A draft environmental review of the Dakota Access Pipeline was released Friday by federal officials.The review calls for further input before an affirmative decision on the future of the pipeline’s controversial Missouri River crossing.A federal judge revoked the permit of the crossing, located upstream of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s reservation, over three years ago.

Federal officials on Friday released a draft environmental review of the Dakota Access oil pipeline, but said they’re waiting for more input before deciding the future of the line’s controversial river crossing in North Dakota.

The draft was released over three years after a federal judge ordered the environmental review and revoked the permit for the Missouri River crossing, upstream of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s reservation. The tribe is concerned a pipeline oil spill could contaminate its water supply.

North Dakota officials support a decision that ultimately allows the pipeline to continue operating as it has. The tribe is calling for a new review and a pipeline shutdown.

The environmental review is key for whether the federal government reissues the permit. The pipeline has been operating since 2017, including during the environmental review.

The draft environmental impact statement, which is dated in June but was made public Friday, noted that the Corps ‘has not selected a preferred alternative,’ but will make a decision in its final review, after considering input from the public and other agencies.

The draft details five options for the pipeline, including denying the easement for the crossing and removing or abandoning a 7,500-foot segment. Officials could also approve the easement with measures for ‘increased operational safety,’ or grant the same easement with no changes.

A fifth option is a 111-mile reroute of the pipeline to north of Bismarck, over 38 miles upstream from the current crossing. The reroute would require new permits from federal, state and local authorities and regulators, which could take at least two years. The exact path of such a reroute is unknown, according to the draft.

‘We are seeking public input on the environmental analysis of each alternative, and that input combined with the environmental analysis will help us to make an informed decision among the alternatives,’ Corps Omaha District spokesman Steve Wolf told The Associated Press.

A comment period will end Nov. 13. Public meetings are scheduled Nov. 1-2 in Bismarck.

A final environmental impact statement will follow the public input and environmental analysis, and a formal decision will be made, Wolf said.

Republican U.S. Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota told the AP a final alternative is expected to come out in fall 2024. He said he hopes for a decision that allows the pipeline to continue operating.

‘Clearly they should go ahead and approve it without any additional modifications. The safety measures are in place,’ Hoeven said.

Tribal Chairwoman Janet Alkire on Friday said the draft review should be ‘invalidated’ and the Corps should ‘start from scratch’ on a new review, with the pipeline shut down. The tribe is furious, she said.

‘The pipeline is an imminent threat to the Missouri River, sensitive habitat and sacred burial sites along the riverbank,’ Alkire said. ‘The oil company’s emergency response plans are inadequate, its safety track record is horrendous, and there’s been a stunning lack of transparency with Standing Rock throughout the environmental review process, including inaccurate characterizations of tribal consultation.’

She also called on the public to submit comments supporting a new review and a shutdown of the pipeline.

North Dakota’s governor-led, three-member Industrial Commission on Thursday heard of the draft’s pending release. Republican Gov. Doug Burgum on Thursday called the selection of no preferred alternative ‘unusual if not unprecedented.’

Burgum in a statement Friday added his support for granting the easement as it was previously issued, citing the pipeline as a safe operation and better than rail.

Hoeven said an Army official had notified him that the Corps wouldn’t make a recommendation in the draft, but the agency will do more consultation in addition to the public input. The senator said he emphasized that the Corps consult with the state and the oil-rich Three Affiliated Tribes, whose reservation shares geography with North Dakota’s oil patch.

State and federal officials and the pipeline’s company say the line is safe. It moves oil from western North Dakota to Illinois. Leaders in North Dakota’s oil industry and state government consider the pipeline to be crucial infrastructure, with far less oil now transported by rail.

The pipeline is moving about 600,000 to 650,000 barrels of oil per day. Its capacity is 750,000 barrels per day. North Dakota produces about 1.1 million barrels of oil per day.

The U.S. Supreme Court last year refused to take up an appeal of the tribe’s lawsuit over the pipeline. The tribe first filed the lawsuit in 2016. Thousands of people gathered and camped near the pipeline’s river crossing for protests that lasted months and sparked hundreds of arrests in 2016 and 2017. More than 830 criminal cases resulted from the protests.

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Democratic Senate candidate Debbie Mucarsel-Powell’s alleged connections to Ukrainian oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky are resurfacing after the tycoon’s arrest last week, raising concern and scrutiny in GOP circles. 

Mucarsel-Powell, a former U.S. representative, announced her bid for a Senate seat against incumbent Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., in August. During her last unsuccessful bid for Congress, her campaign was dogged by criticism about her husband’s work for a company that worked with businesses tied to Kolomoisky, one of the wealthiest oligarchs in Ukraine who has been accused of fraud, bribery and hiring hitmen.

‘Of course, it’s concerning,’ Priscilla Ivasco, spokesperson for Scott’s campaign, told Fox News Digital Friday of Mucarsel-Powell’s alleged connection. ‘And it’s one of the many reasons that the voters of South Florida voted her out of office. Floridians rejected DMP once, and they’ll do it again.’ 

Mucarsel-Powell has repeatedly dismissed criticism that her husband had ties to Kolomoisky. 

‘Republicans are recycling old and debunked lies that have nothing to do with Debbie Mucarsel-Powell or her family,’ spokesperson Michelle Gajewski for Mucarsel-Powell’s campaign said to Fox News Digital in a statement Friday. ‘These lies won’t distract from Rick Scott’s record of profiting from investments linked to Vladimir Putin and Venezuela, overseeing the largest Medicare fraud in history, and invoking the 5th Amendment 75 times to avoid self-incrimination. As recent polling shows Rick Scott falling behind, he will tell any lie to hold onto this seat.’

National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Philip Letsou told Fox News Digital in a statement that ‘Floridians deserve better than crooked politicians like socialist Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, whose family fortune was bankrolled by a corrupt warlord who allegedly engaged in bribery, embezzlement and contract killings.’

‘Will Mucarsel-Powell return the favor and help post Kolomoisky’s $14 million bail?’ Letsou asked. 

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee did not respond to Fox News’ Digital request for comment by press deadline.

In 2018, an investigative report by The Daily Beast discovered Mucarsel-Powell’s husband, attorney Robert Powell, was hired by several businesses connected to Kolomoisky. Among these firms, one alone has publicly reported payments to Powell for at least $700,000 over a span of two years.

At the time, when Mucarsel-Powell was running for a House seat, a campaign spokesperson responded to the allegations in The Daily Beast, saying, ‘The absurdity of Debbie being attacked over an indirect shareholder to her husband’s former employer, a job he no longer even holds, is exactly why people are tired of politics.’

State media reported last week that Kolomoisky faces arrest in a fraud probe after a Kyiv court decreed two months of pre-trial detention. Meanwhile, authorities will investigate the fraud allegations, according to Ukrainian outlet Ukrinform’s report.

Kolomoisky told Ukrinform he ‘superficially’ looked over the charges and ‘absolutely’ disagrees with them. 

The U.S. State Department previously sanctioned Kolonoisky for alleged ‘corrupt acts that undermined rule of law and the Ukrainian public’s faith in their government’s democratic institutions and public processes, including using his political influence and official power for his personal benefit.

‘The Department will continue to use authorities like this to promote accountability for corrupt actors in this region and globally.’ 

A federal judge has denied Mark Meadows’ request to move his 2020 election case from a Georgia state court to a federal court.

The former White House chief of staff under former President Donald Trump is among the 19 defendants facing charges stemming from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ investigation into alleged efforts by the former president and his allies to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia.

Meadows had argued his case belonged in federal court because his charges are connected with actions he took in his official duties as a Trump administration official.

U.S. District Judge Steve Jones’ ruling came in a 49-page opinion that said Meadows’ duties ‘did not include working with or working for the Trump campaign, except for simply coordinating the President’s schedule, traveling with the President to his campaign events, and redirecting communications to the campaign. Thus, consistent with his testimony and the federal statutes and regulations, engaging in political activities is [sic] exceeds the outer limits of the Office of the White House Chief of Staff.’

Meadows’ charges include two counts in a 41-count indictment brought against Trump and his allies. All 18 defendants are charged with at least one count of violating the Georgia RICO Act — the Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organizations Act. 

Meadows is also charged with soliciting an official to violate their oath of office related to the infamous 2020 phone call he arranged between Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger — in which Trump asked the elections chief to ‘find’ purportedly missing ballots that would allow him to overcome his deficit against Biden in Georgia. 

He had denied all wrongdoing and argued the charged conduct comprises protected actions taken in his official capacity as chief of staff to the president. 

Fox News’ Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.

House Republicans James Comer and Marjorie Taylor Greene sent a letter Friday to the Department of Justice (DOJ) asking whether it is ‘upholding the rights of victims’ amid accusations Hunter Biden may have exploited prostitutes.

The call for an investigation follows years of scandal around racy photos of Hunter Biden on a laptop that was left at a Delaware computer repair shop. IRS whistleblower Joseph Ziegler testified in June the president’s son flew a list of women across state lines for sex, potentially violating federal laws meant to combat human trafficking.

The House Oversight Committee, chaired by Comer, wrote to the DOJ’s Office for Victims of Crime Director Kristina Rose Friday, saying information regarding the investigation should be sent by Sept. 22. 

‘These women may be victims under the Crime Victims’ Rights Act and may also be afforded mandatory restitution pursuant to the Mandatory Victim Restitution Act,’ the letter stated. ‘In light of DOJ’s refusal to communicate in a meaningful way with the Committee, we have great skepticism that DOJ has been adequately communicating with crime victims.’

Ziegler, who was investigating Hunter Biden for alleged tax violations, said during another hearing July 19 that certain tax write-offs Hunter made appeared to be related to sex workers. A so-called ‘golf membership’ was also discovered to be for a ‘sex club.’

‘DOJ’s decision to ignore the Committee’s request runs afoul of its own policies in the Justice Manual,’ the letter states. ‘Unfortunately, DOJ’s leadership continues to apply unwritten exceptions to its own rules and policies when the Bidens are involved.’

The Mann Act is a federal law that combats human trafficking and the interstate transportation of individuals, including women and minors, for immoral and unlawful purposes, such as prostitution or other illegal sexual activities.

Comer and Greene noted the DOJ ‘failed to respond to the Committee’ after its Aug. 25 letter inquiring into the ‘DOJ’s handling of victims’ rights’ was ignored.

‘Considering the seriousness of this obstructive behavior, we request information as to whether anyone advised you not to respond to our inquiry, including any Department employee at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Delaware, DOJ Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA), Main Justice, or the White House,’ Comer and Greene wrote.

Greene and Comer want the DOJ to respond whether they ‘notified [victims] of their statutory rights’ in the Hunter Biden investigation, as well as the names of people who may have advised it ‘not to respond to the Committee’s letter’ in July. 

The House Republicans’ letter was sent as special counsel David Weiss prepares to indict Hunter on gun charges.

‘The Speedy Trial Act requires that the Government obtain the return of an indictment by a grand jury by Friday, September 29, 2023, at the earliest,’ according to court documents filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. ‘The Government intends to seek the return of an indictment in this case before that date.’

Weiss, the U.S. attorney for Delaware, was designated as special counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland last month. The appointment was made specifically to pursue tax fraud charges against the president’s son, extending jurisdiction beyond the Mid-Atlantic state. This decision followed the bombshell July court hearing where the Hunter Biden’s probation-only plea deal fell apart.

Hunter was expected to plead guilty in July to two misdemeanor tax counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax as part of a plea deal to avoid jail time on a felony gun charge. Instead, he pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges and one felony gun charge.

Fox News’ Brooke Singman contributed to this report. 

Is 39-year-old Aaron Rodgers, four-time NFL MVP, now of the New York Jets, past his prime?

By the looks of it in the Jets final preseason game, no. The veteran QB threw for 47 yards in a brief outing and fired a touchdown pass which was vintage Rodgers.

Thirty-six-year-old Lionel Messi, now of Inter Miami of Major League Soccer, certainly isn’t done. He scored Argentina’s lone goal in a 1-0 win over Ecuador in a 2026 World Cup qualifier.

Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds? Probably. He’s hitting .200.

CRYSTAL CLEAR: FORECAST FOR POSSIBLE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IS MURKY

Votto, a potential Hall of Famer, stroked a meager .205 last season.

Injuries and time haven’t caught up to Rodgers and Messi.

But with Votto who turns 40 Sunday? Yes.

So here are three athletes, close to the same age, at different levels of proficiencies in their careers.

Which brings us to politics.

Politics is about ‘trends.’

‘Age’ and ‘health’ are the hottest patterns in politics.

Voters and reporters are now infatuated with politicians who are senior citizens or struggling with health problems.

President Biden. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., former President Trump, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., have faced questions about their age and health.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., stepped down in January from her post at the age of 82. Now, 83, Pelosi remains in Congress as a rank-and-file member. But Democrats were raising questions about the long-term viability of Pelosi and former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md. The 84-year-old Hoyer also stepped aside from his leadership position but remains in Congress.

Some of this stems from the fact that many of the nation’s most prominent politicians are older. The mean age in the Senate is now around 66. Ironically, the age in the House is slightly younger: around 58. In fact, the median House age declined over the past couple of years.

But there are several reasons why people are more focused on the age and health of politicians. It’s because older people now occupy positions of power. And, it’s more glaring when they suffer a health episode.

Look at President Biden. The oldest person ever elected Executive in Chief at age 77. If voters re-elect Mr. Biden, he’d be 86 at the end of a second-term. Moreover, presidential observers and critics often focus on Mr. Biden’s occasional verbal gaffes and other miscues.

This brings us to 81-year-old Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

McConnell missed several weeks over the winter after falling at a Washington, DC hotel. The Kentucky Republican sustained a concussion and a collapsed lung.

McConnell returned to the Senate this week for the first time since freezing at a press conference last week in northern Kentucky. McConnell also froze up the last time reporters saw McConnell during a Capitol Hill press conference on July 26.

When the Senate reconvened for the first time in nearly six weeks Tuesday, McConnell sent around a doctor’s note from Capitol Attending Physician Brian Monahan.

Monahan’s missive declared that McConnell wasn’t showing signs of Parkinson’s Disease and had not suffered strokes. So while Monahan ruled things out for McConnell, he certainly didn’t rule things in.

THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO MCCONNELL’S HEALTH AND A POTENTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

So when McConnell met with the Congressional press corps for the first time since the July freezing episode, I posed the first question to the Leader.

‘Respectfully,’ I asked McConnell. ‘Can you tell us what is afflicting you?’

McConnell immediately pivoted to Monahan’s letter.

‘I don’t have anything to add to it and I think it should answer any reasonable questions,’ replied McConnell.

‘He didn’t tell us what it is,’ I countered. ‘Do you know what it is?’

McConnell only chuckled and turned away.

However, McConnell later appeared steely when asked about those who thought it was time for him to go.

‘I’m going to finish my term as Leader and I’m going to finish my Senate term,’ said a stern McConnell.

Most GOP senators appeared pleased with McConnell’s responses. The Leader assured senators about his health condition during a closed luncheon before the press briefing.

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., announced that McConnell told senators he had suffered two episodes and both were in public.

‘He did a good job,’ said Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who ran against McConnell for Leader last fall.

‘I thought Leader McConnell looked better yesterday than he did when he went to the break,’ said Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., who is a gynecologist. ‘I’ve seen steady improvement in his strength since recovering from his concussion as well. I think he may be having some symptoms from it.’

Marshall added that ‘cognitively, he’s doing great and had enough strength to raise $49 million last month.’

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., is a gastroenterologist.

‘What I saw at lunch today, (McConnell) seemed quite capable of doing his job,’ said Cassidy.

But Cassidy wouldn’t delve deeper into the medical questions.

‘I’m not his doctor,’ said Cassidy. ‘Ask me about an LSU wide receiver. A sprained ankle. I’ll give you an opinion. It’s solely an opinion. This is a little bit more important than a wide receiver’s sprained ankle. So I’ll refrain.’

However, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., an ophthalmologist and frequent McConnell antagonist, did not refrain. Paul argued that McConnell’s malady may have been seizures. He criticized both McConnell and Monahan.

‘I think if you go halfway and you reveal stuff that doesn’t make any sense, it just leads to more questions,’ said Paul.

On FOX Business the next day, Paul characterized Monahan’s diagnosis as ‘inadequate and in all likelihood, not correct.’ 

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is not a doctor, but the former Attorney General of Missouri. Hawley voted against McConnell last fall. However, Hawley says some Republicans are more than happy to defend McConnell yet question President Biden about his health.

‘I don’t think you can have it both ways,’ said Hawley. ‘It can’t be sauce for the goose, but not for the gander.’

McConnell’s freezing episodes were caught in the midst of scores of reporters and lots of TV cameras. So it’s hard to ignore.

But in addition to a surfeit of elderly politicians, we’re also in a period of iPhones, YouTube and constant video.

Few people outside of the Capitol witnessed the physical declines of former Senate Majority Leader Robert Byrd, D-W.V., or Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Go back a little further.

Not a lot of people ever heard of late House Appropriations Committee Chairman William Natcher, D-Ky. Natcher kept a small staff. Generally shunned the press. But he chaired one of the most important committees in Congress. Natcher also set the all-time record of consecutive roll call votes set in either body of Congress: 18,401.

In short, Natcher never missed a vote in more than four decades in the House.

However, Natcher fell ill with a heart ailment in early 1994. The House even suspended its business for a day in the late winter of 1994 – solely for Natcher’s benefit. Otherwise, Natcher would have missed a vote because he was in the hospital.

An ambulance finally delivered Natcher to the Capitol on March 3, 1994. Medical professionals wheeled Natcher on a gurney into the House chamber to vote – complete with an oxygen tank and intravenous tubes snaking everywhere.

There is little documentation of this spectacle – because it was 1994. And despite his powerful chairmanship, Natcher was so low-key, you couldn’t locate him on a bass clef. Very few even recall this incident.

Natcher never returned to the Capitol and died a few days later after 41 years in the House.

So are McConnell, President Biden, former President Trump, Feinstein, Fetterman and others fit to serve? Or should they give it up?

Hard to say.

It’s easier to tell in sports than politics.

Lionel Messi has scored 11 goals for Inter Miami.

And Joey Votto is hitting .205 and remains on the injured list.