News You Should Know

From Across the Web

NYC Mayor Mamdani Starts Reelection Fundraising

Jun. 12, 2026

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has laid the groundwork for a 2029 reelection campaign, launching an early fundraising drive while warning supporters that political opponents are organizing years ahead of the next mayoral race.

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Trump administration yanks funding from LA homeless agency amid explosive fraud probe: ‘Necessary step’

Jun. 12, 2026

'LAHSA’s failures have been so severe and pervasive that Los Angeles County has withdrawn its funding for the agency,' HUD says in letter

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FBI’s ‘Most Wanted Fraudsters’ list claims first arrest in Minnesota COVID meal fraud case

Jun. 12, 2026

A man accused of participating in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme surrendered himself and was arrested in Minneapolis.

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The spectre of gen Z socialism is haunting the world

Jun. 11, 2026

“Gen-Z socialism is a me-first doctrine,” says the editorial, unlike the selfless doctrine of capitalism. The young socialists have succumbed to “a zero-sum mindset, where a better outcome comes not from creating but from taking”.

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Maurice Brown thinks Syracuse is ready for democratic socialism

Jun. 11, 2026

"With all of the things we say we support, you really can’t do them unless you’re going to tax the rich unless you’re in favor of cutting something else."

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FBI nabs first ‘Most Wanted Fraudster’ accused of stealing over $4.2M meant for child care

Jun. 11, 2026

Ereg, 47, surrendered to authorities less than a week after being placed on the FBI’s roster of shame and faces charges of money laundering, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

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Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson mayor ripped after unveiling fleet of tiny homes likened to porta-potty drug dens

Jun. 10, 2026

Progressive Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is being ripped for unveiling a village of tiny homes being likened to porta-potties — with no rules stopping the homeless people who move in from doing drugs.

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Minnesota fraud report accuses state AG of ‘incompetence, willful blindness or worse’

Jun. 9, 2026

Report links Democratic Attorney General Keith Ellison's alleged inaction to $300M stolen through Feeding Our Future and $9B in Medicaid fraud

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How Much Government Spending Goes to Children?

Jun. 8, 2026

The latest Kids’ Share report from the Urban Institute provides a view of federal resources targeted towards children, placing such spending in the larger context of the country’s budget. The United States spends more on interest on the national debt than on children.

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Walz administration ignored fraud warnings as billions vanished, House oversight report alleges

Jun. 8, 2026

Comer sent a letter to JD Vance urging full review of Minnesota's social services programs for vulnerabilities to fraud

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Federal officials unveil Ohio fraud crackdown

Jun. 5, 2026

Federal officials were in Columbus this week to announce prosecution of a variety of alleged fraud schemes, along with a "fraud-fighting enforcement partnership" with Ohio.

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Meet the champagne socialist duo who groomed rich kid Graham Platner into a ‘working-class’ candidate

Jun. 5, 2026

For his champagne socialist handlers, the more scandals that engulf Platner and the more centrist outrage he can stoke, the better as it gets more stories written and drowns out his opponent in November, incumbent Susan Collins.

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Zohran Mamdani Backtracks on Key Campaign Promise for NYC Schools

Jun. 4, 2026

Mamdani has been criticized for his actions on two key campaign promises before, including public school class sizes and housing initiatives amid the city's historic $12 billion budget deficit.

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Trump, House GOP Chairmen Mount Unprecedented Reform Effort to Prevent Waste, Fraud in Federal Spending

Jun. 4, 2026

“Washington’s abject failure to protect tax dollars has resulted in an unprecedented scale of fraud that threatens not only the sustainability of our safety net programs, but also the future economic viability of our nation.”

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How a democratic socialist is courting D.C.’s business elite

Jun. 3, 2026

Janeese Lewis George is courting D.C.'s business community, pitching a vision to reshape downtown's federal buildings and trying to win over skeptics who're wary of her democratic socialist credentials.

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Democratic socialist heading to Kentucky House

Jun. 3, 2026

Endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders and complimentary of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Robert LeVertis Bell of Louisville is on track to make history in Kentucky. He’ll become the first self-described Democratic Socialist in modern times to be sworn in as a member of the state legislature, which is dominated by Republicans.

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I’m Ohio’s state auditor — Medicaid fraud is not just a Washington problem

Jun. 3, 2026

Audits found payments to dead people, prison inmates and residents enrolled in multiple states

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Rotterdam woman convicted in $28K SNAP, HEAP benefits fraud case

Jun. 3, 2026

A jury found Sonia Rajpaul of Rotterdam didn’t report income from her cleaning business or her husband’s income, even lying about it to a grand jury. Prosecutors say she collected the benefits from 2019 to 2023.

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Fraudsters bought game-worn Kobe Bryant sneakers and Ferraris with taxpayer funds

Jun. 2, 2026

In a secret federal law enforcement warehouse in Southern California, dozens of Ferraris, Lamborghinis and stacks of coveted sports memorabilia – like Mickey Mantle rookie cards and game-worn Kobe Bryant sneakers – offer a modest testament to the mountains of taxpayer money being illegally diverted through fraud.

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Former Atlanta Housing official sentenced for Section 8 and pandemic fraud

Jun. 2, 2026

Federal prosecutors said Tracy Denise Jones, who headed city’s housing voucher program, will spend nine months in prison.

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DOJ Announces Changes to Accelerate Enforcement of Alleged Public Benefits Fraud

Jun. 2, 2026

The Department of Justice issued a memorandum announcing significant changes intended to accelerate investigations of alleged public benefits fraud. The memorandum requires pre-intervention investigations to be completed in a dramatically shorter period of time, and it contemplates an increased role for relators in managing litigation.

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The Persistent Obamacare Enrollment Fraud

Jun. 2, 2026

In 2026, we know more than ever before about the schemes, distorted incentives, the networks of bad actors, and the impact of improper enrollment and fraud on taxpayers.

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U.S. jury finds investor Andrew Left guilty of securities fraud

Jun. 2, 2026

Left faces a statutory maximum sentence of 25 years in federal prison for one count of a securities fraud scheme, and up to 20 years in federal prison for each count of securities fraud.

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Boston woman sentenced for living under stolen identity for two decades

Jun. 1, 2026

Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, 60, was sentenced to 33 months in prison for voter fraud, identity theft and illegally obtaining more than $400,000 in government benefits.

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Featured Columns

From Americans for Good Government Staff

In the Nation’s Service: It’s Time to Stop Shielding College Endowments

Jun. 10, 2026

Why should hardworking families, many of whom cannot afford to attend these uber expensive institutions, be on the hook for funding their liberal ideology? It seems obvious to me that these wealthy schools should contribute to our country's economy, not the other way around.

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Exxon Shareholders Reward Bold Leadership

Jun. 3, 2026

A company's top priority should be to maximize shareholders' returns, not to push kumbaya policies that come at the expense of hardworking families. Unlike corporations, which have a fiduciary obligation to investors, the proxy adviser cartel operates in a regulatory Wild West.

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Mamdani’s First 100 Days: When ‘Tax the Rich’ Meets Reality

May. 27, 2026

Last month, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani filmed a video flouting a newly proposed "pied-a-terre" tax — a fancy name for even more property taxes, this time on the city's high-end homes. In the video, the mayor specifically calls out "this penthouse, which hedge fund CEO Ken Griffin bought for $238 million."

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Kentucky’s Electoral Lesson: The Price of Fiscal Accountability

May. 20, 2026

Republican voters in Kentucky's 4th Congressional District recently decided one of the country's most closely watched primary races: incumbent Congressman Thomas Massie against Trump-endorsed challenger Ed Gallrein.

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California’s Warning To America — How Much Socialism Is Too Much?

May. 13, 2026

Columnist Ken Buck writes, "The question isn't whether California will learn from its mistakes and correct course. The question is whether voters will wake up and realize this socialist tax-and-spend agenda is knocking on our door -- and whether we will fight to stop it."

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Not For Sale

May. 6, 2026

Columnist Ken Buck writes, "That money shapes politics is a truth as old as the republic. What's new is the scale of it. A small class of ultrawealthy leftist donors now flood Washington with cash, routed through shell companies and opaque nonprofits engineered to obscure its source."

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DOGE 2.0 — Can Congress Finish What Elon Musk Started?

Apr. 29, 2026

Columnist Ken Buck writes, "DOGE sparked a movement. It invigorated projects that have uncovered flagrant government waste -- from Minnesota's $9 billion of handouts to Somali swindlers, to California fraud that could cost residents $425 billion."

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Bankrupting America’s Safety Net — Social Security’s 7-Year Warning Light

Apr. 22, 2026

Columnist Ken Buck writes, "For generations, Americans have dutifully paid into Social Security with the fair expectation the money they pay now will be there for them when they reach retirement. There's just one problem: The program is going broke."

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Tax Day Reminds Us That We Are All Government Employees

Apr. 15, 2026

Columnist Ken Buck writes, "Americans will collectively spend almost 12 billion hours of uncompensated time preparing their income tax returns this year, on top of the $2.66 trillion they will fork over to the federal government."

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Who’s Really Funding The Socialist Movement In America?

Apr. 8, 2026

Columnist Ken Buck writes, "The ultra-wealthy -- names like George Soros and John Arnold -- have long pumped money into Washington to advance the left's agenda. But these latest efforts take dark money to a new level, and, worse, they do so by cheating the tax system."

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Airlines Monopolizing Market Won’t Enhance Travelers’ Experience

Apr. 1, 2026

When companies seek to tip the scales and put their bottom lines ahead of customers by monopolizing the market, consumers pay the price.

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Accountability Is A Patriotic Duty

Mar. 25, 2026

Columnist Ken Buck writes, "Americans are experiencing the ugly reality of big government, often without even realizing it. Every day, taxpayers lose billions of dollars to fraud."

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Saving The Safety Net From Federal Waste

Mar. 18, 2026

Columnist Ken Buck writes, "Americans should be wary of Washington's munificence, not pleading for it. The well-spun gimmick that big government ought to be the purveyor of Americans' every want and need has pushed our country down a gradual, slippery slope toward socialism. It's bankrupting our coffers, impeding small businesses, and exacerbating the national affordability crisis."

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A Tale of Two Cities: How the Lie of Socialism Is Hurting America

Mar. 11, 2026

States like California, New York and Washington have been drinking the Kool-Aid, but their steady march toward the brave new world of socialism has proven too much for rational minds. Individuals and businesses are racing for saner pastures — taking jobs and investment with them.

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Interest on the National Debt is Killing the American Dream

Mar. 4, 2026

Recently, an independent budget watchdog group issued a sobering wakeup call: The U.S. national debt is on track to exceed $56 trillion within the next decade. That is a crippling debt load.

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DHS Shutdown Underscores Democrats’ Immigration Quagmire

Feb. 26, 2026

A recent survey found that nearly three-quarters of voters believe that criminal illegal immigrants should be deported, and more than two-thirds want state and local officials to cooperate with federal authorities to get the job done.

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Rising Gold Prices Underscore Uncle Sam’s Spending Problem

Feb. 11, 2026

Columnist Ken Buck writes, "Every U.S. resident is $115,000 in debt, and that number is rapidly climbing. The national debt is growing by $70,000 per second. Interest costs, which exceed national defense spending, are now the fastest-growing piece of the U.S. budget."

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Netflix Acquisition Merits Extra Scrutiny

Feb. 9, 2026

Netflix's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. suggests Big Media is seeking to replicate the Big Tech playbook and may be on the cusp of gaining an anticompetitive advantage that will be equally difficult to undo , and potentially with even greater consequences.

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America in Focus

Dissecting the Issues That Matter

Inside the $39 Trillion Debt Crisis with Rep. Andy Biggs

Jun. 10, 2026

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, host Ken Buck sits down with Arizona Congressman and fiscal hawk Andy Biggs for a candid discussion on the massive hurdles facing government spending reform. With the national debt eclipsing $39 trillion, the duo dives into the internal friction within the Republican caucus, the lingering economic impact of pandemic-era healthcare subsidies, and the rampant fraud undermining federal and state programs.

Feds INVESTIGATE Gavin Newsom Over Insane Prison iPad Program

Jun. 5, 2026

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, hosts Gary Abernathy and former Congressman Ken Buck expose a shocking case of government spending priorities. California recently poured $189 million into providing digital tablets for prisoners—even as working families across the state struggle to pay rent and cope with skyrocketing gas prices.

Elon did DOGE. Mamdani tries COGE

Jun. 1, 2026

In Episode 17 of Balls & Strikes, hosts Gary Abernathy and Ken Buck pull back the curtain on NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s newly minted "COGE" (Commission on Government Efficiency) initiative. Stealing a popular phrase from the federal playbook, Mamdani claims he wants to streamline the Big Apple but Ken and Gary argue the reality is exactly the opposite. This episode breaks down how modern left-wing politicians use well-intentioned buzzwords to hide massive spending increases and add bureaucratic fat.

The California Mayor Working for China

May. 26, 2026

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, Gary Abernathy and former Congressman Ken Buck break down the shocking news out of California, where Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang recently pleaded guilty to acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese Communist Party. Gary and Ken discuss how foreign adversaries weaponize local American politicians and social media to push propaganda, and how anyone who points out this reality is immediately dismissed as a "conspiracy theorist."

Ken Buck Slams AOC’s ‘Billionaire’ Claim

May. 21, 2026

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, Gary Abernathy and Ken Buck take on a recent viral comment from Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who claimed that it is "impossible" to earn a billion dollars without being corrupt or breaking the rules. Gary and Ken break down the reality of this socialist mindset, explaining how capitalism actually rewards hard work and innovation by providing products and services that improve people's lives.

Stopping Fraud Before It Starts with Rep. Pete Sessions

May. 15, 2026

Welcome to another episode of Balls & Strikes, brought to you by Americans for Good Government! This week, hosts Gary Abernathy and former Colorado Congressman Ken Buck sit down with U.S. Representative Pete Sessions (TX-17) to tackle one of the most pressing issues facing American taxpayers today: massive government waste, fraud, and abuse. Rep. Sessions breaks down his new legislation, the Fraud Prevention and Accountability Act, which aims to fundamentally change how the federal government handles benefits and misdirected funds.

Mainstream Media Exposed: The “Debunked” Double Standard

May. 12, 2026

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, Gary Abernathy and Ken Buck tackle the mainstream media's glaring double standards and the danger of modern news silos. They kick off the conversation by discussing the potential Paramount-Warner Bros. merger and the left's panic over CNN possibly moving back toward the political center. Gary and Ken pull no punches as they break down how the media uses the word "debunked" to silence conservative viewpoints without evidence.

Blue State Fraud & The Rise of Socialism

May. 8, 2026

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, Gary Abernathy and former Congressman Ken Buck tackle two alarming trends threatening the American system: the creeping rise of socialism in wealthy suburbs and massive, unchecked government fraud. First, they break down Analilia Mejia's shocking 20-point victory in New Jersey's 11th district and discuss why the conservative movement is losing the messaging battle to the progressive "free stuff" playbook. Then, the guys dig into a staggering new GAO report revealing that the federal government loses up to $521 billion to fraud every single year.

Why is NYC Spending $30M on a Government Grocery?

May. 2, 2026

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, Gary Abernathy and Ken Buck tackle the growing push for "Democratic Socialism" in America. They focus on a recent proposal from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to spend $30 million in taxpayer money to build a publicly owned grocery store in East Harlem. Gary and Ken discuss why government-run retail is a recipe for disaster, how the education system has failed to teach younger generations about the realities of communism, and why states like Florida are now legally mandating that history be taught. Plus, Gary shares a classic story from his youth about the true value of the American capitalist system.

The “Stop Nick Shirley” Act: Is California Outlawing Citizen Journalism?

Apr. 28, 2026

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, Gary Abernathy and Ken Buck take aim at a controversial legislative push in California. Assemblymember Mia Bonta recently introduced a bill, unofficially dubbed the "Stop Nick Shirley Act", that would effectively criminalize citizen journalists for filming and exposing fraud at immigration service providers.

The Communist Billionaire Funding American Protests

Apr. 24, 2026

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, Gary Abernathy and Ken Buck break down a bombshell Fox News Digital investigation exposing the dark money behind America's "grassroots" protests. They reveal how Neville Roy Singham, a self-described communist living in Shanghai, funneled $278 million into a network of left-wing organizations to drive division in the United States.

Ken Buck’s Bold Idea To Balance The Budget

Apr. 17, 2026

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, journalist Gary Abernathy and former Congressman Ken Buck discuss a bold new structural change to how Washington handles your money. After years of failed "gimmick" commissions, Ken introduces his proposal for a grassroots-led Budget Commission chaired by the Chief Justice of the United States. Gary and Ken dive into why D.C. bureaucrats lose their spines once they enter the swamp and how an enforcement mechanism—tied directly to members' pay—could finally force fiscal restraint. Join us for a common-sense conversation about saving the next generation from an economic catastrophe.

The “Open Secret” of California Fraud

Apr. 14, 2026

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, hosts Gary Abernathy and Ken Buck expose the breathtaking waste and lack of accountability in state-run programs. They dive into a shocking investigation into California’s hospice industry, where "ghost" offices are billing Medicare for millions while providing zero care. Gary and Ken also discuss the Wallace Annenberg Wildlife Crossing—a delayed project that has ballooned to $114 million—and why Ken believes government services are almost always delivered better by the private sector. Join us as we pull back the curtain on the "open secret" of Medicare fraud that Washington refuses to address.

No Nuclear Iran. Period. — Ken Buck on What Matters Most

Apr. 9, 2026

What defines success in a conflict like this? Ken Buck joins Laura Coates on CNN to lay it out simply: Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. As debates continue over strategy, authority, and political consequences, one outcome matters most—ensuring a nuclear-armed Iran never becomes reality. That’s the standard. That’s the goal.

Spending More, Getting Less: Ken Buck on Why D.C. Thrives on Debt

Apr. 6, 2026

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, Gary Abernathy and Ken Buck examine a shocking report from the New York State Comptroller. NYC is now spending over $81,000 per unsheltered homeless person—nearly triple what it spent just six years ago. Despite the massive increase in funding, the homeless population has surged by 26%.

Why DOGE Failed to Cut the Federal Deficit

Mar. 31, 2026

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, Gary Abernathy and Ken Buck take a hard look at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Despite the star power of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, federal spending actually increased during the DOGE program. Why did a project aimed at cutting $2 trillion in waste fall short?

Is DOGE a Band-Aid on a Bullet Wound?

Mar. 25, 2026

The national debt is spiraling, and Washington has known about the waste for years. In this episode of Balls & Strikes, hosts Gary Abernathy and former Congressman Ken Buck take a hard look at DOGE and whether Elon Musk's government efficiency push is really uncovering anything new or just shining a light on what insiders have ignored for decades. From 47,000 vacant federal buildings to a Pentagon that hasn't passed its own audit in years, Buck breaks down why DOGE is a necessary idea but not a complete solution. What structural reforms would actually move the needle? Buck makes the case for hard spending caps, empowered inspector generals, and tying term limits directly to debt reduction.

The Real Reason Congress Won’t Stop Spending

Mar. 19, 2026