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California Gov. Newsom to challenge Trump administration regarding tariffs

On Wednesday, California Governor Gavin Newsom revealed plans to file a lawsuit against President Donald Trump in response to tariffs introduced earlier this month. According to The New York Times, the lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, aims to invalidate the tariffs and prevent their enforcement by federal authorities.

As the fifth largest economy globally, California faces substantial economic risk due to these tariffs, which threaten industries ranging from tech in Silicon Valley to agriculture reliant on global markets. The legal move would make California the first state to formally oppose Trump’s extensive tariff measures.

In a video shared on social media, Newsom announced that the state of California would initiate legal action, emphasizing its status as the leading manufacturing hub in the U.S. and a significant player in global trade. Newsom stated in the video: “No state stands to be more affected than California by the Trump administration’s unilateral move to impose what amounts to the biggest tax increase in recent U.S. history. President Trump does not have the legal power to enforce such sweeping tariffs without checks. We’re taking legal steps to stop him.”

Trump enacted the tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which grants the president extensive control over economic activities following a national emergency declaration. The emergency declaration was made on April 2, paving the way for the tariffs that prompted the legal challenge.

The California lawsuit will contend that Trump’s invocation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to enforce his reciprocal tariff policy is both “unlawful and unprecedented.” Officials say the tariffs pose serious and immediate harm to California’s economy, particularly as the state leads the nation in sectors like manufacturing and agriculture.

The White House pushed back regarding the lawsuit and criticized Newsom’s priorities, with spokesperson Kush Desai said: “Instead of addressing California’s spiraling crime, homelessness, and affordability issues, Gavin Newsom is trying to obstruct President Trump’s historic efforts to confront America’s chronic trade deficits.”

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News Daypop

DOJ files civil suit against Maine for defying order to ban transgender athletes in women’s sports

The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated legal action against the state of Maine, challenging its policy that allows transgender athletes to participate in girls’ and women’s sports.

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Wednesday that the DOJ filed a lawsuit against Maine, claiming the state is violating Title IX by opposing a presidential executive order regarding transgender participation in women’s sports. Bondi alleges that Maine is engaging in unlawful sex-based discrimination by refusing to follow a directive issued by former President Trump, which bars transgender students from joining girls’ and women’s athletic programs.

Bondi said during a press briefing on Wednesday: “We’ve pursued every other option available. This step became necessary.” Bondi made the announcement alongside Riley Gaines, a prominent critic of transgender inclusion in women’s sports, as well as several Maine parents and students who oppose the state’s current stance. She said: “the Justice Department cannot stand idly by while female athletes face discrimination. This is not just about sports—it’s about protecting these young women’s physical safety. Many of them have shared their personal experiences with me, and what they’ve endured is deeply troubling.”

According to the lawsuit: “Maine’s Department of Education is actively violating federal anti-discrimination laws by allowing policies that force girls to compete against biological males in sports specifically designated for females. By giving precedence to gender identity over biological sex, the state’s actions undermine fair competition, reduce equal opportunities for female athletes, and may result in greater risks of physical harm and emotional distress.”

In response, Maine Governor Janet Mills criticized the lawsuit, suggesting it’s a political move intended to coerce Maine into disregarding constitutional principles and state sovereignty. Mills, a Democrat, called the attempt to revoke federal funding an abuse of executive power: “throughout my career—as a district attorney, attorney general, and now governor—I have consistently advocated for women’s rights, children’s well-being, and the integrity of our state and national constitutions. We will fight back against the DOJ’s actions and defend Maine’s policies in court … This issue has never been genuinely about protecting women or ensuring fairness in school athletics. It’s about the fundamental rights of states to govern themselves and resist federal overreach.”

The executive order at the heart of the dispute refers to transgender women as “men” and threatens to withhold federal funds from educational institutions that permit transgender women to compete in women’s sports. According to the executive order: “It is the policy of the United States to withhold funding from any educational program that denies girls and women equal opportunities in sports.”

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Sports Daypop

Florida’s Alex Condon declares for 2025 NBA Draft, will retain NCAA eligibility

Florida Gators sophomore Alex Condon announced Wednesday on Instagram he is entering his name into the 2025 NBA Draft, but will maintain his collegiate eligibility.

Coming fresh off Florida’s national championship, Condon told ESPN on Wednesday:  “This season was unreal. Our team had so much depth, and everyone bought into playing unselfishly. Different guys stepped up when it mattered. That’s what made us champions.”

Condon logged 12 points, seven rebounds and four steals in the Gators’ comeback win over Houston in the national title game, sealing the 65-63 win by diving on a loose ball in the final seconds.  He recalled: “That play was chaos. Walt [Clayton Jr.] shut down [Emanuel] Sharp’s shot attempt, then it was just instincts. I saw a Houston player going for it, dove, and got the ball back to Walt. That was it.”

Hailing from Perth, Australia, the 6-foot-11 forward, who averaged 7.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game as a freshman, is not a projected first-round pick.  He averaged 10.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 blocks per game over the 37 appearances last season for the Gators. He averaged 7.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in the 2025 NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament, helping the Gators win a national title.

Condon didn’t begin playing organized basketball seriously until age 16, previously focusing on sports like cricket, water polo, and especially Australian Rules Football.  He said:  “My parents signed me up for everything. Football built my toughness. I didn’t arrive at Florida with huge expectations—just wanted to work hard and prove myself. Coach [Todd] Golden gave me a shot as a freshman, which laid the foundation for this season.”

The NBA Draft Combine is set to take place in Chicago from May 11–18. Condon has until May 28 to decide whether he’ll stay in the draft or return to school. If he does withdraw, he’s made it clear he’ll be back in Gainesville. He shared: “I wouldn’t go anywhere else. If NBA teams give me a firm commitment that I’m going in the 15–30 range, I’ll think seriously about staying in. But it would have to be a really special opportunity—one my family and I feel we can’t pass up.”

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Sports Daypop

Ex-Heisman winner Charlie Ward named new head coach of Florida A&M men’s basketball

Florida A&M University has named former Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward as the new head coach of its men’s basketball team.  Per ESPN’s Pete Thamel: “Sources: FAMU is finalizing a deal to hire Charlie Ward as the next men’s basketball coach. The deal is pending final board approval at 3 p.m. today. Ward is a former Heisman Trophy winner at Florida State and star basketball player at FSU and in the NBA.”

According to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, Ward, 54, has agreed to a five-year deal with FAMU, pending approval from the university’s Board of Trustees during a meeting scheduled for later Wednesday. The hire follows the departure of Patrick Crarey II, who left last week to take over as head coach at Grambling State.

Ward is well-known in the state of Florida thanks to his legendary two-sport career at Florida State University from 1989 to 1994. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1993 after an outstanding senior football season, where he led the Seminoles to a national championship under legendary coach Bobby Bowden. That year, Ward threw 27 touchdown passes against just four interceptions and was named ACC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

He also appeared in 91 games for FSU, serving as the team’s primary point guard. One of his most iconic moments came in the 1991 Metro Conference Tournament when he hit a game-winning shot against Louisville, clinching the school’s first conference tournament title in over 30 years. He was also part of the Seminoles’ 1993 Elite Eight run in the NCAA Tournament.

Ward was selected by the New York Knicks in the first round of the 1994 NBA Draft after being passed over in the early rounds of the NFL Draft. In his 10-year NBA career he played primarily with the Knicks, where he started 272 games and appeared in 580 total, averaging 6.5 points per game and shot 41% from the field. He later had stints with the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets before retiring in 2005.

Ward has served as the head basketball coach at Florida High School in Tallahassee since 2018, where he guided the team to a state championship in 2022.  He also recently served as an assistant coach for USA Basketball during the 2025 Nike Hoops Summit.

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Country Daypop

Kacey Musgraves, Rüfüs Du Sol headlining inaugural ‘Up In The Sky Music Festival’

Kacey Musgraves and Rüfüs Du Sol will headline the inaugural Up In The Sky Music Festival, taking place August 8 & 9, 2025 at the base of Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen, Colorado.

Produced by Belly Up Aspen in partnership with C3 Presents, the lineup also includes Glass Animals, SG Lewis (Live), Suki Waterhouse, Role Model, Nessa Barrett and more.

Danny Goldberg with Belly Up Aspen said in a press release: “Aspen is home, and we are honored and humbled to have the opportunity to build something new in such a special place with incredible artists. We have spent nearly a decade developing this idea, and our goal is to deliver an unforgettable experience with Up In The Sky.”

For tickets and other information, head to www.upintheskyfestival.com.

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Country Daypop

Stream Gwen Stefani’s acoustic deluxe edition of ‘Bouquet’ ft. new song with FINNEAS

Gwen Stefani has released Bouquet Deluxe, the expanded edition of her Bouquet album (originally released in November) featuring acoustic versions of every song from the LP, as well as the new track featuring Finneas.

Gwen and Finneas, 27, collaborated on “Still Gonna Love You,” and Stefani said in a statement:“This song is about love. A love that can’t be broken, a love that no matter what is always going to be there, and a love that can always bring you back home.”  Listen to Still Gonna Love You HERE.

Stefani recorded Bouquet backed by a full live band, and she shared: “’Bouquet’ represents a blend of everything that I’ve ever been and who I’ve evolved into. Each one of the songs was picked like individual flowers to create a bouquet of the past, the present, and the seeds of hope for the future.”

Stream Bouquet Deluxe – HERE.

Editorial credit: Adam McCullough / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Stream Gwen Stefani’s acoustic deluxe edition of ‘Bouquet’ ft. new song with FINNEAS

Gwen Stefani has released Bouquet Deluxe, the expanded edition of her Bouquet album (originally released in November) featuring acoustic versions of every song from the LP, as well as the new track featuring Finneas.

Gwen and Finneas, 27, collaborated on “Still Gonna Love You,” and Stefani said in a statement:“This song is about love. A love that can’t be broken, a love that no matter what is always going to be there, and a love that can always bring you back home.”  Listen to Still Gonna Love You HERE.

Stefani recorded Bouquet backed by a full live band, and she shared: “’Bouquet’ represents a blend of everything that I’ve ever been and who I’ve evolved into. Each one of the songs was picked like individual flowers to create a bouquet of the past, the present, and the seeds of hope for the future.”

Stream Bouquet Deluxe – HERE.

Editorial credit: Adam McCullough / Shutterstock.com

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Entertainment Daypop

See Brad Pitt in the new trailer for Apple Original Films ‘F1’

Apple TV+ released the first trailer for F1, an Apple Original Films production starring Brad Pitt as a former Formula 1 driver who returns to the sport after 30 years.

The film, directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), stars Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a former Formula 1 hotshot whose promising career was cut short by an accident on the track in the 1990s. Hayes is brought back into the Formula 1 fold by his former teammate, Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), who hires the veteran driver to save his struggling team by racing alongside a new partner, rookie driver Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris).

The trailer, featuring “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac, shows the relationship between Hayes and Pearce quickly turn adversarial. The trailer’s YouTube description reads: “As the engines roar, Sonny’s past catches up with him and he finds that in F1, your teammate is your fiercest competition — and the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone.” 

There will also be appearances by real life Formula One drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, Max Verstappen, Sergio Pérez, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz Jr., Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll, Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon, Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu, Nico Hülkenberg, Kevin Magnussen, Daniel Ricciardo, Yuki Tsunoda, Logan Sargeant and Alexander Albon.

“F1” premiers in theaters on June 27. The film will also be released on Apple TV+ at a later date.

Check out the new trailer – HERE.

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Entertainment Daypop

Jeff Daniels joins Season 3 of Apple TV+‘s ‘Shrinking’

Jeff Daniels will guest-star in Season 3 of Apple TV+‘s Shrinking, playing Jimmy’s (Jason Segel) father. Details of how Jimmy’s dad is introduced on the show are being kept under-wraps for now. Shrinking will be Daniels’ first on-screen role in a comedy series.

Daniels, a two-time Emmy winner, joins a cast that also includes Harrison Ford, Christa Miller, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell and Ted McGinley; co-creator Brett Goldstein recurred in Season 2.

Jimmy is a therapist mourning the death of his wife Tia (Lilan Bowden) and raising his teen daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell), while getting support from his colleagues Paul (Harrison Ford) and Gaby (Jessica Williams), as well as neighbors Liz (Christa Miller) and Derek (Ted McGinley). Season 2 ended with Jimmy forgiving the drunk driver (Goldstein) who caused the accident that left him widowed, and for how he had previously handled his relationship with his daughter, Alice.

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Rock Daypop

Collective Soul and +LIVE+ to embark on co-headlining 2025 ‘Summer Unity Tour’

Collective Soul and +Live+ will join forces for a run of U.S. dates on their co-headlining Summer Unity Tour later this year — marking the first tour from the two bands in 17 years.

The 30-date trek is slated to kick off on July 8 with a show at the White River Amphitheatre in Auburn, WA, making stops at outdoor venues in California, Missouri, Michigan, New York, Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Colorado and North Carolina before winding down on August 29 at the Hollywood Casino at Penn Race Course in Grantville, PA.

+Live+ band leader Ed Kowalczyk shared: “+LIVE+ is thrilled to be joining forces with the amazing Collective Soul! The great vibes between our two bands on and offstage is something we have both enjoyed for years, and here we come in 2025! This will be a very special night of music for all of the fans; I know everyone is gonna get rocked and uplifted right along with us…come on out!”

Collective Soul singer Ed Roland added: “It was August 1994, and we, Collective Soul, were on our way to Woodstock. As our van pulled up to the grounds, another one pulled up beside us and out jumped the band +LIVE+. We became immediate friends, exchanging guitar picks with each other as soon as we met. Since that day, the Ed and Ed show has been nothing but pure, genuine friendship, and rock and roll. We’re excited that 31 years later, we still not only enjoy each other’s company, but enjoy playing music. It’s going to be a fun summer sharing it with fans, friends and +LIVE+.”

For ticket information, head HERE.

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