Yorkies are adorable dogs‚ but did you know they have a day dedicated to them each year? August 1st is always National Yorkie Day no matter which day of the week it falls on‚ and there are tons of great ways to celebrate this unique day. Yorkies also have quite a few interesting facts for you to learn a bit more about‚ and we’ve highlighted some of them for you here! What You Need to Know about National Yorkshire Terrier Day National Yorkie Day falls on August 1st every year‚ and it’s a great opportunity to celebrate these adorable pups. National Yorkie Day falls on the same day as Yorkshire Day‚ which is the county in England where these dogs originated. It’s no coincidence that these days are the same‚ and if you’re ever in Yorkshire‚ there are quite a few celebrations that you can take part in on August 1st. With that said‚ let’s look at some interesting Yorkie facts before you tell you how to celebrate them. The 5 Little Known Facts About Yorkies 1. They Were Ratting Dogs When you look at a Yorkie‚ you likely don’t see a dog with a rich hunting history‚ but that’s exactly what the British originally bred this dog for! They’re avid tunnellers‚ which can lead to problems in your backyard‚ although modern Yorkies aren’t really the rat-hunting type of pup. Image Credit: Imageman‚ Shutterstock 2. Yorkies Are Hypoallergenic If you suffer from pet allergies‚ a Yorkie might be just what you’re looking for. While no dog is completely hypoallergenic‚ a Yorkie is about as good as they come. They don’t shed much‚ and they produce very little dander. 3. They Only Have One Color While many dog breeds come in tons of different colors and have different patterns‚ that’s not the case with the Yorkie. They come in one color pattern: a signature brown and black. This unique color pattern makes them instantly recognizable and completely adorable. Image Credit: Mr. SUTTIPON YAKHAM‚ Shutterstock 4. Yorkies Are the 13th Most Popular Dog in the United States While the Yorkie isn’t the most common or popular dog in the United States‚ they are the 13th most popular. You’ll find these dogs all over the country‚ so if you want one‚ there are plenty of options to pick from. 5. They Often Develop Genetic Conditions While the Yorkie is a common dog breed‚ they are prone to several genetic conditions. Some of these common health concerns include hypoglycemia‚ periodontal disease‚ luxating patella‚ and distichia. Image Credit: Tatyana Vyc‚ Shutterstock How to Celebrate National Yorkie Day Now that you know a little bit more about National Yorkie Day and the Yorkies themselves‚ all that’s left is for you to figure out how to celebrate. Donate to an Animal Shelter One of the best ways to celebrate National Yorkshire Terrier Day is to give some extra money to an animal shelter. Animal shelters always struggle to get all the supplies they need and to afford all the necessary medical expenses the pets have‚ and donations go a long way in helping them with this. Volunteer at an Animal Shelter If you don’t have any extra money to spend‚ that doesn’t mean you can’t help out local shelters. You can always choose to volunteer your time‚ just reach out before you show up so you can schedule a time that works for you and the shelter. Go to a Dog Park You don’t have to celebrate the day at an animal shelter‚ especially if you already have a Yorkie. Pets love having extra time to run around and burn some energy‚ and taking them to a dog park is almost always a good idea. It’s all about doing something for your Yorkie to make them happy on their day. Image Credit: Vivienstock‚ Shutterstock Final Thoughts While National Yorkie Day is a ton of fun‚ it’s important not to make a long-term commitment to a dog at the last minute. The last thing you want is for you to get in over your head with something and have a new pup for 15 years because of a 15-minute decision. Still‚ there are tons of great ways to celebrate the day without bringing home a new pup‚ and it’s certainly a day worth celebrating whether you have a Yorkie or you just like the breed! Sources https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/6-things-about-yorkshire-terriers/ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/most-popular-dog-breeds-2022/   Featured Image Credit: Imageman‚ Shutterstock The post National Yorkie Day 2023: What &; When Is It? appeared first on Pet Keen.

A former high-ranking FBI official who was instrumental in miring former President Donald Trump in an investigation over now-debunked ties to Moscow in 2016 is going to prison for actual Russian collusion. U.S. District Judge Jennifer H. Rearden sentenced disgraced former FBI agent Charles McGonigal to 50 months in prison for "conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and to commit money laundering in connection with his 2021 agreement to provide services to Oleg Deripaska‚ a sanctioned Russian oligarch." McGonigal‚ 55‚ is among the highest-ranking FBI agents ever to be convicted of a crime. Fake collusion Blaze News previously reported that McGonigal‚ who ran counterintelligence for the bureau's New York field office‚ played a central role in triggering special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into fraudulent claims that Trump's campaign team colluded with Russia in order to win the 2016 election. While serving as chief of the cybercrimes section of the FBI in Washington‚ D.C.‚ McGonigal picked up on allegations that a Trump adviser‚ George Papadopoulos‚ was boasting to an Australian diplomat about possible dirt on former first lady Hillary Clinton. This information‚ which McGonigal sent to then-FBI Deputy Assistant Director Jonathan Moffa in July 2016‚ paved the way for the bureau's launch of "Crossfire Hurricane." The operation in turn led to the appointment of Mueller and a two-year‚ $32 million probe into spurious claims of Russian collusion that continue to shape various leftists' perspectives today. Real collusion While the bureau was investigating the Trump camp in search of a crime‚ ideally one involving Russians‚ McGonigal was working for Oleg Deripaska — a Russian oligarch and aluminum magnate who reportedly has links to Russian President Vladimir Putin and was ultimately sanctioned on April 6‚ 2018‚ by the U.S. Treasury Department for allegedly interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. McGonigal routinely did Deripaska's bidding and tried to have the oligarch taken off the U.S. sanctions list. According to his indictment‚ the disgraced FBI agent also agreed to help the daughter of Deripaska's Russian agent find employment with the New York Police Department "in the fields of counterterrorism‚ intelligence gathering and 'international liasoning.'" Serving as the Russian oligarch's man in the bureau‚ McGonigal also probed Deripaska's oligarchic rivals in exchange for "concealed payments." The former agent and his Russian peer‚ former Soviet diplomat Sergey Shestakov‚ used shell companies to send and receive payments from Deripaska‚ whose name was carefully omitted in their electronic communications. The Department of Justice underscored that prior to his retirement‚ McGonigal was preparing himself for a new master. "As an FBI official‚ MCGONIGAL helped investigate Deripaska and other Russian oligarchs. As an SAC‚ he supervised investigations into sanctions violations‚" indicated the DOJ. "Yet at the same time‚ he began building a relationship with an agent of Deripaska‚ in the hopes of doing business with Deripaska after he retired from the FBI." Had McGonigal not been arrested in January‚ he stood to possibly make millions with his Russian boss. Another fed in federal prison McGonigal's lawyers suggested that he should be permitted to walk free because he accepted responsibility and was out of a job. The convict similarly begged District Judge Rearden to spare him from accountability‚ stating‚ "I'm humbly asking for a second chance‚" reported CNN. District Judge Rearden‚ evidently fresh out of second chances‚ sentenced the former FBI agent Thursday to just over four years in prison. McGonigal must surrender to prison on Feb. 26. Damian Williams‚ U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York‚ said‚ "Charles McGonigal violated the trust his country placed in him by using his high-level position at the FBI to prepare for his future in business. Once he left public service‚ he jeopardized our national security by providing services to Oleg Deripaska‚ a Russian tycoon who acts as Vladimir Putin's agent." Although McGonigal could alternatively have received five years in prison‚ Williams suggested the former agent's four-year sentence "is a reminder that anyone who violates United States sanctions ... will pay a heavy penalty." The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District indicated that extra to time behind bars‚ the court ordered McGonigal to pay a fine of $40‚000‚ to forfeit $17‚500‚ and to serve three years of supervised release. McGonigal separately pleaded guilty to concealing $225‚000 in cash payments from a former Albanian spy. His sentencing concerning those charges will take place on Feb. 16‚ 2024. McGonigal faces up to five years in prison on the concealment of material facts charge. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A man old enough to be a grandfather competed against teenage girls and even shared a changing room with them at a recent swim meet in Canada.On the weekend beginning December 1‚ swimmers gathered at the East Bayfield Community Centre in Barrie‚ Ontario‚ to compete in the Trojan Cup. The competition provides separate races for males and females based on age. The youngest age group is for competitors 8 and younger‚ and the oldest age group is 16 and older.Perhaps because there does not appear to be an upper age limit‚ a 50-year-old man‚ born Nicholas Cepeda‚ was allowed to participate. However‚ Cepeda did not test whether he could still keep up with boys less than half his age. Instead‚ Cepeda‚ who now calls himself Melody Wiseheart‚ competed against girls as young as 16.Even with the advantages of sex and age‚ Wiseheart still came up short. In nine races‚ the best he performed was a second-place finish in the women’s 1500m freestyle. The winner beat him by more than three seconds. Swim Ontario‚ which co-sanctioned the event alongside Swimming Canada‚ issued a statement defending the organizations' policies as cultivating a "safe‚ welcoming‚ and inclusive" sport for "people of all ... genders":In partnership with Swimming Canada‚ Swim Ontario has a robust system of policies‚ procedures and rules that support our member clubs in providing a competitive experience that is safe‚ welcoming and inclusive for all participants.Swimming Canada and Swim Ontario believe swimming is for everyone... people of all shapes‚ sizes‚ genders‚ beliefs and backgrounds should have the opportunity to swim to the best of their ability... with the expectation that our registrants treat each other with respect and dignity‚ and keep our sport environment free from harassment and abuse.Except in generalities‚ the statement did not reference the women and young girls who have been denied the "dignity and respect" and the "environment free from harassment and abuse" afforded to men like Wiseheart. And the offenses against them extend far beyond the pool's edge. Disturbing reports from Rebel News and other outlets indicate that Wiseheart used the women's locker room and perhaps even showered with children‚ forcing parents to build a makeshift towel barrier in the locker room to shield the young girls from Wiseheart's view — and to keep them from exposure to his penis."The girls were terrified‚" one unnamed parent told the Toronto Sun. The Trojan Cup was not Wiseheart's first foray into competition with young girls. The Daily Mail reported that he may have begun participating in such events in 2019‚ and Fox News confirmed that he participated in a meet just two months ago against "swimmers aged 12-14."In fact‚ Wiseheart — a professor of psychology at York University who is married to a woman — is a member of the Orangeville Otters Swim Club‚ regularly training alongside young girls. Without appearing on camera‚ one such young girl briefly spoke with Rebel News and confirmed that she had regularly seen Wiseheart in the girls' changing facilities "in the mornings." The girl referred to Wiseheart as "she."According to Rebel News‚ the Otters have seemingly embraced a "trans-age" policy — calling it the "right to play as a child and not as an adult" — to keep grown adults like Wiseheart in the fold with young children. None of the parents at the swim club wanted to speak with the Rebel News journalists‚ two employees treated them with open hostility‚ and the police ultimately forced them off the property.David Menzies of Rebel News attempted several times to report Wiseheart to the police for possibly violating statues 173.1 and 173.2 of the Criminal Code of Canada‚ which prohibit "an indecent act in a public place ... with intent to insult or offend any person" and "exposing ... genital organs to a person under the age of 16." So far‚ his pleas seem to have fallen on deaf ears. — (@) Wiseheart ran away from Rebel News' cameras‚ refusing to answer any of Menzies' questions. He also did not respond to a request for comment from the Daily Mail.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Actor and comedian Rob Schneider said that the Academy Awards have largely turned people off by pushing woke ideologies and implementing mandates based on sexual identities.Schneider spoke to fellow comedian and podcaster Adam Carolla on "The Adam Carolla Podcast‚" and the conversation eventually veered to the Oscars‚ as Schneider referenced longtime friend Adam Sandler's recent film."If he’s not nominated for [‘Spaceman’]‚ they don’t even count. Not that they count anyway‚" Schneider said of the award show‚ according to Hollywood in Toto. "It used to be 100 million people [watching the Oscars]‚" he continued. "Now that the Academy Awards are saying‚ ‘You have to have 40% in LGBTQ+’ … people have checked out because they realize this isn’t the best any more. It’s just how far they can suck up to this particular ideology of idiocy. It turns people off. It turns me off. I haven’t watched in years‚" Schneider went on.The Oscars have significantly fallen off over the years in terms of viewership; however‚ 2023's show had an audience of 18.7 million‚ the academy's largest since 2020. It was also the most-watched award show on any network in three years‚ Entertainment Weekly reported.Still‚ the numbers are a far cry from the 1973 record-setting show that was watched by 85 million viewers."I think the chickens are coming home to roost‚" Carolla added. "When you start introducing question marks into people’s heads‚ that’s when the franchise is over.""When the Academy Awards go‚ ‘We’re gonna have 40% of this group represented‚ and we need X amount of handicapped and X amount of gay and lesbians represented … then we as watchers‚ go‚ ‘Is that really‚ then‚ the best film?'" Carolla pontificatedCarolla added that the reason he believes many people are "secretly and unknowingly attracted to sports" is because it offers a meritocracy. "When the Seattle [Seahawks] defense goes out there‚ and there’s 10 black guys and one white guy on the defensive side of the ball‚ we don’t start breaking it up into race. We just go‚ ‘I guess those are the 11 best guys on the team.’ Which you definitely do not do with politics or certainly all the awards shows now."Schneider‚ who recently expressed that he had become Catholic‚ has given advice for people struggling find sense in the ever-indoctrinating‚ woke landscape of the world."Be aware that you are part of all of it and that the separateness you sometimes feel is an illusion. ... How can I continue to hold a grudge against the actor who shamed people like me? ... It is forgiveness itself that is the gift that we give ourselves because it frees us‚" he added‚ citing his belief in Jesus.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Republicans not only subpoenaed Hunter Biden to appear for a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees but rejected Hunter Biden’s offer to appear for an initial public hearing. In an incredible show of defiance‚ Hunter Biden has ignored them. The infamous member of the Biden crime family instead held a press conference at the Capitol‚ where he claimed his father “was not financially involved” in his businesses. And of course‚ the liberal media is eating it up. While Stu Burguiere recognizes that one could “technically” look at the previously uncovered arrangement and “say that’s not a financial involvement in the business” because he’s getting repaid for loans — he also notes that no one's actually accusing Biden of investing in Hunter’s company. Glenn Beck is in agreement‚ adding that whether or not Biden was investing in the company‚ the entire situation is blatantly suspicious and wrong. And the House’s impeachment inquiry is focused on backroom deals and shady money laundering trails — not simply investments. “Let’s just look at this as a normal human being. First of all‚ my kid is doing drugs and hookers and I know about it. I don’t send him over to Ukraine to a job with a guy who literally beheads his enemies for any reason‚” Glenn says. But as expected‚ the left is spinning the narrative to appear as though there is no evidence of wrongdoing. “Not only is the committee not allowing Hunter Biden to testify publicly‚ but they have not called a single witness‚ a single firsthand witness‚ to any of their allegations. They haven’t allowed anybody to testify publicly because they do not have a single witness to any of their alleged allegations‚” AOC told reporters. “They’ve done interviews‚” Stu comments‚ laughing. “The American people that still buy into this and watch CNN or ABC or any of these networks that will play that without saying ‘That’s untrue’ — you’re a moron‚” Glenn says. Want more from Glenn Beck?To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling‚ thought-provoking analysis‚ and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos‚ subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America‚ defend the Constitution‚ and live the American dream.

Democratic Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon recently warned that governments are spying on Android and iPhone users through their smartphone push notifications.On December 6‚ Wyden sent a letter to the United States Department of Justice Attorney General Merrick Garland urging the agency to allow Google and Apple to inform their customers about government agencies requesting app notification records."[M]y office received a tip that government agencies in foreign countries were demanding smartphone 'push' notification records from Google and Apple‚" Wyden told Garland. "The companies told my staff that information about this practice is restricted from public release by the government."Push notifications are alerts that pop up from various apps‚ providing updates about incoming text messages‚ phone calls‚ and breaking news. Wyden noted that contrary to what one might assume‚ push notifications are not sent directly from the app to the phone but instead "pass through a kind of digital post office run by the phone's operating system provider.""These services ensure timely and efficient delivery of notifications‚ but this also means that Apple and Google serve as intermediaries in the transmission process‚" he explained.According to Wyden‚ Apple and Google have been "secretly compelled by governments to hand over" their users' push notification information.The technology companies store metadata from the alerts that could reveal information about "which app received a notification and when‚ as well as the phone and associated Apple or Google account to which that notification was intended to be delivered." Unencrypted metadata may also include the text content of the notification. In a statement to Axios‚ Apple confirmed that the federal government has prohibited it from sharing this information with its customers."Apple is committed to transparency and we have long been a supporter of efforts to ensure that providers are able to disclose as much information as possible to their users‚" the company said. "In this case‚ the federal government prohibited us from sharing any information‚ and now that this method has become public‚ we are updating our transparency reporting to detail these kinds of requests."Google told Axios it was "the first major company to publish a public transparency report sharing the number and types of government requests for user data we receive‚ including the requests referred to by Sen. Wyden."Google added that it shares Wyden's "commitment to keeping users informed about these requests."Wyden's letter called on the DOJ to allow Apple and Google to share information about the government requests with its users."Apple and Google should be permitted to be transparent about the legal demands they receive‚ particularly from foreign governments‚ just as the companies regularly notify users about other types of government demands for data‚" Wyden wrote. "These companies should be permitted to generally reveal whether they have been compelled to facilitate this surveillance practice‚ to publish aggregate statistics about the number of demands they receive‚ and unless temporarily gagged by a court‚ to notify specific customers about demands for their data."In a post on X‚ Wyden stated that Google "deserves credit for requiring a court order for US requests" and called on Apple to implement the same requirement for turning over user data.A source told Reuters that U.S. government agencies and foreign U.S. allies have requested the data from push notifications. The DOJ declined to comment‚ Reuters reported.Anything else?In a November letter to Garland‚ Wyden urged the DOJ to release information to the public regarding a secretive surveillance program called Data Analytical‚ previously referred to as the Hemisphere Project‚ allowing law enforcement agencies to track Americans' phone records‚ Blaze News reported.Wyden called it "a long-running dragnet surveillance program in which the White House pays AT&;T to provide all federal‚ state‚ local‚ and Tribal law enforcement agencies the ability to request often-warrantless searches of trillions of domestic phone records."Additionally‚ the Oregon senator recently released the results of a congressional investigation that found pharmaceutical giants‚ including CVS Health‚ Walgreens Boots Alliance‚ Walmart Stores‚ Rite Aid Corporation‚ and more have been handing over patients' medical records to law enforcement agencies without first requiring a warrant‚ Blaze News previously reported.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

An activist from Minnesota was reportedly kidnapped and killed while visiting Colombia‚ according to his family. The American tourist was murdered after going on a date with a woman he met on social media‚ according to local reports. Tou Ger Xiong‚ 50‚ was a popular activist‚ comedian‚ motivational speaker‚ and day trader. Xiong reportedly traveled to Medellín‚ Colombia‚ on Nov. 29. The brother of Xiong‚ Eh Xiong‚ said he got a call from Tou Ger on Sunday night and that he asked to borrow $2‚000. He said Tou Ger was a day trader‚ so it wasn't unusual for him to ask for money. "This time he's like‚ 'Do you have a couple thousand?' And I'm like‚ 'Yeah‚ no problem‚'" Eh told KARE. "I said‚ 'When you do you want it?' And he said‚ 'I want it now because I'm in a bit of a situation here.'"Eh wired the money the next morning but wasn't sure if his brother received the money or not. Suddenly‚ Tou Ger stopped responding to text messages from his brother. Eh contacted Tou Ger’s friend in Colombia‚ who then filed a police report. KSTP-TV reported‚ "Tou Ger’s roommate also told Eh that Tou Ger had called him saying he was 'held at gunpoint.' Eh made contact with the U.S. Embassy as well as Sen. Tina Smith and Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s office."The body of Tou Ger Xiong was discovered on Tuesday. “It is with immense sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the discovery of the body of our beloved family member‚ Tou Ger Xiong‚ who had been the victim of a kidnapping and murder‚” his family said in a statement. “This has been an incredibly challenging time for our family and we appreciate the support and understanding of our community during this difficult period.”“They found some clothes‚ blood‚ you know‚ on the bag‚ and they were able to confiscate that and apprehend one of the suspects‚” said Eh.Local newspaper El Colombiano reported‚ "His body was found in the waters of the La Corcovada ravine‚ in the La Pola neighborhood‚ with multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma."The Colombian news outlet added that Tou Ger went on a date with a woman he met through social media networks‚ which "led to the kidnapping and subsequent death" of Xiong. The sectional director of the Medellín Prosecutor's Office‚ Yiri Milena Amado‚ said Xiong "went out to meet a woman who had been contacted by him." At 7 p.m.‚ Tou Ger "makes a call to a friend in the United States‚ from his cell phone‚ saying that they were asking him for 2‚000 dollars for his release."Authorities believe that at some point during the date‚ several men kidnapped Xiong and then forced him to contact friends and family for ransom money. Investigators added that thieves robbed the apartment where he was staying. "We were able to identify a woman who was taking some things out of an apartment and when the authorities were present‚ this person managed to escape‚" Amado said. Eh told the New York Post about a mystery woman Xiong was close with. "He had been in contact with this woman before‚ and she was part of the ‘new friends’ he made on his trips down there."Xiong's murder is the 27th violent death of a non-migrant foreigner this year in Colombia. Eh said his brother knew about the dangers of traveling to Colombia as a tourist. Eh told the Star Tribune‚ "He was aware of it. But he’s one of those people who only assumes the best in people. It’s almost like a second home‚ he loved it there."Politicians from Minnesota expressed their heartbreak over Xiong's tragic death. Minnesota Rep. Betty McCollom (D) said‚ "This is devastating news. My heart goes out to Tou Ger Xiong’s family &; our entire Hmong community. As a comedian and activist‚ his work touched many lives in the Twin Cities and beyond."Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) stated‚ "This is a heartbreaking tragedy. Tou Ger was an incredible person who was constantly working to uplift his community. My office is in contact with Tou Ger’s family and the embassy in Columbia as they work to bring his body back to Minnesota. My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones during this difficult time."Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) added‚ "What happened to Tou Ger is heartbreaking. Archie and I can't imagine what his family is going through. We're praying for all of them. I have been in contact with the State Department since we first learned he was missing and I will work to ensure his remains are safely transported back to Minnesota. My thoughts are with his family‚ his friends‚ and the entire Hmong community as they grieve the loss of Tou Ger‚ and hope they find strength in their memories of him."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! Family of well-known Hmong activist say he was kidnapped‚ killed in South America www.youtube.com

The White House’s annual holiday video debuted just a couple of days ago. Some have praised the musical performance‚ which includes colorful costumes and tap dancing‚ as whimsical artistic expression‚ while others have criticized it for being yet another woke‚ virtue-signaling catastrophe. Before you watch the video and cast your vote‚ here’s some background information on the group that choreographed and produced the video – an organization called Dorrance Dance‚ which is a New York City-based tap-dancing company. The Dorrance Dance “website is filled with all of the same types of Ibram X Kendi themes that we see so much on the left‚” says Stu Burguiere. One particular section of the website is titled‚ “Educate yourself.” The description underneath reads: “For those who are investigating or have questions about white privilege‚ systemic racism‚ white fragility‚ and anti-racism for the very first time: antiracismforbeginners.com answers all of the basic questions in a very straightforward way.” Another section of the website “shows you how to sign up for Black Lives Matter” and an organization called “Showing Up for Racial Justice.” “What do you expect‚ though?” asks Stu. “You're not gonna get a conservative group who's there with the Bidens.” According to Stu‚ however‚ neither a Republican nor a Democratic administration should be spending resources on “pomp and circumstance.” The government has “a lot of stuff they should be doing‚” he sighs. “Skip all the dancing and just put up a text – ’Happy Holidays.’ That's enough.” Now it’s your turn – watch the White House’s annual holiday video and cast your vote in the comments. Want more from Stu?To enjoy more of Stu's lethal wit‚ wisdom‚ and mockery‚ subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America‚ defend the Constitution‚ and live the American dream.

Portland‚ Oregon‚ is the latest city to utilize a mobile robot in place of patrolling security guards to lower crime rates in its downtown core.City officials partnered with community improvement activists and corporate property owners to implement a 120-foot mural in downtown Portland as part of a revitalization program.As KPTV Fox 12 Oregon reported‚ the project included a painting on the walls of the U.S. Bancorp Tower parking garage. The city hoped that the art project will be effective as part of sprucing up the city's downtown area that has been typically rife with crime.To help guard the same area‚ the city has installed more than 200 surveillance cameras along with a new robot addition called "Rob."The patrolling robot navigates a local parking garage 24 hours a day and is equipped with thermal imaging and a two-way intercom for citizens to speak to the operator."It’s like interacting with a human‚ because there is a human on the other side‚" said Keren Eichen of Unico Properties‚ a private equity and real estate company. "If you stop and speak to the robot‚ you know that there’s someone on the other side who’s answering your questions who can give you directions‚ can tell you happy holidays.""This is easier than staffing security because he doesn’t get tired‚ he doesn’t get cold‚" Eichen added.Mark Wells‚ from a group called Portland Clean and Safe‚ touted the effects of the new surveillance and said that there has been a sharp decrease in crime."We looked at reported crime for assault‚ vandalism‚ theft and in November‚ we a saw a 50% decrease last month than we did the prior five months‚" Wells claimed. "Crime doesn’t thrive in areas that are vibrant and full of people walking‚ eating‚ enjoying the amenities downtown."However‚ according to official Portland crime statistics‚ from January to October 2023‚ downtown Portland saw 4‚227 property crimes‚ 688 assaults‚ 40 sex offenses‚ and 232 "society" crimes‚ which included drug offenses.During the same time period in 2022‚ the downtown area had 3‚798 property crimes‚ 664 assaults‚ 31 sex offenses‚ and only 93 societal crimes. Offenses in the area totaled 4‚601 for January-October 2022‚ nearly 600 fewer than the 5‚198 offenses during the same time period of 2023.Portland is not the first major U.S. city to implement robotic security forces. Cleveland deployed a similar robot named Sam in August 2023‚ with the city stating that the robot "loves hugs and selfies."In April 2023‚ New York Mayor Eric Adams told citizens they "cannot be afraid of [the technology]‚" when the New York Police Department deployed their own mobile security machine in New York City subways.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Steve Baker has been living under a cloud for two years. For two years‚ Baker‚ an investigative reporter and contributor to Blaze Media‚ has had to live and work not knowing whether he would wake up one morning to the sound of a heavily armed FBI SWAT team banging on his front door.For two years‚ Baker has had to wonder whether the U.S. Justice Department would try to do to him what it has done to hundreds of other people who were in Washington‚ D.C.‚ on the afternoon of January 6‚ 2021. On Thursday‚ Baker heard from his attorney with the news he’d been expecting but hoping would never come. The Justice Department intends to press charges. He will be allowed to turn himself in to authorities in his home state of North Carolina on Tuesday morning — no SWAT required.Baker doesn’t know what exactly he’s being charged with. The FBI agent who gave Baker’s attorney the terrible news pleaded ignorance and said he wouldn’t know for sure until a judge signed the official warrant for Baker’s arrest. It’s a perfect administrative state mystery. Franz Kafka couldn’t have written it any better. But it happens all the time. Steve has detailed his legal saga so far. We published it in October here at Blaze Media. Read part one and part two for a full picture of just how absurd — but how gravely serious — this prosecution will be.What we see with the government’s decision to prosecute Baker is an escalation in its weaponization of the law against its perceived political enemies. I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that Baker learned of his coming indictment the very same day he met with a pair of Capitol Police whistleblowers. Nor do I believe it’s a coincidence that the Justice Department decided to press ahead as Baker has spent more than a week viewing hundreds of hours of Capitol closed-circuit TV video and unearthing previously undisclosed details about the events of January 6. This has gone on long enough. Too long‚ in fact. Merrick Garland’s Justice Department is not doing justice. Christopher Wray’s FBI is not pursuing justice. They are dealing in political retribution. With the indictment of Steve Baker‚ it’s a fact too obvious to ignore. Whereas in the past‚ political protesters have received the equivalent of a slap on the wrist or at most a small fine for momentarily disrupting a congressional proceeding‚ the government has gone to extraordinary and arguably unconstitutional lengths in punishing Americans who wished to do nothing more than air their grievances about a suspect process. That a few did so loudly and violently does not change the fact that the vast majority of participants were guilty of little more than trespassing. In Baker’s case‚ he is guilty of nothing but committing journalism. The First Amendment has something to say about that. Enough of this. Congress can no longer allow the attorney general and the director of the FBI to get away with evasions and dissembling about January 6. The federal officials who abused their power and the American people’s trust must be held to account. Members of Congress — and all Americans who claim to support the Constitution and the First Amendment — must speak out and speak loudly about Steve Baker. Support Steve Baker by supporting Blaze Media. He will not be silenced‚ and with your help‚ neither will we.