Choosing A Hospital “No one ever thinks medical neglect will happen to them. We have this belief‚ or at least I did‚ that when there is a health problem (either mentally or physically‚ or both) we will be treated and helped. I had to learn the hard way that unfortunately there are nurses who should not have ever been nurses. I found out that I was pregnant with my third‚ and final‚ child on December 16th‚ 2021. My husband and my two older daughters were so excited! My daughters hugged my stomach and immediately started talking to the baby. My husband was very excited at the prospect of having one final chance at having a son (spoiler alert: our final baby ended up being a girl). I went into this pregnancy with so much confidence as I had been pregnant twice before‚ had healthy pregnancies‚ and two healthy daughters. I found a hospital near my rural home that was highly rated in their labor and delivery department and known to have nurses who were very kind and patient with their new mothers‚ often going above and beyond to help with the babies! I thought this was great‚ as I had experienced this with my oldest daughters and wanted that again with this baby since the original hospital I attended had closed down. This new hospital seemed like it would be a dream. Medical Malpractice I was about to have my confidence taken away and the rug ripped out from under me very swiftly. This pregnancy ended up being my worst pregnancy due to my symptoms and due to being neglected by my midwife and most of the nurses during my four-day hospital stay after having to have a c-section. I went to my first appointment on January 20th‚ 2022 and found out that everything was going well with the baby! The doctor asked me how my last pregnancies were and asked if I had any concerns. I said that I was having awful morning sickness (there were days I couldn’t eat or drink or even get off the couch) and I was already gaining weight and my thighs felt bigger. The doctor did not seem too concerned because at the time my blood pressure wasn’t high and she had told me I might gain weight quicker with my third pregnancy. She did have me do a twenty-four hour urine sample collection to check for protein and she gave me tips for my morning sickness. I booked my appointments for my whole pregnancy at that appointment and after meeting the doctor I felt I had made the right choice with this hospital! From there it just went horribly. I would come to find out midwife‚ who ended up treating me instead of the doctor‚ seemed to not take anything I told her seriously at all. When I was four months pregnant‚ I woke up with extreme back pain. After two hours‚ I could not stand the pain any longer so I went to a local prompt care. The on-call doctor looked me over and said it might be my kidneys and that I should go to the emergency room in the hospital I would be delivering at. After arriving at the hospital and being checked in‚ the on-call physician checked on Abigail (our baby girl) first and then checked me over and concluded that my kidneys had filled with fluid and my right kidney is presenting with medullary sponge (a non-serious problem that would have to be monitored). They decided to send me home that day and said I would need to see a local urologist to continue to monitor my kidney and ensure it did not become more serious. While I was in the emergency room‚ the on-call physician called the midwife and asked her to inform the doctor of everything that had happened. She said she would but I later found out that she did not because she didn’t think the doctor would need to know. At five months pregnant‚ I started to have swelling around my ankles‚ calves‚ hands‚ and wrists. I was also having headaches and cloudy urine. I knew what a pregnancy was supposed to feel like and I knew something was wrong. I could feel something was not right with this pregnancy. I made a list of symptoms that arose after my morning sickness ceased and presented them to the midwife. The midwife was unconcerned with my list but she laughed and said she would humor me by having me pee in a cup. She looked at my cloudy urine and determined it would not need to be tested because she could see that I had a urinary tract infection. She prescribed me antibiotics and sent me on my way. In my sixth month of pregnancy‚ I contracted another urinary tract infection that was ignored by the midwife and once again it only got detected because I had to take myself to the emergency room and get tested. With my first two pregnancies‚ every time I went to an appointment I would have my urine checked‚ my weight checked‚ my blood pressure checked‚ and then the midwife or doctor would listen to the heart beat or do a sonogram. I would then get measured from my pubic bone to my belly button so they could determine fundal height. During my third pregnancy‚ my urine was not checked and my blood pressure was not checked either. I told the midwife numerous times that something was wrong and I did not feel okay. The midwife would always tell me that I was fine and I was just being a nervous pregnant woman. When I would tell her I was not being hysterical and I knew in my heart something was wrong‚ she would tell me she’d been treating pregnant women for years and she knew I was fine. I would come to find out later that the midwife was under strict orders to check my urine‚ blood pressure‚ listen for heart beat‚ and check the fundal height. These orders were from the doctor that was in charge of the midwives including the one I was seeing for my appointments. At this point in time anyone reading would be yelling at me to go find a new OBGYN and asking where my husband was. I live in a rural area and the only available OBGYN that was close was the one I was seeing for my appointments. Now‚ there are new gynecologists in the area which makes me happy because now women can be safer. Also‚ my husband had just started a new job‚ with a toxic company (we didn’t know was toxic)‚ and the boss would not let him take time off to come to appointments. He has since left that company. Getting Diagnosed When I was seven months pregnant‚ I complained to my midwife at two appointments and told her my back was hurting and that it was hurting to pee. I showed her my wrists‚ hands‚ feet‚ and ankles and how swollen they were. I told her that my feet were so swollen I had to buy larger shoes so that I could have shoes that fit me. Again‚ the midwife just laughed me off and sent me away. I was so fed up with her that I went to the emergency room. There they tested my urine‚ blood pressure‚ weight‚ they checked on Abigail‚ and then my fundal height. The on-call physician then told me I had a very bad vaginitis and would need to start antibiotics immediately. He concluded that my vaginitis was probably the cause for my swelling. After picking up my medicine‚ I went home and switched all of my appointments so that I could see the doctor. Even though I would have to drive one hour and thirty minutes to her clinic‚ it was worth it because I had hope that the care could be better. Luckily‚ my daughters weren’t in school at the time‚ so I was able to make this drive back and forth without having to worry about dropping them off. I saw the doctor again at the end of my seventh month of pregnancy. At that appointment we discussed how I was very done with my pregnancy and she agreed that we should schedule a c-section. It was scheduled for August 16th‚ 2022 and I was so relieved. I thought this was the light at the end of my tunnel. Turns out‚ I was just going from the frying pan into the fire. Traumatic Birth &; Postpartum Treatment On August 16th‚ 2022 I went to the hospital for my c-section. I got checked in and they did a final sonogram and cervical check to see if there was a chance I could have her naturally. Unfortunately‚ Abigail had other plans and so they proceeded to get ready for my c-section. I was so happy to be taken back; as the procedure started‚ I felt relieved because I knew this horrible pregnancy was finally coming to an end! At 7:48 in the morning‚ Abigail was born and boy she was unhappy! When they laid her on my chest so I could hold her I started to cry because I thought it was over and I would be going home in two days time. What no one told me is that after a c-section you’re not supposed to overeat or even drink. The nurses kept allowing my husband to bring me food and drinks which I happily consumed because I was starving and thirsty. Soon‚ I was throwing up and crying because it hurt so bad. The nurse told me later on‚ ‘Yeah‚ you weren’t supposed to eat and drink that much.’ Later‚ my daughters came to the hospital to see me and meet their baby (as they called her). They instantly fell in love with her and since then have been very protective of her! After a while‚ however‚ they really wanted to walk around as they were restless‚ so I asked if we could and the nurse said‚ ‘No. Due to Covid-19 restrictions‚ you cannot just wander aimlessly.’ From that comment on‚ I knew my care wasn’t going to be good. That night‚ my blood pressure started getting really dangerously high. On the morning of the 17th‚ I was told that they needed to keep doing blood pressure checks because the doctor was worried and I might not be going home on the 18th. That scared me because I never had problems with blood pressure. The nurses did not help. They would not explain to me what was going on‚ why this was happening to me‚ what they were doing to fix this issue so I could go home. They were keeping my baby from me and not telling me anything about her care. Even when they brought her in to see me to eat‚ they would coldly remove her from my breast after thirty minutes because she needed to be checked. All of this added to my stress‚ which of course did not help my blood pressure. I fell into a deep depression because I couldn’t have my baby. Also‚ for some reason‚ they changed my menu to a low-sodium diet‚ did not tell me they were doing this‚ and refused to change it back to a normal menu so I could eat. In Illinois‚ hospitals are supposed to have patient-centered care and patients can refuse care even if they need it. I was never given the option to refuse or not refuse that menu change. They were also giving Abby formula which led to her not wanting to latch on to my breast or breastfeed. This hurt because I wanted to breastfeed my baby and had made this clear. I started calling my husband and every time he answered I would sob into the phone. I spent all day every day in that hospital crying. I had no idea what was going on and neither did my husband because they were not telling him anything at all. Finally‚ on the 19th it all came to a head when I texted my husband and said I wanted to jump out of the window to end all of this. He drove up to the hospital and demanded a conversation with all of the nurses‚ not just the night nurses. The D.O.N called the nurses that had been administering my care and they went to a conference room. My husband then demanded to know why my mental health was declining. They denied I had a problem even though I almost had a stroke because of my blood pressure and was obviously depressed. The director then got mad and told them to give me a suicidal questionnaire. My husband said I was not in my right mind‚ but they kept fighting him. Healing From Malpractice When I got the suicidal questionnaire‚ I failed it‚ and they finally informed my doctor as to what was happening. They only called the on-call doctor who did nothing to help and my actual doctor was very justifiably upset. She came to the hospital and spoke to me and then yelled at the nurses. My doctor even put in an order that I could have my child when I wanted for as long as I wanted to have her. I was finally given psychotropics‚ blood pressure medicine‚ and bonding time with my baby! On the 20th‚ I was released from my own little slice of hell and taken home. When Abby was two months old my blood pressure evened out and we started giving her formula since she was not getting what she needed from breast milk. Today‚ I am still in therapy over what happened. However‚ I am grateful that I get to see all my beautiful daughters grow up and be in their lives. Abby is the perfect final addition to our family! She is just full of pure joy and happiness. Our hearts are full and my husband and I are blessed! What I want nurses and doctors to take from this story is this: patients know their bodies and they know when something is wrong! Listening to a patient could mean the difference between life and death.” This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Audrey Jamison. Have a story of love‚ kindness‚ or healing to share? Visit our submissions portal to submit today. Read more stories like this: My Baby Died From Medical Malpractice—Here’s My Story ‘I delivered my baby scared and alone.’: Mom raises awareness about hospital malpractice after traumatic birth Do you know someone who could benefit from reading this? SHARE this story on social media with family and friends.

Activist Mohammed El-Kurd earned cheers and applause from a crowd of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters in London on Saturday‚ when he called to “normalize massacres as the status quo” during a speech condemning Israel and Zionism. Though London police have acted aggressively against so-called “hate speech” that falls outside the Left’s ideology‚ the late response from the U.K.’s Metropolitan Police‚ which included a plan to “speak” to El-Kurd‚ earned much criticism. “We must normalize massacres as the status quo‚” El-Kurd urged during his Saturday speech. “The atrocities that the Israeli regime is committing in Gaza are some of the most horrific‚ brutal actions we will ever see in all of our lifetime‚” the activist told the crowd. “This genocide is not without a culprit. Zionism is the root cause of all that is happening in Palestine … Zionism is apartheid‚ it’s genocide‚ it’s murder. It’s a racist ideology‚ rooted in settler expansion and racist domination. We must root it out of the world.” “We must dezionize. Zionism is a death cult‚” El-Kurd said‚ adding that they must “engage in tangible actions” since “language alone no longer suffices‚” according to The Jerusalem Post. Conservative parliament member and former home secretary Suella Braverman responded to El-Kurd’s comments‚ writing: “Over the last 99 days we’ve seen unprecedented levels of anti-semitism. Extremism &; hatred normalised on our streets. And central London turned into a no-go zone for Jewish people about once a week. The plan isn’t working if this is where we are now.”  Over the last 99 days we’ve seen unprecedented levels of anti-semitism. Extremism &; hatred normalised on our streets. And central London turned into a no-go zone for Jewish people about once a week. The plan isn’t working if this is where we are now.👇 pic.twitter.com/GJquvVrvp8 — Suella Braverman MP (@SuellaBraverman) January 14‚ 2024 Douglas Murray said he agreed with Braverman‚ stating Sunday in a social media post‚  “This man said onstage in front of a cheering crowd in London yesterday: ‘We must normalize massacres as the status quo.’ How is this terrorist allowed to say this on the streets of London. Where are you [Metropolitan Police]?”  Exactly‚ @SuellaBraverman. This man said onstage in front of a cheering crowd in London yesterday: "We must normalize massacres as the status quo". How is this terrorist allowed to say this on the streets of London. Where are you @metpoliceuk? https://t.co/oe3wTIxsEN — Douglas Murray (@DouglasKMurray) January 14‚ 2024 The Metropolitan Police said they were “assessing” the comments and would then speak to El-Kurd. “A video of remarks made by one of the speakers at yesterday’s protest in central London has been shared extensively online‚” officials said in a statement Sunday. “Officers are aware of the remarks‚ the commentary surrounding them and the subsequent statements issued by the speaker. They are assessing the matter and as part of that assessment will be seeking to speak to the individual concerned. We will provide a further update in due course.” A video of remarks made by one of the speakers at yesterday’s protest in central London has been shared extensively online. Officers are aware of the remarks‚ the commentary surrounding them and the subsequent statements issued by the speaker. They are assessing the matter and… — Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) January 14‚ 2024 Commenters on X noted that police were present during El-Kurd’s remarks‚ but are only now appearing to take action. As for El-Kurd himself‚ he seemed unfazed by the Metropolitan Police Service’s post about him. “Busy today‚ can we do tomorrow? x‚” he posted. busy today‚ can we do tomorrow? x https://t.co/UgXvoPbTCI — Mohammed El-Kurd (@m7mdkurd) January 14‚ 2024 Murray found the police’s response disappointing but on-brand. “The problem is that the incitement on London’s streets goes all around the world while you wonder what to do‚ [Metro Police]‚” he wrote.  The problem is that the incitement on London’s streets goes all around the world while you wonder what to do‚ @metpoliceuk https://t.co/TLhhTGlTvO — Douglas Murray (@DouglasKMurray) January 14‚ 2024 Others commented on the U.K.’s inconsistent application of laws concerning speech. “People can be arrested for praying outside an abortion clinic while here you make it sound as if you will be telling him he’s a very naughty boy and should mind how he goes now‚” one post noted. “Is it any wonder that some members of the Jewish community no longer feel safe in Central London?” People can be arrested for praying outside an abortion clinic while here you make it sound as if you will be telling him he’s a very naughty boy and should mind how he goes now. Is it any wonder that some members of the Jewish community no longer feel safe in Central London? — Fr Mark Elliott Smith (@MarkElliottSmi1) January 14‚ 2024 On Sunday‚ El-Kurd tried to walk back the call for normalizing massacres‚ saying he misspoke. “It is clear from the context of my speech on 13 January 2024 that I denounce massacres‚ murder‚ and genocide and that the closing of my speech was to state ‘we should NOT normalise massacres‚'” he said. “I was also clearly referring to the massacres perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinian people. I reject the bad faith attempts to slander me as someone who would encourage or promote unlawful violence. I don’t want to waste more time on this matter‚ because we all should be focusing on the horrors in Gaza.” It is clear from the context of my speech on 13 January 2024 that I denounce massacres‚ murder‚ and genocide and that the closing of my speech was to state “we should NOT normalise massacres”. I was also clearly referring to the massacres perpetrated by Israel against the… — Mohammed El-Kurd (@m7mdkurd) January 14‚ 2024 Some online‚ however‚ expressed that the rest of El-Kurd’s speech aligned with his comment‚ which they viewed as calling for massacres of Jews. “Keep on digging – everyone saw it‚ heard it and recorded it so we won’t forget. tweet all you want‚” one person wrote. “Your hatred runs so deep ‚you’ve completely exposed yourself… You going to cry victim when there’s consequences?” another post read. “The jig is up‚ bud. It’s game over. You’ve exposed yourself to the world‚” another said. Ori Miller‚ writing on X‚ further reflected at length on the sentiment from El-Kurd in a post published Saturday. “A very well-known Palestinian‚ who was also on Time magazine’s 100 most influential list‚ stands in the center of London and calls for massacres against Jews‚” he wrote. “It’s not about occupation or a Palestinian state‚ it never was. It has always been about the right of Jews to live‚ and the right of the State of Israel to exist. This is the anti-Semitic ideology from the river to the sea. Unfortunately‚ most Palestinians support Hamas and this ideology and support the October 7 massacre. And here‚ he shouts it in central London without fear. He wants to massacre Jews. There will never be peace as long as the Palestinians openly declare that their goal is the destruction of Israel‚ as long as they focus on 48‚ and do not recognize Israel’s right to exist. Now people like this guy are calling for a ceasefire‚ but they never stop calling for intifada and massacres. They just want to do it without us being able to defend ourselves and fight back like we do now. And so many people support them‚ hell he shouts to massacre the Jews in London and thousands of people cheer him. Never again is literally now.” It doesn't leave my mind for a moment. A very well-known Palestinian‚ who was also on Time magazine's 100 most influential list‚ stands in the center of London and calls for massacres against Jews. It's not about occupation or a Palestinian state‚ it never was.It has always… https://t.co/S4eyLYlgg5 — Ori Miller🇮🇱 (@orielishamiller) January 13‚ 2024

Former President Donald Trump encouraged his supporters to brave frigid weather and caucus for him in Iowa even if they “pass away.” Trump joked with a crowd of his supporters during a rally on Sunday‚ encouraging them to leave their homes on Monday to caucus for him despite freezing weather. He told supporters that even if they are “sick as a dog‚” the country needs them to caucus on Monday. “If you want to save America from crooked Joe Biden‚ you must go caucus tomorrow‚” Trump told the crowd. “You can’t sit home. If you’re sick as a dog‚ even if you vote and then pass away‚ it’s worth it. If you’re sick‚ if you’re just so sick … You get up‚ you’re voting.” “You be safe and all‚ you’re going to be safe. Again‚ all indoors‚ it’s going to be all indoors. But you gotta get up‚ you gotta vote because it has nothing to do with anything but taking our nation back‚ and that’s the biggest thing there is‚” Trump said.   This week‚ winter weather has hit much of the contiguous United States‚ driving temperatures down and dropping snow. Forecasts in Iowa predict temperatures will dip into negative degrees Fahrenheit across Iowa on Monday evening. The weather is predicted to create the coldest caucus environment for Iowa voters in decades. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP The Iowa caucuses on Monday kick off the start of primary contests to pick the Republican presidential candidate. Trump has led the polls in Iowa‚ and as voters head to caucus‚ Trump sits at about 53% support in the Real Clear Politics polling average. Former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley sits second in the average with about 19% support after overtaking Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. A final Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom Iowa poll released Saturday night showed a similar picture of the race. Trump led the field with 48% support‚ Haley far back in second with 20%‚ and DeSantis in a close third to Haley at 16%. Tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy took fourth place in the poll with 8% support.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was released from the hospital on Monday‚ according to the Pentagon‚ ending a roughly two-week stay mired in controversy over a lack of transparency. The secretary “continues to recover well and‚ on the advice of doctors‚ will recuperate and perform his duties remotely for a period of time before returning full-time to the Pentagon‚” the Department of Defense (DoD) said in a statement. “He has full access to required secure communications capabilities.” Austin‚ 70‚ was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on January 1 for complications following a December procedure to treat prostate cancer. He faced blowback when it emerged that many top officials‚ including President Joe Biden and the deputy who took on some of his duties‚ were not privy to his health situation for days‚ if not weeks. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and former President Donald Trump have called for Austin to resign or be fired over the defense secretary’s secretive hospital stay. A number of investigations‚ including a probe by the DoD’s inspector general‚ a White House review of Cabinet protocols‚ and an inquiry in the GOP-led House‚ have been announced over the past week. While Austin has said he takes responsibility for the lack of disclosure‚ White House officials insisted last week that Biden has “complete confidence” in Austin and plans to keep the secretary in place through the remainder of his term despite it being “not optimal” that the commander-in-chief and other leaders did not know what happened for so long. Austin’s doctors said on Monday that the secretary “progressed well throughout his stay and his strength is rebounding. He underwent a series of medical tests and evaluations and received non-surgical care during his stay to address his medical needs‚ to include resolving some lingering leg pains. He was discharged home with planned physical therapy and regular follow up. The Secretary is expected to make a full recovery.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP They also noted‚ “Secretary Austin’s prostate cancer was treated early and effectively‚ and his prognosis is excellent. He has no planned further treatment for his cancer other than regular post-prostatectomy surveillance.” Austin also released a statement‚ saying‚ “I’m grateful for the excellent care I received at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and want to thank the outstanding doctors and nursing staff for their professionalism and superb support. I also am thankful and appreciative for all the well wishes I received for a speedy recovery.” He added‚ “Now‚ as I continue to recuperate and perform my duties from home‚ I’m eager to fully recover and return as quickly as possible to the Pentagon.”

On Monday‚ two Palestinian terrorists coordinated with each other to ram their vehicles into Israelis‚ with one of them knifing an elderly woman to death before the coordinated attacks injured 18 other people‚ five of them seriously‚ in Raanana‚ north of Tel Aviv‚ Ahmed Zidat‚ 25‚ and Mahmoud Zidat‚ 44‚ neither of whom had a permit to work in Israel‚ had been caught in Israel several times and had served time in prison for illegal entry. Before he was arrested‚ one of the terrorists reportedly wrote on Telegram‚ “I have taken revenge. Allah Akbar.” One of the two terrorists possessed a forged identity card‚ according to Israel National News‚ which reported‚ “The terrorists began from the car wash where they worked. One found a car and removed a 70-year-old woman from it‚ stabbed her‚ and took the car.” The elderly woman later died at the hospital. “A wounded woman who arrived in a critical condition after having been hit by a vehicle has died of her injuries despite our efforts to save her‚” Meir hospital confirmed. Seven children and teenagers were taken to Schneider Children’s Medical Center as a result of the attacks. “We heard the noise of a crash‚ like a car bumping into another car‚” Eden Arzi told Israel’s Army Radio‚ The New York Post reported. “We saw the driver go to stab a woman‚ and she ran away‚ and [the driver] went and stabbed a 60-year-old man while there were a bunch of screams in the background‚ until he fell on the ground.” “[The suspects] went out together and in parallel‚ to two different locations‚ took two cars and launched a series of rammings‚” Central District Police Chief Avi Bitton stated‚ adding‚ “This was a very grave terror attack.” Shin Bet is interrogating the terrorists‚ one of whom declared that “when the war in Gaza started‚” they “decided to carry out an attack and become martyrs… Initially‚ we intended to stab Jews‚ but then we decided to run over as many Jews as possible.”

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce insiders have heard those engagement rumors and are shutting them down‚ saying there’s no truth to them. Sources close to the pop star and Kansas City Chiefs tight end told TMZ that‚ despite reports claiming the two will be engaged by early summer‚ there’s no proposal in the near future. They told the outlet that they weren’t sure the romance was going to last‚ and it was too soon to say whether it would go past the dating stage. Other sources said their romance is still in the honeymoon phase‚ and the challenging part is coming with Swift about to hit the road again for the international leg of “The Eras Tour.” Sources told TMZ that before people talk about engagement rumors‚ the superstar couple needs to see how they deal with being apart. While Kelce’s football season is winding down‚ the “Shake It Off” hitmaker is set to kick off the next leg of her tour in Tokyo‚ Japan‚ on February 7. It will run through March 9 before she takes another two-month break.  Swift‚ 34‚ once again made headlines over the weekend when she showed up to cheer on Kelce and the Chiefs in a freezing AFC Wild Card game where Kansas City came away with a 26-7 victory against the Miami Dolphins. Swift was photographed wearing a jacket with Kelce’s number‚ and the two were seen holding hands after the game. Swift was named Time’s 2023 “Person of the Year‚” and in a wide-ranging interview‚ she revealed the timeline of her relationship with Kelce‚ including when it regan. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP “This all started when Travis [Kelce] very adorably put me on blast on his podcast‚ which I thought was metal as hell‚” Swift said. “We started hanging out right after that. So we actually had a significant amount of time that no one knew‚ which I’m grateful for‚ because we got to get to know each other.” “By the time I went to that first game [in September]‚ we were a couple‚” she added. “I think some people think that they saw our first date at that game? We would never be psychotic enough to hard launch a first date.” “When you say a relationship is public‚ that means I’m going to see him do what he loves‚ we’re showing up for each other‚ other people are there and we don’t care‚” Swift continued. “The opposite of that is you have to go to an extreme amount of effort to make sure no one knows that you’re seeing someone. And we’re just proud of each other.”

NBC and the NFL’s gamble to make the first-ever paywalled wild-card game on the Peacock Network appears to have paid off after setting a new streaming record. The Kansas City Chiefs 26-7 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Saturday night averaged 23 million viewers on Peacock‚ local NBC broadcasts in the teams’ home markets‚ and on the NFL+ mobile app‚ according to custom fast national data from Nielsen. The fourth-coldest NFL game ever was the most streamed live event in U.S. history‚ according to NBC Sports. “Our entire company worked seamlessly to plan for this game and executed flawlessly to deliver a streaming experience with the NFL on a scale that’s never been done before‚” Brian Roberts‚ chairman and CEO of NBC parent Comcast‚ said. “It’s a very proud moment.” NBC celebrates the Peacock game‚ calling it the “most streamed event ever” with 23 million viewers and thanking Roger Goodell and the NFL. Mike Tirico calls it “A milestone moment in media and sports history.” NBC also thanks you for your subscription fee. pic.twitter.com/WGJQMRzVP2 — Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 15‚ 2024 NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said‚ “We couldn’t be prouder of our partnership with Peacock and are thrilled with the results of the first-ever exclusively live streamed NFL playoff game.” “To best serve our fans‚ we need to ensure games are available to them as their viewing habits change and this includes digital distribution as we continue to help shape the future of the sports and entertainment industry‚” he added. Last year’s AFC Wild Card game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars averaged 20.61 million viewers for the network broadcast and 21.8 million across all platforms‚ The Hollywood Reporter noted. Peacock has about 30 million paid subscribers‚ per NBC. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP The previous streaming-exclusive record (plus affiliate broadcasts in home markets) was set with the “Thursday Night Football” game on November 30 when the Dallas Cowboys took on the Seattle Seahawks in a game that garnered 15.26 million viewers. Ahead of the game‚ NFL fans took to social media and made it clear they did not think it was right that an AFC wild-card game was being offered exclusively to Peacock subscribers‚ a first in playoff history. NFL reporter Ari Meirov pointed out that the league and network would make a lot of money by making the game exclusive to Peacock subscribers. “Peacock is paying in the range of $110M to exclusively carry a playoff game‚” Meirov wrote in a post on X. “The game they are getting is a Chiefs / Patrick Mahomes game. FWIW: My comment section is not happy.” Fans who lived in the Kansas City or Miami television markets were able to view the game on their local NBC affiliate. But fans outside those areas had to pay $5.99 for a monthly subscription to Peacock to watch‚ TMZ noted.

In a disturbing turn of events that underscores the growing trend of harassment against public institutions and figures‚ the White House became the latest victim of a ‘swatting’ incident early Monday morning. A prank caller falsely reported that the iconic building was ablaze‚ prompting an urgent response from emergency services. At approximately 7 am‚ D.C. fire and emergency services were dispatched to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue after a 911 call claimed the White House was on fire. Thirteen units responded to the scene‚ only to find that the call was a hoax. The alarming report had suggested not only a fire but also that someone was trapped inside‚ escalating the urgency of the response. The White House was SWATTED earlier this morning.. HOW DID THEY SWAT THE WHITE HOUSE!? pic.twitter.com/VRgsKQ7dR4 — DramaAlert (@DramaAlert) January 15‚ 2024 The call was traced to a fake number‚ according to a source who spoke with CNN‚ and was quickly determined to be a false alarm by both District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services and U.S. Secret Service personnel. This swift action led to an ‘all clear’ being declared by 7:15 am‚ minimizing potential disruption. This incident is part of a worrying rise in ‘swatting’ across the United States‚ where false reports are deliberately made to trigger a heavy police presence at a particular location. Such pranks are not only dangerous but also divert critical resources from real emergencies. They reflect a hostile political climate‚ especially during an intense presidential election season. 7am this morning‚ the White House was "swatted" – HOW DOES SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN? pic.twitter.com/XugCfhzmnO — Shipwreck (@shipwreckshow) January 15‚ 2024 Notably‚ President Joe Biden was not present at the White House during the incident‚ as he was scheduled to return later that afternoon from Philadelphia‚ where he attended a service event in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The President had spent the weekend at Camp David‚ away from the capital. Law enforcement experts have expressed concern over these incidents‚ which have also targeted politicians such as Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene‚ Boston Mayor Michelle Wu‚ Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott‚ and special counsel Jack Smith. High-profile celebrities have been victims as well‚ indicating that no one is immune to this troubling phenomenon. Attorney General Merrick Garland has voiced his alarm at the increasing threats to public figures‚ contrasting them with the encouraging downward trend in violent crime. The Justice Department is taking these threats seriously‚ investigating the surge in such malicious activities. As the nation grapples with these challenges‚ it’s imperative to recognize the gravity of ‘swatting’ and the strain it places on our emergency response systems. It’s a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and the importance of fostering a more respectful and secure environment for all citizens‚ especially those in the public eye. The post White House Targeted in Alarming ‘Swatting’ Incident Amid Rising Threats to Public Figures appeared first on The Conservative Brief.

Discover the world of bugs like you’ve never seen before — not your average creepy-crawlies‚ but a dazzling array of insects that are as beautiful as they are fascinating. From vibrant colors to unique patterns‚ these creatures prove that the world of entomology is full of surprises. Let’s embark on a journey to meet some of the most stunning bugs that nature has to offer. 1. A walking gem. Wikimedia Believe it or not‚ the jewel caterpillar could be mistaken for a glistening piece of jewelry. With its translucent‚ gem-like tubercles‚ this creature is a living treasure trove of beauty. Its unique appearance is not just for show; it’s a clever defense mechanism against predators. 2. Deck the halls with bugs! Wikimedia These festive beetles make a grand appearance around Christmas‚ adding a natural sparkle to the holiday season. Their shiny‚ colorful exteriors seem to capture the joy and spirit of the holidays. They’re nature’s way of celebrating! The post No Creepy-Crawlies Here! Meet The World’s Most Stunning Bugs. appeared first on InspireMore.

All this football player wanted was a peaceful hike‚ but what he ended up finding was a new pet dog! Jaylen Ellis was taking a scenic walk in the mountains when he spotted a lone pooch with no owners in sight. From the state of the pup’s fur‚ the Colorado athlete assumed that she wasn’t being cared for by anyone. So‚ he decided to take her home and give her a bath before ringing up the Humane Society. This was hardly the end of the adventure. Moments after finding the dog‚ the football player crossed paths with a tiny kitten who was also wandering through the woods! Jaylen packed both animals into his car and drove home. Then‚ he got in touch with the Humane Society. While they managed to find the kitty a foster home‚ Jaylen couldn’t bear to part with the dog. So‚ he ended up adopting her! He calls her “Angel.” Although the football player found this dog by chance‚ the two are now pretty much inseparable. According to a video from The Dodo‚ they do everything together‚ from playing video games to dancing like no one is watching! Screengrab from YouTube “I love my dog with me‚” Jaylen said. “That’s my daughter.” It just goes to show you what can happen when you open your heart to a rescue dog! This pooch and her owner have a truly magical bond. You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Football Player Spots Tiny Dog On Hike And Brings Her Home. “That’s My Daughter.” appeared first on InspireMore.