eto.

Each story. Every side.

Thursday, August 13, 2026

ICE plans to equip officers with electric shock gloves as state officials warn of legal risks

Federal authorities are moving forward with plans to equip Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers with electric shock gloves, known as G.L.O.V.E. (Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter), which deliver small electrical pulses to deter combative detainees. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has allocated up to $20 million for the purchase of these devices, which are manufactured by Compliant Technologies in Kentucky. The gloves are described as a "conductive distraction and de-escalation device" and are intended to be used in situations where officers need to subdue individuals without causing physical harm. ICE has stated that officers will undergo training and re-certification every two years before using the equipment.

New York state officials, including Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James, have raised legal concerns about the use of the gloves within the state. They argue that the technology could violate New York law and expose ICE officers to legal consequences if used in the state. Hochul and James have indicated that their offices are reviewing the DHS proposal and may pursue legal action if the devices are used in New York and cause harm.

Where the accounts differ

FOX News reports that the gloves are described as "electric shock gloves" and that the state officials are warning of legal consequences. The Washington Examiner and The Daily Wire also mention the legal concerns but do not specify the exact nature of the state officials' warnings. The Guardian and NPR do not mention the legal concerns or the specific equipment being discussed. The Washington Examiner provides a range of $10 million to $20 million for the purchase, while FOX News and The Daily Wire specify $20 million. The Daily Wire notes a 1,300% surge in assaults by individuals ICE is trying to arrest since the Trump administration began its deportation campaign, which is not mentioned in other accounts.

Former SPLC CFO Arrested on Fraud Charges Over Alleged Payments to Extremist Informants

Heidi Beirich, former chief financial officer of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), was arrested in California on federal fraud charges. According to the indictment, Beirich allegedly oversaw payments to informants embedded in white supremacist groups, including a romantic partner who received over $1.2 million. The charges include conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to submit false statements to a federally insured bank, and conspiracy to conceal money laundering. Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that Beirich was part of an effort to open bank accounts in fictitious companies' names to make payments for reasons not accurately described. The case is part of a broader DOJ investigation into the SPLC, which alleges the organization funneled donor funds to extremists.

The SPLC has denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated. Beirich's attorney, Michael Proctor, accused the Trump administration of using the justice system to silence political opponents. The indictment also alleges that Beirich shared a bank account with an informant, and that donor money was used for activities including buying KKK materials and hosting rallies. The case includes claims that SPLC funds were used to copy stolen documents from extremist groups and that Beirich paid another informant to falsely claim responsibility for the theft.

Where the accounts differ

The Daily Caller and FOX News both mention that Beirich was charged with conspiracy to conceal money laundering, while The Guardian and The Daily Wire do not. The Daily Wire and ABC News state that Beirich was the SPLC’s former chief financial officer, whereas The Daily Caller and UPI note that the SPLC was charged as an organization in April. The Guardian and The Daily Wire report that Beirich shared a bank account with an informant, while The Daily Caller and FOX News specify that the informant was her romantic partner. The Daily Wire and ABC News mention that Beirich was the first named individual to face criminal charges, while The Daily Caller and UPI do not. The Guardian and The Daily Wire include details about the $140,000 flowing into a joint account, while The Daily Caller and FOX News do not specify the amount.

Trump Admin Releases Final Rule Attacking Healthcare for Low-Income Trans Kids

The Trump administration finalized a rule on Tuesday that prohibits Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) from covering puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgeries for transgender youth. The rule, which takes effect October 13, applies to patients under age 18 for Medicaid and under 19 for CHIP. A six-month tapering period is provided for those already receiving hormone therapy. The administration cites a 2025 HHS report and the UK’s Cass Review as justification for the restrictions, which it claims lack sufficient evidence of clinical benefit and pose serious risks. The rule does not affect mental health services for gender dysphoria.

The final rule is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to limit access to gender-affirming care for minors. The administration argues that such treatments are experimental and can cause irreversible harm, including infertility, impaired sexual function, and altered brain development. CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have both defended the policy as following the science and protecting children from unnecessary risks. Advocacy groups, including the Trevor Project, have criticized the rule as a dangerous attempt to restrict access to essential care, citing research linking gender-affirming treatments to lower rates of depression and suicide risk among transgender youth.

Where the accounts differ

Mother Jones and UPI both state that the rule applies to patients under 18 for Medicaid and under 19 for CHIP, while Axios and The Daily Wire mention the same age thresholds. The New York Post and FOX News refer to the procedures as “sex-rejecting” and “experimental,” a term not used by Mother Jones or Axios. The Daily Wire and The New York Post attribute the claim about irreversible harm to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., while Mother Jones and UPI attribute it to CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz. The Daily Wire and The New York Post mention the tapering period for hormone therapy, while Axios and UPI do not. The Daily Wire and The New York Post attribute the claim about the UK’s Cass Review to HHS, while Mother Jones and UPI attribute it to CMS.

The Intercept sues Trump on First Amendment issues for Truth API

The Intercept and the Freedom of the Press Foundation filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump and members of his staff, challenging a plan by Trump Media & Technology Group to monetize the president's posts on Truth Social. The lawsuit alleges that the scheme would violate the First Amendment by denying equal access to official information and the Fifth Amendment by charging "unreasonable sums" for access to government information. The plan, called "Truth API," allows subscribers to pay up to $100,000 per month for early access to Trump's posts, which are described as "market-moving." The service was launched on August 1, 2026, and is part of a broader effort to improve the financial health of Trump Media & Technology Group, which has faced significant stock price declines.

The lawsuit also highlights concerns about insider trading, with Democratic lawmakers and legal experts raising questions about whether the service enables Wall Street firms to profit from the president's announcements on economic policy, the war in Iran, and other topics. The complaint was filed in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York and names Trump's executive assistant Natalie Harp, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Daniel Scavino, and the Executive Office of the President as defendants.

Where the accounts differ

The New York Post and The Guardian both mention that the service allows subscribers to access posts from the 10 most popular accounts on the site, including Trump’s, JD Vance, and Karoline Leavitt, while The Intercept and Straight Arrow News specify that Trump is the most popular account. The Guardian and The Intercept report that the service charges up to $100,000 per month, while NPR and The Intercept note that a three-year commitment reduces the monthly fee to $60,000. The New York Post and The Guardian mention that the service was launched on August 1, 2026, while The Intercept and Straight Arrow News state that it was launched on August 1, 2026, and that Trump Media disclosed having more than 10 subscribers, including financial news outlets and high-frequency trading firms.

Two Soldiers Killed In Apache Helicopter Crash, Wildfire Forces Evacuations

A U.S. Army Apache helicopter crashed near Salado, Texas, on Wednesday, killing both crew members. The crash occurred shortly after 1:30 p.m. local time, according to the Bell County Sheriff’s Office. The wreckage ignited a wildfire that prompted evacuations and road closures. Emergency responders, including local fire departments and military personnel, arrived at the scene to manage the blaze. The crash did not injure anyone on the ground, and no structures were damaged. The AH-64 Apache, based at Fort Hood, is a two-seat attack helicopter used for various combat missions. An investigation into the crash is ongoing, led by Fort Hood’s Criminal Investigation Division. Texas Governor Greg Abbott expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and the Fort Hood community.

Where the accounts differ

The Daily Wire and Straight Arrow News both mention the crash occurred near Salado, about 50 miles north of Austin, while FOX News states it was 30 minutes from Fort Hood. The Daily Wire and UPI report the fire covered 155 acres and was 85% contained by Wednesday evening, while FOX News notes the fire remained uncontrolled as of 4 p.m. ET. The Daily Wire and Straight Arrow News attribute the crash to a "violent crash," while Just The News quotes Cliff Coleman describing it as a "violent crash" without specifying the outlet. UPI mentions the soldiers were transported to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, a detail not included in other accounts. FOX News includes a quote from Abhiram Garapati offering prayers, which is absent in other reports.

Fact-checking Trump's claims as he rolls back some recommended vaccines

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday that limits the number of vaccines recommended for children, reducing the CDC's recommended 18 diseases to 11. The order also advises splitting up the MMR vaccine into three separate shots. During the event, Trump made several misleading or false claims about vaccines, including stating that children receive 72 jabs and that the MMR vaccine is "quite lethal." The CDC and FDA have refuted these claims, noting that the 72 figure includes all doses a person might receive by age 18 and that the MMR vaccine is safe with rare serious side effects. Experts have also debunked the link between vaccines and autism, citing numerous studies showing no causal connection.

The Illinois governor, J.B. Pritzker, dismissed the executive order as "a thoughtless piece of paper," stating that his state will continue to follow the American Academy of Pediatrics' vaccine schedule. The order does not change the availability of vaccines or insurance coverage for them, and states retain authority over school entry requirements. Health officials have emphasized that parents already have significant choice in vaccine timing and that the order does not alter existing recommendations.

Where the accounts differ

BBC reports that the CDC recommends 18 diseases, while Just The News states the CDC recommends 18 diseases but the order reduces it to 11. NPR and The Guardian note that the order does not change the CDC recommendations, only the federal guidance. The Daily Wire and The Guardian mention that the order does not change the CDC recommendations, but the executive order is an attempt to reinstate changes previously blocked by a federal judge. The Daily Wire also states that the order does not change the CDC recommendations, but the executive order is an attempt to reinstate changes previously blocked by a federal judge.

Below the fold

One nomination from outside the front page. The model's printed reason — judge it:

Thailand suspends gun licences as teen shooter and grandparents he killed are cremated, leading to stricter gun controls affecting public safety.

Thailand suspends gun licences as teen shooter and grandparents he killed are cremated

Thailand has suspended firearms licences following the Nonthaburi school shooting, where a 14-year-old boy killed his grandparents and six others at his school before taking his own life. The prime minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, ordered the interior ministry and police to halt new firearm permits and called for tighter controls and penalties. The government plans to establish a period for people to surrender illegal firearms, with possible exemption from penalties. The reforms were foreshadowed as multi-day Buddhist funerals for the victims continued. The bodies of the shooter and his grandparents were cremated, with mourners expressing shock and compassion for the teenager.

The government has faced criticism for past failures to curb gun violence, despite strict licensing laws. Data from 2017 shows Thailand had the highest number of civilian-owned firearms in Southeast Asia, with over 10 million guns, many unregistered. The new school safety plan includes stricter entry screening and increased mental health support. Investigators are still seeking a motive for the shooting, though police noted the boy had watched violent videos online and once brought an air gun to school.

Where the accounts differ

The Guardian reports that the shooter killed his grandparents who raised him, while the Associated Press states the shooter killed at least eight people and injured more than 20 in the school shooting. The Guardian mentions the shooter’s grandparents were cremated alongside the other victims, while the Associated Press does not specify the number of victims or the cremation of the grandparents. The Guardian includes details about the welfare gun scheme and the role of Deputy Commissioner General Thana Chuwong, which the Associated Press omits.