There’s an old saying that an elephant never forgets‚ and this heartwarming tale beautifully illustrates that adage. It’s a well-known fact that elephants possess an extraordinary memory‚ an essential attribute that plays a crucial role in their survival. In an elephant herd‚ the matriarch is the keeper of knowledge‚ storing vital information over the years... The post Man yells at elephants he hasn’t seen in 14 months &; herd hold nothing back when they recognize him appeared first on Animal Channel.

In the picturesque White Mountain National Forest of New Hampshire‚ State Trooper Thomas Owens has become quite familiar with the local wildlife‚ especially the black bears. With around 5‚000 of these majestic creatures calling New Hampshire home‚ encounters are not uncommon for Owens. However‚ he’s well aware that it’s wise to keep a respectful distance‚... The post Cop pieces together the reason baby bear refuses to cross the road with its family appeared first on Animal Channel.

Jason Whitlock isn’t Stephen A. Smith’s biggest fan‚ and he’s let his viewers know. Most recently‚ Whitlock accused Smith of exaggerating aspects of his career in the ESPN host’s memoir "Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes" — calling him “Stephen A. Myth.” Smith clearly took it to heart‚ going on a nearly 40-minute rant during which he unloaded explicit shots at Whitlock. The beef has gained so much attention that Shaquille O’Neal even weighed in‚ noting that he wouldn’t speak the way Smith did out of respect for his churchgoing mother. “Jason Whitlock‚ I know he’s going to have something to say‚ and as a fan‚ I’m going to just sit back and watch‚” O’Neal said on "The Big Podcast with Shaq." “Even though those two are serious‚ it’s still comedy to me‚” O’Neal added. O’Neal then went on to laugh as he counted how many times Smith called Whitlock a “fat bastard” in his rant. “You just got a master’s class on how to be a public figure‚ how to be a likable public figure‚ how to be a relatable public figure from Shaquille O’Neal. And how to mix in your message‚ what you really think‚ while being a relatable‚ fun-loving‚ public figure‚” Whitlock says‚ laughing. “Shaq very cleverly took no shots at Stephen A. Smith‚ but basically said ‘I have too much respect for my mother and my parents to make a fool of myself the way that Stephen A. Smith did‚’” Whitlock continues. “He made a fool of himself‚ and Shaq very politely called it out‚” he adds. Want more from Jason Whitlock?To enjoy more fearless conversations at the crossroads of culture‚ faith‚ sports‚ and comedy with Jason Whitlock‚ subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America‚ defend the Constitution‚ and live the American dream.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations may be too extreme now‚ even for the Biden White House‚ but apparently not for Chicago Public Schools. The Center Square recently highlighted that the Chicago chapter of CAIR is working with the CPS on countering so-called Islamophobia as well as on other student-focused initiatives. According to the CAIR-Chicago website‚ the extremist group "has been working with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) as well as numerous private and suburban public school districts on numerous projects to promote inclusion and understanding about Islam and the Muslim community." This partnership affords schools the ability to subject parents‚ children‚ and faculty to CAIR training on matters of rights‚ cultural sensitivity‚ and Islam. Extra to propagating its preferred narratives‚ CAIR-Chicago purportedly "meets and advocates to schools and districts to ensure that students' rights are protected." Despite masquerading as experts on sensitivity and combating bullying in the classroom‚ CAIR has a well-earned reputation for hatred and anti-Semitism — and not just because the Obama Justice Department noted that "evidence at trial linked CAIR leaders to Hamas‚ a specially designated terrorist organization‚ and CAIR was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the case." Blaze News previously reported that Nihad Awad‚ the executive director and co-founder of CAIR‚ said during his Nov. 24 speech at the American Muslims for Palestine conference that the Hamas terror attacks on unarmed women and children made him "happy." "The people of Gaza only decided to break the siege‚ the walls of the concentration camp‚ on Oct. 7‚" said Awad‚ who previously spoke explicitly in support of Hamas. "And yes‚ I was happy to see people breaking the siege and throwing down the shackles of their own land and walk free into their lands that they were not allowed to walk in." "And yes‚" continued Awad‚ "the people of Gaza have the right to self-defense‚ have the right to defend themselves. And yes‚ Israel as an occupying power does not have that right to self-defense." Awad's extremist rhetoric was hardly exceptional where CAIR was concerned. Zainab Chaudry‚ the director of the CAIR chapter in Maryland‚ was temporarily suspended from her position on the state's new hate crime task force in late November after referring to the Hamas terror attacks‚ which left thousands dead‚ as the "uprising in Palestine." Chaudry‚ who was ultimately reinstated‚ also claimed that the Hamas terrorists were akin to "Ukrainian freedom fighters‚" Israel was a Nazi state‚ and the Israeli babies butchered by Hamas were "fake." The head of CAIR in Los Angeles‚ Hussam Ayloush‚ said in a Dec. 1 address to the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City‚ "Israel does not have the right to defend itself as an occupier. ... This is not a rhetorical thing. It doesn't‚ legally‚ under international law." When pressed about the CAIR-CPS partnership‚ Roz Rothstein‚ co-founder and CEO of StandWithUs‚ told the Center Square‚ "While we can't comment on this specific program without seeing its content‚ we urge institutions that work with CAIR to seek alternative partners that genuinely support mutual respect and understanding between all communities." Blaze News reached out to CPS to determine whether this partnership was still active despite the terror apologetics and hateful remarks issued by elements of the Islamic activist group's leadership but did not receive a response by deadline. Regardless of whether this formal partnership persists‚ CAIR-Chicago continues to exert pressure on CPS. CAIR-Chicago recently leaned on CPS last month to take action against a Chicago Academy Elementary School substitute teacher who dared to call Hamas terrorists "terrorists" on Dec. 15. Mahmoud Ihmud‚ an 8-year-old student at the school‚ told WBBM-TV that his substitute art teacher "said that Hamas are terrorists." "I said I was from Palestine. She said‚ 'Hamas are terrorists.' I was like‚ 'That's not true.' She was like‚ 'Yes it is.' I was like‚ 'That's not true.' She goes‚ 'No‚ it's true - and it's true‚ I'm going to hit you‚'" recalled Ihmud. "And then I pushed her away‚ and then I ran back to my desk." CAIR-Chicago joined the boy's father in seeking the departure of the Hamas critic. "We call on CPS to intensify its investigative efforts‚ engaging additional witnesses to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the events that transpired‚" said Phil Robertson‚ litigation director of CAIR-Chicago. "This is fundamental in taking appropriate actions to address any misconduct and restore a sense of security for the affected student." The teacher was placed under investigation and removed from the school. Chicago Academy Principal Joyce Pae notified parents and staff‚ "We received a report that a substitute teacher used Islamophobic language in one of our classrooms on Friday. Upon receiving this report‚ we immediately launched an investigation‚ and have notified the CPS Office of Student Protections and Title IX to support our school as needed. This substitute teacher has been blocked from working in our school." "I want to make it extremely clear that we are taking this incident very seriously‚ and that Islamophobia and bias-based language has no place at our school and will not be tolerated‚" added Pae. According to CAIR‚ "Islamophobia" includes any allegation that Islam is "inherently or uniquely violent‚ misogynistic‚ inferior‚ intolerant‚ primitive‚ devious‚ or that Islam is the antithesis of civilization." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

In-N-Out Burger is planning to shutter its only Oakland‚ California‚ location.The burger joint's lone restaurant in the Bay Area-city has been operating for nearly two decades‚ and‚ importantly‚ it is profitable. But the company announced over the weekend that high crime in the Democrat-controlled city has made it impossible to operate safely."Despite taking repeated steps to create safer conditions‚ our Customers and Associates are regularly victimized by car break-ins‚ property damage‚ theft‚ and armed robberies‚" In-N-Out chief operating officer Denny Warnick said in a statement. "[T]his location remains a busy and profitable one for the company‚ but our top priority must be the safety and wellbeing of our Customers and Associates — we cannot ask them to visit or work in an unsafe environment."Patrons who frequent the restaurant said they are sad about the closure. Unfortunately‚ they understand why In-N-Out made the decision."I'm definitely frustrated‚" Oakland resident Jenny Goeppner told KPIX-TV. "Because if it's not In-N-Out‚ it's something else tomorrow."Resident Darryl Brown added‚ "These are people's jobs‚ and it's essential to have jobs so we can spend money in the community."Oakland‚ like most other Democrat-controlled cities‚ is experiencing significant problems with crime. Specifically‚ crimes like motor vehicle thefts‚ burglaries‚ and robberies have skyrocketed in the city.The In-N-Out in Oakland‚ which sits just two miles away from Oakland International Airport‚ has been hit particularly hard by the crime wave.In fact‚ security guards who work in the area recently told the San Francisco Standard that they take more calls from the In-N-Out than any other patrol location in the city‚ with multiple vehicle break-ins happening daily."On a regular day‚ I'd say five‚" one security guard told the news outlet. "On a bad day‚ I can't even get a report in because it's back-to-back."In-N-Out said that impacted employees can transfer to other In-N-Out locations in the Bay Area or they may choose to receive a severance package. The restaurant will officially close on March 24. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Asheville‚ North Carolina‚ is looking to reinvest in biodiesel-powered buses after investing millions of dollars in an electric fleet that is only partly operable‚ WLOS reported.Cities across America are starting to regret their massive electric bus investments as they continue to pour funds into costly‚ time-consuming repairs.Asheville purchased five Proterra electric buses in 2018 for $5 million. Since then‚ the city has spent more than $200‚000 to build vehicle chargers. Additionally‚ Asheville spends $118‚000 annually for the contract to lease the buses' batteries and another $45‚481 to charge the vehicles‚ according to Asheville's interim transportation director‚ Jessica Morriss. "[I]f you added that altogether‚ I think‚ probably $900‚000 to $1 million is what each one cost. And‚ since then‚ we've had to invest additional money into maintaining them and fixing them‚" she added.Only two of the five EV buses are currently operating while the other three are out of service while awaiting repairs. The city reported that the faulty buses have had several software and mechanical issues since they were delivered. One of the buses has been parked since July because the city cannot obtain a manufacturer replacement for a broken door. "We haven't been able to get new doors‚" Morriss explained. "There's no third party that makes a door. We'd have to get custom-made doors."Morriss noted that maintenance costs‚ including replacing traction drive controls on all five buses‚ have cost the city an additional $251‚000.According to maintenance director John McDaniel‚ several EV buses have needed new power inverters‚ which cost $14‚000 each.Proterra filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August after receiving $10 million in COVID relief loans from the Paycheck Protection Program in 2020‚ which were ultimately forgiven. The EV company‚ which President Biden has praised‚ also received other government incentives and support."Since June 2023‚ we have had numerous issues with vehicles out of service for weeks and months‚" Morriss stated.The two operating buses in Asheville's EV fleet are not performing well in the colder winter months. McDaniel explained that the buses could travel only about 78 miles‚ equivalent to about three trips to the airport‚ before they must be charged for several hours.With some of the buses broken down‚ the city is relying on its 32 biodiesel and hybrid buses to transport commuters. Asheville plans to spend another $550‚000 each for two more biodiesel buses. "There's some lessons here for sure. We're pressing pause on investing in any electric technology until we can assure the products we get are going to be able to work‚" Morris remarked.In September‚ all eight electric Proterra buses in Jackson‚ Wyoming‚ were out of commission‚ Blaze News previously reported. The town switched to its diesel-powered fleet to keep operations moving. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority invested in 25 Proterra buses‚ which it has not been able to use for over three years.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

What 2020 was in theory‚ 2024 has been in practice for our family. I’ve rarely gotten sick in my life‚ but this winter has been penitential to say the least: one illness after another‚ with a week’s reprieve. Late December brought the stomach flu. Now January brings a head cold. This recipe is my favorite thing for illnesses other than the stomach flu: flavorful enough to break through a stuffy palate‚ spicy to clear the sinuses‚ and full of herbs to clear infection. My kids love it. I make this for postpartum friends‚ too‚ and it is a big hit. After the initial dinner‚ this feeds our family of five for the better part of a week. I live near a Trader Joe’s and thus rely on its pre-made curry sauce‚ 11oz per container‚ which is actually very clean‚ nutritionally speaking. I’m assuming alternatives can be found at other grocery stores‚ and if not‚ here is a recipe for a homemade version. Ingredients 2-4 packages chicken strips (uncooked) (this may seem like a huge variance. Two work‚ but my husband is a protein fiend‚ so I tend to go overboard) Garlic (to taste) 2 onions 1 package of scallions‚ chopped (separate the white parts from the green‚ and leave the green aside with the herbs) 1 package of multicolor carrots 1 head green cabbage or bok choy 1 package of mushrooms 2 cups chicken broth 2 cups jasmine rice 2 containers of Trader Joe’s red curry sauce 1 14-ounce can of coconut cream 1 lime Basil‚ parsley‚ and any other herb you like Preparation Cook your rice using one of the containers of chicken broth (I’ve mentioned this before‚ but I always cook my rice in broth and add grass-fed beef gelatin to rice for the added protein and collagen) In a Dutch oven or large soup pot‚ on medium-high‚ sauté all the chicken in olive oil‚ then set aside In what’s left in the pan‚ sauté garlic‚ onions‚ carrots‚ and white parts of the chopped scallion until onions are clear Throw in one package of chicken broth‚ turn it up to high and let the contents boil While soup is boiling‚ shred or cut up the sautéed chicken Turn down the heat to medium and add two containers of curry sauce and the softer veggies (mushrooms and cabbage) After 5 minutes or so (your carrots should be soft)‚ turn it down to medium low and add the chicken‚ coconut cream‚ and lime juice‚ stirring well Add in chopped herbs and stir gently till incorporated

For a long time‚ the media has harped on global warming — the idea that our planet is progressively getting hotter‚ causing countless issues. However‚ as soon as the temperatures plummet — as they inevitably do — people start asking questions about the legitimacy of global warming. Why are we suddenly experiencing sub-zero temperatures if our planet is supposedly getting hotter? A very fair question. Pat Gray plays a clip of CBS News' Ben Tracy attempting to answer this question by linking "climate change" and "arctic chill.” “It has been really cold in most of the country for the past week or so‚ and you’ve probably heard some people say‚ ‘So much for global warming‚'" Tracy said. “Well‚ when we talk about climate change‚ we're talking about the planet warming over the course of many decades‚ not what just happens in one winter or over the course of a couple of weeks.” “Keep that in mind: the same thing does not apply in summertime when it's 106. That is unprecedented; it is unreal; it is unsustainable ... but in the winter‚ totally explainable‚” interjects Pat sarcastically. “We also know that on a warming planet‚ the atmosphere can hold more moisture‚ which means that we get extreme precipitation events‚ including snowfall‚ and we’ve seen a whole lot of snow all over the country in the past couple of weeks‚” Tracy continued. “Wait‚ wait‚ wait‚” says Keith Malinak. “We just went years without measurable snowfall in the northeast ... so‚ we’ve just been warming for the last two weeks then?” “In the 2000s‚ they were telling us there wasn't going to be any more snow — you'd have to explain to your children what snow was — at one time‚” adds Pat in disgust. But Tracy wasn’t even close to done. “We do know that the arctic is warming faster than anywhere else on the planet‚ and that is causing a whole lot of weird weather. There is some evidence that climate change is actually destabilizing that polar vortex‚ which allows all that cold air from Canada to funnel down into the U.S.‚ and that could happen more often in the future. Now‚ that doesn’t mean that the future is going to be colder. On average‚ the future will be warmer‚ but during winter‚ we still will have these extreme cold outbreaks‚” Tracy concluded. “So‚ they’re telling us that in the winter‚ it’s going to be cold‚” laughs Pat. “What a hoax.” To hear more of Tracy’s outlandish weather analysis and Pat and Keith’s hilarious commentary‚ watch the clip below. Want more from Pat Gray?To enjoy more of Pat's biting analysis and signature wit as he restores common sense to a senseless world‚ subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America‚ defend the Constitution‚ and live the American dream.

OSHA has now assessed an American poultry company a fine of over $200‚000 after a teen‚ who was too young to work at its Mississippi plant‚ died last summer while cleaning some dangerous equipment.In July‚ 16-year-old Duvan Tomas Perez was performing a deep clean of the deboning machine at the Mar-Jac Poultry plant in Hattiesburg‚ Mississippi‚ located about 75 miles north of the Gulf Coast. What happened next sounds like a scene from a horror movie. As Perez was cleaning‚ the machine‚ which was still connected to an energy source‚ accidentally turned on‚ and "the teen was caught in the rotating shaft and sprockets and pulled in‚" said a statement released last week by the U.S. Department of Labor. Perez died as a result of his injuries."[L]ockout/tagout procedures were not utilized to disconnect power to the machine and a lockout/tagout device was not used to prevent the machine from unintentionally starting during the cleaning‚" even though there was a manager on duty in the area‚ the statement explained.After an investigation into Perez's death‚ OSHA cited Mar-Jac Poultry for "14 serious and three other-than-serious violations‚" including failing to enforce safety protocols regarding de-energizing machines and otherwise preventing machines from suddenly restarting during cleaning. OSHA also issued the company a fine of $212‚646."Mar-Jac Poultry is aware of how dangerous the machinery they use can be when safety standards are not in place to prevent serious injury and death‚" said OSHA regional administrator Kurt Petermeyer. "The company’s inaction has directly led to this terrible tragedy‚ which has left so many to mourn this child’s preventable death."Perez was an immigrant from Guatemala‚ though whether he was in the U.S. legally or illegally is unknown. He had been in this country six years at the time of his death. Perez was originally hired by Onin Staffing‚ which then contracted him to Mar-Jac. According to reports‚ Perez had used the identity of a 32-year-old man to bypass state laws preventing those under 18 from working in poultry plants because of the dangers associated with them.Immediately after his death‚ Mar-Jac denied knowing that he was underage before the accident occurred. It also claimed that third-party staffing agencies like Onin are responsible for verifying that employees meet the necessary qualifications for work in the plant.OSHA's Wage and Hour Division has opened an investigation into possible child-labor law violations in this case. That investigation remains pending. As tragic as Perez's death was‚ it was actually the second death at the Mar-Jac Poultry plant in Hattiesburg in as many years. In May 2021‚ another employee was killed when his or her sleeve became caught in a machine‚ pinning the individual to "the support and the machine’s carousel" while it was still operating."Following the fatal incident in May 2021 Mar-Jac Poultry should have enforced strict safety standards in its facility‚" Petermeyer added. "Only about two years later nothing has changed and the company continues to treat employee safety as an afterthought‚ putting its workers at risk. No worker should be placed in a preventable‚ dangerous situation‚ let alone a child."Mar-Jac — which is based out of Gainesville‚ Georgia‚ and has plants scattered throughout the Gulf region — has 15 business days to comply‚ contest OSHA's findings with the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission‚ or request an informal conference with OSHA. Mar-Jac did not respond to the New York Post's requests for comment.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Serbian superstar tennis player Novak Djokovic is no stranger to criticism. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic‚ he was severely ridiculed and banned from competing in several of the world’s biggest tournaments for refusing to take the vaccine. Back in 2022‚ he told a BBC reporter in what’s now a famous interview that being barred from competing was “the price [he was] willing to pay” to maintain autonomy over his body. “The principles of decision-making on my body are more important than any title‚” he said confidently‚ despite the interviewer’s apparent disapproval. Today‚ Djokovic is revered by many as an anti-vax hero. However‚ there are some out there who believe in the infallibility of the vaccine and continue to condemn the athlete’s decision. This was evident during a match that took place over the weekend during the Australian Open. Dave Rubin plays a clip of Djokovic’s response to a heckler in the crowd who brazenly shouted‚ “Get vaccinated!” Without reacting‚ Djokovic scored what is called an ace — a serve that is hit so perfectly the opponent cannot even come close to returning it. “That's what it's all about — standing up for what you believe and doing what you think is right‚” says Dave. To see Djokovic’s epic shot for yourself‚ check out the clip below. Want more from Dave Rubin?To enjoy more honest conversations‚ free speech‚ and big ideas with Dave Rubin‚ subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America‚ defend the Constitution‚ and live the American dream.