Walt Disney World's Splash Mountain water ride has officially closed its doors, with visitors and fans sharing sentimental tributes and some taking the opportunity to capitalize on the closure. The ride will be getting an upgrade with a new theme, though details have yet to be released. Fans have been sharing their memories and saying their goodbyes to the beloved attraction.
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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has called on House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to lead the way in crafting a solution to the looming debt ceiling deadline, with the Treasury Department warning of economic calamity if the US does not act by June 5. McConnell has suggested that McCarthy consider spending cuts as part of a debt limit extension, and that the debt ceiling could originate in either the House or the Senate.
Donald Trump has withdrawn a second lawsuit against New York Attorney General Letitia James, after a judge dismissed the case and fined Trump and his lawyers nearly $1 million for filing frivolous cases. The lawsuit had alleged that Trump and his company misled banks and others about the value of his assets, and the appeal was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it could not be revived. This marks the latest development in the ongoing legal battle between Trump and James, and the investigation into the Trump Organization will continue.
Judge McBurney will hear arguments on Tuesday over the release of a grand jury report into former President Donald Trump's efforts to subvert the 2020 election result in Georgia. The grand jury, which was made up of 23 Georgians and three alternates, has submitted its report to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Judge McBurney, but it remains under seal. Judge McBurney will decide whether to release the report to the public, though it is unclear when a decision will be made.
Republican Rep. Victoria Spartz of Indiana has publicly opposed Speaker Kevin McCarthy's efforts to remove three Democrats from committees, signaling potential complications for the House GOP's efforts. McCarthy has the power to keep members off the Intelligence panel, but not the Foreign Affairs Committee, which is a standing committee. Spartz's opposition may be enough to sway the outcome of the dispute, which is expected to continue in the coming days.
The U.S. Department of Justice and eight states have filed a lawsuit against Google, alleging that the company's dominance in digital advertising harms competition and has caused publishers to charge subscription or other fees. The complaint claims that Google has used its power to "neutralize or eliminate" rivals and to force advertisers to use its products. This is the fifth federal antitrust suit against Google since 2020, with the company yet to comment on the latest lawsuit.
The U.S. Justice Department has filed its second antitrust lawsuit against Google in two years, accusing the tech giant of using its dominance in the online advertising market to stifle competition. The lawsuit, which is backed by 8 states, seeks to make Google divest parts of its business. It is the latest sign that the U.S. government is taking a hard stance against tech giants, and the first blockbuster antitrust case against a Big Tech company under the Biden administration.
At a congressional hearing on Tuesday, senators and antitrust advocates criticized Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. for its alleged monopolization of the live entertainment industry. Joe Berchtold, Live Nation President and Chief Financial Officer, defended the company's practices, while Jack Groetzinger, CEO of ticketing platform SeatGeek, called for the dissolution of the common ownership of Ticketmaster and Live Nation. The Senate Judiciary Committee will continue to investigate Live Nation's practices to determine if they are in violation of antitrust laws.