State Department Targets Birth Tourism Networks
Hegseth on Iran: We Will Hit Them Hard
Inflation Goes Up, and Gas Is a Big Reason Why
What Doctors Say About the Latest Viral Drink

State Department Targets Birth Tourism Networks

Townhall reported that the Trump administration’s State Department has increased efforts to dismantle international “birth tourism” networks that help foreign nationals obtain U.S. visas under false pretenses so they can give birth in the U.S. and secure citizenship for their children. According to the report, officials have identified more than 400 cases since 2024 linked to organizations operating in West Africa, Europe, and North Africa.

The State Department said, “Under President Trump, the State Department is defending the integrity of U.S. citizenship by ending illegal birth tourism schemes.” Additionally, “no foreigner is permitted to obtain a visitor visa for the primary purpose of acquiring U.S. citizenship for a child by giving birth in the U.S.”

Authorities revoked visas tied to the networks, permanently banned organizers from entering the U.S., and canceled more than 100 visas through one North African embassy. The report said that facilitators often coach clients to conceal their true intentions during visa interviews and charge between $20,000 and $100,000 for services that include travel, housing, and medical arrangements.

Townhall added, “Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeted a Chinese national who ran a business in Irvine, California, that helped over 500 foreigners. It maintained 20 apartments, charge $40,000 to $80,000 per client, and raked in millions in wire transfers to help pregnant women have their babies in the U.S.”

The crackdown comes as courts continue to review President Trump’s executive order challenging birthright citizenship.

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U.S. Retaliates After Iran Shoots Down Apache Helicopter
Guilty Verdict Sparks Tensions Outside Texas Courthouse
House Sends $70 Billion Border Security Package to Trump
Is Remote Work Bad for Your Health?
On Wednesdays We Wear Pink

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U.S. Retaliates After Iran Shoots Down Apache Helicopter

CBS News reported that an American AH-64 Apache helicopter was shot down near the Strait of Hormuz, with President Trump blaming Iran and promising a response. “There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured,” Trump wrote, adding, “Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack.”

According to U.S. officials, the helicopter was patrolling waters off the coast of Oman when it went down. Officials said the cause of the incident remains under investigation, though early reports indicate an Iranian drone may have brought down the aircraft.

The two crew members were rescued in what officials described as the first-ever military water rescue conducted by an unmanned surface drone.

On the rescue, Gulf News reported:

The two crew members were rescued after spending around two hours in the water using a 24-foot unmanned surface vessel, the Corsair, operated by the U.S. Navy’s Task Force 59. Capt. Tim Hawkins of US Central Command confirmed this marked the first known U.S. military drone-assisted rescue at sea.

The drone transported the aviators to a safe location, where they were later airlifted by helicopter.

U.S. Central Command announced “self-defense strikes” against Iran Tuesday evening, calling them “a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression.”

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Guilty Verdict Sparks Tensions Outside Texas Courthouse

Fox News reported that a Collin County jury found Karmelo Anthony guilty of murder in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas. The jury reached its verdict after about three hours of deliberation. The jury sentenced him to 35 years in prison.

Anthony admitted stabbing Metcalf but argued he acted in self-defense. Prosecutors argued Anthony escalated a verbal dispute by pulling a knife and stabbing Metcalf, who was unarmed. Witnesses testified that Anthony had been asked repeatedly to leave a team tent and appeared to be provoking a confrontation.

Outside the courthouse, more than 100 demonstrators supporting either Anthony or Metcalf gathered as the verdict was announced. Fox News reported, “As the verdict was being read, more than one hundred protesters – split between supporters of Metcalf and Anthony – descended on the courthouse, and at least one protester was taken into custody after a fight broke out in response to the guilty verdict.”

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House Sends $70 Billion Border Security Package to Trump

Fox News reported that the House narrowly passed the $70 billion Secure America Act in a 214-212 vote, sending a major immigration enforcement package to President Trump’s desk. The measure funds Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection through 2029, including $38 billion for ICE and $26 billion for Border Patrol.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise praised the action, saying, “This is a piece that Democrats have said they don't want to fund because they want open borders. They have made it crystal clear, the Democrat Party in Washington, that they want to go back to open borders. And we're not going to do that.”

Democrats unanimously opposed the measure. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar argued Republicans were “pouring your hard-earned tax dollars into an agency that has brutalized and terrorized communities” while providing “essentially unlimited funds without a single reform in place.”

Senator Rand Paul noted on Facebook that immigration enforcement is very popular, posting, “President Trump’s immigration crackdown is exactly what Americans want. 80% support kicking out illegal immigrants who commit crimes, and 56% support deporting all who are here illegally.”

Is Remote Work Bad for Your Health?

CBS News reported that while many Americans prefer remote work and value the flexibility it provides, new research suggests it may come with hidden mental health costs. A study by a Federal Reserve Bank of New York economist found that remote work increases time spent alone, contributes to feelings of social isolation, and is linked to worsening mental well-being.

Researchers said remote workers experienced a 58% increase in time spent alone compared with in-office employees and were more likely to go an entire day without human interaction. The study also found remote workers were more likely to seek mental health treatment and use psychiatric medications. While remote employees often report higher job satisfaction and better work-life balance, researchers concluded that many may underestimate the long-term effects of social isolation on their well-being.

Of course, it all depends on whether your in-person coworkers are worse than social isolation 😬

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On Wednesdays We Wear Pink

Walmart has a lot of budget-friendly items this summer. Some of my recent favorites:

Scoop Women’s and Women’s Plus Stitch Mix Button Front Cardigan

Scoop Women’s and Women’s Plus Scubaknit Tank Jumpsuit

Jessica Simpson Women’s Jolie Tiered Jumpsuit (my Independence Day outfit)

Free Assembly Women’s Pointelle Cardigan Sweater with Short Sleeves

No Boundaries Women’s Americana Cut Out Tote Bag

If you’re reallye embracing summer and America 250, check out these finds:

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Is EU Admitting Trump Was Right?
Jobs Boom Continues in May
Protesters Arrested After Blocking Access to Delaney Hall
The New “It” Snack Has Been Around for Thousands of Years

Is EU Admitting Trump Was Right?

Fox News reported that the European Union has approved tougher migration and asylum rules that would require identity, security, and health screenings for asylum seekers, biometric tracking of non-EU citizens, and greater information-sharing among countries. The measures would also allow undocumented immigrants to be processed more quickly and, when appropriate, transferred to deportation centers outside the EU.

Supporters say the changes reflect growing concern about illegal immigration across Europe. Alan Mendoza of the Henry Jackson Society said, “The EU’s demography is changing Europe’s culture. We are now having to deal with people who are not integrating with the local customs.” He added that Britain’s migration struggles helped influence the EU’s tougher approach.

Fox News noted warnings from President Donald Trump, who told the United Nations last year, “You’re destroying your countries,” and said Europe had been “invaded by a force of illegal aliens.”

Spain has largely bucked the trend by moving to legalize roughly 500,000 undocumented migrants. Spanish journalist Javier Negre criticized the policy, claiming NGOs “promoted illegal immigration” and arguing that some immigrants “don’t have the same values” as their host countries.

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Five Stories from the Weekend

Fragile ceasefire in jeopardy as Iran reportedly fires first missiles at Israel (CNBC)

Spencer Pratt’s runner-up edge over Democrat Raman down to 1%, few thousand ballots (Fox News)

America’s $521 Billion Fraud Problem Is Finally Meeting Its Match (Townhall)

Lyndsey Fifield: How the NYT Betrayed Me to Cover For a Nazi-Tatted Creep (Hot Air)

Bill Maher Rips Artists For Pulling Out OF America 250 Concerts (Daily Wire)

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The Reflecting Pool is reflecting again following renovations.

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20+ Arrested as DHS Declares ‘ZERO Tolerance’ at Newark ICE Protest Crackdown

The New York Post reported at least 20 protesters were arrested Sunday night outside the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark after violating a newly imposed 9 p.m. curfew aimed at ending weeks of escalating protests. Police in riot gear moved in after protesters refused orders to disperse. Officers reportedly used tear gas as crowds chanted anti-Trump and anti-ICE slogans. It was reported on Monday night that most of those arrested have now been released.

The Department of Homeland Security took a hard line, posting, “If you riot, you will face the consequences. Law and order prevails,” and declaring “ZERO tolerance for rioters.”

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka imposed the curfew following repeated clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement. Protesters have accused the facility of poor conditions, while the Trump administration argues that “the standard of living at Delaney Hall is higher than most US prisons.”

The Epoch Times reported DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin defended the facility, saying it houses “murderers, rapists, pedophiles, and serious criminals” and stressing, “This isn’t a Holiday Inn. We’re not providing luxury housing. We are providing a sanitary place for them to be detained.”

The Epoch Times also noted that New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said outside agitators are driving violence at protests surrounding the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark. Sherrill noted that “five of the six people arrested last night by state police were from outside New Jersey” and warned that “some national extremist groups” have become involved. She said protesters threw projectiles, used barriers as weapons, and set tires on fire, adding, “To the people coming from out of the state to create chaos and dangerous situations, you should not be here.”

RELATED: Democrats own the chaos and racism at New Jersey anti-ICE riots (David Marcus on Fox News)

Congress Symbolically Pushes Back on Trump’s Iran Strategy

Fox News reported that House lawmakers voted 215-208 to approve a war powers resolution requiring congressional authorization for military action against Iran. All Democrats supported the measure, joined by four Republicans: Representatives Thomas Massie, Warren Davidson, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Tom Barrett.

The vote is largely symbolic because Trump is expected to veto the resolution, and supporters lack the two-thirds majority needed to override it. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast dismissed the measure as “a total BS vote,” arguing it was intended to score political points rather than shape policy.

Supporters said Congress should have a greater role in authorizing military action, while opponents argued the resolution could undermine ongoing negotiations with Iran.

Fox News noted, “Roughly six in ten voters oppose military action against Iran, according to a Fox News poll published in May. However, 72% of respondents said the U.S. is winning the war.”

RELATED: US secures Israel-Lebanon ceasefire in major diplomatic breakthrough (Fox News)

Study Links Ultraprocessed Foods to Higher Dementia Risk

The Wall Street Journal reported a new study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that older adults who consumed the highest amounts of ultraprocessed foods faced a 58% higher risk of developing dementia and a 46% greater risk of cognitive impairment compared with those who ate the least. The research followed more than 5,300 Americans age 50 and older for nearly nine years.

Researchers found that diets rich in minimally processed foods—including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and unprocessed meats—were associated with a 41% lower dementia risk. Processed meats such as bacon, hot dogs, and sliced ham showed the strongest association with cognitive decline.

The Wall Street Journal noted, “Certain additives common in ultraprocessed foods, like emulsifiers, can alter the gut microbiome in a way that might cause inflammation. Inflammation has been implicated in many health problems, including dementia.”

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What I’m Reading This Week

Apparently, I’m the last person to know about the book Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. The description is intriguing:

Natalie lives a traditional lifestyle. Her charming farmhouse is rustic, her husband a handsome cowboy, her six children each more delightful than the last. So what if there are nannies and producers behind the scenes, her kitchen hiding industrial-grade fridges and ovens, her husband the heir to a political dynasty? What Natalie’s followers—all 8 million of them—don’t know won’t hurt them. And The Angry Women? The privileged, Ivy League, coastal elite haters who call her an antifeminist iconoclast? They’re sick with jealousy. Because Natalie isn’t simply living the good life, she’s living the ideal—and just so happens to be building an empire from it.

Until one morning she wakes up in a life that isn’t hers. Her home, her husband, her children—they’re all familiar, but something’s off. Her kitchen is warmed by a sputtering fire rather than electricity, her children are dirty and strange, and her soft-handed husband is suddenly a competent farmer. Just yesterday Natalie was curating photos of homemade jam for her Instagram, and now she’s expected to haul firewood and handwash clothes until her fingers bleed. Has she become the unwitting star of a ruthless reality show? Could it really be time travel? Is she being tested by God? By Satan? When Natalie suffers a brutal injury in the woods, she realizes two things: This is not her beautiful life, and she must escape by any means possible.

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Congress Symbolically Pushes Back on Trump’s Iran Strategy
Florida Leads New Push to End Property Taxes
Childhood Vaccine Rules Face New Review
Study Links Ultraprocessed Foods to Higher Dementia Risk
They’re Bringing Sexy Back

Congress Symbolically Pushes Back on Trump’s Iran Strategy

Fox News reported that House lawmakers voted 215-208 to approve a war powers resolution requiring congressional authorization for military action against Iran. All Democrats supported the measure, joined by four Republicans: Representatives Thomas Massie, Warren Davidson, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Tom Barrett.

The vote is largely symbolic because Trump is expected to veto the resolution, and supporters lack the two-thirds majority needed to override it. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast dismissed the measure as “a total BS vote,” arguing it was intended to score political points rather than shape policy.

Supporters said Congress should have a greater role in authorizing military action, while opponents argued the resolution could undermine ongoing negotiations with Iran.

Fox News noted, “Roughly six in ten voters oppose military action against Iran, according to a Fox News poll published in May. However, 72% of respondents said the U.S. is winning the war.”

RELATED: US secures Israel-Lebanon ceasefire in major diplomatic breakthrough (Fox News)

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California Schemin’ and Other Primary News
Rubio Draws Hard Line in Iran Talks
Medicaid Work Requirements Set to Begin in 2027
CEOs Expect Economic Slowdown
On Wednesdays We Wear Pink

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California Schemin’ and Other Primary News

California’s sluggish vote counting ripped across the political spectrum: ‘Extremely embarrassing’ (Fox News)

L.A. Mayor Karen Bass makes Nov. 3 runoff; Spencer Pratt and Nithya Raman fight for second (Los Angeles Times)

Spencer Pratt lays out plan to defeat Mayor Karen Bass in November runoff: ‘I could not be more excited’ (California Post)

California’s race for governor and other key primaries remain unsettled as vote count continues (NBC News)

Trump-endorsed Feenstra concedes to MAHA-backed Lahn in GOP governor primary upset (Fox News)

Rubio Draws Hard Line in Iran Talks

Politico reported Secretary of State Marco Rubio told senators Tuesday that the U.S. is not offering Iran sanctions relief simply to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that “any sanctions relief is conditions-based” and must be tied to Iran’s nuclear program. Responding to questions from Senator Chris Murphy when asked whether sanctions relief was being used as an incentive, Rubio said, “No, that’s not been discussed, that’s not been offered.”

Rubio said negotiations are proceeding in stages, with Iran first needing to reopen the strait, guarantee safe passage for ships, and agree to further nuclear talks. He noted that Iran’s leadership remains divided, saying, “There’s definitely elements within that regime that understand” the country’s economic troubles could fuel unrest, while other factions are more resistant to compromise.

In one exchange, Senator Cory Booker said, “We are the strongest nation on the planet Earth, and we’re in a stalemate with Iran. And now we’re begging to get back into a deal that you all trashed in the first place.”

Rubio responded, “There’s no one begging.”

Later that afternoon, President Trump posted on Truth Social:

Fake News Reports that the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the U.S.A., stopped speaking a few days ago are false and erroneous. The conversations between us have been going on continuously, including four days ago, three days ago, two days ago, one day ago, and today. Where they lead, one never knows, but as I told Iran, “It’s time, one way or another, for you to make a Deal. You’ve been doing this for 47 years, and it cannot be allowed to go on any longer!”

Yesterday, Iran abandoned diplomacy, launching missiles at several Gulf states. Live updates on Fox News.

Medicaid Work Requirements Set to Begin in 2027

The Hill reported the Trump administration has finalized rules requiring most Medicaid beneficiaries ages 19–64 in states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act to work, volunteer, attend school, or participate in job training for at least 80 hours per month to maintain coverage. States must begin implementing the requirements by Jan. 1, 2027. The rules also established systems for exemptions, eligibility verification, and reporting.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz called the rule “our path to prosperity for the American people” and said it would help “preserve our precious Medicaid program for those who benefited from it.” Oz added that the goal is to help able-bodied adults move toward employer-sponsored coverage while ensuring “our most vulnerable population” receives needed care.

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CEOs Expect Economic Slowdown

Fox Business reported corporate leaders are growing increasingly pessimistic about the U.S. economy, according to a new survey by the Conference Board and The Business Council. The CEO Confidence Index fell from 59 in the first quarter to 47 in the second quarter, signaling that negative outlooks now outweigh positive ones. Only 15% of CEOs said the economy is better than six months ago, while 47% said conditions have worsened.

Conference Board Chief Economist Dana M. Peterson said, “CEOs reported that the economy is materially worse now than it was six months ago and expected economic conditions to weaken further over the next six months.”

Additionally, Fox reported that 31% of CEOs expect workforce reductions, reflecting a “low-hire, low-fire economy.”

On Wednesdays We Wear Pink

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20+ Arrested as DHS Declares ‘ZERO Tolerance’ at Newark ICE Protest Crackdown
Can GOP Deliver Before Midterms?
In More Hopeful Legislation News
Transformation Tuesday

20+ Arrested as DHS Declares ‘ZERO Tolerance’ at Newark ICE Protest Crackdown

The New York Post reported at least 20 protesters were arrested Sunday night outside the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark after violating a newly imposed 9 p.m. curfew aimed at ending weeks of escalating protests. Police in riot gear moved in after protesters refused orders to disperse. Officers reportedly used tear gas as crowds chanted anti-Trump and anti-ICE slogans. It was reported on Monday night that most of those arrested have now been released.

The Department of Homeland Security took a hard line, posting, “If you riot, you will face the consequences. Law and order prevails,” and declaring “ZERO tolerance for rioters.”

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka imposed the curfew following repeated clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement. Protesters have accused the facility of poor conditions, while the Trump administration argues that “the standard of living at Delaney Hall is higher than most US prisons.”

The Epoch Times reported DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin defended the facility, saying it houses “murderers, rapists, pedophiles, and serious criminals” and stressing, “This isn’t a Holiday Inn. We’re not providing luxury housing. We are providing a sanitary place for them to be detained.”

The Epoch Times also noted that New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said outside agitators are driving violence at protests surrounding the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark. Sherrill noted that “five of the six people arrested last night by state police were from outside New Jersey” and warned that “some national extremist groups” have become involved. She said protesters threw projectiles, used barriers as weapons, and set tires on fire, adding, “To the people coming from out of the state to create chaos and dangerous situations, you should not be here.”

RELATED: Democrats own the chaos and racism at New Jersey anti-ICE riots (David Marcus on Fox News)

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Five Stories from the Weekend

Duffy Now Vowing Action After Non-English Speaking Driver’s Deadly VA Bus Crash (RedState)

Trump Says Iran Has Agreed to No Nuclear Weapons (AFP)

Maher: Dems ‘Losing’ to ‘Car on the Lawn States’ on Education, Race, Climate (Breitbart)

‘God and Country’ vs. ‘Secularism and State’ (Thaddeus McCotter on American Greatness)

Could Spencer Pratt Actually Pull This Off? (Hot Air)

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Tulsi Gabbard visits Arlington National Cemetery and honors Staff Sgt. Alan Wayne Shaw.

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ICYMI

Paxton Topples Cornyn in Texas

Fox News reported Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated longtime Senator John Cornyn in Texas’s Republican Senate runoff. President Trump endorsed Paxton just a week before the vote. Paxton now faces Democrat James Talarico in a high-stakes general election that could help determine control of the Senate. Senator Cornyn pledged to support the GOP ticket despite the bitter race. Paxton called for party unity. Of his next opponent, Paxton said, “James Talarico is a threat to everything we hold dear in this state and in this country. He’s a threat to our security and our safety. He wants open borders and even said a welcome mat should be at our southern border.”

Cabinet Meeting Focuses on Iran, Ebola, Midterms

The Hill reported President Trump used Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting to project confidence on Iran negotiations, downplay political pressure ahead of the midterms and highlight the administration’s Ebola response. Trump brushed aside concerns that election politics could shape negotiations with Tehran, saying, “I don’t care about the midterms,” while pointing to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Senate primary victory as “the prelude to the midterms.” He also warned Iran that “either that or we’ll have to just finish the job” if talks fail.

On efforts in Iran negotiations, Fox News reported:

Trump said U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are “doing a good job,” but argued Iran has little leverage after recent military losses.

“Their Navy has gone, as I’ve said a thousand times, and Navy is gone, their air force is gone, everything’s gone, and they’re negotiating on fumes,” Trump added. “Maybe we have to go back and finish it. Maybe we don’t.”

Trump also said Iran’s economy is in “free fall” and claimed the regime believed it could wait him out until the midterms.

“They thought they were going to outwait me,” Trump said. “I don’t care about the midterms.

“Very simple. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. I’m doing that for the world. I’m not doing it just for us.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed the administration’s Ebola containment efforts, saying, “We cannot and will not allow any cases of Ebola into the United States.” Rubio added that federal agencies are “working very, very hard to contain this crisis.”

‘Organized Theft’: RFK Jr. Unveils Massive Autism Fraud Case

Fox News reported HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced what he called the “largest autism fraud bust in American history,” after two Minnesota defendants were indicted in an alleged $46.6 million Medicaid fraud scheme targeting autism services for children. Kennedy said, “This was not a paperwork error. It was not a technical violation. This was organized theft that exploited the most vulnerable children in America.”

Prosecutors allege Shamso Ahmed Hassan and Hanaan Mursal Yusuf paid kickbacks to families, billed for services never provided, and pocketed millions intended for Minnesota’s autism treatment program. Of the $46.6 million billed, $21.6 million was allegedly paid out. Authorities say some proceeds funded personal purchases and overseas transfers. Kennedy also emphasized the human toll, saying, “Every fraudulent autism diagnosis steals time, care and resources from the children for whom this program was designed.”

The broader DOJ crackdown has charged 15 suspects in schemes involving more than $90 million in alleged fraud.

The Last Generation to Grow Up Offline May Be the Most Resilient

According to Psychologie journal, developmental psychologists are rethinking Gen X’s reputation for cynicism, arguing it may actually reflect resilience shaped by a uniquely private childhood. The article highlights how Gen X was “the last cohort raised to walk in the front door of a Saturday afternoon without being scanned, photographed, optimised, or asked to perform their childhood.”

Researchers say that “what appears as detachment may actually reflect adaptive coping mechanisms,” formed through unstructured, unsupervised time that fostered self-reliance and a strong internal identity. Additionally, “children who had significant amounts of unobserved time tended to develop a more stable internal locus of identity.”

Still, there are trade-offs, as independence sometimes became emotional guardedness, with many Gen Xers defaulting to “I’m fine” instead of asking for help. But its conclusion is clear: Gen X’s skepticism isn’t bitterness—it’s the byproduct of growing up in the last era of truly independent childhood.

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Americans Crave Quieter Restaurants

Fox News reported a new survey suggests Americans are increasingly supportive of adults-only dining options, including parents. Among 1,000 U.S. adults surveyed by Lightspeed Commerce, 75% said restaurants should offer some type of adults-only experience. Support was strongest for situational restrictions: 49% favored limiting children during late-evening hours, 46% supported designated adults-only sections, and 46% said romantic dining settings should be child-free. Alcohol-focused venues also drew support, with 43% favoring restrictions there.

One notable finding: parents were reportedly more supportive than non-parents, suggesting the shift is less about anti-kid sentiment and more about different social expectations. Restaurant owners interviewed said the issue often comes down to atmosphere, guest comfort, and safety, while etiquette experts emphasized that teaching children proper restaurant behavior remains part of the dining experience.

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Dinner and a Show

On the menu this weekend is this recipe for Chicken Souvlaki Bowls with Feta, Tzatziki & Pearl Couscous.

As a Taylor Sheridan fan, I’m mortified that we haven’t started Dutton Ranch yet. That changes this weekend!

Cabinet Meeting Focuses on Iran, Ebola, Midterms
Average New Home Price Hits Half a Million
Study: GLP-1s May Stall Cancer
Americans Crave Quieter Restaurants

Cabinet Meeting Focuses on Iran, Ebola, Midterms

The Hill reported President Trump used Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting to project confidence on Iran negotiations, downplay political pressure ahead of the midterms and highlight the administration’s Ebola response. Trump brushed aside concerns that election politics could shape negotiations with Tehran, saying, “I don’t care about the midterms,” while pointing to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Senate primary victory as “the prelude to the midterms.” He also warned Iran that “either that or we’ll have to just finish the job” if talks fail.

On efforts in Iran negotiations, Fox News reported:

Trump said U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are “doing a good job,” but argued Iran has little leverage after recent military losses.

“Their Navy has gone, as I’ve said a thousand times, and Navy is gone, their air force is gone, everything’s gone, and they’re negotiating on fumes,” Trump added. “Maybe we have to go back and finish it. Maybe we don’t.”

Trump also said Iran’s economy is in “free fall” and claimed the regime believed it could wait him out until the midterms.

“They thought they were going to outwait me,” Trump said. “I don’t care about the midterms.

“Very simple. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. I’m doing that for the world. I’m not doing it just for us.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed the administration’s Ebola containment efforts, saying, “We cannot and will not allow any cases of Ebola into the United States.” Rubio added that federal agencies are “working very, very hard to contain this crisis.”

Read more

Paxton Topples Cornyn in Texas
Trump Pushes Peace Plan While U.S. Forces Hit Iranian Threats
Thomas Says Court Ignored ‘Disturbing’ Safety Claims
Your Comfy Chair Isn’t the Villain
On Wednesdays We Wear Pink

Paxton Topples Cornyn in Texas

Fox News reported Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated longtime Senator John Cornyn in Texas’s Republican Senate runoff. President Trump endorsed Paxton just a week before the vote. Paxton now faces Democrat James Talarico in a high-stakes general election that could help determine control of the Senate. Senator Cornyn pledged to support the GOP ticket despite the bitter race. Paxton called for party unity. Of his next opponent, Paxton said, “James Talarico is a threat to everything we hold dear in this state and in this country. He's a threat to our security and our safety. He wants open borders and even said a welcome mat should be at our southern border.”

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Trump Pushes Peace Plan While U.S. Forces Hit Iranian Threats

The Epoch Times reported President Trump said a potential Iran peace deal could reshape the Middle East by tying it to an expanded Abraham Accords framework. Trump said negotiations with Tehran are still “proceeding nicely” but warned that without an agreement, it would be “no Deal at all—Back to the Battlefront and shooting.” He urged countries including Saudi Arabia and Qatar to normalize ties with Israel, saying, “It should start with the immediate signing by Saudi Arabia and Qatar.” Trump also floated the possibility of Iran eventually joining the accords, calling it “something special.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced that Trump “is not going to make a bad deal” and remains focused on preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. The proposed agreement reportedly includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending regional hostilities. Iranian officials continued to say that while progress has been made, no final deal is imminent.

Fox News reported:

The U.S. military carried out “self-defense strikes” in southern Iran on Monday, targeting missile launch sites and Iranian boats, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

“U.S. forces conducted self-defense strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces,” Capt. Tim Hawkins, a CENTCOM spokesperson, said.

“Targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines. U.S. Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire,” Hawkins said.

Iran’s foreign ministry didn’t take it well, saying it “will leave no act of aggression unanswered.” The AP also reported, “It also reported that Iran denounced the strikes as a sign of ‘bad faith and unreliability.’”

RELATED: Trump moves Cabinet meeting from Camp David to White House as Iran talks intensify (Fox News)

Thomas Says Court Ignored ‘Disturbing’ Safety Claims

The Federalist reported Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito criticized the Supreme Court for declining to hear Florida’s lawsuit against California and Washington over issuing commercial driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants who allegedly cannot meet federal English-language requirements. Thomas argued the Court is avoiding a constitutional duty, writing, “This Court declines to even hear Florida’s claims, even though it has nowhere else to bring them.” He also questioned whether the Court has discretion to reject interstate disputes at all, saying, “The only statute addressing this Court’s jurisdiction over these kinds of cases nowhere contemplates a process of discretionary review.” Thomas highlighted Florida’s argument that such licensing practices may contribute to deadly crashes, calling the allegations a “disturbing phenomenon.”

The Federalist noted, “As The Federalist previously reported, the Department of Transportation said that ‘[t]hirty people died in 17 semi-truck crashes caused by noncitizen commercial truck drivers in 2025’ alone, with those figures likely being ‘an undercount.’”

Your Comfy Chair Isn’t the Villain

It’s what we’re doing (or not doing) in the chair. Fox News reported a new long-term study suggests that what you’re doing while you sit may matter as much as how long. Swedish researchers tracked more than 20,000 adults for 19 years and found that mentally active sedentary behaviors, such as reading or office work, were linked to a lower dementia risk compared with passive activities like watching TV or scrolling on your phone.

Lead researcher Dr. Mats Hallgren of the Karolinska Institute said, “How we use our brains while we are sitting appears to be a crucial determinant of future cognitive functioning.” He added that “not all sedentary behaviors are equivalent,” with some potentially protective. Experts emphasized that sitting remains a modifiable risk factor, but staying mentally engaged may help offset harm.

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On Wednesdays We Wear Pink

I was on top of the Suzie Kondi sale last week and picked up a few things I’ve been eyeing. If you missed it, want a similar look for less or the perfect summer jumpsuit, check this out!

Strangers Honor Staff Sgt. Alan Wayne Shaw
Bumpy Summer for Stock Market
‘Organized Theft’: RFK Jr. Unveils Massive Autism Fraud Case
The Last Generation to Grow Up Offline May Be the Most Resilient
Transformation Tuesday

Strangers Honor Staff Sgt. Alan Wayne Shaw

On Sunday afternoon, Sharrell Shaw posted on X:

This is probably a long shot, but if anybody happens to be in DC this weekend and plans on visiting Arlington, I would love to see a fresh photo of my husband’s grave in Section 60.

SSG Alan W. Shaw
Section 60, Grave 8451
B Co 1/12 Cav, 1st Cavalry Division
November 10, 1975 - February 9, 2007

There’s just something about knowing people still stop by, still say his name, still remember.

The internet didn’t disappoint. By Monday afternoon, the post had nearly 2 million views (now 5 million!) and many posted photos of the gravesite during their visit, including Tulsi Gabbard, pictured in photo above.

Sharrell posted on Sunday night:

When I made this post, I truly believed it was a long shot. Living in Arkansas, we’re not always able to make the trip to Arlington National Cemetery every Memorial Day, and there’s always a little guilt that comes with that.

But seeing complete strangers offer to visit Alan, leave flowers, take photos, and say his name when we can’t be there ourselves has honestly overwhelmed me in the best way possible.

This comment section restored a little piece of my faith in humanity today. I’ve always been proud to be an American, but tonight I’m even prouder knowing there are still so many people who refuse to let our fallen be forgotten. 🇺🇸

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Once again on this Memorial Day, I’m sharing the story of two brothers. The excerpt below is written by Mike Broomhead and tells the story of his younger brother, Sgt. Thomas Broomhead, who was killed in action in Iraq over 20 years ago on Memorial Day weekend. On this Memorial Day, be sure to remember those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

My brother Tom was a lot less vocal than I am. You learned about Tom by watching him rather than hearing him. I now make a living in which people listen to what I say. They don’t necessarily know me, but they might take stock in the words I say. Tom was someone who didn’t say much, but the people around him learned a lot by the way he behaved.

Tom joined the Marines in 1990. He was stationed in California, got out in 1994, and moved to Arizona. He worked at the state prison in Florence, Arizona. Then I moved there, and we lived together.

Eventually he met his wife, who had three small children whom he adopted. In order to care for them properly, he decided to go back into the military and join the Army. He loved it and wanted it to be his career. He decided to join the Army because they gave him a choice of duty stations. He had already been deployed once as a Marine, and he was afraid if he got deployed again, his wife would be stuck on a Marine base somewhere in the middle of nowhere with three kids. He chose Fort Carson in Colorado because her family lived five minutes from there. He loved the Marines, but he chose the Army the second time around because it was better for his family.

When 9/11 happened, he was one of my first calls.

“What’s happening?” I asked him.

“We’re going. I just don’t know when. We don’t know; obviously something’s going to happen and we’re going to be in it,” he said without hesitation.

The invasion happened in March of 2003. He wasn’t part of the first invasion. His unit followed the invasion into Baghdad.

All the commentators and naysayers said the Republican Guard of Saddam Hussein was battle-hardened and tested. They waxed on about it being Saddam’s terrain. They said the coalition forces could expect tens of thousands of casualties in the push to Baghdad. Then our forces cut through those guys like they were butter. They strolled into Baghdad.

That’s when I first noticed the divide in our country between the media elite and the rest of us who actually know people in the military. It’s not that the media elite are unintelligent. They just never meet or talk with the people who actually do the work. They want to interview the generals. I want to interview the generals, but I also want to interview the sergeants. The media would have known what was going to happen if they had interviewed the guys like my brother who were in the first Gulf War. He would have said, “You think the Republican Guard is going to beat us? Look at our equipment. Look at who our guys are.”

He was with the Eagle Troop of the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment out of Fort Carson, which later moved to Fort Hood. The regiment was called the Brave Rifles, and its motto written by Wilfred Scott was “Brave rifles! Veterans! You have been baptized in fire and blood and have come out steel.” General H.R. McMaster led the regiment in the first Gulf War.

Tom was in a Bradley armored vehicle unit. When he and his fellow squadron members moved into the Sunni triangle, they were first in a town called Ramadi. His platoon leader, KC Hughes, was actually younger than Tom. Tom was thirty-four. KC was in his late twenties. They had come up with an idea that night in Ramadi. They would jump in a car dressed in civilian clothes and drive around the city. They would look for young men with rifles, so they would know that a military stronghold was hidden in that place. Then they would go back and devise a plan to either hit it that night or hit it the next day to get rid of the militants in Ramadi.

It worked so well that when they locked down Ramadi, they moved my brother’s platoon into Fallujah on Memorial Day weekend. In Fallujah, they would have attacks at night. There were three or four freeway entrances into the city. They didn’t know if the attacks were coming from within the city or if people were coming into the city, hitting it, and moving out. They came up with a plan that they would shut down the freeways at night and check every vehicle coming into the city at all three or four checkpoints. If the attacks stopped, they would know that the attackers were coming from outside the city. If the attacks continued, that meant they were coming from inside the city and they had to start looking there.

On Memorial Day in Iraq, Tom and Sergeant Mike Quinn from Tampa, Florida, were outside the city and checking vehicles as they came into the city. A vehicle pulled up and opened fire on my brother and Mike. Mike was killed instantly. Tom was shot in the legs. Tom pulled himself to safety and took out the initial attackers. He shot the guys and took them out by himself. Their platoon was ambushed. There were people waiting in the building close to them. In the firefight, nine other guys were wounded, including KC, who was shot through the collarbone in the back.

They had a critical response team, another group of Bradleys and their fighting vehicles that were waiting to help in an emergency. They called in that team to come and assist, and they called for ambulances and helicopters for the wounded. The other Bradleys were blacked out and racing down the freeway. The first helicopter started taking small-arms fire as it was trying to land in the landing zone. Instead of the pilot going to the landing there, he almost landed on top of one of the Bradleys and crashed. It was just chaos.

The next helicopter that landed took the pilot and crew from the crashed helicopter instead of my brother or the other wounded guys. During the time when they were waiting for a third helicopter to show up, Tom was cracking jokes and calming everybody down, since he was ten years older than most of the guys around him. He wanted to look out for the younger guys. He was also doing triage and everything else with them. When another ambulance helicopter finally showed up, they took my brother out first because he was bleeding so badly. He had gotten hit in the femoral artery in his leg, and there was no stopping the bleeding. He bled out and died before he got to the hospital.

The Tuesday after Memorial Day, I got a call from a number in Florida that I didn’t know. With a mother who is older, a brother who is deployed, and a brother who is a cop, I knew it was probably not good news. I answered it and a voice said, “Hey, my name is Ken. I work with your mom. I don’t know how to tell you this, but your brother Tom was killed in Iraq.”

The first thing I said was, “How is my mom?”

“She’s being taken care of. We are with her. The military is still with her. She’s okay. Your brother is on his way,” he said.

“Okay, thanks,” I said, and hung up the phone. Then I called my brother Bryan, who was driving from work to my mother.

My church paid for my family’s plane tickets to go to Florida the next day. At six o’clock the next morning, I was on a flight going home.

In October of 2017, the media became focused on President Trump’s outreach to Gold Star families. In a press briefing from the White House, General John Kelly, who lost a son in combat, described what happens after a soldier dies in combat:

“Most Americans don’t know what happens when we lose one of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, or Coast Guardsmen in combat. So let me tell you what happens.

Their buddies wrap them up in whatever passes as a shroud, puts them on a helicopter as a routine and send them home. Their first stop along the way is when they’re packed in ice, typically at the airhead and then they’re flown to, usually Europe, where they’re then packed in ice again and flown to Dover Air Force Base, where Dover takes care of the remains, embalms them, meticulously dresses them in their uniform with the—medals that they’ve earned, the emblems of their service, and then puts them on another airplane linked up with a casualty officer escort that takes them home.

A very, very good movie to watch, if you haven’t ever seen it, is Taking Chance.…Chance Phelps was killed under my command right next to me, and it’s worth seeing that if you’ve never seen it.

So that’s the process. While that’s happening, a casualty officer typically goes to the home very early in the morning and waits for the first lights to come on. And then he knocks on the door; typically a mom and dad will answer, [or] a wife. And if there is a wife, this is happening in two different places; if the parents are divorced, three different places. And the casualty officer proceeds to break the heart of a family member and stays with that family until—well, for a long, long time, even after the internment. So that’s what happens.

Who are these young men and women? They are the best one percent this country produces.”
...

There are so many people in the military who just do their job every day. They’re not asking for anything in return. Tom was a silent hero. Recognizing his dedication and service matters to me. I wrote this book because I want readers, including future generations of my family, to know who he was. We feel like we’ve lost so much because God blessed us with so much.

- From If You’re Gonna Be Gonna Be Dumb, You Better Be Tough by Mike Broomhead with Lisa De Pasquale

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Fox News cohost Johnny “Joey” Jones reenlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps this week, with former colleague and War Secretary Pete Hegseth leading the swearing-in. Fox News noted, “Jones, a formerly-retired staff sergeant, served eight years in the Marine Corps and was deployed twice, suffering a life-changing injury while deployed in Afghanistan as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician. The 2010 IED-related incident resulted in the loss of both of his legs and severe damage to his right forearm and both wrists.”

🇺🇸

Trump: Iran Strike Still on the Table

Every few days, I consider whether to include an update on Iran given that it may bring an update of the opposite in a few more days. Here we are again! As my former boss Newt Gingrich wrote yesterday:

Watching China, Ukraine, Iran, and the U.S. Congress, there is just too much ambiguity to have any sense of what is really happening.

I spend about three hours a day trying to keep track of political and governmental news. Still, I find it almost impossible to really understand the situation.

Reuters reported President Trump said Tuesday that the U.S. could launch another strike on Iran within days if Tehran fails to reach a nuclear agreement, saying he was just “an hour away” from approving an attack before postponing it following renewed interest in Iran for diplomacy. Trump suggested action could come as soon as Friday or over the weekend, insisting again, “we can’t let them have a new nuclear weapon.”

Iran’s latest peace proposal reportedly calls for an end to hostilities across the region, sanctions relief, release of frozen funds, a U.S. troop pullback from nearby areas, and reparations tied to the recent conflict. The offer appears similar to a prior proposal Trump rejected. Pressure continues to mount to secure a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Ed Morrissey at Hot Air wrote, “Perhaps Trump just wants to get past today’s primary elections, especially the KY-04 primary challenge by Ed Gallrein against Thomas Massie, before taking action. One thing is certain: the terrorist regime in Tehran won’t change their position before tomorrow. Or their proposal, which has been unchanged since the start of the war.”

RELATED:

Vance: U.S. Aims To Fend Off ‘Nuclear Arms Race’ ‘Domino’ Effect In Iran Negotiations (The Federalist)

McCotter: America first, not America alone (Washington Examiner)

The State Beating Texas and Florida in New Residents

Breitbart reported South Carolina is outpacing other popular red states in the race for new residents. According to newly released IRS migration data, while Texas and Florida still attracted the largest raw numbers of newcomers, South Carolina posted the strongest per-capita growth, adding more than 59,000 residents from other states between 2022 and 2023. The influx also brought over $4 billion in income, boosting the state’s economy. The Tax Foundation said the trend reflects “a continued and pronounced domestic shift” as Americans leave high-cost, high-tax states for “more competitive tax systems and lower overall costs of living.”

As expected, California, New York, and Illinois saw the steepest losses, with California alone losing more than 100,000 tax filers. The report notes taxes may not be the only reason people move, but are often a significant factor alongside jobs and quality of life.

Shein Buys Slow Fashion Darling

The Daily Wire reported Everlane, once a “millennial darling” for transparent, sustainability-focused fashion, has been acquired by Shein for $100 million. It is a shock to fans given Everlane built loyalty by challenging fast fashion, like showing customers detailed cost breakdowns for materials and production so they could “feel confident about the value of what they were buying.” Some see the sale as a clash of values. Everlane emphasized ethical production, recycled materials, and durability, while Shein is described as prioritizing speed and low cost. Over the years, there have been allegations that Shein has faced scrutiny over “negligent labor practices,” “sale of unsafe consumer products,” and reports of “75-hour workweeks, poor wages, and unsafe factory environments.”

The Daily Wire said the sale reflects the decline of American apparel manufacturing, noting it has fallen “by more than 80%” since its 1970s peak, while “about 98% of the apparel consumed in America is actually produced in a foreign country.”

From the article:

Since its founding in 2008, Shein has become the largest e-commerce fashion retailer in the world. A portion of Shein’s financial success comes from creating its own supply chain in Guangzhou, utilizing a network of hundreds of Chinese suppliers. This allows it to produce massive quantities of products at an extremely rapid pace — quickly enough that it can move in tandem with the micro trends that crop up on social media.

Slow fashion brands don’t have that luxury and often can’t mass-produce affordable products during the short time span when they are in vogue. Shein’s ability to produce cheap, trendy clothing that millennials and Gen Z can afford has given it an edge in the market and a reliable, returning consumer base.

Despite lip service to wanting to purchase more American-made, ethically-produced products, consumers still seem to prioritize quantity over quality and higher price.

What I’m Reading This Week

A name from my time in DC politics keeps popping up in my timeline — Arthur Brooks. In just a few years, he has made the transition from leading one of the largest conservative-leaning think tanks in DC to becoming a guru that Oprah and the Dalai Lama recommend (among many others). On my plate for this week is From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life. From the description:

Many of us assume that the more successful we are, the less susceptible we become to the sense of professional and social irrelevance that often accompanies aging. But the truth is, the greater our achievements and our attachment to them, the more we notice our decline, and the more painful it is when it occurs.

What can we do, starting now, to make our older years a time of happiness, purpose, and yes, success?

At the height of his career at the age of 50, Arthur Brooks embarked on a seven-year journey to discover how to transform his future from one of disappointment over waning abilities into an opportunity for progress. From Strength to Strength is the result, a practical roadmap for the rest of your life.

Dinner and a Movie

There’s no shortage of Memorial Day recipes out there. It is the (unofficial) beginning of summer. Likewise, there are a ton of great movies to honor Memorial Day. If you want to make a weekend of it, here’s a round up of TCM’s movie marathon.

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Raúl Castro Indicted Over Americans’ Deaths
What to Make of GOP Incumbent Losses
Shein Buys Slow Fashion Darling
What the End of Spirit Means for Budget Travelers

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Raúl Castro Indicted Over Americans’ Deaths

Politico reported the Justice Department unsealed charges against former Cuban President Raúl Castro over the 1996 shootdown of two Brothers to the Rescue humanitarian planes that killed four people, including three Americans. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said, “The United States and President Trump does not — and will not — forget its citizens,” adding, “If you kill Americans, we will pursue you, no matter who you are.”

FBI Deputy Director Christopher Raia said investigators “never forgot” the victims and “never stopped hunting for the truth.” Florida Republicans welcomed the move. Sen. Rick Scott said, “I’ve been calling on him to be indicted for a long time.” Cuban President Miguez Díaz-Canel dismissed the indictment as a “political maneuver.” The case marks a major escalation in Trump administration pressure on Cuba.

Fox News reported Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said in a speech on Wednesday, “There can be no future for a free Cuba so long as the Castros and their criminal gang of thugs remain in power. We now have the leaders that will pursue that which is right and just.”

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Trump: Iran Strike Still on the Table
Election Night Round Up
The Book Brought to You by Teachers’ Union Dues
Call Her Mommy
On Wednesdays We Wear Pink

Trump: Iran Strike Still on the Table

Every few days, I consider whether to include an update on Iran given that it may bring an update of the opposite in a few more days. Here we are again! As my former boss Newt Gingrich wrote yesterday:

Watching China, Ukraine, Iran, and the U.S. Congress, there is just too much ambiguity to have any sense of what is really happening.

I spend about three hours a day trying to keep track of political and governmental news. Still, I find it almost impossible to really understand the situation.

Reuters reported President Trump said Tuesday that the U.S. could launch another strike on Iran within days if Tehran fails to reach a nuclear agreement, saying he was just “an hour away” from approving an attack before postponing it following renewed interest in Iran for diplomacy. Trump suggested action could come as soon as Friday or over the weekend, insisting again, “we can’t let them have a new nuclear weapon.”

Iran’s latest peace proposal reportedly calls for an end to hostilities across the region, sanctions relief, release of frozen funds, a U.S. troop pullback from nearby areas, and reparations tied to the recent conflict. The offer appears similar to a prior proposal Trump rejected. Pressure continues to mount to secure a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Ed Morrissey at Hot Air wrote, “Perhaps Trump just wants to get past today's primary elections, especially the KY-04 primary challenge by Ed Gallrein against Thomas Massie, before taking action. One thing is certain: the terrorist regime in Tehran won't change their position before tomorrow. Or their proposal, which has been unchanged since the start of the war.”

RELATED:
Vance: U.S. Aims To Fend Off ‘Nuclear Arms Race’ ‘Domino’ Effect In Iran Negotiations (The Federalist)

McCotter: America first, not America alone (Washington Examiner)

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Election Night Round Up

Thomas Massie loses Republican primary to Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein (Just the News)

Rick Jackson, Burt Jones headed to Georgia GOP governor’s runoff (MSN)

Trump backs Paxton in Texas Republican Senate showdown with Cornyn (Fox News)

The Book Brought to You by Teachers’ Union Dues

The New York Post reported American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten is rightly facing scrutiny over claims that union resources helped support her 2024 book, Why Fascists Fear Teachers.

According to a Freedom Foundation analysis of AFT financial filings, consultants, legal services, and publication-related expenses tied to individuals acknowledged in the book totaled more than $1.4 million. The report highlights $400,270 paid to consultant Sally Kohn, $977,275 to a law firm whose attorney reviewed the manuscript, plus smaller payments for fact-checking and photography. Freedom Foundation researcher Maxford Nelsen argued, “Most AFT members pay dues in exchange for workplace representation, not to fund the union president’s literary pursuits.”

Weingarten dismissed the claims as “a desperate fishing expedition” and said the union was a full partner in the project, adding that “any and all proceeds from the book are shared equally.” The analysis also questioned $125,000 in royalty payments to a Weingarten-controlled LLC.

This fishing expedition caught a lot of fish.

Call Her Mommy

Isabella Redjai wrote on The Daily Wire that podcaster Alex Cooper’s pregnancy announcement has reignited debate over the lifestyle messaging she built her brand on. Redjai argued that while the “Call Her Daddy” host promoted a carefree hookup culture for young women, her own path ultimately led to marriage and motherhood. Cooper openly discussed trying to conceive, especially in a podcast episode titled, “I’m Not Ready For A Baby…”

The broader issue is that delayed marriage and family may leave some women feeling duped by the liberated host.

From Redjai:

The truth is, women still want these things, and they are very good things. The best, actually. And rather than empowering themselves by sleeping around like men — without emotion, detached, and “just for fun” — many women are turning up feeling left behind, unprepared, and diminished by choices they once thought were liberating. This is the real danger.

Alex Cooper’s story has a happy ending. The question worth asking is whether the philosophy she sold along the way leads other women to the same place, or leaves them stranded somewhere in the middle, wondering where the script went wrong. Empowerment that only works for the person selling it isn’t empowerment at all. Call her what you want. Just don’t call her a role model.

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On Wednesdays We Wear Pink

The State Beating Texas and Florida in New Residents
Trump Hits Pause on Iran Attack
Thousands Mark America 250 With Prayer Rally
Land of the Free, Home of the Unmarried
Transformation Tuesday

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The State Beating Texas and Florida in New Residents

Breitbart reported South Carolina is outpacing other popular red states in the race for new residents. According to newly released IRS migration data, while Texas and Florida still attracted the largest raw numbers of newcomers, South Carolina posted the strongest per-capita growth, adding more than 59,000 residents from other states between 2022 and 2023. The influx also brought over $4 billion in income, boosting the state’s economy. The Tax Foundation said the trend reflects “a continued and pronounced domestic shift” as Americans leave high-cost, high-tax states for “more competitive tax systems and lower overall costs of living.”

As expected, California, New York, and Illinois saw the steepest losses, with California alone losing more than 100,000 tax filers. The report notes taxes may not be the only reason people move, but are often a significant factor alongside jobs and quality of life.

Read more

Five Stories from the Weekend

Trump celebrates after UN climate committee moves away from its most extreme global warming scenario (Fox News)

RINO Sen. Bill Cassidy Loses Historic Senate Primary Race (Townhall)

Iran Reportedly Hits UAE Nuclear Site, and Trump’s Patience With the Regime Appears Finished (RedState)

Hollywood doesn’t make patriotic movies anymore — and America’s 250th isn’t going to change that (Christian Toto on New York Post)

This Man’s on a Mission to Return Pizza Hut to Its Retro Glory. He Just May Save the Company (Inc.)

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President Trump declared the diplomatic trip to China a success and China put out a statement that they support opening the Strait of Hormuz. However, Elon Musk won for the most photographic moments.

Prices Up, Paychecks Down

CNBC reported prices jumped faster than expected in April, making everyday life a little more expensive. Gas was the biggest culprit, with prices up more than 28% from a year ago, but groceries, rent, clothes, and airline tickets also got pricier. CNBC noted, “Excluding food and energy, the core CPI increased 0.4% and 2.8%, respectively, keeping inflation well above the Federal Reserve’s 2% goal.”

The bigger problem, says CNBC, is that paychecks aren’t keeping up. After factoring in inflation, workers actually lost buying power, meaning your money doesn’t stretch as far as it did before.

Experts say this puts extra pressure on middle- and lower-income families already feeling squeezed. The economy is still hanging in there for now, with consumer spending staying fairly strong, but this inflation spike makes it less likely the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates anytime soon.

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Trump Floats Federal Gas Tax Pause

CBS News reported President Trump said Monday he supports temporarily suspending the federal gas tax as Americans face soaring fuel prices tied to the Iran conflict and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. “I think it’s a great idea,” Trump told CBS News. “Yup, we’re going to take off the gas tax for a period of time, and when gas goes down, we’ll let it phase back in.”

CBS News noted, “But suspending the excise taxes — 18.4 cents per gallon on gas and 24.4 cents a gallon on diesel — requires an act of Congress, and pausing it would cost the federal government about a half billion dollars a week.”

Gas prices have climbed more than 50% since the Iran war began, prompting support in Congress from Republicans and some Democrats for a temporary tax pause. Trump also dismissed the need for an airline bailout despite rising jet fuel costs, saying, “The airlines are doing not badly.”

Discussing Iran’s blockade threats, Trump insisted, “I knew they closed it. That’s the only weapon they have.” He also blasted Iran’s latest peace proposal as “a stupid proposal” that was “badly written, badly delivered.”

The Steaks Are High

Fox News reported beef prices are expected to remain high for years as the U.S. cattle herd has dropped to its smallest size in 75 years following prolonged drought, rising feed costs and an aging ranching workforce. Economists say years of dry weather across the West and Plains destroyed grasslands and forced ranchers to sell cattle early, including breeding cows needed to rebuild herds. Derrell Peel of Oklahoma State University warned that recovery will be slow because rebuilding cattle supplies takes years.

Despite higher prices, consumer demand remains strong, with Americans spending more than $45 billion on beef in 2025 while buying more overall.

An Analog Summer

At The Daily Wire, Clare Ath argues that the best antidote children’s screen addiction this summer is simple: send them outside with no schedule, no rules, and no devices. Citing The Anxious Generation, Ath writes screens have fueled “an anxiety epidemic, fractured attention spans, and increasing emotional fragility in American children.” Additionally, she uses the term “nature-deficit disorder,” to describe the harm caused when children lose touch with the outdoors.

Thankfully, boredom outside can restore creativity and focus. From Ath:

While extended screen time stunts the ability to focus, being outside does the opposite. Sometimes, this starts with boredom. Unable to satisfy the urge for distraction with a swipe of the finger, kids outside are encouraged to think. They will notice details they had been too distracted to see before. They will build worlds and invent games from their own imaginations instead of accepting the pre-packaged slop of the internet.

The brick wall they used to ignore outside becomes the rampart of a fortress. Never-before-noticed outdoor furniture covers become the perfect hideaway. The spiderweb in the side yard is no web at all, but an enchanted passageway only the most courageous dare cross.

In days, you’ll notice the once glossy-eyes of your phone-addicted child become full of life.

Ultimately, Ath urges parents to “raise a generation that can reconnect with the natural world and just be kids again.”

Probably wouldn’t hurt for parents to try it, too.

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One BRIGHT Thing to Try

Vibration plates may look like another social media fitness fad, but Elle reported they can offer real benefits, particularly for circulation, lymphatic drainage, balance, and muscle activation. Fitness expert Andrea Marcellus explained that the devices create “a vibrating or oscillating movement under your body to stimulate muscles and circulation.” She said the plates help activate stabilizing muscles and improve blood and lymph flow.

Marcellus noted that “the science really supports them more for circulation, lymphatic drainage, balance, and muscle activation” rather than dramatic fat loss like some TikTokers and YouTubers claim for clicks. She added that vibration can help reduce inflammation, improve recovery, and even ease bloating. Experts recommend moderate use, such as 5-15 minutes per day.

Check out the vibration plate I bought for my mom and will be buying for myself here.

Dinner and a Movie

For dinner this week, we’re trying the “Viral” Sheet Pan Beef Kebabs, served with creamy mint slaw and toasted pita. I think the drizzled pomegranate syrup is going to take it over the top.

A fitting movie for eating meat with your hands — Conan the Barbarian. It came out this week, 44 years ago!