Saturday, April 19, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1775, the American Revolutionary War began when 700 British troops marched into Lexington to find 77 armed minutemen, led by Captain John Parker, waiting for them.

The sight and sound of birds filling the air is a sure sign that spring is here. Today, we showcase some of the best bird photographs of the year in our Et Cetera section. It's well worth checking out!

We're sponsored today by Dr. Steven Gundry.

IRS Head Ousted After Just Two Days

Interim IRS commissioner Gary Shapley has been ousted from the role just two days after taking it, the victim of an internal struggle between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and White House advisor Elon Musk.

Musk backed Shapley for the job, and sources say he bypassed Bessent in getting Shapley the post. Bessent took issue with the appointment, according to reports, and sought President Trump's approval to undo the decision.

Shapley is the second interim IRS chief for the administration. He was appointed to replace former interim head Melanie Krause, who resigned over political differences with the White House.

Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender will now serve as acting head of the IRS while President Trump's choice for the job, Billy Long, awaits Senate confirmation.

U.S. Missile Strike Hits Yemeni Oil Port

The U.S. military hit a Yemeni oil terminal in a missile strike early Friday morning in one of the biggest U.S. attacks yet against Houthi rebels.

Yemeni officials claimed more than 70 were killed in the attack on the Ras Isa oil terminal, which serves as an essential fueling hub sustaining Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.

The attack reflects the ongoing U.S. campaign against the terror group's infrastructure, following Houthi attacks on American vessels and missile strikes targeting Israel.

List: How Americans Spend $19 Trillion

A report on U.S. consumer spending showed Americans spent nearly $19 trillion on goods and services, with housing, utilities, and health care topping the list.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics used 2023 personal consumption data to determine spending on over a dozen categories.

Food and accommodations ranked fourth, followed by entertainment and transportation. U.S. households spent $3.3 trillion on housing and utilities, $3.1 trillion on health care, and $1.4 trillion on groceries.

The data also revealed economic trends: spending on health care and housing is rising, while expenditures on clothing and food have declined. See the full report here.

➤ The White House on Friday replaced the federal Covid-19 website with a page detailing the origins of the pandemic as a Chinese lab leak mismanaged by former health officials, including Dr. Anthony Fauci. An image of the preemptive pardon given to Fauci by President Biden is shown on the page. (See Website)

➤ A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration's push for mass layoffs at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, scheduling a hearing on the issue for April 28. (More)

➤ The government released about 10,000 pages of records related to the 1968 assassination of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, including handwritten notes by the gunman, Sirhan Sirhan. (See Details)

➤ A member of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's administration has been caught on camera allegedly vandalizing parked Tesla vehicles with his keys. Police arrested him on suspicion of causing an estimated $20,000 in damage. (See Video)

Doctor Exposes Breakfast Scam Backed by Billion-Dollar Brands

Cereal for breakfast? It might be doing more harm than good...

For years, big food companies told us cereal was a healthy way to start the day.

But now, one top doctor is sounding the alarm...

"It turns out, most cereals are packed with hidden sugars that can cause weight gain, low energy, and irregular bowel movements," he says.

In this short video, Dr. Steven Gundry reveals what's really in your morning bowl of cereal — and what to eat instead.

>> Click here now to discover the TRUTH about cereal

➤ The NCAA just approved a series of rule changes, including one that calls for in-game punishments for college football teams who fake injuries. (More)

➤ The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin tonight with matchups in both Winnipeg and Dallas. The Maple Leafs, Golden Knights, and Jets topped CBS' pre-playoff power rankings. (More)

➤ QB Aaron Rodgers admitted that retirement was still an option. The 41-year-old signal caller was released by the Jets last month and says he's still undecided about his future. (More)

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Daily Market Report 04/18/2025

▼	NASDAQ National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations	16,286.45	-0.13%
▲	SPX S&P 500	5,282.70	0.13%
▼	DJI Dow Jones Industrial Average	39,142.23	-1.33%
▼	BTC Bitcoin	$84,478.61	-0.49%
▼	GOLD Per Ounce	$3,308.70	-0.54%

Bitcoin and Gold are traded 24 hours a day.

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Could Your Breakfast Be Causing Weight Gain? Trying to lose weight, but nothing seems to work?

One popular breakfast food could be to blame — and most people eat it without a second thought.

Studies now show this food can lead to increased unhealthy cravings, bloating, and make fat loss nearly impossible.

Watch this short video to find out what it is – and what to eat instead.

Today's Rotator section is brought to you by:

➤ Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. would walk away from Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations if no progress is made within the next few days. (More)

➤ Electric power in Puerto Rico has been restored to nearly all homes and businesses after an island-wide blackout earlier this week left nearly 1.5 million customers without power and over 400,000 without water. (More)

➤ A U.S. man attempted to hijack a small plane in Belize on Thursday, stabbing two passengers and the pilot before one of the injured passengers fatally shot him. (More)

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➤ Does your hair look thinner than it did 20 years ago? If so, you're not alone. According to a 2022 study published in the journal Menopause, 52 percent of postmenopausal women struggle with hair thinning or hair loss. Research shows most women experience sparse-looking hair at some point…But no matter your age, it doesn't have to be that way.

See pictures of transformations here.

➤ For today only, the 107 U.S. national parks that usually charge a fee are waiving any payment for visitors in honor of the first day of National Park Week. (See Details)

➤ The annual Bird Photographer of the Year awards showcase stunning photos highlighting avian color, determination, and personality. (See Photos)

➤ A herd of 25 runaway cows went parading through several neighborhoods in Pennsylvania's Bucks County after escaping from a farm. (See Video)

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Do you still eat Jell-O at home?

Yesterday's Results:

Will you dye Easter eggs this year?

Yes: 10%
No: 81%
Already have: 5%
Not at these prices: 4%

Daily Quote

"If it's not going to happen, then we're just going to move on."

— Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on the U.S. walking away from stalled Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations.