The week started with a bang! There typically are "continuing" stories that don't function in a one-day environment. Many of the big stories will last for weeks or months. Some even survive for a year or longer.

Let's catch up with the biggest of the day:

• It probably comes as no surprise to learn that Chicago's crime stats continue to soar as Chicago's mayor continues to minimise his administration's responsibility for the crime wave that is growing larger by the day.
• Trump announced this morning that the U.S. is going to send Ukraine more weapons -- especially missiles -- to assist their war effort against Russia. This may sound benign, but what's shocking is that the U.S. will provide the weaponry, but the European Union (EU) is actually paying the bill!
• President "autopen" came out with some shocking news for many. Biden made clear that he had "personally" approved every pardon or commutation of those many he issued at the end of his administration. He provided no details explaining how that could be feasibly possible, but he did acknowledge that he had authorized aides in his office to use the autopen. Of course, there's no proof, no signatures of those who took these actions, or no documentation that explains the process.
• Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie claimed that President Trump has personally benefited from the uproar over the Jeffrey Epstein debacle. Christie said Trump stoked the fire to keep the matter on the "front page" of every newspaper.