Kentucky Judge Slain by Sheriff Accused of Running Courthouse ‘Like a Brothel’

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New allegations have surfaced against a rural Kentucky judge who was gunned down in his own chambers last year — painting a disturbing picture of a courthouse turned into a hub for sex-for-favors schemes and illicit parties.

Judge Kevin Mullins, 53, was shot execution-style inside his Letcher County chambers last September, allegedly by his longtime friend and county sheriff, Shawn Stines. Now, one of Mullins’ reported victims claims the slain judge used his position of power to coerce young women into performing sexual favors in exchange for leniency, money, or simply to stay out of trouble.

Tya Adams told NewsNation’s Banfield that she was pressured into taking part in what she described as sex parties involving Mullins and other influential figures in the small town of Whitesburg.

“We would do sex parties and perform shows and have sex with them for money, things like that,” Adams alleged. “It was consensual. But it was the thing that we were so young, and then they used it against us and to destroy our lives later.”

Adams said she feared Child Protective Services could be used against her if she refused, describing a culture where silence was expected. “Who would believe it anyway? Because the whole town was doing it. Nobody cares. They’re all swingers. It’s all a big party to them. It was just so normal,” she said.

Sarah Davis, a former deputy jailer in Letcher County, told the outlet she had long heard “nasty and sickening” stories about Mullins’ alleged misconduct and was even invited to one of the parties herself.

“Pretty much everybody in the county knows,” Davis said.

The allegations align with past claims. In 2022, during a probe into deputy sheriff Ben Fields — later jailed for raping and coercing a female inmate — another woman told investigators that Mullins was involved. She said she personally saw the judge engaged in sex acts in his chambers and alleged Fields had videotaped encounters involving young women.

It remains unclear whether Mullins’ alleged misconduct was tied to his violent death. Prosecutors say Sheriff Stines, who had been close friends with the judge for decades, had lunch with Mullins just hours before the killing. Surveillance footage reportedly shows Stines making several phone calls from the judge’s office before opening fire.

After the shooting, Stines surrendered immediately, telling officers: “They’re trying to kidnap my wife and kid.” His attorney has described the killing as a crime of passion brought on by “extreme emotional disturbance.”

The allegations against Mullins — of running his courthouse “like a brothel” — have further shaken the small Appalachian community still reeling from his killing.

Tulsi Gabbard Revamps ODNI, Reducing Agency By Almost 50%, Saving Taxpayers Over $700 Million

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Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard will announce Wednesday afternoon that she is refocusing her agency to aggressively execute its national security mission, shrinking the Office of the Director of National Intelligence nearly 50% and saving hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars.

Gabbard described the changes as “ODNI 2.0,” in a statement on Wednesday, calling the shift “the start of a new era focused on serving our country, fulfilling our core national security mission with excellence, always grounded in the U.S. Constitution, and ensuring the safety, security, and freedom of the American people.”

ODNI will be reduced by almost 50% by the end of the fiscal year 2025, ultimately saving taxpayers over $700 million per year, senior DNI officials shared with The Daily Wire. This will be done by combining agency centers and reducing personnel.

The ODNI workforce will receive an email on Wednesday afternoon informing them of the changes. Employees will also be notified if their position has been eliminated, alerting them that they will be separated from the ODNI by September 30. (Read more from “Tulsi Gabbard Revamps ODNI, Reducing Agency By Almost 50%, Saving Taxpayers Over $700 Million” HERE)

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How Fauci And A Deep State Cabal Suppressed Intel In Historic Deception

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Senior American intelligence officials concealed classified intelligence that COVID-19 came from a lab from the president and the public, granting Anthony Fauci’s inner circle extraordinary influence while silencing their own spy scientists, a Daily Caller News Foundation investigation found.

Evidence pointing to a lab leak included signals intelligence collected from Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leaders in 2019 between Beijing and Wuhan revealing a major emergency, one former official told the DCNF. An increasingly political deep state concealed it from President Donald Trump during the first two months of the pandemic, deflecting blame from China as political rival Joe Biden sought to lay responsibility for the pandemic squarely at Trump’s feet.

Higher-ups continued to dismiss evidence for a lab leak as the fodder for a conspiracy theory and Trump’s hardline stance against China, deceiving millions of Americans about a disease that upended their lives and felled loved ones. Spy scientists at four intelligence agencies and four other government officials spoke to the DCNF on condition of anonymity to reveal previously unreported details about censored intelligence under two presidential administrations.

Spy scientists also decoded engineering in the COVID-19 genome — clues Chinese authorities were powerless to hide, two spy scientists said. But this evidence was conspicuously omitted from public reports released by the intelligence community under then-President Biden, as senior officials instead elevated the analyses of Fauci’s inner circle, who argued the virus was assuredly natural. The omission prompted a formal complaint from one agency, one spy scientist said.

Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard told the DCNF she would hold the intelligence community accountable by working with whistleblowers, reviewing classified material, and investigating where taxpayer funds may have helped create the COVID-19 virus. (Read more from “How Fauci And A Deep State Cabal Suppressed Intel In Historic Deception” HERE)

Judge Rejects Trump DOJ Bid to Unseal Epstein Grand Jury Transcript, Calls It a ‘Diversion’

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A federal judge has rejected an effort by the Trump administration’s Department of Justice to unseal grand jury testimony related to Jeffrey Epstein, describing the request as a “diversion” from broader records in the government’s possession.

Judge Richard Berman, a Clinton appointee, issued a 14-page ruling on Wednesday denying the DOJ’s petition, which had been filed in July 2025 at the direction of President Donald Trump. The judge wrote that the transcript in question was “merely a hearsay snippet of Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged conduct,” adding that the government itself should be responsible for making a more comprehensive disclosure of records tied to the Epstein case.

“The Government is the logical party to make comprehensive disclosure to the public of the Epstein files,” Berman noted. “By comparison, the instant grand jury motion appears to be a ‘diversion’ from the breadth and scope of the Epstein files in the Government’s possession.”

The ruling follows two earlier rejections of attempts to unseal similar transcripts in both Epstein’s Florida proceedings and the Ghislaine Maxwell case.

Attorneys representing several Epstein victims raised objections to the DOJ’s approach, questioning whether proper notice and safeguards were provided. In an August 5 letter to Judge Berman, victims’ lawyers wrote that their clients felt “deep anxiety” about the adequacy of redactions. The attorneys criticized the government for failing to notify victims before moving to unseal the grand jury materials, a step they argued could compromise privacy and safety.

Berman echoed those concerns, noting that maintaining confidentiality in certain aspects of the case remains crucial to protecting individuals involved.

Meanwhile, congressional scrutiny of the Epstein files has intensified. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer announced on August 5 that the DOJ would begin providing Epstein-related records to his committee by the end of that week, though the process of reviewing and redacting sensitive information would take time.

“There are many records in DOJ’s custody, and it will take the Department time to produce all the records and ensure the identification of victims and any child sexual abuse material are redacted,” Comer said in a statement, adding that he welcomed efforts by the Trump administration to promote transparency.

Why Did Trump Push for the Transcript?

The unusual element in this case remains the Trump administration’s decision to prioritize unsealing a single grand jury transcript rather than pursuing a broader release of Epstein-related files. Critics, including Judge Berman, have suggested the request distracted from a more comprehensive accounting of the government’s records.

The timing of the move also drew attention. Just days before the filing, a DOJ memo stating Epstein had no “client list” and died by suicide prompted frustration among Trump’s political base, who demanded fuller disclosure. Whether the push to unseal the transcript was motivated by those political pressures, or by a broader policy commitment to transparency, remains unclear.

Venezuela Prepares for Imaginary U.S. Invasion with Karaoke, Karate

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Socialist dictator of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro ordered measures in recent days to prepare the country for a purported “invasion” by the United States in response to President Donald Trump’s increasing efforts targeting Latin American drug cartels in the region.

Venezuelan state propaganda armed have rolled out bizarre videos in the past week of the alleged “training” Venezuela’s citizens are engaged in to scare the U.S. military out of invading.

The United States reportedly deployed three Aegis guided-missile destroyers near Venezuelan waters. According to unnamed sources speaking to Reuters on Monday, “about 4,000 sailors and Marines” are expected to be committed in the southern Caribbean region in a several-month-long operation in international airspace and waters.

For years, Maduro has repeatedly claimed without evidence that the United States plans to “invade” Venezuela and oust him from power. Maduro, who has illegally clung to power, is actively wanted by U.S. authorities on multiple narco-terrorism charges and is a leading figure of the Cartel of the Suns, an international cocaine trafficking operation identified by the United States as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced this month that the United States doubled its reward for information that can lead to Maduro’s arrest and conviction from $25 to $50 million. (Read more from “Venezuela Prepares for Imaginary U.S. Invasion with Karaoke, Karate” HERE)

Wearing Hearing Aids Before Age 70 May Cut Dementia Risk by 61%, Study Finds

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A new study suggests a simple step could dramatically lower the risk of dementia — but timing is everything.

Researchers tracking nearly 3,000 adults over two decades found that people who began wearing hearing aids in their 60s had a 61% lower risk of developing dementia compared to peers with untreated hearing loss. However, once participants reached their 70s, the protective benefit of hearing aids appeared to fade.

“Managing hearing loss during midlife — improving hearing with the use of a hearing aid — could help protect the brain and reduce risk of dementia,” said Dr. Sudha Seshadri, a behavioral neurologist and study co-author.

A Growing Concern

The findings come at a critical time. Dementia diagnoses are expected to double by 2060, with nearly one million new cases projected each year in the U.S. Without major intervention, researchers warn, millions more Americans could face memory loss and related health complications in the coming decades.

Why Hearing Matters for Brain Health

The study adds to growing evidence linking untreated hearing loss to cognitive decline. Previous research has shown hearing aids can slow cognitive deterioration by nearly 50% over three years in older adults already at high risk of dementia.

Scientists believe several factors may explain the connection. When hearing fades, the brain must work harder to fill in gaps, straining memory and processing. Hearing loss also accelerates brain shrinkage with age and can lead to social withdrawal — depriving older adults of critical mental stimulation.

Barriers to Care

Despite the potential benefits, hearing aids remain underused. Nearly 27 million Americans over 50 experience hearing loss, but only about one in seven use a device. Even among those who do, the average delay before seeking treatment is roughly a decade — a gap researchers say can heighten risks of depression, isolation and cognitive decline.

Cost and accessibility have long been barriers, but that may be changing. In 2022, the Food and Drug Administration approved over-the-counter hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss. The move opened the market to lower-cost devices available in stores and online, reducing the need for prescriptions or audiologist visits.

The Bigger Picture

Experts caution that dementia is a complex condition influenced by multiple factors, from cardiovascular health to genetics. Still, hearing loss stands out as one of the most preventable and treatable risks.

A January study found Americans over 55 face a 42% lifetime risk of dementia. Researchers argue that addressing hearing loss early could be a cost-effective public health intervention — protecting not just memory, but overall quality of life.

For now, the advice is straightforward: if hearing loss begins in your 60s, don’t wait. The earlier hearing aids are adopted, the more powerful the potential brain boost.

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Teens These Days Can’t Behave Themselves So One Local Chick-Fil-A Had To Lay Down The Law

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A Chick-fil-A restaurant in Ohio will require all customers under 17 to be accompanied by an adult or face removal, the franchise announced last week.

The franchise from Kettering, Ohio, said the policy intends to “ensure a safe and respectful environment for all guests,” requiring minors to be accompanied by someone over 21, according to a post on its Facebook page. The timing coincides with the start of the school year, when teenage foot traffic typically increases. The new rule follows a similar policy the nearby Town & Country Shopping Center implemented in 2022 to address property damage. That policy requires visitors to carry proof of age.

Local residents expressed mixed reactions online. Critics called the policy overly broad and unfair to well-behaved teenagers. Supporters argued it would preserve a family-friendly atmosphere.

“Nobody there makes enough to constantly remove disruptive teenagers who lack accountability and fear of consequence,” one commenter said, responding to another user who suggested the restaurant could simply remove disruptive customers on a case-by-case basis.

The Kettering location was not the first one to introduce such a policy. A Royersford, Pennsylvania, Chick-fil-A enforced similar restrictions in 2023 after dealing with what it called “unacceptable behaviors.” The Pennsylvania franchise cited loud, profane conduct, food throwing, table vandalism, and verbal abuse of employees. (Read more from “Teens These Days Can’t Behave Themselves So One Local Chick-Fil-A Had To Lay Down The Law” HERE)

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Senate Report: Biden’s HHS Placed Thousands of Migrant Children With Unvetted Adults

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A new report from the Senate Judiciary Committee has raised serious concerns over how the Biden administration handled the placement of unaccompanied migrant children in the United States. Committee Chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) revealed findings showing that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) placed more than 11,000 migrant children with adults who were never properly vetted.

Thousands of Children Placed Without Required Checks

Under federal law, when unaccompanied children are placed with adult sponsors who are not parents or relatives, those sponsors must undergo FBI fingerprint-based background checks. According to the report, Biden’s HHS disregarded this requirement, placing thousands of minors in homes where no such checks were conducted.

The report also noted that more than 79,000 children under the age of 12 were placed with sponsors without the agency conducting home studies that are meant to evaluate living conditions and child safety.

“My oversight continues to expose disturbing evidence that the Biden-Harris administration turned a blind eye to tens of thousands of kids who needed proper supervision and care,” Grassley said. “It’s appalling to prioritize speed and optics over the safety and well-being of children.”

The investigation highlighted the sheer scale of the crisis. Between October 2020 and September 2024, HHS cared for nearly half a million unaccompanied minors — a surge that strained the system and led to rapid, and in many cases, unverified placements. By comparison, from October 2024 through June 2025, the number dropped significantly to just over 21,000.

Critics say the Biden administration’s approach prioritized quickly clearing children from federal custody rather than ensuring their long-term safety.

Kennedy Blasts Policy as “Child Abuse”

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who took office earlier this year, told Congress in May that the Biden administration’s handling of the issue amounted to systemic child abuse.

“My predecessor was deliberately employing a policy of speed over safety so they waived all of the identification requirements for sponsors,” Kennedy testified. “Sponsors were not required to show valid identification; they were never fingerprinted, so we don’t know if there’s a criminal record. There was no DNA testing, so the claims that they were taking a family member were dubious.”

The Judiciary Committee says it will continue pressing for accountability and reforms to prevent future abuses. Grassley emphasized that protecting migrant children should not be a partisan issue: “We cannot allow government negligence to put children at risk. This is about basic safety and responsibility.”

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Defense Department May Adopt Pro-America Test For K-12 Schools, Military Academies

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Future military officers and the children of U.S. service members may soon be able to satisfy government testing mandates with a new test that prioritizes traditional math and the Great Books. Because tests strongly influence what teachers teach, this would encourage more traditional, less politicized instruction for the 70,000 or so children attending Department of Defense, or DODEA, K-12 schools.

The current Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) moving through Congress would require DODEA schools to offer 11th-grade students the college admissions test of their parents’ choice. This would allow students to take the Classic Learning Test, a Great Books competitor to the SAT and ACT college entrance exams. NDAA is a must-pass annual military spending bill. Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., successfully added that amendment during markup in July.

“Accepting the CLT alongside the SAT and ACT opens the door for talented students from every educational background. It’s about making sure our military academies attract the best and brightest,” Banks said in a statement to The Federalist. “Many homeschool students take the CLT, which focuses on reading, logic, and classic texts in a way other tests don’t. These are good skills to take to the academies and putting this into law would ensure future administrations can’t unilaterally undo what Secretary Hegseth is trying to achieve.”

The NDAA amendment occurred after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth tweeted his support for accepting CLT at military academies in May. Hegseth is the coauthor, with David Goodwin, of a 2022 New York Times bestselling book about classical education, Battle for the American Mind. The book follows up on a documentary Hegseth hosted for Fox News.

Four Republican senators voted against another amendment from Banks to require U.S. military academies such as West Point to accept the CLT as applicants’ college entrance exam. Those are Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska, Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, and Sen. Tim Sheehy of Montana. If these four had voted for this amendment, it also would be in the NDAA this year. (Read more from “Defense Department May Adopt Pro-America Test For K-12 Schools, Military Academies” HERE)

Raising the Bar: Trump Admin Makes U.S. Citizenship Harder to Earn

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For decades, becoming a U.S. citizen has been one of the greatest privileges in the world. But under weak policies, too often the path to naturalization has been reduced to checking boxes and avoiding only the most extreme disqualifiers. That’s changing under the Trump administration, which has announced a tougher, more rigorous standard for immigrant applicants seeking citizenship.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released new guidance restoring a “holistic and comprehensive” standard for evaluating good moral character (GMC). Instead of assuming someone qualifies simply because they haven’t committed a murder or aggravated felony, officers will now look for positive contributions — evidence that an applicant is ready to uphold the responsibilities of citizenship, not just enjoy its benefits.

According to the memo, “evaluating GMC involves more than a cursory mechanical review focused on the absence of wrongdoing. It entails a holistic assessment of an alien’s behavior, adherence to societal norms, and positive contributions that affirmatively demonstrate good moral character.”

This means that, moving forward, USCIS officers will weigh factors like:

Volunteer service and community involvement

Family caregiving and ties in the U.S.

Stable employment and financial responsibility

Educational attainment and tax compliance

At the same time, the new policy tightens scrutiny of disqualifying behavior. Acts that previously slipped through the cracks — including DUIs, drug violations, reckless driving, harassment, or even unlawful voter registration — can now weigh heavily against an applicant.

The Trump administration’s message is clear: U.S. citizenship is not a consolation prize. It is the gold standard of citizenship worldwide, and it must be reserved for those who embody the best of American values.

As USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser put it, “U.S. citizenship is the gold standard of citizenship — it should only be offered to the world’s best of the best.”

By restoring higher expectations, the administration is ensuring that America remains a nation built on strong families, strong communities, and strong character. That’s not only good for today — it’s an investment in the country’s future.

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