Hello, Everyone!

Pioneering digital media company Wong Fu Productions marked its 20th anniversary.

They laid the groundwork for Asian American representation in film long before Hollywood followed suit. Founded by Philip Wang, Wesley Chan, and Ted Fu, the trio began by making independent films that resonated with young Asian Americans.

Starting with a lip-syncing video, they eventually progressed to skits and short films featuring primarily Asian casts. Their YouTube channel, established in 2006, reached a wide audience and inspired a generation of aspiring Asian American creatives. Alongside their own productions, they support aspiring Asian American voices through initiatives like a writers lab and filmmaking courses.

• Susan Kim DeClercq, President Joe Biden's nominee for a federal judge position in Michigan, shared her emotional adoption and immigration story during her first nomination hearing. DeClercq, who was abandoned as an infant in South Korea and later adopted by a single mother in the U.S., expressed her pride in being an immigrant and the gratitude she feels for the opportunities provided by the country. If confirmed, DeClercq would become the first federal judge of East Asian heritage in Michigan. 

• The recent Supreme Court decision to order Alabama to redraw its congressional districts is being hailed as a significant victory by minority lawmakers and voting rights activists. The ruling has the potential to serve as a crucial step toward addressing political maps that dilute the influence of communities of color. The court found that Alabama had concentrated Black voters in one district while dispersing them among others, making it harder for them to elect their preferred candidates. The decision may have implications for similar lawsuits against gerrymandered maps in other states, providing guidance to lower courts in their deliberations.

• Japan's parliament has passed a bill revising the country's immigration and refugee law, enabling authorities to deport individuals who repeatedly apply for asylum. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party, along with its coalition partner and right-leaning opposition forces, supported the law despite objections from some opposition parties. The amendment aims to reduce long-term detention in immigration facilities and facilitate the expulsion of individuals who fail to comply with deportation orders, while also introducing a "quasi-refugee" status for those from conflict-affected regions who don't meet the criteria for full refugee recognition. Critics argue that the revised legislation may put individuals at risk and lead to the expulsion of children raised in Japan.

• Disney's latest show, "Hailey's On It!," featuring Auliʻi Cravalho and Manny Jacinto, will debut on the Disney Channel and Disney XD this Thursday. The series follows Hailey Alohilani Banks, a 14-year-old determined teenager on a mission to complete a challenging list of tasks to save the world. Joined by her best friend Scott Denoga, their friendship eventually evolves into a love story. Created by Devin Bunje and Nick Stanton, the show boasts a talented voice cast, including Gary Anthony Williams, Cooper Andrews, Julie Bowen, and more. "Hailey's On It!" will also be available for streaming on Disney+ starting Friday.

• For the first time in South Korea, a robot will conduct an orchestra show. 
   
• Japanese tennis star Miyu Kato reached the French Open mixed doubles finals on Wednesday, just three days after being disqualified from the women’s doubles.
   
• Hawaii's Kilauea volcano started erupting on Wednesday morning. 
   
• “Top Chef: World All-Stars” crowned its victor. 
   
• Canada's top Asian grocery chain, T&T Supermarket, will expand into the U.S. with the opening of its first branch in Bellevue, Washington, scheduled for summer 2024.