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Santa Clarita Congressman George Whitesides Responds To Nancy Pelosi’s Retirement Plans

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**Nancy Pelosi Announces Retirement: Will Not Seek Re-election in 2026**

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the first female Speaker of the House, announced on Thursday that she will not be seeking re-election in 2026. At 85 years old, Pelosi plans to serve out the remainder of her current term, which ends on January 3, 2027, after which she intends to retire.

“With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service as your proud representative,” Pelosi said in a nearly six-minute video posted on X early Thursday morning, addressing her constituents.

Pelosi was first elected to Congress to represent San Francisco in 1987 at age 47. She made history as the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House, a position that placed her third in line after the President and Vice President. She led her party in the lower chamber of Congress from 2003 until 2023.

“Speaker Pelosi made history as the first female Speaker of the House and brought billions in federal funding home to California,” said Congressman George Whitesides, D-Agua Dulce. “She was instrumental in lowering health care costs for millions of Californians through the Affordable Care Act. I look forward to serving alongside her for the remainder of this term.”

Throughout her decades-long career, Pelosi became well-known for her advocacy on several key issues. She championed efforts to find a cure for HIV/AIDS, fought against climate change, and funded programs supporting early child development, including universal pre-kindergarten initiatives.

“Nancy Pelosi was not content to be just a master legislator in Congress,” said U.S. Senator Adam Schiff. “She was a global leader. Her voice carried far beyond the walls of Congress as she championed human rights, democracy, women’s equality, and a healthier planet in her travels around the world. She represented the United States on the world stage—trailblazing while balancing the demands of an unruly Congress. Like Ginger Rogers, she did it backwards and in heels.”

When asked about Pelosi’s upcoming retirement, former President Donald Trump commented Thursday that the senator was “an evil woman.” He added, “I’m glad she’s retiring. I think she did the country a great service by retiring. I think she was a tremendous liability for the country.”

The race for Pelosi’s seat is expected to be highly competitive. State Senator Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, and Saikat Chakrabarti, former chief of staff to Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, have already announced their candidacies.

The filing period for California’s congressional primary begins on February 9, 2026, and closes on March 6.

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https://www.hometownstation.com/santa-clarita-news/politics/santa-clarita-congressman-george-whitesides-responds-to-nancy-pelosis-retirement-plans-570513

OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar says company is not seeking government backstop, clarifying earlier comments

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Asif Khan is the CEO, Editor-in-Chief, and majority shareholder of Shacknews. He began his career in video game journalism as a freelancer in 2001 for Tendobox.com.

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Asif was formerly an investment adviser representative. After finding significant success in his own personal investments, he retired from financial services and now focuses on new private investment opportunities.

Asif first discovered Shacknews back when it was known as sCary’s Shugashack, seeking out all things Quake. His love for gaming is lifelong—his favorite PC game of all time is Duke Nukem 3D, and he is an unapologetic fan of most things Nintendo.

Outside of investments and gaming, Asif is a purveyor of fine electronic music. He also has an irrational love of Cleveland sports.

Whether he’s immersed in the markets, gaming, or music, Asif Khan brings passion and expertise to everything he does.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146704/openai-cfo-sarah-friar-bailout

Sources: Nancy Pelosi unlikely to run for reelection in 2026

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**Nancy Pelosi Reportedly Plans to Retire, Will Not Seek Reelection in 2026**

*By Katherine Mosack, OAN Staff*
*11:23 AM Monday, November 3, 2025*

California Democrat Representative Nancy Pelosi is reportedly planning to retire and will not seek reelection in 2026, according to sources who spoke with mainstream media outlets.

Democratic Party insiders who spoke to NBC News indicated that Pelosi’s retirement announcement is expected after Tuesday’s elections. At 85 years old, Pelosi has yet to officially declare whether she will run again, leaving her future open to speculation.

State Senator Scott Wiener (D-Calif.) and former tech executive and political strategist Saikat Chakrabarti have already launched campaigns for Pelosi’s San Francisco congressional seat, signaling a potential shift in leadership.

In a prior interview with the *San Francisco Examiner*, Pelosi said she would wait until after Tuesday’s elections to make a decision about seeking reelection.

“I think she’s preparing to exit the stage,” said a House Democratic leadership aide. “We will not fully appreciate the time we have spent with her until she’s gone.”

However, Democrats remain somewhat divided on Pelosi’s plans. “My sense is she runs again for many reasons. She should hang it up, but I think she thinks the caucus needs her,” said a former Democratic leadership aide. “I also think she wants to be part of history if Leader Jeffries rises to become the first Black Speaker of the House after the midterm election. She wants to be seen as part of that special moment.”

Pelosi’s spokesperson, Ian Krager, did not confirm her future plans but emphasized that she remains “fully focused” on passing Proposition 50.

“Speaker Pelosi is fully focused on her mission to win the ‘Yes on 50’ special election in California on Tuesday,” Krager said. “She urges all Californians to join in that mission on the path to taking back the House for Democrats.”

Pelosi herself stated, “Here’s the thing: We must win the House. If you talk about ‘no kings,’ we must win the House to put a stop to this. We won’t be able to get many things done, but we’ll be able to stop a lot of the poison that he’s putting there, and the best antidote to poison is to win the election.”

She added, “There’s a lot riding on this because this is the path to our winning the House. We will win the House regardless, but winning it big, and we want to win November 4th big.”

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**Prop 50 Special Election and Its Impact**

On Tuesday, California holds a rare single-issue special election where voters will decide on Proposition 50 — the “Election Rigging Response Act.” A “Yes” vote would ratify one specific congressional map (AB 604) already passed by the Democratic supermajority.

If approved, the map would instantly flip five GOP-held seats (CA-01, CA-03, CA-22, CA-41, CA-48) into Democratic territory, potentially shifting California’s U.S. House delegation from 43 Democrats and 9 Republicans to as high as 48 Democrats and 4 Republicans for the 2026, 2028, and 2030 election cycles.

Notably, the independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, created by voters in 2008 and 2010, remains intact for state legislative districts and will redraw congressional districts again in 2031.

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**Colleagues Reflect on Pelosi’s Career**

Ashley Etienne, former communications director for both Pelosi and former Vice President Kamala Harris, said she has not discussed Pelosi’s retirement plans with the former Speaker but praised her leadership.

“Pelosi’s loss is bigger than even to the Democratic Party; it’s a loss to the institution. She’s an object lesson. No matter which side of the political aisle you’re on, if you’re smart, you’re taking copious notes,” Etienne remarked.

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**Pelosi’s Political Journey and Wealth**

Pelosi began her political career in San Francisco as a Democratic National Committee member in 1976, a role she held until 1996. In 1983, she was selected to lead California’s Democratic Party. Additionally, she served as Chairwoman of the Host Committee for the 1984 San Francisco Democratic National Convention and as Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee finance chair from 1985 to 1986.

She was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1987 and became a major fundraiser for the party. During the 2000 and 2002 election cycles, Pelosi contributed the most money to other candidates among members of Congress.

Between 2003 and 2023, Pelosi alternated roles as House Minority Leader and Speaker. In 2022, she was named “Speaker Emerita” by the House Democratic Caucus.

Financially, Pelosi is among the wealthiest members of Congress. OpenSecrets estimated her net worth at $58 million, ranking her as the 13th-wealthiest member. In 2018, her net worth was estimated at $114.7 million. In July 2025, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Pelosi’s stock portfolio grew 70% in 2024, estimating her net worth at approximately $413 million.

Due to these reported wealth increases, Senate Republicans, led by Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), have introduced the PELOSI Act, aiming to ban insider trading within Congress.

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https://www.oann.com/newsroom/sources-nancy-pelosi-unlikely-to-run-for-reelection-in-2026/

Representative Taylor Rehfeldt Selected for 2025 CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award

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**Representative Taylor Rehfeldt Honored with 2025 CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award**

SIOUX FALLS, SD — The Council of State Governments (CSG) has named Representative Taylor Rehfeldt (R-District 14) as a recipient of the prestigious 2025 CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award. This award recognizes the bipartisan leadership and public service of 20 emerging elected and appointed state officials across all four CSG regions.

“Serving South Dakota is a privilege. I’m grateful for this recognition because it reflects what matters most: delivering real results for families and communities across our state. There is important work ahead, and I’m committed to staying focused on solutions that make life better for every South Dakotan,” said Rep. Rehfeldt.

Established in 2020 through the vision of former New Hampshire Senator Lou D’Allesandro, a public servant of more than five decades, the CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award was created during his tenure as CSG National Chair. The award aims to strengthen engagement with younger state leaders.

Since its inception, the CSG 20 Under 40 community has annually welcomed a new class of inspiring public servants under the age of 40. These leaders make meaningful contributions to their communities while exemplifying the core CSG values of civility, collaboration, and innovation.

Rep. Rehfeldt was selected from a competitive pool of applicants who demonstrated excellence in one or more of the following areas:
– Engaging officials across party lines, departments, branches, and/or state lines to advance the common good for their state or territory.
– Providing exceptional leadership to a state project, committee, chamber, commission, or special group.
– Serving as a champion of change, seeking to enhance the lives of all constituents within a specific policy area.

A recognition ceremony for the 2025 recipients will take place at the CSG National Conference from December 9-13 in Chicago. Leaders from all 56 states and U.S. territories will be in attendance to exchange ideas, address complex state policy issues, and celebrate the work of outstanding public servants.

For more information about The Council of State Governments and the 2025 CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award, please visit [csg.org](https://www.csg.org).
https://dakotawarcollege.com/representative-taylor-rehfeldt-selected-for-2025-csg-20-under-40-leadership-award/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=representative-taylor-rehfeldt-selected-for-2025-csg-20-under-40-leadership-award

Legislative leaders celebrate reduction in drug overdoses

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Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, and Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, praised the Oversight Commission on Alabama Opioid Settlement Funds and its chairman, State Representative Rex Reynolds, R-Hazel Green, on Friday for a recent report showing a 30 percent year-over-year decline in drug overdoses across the state.

“These numbers demonstrate the results that can be achieved when the Alabama House and Senate target a problem and focus their joint efforts on resolving it,” Ledbetter and Gudger said. “Most important are the lives that have been saved and the families that have been spared a devastating loss because of the work this commission has accomplished and the funding it has provided.”

Since its formation in 2023, the commission has developed and implemented a statewide plan for the targeted investment of Alabama’s share of national opioid settlement funds.

“To be able to say that drug overdoses are down 30 percent year-over-year is a tremendous blessing and speaks to the impactful work of this commission,” Reynolds said. “Whether it be the 88,000-plus Naloxone kits distributed to first responders or the evidence-based programs the commission has funded, we are taking every possible step to protect communities and set struggling Alabamians on the road to recovery.”

Over the last three budget cycles, a total of $81 million has been appropriated to support prevention, treatment, and recovery programs. Programs and initiatives made possible by this funding include:

– More than 88,000 Naloxone kits distributed to first responders
– Support for 209 opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery programs through the Alabama Department of Mental Health’s Community Provider Grant Program
– Expanded staffing and hours of operation for Alabama’s 988 Crisis Lifeline, achieving a 90 percent answer rate for three consecutive months
– An interagency agreement establishing specialty courts with the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts
– Launch of a statewide opioid awareness and prevention marketing campaign named “Opioids Take” in 2024, which has reached nearly 1.9 million Alabamians—roughly 36 percent of the state—through testimonial videos and display ads featuring real survivors

These efforts underscore the commission’s commitment to combating the opioid crisis and supporting affected individuals and communities throughout Alabama.
https://www.alreporter.com/2025/10/28/legislative-leaders-celebrate-reduction-in-drug-overdoses/

Trump says he expects to reach trade deal with China on his Asia trip

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President Trump is scheduled to arrive soon in Japan, where new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is banking on building a friendly personal relationship with the U.S. leader to ease trade tensions. The meeting is an early diplomatic test for Takaichi, the first woman to lead Japan. She took office only last week and has a tenuous coalition backing her.

Mr. Trump spent Sunday in Malaysia, where he participated in a regional summit of Southeast Asian nations and reached preliminary trade agreements with Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. While en route to Japan, he returned to the press cabin on Air Force One along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

Mr. Trump said he would talk about the “great friendship” between the U.S. and Japan during his visit. “I hear phenomenal things” about Takaichi, he said, noting her closeness with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with whom Mr. Trump had a good relationship during his first term. “It’s going to be very good,” he added. “That really helps Japan and the United States.”

Mr. Trump also expressed optimism about reaching a trade agreement with China. Officials from the world’s two largest economies said Sunday that they had reached an initial consensus for Mr. Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to try to finalize during a high-stakes meeting later in the week.

“I have a lot of respect for President Xi,” Mr. Trump told reporters on Air Force One. “I think we’re going to come away with a deal,” he said. He added that he might sign a final deal on TikTok on Thursday. Treasury Secretary Bessent said on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” that a TikTok deal announced last month is set to be finalized on Thursday during the Trump-Xi meeting.

After Japan, Trump’s Asian tour will conclude in South Korea, where he is expected to meet with Xi on the sidelines of the Pacific Rim summit, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

On other matters, Mr. Trump rejected the possibility of running for vice president as a way to get back to the presidency, saying, “I’d be allowed to do it” but wouldn’t because “it’s too cute.” Steve Bannon, a Trump ally, has repeatedly said the president could serve a third term despite a constitutional prohibition. Mr. Trump himself has flirted with the idea but said on Air Force One, “I haven’t really thought about it.”

He praised Rubio and Vance as potential future Republican candidates. “I’m not sure if anybody would run against those two. I think if they ever formed a group, it would be unstoppable,” Mr. Trump said.

Mr. Trump also said he would be willing to extend his trip if there was a chance to talk to reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Since South Korea is the president’s last stop before returning to the U.S., “it’s pretty easy to do,” he noted.

Mr. Trump’s overtures to reconnect with Kim have gone unanswered. “If he wants to meet, I’ll be in South Korea,” Trump said.

There are many security issues in the region, including access to the South China Sea and the future of Taiwan. However, Mr. Trump’s focus has undoubtedly been on trade and his desire to realign the international economy under his vision of “America first.” For the most part, that means tariffs, or at least the threat of them.

Mr. Trump has frequently used taxes on imports from allies and adversaries alike in an effort to boost domestic manufacturing or seek more favorable terms. However, his unilateral power to enact tariffs remains contested. The president is awaiting a Supreme Court decision in a case that could solidify or limit his authority.

The president is flying to Tokyo from Kuala Lumpur, where he attended the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He participated in a ceremonial signing of an expanded ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, which fought earlier this year. Trump helped pressure both countries to stop their conflict by threatening to withhold trade agreements.

The ASEAN summit wasn’t a guaranteed part of any president’s itinerary but served as an opportunity for Mr. Trump to reengage with a critical region for the first time since returning to office.

While on his way to Japan, Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social that Argentine President Javier Milei was “doing a wonderful job” as his party beat expectations in midterm elections. “Our confidence in him was justified by the People of Argentina,” Mr. Trump wrote.

Trump ally Milei essentially received a vote of confidence to pursue his policies aimed at breaking long-standing inflation and economic problems in Argentina. A libertarian seeking to unlock free-market forces, Milei has endeared himself to Mr. Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement with an appearance this year at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in the U.S.

The Trump administration provided a $20 billion credit swap line to bolster Milei ahead of the election and was looking to provide an additional $20 billion to support the value of Argentina’s peso.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-says-he-expects-to-reach-trade-deal-with-china-as-his-asia-trip-continues/

Trump’s CZ pardon draws fury from Maxine Waters over ‘pay-to-play’ crypto ties

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United States Representative Maxine Waters has strongly criticized former US President Donald Trump for his decision to pardon Binance founder and former CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao.

Trump pardoned Zhao on Thursday, stating that people told him “what he did is not even a crime.” Waters, the top Democrat on the House Committee on Financial Services, responded later that day with a sharp rebuke. In a statement, she claimed, “Trump is doing massive favors for crypto criminals who have helped line his pockets.”

Waters continued, “Trump’s pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao—who pleaded guilty to enabling money laundering and facilitating suspicious transactions with child abusers, drug dealers, and terrorists—is an appalling but unsurprising reflection of his presidency.”

According to Trump, his decision to pardon Zhao followed advice from “a lot of people” who told him CZ was not guilty. “It wasn’t a crime; he was persecuted by the Biden Administration,” Trump asserted.

### Waters Disagrees

Maxine Waters further accused CZ of lobbying Trump and his family for months while funneling billions into Trump’s personal crypto company, World Liberty Financial. She insisted that the pardon was a direct result of these efforts and called it “a blatant example of the kind of pay-to-play corruption that Trump and his Administration continue to engage in.”

These statements come amid recent reports highlighting an extraordinary rise in Trump’s personal wealth during what would have been his second term in office. This wealth increase has been driven, in part, by a sprawling cryptocurrency empire linked to the president and his family.

### Trump Family’s Crypto Ventures

The Trump family’s crypto ventures are reported to have generated more than $1 billion in pre-tax profit over the past year. The family does not shy away from this fact; Trump’s son, Eric Trump, even claimed that their actual profits were “probably more.”

### World Liberty Financial’s Success

World Liberty Financial (WLFI), named by Waters, is at the center of this new wealth. The decentralized finance (DeFi) company was founded by Trump’s sons and close associates. It has sold billions of dollars in tokens and stablecoins, bolstering the family’s crypto fortune.

Back in June, Trump disclosed $57.4 million in income derived from his involvement with World Liberty Financial. In the following month, the family’s stake in WLFI surged to $5 billion after a token unlock. More recent estimates suggest that the family’s earnings from WLFI this year alone have reached approximately $550 million.

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*Related: Polymarket bets that Sam Bankman-Fried gets pardon surge to 12%*
*Related: Crypto execs fork over cash at Trump’s ballroom fundraiser*
https://cointelegraph.com/news/trump-accused-of-rewarding-crypto-criminals-after-pardoning-binance-s-cz?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound

How NBA 2K uses music to tap into basketball culture

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NBA 2K26 Season 2 Brings Iconic Songs from Past Games to the Soundtrack

NBA 2K26 Season 2 will add iconic songs from previous 2K games to its soundtrack, hitting fans with a dose of nostalgia while showcasing the series’ history of delivering memorable tunes for players to enjoy while hooping. I recently caught up with David Kelley, the Director of Global Partnerships & Licensing for the NBA 2K series, to discuss his team’s work in assembling the perfect basketball soundtrack. The following questions and answers were exchanged over email between myself and a representative for David Kelley.

Shacknews: What’s the process like when it comes to selecting which songs make the cut for a new NBA 2K game? Do you ever run into issues getting licenses for songs that you want?

David Kelley: We approach every soundtrack as a reflection of both basketball and culture. Our 2K Music team, composed of myself, Richie Menchavez, and Simon Weedn, all almost literally eat, sleep, and breathe music to build something that feels true to the moment and to our community.

We all come from different walks within the music industry—artists, DJs, managers, music supervisors, live events, studio engineers, composers—so we are able to bring a really well-rounded and unique perspective. We work closely with our development team at Visual Concepts to find new, dynamic ways music can enhance the NBA 2K experience.

With additional support from Take-Two’s world-class music team, we’re able to tap into incredible expertise across the board. Of course, licensing is a huge part of that process. We work with incredible partners like Fox Sound Studios and have long-standing relationships with labels, publishers, and artists around the world.

There are always songs we wish we could include that, for one reason or another, don’t clear in time but that’s part of the fun and challenge. The passion our team has for music keeps us pushing until the soundtrack feels right.

Shacknews: The popularity of some songs is short-lived. Are there ever any concerns that players will grow tired of certain tracks, particularly ones tied to viral trends or cultural moments?

Kelley: That’s definitely something we think about, which is why NBA 2K’s live service model has been a game-changer for us. We refresh the soundtrack every six weeks, which allows us to stay up-to-date with what’s happening in music right now.

Shacknews: There’s an old Drake lyric that goes, “I swear sports and music are so synonymous, ’cause we want to be them, and they want to be us.” Can you talk about the relationship between music and basketball, and how it informs your work on NBA 2K?

Kelley: That lyric nails it. Basketball and music are indelibly linked. The culture around the game goes hand-in-hand with the sound that fuels it. Players walk into the arena with headphones on, artists sit courtside at games, etc. — it’s all one ecosystem of creativity.

When we’re building the NBA 2K soundtrack, we think about how a track feels in that context. Music amplifies those emotional beats of the game, and our job is to make sure every track supports that energy. NBA 2K26 Season 2’s new Greatest Hits soundtrack really captures that philosophy.

It doesn’t matter when a song was released, who’s behind it, or where they are from; if the song captures the energy that resonates with our community, we want our audience to hear it in NBA 2K.

Shacknews: There’s a lot of nostalgia wrapped up in the 2K soundtracks of years past. How many of the “greatest hits” are you bringing back for Season 2 of NBA 2K26? What songs immediately jumped out as ones you had to bring back?

Kelley: We’re bringing back a mix of iconic tracks that have defined the NBA 2K experience over the years. Without giving away the full list yet, there are some unmistakable records from both classic and newer artists.

The selection process was guided heavily by community feedback. Fans have been incredibly vocal about which songs they still associate with certain eras of NBA 2K, and that passion made it easy to see what belonged on the Greatest Hits list.

This season really is a celebration and a chance to honor the music that shaped the game’s identity while introducing those classics to a whole new generation of players.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146361/nba-2k-26-season-2-soundtrack-interview