'We sat in that office for what seemed like an eternity waiting on the doddering old fool'

They never gave up searching for the rest of the stray cat family after finding one of the kittens. SophiaAlyssaMeagan, president of PuppyKittyNYCity was alerted about a newborn kitten left behind by a community cat. The finder waited for the mother to return, but she never came back.When Meagan arrived to pick up the kitten, named Deco, he was cold to the touch and was rushed to the rescue for urgent care. "Despite all the love, care, and every effort made, sometimes our best isn't enough," Meagan shared.After losing Deco, Meagan made it her mission to find the rest of the family to ensure they could have a better life. They found the kittens in an outdoor shelterMeaganShe was notified that Deco's mom and siblings had been located. Each day, before and after work, Meagan loaded up her car with all the essentials and headed to the site.On the first day, she couldn't find the mom but successfully rescued several other cats from the colony. They rescued the mom and her kittens and brought them to their foster homeMeaganShe returned the next day and managed to bring two more to safety, but the mother cat remained out of reach. "We will not give up," she added.On the third day, they found the kittens in an outdoor shelter for strays. Using a humane trap, Meagan safely secured the mama and scooped up the three kittens, who instantly reminded her of Deco. Alyssa"We trapped a total of 10 cats/kittens from this one yard. It took a lot of hard work, time, and patience."Knowing the feline family needed a foster home, Alyssa, a volunteer, stepped up immediately. She set up a quiet, calming space for the timid mom, allowing her to care for her kittens undisturbed. AlyssaIn just a few days, the kittens' eyes opened, and they began to waddle around, eager to explore their nest. "Mama Isabella is very shy and hides when I'm near, but her kittens come crawling when they hear my voice."Sophia (brown tabby) quickly showed she had a set of pipes, her squeaky voice leading the way as her brothers, Oz (tuxedo) and Victor (brown and white tabby), followed in her paw steps. AlyssaThe three rolled around blissfully, stretching their little legs with each belly rub. They began perfecting their steps, with Sophia leading their adventures in all their playful antics.Once they were big enough to venture beyond the nest, they inspected their water and food bowls, taking tiny sips and nibbles as they learned to be a cat. AlyssaOz took his first sip of water, found it refreshing, and returned for more. Sophia quickly joined him, never missing a beat. "Now that she and her brothers have started running around and exploring more, they've started loving the human attention they're getting."One day, the trio attended a rescue event and came home with a new member of their crew. Oz took his first sip of waterAlyssaA calico named Butterball was in need of a friend. The trio took her under their wings, running around and sharing their toys with her. "Now, she has some pals to play with. They are a little smaller than her, but they're keeping up with her energy."Now that the kittens are weaned and more independent, Isabella can finally focus on herself. Butterball joined the feline crewAlyssaThe kittens have claimed their favorite perches on their human's lap, shoulders, and back. After romping around, chasing feather toys, and scaling furniture, they love snuggling with their foster mom, their purr motors rumbling loudly."Oz has the most unique polka dot markings on his paws and face." Sophia and OzAlyssaWith the dedicated rescuer and foster carer, this feline family is thriving and will spend their first holiday season in comfort and warmth. Sophia, Oz, and VictorAlyssaShare this story with your friends. More on the feline family and Alyssa's fosters on Instagram and PuppyKittyNYCity on Instagram.Related story: Tiny Kitten Shows the Strong Will of a House Panther, Refusing to Give Up, When She's Found Outside

Everyone knows National “Public” Radio hates half the public, the half that voted for Donald Trump. On Wednesday’s terribly named All Things Considered, an eight-minute story on NPR promoted “Sequeerity,” an LGBT security force in Minneapolis protecting their own from the allegedly violent hatred of the Trump-loving right-wing extremists. The reporter was their “domestic extremism” reporter Odette Yousef, who doesn’t report on any LGBT extremism -- they don't acknowledge that exists. that can’t be identified. The sympathetic headline was “Neighbors protecting neighbors: Worried marginalized communities prep for Trump term.” Anchor Ailsa Chang set the anti-Trump table: AILSA CHANG: In a few weeks, some Americans will celebrate the beginning of Donald Trump's second term. For some others, the next four years will be filled with anxiety over personal safety. A group of people in Minneapolis is helping some neighbors feel more prepared. NPR domestic extremism correspondent Odette Yousef spent some time with them. Trump's victory is the opposite of safety, that's the government-radio line. Kimmy Hull co-founded "Sequeerity" after the George Floyd riots engulfed Minneapolis. Yousef said "Hull refers to the unrest that followed Floyd's murder as the Uprising." But after that, she said, "Proud Boys and white nationalist biker gangs were terrorizing the neighborhood. And police abandoned the 3rd Precinct. Locals were on their own for safety." Hull became a "culturally sensitive" firearms instructor, and explained the trans advocates in Minnesota are buying guns:  HULL: We just felt like firearms weren't for us. We wanted to sit back and see what happened. And as soon as he got reelected, we decided that - it's not about whether they want one or not. They feel like they have to have one. ODETTE YOUSEF: In other words, it's a Donald Trump effect. KIMMY HULL: And the scary part about this is that this is Minneapolis, Minnesota. We are one of the safest states for trans communities, and our trans communities are buying guns because they don't feel safe. Yousef took a sled a slippery slope, associating violence with conservative legislation. Tim Walz signing a "Trans Refuge" bill wasn't extremist. Only the opponents are:  YOUSEF: Early in November, two trans women were attacked at a Minneapolis light rail station. This even though Minnesota is a trans refuge state -- it protects trans people's rights to medical care and bars discrimination against them. In many other states, it's very different. Trans people are less than 1% of the U.S. population. But in 2023, there was an explosion of state bills to curtail their access to bathrooms, medical care and sports teams. Trump has promised similar policies at a federal level. And anti-trans violence has jumped as well. In Minneapolis, several people told me the trans community is falling back on a long held motto -- we keep us safe. NPR never interviewed anyone who advocates "anti-trans" policies. They are not a Thing to be Considered. Hull and "Sequeerity" are unchallenged throughout. The narrative of anti-gay "danger" dominated. Yousef claimed "As some states have become increasingly dangerous for LGBTQ people, community defense networks have emerged. Volunteers coordinate to protect people at Pride and drag events. But often they like to remain anonymous, and there's no data on how many have formed." Yousef ended by calling out the Minneapolis Police Department for not being supportive enough: "The Minneapolis Police Department did not respond to an NPR request. And clicking a link on the department's website to a, quote, "LGBTQIA liaison" leads to a 404 error page." Wrong. A quick Google search leads you right to a working page for "Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging."

President Trump Has Been President for Over a Month and Hasn't Done One Damn Thing

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