Veterans Affairs administrators could potentially save hundreds of millions of dollars with improved systems for tracking their reusable medical equipment inventories, according to a report released by the department’s watchdog on Thursday. Officials from the VA Inspector General’s Office estimated that roughly 5% of nonexpendable medical equipment — items including wheelchairs, hospital beds and blood monitors — has not been properly logged and accounted for within the department’s medical system. All together, the value of those items exceeds $210 million. Another 4% of the equipment inventory surveyed by the investigators was considered excess or superfluous. And about one-third of the…

Sign up for the Outdoor Life Newsletter Get the hottest outdoor news—plus a free month of onX Hunt Elite. The U.S. House of Representatives voted late Wednesday to rescind resource management plans on 29 million acres of resource-rich public lands in Montana, Alaska, and North Dakota, an action that likely paves the way for wide-scale energy development but could result in years of chaotic litigation. A trio of joint resolutions led by House Republicans nullified what are called Resource Management Plans, or RMPs: agency guidelines developed through years of public input and technical evaluations that govern everything from road access…

Are you looking for the best survival gifts for the holidays? Check out our list of these best survival gift ideas for your favorite preparedness-minded person and give the gift that keeps on surviving. Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links for which I may receive a small commission at no cost to you if you choose to purchase a product through a link on this page. Quick Look at What You’ll Learn Toggle STAFF PICK! Arcturus Patterned Wool Blanket Are you looking for a practical, prepper-stylish survival blanket? The Arcturus Patterned Wool Blanket is a perfect choice. Its durable wool construction offers superior…

The newly appointed senior military officer of the U.S. Navy released objectives for the service that he intends to accomplish during his term.Adm. Daryl Caudle, who became the 34th chief of naval operations on Aug. 25, outlined his priorities in a Navy administrative message, as well as a graphic uploaded to X.“We stand at an inflection point — an era marked by great power competition, proliferating threats, rapid technological convergence and an increasingly contested maritime domain,” Caudle said in the X post. “To prevail we must build and sustain a Navy that is ready to fight and win — today,…

At first blush, you might wonder why we’d be discussing interpersonal conflict resolution on a site devoted to preparedness and similar topics. Here’s the thing: I believe prepping isn’t just about end-of-the-world scenarios like EMP or WWIII. It’s a mindset that seeps into all aspects of everyday life, with the ultimate goal of making your life run as smoothly as possible.  Conflict is a part of life, whether we like it or not. The goal here isn’t to eliminate it, just to manage it. Many don’t realize that conflict can drive innovation and positive changes. But if it is managed…

Black Friday is here! If you’re looking for fantastic Amazon deals, I have you covered with this year’s Black Friday Shopping Guide. As someone who loves giving and receiving preparedness gifts, I’ve surfed through Amazon’s latest deals and am adding the best to this guide to help you save money and get your Christmas shopping all wrapped up and ready to go. As a special Christmas bonus for Mind4Survival, any items you purchase through these links provide us with a small commission at no cost. So, thank you in advance for helping to keep the Mind4Survival lights on this Christmas…

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants to strike Russia, according to the Foreign Intelligence Service (SRV) in Moscow. Merz allegedly harbors a “maniacal drive for revenge” against Russia based on Nazi-era grievances. According to a press release from the SVR on Thursday, as reported by RT, the chancellor’s anti-Russian stance is partly fueled by a personal family grievance tied to Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II. “Desire for revenge grew in him from childhood and morphed into an overwhelming passion after the launch of his political career,” the statement said, adding that Merz’s attitude is well known to his inner…

District of Columbia National Guard troops who are deployed as part of President Donald Trump’s federal law enforcement intervention in the nation’s capital have had their orders extended through December, a National Guard official said.The main purpose of the extension is to ensure that any D.C. Guard members out on the streets of Washington will continue to have uninterrupted benefits and pay for a mission that seems likely to persist for months, the official said.The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media, said that while the extension doesn’t mean that…

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThe holiday season is upon us, bringing joy, celebrations, and, unfortunately, package thieves. Porch piracy has surged as online shopping becomes the norm, leaving millions of Americans vulnerable. But there are ways to protect your deliveries and keep the season merry. Let’s unpack the issue and learn how to outsmart those sneaky thieves. Quick Look at What You’ll Learn Toggle The Growing Problem of Porch Piracy Shocking Statistics In 2023, $12 billion worth of packages vanished from porches across the U.S. An estimated 58 million Americans experienced package theft, according to Security.org’s Annual Report…

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that the Trump administration’s response to the measles outbreak that began in West Texas is a testament to what a “focused CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) can achieve.”   Kennedy was referring to the changes he made during his overhaul of the agency during his tenure as the Health and Human Services Secretary. “The outbreak ended quickly, proving the CDC can act swiftly with precision when guided by science and freed from ideology,” Kennedy wrote, adding that the response was “effective” because it wasn’t “distracted” by politically correct language or “equity outcomes.” Texas Measles…

Watch full video on YouTube

Never one to let a tragedy go to waste, beta male Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the failed vice presidential candidate in 2024, is making plans to call a special legislative session in an attempt to enact more restrictive gun control laws following last week’s Annunciation Catholic School shooting. The attack by a young trans man, who stood outside the church during mass and fired into the windows, resulted in two children dead and 17 others wounded. Walz told reporters on September 2 that he’ll be making calls to lawmakers and working on a plan over the next couple of days.…

The U.S. Army is sending soldiers with the 101st Airborne Division, 10th Mountain Division and other units to the U.S.-Mexico border this fall.They’ll be replacing units in the region supporting Joint Task Force-Southern Border, which has about 7,600 troops currently deployed, according to U.S. Northern Command.The upcoming deployments include the following units:The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Headquarters to replace the 10th Mountain Division HeadquartersThe 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division to replace the 1st Infantry Division Combat Aviation BrigadeThe 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division to replace the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry DivisionThe…

Sign up for the Quick Strike Newsletter The hottest fishing news, tips, and tactics Capt. Jim Walsh on his 100-foot charter boat, American Classic, left the Hampton, New Hampshire, marina at 9 p.m. Sunday. By 4 a.m. he and his crew of 30 anglers were 100 miles offshore in the Atlantic where they anchored and dropped their baits deep along a ledge. “We started catching pollock pretty good,” Walsh tells Outdoor Life. “But when the sun got up, the action really kicked in and everyone was catching fish, mostly pollock.” The anglers had a great morning, and about 10 a.m.…

Emergencies bring chaos—and germs. Whether it’s a natural disaster, a power outage, or a routine day at home, proper handwashing is a simple yet powerful tool to keep you and your family safe and healthy. So, how can you step up your hand hygiene game? Let’s learn to wash our hands like surgeons because clean hands save lives. Quick Look at What You’ll Learn Toggle Why Handwashing Matters Handwashing isn’t just about feeling clean. As a former paramedic who scrubbed in for several surgeries, I know firsthand that it’s about breaking the chain of infection. Dirty hands can spread respiratory…

Watch full video on YouTube

Okeechobee-based armor and gear supplier Tactical Edge and Armor has announced a promotion on Level III+ plates: specifically, HIGHCOM Guardian plates. Here’s what they tell us in the release: Tactical Edge & Armor, a premier provider of individual armor and tactical gear options, is happy to announce the launch of the HIGHCOM Guardian Lightweight Steel Plate Promotion. This extraordinary deal offers Level III+ plates available to the public at a price that makes body armor affordable to all. The HIGHCOM Guardian AR500 Level III+ is a lightweight, shooter’s cut (single curve) plate. It’s an NIJ and DEA-compliant armor solution finished…

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadDo you know how to survive an urban SHTF event? Cities are hubs of opportunity, culture, and connection. But when disaster strikes, they can quickly transform into some of the most challenging places to survive. Urban areas rely on intricate systems that keep the lights on, the water flowing, and the shelves stocked. When one piece of that puzzle falls apart, it can create a domino effect that’s hard to stop. We’ve all seen it play out—like the days-long ice storm that generated a blackout that plunged parts of Texas into darkness, the chaos of…

Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s massive military parade in Tiananmen Square marking the end of World War II, and attended by world leaders, mostly notably so-called ‘pariahs’ Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, hasn’t disappointed – and even elicited a quick response from President Trump. Chinese leader Xi Jinping declared that China’s rise is “unstoppable” and showcased over 10,000 troops marching in perfect synchronicity – and a notable lack of ‘diversity’ so elevated in the West – along with hundreds of advanced weapons. Most notably, Xi also for the first time showcased the PLA military’s land, sea, and air-based nuclear force – a…

Watch full video on YouTube

Following the recent shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which resulted in two children dead and 17 others injured, a U.S. congressman is proposing to abolish the law that allows only criminals to be armed near public schools. On August 29, U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, introduced the “Safe Students Act,” H.R. 5066, which would repeal the “Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990,” (GFSZA) and eliminate that law’s one-size-fits-all federal ban on guns in school zones.  According to Rep. Massie, enactment of the “Safe Students Act” would make it easier for state and local governments and school boards to set their own…

When “Beetle Bailey” debuted in 1950, it was a college strip about a lanky underachiever who wanted to do as little as possible. Six months later, creator Mort Walker had Beetle enlist in the Army during the Korean War. From that moment on, the reluctant private became one of the most recognizable characters in American comics, embodying the frustrations, absurdities and humor of military life.Sept. 4 marks the strip’s 75th anniversary, a milestone few comics have ever reached. For the Walker family, it is both a celebration of their father’s creation and a continuation of a legacy that has outlived…

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this article, I’m diving into 37 essential preparedness items people often overlook that could be game-changers in a crisis. From security tools to household items and morale boosters, these are the things you’ll wish you had thought of before the unexpected happens. That’s important because most people stockpile the basics like canned food and water, but what about the items that could truly make or break your preparedness plan? Quick Look at What You’ll Learn Toggle Security and Protection Solar-Powered Motion Sensor Lights: These lights can deter potential intruders while providing visibility around…

Watch full video on YouTube