A 5-year-old child who lived 140,000 years ago is the earliest evidence of interbreeding between the two species.

Former NBC/MSNBC political director Chuck Todd sounded a lot like CNN’s Jake Tapper on Tuesday’s edition of The Arena on CNN. In a poor attempt to deflect attention away from Democratic Party gerrymandering in states like California and Illinois, by falsely suggesting that Republican-controlled Florida was the “worst” state when it came to redistricting practices. He also argued that the way to solve a lot of those issues was to actively gerrymander. What caused Todd to snap at his home state of Florida was CNN Republican commentator Scott Jennings calling out far-left states like California and Illinois for their wildly gerrymandered districts. “I mean, when I look at the states like Illinois and New York and even California with the supposed independent commission where Republicans get 40 percent of the vote and only have 17 percent of the seats,” he proclaimed. Todd immediately lashed out at Jennings, declaring that Florida far out ranked the legendary gerrymandering of Illinois: TODD: Scott, spend some time in the state of Florida, which is the worst gerrymandered state in all of -- JENNINGS: Worse than Illinois? TODD: Worse than Illinois. JENNINGS: Come on. TODD: Worse than Illinois. “They tell you who the speaker of the House is two years in advance. It is so gerrymandered,” Todd added, conflating statehouse-level politics with the districts for federal positions.     Prior to Todd’s comments, CNN political director David Chalian argued that, “One of the greatest challenges that Washington has faced over decades has been increased partisan gerrymandering on both sides of the aisle.” “If you had a magic wand and like, could do truly independent district drawing, it would probably create a better government, more responsive to the people,” he added. According to Todd, the closest thing to that magic wand would be more gerrymandering, citing how Republican heavy areas outside major urban population center would have to be diluted with Democrats: In fact, be careful throwing away gerrymandering if you ever want to create competitive districts. We’re going to have to gerrymander now because the Democrats and Republicans don't live in the same neighborhood. So, if you're trying to create actually – you actually have to gerrymander to create. If you want to create competitive districts here. He also lamented that there was no appetite for it in America. “If you thought there was a constituency for it…there'd be somebody wanting to be president someday who would stand up for it. And the fact that there's no constituency for this, that is what's been depressing me about this entire debate,” he argued. Todd was actually upset that Democrats weren’t able to do more: You know what, Republicans have done already in California. They're finding $100 million to fight this. You know what Democrats have done in Texas? Go run a freaking campaign. Go run for governor, build a state party. I don't understand how the Democratic Party, who is now angry that they've become -- they've been exposed as a – as not a national party because of their weakness in pushing back in the state of Florida, in the state of Texas, in the state of Ohio. The transcript is below. Click "expand" to read: CNN’s The Arena August 19, 2025 4:40:56 p.m. Eastern (…) DANA BASH: David, your thoughts on what we're seeing right now in Texas and more broadly with this? DAVID CHALIAN: I mean, I think about these things on two parallel tracks. Let's put the partisan politics aside for just a moment. One of the greatest challenges that Washington has faced over decades has been increased partisan gerrymandering on both sides of the aisle. And it has created less opportunity as primaries have been the primary political motivation, instead of general elections, for consensus building and the like. That is -- that is just a detriment to progress and governing and the like. And so, I think it would be, you know, if you had a magic wand and like, could do truly independent district drawing, it would probably create a better government, more responsive to the people. That being said, this is -- this partisan arms race. This is just the beginning. This is going to continue. And if you look at its logical conclusion across the map, Republicans hold more legislatures and governorships. They have more opportunity to squeeze juice out of what they have and what they're in control of than Democrats do. And at the end of the day, while yes, they may have a moral victory right now in Texas, and they think it's set up, California and Gavin Newsom may get a victory in California if he successfully convinces the voters there. Go on to Indiana, Missouri, Ohio. The Republicans are going to be able to outrun the Democrats in this partisan game. TODD: Well, and you go down -- it's only -- we've already had self- sorting, which has made, you know, I in fact, be careful throwing away gerrymandering if you ever want to create competitive districts. We’re going to have to gerrymander now because the Democrats and Republicans don't live in the same neighborhood. So, if you're trying to create actually – you actually have to gerrymander to create. If you want to create competitive districts here. I'm just -- here's what's amazing to me. There is not a single prominent elected leader who has stood up and said, ‘hey, you know what? What they're doing in Texas is wrong. And what they're doing in California is wrong.’ And the fact that there's nobody -- and we all know how this works, right? If you thought there was a constituency for it, you'd -- there'd be somebody wanting to be president someday who would stand up for it. And the fact that there's no constituency for this, that is what's been depressing me about this entire debate. There is no constituency for the idea that, hey, maybe we ought to have a little more fairness in this process, regardless of the state you're in, this idea that, ‘hey, we don't like being marginalized in this state, so were going to marginalize voters in another state in order to fight back on marginalization.’ That's so beyond illogical. It's frustrating. BASH: Well, what Gavin Newsom is, who really has the only the only one with any cards at this point, who runs a Democratic state is saying I think is not so much what they're doing is okay, so we're going to do it, too. It's what they're doing is horrible, but we're not going to let them - TODD: The problem is they spent 10 years - BASH: fight without -- without us. TODD: Dana, working in another path and going, ‘oh, never mind our principles are -- BASH: They did -- right. They did this independent commission that we're talking about. TODD: You know what, Republicans have done already in California. They're finding $100 million to fight this. You know what Democrats have done in Texas? Go run a freaking campaign. Go run for governor, build a state party. I don't understand how the Democratic Party, who is now angry that they've become -- they've been exposed as a – as not a national party because of their weakness in pushing back in the state of Florida, in the state of Texas, in the state of Ohio. (…) 4:45:11 p.m. Eastern BASH: What do you think about Donald Trump asking the Texas Republicans to do this? JENNINGS: I mean, it's a political process and Democrats states have done this for years. BASH: Not in the middle of the decade. JENNINGS: He sees it as Republicans have not kept up, and he feels like the Republican Party needs to get more muscular. That's -- that's his hardcore political view of it. BASH: What do you think? JENNINGS: I mean, when I look at the states like Illinois and New York and even California with the supposed independent commission where Republicans get 40 percent of the vote and only have 17 percent of the seats. I think he has a point, and I don't know -- TODD: Scott, spend some time in the state of Florida, which is the worst gerrymandered state in all of -- JENNINGS: Worse than Illinois? TODD: Worse than Illinois. JENNINGS: Come on. TODD: Worse than Illinois. Go what -- JENNINGS: Agree to disagree. TODD: They tell you who the speaker of the House is two years in advance. It is so gerrymandered. (…)

Elon Musk may be reconsidering his aspirations for a third political party after concerns from conservatives that it could divert votes from the Republican Party.A Tuesday report from the Wall Street Journal indicated that Musk is "quietly pumping the brakes" on the formation of the America Party and may instead support another Republican politician.'Nothing @WSJ says should ever be thought of as true.'In late June, amid Musk's falling-out with President Donald Trump over the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the Tesla CEO called for "an alternative to the Democrat-Republican uniparty so that the people actually have a VOICE.""If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day," Musk declared.Several Republican politicians, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, warned Musk that a third party would likely act as a spoiler, ultimately benefiting the Democratic Party.RELATED: Is Elon’s America Party really a threat to Republicans? Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty ImagesAccording to the WSJ's report citing anonymous sources, it appears that Musk is considering that advice. Musk has reportedly told his allies that he plans to concentrate on his businesses and does not want to alienate Republicans, particularly Vice President JD Vance, by forming a third party.The news outlet reported that Musk and Vance have been in touch in recent weeks. Musk has allegedly stated to close allies that he would back Vance should he decide to run for president in 2028."Musk's allies said he hasn't formally ruled out creating a new party and could change his mind as the midterm elections near," the WSJ stated.However, Musk reportedly canceled a July call with a group that specializes in organizing third-party campaigns, and he has not recently engaged with individuals who have expressed interest in the America Party.RELATED: 'TRAIN WRECK': Trump blasts Elon Musk over anti-MAGA campaign, new 'moderate' party Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty ImagesCharlie Kirk responded to the WSJ's report in a post on social media."Elon Musk is reportedly reconsidering his bid to launch a third party and instead put his support behind Vice President JD Vance should he decide to run, per a new report from the WSJ. Will have to wait for confirmation from Elon, but this would be very positive news for the country if true," Kirk wrote.When reached for comment, a spokesperson for Vance directed the WSJ to the vice president's recent interview with the Gateway Pundit, during which he stated he hopes Musk will "come back into the fold" during the midterm elections.While Musk did not respond to a request for comment from the WSJ, he dismissed the outlet's reporting in a post on X."Nothing @WSJ says should ever be thought of as true," he wrote without elaborating further.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The white male seen on video slapping a black male's face just moments before last month's Cincinnati mob attack has been charged, WLWT-TV reported.Police said the 45-year-old white male was ordered to appear next Tuesday in Hamilton County Municipal Court, the station said.'We still question the fairness in charging based on the information we have seen and the conversations we have had.'While police didn't release the suspect's name, noting he's a mob attack victim and that Marsy’s Law prevents authorities from releasing his identity, WLWT said it spoke with the suspect on the phone Tuesday night.The station said Alex Tchervinski confirmed he's facing the misdemeanor charge. WLWT said he's been charged with disorderly conduct, a fourth-degree misdemeanor.A cellphone video shows a white male and several black males squaring off before the mob attack begins. The video shows light physical contact between the white male and two black males, while others of both races appear to try to break things up. Then amid verbal sparring, the white male lightly slaps the face of a black male — and then the mob attack commences.The above video and a second clip show the mob repeatedly stomping, kicking, and punching the white male while he's lying in the street.The station said its sources confirmed that the white male seen on video slapping the black male is Tchervinski.In addition, a black male seen on a third cellphone video standing next to the face-slap victim appears to be the first individual to physically retaliate against the white male. As it happens, police are looking for another mob attack suspect, and the image cops released of this suspect appears to match the appearance of the male seen retaliating on video.Cincinnati's black leaders had been demanding charges against the white male who issued the slap.RELATED: Cincinnati police looking for another mob attack suspect; videos appear to show him punching white male just after slap "What incited and who incited the rioting? If the riot is because of a slap, who incited the rioting?" Rev. Damon Lynch said recently to a crowd at New Prospect Baptist Church, WXIX-TV reported.BlazeTV host Jason Whitlock — who's been commenting on the mob beatdown since it all unfolded late last month — blasted Cincinnati's black leaders for their collective stance.RELATED: Cincinnati official who said mob attack victims 'begged' for beating doubles down; woman punched in face records tearful clip One of the clips Whitlock aired shows Rev. Lynch altering the lyrics of a Jim Croce song for his own purposes as he spoke to the crowd at church: "You don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit in the wind, you don't pull the mask off the ol' Lone Ranger, and you don't slap a black man in the face."Whitlock responded to Lynch's words by saying, "Why is he racializing this? It's disrespectful to slap anyone, regardless of color, in the face. Is he saying ... if a black person slaps a black person in the face, it's OK? If a black gang member shoots a black man in the face, it's OK? If a black gang member accidentally shoots some young black child, it's OK? But everybody knows that you don't slap a black man in the face, I guess, unless you're black. He's in a church talking about common street thugs — and I'll include the white guy in that, because he ... seemed to be trying to fight with someone. ... [The reverend is] justifying to the people in that audience and other black people in Cincinnati that if you get slapped in the face by a white person, a gang of you all should jump on that man and beat up the woman. This is inside of a church! This is insanity; this is lack of humility."WLWT said Ken Kober, president of the Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police, is unhappy about the decision to charge Tchervinski: "The city administration is eroding the very fabric of the justice system with orders to prosecute those without probable cause. Cops are being used as political pawns. It's disgusting."Chief Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor Kip Guinan addressed the face slap, saying that it came after someone else was already beaten, not before, WXIX reported. Guinan also acknowledged that racial slurs are audible on some of the videos of the mob attack — however, he said the slurs were uttered "a minute and 47 seconds into the brutal beatdown," the station reported."Were there words said? Yes. Were they inappropriate? Absolutely," Guinan also noted, WXIX reported, before adding that "these poor people were being assaulted, stomped WWE-style, elbow-drops onto pavement. One woman was knocked out to the point her head hit the pavement. We could be here on a homicide."But WLWT said David Whitehead, president of the Cincinnati NAACP, released a statement which reads, in part: "We still question the fairness in charging based on the information we have seen and the conversations we have had. Street altercations typically result in disorderly conduct charges and ... defendants [are] being charged beyond that."Prior to the charge against the white male, seven others — all of them black — have been charged in connection with the mob attack. Six of of the seven have been indicted on eight charges each: three counts of felonious assault, three counts of assault, and two counts of aggravated riot. Those six face nearly 30 years in jail if convicted on all charges.The two female suspects last week got big breaks from a judge who reduced their bonds of several hundred thousand dollars each down to $25,000 each, of which they owed just 10%. Fox News said the two females were released from jail Friday.RELATED: Male accused of punching woman in face, knocking her out during Cincinnati mob attack finally appears in court (L to R) Dekyra Vernon, Aisha Devaughn. Image source: Hamilton County (Ohio) Sheriff The seventh suspect — 32-year-old Gregory Wright — was indicted Friday for aggravated riot and aggravated robbery, WXIX reported in another story, citing court records. Wright pleaded not guilty at his initial arraignment, the station said.Police said in a criminal complaint that Wright "did by force rip the necklace off the victim while he was being assaulted by four or more co-defendants attempting to cause serious physical harm," WXIX said, adding that a police flyer indicated Wright put the necklace in his pocket and then took video of the rest of the mob attack. Wright remained behind bars Wednesday morning, jail records show.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Iconic retailer Bed Bath & Beyond has resurfaced more than two years after collapsing under bankruptcy. With a slightly new name, the outlet is making headlines after making a fiery statement about not opening brick-and-mortar stores in a liberal stronghold.The brand has returned under the name Bed Bath & Beyond Home in Nashville, Tennessee, with plans to open 75 retail outlets — albeit with smaller stores — across the nation, according to a report by Today.While this may be small in comparison to the previous 300 locations before bankruptcy, the company is making one thing clear: They will not be returning to the biggest liberal stronghold.'Even when the state announces a budget surplus, it's built on the backs of ordinary citizens.'Marcus Lemonis, executive chairman of Bed Bath & Beyond, released a scathing letter about how California has made business conditions miserable."We will not open or operate retail stores in California," Lemonis bluntly wrote. "This decision isn't about politics — it's about reality."The Camping World CEO called California one of the most "overregulated, expensive, and risky environments" for American businesses that makes it difficult to employ people and keep doors open.For years, retailers have complained about California's relaxed laws that allowed shoplifting to go unpunished, with stores being ravaged of their merchandise on a consistent basis. In November 2024, voters approved to make shoplifting a felony, which has seemingly made a difference in terms of petty theft, but not regulation."[California has] higher taxes, higher fees, [and] higher wages that many businesses simply cannot sustain, and endless regulations that strangle growth," the chairman said in his statement.RELATED: Democrats are stuck with failing cities for their ’28 convention — (@) Lemonis assured buyers and investors that his company is "taking a stand" for common sense while creating jobs that last and giving customers fair prices."California's system delivers the opposite," he declared.Still, Lemonis said Californians could get his company's products through 24-to-48-hour delivery of online sales, a statement that was immediately met with pushback.One X user replied, "What a fancy backhanded way to say that being an online retailer is a better business than being a brick and mortar retailer."Lemonis retorted by saying Bed Bath & Beyond would have "stores in almost every other state," just not California.The return of the company marks a new revitalization in the retail industry, as consumers increasingly look for enthralling experiences in their shopping. At the same time, the BBB chairman claimed that California does not seem concerned about the average citizen.RELATED: Illegal alien accused of killing 3 dodged deportation, stayed in US claiming fear of India; DHS slams Newsom's 'asinine' rule "Even when [California] announces a budget surplus, it's built on the backs of ordinary citizens who are paying too much and businesses who are squeezed until they break."With that mentality, Bed Bath & Beyond said it would still honor the recognizable "20% off" coupons that some say tanked the business, but this time with new restrictions.According to Fox News, the coupons can be used only once and cannot be combined with other offers. Previously, they never expired and could be used endlessly.Bed Bath & Beyond opened as a private business in 1971 before going public in 1992. In 2022, former CFO Gustavo Arnal died by suicide after jumping off New York's Tribeca skyscraper, aka the "Jenga" tower, per Reuters.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The Top 10 for this week had plenty of classic rock hits including a bad, bad song at #1. If you don't love these, have someone check your pulse. The post Radio Hits in August 1973: ‘Bad’ Song From a Good Guy appeared first on Best Classic Bands.

Bank Execs Engage In Some Massive CYA and Place Conservative De-Banking Blame on Obama and Biden

Bed, Bath & Beyond Bails on California: No Store Openings, No Apologies

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Appeals Court Declares Structure of National Labor Relations Board Unconstitutional