Trans Trend Fades, Cartel Bounties on Feds, NY AG Harbors Fugitive: Weekly News Wrap-Up

Decline in Transgender Identification

• 📉 A new study from the University of Buckingham indicates a significant drop in transgender and queer identification among young Americans, falling to 3.6% from previous higher rates.
• 💡 Political scientist Eric Kaufman suggests this decline, which has effectively halved in two years, may represent a cultural shift akin to a fading fashion trend.
• ⚠️ The trend's decline raises concerns about parents feeling pressured into medical transitions for children, with data suggesting psychological issues, not gender dysphoria alone, are key factors in suicide risk.

Cartel Threats Against Federal Agents

• 🎯 Mexican drug cartels are reportedly offering substantial bounties for attacks on federal agents involved in immigration raids in Chicago, including up to $50,000 for assassinations.
• 🚨 The Department of Homeland Security has uncovered credible intelligence about these threats, which include doxing, kidnapping, and assault.
• 🚓 Gangs in Chicago are allegedly using spotters to track ICE and Border Protection officers, with one gang leader arrested for attempting to orchestrate a murder-for-hire scheme against a Border Patrol commander.

New York AG and Fugitive Controversy

• 🏠 New York Attorney General Letitia James is under scrutiny as court documents reveal a wanted fugitive, her grandniece Nikia Thompson, has been residing in James's home since 2020.
• ⚖️ Thompson, who is considered a fugitive for absconding from probation, was convicted of misdemeanor assault and trespassing.
• 🧐 This situation adds to existing controversy surrounding James, who faces federal bank fraud charges related to the same property where the fugitive resided, despite her public platform of accountability.

Los Angeles County State of Emergency

• 🆘 The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors declared a local state of emergency in response to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
• 🤝 The declaration aims to provide rent relief and legal aid to residents affected by ICE raids.
• ⚠️ Critics argue the declaration prioritizes illegal immigrants over citizens and that a state of emergency should address issues like cartel activity, not ICE operations.

Quick Hits

• 🎭 The classic film "Amadeus" is being remade with a half-British, half-Japanese actor cast as Mozart.
• 🍞 Archaeologists discovered a 1300-year-old piece of bread in a Byzantine bakery depicting Jesus with the inscription "Jesus Christ, the giver of life."
• 🚢 The International Maritime Organization is considering a global tax on shipping emissions to cut greenhouse gases, a proposal the White House opposes.
• 📰 NBC News laid off 7% of its workforce, with the DEI dedicated teams reportedly being the hardest hit.