Random News and Notes 27 February
Welcome to the penultimate February edition of RNN. We start in Ohio where C-store icon Buc-ees is suing another company for copyright infringement. Buc-ee’s filed a federal lawsuit on February 18, 2026, in Ohio court against Mickey Mart’s parent company, claiming their wide-eyed cartoon moose in a red hexagon too closely copies the beaver’s smiling face and right-facing pose against a yellow circle. The suit alleges trademark infringement and unfair competition, seeking to cancel Mickey’s 2020 trademark.
Known for fierce brand protection through over 10 past lawsuits against copycats like Duckees and Choke Canyon, Buc-ee’s aims to prevent customer confusion at similar gas stations and convenience stores.
Yeah, don’t see it. IP protection is laudable, necessary even, but this looks and feels like a stretch and a big one.
Scouting America caved. In a new memorandum of understanding, Scouting America committed to reforms like limiting membership to male or female based on birth sex, barring opposite-sex sharing of tents and showers, waiving fees for military families, adding a military service merit badge, and dropping all DEI initiatives including the Citizenship in Society badge.
. . . BOOM! This is COMMON SENSE.
“Scouting America will modify its policy to make clear that membership will be based solely on biological sex at birth and not gender identity.”
“Scouting will also make clear that biological boys and girls will not be allowed to occupy or share intimate spaces together. Toilets, showers, tents, anywhere like that.”
“Scouting America will honor those who serve by waiving the registration fees for children of active duty, guard, and reserve families. Should have happened a long time ago.”
“Scouting America will introduce a new military service merit badge.”
“Scouting America’s leadership committed to, in that room right over there, will hopefully result in a rededication to the foundational ideals that have defined Scouting for generations. Duty to God and country, leadership, character, and service.”
“This agreement is new, and the Department’s support for Scouting America is contingent on them making substantial progress toward reaching these and many other positive changes in the next six months.”
Personal anecdote time. This editor was involved in Scouts when his spawn was young. He got dragged in because of his military experience and was – among other things – a BSA certified firearms instructor. Back then the woke stuff was just starting to creep in. It really didn’t get bad until about 10 years ago when they went stupid with the autoparts stuff. My time with the scouts ended when some Karen mom decided little Johnny was too delicate to do the 6 mile hike he signed up for and tried to take it out on me.
Anyway, its good that Scouting is back to what Robert Baden Powell wanted.
The State Department has authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and families connected to U.S. missions in Israel due to escalating tensions with Iran. With talks about Iran’s Nuclear and ballistic missile programs stalled there is the potential of U.S. military options. A security alert warned of possible sudden travel restrictions in Jerusalem and the West Bank. Meanwhile commercial flights remain available for now.
China issued a parallel advisory urging its citizens to avoid or leave Iran. You can read more about the conflict with Iran here:
Detroit police sergeant Denise Wallet responded to a stop where a Venezuelan national showed a fraudulent license. Following her lieutenant’s orders, she contacted Border Patrol for identity verification. ICE agents confirmed he was undocumented and took custody. Wallet was then suspended by the Detroit PD.
Wallet filed a federal lawsuit on February 19, claiming the discipline violates her rights and federal law like 8 U.S.C. § 1373, seeking reinstatement, back pay, and damages.
Here’s to her eventual win, but this is a reminder that for the Dems the process is part of the punishment.
Sticking with immigration enforcement stuff, there is this out of Maryland. Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis led a rare gathering of sheriffs Wednesday. The gathered Sheriffs blasted Democratic-backed bills as ‘politics over public safety’ that would restrict local police cooperation with ICE. The measures include requirements for officers to monitor and record ICE operations, bans on detaining people based solely on civil immigration holds without warrants, and tools for state officials to track federal agents’ data amid misconduct claims.
This follows Governor Wes Moore’s recent ban on 287(g) agreements, which allowed local jails to screen inmates for ICE. The sheriffs argue the new limits release dangerous individuals. A January poll showed 54% of Marylanders support jail-ICE checks on detainees.