News and Headlines: In The News, Politics, World News, Commentary/Opinion.
In The News:
KFC shooter who became angry over missing fork and napkin arrested: police
The 33-year-old woman from Sandy Springs, Ga., was taken into custody almost a month after the incident occurred at a KFC in Shelbyville, Ky. She is currently awaiting extradition from Georgia to Kentucky.
Jonelle Jade Dare, 33, was arrested on Tuesday after authorities tracked her to Atlanta, WSB-TV 2 reports.
No one was injured during the original incident, although there were several customers and employees in the restaurant at the time.
UIC student found strangled in car was killed because she ignored man’s catcalls: prosecutors
Ruth George, 19, was found unresponsive in her family’s car parked inside the Halsted Street Parking Garage and an autopsy determined she died of strangulation.
The suspect, 26-year-old Donald Thurman, was arrested the following day in connection with her death.
Thurman was charged with first-degree murder and criminal sexual assault in George’s death.
Missouri man charged after wife found dead in freezer
(Webster County Sheriff’s Office)
Larry Dinwiddie, 57, is charged with second-degree murder, abandonment of a corpse, and armed criminal action, OzarksFirst.com reported.
Cynthia Dinwiddie, 56, was found by Monday evening and had likely been in a locked freezer since 2015, Webster County Sheriff Roye Cole said.
He said management at a storage facility discovered the body being stored with food items.
When authorities could not locate Larry Dinwiddie, they concocted a ruse to get him to the storage unit.
Texas cities evacuated after second explosion at chemical plant; three injured in first blast
KBMT-TV reported that an afternoon blast at the TPC Group plant in Port Neches, about 80 miles east of Houston, followed a powerful burst at 1 a.m. that sent three workers to the hospital, injured some residents and caused property damage to homes and businesses.
County officials called for evacuations around a 4-mile radius that includes Port Neches, Groves, Nederland and parts of Port Arthur following the afternoon explosion.
TPC officials said two employees and a contractor were treated at hospitals after the initial blast and later released. The company said all employees are accounted for.
Georgia couple accused of making child pornography involving a 2-year-old
A “concerned citizen” forwarded a tip to the Sheriff’s Office Nov. 18. The tipster said a local man was in possession of child pornography, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives identified Wright as a suspect, and he was arrested at his home on Beamer Circle the same day.
As Gordon County authorities continued the investigation, they found evidence that Wright had created homemade child pornography with the 2-year-old, the Sheriff’s Office said. Investigators executed five search warrants on Wright’s electronic devices to gather video evidence.
The evidence led investigators to Newport, according to officials. She was identified in the videos, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Wright was convicted of sexual battery in Whitfield County in 2005, officials said. He was sentenced to five years in that case.
2 men, 1 woman in custody after deadly shooting at Memphis shopping center
Favian L. Effinger and Miguel Lemuel Effinger were arrested Tuesday and charged with first-degree murder, according to MPD.
Gjuanadell Effinger sent a video on social media saying someone in a white van was trying to abduct her from the Walmart parking lot, according to police.
Investigators determined the three suspects confronted the victim on the parking lot while he tried to park his van.
The suspects got angry and opened fire on the victim with a shotgun and handgun – shooting him in the front and back.
The victim tried to run from the scene, but lost control of the van and crashed into a shopping cart container.
Tennessee teen dismembered grandmother’s Shih-Tzu, placed head in dresser: police
Kyoko Smith, 18, could face up to six years in prison after she was charged with killing an animal earlier this month.
Records say she cut off the head of the Shih-Tzu, placed it in her dresser and put its heart in the freezer.
Investigators say Smith admitted to killing the dog. Someone also told law enforcement that they had received images of the dead animal from Smith.
Oklahoma cop indicted for murder after allegedly firing 60 rounds, killing road-rage suspect
Mitchell engaged in “imminently dangerous conduct” when he shot Godsey in Blackwell, located roughly 90 miles north of Oklahoma City, a grand jury concluded last Thursday, alleging the officer wasn’t justified in firing dozens of shots at the suspect.
Authorities had responded to reports of gunfire coming from a white pickup truck at various locations in Blackwell when the incident broke out, The Oklahoman reported.
Responding officers reportedly pursued Godsey’s pickup truck and exchanged gunfire with her before her truck came to a stop.
Californians who can’t afford to live on land increasingly turning to water
The number of these so-called “anchor-outs” has doubled in recent years, and today more than 100 people comprise a community some liken to a floating homeless shelter.
But Jimi Mcintosh, a plumber who’s lived off the shore of Sausalito for years, says given his finances, he has no other choice.
“It’s impossible making what I make, even working full time, to live on land. With deposits, it just gets to be almost $9-thousand (a month), so I can’t even afford to move into a studio.”
The problem is squatting on the bay is illegal, and some of the makeshift homes are so cluttered and decrepit, they’re barely afloat.
Sausalito Police Chief John Rohrbacher took Fox News on a tour of some of the worst offenders–aging vessels stacked with generators, grills, tarps, and all kinds of household items.
US Weekly Jobless Claims Sharply Drop, GDP Growth Higher
The number of people who applied for unemployment benefits fell sharply in the week before Thanksgiving, according to statistics provided by the Labor Department.
Meanwhile, in a separate report, U.S. economic growth picked up in the third quarter, rather than slowing as was first reported.
The economy’s prospects were further brightened by other data on Wednesday showing the number of Americans filing claims for unemployment benefits dropped last week after being stuck at a five-month high for two straight weeks.
The reports were released in the wake of data showing an acceleration in housing market activity early in the fourth quarter and a sharp decline in the goods trade deficit, as well as a solid pace of inventory accumulation by retailers.
The improvement in the economic data further diminished the risks of recession in the near term.
A man solicited ISIS to carry out revenge attacks on two colleges he was kicked out of, federal prosecutors say
Salman Rashid was arrested over the weekend on charges that he solicited others to commit a violent crime on his behalf, according to unsealed court documents.
Rashid had been suspended from Miami-Dade College in December 2018 after a female classmate filed a criminal complaint alleging Rashid had been continuously harassing her.
According to an NBC News report on the story, in one text, Rashid told the classmate that “the creator” had “decided our destiny and chosen separate paths for us.”
“[In the] hereafter, [we] will meet once again,” he allegedly wrote.
“But things will be a little different :). You will not have excuses, will not be given a choice and will have to come closer to me.”
Marine deserter accused of murder arrested in Virginia after manhunt
Brown, 22, abandoned his post at North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune around October 18, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities believe he shot and killed his mother’s boyfriend, Rodney Brown, on November 9.
Sheriff Bill Overton Jr. told reporters during a press conference Wednesday that Brown was arrested around 8 a.m. at his mother’s home in Hardy, Virginia, outside Roanoke.
Acting U.S. Marshal Brad Sellers said investigators received information that led them to refocus on the home.
New York police K-9 takes down suspect after he punched cop in the face
Randy Martinez, a 23-year-old man who lives in Newburgh, said he was leaving his house with a friend when a man, identified as 31-year-old Tony Mann, wandered into his driveway and threatened him with a knife.
“I rolled down the window and was going to tell him he can’t be on my property, and then he takes out his knife, and I’m just like, ‘Oh, God, no. What’s going to happen?’” Martinez told the Times Herald-Record.
Martinez said he called police because he was “so scared,” as his loved ones were still in the house, and started filming the scene when authorities arrived.
As Trump administration confronts migrant crisis, detention centers are clearing out
(Adam Shaw/Fox News)
Amid a series of sweeping actions from the Trump administration — including the expansion of the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) that return migrants to Mexico to await their immigration hearings, increased cooperation with countries south of the border like Guatemala, and new border wall — apprehensions have declined dramatically by more than 70 percent since May.
Migrants mill around in holding areas, watching movies on big-screen TVs and playing soccer in the vast empty spaces.
At a facility in Donna, Texas, which new Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf toured last week, accompanied by Fox News, there were storage units with piles of clothes, food, drinks and snacks piled high for migrants brought to the center.
Politics:
Elizabeth Warren introduces bill to revoke Medals of Honor awarded for Wounded Knee Massacre
The Remove the Stain Act accompanies a House version introduced earlier this year by Democrats Paul Cook of California, Denny Heck of Washington and Deb Haaland of New Mexico.
The proposal is co-sponsored by Democratic Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden of Oregon, Kamala Harris of California and Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent.
Several Native American tribes, including descendants of the victims, have backed the legislation along with veterans groups such as VoteVets and Veterans for Peace.
Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota has said he does not support the effort because “we’re now guessing” about the roles of individual soldiers.
Obama refuses to endorse Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders
Commentary/Opinion: Who does the former president support?
‘The Daily Briefing’ host Dana Perino weighs in on ‘Tucker Carlson Tonight.’
Democratic lawmaker accuses Republican of ‘mansplaining’ to female witness
Commentary/Opinion: Independent Women’s Forum president Tammy Bruce on gender during the impeachment hearings.
Watters presents Bill Clinton-signed treaty allowing Trump to request assistance from Ukraine on Biden
A 1999 treaty with Ukraine, signed by Bill Clinton, provides a rock-solid basis for President Trump’s request for Ukrainian President Zelensky to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden for alleged corruption.
The Bidens are in up to their armpits with regard to a potential renewed Burisma Holdings natural gas probe … an overdue investigation that was in fact initially stopped by VP Biden while he was in office … a fact that he subsequently bragged about.
On Thursday, Jesse Watters revealed on “The Five” that he found the treaty that provides solid legal ground for President Trump’s appeal for investigative assistance from Ukraine.
MSNBC Contributor Compares Trump Supporters To ISIS Followers — Chris Matthews Applauds His ‘Attitude’
“I’ve seen a lot of phenomenon in my life. I’ve seen a lot of operations.
You know, the behaviors that I am seeing here, and this is anecdotal, are very similar to the way that ISIS members are.
They are true believers — and this is their reality and they will not surrender it. You know, they’re dead-enders.”
Shortly thereafter, host Matthews lauded Nance for his analysis. “Malcolm, I love your attitude. As we say in Philly … you got it. Thank you for coming on tonight.”
Nance’s assessment is only the latest example of media pundits suggesting that Trump is leading a force of unthinking subjects to disaster.
On Sunday, CNN host Brian Stelter of “Reliable Sources” interviewed a writer and mental health counselor who said Trump voters all belonged to a “destructive cult” as he quoted at length from his book “Cult of Trump.”
Hunter Biden’s China connections plagued by ethics questions and national security concerns
The questions come as Republicans are demanding that Hunter Biden – the 49-year-old son of Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden – appear before Congress to testify on his work.
For almost six years, the firm connected to Hunter Biden in China has moved more than $2.5 billion into various automotive, technology, energy, and mining endeavors.
Analysts point to the plethora of “ethical challenges” of Hunter doing such deals in China while his father was in the White House.
“While chances are Hunter Biden was doing what a lot of family members of famous politicians do – cash in on their name – it looks dirty.”
In the closing days of that December, China’s central bank, the Bank of China in conjunction with Rosemount Seneca – the firm Biden founded in 2009 with John Kerry’s stepson Christopher Heinz and family friend Devon Archer – set up the $1 billion investment joint venture called Bohai Harvest RST.
The “RS” signifies Rosemount Seneca, and the “T” is in reference to the Thornton Group, a Massachusetts-based international consulting company established by James Bulger, the nephew of infamous mob boss James “Whitey” Bulger.
Trump tweets image of himself as Rocky
President Donald Trump’s tweets regularly get thousands of reactions and retweets, from both supporters and critics, but this one may set a new record.
Judge hits pause on order for McGahn to comply with House Judiciary subpoena
A federal district court judge in Washington on Wednesday issued a temporary stay on her order earlier this week for former White House counsel Don McGahn to comply with a subpoena to appear before the House Judiciary Committee.
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson issued the stay following a request from McGahn’s attorneys, who are seeking a lengthier one that would allow him to appeal the decision.
While the House Judiciary Committee opposed any stay on the order for McGahn to appear on Capitol Hill, the committee said it would not oppose an administrative stay of seven days.
Miami Dem congressional candidate publishes photos wearing pro-Castro uniform, attacks America and Cuban exiles
In the post’s caption, Escobar, who is also Cuban American, wrote that she took the photographs during a 2008 trip to the island and that the photo of her holding Castro’ 26th of July Movement flag is “a favorite of the intolerants,” presumably a reference to offended Cuban exiles.
Escobar noted the flag belonged to her grandfather who she says participated in “the struggle against the bloody dictatorship of [Fulgencio] Batista.”
In other photos, the self-described progressive Democrat can be seen wearing the same red and black arm band and military uniform worn by members of Castro’s movement.
In recent days, the young congressional candidate has published several Facebook posts regarding the communist island which have raised eyebrows among some in South Florida Cuban American community.
Laura Ingraham Claims Trump Has Outsmarted Democrats On Impeachment And Other Issues
“Wiley E. Pelosi with a magnet? It’s perfect,” Ingraham told viewers on “The Ingraham Angle” in reference to the Wiley E. Coyote cartoon character that never succeeds in catching the Road Runner.
The host says that’s exactly how Pelosi and House Democrats appear in their quest to undermine President Donald Trump.
Ingraham ran through a variety of issues, including the current impeachment inquiry, where she says Trump has been right and the Democrats wrong.
“Wile E. Pelosi, with a magnet? It’s perfect. No matter what the Democrats throw at Trump, they can’t take him down, it’s driving them crazy.
Their predictions about the president’s staying power have been spectacular flops.”
World News:
Iraq protesters burn Iranian Consulate as deadly unrest continues
The consulate building in Najaf was torched and the Iranian flag was removed and replaced with an Iraqi one. Staffers inside were not harmed and escaped through a back door.
One protester was killed and 35 were wounded when police opened fire to prevent them from entering the facility.
Protesters previously attacked an Iranian consulate in Karbala earlier this month. No one was harmed in that attack.
Wednesday’s events marked an escalation in demonstrations that have raged for weeks across southern Iraq over dissatisfaction with public services, government corruption and high unemployment despite the country’s oil wealth.
Greek TV broadcast interrupted by pig’s apparent pursuit of love
A Greek television reporter sent to cover coastal flooding in Kineta on Monday was caught on video being chased around by an apparently lovestruck pig.
Footage broadcast by the channel showed the female swine aggressively pursuing the male reporter as members in the studio erupted with laughter.
Prince Andrew faces new fallout over Epstein scandal
Prince Charles is reportedly preparing to confront his younger brother Prince Andrew over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein; Dailymail.com editor Charlie Lankston joins Dana Perino on ‘The Daily Briefing.’
President Trump will designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations, shocking Mexican officials
Speaking with former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly, Trump said, “They will be designated.”
“I have been working on that for the last 90 days. You know, designation is not that easy, you have to go through a process, and we are well into that process,” he explained, Reuters reported.
Designating the cartels as terrorist organizations is a powerful measure.
Under U.S. law, it is illegal to knowingly support designated terrorist organizations, and people associated with designated organizations are barred from entering the U.S. Financial institutions are also prohibited from doing business with designated organizations.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration was “caught off-guard” by the announcement, the New York Times reported.
Commentary/Opinion:
What You’ve Been Taught About The Constitution Is Wrong (Pt. 2)| Tara Ross | POLITICS | Rubin Report
Dave Rubin of The Rubin Report talks to author, lawyer, and Electoral College expert Tara Ross about the United States Constitution and what most Americans get wrong about it in regard to states rights vs the rights of the federal government.
She also discusses that one of the main assumptions of the founding fathers was that citizens would be given a clear education in American History to understand the principles behind the government and the dangers of relying on the federal government instead of your state.
And that for us to understand the structure of our government requires us to know the federalist papers but also the anti-federalist papers.
Texas vs. California: Which Is Better?
What comes to mind when you think of California?
Is it low taxes, strong businesses, jobs, and the right to self-defense?
Not for these University of Texas students!
Will Witt heads to the Southwest to find out what people think of Texas and California.
Trump and Netanyahu: Both Being Investigated for Made-Up Crimes
The investigations of these two controversial leaders are based on using general laws that have never previously been deemed to apply to the conduct at issue and stretching them to target specific political figures.
Netanyahu has been indicted for bribery on the ground that he allegedly agreed to help a media company in exchange for more positive coverage and/or less negative coverage.
There are disputes about the facts, but even if they are viewed in the light least favorable to Netanyahu, they do not constitute the crime of bribery.
Nor would the Knesset ever enact a statute making it a crime for a member of Knesset to cast a vote in order to get good media coverage. If such a law was ever passed, the entire Knesset would be in prison.
Politicians always seek good coverage and many vote with that in mind. Some even negotiate good coverage in advance of voting. That is why they have press secretaries and media consultants.
President Trump is also being investigated for alleged bribery. Originally the Democrats thought they could impeach him for non-criminal conduct, such as alleged maladministration, abuse of office or immoral conduct.
The problem with that approach — similar to the problem with the Israeli approach against Netanyahu — is that it is simply not a crime for a President to use his power over foreign policy for political, partisan or even personal advantage.
Imagine Congress trying to pass a law defining what would constitute a criminal abuse of the foreign policy power, as distinguished from a political or moral abuse.
Presidents have even engaged in military actions for political gain. They have given aid to foreign countries to help themselves get elected.
They have appointed ambassadors based not on competence but on past and anticipated future political contributions.
None of these has ever been deemed criminal, and Congress would never dream of enacting a criminal statute that sought to cover such conduct.