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Trump reportedly looks to privatize United States Postal Service
Approved, National, The Daily Caller

Trump reportedly looks to privatize United States Postal Service

By Julianna Frieman | Daily Caller President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly looking to privatize the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), three people familiar with the matter told The Washington Post in a report published Sunday. Trump has made known his desire to detach the USPS from the federal government in conversations at his Mar-a-Lago estate, sources informed the outlet, including with Howard Lutnick, his commerce secretary pick and co-chair of his presidential transition team. In early December, Trump also talked with a group of transition team officials to feel out their opinions on privatizing the agency, one person told the outlet. As mail volume declines for the Postal Service, the agency has reportedly lost $9.5 billion in the fiscal year ending on Sept. 30, Th...
Lawmakers struggle to reach deal to avert government shutdown
Approved, National, THE HILL

Lawmakers struggle to reach deal to avert government shutdown

By Aris Folley  | The Hill Congressional negotiators are struggling to reach a deal to keep the government’s lights on past Dec. 20. Text of a continuing resolution (CR) for a government funding package was expected Sunday ahead of the looming shutdown deadline. But lawmakers failed to release the text, with economic assistance for farmers emerging as an apparent last-minute sticking point. Key players had indicated this week that the forthcoming CR, which keeps the government funded at current levels, would also include another one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill, as both sides have struggled to agree on a longer-term plan. But lawmakers had also ramped up talks of potential add-ons to provide economic assistance for farmers as part of the broader funding plan. READ T...
Kevin Van Winkle to make early arrival as Douglas County commissioner
Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

Kevin Van Winkle to make early arrival as Douglas County commissioner

By Noah Festenstein | Denver Gazette Following the recent turn of events in Douglas County, Kevin Van Winkle, a state senator, joined his soon-to-be colleagues on Thursday night to host the annual state of the county report. It was Van Winkle's first public appearance with commissioners Abe Laydon and George Teal since former Commissioner Lora Thomas unexpectedly resigned from her seat.  “I'm looking forward to a new era of peace and prosperity for Douglas County,” Van Winkle told a dinner crowd of business leaders and Douglas County residents. Van Winkle is expected to resign his legislative seat on Dec. 16.  READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
Netanyahu testimony postponed; hostage deal, or Iran strike, imminent
Approved, Breitbart, National

Netanyahu testimony postponed; hostage deal, or Iran strike, imminent

By Joel B. Pollak | Breitbart Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was given special leave Monday to delay his testimony Tuesday in his trial because of special circumstances — leading to speculation about a strike on Iran, or a hostage deal with Hamas. Netanyahu has been testifying in his own defense in a trial whose central allegation is that he sought better media coverage from a hostile press. His testimony, thus far, has made the charges seem as spurious as critics suggested. However, on Monday the judge announced, after conferring privately with the lawyers for both sides, that the prime minister’s testimony Tuesday would be postponed — leading to speculation about what those circumstances might be. READ THE FULL STORY AT BREITBART
Colorado deputy ‘rescues’ Captain America during Douglas County traffic stop
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Colorado deputy ‘rescues’ Captain America during Douglas County traffic stop

By Michael Abeyta | CBS Colorado One Colorado deputy became a hero's hero when he rescued Captain America on the side of the road last week. Deputy Zach Zepeski with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office was driving on C-470 when he noticed Captain America was having motorcycle trouble on the side of the road. He decided to stop. "I couldn't have Captain America stranded," said Zepeski. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
Douglas County School District narrowly approves charter school release amid heated debate
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Douglas County School District narrowly approves charter school release amid heated debate

By Rocky Mountain Voice Staff | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice In a pivotal 4-3 vote on Tuesday night, the Douglas County School District board approved the release of the John Adams Academy charter school to apply for authorization through the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI). This decision, made possible by conservative members of the board, marks a significant milestone for school choice advocates in Douglas County and underscores the importance of empowering parents with diverse educational options. The debate surrounding this decision was passionate and highlighted a fundamental divide: should charter schools be confined to district oversight, or should they have the flexibility to pursue authorization through alternative pathways like CSI? For supporters of school choi...
Officer who killed Ashli Babbitt abandoned U.S. Capitol post for card game, lied about it, source says
Approved, National, tHE bLAZE

Officer who killed Ashli Babbitt abandoned U.S. Capitol post for card game, lied about it, source says

By Steve Baker and Joseph M. Hanneman | The Blaze The U.S. Capitol Police lieutenant who shot and killed Ashli Babbitt at the Capitol on Jan. 6 was recommended for termination in 2001 for abandoning his post in the Speaker’s Office for a card game in a nearby cloakroom, then lying about it to Internal Affairs Division investigators, Blaze News has learned. The 2001 investigation of Michael L. Byrd, 56, was the first known disciplinary case brought against the lieutenant who crept from his blind near the doors to the Speaker’s Lobby on Jan. 6, 2021, and shot Babbitt to death. The 2001 incident is the fourth such disciplinary case disclosed since Nov. 20. A source with detailed knowledge of the Internal Affairs Division case told Blaze News that Byrd was charged with abandoning his ...
Colorado’s Travis Hunter wins Heisman trophy, edging out Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty
Approved, Daily Wire, National, State

Colorado’s Travis Hunter wins Heisman trophy, edging out Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty

By  Ryan Saavedra | Daily Wire Travis Hunter, the two-way Colorado star who dominates both sides of the ball as a receiver and a cornerback, won the 2024 Heisman Trophy Saturday night in New York City. Hunter beat out Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, and Miami quarterback Cam Ward for the most prestigious award in college football that is awarded annually to the player who is voted the most outstanding player. The Heisman Trophy is the crown jewel of the numerous awards Hunter racked up during his unprecedented season. The other awards he won include the AP Player of the Year, Biletnikoff Award (best receiver), Bednarik Award (best defensive player), Lott IMPACT Trophy (defensive impact player of the year), Paul Hornung Award (most versati...
ABC news to apologize, pay $16 million in defamation suit settlement with Donald Trump
Approved, National, National Review

ABC news to apologize, pay $16 million in defamation suit settlement with Donald Trump

By Haley Strack | National Review ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos have reached a settlement in a defamation suit brought by President-elect Donald Trump, which requires the network to apologize, contribute $15 million to a “Presidential foundation and museum to be established by or for Plaintiff,” and pay Trump’s legal team $1 million. Defendants also must say they “regret” the defamatory comments, which Stephanopoulos made on-air in March during a broadcast with South Carolina representative Nancy Mace, that spurred Trump’s lawsuit. During the broadcast, the news anchor asked Mace why she supported Trump, who he said was found liable in Manhattan for raping E. Jean Carroll. “You’ve endorsed Donald Trump for president. Judges and two separate juries have found him liable...
Coffee prices hit record high after challenging growing season
Approved, National, THE HILL

Coffee prices hit record high after challenging growing season

By Ashley Soriano | News Nation Via The Hill Higher coffee prices could be brewing for consumers as the global coffee market smashed a 47-year record. Arabica coffee, a type of coffee bean largely grown in Central and South America, sold for $3.44 a pound earlier this week, beating the prior record high of $3.35 set in 1977. Brazil is the leading producer of arabica, the world’s most popular variety, and extreme drought has led to smaller harvests, driving world prices up. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE HILL