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politics·politics byDrusas

Blanche: Congress has already approved White House ballroom project

Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday said the Department of Justice believes Congress has already granted President Trump the authority to construct the White House ballroom under existing presidential authority.

“We don’t believe we have to go to Congress. We believe Congress has already given us the authority to do what we’re doing,” Blanche said during a Sunday appearance on Fox News’s “Fox News Sunday.”

“Many presidents have done a tremendous amount of work to the White House, as they should, and Congress has authorized them to do so,” he added in discussion with anchor Shannon Bream, a lawyer criticized by Trump after the interview aired.

Bream asked Blanche why he wouldn’t go to Congress for approval on the reported $900-million project if he believes they’ve already been granted the authority to complete construction on the White House campus.

An appeals court has ordered the administration to stop all work on the project by Aug. 21 unless the Supreme Court steps in to approve the overhaul.

“We’re hopeful that the Supreme Court recognizes that so we can get the ballroom finished as soon as possible. Remember, yes, it is a ballroom, but it’s also a meaningful upgrade and necessary part of the security of this city and the security of the president and his family,” Blanche said Sunday.

Blanche: Congress has already approved White House ballroom projecthttps://thehill-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/thehill.com/homenews/administration/6033325-blanche-trump-white-house-ballroom-congress/amp/?amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQGsAEggAID%23amp_tf%3DFrom+%251%24s&aoh=17870345786044&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fhomenews%2Fadministration%2F6033325-blanche-trump-white-house-ballroom-congress%2FOpen linkView original on fedia.io
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seattle·SeattlebyDrusas

Trump fires new U.S. attorney in Seattle within an hour

At 7:40 a.m. Wednesday, federal judges in the Western District of Washington swore in former King County Superior Court judge and federal prosecutor Roger Rogoff as their pick for U.S. attorney.

Fifty-four minutes later, President Donald Trump fired him.

Rogoff, who recently resigned as director of the state office of independent investigations, formed to investigate police killings, is now the rope in a tug-of-war with the Trump administration. The district’s 17 sitting federal judges began looking for a replacement for Neil Floyd in January after the president failed to formally nominate him, instead appointing Floyd as interim and later as a “first assistant” U.S. attorney in order to sidestep the nomination process.

Rogoff said he was waiting in the lobby of the U.S. District Courthouse downtown to meet with Floyd, and presumably take Floyd’s office, when he got an email saying he’d been fired.

“We are working on legal action right now,” Rogoff said. “The rule of law requires that prosecutorial decisions remain free from political interference, and that lawful judicial appointments be respected. I remain grateful for the confidence placed in me and proud of the career professionals who continue to serve the people of Western Washington.”

Rogoff’s firing sets up a legal battle over a federal statute that gives a district’s federal judges authority to appoint a U.S. attorney if there is no formal nomination or Senate hearing.

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/judges-appoint-new-u-s-attorney-in-seattle-setting-up-trump-showdown/Open linkView original on fedia.io
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seattle·SeattlebyDrusas

Fishing or boating friends who aren't conservative old men

I don't think this is what this community was intended for, but I don't think there's anywhere else, either.

I've been trying for years to find a fishing buddy or a boating buddy who is not a conservative old man. I have encountered some very friendly conservative old men. I have come across people who suggested a fly fishing class.

I can't do fly fishing due to physical limitations.

Any suggestions on where to find such a buddy would be appreciated.

I live in Seattle but can travel a little bit. I have a boat near Tacoma. I'd love to try some river fishing as long as it doesn't involve a hike (physical limitations).

I also have a little Hi-Laker boat that I'm looking to offload, in case anyone's interested.

View original on fedia.io
41
news·NewsbyDrusas

Target misses out on Fortune 'most admired' accolade for first time since 2001

It's been a tumultuous year for the Minneapolis retailer.

For the first time in 24 years, Target has not been named in Fortune Magazine's World’s Most Admired Companies All-Star list.

The Minneapolis retailer has been ever-present on the list from 2002 onwards, but didn't make the cut in this year's All-Star selection.

Target ranked 27th in the 2025 iteration of the list but dropped out of the Top 50 for the 2026 list.

https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-lifestyle/target-misses-out-on-fortune-most-admired-accolade-for-first-time-since-2001Open linkView original on fedia.io
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news·NewsbyDrusas

Trump FCC threatens to enforce equal-time rule on late-night talk shows

FCC disputes long-standing view that the shows are exempt from equal-time rule.

The equal-time rule, formally known as the Equal Opportunities Rule, applies to radio or TV broadcast stations with FCC licenses to use the public airwaves. When a station gives time to one political candidate, it must provide comparable time and placement to an opposing candidate if an opposing candidate makes a request.

The rule has an exemption for candidate appearances on bona fide news programs. As the FCC explained in 2022, “appearances by legally qualified candidates on bona fide newscasts, interview programs, certain types of news documentaries, and during on-the-spot coverage of bona fide news events are exempt from Equal Opportunities.”

Entertainment talk shows have generally been treated as bona fide news programs for this purpose. But Carr said in September that he’s not sure shows like The View should qualify for the exemption, and today’s public notice suggests the FCC may no longer treat these shows as exempt.

Trump FCC threatens to enforce equal-time rule on late-night talk showshttps://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/01/trump-fcc-tries-to-get-more-republicans-on-late-night-and-daytime-talk-shows/Open linkView original on fedia.io
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politics·politics byDrusas

Hungary's main opposition widens lead over PM Orban's Fidesz [in upcoming parliamentary election], surveys show

BUDAPEST, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Hungary's main opposition Tisza party has widened its lead over Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz, two polls showed on Wednesday, ahead of an April election in which the veteran nationalist is seeking to retain his 16-year grip on power.

Orban, in power since 2010, is facing a strong challenger for the first time in the April 12 parliamentary vote, with the outcome having major implications not only for Hungary but for Europe and its far-right political forces.

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/hungarys-main-opposition-widens-lead-over-pm-orbans-fidesz-two-surveys-show-2026-01-14/Open linkView original on fedia.io
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health·Health - Resources and discussion for everything health-relatedbyDrusas

Tattoos Affect Your Immune System in Ways We're Only Beginning to Understand

Once tattoo ink enters the body, it does not stay put. Beneath the skin, tattoo pigments interact with the immune system in ways scientists are only just beginning to understand.

Tattoos are generally considered safe, but growing scientific evidence suggests tattoo inks are not biologically inert. The key question is no longer whether tattoos introduce foreign substances into the body, but how toxic those substances might be and what that means for long-term health.

Tattoos Affect Your Immune System in Ways We're Only Beginning to Understandhttps://www.sciencealert.com/tattoos-affect-your-immune-system-in-ways-were-only-beginning-to-understandOpen linkView original on fedia.io
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chronicillness·Chronic IllnessbyDrusas

Doctors’ best friends: dogs will help sniff out bacteria for cystic fibrosis sufferers

Imperial College project could lead to less invasive testing and combat increase in antibiotic resistance

Jodie is a canine with special ­powers, scientists have discovered. The golden labrador can smell and ­identify ­particular bacteria and could soon play a key role in helping researchers develop a programme in which dogs could sniff out individuals infected with dangerous microbes.

The project, recently launched by scientists at Imperial College London, could be vital in the battle against antibiotic resistance as well as the treatment of patients with lung ­disease and other conditions, they say.

“We believe Jodie and her fellow medical detective dogs point to a new way to spot infected individuals, just by having a sniff of their socks or shirts,” said Professor Jane Davies at Imperial College.

“They could become a major help in tackling antimicrobial resistance and conditions like cystic fibrosis.”

Cystic fibrosis is one of the world’s most common inherited illnesses. A defective protein allows mucus to build up in lungs and other organs, triggering chronic infections that worsen through life.

[article continues]

Doctors’ best friends: dogs will help sniff out bacteria for cystic fibrosis sufferershttps://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/22/dogs-will-help-sniff-out-bacteria-cystic-fibrosis-sufferersOpen linkView original on fedia.io
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Resist·Resist: It's TimebyDrusas

Firearms recommendations

While I don't expect or hope to ever need it, as an American, I would like to be prepared to resist as much as necessary if needed. It's looking like it might be needed at some point here.

I'm looking to get a rifle or two for that specific purpose just in case. Can anyone recommend specific brands/models and/or features I should be looking for? I'm disabled in a way that limits my ability to hold anything heavy, so lighter weight is good. I have a revolver, but that's probably not the best for standing up against a repressive regime.

I plan to train with whatever I get, of course. Thanks in advance.

Edit: There way too much information here for me to reply to it all individually, but I would like to say thank you to everyone for your very helpful responses.

View original on fedia.io
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casualconversation·[Migrated, see pinned post] Casual Conversation byDrusas

The best thing about not living in Chinatown anymore is that New Year's fireworks are only on New Year's Eve

I spent a few years living in the international district (Chinatown, Japantown, Little Saigon) and people would set off fireworks and firecrackers in the neighborhood for days or even a couple of weeks after New Year's. And then again on Chinese New Year's. And there's also this group that likes to go and bang on drums while marching around the neighborhood at those times. It was awful and it made my dogs so stressed out.

Now that I live in a mostly Vietnamese neighborhood outside of the international district, I only hear fireworks on New Year's Eve and Chinese New Year's. It's great not having to worry about whether or not I should drug my dogs for days on end.

I personally enjoy fireworks displays, but I don't think they should be allowed by unlicensed people at their own homes.

View original on fedia.io
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horror·HorrorbyDrusas

Help remembering a horror movie

About 4 years ago, I watched a movie which I enjoyed but can't for the life of me find. It involved a white couple getting lost in deep rural Appalachia and getting taken in by a cult-like small family in the middle of nowhere.

I don't remember the details very well since it was a few years ago and I watched it pretty late at night. I think it involved the woman being drawn in while the man wasn't, and there being murder (in a shed?), but that could be me mixing different movies up.

Does anyone know what it might have been?

View original on fedia.io
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