Federal agents arrested David Taylor and Michelle Brannon on Wednesday in connection with a multi-million dollar conspiracy. As leaders of the Kingdom of God Global Church, the pair allegedly forced workers to be personal servants while using donations to fund a lavish lifestyle. The church is said to have received around $50 million in donations through call centers, which Taylor and Brannon allegedly used to purchase luxury properties and vehicles. Facing charges of forced labor, conspiracy to commit forced labor, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, Taylor and Brannon could each face up to 20 years in prison.
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In a solo opinion, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson criticized the Supreme Court’s handling of the Trump administration’s legal battles, likening it to a game of “Calvinball” where the administration always prevails. Jackson described the NIH case as the latest instance of the court favoring the Executive Branch, highlighting the potential consequences for both the law and the public. This statement marked a departure from her colleagues, as she did not have the support of the other Democratic appointees. Jackson expressed hope that affected parties could maintain their claims long enough for the court to reconsider its stance.
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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed he could visually diagnose mitochondrial issues and inflammation in children, sparking concern due to his lack of medical expertise. Kennedy, speaking at a press briefing with Texas Governor Greg Abbott, also presented inaccurate statistics regarding diabetes and autism rates. This occurred during a discussion on the “Make America Healthy Again” bill aimed at improving childhood health through various food and beverage restrictions. Despite the bill’s intentions, Kennedy’s use of misinformation about health science has raised concerns, given his history of spreading false information.
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The CDC has significantly reduced the scope of FoodNet, a three-decade-old program tracking food poisoning infections, by narrowing required monitoring to only two pathogens: salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. This change, which began in July, reduces mandatory surveillance from eight pathogens, with the remaining six now optional. While the CDC claims the change allows for prioritization and effective resource management, food safety officials express concern that the reduced monitoring could hinder the detection of outbreaks and obscure the comprehensive picture of food-related infections. This is concerning as FoodNet provided robust data, including case numbers, that helped to understand certain infections and risks in the food supply.
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Contrary to Donald Trump’s claims, Washington D.C. restaurants are actually suffering due to the increased presence of federal forces. Restaurant owners report significantly decreased foot traffic and reservations, leading to extensions of events like Restaurant Week. Many restaurant owners and workers feel that Trump’s actions are actively harming the city’s economy, creating an atmosphere of fear particularly impacting immigrant communities and the tourism industry. This climate has resulted in event cancellations, business closures, and a concerning domino effect on restaurants across the country.
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Majority of Americans disapprove of US-Israel military alliance, new poll shows. It’s a striking headline, and one that seems to be echoing a growing sentiment across the country. The numbers don’t lie – a significant portion of the American population is questioning the long-standing military and financial support the United States provides to Israel.
This disapproval isn’t coming out of nowhere. We’re seeing a clear divide, with many expressing concerns about the current situation. A significant portion of Democrats and Independents, for instance, are against increasing military aid to Israel. That’s a strong signal, especially when you consider the implications for future elections.… Continue reading
Gavin Newsom, echoing a sentiment that seems to be gaining traction, stated, “I don’t think Donald Trump wants another election.” This isn’t just idle speculation; it’s a reflection of a growing concern about Trump’s disregard for the democratic process and his stated desire to remain in power. The evidence, according to many, is accumulating, painting a clear picture of a leader who sees elections as obstacles rather than opportunities for public service.
The sheer volume of “Trump 2028” hats, sent to Newsom by supporters, hints at a long-term plan. These aren’t just novelty items; they are emblems of an aspiration that goes beyond the usual political maneuvering.… Continue reading
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard faced criticism for posting a list of 37 officials whose security clearances were revoked, including the name of an undercover CIA officer. The CIA was reportedly unaware of the list prior to its publication and was not consulted, despite Gabbard’s office sending it the night before. Experts expressed concern that the disclosure could jeopardize covert operations and international relations, potentially violating laws designed to protect intelligence officers. Gabbard stated the revocations were made at Trump’s direction to address the weaponization of intelligence, and legal experts have suggested that the disclosure could constitute a Privacy Act violation.
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Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook is suing former President Donald Trump over his attempt to remove her from her position, sparking a legal challenge regarding the Fed’s autonomy. Trump cited “sufficient reason” to believe Cook made false statements regarding her mortgage, which he says allows him to remove her. Cook’s lawsuit seeks to invalidate Trump’s firing order and names Fed Chairman Jerome Powell as a defendant. This legal battle highlights the contentious relationship between Trump and the Fed, particularly concerning interest rate policy.
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A coalition of U.S. agencies and allied governments has revealed that three private Chinese companies were involved in a large-scale hacking operation known as Salt Typhoon, targeting telecommunication companies globally, including AT&T and Verizon. The operation, active since 2021, allowed China to potentially access communications, including text messages, from millions of people, and track their locations, while also targeting government, transportation, and military infrastructure networks. The FBI, NSA, and CISA, along with international partners, signed a report that detailed that the campaign has hacked over 200 companies across 80 countries. The identified companies, Beijing Huanyu Tianqiong Information Technology, Sichuan Zhixin Ruijie Network Technology, and Sichuan Juxinhe Network Technology, were reportedly acting on behalf of China’s Ministry of State Security.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood