Desmond Milligan

Nearly a dozen people were arrested following an armed July 4 ambush at a Texas ICE facility, with some suspects tied to a shadowy anti-fascist group and others linked to transgender activists, according to authorities. Some of those arrested were linked to training sessions Benjamin Song – a former Marine Reservist who was also charged with terrorism in the incident outside the Prairieland Detention Center south of Fort Worth – according to the Washington Post. Song was arrested several days after the incident, in which several people converged on the facility and vandalized cars in which some defense attorneys told the Post was initially intended as a protest until gunfire erupted. On July 5, a SWAT team raided a home in the historically-Black "The Bottoms" neighborhood in Dallas, and took at least one person into custody. Fbi Captures Former Marine Corps Reservist Accused Of Shooting At Ice Officers At Texas Detention Center ICE agents placed an immediate detainer on the suspect to prevent him from being released back into the community, according to DHS.A cache of weapons was found in the dwelling, which the Post reported was home to transgender people who were "part of a group of activists united around trans and queer identity issues." A neighbor offered an incredulous response to the paper when asked about the group moving into the community. Read On The Fox News App Meanwhile, Song spoke to the paper from jail, where he is being held on charges including attempted murder of federal agents and discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, according to the New York Post. Song also allegedly purchased several of the firearms connected to the ambush, the paper reported. Federal Authorities Charge Pair Who Allegedly Helped Ice Facility Attacker Escape After Shooting Song’s mother, who is reportedly politically conservative, runs a martial arts studio where the 32-year-old would hold training sessions in firearms and other means of combat for young leftists. He told the Washington Post that he, too, grew up listening to conservative talk radio and joined the military, but became disillusioned with the right after Republicans, including President Donald Trump, spoke ill of China, including its trade imbalance with the U.S. By the time he began attending college in Austin, he had "sour[ed] on free-market capitalism" and "began communicating with" online leftist activist groups on various encrypted chat applications before eventually moving on to holding the trainings. Some participants in Song’s trainings were "transgender people, who were eager to learn the hand-to-hand combat and gun-handling skills displayed by right-wing groups during the nationwide unrest in 2020," the Washington Post reported. Originally, those in Song’s group were focused on social justice endeavors but recently turned their attention toward ICE’s immigration enforcement operations, according to the reports. "They were scared. And Ben was offering them a solution for their fear," a former trainee who left the sessions over safety concerns told the Washington Post. In a statement after authorities made several arrests, FBI Dallas Field Office Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock said the bureau "worked tirelessly to arrest everyone associated with the shooting at the Prairieland Detention Center." "We have said it before, the FBI will not tolerate acts of violence toward law enforcement and will thoroughly investigate anyone that commits these types of offenses." The FBI previously said it was offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to Song’s arrest and conviction. Fox News Digital's Greg Wehner contributed to this report. Original article source: Former Marine accused in ICE ambush linked to far-left training group: reports View the full article

CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — Connecticut employers added an estimated 700 jobs in July, according to a report released Monday by the Connecticut Department of Labor (DOL). The unemployment rate in the state remains low at 3.8% and unemployment claims filing is down slightly from June, according to the DOL, with just over 31,000 filers. Connecticut reaches highest total number of jobs since 2008: Report Industry super sectors with increased employment in JulySix industry super sectors increased employment or were unchanged in July 2025. Professional and Business Services, +2,000 Financial Activities, +600 Information, +500 Government, +500 Other Services, +200 Manufacturing, 0 Industry super sectors with decreased employment in JulyFour industry super sectors decreased employment in July. Trade, Transportation and Utilities, -1,600 Leisure and Hospitality, -1,100 Construction and Mining, -200 Education and Health Services, -200 In June, seven super sectors had increased employment. The super sector that reported decreased employment that had increases in June is Leisure and Hospitality. Labor force declinesThe state’s labor force declined by 2,500 in July after declining by 3,700 in June, according to the DOL. They said that these months of decline may be a normal fluctuation for a state with an aging population, but they may also be related to federal immigration policy. The DOL said that they will need more months of data to determine any larger impact on industries such as construction, restaurant, hospitality and more. Professional, scientific services gains most jobsProfessional, scientific and technical services gained the most jobs in July, according to the DOL, adding 1,300 jobs. These jobs include IT companies, lawyers, accountants and consultants. Health care, social assistance jobs declineHealth care & social assistance, which is Connecticut’s fastest growing industry sector, lost 900 jobs in July (seasonally adjusted). Non-seasonally adjusted data suggests that the losses were on the social assistance side. The DOL said that this may be normal for this time of year, but that they’re continuing to monitor this sector due to federal policy shift including canceling social assistance contracts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. View the full article

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Governor Tate Reeves (R-Miss.) approved the deployment of 200 Mississippi National Guard soldiers to Washington, D.C. “I’ve approved the deployment of approximately 200 Mississippi National Guard Soldiers to Washington, D.C., to support President Trump’s effort to return law and order to our nation’s capital. Crime is out of control there, and it’s clear something must be done to combat it. Americans deserve a safe capital city that we can all be proud of. I know the brave men and women of our National Guard will do an excellent job enhancing public safety and supporting law enforcement,” said Reeves. The deployment is part of the Trump administration’s effort to overhaul policing in Washington through a federal crackdown on crime and homelessness. The moves came as protesters pushed back on federal law enforcement and National Guard troops fanning out in the heavily Democratic city following Trump’s executive order federalizing local police forces and activating about 800 District of Columbia National Guard members. Three Republican-led states to send hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington Federal agents have appeared in some of the city’s most highly trafficked neighborhoods, garnering a mix of praise, pushback and alarm from local residents and leaders across the country. City leaders, who are obliged to cooperate with Trump’s order under the federal laws that direct the district’s local governance, have sought to work with the administration, though they have bristled at the scope of the president’s takeover. On Friday, the administration reversed course on an order that aimed to place the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration as an “emergency police commissioner” after the district’s top lawyer sued. After a court hearing, Trump’s attorney general, Pam Bondi, issued a memo directing the Metropolitan Police Department to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement regardless of any city law. City officials say they are evaluating how to best comply. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily NewsCopyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. View the full article

School may have just resumed for Georgia seniors, but many are already considering where to go to college if not actively pursuing one. So, what is the best one to go to? The Princeton Review publishes an annual list of "The Best 391 Colleges," and the most recent one highlighted seven Georgia schools on the best overall list. Those mentioned are based on students' survey responses. Here's which ones were included and what was said about them: Agnes Scott CollegeDecatur, GA "Agnes Scott College is a liberal arts college dedicated to fostering a 'supportive community of strong women working to create change in the world.' The school's unique SUMMIT curriculum offers an individualized course of study, immersion, and experiences under the guidance of a personal advisor. The program is designed 'to engage [students] in the social challenges of our times while providing context for a variety of viewpoints.'" Berry CollegeMount Berry, GA "There are over 75 areas of study at Berry, ranging from traditional subjects like physics, French, nursing, art, and psychology, to innovative programs like One Health....Students believe that Berry's traditionally small classes and faculty-student ratio (roughly 12 to 1) enhances their learning and the overall quality of the college experience....Berry supports students from start to finish, with faculty and peer mentors directly helping first-year students identify and ultimately achieve their academic goals." Emory UniversityAtlanta, GA "Emory University has the beauty of being a liberal arts institute merged inside of a research institution. The academic experience at Emory is described as both challenging and thought-provoking....With over 80 undergraduate majors available across nine colleges and schools, including a business school and a medical school, Emory offers a wide range of opportunities for academic exploration." Georgia TechAtlanta, GA "Undergrads here are quick to sing the praises of the university's 'rigorous' and 'challenging' engineering, science, and business programs. Students also love Georgia Tech's focus on 'innovation and hands-on learning,' which leaves them well prepared to face the job market come graduation....Many courses have 'a project built-in to force you to apply the material you've been studying.' Inside the classroom, undergrads are greeted by professors who are 'truly passionate about what they are teaching.' FILE - Wayne Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta on March 20, 2014. Georgia Tech was featured on the Princeton Review's list of 'The Best 391 Colleges.'Mercer UniversityMacon, GA "Many students cite the quality of Mercer University's education as a high point, applauding a curriculum that provides 'a lot of versatile exposure to different subjects.' This can be seen especially in study abroad options that are available to every major and which range from semester and year-long programs to shorter, faculty-led trips or service-learning experiences....As one student explains, 'Research and liberal arts go hand in hand here.'" Spelman CollegeAtlanta, GA "Many prospective students are attracted to the school's 'powerful history,' including the 'long list of successful, educated, strong Black women who have attended Spelman College' during the century since its founding....In the classroom, students are 'encouraged to state our opinions,' and professors 'allow room for us to challenge and discuss what they present.' You'll definitely work hard in this 'challenging academic environment.'" University of GeorgiaAthens, GA "The University of Georgia is the flagship school in the state's university system, offering 142 majors across 17 colleges and schools. Students can also earn a bachelor's degree on an accelerated timeline through the Double Dawgs program. The well-regarded Honors Program is a big draw, incorporating experiential learning, travel, research opportunities, and a summer internship program in New York, Washington D.C., or Savannah." Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at [email protected]. This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: The Princeton Review's Best 391 Colleges list highlights 7 GA schools View the full article

Pennsylvania state Treasurer Stacy Garrity (R) is entering the gubernatorial race to challenge Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) as he seeks reelection next year. Garrity announced her candidacy Monday in a video posted on social platform X, making her the first major Republican seeking to face off against Shapiro in 2026. The video accuses Shapiro, viewed as a possible 2028 presidential candidate, of focusing on a potential White House run and fundraising in other states instead of addressing problems in the Keystone State like delays approving the state budget. “Today, I’m announcing that I’m running to become Pennsylvania’s next governor, and I’m giving you and your family my solemn oath that I will work hard every day to fix the problems Josh Shapiro has created,” Garrity said. The video emphasizes Garrity’s status as a veteran, having served in Iraq and reaching the rank of colonel. It also promotes ties between Garrity and President Trump, calling her a “strong ally” of the president. The state treasurer said she wants to work to make Pennsylvania more affordable and attract more jobs so young adults choose to stay. “I’m not just going to ask for your support,” she said. “I’m going to work hard every day to earn it.” Garrity is the first major Republican to jump into the gubernatorial race, but others could join. State Sen. Doug Mastriano, who was the GOP nominee against Shapiro in 2022, is considering another run. Mastriano had received significant attention over his far-right views and struggled in both fundraising and polling. Having been Democrats’ preferred choice and viewed as easier to beat in the general election, Mastriano lost by nearly 15 points. But he could still gain traction in a Republican primary. A few possible candidates have already ruled out bids, including Rep. Dan Meuser (R), to whom Trump had said would give his support. An endorsement in the Republican primary from the president would be critical in boosting a candidate’s chances of winning the nomination. Still, Shapiro will be difficult to beat. He’s demonstrated himself to be a strong fundraiser and has enjoyed significant popularity throughout his term as governor. He was asked Friday about his views on Garrity’s possible run, but he said he wouldn’t get involved in Republicans’ “intramural fight.” “You know what I’m going to do? I’m going to keep creating jobs here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” he said. “I’m going to fund our kids’ schools. I’m going to make sure that we have more cops on the beat, and I’m going to focus on doing my job of bringing Republicans and Democrats together to get stuff done. That’s my focus.” The Democratic Governors Association (DGA) slammed Garrity, accusing her of being “as extreme as they come.” The organization criticized her on issues like her support of Trump’s “big beautiful bill” and the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade. “Whether it’s Stacy Garrity or another flawed and extreme candidate who emerges to challenge Governor Shapiro, Republicans’ eventual nominee has an uphill battle to take on the Governor’s strong record of working across party lines to cut costs, invest in public safety, fund public education, and deliver for all Pennsylvanians,” said DGA spokesperson Izzi Levy. Updated: 1:06 p.m. ET Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. View the full article

Newsmax, the conservative cable news channel loyal to President Trump, has agreed to pay Dominion Voting Systems $67 million to settle a lawsuit it brought against the network over its coverage of the 2020 election. Dominion sued Newsmax in 2021 over a series of false claims alleging the company’s machines were manipulated to swing votes in former President Biden’s favor and against Trump in the 2020 election. A judge in Delaware ruled in April the statements made on Newsmax’s air were defamatory, but a trial in the case was delayed for months. The channel said Monday the settlement amount will be paid out in installments over three fiscal years, which it “expects to fund through revenues.” “Newsmax believed it was critically important for the American people to hear both sides of the election disputes that arose in 2020,” the network said in a statement it published on its website Monday. “We stand by our coverage as fair, balanced, and conducted within professional standards of journalism.” Newsmax, a smaller conservative media channel featuring a bevy of pro-Trump hosts, gained notoriety after the 2020 election after it was promoted by the president for its coverage his false claims of widespread voter fraud and the coronavirus pandemic. Dominion was paid a separate, $787 million settlement in 2023 by Fox News, which it also sued over coverage of the 2020 election and Trump’s claims of voter fraud. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. View the full article

The historic peace summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin took place this weekend in Alaska, with the two nations coming somewhat closer to achieving a lasting peace in Ukraine. Those who had hoped this meeting would result in an immediate end to the conflict were left disappointed; however, top U.S. diplomat and negotiator Steve Witkoff said that Putin had agreed Ukraine would receive a NATO-esque protection guarantee, which would protect Ukraine from further Russian aggression after the war. That’s a key component of any peace agreement — Ukraine can’t simply agree to lose some territory now if it remains the case that Russia will simply resume its attack later. On the Ukrainian front, it is unfortunately the case that President Volodymyr Zelensky will likely have to agree to territorial concessions in order to bring this conflict to an end. There’s a dawning realization among even the most staunchly pro-Ukraine commentators that the war simply will not end unless Ukraine agrees to let Russia keep the conquered territories. The alternative is a drawn-out conflict that kills thousands more Ukrainians and results in the entire country coming under Russian control. The skillful diplomacy of Trump, of Witkoff, and of Secretary of State Marco Rubio is designed to avoid that outcome. Indeed, Rubio has done a terrific job this weekend of schooling the reflexively hawkish voices in the mainstream media who think any public display of respect toward Putin is somehow emboldening him and the Russian takeover of Ukraine. Media pundits complained endlessly about Putin receiving the red-carpet treatment, riding in a fancy car with Trump, and being treated with decency as befits his station as an important world leader. In fact, popular liberal X personality Brian Krassenstein basically called on the U.S. government to assassinate Putin as soon as he set foot in Alaska, which is quite obviously an insane idea. By comparison, the mainstream media was a bit more restrained, but they were still quite furious that Trump was being nice to Putin. Look, if being mean to Putin was going to work, then Joe Biden would have already succeeded at ending the war. He didn’t, because diplomacy is a bit more complicated and subtle than just screaming “Putin bad” at the top of your lungs over and over again. Rubio made this point expertly during his conversation with ABC’s Martha Raddatz: “Critics of President Trump are always going to find something to criticize, I don’t even pay attention to it anymore, but I will tell you this: Putin is already on the world stage. The guy’s conducting a full-scale war in Ukraine, he’s already on the world stage. He has the world’s largest tactical nuclear arsenal, and the second largest strategic nuclear arsenal in the world. He’s already on the world stage. When I hear people say it elevates him, well all we do is talk about Putin all the time. All the media has done is talk about Putin all the time for the last four, five years. That doesn’t mean he’s right about the war, that doesn’t mean he’s justified about the war, put all that aside. It means you’re not gonna have a peace agreement, you’re not gonna end a war between Russia and Ukraine without dealing with Putin. That’s just common sense.” Rubio has it exactly right: We can’t end this war by refusing to give Putin attention, or the spotlight, or whatever it was that Raddatz was complaining about there. Frankly, the argument she’s making there sounds like she’s eventually calling for deplatforming Putin, like she’s saying he should be kicked off Twitter or something. We shouldn’t be surprised to hear a mainstream media personality returning to this very familiar well. Liberal and progressive media personalities love the idea of deplatforming people, because they have an almost religious faith in censorship and silencing. These are the preferred tactics of the mainstream media folks, who imagine that if they can’t hear or see people and opinions they don’t like, it must mean those sinister forces have been defeated. You would think they might have learned by now that this tactic usually backfires. And in any case, Putin is not an account that can be suspended, or an idea that can be banned, or a phenomenon that can be ignored: He’s a political figure who must be engaged. And lest anyone think the meeting was nothing but pleasantries, President Trump gave Putin a letter from first lady Melania Trump asking him to end the war for the sake of the children who are suffering because of it. “Mr. Putin,” she wrote, “you can singlehandedly restore their melodic laughter.” Let us all hope and pray that this meeting is followed by further diplomacy that ends this horrific conflict. Robby Soave is co-host of The Hill’s commentary show “Rising” and a senior editor for Reason Magazine. This column is an edited transcription of his daily commentary. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. View the full article

More than 50 Texas Democratic lawmakers who fled the state two weeks ago in protest of their Republican colleagues’ aggressive redistricting plans have returned, restoring quorum and allowing the GOP’s effort to proceed. The chairman of the Texas Democratic Party, Kendall Scudder, said in a statement Monday: The Texas House Democrats successfully killed the first special session and blocked Republicans from voting on their racist map, which was designed to allow Donald Trump to continue harming American citizens and the working class. ... Now that the nation is involved in this fight, some Texas Democrats are coming back to fight these racist maps in the legislature and then in the courts. The Texas Democrats helped inspire a counteroffensive against gerrymandering in other states, with California Gov. Gavin Newsom vowing to “fight fire with fire” and have his own state’s congressional map redrawn. Last week, Newsom officially called for a Nov. 4 special election in which Californians will decided whether to allow the state legislature to draw the electoral maps for the 2026, 2028 and 2030 election cycles, instead of an independent commission. Before returning, Texas Democrats had issued a list of demands, which included the release of California’s new electoral map. The map, which was released Friday, is designed to secure the national Democratic Party five more seats in the U.S. House, offsetting the expected gains in Texas. The Democratic lawmakers broke quorum during Texas’ first redistricting special session when they fled Austin, the state capital, blocking their Republican colleagues from voting. Now that the Democrats have returned, the Texas House has enough members present to push the map through in the second special session, which began Friday. The Democratic lawmakers who fled faced $500 daily fines during their absence, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, threatened to have them arrested. During a Zoom call last week, former President Barack Obama told the Texas Democrats: “We can’t let a systematic assault on democracy just happen and stand by. And so because of your actions, because of your courage, what you’ve seen is California responding, other states looking at what they can do to offset this mid-decade gerrymandering that is highly irregular.” This article was originally published on MSNBC.com View the full article

President Donald Trump began his second term by ordering blanket pardons and dismissals for his supporters who were charged for their actions on Jan. 6. But in doing so, did the president effectively end the subsequent prosecution of a Democrat before it even started? The question arises in a court filing from U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J. She was charged in the spring with allegedly assaulting federal officers at an immigration facility in Newark, New Jersey, while she was conducting oversight with other Democratic politicians amid the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. McIver invoked the Jan. 6 dismissals in her motion to dismiss the case for being selectively enforced and prosecuted, as well as vindictive. “The Department of Justice’s dismissal of prosecutions arising from the January 6 attack on the Capitol — including those of more than 160 defendants charged with violating the same statute upon which the indictment relies here — is robust evidence of unconstitutional differential treatment,” her lawyers wrote. They observed that the congresswoman’s alleged conduct was “manifestly less egregious than storming the Capitol, throwing explosives, beating officers with bats and riot shields, and spraying them with pepper spray.” “There is a simple difference between this prosecution of Congresswoman McIver and the 160 cases involving assault against federal officers on January 6 that the Justice Department has dismissed: it is all about politics and partisanship,” her lawyers wrote, calling the differential treatment “precisely what the Constitution forbids.” The filing is a sobering reminder of the violence of Jan. 6 and what it says about an administration that made it a Day One priority to forgive scores of convictions (by way of clemency) and pending charges (by way of dismissals). But as a legal matter, can the congresswoman’s point about those priorities actually get her case dismissed? It’s a high bar to win such claims. We were reminded of this fact in Trump’s own federal Jan. 6 case, which the DOJ moved to dismiss after he won the 2024 election, due to the department’s policy against prosecuting sitting presidents. Before he won that dismissal at the ballot box, Trump had unsuccessfully pressed aselective prosecution claim. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan rejected his argument that he was singled out for a prosecution that “similarly situated” people had avoided. Seeking to clear that high bar in her case, McIver, who pleaded not guilty, maintains that the DOJ “cannot pursue charges against her because she is a Democrat who conducts oversight of Executive Branch immigration policy, while dismissing charges brought under the same statute against those whose views they share and who engaged in conduct far more egregious.” The fate of McIver’s case doesn’t hinge on the success of this single motion. She filed it alongside others, including one that seeks to dismiss her case based on legislative immunity, in which her lawyers wrote that she’s charged in connection with “a congressionally authorized oversight inspection.” Legislative immunity is distinct from the presidential immunity that Trump won from the Supreme Court in his Jan. 6 case. But McIver seeks to harness that new precedent in her favor, too. Citing the high court’s decision last year in Trump v. United States and its separation of powers rationale, her lawyers wrote in the immunity motion that the court’s reasoning in Trump’s case “applies with at least as much force in the context of legislative immunity,” given the latter doctrine’s concern with ensuring legislative independence. So, the Jan. 6 cases that Trump dismissed and the precedent set by his own Jan. 6 case both play an active role in McIver’s case. In its forthcoming responses to her motions, it will fall to Trump’s DOJ to distinguish those dismissals and that precedent to keep the case against McIver alive. Notably, the same assault charge brought against the congresswoman and that was dismissed against Jan. 6 defendants was also brought against Sean Charles Dunn, who threw a sandwich at an officer in Washington, D.C., earlier this month. But the administration’s stated effort to stand up for law enforcement by making an example of Dunn likewise evokes comparisons to Jan. 6 and the administration’s abandonment of that principle with those dismissals (and pardons). Though the outcome of his case, like McIver’s, is uncertain, Jan. 6 will continue to haunt the administration and Trump’s legacy, regardless of whether it provides a winning legal defense for its detractors. Subscribe to the Deadline: Legal Newsletter for expert analysis on the top legal stories of the week, including updates from the Supreme Court and developments in the Trump administration’s legal cases. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com View the full article

A seventh suspect has been indicted in the July 26 Cincinnati beatdown that caused a national firestorm after going viral on social media. Gregory Wright, 32, has been charged with aggravated riot and felony aggravated robbery, according to jail records. His bond on the aggravated riot charge is $50,000. His bond on the robbery charge is $100,000. Records indicate that he remained in jail as of Monday morning. His next scheduled court appearance is Thursday. Cincinnati Beatdown Suspects Arraigned On New Charges; Bond Changes Spark Courtroom Drama At his initial arraignment last week, Wright pleaded not guilty to the charges. A criminal complaint against Wright says that during the brawl, which took place at around 3 a.m. in the city's downtown business district, Wright stole a necklace from one of the victims as the victim was assaulted. Read On The Fox News App Specifically, the complaint says that Wright "did by force rip the necklace off the victim while he was being assaulted by four or more co-defendants attempting to cause serious physical harm." The complaint also says Wright then filmed the vicious assault. Seventh Cincinnati Assault Suspect Arrested Over Violent Beatdown Court records from the Hamilton County Clerk's Office show that Wright has been arrested 22 times. Some of the arrests include traffic violations like driving without a license or proper insurance, but some are more serious, like drug trafficking and gun charges. Through plea deals or outright dismissals, Wright has walked on many of the charges. However, in 2014, he was convicted of trafficking heroin, a felony. He pleaded guilty to drug possession in 2016, and was issued a $210 fine. In 2021, he was convicted of illegally concealing a firearm and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, but sentenced only to probation. Records show he violated that probation several times. According to Hamilton County Chief Public Defender Raymond Feller, Wright was represented by a private attorney, Carl Lewis, at a Friday court appearance. Fox News Digital reached out to Lewis. Fifth Suspect Arrested In Viral Cincinnati Beatdown As Victim Details Her 'Ongoing Battle' Last week, six of the co-defendants in the case were formally arraigned on new charges in a Hamilton County courtroom. All six now face three counts of alleged felonious assault, three counts of assault and two counts of aggravated rioting. Montanez Merriweather's $500,000 bond was upheld. He was hit with a federal gun charge last Thursday, which will be prosecuted separately. Montianez Merriwether is brought before Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge, Alan Triggs for his arraignment, Cincinnati, Ohio, Thursday, August 14, 2025. The charges stem from a downtown beating on July 26, 2025.Jermaine Matthews, who was initially released after posting a $250,000 bond shortly after the attack, was granted the same bond amount and is still permitted to go to work. Dominique Kittle was then ordered to remain in custody pending a mental health evaluation, but his $250,000 bond was kept the same. Jermaine Matthews is brought before Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge, Alan Triggs for his arraignment, Cincinnati, Ohio, Thursday, August 14, 2025. The charges stem from a downtown beating on July 26, 2025.Dekyra Vernon, one of two female suspects, had her bond reduced from $200,000 to $25,000 at 10%. She was ordered to stay away from the downtown area if released. Aisha Devaughn also received a lower bond, with the initial amount of $300,000 brought down to $25,000. Aisha Devaughn is brought before Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge, Alan Triggs for her arraignment, Cincinnati, Ohio, Thursday, August 14, 2025. The charges stem from a downtown beating on July 26, 2025.On Friday, the sixth suspect in the alleged assault was formally arraigned after being extradited from Georgia. Patrick Rosemond, described as a lifetime Hamilton County resident, was assessed a $500,000 bond. He is alleged to have dealt the knockout blow to the victim named Holly, which can be seen in the viral video. That blow left her with brain trauma, she said. Fox News' Julia Bonavita contributed to this report. Original article source: Cincinnati felon with 22 prior arrests indicted for allegedly snatching victim's chain during viral beatdown View the full article

(The Center Square) — The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry is excited about the future, thanks to a deal between state utilities and Transwestern Pipeline Co. The company will build a new interstate natural gas pipeline from west Texas into Arizona. Danny Seiden, president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber, told The Center Square that Arizona’s economy will benefit in areas such as construction and labor costs. “More importantly, more natural gas coming into our state for generation purposes is a huge win for a state that is growing like ours,” said Seiden. Gas is less expensive than alternative forms of energy, according to Seiden. He said it will allow Arizonans to keep air conditioners running for less money and noted manufacturers will keep making goods at a cheaper price. Still, environmental groups are not happy with pipelines of any kind. The Sierra Club, for example, envisions “a future that is no longer dependent on polluting fossil fuels.” To do that, the organization states on its website that “we must stop the expansion of fracked methane gas and dirty oil,” which are transported via pipelines. “Building and expanding pipelines will further lock us into a future powered by fossil fuels, instead of the clean energy that is readily available now,” said the Sierra Club. But Seiden told The Center Square that Arizona is a model state when it comes to balancing environmental impacts with economic growth. “We've always been good stewards of our land,” said Seiden. “Even our most far-right conservative elected officials that come out Arizona, one thing they all have in common is they love to be able to use state lands. They love to get out there and camp. They want to be able to get out there for state parks, so all of that is taken very seriously when you look at projects like this.” In May, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin visited Arizona, where he praised “local businesses and community leaders dedicated to providing clean air and economic opportunity” for the state. Seiden was at the event. So was U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona. “Arizonans deserve clean air, but we need the right tools to address pollution without compromising economic growth,” said Kelly. “I appreciate Administrator Zeldin’s commitment to hearing directly from local leaders and finding solutions that give Arizona the resources and flexibility to improve air quality while continuing to create jobs and expand manufacturing.” That is more reason for Transwestern’s new interstate natural gas pipeline, Seiden told The Center Square. “Natural gas is a cleaner emission than other forms of energy generation,” said Seiden. “Wind and solar technology are not there yet. That's super expensive and would cause things like rolling blackouts, so, again, gas is reliable, it is healthier, it's cheaper, and it's a good bridge until the technology is ready on solar, which we're continuing to invest in.” In addition to the Arizona Chamber, other special interest groups that support the pipeline include Arizona Farm and Ranch Group, the Arizona Restaurant Association, the Arizona Manufacturers Council and the Arizona Small Business Association. View the full article

Last week, Gavin Newsom announced the "Election Rigging Response Act" in response to Texas's redistricting plan. Mario Tama / Getty ImagesAs part of that announcement, he released this video: Twitter: @GavinNewsom Related: Gavin Newsom Has Been Roasting MAGA Left And Right, And WOW, Is It Entertaining In one part of the ad, Newsom calls out the Texas governor for being "rolled over" by Trump: "He called Greg Abbott, who doesn't have the courage, doesn't have the conscious, and he has rolled over and he said 'yes/sir and.'" Brandon Bell / Getty ImagesWell, Fox had a big issue with this line, specifically because they're saying it's making fun of Gov. Abbott, who is in a wheelchair: Fox/Acyn/Twitter: @Acyn "Greg Abbott, who is in a wheelchair, and Newsom says he rolled over for Trump. That's almost as bad as Jasmine Crockett calling him Governor Hot Wheels." FoxRelated: A Video Of Obama Exposing MAGA’s Double Standards Is Going Viral, And It’s A Startling Reminder Of Just How Much Things Have Changed "We asked for a statement and Newsom's office gave us something flippant like, 'You're so woke, he'll get over it.'" FoxThey showed the actual statement from Newsom's office, which said: "No. But how woke of you to ask! I'm sorry Greg's feelings were hurt. Poor guy — we hope he recovers." FoxRelated: People Are Roasting "MAGA Makeup" On TikTok, And It Might Be The Shadiest Thing I've Seen All Year People are loving this one. Fox/MeidasTouch/x.com"Saying 'stop being woke' whenever a conservative complains is a good bit," one person commented. Docarwell/x.com"I thought comedy was back??" another person asked. Jordan_NotMike/x.comRelated: "The Daily Show" Destroyed Trump's Latest Biden Attack By Showing Literally Just 1 Clip That Proved He Was So, So Wrong And this person said what we've been saying for weeks, "Newsoms comms team is locked the fuck in right now." Tomsconcepts/x.comHe's broken Fox News and Donald Trump... Let's see who's next! GovPressOffice/x.comAlso in In the News: 14 Happy News Stories From This Week That Won't Cure Your Depression, But Might Lighten The Mental Load Also in In the News: Gavin Newsom Is Going Viral For Shutting Down JD Vance With One Single Map Also in In the News: Donald Trump Just Shared A Very Ominous Post, And People Are Calling It "One Of The Worst Statements Ever Made By A Sitting US President" Read it on BuzzFeed.com View the full article

The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here. © Sirachai Arunrugstichai / Ocean Photographer of the YearFinalist, Human Connection. “Fuji 268, one of the last fire-fishing boats, lights up a flame that startles the small species of sardine that they target in coastal waters, New Taipei, Taiwan. In 2023, Fuji 268 was the sole survivor of this fishing method, which is a national cultural heritage of Taiwan. The crew tries to preserve this tradition by partnering with tour operators in the surrounding area, and has developed its own educational program to help with the operating cost and declining fish.”© Romain Barats / Ocean Photographer of the YearFinalist, Adventure. “I’ve been fond of whales since my childhood, so I was really excited to get the opportunity to swim with sperm whales for the first time in my life. I was extremely lucky on my first day at sea. We saw 15 whales socializing for 45 minutes or so. The sea was rough but when you get to see something like that, you quickly forget the conditions. There were three of us in the water, spread out due to the action. The whales began to move out when I suddenly saw my buddy free diving from afar. I managed to get a shot of him surrounded by whales.”© Luis Arpa / Ocean Photographer of the YearFinalist, Fine Art. “This is an image of a juvenile pinnate batfish captured using a slow shutter speed, snooted light, and deliberate camera panning to create motion and drama. Juveniles are known for striking black bodies outlined in vibrant orange—a coloration lost within months. I encountered this restless subject in the tropical waters of Indonesia’s Lembeh Strait.”© Daan Verhoeven / Ocean Photographer of the YearFinalist, Adventure. “The free diver Surya Lecona Moctezuma dives down in between light beams in a Mexican cenote. I was looking for the contrast between not just the light and dark areas, but the sudden appearance of linear geometry in a natural setting, so I asked Surya to dive right in the middle of the beams. I dived after her, positioning myself directly above.”© Alexis Chappuis / Ocean Photographer of the YearFinalist, Wildlife. Thousands of skeleton shrimps have entirely colonized a Gorgonian coral in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. “These crustaceans are actually not true shrimps but amphipods of the genus Caprella. Because these animals feed on plankton, they should not affect their host. However, in this case, there were so many of them that they may be the reason the Gorgonian’s polyps were all retracted.”© Matthew Watkinson / Ocean Photographer of the YearFinalist, Wildlife. “I’d definitely have dropped the fish. I’d probably have given this greater black-backed gull my money, watch, and keys too, such was the loud, determined ferocity of its attack. When puffins are feeding chicks, gulls cruise around nesting sites looking for adults returning with fish to harass and rob.”© Hitomi Tsuchiya / Ocean Photographer of the YearFinalist, Fine Art. “This image was taken near Mount Iwo on Satsuma-Iojima Island, where the underwater aurora can be seen. The volcano spews out iron-rich substances not only from aboveground but also from the ocean floor, creating these rich colors. I hope this images pushes people to think about the connection between global warming and marine conservation. We must preserve these mysterious and fantastical landscapes, created by land and sea, for future generations.”© Ben Thouard / Ocean Photographer of the YearFinalist, Adventure. “A rough day at Nazaré. The wind was blowing from the north, which makes the surf tricky. Not many surfers went out, but Justine Dupont and Eric Rebiere, whom I was there to shoot, decided to give it a try. It was the end of the afternoon; the light was interesting from the beach, rather than from the usual cliff view. It was hard to shoot anything because of the big sets and the salt water in the air. But, eventually, this moment happened.”© Arturo de Frias / Ocean Photographer of the YearFinalist, Wildlife. “Marine iguanas, endemic to the Galapagos, are one of the most iconic species in the archipelago. They are like miniature dragons, especially in low-angle, eye-to-eye portraits like this one. This individual was resting on the black rocks of Santa Cruz Island, sunbathing after a foraging dive. By sheer luck, I photographed the split second in which it was sneezing the excess salt it had absorbed during its dive. Sneezing is not a discomfort signal; it is perfectly natural behavior.”© Claudio Moreno Madrid / Ocean Photographer of the YearFinalist, Impact. “This image represents one of the most profound moments of my life. It was my first year in Exmouth, to which I’d been drawn by the stories about Ningaloo Reef. With just a kayak and an obsession with the ocean, I explored the reef weekly. On this particular day, a friend and I had gone to Turquoise Bay, where we encountered this humpback whale, hopelessly entangled in fishing nets, chased by dozens of sharks. In a moment of desperation, knowing it was beyond us to help, I tried to document the situation. I hope this image turns tragedy into awareness, inspiring real change for our ocean.”© Solvin Zankl / Ocean Photographer of the YearFinalist, Hope. “On the Caribbean island of Bonaire, a female brittle star rears up on the tips of its arms on top of a coral to release its eggs, a few nights after the full moon. The process is synchronized by the moon so that the eggs are fertilized by sperm from males in the open water and a new generation is born.”© Natnattcha Chaturapitamorn / Ocean Photographer of the YearFinalist, Human Connection. “Each morning before sunrise at Tam Tien beach, the shoreline comes alive with a flurry of activity. Clusters of wooden fishing boats anchor offshore, forming a floating fleet. From there, teams of fishermen in round basket boats skillfully navigate through the waves, ferrying barrels of freshly caught seafood to the shore. On the beach, families of fishermen and wholesale traders wait eagerly, ready to sort and purchase the catch.”© Kat Zhou / Ocean Photographer of the YearFinalist, Wildlife. An opportunistic pelican swoops in to steal a fish from strand-feeding dolphins. “When dolphins strand-feed, they corral baitballs of fish and rush them onto the shore. Pelicans usually lurk nearby, hoping to take advantage of an easy meal. Following the pelicans is usually a good indicator of where along the beach the dolphins might strand next. Though about 350 dolphins call South Carolina home, this rare strand-feeding behavior is performed by only a few members of one pod.”© Scott Portelli / Ocean Photographer of the YearFinalist, Fine Art. “Weddell seals thrive in the harshest environment on the planet. These large mammals, distributed throughout Antarctica, have a thick layer of fur and blubber that acts as both a food reserve and insulation. The finely packed fur allows them to survive in temperatures as low as -60 degrees Celsius. This image was taken after this seal had hauled itself out of the water and onto the ice floe to rest.”© Romain Barats / Ocean Photographer of the YearFinalist, Wildlife. “It’s amazing how fast gentoo penguins are able to build a colony during the austral summer in the Antarctic peninsula. Port Charcot is usually a good place for this. This sheltered bay surrounded by mountains and icebergs is a perfect base for gentoos. We anchored our sailboat in this bay for three days, near the colony. We got in the water every day to enjoy the spectacle of these highly curious birds, who came to check on us so many times. Clumsy on land, these birds are fast and agile in the water.”© Andray Shpatak / Ocean Photographer of the YearFinalist, Wildlife. “I’ve been diving in the Rudnaya Bay area for more than 40 years, but I’ve never seen a pea crab. I was lucky. Pea crabs spend most of their lives inside the shells of gray mussels, a symbiotic relationship that ends only when the mussel or crab dies. I can only assume that this pea crab was looking for a home when I managed to photograph it.”© Marc Lenfant / Ocean Photographer of the YearFinalist, Adventure. “At the mythical Teahupoʻo, a wave sculpted by the power of the ocean forms a perfect tube framing the surfer.”© Marcia Riederer / Ocean Photographer of the YearFinalist, Fine Art. “Dwarf minke whales are known to visit the northern Great Barrier Reef during the winter, making it the only known predictable aggregation of these whales in the world. These curious giants approach swimmers with an almost playful curiosity. Floating in the turquoise water, you watch a sleek, dark body glide effortlessly toward you, its eye meeting yours in a moment of connection. The whales seem to acknowledge your presence, circling and interacting with you.”To see all of the finalists, be sure to visit Oceanographic Magazine’s full gallery. Winners will be announced in September. Article originally published at The Atlantic View the full article

The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here. “WASHINGTON—The Justice Department worker accused of throwing a Subway sandwich at a federal agent was re-arrested by an armed team of at least a half-dozen US Marshals in a dramatic Wednesday night raid, new video shows. Sean Charles Dunn, 37, was cuffed a second time inside his apartment about a mile northwest of the White House—after being slapped with a felony assault charge. Footage of the raid was posted by the White House on X Thursday evening with the caption: ‘Nighttime Routine: Operation Make D.C. Safe Again Edition.’” — The New York Post, August 15 Police headquarters, Washington, D.C., present day. A dusty, small office. A trainee walks in carrying a cake with CONGRATULATIONS! 25 YEARS WITHOUT A SANDWICH-BASED CRIME written on it in large frosted letters. Senior Detective J, Junior Detective F, and Sergeant P are sitting around. Everyone claps. Trainee: Who wants to blow it out? A panicked junior detective, K, rushes in. Detective K: Turn on the TV. They turn on the TV. On the screen, footage of a DOJ employee tossing a hoagie at a federal law-enforcement officer and running off. The trainee drops the cake. Detective J: No! Detective K: What in tarnation were those officers doing there? Don’t they know the first thing about sandwich-crime prevention? Trainee: It doesn’t look like it hit very hard. Seemed soggy. Lady Sleuth: No. They’ll count it. Remember the hot-dog incident in ’73? Detective F: But a hot dog isn’t a sandwich! Detective J: The record keepers didn’t agree. Trainee: We should have fired the record keepers! Detective J: (Slamming his fist on the table.) That’s not how we DO things in the sandwich division. Doesn’t matter if we get bad press, like a subpar panini. We don’t cut corners, unless the sandwich in question is a round-type sandwich. Detective F: Some are. Officer J: You think 25 years without sandwich crime just HAPPENS? Trainee: No. Officer J: We worked for this. It hasn’t been easy. When I got started on this beat, you couldn’t walk down the street in Washington without having a grilled cheese shoved in your face, if you were lucky. Egg salad, if you weren’t. Detective F: Not all the sandwiches were harmless. Some were clubs. People were too frightened of sandwiches to build a Subway in Georgetown. Officer K: I still have a scar from when I took a meatball sub to the chin in ’96 and, afterward, got into an unrelated knife fight. Officer J: I started here after transferring from the bread-crimes division in France. I spent decades hunting down a man who stole bread one time. My name is Javert, but that’s not important. His name was Jean Valjean. I also resented him because I had just the one name and he had two. Trainee: That seems excessive. Officer Javert: I think so too! One name is enough for anyone. Trainee: Oh, I meant, chasing him for— Officer Javert: Right. It was. It turned out what he needed was rehabilitation and a second chance, not me chasing him across France, singing. But we learned from it! We realized if we were proactive rather than reactive, if we got involved in the communities we served, we could figure out what was going on and stop it. Detective F: Most sandwich crimes are crimes of opportunity. People who aren’t carrying sandwiches don’t tend to commit sandwich crimes. They do other types of crime. We took that statistic to the chief and said, “You’re sure you want us to go all in on eliminating sandwich crime? Not regular crime? Consider all the murders we could prevent if we just handed sandwiches to people who were about to do other crimes.” And they said, “No, solve sandwich crime.” Detective F: Lunchables are a gateway. Officer Javert: Teaching little kids to assemble their own sandwiches, as though it were play! We tackled all of that. We started from the bread up, tackling the root causes, and then the additional causes that were layered on top, and then any sauce that was on top of that. Officer K: I remember when Mark Warner made what he claimed was a tuna melt. And everyone said, “Call the sandwich-crimes unit!” Trainee: That was what started me down this path, sir. I saw it, and I knew it was an abomination, and I wanted to stop it. Officer Javert: The point is, people trust us. We aren’t just police officers. We know the community we serve. We know how to de-escalate. We look for non-carceral solutions. We ask: Why would someone want to throw a sandwich? How can we fix that? We know who has beef and if that beef is corned. Detective F: That didn’t happen overnight. We learned what to do: control the mayonnaise supply. And what to avoid: goofy, authoritarian displays of force. Trainee: Most people don’t even know there’s such a thing as sandwich crime. Officer K: Because no one has the urge. Trainee: And that’s because of all your tireless work. Officer Javert: You can’t just come in, on a whim— Detective F: Or a caprese. Officer Javert: —with troops! It’s not right! (Stares at the TV and sighs.) And they just—they ruined it all! They’re not stopping crime, regular or sandwich! They’re just making good people anxious to walk through their own neighborhoods. I’m so angry I could throw a good-size flatbread! Detective F: (Gasps in horror.) NO! You’ve been a mentor! Officer Javert: With soft bread! A limp one, with the tomato already falling off! Just up into the air, not at any one in particular. Officer K: Listen to yourself! Officer Javert: No, you’re right. I take it ba— Six heavily armed federal law-enforcement officers knock down the door, handcuff Javert, and start to haul him off. Officer K: Please! He’s not carrying! And sandwiches aren’t weapons! Federal enforcement: Sandwich crime is a federal crime. They drag him away, sirens blaring. Officer K: That’s way too many officers for a sandwich crime! Trainee: I’m beginning to wonder if these people really care about solving sandwich crime at all. Article originally published at The Atlantic View the full article

以色列與巴勒斯坦激進組織哈馬斯（Hamas）的戰爭仍然持續，路透社8月18日報道，根據哈馬斯組織一名官員指，哈馬斯同意最新加沙停火方案。哈馬斯其後發表聲明證實，包括哈馬斯在內的多個巴勒斯坦派別，已宣布同意調解方埃及和卡塔爾關於加沙停火方案的最新提議。 埃及消息人士透露，以色列將在本周末之前對新的停火提案作出回應。斡旋方和以色列安全官員將很快舉行會晤。以色列軍隊電台則重申，以色列的立場沒有改變——釋放所有人質並遵守結束戰爭的條件。 2025年8月1日，影片截圖顯示一架西班牙飛機向加沙走廊空投人道援助物資。（Reuters）《以色列時報》同日引述一名以色列官員稱，以方已收到哈馬斯關於加沙停火和釋放人質的最新提議，並指相比哈馬斯上月所提的意見，這次降低了絕大部分要求。 另外，以色列方面，當地8月17日爆發大型示威，有示威者要求總理內塔尼亞胡（Benjamin Netanyahu）盡快與哈馬斯達成協議，結束加沙戰爭，讓剩餘在加沙的以色列人質獲釋。 主辦方「人質和失蹤者家庭論壇」（The Hostage and Missing Families Forum）預料特拉維夫（Tel Aviv）至少50萬人走上街頭，稱全國範圍內爆發數十場示威，預料總計100萬人參加各種集會。 2025年8月17日，以色列特拉維夫，圖為示威者組成的人流在街道中穿行，阻塞各處街道。（Reuters）巴勒斯坦總理訪埃及　獲全力支持推動加沙停火以色列數以千人示威　促內塔尼亞胡盡快結束加沙戰爭　警拘留38人以色列示威升級　至少50萬人上街　促結束加沙戰爭帶回人質加沙饑荒下悲歌：9歲女童從25瘦至9公斤「只想變回原來的樣子」 View the full article

WASHINGTON (AP) — Trump says he'll talk to Putin after meeting with Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House. View the full article

WASHINGTON (AP) — Trump says the US would back European security guarantees for Ukraine to help end the war with Russia. View the full article

National Guard troops have been stationed in Washington, D.C. for a week, but when they’ll get paid for the unusual assignment is still unclear. This weekend, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., raised concerns about potential delays in the deployed troops’ pay due to paperwork and assignment procedures. He asked for specific timelines on military pay for the roughly 800 D.C. National Guard personnel patrolling the streets of the nation’s capital. “While I recognize that these soldiers will be compensated eventually, I am troubled by the prospect of servicemembers not knowing when they will be paid next,” Blumenthal, the top Democrat on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, wrote in a letter to White House and Pentagon officials. “Any delay in compensation for their service will place many Guardsmen in financial hardship. Even though servicemembers understand that they will be compensated at some point, they should not have to wonder when exactly their next paycheck will come.” 3 GOP-led states to send hundreds of National Guard troops to DC Pentagon officials declined to respond to questions about the affected troops’ pay, adding that they would follow up with the congressional request at some point in the future. In addition to the 800 D.C. National Guard personnel, about 700 more Guardsmen from West Virginia, South Carolina and Ohio have been deployed throughout the city following President Donald Trump’s declaration of a “public safety emergency” in the district. While pay for most Guard troops is handled through their respective states, the D.C. National Guard falls directly under the president’s command. Blumenthal in his letter noted that the National Guard involved in the effort are missing out on “salaries, housing allowances and medical coverage” from their civilian jobs while performing their military duties. He argued that officials must ensure that none of the individuals involved face financial hardship because of the mobilization. Critics have called the decision to militarize the city unnecessary and deliberately provocative, noting that many troops are patrolling tourist areas with few crime problems. Hundreds of city residents protested the move over the weekend. However, White House officials contend that in the last week, law enforcement personnel have made more than 380 arrests (many for immigration violations) and seized 59 firearms. National Guard members are not directly making any arrests. View the full article

This is an adapted excerpt from the Aug. 16 episode of “Velshi.” Last week, Donald Trump essentially took control of Washington, D.C.’s law enforcement, activating the National Guard, the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to carry out what he calls an effort to crack down on crime in the city. The reason Trump was able to commandeer D.C. so easily is that it has no governor and no formal congressional representation to put a stop to it. The president’s takeover has now reignited the conversation around D.C. statehood. The District of Columbia was established by the Constitution, carved out of Maryland and Virginia, as an explicitly neutral site to conduct government business that would not be a part of or beholden to any one state. Residents of D.C. have never had voting representation in Congress. They instead elect one nonvoting delegate to the House, who has floor and committee privileges but cannot vote on final legislation. They also elect one shadow representative and two shadow senators, who do not work in Congress but work as advocates for statehood. Residents can vote for a mayor and other city officials, but that wasn’t always the case. In the city’s early years, the mayor was appointed by the president. In 1820, Congress amended D.C.’s charter to allow only white male landowners to vote for the city’s mayor. In 1848, that right was extended to include all white men. In 1867, during Reconstruction, it was extended to Black men in D.C. In 1871, though, amid a debt crisis in Washington, President Ulysses S. Grant signed a bill that restructured the city’s government around a governor and legislative council appointed by the president. In 1874, Congress created a new system where the city would be run by three presidentially appointed commissioners. This was meant to be temporary, but was made permanent in 1878. D.C. residents were not given the right to vote in presidential elections until 1961, with the ratification of the 23rd Amendment to the Constitution. Then, in 1973, President Richard Nixon signed the Home Rule Act, a law allowing D.C. residents to elect their own city government for the first time in a century. But, to this day, the city remains heavily federalized. Judges and the U.S. attorney of D.C., the city’s chief prosecutor, are federally appointed. The city’s laws and budget are subject to congressional approval. And, bringing us to our current situation, the National Guard can be deployed and the D.C. Metropolitan Police can be brought under federal control without the local government’s approval. D.C. residents have advocated for statehood for decades. Legislation to make Washington the 51st state first went up for a House vote in 1993, where it lost handily. In June 2020, the House voted again after the Trump administration’s deployment of the National Guard to respond to Black Lives Matter protests. It passed in the Democratic-controlled House but was not brought to a vote by the Republican-led Senate. The bill passed in the House again in April 2021, but once again, failed to make it to a Senate vote. If D.C. were to become a state, it would have two senators and one at-large representative in the House. By geographic area, it would be the smallest state by far. However, its population is larger than that of Vermont or Wyoming, and not far off from that of Alaska. D.C. residents pay the highest per-capita federal taxes in the country, and more taxes in total than residents of 22 other states. It is true that, given the current political leanings of the city, D.C. statehood would all but guarantee two more Democratic senators and one more Democratic member of the House. That is why Republicans are so against it. But right now, as Trump floods the streets of D.C. with troops, we’re seeing the consequences of allowing a city of over 700,000 people — more than Boston, Detroit or Atlanta — to be deprived of the basic rights of self-governance and political representation that most of us take for granted. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com View the full article

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Europe’s top leaders were meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. Read what to know and get live updates. This is a photo gallery curated by Associated Press photo editors. View the full article

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – September is Attendance Awareness Month, and the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) is looking to promote the benefits of students maintaining regular attendance at school and reducing chronic absenteeism. MDE defines chronic absenteeism as missing 10% of the school year for any reason, or two days of school per month. This includes excused and unexcused absences and suspensions. Research shows that students who are absent two to four days in September go on to miss nearly a month of school. Dollar General grants $85K to Mississippi literacy programs “We all have a role in combatting chronic absenteeism in schools and preventing students from dropping out,” said Dr. Lance Evans, state superintendent of education. “MDE offers professional training and resources to districts, but we ask that local communities and service organizations join in as well. Regular attendance is essential for a student’s success in school.” MDE began reporting chronic absence data in 2016. The lowest rate of 13% was in 2018-19. The COVID-19 pandemic is believed to be the major factor that led to higher state and national rates in 2021-22 when Mississippi’s was 28%. The state’s 2023-24 rate was 24.4%. MDE will soon release the 2024-25 Chronic Absenteeism Report. MDE has their Office of Compulsory School Attendance Enforcement and Dropout Prevention to combat chronic absenteeism and to ensure all Mississippi public school students attend school. School attendance officers work in this department to connect with families and help them eliminate barriers to school attendance. MDE reports this office collaborated with the North Mississippi Education Consortium earlier this year to offer Attendance Improvement Institutes for school districts from February 24 to May 16 across the state. The professional development event helped school teams create research-based and effective attendance improvement strategies to increase attendance rates. Anyone interested in raising awareness about the importance of regular school attendance may utilize MDE’s online Attendance Awareness Toolkit, which includes resources from the agency’s Every School Day Counts – Attend to Achieve campaign. MDE will also host the Statewide Chronic Absenteeism and Dropout Prevention Conference September 8–9 at the Hilton Jackson. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily NewsCopyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. View the full article

Is college in the future for you, your child or another loved one? Ohio has public and private colleges and universities all across the state, but which one is the right fit? Potential students and their families have to consider many factors: The overall value for the money, the cost of tuition, acceptance and graduation rates, program choices and more. If you're researching colleges, websites like Niche can help. Niche gathers that data and more, assigns a letter grade to each institution and gives students a platform to post reviews. And Niche's list of the Best Colleges in America for 2025 compares 1,000 schools "based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of student and alumni reviews," according to its website. Here's a look at how Ohio colleges and universities fared. Ohio State Buckeyes mascot Brutus at the College Football Playoff Fan Central.The top 10 colleges and universities in Ohio, per NicheNiche ranked Ohio's colleges and universities based on an analysis of their academics, admissions, financial and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education. These are the 10 schools that came out on top: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Overall grade: A Net price per year: $41,351 Acceptance rate: 29% Total undergraduate students: 6,186 Popular majors: computer science (149 graduates), biology (114), mechanical engineering (106) The Ohio State University, Columbus Overall grade: A Net price per year: $19,575 Acceptance rate: 51% Total undergraduate students: 45,728 Popular majors: finance (817 graduates), research and experimental psychology (646), communications (528) Kenyon College, Gambier Overall grade: A Net price per year: $44,470 Acceptance rate: 31% Total undergraduate students: 2,184 Popular majors: English (86 graduates), economics (61), psychology (47) University of Dayton Overall grade: A Net price per year: $31,551 Acceptance rate: 62% Total undergraduate students: 7,740 Popular majors: finance (171 graduates), mechanical engineering (166), marketing (155) University of Cincinnati Overall grade: A- Net price per year: $21,511 Acceptance rate: 88% Total undergraduate students: 41,233 Popular majors: marketing (502 graduates), nursing (385), finance (326) Denison University, Granville Overall grade: A- Net price per year: $42,177 Acceptance rate: 17% Total undergraduate students: 2,405 Popular majors: economics (78 graduates), communications (51), biology (47) Cedarville Univesity Overall grade: A- Net price per year: $27,047 Acceptance rate: 63% Total undergraduate students: 4,916 Popular majors: nursing (136 graduates), mechanical engineering (48), psychology (39) Ohio Northern University, Ada Overall grade: B+ Net price per year: $26,396 Acceptance rate: 73% Total undergraduate students: 2,847 Popular majors: pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences (87 graduates), mechanical engineering (66), biology (23) College of Wooster Overall grade: B+ Net price per year: $29,529 Acceptance rate: 54% Total undergraduate students: 1,730 Popular majors: political science and government (43 graduates), research and experimental psychology (36), biology (31) Ohio University, Athens Overall grade: B+ Net price per year: $20,550 Acceptance rate: 85% Total undergraduate students: 16,597 Popular majors: nursing (1,398 graduates), marketing (260), psychology (247) The top 10 colleges and universities in the nationThese colleges and universities are the tops in the nation per Niche's 2025 ranking: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut Stanford University, Stanford, California Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, California University of Chicago, Chicago Columbia University, New York City University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Duke University, Durham, North Carolina This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What are the best colleges in Ohio? See the top 10, per Niche. Full list View the full article

WISCONSIN RAPIDS − An 18-year-old Wisconsin Rapids man pleaded not guilty during his initial appearance Monday, Aug. 18, in Wood County Circuit Court to charges connected to the Dec. 13 death of a 17-year-old Vesper girl in a two-vehicle crash in Auburndale. Retired Marathon County Circuit Judge Gregory Huber, working in Wood County, set a $100,000 signature bail for Trenton D. Lawry, who faces charges of homicide by negligent operation of a motor vehicle for the death of Kasey Ramthun, reckless driving causing great bodily harm and injury by negligent use of a dangerous weapon. Lawry's attorney, Erika Bierma, waived Lawry's right to a preliminary hearing within a limited time frame. No next court date had been scheduled for Lawry as of the morning of Aug. 18. According to the criminal complaint, at 5:40 p.m. Dec. 13, a caller reported a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of U.S. 10 and Wood County P in the village of Auburndale. Lawry, the driver of one of the vehicles, a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, was trapped inside. Ramthun, a passenger in the vehicle, was unconscious and bleeding. More local news: 26-year-old Friendship man in serious condition after Aug. 15 Wood County motorcycle crash Stay informed: Sign up for Daily Tribune push notifications and newsletters here Paramedics tried to help Ramthun, but she was declared dead at 5:45 p.m., according to the complaint. The driver of the second vehicle, a 2017 Toyota Highlander, said she was on U.S. 10 heading west, but she didn't know anything else and didn't remember the crash. The driver of the second vehicle, who had a head and hand injury, was transported to a hospital. A deputy spoke with Lawry, who said, "This is my fault. I'm sorry," according to the complaint. Lawry said he "couldn't see the stop sign" and "ran it on accident." Lawry also was taken to a hospital for medical attention. A witness to the crash called a deputy on Dec. 14. The witness said he was traveling west on U.S. 10 behind the Highlander and saw the Malibu "roll the stop sign" at State 186 and U.S. 10 and accelerate, according to the complaint. The witness said the Malibu did not stop for the second stop sign and the Highlander hit the Malibu in the passenger's side, according to the complaint. The witness thought the Highlander was going about 70 mph. Contact Karen Madden at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @KMadden715, Instagram @kmadden715 or Facebook at www.facebook.com/karen.madden.33. This article originally appeared on Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Wisconsin Rapids teen pleads not guilty in crash that killed Vesper girl View the full article

House Speaker Mike Johnson says he plans to derail California’s proposed congressional map after Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a proposal to redraw the state’s electoral boundaries. Newsom and California Democrats proposed new congressional lines on Friday in an attempt to eliminate potential gains in Texas, where Republicans backed by Donald Trump launched a nationwide redistricting battle with nakedly partisan ambitions ahead of midterm elections in 2026. Johnson accused Democrats of an “illegal power grab.” “Gavin Newsom should spend less time trampling his state’s laws for a blatant power grab, and more time working to change the disastrous, far-left policies that are destroying California,” Johnson wrote Monday. “Newsom obviously wants to launch a presidential campaign on the backs of disenfranchised California voters, but it will not work.” But unlike California, Texas lawmakers in the state legislature only need to vote on the maps before they are signed into law by Governor Gregg Abbott. Newsom, meanwhile, must hold a special election this fall so voters can decide whether to suspend the state’s independent redistricting commission until the end of the decade to advance the new map. House Speaker Mike Johnson is vowing to derail California Governor Gavin Newsom’s plans to redraw the state’s congressional boundaries in response to a proposal for mid-decade Texas gerrymandering that would boost GOP seats in the House (Getty Images)Johnson’s statement followed the return of a group of Texas Democrats who left the state to break quorum in the state House, leaving Republicans without enough members present to vote on legislation during a special 30-day legislative session that was requested by Abbott. Dozens of Texas Democrats declared victory on Monday after staying out of the state for more than two weeks, blocking Republicans’ Trump-led gerrymandering campaign. But redistricting is on the agenda for a second special session. Texas Republicans are expected to quickly take up — and pass — a new congressional map that would create five more districts likely to elect Republican candidates, which would give the GOP 30 of the state’s 38 seats in Congress. In a statement on Monday, the Texas House Democratic Caucus said that members returned “to launch the next phase” in the redistricting battle. Democrats’ return to the state will allow them to create the “legal record necessary to defeat this racist map in court, take our message to communities across the state and country, and inspire legislators across the country how to fight these undemocratic redistricting schemes in their own statehouses,” Texas House of Representatives Minority Leader Gene Wu said in a statement. GOP lawmakers were explicit that the new map was designed to improve “political performance,” an act of political or partisan gerrymandering — in which a controlling party carves out maps to “pack” likely opponents into a few districts, or “cracks” them across multiple districts, thereby diluting their voting power. Critics accused Republicans of gerrymandering a map on racial lines, effectively letting Republicans choose their voters rather than the other way around. While out of the state, Abbott and state Attorney General Ken Paxton and GOP members of Congress put pressure on law enforcement to haul absent lawmakers back to the state capital in Austin. “We killed the corrupt special session, withstood unprecedented surveillance and intimidation, and rallied Democrats nationwide to join this existential fight for fair representation — reshaping the entire 2026 landscape,” Wu said. Newsom accused Trump of leading efforts to ‘rig the system’ with a GOP gerrymander as he unveiled plans for a voter referendum to redraw California’s congressional boundaries (Getty Images)California and Texas, the nation’s two most populous states, remain at the forefront of the brewing redistricting war, as Trump pushes Republicans to redraw electoral lines for control of the House of Representatives to avoid a repeat of 2018 midterm elections — when Democrats regained control of Congress and impeached him twice. Democrats — who accused Republicans of illegally diluting the voting strength of Black and Latino voters — are planning to retaliate, triggering a race to reshape the electoral map by the time Americans cast their ballots in 2026. Newsom has stressed that bypassing the state’s redistricting commission would be temporary, and that the state would only redraw its congressional boundaries if Texas shot first. At a rally in Los Angeles last week, Newsom said Trump is “trying to rig the system” and, “as a consequence, we need to disabuse ourselves of the way things have been done.” “We have got to recognize the cards that have been dealt,” Newsom said. “And we have got to meet fire with fire.” Johnson called Newsom’s plans a “slap in the face to Californians who overwhelmingly support” the state’s redistricting commission. “Unlike other states, California must shred its own Constitution to succeed in its desperate gambit to ‘end the Trump presidency.’ Voters in California and across the nation see through this partisan stunt,” he said. Johnson said his office and the National Republican Congressional Committee will “use every measure and resource possible” to take on California. The Republicans’ congressional campaign arm criticized Newsom’s move, accusing the governor of “shredding California’s Constitution and disenfranchising voters to prop up his Presidential ambitions.” “The NRCC is prepared to fight this illegal power grab in the courts and at the ballot box to stop Newsom in his tracks,” chairman Richard Hudson said last week. View the full article

中共中央政治局委員、外交部長王毅8月18日在新德里同印度外長蘇關係生（Subrahmanyam Jaishankar）舉行會談，雙方還就共同關心的國際地區問題交換了看法。王毅表示，今年是中印建交75周年。雙方要認真汲取75年來的經驗教訓，樹立正確戰略認蘇傑生，視對方為夥伴和機遇，而不是對手或威脅，探索相鄰大國互尊互信、和平共處、共謀發展、合作共贏的正確相處之道。 圖為2025年8月18日，中國外交部長王毅到訪新德里，與印度外長蘇傑生（Subrahmanyam Jaishankar）舉行會談。（中國外交部圖片）王毅指出，中印雙方正認真落實兩國領導人達成的共識，各層級交往對話逐步恢復，邊境地區維護和平安寧，印度香客重啟中國西藏神山聖湖朝聖，中印關係呈現向合作主航道回歸的積極態勢。他表示， 王毅又稱，當今世界，百年變局加速演進，單邊霸淩行徑大行其道，自由貿易和國際秩序面臨嚴峻挑戰。中印作為總人口超過28億的兩個最大發展中國家，理應展現天下情懷，體現大國擔當，為推動世界多極化、國際關係民主化作出貢獻。 王毅強調，中方願秉持親誠惠容、命運與共的理念方針，同包括印度在內的周邊國家一道，共同建設和平、安寧、繁榮、美麗、友好「五大家園」。中印雙方應堅定信心，相向而行，排除干擾，拓展合作，鞏固中印關係改善勢頭，為亞洲乃至世界提供最需要的確定性和穩定性。 圖為2025年8月18日，中國外交部長王毅到訪新德里，與印度外長蘇傑生（Subrahmanyam Jaishankar）舉行會談。（中國外交部圖片）蘇傑生：印中關係走出低谷蘇傑生表示，在兩國領導人共同指引下，印中關係走出低谷，不斷改善發展，雙方各領域交流合作邁向正常化。印中改善彼此戰略認蘇傑生十分重要，作為兩個最大發展中國家，印中均堅持多邊主義，致力於推動公平、平衡的世界多極化，也應共同維護世界經濟的穩定性。印中關係保持穩定、合作和前瞻性，符合兩國利益。 他又稱，印方願以兩國建交75周年為契機，同中方深化政治互信，加強經貿等領域互利合作，增進人文交流，共同維護邊境地區和平安寧。印方全力支持中方辦好上合組織天津峰會，願同中方在金磚等多邊機制中加強協調合作。 圖為2025年8月18日，中國外交部長王毅到訪新德里，與印度外長蘇傑生（Subrahmanyam Jaishankar）舉行會談。（中國外交部圖片）王毅訪印度磋商中印邊界問題　將晤總理莫迪及外長蘇傑生王毅8月18日起訪問印度　舉行中印邊界問題會晤日本投降80周年｜王毅：只有正視歷史　才能防止再誤入歧途王毅據報8.18訪印　中國：「龍象共舞」是正確選擇　將適時發消息中柬泰外長雲南舉行非正式會談　王毅籲兩國對話協商重歸於好 View the full article