Here are today's featured stories, posted by DU members and curated by the Administrators. More news items can be found in our Latest Breaking News forum, and for all the most up-to-the-minute stories that are being talked about by DU members, visit the Latest Discussions page.
May 12, 2026
Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein will testify publicly on Tuesday
(Scripps) Democrats on the House Oversight Committee will be in Florida Tuesday to hold a hearing with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. It's what's known as a shadow hearing, one organized by the minority party, and it's the first time we will hear from survivors testifying publicly under oath about what happened to them.
Go to discussionEpstein pal who 'had a great time with the girls' welcomed as VIP at Trump event
(Raw Story) A friend of Jeffrey Epstein was a VIP guest at the unveiling of a towering golden statue of President Donald Trump at his golf course in Doral, Florida. Photos shared on social media over the weekend showed American cryptocurrency entrepreneur, Brock Pierce, cutting the ribbon at the statue's unveiling. In a 2012 email published by the Justice Department, Pierce told Epstein that he had broken up with his girlfriend so something "would not be a problem." The next day, Pierce wrote again to Epstein: "I had a great time with the girls. Hope they had fun too. Thanks."
Go to discussionAlabama attorney general announces civil probe of Southern Poverty Law Center
(AP) Alabama’s attorney general announced a civil investigation Monday into the Southern Poverty Law Center’s fundraising practices in the wake of a federal indictment against the organization. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said he has sent a subpoena to the center seeking information about its donations and payments to informants. He said he is seeking to determine if the organization violated state laws related to charitable organizations or deceptive trade practices.
Go to discussion45,000 Votes Will Be Discarded In Louisiana. Gov Says It's 'Not A Big Deal.'
(Huff Post) In the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent decision on gerrymandering, Louisiana’s governor suspended the state’s primary elections, even though tens of thousands of votes had already been cast. Now he intends to toss those votes. During a “60 Minutes” interview Sunday, Gov. Jeff Landry (R) was pressed about what would happen to the roughly 45,000 ballots that were cast prior to the high court’s decision.
Go to discussionUS Releases Another Wave of Emergency Oil as Gas Prices Bite
(Bloomberg) The US Strategic Petroleum Reserve awarded 53.3 million barrels to companies including oil trader Trafigura Group and US refiner Marathon Petroleum Corp, adding to a wave of oil released to help tame surging prices stemming from the Iran war. Trafigura is taking the largest haul of nearly 13 million barrels, followed by Marathon and Exxon Mobil Corp, the US Energy Department said Monday. Near-record volumes of government oil are flowing to market in a bid to rein in prices at the pump ahead of the busy summer driving season.
Go to discussion
Democrats express 'grave concerns' over secretive ICE deportation flights
(The Guardian) A group of 40 House Democrats have described “grave concerns” over the Trump administration’s secretive program of deportation flights and demanded the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) address allegations of mistreatment and inhumane conditions on ICE charter jets. In a letter shared with the Guardian and addressed to the FAA administrator, Bryan Bedford, the lawmakers describe the “urgent need for transparency” over ICE’s expanded use of commercial airliners to transfer detained immigrants and its “inappropriate and dangerous” efforts to shield these flights from public scrutiny.
Go to discussion'A bad look': Republicans want more details on ballroom security funding request
(Politico) President Donald Trump and his deputies have a major sales job ahead of them on Capitol Hill as multiple GOP lawmakers questioned a proposed $1 billion in Secret Service security spending that could be used at least in part for Trump’s controversial White House ballroom project. The provision, which gives $1 billion to the Secret Service for “security adjustments and upgrades,” has threatened to overshadow what Republicans wanted to make the main focus of the package — tens of billions of dollars in new immigration enforcement funding.
Go to discussionResearchers find 42% drop in Canadians visiting US metro areas amid Trump 2.0
(The Guardian) A new research tool that tracks cell phone activity has found a 42% drop in visitors from Canada to big metropolitan areas in the US that is much higher than official border-crossing data, suggesting Canadians during the second Trump administration are avoiding US cities in particular. Researchers from the University of Toronto said the tool showed a “year-over-year median decline of approximately 42% in Canadian visits to US metropolitan areas – significantly higher than official border-crossing data, which showed a roughly 25% decline”.
Go to discussionExplosive Report Reveals the UAE Has Been Secretly Attacking Iran During the War
(Mediaite) The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that the United Arab Emirates “has carried out military strikes on Iran,” citing “people familiar with the matter.”. The explosive report is the first time since the war began that the UAE has been implicated as an active combatant in the war, joining the U.S., Iran, and Israel as a primary actor. The UAE has been targeted by Iran with missile and drone strikes throughout the war, with several major impacts in Dubai and on oil infrastructure in the country.
Go to discussion