Author: Mandy Matthews

The ceasefire with Iran has collapsed and the United States has resumed air strikes after Tehran launched missiles, drones, and attacks on commercial shipping and regional bases, prompting a broad campaign against Iranian military and maritime capabilities and sparking additional, mysterious strikes whose origin remains uncertain. The Biden era is over in this conflict; President Trump ordered US forces to restart strikes on Iranian military and infrastructure complexes after Tehran violated the truce. The resumption began on July 7 and rapidly escalated into two nights of concentrated bombardment aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to threaten shipping and regional partners. This…

Conservative take on a CNN pundit’s blunt question about Bernie Sanders and what 45 years in public office really means. The comment “Bernie’s been in elected office for 45 years. Why isn’t he establishment?” landed on cable and forced a useful reality check about political branding and media narratives, and it’s worth unpacking in plain terms. This piece looks at what long tenure actually signals, how the media shapes outsider stories, and why Republicans see Sanders as part of the political problem rather than a true insurgent. Expect direct language and a focus on practical consequences, not wonky academic debate.…

A string of unclaimed airstrikes struck parts of Iran shortly after U.S. officials said American attacks had ended, renewing questions about who else might be targeting Tehran and what that means for regional stability and U.S. credibility. Reports of additional strike activity inside Iran, described as unclaimed, cut across a quiet window after the U.S. declared its operations complete. That gap—attacks continuing after Washington said it had finished—has stirred intense scrutiny from policymakers and analysts. The central issue is simple: when violence keeps happening after an official end, someone else is acting and we need to know who. From a…

Judge Tony Graf allowed a redacted 23-minute interview video of Lance Twiggs, Tyler Robinson’s roommate and romantic partner, to be released after overruling defense objections during the fourth day of Robinson’s preliminary hearing. The courtroom moved quickly on day four when Judge Tony Graf signed off on releasing redacted footage from an interview with Lance Twiggs. The defense had objected, arguing release would prejudice the proceedings, but the judge decided the public interest and the redactions struck an acceptable balance. That decision set the stage for an intense day of testimony and legal maneuvering. In the 23 minutes of video,…

Purdue University’s incoming class of 10,000 freshmen will be the first in the nation to have artificial intelligence graduation requirements when classes start next month. This change marks a major shift in how universities treat AI literacy and signals a broader effort to make students ready for an economy where generative tools are part of everyday work. The move is both practical and symbolic, showing that AI is no longer an optional elective but a core competency for college graduates. Purdue is putting an AI baseline into its degree programs, meaning students will face specific coursework or certification before they…

China’s passenger car sector is sending a strong signal abroad while its home market cools, with exports and electric vehicles powering headline growth even as domestic demand slips. China’s passenger car exports surged 80% in June from a year earlier, mainly due to strong demand for electric vehicles, though domestic sales fell 26%. The numbers show a stark divergence: factories are finding buyers overseas even as local showrooms report softer traffic. That split is reshaping industry strategy from production planning to marketing focus. Export growth is concentrated in electric and plug-in hybrids, where competitive pricing and improving quality give Chinese…

Wednesday’s hearing focused tightly on two developments: Tyler Robinson turning himself in, and the law enforcement interview of Lance Twiggs, with both moments shaping the courtroom’s tone and the next steps in the case. The hearing opened with a clear acknowledgment that Tyler Robinson had voluntarily surrendered to authorities, an action that drew attention from the bench and the gallery alike. Court observers noted the symbolism of a defendant choosing to turn himself in, and attorneys framed that decision in different lights. That moment set a measured pace for the day and framed many of the procedural motions that followed.…

On July 4, 2025, an armed group attacked a Texas immigration detention center, shot a police officer, and a jury later convicted members of an organized antifa cell on terrorism charges; the court record, weapons cache, and encrypted planning make clear this was an armed operation, not a peaceful demonstration. On the night in question, a police officer approached a masked man outside a detention center and began issuing commands while another voice on body camera yelled, “get to the rifles.” Benjamin Song opened fire, striking the officer with a rifle round as unarmed guards scattered. The officer survived after…

Angel Studios’ historical drama “Young Washington” far exceeded pre-release expectations over the July Fourth weekend, prompting director Jon Erwin to announce a sequel before the film Angel Studios’ historical drama “Young Washington” surprised many by outpacing pre-release expectations during the July Fourth weekend, and director Jon Erwin responded quickly by announcing a sequel ahead of the film’s full run. That early green light sent a clear signal about the film’s momentum and how the studio views audience appetite for historical storytelling. The announcement itself created a buzz that extended beyond the usual fan circles and into broader cultural conversations. The…

A straightforward look at J.D. Vance’s public break with Milton Friedman’s ideas and why that split matters for the Republican movement and conservative economic policy. J.D. Vance has pushed a clear critique of Milton Friedman’s free-market orthodoxy, and the exchange has landed loud and messy in conservative circles. Vance frames his arguments around economic nationalism and cultural conservatism, pitching a different set of priorities than classical liberal economists. The debate is about more than theory; it’s about which policies the Republican Party will champion going forward. Milton Friedman built a reputation as a practical, results-oriented economist whose proposals reshaped policy…