Scholar Who Accused Israel of Genocide Wins $250K Settlement from Univ. of Minnesota

In a victory for academic freedom, the University of Minnesota has paid a $250,000 settlement to the Israeli American historian Raz Segal after rescinding an offer to lead the university’s Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies. Two years ago, the school had hired Segal to lead the center but rescinded the offer under pressure from donors who objected to Segal’s accusation that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. In a statement, Segal said, “This settlement represents a successful refusal to accept the world of lies that blur an ongoing genocide, and a commitment to continue the intertwined struggles for truth, justice, and accountability — in Palestine and on our campuses.” www.democracynow.org

FCC Votes to Lift Limits on TV Station Ownership

The Federal Communications Commission has voted to repeal the national cap on television station ownership in a move that could lead to greater media consolidation. The media group Free Press has announced plans to challenge the FCC’s move. Jessica González is co-chair of Free Press. Jessica González: “The FCC does not have authority to do this, because that statute was set by Congress, and only Congress can change a law. So, Free Press and allies plan to sue the FCC to halt this blatant attempt to hand over more media into the hands of Trump’s oligarch cronies, and we believe that we will win.” www.democracynow.org

Trump Administration Moves to Dismantle Anti-Poverty Head Start Program

The Trump administration has announced plans to overhaul Head Start, the nation’s early education and nutrition program for children living in poverty. The proposed measure would rescind hundreds of federal regulations overseeing Head Start, including mandates to provide assistance for parents of children with disabilities. Advocates warn the move will completely gut the program, which was first enacted over 60 years ago under the Health and Human Services Department — now run by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Annually, Head Start serves more than 700,000 children from birth to age 5. www.democracynow.org

Senate Homeland Security Committee Votes to Hold Fauci in Contempt of Congress

The Senate Homeland Security Committee led by Rand Paul has voted to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress. During a recent hearing, Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times when questioned about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the origins of the coronavirus. Senator Paul has said he may send the contempt resolution directly to the Justice Department. Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire criticized the move to hold Fauci in contempt. Sen. Maggie Hassan: “The goal was to wait for Dr. Fauci to make any kind of misstatement, and then have a weaponized Department of Justice file criminal charges for that new statement that would not have been covered by the pardon, leaving Dr. Fauci little choice but to invoke his constitutional right to not walk directly into a trap.” www.democracynow.org

New Mexico Judge Orders Meta to Pay Additional $567M in Child Safety Lawsuit

A New Mexico judge has ordered Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to pay $567 million into a fund aimed at addressing the social media giant’s role in a worsening mental health crisis among teens and children. This comes in addition to the $375 million that a New Mexico jury ordered Meta to pay in the same case. In March, the jury found the company had knowingly harmed children and concealed child sexual exploitation on its platforms. Click here to see our coverage of the case. www.democracynow.org

Justin Pearson Wins Tenn. House Primary After Campaigning Against Data Centers

In Tennessee, two-term Republican Representative Andy Ogles has lost his House primary in a major upset. Former state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher won the race with 53% of the vote. Ogles lost despite being backed by Trump. Meanwhile, in Memphis, state Representative Justin Pearson easily won the Democratic House primary after running a campaign focused in part on opposing the construction of large artificial intelligence data centers. www.democracynow.org

Gaza Board of Peace Issues Construction Contract for Military Outpost in Gaza

President Trump’s so-called Gaza Board of Peace has issued its first construction contract: for a military outpost in Gaza to house 150 Moroccan troops. Meanwhile, UNICEF reports at least 300 Palestinian children have been killed in Gaza since Israel agreed to a so-called ceasefire that began in October. UNICEF’s regional director in the Middle East said, “A ceasefire that leaves an average of one child dead each and every day is failing children.” Earlier this week, a sixth grader in Gaza named Khaled Al-Ashram was reportedly struck by direct fire from Israeli troops while he was sitting at his school desk. A bullet pierced his hand and wrist. www.democracynow.org