Author: DAMON K JONES

In July 2025, President Trump signed the HALT Fentanyl Act, a bipartisan measure that permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs and imposes a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years for possession of 100 grams or more. It was hailed as a necessary step in fighting a deadly epidemic that has claimed over 100,000 lives annually. On the same day, Trump declared Mexican drug cartels to be foreign terrorist organizations. But when the headlines fade and emotions cool, we’re left with a policy that feels eerily familiar: tough talk, harsh penalties, and no real investment in prevention. This isn’t…

In Mount Vernon, a lawsuit filed by local resident and former candidate Bill Schwartz raises troubling questions about the way elections are being conducted—and even more troubling questions about how they’re being protected. According to Schwartz, data from the June 2025 Democratic Primary reveals a sudden spike of over 9,600 new voter IDs in just over a year—a 30% increase. He further claims that some registered “active” voters were born before 1905. Others, he says, have been dead for decades. Meanwhile, he alleges that thousands of legitimate voters were removed from the rolls, had their party affiliations changed, or experienced…

Rumors have swirled in the boxing world for years about a potential clash between two legends—Clarissa Shields, the self-proclaimed “GWOAT” (Greatest Woman of All Time), and Laila Ali, the undefeated daughter of boxing icon Muhammad Ali. But now, that fantasy matchup may finally be on the verge of becoming reality. Read: Legacy vs. Greatness: Claressa Shields Challenges Laila Ali in Boxing’s Most Anticipated Dream Match In a recent video, Shields and her team made a public, on-camera offer to Ali: $15 million and a venue to settle the debate once and for all. “We got the $15 million,” Shields declared. “Let’s make…

We live in an era where public announcements often camouflage the real motives behind corporate behavior. Former President Donald Trump’s recent claim that he convinced Coca-Cola to switch from high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) to cane sugar made headlines and stirred public interest. But this isn’t just symbolism—it’s a trade-off. Coca-Cola and similar companies aren’t suddenly health-conscious; they’re adjusting their strategy in response to the growing political and regulatory pressure brought on by Trump’s Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Nutritionally, switching from HFCS to cane sugar does nothing significant. Both sweeteners contribute to obesity, insulin resistance, and…

For decades, America has treated health care like a response unit—rushing to patch up what poor food, polluted environments, and preventable diseases have already broken. But under the leadership of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative is flipping the script. Instead of managing sickness, MAHA is about building wellness. And it’s gaining traction in states that are tired of watching their people get sicker while industries profit off of ignorance, additives, and empty calories. Eight states—including Indiana, Utah, Arkansas, and West Virginia—have already adopted MAHA policies. From removing soda and candy from SNAP benefits to…

While headlines across the country scream about massive food stamp cuts and families being thrown off assistance, let’s be clear about one thing: New York is not a doom-and-gloom scenario when it comes to public help. The game has changed, yes—but that doesn’t mean the help is gone. What it means is this: if you’re willing to show up, do your part, and engage with the system, you can keep your benefits and even move toward something better. The New Rules—What Changed? Under the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signed into law on July 4, 2025, able-bodied adults ages 18 to 55 without…

Joy Reid’s recent interview with Piers Morgan was more than a media clash—it was a case study in what happens when emotional narratives replace objective logic, and identity politics overrides policy outcomes. Reid condemned Donald Trump’s immigration policies as “fascist” and “racist,” yet when pressed on Barack Obama’s record—over three million deportations, more than any president in U.S. history—she dismissed it entirely, saying, “I don’t know and don’t care.” Under Trump, it’s oppression. Under Obama—who deported more migrants than any other president and was dubbed the “Deporter-in-Chief” by immigration activists—it’s a moral compromise. The action is the same, but the…

For over two decades, travelers have had to navigate TSA’s post-9/11 security rituals — including removing shoes, unpacking laptops, and squeezing liquid toiletries into plastic baggies. But change is on the horizon. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently announced that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is considering ending the long-standing 3-1-1 liquids rule, which limits carry-on liquids to 3.4 ounces per container in a single quart-sized bag. This move follows the recent rollback of the “shoes-off” policy and marks a significant shift in how the U.S. approaches airport security. If fully implemented, the change could reshape the experience of air travel…

In the world of boxing, greatness isn’t just measured by belts and records—it’s measured by who dares to fight the best. And now, one of the boldest matchups in women’s boxing history may be on the horizon: Claressa Shields vs. Laila Ali. Laila Ali, 24–0 and widely recognized as the face of women’s boxing in the early 2000s, lit the match in a recent interview when she said she’d “consider” coming out of retirement to fight Shields—for the right price. Her price tag? A staggering $15–20 million. “If someone puts that money on the table, we can talk,” Ali said bluntly.…

New York State is facing a projected $22 billion deficit. Predictably, politicians are pointing fingers everywhere but the mirror. Governor Hochul blames Washington for scaling back emergency COVID funds. But the truth is simpler and less politically convenient: this crisis was not imposed by external forces. It was manufactured right here in Albany. The numbers speak for themselves. New York’s $254 billion budget increased by over $12 billion in a single year, despite clear signs of slowing revenue and expiring federal aid. That is not fiscal misfortune — that is fiscal irresponsibility. A significant driver of this deficit is the…