Former Florissant police officer Julian Alcala has pleaded guilty to 20 felony counts for stealing intimate photos and videos from women’s phones during traffic stops. Alcala, who resigned from the police department in June 2024, admitted to searching the victims’ phones under the guise of checking for insurance or registration. The FBI launched an investigation after one victim discovered a transferred video, leading to Alcala’s guilty plea in federal court, with sentencing scheduled for March 11. He faces a maximum of three years in prison, and the plea will be used as evidence in the nearly two dozen pending civil rights lawsuits filed against him and the city of Florissant.
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Fears grow inside military over illegal orders after Hegseth authorized follow-up boat strike. It’s becoming increasingly clear that the authorization of a follow-up boat strike by Hegseth has cast a long shadow over the military, sparking deep concerns about the potential for illegal orders and the consequences of blindly following them. The discussions surrounding this situation highlight a serious erosion of trust and a growing sense of unease within the ranks.
The core of the problem seems to be the very nature of the actions themselves. Striking against unarmed boats, regardless of suspicions of drug smuggling, is, at its face, problematic.… Continue reading
Trump Frees Fraudster Just Days Into Seven-Year Prison Sentence
The audacity of it all. How can one person, just like that, overturn the painstaking work of prosecutors, judges, and juries? To simply dismiss mountains of evidence and declare “no” is almost beyond comprehension. It’s a blatant disregard for the legal system, a slap in the face to the victims, and a clear signal that the rules don’t apply when you’re connected. The narrative is that the fraudsters are his people, and those with enough money can buy their freedom. It feels like a chilling illustration of what some call fascism in its early stages.… Continue reading
Patel Under Scrutiny for Use of SWAT Teams to Protect His Girlfriend paints a clear picture of potential abuse of power, raising serious ethical questions. It seems that Kash Patel, reportedly the Director of the FBI, has been utilizing taxpayer funds and specialized law enforcement resources for the protection of his girlfriend. This situation has ignited a firestorm of criticism, and rightly so. The core issue revolves around the appropriateness of diverting resources – specifically, a SWAT team – from their intended purpose to provide personal security for an individual, even if that individual is in a personal relationship with a high-ranking government official.… Continue reading
Following controversy surrounding the use of a government jet to visit his girlfriend, Wilkins, Patel has taken steps to increase her security and deflect criticism. He has defended his actions, framing criticism of Wilkins as an attack and emphasizing his commitment to family. This comes amid scrutiny from lawmakers regarding reimbursement for personal trips and indications of disapproval from within the bureau over Patel’s use of government resources. His actions have raised further questions about his judgment and the use of public funds.
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In a recent CNN interview, former swimsuit model Stacey Williams claimed she was delivered to Donald Trump by Jeffrey Epstein to be groped in 1993, echoing an allegation she first made in 2024. The accusation was made in response to the release of Epstein’s emails by the House Oversight Committee, which included a boast by Epstein that he “gave” a girlfriend to Trump. The White House, responding to the 2024 allegations, denied the claims. Meanwhile, a House discharge petition gained enough signatures to force a vote on releasing the Department of Justice’s files on Epstein.
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In a significant development stemming from the controversial August 2023 raid on the Marion County Record, Marion County has agreed to pay over $3 million and issue an apology. The settlement, which involved federal lawsuits filed by the newspaper’s parent company, employees, and others, aims to discourage similar actions against news organizations. The raid, led by the former police chief, sparked national debate on press freedom, and the county sheriff issued an apology. Legal claims against the city and city officials remain unresolved, and the former police chief is set for trial in February on related charges.
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According to AP News, federal immigration officers in Los Angeles arrested a U.S. citizen near a Home Depot, and then drove off in his car with his toddler, sparking outrage from advocates. A video captured masked agents driving away with the 1-year-old in a car seat. While the Department of Homeland Security stated the man was arrested for assault after reportedly throwing a hammer and rocks, they didn’t explain the agents’ actions with the child. The child was later released to relatives, and experts offer differing opinions on the officers’ actions during the raid.
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Casten: ‘I think Trump commits impeachable offenses on a daily basis,’ and frankly, it’s hard to disagree with that assessment. It’s a statement that, in many circles, feels more like an observation of the obvious than a controversial claim. The idea that Trump’s actions, words, and even his business dealings frequently cross the line into impeachable territory is a sentiment echoed by a significant number of people. It’s a point of view that seems to have a lot of momentum behind it.
Casten’s assertion, taken at face value, suggests a pattern. A pattern of behavior that consistently pushes the boundaries of acceptable conduct for a president.… Continue reading
Johnson sets record refusing to swear in Adelita Grijalva for 36 days after she won election, and this situation, as it unfolds, really does make you stop and think, doesn’t it? It’s a striking example of a core democratic principle being, shall we say, significantly challenged. We’re talking about a situation where a duly elected official, chosen by the people of her district, is being prevented from taking her seat and representing those same people. This isn’t just a minor procedural hiccup; it’s a direct assault on the very idea of representative government.
The delay, stretching on for 36 days, feels less like a simple administrative pause and more like a deliberate act.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood