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Cartels Shift Strategy: Produce Drugs on American Soil Federal operations this week show cartels increasingly producing drugs inside America rather than relying solely on smuggling. On 11/17/25, the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, and Customs and Border Protection seized roughly 1.7 million counterfeit fentanyl pills, weighing 436 pounds, plus 26 pounds of raw fentanyl powder from a Colorado storage facility. Evidence including chemical equipment, packaging materials, and residue testing confirmed the substances were processed domestically. On 11/18/25, a meth trafficking network was dismantled after smuggling 7,055 pounds hidden in produce; investigators recovered lab manuals, precursor chemicals, and partially processed meth, clearly showing local processing activity. Then on 11/19/25, the DEA, FBI, ICE, and HSI announced the largest meth seizure in Colorado history: over 1,000 pounds, with lab evidence showing domestic synthesis. Authorities say the operations were linked to cells of the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation Cartels. Combined, the estimated street value exceeds $2.5 billion, highlighting the growing scale of domestic operations. Authorities estimate 5,000 to 7,000 cartel-affiliated individuals operate in America, coordinating labs, storage, and distribution. Traffickers obtain precursors legally or smuggled from abroad, converting them into fentanyl powder, counterfeit pills, or meth. Fentanyl is often cut with xylazine, creating unpredictable potency. Synthetic opioids now contribute to over 110,000 overdose deaths annually, making drug overdoses the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. In some states, fentanyl accounts for more than 75 percent of deaths involving synthetic substances. Producing drugs domestically avoids border checks, reduces transport costs, and meets demand quickly. This shift toward domestic production puts it in our backyards and swift action is essential to end this epidemic. #BreakingNews #News #USNews #USA

Is Jurassic Park Possible Today? The Science The idea of extracting dinosaur DNA from a blood filled mosquito trapped in amber is compelling, but scientific analysis shows it is not feasible. DNA stability experiments demonstrate that genetic material decays with a measurable half life. Studies using radiocarbon dated bones indicate that DNA breaks into unreadable fragments within a few hundred thousand years. Even in ideal conditions most strands are gone by one million years. Dinosaurs vanished sixty five million years ago, far beyond the threshold where molecular structures remain intact. Amber does preserve physical structures with remarkable clarity. Insects, feathers, and plant tissues have been found with cellular detail, yet repeated testing of amber specimens has produced no verified ancient DNA. Contamination remains a primary challenge because modern genetic material is abundant and can infiltrate samples during extraction. Laboratories working with highly sensitive sequencing platforms report numerous false positives due to minute environmental DNA. Blood inside a fossilized mosquito presents additional problems. Hemoglobin breaks down rapidly and no confirmed instance of preserved vertebrate blood cells has been recovered from amber insects. Advanced imaging tools can map shapes and pigments but the molecular information required to assemble a genome is absent. Even if a tiny fraction of nucleotide sequences survived they would be too incomplete to reconstruct the billions of bases that form a functional chromosome. Synthetic biology improves each year, yet the engineering effort needed to rebuild a dinosaur genome with only guesswork would exceed current computational and biochemical limits. Modern reptiles and birds provide evolutionary clues, but they cannot substitute for an authentic sequence. For now the scenario remains a cinematic concept rather than a viable scientific pathway. #Dinosaurs #Science #News #Movies #USNews

Can You Tell a Dyed Geode from a Real One? Dyed geodes look natural at first glance, yet their bright blues, pinks, and greens often come from a controlled coloring process. Natural geodes rarely form such vivid tones, which is why sellers enhance them. Today, about fifty to sixty percent of small decorative geodes are artificially colored, and brightly dyed pieces often outsell natural ones by nearly two to one. The process begins when a geode is cut open to reveal its crystal chamber. The halves are cleaned to remove dust, then soaked in a heated dye bath. Tiny channels between quartz crystals act like capillaries, drawing in pigment. A medium geode can absorb nearly its own weight in liquid during a full day of soaking. Some workshops rotate geodes periodically to ensure even color. Crystal density affects the final hue. Dense clusters absorb less dye, producing pastel tones, while open pockets take in up to thirty percent more pigment, creating bold saturated shades. Deep purple and bright teal are especially popular, mimicking rare natural minerals at lower cost. Temperature also matters: hotter baths push dye deeper into the crystal, while cooler baths keep it near the surface. Layered or multistage baths produce gradients rarely seen in nature. Collectors often spot dyed geodes by observing sharp color bands near cut edges, faint staining on the outer rind, or solid pigment in crystal tips. Newly dyed stones may feel slightly heavier because absorbed liquid has not fully evaporated. Dyed geodes remain popular because they combine natural crystal formation with human creativity. Artists continue experimenting with pigments, metallic finishes, and gradient effects, turning ordinary stones into striking decorative pieces. Millions of dyed geodes are sold each year, proving even a simple rock can captivate with color and design. #Science #America #USA #News #USNews #ScienceNews

Power Shut-Offs Surge Across the U.S. A growing number of families are experiencing the harsh reality of losing electricity service due to unpaid bills. According to a recent analysis, past-due balances to utility companies jumped nearly 10% in the past year, averaging $789 per household, while monthly energy bills rose by about 12% between April 2024 and April 2025. This combination of higher costs and mounting debt has pushed many households to the brink. Human Impact Stories like that of Misty Pellew’s family in Pennsylvania highlight the crisis. After her husband lost his job, the family fell behind on payments, leading to a $602 shut-off notice. They endured days without power, relying on peanut butter sandwiches and sleeping in hoodies to stay warm. For families like hers, the recent government shutdown has only worsened the situation, delaying federal energy assistance programs such as LIHEAP that help low-income households cover utility costs. Rising Costs and Limited Protections Electricity prices have surged nationwide, with average costs rising 11% since January 2025, far outpacing inflation. While some states have protections against shut-offs during extreme weather, others allow utilities to disconnect service quickly after non-payment. This patchwork of regulations leaves many households exposed, especially as colder temperatures approach. Calls for Relief Advocacy groups, including the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA), are urging utilities to suspend disconnections until federal aid is released. Lawmakers have also pressed companies to halt late fees and shut-offs for vulnerable populations during the government shutdown. Still, with energy costs continuing to climb, the pressure on households shows no sign of easing. #EnergyPrices #Usnews #Economy #Alexandernewsshow.

How the Turkey Almost Became America’s National Bird The story of the turkey’s near rise to national symbol begins in the early years of the United States, when leaders were choosing an emblem to represent the new nation. Benjamin Franklin took a special interest in this decision, and in a private letter he shared his belief that the turkey deserved the role more than the bald eagle. He described the turkey as a native species that early settlers and Indigenous communities had long known, hunted, and observed in the wild. To him, this connection made the turkey a more fitting choice for a country trying to define its identity. At the time, wild turkeys roamed across much of North America and were recognized for their strength and surprising agility. They could run up to 20 miles per hour, fly short distances at high speed, and use more than 30 vocalizations to communicate. Settlers often noted how quickly turkeys could react to danger, spotting movement from far away and working together in groups to stay safe. These behaviors shaped Franklin’s view that the turkey represented determination and awareness. The bald eagle, however, carried strong visual appeal and a dramatic silhouette. When the Continental Congress reviewed design proposals in 1782, the eagle appeared on several versions of the Great Seal. Despite Franklin’s private objections, the eagle’s sharp outline and widespread recognition won over the committee. The turkey simply did not gain enough support. Although the turkey did not become the national bird, its place in American life never faded. It continued to be central to farming, hunting traditions, and eventually Thanksgiving celebrations. The story of its near selection remains a unique moment in early American decision making, illustrating how even everyday wildlife played a role in shaping national symbols. #USHistory #History #America #USA #News #USNews #Thanksgiving

America’s New Silent Sentinel: The Columbia Class Submarine Program The Columbia-class submarine program is the U.S. Navy’s top strategic shipbuilding priority, delivering 12 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines to replace the Ohio-class fleet. These boats will keep America’s sea-based nuclear deterrent strong well into the mid-21st century. Construction of the lead boat, USS District of Columbia, began in 2020, with delivery expected in 2029, marking a major milestone in modernizing the Navy’s undersea capabilities and enhancing global strategic stability. Large hull sections are built separately and joined at the final yard, letting teams work efficiently while maintaining high quality and safety. Total acquisition costs for all 12 submarines are about 132 billion dollars. The first boat is the most expensive due to design and development, while follow-ons are more cost-efficient thanks to reusable designs, advanced systems, and streamlined production. Each submarine has a life-of-ship nuclear reactor, electric propulsion for quiet, stealthy operation, advanced sonar, navigation, and automation. Each carries sixteen ballistic missile tubes, modern guidance, secure communications, and periscope technology for observing the surface while mostly submerged. Crew quarters are comfortable and designed to support months-long patrols with full operational readiness. Strategically, the Columbia-class fleet maintains continuous at-sea deterrence with fewer hulls than the Ohio class. The U.S. has 14 Ohio-class subs, Russia six Borei-class, and China four Jin-class. By the mid-2030s, all 12 Columbia-class boats will be in service, surpassing current Russian and Chinese fleets. With advanced construction, stealth, endurance, automation, nuclear power, and cutting-edge systems, the Columbia class is a modern, capable, and reliable centerpiece of America’s national security for decades to come. #Navy #USNavy #BreakingNews #America #USA #News #USNews