Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt received backlash for entering an agreement with Denmark to increase collaboration between the two governments on renewable energy projects. “Today, Governor Stitt joined Ambassador of Denmark to the United States Jesper Møller Sørensen to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Oklahoma and Denmark. The agreement focuses on increasing collaboration between the two governments in pursuit of a robust and innovative energy future. The MOU also includes areas of technology and defense,” a press release from Stitt read. “Thanks to pro-business policies and our ‘more of everything’ approach to energy, the world is taking notice of what’s happening in Oklahoma,” said Governor Stitt. “This mutually beneficial relationship will create opportunities for economic growth and job creation for both Oklahoma and Denmark. Working together on innovative energy solutions will further enhance our already strong relationship with Denmark,” he added. “Why is @GovStitt signing deals with foreign countries to buy up land in Oklahoma for the purpose of destroying its beauty with wind and solar crap while pursuing ‘decarbonization.’ Who needs Democrats?” Daniel Horowitz, senior editor at The Blaze, wrote. Why is @GovStitt signing deals with foreign countries to buy up land in Oklahoma for the purpose of destroying its beauty with wind and solar crap while pursuing "decarbonization." Who needs Democrats? https://t.co/0hA7tYokUj pic.twitter.com/R7G2FUtFjr — Daniel Horowitz (@RMConservative) December 3, 2024 * Image from Daniel Horowitz X Post * From Gov. Stitt’s office: The MOU will leverage Oklahoma’s business-friendly environment, central location and forward-thinking energy policies, alongside Denmark’s technological advancements, to increase energy production while also creating a reliable, affordable energy grid. This dynamic partnership will serve as a benchmark initiative for energy leaders around the world. “The tie between Denmark and Oklahoma has become even stronger today with us agreeing on further collaboration on energy. By combining Denmark’s expertise in renewable energy with Oklahoma’s innovative energy strategies, we will pave the way for new opportunities in sustainable growth, economic development, and shared innovation. This partnership holds immense potential for both our communities and the global energy landscape, and I believe it is an important and exciting step forward in the collaboration between us,” said Ambassador to Denmark, Jesper Møller Sørensen. European Energy has signed an agreement with the US state of Oklahoma to co-develop a wide range of renewable energy assets https://t.co/LWMI1MM99g pic.twitter.com/dH54BIPHBV — reNEWS (@reNEWS_) December 5, 2024 “This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) marks the beginning of a dynamic partnership between EE North America, a fully own subsidiary of the Danish Group, European Energy A/S(EE). EE is a global leader in green energy innovation, and the State of Oklahoma, an energy leader in the United States,” the memorandum read. Per KFOR: Specifically, the memorandum partners the state with Danish-owned energy company, EE-North America, with goals of building a “state of the art power-to-x facility” in the state that would “produce green methanol from renewable energy sources.” Not everyone’s happy about it. “I’m going to beg to differ with him on this particular issue,” said State Rep. Jim Olsen (R-Roland) Olsen is one of several Oklahoma Republicans who publicly questioned the governor’s move this week. Olsen says the state shouldn’t subsidize an industry that he believes can support itself without help. “Our best role as state government is just to get out of the way of those that produce and, you know, keep their taxes reasonably low, keep the regulation low and just get out of their way and let them do business as best they can,” Olsen said. “I’m not opposed to green energy. If someone wants to produce energy from wind or sun, that’s great. And there ought to absolutely be freedom for those companies that want to do that, to do that. But I hate it when government jumps in and tries to pick winners and losers.” Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters also voiced his opposition to the memorandum. “DEI and energy plans resembling the Green New Deal do not belong in Oklahoma,” Walters said. DEI and energy plans resembling the Green New Deal do not belong in Oklahoma. pic.twitter.com/kZK9u8HfQ7 — Superintendent Ryan Walters (@RyanWaltersSupt) December 5, 2024 KGOU reports: Walters said in a press release statement that he opposes the “disruptive expansion of so-called green energy projects.” He says Oklahoma’s expansion into renewable energy was supposed to help fund students and schools but hasn’t in any meaningful way. When green energy companies move into rural areas and build wind turbines, solar farms and hydroelectric storage facilities, they pay ad valorem taxes on the property they buy for those projects to the county jurisdiction that property is in. That money then goes to public school districts with very little property tax revenue in mostly rural areas. However, locals and green energy companies hoping to develop on or near their land don’t always see things the same way, whether it comes to the valuations of properties slated for development or preserving some of the state’s natural resources and tourism hotspots. And that means the money that should be going to students sometimes gets caught in a complicated and time-consuming legal muck. Walters says Governor Stitt is showing “preferential treatment” to the Danish company European Energy North America over vital business interests and the property rights of Oklahomans. Read the full Memorandum of Understanding (MoU):

Los Angeles Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong revealed that the outlet will soon feature a “bias meter” on future articles, meant to better inform readers and further contextualize the lens in which information is being disseminated.

As the jury considers whether to find Daniel Penny guilty of manslaughter, Jordan Neely's father is now suing Penny for his son's death, which purportedly occurred from strangulation on a New York City subway car after Neely repeatedly threatened onlookers in his vicinity.

A progressive political media group founded by former Obama administration staffers has started their own apparel brand that consist of “ANTIFA” onesies and other anti-fascist-themed clothing for kids and adults. 

A founder of the music group the Village People, Victor Willis, talked about the possibility of performing the “Y.M.C.A.” at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. During his appearance on “Fox & Friends First” on Thursday, Willis reflected on how Trump danced to the 1978 hit at his campaign rallies, which led supporters to make videos of themselves doing the dance, making it become a viral sensation that others, including famous athletes, have joined in doing at sporting events. Willis, who co-wrote the disco song, admitted that after Trump made the 70s song shoot to the top of the Billboard charts, 46 years later, band members would have to consider performing it live for him, after recognizing that “the financial benefits have been great.” “If you were to ask me today if the Village People would perform at the inauguration, I would probably say not, because we’d be concerned about endorsement,” Willis said. THE RIGHT RHYTHM: Village People founding member Victor Willis reflects on President-elect Trump “bringing so much joy to the American people” by using the band’s classic hit “Y.M.C.A.” at his rallies, granting him permission to continue using the song at his future events. pic.twitter.com/t2aki7Og9Q — Fox News (@FoxNews) December 5, 2024 “But however … because the president-elect has done so much for ‘Y.M.C.A.’ and brought so much joy to so many people, the song has actually gone back to No. 1, and it’s still No. 1 today, so if he were to ask the Village People to perform the song live for him, we’d have to seriously consider it,” he added. The founding member also reflected on how he ended up having a change of heart about Trump using the song, after initially condemning the use at past rallies starting in 2020. CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE “I decided to allow the president-elect’s continued use of ‘Y.M.C.A.’ because he seems to genuinely, genuinely like the song and so many other artists were stopping him from using their music,” Willis said. “So I decided to contact BMI [Broadcast Music, Inc.] and told them not to terminate his political use license because he seemed to be bringing so much joy to the American people with his use of Y.M.C.A.,” he added. Willis recently hit back at the claim that the tune was some kind of “gay anthem,” as The Daily Wire previously reported. In a lengthy Facebook post, the founder of the group explained that the popular song was based on his perception of the organization, saying he “knew nothing about the Y being a hang out for gays.” Y.M.C.A. is an acronym for the Young Men’s Christian Association nonprofit. “When I say, ‘hang out with all the boys’ that is simply 1970s black slang for black guys hanging-out together for sports, gambling or whatever. There’s nothing gay about that,” the singer said of the lyrics. Amanda Harding contributed to this piece. Related: Village People Founding Member Defends Trump Using ‘Y.M.C.A.’, Says It’s ‘Not Really A Gay Anthem’

CNN devoted multiple segments on Thursday to coverage of a Washington Post report about President-elect Donald Trump’s Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, criticizing him for drinking beer during a “Fox & Friends” segment about St. Patrick’s Day. The story comes just as NBC News ran a hit piece — citing a number of anonymous sources, but apparently not bothering to speak to his former cohosts and colleagues at Fox News — accusing Hegseth of drinking to excess on a regular basis. Newsbusters managing editor Curtis Houck shared some of the coverage via X: The Washington Post story about Hegseth also came up on CNN in the 9am Eastern hour, touting the anonymous sources claiming to have worked at Fox News, but left out the fact that the incident in question in which they saw him drink beer….was on St. Patrick's Day pic.twitter.com/LOPkxEDCi0 — Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) December 5, 2024 And more: And the 6am hour…. “Hegseth has denied all wrongdoing; yesterday mounted a public defense in an interview with fellow former Fox host Megyn Kelly…Last night, The Washington Post reporting this: ‘At FOX News, Hegseth had a reputation as a heavy drinker. According to six… pic.twitter.com/kXV8WmtfUV — Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) December 5, 2024 But what critics quickly pointed out was that the St. Patrick’s Day segment was tame when compared to some of the CNN New Year’s Eve coverage featuring anchor Anderson Cooper, Bravo host Andy Cohen, and former CNN anchor Don Lemon. CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE “Has CNN watched CNN’s New Year’s Eve coverage?” Stephen L. Miller asked. Pete Hegseth had some beers on St. Patrick's Day. https://t.co/memDUtPmxd pic.twitter.com/GyctlovkRh — Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) December 5, 2024 Abigail Jackson, communications director for Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) shared a screenshot of Cooper and Cohen doing shots. Also CNN https://t.co/7wgb9ipylY pic.twitter.com/TGQxZFxVaJ — Abigail Jackson ?? (@abigailmarone) December 5, 2024 There was even an entire segment that ran during CNN’s 2017 New Year’s special in which an obviously intoxicated Don Lemon got a piercing. WATCH The most Cringeworthy thing in 2017 so far: CNN's Don Lemon completely wasted, getting a piercing on live TV… #WTF #CNNNYE pic.twitter.com/WtYVADndAo — Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) January 1, 2017 In 2018, Cooper and Cohen did a lot of tequila shots. The Anderson Cooper shot montage you didn't know you needed #CNNNYE pic.twitter.com/QC2YBhUxd6 — Amber Duke (@ambermarieduke) January 1, 2019 A 2020 segment featured Cohen and Cooper, both inebriated, playing a game with Snoop Dogg. What is going on at CNN, part 1…. An absolutely hammered Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper decides to to play "have you gotten high at" with Snoop Dogg #CNNNYE pic.twitter.com/GRwp0kTm3U — Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) January 1, 2021   Others noticed a parallel to the Democrats’ failed attempts to derail the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh. “It’s literally the exact same playbook as Kavanaugh. When the sex allegations flame out because they are nonsense, switch to ‘He Likes Beer!!!'” David Marcus posted. It’s literally the exact same playbook as Kavanaugh. When the sex allegations flame out because they are nonsense, switch to “He Likes Beer!!!” https://t.co/90hGHc55jC — David Marcus (@BlueBoxDave) December 5, 2024 “They are trying to Kavanaugh Pete Hegseth. We are not letting this happen! Folks, this is the hill to die on. They Kavanaugh Pete Hegseth? And the swamp’s already won,” radio host and former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino said during his Wednesday show. Per Dan: TREND THIS HASHTAG‼️#PushPeteThrough Dan Bongino @dbongino:“They are trying to Kavanaugh Pete Hegseth. We are not letting this happen! Folks, this is the hill to die on. They Kavanaugh Pete Hegseth? And the swamp’s already won.”@PeteHegseth pic.twitter.com/xTSNchMWNq — MAGA Kitty (@SaveUSAKitty) December 4, 2024

Two kindergarten students are in critical condition after a gunman opened fire at a Seventh-Day Adventist school in Oroville, California, on Wednesday. Authorities believe the shooter may have targeted the school because of its religious affiliation, NBC News reported. Butte County Sheriff Kory L. Honea said that the gunman met with the principal of Feather River Adventist School in the early afternoon on Monday, but shortly after that meeting, the man opened fire, wounding two boys, ages 5 and 6. When law enforcement officers arrived on the scene, they found the gunman dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The victims are in “critical but stable condition” as of Thursday. The students “have a long road ahead of them” to recovery, according to the sheriff. Scene from earlier this afternoon at the Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists in Palermo in Butte County. Two students (5 & 6 y.o.) are being treated at out-of-area hospitals for gunshot wounds. The shooter is dead from a self-inflicted shot. @CapRadioNews pic.twitter.com/KoLeWueZ7a — Kate Wolffe (@katewolffe) December 5, 2024 Honea said that information received by the sheriff’s office “leads us to believe that the subject responsible for the shooting targeted this school because of its affiliation with the Seventh-day Adventist Church,” according to NBC News. In a Thursday update, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office said authorities “positively identified the suspect and are diligently working to establish the motive.” The sheriff’s office will hold a press conference at 3:00 p.m. PT on Thursday. Honea said that the suspect was dropped off at the school by an Uber and had a “cordial” meeting with the principal to discuss enrolling a family member in the school, CNN reported. Feather River Adventist School is located north of Sacramento in the town of Oroville and has an enrollment of just 35 students. “Whether or not this is a hate crime or whether or not it’s part of some sort of larger scheme at this point, I don’t have enough information to provide an answer to that,” Honea said. Seventh-Day Adventism is a branch of Protestantism and has around 1.2 million members in the U.S. and Canada and 22 million members worldwide. In March 2023, a Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee, was targeted by a trans-identifying woman who shot and killed three students and three staff members. Before targeting The Covenant School in Nashville, the shooter — a white female — wrote in a manifesto about transgenderism and “white privilege.”

Hunter Biden’s controversial pardon continues to reverberate through legal and political arenas, leaving Americans wondering about its broader implications. The pardon sparked criticism from conservatives and some Democrats alike.bWas the pardon just? Scope and Implications of the Pardon The far-reaching nature of Hunter Biden’s pardon, covering both present and potential federal charges, marks a significant presidential move. This “full and unconditional pardon” comes amid charges of dodging taxes and lying on federal forms regarding drug addiction during a firearm purchase. The pardon sparked discourse on presidential authority, creating a legal shield for Hunter just as legal troubles were mounting. Critics argue that this decision prioritizes family connections over justice principles. With opponents pointing to potential political motivations, the sweeping pardon bears similarities to former presidential pardons, such as Ford’s for Nixon. This action leads to broader discussions on precedent and presidential pardoning power abuse. Hunter Biden pardon 'unprecedented' and 'very unusual,' experts say https://t.co/KY9fPFLncx — USA TODAY (@USATODAY) December 2, 2024 Political Reverberations and Public Response This pardon has drawn diverse reactions. Critics, including Donald Trump, see this as an abuse of power that intertwines family loyalty with presidential duty, ignoring campaign vows. Meanwhile, some Democratic voices also express disapproval, pointing to its potential fallout on Biden’s legacy. Supporters defend it as a necessary defense against a possibly biased Department of Justice should Trump retake office, reflecting deep-seated political tensions. This debate underscores rifts in America’s political climate, gauging the balance of power within the justice system and presidential limits. Proponents argue this bold step was mandated by the perceived Trump-led revival of Justice’s weaponization; critics caution against such heavy-handed interventions. Biden’s pardon of his son, the closest family member to receive a pardon in history, for any offenses over a nearly 11-year period doesn’t have many precedents. The only pardon that comes close is Ford’s pardon of Nixon for any crimes from 1969 to 1974 https://t.co/75XXIxpfRg — Alfons López Tena (@alfonslopeztena) December 2, 2024 The Broader Picture: Pardons Past and Present The Hunter Biden pardon adds to America’s contentious pardon history. This case brings to light past presidential practices where familial ties influenced decisions, stirring debates on fairness and presidential privilege. While Joe Biden aligns with predecessors in exercising such powers, the context remains nuanced given today’s polarized political environment, leaving his decision open to further scrutiny and varied interpretations. As the narrative unfolds, this pardon might define Biden’s presidency in unexpected ways. This highlights the inherent challenges presidents face in navigating personal connections while maintaining political integrity, a delicate dance that demands careful consideration amidst evolving perspectives on justice and governance. Sources: The extraordinary pardon The pardon explained The post Exploring the Ripple Effects of Hunter Biden’s Pardon on Law and Politics appeared first on The Conservative Brief.