October 2, 2026

x01b Radar Archives

NEW: Democrat Mayor Arrested In Connection With $1.5 Million Fraud Scheme– trendingpoliticsnews.com

pgnewser August 17, 2026 0

NEW: Democrat Mayor Arrested In Connection With $1.5 Million Fraud Scheme– trendingpoliticsnews.com
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EXCERPT:

Mayor Brian DePeña of Lawrence, Massachusetts was arrested and charged Friday with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering in connection with allegations that he fraudulently obtained more than $1.5 million in COVID-19-related small business loans and diverted the proceeds for personal and campaign purposes.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, DePeña, 61, who was elected mayor of Lawrence in November 2021 and reelected in November 2025, previously served on the Lawrence City Council from 2016 to 2021. He owns Tenares Tire Services Inc., a tire sales and automotive services business in Lawrence.

Prosecutors allege that in 2020 and 2021 he applied for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) from the U.S. Small Business Administration on behalf of that business. These loans, offered during the pandemic to eligible small businesses experiencing substantial financial disruptions, carried an interest rate of 3.75 percent and were restricted to use as working capital to alleviate economic injury caused by COVID-19. Working capital, according to the charging documents, did not include funding a political campaign, paying personal taxes, or paying off mortgages.

The charging documents state that DePeña caused Tenares Tire to apply for and obtain an initial EIDL of $150,000 in June 2020 and used the majority of those funds as working capital for the business. By early 2021, however, prosecutors allege he needed additional cash because his mayoral campaign was struggling to pay bills, he owed the IRS for back taxes, and he owed nearly $900,000 to two private hard-money lenders charging 12 percent and 8 percent interest on loans secured by various properties he owned in Lawrence.

Senate confirms 74 Trump nominees– www.politico.com

pgnewser August 12, 2026 0

Senate confirms 74 Trump nominees– www.politico.com
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EXCERPT:

Senate Republicans confirmed dozens of President Donald Trump’s nominees Friday, just before they leave for a five-week congressional recess.

Senators voted 51-47 to approve officials at the Departments of Defense, Energy, State and other agencies.

They included David Cummins to head the Transportation Security Administration, Cameron Hamilton to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Hal Duncan to be OMB deputy director and Francis Brooke to be Treasury deputy secretary. Among the group were several ambassadors, including former Rep. David Brat to be ambassador to Australia.

Senate Republicans changed the chamber’s rules last year to be able to confirm lower-level nominees as a package instead of having to hold a vote on each.

After finishing the expedited procedure Friday, Senate Republicans estimate they will only have a small number of civilian nominees awaiting confirmation.

 

Trump Administration Ends Medicaid Funding for Sex-Change Procedures on Children › American Greatness– amgreatness.com

pgnewser August 12, 2026 0

Trump Administration Ends Medicaid Funding for Sex-Change Procedures on Children › American Greatness– amgreatness.com
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EXCERPT:

The Trump administration announced Tuesday that Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program will no longer pay for sex-change procedures for minors, ending the use of federal taxpayer dollars for treatments officials say carry potentially irreversible health risks without sufficient evidence of clinical benefit.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said the new rule applies to puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and sex-change surgeries for children. Mental health treatment for gender dysphoria and other conditions will remain eligible for coverage under Medicaid and CHIP.

CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said the policy reflects the administration’s effort to protect children from medical interventions whose long-term effects remain uncertain.

“Children deserve our protection, not experimental interventions that pose serious risks and convey no proven benefits,” Oz said. “By cutting off federal funds for these sex-rejecting procedures, we’re following the science, saving taxpayer dollars, and, most importantly, protecting children from potentially irreversible harm so they can truly flourish.”

UK Government Begins Adding Miscarriage-Inducing Drug to Food Supply for ‘Greater Good’– slaynews.com

pgnewser August 12, 2026 0

UK Government Begins Adding Miscarriage-Inducing Drug to Food Supply for ‘Greater Good’– slaynews.com
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EXCERPT:

The UK Government will begin adding a drug to the nation’s flour that is known to trigger miscarriages in pregnant women, arguing that it’s necessary for the “greater good,” exposing tens of millions of people to the substance through everyday foods, regardless of whether they want it.

The move will mandate the mass-medicating of the population by forcing commercial flour producers to add synthetic folic acid to the nation’s food supply.

Beginning December 13, 2026, virtually all non-wholemeal wheat flour produced by major British mills must contain synthetic folic acid under government regulations approved without a vote on the floor of the House of Commons.

The mandate will expose tens of millions of people to the substance through bread and countless other everyday foods whether they need it or not.

There will be no prescription.

There will be no individualized dosage.

There will be no medical screening.

And there will be no meaningful way for most consumers to avoid it.

Study Blows Hole In Claim Bullying Drives LGBT Mental Health Problems– dailycaller.com

pgnewser August 12, 2026 0

Study Blows Hole In Claim Bullying Drives LGBT Mental Health Problems– dailycaller.com
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EXCERPT:

A new study in Psychological Medicine concludes that the reason homosexuals have more mental health issues than heterosexuals is far more likely to be the result of familial issues than minority stress.

The systematic multilevel meta-analysis, published by Cambridge University Press on Monday, suggests that two-thirds of the discrepancy in mental illness between heterosexuals and non-heterosexuals disappears when shared environmental and genetic factors are accounted for. (RELATED: Gay New York Democrats Seek To Undo Only Redeemable Part Of Anthony Fauci’s Legacy)

“A large proportion of the disparities is attributable to factors shared by both non-heterosexual and heterosexual persons who are genetically related and reared together,” the study says, adding that such factors “reflect genetic or shared environmental factors present in the families of non-heterosexual persons and also affecting heterosexual members.”

2 ex-Chinese military personnel arrested in South Korea for alleged espionage– www.washingtontimes.com

pgnewser August 12, 2026 0

2 ex-Chinese military personnel arrested in South Korea for alleged espionage– www.washingtontimes.com
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EXCERPT:

SEOUL, South Korea — Two former Chinese military service members were arrested in South Korea for alleged espionage, accused of acts including intercepting communications between fighter jets and ground control and collecting information on movements of U.S. armaments, police said Tuesday.

Police said that one of the suspects, a Chinese national in his 60s, set up an interception device consisting of a software-defined radio receiver, an antenna and a laptop at a hotel near an air base jointly used by South Korean and U.S. air forces in southern South Korea.

Police said the man is accused of intercepting communications between fighter jets flown by South Korean and U.S. pilots and air traffic controllers at the base several times since 2024.

Police said he previously served in the Chinese military but refused to disclose further details about his identity. The police statement said the man was arrested Monday for violating laws on aiding the enemy and protecting communication secrets.

Police said they were conducting a forensic examination of his laptop to find if he relayed any of the intercepted communications to Chinese authorities.

BREAKING: Far-left ‘trans kids’ enthusiast Peggy Flanagan wins Minnesota US Senate Democrat primary | The Post Millennial– thepostmillennial.com

pgnewser August 12, 2026 0

BREAKING: Far-left ‘trans kids’ enthusiast Peggy Flanagan wins Minnesota US Senate Democrat primary | The Post Millennial– thepostmillennial.com
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EXCERPT:

Flanagan previously wore a “Protect Trans Kids” shirt featuring a tactical knife and praised Democrats for voting against the Laken Riley Act.

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, a progressive Democrat who previously wore a “Protect Trans Kids” shirt featuring a tactical knife and praised Democrats for voting against the Laken Riley Act, has won the Democratic primary for Minnesota’s open US Senate seat.

Flanagan defeated Rep. Angie Craig on Tuesday, marking another victory for the far-left wing of the Democratic Party. She was backed by progressive Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, as well as retiring Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith.

Flanagan, a supporter of transgender activism, previously faced criticism over a photograph showing her wearing a shirt bearing the words “Protect Trans Kids” alongside the image of a tactical knife. The image resurfaced amid scrutiny of transgender activist merchandise featuring slogans alongside guns, knives and other weapons. Other merchandise included phrases such as “Trans rights … or else” alongside images of firearms.

The primary exposed a sharp divide between Flanagan and Craig on immigration, particularly over Craig’s vote for the Laken Riley Act. Flanagan repeatedly hammered Craig over the vote during the campaign, while Craig later expressed regret for supporting the legislation. Flanagan previously praised Minnesota Democrats who opposed the Laken Riley Act while speaking at a stop on Sanders’ “Fight Oligarchy” tour in May.

JUST IN: Darline Graham Advances to GOP Senate Primary Runoff in South Carolina– wltreport.com

pgnewser August 12, 2026 0

JUST IN: Darline Graham Advances to GOP Senate Primary Runoff in South Carolina– wltreport.com
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EXCERPT:

Sen. Darline Graham, the sister of late Sen. Lindsey Graham, has just advanced to a runoff election in the special South Carolina Republican Senate primary.

Graham, who is endorsed by President Trump, received the highest percentage of votes out of a crowded field of candidates.

However, since no candidate received more than 50% of the vote, Graham and second-place contender Rep. Ralph Norman will face off in a runoff later this month.

Here are the full special election results:

Dem Socialist Pakistani Maryam Khan Wins Connecticut Senate Primary Over Incumbent– gellerreport.com

pgnewser August 12, 2026 0

Dem Socialist Pakistani Maryam Khan Wins Connecticut Senate Primary Over Incumbent– gellerreport.com
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EXCERPT:

Maryam Khan Wins Connecticut Senate Primary Over Incumbent

Tom Tiffany secures GOP nomination for Wisconsin governor– www.washingtonexaminer.com

pgnewser August 12, 2026 0

Tom Tiffany secures GOP nomination for Wisconsin governor– www.washingtonexaminer.com
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EXCERPT:

Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) won the Republican nomination to be Wisconsin‘s next governor on Tuesday, besting long-shot candidate Andy Manske in the GOP primary to advance to the general election.

Tiffany secured the primary win with 96.4% of the vote, while Manske trailed with 3.5% of the vote, according to the Associated Press as of Tuesday evening. Tiffany, endorsed by President Donald Trump, awaits the Democratic primary winner as he looks to take back the governor’s mansion from Democrats for the first time since 2019.

Tiffany has held his northwest Wisconsin seat in the U.S. House since 2020, announcing his exit from the chamber to run for the statewide office in September 2025 to replace retiring Gov. Tony Evers (D-WI). Several GOP candidates had dropped their bids for the seat either after Tiffany entered the race or after Trump endorsed him, leaving Tiffany to take on Manske, a 27-year-old medical service technician.

The congressman has run his gubernatorial campaign touting his years of experience in public office from the local level to Capitol Hill, arguing he has “fought for Wisconsin at every level of government.” Tiffany has campaigned largely on issues like affordability, public safety, and education, vowing to freeze property taxes, ban sanctuary cities across the state, and invest in K-12 education.

Lisa Demuth Defeats Mike Lindell for Minnesota Governor Nomination– www.breitbart.com

pgnewser August 12, 2026 0

Lisa Demuth Defeats Mike Lindell for Minnesota Governor Nomination– www.breitbart.com
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EXCERPT:

Lisa Demuth defeated MyPillow founder Mike Lindell to clinch the Republican nomination for Minnesota governor on Tuesday night.

Demuth, the Minnesota state House Speaker, beat Mike Lindell with relative ease on Monday night, earning 43.6 percent of the vote versus Lindell’s 32.3 percent.

Lindell received President Donald Trump’s endorsement leading up to the race.

“Mike Lindell, the ‘Pillow Man,’ and one of America’s greatest and most hard working Patriots, is running to be GOVERNOR OF MINNESOTA, replacing one of the worst and most incompetent governors in the history of the U.S.A.,” Trump said. “Early Primary Voting has begun and, if given the chance, Mike will be SPECTACULAR!!!”

Runoff Election Set For Lindsey Graham’s Former Senate Seat– trendingpoliticsnews.com

pgnewser August 12, 2026 0

Runoff Election Set For Lindsey Graham’s Former Senate Seat– trendingpoliticsnews.com
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EXCERPT:

Interim U.S. Senator Darline Graham and U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman have advanced to a runoff in South Carolina’s special Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by the late Senator Lindsey Graham.

Ahead of Tuesday’s primary, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham’s sister, to serve the remainder of the term, which ends in January 2027. Under state law, a special primary was required to select the Republican nominee for the full six-year term beginning in 2027.

Ten candidates appeared on the Republican primary ballot. Unofficial results with nearly all votes counted showed Darline Graham receiving 109,582 votes, or 32.7 percent, while Norman secured second place with 24.6 percent of the vote.

Significant vote shares also went to additional candidates, as U.S. Rep. Russell Fry finished third with roughly 19.6 percent of the vote. Former Governor Mark Sanford trailed close behind with 14.9 percent, while businessman Mark Lynch, who previously mounted a primary challenge against the late Senator Graham, received a little under six percent. A handful of additional candidates received smaller shares of the vote.

Michele Tafoya Wins GOP Nomination for Senate Contest in Minnesota– gellerreport.com

pgnewser August 12, 2026 0

Michele Tafoya Wins GOP Nomination for Senate Contest in Minnesota– gellerreport.com
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EXCERPT:

The former NFL sideline reporter for ABC and ESPN and, more recently, conservative podcaster with Salem Media has secured the nomination for Republicans, looking to be the next Senator for the Land of 10,000 Lakes. She’ll be facing the liberal Democrat and sitting Senator Amy Blobuchar.

Tafoya: Thank you, Minnesota! I am honored to be the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate. Tonight’s results show Minnesotans are ready for a new direction. Together, we will bring common sense back to Washington, fight fraud, hold those responsible accountable, and win in November. Let’s get to work! (Tafoya).

Tafoya dominated the GOP contest—with over 50 percent of the vote (Decision Desk)

New MA Law Allows Abortion Minutes Before Birth For Any Reason– thefederalist.com

pgnewser August 12, 2026 0

New MA Law Allows Abortion Minutes Before Birth For Any Reason– thefederalist.com
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EXCERPT:

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed an abortion bill into law on Aug. 10 that removed the state’s current 24-week ban and legalized abortions up to the point of birth for any reason with a doctor’s “professional judgment.”

When the law takes effect in 90 days, Massachusetts will join 10 other states and the District of Columbia in allowing abortion up to the point of birth.

A press release on the bill, H.B. 5595, stated that it “comes as reproductive rights continue to face unprecedented attacks across the country following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade.” The release framed enabling women to kill 9-month-old unborn babies as heroically “strengthen[ing] protections for patients and providers, ” as “Trump and state legislatures continue to push abortion bans.”

Healey posted a picture with an “Abortion is Health Care” sign on her X account with the caption, “No matter what Donald Trump does, we will protect your reproductive freedom.”

A separate post stated that “as long as I’m Governor, abortion will remain safe, legal and accessible in Massachusetts,” changing the Bill Clinton-popularized adage that abortion should be “safe, legal, and rare.”

No more strikes on Iran? Trump says US going ‘low key’, stresses economic pressure over military op– timesofindia.indiatimes.com

pgnewser August 10, 2026 0

No more strikes on Iran? Trump says US going ‘low key’, stresses economic pressure over military op– timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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EXCERPT:

 

Trump claims that Iran is facing economic crisis as they have ‘no money’

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that the US is taking a low-key approach towards Iran and is not currently looking to launch a new military offensive, even as tensions over the Strait of Hormuz continue.“We are low keying it,” Trump told Axios in a brief phone call, adding that the US was only “semi-negotiating” with Iran while watching its worsening economic situation.“We are only semi-negotiating with them. We are just watching Iran with its huge inflation and the fact they have no money,” Trump said.Trump said Iran was “in very bad shape” economically and that the US naval blockade has worsened the crisis.

US Senate approves sweeping Russia sanctions bill targeting energy income– www.euronews.com

pgnewser August 10, 2026 0

US Senate approves sweeping Russia sanctions bill targeting energy income– www.euronews.com
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EXCERPT:

The US Senate has overwhelmingly approved a sweeping sanctions package targeting Russia’s energy revenues, including Russian officials, oligarchs, financial institutions and the so-called shadow fleet.

The bipartisan legislation, which passed the Senate 86-11, would allow US President Donald Trump to set tariffs of up to 500% on Russian imports, including gas and oil.

It would also penalise countries that continue to buy Russian oil, gas and other exports, allowing Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from major purchasers of Russian oil and gas, including countries such as China and India.

US sanctions would also expand to target older, reflagged oil tankers that Russia uses to circumvent existing US sanctions on Russian oil and energy revenues.

The legislation now heads to the House of Representatives, though a vote there will not take place until at least early September due to the congressional summer recess.

Federal Judge Gives Trump Admin Green Light to End Deportation Protections for South Sudanese Migrants– slaynews.com

pgnewser August 10, 2026 0

Federal Judge Gives Trump Admin Green Light to End Deportation Protections for South Sudanese Migrants– slaynews.com
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EXCERPT:

A federal judge in Massachusetts cleared the Trump administration Friday to terminate Temporary Protected Status for South Sudanese nationals, handing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) another victory in its effort to unwind temporary immigration programs that have allowed foreign nationals to remain in the United States.

U.S. District Judge Patti B. Saris ruled that the plaintiffs could not revive their challenge after the Supreme Court rejected materially similar arguments earlier this year.

“The Supreme Court rejected materially identical challenges … and Plaintiffs have no liberty or property interests left other than those provided by statute or regulation based on their individual circumstances through other statutory provisions,” Saris wrote.

Their “newly proposed claims would be futile,” the judge added.

New catalyst with 75% less platinum promises to reduce the cost of hydrogen fuel cells– phys.org

pgnewser August 10, 2026 0

New catalyst with 75% less platinum promises to reduce the cost of hydrogen fuel cells– phys.org
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EXCERPT:
The high cost of platinum is one of the main barriers to the wider adoption of hydrogen fuel cells. Now, researchers at IMDEA Materials Institute have developed a catalyst that delivers the same performance while using 75% less of this expensive metal. The study, published in Electrochimica Acta, demonstrates a breakthrough made possible by applying controlled mechanical compression to the catalyst. This modifies its atomic-scale structure, enabling it to achieve energy efficiency comparable to that of pure platinum.