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Time to mourn, time to embrace, time to heal on LA wildfires’ anniversary: A list of public events

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1-Year Anniversary Events for Eaton and Palisades Fires

Mark your calendars for a series of community events commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Eaton and Palisades fires. These gatherings honor those affected, celebrate resilience, and support ongoing recovery efforts.

Jan. 4 – Altadena Forever Run

A tribute to those who lost their homes, those who helped, and those who are rebuilding. The event features a 10K Run, 5K Walk/Run, and a 1K Family Walk/Run. Although registration is closed, the public is encouraged to cheer on participants starting at 8 a.m. (beginning with the 10K run).

This event honors Altadena’s resilience, supports long-term recovery, and raises funds for residents impacted by the Eaton fire. Proceeds from the event and donations through a GoFundMe campaign benefit the Altadena Eaton Fire Relief Fund and the Sheriff’s Support Group of Altadena.

Location: Starting point at Mariposa Junction, 849 E. Mariposa St., Altadena.

For route maps and donation information, please check the official event website.

Jan. 6 – Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church Prayer Services

The Rev. Matt Hardin leads an evening prayer service at 7 p.m. at Brentwood Presbyterian Church, 12000 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood.

On Jan. 7, Rev. Hardin will lead a morning prayer gathering at the church’s destroyed campus site:

Time: 8 a.m.
Location: 15821 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades.

Contact: 310-454-0366
Website: palipres.org

Jan. 7 – Eaton Fire Remembrance

La Cañada Presbyterian Church: “Grief stations” will be available all day, with a worship service at 6:30 p.m.
Location: 626 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada Flintridge.
Phone: 818-790-6708.

Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine: A Day of Remembrance and Renewal with restored gardens open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors are invited to peaceful contemplation. A gong will sound every hour on the hour for a moment of silence, regardless of visitors’ location around the lake. No reservations required.

The Lake Shrine, dedicated in 1950, is part of the worldwide Self-Realization Fellowship founded by Paramahansa Yogananda.
Location: 17080 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades.
Phone: 310-454-4114.

American Legion Post: While the post ceremony will be held onsite, the formal ceremony portion from 9–10 a.m. will be livestreamed outside the post (15247 La Cruz Drive, Pacific Palisades). The public is invited to watch.

They Let Us Burn – Call for Fairness, Accountability and a Vision for the Rebuild: A non-partisan demonstration and rally featuring various speakers at a press conference.
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: Palisades Village, 15307 Antioch St. (corner of Swarthmore Avenue), Pacific Palisades.
RSVP requested via the event website.

Corpus Christi Catholic Church and School: Noon gathering to commemorate the fire on the church school steps (890 Toyopa Drive). Later, at 7 p.m., Rev. Msgr. Liam Kidney celebrates the Mass of Remembrance and Reflection at St. Monica Catholic Church, 725 California Ave., Santa Monica.
Note: Corpus Christi Church (15100 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades) was destroyed in the fire.
Website: corpuschristichurch.com

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church: Concerts of Remembrance, Healing, and Renewal featuring community prayers at noon and 6 p.m., with concerts by violinist Anne Akiko Meyers and members of the Los Angeles Master Chorale at 1 p.m., and the Pacific Strings at 7 p.m.

Location: 1031 Bienveneda Ave., Pacific Palisades.
Free to attend; suggested donation $45. Donations accepted at the door or online.

Details and ticket donations: tinyurl.com/4ujrkfu5
Facebook: The Parish of St. Matt’s

City of Malibu Palisades Fire Remembrance

Finding Strength in Community – A Healing Moment: Activities include a Chumash blessing, a moment of silence for lives lost, a remembrance poem by Malibu’s poet laureate Charlotte Ward, an art gallery tribute to first responders and community members, and a memorial area.

Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Malibu City Hall, 23825 Stuart Ranch Road.
The formal program will be livestreamed from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Malibu City’s YouTube channel.
Website: malibucity.org/palisades1yrremembrance

Community Coalition for Altadena Recovery (CCAR) – Eaton Fire 1-Year Commemoration

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger and Altadena-based organizations host an event featuring remembrances, music, and refreshments.
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Grocery Outlet parking lot, 2270 Lake Ave., Altadena.
Rain or shine.

Altadena for Accountability: Holding a peaceful, silent demonstration at the same time and location (in front of Grocery Outlet, 2270 Lake Ave., Altadena).
Contact: foraltadena@gmail.com

Rise Malibu – A Night to Honor, Remember and Rise Together

Event includes musical performances and a screening of Big Rock Burning (2025 documentary).
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Malibu High School, 30215 Morning View Drive, Malibu.

Text “BIGROCKBURNING” to 44834 for tickets. Proceeds benefit the Malibu Education Foundation.

A Concert for Altadena

Hosted by John C. Reilly, this concert features performers such as Aloe Blacc; Dawes & Friends featuring Eric Krasno; Everclear; Brandon Flowers (The Killers); Jenny Lewis; Lord Huron; Lucius; Mandy Moore; Ozomatli; Brad Paisley; Taboo (Black Eyed Peas); and Rufus Wainwright.

Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena.
Tickets start at $150.
Proceeds go to the Altadena Builds Back Foundation via the Pasadena Community Foundation’s Eaton Fire Relief and Recovery Fund.

Tickets available through Ticketmaster: tinyurl.com/4vccyk4h

Jan. 9 – Music Center’s Innovation Social

Reflections on Loss, Hope and Renewal: Guests will connect with Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality stories as well as interactive 3D stations documenting personal and environmental stories from the LA wildfires.

The event also features a performance by Evolve Altadena and TreePeople will distribute acorns.

Time: 6–9 p.m.
Location: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Founders’ Room and Stern Grand Hall, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.
Free admission; reservations required via website.
Parking: $10 at Music Center or Walt Disney Concert Hall garages.
Website: musiccenter.org/innovationsocial

Jan. 11 – Altadena Candlelight Vigil

Hosted by Kinfolks Helping Hands and Connect 2 Rise, the vigil commemorates the Eaton fire. The event includes performances by a children’s choir and the Benn Family (featured on “America’s Got Talent”).

Time: Early entry at 6:30 p.m., ceremony begins at 7 p.m.
Location: Altadena Town and Country Club, 2290 Country Club Drive, Altadena.

Note: This event was postponed from its original date (Jan. 7) and location, now moved indoors.

Contact: changematters99@gmail.com

https://www.whittierdailynews.com/2026/01/02/time-to-mourn-time-to-embrace-time-to-heal-on-la-wildfires-anniversary-a-list-of-public-events/

Sheriff Chad Bianco, who’s running for California governor, asks donors to help pay legal bills

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“Send lawyers, guns and money,” rock legend Warren Zevon once urged in a song. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco has raised at least $1. 6 million for his 2026 campaign for governor. Now he wants help paying his lawyers. The Republican, who led Democratic frontrunner Katie Porter in a recent poll, started a legal defense fund in late October, campaign finance records show. The fund allows donors to help pay the sheriff’s legal bills for what, it’s not clear. In an emailed response to questions about the fund, Bianco said: “This is your typical biased, selective reporting.” “This is common to most all campaigns,” he said, adding that the fund is unrelated to his work with the county. RELATED: President Trump was a big factor in California’s redistricting war. What about the governor’s race? A check of campaign finance paperwork found no record of legal defense funds for Porter, Steve Hilton, Xavier Becerra, Antonio Villaraigosa or other 2026 gubernatorial hopefuls. Elected officials with legal defense funds include U. S. Sen Adam Schiff, D-California. The federal justice department is investigating Schiff, a prominent critic of President Donald Trump, for mortgage fraud, an allegation the senator denies. There’s nothing to suggest Bianco, who routinely assails Democrats for ruining California, is under criminal investigation. But the outspoken sheriff is dealing with civil litigation. In August, Democrat Stephen J. Cloobeck, who recently dropped out of the governor’s race, sued Bianco alleging the sheriff broke state campaign finance law by wearing his uniform at campaign events. Bianco dismissed Cloobeck’s lawsuit as a publicity stunt. The sheriff also is facing a lawsuit Vem Miller, who was arrested outside a 2024 Trump rally in the Coachella Valley after deputies found a gun in his car. At the time, Bianco said his deputies “probably stopped another assassination attempt” against Trump. Miller, who accuses Bianco of slandering him, denies wanting to kill Trump and has not been charged with trying to assassinate the president. He has said he carries weapons for protection and that he told deputies about his gun at a rally checkpoint. The California attorney general’s office is conducting a civil rights investigation over conditions in Riverside County jails, which Bianco’s department manages. The department also faces multiple lawsuits from families of those who died in its jails. Unless Riverside County supervisors decide otherwise, Bianco won’t have to pay for his legal defense in the jail lawsuits. That’s because the county’s legal team defends his department in court, as it would any county employee sued for actions or conduct pertaining to their job. While donors can give to a legal defense fund just as they would to a candidate’s campaign, the legal fund and the campaign account must be separate, said Sean McMorris, transparency, ethics, and accountability program manager for California Common Cause, a pro-government transparency nonprofit organization. The legal fund’s donors also have to be disclosed, and money from the fund must be spent on legal expenses, McMorris said, adding the spending is limited to what a legal defense is reasonably expected to cost. As of Tuesday, Nov. 25, there’s no online record of donors or donations to Bianco’s legal fund. Once the matter that spurred the legal fund is resolved, a candidate must disband the fund within 90 days and return leftover money on a prorated basis to donors, McMorris said. Legal defense funds pose the same ethical questions as normal campaign accounts, according to McMorris. “It’s money coming from other people,” he said. “So there’s always the issue of it’s a way to potentially curry favor with a person in a position of power.” Often politicians will seek legal defense fund donations “from special interests who want favors from these politicians or favorable votes from these politicians at some point,” McMorris added.
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/11/26/chad-bianco-whos-running-for-governor-asks-donors-to-help-pay-legal-bills/

Entire Texas congressional delegation votes to release Epstein files

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The U. S. House of Representatives voted nearly unanimously Tuesday to require the Justice Department to publish all of its files related to Jeffrey Epstein, including one Texas Republican who opposed the measure until a few days ago. For months, President Donald Trump resisted calls to release the files as he tried to distance himself from the deceased sex offender, including pressing Republicans against signing a discharge petition a tool through which a majority can circumvent House leadership and force a vote on a bill to compel the Justice Department to release material on Epstein. Last week, the petition garnered the support of all House Democrats and four House Republicans none from Texas to successfully require a vote. The vote comes after the House Oversight Committee released documents last week that draw ties between Trump and Epstein, including emails from Epstein that mention Trump. As it became clear that many Republicans would vote with Democrats to release the files, the president changed his mind. Trump posted on Truth Social Sunday evening that House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files because they have “nothing to hide.” Trump also said Monday that he would sign the bill to release the files if it reached his desk. Later on Tuesday, the Senate agreed to pass the bill unanimously, sending it straight to Trump’s desk. On his podcast Monday, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said he supports the release of the files and added he suspected more Democrats would be harmed than Republicans. “The bulk of the evidence, from everything we know, is going to be evidence that is a real, real problem for, I suspect, a significant number of Democrats,” Cruz said. “I’m glad the President did this. I’m hopeful the House can vote. We can put this behind it, and then we can have some real accountability to people who committed criminal acts and hurt underage girls.” Though no Texas Republican joined the effort to compel a vote through the discharge petition, all of them voted in favor of releasing the files on Tuesday. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Louisiana, was the only member who voted against the release. As recently as Friday, Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Richmond, spoke out against the measure. “I’ll be voting NO on the Epstein Hoax,” Nehls wrote on social media. “The Democrats are using the Epstein Hoax to distract us from the winning of President Trump and his administration.” But by Monday, Nehls was parroting Trump and telling reporters he would vote to release the files. The documents will exonerate Trump and prove that the president is not a pedophile, Nehls said. Nehls has previously said Republicans should be doing everything possible to help Trump achieve his goals. “If Donald Trump says ‘Jump three feet high and scratch your heads,’ we all jump three feet high and scratch our heads,” Nehls told reporters last November. Others, like Rep. Keith Self, R-McKinney, had consistently supported the bill, but refused to sign the discharge petition, saying a House panel probing the matter, with the blessing of leadership, was making good progress. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, spoke on the House floor ahead of the vote, emphasizing the importance of transparency. “Today, a united Republican Party and a bipartisan super majority is going to pass a bill to increase transparency regarding the egregious abuses by Jeffrey Epstein,” he said. Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Farmers Branch, said the vote is symbolic because it shows that Congress is standing up for justice. For too long, Republicans have failed to hold people in positions of power accountable, she said. “It is political gamesmanship at its worst,” she said. “They’ve traded that accountability for complicitness to a president out of fear that they’re going to harm their great leader.”.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/2025/11/19/536552/texas-congress-vote-release-epstein-files/

Federal Reserve releases new guidance for bank oversight in move praised by industry

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By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER and KEN SWEET WASHINGTON (AP) The Federal Reserve’s top banking regulator on Tuesday released new guidelines for the agency’s supervision of the financial system, earning praise from industry trade groups and criticism from her predecessor. In a set of sweeping changes, the principles call for bank examiners to focus on material financial risks and to “not become distracted from this priority by devoting excessive attention to processes, procedures, and documentation.” The guidelines are set out in a memo originally distributed to Fed employees Oct. 29 but released Tuesday. Michelle Bowman, the Fed’s vice chair for supervision, said the principles will “sharpen” the central bank’s focus and build “a more effective supervisory framework.” “By anchoring our work in material financial risks, we strengthen the banking system’s foundation while upholding transparency, accountability, and fairness,” Bowman said in a written statement. Bowman was named vice chair by President Donald Trump in March. Since Trump took office, federal bank regulators have been rolling back regulations that govern the nation’s banking system and other financial services companies. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, created after the 2008 financial crisis, is effectively not operating presently and has negated several of the regulations it put into place under President Joe Biden. Also Tuesday, Fed governor Michael Barr, who preceded Bowman as the vice chair for supervision, sharply criticized the changes in banking oversight at the Fed and at other agencies this year. “We are now, I believe, at a moment of inflection in the regulatory and supervisory approaches that help keep banks healthy,” Barr said in a speech. “There are growing pressures to weaken supervision . in ways that will make it harder for examiners to act before it is too late to prevent a build-up of excessive risk.” The announcement by the Fed matches a similar move by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which also loosened how it measures risk among the banks it supervises as well as removed issues like reputational risk from how examiners look at the banks. Under the Fed’s new rules, banks can only be tested for material risks to their businesses or balance sheets, such as bad loans or unsound business practices. Banks will also able to self-certify on certain risk and supervision issues. These changes have been among the top priority for the banking industry since President Trump was elected into office. “Banks are most resilient when their examiners prioritize material financial risks, not check-the-box compliance exercises,” said Greg Baer, president and CEO of the Bank Policy Institute. Under the new framework, the Fed will also defer to other major bank regulators, including the OCC and state-level regulators, when it comes to who should supervise and examine these institutions. Bowman has also moved to reduce the Fed’s regulatory staffing by about 30%, mostly through attrition, a step Barr also criticized Tuesday. The cuts “will impair supervisors’ ability to act with the speed, force, and agility appropriate to the risks facing individual banks and the financial system,” Barr said. “Such a drastically reduced staff will slow response time for the public and the banks themselves, limit supervisory findings and enforcement actions, and erode supervisors’ ability to be forward-looking.”.
https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/11/18/federal-reserve-bank-supervision/

Deflating Portland: Why Antifa Went from Black Blok to Inflatable Costumes

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Portland’s Shift from Militancy to Mascots: A Calculated Rebrand

Portland, Oregon has been a flashpoint of violence since 2020. Entire city blocks were under siege, law enforcement seemed to vanish into the shadows, and neighborhoods literally burned. Leading much of the mayhem was Antifa, clad in black from head to toe, faces hidden behind masks, and bodies armored for chaos. They moved in packs, swarming anyone they deemed the “enemy.” They assaulted individuals, destroyed property, and created fear under the guise of activism.

The local police did little to stop them, and when law enforcement did attempt to intervene, the mobs scattered like smoke. Arrests were rare, accountability even rarer.

Fast-forward to 2025. For over one hundred days, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility in Portland has again been the site of nightly unrest—waves of vandalism, confrontation, and small-scale rioting by Antifa and their left-leaning sympathizers.

But something peculiar has happened in recent weeks. The same militants who once dressed to strike fear into the hearts of citizens and police are now prancing around in inflatable animal costumes. The transformation from militant to mascot is so absurd it almost seems comedic. Yet beneath the humor lies something calculated.

A Strategic Shift in Optics

Why the change? It’s all about optics. When intimidation loses its impact, propaganda pivots. Antifa’s shift from black bloc to inflatable dinosaurs, frogs, and other costumed characters is not random—it’s a rebrand. Like any marketing campaign that loses traction, this is a strategy to soften the image, manipulate perception, and reclaim control of the narrative.

They went from militant to dinosaur. From revolutionary to frog.

The change isn’t ideological; it’s theatrical. They’ve learned that the American public has grown weary of masked mobs dressed for war. So, they traded their armor for absurdity, hoping the image of “playful protest” would replace the memory of burning cities.

A Different Mask Hides the Same Face

But make no mistake: a costume does not cleanse intent. Beneath the inflatable exterior beats the same heart of aggression, the same hatred of order, and the same appetite for chaos. It is merely a new disguise—a softer visual, but with the same mission to silence dissent and destabilize communities.

A person in a giant blow-up costume may seem harmless, even comical. But John Wayne Gacy also dressed as a clown. Did his costume make him any less dangerous? Of course not.

In the same way, these costumed agitators are no less committed to destruction than they were when they wore tactical gear. It’s the newest act in their political theatrics—they simply did a costume change.

The optics may have softened, but the purpose has not. The same people who once sought to strike fear now seek to distort perception. They’ve replaced terror with mockery—not of themselves, but of the system they oppose.

Their costumes are not meant to lighten the atmosphere but to disarm the observer.

A Cloak of Distraction and Deception

These costumes serve several purposes.

First, they lower the psychological guard of both bystanders and authorities. When someone sees a mob of people in inflatable dinosaur suits, their brain interprets it as entertainment, not anarchy. The laughter and confusion are intentional.

Second, these suits enhance anonymity even more effectively than the old black uniforms. Full-body inflatables conceal not only faces but also height, weight, posture, and even gender—key details that law enforcement relies on to identify suspects.

And with their oversized air chambers, they create space for hiding objects that could easily become weapons.

In effect, these new costumes provide better cover and better concealment, while projecting an image of harmlessness. It is a psychological shield disguised as a joke.

The Same Streets, The Same Violence

Now, the streets near Portland’s ICE facility are lined with these surreal figures—inflatable dinosaurs, unicorns, and frogs waving banners and chanting slogans. The media calls it “performance protest.”

But the chants are the same. The vandalism is the same. The violence is the same.

The only thing that has changed is the wardrobe.

If the goal was to make coordinated attacks look less serious, to turn organized lawlessness into a street carnival, then mission accomplished. But the danger remains.

These are not whimsical demonstrations. They are calculated distractions designed to mask criminal behavior beneath layers of latex and air.

The Danger of Mockery

The most dangerous form of manipulation is not fear—it’s ridicule. When chaos can make you laugh, it becomes easier to ignore.

That’s what makes this new phase of Antifa’s evolution so effective. Beneath the bright colors and oversized smiles lies the same ideological rot that burned Portland just a few years ago. It has not been defeated; it has merely adapted and morphed into something a lot less intimidating on the eyes.

Deflating the Facade

The irony of Antifa’s new image is almost poetic. The same movement that once cloaked itself in darkness now hides behind inflatable costumes, literal shells of hot air.

They are not symbols of joy or creativity. They are symbols of deception. Symbols of a literal wolf in sheep’s clothing.

So, when you see the footage from Portland and think it looks ridiculous, remember this: that ridiculousness is the point. It’s not innocence; it’s strategy.

Beneath the silly costumes, the bouncy characters, and the roar of air pumps lies the same force that once set cities ablaze—and they are ready to do it again.

Don’t be fooled by the costume. It may have changed shape, but the intent inside has not.

Author’s Note

It is easy to laugh at absurdity, and that is exactly why this tactic is being used. The moment truth becomes a joke, tyranny finds cover. It disguises itself.

What is happening in Portland is not evolution—it is deception.

When anarchy dresses as comedy, the wise learn to look past the costume and see the true motivation of the character inside.

Truth is not found in what we are shown; it is found in what they hope we will overlook.
https://www.thethinkingconservative.com/deflating-portland-why-antifa-went-from-black-blok-to-inflatable-costumes/

Feds arrest dozens of illegal aliens in sweeping New Jersey workplace raid

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Federal authorities announced on Thursday that at least 46 undocumented workers were arrested during a sweeping Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operation at a freight facility in Avenel, New Jersey, on Wednesday.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, DHS officials confirmed that law enforcement personnel conducted an inspection at a federally authorized Container Freight Station as part of an ongoing campaign to ensure compliance with immigration regulations.

During the inspection, agents discovered 46 undocumented laborers, accounting for roughly 22 percent of the onsite workforce. All 46 individuals were taken into federal custody and are now awaiting immigration proceedings, according to DHS.

Surveillance footage captured the tense moments as federal officers escorted groups of workers into multiple waiting vans. The facility was surrounded by a significant law enforcement presence throughout the operation.

This latest action follows another major DHS raid in Georgia at a Hyundai factory, which had previously been highlighted by President Biden as a significant win for “New American Jobs.”

In a related incident, ICE agents were recorded breaking a car window to arrest an individual who resisted detainment, highlighting the challenges law enforcement faces during these immigration enforcement efforts.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/feds-arrest-dozens-illegal-aliens-sweeping-new-jersey-workplace-raid

New Celtics Starter Turns Heads in Season Opener vs. 76ers

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The Boston Celtics opened their 2025-26 campaign with a tough 117-116 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. But amid the heartbreak came a breakout performance from Neemias Queta.

Starting for just the seventh time in his career, the 25-year-old center made the most of it, scoring 17 points and grabbing 8 rebounds in 25 minutes on 7-of-8 shooting. It was confident, efficient basketball—perhaps his most complete showing yet at TD Garden.

### A Confident Start

From the opening tip, Queta looked locked in. He scored Boston’s first basket within seconds, finishing a clean pick-and-roll with Derrick White. It set the tone for his night: active, decisive, and fully in rhythm.

Six of his seven field goals came off assists, proof of how seamlessly he fit within the Celtics’ offense. His chemistry with White stood out most, as the pair repeatedly punished the Sixers’ switches.

“He was great,” White said after the game. “Just being available. Obviously, a big target. Soft touch around the hoop as well. That’s the Neemi we’re going to need the whole year.”

### Celtics Offense Built Around Movement

Joe Mazzulla’s system leaned perfectly into Queta’s strengths — rim running, screening, and catching lobs in stride. It felt reminiscent of how Brad Stevens once used Robert Williams III: simple actions built on pace and trust.

Queta showed improved touch and patience around the rim, finishing through contact and converting tough catches in traffic. He also went 3-for-5 at the line, a solid mark given his past inconsistency.

### Mazzulla’s Message: Standards Are High

After the game, Mazzulla praised Queta’s effort but in the same breath raised the bar higher.

“He did some really good things,” Mazzulla said. “The standard is high for him. I thought he answered the call.”

For a coach known for his precision and accountability, that’s saying something. Queta isn’t just earning minutes—he’s earning trust.

### Fouls Still a Concern

Queta’s one real setback came late in the game. He picked up his sixth foul with under two minutes left, sending Tyrese Maxey to the line and giving Philadelphia a lifeline. The 76ers closed on an 8-0 run to steal the game.

It was a frustrating ending to an otherwise strong performance. But it shouldn’t overshadow what Queta brought: energy, presence, and confidence in a role Boston badly needed filled.

### Encouraging Signs for the Celtics

The Celtics’ rotation is still taking shape, and early-season roles remain fluid. But Queta’s debut as a starter offered something Boston’s frontcourt has lacked since Williams’ departure—a steady, low-maintenance big who fits the flow.

He doesn’t force shots or slow the offense. He screens, rolls, defends, and makes the simple play.

For a team built around stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, that kind of reliability matters.
https://heavy.com/sports/nba/boston-celtics/neemias-queta-celtics-season-opener/

‘Sold my soul to the devil’: Fox News staffers blast network in explosive court filing

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A Smartmatic court filing has revealed a survey conducted by Fox News’ human resources department, which found that the staff expressed a “resounding lack of confidence” in the company as a news organization. The survey highlighted significant employee concerns regarding ethics, fair treatment, and the network’s efforts to fact-check and report news fairly and accurately.

Smartmatic is using these internal employee comments as part of its ongoing lawsuit against Fox News, alleging that the network and several of its on-air personalities defamed the company.

The most notable remarks appear on pages 550-554 of the filing, where HR shared feedback from some employees. One staff member criticized the network’s tone, saying, “The racial rhetoric spewed on air. It’s everything but [Fair] and Balanced,” referencing Fox News’ former slogan that was retired in 2017. The employee added, “I sometimes go home fighting back tears. This network made me question my morals. Have I sold my soul to the devil?”

Another employee expressed frustration with the network’s political alignment: “I wish we would get out of Trump’s pocket and realize people like Tucker [Carlson], Laura [Ingraham], [Sean] Hannity, [Mark] Levin, etc. are a total embarrassment, peddling BS and conspiracy theories. Many days I feel like I am part of the problem and FNC is contributing to hatred in this country.”

Concerns about accountability were also voiced. One employee complained to HR, “There is total lack of accountability when highly rated anchors like Tucker, Hannity and Laura say outrageous things that are outright racist and xenophobic. There is not enough quality control to keep conspiracy theories off the air.”

Despite acknowledging positive aspects of Fox News, some staff felt the network’s political stance compromised its credibility. “There is so much good about Fox, but serving as the committee to re-elect Trump puts us on the same footing as Breitbart, and it is very hard to defend at times,” one wrote.

Another staffer urged on-air talent to dedicate themselves to honesty and integrity: they should “tell viewers the truth, and to bolster their arguments with hard, proven facts given in full context, rather than spin or reckless conjecture that causes harm to real people (just one example of many: the Seth Rich conspiracy theory).”

These revelations shed light on internal struggles within Fox News, especially concerning journalistic ethics and the influence of political agendas on news reporting.
https://www.rawstory.com/fox-news-2674206251/

Viral Video Exposes Democrat Failure: ‘Wake Up and Ask the Right Questions’ [WATCH]

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A viral exchange between conservative commentator Jeffery Mead and an unidentified Black woman sparked widespread discussion online this week after both questioned the Democratic Party’s long-standing political hold on Black communities.

The unidentified woman began by pointing to what she described as a noticeable improvement in safety and quality of life under President Donald Trump’s leadership.

“I’m always going to be the person to say it, and I don’t want to be the person to say it, but Donald Trump has been president for nine months, nine months, and I’m seeing videos from Chicago, DC, where people like, Yo, I feel safe. My kids feel safe. This is the best thing he ever did for us,” she said.

She questioned why such change seemed to happen so quickly after years of the same problems under Democrat-controlled leadership.

“So what was happening all these years that this sh*t like, literally, I’ve known DC and Virginia to have this type of sh*t going my whole life, and I’m, I’m in my 40s, okay, almost touching it. So what was really, truly going on if a motherf**ker became president nine months ago and cleared that sh*t out just a flip of the pen. I’m just thinking like, Did y’all really ever care?”

Mead responded that her frustration was justified and pointed to what he believes is a deeper political incentive at play.

“She’s asking the right question, because these areas are controlled by Democrats,” Mead said. “But the best way to understand people is to pay attention to their incentive structures. Democrats are not incentivized for black Americans to do better.”

He elaborated that the Democratic platform thrives on division and dependency.

“If you think about the Democrats platform, it’s about making everybody a victim,” Mead said. “If you’re black, the system’s racist and it’s against you, and we are the people who are going to fix that problem for you. Those Republicans, they’re racist. If you’re gay, they don’t like you because you’re gay. If you’re a woman, they don’t like you because you’re a woman. If you’re an immigrant, they don’t like you because you’re an immigrant.”

According to Mead, the Democratic Party keeps voters loyal by discouraging accountability and promoting the belief that success is limited by systemic forces.

“The reason you’re struggling is because of history, racism in the system. It’s not your decision making. It’s not you making poor decisions,” he said. “But here’s the thing, if they can keep you focused on everything except accountability and your own personal agency, that makes you a perpetual voter for Democrats.”

Mead argued that this dynamic keeps Black Americans politically dependent.

“You will continue to believe that the reason you and your people are not succeeding is because the system is racist and it’s against you, and you believe the Democrats are fighting to fix that system, when in reality, the system is not against you,” he said. “The biggest reason black Americans are now struggling is because of black Americans, our mindsets, our belief systems, the way we go about things. The system is no longer the primary factor. It’s us.”

He warned that genuine progress within the Black community would threaten Democratic dominance.

“If Black Americans start taking accountability, making better decisions and doing better, they will need the Democrats less,” Mead said. “Then the Democrats will actually have to be accountable for getting things done. As long as black people think white people and Republicans are racist, Democrats are like, Oh, we got it locked.”

Mead concluded that real success would force Democrats to change their playbook.

“If Black Americans start doing better and start catching up with the other races, and they start thinking, maybe this place isn’t that racist, Democrats have to have a new talking board,” he said. “They have to do something different to continue to get the black vote. That’s more work, and it’s more dangerous for their political power. So again, it actually works in Democrats favor for black people to continue to struggle. It doesn’t actually help them if they actually fix our problems. So simply put, Democrats are incentivized for black people to continue to struggle.”
https://www.lifezette.com/2025/10/viral-video-exposes-democrat-failure-wake-up-and-ask-the-right-questions-watch/

Tamil Nadu cancels licence of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, shuts down company

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The Tamil Nadu state health department has confirmed the shutdown of Sresan Pharmaceuticals following an investigation that revealed the presence of toxic contaminants, specifically Diethylene Glycol (DEG), in their product Coldrif syrup. This development comes after multiple deaths have been linked to the consumption of the adulterated medicine.

In response to the findings, the health department has ordered comprehensive inspections across all pharmaceutical manufacturing units throughout Tamil Nadu. Large-scale inspections are currently underway to ensure compliance with safety standards, ANI reported.

On October 9, the owner of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, Ranganathan, was arrested in Chennai by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) from Madhya Pradesh. He has been remanded in 10-day police custody by a Parasia court. Additionally, two senior drug inspectors have been suspended due to dereliction of duty, as reported by ANI.

The Tamil Nadu government has reiterated its directive for thorough inspections of all pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in the state to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader K Annamalai criticized the Tamil Nadu government’s handling of the crisis. He highlighted that despite the deaths of 23 people in Madhya Pradesh and three children in Rajasthan linked to the toxic Coldrif syrup, only two drug inspectors had been suspended. Annamalai accused the state government of attempting to shirk responsibility.

“A drug manufactured by a private pharmaceutical company in Kanchipuram has reportedly caused multiple deaths, yet the Tamil Nadu government is trying to create an illusion of having no connection or accountability,” he said. He also underscored the company’s history of quality violations and the apparent lack of proper inspections by state drug authorities.

Meanwhile, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has issued a directive to all states and Union Territories to ensure strict compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. This includes mandatory testing of raw materials and finished pharmaceutical products before approval.

Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at seven locations in Chennai linked to the Sresan Pharmaceuticals case, addressing money laundering charges connected to the Coldrif syrup deaths. Multiple ED teams from the Chennai Zonal Office carried out simultaneous raids based on specific intelligence inputs.

According to officials, searches are ongoing at premises including the residences of senior officials from the Tamil Nadu Drug Control Office. The agency is investigating financial transactions and suspected proceeds of crime related to the production and distribution of the adulterated medicine.

The deaths caused by toxic cough syrups have raised national concern and prompted swift regulatory actions. Following these events, the Delhi government banned the sale, purchase, and distribution of Coldrif syrup after declaring it “not of standard quality,” according to an official order dated October 10.

The order stated:
“Coldrif Syrup (Paracetamol, Phenylephrine Hydrochloride, Chlorpheniramine Maleate Syrup), manufactured in May 2025 by Sresan Pharmaceuticals in Tamil Nadu, was found to contain Diethylene Glycol (46.28% w/v), a toxic chemical known to be hazardous to human health.”

All stakeholders were directed to immediately halt the sale, purchase, and distribution of the affected batch. The public has been strongly advised against consuming the product due to its potential health risks.

This incident underscores the critical importance of stringent quality control and regulatory oversight within the pharmaceutical industry to safeguard public health.
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/cough-syrup-row-tamil-nadu-shuts-down-sresan-pharmaceuticals-after-cancelling-its-licence-23598484