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Redistricting Showdown: Utah Judge Orders Congressional Map Redraw
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Redistricting Showdown: Utah Judge Orders Congressional Map Redraw

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A state court judge ordered Utah lawmakers on Monday to redraw the state’s congressional districts in time for next year’s midterm elections, ruling that the maps approved by the legislature were unlawfully gerrymandered to benefit Republicans.

In a 76-page order, Judge Dianna Gibson directed the legislature to pass a “remedial congressional map” by the end of September.

The decision sets a firm deadline while appeals proceed. Legislative leaders have already signaled they will challenge the ruling, a step that could send the case to the Utah Supreme Court and, potentially, the U.S. Supreme Court.

Gibson’s order follows years of litigation over how Utah’s congressional lines were drawn after the 2020 census.

The dispute traces to 2018, when voters approved Proposition 4, known as the “Better Boundaries” initiative.

The measure created an independent redistricting commission and set standards intended to curb partisan influence in line-drawing.

Two years later, state lawmakers enacted legislation that reduced the commission’s role to advisory. During the subsequent redistricting cycle, the legislature bypassed the commission and adopted its own maps.

Voting-rights groups—including the League of Women Voters of Utah and the Mormon Women for Ethical Government—sued, alleging the plan illegally diluted urban voters’ influence by splitting Salt Lake City into four separate districts and violating standards envisioned by Proposition 4.

Gibson concluded the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on their claims and said a new plan must be prepared for the upcoming election cycle while the courts resolve the broader constitutional questions.

Her order leaves the door open for appellate review but underscores that, absent a stay, new maps must be in place by the court’s deadline.

The ruling drew immediate attention from Utah’s political leaders.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, warned ahead of the decision that “almost anything promoted as an ‘independent commission’ is often a strategy to give Democrats an edge they can’t win through fair elections.”

In a lengthy X post, Lee added: “We the people need to halt this trend. To do so, we must first grasp what these independent commissions truly represent.” He continued, “In a state like Utah, they’re essentially a mechanism for the left to grab power they can’t get through democratic elections.”

Utah’s court fight comes as redistricting debates intensify nationwide.

In Texas, the legislature passed new congressional maps this month that give Republicans an advantage in the upcoming midterms.

President Donald Trump encouraged the move and celebrated it as a “BIG WIN,” while Democratic lawmakers in the state temporarily left Texas in protest over the map.

Developments in California added to the national spotlight.

Gov. Gavin Newsom advanced a plan to suspend the state’s map—previously drawn by an independent commission—and to pass a new version in a special election this year, a move he said would offset Republican gains in Texas.

At a press conference, Newsom said Democrats need to “play hardball” to compete with a Republican Party led by Trump.

In response, Trump vowed on Monday to sue Newsom over the proposed map.

The Utah case focuses on whether the legislature’s 2021 plan improperly fractured the Salt Lake City area and whether voters’ approval of Proposition 4 affords enforceable protections against partisan gerrymandering.

Plaintiffs argue the legislature’s map undermines the ability of communities in and around Salt Lake City to elect candidates of their choice and runs contrary to the intent of the 2018 initiative.

State officials counter that the legislature holds constitutional authority over redistricting and that the map reflects legitimate policy choices and traditional districting principles.

With the court’s deadline now in place, lawmakers face a compressed timetable.

If the legislature enacts a new plan by late September, it would govern the next election cycle unless blocked by an appellate court.

If no plan is passed, the court could impose a remedial map to ensure districts are finalized before candidate filing periods and election administration deadlines.

As appeals move forward, Utah joins a growing list of states where courts, legislatures, and voters are testing the limits of partisan mapmaking and the roles of independent commissions.

The outcome in Utah—along with the parallel actions in Texas and California—will shape the congressional battlefield heading into the next round of midterm elections and determine how hundreds of thousands of Utah voters are grouped into districts for years to come.

41 Planned Parenthood Clinics Closed or Closing as Federal Funding Cut Bites
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41 Planned Parenthood Clinics Closed or Closing as Federal Funding Cut Bites

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Dozens of Planned Parenthood clinics have closed or are slated to close in 2025 as the Trump administration advances its effort to block the abortion provider from receiving taxpayer dollars through Medicaid.

Susan B. Anthony (SBA) Pro-Life America, a leading pro-life organization, released a tracker this month documenting closures nationwide.

According to the tracker, 41 Planned Parenthood facilities have already shut down or are expected to close later this year.

SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser described the closures and the Congressional vote to end taxpayer funding of abortion providers as the most significant development for the pro-life movement since the Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade.

“Life is winning. The One Big Beautiful Bill’s provision defunding Big Abortion is not even fully in effect and still 41 Planned Parenthoods have closed or will close soon. Imagine how many more will shut down once they stop receiving half a billion dollars in Medicaid money,” Dannenfelser said in a statement.

“By Planned Parenthood’s own account, our victory stopping the forced taxpayer funding of abortion businesses could cause up to 200 facilities to close.”

She continued, “Planned Parenthood is stalling with their defunding lawsuit to keep raking in $2 million of taxpayer money per day, but the defunding of Big Abortion is long overdue. Planned Parenthood’s non-abortion services have decreased drastically. Cancer screenings, breast exams and pap smears are down by more than 50 percent. Contraceptive services are down by almost 40 percent. Community health centers that provide these services outnumber Planned Parenthoods 15:1 nationally and they provide better, more comprehensive care to women and their babies on Medicaid.”

In July, President Donald Trump signed the budget reconciliation package known as the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” which included provisions cutting off Medicaid funding to abortion providers.

Because the measure was passed through reconciliation, Senate Republicans were able to avoid the chamber’s 60-vote threshold, requiring only a simple majority.

While the Hyde Amendment already prohibits federal funding of abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or danger to the mother’s life, pro-life advocates have argued that taxpayer dollars should not support organizations that perform abortions under any circumstances.

Planned Parenthood immediately filed suit against the administration, claiming that up to 200 of its clinics could be forced to shut down as a result of the funding cuts.

The case remains pending after a federal judge appointed by former President Barack Obama issued an injunction blocking the defunding provision from taking effect.

Planned Parenthood’s latest annual report, released earlier this year, indicated the organization carried out a record number of abortions in the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

The report, titled A Force For Hope, stated that 402,230 abortions were performed, up from 392,715 the previous year.

During the same period, Planned Parenthood received $792.2 million in taxpayer funding, nearly $100 million more than the previous year.

The federal push to block abortion providers from Medicaid funding has been reinforced by state actions.

In June, the Supreme Court ruled in a South Carolina case that the state could block Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid reimbursements, determining that the organization could not sue under federal civil rights law.

Following that decision, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt issued an executive order barring state Medicaid funds from going to abortion providers. Stitt cited the Supreme Court’s ruling as justification for the order.

The combination of federal action through the reconciliation bill, state-level moves such as Oklahoma’s order, and the Supreme Court’s South Carolina ruling has placed significant financial pressure on Planned Parenthood.

According to SBA Pro-Life America, the closures tracked so far may represent the beginning of a broader wave of facility shutdowns as litigation over the federal defunding effort continues.

Alina Habba Claps Back After Judge Rules Against Her Appointment
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Alina Habba Claps Back After Judge Rules Against Her Appointment

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Alina Habba, President Donald Trump’s pick for U.S. attorney in New Jersey, pushed back Sunday against Senate opposition and a recent federal court ruling that deemed her appointment unlawful, saying she “won’t be intimidated” as the dispute over her nomination intensifies.

Appearing on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures with host Maria Bartiromo, Habba criticized the Senate’s longstanding “blue slip” tradition, which allows home-state senators to approve or block federal judicial and U.S. attorney nominees before they move forward to confirmation votes.

“This tradition that Sen. [Chuck] Grassley is upholding effectively prevents anybody in a blue state from going through to the Senate to then be voted on,” Habba said.

“Senator Booker and Senator Kim had absolutely every right to vote no for me for the U.S. attorney position, but I had the right, as the nominee, to get in front of Senate and to be voted on, to be vetted. I never even got there.”

New Jersey’s two Democratic senators, Cory Booker and Andy Kim, objected to Habba’s nomination.

Their opposition effectively blocked her confirmation under the custom, which has been used for decades by both parties.

The controversy escalated last week after a federal judge ruled that Habba’s recess appointment to serve as acting U.S. attorney was unlawful because it circumvented the Senate confirmation process.

President Trump has repeatedly criticized the blue slip practice, calling it a partisan tool that allows Democrats to obstruct nominees in states they control.

“Chuck Grassley, who I got re-elected to the U.S. Senate when he was down, by a lot, in the Great State of Iowa, could solve the ‘Blue Slip’ problem we are having with respect to the appointment of Highly Qualified Judges and U.S. Attorneys, with a mere flick of the pen,” Trump wrote in a July Truth Social post.

“Democrats like Schumer, Warner, Kaine, Booker, Schiff, and others, SLEAZEBAGS ALL, have an ironclad stoppage of Great Republican Candidates.”

Grassley, who serves as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, defended the custom in remarks last month. He acknowledged Trump’s criticism but said he would not move to eliminate the tradition.

“I was offended by what the president said,” Grassley told committee members.

“And I’m disappointed that it would result in personal insults.”

Grassley has long maintained that the blue slip system preserves bipartisan consultation between presidents and senators when filling key positions in the judiciary and U.S. attorney offices.

Habba, however, said the custom has been weaponized against nominees in Republican administrations.

She noted that the tradition is not enshrined in law and argued that senators should not be able to block candidates before a formal hearing or vote.

The standoff has created uncertainty around the leadership of the U.S. attorney’s office in New Jersey.

Until the Senate acts on a formal nomination, the post will remain filled by a temporary appointee under Department of Justice protocols.

The dispute comes as Trump continues efforts to place his nominees in federal posts despite resistance in Democratic-led states.

The outcome of Habba’s case is expected to influence future debates over the role of Senate traditions in the appointment process.

DEI Consultant On Cracker Barrel Board Raises Questions From Angry Customers
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DEI Consultant On Cracker Barrel Board Raises Questions From Angry Customers

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Cracker Barrel is facing criticism from consumers and conservative activists after unveiling a new logo, redesigned interiors, and continued promotion of diversity initiatives.

Much of the backlash has centered on one of the company’s board members, Gilbert Davila, who has spent years working in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) consulting.

Davila, 61, joined Cracker Barrel’s board of directors in July 2020 and is listed among the company’s top individual shareholders.

He is also the president and CEO of DMI Consulting, a firm he founded in 2010 that describes itself as “a leading multicultural marketing, diversity & inclusion and strategy firm in the United States.”

Conservative activist Robby Starbuck called attention to Davila’s background in a video criticizing the company’s recent direction.

Starbuck argued that Cracker Barrel’s leadership has been steering the restaurant chain away from its traditional values and customer base.

“What qualified him for this board seat?” Starbuck asked in his video.

“Well, you see, he’s owned a DEI consulting and strategy firm for 15 years that focuses on pushing DEI and DEI advertising.”

Starbuck said the chain’s changes are not simply cosmetic, but part of a broader cultural shift.

The controversy followed Cracker Barrel’s announcement of a new logo, which replaced the image of a man leaning on a barrel with a simpler design: the restaurant’s name in black text over a yellow, barrel-shaped backdrop.

The company also redesigned restaurant interiors, replacing its rustic Americana style with a modern look.

Starbuck argued that the changes reflect a move away from the chain’s middle-America identity.

He said the company has been participating in LGBTQ pride events and implementing DEI-based hiring policies, describing it as part of a trend seen in other corporations.

“People like him are behind the woke advertising push that we’ve seen in recent years,” Starbuck said, referring to Davila.

“And he was also one of the people responsible for DEI at Disney.”

According to Davila’s LinkedIn page, he is “widely recognized… for his multicultural market knowledge and his proven track record on how to best embed a multicultural perspective into a corporation’s entire operation.”

Before founding DMI Consulting, Davila spent seven years at The Walt Disney Company, serving as vice president of global diversity and multicultural market development from 2003 to 2010.

He previously worked at Sears & Roebuck Company as vice president of multicultural management and at Coca-Cola USA as a marketing director.

Davila also co-founded the Alliance for Inclusive and Multicultural Marketing under the Association of National Advertisers, where he continues to serve as a director.

Starbuck’s video, which runs about 15 minutes, pointed to Davila’s background as evidence of why Cracker Barrel has moved toward embracing progressive cultural positions.

“The American people are sick of having our culture and heritage stripped from us,” Starbuck told Fox News Digital last week, framing the reaction to the company’s changes as part of a larger frustration with corporations adopting DEI and similar policies.

Fox Business reached out to Cracker Barrel and to Davila’s firm, but neither responded by the time of publication.

The debate over Cracker Barrel’s new look and leadership decisions comes as major brands across the country continue to face questions from consumers about their alignment with political and cultural issues.

Democrat-Linked Judge Sparks Outrage After Freeing Human Trafficking Suspect
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Democrat-Linked Judge Sparks Outrage After Freeing Human Trafficking Suspect

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U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes is under scrutiny following her decision to release Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national accused of human trafficking and suspected of MS-13 gang ties.

The ruling came Friday, when Holmes rejected a government request to keep Abrego Garcia in federal custody ahead of trial.

Abrego Garcia was initially arrested in 2022 in Tennessee while driving a vehicle registered to a convicted human trafficker, flagged by the Department of Homeland Security.

Several illegal aliens from South and Central America were passengers in the vehicle at the time. According to court filings, Abrego Garcia, who resides in Maryland, told authorities he was transporting the individuals from Houston, Texas, to Maryland for work.

The case drew further attention during a June hearing, when Judge Holmes sustained an objection limiting witness testimony about Abrego Garcia’s alleged sexual relationships with women, including minors, who were reportedly among those he was helping to smuggle into the United States.

The decision to release Abrego Garcia has placed Judge Holmes’ background and affiliations under renewed scrutiny.

According to Breitbart News, campaign finance records show that between 1993 and 2007 she contributed $750 to Democratic candidates, including $250 to Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign.

Holmes has a lengthy record of professional involvement in legal organizations.

She was president of the Nashville Bar Association in 2002 and served multiple terms on its board of directors.

After her appointment as magistrate judge in 2015, she continued to play a role in legal associations, including serving as Judges Chair for the Legal Aid Society’s 2018 Campaign for Equal Justice.

The Legal Aid Society, particularly its New York branch, has promoted diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and provided legal representation for illegal aliens.

The group once featured a webpage highlighting its commitment to “fighting for racial equality,” alongside imagery from the George Floyd protests.

In October 2021, Holmes organized the National Association of Women Judges’ 43rd annual meeting, which featured groups such as the “Song Suffragettes.”

In a 2017 profile naming her an outstanding alumna of Adams State University, Holmes said she was “inspired by the new citizens I meet during naturalization ceremonies, by their determination, and especially by their appreciation for things that we too often take for granted, like the privileges of citizenship.”

Records reviewed by Breitbart also show Holmes is registered as an unaffiliated voter in Nashville, Tennessee.

Voting records suggest she has participated in both Republican and Democratic primaries.

Holmes’ decision has been compared to previous cases involving judges perceived as aligned with Democratic Party causes.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, for example, presided over multiple high-profile cases that sought to block actions by the Trump administration during the early weeks of his second term.

Boasberg later spoke at a judicial conference where he discussed efforts to counter the administration and called on Chief Justice John Roberts for support.

Abrego Garcia’s release comes as debates intensify over the handling of human trafficking and illegal immigration cases.

While federal prosecutors pushed for pre-trial detention citing flight risk and danger to the community, Holmes determined that conditions such as monitoring and restrictions were sufficient.

The decision has triggered questions about judicial discretion, especially in cases involving illegal aliens accused of serious crimes.

The case against Abrego Garcia remains ongoing, and his release has further fueled discussion over how federal courts are handling immigration-related prosecutions at a time of heightened national concern over border security and public safety.

Jeanine Pirro Slams DC Court After Carjacking Suspects Let Off Easy
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Jeanine Pirro Slams DC Court After Carjacking Suspects Let Off Easy

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Judge Jeanine Pirro, recently confirmed by Congress as President Donald Trump’s U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, is continuing to weigh in on the city’s public safety challenges.

Pirro, who previously served as a district attorney and judge and hosted Fox News’ Justice With Judge Jeanine for more than a decade, joined President Trump and other officials Thursday evening at the U.S. Park Police headquarters in Anacostia.

The group met with D.C. law enforcement officers and National Guard members mobilized under the administration’s recent federal crime crackdown.

During brief remarks, Pirro assured officers that they had the full backing of the administration in carrying out arrests.

“I am making sure that we back the blue to the hilt,” Pirro said.

“Every arrest you make, we’re going to the — longest way to make sure that we charge in those cases.”

Her comments came as a recent court ruling stirred debate in Washington.

The case involves the August attack on Edward Coristine, a former Department of Government Efficiency employee who was assaulted while defending a woman during an alleged carjacking attempt.

Several teenagers were arrested following the incident, which drew national attention.

This week, Judge Kendra D. Briggs, who was nominated to the federal bench in 2021 by then-President Joe Biden, approved the release of two 15-year-old suspects previously held at D.C.’s Youth Services Center.

One of the teens was ordered to a youth shelter, while the other was granted home confinement.

Both remain subject to curfews, electronic monitoring, and weekly drug tests, according to NBC4 Washington.

Pirro addressed the development in a video posted to her X account, emphasizing her concerns about lenient treatment of violent offenders.

“Two 15-year-olds, out of the eight or 10 that attacked the ex-DOGE staffer and his woman friend that he was with, have been released from the family court, and they have been told that they are now on a curfew,” Pirro said.

“This is exactly what I’m talking about. This is why I want jurisdiction of these cases because, as a prosecutor, it’s time to prosecute so they understand the consequences of what they have done.”

Pirro tied the case to President Trump’s broader decision to federalize the D.C. National Guard and assume jurisdiction over certain law enforcement functions.

“I want to remind you that this pretty much began with the attack on that ex-DOGE person who was working at the White House, as part of an attempted carjacking, pretty much beaten to a pulp,” Pirro said.

She also provided updates on the results of the federal surge.

According to Pirro, D.C. has recorded zero homicides in the past eight days, compared to the city’s average of one per week.

She reported that 40 additional arrests were made Thursday night alone, along with the seizure of five more firearms.

In total, Pirro said the crackdown has so far resulted in 719 arrests and 91 firearms being taken off the streets.

The developments highlight the ongoing tension between federal authorities and the local justice system over how to handle violent crime in the District.

While President Trump and federal officials cite declining crime numbers as evidence of progress, local court decisions have sparked questions about whether youthful offenders are being held accountable.

CNN Fact Check on Trump’s Chief Law Enforcement Officer Claim Debunked by the Constitution
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CNN Fact Check on Trump’s Chief Law Enforcement Officer Claim Debunked by the Constitution

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Federal agents conducted a raid on the home of former National Security Adviser John Bolton early Friday morning as part of an ongoing FBI investigation into classified documents.

The search took place around 7 a.m. at Bolton’s residence in Bethesda, Maryland, according to officials familiar with the matter.

The raid adds Bolton to the list of high-profile figures facing scrutiny over the handling of classified materials, a controversy that has dominated headlines since similar cases involving other government officials.

The FBI has not released details on the scope of the investigation or what agents seized during the search.

President Donald Trump addressed the raid later in the day, commenting on the broader issue of federal investigations and law enforcement authority.

In his remarks, Trump reiterated his position that as president, he is the chief law enforcement officer of the United States.

CNN quickly moved to fact-check Trump’s statement, highlighting Department of Justice materials that describe the attorney general as holding the role of the nation’s top law enforcement officer.

However, constitutional experts point out that the U.S. Constitution grants the president authority to ensure that the nation’s laws are faithfully executed.

Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution states: “He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.”

The FBI raid on Bolton’s home comes amid heightened political debate over the scope of federal authority and the treatment of officials under investigation.

Media coverage of the incident drew immediate comparisons to the FBI’s search of President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in 2022, which similarly centered on disputes over classified records.

Bolton, who served as national security adviser from April 2018 to September 2019, has not publicly commented on the search of his residence.

The Department of Justice has also declined to provide additional information, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

The raid is expected to fuel continued debate in Washington over the FBI’s handling of politically sensitive cases, as well as the extent of presidential and Department of Justice authority in such matters.

With Bolton’s case now added to the ongoing discussions, the political and legal fallout is likely to extend in the weeks ahead.

“The Cracker Barrel Story Is Not About a Logo, They Thought We Were Stupid”: Robby Starbuck
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“The Cracker Barrel Story Is Not About a Logo, They Thought We Were Stupid”: Robby Starbuck

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Conservative activist Robby Starbuck released a lengthy video this week criticizing Cracker Barrel after the company unveiled a new logo design. In a 15-minute breakdown posted to his followers, Starbuck argued that the restaurant chain’s shift represents a departure from “old American nostalgia” to what he described as “cold, dead, lifeless and modern.”

Starbuck’s video examined both the company’s logo change and its broader corporate direction.

He claimed that Cracker Barrel, traditionally associated with Americana, has embraced what he called “wokeness” through its recent business and cultural decisions.

According to Starbuck, the company is now “infested with left-wing activists who are more interested in safe spaces, pronouns, and virtue signaling than they are in their customers.”

Starbuck highlighted Cracker Barrel’s previous support for LGBTQ+ organizations and events, including Nashville Pride, River City Pride, and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).

He pointed to the company’s rainbow-colored rocking chairs — a signature item tied to the chain’s porch-lined restaurants nationwide — and noted that one was even placed inside its Tennessee corporate headquarters.

“The fact that it’s located there is important to this story because what’s happened here is a microcosm of the parasitic operating procedure of left-wing activists,” Starbuck said in the video.

“They don’t just wanna force their soulless, godless, hedonistic vision of the future onto blue hellscapes that their party controls. No, it’s much more important to them that they shove it down into your towns, into your kids’ schools, and into your way of life. So, sticking a pro-trans rocking chair into their headquarters in a predominantly conservative town is exactly the type of thing they revel in doing.”

Starbuck also pointed to the company’s participation in the Out and Equal Workplace Summit, where it created rainbow rocking chairs to represent the LGBTQ+ flag.

Out and Equal later recognized Cracker Barrel with an award for having 2018’s top LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group.

The chain also took part in the HRC Corporate Equality Index, which rates companies on policies and benefits for LGBTQ+ employees.

In response to the renewed attention, Cracker Barrel told Fox News Digital on Friday that it “has not participated in the Human Rights Campaign Index or had any affiliation with HRC in several years.”

In his video, Starbuck singled out two company employees.

He showed a LinkedIn screenshot of Steve Smotherman, who worked as head of management training and development at Cracker Barrel for 15 years before joining Out and Equal.

Smotherman currently serves on HRC’s Business Advisory Council. Starbuck labeled him “the archetype activist employee that fueled the rise of DEI in corporate America.”

He also criticized Rachel CampBell, a Cracker Barrel manager of training and development, for celebrating the rainbow rocking chairs online.

“And it’s important to note all of this because these types of employees play a critical role in turning companies away from the values of their customers and moving the companies toward wokeness,” Starbuck said.

Starbuck additionally mentioned Gilbert Dávila, a member of Cracker Barrel’s board since 2020.

Dávila has held executive roles at Disney, Coca-Cola, and Procter & Gamble, and is co-CEO of DMI Consulting, a firm that promotes “cultural relevance and creativity.”

Starbuck argued that Dávila and similar executives drive the “woke advertising push” seen across major corporations.

Starbuck stressed that the controversy extends beyond branding.

“It’s very, very important to understand that the Cracker Barrel story is not about a logo. It’s not at all about a logo, it is about a country, it is our heritage, and it is a culture. It’s about a power structure built to tell us that we are somehow backwards, embarrassing or bigoted,” he said.

He concluded by urging conservatives and Christians to withhold their business.

“A conservative can’t give their money to Cracker Barrel. A Christian cannot give their money to Cracker Barrel, and so we won’t,” Starbuck said.

According to Starbuck, the company now faces a choice between continuing its current course and losing customers or reverting to its 1977 logo to maintain its traditional base.

WATCH:

Canada Bends the Knee to Trump’s Will, Drops Tariffs on U.S. Goods
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Canada Bends the Knee to Trump’s Will, Drops Tariffs on U.S. Goods

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Canada announced Friday that it will remove a large portion of its retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods in an effort to restart trade negotiations that have been stalled in recent months.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the move is aimed at restoring momentum to bilateral trade discussions under the framework of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Tariffs imposed on U.S. goods compliant with USMCA will be lifted, while restrictions on autos, steel, and aluminum will remain in effect.

“In this context and consistent with Canada’s commitment to USMCA, I am announcing today that the Canadian government will now match the United States by removing all of Canada’s tariffs on U.S. goods specifically covered under USMCA,” Carney said during a press conference in Ottawa.

“Canada and the U.S. have now re-established free trade for the vast majority of our goods,” Carney added.

He noted that compared to other trading partners, Canadian exports continue to face relatively low U.S. tariffs.

“Canada currently has the best trade deal with the United States. And while it’s different from what we had before, it’s still better than that of any other country,” he said.

Carney also said President Donald Trump told him the Canadian action would help relaunch trade talks.

“We welcome this move by Canada, which is long overdue,” a White House official told FOX News.

“We look forward to continuing our discussions with Canada on the Administration’s trade and national security concerns.”

Friday’s announcement follows other recent steps by Canada aimed at smoothing trade relations with the United States.

In late June, the Canadian government withdrew plans for a digital services tax, which had prompted significant pushback from U.S. companies, especially in the technology sector.

The removal of the proposal was seen as an attempt to clear a major obstacle in the trade talks.

Last month, Carney’s government also ended threats to impose new tariffs on U.S. goods if the two countries failed to reach a deal by August 1.

The latest rollback of tariffs underscores Canada’s effort to reduce friction with its largest trading partner and return to negotiations focused on long-term trade stability.

The U.S. and Canada remain each other’s largest or second-largest trading partners depending on the year, with deep ties in energy, agriculture, and manufacturing.

According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Canada was the top destination for U.S. exports in 2024 and the third-largest source of imported goods.

Canada exported more than three-quarters of its goods to the United States last year, while nearly half of its imports came from the U.S.

U.S. exports to Canada include vehicles, machinery, energy products, and approximately $30 billion in agricultural goods.

Canada’s primary exports to the United States are energy and vehicles, in addition to more than $40 billion in agricultural products.

While most tariffs covered under USMCA are now removed, major sticking points remain over auto, steel, and aluminum products, which continue to be central to ongoing disputes between the two countries.

Both governments have signaled that trade negotiations will resume in the coming weeks, with the goal of resolving outstanding issues and strengthening the long-standing economic relationship.

The tariff removal marks the latest attempt by Canada and the United States to re-establish common ground under the USMCA framework while preserving leverage over key industries where disagreements remain.

American Tests Positive for the Bubonic Plague in California
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American Tests Positive for the Bubonic Plague in California

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Health officials in California have confirmed that a resident of South Lake Tahoe has tested positive for plague, marking a rare but serious case of the illness in the state.

Authorities believe the individual contracted the disease from a flea bite while on a camping trip.

El Dorado County’s acting director of public health, Kyle Fliflet, released a statement addressing the case.

“Plague is naturally present in many parts of California, including higher elevation areas of El Dorado County,” Fliflet said.

“It’s important that individuals take precautions for themselves and their pets when outdoors, especially while walking, hiking and or camping in areas where wild rodents are present,” he added.

The plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis and is typically carried by rodent species.

According to historical records, it was introduced to the United States in the early 20th century by immigrants traveling on rat-infested ships.

There are three primary forms of the disease:

  • Bubonic plague, which affects the lymph nodes.
  • Septicemic plague, which enters the bloodstream.
  • Pneumonic plague, which impacts the lungs.

Symptoms of plague are often similar to those of the common cold and can take up to two weeks to appear after exposure.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the United States sees an average of seven cases annually.

Most are recorded in the western states, including New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado.

Transmission to humans generally occurs through flea bites, direct contact with an infected rodent, or improper handling of an animal carrying the disease.

Although plague is historically associated with catastrophic outbreaks such as the Black Death in the 14th century, modern medicine has significantly reduced its threat.

Infections today are commonly treatable with antibiotics, and the prognosis is generally favorable with timely medical intervention.

The last epidemic of plague in the United States occurred in Los Angeles between 1924 and 1925.

Since 2000, a total of 15 people nationwide have died from the illness, according to federal health data.

Earlier this summer, health officials in Arizona confirmed a plague-related death, the first fatality recorded in the United States in 2024.

That case was linked to a prairie dog die-off in the region.

California health officials are urging residents and visitors to remain cautious while outdoors, particularly in areas where rodents are active.

Recommended precautions include keeping pets on leashes, avoiding contact with wild animals, using insect repellent, and promptly reporting any unusual die-offs of rodents or other wildlife to local authorities.

The El Dorado County Department of Public Health has not released further details about the South Lake Tahoe patient, including their current condition.

Officials continue to monitor the area and are emphasizing preventive measures to reduce the risk of additional cases.


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