Police reportedly have described NYC deli stabbing suspect as transgender
The suspect reportedly also has a history of knife violence and was arrested at least five times before Thursday’s fatal stabbing.
Police have described the suspect in the fatal stabbing of a postal worker in Harlem as transgender, according to a New York Post story published Friday afternoon.
“The repeat offender — who has been described by cops as a transgendered woman — now faces murder charges for the brutal knifing of Ray Hodges, an on-duty USPS letter carrier who was grabbing lunch at the deli at 168 Lenox Ave,” the Post’s story says.
More from the Post:
In July 2020, Cruz was caught waving an open box cutter at another person in Midtown West and shouting, “I’m going to cut him,” sources said. Cruz was ordered to get on the ground but refused.
Cruz was ordered to get on the ground, but refused. She was then pulled away by officers and busted for resisting arrest.
Just two weeks later, Cruz was arrested again for a 4:30 a.m. tag-team robbery — she and another individual used knives to steal a man’s phone and wallet after the victim invited the pair to “hang out.”
During Thursday’s fatal stabbing of Hodges, New York City police said he and Cruz seemingly argued over who ordered first at the deli before the dispute turned physical.
Hodges, 36, of the Bronx, was working his postal route when he went to get lunch at Joe’s Grocery around 2:30 p.m., police told WPIX-TV.
As Hodges was waiting to pay, an argument ensued over who was next in line, police told WPIX, adding that Cruz is accused of stabbing Hodges seven times. WABC said police found Hodges stabbed or slashed multiple times — including in the torso, arms, back, and neck — inside the establishment. Hodges was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, WABC said, adding that a weapon has been recovered.
Investigators told WPIX a witness identified the suspect near the scene of the crime. Cruz was was charged with second-degree murder, police told WPIX.
An initial story from the Post, citing sources, said “the knife-wielding suspect went crazy and gutted the victim in the stomach after he stepped in front of her in line, leaving his blood smeared all over the floors and glass door.”
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service told WPIX in a separate story that Hodges was a letter carrier and was on duty. WPIX said his postal cart was seen outside the deli….
State Department Plans to Replace Censorship Slush Fund ‘GEC’ with ‘Hub’ that Does the Same Thing
The Washington Examiner reports that according to exclusive documents obtained by the publication, the State Department has crafted plans to reallocate staffers from the now-shuttered GEC, an office that funded the censoring of conservatives, to a new internal “hub” that will coordinate its activities.
The GEC, which was formed in 2016 to counter foreign disinformation, came under intense criticism for backing groups that pressured advertisers to defund conservative media outlets in the United States.
In a non-public letter to members of Congress on December 6, 2024, the State Department outlined its plans to “realign” more than 50 GEC officials and tens of millions of dollars in funding to a hub purporting to counter foreign interference. The newly planned body, identified as a “Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference Hub,” will report to the agency’s Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy.
According to the congressional notification, the State Department intends to realign 51 employees and associated funding from the GEC to the proposed R/FIMI Hub. The remaining GEC employees and funding would be distributed to various bureaus within the State Department.
The documents indicate that a total of $69 million in GEC funding will be shuffled around to different offices, with $29.4 million allocated to the R/FIMI office….
Judge orders Trump sentenced on Jan. 10, signals no punishment for conviction
A New York judge has ordered President-elect Trump’s criminal sentencing for Jan. 10, rejecting his demand that the case be dismissed to accommodate his presidency following his election victory.
Judge Juan Merchan signaled he is inclined to impose no punishment for Trump’s 34-count felony conviction, given concerns about his immunity from criminal prosecution upon taking the oath of office.
Merchan said an unconditional discharge “appears to be the most viable solution.”
“While this Court as a matter of law must not make any determination on sentencing prior to giving the parties and Defendant an opportunity to be heard, it seems proper at this juncture to make known the Court’s inclination to not impose any sentence of incarceration, a sentence authorized by the conviction but one the People concede they no longer view as a practicable recommendation,” Merchan wrote…
Illegal immigrant Honduran gang member kidnapped US woman, ‘giggled’ after threatening to sell organs: report
A Honduran gang member “giggled” and “smirked” as he confessed to kidnapping a young Texas woman at gunpoint and threatening to pimp her out and harvest her organs on Christmas Eve, according to police.
Illegal immigrant Eduardo Javier Ordonez Godoy, 35, allegedly forced the 22-year-old Haltom City woman into the back seat of her car at gunpoint as she was leaving for work around 4:45 a.m. on Christmas Eve.
After making her withdraw cash from an ATM, he drove her 22 miles away to the town of Grapevine, according to charging documents obtained by Fox 4 News.
There, Godoy allegedly tied his victim to a tree with her shoelaces and threatened to “prostitute her” or “sell her organs,” Haltom City Police Sergeant Rick Alexander told Fox 4.
The woman was able to escape and ran to a nearby resident for help, according to the department, and was not physically harmed in the abduction.
Haltom City Police reported the victim’s car stolen. Less than 24 hours later, police in Oklahoma City found the vehicle and arrested Godoy.
Godoy appeared to have no remorse for the attack that left the woman fearing for her life, Haltom City police said…
New Orleans barricade oversight in ‘target area for terrorism’ during prime season raises concerns
New Orleans locals and visitors have been questioning why a temporary barrier intended to prevent cars from entering Bourbon Street, where a terrorist killed 14 people by driving a truck through a New Year’s crowd in the early morning hours of Jan. 1, was set down instead of up, allowing vehicles to pass.
The temporary metal barriers were installed on Bourbon Street and other areas of the French Quarter in mid-November as the city was in the process of removing old bollards and replacing them with stainless steel bollards. That work was expected to continue through January.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill directed Fox News to the New Orleans Police Department for questions about the barricades but said her office “will be evaluating everything over the next few weeks in preparation for the Super Bowl.”..
Apple to Pay $95 Million to Settle Siri Eavesdropping Lawsuit
Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit alleging that its Siri voice assistant unlawfully recorded private conversations without user consent.
The settlement addresses claims that the voice assistant was inadvertently activated and captured sensitive conversations, which were subsequently shared with third parties, including advertisers.
This lawsuit marks another significant chapter in the ongoing scrutiny of tech companies and their handling of consumer privacy.
The lawsuit, initially filed in 2019, alleged that Siri had improperly recorded conversations without user activation. While Siri is designed to respond to a deliberate wake word like “Hey Siri,” plaintiffs claimed that accidental activations were commonplace.
These unintentional recordings allegedly captured private discussions, including medical consultations, business deals, and even intimate moments.
The case drew further attention after a 2019 investigation by The Guardian revealed that Apple contractors were regularly exposed to sensitive recordings while conducting Siri quality-control checks.
This process, known as “grading,” was intended to improve Siri’s accuracy but raised alarm over privacy breaches. The recordings reportedly included confidential medical information, illegal activities, and personal conversations….
Mike Johnson Elected House Speaker in Dramatic First-Ballot Victory
In a stunning political maneuver, Louisiana Republican Mike Johnson was elected Speaker of the House on the first ballot Friday, securing the gavel with 218 votes after a series of last-minute flips by key GOP detractors.
The victory came despite early signs that Johnson’s bid could falter, highlighting the high-stakes negotiations and razor-thin majority that will define the 119th Congress.
Initially, Johnson faced a daunting path to victory as three Republican lawmakers defected in the first round of voting. Representatives Thomas Massie, Ralph Norman, and Keith Self cast their votes for other candidates—Tom Emmer, Jim Jordan, and Byron Donalds, respectively—leaving Johnson just shy of the 217 votes needed to win.
With all members present, Johnson could not afford more than a single GOP defection. The roll call vote was held open for an extended period, allowing Johnson to engage directly with dissenting members in a high-pressure push to secure their support.
In the eleventh hour, Reps. Norman and Self changed their votes, tipping the scales in Johnson’s favor and delivering the 218 votes required for him to claim the Speakership.
While the victory marked a moment of triumph for Johnson and his supporters, it also underscored the challenges he will face in leading a deeply divided Congress. The GOP’s narrowest House majority in nearly a century will demand exceptional political acumen to navigate legislative priorities and maintain party unity.
Johnson must also contend with significant policy battles, including government funding deadlines and critical debates on national security and economic policy. Any defection from the Republican ranks could jeopardize the party’s ability to advance its agenda….
Nurse Arrested for Allegedly Fracturing Multiple Babies’ Bones in Virginia NICU
A nurse has been arrested after multiple babies suffered serious fractures at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital in Richmond, Virginia.
Erin Elizabeth Strotman, 26, was charged with malicious wounding and felony child abuse following a series of incidents in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), police reported on Friday.
The investigation into the injuries began after a disturbing pattern of unexplained fractures occurred in the NICU.
Police confirmed that they are reviewing video footage from inside the unit and have re-examined cases from 2023 and 2024 as part of the broader investigation.
According to Henrico County Police Division, the investigation is ongoing and is utilizing all available resources to ensure a thorough review of the situation.
Strotman, a Virginia native, is a registered nurse who graduated in 2019. Authorities launched the investigation after a Virginia couple spoke out about their newborn’s injury.
The couple was informed by Virginia Child Services that their baby had suffered a fractured leg at the hands of a NICU employee following his premature birth….
Bernard Hudson: New Orleans Attack, Cybertruck Explosion, CIA Corruption, & Tusli Gabbard
Permanent Washington is trying to prevent Tulsi Gabbard from becoming Director of National Intelligence. Bernard Hudson ran counterterrorism at CIA, and says the country needs her.
US Expands Biometric Technology in Airports Despite Privacy Concerns
Biometric technology is being rolled out at US airports at an unprecedented pace, with plans to extend these systems to hundreds more locations in the coming years.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is driving a significant push toward facial recognition and other biometric tools, claiming improved efficiency and security.
However, the expansion has sparked growing concerns, with privacy advocates and lawmakers voicing concerns about data security, transparency, and the potential for misuse of such technology.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has already implemented its Biometric Facial Comparison system at 238 airports, including 14 international locations. This includes all CBP Preclearance sites and several major departure hubs. CBP says its Biometric Exit program is rapidly gaining traction, with new airport partners joining monthly and positive feedback reported from passengers.
Meanwhile, the TSA has equipped nearly 84 airports with its next-generation Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2) scanners, which incorporate facial recognition.
This rollout is part of a broader effort to bring biometrics to over 400 airports nationwide. These advancements are detailed in a TSA fact sheet aimed at building public awareness of the initiative.
Despite assurances from TSA and CBP, critics remain skeptical. Some lawmakers, led by Senator Jeff Merkley, argue that the TSA has yet to justify the need for biometric systems when previous technologies already authenticated IDs effectively.
Privacy advocates warn that the widespread use of facial recognition could set a dangerous precedent, normalizing surveillance and threatening individual freedoms.
The debate is closely tied to the federal REAL ID Act, introduced two decades ago to standardize identification requirements for air travel. As of now, many states have failed to fully implement REAL ID standards, and only a portion of Americans have acquired compliant credentials. Reports indicate that fewer than half of Ohio residents and just 32 percent of Kentuckians have updated their IDs, even as the May 7, 2025, deadline approaches…
State Department is Sued for Withholding Records on Censorship Efforts
The Functional Government Initiative (FGI), a government watchdog, has filed a lawsuit against the State Department, seeking critical documents related to its controversial censorship activities.
At the heart of the case is the now-disbanded Global Engagement Center (GEC), an agency accused of using taxpayer dollars to suppress free speech and support efforts to blacklist media outlets.
We obtained a copy of the complaint for you here.
FGI’s legal action follows months of non-compliance from the State Department regarding Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests that aimed to uncover communications about censorship grants issued during the Biden administration.
The nonprofit argues that the requested documents could provide critical insights into State Department activities, including its approach to EU regulations and responses to media inquiries. “FGI is being irreparably harmed by reason of Defendant’s unlawful withholding of requested records,” the complaint asserts.
The watchdog’s investigation gained traction after The New York Post revealed in September that the State Department had worked to discredit journalists and a congressman who questioned its funding activities.
One instance involved a memo targeting Gabe Kaminsky of the Washington Examiner and Matt Taibbi, known for the “Twitter Files,” for their reporting on GEC’s grants.
The memo also misrepresented comments by Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), falsely attributing them to Russian state media to undermine his credibility.
The GEC has come under fire for pressuring social media platforms to suppress discussions, including legitimate theories about the COVID-19 pandemic’s origins, such as the now-widely accepted lab-leak hypothesis. Kaminsky’s reporting revealed that the GEC allocated $100,000 in grants during 2021 and 2022 to the Global Disinformation Index (GDI), an organization known for blacklisting media outlets deemed high-risk for spreading” disinformation.”
The GDI’s rankings were then shared with advertisers, influencing decisions to defund certain outlets.
Adding to the controversy, GDI received over $750,000 from the National Endowment for Democracy, a US government-funded nonprofit. Critics argue that such funding enabled GDI to penalize outlets with libertarian or conservative editorial views, including The Federalist, The Daily Wire, and more….
Another Lab Test Confirms DNA Contamination in Pfizer Vaccine, Authorities Remain Silent
In a troubling development, another lab has reported DNA contamination in Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines. If you’re not up to date, here are the previous independent tests that also confirmed this contamination.
Despite these consistent findings, health authorities continue to push the vaccine rollout while failing to address mounting concerns about safety and transparency.
The research, led by Tyler Wang at Centreville High School, highlights the sheer scale of this oversight, yet regulatory bodies remain largely unperturbed.
You might think these are just a group of school students, but Dr. Phillip Buckhaults, a scientist who also discovered the DNA contaminants in his lab, noted, “these kids had help from people inside the FDA, which is significant.”
Quoting the study’s discussion: “The potential health risk posed by residual small DNA fragments is currently unknown. Theoretically, DNA fragments can be directly integrated into host genome, increasing the risk of insertional mutagenesis. Alternatively, DNA fragments may contain oncogenes that may induce carcinogenesis if ingressed into host cells.“
To explain this in simpler terms, these tiny DNA fragments might pose health risks, but we’re not sure yet. There’s a worry that they could mix with our own DNA, potentially causing genetic changes, or “mutations,” that might lead to diseases. Additionally, if these fragments contain cancer-causing genes, known as oncogenes, entering our cells could increase the risk of cancer….
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