I believe an unlikely mix of alleged drug trafficking related politicos and alleged white nationalist related politicos united to elect the infamous “Bloc of Four” in the abysmal voter turnout election of 2005. During their four year term the drug business was good again and white nationalists used Coatesville as an example on white supremacist websites like “Stormfront”. Strong community organization and support from law enforcement, in particular Chester County District Attorney Joseph W. Carroll has begun to turn our community around. The Chester County drug trafficking that I believe centers on Coatesville continues and I believe we still have public officials in place that profit from the drug sales. But the people here are amazing and continue to work against the odds to make Coatesville a good place to live.
Jeffrey Epstein facilitated efforts to open a backchannel between Israel and the Kremlin during the Syrian civil war, according to leaked emails from former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.
The trove of emails, exchanged at the height of the Syrian civil war between 2013 and 2016, reveal Epstein’s successful efforts to secure a private meeting between Barak and Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a Russian-brokered end to the conflict, including winning Russian support for a negotiated removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Epstein was an invaluable resource for Israel’s former prime minister, who also served as head of intelligence and defense minister throughout his career, sharing whispers from within Russian elite circles and intel on Putin’s interlocutors in Europe and the U.S—and even advising him on how to engage with the Mossad. Barak, fresh out of his role as Israeli defense minister, built a deep portfolio of investments and business relationships around the world with Epstein’s help...
Epstein was not merely a fixer for Barak, but also a friend and advisor, who collaborated with him at high-levels to promote Israeli security interests. The correspondence between Barak and Epstein, as well as publicly released information about Epstein’s travel and activities during this period, point to a significant degree of collaboration between the two men, involving numerous governments in negotiations intended to serve Israeli security interests. In a note sent by Barak to Epstein after the St. Petersburg forum in 2015, he rattled off a long list of heads of state, senior officials, and business magnates he had met, reporting “great meetings” with all.
Around the same time, Epstein was known to have conducted meetings with several Obama administration officials, including former U.S. ambassador to Russia, and later CIA chief William Burns, as well as Obama White House counsel Kathryn Ruemmler. While shedding light on his efforts with Barak to secure Israeli interests in Syria, the emails leave open the question of other interactions that Epstein may have engaged in with U.S. and other government officials.
Hacked emails show how Jeffrey Epstein and former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak tried to engineer a Russian-led solution to remove Bashar al-Assad.
U.S. air travel turmoil deepened as nearly 7,000 flights were delayed nationwide on Monday, with air traffic controller absences surging as the federal government shutdown reached its 27th day.
“Reports that say that something hasn't happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns—the ones we don't know we don't know. And if one looks throughout the history of our country and other free countries, it is the latter category that tends to be the difficult ones.” - U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
Because of Trump’s extreme efforts to hide the Epstein Files, it’s becoming clear that Trump may be deeply involved in the human trafficking of little girls for sex. I believe that the Republican Party financiers need to make a decision. Abandon Trump or abandon the Republican Party. - James Pitcherella
So far it's looking like the U.S. Navy will not fire missiles over the top of No King's Day protesters in San Diego. The only time the U.S. Navy fought on American soil was during the Civil War.
However, it looks like potentially armed helicopters will fly over No King's Day protestors.
Republican Governors across the country mobilize and deploy National Guard for No Kings Day, AG Kris Mayes says she is suing Mike Johnson for not swearing in Grijalva, and much more.
Good morning, everyone. This morning I’m tracking major developments as Republican governors across the country, from Virginia to Texas, prepare to deploy the National Guard and military aerial assets ahead of the No Kings Day protests in their states.
If you plan on taking part tomorrow, please remember to remain peaceful. The first No Kings Day demonstrations were almost entirely peaceful, and this one must be no different.
Tomorrow, I will be in Washington, D.C. with full press access to cover one of the largest protests. If you will be there, come find me; I would love to meet you in person. Some have warned me not to go, saying I could be targeted or made an example of. But I refuse to be intimidated. The truth matters too much to stay silent.
If you believe in this work, in fearless reporting and standing up to power, subscribe today. Even in the face of threats, we will not back down.
With that, here’s what you missed:
Republican Governors across the country are calling up and mobilizing the National Guard in their states ahead of tomorrow’s No Kings Day protests, which are now set to be the largest protests in American history.
Governor Glenn Youngkin has mobilized the Virginia National Guard ahead of the nationwide No Kings protests against President Trump’s policies, coordinating with organizers and law enforcement to maintain safety amid over 60 planned demonstrations across Virginia. The first No Kings Day Protest was completely peaceful in Virginia.
Governor Greg Abbott ordered the deployment of Texas National Guard troops and state troopers to Austin ahead the No Kings Day protest, falsely claiming that they were “antifa linked”, drawing criticism from Democrats who accused him of using militarized tactics to intimidate peaceful demonstrators exercising their First Amendment rights.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has issued an ultimatum to U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson: either swear in Adelita Grijalva—or face litigation—arguing that the 813,000 residents of Arizona’s 7th Congressional District are being taxed without representation. She has said time is up: “Time is up. I gave him two days, and he continues to refuse to swear her in. And Arizona’s seventh congressional district 813,000 Arizonans are now being taxed without representation. I have lawyers downstairs right now drafting the litigation.”
As the U.S. government shutdown entered its third week, lawmakers and President Trump continued social events — including a senator’s dog’s birthday party and a lavish White House dinner — highlighting a stark contrast between Washington’s elite and unpaid federal workers struggling through the crisis.
Rep. Dave Taylor (R-Ohio) said an American flag in his Capitol Hill office that featured a swastika was part of a coordinated hoax targeting multiple GOP offices with altered flags; the image went viral, prompting a Capitol Police review, as Taylor condemned the symbol and claimed neither he nor his staff knowingly displayed it. Other officials called it an “optical illusion.” I think it’s pretty clear:
The Trump administration is moving to reopen Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for full-scale oil and gas drilling, reinstating previously canceled leases and allowing development across its entire 1.56-million-acre coastal plain — a reversal of Biden-era limits that environmental groups call a threat to polar bears, caribou, and Indigenous lands, while Alaska officials hail it as an economic boon.
President Trump’s targeting of billionaire philanthropist George Soros and his Open Society Foundations has sparked alarm among progressive nonprofits, which accuse the administration of using government power to intimidate civil society groups working on democracy, climate, and Palestinian rights — vowing instead to “lock arms” and resist what they call authoritarian repression.
Democrats are weighing mid-decade redistricting in Maryland and Illinois to counter Republican-led map redraws in states like Texas and Missouri, as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries pushes Democratic governors to respond to the GOP’s Trump-backed effort to expand its narrow House majority before the 2026 elections.
Former Trump national security adviser John Bolton surrendered to federal authorities after being indicted on multiple counts of mishandling and transmitting classified national defense information, charges he calls politically motivated retaliation orchestrated by Donald Trump.
The Trump administration is weighing a sweeping overhaul of the U.S. refugee system that would drastically cut admissions and prioritize white, English-speaking applicants — particularly Europeans and white South Africans — marking a sharp shift from aiding the world’s most vulnerable toward favoring those aligned with the president’s anti-immigration ideology.
Immigration agents arrested Hanover Park police officer Radule Bojovic, alleging he overstayed a tourist visa, though local officials insist federal records confirmed he was legally authorized to work when hired; his detention comes amid Trump’s “Operation Midway Blitz” deportation campaign, which has swept up over 1,500 people in Illinois since September.
Twenty-three Democratic-led states, including California and Arizona, have sued the Trump administration for canceling the $7 billion EPA Solar for All program, which funded solar energy for low-income communities; state attorneys general argue the rollback will raise energy costs, harm tribal and disadvantaged areas, and illegally divert congressionally approved climate funds.
Car repossessions in the U.S. have surged to their highest level since 2009 as rising defaults on auto loans signal growing financial strain on households; the bankruptcies of subprime lender Tricolor and supplier First Brands have alarmed Wall Street, with economists warning the stressed car-lending market could foreshadow wider economic trouble.
Israel and Hamas exchanged accusations over the handling of hostages’ and prisoners’ bodies—Israel alleging Hamas is withholding remains, and Hamas claiming Israel returned tortured bodies—raising tensions and threatening the fragile Gaza ceasefire.
Humanitarian agencies warned that aid to Gaza remains critically insufficient a week into the ceasefire, with Israel delaying convoys and only about half of intended trucks entering, as famine, disease, and blocked crossings persist amid renewed Israeli-Hamas tensions over truce violations.
Col. Michael Randrianirina, who led a military coup after weeks of youth-led protests, was sworn in as Madagascar’s new president, prompting UN condemnation, the country’s suspension from the African Union, and uncertainty over a promised transition to elections within two years.
Susan Stamberg, trailblazing NPR journalist and the first woman to host a national news program, died at 87; a “founding mother” of NPR, she helped shape modern public radio with her conversational style and decades of influential reporting and interviews.
Good news:
A pet tortoise named Mr. T was safely rescued by railway staff in Oxfordshire after wandering onto the train tracks at Bicester North Station; alerted passengers helped save the unharmed reptile, who was later reunited with his owner after enjoying lettuce and water from Chiltern Railways staff.
When a Wichita taco shop’s payment system crashed, a kind stranger named Jared paid $100 to cover another family’s meal and even tipped the staff — earning him the title of “Wichita Taco Hero” and a year of free tacos, after his generous act went viral and inspired locals with his pay-it-forward spirit.
Researchers in China have developed a biodegradable plastic made from bamboo cellulose that is stronger than conventional plastic, recyclable, and fully breaks down in soil within 50 days — a breakthrough that could replace rigid petroleum-based plastics and significantly reduce environmental waste.
“Camp Pendleton advised nearby residents that there would be live-fire training with high-explosive munitions through Sunday, which will result in some roads on the base being closed.” - LA TIMES
While Trump has claimed it's anti-American, the No Kings protests happening across America are necessary to fight for our democracy. Steve Schmidt sits down with Indivisible founder Ezra Levin to discuss the largest peaceful protest in modern American history
“Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office is weighing whether to close parts of Interstate 5 beginning Friday amid concerns over what it says is a White House-directed plan to use live ordnance during a military anniversary celebration off Camp Pendleton’s coast in San Diego County — where Navy ships are expected to fire over the freeway onto the base.
Newsom’s office has received, but not confirmed, reports that live ordnance will be fired from offshore vessels during the event commemorating the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary. The event is titled “Sea to Shore — A Review of Amphibious Strength” and will feature Vice President JD Vance.
Newsom’s office said it has received little information about the event or safety plans. The military show of force coincides with No Kings rallies and marches across the state on Saturday that are expected to draw large crowds, demonstrations challenging Trump and what critics say is government overreach.
“Donald Trump and JD Vance think that shutting down the I-5 to shoot out missiles from ships is how you respect the military,” Newsom posted on the social media site X Wednesday.”
U.S. Navy bombardment and U.S. Army invasion of New York City 5 points scene from “Gangs of New York”:
“Troops and ships were deployed, artillery was fired, but I haven't been able to find a credible source that confirms a naval bombardment of the city. It seems to be possible, but far from certain, and it probably didn't happen.”
“The New York Draft riots of 1863 close The Gangs of New York both in terms of time and content. The most extraordinary element of this sequence is the (apparently) indiscriminate shelling of the Five Points neighborhood by the Navy. The fact that the "native" government is destroying the old order is clearly a major factor in the meaning of the film.
Is there any historical evidence for anything near this level of indiscriminate destruction? If not, are there interviews/articles in which the filmmakers describe their decision to include it?”
“Israel's great challenge after the phase of returning the hostages will be the destruction of all of Hamas's terror tunnels in Gaza, directly by the IDF…@Israel_katz” MORE BELOW.
BACK IN FEBRUARY:
President Trump: Gaza Strip could be the 'Riviera of the Middle East’
Feb 4, 2025
"1. Gaza will be a deradicalised terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbours.
“9. Gaza will be governed under the temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee, responsible for delivering the day-to-day running of public services and municipalities for the people in Gaza. This committee will be made up of qualified Palestinians and international experts, with oversight and supervision by a new international transitional body, the "Board of Peace," which will be headed and chaired by President Donald J. Trump, with other members and heads of state to be announced, including Former Prime Minister Tony Blair. This body will set the framework and handle the funding for the redevelopment of Gaza until such time as the Palestinian Authority has completed its reform programme, as outlined in various proposals, including President Trump's peace plan in 2020 and the Saudi-French proposal, and can securely and effectively take back control of Gaza. This body will call on best international standards to create modern and efficient governance that serves the people of Gaza and is conducive to attracting investment.
10. A Trump economic development plan to rebuild and energise Gaza will be created by convening a panel of experts who have helped birth some of the thriving modern miracle cities in the Middle East. Many thoughtful investment proposals and exciting development ideas have been crafted by well-meaning international groups, and will be considered to synthesize the security and governance frameworks to attract and facilitate these investments that will create jobs, opportunity, and hope for future Gaza.
11. A special economic zone will be established with preferred tariff and access rates to be negotiated with participating countries.
12. No one will be forced to leave Gaza, and those who wish to leave will be free to do so and free to return. We will encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza.”
G Auto-translated from Hebrew by Grok Show original
Israel's great challenge after the phase of returning the hostages will be the destruction of all of Hamas's terror tunnels in Gaza, directly by the IDF and through the international mechanism to be established under the leadership and supervision of the United States.
This is the primary significance of implementing the agreed-upon principle of demilitarizing Gaza and neutralizing Hamas of its weapons.
I have instructed the IDF to prepare for carrying out the mission.
On 4 February 2025, Trump stated in a joint press conference with Netanyahu that the United States will "take over" and "own" the Gaza Strip, levelling and reconstructing the territory which will provide "unlimited amounts of jobs and housing for the people of the area".[12] The plan would involve clearing rubble, dismantling weaponry and removing unexploded ordnance, which the U.S. would be responsible for.[13][14] The BBC reported that the amount of debris was over 50 million tonnes and that clearing the debris could take up to 21 years.[1] Regarding the question of Palestinians inhabiting the territory and being currently displaced from it due to war, Trump stated that Gaza would instead be inhabited by "the world's people",[1] whereas the Palestinians would be relocated to an unspecified "beautiful area",[15] and will not be permitted to return to Gaza.[16] Trump said that Gazans would be relocated to six "safe communities" a "little bit away" from Gaza.[1]
On 5 February, members of Trump's administration walked back on the permanent resettlement rhetoric, contradicting Trump's comments the day before.[14][17]Marco Rubio and Karoline Leavitt said the idea was to relocate Gazans for a temporary period of clearing rubble and rebuilding. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said that he would support Trump's plan to have the Gazans return.[14] On 9 February, Trump said that the US would buy Gaza and that it might be given to other Middle Eastern states to rebuild.[18] On 10 February, Trump said the Gazans would not be allowed to return.[16] On 11 February, he said that the US was not buying anything and would just "have" and "keep" Gaza.[18] UN officials said that Trump's plan would essentially involve the ethnic cleansing of Gaza.[19]The Hill reported that Trump was sending "mixed messages" about the fate of the Gazans and that he was not being clear about the long-term plan of displacement.[20]Mike Waltz, national security adviser to Trump, suggested that Trump's proposal was an initial invitation to other regional players to bring solutions to the table.[21] Marco Rubio similarly said that it was time for other regional powers to "step forward"[20] and that "If the Arab countries have a better plan, then that’s great."[22] Trump has requested that Arab governments like Egypt and Jordan take in the displaced Palestinian populations. Abdullah II of Jordan, meeting with Mahmoud Abbas prior, entered into talks with Trump about the plan but did not directly agree with or contradict the president, suggesting instead that Egypt would propose an alternative plan.[20][23] It is reported that Trump's plan is based on a paper drawn up by economics professor Joseph Pelzman.[24]
On 21 February 2025, after opposition from Arab states, Trump said he would "recommend" but not enforce his plan for the US takeover of Gaza and the resettlement of the Palestinian population.[25][26] On 12 March 2025, Trump said that "nobody is expelling any Palestinians" from Gaza, which signaled a change from his previous stance.[27] On 15 May 2025, during his presidential visit to Qatar, Trump reiterated his desire for the United States to take over the Gaza Strip and "make it a freedom zone".[28]
According to "three sources familiar with the effort", Israel and the United States were interested in resettling Gazans to either Syria, Sudan, Morocco, or the separatist Somali regions of Puntland and Somaliland.[29][30]Somalia and Sudan rejected the proposal,[31] while Puntland and Somaliland expressed willingness to enter discussions on the matter in exchange for diplomatic recognition.[32][30] In May 2025, reports emerged that the Trump administration was working on a plan to permanently relocate 1 million Gazans to Libya, while offering the release of around $30 billion in funds frozen by the U.S. since the toppling of the regime of Muammar Gaddafi in exchange for Libyan authorities agreeing to the deal.[33][34] In July, Netanyahu met with Trump and reiterated support for the plan of relocating Palestinians, saying it was "free choice" if Palestinians wanted to stay or leave. The US and Israel were working to identify countries for this plan.[35][36]"
