Latest news with #JoshBecker
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
California Senators Suggest Paramount-Trump Settlement Would Amount to a Bribe and Harm Independent Press
Two California state senators have called for a hearing on the settlement talks between Paramount Global and President Trump, alleging that such a deal would amount to a bribe in order to obtain regulatory approval for the studio's merger with Skydance Media. In a letter sent Friday, Sens. Tom Umberg and Josh Becker suggest that a settlement could violate state and federal law, as well as have a 'chilling effect' on investigative and political journalism. The senators invited Wendy McMahon and Bill Owens, top CBS News executives who have resigned in recent weeks, to testify. More from Variety PBS Sues Trump, Claims Defunding Order Violates First Amendment Trump Lawyers Claim '60 Minutes' Harris Interview Caused Him 'Mental Anguish,' Argue That the 'First Amendment Is No Shield to News Distortion' in Motion to Deny Paramount Bid to Dismiss Lawsuit 'Comics Unleashed' Returns to CBS Late-Night Schedule Following 'Midnight' Cancellation The senators said they were at the beginning stage of an inquiry focused on 'ensuring that public-facing media enterprises compete based on content and quality, not influence, capitulation, or political appeasement.' The letter was first reported by Semafor. Trump sued CBS last October for $10 billion, alleging that the network had engaged in consumer fraud by editing out a portion of a '60 Minutes' interview with Kamala Harris. Though CBS has argued in court that the suit is without merit, Paramount controlling shareholder Shari Redstone has nevertheless reportedly pushed for a settlement, in hopes that doing so will help expedite the pending $8 billion Skydance. Trump later amended the suit to seek $20 billion in damages. The Wall Street Journal reported this week that Paramount is willing to pay up to $15 million, though Trump has held out for a higher amount. Three Democratic U.S. senators — Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden and Bernie Sanders — raised alarms earlier this month about the discussions, suggesting that a corrupt quid pro quo may violate the federal bribery statute. Umberg is a former federal prosecutor. In their letter, he and Becker, both Democrats, suggest a settlement would also violate California's unfair competition law, and expose board members to shareholder lawsuits. 'Paramount's capitulation would also undermine two essential pillars of a liberal democracy: a free press and an impartial, rule-of-law regulatory system,' the senators wrote. Owens, the executive producer of '60 Minutes,' stepped down in April, citing interference with CBS' corporate overseers at Paramount. McMahon, the president of CBS News who also oversaw local stations, resigned May 19, also citing conflicts with Paramount honchos. The letter invites both to testify as 'friendly witnesses,' suggesting they may be able to offer insight about the talks and pushback from the news division. The Paramount board was copied on the letter. Some ethics experts have indicated it would be difficult to prove a bribery charge in court, given the challenge of demonstrating an explicit quid pro quo. Best of Variety What's Coming to Netflix in June 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dawn Addis: This bill ensures ethnic studies will combat all forms of hate
I was a public school teacher for more than two decades, so I know how important it is that students see themselves reflected in their school curriculum. When certain histories or cultures are left out or misrepresented, students can be left feeling isolated or excluded. And that is exactly what appears to be happening in California's own ethnic studies curriculum. At a time when the federal government is trying to rewrite American history by banning diversity initiatives, California must persist in elevating the lived experiences of everyone in this country. This mission is one that all Californians should enthusiastically support. Ethnic studies, which the state of California moved toward making a high school requirement in 2021, is about understanding, embracing and uplifting the many stories that shape California, and teaching our students about the experiences of marginalized communities. Opinion However, ethnic studies was initially introduced without statewide curriculum standards, leaving it open to broad and sometimes ahistorical interpretation. Unfortunately — and especially since the horrific attack on Israel in October of 2023 and the resulting Israel-Hamas war — this guidance gap has sown confusion and allowed some ethnic studies courses to be manipulated into pushing political agendas that glorify Hamas, perpetuate antisemitic tropes and denigrate Jewish people. Consequently, many in the Jewish community are rightfully skeptical of whether our students will feel comfortable and welcome in their ethnic studies classes. We cannot let this situation continue. For ethnic studies to fulfill its promise, our state must show that California takes this responsibility seriously, and that starts with supporting educators in the classroom by outlining clear standards for appropriate content and instruction. To make this change, I jointly authored Assembly Bill 1468 with Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur, D-Los Angeles, and State Senator Josh Becker, D-Menlo Park. The legislation would require California's Department of Education to create curriculum standards and oversee ethnic studies instruction, better ensuring historical accuracy, preventing political views from entering the classroom and making sure students are welcomed and affirmed at school. AB 1468 will send the signal that California takes ethnic studies as seriously as it takes every other high school class. A true commitment to ethnic studies requires that the state develop curriculum standards, as well as aligned materials and instruction, just as it has for English, math, science, health, physical education, history and other disciplines. Strong, clear standards will ensure that ethnic studies creates mutual understanding and compassion among students, teachers, parents and administrators. They will also free us from biases that are corrosive to a strong, multicultural democracy. Under this new bill, Jewish students — and all students — in our public schools will be assured that their teachers have clear guidance on what students should learn in ethnic studies. The bill will also ensure that students come away from their course with more knowledge of California's richly multicultural population, deepening their empathy for their fellow students and becoming more aware of the world around them. I recognize that there are voices in the state calling for ethnic studies to be abolished because some have abused their positions by bringing their political opinions into schools. Those incidents are completely unacceptable. This bill will strengthen the original intent of ethnic studies by ensuring that teachers have the tools they need to fulfill it. The legislation will also anchor California as a leader in the fight against efforts to roll back the clock in our schools. Some opponents of AB 1468 have said it will stifle the true teaching of history. But continuing ethnic studies without safeguards is absolutely not viable. When complex issues arise, it is essential that they are taught in thoughtful ways without promoting harmful stereotypes or debasing other cultures. This bill will ensure that ethnic studies is taught in a way that combats all forms of hate, including antisemitism. The goal of ethnic studies is to tell important stories of the people of California. When curriculum is based on clear standards, ethnic studies courses will tell these stories in ways that promote empathy and belonging — not just within our classrooms, but across our communities. Ethnic studies must encourage critical thinking, while ensuring that the classroom experience reflects California's values of multiculturalism, unity and mutual respect. Assemblymember Dawn Addis represents California Assembly District 30, which includes portions of Monterey, San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz Counties.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Report exposes unsettling financial risks linked to insurance industry: 'Can have significant ripple effects'
People look to insurance companies for help after environmental disasters, but a report has shown how the industry's investments might contribute to these catastrophes. Capital & Main published an article exploring the link between insurance companies and Big Oil. According to the piece, the insurance industry dedicates 4.4% of its investment portfolio to dirty fuel companies. This investment strategy works against the insurance industry. While it profits from dirty fuel and oil companies' premiums, it loses money covering homes impacted by unstable climate conditions. According to the report, leading insurance companies collected $11.3 billion in premiums from Big Oil companies, but they reported $10.6 billion in losses caused by climate change. Specifically, many insurers lost money by paying out policies on homes ravaged by the Los Angeles wildfires. However, they fund the same companies accelerating the rate of rising global temperatures and contributing to the frequency and severity of extreme weather events like wildfires. Significant losses due to climate catastrophes have led insurers to halt new policies. Some have declared they will not offer new policies in high-risk flood and fire areas. They're also refusing to renew coverage for policyholders in these regions. Most home loans require homeowners insurance. People unable to get a home insurance policy will be unable to receive a mortgage. Economists worry this could lead to a mortgage crisis. A study by Brookings Institution noted, "Rising premiums and limited availability of insurance can have significant ripple effects across housing markets, reducing demand (and housing values) for homes in high-risk areas." Insure Our Future, a global campaign to hold the insurance industry accountable for its role in the climate crisis, warned, "Insurers' self-reinforcing cycle of driving climate risks higher and restricting coverage for those risks is threatening public interest and financial stability." U.S. property values, especially in climate-affected areas, could plummet. This would severely hurt the American economy, leading to, as the Senate Budget Committee put it, "[something] similar to what occurred during the 2007-2009 mortgage meltdown and ensuing global financial crisis." Could America stop using oil and gas by 2050? For sure No way Only certain states could I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The glaring solution is for insurance companies to cease investing in oil and dirty fuels. Organizations like Insure Our Future criticize insurance companies for supporting Big Oil. But other solutions have also been explored. States like California initiated insurer-of-last-resort programs. These offer coverage to those being rejected by private insurers. However, the programs are overwhelmed and underfunded. Senator Josh Becker and the Nature Conservancy worked on a bill requiring insurers to account for risk mitigation efforts. But, according to Jones, "The insurance industry killed it … through lobbying and donations to lawmakers." Without the industry's cooperation, homeowners and the housing industry continue to be at great risk. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
