Members of the White House press corps are now restricted from the press secretary’s office, the latest in a series of Trump administration actions to limit media access. https://kra43at.net>kra41 cc The new rule says journalists cannot access what’s known as the “Upper Press” office space, where White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt works, “without an appointment.” This area has been accessible to White House correspondents for decades, supporting a free flow of information between the president and the public. https://kra43-at.cc>kra47 The White House says the clampdown is due to security concerns. “This policy will ensure adherence to best practices pertaining to access to sensitive material,” a White House memo asserted on Friday night. https://kra-45-cc.com>kra42 cc In response, the White House Correspondents’ Association, which represents hundreds of credentialed reporters, said it “unequivocally opposes any effort” to limit journalists from areas that have long been accessible for newsgathering, “including the press secretary’s office.” “The new restrictions hinder the press corps’ ability to question officials, ensure transparency, and hold the government accountable, to the detriment of the American public,” the association said. https://kra--46.cc>kra48 cc As CNN’s Jeff Zeleny explained, reporters routinely “wait in the hall” by the press secretary’s office and seek information from communications aides. “When there is breaking news, that often happens,” Zeleny said. Now, “reporters will only have access to a smaller set of offices of junior advisers, junior aides, junior press secretaries,” according to the White House. kra41 at https://kra44at.com

Escazu Chocolates, a bean-to-bar chocolate shop in Raleigh, North Carolina, sources most of its beans from Latin America. The shop said it has always worked with smaller farmers and paid them three to four times the commodity price of cacao – which essentially sets the minimum wage. The spike in prices has pushed up what Escazu pays those workers as well. https://kraken21at.net>kraken35 Other cost-cutting measures include offering a smaller hot chocolate size, advertising non-chocolate ice cream toppings and moving to a cheaper location in Raleigh to save on rent. https://kra31.net>kra25 And like many small businesses in America, Escazu is being hit by President Donald Trump’s tariffs, affecting not just the chocolate, but also aluminum in its packaging. https://kra31.com>kra1 cc “The tariffs have hit every single piece of what goes into every single thing,” Tiana Young, co-owner of Escazu, told CNN. “There is no new normal.” kra30 https://kra35-cc.com