He Let Ohio Pay Taxes in BTC, Now He’s Lost $1.2 Million Trading

Former Ohio State Treasurer Josh Mandel, once hailed as an early political champion of Bitcoin, has revealed a personal loss of more than $1.2 million on call options tied to BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT). The former state official’s gamble followed his bold prediction that Bitcoin would reach $444,000 by November 8—a forecast that has clearly not materialized.

Mandel shared details of his failed trade in a post on X (formerly Twitter), saying he had gone “all in” on IBIT call options, only to watch them expire worthless.

“Earlier in the cycle, I published a MSTR and MSTR-option-only portfolio. Initially, it was entirely long, then shifted to short with in-the-money covered call sales as I predicted Bitcoin would hit $84,000. These moves worked out well enough, but I grew impatient with my final call for $444,000, and as they say, you’re only as good as your last call,” he wrote.

Mandel added that his post was intended “to be transparent,” rejecting accusations that he misled investors or sought to profit through coin issuance.

### A Crypto Pioneer in Ohio’s Government

Long before retail Bitcoin speculation reached mainstream America, Josh Mandel helped Ohio “plant a flag” for crypto adoption. In November 2018, while serving as State Treasurer, he launched OhioCrypto.com—the first U.S. government platform allowing businesses to pay state taxes in Bitcoin.

The payments, processed through BitPay, were automatically converted into U.S. dollars for the state treasury. At the time, Mandel described Bitcoin as “a legitimate form of currency” and positioned Ohio as a leader in blockchain innovation.

“We’re looking to plant a flag for Ohio,” he told reporters, arguing that the move would modernize state finances and attract tech-forward businesses.

However, the program faced regulatory hurdles under his successor, Treasurer Robert Sprague, who suspended it in 2019 after determining that BitPay’s payment structure may have violated state procurement laws. Fewer than ten companies had used the service before it was shut down.

### Risks and Lessons From the Bitcoin ETF Options Market

Mandel’s high-stakes loss comes as interest in Bitcoin ETF options has surged since their launch in late 2024. According to Kaiko research, trading volumes in Bitcoin ETF options soared, with many traders favoring bullish positions.

Recently, however, Bitcoin ETFs have not been performing well, with outflows reaching levels last seen in May. They only recently recorded the first inflow after a $2.9 billion outflow streak.

Speculative long-term bets like Mandel’s remain outliers, highlighting the significant risks associated with options and the volatility of Bitcoin prices.

By making his investment loss public, Mandel offers a reminder that experienced public figures and crypto pioneers can also misjudge timing or risk in digital assets.

As regulated crypto derivatives expand and attract more investors, Mandel’s experience demonstrates that market predictions, even when widely shared, come with no guarantee of success.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/bitcoin/he-let-ohio-pay-taxes-in-btc-now-hes-lost-1-2-million-trading/

Duffy warns air travel will slow to ‘a trickle’ during holiday season if govt. shutdown persists

**OAN Staff | Blake Wolf**
*2:17 PM Sunday, November 9, 2025*

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that air travel will slow to “a trickle” as Thanksgiving approaches, due to the ongoing government shutdown negatively impacting the availability of air traffic controllers.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has notified airlines to reduce flights by 6% starting Tuesday, with a further reduction to 10% on November 14th if the shutdown continues.

“We are seeing signs of stress in the system, so we are proactively reducing the number of flights to make sure the American people continue to fly safely,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said earlier this week.

Duffy also warned that flight reductions could increase to as much as 20% if the shutdown remains unresolved, which would significantly affect the public’s ability to travel during the holidays.

“It’s only going to get worse,” Duffy added, highlighting the growing concerns among travelers.

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https://www.oann.com/newsroom/duffy-warns-air-travel-will-slow-to-a-trickle-during-holiday-season-if-govt-shutdown-persists/

Good Riddance, Andrew Cuomo

**Blunt Analysis at Cuomo’s Election Night Party**

*By Christian Britschgi | May 11, 2025 | Reason*

At former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s election night party, independent journalist Michael Tracey captured a candid moment that reflected the frustrations of some of Cuomo’s supporters. In a video recorded at the event, one supporter bluntly told Curtis Sliwa, “Hey Curtis, you’re a fucking scumbag like I said all along. You split the fucking vote.”

This unnamed “Cuomosexual” was not alone in expressing such sentiments. Former Republican Congressman and pardoned fraudster George Santos voiced similar criticisms, highlighting the divisive nature of the election.

Throughout both the primary and general elections, Cuomo appeared unable to move beyond a simple strategy: pointing at his opponents and questioning his supporters’ willingness to vote for them. His campaign seemed to hinge on the idea that “all he had to do to win was point at the other candidates and say, ‘You’re really going to vote for them?’”

### Reactions from the Community

Comments posted on Free Republic reflect a spectrum of opinions regarding Cuomo’s political future:

– **TBP**: “BUH BYE. But do you really think he will just go away?”
– **rottndog**: “He’s not done. Even with his horrible political record, RATS let him run for Mayor. They did nothing to stop him, even after he got beat in the RAT primary. There are other offices in NY that an arrogant, murdering asshole can run for.”
– **mass55th**: “Good riddance to Cuomo the Moloch worshiper. Anyone with family in a NY nursing home in 2020, he was the angel of death, a monster at the door.”
– **captmar-vell**: “We need one last act to get rid of the Cuomos for good. That bridge named after Mario Cuomo, by Andrew Cuomo, needs to get back its original name. Naming a bridge or anything after a non-deserving liberal is Un-American. Andrew was one of the worst governors in American history, and there should be no long-lasting legacy acts by him.”
– **adorno**: “The Tappan Zee Bridge. I went to high school in the shadow of the Tappan Zee.”
– **TBP**: “Decent people cannot fathom the amoral cruelty of the Democrat cult.”

### Closing Thoughts

The political landscape in New York remains turbulent, with Cuomo’s legacy and influence continuing to provoke strong feelings on all sides.

*Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management.*

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*Topics: Culture/Society, Government, Politics/Elections, US: New York*
*Keywords: Cuomo, Mamdani, New York*
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4351659/posts

Shows and movies premiering or returning this week — from Mormon Wives to new Hallmark movies

**10 Stars You Forgot Were on Days of Our Lives, from Pamela Anderson to Pat Sajak**

The beloved soap opera *Days of Our Lives*, which just celebrated its milestone 60th anniversary, has hosted several recognizable faces across its more than 15,000 episodes. From Hollywood actors to TV personalities, the show has been a launching pad and a nostalgic stop for many stars.

**Dancing with the Stars Winner Joins Donnie Wahlberg’s Boston Blue**

Marvel star and Mirror Ball Trophy winner Xochitl Gómez has recently joined the *Blue Bloods* spin-off as a potential love interest for Mika Amonsen’s character. Her exciting new role follows her success on *Dancing with the Stars*, where she captivated audiences with her performances.

**DWTS to Welcome Back Original Host Tom Bergeron**

Five years after his unexpected and contentious exit, the original *Dancing with the Stars* host, Tom Bergeron, is set to return. Bergeron, who also hosted *America’s Funniest Home Videos*, led the show from 2005 until 2020 when he left over a casting dispute. Fans are thrilled to see him back on the ballroom floor.

**High Potential Newcomer Moves Over to Ransom Canyon for Season 2**

Steve Howey, who joined the Kaitlin Olson-led series *High Potential* as a series regular earlier this year, has now been cast in the hit Netflix Western *Ransom Canyon*. This shift showcases Howey’s versatility and growing prominence in the industry.

**Whitney Leavitt Addresses Alleged Feud with Jen Affleck**

*Dancing with the Stars* favorite Whitney Leavitt recently spoke out following viral reactions to her response to Jen Affleck’s elimination from *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives*. Affleck, her co-star on the show, had suggested she might not support Leavitt’s *DWTS* win, sparking rumors of tension between the two.

**HBO Max Comedy Series ‘I Love LA’ Divides Fans with Premiere Episode**

Created by Rachel Sennott and starring Josh Hutcherson, *I Love LA* debuted on HBO Max on November 2, with the second episode airing November 9. The comedy has been described as a mix between *Girls* and *Entourage*, sparking divided opinions among viewers.

**Hulu’s New Christmas Movie Captivates Fans with Sizzling Chemistry**

One of the season’s first Christmas movies, *Joy to the World*, stars *One Tree Hill* and *Entourage* favorites Chad Michael Murray and Emmanuelle Chriqui. The film has captivated fans with the sizzling chemistry between its leads, adding a heartwarming start to holiday movie season.

From soap opera legends to beloved TV hosts and breakout stars, the entertainment world continues to intertwine in fascinating ways. Whether through daytime dramas, dance competitions, or holiday films, these familiar faces keep audiences engaged and entertained.
https://www.hellomagazine.com/us/866575/shows-movies-premiering-returning-november-9-15/

Family pleads for justice after man killed in South Los Angeles hit-and-run crash

A heartbroken family is seeking justice after their loved one was struck and killed in a hit-and-run incident in South Los Angeles last month. Authorities confirmed the tragic crash on Sunday.

The collision occurred around 3 a.m. on October 12 near 92nd Street and South Broadway, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Officers responded promptly to reports of the accident and began an investigation.
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/family-pleads-for-justice-after-man-killed-in-south-los-angeles-hit-and-run-crash/

Vibe-coding is now an official word in the dictionary

AI is transforming everything — including the English lexicon.

Andrej Karpathy, the OpenAI cofounder and former AI director at Tesla, coined the term “vibe-coding” in a post on X in February. Just nine months later, it has become an official word in the dictionary.

“There’s a new kind of coding I call ‘vibe coding’ where you fully give in to the vibes, embrace exponentials, and forget that the code even exists,” Karpathy wrote. “It’s possible because the LLMs (e.g., Cursor Composer with Sonnet) are getting too good,” he added.

Since then, vibe-coding has evolved beyond tech jargon to become a bona fide word and a legitimate skill commanding sizable salaries. Collins Dictionary, a renowned dictionary published by HarperCollins with more than 200 years of history, named vibe-coding its 2025 Word of the Year this week.

Collins categorizes vibe-coding as a noun and slang term, defining it as “the use of artificial intelligence prompted by natural language to assist with the writing of computer code.”

Over the past year, vibe-coding has become the standard approach for both experienced and novice coders. Whether building new apps or testing out concepts, developers are increasingly relying on this AI-assisted method to enhance productivity and creativity.

The rise of vibe-coding has also attracted significant investment. Companies developing vibe-coding platforms have secured substantial funding rounds from Silicon Valley’s top investors.

Lovable, founded in 2023, announced a $200 million Series A raise at a $1.8 billion valuation led by Accel in July. In September, Replit raised $250 million at a $3 billion valuation, led by Prysm Capital. That same month, Vercel announced a $300 million funding round at a $9.3 billion valuation, also led by Accel.

As AI continues to reshape the coding landscape, vibe-coding is poised to become an essential skill for the future of software development.
https://www.businessinsider.com/vibe-coding-dictionary-2025-11

A sombre looking Lewis Hamilton apologizes to Ferrari after a disastrous F1 Brazilian GP

Lewis Hamilton issued an apology to both his team and fans following a challenging race in Brazil.

The Ferrari driver’s outing did not go as planned, leading to a disappointing performance.

Acknowledging the setback, Hamilton expressed regret for the results and thanked supporters for their ongoing encouragement.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/f1/news-a-sombre-looking-lewis-hamilton-apologizes-ferrari-disastrous-f1-brazilian-gp

Bills score with Keon Coleman 35-yard TD, trail Dolphins 16-6 in fourth quarter

At long last, the Bills have gotten on the board. Quarterback Josh Allen connected with Keon Coleman on a deep pass down the left sideline, with the receiver taking it in for a 35-yard touchdown. This marked Coleman’s third touchdown of the season. He now has three receptions for 46 yards on the day.

The two-point conversion attempt was no good, keeping Miami’s two-possession lead intact with the score at 16-6. The touchdown capped off an impressive eight-play, 98-yard drive for Buffalo, producing the team’s first points of Week 10.

Earlier in the half, the Bills had an opportunity to score on their first second-half drive, reaching the red zone. However, Allen threw an interception that ended the chance to add to their score.

In injury news, Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid has been downgraded to out due to a hamstring injury.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/bills-score-with-keon-coleman-35-yard-td-trail-dolphins-16-6-in-fourth-quarter

Benjamin Mendy makes his debut in Poland

Benjamin Mendy Makes His Debut in Poland

Benjamin Mendy finally made his Ekstraklasa debut with Pogoń Szczecin on November 9, coming on against Jagiellonia Białystok.

Having joined the club in mid-September, Mendy took some time to adjust before stepping onto the pitch for his first official match. Fans and teammates alike were eager to see how the experienced player would perform in Poland’s top football division.

His debut marks an important milestone in Mendy’s career as he looks to make a strong impact in the Ekstraklasa and help Pogoń Szczecin achieve their season goals.

https://foot-africa.com/en/news/benjamin-mendy-makes-his-debut-in-poland-954020/

Trump Administration Orders States To Claw Back Food Stamp Payments as Agriculture Department Appeals Lawsuit

The Department of Agriculture is demanding that states immediately “undo” any work they have done to send out SNAP benefits, more commonly known as food stamps, according to a memo first reported by the New York Times.

This directive comes as Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins appeals a judge’s order requiring her to start releasing some SNAP funds to states despite the ongoing government shutdown.

A coalition of churches, community centers, and labor unions sued Secretary Rollins at the end of October after she refused to tap into an emergency fund designed to keep SNAP benefits flowing during a shutdown. A judge in Rhode Island ordered her to release these funds. However, in an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court, Secretary Rollins requested that the order be put on hold. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson granted this request.

In a memo sent to states on Saturday night, the Department of Agriculture stated that any state that has already disbursed full SNAP benefits must reverse those actions. The memo reads:
“To the extent States sent full SNAP payment files for November 2025, this was unauthorized. Accordingly, States must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025.”

Instead, the USDA says states may proceed with SNAP payments at a 35 percent reduction. This was the department’s original position before the Rhode Island judge ordered full benefits to be distributed.

The Department of Agriculture did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The memo also warns states about potential consequences for noncompliance. “Failure to comply with this memorandum may result in USDA taking various actions, including cancellation of the Federal share of State administrative costs and holding States liable for any overissuances that result from the noncompliance,” the department said.

The legal battle is now headed back to the First Circuit Court of Appeals, where the Trump administration is appealing Judge John McConnell’s order to pay full SNAP benefits. However, this case could become moot if the government reopens in the coming days.

This SNAP payment dispute has put more than 40 million Americans across over 20 million households at risk of losing their food stamp benefits for the month.

Earlier this month, the Department of Agriculture told Judge McConnell in a legal filing that it was working to distribute partial benefits. However, President Trump later threatened to withhold all funds in defiance of the judge’s order.

On his Truth Social platform, the president wrote:
“SNAP BENEFITS, which increased by Billions and Billions of Dollars (MANY FOLD!) during Crooked Joe Biden’s disastrous term in office (Due to the fact that they were haphazardly ‘handed’ to anyone for the asking, as opposed to just those in need, which is the purpose of SNAP!), will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government, which they can easily do, and not before!”

Within hours, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified the statement, telling reporters that the president was referring to any future shutdowns, not the current one.

Later that day, a political appointee at the Department of Agriculture confirmed in a filing to Judge McConnell that partial benefits were being sent out to states.
https://www.nysun.com/article/trump-administration-orders-states-to-claw-back-food-stamp-payments-as-agriculture-department-appeals-lawsuit

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