Oregon State Animal

State Animals 1 Minute

The American beaver’s most noticeable characteristic is the long, flat, black tail. A beaver’s tail not only helps it swim faster, but can also be used to make a loud alarm call when slapped against water. In addition, the large tail helps the beaver balance when carrying a heavy log or tree trunk.

The American beaver is the largest rodent in the United States, growing from two to three feet  long, not including the tail. They have dark-brown waterproof fur and webbed feet. Beaver teeth grow continuously throughout their lives, and beavers must gnaw on trees to keep their teeth from getting too long. Thick layers of enamel on their teeth give them an orange color.

Beavers live in ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams throughout the continental United States, except in the desert areas of the Southwest. Beavers are well known for their ability to build dams. They are one of the few animals that can actively change an ecosystem by blocking rivers and streams with trees and mud, creating new lakes, ponds, and floodplains.

Beavers also build homes called lodges out of branches and mud, which can often only be accessed from underwater entrances in the ponds.

Beavers are semi-aquatic herbivores. They travel from water to land to collect and eat tree bark, leaves, roots, and wetland plants.

Beavers are monogamous. They mate at around three years of age. Females gestate the young for roughly three months before giving birth. A female will typically have one litter of kits a year, with litter size ranging from one to four kits. These kits, along with those born the previous year, stay with their parents inside the lodge.

Beavers can stay underwater for 15 minutes without coming to the surface. They have transparent eyelids that act as goggles so they can see as they swim.

SOURCE: NWF.ORG

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Published by pat frederick

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94 thoughts on “Oregon State Animal”

  1. They are adorable when their babies….Kept waking up off and on because of pain in my feet….sigh….guess I’m going to have to go back on the oxygen at night at least; hope they don’t find any clots. But I’ll find out next Wednesday, when I have my VA appointment. I will accept NO pharmaceuticals if there is any way possible, altho I expect they’ll want me on a blood thinner…..but which one is “safe” these days? I know coumadin isn’t – that’s what killed my a-Mom. Maybe I’ll get lucky and all it will take is re-starting the oxygen at night. 🤞🤞🤞

    Things in the DC arena seem to be coming to a head….the sooner, the better!!! Wheezer is sleeping on his chair….as soon as it gets light outside, I’ll give him his canned food….kind of trying to develop a routine. But I do think I need to get him another dose of wormer – I’m seeing no change whatsoever in his weight – still super skinny.

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    1. Morning Filly!
      i slept soundly last night. I don’t think i ever moved from the position I fell asleep in! but i worked in the garden for 2 hours yesterday. my knees are feeling it…lol
      we’re going out to lunch for our anniversary (last month) because with all the mama drama we didn’t go. so we’ll be out for a while.
      and wolf’s is back up…

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Ah, yes! Exercise will always help you sleep better! Enjoy your lunch! Have you found out where your Mom is yet? And you know IDC about W’s…..

        Liked by 1 person

        1. no, I don’t. I did call the place where she was and they confirmed that she was moved June 30th, but they wouldn’t/couldn’t give me where she was moved to.
          she has my number–she promised to call me if/when she got moved so we would know where to visit. it will be 3 weeks on Monday…nothing.

          Liked by 1 person

            1. it’s not just my brother’s fault–it’s mom’s. if she likes her new place and is happy with her roommate and is doing things–that’s great…but don’t let me in the dark about it.

              Liked by 1 person

              1. Well, she’s always been very clear as to her favorite, wrong tho that may be…..it’s kind of the mindset of that age group in many cases. Even my Mom, strong-willed woman that she is and has always been – she values her sons far more than Carol and myself, in spite of her words – it’s just a fact. But we’re the ones she calls when she needs help…..go figure!!! I kind of think they purposely live far enough away that they don’t have to deal with her interference.

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  2. Just The News: “President Donald Trump on Friday officially sued the Wall Street Journal, its owner Rupert Murdoch and some of its staff for publishing its story on the president and Jeffrey Epstein, fulfilling a promise he made Thursday night.

    Trump made the promise in an angry social media post, where he claimed the story was “fake” and that the birthday card the outlet claimed he had sent to Epstein for his 50th birthday did not even sound like him. 

    The text of the libel lawsuit, which was filed in federal court for the Southern District of Florida, was not immediately available, per CNBC.

    The story claimed Trump had contributed to former Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell’s 50th birthday project for the late financier in 2003, which consisted of notes from close friends. The letter Trump allegedly sent was bawdy and concluded with the words, “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.”

    “I look forward to getting Rupert Murdoch to testify in my lawsuit against him and his ‘pile of garbage’ newspaper, the WSJ,” Trump posted to Truth Social earlier Friday. “That will be an interesting experience!!!”

    The lawsuit also names the Wall Street Journal’s publisher Dow Jones as a defendant.”

    Liked by 2 people

  3. “Federal Judge Rules DOJ Didn’t Commit Fraud in Autism Case, Father Plans to Appeal — Rolf Hazlehurst, who brought the case in the Vaccine Court, said the court didn’t address much of the evidence of fraud he presented, but instead relied almost solely on the DOJ’s argument. Evidence presented in the vaccine court remains concealed from the public.”

    by Brenda Baletti, Ph.D., July 18, 2025

    word "fraud" and justice scales

    EXCERPT: “A federal judge has ruled against the father of an autistic son who alleged that lawyers representing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) misrepresented and concealed evidence showing that vaccines can cause autism, which resulted in his son being denied compensation for his injury.

    Rolf Hazlehurst, who filed a motion in April 2024 in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, alleged that U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) lawyers representing HHS repeatedly defrauded the judicial system. But in a ruling filed last month and released to the public on Thursday, Judge Edward H. Meyers concluded that Hazlehurst didn’t meet the high bar of evidence to prove fraud on the court.

    However, Meyers did make it clear in his decision that the question before the Court of Federal Claims was not whether vaccines cause autism, but only whether the DOJ committed a “fraud on the court” by concealing the evidence.

    The ruling dealt a blow to the thousands of families who filed petitions with the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) alleging vaccines caused their children to develop autism. In 2002, the VICP consolidated 5,000-plus claims into the Omnibus Autism Proceeding (OAP). It later selected six test cases, including that of Hazlehurst’s son, Yates, as the basis for determining the outcome of all of the remaining claims.

    Hazlehurst alleges that the OAP declined his petition for compensation because the DOJ concealed evidence, a fact that didn’t come to light until 2018.

    Hazlehurst said he plans to appeal the most recent Federal Claims decision. “Winning an appeal is difficult,” he said, “because you have to show the court’s ruling was arbitrary and capricious, an abuse of discretion, or not in accordance with the law. But that is basically what happened here.”

    Judge ‘missed many critical facts’

    Hazlehurst told The Defender that rather than considering all the arguments and evidence he presented during the proceedings, Meyers only narrowly addressed his claims.

    “The Court of Federal Claims decision is not an accurate reflection of the arguments and evidence I presented to the court,” Hazlehurst said. “The court basically adopts the DOJ’s response letter. That letter is an incredibly dishonest and fraudulent cover-up.”

    Unlike regular court hearings, vaccine lawsuits take place within the Vaccine Court under the VICP, which was established by the 1986 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act.

    “The Vaccine Act replaces the American legal system with a Special Master,” Hazlehurst said. “Almost all documents, evidence and legal proceedings under the Vaccine Act are off limits to the public and the media. The only window into what occurs in the VICP is the special masters and the Court of Federal Claims decisions.”…..

    https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/doj-fraud-autism-case-rolf-hazlehurst-to-appeal/

    Liked by 1 person

  4. “‘Defining Moment in Human History’: U.S. Rejects WHO’s International Health Regulation Amendments — Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said today the U.S. would not agree to sign over authority in health emergencies “to an unelected international organization that could order lockdowns, travel restrictions or any other measures that it sees fit.” The amendments take effect for all signatories July 19.”

    by Michael Nevradakis, Ph.D., July 18, 2025

    who logo and word "rejected"

    EXCERPT: “Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Secretary of State Marco Rubio today announced that the U.S. is formally rejecting the controversial amendments to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Health Regulations (IHR). The revisions would allow the WHO “to order global lockdowns, travel restrictions, or any other measures it sees fit to respond to nebulous ‘potential public health risks,’” the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said in a press release.

    The amendments — passed at last year’s World Health Assembly and set to take effect July 19 for all signatories — would have been binding in the U.S., even though the U.S. withdrew from the WHO earlier this year.

    While the proposals were watered down compared to earlier drafts, they contained provisions that would have given the WHO unprecedented authority. In a video released today, Kennedy said the amendments were “a step in the wrong direction” that pose a threat to national sovereignty and facilitate the rollout of a global surveillance infrastructure and digital vaccine passports.

    Kennedy said: “The new regulations employ extremely broad language that gives the WHO unprecedented power. They require countries to establish systems of risk communications so that the WHO can implement unified public messaging globally. That opens the door to the kind of narrative management and propaganda and censorship that we saw during the COVID pandemic.”

    Sayer Ji, co-founder of Stand for Health Freedom and chair of the Global Wellness Forum, said the rejection of the amendments is “a defining moment in human history” that symbolizes the rejection of a “worldview that reduces human beings to data points and treats constitutional protections as inconvenient obstacles to be circumvented.”

    The rejection “sends a clarion call to the world that health freedom and national sovereignty remain non-negotiable principles that cannot be sacrificed on the altar of technocratic expediency,” Ji said.

    According to the joint statement, the U.S. notified the WHO of its formal rejection of the amendments today. In his video, Kennedy said the U.S. was rejecting the amendments “not only on behalf of our own citizens, but the whole world.” Dr. Meryl Nass, founder of Door to Freedom, agreed. She called today’s move an “important” step to rebut amendments that “clearly were designed as a pathway to global governance.”

    According to independent journalist James Roguski, the U.S. is the second country to reject the amendments, after Israel…..”

    https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/defining-moment-human-history-us-rejects-whos-international-health-regulation-amendments/

    Liked by 1 person

  5. “Fiber in Oats and Barley Helps Rid the Body of Forever Chemicals — Once PFAS chemicals enter the bloodstream, they’re hard to get rid of. But new studies involving humans and mice show fiber found in everyday foods can trap the toxins in your gut, interrupt their reabsorption and allow your body to eliminate them.”

    by Dr. Joseph Mercola, July 18, 2025

    toddler eating oatmeal

    Story at a glance:

    • A specific type of fiber called beta-glucan, found in oats and barley, was shown to reduce levels of harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals in the blood within just four weeks.
    • Participants who consumed beta-glucan experienced significant drops in legacy PFAS compounds like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), which are linked to cancer and hormone disruption.
    • The fiber group was the only one to show a meaningful reduction in the seven most high-risk PFAS chemicals identified by the National Academies of Sciences, including those that raise your risk for thyroid disease, cancer and ulcerative colitis.
    • In a follow-up study using mice, animals exposed to high PFAS levels but fed beta-glucan had lower blood PFAS, improved fat metabolism and less liver stress compared to controls.
    • The key to beta-glucan’s effect is its gel-forming action in your gut, which traps PFAS and interrupts their reabsorption cycle, allowing your body to eliminate them through stool.

    Most people have no idea they’re carrying around a hidden chemical load that their bodies weren’t designed to handle. But the reality is, we’re living in a world saturated with PFAS. These synthetic compounds are engineered to resist heat, water and oil — and they don’t just stay on the surface.

    Once these substances enter your bloodstream, they’re incredibly hard to get rid of. That’s why researchers are searching for real, practical solutions. Many believe that detoxing PFAS is a lost cause — that once they’re in your body, they’re in for good. But new evidence suggests otherwise.

    It turns out your gut, not your liver or kidneys, is one key to turning this around. And the solution doesn’t involve harsh protocols or extreme diets. It starts with something as simple as how you digest your food — and whether the right kind of fiber is present to help carry these chemicals out.

    If you’ve ever wondered why you’re dealing with persistent fatigue, inflammation, hormone problems or chronic digestive issues, PFAS could be part of the story. These chemicals hijack your system slowly and silently. But there’s now a realistic path to lowering that burden, and it starts by focusing on what’s happening in your gut.

    Four weeks of fiber lowered toxic PFAS in the blood

    A study published in Environmental Health evaluated 72 adult men with elevated LDL cholesterol who were already enrolled in a trial testing oat beta-glucan’s effects on cholesterol…..”

    https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/fiber-oats-barley-help-body-detox-forever-chemicals-cola/

    Liked by 2 people

  6. “Our TOP 3 Stories of the Week”

    Patrick Van Duyne, Jul 18, 2025

    “While Democrats continue to have complete meltdowns over ICE deporting illegal alien criminals, or the defunding of child mutilation surgeries, Libs of TikTok is hard at work exposing the TRUTH that Americans deserve to hear.
    So, in case you missed them, here are our top THREE stories from this week:

    Our first crazy story exposed MORE trans violence.

    Zayn Edward Arcand, a “genderfluid, polyamorous sometimes female” person, was just arrested for allegedly trying to BURN DOWN the Dickinson County, MI Republican Committee headquarters.

    Arcand admitted to throwing the Molotov cocktail at the Republican Party office “to send a message against the corruption.” Arcand has been charged with arson and manufacturing, and possessing a Molotov cocktail.

    No Democrats condemned it and the MSM barely covered it. But don’t worry, it gets worse…Mel Witherspoon, the Democrat City Council President for Erie City, PA, claimed during a town meeting that he shot a man in the head when he was 17 and got away with it because of mafia ties and connections.

    Given the fact that there is no statute of limitations for murder or voluntary manslaughter in the state of Pennsylvania, Mel Witherspoon could face future charges following this admission. We all know if this was a Republican, they would’ve been behind bars already.

    Last but not least, Libs of TikTok called out ANOTHER media hoax surrounding the “kidnapping” of a South LA woman by “ICE.”

    The media claimed that an LA woman was shoved into an unmarked car by ICE, taken to a building, and starved. Turns out she STAGED the entire thing and is now being charged with multiple crimes.

    Hoax after hoax. Lie after lie. The democrats and the media never stop their campaign of gaslighting the American people into adopting their twisted agenda. The facts are simple. Those who engage in corruption should be prosecuted. Those who invade our country illegally should be deported. Those who commit violence should be arrested. Those who lie to American citizens should be exposed.

    Libs of TikTok works every day to fight back against the Left’s destructive policies and narratives. And we will not be silenced! Have a great weekend and see you next week! -LoTT Team

    Liked by 1 person

  7. “The Apocalypse of Legacy Media: Change is coming, and it is good”

    Robert W Malone MD, MS, Jul 19, 2025

    ENTIRE ARTICLE: “Cable news is losing both audience share and financial stability, with no clear prospect for reversing these declines as the cable ecosystem itself continues to erode. The old cable news model is unlikely to survive in its current form much longer.

    The pharma industry spent $5.15 billion on national TV ads last year, according to real-time TV ad tracker (source iSpot.tv). . Eventually, the Pharma Bucks that have been propping up the industry will decrease significantly, as cable TV News becomes increasingly irrelevant.

    Pharma ads accounted for nearly 25% of advertising minutes through May 2025 for all Major cable and broadcast networks (NBC, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, and Fox News).

    For now, pharma advertising has not yet begun a mass pullout from cable TV news. Still, the possibility now hangs over the industry. At present, cable news remains one of the few strongholds for pharma ad dollars, but this dominance is no longer assured.

    In fact, the Trump administration has indicated a clear intention to crack down on pharmaceutical advertising, particularly in the direct-to-consumer (DTC) segment, which is traditionally seen on television and other broadcast media.

    Key actions and proposals under discussion include:

    • Making DTC advertising more expensive: The administration is considering ending the tax deductibility of direct-to-consumer pharma ad spending, which would significantly raise costs for drugmakers engaging in these campaigns (1, 2.).
    • Increasing regulatory hurdles: Proposals are under review to require more extensive disclosures of drug side effects in ads, likely resulting in longer, more costly ad placements (1, 2.).
    • No outright ban yet: Although a complete ban on DTC pharma advertising isn’t currently being planned, probably because of potential First Amendment legal challenges, the emphasis is on tightening legal and financial restrictions instead of banning it immediately.
    • High-level leadership support: Key administration officials, including HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have publicly called for a ban on pharma TV advertising, and President Trump has criticized pharma advertising in the past (3). Such stances have contributed to the momentum behind regulatory proposals.
    • Legislative support: There is bipartisan interest in more tightly regulating pharma ads. Senators Bernie Sanders and Angus King have introduced legislation to ban direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising across all major media outlets (1).

    Trends in the Cable News Industry both point to a decrease in the significance of this media as well as in traditional ratings. This has also led to a more conservative shift in cable news programming, which is only now beginning to take effect.

    Fox News continues to dominate cable news ratings, maintaining its lead over NBC/MSNBC, CBS, ABC, and CNN, with the network holding 99 of the top 100 cable news telecasts in the week of May 12, 2025.2 In comparison, MSNBC and CNN experienced significant declines in viewership, with MSNBC down twenty-nine percent in total viewers and forty percent in the key demographics in primetime, while CNN dropped sixteen percent in total viewers and eleven percent during primetime.

    CBS has been purchased by conservative David Ellison, who has fired Stephen Colbert. David Ellison is an American film producer, former actor, and the founder and CEO of Skydance Media, a major entertainment company. He was born on January 9, 1983, in Santa Clara County, California, and is the son of Oracle Corporation co-founder Larry Ellison and Barbara Boothe Ellison.

    CBS has not yet officially changed hands, so the firing of Stephen Colbert may or may not have been at Ellison’s request. But the suspicious timing leads many to believe that Ellison had a role in the decision to fire.

    All government funding for PBS and NPR, including their local affiliates, has been eliminated by recent Congressional votes. Trump has not yet signed the rescissions package into law, but it has been sent to his desk for signature after final passage by Congress. This will lead to a significant reduction in local programming; however, it is believed that national programming will survive due to other revenue streams.

    NBC/MSNBC are being spun out from Comcast. Mark Lazarus is the incoming CEO of Versant, the soon-to-be publicly traded company spun off from NBC Universal. Versant (formerly SpinCo) will now be operationally above MSNBC. Versant’s new boss, Lazarus, has indicated in private communications that he believes the public perception of MSNBC is that Republicans cannot get a fair shake from the network. He wants to change that (4), and he has suggested the network should offer more balanced viewpoints. However, the current CEO of MSNBC is still very progressive. So, time will tell what influence Lazarus will have on MSNBC programming.

    CNN is being spun off as a separate company from Warner Bros./Discovery’s streaming/studio assets. CNN is now undergoing major staff layoffs and has already introduced sweeping programming changes for 2025. However, whether CNN will shift to the center-right is anyone’s guess.

    In June 2025, The Washington Post, under the guidance of Jeff Bezos, named Adam O’Neal, former Washington correspondent at The Economist, as its new head of opinion content. O’Neal emphasized a philosophy of optimism and focus on personal freedom and free markets, echoing Bezos’ vision.

    The Los Angeles Times’ editorial stance has undergone a dramatic change in late 2024 and 2025 under the ownership of Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong. The most significant developments include a shift toward “Fair and Balanced” and the firing and restructuring of the entire editorial board. The LA Times, under Soon-Shioung has indicated that there will be an explicit shift to feature conservative, centrist, and liberal voices. Soon-Shiong has also expressed a desire to increase conservative voices in the Times’ opinion section, citing concerns the publication had become an “echo chamber” for the political left (5)

    Most mainstream media outlets recognize that audience capture is what will keep this industry alive. As there is a more conservative mood among the general populace, slowly but surely, mainstream media is being forced to keep up. People do not want to hear a one-sided, progressive primordial scream coming from their TVs. If they don’t change their overtly socialist, DEI stances, they will continue to wither.

    Likewise, seamlessly melding cable networks with streaming services will be the future of the industry. But that again requires liberal voices to be quelled, as they do not represent the center field, let alone the conservative voice.

    Without relevancy, cable news is a dying dinosaur and will be replaced. The king is starving and on his last legs: long live the new king – alternative media.”

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Gudthots
    Gudthots(@gudthots)Offline
    Coyote
    July 19, 2025 01:11

    Update.
    Note anti-CBDC bill is at risk of not passing.

    https://titter.com/RepMTG/status/1946195769519649237

    Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸
    @RepMTG
    16h
    This week Congress passed crypto legislation.

    The American people hardly have any idea what it is, what it means, and what passed.

    1. GENUIS ACT – I voted NO. It passed the Senate and the House and will be signed into law today.
    This bill regulates stablecoins and provides for the backdoor Centralized Bank Digital Currency. The Federal Reserve has been planning a CBDC for years and this will open the door to move you to a cashless society and into digital currency that can be weaponized against you by an authoritarian government controlling your ability to buy and sell. Do you actually trust your government to never do that to you? I don’t.

    2. Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act – I voted YES. This bill passed the House but we were told all week that it will not pass the Senate because the Senate does not have any path at all to get 60 votes to ban a CBDC. This bill prohibits Federal Reserve Banks from issuing a Central Bank Digital Currency. It’s a good bill and protects your money, but will die in the Senate. However, this should be people’s highest demand.

    3. Clarity Act – I voted YES for self custody protections. This bill passed the House and will likely get some changes in the Senate then have come back to the House for another vote before it can be signed by the President and become law. This bill establishes a detailed regulatory framework for digital assets and allocates authority between the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The most important thing that needs to remain is protecting people’s self custody of their digital currency. This is yet to be seen and should be demanded. I will vote NO when it comes back if self custody protections are taken out.

    In 1971, we were taken off the gold standard to cash, which was a ridiculous decision and has weakened our dollar tremendously.

    Now we are on the path to move from cash you can hold in your hand, hide from the government, and save for yourself and your family to a digital currency system where your ability to buy and sell will ultimately be held in digital accounts that you can not tangibly hold yet are at the will of those who control the banks and the government.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. ME EITHER! MY MONEY should be MY money. if i want to put it in a bank and then take it out–that’s MY choice. no one else should get to decide IF it’s a good reason or not. and we all know hackers are salivating at the opportunity to steal everybody “on line” currency.

        if i choose to keep my cash at home, it’s protected by me and my second amendment rights. that might make someone think twice before trying to take it. but on line? where’s the deterrent?

        Liked by 1 person

  13. Just The News: “The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Friday announced it will begin dismantling its scientific research arm, ending months of speculation after a document about the plan was leaked. The decision to eliminate the EPA’s Office of Research and Development is part of its broader restructuring and reorganization effort, which is expected to save American taxpayers approximately $748.8 million. 

    The Trump administration previously maintained that no final decision on whether to gut the office had been reached, per the New York Times, but has since confirmed plans to eliminate the branch to create a new Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions.

    “Under President Trump’s leadership, EPA has taken a close look at our operations to ensure the agency is better equipped than ever to deliver on our core mission of protecting human health and the environment while Powering the Great American Comeback,” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a statement. “This reduction in force will ensure we can better fulfill that mission while being responsible stewards of your hard-earned tax dollars.” 

    The office provided independent research on topics like the risks of hazardous chemicals, the impact of wildfire smoke on public health and whether fracking contaminates drinking water.

    The EPA is expected to fire the hundreds of chemists, biologists, toxicologists and other scientists under the office, but an exact number of how many people will be impacted was not immediately clear. 

    Hundreds of employees also left the EPA office earlier this year to accept “deferred resignation” offers, the New York Times reported. The EPA had 16,155 employees in its entire workforce in January but has since trimmed down to 12,448 employees.”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. well despite all their studies on wildfire smoke affecting public health–there still are A LOT of wildfires happening. gees it’s BAD. we don’t need to study that constantly. and we need neutral scientists studying fracking and water–not greenies.

      too many gov’t agencies providing more employment than providing helpful answers.

      Like

  14. Just The News: “(The Center Square) – In recent years, synthetic opioids including copycat versions of fentanyl have taken an opioid crisis that began with prescription painkillers and dragged it to new depths. Among this new wave is a class of drugs called nitazenes. On Friday, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Debra Bogen announced their temporary rescheduling to a Class I substance.

    The reclassification allows law enforcement officers to bring harsher penalties for those caught trafficking and selling the drug. Nitazenese were developed in the 1950s and are not used in the treatment of disease. In some cases, they’re more powerful than fentanyl and are often sold in place of or mixed in with other drugs.

    “Scheduling nitazenes, which have no acceptable medical use, as Class I substances provides law enforcement with the authority to crack down on its possession and distribution in Pennsylvania,” said Bogen. “Meanwhile, our focus remains on developing strategies that help connect people with substance use disorder with treatment and other resources.”

    By law, the scheduling will be temporary for at least a two-year period while the state works toward a permanent classification. The action will go into effect on Saturday after notice has been published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

    The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency has recommended the same steps be taken at the federal level. On Wednesday, President Trump signed into law the HALT Fentanyl Act, which made permanent the classification of fentanyl-related substances as schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act.

    Schedule I drugs have a high potential for abuse and generally lack a safe medical use. Still, marijuana remains a schedule I drug despite approved medical use in most U.S. states. Others – like ecstasy – have been approved for medical research.

    In the case of nitazenes, causing death is another major contributing factor to their classification. In Pennsylvania, 45 deaths have been attributed to them since 2023. In 2023, of the 4,719 overdose deaths in the state, 77% were attributed to fentanyl.

    A recent study revealed that one of the challenges to the current epidemic is the potency of fentanyl and fentanyl-related drugs. It suggests that the availability has likely led to higher intensity drug use. Drug users who have overdosed on opioids, synthetic or otherwise, can often be revived using Naloxone, which is available to anyone for free in Pennsylvania. Public health workers recommend individuals, businesses, and other organizations carry the drug to assist in an emergency.”

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Just The News: “Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton on Thursday sent Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth a letter, requesting information regarding recent reporting that Microsoft uses Chinese engineers to help maintain the Defense Department’s computer systems. 

    The letter is in response to a ProPublica report that claimed Microsoft uses Chinese engineers, who are overseen by U.S. citizens with security clearances, to maintain the system, which could potentially expose sensitive information to China.

    Cotton admitted the arrangement Microsoft made over a decade ago met the legal requirement that U.S. citizens handle sensitive data, but emphasized that the citizens, known as “digital escorts,” did not possess the technical skills to properly police foreign engineers with more advanced cyber skills.

    “The U.S. government recognizes that China’s cyber capabilities pose one of the most aggressive and dangerous threats to the United States, as evidenced by infiltration of our critical infrastructure, telecommunications networks, and supply chains,” Cotton wrote. “DoD must guard against all potential threats within its supply chain, including from those subcontractors.” 

    The senator also asked the Pentagon to provide a list of contractors and subcontractors who hire Chinese engineers and digital escorts by July 31, and any recommendation for closing loopholes in security requirements for government cloud providers.”

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Just The News: “A Connecticut-based ship management company has pleaded guilty to intentionally pumping over 10,000 gallons of “oily discharge” into waters near the mouth of the Mississippi River, then trying to cover up the incident, according to the Justice Department.

    The department on Wednesday identified the company as Stamford, Connecticut-based Eagle Ship Management LLC and said it will be expected to pay a criminal fine of $1.75 million, if the courts approve the agreement. Eagle will also serve a four-year term of probation with external audits, subject to court approval.

    The M/V Gannet Bulker, a foreign-flagged bulk carrier ship, was responsible for releasing the pollution in the 2021 incident. The chief engineer of this ship was prosecuted separately and sentenced to a year and one day in prison for “his role in the discharge of oil and obstructing justice,” according to the department.

    “The Department of Justice vigorously prosecutes violations of the laws that protect U.S. ports and waters,” said acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The criminal conduct involved here was serious, including intentional pollution and a deliberate coverup.”

    In March 2021, the U.S. Coast Guard launched this investigation following a message sent on social media by a crew member. The message indicated that the engine room on the ship had flooded on March 13 – resulting in oil-contaminated waste being purposefully pumped overboard.

    The Justice Department said the incident occurred when the ship was anchored near the Port of New Orleans, without required pollution-prevention equipment or required recordkeeping.

    Court records show that roughly 10,303 gallons of “oily discharge” were pumped into the waters, also near the mouth of the Mississippi River. “The defendant agrees that had this matter proceeded to trial, the United States would have proven … beyond a reasonable doubt and that it is pleading guilty because it is guilty,” Eagles defense counsel said in court documents. “ESM is pleading guilty because it recognizes that it is criminally liable for the acts and omissions of its employees and agents committed within the scope of their employment and, with an intent to benefit the defendant.”

    Sentencing in this case is scheduled for October 16.”

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Just The News: “More than 20 people have been injured after a car drove through a crowd in East Hollywood on Saturday morning. Police said at least 4 people are in critical condition, while up to 10 are in serious condition. The others are currently in stable condition.

    According to the Associated Press, the car rammed into the crowd on Santa Monica Boulevard.”

    Liked by 1 person

  20. EXCERPT: “The Department of Justice under former President Joe Biden actively sought a “federal hook” to justify sending federal law enforcement after parents it labeled “domestic terrorists” because they were concerned about their children’s education.

    Documents obtained by America First Legal (AFL) show that prior to the infamous Oct. 4, 2021, “domestic terrorist” memo from former Attorney General Merrick Garland, staff were looking for any possible way to go after parents concerned with coronavirus mandates, critical race theory, and “transgender” policies.

    “We’re aware; the challenge here is finding a federal hook. But WH has been in touch about whether we can assist in some form or fashion,” Kevin Chambers, then an associate deputy attorney general, wrote in an Oct. 1 email, trying to manufacture a way to respond to a teed-up letter sent by the National School Boards Association (NSBA).

    Career staff at the time were even concerned, saying there was no authority or legal basis for going after parents speaking out at school board meetings, particularly since they were protected by the First Amendment.

    AFL said the new tranche of documents allows the organization to “complete the timeline” of how the NSBA and Biden DOJ and White House were colluding in order to go after parents. The legal group’s president, Gene Hamilton, said the emails show a “conspiracy that was ultimately aimed at depriving parents of two fundamental rights — the right to speak, and the right to direct the upbringing of their children.”

    “They did so with political intentions, most immediately by attempting to influence the Virginia gubernatorial election, and to more broadly chill dissent across the United States,” he added…..”

    https://thefederalist.com/2025/07/18/biden-justice-department-sought-federal-hook-to-go-after-parents-as-domestic-terrorists-documents/

    Liked by 1 person

  21. “Shane Gillis’ ESPY Monologue Proves Woke Is On The Run — A mass rejection of nonsense is exactly what society needs.”

    The Federalist, By: Rich Cromwell, July 18, 2025

    Shane Gillis hosts the ESPYs

    ENTIRE ARTICLE: “Shane Gillis hosted ESPN’s Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards ceremony, better known as the ESPYs, and he did not hold back in his opening monologue.

    He mocked the audience by calling out four-time all-star Brittany Hicks for being in attendance, only to reveal that Brittany is actually a friend’s wife, not a player, saying, “I knew none of you knew WNBA players.” He claimed Joe Rogan wanted him to host so he could capture NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, as Rogan thinks he’s an alien. He followed that with a joke about Donald Trump wanting him to capture Juan Soto for the same reason. 

    He referred to Simone Biles as a leprechaun. He riffed on Caitlin Clark with a bit about how, after she retires from the WNBA, she’s going to work at a Waffle House “so she can continue doing what she loves most: fist fighting black women.” (If you haven’t seen the clip that inspired that one, it’s worth 23 seconds of your time.) In short, Gillis went on ESPN, a network owned by Disney — neither of which has wholly embraced the vibe shift — and not only didn’t pander, he showed that wokeness is on the run. 

    This is notable because ESPN has been oddly resistant to the fact that it’s no longer 2020. The network may have toned down its coverage a bit since 2022, when it was still all in on overt signaling, but as recently as last year, a host was fired in part for her belief in biology. And parent company Disney apparently still thinks it’s 2020. The FCC opened an investigation into potentially discriminatory practices just this past March. Let’s also not forget the Snow White debacle. 

    The entertainment companies seem to be learning the lesson, albeit slowly and belatedly. While the audience didn’t enthusiastically respond to most of Gillis’ opening monologue, the fact that Disney and ESPN chose to go with him and with prewritten, and thus preapproved, jokes shows they’re starting to play catch-up to the rest of society. 

    Yes, there are still many out there who are all in on wokeness. You mostly find them impotently shrieking on social media. In the real world, we’re over that. We’re tired of cancel culture and constantly policing our thoughts and language to avoid being the target of such a campaign. In part, it’s because the damage is done. If someone can find you on Google, it’s just a hop, skip, and a jump to finding something “offensive” you’ve said or done. 

    Also, enough people have suffered cancellation — Shane Gillis, for one — that people are waking up to the fact that you can never be woke enough to avoid the mob. If it’s eventually going to come after you regardless, it’s better to lean into who you are and amplify it rather than attempting to placate the implacable. 

    Which is what society needs. We need a mass rejection of nonsense. We have to strip the power that online outrage has over us as flesh and blood people. We have to be willing to tell jokes, including ones that don’t land, but that actually point out the absurdities of life without consideration of how they’ll be treated politically. 

    Andrew Breitbart famously noted that politics is downstream of culture, but what we’re starting to see is that those in charge of the culture have lost their ability to shape it. Instead, they’re having to respond. Disney, especially, is learning it cannot steer the current anymore. Instead, it’s having to listen to the audience, who will just exit the ride rather than continue to be lectured. 

    This is why Gillis hosting the ESPYs was a success, regardless of how well his act landed. (These writers at People were not fans, for example, though at least they referred to the monologue as brave. One assumes they simply forgot to use the more correct woke formulation of “stunning and brave” rather than omitting the “stunning” part.)

    Regardless, whether you loved, hated, or were ambivalent about his open, you have to admit that in 2025, it was not Gillis who was “stunning and brave,” but Disney and ESPN who deserve a modicum of praise for their decision to book him in the first place. The vibe has shifted, and our would-be commissars are finally starting to catch on.”

    Liked by 1 person

  27. Mmmm….yummy! Just mixed up a cheesecake…..now I just have to wait for it to set up properly…..I think I’ll mash up some raspberries and spread it on the top.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Just had a piece and it was good…but I decided I’d rather have a cherry topping than the raspberry so I’ll pick up a can of cherry pie filling. I like that better on cheesecake.

        Liked by 1 person

  29. Huh….just talked to my Mom – according to the finger monitor they were using, they claimed she was going to have to go on oxygen. Then one of the nurses said to turn it over so it wasn’t on the fingernail side and the numbers were normal. Turns out, the fingernail polish was interfering with a proper reading!!!! Duh!!!! Amazing how brain-dead some of these so-called “medical specialists” really are!!!

    Looks like she will be alone on her BD this year….unless my Sis and I decide to go see her – we’ll probably just send a card and call her. None of the boys are coming….David doesn’t have a way to get here and the wives of the other 2 apparently have some health issues – whether that’s true or not is anyone’s guess. They were all here for her 90th BD, as we all were, so maybe for her 95th….she always has a t-shirt made for each BD – this time, she told him to just mark out the 93 and change it to 94 – she’ll try to come up with some new saying for her 95th and I told her she might like the saying in the card I’m sending her this year. She asked what it says and I told her she has to wait! It’s the one that says “It took 94 years to look this good!” The card itself says “Only a few women can pull off the “getting better every year” thing. Happy Birthday and thanks for showing us how it’s done!”

    Liked by 1 person

  34. Just The News: “More than 30 people have been injured after a car drove through a crowd in East Hollywood on Saturday morning. Police said at least three people are in critical condition, while at least six are in serious condition. 
    The others are currently in stable condition.

    The LAPD said the car rammed into a crowd of people, mostly female, while they were waiting to enter a nightclub called Vermont on Santa Monica Boulevard. The vehicle also hit a taco truck and valet stand, police said, according to the Associated Press.

    Police told news outlets that a bystander shot the driver. He is currently undergoing surgery at a local hospital. The Los Angeles Fire Department said more than 100 firefighters responded to the scene.”

    Liked by 1 person

  35. “It’s Happening”

    Clandestine, Jul 19, 2025

    “After some time to reflect, I’m even more bullish that it’s happening. The highest ranking US intelligence official, just accused Obama and his intelligence heads, of a “treasonous conspiracy”, and referred docs to the DOJ for criminal referral.

    We are on a new timeline now. There is no getting this toothpaste back in the tube. There is no turning back. The process is already underway. I’m not saying people are going to be arrested by tomorrow, or the end of the week, or the month, or the year. I don’t know a realistic timeline, because we are in uncharted waters at this point, but the quest for accountability is officially underway.

    It’s already begun. I’d argue the outcome is already determined, and this is just the public unraveling. Trump and his team would not have committed to something of this magnitude without certainty that they would win. That’s not how Trump operates.

    Every battle is won before it is fought.”

    Liked by 1 person

  36. we’re back.
    we went to Michael’s…the craft store that bought out Joannes fabrics–only they are only available ON LINE, you can’t clearly tell the color of fabrics on line. Then we went to hobby lobby. I know they sell the fabric i wanted–plus 3 others…lol all fabrics were 30% off!
    then we went to The Roadhouse.
    we picked up the mail on the way home and this oxygen company is driving me crazy. medicare held up bills from February and March, so they sent out a notice when Medicare released them that these invoices (they bill a separate invoice for the portable and the big machine) were due. We paid them. The next month we received another invoice that these same invoices were still due. I checked with the bank, and wrote the date they cashed the check and figured we just crossed in the mail, we continued to get the regular invoice AND this overdue one so hubby called. the accounts receivable lady said–oh we got that check but applied it to something else–he never pressed for WHAT ELSE? someone else’s account???
    now they’re threatening to get a lawyer and I’m about ready to call and ream her ass out. we put the invoice numbers on the check–the invoice numbers are clearly written on the payment voucher. what the hell is their problem? hubby will call on Monday.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That sucks!!!! At least with the VA, I don’t have to worry about such things. Even tho I bitch about them a lot, it is still a real blessing and THE best thing I could ever have done waay back in 1976!!!! I really didn’t consider the details at the time but it’s coming home now!!!

      Liked by 1 person

  46. Liked by 1 person

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