Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis promised to “destroy leftism in America” and leave woke ideology behind in his Memorial Day appearance on “Fox and Friends.”When asked why he chose to declare candidacy for the Republican Party in the 2024 presidential election now instead of waiting for former president Donald Trump to serve a second term and then run, the governor replied that everyone knows if he is nominated, he will beat Biden and then serve two terms.“I will be able to destroy leftism in this country and leave woke ideology on the dustbin of history. At the end of the day, I’ve shown in Florida an ability to win huge swaths of voters that Republicans typically can’t win — while also delivering the boldest agenda anywhere in the country,” DeSantis said.
Iowa’s Ban on Transgender Medicaid Coverage Remains Struck Down
12.05.2023 - 21:23 / metroweekly.com
ruled in favor of two Iowans –Aiden Vasquez, a transgender man, and Mika Covington, a transgender woman, both Medicaid recipients — who sued after being denied coverage for gender-affirming surgery.In that ruling, Kelly had found that the state’s ban on Medicaid coverage violated a 2007 law amending the Iowa Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination against people based on gender identity.He also ruled that a subsequent law amending the Iowa Civil Rights Act to prohibit Medicaid dollars from being used to pay for gender-affirming treatments — approved on a party-line vote by Republicans and signed into effect by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds in 2019 — was also unconstitutional.The state appealed Kelly’s decision, but shortly afterward, the state Department of Health and Human Services agreed to pay Vasquez and Covington’s surgical expenses. “Choices have consequences, and in this case, the appellant’s choices prompt us to dismiss its direct appeal as moot,” Iowa Supreme Court Justice Thomas Waterman wrote on behalf of the court, citing DHS’s actions. Waterman noted that while the state had asked for a ruling on whether the 2019 Medicaid coverage ban was unconstitutional, the court was declining to rule on the validity of that decision at this time, writing: “We save the constitutional issues for another day, presumably with a better-developed record.”Although the court dismissed the appeal based on DHS’s prior actions, Waterman wrote, on the court’s behalf, that the state had failed to provide evidence or statistics to justify their assertion prohibitions on coverage for gender-affirming care were a cost-saving measure.Waterman also noted that the U.S.
Before ‘Iron Man,’ Robert Downey Jr. Was In Talks For Another Marvel Film, Says Jon Favreau
When you hear the name Tony Stark the actor that comes to mind is Robert Downey Jr. as he played him in the MCU starting with 2008’s Iron Man. However, Downey was not always going to play the billionaire philanthropist and was in talks to play a whole different character.
A Design Hotel With a Story: Bangkok’s Sofitel So Hotel
Travel blog by Travels of Adam (Hipster Blog) – Travels of Adam (Hipster Blog) - Travel & Lifestyle Hipster Blog Sofitel So Hotel in the Silom area of Bangkok impressed me from the moment I entered the building. Not least because it was a sweltering 40ºC outside, but because the friendliness of the staff on the 9th floor lobby convinced me this wasn’t just another trendy hotel. There’s some substance to this hotel’s design.
LSU Player Sa’Myah Smith Gives Thumbs-Up After Passing Out at the White House (Video)
suggested inviting both the Tigers and their rivals the Iowa Hawkeyes to the White House. LSU star Angel Reese initially objected to the comment, calling it “a joke,” and indicated she might not attend.
CNN Sets Republican Town Hall With Mike Pence; Dana Bash To Moderate
CNN has lined up it third Republican presidential town hall. The latest, with former Vice President Mike Pence and Dana Bash as moderator, will air at 9 pm ET June 7, from Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa.
CNN Sets Mike Pence for 3rd Republican Primary Town Hall, With Dana Bash as Moderator
a few days before on Sunday, June 4.Pence served as vice president under Donald Trump from 2017-2021. Like Trump he’ll face a friendly audience of mostly Iowa Republicans who have pledged to pre-register and participate in the Republican caucuses.
Alex Wagner Savages Ron DeSantis’ ‘Terrifying Laugh': ‘Choreographed Attempt to Be Likeable’ (Video)
“Mr. DeSantis has already made a few early visits to campaign states in a sort of choreographed attempt to be likable,” Wagner said.
Nikki Haley To Participate In CNN Town Hall Moderated By Jake Tapper
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley will participate in a live CNN presidential town hall next month in Iowa, the network said Wednesday. The announcement comes just weeks after the network held a town hall with GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump, moderated by Kaitlan Collins, in New Hampshire.
Dua Lipa Addresses Tabloid Chatter, Albanian Immigrant Discrimination, 'Barbie' Movie Details, What She Did After Met Gala 2023 & More in 'Dazed' Interview
Dua Lipa is opening up about her fabulous career as a pop superstar.
Dispatches From The WGA Picket Lines Day 15: Striking Writers Hit Disney At NY Upfronts, Where There’s A Bob Iger Sighting & At Studio In Burbank
It was a tale of two coasts today, as WGA picketers and their allies targeted Disney’s upfront presentation in New York and also the company’s Burbank lot in Los Angeles. And the two scenes were very different.
Who’s watching ‘The Watcher?’ Most-watched Netflix shows by state revealed
“The Watcher” is set in New Jersey — and as it turns out, residents there are intently watching “The Watcher.”The product review site PerfectRec has revealed which Netflix series every state is obsessed with, based on May data from Google Trends and IMDb rating information.California’s pick was “Cobra Kai,” while Hawaii tuned into “Emily In Paris,” despite critics calling the meme-able series “boring.”Fittingly, people in North Carolina frequently watched “Outer Banks,” while those in Iowa streamed “Love is Blind.”“Stranger Things” was tops in Utah. In fact, the Duffer Brothers thriller was the most-streamed series in 2022.Netflix, citing Nielsen ratings, said the drama was the most-watched English TV show within its first four weeks of release, with its latest season scoring 1.35 billion hours of view time in the first 28 days.The series, which premiered in 2016, is slated to end with Season 5.Production plans are unclear amid the Hollywood writers strike.Fans are disappointed that their favorite band of monster-fighting teens will be no more, but actor David Harbour, who plays Eleven’s doting father figure, Jim Hopper, said it’s time for a curtain call.“I think it’s a great show, even if I wasn’t in it,” the 48-year-old actor said in February.
‘The Beanie Bubble’ Release Date, First Look: Zach Galifianakis, Elizabeth Banks, Sarah Snook & Geraldine Viswanathan Top Apple’s Toy Craze Dramedy
Apple Original Films on Tuesday unveiled the theatrical and streaming release dates, as well as first-look photos for its true-life dramedy The Beanie Bubble, starring Zach Galifianakis (Baskets), Elizabeth Banks (Call Jane), Sarah Snook (Succession) and Geraldine Viswanathan (Cat Person). The film marking the feature directorial debut of Emmy nominee Kristin Gore and Damian Kulash, Jr. will premiere in select theaters on July 21st before bowing globally on Apple TV+ on July 28th.
Elizabeth Banks On The Dangers Of AI Amid Writers Strike: “We Have To Hold The Line As A Community” — Cannes
EXCLUSIVE: Cocaine Bear filmmaker Elizabeth Banks has urged industry professionals to “hold the line” and support striking writers, particularly around issues such as the use of AI as her thriller Dreamquil, which explores the dangers of artificial intelligence, launches at the Canes Market.
K-pop boyband WEi cancel Latin America leg of ‘Passion’ tour
WEi have cancelled the majority of their Latin America ‘Passion’ tour.Over the weekend, WEi and their label OUI Entertainment announced that they have cancelled all dates on their upcoming Latin America ‘Passion’ tour, with the exception of the Mexico City stop on June 4.“We requested visa issuance and other matters that had to be checked in advance to ensure smooth performance. Nevertheless, we were told to proceed with the concert without issuing a proper visa and to perform in an open-air venue,” OUI Entertainment said.“Furthermore, some of the notices were not negotiated with OUI Entertainment before uploading,” the agency added.
‘DreamQuil’: Elizabeth Banks & John C. Reilly To Star In A.I. Thriller, HanWay Film Shopping It At Cannes Market
Another day, another intriguing thriller hits the Cannes market. Deadline reports that HanWay Films has a thriller about the dangers of AI on the Croisette with Elizabeth Banks and John C.
Elizabeth Banks & John C. Reilly To Lead Timely AI Thriller ‘Dreamquil’; HanWay, UTA & CAA Launch Sales For Cannes
EXCLUSIVE: Emmy nominee Elizabeth Banks (The Hunger Games) and Oscar nominee John C. Reilly (Chicago) are set to lead timely Cannes market package Dreamquil, an AI thriller which HanWay Films is launching.
Angel Reese wows in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit: ‘Damn, you sexy’
told the magazine that she works out a lot. “I embrace my body and who I am and every mark on my body. I probably feel the sexiest in a bathing suit,” she said.In one of the images, Reese, who led the Lady Tigers to their first championship in school history with a 102-85 victory over Iowa, points to her finger in a nod to her ring taunt that sparked a debate about female athletes and sportsmanship.
Kym Marsh 'saddened by split' from husband Scott but will 'remain friends' with ex
It’s been a sad time for Kym Marsh, 46, who is said to have split for good with her husband of 18 months, Army major Scott Ratcliff, 34. Spotted out and about still wearing her wedding ring, the former Coronation Street actress, who presents Morning Live and now appears in Waterloo Road, looked sombre as she was snapped shopping with daughter Emilie Cunliffe, 26. Speaking about the reasons for the couple’s separation, a source tells OK!:“Kym and Scott are both saddened by the split.
Outer Banks’ Madison Bailey and Rudy Pankow Win Best Kiss at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards: Details
Too hot to handle! Madison Bailey and Rudy Pankow won the coveted Best Kiss category at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards.
Iowa News Anchor Sheds Tears as She Reveals Breast Cancer Diagnosis After Covering Mammogram Story (Video)
Calyn Thompson, the morning anchor at NBC affiliate WHO 13 in Des Moines, Iowa, revealed to viewers she is battling breast cancer, a diagnosis she received after covering a story about staying up on regular mammograms.Thompson, overwhelmed with emotions, made the announcement Wednesday morning on “Today in Iowa” and said she was diagnosed with the disease last November.“Six months ago, I did an interview during breast cancer awareness month reminding you to stay up to date on your mammograms, little did I know that interview would foreshadow the beginning of my own journey,” Thompson said with her colleagues, co-anchor Justin Surrency and meteorologist Megan Salois, by her side.As tears streaming down her face, the 28-year-old told viewers if something feels off or not right to get screened. She said she was glad to get the chemotherapy behind her and expressed things are looking good.“My medical team is confident it is treatable and curable, and I am completely confident in my medical team,” Thompson said.