Consumers are feeling the effects of rising beef prices every time they walk into the grocery store. What many don’t realize is that those prices are the result of pressures that have been building on American farmers for decades. Today, the U.S. cattle herd is at its lowest level in roughly 75 years. It may sound like a simple supply-and-demand problem, but after more than 50 years in the cattle business, I can tell you it’s more complicated than that. The cattle shortage we are experiencing today did not happen overnight. Years of rising operating costs, growing competition from imports, and industry consolidation have forced many ranchers to reduce their herd sizes or leave the business altogether. And while there are efforts underway to rebuild the nation’s cattle herd, it will take time. And the rebuild is not a certainty. A cow’s gestation period is nine months — then it takes another two years for that calf to reach slaughter. A herd rebuild is measured in years, not months. But the cattle shortage itself is only part of the story. Many consumers have little knowledge of where their beef actually comes from. Current labeling rules can allow imported beef to be processed domestically and marketed in ways that leave consumers with the impression it was entirely produced in the United States. At the same time, the modern American beef supply chain has become increasingly dependent on imported lean beef, which is frequently blended with domestic beef before reaching consumers. As a result, consumers often have no clear way of knowing where the beef they purchase originated or how much of it was raised by American ranchers. The lack of transparency makes it difficult for consumers to make informed purchasing decisions and intentionally support domestic producers. At the same time, four major meatpacking companies process the vast majority (about 80%) of America’s beef. This concentration has reduced competition, weakened the bargaining position of American ranchers, and placed significant influence over pricing and supply chains in the hands of a small number of companies. When consumers see higher beef prices, they should understand that many ranchers are not the ones setting these prices. Most are simply trying to stay in business, while remaining largely at the mercy of a highly concentrated meatpacking industry. I know this because I lived it. For decades, my family’s farm in Bluffton, Georgia — White Oak Pastures — operated within the conventional industrial model that has come to dominate American agriculture. Over time, I began to see how an emphasis on scale, efficiency, and consolidation created unintended consequences for everyone involved. That experience taught me an important lesson: there are factors beyond efficiency, such as how we steward the land, animal welfare, and resilience in the food supply chain. If we continue down our current path, we risk fewer independent ranchers, fewer young people entering agriculture, and greater dependence on increasingly outsourced beef production. One important step we can take today is Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL), which would provide consumers with greater transparency about where their meat originates, and allow them to make more informed purchasing decisions — and to specifically support American farmers. But labeling alone is not enough in the long run. If we want affordable beef, a secure food supply, and a stronger agricultural future, we need policies that support independent producers, strengthen rural economies, and preserve America’s ability to produce its own food. The current cattle shortage should be viewed as more than a temporary spike in beef prices — it is a warning sign. For decades, shrinking cattle inventories, rising production costs, industry consolidation, and growing dependence on global supply chains have quietly reshaped the beef industry. Today’s higher prices are simply making those underlying pressures more visible to consumers. Food security does not begin at the grocery store. It begins on farms and ranches across America. If we want affordable food tomorrow, we must ensure American farmers and ranchers can remain in business today. *** Will Harris is the owner of White Oak Pastures and is a fourth-generation cattle rancher.

Pretending to be part of the Islamic Republic’s national soccer team, a man with connections to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) tried to enter the United States, according to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.  “They tried to get someone in yesterday … he was supposed to be the president of the soccer federation. When we started doing the research on him, he had only been put in place since 2022, and we didn’t allow him to board the plane,” Mullin said, adding, “[He] had direct ties to the IRGC.”  Mullin explained that World Cup teams typically comprise 120 people, including players, support staff, and coaches. The United States accepted fewer than half that number into the country for Iran ahead of its match in Los Angeles.  “We accepted 53 individuals coming in, the rest of the individuals that Iran had tried to bring in, all also had direct ties to the IRGC and aren’t their normal traveling group. So, these games that Iran plays, unfortunately, makes them an adversary that you cannot trust,” Mullin said.  The news comes as negotiations with Iran appear to be regaining momentum after a tense weekend that threatened to derail the talks. Iranian officials warned they could close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route, prompting a stern warning from President Donald Trump. “You close it and you won’t have a country. You won’t even make it back to your f*cking country.” Vice President JD Vance is currently in Switzerland leading negotiations with Iranian officials and said on Monday morning, “Yesterday was a very, very good day. We made a lot of good progress.”  On Sunday, the Iranians agreed to allow nuclear inspectors back into their country. “That is a major milestone for the American people and the first step in permanently ending a nuclear weapons program in Iran,” Vance said. Following the vice president’s announcement, the Treasury Department lifted sanctions on Iranian oil for 60 days.  “In line with the ongoing productive talks in Switzerland. Iran has committed to free and open transit in the Strait of Hormuz and to permit International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors into their country,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. “As part of the framework, Treasury has issued a temporary 60-day general license authorizing the production, delivery, and sale of Iranian oil.” Adding to the push, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Monday that he will travel to the Middle East this week, where he is expected to meet with regional allies to discuss shared priorities and security.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi became the all-time leading World Cup goal scorer on Monday, passing Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the new record holder with 17 goals.  Messi scored in the 38th minute in his second game of the group stages against Austria with an assist from Facundo Medina. In the opening minutes of the game, Messi missed an opportunity for the record after he was awarded a penalty kick, which went wide right.  The GOAT stands alone. MESSI BECOMES THE ALL-TIME LEADING GOALSCORER IN MEN’S FIFA WORLD CUP HISTORY

The trans-identifying lover of Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, will not have to testify in person at a court hearing next month.  In a win for the prosecution, Utah Judge Tony Graf Jr. on Monday rejected Robinson’s defense team’s bid to subpoena and cross-examine Lance Twiggs.  Prosecutors opposed the request for in-person testimony, arguing they already have a recorded interview where Twiggs allegedly told investigators that Robinson confessed to the crime, hid a weapon, disposed of clothing, and warned his boyfriend not to tip off law enforcement. Authorities reportedly granted Twiggs limited immunity in April for providing statements against Robinson.  The prosecution will also present a handwritten note Robinson gave to Twiggs as evidence, according to NBC News.  In Monday’s hearing, the judge punted a ruling on the death penalty for another day but allowed hearsay to be used at a preliminary hearing.  Graf argued the Utah Constitution allows the state to rely on reliable hearsay to establish probable cause.  “Although the preliminary hearing is a critical stage of the criminal process, it is not a trial, and does not involve a determination of guilt or innocence,” Graf said, according to NBC.  Monday’s ruling deals another blow to Robinson’s defense team, which has repeatedly lost key evidentiary motions in court. On June 1, Judge Graf rejected Robinson’s request to keep key court proceedings and evidence out of the public eye — meaning the media and the public will have access to his preliminary hearings and evidence exhibits.  In May, Judge Graf also rejected a defense request to bar cameras, microphones, and still photographers from Robinson’s murder trial, The Daily Wire previously reported.  The defense argued that allowing cameras would jeopardize Robinson’s “fair trial rights.” The prosecution pushed back, insisting that transparency builds public trust in the judicial process. “Mischief lurks in the dark or in secret,” Deputy Utah County Attorney Chad Grunander said. “Conspiracy theories abound, and the antidote is the actual, real proceedings … Let’s shine a light on these proceedings, a bright light, so the public can have confidence in what happens in this courtroom.” Robinson allegedly sent his boyfriend, whom he referred to as “Luna,” a message on the day of the shooting that read, “drop what you are doing, look under my keyboard,” The Daily Wire previously reported.  “Luna, if you are reading this per my text, then I am so sorry. I left the house this morning on a mission, and sent an auto text. I am likely dead or facing a lengthy prison sentence. I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it,” the letter states, according to KSL. Robinson’s mother previously told investigators that her son became more political and left-leaning over the past year, adopting pro-gay and pro-transgender views. It remains unclear when the trial against Robinson will begin. If convicted, he faces the death penalty.

The second weekend of the 2026 World Cup saw the tournament favorites get back on track and set themselves apart from the rest of the field, while Cape Verde continued its fairytale run.   Friday afternoon was also highlighted by the United States securing Group D and advancing to the knockout round after its 2-0 win against Australia. America’s opponent in the following round has yet to be determined.  After surprising draws in their opening matches, Brazil, the Netherlands, and Spain proved why many predict them to win the tournament.  Brazil followed its disappointing 1-1 tie against Morocco in its opening game with a hot first half against Haiti. Matheus Cunha scored the first two goals at the 23rd and 36th minutes, setting the tone for what would be a dominant first half. Brazil’s star Vinícius Júnior scored in the third minute of injury time in the first half for his second goal of the young tournament, and Brazil defeated Haiti 3-0. The Dutch have not lost in regulation or extra time since the 2010 World Cup final against Spain. On Saturday, the Netherlands continued its record of consecutive World Cup matches without a loss by picking up its 14th straight against Sweden in a commanding way.  Led by two goals in the first 20 minutes of the first half from Brian Brobbey and two in the first 10 minutes of the second half by Cody Gakpo, Netherlands won 5-1, propelling them to the top of Group F with Japan. Coming off a 7-1 win, Germany struggled against Ivory Coast, who led the powerhouse 1-0 at the end of the first half following Franck Kessié’s goal in the 30th minute. The German national team was saved when Deniz Undav was substituted into the game with 30 minutes remaining in regulation.  Undav, who came off the bench and scored in their last game, scored two goals to pull off the comeback against Ivory Coast, one of them coming in the fourth of six minutes of stoppage time in the second half. WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?