This is Lever Weekly , a recap of our work from the past week. If you only read one email from us all week, this should be it.
The Lever holds the powerful accountable through reader-supported investigative journalism that corporate media will not undertake. Join our mission , and you’ll get great perks in return.
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Here’s what The Lever published this week:
LEVER SCOOPS OF THE WEEK
Nevada Governor Backed Data Centers Days After $1 Million Donation. AI-linked donors poured $2 million into Republican Joe Lombardo’s reelection campaign as he championed data centers that could consume enough water for 150,000 households.
The Democratic Primary Operative With A Wall Street Side Gig. Peter Kauffmann helps lead a billionaire-funded network intervening in Democratic primaries — while representing a front group fighting to keep your credit fees high.
Private Prison Giant Gave Trump-aligned Super PAC $1.4 Million After Landing Mega ICE Contracts. GEO Group made the donation weeks after securing two five-year immigration detention-center contracts expected to generate more than $160 million annually.
This Senate Candidate Tried To Let His Future Employer Spy On You. Mike Rogers took thousands from AT&T, pushed to let telecoms share private customer data without a warrant, then joined the company as a security adviser.
American Beef Is On The Chopping Block. Trump has a 300,000-ton cattle problem. Plus, a federal judge tells Texans offended by drag shows: “Just don’t go.”
Democrats Want A Break From Israel. Key Democratic voters want a 2028 presidential candidate who will cut off military aid to Israel.
Hollywood’s Hangover. The $111 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery could cause thousands of workers to lose their jobs, according to new research.
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THIS WEEK ON LEVER PODCASTS
The Billionaire Building The Democrats’ New Machine. We peel back the curtain on one billionaire’s effort to move the Democratic Party more to the center during this midterm season and the upcoming presidential season.
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MIDTERM MADNESS
Your weekly essential midterms update from The Lever newsroom. Midterm Madness brings you the races worth watching, the money trails worth following, the numbers that cut through the spin, and the campaign moments that say more than the official talking points ever will.
Every Wednesday, paid subscribers get essential election updates , reporting, and insights like:
- The YouTuber unraveling Michigan’s Senate race.
- House leadership’s “screw-you” to Democratic voters.
- The candidate who can’t stop putting her foot in her mouth.
Don’t miss out on the conversation: Upgrade now .
Read Midterm Madness
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LEVERMIND
Why is meat so expensive? Who’s pouring herself a cup of ambition? And who is Hasan Piker anyway?
The answers to these questions and many more can be found in LeverMind , our weekly news quiz for paid subscribers that tests your knowledge of the developments that really matter — and who needs to be held accountable.
Find out if you’re a true LeverMind :
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YOU LOVE TO SEE IT
Every week, You Love To See It rounds up important policy wins, environmental victories, and social initiatives improving people’s lives, exclusively for paid subscribers.
A taste of this week’s good news :
- Meta loses its screen privileges
- A toxic weedkiller is toast
- Voters block a cash grab
- Trump’s trans-record heist hits a wall
Read You Love To See It
You Love To See It is one of many exclusive benefits we provide to our paid subscribers. To gain access and loads of other perks, upgrade now !
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THANK YOU TO OUR LEVER LEADERS
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“I want to rock the boat.”
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LEVER IN THE NEWS
Washington Post — David Sirota authored a piece for the publication on how Bernie Sanders reminds him of Barry Goldwater.
Newsweek — In its coverage of the brewing political war over AI data centers, the outlet noted how a major Senate candidate flipped his stance on the matter after we exposed his financial ties to the industry.
- Newsmax and Canary Media also noted the candidate flip-flop following our coverage.
Inequality Watch — Sirota appeared on The Real News Network program to discuss how legalized political corruption is shaping Democratic politics.
Robert Reich — The political commentator highlighted our reporting on a private prison giant boosting President Donald Trump’s war chest after scoring major ICE contracts.
Feeling overwhelmed by the news onslaught? We’ve got you covered. Become a paid subscriber to help us sort through the noise and provide you with the information you need to understand what’s really going on.
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Lever Weekly: Surveillance, Swipe Fees, And Super PACs
Aggregated summary from an independent source. Read the original at LeverNews.