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by Blaze Media

May 10 2026
Cover image for TikTok video exposes America’s reading crisis: Why parents and schools are failing kids

TikTok video exposes America’s reading crisis: Why parents and schools are failing kids

A video has gone viral on TikTok for revealing a literacy crisis in America — showing high school students failing to read a very simple sentence: “She wore a silhouette of clothes that were extraordinary but somewhat gauche.”And BlazeTV host Allie Beth Stuckey believes that one of the reasons for this crisis is not only the method for teaching literacy in schools, but that the amount of parents reading to their children daily has dropped. And according to a study conducted by HarperCollins Publishers, the drop is significant.“I saw this statistic that says only 41% of children aged 0 to 4 are read to daily as of 2025. That is a nine-point drop only since 2019. Only 55%, a little over half of children aged 0 to 5, are read to at least five days a week,” she continues.“There are a lot of parents who are overstimulated. They’re tired. They’re distracted. It’s really not about these kids having their own lack of discipline. It starts with a lack of discipline and bad priorities for parents honestly,” she adds.Stuckey believes that the difficulty parents face finding the time or energy to read to their kids is manifesting in "difficulty for them for the rest of their lives.”And the reason this is creating so much difficulty for children is because “the comprehension of words is necessary for understanding the world.”“It is very difficult to be a diligent student, an informed voter, a productive citizen, a helpful neighbor if you do not understand words,” Stuckey says.But it’s not just the ability to participate in modern society that’s being threatened by the literacy crisis.“Unlike Buddhism, Christianity does not place a premium on silence or the emptying of the mind. Christianity is a word-based faith. You go all the way back to the beginning. God spoke the universe into existence,” Stuckey explains.“He dictated all of creation, including the creation of man and woman who were made in his image. He spoke to Noah. He spoke to and through Moses,” she continues.This is why, Stuckey explains, Christians have historically been “the best communicators in the world.”“Christians dominated academia in this country before giving it over to the liberals and the secularists over time. And now, I think we have the opportunity to take the lead again. We have to. I mean, look at where we are,” she says.“We have schools that are not teaching kids to read. We have people going to college and becoming lawyers and doctors with barely a high school-reading level. We’re scared of objective standards here in the U.S., standards of excellence because of whom they might exclude,” she continues, adding, "And all of us are going to suffer for that.”Want more from Allie Beth Stuckey?To enjoy more of Allie’s upbeat and in-depth coverage of culture, news, and theology from a Christian, conservative perspective, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

by Blaze Media

May 10 2026
Cover image for Overzealous AI regulation is a danger to free speech

Overzealous AI regulation is a danger to free speech

The dawn of the AI era has sparked a wide range of reactions, from exhilaration over the technology’s capabilities to deep distress.Such responses to a new communicative tool are nothing new, and indeed, AI presents new and unique challenges that will require deep thought and sensitivity.But a heavy-handed congressional response that erodes long-standing American freedoms isn’t the answer. The Senate Judiciary Committee’s passage last week of SB 3062, the GUARD Act, shows the substantial risk that Congress’ “do something” energy poses to free speech.Restrictions violate the First Amendment by regulating the protected editorial decisions of developers and by infringing on individuals’ rights to create and receive lawful expression.The bill regulates AI chatbots — especially so-called “AI companion” systems — through access limits, design mandates, and disclosure requirements, backed by civil and criminal penalties of up to $100,000 per violation.If enacted, it puts the federal officials squarely in the position of deciding how this technology is built and used, limiting engagement with information and compelling speech along the way.Growing calls for a federal solution to the fragmented landscape of state regulations reflect a clear political appetite for legislative action. And a single national standard has obvious appeal for an industry seeking consistency across jurisdictions. But consistency isn’t the same as constitutionality.If federal proposals like the GUARD Act replicate the speech restrictions found in state laws, they just hardwire those problems into federal law.Take the bill’s age verification requirements. The GUARD Act forces Americans to create accounts and prove their ages. Existing accounts are frozen until verified, and companies are required to recheck users’ ages periodically.Age-verification mandates like this one force individuals to disclose their identity to seek answers and thus give up anonymity, a right the Supreme Court has repeatedly recognized as central to free expression.Faced with mandatory identity disclosure, many think twice before asking sensitive questions. Would someone trapped in an abusive relationship be more or less willing to seek advice from a chatbot if she had to surrender her privacy? Or how about the employee who is consistently harassed at work but is worried about asking for advice?There’s a reason that the Federalist Papers were written under a pseudonym. Even public debate sometimes requires distance from the speaker’s identity. That protection is still needed today, allowing people to seek information, test ideas, and ask sensitive questions without fear of legally required exposure.Then there are rules about content. The bill makes it unlawful to design, deploy, or make available chatbots that, in the government’s view, “encourage” or “promote” certain categories of constitutionally protected speech.RELATED: Age verification laws do not make us safer Samuel Boivin/NurPhoto/Getty ImagesWho do we want to be in charge of determining that? Those restrictions violate the First Amendment by regulating the protected editorial decisions of developers and by infringing on individuals’ rights to create and receive lawful expression.Proposals like the GUARD Act dictate how chatbots respond and intrude on editorial judgment by putting Congress’ thumb on the scale of what is acceptable speech. This means control over who can speak, what can be said, and how ideas are expressed.Those choices shape the substance of speech and risk reducing a chorus of voices to a single, government-shaped note.Finally, disclaimer mandates can cross constitutional lines by compelling speech. The GUARD Act requires chatbots to deliver federally imposed messages in every interaction. While informing users, its application in every circumstance alters the content and flow of communication itself.All of this points to a deeper reality that AI systems cannot perfectly predict or control every output. That is not a defect. It’s a core feature of how these models generate responses from probabilistic patterns.Artificial intelligence, and chatbots in particular, has become Washington’s latest political punching bag. Accusations of manipulation and harm are driving a slew of legislative proposals to censor this emerging technology. The GUARD Act isn’t alone. The recently introduced CHATBOT Act presents many of the same threats.The same impulse to move quickly in Congress is playing out nationwide, with proposals in states like Minnesota, Florida, and Washington targeting chatbots through access restrictions, disclosure mandates, and content-related rules.The Constitution doesn’t permit any government to address concerns about AI by broadly restricting protected expression. The First Amendment demands solutions that target illegal conduct without burdening the exchange of ideas.This article was originally published by RealClearPolitics and made available via RealClearWire.

by Blaze Media

May 10 2026
Cover image for The night of the gun was never-ending — until the day I surrendered to Christ

The night of the gun was never-ending — until the day I surrendered to Christ

I remember the night my legs gave out.I woke up to my sister standing in my doorway. She was scared. Our parents were arguing behind a closed bedroom door, voices raised, something different in the tone this time. We walked down the hallway together and knocked.Through recovery and faith, I encountered Jesus not as religion but as relationship.When the door opened, my father was standing there with a loaded gun pressed to his head.My legs went numb. I collapsed onto the floor.Long night's journeyIt wasn’t an isolated moment.Our home was marked by ongoing conflict and instability, the kind that teaches you early how to stay alert, how to read a room, and how to survive without ever really feeling safe.I didn’t have words for what I had just seen. I only knew something wasn’t right in a way I couldn’t fix and that whatever I thought “normal” was, it wasn’t this.That kind of moment doesn’t always explode your life right away. Sometimes it just sits there, quiet and unprocessed, and follows you.It followed me. It bled into my personal and romantic relationships and ultimately skewed my view of the world and of myself. I learned to survive rather than connect — to perform rather than belong. I struggled to understand friendship, trust, and emotional safety. And over time, resentment toward my parents, especially my father, became part of my identity.Seeking 'normal'As I got older, that disconnect showed up everywhere. I didn’t feel like I fit in. I struggled to form real friendships. I was made fun of just for being myself, and after a while, you start to believe there’s something wrong with you. I didn’t know what the problem was. I just knew I felt it.So when drugs and alcohol showed up, they didn’t feel like destruction. They felt like a solution. They quieted something I couldn’t explain. They made me feel normal, or at least closer to the version of myself I thought I was supposed to be.That’s the trap, because it works — at first. What I didn’t understand was that I wasn’t fixing anything. I was covering something I didn’t want to look at.Later, when things got worse, it was labeled a "mental health" issue.My father struggled with mental illness, and for many years I wrestled with my own diagnoses, some of which, in hindsight, did not fully capture what was truly happening beneath the surface.I was prescribed medical marijuana. But instead of helping, it began triggering severe adverse reactions, including escalating instability, mania, and psychosis that distorted my judgment and sense of reality.RELATED: Camp Hope offers Christ-centered healing to America’s veterans ptsdusa.orgNot brokenLooking back now, I don’t believe there was something fundamentally broken in me. I believe there was something unaddressed. There’s a difference.I kept looking for something to fix the symptoms, but nothing was touching the root. And that only works for so long.Eventually, everything catches up. It did for me.Addiction did not destroy my life overnight. It unfolded through cycles of defiance, denial, and relapse. Each time I tried to regain control on my own terms, I fell deeper into chaos. It culminated in a destructive spiral that led me to a reckless and disorienting bender in Atlantic City. The consequences I now faced were legal. There was no talking my way out of this or pretending it didn't exist. I had reached a point where I could no longer outrun the reality of what my life had become.Brought to my kneesIn hindsight, I believe God had to bring me to my knees.The illusion of control was gone. I finally realized there was no way I was getting out of this under my own power. And that's when change finally became possible.It became possible because faith became real — not something I grew up around, not something I understood intellectually, but something lived.Scripture says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” And also, “You shall be called by a new name.”I used to hear that and think it sounded nice. Now I understand it.Redeemed and reconciledBecause my identity did change — not overnight, not perfectly, but fundamentally. I was no longer defined by what I had been through or how I had responded to it. Through recovery and faith, I encountered Jesus not as religion but as relationship. Through prayer, God revealed to me that I was not meant to be ashamed of my past but to embrace it, bring it into the light, and allow it to help others.One of the most profound outcomes has been reconciliation with my father. The man I once viewed as the source of my wounds became part of a redemption story marked by grace, forgiveness, and healing.Today, I live a life that is sober and grounded in faith. I’ve worked the Twelve Steps and now help guide others through the process. I am actively involved with Chain Breakers and bringing Christ-centered recovery to those who need it.If there is one message I hope to share, it is that unhealed childhood trauma, misunderstood mental health struggles, and substance abuse are deeply interconnected. Healing requires both spiritual surrender and honest conversations about mental health.I share this with humility, knowing I too remain a work in progress. It's my hope that the more we bring stories like mine into the light, the less power shame and isolation will have over those who are still struggling.

by Blaze Media

May 9 2026
Cover image for It’s Past Time for the Government to Rein In AI

It’s Past Time for the Government to Rein In AI

Recently, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett revealed that the White House is contemplating issuing an executive order that would regulate and evaluate AI models similar to how the Food and Drug Administration evaluates new food and drugs. This is a good idea that deserves serious consideration. Here is why. Frontier models are automating complex, multistep cyberattacks at ‘machine speed.’ There are several major concerns with AI cybersecurity that haven’t been fully addressed. There is the use of AI to attack a cyber asset (adversarial), and there are attacks on AI tools like chatbots and voicebots that AI can accomplish with amazing speed and cleverness (AI security). There is the use of AI in phishing attacks, and there are deepfakes. All of these pose grave threats to American businesses and the federal government, with the potential to affect financial information, privacy, personal data, trade secrets, and national security. The CEO of CrowdStrike recently sounded the alarm on this issue. We’re seeing an explosion of new threat actors that may not have all the superior skills to figure this out, but they can use generative AI to advance their attacks very quickly and to make them scalable. There’s going to be a greater proliferation of adversaries than we’ve ever seen. And that is just going to grow, probably exponentially. A recent report by the National Counterintelligence and Security Center highlighted findings from the AI Security Institute showing that frontier models are automating complex, multistep cyberattacks at “machine speed.” With some models already matching the pace of human experts at a fraction of the cost, and other models and systems completely outpacing humans, the threat is accelerating due to both the expanding expertise of humans and the expanding capabilities of the AI models, as recently announced by Anthropic about its latest models’ ability to find vulnerabilities in “well-tested” systems. Another report by ReliaQuest described how a new malware strain called “DeepLoad” can use AI-enabled obfuscation to bypass traditional static defenses in enterprise environments. These kinds of reports are useful, but it is difficult for us mere humans to keep up with the new daily threats. We need a machine-readable database, much like the computer virus databases that have existed for decades. The great variety of threats that are invented on a daily basis is extremely concerning. While the Open Worldwide Application Security Project AI Top 10 list is a useful start, it is far from what today’s systems need to address emerging threats. Our federal government must prioritize a framework solution immediately. The technology industry has databases of cyber threats, but we also need to share information on how to mitigate them. This can be deeply technical and require specialized knowledge, not just of large language models but of other complicated technologies like audio signal processing. The National Institute of Standards and Technology, a non-regulatory federal agency within the Department of Commerce, has been a leader in providing recommendations for responsible AI; however, it needs greater enforcement authority. RELATED: The terrifying scale of the data center land-grab Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg/Getty Images Governments are usually slow to update anything, as they should be. Legislative branches are even slower. Congress should not be writing detailed technical metrics and methodologies for cybersecurity. A solution is that Congress should empower a regulatory agency to monitor and enforce AI safety standards. A somewhat similar example is the FDA, which protects public health by ensuring the safety and security of food, drugs, biological products, and medical devices. It regulates products by reviewing research and conducting inspections. What Congress should do is address the need for an AI cybersecurity framework by statutorily tasking NIST with creating and managing a centralized AI cybersecurity threat database to which all software vendors can (and should) submit new threats. While NIST would be a great place to centralize communications of the resources, it is the private sector that will provide most of the intelligence around what the threats are and how to mitigate them. After all, NIST is already mandated to provide similar resources as part of the Secure Software Development Framework under federal cybersecurity policy and Executive Order 14028, and through the National Vulnerability Database. We need a framework that not only keeps up with attacks, but is ahead of the antagonists in the AI war, no matter who they are or what their intentions may be. A NIST-led national framework would ensure that Americans, businesses, and the federal government can be protected from the lightning-fast, ever-advancing cybersecurity threats. This article was originally published by RealClearPolitics and made available via RealClearWire.

by Blaze Media

May 9 2026
Cover image for Security video captures BRUTAL random assault on 77-year-old man by 2 males in Seattle

Security video captures BRUTAL random assault on 77-year-old man by 2 males in Seattle

The brutal and senseless attack on a 77-year-old man by two males in downtown Seattle in April was captured on surveillance video and released to the public as police sought one of the suspects.The two men appear to be laughing as one rears back to punch the elderly victim with great force from behind.The two left the man bleeding on the sidewalk.The victim drops to the ground, and one of the assailants pretends to kick him before pulling back at the last second, according to an account by prosecuting attorney Ryan D. Turner.The two left the man bleeding on the sidewalk. Police found him with a head injury, as well as a broken arm and knee.Tips from eyewitnesses led police to identify one suspect as 29-year-old Ahmed Abdullahi Osman. Osman was released after being charged with second-degree assault but was later the subject of a $200,000 warrant from King County Superior Court.A second suspect was identified as 27-year-old Jessean Tyrell Elion and arrested on Monday based on tips from the public after the video of the attack was released.Elion was booked into the King County Jail before a judge set a bail of $100,000 for second-degree assault."The allegations of an attack on a stranger is very serious," a judge said about the incident.Police said they only learned of the second alleged assailant after reviewing surveillance video. Casey McNerthney with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office told KING-TV the video was key to arresting the second suspect."It's absolutely helpful, it's so helpful when you have that because jurors now expect that, and even when you have great witnesses, there's always the question if you don't have video or why isn't there video," McNerthney said.RELATED: Adult son beat his elderly father to death with ceramic bowl and then played video games, police say "When you have cameras like that you see higher rates of referrals to prosecutors and often times higher conviction rates," he added.The KING report pointed out that Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, a democratic socialist, has criticized the surveillance system that captured the video of the assault. Her office offered no new comments about the incident.Redmond Police said their Real-Time Information Center aided police in identifying the suspects.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

by Blaze Media

May 8 2026
Cover image for Elderly man dies after suspect — who was in police custody just hours earlier — shoves him down subway steps: NYPD

Elderly man dies after suspect — who was in police custody just hours earlier — shoves him down subway steps: NYPD

An elderly man has died after the suspect in his killing — who was in police custody just hours earlier — shoved him down subway entrance steps in New York City on Thursday night, police told WCBS-TV.The attack against the 76-year-old man occurred just before 9:30 p.m. in the city's Chelsea neighborhood at West 18th Street and 7th Avenue, the station said.'Disgusting.'Responding officers found Ross Falzone on the subway stairs with head injuries, WCBS said, adding that he was rushed to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition and later died.The station said police believe they know who carried out the crime since the suspect was taken into custody earlier Thursday.Police told WCBS that officers around 3:30 p.m. Thursday encountered the suspect behaving erratically outside the NYPD's 17th Precinct.The male was taken into custody, the station said, and officers brought him to Bellevue Hospital. WCBS said he was taken to the psychiatric emergency room for evaluation — and released an hour later.RELATED: Thug who's been deported 4 times faces upgraded charges after elderly man he's accused of shoving onto NYC subway tracks dies Surveillance video around 9:30 p.m. Thursday recorded Falzone approaching the subway — and the same male who had been taken into custody earlier in the day was seen walking quickly behind him and then shoving the elderly victim down the steps, police told WCBS.Falzone struck his head about halfway down the steps, the station added.Emergency responders were called, WCBS said, adding that Falzone was rushed to Bellevue Hospital but died just before 3 a.m. Friday.Police are searching for the suspect, the station said, adding that the NYPD hasn't released his name or description.Observers commenting under the WCBS video report about the elderly man's death are beyond done. Some examples:"This is what you vote for in blue city NY," one commenter said."Disgusting," another user stated."There will be no justice," another commenter lamented."The powers that be do this because they're not scared of being dragged out and held accountable," another user declared.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

by Blaze Media

May 8 2026
Cover image for Britain's first homosexual 'parent' via baby purchase charged with rape, sexual exploitation

Britain's first homosexual 'parent' via baby purchase charged with rape, sexual exploitation

Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, the 57-year-old multimillionaire owner of Isthmian League football club Maldon and Tiptree, has long been an advocate for homosexuals acquiring children, specifically through surrogacy. In 1999, Drewitt-Barlow and Tony Barlow became Britain's first homosexual couple registered as "parents" through surrogacy, having purchased twins for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Altogether, the couple ended up buying five children from four surrogate mothers in the United States before Drewitt-Barlow left his "husband" for the young ex-boyfriend of one of the girls in his care. 'They have groomed them,' a UK prosecutor claims. With his new squeeze, Scott Drewitt-Barlow — and his ex temporarily living with them in a Florida mansion — the homosexual activist quickly obtained another child through in vitro fertilization, and then another two. While Barrie Drewitt-Barlow has drawn ample criticism over his manner of acquiring babies, he is now in hot water for his alleged dealings with an older demographic. Barrie Drewitt-Barlow — who claimed on British television last year that he paid a super model over $68,000 for her eggs to reduce the risk of having an "ugly" child — and his 32-year-old "husband," Scott, were arrested in Essex, U.K., on Wednesday and slapped with numerous sexual assault and sexual exploitation charges. RELATED: 'There is no mama': How a viral video accidentally exposed the true cost of gay adoption Nathan Stirk/Getty Images The United Kingdom's Crown Prosecution Service announced on Friday that the elder gay man has been charged with three counts of sexual assault on a male; four counts of rape of a male 16 or older; and two counts of arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation. Scott Drewitt-Barlow has been charged with one count of sexual assault on a male; one count of rape of a male 16 or older; and two counts of arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation. Christian Meikle of the CPS stated, "The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to charge Barrie Drewitt-Barlow and Scott Drewitt-Barlow following a police investigation into alleged human trafficking for sexual exploitation and rape." Prosecutor Serena Berry said, "It is alleged they have both targeted young males, they have recruited them, they have befriended them, they have groomed them," reported the BBC. Oliver Snodin, the couple's defense lawyer, said that his clients "strenuously denied" the allegations. Police raided the couple's home in Essex as well as Barrie Drewitt-Barlow's pub in Braintree. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

by Blaze Media

May 8 2026
Cover image for The data continues to stack up against the trans narrative

The data continues to stack up against the trans narrative

For years, the public has been sold a false narrative: Children who experience gender distress must be affirmed — socially, hormonally, and even surgically — or they will suffer devastating mental health consequences.However, now that some time has passed, the data shows a very different picture. The treatments being presented as lifesaving are not addressing the pain and root problem whatsoever.A large-scale Finnish study tracking young people referred for gender dysphoria found that the primary driver of poor mental health outcomes was not gender identity itself, but underlying psychiatric conditions.Even more unsettling, medical interventions such as hormones and surgeries did not demonstrate a clear reduction of suicide risk. In other words, the treatments being presented as lifesaving are not addressing the pain and root problem whatsoever. The current model of treating gender-confused youth is not delivering on its promises. When I was a teenager, I was subjected to coercion to “become” a boy because my doctors and counselors peddled this as the solution to all of my problems. Turns out, it wasn’t. I vividly remember walking into many doctors’ and therapists’ offices. I was depressed, had an eating disorder, and grew up in a tumultuous environment as a kid. That combination is usually a recipe for disaster. The root cause wasn’t that I was trans; it was that I had been through several traumatic experiences that no teenager or adolescent should face. I am a detransitioner, meaning I am someone who went through the processes of “gender-affirming care” and have now reverted to identifying with my biological sex — a woman.My experience is just one of many. Several of my friends and peers have experienced the same coercion and pressure to “accept” that they are another sex. The Finnish study is not alone, however. It also aligns with another study done in the U.K., which found that the evidence for pediatric gender medicine is “remarkably weak” and that young patients often present with complex mental health needs requiring comprehensive psychological care, not surgical mutilation. Together, these studies show a clear picture: The way that we currently handle this issue is completely wrong. Children who present with distress, a rough home life, and being chronically online are often put on a conveyor belt of social transition, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and irreversible surgeries. Even more outrageous is that some of these can get approved in a doctor’s office without the consent of a parent or guardian. To do this behind parents’ backs and to encourage secrecy surrounding their social transition should be a crime. RELATED: DEI went into hiding — but remains as dangerous as ever Carl Lokko/Getty ImagesThe result of these practices has been disastrous for trust in our institutions, our health care system, and our school districts. Escalating these so-called treatments only further amplifies their harmful effects. Hormonal interventions affect bone density, fertility, and long-term endocrine function. Surgical interventions are irreversible. These are serious medical decisions being made for patients who are, by definition, still developing.My fight for justice is not simply about my own experience, although I have been through hell and back. It is fundamentally a question of ethics in medicine that the legal system must answer. The evidence is stacking up against the false narrative that trans surgeries equate to lifesaving care. Children placed on this path often do not and will not fully understand its consequences until years later. By then, the damage has already been done. Without action in every state, every medical institution, and every governing body, there will be continued pressure to worship an ideology with no scientific backing. The data is no longer in question. The evidence is settled. I believe the consensus is clear: We must end this abominable practice immediately.

by Blaze Media

May 8 2026
Cover image for Spencer Pratt gives socialist mayoral candidate a wake-up call at debate: 'She's gonna get stabbed in the neck!'

Spencer Pratt gives socialist mayoral candidate a wake-up call at debate: 'She's gonna get stabbed in the neck!'

Reality TV star Spencer Pratt demolished his Democratic competition in a combative debate Wednesday evening in the Los Angeles mayoral debate.Pratt went after Nithya Raman, who is aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America, after she tried to claim success in her efforts to ease the homelessness crisis as a city councilwoman.'I blame this person for burning my house and my parents' house and my town and all my neighbors down.' Pratt brutally mocked the "Inside Safe" program touted by Raman during the debate."First off, Inside Safe, I like to say Inside Safe makes all of us outside, unsafe," Pratt joked."The reality is, no matter how many beds you give these people, they are on super meth," Pratt added. "They are on fentanyl. The DEA statistic says 93% of this is a drug addiction problem. I will go below the Harbor Freeway tomorrow with [Raman] and we can find some of these people she's going to offer treatment for. She's going to get stabbed in the neck!" Pratt also went on the attack against incumbent Democratic Mayor Karen Bass, whose incompetence allegedly led to his house being burned down in the Pacific Palisades fires. Raman accused Bass and Pratt of working together to elbow her out of the race."First off, Mayor Bass and I are definitely not working together," Pratt responded, to which Bass replied by laughing."I blame this person for burning my house and my parents' house and my town and all my neighbors' down," Pratt jabbed.He slammed both Bass and Raman of perpetuating the same old leftist policies that had led to a severe decline in living standards in Los Angeles.Pratt appears to be making inroads despite running as a Republican with an electorate overwhelmingly identifying as Democrat. One report found that he had been able to raise more campaign funds than either of his competitors.RELATED: This underdog candidate's app will expose the politicians to blame for LA's shocking filth Raman had previously been compared to the socialist upstart Zohran Mamdani, who pulled an upset victory to gain the New York City mayor's office. After a stammering incompetent appearance on the debate stage, Raman's campaign is facing heavy criticism."What really surprised me is how rough of a night Nithya Raman had," Dustin Gardiner of Politico said to KNBC-TV. "She was struggling with some of her answers. The moderators were struggling to get her to answer some of the yes and no questions."Gardiner said people believing Pratt would "faceplant" in his first political debate were wrong. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

by Blaze Media

May 7 2026
Cover image for Glenn Beck EDUCATES woke radio host Charlamagne on assassination attempt against Trump

Glenn Beck EDUCATES woke radio host Charlamagne on assassination attempt against Trump

When “The Breakfast Club” host Charlamagne tha God commented on the latest assassination attempt against President Trump, he appeared to empathize with the shooter — and Blaze Media co-founder Glenn Beck called him out on it.Glenn pointed out that Charlamagne's take sounded like a justification for political violence and Charlamagne went on the defense, accusing Glenn of skewing his argument and being unable to empathize with struggling Americans.And while Glenn still is “sure” Charlamagne tha God is “a pleasant man,” he believes he had a poor response. “You know who Glenn Beck is, right? Y’all know who Glenn Beck is, right? He was recently having a conversation on his radio show, I believe, about some of my comments in regards to the shooting that happened at the White House Correspondents' Dinner," he began.“My comments were simple. There is no place for political violence in our society. None. I don’t condone it, but I think we do ourselves a disservice when we don’t talk about how people can become radicalized. And the reality is the Trump administration has caused so much pain to people’s everyday lives that some folks are fed up and willing to risk it all,” he continued.“I don’t agree with vigilante justice,” he added. “I don’t think political violence is the answer, but we have to have honest conversations about how these people are being radicalized. Glenn Beck knows this.”“I really like you,” Glenn responds, “but I think you’re an idiot on this.”Glenn points out that while Charlamagne denounces the violence, he then uses the word “but” to say he understands it.“You see what happens when you use the word ‘but’?” he asks, demonstrating, “‘I’m against assassination, but I can understand how one got there’ is not nuance. It’s surrender with a smile.”“Once you grant the logic, you’ve already seated the assassin at the table of legitimate debate. There is no seat at the table for the assassin. You’ve told the next killer that his grievance is human and understandable, even if his bullet becomes regrettable,” Glenn explains.“That’s not compassion,” he says, adding, “That is your darker self putting on a suit, calling it insight.”Want more from Glenn Beck?To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis, and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

by Blaze Media

May 7 2026
Cover image for WATCH: Video shows alleged drunk driver nearly mowing down boy on dirt bike. She allegedly was 'so drunk' she 'face-planted.'

WATCH: Video shows alleged drunk driver nearly mowing down boy on dirt bike. She allegedly was 'so drunk' she 'face-planted.'

A wild video has gone viral showing an alleged drunk driver steering her car up on a sidewalk and seemingly chasing a child riding a dirt bike in Washington state. The "crazy" suspect also was accused of burglarizing a nearby residence after nearly mowing down the boy.The Spokane County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that deputies responded to a report of a reckless and aggressive driver in Cheney just after 6 p.m. April 28. 'She was smashing the front door, and she stumbled off because she looked so drunk.'"During the incident, the suspect drove up on the sidewalk and attempted to hit a juvenile riding a bike," police stated.The statement read, "The driver chased the juvenile on the sidewalk before reentering the roadway and leaving the area."Deputies spoke with witnesses and watched cellphone video a neighbor recorded of the incident. The video shows a motorist behind the wheel of a silver Ford Focus driving down a residential street and honking the horn. Suddenly, the driver steers the car up on the sidewalk and accelerates toward a child riding a dirt bike, the viral video shows."This woman is crazy," the neighbor is heard saying in the video the sheriff's office released Monday."She’s trying to run this … oh my God … You’re kidding! Oh my God," the person recording the wild video is heard screaming.RELATED: 'How much have you had to drink tonight, Wally?' Former police chief dragged from car, arrested for DUI in wild bodycam video Police said the child was not hit or injured during the "extremely dangerous incident."Within 25 minutes of the initial report, police were alerted about a potential burglary nearby. Police said they were notified around 6:30 p.m. in regard to a "reported residential burglary" about a mile away from the driving incident."The victim, who was not home, said he was watching a suspect on his live security system trying door handles, and it was unclear if the suspect entered the residence," the sheriff's office stated.Deputies went to the location of the reported break-in and noticed a silver Ford Focus parked in the driveway. Police identified the suspect as 56-year-old Wendy A. Clemente."She explained she took her dog for a ride, looking for other dogs to socialize with," police said of Clemente.Law enforcement said Clemente told investigators she noticed dogs fenced in the yard at the residence, and she stopped. According to the statement, Clemente confessed that she didn't know the homeowner but "denied entering or attempting to enter his residence."The homeowner disputed Clemente's claims and said she was "stumbling around" and "bouncing off trees" on his property. The homeowner, 48-year-old Lloyd Gaines, told the Daily Mail, "She was smashing the front door, and she stumbled off because she looked so drunk. She fell off my porch and face-planted."Gaines told the news outlet that Clemente entered his home and did "rustle through" his belongings, "tossed stuff around," and examined his wife's jewelry but didn't steal any items. Gaines said he and his wife were not at home when Clemente allegedly entered their residence; his Ring doorbell camera notified him.The statement read, "Despite indicators that Clemente was impaired, she denied drinking alcohol or consuming any drugs, but later changed her story and admitted to drinking alcohol."When police informed Clemente that she was under arrest for driving under the influence, she reportedly put up a fight."While trying to put her in the back of a patrol car, she resisted and even tried to kick a deputy," according to police.Deputies "eventually" restrained her in the back of the police vehicle. Deputies secured a search warrant to obtain a sample of Clemente's blood for testing. Clemente said she didn't recall the alleged incident with the child, police said.Clemente was booked into the Spokane County Jail and charged with first-degree attempted assault, DUI, and first-degree criminal trespass.At the arraignment the following day, Spokane County Superior Court Commissioner N. Swennumson ordered Clemente released on her own recognizance without needing to post bond, according to police.The New York Post reported that Clemente pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The Daily Mail reported that Clemente is a U.S. Army veteran.The Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to Blaze News' request for comment.Clemente is scheduled to appear in court on May 20. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

by Blaze Media

May 7 2026
Cover image for White House rips into 'left lunatic' Mark Hamill for posting image of Trump in grave

White House rips into 'left lunatic' Mark Hamill for posting image of Trump in grave

The actor famous for portraying a sci-fi hero cast himself as a villain with his latest anti-Trump post and got nailed with fierce backlash.On Wednesday, Mark Hamill posted on BlueSky, the progressive social media platform, a denunciation of President Donald Trump with an image of the president lying in a grave.'This kind of rhetoric is exactly what has inspired three assassination attempts in two years against our President.' "If Only — He should live long enough to witness his inevitable devastating loss in the midterms, be held accountable for his unprecedented corruption, impeached, convicted & humiliated for his countless crimes," Hamill wrote."Long enough to realize he'll be disgraced in the history books, forevermore," the "Star Wars" actor added with the hashtag "Don the con."The image appeared to be an outdated death wish from 2024 and was immediately excoriated on social media."Mark Hamill is one sick individual. These Radical Left lunatics just can’t help themselves," reads a statement from the White House Rapid Response team. "This kind of rhetoric is exactly what has inspired three assassination attempts in two years against our President.""I think Mark Hamill belongs in jail. He is using his notoriety to wish harm on the President. That only bolsters the crazed lunatics, who might act upon such a wish," one user responded on the X platform."Damn in this photo Trump looks as dead as Mark Hamill’s career has been for the last 30 years," another reply reads."He is a sick individual. So sad to see a movie hero turn into such an ugly soul," another detractor said.The tone-deaf post from Hamill comes at a time when Washington, D.C., is still reeling from an attempt on the president's life at the White House Correspondents' Dinner and a shooting at the National Mall after the vice presidential motorcade drove by.RELATED: George Lucas strikes back at woke critics of Star Wars Hamill also recently appeared in a video with former President Barack Obama promoting his presidential library in Chicago."A Star Wars-themed ad for the Obama Library — a library which looks like a fragment of the Death Star," one commentator joked.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

by Blaze Media

May 7 2026
Cover image for 'Crawl': Killer gators make for gruesome guests in overlooked creature feature

'Crawl': Killer gators make for gruesome guests in overlooked creature feature

There’s nothing wrong with watching “The Silence of the Lambs” again, especially to honor the film’s 35th anniversary. With or without fava beans.The same holds for other genre classics like “Rosemary’s Baby,” “The Shining,” “The Exorcist” and “Halloween” (1978).The unrelenting creature brought to life with lo-fi special effects makes this a fine example of 'less is more storytelling.What about horror films that slipped by our pop-culture radar, settling into streaming obscurity? The following five films got little attention on release. They may have underperformed at the box office or simply debuted on a streamer sans fanfare.Each is well worth a look — maybe even while uncorking a nice Chianti.'Crawl' (2019) If you see just one killer alligator movie this year, make it "Crawl," which Quentin Tarantino dubbed his favorite film of 2019.Kaya Scodelario stars as a young woman checking in on her Dad (Barry Pepper) during a brutal Florida hurricane. She can’t find him at first, and his home has started to flood. Badly. That brings more than just the threat of black mold insurance claims. Some killer gators have decided to investigate the house, and Scodelario’s character would make a tasty snack.Yes, it sounds “Sharknado”-adjacent, but the movie's hokey premise is offset by first-rate direction from horror vet Alexandre Aja (“High Tension,” “The Hills Have Eyes” (2006)). The father-daughter dynamic is handled with care, giving gravitas to the story without diminishing the chill factor.'Hush' (2016) This Netflix original boasts a can’t-miss gimmick. What if the protagonist in a home invasion movie were deaf and couldn’t hear the intruder breaking into her home? Every step and crash fell on deaf ears. Literally.Horror maestro Mike Flanagan (“Doctor Sleep,” “The Fall of the House of Usher”) takes it from there, maximizing that plot device for a pulse-pounding affair that skimps on horror’s usual eye-roll moments. Credit star/co-writer Kate Siegel for crafting a credible heroine, one who never falls victim to girlbossery.Instead, the film finds new ways to explore the central hook while allowing Siegel’s character to flash her survival instincts.Yes, it has some slasher film DNA, but the thrilling setup makes it far more than a blood-and-guts-a-thon.RELATED: Killer bear flick 'Backcountry' puts big-budget thrillers to shame IFC Midnight'Splinter' (2008) Shea Whigham is one of Hollywood’s busiest character actors. Think “Joker,” “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning,” “Boardwalk Empire,” and many more projects.This micro-indie takes advantage of his screen presence, casting him as a crook on the lam with his reluctant gal pal. The duo abduct a couple while fleeing Johnny Law before the four run into an unexpected obstacle: a bizarre, stick-like creature that traps them in a convenience store.The setting couldn’t be starker, forcing us to focus on the squabbling foursome. That, plus the unrelenting creature brought to life with lo-fi special effects, makes this a fine example of “less is more” storytelling.The rest is up to Whigham, who proves his crooked character may have a redemptive arc lurking within.'Haunt' (2019) “From the writers of ‘A Quiet Place’” wasn’t the marketing draw the film’s studio imagined. Still, Scott Beck and Bryan Woods’ directorial effort delivers a straightforward horror film done just right.The plot screams Genre Film 101, with a gaggle of attractive young people in search of Halloween high jinks. They stumble upon a haunted house attraction with terrible marketing but a decidedly creepy vibe.Little do they realize the source of said vibes.There’s little about “Haunt” that reinvents the horror movie template. It’s the efficient scares, imaginative twists, and capable cast that seal the deal. The film became Shudder’s most-watched movie premiere of 2019.'Rogue' (2007) If you see just one killer crocodile film this year, make it this smart Aussie thriller. Director Greg McLean (“Wolf Creek”) leverages his homeland’s stunning vistas and a better-than-expected cast for a slick terrorfest. Radha Mitchell (“Man on Fire”) stars as a tour guide steering vacationers through the country’s Northern Territory. The trouble starts when her jerk of an ex (“Avatar’s” Sam Worthington) interrupts the riverboat tour.That’s nothing compared to what comes next. A massive croc terrorizes the boat, feasting on vacationers in the process. The serene setting lulls us into a false sense of security, but the creature feature scares prove as nasty as needed. Co-stars Michael Vartan (“Alias”) and a pre-fame Mia Wasikowska (“Alice in Wonderland”) provide the character beats, allowing us to invest in the dwindling band of survivors.Don’t get too attached to them, though.

by Blaze Media

May 7 2026
Cover image for Florida man accused of posting repeated threats on social media to assassinate Trump, Rubio, and Bondi

Florida man accused of posting repeated threats on social media to assassinate Trump, Rubio, and Bondi

A Florida man is accused of posting repeated social media threats to assassinate President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and former U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Florida.Nathaniel Sanders II, 32, of Miami Beach — who appeared in federal court Monday — used X and Instagram from at least January through April 2026 to make numerous posts threatening the lives of Trump, Rubio, and Bondi, officials claimed, citing court records.'When I get my hands on him, I’m gonna hurt him.'Sanders is charged with threatening the president of the United States and transmitting threats in interstate commerce, officials said, adding that he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison if convicted.A criminal complaint from the Secret Service details a number of instances Sanders allegedly made threats on Instagram, the Palm Beach Daily News said.Sanders allegedly said in an April 10 post directed at Rubio that "like a lot of people be forgetting they bleed just like everybody else. Like when I get my hands on him, I’m gonna hurt him. Simple as that," the paper reported.Sanders also allegedly posted that he would “bomb” the White House and added that “I mean it," the Daily News reported.RELATED: FAA contractor charged for allegedly threatening to ‘kill you — Donald John Trump’ The Secret Service claimed another post aimed at Trump suggests that the president should “come find me” so Sanders “can stomp you in the ground," the paper said.The complaint indicated that in another April post Sanders called Trump an “orange pedophile a** pervert” and allegedly added, “I’m going to kill you,” the Daily News said.More from the paper:The threats were posted between Jan. 28 and April 22, according to the complaint. Law enforcement officials attempted to interview Sanders in February after the initial posts surfaced, but he is described as calling them “pedophiles” and refused to talk.The complaint says that Sanders posted numerous videos on his Instagram accounts in which he is depicted as “complaining and speaking angrily about his hatred” for Trump and other administration officials.Sanders also appeared to address first lady Melania Trump in a video, the Daily News said: “I don’t know what to do, Melania, like, all I got is a gun. It’s the only thing I can use now is a gun."The paper, citing the complaint, said there's no indication Sanders took steps to carry out an attack.A bond hearing is set for Thursday, the Daily News said, adding that his arraignment is scheduled for May 18.“Threats against public officials are not political speech,” U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida said. “They are serious federal crimes that endanger public safety and the rule of law. The complaint alleges that this defendant repeatedly threatened to assassinate the president of the United States and other senior officials. Those allegations will now be tested in court. Our office will continue working with the U.S. Secret Service and our law enforcement partners to investigate threats, protect public officials, and ensure that those who violate federal law are held accountable. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”Special Agent in Charge Michael Townsend of the U.S. Secret Service, Miami Field Office, added that "making threats against the president of the United States is a federal crime, and we treat it with the seriousness it deserves every time. It does not matter where the threat is made or what platform is used, our agents will identify you, investigate you, and work alongside our federal and local partners to bring charges when appropriate. We remain relentless in our mission to protect the president and to act swiftly against anyone who puts others at risk.”Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

by Blaze Media

May 6 2026
Cover image for 'Multiple people' taken into custody as FBI RAIDS top Virginia Democrat's offices over alleged corruption

'Multiple people' taken into custody as FBI RAIDS top Virginia Democrat's offices over alleged corruption

On Wednesday, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents were seen carrying boxes out of the offices of Democratic Virginia state Sen. Louise Lucas, a powerful ally of Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D).A SWAT team also raided a cannabis dispensary located next to the Lucas offices in Portsmouth, according to a Fox News report. Lucas is known for owning several dispensary businesses and had previously been accused of selling illegal marijuana products.She told Fox she did not know what the investigation was about.The FBI confirmed 10 locations were being served with court-authorized criminal warrants. The federal investigation appears to be related to alleged illegal marijuana sales as well as alleged political corruption. “Multiple people” were taken into custody at the dispensary, according to Fox. "There is no threat to public safety. This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is publicly available at this time," the FBI added in a statement. Lucas is the president pro tempore of the state Senate and had previously referred to President Donald Trump as a "fascist" while pushing a gerrymander in the state that would likely lead to more Democratic seats in U.S. Congress. She arrived at her offices and watched as the raid continued. She told Fox she did not know what the investigation was about. When a WTKR-TV reporter approached her vehicle during the FBI raid, she drove away without comment. The Cannabis Outlet store has been owned by Lucas since it opened in 2021. The 82-year-old is a Portsmouth native and was first elected to the Virginia state Senate in 1991. She is also in charge of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee. RELATED: Judge BLOCKS Virginia referendum to gerrymander more Democrats into office She is known for her fiery and foul-mouthed presence on social media. "How about you all stay focused on the fascist in the White House and let us handle redistricting in Virginia," she said in a post from Jan. 2025. "[President] Donald Trump has s**t for brains and it oozes out of his mouth," she added in a separate post on Sept. 11, 2024. This is a developing story. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

by Blaze Media

May 6 2026
Cover image for NYC is falling apart — but Mamdani is busy making soccer cheap

NYC is falling apart — but Mamdani is busy making soccer cheap

Mayor Zohran Mamdani may not care to save New York City residents from himself, but he does apparently care about making soccer tickets more affordable.And BlazeTV host Sara Gonzales is not having it.“We’re teaming up with the nation’s two-time champions to make soccer more affordable for everyone. And that's why we just made 1,000 $5 tickets for the May 9 home game available, starting now,” Mamdani announced in a promotional video.“The city of New York is crumbling at his feet, and he’s obsessing about possibly the worst sport in the world — soccer. That’s what you get. That’s what you get for electing a Muslim commie — 90 minutes of disappointment,” Gonzales comments.“When you look into his history, it’s not the first time he’s talked about trying to make soccer cheaper,” she adds, playing a clip of Mamdani talking about the sport yet again.“I had a New Yorker the other day come up to me and ask me if there was any way I could help him get World Cup tickets because he was saying that the cost that he saw for a game was $600. Right? This is increasingly out of reach,” Mamdani said.“We have made what used to be a working-class game into a luxury experience. And there are too many for whom it doesn’t matter where the World Cup is being played in the world. They know where they’re going to watch it. It’s TV,” he continued.“And we want to ensure that there are more experiences available,” he added.“Who cares?” Gonzales asks, confused. “Why soccer? Why? Why are you so obsessed with soccer?”Mamdani also brought up the cost of World Cup tickets on a podcast appearance, telling the interviewers that tickets can get up to $6,000.“It is absurd,” he said.“Why not pick an American sport? Football? No, he’s got to do the soccer thing,” Gonzales says, noting he even boasted about holding a meeting with the FIFA president on his social media.“Just an idea, OK? Focus on the things the people of New York City actually care about,” she continues. “He is about to bankrupt the entire city.”Want more from Sara Gonzales?To enjoy more of Sara's no-holds-barred takes on news and culture, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

by Blaze Media

May 6 2026
Cover image for 13 DC police officials placed on leave, pending termination amid crime stat manipulation scandal

13 DC police officials placed on leave, pending termination amid crime stat manipulation scandal

Over a dozen officials within the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department were placed on administrative leave on Monday amid allegations that the department manipulated its data to make crime appear lower.During a Tuesday press conference, interim Police Chief Jeffery Carroll announced that 13 officials had been placed on leave pending termination. Some of those individuals were already on leave “for other matters earlier,” he added.'The corruption that endangered lives, eroded trust, and allowed shooters, robbers, and predators to evade justice cannot be tolerated.'None of the officials has been fired, Carroll said.He explained that the department’s internal affairs bureau had completed an investigation into crime reporting following a referral from the U.S. Attorney’s Office earlier this year.“There were allegations of misconduct that were made, and based on those allegations, members were investigated, and the outcome is related to these individuals,” Carroll told reporters.Despite the crime stat scandal, the interim MPD chief insisted that the department had made “meaningful progress over the last three years in reducing crime.”“Homicides, shootings, and carjackings have fallen steadily since 2023,” he said.RELATED: ‘F you’: Departing DC police chief invokes Bible in performative, preacher-like rebuke to critics amid crime stat scandal Andrew Leyden/Getty ImagesThe House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has been conducting its own investigation into the alleged manipulation of crime stats, including releasing an interim report in December that accused MPD leadership of pressuring and instructing commanders to downgrade crime classifications to lesser offenses. Carroll noted that the department has been in communication with the committee concerning its probe. RELATED: DC police chief manipulated crime stats to make city look better, report claims Pamela Smith, Jeffery Carroll. Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/Washington Post/Getty ImagesThe DC Police Union, which has long accused the MPD of manipulating data, welcomed the news that the department had taken action against multiple officials.“Justice is being served,” Gregg Pemberton, president of the DC Police Union, stated. “The command staff officials responsible for this betrayal must be held accountable, not just for the sake of the thousands of dedicated MPD officers they undermined, but for the residents of the District of Columbia who deserve honest leadership and real public safety. The corruption that endangered lives, eroded trust, and allowed shooters, robbers, and predators to evade justice cannot be tolerated.”Former Police Chief Pamela Smith resigned in December amid the allegations. She maintains that she “never would have encouraged, intimidated, retaliated, or told anyone to change their numbers.”Former Police Commander Michael Pulliam was suspended last year after he was accused of participating in the alleged data manipulation.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

by Blaze Media

May 6 2026
Cover image for Teacher allegedly sexually abused 5th-grade boy in classroom closet, kissed him in front of her own young child in classroom

Teacher allegedly sexually abused 5th-grade boy in classroom closet, kissed him in front of her own young child in classroom

A Texas elementary teacher has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a fifth-grade student years ago, police said. The alleged victim reportedly told investigators that the teacher would have her favorite students play Truth or Dare and urged those children to kiss each other.The San Antonio Police Department said in a statement that 46-year-old Cecilia Mueller was arrested and charged with continuous sexual assault of a child.When the alleged victim and Mueller were alone in the classroom, she reportedly would touch his leg and kiss him — and soon told him she 'wanted more' and engaged in sexual conduct with him in a classroom closet."There is reason to believe that there could be additional victims of this crime," police stated.Northside Independent School District spokesperson Barry Perez told WOAI-TV that the district hired Mueller in August 2007.Mueller was a teacher at Lewis Elementary School from her hire date until June 2019 when she transferred to Henderson Elementary School.The alleged victim — now 20 years old — recently told investigators he was in Mueller's fifth-grade class at Lewis Elementary School during the 2016-2017 school year.Citing the arrest report, KABB-TV said the alleged victim told authorities he was one of Mueller's “favorites” — and such students often were seated together at a reading table in her classroom where the alleged victim said Mueller engaged in inappropriate conversations with them.More from KABB:He told police that the “favorites” would sometimes stay during lunch, where he alleges Mueller showed them explicit music videos and, on one occasion, a pornographic video. He also said she played Truth or Dare with the students, at times daring them to kiss each other. According to the report, he said she instructed the students not to tell their parents, warning that she could get into serious trouble.According to the Express-News, when the alleged victim and Mueller were alone in the classroom, she would touch his leg and kiss him — and soon told him she "wanted more" and engaged in sexual conduct with him in a classroom closet.KABB, citing the arrest report, noted that the alleged victim said he and Mueller on one occasion were kissing while her young child was present in the classroom. KENS-TV, citing the affidavit, reported that when the alleged victim expressed concern about her child being present, Mueller said her child "would not remember."RELATED: Florida teacher accused of sexually abusing student after parents use app to track boy to mystery location: Police The Express-News, citing the affidavit, said Mueller would text the victim after school hours "constantly." The paper added that investigators reviewed text message logs that the victim's mother provided and found about 300 messages and photos between the victim and Mueller's phone number from just one week in February 2017.The New York Post reported that the alleged victim informed investigators that the child sex abuse stopped when he graduated from the fifth grade.Citing the arrest report, WOAI said Mueller told the alleged victim to never tell anyone about their relationship for the rest of his life and requested that he contact her when he turned 18 years old.According to the Express-News, Mueller was being held at the Bexar County Jail with bail set at $95,000. The paper said that if Mueller is convicted, she could face a maximum sentence of life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.KSAT obtained a letter that Henderson Elementary School Principal Lillyana Hinojosa sent to parents about the "deeply unsettling" and "difficult" news."I want to let you know that one of our teachers was recently arrested by the San Antonio Police Department," the letter read.Hinojosa noted that the Northside Independent School District is fully cooperating with the police investigation.A Northside Independent School District spokesperson told WOAI that Mueller has been placed on leave.Neither Henderson Elementary School nor the Northside Independent School District immediately responded to Blaze News' requests for comment.Those with information about the case or possible victims are urged to contact the San Antonio Police Department's Special Victims Unit at 210-207-2313.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

by Blaze Media

May 6 2026
Cover image for 'RINO' Indiana Senate Incumbents Lose Bigly to Trump-Endorsed Challengers

'RINO' Indiana Senate Incumbents Lose Bigly to Trump-Endorsed Challengers

Indiana’s May 5 primary election tested President Donald Trump’s influence after he endorsed several state Senate candidates seeking to unseat Republican incumbents who had previously broken ranks with him by opposing a redistricting map.At least six out of the eight Indiana Senate challengers endorsed by Trump won their respective primary elections on Tuesday, most with significant leads.A 'big night for MAGA in Indiana.'Twenty-one GOP state senators voted with their Democrat colleagues in December to block a new congressional map that would have created two more Republican-leaning districts and potentially strengthened the GOP’s control of the U.S. House of Representatives.The effort failed in a 31-19 vote, despite Trump’s warnings that he would target Republicans in the upcoming primary election who voted against it.Republicans who voted against the redistricting effort and who were seeking re-election in the May primary included:James Buck (District 21)Spencer Deery (District 23)Dan Dernulc (District 1)Greg Goode (District 38)Travis Holdman (District 19)Rick Niemeyer (District 6)Linda Rogers (District 11)Greg Walker (District 41)Republican state Senators Eric Bassler (District 39) and Kyle Walker (District 31) also voted against the redistricting map. However, neither is seeking re-election.Trump issued a wave of endorsements for eight of the races.“Good luck to those Great Indiana Senate Candidates who are running against people who couldn’t care less about our Country, or about keeping the Majority in Congress. There are eight Great Patriots running against long seated RINOS — Let’s see how those RINOS do tonight!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Primary Election Day.Indian polls closed at 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday, and early results began rolling in shortly after.RELATED: Trump launches ‘RINO’ purge in Indiana as primary looms Kaiti Sullivan/Bloomberg/Getty ImagesTrump-backed Blake Fiechter took an early lead over incumbent Holdman for District 19, prompting several outlets to call the race less than two hours after polls had closed.Buck, from District 21, was unseated by Tracey Powell, another Trump-backed candidate.Michelle Davis, who received the president’s support, defeated Walker in District 41.Trump challenger Trevor De Vries beat incumbent Dernulc in District 1.Dr. Brian Schmutzler, another Trump pick, scored a victory against Rogers in District 11.Trump-backed Jeff Ellington secured Bassler’s open seat in District 39.RELATED: Indiana Republicans vote with Democrats to block redistricting — despite Trump's threat to unseat them Kaiti Sullivan/Bloomberg/Getty ImagesTrump’s pick for District 38, Brenda Wilson, lost to incumbent Goode. The race for District 23 between Deery and the Trump-backed challenger, Paula Copenhaver, is too close to call as of Wednesday morning.U.S. Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) called it a “big night for MAGA in Indiana.”Eric Daugherty of Florida’s Voice celebrated the results, declaring that the “RINO reign” was “coming to an end.” He noted that Goode’s win over Wilson was “one of VERY few wins these traitor RINOs will get tonight!”Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

by Blaze Media

May 5 2026
Cover image for ABC and the New York Times normalize leftist calls for violence

ABC and the New York Times normalize leftist calls for violence

While Jimmy Kimmel’s widow joke wasn’t calling for violence, BlazeTV host Ron Simmons explains that calling for violence isn’t the problem — it’s the normalization of political violence that is.“I don’t think Jimmy is telling somebody to go out there and kill somebody, I do think that he is making light of what has been, as we already know, from the two previous assassination attempts, attempts on President Trump’s life, and the fact that we should be happy if he’s dead,” Simmons says on “Relatable.”And the first lady is on the same page as Simmons.“Kimmel’s hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country. His monologue about my family isn’t comedy — his words are corrosive and deepens the political sickness within America,” Melania wrote in a post on X.The first lady went on to call for “ABC to take a stand” in response to Kimmel’s joke, while the president called for his firing in a post on Truth Social.“He ought to be fired immediately,” Simmons agreed.But Kimmel isn’t the only celebrity normalizing violent political rhetoric.“There are other people out here that are inciting things that we need to pay attention to,” Simmons explains, before calling out Hasan Piker.“The New York Times basically platformed him, allowed him to participate in some of their communications. And this guy, he’s even worse than Jimmy Kimmel,” he says, pointing out that in an interview with the NYT, he suggested that the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was justified.“Engles wrote about the concept of social murder. And Brian Thompson as the United Healthcare CEO was engaging in a tremendous amount of social murder, the systematized forms of violence, the structural violence of poverty, the for-profit paywalled system of health care in this country,” Piker said in the interview.“And the consequences of that are tremendous amounts of pain, tremendous amounts of violence, tremendous amounts of death,” he added.However, Simmons notes that Piker has said much worse on his own Twitch stream.“If you cared about Medicare fraud or Medicaid fraud, you would kill Rick Scott,” Piker said.In another clip, Piker calls for property owners to be killed “in the street.”“Yeah kill them. ... Let the streets soak in their f**king red, capitalist blood,” he said.“The New York Times, if they’re a legitimate journalistic output, they shouldn’t be platforming a guy like this,” Simmons comments.“I mean, that’s just way, way, way over the line,” he adds.Want more from Allie Beth Stuckey?To enjoy more of Allie’s upbeat and in-depth coverage of culture, news, and theology from a Christian, conservative perspective, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.