Author name: Keith Burns

Repeat Offender Cuts Ankle Monitor, Goes on 0K Jewelry Crime Spree
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Repeat Offender Cuts Ankle Monitor, Goes on $200K Jewelry Crime Spree

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A Texas man with an extensive criminal history was arrested again this week after police say he cut off a court-ordered ankle monitor and went on a multi-day crime spree across San Antonio, stealing more than $200,000 worth of jewelry from pawn shops and mall stores.

Michael Allen Loving, 38, was taken into custody Tuesday in connection with a series of robberies and thefts targeting jewelry retailers, according to KSAT-TV, which cited the San Antonio Police Department and newly filed court documents.

Investigators allege that Loving employed a “smash and grab” method during the thefts, entering stores during business hours, breaking display cases, and fleeing with high-value jewelry.

“I would say that it’s brazen that he just walks in, in the middle of the day,” said Camelia Juarez, a San Antonio Police Department public information officer, according to KSAT.

“He will just smash the glass, break it and take off with [the jewelry].”

Arrest affidavits related to Loving’s most recent cases outline multiple incidents in October and early November.

According to those documents, Loving allegedly carried out a smash-and-grab theft at a JCPenney store inside North Star Mall in October, followed by another incident at an EZ Pawn shop located on West Woodlawn Avenue earlier this month.

Police said Loving stole more than $37,000 worth of gold chains from the JCPenney location.

At the EZ Pawn shop, investigators allege he made off with more than $45,000 in jewelry.

In both incidents, the affidavits state that Loving specifically asked employees to show him what he referred to as “cubans,” a term commonly used for high-value gold Cuban link chains, which are among the most expensive items in jewelry cases.

After employees presented the items, police said Loving smashed the glass display cases, grabbed the jewelry, and ran from the stores.

According to KSAT, police also allege that Loving threatened employees at the EZ Pawn shop with a firearm during the theft.

“After he threatened those two employees at the EZ Pawn, he went to dozens of other jewelry stores,” Juarez told KSAT.

Police said Loving’s alleged crime spree did not stop there. Juarez told the station that investigators believe Loving went on to steal more than $150,000 in jewelry from another business following the EZ Pawn robbery.

Before the jewelry thefts, Loving had already been arrested in connection with a separate smash-and-grab incident at an H-E-B grocery store on South Zarzamora Street.

According to KSAT, police said Loving struck a person with his vehicle while fleeing that scene.

Officers later located the abandoned vehicle and found Loving completely naked nearby, after he had removed all of his clothing, the station reported.

Despite that arrest, Loving was released from the Bexar County Jail with an ankle monitor, according to police.

Authorities said that just days after his release, Loving cut off the monitoring device and began the string of robberies and thefts that led to his latest arrest.

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Wednesday morning to Blaze News that Loving is currently back in custody.

Court records show that Loving has been arrested 37 times prior to his most recent charges, according to law enforcement sources cited by KSAT.

Investigators believe the full scope of his alleged criminal activity may not yet be known.

Juarez said detectives suspect Loving may have targeted additional business owners who have not yet come forward or reported losses.

Police are asking any potential victims or business owners who believe they may have been affected to contact the San Antonio Police Department’s Property Crimes Division at 210-207-8326.

Trump Grants Federal Workers Two-Day Christmas Break, Creating Rare Five-Day Holiday
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Trump Grants Federal Workers Two-Day Christmas Break, Creating Rare Five-Day Holiday

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President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday afternoon, granting most federal employees two additional days off around Christmas, giving many workers a rare five-day holiday break, as reported by Fox News.

Under the order, federal executive departments and agencies will be closed on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, and Friday, Dec. 26, 2025.

With Christmas Day falling on Thursday, Dec. 25, and the weekend immediately following, many federal employees will be excused from duty for five consecutive days.

“All executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government shall be closed and their employees excused from duty on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, and Friday, December 26, 2025, the day before and the day following Christmas Day, respectively,” the executive order states.

The move marks one of the more expansive holiday breaks granted to the federal workforce in recent years.

While it has been common for presidents to excuse employees from duty either the day before or the day after Christmas, granting both days has occurred far less frequently.

The order applies to most federal employees, though it includes exceptions for agencies and offices that must remain operational.

According to the executive order, agency heads retain the authority to determine whether certain offices should stay open due to “national security, defense, or other urgent public need.”

The directive also clarifies that Dec. 24 and Dec. 26 are to be treated in the same manner as federal holidays for purposes of pay and leave regulations.

Employees who are required to work on those days due to operational needs will be subject to existing holiday pay rules.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is tasked with implementing the order across the federal workforce.

The Director of OPM is responsible for issuing guidance to agencies to ensure compliance with the executive order and to address any personnel or payroll considerations.

The decision follows a pattern of holiday-related executive actions by past administrations, though the scope of this order stands out.

Last year, former President Joe Biden granted federal employees Christmas Eve off, but did not include the day after Christmas.

During President Trump’s first term, he authorized an extra day off for federal employees on Christmas Eve in 2018, 2019, and 2020. However, those actions did not include both the day before and the day after Christmas.

When Christmas last fell on a Thursday in 2014, former President Barack Obama granted federal workers Friday, Dec. 26, off, while leaving Wednesday, Dec. 24, as a regular workday.

The White House has not released an estimate of how many employees will be affected by the order, though it is expected to apply to the vast majority of the federal civilian workforce.

The executive order takes effect immediately and applies specifically to the 2025 Christmas holiday period.

Democrats’ Narrative on Trump Admin ‘Randomly Shooting Boats’ Sunk by One of Their Own
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Democrats’ Narrative on Trump Admin ‘Randomly Shooting Boats’ Sunk by One of Their Own

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Sen. John Fetterman addressed concerns about U.S. military operations near Venezuela during an exchange with broadcaster Chris Cuomo, rejecting claims circulating in the media that American forces are indiscriminately targeting boats in the region.

The discussion focused on recent reporting and commentary suggesting the United States could be sliding into a broader or prolonged military engagement involving Venezuela, particularly through naval or aerial strikes against vessels suspected of narcotics trafficking.

Cuomo asked Fetterman directly what information reassured him that the situation was not escalating into an extended conflict.

“What did you learn, Senator, that gave you any comfort that we’re not heading into some kind of extended military exercise around Venezuela or in Venezuela?” Cuomo asked.

Fetterman responded by describing what he characterized as a detailed and intelligence-driven operational process used by the U.S. military.

He said claims that the military is randomly attacking boats are inaccurate and not supported by the information he reviewed.

“Yeah, absolutely, I thought. I thought it was pretty, pretty comprehensive,” Fetterman said.

“And this, this idea, some things out in the media. It’s kind of putting out this that that the military is just picking off, you know, any boat that comes across. That’s just not true.”

Fetterman said U.S. forces rely on extensive intelligence before taking any kinetic action, including confirming the identities of individuals onboard and the nature of the cargo being transported.

“I mean, there’s extensive intelligence, and they know exactly who’s on that boat, and they know what’s actually on that boat right now,” he said.

He added that military commanders frequently choose not to engage even when vessels are under surveillance, reinforcing his claim that action is taken only when there is a high level of certainty.

“And it’s quite frequently they they decline to take it and to move on those things,” Fetterman said.

According to Fetterman, when strikes do occur, they are based on what he described as absolute confidence in the target’s involvement in criminal activity, including narcotics trafficking tied to Venezuelan networks.

“When they move on those kinetic kinds of strikes, you know, they have absolute confidence that who’s on it and what’s on it, and that’s exactly what it’s about,” he said.

Fetterman rejected suggestions that U.S. forces are acting recklessly or without clear authorization, stressing that the military does not conduct random attacks.

“They’re not just going around randomly, just shooting, shooting boats and those things,” he said.

“That’s just not the fact.”

WATCH:

Minnesota Disability Advocate Blasts Tim Walz During Emotional Fraud Rant
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Minnesota Disability Advocate Blasts Tim Walz During Emotional Fraud Rant

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Nathaniel Olson, a Minnesota disability advocate, appeared before the Fraud and Prevention Oversight Committee to raise concerns about what he described as widespread fraud affecting disabled residents across the state.

Olson told committee members that as many as 600,000 disabled people in Minnesota could be harmed, and he said the situation has created fear among families who rely on state systems for care and support.

In his remarks, Olson identified himself and explained why he was addressing the committee.

“Madam Chair. I’m Nathaniel M Olsen, a disability advocate for the state of Minnesota,” Olson said at the start of his testimony.

Olson said he had listened to commissioners and representatives from the Department of Human Services but remained focused on what he described as the scale and seriousness of the problem.

He told lawmakers that his primary concern was fraud occurring across the state and its potential impact on disabled individuals.

According to Olson, families have repeatedly contacted him to describe what they say is happening to their children and loved ones.

“I’ve heard the commissioners and the Department of Human Services, but the one thing that I’m freaking worried about is this freaking fraud that is happening over our state, where there’s 600,000 disability people in the state of Minnesota that could suffer,” Olson said.

During his testimony, Olson criticized Governor Tim Walz, accusing the administration of minimizing the problem and failing to take meaningful action.

Olson said he was troubled by public statements from the governor and expressed frustration with what he described as continued delays and assurances from state agencies.

“And sadly, it’s quite interesting that we have Governor Walz speaking in front of the state and saying that this fraud is nothing but the side, but my people are done suffering,” Olson said.

“We’re done with this fraud. We’re done with the Department of Human Services coming up here and saying, Oh, we’re going to figure this out. This has been too long.”

Olson told the committee that, in his view, the administration had prior knowledge that the fraud was coming.

He said families and parents had been contacting him for some time, describing fears about what they believed was happening within the system.

“The administration knew that this fraud was coming. I talked to families, parents. Everyone had been reaching out me and saying, Oh, this is what is happening to my child. This is what is happening to my child. We’re afraid,” Olson said.

He urged lawmakers and state leaders to set aside political differences and work together to stop the fraud.

Olson said the current situation has left families fearful and uncertain about the safety of their loved ones.

“We need to put aside this differences, and we need to come together and put a stop to this fraud,” Olson said.

Olson also accused Governor Walz of shifting blame rather than addressing the issue directly.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, acknowledges the crowd after delivering his acceptance speech during the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 21, 2024, in Chicago.

He rejected any attempt to place responsibility elsewhere and said he did not believe those explanations were credible.

“Our governor is not doing anything to help us but sit here and decide he wants to blame Donald J ,The President of the United States, who has nothing to do with this,” Olson said.

“There is a time to hold our governor accountable, and I’m not seeing it.”

During his testimony, Olson spoke about his own family and said the situation has affected his personal decisions regarding his brother’s care.

He told the committee he fears what could happen if his brother were placed in an institutional care setting.

“This fraud is outrageous, and I’m very scared for my little brother if he goes into ICS home,” Olson said.

“But right now, he’s home with my parents, and he’s going to stay there.”

Olson said he sees himself as a voice for disabled individuals who are not present in the room and said he plans to continue advocating on their behalf.

“I’m going to keep fighting for these disability people, because none of them are right here, and I am their voice,” he said.

As his remarks continued, Olson expressed emotional frustration with what he said has happened to the state and called for an end to what he described as repeated excuses.

“It is time for us to say enough is enough. I’m done,” Olson said.

“And it makes me sad to see what’s happening to our state.”

Olson concluded his testimony by reflecting on Minnesota’s past and calling for change, linking the state’s future to addressing the fraud he described.

“This was a great state, it was, but all of this fraud that is coming around here, all these excuses that is happening needs to stop,” Olson said.

“Minnesota needs to become a great state again. Thank you and thank you guys for your guys’ hard work.”

WATCH:

IRS Whistleblowers: Hunter Biden Pardon Swept ‘Unprecedented Corruption Under the Rug’
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IRS Whistleblowers: Hunter Biden Pardon Swept ‘Unprecedented Corruption Under the Rug’

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IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler detailed what they described as an unprecedented level of political interference and corruption during their investigation into Hunter Biden’s finances, saying the case was ultimately neutralized by a pardon issued by Hunter Biden’s father, Joe Biden.

In a wide-ranging interview on the “Pod Force One” podcast with New York Post columnist Miranda Devine, Shapley and Ziegler said the investigation into Hunter Biden’s tax affairs was repeatedly affected by the Biden family’s influence and the political environment in Delaware, where the case was based. Both men have since been promoted to leadership roles within the IRS.

“The Biden family lived five miles down from the office or a few miles down from the office. The guest house where Hunter Biden stayed for a while, five miles from the office,” Ziegler said while describing the five-year probe into Hunter Biden’s $1.4 million tax delinquency.

“Throughout the investigation,” he added, “we heard about Joe Biden coming into the FBI office. I mean, it was really, really concerning from like, ‘Is this honestly the best place to work this tax investigation?’”

Jul 19, 2023; Washington, DC, USA; Joseph Ziegler, Criminal Investigator for the IRS, testifies in front of the House Oversight Committee on July 19, 2023 in Washington. Shapley alleges that the Justice Department interfered in the IRS investigation of Hunter Biden. Mandatory Credit: Jasper Colt-USA TODAY

Ziegler also pointed to the political climate surrounding the investigation.

“Politics were so strong in in the district of Delaware, the state of Delaware,” he said.

“For the first search warrant the judge made an improper comment … and she had to recuse herself from reviewing that affidavit and signing off on it … and everyone knew of the Biden family within that state because it’s so small and it’s such a tight-knit community.”

Hunter Biden pleaded guilty in federal court in September 2024 to felony tax offenses.

He avoided incarceration after then-President Biden issued a full and unconditional pardon in December 2024, shortly before Hunter Biden was scheduled to be sentenced in a separate federal gun case.

Shapley and Ziegler said the case involved far more than tax violations, alleging that potential offenses were never charged and were ultimately erased by the plea deal and pardon.

Ziegler and Shapley described uncharged allegations related to foreign business dealings in Ukraine, Romania, and China, including claims that Hunter Biden failed to register as a foreign agent while receiving large payments.

“The money was going for the family, was always about enriching the Biden family,” Shapley said.

“Whether it was tuition … or any other types of bills.”

Shapley noted Hunter Biden’s role on the board of Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian energy company, where he served for roughly five years and earned up to $1 million annually despite having no background in the energy sector.

Jul 19, 2023; Washington, DC, USA; IRS Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley testifies in front of the House Oversight Committee on July 19, 2023 in Washington. Shapley alleges that the Justice Department interfered in the IRS investigation of Hunter Biden. Mandatory Credit: Jasper Colt-USA TODAY

Text messages recovered from Hunter Biden’s abandoned laptop, which was authenticated during his felony gun trial in Delaware in June 2024, included a January 2019 exchange with his daughter Naomi.

“I hope you all can do what I did and pay for everything for this entire family for 30 years,” Hunter Biden wrote.

“It’s really hard. But don’t worry, unlike pop, I won’t make you give me half your salary,” he added.

Shapley referenced communications involving Chinese business associates and payments routed to Biden family accounts.

“Going back to the video of Vice President Joe Biden in Ukraine saying, if you don’t fire Viktor Shokin by the time I leave, and he looks at his watch, he’s like, you’re not getting the money,” Shapley said.

“This is like a Biden family tradition almost, right? To shake down people to get exactly what you want.”

Joe Biden repeatedly claimed he had no involvement in his son’s business activities.

In December 2023, he told a New York Post reporter that allegations he acted “either illegally or unethically” were “a bunch of lies.”

Shapley said the scale of influence was unlike anything he had seen.

“The scale here and the amount of access that the family had, and it goes on and on,” he said. “But the scale is really unprecedented.”

Both whistleblowers said prosecutors blocked investigators from taking standard investigative steps, including access to material from Hunter Biden’s laptop.

“Normally evidence flows to the investigators and then from the investigators to the prosecutors,” Ziegler said.

“And in this case, it flowed from the prosecutors, filtered to the investigators.”

Their book, published Nov. 11, is titled The Whistleblowers vs. The Big Guy, referencing the nickname used by Hunter Biden’s associates for his father.

During February 2024 testimony before the House Oversight Committee, Hunter Biden denied involving his father in business dealings.

“I shut it down, and the evidence of me shutting it down is the actual things you have as evidence,” Hunter Biden said.

“Nothing to do with my dad, zero.”

Ziegler responded during the podcast: “I hope that they continue to unravel and pull these strings because there were multi-layers to the potential corruption that was involved in this.”

He cited an affidavit dated May 14, 2024, produced by the House Ways and Means Committee, alleging that CIA officials blocked investigators from interviewing Hunter Biden associate Kevin Morris.

Morris later paid $6.5 million in legal fees and $2 million toward Hunter Biden’s tax liabilities.

Ziegler also said the Department of Homeland Security faced pressure to secure a visa for CEFC chairman Ye Jianming and referenced issues involving FBI leadership in New York during the same period.

Shapley said potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act were never charged due to statutes of limitations.

“If that ever went to trial, then we would have had to thoroughly investigate the FARA stuff,” Shapley said.

“It’s almost criminal. It was obstruction.”

Both whistleblowers said they were not surprised by the pardon and said they would come forward again despite retaliation.

“Even after losing all of those to the what had happened throughout this last three years, speaking the truth is one of the most important things,” Ziegler said.

“When we put our badge on our hip as IRS special agents, we are making a pledge… That when we see something that’s wrong, we’re going to say something.”

Ohio Democrat Busted For Felony Child Sex Crimes, Bodycam Released
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Ohio Democrat Busted For Felony Child Sex Crimes, Bodycam Released

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Newly released police body-camera footage shows Whitehall City Council member Gerald Dixon being taken into custody on felony charges, including gross sexual imposition and compelling prostitution, as investigators allege he targeted teenage boys for sexual exploitation.

The arrest occurred around 5:30 p.m. Monday at Dixon’s home.

In the video, Dixon appears calm as officers place him in handcuffs.

One officer tells him, “We have warrants out for your arrest.”

Dixon responds, “Oh, do you?”

As officers escort him outside, Dixon asks, “What is this about please?”

An officer replies, “We’ll explain that to you in one second.”

During the encounter, Dixon appears surprised by the arrest and can be heard saying, “I mean, I’m a councilman, are you kidding me?”

Whitehall Police Chief Mike Crispen said the investigation centers on allegations that Dixon groomed teenage boys for sexual exploitation.

According to Crispen, the alleged conduct occurred before Dixon was elected to the Whitehall City Council. He said investigators have identified eight known victims so far, including one individual who is cognitively impaired.

Crispen said that victim was allegedly paid by Dixon for sex acts.

He added that investigators believe there may be additional victims as the case continues.

Following Dixon’s arrest, Whitehall police officers, along with the FBI, executed a search warrant at his residence.

Body-camera footage captures officers coordinating the search, with one officer stating, “Suspect is in custody, all units move to the house for entry.”

As officers prepared to enter the home, Dixon asks, “They aren’t going into my house are they? They have a search warrant for the house?”

Crispen said investigators seized electronic devices and artwork from the home as part of the evidence collection.

During the process, Dixon tells officers, “I’m home alone, can we make sure my doors are shut?” An officer responds, “Yeah, we’ll take care of that.”

Police then transported Dixon to the Whitehall Police Department for questioning.

Body-camera footage shows an officer explaining the next steps, telling Dixon, “You are going to go down to the police station for right now.”

After questioning, Dixon was taken to the Franklin County jail.

He was later released on a personal recognizance bond, which allows a defendant to be released without posting bail based on a written promise to return to court.

Court records show Dixon is scheduled to appear again on Dec. 23.

The charges against Dixon include two felony counts: gross sexual imposition and compelling prostitution.

Authorities have not released additional details about the alleged victims or the timeline of the offenses beyond stating that the conduct occurred prior to Dixon’s election to city council.

Whitehall police said the investigation remains ongoing and encouraged anyone with information related to the case to contact law enforcement.

The involvement of the FBI indicates the case may include potential federal elements, though officials have not publicly detailed that aspect.

Dixon’s arrest has sent shockwaves through the Whitehall community, where he has served as an elected official.

City officials have not yet announced whether Dixon has been suspended or removed from his council position pending the outcome of the case.

The body-camera footage released by police provides a detailed look at the arrest and search process, showing Dixon cooperating with officers as they executed the warrants.

Authorities said additional updates will be provided as the investigation develops and the case moves through the court system.

Phil Mickelson Mocks Australian Gun Control Logic After Terrorist Shooting
News

Phil Mickelson Mocks Australian Gun Control Logic After Terrorist Shooting

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Golf legend Phil Mickelson responded publicly to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following the Bondi Beach attack, criticizing calls for expanded gun control by pointing to the actions of the two terrorists who opened fire Sunday evening.

Mickelson made his remarks in response to Albanese’s post-attack comments suggesting Australia should consider expanding its already strict firearms regulations. Writing in a post on X, Mickelson said the attackers “didn’t seem affected by the strict gun laws already in place.”

“In fact the shooting went on for a long time since there wasn’t anybody else with a gun to stop them,” Mickelson wrote.

Mickelson included a link to Albanese’s speech discussing the potential expansion of Australian gun controls.

Mickelson added, “I’m not a big gun guy but even I’m not this dumb to believe what this guy is selling.”

Breitbart News reported that Albanese has suggested a significant expansion of gun controls in the days following the Bondi Beach attack.

According to the report, the proposed measures would apply to law-abiding citizens rather than the two terrorists responsible for the attack.

The New York Times reported that the Australian government is considering several measures as part of its review.

Those measures include “a limit on the number of firearms a person can own and a ban on gun licenses for noncitizens.”

Albanese has also raised the possibility of setting specific time frames for reviewing gun licenses.

The purpose of those reviews, according to Albanese, would be to determine whether licensed individuals have become “radicalized.”

NPR reported that additional proposals under consideration include efforts to “speed up the establishment of a National Firearms Register.”

NPR also reported that changes to import policies are being discussed, including measures to bar “items involving 3D printing or accessories that hold large amounts of ammunition.”

Australia already maintains some of the most stringent gun control laws in the world.

Those laws were in place at the time of the Bondi Beach attack.

Mickelson’s comments focused on the fact that those existing controls did not prevent the attackers from carrying out the shooting.

Mickelson’s response came as international attention remained focused on the Bondi Beach incident and the political response that followed.

His remarks directly addressed the argument that additional restrictions would prevent similar attacks in the future.

By referencing the length of the shooting and the absence of armed intervention, Mickelson framed his criticism around the effectiveness of current policies.

His comments were limited to the actions of the attackers and the laws already governing firearm ownership in Australia.

The exchange unfolded entirely through public statements and media reporting.

Mickelson’s comments were made through X, while Albanese’s proposals were outlined through speeches and comments reported by Breitbart News, The New York Times, and NPR.

The discussion reflects the ongoing debate following the Bondi Beach attack, as Australian officials evaluate potential policy changes and critics question whether expanded gun controls would address the actions of terrorists who carried out the attack.

NYC Mayor-Elect Mamdani Pushes Gun Control Despite Brown Being a Gun-Free Zone
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NYC Mayor-Elect Mamdani Pushes Gun Control Despite Brown Being a Gun-Free Zone

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New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani renewed calls for gun control following a deadly shooting at Brown University, arguing that the United States has the ability to end gun violence if political leaders choose to act.

Mamdani made the comments in an X post after the shooting, which occurred during a final exam review session at the Providence, Rhode Island, campus.

Authorities confirmed that two students were killed and nine others were injured.

Officials said a person of interest had been taken into custody and then released as the investigation continues.

“Two people were killed this evening at Brown University by a gunman who remains at large. Eight others are injured, fighting for their lives in a nearby hospital,” Mamdani wrote.

“This senseless violence—once considered unfathomable—has become nauseatingly normal to all of us across our nation. Tonight, on the eve of the anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting, we find ourselves in mourning once again.”

Mamdani framed the shooting as part of what he described as a nationwide crisis, saying gun violence affects Americans in everyday settings, including schools, places of worship, and neighborhoods.

“The epidemic of gun violence stretches across America. We reckon with it when we step into our houses of worship and out onto our streets, when we drop our children off at kindergarten and when we fear if those children, now grown, will be safe on campus,” Mamdani wrote.

“But unlike so many other epidemics, we possess the cure. We have the power to eradicate this suffering from our lives if we so choose.”

He added, “I send my deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and to the Brown and Providence communities, who are wrestling with a grief that will feel familiar to far too many others.”

Mamdani concluded his remarks by urging continued focus on gun violence prevention.

“May we never allow ourselves to grow numb to this pain, and let us rededicate ourselves to the enduring work of ending the scourge of gun violence in our nation,” he wrote.

The shooting took place despite Rhode Island maintaining some of the strictest gun laws in the country.

The state prohibits magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds. Earlier this year, Gov. Dan McKee signed an assault weapons ban that will make firearms meeting the law’s definition illegal to purchase, transfer, or manufacture beginning in July of next year.

Mamdani has been a vocal critic of civilian gun ownership since becoming a U.S. citizen.

In a 2022 post on X, he wrote, “We need to ban all guns.”

His position on firearms became a focal point during his mayoral campaign, drawing criticism from opponents and scrutiny from the media.

During the campaign, Mamdani also faced questions about a lavish wedding in Uganda.

Reports noted that the estate hosting the event was guarded by more than 20 armed security personnel, some of whom were wearing masks, even as Mamdani publicly advocated for sweeping gun bans in the United States.

On Sunday, Mamdani also commented on a separate shooting overseas at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Australia that killed at least 11 people.

In that statement, he characterized the attack as antisemitic and linked his response to public safety concerns in New York City.

He described the shooting as a “vile act of antisemitic terror” and said, “When I am Mayor, I will work every day to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe—on our streets, our subways, at shul, in every moment of every day. Let this be a purpose shared by every New Yorker, and let us banish this horrific violence to the past.”

The Brown University shooting and Mamdani’s response come as gun policy remains a central issue in national and local politics.

While supporters of stricter gun laws argue that legislative action is necessary to prevent mass shootings, critics point to incidents occurring in jurisdictions with existing gun restrictions as evidence that such laws do not prevent violent attacks.

Authorities in Rhode Island have said they will release additional information about the Brown University shooting as the investigation progresses.

Meanwhile, Mamdani’s comments have placed gun control back at the forefront of debate as he prepares to assume office as mayor of the nation’s largest city.

Hollywood Legend Rob Reiner and His Wife Found Stabbed to Death in Los Angeles
Entertainment

Hollywood Legend Rob Reiner and His Wife Found Stabbed to Death in Los Angeles

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Legendary film director Rob Reiner and his longtime wife were found stabbed to death inside their Brentwood home Sunday, and law enforcement sources say the couple’s adult son is being treated as a person of interest as investigators work to determine what led to the killings.

Officers responded to a call at the residence Sunday afternoon and discovered a man and a woman suffering from stab wounds, according to law enforcement sources.

The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed to NBC Los Angeles that a 78-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman were pronounced dead at the scene.

Sources later identified the victims as Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, who were married in 1989.

According to those same sources, the couple’s 32-year-old son, screenwriter Nick Reiner, has been identified as a person of interest in the investigation.

Authorities emphasized that no arrests had been announced as of Sunday evening.

In a statement released following the discovery, Reiner’s family said, “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.”

Investigators believe a knife was used in the attack, according to sources familiar with the case.

Police activity remained heavy throughout the afternoon and evening as detectives worked inside and around the property.

Officers blocked off the street in front of the home while investigators were seen going in and out of the residence.

Nick Reiner has previously spoken publicly about struggles with drug addiction and homelessness.

In a 2016 interview with People, he said, “I was homeless in Maine. I was homeless in New Jersey. I was homeless in Texas I spent nights on the street. I spent weeks on the street. It was not fun.”

A reporter at the scene observed a man who identified himself as Rocco tell officers he was Reiner’s assistant and offer assistance in accessing the home.

Several high-profile figures were also seen arriving at the property following the discovery of the bodies.

A neighbor told The Post that comedian Billy Crystal, a longtime friend of Reiner, arrived at the home. Larry David was also seen there later, and ABC 7 reported that Crystal “looked like he was about to cry.”

LAPD Detective Chief Alan Hamilton addressed reporters outside the home during a press conference that drew criticism for its lack of clarity.

Hamilton said the department was still in the process of obtaining a search warrant for the property roughly six hours after the 911 call was made.

He told reporters that residents of Brentwood were not believed to be in danger but confirmed that no suspect had been taken into custody.

Hamilton declined to officially confirm the identities of the deceased at that time.

Despite that, public tributes began appearing online from state and local officials.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass posted a statement saying, “This is a devastating loss for our city and our country. Rob Reiner’s contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom also shared a statement on X, writing, “Jen and I are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.”

Newsom added, “Rob was a passionate advocate for children and for civil rights — from taking on Big Tobacco, fighting for marriage equality, to serving as a powerful voice in early education. He made California a better place through his good works. Rob will be remembered for his remarkable filmography and for his extraordinary contribution to humanity.”

The Reiner home was decorated for the holidays at the time of the incident and sits in a high-end Brentwood neighborhood known for its privacy, with large hedges and gated properties.

The residence is located less than two miles from the site where Nicole Brown Simpson was murdered in 1994.

Reiner, 78, was one of Hollywood’s most prominent directors, known for a string of successful films in the 1980s and 1990s.

His directing credits include “When Harry Met Sally,” “The Princess Bride,” “This Is Spinal Tap,” and “A Few Good Men.”

Before his directing career, Reiner gained national recognition as Mike “Meathead” Stivic on the CBS sitcom “All in the Family,” a role that earned him two Emmy Awards.

The investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to piece together what happened inside the home.

Authorities have not released further details about a motive or timeline and have said additional information will be provided as the case develops.

Texas DPS Takes Down Human Smuggler After Wild High Speed Chase
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Texas DPS Takes Down Human Smuggler After Wild High Speed Chase

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Illegal border crossings have declined sharply since President Donald Trump resumed office in January and moved quickly to secure the southern border, according to law enforcement officials and public statements cited by state authorities.

The change follows four years under the Biden-Harris administration that officials and critics described as chaotic, during which an estimated 15 million illegal aliens entered the United States.

State and local law enforcement agencies, including the Texas Department of Public Safety, have continued stepped-up enforcement efforts aimed at disrupting human smuggling operations and transferring illegal aliens to federal custody.

Texas DPS has played a central role in these efforts, frequently assisting Border Patrol by apprehending smugglers and intercepting vehicles transporting migrants.

In one such case, Texas DPS troopers pursued a suspected human smuggler during a high-speed chase in late November in Webb County.

Authorities said the suspect was driving a van containing 10 illegal aliens who were locked inside the vehicle.

The driver, identified as Juan Antonio Aleman of Laredo, attempted to evade troopers by driving dangerously through city streets before eventually stopping and being taken into custody.

According to law enforcement officials, Aleman admitted after his arrest that he was to be paid $2,000 for smuggling the individuals.

The 10 illegal aliens found inside the van were turned over to U.S. Border Patrol.

Aleman was charged with 10 counts of human smuggling and evading arrest, officials said.

The Webb County case was not an isolated incident.

Last week, another high-speed pursuit involving Texas DPS and a suspected human smuggler.

During that chase, the suspect’s vehicle collided with a commercial truck.

Authorities said no major injuries were reported as a result of the crash.

The driver and an accomplice were arrested, and the illegal aliens involved were transferred to Border Patrol custody.

Texas DPS officials have emphasized that such enforcement actions are part of an ongoing effort to dismantle smuggling networks that profit from transporting illegal aliens across the border, often under dangerous conditions.

Law enforcement has repeatedly warned that high-speed pursuits and overcrowded vehicles pose significant risks to the public, officers, and the migrants themselves.

The renewed enforcement push has taken place against the backdrop of broader constitutional arguments raised by supporters of stronger border controls.

Article IV, Section 4 of the United States Constitution assigns the federal government responsibility for protecting states against invasion.

The provision states: “The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.”

Supporters of the Trump administration’s border policies argue that the federal government is once again fulfilling that obligation after years of what they view as lax enforcement.

Since January, the administration has pointed to falling illegal crossing numbers as evidence that restoring deterrence and enforcing existing immigration laws can quickly alter conditions at the border.

Texas law enforcement agencies have continued to coordinate with federal partners as part of those efforts. DPS officials say troopers remain focused on identifying smugglers, pursuing suspects who attempt to flee, and ensuring that illegal aliens encountered during operations are handed over to federal authorities for processing.

While investigations and prosecutions stemming from recent arrests continue, state officials have maintained that the combination of federal policy changes and aggressive enforcement by agencies like Texas DPS has led to measurable results.

They say the decline in illegal crossings reflects a broader restoration of the rule of law under President Trump’s leadership, with border security once again treated as a national priority rather than a secondary concern.

Meanwhile in Oklahoma…


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