10-26-25
From the desk of Rich Stephens
News for the week ending October 25, 2025.
Below find the expanded text from tonight’s broadcast. For corrections or additions, contact Rich directly.
World News
Theft at the Louvre Museum
We begin in Paris, France where Sunday, thieves used a mechanical ladder truck to enter the Louvre museum. They targeted royal jewels which all hold historic significance to France including a Tiara, necklace and earring belonging to Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense. Swift response by museum security and local police prevented further damage, but the perpetrators are still at large.
GPT Translation (I do not speak French):
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
Liberty – Equality – Fraternity
PRESS RELEASE
Paris, October 19, 2025
Information regarding the burglary that occurred this Sunday, October 19, at the Louvre Museum
This Sunday, October 19, the Louvre Museum experienced a break-in in the Galerie d’Apollon, which houses the royal collection of gemstones and the Crown diamonds. Two high-security display cases were targeted, and eight items of inestimable heritage value were stolen, including:
• Tiara from the jewelry set of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense;
• Necklace from the sapphire jewelry set of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense;
• Earring (single) from the sapphire jewelry set of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense;
• Emerald necklace from Empress Marie-Louise’s jewelry set;
• Pair of emerald earrings from Empress Marie-Louise’s jewelry set;
• Relic brooch;
• Diadem of Empress Eugénie;
• Large corsage bow brooch of Empress Eugénie (brooch).
The alarms located at the exterior window of the Galerie d’Apollon, as well as those of the two affected display cases, were triggered. At the moment of the break-in—which was particularly swift and forceful—the five museum security officers present in and around the area immediately intervened according to the security protocol: contacting law enforcement and prioritizing the protection of people.
Thanks to the professionalism and quick action of the Louvre staff, the burglars fled the scene, leaving behind part of their equipment and several stolen items, including Empress Eugénie’s diadem, which is currently being examined. One of the getaway vehicles used by the perpetrators was intercepted through the intervention of a Louvre agent; the driver escaped on foot.
No injuries were reported among the public or staff.
The Minister of Culture wishes to thank the Louvre staff for their responsiveness and professionalism.
She also recalls that, as part of the Louvre – New Renaissance project announced by the President of the Republic last January, a new security plan is currently being implemented, which includes:
• Enhanced security measures with the deployment of next-generation cameras;
• Perimeter detection systems;
• A new security control center.
An investigation into organized theft and conspiracy to commit a crime has been opened and assigned to the Paris Brigade de répression du banditisme (BRB), under the authority of the Paris Prosecutor’s Office.
Israel / Gaza
Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to Israel this week. Hamas has repeatedly violated the ceasefire agreement reached last week. Sunday, an anti-tank missile was fired at IDF soldiers, killing two and wounding several others. Israel responded with air strikes, and claims to have destroyed around 6 kilometers of tunnel network. The US State department also reported attacks on Gazan civilians by Hamas. American and Israeli representatives continued working to bring home the bodies of October 7th hostages and establish a new governing structure in Gaza.
Donald Trump Statement to Hamas
Israel Foreign Ministry Statement
Glock Discontinues Models After Ban
In late September, we reported on California Assembly Bill 1127. The law bans the sale or transfer of any “semi-automatic, machine gun convertible pistol”, effectively banning modern Glock pistols. This week, the Austrian firearms manufacturer announced that it will discontinue production of all double stack magazine models.
Glock Discontinuance Statement / List
NYC Mayoral Race
Andrew Cuomo, Curtis Sliwa and Zohran Mamdani participated in a 3-candidate debate on Wednesday night ahead of the New York City Mayoral Election on November 4. The 90 minute debate was largely combative. Candidates discussed the cost of living in New York City, education standards, and which candidate is most favored by president Donald Trump.
Pentagon Press Credentials
Pete Hegseth has directed the Pentagon to require members of the media to wear visible press badges when present. The Pentagon has asked journalists to sign a new agreement, stating that they will not be in certain areas without an escort, and that they will not solicit unauthorized access to information from Pentagon staff. Many members of the press refused to sign, turned in their credentials and left, alleging this to be a violation of the first amendment rights of the press. Hegseth pointed out that the Pentagon is an active military base. The Pentagon is an active military base and access by the press or the general public may be granted by the military but is not a right.
Florida Auto Insurance Refunds / Credits
Wednesday, Florida Governor Ron Desantis announced that drivers in the state will receive rebates on their auto insurance. Auto rates in the state are dropping due to legislative and policy reforms that have reduced litigation and strengthened the market. The top five carriers have averaged a 6% drop in rates in 2025 and Progressive is poised to offer nearly one billion dollars in credits to their customers. The governor expects other carriers to follow suit. After rates increased by more than 30% in 2023, Florida enacted legislation that bars carriers from holding excess profits on auto policies.
Markets
Markets rose to all time highs this week. The Dow gained nearly 1000 points to close at 47,202. Nasdaq closed at 23,204, and the s&p 500 finished at 6791. All closed at their highest week-end value ever. Gold slid for the first time since mid-August, and sits at 4113 per ounce.
Sports
Formula 1
Moving to sports, Sunday in Austin Texas, Max Verstappen led into turn one from pole position and never looked back. Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc swapped positions early but Norris passed Leclerc late to finish second. Championship leader Piastri came home in fifth. The Mexican Grand Prix will be in progress when this video goes live. The McLaren of Lando Norris starts from pole, ahead of Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari. Hamilton, Russel and Verstappen round out the top five. Championship leading Piastri qualified 8th but will start 7the after a grid penalty for Carlos Sainz.
MLB Playoffs / World Series
The Toronto Blue Jays won game 7 of the ALCS Monday night to advance to the world series where they face the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers handled Milwaukee in 4 games and have had several more days’ rest. The first two games of the World Series were lopsided losses. Game one featured a 9 runs 6th inning for the blue jays who won 11-4. In game two the dodgers hit back with a 5-1 win. Game 3 is Monday night at dodgers stadium.
NBA
The NBA season kicked off Tuesday, but the big news out of the league came Thursday. FBI director Kash Patel announced the indictment and arrest of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier. The arrests were part of two separate but related cases involving sports bet rigging, money laundering, and rigging of illegal, high stakes poker games. Other defendants include members of the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese organized crime families. In all, 34 people were indicted and arrested across 11 states.
FBI NBA Press Conference
NCAA Football
In college football, Ohio State and Georgia had bye weeks and the rest of the top 10 handled their business. Number 4 Alabama won a close game at South Carolina 29-22. Eighth ranked ole miss beat number 13 Oklahoma. The Tar Heels of Bill Belichick looked better in a 17-16 overtime loss to 17th ranked UVA and Mizzu lost out to Vanderbilt by 7 points and only about 4 inches on a last second Hail Mary. The pass was caught, but just short of the goal line. Vanderbilt is now 7-1, their best start since 1941.
Florida Gators
Sunday, The University of Florida announced the firing of head coach and play caller Billy Napier. With an overall record of 22-23 and an SEC record of 12-16, he leaves with a worse record than Will Muschamp, Jim McElwain and even Ron Zook. The last head coach to complete a season with a worse winning percentage at Florida was Raymond Wolf in the 1940’s.
Rich Stephens
The Cold Take