Service members will have another way to save money on their taxes in 2025, as defense officials are working to offer health care flexible spending accounts.Defense officials are currently coordinating with the Office of Personnel Management and aim to offer these accounts to eligible service members by Jan. 1, 2025, said Susan Mitchell, Department of Defense Tax Counsel, and executive director of the Armed Forces Tax Council.As with DoD’s new dependent care flexible spending accounts, enrollment for the new accounts would be during this year’s open enrollment season from mid-November to mid-December, likely Nov. 11 to Dec. 9.Those who participate…
Author: Tommy Grant
This article was originally published by Ava Grace at Natural News. Copper prices hit historic highs after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 50 percent tariff on imports, causing a 17 percent spike in futures before a slight retreat. The move aims to boost domestic production but risks disrupting global trade and raising costs for U.S. manufacturers. Copper is vital for industries like EVs, defense, and renewable energy. The U.S. imports half its supply (mainly from Chile, Canada, and Mexico), with domestic production hampered by regulations and environmental concerns. Prices soared 13 percent in a single day, marking the biggest-ever…
Are you looking to add some emergency ration bars to your survival preps? Emergency ration bars typically comprise a day’s worth of calories, with a mix of protein and carbohydrates to give you plenty of calories and energy.You can purchase ready-made ration bars to keep on hand, but they can be expensive and not that delightful to eat. Instead, consider making your own emergency ration bars.This recipe calls for standard ingredients and is very easy to make. Each bar is approximately 2000 calories, which should sustain you for about a day. So, if you need to bug out, manage for…
House Armed Services Committee members this week will hold their annual marathon markup for the defense authorization bill, a daylong tradition that lays out the panel’s policy and budgetary priorities for the Defense Department for next fiscal year. The move comes just days after the Senate Armed Services Committee approved its draft of the must-pass legislation behind closed doors. In contrast, House members will debate a series of controversial social issues and complex funding priorities in the open, although the Republican majority is unlikely to adopt any major changes led by Democratic representatives. Both measures contain plans for a 3.8%…
When the shelves are bare and the grid’s down, a stash of beans and rice won’t cut it. You need real food, the kind that keeps you strong and healthy. Even in good times, getting fresh, wholesome food straight from the source is a win. That’s where cow sharing comes in, a clever (and sometimes under-the-radar) way to lock in top-notch meat and dairy all year round, not just when things go south. If you’re serious about prepping or just want better food while supporting local farms, cow sharing could be a game-changer for keeping your family fed and ready…
Space Weather News has issued a warning on X overnight about an Earth-facing coronal hole that could eject fast-moving solar wind toward Earth, potentially triggering elevated geomagnetic activity, including auroras and geomagnetic storms. The high-speed stream is expected to reach Earth within days. “Now THAT is a coronal hole. Whoa, momma,” Ben Davidson wrote for Space Weather News‘ X. He added: “Excess magnitude/volcanic watch is in play now. Solar wind enhancement expected Saturday/Sunday/Monday.” Solarham, a solar storm monitoring website, warned, “The onset of a coronal hole stream was not expected until within the next few days.” Solarham described the “Coronal Hole to Face…
A federal judge has ruled that California’s ban on firearm carry by non-residents is unconstitutional, siding with the Firearms Policy Coalition. The decision affirms that Second Amendment rights do not end at state borders, strengthening legal protections for lawful gun owners traveling across state lines. LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE SAN DIEGO, CA (3-minute read) — A federal judge in California has ruled that the state’s ban on allowing non-residents to carry firearms—whether concealed or openly—is unconstitutional. The decision marks a significant win for the Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) and supporters of Second Amendment rights, who argued that constitutional protections should…
.243 WSSM.Hornady just announced some mid-year new products, including loads for .223 WSSM, .243 WSSM and .400 Legend.Hornady seems to be constantly expanding its catalog with new products, and the company just added a few more interesting items in this mid-2025 announcement. Namely, three new loads that will catch the eyes of those who hunt or compete with the calibers in question.Firstly, a new 55-grain V-MAX Superformance Varmint load for .223 Winchester Super Short Magnum, aka 223 WSSM. Designed to deliver excellent accuracy and explosive performance, Hornady says that the 223 WSSM Superformance Varmint “delivers muzzle velocity increases of 100…
Everyone wants an MP5, but nobody wants to pay HK prices. Here, we go over the top 5 MP5 clones that won’t break the bank.Real MP5s from Heckler & Koch are full-auto, and very few of us are lucky enough to be able to afford a genuine transferable example. While much less expensive, even the semi-auto versions made by H&K are unfortunately out of most shooters’ price range. If on a budget, you may not be able to get the H&K logo on your receiver, but thankfully there are MP5 clones available now that will scratch the same itch for…
Ukraine’s current ruler, Volodymyr Zelensky, has officially confirmed that the United States has resumed its military assistance to the war-torn country. “We have received political signals at the highest level, good signals, including from the United States and from our European friends. According to all reports, aid shipments have been restored,” Zelensky said in his daily video message on Friday. Reuters and Newsweek both reported earlier this week that Trump plans to use the Presidential Drawdown Authority to authorize a new aid package potentially worth $300 million, which may include Patriot air defense missiles. The president teased a major statement on…