In the early 1800s, when American and European scientific explorers first began to probe the unfamiliar West with its landscapes and animals so remarkably different from those of the East, the Great Plains and its wildlife seemed the most fascinating part of the West, an “American Serengeti.” Commencing with Lewis and Clark’s adventures and their attempts to catalog western wildlife, it took the entire 19th century for American explorers to introduce to science the staggering biological diversity Native America had bequeathed the United States. Accounts from Lewis and Clark to Stephen Long to C. Hart Merriam give us inspiring descriptions…

This week Reid and Dan host hit songwriter and artist, Larry Fleet, out in God’s Country. Larry shares the meaning behind his signature hat you see him wearing, which ties back to arguably the best burger in Nashville. The three of them bond over growing up on four wheelers without bounds and give the reason behind why they must love their kids more than their parents loved them. Larry shares his Nashville journey with the guys and how keeping his faith has helped him continue through it all. The episode ends with them harmonizing “Where I Find God,” which was…

A judge in York County Superior Court excludes key evidence potentially linking Lorenze Labonte to the murder of Ahmed Sharif, who was shot to death in November 2023. Prosecutors had hoped to present an unfired bullet found in a shoe belonging to Labonte’s ex-fiancée, asserting it matched a .45 caliber shell casing near Sharif’s body, but the judge raised significant doubts about the bullet’s origins. During the trial, conflicting witness statements and a lack of DNA evidence have complicated the prosecution’s case, casting uncertainty on Labonte’s involvement. As details emerge, including testimony from his young sister about Labonte’s behavior prior…

I think the most important preparations we make are those that overlap in “fun” and “useful” categories. For me, that overlap is best represented in marksmanship. I’ve always loved marksmanship and being a better marksman makes me better able to defend my family if the second worst day of my life happens to be today. I used a SurvivalBlog Writing Contest prize Course Certificate toward the full Gunsite 250 class. The 250 defensive pistol is their standard basic defensive pistol class. Because 250 Defensive Pistol is a 5-day course, the credit that I won writing an article for SurvivalBlog only…

The Bluegrass Army Depot is transitioning away from its long-standing role as a chemical weapons storage facility as it prepares for decommissioning by 2027. Officials are prioritizing safety and community engagement during this complex process, which involves carefully managed phases including the removal, neutralization, and subsequent demolition of weapons and operational facilities. This multi-year undertaking represents significant change for the local economy, with officials emphasizing that the focus will shift toward future development opportunities once the site is cleared. As planning moves forward, the community is invited to participate in discussions about potential new uses for the depot, making it…

On July 1, 1836, US President Andrew Jackson announced to Congress a bequest by James Smithson of 100,000 gold sovereigns to found the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. — On July 1st, 1997, the crown colony of Hong Kong officially reverted to Chinese sovereignty, ending 156 years of British rule. There have been sporadic protests by locals, ever since then. — July 1st, 1535, Sir Thomas More went on trial for treason for refusing to accept King Henry VIII as head of the Church of England. — And on July 1st, 1863 is the anniversary of the beginning of the Civil…

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Trump plans to revise or eliminate up to 47 regulations governing firearms, according to reports from NBC News. This initiative could drastically reduce the number of regulations that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) enforces, which are designed to prevent guns from falling into the hands of criminals and those with severe mental health issues. Among the proposed changes is a significant reduction in the form required for gun purchases, shrinking it from seven pages to as few as three. This alteration could simplify crucial background checks that help…

Austin authorities have charged Vondell Louis Crawford, 28, with murder in connection with the shooting death of 25-year-old Keaton Delcore at a gas station on June 22. The incident occurred at the Apple Mart gas station on Wickersham Lane, where Delcore was found with severe neck injuries after an interaction with Crawford, who fled the scene following the shooting. Delcore was transported to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries shortly after midnight. The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force arrested Crawford the following Thursday, although details regarding the motive behind the shooting or the nature of the interaction between…

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) has initiated a legal challenge against California’s ban on youth access to firearms, taking the case to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. This legal action, part of the case PWGG v. California, engages critical issues surrounding firearm rights and the interpretation of the Second Amendment as it applies to minors. In its opening appellate brief, SAF argues that the restrictions imposed by California jeopardize constitutional freedoms and raise fundamental questions about age-related rights regarding gun ownership. This case could set a pivotal precedent in how age restrictions on firearms are viewed under federal law,…

Sixteen men, primarily Venezuelan nationals, are arrested in Houston on multiple charges related to drug trafficking and firearm possession, according to the Justice Department. This operation is part of a broader effort to combat the growing influence of the Anti-Tren gang, which is involved in a violent turf war with the notorious Tren de Aragua gang that has been labeled a terrorist organization by federal authorities. The arrested individuals, who face 17 felony counts across various indictments, are linked to cocaine transportation and illegal firearms purchases, with some members allegedly negotiating drug deals involving significant quantities. Notably, one suspect, Jose…