[Maru]

Instead of spilling a ton of very random articles into S&D that are oddball, I decided to start a themed thread for just local stuff...

Here's the first one and it's definitely for fun:




(April 2025)
Trump-inspired burger joint just opened in Houston — Here’s what you can expect
https://www.click2houston.com/news/l...ou-can-expect/

It’s the fourth Trump Burger spot to hit the Houston area, joining locations in Kemah, Bellville, and Flatonia.

According to the Bellville location’s DoorDash page, you’ll find a lineup of burgers, chicken sandwiches, starters, and salads — all with a presidential twist.

Signature items include the Trump Burger, the towering Trump Tower, and the First Lady Chicken Sandwich.

(June 2025)
Trump Burger sues landlord, alleges unlawful takeover of restaurant
https://www.khou.com/article/money/b...f-38d955e66e62

The complaint, filed June 24 in Harris County District Court, accuses the landlord, Archie Patterson, and his companies, 409 Bradford LLC and All Tex Personnel LCC, of taking over the restaurant on June 7.

"Archie" does sound rather villainous...

The Kemah restaurant is different from the other locations, offering a family-friendly burger joint during the day and an adult social scene at night with a dance floor, live band space and alcohol sales.

Oh my.


And then this happened...

(Aug 7th)
Trump Burger co-owner in Houston could be deported after ICE arrest
https://www.khou.com/article/news/lo...b-b3f301560da1

(Aug 21st)
A second Trump Burger owner was detained by ICE. His lawyer says he's suffering from medical neglect
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/new...g-20827379.php

The co-owner of Donald Trump-themed restaurants in the Houston area faces possible deportation after he was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in May for allegedly overstaying his visa, according to the federal agency.

Trump Burger co-owner Roland Beainy was granted bond by an immigration judge on June 13 as he awaits immigration proceedings, according to ICE.

"Beainy is a 28-year-old illegal alien from Lebanon" ...

How dare him.

... "who entered the United States in 2019 as a non-immigrant visitor, but he failed to depart by Feb. 12, 2024, as required under the terms of his admission," an ICE spokesperson said in a Friday statement to Houston Public Media. "ICE is committed to restore integrity to our nation's immigration system."

Who can resist a good burger, though. Apparently not even an ICE agent.

[Ammi]

…oh, I thought that was fake news there but apparently the fans of the Trump burger can Putin their own fillings …/…obviously bun taxes will have to be raised and applied accordingly, though…

[Ammi]

…neat thread, Maru…..

[bots]

[Trump Burger co-owner Roland Beainy was granted bond by an immigration judge on June 13 as he awaits immigration proceedings, according to ICE.]



Is that seriously his real name?

[Maru]

Originally Posted by bots

[Trump Burger co-owner Roland Beainy was granted bond by an immigration judge on June 13 as he awaits immigration proceedings, according to ICE.]



Is that seriously his real name?

His name sounds so AI generated. We're not far from AI generated news articles at this point so waiting for the day when people's names start getting switched out for "ethical and privacy reasons".

[Maru]

Houston-area researcher charged with stealing research funded by U.S. government
https://www.chron.com/news/article/m...n-21015938.php

A Houston-area researcher was accused of stealing confidential data on breast cancer and attempting to leave the country, according to court documents filed last week.

Yunhai Li, 35, was charged with theft of trade secrets and tampering with government records, a third-degree felony and misdemeanor, respectively.

Although Li conducted the research during his tenure at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC), investigators said the university maintained ownership of the research, prohibiting Li from storing or sharing the data. About 70 percent of the project was completed at the time of Li's resignation.

On July 1, Li resigned from his position and intended to return to China, according to court documents.

On his journey home, Li was stopped by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport and detained for inspection. Upon conducting a search of his devices, Li was accused of storing research on his Baidu account, amassing about 50 GB of data.

[Maru]

Someone had a really fun day at work.

World War I-era artillery shell detonated by bomb squad after being found at Houston’s Memorial Park
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/a...memorial-park/

As Memorial Park leaders embark on a project to honor its World War I roots, an explosive discovery was made this week.

“Memorial Park is unique nationally because it is the only remaining site of a WWI training camp that remains accessible to the general public.,” Ballard said in a statement. “A 100-acre site along West Memorial Loop Drive was selected for Memorial Groves as it contains the largest number of Camp Logan archaeological finds within Memorial Park.”

[Maru]

NY teen opens up about winning free speech battle to display Bible verses on school parking spot
https://nypost.com/2025/08/26/us-new...-parking-spot/

A New York high school student has won the right to display Bible verses on her senior parking spot after a battle over free speech and religious expression came to a close.

Grand Island High School initially rejected Sabrina Steffans’ designs because they included Christian imagery and Scripture, but after intervention from the First Liberty Institute — a nonprofit legal organization dedicated to defending religious liberty — the school reversed its decision, citing constitutional principles.

“The first [design], I wasn’t very surprised that they turned that down because I do run a Bible club, and they turned down a lot of stuff in the Bible club,” Steffans told Fox News on Tuesday.

Grand Island Central School District Superintendent Brian Graham previously issued a statement to CBN News, reiterating the district’s commitment to “fostering an inclusive school environment that respects the rights and dignity of all students.”

“We also take seriously our responsibility to uphold constitutional principles, including the First Amendment,” the statement continued.

Imagine praying for the closest parking spot to Starbucks while under another God and this is the one you see first:

[Maru]

Something I just saw...

Youtube video

Fulton County is Atlanta, Georgia, etc...


Fulton commissioners to respond to GOP lawsuit over election board nominees
https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/ful...board-nominees

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - Two Democratic Fulton County commissioners are responding to a lawsuit filed by Republicans over their refusal to seat the GOP nominees to the county’s elections board.

Despite a recent court order, commissioners have refused to seat Jason Frazier and Julie Adams, claiming that both nominees had a history of challenging election results and ballots.

The backstory:

Under Georgia law, the commission is required to appoint two people from the political parties that received the largest number of votes in the state - those being the Republicans and Democrats.

However, the Democratic commissioners have continued to table or vote against Frazier and Adams' nominations.

Adams, who had previously been a member of the board, controversially argued in 2024 that she should be allowed to withhold certification of the county's election if she believed the results were incorrect or unreliable. She had also refused to certify the results of the county's May 2024 primary election. Frazier has reportedly lodged thousands of voter registration challenges in Fulton County.

[Maru]

In other news, Jesus' "best friend" was indicted by the FBI... $50M trafficking case...

Youtube video

Indictment documents with lots and lots of fun texts: https://www.documentcloud.org/docume...?mode=document

What to know about Joshua Media Ministries, David Taylor after FBI raid at Houston church
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/new...d-21017750.php

In 2023, Michigan-based church leader David Taylor announced a new Houston location for his ministry, the Kingdom of God Global Church, and vehemently denied claims that his church was a cult.

On Wednesday, FBI agents searched the church’s Houston property and authorities confirmed Taylor had been indicted on federal charges that include forced labor and money laundering conspiracy.

Here’s what we know about Taylor, his controversial church and what federal officials alleged about the Houston property:

Who is David E. Taylor?

Taylor, along with executive director Michelle Brannon, is accused in the federal indictment of soliciting tens of millions of dollars in donations through psychological abuse, food and shelter restrictions, and physical assault of their workers.

They ran call centers that solicited daily donations for the Kingdom of God Global Church, also known as Joshua Media Ministries International.

Taylor built a viable online following — with supporters who call him “Apostle” — and he has claimed Jesus Christ appeared to him at 17 years old. He went on to write a book in 2009 that detailed his “face-to-face” visitations with Jesus and promised instructions for others on how to get those same meetings.

He’s also claimed he can raise the dead. Joshua Media Ministries International posted on social media in 2016 about an elderly woman coming back to life: “David E. Taylor Commands Her to Live Through Sending a Text Message Through Facebook - Releasing the Supernatural Resurrection Power of God! She Lives!”

What is Kingdom of God Global Church?

The church began in Michigan, then expanded to locations in Texas, Florida and Missouri, according to the Department of Justice. Taylor frequently shares a number for the organization’s “24-hour prayer line.” On his TikTok account, he told nearly 98,000 followers that calling the line can provide trips to heaven, financial miracles, and healing from “all sickness and disease.”

...

[bots]

It's exactly what i imagine from an american cult

[Maru]

Originally Posted by bots

It's exactly what i imagine from an american cult

What is also very American I think is when they ask nearby people who they were and they're all like "Oh yeah, they're a cult"... everyone just knows

When they have their parishioners reel mowing their entire property manually across most of the day, it's almost like an advertisement...

They busted all their locations it seems like in multiple states. I mean $50M is a lot for a church of any size...

[Maru]

I mean it makes sense... but they would still have to put up a lot money into detention/retention areas of some kind just to prevent whatever is downstream from becoming an even bigger floodplain... and it will if it's not slowed somehow...

Elon Musk is trying to build $760M tunnels under Houston
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/a...y-helping-him/

Elon Musk's Boring Company is interested in Houston, investigation finds
The proposal is a shift away from the tunneling firm's usual projects tackling traffic.
https://www.chron.com/culture/articl...s-21019744.php

[Maru]

'Bathroom bill' aimed at trans people approved by Texas House after decade of failed attempts
Senate Bill 8 will restrict restrooms in government buildings, public schools and universities based on sex assigned at birth.
https://www.khou.com/article/news/lo...6-cb5eb3a7cd68

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas House members clashed over a bill the chamber passed on Thursday that would restrict which restrooms transgender people can use in government buildings and schools.

Representatives approved Senate Bill 8 on a 86-43 vote after several hours of tense debate that was at times interrupted by people in the gallery shouting insults at lawmakers who supported the bill. The House gallery, where visitors can watch proceedings, was emptied out by staff and Department of Public Safety officers after the disruptions continued.

SB 8 would restrict bathroom use in government-owned buildings, public schools and universities based of sex assigned at birth and would not allow exceptions for transgender inmates’ housing in prisons and jails. It would also bar those assigned male at birth from accessing women’s domestic violence shelters, unless they are under 17 and the child of a woman also receiving services.

Bathroom bills proposing civil or criminal penalties for entering restrooms not matching biological sex have been proposed in Texas for more than a decade, and 19 other states have successfully passed their own proposals. The Texas House, however, has largely failed to garner traction for bathroom bills after a tense battle over one proposal in 2017. The Texas Senate has passed six different bathroom bills since 2017.

A last-minute amendment from Rep. Steve Toth, R-Conroe, raised the proposed fines to $25,000 against institutions where violations occur, and $125,000 for any subsequent violations. The raised penalties would make SB 8 the most financially punitive bathroom bill in the country. The amendment was adopted without debate.

Supporters of SB 8, which has also been called the “Texas Women’s Privacy Act,” have said the bill is necessary to ensure safety and comfort for women in intimate spaces like changing rooms and bathrooms. The bill’s House sponsor, Rep. Angelia Orr, R-Itasca, said the goal of the bill is to prompt political subdivisions to create their own policies to ensure bathrooms are secure.

“The preference of someone’s sexual appearance does not override the safety and privacy of a biological female,” Orr said.

Orr said the bill does not affect privately owned or funded businesses, and will not create penalties against individuals.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Opponents of the bill have called the restrictions unnecessary, and that the bill would incite harassment against trans people and cisgender people falsely accused of entering the wrong facility. Rep. Jessica Gonzalez, D-Dallas, said she personally had been accused of entering the wrong restroom in the Texas Capitol, which already has a policy similar to SB 8’s proposal.

Questioning from Democrats who opposed the bill attempted to zero in on how the bill would be enforced, as it outlines that agencies will take “every reasonable step” to ensure the policy is followed. Orr said during questioning that it would be up to agencies how to enforce their policy. Previously when the bill was heard in committee, Orr said the policies would be determined based on how someone looked.

“Who do you think is more uncomfortable in the bathroom today? A cis woman, or a trans woman wondering if she's about to be harassed?” Rep. Erin Zwiener, D-Driftwood, asked.

During testimony in both chambers through the session and on the House floor on Thursday, tensions between lawmakers for and against the bill flared. Several members argued in small groups multiple times and were separated by staffers as debate continued on the floor. At one point, Toth heckled Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, for using Bible quotes as he spoke on a failed amendment designed to kill the bill. Toth was warned by a House staffer for the remarks. Anchia later argued with Rep. Hillary Hickland, R-Belton, away from the floor debate after she chastised his use of the Bible and countered with her own quotes as she expressed support for the bill.

Representatives with family violence shelters expressed concern about the bill’s exclusivity during testimony earlier in the month, and said it could affect not just trans victims of domestic violence, but cisgender women with teenage dependents or adult dependents who are disabled. While four other states have similar sex-based restrictions on shelters, they still allow trans victims to be accepted if they have separate sleeping quarters.

“When you call the hotline, it is often the moment before you believe you will die. I don't say that with hyperbole,” said Molly Voyles, director of public policy at the Texas Council on Family Violence, during the House State Affairs committee hearing last week when SB 8 was discussed. “Many women fleeing have a son who is 18 still in high school, or a child with a disability over that age for whom they are the primary caretaker. A choice to leave that includes leaving without your child is not a choice at all.”

SB 8 requires one more vote in the House before being sent back to the Senate to approve the changes. Lawmakers have until Sept. 13 to approve any legislation during the second special session.

[Maru]

California Republicans renew bid to split the state in two

Youtube video

Article: https://abc7.com/post/california-rep...ight/17658941/

[arista]

Maru
Sadly that
YouTube clip the California Republicans
will not allow that video
to work in the UK


Video unavailable
The uploader has not made this video available in your country

[Maru]

Originally Posted by arista

Maru
Sadly that
YouTube clip the California Republicans
will not allow that video
to work in the UK


Video unavailable
The uploader has not made this video available in your country

Thanks. I changed it out. There's no way to know it's country restricted without turning on a VPN

[arista]

Good on you
Maru.

[Maru]

Originally Posted by arista

Good on you
Maru.

I'll see if I can find a way to check which countries are profiled in the future. Thanks for letting me know

[Maru]

NC election official arrested after allegedly spiking granddaughters' ice cream with drugs
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/james-y...e-cream-drugs/

A North Carolina election official has resigned after being arrested for allegedly putting illicit drugs into ice cream that his granddaughters were consuming, police said.

James Yokeley Jr. flagged down an officer at a Sheetz gas station in Surry County, North Carolina, on Aug. 8, the Wilmington Police Department said. Yokeley told the officer that his two granddaughters, who were not identified, had found pills in ice creams purchased at a nearby Dairy Queen, according to a police statement released Wednesday.

The girls had not ingested any of the substances, the police department said. Preliminary field tests determined the pills were illegal narcotics. The pills were later determined to contain MDMA and cocaine, according to a warrant reviewed by CBS affiliate WGHP.

An investigation was opened. Police reviewed video footage that allegedly showed Yokeley, 66, placing the pills in the ice creams. He had been acting as the girls' guardian for the weekend, WGHP reported.

Police did not share a possible motive. The investigation is ongoing, the department said.

Yokeley was arrested and charged with contaminating food or drink with a controlled substance and felony child abuse, the police department said. He was also charged with possession of a Schedule I narcotic. Yokeley was transported to the New Hanover County Detention Center and later posted a $100,000 secured bond.

Yokeley had been selected to lead the Surry County Board of Elections in June; he first became a member in 2023. He resigned on Thursday morning, following calls to step down, the State Board of Elections said. In his resignation letter, he wrote, "I remain prayerfully confident that I will be exonerated of all accusations levied against me."

Was he trying to frame a Dairy Queen worker? I can't understand what other motive there would be...

It sounds like he had the pills on him and if they found a container for it, that would make it very difficult for his lawyer to prove innocence...

[Maru]

This is insane. Actual bots are signing up for school

Youtube video

California’s community colleges are contending with widespread enrollment fraud that has prevented real students from getting the classes they need and disrupted campus operations.

More than 1.2 million fraudulent applications were filed in a single year, affecting about 80 percent of campuses across the state.

The problem, first seen during the shift to online learning, has persisted despite efforts to contain it. In this episode, Dr. Jeannie Kim, president of Santiago Canyon College, and Marvin Martinez, chancellor of the Rancho Santiago Community College District, explain how campuses are responding and the steps now underway to safeguard access for genuine students.

1.2 million fake students applied to California community colleges last year. What’s being done?
https://www.latimes.com/california/s...cial-aid-fraud

How are fraudsters scamming the system?

Of those who applied to state community colleges from January through December 2024, 31% were determined to be likely fraudulent. That’s more than 1.2 million applications, according to data from the office of the chancellor for the college system.

Anyone who applies to a California community college is admitted. This accessibility, coupled with the increase in remote and hybrid formats for classes since the COVID-19 pandemic, creates vulnerabilities that scammers exploit to cash in on both state and federal financial aid.

Fraudsters, with the help of stolen identities, bots and artificial intelligence, act as dozens or even hundreds of students. They join classes and remain enrolled until they receive their financial aid checks. The fake students often take up limited spots in classes actual students need to take, creating headaches for both students and staff.

[bots]

is that Trump screwing with education intentionally? It's crazy

[Maru]

Youtube video

I've seen people mentioning moving back to CA when they realize that Austin isn't at all built like LA or NYC and it's not what they expected... Austin has emulated versions of those cultures... sure... but it's in a micro form. The city is also tiny compared to a typical TX city.

Most people here also didn't realize how harsh our weather is. It's one thing to see high temperatures and 80-90% humidity on paper but to experience that regularly...

[arista]

Yes Maru
moving back to CA

He failed to do proper research

[Maru]

Originally Posted by bots

is that Trump screwing with education intentionally? It's crazy

Community colleges are a cheaper doorway to university (much lower upfront costs) and so it is possible for Pell Grants (free money/financial aid) to pay for all the tuition costs as well as books. If there are any leftovers, the student can pocket and there isn't an explicit requirement as to how many classes one can sign up for... as long as a "full time" student registers for enough to reach full time, they can pocket any remainder. That money becomes available before the start of the semester so that the student can register for classes and it's usually available through any bookstores, etc.. but then any remainder gets cut as a check after a point (I think by the college)...

Because many community college students are part time workers or students who are pulling together funds last minute to pay for their classes from other sources, they give a cut off before the student is kicked from a course if they're unable to pay. So that means someone can still register even if they've not paid and even in the past some plan could be worked out...

So maybe they make it so that certain class fees have to be paid up front. When normally it would've made sense for financial aid students (or students paying closer to cut off) to declare they were waiting for their applications to clear and those fees would be covered...

Pell Grants are really easy to qualify for if the student is over a certain age (I believe it's 24...) and especially if fully emancipated before that cutoff (they still need to include parent's income and tax records, otherwise...). So even if they're working full time, they would likely still fall under the income limit. It's not a lot of money, but it's enough to pay for community in most cases.. depends on how expensive the school is. The maximum per year for it right now is $7,395 (government math lol) and is split 50% by semester.

Edit: So yeah, I say all that to say if they're stealing identities, just go through the ones whose age is at the cut off or higher... that would be the easiest... all they have to fill out is an application and submit a social and some tax records. Not sure how easy it would be to get the latter, though... but if they could get the prior filing electronically somehow through the IRS, that would probably be fine.