What’s out and about…

The Durham report. Yesterday, Trump-era Special Counsel John Durham criticized the FBI’s handling of the Russia investigation in a long-awaited, 306-page report. In 2019, then-Attorney General William Barr asked Durham to look into the FBI’s probe, which focused on alleged Russian interference and its links to former President Trump’s 2016 campaign. (So, an investigation into an investigation of alleged interference. Got it? Good.) Now, four years later, Durham says the FBI didn't have “actual evidence” of collusion to carry out a full investigation into the Trump campaign. He also added that the FBI briefed the Clinton campaign when the agency learned of possible foreign interference, but Trump's campaign didn't receive the same treatment. In a post on social media, Trump applauded Durham’s report, saying it proved “the American Public was scammed.” The FBI said it had a duty to investigate the allegations, and that it’s “already implemented dozens of corrective actions” to its procedures since 2016 and 2017.

Who’s putting pen to paper…

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R). Yesterday, he signed a bill into law that defunds diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at public colleges and universities in the state. The programs have helped colleges increase inclusivity and diversity on campus. Now, under the new law, Florida’s public universities cannot use state or federal money to promote or maintain DEI programs. The law also says general education classes can't “distort significant historical events or include a curriculum that teaches identity politics.” At the bill signing, DeSantis said anyone looking to study “niche subjects” should look elsewhere. He added, if anyone wants to “do things like gender ideology, go to Berkeley.” One critic said the law is “basically state-mandated censorship.”

What the courts are weighing in on…

The Affordable Care Act. Yesterday, a federal appeals court said the health care law will continue to require that employers cover some preventive health services. In March, a federal judge in Texas had scrapped the requirement, saying Congress has the authority to decide what services should be covered, not a volunteer task force. The Biden admin appealed, saying more than 150 million people would be at risk of losing free preventive services — including HIV screenings, colonoscopies, mammograms, and other cancer screenings. Now, the requirement will stay in place, as the case plays out in the courts.

Who’s making a historic splash…

Martha Stewart.

What may be the best political pitch of all time...

Being man's best friend.