Today’s read: 2 min 38 sec

First time here? I’m Ari, and this is Upward News. Every day, we scour 100s of sources to bring you need-to-know news and insights you won’t see in the MSM. Sign up here.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

📝 President Biden is considering giving legal status to migrant spouses. The president is reportedly weighing options to provide the spouses of illegal migrants work permits and temporary legal status in the U.S. This decision would come as Biden seeks the support of his pro-immigration base while also appeasing the Mexican president, who has been urging the U.S. to legalize unlawful border crossers.

💣 Israel planned a larger retaliation on Iran before Western pressure. Israeli officials revealed they had initially planned a more extensive strike on Iran after they launched over 300 missiles and drones into Israel. U.S. and European allies talked P.M. Netanyahu out of striking multiple Iranian military targets to avoid escalating the conflict.

⛺️ Pro-Hamas encampments appear in universities across the country. From Massachusetts to Michigan to California, tent cities are popping up on college campuses as students imitate Columbia University’s anti-Israel protests. Despite over 100 arrests at Columbia alone, students nationwide continue to “peacefully protest” and demand their school administrations to divest from Israel.

🏛 SCOTUS may allow crackdowns on homeless encampments. On Monday, the Supreme Court heard arguments regarding a lower court ruling that restricted local government’s ability to bar the homeless from sleeping in public spaces. The conservative justices appeared to sympathize with Oregon officials who are making the case that local communities, not judges, should determine homeless policy.

TRUMP TRIAL WATCH

• Opening arguments commenced in the “hush money” trial, with prosecutors framing the case as a "criminal conspiracy and subsequent cover-up."

• Judge Merchan will permit the prosecution to cross-examine Trump about his denial of the E. Jean Carroll sexual assault accusations.

• Prosecutors characterized Donald Trump’s hush money payment to Stormy Daniels as “election fraud, pure and simple.”

INSIDE AMERICA

Trump’s NY trial faces an unprecedented risk of jury bias

What’s happening: Opening statements in Donald Trump’s “hush money” trial began yesterday in Manhattan, New York, after all 12 jurors were confirmed.

• Catch up: Prosecutors allege Trump had an affair with adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election, paid her to keep quiet, and illegally falsified business records. This marks the first-ever indictment of a former president in history.

• Skepticism: Several liberal analysts and legal experts agree that the case is weak or “risky” at best.

Why it matters: The contentious jury selection process underscores the near-impossibility of providing a fair trial for an extremely famous and divisive presidential candidate.

• Political bias: A potential juror was dismissed after it became known that he once vandalized conservative political signs. However, one accepted juror said she thinks Trump is “selfish,” while another said she primarily reads news from legacy media: the New York Times, CNN, and USA Today.

• Intimidation: Another person said she was afraid of being publicly identified and might be influenced as a result, so she was dismissed.

• Remember: Manhattan voted 86.7 percent in favor of Joe Biden in 2020. Trump’s team has repeatedly and unsuccessfully asked for the trial to be relocated.

What’s next: A hearing is scheduled today on whether Trump violated the judge’s gag order by posting on Truth Social. If the judge holds him in contempt, he could face fines and potential imprisonment.

• Trump’s other cases: As of now, the federal classified documents trial against Trump could begin this summer, while the dates of the Georgia and Washington, D.C. trials are uncertain.

—H.C.

A MESSAGE FROM GUNDRY MD

How do you take your coffee?

There are two different types of coffee drinkers in this world. Those who like to drink their coffee black. And those who like to add a little cream.

According to Dr. Steven Gundry, one of these options is more likely to disrupt digestion, and it might surprise you.

Check out his video to see how he recommends consuming coffee (and keep on watching for some other key digestive tips!)

Please support our sponsors!

WHAT WE’RE HEARING

• Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) suggests deploying the National Guard to protect Jewish university students.

• Former A.G. Bill Barr says he will vote for his former boss, Donald Trump, despite their rocky relationship.

• Israel’s top military intelligence officer resigned over his failure to anticipate or swiftly respond to the October 7 massacre.

In Boston, Illegal Migrants Take Precedence over Veterans

What’s happening: Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy is facing national outrage over her plan to convert the former Chelsea Soldier's Home — which housed veterans — into a shelter for migrant families…

🔗 Members can read it here.

📖 Not a member yet? Read it for free with a 14-day preview here.

OUR QUESTION TO YOU

POLL RESULTS FROM YESTERDAY

Will sending $60 billion to Ukraine make a difference?

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 👍 Yes (49)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 👎 No (490)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🤔 Unsure (29)

568 Votes

IN THE LOOP

• Columbia University canceled in-person classes on Monday while the Ivy League school struggles to contain anti-Israel protests.

• Papua New Guinea’s P.M. tore into Joe Biden after the president implied his uncle was eaten by cannibals on the island during WWII.

• The U.S. is considering sending dozens of additional military advisors to Ukraine.

• Rockets were fired from Iraq at U.S. soldiers stationed in Syria.

• The most clicked link in our last newsletter was our premium article on Ashley Biden’s Diary.

MORE RECENT MEMBER-ONLY ARTICLES