Senate confirms Jeanine Pirro as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia

Senate confirms Jeanine Pirro as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia

Washington- The Senate on Saturday approved the nomination ofJeanine Pirro, an ardent loyalist of President Trump and a Fox News fixture, confirming the cable news personality to a top prosecutor post in Washington, D.C. Pirro, a former county prosecutor and elected judge, was confirmed in a 50-45 vote. She has been in the job as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia on an acting basis since May. Before then, she co-hosted "The Five" on Fox News on weekday evenings, where she frequently interviewed Mr. Trump. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia is a powerful position with a huge staff, budget and portfolio. Her confirmation came days after the Senate approved the nomination ofEmil Bove, Mr. Trump's former defense lawyer, to serve on a U.S. appeals court. Majority Leader John Thune said theSenatewill adjourn until Sept. 2 once they finish with the round of votes scheduled for Saturday evening. "I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourns to then convene for pro forma session only," Thune said. Senators have 12 votes remaining following Pirro's confirmation, which is why Thune asked for senators to stay in the chamber to expedite votes. There was no objection. Mr. Trump on Saturday praised Republican senators and Thune for fighting to get his appointees approved. In his Truth Social post, Mr. Trump blamed Democrats for "doing everything possible to DELAY these wonderful and talented people from being approved." The president nominated Pirro as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia after his nomination ofEdward Martincollapsed in the wake of Martin's firings of prosecutors who handled some of the Jan. 6 criminal cases. Martin — a"Stop the Steal"advocate and MAGA political activist who was among the crowd outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, — appeared to lack enough support in the Senate needed for confirmation, Mr. Trump said when he announced Pirro's nomination. Compared to Martin, there was little push backs from Congressional Democrats in response to Pirro's selection. During Mr. Trump's first term, on his last day as president, he pardoned Pirro's ex-husband,Al Pirro, who was convicted of tax evasion and conspiracy while his wife was district attorney in Westchester County, New York. Black swimmers teach others amid history of aquatic segregation Katie Ledecky breaks her own record in women's swimming Rare Grateful Dead photographs come to life 60 years after its formation

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

August 02, 2025

Senate confirms Jeanine Pirro as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia

Senate confirms Jeanine Pirro as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Washington- The Senate on Saturday approved the nomination ofJea...

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Senate heads home with no deal to speed confirmations as irate Trump tells Schumer to 'go to hell'

Senate heads home with no deal to speed confirmations as irate Trump tells Schumer to 'go to hell'

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is leaving Washington Saturday night for its monthlong August recess without a deal to advance dozens of PresidentDonald Trump'snominees, calling it quits after days of contentious bipartisan negotiations andDonald Trumpposting on social media that Senate Democratic LeaderChuck Schumercan "GO TO HELL!" Without a deal in hand, Republicans say they may try to change Senate rules when they return in September to speed up the pace of confirmations. Trump has been pressuring senators to move quickly as Democrats blocked more nominees than usual this year, denying any fast unanimous consent votes and forcing roll calls on each one, a lengthy process that can take several days per nominee. "I think they're desperately in need of change," Senate Majority Leader John Thune said of Senate rules Saturday after negotiations withChuck Schumerand Trump broke down. "I think that the last six months have demonstrated that this process, nominations is broken. And so I expect there will be some good robust conversations about that." The latest standoff comes as Democrats and Republicans have gradually escalated their obstruction of the other party's executive branch and judicial nominees over the last two decades, and as Senate leaders have incrementally changed Senate rules to speed up confirmations — and make them less bipartisan. In 2013, Democratschanged Senate rulesfor lower court judicial nominees to remove the 60-vote threshold for confirmations as Republicans blocked President Barack Obama's judicial picks. In 2017,Republicans did the same for Supreme Court nomineesas Democrats tried to block Trump's nomination of Justice Neil Gorsuch. Trump has been pressuring Senate Republicans for weeks to cancel the August recess and grind through dozens of his nominations as Democrats have slowed the process. But Republicans hoped to make a deal with Democrats instead, and came close several times over the last few days as the two parties and the White House negotiated over moving a large tranche of nominees in exchange for reversing some of the Trump administration's spending cuts on foreign aid, among other issues. But it was clear that there would be no agreement when Trump attacked Schumer on social media Saturday evening and told them to pack it up and go home. "Tell Schumer, who is under tremendous political pressure from within his own party, the Radical Left Lunatics, to GO TO HELL!" Trump posted on Truth Social. "Do not accept the offer, go home and explain to your constituents what bad people the Democrats are, and what a great job the Republicans are doing, and have done, for our Country." Thune said afterward that there were "several different times" when the two sides thought they had a deal, but in the end "we didn't close it out." It's the first time in recent history that the minority party hasn't allowed at least some quick confirmations. Thune has already kept the Senate in session for more days, and with longer hours, this year to try and confirm as many of Trump's nominees as possible. But Democrats had little desire to give in without the spending cut reversals or some other incentive, even though they too were eager to skip town after several long months of work and bitter partisan fights over legislation. "We have never seen nominees as flawed, as compromised, as unqualified as we have right now," Schumer said Saturday.

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

August 02, 2025

Senate heads home with no deal to speed confirmations as irate Trump tells Schumer to 'go to hell'

Senate heads home with no deal to speed confirmations as irate Trump tells Schumer to 'go to hell' WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is l...

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Freeze-dried fruit sold at Sam's Club recalled over listeria risk

Freeze-dried fruit sold at Sam's Club recalled over listeria risk

Boxes of freeze-dried fruit sold at Sam's Club retail stores have been recalled due to possible listeria contamination, according to aU.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notice. Doehler Dry Ingredient Solutions, LLCissued the recall for Member's Mark Freeze Dried Fruit Variety Pack 15-count boxes due to the potential contamination of the organism that can "cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems," the FDA notice says. As of Thursday, July 31, the date the recall was published, no illnesses have been reported due to the possible contamination. The freeze-dried fruit was shipped to distribution centers in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Wyoming. According to the notice, the Cartersville, Georgia-based company discovered the possible listeria via internal testing of its products. The recalled freeze-dried fruit was distributed between July 1 and July 25 and sold in Sam's Club retail locations. The products were packaged in foil pouches inside a corrugated box, which had the lot number and expiration date located on the bottom, according to the notice. The recalled products are all 15-count Member's Mark Freeze-Dried Fruit Variety Packs with the UPC 1 93968 50900 2 and use-by dates ranging from June 24, 2027, to July 25, 2027, according to the notice. According to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms of listeria infection include: Fever Flu-like symptoms, such as muscle aches and fatigue Headache Stiff neck Confusion Loss of balance Seizures The FDA warns that while healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, a listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Consumers who have the recalled freeze-dried fruit in their possession should not consume the product, according to the FDA, adding that they "should discard it and may visit any Sam's Club for a full refund." Anyone with questions can contact Doehler Dry Ingredient Solutions, LLC's Customer Service at 770-387-0451 from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Freeze-dried fruit sold at Sam's Club recalled

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

August 02, 2025

Freeze-dried fruit sold at Sam's Club recalled over listeria risk

Freeze-dried fruit sold at Sam's Club recalled over listeria risk Boxes of freeze-dried fruit sold at Sam's Club retail stores have ...

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Comedian Matt Rife buys home of couple who inspired “The Conjuring”, becomes 'guardian' of haunted Annabelle doll

Comedian Matt Rife buys home of couple who inspired "The Conjuring", becomes 'guardian' of haunted Annabelle doll

Matt Rife is pivoting to the paranormal, at least when it comes to his new pad. The stand-up comedian has bought the former house of Ed and Lorraine Warren, the ghost hunters who inspired the couple played byPatrick WilsonandVera FarmigainThe Conjuringfranchise. "I have officially purchased Ed and Lorraine Warren's home and Occult Museum," Rifewrote on Instagramon Friday, noting that he has become "the legal guardian, for at least the next five years, of the entire haunted collection, including THE ANNABELLE DOLL." In a separatevideo on TikTok, Rife explained the significance of his decision. "This might be the most important and prominent piece of paranormal history in the world," he said. "I know a lot of you guys don't know what any of this means whatsoever, but if you follow ghost stuff, this is as big as it gets." Michael Tackett/ Warner Bros The comedian also clarified that while he does own the physical house, he does not own its various curios. "We are the legal guardians and caretakers of all 750 haunted artifacts and items in the Warren Museum, including the Annabelle doll," he said. "We do not legally own the items, but we are the legal guardians and caretakers of the items for at least the next five years." Rife obtained Annabelle shortly after Dan Rivera, an investigator for the New England Society for Psychic Research,died suddenlywhile showcasing the infamous Raggedy Ann doll in July. The NESPR, which the Warrens founded,claimsthat the doll was at one point attached to "an inhuman demonic spirit." Matt Rife/ Instagram Annabelle inspired the opening scene ofThe Conjuringin 2013, and eventually launched a trilogy of spinoff films: 2014'sAnnabelle, 2017'sAnnabelle: Creation, and 2019'sAnnabelle Comes Home, the last of which took place exclusively in the Warrens' oddity-filled family residence. Rife said his affection for theConjuringmovies inspired his massive purchase. "If you know me, you know I'm obsessed with the paranormal and all things haunted," he wrote on Instagram. "You also may know theConjuringfilms are my favorite scary movies of all time. So I'm incredibly honored to have taken over one of the most prominent properties in paranormal history." Russell McPhedran/Fairfax Media via Getty The comedian went on to claim that the Warrens "arguably put demonology and paranormal into the mainstream" and noted that they "are the very heart of some of the most famous haunted stories of all time," includingThe ConjuringandThe Amityville Horror. Rife also explained that he and his friend Elton Castee, who is taking on the venture with him, intend to ensure that the Warrens' property will still host visitors. "We plan to open the house for overnight stays and museum tours, so you yourself can experience and learn all the haunted history surrounding this amazing place," he wrote. Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection Want more movie news? Sign up forEntertainment Weekly's free newsletterto get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more. In his TikTok, Rife acknowledged the potential supernatural risk he took by purchasing the house. "This is the most random hobby ever, but it's so f---ing cool, man," he said. "I should probably collect stamps or something — might be a little safer." The fictional version of the Warrens will return to the big screen inThe Conjuring: Last Rites, which Farmiga recentlytoldEntertainment Weeklywill be her final outing in the series. "It is the end of the road. It's got to be the end of the road," she said. "I would literally explode on camera. WhatLast Ritesdemanded of us physically, emotionally, mentally, stamina-wise... It's been a long haul, man. It's been a really, really long haul, but it's time." The Conjuring: Last Riteshits theaters Sept. 5. Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

August 02, 2025

Comedian Matt Rife buys home of couple who inspired “The Conjuring”, becomes 'guardian' of haunted Annabelle doll

Comedian Matt Rife buys home of couple who inspired "The Conjuring", becomes 'guardian' of haunted Annabelle doll Matt Rif...

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George Lopez Calls His Alleged Social Media Ban by the L.A. Dodgers 'Hurtful' (Exclusive)

George Lopez Calls His Alleged Social Media Ban by the L.A. Dodgers 'Hurtful' (Exclusive)

Paul Archuleta/Getty George Lopez — who alleges the L.A. Dodgers banned him on social media — called the response "hurtful" while recently speaking to PEOPLE The comedian has been an outspoken critic of the team's silence on recent ICE raids within the city The Dodgers have not publicly commented on Lopez's ban George Lopezis opening up about his strained relationship with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The lifelong Dodgers fan alleges the team blocked him on social media after he publicly criticized their lack of response toICE raidswithin their home city. Lopez, 64, has consistentlyvoiced outrageover the controversial raids, and previously called on the MLB team to voice their support for immigrants and people of Latino descent within their community. While recently speaking exclusively to PEOPLE atThe Hollywood Reporterand Social Impact Fund's 2025 Social Impact Summit, the comedian admitted that the alleged social media block didn't feel good. "It's hurtful," he told PEOPLE. https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf On July 12, Lopez posted avideoof himself dancing on Instagram, with the words, "POV: You just got blocked by the Dodgers" written over the footage. "The Dodgers blocked me on social media for my criticism of the team, so they'll take a stand on me, but not on the treatment of the families who called Chavez Ravine Home before they decided to build a baseball stadium where they lived and where their families called home," he captioned the post. Chavez Ravine was a former neighborhood in L.A. that was largely populated by Mexican-American residents and other minorities. The majority of the community wasforcibly displacedin the 1950s to make way for Dodger Stadium — despite the fact that the land was originally intended to be used for affordable housing. Monica Schipper/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Lopez added, "Also no comment from the [team's] owners. what's happening everyday to the families of the people who are being treated like they don't belong. If anyone doesnt belong it's the dodgers." PEOPLE reached out to the Dodgers for comment but did not receive an immediate response. While the Dodgers have not commented publicly on the ICE raids specifically, the team pledged $1 million for families of immigrants "impacted by recent events in the region," per a June 21ststatement. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "What's happening in Los Angeles has reverberated among thousands upon thousands of people, and we have heard the calls for us to take a leading role on behalf of those affected," Stan Kasten, President & CEO, Los Angeles Dodgers, said. "We believe that by committing resources and taking action, we will continue to support and uplift the communities of Greater Los Angeles," he added. Read the original article onPeople

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

August 02, 2025

George Lopez Calls His Alleged Social Media Ban by the L.A. Dodgers 'Hurtful' (Exclusive)

George Lopez Calls His Alleged Social Media Ban by the L.A. Dodgers 'Hurtful' (Exclusive) Paul Archuleta/Getty George Lopez — who al...

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