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Things Only Get More Confusing at NPR; Politico Is Blameless for Predicting Gas Price Increases

Brad Slager
Brad Slager  |  Jul 01, 2026
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Prose & Contradiction – NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO

  • Maybe not reporting is the way to go here, folks.

There continues to be fallout from yesterday’s debacle at NPR, where Nina Totenberg had erroneously broken the news that Justice Samuel Alito was retiring. The outlet quickly spiked that false report, and Nina has been on a mea culpa tour, but there is a curiosity behind how this even transpired.

By way of explanation, NPR described what happened, but then offered contradictions, and as a result, makes less sense about how this played out.

  • The article went through an extra layer of editing, known at NPR as “the backstop,” according to two people familiar with the process. NPR added that layer in 2024 as a final line of defense against errors. But because the article cited an announcement, rather than confidential sources, the network did not take additional steps to verify the accuracy of the information.  

This means they have a newly added layer of editing to prevent false information from getting published, but they bypassed this new process, which led to false information being reported. And this was because they failed to verify the basic claim that an official announcement had been made about Alito retiring.

(We do not understand any of this either…)


Dos Equis-pert Opinions – POLITICO

  • It’s not their fault that they reported the exact opposite result taking place.

Politico was pained to issue this report on gas prices having fallen to levels seen before the Epic Fury engagement. What was causing discomfort was the same outlet and reporter, Scott Waldman, two months ago, citing experts who promised gas prices would continue to spike, and now they are proven 180 degrees incorrect.

So it becomes a blithe attempt to pass off responsibility. “Don't blame us! It was the experts who told us prices would rise!” Might be a clue that you need better “experts”.


News Avoidance Syndrome – VARIOUS OUTLETS

  • Can you turn those crickets down? We have something to tell you!

The abject disinterest seen across the news landscape for the Minnesota fraud cases has been remarkable to watch. Well, okay…you cannot watch what is not being broadcast, but you get the gist. But the constant evidence of upper-level complicity with the people in charge should begin to register, right?

Recently, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison was further implicated. No one is much bothered by this in the press, and now another name pops up. Again. Recent emails from another busted fraudster show direct connections to Ilhan Omar, who already has established ties with others in trouble for the same scams.

For perspective, recall all of the furor in the press over Justice Clarence Thomas supposedly being compromised for receiving gifts and vacations from a friend, despite never having heard a case involving his benefactor. But with fraud of a much larger dollar sum showing direct connections to Democrats, the apathy in the press is glaring.


Pounce Of Prevention – AXIOS

  • You make opposing a failed and murderous political system sound bad.

We are going to have continued fun watching the press contort themselves trying to explain away the growing roots of socialism within the Democrat Party. (Yesterday, we covered Kaitlan Collins denying the commie claims aimed at the DSA, only to show the DSA leadership saying that is what they want.) Next, we have Axios coming out to deflect predictably, saying that Republicans are jumping at the chance to combat this growing tide of acceptable socialists by revisiting the Red Scare tactics of the past.

Of course, to level this criticism, it means you are saying it is wrong to suggest they want communism – which reporter Avery Lotz does say.

  • Democratic socialism is not communism. New York's Zohran Mamdani and Washington, D.C., mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George both call for expanded government programs.

Right, and if you pull this leg, it will play “God Save The Czar”.


Reporting On The Mirror – CNN

  • Do you maybe want to think this explanation through a little better?

The prospect of the new Skydance-Paramount merger with Warner Bros.-Discovery has many at CNN shaking in their cubicles, because of the result being CBS News leader Bari Weiss taking the helm of the cable news network. The mewling melodramatics coming from that source have been constant, like Anderson Cooper suggesting he may resign, having just left his post at “60 Minutes”.

Now we hear of another name who is jumping ship ahead of the takeover: legal affairs correspondent Paula Reid.

It is said she is getting away because she finds it problematic to be working under the ownership of Skydance Paramount bosses. The amusement is seen in what her plans entail. Reid wants to scoot instead of working under a partisan umbrella…so she is moving over to MS NOW.

(Insert knowing chuckles → HERE.)