Podcasts about Central District

Last time we spoke about the beginning of the Battle of Hong kong. Japan's rise as a threat to British interests accelerated through the 1920s and intensified after invading China. Britain's response remained contradictory—diplomatically conciliatory yet militarily apprehensive. While Singapore and Malaya received substantial reinforcements, Hong Kong was acknowledged indefensible, yet the 1936 Defence Scheme attempted to fortify it as an island fortress. Governor Northcote urgently advocated evacuation, recognizing the futility of defense. London rejected this, fearing it would demoralize China and forfeit sovereignty claims. Reinforcement requests from commanders like Grasett fell on deaf ears until Grasett independently lobbied Canadian leaders. This persistence finally convinced Churchill to dispatch two additional battalions. On December 8, 1941, Japanese forces attacked across three fronts with overwhelming force. Within hours, the RAF was destroyed on the ground, demolitions proved ineffective, and British units rapidly retreated toward the Gin Drinkers Line, facing an enemy that outnumbered and outmaneuvered them from the opening moments.   #217 The Battle of Hong Kong Part 2: the Island Aflame Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. Around 1500 hours on 9 December, Colonel Doi of the 228th Regiment arrived at Needle Hill, just north of the Gin Drinkers Line, ahead of his main force. For two hours he studied the British defensive positions through binoculars, noting trenches and bunkers—and to his surprise, washing lines fluttering with white clothes. The sight spoke volumes about the 2 Royal Scots' lax discipline. Then fog descended, reducing visibility to barely twenty meters, and heavy rain obscured the landscape. Doi sensed a fleeting advantage but lost radio contact with his battalions. Worse still, the Shing Mun Redoubt lay outside his regimental boundary, making an unauthorized attack a serious breach of protocol. When his units finally arrived, supporting artillery remained unavailable, held up by demolished roads. Doi chose to attack anyway. Doi ordered the 2nd Battalion to scout the eastern approach while the 3rd Battalion spearheaded the main assault. Major Nishiyana commanded the 3rd, sending Lieutenant Wakabayashi and Kasugai with 150 volunteers to lead. The Shing Mun Redoubt itself comprised five concrete pillboxes and an artillery observation post, connected by underground tunnels named after London landmarks—Piccadilly, Haymarket, and others. The whole complex sat on small rises above Jubilee Dam, then the British Empire's tallest. Defending the redoubt was A Company, 2 Royal Scots, under Captain Jones—just three officers and 39 men. One platoon of 25 soldiers under 2nd Lieutenant Thompson held the forward positions. Against this stood 150 Japanese attackers, with another 1,500 troops in reserve. Battalion orders forbade using the concrete works as fighting positions; they were meant for the Vickers machine-gun team and artillery protection. No mines could spare the redoubt's perimeter. On the night of the 9th, roughly half the defenders sheltered in the observation post while the remainder manned pillboxes 401b and 402. At 2000 hours, Thompson led a nine-man patrol northward to check Needle Hill and Shing Mun Valley. Despite two and a half hours in the field, the patrol returned at 2220 hours without detecting the Japanese force massing just 500 meters away. By that time, Lieutenant Kasugai's assault group had crossed Jubilee Dam undetected, bypassed unmanned Post X, and assembled below Pillbox 401b. At 2200 hours, Japanese sappers cut through two lines of wire. At 2300—H-Hour—Lance Corporal Laird heard movement in the bushes and opened fire. The Japanese answered with grenades and rushed the pillbox lines. One team entered the tunnel system; another hurled grenades through the air vents. Corporal Campbell swung his Vickers toward Pillbox 401, catching Japanese headquarters personnel in the open. Sergeant Robb mustered a counter-attack force of thirteen men. Five fell as casualties—Laird, Basnett, Coyle, Casey, and Jardine. Casey was killed; only Jardine escaped. The alert triggered gunfire from the observation post's defenders, and Forward Observer Wilcox called down 4.5-inch and 6-inch artillery fire. Without strong reinforcement and leadership, four Royal Scots and an Indian sentry abandoned the northern positions and withdrew to the observation post. Captain Jones received orders from Brigade to counter-attack, but delegated the task to Thompson. As Thompson attempted to leave the observation post, he found the gate locked from outside. This calamity had a backstory: just before the attack, Thompson had admitted a civilian at the request of Force 163 (SOE's sabotage unit in Singapore). Private Wylie had taken the observation post key from Lance Naik Kishan Singh and, upon exit, locked the gate behind him. The three officers were now literally locked out of the battle. Second Lieutenant Mochizuki and his platoon infiltrated through open trenches and began attacking the observation post from above, attempting to breach the hatches. The defenders held for three hours before Japanese sappers forced explosives down the air vents. At 0230 hours, the blast killed two Indian signallers inside. Thompson sustained a severe eye wound from grenade shrapnel; Jones and Warrant Officer Mead were both wounded. The remaining fifteen defenders surrendered; eleven became casualties. Meanwhile, a Rajput patrol engaging Japanese forces in the river valley managed to drive them back toward the redoubt. One final pillbox endured for another eleven hours before suffering the same sapper treatment. By 0400 hours on 10 December, the entire redoubt was lost. For just two killed, the Japanese had achieved a decisive victory—the breakthrough that would shift the entire campaign's trajectory. By dawn, a Japanese flag flew triumphantly from Point 255.   Major-General Maltby's assessment was stark: "This was calamitous, for Shing Mun was the key to the whole of the left position." Yet the Japanese perspective differed sharply. Having achieved a breakthrough, Colonel Doi received astonishing orders to withdraw—his success had transgressed into the 230th Regiment's sector and violated the meticulously prepared war plan. Doi refused. After heated confrontation with Major-General Ito and Lieutenant-General Sakai, his insubordination was later censured, though a divisional staff officer, Oyadomani, bore the scapegoat's burden of rebuke for failing to restrain Doi's initiative. With Shing Mun secured, Doi methodically fed reinforcements into the position. Throughout December 10th, the Japanese remained uncertain of their advantage and adopted a cautious strategy, probing British lines to exploit the evident disorder. Brigadier Wallis ordered the Royal Scots to mount an immediate dawn counterattack supported by the Rajputs and artillery. Lieutenant-Colonel White demurred; his battalion lacked any reasonable prospect of success. The resulting counterattack proved half-hearted at best. At first light on December 11th, the Japanese pressed Golden Hill forcefully, only to be repulsed by Captain Newton's Rajputs and gunfire from HMS Cicala. White positioned D Company in shallow shell scrapes and rusted wire—inadequate defenses against Japanese assault. Captain Pinkerton led a desperate bayonet charge that morning, temporarily clearing the Japanese and enabling the evacuation of wounded. Yet B, C, and D Companies absorbed devastating losses; Captains Rose and Richardson fell commanding their positions. With the Royal Scots collapsing, X Company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers and armored support rushed westward to seal the widening gap along Castle Peak Road. Meanwhile, Maltby grappled with alarming reports: Japanese landings on Lantau Island southwest of Hong Kong. Heavy artillery drove them back. A second probe at Aberdeen, where Special Naval Landing Forces approached within 300 yards of the naval base, was repelled by Canadian machine-gun fire. In hindsight, these were mere feints—never intended as the primary thrust. The stratagem succeeded. Maltby retained his island reserves—the Middlesex and two Canadian battalions—precisely where they would be needed. Had Wallis executed a forceful counterattack on December 10th with the Royal Scots and brigade reserves, the Rajputs might have retaken Shing Mun while the Japanese remained disorganized. Instead, Colonel Doi faced a furious Sakai, who had flown down from 38th Division headquarters at Taipo for what amounted to a pre-court-martial examination. The moment passed. After only 48 hours of combat, Maltby concluded the mainland was indefensible. The three battalions would withdraw intact to Hong Kong Island to assume their fortress defense roles. The naval commodore objected—demolitions, supply transfers, and troop ferrying required more time. The evacuation order was deferred 24 hours until noon on December 11th. At that hour, the decision was finalized: the mainland would be abandoned under cover of darkness. Further demolitions followed—the China Light and Power Station, the cement works on Tsing Yi Island, the docks. Yet Brigadier Wallis believed this merely a precautionary measure; he anticipated holding the mainland for at least another week. The withdrawal avoided Kowloon's congested streets, where street fighting and fifth columnists might have entrapped the British—a calculation that proved prescient, as an IJA advance column of 350 men from the 3/230th infiltrated Kowloon on the morning of December 12th to cut off the retreating garrison. The Royal Scots and Canadians retired south to Shamshuipo Barracks and Jordan Road Pier in western Kowloon; the Rajputs and supporting gunners withdrew eastward to Ma Lau Tong, which anchored the fortified Devil's Peak Peninsula. Maltby intended to hold this commanding position permanently—it was easily supplied across the narrow Lyemun Strait. The evacuation proceeded largely as planned. The Canadians and Royal Scots embarked on the afternoon and evening of December 11th under Punjabi covering fire. The Punjabis faced a harder journey—a moonlit scramble along steep Kowloon hills laden with supplies but critically short of mules. One group lost its way at a crucial junction, splitting into two columns. One proceeded toward Devil's Peak as planned; Battalion Headquarters descended into Kai Tak Airport, threaded through Kowloon City, and was evacuated by Star Ferry at Tsim Sha Tsui, fighting until the final moment as the last man boarded. The Rajputs' commander, unable to reach his Punjabi counterpart, abandoned Ma Lau Tong for the closer Hai Wan line near Devil's Peak. By 0400 hours on December 12th, the Punjabis and one Rajput company, accompanied by the gunners of the 25th Medium Battery, crossed Lyemun Strait to Hong Kong Island. Morning evacuations continued with minimal Japanese interference—a surprising restraint. Naval support proved crucial. The withdrawal completed by the morning of December 13th, though 170 mules were lost to the desertion of Chinese laborers—a deprivation that would haunt the subsequent campaign. During this passage, the IJN attempted shore bombardment. The Japanese cruiser and supporting vessels found themselves outranged by the defenders' 9.2-inch guns. The damage inflicted proved sufficient to discourage future naval adventures; for the remainder of the battle, the IJN maintained a cautious distance and played only a peripheral role. The speed and execution of the withdrawal apparently caught the Japanese unprepared. Their most probable expectation had been a full-scale assault on Devil's Peak accompanied by heavy bombardment—a day earlier, an assault without artillery preparation had been driven back with severe losses. The British appeared stronger than anticipated. The defense of the mainland had lasted only five days. With the mainland secured, the Japanese pivoted toward Hong Kong Island. The first move was diplomatic rather than military. At 0900 hours on December 13th, a small boat bearing a white flag crossed the harbor. It carried Colonel Toda, Lieutenant Mizuno, Mr. Othsu Dak, and two European women—the prominent and heavily pregnant Mrs. Macdonald and Mrs. C. R. Lee, wife of the Governor's secretary, accompanied by her two dachshunds. The surrender terms were flatly rejected. Major Boxer delivered the written refusal personally. Mrs. Macdonald remained in Hong Kong to give birth; Mrs. Lee and her dogs returned to Kowloon. The Japanese commenced systematic shelling of selected targets. On December 13th, a 9.2-inch gun on Mt. Davis was silenced; Belcher's Fort sustained damage. The following day, a 3-inch mount on Mt. Davis was hit, killing Chinese gunners and triggering morale collapse; some deserted. On December 15th, the barrage shifted to the northern shoreline, deliberately targeting pillboxes. At 2100 hours that night, approximately three Japanese companies attempted crossing the harbor in rubber rafts toward Pakshawan but were driven off by machine-gun fire. Fifth columnists intensified their operations—signaling with mirrors, sniping from concealed positions, spreading propaganda to encourage Chinese desertion. Their impact might have been catastrophic had not Rear-Admiral Chan and Colonel Yee, armed with tommy guns and grenades, systematically eliminated many of these saboteurs. By December 16th, half the pillboxes between the racecourse and Lyemun Strait lay destroyed. The intended crossing site was unmistakable. On December 17th, the Japanese dispatched a second peace mission—Colonel Toda's team now accompanied by Mrs. Lee with her dachshunds and a pregnant Russian woman. Again, the overtures were rebuffed. On December 18th, the bombardment reached new intensity. Oil storage tanks ignited, sending dense black smoke cascading across the northeast corner of the island—perfect concealment for what was to come. All signs pointed to imminent assault.  I want to note something here, you sometimes hear about how race played a role in the Pacific War and indeed it did. Racist attitudes were found on both the western and Japanese side of the war. There is a fantastic book dedicated to this by the way called, War without Mercy by John Dower, highly recommend it. What is interesting is how these racial attitudes actually affected decision making during the war. Take General Sakai's night amphibious assault for example. Western soldiers such as the Canadians in Hong Kong reported they were told by their commanders that quote "Don't worry about the Japanese, they can't see at night, they all wear glasses" another Canadian soldier wrote in a diary "They don't see well, especially at night we knew this as a matter of fact." Indeed the week before the outbreak of the battle of Hong Kong, Canadian officers attending a briefing by a British officer were informed that "Japan's aircraft were mostly obsolete, its air force had little practice in night flying, and its pilots were myopic and thus unable to carry out dive-bombing attacks". You might be asking yourself, why did they think the Japanese were myopic? The scientific explanation of the day was this "That the Japanese suffered widespread inner-ear damage. What caused this? Japanese motherhood, the practice of strapping babies to their mothers backs, it was explained caused their heads to bounce about, like when they harvested rice and permanently impaired their sense of balance". I particularly love this quote, one of my professors dedicated an entire class to the bizarre racial attitudes before and after the pacific war. There was a belief the Japanese could not see well at night, many western air force commanders actually believed there were times of day like at dawn or dusk where Japanese pilots would not operate because of this hindrance. American military commentator Fletcher Pratt in 1939 analyzed Japan's military strengths and explained it had four major weaknesses. The first was scarcity of resources such as iron, and steel. The second was that the Japanese "can neither make good airplanes nor fly them well" as a result of " the Japanese as a race have defects of the tubes of the inner ear, just as they are generally myopic. This gives them a defective sense of balance, the one physical sense in which an aviator is not permitted to be deficient.". The third was that the Japanese were short-tempered and were inclined to waste men unnecessarily when operations did not go well. The fourth was that the Japanese would simply never date to provoke a war with the US. Again Mr Pratt was an American military commentator whose information came from multiple accounts given by high ranking military officials! The British military maintained that the Japanese avoided night operations on land because they were simply incapable of caring them out well, while they avoided nighttime aerial attacks, as well as dive-bombing for the same reasons Pratt said quote "their pilots were poor and their aircraft inferior.". So take this all to mind when I talk about how certain ranking officers go about making their decisions. By the evening of 14 December, evacuated mainland units had regrouped on Hong Kong Island. The defensive structure was restructured into two brigades: Brigadier Wallis commanded the East Brigade from Taitam Gap, while Brigadier Lawson headed the West Brigade from Wongneichong Gap. This reorganization placed the 5/7 Rajputs across the north-east perimeter, defending over 3,500 metres of coastline with B Company positioned on the hills behind Taikoo Docks. The Royal Rifles of Canada held the north-east corner from Stanley to points south, with reserve positions at Lyemun. Two HKVDC companies supported from Taitam Valley and Pottinger Gap, while the veteran Hughsiliers manned the North Point power station. British and Canadian artillery provided fire support across the northern approaches. The West Brigade held the north-western and south-western shores. The 2/14 Punjab stretched from Causeway Bay to Belcher's Point, protecting Government House and General Maltby's headquarters, with battalion headquarters at Mid-Level. The Winnipeg Grenadiers covered the south-west from Wanchai Gap, with one company detached to the brigade headquarters at Wongneichong Gap. The 2 Royal Scots, severely mauled at Shing Mun, were held in reserve with fresh replacements from the HKVDC. The Middlesex Regiment's companies were dispersed along 72 pillboxes encircling the entire shoreline, while an improvised Z Company of clerks, musicians and cooks defended battalion headquarters at Leighton Hill. Supporting artillery included 9.2-inch and 6-inch guns on Mt Davis and 4.7-inch guns at Belcher's Point. As darkness fell on 17 December, Japanese reconnaissance swimmers reached Taikoo, confirming the crossing site despite detection. Reinforcements arrived: 18 additional heavy bombers from Guangzhou and 26 fighters from Taiwan joined the aerial assault. The crescendo of artillery fire on the 18th, combined with masses of small craft gathering across the harbour, signalled the imminent invasion. Japanese divisional headquarters shifted to Ma Tau Wei near Kai Tak Airport; the 23rd Army moved to Taipo. The invasion force disposed itself with the right flank embarking from east and west of Kai Tak, the left from Devil's Hill area. At 1800 hours, the invasion order was issued; by 1930 hours Sakai himself arrived in Kowloon to oversee the crossing. At precisely 2000 hours, the 2/228th Regiment silently paddled their collapsible craft toward Taikoo Docks and the nearby sugar factory as artillery support commenced. Colonel Doi embarked with 80 headquarters personnel aboard a large barge, leading the second wave. The conditions favoured the invaders—a moonless night, sporadic showers, and thick black smoke from burning oil tanks obscured their movement. They reached the midpoint undetected before searchlights and machine-gun fire scattered the small boats, separating commanders from their units. Despite this chaos, the assault pressed forward. At 2140 hours the artillery shifted to deeper targets; at 2145 hours the first wave of 3/230th landed at North Point, followed minutes later by 2/228th and then 2/229th. Three red flares signalled a successful landing. All six Japanese battalions were ashore by midnight, though wire fencing delayed their advance and Bren carriers added to the confusion on the beach. General Sano arrived at Taikoo one hour later. The 5/7 Rajputs bore the initial brunt of the assault. Despite days of preliminary shelling, the Rajputs mounted a stubborn defence; Japanese casualties mounted rapidly. The anti-tank company suffered so grievously that only a single gun remained operational. The Japanese plan was tactical rather than frontal—bypass isolated positions for later elimination and push rapidly toward high ground. Overwhelmed by numerical superiority and losing most of their officers, Rajput resistance gradually crumbled. Contradicting all evidence, Maltby remained convinced the main Japanese assault would strike directly at Victoria from Kowloon. He therefore withheld the counter-attack, instead dispatching a platoon of Middlesex troops, Royal Marines, naval personnel, and the Rajputs' reserve company—supported by artillery—to establish a defensive line blocking the Japanese advance toward Central District. Three HKVDC armoured cars were sent to protect East Brigade headquarters; two more reinforced the Middlesex battalion headquarters. It was manifestly inadequate against six Japanese battalions. In post-war dispatches, Maltby conceded his grave miscalculation: he believed he faced at most two battalions, not a full division. As the 3/230th broke through D Company of the 5/7 Rajputs, the 2/230th came ashore nearby and wheeled westward toward Victoria. Their advance halted abruptly at the North Point power station, held by an extraordinary force: four officers and 36 men of the HKVDC Hughsiliers Platoon—alongside 39 civilian volunteers from China Light & Power and Hong Kong Electric, including the station manager Vincent Sorby—plus eight Free French soldiers commanded by Captain Jacques Egal, a Shanghai businessman turned soldier. Without exception, these men were World War I veterans, many aged 55 or older. Some had fought in the Boer War. Major J. J. Patterson, the Hughsiliers' commander, had served with Allenby's Camel Corps and been mentioned in dispatches six times; he was chairman of Jardine Matheson and a legislative councillor. Private Sir Edward Des Voeux, 8th Baronet, a millionaire bullion trader and secretary of the Hong Kong Club, had enlisted as a private when deemed too old for mobilization. Private T. A. Pearce, 67 years old, was chairman of J. D. Hutchison & Company and secretary of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Captain Bruch, the second-in-command, aged 60, chaired a major trading house. The list extended through Hong Kong's business elite, each choosing to fight rather than flee. These old men held an entire regiment at bay. When Patterson called for aid, Maltby dispatched an HKVDC armoured car with a platoon from Z Company, 1 Middlesex, but the reinforcement was ambushed before reaching the station; only nine soldiers, including 2nd Lieutenant Caruthers, broke through. Unable to dislodge the defenders by assault, the Japanese resorted to bombardment. By 0145 hours on 19 December, surrounded and ammunition exhausted, the defenders withdrew to King's Road behind a disabled bus. The Japanese deployed three machine guns, killing or mortally wounding all but Private Geoghan. A Japanese officer, believing all dead, cautiously approached—only to have Geoghan, despite his wounds, surge from cover and charge. He killed the officer and four soldiers before collapsing from wounds. Somehow Geoghan survived. Those old men—civilians and reservists, businessmen and veterans—held the entire western Japanese advance for 18 hours, buying Maltby precious time to withdraw forces and establish a new defensive line. Their stand at North Point became one of the campaign's most improbable acts of defiance. As the 2/229th Regiment advanced southward toward Mt Parker, the 3/229th landed at Aldrich Bay and turned eastward toward Lyemun, where they seized an HKVDC 6-inch gun. Major Bishop of the Royal Rifles of Canada, unaware of the landings, dispatched 15 Platoon under Lieutenant Scott to check on A Company of the Rajputs. Unexpectedly, they encountered armed men in civilian clothes at Lyemun's gate—the first indication of the Japanese presence on the island. Yet senior officers dismissed initial reports of landings and lost positions as exaggerated, a critical miscalculation that proved catastrophic. At Lyemun Fort, the 5th Anti-aircraft Battery of the HKVDC was caught completely unaware and surrendered after minimal resistance. The Japanese then committed one of many atrocities that would characterize the battle, bayoneting 29 survivors. Alerted by 15 Platoon's report, Bishop attempted a counter-attack with two platoons to retake the fort, but the defenders could not scale the six-meter wall and withdrew with nine men killed. As the 2/229th pressed southward toward Mt Parker, they overran the Salesian Mission, which had been converted into an Advance Dressing Station. No. 8 Company of the 2/229th systematized a massacre of medical personnel and the wounded—an atrocity that would later become pivotal evidence at Colonel Tanaka's war crimes trial. Yet amid the chaos, several medical staff and wounded survived to testify: Gunners Y. K. Chan and Martin H. C. Tso of the 5th Battery, Captain Osler Thomas of the HKVDC, Captain Martin Banfill of the Royal Canadian Medical Corps, and Corporal Norman Leath of the Royal Army Medical Corps. C Company of the Royal Rifles, reinforced with captured Japanese machine guns abandoned by fleeing Rajputs, inflicted heavy casualties on the attackers, with one Japanese company suffering over 65 percent losses. Yet overwhelmed by superior numbers and suffering nearly two platoons worth of casualties themselves, the Canadians were forced to withdraw, leaving only a reinforcement platoon under Lieutenant Blaver on Mt Parker. When Captain Clerke arrived at dawn with 16 Platoon to reinforce the position, he found over 100 Japanese already entrenched. With no artillery support and only two platoons available, Clerke had no choice but to withdraw, abandoning Mt Parker to the enemy. By dawn on the 19th, the East Brigade faced catastrophe. Infantry strength had been halved, and losses of artillery were equally devastating. A series of misunderstandings and misinterpreted orders led coastal gun crews at Capes D'Aguilar and Collinson to destroy their own guns in confusion or lose them to the advancing Japanese. Of the entire artillery complement, only one 18-pounder and two 3.7-inch field guns remained operational. Wongneichong—literally "yellow muddy creek" in Chinese—occupies the center of Hong Kong Island, a valley separating the eastern hills (Mt Parker, Mt Butler, Jardine's Lookout) from the western massif (Mt Nicholson, Mt Cameron, Victoria Peak). This narrow gap formed the critical artery linking northern and southern Hong Kong, making Brigadier Lawson's decision to place West Brigade Headquarters there strategically sound yet tactically vulnerable. Recognizing the exposed position after the landings, Major Lyndon had located an alternative site south of Mt Nicholson, scheduled to open the following day. In response to the Japanese landings, Lawson dispatched three platoons of Winnipeg Grenadiers to block the advance. Lieutenant C. D. French took 18 Platoon to Mt Butler, Lieutenant G. A. Birkett's 17 Platoon moved to Jardine's Lookout, and Lieutenant L. B. Corrigan's platoon took the north-west approach to the Gap. As on Mt Parker, both French and Birkett were killed almost immediately, their small forces overwhelmed by battalion-strength enemy forces with artillery support. By morning on the 19th, two battalions each of the 230th and 228th Regiments were pushing for the high ground. The 2/230th rapidly occupied Jardine's Lookout while the 3/230th moved to Mt Nicholson and the 2/228th advanced toward the Gap itself. No. 3 Company of the HKVDC under Major E. Stewart held pillboxes around Jardine's Lookout, while No. 1 Company under Captain Penn defended Taitam Valley with forward positions at Quarry Gap. The pillboxes, despite heavy bombardment, held longer than anticipated—some for as long as 24 hours. Stewart maintained his company headquarters until the 22nd, four days of continuous fighting without adequate ammunition, food, or water. No. 3 Company suffered 80 percent casualties and ceased to exist as a cohesive unit. Realizing that the enemy had penetrated to Mt Butler, Brigadier Lawson decided counter-attack was essential. Major A. B. Gresham of A Company, Winnipeg Grenadiers, was ordered to retake Mt Butler and clear Jardine's Lookout. The Canadians initially succeeded, with Warrant Officer 2 J. R. Osborne leading a bayonet charge, but a strong counter-attack by three Japanese companies drove them back by 2200 hours. The Canadians held firm until 1500 hours, when Gresham attempted surrender despite waving a white flag—the Japanese shot him regardless. In the chaos that followed, a Canadian killed a Japanese officer in response, triggering a grenade barrage. Warrant Officer Osborne caught the grenades and hurled them back as fast as they came, but one landed in an impossible position. Without hesitation, Osborne threw himself on the grenade to save his comrades. This act of supreme self-sacrifice earned him a Victoria Cross—the first Canadian VC of World War II. At dawn on the 19th, Maltby dispatched A Company of the 2 Royal Scots under Captain K. J. Campbell to reinforce the Gap, but they lost all their officers with only 15 men reaching Lawson's headquarters. A group of sailors under Commander A. L. Pears came from the south, but were ambushed en route; only a few reached the Postbridge—a house just south of the Gap—which became an isolated strongpoint. The 3/230th captured the police station perched on a mound at the southern point of the Gap, then swept eastward to seize the anti-aircraft guns of 7th Battery (barely 250 meters from brigade headquarters) and continued uphill toward Taitam Hill to capture additional 6-inch and 3.7-inch guns. Maltby's response was to call down final protective fire from the HKSRA in Happy Valley, inflicting massive casualties on the 3/230th. At 1000 hours on the 19th, Lawson reported that his headquarters was surrounded and he was about to "go outside and shoot it out." Captain H. A. Bush provided covering fire as Lawson and his entire staff, including Middlesex signallers, were cut down by machine-gun fire across the Gap. Lawson's body was discovered two days later halfway up the hill behind his headquarters, dead from a gunshot wound to the thigh. Lieutenant Kerfoot of the 2/14 Punjab with his three Bren carriers arrived minutes too late to save him. IJA who saw the fight made a note stating "he died heroically". At 1330 hours on the 19th, Maltby issued "Operation Order No. 6" calling for a massive counter-attack to commence 90 minutes later. The plan was ambitious: A and D Companies of the 2/14 Punjab were to attack east from Victoria to North Point to relieve the Hughsiliers, while HQ Company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers and the 2 Royal Scots were to attack the Gap and Jardine's Lookout. Eight field guns were promised but never materialized. There was no reconnaissance, no proper orders, and minimal coordination. The Canadians were to rendezvous with the 2 Royal Scots at Middle Gap at 1530 hours, but the Scots were late; the Canadians advanced without them. Captain Pinkerton of D Company, 2 Royal Scots, was ordered at the last minute to attack up Wongneichong Gap Road—the same route A Company had taken only seven hours earlier and been decimated—because it was reported as "lightly held." Captain A. M. S. Slater-Brown led the advance with three Bren carriers and attached engineers, followed by D Company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers. Just as the carriers reached the burnt-out trucks of A Company, they too were ambushed. Mortars and machine-gun fire rained down from Jardine's Lookout, where the Japanese occupied captured HKVDC pillboxes. Slater-Brown and 2nd Lieutenant Bell, the battalion intelligence officer, were killed instantly. The Royal Scots waited in the roadside ditches until 0200 hours before launching an attack on the police station, reaching the steps before Pinkerton was severely wounded. Captain Ford's composite company attack at 0300 hours also failed. Simultaneously, C Company under Lieutenant F. L. Stanier attacked Jardine's Lookout—also unsuccessfully. This series of piecemeal assaults cost the Royal Scots eight officers and 68 soldiers. Growing increasingly desperate, Maltby ordered Major Hodkinson, Officer Commanding HQ Company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers, to attack the Gap and proceed to Mt Parker. Requesting reinforcements from A Company and the Royal Scots, Hodkinson launched his assault with covering fire from Lieutenant Corrigan on Mt Nicholson. The Grenadiers managed to reach Mt Nicholson with only five unwounded men, though Corrigan's group advanced to within 300 meters of the Gap road. Then came an unexpected stroke of fortune: while skirting Mt Nicholson, Hodkinson's group stumbled upon approximately 500 Japanese—probably from the 3/230th—eating lunch without posting sentries. The Winnipeg Grenadiers unleashed devastating fire, inflicting heavy casualties. By 1745 hours, Hodkinson's force was only 100 meters from Repulse Bay Road. With four men and a 2-inch mortar, Hodkinson worked his way to the abandoned brigade headquarters, bringing 20 walking wounded with him. He established a foothold at the Gap, receiving orders to attack the police station at 2200 hours. Two HKVDC armoured cars with Vickers machine guns came in support, but accurate enemy fire disabled both. Like Pinkerton before him, Hodkinson reached near his objective before being severely wounded. For this action of determination and courage, Hodkinson was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. By the morning of the 20th, the Japanese had consolidated control of the Gap, but elements of D Company, Winnipeg Grenadiers, still held various pillboxes north of the position. Initially, 17 and 18 Platoons occupied forward positions with Company Headquarters and 16 Platoon in reserve, positioned across Wongneichong Road almost directly opposite brigade headquarters. Forward positions were rapidly overrun and cut off from the company. They fought without officers until withdrawal to battalion headquarters became necessary. With Captain A. S. Bowman killed and Captain R. W. Philips wounded, command fell to Lieutenant T. A. Blackwood. An attempt by B Company to relieve D Company on the evening of the 20th failed catastrophically, killing all officers and 29 men. With fewer than 50 men remaining—all wounded—Lieutenant Blackwood continued inflicting heavy casualties on the Japanese until 22 December, when exhaustion and the complete absence of ammunition, food, and water forced surrender. D Company killed over 200 Japanese soldiers. Post-war Japanese reports refused to believe that a single company had held the Gap for so long. For their stubborn defense, Philips and Blackwood were awarded the Military Cross, and three enlisted men received the Military Medal. The battle of Wongneichong Gap was characterized by fragmented planning and poor coordination. On the night of the 19th-20th, no fewer than three separate companies attacked the police station, with another company assaulting Jardine's Lookout—all within five hours, all independently organized by local commanders. Had these disparate actions been coordinated into a single simultaneous assault, fortress headquarters' objectives might well have been achieved. By the end of the 20th, the British had lost the vital ground of Wongneichong, though Postbridge House remained as an isolated holdout. For the Japanese, Wongneichong became the single costliest engagement since the invasion began, with over 800 casualties and the regimental commander of the 3/230th seriously wounded. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me.   Japanese landings on 18-19 December overwhelmed the East Brigade. Brigadier Lawson died defending the vital Gap. Desperate, uncoordinated counter-attacks by British and Canadian troops failed to dislodge the enemy. D Company Winnipeg Grenadiers held the position for four days against overwhelming odds before surrendering. The Japanese suffered 800 casualties but secured this critical strategic ground.

OA1287 - Today on Rapid Response Friday:  Todd “Two Taints” Blanche flexes his new freedom as two Tates blanch at the loss of theirs, and a lawsuit over a cinematic heist starring Nicolas Cage. Applicability of Executive Privilege to Presidential Communications with Private Advisers, Office of Legal Counsel (8/10/2026) Second Superseding Indictment in United States of America v. Southern Poverty Law Center Inc. and Heidi Beirich, Middle District of Alabama (8/11/2026) Secretary Rubio Terminates Green Cards of Foreign Nationals Tied to Infamous Iranian Regime Propagandist, U.S. Department of State (4/11/2026) One Woman's Message From the Hell of ICE Detention, The Nation (8/11/2026) Andrew and Tristan Tate's Motion for Release Pending Extradition Proceedings and Opposition to the Government's Request for Detention In the Matter of the Extradition of Emory Andrew Tate, Southern District of Florida (8/7/2026) Response in Opposition to Andrew Tate's and Tristan Tate's Motion for Release Pending Extradition Proceedings In the Matter of the Extradition of Emory Andrew Tate, Southern District of Florida (8/10/2026) Complaint in Op-Fortitude Ltd. and Simon Afram v. Netflix Inc.,  Central District of California (7/29/2026) Check out the OA Linktree for all the places to go and things to do!

Illinois Democratic State Rep. Carol Ammons is facing a bipartisan Illinois House investigation after being federally charged with wire fraud and making false statements, with the special committee examining whether there are grounds for discipline or removal while Ammons maintains her innocence. Ammons and her husband, Aaron Adam Ammons, have pleaded not guilty to the federal charges, with a trial scheduled for September. Prosecutors allege the case involves nonprofit contracts and questions surrounding campaign contributions, while the House committee emphasized that it is not determining guilt or innocence. Also, in this episode: The committee voted to contact the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of Illinois before proceeding further, seeking guidance on whether the state investigation could interfere with the ongoing federal case. The investigation draws comparisons to the Illinois House's previous special committee examining former Speaker Michael Madigan, who was later convicted on federal corruption charges and sentenced to 7½ years in prison. The States also examines energy prices and the conflict in Iran, a newly uncovered effort by state attorneys general to coordinate litigation against the Trump administration, and the growing debate over data center expansion and taxpayer costs. Plus, America's Talking: California: https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_28a745de-6c13-4df1-88df-c0c150193eb7.html Wisconsin: https://www.thecentersquare.com/wisconsin/article_9cede801-b522-4172-9d2e-b8d50301bfad.html Georgia: https://www.thecentersquare.com/georgia/article_1db1ef45-8b75-4144-928a-7d670680111a.html Arizona: https://www.thecentersquare.com/arizona/article_b2a0c25a-f6ef-465c-ad4c-de89ea70d2f3.html   The States delivers taxpayer-focused reporting from around America, powered by The Center Square. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, Thursday, July 30 on Urban Forum Northwest : *Dominique (Dom) Davis, Executive Director, Community Passage Ways an organization that creates alternatives to incarceration for youth and young adults through Restorative Justice. They offer support services and re-entry programs. Dom will comment on the shootings that occurred Sunday at Seattle Center that was gang related. *Monica T. L. Lewis, Seattle King County NAACP Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) Chair talks about the success of her participants earlier this month at the NAACP Annual Meeting in Chicago. There were four medal winners from Seattle, Maya Russell won Bronze-Music Vocal Contemporary and she joins the conversation, Amaya Sutton-Silver-Biology/Microbiology, Kameirah Johnson Gold-Painting & Silver-Photography. *Ruby Taylor, Project Coordinator "A LEGACY ILLUMINATED" celebrating the artist, stories, productions and cultural legacy of Black Arts West and Black Theatre in the Pacific Northwest. The exhibit will be held August 6 to October 3 at the King Street Station. *Willie Seals III, Co Founder and Board Member, The Academy for Creating Excellence (ACE) comments on the Summer Learning Experience that has provided young scholars with opportunities to build confidence, develop leadership skills, strengthen academic success and create lifelong friendships. *Barney Hilliard pays tribute to his brother Hartsel Hilliard who grew up in Seattle's Central District, a Garfield High School graduate, played football at the University of Washington and was also earned his commission through the Army ROTC. He served as helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War earning both the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star Medal for his exemplary service. He retired as an Airline Pilot. Urban Forum Northwest streams live at www.1150kknw.com. Visit us at www.urbanforumnw.com for archived programs and relevant information. Like us on Facebook.

Today, Thursday, July 30 on Urban Forum Northwest :*Dominique (Dom) Davis, Executive Director, Community Passage Ways an organization that creates alternatives to incarceration for youth and young adults through Restorative Justice. They offer support services and re-entry programs. Dom will comment on the shootings that occurred Sunday at Seattle Center that was gang related.*Monica T. L. Lewis, Seattle King County NAACP Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) Chair talks about the success of her participants earlier this month at the NAACP Annual Meeting in Chicago. There were four medal winners from Seattle, Maya Russell won Bronze-Music Vocal Contemporary and she joins the conversation, Amaya Sutton-Silver-Biology/Microbiology, Kameirah Johnson Gold-Painting & Silver-Photography.*Ruby Taylor, Project Coordinator "A LEGACY ILLUMINATED" celebrating the artist, stories, productions and cultural legacy of Black Arts West and Black Theatre in the Pacific Northwest. The exhibit will be held August 6 to October 3 at the King Street Station.*Willie Seals III, Co Founder and Board Member, The Academy for Creating Excellence (ACE) comments on the Summer Learning Experience that has provided young scholars with opportunities to build confidence, develop leadership skills, strengthen academic success and create lifelong friendships.*Barney Hilliard pays tribute to his brother Hartsel Hilliard who grew up in Seattle's Central District, a Garfield High School graduate, played football at the University of Washington and was also earned his commission through the Army ROTC. He served as helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War earning both the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star Medal for his exemplary service. He retired as an Airline Pilot.Urban Forum Northwest streams live at www.1150kknw.com. Visit us at www.urbanforumnw.com for archived programs and relevant information. Like us on Facebook. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Byrd Barr Place has transferred its First Right of Refusal for the historic Liberty Bank Building to Africatown Community Land Trust, fulfilling a commitment first envisioned nearly a decade ago. This agreement strengthens the long-term goal of community ownership and preserves the building's legacy as a symbol of Black entrepreneurship, economic opportunity, and community investment in Seattle's Central District. Wyking Garrett, President and CEO of Africatown Community Land Trust, joins the Rhythm & News Podcast.  Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

Sun, Jul 12 6:11 PM → 7:30 PM Yesterday members of Hatzoloh EMS of Rockland participated in a comprehensive Mass Casualty Incident drill held in the Central District. The exercise was designed to put members emergency response skills to the test and strengthen the organizations preparedness for large-scale emergencies. Radio Systems: - Rockland County Public Safety Communications System

Byrd Barr Place is set to host its third annual Community Block Party this Saturday in Seattle's historic Central District. The complimentary event aims to foster community cohesion, uniting longtime residents, new neighbors, families, and local businesses to celebrate the area's rich history, culture, and resilience. Attendees can expect live entertainment, local vendors, children's activities, community resources, free food, and a backpack giveaway, with organizers emphasizing the event's role in facilitating reconnection and building upon the Central District's enduring legacy. Rosie Grant with Byrd Barr Place joins the Rhythm & News podcast to tell us more about this year's celebration. Interview by Chris B. Bennett. 

ARTE NOIR, in collaboration with chef Jimaine "Def Chef" Miller, has reinstated the Free Community Breakfast Program, an initiative originally spearheaded by the Seattle Black Panther Party. Beginning this summer, children and families can receive complimentary breakfasts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the historic Prince Hall Masonic Lodge in Seattle's Central District. This effort aims to honor a legacy of community care, invest in young people, and demonstrate the enduring relevance of the Black Panther Party's principles. Jazmyn Scott, Executive Director of ARTE NOIR, and Jimaine Miller, aka Def Chef, share more information. Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

CannCon and Ashe in America return after a week off to a packed episode led by the California primary circus. Lindsey Graham wins South Carolina by 10 points, Nancy Mace finishes fifth in North Carolina, and the hosts are not pretending either outcome reflects real voter choice. The bulk of the episode covers the LA mayoral race, where Spencer Pratt led on election night only to be overtaken by mail ballots arriving days later at a statistical improbability the hosts describe as finding the same grain of sand 12 consecutive times. They break down California's election law architecture piece by piece: universal mail-in balloting sent to everyone regardless of request, a handwritten backdate option that counts as a valid postmark, happy-face signatures accepted under a legal presumption of validity, and a ballot tracking website that went offline for maintenance in the middle of counting. The US attorney for the Central District of California tells Glenn Beck that election fraud charges are coming within one to two months and is actively seeking witnesses. CannCon and Ashe close on Trump's Miranda Devine interview, the Kristen Welker exchange, the limits of the SAVE Act, and why Kalshi asked paid influencers to delete posts questioning the LA results.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli discusses reports over California refusing to comply with federal requests for an audit of its voter rolls on ‘The Ingraham Angle.’ Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli discusses reports over California refusing to comply with federal requests for an audit of its voter rolls on ‘The Ingraham Angle.’ Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Glenn explains why the market panicked before the weekend, despite a positive jobs report. First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli joins to discuss the potential election fraud that appears obvious to anybody paying attention in California. Glenn reacts to President Trump walking out of an interview with journalist Kristen Welker on NBC's "Meet the Press" after Welker's argumentative and combative interview style. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California is still counting mail-in ballots, and a suspiciously large number of votes have recently been counted in favor of former third-place candidate Nithya Raman, knocking Spencer Pratt into third place. Glenn monologues on the suspicious nature of California's election laws and explains how these types of elections only lead people to doubt the system. Glenn also argues this is the perfect example of why Congress must pass the SAVE Act. Glenn explains why the market panicked before the weekend, despite a positive jobs report. First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli joins to discuss the potential election fraud that appears obvious to anybody paying attention in California. Glenn lays out what happens when politicians who hate America are the ones elected. Glenn reacts to President Trump walking out of an interview with journalist Kristen Welker on NBC's "Meet the Press" after Welker's argumentative and combative interview style. Glenn reacts to the Department of Defense removing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from the military religious affiliation codes, which were reduced from over 200 to just 31. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE) Today, 98% of all federal criminal cases are resolved with a guilty plea. Why? "Half a loaf is better than none. . . . When we have a weak case for any reason, we'll reduce to almost anything rather than lose." In modern America, "beyond a reasonable doubt" as determined by a jury has largely been replaced by the discretion of prosecutors to punish defendants for exercising their constitutional right to a trial by jury. So much so, defendants in pretrial detention are agreeing to plea "bargains" at a rate so high, it's difficult to deny the obvious: Innocence is irrelevant. Reb is joined by Hannah Bogen, a Federal Public Defender in the Office of the FPD for the Central District of California, the largest public defense office in the federal system. Hannah shares her firsthand experience with indigent defense, pretrial detention, plea bargaining, and sentencing policy—a rare glimpse into the real lives of her clients in the federal criminal system, and public defenders' enduring fight for dignity and mercy for the people whom society often forgets...Until it happens to you. **DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions discussed in this episode are personal to Hannah and Reb and do not reflect the views or opinions of the Office of the Federal Public Defender.** A huge thank you to Hannah Bogen for her time and unforgettable insight for this episode, and a gracious nod to the Offices of the Federal Public Defender in Los Angeles and around the country. Their attorneys, staff, and investigators are selfless bright sparks in a system shrouded by darkness. See: L.A. public defenders are on a win streak as Trump's Justice Department charges activists , L.A. Times (Feb. 6, 2026) --> Access without a subscription here See also: More than 10,000 lawyers have left the Trump Administration leaving multiple agencies understaffed, report says, Independent (May 31, 2026) Helpful Resources, Information, Statistics: Mass Incarceration—The Whole Pie (Prison Policy Initiative 2026) Mass Incarceration Trends (The Sentencing Project 2026) 1 in 3 Americans has a criminal record (Center for American Progress 2022) The Hidden Law of Plea Bargaining (2018) ("It continues to be driven not by law but by power—the vast, unregulated power of prosecutors") The Unconstitutionality of Modern Plea Bargaining: Curbing Prosecutorial Vindictiveness, 3 Prin.L.J. 2 (2024) Fewer than 1% of federal criminal defendants were acquitted in 2022 (Pew Research 2023) An Offer You Can't Refuse: How US Federal Prosecutors Force Drug Defendants To Plead Guilty (2013) In The Shadows: A Review of the Research on Plea Bargaining (Vera Institute 2020) Detaining the Poor: How money bail perpetuates an endless cycle of poverty and jail time (Prison Policy Initiative 2016) Arrest, Release, Repeat: Who is jailed, how often, and why (Prison Policy Initiative 2024) Report: How Mandatory Minimums Perpetuate Mass Incarceration and What To Do About It (2024) Correcting the Record: Fentanyl Myths & Misinformation (2025) We Can't Go Cold Turkey: Why Suppressing Drug Markets Endangers Society (2018) Addicted to punishment: Jails and prisons punish drug use far more than they treat it (Prison Policy Initiative 2024) *** MERCH STORE IS LIVE! Shop Reb Masel and Rebuttal Pod merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rebmasel.shop/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to PREORDER Reb's book: The Book They Throw At You—A Sarcastic Lawyer's Guide* To The Unholy Chaos of Our Legal System, *God No, Not Actual Legal Advice *** Follow @RebuttalPod on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Follow @Rebmasel on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! *** 00:00 - How America convicts the innocent 04:14 - WELCOME! Hannah Bogen, Federal Public Defender 05:26 - A mantra for public defenders 06:06 - **DISCLAIMER** 06:22 - Typical crimes Hannah sees in federal court 07:40 - WHAT DO FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDERS DO? 10:35 - "We're not gonna get there in time..." 12:46 - Favorite thing a client has said to you 16:05 - REPRESENTING VICTIMS IN THE SYSTEM 19:25 - "Prosecutor won't even make eye contact" 20:42 - ARRESTED IN PAJAMAS: Now what? 26:22 - Poverty and prison 29:30 - Trump's new prosecution policies 34:25 - "THE PURPOSE IS CRUELTY" 36:13 - Drugs and Mandatory Minimums 41:15 - THE PROBLEM WITH PLEA "BARGAINS" 45:38 - Plead or Suffer (Trial Penalty) 49:30 - 10,000 attorneys leave Trump's DOJ since 2025 53:25 - Former FPD Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson! 55:44 - BEST DAYS ON THE JOB 1:00:53 - Final thoughts for Rebuttal listeners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE) Today, 98% of all federal criminal cases are resolved with a guilty plea. Why? "Half a loaf is better than none. . . . When we have a weak case for any reason, we'll reduce to almost anything rather than lose." In modern America, "beyond a reasonable doubt" as determined by a jury has largely been replaced by the discretion of prosecutors to punish defendants for exercising their constitutional right to a trial by jury. So much so, defendants in pretrial detention are agreeing to plea "bargains" at a rate so high, it's difficult to deny the obvious: Innocence is irrelevant. Reb is joined by Hannah Bogen, a Federal Public Defender in the Office of the FPD for the Central District of California, the largest public defense office in the federal system. Hannah shares her firsthand experience with indigent defense, pretrial detention, plea bargaining, and sentencing policy—a rare glimpse into the real lives of her clients in the federal criminal system, and public defenders' enduring fight for dignity and mercy for the people whom society often forgets...Until it happens to you. **DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions discussed in this episode are personal to Hannah and Reb and do not reflect the views or opinions of the Office of the Federal Public Defender.** A huge thank you to Hannah Bogen for her time and unforgettable insight for this episode, and a gracious nod to the Offices of the Federal Public Defender in Los Angeles and around the country. Their attorneys, staff, and investigators are selfless bright sparks in a system shrouded by darkness. See: L.A. public defenders are on a win streak as Trump's Justice Department charges activists , L.A. Times (Feb. 6, 2026) --> Access without a subscription here See also: More than 10,000 lawyers have left the Trump Administration leaving multiple agencies understaffed, report says, Independent (May 31, 2026) Helpful Resources, Information, Statistics: Mass Incarceration—The Whole Pie (Prison Policy Initiative 2026) Mass Incarceration Trends (The Sentencing Project 2026) 1 in 3 Americans has a criminal record (Center for American Progress 2022) The Hidden Law of Plea Bargaining (2018) ("It continues to be driven not by law but by power—the vast, unregulated power of prosecutors") The Unconstitutionality of Modern Plea Bargaining: Curbing Prosecutorial Vindictiveness, 3 Prin.L.J. 2 (2024) Fewer than 1% of federal criminal defendants were acquitted in 2022 (Pew Research 2023) An Offer You Can't Refuse: How US Federal Prosecutors Force Drug Defendants To Plead Guilty (2013) In The Shadows: A Review of the Research on Plea Bargaining (Vera Institute 2020) Detaining the Poor: How money bail perpetuates an endless cycle of poverty and jail time (Prison Policy Initiative 2016) Arrest, Release, Repeat: Who is jailed, how often, and why (Prison Policy Initiative 2024) Report: How Mandatory Minimums Perpetuate Mass Incarceration and What To Do About It (2024) Correcting the Record: Fentanyl Myths & Misinformation (2025) We Can't Go Cold Turkey: Why Suppressing Drug Markets Endangers Society (2018) Addicted to punishment: Jails and prisons punish drug use far more than they treat it (Prison Policy Initiative 2024) *** MERCH STORE IS LIVE! Shop Reb Masel and Rebuttal Pod merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rebmasel.shop/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to PREORDER Reb's book: The Book They Throw At You—A Sarcastic Lawyer's Guide* To The Unholy Chaos of Our Legal System, *God No, Not Actual Legal Advice *** Follow @RebuttalPod on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Follow @Rebmasel on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! *** 00:00 - How America convicts the innocent 04:14 - WELCOME! Hannah Bogen, Federal Public Defender 05:26 - A mantra for public defenders 06:06 - **DISCLAIMER** 06:22 - Typical crimes Hannah sees in federal court 07:40 - WHAT DO FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDERS DO? 10:35 - "We're not gonna get there in time..." 12:46 - Favorite thing a client has said to you 16:05 - REPRESENTING VICTIMS IN THE SYSTEM 19:25 - "Prosecutor won't even make eye contact" 20:42 - ARRESTED IN PAJAMAS: Now what? 26:22 - Poverty and prison 29:30 - Trump's new prosecution policies 34:25 - "THE PURPOSE IS CRUELTY" 36:13 - Drugs and Mandatory Minimums 41:15 - THE PROBLEM WITH PLEA "BARGAINS" 45:38 - Plead or Suffer (Trial Penalty) 49:30 - 10,000 attorneys leave Trump's DOJ since 2025 53:25 - Former FPD Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson! 55:44 - BEST DAYS ON THE JOB 1:00:53 - Final thoughts for Rebuttal listeners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The City of Seattle has launched a restoration project to renew and preserve 11 Pan-African flag crosswalks in the Central District, which have long served as powerful symbols of Black history, culture, and community presence. This initiative addresses recent community concerns that markings on the crosswalks signaled a removal of the neighborhood's Black identity, instead affirming their significance as iconic landmarks born from a movement to safeguard Black identity and ownership amidst rapid displacement. The project encompasses repairs, cleaning, and repainting to ensure these historic symbols remain visible for years to come.

In this episode I explore the murder of Mia Zapata — lead singer of Seattle punk band The Gits — and one of the most haunting crimes connected to the 1990s grunge music scene.In July 1993, Seattle was becoming the centre of the music world. Grunge had exploded into mainstream culture, underground clubs were packed every night and bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden were transforming the city into a global phenomenon. But beneath the neon lights, cigarette smoke and distorted guitar sounds was a darker reality.After a night out with friends, Mia Zapata disappeared while walking home alone through Seattle. Her body was discovered in the city's Central District. She had been brutally assaulted and murdered in a crime that shocked the music community and remained unsolved for years.Mia Zapata's murder remains one of the most devastating true crime cases in rock music history.This episode contains discussions of murder, sexual violence and trauma that some listeners may find distressing.Listener discretion is advised.#MiaZapata #TheGits #SeattleGrunge #TrueCrimePodcast #GrungeHistory #SeattleMusicScene #90sGrunge #TrueCrime #RockAndRollTrueCrime #ColdCase #DarkHistory #Nirvana #SeattleHistory #CrimePodcast #WomenInMusicBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-monday-night-revue--4921180/support.Don't miss an episode - follow, comment, like, and share!Connect with me on social media @‌themondaynightrevue or email at themondaynightrevue@gmail.com.Explore our podcast merch: Shop HereSupport the show: Buy Me a CoffeeDiscover curated reads: BookshopFor ad-free episodes, minisodes, and exclusive perks, join us on Patreon: Support on PatreonWritten and edited by Corinna Harrod with Holly Clarke. Artwork by Jessica Holmes.Music: "The Mooche" by Duke Ellington (1928). 

In this episode, Cherise is joined by Leann Crist, AIA, formerly with Graham Baba Architects, while this project was designed and completed, and now with her own firm, Leann Crist Design Studio. Cherise is also joined by Anjali Grant, Principal at Anjali Grant Design. They discuss the Giddens School & Lake Washington Girls Middle School in Seattle, Washington.You can see the project here as you listen along.Situated between Seattle's Beacon Hill and Central District neighborhoods, the Giddens School & Lake Washington Girls Middle School campus reimagines what an urban educational environment can be when collaboration, flexibility, and community are placed at the center of the design process. The tightly integrated campus balances individuality with shared purpose. Each school maintains its own dedicated entrance and organizational structure, reinforcing a sense of identity for students and faculty.If you enjoy this episode, visit arcat.com/podcast for more.If you're a frequent listener of Detailed, you might enjoy similar content at Gābl Media.Mentioned in this episode:Social Channel Pre-rollPromotes the YouTube channel, ARACTemy, and social handle.

Operation Tidal Wave was a coordinated federal action in which CBP and HSI agents boarded eight cruise ships docked in San Diego and detained 27 crew members allegedly connected to CSAM — child sexual abuse material — based on intelligence provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Agents had identified targets before the vessels arrived. Ten reportedly served aboard the Disney Magic. Four were employed by Holland America. All 27 were deported within approximately two weeks. KPBS confirmed that as of their reporting, federal prosecutors in both the Southern District of California and the Central District of California had no record of charges filed against any of the detained crew.The absence of prosecution raises a procedural question with systemic implications: if deportation without criminal proceedings is the default federal response, no public record is created, no registry entry is generated, and no mechanism exists to prevent the same individuals from being rehired through the same third-party agencies that placed them originally.The prosecuted cases across the industry illustrate what the screening system is failing to catch. A Royal Caribbean cabin attendant was sentenced to 30 years after pleading guilty to placing hidden recording devices in passenger cabins — families with passengers as young as two were among those secretly recorded. A Celebrity Cruises youth program counselor allegedly went undetected for four months while deliberately avoiding security cameras, according to an FBI affidavit. A 6-year-old passenger was the one who reported it. Two Princess Cruises employees received a combined 45 years for pursuing a teenager and exchanging illegal material involving very young children. Three crew members were charged aboard the same Disney vessel within a two-month window.Cruise Law News reports approximately 200 crew accused within roughly two years. Federal court filings and DOJ records document the same structural pattern across Disney, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess, Carnival, and Holland America: international hiring through third-party staffing agencies with limited background verification and no industry-wide shared registry.Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePodThis publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.#CruiseShipSafety #OperationTidalWave #CruisingWithPredators #DisneyMagic #HiddenKillers #TrueCrime #CruiseIndustry #ChildSafety #FederalProsecution #CruiseLaw

진행자: 홍유, TannithSamsung says Dua Lipa TV box image was authorized기사요약: 삼성전자가 미국에서 판매된 TV 포장에 영국 팝스타 두아 리파의 사진을 무단 사용했다며 제기된 1,500만달러 규모 소송과 관련해, 콘텐츠 제공 파트너를 통해 사용 권한을 확인한 뒤 해당 이미지를 사용한 것이라 반박했다.[1] Samsung Electronics on Tuesday denied claims that it used a photo of British pop star Dua Lipa without permission, saying the image had been cleared for use through a content partner before it appeared on TV packaging in the US.be cleared for: ~에 대한 승인(허가)을 받다, 사용이 허가되다[2] The statement came after Lipa's representatives filed a lawsuit against Samsung on Friday in the US District Court for the Central District of California, accusing the company of copyright, trademark and publicity rights infringement. The suit seeks $15 million in damages.infringement: 침해, (권리·법 등의) 위반[3] The case centers on a photo of Lipa that appeared on the exterior of Samsung TV packaging. According to the complaint, the image was taken backstage at the 2024 Austin City Limits Music Festival, and Lipa's side claims she owns the copyright to the photograph.to center on: ~을 중심으로 하다, ~에 초점이 맞춰지다[4] The complaint alleges that Samsung used the image as part of a commercial marketing campaign without her approval.allege: 주장하다, 혐의를 제기하다approval: 승인, 허가, 동의[5] “Ms. Lipa's face was prominently used for a mass marketing campaign for a consumer product without her knowledge, without consideration, and as to which she had no say, control, or input whatsoever,” the complaint stated. “Ms. Lipa did not allow and would not have allowed this use.”prominently: 눈에 띄게, 두드러지게기사원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10736160

Hannah Sabio-Howell, a labor organizer and former Washington State Senate communications staffer, is challenging incumbent Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen for the 43rd Legislative District's state senate seat. The district, which covers Capitol Hill, First Hill, the Central District, and Madison Valley, is widely considered the most politically progressive district in the state. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks. Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at @finchfrii and find Hannah Sabio-Howell at https://hannahforwashington.com/.

The Left is trying to distance themselves from Cole Tomas Allen, the failed White House Correspondents Dinner attacker, despite his manifesto echoing the same rhetoric that the mainstream Left has been promoting since Trump was elected. Kira Davis breaks down the Left's horseshoe into the conspiracy theorists they previously claimed to despise, analyzes the radicalization of Tinfoil Burrito Allen despite being a highly educated Caltech graduate, and exposes chilling new polling data that shows why “elite” graduates are increasingly supporting political violence. DOJ Civil Rights Coordinator Julie Hamill discusses the intense legal battles over Title IX and the Left's push to erase female athletics and spaces. CA State Controller candidate Herb Morgan explains why California's financial collapse is a warning sign for the rest of the country. Kira Davis is filling in for Dr. Drew. Kira is a conservative commentator and media personality. She is the host of the Just Kira Davis podcast. Follow at https://x.com/kiradavis Julie Hamill is an Assistant United States Attorney with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, where she serves as Civil Rights Coordinator. Prior to joining the Department of Justice, she founded the California Justice Center, a public interest law firm under the California Policy Center, where she defended the constitutional rights of Californians and worked on Title IX enforcement in athletics. Learn more at https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca Herb Morgan is a candidate for California State Controller and a seasoned investment professional with nearly four decades of experience in financial markets. He founded Efficient Market Advisors (EMA), one of the nation's earliest ETF-based investment firms, which grew to manage $1.5 billion in assets before being acquired in 2017, where he now serves as Chief Investment Officer. He previously served on the San Diego City Employees' Retirement System (SDCERS) Board, elected Board Chair twice. Follow at https://x.com/Herb4Controller 「 SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS 」 • STRONG CELL – If you want to feel more like your younger self, go to https://strongcell.com/ and use code DREW for 20% off. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• FATTY15 – The future of essential fatty acids is here! Strengthen your cells against age-related breakdown with Fatty15. Get 15% off a 90-day Starter Kit Subscription at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drdrew.com/fatty15⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • PALEOVALLEY - "Paleovalley has a wide variety of extraordinary products that are both healthful and delicious,” says Dr. Drew. "I am a huge fan of this brand and know you'll love it too!” Get 15% off your first order at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drdrew.com/paleovalley⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • THE WELLNESS COMPANY - Counteract harmful spike proteins with TWC's Signature Series Spike Support Formula containing nattokinase and selenium. Learn more about TWC's supplements at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twc.health/drew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 「 ABOUT THE SHOW 」 This show is for entertainment and/or informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Executive Producers • Kaleb Nation - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kalebnation.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • Susan Pinsky - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/firstladyoflove⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Content Producer • Emily Barsh - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/emilytvproducer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hosted By • Dr. Drew Pinsky - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/drdrew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Police have carried out sting operations to crack down on illegal sales of nitrous oxide for recreational use - known as nangs. Five retailers across the North Island have been charged under the Psychoactive Substances Act and could face prison time. The canisters are meant to be used to whip cream. Superintendent Dion Bennett says during the stings - it was clear customers were buying nangs for recreational use. "We weren't dressed as bakers, we didn't represent ourselves as home bakers - it was obvious that we weren't there to buy nitrous oxide for baking purposes." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Thursday, April 16 on Urban Forum Northwest on 1150 AM KKNW/www.1150kknw.com, on Alexa and my Podcast 2:03-3:00 pm (PDT) my guest for the hour are:*Central District Community Preservation & Development Authority (CDCPDA) Board of Directors President Lawrence Bigham and Vice President Dr. Lora-Ellen McKinney comment on the progress of the agency under the new board leadership.*Linda Taylor is the new Chief Programs Officer for the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle (ULMS). She talks about her role of overseeing all of the ULMS programs that employ over 100 people. Ms. Taylor is one of the most knowledgeable housing experts in the state.*Deborah Moore Jackson, Executive Director, Surviving Change and the Convener of the Washington State African American Achievement Awards (WSAAAA). The event will be held in Bremerton, WA at Olympic College on Saturday, April 25.*Tony Benton (Tony B) of Rainier Avenue Radio and the Columbia City Theater comments on the Earth Day activities scheduled for April18-24. April 18 is Black Earth Day. He provides details for the week that will include a trip up the Duwamish River.*Nyema Clark, Founder & Executive Director, Nurturing Roots Farm and the Project Lead for the Black Panther Park that is located in Skyway, WA at 75th and Renton Avenue South. The opening of the park will be held on Sunday, April, 19 11:00 am-3:00 pm (PDT).Urban Forum Northwest streams live at www.1150kknw.com. Visit us at www.urbanforumnw.com for archived programs and relevant information. Like us on facebook.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page. It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward. GUEST: Omari Salisbury – founder of Converge Media and host of The Big O Show LINKS: Hundreds sign petition to honor Rainier Beach High students killed in January Katie Wilson Talks Mayoral Transition and Transparency Mayor Wilson Town Hall on Security & Surveillance Rahwa Ogbe Keshi Habte, Seattle community organizer, dies at 42 Mariners Launch “Steelhead Sundays” to Honor Black Baseball Legacy in Seattle Celebrating the Legacy of the Seattle Steelheads Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rising cost of property taxes is putting pressure on homeowners, especially in historically Black neighborhoods like the Central District. Now a local research project is highlighting how it contributes to the gentrification and displacement of Black homeowners. We’ll talk about that with Wa Na Wari's CACE 21 project lead researcher Dr. Kristin McCowan. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has announced a plan to add 1,000 shelter beds to address the city's growing homelessness problem. However, concrete details regarding the execution and funding of this ambitious project remain scarce. Wilson aims to utilize tiny home villages, proposing legislation to streamline permitting and encourage community involvement. While forwarding three legislative pieces, including easing lease agreements and allocating $4.5 million, concerns linger about the plan's overall financial viability. Increasing the size of tiny home villages is part of the strategy, yet residents in areas like the Central District express a need for safety and guidelines. This initiative sparks debate on effective solutions for Seattle's homelessness crisis, the role of city leadership, and financial responsibility. The homeless plan and Seattle's future are at stake. Seattle, Katie Wilson, homelessness, tiny homes.

"Our cuisine, with its grits and black-eyed peas, crab cakes, red rice, and endless variations on the staple foods of the region, casts a spell that, if you're lucky, gets passed down with snapping string beans at the table and chewing cane on the back porch." – Michael W. Twitty Cooking is more than just ingredients and instructions, and a big pot on the stove can act as a vessel for connection and culture just as much as it does for rice and beans. Exploring the contextual roots and legacies passed down through food culture has been a lifelong endeavor for culinary historian Michael W. Twitty, and his upcoming cookbook Recipes From the American South aims to unpack a bounty of knowledge and flavor for the home cook. In the introduction to this thoughtfully rendered recipe collection, Twitty declares, "No one state or area can give you the breadth of the Southern story or fully set the Southern table." Recipes from the American South sets out on a journey to cover as much ground as possible through one of America's most foundational culinary landscapes — showcasing more than 260 beloved regional dishes rooted from the Louisiana Bayou to the Chesapeake Bay. Layered with diverse origin stories and detailed annotations, Twitty brings readers an expansive collection of both iconic fare and lesser-known specialties. Chicken and Dumplings, She-crab Soup, Red Eye Gravy, Benne Seed Wafers, Hummingbird Cake, and Mint Juleps appear alongside Shrimp Pilau, Chorizo Dirty Rice, Sumac Lemonade, and Cajun Pig's Ears Pastry. Vibrant photography and Twitty's lyrical essays accompany the menu at every course, from biscuits and breads to mains and sides to sauces and sweets. Through this cookbook, Twitty aims to showcase how the region's "multicultural gumbo" of influences have transformed staple ingredients into a lasting impact on American food culture as a whole. Expansive, authoritative, and beautifully designed — Recipes from the American South invites readers to take a seat at the kitchen table and learn how to cook, understand, and connect with every plate. Michael W. Twitty is an acclaimed culinary historian, speaker, educator, and independent scholar with a focus on historic African American food and folk culture. He is the author of the two-time James Beard Award-winning book The Cooking Gene, as well as Rice and Koshersoul. His work has been featured in publications including the Guardian, The New York Times, The Washington Post, PBS, and NPR's The Splendid Table, as well as Afroculinaria, his culinary history blog devoted to the preservation of historic African American foods and foodways. Chef Kristi Brown has spent over three decades in the culinary industry, starting at a café in downtown Seattle. After graduating from Seattle Culinary Academy, she founded That Brown Girl Cooks Catering in the mid-1990s. Her mantra, "Everybody Gotta Eat," led her to co-found a community kitchen, earning widespread recognition. In the same era, Chef Kristi and her son Damon Bomar opened Communion R&B in Seattle's Central District. With praise from Conde Nast Traveler and The New York Times, the restaurant has become a beacon of unity and community. Buy the Book Recipes from the American South Book Larder

Episode 275-Pretti’s Law  Also Available OnSearchable Podcast Transcript Gun Lawyer — Episode Transcript Gun Lawyer — Episode 275 Transcript SUMMARY KEYWORDS Second Amendment, Minnesota protest, Firearm Policy Coalition, natural rights, government officials, political opportunity, federal law, carry rights, red flag laws, gun rights, law enforcement, public carry, constitutional rights, gun policy, political reaction. SPEAKERS Speaker 2, Speaker 1, Evan Nappen, Teddy Nappen Evan Nappen 00:18 I’m Evan Nappen. Teddy Nappen 00:20 And I’m Teddy Nappen. Evan Nappen 00:21 And welcome to Gun Lawyer. So, we’ve been following the events in Minnesota, and I’m sure you have as well. And, you know, this is troubling. It’s created quite an interesting political situation, and it’s kind of strange to see sides shifting. Yet, it appears that this may, in fact, be a political opportunity to help the Second Amendment get strengthened. Let me tell you where I’m going with this. Take a look here at the Firearm Policy Coalition’s recent statement. (https://www.firearmspolicy.org/fpc-statement-rights-are-not-privileges) I don’t know if you’re familiar with the FPC, but they do a lot of great work in litigating through the court system, Second Amendment challenges. As a national group, they do good work, and they put out a statement that I thought was very interesting. It’ll lay the groundwork as we get a little bit more into depth about where I see some potential here that should be taken, frankly, advantage of in this interesting moment in time. Evan Nappen 01:50 So, what the FPC wrote in their statement is this. “Recent events in Minnesota underscore a recurring and deeply troubling theme: Government officials and commentators treating natural rights as privileges.” Now that’s an important statement right there about treating rights as privileges. As they mentioned in the article, the Second Amendment, like the First and Fourth, is merely codification of pre-existing rights. They don’t create the rights. The Supreme Court has long recognized that the right to keep and bear arms is not a right granted by the Constitution. The Constitution simply is a guarantee of those rights and puts limits on Government, not the people. That’s why, if someone ever asked you, what rights are you given by the Constitution? The answer is none! Because those rights pre-exist the Constitution. The Constitution is there as a guarantor, guaranteeing those rights against the Government. And it puts limits on the Government to ensure that our rights stay respected. It doesn’t grant us rights. Only God granted us our rights, or natural law has granted those rights. Fundamental, fundamental natural laws. That’s what we’re talking about when it comes to actual rights. Page – 2 – of 9 Evan Nappen 03:18 So, this gets distorted politically by politicians who apparently seem to forget that. And here we end up in Minnesota, where this individual, (Alex) Pretti, came to this protest with a gun. The FPC points out that the mere presence of a firearm does not erase a person’s rights. It doesn’t turn lawful conduct into wrongdoing. It does not make someone fair game to be arrested or killed for the Government’s convenience. The Government does not get to flip the legal or moral burden. The fact that one is armed is not a license for the Government to shoot you! Nor is a right to bear arms a license for any person to use unjust force. And that is very strong and very true. This is where this situation now where Pretti ended up getting shot and killed by ICE for essentially bringing his gun to the protest. There’s a lot of dispute now over whether he used it, drew it, or whether he’s being disarmed, whether there was, I mean, there. All that’s out there. Evan Nappen 04:43 But my point isn’t whether Pretti, as a matter of fact, I don’t even support Pretti’s political view here. I’m all for ICE. I’m not. I don’t want to see our country with illegal immigrants but that’s my view. That’s my opinion. Okay, that’s fine. And Pretti had his opinion. He has a First Amendment right, and he has a Second Amendment right. The problem is reaction to the exercise of his Second Amendment right. When you take a look at what happened here, it’s somewhat disturbing that those folks that are supposed to be understanding what the Second Amendment means take an anti-Second Amendment group’s view. So, Politico had an article. It’s “Gun Rights groups blast Trump over Minnesota response”. (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/27/gun-rights-groups-blast-trump-over-minnesota-response-00748217) And in fact, they did. Evan Nappen 05:47 Let me show you what has happened, where the tables and the issue has turned here. It’s very interesting, because I think it presents an opportunity that we’ll get to in a moment. So, for example, this is right from the Politico article. “FBI Director Kash Patel said Sunday on Fox News. ‘You cannot bring a firearm, loaded, with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want. It’s that simple. You don’t have a right to break the law.’ DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said Saturday that she didn’t ‘know of any peaceful protester that shows up with a gun and ammunition rather than a sign.’ White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that ‘any gun owner knows’ that carrying a gun raises ‘the assumption of risk and the risk of force being used against you,’ during interactions with law enforcement.” I mean, come on. What the hell is with these people there? They are feeding into the Second Amendment oppressionists with this, with this stuff. Evan Nappen 07:05 So, gun rights groups pushed back, and a number of them were particularly enraged by Bill Essayli. He’s the acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, who posted, “If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you.” What the “f” is he saying? Are you kidding me? If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there’s a high likelihood that they’ll be “legally justified in shooting you”. The NRA, okay? The NRA said that Essayli’s remarks were “dangerous and wrong” and called for a full investigation, instead of “making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens”. That’s the NRA folks saying that now to this Page – 3 – of 9 character. Aidan Johnston, the Director of federal affairs for Gun Owners of America, called Essayli’s remarks, “absolutely unacceptable”. That’s GOA. I mean, listen this quote from Johnston. “Federal prosecutors should know better than to comment on a situation when he didn’t know all the facts, to make a judgment in a case like this, and then also, just to make a blanket statement, threatening gun owners in that way.” And Johnston is absolutely right. It’s outrageous. And yet, yeah, Teddy. Teddy Nappen 08:48 I will say, just taking a step back and looking at what they’ve kind of just put out of their reaction. You brought a gun and all the other and there’s stupid comments. What they could have said, which would have been a very easy play, is the Second Amendment isn’t your right to attack law enforcement officers. All right.? It has nothing to do with the carry. It had to do with the fact that it is agitators obstructing and attacking ICE. That would have been the very easy statement, but no. Evan Nappen 09:21 They focused just on the action and not the carry. But instead they focus on, oh, you come up to a law officer with a gun, they’re legally justified at shooting you. No, they’re not. They’re not. Unless you’re going to use it wrongly. Okay, we can all. And then the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus chair Bryan Strawser, he said, “We can all see what is on the video” what happened, and he’s not on the side of what the Trump administration is putting out. As a matter of fact, it says, an analysis done by the Washington Post that federal agents appear to have secured Pretti’s gun moments before an agent shot him. Teddy Nappen 10:18 So, just to break it down, a little more from that which they’re ignoring. I love the mainstream media loves to ignore. They take away the first 30 seconds where it’s him getting into it with the officers, where they’re blocking traffic, where he’d been doing that all day, and the woman was also blocking traffic. The officer shoves her out of the way because they’re blocking traffic, obstruction, you know, a crime. And then he tries to be the white knight and gets in it with the officer. They’re trying to pin him down to arrest him. He’s still fighting. He’s still fighting. One of the guys sees a gun and yells, gun. He pulls the gun away. And during it’s like, I didn’t know the timing of that. It’s like only a second or so split, and you hear them shout, gun. And the guy draws his pistol and he fires, because it’s a split second. I think there is a Supreme Court case where you have to look at it from the officer’s perspective, from there. Evan Nappen 11:13 And I can understand that. But what is disturbing is the key administration officials focusing on guns and gun owners and carry, instead of on the behavior of this person, which, arguably, is the real issue, and is what is the problem. Not having the gun. And then you combine that with, for example, Gavin Newsom, who, let’s face it, you know, he’s a Second Amendment oppressionist, right? I mean, he is. But what does he say? He says, “The Trump administration does not believe in the 2nd Amendment. Good to know.” So, okay, granted, he’s an opportunist here. But he’s actually seeing, even though we don’t believe he’s sincere, of course, but who knows? He’s seeing what’s wrong with what they’re saying. Even Newsom sees what’s wrong with their saying and then takes advantage of it in that way. Look, Representative Dave Min and Rep. Mary Peltola, one is a Democrat from California and the other Page – 4 – of 9 is a Democrat from Alaska. This is from the Politico article. They also used the moment to highlight the right to carry. Here’s their quote. “Joining the gun lobby to condemn Bill Essayli was not on my bingo card but here we are, Min said on X. “Lawfully carrying a firearm is not grounds for being killed.” So, there, look at that. A Democrat, Democrat, saying that, and Newsome even pointing out the hypocrisy of it. And here we have them really taking a terrible view of gun owners and carry. Evan Nappen 13:27 If you step back from all this, I see political opportunity, and I’ll tell you why. Because what I think would be very, very good would be to propose what we would call Pretti’s law. It’d be Pretti’s law. And what Pretti’s law would do would be to create a federal, pre-emptive right to carry in public. Going directly at the legal issue, by the way, in the Woolford case, the so-called vampire rule and other forms of public carry. We need a federal law that preempts, preempts, any state from putting forward so-called “sensitive place” laws that interfere with the right to carry that the Left has acknowledged, the Left is acknowledging in their defense of Pretti. This presents an opportunity to tie in with that national reciprocity so that you have your right to keep and bear arms respected, and we push this with the Pretti situation. Evan Nappen 14:52 In other words, why is it the Left always gets to take the situation and turn it to their advantage? Well, this is an opportunity for us to use this situation to our advantage, because you can see from what we just discussed that the Left is putting out that message. The Left is putting out the pro-Second Amendment message. The Left is seeing that carry was a right, that carry was fine for this, believe it or not, white male to be carrying. I mean, we should all be in shock that the Left is defending armed white males. Wow. But here they are. So, instead of letting this moment pass, let’s grab onto it. Let’s get a federal law that can go at and preempt, wiping out, sensitive place restrictions and getting through national reciprocity. We can do both of those things in this bill, because that is a solid focus federally on carry. That’s what we’re talking about here, and that’s what this situation highlights. Now is a chance to do federal protection of our carry rights, and it’s also a chance for the Trump administration to make clear their position in support of it as well. Here’s the common ground, folks. Here’s the common ground that this demonstrated, and I hope that someone takes advantage of it. Teddy Nappen 16:40 Also, just taking a step back on the whole situation here. The one good thing about this administration that everyone can agree on is that they listen. The one thing that they, anyone can just stop and say, like you can have disagreements on different things, but they listen. They hear what the issue is. And I get the sense that Kristi Noem and Kash Patel are not 2A. They never had the 2A mindset. They never had that. You know, people always say, oh, I’m for the Second Amendment. What does that mean? What do they actually believe and stand for, for that? And I think this is a moment for them to realize and learn what that actually stands for, for the people, for us, for what that means for us. The ability to carry and defend ourselves. Where we don’t have security teams. We don’t have, you know, the full backing of the U.S. Government to protect us every single day. So, I think this is a chance for the administration to learn, and heck, they should appoint like a gun czar, a 2A Czar. Someone to advise them on these issues. If they don’t know, don’t just go to X or Truth and post it. Ask and learn, and then you can have be more informed on the issue. Page – 5 – of 9 Evan Nappen 17:55 That’s a great idea, Teddy. It would be really good for them to do it, and I’d be happy to have that role. Speaker 1 18:01 Ha, ha, ha. Wow, yeah, man. Evan Nappen 18:07 Yep, that’s good. Well. Teddy Nappen 18:09 Yeah, he’s saying, like, all right. And then also legalize all machine guns. We’re closing down the ATF. Here’s a lot of recommendations. Evan Nappen 18:17 I’ve got them, but here is one where politically, we are seeing the other side, actually seeing it our way. And that’s an opportunity that we shouldn’t lose. That’s the point of this. Well, let me tell you about our friends at WeShoot. WeShoot is a range in Lakewood. An indoor range where both Teddy and I shoot, and we love it there. WeShoot is conveniently located right off the Parkway, and they have some cool specials I want to tell you about. They have a Smith M&P 9 M2.0 Compact ready to roll. They have that. They’re also offering the M&P 9 2.0 in Metal. So, you can have your choice in metal or polymer. They have the Vortex Triumph, which is an all new optic, right? It’s pretty cool. Vortex makes some good stuff. I have some Vortex on my guns. They also have the Rost Martin RM1C, which is a striker-fired compact pistol that is really taking the gun world by storm. You should check out the Rost Martin. It’s a really good gun. Evan Nappen 19:37 And, of course, you want to check out the WeShoot girls there. They’re featuring a number of folks, including Kristina Fernicola. Go to their website. Go to weshootusa.com. You can see all these wonderful guns, and the models posing with wonderful guns. And you will be glad that you went to look at all of that. I’m sure of it. Then make sure you check out the range at WeShoot. Go down to the range there. You can get some fantastic training. They have a great pro shop right there in Lakewood, New Jersey. weshootusa.com Evan Nappen 20:26 Also, I want to mention our friends at the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs. They’ve been quite busy fighting in the courts and in the legislature in Trenton. Murphy’s gone, and we did get some new laws, of course. This is a very tough environment, but they also were able to get some changes that are critical. And I was glad to see modifications, although completely stopping when the folks have all the power, is tough, but they made a big difference. We are thankful. Because without the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, we would have no unified voice of umbrella organization of our clubs and organizations. You need to be a member of the Association. Go to ANJRPC.org and join today. You’ll get the newsletters that are the best newsletter in the state on guns. Page – 6 – of 9 You’ll see the email alerts. You’ll know everything that’s going on when it comes to our gun rights in New Jersey. anjrpc.org Evan Nappen 21:45 This is also when I shamelessly promote my book, which is New Jersey Gun Law, the Bible of New Jersey gun law. It’s over 500 pages, 120 topics, all question and answer. It’s your guidebook to not becoming a GOFU in New Jersey. And man, let me tell you, so many times people call me and it’s after the fact. I’m like if they had only read my book, oy vey. We’ll still fight and defend you, but it would have been a lot better if you never had the problem to begin with. And most of my clients would agree with that, I’m afraid. So, get your copy of my book today. Go to EvanNappen.com, EvanNappen.com, and get your copy of New Jersey Gun Law. At this moment, we have Teddy who’s going to tell us about Press Checks. What have you got for us Teddy? Teddy Nappen 22:45 Well, as you know, Press Checks are always free. One of the things I always, I am always astounded by on the Left, because they try to act like they have knowledge and understanding of guns. We know, of course, the closeted hoplosexuals like (Josh) Sugarmann, who actually does know guns, but the vast majority of them do not know guns. I always think back, Dad, to your what was the quote, unquote “firearms expert” on fixed ammunition. Evan Nappen 23:23 Oh, gosh, yeah. Experts testifying under oath that are just flat out lying. Flat out lying. Teddy Nappen 23:32 So, yeah. And here is their new term that they’re trying to push. As I always believe in going to the, going to the gun right suppressors and see what’s their latest message? What are they pushing for? The new term that they have invented is “safeguarding”. That’s their new push. This comes out of The Trace, everyone’s favorite gun rights suppressor organization, written by Fairriona Magee. (https://www.thetrace.org/2026/01/safeguard-gun-barber-red-flag-law-suicide/) Safeguarding. “Violence prevention groups and researchers have spent years working on initiatives to get firearms out of the hands of people who may pose a danger to themselves or others.” Hmm, through the risk, through extremist protection laws, known as Red Flag. Oh, yes. So, they’ve been getting so much flack about the legalized swatting that they have created. That they’ve been pushing through these insane Red Flag laws. So, I love this. While these laws have bipartisan support, oh, from a bunch of RINOs that are anti-gun and don’t believe in Second Amendment rights, but now the Second Amendment groups have launched a concerted attack on Red Flag laws in the court system. Gee, I wonder why. Evan Nappen 24:52 No due process. Teddy Nappen 24:53 Yeah, no due process. You get put in, you get locked up, you get labeled and all. Robbed. Firearms stolen and your rights and your life destroyed. Other than that. Page – 7 – of 9 Evan Nappen 25:03 Yeah. Teddy Nappen 25:04 So, in this supercharged political climate, what are the other options? Well, we have it for you. Safeguarding. The process of taking, temporarily taking, control of someone else’s guns, if they have risk of suicide or harming someone else without involving the criminal justice system. So, what does that mean? That means, okay, if you think your friend may want to hurt themselves or hurt others, just simply say, hey, man, why don’t I take your guns? Let me just keep them in my house. I think you’re going through a rough patch. I’m going to take your guns. These ideas are somewhat analogous with laws that allow people to temporarily ban themselves from buying guns. So, Dad, I’m pretty sure they just advocated for someone to commit a crime in New Jersey. Evan Nappen 25:59 In New Jersey that would be absolutely unlawful because of the other anti-gun laws that they helped push, such as Universal Background Check. So, how do you temporarily give guns to somebody when there’s no transfer of guns allowed unless you go through a dealer and go through the permitting system and go through the entire process? You can’t just say to your buddy in New Jersey, hey, let me just take your guns. No, you can’t do it. It’s got to go through a dealer. You’ve got to do all the paperwork, the NICS check, the whole bit. So, good luck with that. Good luck with that. Because if you listen to what they are telling you to do, you will be committing a felony level offense, multiple felony level offenses, in New Jersey. There is no temporary transfer. This is, in fact, officially, this week’s GOFU, Teddy. Evan Nappen 27:03 As far as I’m concerned, that’s the GOFU. Do not ever temporarily give your guns to somebody else in New Jersey, except under two very narrow circumstances. If you’re at the range, there is a law in New Jersey that allows you, only while the person’s in your presence, to let them try your gun at the range. Or if you’re hunting, and everybody’s legal and licensed and they’re there in your presence while hunting. That’s it. But that’s it. That’s the only temporary transfers allowed to adults legally. There is no provision in New Jersey that allows you to temporarily transfer your firearms or to take somebody else’s firearms temporarily because somebody might want to harm themselves, or you perceive that they’re thinking about harming themselves, or they tell you, hey, I’m thinking about harming myself. Or I would just feel better if you had my gun. Again, none of that flies in New Jersey. None of it. It is completely a violation of New Jersey gun laws. A violation of many of the laws that the gun rights oppressors have pushed to put in place in New Jersey. The reason you cannot do what they’re suggesting in New Jersey is because of their anti-Second Amendment gun laws themselves. So they pass and force the passage of these laws through their fellow comrades in the legislature and then give advice on how to violate the very laws, because they’re so clueless as to what they are doing in terms of the actual effect, the actual effect, it has on real people and the real situation. Teddy Nappen 28:59 So, I love how they end this article too. They get this expert, because they always have to. They always lean on the logical fallacy of, oh, I’m an expert, so trust me on this. Catherine Barber out of the Harvard Page – 8 – of 9 Injury Control Research Center, gee, that doesn’t sound biased. She makes this long winded argument, making it so this sounds like if you’re a gun owner, oh, you’re mentally ill, even though gun owners are more than twice at the risk of non gun owners from taking their own lives. And they equated where we should treat Red Flag like suicide prevention. Just this long winded expression, trying to make it seem like, oh, that’s right, if you own a gun, you probably have mental illness. That is the level of disgusting nature that these people are. And they try to argue that. Evan Nappen 29:56 Right. So they, so that. So, this person’s saying, if you own a gun, you’re mentally ill, and we have these administration folks and this U.S. attorney saying, essentially, if you have a gun, you’re a threat immediately to law enforcement. I mean, they’re just making these assumptions on both sides that are just strictly out of bounds when we’re talking about a Constitutional right, a Constitutional right. I mean, just make believe it’s the First Amendment instead of the Second Amendment. Anyone that freely speaks their mind is mentally ill. Anybody who freely talks to police is justified in being shot, and that doesn’t. Neither those statements make any sense, right? Evan Nappen 30:44 Well, we’re talking the Second Amendment. That’s a Constitutional right. It’s not a second class right, either. Just like the First Amendment is a right, and this right is supposed to be guaranteed by the Government. Guaranteed by the Government. Not given by the Government. It needs to get respected and put in the proper perspective of being treated as a right. It’s not a mental illness. It’s not a threat to law enforcement, intrinsically a threat. This all is based on the individual’s behavior. That’s the point, and that’s what the focus has to be on. But yet it’s so easy to just look at it as a symbol, the symbol. Americans always had this thing about going after the symbols. I mean, why were switchblades banned in the ’50s? Well, they were the symbol of juvenile delinquency, right? I mean, what? Why were machine guns banned, oh, the symbol. It was symbolism. It’s just this constant moral crusade by picking an item, an item to go after. We need to look at actions of people. What is not malum prohibitums, where a legislative body just decides this should be banned or that should be banned. But instead, we focus on the malum and say things that are wrong within themselves, and those things are the actions and wrongdoings by people. That’s where laws have to focus. Teddy Nappen 32:41 I think it definitely needs to be a wake up call. Because, look, I understand, and hopefully we do get common ground. And you know what, if Pretti’s law comes into play and we get enough the Democrats to jump on because they want to, you know, look like they’re 2A affiliates or whatever, which, by the way, anytime you hear the news, the CNN, MSNBC, use the words 2A or democracy. You look at the little end, it’ll say, TM, trademark. It’s their version of the Second Amendment, their version of democracy. That is what they always argue. It’s rules for thee, not from rules for thee, not for me. That is how the Left operate. So, just remember that every time they’re trying to coax the Left, the right against the administration. Evan Nappen 33:30 Well, Pretti’s law will have an interesting effect, because it’ll put the Left on the spot, on the vote. Do you support being able to carry a firearm in public the way he did, where you’re claiming to? Well now Page – 9 – of 9 you’re going to have to put your money where your mouth is. So, to speak, you have to vote. You better vote, I think. And within the same question, wait gets made to the other side. Do you support the Second Amendment or not? So, this is why, politically, it’s an opportunity. Teddy Nappen 34:05 I think we joked that Trump should come out against carry, which would force the Left. Like, I think we joked about that exact thing there. You’re right. He should come out against machine guns. Evan Nappen 34:19 Yeah, absolutely. Okay, because actually, the next thing you know, you’ve got Newsom putting out and Democrat Congresspersons putting out, pro-gun statements, pro-Second Amendment statements. I mean, it’s well, that’s why it’s opportunity time, and hopefully someone will take advantage of it. Evan Nappen 34:48 Well, this is Evan Nappen and Teddy Nappen reminding you that gun laws don’t protect honest citizens from criminals. They protect criminals from honest citizens. Speaker 2 35:01 Gun Lawyer is a CounterThink Media production. The music used in this broadcast was managed by Cosmo Music, New York, New York. Reach us by emailing Evan@gun.lawyer. The information and opinions in this broadcast do not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your state. Downloadable PDF TranscriptGun Lawyer S5 E275_Transcript About The HostEvan Nappen, Esq.Known as “America's Gun Lawyer,” Evan Nappen is above all a tireless defender of justice. Author of eight bestselling books and countless articles on firearms, knives, and weapons history and the law, a certified Firearms Instructor, and avid weapons collector and historian with a vast collection that spans almost five decades — it's no wonder he's become the trusted, go-to expert for local, industry and national media outlets. Regularly called on by radio, television and online news media for his commentary and expertise on breaking news Evan has appeared countless shows including Fox News – Judge Jeanine, CNN – Lou Dobbs, Court TV, Real Talk on WOR, It's Your Call with Lyn Doyle, Tom Gresham's Gun Talk, and Cam & Company/NRA News. As a creative arts consultant, he also lends his weapons law and historical expertise to an elite, discerning cadre of movie and television producers and directors, and novelists. He also provides expert testimony and consultations for defense attorneys across America. Email Evan Your Comments and Questions  talkback@gun.lawyer Join Evan's InnerCircleHere's your chance to join an elite group of the Savviest gun and knife owners in America.  Membership is totally FREE and Strictly CONFIDENTIAL.  Just enter your email to start receiving insider news, tips, and other valuable membership benefits.   Email (required) *First Name *Select list(s) to subscribe toInnerCircle Membership Yes, I would like to receive emails from Gun Lawyer Podcast. (You can unsubscribe anytime)Constant Contact Use. Please leave this field blank.var ajaxurl = "https://gun.lawyer/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php";

Linktree: ⁠https://linktr.ee/Analytic⁠Join The Normandy For Additional Bonus Audio And Visual Content For All Things Nme+! Join Here: ⁠https://ow.ly/msoH50WCu0K⁠The latest Notorious Mass Effect segment dives deep into the explosive legal battle between Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams. In a federal civil complaint filed on January 23, 2026, in the U.S. District Court, Central District of California, Chad Hugo (51), co-founder of The Neptunes and N.E.R.D., accuses Pharrell Williams (52) of withholding royalties and profits, breaching fiduciary duty, concealing financial records, and systematically denying contractual and ownership rights across their iconic ventures.Hugo claims Pharrell has controlled revenues for years from The Neptunes and N.E.R.D., leaving him without his rightful share of album sales, streaming royalties, touring income, merchandise deals, trademarks, and licensing. He alleges being owed $325,000–$575,000 specifically from the 2017 N.E.R.D. album No One Ever Really Dies, with total potential damages ranging from $750,000 to over $1 million in unpaid royalties. Hugo also asserts he contributed to nearly 50 studio sessions between 2019–2021—providing production, composition, and sound design—yet was denied publishing shares, record royalties, and proper attribution as Pharrell took full credit.The dispute highlights ongoing issues with transparency: since 2021, Hugo has requested monthly statements, full financial records, third-party royalty reports, and annual accounts, receiving only limited documents. Review of these shows minimal revenue allocated to him, inconsistent with The Neptunes' massive commercial success. Hugo claims a 50% ownership interest in related entities and points to N.E.R.D. Music LLC's operating agreement (founded around 2014 with Pharrell, Hugo, and Shay Haley), which mandates routine disclosures and defined income splits—allegedly violated as Pharrell entered deals, including partnerships like Adidas, without consultation or disclosure.Hugo seeks a judicial declaration of his rights and Pharrell's obligations, full accounting, recovery of withheld profits, and punitive damages for alleged willful, fraudulent, and malicious conduct. A jury trial is requested.Pharrell's response, via statements to outlets like Billboard and USA TODAY, calls the lawsuit "premature," noting a standard accounting review is underway. His team insists there may not even be a dispute and affirms that any owed money will be paid, expressing good faith and respect for their shared history.This marks the second major clash, following Hugo's 2024 suit over Pharrell's alleged attempt to secure sole control of The Neptunes trademark—still pending into 2026 and escalating their rift to no communication.As pioneers behind hits for Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, and more—inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2022—The Neptunes' legacy now faces this high-stakes conflict amid Pharrell's prominent 2026 year.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/analytic-dreamz-notorious-mass-effect/donationsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Former federal prosecutor for the Central District of California Joe McNally details the legal elements involved in the extraction and pending prosecution of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro on U.S. soil.   Hosts: Patrick Smith & Cedra Mayfield Guest: Joe McNally Producer: Charles Garnar  

This Day in Legal History: George Washington Delivers First State of the Union AddressOn January 8, 1790, President George Washington delivered the first State of the Union address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress in New York City, the temporary capital of the United States. This moment marked the formal inauguration of a constitutional duty outlined in Article II, Section 3, which requires the president to periodically give Congress information on the “State of the Union.” Washington's address was brief—just over 1,000 words—but carried significant weight, as it was the first time a sitting president had spoken to the legislature under the newly ratified Constitution.In his remarks, Washington emphasized the need to build public credit, maintain national defense, and promote science and literature. He called on Congress to consider a system of uniform weights and measures and to establish a national post office. Notably, he stressed the importance of establishing laws that would encourage “a due respect for property” and “the security of liberty.” His recommendations helped shape the early legislative agenda and solidify the constitutional structure of government roles.The address was delivered in person, following British parliamentary tradition, but Thomas Jefferson would later abandon this practice in favor of written messages, considering in-person speeches too monarchical in tone. Washington's speech helped define the president's role not merely as an executive but as a constitutional communicator, responsible for setting national priorities in collaboration with Congress.The legal legacy of this event lies in the precedent it established: that the president would serve not only as head of state and government, but also as an active participant in shaping legislative goals through regular, formal communication. Over time, this annual message evolved into a major political and legal event, shaping policy narratives and underscoring the balance of powers between the branches of government.Tysen Duva, a long-serving federal prosecutor from Florida, was recently sworn in as head of the U.S. Justice Department's Criminal Division, a powerful role now seen as vulnerable to political pressure under President Trump's second term. Duva replaces acting chief Matthew Galeotti, who, despite not being a permanent appointee, had earned respect for shielding the division from direct political interference and maintaining operational independence, particularly in white-collar and public corruption cases. Duva, who has no prior managerial experience at this scale, will now oversee over 1,000 prosecutors amid ongoing departmental turmoil, internal resignations, and controversial Trump-driven interventions.His appointment follows internal conflict, including a recent case where Duva clashed with a Trump-aligned U.S. attorney who tried to fast-track charges against a Democratic congresswoman. While the charges ultimately proceeded, the case highlights the complex political dynamics Duva must now navigate. Though Duva has pledged impartiality and praised Galeotti's example, his lack of a close working relationship with Deputy AG Todd Blanche—unlike Galeotti—may limit his autonomy.Observers note that the Criminal Division has largely avoided the most contentious political directives of the Trump administration so far, including investigations into Trump's critics and cultural flashpoints like gender-affirming care. However, experts warn that Duva may face tighter constraints going forward, with limits placed on certain enforcement areas like overseas bribery and tariff violations. DOJ veterans emphasize that how Duva manages pressure from Attorney General Pam Bondi, Blanche, and the White House will determine the future direction of the department's criminal enforcement strategy.Political Tension Awaits DOJ's Unproven Criminal Division ChiefThe UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has contacted Elon Musk's platform X and his AI company xAI, seeking clarification on how they are complying with UK data protection laws. The inquiry follows reports raising concerns about Grok, X's built-in AI chatbot, and its ability to generate images that may involve the use of personal data. The ICO emphasized that individuals have the right to expect lawful and respectful handling of their personal information on social media platforms. The regulator is requesting details on the safeguards X and xAI have in place to protect user privacy and uphold legal standards under UK data law.Reports have intensified regulatory concern by alleging that Grok has generated explicit images involving underage individuals. The claims raise serious legal and ethical questions under UK data protection and child‑safety laws. Such allegations heighten scrutiny of how training data is sourced, what safeguards are in place to prevent harmful outputs, and how quickly platforms respond when prohibited content is identified. The ICO's outreach suggests regulators are assessing whether existing controls are adequate to prevent the creation or dissemination (clearly not) of unlawful material and to protect minors' rights.UK data watchdog contacts Musk's X over Grok AI images | ReutersFord Motor Company has refiled a lawsuit accusing three California attorneys of orchestrating a fraudulent overbilling scheme to collect more than $100 million in legal fees under the state's Lemon Law. The amended complaint, allowed after a judge dismissed the original case in November, drops law firms as defendants and instead targets individual lawyers Steve Mikhov, Roger Kirnos, and Amy Morse, formerly of Knight Law Group. Ford alleges the attorneys operated a “Fee Motion Department” that submitted fake time entries, including implausible claims such as multiple 24-hour workdays and even a single day billed at 57.5 hours.The lawsuit claims these practices defrauded courts and automakers by inflating legal fees in warranty cases involving defective vehicles. California's Lemon Law allows recovery of attorney fees for reasonable legal work, but Ford argues the defendants manipulated this provision for profit. Ford's legal team says the amended filing includes new details drawn from testimony, reinforcing their claim that the lawyers exploited the court system. The accused attorneys have denied wrongdoing and previously argued the case is a retaliatory move by Ford meant to intimidate lawyers representing consumers. The case continues in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.Ford takes fresh aim at lawyers in lawsuit claiming overbilling scheme | Reuters This is a public episode. 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The Second Amended Complaint filed by Clayton Howard in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California lays out a sweeping civil case against Sean Combs, Cassandra Ventura, Bad Boy Records, Combs Enterprises, and the Beverly Hills Hotel Corporation. Howard alleges a pattern of abuse, coercion, intimidation, and exploitation tied to Combs' business empire, asserting that the defendants either directly participated in or knowingly enabled unlawful conduct. The complaint expands on earlier filings by adding detail, refining claims, and asserting that the alleged misconduct was not isolated but systemic, facilitated through corporate structures, private residences, hotels, and entertainment-industry power dynamics. Howard demands a jury trial and seeks damages, framing the case as one rooted in abuse of power, retaliation, and institutional complicity.The amended filing also emphasizes the role of corporate defendants and venues, particularly the Beverly Hills Hotel, arguing that they failed in their duty to protect individuals from foreseeable harm and instead allowed their premises to be used in furtherance of alleged misconduct. By naming both individuals and corporate entities, the complaint aims to pierce the separation between Combs' personal actions and his business operations, asserting joint liability across the enterprise. The Second Amended Complaint positions the case not merely as a dispute between private parties, but as a broader reckoning with how celebrity, money, and corporate shielding can be used to suppress accountability, with Howard seeking both financial relief and public adjudication of the claims before a jury.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Second Amended Complaint Howard v Combs Ventura.pdf

The Second Amended Complaint filed by Clayton Howard in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California lays out a sweeping civil case against Sean Combs, Cassandra Ventura, Bad Boy Records, Combs Enterprises, and the Beverly Hills Hotel Corporation. Howard alleges a pattern of abuse, coercion, intimidation, and exploitation tied to Combs' business empire, asserting that the defendants either directly participated in or knowingly enabled unlawful conduct. The complaint expands on earlier filings by adding detail, refining claims, and asserting that the alleged misconduct was not isolated but systemic, facilitated through corporate structures, private residences, hotels, and entertainment-industry power dynamics. Howard demands a jury trial and seeks damages, framing the case as one rooted in abuse of power, retaliation, and institutional complicity.The amended filing also emphasizes the role of corporate defendants and venues, particularly the Beverly Hills Hotel, arguing that they failed in their duty to protect individuals from foreseeable harm and instead allowed their premises to be used in furtherance of alleged misconduct. By naming both individuals and corporate entities, the complaint aims to pierce the separation between Combs' personal actions and his business operations, asserting joint liability across the enterprise. The Second Amended Complaint positions the case not merely as a dispute between private parties, but as a broader reckoning with how celebrity, money, and corporate shielding can be used to suppress accountability, with Howard seeking both financial relief and public adjudication of the claims before a jury.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Second Amended Complaint Howard v Combs Ventura.pdf

The Second Amended Complaint filed by Clayton Howard in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California lays out a sweeping civil case against Sean Combs, Cassandra Ventura, Bad Boy Records, Combs Enterprises, and the Beverly Hills Hotel Corporation. Howard alleges a pattern of abuse, coercion, intimidation, and exploitation tied to Combs' business empire, asserting that the defendants either directly participated in or knowingly enabled unlawful conduct. The complaint expands on earlier filings by adding detail, refining claims, and asserting that the alleged misconduct was not isolated but systemic, facilitated through corporate structures, private residences, hotels, and entertainment-industry power dynamics. Howard demands a jury trial and seeks damages, framing the case as one rooted in abuse of power, retaliation, and institutional complicity.The amended filing also emphasizes the role of corporate defendants and venues, particularly the Beverly Hills Hotel, arguing that they failed in their duty to protect individuals from foreseeable harm and instead allowed their premises to be used in furtherance of alleged misconduct. By naming both individuals and corporate entities, the complaint aims to pierce the separation between Combs' personal actions and his business operations, asserting joint liability across the enterprise. The Second Amended Complaint positions the case not merely as a dispute between private parties, but as a broader reckoning with how celebrity, money, and corporate shielding can be used to suppress accountability, with Howard seeking both financial relief and public adjudication of the claims before a jury.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Second Amended Complaint Howard v Combs Ventura.pdfBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

The Second Amended Complaint filed by Clayton Howard in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California lays out a sweeping civil case against Sean Combs, Cassandra Ventura, Bad Boy Records, Combs Enterprises, and the Beverly Hills Hotel Corporation. Howard alleges a pattern of abuse, coercion, intimidation, and exploitation tied to Combs' business empire, asserting that the defendants either directly participated in or knowingly enabled unlawful conduct. The complaint expands on earlier filings by adding detail, refining claims, and asserting that the alleged misconduct was not isolated but systemic, facilitated through corporate structures, private residences, hotels, and entertainment-industry power dynamics. Howard demands a jury trial and seeks damages, framing the case as one rooted in abuse of power, retaliation, and institutional complicity.The amended filing also emphasizes the role of corporate defendants and venues, particularly the Beverly Hills Hotel, arguing that they failed in their duty to protect individuals from foreseeable harm and instead allowed their premises to be used in furtherance of alleged misconduct. By naming both individuals and corporate entities, the complaint aims to pierce the separation between Combs' personal actions and his business operations, asserting joint liability across the enterprise. The Second Amended Complaint positions the case not merely as a dispute between private parties, but as a broader reckoning with how celebrity, money, and corporate shielding can be used to suppress accountability, with Howard seeking both financial relief and public adjudication of the claims before a jury.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Second Amended Complaint Howard v Combs Ventura.pdfBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

The Second Amended Complaint filed by Clayton Howard in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California lays out a sweeping civil case against Sean Combs, Cassandra Ventura, Bad Boy Records, Combs Enterprises, and the Beverly Hills Hotel Corporation. Howard alleges a pattern of abuse, coercion, intimidation, and exploitation tied to Combs' business empire, asserting that the defendants either directly participated in or knowingly enabled unlawful conduct. The complaint expands on earlier filings by adding detail, refining claims, and asserting that the alleged misconduct was not isolated but systemic, facilitated through corporate structures, private residences, hotels, and entertainment-industry power dynamics. Howard demands a jury trial and seeks damages, framing the case as one rooted in abuse of power, retaliation, and institutional complicity.The amended filing also emphasizes the role of corporate defendants and venues, particularly the Beverly Hills Hotel, arguing that they failed in their duty to protect individuals from foreseeable harm and instead allowed their premises to be used in furtherance of alleged misconduct. By naming both individuals and corporate entities, the complaint aims to pierce the separation between Combs' personal actions and his business operations, asserting joint liability across the enterprise. The Second Amended Complaint positions the case not merely as a dispute between private parties, but as a broader reckoning with how celebrity, money, and corporate shielding can be used to suppress accountability, with Howard seeking both financial relief and public adjudication of the claims before a jury.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Second Amended Complaint Howard v Combs Ventura.pdfBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

The Second Amended Complaint filed by Clayton Howard in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California lays out a sweeping civil case against Sean Combs, Cassandra Ventura, Bad Boy Records, Combs Enterprises, and the Beverly Hills Hotel Corporation. Howard alleges a pattern of abuse, coercion, intimidation, and exploitation tied to Combs' business empire, asserting that the defendants either directly participated in or knowingly enabled unlawful conduct. The complaint expands on earlier filings by adding detail, refining claims, and asserting that the alleged misconduct was not isolated but systemic, facilitated through corporate structures, private residences, hotels, and entertainment-industry power dynamics. Howard demands a jury trial and seeks damages, framing the case as one rooted in abuse of power, retaliation, and institutional complicity.The amended filing also emphasizes the role of corporate defendants and venues, particularly the Beverly Hills Hotel, arguing that they failed in their duty to protect individuals from foreseeable harm and instead allowed their premises to be used in furtherance of alleged misconduct. By naming both individuals and corporate entities, the complaint aims to pierce the separation between Combs' personal actions and his business operations, asserting joint liability across the enterprise. The Second Amended Complaint positions the case not merely as a dispute between private parties, but as a broader reckoning with how celebrity, money, and corporate shielding can be used to suppress accountability, with Howard seeking both financial relief and public adjudication of the claims before a jury.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Second Amended Complaint Howard v Combs Ventura.pdfBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

In this episode, host Sloan Simmons joins Title IX experts Sarah Fama and Sinead McDonough for a comprehensive discussion regarding the status of the law as it pertains to gender identity, students, and schools.  Topics covered include the current status of California and federal law and policy on point, as well as the wide-ranging scope of pending litigation poised to impact this area of school law. Show Notes & References 1:54 – Foundational cases impacting Title IX policy (Bostock v. Clayton County (2020) 140 S. Ct. 1731) (Client News Brief 50 - June 2020) 2:55 – Grabowski v. Arizona Board of Regents (9th Cir. 2023) 69 F.4th 1110 5:51 – Parents for Privacy vs. Barr (9th Cir. 2020) 949 F.3d 1210 (Client News Brief 40 - May 2020) 10:48 – Roe vs. Critchfield (9th Cir. 2025) 137 F.4th 912 (Client News Brief 14 - April 2025) 12:49 – Jones, et al. v. Critchfield, et al., Ninth Circuit Case No. 25-5413 13:44 – Regino vs. Blake (formerly Staley) (9th Cir. 2025) (Client News Brief 17 - April 2025) 14:57 – Assembly Bill (AB) 1266 20:00 – United States v. Skrmetti (2025) 605 U.S. 495 22:24 – The law in California 23:25 – CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) Rule 300D and Guidelines for Gender Identity Participation 24:36 – Interactions with federal law 25:56 – Executive Order (EO) 14168 (Client News Brief 12 - February 2025) 27:01 – Tennessee v. Cardona decision 28:29 – Dear Colleague letter - February 4, 2025 30:32 – Federal government's approach and reaction to CIF and AB 1266 (USDOE Press Releases: February 12, 2025; March 27, 2025; June 25, 2025) 34:00 – Related Supreme Court cases (Little v. Hecox, Case No. No. 24-38; West Virginia v. B.P.J., Case No. 24-43) 35:09 – T.S. et al. v. Riverside Unified School District et al., U.S.D.C., Central District of California, Case No. 5:24-cv-02480-SSS-SP, and order on motion to dismiss, (C.D. Cal. Sept. 24, 2025) 2025 WL 2884416 36:25 – Protections for student privacy and their interactions with parental rights 39:22 – Mirabelli vs. Olson et al.¸U.S.D.C., Southern District of California, Case No. 3:23-cv-00768-BEN-VET 40:00 – The SAFETY Act (AB 1955) 44:13 – The dynamic between the federal government and California post-AB 1955 enactment (United States of America v. California Interscholastic Federation et al., U.S.D.C., Central District of California, 8:25-cv-01485-CV-JDE) 50:26 – Foote v. Ludlow School Committee, Case No. 25-77 52:19 – Mahmoud v. Taylor (2025) 606 U.S. 522 (Listen to Episode 97 Mahmoud v. Taylor) (Client News Brief 28 - July 2025) 53:31 – Access to facilities 55:15 – Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board (4th Cir. 2020) 972 F.3d 586 56:06 – Million Dollar Question: Does Title IX protect individuals based on gender identity or not?   For more information on the topics discussed in this podcast, please visit our website at: www.lozanosmith.com/podcast

A truck full of deadly virus-infected "aggressive" lab monkeys were released in a crash in Mississippi. It's about time, right? In fact, doesn't it feel a little late in this disaster of a timeline for that kind of event? Anymore, a thing like that feels like some sort of shitshow oasis. David Waldman has already shown some signs of infection this morning, but Greg Dworkin remains hale, and hearty enough to dredge another a raft o'stories from the dismal fen of Ex-Twitter. Fewer people like Donald K. Trump. More like him less. Tariffs that were to hurt the other guy, foreign and domestic, have been discovered to hurt them as well. Generic Democrats come to the rescue of the American economy. Gops have ways of dealing with those nasty polls, and one way is to simply cease to be and allow the scum to float to the top. Judges are now the last line of defense. A federal judge has decided that Bilal Essayli can't be U.S. attorney for the Central District of California just because the Senate has never selected anyone for the job. Another federal judge demands that violent recidivist Greg Bovino wear a camera and report to her each day. The Ninth Circuit en banc bench continues to block Trump's Portland invasion. The House is trying to fund SNAP because having the National Guard put down food riots might image badly heading into the midterms. South Korea takes satire further than South Park would ever dare, handing Trump a gold crown and a bottle of ketchup. Satire can never catch an administration that keeps male veterans from getting coverage for breast cancer,,, What, hasn't Pete Hegseth banned nipples in the armed forces yet? Meanwhile, Ken Paxton sues Tylenol until he can figure out how to jail mothers of autistic children. In local news… maybe not local to you, but local to somebody, Jay Jones' texting scandal hardly hurts him, let alone Abigail Spanberger. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, on the other hand, hopes the Zohran Mamdanimentum always rolls her way. Andrew Cuomo not only hopes people will remember him next week, but he also hopes they can find him on the ticket.

Vivian Song is running for Seattle School Board District 5, which covers Montlake to the Central District, Leschi to Eastlake, Capitol Hill, Madison Valley, and Madison Park. Her opponent is Janis White. This interview is part of our 2025 Seattle School Board Candidate series. Every Seattle voter will vote on four school board races in the general election: Districts 2, 4, 5, and 7.About Vivian SongFinance professional and advocate for childrenParent with kids in both Seattle Public Schools and private schoolPreviously served as Seattle School Board directorWorked directly with SPS's $1.2 billion operating budgetServed on Levy Oversight CommitteeMember of a unionKey PositionsFirst Priority:Bring back Finance committee and Friday memosAdd another school board meeting each monthOn Structural Deficit:Look at largest sources (bus transportation and substitutes)Spend money more efficiently while delivering better servicesOn School Board Role:Serving as community representatives has been missingDistrict needs to bring community along in decisionsLack of community involvement needs to be front and centerOn Superintendent Search:Need someone good at building a team who can identify their strengths and weaknessesShould set plan for first 100 days and a 10-year visionConcerned chief academic officer position hasn't been filledOn District Structure:Supports hybrid approach balancing centralized and school-based decision makingSchools should have flexibility in professional development, enrichment, and culturally relevant curriculumCentral office should ensure equity and set clear goals for student successOn When Goals Aren't Met:Board should take action, not merely accept progress monitoringAsk what work has been done to understand why strategies haven't workedEnsure principals participate in progress monitoring and receive dataOn Community Engagement:Board should demonstrate awareness and push superintendent to make a planTrack and communicate what topics are being heard from communityBe careful not to listen only to loudest voicesOther Positions:Budgeting needs to be equitable and student-centeredSees board role as accountable to votersEducational Leader She Admires: John StanfordExcited to Work With: Director Joe MizrahiImportant InfoBallots mailed: October 15th | Due: November 4thAlso listen to: Interviews with all District 2, 4, 5, and 7 candidates at rainydayrecess.orgVivian's campaign: songforseattleschools.comPodcast info: rainydayrecess.org | hello@rainydayrecess.orgSupport the showContact us at hello@rainydayrecess.org.Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

In the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Michael Ejiawoko has filed a civil lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs, Vici Properties Inc., Wynn Resorts Ltd., and Northwood Investors LLC, along with unnamed John Doe and Roe entities. The complaint, Case No. 2:25-cv-6750, alleges that Combs committed sexual battery in violation of California Civil Code §1708.5, and that the corporate defendants knowingly benefited from or facilitated the misconduct. The filing asserts that the defendants participated in or enabled a civil conspiracy that allowed acts of abuse and exploitation to occur under their watch or within their properties. Ejiawoko is seeking damages and has demanded a jury trial, signaling an intent to publicly challenge what he describes as a pattern of predatory conduct and corporate complicity.The complaint further invokes the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (18 U.S.C. §1595), suggesting that Combs and the associated corporate entities may have violated federal anti-trafficking laws by facilitating or profiting from a network of coercive sexual exploitation. This elevates the case beyond a state-level civil matter into potential federal jurisdiction, where penalties and liabilities are significantly higher. The inclusion of major hospitality and investment corporations such as Wynn Resorts and Vici Properties indicates that Ejiawoko's legal team aims to expose not only individual misconduct but also the broader systems and business relationships that may have enabled Combs's alleged criminal behavior to persist.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES 1. Sexual Battery (Cal. Civ. Code § 1708.5) 2. Civil Conspiracy 3. Violation of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 1595) DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

In the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Michael Ejiawoko has filed a civil lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs, Vici Properties Inc., Wynn Resorts Ltd., and Northwood Investors LLC, along with unnamed John Doe and Roe entities. The complaint, Case No. 2:25-cv-6750, alleges that Combs committed sexual battery in violation of California Civil Code §1708.5, and that the corporate defendants knowingly benefited from or facilitated the misconduct. The filing asserts that the defendants participated in or enabled a civil conspiracy that allowed acts of abuse and exploitation to occur under their watch or within their properties. Ejiawoko is seeking damages and has demanded a jury trial, signaling an intent to publicly challenge what he describes as a pattern of predatory conduct and corporate complicity.The complaint further invokes the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (18 U.S.C. §1595), suggesting that Combs and the associated corporate entities may have violated federal anti-trafficking laws by facilitating or profiting from a network of coercive sexual exploitation. This elevates the case beyond a state-level civil matter into potential federal jurisdiction, where penalties and liabilities are significantly higher. The inclusion of major hospitality and investment corporations such as Wynn Resorts and Vici Properties indicates that Ejiawoko's legal team aims to expose not only individual misconduct but also the broader systems and business relationships that may have enabled Combs's alleged criminal behavior to persist.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES 1. Sexual Battery (Cal. Civ. Code § 1708.5) 2. Civil Conspiracy 3. Violation of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 1595) DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

Doug Glant is a true renaissance man, a Stanford educated historian, master storyteller, former intelligence officer, radio host, educator, and community builder. From serving with the CIA and DIA in Vietnam and the Middle East to leading his family's Pacific Iron and Metal, Doug has navigated both high stakes, global arenas and the relationship driven world of industry. He's also shared his expertise as a lecturer on business history and US popular culture at Stanford, the University of Washington, and the Bohemian Club. In the community, Doug has been a scout, on and off the field, photographer for the Washington Huskies, a mentor to youth in Seattle's Central District, and—even more unexpectedly—a vocalist performing with the Harry James Orchestra. His leadership roles include serving as international president of the Young President's Organization, national Chairman for Business in the Reagan-Bush White House in 1980, and decades of service to the Anti-Defamation League and American Jewish Committee.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Accountability or weaponization? That's the question Andrew and Mary tackle in their 150th episode together, starting with the distraction of the Office of the Special Counsel's investigation into Jack Smith for possible Hatch Act violations. In other DOJ related matters, they give some context to the Trump administration's continued battle to keep Alina Habba, a Trump ally, as New Jersey U.S. Attorney, just as The Legal Accountability Center filed bar complaints against lawyers who have represented Trump's White House in court. In another sideshow, Andrew and Mary break down what to make of a report on the “Clinton Plan” emails, declassified amid the Epstein controversy. And last up, they detail the decision out of the 9th Circuit Court which upheld a pause on ICE raids in California.  Further Reading: Here is the piece Andrew and his colleague Ryan Goodman wrote for Just Security in October 2024: Refuting the Latest Baseless Attacks Against Special Counsel Jack SmithHere is the 9th Circuit Court decision on ICE Raids: Appeal from the United States District Court for the Central District of California And some exciting news: tickets are on sale now for MSNBC Live – our second live community event featuring more than a dozen MSNBC hosts. The day-long event will be held on October 11th at Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan. To buy tickets visit msnbc.com/live25.Want to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.

Glenn takes a moment to acknowledge all the wins conservatives have had in the last six months, including significant progress in pushing back on transgender ideology, shrinking the government, and strengthening the border. Capitalism is the worst economic system, except for all the others. Bill Essayli, U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, joins to discuss how the Left's anti-ICE rhetoric has contributed to a rise in attacks on federal agents across the country.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Glenn takes a moment to acknowledge all the wins conservatives have had in the last six months, including significant progress in pushing back on transgender ideology, shrinking the government, strengthening the border, and defunding USAID, NPR, and PBS. We haven't had a president with President Trump's amount of bravery since Ronald Reagan. Glenn calls out Democrats for their racist belief that America needs illegal immigrants for labor. Stu reviews recent polling that shows how Americans feel about some of Trump's more controversial policies. Glenn and Stu react to Hunter Biden's expletive-filled rant against conservative immigration policies. Does the Left understand how racist it appears when discussing the importance of illegal immigration? Glenn and Stu discuss the insanity of New York City citizens possibly electing an Islamist socialist. Bill Essayli, U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, joins to discuss how the Left's anti-ICE rhetoric has contributed to a rise in attacks on federal agents across the country. Glenn and Stu discuss the recent cancellation of Stephen Colbert's show and why CBS was within its rights to end it.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

LA Riots: The Marxist Revolution Disguised as Anti-ICE “Protests” | Glenn TV Remember this old prediction from Glenn's chalkboard on Fox News: “Marxists, anarchists, radical leftists, and Islamists will work together to destroy capitalism and the West”? Well, that movement has cascaded all over the world and has now arrived on American streets. As Los Angeles continues to spiral into violent riots, more anti-ICE demonstrations are popping up all over the country in cities like Chicago, San Antonio, Atlanta, and New York. Democrat politicians and rioters blame the violence on President Trump's deportation agenda, but the chaos isn't organic — it's well-organized and well-funded. Interim U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli joins to separate fact from fiction on what actually ignited the protests. He also reveals an ongoing investigation into the organizers and their sources of funding and gives an update on the FBI manhunt for the suspect who hurled rocks at law enforcement vehicles. Watch this video at- https://youtu.be/lmSR2Eybo2I?si=0NtnArTwKZwF4Tin Glenn Beck 1.48M subscribers 93,226 views Premiered 15 hours ago #glennbeck #glenntv #blazetv ► Click HERE to subscribe to Glenn Beck on YouTube: https://bit.ly/2UVLqhL ► Click HERE to subscribe to BlazeTV: get.blazetv.com/glenn ► Click HERE to subscribe to BlazeTV YouTube:    / @blazetv   ► Click HERE to sign up to Glenn's newsletter: https://www.glennbeck.com/st/Morning_... Connect with Glenn on Social Media:   / glennbeck     / glennbeck     / glennbeck   #glennbeck #glenntv #blazetv #theblaze #lariots #marxist #marxistrevolution #colorrevolution #antiice #iceriots #billessayli #nokings

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger PictureThe gas prices hit the lowest memorial day mark in four years, the prices will continue to drop. John Deere will be opening a plant in the US. Trump trapped the D's and Rinos and he has all the leverage, planned a long time ago. The parallel economy is building. The [DS] took the bait, Trump had allowed the [DS] to overthrow the US Gov, the installed a puppet government, now the [DS] is trying to separate themselves from Biden, but what they are doing is showing the D's they lied and Biden wasn't running the country. They are now trapped. This issue will be forced up to the SC, fraud vitiates everything. Did Trump just reveal the plan?   Economy https://twitter.com/ElectionWiz/status/1925165923163378152 (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); https://twitter.com/charliekirk11/status/1925212562221879377  Trump set the Ds/Rinos up a longtime ago, he could have put the expiration date during Biden's term, why did he make the expiration date on Dec 31,2025, it exposes the RINOS and  he needed leverage. https://twitter.com/BreitbartNews/status/1924926073097089041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1924926073097089041%7Ctwgr%5E8870abcb198d4432dd53c081f22209fa9626fe17%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.breitbart.com%2Ft%2Fassets%2Fhtml%2Ftweet-4.html1924926073097089041 The bipartisan bill will create a tax deduction of up to $25,000 for cash tips reported to employers by workers for withholding purposes on payroll taxes, with a cap on the salary for eligible workers at $160,000 annually, the report makes  The bill senators passed now goes to the House, where Republicans have been seeking to include a version of the proposal in their sweeping party-line package for Trump's agenda. “Whether it passes free-standing or as part of the bigger bill, one way or another, ‘No Tax on Tips' is going to become law and give real relief to hard-working Americans,” Cruz said on the floor. Political/Rights https://twitter.com/deluxe_pepe/status/1925185056462479497 Wicked Obama Judge Threatens CRIMINAL SANCTIONS on Trump Officials, Orders Admin to Maintain Custody of Child R*pists and Murderers Allegedly Deported to South Sudan – Trump DHS Responds with FIRE (VIDEO)  Obama judge is so determined to force the Trump Administration to keep the worst possible illegal aliens in America that he is willing to criminally sanction officials who violate his outrageous order.   Per Natalie Winters, here are some of the monsters and their respective crimes. Some have been convicted of murder and r*ping inncoent children. Would Murphy want one of these men as his neighbor?                 Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/nicksortor/status/1925197730223145088 US Attorney's New Program Sidesteps California's Sanctuary Laws Shielding Illegals From ICE In what could be a game changer for the Trump administration's deportation efforts, the U.S. Attorney's Office for California's Central District and federal partners launched a program to “neutralize California's sanctuary state policy.” Operation Guardian Angel,