I was told that an email from Ann Coulter is what led David Keene to hire me in 2006. She wrote, “You only have to tell Lisa to do something once.” Despite all the drama, I hope he never regretted it. While David was chairman of the American Conservative Union, a volunteer position, I worked with him as the Director of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) from June 2006 to April 2011. In planning the conference there were many ups and downs. I’m sure there were times when I disappointed David in some effort, but I can’t think of any time when he disappointed me. Even though I was only 28 when I began as CPAC Director, he gave me the same opportunity to give my opinion when I disagreed with a board member, sponsor, speaker, or member of Congress. Not to brag, but I won a couple of those battles. During the five years I worked with David, I was privy to the way he worked within the conservative movement. I saw him compromise with people he didn’t like and who didn’t like him. I saw him defend people he disagreed with on issues because it was the right thing to do. I saw him make decisions based on what was best for the conference attendees and nothing else. I was on a high when he once told me a speaker idea I had was “inspired.”   Source: @WisconsinYAF One of the things I admired most about David is that he’s not one of those Old Guard members of the conservative movement who don’t value dissent or new blood. As the chairman of ACU/CPAC, he fought to give everyone a seat at the table. Those like Chris Barron, who endeavored to start a group that represented conservative gays and their allies. As well as leaders of the Tea Party movement who criticized his friends in Congress. David was adamant about including emerging conservative leaders as speakers at the conference. In February 2010, it was his idea to invite Marco Rubio, who was then a long shot in the Republican primary against Charlie Crist, to be the opening speaker at CPAC. He knew the value of sending that message to his Republican friends and to the media. I’ve seen him give dozens and dozens of young leaders and unknown activists a place in the spotlight over the years. I was fortunate to be one of them. I’m sure it’s because he still thought of himself as one of us — and he was! On Newsmax, John Gizzi wrote about David’s decades in the conservative movement that began on his college campus. When Rush Limbaugh was the closing speaker at the 2009 conference, it was David who suggested I introduce Rush. We knew the speech would be covered by many of the networks, and it was a very visible spot. David didn’t insist on some well-known Congressman or Senator, donor, or head of a prominent conservative organization. He suggested me because during one of our planning sessions, I said Rush was the person who got me excited about being a conservative. Rush was my Reagan.    Source: Kevin McKeever The same thing happened a few years later when Donald Trump was scheduled to make a surprise appearance at the conference (thanks to Chris Barron!), and I expressed interest in introducing him because I enjoyed Trump’s candor — also no one else asked. How times have changed. From time to time, friends or acquaintances came to me with an idea or project and requested a meeting with David. Unless the timing just didn’t work out, I don’t recall any instance when David refused to meet with someone. He was always available to give young conservatives advice and to listen to what they had to say. In fact, it is because of David that CPAC became a must-attend event for College Republicans and other conservative students. In CPAC’s early years, David made a promise to President Reagan that CPAC would never be priced out of reach for students and young activists. Even when hotel costs went up, student registration was always between $25-50 ($15 for early bird rate). He also knew the value of CPAC as a reunion for the “vast right-wing conspiracy.” It wasn’t just about what was happening on stage, but the conversations that happened in the bar, at ancillary events and in the hallways. It was where people met future coworkers, allies, and spouses. Even though I hadn’t spoken to David in years, it is very important to me that he be remembered for the intellectual and activist giant that he was. In the five years I worked for him, I learned which battles were worth fighting. I learned the importance of being supportive of friends. While I wish I could have worked for David longer than I did (we both left in 2011), I’ll always be grateful to him for giving me a chance to lead CPAC during an important time for the conservative movement. I’ll also remember the man he was in a city and industry that treats people as disposable and transactional. As his daughter Kerry wrote, “I will remember not the public figure, but a father who welcomed me as his own, who gave me a home, and my first job.” I will always think of him that way, too. * * * Lisa De Pasquale is an author, columnist, and the former director of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). She’s a frequent guest on Fox News and Fox Business, the founder of “Bright” on Substack, and the author of “The Gen X Handbook for Middle Age: The Pursuit of Health, Success, and Human Fulfillment.” De Pasquale has authored articles for a variety of publications including The Federalist, Washingtonian, The Daily Caller, and The Washington Times. Follow her on Twitter/X: @LisaDeP and on Instagram at @Lisa_DeP. The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Union Commission, issued a blistering denunciation on Monday against the brutal, despotic Islamic regime in Iran. Speaking at the EU Ambassadors’ Conference 2026 in Brussels, she stated, “I start with the Middle East — not only because of the gravity and speed of the conflict there, but also because of what it tells us about the world — and how Europe and its foreign policy fits into that.” She defended the U.S.-led attack on Iran, stating, “You will hear different views about whether the conflict in Iran is a war of choice or a war of necessity. But I believe this debate partly misses the point. Because Europe must focus on the reality of the situation, to see the world as it actually is today.” She then denounced the Iranian regime: I want to be clear: there should be no tears shed for the Iranian regime that has inflicted death and imposed repression on its own people. They slaughtered 17,000 of their own young people. And this regime has caused devastation and destabilization across the region through its proxies armed with missiles and drones. Many Iranians, inside the country and across Europe and the world, have celebrated Ayatollah Khamenei’s demise, as have many more people across the region. They hope that this moment can open a path towards a free Iran. The people of Iran deserve freedom, dignity, and the right to decide their own future — even if we know this will be fraught with danger and instability during and after the war. “British military bases have been targeted in Cyprus — who I want to reaffirm our full solidarity with,” she noted. “NATO troops have been called upon to shoot down a drone. Our citizens are caught in the crossfire. Our partners are being attacked — and I have been in touch with many of them across the region to express our solidarity and support.” She called for a Europe more willing to assert itself in global conflicts: And the longer-term impact is already posing existential questions. On the future of our international rules-based system, or on how Europe finds unity in these situations. All of this shows how precarious the global situation is today, how diverse the threats are, and how Europe will always be affected by what happens around the world. So the idea that we can simply retrench and withdraw from this chaotic world is simply a fallacy. I believe it is vital that we understand this as we shape our foreign policy for the year ahead. Thank you, Madam President.It was encouraging to hear @vonderleyen President of the European Commission, speak with such clarity. For the first time since the strong words of @EP_President, President of the European Parliament, we are now hearing Ursula von der Leyen, reminding… pic.twitter.com/31euMycMz3 — Masih Alinejad

According to a new law, all public and private schools in Pennsylvania will be required to add cursive handwriting lessons into their curriculum beginning next month. The bill was signed into law by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D) last month and will take effect on April 12. It also had bipartisan support and passed the House 195‑8 and the Senate 42‑5 before being signed by the governor, according to Fox 29 Philadelphia. PA Senator and bill sponsor Wayne Langerholic (R) said in a statement that “by reintegrating cursive into the curriculum…we are investing in our students’ cognitive development, strengthening their legal preparedness and preserving their connection to historical literacy.” “Cursive is more than handwriting. It’s a bridge,” Rep. Dane Watro (R), a cosponsor of the bill, said in a statement. “It connects us to our history, strengthens learning and deepens our understanding of the world. By teaching cursive, we’re equipping students with skills that sharpen the mind and safeguard our shared heritage.” There’s been a big debate over cursive writing instruction ever since the Common Core Standards for public school education, which were adopted in 2010, did not include a cursive handwriting requirement. Those standards stressed printed writing and keyboard skills to be used for writing instead.  One recent study found that cursive helps children with brain development.  “The Neuroscience Behind Writing” found that “cursive writing involves greater activation of the motor cortex and cerebellum, as it requires fine motor coordination and smooth transitions between letters.” The report went on to note that, …this fluidity enhances memory retention and cognitive engagement, as the writer must anticipate the next letter in a continuous motion.” Per the website MyCursive, almost half of states still require or encourage cursive instruction in the classroom. That number has been steadily increasing over the years.  New Jersey just updated their cursive writing requirements earlier this year as Governor Phil Murphy (D ) signed a cursive mandate into law just before leaving office in January. The new standards will go into effect next school year for students. “We owe it to our students to give them a well-rounded education that ensures they have the tools to fully understand our rich history and become competent leaders,” Murphy said in a statement at the time, per the New York Post.

Senator Marsha Blackburn warned Memphis District Attorney Steve Mulroy on Tuesday not to impede the Trump administration’s efforts to crack down on crime after data suggest his office released dozens of violent criminals in December 2025.  “President Trump and his administration are working around the clock to make Memphis the safest city in America,” the Tennessee Republican wrote in a letter obtained by The Daily Wire, cosigned by Tennessee State Senator Brent Taylor. “It is your obligation as Shelby County’s District Attorney to enforce Tennessee’s criminal code and hold violent criminals accountable — not to allow them to be released back onto the streets to reoffend.” Data from the Memphis Crime Beat, a citizen-run website that tracks crime in the city, showed that only 84 defendants received prison time for the 514 “resolved” cases in December 2025. At the same time, Mulroy admitted to Blackburn in a March 6 letter obtained by The Daily Wire that 166 of the cases resolved in December were classified as violent offenses. The rebuke comes amid a back-and-forth between Blackburn and Mulroy over the Democrats’ “soft-on-crime” policies. Mulroy has long faced pressure from state and local Republican officials over his handling of crime. In recent years, Memphis has been ranked as one of the most crime-ridden cities in the country, with consistently high murder rates. The Trump administration has surged law enforcement to the city to assist in a federal operation to reduce crime in Memphis.   The data team from Memphis Crime Beat found that in December 2025, there were 514 total cases resolved, including 144 cases where there was no prosecution. Of the other 370, 178 received a combination of suspended sentence and probation or probation, 84 received prison time, 63 received diversion, and 45 were released with time served, Memphis Crime Beat Executive Director Leslie Taylor noted in an analysis of the data. “It would logically follow that, if there were only 84 defendants who received prison time in December 2025, but there were 166 violent cases in that same month, there appear to be dozens of violent criminal defendants — based on your own admission — that received no jail time in December 2025,” Blackburn and Taylor wrote. Mulroy told Blackburn on March 6 that 166 of the 514 cases were “designated as ‘violent’ in our system.” He added that there were a total of 187 “serious” cases closed counting Class A, B, and C felonies. In Tennessee, a Class A felony has a prison range of 15 to 60 years, while a Class C felony has a range of three to 15 years.  “Most of the cases the letter lists as receiving probation or diversion are either nonviolent cases, cases involving defendants without significant criminal histories, cases where defendants have already spent time (often significant time) in jail, or cases in which judges granted such relief without our agreement,” Mulroy added. Blackburn’s letter asked for more information on how many of the 166 violent defendants were released onto the streets and how many of the violent or serious felony cases got diversion or probation.  “We have made significant progress in making Memphis the safest city in the United States, and we will not allow you to stall the tremendous progress that the city of Memphis has made,” Blackburn said. Mulroy has denied Blackburn’s claims that he is a George Soros-backed DA, despite the evidence that Soros contributed to a political action committee that backed his campaign. Senator Taylor, a Republican from Memphis, has attempted to remove Mulroy from office through the legislature. Leslie Taylor, who said that crime data is often difficult to obtain, told The Daily Wire that what happens after someone is arrested is at least as important as the initial detainment  “The most recent data from the Shelby County Jail shows that 80% of those booked into jail have been there before, and 49% have been in jail 6 or more times,” she said. “We are concerned that if criminals aren’t effectively prosecuted, we will be back to square one when federal resources are withdrawn.”

When Mahogany Milton and her mom, B’Lon Calloway, attended the American Heart Association’s STEM Goes Red program in 2023. Together, the pair learned CPR. Little did they know that training would come in handy sooner than later. In March 2025, B’Lon got home from work and suddenly went into cardiac arrest. Her heart stopped beating for several minutes, but Mahogany didn’t panic. She knew just what to do. The Elyria Catholic High School student called for help and saved her mom’s life. “I called 911 they asked me if she was breathing. She took one big breath, and then she stopped breathing. She started turning blue, and she started getting cold,” Mahogany told WOIO. The Teenager Put Her CPR Training to Work Mahogany told WOIO she didn’t hesitate and began life-saving CPR on her mom. “I was like dear God please let my momma live,” Mahogany recalled. Paramedics arrived on the scene a short time later and transported B’Lon to University Hospitals for treatment. Had it not been for her teenager performing CPR, B’Lon might not be here today. “I could have been driving home that night in the car by myself. But, God saw a system to let me make it home. Even if it was just for her, he felt that she was strong enough to endure that,” B’Lon said through tears. Dr. Michael Zacharias cared for B’Lon in the hospital and told WOIO her teenage daughter’s CPR training helped save her life. “Very few people, one, survive cardiac arrest. Two have completely recovered function of the heart. It’s truly incredible,” the doctor said. Mahogany addressed her mom and never thought twice about helping her. “If you don’t have faith look at me. I’m living testimony,” B’Lon said. This story’s featured image can be found here.

A green energy group partnered with a Hawaiian electric company on a proposal to increase energy rates despite previous criticisms of the same idea. The Ulupono Initiative and Hawaiian Electric Co.’s (HECO) joint filing asked the utility commission for a 5% rate increase in O’ahu over two years, 5.8% in Hawai’i Island and 6.4% for […]

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