christian school shooter, Lakewood Church shooter, and several other attackers. He suggests this indicates a need for a comprehensive investigation into "trans terrorist rings" and a crackdown on trans-related violence as a domestic threat.

- Radical Islamic Terrorism's Evolution: Brigitte Gabriel shares her personal experience surviving terrorism in Lebanon, explaining how her home country transformed from a majority-Christian republic to a terrorist hub. She traces how the discovery of oil and the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979 provided radical Islamists both financial resources and spiritual leadership to expand their influence globally.

- Two Forms of Jihad Threatening the West: Gabriel distinguishes between "military jihad" (violent attacks like 9/11) and "civilization jihad" (cultural infiltration). She explains how the Muslim Brotherhood employs a strategy of infiltrating Western societies by using democratic systems, multicultural rhetoric, and appealing to constitutional rights while advancing an agenda to undermine Western institutions from within.

- Western Vulnerability Through Apathy: Gabriel argues that American apathy is enabling radical infiltration, contrasting how Islamists and leftists actively organize to replace school board members and gain political power while conservatives merely "attend meetings and eat rubber chicken." She highlights the recent election of 42 Muslim officials across nine states as evidence of this strategic infiltration.

- The Red-Green Alliance: D'Souza and Gabriel discuss the partnership between leftist groups and Islamists, which Gabriel documented in her book "Rise." She describes how organizations like the ACLU, ADL, and SPLC have worked with Islamic groups to advance their agenda, revealing that her opponents weren't just Islamists but "multi-organizations on the left" who see themselves as defending the underdog.

- Einstein's Relativity and Quantum Physics Challenge Material Reality: In the final segment, D'Souza explores how modern physics contradicts our common-sense understanding of reality. He explains how Einstein's theories of relativity demonstrate that space and time are not absolute but relative to the observer, and how quantum physics shows matter behaves in ways that defy conventional experience. This scientific understanding challenges materialist objections to resurrection and afterlife by showing that physical reality itself is far stranger than we perceive.
</answer>

Locked On A’s podcast is your daily ticket to stay ahead of the game and the first to know the latest news, analysis, and insider info for the Oakland A’s and Major League Baseball. Hosted by Wayne Coy, Locked On A’s podcast provides you daily insightful analysis of one of the youngest rosters in all of MLB to their upcoming move to Las Vegas. Locked On A’s takes you beyond the scoreboard for the inside scoops on the biggest stories from within the A’s locker room and all over MLB.  Locked On A’s podcast is part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.

KEEP, CUT, OR PRAY?: The A’s Face Their Toughest Forty-Man Calls Yet

Locked On A's - Daily Podcast On The Oakland Athletics

Locked On A's - Daily Podcast On The Athletics

<answer>
- 40-Man Roster Protection Deadline: Today marks the critical deadline for MLB teams to protect prospects from the Rule 5 draft by adding them to their 40-man roster. For the A's, this is particularly significant as they have several valuable prospects who could be claimed by other teams if left unprotected.

- Key Prospects at Risk: The A's must make tough decisions on prospects like Braden Nett (acquired in the Mason Miller trade), Daniel Susak (first-round draft pick), Junior Perez (who showed significant power in AAA Vegas), and Kenya Huggins. These are legitimate prospects with real upside, not just fringe players.

- Balancing Free Agency vs. Extensions: The A's face difficult financial decisions about whether to invest in external free agents like Eugenio Suarez (potentially 3 years/$75 million) or focus resources on extending their young core (Kurtz, Soderstrom, and Wilson). The host strongly advocates prioritizing extensions over expensive free agents.

- The Boras Factor: Nick Kurtz and Shay Langaliers are both represented by Scott Boras, who historically doesn't offer team-friendly early extensions. This complicates the A's ability to lock down their young stars at a discount.

- Affordable Veteran Options: Rather than pursuing expensive free agents, the host suggests more affordable veteran additions like Yoan Moncada at third base or trading for Ke'Bryan Hayes, allowing the team to both add experience while still extending their core players.

- Sean Newcomb's Future: The host indicates Newcomb has expressed interest in being a starter, which would likely require a contract with an opt-out clause (potentially 2 years/$8 million) to allow him to seek a larger contract if he performs well.

- Building Around the Young Core: The 2024 A's showed promise, particularly in the second half when they had their full lineup. The host believes the team should focus on this existing foundation rather than overspending on aging free agents.

- Vegas Revenue Expectations: The host speculates that the team's willingness to spend may increase once they move to Las Vegas, as revenue is expected to rise, potentially enabling them to retain stars like Kurtz long-term despite Boras's representation.

- Braden Nett Protection Priority: Nett is highlighted as the highest-ranked unprotected prospect in any organization, making him a priority for 40-man roster protection. The host would be "furious" if the A's don't protect him from the Rule 5 draft.

- Management and Coaching Stability: Despite some fan frustration with manager Mark Kotsay, the host believes his relationships with young players who came up through the minors system provides stability and trust that the organization values.
</answer>

Immerse yourself in the most compelling and consequential stories from around the globe. The world is changing in big ways every day. State of the World from NPR takes you where the news is happening — and explains why it matters. With bureaus spanning the globe, NPR reporters bring you facts and context from the ground so you can cut through the noise of disinformation. NPR's State of the World, a human perspective on global stories in just a few minutes, every weekday. State of the World was previously State of Ukraine. You'll continue to hear Ukraine coverage here, along with other international stories. Support NPR's reporting by subscribing to State of the World+ and unlock sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/stateoftheworld

What’s Next for Israel’s Prime Minister?

State of the World from NPR

<answer>
- Netanyahu at a Crossroads: Following the Gaza ceasefire, Benjamin Netanyahu faces renewed political challenges that were delayed during the war, including opposition from his coalition partners and legal troubles.

- Trump's Support: During a visit to the Israeli parliament, President Trump publicly praised Netanyahu as having "exceptional courage" for accepting the ceasefire deal, effectively launching Netanyahu's re-election campaign with valuable international backing.

- Ultra-Orthodox Military Service Issue: A major challenge to Netanyahu's coalition is the demand for ultra-Orthodox Jews to serve in the military. Thousands have protested against this requirement, and the ultra-Orthodox political parties—crucial to Netanyahu's power—oppose it, while the military argues it needs more soldiers after the Gaza war.

- October 7th Accountability: Netanyahu faces public pressure to answer for the security failures that led to the Hamas attack, with families of victims demanding a national commission of inquiry, which Netanyahu opposes as politically biased.

- Legal Troubles and Political Survival: Netanyahu's corruption trial continues into its sixth year, with frequent delays. President Trump has requested a pardon for Netanyahu from Israel's president. Despite these challenges, analysts suggest Netanyahu doesn't need to win elections outright—just avoid losing—to remain in power, as the opposition remains splintered.
</answer>

The latest news from the fastest growing radio news network, FOX News Radio. Listen to the power of FOX News on radio! Updated hourly!

Congress Passes Measure to Release Epstein Files

Fox News Hourly Update

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• Congress Approves Release of Epstein Files: The Senate has passed legislation to fully release the Jeffrey Epstein files, following a nearly unanimous House vote. The bill will now head to the President's desk. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized this is about providing transparency to the American people.

• Single Opposition Vote to Epstein Bill: Republican Congressman Clay Higgins from Louisiana was the only "no" vote on the Epstein files release. He expressed concern that a broad release of criminal investigative files to the media could harm innocent people.

• Saudi Crown Prince Addresses Journalist's Death: During a White House meeting with President Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was questioned about the 2018 killing of a Saudi-American journalist. The Crown Prince claimed they took appropriate investigative steps and improved their system, while Trump dismissed intelligence findings suggesting the Crown Prince's involvement.

• Danny Masterson Files Legal Challenge: The "That '70s Show" actor has new lawyers who have filed a petition to overturn his two rape convictions and 30-year prison sentence. The petition claims his trial lawyers mounted a poor defense and failed to call key witnesses. It also argues the trial judge demonstrated bias against Scientology.

• Meta Wins Antitrust Case: A U.S. district judge ruled that Meta Platforms does not hold a monopoly in social media networking, allowing the company to avoid restructuring or spinning off Instagram and WhatsApp. This decision contrasts with recent rulings that branded Google an illegal monopoly in both search and online advertising.

• Texas Congressional Map Blocked: A federal court has blocked Texas from using a new congressional map drawn by Republicans that opponents argued would harm Black and Hispanic voters. The map was designed with the hope of picking up five additional seats in the U.S. House.
</answer>

Every weekday, NPR's best political reporters are there to explain the big news coming out of Washington and the campaign trail. They don't just tell you what happened. They tell you why it matters. Every afternoon. Political wonks - get wonkier with The NPR Politics Podcast+. Your subscription supports the podcast and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/politics

Trump Says He Won’t 'Rule Out' Sending Troops To Venezuela

The NPR Politics Podcast

<answer>
- Military Buildup in the Caribbean: The U.S. has deployed the USS Gerald Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, along with approximately 12-15 surface ships, destroyers, battleships, and an amphibious assault ship with 2,000 Marines to the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela. This military buildup is described as possibly the largest since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.

- Strikes on Caribbean Boats: The U.S. has conducted strikes on boats in the Caribbean and East Pacific, reportedly killing more than 80 people. The administration claims these strikes target drug trafficking operations, but there's limited evidence presented to Congress about the nature of these boats and their cargo.

- Questions of Legality: Experts and some politicians, including Democrats and Republicans like Rand Paul, have raised concerns about the legality of these strikes. Traditional U.S. allies including the UK and Canada have expressed uneasiness, with the UK reportedly declining to provide intelligence for these operations.

- Trump's Stance on Venezuela: President Trump has stated he "won't rule out" sending troops to Venezuela, though Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman suggests ground troops are unlikely. This continues Trump's focus on Venezuela from his first term, when removing President Nicolás Maduro was a significant foreign policy priority.

- Justification and Motivations: The White House frames the military actions as targeting drug trafficking to save American lives, fitting with an "America first" approach. However, some targeted vessels were reportedly heading to Europe, not the U.S., and they primarily carried cocaine rather than fentanyl, which Trump emphasized during his campaign.

- Florida Politics: The administration's focus on Venezuela may be influenced by Florida politics, where opposition to socialist and communist leaders in Latin America is a significant issue, especially among voters in South Florida.

- War Powers Concerns: The Trump administration has bypassed the War Powers Act, which would require congressional authorization for military hostilities, by arguing U.S. forces are not under threat. This approach has precedent, as the Obama administration used similar reasoning during the 2011 Libya campaign.
</answer>

On Tim Pool Daily News, Tim Pool breaks down the day’s biggest news stories with quick, straightforward updates. Expect sharp takes on politics, culture, and breaking news, all from an independent angle. It’s the perfect way to stay informed every weekday, without the fluff.
Join live on Youtube Mondays thru Thursday from 10am - 12pm ET at:
https://www.youtube.com/@TimcastNews

Internet GOES DOWN, CloudFlare CRASHES After "Unusual Traffic," Cyber Attack Feared | Tim Pool

Tim Pool Daily News

<answer>
Major Internet Outage Hits Cloudflare: A widespread outage at Cloudflare, an Internet infrastructure provider, disrupted numerous websites and services including X (formerly Twitter), ChatGPT, Spotify, Uber, and many others. Cloudflare reported "unusual traffic" before errors hit across their network, which many cybersecurity experts interpret as indicative of a possible cyber attack. This is the third major outage in recent months, following similar incidents with Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure.

Speculation About Motivations Behind Potential Cyber Attack: Tim Pool theorizes that if this was an intentional attack, it could be financially motivated, possibly to facilitate a cryptocurrency heist while internet tracking capabilities were disrupted. He also notes that Coinbase, a major cryptocurrency exchange, was among the affected services. Pool questions why someone would target Cloudflare, a company that specializes in DDoS mitigation, unless it was a sophisticated attack.

Growing Anomaly in Earth's Magnetic Field: In another segment, Tim discusses NASA tracking a growing anomaly in Earth's magnetic field called the South Atlantic Anomaly. This region of lower magnetic intensity has expanded by around half the size of continental Europe since 2014. Pool connects this to recent aurora events visible much farther south than usual, suggesting potential weakening of Earth's protective magnetosphere that could leave electronics vulnerable to solar radiation.

Tim Pool Not Invited to America Fest 2025: Pool reveals he was not invited to Turning Point USA's America Fest 2025, despite having participated in the event for the past three years. He explains that comments he made on another podcast were deemed hurtful to people at Turning Point USA. Pool suggests Charlie Kirk's murder has changed the leadership dynamic at Turning Point, and there may be shifting priorities around who is included in conservative movement events.

Political Movement Fragmentation After Trump Victory: Pool discusses how the conservative/right-wing coalition is showing signs of fracturing now that they've achieved electoral victory. Without a common enemy in "woke" politics to unite against, differences on issues like foreign policy, Israel support, immigration, and H-1B visas are causing rifts between America First isolationists, neoconservatives, and disaffected liberals who had joined the coalition.

Questions About Turning Point USA Finances: Pool addresses a viral video claiming potential financial impropriety at Turning Point USA. While Pool acknowledges some legitimate questions about money movement between multiple affiliated nonprofit organizations and delayed financial filings, he criticizes the video's conspiratorial framing and loaded language. He explains that nonprofits commonly operate multiple entities under different tax codes but warns that the practice can be used to obscure executive compensation or facilitate political spending.

Donald Trump Calling Reporter "Piggy": The podcast briefly covers a viral moment where Donald Trump called a journalist a "piggy" when she was interrupting him during questioning about Jeffrey Epstein files. Pool finds this humorous rather than concerning, noting that the media reaction seemed overblown given other more significant news stories.
</answer>

Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne talk all things Maple Leafs and NHL!  Airing live on Sportsnet 590 The FAN weekdays from 4-6 PM ET.

Leafs Hour: Brad Treliving's Quarter Pole Press Conference

Real Kyper & Bourne

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Brad Treliving takes responsibility for Leafs' struggles: In a press conference addressing the Leafs' poor start to the season, GM Brad Treliving took full accountability for the team's underperformance. He acknowledged that as the architect responsible for putting players and staff in place, the responsibility ultimately lies with him. The timing of the press conference raised questions, coming during a five-game losing streak and with the Leafs sitting tied for last in the Eastern Conference.

Treliving criticizes team's lack of "connectivity" and enthusiasm: The GM pointed out several concerning areas with the current team, noting they aren't playing a "connected game" defensively or offensively. He described the team as having "too much vanilla" with inconsistent efforts and lacking enthusiasm. These issues contrast with last year's team, which was more defensively sound despite giving up zone time.

Disconnect between coach and players highlighted: Treliving expressed confidence in Craig Berube's coaching and messaging but acknowledged a disconnect in execution. Interestingly, when asked about this disconnect later, Berube denied it existed. This contradictory messaging suggests potential communication issues within the organization.

Mitch Marner's absence proving more significant than anticipated: The panel discussed how the departure of Marner has created a bigger void than expected. Not only did the Leafs lose Marner's 100 points, but they also lost a key puck transporter. The attempt to replace him by restructuring the third line hasn't been effective, essentially changing 25-33% of the forward group.

New acquisitions underperforming expectations: Treliving admitted the new players brought in during the offseason haven't performed to expectations. The panel noted these players have been lumped together despite being very different individuals, and some haven't been given optimal opportunities to succeed in the lineup.

Leadership questions surrounding Matthews: The panel highlighted Auston Matthews' lack of energy and enthusiasm this season, describing his 40-goal pace as "empty calories" without the leadership elements needed. There's concern about Matthews looking like a completely different player compared to his younger years, lacking the energy and dynamic presence he once had.

St. Louis Blues struggling under similar circumstances: Jeremy Rutherford from The Athletic provided context on the Blues' situation under former coach Berube. He noted that Berube's intimidation factor wore off over time in St. Louis, and the team is currently struggling with similar issues to Toronto - poor defensive play and goaltending concerns. Both teams occupy bottom positions in the league standings.
</answer>

Fantasy football at an elite level. We break down all of the latest NFL news and gives you the analysis and unique insights you need to dominate your season-long fantasy football leagues and DFS contests. With cutting-edge stats and information from Pro Football Focus, get ready to take your game to another level. If you want to be the BEST, this fantasy football podcast is a must.

Waiver Wire Week 12 (Top Players to Target)

PFF Fantasy Football Podcast

<answer>
Quarterback Waiver Options in a Depleted Field: With multiple QB injuries including Michael Penix and Kyler Murray, Jacoby Brissette emerges as the top target after setting the NFL regular-season record for completions (47) and throwing for 452 yards against the 49ers. Joe Flacco is the only other viable quarterback option despite regression in his most recent game, as he faces favorable matchups against the Patriots and Ravens.

Running Back Targets Led by Committee Leaders and Injury Replacements: Chris Rodriguez has taken over as Washington's lead back but is on bye in Week 12. Emmanuel Wilson becomes a priority add with Josh Jacobs (knee) likely to miss time for Green Bay. Kenneth Gainwell could be valuable again if Jaylen Warren's ankle injury sidelines him, while Devin Singletary has been getting 100% of the Giants' goal-line and short-yardage work over Tyrone Tracy.

Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Offers Promising Options: Alec Pierce leads the pack, averaging 14 PPR points since Week 7 in Indianapolis. Michael Wilson exploded for 15 catches and 185 yards with Marvin Harrison Jr. out. Christian Watson scored two touchdowns for Green Bay and appears to have secured his role despite the team's crowded receiver room. Rookies like Luther Burden (Bears) and Jaden Higgins (Texans) are high-upside speculative adds as their roles have been expanding in recent weeks.

Injured Star Receivers Worth Stashing: Brandon Aiyuk (49ers) could return for the fantasy playoffs and is worth stashing despite being several weeks away from returning. While not immediately helpful, his top-15 fantasy potential makes him a valuable bench stash. Drake London's injury opens opportunities for Kadarius Hodge in Atlanta, though he's more of a deep league consideration.

Tight End Options Headlined by Rookies and Veterans: Colston Loveland continues to see his playing time increase for Chicago despite sharing time with Cole Kmet. Darren Waller is getting closer to returning and could be an elite fantasy option during the playoffs with favorable matchups against the Steelers and Bengals. Juwan Johnson (Saints), AJ Barner (Seahawks), and Brenton Strange (Jaguars) round out the tight end waiver options for those needing help at the position.

Fantasy Playoff Preparation Becomes Priority: With four teams on bye in Week 12 and many leagues approaching trade deadlines, now is the critical time to be proactive about playoff preparation. Adding high-upside bench options who could break out during Weeks 15-17 is more valuable than temporary fixes, particularly at running back and wide receiver positions that have been decimated by injuries throughout the season.
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News and inspiration from nature’s frontline, featuring inspiring guests and deeper analysis of the global environmental issues explored every day by the Mongabay.com team, from climate change to biodiversity, tropical ecology, wildlife, and more. The show airs every other week.

Tying conservation with education and health can protect Madagascar, says primatologist

Mongabay Newscast

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Patricia Wright's Journey and Rainforest Protection: In 1986, Patricia Wright traveled to Madagascar to search for the greater bamboo lemur, thought to be extinct. While successfully finding this species, she also discovered a new species, the golden bamboo lemur. When logging threatened these animals, she secured funding to establish Ranomafana National Park in 1991, which later became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.

Centre ValBio Research Station: Wright founded this station at the edge of Madagascar's rainforest, which conducts biodiversity research and studies on health and education. The facility houses modern laboratories, an herbarium, and insect collections to support conservation science. Research stations like Centre ValBio serve as crucial hubs that facilitate scientific discovery, training local researchers, and fostering successful conservation outcomes.

The Isolated Greater Bamboo Lemur: A lone greater bamboo lemur named Simone in Ranomafana National Park has been documented in a film called "Surviving Alone." With no members of her own species nearby, Simone has begun spending time with groups of golden bamboo lemurs, demonstrating how isolation affects endangered animals on a personal level and highlighting the emotional impact of extinction.

The Hidden Ivohiboro Rainforest: In 2016, Wright discovered an isolated montane rainforest surrounded by desert called Ivohiboro. This forest revealed numerous new species to science including frogs, snakes, lemurs, and plants. The forest provides crucial clues about Madagascar's ecological history before human-caused fires transformed much of the landscape into desert. Wright and partners have worked to establish Ivohiboro as a protected area.

Film as a Conservation Tool: Wright emphasizes the importance of documentary films in conservation, having participated in several productions including an IMAX documentary narrated by Morgan Freeman. Films help tell compelling stories about biodiversity crises and unique species, connecting with audiences emotionally and raising awareness about Madagascar's extraordinary ecology and conservation challenges.

Conservation Challenges in Madagascar: Madagascar faces numerous conservation obstacles including political instability, extreme poverty, a cultural tradition of using fire to clear land, poor infrastructure, cyclones, erosion, and climate change. When political turmoil disrupts tourism, which many local people depend on, they may return to slash-and-burn agriculture, threatening remaining forests.

Integrating Conservation with Human Needs: Wright advocates for conservation approaches that combine biodiversity protection with education and healthcare. Her team gives scholarships to rural girls, creates sustainable agriculture opportunities, and works with NGOs to improve local health infrastructure. She emphasizes that conservation success depends on local communities recognizing the economic and health benefits of maintaining forests.

Sustainable Economic Alternatives: Wright's team promotes reforestation with economically valuable native plants, such as growing vanilla orchids on native trees or high-value peppercorn vines. This provides sustainable income for local communities while restoring forest habitats. They also train former loggers and local community members as "Ecosystem Stewards" who monitor wildlife and participate in scientific research.

Madagascar's Unique Biodiversity Crisis: Madagascar is home to remarkable biodiversity with 90% of its wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. With forests rapidly disappearing, many unique species face extinction. Wright emphasizes that the world should pay attention to Madagascar because of these extraordinary species and the wealth of scientific knowledge they represent, including insights relevant to human health research.

Tourism as Conservation Support: Wright believes ecotourism represents an underdeveloped opportunity for Madagascar. While the country received only about 200,000 tourists to its national parks last year, neighboring African countries attract millions. Better marketing of Madagascar's unique lemurs, landscapes, and the world's third-largest coral reef system could generate crucial revenue for conservation and local communities.
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We're Sean "Down Goes Brown" McIndoe of The Athletic and Ryan Lambert of EP Rinkside and this is a hockey podcast, in the sense that we talk about hockey, both on the ice and about fan culture. That’s the “puck.” This is also a podcast about movies, TV, fast food, life lessons and general idiocy. That’s the “soup.” Unless you ordered the minestrone.

Olympic Roster Check-In

Puck Soup

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- NHL Enforcement of Empty Net Rules: Discussion of a recent incident where a player shot a puck into an empty net after the buzzer, prompting Jonathan Quick to nearly start a bench-clearing brawl. The hosts discussed how there are many unwritten rules about empty nets that players are expected to follow, with violations often resulting in physical confrontation.

- Team USA Olympic Hockey Roster Updates: Ryan and Sean analyzed players who are playing their way onto Team USA for the 2026 Olympics. Key additions include Tage Thompson (who should have been on the previous team), Jason Robertson (who's scoring at a high pace this season), and potentially Spencer Knight (who has been surprisingly strong in goal despite being traded to Chicago).

- Team Canada Olympic Roster Updates: For Canada, Logan Thompson was identified as the goalie who has most clearly played his way onto the team. The hosts debated whether Macklin Celebrini or Connor Bedard (or both) should make the team, and discussed Mark Scheifele as a veteran forward who deserves inclusion based on current performance.

- NHL's Competitive Balance: The hosts noted that 21 of 32 teams are within two points of having exactly 22 points in the standings, showing remarkable parity. In the Eastern Conference, only three teams (Pittsburgh, Carolina, and New Jersey) have a true goal differential better than +1, highlighting how tightly packed the league is.

- Significant Injuries Affecting Playoff Races: Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils is out for approximately eight weeks after a bizarre injury at a team dinner involving broken glass. Vancouver's Thatcher Demko is out 2-3 weeks with a groin injury, and Montreal lost both Alex Newhook and Kirby Dach to significant injuries.

- Recent NHL Contract Extensions: Three notable contracts were discussed: Scott Wedgwood's surprising one-year, $2.5 million extension with Dallas (when longer term was expected), Shane Pinto's four-year, $7.5 million extension with Ottawa, and Adrian Kempe's large eight-year, $10.625 million per year deal with the Kings. These extensions further deplete an already thin upcoming free agent market.

- Lack of NHL Trades in the Modern Era: The hosts lamented how the NHL has become a league where traditional "hockey trades" (player for player) have virtually disappeared. Now trades are almost exclusively of the buyer/seller variety where present talent is exchanged for future assets. With the league's extreme parity, almost every team believes they're still in playoff contention, meaning nobody wants to be a seller.

- The Conservatism of Modern NHL General Managers: The hosts criticized how risk-averse today's GMs have become, with decision-making paralyzed by analytics, multiple layers of management approval, and fear of public criticism. They contrasted this with old-school GMs like Brian Burke who were willing to make bold decisions and speak candidly about their teams.

- The Vancouver Canucks' Struggles: Despite last year's success, the Canucks are currently below .500, with a -10 goal differential. Thatcher Demko's injury compounds their issues, and underlying statistics show their extreme dependence on Quinn Hughes, with the team being badly outplayed when he's not on the ice.

- Olympic Roster Difficult Decisions: With players playing their way onto Olympic rosters, others must be removed. For Team USA, the hosts suggested J.T. Miller and Brock Nelson should be left off, while for Canada, players like Sam Bennett and Seth Jarvis might be casualties to make room for the younger talents.
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Tom Merritt, Sarah Lane and the team help you&nbsp;stay up to date with independent, authoritative and trustworthy tech news.

Microsoft and Google Drop Big AI Model News - DTNS 5148

Daily Tech News Show

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Microsoft's AI Evolution in Windows: Microsoft announced the "ARR revival of AI into Windows" with a new dedicated Copilot taskbar icon. This allows users to summon AI agents across apps and devices, including Copilot agents, troubleshooting agents, and third-party agents. Other features include natural language file search, document analysis, writing assistance, and voice activation.

Microsoft's Agent365 for Enterprise: Microsoft introduced Agent365, a new control plane for managing AI agents in enterprise environments. The system gives each agent an ID, registry entry, access policies, and telemetry to monitor what data agents access and how they interact with users. Agents will appear alongside human workers in Microsoft apps with clear disclosure of their non-human status.

Google's Gemini 3 Launch: Google announced Gemini 3, their new AI model series that promises to be smarter and more accurate. Gemini 3 Pro is natively multimodal, processing text, images, and audio simultaneously. The model features a new tone described as "smart, concise and direct" and will be available to all Gemini app users, with paying subscribers getting additional features in search.

Strategic AI Investments: Microsoft and Nvidia plan to invest up to $15 billion in Anthropic, with Nvidia contributing $10 billion and Microsoft $5 billion. In return, Anthropic will buy $30 billion in cloud computing from Microsoft's Azure, and Anthropic's Frontier Claude models will come to Microsoft Foundry, though Amazon will remain Anthropic's main cloud provider.

AI Bubble Concerns: There's increasing talk about a possible AI investment bubble, with tech stocks experiencing volatility. Google CEO Sundar Pichai noted that the trillion-dollar AI investment surge carries "elements of irrationality," suggesting that no company would be immune if a bubble bursts. All eyes are on Nvidia's earnings report as a potential indicator of market direction.

AI in Politics: Justin Robert Young explained that AI is becoming a major flashpoint in American politics, with both parties testing messaging around protecting people from AI's effects. Representative Ro Khanna criticized AI use in video games like Call of Duty Black Ops 7, calling for regulations to prevent companies from using AI to eliminate jobs. Unlike many political issues, concern about AI appears to cross party lines rather than creating partisan division.

WhatsApp Security Flaw: Austrian researchers exposed a WhatsApp flaw that allowed them to extract 3.5 billion phone numbers along with profile photos and about texts from millions of accounts. They accomplished this by inputting billions of phone numbers into the Contact Discovery tool, which lacked rate limiting. Meta has since fixed the issue by applying stricter controls.
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Hosted by Matt Kittle and The Federalist’s team of fearless journalists, this is a podcast featuring engaging and in-depth conversations with reporters, scholars, authors, politicians, and thinkers of all stripes. Along with guest hosts Mollie Hemingway, David Harsanyi, and others, the show delivers smart and compelling dialogues on politics, culture, religion, and the news of the day. Support the show by subscribing, rating, and writing a review! Check out The Federalist's other coverage on <a href="https://thefederalist.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our website</a>. Follow The Federalist on <a href="https://twitter.com/fdrlst" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">X</a>.

It’s The Economy, Stupid

Federalist Radio Hour

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Housing Affordability Crisis: The U.S. is facing a severe housing affordability crisis with the median age of first-time homebuyers now at 40 (up from 29 in 1981) and households in their 30s having only a 42% ownership rate. This crisis has multiple causes beyond just high mortgage rates, including local policies like urban growth boundaries that create artificial scarcity, excessive regulations, and environmental restrictions that drive up construction costs.

Interest Rates and Housing Market Freeze: Many homeowners are locked into low mortgage rates (2-3%) and are reluctant to sell and purchase at current higher rates (6%+), contributing to low housing inventory. While Treasury Secretary Scott Besant blames mortgage rates for the housing recession, Kerpen argues the issue is more complex and tied to inflation expectations and fiscal policy.

Federal Reserve Criticism: Fed Chair Jerome Powell's monetary policy has largely failed by his own standards, hitting his inflation target only once in nearly seven years. Kerpen suggests the Fed should adopt a more predictable approach with a known rate of growth for money supply rather than attempting to micromanage the economy.

Local Policies vs. Federal Solutions: Most significant housing affordability problems stem from local zoning restrictions and regulations rather than federal policy. Markets without urban growth boundaries and restrictive zoning tend to have more affordable housing. This makes it difficult to implement effective nationwide solutions since the problems vary by region.

Obamacare and Healthcare Costs: The COVID-enhanced Obamacare subsidies have extended government healthcare support to higher income levels while eliminating premium payments at lower income levels, contributing to fraud and high costs. Republicans have resisted extending these subsidies and are exploring market-oriented alternatives like expanded Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).

Healthcare Consolidation: Corporate ownership of physician practices has risen dramatically from 15-16% in 2012 to 60% today, reducing patient choice and competition. This consolidation trend, accelerated by Obamacare's regulatory environment, has fundamentally changed doctor-patient relationships and driven up healthcare costs.

Regulatory Reform: Kerpen advocates for the REINS Act, which would require congressional approval for major regulations rather than allowing unelected bureaucrats to implement them independently. This would introduce more accountability and potentially make deregulation efforts more permanent across administrations.
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Forum tells remarkable and true stories about who we are and where we live. In the first hour, Alexis Madrigal convenes the diverse voices of the Bay Area, before turning to Mina Kim for the second hour to chronicle and center Californians’ experience. In an increasingly divided world, Mina and Alexis host conversations that inform, challenge and unify listeners with big ideas and different viewpoints.

Want to call/submit your comments during our live Forum program Mon-Fri, 9am-11am? We'd love to hear from you! Please dial 866.SF.FORUM or (866) 733-6786 or email forum@kqed.org, tweet, or post on Facebook.

Why ICE Agents Mask Themselves

KQED's Forum

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Shift in ICE Operations Under Trump: ICE's work has shifted from primarily administrative tasks under Biden to aggressive public enforcement under Trump. Previously, officers focused on targeted enforcement and case management, but now engage in sweeping street operations while often wearing masks.

Why Federal Agents Are Masking: Agents began wearing face coverings early in Trump's term, primarily citing fears of being identified, doxxed, or having their families targeted. Veteran officials acknowledge masks create a bad public image but feel they can't order officers to remove them given the stressful conditions they're operating under.

The Impact of Anonymity on Enforcement: Experts and veteran officials worry masks decrease accountability and may encourage more aggressive behavior. The Stanford Prison Experiment is referenced as evidence that anonymity can lead to dehumanization and abuse of power, with some incidents already showing officers losing restraint in confrontations.

Public Confusion and Safety Concerns: The masks create confusion about who legitimate law enforcement officers are. The FBI has warned about criminals impersonating ICE officers, raising concerns about whether citizens can legally defend themselves against unidentifiable individuals claiming authority.

Inter-Agency Tensions: There are internal tensions between ICE and Border Patrol, with the latter now taking a more prominent role in deportation operations. Border Patrol agents, typically stationed at the border, are using more aggressive tactics in cities, causing frustration among ICE officials who are being blamed for Border Patrol's actions.

California's Legal Challenge: California passed a law prohibiting federal agents from wearing masks during operations, but the Department of Justice is challenging it as unconstitutional. Legal experts don't expect California to prevail, as states generally cannot regulate federal agency operations.

Self-Deportation Strategy: The aggressive enforcement and intimidation tactics are part of a deliberate strategy to encourage "self-deportation" by making life uncomfortable for undocumented immigrants. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem sees this as a key pathway to meeting the administration's goal of one million deportations annually.

Long-term Impact on Communities: Listeners and callers expressed concerns about the psychological impact on children witnessing these operations, erosion of community trust, and how these practices may affect perceptions of the United States among immigrant communities for generations.

Lack of Standardized Identification: Federal agents from various agencies (ICE, Border Patrol, FBI, DEA) participate in immigration operations with inconsistent uniforms, insignia, and identification, creating confusion for the public during encounters.

Future of Immigration Enforcement: If leadership changes, there would likely be efforts to recalibrate ICE's approach, focusing more on violent criminals and national security threats rather than mass deportations. However, structural changes implemented under Trump may endure regardless of administration changes.
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Weekly video game reviews, previews, and analysis of the biggest topics in gaming, covering the latest in PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo and more! Hosted by Tim Gettys, Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Blessing Adeoye, and Andy Cortez.

We Interview Dispatch's Aaron Paul, NYT Games Editor - Kinda Funny Gamescast

Kinda Funny Gamescast: Video Game Podcast

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New York Times Games Editor Joel Fagliano Discusses Puzzles and His New Book: Joel Fagliano, creator of the NYT Mini Crossword and editor at the New York Times Games division, shares insights about his journey from submitting puzzles as a high schooler to becoming a key figure in the puzzle world. He discusses the development process behind popular games like Connections, Wordle, and the Mini Crossword, explaining how the team balances difficulty and satisfaction in their puzzles.

The Evolution of Puzzle Culture: Joel reflects on how puzzles have transformed from solitary activities to social experiences, especially with the viral success of Wordle. He describes the satisfaction of seeing people engage with puzzles on the subway and how the New York Times games have become an unexpected cultural phenomenon, making puzzles "inexplicably cool" among younger audiences.

Creating Effective Puzzles: According to Joel, good puzzles should be "clever and rewarding" and feel like a worthwhile use of time. He explains that puzzle creation requires balancing complexity with accessibility, considering the target audience, and using constraints to spark creativity. Despite having made over 4,000 Mini Crosswords, Joel still finds fresh inspiration by keeping a notebook for ideas and constantly seeing puzzle potential in everyday observations.

Behind the Scenes of NYT Games: The NYT games team consists of seven editors, each with their own "kingdom" but collaborating on all puzzles. Joel describes their meticulous testing process and the challenges of avoiding repetition after years of creating daily puzzles. He mentions the team's internal database that helps track previously used clues and themes.

Puzzle Mania Book: Joel's new book "Puzzle Mania" features hundreds of puzzles including collections of his favorite Mini Crosswords, variations on NYT games like Wordle and Connections, and original puzzle concepts like the vowel-less crossword and "emojiography" (using emoji sequences to represent place names). The book aims to surprise readers with something new on each page.

Connections Between Games and Fandom: The Kind Funny team shares their experiences with NYT games, particularly their Slack channel competition for the fastest Mini Crossword times. Joel discusses how players create their own challenges within games, such as attempting to solve the most difficult "purple" category in Connections first or using strategic starting words in Wordle.

Aaron Paul Interview on Dispatch: In the second segment, Aaron Paul discusses his role in the video game "Dispatch," a superhero workplace comedy set in Los Angeles with choose-your-own-adventure gameplay elements. Paul explains that recording for the game took two years, much longer than his animation work on series like BoJack Horseman and Invincible.

From Animation to Gaming: Paul shares that he stepped away from his Invincible role (Powerplex) because the character's intense emotional trauma was too difficult to embody. He contrasts this with Dispatch, which balances humor with dramatic moments while allowing players to make choices that lead to completely different story paths.

The Gaming Community: Aaron Paul expresses appreciation for the gaming community, mentioning how his brother has formed meaningful friendships with fellow gamers. He notes that compelling storytelling and characters are essential for games to engage players, just as they are for television and film.

Superpower Preferences: When asked which superpower from the game he'd prefer, Paul mentions Invisigo's ability to turn invisible, while also describing his character as a damaged superhero forced to work at a dispatch office managing reformed villains. The hosts discuss other characters' powers, including super speed (which comes with accelerated aging) and demonic transformation.
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AM is Australia's most informative morning current affairs program. With key political interviews and stories about the Australian way of life, AM sets the agenda for the nation’s daily news and current affairs coverage.

Scientists furious over CSIRO job cuts

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CSIRO Job Cuts Raise Concerns for Australia's Scientific Future: The CSIRO, Australia's premier science agency, announced plans to cut 300-350 full-time research jobs, on top of 800 positions already eliminated in the past 18 months. The cuts are needed to address a budget shortfall and include funding renovations for aging buildings. CSIRO Chief Executive Doug Hilton explained that government funding has not kept pace with inflation and the rising costs of scientific research.

Impact on Australia's Research Capabilities: Scientists and politicians warn these cuts could damage Australia's economic future and sovereign capabilities. Dr. Catherine Woodthorpe, President of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, notes that decades of experience will likely be lost overseas. Australia's R&D spending has fallen to 1.69% of GDP, while competitors like South Korea and Germany invest over 3%.

Political Response to CSIRO Cuts: The job cuts have drawn criticism from across the political spectrum. Shadow Minister Alex Hawke sees them as threatening sovereign capabilities, while Greens spokesperson Peter Wish Wilson questioned the government's priorities, noting the billions spent on nuclear submarines and fossil fuel subsidies while cutting scientific research.

Triple Zero Emergency Call System Failures: A TPG Telecom customer in Sydney died after being unable to reach emergency services due to outdated software on their Samsung phone. This follows the earlier Optus network outage linked to three deaths. Consumer advocates question why the problems weren't addressed sooner, with ACANN's Carol Bennett noting that the blocking of incompatible phones "should have been done a year ago."

Jeffrey Epstein Files Release Passes House Vote: The U.S. House of Representatives voted to release convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's files, setting up a potential battle in the Senate. President Trump initially opposed the full release but changed his position. Families of Epstein's victims support the release for justice and accountability but fear the Senate may delay or block complete disclosure.

Search for Murdered Schoolboy's Remains Stalls: The family of Terry Floyd, a 12-year-old murdered in 1975, accused the Victorian government of breaking its promise to fund the excavation of a mine shaft where evidence suggests his body was dumped. Despite initially providing $145,000 and making a public pledge to continue funding the search, the government has stopped responding to the family's requests, leaving the nearly-completed excavation in limbo.

Navigating Autism Treatment Options: With Australia's autism diagnosis rates surging, parents face challenges finding evidence-based treatments. Experts warn about non-evidence-based treatments being marketed to vulnerable families, particularly hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Medical professionals stress the importance of consulting with doctors and pursuing proven early intervention programs instead of unproven alternatives that could delay effective treatment.
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