In January, a Florida elementary school principal, Elizabeth Hill-Brodigan, and a teacher, Karly Anderson, were arrested following a house party attended by approximately 100 underage drinkers. One intoxicated minor required emergency medical treatment. Body camera footage shows Anderson appearing intoxicated and admitting to some knowledge of the party. Hill-Brodigan faces multiple charges including child neglect, while Anderson faces charges of disorderly conduct and intoxication. Both were suspended from Brevard Public Schools and are currently free on bond.
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Elon Musk’s sprawling family, often described as a “harem,” starkly contradicts the Republican Party’s professed commitment to “family values.” The sheer scale of his numerous children born to multiple mothers, facilitated through IVF, directly clashes with the image of a stable, traditional nuclear family frequently touted by conservatives. This isn’t just a matter of personal choices; it highlights a profound hypocrisy at the heart of the Republican platform.
The emphasis on traditional family structures often championed by Republicans seems selectively applied. While advocating for policies that supposedly strengthen families, prominent Republican figures, including Musk himself, often engage in behaviors that directly undermine these very ideals.… Continue reading
Following a USTR investigation, the Trump administration announced fees on Chinese-built vessels entering U.S. ports, citing unfair competitive advantages held by China’s shipbuilding industry. Initially proposed as a per-port fee potentially reaching $1.5 million, the final structure involves per-ton fees escalating over several years, starting at $0 and reaching $140 per net ton for Chinese-owned vessels by 2028. Lower fees apply to non-Chinese-owned vessels carrying Chinese-built ships, and the fees are remittable if operators order U.S.-built vessels. Exemptions exist for certain cargo types and regions.
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Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reported $150 billion in savings, a drastically lower figure than the promised trillion dollars, representing only 15% of the initial goal. These savings, however, are largely inaccurate and misleading due to flawed calculations. The cuts have resulted in devastating consequences, including widespread job losses, significant damage to essential government services, and a deterioration of public safety and welfare. Ultimately, these minuscule savings will be largely offset by increased military spending.
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Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen visited Kilmar Abrego Garcia, wrongly deported to El Salvador, meeting with him Thursday and subsequently contacting his wife. This visit follows a court order mandating Abrego Garcia’s return to the U.S., which the Trump administration has contested, arguing El Salvador holds ultimate authority. The White House condemned Van Hollen’s actions, while Abrego Garcia’s wife expressed relief. The meeting occurred despite earlier being turned away at a military checkpoint near the detention center.
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A 20-year-old, Phoenix Ikner, son of a Leon County sheriff’s deputy, fatally shot two men and wounded six others at Florida State University using his mother’s former service weapon. The shooting, occurring near the student union, prompted a campus-wide lockdown and immediate law enforcement response resulting in Ikner’s injury. Authorities are investigating the motive, but the victims were not students. Ikner, a former youth advisory council member with access to firearms, is hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
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US Senator Chris Van Hollen’s recent trip to El Salvador yielded a significant development in the case of a wrongly deported man, raising crucial questions about the fairness of the US deportation system and the power dynamics at play between the US and El Salvador. The Senator’s visit, initially met with skepticism and even the expectation of failure, ultimately resulted in a face-to-face encounter with the deported individual, dispelling widespread fears that the man had been killed. This unexpected success underscores the importance of persistent political action and challenges the narrative that such efforts are futile.
The senator’s confirmation of the meeting itself is a powerful testament to the perseverance of his efforts.… Continue reading
California’s lawsuit against Donald Trump’s tariffs marks a significant legal challenge, alleging their unconstitutionality. This action, explained by Lawrence O’Donnell, stems from a belief that Trump’s actions exceeded his presidential authority. The suit represents the first state-level attempt to halt the tariffs, highlighting a constitutional conflict. O’Donnell contrasts this with his assessment of Nixon, arguing that despite Nixon’s criminality, he exhibited greater constitutional respect than Trump.
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An E. coli outbreak in November 2024, affecting 89 individuals across 15 states, resulted in one death and numerous hospitalizations, including a child who suffered near-fatal kidney failure. The FDA closed its investigation without publicly naming the responsible companies, citing a lack of available contaminated lettuce and therefore no actionable advice for consumers. This decision, however, has drawn criticism from food safety advocates and victims who believe the public has a right to know which companies were involved, to make informed choices and prevent future incidents. The FDA maintains that its response aligned with existing policy, prioritizing actionable consumer advice.
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Next week, the U.S. will sign a rare earths minerals deal with Ukraine, as announced by President Trump. This agreement, initially discussed in February, follows a contentious Oval Office meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. The deal, encompassing an 80-page agreement, aims to provide the U.S. with valuable minerals in exchange for further military aid to Ukraine. Separately, Trump expressed optimism about a future trade deal with Europe, aiming to address the U.S. trade deficit with the EU.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood