Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was repeatedly evasive when asked if he would be willing to accept federal funds to increase the number of police officers as President Donald Trump says the National Guard will be deployed to the city.Johnson and other Illinois Democrats have strongly voiced their opposition to Trump's planned deployment of soldiers to help reduce the city's crime rate. With his background in union organizing, Johnson has long stated that he believes the best way to reduce crime is to "invest" in neglected communities. Johnson told MSNBC about the need for more social programs, something he said he is willing to work with Trump on to spend federal money, but he refused to say whether he would take federal money to help the Chicago Police Department when asked by host Joe Scarborough.'I don't believe that just simply putting out an arbitrary number around police officers is the answer.'"So let me ask you, Mr. Mayor, those all sound like great programs. I'm curious, would you also like to get federal funding to help put 5,000 more cops on the street in Chicago? Would that help drive down crime?" Scarborough asked."Well, look, policing by itself is not the full strategy," Johnson began to reply."No, I understand that," the MSNBC host interjected. "You've talked about the other things you want. And I said those are good and important programs. But I'm asking also, would 5,000 more police officers on the street in Chicago be helpful to go along with all of those social programs that a lot of cities are engaging in and having success with?"RELATED: Trump says Democrats are pleading with him to save their crime-ridden cities: 'They've lost control' Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Johnson said Chicago had more police officers during the 1990s but still had a higher crime rate than today, demonstrating that more police does not equal less crime.Scarborough continued to press Johnson on the question because the mayor refused to directly answer it."Look, we are working hard to make sure that our police department is fully supported," Johnson finally said. "I don't believe that just simply putting out an arbitrary number around police officers is the answer. What I'm saying is policing and affordable housing. It's policing and mental and behavioral health care services. It's policing and youth employment. It's a full package."The National Guard deployment in Chicago has been in the planning stages for the past few weeks and is expected to start in September. The Guardsmen will be under federal control and work to assist federal law enforcement agencies.RELATED: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson bragged about hiring 'our people' — now he's under federal investigation Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by former members of the Kappa Kappa Gamma chapter at the University of Wyoming after the group admitted a male member, Artemis Langford, in 2022.On Friday, Judge Alan Johnson of the District of Wyoming dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice, claiming that the three plaintiffs — Hannah Holtmeier, Allison Coghan, and Haley Rutsch — failed in their amended complaint to convince the court to "interfere with Kappa's contractually valid interpretation of its own Bylaws.""Nothing in the Bylaws or the Standing Rules," Johnson continued, "requires Kappa to narrowly define the words 'women' or 'woman' to include only those individuals born with a certain set of reproductive organs, particularly when even the dictionary cited by Plaintiffs offers a more expansive definition."'We are required to leave Kappa alone.'Though plaintiffs noted that President Donald Trump provided a national standard for the terms in an executive order earlier this year, stating that "women ... shall mean adult ... human females" and "female ... means a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the large reproductive cell," Johnson, perhaps paraphrasing Ketanji Brown Jackson, expressed confusion about Trump's clear-cut definitions: "We are not entirely sure what this definition means, not having a degree in biology."In any case, he said, those definitions are limited to the executive branch and its "interpretation of federal laws and administration policy" and have no bearing "in the world of private contracts" such as those between the official Kappa organization, based out of Ohio, and its membership."In short, we are required to leave Kappa alone," he said.RELATED: 22-year-old man admitted to local sorority chapter on 'non-binary' claim cries foul after the national sisterhood ousts him Photo by Jimena Peck for The Washington Post via Getty ImagesJohnson dismissed a previous complaint from some members of the Kappa chapter at UW on similar grounds, claiming that the Kappa organization had not defined what a "woman" is in its bylaws and therefore neither would he. "The court will not define a ‘woman’ today," he wrote in August 2023.Cheryl Tuck-Smith — an attorney, a UW alumna, and a Kappa sister for over 50 years before she was expelled for supporting the plaintiffs in these cases — noted at a rally in June 2024 that when Kappa was founded in 1870, "there was no confusion ... about what a woman is," suggesting that the Kappa foundresses would never have even thought that defining the term would ever be necessary.'It's just so disappointing they can't figure out the definition of a woman. I mean, really?'Now, more than 150 years later, a man successfully joined their all-women's organization with the apparent blessing of the Kappa leadership, who issued a nonbinding document in 2022 that stated, "Kappa Kappa Gamma is a single-gender organization comprised of women and individuals who identify as women." And since Judge Johnson dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice, the plaintiffs, though they may still appeal Johnson's ruling at the circuit court, are powerless to file another suit or amended complaint.RELATED: College sorority faces lawsuit after admitting male member: He 'had an erection visible through his leggings' Photo by Jimena Peck for the Washington Post via Getty ImagesLangford, who was not listed among the defendants on this lawsuit, has now moved out of Wyoming on account of the controversy and what Wyoming Public Radio called "new anti-trans laws" in the state. Langford told WPR, which used female pronouns in reference to him:Every day I woke up feeling like, "Oh, why does my mouth taste bad?" And then realizing like, "Oh, my heart is racing, and my mouth tastes like cotton. Oh, I'm having a panic attack." Like I'm waking up with a panic attack. I just had to push, push, push to succeed. And somehow, I managed to get through it.Kappa did not respond to a request for comment from Blaze News. One attorney for the plaintiffs declined to give comment and another did not respond to our request.Former state Rep. Mark Jennings (R-Sheridan) told Blaze News he's not "surprised" by the federal judge's decision. "Wyoming, for as conservative as they are, has packed their courts ... with liberals," he said."It's just so disappointing they can't figure out the definition of a woman. I mean, really?"While Jennings expressed hope that Wyoming would slowly return to "common sense," he noted that state legislators may have to rein in rogue judges within their purview: "I think that if you're going to have judges that are going to pull this kind of nonsense, the power of the purse should not be taken off the table when it comes to the judiciary."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. raised the alarm earlier this year about the meteoric rise of reported autism cases in the United States, underscoring at a press conference, "We are doing this to our children, and we need to put an end to it.""The [autism spectrum disorder] prevalence rate in 8-year-olds is now 1 in 31," said Kennedy, referring to a study that examined children born in 2014. The health secretary noted further that American boys face an "extreme risk" of ending up with autism, stating that they have a 1 in 20 chance of being diagnosed with the condition — or a 1 in 12.5 chance in California.Kennedy promised President Donald Trump during a Cabinet meeting in April that "by September, we will know what has caused the autism epidemic and we'll be able to eliminate those exposures."A study published this month in the peer-reviewed medical journal BMC Environmental Health could prove valuable to the Department of Health and Human Services' campaign to narrow down the possible causes of autism.Researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles' School of Public Health, and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai systematically reviewed 46 "well-designed" studies incorporating data from over 100,000 participants regarding the relationship between neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and prenatal exposure to acetaminophen.'The research team’s findings strengthen the evidence for a connection and raise concerns about current clinical practices.'Acetaminophen, the drug sold under the brand Tylenol in the United States and Canada, is the most common over-the-counter pain and fever medication used during pregnancy and is reportedly used by well over 50% of pregnant women worldwide.The researchers found that 27 of the studies reported "significant links" between acetaminophen exposure in the womb and NDDs and noted that "higher-quality studies were more likely to show positive associations.""Overall, the majority of the studies reported positive associations of prenatal acetaminophen use with ADHD, ASD, or NDDs in offspring, with risk-of-bias and strength-of-evidence ratings informing the overall synthesis," said the study.RELATED: FDA blasts 'politically motivated' criticism over review of SSRI health risks during pregnancy Photo by Jennifer Polixenni Brankin/Getty ImagesWhen specifically evaluating the studies pertaining to Tylenol use and autism in children, the researchers found "strong evidence of a relationship between prenatal acetaminophen use and increased risk of ASD in children."The drug freely crosses the placental barrier, "reaching levels in fetal circulation similar to maternal circulation within less than an hour of maternal ingestion."According to the researchers, the drug:"undergoes oxidative metabolism via the enzyme CYP2E1 — present in fetal brains, placenta, and lungs — to produce toxic metabolites";"affects prostaglandin and endocannabinoid pathways, which are involved in prenatal neuronal development";has been shown in animal models to increase "oxidative stress markers in the fetal brain and is associated with neurodevelopmental deficits"; and"directly perturbs hormone-dependent processes, affects neurodevelopment and reproductive disorders, and might alter steroidogenesis in the placenta and induce placental damage."Dr. Diddier Prada, an assistant professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, said in a release, "Our findings show that higher-quality studies are more likely to show a link between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and increased risks of autism and ADHD.""Given the widespread use of this medication, even a small increase in risk could have major public health implications," added Prada.Mount Sinai noted that while the damning study "does not show that acetaminophen directly causes neurodevelopmental disorders," "the research team’s findings strengthen the evidence for a connection and raise concerns about current clinical practices."RELATED: Jab first, ask questions never: Vaccine truths your doctor won't tell you Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesThe medical community has long raised concern about the possible downsides of acetaminophen consumption during pregnancy.An international coalition of public health experts said in a consensus statement published on Sept. 23, 2021, in the journal Nature Reviews Endocrinology that "increasing experimental and epidemiological research suggests that prenatal exposure to APAP [acetaminophen] might alter fetal development, which could increase the risks of some neurodevelopmental, reproductive, and urogenital disorders."'This work is ongoing, and the department will follow the science wherever it leads.'"Epidemiological studies consistently suggest prenatal APAP exposure might increase the risk of adverse neurodevelopmental and behavioral outcomes, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, language delay (in girls) and decreased intelligence quotient," said the experts. "Collectively, the studies suggest that the timing and duration of maternal APAP use are critical factors."HHS press secretary Emily Hilliard told Blaze News that HHS does not comment on outside studies. Hilliard noted, however, that "under Secretary Kennedy’s leadership, HHS is taking action guided by gold-standard, evidence-based science. This work is ongoing, and the department will follow the science wherever it leads."Tylenol does not appear to be particularly pleased with the study.A company spokesperson for Kenvue, the maker of Tylenol, said in a statement to Blaze News, "Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of the people who use our products. We continue to evaluate the science, and this study does not change our view that there is no causal link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and fetal developmental issues.""To date, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and leading medical organizations agree on the safety of acetaminophen, its use during pregnancy, and the information provided on the label," added the spokesperson.A source close to Tylenol noted further that "it appears the study was designed for litigation and not public health, as two of the authors are experts for the plaintiffs in the acetaminophen litigation."Harvard University's Dr. Andrea Baccarelli, one of the authors on the study, served as an expert witness on matters of general causation involving acetaminophen use during pregnancy in a multi-district litigation class-action lawsuit against Tylenol.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Cracker Barrel has changed its diversity page at least three times this month as it deals with backlash from the redesign.Love for the franchise tanked when customers saw the company had changed its recognizable logo into a shadow of its former self, removing the "old-timer" known as Uncle Herschel sitting on a chair next to a barrel.'Discrimination, overt or through unconscious bias, has no place at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store.'Also gone was the barrel itself, along with the text "Old Country Store," leaving just black "Cracker Barrel" text on a yellow background. The new menus, website, and interior design of Cracker Barrel locations also angered consumers, leaving the company to apologize for the errors.The company does not appear to be returning to the old logo and design, however, and is seemingly digging itself a deeper hole by trying to mask its progressive leanings.In an attempt to invoke old Uncle Herschel without actually showing him, Cracker Barrel has featured "the Herschel Way" on its web page dedicated to "culture and belonging.""Our culture of belonging extends to our guests. The Herschel Way is our standard for hospitality," the company wrote. However, the new text represents at least the third change to the page this month as the company deals with the blowback over the past week.Thanks to internet archives, readers can see what Cracker Barrel's progressive page looked like on August 4, which at that time was labeled "culture and inclusion."The page included mentions of being "inclusive," while stating, "Discrimination, overt or through unconscious bias, has no place at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store."Also featured was a photo labeled "Moving Forward Together," showcasing a diverse cast of people, including a man in a wheelchair.By August 21, the company had updated the page to reflect its new font and style, but it seemingly remained identical otherwise. That was, until the fury of American consumers hit.RELATED: Cracker Barrel ditches Americana as customers call for boycott over iconic brand change Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images August 21 was the same day many outlets — including Blaze News — began covering the backlash from Cracker Barrel customers, and by the next day on August 22, the desperate diversity image was removed.Fast-forward another few days, and Cracker Barrel has remodeled the page to change its wording away from "inclusion" and toward "belonging."This is not the first time the company has eliminated certain words to cover its messaging, though. Back in July 2024, the same page used the heading "Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging" at Cracker Barrel. In fact, the previous link still redirects to the new text, further proving the adjustments were made to the same page.The 2024 page showcased extreme dedication to diversity and race-based initiatives. It celebrated "Diversity in Our Decor," "Diversity in Our Leadership & Development," and even boasted about achievements on the Human Rights Campaign "equality index."According to investigative reporter Robby Starbuck, the company "sponsored HRC events for 10 years" and even "brought an HRC representative to their Tennessee HQ to do a pronoun and transgenderism training."Cracker Barrel told Fox News it "has not participated in the Human Rights Campaign Index or had any affiliation with HRC in several years."RELATED: Cracker Barrel responds with sneaky message after backlash over rebrand There are almost too many initiatives to name from the 2024 page, but the company bragged about "standing against racial injustice," having "zero tolerance" for gay discrimination, and offering a series of gay and race-driven events.What has remained consistent throughout the years, though, has been Cracker Barrel's promotion of programs like "Be Bold," a mission to develop "black leaders," and the "LGBTQ+ Alliance," which has the purpose of "strengthening Cracker Barrel's relationship to the LGBTQ+ community."In addition, HOLA's mission is to "promote Hispanic and Latino culture through hiring, developing, and retaining talent within Cracker Barrel."The Cracker Barrel spokesperson insisted in comments to Fox News that the company's "values haven't changed, and the heart and soul of Cracker Barrel haven't changed.""Cracker Barrel has been a destination for comfort and community for more than half a century, and this fifth evolution of the brand's logo, which works across digital platforms as well as billboards and roadside signs, is a callback to the original and rooted even more in the iconic barrel shape and word mark that started it all back in 1969," Cracker Barrel said.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The U.S. Department of Justice has released the entirety of the Ghislaine Maxwell transcripts, which reveal the conversations had between Pam Bondi’s Deputy Attorney General, Todd Blanche, and Maxwell — who has been convicted of trafficking underage girls to Jeffrey Epstein.“After our outcry, the Department of Justice sat down with Ghislaine Maxwell. Kind of unbelievable that they hadn’t done that before, that no Department of Justice had ever asked Ghislaine Maxwell about Jeffrey Epstein specifically. Mind-blowing, actually,” BlazeTV host Liz Wheeler says on “The Liz Wheeler Show.”And Wheeler believes there are some important takeaways from the transcripts.“First of all, it’s important to understand that Ghislaine Maxwell is not a good person. She’s a criminal, and she’s the worst kind of criminal. She trafficked underage girls to a pedophile, and she’s serving time in prison for it, which she should be,” Wheeler says.But it wasn’t just Maxwell’s answers that has Wheeler questioning whether they’re true.“The more I read of these transcripts, the back-and-forth between Maxwell and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, it didn’t answer my questions,” she continues. “It raised more questions.”“First of all, Ghislaine Maxwell does not think that Jeffrey Epstein killed himself. So, on that, I suppose she agrees with the majority of the American people,” she explains.“I do not believe he died by suicide, no,” Maxwell said in the interview.Blanche went on to ask whether she believes he was murdered by someone on the outside of prison who wanted him dead or a disgruntled prisoner on the inside?“Of course, it’s possible,” she continued. “But I don’t know of any reason why, and I don’t believe in the blackmail or in any of this. I don’t think Epstein had a hit on like that.”Wheeler notes that throughout the transcript, it feels “like he’s leading her to her answers.”“It feels to me like these are not open-ended questions, that these are him planting ideas,” she says.And as Wheeler continues to go through the transcript, she continues to see Blanche planting ideas.“So, what is the takeaway from this conversation? The takeaway from this portion of the conversation is, Todd Blanche is leading Ghislaine Maxwell to the conclusion. I don’t know what Todd Blanche believes. I don’t know Todd Blanche personally,” she says, adding, “but he’s clearly forming the conversation to get her to agree with him, not asking open-ended questions.”Want more from Liz Wheeler?To enjoy more of Liz’s based commentary, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

He is technically adhering to Congress’s rules for the Federal Reserve, regardless of whether his motives are pure.

Karma’s a B-Word (So Is She)! Main Reason the DNC Is BROKE Is Just TOO Hilariously Perfect for Words

Scott Jennings' Reaction to Ranty Dem INSISTING the GOP's Approval Ratings Have 'Cratered' Is PRICELESS

Jeffrey Toobin Whips Out Ridiculous ‘Unprecedented’ Take on Trump and the Dems Who Tried to Jail Him

ARGLE BARGLE RAR! John Bolton Only Makes Himself Look WORSE Lashing Out at Trump in X Temper Tantrum