BREAKING: Zohran Mamdani Has Been Stopped

Hochul Pumps The Brakes On Mamdani’s $700 Million Free Bus Plan

This article may contain commentary
which reflects the author's opinion.

The wheels are coming off the socialist bus.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is tapping the brakes on Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s $700 million plan for free city buses, casting early doubt on one of the far-left lawmaker’s biggest campaign promises, The New York Post reported.

Speaking at the SOMOS political retreat in Puerto Rico on Saturday, Hochul said she’s already spent heavily to support the city’s struggling MTA and questioned how much further the state could go.

“I continue to be excited at the work of making the slowest buses in America fast and free,” Mamdani said Monday during an unrelated press conference. “And I appreciate the governor’s continued partnership in delivering on that agenda of affordability.”

But Hochul’s comments in San Juan marked the latest break between the moderate Democratic governor and Mamdani, the Democratic socialist she endorsed just two months ago.

Hochul happily rode Mamdani’s coattails during the campaign as he energized progressives with promises of affordability and social programs, but she has shown far less enthusiasm for actually paying for them.

The governor has rejected several of Mamdani’s cornerstone ideas, including proposals to raise taxes on wealthy New Yorkers to fund $10 billion in new benefits like free child care and fareless transit.

Her caution could create a serious roadblock for the incoming mayor, whose ambitious plans rely on support from Albany to move forward.

The top two Democratic leaders in the state Legislature — Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins — have signaled more willingness to help Mamdani pursue his agenda.

That divide leaves Hochul increasingly isolated from the party’s energized left flank, which has been openly pressuring her to embrace higher taxes on the rich.

During recent public appearances, activists have twice interrupted the governor with chants of “Tax the rich,” drawing a sharp rebuke.

“The more you push me, the more I’m not going to do what you want,” Hochul told the SOMOS crowd in response.

Still, Hochul did not fully reject Mamdani’s wish list.

She said she’s open to working with him on expanding free child care, though she made clear it would be an expensive and long-term goal.

“We’ll be on a path to get there, because I’m committed to this as ‘mom governor’ — I get it,” Hochul said.

“But also to do it statewide, right now, it’s about $15 billion — the entire amount of my reserves.”

The cautious tone was a reality check for Mamdani, who has portrayed himself as the champion of “everyday New Yorkers” and promised to make the city more affordable through massive new public spending.

Hochul’s remarks also came as she continues her own political maneuvering ahead of a likely 2026 re-election bid.

After the SOMOS conference, she flew to the Dominican Republic to attend a breakfast celebrating cross-cultural exchange — an event seen as an appeal to one of New York’s largest and most influential immigrant voting blocs.

Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers trace family roots to the Dominican Republic, making the outreach a politically savvy move for a governor seeking to rebuild her base while keeping the party’s left wing at arm’s length.

Whether Hochul and Mamdani can maintain their uneasy alliance may determine not only the future of free buses and child care, but also the balance of power within the New York Democratic Party.

The dangers of ignoring vitamin deficiencies on long-term health

In today’s fast-paced world, many people are unknowingly neglecting a crucial aspect of their health: their vitamin intake. Vitamins are essential for the body’s growth, immune function, metabolism, and overall well-being. They are required in small amounts but play significant roles in maintaining vital functions, from bone health to energy production.

However, when we fail to meet our body’s daily vitamin requirements, deficiencies can occur. While some of these deficiencies may show mild symptoms at first, long-term neglect can have profound and sometimes irreversible effects on overall health. Ignoring vitamin deficiencies, especially over an extended period, can lead to a variety of chronic health issues that can drastically affect one’s quality of life.

In this article, we’ll explore the dangers of ignoring vitamin deficiencies, highlighting the role of vitamins in long-term health and how deficiencies can impact various bodily functions. Additionally, we’ll examine how to recognize the signs of vitamin deficiencies and why it’s crucial to address them before they cause permanent damage.

What Are Vitamins and Why Are They Essential?

Vitamins are organic compounds that are necessary for the proper functioning of the body. Unlike carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, vitamins don’t provide energy, but they are vital in many biochemical reactions that are essential for growth, metabolism, and immune defense.

There are two main categories of vitamins:

Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are stored in the liver and fat tissues for future use.
Water-soluble vitamins (B-complex group and Vitamin C) are not stored in the body and need to be replenished regularly through diet or supplements.

Each vitamin has a specific role in the body, and a deficiency in any one of them can lead to serious health complications.

The Dangers of Ignoring Vitamin Deficiencies

1. Impaired Immune System Function

Vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin A are crucial for maintaining a healthy immune system. These vitamins play a role in the production of white blood cells, which are the body’s primary defense mechanism against infections. They also help modulate the inflammatory response and maintain the integrity of skin and mucosal barriers, which act as the first line of defense against pathogens.

What Happens When Deficient: Ignoring deficiencies in these vitamins can make you more susceptible to infections, illnesses, and autoimmune diseases. Conditions like frequent colds, respiratory infections, and a compromised ability to fight off viruses may arise when vitamin deficiencies are left untreated.

2. Bone Health and Increased Risk of Fractures

Calcium and vitamin D are two essential nutrients for bone health. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, and together, they maintain strong bones and prevent conditions like osteoporosis and rickets.

What Happens When Deficient: If you ignore vitamin D deficiency, your body cannot effectively absorb calcium, leading to weaker bones. Over time, this can result in conditions like osteomalacia (softening of the bones) and osteoporosis (fragile bones). The risk of fractures increases, and bone density decreases, especially in older adults.
What Happens in Children: Vitamin D deficiency in children can cause rickets, a condition that leads to soft, deformed bones and growth issues.

3. Cardiovascular Health Risks

Certain vitamins, particularly vitamins C, E, and the B-complex group, play a role in maintaining healthy blood vessels, regulating blood pressure, and reducing inflammation. Vitamin K is also crucial for blood clotting and heart health.

What Happens When Deficient: A long-term lack of these vitamins can lead to various cardiovascular problems, including increased blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and the development of arterial plaque. Deficiencies in vitamin B12 and folate are especially concerning, as they can increase homocysteine levels—a risk factor for heart disease.
What’s More at Risk: Ignoring vitamin K deficiency can make it harder for the blood to clot, leading to excessive bleeding or bruising, while vitamin E deficiency can damage blood vessels and contribute to heart disease.

4. Neurological and Cognitive Decline

B vitamins, particularly B12 and folate, are essential for proper nerve function and cognitive health. Vitamin B12 is crucial for the production of myelin, a substance that insulates nerves, ensuring efficient signal transmission. Folate, on the other hand, is necessary for DNA synthesis and repair.

THE MAN WHO OVERCAME HIS OWN LEGEND — INSIDE GEORGE STRAIT’S PEACEFUL TEXAS LIFE AT AGE 73

THE MAN WHO OVERCAME HIS OWN LEGEND — INSIDE GEORGE STRAIT’S PEACEFUL TEXAS LIFE AT AGE 73

At 73 years old, George Strait has nothing left to prove — and perhaps that’s why he’s never seemed more at peace. Long after the stadium lights dimmed and the roar of the crowd faded into memory, the King of Country has quietly embraced a simpler rhythm of life in his beloved Texas — one shaped not by fame, but by faith, family, and the steady hum of home.

Each morning begins the same way it always has: coffee in hand, sunrise over the ranch, the soft whinny of horses waiting by the fence. It’s in these quiet moments that George Strait, the man who once conquered every chart and arena, reconnects with the truest version of himself — the rancher, the husband, the believer. “The stage is a special place,” he once said, “but this is where I really belong.”

Around him, life moves gently. Norma, his wife of more than fifty years, tends to the garden and keeps their home warm and welcoming. Old friends drop by for afternoon visits, guitars are never far from reach, and sometimes — when the evening light hits just right — George picks one up and starts to sing. Not for the crowd, not for the fame, but for the sheer joy of it. Those nearby say it’s his favorite time of day: when the sun dips low, and the songs drift across the fields like prayers.

Music still lives in him, but it no longer defines him. He’s traded the thunder of applause for the quiet rhythm of faith. Sundays often find him in church, singing hymns beside Norma, his deep baritone still unmistakable. “It’s not about the spotlight anymore,” he’s said. “It’s about gratitude — for the life I’ve had, and for the people who walked it with me.”

Friends say that the George Strait of today is softer around the edges — wiser, humbler, content. The man who once filled stadiums now finds fulfillment in watching a Texas sunset or teaching his grandson to ride. His days are a blend of reflection and simple joys, proof that peace can follow even the brightest fire.

George Strait has outlived his own legend — not by leaving it behind, but by living beyond it. And in the golden quiet of Texas, surrounded by horses, hymns, and the songs that built his legacy, his spirit still rides strong — steady as ever, timeless as the land he calls home.