Washington, D.C
Could Prohibition come back? These activists might declare any level of alcohol is unsafe.
A parallel, opaque review process has been started by a secretive, six-person panel. This panel operates deep within the Department of Health and Human Services, receiving little public scrutiny.
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In Wisconsin, tavern owners are proud to open their doors to just about everyone, without judgement of what their customers choose to drink.
But right now, in Washington, DC, a few little-known anti-alcohol activists are about to have a big impact on the beer you drink – unless something is done, and soon.
Every five years, the U.S. government reviews the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. For a decade or more, the guidelines have said it’s OK to have one beer (or cocktail or glass of wine) per day if you’re a woman, and two if you’re a man. Those decisions were made based on a scientific review.
But in 2023, the World Health Organization declared that “no safe level” of alcohol exists, and now the anti-alcohol activists in this country are coming for everyone’s beer.
And this time around, the dietary guidelines process appears to be heading in an alcohol-free direction, thanks in large part to zero-tolerance temperance groups that object to all drinking – even in moderation.
Federal agency reviewing dietary guidelines, including alcohol
In Washington, in addition to the normal review of the dietary guidelines process, a parallel, opaque review process has been started by a secretive, six-person panel. This panel operates deep within the Department of Health and Human Services, receiving little scrutiny from the public.
It may seem far-fetched, but the truth is that behind closed doors, this six-person body will help decide whether the government should tell you that no amount of alcohol is safe to consume.
A hunt shouldn’t cause rancor. Wisconsin has stable and growing sandhill crane population.
Is this a fair and balanced approach? Can we trust these six people to determine what science that’s out there is sound, and judge it by a preponderance of the evidence as they’re supposed to?
The Wall Street Journal isn’t so sure. According to their reporting, half of the panel have already made up their minds, having authored reports that say any amount of alcohol is harmful. Can they be trusted to take an honest look at the evidence?
There is plenty of evidence that people who drink in moderation live as long or longer than people who do not. Telling people not to drink at all could well cause them to just disregard all advice regarding drinking.
This could be the start of alcohol scold culture, Prohibition 2.0
It might also lead us further down the road to a “scold” culture – to a Prohibition 2.0. If you’re attending the Wisconsin State Fair, celebrating Oktoberfest, tailgating at Camp Randall or having a beer after a long day at work, we just don’t need Washington telling us we shouldn’t have any alcohol at all.
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One person who we know understands the importance of this issue is U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin. We’re grateful to her for her work to bring light to this issue, and if you see her, we encourage you to thank her. We hope she can use her position to tell the White House to stop this rogue panel from conducting its stealth Prohibition campaign.
The process of reviewing the guidelines should be open and transparent. It should be free of the influence of those with an agenda or a conflict of interest. And it should be decided as the law requires – by a preponderance of sound scientific evidence – not by the whims of anti-alcohol groups.
Keith Kern is the President of the Tavern League of Wisconsin
A 73-year-old man with dementia has been missing for three days during this punishing heat wave, and a frantic search is underway.
For years, retired truck driver Frankie Jones Sr. fixed cars for neighbors in Southwest D.C., letting people pay him what they could for his work. Now, a missing person flyer is on every door of the Galveston Street SW apartment complex where Jones lives with his fiancée and family members who love and care for him.
Jones walked out the front door Tuesday at 4 p.m. and didn’t return.
He often went to the parking lot to tinker with the family cars — an ability he retains as he struggles with cognitive decline, said his daughter Julia Marsh.
“We don’t know what direction he went in, so we’re just really trying to figure out if he’s in this area somewhere, in the woods somewhere,” she said. “Maybe he’s somewhere lost, don’t know how to find his way back.”
The family has searched everywhere they can think of, including nearby auto parts stores and car repair shops. Places they think Jones would be drawn to.
They worry about him being out there alone and likely confused in the scorching, potentially deadly heat.
“It’s been hot for the past few days, a hundred degrees, and we still don’t know where he is,” his daughter said. “This is not like him. It’s not like him to walk away and not return.”
Jones stands 5-feet-11-inches tall and weighs 160 pounds. He was last seen wearing a light blue shirt, blue jeans and black-and-white slides.
Anyone who sees Jones should call the D.C. police Real Time Crime Center at (202) 727-9099. If he appears to be in danger, call 911.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (7News) — A D.C. teen has been charged with first-degree murder after using his car to ram into a man, rob him and attempt to access his bank accounts from an ATM, according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Kyree Young, 17, followed the victim, Donnel Bracket Phillips, 55, from an ATM near the intersection of 12th Street and U Street NW on May 7 around 4:15 a.m.
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Young hit Phillips with his white Hyundai Santa Fe before robbing him, according to court documents. He then attempted to get access to Phillips’s financial accounts at the same ATM that Philips was using moments prior.
When Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers got to the scene, they found Phillips lying in the roadway. He was unconscious and not breathing.
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Phillips was rushed to the hospital but unfortunately died from his injuries.
Young’s vehicle was later found and detectives gathered enough evidence to identify him as the suspect. On Wednesday, Young appeared before Superior Court Magistrate Judge Robert J. Hildum, who found probable cause that Young committed first-degree murder while armed and ordered him to be held without bond as he waits for trial.
The case is being investigated by MPD and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Washington Field Division.
U.S. Attorney Pirro also said they are investigating potential accomplices to Young.
WASHINGTON, DC — Independence Day falls on a Friday in 2025, kicking off a star-spangled three-day weekend packed with fireworks, festivals and other Fourth of July fun in and around the District of Columbia.
To help you fit it all in on your 4th of July calendar, Patch has put together a guide to what’s going on in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding areas.
July 4 Festivities For 2025
Many people will be heading to D.C. for the big 4th of July Celebration on the National Mall. The National Park Service has posted a schedule of events, maps and other information online to make sure you’re in the best spot to watch the 17.5-minute fireworks display when it starts at 9:09 p.m., weather-permitting.
Viewing from the National Mall
- Plan to arrive early, and to protect yourself from heat-related illness. See Directions and Plan Your Visit.
- Viewing areas on the National Mall near the Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool will be accessible only through secure access points.
- Consider wearing hearing protection. These fireworks are big and loud.
- Consider wearing eye protection to protect yourself from incidental falling debris (ash).
- Consider not bringing pets (some are scared of the loud booms).
- Immediately following the fireworks, areas along Independence Avenue between the Lincoln Memorial and World War II Memorial will be closed for safety checks related to the fireworks launch site. The road and sidewalks will re-open after cleanup crews have completed their inspection and removed any hazardous materials.
Fireworks may be cancelled due to inclement weather
The fireworks display may be delayed or cancelled if there is inclement weather, such as driving rain, high winds, lightning and/or low ceiling cloud cover in the area. Sign up for automated alerts by texting JULY4DC to 888777.
Other Viewing Areas
National Independence Day Parade
The parade kicks off at 11:45 a.m. at 7th Street and Constitution Avenue NW and proceeds west to 17th Street, wrapping up about 2 p.m.
Marching bands, fife and drum corps, floats, military units, giant balloons, equestrian, drill teams and more take part in the celebration of America’s birthday. Learn more here.
A Capitol Fourth Concert
This star-studded salute to Independence Day is broadcast live from 8 to 9:30 p.m. on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol and is free and open to the public. Gates open at 3 p.m. More information is at www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth.
Origins Of Independence Day Holiday
Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. In that document, the 13 original colonies declared their independence from Great Britain.
During the pivotal summer of 1776, the pre-Revolutionary celebrations honoring King George III’s birthday were replaced with mock funerals as a symbolic break from the crown.
It was an exciting time in Philadelphia — the Continental Congress voted to break from the crown and, two days later on July 4, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the original 13 colonies —New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia — to adopt the Declaration of Independence.
The first annual commemoration of the nation’s independence was in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, while the Revolutionary War was ongoing. Fireworks have been part of Fourth of July festivities since the first celebration in Philadelphia.
Today, Americans celebrate with fireworks, parades, concerts, and family gatherings and barbecues. Celebrations, though, predate by centuries the designation of Independence Day as a federal holiday, which didn’t happen until 1941.
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