Senate confirms Blanche as detention profits and media consolidation grow

The brief

Claudia Grisales explains how Todd Blanche secured a narrow Senate confirmation despite concerns about conflicts of interest and politicization at the Justice Department.

The Senate also advances a Russia sanctions bill and stopgap funding while both parties maneuver ahead of the midterm elections, turning routine priorities into political positioning.

Vanessa Romo reports that CoreCivic and GEO Group remain profitable despite a partial DHS shutdown, expanding into ankle monitoring and detention-center sales through government contracts.

Mandalit del Barco examines the proposed $111 billion Paramount Skydance acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, with supporters promising stronger competition and opponents warning of cuts and consolidation.

The merger debate puts workers, theaters, debt, and antitrust concerns in direct tension as the legal deadline approaches and theater owners split over the deal.