Former Vice President Mike Pence, through his organization Advancing American Freedom, urged Senate Republicans to reject Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services, citing Kennedy’s pro-choice stance as a departure from the Trump-Pence administration’s pro-life record. This action demonstrates Pence’s willingness to publicly criticize his former running mate, despite congratulating Trump on his recent reelection. The upcoming Senate confirmation hearings will see Indiana Senators Todd Young and Jim Banks voting on the nomination, along with other controversial picks such as Matt Gaetz for Attorney General. Pence’s statement highlights a continuing rift between him and Trump stemming from the January 6th Capitol attack and differing political stances.
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Social media posts alleging that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is in a coma following a New York Times report of his serious illness, lack credible evidence. While the NYT article detailed Khamenei’s poor health and potential succession plans, no reputable news sources have corroborated the coma claims. These rumors, including circulated images debunked as being from 2014, should be treated with caution. Khamenei was last publicly seen on November 7th.
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Mounting research suggests a concerning link between COVID-19 infection and cognitive decline, even manifesting as measurable drops in IQ scores. Anecdotal evidence overwhelmingly supports this, with numerous individuals reporting significant post-infection struggles with memory, focus, and overall cognitive function. Many describe a noticeable decline in their mental agility, a feeling of being “less quick,” struggling to find the right words, and experiencing significant difficulty with concentration and memory retention, even years after infection. This isn’t simply a matter of age or stress; these individuals report experiencing these difficulties *after* contracting COVID-19, suggesting a direct causal relationship.
The impact seems to vary depending on the severity and course of the infection.… Continue reading
At least two Pennsylvania residents, a registered Democrat and an unaffiliated voter, received $100 checks from Elon Musk’s America PAC despite not signing the associated petition. The checks, bearing a return address from Austin, Texas, and signed by a “Todd Lewis,” raise questions about the PAC’s practices. While some petition signers await their payments, the recipients who did not sign the petition have refused to cash the checks, citing concerns about the unauthorized use of their information. America PAC has not commented on the matter, leaving the legitimacy of the checks unclear.
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On November 6th, a diverse coalition of North Texas community groups staged a protest outside Dallas City Hall to denounce the U.S. electoral system and both major political parties. The demonstration, part of a nationwide series of post-election rallies, drew approximately 40 participants who voiced opposition to President-elect Trump’s platform and policies, particularly those targeting immigrants. Speakers representing various social justice causes emphasized the need for community organizing and collective action to combat anticipated oppression. The event highlighted the shared concerns of a broad spectrum of marginalized communities across the country.
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Oklahoma’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ryan Walters, mandated that all public schools show students a video promoting religious freedom and patriotism, including a prayer for President Trump. This directive, issued through a newly created Department of Religious Freedom and Patriotism, was deemed unenforceable by the state Attorney General’s office, citing conflicts with parental rights and local control. Several school districts have refused to comply. This mandate follows previous controversial actions by Walters, including a mandate to incorporate Bibles into lesson plans, which is also facing legal challenges. The Attorney General’s statement highlights the conflict between Walters’ actions and established legal rights.
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A Texas bankruptcy judge ordered an evidentiary hearing to review the sale of Infowars to The Onion, citing concerns about the auction process’s transparency. Alex Jones, Infowars’ founder, claims the sale was rigged and that lawyers for X (formerly Twitter) are involved, a claim seemingly supported by Jones’s statements about Elon Musk’s involvement. Despite the judge’s concerns and The Onion’s assertion that they won the bid, Infowars’ website briefly returned online with Jones declaring victory. The hearing will determine the sale’s validity, with the outcome impacting both Jones’s future and the planned satirical relaunch of Infowars by The Onion.
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Three Russian oil refineries—Tuapse, Ilyich, and Novoshakhtinsk—have curtailed or halted production due to mounting losses stemming from Ukrainian drone strikes, Western sanctions, and reduced profit margins. These plants, operating at reduced capacity or facing temporary closures, are experiencing significant financial strain, selling fuel at a discount and incurring high interest rates. The resulting drop in fuel exports and revenue impacts the state budget, exacerbating existing economic pressures. This situation is further complicated by increased oil costs exceeding the profit threshold for independent refiners.
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California confirmed the first US case of clade I mpox, a more severe strain, in a traveler from East Africa. While historically clade I mpox has a higher mortality rate than clade II, recent data suggests less severe illness and lower death rates, particularly with adequate medical care. The CDC emphasizes that the public health risk remains low, and the affected individual is recovering. Contact tracing is underway, and the WHO is reviewing the global mpox situation.
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Former Republican Congressman Michael Grimm, paralyzed after a polo accident, launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover his multi-million dollar medical expenses. The campaign, exceeding $400,000, drew intense criticism due to Grimm’s past opposition to the Affordable Care Act. Critics highlighted the irony of his situation, pointing to his previous votes against expanding healthcare access. While some condemned the attacks as lacking compassion, others celebrated the situation, citing Grimm’s past actions and continued access to government healthcare benefits.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood