FREE SPEECH
The United States of America joined the likes of North Korea, China and Russia by releasing its own state-run TV on Sept. 21: Trump TV. Three days after President Donald Trump banned three news organizations – CNN, Politico and MS NOW – from the White House, he announced the launch of a government-funded 24/7 stream on YouTube, highlighting the “Trump Administration’s biggest moments all in one place,” according to the stream’s description. The launch was quickly criticized from both sides of the aisle, with California Gov. Gavin Newsom calling it “truly autocratic behavior from a failed president” and Senator Thom Tillis, R-North Carolina, comparing it to messaging from former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Further complicating matters is Trump’s attempt to file a federal trademark for the name “Trump TV” using his private company. Such a move could require a licensing agreement between the federal government and the Trump Organization, with trademark attorney Josh Gerben telling Newsweek, “It is likely the first time in United States history that this has happened.”
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“I don’t think there is a more beautiful place in the world.” - Gina Dalma, who has been hired as the new president and CEO of the Community Foundation for Monterey County, replacing the retiring Dan Baldwin (see story, montereycountynow.com/news)
GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK
GOOD:
Over the past decade, Naomi Raymundo has grown from a participant in the First Tee - Monterey County program to a coach mentoring the next generation through golf. Now, the 17-year-old Salinas resident can add another notch on her résumé: golf champion. Raymundo won the girls’ pro-junior title at the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee on Sept. 23 at Pebble Beach Golf Links. She teamed up with PGA Tour Champions professional Stewart Cink, with the pair finishing at 18-under par to capture the title. “This tournament is something I’ve wanted to do for so many years,” Raymundo said. First Tee teaches young people life skills through golf. The PURE Insurance Championship gathered 80 teens from First Tee chapters across the country. Local participants showed up to support Raymundo. “It shows how much of a family we are,” she said.
GREAT:
The Monterey Institute of International Studies lives. Just over a year after former owner, Vermont-based Middlebury College, announced it would shut down the Monterey campus and graduate programs, Soka University of America closed a deal last week to acquire the school and plans to keep many programs. Over a dozen former Middlebury staff now work for Soka, and at least three former staff members who had been laid off were rehired. Future waves of employment transitions are expected in the coming weeks. “The world-class graduate programs continuing at Monterey are a strong fit with Soka University of America’s mission and educational values,” Ed Feasel, president of Soka, said in an earlier statement announcing the acquisition of MIIS. The application period for prospective students for fall 2027 opens on Oct. 1.