Raycat

@raycat77.bsky.social

535 Followers 556 Following

Arizona native, Army Vet, Atheist. Ever seen Adam Ruins Everything? I'm Adam.

Key Drivers Behind the Premium SpikeSurging vehicle repair costs: Modern cars are packed with high-tech safety sensors, cameras, and driver-assistance systems. Even minor fender-benders became incredibly expensive to fix because expensive technology had to be replaced and recalibrated. Supply chain shortages and an auto mechanic labor shortage further inflated repair shop bills.Severe accident claims: Dangerous driving habits spiked during the pandemic and continued through 2024. Accidents occurred at higher speeds, resulting in more severe vehicle damage and a 20% jump in bodily injury claims, which dramatically drove up insurer payouts.Skyrocketing medical and legal bills: General inflation drove up the cost of hospital stays and medical care following accidents. Additionally, a rise in "legal system abuse" and aggressive attorney litigation pushed more claims into expensive, prolonged lawsuits.Climate risks and natural disasters: A massive uptick in severe weather events—including severe storms, floods, and wildfires—led to a crushing volume of comprehensive claims for vehicles that were flooded, crushed, or completely destroyed.
Vice President JD Vance said he would meet with Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson in Washington, D.C., after receiving a letter from the Democratic mayor slamming the Trump administration's ongoing federal probe of the 2020 presidential election and offering to talk with Vance during his stop in Wisconsin's largest city. "I did get the letter from the mayor of Milwaukee, and he wants to meet, and he's welcome to come to Washington, D.C.," Vance said in response to a reporter's question. "I'll sit down and meet with him. We don't have time to meet with him today, because we have to get back to Washington, but I'm happy to meet with him."
And that was what led the Brewers to look across the street one day a few years later and determine that the central hub for demonic activity in the region was roughly 100 yards away. It was a bookstore called Southland.
By the time the Brewers returned to Maryville, they saw themselves as hardened spiritual warriors. They founded the Well to continue the battle, joining an international network of churches and ministries called Global Awakening, which also had a seminary, where Andrea began studying demon history and hierarchies. When Mike asked God for their exact assignment, he told me when I visited in March, “the Lord spoke so clearly. He said, ‘I’m giving you and the Well a mandate for the full eradication of witchcraft and demonic activity in the region.’”
Militant anti-Zionism became a wedge that the group’s more radical activists used to drive away critics of authoritarianism on the left. In 2025, the group’s convention voted to officially remove its founding language allowing for the expulsion of members who worked for communist cells, and added a provision calling the Palestinian “right to resistance” a central tenet of the DSA. Having dismantled the guardrails that Harrington built to exclude communists, the group established new guardrails to exclude anybody opposed to Israel’s destruction. “Michael Harrington’s DSA is dead,” a dispatch from the proceedings gloated.
In January, the Trump administration released new dietary guidelines that recommended, for the first time, that Americans eat sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir and miso for better gut health. And Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. often promotes the benefits of sauerkraut and yogurt, saying that they helped him lose weight and sharpen his thinking.
And then between 2023 and 2024, regulators linked the farm to one of the largest publicly known raw-dairy outbreaks in decades, with more than 170 people falling ill from salmonella. McAfee disputed his farm’s connection to many of the outbreaks, including this one. “I call complete crap,” McAfee said, claiming that his farm was not responsible for all the cases. “It was 25, maybe 30.” He also disagreed that the majority of patients were children, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had detailed in a report published last year. “I challenge that data at the fundamental level.”
Reporting Highlights Raw Milk on the Rise: Driven by political shifts and wellness trends, unpasteurized milk has moved from a fringe obsession to a widespread movement rooted in institutional distrust. The Myth of Safety: Despite stringent hygiene efforts, contamination from deadly bacteria like E. coli and salmonella remains an inherent, unavoidable risk in unpasteurized dairy. A Political Shield: As raw milk continues to sicken consumers, high-level lawmakers and government officials are championing the industry’s expansion rather than curbing the danger.
These massive crowds are celebrating the Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team qualifying for the [2026 FIFA World Cup](0.5.1, 0.5.5). The viral street party erupted across the capital of [Sarajevo](0.5.9, 0.5.11) after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over [Italy](0.5.1, 0.5.2) during the [UEFA World Cup Qualifiers](0.5.5, 0.5.9).
This image is a detail from the 1872 Portrait of Ivan Drašković by Rosa Klein, which hangs in Trakošćan Castle in Croatia. The painting has gained internet fame due to the dog's unusually flat, human-like facial features.If you are looking to explore more classic or historical dog art, I can help you find more examples of Ugly Dogs in Renaissance Paintings or famous pet portraits. Would you like to see more pieces with funny or unusual animal expressions?
Phlogiston is a superseded 18th-century scientific hypothesis proposing the existence of a fire-like, weightless substance contained within all combustible materials. First proposed by Johann Joachim Becher in 1669 and formally named by Georg Ernst Stahl in 1697, it served as an early framework to explain combustion and rusting.How the Theory WorkedAccording to phlogiston theory, whenever a substance burned, rusted, or oxidized, it released its stored phlogiston into the air.Combustion: Burning a candle would transfer phlogiston to the surrounding air until the air was "saturated." Once the air could not hold any more, the flame would go out.Rusting: Metals were thought to be combinations of ash and phlogiston. When a metal rusted (or calcined), it lost its phlogiston to reveal a brittle residue known as a "calx".The Flaw & The DisproofThe theory began to collapse when scientists started conducting precise weight measurements. It was discovered that when metals like magnesium or iron were burned, they actually gained weight rather than lost it. If phlogiston were escaping, the materials should have weighed less after burning.
Trump’s White House, as you’d expect, has also vehemently brushed away concerns about having another octogenarian in the White House. Those close to him say that, yes, Trump moves a little slower these days, but that he’s still a commanding, charismatic force. That’s just it: Whereas Biden noticeably changed, Trump appears in many ways to be the same. He’s always been erratic; he’s always been bombastic. But as Trump has aged, he’s becoming a purer, less filtered version of himself. Because the changes are less obvious, they’ve drawn less attention. For now, at least.
It’s just as grotesque as you imagine. Trump is reaching his grubby hands into the largest till in the world, the U.S. Treasury. Along with an apology from the IRS, the arrangement would also guarantee that the IRS would never audit any member of the Trump family ever again. As The Bulwark’s Andrew Egger described it: The members of the commission overseeing disbursements [of the $1.7 billion] would serve at Trump’s pleasure, and he’d be able to remove them without cause at any time. The commission would have no obligation to disclose its decision-making process for how to disburse the money. And then, of course, there’s the unbearable rottenness of the purported settlement fund itself: the shamelessness of Trump keeping a backdoor way to profit from it personally, the utter absence of any oversight controls that would even allow him to plausibly argue that the money will be spent justly, and the completely topsy-turvy travesty of creating a slush fund for January 6ers and other MAGA villains in the first place.
A massive fight broke out at a Chipotle restaurant in Washington, D.C.'s Navy Yard neighborhood over the weekend, with videos showing a large group of teenagers throwing chairs, tables, and punches inside the busy establishment. WJAC +1 Key details of the incident: The Location: The Chipotle located in the 1200 block of First Street SE, Washington D.C.. The Incident: Two groups of juveniles got into a verbal altercation that quickly escalated into a violent melee. Several individuals were recorded throwing wooden chairs and attempting to strike others with furniture. The Response: Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrived within a minute of receiving calls, but the teens fled the scene upon spotting the police. The Aftermath: According to a police report, there were no reported injuries or property damage, though the incident has sparked local outrage. U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro publicly condemned the violence, stating that authorities are looking into prosecuting the parents of the minors involved in such "teen takeovers"
Judith Miller was a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter for The New York Times whose pre-war coverage of Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction (WMD) played a central role in building public support for the 2003 invasion, though her reporting was later revealed to be based on fabricated and faulty intelligence
Claims that 3.9 million Americans have died due to the COVID-19 vaccine are unfounded and highly inaccurate, originating from a misinterpretation of vaccine adverse event reporting data, not verified medical evidence.According to reports from 1.1.1 and investigations into his statements, Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) has repeatedly misused data from the CDC's Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) to suggest that the COVID-19 vaccines are dangerous and causing high numbers of deaths, often citing unverified reports as if they were proven deaths caused by the vaccine. Key Facts Regarding this Claim: VAERS Data Misuse: The VAERS system is a raw, voluntary database where anyone can report a health issue following vaccination. It is designed to track potential safety signals, not to establish, nor prove, that a vaccine caused a specific health problem or death. No Evidence of High Mortality: No credible scientific source or health agency suggests that millions, or even high thousands, of people have died from the COVID-19 vaccines. CDC Findings: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reviewed the death reports following COVID-19 vaccination and has not established a causal link to the vaccine in the vast majority of cases. While there was a verified, causal link to a rare clotting condition (TTS) with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, this resulted in a very small number of confirmed deaths, and the vaccine's benefits are generally considered to outweigh the risks. Misleading Interpretation: Critics and health professionals have labelled Senator Johnson's use of this data as misleading and as spreading dangerous misinformation, noting that VAERS reports are often "incomplete, inaccurate, coincidental, or unverifiable"
"86" is American hospitality slang, originating in the 1920s-30s, used to mean an item is out of stock, a customer is banned, or to discard something. While etymology is unclear, popular theories include NY Prohibition-era speakeasies, soda fountain, or rhyming slang, with "86" meaning to "nix" or get rid of. Wikipedia Wikipedia +3 Common Bar Origin Theories: Chumley’s Speakeasy (Most Popular): Located at 86 Bedford St. in New York, the manager would tell customers to leave via the 86 Bedford St. door during police raids, effectively telling them to "86 it" to escape. Rhyming Slang: "86" was often used in the 1920s-30s as rhyming slang for "nix" (meaning "no" or "none"), often used by bartenders and soda jerks. Prohibition & Alcohol Proof: Some theories suggest that bartenders would "86" an unruly, drunk customer by serving them a weaker, 86-proof liquor instead of the standard 100-proof. Bartender's Code: It is commonly thought to be related to diner and bar slang for when a customer is cut off from service or when an item has run out. The term became widely used in the restaurant industry to signify that an item is no longer available, and it is firmly rooted in bar and restaurant culture.
Well, I’m an independent. Frankly, I just wasn’t a fan of Kamala. It was the lesser of two evils. I could have written in somebody, but I felt like I had a better chance of a little hope with Trump. I was hoping that Congress and other branches would keep him in check, and that he’d have better advisers, and that maybe the second go-around, he’d learn some lessons. But it seems like it’s just total chaos.
He also defended President Donald Trump’s proposed 2027 budget, which increases defense spending and cuts more than 12% from the Department of Health and Human Services. Facing bipartisan concern over reductions to programs and research funding, Kennedy agreed the cuts would be “painful” but argued they were necessary to help address the federal government’s $39 trillion deficit.
Generic pantoprazole (40 mg) generally costs between $5 and $20 per month for 30 tablets when using savings coupons, with some pharmacies offering prices as low as $10 or less. Retail prices without insurance can be higher, but, using pharmacy discounts, typical prices at major retailers range from roughly $6 to $20. GoodRx GoodRx +4 Key Cost Factors for Pantoprazole (30-day supply): Best Price (with coupons): Often $5.61–$10. Average Coupon Price: $10–$15. Average Retail Price: Often up to $174 without insurance or discounts, though this is rarely paid with coupons. Wholesale Option: 6-month supplies can be found for as low as $37, averaging under $7 per month. GoodRx GoodRx +6 Common Pharmacy Prices (with Coupons as of April 2026): Kroger Pharmacy: ~$6.50 Amazon Pharmacy: ~$11.60 Walmart: ~$16.00 CVS Pharmacy: ~$12.00
A refugee camp near Goma, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, last year.
A refugee camp near Goma, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, last year showing miles of rows of tattered white tents
After Dr. Shaknovsky removed the organ, “The staff looked at the readily identifiable liver on the table and were shocked when Dr. Shaknovsky told them that it was a spleen,” the state documents said. “One staff member felt sick to their stomach.”
A correction was made on April 14, 2026: Because of an editing error, an earlier version of this article described incorrectly where in Florida Miramar Beach is located. It is in the state’s northwest, it is not near Miami.
BREAKING: Poll shows fired CBS host Stephen Colbert has higher favorability than Trump, Vance, and AOC combined Stephen Colbert is more popular than nearly every major political figure in America, and the numbers don't lie. An NBC News poll of 1,000 registered voters, conducted between February 27 and March 3, found that Colbert earned a net +10 favorability rating, placing him second only to Pope Leo XIV, who topped the list at +34. Every single politician surveyed fell below both of them. Marco Rubio came in third at net -7. JD Vance, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Donald Trump all landed even lower. The timing is striking. Paramount canceled Colbert's Late Show last year in what executives called a "purely financial decision." But the move came just days after Colbert publicly accused his own parent company of "bribing" the president on air. Skydance CEO David Ellison, a close ally of Trump, subsequently acquired Paramount. Critics connected the dots immediately, and the public apparently did too. Colbert's show is set to air its final episode in May. In a recent interview, he revealed that his dream final guest is Pope Leo XIV, noting both men hail from Chicago. "Leo, come on. Chicago. Let's hit some deep dish," he joked.
Republican Tom Barrett currently holds Michigan's 7th Congressional District, having flipped it red in the 2024 election. The district is considered highly competitive and politically split, with a Cook PVI of EVEN. It is expected to be a top target for Democrats to flip back in 2026, often characterized as a "toss-up"
The idea, known as "return-free filing," would be a voluntary alternative to hiring a tax preparer or using commercial tax software. The concept has been around for decades and has been endorsed by both President Ronald Reagan and a campaigning President Obama. "This is not some pie-in-the-sky that's never been done before," said William Gale, co-director of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. "It's doable, feasible, implementable, and at a relatively low cost." So why hasn't it become a reality? Well, for one thing, it doesn't help that it's been opposed for years by the company behind the most popular consumer tax software — Intuit, maker of TurboTax. Conservative tax activist Grover Norquist and an influential computer industry group also have fought return-free filing. More Stories Photograph of Jared Kushner attending official event Jared Kushner’s Mysterious Role in the Trump Administration Andrea Bernstein Attendees at a Tisza-party election event cheer as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán concedes during parliamentary elections in Budapest Hungary Just Ousted the Unoustable Isaac Stanley-Becker Gretchen Whitmer The Conciliator Elaine Godfrey Intuit has spent about $11.5 million on federal lobbying in the past five years — more than Apple or Amazon. Although the lobbying spans a range of issues, Intuit's disclosures pointedly note that the company "opposes IRS government tax preparation."
The idea, known as "return-free filing," would be a voluntary alternative to hiring a tax preparer or using commercial tax software. The concept has been around for decades and has been endorsed by both President Ronald Reagan and a campaigning President Obama. "This is not some pie-in-the-sky that's never been done before," said William Gale, co-director of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. "It's doable, feasible, implementable, and at a relatively low cost." So why hasn't it become a reality? Well, for one thing, it doesn't help that it's been opposed for years by the company behind the most popular consumer tax software — Intuit, maker of TurboTax. Conservative tax activist Grover Norquist and an influential computer industry group also have fought return-free filing. More Stories Photograph of Jared Kushner attending official event Jared Kushner’s Mysterious Role in the Trump Administration Andrea Bernstein Attendees at a Tisza-party election event cheer as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán concedes during parliamentary elections in Budapest Hungary Just Ousted the Unoustable Isaac Stanley-Becker Gretchen Whitmer The Conciliator Elaine Godfrey Intuit has spent about $11.5 million on federal lobbying in the past five years — more than Apple or Amazon. Although the lobbying spans a range of issues, Intuit's disclosures pointedly note that the company "opposes IRS government tax preparation."
Ladies in dresses and heels carrying signs protesting water fluoridation.
A cat looking at four chickens on the opposite side of a glass door panel
The Internet had a field day with the gold trim’s apparent origin, with social media users ridiculing the so-called gold furnishings. “Imagine running the free world and still decorating like a broke mobster’s wife in Jersey. $58 Home Depot appliques in the Oval Office, spray-painted gold. Very on brand for Trump: cheap, fake and f***ing ugly,” one critic wrote on X. Another piled on, writing, “Nothing says fake AF human being than trying to claim everything in the Oval Office is gold when it was purchased at Home Depot.” “Petty is the idiot who adorned the Oval Office in gold, spray-painted plastic Home Depot castings,” another critic chimed in. The White House did not immediately return The Independent’s request for comment on the Internet rumors.
On Wednesday, the right descended into a feeding frenzy over unsubstantiated rumors of a Justice Department investigation into whether certain conservative commentators were being paid by foreign sources to argue for and against the war. Social media luminaries as grand as “Catturd” himself were thrilled at the idea of seeing fellow influencers arrested. “DO IT !!!” declared Mr. Turd.
President Trump, apparently emboldened by the rescue of the downed American airman, renewed his threat to attack vital Iranian infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz was not opened soon to all shipping traffic. “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!” Trump warned in a social media post that was laced with expletives. “Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell — JUST WATCH. Praise be to Allah.” Trump had set Monday as his latest deadline for striking Iranian power plants unless Iran halted its effective blockade of the strategic waterway for Persian Gulf oil and gas.
The president has swerved in the past week between claiming that the strait is not his problem, because the United States barely purchases oil flowing through the 21-mile wide passage, and threatening to go after civilian infrastructure if Iran continues to restrict which ships can pass — and to charge $2 million tolls to those few ships it lets through. On Sunday morning he was back in threatening mode, with a vengeance. “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran,” he wrote a little after 8 a.m. “Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell — JUST WATCH. Praise be to Allah.”
Two ginger cats cuddling