Home Blog Page 951

FEMA Fraudster Jailed: Woman’s $1.7M Theft from Hurricane Aid Sparks DHS Crackdown

0

In a parallel effort to curb fraud, a Pennsylvania woman has been sentenced to five years in prison for defrauding the government of $1.7 million in FEMA funds following Hurricane Ida, according to a Justice Department announcement. This sentencing marks a significant stride in the administration’s anti-fraud crusade.

Jasmine Williams, 34, hailing from Plymouth Meeting, admitted guilt last year to 32 charges, which encompassed fraud related to a major disaster declaration, as well as wire and mail fraud.

In a statement to News Media, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis asserted, “Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Markwayne Mullin, FEMA is actively eliminating fraud in disaster aid.”

Bis further emphasized, “We are ensuring taxpayer money is safeguarded, and disaster assistance reaches those in genuine need. Anyone attempting to exploit survivors will be apprehended and face justice.”

Virgin Islands hurricane recovery in 2017

Blue tarp stamped with the FEMA logo covers the roof of a home more than a week after Hurricane Irma made landfall. A Pennsylvania woman was sentenced to five years in prisons for defrauding FEMA in the aftermath of the storm. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Then-President Joe Biden issued a disaster declaration in September 2021 after the remnants of Hurricane Ida struck much of the eastern portion of the state.

Officials said Williams solicited participants in her scheme — renters, homeowners or the homeless — and submitted fraudulent documents to FEMA on behalf of almost 200 others, including fraudulent leases, letters from landlords, utility bills, earning statements, and home repair estimates.

She recruited the participants over social media, advertising that she could assist them in applying for FEMA benefits, prosecutors said.  

President Joe Biden speaks during a virtual Hurricane Ida briefing at the White House.

President Joe Biden speaks during a virtual Hurricane Ida briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. Biden vowed to continue providing federal support after Hurricane Ida made landfall south of New Orleans and left more than a million homes and businesses without power. (Bloomberg via Getty Images)

As part of the fraud, she requested half of the payout for herself, amassing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

When one person involved in the scheme didn’t pay her, Williams posted that person’s personal information on social media, officials said.

She also posted a video criticizing the person for not paying the 50% Williams charged.

Williams additionally used social media to solicit images of damaged homes to submit in support of her fraudulent applications, federal prosecutors said.

In fiscal year 2025, FEMA identified more than 1,700 fraud cases.

Williams’ sentence came as the Trump administration has prioritized combating fraud and waste.

Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Awardee Arrested for Alleged Sexual Assault of 14-Year-Old Student

0

In a shocking turn of events, a male teacher from Massachusetts recognized as one of Amazon’s educators of the year in 2022 now faces serious allegations. The educator, who was celebrated nationwide, was arrested for allegedly abusing a 14-year-old student during the same period he received his prestigious award.

Tymond Tran, aged 38, stands accused of raping a teenage student while serving as an eighth grade teacher at Thurgood Marshall Middle School in Lynn. These accusations stem from the 2022-2023 academic year, as outlined by the Essex District Attorney’s Office in an announcement on Wednesday, reported by CBS Boston.

While specific details about the nature of the relationship between Tran and the victim remain unclear, he faces multiple critical charges of sexual misconduct. His actions have led to his dismissal from the educational institution and cast a shadow over his previous accolades.

Tran’s indictment includes numerous serious charges: aggravated rape of a child with at least a 10-year age gap, indecent assault and battery on a person aged 14 or older, depicting or displaying a child in the nude, and distributing obscene materials to a minor, according to the District Attorney.

Ironically, during the same timeframe these grave allegations emerged, Tran was honored as one of only 10 teachers across the United States to earn the Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the Year award, a title accompanied by a $5,000 prize. This recognition is now mired in controversy due to the severity of the charges against him.

He continued teaching at the middle school until 2024, when he left on his own accord, according to the outlet.

Most recently, Tran was a technology teacher at Lowell Community Charter Public School in Lowell —approximately 32 miles northwest of Lynn — but his employment was suspended then terminated on the same day school officials learned of the disturbing allegations, The Lowell Sun reported.

“Mr. Tran’s employment with the school was immediately terminated last month after the DA’s Office informed us of the details of the criminal charges,” Lowell Community Charter Public School said in a statement to the publication.

“Like all employees, this individual underwent all required state and federal criminal background checks prior to employment,” the statement said. “Because the charges were not filed until June 2026, those required background checks did not identify any criminal charges or convictions at the time of hire.”

Tran pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Wednesday in Essex County Superior Court in Salem and was released into 24/7 house arrest with a GPS monitoring device, the outlet reported.

He is due back in court on Aug. 26.

Following Tran’s arraignment, Lynn Mayor Jard Nicholson and Superintendent of Schools Molly Cohen said they “are shocked and disturbed” by the allegations against the former Lynn school teacher. 

“Our primary concern is for the well-being of the former LPS student. Our hope for that student is healing and justice,” the statement said. 

“We also recognize that this news will be deeply upsetting for students, families, staff, and the broader school community, and we will be making support available as needed. We will continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement and are also conducting our own independent investigation.”

Revitalize Your Strength: A 12-Minute Morning Routine for Those Over 50 That Surpasses Hour-Long Gym Workouts

0

Discover a powerhouse workout: a 12-minute strength routine for those over 50—no gym required.

>

Once you hit 50, building strength isn’t about clocking endless hours at the gym. It’s about the consistent engagement of your muscles, ensuring you’re moving with ease and efficiency each day. As a seasoned trainer, I’ve observed numerous individuals who, despite dedicating significant time to weight lifting a few times a week, saw little progress. In contrast, those who adhered to a targeted, compact routine in the early hours made remarkable strides. The key difference? Quality over sheer quantity.

There’s a common misconception that gaining strength demands lengthy sessions, heavy gear, and extended breaks. Yet, compound exercises that enlist multiple muscle groups simultaneously offer incredible benefits. A concise routine that focuses on your legs, hips, core, chest, shoulders, and back can yield greater functional gains than spending ages on isolated machine workouts. This is why I advise my clients to prioritize effectiveness with each minute, rather than merely increasing workout time.

In my experience coaching individuals over the age of 50, the true achievers keep their workouts straightforward. They excel in foundational exercises, execute them with impeccable form, and remain consistent week after week. This 12-minute morning regimen not only strengthens your body from head to toe but also enhances balance, posture, and mobility. All it takes is a stable chair, some open space, and a commitment to dedicate a few moments to your well-being.

Minutes 1-2: Sit-to-Stand

I always like starting with the largest muscles in the body because they wake up your entire system quickly. Sit-to-stands strengthen the quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings, and core while reinforcing one of the most important movement patterns you’ll perform throughout the day. Every repetition prepares your legs for walking, climbing stairs, and getting out of chairs with confidence. Clients often notice that this simple movement leaves them feeling energized almost immediately because it recruits so many muscles at once.

How to Do It

  • Sit near the front of a sturdy chair.
  • Place your feet shoulder-width apart.
  • Lean forward slightly.
  • Stand by pressing through your heels.
  • Lower yourself slowly.
  • Continue for 2 minutes, resting briefly only if needed.

Minutes 3-4: Wall Push-Ups

Once the lower body feels awake, it’s time to strengthen the upper body without placing unnecessary stress on the joints. Wall push-ups activate the chest, shoulders, triceps, and core while improving shoulder stability and posture. I recommend focusing on slow, controlled repetitions rather than rushing through the movement. Clients often discover they feel stronger during everyday pushing tasks after making this exercise part of their morning routine.

How to Do It

  • Stand facing a wall.
  • Place your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
  • Step your feet back.
  • Lower your chest toward the wall.
  • Push back to the starting position.
  • Continue for 2 minutes at a steady pace.

Minutes 5-6: Standing Knee Drives

This portion of the routine combines strength with balance and coordination. Standing knee drives activate the core, hip flexors, glutes, and supporting leg while gently raising your heart rate. I like using this movement because it closely resembles powerful walking, making the benefits immediately practical. Clients often tell me they feel lighter on their feet and more energized after completing these two minutes.

How to Do It

  • Stand tall.
  • Lift one knee toward your chest.
  • Tighten your core.
  • Lower with control.
  • Alternate sides continuously.
  • Continue for 2 minutes.

Minutes 7-8: Resistance Band Rows

Strong pulling muscles help maintain healthy posture while protecting the shoulders from unnecessary strain. Resistance band rows strengthen the upper back, rear shoulders, and biceps while encouraging better shoulder blade movement. I frequently include them because many adults spend far more time pushing than pulling during daily life. Building upper-back strength often helps clients stand taller and move more comfortably throughout the day.

How to Do It

  • Secure a resistance band in front of you.
  • Hold one handle in each hand.
  • Pull your elbows backward.
  • Squeeze your shoulder blades together.
  • Return slowly.
  • Continue for 2 minutes.

Family Rift Over Chadwick Boseman’s $4M Estate Dispute

0

In a dramatic turn of events, the siblings of the late “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman have formally requested that his widow, Taylor Simone Ledward Boseman, be removed from her role as the administrator of his estimated $3.8 million estate. They claim she has not met her responsibilities in the position.

A petition was filed last Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, as confirmed by Daily Mail insights. Kevin and Derrick Boseman argue that Taylor has inadequately overseen the estate for nearly six years following the actor’s untimely demise from colon cancer on August 28, 2020, despite his critical acclaim.

The brothers further asserted before the court that Taylor has not effectively kept the family updated about business dealings related to the estate, an issue compounded by the absence of a will from Chadwick.

They cited a 2022 court ruling which clearly specified that their parents, Leroy and Carolyn Boseman, were entitled to half of the estate’s assets, while the other half was to be managed by Taylor.

In their legal plea, Kevin and Derrick mentioned, “Taylor has neither completed the distribution of the estate nor applied for discharge in the years following the court’s final distribution order.” They further alleged that “she continues to exercise complete control” over the estate without consulting or involving her late husband’s family.

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Kevin and Derrick Boseman and Taylor Simone Ledward Boseman for further comment on the story.

Chadwick Boseman's brothers Derrick and Kevin are requesting that his widow Taylor Simone Ledward Boseman (pictured center with them in 2025) be relieved of her duties as the administrator of the late actor's $3.8 million estate

Chadwick Boseman’s brothers Derrick and Kevin are requesting that his widow Taylor Simone Ledward Boseman (pictured center with them in 2025) be relieved of her duties as the administrator of the late actor’s $3.8 million estate

Kevin and Derrick claim Taylor has not properly informed the family about business details pertaining to the Black Panther star's estate after he died in 2020 without leaving a will

Kevin and Derrick claim Taylor has not properly informed the family about business details pertaining to the Black Panther star’s estate after he died in 2020 without leaving a will

Chadwick left ‘behind a sizable estate that included residuals and royalties, rights to his image and intellectual property, investments, insurance policies, personal property, and multiple bank accounts’ totaling more than $3.8 million, according to court docs.

Kevin and Derrick told the court that Taylor has yet to tend to business duties linked to an insurance policy, his bank account totals, residuals from SAG-AFTRA and personal belongings that have yet to be forwarded to the late actor’s parents.

Boseman’s parents have not been able to move forward on potential business deals involving their late son due to Taylor’s inaction with the proceeds of the estate, his brothers said in the legal filing.

As such, the late actor’s parents have been deprived ‘of financial assets at a vulnerable age’ and have suffered from ’emotional distress’.

Kevin and Derrick said in the filing that they have sought to apprise Taylor of the pressing issues multiple times, to no avail.

The late actor’s brothers asked the court to ‘enter an order to show cause for why [Taylor] should not be held in contempt for failure to obey’ orders the court set forth four years back.

They requested the court order Taylor to forward the assets in the estate to the proper parties within a 30-day span, in addition ‘to file a complete accounting.’

The late actor’s brothers said that the ‘lack of transparency’ from Taylor ‘creates the appearance that she is concealing assets from [Boseman’s] family and from the court.’ 

The late actor's brothers said that the 'lack of transparency' from Taylor 'creates the appearance that she is concealing assets from [Boseman's] family and from the court.'

The late actor’s brothers said that the ‘lack of transparency’ from Taylor ‘creates the appearance that she is concealing assets from [Boseman’s] family and from the court.’ 

Chadwick Boseman’s death at 43 left Hollywood in shock. He had battled colon cancer for four years without publicly announcing his diagnosis. Pictured in Marvel's 2018 film Black Panther

Chadwick Boseman’s death at 43 left Hollywood in shock. He had battled colon cancer for four years without publicly announcing his diagnosis. Pictured in Marvel’s 2018 film Black Panther

Kevin and Derrick asked the court to remove Taylor from her administrative position in regard to the estate, and place lawyer Jason Rubin in the position moving forward.

They also requested that Taylor be prevented from entering into any new business deals on behalf of the estate unless approved by the family.

Kevin and Derrick asked the court for Taylor ‘to provide copies of all contracts entered on behalf of’ the late actor’s estate, as well as for Taylor to pay for ‘reasonable attorney’s fees and costs’ linked to the legal dispute.

Chadwick Boseman’s death at 43 left Hollywood in shock. He had battled colon cancer for four years without publicly announcing his diagnosis.

Among his most notable roles was King T’Challa in the 2018 smash hit Black Panther, a role which Marvel did not recast after his passing.

He also played baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson in the 2013 movie 42 and Levee in the 2020 film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, for which he was posthumously nominated for an Oscar.

Hitler’s Birthplace Transformed into Symbol of Peace to Combat Extremism

0

In a significant transformation, the birthplace of Adolf Hitler, nestled near the Austrian-German border, has officially reopened as a police station. Austria’s government hopes this new purpose will deter neo-Nazis and far-right extremists from using it as a shrine.

The path to this transformation has been long and fraught with debate. The large terraced house in Braunau am Inn, once privately owned and used by a charity for people with disabilities, was acquired by the Austrian government in 2017. It wasn’t until 2019 that officials announced plans to remodel the site into a police station, aiming to erase its dark historical associations.

Before its conversion, the house’s historical weight was acknowledged by a simple yet poignant reminder—a memorial rock sourced from the Mauthausen concentration camp. The stone bears an inscription that urges vigilance against history repeating itself: “For Peace, Freedom and Democracy. Never Again Fascism. Millions of Dead Warn.” Notably absent is any mention of Hitler himself.

The memorial rock remains a steadfast presence. Meanwhile, the pristine white facade of the building now carries only a straightforward declaration: “Police”.

“Our goal was to completely sever ties with Adolf Hitler, removing any mystique associated with him,” explained Stephan Mlczoch, head of the Austrian interior ministry’s history department, during a media tour of the revitalized building.

That mystique was encouraged by the Nazis’ cult of personality around Hitler, under whose rule the “Fuehrer birth house” was an art museum.

Hitler only lived there for a few weeks in 1889 before his family moved out, Mlczoch said.

The roughcast yellow walls of the home have been whitewashed over by the Austrian architecture firm Marte.

Police station intended as ‘exact opposite’ symbolism

“Today’s police, our Austrian federal police, is the exact opposite of the symbolism tied to this place. Our police stand … for democracy and the rule of law,” interior minister Gerhard Karner told an opening ceremony.

Passers-by often stop to take pictures, but their views on Hitler are usually not known. Local officials said there are now only “isolated incidents” involving visitors, fewer than before.

A yellow building with a rock out the front bearing an inscription.

While they did not elaborate, the Hitler salute and other Nazi symbols are banned in Austria.

Asked about the public response to the project, local mayor Johannes Waidbacher told Reuters: “I think on the whole, the people of Braunau have accepted it and can live with it.”

Waidbacher was on a commission that recommended the building be used either for a charitable or official administrative purpose.

In the end, having a charity based there would have made it too accessible to the public, he said.

“I think it isn’t a bad approach but whether it works as we all hope and expect, we’ll have to wait and see,” he said.

Holocaust survivors’ group opposes the move

There has been some opposition, including from the Mauthausen Committee, Austria’s main Holocaust survivors’ group, which has argued both that a police station is inappropriate and that more should be done to draw attention to Hitler’s crimes.

“Every year at the Mauthausen concentration camp memorial there’s a ceremony to say: never again. And in Braunau they’re saying: let’s forget as soon as possible,” said Robert Eiter of the Mauthausen Committee and the Network Against Racism and Right-Wing Extremism.

For decades, Austria argued it was the first victim of National Socialism, having been annexed by Hitler’s Germany in 1938.

It now says Austrians were also perpetrators but rarely elaborates beyond that.

“The world won’t forget where the worst mass murderer in history was born. Wikipedia won’t change its entries,” Eiter said, adding there will be no reduction in the number of neo-Nazis making “the pilgrimage to Braunau”.

Some local residents questioned the conversion.

“I would have preferred if they had done something else but it is what it is,” said Irene, 74, adding that she would have wanted the charity to stay there.

Most, however, were supportive.

“It’s great and a good idea,” said Thomas Spreitz, an estate agent. “Every now and then there are [neo-Nazi] groups there, and now that’s history.”


Heartfelt Tribute: Travelers Pause to Honor Returning Fallen US Service Member

0

In a poignant moment of unity, the bustling atmosphere of a North Carolina airport was transformed as strangers came together to honor a fallen American service member on their final journey home.

Footage circulating on social media, including shares by the White House, captured this touching scene at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. A large number of travelers lined up along the terminal’s windows, hands placed solemnly over their hearts, as they observed the respectful transfer of the fallen service member just outside on the tarmac.

“BEAUTIFUL MOMENT: Hundreds at Raleigh-Durham International Airport stood silently to honor a fallen service member’s return home,” the White House expressed in an Instagram post on Wednesday. “Our country is grateful. God bless our troops.”

The heartwarming tribute resonated deeply with viewers online, sparking waves of emotional responses and commendations for those who took a moment from their personal travels to pay tribute.

“God bless and comfort these families. I am so thankful for their service. The darkness will not outshine the light!” commented one individual, capturing the prevailing sentiment.

“There is hope for the USA. God bless our fallen heroes,” another commenter added.

Others said the tribute left them emotional.

“This brought me to tears,” one person wrote.

The United Service Organizations (USO) confirmed to News Media that its Raleigh-Durham Airport Center Honors Support Team assisted with a dignified transfer at the airport on July 21, but declined to identify the fallen service member.

Travelers stand in silent tribute as fallen US service member returns home at RDU Airport

Travelers at Raleigh-Durham International Airport stand in silence, many with their hands over their hearts, as a dignified transfer for a fallen U.S. service member takes place on the tarmac outside. (The White House via Instagram)

“Out of respect for the service member, the family, and military notification procedures, we are unable to provide additional information regarding the individual or the transfer,” the USO said.

The organization said its staff and volunteers are prepared to support military families during some of their most difficult moments.

“When a service member makes their final journey home, our staff and volunteers are prepared to provide compassionate support to families and work alongside our military partners to help ensure a dignified transfer and the respectful honoring of our nation’s fallen,” the USO said.

The organization added that it works to ease logistical burdens and provide families with a welcoming space and essential services so they can focus on honoring their loved one.

The airport tribute came as the nation mourned four U.S. service members recently killed during the war with Iran.

Earlier Wednesday, the Department of War’s Rapid Response account announced that four American service members who “made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation” had been welcomed home during dignified transfer ceremonies.

“Today, we welcomed home four brave Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation,” the account wrote on X. “Their courage will never be forgotten.”

US President Donald Trump salutes as a US Army carry team carries the flag-draped transfer case containing the remains of 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, during a dignified transfer solemn event for US service members killed during operations in the Middle East, at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, on July 22, 2026. Feehan was killed in action on July 18 during an enemy attack at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images)

President Donald Trump salutes as a U.S. Army carry team carries the flag-draped transfer case containing the remains of 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, during a dignified transfer solemn event for U.S. service members killed during operations in the Middle East, at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, on July 22, 2026. Feehan was killed in action on July 18 during an enemy attack at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.  (Saul Loeb / AFP via Getty Images)

FBI Director Kash Patel also paid tribute to the four fallen service members in a post on X.

“We owe the ultimate costs to our American patriots that paid the ultimate price for this country,” Patel wrote. “We will never forget.”

Sgt. Angel Rampersad

The Department of War said “Sgt. Angel Rampersad, 28, of Ozone Park, New York, is believed to have been killed in action on July 17, 2026, during an enemy attack at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan.” (10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command)

Patel named 1st Lt. Tyler Feehan, Sgt. Michael Swinton, Sgt. Angel Rampersad and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, adding, “Or their families.”

Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas

The first victims of restarted hostilities were identified as Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas, according to a Monday release. (U.S. Army)

It is not immediately clear whether the White House video from the airport depicts one of those transfers.

The four are among 18 U.S. service members killed during the war with Iran.

On Tuesday, the Pentagon identified Army Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, as one of the latest U.S. service members to die while deployed, announcing he was killed during an operation at Erbil Air Base in Iraq involving a downed Iranian attack drone.

Army Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton poses for a photo

Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, was killed in action during a controlled detonation of a downed One-Way Unmanned Aerial System on Friday, at Erbil Air Base, Iraq. (U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command via AP)

North Carolina Senate candidate Michael Whatley honored Swinton in a statement provided to News Media.

“May God Bless Sgt. Michael Swinton and his family,” Whatley said. “North Carolina and the country owe an immeasurable debt to those who have given their lives to protect and preserve the liberties which make America the greatest nation on Earth.”

Rep. Mark Harris, R-N.C., also mourned Swinton and Feehan while pointing to the airport tribute as a reflection of the nation’s gratitude.

“North Carolina and the Fort Bragg community mourn the loss of two remarkable individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,” Harris said in a statement to News Media.

“Beth and I are praying for the families, friends, and loved ones of Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton and 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan.”

“As today’s beautiful moment at Raleigh-Durham International Airport showed, we will never forget the debt our nation owes these two heroes.”

Unraveling Team Trump’s Impactful Anti-Fraud Campaign News

0

The Trump administration’s anti-fraud initiatives might appear scattered, but that’s largely due to the vastness of the challenge they face.

With federal expenditures exceeding $7 billion annually, fraudsters are relentless in their attempts to exploit every cent. Under the vigilant eye of Vice President JD Vance, the White House has rallied its resources for an extensive campaign to combat this menace.

In a significant victory this week, the Justice Department successfully apprehended a fugitive accused of committing a staggering $500 million Medicare fraud, evading capture since 2022. Concurrently, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Medicare-Medicaid authority Dr. Mehmet Oz have taken decisive action by suspending over $1 billion in funding for California and Minnesota due to suspected Medicaid fraud.

Simultaneously, the Treasury, led by Scott Bessent, implemented new verification protocols, preventing $100 million in taxpayer funds from being misallocated to deceased individuals. Moreover, an IRS audit revealed a startling discovery: errors in Social Security records had incorrectly listed 10% of recipients.

These developments add to the recent spate of fraudulent activities, including adult-day-care scams in Queens and efforts to recover $1 billion from pandemic-related unemployment fraud, which continues to siphon off approximately $2 million daily in New York.

Last month, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced charges against 455 people for $6.5 billion in health-care fraud.

All this is robbery of the taxpayers and of the folks these government programs are supposed to help: That should outrage Republicans and Democrats alike.

And politicians of both parties should be embarrassed that the crackdowns are only coming now, years after fraudsters notoriously made off with tens or even hundreds of billions in COVID-relief monies.

Yes, some of the crackdown relies on new technology: Kennedy touted the use of AI, advanced analytics and “other cutting-edge tools” to ID suspicious Medicaid outlays.

But much of it is just what Alexander Hamilton called “energy in the executive,” meaning leadership from President Donald Trump and his top people.

For example, the FBI created a Most Wanted Fraudsters list, which has now nabbed three major suspects: Khalid Satary, the one captured this week, plus Herbert Kimble, who allegedly stole $1.2 billion in a Medicare telemedicine scheme, and Said Abdullahi Ereg, accused of fraud totaling $4.2 million in a child-nutrition program.

Yet Democrats want to ignore or deny it all: Govs. Tim Walz and Gavin Newsom complained about “health care cuts” as Kennedy and Oz lowered the boom on them, even though both have been rushing to crack down on fraud in their states after the feds started exposing it.

And don’t forget the Dem boycott of Sen. Rand Paul’s fraud hearing last week.

We expect pretty sleazy stuff has gone on in red states, too, with some of the profits flowing to Republican politicians.

But Democrats likely worry that the worst will have gone on in blue ones — because those states always focus on increasing government spending as if it doesn’t matter where the cash actually goes. 

Whatever the reason, it’s a terrible look for a bunch that used to consider themselves the party of the people, not the fraudsters.

Gainesville Woman Arrested After Alleged Knife Attack and Collard Greens Incident

0

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a startling turn of events, authorities have taken 24-year-old Ieshia Chika Nakajsa Hawkins into custody following accusations that she attacked her boyfriend, allegedly dragging him by his hair and pouring a pot of collard greens over his head.

The incident unfolded around 7:28 p.m. on July 21, when an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy showed up at Majestic Oaks Apartments, located at 5800 SW 20th Avenue. Hawkins had reportedly dialed 911, claiming she was choked by her partner.

According to the deputy’s account, the boyfriend explained that a heated argument escalated when he began to pack his things. Hawkins allegedly retaliated by tossing his clothes into a preheated oven, scorching them. As he salvaged his searing belongings and attempted to continue packing, she became further incensed, purportedly stabbing him with a knife and leaving a small wound on his chest. The boyfriend described how she then pulled him by his hair, dragging him through their shared space, leaving him terrified for his safety, leading to him putting her in a chokehold until he could escape. As he exited, Hawkins allegedly doused him with a hot pot of collard greens.

The officer noted the boyfriend sustained a minor puncture wound on his chest, as well as welts at the back of his head from the hair pulling. He also had a visible red mark on his neck, along with remnants of a yellow substance in his hair and dried collard greens on his torso. Outside their apartment, the deputy observed a pot with collard greens spilled around it.

The victim estimated the damage to his clothes at under $200.

Hawkins reportedly said the victim had pushed her first, leading to a physical fight in which she was slapped and choked; she reportedly did not mention grabbing the victim by his hair.

The deputy noted that Hawkins had no visible injuries that supported her allegations that she had been slapped or otherwise injured during the fight.

Post Miranda, Hawkins reportedly admitted to dragging the victim by his hair around the apartment and chasing the victim out of the apartment with the pot of hot collard greens and then dumping it on his head; she denied having a knife during the incident.

Deputies reportedly found a knife in the sink and a fork on the floor of the kitchen.

While Hawkins was being escorted to a patrol vehicle, she allegedly lunged at the victim and kicked him in the head; she also allegedly refused to get into the patrol vehicle and had to be forcibly placed inside. After the deputy closed the door of the patrol vehicle, Hawkins allegedly kicked the door, bending it about an inch from the frame and preventing it from closing properly. The damage to the patrol vehicle was estimated at $2,000.

Hawkins has been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, battery with a prior battery conviction, felony property damage, resisting an officer without violence, and misdemeanor property damage. She has juvenile convictions between 2014 and 2018 and one adult felony conviction (violent). Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $220,000 and ordered her to maintain an alternate residence.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

CBS News’ Last-Minute Decision to Air Trump’s Election Fraud Speech Stuns Staff

0

A recent report reveals that CBS News made a sudden last-minute decision to air Donald Trump’s contentious primetime address on election fraud, despite initially planning not to broadcast it.     

According to sources cited by Status, the network had previously informed several ‘Democratic aides’ of its decision to refrain from airing Trump’s speech live across the nation.

During his Evening News sign-off at around 7 p.m., anchor Tony Dokoupil advised viewers to tune into the network’s streaming platform rather than watching on traditional TV channels.

However, just an hour before the scheduled address, CBS made an unexpected reversal, announcing at 8 p.m. that they would air the speech after all, according to sources.

The Daily Mail reports that CBS was aware the Thursday night speech would likely include false claims about the 2020 election, following an off-the-record briefing from the White House.

Dokoupil warned at its outset, ‘much of what the President had said on this topic has been false.

‘Most notably, of course, the claim that he won the 2020 election, when of course he did not.’

Some rigorous fact-checking followed, after CBS aired the 17-minute speech for 15 minutes.

CBS News abandoned plans to not air Donald Trump's primetime address to the nation about the 2020 Presidential Election at the eleventh hour, network sources told Status

CBS News abandoned plans to not air Donald Trump’s primetime address to the nation about the 2020 Presidential Election at the eleventh hour, network sources told Status

The 17-minute speech was riddled with falsehoods about the contest being compromised. NBC and ABC chose to avoid a linear broadcast

The 17-minute speech was riddled with falsehoods about the contest being compromised. NBC and ABC chose to avoid a linear broadcast

Both NBC and ABC announced earlier in the week their intent to air the speech online only, after which Trump threatened to revoke their broadcast licenses.   

CBS News has been plagued by accusations of pandering to the President since Paramount CEO David Ellison appointed Bari Weiss as its editor-in-chief late last year. 

The Status piece pointed out how CNN media reporter Brian Stelter received word earlier in the day that the network was weighing coverage options.

Sources told the outlet those talks did not include airing Trump’s remarks live on linear TV. 

Sources told Stelter that the plan was to have Dokoupil on standby to track the speech and then air a special surrounding anything newsworthy later in the hour.

Unnamed staffers who spoke to Status said the final approach to coverage caught ‘a lot of people’ off-guard. They were also under the impression the network was set to only stream the special.

CBS News President Tom Cibrowski, however, said on Wednesday that the network might carry the address.

The Daily Mail understands a meeting was also held that day in the interest of coming to a decision.

CBS News has been plagued by accusations of pandering to the president since Paramount  appointed Bari Weiss as its editor-in-chief in October

CBS News has been plagued by accusations of pandering to the president since Paramount  appointed Bari Weiss as its editor-in-chief in October

The decision eventually made was criticized by Democratic Sen. Mark Warner on-air. He told Dokoupil that any ‘responsible journalist’ would ‘push back on these falsehoods.’ 

‘We agree, you and I, that this is a vitally, vitally important topic, and the President has a terrible track record on it,’ a diplomatic Dokoupil responded. 

The rest of the CBS hour sought to provide context from experts, several of whom pushed back on Trump’s claims. 

Trump reiterated his belief that voting machines in 2020 had been rigged against him, leading Fox News’s correspondent Aishah Hasnie to warn as the network aired the speech in full: ‘Fox News has not seen that evidence yet and is not in a position to evaluate the accuracy of the President’s statement and claims at this time.’

Anchor Bret Baier similarly said: ‘Fox News has not seen that documentation yet and is not in a position to assess the accuracy of the President’s statements tonight.’

MS NOW also aired the speech, before cutting away at the 15-minute mark as CBS did.

Weiss was hired to be CBS News’s editor-in-chief in October, at the behest of then-new Paramount CEO David Ellison.

Ellison, at the time, articulated a vision of the prime Paramount asset reaching more people across the country and moving into the digital age.

Paramount CEO David Ellison - the man who hired Weiss in October - is now involved in CBS News' operations

Paramount CEO David Ellison – the man who hired Weiss in October – is now involved in CBS News’ operations

CBS has since been subject to an extreme overhaul.

Sources told Status last month that they believed Weiss had damaged the CBS brand over the past nine months with her changes.

One CBS News staffer told the publication: ‘The problem is clearly Bari. We are all trying to clean this up, but we need Ellison’s help.’ 

The Daily Mail has approached CBS News for comment. 

House GOP’s $95B Iran War Fund Plan Unveiled for SAFETY

0

Washington D.C. — On Wednesday, the House successfully passed a budget plan, largely supported by Republicans, which allocates up to $95 billion for the ongoing conflict with Iran, farming support, and selected elements of President Trump’s voting legislation, widely known as the SAVE America Act.

The resolution narrowly passed with a vote count of 216 to 214. Opposition stemmed from all House Democrats, two Republicans, and one independent aligned with the GOP.

This move marks the recent Republican attempt to force through President Trump’s primary goals, particularly as bipartisan budget talks have stalled. Democrats staunchly oppose the continuation of military involvement in Iran and the president’s proposed stringent voting laws.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, representing Louisiana, referred to this measure as the Republican party’s “best shot” at implementing as much of the SAVE America Act as possible into law.

Wednesday’s decision is merely the beginning of a partisan reconciliation strategy. The Senate must also consent to the resolution. This action directs relevant committees to start preparing the $95 billion reconciliation package, which must subsequently pass both the House and Senate. The Republicans opted for the reconciliation method—previously used to enact tax reductions and stricter immigration measures—because it enables the bypassing of Democratic resistance in the Senate, thereby facilitating approval with a simple majority.

The resolution directs the House Armed Services Committee and the House Intelligence Committee to write legislation that increases spending by up to $60 billion and $13 billion, respectively. The House Agriculture Committee received a $12 billion limit and the House Administration Committee was given a $10 billion cap. 

The plan faces major hurdles in the upper chamber, where the SAVE America Act has been stuck for months and lacks even a simple majority of support. It’s also unclear whether the voting regulation provisions — such as requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote and a photo ID to cast a ballot — will survive the Senate’s rules governing the reconciliation process, which prohibit the inclusion of non-budgetary policies. Funding for the Iran war could also run into pushback. A handful of GOP senators have voted in recent months to rein in Mr. Trump on Iran as the war continues without congressional authorization. 

The plan also does not include provisions to offset spending increases, which frustrated some conservatives in the House. 

“I think the problem is there’s no plan to pay for it,” GOP Rep. Warren Davidson of Ohio said last week ahead of House Republicans’ meeting with Vice President JD Vance, who came to the Capitol to rally members behind the plan. “A no-offset plan is dead on arrival.” 

On Monday, Mr. Trump called on House Republicans to unify behind the budget resolution and “fight” for the SAVE America Act. Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought met with House Republicans on Tuesday morning as the administration worked to get the resolution across the finish line.