Author: Mandy Matthews

Donald Trump Jr. quietly married Bettina Anderson in a small Florida ceremony, then hosted a private weekend celebration on a Bahamian island that drew nearly the entire Trump sibling group — all except Barron, whose absence has not been publicly explained. Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson tied the knot at a West Palm Beach home in a low-key legal ceremony before moving the party to Norman’s Cay in the Exumas for a weekend gathering. Anderson, 39, and Don Jr. then celebrated with a tightly curated guest list on a members-only island reachable only by chartered plane or boat. The…

The proposed rule change follows an order from Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, which found that “public and federally managed lands should be open to hunting and fishing unless a specific, documented, and legally supported exception applies.” This rule change is framed around a simple principle: public lands belong to the public and access for traditional outdoor activities should be the norm, not the exception. The administration is pushing back on a pattern where closures grow by default and access becomes a patchwork of arbitrary bans. That approach treats people who hunt and fish like second-class users of their…

Washington is gearing up for a big-screen World Cup vibe even without hosting a match, turning bars, plazas, and cultural centers into gathering spots for fans and families. The District isn’t hosting a World Cup game, but the nation’s capital will still celebrate the international tournament. Expect watch parties in neighborhood bars, large-screen public viewings in plazas, and special programming at cultural venues around the city. Organizers are pitching events to draw locals and visitors who want the tournament atmosphere without a stadium ticket. Bars and restaurants will be central to the buzz, offering themed menus, extended hours, and communal…

Former President Joseph R. Biden sued the Justice Department Tuesday to block the release of audio recordings and transcripts of private conversations with his memoir ghostwriter, a legal move that raises fresh questions about transparency, presidential records and how much of a former president’s private communications remain shielded from public view. Former President Joseph R. Biden sued the Justice Department Tuesday to block the release of audio recordings and transcripts of private conversations with his memoir ghostwriter. The filing asks the courts to prevent disclosure of those materials, putting the decision squarely into the hands of judges rather than the…

Spanish police carried out a search at the ruling Socialist Party’s headquarters on Wednesday in connection with an investigation into alleged financial wrongdoing tied to a party member, raising questions about transparency and political accountability. The raids at a national party office grabbed headlines immediately and put a spotlight on the relationship between power and money. Authorities say the action is part of an active probe focused on possible irregularities connected to a particular party member. Those narrow facts are enough to unsettle voters and opponents alike, and the scene has become political theater overnight. For a governing party, any…

Donald Trump has endorsed Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson for governor, shaping a crowded Republican primary and signaling a clear conservative direction for the race. Donald Trump announced his endorsement of Ty Masterson on Truth Social, praising a candidate he said would “work tirelessly to Champion Kansas Values.” The endorsement leans on Masterson’s record on the Second Amendment, tax cuts, and border security, consistent with Trump’s national pick criteria. In a nine-candidate GOP primary set for August 4, that nod immediately reshaped the contest. Masterson is a two-decade veteran of the Kansas Legislature who rose to the role of Senate…

The battle over a single dam in northern Arizona has become a flashpoint where rising electricity costs collide with efforts to keep alive one of the Colorado River’s last native fish, and decisions about releases, power generation, and water temperature are shaping both homes’ bills and a fragile ecosystem. At the heart of this standoff is a dam whose operations affect the flow and temperature of downstream water, and those choices ripple through communities, power grids, and wildlife habitat. Managers face the tradeoff between producing hydropower to keep electricity affordable and adjusting releases to protect a species that survives in…

On the question of foreign influence at the state level, this piece lays out concerns, points to patterns that merit scrutiny, and argues for stronger transparency and safeguards to protect state institutions and voters. “Lawmakers in California and Arizona have some explaining to do.” That line cuts to the chase and frames a wider worry about how foreign powers, notably the Chinese Communist Party, may be operating below the federal radar to shape policy and access sensitive infrastructure. These concerns are not theoretical politics; they touch on trade deals, campus programs, investment flows, and state-level contracts that can shift control…

Talk of a negotiated pause with Iran keeps stalling, and now France and U.N. players are hovering with proposals while Washington watches for leverage and verification to protect U.S. allies and interests. Diplomacy around Iran has hit repeated speed bumps, and the latest reports suggest European and United Nations actors are stepping in to revive talks. Republicans in Washington are wary of any quick fix that fails to neutralize Tehran’s uranium stockpiles, ballistic missile work, and regional proxy networks. The central question is whether outside facilitators can secure a deal that actually holds Iran accountable. “We’re close – or maybe…

Memorial Day still brings Americans together, a day when neighborhoods, cemeteries, and families pause to honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion, and where traditions matter more than the weekend shopping list. It’s remembrance more than spending. Across small towns and big cities, the holiday has kept a steady purpose: to mark sacrifice and to center communities around memory rather than merchandise. Even as our culture rushes toward commerce, Memorial Day remains one of the few national pauses where respect for service is the public script. Parades, flag ceremonies, and graveside visits are not just rituals; they…