Category: Politics
California police increase patrols around grocery stores ahead of possible food stamp shutoff
At least one police department in California is responding to the possible lapse in food stamp benefits by stepping up patrols around grocery stores to prevent theft and unrest.
Republicans and Democrats have been blaming each other as the government shutdown enters its fifth week, but the rhetoric had worsened as the threat to cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program grows closer. About 5.5 million people in California depend on SNAP food welfare.
‘These increased patrols are not in response to any specific incident, but are a preventive measure to maintain public safety, deter theft, and reassure the community.’
The Barstow Police Dept. posted the statement on their official Facebook page Tuesday.
“We understand that these circumstances may cause additional stress for many families. To help ensure the safety of residents, customers, and business owners, officers will be conducting extra patrols around local grocery stores, convenience stores, and shopping centers,” the statement reads.
“These increased patrols are not in response to any specific incident, but are a preventive measure to maintain public safety, deter theft, and reassure the community that law enforcement is present and ready to help,” they added.
The benefits will run out on Nov. 1 if the shutdown continues.
About 42 million people across the country receive the benefits.
RELATED: Who is to blame for the government shutdown? CNN analyst finds astounding results
California and 20 other states are suing the federal government to ensure the SNAP program is funded.
“While Donald Trump parades around the world trying to repair the economic damage he’s done with his incompetence, he’s denying food to millions of Americans who will go hungry next month,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said in a statement. “It’s cruel and speaks to his basic lack of humanity. He doesn’t care about the people of this country, only himself.”
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DOJ reportedly investigating possible fraud by Black Lives Matter
Various organizations and leaders related to Black Lives Matter are under investigation for possible fraud, according to sources that spoke to the Associated Press.
Sources familiar with the matter told the AP that at least one search warrant has been served and that several subpoenas have been issued in the Department of Justice investigation.
The foundation last reported in financial filings that it had amassed over $28 million in assets.
The report said that the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation Inc. was one of the groups being investigated. The foundation last reported in financial filings that it had amassed over $28 million in assets.
The AP report said the sources spoke to the outlet anonymously because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
While there were no indications of criminal charges yet, the report showed a renewed focus on investigating radical leftist groups by the DOJ. President Donald Trump has declared that law enforcement officials will root out the funding for violent rioting related to politics.
A spokesperson for the DOJ declined to comment to the AP report.
Support for the group increased after the death of George Floyd while he was in police custody in 2020, but the large-scale rioting across the U.S. in the months afterward led to many turning away from the movement.
The foundation said Thursday it was not a target “of any federal criminal investigation” in a statement to the AP.
“We remain committed to full transparency, accountability, and the responsible stewardship of resources dedicated to building a better future for Black communities,” reads a statement from the foundation.
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ICE officer shoots at driver who tried to run over agent during vehicle stop in California, DHS says
A driver tried to run over an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent who was involved in a vehicle stop in California, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
The Ontario Police Department said it provided aid to the agents after receiving a call Thursday morning about a shooting.
One of the officers fired ‘defensive shots’ at the vehicle out of fear for his life.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said the agents performed the traffic stop at about 6:30 a.m. on Vineyard Avenue when another car pulled up in front of them, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The officers ordered the other driver to leave, McLaughlin said, and he seemed about to comply when “the car stopped and attempted to run officers over by reversing directly at them without stopping.”
One of the officers fired “defensive shots” at the vehicle out of fear for his life, according to McLaughlin.
“The subject fled the scene and abandoned his vehicle,” she added.
Ontario police were not involved in the shooting and offered only traffic control and security while DHS investigated the incident.
Video from KTTV showed scenes recorded from a news helicopter.
RELATED: DHS has a message for ‘cowards’ threatening ICE on social media — influencer laughs in response
The FBI is also investigating the incident, according to Ontario police.
Ontario was also recently the scene of a horrific accident that took the lives of at least three people when the driver of a commercial truck plowed into stopped traffic on the 10 freeway. The driver was identified as a 21-year-old illegal alien from India named Jashanpreet Singh.
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Earle-Sears’ campaign bus bursts into flames days before election for Virginia governor
The campaign bus for the Republican gubernatorial nominee in Virginia caught on fire just five days before the pivotal election.
Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears confirmed the incident in a post on social media Thursday but offered few details.
‘I’m thinking of the Lt. Governor and her team after this scary incident.’
“While en-route to an event, our campaign bus caught fire,” she posted. “Everyone is safe. Thank you to the first responders who got to the scene quickly — we are so grateful for you.”
Her Democratic competitor, Abigail Spanberger, posted about the incident as well.
“I’m relieved to hear Winsome Earle-Sears and her team are safe after her campaign bus caught on fire this afternoon,” she wrote in a Facebook post. “I’m grateful to our first responders for their quick action — and I’m thinking of the Lt. Governor and her team after this scary incident.”
Authorities have not released any details yet about the incident.
WCAV-TV published a photograph of the fire that was sent to them by a viewer. A second photo from the scene shows that the bus was mostly destroyed by the fire.
A spokesperson with the Earle-Sears team said first responders were still at the scene at about 3 p.m. local time.
RELATED: VIDEO: Earle-Sears crushes Democratic candidate over death-wish texts during gubernatorial debate
Most polling has shown Spanberger with a lead in the race, but Earle-Sears has gained some ground and closed some of the gap as Election Day approaches.
Spanberger might have given Earle-Sears an opportunity to persuade voters into the Republican column after the Democrat refused to retract her endorsement of Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones, who texted death wishes against a Republican and his children.
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JK Rowling crushes Glamour UK magazine for awarding ‘Women of the Year’ to 9 trans-identifying males
Many are criticizing Glamour UK magazine over its choice for “Women of the Year,” but popular author J.K. Rowling is leading the pack.
The magazine is giving the award to nine transgender-identifying men, including a DJ, an author, an actor and TikTok creator, a chief executive, and several people identifying as models.
‘They’re misogynistic bullies who borrowed our clothes, put on some lipstick, and then took everything we earned. We are not costumes.’
“As trans rights face increasing threat in the U.K., Glamour honours nine of the community’s most ground-breaking voices at this year’s Women of the Year Awards,” reads the justification from the magazine. “From fashion and music to charity and activism work, these trailblazers work tirelessly to empower, uplift and celebrate trans voices.”
Rowling posted her dissent from her social media account Thursday.
“I grew up in an era when mainstream women’s magazines told girls they needed to be thinner and prettier,” Rowling wrote. “Now mainstream women’s magazines tell girls that men are better women than they are.”
Others similarly criticized the total erasure of biological women from an award for women.
“They’re not women. They’re not trailblazers. They’re misogynistic bullies who borrowed our clothes, put on some lipstick, and then took everything we earned. We are not costumes. And we are not silent,” writer Virginia Kruta of the Daily Wire responded.
“Glamour is a magazine for young girls. It was toxic enough when I was a teenager, pushing unrealistic beauty expectations. I can’t imagine what young girls must be thinking now, you hold men up as ‘Women of the Year’ erasing women and girls, an absolute disgrace,” another response reads.
“Yes, yes, they got a bunch of men with mental illness to pose for their womens magazine,” a popular response reads. “We understand that you think the best women are actually men. Thankfully the world is starting to wake up to that nonsense.”
The magazine’s social media account replied to Rowling with a mocking message.
“Better luck next year Jo x,” Glamour UK wrote.
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