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  Sean Astin giving a talk at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Source:  Daniel Schwen Sean Astin—best known for playing Samwise Gamgee in  The Lord of the Rings , Mikey in  The Goonies , and Rudy—has been elected the new president of SAG-AFTRA, the union representing about  160,000  performers and media professionals.  Los Angeles Times +3 EW.com +3 AP News +3 Here are the highlights: Astin won with ~79% of the vote over challenger Chuck Slavin.  EW.com +2 Los Angeles Times +2 Michelle Hurd, known for roles like  Star Trek: Picard , is the new secretary-treasurer.  EW.com +2 SAG-AFTRA +2 He’s succeeding Fran Drescher, whose leadership included guiding the union through major labor actions in recent years.  Los Angeles Times +1 Astin is stepping into this leadership position during a time of change: negotiations are coming up, and challenges include artificial intelligence, streaming service demands, studio consolidatio...

  A. Charlie Kirk Assassination & Fallout Key Facts & Timeline Victim and Incident : Charlie Kirk, conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot at an event at Utah Valley University.  ABC News +2 AP News +2 Suspect : 22-year-old Tyler James Robinson has been arrested. He had no prior criminal record. According to family statements, he had become increasingly political and critical of Kirk.  AP News +1 Evidence : Reports indicate ammunition with anti-fascist or meme-based messages; messages in a chat app; surveillance footage tying Robinson to the scene. Investigators believe he acted alone.  AP News +1 Political & Social Reactions Erika and Charlie Kirk Source:  Erika Kirk Instagram Erika Kirk (widow) : She has vowed to continue Charlie Kirk’s work. The “American Comeback” college tour will go ahead this fall; AmericaFest in December remains scheduled.  Politico +1 President Trump : Called for the death penalty for th...

University of Alaska Fairbanks Source: UAF Let’s talk about something that’s hitting home for a lot of Alaskans ... especially students and families in Fairbanks and around the state.  The University of Alaska Fairbanks just got word from the U.S. Department of Education: millions of dollars in federal grants are going away.  We’re talking about crucial funding for workforce development and degree programs, money that pays for classes, scholarships, job training, and so much more.

Tennessee National Guard on Washington D.C. Mission Source: National Guard President Trump has already begun deploying federal troops, primarily National Guard units, to major American cities he deems "blue," including Los Angeles and Washington D.C., and has made public threats to expand these actions to Chicago, Baltimore, New York, and other Democratic-led metropolises. Legal experts, judges, and state leaders are sharply divided over the legality of these deployments—especially when accomplished without the consent of local or state authorities—and early court rulings suggest these actions may violate federal law, specifically the Posse Comitatus Act and related constitutional principles. Trump's Deployment Plan Recent months have seen National Guard troops and other military assets sent to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., often over the vociferous objections of governors and mayors. For instance: Troops arrived in Los Angeles in June 2025 under claims of combating c...