Latest News
January 1, State of the Union: What to Watch For
The Washington Post reports that Melania Trump has invited a child named Joshua Trump to the SOTU, because he “has been bullied in school due to his last name.”
The president who famously said that he “alone” could fix issues facing the country, will give his second State of the Union address Tuesday, addressing members of Congress who — it turns out — are necessary for getting anything done at all.
The speech is coming two weeks later than originally scheduled after a partial government shutdown and partisan stalemate that brought all previous plans to a halt.
- Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi will sit over President Trump’s shoulder all night.
- This will be Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s first State of the Union.
- Other guests include an undocumented migrant, and trans-gender service member.
The New York Times reports that “For Trump, the State of the Union Is a Spectacle, and He Is Ready for It”: “After spending part of the weekend at Mar-a-Lago, his club in Palm Beach, Fla., working on the speech, Mr. Trump spent two hours going over it with Stephen Miller, his chief policy adviser, in the Oval Office, according to his private schedule.
“He also spent time on Monday practicing in the Map Room with a handful of senior administration officials. He was expected to do another teleprompter-and-lectern practice session there on Tuesday, with his aides giving him notes.
Meanwhile in Virginia…
*Lt. Gov. Denounces Sexual Assault Allegations
*Gov. Northam, Others Eyed in Leak of Allegations
*Gov. Northam Remains Defiant as Calls For His Resignation Grow
According to the New York Times, ”Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax of Virginia Denounces Sexual Assault Allegation as a ‘Smear'”: Fairfax “emphatically denied on Monday a woman’s claim that he sexually assaulted her in 2004, suggesting at one point that Gov. Ralph Northam’s supporters were trying to block his ascent to the governorship at a moment when Mr. Northam is besieged by demands that he resign over charges of racism.
“‘Does anybody think it’s any coincidence that on the eve of potentially my being elevated that that’s when this smear comes out?’ Mr. Fairfax told reporters surrounding him in the rotunda of the state Capitol about whether he believes Mr. Northam, a fellow Democrat, was behind the accusation’s coming to light.
“He softened his suggestion as he left the Capitol Monday night, telling reporters he had ‘no indication’ that Mr. Northam was responsible. But in the same conversation, Mr. Fairfax hinted that Levar Stoney, the mayor of Richmond and a potential rival to Mr. Fairfax for the 2021 Democratic nomination for governor, may have played a role — praising the acumen of a reporter who inquired whether Mr. Stoney might have been responsible.
“Asked if he had any involvement in leaking the claims of assault, which first surfaced Sunday night on a right-wing website, Mr. Stoney said, ‘The insinuation is 100 percent not true, and frankly it’s offensive.’”
Meanwhil Northam has resisted the mounting calls for his resignation amid controversy surrounding his racist yearbook page and at this point, he has “no choice” but to remain in office, argued Chris Stirewalt on Fox News.
Trump’s Inauguration Committee Under Scrutiny
According to ABC News, New York prosecutors are seeking records from the Trump inauguration committee. ABC, citing “sources,” reports that, “Prosecutors in New York’s Southern District have subpoenaed documents from President Donald Trump’s inauguration committee,” adding that, “even as the special counsel probe appears to be nearing an end, another investigation that could hamstring the president and his lawyers is widening.”
ABC News also reports that, “prosecutors are seeking documents and records related to the committee’s donors to the massive inauguration fund, according to sources familiar with the request. Prosecutors also are seeking information on attendees to the events surrounding the inauguration, including benefits to top-level donors such as photo opportunities with Trump, sources said.”
And according to the New York Times, ”only one individual was named as part of the subpoena’s demand for documents: Imaad Zuberi, a former fund-raiser for President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton who was seeking inroads with Mr. Trump, and whose company, Avenue Ventures, gave $900,000 to the inaugural committee. The subpoena also seeks documents related to his company.”
ISIS Fighters ‘Lying Low, Not Defeated’
The AP reports that “U.S. officials fear IS fighters are lying low, not defeated.”President Donald Trump is expected to declare near-total triumph over the Islamic State group in Syria in his State of the Union address, but U.S. defense officials are increasingly fearful that the militants are simply biding their time until the Americans leave the battlefield as planned. IS militants have lost territory since Trump’s surprise announcement in December that he was pulling U.S. forces out, but military officials warn the fighters could regroup within six months to a year after the Americans leave.
“A Defense Department watchdog report released Monday warned of just such a possibility. The Islamic State group ‘remains a potent force of battle-hardened and well-disciplined fighters that “could likely resurge in Syria’ absent continued counterterrorism pressure,”‘ the report from the inspector general said.”
Beto’s Back
Former Congressman and Democratic Senate Candidate Beto O’Rourke returns from five weeks away from the political spot light Tuesday. Sort of, the loser of the 2018 Texas Senate race, has been sharing a lot of personal details on social media.
Tuesday, O’Rourke will join Oprah Winfrey for a highly anticipated interview.
Philadelphia, a city under siege, has witnessed the arrest of over 50 individuals in a two-day crime spree, causing the demise of numerous businesses. Among those arrested is Kenneth Frye, a suspect in a recent burglary who was out on bail connected to a significant murder case from the previous year.
The city’s police department apprehended Frye for looting a Fine Wine & Good Spirits store located in West Philadelphia. Previously, Frye, who once worked as a bouncer, was charged in connection to the death of Eric Pope. It’s reported by FOX 29 that he fatally punched Pope outside Tabu Lounge in Center City. Initially charged with 3rd-degree murder, a motion has been filed by the District Attorney’s office to reduce the charge to Involuntary Murder.
This wave of criminal activity, spurred by social media, resulted in numerous arrests, involving both adults and juveniles, and is just a snapshot of the broader chaos infiltrating the city.
Charges ranging from Rioting to Burglary and Disorderly Conduct have been filed against the arrested individuals, with many arrests occurring at notable establishments such as Lululemon, T-Mobile, and Walgreens.
Arrests include:
- Aauanyae Haynes, a Black female, 19
- Sabree Young, a Black female, 31
- Steven Wells, a Black male, 26
- Traqwan Word, a Black male, 24
- Lisa Talley, a Black female, 34
- Yasmine Fields, a Black female, 23
- Kenneth Frye, a Black male, 24
- Kyreek Leak, a Black male, 21
- Reginal Alexander, Black male, 33
- Gabriel Gines, a Hispanic male, 23
- Alena Gigliotti, a White female, 26
- Petra Gonzalez, a White female, 24
- Jessica Blake, a Black female, 37
- Semaj Suber, a Black female, 29
- Aniya Taylor, a Black female, 21
- Hartzog Mashaad, a Black male, 27
- Isis Morgan, a Black female, 23
- Khalilah Green, a Black female, 21
- Ernest McCollum, a Black male, 31
- Jessica Arnold-Coit, a Black female, 30
- Quanika McQueen, a Black female, 31
- Denzel Walker, a Black male, 27
- Mikal Reed, a Black male, 26
- Tyheed Hill, a Black male, 26
- Anthony Abner, a Black male, 35
Per Fox News, three juveniles — a 14-year-old Black male, a 16-year-old Black male and a 14-year-old Black female — were also arrested for Rioting, Burglary, Disorderly Conduct, and Theft at a Lululemon store, according to the report.
This spree of destruction and lawlessness is indicative of the escalating disorder in the city, exemplified by the arrest of Frye, who, despite his involvement in a serious murder case, was back on the streets only to be implicated in further criminal activity.
The city remains in a state of turmoil as businesses struggle to recover, and residents live in the shadow of relentless criminal activity.
As our loyal readers, we encourage you to share your thoughts and opinions on this issue. Let your voice be heard and join the discussion below.
The staggering issue of homelessness looms large over California, with the state hosting nearly a third of the nation’s rising homeless population, which stands at 582,462 people according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
In the bustling city of San Francisco, Anthony, a former restaurant worker who has lived in a tent for three years, is just one of over 170,000 unhoused Californians.
The city’s inflated living cost, with average rent for a one-bedroom apartment being roughly $3,000 a month, starkly contrasts with its minimum wage of $18.07 an hour, leaving many like Nelly Sorto, a full-time cleaner and a mother of two, struggling to break into the rental market.
Anthony, a former chef, has experienced the vicious cycle of homelessness firsthand, stating, “Once you get behind, you just can’t get up,” to ABC News.
The economic downturn during the pandemic left many like him, striving to find a permanent home and bouncing from street to street as city officials clear their encampments.
This visible homelessness crisis is often attributed to several factors, including the high cost of living related to the tech boom and mental health issues experienced by many individuals.
Jennifer Friedenbach, executive director of the Coalition on Homelessness, said to ABC News, “California has systemic issues in terms of its housing affordability… So, what we need to do in California is really have a massive investment to offset that difference between incomes and rent.”
The rising number of encampments has sparked frustration across the state, with residents like Jeanne Vasquez expressing concern over safety and the declining quality of life in their areas.
In July, Vasquez conveyed her discontent to ABC Los Angeles, citing instances of broken glass, needles on the ground, and inappropriate behaviors exhibited by individuals dealing with mental illnesses.
To combat this escalating issue, President Joe Biden announced an investment of an extra $3 billion focusing on support services including rental assistance, legal help, and job search support, with a particular emphasis on veterans.
However, GOP presidential hopefuls like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump have utilized the grim reality of the homelessness crisis in blue states to critique Democratic leadership.
Trump has been vocal about his stance on “urban camping,” promising to ban it and offering rehabilitation options for violators, as mentioned in one of his campaign ads.
However, Friedenbach argues that such policies essentially criminalize the homeless and advocates for a more comprehensive approach involving the federal government investing in housing vouchers, long-term housing subsidies, and reforms in mental health and substance use treatment systems.
She believes that this crisis is a “manufactured issue” created by a “lack of investment” and calls for active listening from the federal government to truly understand and address the needs of the unhoused people.
Despite the relentless efforts of San Francisco outreach teams, many unhoused individuals either decline offers of shelter or already have shelter but cannot be compelled to come inside, as per a spokesperson for the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management.
While some, like Anthony, have been offered a place to stay, the glaring reality remains that thousands are still on the streets yearning for a place to call home, with at least 350 unhoused individuals still on the waitlist for housing in San Francisco.
The pervasive crisis necessitates immediate, profound measures and substantial investments to bridge the substantial gap between incomes and rent, and to address the systemic issues contributing to the surge in homelessness.
As our loyal readers, we encourage you to share your thoughts and opinions on this issue. Let your voice be heard and join the discussion below.
New London, Connecticut, is in a state of heightened alert as reports emerge of a man attempting to lure children into his white van.
The New London Police Department, in conjunction with the New London School District, is rigorously working to identify the suspect, whose latest sighting occurred near Bennie Dover Middle School.
The suspect is described as either White or Hispanic with black hair and a beard, which is either black or gray. The vehicle he’s been spotted in has tinted windows.
Residents of New London are understandably rattled.
“It makes me terrified; it makes me sick to my stomach,” expressed Mystique Elefante in a conversation with WFSB.com.
With an infant daughter of her own, Elefante vocalized her fears, stating she’s “afraid for my daughter to grow up,” amidst such unsettling reports.
For New London Police Capt. Matt Galante, the situation demands immediate attention and stringent precautionary measures. Galante advises students to maintain groups for safety and to vocally alarm others if danger is sensed.
“Scream, yell, make as loud a sound as you possibly can. Scream for help,” he told WFSB. “There are strength in numbers. We encourage kids walking home from school to walk together.”
This alarming incident has prompted a community-wide call to vigilance. Capt. Galante emphasized the urgency of alertness within the community and the role of every individual in maintaining a watchful eye.
“We wanted to get the message out to parents and the community at large that this may be happening within our community and for people to be vigilant and look for these types of events,” he mentioned to NBC Connecticut.
The New London Police Department has urged anyone with relevant information to come forward, allowing for anonymous tips to be sent to the New London Tips 411 system.
The involvement of the community is crucial in aiding the ongoing investigation to ensure the safety of the young residents of New London, as law enforcement intensifies its efforts to locate the prowler and his vehicle.
As our loyal readers, we encourage you to share your thoughts and opinions on this issue. Let your voice be heard and join the discussion below.
-
Featured2 weeks agoBiden Abruptly Starts Yelling During Press Conference (Videos Inside)
-
Featured1 month agoUS Advises Citizens to Leave This Country ASAP
-
Entertainment2 months agoWhoopi Goldberg’s “Wildly Inappropriate” Commentary Forces “The View” into Unscheduled Commercial Break
-
Featured1 month agoFox’s TV License Renewal At Risk Amid Unprecedented FCC Scrutiny
-
Entertainment4 weeks agoLate Night Host is Getting Canceled After Staffers Speak Out
-
Featured1 month agoFox News Calls Security on Donald Trump Jr. at GOP Debate [Video]
-
Finance1 month agoTaxpayer Alert: Lawmakers Approve $750 Monthly Handouts
-
Latest News1 month agoMystery of the Monkeys: Florida City Bewildered by Unexpected Visitors