Details regarding the mass shooting at an elementary school in Texas that left 19 children and two adults dead continue to trickle out. 

Although the information is graphic and has left the country reflecting, Young Turks founder Cenk Uygur doesn’t believe any legislative action will follow. 

“Democrats are not holding vote on gun control because they want to use the sympathy for the dead kids in Texas to get votes,” Uygur tweeted. “They’re worried that if they hold vote on gun control, Republicans will use that against their beloved moderate Democrats. Who can stomach these cowards?”

Uygur even lashed out at the “mainstream media,” foreshadowing outlets and commentators would explain the “strategy” of non-action in the wake of the shooting.

“This is when mainstream media will administer a heavy dose of tranquilizing drug of gradualism,” Uygur added on Twitter. “They’ll write articles about how strategic it is for Democrats to do nothing and Republicans to resist them. They’ll tell you why it’s so smart to do nothing until you’re back asleep.”

Following a two-year break, Spotify is relaunching political ads on its platform. The streaming giant initially paused political ads in 2020, and the decision only impacted the United States, the only country Spotify sold the ads. 

When Spotify mentioned a lack of resources needed to confirm and examine the ads, the company ceased advertising. However, two years later, as the midterm elections ramp up, the platform has done a 180.

“Following our pause of political ads in early 2020, we have spent the past two years strengthening and enhancing our processes, systems, and tools to responsibly validate and review this content,” a Spotify spokesperson said to Protocol. 

The report adds that the political ads will only be featured in podcasts and won’t yet be added to the ad-streaming music feature. Spotify promises political advertisers the capability to target niche audiences and tap into AI-driven “contextual targeting,” allowing advertisers to place ads in podcasts when debating issues appropriate to their target audiences.

Furthermore, the story didn’t include information regarding how podcast hosts will feel having political ads play during their program. 

It’s been nearly a month since CNN decided to pull the plug on its streaming service CNN+ and while many were hired to help with the production of the various shows, now they’re being laid off.

TV Newser reports that the cable news channel began laying off affected staffers on Tuesday. The outlet adds that there’s no concrete number of people who won’t be working at CNN.

However, approximately 23 staffers in CNN’s Hudson Yards offices were notified that their positions were being eliminated. Furthermore, another source confirmed to the outlet that layoffs had occurred. 

Despite laying off some staffers, the company is still trying to place those impacted CNN+ employees in other positions around CNN and Warner Bros. Discovery.

When the network announced it was pulling the plug, CNN Worldwide chairman and CEO Chris Licht said in an internal memo that they would continue to receive pay for 90 days and benefits along with helping them find opportunities within the company. 

“All CNN+ employees will continue to be paid and receive benefits for the next 90 days to explore opportunities at CNN, CNN Digital, and elsewhere in the Warner Bros. Discovery family,” Licht said.