July 10, 2026
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Michael's Daily Notes
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Who Holds the Leash?
On July 6, Governor JB Pritzker signed a bill in Chicago that may have settled a fight Congress has ducked for a decade.
Illinois became the third state — after California and New York — to pass a landmark law regulating the most powerful AI systems. Developers must publish safety plans, report catastrophic risks within 72 hours, and submit to annual independent audits — a national first. Penalties reach $3 million.
Here's why it's not just an Illinois story: those three states represent roughly 40 percent of the American AI market. Three statehouses have effectively written a national AI standard — and Congress never voted on a word of it.
The plot twist? The industry didn't fight it. OpenAI and Anthropic — makers of ChatGPT and Claude — supported the bill. It passed the Illinois House unanimously. Every Republican, every Democrat.
Meanwhile, the White House wants it all swept away. In December, President Trump ordered a Justice Department task force to sue states over AI laws, arguing fifty rulebooks will strangle the technology race of the century and hand the future to China.
The public holds two ideas at once: nearly eight in ten Americans call federal AI action urgent — yet by two to one, they oppose Washington blocking the states.
We want rules. We distrust the rule-makers.
So the question — and there's no safe answer: What do you fear more — artificial intelligence, or the government that would regulate it?
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DAILY POLL
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What do you fear more — artificial intelligence, or the government that would regulate it?
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TOP STORY
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President Trump has signaled a tougher approach toward Iran, with administration officials saying U.S. military strikes could continue for days or weeks if Tehran escalates attacks, while leaving open the possibility of renewed negotiations if Iran changes course.
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TODAY'S YOUTUBE
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SPONSORED BY PARX CASINO
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IN OTHER NEWS
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With Senator Mitch McConnell hospitalized for nearly four weeks, Kentucky's August 3 deadline looms for a special election, as Republicans and Governor Andy Beshear maneuver over the seat while aides offer vague reassurances about the 84-year-old's condition following reported cardiac arrest.
Graham Platner privately told his staff he intends to file paperwork Monday to formally withdraw from Maine's Senate race, the drop-dead deadline for Democrats to replace him on the ballot.
Kylian Mbappe scored his eighth goal of the tournament and Ousmane Dembele added another as France beat Morocco 2-0 in Foxborough to reach the World Cup semifinals, where Les Bleus will face the winner of Spain-Belgium on July 14 in Arlington.
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A MESSAGE FROM INCOGNI
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CNN chief Mark Thompson is trying to steady an anxious newsroom as Paramount's $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery nears closing, with staff fearing layoffs, political interference from the Trump White House, and the possibility that CBS News editor Bari Weiss could be handed the keys to the cable network.
Establishment Democrats are seething at Sen. Bernie Sanders after his endorsement of Maine's Graham Platner collapsed over a rape allegation, capping a cycle of Sanders-backed candidates who imploded amid unvetted scandals from Illinois to Utah — with Michigan's August 4 Senate primary looming as the next test.
Prosecutors allege accused Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson confessed in text messages after the shooting, apologized to his roommate, described his alleged motive and efforts to recover the weapon, and later said he planned to surrender, according to testimony at his preliminary hearing.
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CARTOONS
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by Eric Allie
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MORE NEWS
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President Trump's decision to switch from Qatar's newly retrofitted "bridge" Air Force One to the older presidential jet for part of his trip has renewed scrutiny over whether the gifted aircraft has the defensive systems and security capabilities needed to safely transport the commander in chief.
Evolutionary psychologist Peter Gray is challenging the popular belief that smartphones are the primary driver of the youth mental health crisis, arguing instead that declining childhood independence and unstructured play, as well as mounting academic pressures, deserve far more of the blame.
As engagement shows signs of slipping, Netflix is exploring live TV channels, streaming bundles and other new offerings to keep viewers watching longer and fuel future growth.
For the Left
The House is set to vote on the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent nationwide while allowing states to opt out, reviving a proposal supporters say could improve safety and reduce sleep disruptions.
For the Right
President Donald Trump unveiled new gold signage and other gilded additions to the White House as part of a broader West Wing renovation, drawing criticism from opponents who called the aesthetic excessive and poorly timed.
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