Leeann Yammarino, a Prairieville resident, received a 26-year prison sentence on Tuesday for felony sex crimes. The 44-year-old had pleaded no contest to two counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and two counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile. The sentencing included 10 years for each carnal knowledge charge and three years for each indecent behavior charge. Yammarino was accused of having sex with a 14-year-old boy and “sexting” with multiple teenagers, and will be required to register as a sex offender for 15 years.
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According to the Justice Department, U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida has been indicted on charges of stealing $5 million in federal disaster funds. These funds were allegedly obtained through overpayments to her family’s healthcare company, Trinity Healthcare Services, from a COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract. Prosecutors claim a portion of the stolen money was then used to support her 2021 congressional campaign. This indictment follows a state agency lawsuit alleging overcharging by the same company for pandemic-related work.
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House Dems demand Johnson hold ACA vote. It seems the House Democrats are finding themselves in a familiar situation: demanding a vote on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, in the House of Representatives. This push comes amidst a backdrop of political maneuvering and, let’s be honest, a healthy dose of frustration. The crux of the matter revolves around a supposed agreement to reopen the government. The deal allegedly included a commitment to address ACA funding, a promise that seems to be hanging in the balance, or worse, being outright broken.
The accusations are flying, naturally. It’s suggested that Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, might be reneging on the deal.… Continue reading
Former Vice President Dick Cheney’s funeral is scheduled for Thursday in Washington, D.C., and will be attended by a bipartisan gathering of dignitaries, including former presidents and vice presidents. The service, featuring full military honors, is expected to host over 1,000 guests, representing a time of less political polarization. Notably, neither former President Donald Trump nor Vice President J.D. Vance received an invitation. Cheney, who served as vice president from 2001 to 2009, died on November 3 at the age of 84.
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Following a laser incident targeting RAF pilots, the UK is monitoring a Russian spy ship, the Yantar, near its waters. Defence officials have expressed concern over the ship’s intelligence gathering capabilities, particularly its potential to map undersea cables. Former MI6 head Sir Richard Dearlove suggested the Navy may be prepared to take aggressive actions if the Yantar moves closer, like firing a warning shot. Russia has dismissed the accusations, claiming the Yantar is a research vessel operating in international waters, yet the UK government views the situation as a new era of threat.
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The indictment alleges that Weinstein, using the alias Mike Konig, defrauded numerous investors out of approximately $35 million by falsely claiming investments in goods like Covid-19 masks and aid for Ukraine. This alleged fraud was made possible by a presidential pardon in 2021, which released Weinstein from a 24-year prison sentence for previous fraud convictions. These earlier schemes involved real estate and a fraudulent pre-IPO Facebook investment that had defrauded investors out of millions of dollars. Weinstein was among 143 individuals pardoned by the former president, which included other notable figures like Steve Bannon and Lil Wayne.
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In a sudden turn of events, President Trump has ordered the release of Jeffrey Epstein files after initially claiming there was nothing left to probe, and directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Democrats associated with the disgraced financier. This abrupt shift follows a controversial memo from Bondi’s department in July, stating no further disclosures were warranted. Faced with a transparency bill, Trump now supports its passage and plans to sign it into law, despite previous resistance. The legislation mandates the release of unclassified Epstein-related records, but grants Bondi the authority to withhold or redact information that could harm ongoing investigations.
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The GOP’s efforts to manipulate the 2026 midterm elections through gerrymandering have encountered setbacks. A Texas gerrymander, designed to add five seats, was blocked by a panel of judges, and Republicans in Indiana lack the votes to redraw their congressional map. Despite these challenges, the situation remains fluid, as the Texas decision is being appealed and Republicans have secured additional seats elsewhere. Democrats are also working to gain seats. An interview with Heather Williams provides insights into the obstacles, potential positive outcomes for Democrats, and the importance of voter participation in state-level contests.
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The article details the dismantling of the Department of Justice by the president, as reported by The New York Times, citing accounts from former career DOJ attorneys. The administration’s actions began with pardons for January 6 rioters, leading to resignations and a diminished Public Integrity Section, reducing its capacity to prosecute cases. The fate of the Epstein files now rests with this compromised DOJ, sparking concerns over their handling, particularly from Democratic senators. Despite the bill demanding release, skepticism abounds regarding the DOJ’s commitment to transparency, given the president’s influence and past actions.
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Despite widespread public displays of support for Ukraine by EU leaders, financial and military contributions vary significantly across member states. Data reveals a stark contrast, with countries like Denmark contributing a substantial portion of their GDP compared to nations such as Spain. Nordic and Baltic countries generally offer the most aid relative to their economic output, while some nations contribute considerably less. This disparity prompted criticism, urging leaders to match their rhetoric with financial commitments to ensure continued support for Ukraine, especially given the impending budget shortfall.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood