May 22, 2025 · View in browser

The Invisible Institute and ProPublica reviewed over 300 complaints accusing Chicago officers of sexual assault and misconduct. Time and time again, the police department downplayed or ignored claims, enabling officers to become repeat offenders.

Two days before President Donald Trump announced dramatic plans for “reciprocal” tariffs on foreign imports, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sold between $75,000 and $600,000 worth of stock in almost three dozen companies, according to records reviewed by ProPublica.

Duffy is the second Cabinet secretary to have sold stock at an opportune time. Last week, ProPublica reported that Attorney General Pam Bondi sold between $1 million and $5 million worth of shares of Trump Media on April 2, the day Trump unveiled bruising new tariffs that caused the stock market to plummet.

A Transportation Department spokesperson said an outside manager made the trades and Duffy “had no input on the timing of the sales.” The Justice Department did not immediately respond to questions about Bondi’s trades.

Minto, Alaska, about 50 miles from Fairbanks (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News)

Reporter Kyle Hopkins of the Anchorage Daily News traveled to the small community of Minto, Alaska, to investigate how one lending business is bringing in much-needed revenue but also dividing the town over ethical concerns and questions about who benefits. Hopkins’ reporting, along with that of ProPublica reporters Megan O’Matz and Joel Jacobs, revealed that the company — which is able to charge 700% APR because it’s owned by a Native American tribe — is tied to Dr. Phil’s son. (Yes, the same powerhouse TV personality Dr. Phil who once told his millions of viewers to “avoid debt like the plague.”)

“Dr. Phil knows his son Jay to be a smart, strong, caring human being and while he does not know his business Dr. Phil supports him 100%,” a spokesperson for Merit Street Media, which airs “Dr. Phil Primetime,” said in a statement. “The suggestion that Jay’s business ignores or is even comparable or relevant to advice from Dr. Phil or Dr. Phil Primetime on Merit Street Media is false and only included in your article as click bait.”

Was this email forwarded to you from a friend? Subscribe.

This email was sent to [email protected].

ProPublica

155 Ave of the Americas, 13th Floor

New York, NY 10013