The Midnight Hour, a record store in San Fernando, California, has become a community hub and center of resistance against ICE immigration enforcement in the San Fernando Valley. Owned by Sergio Amalfitano and Alyssa Castro Amalfitano, the store hosts "know your rights" workshops, organizes student walkouts, and provides a safe space for immigrant communities, drawing parallels to the pachuco subculture's resistance against discrimination in the 1940s. Despite growing community engagement and event attendance, the store faces serious financial strain due to declining vinyl sales, rising debt, and reduced foot traffic as families fear leaving their homes amid immigration raids. The store's lease expires in January, putting its future in jeopardy.
Following the deaths of Minneapolis residents Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good at the hands of federal immigration agents in January, San Francisco's west side businesses responded with strikes, donations, and other forms of activism. On January 30, thousands marched in San Francisco in solidarity with Minneapolis communities, with numerous local businesses — including Pasta Supply Co., Green Apple Books, and Devil's Teeth Bakery — participating through closures, fundraising, or community outreach. Devil's Teeth Bakery raised $10,000 for the Community Action Network Minnesota through anti-ICE cookie sales, though the bakery also faced review-bombing in retaliation for its stance. Business owners reported becoming more informed about their legal rights and taking steps to protect their employees amid heightened immigration enforcement activity.
In Minneapolis, volunteer networks of doctors and nurses are providing in-home medical care to immigrant families who are afraid to seek treatment at traditional healthcare facilities due to fears of immigration enforcement. These underground healthcare networks aim to fill the gap for those avoiding clinics or hospitals out of concern over potential ICE encounters.
In an opinion piece for Global Sisters Report, a religious sister reflects on finding hope amid rapid political and cultural changes by drawing on the writings of Teilhard de Chardin. She argues that hope should be forward-facing and rooted in faith and love, rather than focused on past outcomes. As an example, she highlights community responses to ICE raids in Minneapolis, where neighbors — both citizens and immigrants — have organized to provide food, transportation, and whistle-blowing alert networks to protect vulnerable residents. She frames these acts of neighborly solidarity as expressions of collective, faith-driven hope and calls on others to contribute their part to building a more just future.
The article is a summary of a podcast episode from Crooked Media's *Strict Scrutiny*, hosted by Leah Litman. The episode features discussions with international law expert Rebecca Ingber on the US and Israel's conflict with Iran, journalist Chris Geidner on domestic legal issues including the Epstein files, Medicaid funding disputes, and independent media, and voting rights attorney Marc Elias on threats to voting rights from all three branches of government. The episode also covers recent Supreme Court oral arguments and opinions, along with promotional content for upcoming live shows and books by the hosts.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on February 20th that the Trump administration exceeded its presidential authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) in imposing sweeping emergency tariffs, requiring congressional authorization for such actions. However, the ruling has limited direct impact on Canada, as most U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods were enacted under separate legislation, and the bulk of Canadian exports continue to enter the U.S. tariff-free under CUSMA. Analysts suggest the ruling, combined with congressional and public opposition to Trump's tariffs, may strengthen Canada's position in the upcoming CUSMA review, though retaining the trade framework will likely require Canada to make difficult concessions in areas such as agricultural supply management, cultural protections, and financial regulation.
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down tariffs imposed by the Trump administration under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, prompting the administration to pivot to levies under the Trade Act of 1974, which caps tariffs at 15% and casts doubt on previously negotiated trade deals. The ruling reduces expected tariff revenue, potentially worsening U.S. fiscal deficits and pushing debt-to-GDP higher over the next decade. Financial markets have responded with a weaker U.S. dollar, lower Treasury prices, and a rally in gold, reflecting heightened uncertainty around trade and foreign policy. Analysts note that while volatility is likely to persist, the ruling also demonstrates judicial independence, which could ultimately help restore confidence in U.S. institutions.
The Supreme Court, in its *Learning Services* ruling, has blocked President Trump's tariff authority, representing a significant legal setback for his trade agenda. However, analysts suggest that Trump could still pursue trade objectives through strategic use of his remaining legal trade powers. The ruling limits but does not entirely eliminate the administration's ability to shape U.S. trade policy.
Ball State University economist Michael Hicks argues that Indiana has suffered severe economic damage from President Trump's tariffs, with Hoosier families paying an average of over $900 each in higher prices in the nine months following "Liberation Day," a figure projected to exceed $1,200 per resident. Indiana's manufacturing sector has lost 4,200 jobs, farm income has declined 47%, and the state's agricultural GDP dropped 25% in six months. Hicks notes that the Supreme Court struck down Trump's largest tariff authorization, but Trump quickly reimposed tariffs using a separate trade statute. Hicks contends the trade war has benefited foreign competitors such as Brazil and facilitated new trade agreements among other nations that bypass the United States.
This weekly roundup from Seattle's Child covers several news items affecting Washington state families. The Washington Legislature passed a bill tying insurance vaccine coverage to state health recommendations rather than federal guidance, amid changes to national advisory panels under RFK Jr., while Governor Ferguson's proposed budget would cut the state's Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention funding by more than half. A Pew Research Center study found more than half of U.S. teens use AI chatbots for schoolwork, despite research showing high error rates in AI responses. The article also highlights The Hope Festival, returning April 25 in Bellevue, where hundreds of teen volunteers will provide free goods and services to over 1,000 people experiencing poverty and homelessness.
The House is expected to vote Thursday on a war powers resolution that would require Congressional approval before President Trump orders further military action against Iran, following U.S.-Israel strikes on the country. The bipartisan measure, sponsored by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, has support from Democrats and some Republicans, though House Speaker Mike Johnson is urging Republicans to vote against it. With a slim House majority, Johnson can afford to lose only one vote, and Trump retains veto power even if the resolution passes. Separately, an Iranian official has stated that Iran will not negotiate with the United States.
Following U.S. strikes on Iran ordered by President Trump, Congressional Democrats and a small number of Republicans are demanding Congress reconvene immediately to hold a formal vote on the military action, arguing Trump acted illegally without congressional authorization. Votes already scheduled for midweek would require congressional approval for military action against Iran, with Republicans Thomas Massie, Rand Paul, and Warren Davidson joining Democrats in opposing the strikes as unconstitutional. Even if such a measure passes, it would face a likely presidential veto, requiring a two-thirds majority to override — making it more of a symbolic rebuke than a practical constraint on Trump's actions. The majority of Republicans, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, have publicly praised the strikes.
