Free Republic

The U.S. Army is now rolling out a new policy that disproportionately impacts Black soldiers, and one officer is questioning the motivations behind the announcement. Military.com reported Friday that the Army is now planning to prohibit shaving waivers, requiring all soldiers to adhere to strict new grooming standards. Previously, soldiers who suffered from the skin condition pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) were allowed to ask for a waiver to bypass requirements to stay clean-shaven, as PFB patients can often have painful bumps and scarring from the use of a razor. Soldiers who have PFB — which causes ingrown hairs that lead to...

Zohran Mamdani is the firm favorite to win the 2025 New York mayoral race after he declared victory over Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, according to the betting website Polymarket. As of 6 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Mamdani had a 73.6 percent chance of winning the election in November. He was followed by incumbent Mayor Eric Adams on 19.4 percent, and Cuomo on 4.9 percent. Newsweek contacted Mamdani, Cuomo and Adams for comment outside of regular workings hours.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are co-sponsoring a bill that would ban discrimination against transgender military members.The Fit to Serve Act would prohibit the Department of Defense from banning transgender service members from the military and would ban the department from listing gender identity as a qualification for service.The Fit to Serve Act was led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and co-sponsored by other senators, including Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.)