NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – One of the governor’s biggest priorities this legislative session is fully funding universal childcare for New Mexicans, but lawmakers are proposing changes that could mean some families will still have to pay something. The bill, SB 241, from Democratic Senator George Muñoz, would allow the state to require copays from higher-earning families. […]
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Bill proposal could require copays for Universal Childcare program
Brantley Gilbert on Decision to Play Turning Point USA Halftime
Brantley Gilbert says he’s playing Sunday’s Turning Point USA halftime show for his kids and for the men and women of the U.S. military.
The All-American Halftime Show is an alternate halftime show to Bad Bunny’s official performance during Super Bowl LX. While the show was created as a response to that hiring, at least two of the artists on the bill say the Puerto Rican Grammy winner was not a part of the decision.
- Kid Rock, Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett. are playing the All-American Halftime Show.
- It’s available on a number of cable channels, as well as Turning Point USA’s YouTube page.
- Super Bowl LX begins at 5:30PM CT. Halftime should be shortly after 7PM CT.
Related: Lee Brice Explains Why He’s Playing TPUSA’s Halftime Show
Who Is Brantley Gilbert?
Gilbert started his mainstream career with rock-edged country songs like “Country Must Be Country Wide” and “Kick It In the Sticks.”
Initially, he battled an addiction to alcohol and pills but got mostly sober (he supports marijuana use) after a 2011 hospitalization.
“I respect that some people may see this differently, but I’m not playing this show to be divisive.”
While hesitant to share that journey initially, it’s come to be a centerpiece of his story through the years with millions of fans finding themself in his music.
Much like Jelly Roll, he dedicated significant time to those struggling to live after making poor decisions, or those battling mental health issues (especially those in the military).
“Bottoms Up,” “One Hell of an Amen” and “Small Town Throwdown” are a few more of his hits. In 2015, he married Amber Cochran, and since then, the couple have had three kids.
“I was offered this opportunity and imagined my kids watching their daddy perform at halftime during the biggest game in American football,” he writes on social media. “Everything I do, I do for them.”
Brantley Gilbert’s Decision to Join the All-American Halftime Show
Gilbert says his decision had nothing to do with politics or any of the more controversial things others have suggested the show stands for. It’s simply an opportunity too good for a former addict from Jackson County, Ga., to pass up.
“I share my story though my music, in hopes that it may help and inspire others in their darkest hour,” he says. “I’m a Christian, and I love our country, despite its flaws. I’ve dedicated part of my life to the men and women who fight for it, and the families of those who gave their life for it.”
“Above all, I’m a proud husband and father of three.”
How to Watch the Turning Point USA Halftime Show
There are several ways to watch TPUSA’s halftime show, with YouTube being the most familiar. The organization plans to stream it on its own YouTube channel as well as the Charlie Kirk Show’s YouTube channel.
Additionally, it will be available on both the platform’s Rumble (YouTube alternative) channels, and the TPUSA X page.
The more traditional options may not be available in your home, or with your cable or streaming setup. Here are seven channels slated to cover this show:
The Daily Wire
Real America’s Voice
Trinity Broadcasting Network
Charge!
The National News Desk
New Tang Dynasty (NTD)
One America News
60 Artists Not in the Country Music Hall of Fame
Which county singer is most deserving of a Country Music Hall of Fame induction? Here are 60 artists who don’t have a medallion yet, with some thoughts on when each is eligible and if their fans can expect that nod soon.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
Opinion | Local TV Rules Are Stuck in the 1990s
Local news will die unless the Trump administration acts to fulfill a Clinton-era legal mandate.
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College basketball expert picks for Saturday’s loaded Top 25 slate
With less than six weeks until Selection Sunday and conference races heating up across the college basketball landscape, Saturday is set to provide a platform for spectacular theater as the sport kicks into high gear near the homestretch of the regular season. On tap we have 21 ranked teams in action, three ranked vs. ranked matchups and one top-10 vs. top-10 showdown in the Big 12.
At the center of most people’s attention will be an evening epic as No. 4 Duke travels to No. 14 North Carolina in college basketball’s best rivalry. Duke is gunning for a fourth consecutive win over UNC, which it’s not accomplished in more than a decade. And it is attempting to do so behind enemy lines vs. a Tar Heels team that — don’t look now! — has won fourth straight and found a groove behind stars Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar.
Duke vs. UNC: Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson set up rivalry’s best NBA prospect matchup in last 40 years
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In the Big 12, No. 8 Houston travels to face No. 16 BYU in Provo in a game that has Big 12 title and NCAA Tournament seeding implications. Houston has won the league every year since joining — but BYU has lost just once all season at home.
In the Big Ten there is an equally large showdown as No. 5 Illinois, winners of 12 straight, travels to East Lansing to face No. 10 Michigan State. The Illini are tied for first place in the Big Ten standings with Michigan. With eight games remaining, a win in one of college basketball’s best environments would do wonders for that team’s conference title hopes.
With so much at stake and so many tremendous games on tap, our team has picks below for some of the best we’ll be watching closely. Those picks are below.
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook | All times ET
Oregon at No. 12 Purdue
1 p.m. on CBS, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App, Paramount+ Premium: Oregon is 0-13 against Quad 1 and 2 opponents this season. The Ducks have the longest losing streak in the conference and have gone from a preseason tournament team to a group hoping not to finish last in the Big Ten. For Oregon to pull the upset, this has to be a low-scoring game. I don’t see that happening, even if Bittle returns to the lineup. Purdue cruises to an easy win and gets back on track for good. Pick: Purdue -19 (Salerno)
No. 4 Duke at No. 14 North Carolina
6:30 p.m. on ESPN, fuboTV (try for free): One extra layer is North Carolina’s potent, quick-strike transition attack against a Duke transition defense that has been shaky multiple times this year. Duke’s halfcourt defense can force UNC into some hiccups, but if the Tar Heels can get out in the open floor, there are buckets to be had. Ultimately, these frontcourts look close to a draw. Is Duke’s backcourt this much better than UNC’s? I can’t quite get there. Pick: North Carolina +5.5 (Trotter)
No. 5 Illinois at No. 10 Michigan State
8 p.m. on Fox, fuboTV (try for free): Illinois has won 12 straight while Michigan State, while dealing with drama surrounding Jeremy Fears, is walking into this one on a two-game skid. I know which side I lean. Perhaps it’s a trap with the Illini here — MSU is largely unshakeable at home under Tom Izzo — but the Spartans are 5-5 as home favorites against the spread this season. I’ll take the Illini. Pick: Illinois +1.5 (Boone)
No. 17 Florida at Texas A&M
8:30 p.m. on SEC Network, fuboTV (try for free): The battle between the No. 1 teams in the current SEC standings should be a good one in Aggieland. I’m laying the four with Florida here if I have to make a pick, though this one feels like a stay-away. A&M has just one loss all season at home, and this is perhaps the biggest home game in College Station since it was in the Big 12. Pick: Florida -6.5 (Boone)
No. 25 Tennessee at Kentucky
8:30 p.m. on ESPN, fuboTV (try for free): I know I am going to get a pesky and physical Tennessee defense to show up in Lexington. I don’t know which version of Kentucky we will get Saturday; they’ve won seven of eight but haven’t been consistent despite a relatively soft schedule in that stretch. I’m taking the Vols to get revenge after falling to the Wildcats in Knoxville last month by two. Pick: Tennessee +1.5 —Boone
No. 8 Houston at No. 16 BYU
10:30 p.m. on ESPN, fuboTV (try for free): I’ll lay the point here with Houston. BYU has lost three straight and four of five entering Saturday’s game. This is a spot Kelvin Sampson-coached teams typically pounce on, and a chance to remain in Big 12 title contention for his Cougars is more than enough ammo to get Houston up and ready for a potential shootout. Pick: Houston -1.5 (Boone)
Who will win and cover in every college basketball game? Visit SportsLine to get picks from the model that simulates each game 10,000 times and is up more than $1,200 for $100 players on its top-rated spread picks the past six years.
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DOJ to allow Congress to review unredacted Epstein files
The Department of Justice will allow members of Congress to review unredacted files on the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein starting on Monday, according to a letter that was sent to lawmakers.The letter obtained by The Associated Press says that lawmakers will be able to review unredacted versions of the more than 3 million files that the Justice Department has released to comply with a law passed by Congress last year.Related video above: Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein are voicing their opposition regarding redaction concernsTo access the files, lawmakers will need to give the Justice Department 24 hours’ notice. They will be able to review the files on computers at the Department of Justice. Only lawmakers, not their staff, will have access to the files, and they will be permitted to take notes, but not make electronic copies.The arrangement, which was first reported by NBC News and has since been reported on by multiple news outlets, showed the continued demand for information on Epstein and his crimes by lawmakers, even after the Justice Department devoted large numbers of its staff to comply with the law passed by Congress last year. The Justice Department has come under criticism for delays in the release of information, failing to redact the personal information and photos of victims and not releasing the entire 6 million documents collected in relation to Epstein.Still, lawmakers central to the push for transparency described the concession by the Justice Department as a victory.“When Congress pushes back, Congress can prevail,” Rep. Ro Khanna, who sponsored what’s known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act, posted on social media.Khanna has pointed to several emails between Epstein and individuals whose information was redacted that appeared to refer to the sexual abuse of underage girls. The release of the case files has prompted inquiries around the world about men who cavorted with the well-connected financier. Still, lawmakers are pressing for a further reckoning over anyone who may have had knowledge of Epstein’s abuse or could have helped facilitate it.Epstein killed himself in a New York jail cell in 2019 while he faced charges that he sexually abused and trafficked dozens of underage girls. The case was brought more than a decade after he secretly cut a deal with federal prosecutors in Florida to dispose of nearly identical allegations. Epstein was accused of paying underage girls hundreds of dollars in cash for massages and then molesting them.
WASHINGTON —
The Department of Justice will allow members of Congress to review unredacted files on the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein starting on Monday, according to a letter that was sent to lawmakers.
The letter obtained by The Associated Press says that lawmakers will be able to review unredacted versions of the more than 3 million files that the Justice Department has released to comply with a law passed by Congress last year.
Related video above: Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein are voicing their opposition regarding redaction concerns
To access the files, lawmakers will need to give the Justice Department 24 hours’ notice. They will be able to review the files on computers at the Department of Justice. Only lawmakers, not their staff, will have access to the files, and they will be permitted to take notes, but not make electronic copies.
The arrangement, which was first reported by NBC News and has since been reported on by multiple news outlets, showed the continued demand for information on Epstein and his crimes by lawmakers, even after the Justice Department devoted large numbers of its staff to comply with the law passed by Congress last year. The Justice Department has come under criticism for delays in the release of information, failing to redact the personal information and photos of victims and not releasing the entire 6 million documents collected in relation to Epstein.
Still, lawmakers central to the push for transparency described the concession by the Justice Department as a victory.
“When Congress pushes back, Congress can prevail,” Rep. Ro Khanna, who sponsored what’s known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act, posted on social media.
Khanna has pointed to several emails between Epstein and individuals whose information was redacted that appeared to refer to the sexual abuse of underage girls. The release of the case files has prompted inquiries around the world about men who cavorted with the well-connected financier. Still, lawmakers are pressing for a further reckoning over anyone who may have had knowledge of Epstein’s abuse or could have helped facilitate it.
Epstein killed himself in a New York jail cell in 2019 while he faced charges that he sexually abused and trafficked dozens of underage girls. The case was brought more than a decade after he secretly cut a deal with federal prosecutors in Florida to dispose of nearly identical allegations. Epstein was accused of paying underage girls hundreds of dollars in cash for massages and then molesting them.
One Rock The Country Date Has Been Completely Cancelled
The Kid Rock-led Rock The Country Festival has suffered another setback, with its July 25–26 stop in Anderson, SC officially canceled due to what organizers are calling “unforeseen circumstances.” No word on how universally acclaimed songwriting genius Kid Rock will blame everyone else for this, but I’m sure it’s happening as we speak.
A statement provided to Fox Carolina by the Anderson County Administrator confirmed the cancellation and expressed disappointment over the festival’s absence in 2026: “Anderson County has been proud to host Rock the Country for the past two years. The event was a huge success drawing tens of thousands of visitors, making a multi-million-dollar economic impact on the Upstate.
“An event of this caliber proved what a great venue and exceptional hospitality we have here in Anderson County. Of course, we are disappointed that Rock the Country will not return to Anderson this year. We are already planning additional major events and look forward to exciting announcements to come. Anderson County is committed to bringing high quality arts and entertainment to our community.”
Listings for the Anderson dates have also been removed from the festival’s official website, further confirming the cancellation.
The news comes amid mounting instability surrounding the 2026 Rock The Country rollout. Earlier today, Shinedown withdrew from the festival, citing concerns that the event’s branding and associations could contribute to division rather than unity. Their exit followed Ludacris quietly dropping off the lineup, with his representatives later calling the booking a “mix-up.”
The festival — which has been described as politically right-leaning — was set to feature a mixed-genre lineup including Creed, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Danny Worsnop, Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Jelly Roll, Brooks & Dunn, and rap acts Nelly and Ludacris.
Shinedown drummer Barry Kerch later criticized Ludacris‘ exit on The Vinyl Road podcast, calling the rapper a “coward” for leaving the bill, comments that added fuel to an already tense situation.
At present, festival organizers have not publicly addressed the Anderson cancellation beyond the “unforeseen circumstances” explanation, nor confirmed whether other dates are at risk. However, with a high-profile artist withdrawal and now a full stop being dropped, Rock The Country’s 2026 run appears increasingly uncertain.
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When the FBI Arrested Epstein, He Called Kathryn Ruemmler
Documents show Ruemmler, now Goldman’s top lawyer, consulted Jeffrey Epstein on a relationship and potential new jobs while delivering legal and media advice.
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Prairie Circuit Finals Team Ropers Change Trejectory of Their Seasons
For many PRCA athletes, a single weekend at the circuit finals can reshape an entire season.
“Having the chance to go to Colorado Springs and the NFR Open, and rope for that kind of money, changes things,” said L.J. Yeahquo, the 2025 PRCA Prairie Circuit year-end and average champion team roping heeler. “It looks like I’ll be putting the tires to the road this year.”
With significant payouts and a coveted berth to the NFR Open in Colorado Springs, PRCA circuit finals, including the Prairie Circuit, offer athletes opportunities to elevate their careers and rewrite their season plans.
Just ask recent Prairie Circuit team roping aggregate champions Jhett Trenary and L.J. Yeahquo.
The duo captured both go-round buckles, the aggregate title, and the year-end championship for Yeahquo, earning just over $10,000 apiece during the weekend. The victory came at the rescheduled Prairie Circuit Finals, originally canceled in November 2025 due to the EHV-1 outbreak.
Rewinding to the start of the 2025 PRCA season, Trenary and Yeahquo began the year roping together before parting ways midseason, each finding success with different partners.
Late in the year, circumstances brought them back together.
Yeahquo’s primary circuit finals partner, Gage Williams, was sidelined by injury as the season concluded. At the same time, Trenary narrowly missed qualifying for the circuit finals, falling just $100 short. When Williams was forced to withdraw, Trenary received the call to fill the 12th and final spot — reuniting the former partners for the Prairie Circuit Finals.
The reunion paid off immediately.
Trenary and Yeahquo won the first round with a 4.5-second run and followed with a second-round victory at 4.9 seconds, securing the aggregate title and the largest paycheck of the weekend.
Trenary, a Colorado native who now resides in Texas, reflected on the unlikely path to victory.
“We’re really fortunate to win both rounds and the average,” Trenary said. “At this level, it’s rare to have a weekend like that. To go from being one out, to the finals being canceled and rescheduled, to us winning — it was a whirlwind and such a blessing.”
Yeahquo, an Oklahoma resident, echoed the sentiment.
“I was really blown away and excited to win the year-end as well,” he said. “It was great to pick it back up with Jhett.”
Both athletes, who honed their skills through collegiate and professional ranks, are chasing their lifelong goal of qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, and hope the momentum carries into the 2026 season.
With the early-season earnings boost, Yeahquo said his plans have already shifted.
“I didn’t really plan on rodeoing full time this year,” he said. “I was going to focus on my business and just circuit rodeo, but winning this much early kind of changes things.”
Trenary, who credits much of his mental and physical approach to rodeo to his NFR-qualifying father, hopes to build on his winter success through the spring and summer.
“I’ve never started a year this well,” Trenary said. “I know it’s still a long road to my ultimate goal, but it’s a great start. I just have to keep my head down and keep working.”
Though they will compete with different partners throughout the spring, Trenary and Yeahquo will reunite once again at the NFR Open, aiming to continue their circuit finals success.
“Our circuit is great — there’s so much to be won,” Yeahquo said. “It really makes a guy want to buy his card or permit and try to qualify for the NFR Open.”