Originally published at: Greater Idaho Advances, SNAP Fraud Uncovered, Freight Industry Faces Capacity Cuts – Peak Prosperity
US Politics
In eastern Oregon, voters in 13 counties—Sherman, Morrow, Union, Wallowa, Jefferson, Wheeler, Crook, Grant, Baker, Malheur, Harney, Lake, and Klamath—approved measures to pursue secession and join Idaho. Proponents cited differences with Oregon’s legislature, which they described as dominated by Portland-area Democrats. Idaho Governor Brad Little voiced support, pointing to shared values and regulatory similarities. The Idaho House passed a non-binding resolution in 2023 to explore boundary changes. An Oregon bill proposing secession referenced financial strains on western counties from subsidizing eastern ones and the possibility of a more progressive legislature after separation, but it stalled in committee. A similar initiative in Illinois involved 33 counties voting to join Indiana, where the House advanced related legislation. Such changes require approval from the affected state legislatures and Congress under Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution. Historical precedent includes West Virginia’s formation in 1863. Oregon officials have opposed the movement, citing potential logistical and administrative challenges to state services and infrastructure.
The USDA, working with the Department of Government Efficiency, audited SNAP data from 29 states and removed 700,000 ineligible recipients, including undocumented immigrants, since the administration took office, resulting in 118 arrests. The audit identified fraud totaling over $150,000 in one Ohio case and $17 million statewide since 2023. SNAP spending reportedly increased nearly 40% under the previous administration, reaching $100 billion annually. Twenty-one states, mostly led by Democrats, declined to share data, and two sued the USDA. Critics have argued that the removals could increase food insecurity among vulnerable populations, potentially affecting eligible recipients due to bureaucratic hurdles.
In Illinois, a new law signed by Governor JB Pritzker prohibits ICE civil arrests in state courthouses and within 1,000-foot buffer zones, extending to nearby public areas and permitting lawsuits against federal agents for violations. The law resembles measures in California and Connecticut, as well as a Cook County court order. However, federal law requires detention of certain removable noncitizens, and the Supremacy Clause upholds exclusive federal immigration authority, as affirmed in Arizona v. United States (2012). Governor Pritzker has defended the law as necessary to protect vulnerable communities and ensure access to justice without fear of civil arrest.
U.S. birthrates have remained below the 2.1 replacement level since the 1970s, dropping to 1.6 last year. Data indicate steeper declines among self-identified progressives, while rates among conservatives have stayed relatively stable. A September NBC poll found that male Gen Z supporters of Trump ranked having children highly in measures of success, whereas female supporters of Harris ranked family lower. The 10 states with the highest 2023 birthrates included Republican-led ones such as South Dakota (2.01) and Nebraska (1.92), compared to Democratic-led states like Vermont (1.30). Surveys show conservatives make up 33% of U.S. adults, versus 24% liberals, with parental political views influencing 81-89% of teenagers’ views. The foreign-born population fell to 15.4% by mid-year, the first decline since the 1960s, amid stricter immigration policies. Studies suggest that political views are not strictly inherited, with factors such as education and life experiences also shaping beliefs among younger generations.
An internal BBC memo from a whistleblower, included in a dossier on alleged BBC bias, described edits to President Trump’s January 6 speech in a Panorama program. The edits reportedly spliced footage to emphasize his words urging supporters to “fight like hell” at the Capitol, while omitting his call to “peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard.” The memo noted that related complaints were reportedly ignored by senior executives. The BBC has stated that the edits were made for brevity and context, denying any intent to mislead viewers, and noted that the full speech was available online.
Lastly, Vice President Dick Cheney died on November 3, 2025, at age 84 from complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease. He was surrounded by family, including his wife Lynn and daughters Liz and Mary. Cheney previously served as White House chief of staff under Gerald Ford, a Wyoming congressman, Secretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush, and vice president for two terms under George W. Bush. He was remembered for his contributions to national security but also faced criticisms for policies during his vice presidency, including those related to the Iraq War.
Economy
The U.S. freight industry faces potential capacity cuts, with as many as 600,000 truck drivers—about 17% of the workforce—possibly affected by falling volumes and tighter regulations. Freight volumes declined 18% year-over-year, straining small carriers and brokers due to low spot and contract rates. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules, effective September 26, 2025, limit non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses, which could disqualify 97% of roughly 200,000 such holders. English Language Proficiency enforcement has led to 23,000 violations and 5,000 out-of-service orders, removing about 20,000 drivers yearly. Overlaps with undocumented drivers may amplify the effects, contributing to carrier bankruptcies and a consolidation toward larger firms with higher wages. These changes, combined with immigration policy shifts, could raise spot rates to levels seen during the COVID-19 period and help rebalance supply and demand. Industry groups such as the American Trucking Associations have noted that the sector has historically adapted to regulatory changes, potentially mitigating the extent of any capacity purge.
Canadian Politics
A land claim by the Cowichan Tribes has made about 300 homes in Richmond unsaleable, according to guidance from the Ryan Tax Firm, due to impacts on property titles. The City of Richmond has refused to lower municipal taxes for affected residents, despite the reported drop in property values to zero. The Cowichan Tribes have asserted that the claim is a necessary step toward reconciliation and justice for historical land dispossessions.
Sources
Eastern Oregon’s Greater Idaho Gambit: Secession Momentum Builds
The Greater Idaho Movement has won non-binding elections in 13 counties.
USDA Purges 700,000 Ineligible SNAP Recipients in Sweeping Fraud Crackdown on Illegal Immigrants
On my first day @USDA, we told every state to send us their SNAP data so we could make sure illegal immigrants aren’t getting benefits meant for American families.
Source | Submitted by PhilH
Conservatives’ Fertility Advantage: Breeding a Rightward Future
“The decline is overwhelmingly among those on the progressive left, in effect nudging each successive generation’s politics further to the right than they would otherwise have been.”
Illinois’ Unconstitutional Sanctuary Law Bars ICE from Courthouses and 1,000-Foot Safe Zones
The sanctuary law appears largely performative since it also appears unconstitutional.
The Great Trucking Purge: 600,000 Drivers at Risk in Historic Capacity Shakeout
With the risk of the market eliminating 600,000 active drivers, the largest capacity purge in history may be coming
Vice President Dick Cheney Dies at 84
“Richard B. Cheney, the 46th vice president of the United States, died last night.”
BBC Doctored Trump’s Jan. 6 Speech to Stoke Riot Narrative, Whistleblower Memo Reveals
The BBC “doctored” a Donald Trump speech by making him appear to encourage the Capitol Hill riot, according to an internal whistleblowing memo seen by The Telegraph.
Cowichan Land Claim Renders 300 Richmond Homes Unsaleable, City Refuses Tax Relief
their homes are UNSALEABLE. Worthless.
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: The Washington Post, Open Society Foundations statement, BBC News, Oregonian, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker statement, The New York Times, American Trucking Associations, and CBC News.
and 
Potentially meaning illegal immigrants.
