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Political panic and culture-war absurdity of the week. Bill and Hillary Clinton suddenly agreed to testify after months of resistance, how Epstein’s orbit keeps pulling in billionaires, politicians, and institutions long after his death, and why every new document release somehow ends with more redactions than answers. We also get into Donald Trump threatening to sue Trevor Noah over a Grammy joke (because nothing says “unbothered” like lawyering up over punchlines), MAGA’s very public breakup tour as former allies scramble to rebrand, and fresh reporting that keeps Epstein’s name glued to power whether anyone likes it or not. LINKS https://instagram.com/itsnewstous https://tiktok.com/@itsnewstous Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cold Open / Viral Absurdity A man trains crows to attack people wearing red hats, confirming that even wildlife has opinions now. Quick MR FUN TikTok break to reset before everything gets heavy. Minnesota Economic Blackout & Escalating ICE Protests Faith leaders, labor unions, and community groups call for a statewide economic blackout on January 23. The protest responds to Operation Metro Surge, a major federal immigration enforcement action. Tensions intensified after Renee Good, a mother of three, was fatally shot by an ICE agent. The Pentagon places roughly 1,500 active-duty troops on standby as protests grow. Local officials warn that militarizing the response could escalate violence rather than restore order. Minnesota becomes a national test case for how far federal authority will go when states push back. ICE Deports 5-Year-Old U.S. Citizen ICE deports a 5-year-old U.S. citizen and her mother from Austin, Texas, to Honduras. Arrest stemmed from a routine police call and an ICE administrative warrant. The child and mother were held briefly, told not to disclose their location, then deported. Advocacy groups condemn the action as family separation that undermines trust in police. Raises serious questions about due process and police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. New “Abolish ICE” Bill Congressman Shri Thanedar introduces legislation to dismantle ICE entirely. DHS strongly opposes the proposal, arguing enforcement is necessary for public safety. Supporters frame abolition as a human rights issue; critics call it politically risky. The debate exposes deep divisions over reform versus elimination of federal immigration enforcement. Trump Says “We Shouldn’t Even Have an Election” President Donald Trump remarks that the U.S. “shouldn’t even have an election,” later framed by the White House as a joke. Comment sparks immediate backlash and renewed concerns over democratic norms. Legal reality remains unchanged: elections are constitutionally mandated. Critics say the rhetoric further erodes trust in democratic institutions. DOJ vs Congress Over Epstein Files The Department of Justice tells a federal judge Congress cannot control or accelerate the release of Epstein-related files. Lawmakers argue the release is moving far too slowly. DOJ says delays are due to victim-protection redactions. Public frustration grows as only a fraction of documents have been released. Trump’s Letter to Norway, Greenland, and the Nobel Grudge Trump sends a letter to Norway’s prime minister tying a Nobel Peace Prize snub to his renewed push for control of Greenland. Norway reiterates it does not decide Nobel winners. The letter escalates diplomatic tensions with Europe and NATO allies. The situation inspires global confusion and a lot of internet mockery. Denmark “Buy California” Petition Goes Viral Satirical petition suggests Denmark should buy California and rename it “New Denmark.” Gains hundreds of thousands of signatures. Uses humor to criticize Trump’s Greenland ambitions. Becomes a cultural meme rather than a serious proposal. Anti-Trans GOP Lawmaker Sentenced Former South Carolina Republican lawmaker RJ May sentenced to 17½ years for distributing child sexual abuse material. Case highlights stark hypocrisy given his past anti-trans rhetoric. Prosecutors describe the material as among the most disturbing they’ve seen. Sparks renewed criticism of moral panic politics. Severe Solar Storm Triggers Global Alerts A G4-level geomagnetic storm hits Earth following a coronal mass ejection. Potential disruptions to satellites, GPS, aviation, and power grids. Auroras visible farther south than usual. Reminder of how vulnerable modern infrastructure is to space weather. Box Office Check: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Long-awaited zombie sequel opens with a modest but respectable box office. Strong interest from franchise fans, limited appeal to casual audiences. Mixed-to-positive reviews praise atmosphere but question necessity. Studios watching closely to see if word-of-mouth sustains the run. Wrap From weaponized birds to weaponized rhetoric, this episode covers a week where reality refuses to behave. Heavy stories, absurd moments, and the uncomfortable overlap between them. It’s News To Us — because apparently it has to be.   LINKS https://instagram.com/itsnewstous https://tiktok.com/@itsnewstous Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

 Interview: NGF (BandLab & ReverbNation Artist of the Month) Indie/alternative artist from Columbia, SC Debut 3-track release Soft Spoken Released (Dec 5, 2025) A conversation about restraint, vulnerability, silence, and writing songs that feel too honest Why three songs can say more than twelve What happens when intimacy meets the internet Global & Political Chaos (But With Jokes) Nicolás Maduro pleads not guilty to drug-trafficking charges in U.S. court, claims he was “captured” Senate prepares a war-powers vote to block Trump’s Venezuela actions after the fact Denmark shuts down Trump’s renewed Greenland takeover fantasies Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz drops his reelection bid, blowing open a once-safe race Culture, Tech & Trust Issues Gen Z men drifting politically — not loyal, just angry, broke, and online ICE vs. a Minneapolis hotel: when room reservations become a national debate Food-delivery app whistleblower alleges fake “priority” fees, algorithmic exploitation, and corporate gaslighting Canada warns U.S. politics are bleeding into public health data Trump administration reviews childhood vaccine schedule, alarming doctors everywhere Big Themes This Episode Power without guardrails Algorithms with no ethics Institutions losing trust Silence being louder than noise LINKS https://instagram.com/itsnewstous https://tiktok.com/@itsnewstous Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

EPISODE NOTES & RUNDOWNSEGMENT 1: SLEEPY DON President Trump is caught dozing off during his own Cabinet meeting while officials list his accomplishments. We analyze the "head jerk" technique and the New York Times report on his fading stamina. SEGMENT 2: HEGSETH’S "DOUBLE TAP" The Defense Secretary faces accusations of war crimes after allegedly ordering a second strike on survivors of a drug boat explosion. The Pentagon is hiding the tapes, but Hegseth’s tweets say it all. SEGMENT 3: TACOS & TEAR GAS Rep. Adelita Grijalva gets pepper-sprayed by federal agents at a Tucson eatery. DHS says she was "obstructing," she says she was just standing there—either way, lunch is ruined. SEGMENT 4: YOU’RE FIRED (LEGALLY) The Supreme Court hears arguments on Trump v. Slaughter, a case that could let the President fire independent regulators for any reason. The "Unitary Executive" theory is about to make job security a thing of the past. SEGMENT 5: MEDICAL MYSTERY Democrats claim Trump is hiding a "major medical crisis" after he admits he doesn't know what body part he just got an MRI on. Plus, the mystery of the hand bandages. SEGMENT 6: BUYER’S REMORSE A new report shows Trump voters are panicking as tariffs send grocery prices skyrocketing. The "Golden Age" is feeling a lot more like the "Overdraft Age." SEGMENT 7: KICKER — SURF & TURF LOCKDOWN A drone carrying ribeyes, crab legs, and Old Bay seasoning is intercepted at a South Carolina prison. We pour one out for the finest meal never eaten. LINKS https://instagram.com/itsnewstous https://tiktok.com/@itsnewstous Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.