Michigan paid out $14 million in fraudulent food stamps
When criminals attacked Michigan’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in fiscal year 2024, they stole more than $14 million in food assistance benefits, according to a document obtained through a records request.
More than 1.4 million Michiganders receive state-issued Bridge Cards to buy food at more than 10,000 approved retailers. Organized criminal rings target these cards and retailers with fake card readers, known as skimmers, that steal account data and drain benefits, with taxpayers footing the bill.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and federal partners say they’ve fought back by seizing 44 skimmers at gas stations, grocery stores and liquor stores, protecting $16 million in benefits and 76,000 accounts, according to documents obtained through a records request. Click here to read more.
Taxpayer-Funded PBS Show Pushes 93% Anti-Trump Bias, Study Finds
A new study released Tuesday found that the taxpayer-funded PBS program “Washington Week with The Atlantic” consistently exhibited a staggering 93% negative bias against Republicans and the Trump administration over the past three months, despite claiming to provide “objective” political coverage.
The study, conducted by the Media Research Center (MRC), analyzed 13 weekly episodes from April through June 2025, finding that panelists devoted 83 minutes to discussing Republicans and the Trump administration with overwhelming negativity.
“The panelists spent 83 minutes opining on Republicans, focusing on Trump and his administration, in 93% negative fashion (77 minutes negative, six minutes positive),” the MRC report reads.
Even topics where the Trump administration demonstrated success, such as the strike on Iran’s nuclear program, received predominantly negative coverage at 82% unfavorable. Click here to read more. Click here to read more.
Trial begins for man charged in Washington State mask mandate dispute
ISLAND COUNTY, Wash. — A dispute over a mask mandate is now heading to trial in Island County.
Last fall, two Republican election observers, Tracy Abuhl and Tim Hazelo, were asked to leave the county elections office for refusing to wear a mask. Both are now facing criminal charges.
At the time, the policy was set by the county auditor after half of her staff had previously gotten sick with COVID-19.
Those who did not want to wear a mask were still allowed to observe the election process from the hallway, though Abuhl says her view was obstructed there.
“I was very peaceful, very respectful, but no, this is unconstitutional,” Abuhl said. “I'm there as a volunteer, a citizen. I was a Republican observer, and I couldn't do my job.”
Both Abuhl and Hazelo were asked to leave and hit with criminal charges, including unauthorized access to a voting center, disorderly conduct, and criminal trespass. Click here to read more.
The Mamdani Millionaires Supporting the Socialist for NYC Mayor
In early September, Kathy Wylde, one of New York’s undisputed power brokers, met with Zohran Mamdani, then one of the longest of long-shot candidates in the New York City mayor’s race.
In a coffee shop on the ground floor of 85 Broad St. in lower Manhattan, once Goldman Sachs’s headquarters, the democratic socialist made the case that while he would be focused on income inequality, he was also open to working with the city’s business elite.
“He said, ‘Look, I’m not in favor of government taking over your business,’” Wylde said. “He made clear that he’s not anticapitalist in that sense.”
Mamdani’s shocking win in the Democratic primary last month has polarized the business community of the U.S.’s most economically critical city. Inside investment banks and during breakfast meetings, the very mention of Mayor Eric Adams’s potential left-wing successor has set off rancor and fear among the business elite, some of whom say they are considering leaving the city altogether. Click here to read more.
What You Need to Know About the Judge Protecting Planned Parenthood’s Funding From One Big, Beautiful Bill
The Massachusetts federal judge who temporarily secured taxpayer dollars for Planned Parenthood after the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” defunding of the nation’s largest abortion provider has a career steeped in progressive politics and controversial rulings.
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani of the District of Massachusetts imposed a temporary restraining order Monday directing the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure Medicaid funding continues to be disbursed to Planned Parenthood, which sued to restore its funding.
As a lawyer, Talwani represented organized labor unions, while as a judge she made left-leaning rulings on immigration policy, as well as a case involving transgender and free speech issues.
The Daily Signal depends on the support of readers like you. Donate now
Planned Parenthood reportedly receives more than one-third of its overall funding from the U.S. government through grants, contracts, and Medicaid reimbursements. Click here to read more.
