CNN reports: President Joe Biden is announcing an unprecedented release of oil from US reserves and taking steps to punish oil companies for not increasing production from unused leases on federal land, the White House says. The steps are an attempt to reduce gas prices while also putting an onus on oil companies to increase supply. The dramatic step confronts …

The Wrap reports: Caitlyn Jenner is now a contributor at Fox News. The former Olympian will make her first appearance on “Hannity” Thursday night. As a contributor, Jenner is expected to offer commentary and analysis for programs across Fox News Media platforms. “I am humbled by this unique opportunity to speak directly to Fox News Media’s millions of viewers about …

Click Orlando reports: The Reedy Creek Improvement District—created by state lawmakers in 1967—acts as Walt Disney World’s own government with two cities and land in Orange and Osceola counties. “In effect, they’re their own city out there. They can zone the way they want. They can do things the way they want. They can even build a nuclear power plant …

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports: A Chippewa Falls attorney who is a key player in a movement to take the impossible step of decertifying the 2020 election is running for Attorney General on a platform of using the office to prosecute doctors who did not administer the anti-parasite drug ivermectin to dying COVID-19 patients. Karen Mueller is joining the race’s Republican …

The Daily Beast reports: Several hundred Russian soldiers were forced to hastily withdraw from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine after suffering “acute radiation sickness” from contaminated soil, according to Ukrainian officials. The troops, who reportedly dug trenches in a contaminated Red Forest near the site of the worst nuclear disaster in history, are now being treated in a …

The Associated Press reports: As the United States prepares to accept up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees following Russia’s invasion of their country, existing communities in cities like Sacramento and Seattle are already mobilizing to provide food, shelter and support to those fleeing the war. “No refugee is waiting for you to be ready for them,” said Eduard Kislyanka, senior pastor …

Reuters reports: President Vladimir Putin on Thursday signed a decree ordering 134,500 new conscripts into the army as part of Russia’s annual spring draft, but the defence ministry said the call-up had nothing to do with the war in Ukraine. The issue of conscripts’ involvement in the war is highly sensitive. On March 9, the defence ministry acknowledged that some …

Via press release from the State Department: The Department of State has reached another milestone in our work to better serve all U.S. citizens, regardless of their gender identity. In June, I announced that U.S. passport applicants could self-select their gender and were no longer required to submit any medical documentation, even if their selected gender differed from their other citizenship …

From the editor in chief of The Hill: You’ve likely noticed some changes to our digital experiences. We’ve upgraded The Hill’s website, video player, newsletters, and mobile apps. These updates provide a solid foundation for our mission to provide free, relevant, trusted, and actionable information about policy and politics to more Americans. Our new website is responsive, which means it …

Media Matters has the transcript: SEAN HANNITY (HOST): Tammy, it’s kindergarten through third grade and it gives parents the rights to instill their values in their kids. It never says “gay” in the bill, does it? TAMMY BRUCE (GUEST): No — no it doesn’t. And this is really the equivalent, Sean, of a hoax hate crime. They’ve described something, on …

The Washington Post reports: The criminal investigation into the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol has expanded to examine the preparations for the rally that preceded the riot, as the Justice Department aims to determine the full extent of any conspiracy to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s election victory, according to people familiar with the matter. In the past …

Fox News reports: Former Vice President Mike Pence’s advocacy organization is releasing a “Freedom Agenda” for conservatives focused on promoting a positive and traditional view of America, and pushing back against progressive policies being pushed by the Biden administration. Pence’s 501(c)(4), Advancing American Freedom (AAF), published the agenda Thursday. The group calls the agenda “a vision for restoring freedom and …

The New York Times reports: The anti-parasitic drug ivermectin, which has surged in popularity as an alternative treatment for Covid-19 despite a lack of strong research to back it up, showed no sign of alleviating the disease, according to results of a large clinical trial published on Wednesday. The study, which compared more than 1,300 people infected with the coronavirus …

USA Today reports: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dropped its risk assessment of cruise travel Wednesday after more than two years of warning travelers against the dangers of contracting COVID-19 on a cruise amid the pandemic. “CDC is removing the COVID-19 Cruise Ship Travel Health Notice,” spokesperson Dave Daigle, spokesperson for the health agency, told USA TODAY. The …

Variety reports: The Targaryens are returning to HBO. “House of the Dragon,” HBO’s first spin-off series of its record-breaking juggernaut “Game of Thrones,” will premiere on Aug. 21, the network announced Wednesday. HBO also revealed a new poster for the series and additional images from the show. Set two centuries before the events of “Game of Thrones,” the ten-episode prequel …

NBC News reports: Arizona’s Republican governor signed a series of bills Wednesday targeting abortion and transgender rights, joining a growing list of GOP-led states pursuing a conservative social agenda. The measures signed by Gov. Doug Ducey will outlaw abortion after 15 weeks if the U.S. Supreme Court allows it, prohibit gender confirmation surgery for minors and ban transgender girls from …

The Associated Press reports: The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences said that Will Smith was asked to leave to Sunday’s Oscars after hitting Chris Rock but refused. Many have questioned why Smith was allowed to remain seated front row at the Academy Awards after the incident. On Wednesday, the academy suggested that it attempted to remove the actor …

Via email from hate group leader Tony Perkins: Disney CEO Bob Chapek, who’s tried to overcorrect for his silence on the Florida parental rights bill, has managed — in four short weeks — to turn the company from a moderately woke entertainment giant into public enemy number one. Now, as more trickles out about what’s really going on behind the …

Raw Story reports: “Are you going to write a bill, are you going to introduce a bill because you’ve got the power to do it?” Alex Jones said. “We would all get behind a bill to pull federal funding out of any school that sexualizes children.” Greene agreed, “Absolutely 100%. I will meet with my team right after this interview …

Florida Politics reports: Dade City Republican Rep. Randy Maggard announced Wednesday that he will return $5,000 worth of contributions made by Disney to his 2022 re-election campaign, joining Williston Rep. Joe Harding. The pair decided to return the donations in response to the entertainment giant’s public stance on legislation (HB 1557) sponsored by Harding that has garnered national attention and …