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CDC Advisory Panel Votes To End Hepatitis B Shot Recommendation For Newborns

CDC Advisory Panel Votes To End Hepatitis B Shot Recommendation For Newborns

The vaccine industrial complex is likely fuming this morning after a federal advisory panel voted to end the long-standing recommendation that all newborns receive a hepatitis B shot at birth. The vote marks a major victory for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” effort to overhaul the childhood vaccine schedule amid questions over the exponential rise in childhood autism.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted 8 to 3 to advise that mothers who test negative for hepatitis B should decide with their doctor “when or if” their newborns receive the vaccine. The guidance for infants born to infected or unknown-status mothers remains unchanged.

ACIP just voted to END the CDC’s recommendation of Hep B shots for all babies at birth.

The vote was 8-3.

ACIP now recommends “individual-based decision-making … for parents deciding when or if to give the HBV vaccine” to infants born to HBsAg-negative mothers.

“Parents and… pic.twitter.com/15P2yOHOSV

— Holden Culotta (@Holden_Culotta) December 5, 2025

More changes to vaccine policy are likely in the coming months as the committee reviews all childhood immunizations. The meeting’s presenters and at least some of the panelists are known for their vaccine skepticism.

Kennedy is viewed as “pro-safety,” not “anti-vaccine,” yet corporate media, heavily influenced by Big Pharma’s advertising dollars, has painted the HHS secretary as an “anti-vaxxer.” That portrayal is far from the truth, as Kennedy recently stated, “I believe vaccines have saved millions of lives and play a critical role in health care.”

Kennedy is also exploring a possible vaccine link to the explosion in autism, noting that the childhood vaccine schedule has expanded from just a few shots to dozens.

How can anyone overlook that the rise in vaccines must clearly be linked to the surge in autism? 🧐

Below is a chart showing the increase in vaccine doses and autism prevalence from 1965 to 2020. ⬇️@ChildrensHD pic.twitter.com/sJWi07WiTt

— “Sudden And Unexpected” (@toobaffled) July 25, 2025

Related:

RFK Jr. Says Officials Exploring Feasibility Of Breaking Up MMR Vaccine

RFK Jr. Calls For Global Ban On Mercury In Vaccines

CDC Says Vaccines May Cause Autism

RFK Jr. Considering Adding Autism Symptoms To Vaccine Injury Program

The hepatitis B vaccine caused so many injuries that ABC News in 1999 released a segment, and Congress held a hearing. Yet ‘trust the science’ experts insisted there was no evidence on the link …

The Hepatitis vaccine caused so many injuries that in 1999, ABC news covered them and Congress held a hearing. There “experts” said there was no evidence of harm and we needed more research.

At ACIP, they used the exact same lines and omitted that hundreds of studies now show… pic.twitter.com/DCSJAYSgXA

— A Midwestern Doctor (@MidwesternDoc) December 4, 2025

Just remember, the loudest voices bashing RFK Jr.’s vaccine overhaul will be the corporate media outlets and lawmakers who receive the most pharma bucks.

Already begun.

This guy is bought out by Big Pharma and he’s sacrificing your newborns for their profits👇🏼 https://t.co/KU5frVKdso

— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) December 5, 2025

Countdown to Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren raging.

Tyler Durden
Sat, 12/06/2025 – 18:05

https://www.zerohedge.com/medical/cdc-advisory-panel-votes-end-hepatitis-b-shot-recommendation-newborns 

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Mohamed Salah pone en duda su futuro en Liverpool y dice que lo han ‘traicionado’

LEEDS, Inglaterra (AP) — Mohamed Salah sembró dudas sobre su futuro en el Liverpool el sábado, al decir que siente que el campeón de la Liga Premier lo ha “culpado injustamente”.

Salah se pronunció después de ser descartado por tercer partido consecutivo y se quedó en el banquillo del empate 3-3 del Liverpool ante Leeds.

“Estoy muy, muy decepcionado, para ser honesto. He hecho mucho por este club a lo largo de los años y especialmente la temporada pasada”, manifestó el internacional egipcio a los medios. “Ahora estoy sentado en el banquillo y no sé por qué. Parece que el club me ha echado debajo del autobús. Así es como me siento. Creo que está muy claro que alguien quería que yo recibiera toda la culpa.”

Salah ha ganado dos títulos de la Liga Premier y la Liga de Campeones durante ocho años llenos de trofeos en Anfield, y firmó una extensión de contrato por dos años en abril, justo antes de recibir su segundo premio al jugador de la temporada de la Premier.

Pero sus comentarios plantean preguntas sobre su futuro después de un comienzo de temporada decepcionante para él y el club, ya que su defensa del título se ha desmoronado con solo dos victorias en sus últimos diez partidos.

El entrenador Arne Slot abordó la decisión de dejar a Salah fuera por tercera vez consecutiva después del empate en Leeds.

“Tenemos que aceptar la situación en la que estamos y tomo mis decisiones basándome en eso”, señaló.

Salah, de 33 años, dice que la relación con Slot se ha roto.

“Recibí muchas promesas en el verano y hasta ahora estoy en el banquillo durante tres partidos, así que no puedo decir que cumplan su promesa”, expresó. “Dije muchas veces antes que tenía una buena relación con el entrenador, y de repente no tenemos ninguna relación.

“No sé por qué, pero me parece, como lo veo, que alguien no me quiere en el club.”

Salah tiene previsto ir a la Copa Africana de Naciones este mes y dijo que no sabía qué sucedería mientras esté fuera.

___

Deportes en español AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/06/mohamed-salah-pone-en-duda-su-futuro-en-liverpool-y-dice-que-lo-han-traicionado/ 

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Trump añade su cumpleaños a los días de entrada gratuita en parques nacionales de EEUU

Por DAVID KLEPPER

WASHINGTON (AP) — El Servicio de Parques Nacionales ofrecerá entrada gratuita a los residentes de Estados Unidos en el cumpleaños del presidente Donald Trump el próximo año, que también coincide con el Día de la Bandera, pero eliminará este beneficio para el Día de Martin Luther King Jr. y el Día de la Emancipación.

La nueva lista de días de entrada gratuita para los estadounidenses es el ejemplo más reciente de cómo el gobierno de Trump minimiza la historia de los derechos civiles de Estados Unidos mientras promueve la imagen, el nombre y el legado del presidente.

El año pasado, la lista de días gratuitos incluía el Día de Martin Luther King Jr. y el Día de la Emancipación —que es el 19 de junio— pero no el 14 de junio, el cumpleaños de Trump.

La nueva política de entrada gratuita entrará en vigor el 1 de enero. Fue uno de los diferentes cambios anunciados por el Servicio de Parques a finales del mes pasado e incluye tarifas de entrada más altas para los visitantes internacionales.

Los otros días de entrada gratuita a los parques en 2026 son el Día de los Presidentes, el Día de los Caídos, el Día de la Independencia, el Día de la Constitución, el Día de los Veteranos, el cumpleaños del presidente Theodore Roosevelt (27 de octubre) y el aniversario de la creación del Servicio de Parques (25 de agosto).

Eliminar el Día de Martin Luther King Jr. y el Día de la Emancipación, que conmemora el día de 1865 cuando los últimos estadounidenses esclavizados fueron emancipados, elimina dos de los días festivos de derechos civiles más prominentes de la nación.

Algunos líderes de derechos civiles expresaron su oposición al cambio cuando la noticia comenzó a difundirse el fin de semana.

“El racismo crudo y descarado apesta hasta el cielo”, escribió en las redes sociales Cornell William Brooks, profesor de la Escuela Kennedy de Harvard y expresidente de la Asociación Nacional para el Progreso de las Personas de Color (NAACP, por sus siglas en inglés), refiriéndose a la nueva política.

Kristen Brengel, portavoz de la Asociación de Conservación de Parques Nacionales, dijo que, aunque las administraciones presidenciales han ajustado los días gratuitos en el pasado, la eliminación del Día de Martin Luther King Jr. es particularmente preocupante. Por un lado, el día se ha convertido en una fecha popular de servicio para grupos comunitarios que utilizan el acceso gratuito para realizar proyectos de voluntariado en los parques.

Eso ahora será mucho más costoso, dijo Brengel, cuya organización es una entidad sin fines de lucro que aboga por el sistema de parques.

“No solo reconoce a un héroe estadounidense, sino que también es un día en el que la gente va a los parques a limpiarlos”, dijo Brengel. “Martin Luther King Jr. merece un día de reconocimiento… Por alguna razón, la historia negra ha sido repetidamente atacada por esta administración, y no debería ser así”.

Algunos legisladores demócratas también intervinieron para objetar la nueva política.

“El presidente no solo agregó su propio cumpleaños a la lista, sino que eliminó dos días festivos que marcan la lucha de los estadounidenses negros por los derechos civiles y la libertad”, dijo la senadora demócrata de Nevada Catherine Cortez Masto. “Nuestro país merece algo mejor”.

Hasta el sábado, un portavoz del Servicio de Parques Nacionales no había respondido a las preguntas en busca de información sobre las razones de los cambios.

Desde que asumió el cargo, Trump ha buscado eliminar programas considerados como promotores de la diversidad en todo el gobierno federal, acciones que han borrado o minimizado la historia de racismo de Estados Unidos, así como las victorias de derechos civiles de los estadounidenses negros.

La autopromoción es un viejo hábito del presidente que ha mantenido en su segundo mandato. Se postuló sin éxito para el Premio Nobel de la Paz, renombró el Instituto de Paz de Estados Unidos en su honor, intentó poner su nombre en el estadio planeado de la NFL en la capital del país y dio su nombre a un nuevo programa de ahorro para niños.

Algunos legisladores republicanos han sugerido poner su imagen en el Monte Rushmore y en el billete de 100 dólares.

___

Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/06/trump-aade-su-cumpleaos-a-los-das-de-entrada-gratuita-en-parques-nacionales-de-eeuu/ 

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21 States Are At Risk Of Losing SNAP Funding Amid Fraud Investigation

21 States Are At Risk Of Losing SNAP Funding Amid Fraud Investigation

Authored by Savannah Hulsey Pointer via The Epoch Times,

The federal government said it would withhold Supplemental Nutrition Aid Program (SNAP) funds for states that do not report user data. 

The news came from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins earlier this week, following months of requests and investigations into instances of fraud within the program. 

Here’s what to know about the change to the nutrition program.

The Announcement 

Rollins made the announcement on Dec. 2 during a White House cabinet meeting, saying that states that have not complied with the federal request have only a few days to fix the issue.

The USDA secretary said the administration “has begun and will begin to stop moving federal funds into those states” next week ”until they comply.“

According to Rollins, 29 Republican-leaning states have already provided SNAP data to her department. However, 21 ”blue states continue to say no” to the federal request. 

The federal response to the lack of cooperation comes months after an early May request by the administering department, calling on states to hand over data detailing how and to whom the taxpayer funds are distributed.

The USDA noted that the intent behind the request was to ensure that no fraud or abuse existed in the program, frequently referenced as food stamps. 

“President Trump is rightfully requiring the federal government to have access to all programs it funds,” said Rollins, “and SNAP is no exception. For years, this program has been on autopilot, with no USDA insight into real-time data. The Department is focused on appropriate and lawful participation in SNAP, and today’s request is one of many steps to ensure SNAP is preserved for only those eligible.”

Of the 28 states that have sent the data, all except for North Carolina have Republican governors.

Billions at Stake 

SNAP costs federal taxpayers around $100 billion per year, $94 billion of which goes to actual food benefits, and the rest is spent on administrative costs.

Administrative costs are currently shared by federal and state governments, with states covering roughly half of SNAP’s administrative expenses. That share is set to shrink soon, as the federal government plans to reduce the state contribution to 25 percent.

How much each state receives varies, as does the portion of the fund that goes to administrative costs. The state of California alone received more than $1.2 billion for SNAP administration fees, which was around 10 percent of it’s total SNAP funding allocation. 

Florida received $84 million for administration alone, which was just over 1 percent of it’s total SNAP funding. However, Wyoming received less than $9 million for administration fees, which was 12 percent of its SNAP dollars received. 

This means that in addition to the loss of nutrition support funding, billions that go to state administration fees will be lost for those states that refuse transparency requests from the Trump administration. 

The administration will likely face legal hiccups, as the attorneys general from 21 states have already been the subject of a lawsuit over concerns that the states allegedly illegally blocked the authorized food aid to certain legal immigrants.

Current Fraud 

Since the beginning of the USDA information gathering in May, there have been more than 120 individuals arrested for food stamp fraud, according to the agency’s report last month.

The USDA worked with the Office of the Inspector General, which has resulted in 63 convictions and fines and fees exceeding $16.5 million.

This is due to data from 29 states alone, which found that more than 180,000 deceased individuals were receiving food stamps, and another 500,000 people were getting twice as much as they should have been.

“We believe there’s even more fraud and abuse,” Rollins said following news of the fraud discovery.

She later added that “we have to make sure for those who really need this benefit that we are able to make sure that it’s going to the right people,” and promised “structural changes” to the program. 

The audit has led to the removal of 700,000 individuals from the SNAP program already.

According to research from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, overpayment rates climbed from 2 percent in 2012 to more than 10 percent in 2023.

“The levels of waste, fraud, and abuse in federal programs have never been higher,” the report reads. “Although these types of avoidable inefficiencies have always been too high, they have recently surged with the unusual degree of federal spending brought on by the global pandemic.”

That upward trend appears to have continued, as a June 2024 report from the USDA found that almost 12 percent, or around $10.5 billion, of SNAP payments were found to be improper.

During a recent interview with Fox News, Rollins mentioned one individual who was found to be receiving benefits in six different states. 

“It is time to drastically reform this program, so that we can make sure those who are truly needy, truly vulnerable, are getting what they need, and the rest of the corruption goes away, and we can serve the American taxpayer,” she said.

What SNAP Does

On average,  SNAP recipients receive around $177 a month in benefits that are delivered on an electronic card. About 42 million Americans spend that money on food items in participating stores.

President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed this summer,  imposed new requirements for SNAP eligibility, including removing the eligibility for certain groups of immigrants.

In November, Rollins announced that app recipients of the program would need to meet reapplication requirements in efforts to “clean up” the food assistance program.

SNAP’s purpose is to raise the nutritional intake of low-income individuals by increasing their ability to purchase healthy food. Participants in the SNAP program have been found to have improved health outcomes, including reduced food insecurity and lower risk of heart disease and obesity.

“We really want to make sure those who are receiving this supplemental nutrition benefit—it was never meant for the long term—are really those who need it,” Rollins said in a recent interview.

“Whatever that reapplication looks like again, we’re working on that right now, but it won’t be too onerous. And for the families that really need it, we’ll make sure that they’re going to get it.”

Tyler Durden
Sat, 12/06/2025 – 17:30

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/21-states-are-risk-losing-snap-funding-amid-fraud-investigation 

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San Diego evalúa acuerdo de $30 millones por muerte de adolescente negro en tiroteo policial

Por The Associated Press

SAN DIEGO (AP) — La fiscalía de la ciudad de San Diego acordó pagar 30 millones de dólares a la familia de un joven de 16 años que murió por disparos de la policía en enero pasado, en lo que sería uno de los acuerdos más grandes en un caso de muerte relacionada con la policía en la historia de Estados Unidos.

Una resolución que autoriza el acuerdo propuesto con la familia de Konoa Wilson se añadió a la agenda del consejo de la ciudad para la mañana del martes.

“Lo que le sucedió a Konoa fue un fracaso catastrófico de la policía”, dijo el abogado de la familia, Nick Rowley, en un comunicado enviado el sábado por correo electrónico a The Associated Press. “Un joven de 16 años corría por su vida. No era una amenaza ni un sospechoso, sin embargo, fue tiroteado por la espalda por un policía que solo lo vio por un segundo antes de decidir apretar el gatillo”.

Si se aprueba, el acuerdo superaría los 27 millones de dólares que la ciudad de Minneapolis acordó pagar a la familia de George Floyd, cuyo asesinato en mayo de 2020 por un policía que se arrodilló sobre su cuello provocó un ajuste de cuentas racial a escala nacional.

Las imágenes de vigilancia y de cámaras corporales del 28 de enero mostraron a Wilson huyendo de alguien que sacó un arma y le disparó en una estación de tren del centro. Al salir de la estación, Wilson se encontró con el policía de San Diego, Daniel Gold.

En una demanda contra la ciudad y Gold, la familia alegó que el agente “instantáneamente, sin ninguna advertencia”, disparó dos tiros a Wilson mientras corría, alcanzándolo en la parte superior del cuerpo. En la demanda se identificó a la víctima como afroestadounidense.

“Solo después de disparar al FALLECIDO y verlo caer al suelo, el acusado GOLD finalmente anunció ‘Policía de San Diego’”, se indica en la demanda, que fue presentada en junio. “Los acusados cometieron actos de violencia racial contra el FALLECIDO, un adolescente, al dispararle en la espalda mientras corría junto al acusado GOLD, en un intento de llegar a un lugar seguro”.

Wilson fue declarado muerto en el Centro Médico de Salud de la Universidad de California en San Diego menos de una hora después.

En un punto de la agenda publicado el viernes se indica que el acuerdo se pagaría del Fondo de Responsabilidad Pública.

El teniente Chris Tivanian, portavoz del Departamento de Policía de San Diego, dijo a The New York Times que Gold permanecía en una asignación administrativa a la espera de los resultados de una revisión del caso por parte de la fiscalía.

“Era un novato y disparó antes de anunciar quién era. No creo que sea un mal hombre, pero hizo algo muy, muy malo e imprudente”, comentó Rowley sobre Gold durante una llamada de Zoom con reporteros.

___

Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/06/san-diego-evala-acuerdo-de-30-millones-por-muerte-de-adolescente-negro-en-tiroteo-policial/ 

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Al menos 2 muertos y 7 heridos en ataque con explosivos en Michoacán, al oeste de México

Por MARÍA VERZA

CIUDAD DE MÉXICO (AP) — Al menos dos personas murieron y otras 7 resultaron heridas en un ataque con explosivos ocurrido el sábado frente a la policía comunitaria de una localidad costera del estado de Michoacán, en el occidente de México, informó el gabinete de Seguridad federal en su cuenta de X. El incidente se registró en donde el gobierno acaba de lanzar un gran operativo de seguridad debido a la violencia de los cárteles.

Hector Zepeda, comandante de la policía comunitaria de Coahuayana, indicó a The Associated Press que los fallecidos eran dos de sus agentes. Varios más se encuentran heridos graves, por lo que no descartó que la cifra aumente. Agregó que entre los lesionados también hay civiles y que la explosión fue tan fuerte que había cuerpos a gran distancia del lugar.

Coahuayana es una localidad en la frontera de Michoacán con Colima, donde el cártel de Jalisco tiene una fuerte presencia. La policía comunitaria se formó hace más de una década durante el movimiento de las autodefensas civiles que se alzaron en armas contra los cárteles y luego fue certificada por el gobierno del estado.

El suceso tuvo lugar mientras el gobernador del estado, Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla, participaba en un acto público con la presidenta Claudia Sheinbaum en Ciudad de México para celebrar los siete años de gobiernos del partido oficialista Morena, “años de transformación que han hecho de este un mejor país”, dijo el gobernador en X.

El ataque ocurre también a semanas de que el gobierno federal reforzara la presencia militar en el estado, con más de 2.000 tropas que se sumaron a las 4.300 previas y las 4.000 desplegadas en los estados vecinos.

“Con ese operativo llegó mucha Marina pero… no andan caminando por los cerros”, dijo Zepeda. El comandante agregó que debido a ese despliegue federal ellos dejaron de hacer ciertos patrullajes.

Al menos tres de los seis cárteles mexicanos declarados terroristas por Estados Unidos —CJNG, La Nueva Familia Michoacana y Cárteles Unidos— operan en Michoacán junto a numerosas mafias locales, algunas de ellas apoyadas por el Cártel de Sinaloa.

Desde hace dos décadas distintos grupos del crimen organizado luchan por el control del territorio porque Michoacán es puerta de entrada de precursores químicos que son utilizados para la fabricación de drogas sintéticas y también es una zona rica en la producción de aguacate y limón, dos de los muchos sectores actualmente controlados por las extorsiones de los criminales que asfixian la economía del estado.

El gobierno estatal, en un mensaje también en X, indicó que el suceso fue provocado por “un artefacto explosivo accionado” pero no ofreció más detalles. En redes sociales se divulgaron imágenes en las que se ve una camioneta totalmente calcinada.

El uso de explosivos lanzados desde drones, enterrados como minas o escondidos en caminos es una técnica cada vez más utilizada por todos los grupos criminales y Michoacán es uno de los lugares donde comenzaron a usarse desde inicios de esta década.

De los 160 explosivos decomisados en 2022 se pasó a más de 3.000 el año pasado y más de 2.000 en lo que va de 2025, según datos de la Secretaría de Seguridad estatal.

La explosión provocó un fuerte despliegue de Guardia Nacional, Ejército, Marina y la policía estatal para proteger a la población y detener a los responsables. La fiscalía de Michoacán inició las investigaciones para determinar la causa de la explosión.

En los últimos 20 años, todas las estrategias para pacificar Michoacán han fracasado y el reciente asesinato de dos prominentes figuras que denunciaron al crimen organizado y las autoridades corruptas —un popular alcalde y un líder limonero — evidenció el control que los cárteles tenían en estado.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/06/al-menos-2-muertos-y-7-heridos-en-ataque-con-explosivos-en-michoacn-al-oeste-de-mxico/ 

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Pete Hegseth defends strikes on alleged cartel boats, says Donald Trump can order use of force ‘as he sees fit’

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended strikes on alleged drug cartel boats during remarks Saturday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, saying President Donald Trump has the power to take military action “as he sees fit” to defend the nation.

Hegseth dismissed criticism of the strikes, which have killed more than 80 people and now face intense scrutiny over concerns that they violated international law. Saying the strikes are justified to protect Americans, Hegseth likened the fight to the war on terror following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

“If you’re working for a designated terrorist organization and you bring drugs to this country in a boat, we will find you and we will sink you. Let there be no doubt about it,” Hegseth said during his keynote address at the Reagan National Defense Forum. “President Trump can and will take decisive military action as he sees fit to defend our nation’s interests. Let no country on earth doubt that for a moment.”

The most recent strike brings the death toll of the campaign to at least 87 people. Lawmakers have sought more answers about the attacks and their legal justification, and whether U.S. forces were ordered to launch a follow-up strike following a September attack even after the Pentagon knew of survivors.

Though Hegseth compared the alleged drug smugglers to Al-Qaida terrorists, experts have noted significant differences between the two foes and the efforts to combat them.

During his remarks, Hegseth also discussed the need to check China’s rise through strength instead of conflict. He repeated Trump’s vow to resume nuclear testing on an equal basis as China and Russia — a goal that has perplexed many nuclear arms experts.

The speech was delivered at the Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute in California, an event which brings together top national security experts from around the country. Hegseth used the visit to argue that Trump is Reagan’s “true and rightful heir” when it comes to muscular foreign policy.

By contrast, Hegseth criticized Republican leaders in the years since Reagan for supporting wars in the Middle East and democracy-building efforts that didn’t work. He also blasted those who have argued that climate change poses serious challenges to military readiness.

“The war department will not be distracted by democracy building, interventionism, undefined wars, regime change, climate change, woke moralizing and feckless nation building,” he said.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/06/hegseth-defends-strikes-alleged-cartel-boats/ 

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With plans off the back burner, Porter County hosts Willowcreek Road extension workshop Tuesday

Porter County will pull the Willowcreek Road extension project off the back burner with a public workshop Tuesday afternoon aimed at filling the community in on the latest plans while seeking input in a very informal setting.

“People are here to listen and talk and engage with you one on one,” said Porter County Development and Storm Water Management Executive Director Mike Jabo, adding the workshop will not include a public comment portion.

“We’re only talking about Phase I here,” clarified Porter County Board of Commissioners President Jim Biggs, R-North, referring to the portion of the proposed extension from County Road 700 N to Ind. 130. “It’s probably been two years since we have met as a group in a public meeting.”

The open house style workshop will cover land use planning for the proposed corridor and the public is invited to share their concerns, ideas, and priorities with county staff and consultants. Staff will also share analysis findings and mappings, as well as zoning regulations and overlay information.

Jabo explained the Willowcreek Road extension project involves two simultaneous processes. Tuesday’s workshop will be about the land use a half mile on either side of the road. The development of the physical road alignment, which involves federal highway monies through the Indiana Department of Transportation, is still in the process of studying environmental impacts. It’s expected to wrap up by the end of the first quarter or early second quarter next year and will include a public hearing at that time.

The only part of the Willowcreek Road extension under design right now is Phase I. Phase II would include the overpass of 130 and the parallel Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern and Norfolk Southern Railroads. “We don’t have any preconceived notions,” Jabo said. “We just want to hear from the public what their visions are for the development of this corridor.”

The county is also in the midst of updating its comprehensive plan, which hasn’t been done since 2001. In the future, it will ideally be updated every five years, Jabo said. That update should be completed at the same time as the physical road alignment of the Willowcreek extension.

“Mike believes, as I do, that there has been hundreds and hundreds of hours poured into this project, as well as hundreds of thousands, if not $1 million,” Biggs said, referring to Jabo, who inherited the project when he took on the job nearly two years ago. “For those reasons alone is why the project must move forward.”

Wheeler resident Liz Bennett suspected that in-too-deep-to-back-out-now argument. She and her husband have passed out informational flyers and started the Facebook group No Willowcreek Extension.

Andy Lavalley / Post-Tribune

Wheeler resident Liz Bennett speaks during a public meeting about the Willowcreek Road Extension at the Porter County Expo Center in Valparaiso, Indiana, Monday, January 30, 2023. County officials are holding a workshop about the road extension Tuesday. (Andy Lavalley/ for the Post-Tribune)

She said her group was last at a county meeting in March 2023 when former Development & Storm Water Management Director Bob Thompson “promised us we could do an overlay.” Bennett said Thompson’s successor Jabo has been receptive as well.

“As I understand it, that’s what this particular meeting is about,” she said. “We have an opportunity to help them write something down that makes us a little happier.”

Her group’s main concerns are the belief that the planned location doesn’t make sense, and what would go on either side of any extension. “It absolutely threatens our way of life,” Bennett said. “We want to be Porter County. We want to be quiet. We want to be residential.”

While he does think the growing population necessitates the ability to handle greater traffic, Porter County Council President Andy Vasquez, R-4th, is sympathetic to that ethos. “They had better think long and hard what they’re going to do commercially” before the extension is completed on its proposed ultimate path south to U.S. 30. “Forgive me, St. John. They went from zero to 60 mph as far as commercial development.

“You created sprawl,” he added. “We need to preserve the flavor of Porter County as long as we can.”

As far as the council’s perspective on the proposed extension, Vasquez said, “We really haven’t talked much at this point. We were more concerned about SB 1,” or Senate Bill 1, which cut state funding to municipalities.

He’s sympathetic to the Hardesty family, whose family farm, established in 1853, would be bisected by the proposed extension.

“Being a farmer, I understand, somebody’s going to take my land. I won’t be happy,” Vasquez, himself an organic farmer in Porter County, said. “Unfortunately, with progress comes disruption to the way of life we’ve known.”

Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune

Hardesty Farms operations manager Andy Hardesty feeds an apple to a cow on the pasture at the farm on Tuesday, July 19, 2022. He plans to be at a Tuesday workshop about the Willowcreek Road extension, which would bisect his family’s farm. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune)

Andrew Hardesty, whose family home sits at the corner of County Roads 350 N and 650 W, plans to be at the workshop. “I just think they need to do some more research as to a better option, a better route,” he said. “There are major environmental constraints due to the amount of water that flows through the area. All the roads south of 130 are curvy and they are curvy for a reason. The route basically goes through the lowest point in the township . . . where all the water in the area flows to.”

“It does bother me that it’s bothering some residents,” Biggs said. “There are a hundred things I would rather spend this money on if it wasn’t necessary. These bean fields and these corn fields throughout the county eventually get sold to developers. It’s just the natural evolution of things.”

Indeed, Bennett said it was one of her neighbors who was willing to sell to make way for data centers in Union Township. “I’m praying that people will pay attention and at least come out and we’ll have good conversations with public officials,” she said.

Shelley Jones is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.

If you go

The Willowcreek Road Extension Project Workshop will be held in an open house format from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, in the Commissioners Chambers of the Porter County Administration Building, 155 Indiana Ave.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/06/porter-county-hosts-willowcreek-road-extension-open-house/ 

Posted in News

Messi e Inter Miami ganan la final de la MLS al vencer 3-1 a los Whitecaps

Por TIM REYNOLDS

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida, EE.UU. (AP) — El legado de Lionel Messi ya estaba asegurado cuando llegó al Inter Miami y se unió a la Major League Soccer. Había ganado una Copa del Mundo, decenas de trofeos en Europa y era generalmente uno de los mejores jugadores en la historia del deporte.

No necesitaba conquistar la final de la MLS

Pero quería una, y la consiguió.

Messi y el Inter Miami han completado su ascenso, venciendo el sábado3-1 a los Vancouver Whitecaps en la final de la MLS para el primer campeonato de la franquicia. Esto ocurrió dos años y medio después de que la leyenda llegara a Florida, un movimiento que sorprendió a muchos observadores en ese momento.

El argentino asistió en el gol que les dio el título al enviarle el balón a Rodrigo de Paul a los 72 minutos. Messi robó el balón y pasó a través de un pequeño hueco en una pared de defensores de Vancouver. De Paul recibió el balón en carrera y lo empujó a la portería antes de que Messi saltara al aire para abrazarlo unos segundos después, todo sonrisas.

Y mientras los minutos finales se agotaban, los fanáticos del Inter Miami vestidos de rosa, y con la mayoría con el número diez de Messi en la espalda, se pusieron de pie para vitorear a su equipo. Miami tiene títulos de la NFL, la NBA, la MLB y la NHL en el pasado, ahora también es una ciudad de fútbol. Messi lo hizo posible.

Tadeo Allende anotó en el sexto minuto del tiempo de descuento, por supuesto, con otra asistencia de Messi, para sentenciar el resultado.

El Inter Miami se convirtió en la 16ma franquicia en los 30 años de historia de la Liga que gana el título de la MLS. Y esto extiende una racha de paridad para la MLS, que ha visto a cinco franquicias diferentes ganar campeonatos en los últimos cinco años y ocho reclamar un título en las últimas nueve temporadas; solo Columbus ha ganado dos veces en ese lapso.

___

Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/06/messi-e-inter-miami-ganan-la-final-de-la-mls-al-vencer-3-1-a-los-whitecaps/ 

Posted in News

National Park Service eliminates free admission on MLK Day, Juneteenth while adding Trump’s birthday

WASHINGTON — The National Park Service will offer free admission to U.S. residents on President Donald Trump’s birthday next year — which also happens to be Flag Day — but is eliminating the benefit for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth.

The new list of free admission days for Americans is the latest example of the Trump administration downplaying America’s civil rights history while also promoting the president’s image, name and legacy.

Last year, the list of free days included Martin Luther King Jr Day and Juneteenth — which is June 19 — but not June 14, Trump’s birthday.

The new free-admission policy takes effect Jan. 1 and was one of several changes announced by the Park Service late last month, including higher admission fees for international visitors.

The other days of free park admission in 2026 are Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Constitution Day, Veterans Day, President Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday (Oct. 27) and the anniversary of the creation of the Park Service (Aug. 25).

Eliminating Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, which commemorates the day in 1865 when the last enslaved Americans were emancipated, removes two of the nation’s most prominent civil rights holidays.

Some civil rights leaders voiced opposition to the change after news about it began spreading over the weekend.

“The raw & rank racism here stinks to high heaven,” Harvard Kennedy School professor Cornell William Brooks, a former president of the NAACP, wrote on social media about the new policy.

Kristen Brengel, a spokesperson for the National Parks Conservation Association, said that while presidential administrations have tweaked the free days in the past, the elimination of Martin Luther King Jr. Day is particularly concerning. For one, the day has become a popular day of service for community groups that use the free day to perform volunteer projects at parks.

That will now be much more expensive, said Brengel, whose organization is a nonprofit that advocates for the park system.

“Not only does it recognize an American hero, it’s also a day when people go into parks to clean them up,” Brengel said. “Martin Luther King Jr. deserves a day of recognition … For some reason, Black history has repeatedly been targeted by this administration, and it shouldn’t be.”

Some Democratic lawmakers also weighed in to object to the new policy.

“The President didn’t just add his own birthday to the list, he removed both of these holidays that mark Black Americans’ struggle for civil rights and freedom,” said Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada. “Our country deserves better.”

A spokesperson for the National Park Service did not immediately respond to questions on Saturday seeking information about the reasons behind the changes.

Since taking office, Trump has sought to eliminate programs seen as promoting diversity across the federal government, actions that have erased or downplayed America’s history of racism as well as the civil rights victories of Black Americans.

Self-promotion is an old habit of the president’s and one he has continued in his second term. He unsuccessfully put himself forward for the Nobel Peace Prize, renamed the U.S. Institute of Peace after himself, sought to put his name on the planned NFL stadium in the nation’s capital and had a new children’s savings program named after him.

Some Republican lawmakers have suggested putting his visage on Mount Rushmore and the $100 bill.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/06/national-park-service-free-admission/