Good morning. It's Saturday, March 15, and in this weekend edition, we're covering the passage of a stopgap spending bill, the winner of the longest-ever Iditarod, and much more. First time reading? Join over 4 million intellectually curious readers. Sign up here.
Don’t keep us a secret: Share the email with friends (copy URL here).
And, as always, send us feedback at [email protected]. |
|
|
|
Lawmakers avoided a federal government shutdown over the weekend after the Senate passed a Republican-led six-month stopgap funding bill by a vote of 54-46. The advancement came after Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer (NY) conceded his caucus should support the bill and secured enough Democrats to move it through a procedural vote. The funding measure passed the House on a party-line vote earlier in the week.
The short-term extension, known as a continuing resolution, funds the government at current levels through Sept. 30 (nearly $1.7T) while adding $6B to military spending and cutting $13B in domestic nondefense spending. The bill also requires the District of Columbia to revert to its fiscal year 2024 budget levels, reducing local spending by more than $1B.
Democrats had pushed for a 30-day stopgap funding bill to give bipartisan negotiators more time to reach a yearlong appropriations agreement to fund the government. Congress has long struggled to pass all its appropriations bills in time, resulting in a series of stopgap funding measures (see history).
In other Capitol Hill news, Dr. Mehmet Oz testified in a Senate confirmation hearing yesterday for his nomination to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. |
|
|
|
|
In partnership with Babbel |
Learn A New Language, Experience the World |
Please support our sponsors! |
|
|
|
More than 50 US universities face probe over alleged racial discrimination.
The Education Department's investigation is part of the Trump administration's claim that certain programs marginalize white and Asian American students. At least 45 cases focus on universities' partnerships with The PhD Project, a nonprofit that helps underrepresented students pursue business degrees. The department says these programs allegedly violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
Measles cases reach nearly 300 in Texas and New Mexico.
The measles outbreak in Texas has infected 259 people, while the outbreak in New Mexico has infected 35. Two unvaccinated individuals—a 6-year-old and an adult—succumbed to complications related to the disease. Relatedly, the number of measles cases in 2025, from both active outbreaks and across other jurisdictions, is now the highest since 2019 at 301 confirmed cases. See CDC data here.
Former reality TV star Jessie Holmes wins longest-ever Iditarod.
The former reality TV personality from "Life Below Zero" won the longest Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race ever, which spanned 1,129 miles due to route changes caused by lack of snow. Holmes finished the race in 10 days, 14 hours, 55 minutes, and 41 seconds, marking his first Iditarod victory after multiple top 10 finishes.
US consumer sentiment index slumps to lowest level since 2022.
The consumer sentiment index for March dropped to 57.9, marking a 10.5% decline from February and the lowest reading since 2022. Concerns over inflation and economic uncertainty contributed to the drop. On a year-over-year basis, the index is down 27%. Learn more about consumer sentiment and how it's calculated here.
Gene Hackman estate asks court to block release of autopsy records.
The actor's estate is seeking a court order to prevent the public release of photographs, videos, and police body-camera footage related to the deaths of Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, citing the family's right to privacy and the potentially distressing nature of the images. The couple were found deceased at their New Mexico home last month (see previous write-up).
USPS to shed 10,000 jobs next month as part of deal with DOGE.
The United States Postal Service will lay off 10,000 people over the next month through a voluntary early retirement program and find ways to cut billions of dollars from its budget. The move is part of an agreement that seeks assistance from the Department of Government Efficiency. |
|
|
|
Introducing: 1440 Society & Culture |
Dear Readers—
We have exciting news—1440 is launching its second Topics newsletter, bringing you weekly deep dives into the worlds of art, music, literature, film, food, sports, and more. Beginning next weekend, we'll explore:
> Disney: The history of the world's most influential entertainment company.
> Stephen King: How a Maine schoolteacher became the King of Horror.
> Bob Dylan: Sifting through the facts and fiction of rock's Nobel laureate.
> ... and much more!
Each deep dive comes out once a weekend and will cover the cultural zeitgeist. Sign up here for free! |
|
Owner of closing video shop relocates selection of DVDs to his next-door convenience store for his most loyal customer. (More)
A 3-year-old boy helps save his great-grandmother after she falls. (More)
Meet the 10-year-old who offers tombstone cleaning services. (More)
San Diego cycling program helps homeless individuals improve their health and earn a free bike after hitting 100 miles through weekly 20-mile rides. (More)
Florida police officer delivers pizza after delivery driver finds an 8-foot alligator hiding under the customer's car. (More) |
|
|
In partnership with Mode Mobile |
|
|
|
Today, we're sharing a story from reader Karen J. in Arizona.
"As a very short, very shy 8th grader in a new school, I wasn't making friends quickly. A history teacher decided to produce a class project wherein students would model fashions from the 1800s. She had a few garments and requested donations from students' parents and other family members. All the girls in the class found garments to model, but I was too small and none fit me, so I would not be included in the fashion show."
"The day before the show, a classmate took me home with her, and we found one of her grandmother's dresses in the attic. It was too large, but she stayed up half the night to alter it, and the next day I marched and twirled with classmates in the fashion show. It broke the ice, and after that I began to make friends. The girl who went out of her way to help me became a special needs teacher, and though we are both now in our 80s, she has remained one of my closest friends."
What act(s) of kindness did you experience this week? Tell us here. |
|
|
|
"A constitution, as important as it is, will mean nothing unless the people are yearning for liberty and freedom." |
|
Why 1440? The printing press was invented around the year 1440, spreading knowledge to the masses and changing the course of history. More facts: In every day, there are 1,440 minutes. We’re here to make each one count.
Send us your feedback at [email protected] and help us stay unbiased as humanly possible. We’re ready to listen.
Interested in reaching intellectually curious readers like you? To become a 1440 partner, apply here. |
*Disclosure: Please read the offering circular at invest.modemobile.com. This is a paid advertisement for Mode Mobile’s Regulation A Offering. A reservation of the ticker symbol is not a guarantee that we will be listed on the NASDAQ. Any IPO timing is unknown, general steps to be accepted have not been undertaken at this point, and that listing is not guaranteed. |
1440 Media 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 1212 Chicago, IL 60654
Copyright © 2025, 1440 Media, All rights reserved.
J |
|
|
|
|
|
