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13 Penn State Frat Brothers Busted as Cocaine Empire Exposes Campus Rot [WATCH]

Fourteen people, including current and former Penn State students and the father of one of those charged, are facing criminal charges in connection with an alleged cocaine trafficking operation that prosecutors say operated through two fraternities and targeted students at the university, as reported by The New York Post.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the charges Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, saying investigators uncovered a coordinated drug operation involving members and pledges of Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon.

Prosecutors allege the groups worked with suppliers in New York and Philadelphia and distributed cocaine primarily to Penn State students.

Four of the people charged are current Penn State students, nine are alumni, and one is a parent.

“This was a coordinated and highly profitable drug-trafficking crew revolving around two senior members of the fraternities, other fraternity brothers, and pledges,” Attorney General Dave Sunday said in a statement Monday.

“In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities.”

During a Monday press conference, Sunday identified 24-year-old Agostino Abbatiello of Westbury in Nassau County as being “at the very top of the chain.”

Investigators allege Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson, who were associated with Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon, respectively, served as the principal suppliers in the operation.

According to the investigation, Abbatiello traveled frequently to New York between 2023 and 2024 to obtain large quantities of cocaine.

Court documents allege Abbatiello continued distributing cocaine as recently as February 2026.

Investigators also said that after he learned law enforcement was questioning people about drug dealing at Penn State, he “begged them not to talk about his involvement.”

Prosecutors allege cocaine was cut and packaged primarily inside the off-campus Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses before being distributed to students.

Abbatiello, Robinson, Mohammed Huraibi and Lars Zeepvat face felony charges that include corrupt organizations, conspiracy and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity.

Robert Zanolla, 24, of Manhasset, another Long Island resident, is facing felony charges of conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility.

Liam Smith, Michael Brogno, Kaden Howe, Connor Hurleigh, Seth Beardsley, Kyle Ridpath, Daniel Price and Charles Wiseman are also charged, with those individuals facing misdemeanor counts.

Paul Robinson, Thomas Robinson’s father, faces felony charges of tampering and hindering apprehension.

Authorities allege he took steps to conceal evidence, including a safe containing drugs and cash, and obstructed the investigation.

Penn State has suspended Delta Upsilon while it investigates the fraternity. The university said Sigma Chi is not recognized by Penn State and operates outside the university’s supervision.

“We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students,” said Andrea Dowhower, Penn State’s vice president for Student Affairs.

“Criminal activity, including hazing, such as this, has no place at our institution, and we will cooperate with law enforcement in any way we can. We will continue to enhance our efforts around health and safety and hazing educational efforts for all our organizations.”

The investigation involves activity centered on Penn State’s main campus in State College, Pennsylvania, commonly known as “Happy Valley.”

The charges remain allegations, and the defendants are entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty in court.

News

Australian Teen Tourist Seriously Wounded in Brutal Unprovoked McDonald’s Stabbing Near Times Square [WATCH]

A 19-year-old Australian tourist was seriously injured during an early-morning attack inside a McDonald’s near Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan, according to police and law enforcement sources.

The incident happened around 2 a.m. Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, inside the fast-food restaurant on Eighth Avenue near Penn Station. The tourist was seated and eating when he was attacked, as reported by The New York Post.

Police said the teenager suffered injuries to his rib cage and back before officers responded to the scene.

Although the victim and the alleged attacker exchanged words before the incident, law enforcement sources described the confrontation as largely unprovoked.

Police arrested 25-year-old Juan Mercedes at the scene and charged him with second-degree assault.

Mercedes is from Port Charlotte, Florida. He remained in custody pending an arraignment later Monday.

The tourist was not immediately identified publicly. Emergency personnel transported him to Bellevue Hospital following the incident, where he was listed in stable condition.

The attack occurred at a busy location near Penn Station, one of Manhattan’s major transportation hubs. The McDonald’s on Eighth Avenue and 35th Street was the scene of the police response early Monday morning.

Authorities continued investigating the circumstances surrounding the confrontation after making the arrest.

According to law enforcement sources, there was an exchange of words between the two men before the attack. However, investigators characterized the incident as largely unprovoked.

The circumstances leading up to the confrontation remained under investigation Monday. Police had not publicly released additional details about what prompted the exchange or what led to the alleged assault.

Mercedes was charged with second-degree assault, but the charge represents an allegation and does not establish guilt. His case was expected to proceed through the Manhattan court system following his arrest.

The victim’s condition was described as stable after he was transported to Bellevue Hospital. His identity had not been released at the time of the report.

The incident comes in the early morning hours at a location that serves travelers, commuters, and visitors passing through Midtown.

Penn Station and the surrounding Eighth Avenue corridor remain heavily traveled areas, making the reported attack notable to those in the area.

Police officers remained at the restaurant while investigators worked to establish the sequence of events.

The investigation was continuing as authorities prepared for Mercedes’ arraignment. Investigators were expected to review available evidence and determine the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.

No additional suspects were identified in the report.

The tourist was visiting New York City from Australia when the incident occurred. Authorities have not released additional information about his travel plans or whether he was visiting Manhattan alone.

The arrest took place at the scene, allowing police to quickly identify and take Mercedes into custody.

The second-degree assault charge is the initial criminal allegation against Mercedes arising from the incident. Further developments in the case will depend on the investigation and subsequent court proceedings.

For now, the tourist remains in stable condition at Bellevue Hospital, while Mercedes remains in custody awaiting arraignment.

The incident serves as another reminder that even ordinary stops at businesses in heavily traveled parts of Manhattan can unexpectedly become police matters.

In this case, a late-night meal near Penn Station ended with an arrest and a criminal case that will now move through the courts.

Police and prosecutors will determine what additional charges, if any, are appropriate as the investigation continues.

News

Fresno Teacher Placed on Leave After Social Media Militia Videos [WATCH]

A special education teacher in Fresno has been placed on leave and is under investigation after posting social media videos in which she discussed creating a “black militia” and displayed firearms, as reported by The New York Post.

Kenisha Daily, who works as a special education teacher for Madera Unified School District, posted the videos over the weekend. The recordings showed Daily discussing the formation of an armed group and displaying both a shotgun and a pistol.

“Starting today, I’m starting a black militia. So if you’re black, if you want to shoot some guns, come find me,” she said in one video.

“We’re going to rob some white people.”

The posts quickly attracted attention from people who were concerned about the statements and the appearance of firearms in the videos.

Concerned followers reportedly notified Madera Unified on Saturday night after viewing the material.

District officials then contacted Fresno authorities over concerns involving Daily and the surrounding community, according to a statement released by Madera Unified School District, commonly known as MUSD.

Law enforcement subsequently went to Daily’s home. According to the district, the visit resulted in a temporary restraining order. Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Daily’s social media activity.

Daily has been placed on leave from her position while the investigation continues.

Madera Unified also took steps to address safety concerns at Lincoln Elementary School. District officials and Madera police conducted a safety review at the school, and additional security was put in place following the incident.

The district said it is working with police and other local agencies to determine longer-term safety measures related to the situation.

“Our Board of Trustees adamantly believes that students, families, and staff all deserve a safe and welcoming school environment. Furthermore, we believe that no staff member has the right to compromise others’ sense of safety,” the district said.

The district has not said that Daily actually carried out any of the conduct described in her videos.

The investigation is instead examining the social media posts, the circumstances surrounding them, and whether the statements or firearms displayed in the recordings created a safety concern.

Authorities have not announced whether criminal charges will be filed.

The incident began with material posted online but quickly moved beyond social media after members of the public alerted school officials.

Madera Unified contacted law enforcement rather than handling the matter solely through its internal personnel procedures.

Daily’s videos included footage of her handling firearms while discussing the proposed militia. One recording showed a shotgun, while another showed a pistol.

The temporary restraining order and Daily’s placement on leave are part of the response to the incident, while the law enforcement investigation remains ongoing.

Those actions do not by themselves establish that Daily committed a crime.

The district’s response has focused heavily on school safety. Lincoln Elementary underwent a safety review, additional security was provided, and officials began coordinating with local agencies regarding possible longer-term measures.

The situation has also raised questions about how schools respond when an employee’s statements outside the workplace generate concerns involving students, staff, or the surrounding community.

Social media can turn what might once have remained a private matter into an issue requiring an institutional response, particularly when firearms and statements about criminal conduct are involved.

Daily remains on leave as authorities continue reviewing the posts and circumstances surrounding them.

Madera Unified has emphasized that students, families and staff are entitled to a safe school environment. The district’s statement did not indicate that any students or employees were harmed as a result of the videos.

The investigation is expected to determine whether the social media posts violated any laws or created grounds for further action. Until that process is complete, the allegations and concerns surrounding the videos remain under review.

For now, Daily remains away from her teaching duties, a temporary restraining order is in effect, and law enforcement and school officials are continuing to assess the situation.

The case demonstrates how quickly a social media post can bring police and school administrators into the picture when firearms and statements about potential criminal activity are involved.

In this instance, concerned viewers alerted the school district, officials contacted authorities, and security measures were put in place at Lincoln Elementary.

No criminal charges had been announced in connection with the incident at the time of the report.

News

Detroit Anchor Caught Calling Boss a B*tch in Explosive Profanity Soaked Newsroom Meltdown [WATCH]

Former Detroit television anchor Taryn Asher was captured on video using profanity and referring to a colleague as a “bitch” during a tense newsroom dispute at WJBK-TV Fox 2 Detroit, as reported by The New York Post.

The confrontation occurred while Asher was recording a public service announcement, with the discussion apparently involving scripts and the process for reviewing them before broadcast.

Asher was pulled from the air in November 2025. She is now suing Fox Television Stations and New World Communications of Detroit, the owner and operator of WJBK-TV, alleging sex discrimination and retaliation.

Fox disputes those claims and says her removal was based on what the station characterizes as repeated workplace outbursts and unprofessional conduct.

The video was first flagged by FTVLive and Deadline Detroit. In the footage, Asher appears to be responding to someone off camera as a disagreement develops over scripts and the timing of the PSA recording.

“I am. I’m in Amy’s script, the Amy’s Angels one,” Asher says.

“There was—the second thing didn’t make sense, so I was just trying to fix that part and…”

Asher then explains that she was waiting for scripts to be reviewed while simultaneously preparing for the broadcast.

“I know, but I didn’t have time because we have to do this, so I was still reading it,” she continues.

She went on to describe the difficulty of waiting for colleagues to complete their review before beginning her own work.

“See, I mean, I can’t wait for you to go through them all and then I go through them, because then I’m already getting ready by then,” she says.

“But this time we had to do the PSAs, so…”

The disagreement escalated from there.

“I don’t think you are. You’re walking out really angry,” Asher says.

“Bitch.”

Moments later, Asher asked to finish her point before making another frustrated remark.

“Can I please finish what I’m going to say?”

“What the f–k. Grow up.”

She then complained about the colleague involved in the disagreement.

“I’m so done with her antics, telling on me every five seconds. I’m done.”

The video has surfaced as part of the legal dispute between Asher and Fox 2 Detroit.

In an Aug. 14 response to Asher’s lawsuit, Fox said multiple employees had complained about her behavior during the week before she was placed on paid leave on Nov. 5.

According to Fox, those complaints involved alleged shouting over guest-interview assignments, repeated profanity toward colleagues, and what the station described as “confrontational and disrespectful interactions” with other employees.

The station also alleged that Asher confronted an employee whom she believed had complained about her conduct to management.

Fox separately disputed Asher’s account of disagreements involving guest interviews.

The station said she frequently failed to attend editorial meetings where assignments were discussed, despite being encouraged and sometimes asked to participate.

Fox cited an Oct. 30 incident involving an interview Asher had booked. According to the station’s filing, Asher mistakenly believed her male co-anchor, Roop Raj, had been given the assignment.

Fox said the interview had actually been assigned to Asher, but alleged that she subsequently raised her voice and at times shouted at two colleagues over the misunderstanding.

Another dispute allegedly occurred during election coverage on Nov. 4.

Fox acknowledged that producers initially assigned Raj both guest interviews during the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts.

The station said the producers made those decisions independently and had not coordinated the assignments beforehand.

One interview was later reassigned to Asher, according to Fox. The station alleges that Asher then confronted Raj and accused him of receiving preferential treatment.

Asher told Raj words to the effect of, “You don’t own politics,” according to Fox’s filing.

The following day, Fox placed Asher on paid leave while it investigated complaints about her workplace behavior.

Fox said Raj also spoke with human resources around the same time. According to the station, Raj said he believed Asher was “jealous” of him and appeared to have an issue with “men versus women.”

After its investigation, Fox said management informed Asher on Nov. 21 that she would not return to the station.

The company said the decision was based on her “repeated outbursts in the newsroom and multiple instances of unprofessional conduct with her colleagues.”

Asher disputes that account.

Her lawsuit alleges that Fox treated male employees accused of misconduct more leniently than it treated her and that the station retaliated after she complained about sex discrimination. Fox disputes those allegations.

Asher’s attorney also rejected Fox’s characterization of her conduct.

“We strongly disagree with Fox’s characterization of Ms. Asher’s workplace behavior,” an attorney for Asher told The Post.

“Ms. Asher is an award-winning journalist who served Fox 2 Detroit since 2007. Fox’s own filing admits that shortly prior to her firing she repeatedly raised internal concerns that she believed Fox treated male employees, including her male co-anchor, more favorably, including with respect to schedule flexibility and guest-interview opportunities.”

The attorney further argued that the newly surfaced footage does not provide the full context surrounding the dispute.

“The video you referenced does not tell the full story, involved an issue that occurred years ago, was addressed at the time, and did not result in Ms. Asher’s termination.”

The attorney said the footage was being highlighted only after Asher raised discrimination and retaliation allegations.

“It is only being raised now after Ms. Asher made complaints of gender discrimination and retaliation. Fox’s own filing admits that multiple male employees accused of serious misconduct were not terminated and, in some instances, were later promoted.”

Asher is suing Fox Television Stations and New World Communications of Detroit under federal and Michigan civil-rights laws.

The lawsuit alleges sex discrimination and retaliation after she complained about what she believed was unequal treatment.

The dispute remains contested, with Asher denying that her conduct justified discipline or termination and Fox maintaining that its decision was based on workplace conduct rather than her gender or discrimination complaints.

Fox 2 has been asked for comment.

News

Detroit Anchor Crumbles as Co-host’s Risqué Survival Question Hijacks Live Broadcast [WATCH]

A Detroit television anchor struggled to maintain his composure during a live broadcast after his co-host asked an unexpectedly risqué question while discussing survival techniques and wildlife, as reported by The New York Post.

Ryan Ermanni, co-anchor of Fox 2’s “Good Day Detroit,” was discussing the History Channel survival series “Alone” with co-host Deena Centofanti and meteorologist Derek Kevra on Thursday when the conversation took an unexpected turn.

Centofanti was explaining how contestants on the program search for wildlife that can provide food, including animals that contain more fat.

“And, um, you’re looking for fat in the beaver,” Centofanti said.

“Yeah,” Kevra replied.

Centofanti continued explaining why the animal is considered desirable by contestants on the survival program.

“The beaver is the — the beaver is the most sought-after,” Centofanti said.

“It is,” Kevra responded.

Centofanti then turned her attention to Ermanni and asked him a question that sounded considerably different outside the context of a discussion about wilderness survival.

“Ryan, would you — do you think you could eat beaver? ’Cause it’s fat and then it’s meat.”

Ermanni immediately began laughing at the apparent double entendre. He put his head in his hands as Centofanti continued with the conversation.

The exchange left Ermanni struggling to regain his composure while the discussion returned to the survival show.

“It made them all sick, though. They all got sick after it,” he managed.

“Well, you have to — you can’t eat diseased animals,” Centofanti replied.

Ermanni then brought up another animal featured in discussions about survival and hunting.

“Oh. Oh, God. What about a moose?” Ermanni said.

Centofanti answered, “Yeah.”

By that point, Ermanni acknowledged that he had not been following much of the discussion about the show.

“I don’t know. I don’t know anything about this show, Deena, but you’re really funny,” he said.

“Okay,” Centofanti replied.

“You are a really funny gal,” Ermanni added.

The exchange occurred during Thursday’s broadcast of “Good Day Detroit” on Fox 2. The discussion centered on “Alone,” a History Channel series in which contestants attempt to survive in remote environments while finding food and other necessities.

The moment quickly drew attention online, with Ermanni later sharing the clip on social media.

Centofanti also addressed the exchange on Facebook, writing that “you learn stuff” while watching “Alone.”

The segment was not presented as a planned comedy routine. Instead, the laughter came from the wording of Centofanti’s question and Ermanni’s reaction to it during the live broadcast.

The Detroit anchors continued the segment after Ermanni recovered enough to return to the discussion.

Centofanti’s comments had been focused on the practical realities of finding food while participating in the survival competition, including the importance of fat and meat.

Ermanni’s reaction turned an otherwise routine television discussion about wildlife and survival into an awkwardly funny moment that viewers quickly noticed.

The clip also offered a reminder of one of the hazards of live television: Even an ordinary question can sound very different when delivered without much warning in front of a studio audience and viewers at home.

For Ermanni, the question was apparently enough to derail his train of thought for several moments. He ultimately recovered and complimented his co-host on her sense of humor before the segment moved on.

Centofanti’s Facebook comment about learning from “Alone” suggested that the survival show had provided plenty of material for the unexpected conversation.

The incident took place as part of Fox 2’s “Good Day Detroit” programming on Aug. 13, 2026. The original report was published Aug. 17, 2026, at 12:09 a.m. ET.

No elaborate setup was necessary. A survival show, a discussion about food, and one question to a co-host were enough to leave a Detroit news anchor laughing on live television.

News

Kentucky Farmer Tells AI Company to Kick Rocks Despite Stunning $26 Million Offer [WATCH]

A Kentucky mother and daughter have turned down a multimillion-dollar offer for their family farmland after learning the property could be used for an artificial intelligence data center.

Delsia Bare and her mother, Ida Huddleston, had initially agreed to sell their respective properties in Maysville for a combined $26.48 million, according to reporting by The Wall Street Journal cited by the New York Post.

The offer came from representatives of an unidentified AI company that wanted to acquire the land for a data center. The property had remained in Bare and Huddleston’s family for roughly 200 years.

Bare and Huddleston later changed their minds after learning more about the proposed development.

Bare, who described herself and her mother as “country hicks,” gave the company representatives a blunt response after the deal was called off.

“Kick rocks and don’t come back,” Bare told the representatives, according to the Journal.

The proposed sale would have paid substantially more than ordinary farmland prices. Bare was offered $48,000 per acre for 463 acres, while Huddleston was offered $60,000 per acre for 71 acres.

Together, the properties would have generated approximately $26.48 million.

Bare said her decision was also influenced by her belief that she would be held accountable for what happened to the property after a sale.

“If I step off of this piece of property and it becomes something for an AI hub, then I have failed to occupy and I can be held accountable for that on the Judgment hour,” she told the outlet.

The proposed data center project has become a contentious issue in Maysville, with residents divided over the potential economic benefits and the impact of converting farmland for industrial use.

Some property owners in the area have agreed to sell their land for millions of dollars, according to the Journal.

Others, including Bare, have opposed the project and pursued legal action challenging construction of the proposed centers.

The opposition has reached the courts, including a lawsuit that could put some neighbors on opposite sides of litigation.

“Some of those people would have gone their entire lives without being brought into a courtroom,” Tyler McHugh, an economic development director who liaisons with the unnamed AI company, told the publication.

The company behind the proposal has not been publicly identified. Meta has been linked to the potential project, but the company told the Journal that no decision has been made about working in the area.

The dispute comes as communities across rural America face growing interest from technology companies seeking land and infrastructure for data centers supporting artificial intelligence.

For Bare and Huddleston, however, the issue is personal.

Their land has been part of their family for generations, and the prospect of replacing that property with an AI facility ultimately outweighed the financial incentive.

Bare, who is nearly blind, and Huddleston, who walks with a cane, said they were surprised to find themselves opposing a major development project.

“I never thought I’d be in a battle with a data center,” Bare said. “I thought I was about as far out in the boondocks as you could get.”

The decision leaves the future of the proposed Maysville data center project uncertain as legal challenges and disagreements among local property owners continue.

News

Kentucky ‘Moderate’ Andy Beshear Unmasks Himself with Push to Abolish the Electoral College [WATCH]

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear called for eliminating the Electoral College and replacing it with direct elections for president and vice president during an appearance Sunday on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”

As reported, Beshear made the remarks while discussing what he described as his “big ideas” for addressing the economy and government.

The Democratic governor has presented himself as a moderate and has been mentioned as a potential contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028.

During the interview, the host asked Beshear what he considered his “biggest, boldest idea” for the future.

Beshear responded by outlining proposals involving housing, government reform, congressional redistricting, term limits, and presidential elections.

“Well, I’ll give you two because people want you to fix the darn economy, and they want you to fix the darn government. On the economy, it is time for an aspirational investment in housing that can bring down the cost of especially first-time home ownership. People can actually see that progress all over the country.”

“We ought to tie the federal dollars to speed. You’ve got to break ground, and you’ve got to do it quickly. Get through the overregulation and the NIMBY-ism. But I tell you what, people also think this government is broken. So, fix the darn government. Constitutional amendment. It is time.”

“It should outlaw partisan redistricting and enshrine part of the Voting Rights Act right there in the Constitution. It should create term limits for Congress and the Supreme Court. No more gaming those appointments.”

“It should also overturn Citizens United, and I think call for direct elections of the president and the vice president. That could actually make things work. A big idea that would, yes, change government, but in a way enshrined in the Constitution where people would know it’s going to get better.”

The host then asked Beshear to clarify whether his proposal for direct presidential elections meant that he supported abolishing the Electoral College.

“I didn’t realize you support abolishing the Electoral College. If you’re saying direct election of the president and vice president.”

Beshear confirmed that he has previously expressed support for the idea and explained his reasoning in terms of Kentucky’s role in presidential elections.

“Yeah, I’ve said it a number of times, and it’s because in Kentucky we will never see a candidate for president or vice president unless they’re from here.”

“Why? Because people just expect that it’ll go one way or the other. It’s the idea that someone would get elected not just knowing about seven states, but having to earn votes all over the United States. I certainly think it’s time.”

Beshear’s proposal would require a constitutional amendment because the Electoral College is established by the U.S. Constitution.

His comments therefore went beyond simply advocating changes to campaign strategy or election administration and called for a fundamental change to how the nation’s president and vice president are chosen.

The governor also proposed several other constitutional changes during the CBS interview.

His list included a prohibition on partisan redistricting, placing part of the Voting Rights Act in the Constitution, congressional and Supreme Court term limits, and overturning the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision.

Beshear’s comments come as Democratic politicians and potential presidential contenders begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2028 election cycle.

Although he has not formally announced a presidential campaign, his name has been discussed as a possible Democratic candidate.

The Kentucky governor was also among the candidates considered by former Vice President Kamala Harris as a potential running mate during her presidential campaign.

Harris ultimately selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate.

Kamala Harris Snags Posh Mansion in Nearly All White Enclave After Diversity Sermons

Beshear has served as Kentucky’s governor while maintaining a political identity that emphasizes his appeal in a state that regularly supports Republican presidential candidates.

His comments on the Electoral College highlight one of the challenges facing candidates from states that typically do not determine presidential outcomes under the current system.

Beshear argued that a direct-election system would require presidential candidates to seek support throughout the country rather than concentrating their campaigns on a limited number of closely contested states.

The proposal is one part of a broader package of government changes Beshear presented during the interview.

His call for a constitutional amendment would require approval through the federal constitutional amendment process before any of the proposed changes could take effect.

News

Haley Stevens Presses El Sayed to Cut Hasan Piker Ties After Bruising Primary [WATCH]

Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., is urging Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed to distance himself from streamer Hasan Piker as the two Democrats move beyond their primary contest and toward the November general election, as reported by Fox News.

Stevens made the comments on “The Sunday Briefing” after losing the Democratic Senate primary to El-Sayed.

Although she has said she remains committed to the Democratic Party and is backing the party’s nominee, Stevens maintained her concerns about El-Sayed’s association with Piker.

“It certainly makes sense to get rid of this Hasan Piker affiliation,” Stevens said.

She also argued that Democrats’ positions on healthcare, democracy and Black-owned businesses were preferable to those of Republican nominee Mike Rogers, who is set to face El-Sayed in the general election.

The comments came after Stevens was asked whether El-Sayed had done anything beyond winning the primary to address concerns among groups that had supported her campaign.

The groups mentioned included Jewish voters, Black voters, and Reagan-era Democrats.

Stevens pointed to her own performance with those constituencies during the primary and described herself as a Zionist Democrat.

She also argued that the Democratic Party should have room for voters and communities with differing political backgrounds.

“I came really close [to winning the primary], and I’m still a Democrat. I’m still out here talking about my views and values. I want the people who share my views and values to feel safe and to feel heard in the [Democratic Party].”

El-Sayed defeated Stevens in the Democratic primary earlier this month. The result placed him at the center of a general election campaign for a Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.

The primary campaign had featured significant differences between Stevens and El-Sayed, with the latter running as a progressive candidate.

El-Sayed’s campaign also drew attention because of his association with Piker, a prominent online political streamer.

On Aug. 3, El-Sayed and Piker were photographed talking at a Detroit party for content creators supporting El-Sayed’s campaign.

The image was taken after El-Sayed’s primary victory and became part of the discussion surrounding his relationship with the streamer.

Stevens had previously criticized Piker during the primary campaign. Following the election, she continued to argue that El-Sayed should shift his focus toward Michigan voters as he prepares for the general election.

The Senate contest is considered an important race for both parties because Michigan is a closely contested state and the seat is open following Peters’ retirement.

Republicans are seeking to retain their Senate majority, while Democrats are attempting to regain control of the chamber.

El-Sayed will face Republican Mike Rogers on Nov. 3. Rogers, a former congressman, is seeking the Senate seat after previously running for the chamber in Michigan in 2024.

A Fox News poll cited in the report showed Rogers leading El-Sayed by four percentage points in the general election matchup.

The poll also indicated that El-Sayed was receiving less support among Black voters, women, and suburban voters than former Vice President Kamala Harris received in Michigan during the 2024 presidential election.

The Michigan race is expected to receive significant national attention because of its potential effect on Senate control.

With Peters retiring, both parties have an opportunity to compete for the open seat rather than defending an incumbent.

El-Sayed’s primary victory also followed a campaign in which he received support from progressive figures and organizations.

His victory over Stevens demonstrated his ability to consolidate enough Democratic primary voters to secure the nomination, but the general election will involve a broader electorate.

Stevens’ decision to continue supporting the Democratic nominee while publicly calling for a change in his association with Piker illustrates the challenge facing the party after a competitive primary.

She has said she remains a Democrat and wants voters who share her political views to feel represented within the party.

For El-Sayed, the next phase of the campaign will involve appealing to voters beyond the Democratic primary electorate while defending his positions and political relationships.

The Senate candidates are scheduled to meet in the Nov. 3 general election, with the outcome potentially affecting the balance of power in Washington.

News

Alaska Democrat Scrambles to Escape Kamala Harris Fundraising Embrace [WATCH]

Former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Alaska, is distancing her campaign from a recent fundraising email associated with former Vice President Kamala Harris, as reported by Trending Politics News.

The email was distributed by Harris’ Fight for the People PAC ahead of Alaska’s Aug. 18 nonpartisan primary.

It referenced Peltola’s Senate campaign against Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan and asked supporters to make a joint contribution benefiting both Peltola’s campaign and Harris’ political organization.

“Alaska is a must-win Senate seat for Democrats to retake control of the Senate,” the email stated.

It then asked recipients to “help Mary Peltola get the support she needs” by splitting a contribution between Peltola and the Fight for the People PAC.

The fundraising message continued by emphasizing Peltola’s role in the Democratic effort to regain control of the Senate.

“So if there’s anyone who can flip Alaska and secure the Senate majority for Democrats – it’s Mary. But she cannot do it alone,” the email said.

“When we all stand behind Mary, we can give her the boost she needs to overcome their spending and organize across Alaska.”

Recipients were asked to “contribute $10 or whatever you can afford.” The message was signed with “Kamala Harris.”

Peltola’s campaign subsequently said it had not authorized the fundraising email and that campaign officials were unaware of it before it was distributed.

“Mary isn’t seeking endorsements from anyone from the Lower 48 — her focus is and always will be Alaska. That’s why she’s proud to have the endorsement of the American Federation of Government Employees, the Alaska American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, the Alaska International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1547 and more than 10,000 Alaskans who have signed up to volunteer with the campaign,” a spokesperson for Peltola’s campaign told KTUU.

The response came just days before Alaska voters were scheduled to participate in the state’s nonpartisan primary on Aug. 18.

Alaska’s election system allows the four candidates receiving the most votes in the primary to advance to the general election. The general election is conducted using ranked-choice voting.

Peltola previously represented Alaska in the U.S. House. She won the state’s at-large House seat in a 2022 special election and served one term before launching her campaign for the Senate.

Peltola and Sullivan are widely expected to advance from the primary and face each other in the general election. The contest is considered one of the more competitive Senate races of the 2026 midterm cycle.

Polling has shown a close contest between the two candidates. Recent polling aggregates have placed Peltola and Sullivan within a narrow range, with various averages showing each candidate receiving roughly 46% to 48% support.

An Alaska Survey Research poll conducted in early August 2026 showed Peltola with 51% support among likely voters and Sullivan with 49%.

Other polling has produced different results. A New York Times/Siena College survey conducted in June showed Sullivan holding a small advantage over Peltola.

The conflicting polling results underscore the competitiveness of the race as Alaska approaches its primary election.

For Peltola’s campaign, the immediate issue has been clarifying its relationship with the Harris-affiliated fundraising effort.

While the Fight for the People PAC’s message promoted Peltola’s Senate campaign and encouraged donations, Peltola’s campaign said she was not seeking endorsements from political figures outside Alaska.

The Senate race will move into its next stage following the Aug. 18 primary, when the top four candidates advance to the general election under Alaska’s election system.

The eventual contest will determine whether Sullivan retains his Senate seat or Peltola returns to Congress as Alaska’s next senator.

News

Ghanaian Migrant Arrested Three Times in Two Weeks After Oklahoma Sex Attack Spree [WATCH]

An Oklahoma man has been arrested three times in a two-week period in connection with separate allegations involving women in Oklahoma City, according to the account provided in the original report.

Jeff Kufi Asare, 26, is identified as a foreign national from Ghana. The reported incidents occurred at several locations across Oklahoma City, including Classen Boulevard, Scissortail Park and the Lake Hefner Trail.

According to the report, Asare was first arrested on Aug. 1 after police responded to a report near Northwest 23rd Street and Classen Boulevard.

Investigators allege that he pushed a woman against a bus stop window and put his hands down her pants.

A second woman also reported an encounter with Asare on Classen Boulevard that same day. According to the allegations, he approached her from behind, pulled down her pants and fled after she pushed him away.

Asare was arrested on allegations including sexual battery and indecent exposure. The report states that he was released several days later.

Five days after the first arrest, police encountered Asare again following another reported incident at Scissortail Park.

According to the allegations, Asare approached a woman from behind, touched her inappropriately several times, and began reaching into his pants.

The woman told him to leave, and he walked away. Police later located and arrested him on a sexual battery allegation.

That arrest also did not keep Asare in custody permanently.

Six days later, on Aug. 12, authorities responded to another incident involving Asare on the Lake Hefner Trail.

According to the report, he approached a woman from behind, pulled her down, and attempted to sexually assault her.

Firefighters intervened during the incident and contacted police. They remained with Asare until officers arrived, according to the account.

Asare was subsequently booked into the Oklahoma County Jail.

The report identifies the Aug. 12 charge as first-degree sexual assault and states that his bond was set at $75,000, with the district attorney’s office working to increase it.

The series of arrests has also raised questions about Asare’s previous encounters with the criminal justice system.

According to the report, Asare was born in Ghana in 1999 and is not a U.S. citizen. Earlier this year, he entered a no-contest plea to a breaking-and-entering charge in Oklahoma County.

The court subsequently issued an immigration warning.

Oklahoma County District Judge Cindy Truong had previously released Asare, according to the report.

The timeline provided in the case is notable for its frequency. The first reported incidents occurred Aug. 1, followed by another arrest Aug. 6 and the Aug. 12 arrest.

The report also states that Jeff Kufi, or Kofi, Asare has accumulated nearly two dozen arrests since 2022.

The allegations remain allegations unless and until established in court. Arrests and criminal charges do not by themselves constitute convictions, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Still, the sequence of arrests has placed renewed attention on the handling of repeat arrests and releases, particularly when a defendant is accused of new offenses shortly after being released from custody.

The Oklahoma County case is now moving through the criminal justice system, with Asare remaining in the Oklahoma County Jail following the Aug. 12 arrest, according to the original report.

The case also puts Asare’s immigration status into the spotlight because of his reported lack of U.S. citizenship and the immigration warning issued after his earlier Oklahoma County case.

Authorities and prosecutors will ultimately determine how the allegations proceed in court and whether additional action is warranted based on the evidence in each case.


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