Author: Karen Givens

The National Academy of Sciences quietly pulled a judicial guide this week after facing criticism that it was written with a clear bias toward influencing federal judges in cases tied to so-called climate science, and the move followed extensive reporting by The Federalist. The decision by the National Academy of Sciences to retract the document immediately raises questions about how scientific institutions try to shape courtroom outcomes. Critics argue the guide crossed from neutral explanation into advocacy, tailoring language and emphasis to help one side in litigation rather than to inform judges impartially. The retracted guide was described by critics…

Ben Jones, the actor best known as the “good ol’ boy mechanic” on “The Dukes of Hazzard,” has died at 84 after a life that bridged entertainment and elected office. He was 84. Ben Jones rose to national recognition in the 1970s and 80s for his role on “The Dukes of Hazzard,” where his on-screen persona connected with viewers through plainspoken charm and a knack for comic timing. He brought a familiar Southern friendliness to the small screen that helped make the show a staple of weekend TV lineups. That visibility opened doors beyond acting and set the stage for…

Mark Zuckerberg’s yacht did not respond to a Coast Guard distress call from a stranded skiff off Alaska last week. The episode drew attention from nearby cruise-ship passengers and prompted a coordinated Coast Guard response when a small vessel got into trouble in rough waters. Mark Zuckerberg’s yacht did not respond to a Coast Guard distress call from a stranded skiff off Alaska last week. The Coast Guard says it became aware of a stranded small boat and tried to reach larger vessels in the vicinity as part of standard procedure. When the yacht failed to acknowledge the call, the…

Fertility is not a machine you can switch on and off; biological processes, age, health, and imperfect tools mean outcomes are probabilistic, not guaranteed. Popular messaging from the last several decades suggested reproductive choices are a tidy matter of timing and technology, but the reality is messier and less predictable. Human fertility depends on many moving parts that don’t obey schedules or cultural slogans. Expecting total control over when and whether pregnancy happens sets people up for surprises. Female fertility is driven by ovarian reserve, egg quality, and regular ovulation, all of which change with time in ways that vary…

A strike on the Russian city of Nizhnekamsk left 13 dead, including a child, and wounded 75, according to Tatarstan regional authorities; the incident drew immediate attention and competing claims about responsibility. The attack hit Nizhnekamsk on Monday and authorities in the Tatarstan region reported a heavy civilian toll. Local officials counted 13 people killed and 75 injured, and emergency services moved quickly to treat the wounded and secure the site. Details about the exact target and the type of drone used were still being collected as investigators worked at the scene. The shock of casualties, including a child, set…

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says she is freezing her eggs as she weighs political next steps ahead of the 2028 presidential cycle. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has publicly announced she is freezing her eggs while she “decides her next political moves” ahead of the 2028 presidential cycle. The detail landed in headlines because it mixes a private medical choice with high-profile political timing. That combination invites scrutiny about priorities when national debates are intense and voters expect leaders to focus on pressing issues. From a Republican viewpoint, the timing matters. When a member of Congress highlights a personal fertility decision in the…

The Trump administration is moving to remove Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, two months after the Supreme Court allowed her to remain on the job while she contests the president’s action. The administration says it will push forward with steps to remove Lisa Cook from her Federal Reserve post even after the high court’s interim ruling. That decision kept her in place while legal challenges proceed, but it did not settle the underlying dispute. Republicans watching this see the move as a test of executive authority and accountability for unelected officials. This is more than a personnel fight; it raises…

A clear, direct take on fairness in competitive sports and how biological differences affect women’s events. ‘It would not be really fair for the women to compete against biological men.’ That line lands because it cuts straight to the core concern many people have about organized competition. When athletes are grouped by sex, the intent is to create a level playing field, not to cloud what fairness means. People expect rules that protect opportunities for women to succeed on merit. Physiology matters in contact sports and in events decided by strength, speed, or endurance. Men and women, on average, differ…

President Trump’s moves to halt migrant crossings have reduced border chaos, and now the GOP is working to translate those policy wins into lasting political momentum. The recent drop in migrant crossings is a real, measurable change that reshaped how voters see the border issue. For many Republicans this is proof that firm policies and clear enforcement can produce results. That shift has lowered the issue’s urgency in some public conversations, but it also raises fresh political questions. Republican operatives are honest about the problem: success can dull voter enthusiasm if the party rests on its laurels. The base wants…

Federal court judges blocked silencer registration rules for the plaintiffs in a recent decision, ruling the registration requirement unconstitutional while limiting relief to those specific parties and leaving the broader regime intact for now. A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the requirement to register silencers violates the Constitution for the people who brought the case, and the decision stopped short of a universal fix. The ruling targets the registration mandate itself but applies only to the named plaintiffs, so others remain subject to the same federal rules. That narrow scope makes the outcome important yet limited in immediate practical effect.…