NEW YORK CITY MAYOR ERIC ADAMS SAYS A PLAN IS UNDERWAY TO HELP FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES OPERATE ON RIKERS ISLAND.
THE NEWS COMES AFTER ADAMS MET WITH BORDER CZAR TOM HOMAN BEHIND CLOSED DOORS THURSDAY.
ADAMS SAID THE TWO SPOKE ABOUT REMOVING VIOLENT MIGRANT GANGS FROM THE CITY AND HE’S WORKING ON PREPARING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT WILL ALLOW US IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS BACK ON RIKERS ISLAND.
ICE OFFICERS WERE ALLOWED TO OPERATE ON RIKERS ISLAND FOR 20 YEARS UNTIL 2014 WHEN SANCTUARY POLICIES ENDED THEIR AUTHORITY.
“ICE AGENTS WOULD SPECIFICALLY BE FOCUSED ON ASSISTING THE CORRECTIONAL INTELLIGENCE BUREAU IN THEIR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS, IN PARTICULAR THOSE FOCUSED ON VIOLENT CRIMINALS AND GANGS,” ADAMS SAID IN A STATEMENT.
ADAMS SAID THE PAIR ALSO DISCUSSED HOW TO EMBED MORE NYPD DETECTIVES INTO FEDERAL TASK FORCES.
SINCE PRESIDENT TRUMP’S ELECTION, MAYOR ADAMS HAS SHOWN A WILLINGNESS TO WORK WITH HIS ADMINISTRATION TO COMBAT THE IMMIGRATION CRISIS.
“SINCE THE SPRING OF 2022, NEW YORK CITY HAS BEEN FORCED TO SHOULDER THE BURDEN OF A NATIONAL HUMANITARIAN CRISIS WHERE MORE THAN 230,000 MIGRANTS HAVE COME TO OUR CITY SEEKING SUPPORT, AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $7 BILLION, WITH LITTLE HELP FROM THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION,” ADAMS SAID IN HIS STATEMENT. “THAT IS WHY I HAVE BEEN CLEAR THAT I WANT TO WORK WITH THE NEW FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION, NOT WAR WITH THEM, TO FIND COMMON GROUND AND MAKE BETTER THE LIVES OF NEW YORKERS.”
THE MEETING WITH HOMAN AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF ICE AGENTS TO RIKERS COMES JUST TWO DAYS AFTER TRUMP’S DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ASKED FEDERAL PROSECUTORS IN NEW YORK TO DROP CORRUPTION CHARGES AGAINST ADAMS.
MANHATTAN’S TOP FEDERAL PROSECUTOR DANIELLE SASSOON AND FIVE OTHER DOJ OFFICIALS RESIGNED THURSDAY AFTER REFUSING TO DROP THE CHARGES.

[KENNEDY FELTON]
A new song from rapper Macklemore is making headlines for calling out high-profile figures like President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, all while shining a spotlight on political and social issues around the globe.
Macklemore’s latest release is a sharp departure from his usual feel-good songs but not unfamiliar territory for the rapper who’s addressed social issues in previous songs. In this release, he expresses support for Palestine, criticizing U.S. military aid to Israel amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. He also takes aim at Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing what he sees as a system that prioritizes power over human lives.
In the same verse, the rapper also criticizes social media companies, accusing them of manipulating algorithms and suppressing certain content. In the song, he suggests terms like “hashtag Free Palestine” have been shadowbanned to limit visibility.
As the chorus begins, he switches his focus to Elon Musk, saying, “And Elon, we know exactly what that was.” This line references Musk’s controversial arm gesture at Trump’s inauguration event.
Beyond the U.S. and social media, the song also mentions ongoing conflicts in Sudan and Congo, urging freedom for these regions. Sudan has been grappling with a civil conflict between rival military factions, displacing millions and fueling a humanitarian crisis.
In Congo, decades of violence linked to armed groups vying for control of resources have left millions without access to basic necessities. Macklemore’s music video pairs these messages with images of destruction, as well as scenes of resilience from communities impacted by war.
The song has received mixed reviews, with many people thanking Macklemore for his courage to use his platform to highlight ongoing issues, while others say he should stick to his older style of music.
Macklemore isn’t the only artist to use music as a platform for global issues. On the other side of the Middle East conflict, singer-songwriter Five for Fighting released a song last January addressing the October 7th attacks and the rise in global antisemitism. That April, he traveled to Tel Aviv, Israel, to perform the song in front of a crowd of Israeli citizens.
Macklemore’s song is currently only available on his social media pages. Despite the song’s nature, his efforts are rooted in raising awareness and aid. He’s pledged all proceeds from his song to UNRWA, the United Nations agency that supports Palestinian refugees.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ADMINISTRATOR, LEE ZELDIN SAYS $20 BILLION DOLLARS IN TAXPAYER MONEY WAS “PARKED” BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AT A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION.
ZELDON PROMISED TO INVESTIGATE THE MATTER AFTER AN UNDERCOVER ‘PROJECT VERITAS’ REPORTER GOT A PRESIDENT BIDEN EPA BIDEN ADVISOR ADMITTING ON CAMERA IN DECEMBER THAT THE AGENCY WAS ATTEMPTING TO GET RID OF THE MONEY AS FAST AS POSSIBLE BEFORE PRESIDENT TRUMP TOOK OFFICE.
THE BIDEN EPA OFFICIAL SAID IT FELT AS THOUGH THEY WE’RE “THROWING GOLD BARS OFF THE TITANIC.”
ZELDIN SAID DURING HIS CONFIRMATION THAT HE WOULD IMMEDIATELY INVESTIGATE THE MATTER.
“THE GOLD BARS WERE TAX DOLLARS AND TOSSING THEM OFF THE TITANIC MEANT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION KNEW THEY WERE WASTING IT,” ZELDIN SAID.
“FORTUNATELY, MY AWESOME TEAM AT EPA HAS FOUND THE GOLD BARS. SHOCKINGLY, ROUGHLY $20 BILLION OF YOUR TAX DOLLARS WERE PARKED AT AN OUTSIDE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION BY THE BIDEN EPA. THIS SCHEME WAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN EPA HISTORY AND IT WAS PURPOSEFULLY DESIGNED TO OBLIGATE ALL OF THE MONEY IN A RUSH JOB WITH REDUCED OVERSIGHT,” HE ADDED.
ZELDIN SAID THE $20 BILLION WAS AWARDED UNDER THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT TO “JUST EIGHT ENTITIES” WHICH WERE THEN RESPONSIBLE FOR DOLLING OUT THE MONEY WITH LITTLE TRANSPARENCY.
ACCORDING TO ZELDIN, ONE OF THE ENTITIES, THE CLIMATE UNITED FUND, RECEIVED JUST OVER $7 BILLION DOLLARS. THE FUND HAS YET TO PUBLICLY COMMENT ON THE FUNDING IN QUESTION.
“I’M SURE YOU AND I NOW HAVE SOME OF THE SAME QUESTIONS. HOW DO THESE ORGANIZATIONS DECIDE TO ALLOCATE FUNDING? HOW MUCH MONEY HAVE THEY GIVEN OUT SO FAR AND TO WHOM? ARE THERE ANY FORMER BIDEN EPA STAFFERS WHO ARE NOW WORKING AT THESE ENTITIES?”
ZELDIN SAYS AS OF RIGHT NOW, THERE’S NO REASON TO SUSPECT THE BANK DID ANYTHING WRONG. HE SAYS THE FINANCIAL AGENT AGREEMENT WITH THE BANK NEEDS TO BE TERMINATED, THE MONEY NEEDS TO BE RETURNED AND THE EPA NEEDS TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR EVERY PENNY.
“THE DAYS OF IRRESPONSIBLY SHOVELING BOATLOADS OF CASH TO FAR-LEFT ACTIVISTS GROUPS IN THE NAME OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CLIMATE EQUITY ARE OVER. THE AMERICAN PUBLIC DESERVES A MORE TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT THAN WHAT TRANSPIRED THESE LAST FOUR YEARS.”
ZELDIN PLANS TO REFER THE MATTER TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL’S OFFICE AND WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
[Lauren Taylor]
FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS PREVENTED A PLANNED MASS SHOOTING DAYS BEFORE IT WAS SET TO OCCUR AT AN INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL.
AUTHORITIES SAY THE TEENAGER’S ALLEGED PLOT WAS REVEALED BY A TIP.
THE FBI TOOK 18-YEAR-OLD TRINITY SHOCKLEY INTO CUSTODY ON WEDNESDAY, DISCOVERING HER ROOM DECORATED WITH IMAGES OF INDIVIDUALS WHO CARRIED OUT MASS KILLINGS, ACCORDING TO LOCAL NEWS OUTLETS.
THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT NOW FACES THREE FELONY CHARGES, INCLUDING CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT MURDER AND A THREAT TO COMMIT TERRORISM.
TV STATION, FOX59, SAYS THE INVESTIGATION INTO SHOCKLEY BEGAN AFTER A TIP WAS RECEIVED FROM THE SANDY HOOK REPORT LINE, DETAILING THE PLANNED ATTACK. THE CALLER REVEALED THAT THE SHOOTER HAD ACCESS TO A HIGH-POWERED RIFLE AND HAD OBTAINED A BULLETPROOF VEST.
ACCORDING TO THE FBI, THE TIPSTER ALSO STATED SHOCKLEY, WAS INFACTUATED WITH NIKOLAS CRUZ, THE PARKLAND HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTER WHO KILLED 17 PEOPLE AND INJURED DOZENS MORE ON VALENTINE’S DAY.
SHOCKLEY ALLEGEDLY PLANNED HER ATTACK AND THE SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FLORIDA ATTACK. COURT FILINGS OBTAINED BY FOX59 SAY THE TEENAGER HAD AN EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT TO CRUZ AND WANTED TO PROVE SHE WAS HIS NUMBER ONE FAN.
FBI AGENTS WORKED WITH LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS TO SEARCH SHOCKLEY’S HOME, FINDING THE VEST THE CALLER DESCRIBED AND AMMUNITION FOR AN AR-15.
HER NOTEBOOKS WERE ALSO OBTAINED–VARIOUS ENTRIES DESCRIBING HER MENTAL STATUS AND DETAILS OF HOW SHE WOULD COMMIT THE CRIME.
INDIANA NEWS STATIONS REPORT, THE INVESTIGATION LED TO THE DISCOVERY OF HER COMMENTS TO PEOPLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA, SAYING SHE HAD PLANNED THE SHOOTING FOR A YEAR AND SENT PICTURES OF AR-15 MAGAZINES.
ALTHOUGH SHOCKLEY TOLD INVESTIGATORS SHE WAS INTERESTED IN THE MINDSET OF MASS SHOOTERS, SHE CLAIMED SHE WOULD NEVER BECOME ONE.
HIGH SCHOOL OFFICIALS TOLD LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOCKLEY HAS A HISTORY OF MENTAL PROBLEMS AND PREVIOUSLY TRIED TO GET HELP USING THEIR RESOURCES, BUT ATTEMPTS WERE REPORTEDLY BLOCKED BY HER FATHER.
SHOCKLEY REMAINS IN CUSTODY, BEING HELD WITHOUT BOND.
FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M LAUREN TAYLOR.
[KENNEDY FELTON]
Kanye West, now known as Ye, has dominated the entertainment news cycle over the past few days. In the latest developments, controversies surrounding his marriage and artificial intelligence have emerged.
A Thursday report by The Daily Mail suggests that Ye and his wife, Bianca Censori, are headed for divorce just days after their Grammys red carpet stunt. The report claims the couple has agreed to a $5 million settlement following their short marriage, which began in December 2022. However, a representative for Ye is denying these claims, telling The Hollywood Reporter:
“Ye and Bianca are in Los Angeles, about to enjoy Valentine’s Day together. Announcements about their private life will come from them directly, not unsourced rumors in the tabloid press.” — Milo Yiannopoulos, Representative for Ye and Censori
Just shortly after the story of their rumored divorce was released, Ye took to Instagram for a quick post and delete. In the few minutes the post was still up, it featured a definition of “coercion” that read: “Coercion is the act of forcing someone to do something against their will through threats or intimidation. It can involve physical harm, psychological abuse, extortion, blackmail, or sexual assault.” He captioned the post, “Is this coercion?”
AI VIDEO FEATURING CELEBRITIES CONDEMNING ANTISEMITISM, KANYE WEST DRAWS BACKLASH
This follows Ye’s recent social media posts containing antisemitic and inflammatory remarks, which ultimately led to the deactivation of his X account. In response, a deepfake video featuring AI-generated images of celebrities, including Ben Stiller, Drake, and Scarlett Johansson wearing symbolic T-shirts opposing Kanye and antisemitism went viral. The AI-generated celebrities are seen wearing white T-shirts with a Star of David and a raised middle finger with “Kanye” printed under.
Johansson has not shied away from speaking out about the use of AI in the past, especially after one of Chat GPT’s models released a voice last year that closely resembled hers.
In a statement to CNN, Johansson says in regard to the deepfake video: “I am a Jewish woman who has no tolerance for antisemitism or hate speech of any kind. But I also firmly believe that the potential for hate speech multiplied by AI is a far greater threat than any one person who takes accountability for it. We must call out the misuse of AI, no matter its messaging, or we risk losing a hold on reality.” She further calls out the government and says it has been “paralyzed” when it comes to passing AI regulation.
The AI-generated video was created by a generative AI artist, who defends using the celebrities’ likeness without their permission.
In other Ye news, he has reportedly been dropped from his talent agency following his recent controversial remarks. In an Instagram story this week, Daniel McCartney said: “Effective immediately, I’m no longer representing YE (F/K/A Kanye West) due to his harmful and hateful remarks that myself nor 33 & West can stand for.”
After a fantastic first game in the 4 Nations tournament last night – Canada beat Sweden 4-3 in an overtime thriller – the National Hockey League, it seems, continues to push all the right buttons regarding the future of the game.
Thursday night the TV rating will shoot higher as Team USA takes the ice in Montreal at 8pm eastern to battle Finland. The Americans, along with Canada, are the favorites to win the round robin tournament and while 23 year old Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils wants that trophy, he is also looking to the future.
“You’re hoping it’s kind of day one for like a new future for USA Hockey like no one’s no one’s played in the Olympics um you know in what 10 years so um I think this is a fresh start and a lot of new faces and there’s some high-end players in this tournament that have never played in the Olympics so with next year coming I think it’s a really exciting start for us.”
Exciting for the NHL too, Wednesday Commissioner Gary Bettman and Players Union Executive Director Marty Walsh talked about the state of the game, labor peace and the league’s growing salary cap. There were smiles all around even though the current contract between the league and players union expires after next season.
“I think we are in a good place in terms of our collective bargaining relationship, in terms of our overall relationship, So I remain more than optimistic that while we have some work to do, we’re going to get to where we’re going, and people will not even notice that we’ve done it.”
And one more big announcement Wednesday, The NHL is planning to hold a ‘World Cup of Hockey’ in between Olympic years starting in 2028. Call it an expanded 4 Nations tournament with 8 teams competing in both North America and Europe.
“When you look at hockey right now, you think about the excitement that’s happening. Last week, the commissioner announced the increased salary cap, three years in a row. This week we’re doing 4 Nations, we just talked about the World Cup in 2028, we’re talking about the Olympics. There’s a lot of great things happening.”
The league and the players want to keep that momentum going. After the 4 Nations tournament crowns a champion on February 20th, the race for the Stanley Cup will resume. The league could also get a boost later this spring as Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin inches closer to Wayne Gretzky’s all time goal scoring record.
For Straight Arrow News, I’m Chris Francis.