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Trump-era tax cuts becoming important 2024 election year issue
Approved, National, The Center Square

Trump-era tax cuts becoming important 2024 election year issue

By Casey Harper | The Center Square The sweeping Trump-era tax cuts in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 are set to expire next year, setting up the tax debate as a potentially key political issue this election year. While illegal immigration and inflation top Americans’ list of concerns, both parties are increasingly talking about the Trump-era tax cuts, which President Joe Biden has said he will allow to expire next year. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has promised more tax cuts if elected. “You’re all getting the biggest tax cuts because we’re doing additional cuts and a brand new Trump economic boom like you’ve never seen before,” Trump told supporters at a South Carolina rally in February. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE CENTER SQUARE
Southwest Airlines makes a huge change to its loyalty program
Approved, National, The Street

Southwest Airlines makes a huge change to its loyalty program

By Daniel Kline | The Street Southwest Airlines does not offer some of the perks that other airlines offer.  The airline does not offer business- or first-class seating, so it can't reward its most loyal passengers by bumping them up to better seats. In fact, the airline has built its entire system around a fairly democratic seating policy, where everyone gets treated mostly the same. Nobody gets an assigned seat and most passengers get their places in the three-tiered regular boarding system when they check in 24 hours before their flights. Top-tier members of Rapid Rewards, the airline's loyalty program, do get checked in earlier than other passengers. And if an A-List or higher member does not get an A group boarding position, they can board after the As and before the ...
Fentanyl coming to U.S. becoming more deadly, DEA says
Approved, Colorado Springs Gazette, National

Fentanyl coming to U.S. becoming more deadly, DEA says

By Brett Rowland | Colorado Springs Gazette The illicit fentanyl coming from Mexican cartels is becoming more dangerous, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The purity level of illicit fentanyl in the U.S. drug market has increased and the amount of fentanyl found in counterfeit prescription pills has increased, making the nation's top drug threat even more dangerous, according to the DEA's most recent National Drug Threat Assessment. A lethal dose of the potent opioid is about 2 milligrams, depending on the opioid tolerance of the user. In 2022, the average fentanyl pill contained 2.4 milligrams of fentanyl, according to analysis by DEA forensic chemists who test random samples of the fentanyl seized in the U.S. Overall, the tested samples ranged from a low of .0...
Terrorist watch list apprehensions at northern border continue to break records
Approved, National, The Center Square

Terrorist watch list apprehensions at northern border continue to break records

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square The number of known or suspected terrorists (KSTs) apprehended at the northern border in the first six months of fiscal 2024 continue to outpace those apprehended at the southwest border. There have been 143 KSTs apprehended at the northern border through the first six months of this fiscal year compared to 92 at the southwest border, according to the most recent CBP data. Those apprehended are known to law enforcement and in the national Terrorist Screening Dataset, a federal database that contains sensitive information on terrorist identities. It originated as a consolidated terrorist watchlist “to house information on known or suspected terrorists but evolved over the last decade to include additional individuals who represent a pote...
Chicago officials seek to shield Biden from protesters at Democratic convention by denying permits
Approved, National, The Washington Times

Chicago officials seek to shield Biden from protesters at Democratic convention by denying permits

By Jeff Mordock  | The Washington Times Chicago’s Democratic mayor is moving to keep protesters miles away from the Democratic National Convention in the city in August, blocking pro-Palestinian protesters’ requests for permits to help insulate President Biden. A lawyer representing one of the planned protests calls the city’s actions a heavy-handed, unconstitutional restriction of free speech. College campuses across the U.S. have erupted into chaotic protests over the Israel-Hamas war, and other demonstrators have interrupted Mr. Biden’s speeches, taking over his events and drowning out his remarks with chants of “Genocide Joe.” READ THE FULL STORY AT THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Anti-oil activists try to break into Magna Carta display as part of climate protest
Approved, National, Straight Arrow News

Anti-oil activists try to break into Magna Carta display as part of climate protest

By Jack Aylmer , Evan Hummel , Jake Maslo  | Straight Arrow News Two climate activists reportedly tried to break the glass case containing the Magna Carta, which is believed to be the founding documents for Western democracy. At the British Library on Friday, May 10, the women used a hammer and chisel to pound at the glass. However, the pair caused only minor damage to the case and the historic document was untouched. The women pounded the glass in the name of fighting climate change. They belong to the group called Just Stop Oil — a group looking to end the world’s reliance on fossil fuels. The women, Rev. Sue Parfitt and Judy Bruce, a retired biology teacher, released a statement in response to the incident. “The Magna Carta is rightly revered, being of great...
Charges dropped against 211 migrants who stormed border, DA appeals
Approved, National, Straight Arrow News

Charges dropped against 211 migrants who stormed border, DA appeals

By Karah Rucker , Ben Ray  | Straight Arrow News More than 200 migrants who broke open a fence and pushed past Texas border officials will not be facing charges in El Paso County, Texas. A judge dismissed their case on Wednesday, May 8. Video captured by the New York Post showed the incident on March 21. Migrants were seen breaking through a metal fence with razor wire and pushing passed Texas officials at the border. Some National Guard troops were injured as migrants rushed them. 211 migrants faced rioting charges over the incident, but an El Paso County judge dismissed all of the charges. The judge said the case was not within his jurisdiction. Because of that technicality, he dropped the case. READ THE FULL STORY AT STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS
Trump tells Jersey Shore crowd he’s being forced to endure ‘Biden show trial’
Approved, National, The Washington Post

Trump tells Jersey Shore crowd he’s being forced to endure ‘Biden show trial’

By Steve Peoples and Mike Catalini and Meg Kinnard | The Washington Times Sandwiched between his appearances in court, Donald Trump headed on Saturday to the Jersey Shore, where he repeatedly blamed President Biden for the criminal charges he’s facing as the presumptive nominees prepare to face off in the November election and called his New York hush money case “a Biden show trial.” Blasting the Democratic president “a total moron,” Mr. Trump before a crowd of tens of thousands repeatedly characterized the cases against him as politically motivated and timed to harm his ability to campaign. “He’s a fool. He’s not a smart man,” Mr. Trump said of Mr. Biden. “I talk about him differently now because now the gloves are off.” READ THE FULL STORY IN THE...
Will Americans see the northern lights again tonight?
National, THE HILL

Will Americans see the northern lights again tonight?

By NICK JACHIM AND ALIX MARTICHOUX | The Hill Friday night, Americans across the country were able to catch a glimpse of the northern lights from coast to coast, a sight many only get to see once in their lifetime. But for those who missed it, or are hoping for a second look, you may just get that chance Saturday night. According to the NOAA’s Aurora Forecast, the majority of households who saw the northern lights last night will have a chance to watch them on Saturday. Weather permitting, states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, Colorado and Missouri have a chance to see the northern lights again on Saturday night. Friday night and Saturday morning, “extreme” G5 geomagnetic storms were observed. The last time a G5 solar storm occurred was in 2003, when it caused major power problems...
Top Border Patrol officials say Biden appointees silenced them for years
Approved, coloradopolitics.com, National

Top Border Patrol officials say Biden appointees silenced them for years

By Anna Giaritelli | Colorado Politics The recently retired second in command of the U.S. Border Patrol said the Biden administration intentionally blocked him and others from engaging with the public, enacting robust protocols to sabotage media requests as millions surged across the southern border. In an interview with the Washington Examiner, recently retired Border Patrol Deputy Chief Matthew Hudak spoke out for the first time since his departure and accused White House appointees within the Department of Homeland Security of policing the police's media presence. "Dealing with this tidal wave of humanity that was hitting our border on a daily basis — very quickly, news stories, statements being put out condemning our agents, being critical of their eff...