President Trump says America is at war with drug cartels

Memphis task force make 40 arrests in a single night, including a Tren de Aragua member.

Does America have an obligation to house terrorists – and those who support them? The post Anni Cyrus Video: Why Was Al-Sharaa Walking Our Streets? appeared first on Frontpage Mag.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM California is once again leading the way in school food policy. Known for pioneering free school meals for all students in 2022 and for banning synthetic food dyes last year, the state is now poised to become the first in the nation to define and ban ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in school meals. The legislation, backed by Assembly Member Jesse Gabriel, has passed both legislative chambers and awaits Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature. If signed, it will mark the first time any government globally has defined UPFs by statute. Gabriel described the policy formula as “bipartisan, common sense, science-based.” What are ultra-processed foods? UPFs are factory-formulated foods high in fats, sugars, starches, and additives. They include everyday items like soda, chips, sweetened yogurts, and even packaged breads. These foods now make up about 73 percent of the U.S. food supply. Though public awareness of UPFs has grown in part due to high-profile figures like Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., California has been working on food safety reforms well before the federal government took any steps. In 2023, California became the first state to ban four food additives already prohibited in Europe and other countries. That effort has since inspired over 20 other states to consider similar bans. “It really blew my mind how out of step the United States is with the rest of the world when it comes to food safety,” Gabriel said. “We don’t love our kids any less than they do in Sweden or Saudi Arabia, so why aren’t we taking stronger measures to protect them?” Defining the undefined Until now, defining what constitutes a UPF has been murky. The Nova classification system, commonly used by researchers, bases its definition on the degree of processing and the inclusion of habit-forming ingredients, rather than specific additives. That vagueness has made legislation tricky. According to Lindsey Smith Taillie, professor of nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, states have taken three distinct approaches: focusing on a dozen or so food dyes and emulsifiers, expanding that list to about 40 additives, or using more rigorous science-based criteria. California stands out for its comprehensive approach. The proposed definition targets any food or beverage containing stabilizers, thickeners, flavor enhancers, nonnutritive sweeteners, and other processing agents, especially if the product also contains high levels of sugar, sodium, or saturated fat. “California is the state that is coming the closest to trying to actually take action on this concept of UPFs as it has been defined in the literature,” said Smith Taillie. “That’s where the evidence of health harm is.” States across the spectrum follow suit California isn’t alone in rethinking school meal standards. In 2025 alone, Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Utah, and West Virginia passed legislation banning select additives in school meals. In total, lawmakers in at least 18 states have proposed more than 40 bills on this issue. “There’s something so interesting about California and West Virginia bookending the country both physically and ideologically around food safety,” said Bernadette del Chiaro of the Environmental Working Group. Still, not all approaches are created equal. While some states opt for narrow bans on food dyes, experts argue that California’s science-based strategy may offer a more meaningful health impact. California’s ripple effect Del Chiaro believes the state’s sheer size and influence could shift national norms: “Shifting the purchasing decisions of the fourth-largest economy in the world will have a positive effect on the buying options that other school districts have.” The so-called “California effect,” where national industries conform to the state’s stricter standards to avoid duplicative production systems, has previously driven national changes in vehicle emissions and plastic bans. A similar effect may soon shape school meals nationwide. Addressing cost concerns and implementation Replacing UPFs isn’t as simple as rewriting procurement policies. It also requires more cooking and staff time, noted Marion Nestle, professor of nutrition and food policy at New York University. “USDA reimbursements must cover not only the food, but staff salaries, equipment, and supplies,” she said. Still, Gabriel says cost doesn’t have to be a barrier. “There are a number of districts in California that have already moved in this direction,” he said, citing testimony from school food service directors. “Not only had it not cost them more, in many cases they had actually saved money.” For instance, switching from a synthetic syrup loaded with high-fructose corn syrup and emulsifiers to real maple syrup proved to be a cost-neutral move in some districts. Del Chiaro agrees. “This bill isn’t mandating that everybody buy organic $6-a-carton blueberries. All we’re doing is getting rid of the particularly harmful ultra-processed foods on the lunch tray.”The post California takes bold step to remove ultra-processed foods from school meals first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Halloween brings out the pumpkins, glowing skeletons, and plenty of stretchy fake spider webs. While fun for us, some decorations can create very real dangers for local wildlife. “Birds would definitely be the major concern,” says Jennifer Bloodgood, a Cornell University wildlife veterinarian. She explains that fake spider webs in particular can act like mist nets, which are tools researchers use to purposely catch birds and bats. Hung across trees or yards, these webs can unintentionally entangle small animals. “Other potentials would be small mammals if they are close to the ground,” she adds, noting mice, voles, moles, and even possums could be at risk. Why fake spider webs are especially tricky Placed in the wrong spot, fake spider webs can interfere with normal flight paths. Birds and bats flying through a yard or across a tree may not see the material until it’s too late. There’s also the chance of animals accidentally ingesting the webbing, either by mistaking it for food or when eating prey caught in it. To avoid this, Bloodgood suggests keeping webs close to your home rather than stretching them across open spaces where animals travel. When pumpkins attract more than trick-or-treaters Decorating with real pumpkins is another seasonal favorite, but they can unintentionally lure wildlife into harm’s way. “They would end up as rabbit or deer food,” says Bloodgood, who no longer places pumpkins outside her own home. For households near busy roads, the risk increases. Animals may be drawn across traffic to reach the treats. Safer ways to decorate Bloodgood’s advice is simple: keep decorations close to the house and avoid placing enticing items like pumpkins in areas where animals are likely to forage. “Things that are in your yard are potentially a little bit more dangerous,” she explains. Being aware of placement, especially if you live in a wildlife-rich area. This helps ensure your Halloween celebrations don’t create unintended hazards. Celebrating without causing harm Although Bloodgood hasn’t personally treated animals injured by Halloween décor, her past work with marine mammals revealed just how often human objects show up in wildlife. “We came across lots of weird stuff in and on animals,” she recalls, pointing to balloons as a common culprit. But never fear! You can still have a frightfully festive Halloween. With a few mindful choices like skipping the pumpkins or keeping webs on your porch instead of your trees, you can help wildlife stay safe while still enjoying all the spooky fun.The post Spooky but safe: how to decorate for Halloween without harming wildlife first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Humberto and Imelda are history makers

Univision’s claims of moderation and abandonment of advocacy agenda journalism are to be taken with a giant brick of salt. At its heart, the network remains an immigration advocacy organization, with affiliates and a news division. Case in point: the network’s coverage of the Chicago man who led DHS agents on a wild goose chase in downtown Chicago.  It turns out that he is a U.S. citizen, and he admitted to fleeing from the agents in order to distract them from enforcement operations: NOTICIERO UNIVISION 10/2/25 6:58 PM VIVIANA ÁVILA: This image of a Chicago food delivery man who was unsuccessfully pursued by federal agents has gone around the world. Today we found him on the same street where the events occurred. Andrés Miranda claims he was the one who confronted over a dozen officers stationed there. ANDRES MIRANDA: I told them that I wasn't a citizen, but I'm 100% a citizen. I have my- my birth certificate here. I have my social security, I have my license and my state ID, and I don't- I don't have to hide my face like they do or... I did it to deceive them and distract them. That was my motive. ÁVILA: Miranda has Mexican family and says he was outraged to see the large deployment of federal agents in downtown Chicago on Sunday afternoon and where several arrests were made. MIRANDA: Not here, no- we don't want ICE agents. That's not- what they're doing is- it's very wrong and- and I'm against that. Immigration advocacy journalism requires the platforming of those who resist and obstruct enforcement operations. Such heroes receive glowing, uncritical coverage- as does here the Chicago delivery driver. One wonders whether anyone at the editorial level considered that this man might face criminal exposure for his actions. It appears that Univision didn’t, caring only about what’s best for business, which in this case means platforming the heroic immigration enforcement resister. Click “expand” to view the full transcript of the aforementioned report as aired on Noticiero Univision on Thursday, October 2nd, 2025: ILIA CALDERÓN: Millions of people on social media have seen images of a Hispanic delivery man in Chicago fleeing on a bicycle while several ICE agents pursued him. Today, Viviana Avila spoke with Andrés Miranda, who reveals why she provoked the federal agents patrolling the city as part of Operation Midway Blitz. VIVIANA ÁVILA: This image of a Chicago food delivery man who was unsuccessfully pursued by federal agents has gone around the world. Today we found him on the same street where the events occurred. Andrés Miranda claims he was the one who confronted more than a dozen officers stationed there. ANDRES MIRANDA: I told them that I wasn't a citizen, but I'm 100% a citizen. I have my- my birth certificate here. I have my social security, I have my license and my state ID, and I don't- I don't have to hide my face like they do or... I did it to deceive them and distract them. That was my motive. ÁVILA: Miranda has Mexican family and says he was outraged to see the large deployment of federal agents in downtown Chicago on Sunday afternoon and where several arrests were made. MIRANDA: Not here, no- we don't want ICE agents. That's not- what they're doing is- it's very wrong and- and I'm against that. ÁVILA: He claims that after he dropped his cell phone, that's when the agents started to chase him. MIRANDA: I just went to grab it and suddenly, when I saw them starting to chase me, my mind shut down and I said no more. I have to get away. And no, I can't make a false move or anything. It's- all those seconds- they saved me, really. ÁVILA: The image of this food delivery man has inspired all types of memes.  MIRANDA: The truth is, this...it makes me laugh and that people see the positive and that we can all achieve it and say enough and no and that they don't have to let themselves (be bullied). ÁVILA: And this food delivery driver said that after leaving the federal agents behind, he made a few more turns before making a second home delivery. He says that he will continue to oppose the presence of federal agents in Chicago. Ilia. CALDERÓN: Thank you very much, Viviana, for that report.