A former Missouri House speaker was sentenced Monday to 21 months in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud for misusing federal COVID-19 relief funds for his personal benefit. Former Republican House Speaker John Diehl received about $380,000 in federal loans for his law firm between 2020 and 2022 through a program intended to help cover operating expenses for businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. But Diehl admitted in a September plea agreement that he instead used the money for personal expenses, including country club dues, swimming pool maintenance, his home mortgage and vehicle payments for a Tesla, Audi and Jeep. Prosecutors said he used more than half the money to fund his law firm's defined benefit plan, of which he was the only participant, and also paid off a civil settlement related to his time as state House speaker.
Israel's strikes on 30 Iranian fuel depots Saturday went far beyond what the U.S. expected when Israel notified it in advance, sparking the first significant disagreement between the allies since the war began eight days ago, according to a U.S. official, Israeli official and a source with knowledge. read more
The imminent depletion of water supplies in Corpus Christi threatens to cut off the flow of jet fuel to Texas airports and other oil exports from one of the nation's largest petroleum ports, triggering potential shockwaves through energy markets in Texas and beyond. Without significant rainfall, Corpus Christi is headed for a "water emergency" within months ... read more
The Wall Street Journal found that "the Department of Homeland Security, created in 2002 to protect Americans, has turned its force against citizens." "Of the 279 people accused by officials on X of attacking federal officers in the past year, 181 were U.S. citizens, the Journal found. Close to half of those Americans were never charged with assault. None have been convicted at trial." "Yet names, mug shots and other identifying details posted by the government put a bull's-eye on them. They had to explain the accusations to family, friends and employers. In a few cases, their home and workplace addresses were leaked online, drawing death threats."
An MS NOW panel called out Donald Trump over his dismissive attitude and response to reports that Vladimir Putin is giving aid to Iran by helping the embattled regime target U.S. troops. On Friday, the president was pressed by Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy on reports that Russia is assisting Iran to attack American military targets, which led Trump to snap, "That's an easy problem compared to what we're doing here, But I - can I be honest? It's just, I have a lot of respect for you. You've always been very nice to me. What a stupid question that is to be asking at this time. We're talking about something else." "I think there are a couple of things we can say this morning that really do put it all in perfect perspective of how strange things have become," he added, "Number one, the Russians helped the Iranians target Americans to kill them. And the administration, including the president, says it doesn't matter. We do it, too.'"
Stinky is now claiming Iran has Tomahawk missiles.
bsky.app