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U.S. NEWS

Guilty

In an unprecedented verdict, former President Trump was found guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

The jury deliberated for 9.5 hours before reaching a unanimous decision yesterday afternoon. 

Up next: sentencing on July 11th and (almost certainly) an appeal. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison, but as a 77-year-old first-time offender, prison time is unlikely. The judge, whom Trump has repeatedly decried as “biased” and “corrupt,” could also impose a sentence of probation, which would require regular check-ins with the NYC Probation Department, or a fine.

Following the verdict—which does not impact his eligibility to run for president—Trump blasted the trial as “rigged” and “disgraceful,” saying “the real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people.” 

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
This verdict is big world news but small eternal news. We shouldn't allow this (or any other trial) to consume our thoughts, direct our emotions, or dull our hope. God is not shaken or surprised, and our job as his followers has not changed: love God and love others.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 (CSB) (read full passage)

SCOTUS

Right of No Recusal

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito will not excuse himself from two 2020 election-related cases.

Several Democratic members of Congress requested his recusal following reports that an upside-down American flag and an “Appeal to Heaven” flag—both used by the so-called “Stop the Steal” movement—were flown outside his homes. In a letter, Alito indicated that his wife was responsible. He noted that the Supreme’s recently adopted code of conduct requires justices to hear a case “unless disqualified,” and his wife being a vexillophile (flag-lover) doesn’t amount to disqualification.

Alito also said that his wife’s flag-flying was in response to a neighborhood kerfuffle, not national politics. 

The critical lawmakers are unimpressed but largely powerless. Supreme Court Justices self-govern; the only potential consequence they face is impeachment by the House and removal from office by the Senate.

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CHOOSE HUMILITY
Culturally hot topics, like Supreme Court ethics, frequently make people think, speak, and act poorly… including us. We can respect others and represent God better if we are quick to listen and slow to speak.

“My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.”
James 1:19-20 (CSB) (read full passage)

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TECHNOLOGY

Robot Handshake

OpenAI is making deals. 

This week, the company behind ChatGPT signed licensing agreements with The Atlantic and Vox Media to use their content for training and output.

In an attempt to dodge copywriting lawsuits like the ones from The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, and other news outlets, OpenAI also signed a deal with News Corp last week. The contract, worth an estimated $250M, allows the tech company to access copyrighted content from The Wall Street Journal, Fox, and the New York Post.

There’s some fine print. When a specific work is referenced in an answer, ChatGPT will include a citation and a link to the original article. In turn, The Atlantic will be able to harness OpenAI’s tech to power Atlantic Labs—its start-up wing focused on AI products and uses.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Consumers and companies alike can use technology to hoard power and wealth or bless others. Whatever technology you’re using, remember to use every resource at your disposal to honor God and love others.

“A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water. People will curse anyone who hoards grain, but a blessing will come to the one who sells it.” 
Proverbs 11:25-26 (CSB) (read full passage)

North Korea sent South Korea over 260 balloons filled with trash and excrement as a "gift" on Wednesday. The Hermit Kingdom said it was responding to South Korean activists sending balloons filled with anti-Pyongyang leaflets, food, water, and K-pop music across the border. South Korean officials called the trash balloon stunt "base and dangerous" while also vowing to respond calmly. 
 

All charges were dropped against golfer Scottie Scheffler, who was arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer with his car while arriving at the PGA Championship. Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell said Scheffler’s explanation of a “misunderstanding” was “corroborated by the evidence.” Scheffler posted that he wanted to put the incident behind him while praising the “difficult job” of police.
 

Abercrombie & Fitch is making sales like it’s 2002. Better even. The company just posted its best first-quarter earnings ever, sending shares surging 24%. The brand has truly become a comeback kid, pivoting away from tiny skirts and shirtless in-store models to products that appeal to working millennials, like the new “A&F Wedding Shop.” 
 

Major League Baseball incorporated statistics from over 2,300 Negro League players into its record books, changing up the all-time leaderboards. Josh Gibson now has the best career batting average (.372—besting Ty Cobb's .367) and slugging percentage (.718—moving Babe Ruth’s .690 down a slot). Many MLB players praised the change as “long overdue.”
 

The Bird Flu outbreak keeps flapping on. Farmers in Sioux County, Iowa, announced plans to kill over 4 million chickens after an outbreak of H5N1 was detected on Tuesday. This marks the largest impacted flock since 5 million birds were infected in Florida in 2022. H5N1 isn’t just for birds anymore; alpacas recently tested positive on a farm in Idaho.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Spectacular photos of unspectacular things…

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