Sen. Steve Daines (R-Montana) praised the federal investigation into the University of Pittsburgh after the school was accused of illegally harvesting fetal tissue from aborted babies for experimentation.  It was revealed last month through emails obtained by a public records request from the Center for Medical Progress (CMP) and Judicial Watch that the Department of Health and Human Services inspector general had been looking into Pitt over fetal tissue experiments funded in part by the National Institute of Health‚ first reported on by CMP in 2019. These experiments included scalping 5-month-old fetuses in order to stitch their scalps and back skin onto lab rats and transporting fetal kidneys to other researchers. “After years of calling for an investigation into the barbaric research practices happening at the University of Pittsburgh‚ I’m glad to see the inspector general finally take this seriously. Exploiting the body parts of aborted children is not only repulsive but it has been proven ineffective in producing clinical treatments. It must be stopped‚” Daines‚ founder of the Senate Pro-Life Caucus‚ told The Daily Wire.  Daines has previously pushed for an investigation into Pitt and government funding of the fetal tissue experiments‚ signing onto a September 2021 letter urging HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and then-NIH Director Francis Collins to look into the program.  “Exploiting the body parts of aborted children for research purposes is repulsive and should stop‚ regardless of the outcome hoped for by researchers. Research using abortive fetal tissue is unethical‚ wrong‚ and has also been proven ineffective. Despite being used in clinical research since the 1920s‚ fetal tissue has not produced a single clinical treatment‚” the letter from congressional Republicans said.  The emails released last month show confirmation of an HHS investigation into Pitt over the issue since at least October 2021‚ one month after the letter from congressional Republicans. The status of the investigation is unclear‚ but the HHS Office of Inspector General previously told The Daily Wire that it could “neither confirm nor deny the existence of any investigation‚ should there be any.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA)‚ one of the signers of the September 2021 letter to Becerra‚ has said that he has been given no answers on the issue either‚ saying that HHS pointed him to an investigation done by a law firm hired by Pitt to look at the fetal tissue program.  Pitt has denied any wrong doing‚ saying that it did not break any federal laws with its programs. “As we have stated in the past: Fetal tissue research plays a critical role in advancing life-saving discoveries. We remain committed to maintaining robust internal controls and to extending our record of compliance at the state and federal levels‚ and we take these responsibilities seriously‚” a Pitt spokesman said in January 2022.  RELATED: Federal Investigation Opened Into Pitt Over Fetal Tissue Experiments‚ Emails Show

A three-time felon leaped over the bench in front of a Las Vegas judge who had just denied him probation and assaulted her‚ tackling her to the ground and forcing court officers to wrestle him to the ground‚ video shows. Deobra Redden‚ 30‚ was being sentenced on Wednesday by Judge Mary Kay Holthus on a charge of attempted battery with substantial bodily harm. His attorney asked the judge to sentence Redden to probation. “I think it’s time he got a taste of something else because I just can’t with that history‚” Holthus said. Redden then charged the bench‚ leaped over it‚ and tackled Holthus‚ knocking down an American flag and a Nevada state flag. Holthus hit her head‚ KLAS reported; a court spokesperson said she was “being monitored.” Additionally‚ a marshal suffered a gash on his forehead and was transported to the hospital‚ where he was later listed in stable condition‚ the outlet noted. 🚨#UPDATE: Here is the full video of the man jumping over and attacking a Clark County judge after the judge denied his probation pic.twitter.com/iYl6rE9oDh — R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 3‚ 2024   “Thank God the judge is okay‚” Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson stated. “Thank God for the heroic efforts of those who came to her aid‚ especially her marshal and her law clerk. Without them‚ the situation would have been much worse as this defendant exhibited extremely violent behavior and I’m confident there will be consequences.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP Redden’s prior history includes having been sentenced to probation more than once; he has three felony convictions and nine misdemeanor convictions‚ KLAS reported. Redden was convicted of assault causing bodily injury to a family member in 2012; in 2013 he was convicted three times for domestic battery. He served a year in prison starting in 2021 for a domestic battery charge; he was granted parole in 2022. Last April‚ he threatened “to bust the kneecaps” of another man‚ “resulting in substantial bodily harm‚” according to court documents. “Sending our sincerest well wishes to District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus and the marshal injured in her courtroom today‚” Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford stated. “Your dedication to justice and the court are truly commendable. We wish you both a swift recovery.”

The Biden administration filed a lawsuit against Texas on Wednesday over a state law that makes it a crime to illegally enter the state‚ giving state officials more power to secure the border.  The lawsuit was announced by the Department of Justice and says that the law (SB 4) violates the Constitution because the federal government is supposed to have authority over immigration and international borders. Proponents of the law say that it is necessary because the Biden administration has done little to secure the border amid a record-breaking flood of illegal crossings.  “SB 4 is clearly unconstitutional‚” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “Under the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution and longstanding Supreme Court precedent‚ states cannot adopt immigration laws that interfere with the framework enacted by Congress. The Justice Department will continue to fulfill its responsibility to uphold the Constitution and enforce federal law.” Last week‚ the Biden administration threatened to sue Texas if Governor Greg Abbott did not commit to not enforcing the law‚ which Abbott did not do. The law‚ which Abbott approved earlier this month‚ will allow Texas judges to deport those who cross into the state back to Mexico‚ which would be a direct challenge to the catch-and-release policy currently practiced by the Biden administration. Abbott said he was confident that the law will survive the lawsuit from Biden.  “Biden sued me today because I signed a law making it illegal for an illegal immigrant to enter or attempt to enter Texas directly from a foreign nation. I like my chances. Texas is the only government in America trying to stop illegal immigration‚” Abbott said.  Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said he was ready to defend legal challenges from the federal government and the ACLU‚ which has claimed that the law is discriminatory.  CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP “SB 4 was created to address the endless stream of illegal immigration facilitated by the Biden administration. Millions of unvetted foreign aliens have been released into Texas due to President Biden’s policies of dismantling border security at the US-Mexico border‚ collaborating with cartels‚ and inviting violent criminals and drug traffickers to enter the country‚” Paxton said. “Just as I am prepared to fight the lawsuit brought by the extremist ACLU and the nonprofits enriching themselves due to the federal government’s open borders doctrine‚ I am prepared to fight the Biden Administration whose immigration disaster is leading our country to ruin. Texas has the sovereign right to protect our state.” Illegal border crossings have continued to hit records under President Joe Biden‚ including an all-time record of 302‚000 encounters in December alone. House Speaker Mike Johnson visited the southern border on Wednesday calling on the White House to secure the border.

A Connecticut woman will become Vermont’s first nonresident to die by medically assisted suicide on Thursday. 76-year-old Lynda Bluestein traveled from Connecticut to Vermont on Wednesday to prepare for her scheduled death. Bluestein’s son‚ Jake Shannon‚ told News 12 Connecticut that Bluestein will take a lethal injection on Thursday morning.  “I’d like to be remembered as someone who never thought that second best was even in the realm of possibility; who always believed that you can make everything better‚” said Bluestein. Bluestein said the state of Connecticut was “cruel” for not allowing medically assisted suicide. Supporters of assisted suicide also commonly refer to the practice as medical aid in dying (MAID)‚ physician-assisted death‚ and aid in dying. “Our state has failed my family and many others. Who can take a calendar and say that’s the day I’m going to die?” said Bluestein. “I was astonished on how cruel that felt.” In anticipation of her death last month‚ Bluestein donated two “wind phones” to her local library‚ one of which resides in the children’s section. The phones aren’t connected to anything. Rather‚ the user carries on a one-way conversation to their deceased loved one as a means of processing grief. The concept originated with an unconnected telephone booth in Japan established in 2010 by a man grieving his cousin’s death.  Since its legalization in 2013‚ 200 individuals have died using Vermont’s medically assisted suicide‚ according to a report from the Vermont Department of Health to the state legislature. Over 150 of those cases sought suicide due to cancer‚ including Bluestein‚ who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Only those with a terminal illness given six months or less to live qualify for medically assisted suicide‚ and the individual must self-administer the medication.  The state classifies the manner of these deaths as natural‚ with the cause listed as the underlying disease that prompted them to seek medically assisted suicide.   In addition to Vermont‚ nine other states and Washington‚ D.C.‚ allow medically assisted suicide: California‚ Colorado‚ Hawaii‚ Maine‚ Montana‚ New Jersey‚ New Mexico‚ Oregon‚ and the state of Washington. However‚ only Vermont and Oregon allow nonresidents to obtain it.  Bluestein sued Vermont in 2022 over its original restriction of the practice to residents only. Last May‚ the state legislature removed that requirement. Over the years‚ Bluestein and groups like the Death With Dignity organization have advocated to legalize medically assisted suicide in Connecticut‚ but to no avail. Proposed legislation on the matter dating back to the late 1990s initially made it no further than introduction. Legalization gained slight momentum with committee assignments beginning in 2020; however‚ the bills haven’t advanced out of any committee over the last three legislative sessions.  In Bluestein’s last testimony advocating for legalization of medically assisted suicide‚ she insisted that the majority of Connecticut residents support it.  “When I‚ like so many before me‚ have just wanted ‘to wake up dead‚’ I want it to be at home and at peace‚” said Bluestein.  Over 5‚000 patients in eight states died from medically assisted suicide from 1998 to 2020‚ according to data published in 2022 by the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. If you are having thoughts of suicide‚ call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources.

In a stunning revelation from court documents recently made public‚ former President Bill Clinton has been identified as a pivotal figure in the ongoing investigation into the nefarious activities of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The documents‚ which have sent shockwaves through political circles‚ suggest that Clinton’s involvement with the disgraced financier and his associate was far more intimate than previously acknowledged. Clinton‚ who has maintained that his interactions with Epstein were strictly professional and philanthropic in nature‚ is now facing scrutiny over allegations that contradict his narrative. Despite his insistence that Secret Service agents accompanied him during his travels on Epstein’s private jet‚ these new findings cast doubt on the true nature of their association. Why does it seem person every person on the Epstein list is a Democrat? #EpsteinIsland #EpsteinClientList #Epstein #BillClinton #OprahWinfrey #AlGore #HillaryClinton pic.twitter.com/dZnDvmJVNL — Mississippi Sambo (@MS_Sambo_) January 4‚ 2024 The legal team for Virginia Roberts‚ one of Epstein’s victims‚ sought to compel Clinton to provide a deposition in a defamation case against Maxwell in June 2016. This move underscores the belief that Clinton’s testimony could be crucial in understanding the depth of his relationship with Epstein and Maxwell. The court filings reveal that Clinton was not only a frequent visitor to Epstein’s properties but also had a close personal connection with both Epstein and Maxwell. Another victim‚ Johanna Sjoberg‚ provided testimony that further implicates Clinton‚ claiming Epstein told her that “Clinton likes them young‚” referring to girls. This disturbing statement‚ if true‚ paints a troubling picture of the former president’s preferences and raises serious questions about his character and judgment. "I did not have sex with those girls on that plane or on that island the fifty times I flew with that guy who unfortunately killed himself."The Epstein Island list did get released. Bill Clinton will deny everything! Dems never get charged!#EpsteinClientList #Epstein… pic.twitter.com/DRgcje3VDG — Mississippi Sambo (@MS_Sambo_) January 4‚ 2024 Moreover‚ Clinton’s presence at various Epstein-hosted events‚ including a White House reception in 1993 following a donation to the White House Historical Association‚ suggests a level of camaraderie that goes beyond casual acquaintance. Epstein’s $10‚000 contribution to the fund secured him access to the inner sanctum of American power‚ with Clinton at the helm. The implications of these associations are far-reaching‚ not only for Clinton but for other high-profile individuals who moved in Epstein’s orbit. The unsealing of these documents has brought renewed attention to a scandal that refuses to fade away‚ ensnaring politicians‚ celebrities‚ and academics alike. As the investigation continues‚ the American public is left to grapple with the possibility that a former president may have been complicit in some of the most heinous crimes of our time. The gravity of these allegations cannot be overstated‚ and it is incumbent upon the justice system to pursue the truth‚ wherever it may lead. In light of these revelations‚ it is clear that the Epstein saga is far from over. With each new piece of evidence‚ the web of deceit grows more tangled‚ and the need for accountability becomes more urgent. It is a sobering reminder that no individual‚ regardless of status or past accolades‚ is above the law. The post Former President Bill Clinton Implicated as Central Figure in Epstein Investigation appeared first on The Conservative Brief.

A bride recently brought her groom to tears by signing her vows as well as speaking them at the altar. Her reason? She wanted his deaf family members to feel included in the beautiful moment! So‚ as the bride repeated after the officiant‚ she also translated her promises into sign language. Her husband-to-be was clearly touched by her thoughtful gesture! This stunning expression of love was captured on camera‚ and the video has been going viral on TikTok. Commenters were so moved by the bride’s decision to honor her new husband’s family with her sign language vows! Screengrab from Speech Savvy/TikTok “It was at that moment he knew he married the right woman‚” wrote one user. Another added‚ “You can see how happy this made him! This is so cute.” When someone takes the time to learn sign language in order to communicate with a deaf person‚ it shows how much they care. We’re sure that the groom’s family felt very loved when they saw the bride signing her vows! However‚ you don’t actually have to know someone who is deaf in order to learn to sign. One waitress shared a story online that demonstrates just how useful this language can be! Watch the video below to see this thoughtful bride sign her wedding vows. @speechsavvy How far would you go to show your love? Find words worthy of the moment with our bride &; groom vows workbooks! Link in bio! Video by @chandlersmithfilms #bridetobe #bridevows #vows #weddingvows #signlanguage #deaftiktok #fyp ♬ original sound – Speech Savvy You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Groom Taken By Surprise When Bride Signs Her Vows For The Sweetest Reason. appeared first on InspireMore.

It’s not just humans who can meet their favorite characters at Disneyland‚ as evidenced by a service dog who crossed paths with Dug from Pixar’s Up. This loveable‚ animated pooch has won many a heart with his friendliness and positivity‚ and now he’s spreading joy at Disney’s theme parks‚ too! A viral TikTok video shows a fluffy service dog’s reaction to meeting the four-legged celebrity (who was really an employee in a costume). Although the dog seemed serious at first‚ Dug quickly brought out their playful side! After initially sniffing out the situation‚ the service dog decided that Dug from Up seemed like a gentle giant. The sweet pooch then rolled over and started pawing affectionately at the larger canine. The dog’s owner couldn’t help but chuckle at this adorable behavior! So far‚ the TikTok video of this heartwarming encounter has received over 5 million views. Screengrab from @rad_ryn/TikTok “I love seeing working dogs act like little puppies‚” wrote one commenter. This isn’t the first time a service dog has been starstruck by meeting Dug from Up. A golden retriever named Henry was overwhelmed when his owner took him to see the famous pooch at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Watch the video below to see a very lucky dog meet Dug in person at Disneyland. @rad_ryn Have you ever seen anything cuter 🩷 #disneyland #disney #up #doug #serviceanimal #servicedog ♬ original sound – solongfilms – solongfilms You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Service Dog Meets Dug From “Up” And Instantly Makes New BFF! appeared first on InspireMore.

More research is needed to understand the depths of this society

The pair were caught hanging out on Richard Branson's Necker Island