NBC’s Today smeared Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo on Monday, after he advised state municipal governments to stop adding fluoride to their drinking water. The segment painted Ladapo as a conspiracy kook for raising concerns about water fluoridation, while spending practically no time at all actually explaining what scientific basis he had for the move. Background: Fluoride In Water Fluoride offers proven benefits for dental health. This is basically undisputed. Countless studies have shown it prevents cavities, helps reduce the risk of gum disease, and generally strengthens teeth. However, people don’t need to ingest fluoride in order to receive its dental benefits, and in fact multiple studies published on the National Institute of Health’s website (NIH.gov) indicate that fluoride ingestion poses developmental risks for children. A 2019 study shared by the NIH found that “elevated fluoride intake during early development can result in IQ deficits that may be considerable.” A meta-study of papers published through October 2023, also found on the NIH’s website, “concluded there is moderate confidence in the scientific evidence that showed an association between higher levels of fluoride and lower IQ in children.” Furthermore, the 2019 paper indicated that the currently-recommended fluoride content of water was likely well above the safe threshold for children: “Neurotoxicity appears to be dose dependent, and tentative benchmark dose calculations suggest that safe exposures are likely to be below currently accepted or recommended fluoride concentrations in drinking water.” Everything above is research done in the course of a couple of hours, by somebody with no medical or scientific expertise. The purpose of providing that information is not to make some definitive case against water fluoridation in America, but rather to demonstrate that the people raising concerns about it are serious people. They’re not conspiracy theorists who were swayed by some anonymous blogger’s unhinged rantings, they’re scientists whose research is found on the NIH’s own website. NBC Gets Political Here’s the opening line of NBC News Daily anchor Kate Snow’s report: “Florida’s Surgeon General is going against mainstream public health agencies, echoing sentiments expressed by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., citing research is preliminary and far from definitive.” Snow continued: “Dr. Joseph Ladapo, citing controversial studies that claim that fluoride is linked to neuropsychiatric risk, particularly in pregnant women and children.” It’s unclear what about these studies is “controversial,” other than that Snow appears to personally dislike them. That one sentence was the sum total of Ladapo’s evidence that Snow provided throughout the entire three-minute piece. The rest of the report was a series of arguments about fluoride’s proven benefits for dental hygiene — which, again, Ladapo has not disputed.     Then came the politics: The American Dental Association saying that it unreservedly endorsed the fluoridation of community water supplies as safe, effective, and necessary in preventing tooth decay. But Robert F. Kennedy Jr., tapped by President-elect Trump to lead the Health and Human Services department, wrote on X: “The Trump White House will advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water.” You see, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. opposes water fluoridation, but Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. endorsed Donald Trump for president. According to the transitive property of media idiocy, this means that opposition to fluoride in water is a right-wing conspiracy theory. It would no doubt be beneficial if some network aired a segment about the pros and cons of water fluoridation, including sound bites and data from experts on both sides of the argument. But this was not that segment. Rather, this was a bunch of uninformed news people turning a public health issue political, in order to score cheap points against a Trump cabinet appointee whom they dislike.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has fired American-made long-range missiles to attack Russia — which Vladimir Putin had previously said would be a red line. “Whoever is president of the United States, let’s just use air quotes and say ‘Joe Biden,’ told Ukraine that they could use those long-range missiles,” Glenn Beck of “The Glenn Beck Program” tells Rep. Cory Mills, disturbed. Putin has declared that an action like this will be “treated as a joint assault on Russia.” “For four years, Ukraine had been asking for long-range capabilities, have been asking to be able to hit within the outlying areas inside of Russia in an effort to try and prevent continual assaults, and it was denied, denied, denied,” Mills comments, noting that as Trump’s presidency nears, they’re “continuing to try and spiral things further out of control.” However, while he’s admittedly concerned, he also believes that Trump is the right man to get America through this unscathed. “The benefit we have, however, is that we have an exceptionally strong president coming in, and every one of the world leaders knows that President Trump does not suffer fools and that he does not have the weakness, which invites aggression,” he says. “I think that both Putin and Zelenskyy understand that President Trump coming in is not going to necessarily say, ‘It’s OK for you guys to continue this back and forth, it’s OK to continue the atrocious events that are occurring.’ He’s going to come with an actual solution and say, ‘What kind of sanctioning, what kind of imposement,’ because remember, it was President Trump who actually removed America from the INF Treaty, which had been violated by Russia time and time again,” he continues. “So people know this. They’re taking notice. But it’s disturbing to me that President Biden is doing everything he can to leave president Trump with the biggest mess possible, to stop him from actually getting onto the America First agenda,” he says, adding, “It also strikes me as the deep state going into survival mode.” Want more from Glenn Beck?To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis, and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

Ryan Wesley Routh, the 48-year-old Floridian charged with attempting to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump, revealed his political discontent in a letter addressed to a Politico reporter. Routh was apprehended on September 16 after a Secret Service agent spotted the barrel of a rifle poking out of the bushes on golf course at the Trump International Golf Club at West Palm Beach, Florida. Routh was subsequently charged with attempting to kill the then-presidential candidate on September 26.'I am unclear how we allowed ourselves to fall into just a two-party system, but it infuriates me.'In the letter, which was written before the election, Routh called Trump a "dictator" and said we "must limit all Presidential power before Trump seizes our country" as well as "remove the power of our military by the President and place it with Congress before January." Routh also ranted about the two-party system, claiming it is "designed to exclude most everyone" and forces voters to choose between "such flawed candidates." “I am unclear how we allowed ourselves to fall into just a two-party system, but it infuriates me," Routh said in the letter. “My entire life has been plagued by D’s and R’s," Routh continued. "It seems not long ago there was a push for the libertarian party and now a green party and maybe Truth party. But for some reason our leaders have not allowed any other party [to] be recognized in any race."Routh's alleged assassination attempt came just two months after 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks fired shots at Trump in July during a rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania. In the letter, Routh likened himself to Crooks, saying they were both “ready to die for freedom and democracy.”Routh rounded out his rantings with a closing message demanding peace.“My fellowmen,” the alleged would-be assassin wrote, “please demand peace.”Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Former U.S. men's national soccer goalie Tim Howard said professional athletes dancing like Donald Trump is "stupid" and supports a racist person.The New Jersey native called Trump "racist" and accused athletes of glorifying racism by celebrating with the dance.At the same time, Howard recalled a "Rainbow Laces" campaign when he played in England said he chose to wear laces while others didn't. However, for his decision to represent gay pride, Howard said it was not an "on the field" statement nor a "polarizing moment."Howard has also worn a rainbow armband on multiple occasions throughout his career.The 45-year-old played 13 years in England's top professional league while also representing the United States in the World Cup twice. The goalkeeper criticized the U.S. team's current star Christian Pulisic, who did the popular Trump dance after a goal in a recent game against Jamaica.Howard accused Pulisic of weaseling out of his responsibility when he said he just thought the dance "was funny" and only did it "for fun."The goalie said, "Don't go quiet and don't plead innocence.""I don’t buy that. Any show of support for Donald Trump is political," Howard declared.He also criticized other athletes like NFL star Nick Bosa, claiming in his op-ed for the Daily Mail that Bosa "tried to dodge questions" about wearing a "Make America Great Again Hat."Howard also accused UFC heavyweight Jon Jones of jumping on the Trump bandwagon when he handed the president his championship belt and did the dance at Madison Square Garden. Tim Howard wears a gay pride armband while playing for the Colorado Rapids in 2016.Photo by Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images'[Trump] has repeatedly been slow to condemn white supremacist groups.'Howard went on to say that sports organizations "need to educate players" to remind them that their words and actions matter, further expressing that, in his opinion, Trump's actions have made it "clear" that he is racist.While Howard clarified that Trump has openly stated he isn't racist and gained more black voters in 2024 than ever before, the goalie listed some reasons for believing Trump is racist.Howard claimed Trump called for a "shutdown of Muslims entering the country in 2015," has "repeatedly been slow to condemn white supremacist groups," and also "taunted Barack Obama" over his birth certificate.Further cementing that his politics are undoubtedly approved, Howard noted that the U.S. women's national soccer team has been fighting for "equal pay, and inclusion, and LGBTQ+ rights." This "war" with Trump — as Howard called it — is apparently at odds with Pulisic, the team's "biggest star," because he did the Trump dance.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

CNN contributor Cari Champion accused the network of pushing fake news after fellow contributor Scott Jennings noted X has been more politically balanced since Elon Musk bought the social media platform, citing a survey reported by CNN.The panel on "CNN News Night with Abby Phillip" during Monday's airing debated whether it was a good idea or even possible for Musk, who already owns X, to buy MSNBC, as the parent company, Comcast, is looking to spin off several channels."I mean, is the concern that certain media outlets would become propaganda arms of political ideologies? Don’t we already have that in this country at a large scale? Also I hear what you’re saying about X. I saw a survey this week: It’s now the most ideologically balanced user platform," Jennings said to Champion.'Now, this new overall makeup matches the overall electorate far better.'"Oh, come on, Scott. Scott, stop. It’s too early. I just sat down. I’ve only been here for two minutes. You cannot say that," Champion replied.Both Champion and guest host Audie Cornish challenged Jennings to provide a source to back up his statement."We’ve reported on this network!" Jennings said."It’s not accurate, and you know it," Champion shot back. “Let me frame it a different way. The site changed radically, right? So whether you think the voices are somehow more balanced now, that’s fine. But no doubt Musk’s influence is profound and that you open it up, and now you’re there with his opinion and he is now part of this administration," Cornish said about her issues with the platform.When one panelist asked whether people would have the same concerns if billionaire Bill Gates wanted to buy MSNBC, Champion interjected, "No, because he's sane."The report Jennings was referring to was presented by Harry Enten, the network's senior political data reporter. In 2022, the platform then called Twitter was mainly used by Democrats to look at news. Today, party affiliation is more even, with 48% of users identifying as Democrats and 47% of users as Republicans. "Now, this new overall makeup matches the overall electorate far better," Enten said in his report last week.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A U.S. Capitol Police special agent who has been under a cloud of suspicion over apparently untruthful testimony he and another officer gave in the first Oath Keepers Jan. 6 trial suddenly retired from the department on Nov. 22. David Lazarus was most recently part of the Capitol Police protective detail for U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). Sources told Blaze News investigative reporter and columnist Steve Baker that a retirement party took place on the same day Lazarus’ retirement took effect. 'Special Agent Lazarus was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred.' A Blaze News investigation published in October 2023 showed events in testimony Lazarus gave a year earlier in the Oath Keepers trial could not have happened as he described. Lazarus claimed he witnessed an “antagonistic” encounter between USCP Officer Harry Dunn and a group of Oath Keepers in the Small House Rotunda on Jan. 6, 2021. — (@) While Lazarus claimed he saw the hostile Oath Keepers encounter “three or four times” while walking in the area, CCTV security video reviewed extensively by Blaze News showed Lazarus was in a Senate office building when that encounter began and did not arrive until several minutes after the Oath Keepers had departed. The security video showed Dunn’s actions, likewise, could not have happened as he described under oath. Oath Keepers defense attorneys said the testimony from Lazarus and Dunn called into serious question the guilty verdicts delivered against five defendants in the trial that ended Nov. 29, 2022. Some attorneys have called for the verdicts to be thrown out due to the apparently tainted testimony. “Exposing the Lazarus/Dunn January 6 trial testimonies is absolutely essential to showing the American people how far the DOJ was willing to go to hide the truth from defendants and trial attorneys, not just in the Oath Keepers’ trials but in hundreds of others,” Baker said. “Lazarus can retire, but he can’t hide.” Blaze News also disclosed that a 2016 Capitol Police internal affairs investigation was opened on Lazarus regarding “USCP policy related to alcohol consumption while on duty.” The alleged violation took place at a National Republican Campaign Committee event in Florida. Two Capitol Police Dignitary Protection Division agents said they observed Lazarus at a bar “drinking what appeared to be an alcoholic beverage with a Member of Congress.” The agents “observed that Special Agent Lazarus was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred.” Oath Keepers defense attorneys were not made aware of the OPR investigation or allegations of drinking on duty. The Office of Professional Responsibility investigation concluded Lazarus “may have intentionally given false or misleading statements.” Although the OPR and the inspector for the Dignitary Protection Division said the charge against Lazarus should be upheld, they were overruled by the Capitol Police Office of the General Counsel, according to Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.). In a letter to Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger in March, Loudermilk expressed concerns about how the charge of drinking on duty was overturned without adequate explanation. He also questioned the thoroughness of a 2023 OPR report opened after Blaze News reported on possible perjury by Lazarus. “The lack of a robust investigation into the allegations that Agent Lazarus potentially lied under oath is unacceptable,” wrote Loudermilk, chairman of the House Committee on Administration Subcommittee on Oversight. Baker predicted congressional investigators will continue looking into Lazarus and Dunn. “Although Lazarus and Dunn have both left the USCP, interest in their trial testimonies will likely continue into the next Congress — at least, that’s what we’re hearing,” he said. “These two now-former cops will likely be called before a committee to explain their contradictory accounts of what happened on January 6.” Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

While there are plenty of great city builders out there, few are as gritty and unique as Frostpunk 2 - well, apart from its predecessor, obviously. With an emphasis on not just building an impressive metropolis but surviving the fierce cold of a post-disaster Earth, it’s got a feel that is hard to emulate. A couple of months on from its full launch, developer 11 bit Studios is now charting a course for the future with a brand new roadmap that spans the next two years of the game’s life. Like the original Frostpunk, three big DLC expansions are planned and a free major content update is on the horizon too. Continue reading Sub-zero city builder Frostpunk 2 reveals three DLCs in new roadmap MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best city-building games, Best survival games, Frostpunk 2 review

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As the director of many breakout hits such as Fallout: New Vegas and the more recent Pentiment, Josh Sawyer has had a crucial role at Obsidian Entertainment, an authority on RPG narratives in the modern era of gaming.