Nearly 50,000 Diagnosed With 9/11-Linked Cancers; Deaths From Related Illnesses Surpass the Attack Toll

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The number of first responders and others diagnosed with cancers linked to the September 11 attacks has surged to 48,579, marking a staggering 143% increase over the past five years, according to the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP)
New York Post.

Among the most commonly identified cancers are skin, prostate, and breast cancers, along with melanoma, lymphoma, leukemia, and cancers affecting the thyroid, kidney, lung, and bladder. Experts attribute this rise to prolonged exposure to toxic substances at Ground Zero and the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island.

Why the Surge?

Aging Responders: Many of those who worked in the recovery efforts are now in their late 50s and 60s. “We know that the population is aging, so we can predict that the number of cancers is going to go up,” said Dr. Steven Markowitz, an occupational medicine specialist at Queens College.

Record Enrollment: The WTCHP saw over 10,000 new enrollees in 2024, its highest number to date. As a result, more people are being monitored and diagnosed.

Death Toll and Comparison to 9/11 Casualties

As of March 27, 2025:

8,215 WTCHP enrollees had died, including 5,844 first responders.

Out of these, 3,767 had cancer, including 2,388 responders.

These cancer-related deaths now exceed the 2,977 victims who died on September 11, 2001.

John DeVito, 53, a retired NYPD officer from Bellport, Long Island, recalled sifting through debris without protective equipment, saying:

“We went through it with rakes… Everybody said everything was safe.”

Diagnosed with esophageal cancer on March 13, 2020, he underwent extensive treatment, including surgery to remove part of his esophagus and stomach.

Glenn Taraquinio, 62, another retired NYPD officer, vividly remembers the dangers on “the pile”:

“Every once in a while you’d look in the bucket and you’d see a hand or another body part… officials insisted the air was safe.”

FEMA eventually provided N95 masks, but they “would turn black in an hour.” He was diagnosed with 9/11-related prostate cancer in 2020 and described the rising cancer numbers as “insane.”

Phil Rizzo, 69, a former Department of Correction Emergency Services Unit captain, recalled:

“There was so much ash falling it looked like it was snowing.”

Diagnosed with head and neck cancer in 2023, he reflected:

“It looks like little by little it’s getting most of us who worked there.”

FDNY EMT Ivonne Sanchez, 59, was on the pile for nearly ten months. A breast cancer diagnosis came in 2013, progressing quickly from stage one to stage two:

“I knew in my gut it was something bigger… You must have ESP,” her doctor remarked after diagnosis.

Many of those affected, including Taraquinio and Sanchez, are traveling to Washington, D.C. this week to advocate for extended healthcare funding for those battling 9/11-related illnesses:

“Unfortunately, it’s another fight for funding,” Taraquinio said. “It’s exhausting.”

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Radio Host Expresses Regret Over COVID-19 Vaccine: ‘I Should Have Never Got That Shot’

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Radio personality Charlamagne Tha God said Friday he regrets receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, citing chest pain that began after his shots.

Speaking on The Breakfast Club, Charlamagne admitted he now second-guesses the decision.

“I ain’t going to lie. Every time I have chest pain now, I be like, ‘Man, I should have never got that damn COVID shot,’” he said.

He added that he had no cardiovascular issues before the vaccine, though he stopped short of directly blaming it.

“And I’m not saying it was the vaccine,” Charlamagne continued. “I’m just saying when I think about, you know, things, the changes that I’ve had over the last 5 years, that was a big one, getting that vaccine.”

His co-hosts Jess Hilarious and DJ Envy echoed similar frustrations, with Envy noting that workplace mandates forced many to get vaccinated to keep their jobs.

Vaccine Risks and Myocarditis Concerns

Studies have shown a connection between mRNA vaccines — including those from Moderna and Pfizer — and rare cases of myocarditis, especially among younger men. Federal health officials, however, maintain that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks, particularly for older adults and those with preexisting conditions.

Vaccine Access and Political Clash

The comments came a day after Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced heated exchanges with senators at a Finance Committee hearing. Kennedy pushed back against claims from Democrats that the administration had restricted vaccine access.

“Everybody can get the vaccine … You’re making things up to scare people and it’s a lie,” Kennedy said in response to Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH).

The FDA announced in August that individuals 65 and older, as well as those six months and older with high-risk health conditions, remain eligible for vaccination.

The debate over mandates remains politically charged. President Joe Biden initially pledged in 2020 not to impose a federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate but later required vaccinations for federal workers, contractors, and private companies with more than 100 employees. The Supreme Court blocked the private-sector mandate in January 2022.

The Pentagon’s requirement for military service members led to the discharge of more than 8,000 troops who refused vaccination. President Donald Trump reversed the policy in January 2025, reinstating those discharged with full rank, benefits, and back pay.

West Point Abruptly Cancels Award Ceremony for Tom Hanks

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The alumni association of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point has abruptly cancelled an award celebration for actor Tom Hanks, one of former President Joe Biden’s celebrity supporters.

Hanks, 69, was set to be honored with a ceremony and parade on Sept. 25 to commemorate his advocacy for service members through his films, TV shows, and support for efforts such as establishing a national memorial for President Dwight D. Eisenhower and the National WWII Museum in New Orleans.

That day of celebration has been put on hold for now. One former instructor told The Washington Post that the decision appears to have been rooted in avoiding an “uncomfortable” relationship between West Point leadership and the White House.

That was not the official reason provided by the alumni association. Instead, the Post reports it said in an internal email on Friday that the cancellation, which it apologized for, was necessary to maintain its focus on producing future military officers for war.

“This decision allows the Academy to continue its focus on its core mission of preparing cadets to lead, fight, and win as officers in the world’s most lethal force, the United States Army,” wrote Retired Army Col. Mark Bieger, who earned a Silver Star for combat valor in Iraq. (Read more from “West Point Abruptly Cancels Award Ceremony for Tom Hanks” HERE)

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Top IRS Official Terminated After Public Tirade Against Trump Administration

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High-ranking Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officer Niki Wilkinson was terminated after the Daily Caller reported on her public LinkedIn posts bashing the Trump administration and Republicans, sources close to the White House told the Caller.

Wilkinson accused President Donald Trump and GOP lawmakers of “fear mongering” and “falsely describing” the work of former IRS official Holly Paz, who was accused of going after conservative groups with targeted audits.

Paz, who served as deputy to Lois Lerner during the Obama-era Tea Party targeting scandal, was placed on leave by the Trump administration after Republican members of Congress alleged she was using audits of pass-through businesses to go after conservative business owners.

“Such a farce! Interesting how Senators outside the IRS are fear mongering and falsely describing the work. They have no idea what Examiners found in those audits, which in fact exposed fraud or noncompliance in the passthrough area as for years the IRS didn’t effectively audit them,” Wilkinson wrote in a LinkedIn comment.

Wilkinson has also repeatedly used LinkedIn to criticize Trump and his administration, including two posts this week accusing the president of corruption and several others amplifying Democrats’ attacks on the president. (Read more from “Top IRS Official Terminated After Public Tirade Against Trump Administration” HERE)

Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Net Worth Skyrockets to as Much as $30 Million – Months After Denying She Was a Millionaire

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Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) reported a net worth of up to $30 million in her latest financial disclosure — a document filed just months after the congresswoman dismissed claims she was a millionaire as “ridiculous” and “categorically false.”

The disclosure, filed in May, shows the far-left “Squad” lawmaker and her husband, Tim Mynett, experienced a roughly 3,500% increase in net worth last year, compared to 2023.

The surge in the couple’s wealth was first reported by the Washington Free Beacon on Monday.

The financial gains came from Mynett’s two businesses, a Santa Rosa, Calif.-based winery and a venture capital firm headquartered in Washington, DC.

Omar valued the winery’s assets at between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000 in her latest disclosure. By comparison, the winery, eStCru LLC, was only worth between $15,000 and $50,000 in Omar’s previous financial disclosure.

More dramatic was the explosion in growth experienced by Mynett’s venture capital firm, Rose Lake Capital LLC. (Read more from “Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Net Worth Skyrockets to as Much as $30 Million – Months After Denying She Was a Millionaire” HERE)

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New video reveals what angry Phillies fan yelled at father before demanding ball from young son in viral outburst

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New video showed what an enraged Phillies fan said to a father she berated to hand over a home run ball he had just given to his son.

The father corralled a home run ball that Harrison Bader hit into the left field stands during the Phillies-Marlins game Friday night at loanDepot park and then gave it to his son, Lincoln, a few seats away, before the two shared a heartwarming hug.

But the woman subsequently charged at the father, grabbed his shoulders and demanded the ball back, seemingly under the belief she was entitled to it since it was closer to her seat.

Still, the father gave the ball to her before shooing her away back to her seat.

A Marlins representative later came to the section, apologized to Lincoln — who was celebrating his birthday — and gave him a “goodie bag” with various gifts.

“That was not OK,” the Marlins rep said to Lincoln. “So we brought you a cool little goodie bag. …I’m so sorry.”

(Read more from “New video reveals what angry Phillies fan yelled at father before demanding ball from young son in viral outburst” HERE)

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Top DOJ Official Spills Epstein Cover-Up in Shocking Honeypot Sting; DOJ Posts “Embarrassing Apology”

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The Justice Department is facing intensified scrutiny following the release of a clandestine video in which DOJ Acting Deputy Chief Joseph Schnitt reportedly admitted plans to politically shape disclosures tied to the Jeffrey Epstein case.

In the video released by political activist James O’Keefe of O’Keefe Media Group, Schnitt is seen telling an undercover operative—who he met through the dating app Hinge—that Epstein-related documents would be “redact[ed] every Republican or conservative person in those files, leave all the liberal, Democratic people in those files” to deliver a decidedly one-sided narrative. He further alleged that Ghislaine Maxwell’s transfer to a minimum-security facility violated Bureau of Prisons policy—suggesting it was a “benefit … to keep her mouth shut.”

Schnitt also claimed internal conflict within the DOJ, describing Attorney General Pam Bondi as a “yes person” aligned with former President Trump, while FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino pushed for broader file release.

The department swiftly denied the claims, calling them baseless and unrelated to its internal process. A DOJ spokesperson stated Schnitt’s comments “have absolutely zero bearing with reality and reflect a total lack of knowledge of the DOJ’s review process.”

The video emerges amidst mounting political pressure for full disclosure of Epstein-related documents. House Oversight Committee members recently made 33,000 pages available publicly—though Democrats argue that only ~3% of those pages contained new information.

Republicans and Democrats alike are pushing for further transparency. Figures such as Rep. Thomas Massie (R) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D) are spearheading bipartisan efforts to compel a full release of all unclassified DOJ materials.

Meanwhile, former President Trump dismissed the controversy as a partisan “Democrat Epstein Hoax,” calling for it to end while some GOP lawmakers continue to call for more disclosures.

Questions remain: Was Schnitt’s off-the-record admission a true reflection of internal DOJ intent—or merely personal conjecture? How many truly new documents remain unreleased?

Feud Explodes as Country Star Slams Megachurch Pastor Joel Osteen: ‘You’re Not Going to See Him Do That’

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A bizarre feud has ignited between country star John Rich and megachurch pastor Joel Osteen after the singer accused the televangelist of omitting a key teaching from the Bible in his sermons.

Former Lonestar bassist Rich has slammed Osteen for allegedly avoiding talking about the 24th chapter of the Book of Matthew in the New Testament, which outlines the ‘end times’, because it would make congregants feel ‘uncomfortable’.

The chapter in question begins with the disciples asking Jesus: ‘What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’

Jesus responds by warning them that they will face a perilous period of ‘famines and earthquakes’ while being confronted with false Messiahs, adding that his actual coming will be unexpected.

Speaking on the Shawn Ryan Show on Wednesday, Rich, 51, described the passage at length before accusing Osteen, 62, of omitting the key teachings from his preaching because ‘it’s very uncomfortable for Christians to have to think about’.

‘To say that God would never make his people go through something like that is one of the most ignorant, spiritually ignorant things a person could say,’ Rich said. (Read more from “Feud Explodes as Country Star Slams Megachurch Pastor Joel Osteen: ‘You’re Not Going to See Him Do That'” HERE)

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Eagle River Man Speaks Out After Disarming Gunman During Alaska State Fair Brawl (VIDEO)

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A man from Eagle River is being hailed as a hero after he stepped in to disarm a gunman during a chaotic brawl at the Alaska State Fair on Labor Day. The incident, which was captured on multiple viral cellphone videos, shows a flurry of physical altercations erupting near vendor booths as families and children looked on in shock.

Jaden Perry, 24, said he didn’t hesitate when he saw a gun drawn during the fight, which broke out shortly after 8 p.m. Monday evening.

“The first thought that went through my head is there are kids everywhere,” Perry told reporters. “I didn’t think much during it, but afterwards I’m glad I did. I would do it again every time.”

Perry said he had been helping a friend tear down a booth when he saw two young men fighting — one of whom pulled a firearm. Without thinking, he jumped in to de-escalate the situation and successfully disarmed one of the men. He says he ensured the gun was pointed toward the ground while attempting to remove a second weapon.

“Last thing anybody needs to do is bury their child, take their kid to the hospital, or even a parent — they were everywhere,” Perry said.

According to Perry, the brawl appeared to involve at least eight people in different altercations happening simultaneously.

Brawl at Alaska State fair
byu/AKRickyRules inalaska

The viral footage — shared widely across platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) — shows Perry and others rushing in amid screams and panic. While some bystanders fled, others froze in place, visibly stunned by the sudden outbreak of violence.

Perry, a former military trainee with no formal law enforcement background, says he didn’t act for recognition.

“People need to be aware that things can go wrong at any moment, no matter where you are,” he said. “That should not have happened in the first place.”

No major injuries have been reported, and fair organizers say they are reviewing the incident to determine whether additional security measures are needed in the future.

Three People in Maine Have Active Tuberculosis, the World’s Deadliest Disease

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Three people in Maine have been infected with active tuberculosis, the world’s deadliest disease, according to health officials who raised alarms Friday.

There was no connection between the three patients, all of whom were in the Portland area, suggesting they were all infected by different sources, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Health officials are working to identify and screen anyone who came in contact with the three individuals with the disease, a CDC spokesperson said, according to the Portland Press Herald.

The bacterial infection kills by destroying lung and organ tissues, leading to respiratory failure and organ damage. It can also wreak havoc on the spine, kidneys and brain.

Symptoms include a persistent cough, sometimes bringing up blood and mucus, chest pain and fever. (Read more from “Three People in Maine Have Active Tuberculosis, the World’s Deadliest Disease” HERE)

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