In a little-covered story from last week, a Trump administration official said the quiet part out loud: Social Security is on the chopping block.

WHAT’S HAPPENING: Speaking at a Breitbart event (🤮) on Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said one part of Trump’s massive spending bill could be a “backdoor” for replacing Social Security.

The Trump admin hasn’t worked out the full details for the program yet, but insist up to $5,000 a year could be added by parents.

WHAT HE SAID: Bessent on Wednesday said the program could be used as “a backdoor for privatizing Social Security.” He went on:

SOME CONTEXT: It seems as if the Treasury Secretary doesn’t understand the purpose of Social Security and how it works—and why it’s a public program and not private.

Ever since, America’s ruling class has tried to destroy the program, so they could either pay less in taxes or benefit off the privatization of the program—or both.

WHAT PRIVATIZATION WOULD DO: Privatizing Social Security would be a massive transfer of wealth from working people to Wall Street.

And here's the kicker: Wall Street would rake in billions in fees managing these accounts, while retirees get less money and zero security.

WHAT'S NEXT: Rich elites know they can't just eliminate it outright (it's too popular), so they use "reforms" and "modernization" as cover for dismantling it piece by piece.

The endgame is clear: turn retirement security into another profit center for the wealthy, while working people bear all the risk. It's capitalism 101—privatize the gains, socialize the losses.

Israeli Prime Minister and accused war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu is now pushing for a total ground occupation of Gaza—against the advice of his own military leaders, who warn it could kill the remaining hostages and further exhaust troops. More than 60,000 Palestinians have already been killed, and human rights groups warn this escalation could deepen what they already call a genocide. Full story from Middle East Eye.

In a dramatic escalation over redistricting, the Texas House has issued arrest warrants for more than 50 Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block a GOP plan to redraw congressional maps in their favor. While the warrants are mostly symbolic, Republicans—backed by Gov. Greg Abbott—are threatening fines, investigations, and even removal from office, all in an effort to force the Democrats back before the special session ends. Full story from The Texas Tribune.

As Trump’s new tariffs begin to hit, over half of all Americans now say grocery costs are a "major source of stress"—more than housing, healthcare, or childcare. The burden is heaviest on low-income families, but even high earners are feeling the strain, with some turning to "buy now, pay later" loans to afford food. Experts warn that prices will rise even more as retailers run out of pre-tariff stock. Full story from Common Dreams.

The Trump administration is under fire for quietly transferring convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell to a minimum-security prison, raising alarms about potential preferential treatment. Critics, including Sen. Chuck Schumer, warn Trump may be preparing to pardon Maxwell in exchange for silence or false exoneration, amid growing scrutiny of his long personal history with both Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein. Full story from Huffington Post.

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is entering its most dangerous stretch, with conditions now primed for storm development. Tropical Storm Dexter is already active, and multiple systems are brewing as warm ocean waters, weakening winds, and moist air create ideal conditions for hurricanes. Experts warn the quiet start to the season is over—now is the time to prepare. Full story from CNN.

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The owner of Fox News is expanding his reach, by launching a west coast version of his right-wing rag.

WHAT’S HAPPENING: The Rupert Murdoch-owned News Corp announced Monday it will launch a California edition of the New York Post, dubbed the California Post, in early 2026.

News Corp CEO Robert Thomson called California journalism “jaundiced” and promised the Post would provide “serious reporting”—a laughable claim from an outlet known for spreading Trump’s lies and racist fearmongering.

WHY IT MATTERS: California—long a progressive stronghold—is now being targeted by right-wing media as the 2026 gubernatorial race and the 2028 Olympics approach.

Bringing that model to California threatens to further poison the media ecosystem with billionaire-funded clickbait and culture war distraction.

WHAT’S NEXT: Expect the California Post to serve as a launchpad for Trumpist talking points ahead of the 2026 midterms and beyond.

HOW YOU CAN FIGHT BACK: Independent media has never been more important. Consider joining NOTICE News—which is not backed by any billionaire—just a gay couple trying to change the world. We can’t do this without you—join today!

Yesterday we asked, given the fight over Congressional redistricting in Texas, do you think Democrats should gerrymander elections too?

Taylor said yes: “Things are not what they used to be, you must fight fire with fire!”

Phil voted yes and had an interesting idea: “If they win they should work toward a constitutional amendment with a fair system and algorithm for drawing districts uniform across all states. One based on location not arbitrary lines. Give the job to an AI and no political input.”

Still others voted no. Issac said, “Two wrongs don’t make a right.”

Here are some stories the algorithms may be keeping out of your feed.