Our weekly visit with The Heritage Foundation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year as we honor those who have put on the uniform on Veterans Day, we must take the time to remember that, for many, their unwavering commitment and dedication to our democracy has come at a cost.

Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs is experiencing a lengthy backlog due to an influx of benefits claims over the last several years in the wake of the PACT Act and as COVID-19 swept our nation. While the VA catches up, veterans lack the transitional support they need to reintegrate successfully -- and some are losing the battle. Every day, about 17 veterans take their own lives, and still more fall through the cracks. To provide the veterans community with the mental health and suicide support they need, we must ensure we understand the gravity of the situation.

In 2020, approximately 5.2 million veterans experienced a behavioral health condition. But more than half of veterans with a mental illness did not receive treatment within the past year.

Additionally, more than 90% of those experiencing a substance use disorder did not receive treatment. Many of these veterans don't know what resources are available to them or may feel a stigma about needing mental health support.

While the conversation and advocacy around veteran suicide and mental health issues has progressed, holistic care -- with the investment of the VA, federal and state lawmakers, and individuals within communities -- will help ensure that that numbers around veteran suicide start to fall.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martha Neibling, Director of Public Relations & Marketing For Gaylord Hotels joins Hal and Ernie to discuss a big event.

For the past two decades, Gaylord Texan Resort has welcomed visitors to enjoy Texas-sized holiday activities and festive décor as part of its annual Lone Star Christmas event. Every year gets bigger, better, and brighter – and this one is no exception! From November 10th – December 31st, 2023, the resort’s 125-acre property will transform into a true winter wonderland that is like no other in the state of Texas. Enchanting décor will include over two million twinkling lights, 15,000 ornaments, a 54-foot-tall Christmas tree with a light show, 20-foot-tall toy soldiers, and miniature train sets. Family-friendly activities will range from ice sculptures, snow tubing, ice skating, stories with Mrs. Claus, and gingerbread decorating to an elf workshop, cirque shows, photos with Santa, Grinch character breakfasts, and MORE.

The premiere and beloved event, ICE!, will feature Dr. Suess’s classic holiday tale, ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas™' created with TWO MILLION POUNDS of hand-carved ice. It took forty master carvers who traveled 7,000 miles (about twice the width of the United States) from Harbin, China, approximately thirty days to carve the 17,000-square-foot attraction. As guests travel through the wintry attraction, they will be transported to Who-Ville in over ten separate rooms where they will encounter larger-than-life scenes and characters including the Grinch, Cindy Lou-Who, Max the Dog, and the cheerful Who’s themselves. Additionally, they will experience two-story-tall ice slides, dozens of photo opportunities, a life-size Nativity scene, and an ice bar for ages 21 and up. The resort provides complimentary parkas for visitors to wear but does encourage them to dress warmly for 9 degrees!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For people with breast cancer, the time spent receiving treatment, coordinating care and traveling to doctor’s appointments can be overwhelming. In fact, experts are now encouraging researchers to include data regarding time spent receiving and coordinating treatment in future studies so patients understand the time-related burdens associated with different treatment options.1 These burdens can take away from the patients' valuable time, adding to the stress and anxiety of a diagnosis.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Experts say a high-end sex ring busted by the Justice Department could now pose a threat to national security as buyers in their network included politicians, executives, military officers and government contractors with security clearances could pose a threat to national security. 

The DOJ announced the arrests of three individuals involved in the operation of the brothels, some of which were run out of apartment buildings in Fairfax and Tysons, on Wednesday. They say 41-year-old Han Lee, 68-year-old James Lee and 30-year-old Junmyung Lee — all foreign nationals — are facing federal charges.

The alleged clients were likely captured on surveillance video and potentially more. FOX 5 spoke with a former military special operations leader Nic McKinley, who also worked with the CIA. He says those involved should immediately come clean so steps can swiftly be taken to protect national security.
"I would assume it will eventually be made pubic and when it does, it will cause some probably pretty significant national security implications because the question will be – obviously it was foreign nationals who were involved in this brothel, so — were they recording what was happening? Were they documenting what was happening? Were they then using that information to blackmail these politicians or government contractors or security clearance holders?" McKinley said.

He went on to say while alleged clients may not have been targeted, the Northern Virginia area likely was targeted given its proximity to the nation’s capital.

According to the DOJ, the Virginia sex ring was also running a similar operation in Boston, with luxury apartment buildings rented out there as well.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jimbo gets paid, Cowboys win and Tim is out.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Americans prepare to spend Thanksgiving with friends and family, many will find their Turkey Day celebrations choked by food inflation fueled by high energy prices. Prices for Thanksgiving staples are up across the board with ham up 5.2% from last year (a near all-time high), canned cranberries up 60%, canned pumpkin up 30%, russet potatoes up 14%, canned green beans up almost 9%, sweet potatoes up 4%, beer up 5.3% and wine up 1.2% compared to this time last year. These price increases are on top of the 20% increase for the cost of a Thanksgiving meal last year; and 14% increase the year before that.
When we start producing, OPEC opens the faucet, cuts the price and makes it unprofitable for U.S. to produce
The price of energy is one of the primary drivers of inflation, and unfortunately, poor energy policy decisions by the Biden Administration since taking office have caused prices to steadily increase over the past almost three years - leading to the third consecutive year Americans will be paying significantly more for Thanksgiving dinner.

When energy prices rise, retail food prices follow suit because farming and ranching are energy intensive industries. When their overhead costs skyrocket as energy prices increase, those costs are passed on to consumers. Our food also needs to be transported across the country, another fuel-intensive step in the supply chain. Simply put, when energy prices rise, so does the cost of nearly everything, especially food.

Energy expert Scott Angelle warned of the economic implications of flawed energy policies well over two years ago, and even outlined steps the government could take to reverse course. Unfortunately, the Administration failed to learn from their mistakes and we are all paying the price – literally.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Harsha Rajasimha, Founder and Executive Chairman of IndoUSrare.
why global collaboration is required in rare disease research to promote cultural diversity and sufficient clinical trial patient recruitment to improve the efficacy of research outcomes.  

The U.S. is dealing with a rise in rare insect-borne diseases, including eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), which has a 30% fatality rate, that has led to two cases and one death in Alabama. Connecticut reported its first four cases of the tick-borne Powassan virus, while the country is facing its first locally transmitted malaria cases in two decades, with seven in Florida, and one each in Maryland and Texas affected. 

These developments underscore the heightened public health challenges in the identification and treatment of rare diseases. 

About 7,000 rare diseases, mostly genetic, affect around 350 million people worldwide, with approximately 75% of such rare diseases appearing in childhood. 

With 95% of these conditions having no treatments, the lack of representation in clinical trials is problematic because it raises questions about the applicability of the findings, since different patient groups may respond differently to identical treatments. 

The median number of patients participating in rare disease clinical trials is 29, as compared to a median of 69 for non-rare diseases. 
In the face of rising public health challenges, how critical is it to address the lack of representation in clinical trials for rare diseases affecting millions worldwide? 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From The Heritage Foundation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Proposition 4, which provides $18 billion in meaningful tax relief for Texans, cruised to victory on Tuesday with 84% of voters supporting the measure.

 “Our state’s skyrocketing property taxes are among the highest in the nation and have pushed many Texans to the brink,” NFIB Senior State Director Dawn McVea said following the tax relief’s passage. “Between escalating tax rates, historic inflation, and the ongoing worker shortage, Texas job creators and the hardworking men and women they employ need meaningful relief. Prop 4 reigns in property taxes, making it easier for our small business owners to raise wages, create new jobs, and invest in their communities.”
In addition to a $100,000 homestead tax exemption, lowered school district tax rates, a 20% limit on taxable value of non-residential properties under $5 million in value, and greater transparency on appraisal boards, McVea noted that Prop 4 builds upon targeted tax cuts for franchise owners, which will take effect in 2024.
“Earlier this year, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed into law meaningful franchise tax relief for 67,000 small business owners across the state,” McVea said. “Taken together, tax relief is win-win for Texans, business owners, and the local and state economy.”

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.