#republicans are funded by gun companies and sales of guns go up after these events out of fear of legislation coming to 'take their guns'

[wherethegravelsthin]

america, we are a... bad country

[orbemnews]

Will This Boom Go Bust? More questions than answers The bull market is now a year old, with the S&P 500 up nearly 75 percent from its low point at this time last year. That recovery, The Times’s Matt Phillips writes, is “a testament to the unbridled enthusiasm that let investors shrug off the economic carnage of the pandemic and buy stocks — and pretty much anything else.” The factors that have stoked the rally also raise questions about whether it can last. Is this a bubble? Analysts are wary of using the B-word to describe the market as a whole, despite the best 12-month stretch for stocks since the 1930s. But John D. Turner, a finance professor who wrote “Boom and Bust: A Global History of Financial Bubbles,” is convinced: “If I had to put money on it, it looks like a bubble,” he told The Times. A bubble has three key ingredients, he said: ease of trading, access to credit and mass speculation — all of which are in ready supply. All that’s missing is a spark. What could it be? Can retail traders keep this up? A surge in individual traders — who have access to commission-free online trading apps, government “stimmy” checks and lots of downtime — has become one of the biggest forces in stock markets. A big test of this trend’s durability will come if and when Robinhood, which filed confidentially to go public yesterday, begins trading itself. Can the brokerage — whose C.E.O. faced tough questions from lawmakers and several lawsuits over its halting of trades — endure the scrutiny of public market investors when it opens its books? What’s going on at GameStop? Few investors beyond true believers think that the surge in the video game retailer’s stock — which was up 1,700 percent at one point in January — is justified by the fundamentals of its business. That’s why the company’s first earnings release since the frenzy was a hotly anticipated event on Tuesday. Attendees left with plenty of unanswered questions, mainly because GameStop executives provided no financial guidance and, unexpectedly, skipped a Q.&A. Here are a few: The company said it would consider selling stock “to fund the acceleration of our future transformation initiatives.” With shares up some 900 percent from a year ago, there is scope to raise a huge amount. How ambitious will it be? There has been a lot of executive turnover at the company. Is that also happening lower in the ranks, perhaps in part because employees can cash out their suddenly more valuable shares? The Chewy co-founder Ryan Cohen, who joined GameStop’s board along with two other former Chewy executives just before the frenzy, said he aimed to turn the retailer into the “Chewy of gaming.” What do pet supplies have in common with video games? If you have answers — or more pertinent questions about this moment in the markets — let us know: dealbook@nytimes.com. HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING The E.U. plans to curb vaccine exports for six weeks. The bloc has drafted emergency rules to ease its supply shortages, a move that could badly affect Britain and other countries. Separately, AstraZeneca said it planned to disclose more recent trial data about its vaccine to assuage U.S. officials’ concerns. Jay Powell plays down the risk of inflation. The Fed chair told the House Financial Services Committee yesterday that he expected the $1.9 trillion stimulus to have a “neither particularly large nor persistent” effect on inflation. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen defended the rescue package at the hearing, and said the next bill needed to address income inequality. (They are likely to reiterate these messages at a Senate hearing today.) Speaking of inequality … The combined wealth of American billionaires grew $1.3 trillion during the pandemic, up 44 percent from the previous year, according to a new study. During that time, 80 million Americans lost their jobs. The Fed creates committees to study climate risks. One will identify and address the financial risks posed by climate change, while another will consider “the potential for complex interactions across the financial system,” Lael Brainard, a Fed governor, said in a speech. Citigroup pledges more flexibility for workers. Employees can spend up to two days per week working remotely when the bank’s offices reopen, the C.E.O., Jane Fraser, wrote in a memo. As complaints by junior analysts at Goldman Sachs have generated debates about working conditions on Wall Street, Ms. Fraser also banned internal video meetings on Fridays and announced a holiday called “Citi Reset Day.” Two shootings, and a new push for gun control As America grieves over two mass shootings in a week — in Atlanta and Boulder, Colo. — the inevitable question arises again: Will Washington pass new gun restrictions this time? “This is not and should not be a partisan issue — it is an American issue,” President Biden said yesterday, adding that he was “devastated” by the killings. He urged lawmakers not to “wait another minute” in approving legislation to ban assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines. It’s an issue that Mr. Biden knows well: He helped pass an assault weapons ban in the Senate in the 1990s. And President Barack Obama charged him with devising gun control proposals after the 2012 Sandy Hook shootings, though those failed to gain traction. Republicans appear opposed to sweeping new restrictions. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa noted that two bills proposing a modest tightening of background checks for sales — which four in five Americans support — passed the House mostly along party lines. A narrower proposal sponsored by Senator Joe Manchin, Democrat of West Virginia, and Senator Pat Toomey, Republican of Pennsylvania, is unlikely to gain a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. Exclusive: Fanatics is now a $12.8 billion company The sports apparel retailer Fanatics has raised $320 million at a $12.8 billion valuation, more than double its valuation this summer, DealBook hears. The round was led by Silver Lake with participation by Fidelity, Neuberger Berman, Franklin Templeton, Blackstone, Thrive Capital and M.L.B. — all existing investors. Frequently Asked Questions About the New Stimulus Package How big are the stimulus payments in the bill, and who is eligible? The stimulus payments would be $1,400 for most recipients. Those who are eligible would also receive an identical payment for each of their children. To qualify for the full $1,400, a single person would need an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or below. For heads of household, adjusted gross income would need to be $112,500 or below, and for married couples filing jointly that number would need to be $150,000 or below. To be eligible for a payment, a person must have a Social Security number. Read more. What would the relief bill do about health insurance? Buying insurance through the government program known as COBRA would temporarily become a lot cheaper. COBRA, for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, generally lets someone who loses a job buy coverage via the former employer. But it’s expensive: Under normal circumstances, a person may have to pay at least 102 percent of the cost of the premium. Under the relief bill, the government would pay the entire COBRA premium from April 1 through Sept. 30. A person who qualified for new, employer-based health insurance someplace else before Sept. 30 would lose eligibility for the no-cost coverage. And someone who left a job voluntarily would not be eligible, either. Read more What would the bill change about the child and dependent care tax credit? This credit, which helps working families offset the cost of care for children under 13 and other dependents, would be significantly expanded for a single year. More people would be eligible, and many recipients would get a bigger break. The bill would also make the credit fully refundable, which means you could collect the money as a refund even if your tax bill was zero. “That will be helpful to people at the lower end” of the income scale, said Mark Luscombe, principal federal tax analyst at Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting. Read more. What student loan changes are included in the bill? There would be a big one for people who already have debt. You wouldn’t have to pay income taxes on forgiven debt if you qualify for loan forgiveness or cancellation — for example, if you’ve been in an income-driven repayment plan for the requisite number of years, if your school defrauded you or if Congress or the president wipes away $10,000 of debt for large numbers of people. This would be the case for debt forgiven between Jan. 1, 2021, and the end of 2025. Read more. What would the bill do to help people with housing? The bill would provide billions of dollars in rental and utility assistance to people who are struggling and in danger of being evicted from their homes. About $27 billion would go toward emergency rental assistance. The vast majority of it would replenish the so-called Coronavirus Relief Fund, created by the CARES Act and distributed through state, local and tribal governments, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition. That’s on top of the $25 billion in assistance provided by the relief package passed in December. To receive financial assistance — which could be used for rent, utilities and other housing expenses — households would have to meet several conditions. Household income could not exceed 80 percent of the area median income, at least one household member must be at risk of homelessness or housing instability, and individuals would have to qualify for unemployment benefits or have experienced financial hardship (directly or indirectly) because of the pandemic. Assistance could be provided for up to 18 months, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Lower-income families that have been unemployed for three months or more would be given priority for assistance. Read more. Fanatics brings instant gratification to sports swag. Rather than purchasing jerseys in advance through a third party and guessing which team or player will be hot, Fanatics owns the rights to fan gear for the major U.S. sports teams (and some Nike merchandise). That allows it to produce hot items on demand, like LeBron James jerseys immediately after he joined the Lakers. The major sports leagues have invested in Fanatics because they want ownership — not just royalties — in a business that benefits from their brands. (Michael Rubin, the founder and executive chairman of Fanatics, is also a part-owner of the N.B.A.’s Philadelphia 76ers.) The pandemic has been good for business. Sports came to a temporary halt, but people shopped online. Fanatics, which is profitable, generates about 80 percent of its more than $3 billion in sales online. Its e-commerce sales jumped more than 20 percent last year. An I.P.O. is still in sight. Fanatics is considering going public via a SPAC or traditional I.P.O. this year or next. (Nothing is definite, and no formal talks are underway.) Since its last fund-raising effort, Fanatics has expanded into new product lines like hats through its acquisition of Top of the World and it started Fanatics China through a joint venture with Hillhouse Capital. It is using the money from this latest round to expand its geographic footprint and product lines, potentially through more deals. “While an I.P.O. is clearly an available option to us, there is no update on any timeline,” Fanatics told DealBook. John Cleese’s blockchain-based satire The comedian John Cleese is selling an NFT, or nonfungible token. It’s a joke — sort of. Evoking a classic con, the sale of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Monty Python actor is auctioning an authenticated digital sketch of the bridge by “The Unnamed Artist John Cleese,” with bidding running through April Fools’ Day. “I don’t make the jokes,” Mr. Cleese told DealBook. “I just point them out.” The project highlights the hyper-commodification of art in a frenzied market. Christie’s recently held its first NFT auction, selling the work of an artist known as Beeple for $69,346,250. That’s how much Mr. Cleese is asking for the sketch if a bidder wants to “buy it now.” He’ll split the proceeds evenly with his partners: a comedy writer, an animator and a law professor doubling as crypto consultant. The highest bid is now about $36,000. “I think it’s very funny,” Mr. Cleese said. “At the same time, we might make some money.” “Some things are worth pointing out, and some are not,” Mr. Cleese said. He said the Beeple sale was notable because it revealed a “mad world,” with people disconnected from meaningful emotional experiences, like seeing a painting at a gallery. Yet the 81-year-old also conceded that someone younger, for whom the line between the physical and digital worlds is more blurred, could have feelings about an NFT. The art world can’t afford to dismiss NFTs, Mr. Cleese said. Nor can he. By mocking the craze, he is now implicated in the thing he finds absurd — just how he’s made a living as a comedian. THE SPEED READ Deals The insurer Hartford rejected a $23 billion takeover bid by its rival Chubb, potentially setting off a takeover battle. (Reuters) Compass, the online real estate brokerage backed by SoftBank’s Vision Fund, hopes to be valued at as much as $10 billion in its I.P.O. (Bloomberg) Politics and policy Charles Schwab said it was quitting the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, weeks after announcing it was shutting down its political action committee. (CNBC) Is Tom Steyer, the billionaire Democratic presidential candidate, weighing a run for California governor? (Politico) Tech Intel said it planned to spend $20 billion building two chip factories in Arizona, and pledged to build more processors for other companies. (NYT) Tesla will accept payment in Bitcoin, Elon Musk says. (Bloomberg) Customers of Coinbase have complained that the cryptocurrency exchange failed to help them when they were locked out of accounts or had their holdings stolen. (NYT) Best of the rest The C.E.O. of Levi Strauss urged Congress to pass a bill giving U.S. workers 12 weeks of paid time off for health care: “Not mandating paid leave is inexcusable.” (CNN) Prince Harry has a new job: “chief impact officer” at the Silicon Valley coaching start-up BetterUp. (WSJ) General Mills demonstrates how not to respond to a customer complaint about shrimp tails in a box of cereal. (NYT) We’d like your feedback! Please email thoughts and suggestions to dealbook@nytimes.com. Source link Orbem News #boom #bust

[thisdaynews]

POLITICO Playbook: The Biarritz hangover

New Post has been published on https://thebiafrastar.com/politico-playbook-the-biarritz-hangover/

POLITICO Playbook: The Biarritz hangover

GET THE HINT? … FROM WAPO’S BOB COSTA,the pooler from Monday’s VPMIKE PENCEtrip to South Carolina: “This is VPOTUS’s third trip this year to South Carolina, which happens to be a key state in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. Past headliners for Duncan’s BBQ include Senators Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). …

… “Spotted here as VPOTUS takes tour: Sean Spicer,Linda McMahon, and John Brabender, a longtime political strategist for VPOTUS, who was seen huddling with … Marc Short. … VPOTUS heaped praise on Senator Graham and Representative Duncan, two power brokers in the state, then said POTUS was a ‘little bit jealous’ that VPOTUS was here today.”

NEWS ANALYSIS, WRAP UP … NYT’S PETER BAKERin Biarritz, France, on A1:“As Trump Swerves on Trade War, It’s Whiplash for the Rest of the World”:“Remember when President Xi Jinping of China was the ‘enemy’? That was so Friday. As of Monday, according to President Trump, Mr. Xi was ‘a great leader’ and a ‘brilliant man.’

“What about that edict by Mr. Trump, who ‘hereby ordered’American companies to leave China? Three days later, he was positive he would get a trade deal and, if so, then firms should ‘stay there and do a great job.’

“Mr. Trump spent the weekend in France insisting that he was not havinga debate with his fellow world leaders, but at times it seemed like he was having a debate with himself. Day by day, even hour by hour, his approach to the trade war with China, the most consequential economic conflict on the planet, veered back and forth, leaving much of the world with geopolitical whiplash.” NYT

— GABBY ORRin Biarritz:“‘Sorry, it’s the way I negotiate’: Trump confounds the world at wild G7”:“It was typical Trump on display on the world stage, refusing to be boxed in by anyone on anything. The president’s meandering statements and conflicting remarks left aides and allies alike guessing at his intended course of action — and his critics reviving questions about his fitness for office.”

IRAN TO TRUMP: NAH … REUTERS: “Iran’s Rouhani rules out talks with U.S. until sanctions lifted”:“Trump said on Monday he would meet Iran’s president under the right circumstances to end a confrontation that began when Washington pulled out of Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal with six powers and reimposed sanctions on the country. Trump also said talks were under way to see how countries could open credit lines to keep Iran’s economy afloat.

“Rouhani said Iran was always ready to hold talks.‘But first the U.S. should act by lifting all illegal, unjust and unfair sanctions imposed on Iran,’ he said in a speech broadcast live on state TV.” Reuters

POLITICO EUROPE’S ANCA GURZU: “Brazil rejects G7 Amazon money”:“The Brazilian government rejected an offer for a fund from the G7 members to help fight fires in the Amazon rainforest.

“G7 leaders, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macronin Biarritz, France, agreed Monday to set up a $20 million fund to help Brazil tackle the ravaging fires, which have sparked international concern and condemnation.”

“Brazil[’s] Ambassador to France Luís Fernando Serrasaid on French TV today that his country is rejecting the aid because the decision was taken without involving his country and the ‘language is ambiguous.’ ‘We refuse because we see interference. [It’s] help we didn’t ask for,’ he said. ‘The G7 help was decided without Brazil.’” POLITICO Europe

MIAMI HERALD: “Trump says Miami will probably host next year’s G-7 summit — at his own Doral resort,”by David Smiley: “If Trump has selected his Doral resort to host the summit, it comes as a surprise to Miami-Dade’s hospitality arm, which is typically aware of large conventions and events. Jennifer Diaz, a spokeswoman for the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the organization has ‘not been involved in any discussions regarding the G-7 Summit.’

“A spokesperson at the office of Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenezsaid Monday that, despite global interest in the president’s remarks, the county government has heard nothing from Washington about the potential G-7 summit.

“‘The mayor’s office has not received any communicationfrom the White House or any agency from the federal government about having a G-7 summit in 2020,’ said Myriam Marquez, communications director for Gimenez. ‘We’re getting calls from all over on this.’” Miami Herald

WHAT’S ON THE PRESIDENT’S MIND — @realDonaldTrumpat 10:30 p.m.: “Just returned to Washington from France and the very successful G-7, only to find that the Fake News is still trying to perpetuate the phony story that I wanted to use Nuclear weapons to blow up hurricanes before they reach shore. This is so ridiculous, never happened!”

TRADE WARS … BEIJING’S VIEW … REUTERS: “China says it hopes U.S. can create conditions for trade talks”:“China’s foreign ministry reiterated on Tuesday that it had not heard of any recent telephone call between the United States and China on trade, and said it hopes Washington can stop its wrong actions and create conditions for talks.

“Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang made the commentat a news briefing, after U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said there had been contact between the two sides but declined to say with whom.” Reuters

Good Tuesday morning. SPOTTED:Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and her husband, pollster Stan Greenberg, having dinner at La Cambusa in Positano, Italy.Pic

AIR WARS … EVERYTOWN,the gun control group, is running ads urging Senate Majority LeaderMITCH MCCONNELLand Sens.CORY GARDNER, MARCO RUBIOandRICK SCOTTto support gun control — background checks and a red flag law. The ad run is more than $350,000 across the multiple markets.The Gardner ad, which will run on Denver TV…The McConnell ad, which will run in Louisville and national cable, including “New Day,” “Morning Joe” and “Fox and Friends”…The Rubio spot, which will run in Miami…The Scott ad, which will run in Naples/Ft. Myers

— BURGESS EVERETT: “Pat Toomey: Odds for background checks better than ever”:“President Donald Trump has wavered on expanding background checks on gun sales — but the lead GOP sponsor of the effort says there’s still a better chance of succeeding than ever before.

“In an interview Monday, Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomeysaid he spoke with Trump late last week and that the president is still ‘very interested’ in moving forward with a proposal modeled off Toomey’s bipartisan bill with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.). That legislation will likely have to be modified to attract more Republican support and will be more modest than the House-passed legislation to require universal background checks, according to senators involved in the issue.” POLITICO

— MEANWHILE … WSJ: “Private Jets Ferried Relatives of NRA Chief Executive,”by Mark Maremont

MORE ON RYAN’S POST-SPEAKERSHIP LIFE … JANESVILLE GAZETTE: “Ryan joins SHINE Medical Technologies’ board of directors”:“Paul Ryan has been appointed to SHINE Medical Technologies’ board of directors, SHINE officials said. Janesville-based molybdenum-99 producer SHINE announced the appointment of the Janesville native and former U.S. House Speaker in a news release Monday.” Janesville Gazette

INSIDE THE DOUGH … MJ HEGAR, a Democratic candidate for Senate in Texas, made $99,000 delivering speeches in 2018 and 2019, per her financial disclosure report. Netflix also paid her an optioning fee, and she made nearly $26,000 on book royalties.

2020 WATCH …

— BEN SCHRECKINGER: “Execs claim Biden’s brother offered Biden’s help promoting business venture”:“Joe Biden’s younger brother told potential business partners that the former vice president would help their firm land business with court systems and would incorporate their health care model into his 2020 presidential campaign, according to new allegations made in a court filing in Tennessee.

“The allegations are consistent with othersmade over the years that relatives of Biden have sought to enrich themselves off of his public service. But they go further, representing the first explicit claims that James Biden offered to have the former vice president use his clout to further private business interests.

“The allegations come in sworn declarationsmade by executives at firms suing Biden’s brother that were filed in federal court on Friday. They do not allege any wrongdoing by Joe Biden or indicate that the former vice president had knowledge of his brother’s alleged promises.” POLITICO

— BOSTON GLOBE: “Kennedy confirms he’s interested in Senate primary: ‘I’m not sure this is a moment for waiting,’”by Joshua Miller: “Representative Joe Kennedy III, scion of the state’s political dynasty, acknowledged Monday he is considering a run for US Senate in 2020, raising the prospect he could challenge Senator Edward J. Markey in a blockbuster primary that would pit two liberal Democrats separated more by age than ideology.

“Kennedy also filed key paperwork to prepare for a Senate run,creating a campaign fund-raising committee for a potential statewide bid and submitting a statement of candidacy for the Senate, records show. …

“‘I hear the folks who say I should wait my turn, but with due respect— I’m not sure this is a moment for waiting,’ wrote Kennedy, of Newton, who was first elected to Congress in 2012. ‘Our system has been letting down a lot of people for a long time, and we can’t fix it if we don’t challenge it. I’ve got some ideas on how to do that.’” Boston Globe

— “What Elizabeth Warren Is Quietly Telling Democratic Insiders,”by NYT’s Jonathan Martin in San Francisco: “As Ms. Warren steadily rises in the polls she is working diligently to protect her left flank, lining up with progressives on nearly every issue and trying to defuse potential attacks from supporters of Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. ‘I’m with Bernie,’ she responds when asked about what is perhaps the most contentious issue of the primary race: ‘Medicare for all.’

“Yet publicly, and even more in private,she is signaling to party leaders that, far from wanting to stage a ‘political revolution’ in the fashion of Mr. Sanders, she wants to revive the beleaguered Democratic National Committee and help recapture the Senate while retaining the House in 2020.” NYT

EPSTEIN UPDATE … WAPO: “Investigators scrutinizing video outside Epstein’s cell find some footage unusable, according to people familiar with the inquiry,”by Carol Leonnig and Matt Zapotosky: “At least one camera in the hallway outside the cell where authorities say registered sex offender Jeffrey Epstein hanged himself earlier this month had footage that is unusable, although other, clearer footage was captured in the area, according to three people briefed on the evidence gathered earlier this month.

“It was not immediately clear why some video footage outside Epstein’scell is too flawed for investigators to use or what is visible in the usable footage. The incident is being investigated by the FBI and the Justice Department’s inspector general’s office, which are attempting to determine what happened and how to assess whether any policies were violated or crimes committed.” WaPo

RECESS READING — “Trial of High-Powered Lawyer Gregory Craig Exposes Seamy Side of Washington’s Elite,”by NYT’s Sharon LaFraniere: “Mr. Craig’s trial has supplanted any image of Washington’s elite as sage Brahmins with a vivid picture of the ruling class at its avaricious worst. The details include a $4 million payment shunted through a secret offshore account to Mr. Craig’s law firm, a backdated invoice, a lying publicist, a scheme to net one player’s daughter a cushy job and a bungled wiretap by a suspected Russian intelligence asset nicknamed ‘the angry midget.’

“Taken together, they illustrate how lawyers,lobbyists and public relations specialists leapt onto slippery ethical slopes to cash in on a foreign government’s hopes of papering over its sordid reputation.” NYT

TRUMP’S TUESDAY —The president will have lunch with Pence at 12:30 p.m.

HARVARD CRIMSON: “Incoming Harvard Freshman Deported After Visa Revoked,”by Shera Avi-Yonah and Delano Franklin: “While most Harvard freshmen settle into their dorms Tuesday, one new student, Ismail B. Ajjawi ’23, faces ongoing negotiations with immigration officers to allow him to enter the United States and study at the College.

“U.S. officials deported Ajjawi, a 17-year-old Palestinian resident of Tyre, Lebanon,Friday night shortly after he arrived at Boston Logan International Airport. Before canceling Ajjawi’s visa, immigration officers subjected him to hours of questioning — at one point leaving to search his phone and computer — according to a written statement by Ajjawi. …

“Ajjawi wrote that he spent eight hours in Bostonbefore he was required to leave. Upon arrival, Ajjawi faced questioning from immigration officials along with several other international students. While the other students were allowed to leave, Ajjawi alleges an immigration officer continued to question him about his religion and religious practices in Lebanon.

“The same officer then asked him to unlock his phone and laptop,and left to search them for roughly five hours, Ajjawi alleges. After the search, the officer questioned him about his friends’ social media activity.” Harvard Crimson

WASHINGTON INC. — “Top MPAA Executive Steven Fabrizio Fired Amid Sexual Abuse, Blackmail Charges,”by Variety’s Nate Nickolai and Matt Donnelly: “Steven Fabrizio, a top executive at the Motion Picture Association of America, has been fired following charges of second degree sexual abuse and blackmail. Fabrizio served as general counsel to the trade group, which represents the interests of Hollywood on Capitol Hill. He was charged on Saturday in Washington, D.C.

“On Monday morning, MPAA Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkininformed his board — which includes all of the major studios and Netflix — that Fabrizio was dismissed ‘for violating certain terms of employment.’ Daniel Robbins has been appointed interim general counsel as a replacement is found, Rivkin added.” Variety

WEED READ — “Justice Department Takes Step Toward Expanding Marijuana Research,”by WSJ’s Sadie Gurman: “The Drug Enforcement Administration, part of the Justice Department, will begin advancing more than two dozen applications from entrepreneurs, a university professor, a former Navy SEAL and others hoping to study the potential health benefits of marijuana as society takes a more tolerant view of its use.” WSJ

AP/MARYSVILLE, MICH.: “Candidate who wanted Michigan city as white ‘as possible’ ends run”:“A City Council candidate in Michigan who said last week that she wants to keep her community white ‘as much as possible’ withdrew from the council race on Monday.

“Jean Cramer went to Marysville City Hall to say she was leaving the raceand later, at the request of city officials, put her withdrawal in writing in a one-sentence letter that did not give a reason for why she dropped out, the Times Herald in Port Huron reported. Her name will remain on the Nov. 5 election ballot.

“Cramer, 67, created a furor after a moderator at an election forumThursday asked her and the other candidates if the city should do more to attract foreign-born residents. Cramer replied: ‘Keep Marysville a white community as much as possible.’ She added: ‘White. Seriously. In other words, no foreign-born, no foreign people.’” AP

IMMIGRATION FILES — “Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court for Power to Enforce Asylum Rule,”by WSJ’s Jess Bravin: “The Trump administration on Monday asked the Supreme Court for authority to immediately begin denying asylum to Central Americans who show up at the U.S. border without first seeking refugee status in Mexico or other countries they traveled through.

“Federal courts in California had blocked implementationof the administration’s interim rule, finding that the Justice and Homeland Security departments skirted federal Administrative Procedure Act requirements that proposed rules be published for public notice and comment before taking effect.

“Four immigrant-rights groups had sued to stop the rule;Monday’s application, filed by Solicitor General Noel Francisco, argued that the groups lack legal standing to bring the lawsuit. Additionally, the administration contended that the rule was necessary to lessen the ‘crushing burden’ a surge of such asylum seekers has imposed on the U.S. immigration system.” WSJ

— “California leads multistate lawsuit over migrant children detention rules,”by Angela Hart: POLITICO

PHOTOS — “The Burning Amazon Rainforest,”curated by The Atlantic’s Alan Taylor

COMING ATTRACTIONS — BLOOMBERG’S @JenniferJJacobs:“Ivanka Trump to travel to Colombia, Argentina and Paraguay Sept 3-6, State Dept says.”

MEDIAWATCH — SIREN … “At the New York Times, Bedbugs,”by Slate’s Ashley Feinberg: “The second, third, and fourth floors, in addition to being the newfound home of a small army of bloodsucking parasites, also happen to house the entirety of the Times’ newsroom. A source inside the newsroom has confirmed that people are ‘freaking out’ and taking photos of the cordoned-off areas.”Slate

— HAPPENING TODAY:Playboy’s White House correspondentBrian Karem, whose press pass was suspended until mid-September, get his day in court. U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras is due to hear the case today.

— BERNIE SANDERSreleased his “plan for journalism” Monday via an op-ed in CJR. His ideas include greater scrutiny of media industry mergers, promotion of employee ownership and new leadership at the FCC.

— ON SATURDAY,we learned that The Atlantic is losing money. On Tuesday, we have this (delightful) article from Amanda Mull, who expensed $1,279 on items from Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop.com.

Send tips to Eli Okun and Garrett Ross at politicoplaybook@politico.com.

WHITE HOUSE DEPARTURE LOUNGE — Katy Talentois launching a new firm, KFT Consulting, advising employers and others on health care and benefits. She previously was a special assistant to the president on the Domestic Policy Council, where she was lead health adviser to Trump.

TRANSITIONS — Andrew Romeois joining Sen. Thom Tillis’ (R-N.C.) reelection campaign as communications director. He previously was communications director for Rep. John Joyce (R-Pa.). …Katherine Flockenis joining Allon Advocacy as a senior policy adviser. She previously was senior government relations specialist at Arent Fox.

ENGAGED — Michael Weber,a software developer, proposed toMarina Villeneuve,state government and politics reporter at the AP, on a pier near Greenwich Village, where he later surprised her with their families and her best friend. They met seven years ago on a blind date starting at Penn Station, when they had pizza and got made fun of by Amy Schumer at the Comedy Cellar.Pic

WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Elizabeth Daigneau,most recently managing editor of Governing magazine, andStefano Terricola,construction executive at Gilbane Development Company, welcomed Matteo.Pic…Another pic

BIRTHWEEK (was Monday):National Journal’s Harrison Cramer (hat tip: Zach Cohen)

BIRTHDAY OF THE DAY: Josh Paciorek,communications director for Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.).What he’s been reading recently:“I just finished reading Tim Alberta’s ‘American Carnage.’ The book provided a really in-depth look at how the GOP has changed over the past decade. But on the lighter side, Fred Upton’s office just started a book club and we recently finished our first book — ‘Before I Go to Sleep.’ It was a great thriller and a quick read.”Playbook Plus Q&A

BIRTHDAYS:Roger Stone is 67 … Josh Mankiewicz, correspondent for NBC’s “Dateline,” is 64 … New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul is 61 … Ashley Moir, booker and panel producer for Fox News’ “Special Report” … Rachel Racusen … Steve Clemons, editor-at-large at The Hill … former Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.) is 76 … former Sen. Robert Torricelli (D-N.J.) is 68 … Jennifer Senior is 5-0 … Mac Abrams … POLITICO’s Darius Dixon, Megan Cassella and Lydia Jabin … Jedd Rosche, CNN senior Congress editor … Sarah Gamard … Xavier Pugliese … Peter Sterne … Blake Sobczak, a deputy editor at E&E News … Morris Jones … Pete Boyle, VP of public affairs at the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities … Christopher LaPrade, senior manager of global relations at the American Chemical Society (h/t Steven Overly) …

… Brandt McCool,CTO at New Blue Interactive (h/t father-in-law Randall Samborn) … Jason Houser … Ty Matsdorf… Melissa Sellers … Jim Osman … Biruk Bekele … Benjamin Haas is 33 (h/t Morgan Dwyer) … Kelsey Berg … Edelman’s Polly Mingledorff … Francesca McCrary … Sarah Schenning … Peter Rothfeld … Moutray McLaren … Linda McKay … Marilyn Renner … Jon Kinney … POLITICO Europe’s Pierre Teheux … Megan Wilburn … Donald St. Clair … Danielle Weisberg, co-founder of theSkimm … Nicole Charalambous … Bill Hamilton … Mindy Tucker Fletcher … Ruth Harkin … Leah Daughtry (h/ts Teresa Vilmain) … Jeannette O’Connor … Christopher S. Brown … August Skamenca … Christine O’Donnell is 5-0 … Naomi LaChance … Katrina Salhioui

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Opinion Roundup: Student protests, background checks, energy modernization, obesity epidemic and more

Student walkouts

Thursday, March 15, 2018 — A round up of opinion, commentary and analysis on: Nationwide student walkout, restricting firearm access, Duke Energy’s planned grid modernization, rising child obesity rates, NC’s heath ranking and more.

PROTECTING OUR KIDS PAUL MURPHY & GIANLUCA MEZZOFIORE: At N.C. school, he was only one of 700 who walked out (CNN reports) — At 10 a.m. Wednesday, Justin Blackman got up from his desk and calmly walked out of Mr. Mendez’s Spanish class. When he got outside, he discovered he was the only one. Of the approximately 700 students at Wilson Preparatory Academy in Wilson, North Carolina, 16-year-old Justin was in a company of one during the national school walkout.

GOV. ROY COOPER: Our Kids Deserve Action (Medium column) — After the tragedy in Parkland, Florida, conversations about school safety and gun reforms have taken place all over America. Brave students are making their voices heard, and it’s clear they want action. I do too. At my request, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety has directed law enforcement and school administrators to ensure their rapid deployment training and school emergency response plans are in order. Preparation and open communication lines can make all the difference in a life or death situation. But preparing for the worst and praying it never happens isn’t enough. We need smart changes to our laws that will help keep dangerous weapons from getting into the wrong hands.

GARY ROBERTSON: Cooper wants background checks, higher age on some gun sales (AP news analysis) — In the wake of last month’s deadly Florida school shooting, Gov. Roy Cooper wants North Carolina lawmakers to pass gun regulations requiring background checks and permits for people looking to buy some semi-automatic rifles.

LAURA LESLIE: Cooper calls for tighter gun laws in NC (WRAL-TV reports) — On the day of the National School Walkout, Gov. Roy Cooper called for banning bump stocks and raising the minimum age and requiring a purchase permit for assault rifles as well as handguns.

ADAM OWENS: Proposed legislation would raise age to buy rifles to 21 in NC (WRAL-TV reports) — In the wake of the deadly Parkland, Fla. shooting, several states have discussed changing laws in order to make it more difficult for people to purchase certain firearms, including one North Carolina lawmaker who is proposing his own piece of legislation.

SCOTT SEXTON: Will build up of pressure be enough to crack resistance to gun law change? (Winston-Salem Journal column) — Like water falling on a flat rock, small pockets of protest against gun violence broke out across the community over the last few days and nights. Drip, drip, drip.

MYRON PITTS: Cumberland County students join national walkout (Fayetteville Observer column) — I have heard some folks ask why the students walked out of schools on Wednesday. Life presents tough questions sometimes. This is not one. These kids walked out to save their own lives. And I’m proud of them, inspired by them. Many Cumberland County school students held a protest or vigil.

POLICY & POLITICS Anti-harassment training provided to General Assembly, staff (AP news analysis) — North Carolina state lawmakers are getting opportunities to learn more about what constitutes workplace harassment so as to prevent it within the legislative branch.

MITCH WEISS & HOLBROOK MOHR: Cherokee County illegally removed kids from homes (AP news analysis) — When Brian Hogan got a call that his wife had suffered a massive heart attack, he knew he had to get to the hospital fast. So Hogan asked his neighbor to take care of his 10-year-old daughter, then headed 60 miles east to the intensive care unit in Asheville, North Carolina.

GARY ROBERTSON: Cooper to appoint N.C. elections board this week (AP news analysis) — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper will appoint members to a combined state elections and ethics board this week, even while he continues to fight in court over the legality of the board’s latest iteration.

TRAVIS FAIN: Cooper agrees to appoint Board of Elections (WRAL-TV reports) — Gov. Roy Cooper announced Wednesday that he’ll make his appointments to a long-delayed new State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement this week while simultaneously continuing to fight the Republican-mandated changes to the board in court.

ANDREW DUNN: Why even Charlotte millionaires should care about affordable housing (Charlotte Agenda column) — Affordable housing has never been more important in Charlotte. It’s a moral issue, to be sure. But let’s be honest: Charity will only go so far. True progress on fixing our affordable housing problem will only come if we view it as a problem for everyone instead of just the right thing to do. Why should the millionaire in a gated SouthPark neighborhood care about affordable housing?

TRAVIS FAIN: Campaign paid for Cooper’s ACC Tournament trip to Brooklyn (WRAL-TV reports) — Gov. Roy Cooper’s four-day trip last week to Brooklyn for the ACC Tournament was a campaign trip. There were no official meetings. The governor’s campaign and the Democratic Governors Association covered trip costs, including airfare, hotel, meals and incidentals, according to the Governor’s Office. Campaign strategist Morgan Jackson said trip costs, including tournament tickets the campaign bought through UNC-Chapel Hill, will be detailed in Cooper for North Carolina’s next campaign finance filing, due in July.

Sign Fontenot’s petition to give voters a choice (Wilson Times) — Who should sign Ken Fontenot’s ballot access petition? Republicans. Democrats. Libertarians. Independents. Supporters. Opponents. In short, anyone who believes in the democratic process and wants to give voters a choice in November. The Wilson pastor, middle-school teacher and Marine Corps veteran announced his Republican Party-backed bid to challenge Rep. Jean Farmer-Butterfield, D-Wilson, in House District 24 last month. But before he can campaign, he has to stump for signatures — about 2,200 of them.

AMANDA THAMES: Onslow BOC calls White House visit ‘outstanding’ (Jacksonville Daily News) — The White House called and Onslow County commissioners answered. With speakers like Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, and Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway, the board had quite the day.

Rick Perry for VA? Not a good fit (Fayetteville Observer) — Speculation out of Washington indicates that President Trump is on a “You’re fired” roll, that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will be leading a procession of high-level administration officials out of Washington. And the name atop most insiders’ next-to-go list is Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin. The VA chief reportedly angered the president when he got caught up in a scandal over misuse of travel funds.

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT KIRK ROSS: THE N.C. FRACKING BOOM THAT DIDN’T HAPPEN (Carolina Public Press analysis) — North Carolina’s Oil and Gas Commission returns to work today for the first time in two years. Whatever resources were underground when the commission was last in business have gone untapped, so that the same resources remain buried today. Above ground, however, things are very different. Once expected to join the fracking boom, North Carolina is now farther away from taking the plunge and is now more remarkable for its growth in alternatives like solar and wind.

JOHN DOWNEY: Critic claims Duke Energy’s $7.5B ‘grid modernization’ plan doesn’t pass muster (Charlotte Business Journal analysis) — An expert witness contends there is little modernization in the 10-year program and that less than 1% of it will support Duke Energy’s much-touted goal of more renewable energy on the grid.

JENNIFER ALLEN: Groups Try New Strategy on Debris Problem (Coastal Review analysis) — Local governments and environmental groups are taking a new, more strategic approach to address the problem of rubbish, derelict fishing gear and abandoned vessels along the N.C. coast.

HEALTH JAYSON DEBRUYN: New health ranking show disparities in N.C. (WUNC-FM) — The more money you make, the better your health outcomes. That’s according to new data from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. In North Carolina, for instance, Wake County residents have the highest median income, according to Census figures. The county also ranks as the No. 1 county by health outcomes. On the other end of the spectrum, residents of Scotland County have the lowest median income, and rank No. 99 in health outcomes. Only Robeson County ranked lower in terms of health outcomes and its median income was only 2.2 percent higher than that of Scotland.

This region’s health issues are killing us (Fayetteville Observer) — This is not the state’s healthiest corner. In fact, health outcomes in this region are among the worst in all of North Carolina. In Robeson County, outcomes are the worst in the state, according to the annual County Health Rankings Report compiled by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. It’s a deadly problem.

TAYLOR KNOPF: Pediatric Obesity Rates Continue to Increase (N.C. Health News analysis) — One in six children in the U.S. is considered obese. And in North Carolina, the rates are on the higher end. Newer research shows excess weight on their growing frames is causing musculoskeletal problems.

EDUCATION UNCG joins the madness of March in college basketball (Greensboro News & Record) — The tournament returns to North Carolina, and UNCG returns to the tournament, one of six schools from the state playing in this big-time event.

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