What's Happening

Economy

The Forecast? Pessimism with a Chance of Recession 

What's going on: New data just confirmed what many Americans already felt in their bones: The economy is wobbling. The Commerce Department’s latest GDP report showed that US economic growth declined in the first three months of the year — the first drop since 2022. (GDP stands for “Gross Domestic Product,” though right now it might as well mean “Girl, Don’t Purchase.”) Part of the slowdown came from businesses scrambling to get ahead of President Donald Trump’s tariffs — stocking up early and frontloading exports — which dragged growth and put pressure on supply chains (that’s one reason all eyes seem to be on the ports). Trump blamed former President Joe Biden and told Americans to be patient — but not everyone’s buying it. Even Dave Portnoy, Barstool’s founder and resident manfluencer, called him out: “This is his market, not Biden’s… Don’t piss down my back and tell me it’s raining.”

What it means: On a big week for economic bellwethers (big tech earnings and a major jobs report are still to come), the US economy appears to be on shaky ground, largely due to self-inflicted factors. And Americans are feeling pessimistic, which could become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Consumer confidence just hit its lowest point since 2011 (people are so down bad, they’re even spotting recession indicators in the new casting of Hamilton). Combine that with whispers of “stagflation,” and experts warn that a recession really could be on the horizon. The good news? This is just one report, and Friday’s jobs data — along with moves in the bond market — should offer a clearer view of where we’re headed. The bad news? A survey of economists expects hiring to slow. If that’s true, as JT would say, this is going to ruin the tour.

Related: We Asked What You Thought of Trump’s 100 Days — You Didn’t Hold Back (theSkimm)

Education

Holy Funding Fight: SCOTUS Weighs Religious Charter School

What's going on: The Supreme Court heard fiery arguments Wednesday in a case that could open the floodgates for public funding of religious schools. At the center: St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School in Oklahoma, which is trying to become the country’s first religious public charter school. The state’s Supreme Court struck down the school’s attempt as unconstitutional, so St. Isidore took the fight to SCOTUS. The conservative-leaning court seemed open to using government funds, with Justice Brett Kavanaugh calling the state’s rejection “rank discrimination against religion.” Liberal-leaning justices warned the case could turn public schools into religious battlegrounds and leave minority faiths out in the cold. Since Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself (she didn’t say why, but there are clues), eyes are on Chief Justice John Roberts as the potential deciding vote. If there’s a tie, Oklahoma’s rejection stands. A decision is expected this summer.

What it means: A win for the school could redefine charter schools as private entities — reshaping how education is financed. For parents who value school choice, it could mean more taxpayer-funded options with religious programming. But critics warn it could drain money from underfunded public schools and chip away at the legal wall between church and state. Some charter schools could even lose state support if they’re no longer considered “public” under the law. At the federal level, where current rules ban funds from going to sectarian schools, this ruling could set off a new round of legal battles. Either way, the decision could change what public schooling looks like — and who it’s built to serve.

Related: One Detained Columbia Student Freed as Court Pushes Back on Trump (The Guardian)

Sports

So, What's This About Bill Belichick? 

What's going on: As one of the most famous football coaches in history, Bill Belichick led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl rings before leaving the NFL in 2024. In his post-Patriots era, Belichick wrote a book titled “The Art of Winning: Lessons From My Life in Football,” took a new job as head coach at the University of North Carolina, and — perhaps most notably — the 73-year-old emerged on social media alongside his 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson. The public has followed their relationship, with Hudson sharing beachside yoga sessions and their Halloween costumes on Instagram. While the couple is no stranger to scrutiny (see their age difference), they’re now at the center of a media firestorm following Belichick’s interview with CBS’s Tony Dokoupil. The moment everyone’s replaying? When Dokoupil asked Belichick how the couple met, and Hudson — who was off screen — cut in to say, “We’re not talking about this.”

Tell me more: The moment — which, of course, became a meme — has prompted responses from both inside and outside the sports world. (See: comments from Charles Barkley and Dave Portnoy.) While some express concern, the couple is playing defense. In a statement, the UNC coach said Hudson was “simply doing her job to ensure the interview stayed on track” and alleged that CBS violated his request to only ask questions about his book. CBS responded, disputing that arrangement. As the saga unfolds, others say the line between the couple’s personal and professional lives is increasingly blurred. After Belichick accepted the head coaching job at UNC, he requested that Hudson be looped into all university emails, according to The Athletic. She’s also been spotted on the sidelines at spring practices and working with the university's media team. Both on Instagram and IRL, Belichick may have found his ultimate hype woman.

Related: NFL Fines Falcons How Much for Prank Call? (ESPN)