Supreme Court rejects Alex Jones’ appeal in $1.4B Sandy Hook defamation case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected an appeal from right-wing commentator and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, effectively upholding a $1.4 billion defamation judgment against him for spreading false claims that the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax. The Superme Cout did not provide an explanation for its decision.

By rejecting the appeal, the high court allowed the judgment—originally imposed after Jones was found liable in 2021—to stand. The lawsuits, brought by the families of victims of the Sandy Hook massacre, accused Jones of defamation and emotional harm stemming from his repeated false statements about the tragedy.

Last week, Jones had asked the Supreme Court to temporarily block the enforcement of the judgment while justices considered whether to review his case. Jones’ legal team argued that the staggering amount was impossible to pay, calling it a “financial death penalty” imposed on a media figure whose broadcasts reached millions. Justice Sonia Sotomayor denied that request on Monday, following the Court’s broader decision not to take up the appeal.

In 2022, a six-member Connecticut jury ordered Jones to pay $965 million in damages to 15 plaintiffs- the families of the victims – citing defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and violations of state law. A month later, a judge added an additional $474 million in punitive damages, bringing the total to more than $1.4 billion. Jones’ legal team argued in court filings that the amount was “impossible to pay.”

Jones, who founded the media outlet InfoWars, spent years repeatedly promoting the false narrative that the Sandy Hook shooting wasn’t real, and the events were staged by “crisis actors.” to push for stricter gun control.  In reality, 20 first-graders, six educators, the shooter Adam Lanza and his mother died in the 2012 school shooting. During the defamation trial, relatives of victims and an FBI agent testified that they were subjected to threats and harassment from Jones’ followers who believed his conspiracy theories. In a separate Texas case, Jones acknowledged under oath that the Sandy Hook shooting was “100% real.” Nonetheless, he continued to criticize the Connecticut proceedings, labeling them a “kangaroo court” and claiming his First Amendment rights had been violated.

Following the judgments, Jones and his company, Free Speech Systems, filed for bankruptcy. In a bizarre twist, the satirical outlet The Onion attempted to purchase InfoWars during bankruptcy proceedings, but a judge blocked the sale last December. According to Jones’ attorneys, efforts to sell InfoWars are still ongoing.

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President Trump meets with Argentina’s President Javier Milei at White House

President Donald Trump met with Argentine President Javier Milei on Tuesday, just days after Washington approved a major financial support package aimed at stabilizing Argentina’s struggling economy.

As Milei arrived, reporters asked Trump if he had a message for the people of Argentina, in which he responded: “We love them. We’ll be here for them. They have a great leader.”

Trump said on Tuesday, however, that support from the U.S. for Argentina hinges on the ruling party of President Milei succeeding in this month’s midterm legislative elections, adding that “we’re not going to waste our time” if Milei’s party doesn’t win.  Trump added: “I’m with this man because his philosophy is correct, and he may win it … He may not win, but I think he’s going to win. And if he wins, we’re staying with him. And if he doesn’t win, we’re gone.”

The meeting comes just days after the U.S. agreed to provide a major financial lifeline to the South American nation. Earlier this month, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the U.S. would back a $20 billion currency swap with Argentina’s central bank—an agreement that allows the exchange of U.S. dollars for Argentine pesos in an effort to provide financial stability.

As a result of Trump’s remarks after the meeting, Argentina’s main stock market reversed earlier gains, and was down about 2% following the President’s comments. Treasury Secretary Bessent said the package (full details of which have not been announced) is predicated on the continuance of economic policies favored by the Trump administration. Bessent said: “Going back to Peronist policies would cause a rethink,” however he added that the aid package was not dependent on Argentina ending a separate swap line arrangement with China: “American assistance to Argentina is not predicated on ending the swap with China.”

Although specific terms of the financial package have not been made public, the aid could offer Milei an important political boost as he confronts a worsening economic crisis and declining public support. His party suffered a notable defeat in a provincial election last month and now faces a pivotal midterm contest later this month.

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LA Dodgers beat Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 to take 2-0 lead in NLCS

The Los Angeles Dodgers strengthened their hold on the National League Championship Series on Tuesday night, defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 5–1 to take a commanding 2–0 lead in the series.

LA pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto turned in a masterful performance on the mound, following Blake Snell’s previous shutout effort with a complete game of his own. The right-hander gave up just one run on three hits and struck out seven batters in a dominant showing. The Dodgers also got plenty of support from its power hitters, as Teoscar Hernández and Max Muncy each launched solo homers to pad the lead.

Milwaukee’s only offensive highlight came early, when Jackson Chourio opened the game with a first-pitch home run. After that, the Brewers were limited to just two more hits for the rest of the night, with starting pitcher Freddy Peralta tagged with the loss after surrendering three runs over 5 2/3 innings.

The National League Championship Series now heads to Los Angeles, with Game 3 set for Thursday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 3:08 p.m.

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Chicago Bears WR DJ Moore evaluated for groin injury after game vs. Commanders

Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore was hospitalized overnight in the D.C. area after the team’s 25-24 victory over the Washington Commanders on Monday, in order to receive what was described as “precautionary medical attention.” Moore was transported from the stadium by ambulance after the game after initially joining his teammates in the locker room to celebrate the last-second win against Washington. At the time, the team did not announce a specific injury to Moore.

On Tuesday afternoon, Bears head coach Ben Johnson shared a positive update on Moore’s condition (via ESPN 1000) saying that the wide receiver’s hospital stay was related to a groin injury. Johnson said: “It was precautionary. I think we got some good news on that. He should be coming back today, here, and I think he’ll be day-to-day going forward. It was a groin deal that he was dealing with and I think we’re going to be OK.”  It remains unclear if Moore will miss any time recovering.

Moore, 28, recorded three receptions for 42 yards and added two rushing attempts for 10 yards. He appeared to be in visible discomfort after sustaining a hit to the midsection during the first half, but never left the game. Through five games, Moore has 19 receptions for 215 yards and one touchdown for the Bears, who after an 0-2 start are now 3-2.

The former first-round draft pick was traded from the Carolina Panthers in March 2023, and is currently in his third year with Chicago. Moore has surpassed 1,100 receiving yards in four different seasons, including a personal best of 1,364 yards in his first year with the Bears (2023).

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HARDY teams up with Ernest for “Bro Country”

HARDY and ERNEST have teamed up for the new song ‘Bro Country’, the latest from Hardy’s latest album, Country! Country (stream HERE).

HARDY says of the new track he co-wrote with longtime friend, collaborator and labelmate Ernest: “There’s a whole new crew in Nashville that’s bringing a whole new different sound and this song is simply an observation of that.”

ERNEST adds: “HARDY is such a clever writer—one of the best to ever do it. It’s been fun growing with him since our days of writing with Florida Georgia Line and many others. I am very thankful for them, the summers we all had together and the opportunities that got us here. I think this is a cool song that shows the ever-changing nature of music, and I’m glad I got to sing on it with HARDY.”

“Bro Country” follows the previously released “Bottomland” and HARDY’s recent EP “COUNTRY”

Stream ‘Bro Country’ – HERE.

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Blake Shelton returning for Las Vegas Residency in 2026

Blake Shelton is returning to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, for eight performances, taking place January 15-31, 2026.

Shelton posted on X: “I’ve been counting down the days until I could tell y’all… WE ARE BACK, VEGAS!!!!! We’re returning to The Colosseum at @CaesarsPalace this January. Tickets on sale to the public Thursday, August 28th, but y’all can sign up for exclusive presale access at http://blakeshelton.com.”

Shelton also said in a statement: “We had so much fun earlier this year, I figured—why not do it again? This time we’re gonna do it more country, with more cocktails, and probably make a few more questionable decisions. Let’s go, Vegas.”

For ticket information, head to Shelton’s website or Ticketmaster.

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‘It: Welcome to Derry’ to premiere October 26th on HBO Max

HBO Max is previewing the prequel series ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’. 

The horror-drama’s first season features nine episodes, with Bill Skarsgård reprising his role as the supernatural, child-killing clown Pennywise. Based on Stephen King’s 1986 novel IT, ‘Welcome to Derry’ expands the vision established by director Andy Muschietti in the films IT (2017) and IT Chapter Two (2019), and takes place about three decades before the events of the movies.

A full trailer was also released for the new series, set in 1960s Maine and featuring the Hanlons – a military family looking to settle down in the small, sleepy town of Derry, Maine. But the family quickly learns not is all what it seems — dozens of people, mostly children, have gone missing or been killed. The series features a cast of young teens contending with an evil presence that takes the form of Pennywise the clown.

The cast of Welcome to Derry also features Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe and Rudy Mancuso.

‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ will premiere on October 26th; see the trailer – HERE.

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See the new trailer for ‘Bugonia’ starring Emma Stone

A new trailer has been released for the upcoming sci-fi black comedy ‘Bugonia’, from filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos (‘Poor Things’) and starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons.

Stone portrays Michelle Fuller, described as “a high profile female corporate executive,” who is kidnapped by a pair of conspiracy-obsessed young men (Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis) who are convinced she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth. Will Tracy wrote the script.

Stavros Halkias and Alicia Silverstone also star in the film, which made its debut at the Venice International Film Festival.

‘Bugonia’ will have a limited run in select theaters beginning Oct. 24, before it goes into wide release on October 31st. See the trailer: HERE.

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Mariners take 2-0 series lead with win vs. Blue Jays; Dodgers beat Brewers 2-1 in Game 1

The Seattle Mariners took a 2-0 ALCS lead after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 10-3 on Monday night at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

Seattle’s Jorge Polanco hit a three-run homer off Louis Varland in the fifth inning, with Julio Rodríguez also belting a three-run homer and Josh Naylor adding a two-run drive to help bring the Mariners to victory. Their commanding 2-0 series lead now puts the franchise just two wins away from its first World Series appearance.

Game 3 of the American League Championship Series will take place Wednesday at T-Mobile Park in Seattle with Toronto’s Shane Bieber and Seattle’s George Kirby scheduled as the starting pitchers.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 2-1 in Game 1 of the NLCS at American Family Field.

Two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell dominated for the Dodgers, pitching 8 innings with 10 strike outs, and giving up just one hit (becoming the first pitcher in post season history to strike out at least 10 batters and give up one hit without a walk in eight innings).

The Dodgers now hold a 1-0 lead in the series; Game 2 will be Tuesday in Milwaukee.

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Trump and world leaders sign peace deal; all living Israeli hostages, Palestinian prisoners freed

President Trump boarded Air Force One on Monday after the signing of the peace agreement aimed at ending the Gaza conflict, as well as his historic address to Israel’s parliament, the Knesset. The president is expected back in Washington early Tuesday morning.

Hamas released the final group of 20 surviving Israeli hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023 as part of an exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The hostages were reunited with their families in Israel. Along with the freed captives, the remains of four other hostages who were killed were also returned. Israeli authorities said that the bodies of 24 more slain hostages remain in Gaza.

Pres. Trump met with hostage families in the morning before delivering an address to Israel’s Knesset, where he said: “After so many years of unceasing war and endless danger, today, the skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still, and the sun rises on a Holy Land that is finally at peace. Together, we’ve achieved what everybody said was impossible. At long last, we have peace in the Middle East — it’s a very simple expression, peace in the Middle East. And we’ve heard it for many years, but nobody thought it could ever get there, and now we’re there.”

Trump was awarded the Order of the Nile by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.  The award, the highest civilian honor in the country, was awarded to President Trump for “his significant contributions to promoting peace, resolving conflicts, and most recently, his pivotal role in ending the war in Gaza.”

Trump extended his thanks to the world leaders he stood with, specifically calling out the heads of state of multiple Middle Eastern countries including Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia for their help with the peace agreement. The peace accord, brokered by the United States and signed by President Trump alongside several Middle Eastern leaders, formally launched the plan to bring the war to an end. Trump expressed optimism that the deal would “hold strong.”

As part of the broader agreement, Israel is set to free around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. This group includes roughly 250 individuals serving life sentences and about 1,700 others who have been held since the Hamas-led assault on October 7, 2023. A cease-fire between Israel and Hamas took effect at noon local time on Friday, after which Israeli forces completed their withdrawal to a designated line within Palestinian territory.

The White House later released a list of countries and organizations that had participated in the peace ceremony in Egypt: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Canada, Cyprus, Egypt, EU, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian Authority, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

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