CNN, MS Now, and Politico have initiated legal action against President Trump, alleging that his administration violated their constitutional rights by blocking their journalists from entering the White House. The news organizations contend that the administration’s actions were a retaliatory measure prompted by perceived unfair coverage and that the First Amendment shields them from government-imposed penalties based on their reporting.
The conflict escalated as the administration moved to restrict access, which notably impacted standard press operations. Major television networks, including ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox, have expressed support for CNN. The tension was highlighted when CNN, along with other major networks, was excluded from the White House daily briefing lists designated for shared pool coverage. This pool coverage was intended to document the president's departure from the White House and his subsequent diplomatic travel to the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.
The legal filing follows a period of heightened scrutiny regarding the president's public image. As of September 19, 2026, CNN reporter Julia Benbrook was providing live coverage from the vicinity of the White House. President Trump is currently navigating a challenging political landscape, with approval ratings dipping below 40% amid economic pressures linked to the ongoing war in Iran. In an effort to bolster his standing ahead of the midterms, the president is engaging in a high-profile week of international diplomacy, which includes hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington, D.C.
In a separate development, Paramount has reached a settlement with 12 Democratic state attorneys general to resolve an antitrust lawsuit that had jeopardized a major Hollywood merger. Under the terms, which await judicial approval, Paramount will maintain separate operations for Warner Bros. Studios and Paramount Pictures. The agreement mandates a minimum output of 30 films annually for the next two years, increasing to 32 films per year for the three years thereafter, with financial penalties for failing to meet these targets. Additionally, the company has committed to an annual $300 million investment in U.S.-based film production and will establish a board to ensure editorial independence for CBS and CNN.
A crew of volunteer excavators and archaeologists search the soil for artifacts at the Nunalleq dig site on June 8, 2026. MaryCait Dolan/KYUK hide caption
Typhoon Halong swept through western Alaska last October, damaging homes, infrastructure and the Nunalleq archaeological site near the coastal village of Quinhagak. This site, roughly the size of two Olympic swimming pools, contains significant artifacts of the Yup'ik, a Native culture that predates Western contact. The storm scattered many of the items that served as important links to Quinhagak's past. The artifacts that remain underground are also at risk because the storm eroded more of the land buffer between the Bering Sea and where they're buried. Archaeologists are now rushing to recover as many objects as possible before the next storm hits. These photos show the extent of the work archaeologists are doing to save these artifacts.
