SCOOP with Elizabeth Williamson: The Onion has a new plan to take over Infowars. It has entered into an agreement to license the Infowars brand and plans to operate it as a comedy site. A Texas judge must approve the deal.
www.nytimes.com/2026/04/20/b...
Posts by Grant Ashley
BREAKING: The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez.
I had the honor to introduce my replacement on 9NEWS
Minnesota investigators said the Trump administration has barred it them from taking part in the investigation into yesterday’s ICE killing
Less than five hours before nighttime explosions rocked the Venezuelan capital of Caracas, an unknown trader doubled down on bets that Nicolás Maduro would soon be out as the country’s leader. The wagers on Polymarket, a popular crypto-based betting platform, netted the trader more than $400,000, a 12-fold return on investment—and fueled suspicions that someone used inside knowledge of the closely held U.S. operation to make a quick profit.
The anonymous user created an account last month and placed an initial bet on Dec. 27, buying $96 worth of contracts that would pay off if the U.S. invaded Venezuela by Jan. 31, Polymarket data shows. The person ramped up bets over the next week, sticking to a handful of similar contracts, as tensions mounted between Washington and Caracas. The trader focused bets on contracts that would pay out if Maduro would no longer be Venezuela’s leader by Jan. 31, when that still seemed like a long shot.
The trader’s final bet came at 9:58 p.m. ET on Friday, shortly before President Trump ordered the military to move forward. Such contracts were priced at just 8 cents apiece, implying that Polymarket users saw only an 8% probability of the Venezuelan strongman losing power this month, the platform’s data shows. Several hours later, news broke of the U.S. operation to capture Maduro and the contracts shot up in value. In the end, the trader earned nearly $410,000 in profit on about $34,000 worth of wagers. More than half the value of the total wager was placed the evening before the attack.
MADURO BETTING TIMELINE Dec. 27: Trader makes first bet, $96 on U.S. invasion of Venezuela Dec. 31 to Jan. 2: Trader bets thousands more on U.S. attack and Maduro losing power Jan. 2, 8:38 p.m. to 9:58 p.m.: In final spree, trader bets over $20,000 on Maduro’s downfall Jan. 2, 10:46 p.m.: President Trump orders military to strike Jan. 3, 1:00 a.m.: Explosions rock Caracas Jan. 3, 8:41 a.m.: Trader starts to cash bets for nearly $410,000 in profit
A mystery trader made $400,000 on bets that Nicolás Maduro would soon be out as Venezuela’s leader apple.news/AgJ76d0bCR9-...
Trump says the U.S. is going to run Venezuela until there can be "a safe, proper and judicious transition"
Follow live: on.wsj.com/4jrSKKG
At least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard around 2 a.m. local time Saturday in Venezuela's capital, Caracas.
STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING EVERYONE (or everyone who is a FOIA nerd): There's a public records request advent calendar.
h/t Cam Rodriguez docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
thx to AP “Today in History” now I will probably not be able to forget that the Florida recount began on the anniversary of the Beer-Hall putsch
Not sure what’s on the ballot in Monroe County this November? My colleagues at @wxxirochester.bsky.social and I have bios for every candidate running — everything from state justice to town highway superintendent. Check out our website before you head to the polls!
www.wxxinews.org/local-news/2...
It's kinda cool that Gary Larson is doing new cartoons because he picked up a digital tablet, taught himself how to use it, and it made him love drawing again.
www.thefarside.com/new-stuff/
The disgraced New York Republican was sentenced to more than seven years in prison after pleading guilty to a litany of federal charges, including wire fraud, identity theft and money laundering. n.pr/47uii5k
España ha vetado el tránsito por las bases de Rota (Cadiz) y Morón de la Frontera (Sevilla) de aviones o buques de Estados Unidos cargados con armamento, munición o equipos militares para Israel
A protest against ICE in the Park Avenue neighborhood appeared to provoke the federal agents to leave a roofing job site.
www.wxxinews.org/local-news/2...
I interviewed Ani DiFranco for @buffalonews.com ahead of her concert tonight at Terminal B. We talked about her Broadway debut, her new album and what she’s expecting from her first trip to Buffalo since the pandemic. Check it out while there’s no paywall!
buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
It’s true. If I had learned this… I dunno, 35 years ago?… I’d have had a very different writing career.
The new legislation allows the city to seize illicit products, shutter unlicensed businesses, hold landlords accountable and impose five-figured daily fines. www.btpm.org/local/2025-07-26/buffalo...
Looking for horses, art, steampunk or jazz in WNY this summer? Check out my latest for @buffalonews.com at the link or in tomorrow’s print edition:
buffalonews.com/life-enterta...
Nathan Lane should’ve gotten an Oscar for “The Bird Cage.”
I’m back for the summer as the weekend host on @btpmnpr.bsky.social! Tune in to 88.7 FM or stream the show online at btpm.org
JUST IN: The Justice Department's bid to relesae Epstein grand jury info comes with a huge caveat that it will seek to redact not just victim info but other "personal identifying information." storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
My latest for Investigative Post has a serial cop impersonator, a "livid" Common Councilmember, bad blood between neighbors and the plea deal that put the nail in the coffin of a 28-year-old Buffalo establishment.
Behind the closing of Club Marcella: www.investigativepost.org/2025/07/10/b...
NEW: In first public account, Kilmar Abrego Garcia details weeks in Salvadoran prison CECOT. Says he was subjected to 'severe beatings,' psychological torture & soiled himself. Also says jailers confirmed his tattoos have no gang meaning. w/@kyledcheney www.politico.com/news/2025/07...
Breaking News: Antonio Delgado, New York’s lieutenant governor, said he would take on Gov. Kathy Hochul in next year’s Democratic primary. https://trib.al/8q4hdyT
NEWS: NPR and three Colorado public radio stations sue Trump White House over effort to ban federal funding for NPR & PBS
The lawsuit calls Trump's executive order "textbook retaliation" for protected free speech - threatening public radio
My story:
www.npr.org/2025/05/27/n...
ICE has cancelled the visas of 13 current and former UB students, per The Spectrum. University admin says the “exact reason for each visa revocation” is “unclear.”
www.ubspectrum.com/article/2025...
The main photo on the Cuomo for Mayor website is him in front of the giant foam COVID mountain he had his staff make and paint for a press conference prop.
www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/p...