Stories Speak Volumes: Nov 24-Nov 28
A Round-Up of National and International News
Compiled by
There are so many stories making up the mosaic of national/international news that we can’t cover them all every week. The biggest stories now seem to be: Israel and Iran, the Trump presidency (lawfare and judges), immigration (migrants and illegals), wars, weaponization of government (the deep state) against Trump and conservatives, our nation’s debt, massive inflation, climate change controversy and related expenses of government, industry attempting to address these issues, the Chinese threat, national security, abortion, taxpayer cuts, Ukraine peace, and hatred and violence against Christians. Here are just a few:
The US Tradition of the Presidential Turkey Pardon: A Historic Ritual That Marks the Start of Thanksgiving
November 24: Gateway Hispanic by Allan Valencia
Every year, on the eve of Thanksgiving, the United States celebrates one of its most curious and iconic traditions: the presidential turkey pardon. This symbolic act, held at the White House, has become a moment eagerly awaited by citizens and the media, officially kicking off the holiday season.
Beyond the lighthearted tone of the ceremony, the presidential pardon is an opportunity to highlight deeply rooted national values:
- Gratitude , the central theme of Thanksgiving.
- The importance of family and community .
- Recognition for those who work for the country’s well-being , from farmers to public servants.
In the presidential message, it is often emphasized that citizens are essential to building a strong and resilient nation, reinforcing the spirit of unity characteristic of this time of year.
While for many it is purely ceremonial, the turkey pardon has become a cultural symbol blending tradition, patriotism, and a touch of humor. Every year, millions of people follow the event—whether through live broadcasts or social media—turning it into an iconic moment in the US political and social calendar. The pardoned turkey usually lives out the rest of its days on a farm or educational center, where it becomes a small celebrity and where students and visitors can learn about this unique tradition.
Where Are the College Students Flocking To?
November 24: Red State by Bob Hogue
College students are reportedly streaming to a specific region in the United States, and it’s not to the Northeast, where many of the allegedly “elite” campuses are located. It’s not Harvard or Columbia or the University of Pennsylvania that are seeing the surge — it’s the Deep South.
Many of the Ivy League and Ivy League adjacent top schools have seen their reputations battered by violent antisemitic protests on their campuses, sky-high tuitions, woke, far-left professors spouting hatred, an obsessive focus on discriminatory diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, and the general sense that they sneer at most of America.
To many conservatives, many of the so-called elite schools are emblematic of cultural rot and intolerance of any viewpoint that isn’t sufficiently leftist. There’s a way to counter them: don’t go there. Students, clearly, are figuring that out.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, More Democrats, Defend Somali Migrants Amid Mass Fraud
November 25: Breitbart by Warren Todd Huston
Minnesota Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar and many other Dems are racing to side with the state’s Somali community after evidence of widespread fraud of taxpayers’ healthcare programs by Somali organizations and individuals has come to light.
One of the first such cases centered around an organization called “Feeding Our Future,” run by a group of Minneapolis-area Somali migrants. Prosecutors say that the organizers bilked $250 million from the state in child food assistance funding.
In a different case, tens of millions were stolen from Minnesota’s autism treatment program, again by Somali migrants. There is also the case of more than $550 million stolen from the state’s coronavirus pandemic relief program.
Above and beyond this massive fraud and theft, investigators are also finding that Somali migrants have sent millions in taxpayer dollars to the African Islamic terror group known as Al-Shabaab.
UN Amb. Waltz Touts $1B Saved in Early UN Reforms — ‘We’re Just Getting Started’
November 25: Breitbart by Joshua Klein
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz vowed that “we’re going to clean house” at the UN as he and reform envoy Jeff Bartos walked outside UN headquarters in Manhattan, blasting the body as “bloated and bureaucratic” while touting more than a billion dollars in early savings and what he called “DOGEing” — his push to apply Trump-style waste-cutting to the UN system.
FBI Seeking to Interview Lawmakers In ‘Illegal Orders’ Video
November 25: Epoch Times by Zachary Steiber
FBI agents are seeking to interview lawmakers who appeared in a video telling members of the military to not obey illegal orders, the lawmakers said on Nov. 25. The FBI contacted the sergeants at arms for the House of Representatives and the Senate, requesting interviews with the lawmakers, Reps. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) said in a joint statement.
Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), who also participated in the video, said in a post on X that the FBI has “appeared to open an inquiry into” her over the video. Slotkin said, “And know that we have your back.”
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) said later, “Your vigilance is critical.” Military officials announced on Nov. 24 that Kelly, a retired U.S. Navy officer, is under investigation for allegedly violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice and federal law, including one law that bars actions intended to interfere with the “loyalty, morale, or discipline of the military or naval forces of the United States.” Violation of the law can land people up to 10 years in prison.
U.N. Predicts Unprecedented Hunger in Nigeria for 2026 As Christian Genocide Continues
November 26: Breitbart by Frances Martel
The World Food Program (WFP), an arm of the United Nations, warned on Tuesday parts of Nigeria may face unprecedented hunger in the most perilous parts of the upcoming year, leaving as many as 35 million people facing “severe food insecurity.”
Nigeria has faced over a decade of brutal, genocidal persecution of its Christian population by various Islamist terrorist groups. “The evidence of targeted violence against Christians in Nigeria is well documented. In October, the Islamist group connected with ISIS sent a clear message about their intention to target Christians in Africa declaring they must convert or die,” said Ryan Brown, the CEO of the Christian humanitarian organization Open Doors. “Last year alone, 3,100 of the 4,476 Christians killed worldwide for their faith were in Nigeria. Nigeria also leads globally in Christians abducted for faith reasons.”
DHS Brass Slam Virginia Beach Principal Accused In ‘Chilling’ Plot to Lure, Ambush ICE Agents
November 26: Fox News by Charles Kreitz
Top brass at the Department of Homeland Security told Fox News Digital the agency’s Investigations unit is now on the case of a Virginia educator and his brother accused of plotting to attack ICE, potentially with explosive rounds.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Wednesday that Kempsville High School assistant principal John Wilson Bennett and his older brother Mark Booth Bennett were overheard at a Vietnamese restaurant in Virginia Beach allegedly conspiring to go to Nevada and plan attacks on ICE agents in retribution for what they claimed to be “kidnapping[s]” of civilians during recent immigration enforcement operations. John Bennett has been faculty at the school, located in the inland part of Virginia Beach, since 2009. The school told local press that he is currently on leave.
McLaughlin said DHS worked with law enforcement at all levels after an off-duty Norfolk police officer overheard the men at a Vietnamese restaurant in Virginia Beach on Nov. 17 discussing plans to “kill police officers and ICE agents,” with Mark Bennett allegedly saying he was planning to meet like-minded people in Las Vegas, where he would also purchase firearms with explosive rounds. Two days later, Mark Bennett was arrested at Norfolk International Airport en route to Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, to connect to Las Vegas. John Bennett was also arrested that day.
McLaughlin said the case is indicative of the more-than 1,150% increase in assaults against ICE agents and 8,000-fold spike in death threats as they go about their daily work defending the homeland.
Trump To End All Migration from Third World Countries, Reverse Biden’s Autopen Admissions
November 27: Breitbart by Bob Price
President Donald Trump has unveiled plans to permanently halt migration from Third World nations and roll back millions of Biden‑era admissions — including those he blasted as illegally authorized through ‘Sleepy Joe’s Autopen.’ The sweeping initiative, still awaiting formal orders, would strip federal benefits from noncitizens, denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility, and deport foreign nationals deemed public charges or security risks, all under a bold “reverse migration” strategy to restore America’s system.
National Guard shooting in DC leaves West Virginia reeling
November 28: Fox News by Charles Creitz
The Thanksgiving Eve shooting that has left one West Virginia National Guard member dead and another clinging to his life enraged top officials in Charleston, West Virginia — as one placed blame squarely on the disastrous 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and said his state is “one big small town” that is mourning together.
The suspect, Rahmahullah Lakanwal, reportedly worked with a CIA-operated unit that fought the Taliban on America’s behalf, Fox News Digital confirmed, which helped evacuate people during the fall of Kabul under then-President Joe Biden.
West Virginia Republican Party Chairman Josh Holstein told Fox News Digital Friday the news angered him, and that anger turned to devastation when Sarah Beckstrom of Summersville, West Virginia, succumbed to her wounds, and as Andrew Wolfe of Inwood, West Virginia, remains in critical condition.
Mike Hernandez is co-founder of the Citizens Journal–Ventura County’s online news service and writes for CitizensJournal.net and MountainTopMedia.com. He is a former Southern California daily newspaper journalist and religion and news editor, writer of “Prayer Over News Daily” and edits the weekly “Stories Speak Volumes” and other columns. Mr. Hernandez mentors citizen journalists with trainings held every other month (on Saturdays at Shasta Bible College and online) and can be contacted at MikeHernandezMedia.com.