This is the newsletter of OptOut, a free news aggregation app for exclusively independent media that's available for Apple and Android devices. Find out more about the app at optout.news.

All eyes were on Donald Trump this week as the former president faced the possibility of arrest and criminal charges related to hush money he paid porn actress Stormy Daniels following an alleged affair the pair had in the months after Melania Trump had given birth to Barron. The former president is alleged to have falsified records to cover up the payment.

While the arrest has not come (yet), the chance that it could have at least rankled Trump, who took to Truth Social warning of “death and destruction” should he be charged criminally for his actions. THE NEW REPUBLIC had a good wrap-up of the situation.

The former president, whose departure from office was marked by the Capitol Insurrection, has already declared his 2024 candidacy, which he recently launched near the site of the federal raid on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas. THE INTERCEPT wrote about the significance of the site.

Criminal charges could throw a wrench into the prospect of a Trump victory, and already Republicans have been decrying the news—and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who has been investigating the hush money payment. THE MAJORITY REPORT this week did a segment on how a Trump indictment puts Republicans in an awkward position.

With that, please enjoy these other critical stories from this week, brought to you by OptOut participating outlets!

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Anti-Trans Hate

As Republican lawmakers around the country continue to introduce a spate of anti-trans legislation, OptOut remains committed to covering the evolving story. This week, THE APPEAL wrote about how rapidly these legislative attacks on transgender Americans are escalating.

THE AMERICAN PROSPECT, meanwhile, had an essential piece about how the only response to this right-wing assault is new federal civil rights legislation.

Check out the latest TRANSLASH PODCAST released a week ahead of the Trans Day of Visibility. Host Imara Jones interviewed trans Jeopardy champion Amy Schneider.

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Climate Changing

A new report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change contains dire warnings for the world. The AR6th synthesis report warns that ”Rapid and far-reaching transitions across all sectors and systems are necessary to achieve deep and sustained emissions reductions and secure a liveable and sustainable future for all.” CURRENTLY had more on the story.

In other news, the Biden administration approved Alaska’s largest oil and gas development in decades. Known as the Willow Project, the project was lauded by ConocoPhillips. The ALASKA BEACON reported on the news:

This story was also featured in OptOut’s climate newsletter.

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The Pandemic Price Hike

This week, the U.S. Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee held a hearing to discuss Moderna’s planned price hike of its mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, which was developed with the help of government scientists. STATES NEWSROOM covered the frustrated responses of the senators.

This Week in OptOut

OptOut had a big week with two newsletters and two podcasts. First up was the Gilded Age Podcast interview with digital privacy rights advocate Evan Greer. This was definitely a conversation to listen to!

Next, OptOut co-founder Alex Kotch interviewed Janine Jackson, the program director for FAIR, about corporate media bias for OptOutcast this week.

Check out this week’s climate newsletter from Christian Salazar!

OutOut also published a newsletter dedicated to LGBTQIA+-related stories.

The OptOut Media Foundation (EIN: 85-2348079) is a nonprofit charity with a mission to educate the public about current events and help sustain a diverse media ecosystem by promoting and assisting independent news outlets and, in doing so, advance democracy and social justice.

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