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2 - Analysis / Culture / Culture & Institutions / Dead Reckoning / Opinion / Politics / Politics / Voice

What the 250th Looks Like From Here

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As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, cultural discussions on patriotism reveal a divide. While celebrations unfold nationwide, significant critique from mainstream media and cultural elites questions the legitimacy of national pride. This contrasts with data showing that many Americans, particularly in rural areas, maintain their love for country.

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2 - Analysis / 3 - Investigations / Child Custody / Child Custody / Child Welfare / Domestic Policy / Domestic Violence / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Government / Institutions / Institutions & Accountability / Justice & Governance

The Same Tools

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The article examines how tactics for controlling partners in marriage are mirrored in family court environments, highlighting systemic failures to recognize and address coercive control. Through multiple cases, it illustrates how these controlling behaviors persist in legal proceedings, resulting in devastating outcomes for parents and children, often exacerbated by institutional biases and inadequate judicial training.

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3 - Investigations / 4 - Cases / Accountability / Ada Accommodations / Brenna Gano Case / California / California Watch / Child Custody / Child Custody / Court Corruption / Disability / Disability Rights / Disability Rights / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Government / Government Accountability / Institutions / Institutions & Accountability / Parental Rights / parental rights / The California Custody Cartel

The Gatekeeper

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Brenna Gano alleges that Samantha Esver-Poon, a Family Court Services counselor in San Mateo County, fabricated agreements and neglected evidence, leading to her estrangement from her son Jacob. Despite ongoing complaints, including violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Esver-Poon remains employed, and the county has yet to address the allegations.

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2 - Analysis / Big Tech & Regulation / Business / Fraud / Government / Government Accountability / Government Ethics & Accountability / Institutions & Accountability / Politics / Politics & Power / Tech / Technology / Technology

The $59 Million Test

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Nearly 590,000 Trump supporters paid $100 deposits for the Trump Mobile T1 phone, advertised as a patriotic alternative and “Made in America,” yet none have been delivered. The company revised its terms, indicating deposits do not guarantee purchases. Accountability from the FTC and Republican officials remains absent, fueling consumer outrage.

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2 - Analysis / Geopolitics / Politics / U.S. Foreign Policy

Reagan’s Ghost: Nobody’s Home in Tehran

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Trump destroyed Iran’s visible leadership structure and still failed to produce a coherent negotiating partner. The result is a geopolitical nightmare with no clear historical precedent: a decentralized revolutionary military force operating through a ghost government while diplomats promise deals they may not have the power to enforce.

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Government / Health & Medical / Health Wellness / Health, Policy & Regulation / Mental Health / Public Health

The Adderall Shortage Is Getting Worse in the Ways That Matter Most

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The ongoing Adderall shortage, now in its fourth year, continues to worsen despite a DEA production quota increase. Structural issues in supply chains, pharmaceutical exits from the generic market, and a high demand fueled by telehealth prescriptions contribute to the crisis. Patients resort to unsafe alternatives, highlighting the inadequacy of regulatory responses.

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2 - Analysis / 3 - Investigations / Circuit Court / Civil Court / Civil Rights / Civil Rights / Court Corruption / Court Reform / Domestic Policy / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Government / Institutions / Institutions & Accountability / Justice & Governance / Maryland / Maryland Watch

No One Is Watching: How Montgomery County’s Family Court Operates Without External Oversight, and What Happens to the People Who Notice

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An investigation reveals a significant accountability gap in Maryland’s family court system, where civil rights complaints against judges lack external oversight and transparency. Complaints filed are often sealed and unreported, leading to systemic noncompliance without recourse for litigants. This raises critical issues about judicial accountability and the structures that enable potential misconduct.

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2 - Analysis / Drug Crisis / Government / Law Enforcement / Sports

The Camera Didn’t Protect Anyone. It Just Humiliated Tiger Woods.

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A Florida judge permitted Tiger Woods’ attorney to seek treatment away from public scrutiny, emphasizing his privacy rights. However, shortly after, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office released body camera footage of his arrest, raising questions about the need for such exposure, particularly regarding the presumption of innocence and public humiliation.

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Ada Accommodations / Advocacy / Court Reform / Disability Rights / Disability Rights / Due Process Denied / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Legal Reform / Maryland / Mental Health / News & Media

Justice Cannot Be Blind to Invisible Disabilities

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Maryland courts are increasingly denying ADA accommodation requests for individuals with invisible disabilities, leading to severe consequences. Judges are making medical determinations without proper evaluations, overshadowing federal law. This systemic failure calls for reforms including empowered ADA coordinators, necessary written responses, independent oversight, and better judicial training to honor ADA rights effectively.

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3 - Investigations / Ada Accommodations / Beyond Barriers and Disability Rights / California / California Watch / Child Custody / Child Protective Services / Child Support / Child Trafficking / Child Welfare / Corruption / Court Corruption / Disability / Disability Rights / Disability Rights / Domestic Violence / Family Court / Government / Government Corruption / Law and Order / parental rights / Parental Rights / San Marcos Abduction Attempt / The Corruption Series / The Smiel Series / transparency

Paper Crime Scene: How a County Line Turned a Custody Dispute Into a Felony Case

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Giselle Farias Smiel faces felony charges for allegedly kidnapping her children, stemming from bureaucratic mistakes and insufficient evidence. The case highlights systemic failures, including secrecy and lack of inter-agency communication, which overshadow due process and create a troubling precedent for parental rights and disability protections within the legal system.

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