GOP states sue ESG 'cartel': BlackRock, Vanguard, State Street accused of manipulating energy market



A coalition of 11 Republican-led states filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against BlackRock, Vanguard Group, and State Street Corporation, accusing the three asset managers of violating antitrust laws.

According to the complaint, the companies' promotion of environmental, social, and governance standards resulted in less coal production and higher energy prices.

Companies 'formed a cartel to rig the coal market.'

The lawsuit stated that the financial institutions "artificially constrained the supply of coal, significantly diminished competition in the markets for coal, increased energy prices for American consumers, and produced cartel-level profits" for themselves by leveraging their power.

Reuters reported that the three financial institutions have more than $26 trillion in assets under their management.

The companies have pressured coal companies to reduce their carbon emission by more than 50% by 2030, the complaint noted.

"Competitive markets — not the dictates of far-flung asset managers — should determine the price Americans pay for electricity," it read.

The coalition of states — including Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, West Virginia, and Wyoming — was led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R).

Paxton accused the asset managers of "illegally conspiring to manipulate energy markets."

"These firms also deceived thousands of investors who elected to invest in non-ESG funds to maximize their profits. Yet these funds pursued ESG strategies notwithstanding the defendants' representations to the contrary," he claimed.

The lawsuit accused BlackRock of "actively deceiving investors about the nature of its funds" by using all of its holdings, even those in non-ESG funds, to advance its climate goals.

Paxton told Turning Point USA founder and CEO Charlie Kirk that the reduced coal production forces the U.S. to purchase more energy overseas.

"It's affecting consumers in all kinds of ways," he said.

Paxton wrote in a post on X, "Texas will not tolerate the illegal weaponization of the financial industry in service of a destructive, politicized 'environmental' agenda. BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street formed a cartel to rig the coal market, artificially reduce the energy supply, and raise prices. Their conspiracy has harmed American energy production and hurt consumers. This is a stunning violation of State and federal law."

BlackRock said in a statement to Bloomberg that the lawsuit "undermines Texas' pro-business reputation."

"The suggestion that BlackRock invested money in companies with the goal of harming those companies is baseless and defies common sense," the company said.

Vanguard Group and State Street Corporation did not respond to a request for comment from Reuters or Bloomberg.

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After Humiliating Liz Cheney, Rep. Harriet Hageman Leaves Door Open To Run For Governor

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Wyoming GOP Gov. Removes Doctor From State Board For Opposing Transing Children

Wyoming radiologist Eric Cubin petitioned the federal court in Cheyenne last week to reinstate him to Wyoming’s Board of Medicine. Cubin was appointed to the board, which oversees the licensing and regulations of the medical profession, by Republican Gov. Mark Gordon in 2023 and reappointed to another four-year term last March. Only weeks after his […]

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Wyoming becomes latest school to refuse to play against women's volleyball team that has male player



San Jose State University's women's volleyball schedule continues to get shorter as yet another team has opted not to play against the SJSU team.

The University of Wyoming is the latest school to take a forfeit loss against SJSU, and while no specific reasons have been given by any program, Wyoming is the third school to do so since it became public that SJSU has a male player on its team.

The SJSU team has a 6'1" male athlete named Blaire Fleming, born Brayden, and is having the best season in program history. The team is off to a 9-0 start overall, 2-0 in the Mountain West Conference.

The Wyoming Cowgirls join Boise State and Southern Utah as schools that have decided to take a loss rather than play against the team with the obvious advantage.

'It is important we stand for integrity and fairness in female athletics.'

"After a lengthy discussion, the University of Wyoming will not play its scheduled conference match against San José State University," the team said in a statement. "Per Mountain West Conference policy, the Conference will record the match as a forfeit and a loss for Wyoming."

The news is an about-face in the school's stance. Just a week ago, it was reported that Wyoming would indeed play SJSU.

Though the schools have not given an official reason for their forfeits, Fleming's own teammate even said the reasons were obvious.

"I think we all know the reason the games are canceled," senior SJSU player Brooke Slusser told Blaze News.

Slusser said that she fully supports the decisions of the other teams not to play her squad, adding, "If I was in their shoes, I'd probably do the same thing."

Wyoming's governor, Mark Gordon, also said he supports the school's decision to forfeit the match.

"It is important we stand for integrity and fairness in female athletics," the governor wrote on X.

— (@)

Following Wyoming's forfeit, SJSU provided a statement to OutKick about the situation:

"It is disappointing that our SJSU student athletes, who are in full compliance with NCAA and Mountain West rules and regulations, are being denied opportunities to compete," the school said via email.

SJSU added that the school is committed to supporting its athletes and is dedicated to providing an "inclusive, fair, safe and respectful environment."

However, according to Slusser, the school has not been very supportive of its female volleyball players and instead has kept its focus on its only transgender player.

"We've had meetings, and it's a lot of just checking in on Blaire. ... We were like 'what about us?'" Slusser said. "It's mostly just saying you can't be the person to ... identify Blaire's gender identity. 'Blaire needs to do that for himself.'"

Slusser then explained, "Everyone above you is telling you you shouldn't be talking for Blaire, you need to make sure the other person is okay; and [the management] is not thinking about, 'Are we okay?'"

Slusser has joined a lawsuit that asks the NCAA to stop allowing male athletes to compete against females and to keep them out of female locker rooms. The lawsuit stems from women's aquatic competitions that included Lia Thomas, the "trans woman" who dominated the 2022 NCAA swimming championships.

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RFK Jr. Successfully Withdraws Name From Wyoming Ballot

'Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will not appear on the ballot'

550,000 or more illegal aliens could receive amnesty under Biden-Harris admin’s executive order — states respond with lawsuit



The Biden-Harris administration's Department of Homeland Security recently announced the "Keeping Families Together" program, a mass amnesty process for at least 550,000 illegal aliens already residing in the United States.

The federal government claims that the new process demonstrates the Biden-Harris administration's "commitment to promoting family unity in the immigration system."

'Unlawfully creating a program that effectively provides a new pathway to citizenship.'

The program would allow some illegal aliens, including spouses and stepchildren of American citizens, to "request parole in place under existing statutory authority."

If granted parole in place, eligible illegal aliens will be allowed to remain in the U.S. while they request an adjustment of status.

According to a press release from the U.S. Customs and Immigration Services, the administration estimates that 500,000 illegal alien spouses and 50,000 illegal alien stepchildren of American citizens are eligible for the process.

Of the roughly half a million spouses of American citizens, on average, most have resided unlawfully in the U.S. 23 years, the department reported. To be eligible for the program, spouses must have lived in the country illegally since June 2014 and have been married to a citizen since June 2024.

Eligible stepchildren of American citizens must be under 21 years old and be unmarried. They must have been residing unlawfully in the U.S. since June 2024 and have an illegal alien parent who is married to a citizen.

Applicants cannot have a "disqualifying criminal history," which includes such offenses as murder, rape, crimes involving firearms or controlled substances, aggravated assault, child pornography or abuse, and domestic violence. Those convicted of other crimes can "overcome the presumption of ineligibility" by "demonstrating positive factors that can be considered in overcoming this presumption and showing that you warrant a favorable exercise of discretion."

Even illegal aliens currently facing removal proceedings may be eligible for the Biden-Harris administration's program.

"If you have a final unexecuted removal order, non-disqualifying criminal history, or other derogatory information in your case, you may provide additional documentation that you believe demonstrates your parole is warranted based on a significant public benefit or urgent humanitarian reasons, and that you merit a favorable exercise of discretion," USCIS said.

Critics have called the administration's executive order a mass amnesty program.

On Friday, a group of 16 Republican-led states filed a lawsuit in partnership with America First Legal against the federal government to stop the program. States attempting to block the effort include Texas, Idaho, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wyoming.

The lawsuit argues that the administration's claims that the process would impact roughly 550,000 illegal aliens is "likely a significant underestimate," stating that the number could be approximately 1.3 million.

The states claim the program circumvented Congress and would "irreparably harm" their communities.

The complaint accuses the administration of "unlawfully creating a program that effectively provides a new pathway to citizenship for more than a million illegal aliens," according to AFL.

"The coalition also seeks a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to stop the Biden-Harris Administration from proceeding with its plans to provide immediate executive amnesty," it added.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said, "Biden's new parole workaround unilaterally grants the opportunity for citizenship to unvetted aliens whose first act on American soil was to break our laws. This violates the Constitution and actively worsens the illegal immigration disaster that is hurting Texas and our country."

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Male allegedly tries to burglarize home, struggle ensues with homeowner — but fight ends when alleged intruder meets bullet



Police in Riverton, Wyoming, responded to a reported attempted burglary where shots were reported fired shortly after 11 p.m. Friday in the 900 block of East Park Avenue, police said.

Police said a caller reported a struggle between a possible intruder and a homeowner.

The homeowner is cooperating with the detectives' investigation, police said.

Officers found a male in his 20s suffering from an apparent gunshot wound near the home, police said.

An individual at the scene reported seeing the male attempting to break into the home, police said, adding that the apparent intruder was taken to a hospital in stable condition.

The homeowner is cooperating with the detectives' investigation, police said.

In addition to officers from the Riverton Police Department, law enforcement from the Fremont County Sheriff's Office, the Wyoming Highway Patrol, and the Shoshoni Police Department responded to the call as well.

Police said those with information about the incident can call the Riverton Police Department at 307-856-4891 and that more information will be released as the investigation continues.

How are observers reacting?

Commenters on the Riverton Police Department's Facebook page seemed decidedly pleased about the outcome — and frustrated about crime and crime-fighting:

  • "What’s there to investigate?" one commenter asked. "Sounds like a clear case of stand your ground/castle doctrine… the homeowner defended his/her property. Good for them!!! The people of this town are fed up with the crime — you’re going to see more and more of us exercising our rights because something has to give."
  • "Seems that’s what it’s gonna take to make it all stop since the prosecutors won’t prosecute," another user declared.
  • "Good for the homeowner!!!!" another commenter exclaimed. "This is what it is coming [to]. Can I be on this jury???"
  • "... needs to happen more," another user added. "Teach these little Son-of-a- Bi….. what happens when you break the law."
  • "HELL YES!! YOU GO!!!" another commenter wrote.

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GOP governor forces radiologist to resign from state board of medicine after doctor openly opposed genital mutilation of kids



At the behest of a Republican governor, a renowned interventional radiologist in perhaps the most conservative state in the nation has resigned from its Board of Medicine because he publicly opposed gender-related medical interventions for minors.

Last year, Mark Gordon, the Republican governor of Wyoming, confirmed Casper radiologist Dr. Eric Cubin to serve on the state's Board of Medicine, which mainly grants and renews the licenses of Wyoming physicians and physician assistants. Cubin was then reconfirmed earlier this year for a term that was scheduled to end in 2028, the Cowboy State Daily reported.

'At the end of the day, I stood up for my principles, I stood up for what’s right, and I stood up for the children in the state.'

Likewise earlier this year, Wyoming lawmakers were considering a bill to ban so-called gender affirming care for minors. Nicknamed "Chloe's Law" after high-profile detransitioner Chloe Cole, the Children Gender Change Prohibition bill bans any form of transgender-related medical intervention — including cross-sex hormones, puberty blockers, and, of course, surgical genital mutilation — on children.

Dr. Cubin, who does not necessarily oppose such medical interventions for adults, sent an email to all state representatives in February, encouraging them to support Chloe's Law.

"The evidence and medical data on gender affirming care is all over the board," Cubin wrote, according to the Daily. "Unfortunately, much of the data on both sides is politically charged and it is difficult to decipher exactly what is true and what is not true."

Both chambers of the Wyoming legislature appeared to agree with Cubin. The bill sailed through the state House and Senate, and Gov. Gordon signed it into law in March, albeit reluctantly, according to the Daily.

"I signed [Chloe's Law] because I support the protections this bill includes for children; however, it is my belief that the government is straying into the personal affairs of families," he said at the time.

Gov. Gordon also took issue with Cubin's email about Chloe's Law, claiming that it demonstrated an inappropriate bias for a member of the Board of Medicine. "Medical professionals should be confident that their licensure, which is their livelihood, will be handled professionally and clinically examined on merits alone," Gordon said. "Even the appearance of bias can be disquieting as well as erode confidence in the board’s presumed impartiality."

Gordon additionally stated that since Dr. Cubin is a member of the Wyoming Medical Society, his email could have been perceived as representing the views of WMS as a whole, even as WMS leaders ardently opposed Chloe's Law. "We believe that decision [about transgender-related care for minors] should be between a patient and their medical provider," said Kris Schamber, president of WMS.

In the email, Cubin did take WMS to task, claiming that its board had been overtaken by "several very vocal, extremely liberal members" whose "woke" views ran counter to those of its general membership. "It seems that [WMS board members] have decided to prioritize politics over their stated mission of physician advocacy," he said.

On April 22, Gov. Gordon sent Cubin a letter, informing him that while he respected Cubin's right to free speech, he did intend to "remove" Cubin from the Board of Medicine because of his political advocacy. Rather than wait for his ouster, Cubin resigned, effective April 29.

Cubin has since claimed that he is at peace with his actions and the consequences that resulted from them. "At the end of the day, I stood up for my principles, I stood up for what’s right, and I stood up for the children in the state of Wyoming," he said.

Gordon told the Daily that he has no further comment on the matter.

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Army veteran miraculously survives grizzly bear attack with stroke of luck that saved his life of 'most violent' plight ever



A Massachusetts man was severely injured in a gruesome bear attack at a Wyoming national park, which he described as the "most violent" plight in his life. However, the Army veteran miraculously survived the bear mauling by an astonishing stroke of luck.

Shayne Patrick Burke – a 35-year-old military veteran from Massachusetts – was hiking up Signal Mountain in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park last Sunday. He was "looking to photograph a Great Grey Owl."

Burke said he noticed a bear cub near him and knew that it "wasn’t good."

All of the sudden, he was confronted with a "surprise encounter" with a mother grizzly bear who came "charging toward him."

He attempted to shout at the bear to try to deter a confrontation.

"I had a really uncomfortable feeling. I was breaking branches, singing, and talking to myself aloud. These are something’s that can help prevent a 'surprise encounter' with a brown bear," Burke said.

"When she pounced I opted to turn and give her my back and I laid down in the prone position on my belly and braced for the ride, interlocking my hands behind my neck to protect my vitals," he wrote in an Instagram post.

The grizzly bear first chomped and slashed his back and right shoulder.

The bear chewed on the leg of Burke, then picked him up, and slammed him on the ground multiple times.

The mother bear allegedly bit his leg from his buttocks to his inner knee about three times.

"I believe she went in for a kill bite on my neck. I still had my hands interlocked and my arms protecting my carotid arteries. I never let go of the bear spray can," Burke explained.

Suddenly, Burke was the beneficiary of a stroke of luck that saved his life.

"As she bit my hands in the back of my neck, she simultaneously bit the bear spray can and it exploded in her mouth," Burke said. "This is what saved my life from the initial attack. I heard her run away, I looked up and instantly ran in the opposite direction up a hill."

Burke applied "improvised tourniquets" to his legs to "slow the bleeding" after the animal attack. He added that his legs were "not really working."

Burke called 911 and stayed on the phone so they could triangulate his location.

A rescue helicopter was able to locate him and rescue him.

"Once the helicopter spotted me, I tried to crawl to a clearing so they could reach me easier," he stated. "At this time, the first ranger showed up and started his assessment. Hypothermia was one of the biggest concerns at this point. I was alert and responsive."

Burke was transported for surgery to St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson, Wyoming.

The bear attack was the 'most violent' plight he had ever experienced

Despite being mutilated in the bear attack, Burke has no ill feelings against the bear.

"I love and respect wildlife. Anyone who knows me knows this about me," Burke stated.

He petitioned park rangers not to kill the bear because she was "defending her cub."

"What happened up on Signal Mountain was a case of wrong place, wrong time," he said. "Sunday afternoon, I was attacked by a mother grizzly protecting her cub."

Burke pointed out that despite being a disabled Army veteran who had "experienced being shot at, mortared, and IED explosions," this bear attack was the "most violent thing" he had ever experienced.

(WARNING: Graphic images)

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