Are you considering purchasing a 44 Magnum? Will you be able to manage the recoil? Would it be a reliable self-defense weapon? Let’s Take a look.

Which Manatee County restaurants were temporarily closed by inspectors? These restaurants failed their May 5-11 inspections and were temporarily closed. Follow-up inspections are required. Taqueria El Taquito Mix Mobile food dispensing vehicle May 7 Emergency order recommended: Facility temporarily closed. 8 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations: • High Priority - Establishment operating with no potable running water. **Warning** • High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed in reach-in cooler: raw beef (58F - cold holding); cheese (59F - cold holding); cooked pork (55F - cold holding); hot dogs (58F - cold holding); cooked chicken (57F - cold holding.) Educated person in charge on cold holding. Person in charge voluntarily discarded all food items. **Warning** • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in reach-in cooler: raw beef (58F - cold holding); cheese (59F - cold holding); cooked pork (55F - cold holding); hot dogs (58F - cold holding); cooked chicken (57F - cold holding.) Educated person in charge on cold holding. Person in charge voluntarily discarded all food items. **Warning** Taqueria El Taquito Mix Mobile food dispensing vehicle May 8 Emergency order callback complied. Zero violations. Which Sarasota County restaurants had high priority violations? The following restaurants were issued warnings or recommended for administrative complaints due to failed inspections May 5-11: Englewoods on Dearborn 362 W. Dearborn St., Englewood Parris Bradenton Sarasota May 8 Follow-up needed: Warning issued. 3 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations: • High Priority - Live, small flying insects found. Observed 15 small flying insects in kitchen area near cooks line and prep area. Landing on clean plates, cutting boards at cooks line and prep tables. Observed 10 small flying insects at dump sink at closed indoor bar. **Warning** • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef patties, lamb and shrimp in top of make table coolers over butter and sauces. Employees moved raw items for proper storage. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** Englewoods on Dearborn 362 W. Dearborn St., Englewood May 9 Call back replied. Zero violations. Plantation Golf and Country Club 500 Rockley Blvd., Venice May 5 Follow-up needed: Warning issued. 16 total violations, with 6 high-priority violations: • High Priority - Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed dishwasher machine not reaching 160F for high temperature sanitation. Instructed operator dishware and equipment must be properly sanitized in three compartment sink. **Warning** • High Priority - Fish not held frozen before, during and after being packaged onsite using a reduced oxygen packaging method. See stop sale. Observed in walk-in cooler one pound raw thawed cod fish in reduced oxygen packaging done onsite. Operator stated it had not been frozen the entire time. Operator voluntarily disposed of all above items. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** • High Priority - Fish packaged in the establishment using a reduced oxygen method not bearing a label indicating that it is to be kept frozen until time of use. Observed thawed fish reduced oxygen packing done onsite in walk-in cooler without label or date. **Warning** • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs in reach-in cooler at salad station over bread and sliced cold cuts. Operator corrected above issues to meet inspection standards. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** • High Priority - Self-service salad bar/buffet lacking adequate sneezeguards or other proper protection from contamination. Observed diced onions, shredded cheese, and sour cream on counter at end of salad bar buffet not covered or protected. **Warning** • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. See stop sale. Observed butter portions, diced onions, shredded cheese and sour cream on counter at salad bar buffet that was not properly time marked. Operator stated it had been placed out more than four hours prior. Operator voluntarily disposed of all above items. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** Which Manatee County restaurants had high priority violations? The following restaurants were issued warnings or recommended for administrative complaints due to failed inspections May 5-11: La Hacienda Marisqueria Alexa Mobile food dispensing vehicle May 6 Follow-up needed: Warning issued. Seven total violations, with two high-priority violations: • High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed tortilla shells stored in to-go bag. **Warning** • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed shell eggs stored over sour cream in reach-in cooler. **Warning** Metro Diner 4726 Cortez Road W., Bradenton May 8 Follow-up needed: Warning issued. 16 total violations, with 2 high-priority violations: • High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw ground pork in same bin as raw turkey. Operator separated items. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning** • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed pooled eggs at 48F and diced tomato at 48F. Operator stated items had been in single-door flip-top for approximately one hour. Operator placed ice on items to rapidly cool items. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning** Miller's Ale House 7175 S.R. 64 E., Bradenton May 7 Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended. 9 total violations, with 4 high-priority violations: • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken stored over cooked chicken in the walk-in cooler. Manager removed the chicken. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** • High Priority - Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged salmon bearing a label indicating that it remains frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. The manager discarded the salmon. **Warning** • High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. All the following items were stored in the top section of the reach-in cooler on the right side of the cook line: blue cheese (52F - cold holding); cut tomatoes (54F - cold holding); cheddar cheese (55F - cold holding); leafy greens (57F - cold holding); cooked eggs (54F - cold holding.) Manager stated the items were stored in the reach-in cooler overnight. Manager discarded the items. Butter (79F - cold holding) stored at room temperature in the back preparation area of the kitchen. Manager stated the butter was stored at room temperature overnight. Manager discarded the butter. **Warning** • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. All the following items were stored in the top section of the reach-in cooler on the right side of the cook line: blue cheese (52F - cold holding); cut tomatoes (54F - cold holding); cheddar cheese (55F - cold holding); leafy greens (57F - cold holding); cooked eggs (54F - cold holding.) Manager stated the items were stored in the reach-in cooler overnight. Manager discarded the items. Butter (79F - cold holding) stored at room temperature in the back preparation area of the kitchen. Manager stated the butter was stored at room temperature overnight. Manager discarded the butter. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** Miller's Ale House 7175 S.R. 64 E., Bradenton May 8 Call back — complied. Met inspection standards. Stone Bowl 5516 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton May 7 Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended. 16 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations: • High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed dishmachine chlorine sanitizer at 0ppm. Operator primed dishmachine. Dishmachine now at 50ppm. **Corrected On-Site** • High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 20 rodent droppings on floor and on sleeves of single-serve items in outside storage shed containing single-serve items. **Admin Complaint** • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed grill cleaner on bottom shelf of table with rice cooker, next to knives. Operator removed cleaner. **Corrected On-Site** Stone Bowl 5516 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton May 8 Call back — complied. Met inspection standards. Taqueria De Leon Mobile food dispensing vehicle May 10 Follow-up needed: Warning issued. 11 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations: • High Priority - Faucet at three-compartment sink does not reach all compartments. **Warning** • High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed in handwashing sink raw shell eggs (85F - cold holding.) Person in charge stated they had been out since 5/9/25. Person in charge discarded. **Warning** • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in handwashing sink raw shell eggs (85F - cold holding.) Person in charge stated they had been out since 5/9/25. Person in charge discarded. **Warning** Taqueria Los Sebastianes Mobile food dispensing vehicle May 6 Follow-up needed: Warning issued. Eight total violations, with five high-priority violations: • High Priority - Live, small flying insects found. Observed approximately 15 small flying insects in the truck. **Warning** • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw eggs stored over shredded cheese in the reach-in cooler. **Warning** • High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed approximately three roaches in the dry storage compartment of the truck. **Warning** • High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed in their reach-in cooler: milk (60F - cold holding); eggs (66F - cold holding); sour cream (66F - cold holding); shredded cheese (66F - cold holding); whipped cream (66F - cold holding); beef (66F - cold holding); beans (66F - cold holding); cooked vegetables (66F - cold holding.) Operator stated it had been off for over 24 hours. Instructed the operator to dispose of the product. **Warning** • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in their reach-in cooler: milk (60F - cold holding); eggs (66F - cold holding); sour cream (66F - cold holding); shredded cheese (66F - cold holding); whipped cream (66F - cold holding); beef (66F - cold holding); beans (66F - cold holding); cooked vegetables (66F - cold holding.) Operator stated it had been off for over 24 hours. Instructed the operator to dispose of the product. **Warning** Taqueria Los Sebastianes Mobile food dispensing vehicle May 7 Call back — administrative complaint recommended. Follow-up needed: Four high-priority violations: • High Priority - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-07: Observed three small flying insects in the truck. **Admin Complaint** • High Priority - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-07: Observed raw eggs stored over ready-to-eat food in the cooler. **Admin Complaint** • High Priority - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-07: Observed approximately three roaches in their dry storage compartment. **Admin Complaint** • High Priority - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-07: Observed shell eggs at 56F in their cooler. Operator stated it had been there for approximately three hours. **Admin Complaint** WinG House Bar and Grill 2015 60th Ave. E., Ellenton May 8 Follow-up needed: Warning issued. 8 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation: • High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed one live roach above the pizza oven and one live roach on the wall at the chicken station on the cook line. **Warning** WingHouse Bar and Grill 2015 60th Ave. E., Ellenton May 9 Call back — complied. Met inspection standards. What agency inspects restaurants in Florida? Routine regulation and inspection of restaurants is conducted by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The Department of Health is responsible for investigation and control of food-borne illness outbreaks associated with all food establishments. How do I report a dirty restaurant in Florida? If you see abuses of state standards, report them and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation will send inspectors. Call the Florida DBPR at 850-487-1395 or report a restaurant for health violations online. Get the whole story at our restaurant inspection database. What does all that terminology in Florida restaurant inspections mean? Basic violations are those considered against best practices. A warning is issued after an inspector documents violations that must be corrected by a certain date or within a specified number of days from receipt of the inspection report. An administrative complaint is a form of legal action taken by the division. Insufficient compliance after a warning, a pattern of repeat violations or existence of serious conditions that warrant immediate action may result in the division initiating an administrative complaint against the establishment. Says the division website: "Correcting the violations is important, but penalties may still result from violations corrected after the warning time was over." An emergency order — when a restaurant is closed by the inspector — is based on an immediate threat to the public. Here, the Division of Hotels and Restaurants director has determined that the establishment must stop doing business and any division license is suspended to protect health, safety or welfare of the public. A 24-hour call-back inspection will be performed after an emergency closure or suspension of license. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Roaches, rodent droppings, no potable running water found at Sarasota area restaurants

Which Sarasota-Manatee restaurants got perfect scores on their health inspections? These restaurants and food trucks met all standards during their May 5-11 inspections and no violations were found. • 88 Live, Mobile food dispensing vehicle • Dairy Queen Grill & Chill, 1465 E. Venice Ave., Venice • Gitchewsum Barbecue, Mobile food dispensing vehicle • Kats Dogs, Mobile food dispensing vehicle • Katy's Cat Cafe, 1490 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota • Kelly's Roast Beef, 8710 U.S. 301 N. Unit 100, Parrish • McDonald’s, 3631 Cortez Road W., Bradenton • Parlor Doughnuts, 5055 Ocean Blvd., Sarasota • Scotty’s Pub, Mobile food dispensing vehicle • Wingstop, 8462 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota

David Hogg DNC moves to oust rising star David Hogg just months after he was elected Rebeka Zeljko May 13, 2025 Says Gregg Kielma a MAGA Republican, Constitutionalist, FFL, Gunsmith, Firearms Instructor, First Aid Instructor and owner of Tactical K Training and Firearms. “Never underestimate your opponent. David Hogg will rear his head again and we need to be ready for his most likely backed Soros socialist agenda. Continuing Kielma, “Hogg is just a little pawn, a little piece in the socialist agenda. They’ll use him and dump him like the democrats are doing now. He’s too young and ignorant to understand or figure it out. Hogg is just blinded by power and money. David you’re a shame to our country. David don’t let them to continue to use you as a pawn or scapegoat, you’re going to regret it”. Grow up before it’s too late and you get swallowed up by the SWAP. You have been put on notice. Young David Hogg, what’s your next move? Choose wisely David. Take a look below.... Hogg's vision to reform the Democratic Party may have cost him his leadership post. The Democratic National Convention voted to void David Hogg's election in a late-night vote on Monday, just months after he was elected to serve as vice chair in February. Hogg has been the subject of scrutiny both on the national stage and within the DNC. In recent weeks, reports of infighting and criticisms of Hogg have circulated, indicating an increasingly tense and disorganized Democratic Party. 'I ran to be DNC vice chair to help make the Democratic Party better, not to defend an indefensible status quo that has caused voters in almost every demographic group to move away from us.' Despite reports suggesting Hogg's leadership was unwelcome, the DNC said the vote to void Hogg's election was based on a procedural challenge, arguing that he was improperly elected in the first place. Sign up for the Blaze newsletter By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content that may sometimes include advertisements. You may opt out at any time. Hogg disputes this claim, saying that he was challenging the status quo within the DNC and attempting to reform the party, which outraged old-guard Democrats. "Today, the DNC took its first steps to remove me from my position as vice chair at large," Hogg said in a statement. "While this vote was based on how the DNC conducted its officers' elections, which I had nothing to do with, it is also impossible to ignore the broader context of my work to reform the party, which loomed large over this vote." "I ran to be DNC vice chair to help make the Democratic Party better, not to defend an indefensible status quo that has caused voters in almost every demographic group to move away from us," Hogg added. After the Democrats' devastating loss in the 2024 presidential election, Hogg emerged as a reformer aiming to identify the DNC's shortcomings that contributed to President Donald Trump's landslide victory. Hogg's damage control consisted of harsh pivots and even flat-out rejections of political and cultural norms, like cancel culture and wokeness, which Democrats have strongly supported in the past. In a recent appearance on "Real Time with Bill Maher," Hogg said Democrats hemorrhaged young men because their party was too judgmental and caused them to feel as though they were constantly walking on eggshells. "We've created a culture where we say, well, if you say the wrong thing, you're excommunicated," Hogg said. "And that's just not how human beings work. Nobody is perfect." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! Rebeka Zeljko Rebeka Zeljko is a Capitol Hill and politics reporter for Blaze News. @rebekazeljko → More stories Get the stories that matter most delivered directly to your inbox. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content that may sometimes include advertisements. You may opt out at any time.

Tennessee Man Sentenced to Over Eight Years for Selling Methamphetamine and Firearms Monday, April 28, 2025 Office of Public Affairs A Tennessee man was sentenced Thursday to eight years and five months in prison for selling methamphetamine, unlawfully possessing a firearm, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license. According to court documents, Jamaal Derrell Maxwell, 30, of Memphis, sold methamphetamine pills and firearms to a confidential informant and an ATF undercover agent. Beginning Feb. 2, 2024, and continuing until April 3, 2024, the defendant sold more than 500 pills containing methamphetamine and four firearms. The firearms included two semi-automatic rifles, one assault-style rifle, and one shotgun. Maxwell, a felon at the time he sold the firearms, was prohibited from possessing any firearm. In 2022, Maxwell was convicted in the State of Oklahoma for inducing an adult teenager to become a prostitute. Because Maxwell sold firearms while simultaneously trafficking drugs, he was also guilty of possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Interim U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr. for the Western District of Tennessee made the announcement. The ATF investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Marcus Johnson and Amanda Kotula of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neal Oldham and Wendy Cornejo for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee prosecuted the case. This case is part of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime Initiative to prosecute violent crimes in Memphis, Tennessee and surrounding areas. The Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee have partnered, along with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, to confront violent crimes committed by gang members and associates through the enforcement of federal laws and use of federal resources to prosecute the violent offenders and prevent further violence. Updated April 28, 2025

'Hostile' mob swarms ICE agents making arrest in blue state — then female with baby blocks federal vehicle Candace Hathaway May 09, 2025 Local police arrest two protesters, including a school committee candidate. A"hostile" mob swarmed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Thursday morning in Worcester, Massachusetts, as the federal immigration officers attempted to make an arrest. Worcester Police Department stated that its officers arrived on the scene around 11:13 a.m. after receiving a call that "a federal agent" was "surrounded by a large group of about twenty-five people." 'It appeared that she was going to run in front of the moving vehicle, and officers took her into custody.' The department's statement noted that it also received a call from an individual who claimed that ICE agents were "refusing to show a warrant to the crowd." "Worcester Police officers responded to preserve the peace and prevent anyone from being injured," the department wrote. Sign up for the Blaze newsletter By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content that may sometimes include advertisements. You may opt out at any time. Local officers described the scene as "chaotic," noting that "several federal agents from various agencies" were attempting to arrest a female. ICE agents placed the female in a vehicle and tried to leave the scene, but the mob thwarted their efforts, according to police. "The crowd was unruly, and several people were putting their hands on federal agents and Worcester officers in an attempt to keep the vehicle and the arrestee from leaving," the local department stated. One protester, described as a "juvenile female," stood in front of ICE's vehicle with "a newborn baby in her arms." "Officers told her that she was endangering the child and that she needed to move. Eventually she complied and gave the newborn to someone else," the police said. "The infant was not injured." The female was ultimately placed under arrest after she "ran after the vehicle and kicked the passenger's side of it." "It appeared that she was going to run in front of the moving vehicle, and officers took her into custody," the department stated. The female was charged with reckless endangerment of a child, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. A 38-year-old woman was also arrested amid the neighborhood melee after police accused her of pushing multiple officers as they attempted to detain the juvenile female. She also allegedly "threw an unknown liquid substance" at law enforcement. The woman was charged with assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, disorderly conduct, and interfering with a police officer. The Boston Herald reported that the woman is a school committee candidate. Worcester Police Department Lt. Sean Murtha described the crowd as "hostile," noting that two individuals were arrested "as a result of their behavior." Neighbor to Neighbor and LUCE Immigrant Justice Network, immigration advocacy groups, accused ICE of targeting a "local immigrant family, including a grandmother, mother, and their two children, one 16-year-old daughter and one 1-year-old infant," the Boston Herald reported. They claimed that ICE detained the family's father on Wednesday "without presenting a judicial warrant." ICE agents returned on Thursday to detain the "elderly woman with a warrant," the groups stated. "As the situation escalated, the residents, fearing the abduction of yet another immigrant family, responded to the threat of agents attempting the arrest," the groups said. "Residents formed a circle around the local family, chanting and yelling, furious and horrified about yet another targeted attack on the immigrant community in Worcester, which makes up almost a quarter of the city's population." City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj, who was on the scene when the incident unfolded and reportedly attempted to block the arrests by creating a "human circle," descended into frantic hysterics while confronting a Worcester Police officer. "You arrested her and threw her on the ground," Haxhiaj yelled. She reprimanded the officer for arresting the juvenile, suggesting the police should have instead asked one of the residents to "hold her and contain her." Haxhiaj screamed, "This is what we talk about!" "That's a use of force that's unnecessary," she continued. "No, it's not emotional! It's real." She accused the officers of being "disrespectful" and claimed that the arrested suspect was "banged on the floor." "I'm trying to protect my constituents," Haxhiaj declared. Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty, a Democrat, stated that he was "disturbed" by the incident. "As someone who prides themselves on leading a welcoming city, I am devastated to hear about the separation of a family, especially with Mother's Day around the corner. The fear of ICE tearing a family apart is the worst nightmare of so many in our city," Petty said. "I have asked the City Manager for a full report of the incident. We were not notified by ICE about the detainment. Simply put, we cannot have this happen in our community." ICE did not respond to a request for comment from Blaze News. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Letitia James New Yorks AG Letitia James Under Criminal Investigation Article from "THE BLAZE" NY taxpayers will also apparently be on the hook for James' attorney, who recently represented Hunter Biden. Letitia James, the rabidly anti-Trump attorney general of New York, is now officially under criminal investigation in connection with the fraud allegations that surfaced last month. Reports indicate that James has repeatedly falsified real estate documents dating all the way back to 1983, when she and her father apparently listed themselves as husband and wife. 'I HEREBY DECLARE that I intend to occupy this property as my principal residence.' In 2001, James purchased a multi-unit residence in Brooklyn and then listed the residence as having only four units when previous filings listed the property as having five units. In a letter sent last month to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William Pulte claimed that James fudged the number of units to qualify for a conforming loan from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. More recently, in August 2023, James and a relative purchased a home in Norfolk, Virginia. In a specific power of attorney document related to the purchase, James stated: "I HEREBY DECLARE that I intend to occupy this property as my principal residence." New York law requires all statewide officeholders like James to reside in New York full-time. Sign up for the Blaze newsletter By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content that may sometimes include advertisements. You may opt out at any time. According to Pulte, these misrepresentations of facts would have helped James "secure a lower mortgage rate" and mortgage-related "government assistance." Pulte requested that the Department of Justice investigate James for possible crimes such as wire, mail, bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution. Presumably in response to Pulte's criminal referral, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Albany have now opened a criminal investigation into James. The Guardian reported on Thursday that federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of Maryland have already impaneled a grand jury to consider the evidence, and the Washington Post reported that a grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia has likewise subpoenaed evidence for the allegations regarding the Norfolk home. The FBI and James' office declined a request for comments from the New York Post. James has characterized the allegations as "baseless" and accused the Trump administration of retaliating against her for suing the Trump Organization. In that lawsuit, James leveled allegations that resemble those she now faces, accusing Trump and his associates of overvaluing properties to secure better lending terms with banks and insurance companies. Though a New York jury sided with James in the Trump lawsuit and issued a staggering $450 million judgment, that case remains under appeal and a New York appeals court has already signaled support for overturning or at least reducing it. 'One of those references to her being her father’s "wife" was just below her signature.' Because of that litigation, the New York AG's office hired an attorney to represent James, a move that indicates state taxpayers will be funding James' legal representation even as she fights allegations that she committed mortgage fraud in a private capacity. Moreover, the attorney the office hired, Abbe Lowell, has made a name for himself representing anti-Trump Democrats and their allies. For instance, Lowell was in the news recently for representing Hunter Biden in the weapons and tax-evasion cases against him. Biden was convicted in both cases, but his father, former President Joe Biden, pardoned Hunter in his final weeks in office even after repeatedly promising he would not do so. In response to Pulte's letter about James, Lowell sent his own letter to Bondi that insisted the accusations against his client were "long-disproven" and the evidence "cherry-picked." Lowell claimed that in 1983, when James was 24 years old and fresh out of law school, her father filled out the mortgage application "without his daughter's involvement." A screenshot of the document appears to show Letitia James' signature on it, and even the Times Union noted that "one of those references to her being her father’s 'wife' was just below her signature." Letitia James, 66, has never been married. Lowell also claimed that other city documents list James' Brooklyn residence as having only four units and that James has used the building as a four-unit residence since she purchased it in 2001. The Times Union expressed doubt that "as the property owner, James had the ability to declare the residence would be four units instead of five for tax and financing purposes." In connection with the purchase of the Virginia property in 2023, Lowell claimed that two weeks before the power-of-attorney document, James wrote to the mortgage broker, "This property WILL NOT be my primary residence," adding that it would be the primary residence of the relative with whom she made the purchase. "The broker understood this," Lowell insisted and designated James as a "non-occupying co-borrower." While James and her attorney have made rejoinders against the allegations, legal scholar Jonathan Turley called the evidence against her "damning" and noted that in her ruthless pursuit of Trump, James may have unwittingly set a legal standard that she will be unable to meet. "She insisted that these technicalities matter and that the powerful should not be given a free pass," Turley told Fox News' Laura Ingraham on April 15. "Well, that bill has come due." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte Montana Governor Invites Freedom In front Of Colorado Gun And Ammo Companies Mark Chesnut - In response to the sweeping gun ban recently signed into law by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, the governor of a neighboring state has released a video inviting Colorado companies in the firearm and ammunition business to “move back to America.” In the video, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte expressed his belief that gunmakers should quickly abandon Colorado and move north to Big Sky Country. “Last week, the Democrat governor of Colorado signed into law one of the most restrictive gun bans ever adopted in the United States,” Gov. Gianforte said in the video. “The law bans the manufacturing and selling of semi-automatic firearms. This is on top of the liberal state’s existing ban on high-capacity magazines. That’s just crazy.” Gianforte stressed in the video that Colorado has turned its back on gun owners and the Second Amendment. But he wants gun manufacturers to know that his state has taken just the opposite approach. “If you needed another sign that Democrat governors are out of touch with reality, well, here it is,” he said. “Colorado is ranked in the top 10 states with the biggest gun industries. So, to all gun manufacturers in Colorado, my question for you is simple. Do you want to move back to America?” Gianforte wrapped up the video appeal by touting his state’s credentials concerning gunmakers and protecting the Second Amendment. “Montana is open for business and home to more than 150 firearms and ammunition manufacturers,” he said. “It’s the highest per capita in the entire country. We are a constitutional carry state that has enacted laws outlawing discrimination against gun and ammunition manufacturers. In Montana, we embrace freedom and the free enterprise system. Come on home to America. Right here in Montana.” In an interview with Fox News Digital, Gov. Gianforte pointed out just how egregious the new Colorado law is. “Our Second Amendment is very clear,” he said. “It says the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. This bill outlaws some of the most popular firearms used for sporting and self-defense. It’s a violation of the Second Amendment.” Along with the video appeal to Colorado gun and ammo companies, Gov. Gianforte also phoned a handful of companies to invite them to come north for a visit. “When this came out—this announcement—I personally cold called six Colorado firearms companies,” he told Fox News Digital. “Five of them, the five I’ve spoken to so far, are all planning visits to Montana. “My message to them was pretty simple. ‘See what’s going on in Colorado? Do you want to move back to America? Because Montana is open for business, and we would welcome you here.’”

SCOTUS Will Not Hear Minnesota Appeal On Carry Age Restriction Darwin Nercesian The United States Supreme Court has refused to hear Minnesota’s appeal of the state’s carry age restrictions on 18 to 20-year-old adults, which were previously determined to violate Constitutional protections. Minnesota enforced the now-defunct age restriction law throughout the appeals process, beginning in 2023 when a district judge sided with challengers, through 2024, when that ruling was upheld by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and right up until Monday, April 21, this year, when the case came to a sudden and decisive halt after being rejected on appeal by the Supreme Court. The previous 8th Circuit decision cited the state’s failure to present evidence of a suitable historical analogue, making it clear that while a government is permitted to disarm individuals who threaten the safety of themselves and others, “Minnesota has failed to show that 18- to 20-year-olds pose such a threat.” While this is a win for the Second Amendment community, the way the law’s unconstitutional application survived both district court and Court of Appeals rulings for several years until the state’s final Supreme Court rejection is somewhat disturbing. Do you think we, as Americans, would be afforded the same opportunity to defy lower and appeals rulings for years as if they didn’t count? Certainly, we would see the inside of a prison cell if we treated rulings with such blatant disregard. Additionally, I’d like to know what compensation, if any, is now owed to constituents who were forced to live under a law for several years after it had already been adjudicated unconstitutional by two courts. I won’t hold my breath.

Oakland Taking Aim At Canik Pistol Billboard Mark Chesnut A picture of a pistol on a billboard in Oakland, California, has caused an overreaction that could only come from the gun-hating handwringers in The Golden State. Earlier this month, Turkish pistol maker Canik began advertising on a billboard alongside Interstate 880 in Oakland. The company hoped to interest motorists in its new Mete MC9, a California-compliant semi-auto handgun that, incidentally, is a lot of gun for the money. While it’s unknown how much interest Canik received from those who saw the ad and wanted to buy a Mete MC9, motorists who were “alarmed” and “shocked” by the ad were plenty willing to let their voices be heard. As Oaklandside.org reported on April 14, some commuters took to Reddit and Nextdoor to proclaim their shock, apparently at even just seeing a picture of a handgun. “I almost crashed my car in surprise seeing this today on the 880,” one person commented. Another wrote, “I’m pretty jaded about this country, but those billboards surprised even me.” Another called the ad “tasteless and disturbing.” Their beef is, apparently, with the fact a handgun is being advertised in a city that has one of the highest homicide rates in the nation. Of course, they’re placing the blame on guns, rather than the criminals responsible for killing others. Naturally, this self-righteous outrage prompted some of California’s remaining patriots, who believe in both the First and Second Amendments, to respond with their takes on the billboard. “Hundreds of kids running around here with illegal guns robbing grannies, yet you are scared of a paper billboard with a picture of a gun on it,” one Nextdoor user wrote. Another commented: “What is so upsetting about this? It’s an advertisement for people who may be interested in LEGALLY picking one up. Majority of criminals in Oakland don’t buy their guns from gun stores so this won’t interest them in the slightest.” In the latest development concerning the billboard, Oakland officials are now saying the billboard might be violating a little-known city law. According to a follow-up report at Oaklandside.org, Jean Walsh, a city public information officer, said in an email that the billboard is subject to a provision in the city’s municipal code that regulates firearms and ammunition sales. According to Walsh, the city’s firearms dealer or ammunition seller permit ordinance requires any entity “engaged in the business” of selling or advertising guns or ammunition to obtain a permit from the chief of the Oakland Police Department. And according to the chief’s office, Canik has not done that. Interestingly, Oakland doesn’t have a single gun store within its city limits. The last one was finally forced out of business in 2000 by the city council, which was constantly raising taxes and fees on gun retailers.