Former first lady Michelle Obama will reportedly skip President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration so she doesn’t have to fake a smile for the cameras. Obama has confirmed that she will not attend on Monday but has not publicly given a reason. A source close to her told People magazine that Obama will not “pretend for protocol’s sake.” “There’s no overstating her feelings about [Trump],” the source said. “She’s not one to plaster on a pleasant face and pretend for protocol’s sake. Michelle doesn’t do anything because it’s expected or it’s protocol or it’s tradition.” Notably, Obama attended Trump’s first inauguration with her husband after Trump won the 2016 election. “She served in the public eye and did all the public good that she could for eight years as first lady,” the source said of Obama. “You’ll see her when she has a project or cause to promote but she doesn’t feel the need to be a public figure anymore.” Kevin Dietsch/Pool via Bloomberg/Getty Images Last week, Obama was not in attendance at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral. A New York Times report placed Obama in Hawaii at the time of the ceremony. Her spokeswoman, Crystal Carson, said the former first lady had a conflict and thus could not attend. She sent “her thoughts and prayers to the Carter family, and everyone who loved and learned from the remarkable former president,” Carson said. CELEBRATE #47 WITH 47% OFF DAILYWIRE+ MEMBERSHIPS + A FREE $20 GIFT Former President Barack Obama attended the funeral by himself and sat next to Trump. The pair grabbed the internet’s attention for their seemingly friendly conversation. Trump makes Obama laugh. Wholesome. pic.twitter.com/SUWiliLuxp — Tiffany Fong (@TiffanyFong_) January 9, 2025 Mrs. Obama has notably not stopped engaging in politics. Over the summer, she spoke at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, praising Vice President Kamala Harris and swiping at Trump. “It couldn’t be more obvious of the two major candidates in this race, only Kamala Harris truly understands the unseen labor and unwavering commitment that has always made America great,” Obama said. “Now, unfortunately, we know what comes next.” “For years, Donald Trump did everything in his power to try to make people fear us,” she claimed. “His limited, narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hard working and highly educated, successful people who happen to be black.” Related: Jill Biden Lashes Out At Pelosi After 2024 ‘Shiv’ Moment

On Wednesday, 42 GOP senators introduced the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which would allow individuals with concealed carry rights in their home state to exercise those same rights in any other state that allows concealed carry while still abiding by that state’s laws.  The bill also protects state sovereignty by not establishing a national standard for concealed carry. The bill states: An individual who is not prohibited by Federal law from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm, and who is carrying a government-issued photographic identification document and a valid license or permit which is issued pursuant to the law of a State and which permits the individual to carry a concealed firearm, may possess or carry a concealed handgun (other than a machinegun or destructive device) that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce in any State other than the State of residence of the individual that has a statute that allows residents of the State to obtain licenses or permits to carry concealed firearms; or does not prohibit the carrying of concealed firearms by residents of the State for lawful purposes. “This legislation would reduce unnecessary burdens for law-abiding citizens and allow them to carry a concealed firearm in every state that permits it and I’m grateful for the overwhelming support from my fellow Republican colleagues on this commonsense bill,” Texas GOP Sen. John Cornyn said. CELEBRATE #47 WITH 47% OFF DAILYWIRE+ MEMBERSHIPS + A FREE $20 GIFT “This commonsense legislation ensures that law-abiding citizens can exercise their constitutional right to carry concealed firearms across state lines while respecting the laws of each state,” North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis stated. “This legislation is a critical step in protecting the right of self-defense for Americans, no matter where they travel.” Last week, the House of Representatives introduced a companion bill, H.R. 38. The Crime Prevention Research Center states that nearly 22 million Americans hold concealed carry permits. President-elect Donald Trump has promised to sign the bill if it reaches his desk. The National Rifle Association (NRA), the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), and Gun Owners of America (GOA) have endorsed the legislation.

The public utilities manager of Richmond, Virginia, a proponent of the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) agenda, resigned after the city endured a crisis that left many of the city’s residents without water for days. April Bingham resigned from her position as director of the Department of Public Utilities this week after residents of Virginia’s capital city were left without water for days following a snow storm. The Daily Wire reported last week that Bingham, who is not an engineer, served as the member of a committee of an organization that works to “ingrain DEI as a cultural norm” as Richmond’s water infrastructure fell into disrepair. Richmond Mayor Danny Avula said that her resignation was “amicable” and voluntary. “It came on the heels of a pretty intense week, as we have all been responding to this crisis, thinking about what is the path forward, what does the water plant need,” Avula stated. The city also announced that Anthony “Scott” Morris, a professional engineer and the current director of water at the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, would take over as the interim Director of Public Utilities. His professional experience provides a stark contrast with that of Bingham’s — she was the only water manager in her area who did not have a background in engineering. Bingham is the only public utilities manager in her area without engineering experience and was appointed by Democrat mayor after running the department’s customer service wing. Now she’s unable to say if the failures identified by the EPA led to Richmond’s water crisis. pic.twitter.com/8DMVn3NR31 — Spencer Lindquist ?? (@SpencerLndqst) January 10, 2025 Under Bingham, The city’s water infrastructure was cited by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including insufficient maintenance, corroded pumps, cracked filters, and outdated emergency response plans. Bingham refused to say whether or not the issues identified by the EPA contributed to the water system’s failure, but Dwanye Roadcap, the head of the Virginia Office of Drinking Water, said that some regulations had apparently been ignored. “I can cite some regulations where we’ve got noncompliance with the regulations. That’s part of the reason why we’re out there. It’s part of the reason we’ve got a boil water advisory. It’s part of the reason why there’s no water pressure or insufficient water pressure,” Roadcap said in the midst of the crisis. “One of the things that we’re looking into is why the fail-safe systems and the redundant systems didn’t work, because you shouldn’t have this kind of problem.” While the water infrastructure fell into disrepair, Bingham served as a member of a committee of an organization that works to “ingrain DEI as a cultural norm,” a Daily Wire report found. Bingham is listed as an allyship and mentorship leader for the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee for the Virginia branch of the American Water Works Association (AWWA), a professional organization for water management officials. The committee has hosted talks on “equitable decision making,” “building an inclusive work force,” and “advancing woman leaders through mentorship/allyship” while also promoting various different DEI resources. Bingham, who earned a salary of $217,000 in 2023, was celebrated as “the first woman to serve in this critically important role” when she was first appointed by former Democrat Mayor Levar Stoney.

Kelly Osbourne had some strong words for celebrities who appear to be using the destructive fires in the Los Angeles area as a photo op or to draw attention to themselves. The daughter of Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne didn’t name names, but she did express her thoughts with a social media post.  “Ok, I have a question. Is it me being my normal overthinking cynical self, or is it really disturbing to see all of these celebrities using other people’s pain and suffering as a photo op to say look, I’m helping, I’m doing this, I’m doing that,” Osbourne said in a video reposted to TikTok on a Kelly Osbourne fan account on Wednesday. The 40-year-old former reality star had initially posted the video on her Instagram account but later deleted it. She continued, “I don’t believe you help because you get attention for helping, I believe you help because you want to. I’m so confused. I think it’s so wrong. No one asked you to come out and give hugs, go home.” Even though she doesn’t specify who her comments are directed at, commenters on TikTok speculate she might have been referring to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who have caught heat for being photographed at the Pasadena Convention Center, which is being used as a refuge for people who were evacuated. The Duchess of Sussex was seen wearing a mask and baseball cap while handing out food and hugging victims. “Well said,” one commenter wrote. “Meghan and Harry brought a full film crew with them for [their] own benefit… PR stunt.” CELEBRATE #47 WITH 47% OFF DAILYWIRE+ MEMBERSHIPS + A FREE $20 GIFT “So you mean Megan and Harry? Yes yes yes,” another agreed. Actress Justine Bateman blasted Harry and Meghan on social media last week for acting like what she described as “disaster tourists.” The “Family Ties” alum shared on X, “Meghan Markle and Harry are no better than ambulance chasers. What a repulsive ‘photo op’ they achieved. They are ‘touring the damage’? Are they politicians now? They don’t live here; they are tourists. Disaster Tourists.” Bateman lives in the Hollywood Hills, which has been affected by the wildfires. Meanwhile, Harry and Markle live in Montecito, about 80 miles from the Palisades and Hurst fires. A recent Page Six report says the royal pair is “offended” by Bateman’s comments, according to an unnamed source.

For all the negative press about Amazon, the one thing you can’t fault is the dedication of their delivery drivers. Some may start in the wee hours of the morning, and others work until around 10:00 PM. The usual wait is two days from placing the order until delivery. The drivers are out in rain, snow, freezing temperatures, and blazing heat. They work seven days a week and even on holidays. @samanthabrookeb_ My mom makjng the amazon driver a plate bc she felt awful about ordering without looking at the delivery date ♬ Elf – Main Title – Geek Music After placing an order, the original poster’s mom didn’t realize they would deliver on a holiday. She felt bad for having the delivery driver working on the holiday, so she invited him in and fixed him a plate. Unlike DoorDash, InstaCart, and UberEats, Amazon drivers don’t typically get “tips.” They are salaried employees or contractors paid by the piece for completed deliveries. Imagine this delivery driver’s surprise when he was invited to share in the family feast! The OP’s mom fixed the driver a heaping plate of food to keep him well-fed as he completed his holiday deliveries. Image from TikTok. As she piled his plate high, she checked to ensure she got everything the delivery driver might like. It probably came with a double helping of dessert, too. The mom felt terrible for making the driver work on a holiday and wanted to make up for it. As with many of her generation, she believes that the quickest way to a person’s heart is to put food in their belly. If that adage holds, she will be in this man’s heart for a week as he digests everything she is heaping on that plate. Being welcome and sharing in the family feast would make even a grumpy delivery driver smile. Please remember to pass the plate. You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post When Delivery Driver Comes Through On A Holiday, He Leaves With More Than Thanks appeared first on InspireMore.

When a mom and sister-in-law got their invites to a birthday gathering, they were ready to celebrate. Livi Walker and her husband had the two women over for cake and family fun. As the women sang the traditional Happy Birthday song, Livi’s husband brought out a cake and slid it across the counter. The women, who had been loud and boisterous, stopped mid-song. The cake held a surprise message. @liviwalker The best surprise and a memory we will never forget #babyannouncement #surprise #family #tellingmyfamilyimpregnant #pregnancy #firsttimemom #pregnancyannouncement ♬ These Memories – Hollow Coves As the women stared at the cake in shock, Mom gasped, saying, “NO!” The shock was evident on the faces of both guests. The pair quickly back-stepped while bouncing in joy. They were both on the floor a few seconds later, shedding happy tears. These weren’t the only people who got the cake surprise announcement. Livi’s mom got the message and called her best friend, who came over immediately. When Livi’s “aunt” opened the cake box and read the message, she screamed, “Whhaaaaaattttttt?” Running over to hug Livi’s Mom, she picked up the smaller woman and bounced her around. @liviwalker The next best reaction! My mom (in red) and her bestie (basically my aunt) have apparently been waiting for this baby for a while! #pregnancyannouncement #2025baby #babyannouncement #tellingmyfamilyimpregnant #family #surprise ♬ Little Things – Adrian Berenguer The happy couple is laughing in the background of both videos about the reaction to the cake surprise. The message was simple, “Baby Walker Coming Soon.” Livi’s mom, “aunt,” MIL, and SIL are overjoyed about this new development. No date is specified, but Livi calls it for June 2025 until they have a firmer due date. It’s time to start searching for gift registry items and preparing for the baby shower. Livi and her husband will be busy remodeling and adding a nursery. There won’t be a gender reveal because the couple has verified that it is a girl. Now you know what to shop for. Please share this unique pregnancy announcement. You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Couple Invites Mom & Sister-In-Law Over For Birthday But The Cake Reveals Epic Surprise! appeared first on InspireMore.

There are, quite literally, millions of species on Earth. And yet researchers continue to find brand new creatures from all over. This seems to be especially true when it comes to animals that reside deep within the ocean. Just last year, a sea worm with a bristle-like body was discovered. Then there are the creepy creatures that somehow look like a mix between a skeleton and a panda. Now, there’s yet another new species discovered. This one, a new skate fish, was found deep within the Southwestern Indian Ocean. It falls under the class Chondrichthyes. Though you might be more familiar with the animal it often gets confused for: stingrays. (Note, the creature in the video below is not the same species as the newly discovered one.) Although they are different in many ways, stingrays and skates do tend to look quite similar. Some of their most prominent physical differences include their size and teeth. More obvious, however, are their tails and fins. While stingrays have whip-like tails, skates have short, thick fins. New Species of Skates Discovered in the Indian Ocean Catches the Attention of Biologists Skates are typically found in either the Indian or Atlantic Ocean. With this newest discovery, there are now 14 known species of this genus. For some perspective, eight had been found by the 1970s/1980s, according to Dr. Simon Weigmann and his colleagues at the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change. These experts also say the “restricted distribution” of this new species is cause for concern. This has to do with their ability to survive in an area that is popular for fisheries. Still, this discovery is a good start to keeping our animal friends safe. “However, further research is needed investigating its distribution, life history, population size and trends, and threats,” these experts explain. “This is essential for improved data collection and research, and for more effective conservation and management policy decisions.” You can find the source of this story’s featured image here! The post Researchers Discover Brand-New Species At The Depths Of The Indian Ocean appeared first on InspireMore.

One golden retriever received the best Christmas present ever when he got to meet the newest addition to his family: a precious little puppy! This pooch’s parents caught the sweetest video of the canine siblings’ first moments together. Kobe Bean could barely contain his enthusiasm when he met the new puppy. This dog’s reaction to seeing his baby brother for the first time will totally melt your heart! In the adorable video, Mom sat down with the golden retriever while Dad carried the puppy into the room to meet his big sibling. Immediately, Kobe Bean began to whine with excitement. He wanted to play with his little brother right away! However, his parents wanted to make sure that the pair had a chance to get comfortable with each other before letting them get too riled up. @pawfectpughfam They’re going to be best friends forever #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #goldenretriever #dogsoftiktok #goldenretrieversoftiktok #goldenretrieverpuppy ♬ original sound – pawfectpughfam “What do I have?” Dad asked, holding the puppy for Kobe Bean to sniff. “Is this your brother, Jordan?” Eventually, the pet owners decided that it was time to place the younger animal on the ground. Within seconds, Kobe Bean was playfully chasing the puppy, his tail wagging nonstop! This dog couldn’t have been more thrilled to have a sibling to run around with. “They’re going to be best friends forever,” wrote the couple in their caption. This sweet video has received over seven million views. Commenters thought that the golden retriever’s response to meeting the new puppy was way too adorable! “Kobe Bean is going to be the best big brother,” wrote one user. Another added, “That’s his baby now.” Screengrab from TikTok The Humane Society of the United States has some advice for dog owners looking to introduce another pooch into the family. They recommend staging a meeting outside rather than bringing a strange canine into the house right away. This allows the new siblings to get to know one another on “neutral territory.” The organization also tells pet parents to keep a close watch on the animals’ body language while they interact. Although the couple in the video seems to have opted for an in-home introduction right away, it doesn’t seem like Kobe Bean was threatened by the other dog. In fact, this golden retriever appeared thrilled to meet the new puppy! However, bear in mind that every pooch is unique, so it’s always best to exercise caution when bringing home a new sibling for your pet. You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Golden Retriever Can’t Stop Squealing While Meeting New Puppy appeared first on InspireMore.

'Serious violations of the public’s trust'

It needs to be said loud and clear: murder is not a “policy choice.”