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December 11, 2023
William Upton
News

DeSantis’s ‘Faith CEO’ Bob Vander Plaats Doesn’t Know When the Iowa Caucus Is.

Bob Vander Plaats, the Iowa evangelical political operative backing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, appeared to not even know when the Iowa Caucus was being held. In a now deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), Vander Plaats attempted to spin the newest Ann Selzer poll of Iowa claiming: “This poll shows Iowans have a choice on Caucus night, January 19… [Donald Trump] or [Ron DeSantis].” The 2024 Iowa Caucus is being held on January 15th not on the 19th.

Stylized the “Faith CEO” of Iowa, Vander Plaats has become one of the DeSantis campaign’s more visible surrogates in Iowa. The evangelical political leader publicly endorsed DeSantis for president after the Florida Governor’s campaign made sizable contributions to Vander Plaats’s Family Leader Foundation. Chris LaCivita, a senior advisor to former President Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, caught the error and in a post of his own drew attention to Vander Plaats’s careless and bewildering gaffe.

The impetus for the rushed and erroneous campaign spin from Vander Plaats was the newly released Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom Iowa Poll showing former President Trump holding a commanding lead among Republican caucus-goers with 51-percent, an 8-percent increase from October. DeSantis is in a distant second at 19-percent, while Nikki Haley is close behind him at 16-percent. Ann Selzer, the gold standard for Iowa pollsters, conducted the survey.

This is the second public gaffe in a week made by the DeSantis campaign as it scrambles to make up ground in Iowa. On Friday, Casey DeSantis urged out-of-state activists to descend on Iowa and “be a part of the caucus” – seeming to imply they should vote. The Iowa GOP was forced to release a statement pointing out that only legal Iowa residents could vote in the caucus and reminded voters to bring a photo ID.

By Popular Demand.
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13 minutes ago
News
Politics
UK

Andy Burnham All But Certain to Replace Starmer as UK PM After Only Serious Rival Backs Him.

Former Health Secretary and previously rumored Labour Party leadership contender Wes Streeting has backed incoming Member of Parliament for Makerfield Andy Burnham for Labour leader, all but guaranteeing that Burnham will become Prime Minister.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Newly elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Makerfield Andy Burnham has secured the backing of former Health Secretary and rumored Labour leadership rival Wes Streeting to replace Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, meaning Burnham is all but certain to assume the premiership in a matter of weeks.
📺 DETAIL: Streeting, once considered a potential contender for the Labour leadership, has thrown his support behind Burnham, urging his party to unite rather than focus on internal divisions. Streeting resigned as Health Secretary amid a wave of ministerial resignations and calls from Labour Party backbenchers for Starmer to resign last month. In his resignation letter, Streeting accused Starmer of a lack of vision following disastrous results for the Labour Party in May’s local elections, which saw Nigel Farage’s Reform UK make historic gains. “[May]’s election results were unprecedented – both in terms of the scale of the defeat and the consequences of that failure. For the first time in our country’s history, nationalists are in power in every corner of the United Kingdom – including a dangerous English nationalism represented by Nigel Farage and Reform UK… It is now clear that you will not lead the Labour Party into the next general election and that Labour MPs and Labour Unions want the debate about what comes next to be a battle of ideas, not of personalities or petty factionalism. It needs to be broad, and it needs the best possible field of candidates. I support that approach and I hope that you will facilitate this,” wrote Streeting. On Monday, in another letter posted on X (formerly Twitter), the former Health Secretary declared that he felt confident that ideas of “progressive capitalism,” a “Fourth Industrial Revolution,” and “a new special relationship with Europe,” among other ideas, would be taken seriously under a Burnham-led government. “Having spoken at length with Andy in recent days, I’m convinced that there is a place for those ideas under his leadership; that he is committed to building an inclusive party that draws on the best of our political traditions; and that he can win the fight of our lives against the forces of nationalism.”
💬 KEY QUOTE: “We could spend the summer exaggerating small differences, or we can roll up our sleeves and help him to deliver the change our party and our country needs. That is the choice that I am making and I hope that everyone else will back Andy too.” – Wes Streeting, former Health Secretary
🎯 IMPACT: Streeting’s endorsement paves the way for Burnham to be coronated as Labour Party leader uncontested and be installed as Prime Minister by September. The official nominations process for the Labour leadership contest is scheduled to begin on July 9. Prior to Streeting’s endorsement, Burnham was already the frontrunner by a wide margin. As such, even if Streeting did make a leadership bid, it is unlikely that he would have won, but the process of installing Burnham would have been stalled.
📺 FLASHBACK: Streeting’s endorsement follows the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer. The outgoing Prime Minister confirmed that he will remain in his position until a new leader is chosen. This follows the return of Andy Burnham, who had been serving as Mayor of Greater Manchester, to Parliament following a by-election (special election) in Makerfield, England. The former MP for the constituency (electoral district) resigned the seat following Labour’s local election losses to Reform in May specifically in order to allow Burnham to return to the House of Commons and supplant Starmer. 

Image by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street.

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Former Health Secretary and previously rumored Labour Party leadership contender Wes Streeting has backed incoming Member of Parliament for Makerfield Andy Burnham for Labour leader, all but guaranteeing that Burnham will become Prime Minister.

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By Popular Demand.
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57 minutes ago
Economy
News

Former Fed Chief Alan Greenspan Passes Away at 100.

Alan Greenspan, the influential economist and Federal Reserve chairman of nearly two decades, has passed away at the age of 100 due to complications from Parkinson’s disease.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has died at the age of 100, as confirmed by his widow, NBC correspondent Andrea Mitchell. Greenspan passed away due to complications from Parkinson’s disease.
👤 WHO WAS INVOLVED: Alan Greenspan, a prominent economist who served as Federal Reserve chairman under four U.S. presidents, namely Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, and his widow, Andrea Mitchell, an NBC correspondent.
📺 DETAIL: Greenspan served as chairman of the Federal Reserve from 1987 to 2006, making his tenure the second-longest in history. Appointed by the late President Ronald Reagan, he played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. economic policy for nearly two decades. His leadership spanned significant economic events, including the 1987 stock market crash and the dot-com bubble, with his legacy coming under scrutiny following the 2008 Great Recession, which occurred shortly after his departure.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “He was a giant of a man who helped shape the U.S. economy for decades under presidents of both parties, but was always honest in acknowledging his mistakes,” said Andrea Mitchell, Greenspan’s widow.
🎯 IMPACT: Greenspan’s policies and decisions left a lasting mark on the Federal Reserve and the broader U.S. economy, influencing monetary policy for decades. His tenure remains a key point of study for economists and policymakers alike, particularly in the context of the financial crises that followed his leadership.

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Alan Greenspan, the influential economist and Federal Reserve chairman of nearly two decades, has passed away at the age of 100 due to complications from Parkinson’s disease.

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
News
UK

Burnham Declines to Rule Out Snap General Election in UK.

Incoming Labour Member of Parliament (MP) Andy Burnham, widely expected to succeed Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader and Prime Minister, declined to rule out a snap general election on arriving in London to be sworn into the House of Commons.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Andy Burnham, the outgoing Mayor of Greater Manchester and incoming Labour MP for Makerfield, did not rule out a snap general election on Monday when asked if he would hold one following his expected installation as Labour leader and Prime Minister.
📰 DETAIL: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday, following heavy losses to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party in local elections last month. Burnham, returning to the House of Commons with the express goal of supplanting Starmer following a parliamentary by-election (special election) last week, was pressed on whether he would hold a snap general election by the press on arriving in London to be sworn in. Burnham, who previously called for a snap election when the formerly governing Conservatives replaced Boris Johnson as Prime Minister, was evasive, but did not rule out a fresh election. Labour leadership nominations will officially open on July 9, but Burnham will be installed without a true party election if support for his candidacy is overwhelming.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “My priority today is be sworn in as the mayor [sic]… as the MP for Makerfield. And it’s been very kind of sad for me today to leave Greater Manchester. The people have been brilliant to me over the past few years. I’ve loved every minute of the role. I hope I leave Manchester in a better place. But thanks very much indeed.” – Andy Burnham
🎯 IMPACT: British prime ministers depend on being able to command a majority in the House of Commons to stay in post, and can generally be replaced by the largest party in the chamber—currently Labour—through internal processes between elections. The only other serious challenger to Starmer besides Burnham, former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, threw his support behind Burnham on Monday, clearing the way for the Makerfield MP to take over as Prime Minister within a matter of weeks. Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage called for Burnham to hold a snap election on Monday to confirm Labour retains public support under new leadership. The government must hold an election by 2029, following the last general election in 2024, but can call one early if it chooses.

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Incoming Labour Member of Parliament (MP) Andy Burnham, widely expected to succeed Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader and Prime Minister, declined to rule out a snap general election on arriving in London to be sworn into the House of Commons.

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
News
UK

BREAKING: Starmer Quits As UK Prime Minister, Farage Calls for General Election.

Sir Keir Starmer has announced he will step down as both the Prime Minister and leader of Britain’s governing Labour Party, citing an internal party revolt against his leadership.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Sir Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as the Prime Minister and leader of Britain’s Labour Party, stating he will remain in his position until a new leader is chosen. This follows heavy losses to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party in local elections last month, and the return of Labour politician Andy Burnham, touted by many in the party as a more electable replacement for Starmer, to the House of Commons.
📰 DETAIL: Starmer reflected on his tenure, noting he inherited a Labour Party that was “politically, financially, and morally bankrupt” from former leader Jeremy Corbyn. He claimed to have revitalized it by addressing issues such as anti-Semitism and restoring trust in key areas like the economy and defense, although his Secretary of Defense and Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces recently resigned, warning that he was leaving the military dangerously underfunded. Starmer acknowledged that Labour doubted his ability to lead them into the next general election after its losses in May’s local elections, and accepted their decision that new leadership is necessary. Nigel Farage has called for a snap general election to let the people render their own verdict on Starmer’s eventual replacement. The government has to call an election by 2029, but can call it early if it so chooses.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Reform demands an election, and we are ready to deliver radical change. If Labour thinks it can shove another professional politician into No 10, it has another thing coming.” – Nigel Farage
🎯 IMPACT: The Labour Party’s National Executive Committee is tasked with setting a timetable for leadership nominations, which will open on July 9, ensuring a new leader is in place before Parliament reconvenes in September. It is widely expected that Starmer will be replaced by Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester who was recently returned to Parliament after roughly a decade away in a parliamentary by-election (special election).

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Sir Keir Starmer has announced he will step down as both the Prime Minister and leader of Britain's governing Labour Party, citing an internal party revolt against his leadership.

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By Popular Demand.
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June 20, 2026
Bonkers Britain
Health

UK Approves Trans Puberty Blocker Experiments on Children as Young as 11.

Britain’s Labour Party government has allowed a contentious trial administering puberty blockers to children to restart, despite previous safety concerns and legal challenges.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Britain’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved new protocols for the so-called Pathways trial, allowing children as young as 11 to receive puberty blockers. This decision comes after the trial was previously halted due to safety concerns.
🎯 IMPACT: The trial’s resumption has sparked significant controversy, with critics arguing that it poses unacceptable risks to children and lacks a strong evidence base. Legal actions are ongoing, and public figures have voiced strong opposition, highlighting the ethical concerns of involving minors in such experiments.
📰 DETAIL: The Pathways trial, led by King’s College London (KCL), aims to study the effects of puberty blockers on children with so-called gender dysphoria. Despite previous bans and safety warnings, the trial will proceed with a minimum age requirement of 11 for girls and 12 for boys. Critics argue that the trial is an unethical experiment on children who cannot give informed consent—under-18s in Britain are not allowed to smoke, drink alcohol, or even use tanning beds—to “treatments” that can permanently stunt growth and cause infertility.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “It is already clear that puberty blockers are no solution to childhood gender distress, and that they cause unacceptable harm.” – Helen Joyce, director of advocacy at Sex Matters
‼️ CAVEAT: The trial’s continuation is subject to ongoing legal challenges, and recruitment has been paused until at least August 1 due to these proceedings.

Image by Oriel Frankie Ashcroft.

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Britain's Labour Party government has allowed a contentious trial administering puberty blockers to children to restart, despite previous safety concerns and legal challenges.

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By Popular Demand.
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June 19, 2026
News
Religion

DOJ Challenges New York Law Forcing Nuns to House Men With Women.

The Justice Department is supporting a lawsuit by Catholic nuns challenging a New York law that forces them to violate their religious beliefs by housing biological men with women.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The Department of Justice (DOJ) is intervening in a lawsuit filed by the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, a group of Catholic nuns, challenging a New York law that mandates long-term care facilities to house transgenders based on gender identity rather than biological sex. The DOJ argues that the law violates the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause by forcing religious organizations to act against their beliefs.
📺 DETAIL: The Catholic nuns, who operate Rosary Hill Home for indigent cancer patients, contend that the law conflicts with their religious beliefs by requiring them to place biological men in women’s rooms and use preferred names and pronouns. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said the state cannot force religious organizations to abandon their faith-based convictions, warning that the law effectively compels the sisters to choose between their religious principles and their operating license. The Justice Department’s complaint supports the sisters’ claim that the policy infringes on their constitutional rights while they continue providing end-of-life care to patients.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “States should take notice that they cannot require Americans to abandon their religious beliefs in the name of woke gender ideology,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon.
🎯 IMPACT: The DOJ’s support for the nuns’ lawsuit could set a significant precedent for protecting religious organizations from state-imposed mandates that conflict with their beliefs. A ruling in favor of the Dominican Sisters would reinforce First Amendment protections and undermine the enforceability of similar laws nationwide.

Image by Br. Christian Seno, OFM.

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The Justice Department is supporting a lawsuit by Catholic nuns challenging a New York law that forces them to violate their religious beliefs by housing biological men with women.

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By Popular Demand.
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June 19, 2026
Immigration
News

Trump Admin Expands H-2A Program to Include Migrant Dairy Workers.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s decision to include year-round dairy workers in the seasonal H-2A visa program has drawn criticism over its potential impact on American workers.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that year-round dairy workers are now eligible for H-2A seasonal work visas.
📺 DETAIL: The H-2A visa allows agricultural employers to hire foreign nationals for temporary or seasonal farm work. It is designed to fill labor shortages and requires employers to prove that domestic workers are unavailable. The visas are limited to agricultural labor or services a temporary or seasonal nature, usually lasting for a period of up to one year. “The guidance clarifies that dairying is an agricultural activity eligible for consideration under the H-2A program and recognizes that dairy operations may experience temporary or seasonal labor needs that qualify for H-2A employment,” announced the USDA on Wednesday. Critics argue that the policy stretches the original intent of the H-2A visa program, which is reserved for seasonal labor. “Obviously, someone in the administration wants to get dairy into the unlimited seasonal temporary agricultural program, so apparently [it] is just redefining the word ‘seasonal’… Cows do not go on vacation, and generally neither do dairy workers… If you start with a law that says these workers must be temporary or seasonal, and you end up with, ‘Oh yeah, [year-round] dairy workers qualify,’ you’ve turned yourself into a pretzel,” said Rosemary Jenks of the conservative Immigration Accountability Project. The decision has sparked controversy as it could suppress wages, worsen working conditions, displace American workers, and discourage technological investments.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “We’re going to be importing a serf class to our dairy industry… and push Americans entirely out of the industry. It’s ridiculous.” — Rosemary Jenks, Cofounder and Policy Director of the Immigration Accountability Project.
🎯 IMPACT: The American dairy industry employs roughly 130,000 workers, half of whom are immigrants. The H-2A program is projected to import approximately 400,000 workers by the end of 2026. Along with the previously mentioned concerns about wage suppression, stagnant investment in automation, worsening working conditions, and displacement of native workers, the industry’s already heavy reliance on cheap foreign labor suggests that recent reports of worker shortages point to a more fundamental, structural challenge preventing it from hiring American workers.
📺 FLASHBACK: Back in March, following reports of a labor shortage in the agricultural sector, the Trump administration used the H-2A program to allow farmers to hire cheap immigrant workers on temporary visas. “The farm economy is in a difficult situation, and President Trump is utilizing all the tools available to ensure farmers have what they need to be successful,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins at the time.

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The United States Department of Agriculture’s decision to include year-round dairy workers in the seasonal H-2A visa program has drawn criticism over its potential impact on American workers.

show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.

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June 19, 2026
Health
News

MAHA Win as Nestlé Delivers on Pledge to Eliminate Artificial Colors.

Nestlé USA has fulfilled its pledge to remove Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) synthetic colors from its food and beverage products sold in the United States, marking a significant step in addressing consumer demand for healthier ingredients.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Nestlé USA has officially removed all Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) synthetic colors from its food and beverage portfolio.
📺 DETAIL: Nestlé USA pledged to eliminate FD&C synthetic dyes by mid-2026. FD&C synthetic colors are food and beverage additives regulated and approved by the Food and Drug Administration. FD&C synthetic colors are among several targets of the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) agenda, which highlights their health risks and lack of nutritional value. Earlier this week, Nestlé USA announced that its pledge had been fulfilled, with updated recipes hitting shelves imminently. Marty Thompson, CEO of the company, emphasized the commitment to meeting consumer expectations for transparency and healthier options. “MAHA keeps racking up wins. Nestlé USA has officially removed FD&C colors across its U.S. food and beverage portfolio. Progress tastes pretty good,” posted the Food and Drug Administration on X (formerly Twitter). Similarly, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posted: “Thank you, [Nestlé], for eliminating synthetic dyes from your products. Nestlé stepped up and delivered.”
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Consumers expect more choice, more transparency, and products they can feel good about… Eliminating FD&C colors from our portfolio is one more way we continue to meet those expectations,” said Marty Thompson, CEO of Nestlé USA.
🎯 IMPACT: The move away from FD&C synthetic colors is unlikely to stop with just Nestlé USA. Secretary Kennedy has already called on other companies to take similar action. “Now it’s time for every food company operating in America to do the same and help Make America Healthy Again,” Kennedy posted on X. The removal of synthetic dyes by Nestlé and other major companies reflects growing consumer demand for healthier, more natural ingredients. This story also shows that the MAHA agenda is making progress.
📺 FLASHBACK: Back in July of last year, American ice cream makers vowed to remove artificial food dyes from their products by 2028. The same month, it was announced that synthetic dyes would be removed from all Hershey’s snacks by the end of 2027. Previously, Kraft Heinz announced that it would also remove petroleum-based artificial dyes from its U.S.-sold products by the end of 2027. This rollback of artificial food dyes coincided with the FDA approving two additional natural color additives and expanding the use of a third.

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Nestlé USA has fulfilled its pledge to remove Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) synthetic colors from its food and beverage products sold in the United States, marking a significant step in addressing consumer demand for healthier ingredients.

show more
By Popular Demand.
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June 19, 2026
Crime
News

State’s First Transgender Rep Sentenced to 33 Years for Child Sex Crimes.

Stacie Marie Laughton, the first open transgender elected to a state legislature, has received a 33-year prison sentence for child exploitation, having pleaded guilty to the charges last year.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The first transgender state representative in New Hampshire has been sentenced to more than 30 years in prison for sexually abusing children. 
📺 DETAIL: Stacie Marie Laughton, born Barry Charles Laughton Jr., a former New Hampshire state legislator and the first open transgender elected to a United States state legislature, was sentenced to 33 years in prison for child exploitation. Laughton, a trans-identified male, was found guilty of receiving explicit images of children from Lindsay Groves, a former daycare worker at Creative Minds Early Learning Center in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, and Laughton’s former partner. Groves was given nearly 22 years in prison. Laughton was sentenced on Tuesday. Over 10,000 explicit messages were shared between the two. Specifically, Groves had taken explicit images of children while at a daycare job and sent the pictures to Laughton, who had previously expressed sexual interest in children. The explicit images included children as young as three years old. According to reports, Groves made the children at the daycare expose their genitals, taking pictures of them during bathroom breaks and diaper changes. Initially withdrawing due to a felony conviction for fraud, Laughton went on to serve in the New Hampshire legislature between 2020 and 2022.
🎯 IMPACT: Laughton’s extensive criminal record, along with the obscenity of the crimes committed alongside Groves, underscores the need for thorough background checks of public representatives and those working with children.
📺 FLASHBACK: Laughton pleaded guilty to the charges back in November last year. The explicit images were taken between May 2022 and June 2023. During the trial, Laughton’s history of legal issues came to light, including arrests for sexual assault, domestic violence, making bomb threats, and misusing emergency services, as well as charges for stalking.

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Stacie Marie Laughton, the first open transgender elected to a state legislature, has received a 33-year prison sentence for child exploitation, having pleaded guilty to the charges last year.

show more
By Popular Demand.
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June 19, 2026
News

Court Denies Biden’s Attempt to Seal Ghostwriter Recordings.

A federal judge ruled against Joe Biden’s attempt to prevent the release of recordings obtained during a classified documents investigation, citing public interest over privacy concerns.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich rejected former President Joe Biden’s effort to block the release of recordings to a conservative group. The recordings, obtained during Special Counsel Robert Hur’s investigation into Biden’s mishandling of classified documents, were requested by a Heritage Foundation staffer.
📺 DETAIL: Judge Friedrich ruled that the public interest in the recordings outweighed Biden’s privacy concerns, noting that sensitive personal discussions, including references to the death of his son Beau Biden, had been redacted. The recordings became a point of contention after Hur declined to bring charges against Biden and congressional Republicans demanded access to the material. Biden’s administration refused to release the recordings and transcripts, leading House Republicans to hold then-Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt. The Trump Justice Department later approved their release in response to a request from a Heritage Foundation staffer, prompting Biden to file suit to block disclosure. Friedrich, a Trump appointee, found the remaining material contained no highly sensitive personal information and denied Biden’s request, though his legal team has asked for the release to be paused pending appeal.
🎯 IMPACT: The ruling emphasizes the public interest in government transparency, particularly in cases involving high-profile figures. However, Biden’s team has signaled that it plans to appeal the decision, potentially delaying the release of the material.
📺 FLASHBACK: The recordings stem from a broader investigation into Biden’s mishandling of classified documents during his tenure as a U.S. Senator and as Vice President.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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A federal judge ruled against Joe Biden's attempt to prevent the release of recordings obtained during a classified documents investigation, citing public interest over privacy concerns.

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By Popular Demand.
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