Free Republic

In response to growing allegations of fraud in Somali daycares in the Seattle area and beyond, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson condemned independent journalists investigating the fraud, calling them “extremist influencers.” In a social media post, Wilson wrote, “I stand with the Somali childcare providers who have experienced targeted harassment, and condemn the surveillance campaign promoted by extremist influencers.” She then encouraged people who believe themselves to be “the victim of a hate crime” to contact Washington’s Hate Crimes and Bias Incident Hotline. She wrote in an official statement, “In Seattle, we believe in solidarity, and our city will not tolerate...

Daily Readings from the USCCBMemorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church“I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. John 1:26–28Though John the Baptist prepared the people of Israel for the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, he also prepares us to receive the fruit of that ministry and mission. One way he does this is by revealing the identity of...

When you voted for Mamdani and wanted to celebrate his inauguration the right way: Yes, as you can see, a massive crowd gathered near the Brooklyn Bridge on Wednesday night in anticipation of a fireworks show that never happened. And when midnight rolled around it got very awkward. Essentially, TikTok rumors caused the confusion. Also, as an excuse, people said a lack of communication from authorities was part of the confusion -- authorities never said there were fireworks there because there weren't going to be fireworks there. To be fair, there are fireworks on display at the Brooklyn Bridge on...

Somali TikToker threatens Elon Musk’s life: "I wouldn't worry too much about him. He about to die."

A victim of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein said Tuesday the partial release of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) files on the disgraced financier and the lack of naming those accused of wrongdoing were “incredibly frustrating.” The DOJ still has 5.2 million files to undergo review, according to a Reuters report Wednesday. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche posted on the social platform X that lawyers from the DOJ, FBI, Southern District of Florida and Southern District of New York “are working around the clock through the holidays” to review the files. The DOJ had 30 days to release its files...

Left-wing activist attempts to protest in front of Danish Royal Guards; gets instantly shoved to the ground.

CNN can’t believe that Trump is the ONLY President EVER to have higher net approval ratings in his 2nd term than his first term!! How EPIC is her reaction?😂 Happy New Year y’all!!😎🇺🇸

Over the last week, SBA has reviewed thousands of potentially fraudulent pandemic-era PPP and EIDL loans approved in Minnesota. Today, our agency took action to suspend 6,900 Minnesota borrowers amid suspected fraudulent activity. In total, these borrowers were approved for 7,900 PPP and EIDL loans worth approximately $400M. These individuals will be banned from all SBA loan programs, including disaster loans, going forward. We will also refer every case, where appropriate, to federal law enforcement for prosecution and repayment. After years, the American people will finally begin to see the criminals who stole from law-abiding taxpayers held accountable - and...

Meanwhile, similar incidents of the police being targeted by fireworks were reported in Belgium and two youngsters died in an accident involving home-made explosives in Germany. At least two people were killed in the Netherlands in a string of violent incidents on New Year’s Eve that Dutch police are calling "unprecedented". In the southeastern city of Nijmegen, a 17-year-old was killed in an incident involving fireworks shortly after midnight but police have given no further details. And in the town of Aalsmeer south of the capital Amsterdam, a 38-year-old was killed in another incident involving fireworks which is still being...

In July, President Donald Trump signed into law new legislation that will overhaul the federal student loan system. Among the changes brought by the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act are the elimination of loans that allowed graduate students to borrow up to the cost of attendance and differing caps on student loans for those pursuing graduate versus professional degree programs — a classification that the Department of Education has proposed to include graduate studies in 11 fields, including medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry. Notably missing from that list, however, are myriad allied health professions like physical and occupational therapy, audiology,...

Bill Glahn, policy fellow at the Center of the American Experiment, discusses the SBA's efforts to crack down on fraud in Minnesota and concerns that the state's new paid leave legislation could set up new fraud opportunities.

A female streamer from Germany was attacked during a New Year’s Eve celebration in the streets of Cologne, according to German media. Newsweek reached out to the streamer, Kunshikitty, and the police in Cologne, Germany, for comment via email. Why It Matters Video of the attack received millions of views on the social media platform X on Monday. The video underscores ongoing public safety concerns for women across the globe and comes on the 10th anniversary of a wave of assaults against women across Germany during New Year’s Eve celebrations. What to Know Kunshikitty, a streamer who has more than...

For decades the Iranian regime has brutally suppressed any uprising in country by shooting, beating, jailing, innocent protesters. The evil Shiite regime is famous for slaughtering young protesters in the streets during any political uprising. And for years, the protesters have called out to American leaders to help rescue them from the brutal regime. The regime’s anti-riot police are frequently filmed firing on innocent protesters in Iran. This sniper, filmed in 2022, was aiming precisely at the protesters in the crowd and firing his weapon. Of course, this is not the first time the regime was out shooting at protesters....

A confidential and classified directive issued by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic has been leaked. The document orders all major Iranian banks, payment networks, card systems and financial institutions to immediately enter emergency operational mode in anticipation of nationwide unrest, sabotage, shutdown scenarios and regime-level crisis. The directive explicitly instructs banks to: • Prepare for blackouts and infrastructure collapse • Secure and relocate critical financial data • Activate crisis-mode parallel payment systems • Prepare for system shutdowns, mass disruption, and nationwide instability • Create alternative financial survival mechanisms in case the regime loses control In plain language: The...

Every December, the staff of the Martin Center share our higher-ed-reform dreams for the coming 12 months. Some are obvious; others are fanciful. We offer them all here in a spirit of optimism, for the reader’s enjoyment and edification. Turn to the Founders The Founding Fathers are a source of insight and wisdom that should be drawn on more frequently. Their writings on liberty and natural rights shed light on questions of human dignity. Their example of simultaneous restraint and boldness in the appropriate contexts provides a model of leadership. And their educational vision adds clarity to the purpose of...

Minnesota-based organizations that receive government grants are also raising money through ActBlue, the same platform synonymous with Democratic campaign fundraising. These donations are run through ActBlue Charities, the platform’s 501(c)(3) “charitable giving” arm. But these groups are still tapping the ActBlue infrastructure, branding, and donor rails while simultaneously drawing down taxpayer funds. This revelation comes as authorities have started investigating troves of financial fraud plaguing Minnesota-based NGOs and daycare centers run by Somali migrants. The newfound ActBlue ties adds a political dimension to this scandal. The following Minnesota groups are listed on ActBlue’s directory: Sabathani Community Center Isuroon Alight African...

One Big Beautiful Bill Act – car loan interest tax deduction is a groundbreaking new tax benefit that allows taxpayers to deduct up to $10,000 per year in interest on loans for new U.S. assembled vehicles from 2025–2028. This provision, part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, aims to support American manufacturing and provide significant tax savings for vehicle owners. Below, you’ll find a comprehensive list of qualifying vehicles and all the key requirements you need to know to claim this deduction. To qualify for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act car loan interest tax deduction, your...

CHRISTMAS BIBLE-ART EPISODE #20 of 33 SHEPHERDS, FIRST TO SEE THE SAVIOR L U K E CHAPTER 2 She gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good...

VIDEOThe CNN "journalist" Whitney Wild, who attempted to cast ridiculous aspersions upon the reporting by Nick Shirley on day care fraud in Minnesota, has a record of absurd mendacity. Here is a flashback to June 2022 when Wild was reporting on the attempted assassination of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in the wake of the release of the leaked draft decision that could overturn Roe v. Wade.First Wild CONTRADICTED her own CNN chyron running below her, that stated that the attempted assassin was ARMED, by claiming it was unknown whether he was armed. She again flat out LIED by claiming...

MAYOR MAMDANI: "We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism."