The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is defending its criticism of a top-ranking lawmaker as scrutiny continues against the elaborate legislative package making its way through Congress. The VFW on Thursday defended its “political satire” against House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chair Mike Bost (R-Ill.), who on Wednesday accused the VFW of inciting political violence. Specifically, he pointed to apparel being sold online on websites like Grunt Style with the VFW moniker, showing the words “Honor the Contract.” In the image, four males—labeled as “bureaucrats” and “media—are holding firearms aimed at two military service members. Beside that image includes three…

Scientists at the University of Minnesota have taken humanity one step closer to creating “artificial life.” The new lab-created “SpudCell” has replicated several key functions of living organisms, according to researchers. Can Artificial Intelligence Cure “Incurable” Diseases? The researchers at the University of Minnesota unveiled their work on artificial life on Wednesday. Kate Adamala, a synthetic biologist and professor at the university, called the synthetic cell “an incredibly wimpy organism” that currently does little more than “eat and occasionally make a daughter cell.” The team built the cells from non-living chemical components rather than altering existing organisms. According to the project page,…

There is no president more associated with conservation, public lands, and the outdoors than Theodore Roosevelt. TR served in the office from 1901 to 1909, and the avid outdoorsman and hunter worked to protect our country’s natural landscapes. Always a swashbuckling, adrenaline-seeking type, Roosevelt went on many wild adventures and took many unprecedented steps to defend the outdoors. His Presidential Library is set to have its grand opening on July 4 in Medora, N.D. As the new museum prepares to honor his legacy, let’s examine all his fearless feats and efforts to save the outdoors. A Chronological List of Theodore…

There’ve been enough developments to my earlier post about the Virgin Islands Attorney General being threatened with sanctions for failing to submit legal filings by the judge’s deadlines that another post is necessary.  First, and hilariously, the USVI did reply to the judge ordering them to explain why they’ve been late in turning in their homework. An Assistant AG, though provided the response, not Ariel Smith, who’s the head of the USVI Justice Department’s Civil Division and the lead attorney for the defense. Attorney Smith, counsel of record for Defendants in this matter, is currently out…

As adults across the United States prepare to formally celebrate the Fourth of July and the long journey taken to reach this point in the nation’s history, the largest youth generation in U.S. history is also speaking out about their appreciation for the country—as well as where improvements can be made to sustain the 250-year-old democratic republic. For months, Gen Z individuals in all 50 states have posted handwritten messages sharing their hopes, dreams and frustrations as part of more than 250 interactive “Wish Walls” found at museums, historic sites, libraries, campuses and public gathering spaces. The civic initiative, organized…

United States health authorities are struggling to identify the source of a foodborne illness that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration. At least 145 people across 17 states have tested positive for the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite. “Local, state, and federal (CDC, FDA) public health authorities are investigating several clusters of cases in more than one state. Investigations to identify potential sources are ongoing,” according to officials. The outbreak started back in May and has continued to spread. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has acknowledged that there are likely far more cases that are going undiagnosed. Cyclosporiasis is…