In the fight to bring Evan home, we have hit a critical make-or-break moment.

Evan’s next trial date is June 30 and, as Paul said today, after that, Evan’s situation gets even more uncertain.

The National Press Club stands with the WSJ in calling for Evan’s release.

#IStandWithEvan

National Press Club National Press Club raises concerns over declining press freedom in US Emily Wilkins #PressFreedomDay
arynews.tv/national-press…

Alsu is an editor, reporter, American, mother and wife. And she is now honored with the National Press Club Presidents Award.

Pavel- thank you for all you do to advocate for your wife. We sincerely hope she will be able to accept this award herself this fall.

On this World Press Freedom Day,
National Press Club calls for the release of Austin Tice, Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva.

Thank you to Debra Tice , Steve Capus and Paul Beckett for giving us an update on each of these critical cases.

Photo cred: Alan Kotok

HAPPENING NOW: @mccarrennew is speaking with
Jason Rezaian, Paul Beckett and Laila Al-Arian in a roundtable discussion on the state of press freedom. youtube.com/live/obIurF_5K…

“We don’t think that there’s any doubt the Alsu meets the criteria for being declared wrongfully detained & we know that the Department of State has given due consideration to this. We think that this process has gone on for a long time & we are ready to welcome the day this designation…

“The most important message I have for President Biden is that in spite the fact that he gave a very distinctive directive to the National Security Council on May 02, 2022: he told them to get a meeting, to listen to the Syrians, to find out what they want, & to work with them. There was…

FAA amendment watch: Markey and Cassidy have just filed kids online safety bill COPPA 2.0 as an amendment.

(TBD if this actually gets a vote, but the first step is done.)

NEXT WEEK

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸: 'And so next week, I am going to be calling this motion to vacate. Absolutely calling it. I can't wait to see Democrats go out and support a Republican Speaker and have to go home to their primaries and have to run for Congress again.'

Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) on competing in a crowded field to helm the Financial Services Committee next year: “I'm the old guy,” and the steering committee elects the chairman. “It’s not K Street. It's not an FEC report. It’s relationships, and I’ve got a lot of them.”

People!

NY State has passed a first-of-its kind subsidy for local newspapers & tv stations to hire or employ journalists

I'll join NPR's Scott Tong on Here & Now at 12.52p ET to unpack what it means-- tune in or stream at WBUR.org or on NPR member stations

Jeff is moderating so you know it’s gonna be a good one!

On Friday, May 3 the National Press Club will share a previously recorded video interview between Emily Wilkins and Pavel Butorin, the husband of Alsu Kurmasheva. 

Kurmasheva is an editor for RFE/RL Pressroom who is currently being held in Russia. press.org/events/update-…

.Deirdre Bosa reports on the battle over TikTok’s algorithm after Congress passed a potential ban.
cnb.cx/4b4qY21

Biden has signed the TikTok bill, starting the clock for the video app to find a buyer.

Law is likely to face a legal challenge from TikTok.

The NPC will hold a news briefing to provide updates about U.S. journalists Austin Tice and Evan Gershkovich on May 3.

Emily Wilkins will sit down with Debra Tice, Austin's mother, and Paul Beckett to discuss the status of their cases. press.org/events/updates…

The TikTok divest-or-be-banned + $95B foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific has passed the Senate.

Now goes to Biden's desk.

Where we stand w TikTok:

-Procedural vote pass 80-19 (included some senators who oppose TikTok but support foreign aid funding.)

-Final votes expected later this evening