FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— Trump demands Venezuela kick out China and Russia, partner with US on oil
https://abc7chicago.com/post/trump-demands-venezuela-kick-china-russia-partner-us-oil-exclusive/18364005/
NBC5
— Trump administration freezes social safety net money to Illinois, 4 other states
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/trump-administration-freezes-social-safety-net-money-to-illinois-4-other-states/3872383/
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more illegal drugs.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/investigations/could-a-u-s-military-raid-on-mexico-cut-chicagos-illicit-drug-supply/3872422/
WTTW
— Charged With ‘Impeding’ Federal Agent at Broadview ICE Facility, Cook County Board Candidate Drops Out
https://news.wttw.com/2026/01/06/charged-impeding-federal-agent-broadview-ice-facility-cook-county-board-candidate-drops
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Trump says US to get 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil from Venezuela at market price
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/06/venezuela-barrels-oil-trump/
— Democrat leaders say “Dabrowski fills news conference with contradictions.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/06/republican-candidate-for-illinois-governor-ted-dabrowski-fills-news-conference-with-contradictions/
— Rampant fraud is undermining faith in government. Gov. Tim Walz was right to exit.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/06/minnesota-theft-ppp-wirtzburg-chicago-medicaid-fraud/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Trump administration freezing $10 billion in social service funding for Illinois, four other blue states
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2026/01/06/trump-administration-freeze-social-service-funding-illinois
— Appeals court sides with Illinois, 21 other states against White House on cuts in medical research funding
https://chicago.suntimes.com/health/2026/01/06/appeals-court-kwame-raoul-trump-administration-medical-research
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Darren Bailey promises a DOGE for Illinois
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/darren-bailey-promises-doge-illinois
WBEZ
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly side with Maduro against America.
https://www.wbez.org/politics/2026/01/06/venezuela-occupation-not-good-for-venezuela-america-chicago-uchicago-professor-says
— DD: Many if not most of my Democrat older White male GAO superiors were big drinkers.
https://www.wbez.org/food-drink/2025/12/03/chicago-is-a-drinkers-paradise-even-for-the-sober-and-the-sober-curious-among-us
SHAW LOCAL
— Duckworth calls Trump ‘a coward and a liar’ with no clear plan in harsh rebuke over Venezuela strikes. ‘If Donald Trump wants to run a country, he should think about running the United States of America.’
https://www.shawlocal.com/news/2026/01/07/duckworth-calls-trump-a-coward-and-a-liar-with-no-clear-plan-in-harsh-rebuke-over-venezuela-strikes/
STATELINE
— Illinois allocates $50M to combat systemic racism and disinvestment
https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/illinois-allocates-50m-to-combat-systemic-racism-and-disinvestment/
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Trump tells Republicans to be ‘flexible’ on abortion restrictions to get a health care deal
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/ap-trump-tells-republicans-to-be-flexible-on-abortion-restrictions-to-get-a-health-care-deal/
WSIU
— DD: Democrats ever-increasingly push more pot in Carbondale.
https://www.wsiu.org/2026-01-06/carbondale-dispensary
WFIW RADIO
— JEFFERSON COUNTY REPUBLICANS TO HOST GOVERNOR CANDIDATE FORUM IN JANUARY
https://www.wfiwradio.com/2026/01/06/jefferson-county-republicans-to-host-governor-candidate-forum-in-january/
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2026/01/06/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-443/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
BREAKTHROUGH IDEAS
— Another $1.5M Democrat-Socialist Boondoggle In Illinois
https://www.breakthrough-ideas.com/read/2026/01/04/another-1-5m-democrat-socialist-boondoggle-in-illinois
CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Illegal immigrants cost IL taxpayers more than enforcement
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_8317cd33-b4e7-4017-9404-ee5336eddd97.html
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
NEW YORK POST
— Mamdani stands by radical ‘housing justice’ appointee Cea Weaver — as Trump admin warns NYC ‘should be on notice’
https://nypost.com/2026/01/06/us-news/zohran-mamdani-stands-by-housing-justice-appointee-cea-weaver/
— Mom of Mamdani aide who said owning a home fuels ‘white supremacy’ has $1.6M house in Tennessee
https://nypost.com/2026/01/06/us-news/mom-of-zohran-mamdani-aide-who-said-owning-a-home-fuels-white-supremacy-has-1-6m-house-in-tennessee/
BREITBART
— Rand Paul, Mike Lee Sound Alarm over $5.7 Billion for Refugees in Spending Bill
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/01/06/rand-paul-mike-lee-sound-alarm-over-5-7-billion-for-refugees-in-spending-bill/
FOX NEWS
— Chicago Teachers Union promotes Venezuela regime change protests organized by socialist groups. Chicago Teachers Union promoted rally organized by ANSWER Coalition and Party for Socialism and Liberation.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/chicago-teachers-union-promotes-venezuela-regime-change-protests-organized-socialist-groups
— Mamdani’s top housing pick once called homeownership a ‘weapon of white supremacy’
https://wfin.com/fox-political-news/mamdanis-top-housing-pick-once-called-homeownership-a-weapon-of-white-supremacy/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CBS NEWS
— Maduro capture will go down in history as the day “justice defeated tyranny”
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/maria-corina-machado-maduro-capture-us-operation/
CNN
— Mounting tensions in Venezuela as rights groups denounce repression
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/venezuela-maduro-trump-president-military-01-06-26?post-id=cmk2l9b8k0000356qhv3feyw3
WASHINGTON POST
— Fear grips Caracas as a new wave of repression is unleashed in Venezuela. Venezuela’s government launched a far-reaching crackdown after Maduro’s ouster, detaining journalists and civilians and sending armed gangs to the streets.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/01/06/venezulea-maduro-rodriguez-government-repression/
Tag: white
January 5, 2025 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— Maduro declares ‘I am innocent’ and ‘still president’ in Manhattan court appearance
https://abc7chicago.com/post/venezuelas-nicols-maduro-arrives-manhattan-federal-court-arraignment/18354979/
— Local advocates ask Trump admin. to reinstate Venezuelans’ Temporary Protected Status, stop deportations amid uncertainty. An estimated 50,000 Venezuelan migrants settled in Illinois over the last three years after being bused there from Texas.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/advocates-ask-donald-trump-administration-reinstate-tps-venezuelans-stop-deportations-nicolas-maduro-captured/18357232/
WGN9
— Kelly fires back at Hegseth over demotion threat: ‘I will fight this with everything I’ve got’
https://wgntv.com/news/kelly-fires-back-at-hegseth-over-demotion-threat-i-will-fight-this-with-everything-ive-got/
FOX32
— Hegseth censures Sen. Mark Kelly after ‘illegal orders’ video
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/hegseth-censures-sen-mark-kelly
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced on Jan. 5 he has issued a letter of censure to U.S. Senator Mark Kelly. The censure stems from a video posted to social media where Kelly and other members of Congress called on troops to “refuse illegal orders.” In December, the Pentagon announced it was launching a full command investigation into Kelly over “serious misconduct” allegations.)
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Illinois Democrats criticize Trump administration’s actions in Venezuela and look to block further engagement
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/05/illinois-democrats-criticize-trump-administrations-actions-in-venezuela-and-look-to-block-further-engagement/
— Mysterious cannabis syndrome becoming more common. DD: Pot is poison.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/05/scromiting-cannabis-cannabinoid-hyperemesis-syndrome/
DAILY HERALD
— Hegseth censures Sen. Kelly after warning about following illegal orders
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260105/nation-and-world-politics/hegseth-censures-sen-kelly-after-warning-about-following-illegal-orders/
— Young Democrats of Illinois to host primary debate for 8th Congressional District. DD: If I was still the chairman of TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois and a member of the Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee, the organizations would still be hosting candidate debates.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260105/submitted-content/young-democrats-of-illinois-to-host-primary-debate-for-8th-congressional-district/
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Mike Tyson accuses ex-cannabis business partners of racketeering in $50M lawsuit
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/cannabis/mike-tyson-sues-ex-cannabis-business-partners
— Midway slips as O’Hare soars, but Southwest plans a rebound. DD: Most of the audits that I worked for GAO on 1980-1997 required taking flights in/out of Midway and O’Hare.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/airlines-airports/midway-slips-ohare-soars-southwest-plans-rebound
COURIER JOURNAL
— The state of Illinois blocked the Louisville Metro Police Department’s access to its license plate surveillance system after an LMPD detective allegedly aided a federal agency in conducting immigration-related searches.
https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/crime/2026/01/05/illinois-blocks-lmdp-from-flock-surveillance-camera-system/87995365007/
25 NEWS NOW
— Bailey appears to be front-runner again in GOP race for governor
https://www.25newsnow.com/2026/01/05/bailey-appears-be-front-runner-again-gop-race-governor-says-iwu-political-scientist/
NPR ILLINOIS
— Amid fraud claims, Trump admin announces more changes to federal child care funding
https://www.nprillinois.org/2026-01-05/amid-fraud-claims-trump-admin-announces-more-changes-to-federal-child-care-funding
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2026/01/05/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-442/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— More people continue leaving Illinois than arriving
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_9f59f645-6340-4756-8110-655dd4f6eeeb.html
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Democrats wanted Maduro gone — until Trump took him out
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/5/democrats-wanted-maduro-gone-trump-took/
— Sen. Mark Kelly on Monday vowed to fight efforts to cut his rank and pay as a retired U.S. Navy officer after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused him of making “seditious statements” in a video to military personnel.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/5/mark-kelly-vows-fight-back-retired-military-rank-pay-cut-seditious/
— HHS targets Biden-era rule that funds child care centers before verifying attendance. Kennedy seeks to cancel ‘loopholes’ in wake of Minnesota day care fraud allegations.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/5/hhs-targets-biden-era-rule-funds-child-care-centers-verifying/
NEW YORK POST
— Alleged JD Vance home vandal is son of wealthy doctor, Dem donor — who recently changed name to Julia
https://nypost.com/2026/01/05/us-news/alleged-jd-vance-home-vandal-is-child-of-wealthy-local-doctor-who-recently-changed-name/
— Far-left, China-aligned groups organized pro-Nicolas Maduro protests in New York and other US states: ‘Unprecedented crime’
https://nypost.com/2026/01/05/us-news/marxist-peoples-forum-organized-pro-maduro-protests/
— Far-left Dems call Trump’s capture of Nicolas Maduro ‘an impeachable offense’
https://nypost.com/2026/01/05/us-news/far-left-dems-call-trumps-capture-of-maduro-an-impeachable-offense/
— ‘Diversion’ from prison is another way progressives keep getting people killed
https://nypost.com/2026/01/05/opinion/progs-obsession-with-diversion-programs-keeps-getting-people-killed/
AMERICAN GREATNESS
— Venezuela’s Interim Leader Vows to Work With U.S. After Trump Threats
https://amgreatness.com/2026/01/05/morning-greatness-venezuelas-interim-leader-vows-to-work-with-u-s-after-trump-threats/
AMERICAN SPECTATOR
— Hegseth’s Pentagon delivered where others failed.
https://spectator.org/the-experts-were-wrong-about-pete-hegseth/
AMERICAN THINKER
— Confederacy of Enablers Downplays Somali Fraud
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2026/01/confederacy_of_enablers_downplays_somali_fraud.html
BIZ PAC REVIEW
— Two professors, one researcher advocated for reparations at University of Illinois-hosted committee meeting
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2026/01/05/two-professors-one-researcher-advocated-for-reparations-at-university-hosted-committee-meeting-1613971/
BLAZE
— DHS accuses Hilton Hotels of ‘siding with murderers and rapists’ over ICE — and the hotel chain responds
https://www.theblaze.com/news/dhs-ice-hilton-hotels-obstruct
BREITBART
— Hilton Hotels Responds: Hotel Highlighted by DHS Is ‘Independently Owned’
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/01/05/hilton-hotels-responds-hotel-highlighted-dhs-is-independently-owned/
COLLEGE FIX
— University of Maryland stands by security fees for Turning Point USA event
https://www.thecollegefix.com/university-of-maryland-stands-by-security-fees-for-turning-point-usa-event/
DAILY CALLER
— Harvard Dean Removed After Posts Trashing Police, ‘Whiteness,’ And Trump Resurface
https://dailycaller.com/2026/01/05/harvard-dean-removed-after-posts-trashing-police-whiteness-and-trump-resurface/
— Democrats Just As Godless As You’d Imagine
https://dailycaller.com/2026/01/05/democrats-republicans-ryan-burge-christians-atheists-trump-kamala-harris-study/
— Hegseth Takes Action Against Sen. Mark Kelly, Who Egged On Military To Defy Trump In Viral Video
https://dailycaller.com/2026/01/05/pete-hegseth-mark-kelly-demotion-illegal-orders-video/
DAILY WIRE
— Why Venezuelans Are Dancing In The Streets. What Venezuelans feel today is not bloodlust or vengeance. It is relief, gratitude, and hope.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/why-venezuelans-are-dancing-in-the-streets
EPOCH TIMES
— Trucking Insiders Reveal How Licensing System Enabled Illegal Immigrant Drivers. Variance between state regulations and limited federal regulation also contributed to the proliferation of ‘CDL mills,’ multiple training providers said.
https://www.theepochtimes.com/article/trucking-insiders-reveal-how-licensing-system-enabled-illegal-immigrant-drivers-5961182
FEDERALIST
— Pentagon Moves To Demote Mark Kelly For ‘Seditious’ Video
https://thefederalist.com/2026/01/05/pentagon-moves-to-demote-mark-kelly-for-seditious-video/
— Outrage From Dems Who Once Demanded Trump Target Maduro Is Completely Fake
https://thefederalist.com/2026/01/05/outrage-from-dems-who-once-demanded-trump-target-maduro-is-completely-fake/
FEDERATION FOR AMERICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM
— How Sanctuary Cities Enable Benefit Fraud
https://www.fairus.org/opinion/how-sanctuary-cities-enable-benefit-fraud
FOX NEWS
— Illinois sheriff blames America’s ‘most dangerous’ law on spike in drugs, homelessness. Sheriff of Franklin County, Illinois delivers his take on the SAFE-T Act and it’s impact on his community after eliminating cash bail.
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6387258582112
— University of Illinois hosted state-funded committee meeting where professors advocated for reparations. Members of school community discussed ‘rectificatory justice’ and other reparations programs for African Americans.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/university-illinois-hosted-state-funded-committee-meeting-where-professors-advocated-reparations
— Tim Walz’s White guilt finally ends his career as Minnesota’s fraud explodes. Minnesota governor cites inability to focus on campaign while dealing with massive childcare fraud investigation. DD: This harkens back to George Ryan. My critics/opponents supported/promoted George Ryan.
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/david-marcus-tim-walzs-white-guilt-finally-ends-his-career-minnesotas-fraud-explodes
— Celebrations erupt in Miami streets after Maduro’s capture
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6387268560112
LEGAL INSURRECTION
— China, Russia, Iran Condemn Capture of Venezuela’s Maduro; Hezbollah Decries ‘American Arrogance’
https://legalinsurrection.com/2026/01/china-russia-iran-condemn-capture-of-venezuelas-maduro-hezbollah-decries-american-arrogance/
NATIONAL REVIEW
— Teddy Roosevelt Would Be Proud
https://www.nationalreview.com/2026/01/teddy-roosevelt-would-be-proud/
NEW AMERICAN
— Blue States Driving the “Affordability Crisis”
https://thenewamerican.com/us/economics/economic-blues-are-blue-states-driving-the-affordability-crisis/
— Charlie Kirk Coalition Falling Apart Amid MAGA Civil War?
https://thenewamerican.com/video/deep-state/charlie-kirk-coalition-falling-apart-amid-maga-civil-war/
NEWSMAX
— Mamdani Official: Homeownership Is ‘White Supremacy’
https://www.newsmax.com/finance/streettalk/zohran-mamdani-homeownership-official/2026/01/05/id/1240820/
PJ NEWS
— Turning Point USA Headquarters Renamed Following Record $10 Million Donation
https://pjnewsletter.com/tpusa-hq-erika-kirk/
REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— Who’s Responsible? Identity Theft Fueled by Government Inaction and Illegal Immigration
https://www.realclearinvestigations.com/video/2026/01/02/whos_responsible_identity_theft_fueled_by_government_inaction_and_illegal_immigration_1156510.html
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
THE HILL
— 2028 Democrats rip Trump’s ouster of Maduro
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5673139-potential-2028-democrats-venezuela/amp/
CBS NEWS
— Judge in Maduro’s case has previously been a thorn in Trump’s side
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/maduro-judge-previously-thorn-in-trumps-side/
— 2,000 federal agents deploying to Minneapolis in immigration crackdown, fraud probe
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/minneapolis-federal-agents-crackdown/
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Hegseth Moves to Downgrade Sen. Mark Kelly’s Military Rank. Potential reduction in retired rank follows Arizona Democrat’s participation in video calling on troops to resist illegal orders.
https://www.wsj.com/politics/hegseth-moves-to-downgrade-sen-mark-kellys-military-rank-56055879
ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasing
https://www.ajc.com/politics/2026/01/affordability-is-the-political-buzzword-of-2026/
POLITICO
— Pentagon moves to punish senator for anti-Trump video
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/05/hegseth-kelly-punish-video-00710555
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Defense Department is taking steps to downgrade Sen. Mark Kelly’s retirement rank and pay in response to his November video warning servicemembers not to follow illegal orders. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a post on social media, called the Arizona Democrat’s remarks “seditious statements” and claimed they are part of a “pattern of reckless misconduct.”)
ATLANTIC
— The college backlash is a mirage
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/the-college-backlash-is-a-mirage/ar-AA1TBfay
(FROM THE ARTICLE: If you were to judge by public-opinion polling, you might reasonably conclude that Americans have broadly given up on the idea of going to college. In 2013, 70 percent of adults surveyed by Pew said that a college education was “very important.” This year, only 35 percent did. Over the same time period, the share of Americans who believe that college is “not worth the cost” rose from 40 to 63 percent, according to NBC. If you were to judge, instead, by the choices that Americans are actually making, you might draw a different conclusion. Despite the reported skepticism of higher education, enrollment in four-year colleges and universities is growing. These institutions awarded 2 million bachelor’s degrees in 2023, compared with 1.6 million in 2010, and the fraction of 25-year-olds with a bachelor’s degree has steadily increased for the past 15 years. Even as Americans tell pollsters that college isn’t worth it, their behavior suggests that they still recognize the value of a degree for themselves and their children. And they’re correct to do so. For the overwhelming majority of graduates, the returns on going to college more than offset the cost of tuition. The college wage premium—the difference in earnings between people with only a high-school diploma and people with a four-year college degree—surged in the 1980s and ’90s and has remained close to those historic highs for the past two decades. One recent analysis found that the average person with a bachelor’s degree earns about 70 percent more than a high-school graduate with a similar amount of work experience. Researchers at the Cleveland Fed recently estimated that the college wage premium will stand at 76 percent in 2042. Even though plenty of young people struggle in the job market right after graduation, a college degree tends to unlock more lucrative career paths with greater long-term opportunities for advancement.)
FROM FOREIGN SOURCES
INDIA TRIBUNE
— Raja Krishnamoorthi Builds Financial and Political Momentum in Illinois Senate Race
https://www.indiatribune.com/public/index.php/raja-krishnamoorthi-builds-financial-and-political-momentum-in-illinois-senate-race
January 4, 2026 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— Maduro to appear in Manhattan federal court on Monday for arraignment on alleged drug charges
https://abc7chicago.com/post/ousted-venezuelan-president-nicolas-maduro-appear-manhattan-federal-court-monday-arraignment-alleged-drug-charges/18351236/
— Venezuelan communities meeting in Chicago area after US captures President Maduro
https://abc7chicago.com/post/venezuela-protest-chicago-protests-today-expected-nicolas-maduro-captured-saturdays-federal-plaza-demonstration/18350445/
FOX32
— What did Trump mean US will ‘run’ Venezuela? Rubio explains
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/trump-us-will-run-venezuela-rubio
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— How cocaine and corruption led to the indictment of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/04/cocaine-corruption-indictment-maduro/
— US intervention in Venezuela could test Donald Trump’s ability to hold GOP together in an election year
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/04/us-intervention-venezuela-trumps-gop-election/
— Secretary of State Marco Rubio says US won’t govern Venezuela but will press for changes through oil blockade
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/04/nicolas-maduro-arrives-in-us/
SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— DD: Central Illinois Democrats protest against Trump’s military action in Venezuela
https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/local/2026/01/04/central-illinois-protests-against-trumps-military-action-in-venezuela/88007076007/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— YMCA Posts Sign Saying ICE Not Welcome
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/04/ymca-posts-sign-saying-ice-not-welcome/
— Dems Circling Like Vultures over Richmond Township Vacancies
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/04/dems-circling-like-vultures-over-richmond-township-vacancies/
— More Details on Sunday, January 25th, Gubernatorial Debate Sponsored by GOP Voter Information Project
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/04/more-details-on-sunday-january-25th-gubernatorial-debate-sponsored-by-gop-voter-information-project/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Trump to Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez: Either get on board or get out of the way
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/4/trump-venezuelan-vice-president-delcy-rodriguez-either-get-board-get/
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Some cultures are simply not compatible with American values
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/editorials/4375483/some-cultures-not-compatible-american-values/
NEW YORK POST
— Zohran Mamdani previously called to end sanctions on Venezuela, partly blamed penalties for US migrant crisis
https://nypost.com/2026/01/04/us-news/zohran-mamdani-previously-called-to-end-sanctions-on-venezuela-partly-blamed-penalties-for-us-migrant-crisis/
— Biden’s ‘extravagant’ pension is largest of any president in history – and even more than what he earned as prez
https://nypost.com/2026/01/04/us-news/bidens-pension-is-largest-of-any-us-president-in-history/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Former President Joe Biden’s long career in politics allowed him to retire with the largest taxpayer-funded pension of any ex-prez in US history — $417,000, or more than his presidential salary, an expert says. Biden, 83, was in line to rake in the massive amount from two pension funds in his first year as former president, according to an analysis by National Taxpayer Union Foundation Vice President Demian Brady. “It’s pretty unusual, historically unusual, to have such a large pension amount,” Brady told The Post. “I would have to say that it’s the largest,” the taxpayer advocate said when asked to compare Biden’s pension to his predecessors. The hefty estimated annual sum is double what Biden’s former boss, Barack Obama, has received in retirement pay after leaving the White House and $17,000 more than Biden’s $400,000-per-year presidential salary. It also reflects Biden’s “unique situation” as a former senator, vice president and president, a career path that has allowed him to take advantage of a “loophole” letting him tap into multiple taxpayer-backed retirement funds, Brady said. Biden, who once described himself as “one of the poorest members” of Congress, is able to collect the lucrative payouts by double-dipping in benefits established under the Former Presidents Act of 1958 as well as the Civil Service Retirement System for ex-senators. Annual pay in the CSRS pension plan is determined by a formula that takes into account Biden’s 44 years in the Senate and as vice president, as well as his three highest years of salary during that span. “Biden’s starting pension could be as much as $166,374, including an $18,186 set aside in the program for the spousal portion of benefit,” according to Brady, who noted his estimate assumes Biden sought to maximize the size of his Senate pension. The former prez would have raked in more than $254,000 in annual benefits from CSRS if not for a cap limiting his annual payouts to 80% of his highest salary, which was $230,700 a year as vice president and president of the Senate. Biden, who was elected to the upper chamber in 1972, entered office before the Senate retirement plan was tweaked to make it a bit less generous for newer members. On top of the check from his Senate and vice presidential service, Biden also receives a quarter of a million dollars annually from his presidential pension. Under the 1958 law, Biden’s presidential pension must be equivalent to the salary of a Cabinet secretary, which is currently $250,600. The law was enacted amid public concern over former President Harry Truman’s purported financial struggles after leaving office, although several historians and experts now believe Truman was actually a multi-millionaire after his presidency and not on the verge of becoming destitute. The FPA also established a number of additional taxpayer-funded perks for outgoing presidents, including money for staff, equipment and office space. For fiscal year 2026, the General Services Administration budgeted more than $1.5 million for Biden – $727,000 alone for office space – more than any other former president.)
AMERICAN GREATNESS
— Nine Reasons Why Trump’s Venezuela Operation Is Great for America
https://amgreatness.com/2026/01/04/nine-reasons-why-trumps-venezuela-operation-is-great-for-america/
AMERICAN THINKER
— We’re Sleeping through a Chinese Takeover. The Chinese Communist Party doesn’t need to beat us on the battlefield. It only needs the West to stay asleep.
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2026/01/we_re_sleeping_through_a_chinese_takeover.html
BREITBART
— Minnesota’s Somali Fraudsters Paid for Lamborghini, Rolls Royce Rentals, Luxury Resort in Kenya with Stolen Money
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/01/04/report-minnesotas-somali-fraudsters-paid-for-rich-lifestyles-with-stolen-money/
EPOCH TIMES
— Trump Praised for Bold, Unprecedented Venezuela Operation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the operation as ‘unbelievable and a tremendous success.’
https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/trump-praised-for-bold-unprecedented-venezuela-operation-5965996
FOX NEWS
— Trump restores America as the world’s sole superpower. President embraces ‘Donroe Doctrine’ as Venezuela operation leaves Russia and China unable to protect their ally.
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/david-marcus-trump-restores-america-worlds-sole-superpower
— Trump DOJ demands Minnesota voting records over same-day registration ‘vouching’ concerns. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon cited concerns about the vouching policy that lets one voter verify residency for 8 others.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-doj-demands-minnesota-voting-records-over-same-day-registration-vouching-concerns
PJ MEDIA
— New St. Paul Mayor Said She Was an Illegal Alien
https://pjmedia.com/catherinesalgado/2026/01/04/new-st-paul-mayor-said-shes-an-illegal-alien-n4947884
TOWNHALL
— Democrats Can’t Help but Side With America’s Enemies
https://townhall.com/columnists/derekhunter/2026/01/04/democrats-cant-help-but-side-with-americas-enemies-n2668830
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
NBC NEWS
— Rubio says Maduro’s capture ‘not a war against Venezuela’
https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/marco-rubio-says-maduro-s-capture-not-a-war-against-venezuela-full-interview-255365701900
— Rubio says elections in Venezuela would be ‘premature at this point’ after Maduro’s capture
https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/marco-rubio-says-elections-in-venezuela-would-be-premature-at-this-point-after-maduro-s-capture-255365189663
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Venezuela’s New Leader Is a Hardline Socialist Like Maduro. Delcy Rodríguez is known as a political operator—someone Trump said is ‘willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again.’
https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/venezuelas-new-leader-is-a-hardline-socialist-like-maduro-875336e9
— Trump Rolls the Dice on Nation-Building With Vow to ‘Run’ Venezuela. Swift military operation delivers Venezuelan strongman Maduro into custody, though his lieutenants say they remain in charge.
https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/trump-rolls-the-dice-on-nation-building-with-vow-to-run-venezuela-805a9e35
DESERT NEWS
— Shaping campaigns responsibly: The role of political consultants DD: My critics/opponents reject many, if not most, if not virtually all, if not all conservative principles and planks in the Republican Party platform. They reject my promotion of those principles and planks in my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters. They reject many, if not most, if not virtually all, if not all of a) the articles that I link to in my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters and b) my opinions that express in those newsletters.
https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/12/31/behind-the-campaign-political-consultant-role-ethical-advice/
January 2, 2025 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more LGBTQ.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/02/federal-employees-trump-administration-ban-gender-affirming-care/
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/02/lesbian-couple-makes-history-as-cook-countys-first-marriage-of-2026/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly a) glorify and praise their illegals and b) fight their deportation.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2026/01/02/ice-detention-conditions-rey-estrada-broadview-michigan-landscapers
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more LGBTQ.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2026/01/02/first-wedding-cook-county-melissa-nunez-elizabeth-brenske
FOX32 & WGN9
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more LGBTQ.
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/cook-county-first-marriage-2026
https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/historic-first-female-couple-receives-cook-countys-first-marriage-license-of-2026/
WBEZ
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly a) glorify and praise their illegals and b) fight their deportation.
https://www.wbez.org/immigration/2026/01/02/operation-midway-blitz-parents-children-immigration-detention-mental-health
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— State keeps more tax revenue, locals get less
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_998815d3-0067-4fa4-80e4-18c3c8f9a2c2.amp.html
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— State Spending Way Up under Pritzker, But Economic Growth Lags
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/02/state-spending-way-up-under-pritzker-but-economic-growth-lags/
— John Kass Endorses Ted Dombrowski
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/02/john-kass-endorses-ted-dombrowski/
— Richmond Cemetery District Spends $36,300 on “Special Services”
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/02/richmond-cemetery-district-spends-36300-on-special-services/
— Hearing Officer Recommends Severino Ticket Be Thrown Off GOP Gubernatorial Ballot
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/02/hearing-officer-recommends-severino-ticket-be-thrown-off-gop-gubernatorial-ballot/
— Here’s a First: GOP Committeeperson Hosting Gubernatorial and Other Candidates Event DD: In 2003, all five of the announced Republican U.S. Senate candidates (John Cox, Chirinjeev Kathuria, Andrew McKenna, Jim Oberweis, and Jack Ryan) attended a picnic that I organized in the Prairie Path Park in my precinct. More than 200 attended. Back then, I was the GOPUSA Illinois Editor, the Milton Township Republican Organization (MTRO) webmaster, and an officer of TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois, Illinois Center Right Coalition, and American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter. I organized a major MTRO straw poll later in 2003 that Ryan won. The Illinois GOP Establishment wanted McKenna to win that primary and blamed me for Ryan winning it instead. The Illinois GOP Establishment also blames me for Jim Ryan’s loss to Blagojevich. Also, later in 2003, and in 2004, I organized Wheaton’s 9/11 ceremonies.
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/02/heres-a-first-gop-committeeperson-hosting-gubernatorial-and-other-candidates-event/
— New McHenry County Administrator Scott Hartman Takes Office
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/01/02/new-county-administrator-takes-office/
ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— Over 600 Chicago teachers hit Sin City on taxpayers’ dime
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/over-600-chicago-teachers-hit-sin-city-on-taxpayers-dime/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Mamdani’s first moves as NYC mayor: Revoke Eric Adams’ orders, create task forces on housing
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jan/2/zohran-mamdanis-first-moves-mayor-revoke-eric-adams-orders-create/
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Tim Walz has been playing the ‘race card’ in the Somali fraud scandal
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/entertainment/4398065/tim-walz-playing-race-card-somali-fraud-scandal-joe-concha/
NEW YORK POST
— Mamdani, wife Rama Duwaji dressed for inauguration by controversial ‘anti-Israel’ stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson
https://nypost.com/2026/01/02/us-news/zohran-mamdani-and-wife-rama-duwaji-dressed-for-inauguration-by-anti-israel-stylist/
BREITBART
— 2,274 Shooting Incidents in Brandon Johnson’s Chicago During 2025
https://www.breitbart.com/2nd-amendment/2026/01/02/2274-shooting-incidents-in-brandon-johnsons-chicago-during-2025/amp/
— Database Searches Show Somali Fraudsters Funding Democrat Politicians
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/01/02/database-searches-show-somali-fraudsters-funding-democrat-politicians/
DAILY CALLER
— Liberal Media Already Poking Holes In Mamdani’s Socialist Savior Story
https://dailycaller.com/2026/01/02/washington-post-zohran-mamdani-nyc-mayor-socialists/
FOX NEWS
— Harvard alum blasts DEI policies after ‘woke’ values drive longtime professor’s exit. Shabbos Kestenbaum echoes concerns from professor James Hankins who left after 40 years over woke values.
https://www.foxnews.com/media/harvard-alum-blasts-dei-policies-after-woke-values-drive-longtime-professors-exit
NATIONAL REVIEW
— One Man’s ‘Warmth of Collectivism’ Is Another’s Inferno
https://www.nationalreview.com/2026/01/one-mans-warmth-of-collectivism-is-anothers-inferno/
NEWSMAX
— We must stop socialism now, or it will spread across America
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5uCb9IBzEM
TOWNHALL
— The Woke Collapse of Harvard Continues
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/amy-curtis/2026/01/02/harvard-prof-torches-school-over-woke-anti-white-policies-n2668759
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
REUTERS
— Mamdani vows to enact democratic socialist agenda
https://www.reuters.com/world/mamdanis-inauguration-new-york-new-year-new-mayor-2025-12-31/
NEW YORK TIMES
— Israeli Government Accuses Mamdani of Antisemitism Over Canceled Orders
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/nyregion/mamdani-israel-executive-orders.html
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Tesla Falls Behind China’s BYD as Vehicle Sales Drop for Second Year. End of U.S. subsidy for electric vehicles and flagging European demand dented global EV sales.
https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/tesla-sales-drop-for-second-year-in-a-row-958dec20
December 28, 2025
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
DAILY HERALD
— Kane County’s top prosecutor Mosser seeks judicial seat
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251228/news/kane-countys-top-prosecutor-mosser-seeks-judicial-seat/
CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
— Barriers to upward mobility. DD: To get more votes from those who are minority, female, and younger, Democrat and RINO candidates and elected officials paint those who are White, male, and older as being barriers.
https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/study-education-still-pays-but-barriers-to-upward-mobility-persist-in-illinois/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
BREAKTHROUGH IDEAS
— Sickness & Hypocrisy in Academia
https://www.breakthrough-ideas.com/read/2025/12/22/sickness-hypocrisy-in-academia
GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— I have started using Stelo by Dexcom to continuously monitor my blood sugar level. If you have type 2 diabetes like I do and use Stelo, please phone me at 630-653-0462. My blood sugar spikes to over 250 after I eat. That means I have high hyperglycemia. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Pence becomes unlikely face of conservative opposition to Trump and populism.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/presidential/4363005/pence-unlikely-face-conservative-opposition-trump-populism/
— With the impending rescheduling of marijuana in the U.S., the transportation industry is searching for answers on whether it still will legally be able to test employees before sending them on the road or in the air. DD: Pot is poison.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/4363202/dot-realizes-road-safety-concern-with-marijuana-rescheduling/
— More Floridians, Californians moving to Texas
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/4363199/more-floridians-californians-moving-to-texas-than-reverse/
— A dangerous Supreme Court decision. In a short three-page decision written with little briefing and no oral argument, a 6-3 majority denied the Justice Department’s request to stay a district court restraining order preventing President Donald Trump from deploying the National Guard in Chicago. The court’s holding is tenuously founded, rushed, and will endanger the lives of federal law enforcement officers.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/editorials/4362312/dangerous-supreme-court-decision-national-guard/
NEW YORK POST
— Hating the rich may feel good — and win elections — but it’s self-destructive
https://nypost.com/2025/12/27/opinion/hating-the-rich-may-feel-good-and-win-elections-but-its-self-destructive/
AMERICAN GREATNESS
— The Pence Mirage: Why the Right Isn’t Leaving Trump. The Heritage Foundation “mutiny” isn’t a conservative realignment so much as the latest anti-Trump mirage, with Mike Pence cast as a moral standard-bearer no one is following.
https://amgreatness.com/2025/12/28/the-pence-mirage-why-the-right-isnt-leaving-trump/
— Let Americans Choose Their Cars—Not the Government. EVs aren’t failing because consumers don’t want them, but because tariffs block affordable competition—leaving Americans stuck with costly choices the rest of the world has outgrown. DD: I bought a 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T EV early this year. If it had been offered with a Hemi V-8, I would have bought that. I have owned a 2013 Charger R/T Max since 2012. I owned a 1968 Charger R/T 1994-2005. I owned a 1969 Charger SE 1968-1971.
https://amgreatness.com/2025/12/26/let-americans-choose-their-cars-not-the-government/
AMERICAN THINKER
— Third World cultures have a corruption problem, and Democrats capitalize on it
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/12/third_world_cultures_have_a_corruption_problem_and_democrats_capitalize_on_it.html
— The dangerous cost of erasing Western wisdom
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/12/victor_davis_hanson_on_the_dangerous_cost_of_erasing_western_wisdom.html
— Blue states surrendering to Somalis, Islam, and diversity
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/12/blue_states_surrendering_to_somalis_islam_diversity.html
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE
— Federal workers with a professional degree or doctorate—about 10 percent of the federal workforce—earned about 29 percent less, on average, than their private-sector counterparts. DD: I worked for the Democrats who ran IRS 1971-1980 and I worked for the Democrats who ran GAO 1980-1997. I earned an MBA in 1976. I passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979. I earned a master’s degree in accounting in 1980. I passed Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981. I became a licensed CPA in 1981. I earned four more job-related professional certifications in 1990, 1994, 1996, and 1997. I earned a master’s in finance in 1997. In today’s dollars, IRS paid me $112,280/year in 1980 and GAO paid me $153,151/year in 1997.
https://www.cbo.gov/publication/60235
BREITBART
— TPUSA Continuing Campus Debates Nationwide
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2025/12/28/we-are-not-afraid-erika-kirk-says-tpusa-continuing-campus-debates-nationwide/
— Indian Government Protests Rubio’s Visa Curbs That Help Americans
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/12/27/indian-government-protests-rubios-visa-curbs-that-help-americans/
DAILY CALLER
— Minnesota’s Lt Gov Takes Pandering To Somalis To The Next Level
https://dailycaller.com/2025/12/26/minnesota-lt-gov-peggy-flanagan-hijab-somali-migrants/
LIFE NEWS
— New York and Illinois Glorify Suicide in the Name of Compassion
https://www.lifenews.com/2025/12/28/new-york-and-illinois-glorify-suicide-in-the-name-of-compassion/
TOWNHALL
— FBI Teases Denaturalizing, Deporting Eligible Minnesota Fraudsters
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/scott-mcclallen/2025/12/28/fbi-teases-denaturalizing-deporting-minnesota-fraudsters-n2668553
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
THE HILL
— You cannot be America first and pro-Russia
https://thehill.com/policy/international/5664765-turner-russia-war-aggression-ukraine/
CNN
— It’s time for Republicans to start thinking about 2028 and the post-Trump era
https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/28/politics/2028-presidential-election-republicans-vance-rubio-analysis
NBC NEWS
— Much of the Black middle class was built by federal jobs. DD: My Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire when I was 49 years old in 1997 so that they could give my Black subordinate my job and my preferred corner office. He had less work experience than I had. He had less education than I had. He had one professional certification while I had six. He had no professional license like the one I had.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/black-federal-job-cuts-trump-musk-dei-middle-class-rcna191704
LOS ANGELES TIMES
— GOP coalescing behind Vance as Trump privately dismisses third-term run
https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2025-12-28/gop-coalescing-behind-vance-as-trump-privately-dismisses-third-term-run
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Companies Are Outlining Plans for 2026. Hiring Isn’t One of Them. Large employers indicate that they either want to maintain the size of their teams next year or let go of workers; ‘Everybody’s afraid for their jobs’
https://www.wsj.com/economy/jobs/2026-job-hiring-growth-plans-10bc3470
— Pritzker’s Illinois Political Clout Faces Test in Senate Primary. Billionaire governor is backing his lieutenant governor in a Democratic face-off, but she has struggled to outshine two top rivals.
https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/jb-pritzkers-illinois-political-clout-faces-test-in-senate-primary-4140cfa1
— You Can’t Work Your Way Through College Anymore. DD: Back in the good old days, I worked my way through college. The money came from what I earned washing dishes 1964-1966, cleaning golf shoes, chipping slag, and pumping gasoline in 1966, delivering mail 1966-1969, and working on an automotive assemble line in 1970. My parents provided me with room and board in their Crete home 1966-1968, my first semester at NIU in 1969, and the summer of 1969. I graduated debt-free with a bachelor’s degree in management from NIU in August of 1970 owning a 1969 Dodge Charger SE that I had bought new in 1968.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/you-cant-work-your-way-through-college-anymore-1521239612
FORBES
— OK, Boomer: Are Baby Boomers Preventing The Upward Mobility Of Younger Employees? DD: I am a baby boomer. My Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire when I was 49 years old in 1997 so that they could give my Black subordinate my job and my preferred corner office. He had less work experience than I had. He had less education than I had. He had one professional certification while I had six. He had no professional license like the one I had.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2019/11/08/ok-boomer-are-baby-boomers-preventing-the-upward-mobility-of-younger-employees/
FORTUNE
— These 10 companies offer workers the best chance to advance. DD: Democrats run the federal government. For Democrats, the federal government exists to hire, retain, and promote Democrats. To advance in the federal government you have to be a Democrat. The more of the following that Democrats are, the faster that they can advance: minority, female, and/or veteran.
https://fortune.com/2022/10/13/american-opportunity-index-best-places-to-work-worker-career-advancement/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: 1) AT&T, 2) American Express, 3) Cisco, 4) PG&E, 5) Microsoft, 6) Fiserv, 7) HF Sinclair, 8) Liberty Mutual, 9) International Paper, 10) Southwest Airlines)
HR DAILY ADVISOR
— Steps to Foster Internal Promotions and Career Advancement. DD: While I worked for the Democrats who ran GAO 1980-1997, they focused on making room at the top, that is, they focused on getting rid of their employees who they had not promoted to Senior Executive Service (currently $195,200/year) by age 40 and who were White, male, and/or non-veteran. That ever-increasingly rendered worthless my three job-related master’s degrees (1976, 1980, and 1997), my six job-related professional certifications (1979, 1981, 1990, 1994, 1996, and 1997), and my job-related professional license (1981).
https://hrdailyadvisor.com/2025/04/23/4-steps-to-foster-internal-promotions-and-career-advancement/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Create Room at the Top. A promotion pipeline’s useless if there’s nowhere to go. Stagnant org charts—where tenured folks squat in senior roles—kill mobility. Some firms hoard headcount, afraid to expand; others cling to “we’ve always done it this way” structures. Shake that up. Regularly audit roles: Are they still relevant? Can they split or scale? A bloated middle management layer might need pruning to open slots above. Turnover is not the enemy here—natural attrition (retirements, lateral exits) can unclog the system. Encourage it gracefully—exit packages or sabbaticals for long-timers can free space without bad blood. And don’t fear invention. If a star performer’s outgrowing their role, craft a new one. A tech firm once turned a standout engineer into a “solutions architect” rather than lose her to a rival. Flexibility beats rigidity.)
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT DAILY
— Upward mobility: Unlocking career advancement opportunities. DD: My critics/opponents have always used my having three job-related master’s degrees, six job-related professional certifications, and a job-related professional license against me. They have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that my having the aforesaid and my never having earned more than $153,151/year in today’s dollars and my being forced to retire when I was 49 years old in 1997 proves that I am seriously flawed, an abject failure, and even worse things.
https://www.businessmanagementdaily.com/75364/upward-mobility-unlocking-career-advancement-opportunities/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Access to education is a major deciding factor in determining someone’s eligibility for upward mobility. Society members with access to the best schools and universities will find it easier to find higher-paying jobs and qualify for promotions. Lower-income areas in the United States often have subpar educational facilities, making it more difficult for graduates to pursue upward mobility in society.)
HARVARD MAGAZINE
— The Upward Mobility Problem. Most Americans earn less than their parents did. DD: My father often decried his not having a college degree. That motivated me to earn a job-related bachelor’s degree, three job-related master’s degrees, six job-related professional certifications, and a job-related professional license.
https://www.harvardmagazine.com/faculty/features-upward-mobility-problem
WHARTON
— How Social Class Affects the Career Ladder. DD: What class were you born into? Neither of my parents attended college. My father was only the first of my ancestors to earn a high school diploma. My mother never attended high school. I had to work my way through college.
https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/podcast/knowledge-at-wharton-podcast/how-social-class-affects-the-career-ladder/
FORDHAM INSTITUTE
— Is military enlistment a pathway to upward mobility? DD: Because my parents lacked money, my plan to earn a college degree was to enlist and use the GI Bill. But because I was able to earn high enough grades taking college preparatory courses, to get an ACT score of 24, and to graduate in the upper 20% of my class, UIC accepted me in 1966. I worked my way through college. I earned a bachelor’s degree in management from NIU in 1970. I got student draft deferments 1966-1970 and a financial hardship draft deferment 1970-1971.
https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/commentary/military-enlistment-pathway-upward-mobility
TUFTS
— Upward mobility is becoming obsolete. DD: Back in the good old days, even though neither of my parents attended college, my father was only the first of my ancestors to earn a high school diploma, and my mother never attended high school, I was able to work my way through college and earn a job-related bachelor’s degree, three job-related master’s degrees, six job-related professional certifications, and a job-related professional license. But because of my bad demographics, I doubt that I could do that today.
https://www.tuftsdaily.com/article/2024/10/coffee-table-socioeconomics-upward-mobility-is-becoming-obsolete
BROOKINGS
— The American Dream in crisis: Helping low-wage workers move up to better jobs. DD: Back in the good old days, I was a low-wage worker. I did yard work 1962-1964. I delivered newspapers 1962-1966. I washed dishes 1964-1966. I cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966, 1971, and 1972. I delivered mail 1966-1969. I worked on an automobile assembly line in 1970. To qualify myself for better paying jobs, I earned a job-related bachelor’s degree (1970). I earned three job-related master’s degrees (1976, 1980, and 1997). I earned six job-related professional certifications (1979, 1981, 1990, 1994, 1996, and 1997). I earned a job-related professional license (1981).
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-american-dream-in-crisis-helping-low-wage-workers-move-up-to-better-jobs/
POLITICO
— The 2028 Race Has Begun. Here’s Who’s Winning. White House hopefuls in both parties are maneuvering for the post-Trump era. Here’s where they stand at the end of 2025.
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/12/28/presidential-race-2028-candidates-analysis-00695164
NEW YORK MAGAZINE
— Why History Points to Huge 2026 Losses for Trump’s GOP
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/why-history-points-to-huge-2026-losses-for-trumps-gop.html
December 23, 2025 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— Supreme Court keeps Trump’s National Guard deployment blocked in the Chicago area, for now
https://abc7chicago.com/post/supreme-court-ruling-keeps-donald-trumps-chicago-national-guard-deployment-blocked-now/18309907/
— Pope disappointed over approval of assisted suicide legislation in his home state of Illinois
https://abc7chicago.com/post/pope-leo-xiv-news-catholic-church-leader-disappointed-approval-assisted-suicide-legislation-home-state-illinois/18310097/
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Supreme Court deals Trump a defeat on bid to deploy National Guard in Illinois
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/23/supreme-court-trump-national-guard-illinois/
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly blame Trump for inflation.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/20/november-us-consumer-goods-price-tracker/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Pope disappointed by approval of Illinois’ assisted suicide legislation. Pope Leo XIV said he asked Gov. JB Pritzker not to sign legislation allowing assisted suicide in Illinois. “We were very clear about the necessity to respect the sacredness of life from the very beginning to the very end, and unfortunately … he decided to sign that bill.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/pope-leo-xiv/2025/12/23/pope-disappointed-over-approval-of-illinois-assisted-suicide-legislation
DAILY HERALD
— Why three congressional candidates could be booted from the ballot
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251223/us-congress-politics/why-three-congressional-candidates-could-be-booted-from-the-ballot/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Three congressional candidates vying to serve different parts of the Northwest or West suburbs will find out early next month if they’ll appear on March 2026 primary ballots or be booted. On the hot seat are Democrat Mark J. Pasieka Sr., a Chicagoan running in the 3rd District; and two Republicans running in the 11th District, Tedora Brown of Palos Park and Michael Pierce of Naperville.)
— DuPagePads opens new warming center in Wheaton
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251223/news/dupagepads-opens-new-warming-center-in-wheaton/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Quantifying the Tax Local Officials Did Not Vote To Impose, a “Would Have Been, Could Have Been” Article
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/12/23/quantifying-the-tax-local-officials-did-not-vote-to-impose-a-would-have-been-could-have-been-article/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Supreme Court rules against Trump on deploying troops to Chicago
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/23/supreme-court-rules-trump-deploying-troops-chicago/
— Medicaid wasted more than $200 million on dead enrollees in single year
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/23/medicaid-paid-200-million-care-deceased-patients-single-year/
— White House rebuffs Catholic bishops’ appeal for a Christmas pause in immigration enforcement
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/23/catholic-bishops-appeal-christmas-pause-immigration-enforcement/
— Military hits best recruiting numbers in 15 years
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/23/military-hits-best-recruiting-numbers-15-years-pentagon-says/
— Islam is still incompatible with America
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/23/december-2025-islam-still-incompatible-america/
— American families deserve real health care relief. There’s a better path than Obamacare.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/10/american-families-deserve-real-health-care-relief/
NEW YORK POST
— Toxic ideas fueling far-left terrorists came straight from our college campuses
https://nypost.com/2025/12/23/opinion/toxic-fuel-for-far-left-terrorists-came-straight-from-our-colleges/
AMERICAN THINKER
— The problem behind ‘affordability’
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/12/the_problem_behind_affordability.html
— NBC criticizes Trump admin for claiming ‘without evidence’ that white civilization is being erased
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/12/more_fake_news_nbc_criticizes_trump_admin_for_claiming_without_evidence_that_white_civilization_is_being_erased.html
— The ‘affordability crisis’ myth
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/11/the_affordability_crisis_myth.html
BREITBART
— SCOTUS Rules Against Trump Sending National Guard to Sanctuary Chicago
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/12/23/scotus-rules-against-trump-sending-national-guard-sanctuary-chicago/
CAMPUS REFORM
— Worst 5 examples of higher ed’s pro-abortion agenda in 2025. Abortion is celebrated and promoted on college campuses.
https://www.campusreform.org/article/worst-5-examples-higher-eds-pro-abortion-agenda-2025/29167
DAILY WIRE
— TPUSA Attendees Rally Around JD Vance At AmFest. “JD Vance represents the greatest conservative movement in over forty years.”
https://www.dailywire.com/news/tpusa-attendees-rally-around-jd-vance-at-amfest
EPOCH TIMES
— Federal Judge Strikes Down California’s Policies Hiding Gender Switches From Parents. The permanent injunction includes language that bars any employee in California’s education system from ’misleading the parent.’
https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/federal-judge-strikes-down-californias-policies-hiding-gender-switches-from-parents-5961936
FOX NEWS
— Mamdani FIRES BACK after report exposes anti-Zionist appointees
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6386869048112
— 20% of NYC mayor-elect Mamdani transition appointees have anti-Zionist ties
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/20-nyc-mayor-elect-mamdani-transition-appointees-have-anti-zionist-ties-adl.amp
NEWSMAX
— California Auditor Flags Newsom Admin as High Risk, Citing Billions in Exposure
https://www.newsmax.com/us/california-gavin-newsom-audit/2025/12/23/id/1239457/
PATRIOT POST
— Slouching Toward Open Season on Jews. To catalog all the recent violence against Jews in the Western world would fill a book.
https://patriotpost.us/opinion/123805-slouching-toward-open-season-on-jews-2025-12-23
POST MILLENNIAL
— Vance overwhelmingly wins AmFest straw poll for 2028 GOP presidential nominee. The poll found that 84.2 percent of attendees want Vance for the spot, while no other figure in the poll received double-digit support.
https://thepostmillennial.com/breaking-jd-vance-overwhelmingly-wins-amfest-straw-poll-for-2028-gop-presidential-nominee
REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— The NLRB Can Now Serve the American People, Not the Democratic Party
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2025/12/22/the_nlrb_can_now_serve_the_american_people_not_the_democratic_party_153661.amp.html
TOWNHALL
— Mamdani Chalks Up His Antisemitic Staff Problem As a ‘Wide Variety of Political Opinion’
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/amy-curtis/2025/12/23/mamdani-radical-staffers-wide-variety-of-political-opinion-n2668370
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
REUTERS
— US seeks to cancel thousands of asylum cases
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-administration-seeks-cancel-thousands-asylum-cases-cbs-news-reports-2025-12-23/
CNBC
— Entry-level hiring is down 23% from March 2020. DD: What entry-level jobs did you have? I had three. I earned a bachelor’s degree in management from NIU when I was 21 years old in 1970. My first entry-level job was a Retail Sales Manager for a Firestone Store. My salary was about $50,000/year in today’s dollars for a 44-hour workweek. In 1971, my second entry-level job was a GS-7 IRS Revenue Officer. The salary was $55,850/year in today’s dollars. To get that job, I had passed the Federal Service Entrance Examination. My taking graduate evening business courses at Loyola helped me get promoted to GS-9 ($68,315/year) in 1972, to GS-11 ($82,655/year) in 1973, and to GS-12 ($99,069/year) in 1974. I earned an MBA from Loyola in 1976. In 1980, my third entry-level job was a GS-9 Step 10 GAO Analyst. The salary was $88,808/year in today’s dollars. To get that job, I passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979 and almost earned a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul. My salary was $153,151/year in today’s dollars almost 18 years later in 1997, after I earned a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul in 1980, after I passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981, after I became a licensed CPA in 1981, after I earned four more professional certifications in 1990, 1994, 1996, and 1997, and after I earned a master’s degree in financial markets and trading from IIT in 1997.
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/23/this-is-linkedins-no-1-piece-of-advice-for-entry-level-job-seekers-in-2026.html
USA TODAY
— Turning Point exposes Republican infighting when we need unity. DD: If I was still the TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman and an Illinois Center Right Coalition officer, those organizations would still be hosting candidate debates today.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2025/12/23/turning-point-republican-infighting-conservative-movement/87855762007/
INC.
— The Top 15 Highest-Paying Jobs for 2026 That Don’t Require a College Degree. DD: Firestone Stores would not have hired me as a Retail Store Manager in 1970 and IRS would not have hired me as a Revenue Officer in 1971 if I had not earned a bachelor’s degree in business in 1970. IRS would not have promoted me in 1972, 1973, and 1974 if I had not been taking graduate business evening courses. GAO would not have hired me as an Analyst in 1980 if I had not earned an MBA in 1976 and passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979. GAO would not have promoted me in 1986 if I had not earned a master’s degree in accounting in 1980, passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981, and became a licensed CPA in 1981.
https://www.inc.com/kit-eaton/the-top-15-highest-paying-jobs-for-2026-that-dont-require-a-degree/91281103
TALKING POINTS MEMO
— GAO Has Been Calling Out Trump’s Illegal Impoundment. That May Soon Change.
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/one-agency-has-been-calling-out-trumps-illegal-impoundment-that-may-soon-change
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Throughout 2025, the Trump administration has, time after time, simply refused to spend funds that Congress appropriated. The obstinacy was without precedent in modern American governance; congressional Democrats suggested it had put the country on track toward a constitutional crisis. Republicans, who controlled both chambers of Congress, largely did nothing. Piping up occasionally to affirm to those who were paying attention that they had not entirely lost their minds was a relatively small watchdog agency housed within the legislative branch: The Government Accountability Office (GAO). . .Following Dodaro’s retirement, Congress will establish a bipartisan panel to recommend a replacement to the president. President Donald Trump will then nominate a candidate subject to Senate confirmation. But experts worry that the ostensibly bipartisan process will not be enough to force Trump to appoint someone who will live up to the agency’s nonpartisan mission, which includes investigating improper, wasteful and fraudulent use of the money Congress allocates. “It is very likely that Gene Dodaro is replaced with a Trump lackey,” Bobby Kogan, senior director of federal budget policy at the Center for American Progress, told TPM. Kogan worries that if Dodaro is replaced by a Trump loyalist, the agency will stop doing the “important part of what they have been doing, which is investigations, public oversight and accountability.” “GAO investigations are extremely important,” Georgetown Law professor David Super told TPM. “In many respects, it provides a better and more independent version of what the inspectors general used to provide,” he said, referencing the watchdogs who sit within many executive branch agencies — and who Trump fired en masse in 2025. “Since Trump has gotten rid of the inspectors general, we don’t have that independent site,” Super continued. “So having an independent GAO looking at things is extremely important. And, certainly, Congress would have a harder time doing its job without GAO.”)
PEW RESEARCH
— The Political Gap in Americans’ News Sources. DD: Since 2000, I have worked hard to fill an ever-increasing political news and commentary gap in Illinois with my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters. Tragically, there are fewer and fewer and fewer conservative news and commentary sources in Illinois.
https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2025/06/10/the-political-gap-in-americans-news-sources/
December 16, 2025 Evening Edition
WHITE HOUSE
— RESTRICTING AND LIMITING THE ENTRY OF FOREIGN NATIONALS TO PROTECT THE SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/restricting-and-limiting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino and agents return to Chicago in show of force across city and suburbs
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/16/border-patrol-activity-cicero-chicago/
— Maryland will consider slavery reparations after Gov. Wes Moore’s veto is overridden. DD: In my defense, I have always stressed that while all my ancestors immigrated during the 1840s and 1850s, they always lived in northeast Illinois.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/16/maryland-will-consider-slavery-reparations-after-gov-wes-moores-veto-is-overridden/
— Illinois could be only 5 years away from electricity shortages, higher bills
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/16/illinois-electricity-report-shortages-bills/
— Napoleon Harris to appear on ballot in Democratic committeeman race after objections struck down
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/16/napoleon-harris-ballot-democratic-committeeman/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Bovino’s back: Border Patrol commander leads fresh round of immigration raids in Chicago area. Gregory Bovino returned to Little Village Tuesday after playing a key role in the early phases of Operation Midway Blitz, the immigration enforcement campaign that has stoked fear among Chicago’s immigrant communities and led to thousands of arrests.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/2025/12/16/greg-bovino-chicago-border-patrol-president-donald-trump-deportation-immigration
ABC7
— Trump to address nation Wednesday night
https://abc7chicago.com/post/president-donald-trump-address-nation-wednesday-night/18292669/
— Church Nativity scenes add zip ties, gas masks and ICE to protest immigration raids
https://abc7chicago.com/post/church-nativity-scenes-add-zip-ties-gas-masks-ice-protest-immigration-raids-evanston-illinois/18292813/
— Multiple immigration arrests caught on camera as Border Patrol Chief Bovino returns to Chicago
https://abc7chicago.com/post/border-patrol-chicago-today-federal-immigration-agents-seen-little-village-cicero-tuesday-video-shows/18292411/
CBS2
— Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino in Chicago as federal agents detain people in Little Village, Cicero and Berwyn
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/border-patrol-gregory-bovino-chicago-little-village-cicero-midway/
FOX32
— Illinois approves $1.5B boost to rescue, revamp Chicago-area transit
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-transit-bill
WTTW
— Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino Back in Chicago as Federal Immigration Operations Ramp Back Up
https://news.wttw.com/2025/12/16/border-patrol-chief-greg-bovino-back-chicago-federal-immigration-operations-ramp-back
WGN RADIO
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly a) glorify and praise their illegals and b) fight their deportation.
https://wgnradio.com/john-williams/eric-zorn-trump-immigration-policy-is-unpopular/
WBEZ
— Bovino’s back: Border Patrol commander leads fresh round of immigration raids in Chicago area. Gregory Bovino returned to Little Village Tuesday after playing a key role in the early phases of Operation Midway Blitz, the immigration enforcement campaign that has stoked fear among Chicago’s immigrant communities and led to thousands of arrests.
https://www.wbez.org/immigration/2025/12/16/greg-bovino-chicago-border-patrol-president-donald-trump-deportation-immigration
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/12/16/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-437/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Illinois Freedom Caucus raises new questions about noncitizen police officer
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_2b70c989-c57f-4e79-a8fe-ea72f04e2625.html
WIREPOINTS
— Chicago Crime, Courts, and Taxes Under Fire as Critics Question City Leadership – Wirepoints’ Mark Glennon Interviewed on Dan Proft’s Morning Answer
https://wirepoints.org/chicago-crime-courts-and-taxes-under-fire-as-critics-question-city-leadership-wirepoints-mark-glennon-interviewed-on-dan-profts-morning-answer/
ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— The Hunger Industrial Complex: How America Manufactured a Food Insecurity Crisis
https://illinoisfamily.org/federal/the-hunger-industrial-complex-how-america-manufactured-a-food-insecurity-crisis/
ILLINOIS REVIEW
— Dabrowski Campaign Starts with Illegal Robocalls — Repeating Rauner’s $1 Million Mistake. Political robocalls to cell phones without prior express consent are illegal under federal law.
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2025/12/dabrowski-campaign-starts-with-illegal-robocalls-repeating-rauners-1-million-mistake.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: That warning makes Dabrowski’s misstep even more striking given who is advising him. Dabrowski’s top campaign advisor is Jeanne Ives, a longtime and outspoken political enemy of Bruce Rauner. Ives built her reputation opposing Rauner’s brand of establishment Republican politics, frequently criticizing his judgment, leadership, and campaign decisions. Yet now, the Dabrowski campaign finds itself ensnared in the very same legal problem that cost Rauner’s campaign $1 million. Illinois law compounds the risk. The state’s Election Code (10 ILCS 5/9-9.5) requires political calls to identify the sponsoring committee and prohibits blocking caller ID. Violations are a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and fines up to $1,500. The State Board of Elections may also impose civil penalties and refer cases for prosecution.)
— Return to Innocence: A Generation Caught Between Digital Overload and the Erosion of Boundaries, Imagination and Innocence
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2025/12/return-to-innocence-a-generation-caught-between-digital-overload-and-the-erosion-of-boundaries-imagination-and-innocence.html
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— IRS law enforcement expanded reach in 2025: Helped ICE, policed D.C. streets
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/16/irs-law-enforcement-expanded-reach-2025-helped-ice-policed-dc-streets/
— Netflix and the near-complete woke Hollywood takeover. Filmmaking’s future depends on studio independence.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/16/netflix-near-complete-woke-hollywood-takeover/
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Never, ever give up your guns
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/faith-freedom-self-reliance/3918225/never-ever-give-up-your-guns/
AMAC
— Deport Illegal Aliens – Laws Require It
https://amac.us/newsline/national-security/deport-illegal-aliens-laws-require-it/
BRETBART
— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent: Mass Deportations Are Bringing Rents Down for Working-Class Americans
https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2025/12/16/treasury-secretary-scott-bessent-mass-deportations-are-bringing-rents-down-working-class-americans/
FOX NEWS
— Chicago ‘lost its mind’ financially under Mayor Brandon Johnson, Washington Post warns. Washington Post criticizes Chicago’s financial ‘gimmicks’ under Johnson.
https://www.foxnews.com/media/chicago-lost-its-mind-financially-under-mayor-brandon-johnson-washington-post-warns
PJ MEDIA
— Newsom Brags About Giving Illegals Healthcare
https://pjmedia.com/catherinesalgado/2025/12/16/newsom-brags-about-giving-illegals-healthcare-n4947140
TOWNHALL
— GOP Lawmakers Slam Critics of Airstrikes Against Venezuelan Boats
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/jeff-charles/2025/12/16/gop-lawmakers-slam-critics-of-airstrikes-against-venezuelan-boats-n2667972
— These RINO Senators Backed a Bill Seeking to Overturn Trump Executive Order on Federal Unions
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/dmitri-bolt/2025/12/16/two-republican-senators-back-bill-seeking-to-overturn-trump-executive-order-n2667997
WESTERN JOURNAL
— Even the Washington Post Agrees: Chicago’s Leftism Has Doomed City
https://www.westernjournal.com/even-wapo-agrees-chicagos-leftism-doomed-city/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
— Illinois Law Generates $1.5B to Save Public Transit From Fiscal Calamity
https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2025-12-16/illinois-law-generates-1-5b-to-save-public-transit-from-fiscal-calamity
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— GOP Leaders See No Chance of ACA Deal by Deadline. Centrists’ proposals stall in House, while Senate leader Thune says agreement could come next month
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/house-gop-aca-obamacare-subsidies-57add6a6
CFO
— How CPA licensure became a CFO issue in 2025. What started as a professional standards debate became a CFO concern tied to audit quality and hiring. DD: I became a licensed CPA when I was 32 years old in 1981. My critics/opponents have always ignored/dismissed/belittled that.
https://www.cfo.com/news/how-cpa-licensure-accounting-talent-became-a-cfo-issue-in-2025/807987/
NEWSONE
— How Descendants Of Enslavers Are Repairing Ancestral Damage. DD: In my defense, I have always stressed that while all my ancestors immigrated during the 1840s and 1850s, they always lived in northeast Illinois.
https://newsone.com/6689508/how-descendants-enslavers-are-repairing-ancestral-damage/
December 12, 2025 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Pritzker signs ‘right-to-die’ legislation for terminally ill people to end their lives in Illinois. The new law, which takes effect next September, opens the door for people 18 or older with a terminal diagnosis to be prescribed a fatal drug.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2025/12/12/illinois-right-to-die-pritzker-signs-law
— Illinois’ political tensions nothing compared to failed redistricting push in Indiana. Indiana Republicans’ arguments against the bill were sound, not only because they were under so much pressure from D.C., but because it just wasn’t the right thing to do. DD: What about the gerrymandered Illinois 3rd Congressional District?
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2025/12/12/illinois-redistricting-push-indiana-republicans-trump-rich-miller
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Trump downplays Indiana redistricting loss, but funds could be in doubt
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/12/trump-downplays-indiana-redistricting-loss-but-funds-could-be-in-doubt/
— Speaker Mike Johnson scrambles to find a health care plan as Republicans remain divided
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/12/speaker-johnson-health-care-plan/
DAILY HERALD
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly a) glorify and praise their illegals and b) fight deportation of their illegals.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251212/nation-and-world/immigration-crackdown-leaves-teens-to-care-for-siblings-after-parents-get-detained/
— DD: Censures and attempts to censure are always big news. I should write about the unsuccessful attempt by my critics/opponents to get the Illinois Center Right Coalition to censure me for my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters in 2006. I would focus on my critics/opponents who continue to have their operatives and their dupes take adverse actions against me.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251212/news/district-211-board-censures-member-for-sharing-closed-session-discussion-of-fired-teachers/
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Illinois cannabis industry poised for major tax relief if Trump reclassifies marijuana. DD: Pot is poison.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/cannabis/trump-cannabis-rescheduling-could-ease-industrys-tax-burden
— Illinois among states suing Trump over $100,000 H-1B visa fee. DD: All my employers would have hired noncitizens instead of me if they could have.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/illinois-among-states-suing-trump-over-h-1b-visa-fee
ABC7
— Republican state Sen. Niemeyer explains his vote against Indiana redistricting plan backed by Trump. DD: What about the gerrymandered Illinois 3rd Congressional District?
https://abc7chicago.com/post/gop-state-sen-rick-niemeyer-explains-indiana-redistricting-vote-rejecting-plan-backed-donald-trump-ahead-2026-midterms/18280892/
WTTW
— Evanston Church Nativity Scene Adds Zip Ties, Gas Masks and ICE to Protest Immigration Raids. DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly get religious leaders to do their bidding.
https://news.wttw.com/2025/12/12/evanston-church-nativity-scene-adds-zip-ties-gas-masks-and-ice-protest-immigration-raids
— Illinois Agriculture Director Says Trump Trade Policies Are ‘Crushing’ Farmers
https://news.wttw.com/2025/12/12/illinois-agriculture-director-says-trump-trade-policies-are-crushing-farmers
WSIU
— Illinois H-1B workers earn median $110K as visa fees and wage rules shift. DD: All my employers would have hired noncitizens instead of me if they could have.
https://www.wsiu.org/diversity/2025-12-12/illinois-h-1b-workers-earn-median-110k-as-visa-fees-and-wage-rules-shift
CAPITOL FAX
— Illinois very near its 15-year goal of 60 percent of adults holding ‘postsecondary credentials.’ DD: None of my peers hold anywhere near as many credentials as I have. I have a) three master’s degrees (business-1976, accounting-1980, and finance-1997), b) six professional certifications (accounting-1979, internal auditing-1981, fraud examination-1990, government financial management-1994, financial services auditing-1996, and forensic accounting-1997, and c) a professional license (CPA-1981). Since I was 27 years old in 1976, my critics/opponents have ever-increasingly ignored/dismissed/belittled my credentials. But worse than that, they have ever-increasingly used them against me. They ever-increasingly hint/imply/argue/shout that anyone with as many credentials I have should have had a far more successful career than I had. They stress that my ending federal salary in 1997 was only $153,151/year in today’s dollars. They stress the many adverse actions that my superiors in the federal government took against me. They stress that Republican candidates, elected officials, and party leaders in Illinois, DuPage County, Milton Township, and Wheaton continue to ignore/dismiss/belittle my credentials. They ever-increasingly hint/imply/argue/shout that my lack of career success and Republican ignoring/dismissing/belittling of my credentials is because I am an extremely bad person.
https://capitolfax.com/2025/12/12/report-illinois-very-near-its-15-year-goal-of-60-percent-of-adults-holding-postsecondary-credentials/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
ILLINOIS REVIEW
— When the State Decides Your Life Isn’t Worth Living
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2025/12/i-was-offered-death-when-i-needed-care-when-the-state-decides-your-life-isnt-worth-living.html
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Seized oil tanker was hiding its location to evade sanctions, law enforcement
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/12/seized-oil-tanker-hiding-location-evade-sanctions-law-enforcement/
— New York gave illegal driver’s licenses to foreign truck drivers
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/12/new-york-gave-illegal-drivers-licenses-foreign-truck-drivers-feds/
— Killing narco-terrorists, saving American lives. Critics of the president’s drone policy would perpetuate deadly overdoses.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/10/killing-narco-terrorists-saving-american-lives/
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— The dangers of Trump’s venture socialism
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/beltway-confidential/3916547/dangers-trump-venture-socialism/
BIZ PAC REVIEW
— Trump and Team MAGA are coming for turncoat Indiana Republicans
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2025/12/12/trump-and-team-maga-are-coming-for-turncoat-indiana-republicans-1609751/
BREITBART
— Poll: Majority of Catholics Support President Trump’s Mass Deportation of Illegal Aliens
https://www.breitbart.com/faith/2025/12/12/poll-majority-of-catholics-support-president-trumps-mass-deportation-of-illegals/amp/
DAILY CALLER
— Trump: Blue States That Let Illegals Drive ‘Lethal Weapons’ Will Miss Out On Millions Of Tax Money
https://dailycaller.com/2025/12/12/sean-duffy-illegal-truckers-cdls-new-york/
FOX BUSINESS
— University calls ‘Standard American English’ a tool of white supremacy
https://www.foxbusiness.com/video/6386398348112
FOX NEWS
— Omar accused by GOP opponent of opening up the door to massive Minneapolis fraud: ‘Deep, deep ties.’ Republican challenger John Nagel alleges that Omar has ties to individuals involved in fraud scandal.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/omar-accused-gop-opponent-opening-up-door-massive-minneapolis-fraud-deep-deep-ties
NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE
— National Right to Life Condemns Actions of Pritzker’s Signing of Illinois Assisted Suicide Law
https://nrlc.org/communications/nrl-condemns-actions-of-illinois-governor-pritzkers-signing-of-illinois-assisted-suicide-law/
NEWSMAX
— Blue States Flouting Federal Laws
https://www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/illinois-crash-cdl/2025/12/12/id/1238101/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Cannabis Stocks Soar on Reports White House Plans to Reclassify Pot. DD: Pot is poison.
https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-dow-sp-500-nasdaq-12-12-2025/card/cannabis-stocks-soar-on-reports-of-white-house-plan-to-reclassify-pot-PvFT19TMWSoL6bTntJEz
INDEPENDENT JOURNAL REVIEW
— Trump: Blue States That Let Illegals Drive ‘Lethal Weapons’ Will Miss Out On Millions Of Tax Money
https://ijr.com/trump-admin-says-blue-states-that-let-illegals-drive-lethal-weapons-will-miss-out-on-millions-of-tax-money/
December 11, 2025 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— Indiana Republicans block Trump’s redistricting push in rare break with president
https://abc7chicago.com/post/indiana-redistricting-news-proposed-2025-map-final-vote-state-senate-thursday-amid-pressure-president-donald-trump/18275092/
— New policies cause worry among refugees, asylum seekers in Chicago area
https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-immigration-news-president-donald-trumps-new-policies-cause-worry-among-refugees-asylum-seekers-city-suburbs/18276909/
NBC5
— Indiana GOP blocks Trump’s redistricting push in a rare break with the president
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/indiana-gop-blocks-trumps-redistricting-push-in-a-rare-break-with-the-president/3861947/
— Senate rejects extension of health care subsidies as costs are set to rise for millions of Americans
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/senate-health-care-vote-aca-subsidies/3861640/
CBS2
— Hopkins introduced revamped teen curfew measure
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/video/hopkins-introduced-revamped-teen-curfew-measure/
WTTW
— Senators Clash Over Trump’s National Guard Deployments During Hearing Pushed by Duckworth
https://news.wttw.com/2025/12/11/senators-clash-over-trump-s-national-guard-deployments-during-hearing-urged-duckworth
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— In dueling DC hearings, Ramirez calls Noem a liar and Duckworth questions Trump troop deployments. Ramirez also penned a letter on Wednesday that asked House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan “to conduct a complete investigation into Noem’s “unlawful and potentially impeachable actions.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/2025/12/11/kristi-noem-testimony-congress-delia-ramirez-tammy-duckworth-trump-troop-deployments
CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Indiana GOP blocks Trump redistricting push, easing pressure on Illinois
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/indiana-gop-rejects-trump-redistricting-easing-illinois-pressure
— Duckworth confronts defense officials over Guard deployment in Chicago
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/tammy-duckworth-confronts-dod-officials-over-national-guard
AM870
— Young Voters Want Socialism
https://am870theanswer.com/columnists/larry-elder/video/693a04b03d0f1ebab8af1d95
ALTON TELEGRAPH
— How the IRS’ crime-fighting force took on immigration. IRS Criminal Investigations Chief Guy Ficco spoke with The Associated Press about how the agency is juggling its work on new Trump administration priorities with its core mission of tax enforcement. The little-known agency has been doing more with fewer staff, according to its annual report, released on Thursday. DD: I worked for GAO for 3 years on audits of IRS’s Criminal Investigation Division.
https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/politics/article/how-the-irs-crime-fighting-force-took-on-21237763.php
FOX ILLINOIS
— Thirteen House Republicans joined Democrats in advancing a bill that would reverse Trump’s executive order to crack down harder on federal worker unions. DD: When I started working for the Post Office in 1966, I felt I had no choice but to join the union. When I started working for IRS in 1971, I felt I had no choice but to join the union.
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/13-house-republicans-join-democrats-to-advance-bill-reversing-trumps-union-crackdown
— HUD Secretary blames illegal migration for ruining the housing market for Americans
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/hud-secretary-turner-blames-illegal-migration-for-ruining-the-housing-market-for-americans-biden-administration-immigration-families
CITIES 92.9
— Your kids now belong to the Chicago Teachers Union
https://www.cities929.com/2025/12/11/op-ed-your-kids-now-belong-to-the-chicago-teachers-union/
DURBIN
— Durbin Condemns Trump’s Racist Comments Towards Immigrants In Senate Judiciary Committee Executive Meeting. During his opening remarks, Durbin again called on Noem to testify in front of the Committee, urged Grassley to consider a subpoena if she refuses to appear.
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-condemns-president-trumps-racist-comments-towards-immigrants-in-senate-judiciary-committee-executive-meeting
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON TIMES
— Indiana Republicans defy Trump, block redistricting push
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/11/indiana-republicans-defy-trump-block-redistricting-push/
— America’s unsustainable fertility crisis. A demographic earthquake is coming, unless we change.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/11/americas-unsustainable-fertility-crisis/
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Democratic socialist breaks DC campaign filing system with massive fundraising haul
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/3914740/janeese-lewis-george-breaks-dc-campaign-filing-system-massive-fundraising-haul/
NEW YORK POST
— Tyler Robinson, accused in Charlie Kirk killing, smirks and chuckles during first in-person court appearance, with family in tow
https://nypost.com/2025/12/11/us-news/tyler-robinson-accused-in-charlie-kirk-killing-looks-calm-chuckles-with-lawyers-during-first-in-person-court-appearance-with-family-in-tow/
— Erika Kirk tormented by vile trolls since Charlie’s assassination
https://nypost.com/2025/12/10/opinion/miranda-devine-erika-kirk-tormented-by-vile-trolls-since-charlies-assassination/
— Nikki Haley’s son says ‘this isn’t the country for you’ if you can’t choose your loyalty. DD: My critics/opponents demand blind loyalty. They have their operatives and their dupes take adverse actions against me. They destroy those like me who they cannot manipulate or dominate, who refuse to glorify and paise them, who refuse to pander to them, who refuse to serve as one of their operatives or dupes, who refuse to cover up their wrongdoing, and/or who refuse to give them money. They reject some, many, most, virtually all, if not all conservative principles and planks in the Republican Party platform. Most commonly, they reject its personal responsibility, traditional marriage and family, right to life, immigration, illegal drugs, Second Amendment, and/or equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) planks. I should write about my critics/opponents. I would focus on those who continue to have lots of clout and have had their operatives and their dupes take the most/biggest adverse actions against me lately.
https://nypost.com/2025/12/11/media/nikki-haleys-son-says-this-isnt-the-country-for-you-if-you-cant-choose-your-loyalty/
AMERICAN THINKER
— Pritzker and the Act of Choosing Sides
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2025/12/j_b_pritzker_and_the_act_of_choosing_sides.html
BREITBART
— Mamdani on NYPD Arresting ICE Agents
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2025/12/11/mamdani-on-nypd-arresting-ice-agents-focus-is-on-sanctuary-law-but-has-to-be-accountability-for-all-of-us-for-law-to-be-meaningful/
BIZ PAC REVIEW
— DHS buying six 737s to speed up getting illegal aliens OUT
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2025/12/11/dhs-buying-six-737s-to-speed-up-getting-illegal-aliens-out-1609593/
DAILY WIRE
— Ending The Woke Monopoly: White House Takes Aim At Higher Ed’s Ideological Capture. University leaders would be wise to get out of the business of indoctrination and discrimination and return to open inquiry.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/ending-the-woke-monopoly-white-house-takes-aim-at-higher-eds-ideological-capture
FOX NEWS
— Noem confronts Democrats over NYC crime, asylum abuses as members hurl accusations. Noem fought off a wave of Democrat attacks and calls to resign during Thursday’s hearing.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/noem-confronts-democrats-over-nyc-crime-asylum-abuses-members-hurl-accusations
— Top Republican rebukes notions to arrest DHS agents with plan to pull funding from problem cities. House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington’s SHIELD Act could target San Francisco, Chicago.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/top-republican-rebukes-notions-arrest-ice-agents-plan-pull-fed-funding-from-problem-cities
— Musk accuses Ilhan Omar of treason
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/elon-musk-accuses-ilhan-omar-treason-over-somalia-comments-viral-social-media-post
— In wake of Charlie Kirk’s murder, Elon Musk says security issues keep him from spending much time in public
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/wake-charlie-kirk-murder-elon-183853711.html
HOT AIR
— Homan: You Better Believe We’re Looking Into Omar’s Alleged Marriage to Brother as Immigration Fraud
https://hotair.com/ed-morrissey/2025/12/11/homan-you-better-believe-were-looking-into-omars-marriage-to-brother-as-immigration-fraud-n3809763
NATIONAL REVIEW
— On the Brink of Suicide: New York and Illinois
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/on-the-brink-of-suicide-new-york-and-illinois/
NEWS BUSTERS
— Pritzker ‘Violated the Supremacy Clause’ of Constitution, DHS Warns
https://newsbusters.org/blogs/cnsnews/craig-bannister/2025/12/10/illinois-gov-pritzker-violated-supremacy-clause
NEWSMAX
— HUD Links Migration to Higher Housing Costs
https://www.newsmax.com/us/hud-jd-vance-scott-turner/2025/12/11/id/1237974/
PJ MEDIA
— 2.5M Illegal Aliens Out of U.S. Since January
https://pjmedia.com/catherinesalgado/2025/12/11/25m-illegals-out-of-us-since-january-n4946939
— DOJ Sues Minneapolis Schools for Race Discrimination in Hiring
https://pjmedia.com/catherinesalgado/2025/12/11/doj-sues-minneapolis-schools-for-race-discrimination-n4946944
— Is American Urban Culture Beyond Repair?
https://pjmedia.com/benbartee/2025/12/11/is-american-urban-culture-beyond-repair-retail-reparations-pt-iv-n4946937
— Biden Admin Let at Least 18,000 Terrorists Into America
https://pjmedia.com/catherinesalgado/2025/12/11/biden-admin-let-at-least-18000-terrorists-into-america-n4946947
POST MILLENNIAL
— ‘Not all cultures are equal’: Rep Randy Fine defends Trump admin’s crackdown on Somali migrants after billion dollar fraud scheme in Minnesota. “There are some people who come to this country to add value, and there are some that come to this country to take value.”
https://thepostmillennial.com/not-all-cultures-are-equal-rep-randy-fine-defends-trump-admins-crackdown-on-somali-migrants-after-billion-dollar-fraud-scheme-in-minnesota
REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— Mamdani: “I’m Prepared For Any Consequence” For Standing Up To ICE For New Yorkers
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2025/12/10/mamdani_im_prepared_for_any_consequence_for_standing_up_to_ice_for_new_yorkers.html
TOWNHALL
— The Somali Experiment Failed, It’s Time to Change Course
https://townhall.com/columnists/dustin-grage/2025/12/11/the-somali-experiment-failed-its-time-to-change-course-n2667661
— Thank You, Indiana RINOS…for Being Totally Worthless
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2025/12/11/indianas-push-to-redraw-its-congressional-maps-torpedoed-by-republicans-n2667769
TURNING POINT USA
— Another College Student Government Votes Against a TPUSA Chapter Becoming a Recognized Student Organization
https://tpusa.com/live/another-college-student-government-votes-against-a-tpusa-chapter-becoming-a-recognized-student-organization/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CBS NEWS
— DD: Democrat leaders drive up grocery prices and then blame on Trump.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-speech-affordability-fact-check-inflation-data/
NEW YORK TIMES
— Noem Faces Questions From House Panel Amid Immigration Crackdown
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/11/us/politics/noem-house-hearing-immigration-crackdown.html
— ICE Says It Has No Videos to Release of Chicago Deportation Operations
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/us/politics/ice-bodycam-video-chicago.html
— What Is a Trump Gold Card? Applications Open for Million-Dollar Visas.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/us/politics/trump-gold-card.html
WASHINGTON POST
— House votes to repeal Trump order ending union rights at federal agencies. DD: GAO did not unionize until 2007. If GAO had unionized sooner, I might still be a GAO employee. But if not that, my Democrat GAO superiors would not have been able to take the adverse actions against me that they did.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/12/11/house-repeal-trump-union-order/
LOS ANGELES TIMES
— DD: To illegally bring a child illegally into a country illegally demonstrates gross disrespect for the rule of law and for that country.
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2025-12-11/trump-administration-separates-thousands-of-migrant-families-in-u-s
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Socialism Still Not That Popular. But capitalism wins only a plurality in a new survey.
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/socialism-still-not-that-popular-00686d77
— Miami, a Power Center for Trump, Delivers a Rebuke of the President. Voters sent clear messages on issues in race that became a referendum on the president.
https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/miami-a-power-center-for-trump-delivers-a-rebuke-of-the-president-03fcebe6?mod=djemwhatsnews
MONEY WIZE
— Everything about retirement changes if you’re one of the lucky few who have a pension in America. DD: I got in line for a Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) pension when I was 18 years old in 1966. I have begetting a CSRS pension since I was 49 years old in 1997. My critics/opponents have always been furious about that.
https://www.aol.com/finance/everything-retirement-changes-one-lucky-114500050.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: If you’re one of the few American workers with a traditional pension, your retirement strategy likely looks different from that of your peers. As of March, 2025, only 14% of U.S. workers were covered by a defined benefit pension plan, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These plans are far more common among government employees and retirees. In fact, nearly 86% of state and local public sector workers have access to such a pension, according to Congress. And in 2024, 56% of retirees reported receiving pension income, according to the Federal Reserve. Depending on your age and your employer, a defined benefit pension could significantly shape your retirement outlook. The guaranteed monthly income offers stability, but it brings unique considerations for tax strategy and estate planning.)
NFFE
— NFFE Applauds House Passage of the Protect America’s Workforce Act to Restore Collective Bargaining Rights for Federal Employees. DD: GAO did not unionize until 2007. If GAO had unionized sooner, I might still be a GAO employee. But if not that, my Democrat GAO superiors would not have been able to take the adverse actions against me that they did.
https://nffe.org/nffe_news/nffe-applauds-house-passage-of-the-protect-americas-workforce-act-to-restore-collective-bargaining-rights-for-federal-employees/
POLITICO
— Indiana GOP rejects Trump’s map in major blow to his gerrymandering push
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/11/indiana-republicans-redistricting-vote-trump-00687714
FROM FOREIGN SOURCES
DEMOCRACY NOW
— Trump Launches “Trump Gold Card” Visa Program for Wealthy Noncitizens
https://www.democracynow.org/2025/12/11/headlines/trump_launches_trump_gold_card_visa_program_for_wealthy_noncitizens
TIMES OF INDIA
— Charlie Kirk’s Widow Delivers Emotional Message To People Mocking His Death
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/english/charlie-kirks-widow-delivers-emotional-message-to-people-mocking-his-death/videoshow/125920713.cms
— Elite US colleges see record surge in low-income enrolments as new financial aid strategies take hold. DD: Overwhelmingly, low-income students are minorities.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/elite-us-colleges-see-record-surge-in-low-income-enrolments-as-new-financial-aid-strategies-take-hold/articleshow/125913704.cms
WESTERN STANDARD
— Not all ideas are equal. Neither are all cultures.
https://www.westernstandard.news/opinion/albers-not-all-ideas-are-equal-neither-are-all-cultures/69690
December 5, 2025 Evening Edition
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Ahead of Kristi Noem’s visit to Chicago Saturday, immigration agents make show of force in west suburbs
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/05/kristi-noem-chicago-immigration-arrests/
— Democrat leaders badmouth Trump Accounts
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/05/donald-trump-baby-bonds-trump-accounts-savings-1000/
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DD: Democrat leaders defend the SAFE-T Act.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2025/12/05/safe-t-act-criticism-pre-trial-detention-cta-burning-lawrence-reed-rich-miller
DAILY HERALD
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more mass/illegal immigration.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251205/nation-and-world-politics/around-the-world-refugees-are-shut-out-of-the-us-by-trumps-new-policies/
ABC7
— Mayor Johnson’s pick for Chicago Housing Authority CEO had ‘lack of operational experience.’ DD: All my coworkers who my Democrat superiors in the federal government promoted over me were Democrats who a) had less work experience than I had, b) had less education than I had, c) had no professional certifications or fewer than I had, and/or d) no professional license like the one I had.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/mayor-brandon-johnsons-chicago-housing-authority-ceo-pick-former-alderman-walter-burnett-had-lack-experience-letter/18255257/
CBS2
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly get religious leaders to do their bidding.
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/priest-walks-dolton-pope-leo-home-new-york-statue-of-liberty-immigration/
— Indiana House GOP advances 9-0 congressional map, sending contentious plan to state Senate
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/indiana-redistricting-vote/
— Durbin trying to pass DREAM Act one more time before retirement
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/dick-durbin-dream-act-retirement/
WGN RADIO
— Why college sophomores panic. DD: In retrospect, with benefit of hindsight, if I could do it over again, I would have majored in accounting. I erroneously thought I could never pass the CPA examination. But I passed it on my first attempt when I finally took it when I was 30 years old. But by then, the accounting profession viewed as being too old.
https://wgnradio.com/jobs/career-vision/why-college-sophomores-panic-2/
CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Homeless shelter for families with children opens in downtown Champaign
https://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/housing/homeless-shelter-for-families-with-children-opens-in-downtown-champaign/article_e1a29a84-4491-44eb-a46c-0b6b9c3dfbae.html
WAND TV
— Another line of attack: White House sets up a hall of shame for news outlets. President Donald Trump’s White House has established a hall of shame for journalists it finds guilty of media bias as it looks for new avenues of attack against legacy news outlets.
https://www.wandtv.com/news/national/another-line-of-attack-white-house-sets-up-a-hall-of-shame-for-news-outlets/article_4059594e-71ae-579b-8530-4a6f95156f0d.html
WREX
— Realtors say immigration fear is influencing Rockford housing market
https://www.wrex.com/news/realtors-say-immigration-fear-is-influencing-rockford-housing-market/article_7640023e-471a-40cb-965f-4aa531ad4995.html
CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
— Illinois educators hope to tackle thorny issue of math competence. State board developing ‘numeracy plan’ to boost math competency statewide.
https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/illinois-educators-hope-to-tackle-thorny-issue-of-math-competence/
CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/12/05/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-433/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Forced Charity: ComEd Shifting Electric Burden to Middle Class under Pritzker Administration Order
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/12/05/forced-charity-com-ed-shifting-electric-burden-to-middle-class-under-pritzker-administration-order/
— Former Republican Congressman Randy Hultgren Retiring as Head of Illinois Bankers Association
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/12/05/former-republican-congressman-randy-hultgren-retiring-as-head-of-illinois-bankers-association/
— 9th District Democratic Party Congressional Hopeful Bushra Amiwala Marshals Volunteers
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/12/05/9th-district-democratic-party-congressional-hopeful-bushra-amiwala-marshals-volunteers/
— Prairie Grove School District Seeks 16.6% Tax Hike
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/12/04/prairie-grove-school-district-seeks16-6-tax-hike/
— Crystal Lake High School District Asking for Almost 5% More in Real Estate Taxes
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/12/04/crystal-lake-high-school-district-asking-for-almost-5-more-in-real-estate-taxes/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTINGTON TIMES
— Most universities ignore Trump administration’s ban on diversity-themed admission essays
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/5/universities-ignore-trump-administrations-ban-diversity-themed/
— ‘Ticking time bomb’: How dangers lurked in Afghan evacuee population
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/5/ticking-time-bomb-dangers-lurked-afghan-evacuee-population/
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— The one-income, middle-class household is a historical myth. DD: I was raised in a one-income household. My father never earned more than $50,000/year in today’s dollars. He died suddenly when he was 47 and I was 21. I had to work my way through college.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/business/3899251/one-income-middle-class-household-historical-myth/
— Dell teaches an anti-socialist lesson
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/magazine/magazine-letter-from-the-editor/3906428/dell-teaches-anti-socialist-lesson/
— The college degree was a signal. Now it’s just noise. DD: All my coworkers who my Democrat superiors in the federal government promoted over me were Democrats who a) had less education than I had, b) had less work experience than I had, c) had no professional certifications or fewer than I had, and/or d) no professional license like the one I had.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/faith-freedom-self-reliance/3907523/college-degree-was-signal-now-noise/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: As college students across the country prepare for their final exams, many assume they’re entering a job market eager to receive them. But the latest data tell a harsher truth: Americans with bachelor’s degrees now make up a record 25% of the unemployed, up from under 10% three decades ago. And for those ages 20 to 24 — the very students heading toward commencement — unemployment has climbed to 9.2%, a year-over-year spike not seen outside recessions. For many parents, these statistics land like a betrayal. They followed the script they were handed, and they urged their children to do the same: work hard, pad the résumé, secure admission, earn the degree. They were assured the payoff would be waiting on the other side. Instead, the very credential that students were promised would open doors for them is now failing even to keep those doors from closing in their faces.)
NEW YORK POST
— Trump to tour nation with economic pitch as Dems hone ‘affordability’ attack
https://nypost.com/2025/12/05/us-news/trump-to-tour-nation-with-economic-pitch-as-dems-hone-maaa-affordability-attack/
— Trump’s Mr. Fix it: Scott Bessent set to tackle affordability crisis. DD: What stopped you from earning more money during your career? For me, it was my Democrat superiors in the federal government who wasted my career and forced me to retire when I was 49 in 1997. They wasted what I had learned a) earning a job-related bachelor’s degree and three job-related master’s degrees, b) earning six job-related professional certifications, c) earning a job-related professional license, d) working for the Post Office for almost 3 years, e) working for IRS for almost 9 years, and f) working for GAO for almost 18 years.
https://nypost.com/2025/12/05/business/trumps-mr-fix-it-scott-bessent-set-to-tackle-affordability-crisis/
AMERICAN GREATNESS
— Over 260,000 Dead People and Thousands of Illegals Found in Voter Roll Review Thus Far
https://amgreatness.com/2025/12/05/assist-ag-harmeet-dhillon-over-260000-dead-people-and-thousands-of-illegals-found-in-voter-roll-review-thus-far/
BREITBART
— Minneapolis: ICE Arrests Illegals from Somalia During ‘Operation Metro Surge’
https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2025/12/05/minneapolis-ice-arrests-illegals-from-somalia-during-operation-metro-surge/amp/
FEDERALIST
— Normal Americans Are The Ones Who Pay The Price For Biden’s Disastrous Immigration Policies
https://thefederalist.com/2025/12/05/normal-americans-are-the-ones-who-pay-the-price-for-bidens-disastrous-immigration-policies/
— Raking In Hundreds Of Millions For Trafficking Kids Destroys U.S. Catholic Bishops’ Credibility On Immigration
https://thefederalist.com/2025/12/05/raking-in-hundreds-of-millions-for-trafficking-kids-destroys-u-s-catholic-bishops-credibility-on-immigration/
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
CBS NEWS
— U.S. mission in Afghanistan was “two-decade long effort fraught with waste,” watchdog finds
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-mission-afghanistan-fraught-with-waste-sigar-report/
PACIFIC LEGAL
— Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker recently signed legislation rewriting the state’s scholarship rules—and abruptly ending a decades-old race-exclusive program. The change will moot a lawsuit led by a student member of the American Alliance for Equal Rights and represented by the Pacific Legal Foundation at no cost. The law, House Bill 3065, which took effect November 21, struck racial classifications from scholarship eligibility in Illinois.
https://pacificlegal.org/following-plfs-discrimination-suit-pritzker-signs-bill-ending-illinois-race-exclusive-scholarship/
CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION
— DD: If Democrat and RINO leaders had their way, only those who are the following would be allowed to earn college degrees: Democrat, RINO, minority, female, younger, unmarried, LGBTQ, non-Protestant, non-German American, have ancestors who have not been in America for a long time, and/or are citizens of foreign countries. I am none of the aforesaid. After I got married when I was 29, I earned a master’s degree in accounting when I was 31 and a master’s degree in financial markets and trading when I was 48.
https://www.chronicle.com/newsletter/daily-briefing/2025-12-05