11-30-25
From the desk of Rich Stephens
News for the week ending 11-29-25
Below find the expanded text from tonight’s broadcast. For corrections or additions, contact Rich directly.
Politics
National Guard Shooting
We begin in Washington DC where two uniformed national guardsmen were shot on Wednesday. 20 year old Sarah Beckstrom and 24 year old Andrew Wolf were part of the West Virginia National Guard deployment to the Capital. The two were sworn in less than 24 hours before the attack. Jeanine Pirro spoke on Thanksgiving day alongside FBI director Kash Patel and Mayor Muriel Bowser. She revealed that the shooter drove across the country from his home in Bellingham, Washington. Using a .357 revolver he attacked the guardsmen on the street before being subdued and taken into custody. He entered the United States from Afghanistan in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, following Biden’s Afghan withdrawal. Kash Patel indicated that the shooter is confirmed to have a relationship with partner forces in Afghanistan. He was initially charged with three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. However, on Friday, Sarah Beckstrom succumbed to her wounds and the shooter is now charged with first degree murder. The president has signaled intent to pause immigration from third world countries and to “denaturalize immigrants who undermine domestic tranquility”. MS NOW Correspondent Ken Dilanian drew criticism for statements that some Americans are unhappy that people in uniforms are walking around American cities. Andrew Wild is still listed in critical condition.
Jeanine Pirro Press Conference
Trump Initial Response (Truth Social)
Trump Announces Death of Sarah Beckstrom
Dan Crenshaw Criticism of MS NOW
“Seditious Six”
We reported last week on Elizabeth Slotkin and 5 other democrats who published a video imploring military to refuse illegal orders. The Department of War released a response this week. They noted that retired Naval Captain Mark Kelly is still subject to the uniform code of military justice. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth referred to the group as the “seditious six” and said that their words put soldiers at risk. Slotkin herself has admitted that she is unaware of any illegal orders being issued. She expressed fear that we are going to see law enforcement and military shooting civilians
JD Vance Statement on Illegal Orders
Ron Desantis Statement on Congressional Video
Slotkin Nervous Military Will Shoot Civilians
Slotkin Admits No Illegal Orders
Marjorie Taylor Green Retires
A story I missed last week, republican representative Marjorie Taylor Green released an 11 minute video to X last weekend. Citing congressional gridlock, attacks and lack of loyalty from Trump, she also complained of rising debt and increasing influence of big businesses and foreign governments on American politics. Her resignation from congress will take effect January 5, 2026 and will leave the seat vacant.
MTG Retirement Written Statement
Florida Puppy Protection Act
Florida Governor Ron Desantis spoke Tuesday to announce an initiative intended to combat what he calls unethical puppy mills. The Puppy Protection Act will require pet stores to assist in the adoption of shelter animals before taking those from puppy mills. It also establishes a hotline to report abusive breeders. Florida already has strict animal abuse laws such as Troopers law and Dexter’s law.
Governor’s statement on Puppy Protection Act
World News
Russia / Ukraine
It was widely reported early in the week that the United States had brokered a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. The United States proposed a 28 point framework during discussions in Geneva last week. The White House released a joint statement voicing optimism and Ukrainian president Zelenskyy released his own statement outlining the ongoing work. Ukrainian representatives will meet in DC this week to continue negotiations.
UN / Gaza / Israel
We reported last week that the UN had adopted a US backed resolution on Israel and Gaza. The resolution adopts the 20 point plan proposed by the White House and accepted by Israel several weeks ago. While the framework includes agreements that all hostages be returned by October 3, two remain in Gaza as of today.
Markets
Markets climbed over Thanksgiving weekend. The Dow added 1472 points while NASDAQ climbed 1092 points.
The S&P 500 had more modest gains, adding 247 to close at 6849. Gold followed the trend, adding $139.
Sports
NBA
Cooper Flagg surpassed LeBron James to become the youngest player in NBA history to score 35 points in one game. He did it against the clippers in a 114-110 win Saturday night. A day earlier he became the only 18 year old in the history of the league to record 11 assists in a single game.
NCAAM
In men’s college basketball, TCU got the best of 10th ranked Florida on Thanksgiving Day before beating Wisconsin Friday to win the Rady Children’s Invitational.
Florida beat Providence in the losers bracket and heads to Duke before facing UConn later this week.
Vanderbilt beat VCU and Saint Mary’s to win the battle 4 Atlantis and first ranked Purdue rolled Eastern Illinois 109-62.
F1 Qatari Grand Prix
In Qatar Friday, Oscar Piastri took pole for the sprint race. Norris qualified third with Verstappen only able to manage 6th. In the sprint race Saturday, Verstappen was able to climb to 4th, with Norris finishing third behind George Russel. Piastri won the sprint before taking pole for today’s feature race. Norris followed in second with Verstappen third and Russel completing the second row of the grid.
NCAA Football
Thanksgiving weekend is rivalry week in college football.
Friday, sixteenth ranked Texas took down undefeated Texas A&M 27-17. 4th ranked Georgia beat Georgia tech 16-9. Second ranked Indiana stayed perfect with a 56-3 win against Purdue.
Saturday, Ohio state beat Michigan in the snow. The final of that game was 27-9.
Alabama beat Auburn in the Iron bowl, 27-20 and will face Georgia in the SEC championship game. Ohio State will see Indiana in the big 10 championship. The ACC championship game will feature Duke and Virginia after 21st ranked SMU lost to unranked Cal 38-35 yesterday.
The Florida Gators closed out a dismal season with a 41-20 home win over Florida state. Jaden Baugh ran for 266 yards and two touchdowns. The once mighty pair of in-state rivals finish the season a combined 9-15 and neither will visit a bowl game this year.
Rich Stephens
The Cold Take