Ella Emhoff, stepdaughter of Vice President Kamala Harris, has taken to social media to dispel rumors that she had a mental breakdown and was hospitalized following the 2024 presidential election. She insists that she is doing well and simply experiencing emotions, noting that expressing feelings is healthy and something everyone should feel comfortable doing. Emhoff acknowledges her history of mental health struggles and encourages others to embrace their own mental well-being. Her mother, Kerstin, also denounced the rumors, urging people to leave her children alone and embrace emotional expression. Emhoff’s post includes a photo of her playing fetch with her dog, reinforcing her message of personal well-being.
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Following Donald Trump’s election victory, LGBTQ advocacy groups have reported a surge in calls and messages to their crisis hotlines, particularly among transgender individuals. The Trevor Project witnessed a nearly 700% increase in outreach, with many callers expressing distress over Trump’s campaign rhetoric and policies targeting the transgender community. This surge in support requests underscores the significant impact of anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and legislation on mental health, particularly among transgender youth, who are already at higher risk of suicide and suicide attempts.
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Following the announcement of Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election, The Trevor Project, a leading LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention organization, experienced a staggering 700% increase in calls, texts, and chats. This surge in outreach reflects the heightened anxiety and fear among LGBTQ+ youth, who are concerned about the potential impact of Trump’s policies and rhetoric on their lives and well-being. The organization’s crisis services, normally focused on supporting LGBTQ+ youth navigating personal issues, are now primarily addressing the “election anxiety” experienced by young people who feel increasingly vulnerable and uncertain about their future. This influx of calls for help is a direct consequence of a political environment that has normalized transphobia, with Trump’s campaign actively promoting harmful narratives about transgender individuals and vowing to implement policies that would restrict LGBTQ+ rights.
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A woman in Uganda has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for feeding a baby her own feces. The incident, which was captured on video and shared widely online, sparked outrage and prompted swift action from authorities. The case highlights the severity of child abuse and the need for strong legal consequences to protect vulnerable children.
The court heard that the woman, identified as Stella Namwanje, was caught on video feeding the baby feces on November 4th. The video quickly went viral, drawing the attention of neighbors who immediately contacted authorities. This swift response highlights the seriousness with which the community viewed the horrific act.… Continue reading
Tragically, a series of shootings in Duluth, Minnesota, claimed the lives of four individuals, including two women and two children, before the perpetrator took his own life. The victims and the shooter were all known to each other, although the nature of their relationship and the motive for the violence remain under investigation. Law enforcement responded to two separate locations, finding the first two victims at a home early Thursday afternoon and subsequently discovering the remaining victims, including the shooter, at a separate residence. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to be released soon.
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Kenosha, Wisconsin school staff displayed remarkable bravery in stopping a 13-year-old boy from entering Roosevelt Elementary School while carrying two bags, potentially preventing a school shooting. The boy, who was later apprehended, had exhibited concerning behavior, including internet searches about school shootings, sharing videos on the topic, and making comments to students about them. Police, alerted by staff, quickly located the suspect and secured his surrender, averting a tragic outcome. This incident underscores the importance of vigilance and reporting any suspicious activity to authorities.
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Australia is taking a bold stance against social media use by children under 16 by introducing a world-leading ban. This comprehensive policy, which could become law next year, includes a stringent age-verification system, no exemptions for parental consent or pre-existing accounts, and the highest age limit of any country. The government emphasizes the harmful effects of social media on children’s mental and physical health, particularly the risks to girls from harmful content. The onus will be on social media platforms to prevent access by underage users, rather than placing the burden on parents or children. This policy, which will be introduced in Parliament this year, has received support from the opposition and is expected to impact platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, and YouTube.
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John Sawchak, 54, is accused of shooting his neighbour, Davis Moturi, after a long history of harassment and evasion of arrest, according to court records. The Minneapolis Police Department is facing criticism for failing to arrest Sawchak on active warrants before he allegedly carried out the shooting, returning to the center of controversy over race and policing. Sawchak had two outstanding warrants against him for alleged harassment of the victim, and a third for assaulting another neighbour, while the defence insists their client denies the allegations. The department claims they had tried multiple times to arrest Sawchak, but faced challenges due to his history of mental illness, gun ownership, and refusal to engage with police. A motion for an independent review of all incidents between Sawchak and Moturi, and the shooting, was approved by the Minneapolis City Council.
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Former US president Donald Trump simulated sexual acts on his malfunctioning microphone during a Milwaukee rally. Following chants of “fix the mic”, he berated the sound technicians and made obscene gestures, prompting strong reactions from critics online. He also criticised the low microphone stands at his events as well as former chief of staff John Kelly. This bizarre act occurred as Trump’s rhetoric reportedly grows more divisive and disturbing ahead of an unspecified forthcoming election. Tom Nicholls, staff writer at The Atlantic, said the behaviour demonstrated that Trump was “mentally unstable”.
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The heart-wrenching story of the 11-year-old girl who played dead to escape after five family members were killed in their Washington state home haunts me. The sheer courage required to endure such unimaginable tragedy is awe-inspiring, yet it emphasizes the cruelty that some individuals can inflict on those they are supposed to love. The girl’s instinct to survive, despite the horrific circumstances surrounding her, reflects a strength that is both admirable and profoundly sad. How does one process the knowledge that the perpetrator of such horror is not just a stranger but a family member? This tragedy encapsulates a myriad of issues, including mental health, domestic safety, familial bonds gone awry, and gun access.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood