DOGE to Slash US Deficit by $1 Trillion

Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce the U.S. federal deficit from $2 trillion to $1 trillion by FY 2026. This involves cutting around $4 billion in spending daily. The strategy includes terminating contracts related to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and other 'wasteful' expenditures. Musk suggests that economic growth should offset the remaining deficit, aiming for zero inflation by 2026.

A midair collision

An American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter collided just outside Washington D.C. last night and plunged into the Potomac River.

Sixty-four people were on the plane, which was coming from Wichita, Kan.,  The military aircraft carried a crew of three.

Elon Musk arrived in North America at 17 with $2000, a backpack & a suitcase full of books. Paid his own way thru college. Dropped out of Stanford Eng/Phys grad school w $110k in college debt.

Manatee County announced they had been awarded a $250 million grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Lakewood Ranch High School anatomy & physiology students recently worked together to convert Play-Doh into serious science to create 3D models of different types of neurons.

A Presbyterian pastor who attended the inaugural prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral last week claimed Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde's sermon sowed the division she was preaching against.

Rob Pacienza, who serves as senior pastor at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, further suggested during a recent interview with The Christian Post that Budde's worldview is symptomatic of the decay within mainline Protestantism that is increasingly rendering its churches irrelevant.

Politicians Make too Much Money 

Nancy Pelosi sold 10,000 shares of Nvidia on December 31st.

Trump Proposes Gaza Clearance, Discusses Relocation with Arab Leaders

President Donald Trump has suggested relocating Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries like Egypt and Jordan, aiming to 'clean out' the territory. This proposal was discussed with King Abdullah II of Jordan, with further talks planned with Egypt's leadership. This has sparked discussions on the potential implications, ranging from humanitarian relocation efforts to concerns over ethnic cleansing.

Senate Confirms Hegseth for Defense Secretary, with Vance as Tiebreaker

Vice President JD Vance had to cast a tiebreaking vote to confirm Pete Hegseth for defense secretary after three Republicans joined all Democrats in opposition.

U.S. Education Dept. Eliminates DEI Programs Under Trump's Directive

The U.S. Department of Education has announced the elimination of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This includes terminating its DEI Council, withdrawing the Equity Action Plan, canceling millions in DEI training contracts, and placing DEI staff on leave. These actions are part of a broader directive from President Donald Trump to dismantle DEI programs across federal agencies, aiming to restore what is described as a merit-based system in government employment.