@melcasmith.bsky.social
Reposted
Finally got through to Juan Ciscomani’s office and the person who told me last week to “have a blessed day” answered.
I told her she works for the government not a church.
She responded “I have free speech ma’am”. Which was convenient because I then used my 1A right to fillet Ciscomani.
I told her she works for the government not a church.
She responded “I have free speech ma’am”. Which was convenient because I then used my 1A right to fillet Ciscomani.
January 9, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Finally got through to Juan Ciscomani’s office and the person who told me last week to “have a blessed day” answered.
I told her she works for the government not a church.
She responded “I have free speech ma’am”. Which was convenient because I then used my 1A right to fillet Ciscomani.
I told her she works for the government not a church.
She responded “I have free speech ma’am”. Which was convenient because I then used my 1A right to fillet Ciscomani.
Reposted
Southern Command posted unclassified footage on social media of a U.S. helicopter landing on the vessel, the Olina, and U.S. personnel conducting a search of the deck. https://to.pbs.org/4aSF6OC
U.S. intercepts 5th sanctioned tanker as it exerts control over Venezuelan oil distribution
U.S. forces boarded another oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea, according to the U.S. military on Friday, as the Trump administration continues to target sanctioned tankers traveling to and from Venezuel...
to.pbs.org
January 9, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Southern Command posted unclassified footage on social media of a U.S. helicopter landing on the vessel, the Olina, and U.S. personnel conducting a search of the deck. https://to.pbs.org/4aSF6OC
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Data we obtained sheds light into employees hired by the US government in 2025, including a description of their duties, salaries and the agencies to which they were assigned. Let's just say, the IRS and DOGE stand out
Data Reveals Details About DOGE, Government Hiring in 2025
The IRS hired 1,313 employees in January 2025. Over the next two months the agency laid off 11,000 workers, or about 11% of its workforce. Additionally, the data identifies employees tied to DOGE.
bloom.bg
January 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Data we obtained sheds light into employees hired by the US government in 2025, including a description of their duties, salaries and the agencies to which they were assigned. Let's just say, the IRS and DOGE stand out
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The GOP’s best opportunity to gain a state legislative seat this month is coming on Tuesday in Connecticut, in a special election to replace a Democratic legislator who died last year.
The 8 Elections to Watch This January - Bolts
Welcome to 2026, a busy election cycle that’ll determine control of Congress, thousands of prosecutors and sheriffs, and the governors of most states. That’s all on the horizon, though. Kicking... Read More
boltsmag.org
January 9, 2026 at 5:01 PM
The GOP’s best opportunity to gain a state legislative seat this month is coming on Tuesday in Connecticut, in a special election to replace a Democratic legislator who died last year.
Reposted
"First Murder, Then Character Assassination"
In today's 'First Draft', @petertwinklage.bsky.social lays out MAGA's shameless and cruel gaslighting in the wake of the ICE killing of Renee Nicole Good.
Have you subscribed yet to our new Zeteo morning email?
In today's 'First Draft', @petertwinklage.bsky.social lays out MAGA's shameless and cruel gaslighting in the wake of the ICE killing of Renee Nicole Good.
Have you subscribed yet to our new Zeteo morning email?
MAGA Declares War on Good
Trump’s toadies smear a dead mother as their murder coverup collapses, federal agents shoot two more Americans in Oregon, and is Elon Musk cashing in on AI child porn?
zeteo.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:06 PM
"First Murder, Then Character Assassination"
In today's 'First Draft', @petertwinklage.bsky.social lays out MAGA's shameless and cruel gaslighting in the wake of the ICE killing of Renee Nicole Good.
Have you subscribed yet to our new Zeteo morning email?
In today's 'First Draft', @petertwinklage.bsky.social lays out MAGA's shameless and cruel gaslighting in the wake of the ICE killing of Renee Nicole Good.
Have you subscribed yet to our new Zeteo morning email?
Reposted
It sounds like these goondas are being told that 18 U.S.C. 111 means they can arrest anyone who protests or “opposes” them. They seem to have missed the “forcibly” part. Also, not for nothing, but this crime is a misdemeanor www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/...
January 9, 2026 at 4:58 PM
It sounds like these goondas are being told that 18 U.S.C. 111 means they can arrest anyone who protests or “opposes” them. They seem to have missed the “forcibly” part. Also, not for nothing, but this crime is a misdemeanor www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/...
Reposted
🚨BREAKING: Nearly three weeks after the Department of Justice (DOJ) violated a new federal law by not releasing all of its files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, two lawmakers now want the judiciary to step in. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
‘DOJ cannot be trusted’: Lawmakers ask judge for independent oversight on Epstein files
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
January 9, 2026 at 4:38 PM
🚨BREAKING: Nearly three weeks after the Department of Justice (DOJ) violated a new federal law by not releasing all of its files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, two lawmakers now want the judiciary to step in. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
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This was a major initiative from the Biden White House, based in the idea of getting together all the countries with a stake in this crisis. They pressured China to stop precursor chemicals, hit hard at the capital funding for production in Mexico, and funded Narcan in the U.S. It apparently worked.
China's fentanyl crackdown led to a stunning drop in U.S. overdoses, research says
China's fentanyl crackdown led to a stunning drop in U.S. overdoses, research says
Diplomatic pressure worked. Street-level busts didn't.
www.axios.com
January 9, 2026 at 4:41 PM
This was a major initiative from the Biden White House, based in the idea of getting together all the countries with a stake in this crisis. They pressured China to stop precursor chemicals, hit hard at the capital funding for production in Mexico, and funded Narcan in the U.S. It apparently worked.
Reposted
This week, senators stepped up after learning the plaque, which had been approved by Congress more than three years ago, was nowhere to be found at the Capitol. n.pr/4qIwXkf
After delays, the missing Jan. 6 plaque will be displayed at the Capitol
This week, senators stepped up after learning the plaque, which had been approved by Congress more than three years ago, was nowhere to be found at the Capitol.
n.pr
January 9, 2026 at 7:35 AM
This week, senators stepped up after learning the plaque, which had been approved by Congress more than three years ago, was nowhere to be found at the Capitol. n.pr/4qIwXkf
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President Donald Trump said the US military was preparing for strikes against drug cartel facilities, just days after he ordered an operation to capture Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro
Trump Signals Land Strikes On Cartels After Maduro Operation
President Donald Trump said the US military was preparing for strikes against drug cartel facilities, just days after he ordered an operation to capture Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro.
bloom.bg
January 9, 2026 at 8:00 AM
President Donald Trump said the US military was preparing for strikes against drug cartel facilities, just days after he ordered an operation to capture Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro
Reposted
January 8, 2026
January 8, 2026
On MS NOW today, columnist Philip Bump broke down when talking about the shooting of Renee Nicole Good yesterday in Minneapolis.
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:05 AM
January 8, 2026
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K-pop is an inextricable force in global pop culture. It has also long been undercelebrated at institutions like the Grammys, but that could soon change.
K-pop might win at the Grammys for the first time
K-pop is an inextricable force in global pop culture. It has also long been undercelebrated at institutions like the Grammys.
bit.ly
January 9, 2026 at 8:30 AM
K-pop is an inextricable force in global pop culture. It has also long been undercelebrated at institutions like the Grammys, but that could soon change.
Reposted
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
Russian drones attacked targets in Kyiv early on January 9, killing four people, injuring at least 19 and inflicting considerable damage on dwellings and infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said.
Russian drones attacked targets in Kyiv early on January 9, killing four people, injuring at least 19 and inflicting considerable damage on dwellings and infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said.
January 9, 2026 at 8:47 AM
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
Russian drones attacked targets in Kyiv early on January 9, killing four people, injuring at least 19 and inflicting considerable damage on dwellings and infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said.
Russian drones attacked targets in Kyiv early on January 9, killing four people, injuring at least 19 and inflicting considerable damage on dwellings and infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said.
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Slower US job growth expected in December; unemployment rate likely dipped reut.rs/49sklqB
Slower US job growth expected in December; unemployment rate likely dipped
U.S. job growth likely slowed in December amid business caution about hiring because of import tariffs and rising artificial intelligence investment, though an anticipated easing in the unemployment rate to 4.5% could support expectations the Federal Reserve will leave interest rates unchanged this month.
reut.rs
January 9, 2026 at 8:50 AM
Slower US job growth expected in December; unemployment rate likely dipped reut.rs/49sklqB
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LIVE: Kurdish forces evacuate Aleppo for northeast Syria youtube.com/live/2EVM396...
LIVE: Kurdish forces evacuate Aleppo for northeast Syria
YouTube video by Reuters
youtube.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:50 AM
LIVE: Kurdish forces evacuate Aleppo for northeast Syria youtube.com/live/2EVM396...
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Russian media said the Oreshnik targeted a huge underground natural gas storage in Ukraine's western Lviv region. Ukrainian officials said four people were killed in Kyiv overnight. n.pr/45Dmwq3
Russia says it used new Oreshnik ballistic missile against Ukraine
Russian media said the Oreshnik targeted a huge underground natural gas storage in Ukraine's western Lviv region. Ukrainian officials said four people were killed in Kyiv overnight.
n.pr
January 9, 2026 at 8:54 AM
Russian media said the Oreshnik targeted a huge underground natural gas storage in Ukraine's western Lviv region. Ukrainian officials said four people were killed in Kyiv overnight. n.pr/45Dmwq3
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Authorities have issued several evacuation orders in Australia’s Victoria state as wildfires burn out of control, with parts of the country’s heavily populated east coast sweltering under a heatwave.
Victoria Faces ‘Dangerous’ Fire Day as Heatwave Bakes Australia
Authorities have issued several evacuation orders in Australia’s Victoria state as wildfires burn out of control, with parts of the country’s heavily populated east coast sweltering under a heatwave.
bloom.bg
January 9, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Authorities have issued several evacuation orders in Australia’s Victoria state as wildfires burn out of control, with parts of the country’s heavily populated east coast sweltering under a heatwave.
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Russia says it fired its Oreshnik hypersonic missile at Ukraine reut.rs/3LiQQzt
Russia says it fired its Oreshnik hypersonic missile at Ukraine
The missile is capable of carrying nuclear warheads, although there was no suggestion that the one used in the overnight attack had been fitted with them.
reut.rs
January 9, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Russia says it fired its Oreshnik hypersonic missile at Ukraine reut.rs/3LiQQzt
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Iranian protesters shouted and marched through the streets into Friday morning, despite Iran's theocracy cutting off the nation from the internet and international telephone calls. n.pr/4jxqne9
Protests sweep Iran despite internet shutdown as state TV warns of casualties
Iranian protesters shouted and marched through the streets into Friday morning, despite Iran's theocracy cutting off the nation from the internet and international telephone calls.
n.pr
January 9, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Iranian protesters shouted and marched through the streets into Friday morning, despite Iran's theocracy cutting off the nation from the internet and international telephone calls. n.pr/4jxqne9
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India-US trade deal stalled after Modi did not call Trump, Lutnick says reut.rs/49uPtpe
India-US trade deal stalled after Modi did not call Trump, Lutnick says
India's trade pact with the United States was delayed because Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not make a telephone call to President Donald Trump to close a deal they were negotiating, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Friday.
reut.rs
January 9, 2026 at 9:35 AM
India-US trade deal stalled after Modi did not call Trump, Lutnick says reut.rs/49uPtpe
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Can the US put a price tag on Greenland? reut.rs/3LCvHAg
Can the US put a price tag on Greenland?
Discussion of the hypothetical sale rapidly encounters imponderables such as how a meaningful price tag could even be established.
reut.rs
January 9, 2026 at 9:50 AM
Can the US put a price tag on Greenland? reut.rs/3LCvHAg
47 puts a price tag on everything.
January 9, 2026 at 1:54 PM
47 puts a price tag on everything.
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The Cherokee were forced out of Franklin, North Carolina, in the 19th century, setting off a spate of land ownership disputes. For generations, the mound was passed between non-Native private citizens and the town government.
Now, that’s changing. https://wapo.st/4swJitC
Now, that’s changing. https://wapo.st/4swJitC
January 9, 2026 at 10:00 AM
The Cherokee were forced out of Franklin, North Carolina, in the 19th century, setting off a spate of land ownership disputes. For generations, the mound was passed between non-Native private citizens and the town government.
Now, that’s changing. https://wapo.st/4swJitC
Now, that’s changing. https://wapo.st/4swJitC
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'Intended killings': Tanzania's election violence ensnared unsuspecting victims reut.rs/49e7nOj
'Intended killings': Tanzania's election violence ensnared unsuspecting victims
Around 8:30 p.m. on October 31, a group of policemen appeared in the Mjimwema neighbourhood of the Tanzanian city of Mwanza, where residents were running errands and drinking coffee. Without warning, they opened fire in different directions, triggering panic.
reut.rs
January 9, 2026 at 10:01 AM
'Intended killings': Tanzania's election violence ensnared unsuspecting victims reut.rs/49e7nOj
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‘The housing crisis isn’t inevitable’: NYC planning chief Dan Garodnick reflects on four tumultuous, eventful years
‘The housing crisis isn’t inevitable’: NYC planning chief Dan Garodnick reflects on four tumultuous, eventful years
Garodnick shepherded through major changes to zoning and land use that will impact housing production for years to come.
dlvr.it
January 9, 2026 at 10:03 AM
‘The housing crisis isn’t inevitable’: NYC planning chief Dan Garodnick reflects on four tumultuous, eventful years