‘TELL IT LIKE IT IS’ Defense News: Planning for an Extended Government Shutdown—Military Families’ Field Guide to Pay Delays

With paychecks at risk and benefits uncertain, here’s a mission-ready checklist for active-duty families to cut costs, secure childcare, and tap emergency aid until normal operations resume

WASHINGTON | After years of warnings, the “what if” has become a real operational risk: an extended federal shutdown with potential pay disruptions for active-duty service members. While officials signal workarounds to keep pay on time, the legal and logistical path is murky. The smartest posture now is classic force protection: plan for the worst, hope for the best. This guide consolidates practical steps military families can take today to maintain financial stability, ensure childcare continuity, and access relief resources—without waiting on last-minute fixes.

Immediate Actions: 72-Hour Prep

• Prioritize essentials. Triage cash for housing, utilities, food, transport, prescriptions.
• Contact creditors proactively. Many lenders, landlords, and utilities offer short-term hardship forbearance or fee waivers during federal disruptions—ask in writing.
• Freeze non-essentials. Pause subscriptions, recurring app charges, premium services, and elective memberships for 30–60 days.
• Document everything. Keep records of communications with HR/finance, landlords, lenders, and childcare providers.

‘My Secret Informant Love’: Ex–Army Officer Gets Nearly 6 Years for Leaking Russia-Ukraine War Secrets on a Dating Site

Retired lieutenant colonel shared SECRET-level briefings from U.S. Strategic Command to a purported “Ukrainian woman,” exposing targets and Russian capabilities, prosecutors say

LINCOLN, Neb. | A retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel who later worked as a civilian at U.S. Strategic Command has been sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for conspiring to transmit classified national-defense information about the Russia-Ukraine war via a foreign online dating platform. David Franklin Slater, 64, also received a $25,000 fine and one year of supervised release; he pleaded guilty in July after his March 2024 arrest, and two additional counts were dismissed under the plea deal. 

According to court filings, Slater held a Top Secret clearance while assigned as an Air Force civilian at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska (U.S. Strategic Command) between August 2021 and April 2022, where he attended classified briefings on the conflict. He admitted he conspired to transmit SECRET information about military targets and Russian capabilities to a person he believed was a woman in Ukraine, communicating through the site’s messaging tools. 

Messages from the unnamed coconspirator included endearments—calling Slater “my secret informant love!” and “my secret agent. With love.”—and prodded for details such as whether “NATO will prepare a very pleasant surprise” for Russia. Prosecutors have not publicly identified the coconspirator or confirmed any government affiliation. 

FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said Slater “betrayed an oath” and “put our country at risk,” while the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska emphasized the breach of the trust placed in cleared personnel. The sentence—70 months—falls within the range contemplated at the plea, which anticipated roughly 5 years 10 months to 7 years 3 months. 

LSU Defense, Trey’Dez Green Lead Tigers to 20–10 Homecoming Win Over South Carolina

🛡️ LSU Football Flexes Defensive Might, Powers Past South Carolina 20–10 in Homecoming Victory

BATON ROUGE, La. | In a classic Tiger Stadium defensive showcase, No. 12 LSU (5–1, 2–1 SEC) leaned on a stifling defensive effort and the breakout performance of sophomore tight end Trey’Dez Green to secure a 20–10 Homecoming victory over South Carolina (3–3, 1–2 SEC) on Saturday night.

Green, a 6’7” former two-sport standout, turned in a career performance with 119 yards on eight catches and a touchdown, becoming the first LSU tight end to eclipse 100 yards receiving in a game since Chris Hill in 1994. His first-half touchdown reception — a six-yard fade to the corner of the end zone — helped LSU reclaim the lead and set the tone for the night.

The win marked another signature defensive outing for head coach Brian Kelly’s squad, which has now held three opponents to 10 points or fewer this season — a defensive resurgence that’s redefining LSU’s SEC identity.

No. 4 Ole Miss Fends Off Washington State 24–21 in Gritty Homecoming Victory

Trinidad Chambliss accounts for three touchdowns while Lane Kiffin earns his 50th career win as the Rebels remain undefeated in a hard-fought Oxford showdown.

🏈 Ole Miss Football Fights Off Washington State for 24–21 Homecoming Win, Kiffin Hits 50 Career Victories

OXFORD, Miss. | In a tense back-and-forth battle fitting for Homecoming weekend, No. 4 Ole Miss (6–0) survived a late Washington State rally to secure a 24–21 win inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Saturday. The victory preserved the Rebels’ unbeaten season and marked head coach Lane Kiffin’s 50th career win at Ole Miss, achieved in just 68 games — the fastest pace in program history.

Ole Miss improved to 74-17-2 all-time in Homecoming games and extended its non-conference dominance under Kiffin, who is now 22-2 overall and 19-0 in regular-season non-conference play. The win also gave the Rebels their best start since 2022, continuing their climb toward College Football Playoff contention.

🔥 Chambliss, Lacy, and Wright Lead Balanced Offensive Attack

Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss delivered another poised performance, going 20-for-29 passing for three total touchdowns (two through the air, one rushing). The sophomore’s ability to improvise under pressure — highlighted by his 17-yard scramble touchdown in the third quarter — kept the Rebels in control during key drives.

Tight end Dae’Quan Wright continued his record-breaking campaign, catching four passes for 80 yards and a touchdown, tying Don Williams for sixth in career touchdown receptions among Rebel tight ends. De’Zhaun Stribling added six receptions for 63 yards against his former team, while freshman running back Kewan Lacy powered the ground game with 142 rushing yards on 24 carries, marking his third 100-yard performance of the season and a new career high.

Alabama Holds Off No. 14 Missouri 27–24, Snaps Tigers’ 15-Game Home Winning Streak

Ty Simpson’s three-touchdown performance and a pair of late interceptions propel the No. 8 Crimson Tide past undefeated Missouri for their third straight Top-25 win.

🏈 Alabama Football Stays Hot, Outlasts No. 14 Missouri 27–24 in SEC Road Battle

COLUMBIA, Mo. | The No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide (5–1, 3–0 SEC) continued their midseason surge with a hard-fought 27–24 victory over No. 14 Missouri (5–1, 1–1 SEC) on Saturday afternoon inside Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. The win handed Missouri its first loss of the season and snapped a 15-game home winning streak dating back to 2023.

Quarterback Ty Simpson led the charge for Alabama, completing 23 of 31 passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns, extending his streak of multi-touchdown games to six — one of only four quarterbacks nationwide to do so this season. Freshman Lotzeir Brooks played a key role late, pulling in a critical 29-yard reception on fourth-and-eight that kept Alabama’s game-clinching drive alive.

The Crimson Tide struck first offensively behind Simpson’s precision passing, connecting with Kevin Riley, Isaiah Horton, and Daniel Hill for touchdown receptions. Hill’s one-yard grab in the fourth quarter — his first career score — proved decisive as Alabama’s defense held firm down the stretch. Running back Jam Miller anchored the Tide’s ground game with 85 rushing yards on 20 carries. At the same time, Alabama’s offensive line showcased versatility with Kadyn Proctor and Parker Brailsford each recording offensive touches to extend drives.

Defensively, Deontae Lawson and Nikhai Hill-Green led with seven tackles apiece, while LT Overton added 1.5 sacks. Freshman defensive back Dijon Lee Jr. sealed the game with his first career interception, halting Missouri’s final drive.

Paul and Rebimbas Lead Alabama’s Stunning 4–3 Comeback Over Auburn in Iron Bowl of Soccer Thriller

Gianna Paul sets Alabama’s all-time career points record as Melina Rebimbas adds two goals and an assist in a dramatic SEC rivalry win.

⚽ Paul, Rebimbas Power Crimson Tide Past Tigers in 4–3 Iron Bowl of Soccer Victory

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. | In one of the most thrilling matches of the SEC season, No. 15 Alabama (10–4–1, 4–3–0 SEC) rallied late to defeat in-state rival Auburn (5–5–4, 1–3–3 SEC) by a score of 4–3 Friday night in the Iron Bowl of Soccer.

Trailing 3–2 with under 10 minutes remaining, the Crimson Tide mounted an incredible comeback powered by stars Gianna Paul and Melina Rebimbas, each recording a brace. Rebimbas netted the equalizer in the 82nd minute before assisting Paul’s game-winning goal just four minutes later, completing a five-point night that lifted Alabama to its fifth Iron Bowl win in the last six years.

Ohio State Capitalizes on Illinois Turnovers to Secure 34–16 Victory, Remains Undefeated

The No. 1 Buckeyes forced three key turnovers and turned each into touchdowns, powering past No. 17 Illinois in Champaign to stay perfect at 6–0.

COLUMBUS, Ohio | The nation’s top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (6–0, 3–0 Big Ten) continued their undefeated run Saturday with a 34–16 win over No. 17 Illinois (5–2, 2–2) at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. Ohio State’s defense and opportunistic offense proved the difference, converting all three Illinois turnovers into touchdowns that set the tone for a dominant road performance.

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer struggled under pressure, tossing one interception and losing two fumbles—each costly. The Buckeyes’ defense, led by Sonny Styles with 10 tackles and eight solos, swarmed the pocket and disrupted the Illini rhythm throughout the afternoon.

On offense, freshman quarterback Julian Sayin showed poise beyond his years, completing 19 of 27 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns. Jeremiah Smith led the receiving corps with five catches for 42 yards and a score, while running backs Bo Jackson and CJ Donaldson Jr. controlled the ground game, combining for 106 yards and two touchdowns.

The Buckeyes’ balanced attack and defensive discipline helped them outgain Illinois 106–47 on the ground and dominate time of possession. Head Coach Ryan Day praised his team’s “focus and composure on the road,” emphasizing how turnovers and special teams execution made the difference.

With the win, Ohio State improves to 6–0 overall and 3–0 in Big Ten play, keeping its sights firmly set on another College Football Playoff run. The Buckeyes now turn their attention to next week’s showdown against Wisconsin in Madison. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports.

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-- By James A. Wright

© Copyright 2025 JWT Communications. All rights reserved. This article cannot be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten, or distributed in any form without written permission.

Q&A on the 2025-2026 COVID-19 Vaccines

As has been the case each year since 2022, updated COVID-19 vaccines were released leading into the fall season, and the shots should be broadly available to people age 6 months and up. For the first time, however, the vaccines are not approved for all age groups, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends them only after a discussion with a healthcare provider.

Experts emphasize that there has been no real change in the benefits or risks of the vaccines, which are pretty safe and offer additional protection against the coronavirus. Vaccination can benefit everyone but is particularly important for those at higher risk of severe illness, including older people, very young children, pregnant people and those with certain other risk factors.

In the end, the CDC recommendation means that most people who want a vaccine — even if they do not meet the approval criteria — can get one, although doing so may be more difficult. 

Here, we explain what’s different this year and walk through the complexities of getting vaccinated under the new rules.

• What happened this year that’s different from the past?
• What do experts say about who should get the vaccines? 
• What shots are available this year? 
• Who is eligible to get a vaccine this year?
• Are some people eligible for additional doses?
• Are the shots still free, and where can I get one?
• Will there be new barriers to getting these vaccines?

“TELL IT LIKE IT IS: Reviewing Biden’s Final Numbers — A Statistical Look at Four Years in Office”

The final numbers for Joe Biden’s full term are nearly all in. Here’s our rundown of various statistical measures during his presidency:

• Inflation roared back, shrinking the value of workers’ paychecks. Consumer prices rose 21.5%. Gasoline alone rose 31%. After adjusting for inflation, private-sector average weekly earnings shrank 4%.
• The economy regained millions of jobs lost during the coronavirus pandemic and around 6 million more. Unemployment averaged 4.1%, well below the historical average.
• The economy grew by at least 2.5% each year, with real gross domestic product growth of 2.8% in 2024.
• The percentage and number of Americans who lacked health insurance went down by 0.6 percentage points, or 1.2 million people, when measuring those who were uninsured for an entire year.
• The nationwide violent crime and property crime rates declined. The murder rate dropped by 1.7 points.
• All three major U.S. stock indexes set new records. The S&P 500 climbed 57.8%.
• After-tax corporate profits continued to set records.
• Consumer confidence sank to a historic low, when inflation surged, and then rose. But it was still lower when Biden left office than when his term began.
• Apprehensions of those trying to cross the southern border illegally were 107% higher in Biden’s last year compared with the year before he took office.
• The monthly average for refugee admissions was 157% higher than during his predecessor’s time in office.
• The U.S. trade deficit in goods and services went up by nearly 40%.
• Home prices rose 37.4%. The homeownership rate fluctuated slightly.
• The number of people receiving federal food assistance increased only slightly.
• The median household income, when factoring in inflation, went up by $2,150. The official poverty rate declined, but the alternative, supplemental measure increased, after pandemic stimulus payments ended.
• The federal publicly held debt went up by one-third.
• Crude oil, natural gas, natural gas plant liquids, biofuels, solar and wind all set domestic production records in Biden’s last year in office.