- Warren Buffett is fond of saying that it takes 20 years to build a reputation but only five minutes to ruin it. That cautionary tale proved true this week for the late civil rights icon and United Farm Workers co-founder Cesar Chavez. The New York Times published the results of an exhaustive investigation into Chavez’s predatory behavior toward underage girls, and in an instant his reputation was gone. Within 24 hours, cities across the country, including Denver, canceled upcoming marches and celebrations honoring Chavez, Arizona said it would stop recognizing his birthday as a holiday, and the U.S. Department of Labor covered his name that graced one of its auditoriums.
- Viewership of newly installed “CBS Evening News” anchor Tony Dokoupil‘s show have slipped below the 4 million mark, a threshold that has led to the departure of previous anchors. Meanwhile, the CBS News announced it is eliminating its century-old radio service and laying off 6% of its employees.
- Arizona officials filed criminal charges against the parent companies of Kalshi, a startup prediction platform backed by such notables as Donald Trump Jr., Charles Schwab, Kevin Hart and a number of blue-chip VCs. The suit alleges Kalshi is operating an illegal gambling business without a license and is illegally allowing people to bet on election results.
- Three days before it was set to air, “ABC canceled Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of ‘The Bachelorette‘ after the release of a disturbing 2023 video that shows the reality star throwing chairs at her ex Dakota Mortensen during a domestic violence incident.”
- Defense contractors are not getting the stock bounce they expected when the U.S. launched its attacks on Iran, in part because the market had already priced in a military conflict.
- Speaking of Iran, the country is negotiating with FIFA to move its World Cup soccer games this summer from the U.S. to Mexico after President Donald Trump gave mixed messages as to whether its team would be welcome and safe here. The head of Iran’s football federation said the country’s goal is to “boycott the United States, but not the World Cup.”
- The FIFA World Cup isn’t the only sport roiled by the conflict in the Middle East. Formula 1 canceled its upcoming races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to the danger and challenges of getting people and equipment in and out of the countries. The cancellations create an unusual five-week gap in the racing calendar and are estimated to cost Formula 1 as much as $200 million in lost revenue.
- Chuck Norris, the tough-guy actor who later in life sparked internet memes about his ability to handle any challenge, passed away. He was 86.
Who won the week?
- Doyle Albee has launched Prolexity, a Boulder-based PR firm.
- SchroderHaus has been named agency of record for Applegate.
- Colorado was one of eight states that has sued to block Nexstar’s proposed $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna. If completed, the deal would allow the owner of Fox31 to absorb 9News, likely leading to fewer journalism jobs and reduced media coverage.
- LeBron James tied Boston Celtics legend Robert Parish for most games played in NBA history. He is expected to break the record on Saturday when the L.A. Lakers play next.
- Venezuela won its first World Baseball Classic title, defeating the U.S. 3-2 in a showdown full of geopolitical implications after the U.S. captured and arrested Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro just two months ago.
