# Blaze Media - Complete Content > Blaze Media: complete content export for LLMs - 45 sections and the 100 most recent articles. Navigation index: https://www.theblaze.com/llms.txt **Site Overview:** - Domain: https://www.theblaze.com - Total Sections: 45 - Recent Posts Included: 100 - Content Word Count: ~68696 words - Last Updated: 2026-10-18 - Generated: October 18, 2026 23:07:50 **Important Information:** - © 2026 Blaze Media. 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His challenge, however, is no longer confined to the spread of the so-called religion of peace. Since the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, what had largely been an implicit alliance between Islamist activists and two predominant elements of American progressivism — gender anarchists and racial idolators — has increasingly declared itself in public. Muslim scriptural and legal traditions often escape the scrutiny applied to Christian texts in progressive circles. Consider the coalition behind Columbia University's Gaza encampment in April 2024. Columbia University Apartheid Divest brought together 116 student organizations, including the Muslim Students Association, Columbia Queer Alliance, Genderev, the Black Student Organization, and White Coats 4 Black Lives. Its members made common cause under the banner of fighting interconnected systems of oppression. That January, the American Muslim Task Force for Palestine, representing organizations including CAIR and the Muslim American Society, partnered with the left-wing ANSWER Coalition to organize a massive demonstration in Washington. Strained bedfellows The alliance is mystifying, to say the least. These two progressive wings treat sex as a social construct and race as the master category of politics. Their Islamist allies adhere to religious traditions that condemn the progressives' core sexual beliefs. What holds them together is a common enemy: the Western political and cultural order, whose foundations are deeply indebted to the Bible. Classical liberalism and the freedoms associated with it did not emerge from a vacuum or from secular reason alone. The Declaration of Independence's assertion of unalienable rights endowed by a Creator tracks the Bible's claim that human beings bear the image and likeness of God (Gen. 1:26–27). Equality before the law, the restraint of arbitrary power, and the distinction between divine and human authority draw on the Mosaic law's limits on kings (Deut. 17:14–20) and the New Testament's insistence that Caesar's domain is not total (Matt. 22:21; Rom. 13:1–7). Conscience, proportional justice, the dignity of the individual, and the possibility of ordered liberty under law are human applications, however imperfect, of Old and New Testament teaching. The progressive and Islamist camps challenge this inheritance from very different directions. Progressives increasingly reject biblical moral authority; Islamists seek a political order governed by their interpretation of divine law. Neither has much use for the classical liberal settlement that emerged in the Christian West. No 'queering' the Quran Gender idolatry begins by denying the created order stated in Genesis. Male and female are not optional social performances; they are the binary given in the text (Gen. 1:27; 2:18–24). The framework that elevates subjective identity over biological sex treats the Bible's account as an oppressive artifact worthy of dismantling. Here, traditional Islam and Christianity have considerably more in common with each other than either does with contemporary gender ideology. Both uphold a divinely established sexual order. Both condemn homosexual acts. Their theological foundations differ, but their moral prohibitions frequently overlap. Traditional Islamic jurisprudence, however, has gone considerably further in the punishments it prescribes. The Quran condemns the conduct of the people of Lot (7:80–81; 26:165–166; 27:54–55; 29:28–29), while one hadith states: "If you find anyone doing as Lot's people did, kill the one who does it, and the one to whom it is done." Iranian law still prescribes the death penalty for certain acts of sodomy. Hamas' record of repression in Gaza offers little comfort to those whose sexual freedom is celebrated in Western progressive salons. Yet the alliance endures. At New York City's 2024 Pride parade, pro-Palestinian protesters blocked the route beneath a banner proclaiming, "No queer liberation without Palestinian liberation." For these activists, solidarity against a common political adversary evidently outweighs profound differences over sexual morality. 'Race' to conquest Racial idolatry performs parallel work. The New Testament's declaration that in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free (Gal. 3:28) supplies an important theological root of the classical liberal rejection of inherited status as the basis of rights. Rights attach to the individual, not to the bloodline, race, or social strata a person is born into. Intersectionality, as developed by Kimberlé Crenshaw in her 1989 essay "Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex," examines overlapping systems of discrimination associated with race, sex, and other categories. In contemporary progressive politics, this framework is frequently enlisted to sort political conflicts into hierarchies of oppressor and oppressed. Muslims, once treated as outsiders to the Western political order, now occupy a prominent place in the progressive hierarchy of victimhood. Muslim scriptural and legal traditions often escape the scrutiny applied to Christian texts in progressive circles. Historical Islamic expansionism and the dhimmi (second-class citizen) system are viewed through the lens of Western imperialism rather than subjected to the same criticism directed at Christianity's historical entanglements with political power. This produces a selective hierarchy of harms and victims: Islamic religious claims may receive deference even as the Bible's moral authority is rejected. RELATED: Is ‘Islamophobia’ irrational? Daniel Gnap/NurPhoto/Getty Images A common enemy The gender and racial wings, therefore, share an enemy with Islamism that is more precise than "conservatism." Their respective doctrines may be incompatible, but both challenge the Western liberal order, which places limits on the claims of political and religious authority over the individual. Consider Judith Butler's description of the October 7 attacks on Israeli civilians as "armed resistance" rather than terrorism. Butler acknowledged that the attacks were terrible but insisted that they be understood as resistance to oppression. The language makes it possible to place Hamas within a progressive account of political struggle despite the movement's deeply illiberal religious commitments. Anthropologist Philip Carl Salzman has documented the longer "red-green" pattern: leftist and Islamist actors finding common cause against Western institutions and Israel while maintaining incompatible doctrines on sex, apostasy, and religious authority. Historical precedents are hardly encouraging. Secular allies were pushed aside after the Iranian Revolution, demonstrating how quickly a revolutionary coalition can dissolve once the question of who will govern has been settled. History may not repeat, but it does rhyme, and there is no reason to assume the next stanza will end differently. American progressives appear confident that the alliance can be sustained indefinitely through the shared vocabulary of equity, anti-imperialism, and opposition to patriarchal power. Islamists, meanwhile, have learned to employ that vocabulary in Western academic and media institutions without abandoning their own religious commitments concerning women, homosexuals, or nonbelievers. The net result is that the classical liberal inheritance, rooted in the Bible's promises about the dignity of the individual and the limits of coercive state or ethnic power, remains their common obstacle. Our proposal that Alabama initiate a constitutional debate, insisting that the state's history and tradition are not interchangeable with Islamic teaching, is one political means of defending that inheritance. Progressives will always default to acting as though the obstacle is invisible as long as there are constituents who can claim status as victims. Thus, they hope that a shared basket of purported miseries will be sufficient to sustain what is otherwise a shallow alliance of convenience. The progressives will discover, too late, that the doctrines they dismantled in the name of anarchy and equity were all that stood between them and the caliphate's scimitar. They will also learn that a fungible hierarchy of victimization offers no sanctuary once the victors decide to rewrite the list. --- ### CS Lewis knew how clever people teach themselves to be fools **Published:** October 18, 2026 | **Author:** Owen Anderson | **Section:** Opinion **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/columns/opinion/cs-lewis-knew-how-clever-people-teach-themselves-to-be-fools.md The new trailer for Greta Gerwig’s “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew” promises a dazzling sight: a world coming into being. Fans of C.S. Lewis will be watching Aslan and the White Witch. I’ll be watching Uncle Andrew. He may be the book’s most disturbing character because he teaches himself to deny what he knows. Andrew’s talent for explaining away unwelcome truth raises an uncomfortable question about Gerwig’s adaptation. Will she allow Lewis to tell his Christian story, or will she explain its Christian meaning away? God speaks through his Word, and Uncle Andrew shows how a person can become so skilled at self-defense that he loses the ability to listen. As a philosophy professor and Christian pastor, I recognize the temptation. Education can help us discover truth. It can also equip us with elaborate excuses for resisting it. An impressive vocabulary does not guarantee an honest mind. Lewis introduces Uncle Andrew as a man convinced that intellectual distinction exempts him from ordinary duties. Keeping promises is for lesser people. Andrew knows the secrets of the occult, so he imagines he can send children into dangers he refuses to face himself. He calls his cowardice greatness. The vice is familiar: Exceptional ability supposedly confers exceptional moral privileges. A radical professor who believes his political vision justifies tearing down inherited institutions uses Andrew’s logic. So does the politician who excuses the dangers of communism or socialism because a glorious future allegedly demands sacrifices now. The superior mind claims authority to break rules it imposes on everyone else. Then Uncle Andrew meets Aslan. At first, Andrew hears the Lion’s song as music. It stirs thoughts and feelings he does not want to entertain. He then tells himself that no lion could possibly sing. He must have heard roaring. The longer Aslan sings, the harder Andrew works to believe his own explanation. Eventually he hears only animal noises, even when Aslan speaks. Lewis gives us the verdict: “Now the trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed.” Notice the order. Andrew recognizes something, resists it, and finally loses the ability to recognize it. His ignorance is learned. What looks like an intellectual limitation begins as a moral refusal. RELATED: The lion, the witch, and the worldview war Gisela Schober/Getty Images That’s why I worry about the film. A director can admire Lewis’s portals, creatures, and cosmic song while rejecting the Creator who gives them meaning. She can retain the scenery and rewrite the moral order. The result may look like Narnia without being Lewis’ Narnia. A story has more than recognizable characters and scenes. It tells us what is good, what has gone wrong, and what would make things right. For Lewis, creation has a good and authoritative Creator. Sin requires repentance. Redemption answers a need human beings cannot overcome by declaring themselves enlightened. Could a filmmaker present that vision faithfully without sharing Lewis’ faith? Certainly. But she must first let the author challenge her own assumptions. If Gerwig turns his Christian account of creation into a comfortable endorsement of modern cultural priorities, she will have made Uncle Andrew’s mistake: hearing the song and insisting it is merely roaring. The trailer cannot settle that question, and I will judge the finished film when it arrives. My concern is what Hollywood so often does to stories whose moral claims it finds inconvenient. An adaptation should not become an exercise in correcting the author. RELATED: Netflix ‘adapts’ Steinbeck’s ‘East of Eden’ — and Satan gets a sympathetic makeover Emilio Madrid/Getty Images Christians, however, should not congratulate themselves too quickly. Uncle Andrew is more than a stand-in for a leftist professor, a politician, or a Hollywood director. Lewis’ warning reaches the church as well. In Romans 1, Paul writes of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. God reveals himself through creation, but human beings refuse to honor him or give thanks. Their reasoning becomes futile, and their hearts grow dark. They claim wisdom as they become fools. Paul does not describe every unbeliever as someone who merely lacks information. Our desires shape what we are willing to admit. We can demand more evidence while insulating ourselves from the implications of evidence already before us. Christians can do this, too. We acknowledge God’s revelation in creation, then find reasons to disregard it. We know a biblical command, then use our intelligence to argue that our circumstances make us the exception. We defend Christian books without accepting their correction. Praising Lewis’ theology is easier than submitting to the God he confessed. That is why Uncle Andrew belongs in a Christian reflection rather than merely a debate over a Netflix film. We should ask whether our explanations clarify the truth or protect us from it. Can we admit that our clever argument was an excuse? Will we confess when God’s Word confronts something we want to keep? Christ offers forgiveness to sinners who have spent years defending their sins. His grace frees us to abandon our excuses instead of perfecting them. I hope Gerwig gives Lewis a faithful hearing. The finished film will show us whether she has. Meanwhile, our own hearing deserves examination. God speaks through his Word, and Uncle Andrew shows how a person can become so skilled at defending himself that he loses the ability to listen. --- ### Steve Deace goes NUCLEAR on Chick-fil-A CEO for 'pathetic' NBC interview over company’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights **Published:** October 18, 2026 | **Author:** BlazeTV Staff | **Section:** Steve Deace Show **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/shows/steve-deace-show/steve-deace-goes-nuclear-on-chick-fil-a-ceo-for-pathetic-nbc-interview-over-companys-stance-on-lgbtq-rights.md On October 14, Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew Cathy sat down for an interview on NBC’s "Today" show with Craig Melvin. Melvin pressed Cathy on the company’s past stance regarding LGBTQ issues. In 2012, Dan Cathy, Andrew’s father and former CEO, publicly supported the biblical definition of marriage, which triggered protests, boycotts, and controversy. The company also faced criticism over past donations from its foundation to Christian groups, such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Salvation Army, that some criticized as opposing LGBTQ rights. In 2019, Chick-fil-A redirected its charitable giving toward education, homelessness, and hunger. When Melvin asked what Cathy would say to people who protested or boycotted because they felt Chick-fil-A didn’t “stand with the LGBTQ+ community,” Cathy said, “Well, for anybody that hadn't tried us, we'd love for you to come try and have our great-tasting food and the hospitality that we're known for. I think that everybody that will be willing to walk in the door, they'll see that they're welcome to come eat with us.” When Melvin followed up by insinuating that Cathy “ want to talk about that chapter in Chick-fil-A's history,” Cathy replied that the company was “focused on serving everybody that come in and eat with us.” Melvin then asked for “the company's official position on equal rights.” “We're focused on hospitality, serving great-tasting food and great service,” Cathy replied. LGBTQ advocates, progressive outlets, and even some celebrities criticized Cathy for what they interpreted as dodging the questions to avoid explicitly supporting the LGBTQ+ community. BlazeTV host Steve Deace has the same complaint but for the opposite reason. On this episode of the “Steve Deace show,” he rips into Cathy for selling out to the secular culture, despite the company’s increasing profitability. “Last year, Chick-fil-A made almost $24 billion in revenue … up 5% from their revenue in 2024,” he says. He shares these numbers to prove that Cathy’s evasive answer was not financially motivated. “Whatever PR firm that convinced him that this was the right way, can that be publicized so I can make sure that everybody I know in the Christian conservative space or any media space at all never hires them ever again?” says Deace. The entire interview, he argues, “accomplished nothing was unnecessary.” “Nobody asked for this. There was no moment that required it. There was no tension whatsoever,” he says. Deace believes that Cathy agreed to this seemingly random interview with NBC because “a PR firm told him to do .” “What good is it to gain the whole world but lose your soul in the entire process?” he asks. “Well, apparently $24 billion was worth baring your soul and having it stomped on and humiliated and put through a Soviet struggle session on the "Today" show.” “That might be the most pathetic video I've seen in the year of our Lord 2026 right there. And I'm offended at it. I’m angry at it.” Cathy’s cowardice, he argues, indicates that he’s “going to the spirit of the age for repentance and absolution.” “You're making $24 billion a year and you're actually a business who's increased in value while many other people can't afford much else, so you called up Devil HQ and said, ‘Hey, do you mind if we come in and take a lashing?’” Deace rails. “If you're going to do that, then open up on Sundays. Your Sunday thing's not legit then. It's a crock. It's performance. It's virtue-signaling.” To hear more of Deace’s scathing commentary, watch the episode above. Want more from Steve Deace? To enjoy more of Steve's take on national politics, Christian worldview, and principled conservatism with a snarky twist, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream. --- ### I didn’t understand time until she died **Published:** October 18, 2026 | **Author:** John Mac Ghlionn | **Section:** Lifestyle **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/lifestyle/i-didnt-understand-time-until-she-died.md My aunt recently passed away after a long, grueling battle with cancer. An incredibly decent woman, she spent her final years insisting that time is our only non-renewable asset and that the hands on the clock move faster every year you stay alive. When I was younger, I dismissed this as little more than garden-variety elder sentimentality. Standing at her grave on a rainy Sunday morning, I finally understood what she meant. We built the effortless paradise our ancestors could only dream of, only to discover that it can make life feel like one long weekend. In the 19th century, a French philosopher named Paul Janet offered a mathematical explanation for the subjective acceleration of time. He argued that each passing year feels proportionally shorter for a very specific reason. To a 2-year-old child, twelve months equals 50% of all known reality. By the time a person hits 50, that same year accounts for a rather pathetic 2% of their personal timeline. Janet's arithmetic offers an elegant explanation for why the years seem to shrink, though it doesn't tell us much about what is happening inside our skulls. Reeling in the years A study published earlier this year offers a more complicated explanation. Researchers have long suggested that time seems to accelerate as we age because adulthood lacks the novelty of childhood and adolescence. When every day resembles the last, we have fewer distinctive memories to look back on, making entire years seem to disappear. Researchers examined 120 adults, ranging in age from 20 to 91, and found no significant relationship between how quickly participants felt the previous decade had passed and either the number of personal memories they recalled or the importance they attached to those memories. Instead, the sensation of accelerating time was associated with poorer cognitive performance, particularly on a test of delayed memory recall. The findings suggest that our ability to form new memories may help explain why time seems to speed up as we age. They also raise an uncomfortable question about how much of our lives we actually remember. Wasted on the way Consider the difference between stepping onto an airport shuttle in a strange city and making your daily commute to work. In the unfamiliar city, you notice everything: the smell of diesel, the strange angle of the streetlights, the driver's odd accent, and the dodgy-looking individual eyeing your wallet. Decades later, you may still remember that seven-minute ride. Contrast that with your daily commute. You have driven that specific stretch of road thousands of times. The route is so familiar that you barely need to think about it. You arrive at your desk with 40 minutes missing from your conscious existence, unable to recall much of what happened between your driveway and the office. Smartphones have given us another remarkably efficient way to make hours disappear. Tens, perhaps hundreds, of millions around the world spend their afternoons tapping on glass screens, watching short videos of strangers selling snake oil or arguing over trivial issues. The ultimate joke of the digital age involves paying hefty sums for a device that competes so relentlessly for our attention that we barely notice our own lives passing. Even our attempts to preserve memories can interfere with forming them. In a 2014 study, psychologist Linda Henkel found that people who photographed objects during a museum tour subsequently remembered fewer details about them than people who simply observed them. The effect wasn't universal — taking more focused photographs produced different results — but the finding raises an interesting possibility. A parent filming a child's piano recital might come away with a beautiful MP4 file and surprisingly little memory of the performance itself. RELATED: The Ireland I grew up in is gone SOPA Images/Getty Images Where the time goes Family life has its own peculiar relationship with time. Raising kids feels like an endless march through tedious chores — changing diapers, insisting that Legos not be put in one's mouth, packing lunch boxes, folding laundry, and driving to soccer practice. Yet parents, from Boston to Brisbane, are shocked by how quickly their toddlers turn into college freshmen. Kids force constant novelty into a household through broken bones, lost teeth, spontaneous questions about death, and the unexpected introduction of garden creatures into the living area. Individual days can feel agonizingly long because every hour requires attention, yet the years somehow fly by in retrospect. Modern society has, in many ways, made convenience the guiding principle of daily life. We tap an icon to order takeout. We stream movies dictated by predictive algorithms. We substitute memes and text messages for actual human voices. We built the effortless paradise our ancestors could only dream of, only to discover that it can make life feel like one long weekend. And yet some of our most enduring memories come from doing the same things over and over again. Repeating specific holiday meals or annual camping trips may seem like a mindless, even pointless, routine to an outsider. It is not. Those moments become lasting markers in our memories. No one remembers a random Tuesday from six years ago, but everyone remembers the Thanksgiving when the oven exploded or the road trip when the radiator burst and Dad used some colorful language to convey his thoughts. Traditions give us memorable moments to return to as time moves on. Now that my aunt is gone, I keep thinking about those Sundays at her house. I think of the roast dinners, the endless slices of cake, the hot tea, and her constant reminders to do something useful with my life. At the time, I thought those Sundays would go on forever. --- ### Glenn Beck: This small town reminded me what America USED to be **Published:** October 18, 2026 | **Author:** BlazeTV Staff | **Section:** The Glenn Beck Program **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/shows/the-glenn-beck-program/glenn-beck-this-small-town-reminded-me-what-america-used-to-be.md Glenn Beck’s sister recently decided to make a big change, and it has opened Glenn’s eyes to something that he didn’t realize existed in America anymore. “My sister just moved to Idaho. And for her whole life, almost her whole life, she lived in the same neighborhood in a town called Bellingham, Washington, which is like Marxist central,” he explains. “It’s a beautiful town. The water, politically, it’s as far left as America can get. And she wasn’t far-left. She’s not a Marxist. She’s not even a Democrat. And in a neighborhood where politics was kind of the, I don’t know, the membership card, decades on the same street meant she had very few friends,” he continues. “And so she packs up, and she moves to a small town about 10 miles from mine, and it’s a very religious town,” he adds. As Glenn drove around the area, he noticed families looking up from what they were doing to wave — despite having no idea who he was. “Mom’s in the front yard with the three kids and a garden hose, and you drive by and they’re like, ‘Hi!’” Glenn says. “Old couple on their knees, you know, with the tomatoes, and every single person looking up and waving at a car they don’t know,” he continues. And then when his sister had a truckload of sod delivered to her house, what he witnessed was “bizarre,” in a good way. “And so this sod is delivered and comes in the morning. Landscapers aren’t due until about 5 o'clock in the afternoon. So, all day she had a driveway full of rolled-up grass sitting in the sun and a street full of neighbors she had known about for about a week,” he explains. “Five o'clock, the landscapers show up. But so did the neighbors. Nobody called them. Men still in their, you know, work boots and moms and a church youth group and a pack of teenagers who apparently had nothing better to do on a week night than unroll a stranger’s lawn,” he continues. “This does not happen anywhere in America anymore. But it was great,” he adds. The lawn was done within an hour, and the youth group was sitting on his sister’s lawn eating pizza. “It was a town full of people that take their faith seriously, as seriously as anybody else in America,” Glenn says. “And the only membership they checked was, ‘Do you belong to the human family?’ She did. That’s enough.” Want more from Glenn Beck? To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis, and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream. --- ### Silicon Valley has a Dostoevsky problem **Published:** October 18, 2026 | **Author:** James Poulos | **Section:** Opinion **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/columns/opinion/silicon-valley-has-a-dostoevsky-problem.md Earlier this year, something startling happened: Leading technologists at the AI frontier turned fretfully for guidance to a devout Orthodox Christian. A Silicon Valley book club tackled Fyodor Dostoevsky’s notoriously daunting novel “Demons” (also translated as “The Possessed”). Then an anonymous writer published an extraordinarily long essay on the book’s premonitions of what happens when human beings fall into falsely illuminated fanaticism. The author saw in Dostoevsky a warning for the people building artificial intelligence. Verily, I thought, an enormous can of worms had been opened. Technique and intelligence, severed from the disciplined heart, become hollow and ultimately self-destructive. Orthodox Christianity is, in essential ways, the opposite of the power-hungry posthumanism animating so much of tech’s increasingly overt spirituality. The posthumanist dreams of a disembodied intellect mastering existence. Orthodoxy calls us to put our embodied intellect to work cleansing the heart, that the Holy Spirit of the loving Master of existence might dwell there. The anonymous writer stumbled over the Gospel account of the Gadarene swine. Christ casts out Legion, permitting the demons to enter a herd of pigs that rushes to its destruction. Rather than welcome the man’s deliverance, the townspeople beg Christ to leave as if nothing had ever happened. Yet the essay concludes that “demons are not external enemies but our own capacities turned against us” and that they “must possess us fully” before we can be healed. Not a great start. The temptation to mislearn even the plainest lesson is strong among people unacquainted with the embodied practices through which Christians slowly and humbly welcome Christ. But self-mastery had become a keyword among tech leaders watching crackpot woo one-shot more employees and founders. Anyone earnestly seeking self-mastery will eventually collide with Christian asceticism. I took stock of the development in “The Dostoevskian Moment.” Lo and behold, last weekend Patrick Collison, the CEO of Stripe, published a sprawling 24-paragraph meditation on another Dostoevsky novel, “The Brothers Karamazov.” He confessed that he had not loved the book, but ended by asking how analyses of a nation’s soul ought to relate to its major novels and works of art. His post inadvertently exposed the limits of intellectual examination conducted at a distance from the quiet experience of the heart. Then another tech founder, Delphi’s José Maria Macedo, answered Collison with something beautiful. Father Zosima, he observed, teaches that love dreamed of can indulge fantasies of grandeur, while active love is “harsh and dreadful,” requiring labor and patience. Macedo finds that love in Alyosha, whose goodness persists through ordinary humiliations, cruelty, and grief. RELATED: ‘Don’t be evil’ may be dead, but ‘don’t be Frankenstein’ is alive Leontura/Getty Images Collison’s reading, Macedo suggested, resembled Ivan Karamazov’s impulse to put life on trial before the intellect. Alyosha offers another way: a life that cannot be reached through rationality alone. Macedo cannot explain how God allows evil, including the suffering of children. Yet Dostoevsky makes him want to become more like the man who answers suffering with love. That, Macedo wrote, is why “The Brothers Karamazov” is his favorite novel. Macedo has grasped something his fellow technologists desperately need. Technique and intelligence, severed from the disciplined heart, become hollow and ultimately self-destructive. Like the snake eating its own tail, they cannibalize life rather than return humbly to its inexhaustible wellspring. At a moment when tech is increasingly transfixed by the desperate quest to “align” AIs with an all-too-human utopian agenda, Dostoevsky’s call to first align our own personal will with God’s grows steadily louder. --- ### Pray for the country. Then do your part. **Published:** October 18, 2026 | **Author:** Peter Rosenberger | **Section:** Opinion **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/columns/opinion/pray-for-the-country-then-do-your-part.md A friend from an Amish and Mennonite background who lives among those communities in Ohio told me she is frustrated by the reluctance of some people she knows to vote. When she asks why, she hears a familiar answer: “If it’s God’s will ...” Meaning: God will determine the outcome. Apparently, that settles their part. If we are tired of politics, let’s say so. But invoking God’s sovereignty to excuse our own passivity drags His name into a decision we made. The reluctance she described reaches well beyond Amish and Mennonite communities. Too many Christians sit out elections while maintaining a vigorous schedule of complaining about the results. But the “God will handle it” explanation puzzles me because we do not apply that reasoning to the rest of life. Gracie would have a few questions. I pray for Gracie before every operation. I still drive her to the hospital. After 40 years of caregiving, I have had plenty of occasions to trust God with things I could not control. I have also filled prescriptions, asked uncomfortable questions, and challenged decisions. In all of Gracie’s 98 operations, not one surgeon has said, “You prayed for God’s will? Good. I won’t need to scrub in.” We understand responsibility quite well when something matters to us. Why does it become so mysterious when the subject is voting? If you have a biblical conviction against casting a particular vote, that deserves a hearing. But “God will determine the outcome” explains why we can trust Him. It does not explain why we can excuse ourselves. Jesus told us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Those neighbors live under the officials we choose. Sheriffs, school boards, county commissioners, and legislators make decisions that reach into their homes and wallets. A widow reporting fraud needs officials who take her seriously. A family caring for a disabled child needs more than a sympathetic nod. We can argue about which candidates will serve them best. But God’s sovereignty does not explain why loving our neighbor requires nothing from us. Jeremiah 29:7 gives us an even less comfortable instruction. God told His people to seek the welfare of the city where He had sent them into exile and to pray for it. The city was Babylon. They had been carried away from home. If anyone had grounds to say, “This government is somebody else’s problem,” they did. God still assigned them work where they lived: Pray for the city. Seek its welfare. We live here. Our children are growing up here. And unlike the exiles in Babylon, we have a voice in choosing our leaders. What exactly is our excuse? Galatians 6:10 tells us, “as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone.” Voting gives us an opportunity to influence who exercises power over our neighbors. That makes a ballot something to use thoughtfully, not something to dismiss with a religious phrase. Scripture does not contain instructions for an American polling place. It does contain instructions for people who have neighbors and opportunities. RELATED: Billy Crystal no longer trusts God. Christians should listen. Theo Wargo/Getty Images No candidate is going to usher in the kingdom of God. I would settle for one who understands the job, tells the truth, and remembers whose money he is spending. Expecting perfection is another convenient way to avoid making a choice. Think about our brothers and sisters in countries where free elections are restricted or denied. Then imagine explaining to them that we leave our ballots unused because we trust God. Passive citizens are ripe to become captive citizens. Officials do not lose their authority because we lose interest. They continue making decisions, spending money, and exercising power. Our absence simply leaves the choosing to somebody else. We are free to stay home. We should at least be honest about why. If we are indifferent, let’s call it indifference. If we are tired of politics, let’s say so. But invoking God’s sovereignty to excuse our own passivity drags His name into a decision we made. I pray for Gracie. I still drive her to the hospital. Pray for your country. Then do your part. --- ### Josh Howerton and Joby Martin debunk the 5 biggest megachurch myths **Published:** October 18, 2026 | **Author:** BlazeTV Staff | **Section:** Live Free with Josh Howerton **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/shows/live-free-with-josh-howerton/josh-howerton-and-joby-martin-debunk-the-5-biggest-megachurch-myths.md Megachurches are often the target of criticism. Common concerns focus on whether their size, production, and leadership models make deep discipleship, personal community, and accountability harder to sustain. On this episode of “Live Free,” Josh Howerton, BlazeTV host and pastor of Lakepointe Church — a megachurch in Dallas, Texas, — speaks with fellow megachurch pastor Joby Martin of Eleven22 in Jacksonville, Florida, to confront some of the biggest myths surrounding megachurches. Myth #1: If the senior pastor doesn’t know you personally, he’s not really your pastor. Some megachurch critics argue that true shepherding requires a pastor to know his congregants personally and be able to shake their hands, for example, but Howerton and Martin argue otherwise. Martin points out that in the Greek, pastor and shepherd are the same word. “Jesus says He is the good shepherd, and David says in Psalm 23, the Lord is my shepherd, so have you ever shaken Jesus' hand?” he asks. But there’s an important caveat. “Although I don't personally shepherd all the people, all the people need to be shepherded,” says Martin, highlighting the crucial roles of supporting pastors, care teams, and other staff members. “We accomplish the roles of the shepherd. We're not caught up in the title of who gets the badge.” Howerton notes how the apostle Peter in the first four books of Acts led a church of 5,000 strong. “We literally got a Bible verse that says the opposite of this,” he says. Myth #2: Instead of getting bigger, large churches should be planting more churches. Another common complaint about megachurches is that they grow bigger instead of planting more churches. “Please don’t fall into the tyranny of the ‘or.’ God always works in the genius of the ‘and,'” says Martin, “because guess who all the church plants come to? The big churches.” And the reality is, many megachurches are planting other churches. “By the end of 2028, we will have planted 1,000 churches around the world. There are more people that attend the churches that we have planted today than how many people attend Eleven22,” Martin adds. The same is true at Lakepointe Church, says Howerton. “We have literally personally funded, coached, and planted … over a hundred churches in the hardest-to-reach urban centers in North America by the end of this year.” “News flash: When we plant a church, thousands of people don't magically stop trying to come to my church,” he adds, emphasizing how church planting does not necessarily correlate to a megachurch’s numbers. Myth #3: Because of their scale, megachurches are shallow in their discipleship. Megachurch skeptics are quick to accuse large churches of compromising deep discipleship for numerical growth. “I would love to introduce you to our thousand or so disciple group leaders and let you tell them that to their face,” Martin counters, noting that he’s currently preaching “verse by verse” through the book of Matthew. “What else do you want me to do?” he asks, “and honestly, I don't care what you want me to do. I'm not doing what you want me to do because I'm not trying to live my life for the approval of man but for the approval of Christ.” “Galatians 1:10,” Howerton adds. Myth #4: Megachurches are just big personality cults hyperfocused on the lead pastor. Because megachurches are often pastored by widely known charismatic preachers, critics will accuse them of being personality cults. Martin acknowledges that sometimes this is a real issue, but it’s not because of the size of the church but rather the failures of the pastor leading it. “Are there some bad actors and some guys that have been terrible stewards of platforms that God has given them? Man, sadly the list is long,” he says. “What you don't know is the list is also long of churches that you've never heard of because they just don't make the news,” he continues, “and like you've said a million times before, planes that land safely, they don't make the news.” After “ through the parable of the talents,” Martin says he’s not sure if he’s a “two-talent guy or a five-talent guy,” but he’s certain he will not be a “a one-talent guy.” “I got one and only life,” he says. “What do you want me to do? Preach less or tone it down or cap it?” he asks. When people complain about the church getting too big, the question he asks is: “Who do you want me to un-invite?” Martin notes that every time Jesus’ disciples tried to “cap it” by turning children away or attempting to control the size of the crowd, they “ in trouble.” But when they embraced the “feeding of the 5,000,” for example, they “ a high five from Jesus.” Myth #5: Behind the scenes, megachurch pastors are greedy, abusive hypocrites. One of the biggest accusations hurled at megachurches is that they’re pastored by men who are charismatic and engaging outwardly but greedy and abusive off the record. “Can you go find some bad ones? Man, there's no doubt. There's no doubt about it. And man, it puts a blight on the name of the bride,” says Martin. “And I fear for that man when he stands before the Lord,” adds Howerton. However, both men, who know all the famous megachurch pastors, can also testify that the opposite is also true: often these pastors are different behind the scenes but in the best way possible. Howerton says there are so many stories they’re “not allowed" to tell about sacrifices and generosity these megachurch pastors have demonstrated that would stun their biggest critics. To hear the full episode, check out the video above. Join BlazeTV+ and start watching Josh today at blazetv.com/JOSH. Use promo code JOSH to get $20 off your subscription. --- ### The pulpit answers to God, not the IRS **Published:** October 18, 2026 | **Author:** Troy A. Miller | **Section:** Lifestyle **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/lifestyle/the-pulpit-answers-to-god-not-the-irs.md Before America had a Constitution, it had pulpits. Pulpits that taught citizens how to think about authority, duty, and the proper limits of government. The ministers later associated with the “Black Robed Regiment” understood that biblical truth must step through the church door. They addressed public questions because they believed theology had consequences for all of life and that pastors had a responsibility not to comfort congregations but to form their biblical worldview. Critics often accuse pastors of turning biblical issues into political ones. In many cases, the sequence runs the other way. For most of American history, pastors did not need permission from the state to speak about the moral and political questions confronting their people. They preached about slavery, war, temperance, elections, public officials, religious liberty, and national repentance because they understood the pulpit to be accountable first to God. Restoring an old right The modern expectation that pastors should carefully separate biblical teaching from anything deemed “political” would have been foreign to much of the American church that helped shape this country. That context is important because the fight over the Johnson Amendment is often framed as though churches are seeking some new political privilege. We are not asking the government to give pastors a new right, but to stop restricting an old one. The origins of the Johnson Amendment are revealing. In 1954, Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson was facing a primary challenge from Dudley Dougherty, a wealthy young Texas politician whose fierce anti-communism appealed to supporters of Sen. Joseph McCarthy. Dougherty was hardly a formidable opponent — Johnson defeated him by more than 40 points in the Democratic primary — but he had sympathizers in powerful conservative organizations, including the Committee for Constitutional Government and Facts Forum, a media operation established by Texas oil billionaire H.L. Hunt. Johnson was particularly concerned about the Committee for Constitutional Government, which had circulated material promoting Dougherty. He asked his staff to investigate whether its activities violated election laws or threatened its federal tax exemption. The answer on the latter question was apparently no. Johnson was undeterred. Having investigated whether existing law could be used against his political opponents, he now proposed changing the law itself. That July he introduced an amendment to the federal tax code barring tax-exempt charitable organizations from participating in political campaigns. It passed without debate. Churches, which had played no part in Johnson's dispute, were covered by the new restriction. Freeing the pulpit There was no sweeping national debate about churches corrupting elections. There were no extensive hearings over whether the American pulpit had become dangerously partisan. Johnson claimed to be confronting communist nonprofit organizations, but churches had become a source of political opposition. The law was written broadly enough, encompassing churches; they were heavily affected by its enforcement and soon began receiving letters from the IRS. The restriction ultimately extended far beyond Johnson's immediate political dispute, reaching into the pulpits of American churches for generations. Today, the Johnson Amendment prohibits 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, including churches, from supporting or opposing candidates in political campaigns. This restriction is at the center of the legal challenge by National Religious Broadcasters. Churches remain free to address public policy issues, including controversial ones, but pastors face restrictions when their speech crosses into supporting or opposing a political candidate. NRB seeks to protect the freedom of churches and their pastors to speak from the pulpit without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status. The broader concern is what decades of uncertainty, legal caution, and fear of enforcement have produced inside churches themselves: a deep-seated culture of self-censorship. 'Political' ... or biblical? Critics often accuse pastors of turning biblical issues into political ones. In many cases, the sequence runs the other way. Politicians took questions involving abortion, marriage, sexuality, race, religious liberty, and justice and turned them into partisan battlegrounds. These were biblical questions long before they were campaign issues. Politics does not acquire ownership of a moral question merely because politicians begin arguing about it. Scripture had something to say about marriage, government, money, justice, and human dignity long before there were Republicans, Democrats, campaign platforms, or federal agencies. The church does not surrender those subjects when they appear on a ballot. Perhaps pastors will stop being accused of bringing politics into the pulpit when politicians stop dragging biblical questions into politics. That does not mean churches should become campaign headquarters. They should not. The pulpit should never become an appendage of either the Republican or Democratic parties. Biblical authority is diminished whenever Scripture is bent to serve political power. But there is an opposite error: treating “nonpartisanship” as a reason for silence whenever Scripture touches a politically controversial subject. A pastor should be free to preach biblical truth without compromise and apply it to the real-world questions confronting his congregation. If Scripture challenges the left on abortion, sexuality, family, or religious liberty, he should say so. If it challenges the right, he should say that too. The standard is not partisan usefulness. It is biblical fidelity. That is why NRB entered the legal challenge to the Johnson Amendment. The district court dismissed our case on jurisdictional grounds rather than reaching the merits of the constitutional claims. The case is now on appeal. NRB will continue fighting because the government should not stand between a pastor and his responsibility before God. RELATED: What Fulton Sheen understood about fame that today’s Christian influencers don’t Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Courage required But the legal fight only reaches so far. The First Amendment can protect a pastor’s freedom. It cannot produce courage. A court can remove a restraint, but it cannot make a church recover confidence in the authority of Scripture. NRB can fight for the freedom of the pulpit. Pastors must decide whether they will use it. That question grows more urgent because Christians are being formed every day by institutions that have no hesitation about preaching their own worldview. Social media, universities, corporations, entertainment, political movements, and influencers constantly catechize Americans about morality. When churches avoid the same subjects because they have become politically controversial, they do not create neutrality. They simply leave the work of formation to everyone else. America does not need a more partisan pulpit. It does need a freer and more courageous one. We are fighting to restore an old right: that of pastors to open the Bible, preach the whole counsel of God, and speak to the life of the nation without first asking the government for permission. --- ### The gay-parenting research they hope you never see **Published:** October 17, 2026 | **Author:** Jennifer Roback Morse | **Section:** Lifestyle **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/lifestyle/the-gay-parenting-research-they-hope-you-never-see.md They said the kids would be fine. Here's the gay-parenting research that got buried. A peer-reviewed study reported that children with married same-sex parents had more than four times the odds of reported emotional difficulties as kids with a married mom and dad. There's a lot of mischief being done very quietly in the weeds of what seems like respectable scientific studies. Oh, wait. You never heard that? Yeah, I know you never heard that. The research that produced this finding got buried in the academic literature. And today I'm going to show you how easy it was for that correction to escape public notice — and why it matters for real families like yours. I suspect the pro-gay establishment hopes you don't see this. Meet Chris from Ohio I want you to imagine somebody who really needs reliable answers. Let's imagine a 20-something young lady. I'll call her Chris. Chris from Ohio. Chris thinks of herself as bisexual or nonbinary. In her mind, she has a real choice between partnering and co-parenting with a person of the opposite sex or a person of the same sex. Her decision-making is going to partly depend on what she thinks it would be like to be a mom with another woman versus being a mom with a man. So let's keep Chris in the back of our minds. And if you're reading this because someone you love is in this situation, or because you've lived it yourself, I want you to know this article is for you. The study behind the controversy Now, back to the study. The study reporting that children with married same-sex parents had more than four times the odds of emotional difficulties compared with children of married opposite-sex parents. That doesn't mean Chris' own future children would be four times as likely to have problems, but it's certainly a finding she might want to know about. This whole research saga started with a paper published in 2016 in the peer-reviewed journal Demography that seemed to show the kids are all right with same-sex couples as parents. Let's call this Study No. 1. The researchers expected the children of same-sex married couples would look pretty much the same as the children of opposite-sex married couples. And they found what they were looking for. This study showed no statistically significant difference in emotional difficulties between kids raised by same-sex couples and kids raised by their married mom and dad. The researchers did report a disadvantage for children with married same-sex parents on a separate behavioral-problems measure, but the emotional-difficulties finding showed no significant difference. But in 2017, one short year later, the very same researchers analyzed a corrected and expanded version of the same dataset and found the result I already mentioned: Children of same-sex married couples had more than four times the odds of emotional difficulties. We'll call this Study No. 3. I'm going to show you exactly how this happened. What the numbers actually say Okay, so let's look at some numbers. I'll highlight which figures to look at and what they mean. For Study No. 1, showing no differences, look at Table 5. Note: for readers wishing to delve deeper into the data, this and other tables I mention can be viewed in the video embedded at the end of this article. The researchers report what are called odds ratios. You use this method when you're trying to compare how likely something is between two or more groups. You start with a reference category, and all the other groups are compared to that reference category. In this case, the reference category is children raised by different-sex married couples. In other words, kids raised by ordinary married moms and dads. Now, if the odds ratio equals 1, that means the two groups have the same odds of the outcome. In this case, the researchers wanted to say children raised by married couples are equally likely to have emotional difficulties whether their married parents happen to be the same sex or the opposite sex. And that's essentially what we see in the first line of Table 5. The estimated odds ratio is close to 1, with no statistically significant difference. This is the no-differences result. If, on the other hand, the odds ratio is greater than 1, that means the group has higher odds of emotional difficulties than the reference group. So let's look at the results the very same set of researchers found using the corrected and expanded data in Study No. 3. That would be Table 7. Doing the math Now, stay with me here, because what I'm about to show you is something I suspect the academic establishment hoped you would never notice. If we look at the column labeled "emotional difficulties odds ratio" we see that for kids raised by married same-sex couples, the odds ratio is 4.16. That means the estimated odds of reported emotional difficulties were more than four times as high as for children of opposite-sex married couples. Odds aren't quite the same as probabilities, and the small sample means we should be cautious about exactly how much weight to put on that figure. But it's a substantial change from the original no-differences result. So now let's remember Chris from Ohio for a moment. She may have heard about studies like the first one, saying her potential kids would be fine whether she marries a man or a woman. She probably didn't hear too much about this correction. You would think she has a right to know just how fragile that no-differences result really was. So how did the researchers get from no significant difference to more than four times the odds in under a year? From no differences to twice the odds Now, here's where the Ruth Institute comes into play. We had a little role to play in the background. If you guessed that there was a Study No. 2 between Study No. 1 and Study No. 3, you win the prize. Study No. 3 actually came about after some back-and-forth with a critic. This critic pointed out that the National Center for Health Statistics had issued an advisory about the dataset. Some of the data had been miscoded. Specifically, the problem involved the recorded sex of married partners. Some opposite-sex married couples had been incorrectly classified as same-sex couples. Because genuinely same-sex married couples were such a small proportion of the population, even a relatively small number of miscoded records could seriously distort the findings. The NCHS had advised researchers against using the affected survey years to analyze same-sex married couples. But Study No. 1 had included those years. So the critic reclassified the data, excluding the problematic years. And his reclassification obliterated the original estimate showing no difference in emotional difficulties, although the replacement estimate remained statistically uncertain. In fact, the children of same-sex married couples had approximately twice the estimated odds of emotional difficulties. The difference wasn't statistically significant in that small sample, but it was a substantial change from the original estimate. You can see the results in Table 3 of Study No. 2. The panel excluding the miscoded data shows the odds ratio for same-sex married couples is now about 2 instead of 1. The author of Study No. 2 corrected what appears to have been an honest mistake. So fair enough. This is how science is supposed to work: back and forth. Everybody's work can improve from this type of give and take. But still, let's remember Chris from Ohio, trying to decide what to do with her life. Do you think she heard about this miscoded data? Probably not. The biological parenthood problem Anyway, we still haven't gotten to the statistics showing more than four times the odds of emotional problems. This critic pointed out another problem in the original study, Study No. 1. The authors used biological parenthood as a control variable. Now, wait a minute. Let's think about this for a minute. If the focus of the study is the difference between same-sex parents and opposite-sex parents, you really have to be careful about controlling for biological parenthood. No child of a same-sex couple will have two biological parents in that couple. So the variable for biological parenthood may be soaking up variation that is part and parcel of being a child with same-sex parents. That's the critic's argument. Researchers may reasonably want to separate the effects of biological relatedness, family stability, and parental sex. But depending on the question they're trying to answer, controlling for biological parenthood can also remove an important part of the difference they're studying. The author of Study No. 2 argued that the biological-parenthood variable should be removed and the analysis redone. By taking out biological relatedness, the estimated association between living with married same-sex parents and emotional difficulties becomes a whole lot stronger than you originally would have thought. This is exactly the sort of thing I mean when I talk about tricks with data. There's a lot of mischief being done very quietly in the weeds of what seems like respectable scientific studies. And I suspect the academic establishment is hoping you'll be too lazy to figure that out. RELATED: The 3 failed promises of gay 'marriage' Samuel Corum/Getty Images Out of cite Now, who was this mystery critic, you might ask? The critic whose name I haven't yet mentioned? The critic the authors referred to when they wrote, in their response, that they were conducting an analysis in response to commentary by Sullins? Who is this mysterious Sullins person? It is none other than Father D. Paul Sullins, Ph.D., my colleague at the Ruth Institute. Father Sullins has been a senior research associate with us since 2018. When he wrote this paper, he was still a sociology professor at the Catholic University of America. But we'll take a bit of credit, though, because we had the good sense to snag him when he retired. Anyhow, notice something about the sentence referring to Father Sullins in the authors' revised paper. It does not give the customary parenthetical citation with his name and the publication date of the article they're talking about. When I first saw this, I thought, "What?" I scurried back to the references page looking for the full citation to a paper by Sullins. I was shocked to find that his paper, the one to which they're responding, is not even listed in the references. Well, that is not only bad science, that is bad manners. How rude. Anyway, at least Father Paul got them to redo their calculations. But if somebody wanted to put these papers side by side, the way we've done here, it would not be easy to do. I'll let you decide for yourself whether you think this is an oversight. Unsettled science The academic establishment is committed to the no-differences viewpoint. You can see why I think so in that missing citation. You can see it in the fact that studies showing no differences get plenty of media airtime, while corrections and contrary findings stay quietly hidden in academic journals. Those are facts readers deserve to know. And that brings us back to Chris from Ohio. Perhaps someone like Chris is reading this today. Perhaps someone reading knows somebody who learned from experience that same-sex parenting was not as easy as you had been led to believe. I want to say to any of you in that situation: I am sorry. This should not have happened to you. And I want you to know today that you're probably not the only person going through this. The science about same-sex parenting is not nearly as settled as you've been led to believe. Please share this article. You'll be doing something the academic establishment too often fails to do. You'll be giving Chris from Ohio the information she actually needs and deserves. --- ### Ex-Mormon influencer tells Allie Beth Stuckey the angel Moroni is a demon **Published:** October 17, 2026 | **Author:** BlazeTV Staff | **Section:** Relatable **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/shows/relatable/ex-mormon-influencer-tells-allie-beth-stuckey-the-angel-moroni-is-a-demon.md Kighley Medrano was born and raised in the Mormon church but became an evangelical Christian after she married her husband. Today, she uses her platform to share her testimony of leaving the LDS church and to expose problems with Mormon theology by contrasting it with the biblical gospel. On a recent episode of “Relatable,” Kighley told Allie Beth Stuckey that the religion of Mormonism has “satanic underpinnings” and that the angel Moroni — who, according to LSD faith, directed Joseph Smith to the golden plates — is a demon. “In the Mormon temple ... to receive your endowments, there is a video that everyone has to watch,” Kighley says, explaining that the video is about the fall of Adam and Eve. At one point in the video, she says, Satan breaks the fourth wall and tells the audience to put on their “aprons,” which have “fig leaves” on them. Not only are Mormons “buried in their fig-leaf aprons,” which Kighley says is “undoing ... the work of Christ,” but “the only time that you’re told to do anything in the temple is from Satan.” On top of that, Mormonism has “re-erected the temple,” she says. “There is a veil that is put back up, and there is a holy of holies. It’s called the celestial room, and that is where God’s spirit dwells,” Kighley tells Allie. “So, they’ve undone the work of Christ even in that.” “Even though, yes, the word ‘Jesus’ is in the name, the undoing of the work of Christ is so evident throughout the Mormon religion and teachings,” she adds, calling it “satanic.” The revelation that caused “an immediate paradigm shift” for Kighley, however, was when she was taught how the Bible describes Satan. While she was still part of the Mormon faith, Kighley’s daughter befriended another girl, whose mother had left the LDS church for Christianity. One day while their daughters played, they had a deep discussion over their differing faiths. “I said, ‘OK, so then what about, “By your fruits you will know them”? Generally, the Mormon church produces good, moral families; good, moral children. What about that? What about the fruits?’” Kighley recounts. “And she said, ‘I agree that generally the Mormon church produces good, moral families and children, and it looks really good on the outside, but Satan comes dressed as an angel of light.’” Kighley says that at the time of this conversation, she was unaware that this was verbatim from Scripture. “When she said that, immediately the angel Moroni popped into my brain, and it was like just the lights flipped on, scales fell from my eyes, and an immediate paradigm shift happened,” she says. “And I knew that the angel Moroni was a demon.” To hear more of Allie and Kighley’s conversation, watch the episode above. Want more from Allie Beth Stuckey? To enjoy more of Allie’s upbeat and in-depth coverage of culture, news, and theology from a Christian, conservative perspective, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream. --- ### Amazon is keeping a file on you. Here's how to get your privacy back. **Published:** October 17, 2026 | **Author:** John Mac Ghlionn | **Section:** Tech **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/tech/amazon-is-keeping-a-file-on-you-here-s-how-to-get-your-privacy-back.md Of the 350 million people living in America, more than 250 million use the world’s largest online marketplace. That marketplace is Amazon, and it has been keeping a file on each of them. A new report describes just how personal and damning Amazon’s dossiers can be. The company builds highly complex customer profiles by analyzing your purchases. These profiles run the gamut, including inferences about customers’ ages, relationships, body types, clothing sizes, food preferences, and daily routines. For example, as Futurism noted, one customer who sought to identify what Amazon knew about her found that she reads Kindle books in the bathroom. Amazon was right. The question was how it knew. Another customer was described as having “no friends,” while a third, according to the Verge, found a comment suggesting her posterior was, shall we say, aesthetically unappealing. Disclosure is the cost of doing business in 2026. Decades ago, the average American could drive out to a general store and buy a hammer and nails. When all was said and done, all that fellow would have divulged was that he bought practical essentials with the cash he kept in his jeans. The fact that no one else knew any more about him than that was a happy byproduct of a system in which commerce and surveillance didn’t intersect the way they do now. Our grandfathers locked the door when they got home and drew the blinds. They knew that what happened in the house stayed in the house. Those days are long gone. When you purchase a bottle of vitamins, Amazon knows, or thinks it knows, what ails you. It sizes up your children by the books you buy them. Your Amazon account knows your shoe size. It knows what you were snacking on in the middle of the night last Tuesday, and it connects that with other purchases and extrapolates, building a picture of your life so intimate and complete that it amounts to a sort of digital twin, a simulacrum so adept at predicting your behavior that the company can nudge it in the directions of its choosing. Some might suggest that this is nothing new. Companies have always tracked us. But what is new is how casually people agree to this arrangement. Yes, you provide Amazon with your credit or debit card number when you make a purchase. Of course. How else will you pay for that juicer you probably don’t need? Your street address, too, naturally. Someone has to plop it on your welcome mat. And that is fine; such disclosure is the cost of doing business in 2026, the price of admission to the modern marketplace. But Amazon goes much farther. Purchases of back-pain ointment can become evidence that you are slouchy, grumpy, and uncoordinated. Multiple orders of coffee beans might paint you as a lonely, possibly out-of-shape insomniac. RELATED: Seattle votes to ban grocery 'surveillance pricing'. Your data shouldn't set your food bill. Seattle votes to ban grocery 'surveillance pricing'. Your data shouldn't set your food bill. urbazon/Getty Images Amazon is a monopoly, which means it wields a kind of power heretofore seen only in governments. It controls the flow of goods and services and the transmission of information. With this power comes responsibility, and by weaponizing such intimate data, Amazon can abuse it in the most irresponsible and unethical way. Freedom used to mean having the power to act for yourself. Today, it must also mean being free from others’ judgments about you. We all have a basic, if implicit, right to control how much personal information others collect and how they use it. But to exercise that right, you must first know what they know about you. That means greater transparency, a fairer balance of information between companies and their customers, and a way to challenge institutions when they get things wrong. A woman purchasing coffee beans may not be an insomniac but instead live in a home with multiple people who drink multiple cups of coffee a day. But Amazon, with its current harvesting and inference system, doesn’t care about nuance. A man purchasing "Mein Kampf" simply because he is interested in the evolution of one of the most evil historical figures ever to walk the face of the earth might find himself recast as a white supremacist with a penchant for goose-stepping. In the not-too-distant future, browsing alone could trigger pre-crime algorithms. Thankfully, all is not lost. As Futurism reports, Amazon lets users review some of its guesses and questionable assumptions about them. To do so via desktop: Go to Account & Lists, then Account. Scroll down and select the option to “manage your information,” then either the profile option or the personalization option. In the Amazon app, you can find this feature by following this particular route: Profile icon > Account > Shopping preferences > About you. Check the other options in that section too, in particular around privacy settings and advertising preferences, to make sure Amazon isn’t collecting and using information you don’t want it to use. This won’t stop all personal information collection, and it may not delete all such data, but it can limit the extent of that process. Ultimately, each individual must decide how much info he is comfortable sharing with Amazon and whether the benefits justify the trade-off. In other words, is free two-day shipping really worth sacrificing your privacy and basic dignity? --- ### Halloween horror rankings: The best scary movies for spooky season **Published:** October 17, 2026 | **Author:** BlazeTV Staff | **Section:** Stu and Dave Do America **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/shows/stu-and-dave-do-america/halloween-horror-rankings-the-best-scary-movies-for-spooky-season.md Driven primarily by Halloween, October is the peak month for horror movie viewership. BlazeTV hosts Stu Burguiere and Dave Landau both enjoy a good spooky flick, especially during pumpkin season. On this episode of “Stu and Dave Do America,” the duo along with special guest and horror movie expert Angela Boggs rank their top five horror movies in descending order. Dave’s list: Dave, who briefly studied film in college, says the following are his favorite horror movies based on what he personally enjoys watching. 5. John Carpenter’s 1982 classic “The Thing,” starring Kurt Russell. The film follows a group of researchers at an isolated Antarctic station who encounter a shape-shifting alien that perfectly imitates living organisms, forcing them into paranoia as they try to discern who is still human. 4. “The Cabin in the Woods” (2011), directed by Drew Goddard, starring Chris Hemsworth. The plot revolves around five college friends who spend a weekend at a remote cabin, only to discover that they’re being manipulated as part of a much larger, ritualistic horror scenario. 3. “Evil Dead II” — the second film in the franchise — directed by Sam Raimi in 1987, starring Bruce Campbell as Ash Williams. Williams, the central character throughout the original trilogy, returns in this film to face even more extreme Deadite horrors, including a possession of his own hand. 2. “American Psycho” (2000), directed by Mary Harron, starring Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe, Jared Leto, and Reese Witherspoon. The plot centers on a wealthy, status-obsessed Wall Street banker who secretly leads a double life as a serial killer, committing increasingly violent murders while maintaining a perfect outward image. 1. “The Shining” (1980), directed by Stanley Kubrick, starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall. This iconic horror film follows the Torrance family as they spend the winter as caretakers of an isolated hotel. The father slowly descends into madness under the influence of the hotel’s dark supernatural forces. Stu’s list: While Stu isn’t a horror movie megafan like Dave and Angela, he enjoys the occasional scary film, including: 5. The original 1996 “Scream” movie directed by Wes Craven. The film, which kicked off a long-running franchise, follows a masked killer as he terrorizes the teenagers of a small town by phoning them with horror-movie trivia questions before attacking. 4. “Signs” (2002), written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, starring Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix. It centers on a former priest and his family living on a rural farm who discover that the mysterious crop circles in their cornfield are actually signs of an extraterrestrial invasion. 3. “Misery” (1990), directed by Rob Reiner, starring James Caan and Kathy Bates. Based on the Stephen King novel, the film is about a famous novelist who is rescued from a car crash by his number-one fan; she then holds him captive in her remote home and forces him to rewrite his latest book to her satisfaction. 2. The original 1978 “Halloween” film, directed by John Carpenter and starring Jamie Lee Curtis. The movie, which launched a major long-running franchise, introduces escaped mental patient Michael Meyers, who returns to his hometown on Halloween night and begins stalking and killing babysitters, while his psychiatrist races to stop him. 1. “Halloween 3: Season of the Witch” (1982) — the third installment in the series — directed by Tommy Lee Wallace, starring Tom Atkins. Famous for being the outlier in the series, this film does not include the iconic Meyers and instead follows a doctor as he investigates a series of murders linked to a toy company that plans to kill children across America using cursed Halloween masks triggered by a TV commercial. Angela’s list: Angela, host of “Angela Does Horror,” where she posts horror reviews, watch-alongs, recommendations, and discussions, is a horror film superfan. Her top five list, she says, is intentionally “quirky and different” but still gets her “in the Halloween spirit every year.” 5. “1408” (2007) directed by Mikael Håfström, starring John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson. The film follows a skeptical author who debunks haunted hotels; he checks into the infamous room 1408 at a New York hotel and is forced to confront genuine supernatural terror. 4. Indie horror film “Starry Eyes” (2014), which had a limited U.S. theatrical release. The plot revolves around an aspiring actress in Los Angeles who makes a dark deal with a sinister film production company in exchange for the fame she’s desperate to achieve. 3. “Unfriended: Dark Web” (2018), written and directed by Stephen Susco. The low-budget studio horror, which got a theatrical release, follows a group of friends on a video chat as they discover that one of them has stolen a laptop connected to the dark web. The original owners begin systematically targeting and killing them while they watch helplessly. 2. “Late Night with the Devil” (2023), directed by Colin Cairnes and Cameron Cairnes. This independent film that was also theatrically released is a found-footage-style film revolving around a struggling late-night talk show host in 1977, who tries to boost his ratings with a live Halloween special featuring a possessed girl, only for the broadcast to unleash real demonic forces on air. 1. “As Above, So Below” (2014), directed by John Erick Dowdle. Presented in found-footage style, the film takes place in the catacombs of Paris, as a team of explorers searching for the philosopher’s stone becomes trapped in a nightmarish labyrinth where their personal sins and fears are turned against them. To hear the panel go into depth about their top horror picks, check out the episode above. Want more from Stu and Dave? To enjoy more of Stu and Dave's lethal blend of wit, humor, and insightful commentary subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream. --- ### Iran’s regime killed my brother. I refuse to hate Muslims. **Published:** October 17, 2026 | **Author:** Hormoz Shariat | **Section:** Opinion **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/columns/opinion/irans-regime-killed-my-brother-i-refuse-to-hate-muslims.md My younger brother, Hamraz, was arrested in Iran at 16. Two years later, the Islamic regime executed him. His death filled me with anger and a desire for revenge. But as I studied the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus challenged me to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me. God transformed my hatred into love. Rather than seek revenge against Muslims, I devoted my life to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with them. Love your Muslim neighbors. Befriend them, serve them, pray for them, and share with them the good news of Jesus Christ. I love Muslims. And I love America. That is precisely why I am sounding the alarm. I came to this country from Iran and discovered freedoms that religious tyranny denies. I know what it means to lose those freedoms. Americans who have never lived under such a regime should not assume their liberties will always be secure. My purpose is to warn, not to stir hatred or violence. I want Americans to recognize the danger of political movements that seek to replace constitutional government with religious rule — and to confront that danger with truth, courage, and love. Many Americans think of Islam exclusively as a religion. Historically, it has also supplied models for political authority and law. Muhammad was a religious prophet, a political leader, and a military commander. His followers in Mecca initially had little political power. In Medina, beginning in the 7th century, he governed a community and led military campaigns. His successors extended Islamic rule across vast territories. For 1,400 years, movements seeking Islamic government have drawn upon that history: organize believers, build influence, gain power, and govern according to their interpretation of Islamic law. Not all Muslims take the Quran’s commands and Muhammad’s example equally seriously. Many nominal Muslims love freedom and reject extremism. But I believe those who follow those teachings most closely see the extension of Islamic political rule as a religious duty. That is the ambition I mean when I warn of world domination. The danger is not confined to terrorism. A movement can pursue religious authoritarianism through political institutions as well as violence. Its leaders may use freedoms of speech, worship, and political participation while seeking power to deny those freedoms to others. RELATED: Marco Rubio’s spicy Greece speech left out the most crucial ingredient Majid Saeedi/Getty Images I watched a version of that tragedy unfold in Iran. Before the 1979 revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini promised liberty and justice. Many Iranians believed him. After the revolution, his regime imposed religious law, crushed dissent, persecuted minorities, and executed political opponents. My brother was among the dead. Judge a political movement by more than its promises before it gains power. Examine its history, its stated aims, and what it intends to do after winning. Europe offers warnings of its own. Across Europe, Islamist movements have sought greater political and cultural influence. In some communities, disputes over religious arbitration, women's rights, freedom of expression, and the application of Islamic law have raised serious concerns. America must learn from these experiences. Political influence is not always pursued through violence. It can also develop gradually through organized, long-term efforts to influence schools, local governments, public institutions, and, ultimately, national policy. Some Islamist movements seek to use the freedoms of democracy — free speech, religious liberty, and political participation — to gain influence while advocating systems that would deny those same freedoms to others. Participating in civic life is every American's constitutional right, including the right of Muslim Americans. But when any movement seeks political power for the purpose of imposing religious law on others, Americans must recognize the threat. We must never confuse religious freedom with permission to undermine the freedoms of others. America’s openness, tolerance, and goodwill are tremendous strengths. But without knowledge and vigilance, these virtues can be exploited by movements that do not share our commitment to liberty. RELATED: Read dangerously — but please, just read Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu/Getty Images I often say that I worry more about America’s future than Iran’s. Millions of Iranians know firsthand what religious authoritarianism can do. Too many Americans know it only as a distant subject in a history book. That concern led me and other Iranian-Americans to produce "The Great American Conflict," a documentary examining political Islam and what its ambitions could mean for this country. My appeal is simple: Wake up. Study the history. Look closely at organizations seeking power in your community. Attend meetings, participate in elections, serve on school boards and city councils, and hold elected officials to the Constitution. Defend religious liberty, free speech, and equal rights for everyone. Above all, act from conviction and love, never hatred or fear. Love your Muslim neighbors. Befriend them, serve them, pray for them, and share with them the good news of Jesus Christ. I sometimes call myself Islamophilic rather than Islamophobic. I do not embrace Islamic teachings. I love Muslim people. My brother's execution taught me the terrible cost of religious tyranny. Jesus taught me that hatred cannot answer hatred. We can love Muslims wholeheartedly and defend America's constitutional freedoms courageously. The time to do both is now, while we still have the freedom to do so. --- ### Trump's FTC gets a big win, but the job is far from over **Published:** October 17, 2026 | **Author:** Aiden Buzzetti | **Section:** Opinion **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/columns/opinion/trump-s-ftc-gets-a-big-win-but-the-job-is-far-from-over.md Hours before trial was set to begin last month, the Federal Trade Commission and five state attorneys general settled their antitrust case against Zillow and Redfin. While this was a major success, and the FTC should be proud, there is still more to be done. More than 30% of American households rent. For most of them, the search begins and often ends inside one company's ecosystem, which is a major violation of antitrust principles and laws. The solution does not actually touch the cost of rent for average people. To be clear, the government was able to achieve much. In a $100 million deal, Zillow had paid Redfin to shut down its multifamily rental-advertising business, transfer its customers and salesforce, and stay out of the market for as long as nine years. That deal is now dead. Instead, Redfin will have to restart its former business within six months and display Zillow's listings under a partnership that will continue through at least 2030. This remedy is superior to potential alternatives, such as a fine, which often does not actually solve the problem. Gigantic monopolies can usually absorb these fines and continue to violate antitrust law. Requiring actual change goes a long way toward solving the problem. This was, to be clear, a rather easy antitrust case. The Zillow-Redfin deal was a blatant violation of the core principles of antitrust. The companies literally signed an agreement not to compete, with a nine-figure bribe thrown in. The FTC was also not alone in its demands against Zillow and Redfin. Virginia, Connecticut, New York, Washington, and Arizona all joined in. After securing the required changes, FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson hailed the result as a critical part of the Trump administration's housing agenda. This last framing, however, is a problematic framing for supporters of antitrust. The issue only dealt with property managers as it concerned postings for renting. The solution does not actually touch the cost of rent for average people. Essentially, a housing-advertising case is being sold as a housing-affordability case. Consider what the settlement leaves standing. Zillow still operates Zillow Rentals, Trulia, and HotPads. Restoring Redfin is a major success, but eliminating the deal does not solve the issue because there is so much more to do. Even worse, Zillow’s dominance extends beyond rental listings into the homebuying transaction itself through alleged "tying" tactics. In ongoing class action antitrust litigation against Zillow, plaintiffs allege that Zillow leverages its monopoly over buyer leads to force real estate agents into steering clients toward Zillow Home Loans. By tying access to critical consumer leads to whether an agent pressures clients to use Zillow’s lending arm, the platform squeezes independent lenders out of the market and deprives buyers of competitive mortgage rates. RELATED: The GOP can’t blame Biden forever for pain at the pump Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images Then there is Redfin itself, which is owned by Rocket Companies. Rocket Companies also owns Mr. Cooper, one of the country's largest mortgage servicers, another potential antitrust violation. This sketchy alliance has already raised the ire of some in Congress. This is not to say that the FTC was wrong to make this settlement. It’s only to say that the job is not yet finished. Because yes, renters may eventually pay a little less than they do now, as the trickle-down effect occurs. But that would take a long time and is the most indirect way possible to lower rent or limit increases. There are three ways the federal government can build on its success. First, use its 6(b) (of the FTC Act) authority to study the rental listing market as a whole: the pricing, exclusivity arrangements, syndication terms, and leverage, including illegal tying mechanisms between lead generation and home financing. Second, the agency should make clear that trading preferential access for exclusivity should not be automatically safe simply because no money changed hands. What Zillow and Redfin did would have been illegal even if Zillow had not bribed Redfin. Finally, Congress and state regulators should pay attention to what unfolds, particularly as 2030 gets closer. Zillow and Redfin are going to use the next four years to figure out how they can legally reconstruct their partnership; it is up to elected officials and regulators to keep them from being successful. The FTC started off strong, but still has a long way to go. Over the next few years, it is critical that the agency turn its sights toward anti-competitive tying and finish the fight for housing affordability. --- ### Mass shooting threat alarms Florida high school officials — police say teen girl framed ex-boyfriend with AI **Published:** October 17, 2026 | **Author:** Carlos Garcia | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/mass-shooting-high-school-hoax.md Florida police investigating a mass shooting threat online determined that a teenage girl had tried to frame her ex-boyfriend to get him in trouble. Officials at Riverview High School were alerted to the mass shooting threat via an email on Wednesday that included a screenshot of an Instagram post, according to police. 'It doesn't matter if it's a joke, it doesn't matter if it's from AI, it doesn't matter if you're mad, and it doesn't matter if you're trying to pin it on someone else. You're going to face the consequences.' Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies responded and found that the post appeared to come from a male student who attended the school. After police interviewed the male student, they determined the post did not come from him but was actually created by his ex-girlfriend. The 15-year-old was a former student at the high school and had made the hoax image with the use of artificial intelligence, according to police. When they interviewed her, she admitted to sending the false screenshot to the school administrators. The girl was charged with written or electronic threat to conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism and two other charges related to the threat. RELATED: Family says Alabama woman was kidnapped after being 'lured' by toddler on side of a highway, but skeptics are crying hoax "Threatening a school is a felony in Hillsborough County. And it doesn't matter if it's a joke, it doesn't matter if it's from AI, it doesn't matter if you're mad, and it doesn't matter if you're trying to pin it on someone else. You're going to face the consequences," said Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office chief communications officer Amanda Granit. Retired Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent Rich Kolko said people falsely believe they won't get prosecuted for online behavior. "People sit at home, they're sitting at their desk, and they feel they have this keyboard anonymity," Kolko said to WFLA-TV. "They think nobody can find them or nobody's going to bother them. They're just playing on their computer; it's no big deal. Well, as this young lady learned and as too many other people have learned, it is a big deal," he added. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Allie Beth Stuckey exposes the evil behind popular cycle tracking apps — and announces her pro-life alternative **Published:** October 17, 2026 | **Author:** BlazeTV Staff | **Section:** Relatable **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/shows/relatable/allie-beth-stuckey-exposes-the-evil-behind-popular-cycle-tracking-apps-and-announces-her-pro-life-alternative.md On October 10 at Share the Arrows — Allie Beth Stuckey’s annual Christian women’s conference — the BlazeTV host and soon-to-be mother of four announced a project she and her husband have been working on since early last year: Ana Kate, a pro-life cycle, pregnancy, and postpartum tracking app. But this project isn’t just about creating a conservative Christian alternative to the plethora of cycle and pregnancy tracking apps out there. It’s also about countering the evil perpetuated by those secular apps. On a recent episode of “Relatable,” Allie shared the why behind Ana Kate by exposing how most popular cycle and pregnancy tracking apps boldly support abortion. Allie begins by sharing a story from one of her friends who used the cycle tracking app called Natural Cycles. When she noted in the app that her last pregnancy was “unexpected,” she was suddenly inundated with “ads for abortion centers on Snapchat.” “I do not know if Natural Cycles is selling that kind of data to those entities that are then selling that data to places like Planned Parenthood and abortion clinics to send you advertisements. … I do know, based on what Natural Cycles does say on their app, that they are pro-abortion,” says Allie. “They have articles promoting abortion, directing its users to Planned Parenthood for abortions, and linking directly to their site." Another popular cycle and pregnancy tracking app is Flo. Allie notes that according to the app site, “being able to access a safe abortion is a crucial part of health care.” “Abortion is not health care because it is killing the life of a child,” she says. Ovia is another cycle/pregnancy tracker used by millions of women. “Ovia has an entire abortion section in its reproductive health library. Current articles include ‘What is a medical abortion and how to access one’ and ‘Preparing for pregnancy in states with abortion bans and restrictions,’” says Allie. “Its post-abortion guide tells readers what emotions to expect after an abortion. It can also include, they say, immense relief,” she adds. While the Euki cycle tracking app does include a pregnancy tracker, it nonetheless has information about abortion. “They have a built-in abortion provider search,” says Allie, comparing the app to Ana Kate, which has “a pro-life practitioner directory search.” Clue is yet another cycle tracking app that supports abortion. “Clue was very against the overturning of Roe v. Wade. They said, 'At Clue, we strongly believe that the very personal decision to end a pregnancy should be made in the context of legal, regulated healthcare, with shame or fear of prosecution,”’ says Allie. She explains that Flo also responded to the Dobbs decision by “launching an Anonymous Mode,” allowing users to use the app without linking their names, emails, IP addresses, or other identifiers to their health data. “So they're trying to protect you from the big bad government, who wants to protect these babies inside the womb,” Allie says. “Now, this is all opposed to Ana Kate,” she explains. “Our tagline is ‘For women. For life.’ … We are for women in that we are for women. We exist for women. And we are for life. We are for the life of a woman, but we are also advocates for ,” Allie shares. “We believe that all babies, no matter the circumstances surrounding their conception, no matter their age, no matter their size, are fully made in God's image and should be protected fully … and we are not ashamed of that.” To hear more about Ana Kate, check out the episode above. Want more from Allie Beth Stuckey? To enjoy more of Allie’s upbeat and in-depth coverage of culture, news, and theology from a Christian, conservative perspective, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream. --- ### BLINDED BY THE LIGHTS: Can Washington finally save American drivers from headlight hell? **Published:** October 17, 2026 | **Author:** Lauren Fix | **Section:** Lifestyle **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/lifestyle/blinded-by-the-lights-can-washington-finally-save-american-drivers-from-headlight-hell.md If you drive at night, you know the problem. An SUV approaches from the opposite direction, and suddenly its headlights hit you like a spotlight. You squint, look toward the edge of the road, and hope you can still see your lane. If a lifted pickup is riding behind you, your mirrors can become another source of blinding glare. When you cannot see clearly behind the wheel, that is more than an annoyance. It is a safety concern. Are American drivers benefiting from available lighting technology, or are regulatory differences making it harder and more expensive to bring that technology to market? Now the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is preparing to modernize federal vehicle lighting standards after years of complaints about headlight glare. Announced October 6, the rulemaking effort will examine LED lighting, automatic high beams, headlamp height and aim, and other visibility issues affecting drivers. If headlight technology has advanced so dramatically, why are the rules governing it still struggling to keep up? Glaring problem America's minimum and maximum headlight brightness standards have not changed since 1997. Since then, vehicles have gained advanced safety systems, cameras, and increasingly sophisticated lighting technology. Yet the federal rules governing headlights have struggled to keep pace. Not every LED headlight is dangerous, and not every complaint proves a vehicle violates federal standards. But headlight design, vehicle height, and improper aim can affect how much light reaches another driver's eyes. The growing popularity of taller trucks and SUVs makes the problem especially noticeable to people driving lower vehicles. Drivers should not have to choose between seeing the road and being able to look at it without being blinded. Automakers have spent years promoting smarter vehicle technology. It is reasonable to ask why headlights cannot do a better job of illuminating the road without compromising visibility for everyone else. Blind spot In 2022, the NHTSA authorized adaptive driving beam headlights, technology designed to adjust portions of the high-beam pattern to reduce glare for other drivers while maintaining illumination elsewhere on the road. The concept is straightforward. Instead of simply switching between high and low beams, the system can modify where the light shines around other vehicles. That can help drivers see more of the road without directing the full beam into someone else's eyes. But authorization did not lead to widespread adoption. U.S. requirements differed from those used in other markets, and systems available overseas did not automatically qualify for American roads. Those differences have slowed the introduction of adaptive headlights, which have been common in Europe for more than a decade. Are American drivers benefiting from available lighting technology, or are regulatory differences making it harder and more expensive to bring that technology to market? Safety standards matter, but regulations should solve problems, not create unnecessary obstacles to practical solutions. NHTSA needs to explain what it learned from the 2022 decision and how its new rules will avoid repeating the same mistakes. Safety first Blindingly bright headlights are certainly annoying, but are they dangerous? A 2025 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety suggests that the danger may be overstated. Examining crash reports from 11 states between 2015 and 2023, researchers found that glare was cited as a contributing factor in just one or two out of every 1,000 nighttime crashes. That rate remained essentially unchanged over the nine-year period. In fact, headlights have become considerably safer by several measures. In 2016, just one of more than 80 headlight systems tested by IIHS earned a good rating. By 2025, roughly half did. And the share producing excessive glare fell from 21% in 2017 to just 3% in 2025. Better illumination has also been associated with fewer crashes. An earlier IIHS study found that vehicles with good-rated headlights had 19% fewer nighttime single-vehicle crashes and 23% fewer nighttime pedestrian crashes than vehicles with poorly rated headlights. But IIHS acknowledges that crash reports cannot capture every instance of dangerous glare. The vehicles producing it often aren't involved in the resulting accidents, making it difficult to determine exactly what caused the problem. Whatever the crash statistics show, drivers clearly aren't happy. A 2026 AAA survey of 1,092 American adults found that 60% considered headlight glare a problem, while 73% of those affected believed it had gotten worse over the previous decade. Those responses are not proof that glare is causing more crashes, but they demonstrate that the concern is widespread. Both sets of findings belong in the discussion. Regulators should measure real-world safety outcomes while investigating why so many drivers report the same problem. Dismissing those complaints is no more responsible than claiming every bright headlight is unsafe. RELATED: Volkswagen bet big on EVs. Now it's making room for gas-powered SUVs. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Bright future? NHTSA's review should focus on measurable results. Can headlights illuminate the road effectively without creating excessive glare? Are lamps properly aimed? Do vehicle height and lighting design create predictable problems for other drivers? Can adaptive systems be tested consistently and approved without unnecessary barriers? Automakers, safety researchers, lighting experts, and drivers should have a voice in developing standards that manufacturers can meet and regulators can enforce. Drivers can help, too. Dirty windshields, damaged lamps, improper headlight aim, and unsuitable aftermarket lighting can make visibility worse. But consumers cannot fix outdated federal standards on their own. The goal should not be to make headlights weaker. It should be to make them smarter, more effective, and less likely to blind other road users. Washington now has another opportunity to modernize rules that have fallen behind automotive technology. The question is whether regulators will deliver sensible standards that improve visibility or create another complicated process that leaves drivers facing the same problem. What do you think? Are today's headlights dangerously bright, or is the problem being overstated? And should automakers be required to adopt smarter lighting technology when it can reduce glare without sacrificing visibility? --- ### Top Democrats were sent letter with 'suspicious substance' — at least a dozen others targeted, feds say **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** Carlos Garcia | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/letters-substance-klobuchar-schumer.md Numerous politicians reported receiving letters with a suspicious substance on Friday, including Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating numerous letters that were sent to state election officials and congressional offices, according to a spokesperson for the USPIS. 'Political violence has no place in our democracy, and we hope those who perpetrated this crime are brought to justice.' "Like has happened across the country, my Minnesota office was sent a letter containing a suspicious substance, and we were promptly notified by the Capitol Police and postal inspectors," Klobuchar wrote in a statement on social media. "Thanks to the postal workers and investigators who identified and intercepted it, no one in our office was in immediate danger." A similar letter was sent to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer but was intercepted by law enforcement officials. Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota said his Sioux Falls office also received the suspicious letter. "Our Sioux Falls office will be closed for the remainder of the day as SFPD continues to investigate and will reopen for normal hours on Monday morning," he wrote. "This situation is deeply concerning and follows a trend of intimidating tactics that impact our team members. This has no place in our nation. America is better than this." He posted an image showing that the return address read "DSA," which could stand for the Democratic Socialists of America. Democratic Rep. Hillary Scholten of Michigan said her letter also read "DSA" and contained an "unidentified white power." "Today I learned that my office was the intended recipient of a suspicious letter containing an unidentified substance in what appears to be a deliberate attempt to cause harm to me and my staff," wrote Rep. Analilia Mejia, a Democrat from New Jersey. Others who reported receiving the threatening letters include Democratic Rep. Sarah Elfreth of Maryland, Democratic Rep. Kelly Morrison of Minnesota, Democratic Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware, Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York, and Florida Democratic Reps. Maxwell Frost and Darren Soto. "Political violence has no place in our democracy, and we hope those who perpetrated this crime are brought to justice," Soto said on social media. RELATED: Hundreds of threatening letters containing white powder sent to GOP lawmakers in states that passed laws unfavorable to LGBT activists "We are committed to protecting our nation's election officials from threatening and dangerous mail. Any threat or attack on an election official is unacceptable," said USPIS deputy chief inspector Brendan Donahue. "Our partners, including the FBI and we at the Postal Inspection Service, will bring all of our resources to bear on these investigations," he added. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Ilhan Omar's husband barks at reporter asking questions after home raid **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** Carlos Garcia | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/ilhan-omar-husband-absence-video.md A Fox News Digital reporter got a sharp rebuke from the husband of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) when asked about her whereabouts. The reporter challenged Tim Mynett to comment on rumors that Omar fled the country after her home was raided Monday for an investigation into alleged immigration fraud. 'My wife came here when she was 12 years old as a child war refugee. ... No concerns.' Mynett was seen walking the couple's dog Teddy on Wednesday, but he refused to answer the reporter's question. "There are rumors that the congresswoman left the country. Is that true?" the reporter asked. "You guys are annoying the hell out of all the neighbors around here, man," Mynett replied. "I just wanted to get your response to everything that's been going on, that's all, and what the president's saying about the net worth and the investigation," the reporter said. "Just giving you a chance to respond." Video of the interaction was posted to social media. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social the accusations related to financial disclosure discrepancies that Omar had filed. On Tuesday, District of Columbia U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro told Fox News that her office was investigating the financial allegations of malfeasance. Omar has not made any public appearances since the targeted raid by Homeland Security Investigations on Monday, prompting some to speculate that she fled the country. Mynett previously defended Omar from allegations that she married her brother in order to obtain immigration status. "My wife came here when she was 12 years old as a child war refugee," he told Fox News Digital on Tuesday. "No concerns." RELATED: MS Now reporter tries to cover for Ilhan Omar — and accidentally makes the case for mass deportation Omar responded to the raid via her social media account, where she accused the president of abusing his office to attack his political opponents. "I'm ok. Make no mistake: this is an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement," she wrote Monday. "For ten years, Trump has targeted me with baseless lies and smear campaigns," she added. "This is just the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation. I will not be silenced." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Kamala defends her cackle, accuses critics of trying to steal her ‘joy’ **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** BlazeTV Staff | **Section:** Pat Gray Unleashed **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/shows/pat-gray-unleashed/kamala-defends-her-cackle-accuses-critics-of-trying-to-steal-her-joy.md In a recent appearance on Keke Palmer’s podcast, Kamala Harris explained away her chilling laugh as an endearing family trait, before leaving the door wide open to yet another presidential campaign. “I’m aware of the, whatever the memes are about, you know, my laugh. Well, look, I was raised in a family that included very powerful women who laughed from their bellies,” Kamala said. “And powerful, I mean, they were powerful in their space. They were powerful in their family and their community, not necessarily titles and money. But you understand my point,” she continued, as Palmer nodded. “And they would sit around the kitchen table with their coffee, laughing loud laughs, and that’s how I laugh. And the people that I respected laugh the same way,” she cackled. Kamala continued, “And everybody else, you know what they can do,” before pivoting to discuss her “joy.” “Those who try to take your joy are trying to make you weak. And that’s where my fight comes in. I know what you’re trying to do,” she added. “What do we try to do?” BlazeTV host Pat Gray asks, genuinely confused. Jeff Fisher notes that following Kamala’s mini-monologue on her laugh, Palmer responded to her that she was “so brave.” “She grabbed a Kleenex and everything,” he adds. But laughter isn’t all the pair discussed. In a follow-up clip, Palmer asked Kamala if she’ll be running for president in 2028. Kamala laughed maniacally before answering, “I haven’t decided.” Gray doesn’t believe her, commenting, “What a liar.” “There’s no doubt in my mind she’s going to run,” he adds. Want more from Pat Gray? To enjoy more of Pat's biting analysis and signature wit as he restores common sense to a senseless world, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream. --- ### Man faces 6 felony hate crime charges over alleged threats to Muslim women wearing hijabs **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** Carlos Garcia | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/hijab-muslim-threat-hate-crime.md An Illinois man allegedly pretended to threaten to shoot a group of Muslim women and allegedly made derogatory remarks before getting arrested by police. One of the women said she was trying to enter the park at Lake Opeka in Des Plaines when a man confronted her and insulted her, a police report said. The police report said he told the women to leave the US and demanded one woman remove her face covering. He tried to get between her and the park, but she walked around him and joined the group, Des Plaines police said. The man approached the group at the playground and reached for his waistband to make it appear as if he had a weapon, police claimed. He allegedly pointed at them as though he had a gun and threatened to shoot the women. " told the women that they looked like Muslim 'monkeys' and 'ninjas' and that they needed to leave the country," the police report stated. The police report noted that the women were wearing hijabs and long sleeves at the time. The police report said he told the women to leave the U.S. and demanded one woman remove her face covering. Police later identified the man as 44-year-old Matthew R. Kindle, and he was arrested after they witnessed him yelling at another person. He allegedly made comments referring to "white power" and allegedly made more derogatory comments about the women while he was detained. According to the report, Kindle identified himself as a white Christian and claimed to be half German and half Italian. Kindle also claimed to police that "a group of women approached him and made a derogatory comment towards him," the police report said. The Cook County State’s Attorney's Office approved a slew of charges against Kindle that included three felony counts of disorderly conduct/hate crime and three felony counts of aggravated assault/hate crime. He was also charged with misdemeanor counts that included aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, and resisting a peace officer. Kindle had previously been charged for domestic battery in 2019 after allegedly beating and kicking a woman. RELATED: VIDEO: White woman accuses 'brown' man of sex trafficking his 6-year-old daughter — gets arrested for hate crime, police say simpson33/Getty Images The Council on American-Islamic Relations applauded the hate crime charges. "No one should ever have to fear for their safety, let alone face threats of gun violence and white supremacist bigotry, while simply walking or spending time in a public community park," reads the statement from CAIR-Chicago executive director Ahmed Rehab. "Law enforcement have a duty to take action against hate with a swift response and pursue appropriate felony hate crime charges in this alarming case," he added. "Bigotry-fueled harassment targeting women based on their faith and appearance is a direct threat to the safety and fabric of our communities. We stand in full solidarity with the victims and will continue monitoring this case to ensure that justice is fully served.” State Rep. Justin Cochran, a Democrat, called the incident "sickening" and addressed the alleged victims, according to Journal & Topics. "I will say this to my neighbors directly: You belong here," he said. "That is your park, this is your city, your district as much as it is anyone's." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### 'Everyone is so soft': Former UFC star 'Mayhem' Miller has some tough love for young men **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** Andrew Chapados | **Section:** Lifestyle **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/lifestyle/jason-miller-advice-young-men.md Jason "Mayhem" Miller has seen the highs and lows that fame can bring, and now the former MTV star and UFC fighter has some advice for young men: Put down the phone and toughen up. Miller, 45, compiled a 23-10 record with one no contest over a colorful MMA career that included two stints in the UFC and fights against future champions Georges St-Pierre and Michael Bisping. 'Pick yourself up.' Washing out the weakness He was also one of MMA's great showmen, cultivating a villainous persona and making elaborate cage entrances that owed as much to professional wrestling as mixed martial arts. "Mayhem" eventually crossed over to MTV as host of "Bully Beatdown," which ran for three seasons. Then things fell apart. In Miller's words: "I crashed out spectacularly. I was the first crashout in internet history." After years of arrests, incarceration, addiction, and erratic behavior, Miller says he eventually managed to pick himself back up. Now he thinks young men need to learn how to do the same. "Oh, it's you," Miller said before an interview with Blaze News. With a shower running in the background, he put his camera down and announced, "I'll be a couple minutes." He wasn't out partying. Miller was at Fight Science in Los Angeles, where he coaches. The truth is, "Mayhem" still messes around quite a bit, even during interviews. But when he puts on his coaching hat, he starts dispensing advice that, in his words, "could fill your ears and your podcast servers for an infinite amount of time." Determined to dump enough knowledge into young men's ears to "wash out the weakness," Miller said he's been stunned by how sensitive the country has become. "Everyone is so soft in America now. I'm shocked at it. I'm really shocked at it," he said. "Our culture celebrates" falling into "this dark path because it's easy to fall into." Young men can't simply rely on the status quo to provide them with a satisfying life, Miller argued. They have to make something happen for themselves. RELATED: Sydney Sweeney wants you to prove yourself in a whole new way Dumping the 'rectangular girlfriend' Schools force-fed kids a diet of "whatever" and then kicked them into the job market, Miller said. "Oh, you're going to college? Oh, if not, here's an Uber Eats job, right? Like, here's your damn miserable existence for a while, and you're going to be swiping right all day till your thumb is arthritic." But Miller insists that misery isn't destiny. "Nobody's going to talk back to you until you start hustling. Pick yourself up," he told young men. Go to the gym, Miller emphasized. Get some endorphins into your body. That's the least a young man with "no drive or motivation" can do. Much of Miller's advice comes back to phone addiction and the device he variously calls the "magic square in your pocket" and the "rectangular girlfriend." "It's not your girlfriend. Those girls that you're looking at are not your girlfriend. They're not even real. They're two-dimensional," Miller warned. "Put that square back in your pocket. Use it for making money. And then talk to women face-to-face. Ten of them are going to tell you, 'Get lost.' The next one is going to tell you she loves you. So get after it, kids." RELATED: Kid Rock appears to cave to critics of Eminem collaboration — then hits 'em with the punch line Ethan Miller/Getty Image Battle-ready Miller also tells young Americans that some of the problems that feel overwhelming can be confronted only through deliberate effort. "OK, 'I'm mad.' Is that real? Or can you count to 10 and take a breath?" he offered as an example. "'Oh, I'm sad.' Are you sad, or have you not worked through this trauma yet? You know, it takes effort to grow as a person." Spending too much time with a computer doesn't help, Miller argued. And for all the advice he can dispense, he thinks one lost art matters more than most. "You talk, and everybody shares their opinion. That's a lost art in America. You know, that's why the kids are lonely and and watching whatever all day. You know what I'm saying?" Miller's rise, collapse, and recovery are the subject of a recent Vice episode of "Dark Side of the Cage," which has drawn hundreds of thousands of views since its September release. These days, Miller describes himself as "leading men into battle" — on the mat and with enough advice, he says, to "fill the multiverse." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### OUTRAGE ensues after Christian Chick-fil-A CEO invites LGBTQ+ activists to try CFA's delicious chicken sandwiches **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** Carlos Garcia | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/chickfila-ceo-lgbtq-boycott-outrage.md The corporate media are lining up once more to harangue the fans of Chick-fil-A, implying that they are homophobic for eating chicken sandwiches. The occasion for this latest effort is the first broadcast interview with the company's CEO, in which he talks about how his Christian faith guides the mission of the chicken sandwich company. 'They’re welcome to come eat with us. We’d love to give them a great-tasting sandwich and give them great hospitality.' "It is our anchor, in the sense of what our corporate purpose states: that we’re in business to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that’s entrusted to us and have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A,” Andrew Cathy said. The interview with Craig Melvin of "Today" was very cordial, but it has inspired headlines claiming newly outraged critics of the company. Melvin asked Cathy to respond to LGBTQ-identifying people who have boycotted the Christian company's chicken sandwiches over gender, sexuality, and marriage issues. "Well, for anybody that hasn’t tried us, we’d love for you to come try and have our great-tasting food and the hospitality that we’re known for," Cathy responded. "I think that everybody that will be willing to walk in the door, they’ll see that they’re welcome to come eat with us. We’d love to give them a great-tasting sandwich and give them great hospitality." Melvin pressed him about conservative statements made by the previous CEO, Cathy's father, in support of conservative Christian causes. "We’re focused on serving everybody that comes in and eat with us," Cathy responded. Critics in the comment section of an Instagram clip of the interview included Katie Couric, Valerie Bertinelli, and Chelsea Handler. "Chick-fil-A CEO faces backlash after LGBTQ interview question," read the headline at WAGA-TV. "Chick-fil-A CEO slammed over evasive answer about LGBTQ rights during Today interview," was the headline at Entertainment Weekly. That report included comments from two participants in a drag queen television show. "Chick-fil-A boss grilled over LGBTQ rights as CEO dodges question about chain's controversial past — sparking a furious debate among customers," was the headline at the U.S. Daily Mail. "Today show host leaves Chick-fil-A CEO spinning over company’s LGBTQ+ stance," claimed the headline at the Independent. "Don't eat at Chick-fil-A. And don't sleep with anyone who does," was the headline of an opinion piece at Out magazine. RELATED: Chick-fil-A gets support from surprising ally against religious discrimination from Buffalo A Blaze News request for comment from Chick-fil-A was not returned in time for publication. Melvin and his "Today" show co-hosts did not appear to join the boycott, as they hungrily munched on the sandwiches at the end of the segment. Despite criticism from Valerie Bertinelli and two drag queens, the company manages to earn about $24 billion sales across the board last year, according to Melvin's report. The Chick-fil-A CEO also proudly reported that the company provided more than 200 million meals for the hungry through charity efforts in the past six years. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Trump calls armed parent who took down deadly Oregon elementary school shooter a 'great hero' **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** Dave Urbanski | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/trump-calls-armed-parent-who-took-down-deadly-oregon-elementary-school-shooter-a-great-hero.md President Donald Trump on Friday told reporters at the White House that the armed individual who took down the deadly Oregon elementary school shooter the previous day "was a great hero," CNN reported. “Well, I’ll tell you what. There was a great hero, and it could have been — as bad as it was, we had a great hero that went in and did the business," Trump said. "He took care of business." 'He is not seeking recognition, but instead wishes to express his gratitude to the first responders, school personnel, and community for the outpouring of love and support.' Trump added: “And thank God we had him; otherwise it would have been much worse. It’s a terrible thing, but thank goodness for a man that had a gun and knew how to use it." Oregon Live said a parent of a student or students at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend pursued the 16-year-old shooter inside the school Thursday afternoon after seeing him blast through locked doors with a long gun — and the parent “engaged” and killed the suspect just before police entered the school. State and local officials credited the parent's actions with preventing further loss of life, the outlet said. One source told Fox News that the bystander "definitely prevented more deaths." Federal law enforcement sources added to Fox News that the bystander has a concealed carry permit. “Looks like the shooter has been neutralized — possibly shot by a father at the school,” emergency dispatchers said in Broadcastify audio, the New York Post reported. RELATED: Teenager fatally shoots 3 children, teacher at Oregon elementary school before parent shoots gunman dead, police say CBS News said the family of the man who took down the shooter issued a statement Friday identifying him as Kaylub Giamanco, a Bend resident with two daughters who attend Silver Rail Elementary School. "He is not seeking recognition, but instead wishes to express his gratitude to the first responders, school personnel, and community for the outpouring of love and support," the family said, according to CBS News. Police said three children — ages 5, 8, and 11 — were fatally shot at the school along with a teacher, Oregon Live reported, adding that a 7-year-old student and a 54-year-old teacher were critically injured and taken to St. Charles Medical Center for treatment. The teenage gunman has been identified as John Griffin Jr. III, according to CBS News, citing two law enforcement sources briefed on the investigation. The attacker used a shotgun his mother purchased, CBS News added, citing law enforcement sources. A motive for the attack has not been provided, the news network reported, adding that the suspect was from Bend, but police have not said if he had a connection to the school. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Exposed as the ‘radical leftist lunatic that he always has been’: James Talarico cornered on abortion and ‘God is nonbinary’ claim **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** BlazeTV Staff | **Section:** Sara Gonzales Unfiltered **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/shows/sara-gonzales-unfiltered/exposed-as-the-radical-leftist-lunatic-that-he-always-has-been-james-talarico-cornered-on-abortion-and-god-is-nonbinary-claim.md James Talarico wants Texas voters to see him as reasonable — but at a CNN town hall, the Texas Senate candidate faced questions about his past remarks on God and abortion that couldn’t be farther from reasonable. “He could not help exposing himself for the radical leftist lunatic that he always has been,” BlazeTV host Sara Gonzales comments on “Sara Gonzales Unfiltered.” “I was actually surprised that they let some of these people take the stage and challenge James Talarico to the extent that they did. One of those was when he got fact-checked by a Catholic Texan after James Talarico claimed that the Bible is actually … silent on abortion,” she continues, playing a clip of Talarico from the town hall. “The Bible is silent on the issue of abortion. It means you and I both have to look at different Scriptures to try to come to a conclusion," he said to his debate opponent. “The Bible is not silent on abortion. There is the Ten Commandments: ‘Thou shalt not kill.’ And as Catholics, we take great insult, I guess, sometimes when it’s described that way,” the opponent, a Catholic woman, replied. “His face, he looks like, ‘Oh, s**t,’” Gonzales laughs. But that wasn’t the first time Talarico was caught out. His previous comments regarding God being “nonbinary” resurfaced, and Talarico attempted to brush it off as unserious. “When I said that, I was being provocative. And I want to admit that and come clean about that,” he said. But Gonzales doesn’t believe him. “The first two lines of the Bible, the first two lines in Genesis, use two different Hebrew words to describe God. One is the masculine Hebrew noun for divinity. The second is the feminine Hebrew noun for spirit,” Talarico once claimed. “God is both masculine and feminine and everything in between. God is nonbinary,” he added. “That didn’t seem like he was just trying to be provocative,” Gonzales comments. “That sounded like a very heartfelt statement from James Talarico.” Want more from Sara Gonzales? To enjoy more of Sara's no-holds-barred takes on news and culture, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream. --- ### Hello and goodbye: Katie Zacharia is out as White House press secretary **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** Joseph MacKinnon | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/hello-and-goodbye-katie-zacharias-is-out-as-white-house-press-secretary.md On Friday, just days after Katie Zacharia's debut as White House press secretary, a White House senior official informed Fox News' Peter Doocy that she is "transitioning out" of the role. The New York Times, citing three people familiar with the matter, subsequently reported that Zacharia had been fired. 'Welcome to the world of Trump.' The White House did not immediately respond to Blaze News' request for comment. On the eve of her ouster, Zacharia had a particularly rough interview with Sean Hannity in which the Fox News host grilled her about failing the bar exam. President Donald Trump had referred to Zacharia as "an attorney" in his post announcing her appointment. Zacharia explained that she graduated from law school the same week she got married and that she and her family soon afterward migrated to communist China. Before moving to China, she sat for the bar exam since she was already pre-registered and she wanted to avoid having "withdrawal status." Hannity also pressed her about her "widely panned" 14-minute debut, in which she answered only three questions. Trump told reporters on Friday that Zacharia, whom he regards as a "nice person," was being treated "pretty nastily" and that he told her, "You don't have to do this if you don't want. She said, 'This is a lot tougher.' I said, 'Welcome to the world of Trump.'" "Katie is off to a start that — the news has been so nasty to her. I've never seen anything like it, actually," said Trump. Although the president indicated that he would ultimately leave the decision up to Zacharia, he recalled telling her, "Honestly, if I were you, I'd reconsider. You think about it, but I would reconsider." RELATED: Katie Zacharia takes podium for the first time as press secretary — and Trump reacts Jim WATSON/AFP/Getty Images Zacharia, who was named to the role last Friday, was the seventh woman in a row to head the White House press secretary office. It's presently unclear who will take over for Zacharia following her five-day tenure. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Ocasio-Cortez dumps BIG MONEY into El-Sayed campaign **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** Carlos Garcia | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/ocasio-cortez-million-el-sayed.md Democratic socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York has come to the rescue of Abdul El-Sayed. The firebrand leftist has dumped $1 million into helping El-Sayed's effort to keep a Michigan U.S. Senate seat blue against Republican Mike Rogers. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) did not seek re-election in 2026. 'I look forward to working with Abdul ... to build a politics that is free from the corrupting influence of corporate money.' It's the latest sign that Democrats are worried that the race is too close in the final weeks of the campaign. "I'm not waking up on November 4 wishing I did more to combat the smears aimed at Abdul," AOC said in a statement to the New York Times. "I'm leaving everything I can on the field." The Times indicated it was an unusually large donation from a member of the House to support a U.S. Senate candidate. Winning in Michigan is key to Democrats' hopes to retake control of the Senate from Republicans. It may also be another example of Ocasio-Cortez trying to raise her national profile in anticipation of a possible presidential run in 2028. AOC joined El-Sayed in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on Thursday. She also previously campaigned for El-Sayed in the Senate primary and when he ran for governor. Both El-Sayed and Ocasio-Cortez are considered to be in the extreme socialist fringe of the Democratic Party. She raised $4.7 million in the third quarter, according to her financial filings, and has $17.4 million in cash going into October. "Once he’s in Washington, I look forward to working with Abdul to guarantee health care as a human right for all Americans and to build a politics that is free from the corrupting influence of corporate money," she said, according to USA Today. RELATED: Ocasio-Cortez gets hammered online over embarrassing mistake during CNN town hall El-Sayed's victory over Rep. Haley Stevens in the Democratic primary was seen as a victory for the far-left fringe against the establishment of the party. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York had backed Stevens, who lost by a narrow margin. In recent polling for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, Ocasio-Cortez was tied with Pete Buttigieg in third place with 9%. El-Sayed has a slim lead over Rogers, according to Blaze News' Poll Watch. Michigan Senate polls 2026: El-Sayed vs. Rogers Michigan Senate polls 2026: El-Sayed vs. Rogerspollwatch.theblaze.com Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### These nasty iPhone exploits want to steal your money. Here's how to protect yourself. **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** Zach Laidlaw | **Section:** Tech **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/tech/iphone-expoits-resurface.md Earlier this year, a nasty exploit plagued iPhone in what was called the “biggest iPhone threat in 19 years.” Unfortunately, several months later, that exploit is still causing trouble, and it is joined by another vulnerability, all aimed to steal money from some of the financial apps on your phone. The two exploits are called Coruna and DarkSword, respectively. We covered both of them here on Blaze News, so you may have heard these names before. Both of them were problematic earlier this year, but a new report reveals that they are still plaguing users. The easiest way to thwart bad actors is to keep your phone updated with the latest bug fixes and security patches. Macworld describes the exploits as two sides of the same coin: “DarkSword/Coruna is a dual-edged hacking toolkit. DarkSword attacks WebKit and JavaScriptCore to access iOS’s SpringBoard that app launch and the Home screen. Coruna is the payload used to steal crypto wallet information.” Together, the exploits are aimed directly at crypto wallets stored on users’ iPhones. Censys, the cybersecurity company that discovered the ongoing issue, got ahold of some of the data that an undisclosed hacker stole via these exploits. Among the recovered data from real victims, Censys found “11 victim recovery phrases, 179 device loot directories, and a 75-account control-plane roster.” That is proof enough that these exploits are still dangerous to vulnerable users. In addition to the collected data, Censys found evidence that another hacking group — this time based in China — is actively using the exploits to attack victims, though the report doesn’t say who or where. So far, Censys found that bad actors using the exploits are targeting only 18 different crypto wallets, but several of them are popular in the United States. These include Coinbase, MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Exodus, Bitpie, imToken, Phantom, Uniswap, and OKEx. RELATED: Your iPhone has state-of-the-art security features. Law enforcement has a new way to disable them. Hleb Usovich/Getty Images The good news is that there are ways to protect your device and, by association, your crypto wallets. Apple patched DarkSword earlier this year, but the fix only works if you have the correct software downloaded and installed on your device. To check, open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap “General,” followed by “Software update.” If the number that appears is iOS 26.3 or higher, you’re safe. If your device is running a lower version of iOS 26, or if you’re still on iOS 18 from the previous year, your crypto wallet could be in danger. Update your phone to the latest version available now. As for Coruna, this exploit mostly affected older devices from iPhone 5s to iPhone 11. If you still have one of these devices, make sure you have updated it to any of these iOS versions or better, depending on the model of your phone: iOS 26.3.1 iOS 18.7.5 iOS 16.7.14 iOS 15.8.6 iOS 12.5.8 Both exploits have also been fully addressed on the newest version of iOS 27 that launched this fall. Along with optimal protection from bad actors, iOS 27 comes with a number of interesting features, including the new Siri, better parental controls, and a more accessible Visual Intelligence. Although these exploits are still rearing their ugly heads, the easiest way to thwart bad actors is to keep your phone updated with the latest bug fixes and security patches. This way, even if there is a problem, Apple can address it on your device as quickly as possible and keep your data safe. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Philly women's sports bar named after transgender activist closes following claims it wasn't inclusive enough **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** Andrew Chapados | **Section:** Fearless **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/fearless/womens-sports-bar-philly-close.md A sports bar that called itself a hub of the queer community in Philadelphia is closing its doors after just over a year. The bar was meant to serve as a counter to businesses that prioritize male sports on its TV screens over women's, a common origin story for these types of bars. 'More than ever this city needs more women/queer/BIPOC-owned businesses.' In September 2025, owner Chivonn Anderson opened Marsha's, named after Marsha P. Johnson, a man the New York Times described as a "transgender pioneer and activist." Anderson told the Philadelphia Inquirer at the time that she opened her bar because she couldn't find a place in Philadelphia that would put on the 2019 Women's World Cup. However, despite its desire to be an inclusive location, the bar faced claims from former employees that they were mistreated, with one saying the bar was disparaging toward female employees. As reported by the Advocate, that employee had claimed a manager said that women and nonbinary employees were "overly emotional" and should be replaced with men because the venue needs "more testosterone." Anderson denied the claims, but vowed to speak with independent human resources and DEI consultants to hold her bar "accountable." RELATED: 'Equality' in pay and 'everything' bar for women's sports opens in Seattle Watch Me! Sports Bar, Long Beach, California, 2024. Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images The bar invited patrons for its "final weekend" in an Instagram post this week, saying that it was closing its doors for good. "We have loved serving this community, and still believe that more than ever this city needs more women/queer/BIPOC-owned businesses. We sincerely hope that someone is able to step up and fill this void," Marsha's wrote. Anderson provided bizarre statements to the Inquirer when the bar launched, saying she wanted to open a place for those who want to "go out and have fun and feel safe and be seen." Followed by, "It's kind of like you're going to your favorite aunt’s house to indulge in the things you know you're not supposed to when you're at home," Anderson continued. "A little bit of drinking, a little bit of good food, and being around people who want to have just as much fun as you do." RELATED: The strange masculinization of American women The Sports Bra, Portland, Oregon, 2024. Amanda Loman/Getty Images Marsha's inception story was similar to that of Seattle women's sports bar Rough & Tumble. For that venue, owner Jen Barnes said in 2022 that she couldn't find a bar that would turn on a women's soccer game because it was on at the same time as a Seattle Seahawks NFL game. Rough & Tumble has since reportedly opened a second location in Seattle, while other women's sports bars have found success in other cities, like Portland, where the Sports Bra has been open for a couple of years. The Sports Bra now has plans to open another in bar in Boston. Long Beach, California, has the Watch Me! Sports Bar, which has enjoyed two years of business, as well. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Nick Freitas: Social Security is a ‘Ponzi scheme’ — and America is running out of time **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** BlazeTV Staff | **Section:** Making the Argument with Nick Freitas **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/shows/making-the-argument-with-nick-freitas/nick-freitas-social-security-is-a-ponzi-scheme-and-america-is-running-out-of-time.md Millions of Americans have spent their working lives paying into Social Security, counting on the government to deliver the retirement benefits they were promised — and that promise isn’t being kept. BlazeTV host Nick Freitas argues that it’s because Social Security operates less like a traditional retirement account than a system that uses today’s workers’ contributions to pay today’s retirees, leaving future generations to shoulder an increasingly difficult burden. “There’s been a lot of … Boomers that have said, ‘Well, of course, we, you know, younger people should pay more taxes in order to make sure Social Security is solvent,’” Freitas says. “Social Security,” Freitas says, “essentially operates like a Ponzi scheme.” “Now, when I say this, people get mad at me. But I want you to understand why these are the things which are actually going to throw us into a massive fiscal and monetary crisis, because when people paid in, it is perfectly reasonable for somebody that was forced to pay into Social Security their entire life to want to be able to pull from Social Security because they were promised it,” he explains. “The problem is you were promised a bad program,” he says, “because in a typical retirement program, the money goes into a productive industry. It accrues interest while things are being built and being produced that are actually making the economy better.” “They act like it’s just another retirement program, but in reality, all the money you put into Social Security was already spent,” he continues. “It wasn’t sitting somewhere accruing interest. It wasn’t funding productive projects that actually yielded profit. It wasn’t doing any of that. It wasn't doing any of the things a private retirement fund would do for you. It was just paying the people that were already collecting Social Security,” he adds. This is why he equates it to a “Ponzi scheme.” “Because now the critical part is we don’t have enough people working. When Social Security was first put into existence, there was something like 45 workers for every one person drawing Social Security,” he explains, noting that “it’s about to be three to one.” And in addition, Freitas points out that “the left brings in a bunch of people that don’t pay taxes or actually go on to other welfare benefits.” “Now they’re a net drain on the economy,” he adds. “Making the Argument with Nick Freitas” is available on BlazeTV+, YouTube, and major podcast platforms. Start watching Nick Freitas NOW at blazetv.com and use the promo code NICK for $20 off your BlazeTV+ subscription. --- ### MEAN GIRLS: 'View' crew preaches girl power ... unless you're Republican **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** Christian Toto | **Section:** Lifestyle **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/lifestyle/mean-girls-view-crew-preaches-girl-power-unless-you-re-republican.md “The View” crew blew a gasket over Shane Gillis’ “Saturday Night Live” monologue mocking scantily clad gym gals. At the same time, they dabbled in actual misogyny. Even by “View” standards, it was peak hypocrisy. Biden, the actor said weeks before the president melted down during his final debate, was 'sharp as a tack.' The hosts trashed Katie Zacharia, who by most accounts had a rough debut as the new press secretary. She’s a Republican, so she’s fair game to “The View.” And that’s fine. We expect the show’s partisanship to trump any “girl power” collegiality. It’s baked into the nutty cake. Except the hosts suggested that Zacharia slept her way into the position. Co-host Alyssa Farrah Griffin asked how she “got through the door” to become the new press secretary. “I’ll tell ya how she got through the door,” Sara Haines said, sparking laughs from the oh-so-feminist crowd and co-hosts. Titter-titter. Chuckle-chuckle. What’s more empowering than women insisting other women got work through sexual favors sans proof? Let’s hope Gillis doesn’t riff on Kamala Harris’ early days in politics. He might get canceled yet again … Conspiracy bleary The truth is out there, but you’ll need a Hulu subscription to find it. Director Ryan Coogler’s “X-Files” reboot landed on the streamer this week. The project stars Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel, taking over for Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny. The actors play entirely new characters in the series, but it looks like Mulder and Scully will make appearances along the way. Imagine the new conspiracies the show can tackle! The government spreads massive lies about a China-born infection … a foreign country teams with a political rebel to win an election … a U.S. president’s cognitive decline is hidden for four straight years. Or the show could bring in the son of the Smoking Man. We’ll see … Did he stutter? Well, that was awkward. Michael Douglas has done it all in his 82 years, at least from a Hollywood perspective. Oscars. Acclaim. Nepo baby-ism. What a life. What hasn’t he done? Sit with someone willing to debunk his boilerplate Democrat views. He got that chance, finally, when Joe Rogan read him, and his audience, the riot act on progressives gone wild. An open border? No honest primaries for year after year? And, most specifically, they covered up for a president who clearly had some form of dementia. You know the thing. Rogan was on a roll, but the most awkward element of their exchange dealt with Biden’s obvious decline. Why? It wasn’t long ago when Douglas was part of the Biden cover-up. Biden, the actor said weeks before the president melted down during his final debate, was “sharp as a tack.” Douglas even cited Biden’s “stutter” excuse that mysteriously appeared over the past few years after decades in D.C. Douglas appears to be legitimately “sharp as a tack,” thank goodness. Let’s hope he took away some lessons from the exchange … RELATED: Shattered by socialism: 'Escaping Venezuela' offers a warning for Mamdani's America Yamil Lage/Getty Images Laugh track Chuck Lorre blames a Hollywood writers' strike for the end of democracy. Sort of. He framed it that way in his new book, a memoir called “Sitcom.” After all, Lorre has made more than a few modern classics, from “The Big Bang Theory” to “Two and a Half Men.” Credit where credit is due. The far-Left Deadline.com pressed Lorre on that hyperbolic phrasing, tied to the 2007-2008 WGA strike that helped spark a crush of new reality showcases. Like “The Apprentice,” starring Donald Trump, he insinuated. Except Lorre might be bad at math, since “The Apprentice” debuted in 2004. The strike, he said, “brought about these enormously profitable, cheap-to-produce reality shows … and that ultimately led to a show like 'The Apprentice,' which probably would never have seen the light of day had it not been for that.” Who knew a reality show could end the greatest nation on earth? Either way, Lorre could ask Young Sheldon for help on his math skills … Air ball What the world doesn’t need is another John Oliver. One is one too many, culturally speaking. But former NBA star Blake Griffin sees the far-left HBO host as a model, of sorts, for his new sports-themed late-night show. “The Stepback with Blake Griffin” soon bows on Amazon and YouTube, with Griffin hailing Oliver as his role model. The funniest part? Someone thinking late-night TV is the future and itching for a seat at the table. --- ### Teenager fatally shoots 3 children, teacher at Oregon elementary school before parent shoots gunman dead, police say **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** Dave Urbanski | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/teenager-fatally-shoots-3-children-teacher-at-oregon-elementary-school-before-parent-shoots-gunman-dead-police-say.md A 16-year-old male fatally shot three children and a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, Thursday afternoon before a parent shot the gunman dead, OregonLive reported, citing police. Police said the fatally shot children were ages 5, 8, and 11, the outlet reported, adding that a 7-year-old student and a 54-year-old teacher were critically injured and taken to St. Charles Medical Center for treatment. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) praised school staff, parents, and first responders, along with the community member 'who heroically intervened to stop further loss of life,' Fox News reported. Oregon Live added that a parent of a student or students at the school pursued the teen inside the school after seeing him blast through locked doors with a long gun, and the parent “engaged” and killed the suspect just before police entered the school. State and local officials credited the parent's actions with preventing further loss of life, the outlet said. One source told Fox News that the bystander "definitely prevented more deaths." Federal law enforcement sources added to Fox News that the bystander has a concealed carry permit. “Looks like the shooter has been neutralized — possibly shot by a father at the school,” emergency dispatchers said in Broadcastify audio, the New York Post reported. Officers arrived within three minutes of the first emergency call, Fox News said, adding that moments later, an officer reported that a "community member" had shot the suspect. "Our officers entered the building and confirmed the suspect was dead," Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said during an evening news conference, according to Fox News. "They cleared the school to ensure there were no additional threats and then rendered emergency aid to the victims." Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) praised school staff, parents, and first responders, along with the community member "who heroically intervened to stop further loss of life," Fox News reported. "Your actions carry a heavy emotional burden, and I just want you to know that my thoughts are with you as well," Kotek added, according to the cable news network. RELATED: 'Heroic' bystander who fired at gunman suspected in deadly shooting at Idaho In-N-Out shares how he prepared for the danger Krantz said investigators did not yet know how far the shooter had gone inside the school or if he knew anyone at the school, Fox News said, adding that police were also looking into whether the teen previously attended Silver Rail Elementary. More from Fox News: The first emergency call came at 12:59 p.m. from a person in a vehicle who reported being shot at multiple times by someone carrying a long gun, Krantz said. Dispatchers then received dozens of calls reporting that a shooter had entered the school. Dispatch sent an alert summoning all law enforcement at 1 p.m. Responding officers directed the school to lock down at 1:01 p.m., and the first officers arrived at 1:02 p.m. Officers found five people dead at the scene, including the shooter. All victims’ families had been notified, Krantz said. Bend police, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Redmond police, Oregon State Police, and federal law enforcement partners evacuated the building room by room. Students and staff were transported on school buses to Journey Church to reunite with families and guardians, the cable news network said, adding that the process was still under way at the evening briefing. Silver Rail Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in the Bend-La Pine school district, Fox News said, adding that the school enrolled 459 students during the 2024-2025 school year. All Bend-La Pine schools, activities, and athletic events were canceled Friday, the cable news network said. Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook said crisis counselors would be available at the Central Library for students, families, employees, and anyone in the community needing support, Fox News reported, adding that authorities said they planned to hold another news conference Friday afternoon. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Kid Rock appears to cave to critics of Eminem collaboration — then hits 'em with the punch line **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** Andrew Chapados | **Section:** Lifestyle **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/lifestyle/kid-rock-eminem-new-song.md Kid Rock says critics on both sides of the political divide don't want him working with Eminem. The outspoken Trump supporter recently announced a collaboration with his longtime friend and fellow Detroit musician, who can't stand the president. But after receiving backlash over the pairing, Kid Rock announced that Eminem would no longer appear on the track. 'It will probably not make you very happy to hear ...' Hate mile There was a catch, however. Kid Rock (Robert Ritchie) and Eminem (Marshall Mathers) go back decades, long before politics put them on opposite sides of the Trump divide. Eminem hammered Trump in a 2017 freestyle, the first of several public attacks over the years that followed. Eminem was originally set to appear on "7 Sins," a track from Kid Rock's upcoming album, "Halfway 2 Jesus." But on Wednesday, Kid Rock announced a change. "There's been some people on the internet and whatnot, like there always is, that don't seem to be too thrilled about my old friend of almost 40 years, Eminem, doing a song with me on my new album," Kid Rock said in a video. "You folks will probably be happy to hear that he's no longer on '7 Sins.'" But Rock quickly added some bad news for all those politics-obsessed busybodies: Rapper Lil Wayne will replace Eminem on "7 Sins," while Eminem will appear on another song, "Heal My Faith," on the same album. "It will probably not make you very happy to hear that Eminem is still on the album. He's just on another song now," Kid Rock said, pointing to his updated track listing. Kid Rock had recently said that despite their political differences, he still respects Eminem, as well as artists like Taylor Swift, for standing up for what they believe in. RELATED: GUITAR HERO: Metallica front man puts music before political 'bulls**t' Potty-mouthed pals "We said years ago, we said, 'Man, let's not let politics divide us.' And we never did. And so when I asked him to be part of this ... he totally got it," Kid Rock told Fox News in an interview. "Two little foul-mouthed white rappers from Detroit maybe could set a good example for the rest of this country," he added. Ritchie called Eminem a "class act" and said political differences are part of what makes the United States a great country. He added, however, that he doesn't believe artists should turn their concerts into political events. Metallica singer James Hetfield recently expressed a similar sentiment, telling fans in Las Vegas that his band wanted to bring people together to forget about the outside world, rather than make them pay to hear a political discussion at a rock concert. RELATED: Trends come and go, but Randy Travis is 'Forever' Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images Nature is healing Ritchie and Mathers reportedly met in Detroit's rap scene in the early 1990s. Despite some initial friction, the two grew to respect each other. Kid Rock's 1998 breakout album, "Devil Without a Cause," eventually sold more than 14 million copies and featured a then-little-known Eminem on the song "F*** Off." The two have not collaborated on a released track since. In his 2018 song "The Ringer," Eminem admitted he had been "watchin' my fan base shrink to thirds" following his attacks on Trump. In his original 2017 freestyle, Eminem drew a line "in the sand," effectively telling fans they had to choose between him and Trump. But in "The Ringer," he appeared to have second thoughts, asking, "Was it even worth it?" Eminem has continued to criticize Trump, although his political commentary has become less central to his music. Kid Rock, meanwhile, has increasingly embraced both his Christian faith and conservative politics, the latter reflected in songs like "We the People." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Washington Democrats will make residents PAY and provide fingerprints just to shop for a gun **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** Joseph MacKinnon | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/washington-democrats-are-making-residents-pay-and-provide-fingerprints-just-to-shop-for-a-gun.md Although unable to void the Second Amendment, Democrats in Washington state appear keen to make it costly and difficult for residents to exercise this unalienable right. As the result of legislation introduced last year by a Seattle-based Democrat, passed by the state legislature in party-line votes, then ratified by Democrat Gov. Bob Ferguson, Americans in the Evergreen State will soon have to pay for the supposed privilege of shopping for a firearm. 'If you have to ask for permission, it’s not a right.' House Bill 1163, which Ferguson characterized as a "common sense" reform, created a permit-to-purchase system for firearms in Washington. Starting May 1, 2027, prospective buyers must first obtain a five-year permit through the Washington State Patrol. In order to secure a permit, applicants must submit personal information including their name, email, phone number, address, driver's license or state ID number, race, and sex to a state firearms background check program, along with a complete set of fingerprints and a recent certificate of completion of a certified firearms safety program or proof of exemption. Not only must Washington residents jump through these hoops — they must pay to do so. RELATED: Democrats don't just want to take your firearms. They want your kids' BB guns too. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP/Getty Images According to the Washington State Patrol's "Permit to Purchase Portal," the cost of a new permit — which includes the fingerprint processing fee — is $126. The cost of renewal is $90, and to replace an expired permit is $126. Costs associated with the firearm training mandated by the permit process are not factored into this total. It could take up to 30 days for eligible applicants to receive their permit. Individuals who are denied a permit to purchase a weapon will not have these fees refunded. While the WSP estimated that the program could cost over $20 million in the 2027-2029 budget cycle, a state fiscal analysis suggested that the corresponding fees might offset the cost of implementation during the same period, reported the Washington State Standard. After Gov. Ferguson gave this shakedown the greenlight, the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action stated that the permit-to-purchase program "establishes an illegal government registry of firearm owners and their personal information." However, the group added that the program "will do nothing to address Washington’s crime problem, but it will make firearm ownership nearly unobtainable, both practically and financially." Republican state Sen. Phil Fortunato previously emphasized that "this is not just bad policy; it's unconstitutional." "The government cannot convert a fundamental right into a privilege that must be bought, licensed, and approved by bureaucrats," continued Fortunato. "If you have to ask for permission, it’s not a right." Franklin County Sheriff Jim Raymond, among the many enduring critics of this program, told the Center Square last month, "I think this is insane." "It’s another level of control," added the sheriff, who figures the program may ultimately face a legal challenge. William Kirk, president of Washington Gun Law, suggested to "The Ari Hoffman Show" last month that legal action hasn't been taken because Washington residents must first be impacted by the law. Once it takes effect, he anticipates that legal action will be taken by "some private entity Second Amendment organizations, your Second Amendment Foundations, Gun Owners of America, things like that." Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank stated after Ferguson signed H.B. 1163 into law that the program was unconstitutional and his office "will not enforce it." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### New Jersey deputy AG charged with heinous child sex crimes allegedly involving 'prepubescent female' **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** Cortney Weil | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/new-jersey-deputy-ag-charged-with-heinous-child-sex-crimes-allegedly-involving-prepubescent-female.md A man entrusted with prosecuting bad guys in New Jersey is accused of being a bad guy himself. Brian Richard Fitzgerald, a 51-year-old deputy attorney general in the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, has been arrested and charged with three felonies in connection with alleged child sexual abuse material. At least one 'image mentioned in the probable cause was a prepubescent female. That image was actual CSAM, not AI-generated.' According to a press release from the Bucks County District Attorney's Office, a search warrant was executed at Fitzgerald's home in Lower Makefield Township, Pennsylvania, on Thursday after the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received a tip about a user on the messaging app Discord who had allegedly sent an "illicit image" on July 10. An investigation into that tip "linked the account and associated internet protocol addresses" to Fitzgerald's residence. Once there, law enforcement discovered "prompts and scripts" that helped create pornographic images of children using artificial intelligence, the press release claimed. Investigators also determined that Fitzgerald had allegedly engaged in Discord chats under the username "thegentlemanpervert_2160_07833." In these chats, he "admitted to making multiple illicit images using artificial intelligence and sharing them with other users," the press release claimed. The accusations against Fitzgerald do not involve just images generated by AI. The press release claims that Fitzgerald also received and sent via social media explicit images of "real children." Manuel Gamiz Jr., director of communications for the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, confirmed to Blaze News that at least one "image mentioned in the probable cause was a prepubescent female. That image was actual CSAM, not AI-generated." RELATED: Sex-positive no more: Why this sexologist changed her mind on porn simpson33/Getty Images Citing the probable cause affidavit, Gamiz told Blaze News that the alleged AI-generated CSAM depicted "pubescent females (approx. mid to late teens.)" Fitzgerald has been charged with three felonies: possession of child sexual abuse material, dissemination of photos or film of child sexual abuse materials, and criminal use of a communication facility. The offense date listed on the court docket is July 10. Magisterial District Judge Corryn Kronnagel set bail at $2 million with 10% surety. Fitzgerald is scheduled to appear in court again on October 27. No attorney for Fitzgerald was named on the court documents. A spokesperson from the New Jersey Attorney General's Office said in a statement to Blaze News: "Our office is aware of the charges that have been filed against an employee of the Division of Law. We are cooperating with our partners in the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and are taking appropriate action with respect to his employment." Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan stated: "No one is above the law, least of all someone entrusted with upholding it. Our office will pursue these cases aggressively and hold offenders fully accountable, regardless of their profession or title." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Insider trading. Addiction horror stories. Why the feds are probing America's insane new pastime. **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** Josh Centers | **Section:** Tech **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/tech/insider-trading-addiction-horror-stories-why-the-feds-are-probing-america-s-insane-new-pastime.md The Federal Trade Commission is reportedly taking its first hard look at online sports betting. According to the Washington Sun, political appointees and career staff are reviewing sportsbooks such as FanDuel and DraftKings, most likely over deceptive advertising. DraftKings says it hasn't received a civil investigative demand (the FTC's version of a subpoena), and FanDuel says it hasn't heard a word from the agency. Prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket reportedly aren't part of the review. Yet three out of four Americans consider them gambling, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll. The 'event contract' pitch Prediction markets insist they aren't gambling. You're not placing a bet, they say. You're trading an "event contract": buy a contract on whether something will happen, and if you're right, it pays out a dollar. Buyers and sellers set the price. The platform takes a fee instead of betting against you, which the companies say makes them a different animal from a sportsbook. Maybe so. But a platform that lives on fees still needs people to keep trading. Reuters/Ipsos surveyed 4,506 adults from Sept. 30 to Oct. 5. In the results, 75% called prediction-market wagering gambling, even though only 7% had ever used one to bet money. Every category drew more opposition than support: Prediction markets on... Oppose Support U.S. military actions 65% 8% Government policy announcements or decisions 63% 9% Election results 60% 13% Professional sports 43% 29% Unsure and skipped responses aren't shown. Markets on world events have already drawn insider trading charges. The CFTC has accused a U.S. Army soldier of buying more than 436,000 "yes" shares on whether Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro would be out by Jan. 31, 2026, and pocketing more than $400,000. Opposition to election markets crossed party lines: 61% of Republicans and 69% of Democrats were against them. Earlier polling found the same thing. A February survey by Siena Research Institute and St. Bonaventure University, released in April, found that 65% of Americans want prediction markets held to the same state rules as sportsbooks when users can profit on sports outcomes. Among men 18 to 49, it was 73%. Kalshi objects Kalshi told Fortune, "It's not hard to bias a poll, and this poll is biased." The company objected to what it called leading questions about betting on war and noted it doesn't offer war markets. The poll described prediction markets as a way to wager money on real-world events, then asked separately about elections, military actions, government policy, and sports. Kalshi can quarrel with that framing. But the questions said "U.S. military actions," not "war." The sportsbooks sell event contracts, too FanDuel and DraftKings have launched prediction markets of their own: FanDuel Predicts and DraftKings Predictions. In states where FanDuel runs a licensed sportsbook, Predicts sticks to things like stock indexes and economic data. In states where it can't run a sportsbook, it sells sports contracts. That includes California and Texas, and FanDuel's own state guide lists Predicts in both. DraftKings has done the same. Sports is where the money's going. Pew Research Center found combined monthly trading on Kalshi and Polymarket more than doubled between May and July, from $26 billion to $53 billion, with sports driving most of the jump. Pew counts each contract at its $1 payout, not what traders paid for it. These contracts run through federally regulated exchanges, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has sued at least five states, including New York and Illinois, arguing that it alone gets to regulate them. Courts are still sorting out whether federal rules beat state gambling laws. None of that explains why the FTC would leave prediction markets out of its review. Prediction markets have had their own advertising trouble. In June, the Wall Street Journal reported that Polymarket paid people to post videos of fake bets and fake wins on near-copies of its website. They were reportedly told to keep quiet about being paid. Monica Vaca, who spent more than two decades as a consumer protection attorney at the FTC, told the Sun that allegations like these sit squarely within the agency's core work and would justify investigating every platform involved. Keeping customers betting The New York Times reported last month that DraftKings used AI to find gamblers likely to bet more, and lose more, once they got free bets and bonuses. The Times drew on internal documents and interviews with more than 40 former employees. DraftKings disputes it, saying offers follow how actively customers use the platform, not their losses. A gambler suing FanDuel says he lost $1.5 million with the company, then got a personalized Thanksgiving video from Bryce Harper through the FanDuel host who handled perks for big spenders. Harper later said he never knew FanDuel would use the video that way and never consented. The industry says the broader harm is overstated. Joe Maloney, president of the Sports Betting Alliance, pointed the Sun to a Progressive Policy Institute study that found credit scores in states with legal sports betting have moved in line with the rest of the country. Gambling at the White House The Trump administration has largely welcomed the industry. At this summer's UFC event on the South Lawn, Stake, an online casino and sportsbook, was a sponsor. Polymarket branding sat right alongside it while users traded millions of dollars on the fights. Not every conservative is on board. Jon Schweppe, a former senior policy adviser at the FTC now with the American Principles Project, has compared sportsbooks to Big Tobacco, Big Tech, and Big Pharma. One of the Sun's sources described a generational split among Republicans: Older officials wave it off, while younger appointees see an industry tearing up families. The FTC's review is still preliminary, and its scope could change. If the agency is worried about deceptive gambling ads, it ought to follow the ads, whatever the company calls the bet. --- ### Joe Rogan EVISCERATES Democratic Party in front of ever-blue Michael Douglas **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** Joseph MacKinnon | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/joe-rogan-eviscerates-democratic-party-in-front-of-ever-blue-michael-douglas.md Joe Rogan — the influential podcaster who prompted many a conniption on the left by endorsing President Donald Trump on the eve of the 2024 election — has explained to a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat precisely why he kicked the Democratic Party to the curb. Just weeks after slamming Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders (I) for bending the knee "to the Democratic establishment," Rogan suggested to actor Michael Douglas on Wednesday that America's political duopoly breeds a tribalism that causes some people to "ignore all the craziness that our side is doing because it's our side." 'I didn't like any of that stuff.' Rogan stated that the craziness on the left, particularly on the issue of illegal immigration, became too much for him to ignore. "First of all, the open border was insane," said Rogan. "It was insane to just not only leave the border open but give people instructions on how to get in, and also transport them to cities, and then put them up in hotels." "It was really clear that a game was being played," continued Rogan. Rogan speculated that Democrats may have engineered the border crisis for cheap labor, to import new voting blocs, and/or to increase population numbers ahead of the next census in order to strategically secure additional congressional seats. RELATED: Joe Rogan pounces on uproar over Shane Gillis joke about women dressing like 'whores' at gyms "Yeah, yeah," responded Douglas — an outspoken Democrat who poured cash into former President Barack Obama's 2012 reelection bid, donated to Hillary Clinton's second doomed presidential campaign, supported Michael Bloomberg's unsuccessful presidential bid in 2020, and threw a campaign fundraiser for former President Joe Biden in 2024. "If you want me to be a Democrat while you're just letting people fly in from the open border, I’m like 'Hey! Fix that!' It seems crazy to have 10 million people of unknown origin enter into your country over a period of ," added Rogan. With Douglas unable or unwilling to raise any counterpoint, Rogan proceeded to condemn the Democratic Party's apparent aversion to holding competitive presidential primaries. "This whole thing is supposed to work a very specific way," said the podcaster. "And if it's like, 'We have to win, so we're just going to push that aside, and here's your candidate!' What the f**k are you doing? That's not how it's supposed to be done, and if you want me to vote for that — I'm not going to vote for that. That seems crazy. That seems dangerous." Rogan appears to have been referring to the anointing of Kamala Harris as the Democrat nominee in 2024 without having an open primary. The podcaster further faulted Democrats for gaslighting the nation about Biden's cognitive decline, their "f**king defund the police stuff," their apparent willingness to free criminals, and their authoritarianism during COVID. "I didn't like the whole COVID vaccine mandatory thing that they were pushing for those four years," said Rogan. "I didn't like the coercion. I didn't like keeping people from flying. I didn't like any of that stuff. It was all crazy. And to me, that's what that group stood for." Douglas finally spoke up, noting that these reasons account for why Rogan rejected the Democrats in 2024. He then asked where Rogan stands now. While the podcaster did not denounce Trump or the GOP as he previously had Sanders and the Democratic Party, he lamented Trump's decision to engage Iran militarily, suggesting it was incongruent with the president's anti-war message on the campaign trail. pollwatch.theblaze.com Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Billy Crystal no longer trusts God. Christians should listen. **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** Peter Rosenberger | **Section:** Opinion **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/columns/opinion/billy-crystal-no-longer-trusts-god-christians-should-listen.md Billy Crystal recently said he has stopped talking to God. “No, ’cause I don’t trust Him,” he told CBS correspondent Tracy Smith. His home burned in the Pacific Palisades fire, and his longtime friend Rob Reiner and Reiner’s wife, Michele, were murdered. Suppose you were sitting across the table when he said it. What would you say? We arrive at someone’s sorrow with conclusions before we’ve heard their story. We deliver our answers and leave. They’re still grieving, and now they may also feel guilty for struggling. I asked that question on my radio program because someone we know may eventually trust us enough to say the same thing. A neighbor who buried a child. Someone who prayed beside a hospital bed and went home alone. Would we hear their anguish or immediately start preparing our answer? I’ve spent 40 years caring for my wife, Gracie. Her suffering began before I met her. Over her lifetime, she has endured 98 operations and the loss of both legs. Along the way, people have told us what we should believe, how we should feel, and what God was evidently trying to accomplish. Some never acknowledged the weight of what we carried. Rush Limbaugh used the phrase “drive-by media” to describe reporters who rushed into a story, stirred things up, and moved along, leaving others to deal with the damage. Are we in danger of engaging in drive-by ministry? We arrive at someone’s sorrow with conclusions before we’ve heard their story. We deliver our answers and leave. They’re still grieving, and now they may also feel guilty for struggling. It costs considerably more to pull up a chair. Job’s friends managed that at first. They sat silently beside him for seven days because they saw how greatly he suffered. Most of us struggle to give someone seven uninterrupted minutes. Scripture makes room for anguish. David asks in Psalm 13, “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?” Those words are in our Bibles. We ought to be able to hear them from someone sitting in our living rooms. David ultimately recalls God’s steadfast love, but the psalm lets us hear his sorrow along the way. I learned something about the cost of coming near in a dusty prosthetic clinic in Ghana. Through Standing With Hope, the ministry Gracie envisioned after losing her legs, we’ve provided prosthetic limbs in Ghana for more than 20 years. RELATED: Before pride drives the tractor through the fence Photo by Peter Rosenberger On an early trip, a young Nigerian man arrived wearing a prosthesis. Our team was occupied, so I sat down with him. We didn’t share a language, and I couldn’t find an interpreter. With gestures, I asked him to remove his prosthesis and the liner covering his residual limb. The smell hit me like it had reached out and slapped me. My eyes watered, and a friend sitting several feet away backed up. I feared an infection, but I found no visible wound. He hadn’t properly washed his limb and liner, and my attempts to explain what he needed to do weren’t getting us anywhere. I understood that he was Muslim. This was not terribly long after September 11. For all I knew, he could have been an enemy of my faith or my country. I didn’t know. What I knew was that he was missing a leg, needed help with his prosthesis, and had come to our clinic. So I found clean water, soap, and a towel and demonstrated how to wash his limb and liner. At first, my eyes watered from the smell. As I washed his limb, I began to weep over what Christ had done for me. My own stench was far worse. And mine wasn’t coming off with soap and water. It required His blood. I could barely keep myself together. I had come to help put legs on people, and there I sat, overwhelmed by the mercy Christ had shown me. Sitting with someone in anguish can leave us feeling helpless. Physical or emotional trauma makes us uncomfortable. We want to explain something, fix something, or give them something to do. Their grief may outlast everything we know to say. RELATED: Gavin Newsom invoked Nietzsche. I thought of ‘Blazing Saddles.’ Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Jesus stood at Lazarus’ grave and wept. He knew He was about to raise him, yet He wept. That ought to shape how we approach someone whose sorrow has spilled into words that trouble us. I want grieving people to know Christ. I want them to know the Savior who bore our sin and rose from the dead. And when I speak of Him, I want to remember how patiently He has dealt with me. I cannot make sense of why Billy Crystal’s home burned or why his friends were killed. But hearing his words makes me want to pull up a chair and ask, “Tell me about your friends.” Then listen long enough to hear the answer. That takes time. It may cost us more than we expected. Forty years beside Gracie have taught me that some suffering will still be there when the conversation ends. But Christ has given us ample reason to keep showing up. He didn’t drive by. He entered. --- ### Can you hear him now? Elon Musk is on the brink of revolutionizing yet another global industry **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** Zach Laidlaw | **Section:** Tech **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/tech/spacex-mobile-carrier-service.md AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile have dominated the mobile carrier space for decades. While smaller MVNOs pop up from time to time, even these rent their service from the Big Three. Rarely does an entirely new carrier show up to challenge the status quo, but that’s exactly what SpaceX plans to do with its upcoming mobile carrier alternative. Elon Musk is a man of many companies. At age 24, he co-founded his first venture, called Zip2. Similar to the Yellow Pages phone books of yesteryear, it used the brand-new internet of 1995 to create a directory that made it easier for users to search for and find local businesses online. While it doesn’t sound impressive by today’s standards, the company caught the attention of computer heavyweight Compaq, which acquired it for $305 million before the new millennium. After decades of dominance by AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, it’s good that consumers may finally have a fourth viable carrier. Musk has been building things ever since. He went on to co-found popular payment company PayPal, artificial intelligence giant OpenAI, automotive phenom Tesla, and spacefaring juggernaut SpaceX, among other smaller ventures. Needless to say, the man has a very diverse resume stacked with names that all changed society. SpaceX, in particular, has been one of Musk’s more flexible companies, serving as a catch-all for various sub-brands and services, like the artificial intelligence company SpaceXSI (formerly SpaceXAI, and simply xAI before that) that powers Grok, national security service Starshield, and a low-Earth-orbit satellite internet provider, Starlink. Starlink has already proven to be a reliable internet service provider, even in hard-to-reach locales like Antarctica and, one day, maybe even Mars. Up until recently, Starlink only had authorization to provide high-speed broadband internet to users, but now the service is poised to expand. In a blog post on the SpaceX website, the company unveiled two major milestones for a new venture dubbed Starlink Mobile. SpaceX announced an agreement to acquire a nationwide low-band spectrum license portfolio of up to 14 megahertz of paired spectrum in the 800 MHz band. This prime low-band spectrum addresses one of the key remaining technical gaps that will pave the way for Starlink Mobile to become a major mobile carrier in the US. In other words, SpaceX is on the cusp of launching a full-fledged satellite-based mobile carrier service for phones. The only thing standing in the way is official FCC approval. Luckily, we won’t have to wait long, as the FCC is expected to vote on the matter on October 29. As for the second milestone: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also approved Starlink Mobile’s Gen2 constellation application this week, authorizing SpaceX to launch 15,000 satellites that are optimized for 2 GHz spectrum globally. The V2 Starlink Mobile satellites will deliver more than 100 times the bandwidth of our current generation, bringing high-speed service directly to unmodified devices anywhere in the world. Historically, the 2 GHz spectrum is reserved for connections that require long range and permeability through hard surfaces, making it extremely versatile for a wide range of applications. Since it excels at passing through walls, Starlink Mobile should theoretically be more stable in areas that usually trip up existing carriers, like underground spaces boxed in by concrete, valleys surrounded by steep hills, large structural buildings with lots of metal, and more. RELATED: Starlink needs a reality check Matteo Della Torre/NurPhoto/Getty Images Meanwhile, the fact that Starlink Mobile is supported by Musk’s Starlink satellite network should allow the carrier to cover larger regions with fewer drops in service, and it should also work internationally in any region that allows Starlink to operate. For now, that includes most of the United States, South America, Europe, Australia, and more. Of course, all of this remains to be seen. Starlink is a well-tested service, having been around since 2018, but that doesn’t automatically mean the cellphone carrier will be just as good. Call quality, signal strength, and random drops will all need to be tested before Starlink Mobile is deemed a success. Starlink’s internet service is also generally more expensive than other brands, so Starlink Mobile will need to find a competitive pricing model if it really wants to go against the Big Three. Ultimately, after decades of dominance by AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, it’s good that consumers may finally have a fourth viable carrier that doesn’t reuse the same old towers or recycle the same technologies found here on Earth. Starlink and Starlink Mobile are just two of Elon Musk’s extraterrestrial business ventures. Earlier this year, he announced broader plans to put a city on the moon that will serve as a hub to launch Earth-orbiting data centers and even launch rockets bound for Mars. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### New York City’s Jews need more than Mamdani’s security grants **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** Nico Zviovich | **Section:** Opinion **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/columns/opinion/new-york-citys-jews-need-more-than-mamdanis-security-grants.md I'm a Jew who lives in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, and nobody on my block can tell. I don't wear a kippah. I don't keep Shabbat. On a Saturday afternoon, I can walk down Eastern Parkway without standing out. Many of my neighbors don't have that luxury. Their hats, coats, and tzitzit identify them from a block away. Those visible signs of Jewish life also make them targets in a city long considered one of the best places in the world to be Jewish. New York already publishes hate-crime figures. It should also examine the rhetoric behind those crimes. Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he wants to protect them. On September 29, he released New York City's first Strategy to Combat Antisemitism. Parts of the plan deserve credit. It directs $1 million to security at vulnerable houses of worship, doubles “hate-prevention” grants to $6.4 million, and expands eighth-grade visits to the Museum of Jewish Heritage. Synagogues struggling to pay for guards, cameras, and locks need the help. But the 33-page strategy has a glaring blind spot: It never confronts the anti-Semitism that increasingly uses the word "Zionist" as a substitute for "Jew." The report's concrete examples of anti-Semitic violence are Charlottesville in 2017, the Tree of Life synagogue massacre in 2018, and the Poway synagogue shooting in 2019. All were horrific. None happened in New York City. The document acknowledges that anti-Jewish crime increased after October 7, 2023, but does not examine the role of anti-Zionist agitation in that increase. According to the Anti-Defamation League, the share of anti-Semitic incidents in New York City involving Israel or Zionism rose from 5% in 2022 to 37% in 2023 and 58% in 2024. Yet the mayor's plan never addresses the relationship between anti-Zionist rhetoric and attacks on Jewish New Yorkers. It also declines to adopt a definition of anti-Semitism. The city says it can fight hatred "without needing to adopt a definition for this specific form of hate." The report discusses competing definitions, then leaves the decision unresolved. That is convenient when some of the most poisonous language comes from activists on the mayor's side of the political divide. In Crown Heights, we have heard that language firsthand. Last year, a group called Crown Heights Bites Back distributed free groceries near Utica Avenue and Eastern Parkway. It also distributed flyers warning that "Zionist white supremacists" would "kill us, exploit us, raise our rents and evict us." At a vigil for Gavin Cato, whose 1991 death preceded the Crown Heights riots, masked activists from the group shoved a Jewish man. The group also praised the murder of two Israeli embassy staffers. The accusation has spread beyond my neighborhood. Nerdeen Kiswani of Within Our Lifetime claimed that “Zionist landlords” exploited black communities to fund settlements in Palestine. Brooklyn Democrat district leader Carmella Charrington compared a family property dispute to Israeli activity in the West Bank, even though the state attorney general’s office had described the underlying matter as an inheritance dispute. In Chelsea, flyers opposing a public-housing redevelopment denounced a “Zionist occupation”; others attacked “Talmudists” and “Rothschilds.” The same reporting documented both sets of accusations. The housing grievance is especially perverse because Hasidic families struggle with rising costs, too. The borough president’s housing analysis identifies Borough Park and South Williamsburg among Brooklyn’s most rent-burdened neighborhoods. Some young Chabad families have moved to Brownsville because they cannot afford Crown Heights. Some Hasidic developers have grown rich in Brooklyn real estate. So have many others. RELATED: Our enemies burn Israel’s flag. Our friends plant it. Michal Fludra/NurPhoto/Getty Images But the anger rarely lands on a developer. It lands on the man in the black hat waiting for the bus. The ADL found that Orthodox Jews were victims in 36 of the city's 69 anti-Semitic assaults in 2024, though they constitute about one-fifth of New York City’s Jews. Mamdani's own report recognizes that visibly Jewish New Yorkers bear a disproportionate share of attacks. It never grapples with the local rhetoric that can turn a neighborhood housing complaint into an accusation against Jews as a group. The strategy itself warns that anti-Semitism thrives on conspiracy theories that blame Jews for society's troubles. What, then, should the city call the claim that "Zionists" are responsible for a family's rent? The political difficulty is plain. City Hall rolled out the plan with support from progressive Jewish organizations, including Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, Bend the Arc, and J Street's local chapter. The rent-and-Zionism rhetoric comes from parts of the same political world. Naming it would require Mamdani to criticize allies as well as enemies. He can do so when he chooses. In December, after an incoming staffer’s old posts about “money hungry Jews” surfaced, he accepted her resignation. When offensive Chelsea flyers appeared, City Hall denounced them. RELATED: Mamdani boycotts NYC Israel Day Parade despite attending other ethnic celebrations Spencer Platt/Getty Images But when Jewish Insider asked about Charrington, a Democrat district leader elected with progressive backing, the mayor refused to answer three times. His office later condemned her conspiracy rhetoric as anti-Semitic but did not say whether she should remain in party leadership. The condemnation was welcome. The refusal to confront her position was revealing. City Council Member Eric Dinowitz, an ally who praised the plan’s education and prevention measures, said it missed an opportunity to confront the overlap between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism. He was right. That omission leaves a serious hole in an otherwise useful effort. New York already publishes hate-crime figures. It should also examine the rhetoric behind those crimes, including attacks that connect Jewish identity to Israel or blame Jews for housing costs. And the city’s new prevention money should reach Crown Heights, Williamsburg, and Borough Park, where visibly Jewish residents have suffered assaults. Mamdani should come to Crown Heights and say the words himself: Blaming Hasidic Jews for your rent is anti-Semitism. If he cannot say that much, no 33-page strategy will close the gap between his promises and the lives my neighbors lead. --- ### Teacher suspended for threatening to call ICE on middle schoolers, district says **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** Carlos Garcia | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/ice-teacher-student-suspend-texas.md A mother of a 12-year-old student at Rayburn Middle School in San Antonio, Texas, said he texted her to pick him up from school over alleged comments from a teacher. A spokesperson for the Northside Independent School District said the district is investigating a claim that a teacher threatened to call immigration officials and police on students. 'The district takes this report very seriously, and the substitute teacher has been suspended from all district assignments pending the outcome of a thorough investigation.' A student reported on Oct. 6 that the unnamed substitute teacher made the threats to misbehaving students and referenced Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the threat. The district has suspended the teacher while investigating the veracity of the allegations, spokesperson Barry Perez said to KSAT-TV. The accused instructor was hired in Aug. 2024, and no previous complaints had been made against the substitute, according to the district. A mother of a 12-year-old student told WOAI-TV that he texted her about the incident from school. "He let me know that a substitute teacher threatened the classroom that he was going to call the police and ICE," Amanda San Miguel said. "He was scared. I got a text message from him. He wanted to be picked up early and I said, 'No, what’s going on?'" she added. She said she thought her child just wanted to come home early, but later received a call from the principal confirming the incident. "It is true, and when she said that my heart just dropped, and I was like, 'Oh my God, let me get in the car and go down there,'" she said. She said she was enraged by the incident. RELATED: More than 100 outraged community members denounce elementary school teacher over 2-word post about ICE "Campus administrators took steps to immediately remove the substitute while they investigated the allegation," Perez said, according to My San Antonio. He also confirmed that school officials had spoken with the parent of the student involved. "The district takes this report very seriously, and the substitute teacher has been suspended from all district assignments pending the outcome of a thorough investigation," the district said. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Steve Deace questions Talarico’s mysterious ‘flu’ absence: ‘Something smells rotten’ **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** BlazeTV Staff | **Section:** Steve Deace Show **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/shows/steve-deace-show/steve-deace-questions-talaricos-mysterious-flu-absence-something-smells-rotten.md Where was James Talarico — and why isn’t his campaign offering a clearer explanation? The Texas Democrat’s two-week absence has been explained away as “the flu,” which has set off alarm bells for BlazeTV host Steve Deace, co-host Todd Erzen, and executive producer Aaron McIntire. “This is so obviously disqualifying, no matter what the truth is,” Erzen says. “If Talarico somehow wins in Texas, I have to reevaluate a lot,” he adds. “I haven’t even considered the broader statement angle about what it means for the state of Texas,” Deace agrees. “But that is an excellent point, and I think you’re exactly right. It’s an absolute watershed moment for the state of Texas, for sure.” “There’s no way that a simple flu knocks somebody out. And the campaign has nothing to say,” he continues. “Something smells rotten in the state of Denmark here, gentleman,” he adds. Erzen points out that if it really was “a flu,” the Democrats wouldn’t be letting it go to waste. Instead, they “would be using it to max effect.” “Yeah, get a flu vaccine and everything else,” Deace agrees. But even the flu excuse, McIntire says, was “calculated.” “Everything is calculated. And when they allow this to go on, to enter the bloodstream, to enter the public consciousness, and they’re just fine with people just throwing this out there and all their explanation is, ‘Oh, it was a flu,’” he says. “That’s calculated. Which means whatever it actually was ... assuming it’s not the flu, which that would be incredible because Todd is absolutely right there. If it was a severe flu where he was really on death’s door, they would be beating the drum for vaccination. They would be pounding some sort of issue, some sort of wedge they could make,” he continues. “But they’re not doing that. So, this is calculated one way or another. And the silence is calculated as well,” he says, “which makes you wonder what indeed actually happened here.” Deace agrees, adding, “Any time a campaign or a politician is fine with the narrative that they’re completely incompetent ... it means that what’s true is worse.” Want more from Steve Deace? To enjoy more of Steve's take on national politics, Christian worldview, and principled conservatism with a snarky twist, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream. --- ### The GOP can’t blame Biden forever for pain at the pump **Published:** October 16, 2026 | **Author:** Sam Raus | **Section:** Opinion **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/columns/opinion/the-gop-cant-blame-biden-forever-for-pain-at-the-pump.md A few months in Manhattan have made me part of the city’s bubble. I pay $3 for the subway, worry about rent and groceries, and rarely think about the cost of filling a gas tank. Then I went home to South Jersey and saw the price posted outside a station. I had almost forgotten what the rest of the country pays to get around. New York City makes that easy. Apartment renters and subway riders experience housing, transportation, and energy policy differently from families who drive to work, take their children to school, and run errands by car. Nine in 10 Americans say they drive at least sometimes. They cannot simply stop paying attention to the price of gasoline. The election is November 3, and voters won't grade fuel prices on a curve just because the occupant of the White House has changed. As of October 14, the national average for regular gas stood at $4.33 a gallon. California topped $6, and several other states exceeded $5. New Jersey, where I grew up, averaged about $4.29 a gallon. Even where prices are lower, a family's weekly fill-ups eat into money needed elsewhere. For years, Republicans hammered President Biden over gas prices. Motorists slapped “I Did That” stickers bearing his face on pumps. Looking at that station in South Jersey, I realized Republicans now face a similar reckoning. The election is November 3, and voters won't grade fuel prices on a curve just because the occupant of the White House has changed. The administration has moved to ease energy rules. For example, the EPA has repealed vehicle greenhouse gas standards. But regulations alone cannot explain the price at the pump. The conflict around the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted oil markets, and years of delayed infrastructure projects have constrained domestic capacity. A proposed diesel export ban would create its own problems rather than solve the underlying shortage. Yet the White House has offered little comfort to motorists. Trump called higher gasoline costs a “very inexpensive price” to pay for what the United States had done in Iran. Energy Secretary Chris Wright pointed to the end of the summer driving season and weaker demand as reasons to expect prices to fall. Seasonal demand may ease, but families still need to drive in October. They need relief, not reassurance that summer is over. Gas prices cannot be waved away until the next news cycle. They present a real political problem for Republican incumbents in November. Democrats bear responsibility for decades of energy restrictions that have hindered pipelines and domestic production, but Republicans now govern in Washington. Voters have every right to demand results from them. RELATED: Democrats may ride a blue wave on a red script Id-work/Getty Images Democrats have made public transit, walkable cities, and climate policy central to their energy vision. Republicans have sold a different promise: Families should have the freedom and means to live in safe communities, raise children, and drive the pickup truck or minivan that fits their lives. Expensive gasoline makes that promise harder to keep. From my Manhattan apartment, gasoline prices can look remote. For parents in Pennsylvania, Ohio, or Michigan, driving is neither a luxury nor a political statement. They cannot skip the trip to work or the school pickup because the pump reads $5. A city dweller may be able to substitute a subway ride. Most suburban families cannot. The administration can point to two possible long-term gains. Trump has promoted a long-planned Alaska gas pipeline, although financing and other details remain unresolved. And four senators from both parties have introduced permitting reform intended to speed construction of energy infrastructure. Those are potentially useful moves, not substitutes for lower prices today. Nor should a natural gas project be confused with an immediate fix for gasoline. RELATED: Democrats can’t erase the price shock of the Biden years Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call Inc./Getty Images The administration has made progress rolling back regulations and encouraging domestic production. Yet Americans still face the costs of delayed projects, inadequate infrastructure, and international instability. The president cannot control every oil shipment or every price sign. He can explain what the government is doing to expand supply, make projects easier to build, and reduce costs over time. Republicans have spent years arguing against climate mandates and forced dependence on electric vehicles. Opposition alone will not persuade a family paying more to get to work. The affirmative case is straightforward: Americans should decide how to heat their homes, power their businesses, and travel, while government clears obstacles to producing abundant, affordable energy. I had to leave Manhattan to remember what a gallon of gas costs. Millions of Americans do not have that luxury. They see the cost every time they pull into a station. Republicans who want their votes in November had better see it, too. --- ### Robot guard dogs with 'Indian accents' are real — and this neighborhood loves them **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** Andrew Chapados | **Section:** Tech **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/tech/atlanta-robot-dog-security-indian.md A recent viral video asked a question that most Georgians never even imagined they would have to come up with: Why are there patrolling robot dogs with Indian accents all over the place? 'These thieves tried to get away from the robot.' A video on X showed a robot security dog with bright lights at an apartment complex in Atlanta, adding that it seemed to "speak in Indian accents to the residents." With nearly 2 million views, the clip is just one of many of its kind noticing that the machines have "Indian accents" or are "Indian controlled." The answer to where the robot came from is a lot easier to field than pinpointing the source of any accents. The bots residents are likely running into are from Atlanta-based company Undaunted, which has dozens of security dogs patrolling the city. According to a report from Atlanta News First in May, Undaunted had already deployed bots to more than three dozen commercial and residential properties in the city in just one year. Reuters noted in August that more than 120 robodogs were being put into service. The ANF report said apartment complexes and properties have been rife with car break-ins, loitering, and other illegal activity that has been deterred by the patrolling security. "I love it," one resident told the local channel. A local property owner also said the dogs provide visibility in hard-to-reach areas that conventional surveillance cannot see. "They can go behind bushes and into areas that, generally, our monitoring controls don't reach," she said. RELATED: Flock slashes 1 in 6 jobs — as outcry builds to take down its whole camera network "These thieves tried to get away from the robot," Undaunted CEO Bryan Dinner told ANF. "What they didn't know is that there are three robots on this property." Indeed, the bots are being spotted regularly by residents, but their presence comes with a hefty price tag. Undaunted's website explains its "plug-and-play robotic" guards cost $3,333 per month for its base package, which comes with two robotic guards, two charging stations, and monitoring for eight hours per day, seven days a week. Add-ons can get the customer longer monitoring hours and additional robots. Those live agents residents are noticing are Undaunted's "live operators," who intervene via audio, alert police, and notify customers, the company says. RELATED: 'A nightmare for individual liberties' — Josh Hawley unveils sweeping new anti-Flock legislation However, the CEO told Reuters in August that while the company can provide security at about half the cost of traditional humans, it will not physically intervene and does not come equipped with weapons. "We are never going to put offensive weapons on our robots," Dinner told ANF. Blaze News reached out to Undaunted to ask if any of its live agents are located overseas or are employed through H-1B visas, but did not get a reply. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Newsom is OUTRAGED over Justice Department lawsuit to block votes from 20,000 'likely noncitizens' **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** Carlos Garcia | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/newsom-california-noncitizen-votes-lawsuit.md The U.S. Dept. of Justice is seeking an emergency injunction against California over 20,000 "likely noncitizen" people on the state's voter rolls. U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Dept. requested that California segregate any ballots from those registered voters in order to preserve election integrity. 'We filed an emergency court action against California seeking to ensure that noncitizens who received ballots in California do NOT vote in the upcoming election.' The administration filed the lawsuit after Californian officials denied the request. "This is of serious concern because California automatically mails ballots to every active registered voter on its voter rolls, whether a voter has requested a mail ballot or not," Blanche said in a post on social media. "California has refused to comply and intends to facilitate noncitizens in voting, which is a violation of federal law," he added. "So, today we filed an emergency court action against California seeking to ensure that noncitizens who received ballots in California do NOT vote in the upcoming election." California Secretary of State Shirley Weber responded she had "serious doubts" about the accuracy of the allegations and requested information about "the underlying data and methodology" so that her office could analyze the "vague and unsubstantiated allegations" from the Department of Homeland Security. She went on to claim that a similar effort in Nevada did not find one noncitizen among a list of 16,000 likely noncitizen voters provided by DHS. "If the federal government possesses proof that certain registered voters in California are ineligible, we will welcome the opportunity to review that evidence and any supporting data or methodology," she added. California Attorney General Rob Bonta also criticized the administration's demands. "Mail ballots are already in most voters’ hands, and Election Day is less than three weeks away," he posted in a statement on social media. "Every count, recount, hand count, lawsuit, and audit has found that there's no widespread voter fraud in the U.S.," he added. "The Trump Admin’s last-minute demands are meritless, and we look forward to making our case in court." RELATED: Man given legal status under Obama illegally VOTED in at least 15 elections, DHS claims California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, expressed outrage over the lawsuit in a statement on social media. "This is a sad, desperate attempt by Trump to use his politicized Justice Department to try to suppress California voters just three weeks before Election Day," he posted. "Courts have made clear the federal government has no role in running state elections," he added. "We will defend free and fair elections in the Golden State and call out every authoritarian attempt to undermine our democracy." Voters in California will decide the state's next governor in the November election, as well as the fate of 14 propositions. Some key congressional races will also help determine which party controls Congress. "Election integrity is a top priority for Americans and the Justice Department," Blanche concluded. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Joe Rogan pounces on uproar over Shane Gillis joke about women dressing like 'whores' at gyms **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** Carlos Garcia | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/joe-rogan-gillis-joke-gym.md The most popular podcaster in the world weighed in on the bitter debate over a joke about women dressing like "whores" at the gym. Shane Gillis talked about his experience going to the gym in New York City during his monologue for his third time hosting "Saturday Night Live." 'I have no problem with women dressing like that. Have fun. God bless you. If you have a great body, especially, show it off to the world. Who cares?' "I haven't been to the gym in so long, I didn't know women just dress like whores now? Look, I'm sorry. There's no other way to describe it," Gillis said. "Have you seen it? I've seen it. The shorts. Have you seen the shorts?" he added. "Those neon, they're like artificial bait-colored. And the wrinkles go around the cheeks, and all combine at the butthole. And don't look. You're not allowed to look. For real, don't look because they are filming. I'm in the background of like 10 TikToks right now." Many on the left were outraged at the joke they said was misogynistic. Among those was comedic actor Dan Levy, who said in a video on Instagram that the joke would lead to more sexual assaults against women. Joe Rogan defended Gillis, who is his friend and has appeared on Rogan's podcast numerous times, on the Thursday episode of "The Joe Rogan Experience." First, he pointed out that the subject of the joke was Gillis himself, not the women at the gym. "The joke is on Shane, 'cause the joke is that he looks like a creep in the background of all these TikToks, watching these ladies that are wearing nothing doing these exercises," Rogan said. "I've seen ladies at the gym that wear essentially sheer pink, really small shorts with no underwear on, and they're doing deadlifts. And when they're bending over, they're sticking their vagina with the thinnest of cloth out into the air!" he added. "Oh, I knew one of them was pregnant before she did. I'd say you're about six weeks!" digital content creator Cody Tucker joked. Rogan offered a serious defense of the joke and his friend. "Real misogyny actually exists. ... Real men who hate women do exist," he said. "And so, when you see a guy joking around about a woman dressing like a whore, you connect it to horrible thoughts, like horrible actions. Real, actual evil men that — 'cause there's a lot of men that genuinely hate women. Shane Gillis is not one of them. And he's a great guy. It's just a joke." RELATED: Actor MELTS DOWN over jokes about women in Shane Gillis' 'SNL' monologue He went on to say that he didn't care what women wore to the gym. "I have no problem with women dressing like that. Have fun. God bless you. If you have a great body, especially, show it off to the world. Who cares?" Spotify reportedly renewed its contract with Rogan, worth an estimated $250 million. His show is the top podcast in Spotify's chart, with over 18 million followers. He has another 21.1 million followers on his YouTube channel. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Jason Whitlock: Deion Sanders dodges accountability, and Stephen A. takes affirmative action to avoid it **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** BlazeTV Staff | **Section:** Fearless with Jason Whitlock **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/shows/fearless-with-jason-whitlock/jason-whitlock-deion-sanders-dodges-accountability-and-stephen-a-takes-affirmative-action-to-avoid-it.md Instead of taking accountability, men like Deion Sanders and Stephen A. Smith, Jason Whitlock argues, would rather find someone else to blame. On "Fearless," Whitlock puts the Colorado football coach and ESPN personality on what he calls the “Mount Rushmore of entitlement,” accusing both men of deflecting criticism instead of owning their mistakes. “Stephen A. Smith put out some, I mean, just really hard-to-understand, ridiculous video about the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA and how the WNBA wasn’t prepared because they ... didn’t have an arena big enough to host the WNBA Finals,” Whitlock explains. “And he’s ranting and raving ... but then he turns it into something about himself and critics and apologizing and making mistakes, and he turned it into the mistakes that he’s been making, and the apologies he’s been making are proof of how good he is or how righteous he is,” he continues. This attitude is why Smith, Whitlock says, belongs on the “Mount Rushmore of entitlement” alongside Deion Sanders. “Deion, in their last game two weeks ago against Texas Tech, made coaching blunder after coaching blunder. His team looked unprepared. Deion looked unprepared. They lost their third straight game to Texas Tech,” Whitlock explains. Sanders took two weeks to give a press conference, which Whitlock notes didn’t help. “With two weeks of preparation, he could offer no explanations for anything,” Whitlock says. “It’s been reported, and Deion copped to it, that someone on the Colorado coaching staff or players left their playbook at the team hotel and Texas Tech fans found it. Deion had no explanation for that two weeks ago,” he explains. “I’ve been around coaches my entire life. Losing your playbook is not an option,” he says. “He won’t take responsibility for it. He won’t be held accountable for it,” he adds. Want more from Jason Whitlock? To enjoy more fearless conversations at the crossroads of culture, faith, sports, and comedy with Jason Whitlock, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream. --- ### Season 6 trailer of hit show 'The Chosen' promises explosive retelling of Jesus' crucifixion **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** Carlos Garcia | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/the-chosen-season-6-trailer.md Fans of the popular multi-season show dramatizing the life of Jesus Christ were thrilled when the trailer for the latest season was released Thursday. "The Chosen" famously received support from one of the largest crowdfunding campaigns ever and has become a hit with hundreds of millions of viewers. 'Season Five was the powder keg. In Season Six, it explodes.' "This is it. We’re at the toughest part. Season Six covers the 24 hours of the events surrounding Jesus’ death," read the description from show creator Dallas Jenkins on social media. "It was painful to shoot, and it’s painful to contemplate," he continues. "But if there’s one thing I want you to take away from this season, it’s that Jesus chose this path. He even tells the apostles he could be rescued from it if he wanted. He chose surrender and humility and sacrifice. Knowing that should make this story a little less painful." Jenkins concludes, "Season Five was the powder keg. In Season Six, it explodes." The show's creator told BlazeTV host Allie Beth Stuckey that he began writing about the life of Jesus after his bright future as a director appeared to collapse along with a box office disaster. "It was in 2017 that my feature film came out that completely bombed at the box office," Dallas said in the 2022 interview. "In just a couple hours, I went from being a director with a very bright future to being a director with no future," he explained. He said he received a message from a stranger on Facebook about the biblical story of Jesus feeding 5,000 with fish and loaves that changed his life. "Remember, it's not your job to feed the 5,000. It's only to provide the loaves and fish," the message read. RELATED: Did Jesus really pray for Judas? 'The Chosen' faces backlash over 'super unbiblical' scene "In that moment, my life changed. I felt more than ever like God was present. ... I felt more cared for in that moment than ever," Jenkins added. Season 6 of "The Chosen" will be released on Prime Video November 15. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### VIDEO: Abdul El-Sayed IMPLODES under media pressure as Muslim Brotherhood allegations won't go away **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** Carlos Garcia | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/el-sayed-terror-ties-family.md The Muslim Democrat running for Michigan's open seat in the U.S. Senate did not do well under pressure when questioned again about ties between his family and the Muslim Brotherhood. In a video posted Wednesday, Abdul El-Sayed appeared outraged that NBC News anchor Tom Llamas continued to ask him to clarify whether he and his family support the terrorist group in light of comments made by his maternal half-sister, Eman Abdelhadi, on social media. 'Are you serious? ... Do you think, you think, are, are you, are you insinuating that somehow I was lying?' The X posts from Abdelhadi include: "Had an amazing talk with my mom about her activism in the Muslim Brotherhood during the early 70s while she was in college #respect." "My family has long been MB, but I've always felt that it has navigated the political sphere poorly/destructively." "Although I lean towards the Leftists; conversations with my #MB family in Egypt revealed respect for individual liberties & secular state." Although the posts were written more than a decade ago, El-Sayed has been unable to fully explain them. "These tweets have emerged now," said Llamas, who read the content of some posts. "Can you just explain it?" "Yeah, Tom. It's funny to me," El-Sayed responded, visibly irritated. "I was born in 1984 down the street in Rochester Hills," he added. "I was raised here in Michigan, went to the University of Michigan, rebuilt the health department in the city, led the health department in this county. And you want to ask me about what was happening in Egypt in 1970? Are you serious?" "I get it, but you were asked a question, and you gave an answer —" Llamas said before getting interrupted. "This is kind of like the same. Yeah. I'm telling you, like, I have no ties. We have no ties," El-Sayed rambled. "So your mother had no ties?" Llamas asked. "I've never had these conversations with my mother. I wasn't raised by my mother," he replied. "So you were unaware —" Llamas asked. "But, but, but I'm just telling you that, like, you're using hearsay evidence from a tweet. It's ... not serious. It's just not serious," El-Sayed stammered. "But you've also gone after the president for truthfulness," Llamas said. "So when people ask you a question, they all do expect the truth." "And do you think, you think, are, are you, are you insinuating that somehow I was lying?" El-Sayed stammered. "I don't know. That's why I'm asking you," Llamas replied. "And I'm telling you I was not," El-Sayed angrily responded. RELATED: WATCH: 9/11 hero's father narrates powerful ad against Abdul El-Sayed After a debate last Thursday against Republican Mike Rogers, El-Sayed similarly snapped at a reporter who asked about the different standards he has for President Donald Trump and for Hasan Piker, an anti-American radical who campaigned with El-Sayed earlier this year. "That's a serious question?" El-Sayed shot back with obvious disdain. "Well, Donald Trump is the president of the United States, which means he has significant power, including holding the nuclear football. And when he makes war, which he has the power to do, it's a very different thing than a streamer in California. I'm not sure if that's clear to you, but like, when it's the president of the United States, who is literally the most powerful person in the whole world, to equate the most powerful person in the world with a streamer in California seems to me to be just a little — I'm not going to use the word — but silly." El-Sayed's campaign did not respond to a request for comment from Blaze News. Rogers has hammered away at El-Sayed by using El-Sayed's own extremist statements and positions. Former President Barack Obama has signed up to campaign for El-Sayed, which many critics take as a sign that Democrats are worried that their candidate won't be able to cross the finish line. The race is pivotal in deciding which party will control the U.S. Senate after the midterm elections. The contest is still very tight in the last month of before the election, as can be seen in the Blaze News Poll Watch average of polling below. Michigan Senate polls 2026: El-Sayed vs. Rogers Michigan Senate polls 2026: El-Sayed vs. Rogers pollwatch.theblaze.com Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### John Doyle: If life has infinite value, then murderers must die **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** BlazeTV Staff | **Section:** The John Doyle Show **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/shows/the-john-doyle-show/john-doyle-if-life-has-infinite-value-then-murderers-must-die.md The death penalty remains a deeply divisive issue among Christians. Some hold that it is a biblically justifiable punishment, proven by Old Testament endorsements of capital punishment for serious crimes and Romans 13’s affirmation of governmental authority. Others argue against it, pointing to New Testament teachings that emphasize mercy, forgiveness, and the sanctity of life. This divide was most recently exemplified by the announcement from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that Nidal Hasan — the radicalized Muslim U.S. Army psychiatrist who killed 13 people and wounded more than 30 others in a mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009 — would be executed by firing squad in December, with initial plans to livestream the event. Some Christians have condemned the planned execution — especially those initial livestream plans, which President Trump ultimately decided against. Others have publicly supported the public execution on biblical grounds. BlazeTV host John Doyle, a Catholic, falls into the latter camp. On this episode of “The John Doyle Show,” he not only argues that Hasan should be publicly executed but also that “we should be killing criminals far more often, far more expediently, and far more legally and coolly.” Doyle argues that conservatives who claim to stand on the principle that “life has infinite value” but oppose the death penalty are contradicting themselves. “When you murder an innocent person, you have now taken from the world something of infinite value. The only way to approximate righting that wrong would be to take your life from you,” he explains. “It's to say we can never repair what has been stolen. We can never bring it back. We can never make the balance sheet squared, but we can try; we can get close. And the only way that we can get close is actually taking from you something that is, of course, of infinite value, which is your life,” he continues. “That is the only thing we can do that can approximate justice. Anything less than that … basically says ‘human life doesn't actually have infinite value.” Those who claim life has infinite value but oppose the death penalty, Doyle says, “have a kind of indignation behind their speaking that they never extend to the murder victims themselves.” “They concede, ‘dude, yeah, of course murder's wrong. Of course terrorism is wrong’ … but then they go out of their way to use all of their influence and all of their power to basically make it as easy as possible for terrorists and murderers and so on to continue living their lives as they would without any kind of consequence,” he says. In the next part of the episode, Doyle dives into the “theological weeds” of the Catholic faith when it comes to the death penalty. To hear his full breakdown, watch the episode above. Want more from John Doyle? To enjoy more of the truth about America and join the fight to restore a country that has been betrayed by its own leaders, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream. --- ### Researcher charged with poisoning coworker after he's caught on hidden camera tampering with water bottle — and gets off easy **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** Paul Sacca | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/california-researcher-david-xu-charged-with-poisoning-coworker-and-gets-off-easy.md A California researcher pleaded no contest to one felony count of poisoning his coworker, which allegedly made the female victim gravely ill. However, the defendant was granted what a judge called an "extremely generous" plea deal despite hidden-camera video of him tampering with his colleague's water bottle. Rong Yuan began working at Berkeley Engineering and Research in January 2017, and she worked alongside David Xu, a fellow UC Berkeley alumnus. 'I almost died.' Yuan told the San Francisco Standard that her first workplace encounter with Xu was tense, saying that Xu told her she wasn't allowed to use the company's material characterization lab. Yuan said she told Xu, "I know how to use all these tools. I've even repaired them." Yuan recalled, "I just decided I will never overlap with him. I'll just simply do my work, and he can do whatever he wants." Just weeks after the encounter, Yuan said she began experiencing mysterious health issues, including vomiting, dry heaving, and hair loss. Yuan sought medical treatment after her symptoms became increasingly severe. Yuan remembered that she suddenly became gravely ill after drinking from her water bottle in July 2017. "I began to feel like I was dying," Yuan stated. The Standard reported that by late 2018, she had been to the hospital repeatedly, her health was deteriorating, and she was vomiting all the time, often having to miss work. Yuan said her parents, who are from China, feared her illness could be fatal, so they traveled to visit her. On Nov. 27, 2018, Yuan sent an email stating that she was vomiting again and wouldn't be able to work at the office. Xu reportedly replied, "You should work from home until you feel better. No reason to rush in." Xu allegedly added that Yuan might be sick because he believed the workplace is "moldy." In January 2019, Yuan was working at the office when she drank from her water bottle at her desk and suddenly felt sick again to the point that she thought to herself: "I'm going to die." Later that day, Yuan's mother drank from the same water bottle and noticed an unusual sour taste. Fearing someone was tampering with her water bottle, Yuan on Feb. 11, 2019, set up a secret camera on the wall next to her desk and focused on her water bottle. At 11:04 a.m., Xu appeared at her desk, and the camera caught a close-up of his face and his arm reaching toward where her bottle was placed, the Standard reported. A second video from March 4 seemingly shows Xu pouring a substance from a small white container into Yuan's bottle; Xu is seen exiting the frame of the video but appears back in frame, rotates Yuan's water bottle, and moves away. "My blood was frozen," Yuan said of first seeing the alarming video. "I almost died. I experienced death so, so close so many times. I cannot let him go." That day, Yuan presented the Berkeley Police Department with the videos and the water bottle. The Standard reported that samples taken from Yuan's bottle tested positive for cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, at "levels up to 3.5 million times the federal limit for drinking water." A report from the Berkeley Police Department accused Xu of putting cadmium in Yuan's "food and water on multiple occasions." According to Alameda County Superior Court records reviewed by San Francisco Gate, Xu was arrested in March 2019 and charged with premeditated attempted murder and two felony counts of poisoning. Then-Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price offered Xu a plea deal of one count of poisoning and one year of probation. The Standard reported that the deal "shocked" even the judge, who remarked at Xu’s 2024 sentencing hearing that it was "extremely generous, considering everything in this case" and doubled his probation to two years. Despite facing a punishment of up to life in state prison, Xu served just one day in jail and two years of probation, according to the Standard. Xu completed his two-year probation in March 2026 and filed a petition for dismissal in July 2026. The Daily Californian reported that Alameda County Superior Court Judge Pelayo Llamas granted Xu's petition to dismiss his felony poisoning conviction on Monday, despite objections from Yuan and Assistant District Attorney Priscilla Vuong. The dismissal allows Xu to avoid disclosing the poisoning conviction to private employers. RELATED: Husband sets up hidden camera, catches teacher wife poisoning his smoothie with deadly plant: Police Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson released a statement that read: In 2019, David Xu was charged with attempted premeditated murder and poisoning. In 2023, the case resolved to a felony poisoning charge, 2 years of probation, and no additional jail time. After completing probation, the defendant petitioned the court to dismiss the case. As a result, we joined the victims to oppose the motion pursuant to Penal Code section 1203.4. The court granted the motion over objections. We hope the survivors are able to continue healing, both emotionally and physically, from this shocking event. Yuan described the decision as "expected" but noted that she was "still disappointed." Yuan said she received $7,058 in restitution but added that her out-of-pocket medical expenses after insurance were more than $65,000. Xu's attorney, Charles Huang, on Tuesday told the Daily Californian that he was not at liberty to provide a comment on the case and didn't immediately respond to the Daily Californian's emailed request for comment. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Talarico slithered around the truth at his town hall. Here’s the gaslighting he tried to pull. **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** Joseph MacKinnon | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/talarico-slithered-around-the-truth-at-his-town-hall-heres-the-gaslighting-he-tried-to-pull.md Radical Democrat James Talarico attempted to woo Republicans and independents at a town hall in Fort Worth on Wednesday as he attempts to turn a Texas U.S. Senate seat blue for the first time in more than 30 years. This attempt evidently relied on deception. 'That industry is not gonna last.' In addition to claiming that "the Bible is silent on the issue of abortion," Talarico made a number of other eyebrow-raising statements at the event hosted by CNN and Jubilee. One of the Texas voters in attendance asked the Democrat about border security, "regardless of what party was in the White House," and whether federal law should require the removal of illegal aliens who have no basis to stay in the country. "Texans understand this issue of immigration better than most people around the country because we live with it," Talarico replied. "We live with the challenges, and we live with the benefits." After stating that "both political parties have failed us on this issue," casting shade on the Biden administration's "unacceptable" handling of the border crisis and criticizing some Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics, Talarico identified himself as a "border security Democrat." This purported "border security Democrat" apparently was counting on the audience to overlook the fact that he: states on his campaign website that "our border should be like a front porch" with a "welcome mat out front and a lock on the door" and that certain illegal aliens should have a pathway to legalization; advocated in 2019 for diverting Texas' $800 million two-year border security budget to public education, claiming that "putting a bunch of boats, planes, and border patrol agents on the physical border" "does not solve the problem" and amounts ultimately to "political grandstanding"; shared documents in 2019 advising foreigners how to "fight back" against ICE; condemned some of Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's efforts to secure the southern border, calling them "atrocities"; voted in 2021 against a bill that provided an additional $1.8 billion in state funding for border security over a two-year period; voted in 2023 against a bill that aimed at beefing up border security and cracking down on transnational criminal activity; voted in 2023 against a bill that would have expanded the law enforcement authority of federal immigration agents in Texas; and voted in 2023 against a bill that made illegal entry into Texas from an alien nation a state crime. The Border Patrol Union's National Border Patrol Council said Wednesday, "JAMES TALARICO DOES NOT SUPPORT BORDER SECURITY: Talarico’s false claim that he called out the Biden Administration for failing on the border is nothing more than a #FakeNews political ad." RELATED: Talarico gets DEMOLISHED after he cites Bible in defense of abortion Danielle Villasana/Getty Images In addition to masquerading as a proponent of strong security at the southern border, Talarico played the role of an ICE supporter at Wednesday's town hall. CNN talking head Erin Burnett asked the Democrat, "Do you support abolishing ICE or not?" "No," replied Talarico. "And I never have." He did, however, lead a "Stop ICE rally" in January, accuse ICE of "terrorizing our country," and implore Texans to rise up against the federal agency and "fight back." After boasting about previously having taught illegal alien students, Talarico said in his lengthy speech at the January anti-ICE rally in Austin, "It is time to tear down this secret police force and replace it with an agency that is actually going to promote public safety." Talarico further denied ICE's legitimacy, demanded that ICE agents be hauled before Congress, and claimed that the agency was "deporting the very people who keep our economy running." The same Democrat who months ago demanded ICE's "replace" told Burnett on Wednesday, "We need Immigration and Customs Enforcement in this country." In an apparent attempt to reconcile the two statements, Talarico claimed that "what we've seen over the last year is a secret police force, and that's what we don't want in this country." Talarico also tried to pull a fast one Wednesday regarding his past criticism of capitalism. Burnett noted that at a Sierra Club event in September 2020, the Democrat said that capitalism is an "oppressive system" in need of dismantling. The CNN talking head then questioned Talarico's current identification as a proud capitalist. "If you go back and listen to the conversation that we were having, I was talking about the system we have now, which is actually not capitalism. It's crony capitalism," Talarico said. Talarico does not appear to have specified that he was criticizing "crony capitalism" at the Sierra Club event in 2020. Rather, he highlighted the supposed link between "climate change and white supremacy and capitalism in our country." "I think only understanding the ways that all three of those oppressive systems work together are we going to be able to begin the process of dismantling them," Talarico said at the time. A spokesperson for Talarico told the Texas Scorecard last month that "James is a proud capitalist and agrees with the majority of Texans that racism, natural disasters, and a billionaire-controlled economy are all problems we need to address." Madison Cercy, a spokeswoman for the campaign of Talarico's Republican opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, said that "James Talarico is a democratic socialist who wants to destroy economic opportunity, ban oil and gas, and raise taxes to pay for his radical agenda." Talarico, who told Burnett that he wants to return to old-school capitalism, also claimed at the town hall that "if the Democratic Party is going after the good-paying oil and gas jobs here in Texas, I'm going to stand up against them." Yet Talarico said during the same Sierra Club event, "We all know that Texas has been a leader in oil and gas, but in many ways that's like being the leader in cassette tapes in the 1980s," CNN reported. "That industry is not going to last. And if we want to ensure we have an economy that's going to work for our children and our children's children, we gotta be ahead of the curve, and Texas has to lead instead of follow on this issue," Talarico added. This supposed friend of the oil and gas industry claimed in 2022 that "fossil fuels are destroying the planet" and suggested that Texas should "transition" to so-called renewables. The Talarico campaign did not immediately respond to Blaze News' request for comment. Blaze Poll Watch presently shows Talarico leading Paxton 48.1%-45.1%. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Trump calls off livestreaming the execution of Fort Hood terrorist — and many Christians are expressing gratitude **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** Carlos Garcia | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/fort-hood-public-execution-trump.md The president says the execution of the Fort Hood terrorist attacker will not be public after all. War Secretary Pete Hegseth had recommended the public execution by military firing squad of Nidal Hasan, the admitted terrorist killer of 13 people plus an unborn baby in the Nov. 2009 shooting near Killeen, Texas. The execution is scheduled for December 3. 'He will die, as scheduled, by firing squad, but this event will not be streamed.' The decision to livestream the event was praised by many, but some took exception, including Catholic leaders and critics of capital punishment. On Thursday President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the execution will not be public. "I think streaming the execution for all to see might have been a strong deterrent for the World to witness how America deals with Terrorists and SCUM like Hasan," wrote the president, "but, many very good and well meaning people would rather not watch him die, through streaming, or through any other visual device. He will die, as scheduled, by firing squad, but this event will not be streamed." He added that the execution can be viewed by the families of the victims if they choose to do so. "They deserve to witness JUSTICE!" he concluded. Among those critical of livestreaming the execution was Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, who said the livestreaming video would become a recruiting tool for other terrorists. Vice President JD Vance said he would not watch the livestreamed execution. "We live in a society that already diminishes death so much. I don’t want it on TikTok," said Blaze Media co-founder Glenn Beck, who went on to say livestreaming the execution would "rot our souls." Many expressed gratitude that the president was willing to listen to others' voices and change his mind. "Thanks to @POTUS for the right decision not to livestream the execution of the terrorist, Nidal M. Hasan, who unjustly murdered 14 people at Fort Hood. This decision at least stops us from taking a step deeper into the violent culture of death by exploiting Hasan and his victims’ survivors," responded Bishop Michael Olson of the Diocese of Fort Worth in Texas. "This is clearly the right choice and President Trump should be commended for making it," replied theologian and academic Matthew Lee Anderson of Baylor University, an evangelical Protestant Christian. "A great step in the right direction," responded Father Matthew P. Schneider, a Catholic priest and moral theologian. "Thank you, Mr. President," wrote Father Aquinas Guilbeau, moral theologian and Dominican priest. RELATED: DHS fires back at 'absurd' CBS report on 'nonviolent' illegal aliens by citing horrific cases "Trump overrides Hegseth to cancel live-stream of public firing squad execution. Sanity prevails momentarily," said Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.). Father Joshua J. Whitfield, a prominent Catholic priest and columnist who had said a public execution would have been "perverse," appeared to approve of the change as well. An ABC News poll found that 53% of respondents approved of the execution of Nidal Hasan, but only 18% supported livestreaming the execution and 80% were opposed to it. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Real or AI? This new 'slop detector' can spare you embarrassment — or worse **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** Zach Laidlaw | **Section:** Tech **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/tech/google-ai-slop-detector.md AI slop is everywhere. It is strewn across the internet, stuffed into social feeds, and even popping up in real-world printed materials. If you have a good eye or you’re simply wise to bad imagery, you may be able to spot these on your own. If not, Google has an AI slop detector designed to make it easier to tell fake images from real ones. The tool is called SynthID Detector. Why SynthID, you ask? The moniker is borrowed from the namesake of Google’s invisible digital watermark embedded into every image created with Nano Banana, the image generation tool found in Google Gemini. Every time you make an image with Gemini, it contains invisible digital noise that tells other apps and services that the image was made with AI and that it came directly from Google’s platform. Google’s AI image slop scanner could be helpful when you encounter AI-generated photos online, but it is not foolproof. Since you can’t see SynthID details in an image with the naked eye, these photos can proliferate online spaces without anyone knowing they’re not real. Google hopes to fix that, though, with SynthID Detector, which can decipher the origin of some AI images — emphasis on some. To use SynthID Detector, go to the webpage and sign in with your Google account. Then find an image that you suspect to be AI, and drag and drop it into the search box. If successful, the page will instantly display the AI origin of the image, and it can even tell you if the photo has been edited further from its original version. SynthID Detector/Zach Laidlaw You can scan images, videos, and audio files across a broad range of formats that you would typically encounter on the web so that all your bases are covered. Unfortunately, there are some other limitations to keep in mind before you rely on SynthID Detector too much. As a Google-made service, SynthID Detector is designed first and foremost to detect images with Google’s proprietary SynthID watermark embedded inside. Right now, that includes images generated with Gemini, along with a couple of other partners, such as Nvidia, OpenAI, and Kakao, an AI company from South Korea that you have never heard about. That’s it. RELATED: Google's data-devouring AI wants everyone's personal information solar22/Getty Images Google is working to expand SynthID support into other AI image generation companies, apps, and services. For instance, Apple Playground, the image generation app that comes with newer iPhones, will soon be compatible. However, the vast majority of image creation tools will slide under SynthID Detector … well … undetected. And there are a lot of them: Midjourney, Adobe Firefly, and the open-source versions of Stable Diffusion, Flux, and DALL-E 3, just to name a few. So in other words, Google’s AI image slop scanner could be helpful when you encounter AI-generated photos online, but it is not foolproof. If the image comes from a non-SynthID-partner, any queries will show up empty. SynthID Detector/Zach Laidlaw Another area where SynthID falls short is in detecting real images. Because the system is designed to search only for SynthID watermarks, it can’t decipher when no watermarks are present at all. Therefore, real images are treated just like AI-generated images from non-SynthID-partners. It would be nice if SynthID Detector could at least tell when a real photo is real, but in this aspect, it is virtually useless. As AI becomes more prevalent, society will likely need more tools like SynthID to help us discern factual content from fiction. Unfortunately, while SynthID Detector is a good first start, it shows just how severely lacking AI detection is when working with non-centralized standards for AI creation, labeling, and distribution. To truly be beneficial to mankind, detection tools need to either adopt robust scanning features or AI needs standardized policies, neither of which are likely to happen soon. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Hollywood actress arrested after alleged Delta flight meltdown: What happened? **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** BlazeTV Staff | **Section:** Stu and Dave Do America **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/shows/stu-and-dave-do-america/hollywood-actress-arrested-after-alleged-delta-flight-meltdown-what-happened.md Air travel can and does bring out the worst in people — but it is rare that this mid-air frustration turns into a full-blown assault. And even rarer when it is a Hollywood celebrity. This past weekend, actress Selma Blair allegedly assaulted two flight attendants aboard a Delta Air Lines flight that landed at New York’s JFK Airport. Blair, who has multiple sclerosis, was claimed by representatives to have experienced a medical emergency. “The good news for them is she’s a 100-pound actress in her 50s with MS,” BlazeTV host Dave Landau tells co-host Stu Burguiere on “Stu and Dave Do America.” “Not that brutal an attack,” Stu agrees. “Nobody should be assaulted on a Delta flight,” Dave says, joking, “I mean, some.” “Some people should be?” Stu asks. “I had a guy take his shoes off next to me,” Dave explains. In audio following the attack, the pilot explains the flight needs “medical personnel at the gate to look at injuries.” “It sounds like the disruptive passenger also bashed her head on the bulkhead or something like that,” the pilot said, before Blair was heard screaming. “I don’t understand what can happen on a plane that leads to that,” Dave comments. “You just described it,” Stu adds. Want more from Stu and Dave? To enjoy more of Stu and Dave's lethal blend of wit, humor, and insightful commentary subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream. --- ### First livestream of execution by firing squad might be scrapped — Trump and Vance aren't won over. UPDATE: It's been scrapped. **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** Zach Laidlaw | **Section:** Tech **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/tech/first-livestream-of-execution-by-firing-squad-might-be-scrapped-trump-and-vance-arent-won-over.md The United States is about to make history as it prepares to televise the first-ever execution by firing squad. Former U.S. Army Major Nidal Hasan will be put to death this December for a heinous crime committed in 2009. But while the original plan was to show the event to the world, the Trump administration is locked in a debate that could take the execution off air before it even happens. A formal execution has never been aired on TV in the United States. The most recent public execution happened in 1936 in Kentucky after Rainey Bethea raped and killed a 70-year-old woman. He was hanged for his crimes, and since the first public broadcast network didn’t arrive until several years later, the only way to witness the event was in person. Needless to say, we’re in uncharted waters. The broadcast could be used against the United States. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth gave the green light for the public execution, telling Jack Posobiec in an interview, “We’ll make sure that people are able to watch it, that it’s public, because people need to understand that there’s serious consequences for these types of things.” These “things” Hegseth refers to are the 13 U.S. Army members that Hasan murdered on November 5, 2009. Hasan was later charged and convicted of 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder. He was ultimately sentenced to death days later. The execution will take place right back at the scene of the crime. On December 3, 2026, at 1 p.m. Central Time, Nidal Hasan will die at the hands of a firing squad. While lethal injection is usually the first option to carry out a humane death sentence, firing squads are still common in the U.S., with the latest execution taking place as recently as 2025. The public execution of Nidal Hasan was meant to air on television and be available on streaming platforms in December. However, a new report reveals that the Trump administration is still debating the morality of putting a man to death in front of the entire world. Vice President JD Vance has said he won't watch a livestreamed event, while Trump is reportedly cool to the streaming idea; according to ABC News, some within the administration fear that the broadcast could be used against the United States as anti-American propaganda or fuel for Islamic extremists, or that it could simply reflect poorly on the nation. The situation looks even worse considering Hasan was paralyzed during the murders in 2009, leaving him confined to a wheelchair. Visually, killing a disabled man on TV would not play well. Despite internal discussions, the Pentagon insists that the execution will be carried out on air as planned. A list of supported TV channels and streaming services has not been finalized yet. However, some services have already pre-emptively barred the content from their platforms, including TikTok and Newsmax. Specific viewing details should be available as we get closer to the execution. RELATED: The Fort Hood shooter is the ‘victim’ now as media compares execution to ‘lynchings’ Sara Gonzales Unfiltered In terms of the legality of the event, the FCC has strict laws that govern the content available on TV. Specifically, stations can’t display indecent or obscene material, nor can they propagate hoaxes or distort the news. One thing dubiously absent from regulatory scrutiny is violence. Violent content is protected on TV under free speech laws. That means a public execution is technically within the FCC’s rules. Furthermore, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr has made no threats to get in the way. In fact, he left the final decision to air the execution to Hegseth. So as long as the Trump administration sorts out its internal disagreement, the event will be available for all to watch. The only question now is: Should you watch it? Legally, the death penalty is a just process sanctioned by 27 U.S. states and the federal government. At least some of biblical Scripture supports the death penalty as well. Genesis 9:6 states, “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind." Spiritually — as in for the sake of your soul — it may be best not to tune in. Just because the death penalty is legal and righteous doesn’t mean that it’s meant for the entire world to see. Watching someone’s life be taken siphons away a bit of one’s own soul in kind, and the spiritual trade-off isn’t worth the cost. Without any more details, there is no way to know exactly how brutal the event will appear on TV. That said, the forceful end of a life is still a vicious death. Children definitely shouldn’t watch the event, and if you wish to protect your soul, you shouldn’t watch it either. Update: President Donald Trump has confirmed that the execution of Nidal Hasan will not be livestreamed. Editor's note: This article has been edited after publication to note that Trump has decided that the execution will not be livestreamed. --- ### Florida thug shoots Uber Eats driver in buttocks, beats him after driver tried to get number of suspect's girlfriend: Cops **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** Dave Urbanski | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/florida-thug-shoots-uber-eats-driver-in-buttocks-beats-him-after-driver-tried-to-get-number-of-suspects-girlfriend-cops.md A 33-year-old Florida male shot an Uber Eats driver in the buttocks and pistol-whipped him after the driver tried to get the phone number of the suspect's girlfriend, WPLG-TV reported, citing Miami-Dade deputies. The shooting happened early Monday morning outside the Pearl Dadeland Apartments at 7440 N. Kendall Drive, the station said, citing the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. 'Babe, please stop!' A deputy responded to the area just after 3:30 a.m. after receiving reports of a gunshot, WPLG said, citing an arrest report, adding that a bystander flagged down the deputy "and reported that a group of individuals had been involved in an altercation but left the area minutes before deputies arrived.” At about the same time, South Miami police reported that the victim arrived at Baptist Health South Miami Hospital with a gunshot wound, the station said, citing deputies. The arrest report said the victim told deputies that he delivered food to a woman living at the apartment building about an hour before and “engaged in a brief conversation with and took a liking to her,” WPLG said. Deputies said the victim returned around 3:25 a.m. “in an attempt to see the again and possibly obtain her phone number" but was unsuccessful, the station said. But as the victim was returning to his car, deputies said the woman’s boyfriend — Khuslen Saruultuya — pulled up in a Chevrolet Corvette, WPLG reported. Deputies said Saruultuya ordered the victim "to lie on the ground" as he pointed a handgun at him, the station reported. "The victim complied and laid flat on the ground fired one round, which grazed the victim on his right buttock," the arrest report states, according to WPLG. "While the victim remained on the ground, struck him on the back of the head with the buttstock of the handgun, causing a two-inch open wound." Saruultuya then ordered the victim to stand and pointed the gun at his head, telling him, “I am going to kill you," the arrest report states, according to the station. Saruultuya’s girlfriend, witnessing the incident, pleaded with him, yelling, “Babe, please stop!” WPLG said, citing the arrest report. The victim told deputies that Saruultuya “chased” him around the Corvette, still pointing the gun at him, as the woman “attempted to hold back," the station reported. Authorities told WPLG they traced the Corvette’s license plate back to Saruultuya and went to his unit at the nearby Palmer Dadeland Apartments to take him into custody; the victim also picked him out of a photo lineup. Deputies added to the station that during a “cursory sweep” of Saruultuya's unit, they found drugs, including Xanax, Adderall, oxycodone, amphetamines, ketamine, cocaine, MDMA, psilocybin mushrooms, and marijuana. What's more, deputies told WPLG that Saruultuya also had 16 pills of the erectile dysfunction drug Cialis along with two bags of the party drug tusi, also known as “pink cocaine.” RELATED: Florida male allegedly opens fire at woman inside parking garage at courthouse. Turns out they're reportedly married. “Those are my prescriptions,” Saruultuya said in court Tuesday before Judge Mindy Glazer warned him to not speak about the case, the station said. The Mongolia-born Saruultuya is facing charges including attempted murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and nine felony drug trafficking charges, WPLG said, citing jail records. During his court appearance, the judge denied Saruultuya's bond, WTVJ-TV reported. Jail records indicate Saruultuya remained behind bars Thursday morning. WTVJ, citing records, said Saruultuya in 2022 got into a different altercation with a man at a gym in Kendall after the man was checking out Saruultuya’s girlfriend. Investigators said the man pulled a knife on Saruultuya and was later arrested, WTVJ added. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### We need to talk about homecoming dresses. Christian moms: What’s going on? **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** BlazeTV Staff | **Section:** Relatable **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/shows/relatable/we-need-to-talk-about-homecoming-dresses-christian-moms-whats-going-on.md Christian parents are posting photos of their teenage daughters in revealing homecoming dresses, then pushing back when Christian schools try to enforce modesty standards. BlazeTV host Allie Beth Stuckey doesn’t believe this is even close to the appropriate response that Christian families should have, pointing out that Christian mothers are posting “their teen daughters going to homecoming in dresses that barely cover their bodies.” “This is obviously a big problem because Christian school policies for homecoming dresses are changing,” she explains. “Apparently this was an issue at a Christian school in Colorado, because back in 2022, they started requiring girls to send photos of their dresses, front and back, to be reviewed by female staff members.” A petition was started that received 553 signatures to get rid of the rules, as they were “being objectified.” “You’re not forced to go to the school,” Stuckey says. “This is a Christian school who I’m sure says up front, ‘Hey, we have Christian values. If you don’t believe in these Christian values, then there is a public school right around the corner.’” In 2023, a Catholic school in Nevada also adopted new rules requiring homecoming dresses be ankle- or floor-length — and another petition attempting to fight it followed. “I just find it strange that when you have people opting for schools that are Catholic, that are Christian, evangelical, whatever, and suddenly they try to enforce those values, that the parents balk, that the students freak out,” Stuckey comments. “So what is going on?” she asks. “Is it just impossible to say no? Is it the worst thing in the world for your daughter to look different than her peers? In fact, if your Christian daughter dresses exactly the same as all of her non-Christian friends, is that probably just not great?” And while she believes that “looking lovely and feminine and radiant can be glorifying to God,” that’s not the message Christian teens and women are sending when they dress scantily. “If the point of an outfit is to draw eyes to anything other than the face or the overall beauty of a woman’s presence, then it’s not an outfit that a Christian woman should wear, whether she is a teenager or whether she’s an adult,” Stuckey says. And while Christians are called to “love thy neighbor,” Stuckey explains that “wearing something intentionally provocative is not loving your neighbor.” “It’s distracting,” she says. “It’s tempting. It conveys a message of narcissism and invites objectification. Immodesty is not an excuse for lust. I am not saying that. It does not alleviate the responsibility of the person lusting. But lust also doesn’t alleviate the responsibility of someone dressing deliberately scantily.” “Both the person displaying their body and the person lusting after the body are sinning,” she adds. Want more from Allie Beth Stuckey? To enjoy more of Allie’s upbeat and in-depth coverage of culture, news, and theology from a Christian, conservative perspective, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream. --- ### Talarico gets DEMOLISHED after he cites Bible in defense of abortion **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** Joseph MacKinnon | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/talarico-gets-demolished-after-he-cites-bible-in-defense-of-abortion.md James Talarico, the Democrat nominee hoping to succeed John Cornyn of Texas in the U.S. Senate, demonstrated at the CNN Jubliee Town Hall on Wednesday that he doesn't require the presence of his Republican opponent to badly lose a debate. Among the attendees afforded an opportunity during the town hall to raise and discuss sensitive matters with the Senate candidate was Jodi Hunt, an eighth-generation Texas woman and orthodox Catholic who has taught in the University of Dallas' theology department since 2018 and serves as the executive director of the university's Neuhoff Institute for Ministry and Evangelization. 'That's OK. We're both Christians.' Hunt noted at the outset that like many other Catholics, she is a "one-issue voter. Abortion is a large part of that, and dignity of the human person and natural law." Fully 67% of Texans identify as Christians, 22% as Catholic, according to 2024 data from the Pew Research Center. "We believe that at the moment of conception, there is a human life to protect," continued the Texas Christian. "So we struggle with the idea that it's the woman's right to choose." Hunt added that Democrats' unwillingness to protect "the most innocent among us" not only makes it hard to vote for them but saps prospective voters' trust in their ability to "provide policies to protect the rest of Texans and to promote dignity and human life." RELATED: Vance: Talarico wears Christianity as a 'skin suit' — and it reveals more than just contempt Talarico — a part-time Presbyterian seminarian who has attempted to use Scripture to justify abortion and previously preached at a leftist church that regards abortion as a "blessing" — said that "we may come to different moral and ethical conclusions when it comes to the question of 'should abortion be legal or not?' It sounds like you and I do come to a different conclusion. That's OK. We're both Christians." Dusting off a claim he previously used without much pushback, Talarico asserted that "the Bible is silent on the issue of abortion." The Catholic theologian proved immune to Talarico's gaslighting. "The Bible is not silent on abortion," said Hunt. "There is the Ten Commandments. 'Thou shalt not kill.'" Hunt's statement prompted thunderous applause from the audience. "If I believed that abortion was murder, that it violated the Ten Commandments, then I wouldn't support it," said Talarico, who has protested the public display of the Ten Commandments. After stating that he does not regard killing unborn human beings as murder, in a state where killing a pregnant woman counts as a double homicide, Talarico condemned Texas' Human Life Protection Act, claiming that "if we are authentically pro-life, I think we should be disturbed by the outcomes of this extreme abortion ban." Hunt was joined in refuting Talarico's claim that "the Bible is silent on abortion" by others online, including Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, which wrote, "Nope," and Students for Life of America president Kristan Hawkins, who wrote, "No, the Bible is not silent on killing children made in His image." Chris Gustafson, communications director for the Senate Leadership Fund, said in a statement obtained by Blaze News, "Talarico proved once again that he’s simply too liberal and too dangerous for Texas." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Three cops changed DJ Daniel’s life with a slice of pizza **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** Jarred Weisfeld, DJ Daniel | **Section:** Opinion **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/columns/opinion/three-cops-changed-dj-daniels-life-with-a-slice-of-pizza.md In 2017, as Hurricane Harvey battered Houston, three police officers found DJ Daniel and his brothers wandering through a shelter. The boys had gone looking for snacks. The officers reunited them with their father and took them upstairs for pizza. DJ still remembers that meal — and the officers who helped his family through a frightening time. That small act of kindness gave DJ a dream. He wanted to become a police officer so he could help others the way those officers helped him. Three officers had no way of knowing how far their kindness would travel. They simply saw a family who needed help and acted. Nearly a decade later, DJ has been sworn in by about 4,400 law enforcement agencies across the United States and abroad. In March 2025, President Donald Trump recognized him during an address to Congress, when the Secret Service director made him an honorary agent. A boy inspired by three officers and a slice of pizza had found a professional family numbering in the thousands. That journey inspired our new children’s book, “Special Agent DJ.” We wanted to tell a story about courage, family, service, and the impression one good deed can leave on a child. We also wanted young readers to understand something practical: When they need help, police officers can be people to turn to. A child becomes separated from a parent in a crowded store. A youngster gets lost in a park or feels frightened and does not know who to ask for help. Officers help reunite families, respond to emergencies, and protect neighborhoods. Children should learn to recognize when to seek help. DJ learned that lesson firsthand. His determination has been tested in ways most adults can barely imagine. Diagnosed with brain and spinal cancer as a young child, DJ has undergone 13 brain surgeries. He has lived for years beyond an initial prognosis that gave him only months. Reading has also presented difficulties, yet he helped turn his experience into a book for other children. RELATED: You can medicate despair. You can’t manufacture meaning. Merovingian/Getty Images DJ’s father, Theodis, has been by his side throughout the journey. He has driven him across the country, stood with him at ceremonies, and encouraged him through grueling days. During the book’s development, he helped us work through illustrations, story ideas, and revisions by phone. His steady support helped make the project possible. We brought “Special Agent DJ” together in roughly four months. That schedule was ambitious for a children’s book, but we had a reason to move quickly: We wanted DJ to hold the finished book, see what he had helped create, and enjoy the accomplishment himself. A badge or a ceremony may seem like a small thing to someone watching from a distance. For DJ, every welcome from a police department has reinforced the kindness he encountered as a child. Each officer who embraced his dream helped him carry it a little farther. Parents and educators teach children many lessons about safety. Knowing when and how to ask a police officer for help deserves a place among them. A positive encounter can shape a child’s understanding of public service long after the immediate trouble has passed. DJ’s story began with a slice of pizza in a hurricane shelter. It grew into thousands of honorary swearing-in ceremonies, recognition in Washington, and a book he can share with children he has never met. Three officers had no way of knowing how far their kindness would travel. They simply saw a family who needed help and acted. That is the lesson we hope readers take from "Special Agent DJ": A small gesture can change the course of a life. --- ### Three straight white guys walk into a poetry reading ... **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** Blake Nelson | **Section:** Lifestyle **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/lifestyle/three-straight-white-guys-walk-into-a-poetry-reading.md I was on Facebook one day when I happened to see an event schedule for the super-woke nonprofit Literary Arts Bookstore we have here in Portland. I looked through the store's calendar. Most of the events were what you would expect: a young woman presenting her trauma memoir, a BIPOC reading night, a Chinese woman’s immigration story, a female brain surgeon’s journey through the sexist medical field ... All three of them knew exactly what they were allowed to write about. And they stayed inside those bounds. Then I saw something strange. It was an event that featured three young white guys. You don’t see a lot of literary readings by white guys in Portland. Or anywhere else. We’ve been at a low ebb of white guys in any kind of literary undertaking in recent years, unless they have written a book about their own toxicity or are revealing the secrets of the patriarchy. Maybe they were gay, or trans, or of some unusual ethnicity. Maybe they claimed to be Native American, like Elizabeth Warren. But their descriptions didn’t include any of those things. They were just three normal-looking white guys. They were poets. But that couldn’t be right. There had to be a catch. The good, the bad, and the certified Reading through the listing, I saw they had a lot of credentials. That made sense. You couldn’t just have three white guys reading poetry, unless they were seriously vetted and certified. All three of them had master’s degrees in the fine arts. One guy had a Ph.D. They had all won various poetry prizes. They had received poetry fellowships. They had held prestigious teaching positions. They were associate editors of important journals. In short, they had jumped through every hoop, subjugated themselves in every way, to be accepted into the woke academic poetry community — which typically hates people like them. Eyewitness to the improbable Of course I went to the reading. I wasn’t going to miss this. And anyway, I still assumed there was some angle. Some extenuating circumstance. I arrived and took a seat. There were a lot of people there. Were the other attendees thinking what I was thinking? How did these guys get this gig? They were all young and good-looking. That probably helped. The first guy was from Los Angeles. His poetry was about his difficult childhood under his football-coach father. Now he had a son of his own, which he had complicated feelings about. The next guy looked like he might be gay. But he too had a son. And a wife. And a house, apparently. He was smartly dressed and very personable. He looked like a young literature professor, back before such jobs became contentious and problematic. The last guy was younger than the other two. He did interesting things with poetry “on the page,” blacking out words and then crafting poems out of those that remained. He was clearly talented, but appeared oblivious to the ill-will he no doubt generated within the poetry community — taking up space as a privileged white male, while disadvantaged bodies struggled against systemic oppression. RELATED: 5 poems by Joseph Massey O.W. Root Silos The one thing I noticed about all three of the poets: they were “siloed” in what they wrote about. They rarely addressed anything outside their immediate familial situations. Their homes. Their sons. Their fathers. Their memories of those things. They did not write about their neighbors. Or the unrest in the streets. Or the identity politics that rule over all of us. They had learned to stay very close to home in their writing. No politics. No social commentary. Nothing controversial. No unruly thoughts. No sex or desire or horniness. It was all extremely contained. All three of them knew exactly what they were allowed to write about. And they stayed inside those bounds. One small step for man Still, they were there. They were reading in public. The Literary Arts woman who introduced them — gay, nose-ringed, POC — even made a joke about how shocked her colleagues were by their presence. Afterward, they signed books and mingled with the public. I stayed around for that. I felt a sense of relief from the crowd and from the poets themselves. Nobody had protested their presence. Nothing bad had happened. It seemed like white dudes were back. Within limits. And as long as they stuck to the script. And knew their place. And didn’t, you know, act too much like men. --- ### Alabama sheriff’s office spied on GOP challenger’s home, complaint alleges. Now the left wants that sheriff back. **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** Benjamin Roberts | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/alabama-ice-287g-surveillance-geofencing.md If you're a deputy sheriff upset that your Republican boss isn't doing enough to help with immigration enforcement and you decide to run for sheriff in Alabama, prepare to be fired and apparently spied on by your political opponents. Just ask former deputy and current Republican nominee for Lee County sheriff Cam Hunt. 'The meeting started at 9 a.m. By 9:10, I was walking out of there, calling my wife to tell her he'd fired me.' After launching his bid for sheriff and making immigration enforcement a central part of his campaign, someone inside the Lee County Sheriff's Office geofenced Hunt's home during the primary, according to a state ethics complaint and screenshots of the department's taxpayer-funded tracking system provided exclusively to Blaze News by Hunt. That geofence, allegedly enabled by the department's Verizon fleet GPS system, may have flagged deputies and county vehicles that visited Hunt during his campaign. On July 1, about four weeks after Hunt filed his complaint, deputies were told to turn in their GPS units because the office had canceled its Verizon contract, according to Hunt. The sensitive records the system is designed to collect are wiped on a recurring basis, and the state hasn't indicated that it will preserve materials related to the complaint, according to Hunt. Hunt, a Marine veteran, beat longtime Sheriff Jay Jones in the Republican sheriff primary on May 19, seven months after Jones fired him for informing him of his forthcoming campaign against him. Hunt says a whistleblower found his address in the geofence list shortly before that vote in May. But Hunt now faces a write-in campaign to keep Jones in office, backed by progressive activists who want a sheriff who will keep federal immigration enforcement out of Lee County. The local Republican Party has done little to stop it, according to Hunt. Screenshots provided exclusively to Blaze News by Hunt show two saved locations in the system covering Hunt's home and an adjoining lot he owns, he claimed. One of the geofences has four vehicle groups attached, each labeled with the name of a sheriff’s office lieutenant. The screenshots do not show what those groups were used for. RELATED: Maine got robbed under Democrat Matt Dunlap's nose. Now he's running for Congress. Blaze Media The screenshots do not show who built the geofences, when they were built, or whether any alerts went out. Hunt says a whistleblower spotted his address in the system before the primary. "From what they could tell, User 1 created a new account. User 2 went into the new account and used it to create the geofences," Hunt told Blaze News. "Once they were established, they went back to the User 1 account and deleted the new account. So, essentially, covering their tracks." Not long after the geofence was discovered, Jones' office canceled the Verizon contract linked to the system, according to Hunt. There has been no replacement. "It was to micromanage," Hunt said of how the system had been run. "It wasn't about officer safety or any of that." Hunt wrote an email to the Ethics Commission on Oct. 1 after commission staff told him the complaint was still "in line for review" by its legal team and that "no preservation request or other action has been taken." He has asked the commission to preserve the records "relating to the Lee County Sheriff's Office fleet GPS system" before they are lost. RELATED: GOP operative fired for 'OK' sign rehired after Blaze News report Blaze News Jones has denied any misuse. "The Sheriff's Office has not and would not allow the use of this system for any purpose not involved in the interest of public safety," Jones said in a September statement to WTVM-TV. Jones and the sheriff's office did not respond to requests for comment regarding the screenshots and the contract cancellation. Hunt beat Jones 9,301 to 8,994 in the May 19 GOP primary, denying Jones another term after a nearly three-decade tenure that began in 1998. Jones fired Hunt in October 2025, according to a letter and statement reported by WRBL-TV. The firing occurred immediately after Hunt informed Jones of his intention to challenge him in the Republican primary. "The meeting started at 9 a.m. By 9:10, I was walking out of there, calling my wife to tell her he'd fired me," Hunt said. Hunt ran on joining 287(g), the federal program that deputizes local officers to help enforce immigration law. Jones consistently refused to sign on leading up to the primary election. ICE's list of participating agencies shows at least 26 of Alabama's 67 sheriff's offices in the program. Lee County is not one of them. "If we did any less, we'd be a sanctuary county," Hunt said of Jones' approach. Jones says the program carries administrative and liability costs and that "the absence of 287(g) paperwork has never and will never stop our department from deporting illegal immigrants." His office reports 271 transfers to ICE custody in 2025 and 185 from January through September 2026. No Democrat is running for sheriff, so Hunt is the only name on the Nov. 3 ballot. That's not stopping liberal partisans, who have taken it upon themselves to organize a write-in campaign for Sheriff Jones. The idea surfaced in Indivisible Auburn Alabama's Facebook group the day after the primary. "Can we write in Jay Jones for Sheriff in November?" a member asked on May 20. RELATED: Fraud, fraud, and more fraud: How Maine became a Somali scammer's paradise Blaze News "We do not need a Sheriff who has made it abundantly clear that he wants to throw Lee County in with ICE and CBP," another post reads. The poster called on Democrats to write in Jones and called federal immigration agents' actions under the Trump administration "constitutional atrocities." On Aug. 11, the sheriff's office called claims that it doesn't cooperate with ICE "blatantly untrue" and said it "has, and will continue to, cooperate with ICE in the arrest, detention, and transfer" of people in the country illegally. When a commenter in the group pushed back that Jones "wants ICE here," a group administrator answered that Jones "has said he would not sign a 287g agreement." "While the letter isn't what most of us would want to hear, 287g would be worse," the administrator wrote. "I will be writing in Jay Jones." A former Lee County deputy took the effort public in September, and supporters made signs showing voters how to write Jones in. One supporter promoted an online store selling "write in Jay Jones" yard signs, stickers, and T-shirts; the link now returns an error. Absentee voting began Sept. 9. Jones has not disavowed the liberal write-in campaign against his own party's candidate. The Alabama GOP's sore-loser rules prevent primary candidates from running as Republicans again if they appear on the other party's ticket or endorse a write-in campaign after a primary loss. "If people wish to organize for a write-in candidacy, I'm very humbled they would feel that way," Jones told Now Georgia in September. "People have been kind to me over the years. They would like that to continue." Indivisible Auburn/Opelika did not respond to a request for comment. RELATED: Retiree radicalism: Behind the scenes with Maine's anti-ICE activists Blaze News Jones lost the sheriff's race, but he won a seat on the Alabama Republican Party's State Executive Committee on the same ballot. Hunt says his own party isn't standing up for him. On the day he spoke with Blaze News, Hunt was headed to a Lee County Republican lunch where Probate Judge Jere Colley was scheduled to answer questions about write-in voting. Hunt claimed he wasn't supposed to get the invitation. "I got the impression they weren't on board with it, but at the same time they weren't really willing to put pressure on Sheriff Jones to disavow it," Hunt said. "With the more recent things, I feel like it's a little more than that, and they're a little more complicit in it." Lee County GOP Chairman Cole Lawson told Blaze News that Jones assured him privately he "has not been involved" in the write-in campaign and "has not asked anybody to write his name in." RELATED: Exclusive: Republican operative fired after flashing 'OK' sign speaks out Blaze Media Actively campaigning against the nominee "would be grounds for removal" from the county executive committee, Lawson said, but declining to endorse is not. “The way this would work is, if a member of the Republican Party here chose to file a formal challenge to remove Sheriff Jones from the executive committee, they would file that to the executive committee," Lawson told Blaze News. "It would come to me to be the judge of whether that line had been crossed or not." The county party has not disavowed the write-in campaign. Lawson told Blaze News its message to voters is the same one it has pushed all cycle. "The Lee County GOP urges citizens to get out and vote straight-ticket Republican up and down the ballot on Nov. 3, like their livelihood depends on it." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Zelenskyy accuses Trump of taking the 'wrong side,' complains of betrayal **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** Joseph MacKinnon | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/zelenskyy-accuses-trump-of-taking-the-wrong-side-complains-of-betrayal.md Volodymyr Zelenskyy — the Ukrainian leader whose five-year presidential term officially ended over two years ago — is presently on a media blitz, trying to shore up British and European support. So far, his efforts have been successful even in Germany, where an ex-Ukrainian special forces officer is on trial for allegedly leading the undersea bombings of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in September 2022 — bombings that NATO initially appeared ready to treat as Article 5-triggering attacks. 'We are losing strong partner.' Zelenskyy has, however, also used his trip abroad to complain about Elon Musk and the United States as well as about President Donald Trump, who suggested on Saturday that Ukraine "should get a new leader who can make a deal." In an interview that aired on Wednesday, the eponymous host of "Piers Morgan Uncensored" concern-mongered about Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel and his call for an energy ceasefire. Morgan claimed that Trump had "thrown under the bus," then asked Zelenskyy whether he felt "betrayed." "Really, yes, really, between us," replied Zelenskyy. "But I mean, it's a little bit more complicated than just my emotions or my feelings." "Our country has to survive, and we count on our real partners, strategic partners — United States," continued the Ukrainian leader. "And President Trump, they wanted us not to attack . My opinion was, it is not fair." RELATED: Democrats slam Iran war gas prices but keep their climate surcharges On Saturday, Trump said that Ukraine "better damn well stop" attacking Russian oil refineries and stated, "Zelenskyy could have settled this war many times. Many, many times. And he chooses not to." The following day, he announced an energy ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. On Monday, Kyiv claimed that Moscow had violated the ceasefire. Kyiv has since resumed its strikes on Russian oil refineries. Zelenskyy told Morgan that Russia wants Trump to be "weak" and said with regard to the Russo-American diesel deal, "It's a pity that we are losing, we are losing strong partner." When asked whether he was "losing America," Zelenskyy answered in the affirmative. "It's painful when President Trump chooses one side — not our side," said Zelenskyy. "We are okay that he's in the middle, but if you're in the middle, you have to stay in the middle, not on the wrong side. I think his advisers are wrong." While the Ukrainian president insinuated that the U.S. is a fence-sitter, America has poured a fortune into Ukraine's defense and provided military and intelligence support to the beleaguered nation. Ukraine Oversight, Special Inspector General for Operation Atlantic Resolve Zelenskyy further suggested that Trump was being pushed away from the "right side of history." When asked about Zelenskyy's remarks, a White House official told Blaze News that President Trump "wants this war settled so the senseless killing ends. The president and his team remain committed to continuing to play a constructive role in ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, and he remains optimistic that we’ll ultimately get a peace deal done." "The United States continues to play a constructive role in speaking to both sides in working towards bringing the war to an end," continued the official. "We are the only country in the world that can play that role." Neither the Department of War nor the State Department responded to Blaze News' request for comment. On the theme of betrayal, Zelenskyy also alleged to Morgan that Kyiv had missed warnings from allies about imminent missile attacks because Starlink connectivity was deliberately restricted, "blocked of course by the SpaceX and of course by the United States." "This decision will bring a lot of human losses," said Zelenskyy. "Of course, people will die." SpaceX did not respond to Blaze News' request for comment. Musk emphasized on Thursday that "Starlink is a commercial service owned and controlled by SpaceX. Usage of Starlink is limited to civilian or defensive activities and cannot be used for offensive military action, as doing so would be inappropriate for a commercial company." Musk noted further that "Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government. Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS." Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's former minister of defense, noted on Wednesday that "Starlink connectivity at speeds of up to 160 km/h is being restored. Removing Starshield’s speed limit entirely is now critical for Ukraine’s defense. Thank you, @elonmusk . We hope for your continued support." When asked whether he plans to step down, Zelenskyy — who has dissolved rival parties and consolidated Ukraine's media outlets — said, "Not, of course. This is my responsibility." The Ukrainian president emphasized that his ouster would be a "decision, of course, of our people, not Trump, not Musk, not anyone." Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, said that Zelenskyy has proven incapable of making the "very difficult decisions to stop this war," adding that "either Zelenskyy takes on that responsibility and demonstrates that political will, or he does not," reported the Kyiv Post. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Democrats may ride a blue wave on a red script **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** Daniel Horowitz | **Section:** Opinion **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/columns/opinion/democrats-may-ride-a-blue-wave-on-a-red-script.md Democrats are poised for a good night on November 3. The only question is how far into Republican territory their gains will reach. Yet unlike the Democratic waves of 2006, 2008, and 2018, this election has no unmistakable leftward pull. Watch the ads. Democrats are attacking Republicans on issues that conservatives should own. Trump won Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Ohio, and Texas by double digits in 2024. Now Republicans must defend Senate seats in every one of them, along with North Carolina, which Trump also carried. Georgia, another Trump state, has a Democratic incumbent senator that Republicans appear unlikely to unseat. Some of the fiercest contests are unfolding where the GOP should be cruising. Trump’s endorsements helped protect milquetoast incumbents from serious primary challenges. Now Republicans must spend millions defending them. It’s political malpractice. Does this mean voters have embraced the left? The Democratic Party’s commercials suggest the opposite. They seldom lead with abortion, transgender ideology, or illegal immigration, though those issues will surely figure in their governing agenda. Instead, Democrats attack inflation, health care costs, insider trading, data centers, Big Tech surveillance, and the Epstein scandal. Some of these spots would fit comfortably in a conservative primary. We’re losing an election for things we don’t even believe in. Republicans embraced the cost of living as the “golden economy” while Democrats run on affordability, corruption, and opposition to corporate favors. Voters hear one party attacking powerful interests and another defending them. Guess which one holds the White House? Take Texas. James Talarico, the radical leftist running against Ken Paxton, recently attacked Paxton for tax breaks and campaign donations tied to data centers that are “selling off Texas — our land, our water, our communities.” Talarico also promoted an ad calling out Biden for “failing us on the border” and promising to put Texas first. I could have written those attacks against a corporatist Republican myself! In Ohio, former Senator Sherrod Brown (D) casts Republican attacks on transgender issues as distractions from gas prices, groceries, and health care. He goes after Senator Jon Husted (R) for promoting data centers across Ohio. Rather than defending their cultural agenda, Democrats make Republicans look like the ones obsessing over it while families struggle. Independent Dan Osborn is doing something similar against Sen. Pete Ricketts (R) in Nebraska. His ads tie Ricketts to Epstein, challenge the importation of foreign beef over Nebraska cattle, and promote right-to-repair laws — a cause I have championed while few Republicans joined me. Osborn also condemns Ricketts’ vote to pardon a convicted rapist who had already served his prison sentence. That is a political opening no tough-on-crime conservative should offer. RELATED: Democrats have a political violence problem Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images I have no faith in Osborn to govern as a conservative. But why hand him those openings? He is hammering Ricketts over sprawling data centers and casting himself as the champion of farmers and ranchers. The Senate Leadership Fund is pouring another $8 million into Nebraska, a state Trump won by 20 points. Trump’s endorsements helped protect milquetoast incumbents from serious primary challenges. Now Republicans must spend millions defending them. It’s political malpractice. In Kansas, Democrats are running an ad condemning Sen. Roger Marshall (R) for voting against releasing Epstein files and quoting his remark that the matter was “not of much interest to me.” Trump won Kansas by 16 points. The state hasn't elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1932. Yet a toxic mix of corporate baggage, scandal, and a rudderless Republican agenda has put even this seat in play. Campaigns have aired more than 160 different Epstein-related ads this cycle, backed by more than $35 million in airtime, according to CNN’s analysis of AdImpact data. Democrats have found an issue that lets them sound like the outsiders demanding accountability while Republicans defend the status quo. The same pattern holds in Georgia. Incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff is attacking Flock cameras and Big Tech surveillance, issues most Blaze readers would recognize as legitimate threats to liberty. I don’t trust Ossoff to get them right. But my kind of Republican would never give him such an easy target. Why did the GOP? RELATED: On ‘Meet the Press,’ El-Sayed denied his family's ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. Hours later, the receipts landed. Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images Michigan offers another example. Abdul El-Sayed, perhaps the Democrats’ most radical Senate nominee, isn’t running ads about making the Muslim Brotherhood great again. He’s attacking Republican Mike Rogers for promoting government surveillance and saying officials would love to get “one-tenth of what Google has on you.” Once again, Democrats have seized ground conservatives should occupy. Then comes Iran. The war has battered energy prices and supply chains. Trump opened with two weeks of bombing and failed to plan for Iran's predictable disruption of the Strait of Hormuz. Even from a hawkish perspective, what meaningful objectives did he accomplish? That is another glass jaw Republicans did not need to inherit. After Nov. 3, conservatives will face a long conversation about what went wrong. No single issue explains it. For two years, the movement has been pimping Big Tech, protecting Epstein, defending corporate welfare, and selling an economic message that bears little resemblance to what voters experience. None of that is inherent in conservative principles. Democrats may be on the cusp of a blue wave, but they’ve written it with a red script. If conservatives refuse to learn, Democrats will repeat the performance in 2028 while Trump remains president. We need to break out of the paralysis of the Trump era and write our own script — so we can finally win or lose on what we believe. --- ### The tyranny of tipping **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** John Mac Ghlionn | **Section:** Lifestyle **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/lifestyle/the-tyranny-of-tipping.md America is synonymous with a peculiar list of cultural exports: Coca-Cola, Bruce Springsteen, peanut butter on everything, monster trucks, prescription drug commercials with terrifying side effects, and, of course, tipping. I remember the first time I visited the United States, some 16 years ago, shortly after finishing high school. Coming from a country where leaving a few spare coins on the table was considered high praise, the whole business felt like navigating a Vietnamese minefield. The actual employers are nowhere in sight while customers and workers fight over spare change like gladiators in an arena made of iPad swivel stands. I was genuinely shocked to discover that tipping wasn’t an optional nod to genuinely exceptional service. No, like breathing and blinking, it was mandatory. Tapped out For my first few weeks in your great nation, I harbored a genuine fear that the FBI would burst through my door and drag me away to a federal penitentiary unless I gave a generous 20% to every human who handed me a donut. Many visitors find this arrangement odd, even tyrannical. Back home, if someone hands you a cup of coffee, they hand you the coffee, you pay the price listed on the board, and everyone moves on with their lives. Nobody looks at you like you just insulted their lineage because you didn't pay an extra three dollars for the act of turning a paper cup around. Americans themselves appear to be getting fed up. A 2026 LendingTree survey found that a quarter of consumers are tipping less as they cut restaurant spending amid higher food costs. Other polling points directly at the mechanism driving everyone insane: Two-thirds of Americans say they feel pressured to tip when a digital payment screen displaying suggested amounts is visible to the employee. Screen-grab That payment screen is the real villain of this decade. You used to tip a waiter at a booth or a valet who drove your car. In 2026, you face a digital tablet turned toward you at a self-service bakery, a dry cleaner, and a drive-thru window. The cashier presses a button, spins the screen around with a practiced flip of the wrist, and stares directly into both your eyes and your soul. The screen offers four giant preset buttons: 18%, 20%, 25%, or “Custom.” Finding the “No Tip” option requires a master’s degree in user interface design and the shamelessness of a Scientologist. You stand there panicking, aware that three people in line behind you are also casting judgment. You hit 20% not because it’s necessarily the right thing to do but because it’s the quickest way to escape with some level of dignity. America has built an economy where basic human transactions increasingly require a tax on awkwardness. The logic of the system vanished long ago. You step up to a counter, a worker reaches two inches to the left, grabs a bag of chips, hands it to you, and suddenly you are expected to subsidize the worker's salary. The actual employers are nowhere in sight while customers and workers fight over spare change like gladiators in an arena made of iPad swivel stands. Customer servitude The history behind this custom is darker than you might expect. Tipping migrated to the United States from Europe in the 19th century, adopted in part by wealthy Americans eager to imitate European aristocratic manners. It was not warmly received. Newspapers and labor activists denounced the practice as un-American, servile, and little better than bribery. By 1915, several states had banned it. Employers, however, discovered an obvious advantage: Tips allowed customers to shoulder part of the payroll. The notorious Pullman Company paid its mostly black porters miserable wages while expecting passengers to make up the difference. Restaurants likewise came to rely heavily on gratuities. The anti-tipping laws didn't last; by the 1920s, they had been repealed or struck down. A version of that arrangement survives in federal law today. In states that allow the full federal tip credit, an employer can pay a tipped worker as little as $2.13 an hour in direct wages, provided wages and tips together reach at least the federal minimum wage. And now we have somehow expanded tipping beyond the occupations on which this peculiar system was built. The prompt appears whether anyone carried your bags, waited on your table, parked your car, or did much of anything beyond operating a cash register. RELATED: America’s young are being recruited into socialism — one dance party at a time Bettman/Michael Tullberg/Getty Images Turning Japanese Better alternatives exist worldwide, and they manage without subjecting every purchase to a moral referendum. Japan has essentially no everyday tipping culture; the country’s own tourism authority warns that attempting to tip can cause confusion or discomfort. Across much of Europe, gratuities tend to be smaller, less automatic, and less central to how service workers are paid. You see a price. You pay it. Everyone survives. Now, I know I‘m not American, so telling you how to run your country can sound offensive. That is not my intention. You have built a remarkable nation that gave us jazz, the moon landing, road trips, sitcoms, backyard barbecues, Clint Eastwood, Britney Spears with hair and without, and avocado toast. I am simply a genuine fan and frequent visitor who would prefer to buy an espresso without being asked to subsidize the payroll or shell out a small ransom for an already overpriced blueberry muffin. --- ### The global meritocracy myth sells Americans’ inheritance cheap **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** Auron MacIntyre | **Section:** Opinion **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/columns/opinion/the-global-meritocracy-myth-sells-americans-inheritance-cheap.md Americans are being told that restricting legal immigration would rig the competition for jobs and college seats. Apparently, allowing citizens to compete with the entire planet is “meritocracy,” while giving them preference in their own country is “discrimination.” The argument has gained force as scrutiny moves from illegal crossings to work visas and foreign student admissions. Employers use H-1B visas to recruit skilled workers, and public universities often collect higher tuition from students who live outside their states. Critics of tighter visa rules portray any preference for Americans as a kind of affirmative action for the native-born. A nation is its people, not an economic zone meant for optimization. Even if a global meritocracy were possible, it would be immoral to subject your nation to it. The claim assumes something remarkable: America exists chiefly to administer a worldwide talent contest. Its citizens have no special claim on the institutions, industries, and opportunities their country built. Even on its own terms, the global meritocracy argument collapses under scrutiny. It’s a myth. Merit requires standards, judges, and rules. A perfect score wins in bowling; a low score wins in golf. Hit the pins with a golf ball on a bowling lane and nobody objects. Roll that same ball across a putting green with your hand and you have cheated. What counts as skill depends on the rules of the game. Standards require a recognized authority too. University admissions present a far harder problem. Americans argue endlessly about standardized tests, grades, extracurricular activities, and what a degree should prove. Colleges that abandoned entrance exams are now restoring them, while others still refuse to consider scores. Even within one country, administrators cannot agree on what qualifies an applicant. Now expand that disagreement worldwide. Some countries place extraordinary pressure on students to excel in examinations that determine their educational futures. Others rely more heavily on interviews, recommendations, or years of coursework. Each system rewards different habits. More importantly, credentials are only as reliable as the institutions that issue them and the people who verify their authenticity. Academic fraud also complicates the picture. Cheating and plagiarism plague American schools, and universities abroad confront their own scandals. Cheating and plagiarism are endemic in China and India. India’s University Grants Commission maintains a public list of institutions that lack authority to award degrees, but diploma mills where credentials are manufactured at scale remain rampant. An American diploma hardly guarantees competence, either. Universities have diluted requirements, expanded administrative bureaucracies, and sold credentials whose value employers increasingly question. Yet the remedy for weak standards is honest verification, not faith that a global marketplace will somehow discover merit on its own. RELATED: The real power of college has nothing to do with the classroom Blaze Media Illustration Culture adds another complication. Americans generally expect a posted store price to apply to every customer. In markets where bargaining is customary, skill can mean negotiating the lowest price through patience, personal relationships, and persistence. The same conduct can be admired in one setting and treated as manipulation in another. Importing large numbers of people also imports habits, expectations, and assumptions about fairness. A country that refuses to acknowledge this invites conflict over the rules by which everyone is expected to live. We have our own contradictions. Universities and employers spent years elevating diversity goals alongside measures of achievement. Courts and lawmakers have pushed back against some of those practices. On paper, federal law prohibits hiring discrimination based on race, sex, and national origin. Still, anyone who watched institutions defend racial preferences should be skeptical when those same institutions suddenly invoke neutral merit as an unquestionable principle. The H-1B debate raises a separate problem. Federal rules require employers to pay visa workers at least the applicable prevailing wage or the wage paid to comparable employees, whichever is higher. The program was not written as permission to hire foreign workers at half price. But wage safeguards are only as good as enforcement, and employers can still gain leverage when a worker’s legal status depends heavily on keeping a particular job. That dependency can hurt both the foreign employee and the American applicant. An employer may prefer the worker who has fewer options. Calling the resulting arrangement a free and fair contest does not make it one. Even a perfect ranking of talent would not answer who America's schools and employers ought to serve. An American need not prove superior intelligence or virtue to claim a privileged place in his own country. RELATED: Stop ‘owning the libs’ and start owning institutions Blaze Media Illustration The case against the feasibility of a global meritocracy is sound, but the most important argument against the practice is one of ownership. A nation is its people, not an economic zone meant for optimization. Even if a global meritocracy were possible, it would be immoral to subject your nation to it. The opportunities inside a country do not emerge from the ether. Americans inherit institutions built through generations of work, investment, and sacrifice. They finance schools, build infrastructure, defend borders, and bear the cost of political failure. The inheritance carries a moral claim, just as children have a claim to their parents’ estate. Americans may welcome foreign talent when it serves their interests. They can debate which visas advance national purposes and how many to grant. They are not obligated to treat every qualified applicant on earth as equally entitled to the opportunities their country provides. Citizenship must carry a claim that a temporary visa cannot erase. Calling visa restrictions “DEI for Americans” turns national obligation into an accusation of unfairness. Advocates of limitless competition insist that any preference for Americans violates meritocracy, even while relying on institutions that cannot agree on merit's meaning or enforce its rules. Their supposedly neutral standard disguises a political demand. A nation that treats its people as interchangeable bidders in a global labor auction has surrendered its purpose. America was not built to supply corporations with cheap labor or universities with tuition-paying students. Americans have every right to prefer their own people, especially in employment and college admissions. Their future should not be sacrificed on the altar of economic ideology. --- ### Alabama man allegedly decapitated his grandmother and aunt with chainsaw **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** Carlos Garcia | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/alabama-chainsaw-decapitation-aunt-grandmother.md A 47-year-old man was arrested after his elderly grandmother and his aunt were found gruesomely killed at their home in Mobile, Alabama. Court transcripts reveal that a frantic call for help was made to police on Monday about Thomas Steele's erratic statements and behavior. 'He's doing some bizarre things, and I don't know if that's, uh ... good or. ... He says he’s just going to live for God.' Christy Deloach, 65, called 911 about 11 a.m., according to records obtained by WALA-TV. Deloach said in the call that her nephew was "off his medication for lithium, and I'm not sure who to call or contact." "He gave away his phone ... and giving his car away. Um, he's doing some bizarre things, and I don't know if that's, uh ... good or," she added. "He says he's just going to live for God and not going to have any kind of electronics." The dispatcher asked Deloach if she needed medical help. "It's in his mind. He's following God," she responded. "I just needed to figure out what to do. ... He's calm! He's not violent or anything. So, I guess I'll just let it play itself out," she added. The dispatcher gave Deloach the number for the police department, and the call ended. About two hours later, police were called to the home on Carolina Court and reported finding the bodies of Deloach and 85-year-old Dora Boone, the grandmother of Steele. They were decapitated with a chainsaw. Police said Steele was standing outside the home. He was arrested and booked into the Mobile County Metro Jail on two charges of murder. RELATED: Wife and son helped father dismember man's body with a chainsaw after a lethal poker game, police say He was denied bond on Tuesday, according to a WKRG-TV report, and the judge ordered a competency examination for the suspect. Steele was told a public defender would be appointed for him, and he gave a bizarre response. "No, kill him," he said. Deloach's boss at the hair salon where she worked for 15 years said she had mentioned that her nephew was bipolar. "She was one of the first employees we had when we took over. And just a real sweet girl. Beautiful person. I considered her a friend," Lenny Zanghi said. "I'm just going to miss her and think about her every day," Zanghi continued. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Glenn Beck: The girl everyone thought was dead opened her eyes **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** BlazeTV Staff | **Section:** The Glenn Beck Program **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/shows/the-glenn-beck-program/glenn-beck-the-girl-everyone-thought-was-dead-opened-her-eyes.md This last Saturday, a 15-year-old girl in a remote Guatemalan village was believed to be dead. Her family brought her home for a wake, and mourners gathered around her coffin. Then, hours later, she opened her eyes. The extraordinary story prompts Glenn Beck to revisit a forgotten historical fear held by even George Washington — being buried alive. “Some say her father was carrying her towards a clinic and just felt her go still. Some say she had gotten to the hospital and the hospital pronounced her dead,” Glenn explains. “And Dad has put her in a box. He gets a box, picks daughter up, I mean, it’s, you know, the mountains. Picks her up, puts her in the box, puts her in the car, drives her home. The coffin goes into the house, and they start having a wake and, you know, doing it the way that generations in Guatemala and the mountains have done it forever,” he says. “All the neighbors come, women are bringing food, somebody lights candles, nobody leaves her alone. Seven hours, maybe eight, she’s perfectly still in the box,” he continues. “Around 2:30 in the afternoon, somebody is standing near the coffin and sees the girl’s eyes open up. She doesn’t move, just her eyes open up,” he says. “Then she tries to sit up.” That’s when they started giving her oxygen. Now, it’s reported that she is “getting better every day.” “There’s no medical report. Nobody has produced a death certificate, you know, nothing. Deep faint, heart that goes quiet, body goes cold, frightened father can’t find a pulse, goes to the hospital, they can’t find a pulse,” Glenn says. And had she not woken up, had they buried her too quickly, she would have been buried alive. “Being still in the room,” Glenn says, is what saved the girl. And this is what George Washington was afraid of. “Washington wasn’t afraid of dying. He said so. The fear was being given up on while you still could be reached,” Glenn explains. “And we do that now, not with coffins. We do that with people. The marriage that we call dead. The friend we wrote off. The son who wandered off and stopped calling. We’ve written them off,” he continues. “We pronounce it. We close the lid. And we go home early. The bell never saved anybody. What saved things were those people who refused to leave the room,” he adds. Want more from Glenn Beck? To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis, and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream. --- ### Democrats can't erase the price shock of the Biden years **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** William Holmes | **Section:** Opinion **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/columns/opinion/democrats-can-t-erase-the-price-shock-of-the-biden-years.md House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) says Republicans have "done nothing to make life more affordable for the American people" and instead have "made life more expensive." That’s a remarkable accusation from a party that presided over a historic jump in consumer prices and continues to defend policies that add to the bills families pay. With the November midterms approaching, Democrats want voters to blame Donald Trump for the cost of groceries, rent, power, and gasoline. They should first account for the prices Americans inherited when Trump returned to office — and for the costs imposed by Democrat-led states. Americans did not forget what groceries and rent cost four years ago. Democrats should not expect them to forget who held power when those prices took off. Start with inflation. The Federal Reserve aims for 2% annual inflation over time. Even when inflation slows, prices generally keep rising. A smaller annual increase does not reverse the larger increases that came before it. According to the consumer price index, overall prices climbed about 21% during Joe Biden's presidency. They rose roughly another 5% between January 2025 and August 2026, the latest available monthly data. Inflation has not stopped: The August report put the 12-month rate at 3.4%. But the distinction between the rate of inflation and the price level explains why families still feel the squeeze from the Biden years. Household essentials tell the story. The Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded increases of more than 20% in grocery prices and residential rents during Biden's term. Electricity costs rose by roughly 30%. Slower subsequent increases leave those earlier jumps in place. At the pump, the weekly national average hit $5.01 a gallon in June 2022, during Biden's term. It peaked at $4.50 so far in Trump's second term, amid disruptions to oil supplies due to the Iran war. Nominal term averages have run $3.46 under Biden and $3.43 so far under Trump, according to federal energy data. Still, the household costs Democrats now denounce were already elevated when Biden left office. The party cannot credibly campaign as though American families began paying those bills in January 2025. State policy makes the contradiction sharper. The Federation for American Immigration Reform, which favors stricter immigration enforcement, estimated in 2023 that illegal immigration imposed a net fiscal cost of $150.7 billion a year on federal, state and local taxpayers. The report raises a question Democrat officials cannot dismiss: Who pays for education, health care, and other public services as migration increases? RELATED: The diesel panic cure could make the disease worse Frederic J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images Housing supplies another pressure point. A September 2026 Brookings study estimated that the post-pandemic immigration surge raised rents in receiving metropolitan areas by 1.4% to 1.6%. Policymakers who expand immigration without making room for more housing should expect renters to notice. Electricity offers an even clearer test of state choices. An analysis publicized by the American Energy Alliance found that rates rose 32.4% from 2014 to 2024 in states that backed the Democrat presidential nominee in 2020 and 2024, compared with 18.5% in Republican-voting states. States with mandatory renewable portfolio standards also saw larger increases than those without them. Voters should ask what those mandates cost. When House lawmakers passed legislation requiring state utility regulators to consider shielding ratepayers from new data-center infrastructure costs, Senate Democrats blocked its advance. Families watching their power bills climb deserved a better result. Taxes provide another point of comparison. Visual Capitalist's analysis estimated that a New Jersey resident would pay about $1.36 million in federal, state, and local taxes over a lifetime, equal to 48.2% of estimated earnings. Eight of the 10 highest-tax states in that ranking had Democrat governing trifectas in 2026. The concentration is striking. RELATED: The kindness con: Fraudsters exploit America’s safety net Aleksei-veprev/Getty Images New Jersey, my home state, levies the nation's highest top corporate income tax rate, 11.5%. Burlington has announced plans to shift its headquarters to Philadelphia, and Samsung has announced a headquarters move to Texas. ExxonMobil moved its legal domicile to Texas. Lawmakers should consider what those departures say about the state's tax and regulatory climate. The state's employment figures offer another warning. New Jersey's initial estimate of 25,600 jobs lost in July was subsequently revised to 21,900. Officials have reason to examine the burdens they put on employers. Americans have also seen welcome gains. The Census Bureau reported that real median household income reached a record $87,460 in 2025, up 2.6% from 2024, while the official poverty rate fell to 10.2%. Median income for black households rose 4.8%. Democrats are free to make their case that Republican policies have made life more expensive. Voters should require them to answer for their own record: the price surge under Biden, the tax burdens in Democrat-led states, the cost of energy mandates, and the fiscal consequences of immigration policy. Americans did not forget what groceries and rent cost four years ago. Democrats should not expect them to forget who held power when those prices took off. --- ### MS Now reporter tries to cover for Ilhan Omar — and accidentally makes the case for mass deportation **Published:** October 15, 2026 | **Author:** Carlos Garcia | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/ms-now-case-mass-deportation.md Ken Dilanian of MS Now probably didn't think he'd inadvertently make the case for mass deportation at the progressive news channel, but that is what happened Wednesday. Dilanian and others were discussing the targeted raid on Monday of the Washington, D.C., residence of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) by Homeland Security Investigations. 'You would find a lot of cases, perhaps, where people fudged facts, where things weren't all as they were represented.' "There's obviously a pattern here, and it would be crazy not to address the pattern and fit her into the context. But again, we have not seen the underlying evidence," host Katy Tur said. "Why her D.C. home? If it is about immigration and fraud on paperwork, why the D.C. home?" she asked. Dilanian responded that they could only speculate on the evidence in the case at this point in the investigation before he offered a curious defense. "I think the larger issue is, we all know that if you scrutinize every refugee case, everybody who came here as a refugee and then became naturalized, and you went through that with a fine-tooth comb, you would find a lot of cases, perhaps, where people fudged facts, where things weren't all as they were represented," he said. Video of Dilanian's comments were posted to social media, where many noted that fudging facts on an asylum application is grounds for deportation. He went on to muse about the possibility that the Trump administration was weaponizing the government against Omar because she's an outspoken opponent of his policies. "The question here is, the federal government has a limited amount of resources. Where are they directing those investigative resources? Are they doing it in a fair way or a vindictive way?" he added. "That's, I think, what's really at the heart of the case: Is this on the level, or are they doing this because it's an outspoken critic of the president who's been targeted by right-wing conspiracy theories for more than a decade?" Dilanian concluded. RELATED: Ilhan Omar hit with yet ANOTHER investigation — this time from Jeanine Pirro The progressive congresswoman responded to the raid in a post on social media. "Make no mistake: this is an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement. For ten years, Trump has targeted me with baseless lies and smear campaigns. This is just the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation," Omar wrote. "I will not be silenced," she concluded. Omar is also being investigated over her financial disclosures, according to District of Columbia U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Ninth Circuit SLAPS DOWN Newsom law restricting ICE operations **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** Carlos Garcia | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/9th-circuit-id-newsom-ice.md A new California law requiring federal immigration agents to wear identification during their operations was permanently slapped down by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Critics of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations say masked and unidentifiable agents pose a risk to illegal alien targets as well as the greater public. 'No set of circumstances exist under which the Act would be valid.' On Wednesday, the three-judge panel of the appeals court said the state could not restrict federal operations without congressional approval. "We conclude ... the No Vigilantes Act attempts to directly regulate the United States in its performance of governmental functions," Judge Mark J. Bennett wrote. "No set of circumstances exist under which the Act would be valid." The ruling said the law violated the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. Department of Justice had sued to stop the identification law as well as another restriction barring federal agents from using masks during operations. In April, the same court struck down a similar restriction issued by California. "If a state law directly regulates the governmental conduct of the United States without congressional authorization, it is void irrespective of whether the regulated activities are essential to federal functions or operations, and irrespective of the degree to which the state law interferes with such functions or operations," Bennett wrote at the time. More than a dozen other states have similar laws intended to oppose federal immigration operations. A request for comment from the governor's office was not returned in time for publication. First Assistant United States Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli has responded with ridicule to other efforts by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to restrict ICE operations. "If you want to regulate federal agents, you have to win a federal election," Essayli responded to Newsom over new restrictions at the end of September. "Until then, you have no jurisdiction," Essayli added. "Accordingly, I have advised DHS to disregard your bill attempting to ban safe and effective less-lethal tools that agents need to escalate dangerous situations." RELATED: DOJ hilariously MOCKS Newsom after he signs bills to restrict ICE operations in California Newsom has tried to position himself as the foremost opponent to the president's policy in an apparent campaign to increase his name recognition and run for president. In the most recent polling, the governor falls far behind Kamala Harris in the race for the Democratic nomination, with support from only 15% of voters, compared to 30% for Harris. Newsom has also indicated that he would not run for president if Harris decided to run again after losing to President Donald Trump in 2024. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### GUITAR HERO: Metallica front man puts music before political 'bulls**t' **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** Andrew Chapados | **Section:** Lifestyle **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/lifestyle/metallica-james-hetfield-political-views.md "Enter Sandman," exit politics. During a recent show at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Metallica front man James Hetfield assured fans that the band had come to play music, not deliver a political message. 'Metallica is not here, like some other entertainers, to influence you with their bulls**t.' Nothing else matters Metallica recently kicked off a 24-date residency at the Sphere that runs through March 2027. During Saturday night's performance, Hetfield paused to thank fans for making the trip. "Unless you live in Vegas, you've come a long way to spend some time with Metallica. We're grateful for that," Hetfield began in a clip that's since gone viral. "Your travels, the money you spent, the time it took. Thanks for coming to celebrate with us." Then he made clear what fans could expect from the band. "And I just got to say, Metallica is not here, like some other entertainers, to influence you with their bulls**t, OK? We are here — no bulls**t — we're here to forget about all the outside s**t, OK? Metallica's agenda is love, energy, and heavy music, baby!" The 63-year-old has held this position for years, declining to share his political opinions even when directly asked. RELATED: 50-year-old rock star tears up at MLB playoff game — only Millennials will understand Ride the lightning In a 2017 interview with Chilean newspaper La Tercera, Hetfield was asked his opinion of President Donald Trump, then in his first term. "Everyone has one, but I keep mine to myself," Hetfield replied, according to a translation of his remarks. "I am an artist, a singer who plays guitar in a band," he explained. "I hate politics. I don't want to talk about politics. It separates people, and I want to connect them with music." Hetfield worried that taking political sides would alienate fans. "If I say 'I love Trump' or 'I hate Trump,' someone can say, 'Then I don't like his music anymore,' which is very silly," he said. RELATED: Country singer Kacey Musgraves unleashes foul-mouthed rant against 'loser' Christopher Columbus – conservatives fire back Mike Lewis Photography/Redferns Shill 'em all Other musicians have been more than happy to bring politics to the forefront of their performances. Bruce Springsteen recently criticized Trump and ICE agents during a concert in Maryland. Paramore singer Hayley Williams has also repeatedly attacked Trump supporters, calling MAGA fans "pieces of s**t" at a recent show in New Orleans. Rapper Macklemore went even further, delivering a pro-Palestinian speech while opening for Ed Sheeran on a stadium tour. The remarks prompted objections from stadium operators, and Macklemore was subsequently dropped from the tour. Sheeran, who said the decision belonged to the tour's promoter, defended his own reluctance to bring politics into his concerts, explaining that fans don't come to his shows expecting a political forum. It seems Hetfield agrees. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Ilhan Omar hit with yet ANOTHER investigation — this time from Jeanine Pirro **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** Carlos Garcia | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/ilhan-omar-jeanine-pirro-finances.md District of Columbia U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro revealed that her office is investigating Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. In an interview on Fox News, Pirro opined about the possibility of criminal charges for Omar after Homeland Security Investigations agents performed a targeted raid on her residence Monday in Washington, D.C. 'It doesn't matter what the House does. It doesn't matter what this agency or that does. We're looking at the facts. Based upon the facts, we'll follow them wherever they take us.' "What you have is Homeland Security. They do everything from narcotics to immigration. They got a warrant signed by a federal judge," Pirro told Fox anchor John Roberts on Tuesday. "So you've got the executive branch through HSI going to a federal judge, who is cognizant of the Fourth Amendment rights of any target, who said, 'You have the right to search this person's house,'" she added. "Based upon that execution of that warrant, we will see what comes of it." "But you had to have probable cause, right?" Roberts asked. "There's no question that that judge would not have signed that warrant unless there was probable cause — and probably more than that, given the individual who's involved and given the fact that we're in the nation's capital with judges in the nation's capital," she replied. "But more than that, it is upon the execution of the warrant that we will see — are we dealing with civil immigration issues? Because they've made it clear this is about immigration from the warrant itself. Are we dealing with criminal immigration issues?" Pirro said. "There are several investigations going on, and I don't think there's any question, but if there's a crime that was committed, it will be prosecuted," she added. Roberts then asked about allegations of financial misconduct against Omar related to apparent discrepancies on political disclosures. He pointed out that the Office of Congressional Conduct voted 5-1 to recommend dismissal of the allegations to the Ethics Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. "That doesn't matter," Pirro responded. "I can tell you that is subject to an investigation as well," she added. "And it doesn't matter, it doesn't matter what the House does. It doesn't matter what this agency or that does. We're looking at the facts. Based upon the facts, we'll follow them wherever they take us." "This is your office that's doing this?" Roberts asked. "Yes," she replied. RELATED: 'He's been saying some dumb s**t': Ilhan Omar MELTS DOWN when reporter presses her on Homan probe into brother A Blaze News request for comment to Pirro’s office was not immediately answered. Omar resubmitted a 2024 financial disclosure filing in April 2026, and her lawyer claimed accountants had provided incorrect valuations for companies owned by her husband. The old valuations "did not take into account the liabilities of each of the companies," the lawyer said, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. She has denied any wrongdoing and accused the Trump administration of abusing the powers of government to attack its political opponents. She has also previously asserted that the value range for her assets reflects the full value of the businesses and not the lower value of the percentage of the business that is actually owned by her husband. On Monday, she responded to the DHS raid on her home. "I’m ok. Make no mistake: this is an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement. For ten years, Trump has targeted me with baseless lies and smear campaigns. This is just the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation," she wrote on social media. "I will not be silenced," Omar concluded. Omar's office and campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Blaze News. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### For 13 days it ‘wasn’t illegal’ — then Jane Doe's story flipped **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** BlazeTV Staff | **Section:** Pat Gray Unleashed **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/shows/pat-gray-unleashed/for-13-days-it-wasnt-illegal-then-jane-does-story-flipped.md In the viral Cornell 7 case, a series of text messages have drawn ire regarding how the alleged sexual encounter at Cornell University was initially described — and how the woman’s account changed nearly two weeks later. BlazeTV host Pat Gray calls it “a crazy story.” “I’ve kind of avoided talking about it, because what do you say about it? … I mean, it’s such a risque story from start to finish. It’s hard to even know what to say about it. But there was a little incident involving a woman and a bunch of men,” he says on “Pat Gray Unleashed.” “And initially, supposedly, according to her even, it was all consensual,” he adds. Gray explains that originally, one of the accused was texting “Jane Doe” and apologized for things getting “a little out of control.” “And she was basically telling him not to worry about it. It was all fine,” Gray says, noting that in the text messages, she even called what happened “not illegal.” “And if I’m not mistaken, rape is illegal. So it apparently wasn’t that,” he continues. “She said a lot of things that would seem to exonerate them, but then, as time went on, she started feeling differently about it. And I’m guessing she got some heat from people around her. I don’t know,” he adds. In one exchange, Newell tells Jane Doe, “You’re an amazing person and I genuinely hope you’re not catching as much heat from this as we are. We’ve been shutting down any stories we’ve heard, but again, I’m so sorry.” Jane Doe responded “Ah, Jonathan, I really appreciate this text. My memory's super clouded too. I think we were all way too freaking drunk and high.” Thirteen days later, Jane Doe’s story flipped when she claimed that “90% of the night was not consensual.” “But did she say ‘no’? We don’t even know that because they were all drunk and on ketamine. And now, I guess that releases anybody from any responsibility whatsoever if you’ve taken ketamine or you’re drunk,” Gray comments. “There’s no personal responsibility on your part because you’re the one who took it. So now, you can use that as an excuse for everything that transpired afterward.” “No means no, we all agree with that. But we don’t even know that she ever said no,” he adds. Want more from Pat Gray? To enjoy more of Pat's biting analysis and signature wit as he restores common sense to a senseless world, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream. --- ### HATER AID: Shane Gillis defies critics with massively viral 'SNL' monologue **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** Andrew Chapados | **Section:** Lifestyle **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/lifestyle/shane-gillis-snl-monologue-numbers.md Women at the gym might be upset with Shane Gillis, but they're still watching. The comic's latest hosting gig at "Saturday Night Live" delivered one of the show’s biggest YouTube audiences in nearly a year. 'I'd be Sharia on her.' Magic mic His opening monologue has drawn more than 2.7 million views, ranking second among “SNL” monologues posted since November 2025. Gillis took the stage on Saturday night and stirred up online controversy with two observations about big-city gyms: They’re filled with the “hottest gay guys you’ve ever seen,” and “women just dress like whores now.” Only Ryan Gosling’s early March monologue has drawn more views over the same period, with 3.04 million. The only other monologue to surpass 2 million was actor Connor Storrie’s late February appearance, with 2.08 million. Gillis’ previous appearances have drawn even bigger audiences. His jokes about President Biden and President Trump in 2025 garnered almost 4.5 million views, while his 2024 appearance drew 7.26 million. That appearance — his first time back since being fired from the show five years earlier — also generated controversy over his use of the words “gay” and “retarded.” RELATED: 'He's right about gym girls': Former 'SNL' star backs Shane Gillis as liberal celebs 'gasp' in shock Will Heath/NBC/Getty Images Good egg Gillis also made himself a target in the latest monologue, joking about his weight and his comedian pals describing him as a “gas station egg.” Some women responded by mentioning Gillis by name in their gym videos — after he had joked about being the creepy guy in the background of just such a video. He already played a version of that guy on his show “Tires.” In a clip Netflix promoted in August, Gillis’ character is caught leering at a woman at the gym by a content creator disgusted by his behavior. Gillis’ character tells the man not to let his girlfriend leave the house unless she’s wearing slacks or a burqa. “I’d be Sharia on her,” he tells the man. RELATED: Actor MELTS DOWN over jokes about women in Shane Gillis' 'SNL' monologue The natural Some “SNL” alumni praised the monologue as it aired. Victoria Jackson, a cast member from 1986 to 1992, said Gillis looked “skinny/handsome!” “He’s right about gym girls dressing like ‘whores,’” Jackson said. “When did ‘camel toe’ become acceptable gym fashion and grocery shopping attire?” Jeff Richards, a cast member from 2001 to 2004, called Gillis a “really funny guy” and an “obvious natural.” Among his most vocal critics was “Schitt’s Creek” actor Dan Levy, son of beloved sketch-comedy performer Eugene Levy. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### ‘Suicidal empathy’: Alex Stein blasts Abdul El-Sayed supporters who can’t explain his policies **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** BlazeTV Staff | **Section:** Sara Gonzales Unfiltered **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/shows/sara-gonzales-unfiltered/suicidal-empathy-alex-stein-blasts-abdul-el-sayed-supporters-who-cant-explain-his-policies.md Ask some voters why they support a candidate, and you might get a detailed explanation of his policies. Ask supporters of Michigan Democrat Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed why they support him, and you get “everything.” In a recent man-on-the-street-style interview, the interviewer asks a group of women what their favorite thing is that the Michigan Senate hopeful is campaigning on. “Everything! How can you not like what he’s for? I mean, it’s like we need it. We’re in bad shape,” one woman responded. “What’s your one favorite, though? What stands out the most?” the interviewer asked. “Health care for all,” another woman chimed in, before another woman agreed, “That’s mine too, health care.” “And how are we going to give health care to everyone? How are we going to pay for that?” the interviewer asked again. “We’re going to tax the rich,” a woman answered. “What’s kind of scary about that,” Alex Stein tells BlazeTV host Sara Gonzales, “is when I think of Michigan now, like Dearborn, and I think it’s all Muslim. Those were like upper-middle-class white women. You know, they look like they have fine health care.” “They almost look like they were Lindsay Clancy fans on a bunch of different prescription drugs,” he jokes. “It is suicidal empathy,” he continues, though he doesn’t believe El-Sayed is as likely to win as his base seems to think he is. “I think actually Mike Rogers is going to do better than people are predicting, though,” he adds, noting that Sayed "barely won” in the primary despite being projected to “win by 10 points.” Gonzales agrees, pointing out that whatever the result is, “it’ll be really interesting to see because … Michigan is a flash point.” “This will tell us,” she says, “is Michigan too far gone or is it not?” Want more from Sara Gonzales? To enjoy more of Sara's no-holds-barred takes on news and culture, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream. --- ### Feds accuse nine top banks of de-banking — denying accounts due to ideology, religion, and more **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** Andrew Chapados | **Section:** Tech **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/tech/nine-major-us-banks-debanking.md After President Trump made it a point to declare banking rights as guaranteed and fair for Americans, the government actually went to work. Now, a federal agency has revealed that major U.S. banks were guilty of limiting or denying access to financial services to citizens based on their beliefs or business activities, and the evidence is shocking. A payment processor owned by one bank closed the account of a merchant that sold Make America Great Again merchandise. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency released a scathing report detailing its intention to review potential de-banking activities at the nine largest banks in the country and whether or not they had been improperly limiting access. This was in direct response to President Trump's executive order to guarantee fair banking for all Americans. The report declared that between 2020 and September 2025, all nine banks had policies in place that do so. The OCC identified two categories that presented an "elevated risk of 'encouraging' or 'otherwise influencing'" institutions to deny access to financial services: reputation risk practices and industry specific practices. The first can be summarized as a potential for "adverse" brand impact resulting from negative public perception, while the latter is an alleged bias toward certain industries or sectors unrelated to financial or operational concerns. The practices affected both sides of the political aisle. For example, in February 2023, one bank declined to provide public services to an educational organization because it solely endorses Democrat candidates. In February 2021, a payment processor owned by one bank closed the account of a merchant that sold Make America Great Again merchandise. These policies reportedly negatively affected industries like firearms, oil and gas, coal mining, prisons, and tobacco. RELATED: The fight over prediction markets is hitting the Supreme Court — and dragging in the NFL Image courtesy Office of the Comptroller of the Currency In the report, the OCC said it observed Citibank using an "environmental and social risk management policy" that restricted it from entering into a business relationship with customers that did not have policies that align with Citibank's firearm standards. "This included, for example, limitations on the sale of high-capacity magazines and restrictions on firearm sales to individuals under the age of 21." In February 2021, TD Bank was making decisions regarding a Paycheck Protection Program loan based on its own reputation risks, the report claimed. "TD's decision is based on public statements about immigrants made by or people affiliated with your organization, including social media activity, leading up to and following the November 2020 election. These statements are inconsistent with TD's values," the bank wrote, per the federal government. All nine banks were cited in the report as having conducted biased practices based on their perceived reputational risk or simply their policy regarding whether or not they wanted to do business with people based on their industry or their activities. RELATED: Guess which secretive former president has big ideas about how AI should control you Another example included Capital One flagging a religious organization, in multiple client reviews, for stances on abortion, LGBTQ rights, and "ties to the world of conservative politics." The OCC has suggested making changes to the client complaint process, forcing increased transparency, and redefining how it considers politicized or unlawful de-banking. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Man given legal status under Obama illegally VOTED in at least 15 elections, DHS claims **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** Carlos Garcia | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/illegal-obama-voted-arrest-crimes.md A man who entered the U.S. illegally and gained legal status went on to illegally vote in 15 elections — and maybe more, claims the Department of Homeland Security. The DHS told Blaze News that Homeland Security Investigations agents arrested Andres Garcia on Oct. 6 after he was charged with two counts of voting by an alien. 'Let this be a message to any noncitizens out there who are thinking about voting in our elections: If you illegally vote, we will arrest you and you will be charged.' Garcia is a lawful permanent resident from Cuba but is not a citizen and not allowed to vote in elections. He was charged for allegedly voting in the 2022 election as well as the 2024 election. The man even allegedly registered to vote in Cass County, Missouri, in 2004 before he gained his legal status under the Obama administration, according to the DHS. The DHS also claimed that Garcia is suspected of having voted at least 15 times in the past two decades. "Despite knowing he was not a United States citizen, Garcia claimed to be one when registering to vote in 2004, and did so again in 2013," the DHS added. "This alien from Cuba has been arrested and charged with illegally voting in multiple elections," said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. "He illegally entered the country in 1969 and was then granted legal status by the Obama administration. Now, thanks to the hardworking men and women of HSI and our partners at the Department of Justice, this alien will have to answer for repeatedly interfering in our elections," he added. "Let this be a message to any noncitizens out there who are thinking about voting in our elections: If you illegally vote, we will arrest you and you will be charged. Only American citizens should be electing American leaders." The Department of Justice announced on Monday that 16 people had been charged with election crimes, including an illegal alien and several others who had legal status. RELATED: FBI now investigating alleged election fraud among homeless in Skid Row of Los Angeles After the arrest of Garcia, HSI Kansas City Acting Special Agent in Charge Rick Sabatini reiterated the point. "Election integrity is nonnegotiable. Individuals who knowingly violate federal voting laws undermine public trust in the democratic process and will be held accountable," he said. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Flock slashes 1 in 6 jobs — as outcry builds to take down its whole camera network **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** Zach Laidlaw | **Section:** Tech **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/tech/flock-camera-death-spiral.md Flock Safety has spent the better part of 2026 trying to convince people that its cameras aren’t mass surveillance tools used to track the whereabouts of anyone who drives by. Lawmakers aren’t buying it, though, as legislators push back to the point that the company is starting to collapse. Here are the latest updates on the Flock camera controversy. The public first took notice of Flock Safety’s dubious activity as early as 2024, when the Electronic Frontier Foundation found that Flock cameras were being used for more than reading license plates. According to datasets that the group received, Flock cameras tracked various protests and activist groups and even monitored civilians suspected of breaking local laws. ‘Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.’ Flock cameras may read license plates, but to say that this is all they do is a severe mischaracterization. Countless stories have emerged of police officers abusing the network. In the case of five officers in Georgia, they were caught inputting specific license plate numbers into the search system to track the location of specific individuals over time. When pressed about the growing concern over Flock camera abuse, company CEO Garrett Langley gave a stunning response: “When people talk about just one of these, privacy or safety, they’re prioritizing the wrong thing, and what we have to prioritize as a country is compromise.” He continued, “How do we have our safety, and how do we balance privacy?” For most liberty-loving Americans, there is no room for balance. There is only freedom or mass surveillance. Or, as my favorite Benjamin Franklin quote goes, “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” First, cities noticed the public outcry. Local bans went into effect as Flock cameras were either covered, disabled, or removed from municipalities like Tempe, Arizona; Oviedo City, Florida; and St. Charles County, Missouri. Others simply let their contracts with the company lapse, as was the case with Knox County, Tennessee, and Stow, Massachusetts. So far, 214 cities and counties have de-Flocked their communities, though the number may be more since this report from August. As local backlash continued, politicians stepped in to examine the situation. Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley issued a letter on his X.com account, declaring an investigation into Flock Safety over the “recent examples of abuse and misuse of personal data reveal the woeful lack of safeguards in these systems,” as a result of the St. Charles County situation. In his post, he wrote: Americans do not surrender their privacy rights when they drive to work, drop their kids off at school, or go to church. Weeks later, Hawley broadened his national surveillance investigation to include several other camera companies, such as Motorola Solutions Inc., Verkada Inc., and Axon Enterprise Inc. RELATED: We're winning the fight against Flock — but the surveillance isn't going away that easily The Washington Post/Getty Images Around the same time, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued a similar cry on X. “Newer Flock cameras do not just record vehicles," he insisted. "They record people. Flock’s AI system can combine images of you and your vehicle with databases of phone numbers, relatives and court records to find out who you are, where you're going and why.” The issue has quickly become a bipartisan concern, with both sides of the aisle scrutinizing Flock Safety more than ever, and the company is starting to flounder under the pressure. Despite its rapid rise to infamy, Flock Safety is still a newer startup company, which makes it susceptible to rapid changes in its industry. Following the backlash and canceled accounts, it has already begun to downsize. According to Reuters, Flock is offloading up to 270 employees via a voluntary buyback program, and all terminations will be finalized by the end of October. With 1,500 employees currently on the payroll, this shift will impact 18% of Flock’s workforce. In late September, Hawley introduced a new bill called the Stop Flock Abuse Act. As the name suggests, the bill includes several key points meant to protect citizens and also quell concerns: Local governments can’t sell collected data to third parties. Users must receive written approval to conduct data searches. All searches must be logged and preserved for regular audits. Collected data must be encrypted, and it cannot leave the United States. Collected data must be deleted every 10 days, unless it is involved in an active criminal investigation. All hardware and software used with Flock cameras must be domestically sourced. Use of facial recognition technology with Flock is prohibited. If successful, the bill could be a huge boon to both citizens and Flock Safety. The former would get back their peace of mind knowing that they aren’t being tracked, and the latter would get to continue to operate as a business without the specter of mass surveillance haunting future partnerships. Everybody benefits. But first, the bill has to pass. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Pope Leo’s death penalty statement sparks debate — Liz Wheeler explains what 'inadmissible' really means **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** BlazeTV Staff | **Section:** The Liz Wheeler Show **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/shows/the-liz-wheeler-show/pope-leos-death-penalty-statement-sparks-debate-liz-wheeler-explains-what-inadmissible-really-means.md On October 10, marking World Day Against the Death Penalty, Pope Leo XIV ignited controversy when he posted the following on X: The death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person. The common good can be safeguarded and the requirements of justice can be met without recourse to capital punishment: effective systems of detention have been developed that protect citizens while at the same time do not completely deprive those who are guilty of the possibility of redemption. #NoDeathPenalty BlazeTV host Liz Wheeler, a Catholic, dove into this heated debate on a recent episode of “The Liz Wheeler Show.” “This entire conversation started with the announcement from the Trump administration that on December of this year … a firing squad will execute former Major Nidal Hasan,” says Liz. “He's a former Army major who murdered 13 people at Fort Hood in the name of Islam. He is an Islamist terrorist.” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced that the execution would take place at Fort Hood, where Hasan carried out his crime, and would be livestreamed, although President Trump said he would make the final call on whether or not to publicize the event. Liz, who believes the livestream is unlikely to happen and calls the desire to watch an execution “bloodlust,” believes that Pope Leo’s comments about the death penalty make sense. She explains that for most of the Church’s history, popes affirmed that the state has the right to use capital punishment for grave crimes. Since the late 20th century, however, popes such as John Paul II and especially Francis (who revised the Catechism to call it “inadmissible” as an attack on human dignity) have taken a far more restrictive or abolitionist stance, which Leo XIV has continued — creating ongoing debate about whether this is a development of doctrine or a departure from prior teaching. “ differs from what the Church declares to be an intrinsic evil. … Abortion would be the best example,” says Liz. “But is not the phrase that Pope Leo or Pope Francis before him used to describe the death penalty. ‘Inadmissible’ is the word used not only by Pope Leo but by Pope Francis,” she continues, explaining that the word “inadmissible” is a “synonym for unacceptable.” Citing senior apologist at Catholic Answers Jimmy Akin, she explains that Pope Francis amended the Catechism because in light of society’s current circumstances (i.e. “modern prisons that were intended to hold large numbers of people”), there are no longer situations that require the death penalty. “There may be societal circumstances where is necessary or admissible, but not any more in our modern society,” Liz says. “You can agree or disagree with this, but I have to say this does make sense. It's not inconsistent with the long-standing teaching of the Church, nor does it contradict the Bible,” she says. But the question remains: “Is this pastoral teaching from Pope Leo, which we are respectfully free to disagree with, or is this authoritative teaching, which we are required to assent to our mind and will?” To answer this question, Liz speaks with Catholic Answers staff apologist Joe Heschmeyer. To hear their conversation, watch the episode above. Want more from Liz Wheeler? To enjoy more of Liz’s based commentary, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream. --- ### Hypocrisy-maxxing: Here's how the Democrats now melting down over Ilhan Omar raid reacted to Mar-a-Lago raid **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** Joseph MacKinnon | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/hypocrisy-maxxing-heres-how-the-dems-now-melting-down-over-ilhan-omar-raid-reacted-to-mar-a-lago-raid.md Many of the Democrats now melting down over Homeland Security Investigations' raid of Minnesota Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar's Washington, D.C.-area residence weren't at all fussed when their top political opponent was having his home searched by armed federal agents. Quick recap A Justice Department spokeswoman confirmed to the New York Times that HSI agents executed a judicially authorized search of a home in the D.C. area on Monday as part of an "ongoing federal criminal investigation." 'No one is above the law.' Three people briefed on the matter told the Times that the search warrant for the Somali-born ethno-nationalist's house lists various potential immigration crimes under investigation including fraud in immigration paperwork. Omar has long been dogged by allegations that she married her brother to help him fraudulently obtain immigration status in the United States. She has called the allegations "absolutely false and ridiculous." The raid on Monday comes just weeks after White House border czar Thomas Homan confirmed the existence of an HSI criminal probe into Omar. Homan told Fox News that “if someone committed immigration violation, if someone committed marriage fraud or anything like that, regardless if they're a congressman or not, no one's above the law.” A tale of two raids Omar's office called the raid "an outrageous abuse of power and an unprecedented escalation in the weaponization of federal law enforcement to target political enemies," and Omar called it "an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement." Democrats quickly joined Omar in condemning the judicially authorized search and in characterizing it as "unprecedented" and "disturbing." RELATED: The raid that Democrats can’t wave away Jim WATSON/AFP/Getty Images; Joe Raedle/Getty Images House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.J.), House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), and Rep. Peter Aguilar (D-Calif.), for instance, claimed in a joint statement, "The Trump administration’s raid on Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s home is deeply disturbing and raises serious questions about the continued corrupt weaponization of the federal government against Donald Trump’s adversaries." The trio also criticized the federal government for targeting a lawmaker's home ahead of an election. Jeffries sang a different tune, however, when just months ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, the FBI raided President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence with guns drawn. The day after the raid, Jeffries tweeted, "No one is above the law." In the weeks that followed, he repeatedly used this line and stated that while "extraordinary," the raid appeared to be justified. Eight days after the FBI swarmed Mar-a-Lago, Katherine Clark also defended the raid, stating in an interview with GBH News, "This was a legal search warrant signed off by a federal judge." Clark further claimed that Republicans were playing a "dangerous game" by condemning the raid and stressed the need to wait and "see what this investigation turns into." At the time, Aguilar insinuated that the Mar-a-Lago raid was necessary, concern-mongered about the classified documents found at Trump's residence, and insisted that Trump was fair game. This trio is hardly the only group of Democrats whose complaints now ring hollow owing to their disparate response four years ago. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) clutched pearls on Monday over the Omar raid, calling it an "assault on our constitutional values"; an "outrageous abuse of power"; part of a broader "campaign of political retribution" against a critic of the president; and "blatant political intimidation and an attempt to interfere with the Congresswoman’s reelection." Raskin did not appear to be similarly outraged over the FBI's election-time raid of Trump's residence. When asked on Aug. 9, 2022, about the Mar-a-Lago raid, Raskin coolly said, "Speaking as a citizen, we all have an interest in the rule of law in the country and respect for the rule of law, and the resistance to the lawlessness that seems to be, you know, always out there now." California Rep. Ro Khanna (D) whined about the Omar raid this week, claiming in a video statement that "it is simply chilling that they are targeting political opponents this way." Like his comrades, Khanna took an entirely different approach in 2022, telling then-MSNBC host Ari Melber, "The FBI doesn't just go in unless a judge signs off on a search warrant. That means they have some probable evidence about possible wrongdoing." Khanna further said that then-Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Justice Department were just "following the facts" and that "it's not for me or members of Congress to say what should happen." RELATED: Is Ilhan Omar getting deported? Trump's post raises eyebrows HSI officers search the home of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). Andrew Leyden/Getty Images Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) is another hypocritical Democrat who felt obligated to defend the 2022 raid but condemn the 2026 raid. Tlaib told Michigan Advance days after the Mar-a-Lago raid that Trump is "not above the law. If he committed a crime, he should be held accountable to it. I don’t care that he was president of the United States. If anything, we set a dangerous precedent if we let folks get away with these kinds of things, especially when it comes to, you know, national security." Now that the shoe is on the Somali foot, Tlaib is crying foul. She stated on Monday, "Trump is grossly abusing his power to raid the home of Rep. Omar. He has repeatedly attacked her, Somali Americans, and Minnesotans. @Ilhan has done nothing to justify a pre-dawn raid ahead of the election. I stand with my sister always." Even Omar herself claimed that "no one is above the law" when arguing that the criminal indictment of Trump was a sign that the justice system worked as designed. "The fact that one of the most powerful people in the world was investigated impartially and indicted by a grand jury is testament to the fact that we live in a country of laws," she tweeted in March 2023. Vice President JD Vance rejected Democrats' claim this week that the administration is weaponizing federal law enforcement against Trump adversaries, telling Fox News Digital on Tuesday, "We don't want to be like the Biden administration. We never want to be like that — where they would allow the law to go after their political opponents." "We really want to let the law, the facts drive this," said Vance. "And if justice requires something else be done, then, of course, we'll take a step when we have to." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Yes, it's real: You can replace your PC with your smartphone. Here's how. **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** Zach Laidlaw | **Section:** Tech **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/tech/android-desktop-mode-guide.md Android started out as a mobile operating system, but over the years, it became much more. Part of that vision was realized when Google killed Chromebooks in favor of Googlebooks. You actually don’t need one of these to get a similar desktop experience. In fact, you can replace your laptop or PC with your Android phone now. Okay, before we dive too deep, you should know that Android’s desktop mode doesn’t work on all Android devices. But it is compatible with many of the most popular handsets in the United States, including new Samsung phones with DeX and Google Pixel phones with Android Desktop Mode. Samsung DeX is more refined than Pixel’s Android Desktop Mode. To use desktop mode on Android, you’ll need several things: Computer monitor with either a USB-C port or HDMI port for video. USB-C-to-USB-C cable or an HDMI cable paired with a compatible USB-C adapter for the connection. If you’re using an HDMI cable with an adapter, you’ll also need a power cable that can plug into the adapter; otherwise, your battery will drain quickly. Those using a USB-C cable should receive power to their device from the monitor without extra hardware. Wireless Bluetooth mouse and keyboard to control the interface. These steps could vary slightly, depending on your make and model of phone. For today’s example, we’re testing a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 on One UI 9 (Android 17) and a Google Pixel 10 Pro XL running Android 17. Why should you try desktop mode on Android? Now, before we get started, you might wonder why you may wish to use desktop mode on Android. Aside from the fact that it is just cool to have a desktop experience that you can pull out of your pocket and connect to a monitor at any time, it can also replace your laptop or desktop in some cases. Android desktop mode is great for browsing the web, answering emails, writing in your favorite apps, and watching videos. Because it’s Android, many existing apps from the Google Play Store will work, though some are better optimized than others. You can even play some popular Android games, like Genshin Impact, Wuthering Waves, and more, provided you connect a Bluetooth game controller. What Android desktop doesn’t do is replace a gaming PC. You can’t get your Steam game library to work, at least not reliably, and even if you could, most phones aren’t powerful enough and don't mitigate heat enough for sustained AAA gaming performance. That said, Android desktop mode is a great tool for tinkering around and doing many typical tasks usually reserved for dedicated hardware. RELATED: Google is about to overhaul the Android. You'll either love it or hate it. lixu/Getty Images How to use desktop mode on Samsung Galaxy To get started, make sure your phone is powered on and unlocked to the home screen. Next, connect your Samsung Galaxy phone to your monitor using your USB-C cable or HDMI cable with USB-C adapter. If your monitor doesn’t immediately light up with a desktop interface from your phone, open the Settings app on your Galaxy device and tap “Connected devices,” followed by “Samsung DeX.” Lastly, tap “Connected display” and choose “Extended.” You should now see a desktop interface on your monitor. Next, you’ll need to set up your wireless keyboard and mouse. Back in the main Settings app, choose “Connections” and tap on “Bluetooth” (do not touch the toggle switch but tap the word itself). Make sure your mouse and keyboard are in pairing mode, and hit the “Scan” button in the top right corner. Follow the pairing instructions, and you’re all set. Samsung DeX is available on many Samsung devices, including Galaxy S8 and up, the original Z Fold and up, and the Tab S4 series and up. Samsung DeX on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 on One UI 9 (Android 17)/Zach Laidlaw How to use desktop mode on Google Pixel To get started, power your phone on and unlock it to the home screen. Next, connect your Google Pixel device to your monitor using your USB-C cable or HDMI cable with USB-C adapter. You should immediately see a pop-up that asks if you want to connect your external display in “Desktop” mode or “Mirror” mode. Choose “Desktop,” and your monitor should light up with a desktop interface. Now for the mouse and keyboard. Make sure these two devices are in pairing mode. Then on your Pixel, open the Settings app, tap “Connected devices” and “Pair new device,” and wait for the mouse and keyboard to appear before finalizing the connection. That’s it! Android Desktop Mode works on Google Pixel 8 and up. Google Pixel Android Desktop Mode on Android 17/Zach Laidlaw No, that blurry brown rectangle isn't a broken image link (or a censored pic). It's the wallpaper you see on Google Pixel’s desktop. All the time. Yuck. Well, nobody's perfect. Thanks to better wallpaper and stronger app support, Samsung DeX is more refined than Pixel’s Android Desktop Mode. That is to be expected, though, as Samsung has worked on DeX since 2017, while Google launched the official version of Android Desktop Mode in March of this year. While Samsung DeX is far more enjoyable and useful in my opinion, both work in a pinch if you ever need to access a desktop experience from your Android phone. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Why organized labor hates innovation **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** David B. McGarry | **Section:** Opinion **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/columns/opinion/why-organized-labor-hates-innovation.md In Onondaga County, New York, a union has gone to court to stop an artificial intelligence tool from answering nonemergency calls at the county’s 911 center. The system handles routine calls, roughly a third of the center’s volume, and transfers suspected emergencies to human operators. The county wants to use the technology. The union wants it stopped. The union contends that the rollout violates its labor agreement. But its lawsuit puts a familiar priority on display: Protect work covered by the contract, even when new technology might improve a public service. Americans should not have to sacrifice the benefits of invention to preserve yesterday’s job descriptions. Labor unions exist to defend their members. They owe no comparable allegiance to consumers, employers, or workers who never join. That last group is enormous. Union members accounted for just 10% of U.S. wage and salary workers in 2025 and only 5.9% in the private sector. Yet a union can use its bargaining power to obstruct changes that would benefit everyone else. American ports offer a more expensive example. The 2025 Container Port Performance Index, which measures vessel turnaround efficiency, ranked only one U.S. port among the world’s top 50: Philadelphia, at No. 48. Meanwhile, the International Longshoremen’s Association has made opposition to automation a central demand. The ILA’s 2025 agreement with employers at East and Gulf Coast ports delivered a 62% wage increase over six years. It also restricted automation. As Jordan McGillis reported in City Journal, employers must hire another longshoreman for every new semiautonomous crane they install, while fully autonomous cranes remain prohibited. Better machines could move goods faster and reduce costs for businesses and consumers. The union secured limits on those machines instead. A Congressional Research Service report has also documented long-standing concerns about payroll fraud and organized crime influence involving the ILA on the New York-New Jersey waterfront. RELATED: America doesn’t need Dario Amodei’s permission to build Jason Henry/Bloomberg/Getty Images This struggle predates computers, robots, and artificial intelligence. Some medieval craft guilds protected their privileges by limiting competition and resisting techniques that threatened established trades. American unions have repeatedly followed that example. When diesel locomotives displaced steam engines, railroads no longer needed firemen to tend boilers. Unions nevertheless fought to preserve those jobs. H.E. Gilbert, president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen, defended that struggle in 1963: “You can always mint more money. But you can’t mint new lives.” Gilbert cared about the livelihoods of his members. He ignored the workers and families who would gain from cheaper, more efficient rail service. Protecting a job made obsolete by technology does not preserve the wealth that makes employment possible. In 1971, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union staged a 134-day strike as containerization transformed shipping. The fight centered on jobs, jurisdiction, and work rules as machines replaced much of the labor once required to load cargo. In 1986, Rupert Murdoch moved his British newspapers to computerized printing at Wapping, dismissed 5,500 workers, and faced union picketing for more than a year. RELATED: The future belongs to people who believe in one Cheng Xin/Getty Images In each dispute, established workers fought to defend their position against technological change. The gains from new equipment, however, extended well beyond the employers who purchased it. Consumers gained faster service and lower costs; other workers benefited from a more productive economy. Workers should remain free to join unions and bargain collectively. Voluntary labor organizations belong in a free society. But decades of government intervention have given organized labor legal privileges that can come at the expense of nonunion workers, employers, and customers. Those privileges deserve scrutiny, not automatic deference. A union has every incentive to protect its members. The public has no obligation to make that protection the governing purpose of an industry or a taxpayer-funded service. The East India Company did not trade in a free market simply because it conducted commerce. Nor does a union bargain in a free labor market when government grants it advantages unavailable to everyone else. Innovation raises living standards by allowing people to produce more with less. Organized labor can help workers adapt to that progress, or it can try to halt it. Americans should not have to sacrifice the benefits of invention to preserve yesterday’s job descriptions. --- ### Democrats' new favorite DANGEROUS illegal alien thug **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** Joseph MacKinnon | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/democrats-new-favorite-dangerous-illegal-alien-thug.md Federal agents shot and arrested a "criminal illegal alien" in the Bronx on Thursday, according to the Department of Homeland Security, after he allegedly rammed into them during a law enforcement operation despite having his young son in the vehicle. Democrats and the liberal media rushed to paint the nonfatal shooting of 28-year-old Dominican national Oscar Bengal as terroristic or at the very least as unwarranted, and the alien — whose deportation was temporarily blocked on Friday by an Obama judge — as a misunderstood, music-loving "New Yorker." 'I am angry tonight.' It appears that Democrats and their fellow travelers have once again rallied behind a dangerous foreign thug who has had numerous run-ins with the law. Thug life Immigration and Customs Enforcement intelligence shows that "Bengal traveled to the southern border as part of a caravan seeking to exploit the Biden administration’s disastrous open border," a DHS spokesman told Blaze News. "He and countless others successfully snuck into our country at an unknown place and time." After stealing into the U.S., Bengal continued to break American law. He was, for instance, arrested in New York City in 2023 and charged with two counts of petit larceny, two counts of third-degree robbery, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon with intention to use, grand larceny, two counts criminal possession of stolen property, two counts of menacing, and two counts of menacing with a weapon. Bengal ultimately pleaded guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny and was sentenced to five years' probation. The DHS indicated that he was cut loose before ICE could lodge a detainer. Bengal was then arrested in August 2025 after allegedly selling fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin to an undercover cop on multiple occasions. According to court documents reviewed by the New York Daily News, the Dominican was indicted in December on one count of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the second degree and nine counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in third degree. RELATED: Shattered by socialism: 'Escaping Venezuela' offers a warning for Mamdani's America Screenshot, New York Police Department, X video A spokesperson for the New York City Special Narcotics Prosecutor's Office told the Daily News that at the time he was shot last week, Bengal had "been out on supervised release" for the drug charges. Court records show that his next scheduled appearance in the drug case is Dec. 2. Bengal also faces active charges in New York for alleged assault and robbery, had protection orders lodged against him twice in January, and is allegedly a "documented associate of the notorious Trinitario street gang in the Bronx, NY," according to the DHS. A DHS spokesman told Blaze News that on Sept. 18, ICE attempted to apprehend Bengal in the Bronx. "He disobeyed ICE officers’ lawful commands and fled law enforcement. For the safety of the general public, ICE stood down and did not pursue him that day," said the spokesman. Bengal's latest arrest When ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officers positively identified Bengal driving on Thursday, they "used their vehicles to conduct a vehicle stop and approached Bengal's vehicle on foot," said the DHS. The DHS alleged that Bengal "then rammed the ICE vehicles and appeared that he intended to strike officers on foot." Evidently believing that their lives were in jeopardy, one ICE officer opened fire, grazing Bengal's neck. "Bengal refused lawful orders to exit his vehicle. He then accelerated his vehicle, smashing into two of our ICE vehicles. He then weaponized his vehicle and proceeded to accelerate his vehicle toward other officers," said ICE ERO Executive Director Marcos Charles. "Our officer, believing that their life, the lives of their partners, and the lives of the general public were in danger, used their training and fired their weapon." Bengal's lawyers did not respond to Blaze News' request for comment by deadline. At the time of the shooting, Bengal's young son was in his vehicle. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin emphasized that "Oscar put his child at risk when he chose to accelerate, hit two federal vehicles, and also weaponize the vehicle and move towards at an accelerated rate towards officers that were trying to apprehend him." Mullin noted that his agency knew that this was going to be a "contentious arrest" and that precautions were taken to maximize safety at the time it was conducted. Bodycam footage released by the New York Police Department shows police taking Bengal from the officers who had administered first aid and transporting the convict to the hospital, where he received attention for what the DHS described as a "superficial" injury. Leftists rush in After the shooting, a mob soon gathered outside New York Presbyterian Allen Hospital to protest ICE, trapping federal officers inside the building, reported the New York Daily News. In the hours and days that followed Bengal's arrest, the anti-ICE protests turned violent. Leftist officials and the liberal media helped feed the mob's rage and misconceptions, namely that ICE had targeted a "New Yorker" and that the shooting was unjustified. New York City Democrat Mayor Zohran Mamdani rushed to condemn the incident, tweeting, "This is an unconscionable and incredibly serious situation. I have called the President; when we speak I will demand that he ends all ICE enforcement actions in our city. I will not stand by while ICE agents terrorize our communities." "Our thoughts are with the injured New Yorker and his family tonight. We are praying for his recovery," added the democratic socialist mayor. Mamdani, who tried to negotiate the convict's release, later stated, "I am angry tonight. Because today ICE shot a New Yorker. They shot a New Yorker while his five year old child was in the car. ICE makes this city less safe." Carmen De La Rosa, a Democrat New York City Council member who was born in the Dominican Republic, attacked ICE, stating that "no matter what DHS alleges this adult male did, that does not warrant a death sentence." "This is a rogue, untrained, unprofessional agency and a dastardly strain on the country," said the foreign-born leftist. "It must be abolished." New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) noted on Thursday that she had spoken with President Donald Trump and Mullin and "expressed outrage on behalf of New Yorkers and urged them to halt ICE enforcement operations in New York." The following day, Hochul insinuated that ICE — not the criminal alien — had put Bengal's son at risk and suggested after speaking to the boy's mother that "all I wanted to do was give her a hug and tell her this never should have happened to her family." Democratic Socialists of America called the shooting a "horrifying demonstration of the terror ICE brings into our communities." When similarly melting down, Darializa Avila Chevalier — the Islamic anti-police, anti-Israel, anti-border socialist now poised to win a congressional seat in New York as a Democrat — initially referred to the criminal noncitizen as a "member of our community." After New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tish publicly referred to Bengal's thuggish history, Chevalier told Hasan Piker that Bengal's criminal record and immigration status "doesn't even matter." "Police Commissioner Tisch came out, and I understand that it is her role to provide more information, and that is why she comes to these press conferences," said the congressional candidate. "But rather than, you know, condemn ICE, rather than condemn the shooting or the events that had just taken place, she started to villainize Oscar, right?" Chevalier suggested further that the thug's alleged efforts to evade and attack law enforcement constituted self-defense and stressed that "he needs to be released." The New York Times, of course, did its part by painting Bengal as a "friendly," music-loving neighbor. While his name has appeared with multiple spellings in court documents and recent reports, the DHS confirmed that the proper spelling is "Bengal." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Volkswagen bet big on EVs. Now it's making room for gas-powered SUVs. **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** Lauren Fix | **Section:** Lifestyle **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/lifestyle/volkswagen-bet-big-on-evs-now-it-s-making-room-for-gas-powered-suvs.md Volkswagen spent years preparing for an electric future. Now it's clearing space on the assembly line for more gas-powered SUVs. In April, the German automaker announced it would stop building its ID.4 electric crossover at its Chattanooga, Tennessee, plant. The factory would instead concentrate on higher-volume models, particularly the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport. The Atlas has always had one big advantage over many of its three-row competitors: space. And I mean usable space, especially in that third row. That's quite a change of direction for a company that once regarded the ID.4 as central to its American ambitions. The electric crossover was supposed to bring Volkswagen into a new era of affordable, mass-market electric transportation. Instead, the company is making room for the kind of vehicle American families have been buying all along. And having recently driven the redesigned 2027 Atlas, I can understand why. Whatever happened to the people's EV? Volkswagen's electric ambitions weren't exactly modest. After its diesel emissions scandal, the company committed billions to electrification, developing an entire family of battery-powered vehicles under its ID branding. The ID.4, which arrived in the United States in 2021, was a particularly important part of that strategy. It offered the familiar dimensions and practicality of a compact SUV, along with the promise of lower operating costs and freedom from the gas pump. Volkswagen even invested in producing it domestically, making Chattanooga a major part of its North American EV operation. For a while, the numbers looked encouraging. ID.4 sales rose in 2025, helped by the federal EV tax credit, which made the vehicle substantially more attractive to buyers. But after the credit expired on September 30, 2025, sales collapsed. According to Volkswagen's sales figures, the company sold just 338 ID.4s in the first three months of 2026, compared with 7,663 during the same period a year earlier. That's a decline of nearly 96%. By April, Volkswagen had made its decision. ID.4 production in Tennessee was finished, although remaining inventory would be available into 2027. The company hasn't ruled out bringing back a revised version. And the ID.4 isn't the only electric Volkswagen that's had a rough time. I happen to love the ID. Buzz, Volkswagen's battery-powered revival of the old Microbus. The styling is terrific, there's plenty of room inside, and it's a vehicle that makes you smile just looking at it. But every time I've driven one, I've thought the same thing: Where's the range extender? The driving range just isn't enough for a vehicle designed to take people and their families on trips. Add the high price, and you've got a tough sell. Volkswagen skipped the 2026 model year for the ID. Buzz and has since delayed its American return until the 2028 model year. Look, there's nothing wrong with building electric vehicles. But they have to make sense for the people buying them. Price matters. Range matters. And so does being able to get where you're going without worrying about your next charging stop. The Atlas gets a second chance Which brings us to the 2027 Atlas. My co-host Karl Brauer and I recently drove the redesigned SUV at a Volkswagen event in Huntsville, Alabama, not far from the Chattanooga factory where it's built. First of all, if you've never been to Huntsville, it's a beautiful place to drive. The roads were excellent, the scenery was gorgeous, and the weather was just about perfect. The Atlas has always had one big advantage over many of its three-row competitors: space. And I mean usable space, especially in that third row. I know people who have kept their Atlases for years because they love them. One family I know has driven theirs from one end of the country to the other with adults sitting in the third row and all their luggage packed inside. No complaints. That's pretty impressive. Fortunately, Volkswagen hasn't messed that up with the redesign. The new Atlas still has that generous passenger room, but the interior is considerably more upscale. The materials are nicer, the seats are comfortable, and there's a lot more technology. Depending on the trim, you get upgraded seating surfaces, a large central touchscreen, digital instruments, and the kind of detailing you'd expect in a more expensive vehicle. The available Harman Kardon audio system is especially impressive. Volkswagen even offers built-in games, including classics like Tetris and Uno, that you can play while the vehicle is parked. Now, I don't know that anyone needs to play video games in their SUV, but if you're waiting to pick up the kids or sitting around at a campsite, I can see the appeal. Under the hood is a revised 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 282 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard on lower trims, with all-wheel drive available. Prices start at $43,135 and climb to $58,135 for the fully equipped SEL Premium R-Line. One of the nice things about the Atlas is that you don't have to buy the most expensive version to get a well-equipped family vehicle. Even the base model comes with a lot of features people actually use. Overall, I was impressed. Volkswagen has done a very nice job. But there's one thing I don't understand. Where's the hybrid? The new Atlas comes with just one powertrain: that turbocharged gasoline four-cylinder. And while it's reasonably efficient for a large SUV, an EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 23 mpg with all-wheel drive isn't particularly exciting when you look at what the competition is doing. Take the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid. Its 2.5-liter turbocharged hybrid system makes 329 horsepower — considerably more than the Atlas — and gets an EPA-estimated 35 mpg combined in the front-wheel-drive EX trim. Even the all-wheel-drive Telluride Hybrid gets 31 mpg combined. That's a big difference when you're driving a three-row family SUV every day. The Telluride Hybrid starts at $46,490 before destination, and a fully equipped version costs roughly what Volkswagen charges for its top-of-the-line Atlas. So think about that. You've got two roomy, well-equipped, three-row SUVs. Both have attractive interiors, modern technology, and plenty of room for the family. But the Kia gives you more horsepower, substantially better fuel economy, and a longer powertrain warranty. That's going to be a pretty easy comparison for a lot of buyers. Hyundai and Kia have been doing an excellent job lately. They understand the American market, they offer a lot of equipment for the money, and they're giving customers a choice of gasoline, hybrid, and electric vehicles. Volkswagen knows it's missing something. At the 2026 New York International Auto Show, Volkswagen Group of America CEO Kjell Gruner confirmed that hybrids are coming to the Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, and Tiguan. But we're not getting an Atlas hybrid right away. It's planned for a future midcycle refresh, which industry reports suggest could put its arrival around the 2029 or 2030 model year. That's a long time to wait when your competitors already have theirs in showrooms. RELATED: Is your car reading your texts? Only the auto industry knows for sure New York Daily News/Getty Images Giving buyers a choice Now, Volkswagen isn't abandoning electric vehicles altogether. The company continues developing EVs for other markets, and there's certainly room for electric Volkswagens in America if they offer the right combination of price, range, and practicality. But I find the Chattanooga decision especially interesting. Here's a company that invested heavily in building electric vehicles in America, and now it's using that factory capacity to build more gasoline-powered SUVs. Volkswagen clearly sees where the demand is. And changing course isn't cheap. In its April financial report, the company disclosed roughly half a billion euros in costs associated with adjusting its American product strategy. The good news is that the redesigned Atlas is an excellent vehicle. It's roomy, comfortable, attractive, and loaded with technology. I think a lot of families are going to be very happy with it. But I also think Volkswagen missed an opportunity by launching it without a hybrid. Kia and Hyundai already have compelling alternatives that offer better fuel economy without asking drivers to change how they use their vehicles. That's what more buyers want: options. Some want gasoline. Some want hybrids. Some want electric. And plenty of people just want a reliable, comfortable family SUV they can afford to own and drive. --- ### Insane video: 2 females allegedly punch, stomp, bite gas station security guard — who is also a rookie cop. Oops. **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** Dave Urbanski | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/insane-video-2-females-allegedly-punch-stomp-bite-gas-station-security-guard-who-is-also-a-rookie-cop-oops.md Two females have been charged after allegedly punching, stomping, kicking, and biting a St. Louis-area gas station security guard — who also happens to be a rookie police officer. St. Louis County prosecutors charged Shaniya Lewis and Nayonna Griffin, both 20, with second-degree assault of a special victim and resisting or interfering with an arrest for a felony, KSDK-TV reported. Both suspects remained behind bars Tuesday on $100,000 cash-only bonds, the station said. 'He's only been with us a short period of time, but he's a hard worker.' St. Louis County Police told KSDK the incident occurred Sunday morning at the QuikTrip at 12110 Lusher Road. The off-duty Hillsdale Police Department officer was working a secondary security job there, the station said. Charging documents said things got under way when the guard approached Griffin after she threw items at him, KSDK reported, adding that Lewis soon joined in, struggled with the guard, and threw him to the ground. Police told the station Lewis repeatedly punched the guard while Griffin stomped on his head. What's more, Lewis actually reached for his gun but was unable to remove it from its holster, KSDK said. When additional officers arrived and attempted to detain Griffin, police told the station she continued grabbing the guard's hair, kicking, flailing, and attempting to run away. She also kept her hands away from officers as they tried to handcuff her, KSDK said. You can view video of the attack here. RELATED: Smiling thug accused of fatally shooting Philly cop in ambush; officer had wife, 2 young children KSDK in a separate story said Hillsdale Police Department officials confirmed Monday that the security guard is a rookie on their force. "I wish that somebody would intervene," Hillsdale Assistant Police Chief Lt. Col. Herb Simmons told the station in regard to onlookers recording the attack on their phones. "You know, I understand you want to try to be Facebook famous or whatever, but just imagine if that was your brother that was getting jumped or a cousin. Why can't you step in, be the bigger person, and pull one of them away?" Simmons also commended his officer for not using excessive force, KSDK said: "If he's fatigued and he's out and they were trying to disarm him it could have went into a shooting situation. They were trying to take his weapon, stuff off his belt. It could have went totally different." Simmons added to the station that store surveillance cameras captured roughly four minutes of video that St. Louis County detectives are reviewing: "If one person might have stepped in and pulled one person away, it wouldn't have went this far." The rookie officer was taken to a hospital for treatment, KSDK said, adding that police officials said he suffered minor injuries including bite marks and bruises and is expected to recover and return to work on Wednesday. "He's only been with us a short period of time, but he's a hard worker," Simmons added to the station. "He hustles, he does what he needs to do. I can call him at the drop of a hat, and he'll show up." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Country singer Kacey Musgraves unleashes foul-mouthed rant against 'loser' Christopher Columbus – conservatives fire back **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** Paul Sacca | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/kacey-musgraves-columbus-talarico-noem.md Country music star Kacey Musgraves unleashed a profanity-laced diatribe against Christopher Columbus during a concert in Texas. The singer lambasted the legendary explorer as a "loser" and the "lamest person to probably ever exist." During her concert on Sunday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Musgraves blasted the Italian explorer the day before Columbus Day. 'You're a loser, Christopher Columbus. We hate you.' Musgraves told the crowd, "Tomorrow’s Monday? Ew, that's right, wait, it's Columbus Day? It's what now?" The crowd shouted, "Indigenous Peoples' Day." Musgraves ranted, "Yeah, no, no, yeah, actually, obviously, f**k Columbus. Literally the lamest person to probably ever exist. Like for real. What a loser." The expletive-laden statement garnered cheers from the crowd. Musgraves raged, "You're a loser, Christopher Columbus. We hate you." The 38-year-old Grammy winner ignited a firestorm online with her inflammatory remarks. Filmmaker Robby Starbuck wrote on the X social media platform: Columbus is the opposite of lame. He navigated some of the most treacherous seas in ships built in the 1400’s. In doing so he became one of the few people in history to explore new lands and discover new trade routes. Some of those trade routes brought food to nations that desperately needed it and not only saved lives but resulted in population growth. He overcame near mutiny, famine and terrible weather. Kacey Musgraves has likely overcome sequins falling off of her stage costumes and not getting everything she demanded in her green room rider. Just hilarious that she’d say this. Conservative political commentator Chad Prather said, "Columbus: Sailed across the sea and found a new continent. Kacey Musgraves: Stands on a stage in underwear saying 'Columbus was lame.' Do these people not see themselves?" Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt added, "An entire generation of spoiled brats who’ve never built anything, stand on the crumbling empire they don’t deserve, built by great and courageous men who are now judged through the moral lens of the softest dorks living in the easiest times. Oy vey." Former President Joe Biden became the first U.S. president to formally recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2021 through a presidential proclamation. Biden declared at the time, "On Indigenous Peoples' Day, our Nation celebrates the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples, recognizes their inherent sovereignty, and commits to honoring the Federal Government’s trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations." Meanwhile, President Donald Trump embraced Columbus Day on Sunday. Trump wrote on Truth Social: HAPPY COLUMBUS DAY TO ALL, in particular our great Italian American Community which was forced to suffer as the Radical Left Dumocrats, Socialists, and Communists rampaged through our cities and towns ripping down almost all of the beautiful statues of Christopher Columbus. Well, those days of plunder are over, and the statues are back, more magnificent than ever. This is a big day for our great Italian American Community, and the Country of Italy itself, maybe the biggest. Congratulations! RELATED: Kacey Musgraves opens tour with plea for children of 'unfairly' deported migrants — and gets BRUTAL backlash Musgraves also waded into political waters during a concert Saturday by posing with Texas Democrat Senate candidate James Talarico. Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem commented on the photo, "I'll take Ella Langley over Kacey Musgraves any day. And if I’m choosin' Texas, I’ll take Ken Paxton over James Talarico." Musgraves responded by attacking Noem for her controversial 2024 admission that she shot and killed her hunting dog after it killed her chickens. Noem said the dog had become "untrainable" and "dangerous" to people. "I don't think you have a dog in this fight but if you did you would have shot it," Musgraves replied. As Blaze News previously reported, Talarico went missing from the campaign trail and didn't make a public appearance between Sept. 26 and Oct. 9. Talarico's Republican opponent, Texas Attorney General Paxton, had his supporters chant, "Where is Talarico?" at a Trump rally in San Antonio last Wednesday. Talarico's campaign said he had been sick with the flu. The Texas race is close, with pollsters leaning toward Talarico as the favorite over Paxton. For the latest Texas Senate seat updates — and to follow other important midterm races across the nation — check out Poll Watch, available to Blaze News, BlazeTV+, and Blaze Unlimited subscribers. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Cornell BANS all fraternity parties after sexual assault lawsuit — and seeks more 'systemic change' **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** Carlos Garcia | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/sex-assault-cornell-ban-party.md Cornell University has taken steps in response to nationwide criticism over a sexual assault lawsuit, the university president has announced. President Michael Kotlikoff said all fraternity parties have been banned for the rest of the academic year and added that "experienced, trauma-informed criminal investigators" will be brought in to look into sexual assault allegations. 'We must meet this moment by acknowledging where we have fallen short and taking meaningful action.' He specifically apologized for the harm allegedly suffered by the accuser in a 2024 incident involving several members of the Chi Phi fraternity. "These are first steps toward systemic change on our campus," said Kotlikoff in a statement dated Tuesday. "Cornell must be a place where safety is not an open question. I am committed to doing that work and to seeing it through." Fraternities found in violation of the party ban will receive "an immediate emergency suspension," with zero tolerance. "It is clear that women on our campus continue to question whether they are safe," Kotlikoff said in the statement. "We must meet this moment by acknowledging where we have fallen short and taking meaningful action." The accuser, who is known only as Jane Doe, alleges that she did not consent to all of the sexual acts with the fraternity members during the Oct. 2024 incident. None of the former students involved have been criminally charged. Doe is suing Cornell, the fraternity, seven former members of that fraternity, and her sorority. Thomas Giuffra, the attorney representing Doe, said in a statement to NBC News that her "goal in filing her lawsuit was not solely for herself." "She wanted to achieve her aim of improving Cornell and its response to abuse claims. While the steps announced today are helpful to achieve this goal, they are too late to protect Ms. Doe," he added. "However, these steps will hopefully go a long way to help ensure that there are no more Jane Does," Giuffra said. RELATED: 200 students protest HS football captain's post on Cornell scandal — and team forfeits game New York Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Oct. 1 that she issued an executive order appointing state Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor in the case. "The young woman at the center of this case deserves to know that every fact will be examined and justice pursued. This action will ensure that the matter is fully and thoroughly investigated without conflict or bias and handled independently with the rigor that this matter demands," Hochul claimed. Hochul was immediately criticized after many pointed out that James had already posted an opinion on the case and taken sides before being appointed. On Sept. 28, James referred to Doe as a "survivor" and pledged to "stand with" her. "It is problematic for a prosecutor like Tish James to be commenting on a case publicly before the investigation is concluded," said former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani to Fox News Digital. "And the problem is, if you file criminal charges, whether it's through a complaint or a grand jury indictment, that may taint the potential jury pool in a criminal case." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Democrats slam Iran war gas prices but keep their climate surcharges **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** Larry Behrens | **Section:** Opinion **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/columns/opinion/democrats-slam-iran-war-gas-prices-but-keep-their-climate-surcharges.md Just in time for election season, climate leftists have discovered the price of gasoline. On cable news, in Congress, and across social media, Democrats are eager to remind drivers what they're paying at the pump. Their outrage stops where their climate agenda begins. On October 5, the national average for regular gasoline stood near $4.37, according to AAA, after the most expensive September on record. Compare state averages by the governor's party, and Democrats have a problem. The real existential threat was never at the pump. It's sitting in Tehran. Voters should remember which threat leftists actually treated like one. Across the 26 Republican-governed states, regular gas averaged about $4.24 a gallon. Across the 24 Democrat-governed states, it averaged $4.53 — nearly 7% more. Diesel showed a similar gap: about $6.15 versus $6.50. Those are unweighted averages of state prices, not the entire explanation for the difference. But state policy adds to the bill. The cost of climate policy California, Washington, and Oregon have all placed transportation fuels under climate programs with costs that can reach motorists. California's cap-and-trade program and Low Carbon Fuel Standard added about 42 cents per gallon in January 2026, according to the state’s Energy Commission. Washington’s Climate Commitment Act requires covered fuel suppliers to buy emissions allowances. Oregon’s Climate Protection Program caps emissions from fossil fuels, including gasoline and diesel. These policies don’t account for every cent at the pump. Refining constraints, geography, and global crude prices count too. But Democratic officials chose to make fossil fuels more expensive to advance their climate goals. The early October prices tell the story: California, $6.38 a gallon; Washington, $5.48; Oregon, $5.04. Those Democrat-run states enforce climate mandates on top of ordinary fuel taxes. Their leaders should answer for the costs they have chosen to impose. We've heard this before In June 2022, the national average for regular gas reached a record $5.01 a gallon. What answer did Americans hear from Democratic leaders as prices climbed? Buy an electric vehicle. In November 2021, President Joe Biden said EV owners could save $800 to $1,000 in fuel costs that year. He had recently test-driven an electric Hummer priced above $112,000. In March 2022, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg joined Vice President Kamala Harris to promote electric transportation and the administration's $5 billion charging network. That June, then-Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) told a Senate hearing that she had driven her EV from Michigan to Washington, passing gas stations where the price no longer mattered to her. For families who couldn't afford a new electric car, the advice offered little relief. The administration presented electrification as its answer to expensive gasoline. Climate policy had its price, and drivers were expected to accept it. RELATED: One atmosphere, 50 courts — what could go wrong? Megane Adam/Getty Images A threat beyond the gas pump Then came October 7, 2023. Iran-backed Hamas terrorists crossed into Israel and murdered about 1,200 people in the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust. The danger came from armed men serving a terrorist organization supported by Tehran, not from a projected rise in sea levels. Iran's nuclear ambitions remain largely unchecked. Before the U.S. and Israeli strikes on its enrichment facilities, Tehran had enriched uranium to 60% purity, close to weapons-grade. It has since refused international inspectors access to bombed sites and failed to account fully for its stockpile. The status of its enrichment capacity remains uncertain, but it's no longer a hypothetical threat decades away. The war with Iran has also helped drive oil and gasoline prices higher. Climate Democrats now want credit for noticing the cost. Fine. They should explain why raising fuel costs to meet climate targets is defensible but paying more to confront a regime that arms terrorist proxies and refuses to account for highly enriched uranium is beyond the pale. The real existential threat was never at the pump. It's sitting in Tehran. Voters should remember which threat leftists actually treated like one. --- ### To prepare for motherhood, I took a hammer to my smartphone **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** Keturah Hickman | **Section:** Lifestyle **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/lifestyle/to-prepare-for-motherhood-i-took-a-hammer-to-my-smartphone.md Ever since my daughter was born, my greatest ambition has been to become the best version of myself so she has every chance at a good life. I worry about how my own frailty and inadequacy might hold her back, stunting her emotionally or spiritually. But I trust that, with Jesus, all things are possible through the grace of God. The recent trial of Lindsay Clancy has made me think about this responsibility more seriously than ever. If I start to feel grumpy, I can look down at an object in my home and be encouraged to offer up a quick prayer. In January 2023, Clancy killed her three young children in their Massachusetts home. Her murder trial ended in a mistrial in September, with jurors unable to agree on whether she should be held criminally responsible. Her lawyers argued that she was suffering from postpartum psychosis. The crime was horrifying enough. But I found much of the public response almost as troubling. Hundreds of women gathered outside the courthouse to show their support for Clancy. Some spoke of identifying with her struggles as a mother. I understand the desire to raise awareness of postpartum mental illness and the need for better care. Mothers who are suffering deserve help, and serious mental illness can be devastating. But I couldn't help wondering why a case involving the deaths of three innocent children had become, to such an extraordinary degree, a conversation about the needs and suffering of mothers. Putting children first In a healthy society, the murder of three children would remain, first and foremost, a tragedy for those children. We could debate the legal complexities, including whether Clancy was criminally responsible for her actions. We could discuss how to better recognize and treat postpartum psychosis. But somehow the case became a referendum on how society treats mothers, while the children seemed to recede into the background. I worry that this response reflects a larger problem in how we think about parenting. We increasingly expect children to accommodate the lives we want to lead, rather than accepting that having children requires us to change our lives for their sake. My own experience of motherhood has been one long exercise in making those changes. I've had to question things I valued before having my daughter, abandoning cherished habits and ambitions that might otherwise consume me or cause me to neglect her. I've also come to realize that the first change must begin within. I can't be what my daughter needs without Jesus guiding my thoughts, words, and actions. Each day, I try to sacrifice my ego and become a little less selfish — to lose myself without losing my sanity. Along with prayer, here are some of the practical things that have helped me do that. Losing the smartphone After witnessing countless mothers ignoring their children to stare at a smartphone, I decided I would get rid of mine before I ever had children. So on my wedding day, I took a hammer to my smartphone to symbolize my readiness for motherhood. I believe this decision has positively impacted my initiation into motherhood. Because I haven't been staring at screens, my sleep has improved and I've regained my attention span. I've also had considerably more time to do things I value, such as reading and knitting. I slept better than expected during pregnancy and since the birth of our daughter. Even with regular interruptions and frequent waking throughout the night, I've generally felt well-rested. I think my ability to fall asleep easily has a lot to do with not spending my evenings on a screen. Just as important, I haven't been bombarded with TikTok parenting advice reels designed to scare me into buying something I don't need or believing something that might cause me to treat my child like there's something wrong with her. I do what I feel is best, with some advice from friends and older women I trust, and this has made motherhood feel relatively stress-free. Our daughter, too, is screen-free. However, she does have access to a radio, which she loves to turn on and dance along with. I never see that horrible dead look in her eyes — she is happy and active, with ample curiosity and passion. I was nervous that smashing my smartphone might make it harder to keep in touch with friends, but I've never regretted it. I still have a flip phone, which allows me regular phone conversations with my good friends, and I feel I've been more present and focused around my daughter. This, as well as getting quality sleep and having more time to read or pursue my hobbies, has helped me strike a good balance between giving myself fully to motherhood and maintaining my own interests. Embrace household chores A regular, daily routine for household chores also grounds me, keeping me rooted in the moment. I don't use a dishwasher, so I wash the dishes by hand after each meal. I also do a little laundry every morning. Doing things by hand keeps me out of my head and is a meaningful way to show love to my husband and child by caring for the clothes we wear and the dishes we eat from. These might seem like mundane chores, but I have been careful to curate clothes and dishes I love so that, as I manage the household, I am maintaining a space I feel fully committed to and in love with. The things we wear and eat from represent choices I've willingly made. Each garment and object reminds me of my vocation. When I carefully and meticulously care for all the things in my home, I am offered constant reminders to be grateful. If I start to feel grumpy, I can look down at an object in my home and be encouraged to offer up a quick prayer. By doing this, I take my thoughts captive, as the apostle Paul encourages, and my attitude is readjusted. RELATED: Jehovah's Witnesses: Worshipping with the most hated denomination Keturah Hickman Foster space for secure attachment Downgrading my phone and choosing to manage my household deliberately and slowly have helped me make our home a peaceful place where I can build a close, secure relationship with my daughter. There are fewer distractions, less rushing, and fewer occasions for angry responses. There are a few other things that have made this model tenable and enjoyable for me and my daughter: co-sleeping, breastfeeding, and baby-wearing. In most ways, I am not very crunchy. I mostly do these three things because I am lazy and also have hobbies I haven't wanted to abandon just because I am a mother. Not only have these things allowed my daughter and I to bond, but they enable me to get more sleep, wash fewer dishes, and move about the house with arms unencumbered. The key to successful co-sleeping for us has been having a floor king-size bed. I never have to worry about the baby rolling out of bed, and there's plenty of room to push her away to have quality time with my husband. Because the baby latches well, we are both able to sleep while she nurses, so I barely have to wake up when she's hungry. Breastfeeding, in particular, has given me plenty of opportunities to read. With the help of many pillows to get comfortable while I'm awake and nursing, I've managed to read nearly 30 books (mostly nonfiction) since she was born. Imagine if I'd had a smartphone instead! I don't know what I would have done without baby-wearing either. My baby is what might be classified as a Velcro baby. She is happy as long as she is with me, often in my arms. Wearing her was the only sane solution if I didn't want to use the cry-it-out method. It has also helped me regain my core strength! When the baby was under 6 months old, I'd use a woven wrap to wear her on my chest while I cleaned or sewed. Now I often have her on my back in an Ergo backpack carrier. We spend our days together doing everything. We go for long walks and have little conversations throughout the day. When we wake up, no matter how I feel, I begin the day with a smile for my daughter and an exuberant greeting. She responds equally enthusiastically. And now that she feels safe and connected, she's begun displaying independent spurts where she plays off by herself. As long as I am in eyesight, I can do things for hours on my own without her fretting. I love watching her discover that she can explore the world on her own while knowing I'm nearby if she needs me. The joy of sacrifice Since becoming a mother, I've been struck by how often our culture treats children as obstacles to adult happiness. We're encouraged to pursue our ambitions, protect our independence, and make time for ourselves. None of those things is necessarily bad. But children have needs of their own, and those needs often require us to sacrifice things we would otherwise enjoy. That sacrifice has brought me far more happiness than I could have anticipated. My life has become smaller in some ways, but richer in others. I've given up a smartphone, slowed down my days, and learned to take pleasure in the ordinary work of caring for my family. I haven't lost myself in the process. I've discovered how much of the person I used to be I can happily do without. I keep thinking about the three Clancy children and how easily they have been lost in the arguments surrounding their deaths. Whatever conclusions people draw about their mother's mental illness or criminal responsibility, those children deserved a safe and loving home. They deserved to grow up. I want to give my daughter every chance to do just that. I know I will make mistakes, and I know there will be days when I fall short. But I want to spend my life becoming the mother she needs, rather than expecting her to accommodate the mother I happen to be. --- ### Affordable energy is on the ballot in November **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** Gary Abernathy | **Section:** Opinion **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/columns/opinion/affordable-energy-is-on-the-ballot-in-november.md Thanks to Trump administration directives, Americans can celebrate ending oppressive and expensive regulations and mandates that have hiked prices across virtually all goods and services. But tragically, we are just a few short weeks away from an election featuring radical socialist-style candidates who, if victorious, will assuredly try to roll back all the gains that have been made. The latest cost-cutting move came last week when the Department of Transportation announced that it will “finalize sharply lower vehicle fuel economy standards through 2031, reversing a push by the Biden administration to force automakers to build more electric vehicles.” We are one election away from putting more people in power who want a return to mandates, subsidies, and other Big Government, socialist-style dictates. Referring to former President Joe Biden and his transportation secretary, Pete Buttigieg, the DOT noted in its own announcement that “the Biden-Buttigieg standards were set so high that they created a backdoor electric vehicle mandate. Automakers and their hardworking employees lost billions complying with the last administration’s regulation.” The department reported that to avoid the costly economy requirements, some automakers made slight changes to vehicles that allowed for reclassification of light trucks and passenger vehicles. “This final rule will change classification criteria starting in model year 2030 to reflect each vehicle’s intended use accurately, flipping the current fleet mix of approximately 70% light trucks and 30% passenger vehicles to around 70% passenger cars and 30% light trucks,” the department noted. Most importantly, the new standards are expected to “reduce the average cost of a new vehicle by $1,300 for American families” and “save the American people $138 billion over the next five years.” The reversal came on the heels of EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s announcement of “the repeal of the majority of the Biden administration’s greenhouse gas requirements for U.S. power plants, an action the agency projects will save $310 billion.” The announcement added, “The new proposal would save an additional $370 million in direct compliance costs.” The Great Awakening on the federal level that has helped the U.S. escape the clutches of budget-busting climate zealotry is beginning to extend to the states. Just last week, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) announced that he has “directed the Ohio EPA to begin the process to end the E-Check vehicle testing programs in Northeast Ohio.” Most of Ohio does not require drivers to undergo routine vehicle emissions testing, but the Cleveland area counties of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, and Summit have done so since 1996. Ohio EPA Director John Logue shared his belief that even without E-Check, “the area will still be in attainment for those national ambient air quality standards. That it’s basically no longer necessary.” According to Kelley Blue Book, up to 29 states “require an emissions test to register a vehicle or renew an existing registration,” some statewide, others only in certain regions. But a growing number of states are seeking EPA approval to end emissions tests. And last year, President Trump signed three resolutions designed to prevent California and 10 other states from implementing pollution mandates that were stricter than federal standards. Predictable legal challenges ensued. RELATED: Foreign money is pouring into ballot battles. Half the states aren’t ready. Twinsterphoto/Getty Images Trump can put the icing on the cake by signing an executive order implementing the core elements of the Affordable, Reliable, Clean Energy Security Act, introduced in Congress last year by Rep. Troy Balderson (R-Ohio). Such an order would make affordability the key factor in all governmental energy decisions, encourage robust investment and production, and strengthen both our economic and national security. Its effectiveness would be its own success, making it foolish for the policies to ever be reversed. Overall, reasons for consumers to celebrate abound. Billions of dollars saved. Intrusive government regulations repealed. Accountability and transparency restored. Who would ever want to go back? And yet, we are one election away from putting more people in power who want a return to mandates, subsidies, and other Big Government, socialist-style dictates that will send household costs through the roof on all things connected to energy, including transportation, lodging, construction, cooling, heating — the list of goods and services directly impacted by higher energy costs is practically endless. Whatever reasons one may have for supporting one set of candidates over another, there is no more important issue than where they stand on energy. Do they back all energy options — oil, gas, coal, nuclear, wind, and solar — and believe in allowing the free market to work its magic and keep prices low? Or do they support government edicts and subsidies that will lead to rising costs and require taxpayers to write bigger checks to Uncle Sam each April? Voters should remember one crucial fact when preparing to cast their ballots: Controlling energy controls our lives. Take control. Editor’s note: This article was originally published by RealClearEnergy and made available via RealClearWire. --- ### California man allegedly coerced 21 children to produce sexual videos via online apps, FBI says **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** Carlos Garcia | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/california-man-child-sextortion-guilty.md A California man allegedly targeted dozens of children on social media and other online apps in order to coerce them into producing sexually explicit videos for him. Adrian Gutierrez, 22, of Ontario, California, pretended to be the age of his victims in the communications, according to a U.S. Attorney's Office press release from the Kansas District. 'While Mr. Gutierrez mostly targeted children between the ages of ten and twelve, his victims were as young as nine years old.' He would then allegedly coerce them into making "visual depictions of themselves engaged in sexually explicit conduct" during live video calls with him. Prosecutors said Gutierrez sent the communications to children between May 2023 and October 2024. Twenty-one of the victims have been identified from across 18 states. Others were not able to identified, and some of them resided outside the U.S., according to the release. Gutierrez pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor involving a child from Kanas. "The lessons of ‘stranger danger’ also apply to the internet. While Mr. Gutierrez mostly targeted children between the ages of ten and twelve, his victims were as young as nine years old," U.S. Attorney Ryan Kriegshauser said in a statement in the press release. "We encourage parents to talk to their children about internet safety and explain to them that not everyone is who they say they are or the age they claim, particularly online," he added. Gutierrez is scheduled to be sentenced in Jan. 2027. RELATED: 19-year-old encouraged minor girl to commit suicide and film it as part of 'nihilist' online child sextortion cult Matt Cardy/Getty Images Special Agent Kiffa Shirley in the FBI’s Billings Resident Agency in Montana said children online are easy targets for predators. "Young people don't seem to have an on-guard mentality when it comes to strangers contacting them through the internet," Shirley said. "And many teens feel less inhibited about sharing online." "Parents need to know what their children are doing online and must stay engaged, ask difficult questions, and not fall into the trap of believing their child is 'just playing games' or 'just talking with their friends,'" said Justin Simmons, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas, in a separate case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is also investigating the Gutierrez allegations. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Mamdani’s October 7 statement wasn’t anti-Israel enough for his own supporters **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** BlazeTV Staff | **Section:** Pat Gray Unleashed **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/shows/pat-gray-unleashed/mamdanis-october-7-statement-wasnt-anti-israel-enough-for-his-own-supporters.md New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) managed to anger his own supporters with his October 7 statement — despite denouncing Israel in more than half of it. Mamdani first briefly acknowledged Hamas’ deadly 2023 attack on Israel before accusing the Israeli government of an ongoing genocide in Gaza and citing egregious Palestinian casualty figures. “This day is profoundly painful for so many New Yorkers. It marks three years since the horrific war crimes of October 7. On that day, Hamas killed more than 1,100 Israelis and abducted 251 others,” Mamdani began. “We grieve alongside our many friends and neighbors who still carry that unthinkable loss,” he continued. “The suffering did not begin nor end that day. It instead continued through the Israeli government’s devastating, ongoing genocide in Gaza, in which it has killed more than 74,000 Palestinians — including more than 21,000 children,” he added. “Really? Where are you getting those numbers, Zohran?” BlazeTV host Pat Gray asks. “You’re getting them from Hamas, the official health agency in the Gaza strip. Hamas is giving those numbers. They’re garbage numbers,” he says. “And Israel can only do so much to mitigate the civilian casualties,” he continues. “They tell them, ‘Look, we’re going to bomb this building. You need to leave.’ And if you don’t, what are they going to do about that?” Mamdani also claimed that “since the so-called ceasefire, more than 1,400 Palestinians have been killed” and that the “suffering has intensified with every Israeli bomb dropped on ambulances waiting outside hospitals.” “They’re hiding in the hospitals. Hamas has infiltrated the hospitals. They use them, and they use the people in them as human shields,” Gray says. “This is pathetic,” he says, noting that Mamdani also lamented that “our tax dollars fund these war crimes.” “Hamas is still seeking the complete destruction of Israel and everybody in that country. What do you think ‘from the river to the sea’ means?” he asks, answering, “It means no Jews in Israel.” “I mean, this is so incredible that he posted this on October 7, and yet it was too sympathetic for his followers,” he adds. Want more from Pat Gray? To enjoy more of Pat's biting analysis and signature wit as he restores common sense to a senseless world, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream. --- ### Columbus gets the finger. Other conquerors get a pass. **Published:** October 14, 2026 | **Author:** Jeannie DeAngelis | **Section:** Opinion **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/columns/opinion/columbus-gets-the-finger-other-conquerors-get-a-pass.md My paternal grandmother, Giuseppina Scianna, was born on October 12, 1893, in Lercara Friddi, Sicily. Grandma Josey, her mother, Rosa Barbusia, and two siblings came to America in 1910, hoping to reunite with their husband and father, Giuseppe Scianna, who had come to New York to build a better life for his family. My grandmother spoke broken English, but I remember her telling me how proud she was to be an American because, in Lercara Friddi, people believed America’s streets were lined with gold. She was especially proud to have been born on Columbus Day. To her, Christopher Columbus represented the opening of a world that eventually gave her family a chance to thrive here. If conquest itself is the indictment, history provides no shortage of defendants. That is the part of Mamdani’s moral ledger that seems curiously blank. The man New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) publicly disparages was Cristoforo Colombo, a Genoese navigator who altered the course of history. Mamdani made his contempt plain in 2020 when he posed in Astoria giving the middle finger to a Columbus statue and captioned the photo: “Take it down.” Maybe the replacement could be Mehmed II. After all, Michelangelo’s Pietà arrived in New York aboard the Italian liner Cristoforo Colombo for the 1964 World’s Fair. Why not import a statue of Mehmed the Conqueror from Istanbul and give Astoria a lesson in historical consistency? Mamdani did not invent the anti-colonial lens through which he sees the world. His father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a prominent scholar of colonialism and postcolonial politics; his mother, Mira Nair, has made films about displacement, immigration, and identity. Their son’s politics likewise run through an anti-colonial framework, whether the subject is Columbus, Israel, or American power. Fine. Apply it consistently. In January 1492, Ferdinand and Isabella defeated the last Muslim kingdom in Spain, Granada. Later that year, they sponsored Columbus’ voyage across the Atlantic. History, unfortunately for modern morality plays, is not tidy. On October 12, 1492, the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María reached the Bahamas on the first of Columbus’ four transatlantic voyages. His voyage did not make the Americas suddenly exist, of course, but it began the sustained contact between Europe and the Western Hemisphere that transformed both. The Library of Congress describes the encounters that followed as irreversible and often brutal, but also world-changing. Columbus was a formidable mariner. His voyages expanded European geographical knowledge and helped set in motion the Columbian Exchange, which carried American crops such as tomatoes, potatoes, and corn to Europe and European plants, animals, technologies, and diseases in the other direction. His own writings also show a strong Christian evangelical purpose. None of that requires pretending that his legacy was spotless. RELATED: Trump pays homage to Columbus, unveils special tribute from Italy Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images It does require something more serious than a middle finger. Mamdani associates Columbus with colonization and the mistreatment of indigenous peoples. That is his prerogative. But once conquest becomes the moral standard, consistency becomes mandatory. Why is Western conquest treated as a permanent indictment, while conquest elsewhere so often becomes historical wallpaper? Take Sicily. Muslim armies began conquering the island in 827, and Muslim rule lasted until the Norman conquest in the 11th century. Muslim empires also conquered North Africa, most of the Iberian Peninsula, and large parts of the Middle East. If conquest itself is the indictment, history provides no shortage of defendants. That is the part of Mamdani’s moral ledger that seems curiously blank. His relationship with New York’s Italian-American community has not helped. Nearly half a million New Yorkers identify Italian ancestry. Yet his administration’s much-ballyhooed map of immigrant enclaves initially omitted Little Italy. After criticism, Mamdani promised to add it. If he wanted to convince Italian-Americans that his contempt for Columbus was not contempt for them, forgetting Little Italy was a strange way to do it. Zohran, who wouldn’t know arancini if he tripped over one on Mulberry Street, could hardly have scripted the insult better. Then came Columbus Day. Mamdani found time this year to celebrate Italian Heritage Month by honoring socialist Rep. Vito Marcantonio. He also skipped the Columbus Day parade, after attending or participating in a long list of other ethnic and civic celebrations around the city. RELATED: The DSA’s plan for immigration is the worst one yet John Moore/Getty Images Apparently St. Patrick, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, the West Indies, Bangladesh, Sikh New Yorkers, Pride, and Labor Day can all make the mayoral calendar. Columbus cannot. The same habit of selective condemnation appeared in Mamdani’s October 7 statement. He correctly called Hamas’ 2023 attack “horrific war crimes” and mourned the Israelis who were murdered and abducted. Then he pivoted quickly to accusing Israel of “genocide,” “occupation,” and “apartheid”. The asymmetry is familiar: Western or Israeli power is examined with a microscope; comparable histories of conquest elsewhere rarely receive the same treatment. Mamdani and his comrades in arms currently have no problem supporting Muslims who conquer via political representation and whose connection with the DSA indicates that they aspire to replace American constitutional principles with a new kind of governance. If Giuseppina Scianna were alive in 2026, she would proudly honor Columbus at the New York City parade and be appalled that the mayor, who — if it were today — would likely justify the Islamic conquest of Sicily but doesn’t embrace the greatness of a nation discovered by an Italian explorer who paved the way for the greatest nation in the history of civilization. --- ### Pope Leo has cancer, Vatican says **Published:** October 13, 2026 | **Author:** Carlos Garcia | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/pope-leo-lung-cancer-vatican.md The Vatican said Tuesday that Pope Leo XIV was diagnosed with lung cancer after surgery to remove a lung nodule. The Holy See Press Office released a statement from Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora at Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome, Italy. 'As he is admitted to the hospital, we accompany him with our prayers. ... We are also deeply grateful for his teaching, which urges us to place the dignity of every person at the center.' "As planned, the Holy Father underwent thoracic surgery. To ensure a radical resection, the lower lobe of his right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique," the doctors said. "An intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as suspected from the preoperative examinations. ... The operation was successful, and there were no complications," they added. The operation lasted about 90 minutes, and the 71-year-old pope awoke normally afterward, the doctors said. He was returned to his 10th-floor hospital room. Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni said Monday that the pope was expected to stay in the hospital for a week. "As he is admitted to the hospital, we accompany him with our prayers, mindful of the close bond between our university and the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital Foundation," said Catholic University of the Sacred Heart Rector Elena Beccalli to Vatican News. "We are also deeply grateful for his teaching, which urges us to place the dignity of every person at the center and to build dialogue and peace," she added. The removed tissue will be examined in the days after the operation, according to Vatican News. Bishop John Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona, released a video asking for prayers for the pope. "We ask that you pray for him, though, and entrust him to our blessed mother, to, of course, Jesus her son, and we ask also that St. Joseph, who is the patron saint of the church, will bless our holy father, that he will continue to serve the church worldwide," he said. "He has been a true blessing, and we ask that the Lord will bless him as he journeys forth," Dolan added. RELATED: Pope Leo appoints bishops who defended DEI and criticized immigration enforcement "This is a moment to unite in prayer for the Holy Father, asking Our Lord to grant him healing, strength and a full recovery. Our Lady, Health of the Sick, pray for him," Catholic commentator Mark Lambert said. Pope Leo XIV is the first American pope in the history of the Catholic church and was selected by the conclave of cardinals in March 2025. Although he was born in Chicago, Illinois, he spent much of his time in Peru. He was scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in November, but it is unclear whether the diagnosis will change those plans. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Kelly Clarkson SPIRALS during thrift store feud: ‘She did the diva thing’ **Published:** October 13, 2026 | **Author:** BlazeTV Staff | **Section:** Sara Gonzales Unfiltered **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/shows/sara-gonzales-unfiltered/kelly-clarkson-spirals-during-thrift-store-feud-she-did-the-diva-thing.md American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson went off on social media after claiming she was snubbed by a Brooklyn vintage shop. But after the singer openly complained that an employee treated her as if she couldn’t afford what she wanted, the store offered a very different explanation: The item she wanted wasn’t for sale. “Just drove all the way to Brooklyn to check out this store I thought looked really rad and had a few things in mind to buy and literally was looked at as if I couldn’t afford it and was told he could find something comparable for me,” she wrote. “Wow, dude. You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale. But y’all should go check out Art of Play in Brooklyn if you enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts’ character in Pretty Woman,” she added. “She did the diva thing,” Alex Stein tells BlazeTV host Sara Gonzales. “Give me a break. You’re going to thrift stores. Nobody treats you nice at these expensive thrift stores,” he adds. The store responded to Clarkson’s claim, writing in a statement that Clarkson had “inquired about buying ‘Molly,’ a one-of-a-kind singing and dancing bird automaton who plays an important role in the magic shows” hosted at the store. “Molly is permanently attached to the wall and isn’t for sale,” the store added. “There should be a rule,” Stein comments. “If you are a multimillionaire, or even a millionaire, you can only complain about airline travel on social media. That’s my one rule because people are always empathetic to that.” “Every single step that Kelly Clarkson made in this transgression was bad,” Stein says. “Every step was a left-footed step.” Want more from Sara Gonzales? To enjoy more of Sara's no-holds-barred takes on news and culture, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream. --- ### Ed Markey says he wants to hire BIPOC and LGBTQ+ interns — and gets hit with BRUTAL ridicule **Published:** October 13, 2026 | **Author:** Carlos Garcia | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/ed-markey-bipoc-lgbtq-interns.md Democratic Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts put out the call for interns but added a list of racial and gender requirements that made many people scoff. The 80-year-old has been in Congress since 1976 and is running for re-election against Republican John Deaton, a U.S. Marine veteran and attorney. 'Why does a person need to disclose to you who they have sex with before you'll hire them?' "I'm hiring motivated and eager interns for the Spring 2027 semester in my Boston office. BIPOC, LGBTQ+, working class, veterans, and other underrepresented candidates with Massachusetts ties are encouraged to apply," Markey wrote on social media. "BIPOC" is an acronym for black, indigenous, and people of color. Critics of Markey accused him of discrimination, and some responded with mockery. "Blatant discrimination," conservative commentator Riley Gaines replied. "Why does a person need to disclose to you who they have sex with before you'll hire them?" another critic asked. "Funny way of saying that you're proudly discriminating against people from other backgrounds attempting to work as interns for you. Sounds like something for @CivilRights to investigate," another detractor said. "Are you just openly announcing biased hiring practices? Wild," another response reads. "I am a STRAIGHT, WHITE, REPUBLICAN, over-40 MALE ... my application will be in your office within the week. If you refuse me, I will sue you into oblivion," another critic said. RELATED: Democratic senator calls for new laws to 'promote algorithmic justice' over the 'dangerous' influence of Elon Musk and other billionaires Markey is known as a progressive politician, and one of his campaign promises is to support passing a transgender "bill of rights." He also pushed the Green New Deal alongside democratic socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. He has said that if he's re-elected to another term, it would be his last in the Senate. He will be 86 years old at the end of that term. Markey is far ahead of Deaton, according to the Blaze News Poll Watch below: pollwatch.theblaze.com Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Katie Zacharia takes podium for the first time as press secretary — and Trump reacts **Published:** October 13, 2026 | **Author:** Carlos Garcia | **Section:** News **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/news/zacharia-press-secretary-trump-approves.md President Donald Trump approved of Katie Zacharia's first media briefing on Tuesday as the newest White House press secretary. The president told reporters that Zacharia did a good job as he left the White House to go campaign for Republican candidates in Alaska. 'I'm looking forward to working with each of you as well, especially as we are in the middle of the midterm blitz, with energy and excitement never before seen in the history of midterms.' The 42-year-old mother of four children thanked the president in her opening comments before the press. "Good morning. I am so honored to work for President Trump and the American people as the new White House press secretary," Zacharia said. "I want to thank President Trump for his trust that he has placed in me. I have wanted to work for him for a very long time," she added. "I'm looking forward to working with each of you as well, especially as we are in the middle of the midterm blitz, with energy and excitement never before seen in the history of midterms, thanks to President Trump," she said. Zacharia's first media briefing lasted only 14 minutes, but she made news by announcing that Kimberly Guilfoyle had been asked to resign as the U.S. ambassador to Greece after allegations of impropriety began swirling last week. "We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign," Zacharia said. "She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well." Guilfoyle announced on her social media account that she would resign and denied accusations that she had abused her office for personal gain. "I have dedicated my professional life to fighting for justice, standing up for what is right, and defending the values that make America exceptional," Guilfoyle wrote. "I will not allow false accusations to define my decades of public service." A reporter asked the president to grade Zacharia's performance afterward. "I thought she did excellent," he said. "She did very good." RELATED: Marco Rubio takes on press secretary role — and gives Iran one choice to avoid total economic collapse Trump enthusiastically endorsed Zacharia to follow Karoline Leavitt, who has since signed on to be a Fox News contributor. "She has an unblemished record of support, and has been a loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning," the president wrote of Zacharia on Friday. "She is, likewise, a devoted fan and member of MAGA!" Zacharia is the seventh woman in a row to head the White House press secretary office. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! --- ### Be like Mike: Michael Jordan NBA Finals jersey sells for world-record price at auction **Published:** October 13, 2026 | **Author:** Andrew Chapados | **Section:** Fearless **URL:** https://www.theblaze.com/fearless/michael-jordan-record-jersey-auction.md Michael Jordan is known as the best NBA player of all time, and now his jersey is the best of all time too. A record-setting auction has enshrined the basketball jersey into the collectible market's rafters, after a memorabilia enthusiast paid millions to get his hands on it. 'One of the finest examples of any game-worn jersey I have ever seen.' On Monday, Hunt Auctions announced a private treaty sale for a Michael Jordan game-worn Chicago Bulls jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals. Marketed as the Game 2 jersey — where the Bulls beat the Utah Jazz 93-88 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah — Jordan's red jerseys from Games 1, 2, and 6 of the finals have become some of the most highly coveted uniforms in basketball history. As one of the "holy grails" of sports, the Game 2 jersey sold for a whopping price of $14 million. The item is a world record for any piece of basketball merch, Hunt Auctions said, and was the second-highest price paid for a game-used jersey from any sport. According to Reuters, the Jordan jersey is second only to Babe Ruth's 1932 World Series uniform when he famously called his shot. That sold for a reported $24.12 million in 2024. For basketball, Jordan is only outdoing himself. The latest auction beat out his own record set in September, which was for a white jersey worn in Game 3 of the same 1998 NBA Finals. That jersey sold for $12.26 million, CBS Chicago reported. Before that, a September 2022 auction saw his Game 1 red jersey go for $10.091 million, which then surpassed soccer legend Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" jersey from the 1986 World Cup that sold for $9.28 million. RELATED: 'It was wrong': Michael Jordan reveals insanely competitive reason for suing NASCAR - YouTube Outside of Jordan, Kobe Bryant has the next most valuable NBA jersey at $7 million, which sold in 2025. According to auctioneers, the record-setting Jordan jersey was originally purchased directly from the Chicago Bulls by a collector and comes with a 2003 letter from Chicago Bulls Director of Community Relations Jeff Schultz. "It is my opinion that this jersey is one of the finest examples of any game-worn jersey I have ever seen in my 15+ years of managing the Chicago Bulls memorabilia," Schultz wrote. The jersey has what was described as a "succinct" chain of custody, having changed hands only once since it was purchased from the team. It was also autographed by Jordan himself through a signing authentication by Upper Deck. RELATED: The audience you may need someday JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images Collector Ron Firman, originally from Rye, New York, thanked the auction house and called Jordan "an incredibly talented player who is admired around the world." Hunt Auctions' David Hunt remarked that Jordan and Ruth items are by far the most coveted in the collector's market for American sports. "The record-setting price achieved for the related Michael Jordan jersey is yet another corroborative result as to the significance of Jordan within the industry and popular culture," Hunt said. Hunt added that Jordan memorabilia has been elevated to the status of the "elite asset class more typically reserved for iconic works of art." The 1998 NBA Finals are considered Jordan's "Last Dance" and serve as the backdrop for his iconic Netflix series that shares the same name. Like Blaze News? 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