Indiana House Passes Redistricting Bill as GOP Though Outcome Uncertain In Senate

The Indiana House has passed a bill to redraw the state’s congressional districts, sending the proposal to the Senate, where it has encountered stronger resistance. The bill passed 57-41. Twelve Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the measure, WTHR reported.

Two representatives were excused from voting. Among the Republicans who voted no were two members of House leadership, including State Rep. Greg Steuerwald of District 40, who helped draw the maps approved in 2021. Only two Republicans spoke in favor of the bill during Friday’s session.

The bill’s author, State Rep. Ben Smaltz of District 52, said nothing in state law prevents lawmakers from redrawing districts whenever they decide it is appropriate, as long as constitutional requirements are met.

House Speaker Todd Huston of District 37 also urged support. He called the issue difficult and argued that Indiana is not operating outside the national trend.

“Nationally, we don’t operate in a vacuum, and states are doing this all across the country – red and blue states – and we felt like it was important for us to be a part of that and make sure we used every tool we could to support a strong Republican majority,” Huston said.

“The fact of the matter is, states all across the country have or continue to do this,” he said. “I’ve heard we can stop it here. I don’t think anybody believes that. I don’t think what we do here will stop other states from doing it. I think it’s the place where we are right now. This is our time to act.”

The bill now moves to the Indiana Senate, where President Pro Tem Rod Bray of Martinsville has repeatedly said there are not enough votes to approve redistricting.

Several Senate Republicans have already stated their opposition to the effort, which was initiated by President Donald Trump as part of his push to maintain control of the U.S. House after the 2026 midterm elections.

Democrats spent more than three hours arguing that the proposed map divides communities of interest and weakens the voting strength of Black and brown residents, particularly in Marion County.

House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta of District 80 questioned the precedent of changing maps mid-cycle.

“What happens if elections don’t go the way people want in ’26? Are we going to come back in ’27 and start moving precincts around, move one county here and there? Or what’s going to happen?” GiaQuinta said.

“Unfortunately, now we’ve set the stage to do this, unfortunately, more often than when it should be done, which is once every 10 years.”

State Rep. Vernon Smith of District 14 told lawmakers that passing the bill would energize Democrats in future elections.

“We won’t be discouraged. We will be driven to victory. We won’t just lick our wounds. We’ll put on our armor for war,” Smith said.

“You asked for it. We’re going to give it to you.”

After the vote, Senate Minority Leader Shelli Yoder of Bloomington said the bill “tears apart communities, strips voters of representation they voted for and hands control to national figures who are more interested in cementing absolute power rather than solving any problems.”

“Hoosiers should pick their leaders. Politicians should not redraw the map to pick the voters. Hoosiers don’t cheat and this bill does,” Yoder said.

The vote came shortly after Gov. Mike Braun spoke outside the House chamber at a pro-redistricting rally and acknowledged the resistance in the Senate but said “we will get redistricting done.”

Braun praised Huston and House Republicans for what he called “the courage to protect Hoosier voters.”

The proposed map now sits with the Senate, which will take it up next week. The governor urged senators to move quickly. He said that even if the map is not adopted, “the discussion isn’t over.”

During Braun’s remarks, anti-redistricting protesters demonstrated from the upper floors of the rotunda and encouraged Republican lawmakers to vote no.

Trump Declares Biden’s Autopen Orders, Documents Null and Void

President Donald Trump announced that any document former President Joe Biden signed using the autopen has been “hereby terminated.” The Trump administration has repeatedly criticized the previous administration’s reliance on the device, which applies a signature to documents without the president physically signing them.

Critics of the former president argued that documents were signed without Biden’s knowledge, fueling claims that his cognitive ability declined during his time in the White House, Mediaite reported.

Biden has rejected those allegations and said he was personally responsible for every pardon issued in the final days of his presidency.

“Any document signed by Sleepy Joe Biden with the Autopen, which was approximately 92% of them, is hereby terminated, and of no further force or effect,” Trump wrote.

“The Autopen is not allowed to be used if approval is not specifically given by the President of the United States. The Radical Left Lunatics circling Biden around the beautiful Resolute Desk in the Oval Office took the Presidency away from him. I am hereby cancelling all Executive Orders, and anything else that was not directly signed by Crooked Joe Biden, because the people who operated the Autopen did so illegally. Joe Biden was not involved in the Autopen process and, if he says he was, he will be brought up on charges of perjury.”

Presidents are believed to have used versions of the autopen for more than 200 years, dating back to Thomas Jefferson, who obtained one after it was patented in 1803, according to the Shapell Manuscript Foundation.

Gerald Ford, Lyndon B. Johnson, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama are all known to have used the device.

Obama became the first president to use an autopen to sign legislation in 2011.

In 2005, during the Bush administration, the Justice Department concluded the autopen is legal.

“A person may sign a document by directing that his signature be affixed to it by another,” a DOJ memo said. Legal scholars have also noted that the Constitution does not require presidents to personally sign pardons.

Trump made similar allegations about Biden’s autopen use in June, at which time he called for an investigation.

On Oct. 28, the Republican led House Oversight Committee recommended the Justice Department investigate the issue.

The White House responded to questions about how Biden’s orders could be “terminated” by referring back to Trump’s Truth Social post.

Trump told reporters in March that he has used the autopen “only for very unimportant papers.”

“You know, we get thousands and thousands of letters, letters of support for young people, from people that aren’t feeling well, etcetera,” Trump said.

“But to sign pardons and all of the things that he signed with an autopen is disgraceful.”

In a July interview with The New York Times, Biden said Republicans are “liars” for claiming he was unaware of his own White House actions that were signed using the autopen.

“I made every decision,” Biden said.

President Trump announced Thursday that he plans to temporarily halt immigration from third-world countries following the shooting of two National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. In a post on Truth Social, the president said the nation has advanced technologically but “Immigration Policy has eroded those gains and living conditions for many,” RedState reported.

He wrote that he will “permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover, terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions, including those signed by Sleepy Joe Biden’s Autopen, and remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States, or is incapable of loving our Country, end all Federal benefits and subsidies to noncitizens of our Country, denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility, and deport any Foreign National who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization.”

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — In recent months, Minnesota has found itself at the center of the largest COVID-era fraud case in the United States, a scandal that has swept up dozens of individuals, implicated nonprofit organizations, and cast a long shadow over the state’s political leadership. As the scope of the fraud continues to widen, questions are being raised not just about those who perpetrated the crimes, but also about the officials and systems that allowed it to happen — with Representative Ilhan Omar, a prominent voice in Minnesota politics, now facing mounting criticism for her response.

A Fraud of Unprecedented Scale

The roots of the scandal trace back to the pandemic, when emergency federal funds were disbursed to support child nutrition programs as millions of American families struggled with food insecurity. In Minnesota, the nonprofit “Feeding Our Future” became the epicenter of what prosecutors now call the largest COVID-related food fraud in the nation.

Over the past three years, federal investigators have charged at least 78 people in connection with the scheme, alleging that they created shell companies, fabricated meal programs, and submitted fake invoices and attendance rosters. The government, relying on these fraudulent records, reimbursed the organizations for meals that were never served. The estimated losses run into the hundreds of millions, with some reports suggesting that as much as $500 million may have been siphoned from taxpayer-funded nutrition programs.

According to court documents and investigative reports, the fraud was not the work of a few rogue actors. Instead, authorities describe a coordinated network of individuals and businesses, many of whom had prior histories of financial misconduct. In one example, Usuzman Kamar, previously banned from the SNAP food assistance program for suspected fraud, was able to re-enter the system through a different program, enrolling his store KS Grocery in the child nutrition scheme overseen by Feeding Our Future. Despite red flags and a history of disqualification, he was approved by state authorities and ultimately received over $1 million in reimbursements for meals he claimed to serve — a number that investigators say was wildly inflated.

The Safari Restaurant in downtown Minneapolis, another focal point of the investigation, allegedly claimed to serve over 18,000 meals per day despite seating only 35 people. Its owner is currently in federal custody, and the restaurant has become a symbol of the scandal’s audacity and the apparent failure of oversight.

Allegations of Money Laundering and Terrorism Links

As the investigation has deepened, federal sources have suggested that some of the stolen funds were laundered through shell companies and sent overseas, including to Somalia. There are unconfirmed reports that a portion of the money may have ended up in the hands of al-Shabaab, a Somali-based terrorist group with links to al-Qaeda. While no direct evidence has been publicly presented tying the fraud’s proceeds to terrorist financing, the possibility has fueled political controversy and national headlines.

President Trump, seizing on the scandal, has called for an end to deportation protections for Somali nationals in Minnesota and labeled the state a “hub for Somali gang networks,” though he has not provided evidence for these sweeping claims. The rhetoric has further inflamed tensions in the state, which is home to the largest Somali immigrant community in the United States.

Political Fallout and Omar’s Response

Amidst the arrests and indictments, Representative Ilhan Omar — the nation’s first Somali-American member of Congress and a high-profile progressive — has come under fire from critics who accuse her of failing to condemn the fraud forcefully. Instead, they argue, Omar has focused her attention on those exposing the scandal and has characterized the response as an attack on the Somali community.

In public remarks, Omar has emphasized that the wrongdoing of individuals should not be used to demonize an entire community. “In this country, we do not blame the lawlessness of an individual on a whole community,” she told supporters, drawing applause. “If a person commits a crime, they face justice. You don’t put that crime on a whole community.”

Omar has also pushed back against allegations that Somali politicians or community leaders were complicit in the fraud, and has warned that inflammatory language — particularly suggestions that money was funneled to terrorist groups — puts innocent lives at risk. “There is not a single piece of evidence that taxpayer resources from Minnesota have gone to aid and abet terrorism,” she said, calling such accusations “dangerous.”

She further argued that “Somalis are not terrorizing this nation. We are helping it thrive,” pointing to the many Somali-Americans who serve as teachers, nurses, engineers, public servants, and members of the U.S. military.

Critics Demand Accountability

Despite Omar’s defense of her community, critics — including conservative commentators and Republican lawmakers — argue that her response has been inadequate. They contend that the scale of the fraud, which has now led to more than 85 indictments (the majority of Somali descent), cannot be dismissed as the work of a few bad actors. Instead, they say, it points to systemic failures in oversight, a culture of permissiveness within state agencies, and a reluctance among some leaders to confront uncomfortable truths.

“This isn’t just about a handful of people breaking the rules,” said David Gaither, a former Minnesota state senator. “This took coordination. This took a network. And it happened right under the noses of those in charge.”

Investigative reporters have highlighted how many of those accused were able to exploit weaknesses in the system, sometimes with the tacit approval or negligence of state agencies. In some cases, individuals previously barred from federal programs for fraud were able to re-enter through different channels and continue collecting taxpayer funds.

State Leadership Under Fire

The scandal has also put Governor Tim Walz and other Democratic leaders in the hot seat. On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Walz was questioned about the failure to stop the fraud, which reportedly cost the state more than it spends annually on its Department of Corrections.

Walz defended his administration’s record, noting that dozens of people have been charged and some have already been convicted and sentenced. “Governors don’t get to just talk theoretically. We have to solve problems,” he said. “People who are taking advantage are going to prison. That is totally disconnected with demonizing an entire group of people who came here fleeing civil war and created a vibrant community.”

Still, critics point out that the fraud ran for years, with multiple warnings and red flags ignored. They argue that Minnesota’s reputation as a generous, well-run state made it a target for criminals, but that is no excuse for the lack of oversight.

“You don’t get hundreds of millions of dollars stolen without a culture that allows it,” one commentator noted. “You don’t get this level of corruption without people in government choosing to look the other way.”

A Community Caught in the Crossfire

For Minnesota’s Somali community, the scandal has been a double-edged sword. On the one hand, many have condemned the fraud and called for those responsible to be held accountable. On the other, they fear being unfairly tarred by the actions of a few, especially in an environment of rising anti-immigrant sentiment.

Federal sources have noted a saying in the Somali community: “When it rains in Minneapolis, umbrellas go up in Mogadishu.” The implication is that consequences in Minnesota reverberate all the way to Somalia — not just in terms of money, but in the reputation and safety of Somali-Americans.

Omar and others have warned that the focus on Somali defendants risks inflaming prejudice and undermining the contributions of Somali-Americans to Minnesota and the nation.

The Search for Solutions

As the investigation continues, with more indictments expected, the question remains: How did such a massive fraud persist for so long, and what can be done to prevent it from happening again?

Some have called for a complete overhaul of the state’s oversight mechanisms, stricter vetting of organizations receiving federal funds, and greater transparency in the disbursement of aid. Others argue that political leaders must be willing to confront uncomfortable realities, even when they involve their own communities or political allies.

At the same time, there is a growing recognition that the vast majority of Somali-Americans — like the vast majority of Minnesotans — are law-abiding citizens who want to see justice done and taxpayer funds protected.

Conclusion

The Feeding Our Future scandal has exposed deep flaws in Minnesota’s oversight of federal relief funds and has become a flashpoint in the state’s political and cultural life. As federal prosecutors continue to bring charges and as political leaders debate responsibility, the case serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges facing public institutions in a crisis — and the dangers of allowing identity politics to overshadow accountability.

Whether Minnesota’s leaders, including Ilhan Omar, can restore public trust will depend not just on rhetoric, but on real reforms and a willingness to confront the failures that allowed this unprecedented fraud to happen.

Federal authorities arrested a 54-year-old man on Monday after he allegedly attempted to attack a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) facility in downtown Los Angeles using multiple Molotov cocktails. The incident, which occurred outside the Los Angeles Federal Building, has raised renewed concerns about threats facing federal employees and the growing hostility directed at immigration enforcement personnel.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the suspect arrived at the building carrying several glass bottles filled with flammable liquid. Protective Security Officers stationed at the site reported hearing the man shouting angry remarks about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shortly before the attack unfolded. Moments later, the suspect allegedly hurled the homemade incendiary devices toward officers who were posted at the building’s perimeter.

Fortunately, none of the Molotov cocktails ignited. DHS officials said the bottles were improperly lit, preventing what could have been a far more dangerous outcome. Even so, investigators emphasized that the man appeared fully intent on causing significant harm.

In statements made after his arrest, the suspect allegedly told authorities that he planned to blow up the building and “spray down” the officers inside — comments that federal officials say underscore the seriousness of the incident. He also reportedly continued expressing hostility toward ICE throughout the interrogation.

### A Growing Pattern of Threats

The attack is the latest in a concerning trend of threats and assaults targeted at federal law enforcement personnel. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin addressed the incident in a DHS statement, noting that ICE officers and security staff face a “constant barrage of hostility” as they carry out their duties.

“This was a clear and deliberate attack on federal law enforcement,” McLaughlin said. “It reflects the ongoing dangers these men and women encounter every day as they work to keep the public safe. Our officers regularly confront individuals who are wanted for violent crimes, including murder, sexual assault, and gang activity. Despite these risks, they continue to serve with professionalism and commitment.”

McLaughlin went on to condemn the broader environment of antagonism toward immigration enforcement officers — an environment that she said can embolden violent individuals.

“Our officers face mass assaults, individuals using vehicles as weapons, and even targeted shootings,” she said. “These attacks are not isolated. They are fueled in part by irresponsible rhetoric and misinformation that paint officers in a false and dangerous light. While people can debate policy, violence against law enforcement must never be tolerated.”

### No Injuries, but Serious Charges Expected

DHS confirmed that no federal employees or security personnel were injured during the attack. Much of that can be attributed to two factors: the officers’ quick response and the failure of the incendiary devices to ignite.

Still, the suspect is expected to face a range of federal charges, including attempted arson, assault on federal officers, and making threats against government personnel. Depending on the outcome of the investigation and the final charges filed by federal prosecutors, he could face decades in prison.

Investigators are also reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing the materials recovered at the scene to determine whether the suspect acted alone or had previously expressed violent intentions. Authorities have not yet released the man’s identity, citing the ongoing investigation.

### Federal Buildings Under Heightened Security

Monday’s attack has prompted renewed discussions inside DHS and related agencies about improving security protocols at federal facilities. Although security at USCIS and ICE buildings has increased in recent years, officials acknowledge that unpredictable lone-actor attacks remain one of the most difficult threats to prevent.

The Los Angeles Federal Building, located in a busy downtown district, is no stranger to protests or demonstrations related to immigration policies. But DHS noted that the overwhelming majority of visitors are peaceful. Incidents involving weapons or attempts at arson remain rare — though, as this case shows, not nonexistent.

Security experts have long warned that federal buildings can become symbolic targets for individuals harboring strong anti-government or anti-law-enforcement sentiments. Even improperly constructed incendiary devices can pose a significant threat to both personnel and the public. Monday’s attack, while ultimately unsuccessful, could have caused major injuries or sparked a fire affecting hundreds of employees and visitors.

### Broader Debate Over Anti-ICE Sentiment

While DHS officials highlighted the hostility directed at immigration enforcement agencies, the incident has also prompted broader discussion about the national climate surrounding immigration policy.

In recent years, ICE has become a lightning rod in political debates, with some activists calling for the agency’s defunding or abolition. Critics argue that certain enforcement actions are too aggressive, while supporters contend the agency plays a critical role in removing dangerous individuals from the country.

The suspect’s alleged comments, according to authorities, reflected a strong anti-ICE sentiment — a factor that investigators will examine to determine whether ideological motives played a role. However, federal officials have stressed that nothing justifies acts of violence or attempted terrorism.

Public safety experts note that emotionally charged rhetoric around immigration — whether coming from activists, media personalities, or even elected officials — can sometimes escalate into extreme behavior by individuals who take political frustrations into their own hands.

Even so, it is important to distinguish between political disagreements and violent actions. Most Americans who express criticism of federal agencies do so peacefully and lawfully. Monday’s attack, officials emphasized, is an example of criminal behavior, not political speech.

### Officers’ Response Praised

The Protective Security Officers who witnessed the attack acted quickly, restraining the suspect before the situation escalated further. DHS praised their professionalism and credited them with preventing the incident from becoming far more destructive.

Internal reviews are underway to determine whether additional security measures — such as more advanced screening, reinforced barriers, or increased patrols — should be implemented at the Los Angeles facility and other high-risk locations.

In the meantime, officers have been instructed to remain alert for individuals displaying erratic behavior or carrying suspicious items near federal buildings.

### A Reminder of Ongoing Risks

For many federal officers, the incident serves as another reminder of the unpredictable nature of their work. Whether processing immigration applications, conducting investigations, or protecting federal buildings, they face risks that often go unnoticed by the general public.

While Monday’s attack resulted in no injuries, DHS leaders have emphasized that the outcome could have been far worse. A single functioning Molotov cocktail could have endangered dozens of people, including the officers, bystanders, and employees inside the building.

As federal prosecutors prepare charges, DHS hopes the swift action taken in this case will serve as a deterrent to others who might consider violent acts against government facilities or personnel.

The investigation is ongoing, and additional details are expected to be released in the coming days.

Supreme Court Considers Taking Up Same-Sex Marriage Case

The U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether to hear a case brought by former Kentucky clerk Kim Davis, who is seeking to overturn the court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, a landmark ruling that established the right to same-sex marriage across the nation.

Davis’ attorney, Matthew Staver, expressed optimism about the court taking the case, according to Newsweek.

But William Powell, the attorney who represented the couple that sued Davis, provided a statement to Newsweek that he is “confident the Supreme Court will likewise agree that Davis’s arguments do not merit further attention.”

The case, brought by Davis—a former Kentucky clerk who served six days in jail for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples on religious grounds—could pose a significant challenge to federal protections for same-sex marriage nearly a decade after the Supreme Court legalized such unions nationwide.

Some justices, including Clarence Thomas, have signaled a willingness to revisit the issue in recent years, particularly as the court has shifted to the right. That conservative realignment on cultural matters was underscored by the 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade, which had guaranteed abortion rights for decades.

If the court were to strike down the nationwide right to same-sex marriage, the matter would likely revert to the states—many of which have yet to pass laws recognizing such unions.

In a newly filed petition to the Supreme Court, Staver argued against same-sex marriage on religious grounds.

“Obergefell was ‘egregiously wrong,’ ‘deeply damaging,’ ‘far outside the bound of any reasonable interpretation of the various constitutional provisions to which it vaguely pointed,’ and set out ‘on a collision course with the Constitution from the day it was decided,’” he wrote.

Davis’ case “presents the ideal opportunity to revisit substantive due process that ‘lacks any basis in the Constitution,’” the petition says, per Newsweek.

“This flawed opinion has produced disastrous results leaving individuals like Davis ‘find[ing] it increasingly difficult to participate in society without running afoul of Obergefell and its effect on other antidiscrimination laws,’” it reads. “And, until the Court revisits its ‘creation of atextual constitutional rights,’ Obergefell will continue to have ruinous consequences for religious liberty.’”

The petition stated that if the court were to overturn Obergefell, the authority to determine marriage rights would revert to the states, while same-sex marriages performed since the ruling would remain legally recognized under a grandfather provision.

Staver told the outlet that he believes the court’s previous ruling on the issue is constitutionally unsound.

“It has no basis in the Constitution,” he said. “It’s what caused this issue with Kim Davis to be sent to prison for six days and now facing hundreds of thousands of dollars personally, is the Obergefell opinion originally, and I think that it’s time to reevaluate that and overturn it.”

Other legal experts are not confident that the high court would reverse its earlier decision.

“There’s a chance that a conservative majority could use the case to expand the rights of religious objectors to same-sex marriage,” Daniel Urman, law professor at Northeastern University, told Newsweek.

“But that’s not the same as overturning the right itself, and I don’t see a majority of the Court ready to do that. Culturally, same-sex marriage has become embedded in American life, and it is still popular in public opinion polls,” he added.

Paul Collins, a professor of legal studies and political science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, told Newsweek that although Davis hopes to use the case as a means to overturn same-sex marriage, that is not necessarily the central issue before the court.

“Instead, it is about a jury verdict for inflicting emotional damages by violating a same-sex couple’s right to marry. This just isn’t the right vehicle for challenging a constitutional right to same-sex marriage,” he told Newsweek.

The last thing I expected on my wedding day was to be stranded on a remote Texas road in a wedding dress, watching my dream ceremony fall apart. My limousine died just thirty minutes before 200 guests were scheduled to see me walk down the aisle, and I had no cell service, no transportation, and no way to reach anyone. As I stood there crying, a large motorcycle pulled up beside the limo. A man with gray hair, tattoos, and a leather vest stepped off, walking toward me with a calm confidence that only made the situation feel more surreal. In that moment, fear and panic collided with disbelief, and I truly thought I was in danger—until he spoke.

His name was Thomas, and instead of being a threat, he turned out to be a kind stranger with remarkable patience. He calmly examined the limo, explained that a snapped belt made it impossible to repair on the spot, and then offered an unexpected solution: a ride on the back of his Harley Davidson to St. Michael’s Church. He even gave me his leather vest to protect my grandmother’s dress from the wind and bugs. I had never ridden a motorcycle in my life, and the idea of racing through backroads in a wedding gown felt absurd and terrifying, but there was something sincere in his voice when he said he’d want someone to help his own daughter the same way.

Against all logic, I climbed onto that motorcycle, sitting sideways, clutching this stranger for balance as he took off with steady determination. The highway blurred beneath us, my veil flew like a parachute behind me, and laughter mixed with adrenaline in a way I’ll never forget. We pulled into the church parking lot with only minutes to spare, where the sight of a bride arriving on a Harley stunned the guests, silenced the crowd, and brought tears to my father’s eyes. Instead of disappearing, Thomas accepted our invitation to stay, quietly sitting in the back until he was pulled into the celebration by my family.

Later, at the reception, we learned who he really was: a veteran, a father, a grandfather, a man who had overcome loss and found community through riding. He told stories about charity rides, helping children, serving others, and how people often misjudge him based on appearance. By the end of the night, he wasn’t just a stranger who saved a wedding—he was part of our lives. He gifted me a cross that belonged to his late wife, saying she would’ve wanted me to have it. Today, that pendant hangs in our home, and Thomas is still in our family photos. My wedding didn’t go as planned, but it became unforgettable because a stranger chose compassion over convenience, turning a disaster into a story of humanity, gratitude, and unexpected friendship.

Even in 2025, some of the world’s oldest living stars continue to inspire millions. Their careers shaped film, television, and music for generations, and their legacies remain powerful today. Elizabeth Waldo, born in 1918, is celebrated for preserving indigenous music and influencing cultural studies. Karen Marsh Doll, one of Hollywood’s oldest surviving actresses, offers a rare link to the golden age of cinema, with connections to The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind.

Ray Anthony, now 103, stands as one of the last great big-band leaders, keeping a vibrant era of American music alive. Beloved TV and film icons such as June Lockhart, Eva Marie Saint, and Dick Van Dyke continue to inspire fans with their longevity and joyful presence. Watch This Video Below for More Information and Curiosity:

Comedy legends Mel Brooks and William Shatner, along with the timeless Barbara Eden, remain active voices in the entertainment world. Stars like Clint Eastwood, Sophia Loren, and Michael Caine show remarkable resilience, continuing to create meaningful work well into their 90s.Julie Andrews, Shirley MacLaine, Al Pacino, and Jane Fonda exemplify dedication not only through their artistic achievements but also through activism and cultural influence. Together, these remarkable figures prove that true talent, passion, and creativity have no age limit—and their impact continues to shape the world.

RNC Files Election Integrity Lawsuit In Maryland Over Huge Discrepancy

The Republican National Committee (RNC) filed a lawsuit Friday against Maryland election officials, alleging the state has failed to properly maintain its voter-registration rolls. According to the complaint, registration rates in several Maryland counties are “impossibly high,” with two of the state’s largest counties reporting more registered voters than adult citizens.

The lawsuit also states that 10 additional counties have registration rates above 95% of their adult-citizen populations, even though 2022 U.S. Census Bureau data places Maryland’s overall registration rate at roughly 75.6%, the Daily Caller reported on Friday.

“Marylanders deserve to have confidence in their elections and to know that their state is properly maintaining its voter rolls,” RNC Chair Joe Gruters said. “The State Board of Elections has failed to do its job and remove ineligible or deceased voters from its rolls. Marylanders have a right to accurate voter rolls, which is why the RNC is suing today.”

Election officials are allegedly failing to make reasonable efforts to comply with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and properly tend to voter registration rolls, according to the lawsuit cited by the outlet.

The Office of Legislative Audits of the Maryland General Assembly found in October 2023 that the State Board of Elections’ review of its voter registration data “remained inadequate.” An audit discovered “2,426 potentially deceased individuals with active voter registration and 327 individuals with potential duplicate voter registrations,” according to the report.

Failure to maintain voter lists “burdens the right to vote of the individual Plaintiffs and all individual members of the RNC and MDGOP who are lawfully registered to vote in Maryland by undermining their confidence in the integrity of the electoral process, discouraging their participation in the democratic process, and instilling in them the fear that their legitimate votes will be nullified or diluted by unlawful votes,” the lawsuit states.

In addition, the U.S. Department of Justice has also filed a lawsuit against Maryland for failing to produce requested voter registration lists, the outlet reported.

The Maryland suit is part of the DOJ’s move requiring more than half of U.S. states to update and maintain their voter rolls, and a senior department official told Just the News this week that prosecutors believe the lapses that left deceased individuals and non-citizens listed as eligible voters in several Democrat-run states may have been intentional.

“The sloppiness of the elections in blue states is no accident. It is on purpose. It is a feature, not a bug,” Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet J. Dhillon told Just the News’ streaming news program.

“And the goal is to cram as many people on there and make voters who are not particularly engaged, make it easy for someone else to help them fill out their ballot and return it for them when they didn’t care enough to do it themselves,” she added.

“What we can do at the federal government level is ensure that our federal election laws are observed, and that includes each state’s requirement to keep clean voter rolls,” she added. “That is a fundamental basic.”

Dhillon spoke one day after her division filed lawsuits against six Democrat-led states — Maryland, Delaware, Rhode Island, New Mexico, Washington state and Vermont — seeking court orders requiring them to provide voter-registration records to the Justice Department. The filings state that the DOJ intends to examine the rolls for irregularities, outdated or duplicate entries, and other potential violations of federal list-maintenance requirements, the outlet reported.

She also reached an agreement last week with North Carolina requiring the state to review and correct more than 100,000 voter registrations that were added without meeting state legal requirements.

Dhillon said her office is now on track — through litigation, settlements or voluntary compliance — to require at least 26 states to update and clean their voter rolls.

“We’re now in litigation with 14 states. So the six yesterday included Maryland, Delaware, Rhode Island, New Mexico, Washington State and Vermont. That adds to eight we already had going,” she said.

The confrontation, which left Congress in stunned silence, took an unexpected turn when a hot mic captured a private comment from Abrams moments later, flipping the narrative and sparking a nationwide uproar that reverberated far beyond the Capitol.

The clash began as Kennedy grilled Abrams, a prominent voting rights advocate and founder of Fair Fight Action, over her critique of a proposed federal voting law. Abrams had argued that certain provisions echoed Georgia’s 2021 election law, which she called racially discriminatory due to its impact on minority voters. Kennedy, known for his sharp rhetoric, interrupted her testimony, accusing her

of “playing the race card” to inflame divisions. “Your remarks are reckless and divisive,” he thundered, citing her past statements about voter suppression as evidence of “baseless racial accusations.” The chamber fell silent as Kennedy demanded Abrams retract her claims, asserting they undermined bipartisan efforts.

Six women who say they were trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein or his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell made a public appeal on Tuesday in Washington, D.C., demanding the federal government release more investigative files. They also urged former President Donald Trump to publicly rule out a pardon for Maxwell. The women appeared alongside family members of Virginia Giuffre, a prominent Epstein accuser who died by suicide in April, and criticized what they called a long-standing failure to deliver justice.

Jess Michaels, who alleges Epstein raped her in 1991, described him as a “master manipulator” and said his behavior followed a calculated strategy that left young women and teenage girls defenseless. Michaels cited a “severe miscarriage of justice” and delays in accountability as her motivation for speaking out. Her remarks echoed the sentiments of other survivors who say they were also groomed and abused.

Wendy Avis and Jena-Lisa Jones, both of whom say they were 14 when Epstein abused them, condemned the silence of adults who may have witnessed the abuse. Jones stated that many people around Epstein “very clearly knew what was going on” but have refused to speak up. Avis, speaking publicly for the first time, stressed that victims like her still haven’t received justice, calling for broader recognition of the everyday people affected.

All six women, including Marijke Chartouni, Lisa Phillips, and Liz Stein, expressed deep frustration with the Justice Department. Stein accused officials of failing to protect or inform survivors and backed bipartisan efforts in Congress to force transparency. Their statements came just before the Republican-led House Oversight Committee released over 33,000 pages of Epstein-related documents.

Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie are leading a legislative push to investigate alleged mishandling of the federal probes into Epstein and Maxwell. Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year prison sentence, continues to deny wrongdoing. Phillips warned that if the system continues to fail them, survivors are prepared to take justice into their own hands: “We’ll compile our own list.”