Trailing in the polls as two wars rage in Ukraine and Gaza‚ Democrats are pulling their "misinformation‚ disinformation" levers to wage war on democracy with their latest "hoax‚" former President Donald Trump declared Saturday night in a speech.

Enjoy every creamy bite of this simple White Cheddar Mac and Cheese. The best part is that it’s ready in under a half hour and made with simple ingredients! A QUICK STOVETOP MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE If you’re looking for an easy‚ creamy side dish for your weeknight meal‚ this White Cheddar Mac and Cheese should be at the top of your list! It comes together so fast and easily on the stovetop and it features tender pasta with a fresh‚ creamy‚ smooth sauce that you’ll fall in love with and will want to make with every meal! FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Can I use different cheddar cheese? Absolutely! This recipe is delicious with pretty much any creamy style cheese. Orange cheddar or American or Gouda all work great. Can I use different pasta? Sure! I used shells because they’re easy‚ but you can use elbow macaroni or any other small pasta that you prefer. What else can I add? Just like any other macaroni and cheese recipe‚ you can add other things. Try adding in other cheeses‚ add in some small diced veggies‚ maybe try some protein like diced chicken. Or you can sprinkle some breadcrumbs on top for another fun texture. Can I use freshly grated cheese? Yes‚ and this is always a great idea to use! Preshredded cheese has an agent in the cheese mixture that can make it harder to melt. Freshly shredded cheese melts easier and will make your mac and cheese even more smooth and creamy. How to store white mac and cheese? White Cheddar Mac and Cheese can be stored safely when allowed to cool slightly and placed in an airtight container. If refrigerating‚ it is best to consume within 3-5 days. Can I freeze macaroni and cheese? White cheddar mac and cheese can also be frozen for 1-2 months if kept in an airtight‚ freezer-safe container. When ready to eat‚ allow white cheddar mac and cheese to defrost in the refrigerator overnight and then warm in a microwave or on the stovetop. INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE) medium pasta shells – you can use any pasta you enjoy‚ just use the same amounts. salted butter – it needs to be real butter‚ not margarine. all-purpose flour  garlic powder – this is optional. Some folks love seasoning in their mac and cheese and some folks are purists and only want salt and pepper. This is totally up to you. Another option would be to use a little ground mustard instead of the garlic powder to get a more traditional taste. salt and pepper – Even with the salted butter‚ you still need more seasoning. I give amounts below but please season to taste. If you don’t like to see black specs of pepper in your mac and cheese‚ you can use white pepper instead. whole milk – whole milk is going to give you the creamiest macaroni and cheese. You could certainly use 2% but you will always get the best texture and taste with whole milk. white cheddar cheese – you really want freshly shredded here. It will melt the best for you rather than pre shredded. The easiest way to shred these is with a food processor or with a hand crank cheese grater (paid affiliate link). I find it easiest to freeze the cheese for a little bit‚ this hardens it just enough to make it much easier to shred. HOW TO MAKE WHITE CHEDDAR MAC AND CHEESE In a medium/large pot‚ cook pasta shells according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. Place the empty pot back on the stove and melt the butter on low heat. Whisk in the flour‚ garlic powder‚ salt‚ and pepper. Cook on low heat until smooth and bubbly‚ about 1-2 minutes (continuing to whisk.) Turn the heat to medium and whisk in the milk. Whisk continuously for 3-5 minutes on medium-high heat until the mixture bubbles and the sauce thickens. Turn off the heat and add in the shredded white cheddar cheese and stir until melted through.  Place the drained pasta shells back into the pot and mix thoroughly with the cheese sauce. Serve warm with freshly cracked pepper (optional). CRAVING MORE RECIPES? Crock Pot Mac and Cheese (+Video)No Boil Homemade Mac and CheeseEasy Taco Mac and CheeseAir Fryer Mac and CheeseInstant Pot Sausage Mac and Cheese Print White Cheddar Mac and Cheese Enjoy every creamy bite of this simple White Cheddar Mac and Cheese. The best part is that it's ready in under a half hour and made with simple ingredients! Course Side DishCuisine AmericanKeyword White Cheddar Mac and Cheese Prep Time 10 minutes minutesCook Time 15 minutes minutesTotal Time 25 minutes minutes Servings 6 servings Calories 491kcal Author Brandie @ The Country Cook Ingredients2 cups medium pasta shells (measured uncooked)4 Tablespoons (½ stick) salted butter¼ cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)½ teaspoon salt¼ teaspoon pepper2 cups whole milk3 cups shredded white cheddar cheesefresh black pepper (for garnish‚ optional) InstructionsIn a medium/large pot‚ cook pasta shells according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.Place the empty pot back on the stove and melt the butter on low heat. Whisk in the flour‚ garlic powder‚ salt‚ and pepper. Cook on low heat until smooth and bubbly‚ about 1-2 minutes (continuing to whisk so you don't get lumps). Turn the heat to medium and whisk in the milk Whisk continuously for 3-5 minutes on medium-high heat until the mixture bubbles and the sauce thickens.Turn off the heat and add in the shredded white cheddar cheese and stir until melted through. Place the drained pasta shells back into the pot and mix thoroughly with the cheese sauce. Serve warm topped with freshly cracked pepper (optional) Notes Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions. You can store this in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. Reheat on the stovetop (you may need to add a splash of milk).  You can freeze this for up to 1-2 months. Let thaw and then reheat when ready. NutritionCalories: 491kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 657mg | Potassium: 255mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 932IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 510mg | Iron: 1mg

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Bob Newhart and Don Rickles shared a remarkable and enduring friendship that spanned several decades in the entertainment industry. The comedy legends first crossed paths in the early ’60s‚ a time when both were establishing themselves as comedic forces to be reckoned with. Newhart‚ known for his deadpan delivery and clever wit‚ found a kindred spirit in Rickles‚ whose brash‚ insult-driven comedy set him apart. Despite their differing comedic styles‚ their friendship flourished. Their camaraderie was evident in various public appearances and interviews‚ where they often bantered with each other‚ exchanging playful jabs and witty remarks. Beyond the spotlight‚ they remained steadfast allies and supported each other through the highs and lows of their respective careers‚ offering encouragement and understanding to each other until Rickles’s passing in 2017. A new documentary tells the story of Bob Newhart and Don Rickles’ friendship DON RICKLES: ALIVE AND KICKING‚ from left‚ Bob Newhart‚ Don Rickles‚ aired December 12‚ 1972 Recently‚ filmmaker and producer Judd Apatow released his documentary‚ Bob and Don: A Love Story‚ which shed more light on the intricate lives of the comedic maestros. The narrative unfolds through a captivating blend of anecdotes‚ personal recollections‚ and archival footage‚ providing an intimate glimpse into the dynamic between these two humor icons. RELATED: Don Rickles Roasts Jerry Lewis In Hilarious 10-Minute Comedy Stand-Up From 1971 In the 20-minute video‚ which is currently streaming on The New Yorker website‚  Newhart fondly reflected on the extraordinary bond he shared with the late Rickles‚ a humorist of unparalleled wit. NEWHART‚ from left: Bob Newhart‚ Don Rickles‚ The Nice Man Cometh‚ (Season 7‚ ep. 714‚ aired Mar. 13‚ 1989)‚ 1982-1990. photo: ©CBS / Courtesy Everett Collection Bob Newhart gives details of the first time his wife‚ Ginnie‚ met Don Rickles In the documentary‚ the 94-year-old fondly reminisced about his late friend‚ highlighting a particularly memorable moment when his wife‚ Ginnie‚ had the chance to meet Rickles for the first time. Newhart went on to explain that Ginnie‚ who had initially regarded the late comedian as a gentleman‚ was taken aback when he introduced them to the audience during his show. NEWHART‚ from left: Bob Newhart‚ Don Rickles‚ The Nice Man Cometh‚ (Season 7‚ ep. 714‚ aired Mar. 13‚ 1989)‚ 1982-1990. photo: ©CBS / Courtesy Everett Collection “We went and we met them [Rickles and his wife Barbara] at the coffee shop at the Sahara. And Don was a pussycat. And as we’re leaving‚ we were going to see Don’s third show in the lounge. And Ginnie said to me‚ “He’s such a sweet man. He’s such a lovely man‚” Newhart recalled. “I said‚ ‘Well‚ honey‚ it may be a little different once we get into the lounge.’ So‚ we got in the lounge‚ sat down‚ and he said‚ ‘I wanna introduce very good friends of mine‚ the stammering idiot from Chicago‚ Bob Newhart‚ and his hooker wife from Bayonne.” Click for next Article The post Bob Newhart Recalls His Friendship With Don Rickles In New Documentary appeared first on DoYouRemember? - The Home of Nostalgia. Author‚ Peace A

In what could be the first of several major dominoes to fall‚ the embattled president of the University of Pennsylvania has resigned after a tumultuous week. In a Saturday letter to the “Penn community‚” Scott Bok‚ chair of the Penn Board of Trustees‚ announced that Liz Magill had “voluntarily tendered her resignation.” Magill will remain… The post One Down: University of Pennsylvania President Resigns from Her Post as Pressure Grows appeared first on The Federalist Papers.

The idea that a total stranger could sell a house you own without your permission‚ pocket all the proceeds‚ and then blame you for making his life a “nightmare” sounds like the plot of a movie. But that is exactly what happened to a U.K. resident named Colin Curtis‚ according to Metro UK. The property… The post Squatter Granted Ownership of Old Man’s House‚ Sells It for More Than Half a Million While the Elder Lives on Paltry Pension appeared first on The Federalist Papers.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin is under fire for his claims that no one has ever raised the issue of the flight logs from the late Jeffrey Epstein’s private plane. Media accounts have dubbed the jet that the convicted sex offender used the “Lolita Express” in reference to the young girls allegedly trafficked by… The post Watch: Reporter Confronts Dem Senator Durbin on Roadblocking Epstein Flight Log Subpoena appeared first on The Federalist Papers.

I don’t think Bill Maher would ever have invited the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression president onto his HBO show ten years ago‚ but here we are. Then again‚ college campuses‚ while Petri…

The liberal ladies of The View reiterated their progressive stance on abortion this week when they said pro-lifers should die rather than seek cancer treatment.  Advertisement The View host Sara…

It usually starts with one of those conversations: If you could only have one gun … Personally‚ I really don’t want to live in a world where I’d be restricted to one firearm. However‚ if you go on an extended trip off the grid in a hunting or survival situation‚ you probably won’t be able to tote your entire collection of firearms with you. You can pick out a rifle and handgun for your situation‚ but you’ll still find gaps between the two. Your rifle may be able to reach out at long ranges and your pistol may be enough to keep you safe from two-legged predators‚ but will either excel at harvesting game‚ keeping varmints in check‚ or providing defense against a four-legged predator? What if you did have one gun that could do it all‚ or at least get you close to that goal? Thompson Center Contender Caliber(s) .223 Remington‚ .45-70‚ .410 Shotgun/.45 Colt (other calibers available) Barrel Length(s) 14 inches (other lengths available) OAL 17.5 inches (as shown with 14-inch barrels) Weight (Unloaded) 3.5 pounds (without optics) Capacity 1 MSRP Starts at $729 URL www.tcarms.com When it first debuted in 1967‚ the Thompson Center Contender was mostly a curiosity. The barrels were all below 10 inches in length‚ were octagonal‚ and represented the lower end of the power spectrum (.22 Jet‚ .22 LR‚ .38 Special‚ etc.). They were accurate‚ but not particularly useful beyond the firing line at the local outdoor range. By the 1970s‚ the barrels became round and were offered in rifle calibers such as .223 Remington‚ .30-30 Winchester‚ .35 Remington‚ and .45-70. Magnum. Handgun calibers such as .357 Magnum‚ .41 Magnum‚ .44 Magnum‚ .357 Maximum‚ and .45 Winchester Magnum followed‚ and the Contender was reborn as a highly accurate long-distance pistol for metallic silhouette shooting and a suitable hunting arm in either rifle or pistol configuration. Although they were never intended or marketed as a “bug-out” gun‚ it’s a role at which they can excel. Part of the beauty of a Contender is that you can change calibers in a matter of minutes. Remove the forend with a screwdriver‚ pop out the hinge pin‚ remove the barrel‚ install the new one‚ replace the hinge pin and the forend‚ and you’re done. There’s no need to fit‚ check headspace‚ or set cylinder gap. Additionally‚ there’s no need to re-sight the Contender‚ as the sights or optics are mounted on the barrel. Your zero is always maintained. Because there’s a 52-year manufacturing period with small changes here and there‚ some older barrel and frame combinations may require fitting. This has mostly been eliminated with the newest incarnation of the Contender known as the G2 frame‚ which debuted in 1998. However‚ even the most accurate barrels and custom frames can still be a bit tight-fitting. The biggest complaint outside of being a single-shot firearm is having to slap the barrel down to get it to break open at times with the older models. The older models do have a better trigger than the G2‚ however. Rifle length barrels and a buttstock can be attached to the Contender to give the shooter a single shot rifle. We will not delve into this here‚ as it doesn’t fit the nature of keeping a battery of several calibers in a small package‚ but the option is there. The Thompson Center Contender breaks open like an old-school single-shot shotgun. My personal favorite combination for the Contender as a bug-out handgun is the following three 14-inch barrels: .45-70 Government‚ .223 Remington‚ and .410/.45 Colt. Each one covers a potential need in most survival scenarios‚ particularly if you’re looking to hunt your own game. Most importantly‚ Thompson Center Arms still makes these three barrels for the G2 series. .45-70 Government When most people think of the .45-70 round‚ either single-shot rolling block or falling block rifles come to mind‚ or possibly a 19th-century lever-action carbine. The .45-70 barrel represents the upper threshold of power for the Contender in a currently produced factory barrel. It’s capable of taking any animal in North America‚ from feral hogs and whitetail deer to brown bear‚ elk‚ moose‚ or buffalo. Because of its power level‚ many shooters are put off by this caliber in a 14-inch-barreled pistol. When I bought my first Contender barrel in this caliber‚ the salesman at the counter called me “a f***ing nut” and said he saw someone fire it and break every bone in his hand. Like most gun shop sages‚ I ignored him and found the recoil somewhere between a .44 Magnum and .454 Casull. I won’t lie; the pistol has quite a bit of kick to it. The high bore axis and the recoil from the large‚ heavy slow bullet push the Contender back sharply into your hand. My barrel has the factory muzzle brake installed and is topped with a Leupold extended eye relief 2x scope. As with most Contender barrels of this length‚ accuracy is outstanding. Above: The versatile Contender from top to bottom — 45-70 with 2x Leupold scope; stainless 410/45 Colt with ventilated rib and brass bead; .223 with threaded barrel and rail; wood forend and grip on a blued frame. .223 Remington This has always been one of the most popular choices for the Contender pistol. It’s an outstanding varmint round‚ and if you stick to the 14-inch-barreled version‚ your velocity‚ accuracy‚ and power levels will be on par with what you’d get from an AR rifle with similar-length barrel. I’ve had my barrel for many years and used it on various frames with no problems. My barrel is threaded ½x28-inch and serves well for silencer testing. If you run suppressors‚ the Contender makes for one of the quietest hosts out there‚ because it’s a completely closed action for the entire duration of the firing sequence. Most often‚ I mount a red-dot sight on the rail. My barrel started life in a factory blue finish that rapidly deteriorated in service as a field gun for over 20 years. Today‚ it’s coated in a black Cerakote finish by Nevada Cerakote. My next stage in the world of Contenders is to have all my non-stainless barrels coated the same way. The Contender tool‚ used to remove the forend‚ hinge pin‚ and barrel. .45 Colt/.410 Shotgun The .45 Colt/.410 barrel for the Contender is a bit controversial‚ like most firearms that fire this cartridge combination. This is because a sub-16-inch barrel needs rifling or else it’s considered an NFA item‚ requiring a $200 tax stamp. That rifling doesn’t help the .410 shot pattern at all. Likewise‚ the 3-inch chamber for the shotgun shell means the .45 Colt bullet has a significant jump in the chamber before it makes contact with the lands and grooves in the barrel. As a result‚ the accuracy of the .45 Colt will suffer in the Contender. This is a shame‚ because you can really bump up the power level of the .45 Colt in this pistol to outshine the .44 Magnum. Still‚ with the factory choke and the right ammunition‚ the .410 shotgun round in a Contender is more than adequate for rabbit‚ grouse‚ quail‚ pheasant‚ and dove within 50 yards. It’s a good option if you find yourself in a situation where you need to forage for small game and neglected to bring a full-size shotgun. This barrel is legal in every state except California‚ where a sub-18-inch barrel on any firearm capable of discharging a shotgun shell makes it a short-barreled shotgun under state law. Above: A well-used 44 Magnum barrel‚ synthetic forend‚ and Pachmayr rubber grip can be practical accessories to have on hand. Other Options I have other barrels in various calibers‚ as a lifetime of shooting and hand-loading has gotten the better of me. All the Magnum handgun calibers work extremely well in a Contender. Another surprisingly good round is the old .30-30 Winchester. In the Contender‚ you can really tap into the accuracy inherent in this round by loading conical‚ pointed bullets instead of the old round-nosed ammunition designed for use in lever-action rifles. Ironically‚ the .300 Whisper designed by JD Jones was not only intended for use in the AR‚ but in the Contender as well. This round is known today as the .300 Blackout and some folks might prefer this to the .223 or .30-30 chamberings. Additionally‚ you can find sub-caliber chamber inserts that’ll allow you to fire .22 LR or .22 Magnum out of your .223 Remington barrels‚ for example. These inserts are cheap‚ and although they don’t provide the accuracy of a dedicated barrel in that caliber‚ they can be fun to play around with. The .22 long rifle Contender barrels are among the most accurate you can find this side of a European Free-Pistol. I left them out as part of the bug-out barrel battery because I find a dedicated .22 semiauto or revolver more useful for the same amount of weight as the Contender barrel. Handloading While the three barrels I specified were chosen because they fill certain needs‚ another factor was that there’s an abundance of off-the-shelf ammunition choices for those barrels. The real magic of the Contender platform is that you can tailor your handloads to your individual barrel to increase performance. If you’re not already reloading ammunition‚ the Contender will easily get you into it as well as turn you into an accuracy nut! More Power Thompson Center Arms offers another option if you find these choices lacking‚ although all three are available in this platform as well in 15-inch instead of 14-inch barrels. It’s called the Encore and was designed to allow the shooter to fire rounds such as .308 Winchester‚ .30-06‚ .460 Smith &; Wesson‚ and in the long-gun configuration‚ shotgun and muzzle-loading options. Barrels don’t interchange between Contenders and Encores‚ but a battery of potent hunting guns can be built from a single frame. Shooting the Contender My way of shooting the Contender is with a standard two-hand grip that you’d use on any large revolver. I’ve mounted bipods on them‚ shot them across the hood of my truck‚ or from a rest built into an ATV. I’ve even laid on my back in the Creedmoor position with the side of the forend braced on the top of my boot for long range with open sights. Some people cradle the forend in their non-shooting hand‚ and for a flicker in time there were companies making extremely tall scope mounts to allow the shooter to fire from the mid chest area and the ability to get closer eye relief from a more powerful scope. Those particular mounts are no longer made for good reason. Ignore the forend — it’s there to look nice and protect the hinge pin. You don’t and probably shouldn’t use it for shooting unless you installed a stud to mount a bipod or are using a rest of some sort. Pricing The Contender used to be a more affordable firearm in the $400 price range‚ and the average price of a barrel would run from $50 to $199 with used ones at the lower end of this spectrum. The current MSRP on a new G2 Contender pistol frame runs from $523 for walnut furniture and blue finish to $548 for stainless and synthetic. New pistol barrels are about $229 each. A complete handgun in one caliber starts at $729 from the factory. In Summary I wouldn’t recommend a Contender as an “only gun‚” although some old-school preppers have used one successfully as such. I think they have a place as a hunting and varmint gun‚ especially when keeping your loadout on the lighter side. The single-barrel lockup and single-action trigger make them accurate and very reliable. Their size and weight make them easily portable‚ whether you add sling swivels to the grip and forend or keep them in a holster of some type on the hip or across the chest. Other firearms may come and go from my collection‚ but I’ll always make room for a Contender (or two). FAQ Q: How much is a G2 Contender? A: Presently (2023) around $799 Q: What is the difference between a g1 and G2 Contender? A: Due to the changes in the trigger mechanism‚ and to differences in the angle of the grip relative to the boreline of the gun‚ the buttstocks and pistol grips are different between the G1 and G2 Contenders. Q: How many barrels were made for the Thompson Contender? A: By removing a few pins and screws‚ the modern Contender can be transformed from a carbine to a pistol‚ and there are more than 40 different barrel options‚ which allow the shooter to quickly swap between chamberings. Read More Subscribe to Recoil Offgrid's free newsletter for updates‚ offers and more. Review: Streamlight TL-Racker Shotgun Forend Flashlight Taming the 12-Gauge: Vang Comp Remington 870 Giving the Ruger 10/22 Takedown a Survival Makeover Boker Magnum Bon Appetite The post Review: Thompson Center Contender Pistol appeared first on RECOIL OFFGRID.