Aggregator

Las Vegas-based Allegiant said the transaction closed after receiving required regulatory and shareholder approvals.

The district, known as the “blue dot,” is one of only three districts former Vice President Kamala Harris won in the 2024 presidential election that is represented by a Republican in Congress.

America's Fanatical Left Wing Mayors Are A Malignant Threat

This week the Democrat mayor of Arcadia, CA pled guilty to charges of acting as an illegal agent of the People’s Republic of China.  Prosecutors alleged that from 2020–2022 (pre-mayor but continuing into her time in office), she and an associate operated a website promoting pro-China propaganda at the direction of PRC officials, without registering as a foreign agent. 

She faces at up to 10 years in prison for the crime, and it raises questions about how many more US mayors are on the payroll of foreign governments.  But this scandal, like most scandals surrounding Democrats, will probably be erased from public discussion and forgotten within days.  It's a tale that keeps repeating over the last decade and the lack of scrutiny (or pattern recognition) is leading to devastating consequences for the US as a whole.

The common reaction among many conservatives when they come across such news is to dismiss it as predictable.  "The idiots living in that city got exactly what they voted for..." is the often heard retort.  The implication being that it's "not our problem" and that leftists should be allowed to rot in the hellholes they created for themselves.  But the truth is, it is a problem, for the entire country. 

It's difficult to determine when it became fashionable for conservatives and centrists to abandon the fight for America's cities, but the consequences are spreading like a cancer into the political sphere.  Leftists view these cities as victories.  They see them as "territories, or "home bases" where they can launch assaults on various targets without fear of serious prosecution. 

Allowing this takeover to continue should be treated as embarrassing by anyone with a modicum of moral clarity.

Failing metros also represent symbols of embarrassment on the global stage.  When people around the world see the fentanyl zombie hordes of San Francisco or Philadelphia, that image sticks in their minds as a meme for the US.

 

In August of 2025 when the White House intervened to stop the out of control crime in Washington DC, Democrat Mayor Muriel Bowser and the media fought tooth and nail to prevent outside enforcement.  Bowser's administration is facing scrutiny after it was revealed that the MPD was allegedly rigging data in order to hide the increasing violent crime rate.

It should be noted that Trump's federal actions cut total crime by 19%, homicides are down by 36%, violent crime is down 6% and robberies are down 25%.  There has been no rebound, and residents continue to express their thanks for Trump stepping in.

But one city being removed from chaos is not enough; the cancer is metastasizing.    

Democrat Socialist (communist) mayors are embedded across the country and the results are increasingly ugly.  Mayor Brandon Johnson in Chicago is reportedly stopping local police from investigating and arresting people involved in spontaneous teen riots across the city.  

Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez, a Democrat, says that Chicago is in for a "very long, very brutal" summer of street takeovers if the mayor doesn't get a grip on the situation. He said policies in Chicago prevent police from correctly handling the violent teen mobs seen in recent months. These mobs are largely made up of black teens, and under the concept of DEI, they get to do whatever they want.

WOW: Thugs took over an intersection in Chicago’s Gresham neighborhood during an illegal street takeover — ransacking a totaled car, setting it on fire, and then blowing it up in the middle of the road.

Fox News: “Chicago police told Fox News Digital that once officers… pic.twitter.com/9PXZiEpSvS

— RedWave Press (@RedWavePress) April 22, 2026

In New York under Zohran Mamdani, the mayor is giving regular speeches about "peace and harmony" under Islamic immigration.  Meanwhile, malicious mobs of leftists and Muslims are now prowling NYC neighborhoods attacking random Jewish people, police and anyone wearing MAGA clothing.  Law enforcement is reportedly being held back from any meaningful response. 

🚨BROOKLYN:

Insane footage of pro-Hamas rioters marching through a Jewish neighborhood toward a synagogue while assaulting Jewish kids.

Sharia supremacists want to conquer not coexist. pic.twitter.com/GMWiUpez3u

— Jayne Zirkle (@JayneZirkle) May 12, 2026

I hope every fucking NYPD officer quits and tells Mamdani to fuck off. pic.twitter.com/PoQuLCxHQ9

— Gina Milan (@ginamilan_) May 12, 2026

Under far-left Mayor Katie Wilson, who was living off her parent's money at age 43 before she was elected, Seattle is witnessing a mass exodus of businesses and higher income taxpayers.  The city was already facing a detrimental budget deficit, but now it is also facing substantial job losses.  Even Starbucks, which got it's start in Seattle, is leaving for Tennessee.  Wilson's response?  "Good riddance..."

Headline: The Strategy of the "Opposite" 📉➡️📈
​
Seattle’s Mayor, Katie Wilson, was recently caught on video laughing about the "millionaire march" out of Washington State, literally telling residents, "Bye."

​But there’s a reason Florida is seeing record growth. Governor Ron… pic.twitter.com/HJqepuaRWZ

— Jason American Patriot™ (@TruthJasonLee) May 3, 2026

In other words, she's happy about the economic destruction of the city she has been charged with managing.  

It is important to realize that leftists view chaos and the deconstruction of the existing society as a good thing.  They applaud high crime, mob violence, economic decay and foreign corruption.  The faster the plunge happens, the sooner they can build their delusional equity-based Utopia.  Once this fact is understood, everything they do makes perfect sense.

But there is some light at the end of the tunnel.  Far-left DEI Mayor Karen Bass of LA is facing significant competition in the 2026 election race.  Her failures in the Palisades fires, rampant homelessness, violent crime and overall mismanagement of city infrastructure might have awakened residents of the city to the idea of voting outside the Democratic Party. 

Conservative candidate Spencer Pratt is surging in the polls.  After the latest public debate, 89% of voters picked Pratt as the winner.  Though Bass continues to lead with 40% of voters polled, Pratt's run is exposing weaknesses in the armor of Democrat controlled urban areas.  At the very least, far more people than expected are fed up with leftist leadership.    

Tyler Durden Wed, 05/13/2026 - 20:30

Lawmakers were not entirely convinced that efforts to reduce ticket prices have made an impact.

The "Storage Wars" personality was found dead in his home on April 22 at the age of 67.

The "Storage Wars" personality was found dead in his home on April 22 at the age of 67.

Federal prosecutors want Yasiel Puig to serve a lengthy stay behind bars after he was convicted of federal crimes earlier this year.

Jim Furyk, who captained the U.S. in a 2018 loss outside Paris and has been a vice captain four times, said the U.S. Ryder Cup system is in disrepair.

"It’s emotional manipulation designed to make one group feel perpetual shame and another group feel perpetual victimhood,” one columnist raged.

“Spygate” isn’t just an American football term anymore. 

A bump at a Harlem subway station left a 29-year-old man with a weapon sticking ouf of his back -- and now he's afraid he may not walk again.

Charitable Giving: How To Manage Donations With New Tax Laws

Authored by Javier Simon via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

When you donate to qualified charitable organizations under the IRS, you could get some tax benefits in the form of charitable deductions.

The OBBBA introduces new limits and tax breaks for charitable giving starting in 2026. Fox_Ana/Shutterstock

But tax laws are constantly changing, and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has brought some major changes to charitable deductions beginning in tax year 2026. These shifts affect both itemizers and those who take the standard deduction.

So let’s take a closer look.

Non-Itemizer Deduction

Normally, charitable deductions mostly benefit those who itemize their deductions. But beginning in tax year 2026, those who take the standard deduction can also deduct up to $1,000 worth of cash gifts to qualified operating charities if filing single or $2,000 if married and filing jointly.

However, this particular deduction doesn’t apply to contributions to donor-advised funds.

For tax year 2026, the standard deduction increased to $16,100 for single filers and $32,200 for married couples filing jointly. These figures will be adjusted annually for inflation.

These are historically high standard deduction levels made permanent through the OBBBA, so you may want to check if your total itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction.

Charitable Deduction ‘Floor’

For tax year 2026 and on, itemizers can only deduct the portion of their total donations that exceed 0.5 percent of their adjusted gross income (AGI).

So, if your AGI is $100,000, only the value of donations above $500 would be deductible. That $500 is the “floor.” For example, if an individual with an AGI of $100,000 donated $700 to an IRS-qualified children’s hospital, only $200 would be deductible ($700 – $500 = $200).

In other words, smaller donations may not generate as robust a tax benefit—or any at all in some cases. To get around this, many advisers recommend “bunching” several years of planned donations in one tax year to clear the floor.

New Cap for High Earners

If you’re in the highest tax bracket of 37 percent, the tax savings of your charitable deductions are capped at 35 percent. This means that if you’re in that tax bracket, a $20,000 donation would get you $7,000 in tax savings rather than $7,400 at 37 percent.

But there are many ways you can reduce your taxable income. For example, you can maximize pre-tax accounts like 401(k)s, IRAs, and HSAs. Such moves could move you to lower tax brackets.

The 60 Percent Cap Is Permanent

You can deduct cash gifts made to qualified charities up to 60 percent of your AGI. However, you must first clear the 0.5 percent floor.

New QCD Limits

A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) allows individuals aged 70 1/2 or older to donate up to $111,000 in 2026 to a qualified charity directly from a traditional IRA—and that charitable distribution won’t count toward your taxable income.

Plus, your QCD can satisfy your required minimum distribution (RMD). RMDs are certain amounts of money most people must annually withdraw from their traditional IRAs once they reach age 73, even if they don’t need it.

But by the time you reach 73, you may have grown a sizable nest egg. RMDs are partially calculated based on your IRA balance. So if it’s large enough, it can bump you into a higher tax bracket. It may even trigger net investment income tax and surcharges on your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums through what’s known as the income-related monthly adjustment amount.

So having your QCD satisfy your RMD can be quite beneficial. But remember, there are limits to QCDs, so if your RMD for 2026 is larger than $111,000, the difference would still be taxable. In other words, your QCD can partially or fully satisfy your RMD.

The Bottom Line

Charitable giving is a key component in the financial plans of many individuals. It not only allows them to contribute to the causes they care about but also earns people tax breaks. However, tax laws often fluctuate. The OBBBA is a sweeping law that brought major changes to charitable deductions, so it’s important to discuss your philanthropic goals for the year with a qualified tax adviser.

The Epoch Times copyright © 2026. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. The Epoch Times does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. The Epoch Times holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.

Tyler Durden Wed, 05/13/2026 - 20:05

The 2026 election is a “change” election in California. Everyone agrees on that.

California’s sky-high prices are forcing some into desperate measures — including living in parking lots, Buddhist communes and relying on gym memberships just to shower.

Eric Swalwell's wife was spotted outside their Washington, D.C. home without her wedding ring.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained Tuesday that he hopes to convince China to “play a more active role” in persuading Iran to open up the Strait of Hormuz. “We’ve made the...

A. J. Ewing was promoted to the big leagues to try to spark a struggling Mets lineup. He greatly impressed in his debut.

Vance Shrugs Off Backlash After Trump Says Americans' Finances Don't Factor Into Iran War "Even A Little Bit"

Just before leaving to China on Tuesday, President Trump fielded question from the media and issued some shocking remarks which are sure to hurt, not help Republicans, during a week in which the Iran war hits the 75-day mark.

President Trump conceded that the financial situation for Americans was not a factor in his decision-making when it came to Iran, at a moment Americans are alarmed at steadily rising gas prices, and the potential that the cost of everything from groceries to other basic staples could go up. The real surprise was that he didn't even try dodge the question or massage the topic like many politicians would choose to do, instead he emphasized: "Not even a little bit."

"The only thing that matters, when I’m talking about Iran, they can’t have a nuclear weapon. I don't think about Americans' financial situation. I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing: we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon… that’s the only thing that motivates me," he added. Watch:

President Trump is asked how much he considers Americans' financial situation when negotiating with Iran:

"Not even a little bit. The only thing that matters is they can't have a nuclear weapon. I don't think about Americans’ financial situation. I don't think about anybody." pic.twitter.com/BFxqVtZgQr

— The American Conservative (@amconmag) May 12, 2026

Congressional GOP members are no doubt squirming in wake of these blunt comments, and Trump's own staff surely wasn't thrilled. Trump didn't so much as hesitate in his remarks, and midterm elections are coming up fast, with the Iran conflict and Hormuz showdown showing no signs of abating.

Some have argued that Trump as Commander-in-Chief is in 'war mode' and so doesn't want to tip his cards or let the Iranians perceive that they have leverage and can impose a political cost, especially amid talks and stalled negotiations. But the reality is that at the end of the day Americans by and large don't prioritize foreign policy issues over and above how their how bank account is doing, and their ability to maintain a decent standard of living.

One key problem with framing this as ultimately all about Iran not having a nuclear weapon, is that till this moment the official line from the US intelligence community remains that it sees no evidence the Islamic Republic is actually seeking a nuke. Nothing has changed of the public US intelligence community's assessment since headlines like these were issued during the June war: Israel says Iran was racing toward a nuclear weapon. US intel says it was years away.

All of this is also perhaps why on Wednesday Vice President J.D. Vance seemed to try and nervously deflect and reject the question as a reporter asked about Trump's "not even a little bit" remarks from the day prior. Here's the fresh exchange:

REPORTER: "Do you agree with the president's position that Americans' financial situations should not be a consideration in that [Iran] decision-making process?"

JD VANCE: "Well, I don't think the president said that. I think that's a misrepresentation of what the president said. But look, I agree with the president that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon."

"The fundamental goal here is the president wants to make the world safe, but particularly the American people safe from Iran having a nuclear weapon."

"We care about how the American people are doing economically. We've also got a number of other challenges. Of course, the president has to confront all these challenges simultaneously."

🚨 NOW — REPORTER: "Do you agree with the president's position that Americans' financial situations should not be a consideration in that [Iran] decision-making process?"

JD VANCE: "Well, I don't think the president said that. I think that's a misrepresentation of what the… pic.twitter.com/eMPCXhmV8a

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 13, 2026

This narrative from Trump is certainly a losing one, and Vance - who no doubt is increasingly worried that a protracted Iran quagmire could dampen his chances for the presidential election in 2028 - absolutely knows it.

After all, the average price of gas in the US now sits at $4.50 per gallon, a 51% increase since the start of Operation Epic Fury. There's also a good chance that a full-scale bombing campaign could return, even as Pentagon officials struggle to articulate a clear strategic vision and end game. And yet, the Trump administration is previewing that the campaign could restart under the name 'Operation Sledgehammer'.

In the meantime, there's no putting this genie back in the bottle...

CNN split screen of Trump saying he doesn’t think about Americans’ financial situation and Vance claiming that Trump didn’t say that. pic.twitter.com/7ACtYu9ImE

— Acyn (@Acyn) May 13, 2026

Below: A legitimate questions about America's future, and putting Americans first, which is met with Trump's scorn...

Reporter: You promised to bring inflation down. It's now at its highest level in three years. Are your policies not working?

President Trump: My policies are working incredibly. If you want to let them have a nuclear weapon, you’re a stupid person—you happen to be. pic.twitter.com/ETPJrrQfjv

— Acyn (@Acyn) May 12, 2026

Those on the political right, including a significant sector of MAGA who feel betrayed by Trump for starting another war of choice in the Middle East (which on the campaign trail he repeatedly promised not do do), are not going for forget this either.

For example, Liberty Lockdown show host Clint Russell in a viral tweet had this to say: Regarding the Iran war Trump says American's financial situations don't matter to him "even a little bit". When the GOP gets annihilated in November don't you dare blame Tucker or Megyn or Candace or Fuentes or Massie. Just watch this over and over.

Tyler Durden Wed, 05/13/2026 - 19:40

Incline Village on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe has seen an influx of ultra wealthy Californians fleeing the state’s proposed billionaires tax.

The current playbook Dart was handed contains a completely new offense and some of that will be unveiled next week with the start of organized team activities.