Chicago Weekend Shootings Leave 7 Dead in Bloody Surge

September 8, 2025

Chicago witnessed another brutal weekend under Democrat Mayor Brandon Johnson’s leadership, with at least 19 people shot and seven fatally wounded across the city. The violence adds to a growing list of grim statistics in a city already plagued by out-of-control crime and soft-on-crime policies.

The bloodshed began Friday around 9:30 p.m. in the 1300 block of South Michigan Avenue. A dispute between two men escalated into a physical altercation during which a firearm was discharged. A 31-year-old man was shot in the head and pronounced dead at the scene.

Saturday morning brought further violence. At approximately 10:13 a.m., a man standing outside in the 3000 block of West Polk Street was shot multiple times by an approaching assailant and died on site. Less than 40 minutes later, police discovered the body of a 42-year-old man with fatal gunshot wounds inside a residence on West 93rd Street.

The killing continued early Sunday morning. Around 5:30 a.m., officers responded to a call near the 35th/Archer CTA Orange Line stop on South Leavitt Street. A 26-year-old man had been shot in the upper body and was declared dead at the scene.

Later Sunday evening, at 7:38 p.m., a 32-year-old man was found with multiple gunshot wounds on West Fulton Street. He was pronounced dead on the scene. A second 32-year-old man was also shot in the same area and later died at the hospital.

The weekend’s seventh fatality occurred just after 11 p.m. Sunday at a gas station on North Western Avenue. Police arrived to find a 21-year-old man shot in the head. He died on the scene.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, 281 homicides have been recorded in the city so far this year.

Despite mounting death tolls, Mayor Brandon Johnson continues to back progressive policies that have failed to deter the city’s criminal element. Critics argue that lenient prosecution, anti-police rhetoric, and sanctuary city policies have created an environment where violent crime flourishes unchecked.

Fake “Genocide Scholars” Smear Israel With Sham Gaza Vote

September 8, 2025

Ceasefire Hamas Israel — (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

The media rushed to amplify a resolution accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, but the truth reveals the narrative was driven by fake “genocide scholars”. Outlets like the New York Times and Washington Post described the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) as a “leading group of academic experts.” In reality, its membership includes “students, museum professionals, activists, artists, and literature scholars,” not just genocide experts.

Membership requires nothing more than filling out a form and paying dues—$125 for a year or $1,200 for life. As longtime member Sara Brown admitted, “As long as you’ve paid your dues, you can vote.” No vetting, no scholarship required.

When IAGS declared Israel guilty of genocide, only 129 of 600 members voted—barely 22 percent. Just 110 “yes” votes, or 18 percent of total membership, carried the day. Yet media outlets reported the result as if it reflected a rigorous scholarly consensus.

Even more troubling, the group canceled its scheduled debate before the vote. Its resolution leaned heavily on casualty figures from Hamas-controlled sources and echoed Amnesty International’s claim that legal genocide standards are “overly cramped.”

Brown put it plainly: “It is not guaranteed that they are, in fact, experts by way of being, you know, practitioners engaged in the field, or scholars engaged in scholarly discourse, and research.”

The Gaza resolution exposes how activists masquerading as scholars exploit weak institutions to smear Israel. As Brown concluded, the process “fully discredits the association.”

Sabrina Carpenter Hijacks VMAs With Drag Show

September 8, 2025

Former Disney star Sabrina Carpenter used her platform at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards to promote LGBTQI+ activism, flooding the stage with drag queens holding signs demanding appreciation, applause, and political rights. Her performance marked one of the most overt political displays of the evening, blending pop culture with progressive ideology in a show broadcast to millions.

Carpenter emerged from a manhole on stage at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, performing her single “Tears” from her seventh studio album Man’s Best Friend. She was joined by Drag Race stars Willam, Symone, and Denali, who held up signs reading, “Dolls, Dolls, Dolls,” and “If you hate you’ll never get laid.” As the performance escalated, more drag performers entered the stage with signs bearing slogans such as “Protect trans rights,” “Support local drag,” “Love each other,” and “Don’t hate drag queens because you can’t read.”

The politically charged display follows the release of Carpenter’s music video for “Tears,” which featured actor Colman Domingo dressed in drag. The performance capped off a weekend where progressive themes took center stage, with Carpenter among several artists using their platform to make statements on gender identity and LGBTQI+ issues.

The 2025 VMAs were largely dominated by female artists. Lady Gaga won four awards including artist of the year, while Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter each took home three. The only male winner of the evening was Bruno Mars, recognized for collaborations with Gaga and Rose of the K-pop group Blackpink.

British Teen Patriotism Shocks Labour Strategy

September 8, 2025

London England — London (Sabrina Mazzeo/Unsplash)

A new poll reveals that British teenagers are more patriotic than their parents, casting doubt on Labour’s recent move to extend voting rights to 16 and 17-year-olds. The survey, conducted by More in Common for The Sunday Times, shows that nearly half—49 percent—of teens express pride in being British, while only 10 percent report feeling ashamed. That’s a stronger patriotic sentiment than the national average, where 45 percent say they are proud and 15 percent ashamed.

The sharp generational contrast undermines assumptions that younger voters would naturally lean left. Instead, the data signals growing alignment with right-leaning views on national identity, border control, and national service—issues long championed by Reform UK and other conservative-leaning movements.

Among 16 and 17-year-old boys, 57 percent reported being proud of their British identity, compared to just 39 percent of girls. Willingness to defend the country in wartime also showed a gender gap: 32 percent of boys said they would serve, while only 15 percent of girls said the same.

The youth survey also revealed growing discontent over illegal immigration. A significant 44 percent of teens believe the government has not done enough to stop illegal boat crossings in the English Channel, while only 26 percent think there has been too much focus on the issue. That concern directly echoes the central platform of Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, which promises tough action on illegal immigration, including detention and deportation.

Labour’s strategy to harness youth votes in the next general election could now backfire. Reform UK has actively targeted younger voters, using social media platforms like TikTok and offering discounted memberships to those under 25. The effort appears to be paying off. A separate poll last week showed Reform UK polling neck and neck with Labour among 16 and 17-year-olds—23 percent and 24 percent respectively—while Jeremy Corbyn’s new far-left party captured 21 percent, splitting the progressive vote.

As the general election approaches, Labour faces a youth electorate that no longer fits the predictable left-leaning mold. These young voters, shaped by a decade of crisis and instability, are embracing patriotism, questioning mass immigration, and leaning toward parties willing to defend Britain’s sovereignty and borders.

Vietnam Veteran Told to Remove Pro-Trump Flag

September 8, 2025

American Flags — American flag (David Everett Strickler/Unsplash)

Leonard Amicola of New York’s Croton-on-Hudson was told to remove a pro-Trump flag because it violated the village’s “content-neutral code,” News12 reported.

Amicola said that he has had a Trump flag on his property since 2021, the current of which reads, “Trump is my President.” The flag hung between two trees. Previously, Amicola displayed the flag on a pole, but it was later stolen.

Croton-on-Hudson Mayor Brian Pugh said the are has had a “longstanding prohibition on banners” for all properties, adding that the matter is a “straight forward code enforcement matter, not a free speech issue.”

“We believe that the village’s enforcement action is unfair, that it targets the content of his speech than simply the display,” Amicola’s attorney said. “We feel that his actions are protected under the First Amendment.” His attorney added that the case may be to be brought to federal court.

In an opinion piece for The Croton Chronicle, the Army veteran wrote, “My choices and my politics are my own. I don’t always agree with other people’s opinions in Croton but all of us have the right to free speech.”

“People ask me why I don’t surrender and take down my flag,” he wrote. “It is because of the values I learned growing up here in Croton.”

Amicola explained that his father “fled a fascist dictatorship to come to America” and refused to serve in Mussolini’s army. Upon coming to the United States, his father told him, “I am American first, and Italian second,” and served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Trump Nominee Confirmation Delays Spark GOP Showdown

September 8, 2025

Senate Republicans are preparing to overhaul confirmation procedures in response to unprecedented obstruction from Democrats, who have blocked President Donald Trump from receiving a single voice vote or unanimous consent confirmation—marking a first in modern Senate history. This coordinated delay campaign has left hundreds of key positions in the administration vacant and forced time-consuming roll call votes on nominees who ultimately receive broad bipartisan support.

For decades, both parties accepted the principle that a duly elected president should be allowed to staff his administration swiftly. This understanding allowed hundreds of noncontroversial nominees to be confirmed by voice vote or unanimous consent. President Biden, for example, had 405 Senate-confirmed nominees in place by this time in 2022, with 230 confirmed by voice vote. Under President Trump, that precedent has been abandoned.

Democrats’ blanket obstruction has weaponized the confirmation process against the Trump administration. Delays have nothing to do with the qualifications of the nominees—many are confirmed by large margins after unnecessary delays—and everything to do with denying President Trump the ability to govern effectively. These tactics have sidelined capable public servants and left critical roles unfilled across federal agencies.

The result has been a historic drag on the Senate’s work. The current Senate has already taken more roll call votes in eight months than most complete in a full year. More hours have been spent in session than in any Senate since the mid-2000s. Still, confirmations remain behind the pace of previous administrations. To catch up, the Senate would need to hold over 600 more roll call votes—exceeding the number already cast this year.

In response, Senate Republicans are advancing a rule reform modeled on a previous bipartisan proposal from Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Angus King (I-ME). The new plan would allow batches of noncontroversial nominees to move together, breaking the logjam created by Democrat obstruction. This adjustment aims to restore the Senate’s traditional role in staffing the executive branch without partisan sabotage.

This week, Republicans will initiate the procedural steps needed to implement this reform. The goal is to return to a functional Senate confirmation process and ensure that President Trump’s administration can fully execute the policies chosen by the American people in the last election. The move comes after good-faith efforts to cooperate were met with continued stonewalling from Democrat leadership.

Trump Narco-Terrorist Strike Leaves Liberals Defending Cartels

September 8, 2025

trump order — (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

President Trump’s narco-terrorist strike on a Venezuela-based drug-smuggling boat has left Democrats and their allies fuming—even as most Americans cheer the decisive action. Eleven members of Tren de Aragua, a cartel designated as a terrorist organization, were killed in the precision military strike.

Ryan Goodman, a Yale Law graduate and former Obama administration lawyer, rushed to defend the cartel. “I literally cannot imagine lawyers coming up with a legal basis for lethal strike of suspected Venezuelan drug boat,” Goodman complained. He even claimed it was “hard to see how this would not be ‘murder’ or war crime under international law.”

But Trump made clear that America will no longer sit idle while narco-terrorists poison U.S. communities. “There’s more where that came from,” the president said, signaling more action to come against cartels and their allies. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro as the “kingpin of a drug narco-state,” underscoring the administration’s resolve to dismantle his criminal network.

Goodman’s outrage reflects the Obama-era mindset that preferred “a sternly worded memo” or an academic panel discussion to confronting crime. Trump, by contrast, has chosen decisive strength. As the president warned, “There’s more where that came from.”

Santa Monica Faces Fiscal Emergency After $229M Abuse Payouts

September 8, 2025

money — U.S. Dollars (Alexander Grey/Unsplash)

Santa Monica, California, is preparing to declare a fiscal emergency following a devastating financial blow tied to a series of sexual abuse settlements totaling over $229 million. The payouts stem from decades-old allegations involving former city employee Eric Uller, whose actions and the city’s handling of them have pushed one of the nation’s wealthiest coastal cities to the brink of insolvency.

The abuse claims center on Uller’s alleged misconduct between the late 1980s and early 2000s while he was employed by the city and volunteering with the Police Activities League, a city-run nonprofit targeting youth outreach. Uller committed suicide in 2018 before facing trial. In April 2023, the city reached a massive settlement agreement of $122.5 million with 124 victims, pushing total payouts to nearly $230 million. This financial burden has drastically depleted Santa Monica’s reserves and raised alarms over the city’s long-term fiscal health.

City services are already stretched. During the COVID-19 pandemic, officials slashed budgets and eliminated hundreds of public positions. Since then, essential services have not fully recovered. Capital improvement projects remain unfunded, and efforts to reinstate previous service levels have stalled due to fiscal constraints. The emergency declaration would not impose immediate cuts but could enable access to new funding sources or legal leeway in managing the city’s budget.

The city’s economic troubles are compounded by a sharp decline in retail and commercial tax revenue. Santa Monica Place mall recently defaulted on its mortgage, major retailers like Nordstrom have exited, and the once-thriving Third Street Promenade now suffers a 25 percent vacancy rate. This decline in commercial activity threatens a further drop in property tax income, deepening the financial hole.

Santa Monica, often criticized for its progressive spending priorities on climate initiatives, criminal justice reform, and resisting federal immigration enforcement, has redirected significant public resources away from core infrastructure and public safety. Though not officially a sanctuary city, its policy direction has mirrored those that deprioritize immigration enforcement and traditional law-and-order governance.

In light of these ongoing challenges, the city council will consider formalizing the fiscal emergency in the coming days. While largely symbolic, the move reflects the dire reality of a city overwhelmed by legal costs, declining revenue, and financial mismanagement driven by political priorities.

City Becomes ‘Fourth Amendment Workplace’ to Shield Illegals

September 8, 2025

ICE — (Photo by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement via Getty Images)

Durham City Council voted last week to become a “Fourth Amendment Workplace,” shielding municipal employees from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids.

The North Carolina city’s resolution, reported by The Chronicle, says it has “historically pursued equity and safety for all residents,” but the threat of unconstitutional seizure” has prevented immigrants in Durham from “safely engaging in public life, including pursuing employment and education.” The resolution directs city staff to “uphold the 4th amendment at their workplace and city agencies and report back to Council any barriers to effective training on the 4th Amendment for any departments,

Durham is the second city to pass a Fourth Amendment Resolution, with Carrboro, North Carolina, being the first to do so in May.

The Department of Homeland Security designated Durham a “sanctuary county” earlier this year, although officials pushed back on the claim.

“We are asking DHS to provide the reason for this designation,” Durham County Attorney Larissa Williamson said in May. “There is no legal or factual basis for it, and we aim to defend the County’s reputation and financial integrity.”

According to Durham County, the area has neither “adopted any ordinance, resolution, policy, or proclamation declaring itself a ‘sanctuary jurisdiction,'” nor has it engaged in practices that “would impede cooperation with immigration enforcement or limit compliance with detainer requests.”

In July, ICE agents appeared at the Durham County Courthouse to detain an undocumented migrant charged with a felony.

“Our residents witnessed ICE agents in our community, instilling widespread fear and uncertainty,” Mayor of Durham Leo Williams said at the time. “While local leaders cannot legally override the federal government’s use and weaponization of ICE, we can and must stand in strategic solidarity with our neighbors.”

Trump Voters Overwhelmingly View China as Top Threat, Want CCP Off US Campuses

September 8, 2025

Chinese flag waving in China (Getty Images- Credit: Nikada)

President Donald Trump’s base is making it abundantly clear they view China as a top threat. A recent Vandenberg Coalition/TargetPoint poll found an overwhelming consensus among Trump voters: they want Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence shut out of American universities.

“Trump’s base wants the CCP out of our classrooms,” the coalition said. The poll shows that 91 percent of Trump supporters—including 91 percent of younger MAGA voters (ages 18–44) and 89 percent of those under 30—oppose the presence of CCP-linked Chinese Students and Scholars Associations on campus. Among all respondents, 90 percent, including 92 percent of MAGA conservatives, view China as a “major threat,” with 76 percent labeling it a “high” or “extremely high” threat to the U.S.

The base also demands tougher action abroad: 60 percent indicate the U.S. should take an even harsher stance against Beijing. Concerns extend beyond campuses—95 percent worry about how China could exploit U.S. critical infrastructure, and over 85 percent support blocking Chinese land purchases and boosting domestic pharmaceutical production.

This poll sends a clear message: Americans aligned with Trump see China as more than a geopolitical rival—they view it as a national security threat. As the summary emphasizes: “China as top threat” isn’t just rhetoric—it’s a mandate from Trump’s voters.