The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a federal order to require national milk testing over bird flu concerns. The federal agency will start its National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS), which “builds on measures taken by USDA and federal and state partners since the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in dairy cattle was first detected in March 2024.” “Today, USDA is issuing a new Federal Order, as well as accompanying guidance, requiring that raw (unpasteurized) milk samples nationwide be collected and shared with USDA for testing,” the USDA announced. “This new guidance from USDA, which was developed with significant input from state, veterinary and public health stakeholders, will facilitate comprehensive H5N1 surveillance of the nation’s milk supply and dairy herds,” it added. BREAKING: USDA orders that raw milk samples nationwide be tested for the bird flu. https://t.co/gppmMdOBDZ — Breaking News (@BreakingNews) December 6, 2024 Per NBC News: Entities handling raw milk, such as bulk milk transporters or dairy processors, must collect and share samples with the USDA upon request. The goal is to quickly identify which dairy herds are affected by H5N1 — the strain of bird flu that’s causing outbreaks in poultry and dairy cows — and prevent transmission among livestock. As of Thursday, 718 dairy herds have been affected. “Among many outcomes, this will give farmers and farmworkers better confidence in the safety of their animals and ability to protect themselves, and it will put us on a path to quickly controlling and stopping the virus’ spread nationwide,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Friday in a press release. The initial round of testing under the new order, which was first reported by Reuters, is set to begin on Dec. 16. “Since the first HPAI detection in livestock, USDA has collaborated with our federal, state and industry partners to swiftly and diligently identify affected herds and respond accordingly. This new milk testing strategy will build on those steps to date and will provide a roadmap for states to protect the health of their dairy herds,” Vilsack said. “This testing strategy is a critical part of our ongoing efforts to protect the health and safety of individuals and communities nationwide,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Our primary responsibility at HHS is to protect public health and the safety of the food supply, and we continue to work closely with USDA and all stakeholders on continued testing for H5N1 in retail milk and dairy samples from across the country to ensure the safety of the commercial pasteurized milk supply. We will continue this work with USDA for as long and as far as necessary,” he added. X users criticized the USDA’s continued onslaught against raw milk. “Here we go. Bird flu will, at the very least, be used as a means of strangling the supply of raw milk as hard as possible,” X user ‘Raw Egg Nationalist’ wrote. Here we go. Bird flu will, at the very least, be used as a means of strangling the supply of raw milk as hard as possible. https://t.co/gHWUtaTc40 — RAW EGG NATIONALIST (@Babygravy9) December 6, 2024 “This is a total hoax. PCR tests of milk have zero scientific basis. There are no isolated standards and PCR tests achieve no quant results whatsoever. Total fraud,” Health Ranger Mike Adams said. This is a total hoax. PCR tests of milk have zero scientific basis. There are no isolated standards and PCR tests achieve no quant results whatsoever. Total fraud. I'm a published scientist with a mass spec food lab. I know what I'm talking about. My lab is ISO 17025 accredited,… https://t.co/aIga6bgwE7 — HealthRanger (@HealthRanger) December 6, 2024 From the USDA: The Federal Order released today makes three new requirements. First, it requires the sharing of raw milk samples, upon request, from any entity responsible for a dairy farm, bulk milk transporter, bulk milk transfer station, or dairy processing facility that sends or holds milk intended for pasteurization. Second, the Federal Order requires herd owners with positive cattle to provide epidemiological information that enables activities such as contact tracing and disease surveillance. Finally, like USDA’s April 24 Federal Order, it requires that private laboratories and state veterinarians report positive results to USDA that come from tests done on raw milk samples drawn as part of the NMTS. The first round of silo testing under the Federal Order and the NMTS is scheduled to begin the week of Dec. 16, 2024, although some states are already conducting testing compatible with the NMTS. This new Federal Order does not override or supersede USDA’s April 24 Federal Order, which still requires the mandatory testing of lactating dairy cows prior to interstate shipment and requires that all privately owned laboratories and state veterinarians report positive test results connected with those tests. The new Federal Order announced today is intended to complement and enhance this existing order.

It’s official…Adam Schiff just submitted his resignation to the U.S. House of Representatives. Take a look: 10:52:36 a.m. – The House received a communication from Representative Schiff wherein he resigns as a member of the House of Representatives effective on December 8, 2024. https://t.co/ZcqIY06C4r — U.S. House Updates (@HouseFloor) December 6, 2024 See the moment here: BREAKING: Adam Schiff Resigns From House Effective December 8 California Senator-elect Adam Schiff submits his resignation to the U.S. House, effective December 8. He will be sworn in as senator on Monday December 9 along with Andy Kim of New Jersey. pic.twitter.com/zlSn1swy00 — Melissa Hallman (@dotconnectinga) December 6, 2024 The official letter of resignation: But don’t get too excited. He’s not leaving Congress…. We could only be so lucky. No, he is resigning from the House so he can take his Senate seat early. You may recall he won the Senate seat in a contest against former MLB star Steve Garvey: Adam Schiff became a United States Senator-elect from California after defeating Steve Garvey, a former Major League baseball player, in the 2024 California Senate race. Here are the key details surrounding his transition to the Senate: Elected vs. Appointed: Adam Schiff was elected to the U.S. Senate. He won the election for the seat previously held by the late Senator Dianne Feinstein. Election Date: The election took place on November 5, 2024. Term Start Date: Schiff’s term as a Senator begins in December 2024, following his resignation from the U.S. House of Representatives, which was effective December 8, 2024. This early transition to the Senate was to gain seniority over others in the Senate class of 2024, as he is succeeding an appointed U.S. Senator. Campaign and Background: Schiff, a Burbank Democrat, had been a U.S. Representative since 2001 and gained national prominence for his role in the first impeachment of Donald Trump. His campaign focused on protecting democracy, fighting for economic improvements, and working across the aisle for California’s interests. Resignation: Schiff resigned from his position in Congress to take up his new role in the Senate, which was noted on social media and news outlets. His resignation was effective December 8, 2024, allowing him to be sworn in as a Senator on December 9, 2024. So you might be wondering why is Schiff allowed to start his term early compared to all other incoming Senators? It’s because he ran in a Special Election to fill Dianne Feinstein’s vacant seat: Special Election Context: Schiff won both the special election to fill the remainder of the late Senator Dianne Feinstein’s term and the regular election for a full Senate term starting in January 2025. The special election was for the remaining few months of Feinstein’s term, which would have ended in January 2025. Senate Rules on Seniority: Traditionally, when a Senator is elected to fill out an unexpired term (like in a special election), they can be sworn in immediately, rather than waiting for the start of the new Congress in January. This practice gives the new Senator a head start on seniority over others who might be elected for terms starting in January. However, while this gives Schiff an early start, the Senate changed its rules in 1980 so that this early service does not count towards seniority for committee assignments and other privileges, which are based on the start date of the full term, i.e., January 3, 2025. Immediate Swearing-In: Therefore, Schiff resigned his House seat and was sworn in as a Senator in December 2024 to serve out the remainder of Feinstein’s term, which ends in January 2025. This move allows him to begin his Senate career early, but it does not confer any additional seniority for the new Congress term starting in January. Sorry folks, he’s gone from the House but we’ll still be seeing plenty of him in the Senate.

Happy Friday everyone! It’s time again for our weekly PRECIOUS METALS REPORT courtesy of my friend Ira Bershatsky. As always, my standard disclaimer: Not personalized financial advice, but this is the quality of insight and macro analysis that people pay big money for…and thanks to Ira, I’m pleased to be able to share it was all of you. Ready for a breakout? Gold and Silver have been range-bound for a while now after breaking out to new highs earlier this year, but range-bound doesn’t last forever. Which way do we break? And when does the break come? Ira Bershatsky explains more in this week’s Precious Metals Update: Advisor Metals Precious Metals Market Update for December 6, 2024 “Frothy Markets” An old trader expression when markets are more volatile and going sideways is frothy markets.  That is what we are seeing now with gold and silver.  They have both been in a trading range for the last two weeks.  One item to note about trading ranges is that prices will breakout of the trading range. When gold was approaching its all-time high of about $2,060 an ounce its price became frothy and entered a trading range before breaking out to the upside.  When silver was approaching its previous recent high of about $28.00 an ounce its price became frothy and entered a trading range before breaking out to the upside. I feel we are in the frothy trading range period before an upside breakout for the metals.  It is brave to purchase before the breakout.  As the old proverb states, fortune favors the brave. This week’s economic reports were also frothy.  The November unemployment rate stayed at 4.2% with payrolls increasing while wages have been flat.  While the FED’s Beige Book of economic activity showed stable economic activity while new initial unemployment claims increased. FED Chairman Jerome Powell said at a DealBook conference on Thursday that the FED could be more cautious with interest rate cuts with inflation above the FED’s target and the economy being stronger.  All in all, frothy! Until next time… While I love Bitcoin (and XRP), I do disagree with the people who keep saying Bitcoin is going to “replace Gold”. Sorry folks, not happening! Could it compete with Gold and Silver?  Sure. Have the same market cap as Gold and Silver?  Sure. But it’s not “replacing” Gold and Silver. Gold and silver have been “God’s money” since the Bible times and I don’t see that changing any time soon, do you? So I just buy on the dips and hold for the long term. I get as much of my dollars into Gold and Silver ….. and yes, also Crypto (especially Bitcoin and XRP) as you’ve heard me talk about a lot! Real estate is good too, just a lot harder to buy, but typically a good “store of wealth”. But Gold, Silver and Crypto are the easiest to buy in small chunks as you are able. You can also get Gold and Silver for NO MONEY OUT OF POCKET if you have a retirement account sitting around (and most people do).  Most people have no idea they can use that retirement account to shift out of volatile Stocks and Bonds and into “God’s Money”. But you need a good advisor and that’s where Ira comes in. He’ll handle the whole process for you and make it smooth as butter. I know many of you are already familiar with Ira Bershatsky, but for those who don’t know him, you can find Ira and his company, Advisor Metals, over at WLT Precious Metals. I have personally sent family members to Ira for 5-figure purchases of Gold and Silver and he treated them like royalty.  They were very pleased. That’s how much I trust Ira. No one has a crystal ball for the markets, but I trust Ira’s ethics and morals and customer service implicitly.  I always hear glowing reviews! I didn’t tell him I was sending them over either (and these particular family members have a different last name) so I did it as a bit of a “secret shopper” test and Ira passed with flying colors. Of course I knew he would. That’s why I work with him and that’s why I have confidence telling you about him. Ira can handle bulk purchases of bullion, coins, whatever you want. All custom ordered and shipped right to your door. A lot of people love Bullion because its the cheapest and most economical way to do it, to stretch your dollar into as much gold and silver as possible. The website is called WLT Precious Metals and when you see my logo in the top left-hand corner, you’ll know you’re in the right place. You’ll get a personal phone call with Ira Bershatsky (or someone on his team) and they will work with you free of charge for as long as needed to answer any questions you have and get you taken care of. How about that! You don’t see that much anymore, but Ira and his team pride themselves on good old-fashioned real customers service: No sales pitch, just real, actual help. And the best prices you will find. Here’s the only disclaimer I will give you: because they do pride themselves on dedicated service, it might take a few days before you get a phone call back.  Just be patient. Good things come to those who wait! You can contact Ira and WLT Precious Metals here. Ira can also help you if you want to purchase Gold and Silver in your IRA. I mean, his name is Ira, after all, OF COURSE he can help you purchase in your IRA account. The thing I love about purchasing in your IRA account is you can do it with no money out of pocket.  You just take money already in the IRA account, perhaps in stocks or bonds or other investments, and you can shift it into Gold and Silver. Again, I’m not your personalized financial advisor, I’m just explaining how it works. And it’s REALLY cool. So even if you’re saying times are tough right now, I don’t have a lot of spare money to shift into Gold and Silver, you might have a golden opportunity (pun intended!) already sitting there in an established retirement account. I’ll be back next Friday with another Precious Metals Report update from Ira. Until then…. Noah out.

A Tennessee sheriff’s deputy was arrested on charges related to child pornography. Johnathan Allen, a deputy with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, was placed on administrative leave after a law enforcement agency in South Carolina relayed information about the charges. According to WCNC, Hamilton was arrested on “three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of criminal solicitation of a minor.” Tennessee sheriff’s deputy, Johnathan Allen, has been arrested for possessing images of children being sexually abused. pic.twitter.com/QM7jtJRlyY — ???? (@antifaoperative) December 5, 2024 Per WCNC: The investigation began in York County, with local authorities alerting Hamilton County law enforcement on Dec. 4. Tennessee deputies executed a search warrant Thursday morning, leading to Allen’s arrest. He was arrested in Hamilton County and booked in York County jail by Thursday night. He is being held with no bond pending a court hearing. “I am furious over the alleged actions of Allen and the disgusting nature of these charges,” Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett said in a statement. Allen has been placed on administrative leave pending a pre-disciplinary hearing. Allen joined the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office as a corrections deputy in September 2021 and recently graduated from basic law enforcement academy on Nov. 1. He was participating in field training at the time of his arrest, according to the sheriff. The York County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation. Officials have not released additional details about the case. A Hamilton County deputy was arrested on charges related to child pornography, according to the sheriff's office.https://t.co/jvntC3XR55 — Times Free Press (@TimesFreePress) December 5, 2024 Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Arrest Deputy In Joint Investigation For more information, please visit: https://t.co/URGxhzS0B5 pic.twitter.com/VfNJgiVMsk — Hamilton County Sheriff's Office – TN (@hcsotn) December 5, 2024 Chattanooga Times Free Press reports: He is the third Hamilton County deputy to be arrested in the past three months. In September, a jail deputy was fired after being charged with driving under the influence. Last month, another jail deputy was arrested and fired after he allegedly threatened a student at Cleveland State Community College, shutting down the campus.

King Charles’ Foundation has partnered with Arla and Nestle to provide Cravendale Milk and Shreddies for ‘breakfast clubs’ According to the King Charles III Chartible fund: Two of the UK’s biggest food manufacturers, Arla and [...] The post King Charles’ Link To Dairy Giant That Are Testing A Methane-Suppressing Feed For Cows appeared first on The People's Voice.

Following South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's disastrous effort to implement martial law this week, two U.S. sources told Reuters on Thursday that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin no longer intends to visit South Korea.

President Joe Biden surprised attendees at the White House’s National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday night when he took off his stocking cap, displaying a wild new look, and appearing more like a character out of Charles Dickens’ yuletide classic "A Christmas Carol" than the commander-in-chief.

NBC News, speaking for Democrats, is upset that Donald Trump is acting like the president when he isn’t. Well, Joe isn’t either. Their article is clown world material. The author complains that President-Elect Trump is speaking as if he is president. He demanded the hostages be released, he threatened tariffs, he teased Prime Minister Trudeau, […] The post NBC Upset Trump Acts Like a President, Crowding out Joe appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.