University researchers in Texas and Korea have collaborated to developed an eco-friendly water purifier that captures—and destroys—toxic “forever chemicals” (PFAS) more than 1,000 times better than current methods. Their study marks a major milestone in addressing one of the world’s most persistent environmental and health threats. PFAS are synthetic chemicals first created in the 1940s […] The post New Eco-Friendly Tech Eliminates ‘Forever Chemicals’ With Record-Breaking Speed–And it’s Reusable appeared first on Good News Network.

DAILY CALLER NEWS FOUNDATION—After its Christmas break concludes, Congress is set to return in January with a host of unfinished business that could shape the political terrain of 2026.  A short-term funding bill that ended the historic government shutdown in November expires on Jan. 30. Legislators have yet to implement healthcare reform following a new public focus on affordability in a GOP-controlled Congress bracing for the 2026 midterm elections. “When I became the majority leader, I made it very clear that I was committed to funding the government through the regular order of consideration of appropriations bills, not through an omnibus or long-term [continuing resolution], oftentimes written behind closed doors,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune said in his session-closing remarks on the Senate floor on Dec. 18. “The regular order process gives senators from both parties the fullest chance to make their voices and the voices of their constituents heard. Which is why I’m disappointed that we’ll not be moving to our second package of appropriations bills tonight. Republicans were ready to go. But, unfortunately, my Democrat colleagues are not there yet. Hopefully, they will get there.” The Senate, facing a Jan. 30 funding deadline, is preparing a package of five funding bills that would bring Congress closer to completing its annual budget process. This package was the subject of much negotiation prior to the Senate’s Dec. 18 departure. That week, Democrats were calling for votes on dozens of amendments, a list had been negotiated down to a set of 15 amendments by the close of Congressional business, according to reporting from The Hill. After the Senate approves the package, it will be sent to the House, and if the lower chamber passes it, the measure will then go to President Donald Trump’s desk for approval. This will leave only a handful of departments remaining to be funded before Jan. 30. These bills, or another stopgap spending bill, must be passed within 24 days—and even fewer legislative days—to avoid another government shutdown.  “Democrats want to get our work done to finish the bipartisan appropriations process. Our goal is a bipartisan bill that funds the government through fiscal year 2026,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the upper chamber’s floor on Dec. 18. “It will still take some time for us to work through our amendments so that we can finish the minibus in January … It’s not easy. Obstacles always remain. No side is going to get everything they want.”  The appropriations process has highlighted a central issue in the current Congress—healthcare reform. On Nov. 12, Trump signed a short-term funding package approved by both chambers of Congress to reopen the government. A standoff over the issue of enhanced Obamacare tax credits set to expire on Dec. 31 sparked the 43-day shutdown, the longest in U.S. history—with Democrats voting 14 consecutive times to prolong it. The House passed a reform plan introduced by Republican Iowa Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks on Dec. 17. Miller-Meeks’ legislation, if approved by the Senate, would attempt to lower costs by expanding association health plans and targeting pharmacy benefit managers. The bill, which does not extend the tax credits, is the only legislation approved by either chamber of Congress addressing healthcare reform since the shutdown. On the same day, a petition led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries secured a majority of signatures forcing a vote on a three-year extension of the enhanced Obamacare tax credits. This petition, though, had to “ripen” for seven legislative days, allowing Speaker Mike Johnson to delay the vote until returning for the new year.  In the Senate, a cascade of competing proposals circulated among the Republican conference throughout November and December. A single GOP proposal, a joint effort from Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy and Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo, was brought before the Senate on Dec. 11, the same day Democrats brought a three year Affordable Care Act extension deal to the floor. Both proposals were shot down. “Because of Republican total inaction on health care, huge damage has already been done, and nothing we do after January 1 can undo so much of that damage,” Schumer said on Dec. 18. “As I’ve said before, the toothpaste is out of the tube. However you want to say it, the point is this—because of Republicans, it is now impossible, sadly, to prevent people from having to pay hundreds, if not thousands more, on their premiums next year. It’s going to start January 1.” “Even if we can figure out a way to stop the bleeding next year, that’s a very big if, Republicans are still in shambles and have no plan themselves,” Schumer said. “For too many people, it’s going to be too late, because Republicans chose to let these ACA [Affordable Care Act] tax credits expire. They had an easy opportunity to join us in our three-year clean extension of the ACA credits, and they refused.” With a government funding deadline looming and health care premiums set to climb, both parties return to Washington in January knowing the next few weeks could shape not just federal policy, but the political battlefield of 2026. Originally published by The Daily Caller News Foundation. The post Congress Faces Mountain of Unfinished Business After Christmas Break appeared first on The Daily Signal.

My Christmas Carol

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Crock Pot French Dip Chicken has all the French onion flavors you love with tender shredded chicken topped with melty cheese and a delicious au jus! A VERSATILE FRENCH ONION FLAVORED DINNER If you love the rich, warm flavors of a traditional French Dip Sandwich (with roast beef), then you will liar this chicken version! The delicious caramelized onions in butter with the juicy chicken and the savory beef broth and onion soup mix under a blanket of melty cheese that creates the classic flavors you know and love. Don’t want it as a sandwich? It’s even delicious without the bun! FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:  What sides go with French Onion Chicken? It all depends on how you plan on serving this chicken. If you’re going for sandwiches, then you can go with classic sides like chips or French Fries. If serving it as a standalone dish, this Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken would go great with Mashed Potatoes, rice, or egg noodles. There are so many options to enjoy this with. Is this good for dipping bread into the sauce, like a French Onion Dip? Not only does this chicken have that perfect flavor profile, but I like adding a little extra broth so you can use it like an au jus French Dip and really bring it to life. Grab some crusty bread or Dinner Rolls for the ultimate meal to make with this chicken. What other cheese options can I try? I would use one of these two options. If you want something mild but that still melts well, go for some Provolone. If you want the classic flavor and presentation, try Swiss or Gruyère, as it gives that traditional French onion soup flavor and look. Can I make this saucier? Sure. If you want to make this with more sauce (especially good for dipping things in), add an extra ½ cup of broth so you can dip your sandwich like a French dip. Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, you can make the filling ahead of time then store in the fridge in an airtight container. Then when ready to serve, reheat it and assemble the subs, sandwiches, or serve with side. What else can I add? Bring some extra depth by adding 8 oz of sliced mushrooms to the Slow Cooker. For even more flavor, add a sprig of thyme or rosemary to the slow cooker. What’s the best way to store leftovers? Any leftovers should cool down to room temperature before being transferred to an airtight container to be kept in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. You can freeze leftovers in a freezer safe container for longer, up to 3-4 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat before serving. INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE) large yellow onions– thinly sliced. The slow cooker does the work for you—letting the onions gently cook down in butter until they’re naturally sweet, soft, and perfectly caramelized. butter– feel free to use whichever you’re comfortable with, both salted or unsalted butter will work with this chicken. If you want a lighter option, you can go for some olive oil in place of butter. boneless, skinless chicken breasts– if you want dark, juicier meat, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead. low sodium beef broth– remember you can always add more salt later, so I tend to recommend using a low sodium broth first and then adjusting later if needed. Keep in mind that it’s the beef broth and beefy onion soup mix that bring that beef flavor you expect with French Onion inspired things, so if you were to change the beef broth to chicken broth, you’d lose that iconic flavor. beefy onion soup mix– you can use a packet from the store, or try some Homemade Onion Soup Mix. If you don’t have any homemade mix, you can just do a quick mix of 1 teaspoon onion powder + ½ teaspoon garlic powder + extra salt to taste. Worcestershire sauce garlic powder black pepper provolone cheese– I shared other options to try in the FAQ section. fresh chopped parsley– this is optional and use for garnish. hoagie rolls or sub rolls– these are optional if you plan to serve as a sandwich. Toasted hoagie rolls give you that perfect crunch, and they hold up really well so they don’t get soggy under all the delicious saucy chicken. French bread, ciabatta, or even hamburger buns are other options you can try. If you want a low carb option, try serving with mashed cauliflower or use it in your lettuce wraps. You can even go for an open faced option by skipping the top bun and serve your chicken piled on some toasted bread, topped with cheese, and broiled until bubbly it’s all nice and bubbly. HOW TO MAKE CROCK POT FRENCH DIP CHICKEN: Into the bottom of a 5-6 quart slow cooker, add sliced onions. Lay the chicken breasts as evenly as possible on top of the sliced onions. In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, onion soup mix, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper. Pour this mixture over the chicken breasts. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours. The chicken should be tender and shred easily. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred apart with two forks (or cut it up with a knife). Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to combine with the onions and broth. Top with cheese slices and cover for 5 minutes to allow cheese to melt. If serving these as sandwiches, slice sub rolls and lightly toast, if desired. Scoop some of the french onion chicken mixture onto the bun. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve. CRAVING MORE RECIPES?  Crock Pot French Dip Sandwiches Crock Pot French Onion Meatloaf Slow Cooker French Onion Soup Crock Pot French Onion Chicken Crock Pot French Onion Beef Tips Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs French Onion Dip Print Crock Pot French Dip Chicken Sandwiches Tender chicken in a savory broth with melted cheese and parsley. Course Dinner, Main CourseCuisine American Prep Time 10 minutes minutesCook Time 4 hours hoursTotal Time 4 hours hours 10 minutes minutes Servings 6 Calories 423kcal Author Brandie Skibinski Ingredients2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced thinly sliced3 Tablespoons butter (salted or unsalted)2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts1 cup low sodium beef broth1 ounce packet beefy onion soup mix2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce1 teaspoon garlic powder½ teaspoon black pepper4-6 slices provolone cheesefresh chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)For serving:6 hoagie rolls or sub rolls InstructionsInto the bottom of a 5-6 quart slow cooker, add sliced onions. Lay the chicken breasts as evenly as possible on top of the sliced onions. In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, onion soup mix, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper. Pour this mixture over the chicken breasts.Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours. The chicken should be tender and shred easily. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred apart with two forks (or cut it up with a knife.) Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to combine with the onions and broth.Top with cheese slices and cover for 5 minutes to allow cheese to melt. Slice sub rolls and lightly toast, if desired. Scoop some of the french onion chicken mixture onto the bun. Optional: Take some of the gravy and put it into a small bowl for dipping.Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired and serve. 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. NutritionCalories: 423kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 15g | Sodium: 1051mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g

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