Category: U.S. News

WASHINGTON — A 21-year-old individual identified as Nasire Best opened fire in the direction of a White House security checkpoint on Saturday night, prompting Secret Service personnel to discharge their weapons in response, the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department reported. During the exchange of gunfire, an innocent bystander sustained injuries.

The incident represents a photo collection assembled by Associated Press photo editors.

An innocent person caught in gunfire during a deadly confrontation at a White House security checkpoint continues to recover in serious but stable condition as of Sunday.

According to the Secret Service, the unidentified bystander sustained a gunshot injury that officials described as non-life-threatening. Officials have not disclosed the circumstances surrounding how the person was wounded.

Law enforcement agencies have provided limited information regarding the Saturday evening incident. The District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department reported that the gunman, 21-year-old Nasire Best from Dundalk, Maryland, began firing rounds at a White House security checkpoint before Secret Service personnel responded with deadly force. Best was transported to a medical facility where he was declared deceased.

President Donald Trump was inside the White House when the gunfire erupted.

This marks the third shooting incident involving the president within the last month, following an armed individual who attacked the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in April carrying firearms and blades, and another shooting where Secret Service agents wounded a gunman who fired at them near the Washington Monument earlier this month.

Through a Truth Social message, Trump characterized the Saturday shooter as having a “possible obsession with our Country’s most cherished structure.” He also leveraged the incident to advocate for the ballroom construction project he wants built where the White House’s former East Wing once stood, stating the shooting “goes to show how important it is, for all future Presidents, to get, what will be, the most safe and secure space of its kind ever built in Washington, D.C.” Trump is requesting $1 billion from Congress for White House campus security enhancements, including the proposed ballroom.

Court documents from the District of Columbia reveal Best had previously encountered law enforcement at the White House. He was taken into custody last July for trying to breach White House property at a separate checkpoint. He ignored officers’ orders to halt, declared himself to be Jesus Christ and expressed a desire to be detained.

Best competed in track and field events at Dundalk High School, earning his diploma in 2023.

A woman claiming to be Best’s mother spoke with The Washington Post, saying she discovered the shooting through social media and struggled to accept the news. She defended her son, stating he “was never violent, regardless of what people are posting.”

Emergency responders battling to prevent a dangerous chemical explosion in Southern California received encouraging news Sunday when specialists discovered what appears to be a crack in the pressurized tank.

The container holds methyl methacrylate, a combustible substance used in plastic production and manufacturing processes. Officials have warned since Friday that the tank could burst, releasing as much as 7,000 gallons of poisonous material, or detonate and threaten additional storage units at the GKN Aerospace facility.

Evacuation directives went into effect Friday for Garden Grove residents, a community located approximately 30 miles south of Los Angeles. The mandatory evacuation zone encompasses tens of thousands of people.

TJ McGovern, interim fire chief of the Orange County Fire Authority, announced through a social media video that expert teams Saturday evening identified “a potential crack in the tank, which could potentially be relieving some of the pressure in there.”

McGovern characterized finding the possible fissure as “positive intel.”

Emergency officials continue working to confirm whether the suspected crack has actually decreased tank pressure, according to an Orange County Fire Authority spokesperson who spoke with Reuters. Reducing internal pressure would help prevent a catastrophic blast, the spokesperson explained.

While authorities currently concentrate on pressure monitoring, the spokesperson noted the crack might eventually enable officials to slowly remove the hazardous chemicals.

Craig Covey, division chief of the Orange County Fire Authority, reported Saturday that the tank’s interior temperature was climbing approximately one degree hourly and had peaked at 90 degrees. However, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated early Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union” that local teams were working to maintain tank stability by keeping temperatures below 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

“I’m being told this morning that the most likely scenario is one of a low-volume release, where the local authorities are going to be able to monitor, neutralize and contain the threat,” Zeldin told CNN.

Response teams prepared for potential spillage by identifying methods to construct barriers and redirect the liquid into containment areas at the industrial location, preventing it from reaching storm drainage systems, waterways or coastal areas, Covey explained.

Public health authorities expressed concerns that chemical vapors could trigger serious breathing complications during extended exposure. Environmental monitoring equipment positioned throughout Garden Grove detected no hazardous substances or contaminants Sunday, the EPA reported.

Detection devices placed near the tank have not registered any airborne chemical releases, the fire authority spokesperson confirmed.

Neither the Orange County Fire Authority nor the Garden Grove mayor’s office responded to Sunday comment requests. Saturday briefings revealed firefighters were investigating whether increased cooling water flow could slow internal chemical reactions sufficiently to lower pressure and avoid explosion.

The emergency situation started Thursday at the GKN Aerospace plant, which manufactures and tests aircraft windows and canopies for civilian and military aviation, the company’s website states.

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Orange County on Saturday.

Emergency officials in Southern California continue working around the clock to address a critical situation involving a compromised chemical storage container at an aerospace company that has forced tens of thousands from their homes.

The container at GKN Aerospace holds approximately 6,000 to 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, a dangerous substance used in manufacturing plastic components. The vessel became overheated last week and started releasing toxic fumes into the surrounding air in Garden Grove, located in Orange County. Weekend reports from officials indicated the container could discharge its entire contents or potentially detonate if temperatures continue rising.

While no one has been hurt, evacuation orders affected more than 50,000 people throughout the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Emergency responders have been continuously dousing the container with water to lower the temperature of the heating chemicals and avoid a potential blast.

The substance methyl methacrylate appears as a clear, combustible liquid utilized in creating resins, plastics and dental prosthetics, and falls under federal hazardous material regulations. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the compound can cause irritation to respiratory systems, eyes and skin, while higher concentrations may lead to impaired breathing capacity, lightheadedness and cognitive issues. Air quality testing conducted around the evacuation area has shown pollution levels remain within acceptable ranges.

Officials report the container’s release valves have malfunctioned, creating uncertainty about how to handle the chemical contents while overheating dangers persist. Local emergency management warned that without intervention, the situation could result in either a massive chemical discharge or an explosion.

Emergency crews have concentrated efforts on maintaining the container temperature below 85 degrees Fahrenheit to reduce internal pressure. EPA chief Lee Zeldin stated Sunday that the most probable outcome involves a “low-volume release” of the tank’s materials, allowing officials to “monitor, neutralize, and contain the threat.”

Rising internal temperatures would create pressure buildup as the methyl methacrylate transforms from liquid to gas form, heightening explosion risks that could ignite additional containers at the location.

An explosion releasing the chemical airborne would spread it across a broader area and could generate dangerous inhalation vapors, warned Orange County’s top health officer, Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong.

Dr. Chinsio-Kwong explained that inhaling the vapor could irritate eyes, nasal passages and lungs, potentially causing throat soreness, burning eyes and dizziness. She noted the chemical produces a fruit-like smell, though detecting the odor doesn’t necessarily indicate health consequences will occur.

Extended exposure to methyl methacrylate can lead to severe breathing complications or loss of consciousness. The evacuation area sits west of Anaheim, where Disneyland’s two entertainment parks operate without evacuation requirements. Dr. Chinsio-Kwong assured that individuals beyond the evacuation boundary face no health concerns.

Sunday reports from officials suggested the container may have developed a fracture, which could reduce explosion probability. Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Wayhowe Huang reported emergency teams discovered the potential crack during overnight operations. Despite the crack, he said the container showed no signs of releasing toxic material into the environment.

Zeldin indicated a controlled, small-scale chemical release would enable officials to monitor the situation and reduce container pressure. GKN Aerospace announced Sunday afternoon its continued cooperation with local emergency services, stating “the situation remains ongoing.”

New research demonstrates that providing summer employment opportunities for teenagers produces significant reductions in criminal activity rates. According to the findings, these youth employment initiatives create substantial positive impacts on community safety.

Economist Sara Heller discussed the research data, which indicates these seasonal work programs for young people deliver meaningful results in crime prevention. The study highlights how structured summer employment can serve as an effective tool for reducing problematic behavior among teenagers during the months when school is not in session.

CENTERVILLE, Mass. — At 106 years old, Freeman Johnson holds the distinction of being America’s oldest living Pearl Harbor survivor, though he witnessed none of the December 7, 1941 attack that changed history.

During the Japanese assault, Johnson was deep within the USS St. Louis working on boiler repairs, completely unaware of the chaos unfolding above deck. The Massachusetts resident, who celebrated his 106th birthday in March, missed seeing his fellow sailors manning antiaircraft weapons and downing an enemy torpedo aircraft.

“While all the rigamarole was going on topside, I was inside a steam drum. Couldn’t see anything, absolutely nothing,” said Johnson, a Centerville, Massachusetts, resident whose living room is filled with mementos and photos of his Navy service, including photos of the St. Louis and him as a young sailor, along with a collection of Navy challenge coins and ribbons representing the places he visited. He still has his military identification tag — popularly known as dog tag.

By the time Johnson reached the surface, the light cruiser had already maneuvered past enemy midget submarines and escaped to open waters. As a fireman aboard the vessel, Johnson remained largely uninformed about the attack’s details even as they sailed into the Pacific.

“We were way out to sea, way out. You couldn’t see any land at all. All you saw was ocean,” he said. “I was just a sailor, just a swabbie, I was not an officer. They don’t tell you anything if you don’t need to know. And I didn’t need know it. So they tell you nothing.”

During school visits, students frequently questioned Johnson about feeling frightened during the attack. “You’re not scared. You’re too busy to be scared,” he said, his gravelly voice rising. “Besides, you don’t know what you’re scared of. You can’t see anything. What are you afraid of?”

Johnson assumed the title of oldest survivor following the December death of World War II Navy veteran Ira “Ike” Schab, who was 105. Schab’s death leaves just 11 survivors remaining from the surprise assault that claimed more than 2,400 military lives and drew America into the global conflict. Memorial Day on Monday honors the nation’s fallen service members.

Annual commemoration ceremonies occur at the military installation’s waterfront for Pearl Harbor veterans. Approximately 2,000 survivors participated in the 50th anniversary gathering in 1991. Recent decades have seen only dozens attend, with just two making the journey in 2024 from an estimated 87,000 troops stationed on Oahu that fateful day. No survivors traveled to Hawaii last year.

Throughout most of his life, Johnson shunned public attention and rarely discussed surviving the attack. After all, he was among tens of thousands of sailors present during that devastating day. He remembered his late wife Ruth “thought that was something special” so she contacted the Navy and “the girl laughed at her.”

Now as the oldest survivor, he’s gained local fame and reluctantly represents one of World War II’s most pivotal moments. Johnson arrived at his 106th birthday celebration in a limousine, surrounded by television cameras. He receives correspondence from around the globe and people regularly call him a hero during public outings.

Despite being hard of hearing, requiring a walker for mobility, and battling congestive heart failure, Johnson can recount his wartime experiences with remarkable precision. The 19-year-old was jobless and living with family in Waltham when he feared being drafted, prompting him to enlist in the Navy because he believed it would be less demanding physically than Army service.

“As a kid, I walked. If I wanted to go somewhere, I walked or took my bicycle. But I didn’t want to walk from France to Germany,” he said, sitting in a recliner, dressed in an oversized flannel shirt and waving his hands like an orchestra conductor.

“It’s a long way carrying a knapsack with you … Water for a day, food for a day, a 9-pound Springfield rifle all on your back and walking through the mud,” he said. “No thanks. That’s why I joined the Navy.”

Johnson’s recollections focus less on combat aboard the St. Louis and later the USS Iowa, and more on their historical importance. He participated in commissioning the Iowa and remembered the battleship’s preparations in November 1943 before carrying President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Tehran Conference with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.

The vessel was fitted with two elevators and a bathtub. Most ammunition and oil were removed to reduce weight as it navigated the Potomac River to collect Roosevelt, then reloaded before heading to sea.

“It was a big meeting,” Johnson said, recalling how the crew were photographed with Roosevelt. “I don’t know what they talked about, but I didn’t need to know. We picked him back up, brought him home.”

Johnson also observed the war’s conclusion from the Iowa. He was positioned on the Iowa’s mast observing surrender ceremonies approximately one mile away in Tokyo Bay aboard the USS Missouri on Sept. 2, 1945.

“I could see the boats coming up with the Marines escorting the Japanese onto ship and sitting around a table,” he said. “It was all over. That was the end of the war. A bunch of us got together — the war is over. Let’s go home.”

Currently, his daughter Diane Johnson frequently accompanies him. They share a home and annually travel on Dec. 7, often participating in Pearl Harbor memorial events, including the 65th and 80th anniversary ceremonies in Hawaii. She regularly prompts conversations and insists he has “a responsibility” to tell Pearl Harbor’s story, particularly to young people unfamiliar with the bombing.

“It’s kind of overwhelming when you think of it. Well, the 106 is what gets me,” she said. “When I think about his history, he’s at the beginning, he’s at middle, he is at the end when he witnessed the surrender. It’s something.”

Johnson gained increased recognition several years ago when Diane Johnson heard local television reporting that the state’s last survivor had passed away. She contacted them to set the record straight, raising his visibility. Johnson also began regular appearances in the Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Parade, frequently leading from the front.

“I wish more people were like him today. He just gets on and doesn’t complain about anything,” said Desmond Keogh, the chairman of the parade who has accompanied Johnson. “It’s what this country was all about. They were just a different generation. They did what was best for their country.”

Despite all the Pearl Harbor attention, the straightforward Johnson, recognized for his distinctive laugh and playful grin, doesn’t consider it his life’s defining experience.

That honor belongs to marrying his late wife after the war and raising three daughters. He also spent years working in a machine shop, then a convenience store, and finally delivering meals to elderly residents — retiring from all positions, the final one at age 90.

“Pearl Harbor just happened. I can’t put it any other way,” he said.

Officials in Southern California continue preparing for a potential disaster as a malfunctioning chemical tank threatens to explode or leak, forcing 40,000 residents from their homes with no clear timeline for their return during Memorial Day weekend.

The pressurized container overheated Thursday and started releasing vapors at a business facility in Garden Grove, located roughly 40 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, the Orange County Fire Authority reported. No injuries have occurred so far.

However, emergency responders face a critical problem: the tank’s valves are either damaged or “gummed up,” making it impossible for crews to extract the chemical or reduce pressure buildup, explained Craig Covey, Orange County Fire Authority division chief.

Emergency teams are primarily focused on finding methods to lower the temperature of the chemical contents to prevent a leak or explosion. Should cooling efforts fail, Purdue University engineering professor Andrew Whelton noted that a controlled leak would be preferable to contain most of the substance. The most dangerous outcome would be an explosion spreading the chemical across a wide area while sending debris flying.

Should internal temperatures keep rising, pressure will continue mounting as the methyl methacrylate transforms from liquid to gas, since the pressure relief mechanisms have stopped functioning. Whelton explained that firefighters would likely avoid puncturing the tank due to concerns about creating sparks that could ignite the volatile, flammable gas.

Temperature monitoring through drones occurs every 10 minutes to detect any increases, while teams prepare containment measures to prevent potential leaks from reaching waterways or the ocean, Covey reported on social media platform X during an evening update.

“Sitting back and allowing these tanks to fail is unacceptable,” Covey stated, while acknowledging no guarantees exist that tanks won’t rupture and leak. “Our goal is to protect your homes — no damage to them — and protect the environment.”

Tank cooling efforts seemed successful Friday, though Covey later corrected his assessment the next day, revealing that drone readings measured external rather than internal temperatures.

“Unfortunately I do have to report that the temperature was 90 degrees,” Covey announced, representing an increase from 77 Fahrenheit recorded the previous morning.

Temperature control remains crucial since the liquid chemical’s flashpoint reaches 50 Fahrenheit, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Garden Grove residents received initial evacuation orders, which later expanded to portions of five additional Orange County communities: Cypress, Stanton, Anaheim, Buena Park and Westminster. Some evacuees with pets prepared to spend nights in vehicles.

Multiple shelters continued operating Saturday, including facilities at three high schools.

Marco Solano, 32, stayed Friday night at his parents’ residence, expressing frustration while monitoring news for updates about returning home.

“I don’t think that they should have dangerous chemicals in a neighborhood area, especially that dangerous that they have to evacuate people,” Solano commented. “But again, it’s not up to me. I don’t make the laws. I don’t make the rules. We just have to do what is best I guess.”

Solano, who works multiple jobs, described feeling extremely tired and weak, believing the chemical leak stress was worsening his anemia and ulcerative colitis.

“This has been affecting me quite a bit,” he said.

After work Friday, Solano visited his apartment to collect belongings and observed other residents who hadn’t evacuated, causing him concern for their safety.

The compromised tank sits at GKN Aerospace, a manufacturer of commercial and military aircraft components. It contains 6,000 to 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, a substance used in plastic parts production.

Methyl methacrylate exposure can trigger severe breathing difficulties and loss of consciousness. The chemical may also cause neurological issues and irritation to skin, eyes and throat, according to safety documentation. Orange County health authorities noted the chemical produces a distinct odor that residents might detect across large areas without experiencing harm.

Whelton compared the tank’s chemical volume to the catastrophic 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which he investigated when more than 115,000 gallons of vinyl chloride was released after officials deliberately opened five tank cars and burned the chemical. This incident involves significantly less material.

“Many of these are acute, fast-acting effects. But the longer somebody stays in contact with it, the more potential for significant damage that occurs,” Whelton explained.

In case of explosion, officials anticipate “severe structural damage and significant harm” within the blast zone nearest the tank.

Should an explosion release chemicals into the atmosphere, Whelton emphasized the importance of conducting detailed air monitoring specifically for methyl methacrylate rather than generic volatile organic compound testing used in East Palestine. Standard tests, typically performed with portable detectors, may fail to identify this particular chemical. Indoor testing of buildings and residences might be necessary before residents return.

Weather conditions will significantly influence the direction of any chemical plume following an explosion. Officials are creating maps to predict various scenarios identifying the most affected areas.

Containment barriers have been installed to block chemicals from entering storm drainage systems or reaching nearby creeks and ocean in case of spillage, Covey reported.

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a state emergency declaration for Orange County, providing state resources to local agencies and allowing state properties and fairgrounds to serve as emergency shelters if needed.

Garden Grove borders Anaheim, which houses Disneyland’s two theme parks that remain outside evacuation zones. Park representatives said they’re monitoring the situation and assisting affected employees.

GKN accepted a payment of more than $900,000 to state regulators in 2025 to resolve violations related to recordkeeping, permitting problems and nitrogen oxide emissions, based on South Coast Air Quality Management District website information.

WASHINGTON — An individual who opened fire at Secret Service officers near a White House security checkpoint has died following a shootout with federal agents, authorities confirmed.

According to the U.S. Secret Service, initial findings show the individual came to a checkpoint around 6 p.m. ET Saturday, “pulled a weapon from his bag and began firing at posted officers.”

Federal agents fired back, striking the gunman, who was rushed to a local medical facility where he was later pronounced dead, the Secret Service reported.

An innocent bystander sustained injuries during the incident, though law enforcement officials remain uncertain whether the wounds came from the initial gunfire by the suspect or from rounds fired by responding officers.

The Secret Service confirmed none of their personnel were harmed in the exchange, and President Donald Trump — who was present at the White House during the shooting — remained “unaffected.”

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Earlier reporting follows below.

WASHINGTON — Federal agents shot an individual in the vicinity of the White House on Saturday, with a bystander also sustaining gunshot wounds, according to a law enforcement source.

Both victims were reported in critical condition, the source revealed while requesting anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak about the ongoing investigation.

White House press corps members on duty Saturday heard multiple gunshots and received instructions to take cover in the press briefing room.

The Secret Service posted on X that they were “aware of reports of shots fired near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW” — located one block from the White House — and were “working to corroborate the information with personnel on the ground.” They promised an update would follow.

FBI Director Kash Patel posted on social media that officers were responding to reports of gunfire and promised to “update the public as we’re able.”

President Donald Trump remained inside the White House throughout the incident.

Physical evidence of the shooting remained visible on sidewalks adjacent to the White House grounds, with yellow police tape stretching across walkways and Secret Service personnel marking dozens of spots with orange evidence markers. Emergency medical supplies, including what looked like purple medical gloves and standard paramedic equipment, were scattered at the scene.

ABC News senior White House correspondent Selina Wang captured dramatic footage on X showing the moment she heard what “sounded like dozens of gunshots” and took cover. Wang had been recording a routine social media update about Trump’s earlier Saturday comments regarding a potential Iran deal when the gunfire erupted.

The video shows Wang speaking briefly before the sound of gunshots causes her to widen her eyes and duck down in the media tent positioned along the White House driveway where news crews conduct their broadcasts. Wang’s footage had been shared thousands of times and viewed over 3 million times by Saturday evening.

The Metropolitan Police Department advised on X that the Secret Service was handling the scene and urged the public to stay away from the area. The location is close to where a shooter attacked two West Virginia National Guard members last November.

U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, succumbed to her injuries in that attack. Andrew Wolfe, then 24, suffered critical wounds. Rahmanullah Lakanwal faces charges in connection with that shooting.

Saturday’s gunfire occurred roughly one month following what authorities described as an assassination attempt against the president on April 25 during his appearance at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at a Washington hotel. Cole Tomas Allen, of Torrance, California, recently entered a not guilty plea to charges of attempting to kill Trump and remains in federal detention.

After that incident, Secret Service agents shot a suspect who they said had opened fire on officers near the Washington Monument, also in the White House vicinity. Michael Marx, 45, of Midland, Texas, was charged in federal court in connection with the May 4 shooting. A teenage bystander suffered wounds in that incident.

Federal authorities launched an investigation Saturday after receiving reports of gunfire in the nation’s capital near the White House.

The Secret Service announced Saturday that agents were aware of reports indicating shots had been fired in Washington, D.C., specifically at the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, located close to the White House. Officials stated they were actively working to verify these reports through coordination with officers stationed in the area.

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that FBI agents were present at the location, providing assistance to Secret Service personnel.

WASHINGTON — Authorities are currently investigating reports of gunfire in the area surrounding the White House.

Police and other law enforcement agencies have been dispatched to respond to the incident involving reported gunshots near the presidential residence.

Emergency responders battling a dangerous chemical tank situation in Southern California discovered Saturday that internal temperatures are climbing despite round-the-clock cooling operations, according to the incident commander.

Tens of thousands of residents in Garden Grove, a Los Angeles suburb, remain under mandatory evacuation orders as crews work to prevent a potential explosion.

The governor of California issued a state of emergency declaration for Orange County, with his office urging residents to comply with evacuation directives.

Craig Covey, division chief of the Orange County Fire Authority, reported that emergency teams re-entered the hazardous area overnight after drone surveillance on Friday indicated that water spray operations were helping control the situation.

However, Covey explained in a Saturday morning social media video that drone measurements only captured exterior vessel temperatures, not the chemical contents within. When crews accessed the tank’s internal gauge, they discovered temperatures had risen to 90 degrees Fahrenheit from the previous reading of 77 degrees when responders had withdrawn.

The internal temperature was climbing approximately one degree per hour, according to Covey. “That’s the bad news,” he stated.

Since Friday, authorities have cautioned that the container holding methyl methacrylate – a combustible chemical utilized in plastics and manufacturing – could burst and release as much as 7,000 gallons of toxic substances or detonate and threaten surrounding tanks.

Covey said Saturday that fire crews were investigating whether increased cooling water flow could slow the chemical curing reaction inside the vessel sufficiently to reduce pressure and avoid an explosion.

“Letting this thing just fail and blow up is unacceptable to us,” Covey declared. “Our goal is to find something and not allow that to happen.”

The emergency situation started Thursday at the GKN Aerospace plant in Garden Grove, a community of approximately 172,000 residents located roughly 30 miles south of Los Angeles. According to the company’s website, the facility focuses on manufacturing and testing aircraft windows and canopies for both commercial and military use.

GKN stated it is collaborating with “all relevant experts” to resolve the crisis.

“We sincerely apologize for the significant disruption to the many local residents and businesses who have had to be evacuated,” a company spokesperson said in a Saturday statement.

Authorities broadened evacuation zones Friday as explosion risks intensified. Garden Grove Police Chief Amir El-Farra told the Orange County Register that roughly 15% of people within the evacuation area are declining to leave.

Covey reported that crews transitioned from a “defensive” approach to an “offensive” strategy overnight with assistance from chemists on the manufacturer’s emergency response team. The objective was to neutralize a nearby 15,000-gallon tank and minimize its explosive danger if the smaller vessel fails.

“We did put people in harm’s way last night,” Covey acknowledged.

Emergency shelters have been established in Garden Grove and neighboring Anaheim and Cypress.

Health authorities expressed concern that chemical vapors could trigger serious breathing issues with extended exposure. Air quality monitoring systems had not detected vapor as of the most recent health assessment referenced by officials.

“You are safe as long as you are out of the zone that was determined to be an evacuation zone,” Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong of the Orange County Health Care Agency said Friday.

Covey added that teams were also preparing for potential spillage by identifying methods to contain and redirect the liquid into a holding area at the industrial site, preventing it from reaching storm systems, waterways or the ocean.

“We are not giving up,” Covey emphasized.

Authorities spent Saturday searching through a New York City shipyard for clues about what triggered a deadly blast and fire that claimed one life and left more than 30 firefighters and emergency workers injured.

Officials offered few new details about the incident that unfolded Friday afternoon in Staten Island’s Mariners Harbor area on the north shore. Investigation teams continued their work at the scene while some firefighters remained on standby as a safety measure, authorities reported.

Emergency crews rushed to the shipyard around 3:30 p.m. Friday after receiving reports of flames, thick smoke, and two workers stuck in a below-ground area, according to city Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore. Within less than an hour, while firefighters and medical teams were actively responding, a powerful explosion struck the location, officials reported.

One civilian lost their life in the incident, while another sustained injuries. Officials confirmed that a fire marshal and one firefighter suffered severe injuries, with 29 additional firefighters experiencing minor to moderate harm and four medical personnel receiving minor injuries. Hospital staff treated all the wounded.

“We got very lucky this day,” Bonsignore stated during Friday evening’s press briefing. “We got lucky in the sense that none of our people were killed. It’s unfortunate we had one fatality, and they did everything they could to get to that person.”

Officials had not disclosed the identity of the deceased person by Saturday.

Fire marshal Christopher Cuccaro, who was among the seriously injured, sustained a skull fracture and bleeding in the brain, reported the fire department’s chief medical officer Dr. David Prezant. Medical staff listed his condition as critical but stable.

“We will be watching him very carefully over the next 24 hours to make certain there is not subsequent brain swelling. As long as there is not, he should do well,” Prezant explained during Friday’s press conference.

Both Cuccaro and the other severely injured firefighter were hurt by the blast’s shock wave, Prezant explained. The second firefighter was recovering “very well,” he noted.

“Thankfully both of these firefighters do not have penetrating injuries and do not have blast injury damage to their organs, to their heart, lungs or abdomen,” Prezant stated.

The blaze and explosion took place inside a metal building measuring 150 feet by 150 feet located at the shipyard’s rear section, Bonsignore reported. Approximately 200 firefighters and medical personnel arrived to handle the emergency.

Local resident Richard Oviogor, who was nearby during the incident, described hearing two separate explosions and experiencing what felt like a “big shock wave” when speaking with WABC-TV.

The surrounding area houses multiple businesses, including a coffee roasting operation and a storage facility. The shipyard was previously under the ownership of the Bethlehem Steel Company, which constructed naval vessels for the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Emergency shelters stayed operational across Southern California on Saturday while officials continued efforts to prevent a dangerous chemical storage tank from exploding near Disneyland’s theme parks.

The Orange County Fire Authority reported no injuries after the pressurized container began overheating Thursday and started releasing vapors in Garden Grove. Officials issued mandatory evacuation orders affecting 40,000 residents, with emergency shelters established by Friday evening at three high schools and other locations.

Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Craig Covey explained that authorities fear the tank could rupture and spill its contents or potentially explode. The container sits at GKN Aerospace, a facility that manufactures components for commercial and military aircraft. The tank contains between 6,000 and 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, a chemical used in plastic manufacturing.

Fire crews are using drone technology to track the tank’s temperature, and by Friday evening, cooling efforts showed positive results, Covey reported.

“It is not OK with me just to sit back and watch this thing blow up or fail. That is not acceptable to me,” Covey stated in a social media update. “Our group is going to do everything they can to come up with a third, a fourth, a fifth option that is not that, that is not failure, and we can get all of you back home as soon as possible. I ask you to continue to be patient.”

Officials also requested that residents avoid calling 911 with non-emergency matters, particularly suggestions for resolving the crisis, Covey noted.

“I know that everybody’s thinking they’re going to give us some really good ideas on how to fix that,” he stated. “While we really appreciate the intent of that, trust me, I have the best people around working on solutions.”

The evacuation zone initially covered Garden Grove residents but expanded Friday to include parts of five additional Orange County communities: Cypress, Stanton, Anaheim, Buena Park and Westminster.

Garden Grove sits approximately 38 miles south of downtown Los Angeles and less than a mile from Disneyland’s two theme parks, which remain outside the evacuation area. The community hosts one of the nation’s largest Vietnamese populations, and local Vietnamese television networks have been translating official updates and encouraging residents to take the emergency seriously.

Covey said emergency teams constructed sandbag barriers to contain the toxic substance and prevent it from entering storm drainage systems or reaching nearby waterways and the ocean if a spill occurs.

When the chemical becomes overheated, it can produce vapors dangerous to human health, according to Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, the Orange County health officer. Exposure can trigger breathing problems, eye irritation and burning, nausea and headaches.

Emergency crews initially succeeded in neutralizing one of two compromised tanks, but Covey announced Friday morning that the remaining container was “in the biggest crisis.”

GKN Aerospace released a statement saying the company was “fully focused on working with emergency services, specialized hazardous material teams and the relevant authorities to ensure the safety of the local community, our employees and everyone else involved.”

A Tennessee federal court has dismissed all criminal charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, bringing an end to a case that captured national headlines due to a deportation error by the Trump administration.

The federal judge cleared Garcia of human smuggling charges that had been pending against him. Garcia’s situation became widely known after the Trump administration mistakenly deported him to a dangerous correctional facility in El Salvador.

The dismissal represents a complete victory for Garcia, who is now free of all federal criminal allegations that had been brought against him.

Sherill Baldwin frequently spends her time working at a neglected graveyard in Connecticut. Though she discovered the location by accident, Baldwin has now become involved in a growing effort by volunteers known as ‘cemetery citizens’ who dedicate themselves to caring for abandoned burial sites.

These dedicated individuals are part of a larger nationwide initiative focused on rehabilitating and maintaining burial grounds that have been overlooked or forgotten by their communities. The volunteers work to clear overgrown vegetation, repair damaged markers, and restore dignity to these final resting places.

After more than 11 months away from home, the crew of the USS Gerald R. Ford received a triumphant reception upon their return to Naval Station Norfolk. The aircraft carrier’s deployment lasted 334 days, during which sailors faced multiple challenges at sea.

The extended mission took the crew through two separate military conflicts while also dealing with onboard emergencies including a fire and malfunctioning sewage systems. Despite these hardships, the sailors were greeted as heroes when they finally stepped onto home soil.

Emotional reunions filled the naval station as family members welcomed back their loved ones after nearly a year of separation. The homecoming marked the end of one of the longest recent deployments for the crew members aboard the massive warship.

Two recent national spelling bee champions, Dev Shah from 2023 and Faizan Zaki from last year, shared nearly identical victory moments – standing on a confetti-covered stage alongside a man wearing glasses and an aloha shirt, proudly displaying his book “Words of Wisdom.”

That man is Scott Remer, and for him, those championship photos represent more than celebration – they’re essential marketing for his unique business.

The 32-year-old Remer holds the distinction of being America’s sole full-time professional spelling coach, while most others in the field are former competitors still attending college or high school. Though nearly every national champion from the last 15 years has received coaching, Remer stands alone in making it his primary profession.

At this year’s competition – running Tuesday through Thursday in Washington with 247 contestants – multiple finalists will likely be Remer’s pupils when the field narrows to roughly 10 competitors.

“He’s probably one of the most influential figures in spelling over the past 10 years,” said Shah, now 17.

Remer’s resume includes training five national champions, and following the competition’s return after pandemic interruptions in 2020 and 2021, he has expanded his coaching operation significantly. This year he claims 34 students, maintaining at least 29 pupils during each of the previous four competitions.

His fees exceed those of competitors: private sessions cost up to $180 per hour. Additionally, when students place in the top 10 and earn prize money, Remer collects up to 10% of their winnings as what he terms “a performance-based bonus.”

Despite his demanding personality during instruction, many families consider Remer’s services worthwhile – or perhaps valuable because of his intensity.

Consistently enthusiastic and outgoing regarding spelling matters, Remer traces his coaching passion to his disappointing fourth-place finish in 2008, his final competition year. He describes his motivation as sharing knowledge, helping children achieve their potential, and the challenge of uncovering competition-worthy words.

“This is really about the love of language and the love of the competition. Part of it is once you’re stung by the bee, there’s kind of no going back,” Remer said. “I’m not going to deny that it pays well, because it does. But I don’t know that there’s anything wrong with that.”

His two most recent champions credit him as essential to their victories.

“Even though his classes are more expensive, it’s definitely worth it,” Faizan said. “I saw results.”

Faizan’s father, Zaki Anwar, negotiated a reduced $120 hourly rate for Remer’s instruction since Faizan already possessed advanced spelling skills. Remer earned 7% of the champion’s $52,500 prize total – a $3,675 bonus.

“After winning, it doesn’t really matter,” Anwar said.

Remer’s instruction focuses on word roots, language patterns, and pattern exceptions. He aims to develop deep linguistic understanding enabling spellers to decode unfamiliar words, as Shah demonstrated with “rommack” in 2023.

However, Remer’s rates and teaching approach have driven some students to seek alternative coaches.

“I found it prohibitively expensive,” said Navneeth Murali, a University of Pennsylvania student who competed through 2020 and now coaches spellers at roughly $50 per hour. “It wasn’t a realistic option for me.”

Grace Walters, who trained 2022 champion Harini Logan, charges $75 hourly. Both she and Murali accept only a few students annually.

“I’m very much quality over quantity. It’s really important to me that I’m able to get to know each speller as a whole person, not just as a speller, and tailor my curriculum to them as individuals,” said Walters, a University of Kentucky linguistics graduate student. “But I have to give credit where it’s due: If everyone was doing it like me, there wouldn’t be enough coaches for all the spellers out there.”

Sree Vidya Siliveri worked with Remer before placing 60th in 2024 but struggled with his methods, according to her father, Sreedhar Siliveri. After finding new coaching, she finished 10th in 2025.

“We were looking for alternatives and found some of the fresh, like, high school students who can be friendlier and charge less,” Sreedhar Siliveri said.

Even devoted Remer supporters acknowledge his sometimes abrupt and demanding approach with middle school students. Simone Kaplan, who placed second among the “octo-champs” of 2019, valued Remer’s rigorous coaching while recognizing it doesn’t suit everyone.

“Scott is a true logophile, a master of languages. He pushes his students to keep up with him,” Kaplan said. “That can inspire some spellers to learn and succeed, but it can also leave a student feeling like they’ve disappointed him if they don’t spell every word right. And that’s difficult for a kid.”

Remer says his objective involves providing support while delivering necessary feedback to prevent repeated errors.

“I try to be tough but fair, and I also try to modulate my teaching methods, based on the kids’ needs and the kids’ personalities,” he said. “Whether I’m always successful at that is I guess an open question.”

A 2016 Yale graduate who earned a Cambridge master’s degree the following year, Remer published his first study guide, “Words of Wisdom: Keys to Success in the Scripps National Spelling Bee,” in 2010 as a teenager. That same year, he coached his first champion, Anamika Veeramani.

He has authored three additional books and previously worked for the Council on Foreign Relations and as communications coordinator for an LGBTQ-friendly New York synagogue. Since 2020, he has focused entirely on spelling coaching while also providing Chinese, Spanish, writing, and standardized test preparation tutoring. Born and raised in Cleveland’s suburbs, he currently resides in Mexico City.

Remer has penned annual Guardian op-eds about the competition since 2019. He distributes email lists featuring his students and progress updates, referring to them as “my spellers” despite many having multiple tutors. (Faizan worked with three coaches last year.) During competition week, Remer maintains constant visibility, conducting on-site lessons and sitting with families during television coverage.

While recognizing the need for self-promotion, he admits discomfort with marketing activities.

“I think I’m trying not to be particularly self-aggrandizing in general,” Remer said, “so if the question is, does it come naturally to me to do that sort of promotional and marketing work, the answer is no.”

Scripps, the Cincinnati media company operating the century-old competition, doesn’t endorse coaching, but executive director Corrie Loeffler considers the practice unavoidable given the competition’s intensity.

Loeffler diplomatically questioned whether any coach should claim responsibility for a speller’s achievements.

“It’s hard work, it’s study ethic, it’s perseverance,” she said. “These kids are doing pretty incredible things at a really high level, especially at a young age, and I want them to be able to take credit for that themselves, knowing that it’s a community and they’ve had so much support along the way.”

Emergency crews in California are working around the clock to prevent a potential disaster after authorities forced tens of thousands of residents from their homes due to a deteriorating chemical storage tank that could either rupture or explode.

The crisis began Thursday in Garden Grove, a community of approximately 172,000 residents located about 30 miles south of Los Angeles, when officials discovered a storage tank at an aerospace manufacturing facility was at risk of catastrophic failure.

Craig Covey, division chief of the Orange County Fire Authority, explained that firefighters have been continuously spraying the tanks with water using remote-controlled equipment to maintain safe temperatures and “buying us time,” according to a video he shared on social media.

The problematic storage container holds methyl methacrylate, a highly flammable and volatile substance used in plastic production and aerospace manufacturing, according to the Orange County Register.

In an earlier video message, Covey outlined the dire situation facing emergency responders, explaining that the tank could fail and release up to 7,000 gallons of toxic chemicals, or it could detonate and threaten additional storage tanks nearby.

“I know I keep talking about we were handed this situation where there’s only two things that can happen, it could crack and leak, or it could blow up. That’s not acceptable to us,” Covey stated in his later video update. “I have an entire team actively working locally, regionally, across the state, and across the country, to try to figure out how to fix this.”

Covey emphasized his determination to find a solution, saying his objective was to “get all these brilliant minds together to put a plan together, so that we don’t let this blow up.”

The evacuation threat escalated Friday when officials received updated information from the manufacturing company that increased explosion concerns, according to TJ McGovern, interim chief of the Orange County Fire Authority.

Garden Grove Police Chief Amir El-Farra reported that approximately 40,000 people live within the evacuation area, with roughly 15% declining to leave their homes, as noted by the Orange County Register.

Emergency management teams have established three temporary shelters – one within Garden Grove itself and additional facilities in the adjacent communities of Anaheim and Cypress.

Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong of the Orange County Health Care Agency warned that escaping vapors could cause serious breathing problems if people experience extended exposure, though air quality monitoring equipment has not yet detected any chemical vapors in the atmosphere.

“You are safe as long as you are out of the zone that was determined to be an evacuation zone,” Chinsio-Kwong assured residents.

A devastating blast at a Staten Island dry dock facility Friday resulted in one fatality and left 36 people wounded, according to officials. The explosion occurred while fire crews were already responding to an active blaze and working to free two individuals who had become trapped.

Among the injured were two firefighters who required hospitalization. One fire marshal sustained severe injuries including a skull fracture and brain hemorrhage, requiring intubation for treatment. The second firefighter remained in serious but improving condition, authorities reported.

“This was a complex, fast-developing emergency situation,” New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani told reporters.

“First responders did what they always do: they ran towards danger so others could escape to safety.”

Authorities confirmed the fatality was a civilian but released no additional information about the victim’s identity.

Mamdani stated that a thorough investigation would commence after crews fully suppress the remaining fire.

Fire departments had initially responded to reports of a basement fire with two workers trapped inside when the explosion took place, according to officials.

The emergency unfolded in Staten Island’s Richmond Terrace area, located in the New York City borough situated across the harbor from Manhattan.

A fatal explosion at a New York City shipyard on Friday claimed one life and left 36 people wounded, according to officials.

Fire department authorities report that the majority of those hurt in the blast were firefighters and emergency responders who arrived at the scene following the incident.

The explosion occurred at a shipyard facility located on Staten Island, sending multiple people to area hospitals for treatment.

Emergency officials issued evacuation orders for roughly 40,000 residents in Southern California on Friday following a dangerous leak from a chemical storage tank that poses serious safety risks.

The hazardous situation prompted authorities to close local schools as they warned that the compromised storage facility could potentially burst or explode. The chemical tank has continued leaking despite ongoing response efforts.

Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Craig Covey addressed the media during a press briefing held at the Los Alamitos racetrack in Cypress regarding the dangerous materials incident occurring in Garden Grove.

Emergency crews are working to contain the situation while residents remain displaced from the affected area until the threat is resolved.

Tens of thousands of Southern California residents remained displaced Friday as emergency crews worked desperately to contain a dangerous chemical leak that threatens to explode without warning.

Emergency officials issued mandatory evacuation orders for approximately 40,000 people after a storage vessel containing 6,000 to 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate began overheating and releasing toxic vapors Thursday at an aerospace plastics manufacturing plant in Garden Grove, Orange County.

The leak originated at GKN Aerospace, a facility that produces components for both commercial and military aircraft. When overnight efforts to stop the chemical release failed, authorities expanded evacuation zones Friday to include portions of five additional Orange County communities: Cypress, Stanton, Anaheim, Buena Park and Westminster.

Garden Grove Fire Chief Craig Covey delivered a stark warning during Friday’s afternoon briefing, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

“This is not precautionary. … This thing is going to fail, and we don’t know when,” Covey stated. “We’re doing our best to figure out when or how we can prevent it.”

The fire chief explained that the compromised tank faces two catastrophic scenarios: it could crack and spill the hazardous substance onto the ground, or it could detonate entirely.

Garden Grove Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein acknowledged residents’ concerns during the press conference, saying, “We understand that this is frightening. But the evacuation orders are in place for your safety.”

Emergency responders have constructed protective barriers using sandbags around the facility to contain any potential chemical release and prevent contamination from reaching storm drainage systems, waterways, or the Pacific Ocean.

Covey described methyl methacrylate as extremely volatile, poisonous, and combustible.

“We are setting up these evacuations in preparation for these two options: it fails, or it blows up,” the fire chief explained in a social media video update. “Please follow our requests and orders for evacuations.”

While emergency teams successfully neutralized one damaged storage vessel initially, Covey announced Friday morning that the second tank had entered what he called “the biggest crisis.”

Authorities reported no casualties or fatalities related to the incident. Educational institutions throughout the affected area suspended operations as a safety precaution.

NEW YORK — At least 16 people sustained injuries, three of them serious, when an explosion and fire erupted at a shipyard facility on Staten Island Friday afternoon, according to the New York Fire Department.

The incident began around 3:30 p.m. Friday when someone called to report two workers stuck in a confined area at the dock, according to Joanne Mariano from the fire department’s press office. When firefighters arrived, they discovered flames burning in the lower level of a large metal building at the dock location.

While emergency crews were battling the blaze, a significant explosion happened at the location approximately 50 minutes after their arrival, Mariano explained.

By 5 p.m., emergency personnel had documented 16 injured individuals at the scene, Mariano reported. Among those seriously hurt were two firefighters and one civilian. Two other firefighters suffered moderate injuries, while the remaining victims had minor injuries. Two emergency medical workers were also among those with minor injuries.

Officials were still working to confirm the final number of patients, Mariano noted.

More than 200 firefighters and emergency medical staff from 68 different units responded to the scene Friday evening, according to Mariano. Authorities continue to investigate what caused the fire and explosion.

Richard Oviogor, who was nearby during the incident, spoke to WABC-TV about hearing two explosions and what felt like a “big shock wave.”

The location houses multiple businesses, including a coffee roasting operation and a self-storage business. The shipyard was previously operated by the Bethlehem Steel Company, which constructed vessels for the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Court documents reveal that one of two teenagers responsible for a deadly San Diego mosque attack this week had previously drawn police attention for troubling conduct and Nazi worship, leading authorities to remove his family’s firearms a year prior to the violence.

Law enforcement officials conducting a wellness visit at Caleb Vazquez’s residence documented that he was “involved in suspicious behavior idolizing nazis and mass shooters,” and secured a judicial order on Jan. 29, 2025, to confiscate 26 firearms through a 2014 California statute permitting weapon removal from individuals deemed threatening.

According to an affidavit from Marco Vazquez, the teen’s father, the family had willingly given up the weapons several days before the court action.

Law enforcement officials report that Vazquez, 18, connected with Cain Clark, 17, through internet platforms where both became radicalized. Investigators have not released additional information about their relationship or identified which weapons were utilized in the attack.

On Monday, Cain Clark’s mother contacted police about missing weapons from their residence, initiating an extensive manhunt for the teenagers before they carried out the assault at the Islamic Center of San Diego and subsequently took their own lives, authorities stated.

Legal documents indicate Vazquez’s parents chose to “secure all sharp knives in the home” and turn over firearms previously stored in a locked gun safe after learning of unspecified serious accusations against their son. He had also been previously subjected to involuntary mental health hospitalization. The court papers, initially disclosed by The New York Times, did not detail the reason for his psychiatric admission.

In a Thursday statement, the Vazquez family revealed that Caleb Vazquez was diagnosed with autism and had developed resentment toward certain aspects of his identity, though they did not elaborate on specific challenges.

“Coming from a diverse family that not only includes immigrants but Muslims as well, we always taught the importance of acceptance, compassion, and love for one another. We are proud of the different backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, and religions within our family and community,” their statement said.

“We believe this, combined with exposure to hateful rhetoric, extremist content, and propaganda spread across parts of the internet, social media, and other online platforms, contributed to his descent into radicalized ideologies and violent beliefs,” said their statement, released through their attorney Colin Rudolph.

The family encouraged him to pursue treatment and he attended rehabilitation facilities, according to their statement. Vazquez’s parents did not respond immediately to Associated Press interview requests. Legal counsel who represented Vazquez’s parents during the weapon confiscation also did not return calls.

Written materials from Vazquez and Clark containing white supremacist ideology showed Vazquez describing “some mental health issues” and romantic rejection. The documents indicate both teenagers admired previous attackers who died during mass shooting incidents. Their writings displayed animosity toward Jewish people, Muslims, Black people and various other communities.

Vazquez departed San Diego Unified School District in June 2018 following attendance at Washington Elementary through fifth grade, district spokesperson James Canning informed The Associated Press. His subsequent educational placement remains unknown.

Clark was registered in a virtual high school within the district, Canning confirmed.

The search for the teenagers began Monday when Clark’s mother reported her son was suicidal and had fled. She informed authorities he wore camouflage clothing, had stolen multiple weapons from their home, and was accompanied by an associate, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl stated earlier this week.

Officers were continuing to question the mother about potential locations when the shooting commenced at the county’s primary mosque.

In a 2025 court filing, Vazquez’s father described his family’s dedicated attempts to redirect Caleb Vazquez toward positive behavior. He explained that when they relinquished their weapons, they maintained contact with his educational institution, closely supervised his social media activity, and ensured he attended therapy sessions twice weekly.

“We observe all of his online activities, who he talks to, what he talks about, and who he is friends with,” Marco Vazquez wrote, stressing that he rejected his son’s beliefs.

Specialists note growing challenges in assisting individuals attracted to the type of extremism demonstrated by Vazquez and Clark.

Samira Benz works for the Violence Prevention Network, which conducts interventions when people are radicalized into believing in violent extremism. Benz said the work has become increasingly complicated as the internet blurs ideologies and creates niche, meme-based languages that can be fleeting and hard to decipher.

“Even if a parent is looking at the phone of their child, they don’t necessarily see something bad is going on,” Benz said.

A federal judge has thrown out criminal charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man, citing concerns about prosecutorial misconduct.

U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw determined that the Justice Department engaged in vindictive prosecution against Garcia, leading to the dismissal of the criminal case.

The ruling represents a significant legal victory for Garcia, who had previously attended a rally and prayer vigil before reporting to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Baltimore, Maryland in August 2025.

A culture of volunteerism and community support continues to thrive in a Missouri town fifteen years after a devastating tornado brought widespread destruction to the area.

The powerful storm caused extensive damage throughout Joplin, Mo., destroying large portions of the community. In the disaster’s wake, close to 100,000 volunteers arrived to assist with reconstruction efforts.

That remarkable outpouring of support has left a lasting impact on the community, with the volunteer spirit that emerged during the recovery period continuing to shape how residents approach community service today.

A federal judge has thrown out criminal charges against Kilmar Abrego, a Salvadoran migrant whose case became a focal point of immigration enforcement efforts during the previous administration.

The judge ruled on Friday that the charges would not have been brought if Abrego had not fought against his removal from the country, effectively dismissing the indictment.

Abrego had entered the country without authorization and later became a high-profile case when he was deported to a large detention facility in El Salvador this past March. His removal occurred despite an existing court directive that prohibited sending him back due to potential persecution risks.

Following a Supreme Court directive requiring the government to bring him back to American soil, Abrego was returned to the United States in June. However, his return came only after federal prosecutors had obtained criminal charges against him for alleged human smuggling activities.

Abrego entered a plea of not guilty to the charges and maintained through his legal team that the prosecution was launched as payback for his lawsuit demanding his return to the United States.

Historical truth advocates are marking a significant milestone – two centuries and three decades since Ona Judge made her brave break from bondage under George Washington’s ownership.

Born into enslavement on Washington’s estate, Judge was just 22 when she made her bold move on May 21, 1796, fleeing from the president’s official Philadelphia home. She concealed herself aboard a vessel bound for New Hampshire, where she eventually wed and bore three children.

Philadelphia has officially recognized May 21st as Ona Judge Day, with Thursday’s demonstration held at the President’s House location. This site became a focal point of the Trump administration’s campaign to eliminate what it considered “disparaging” content about Americans from government properties. Rally attendees shouted “Tell the truth! Restore our history!” while listening to speakers involved in the battle to reinstate displays about Judge and others who were enslaved there.

The informational displays were suddenly taken down this past January after President Donald Trump issued an executive directive. While some exhibits returned following a court ruling, that restoration work stopped when the administration filed an appeal.

Judge’s display panel has been reinstalled, and her memory lives on through a series of bronze footprint markers placed in the pavement to represent her journey to liberty.

“We remember her courage, her passion, her determination, that we make sure that in no way, shape or form she is ever forgotten,” said Cindy Bass, a member of the Philadelphia City Council. “Each one, teach one. Everyone, tell someone.”

Dawn Chavous, a volunteer for the Avenging the Ancestors Coalition, said it’s important to acknowledge the contributions of all people who shaped the country.

“You can’t love America without knowing the good, the bad and the ugly,” she said. “Slavery was part of our American story, and that is not something that we should hide or run away from.”

Meanwhile in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, a large-scale artwork honoring Judge will be revealed Saturday – a 13-by-25-foot wall painting on property belonging to the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire. This group has highlighted her narrative through guided tours and educational initiatives for many years.

“At a time when stories of struggle and freedom are being erased, New Hampshire is choosing something different: to make the quest for freedom visible, permanent, and undeniable,” the organization said in announcing the mural project.

Drivers will encounter lane restrictions on Collins Road this Wednesday, May 27th, according to a traffic advisory issued Friday.

The partial roadway closure will affect traffic flow in the area. Motorists are advised to plan alternate routes or allow extra travel time when commuting through the affected section.

The advisory was posted Friday afternoon to give drivers advance notice of the upcoming traffic disruption.

The Pentagon made public a second collection of previously secret documents on Friday detailing reported encounters with unidentified flying objects, featuring witness accounts of mysterious green orbs, disc-shaped craft, and unexplained fireballs.

Following President Donald Trump’s directive, this latest disclosure comes two weeks after the initial release on May 8. This continues a tradition of presidential transparency regarding government UFO records that started in the late 1970s.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth noted that these materials – comprising documents, photographs, and video footage of what officials term “unidentified anomalous phenomena” – have sparked public curiosity for decades.

“It’s time the American people see it for themselves,” he said in a statement.

Among the 222 newly released files, one particularly detailed document spans 116 pages and chronicles a sequence of reported encounters and official investigations at a classified military installation in Sandia, New Mexico, spanning from 1948 to 1950.

“This file contains 209 sightings of ‘green orbs’, ‘discs’, and ‘fireballs’ reported near the military base,” the Defense Department said.

Analysts reviewing the initial document release found fresh footage of previously documented incidents but noted the materials provided no definitive proof of alien technology or visitors from other worlds.

A grieving father reflects on the memorial tree growing in his front yard that serves as a living tribute to his son who died while serving in Afghanistan.

The redbud tree stands as a constant reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by his child during military service overseas.

Television host Stephen Colbert wrapped up his 11-year tenure on “The Late Show” Thursday evening, featuring an impromptu conversation with Beatles legend Paul McCartney and delivering sharp commentary about his unexpected exit from CBS.

The concluding episode of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” opened with the host expressing gratitude to both studio guests and home viewers for following his nightly commentary on current affairs, which frequently included sharp criticism of Republican President Donald Trump.

“We were here to feel the news with you, and I don’t know about you, but I sure have felt it,” Colbert told the laughing audience at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York.

CBS revealed last July its decision to cancel “The Late Show,” pointing to financial considerations. The late-night television format, a cornerstone of American entertainment since the 1950s, has experienced declining audience numbers and reduced advertising revenue over recent years.

The network’s choice to terminate the highest-rated late-night program generated significant backlash from Democrats and other observers who interpreted it as an effort to suppress political comedy in defiance of First Amendment free speech guarantees.

The program’s elimination occurred while Paramount Global, CBS’s parent company at the time, was pursuing government approval for a corporate merger. Following approval of that transaction, CBS now operates under David Ellison-led Paramount Skydance.

Colbert’s program maintained its position as the most-viewed late-night talk show among broadcast networks since the 2017-2018 television season, based on Nielsen ratings. During this season, “The Late Show” drew an average of 2.1 million viewers.

During Thursday’s final broadcast, Colbert stepped away from his hosting position and ventured backstage, where he discovered a luminous green circle. Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, a regular show contributor, humorously suggested it represented a wormhole created by “two conflicting realities,” namely “a show that was number one on late night, and it also gets canceled.”

“Your cancellation has created a rift in the comedy-variety-talk continuum,” Tyson explained. “If it grows, all of late-night television could be destroyed.”

Other late-night personalities Jimmy Kimmel, John Oliver, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers and Jon Stewart subsequently joined to provide guidance.

Initially, Colbert indicated he had arranged for Pope Leo to appear as his closing guest. A staff member then jokingly announced that the pontiff had withdrawn due to dissatisfaction with his dressing room refreshments.

McCartney then unexpectedly entered the stage, announcing his availability. “I was just in the area. I was doing some errands,” the musician joked.

McCartney had previously performed in the same venue in 1964, when the Beatles made their American debut on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Colbert inquired about McCartney’s memories from that historic performance, Sullivan’s personality, and the Beatles’ initial impressions of the United States.

The musician recalled that he and his fellow band members, who were in their early twenties then, perceived America as “the land of the free, the greatest democracy.”

“That’s what it was, and hopefully still is,” McCartney commented.

The program concluded with McCartney performing the Beatles hit “Hello, Goodbye” while Colbert provided backing vocals.

Following the show’s conclusion, Trump posted on Truth Social that Colbert possessed “no talent.”

“You could take any person off of the street and they would be better than this total jerk,” the president stated. “Thank goodness he’s finally gone!”

Prior to Thursday’s broadcast, supporters gathered outside the theater expressed sadness about losing both Colbert’s hosting and “The Late Show” as a cultural institution. Colbert, 62, assumed hosting duties from David Letterman in 2015.

“This is the end of an era. The late night show is a staple. David Letterman, Johnny Carson, it’s upsetting,” said fan Mike McGillicuddy.

Another supporter, Sarah Thompson, expressed being “very sad that Stephen’s leaving.”

“It’s just going to leave a big hole in America because you need to laugh at the end of the day from all the trauma that we’re facing,” she said.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — During her yearly state address on Thursday, Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer González announced plans to increase electrical generation capacity across the U.S. territory as ongoing blackouts continue to anger residents throughout the island.

The governor explained that a competitive selection process for adding 3,000 megawatts of new power generation is currently in progress, with the contract expected to be finalized by the end of summer. She also revealed that approximately 1,000 megawatts will come online in the coming months as workers repair and upgrade existing power facilities.

González explained that every 100 megawatts can supply electricity to 60,000 households.

“With more megawatts in the system, we can reduce outages,” she said.

The island’s electrical infrastructure was devastated when Hurricane Maria struck as a Category 4 hurricane in September 2017, though the system was already deteriorating due to insufficient upkeep and funding.

The governor announced that workers have begun installing Tesla battery systems using over $700 million in federal funding, noting these units should help decrease power interruptions with their 430 megawatts of energy storage capability.

Additionally, 244 megawatts worth of backup power plants designed to operate during peak usage periods have been delivered to the island, she stated.

González has received significant criticism for supporting the Trump administration’s decision to reallocate $350 million in federal money initially designated for rooftop solar panels and battery systems for 12,000 low-income Puerto Rican families, funds now being used for the island’s deteriorating electrical grid.

The governor also stated her continued support for converting power facilities to natural gas operations.

“I want to reduce the cost of power in Puerto Rico,” she said.

Last year, the island ranked fifth nationally for highest average electricity costs, trailing only Hawaii, California, Connecticut and Rhode Island, based on U.S. Energy Administration Information data.

González repeated her commitment to terminate a multimillion-dollar agreement with Luma, a private corporation managing power transmission and distribution in Puerto Rico that has faced widespread criticism as blackouts continue.

In response, Luma issued a statement saying “the improvements to the transmission and distribution network are evident.”

The company added: “As long as the outstanding funds remain available, the reconstruction and modernization work across the island will continue.”

Puerto Rico’s Electric Power Authority continues working to reorganize over $9 billion in outstanding debt.

González also recognized “serious problems” affecting the island’s water systems, as increasing numbers of communities experience extended periods without service.

“I don’t intend to console anyone,” she said while requesting patience and noting that rebuilding projects are ongoing.

After the nearly two-hour speech, the governor, who belongs to the pro-statehood New Progressive Party, received criticism from opposition politicians.

Pablo José Hernández, Puerto Rico’s representative in Congress and a member of the Popular Democratic Party, released a video statement following the address declaring that Puerto Ricans are not alone, “that your feelings of frustration, dissatisfaction, and anger are justified.”

AUSTIN, Texas — State regulators have revoked the nursing credentials of a Camp Mystic co-director, delivering harsh criticism for her response during last year’s devastating flood that claimed the lives of 25 girls and two teenage counselors.

The disciplinary action represents one of Texas’ initial moves against the family that owns and runs the all-girls Christian camp following the July 4 disaster. Camp Mystic recently called off plans to resume operations this summer amid fierce opposition from grieving families.

Mary Liz Eastland, who held nursing credentials and worked as the camp’s medical officer, had previously testified in court proceedings that she made no attempt to reach children and staff located in the camp’s lower areas as early morning flooding intensified along the Guadalupe River. Her father-in-law, Richard Eastland, who owned Camp Mystic, also perished in the flood.

Permitting Mary Liz Eastland to continue her nursing practice would create a “continuing and imminent threat to public welfare,” stated an order executed Tuesday by Kristin Benton, who heads the Texas Board of Nursing.

The document alleges Eastland “abandoned the campers and staff when the camp site began to flood … by evacuating herself and her children to higher ground without providing any assistance or direction to all of the other campers and staff.”

Eastland disputes these conclusions and plans to challenge the suspension, according to Camp Mystic attorney Joshua Fiveson. He criticized the board for revoking her license with minimal advance notice of proceedings and without gathering testimony or completing a thorough investigation.

“This is a sad day for Mrs. Eastland as well as every licensed nurse in Texas,” Fiveson stated. “This was an exercise in premature punishment.”

The board’s order indicates a final determination regarding her license will be made within two months.

Following the disaster, the Eastland family has faced mounting criticism from bereaved families and Texas legislators. Multiple families have initiated legal proceedings against the Eastlands, who spent months pursuing reopening plans before eventually abandoning them.

Legislative hearings in April revealed the camp’s inadequate flood emergency protocols, dependence on insufficiently trained personnel, and lost opportunities to move children away from riverside cabins.

During those hearings, Mary Liz Eastland detailed her actions that evening when she and her children departed their residence to join her mother-in-law. She described water flooding into the house and breaking a window to escape. The family managed to reach higher ground.

She and other personnel assembled survivors for attendance verification, comparing names with cabin lists. She testified that rising floodwaters prevented her from reaching the campers positioned nearest to the Guadalupe River.

Eastland also faced questioning about why she failed, as the camp’s chief medical officer, to contact or notify other medical personnel to assist campers before the catastrophe occurred. When asked whether additional staff could have aided in camp evacuation efforts, she responded, “Maybe so.”

A woman who previously dated a member of the musical group Why Don’t We now faces serious criminal charges for allegedly attempting to arrange his murder through a hired killer found on the dark web, according to authorities. The alleged scheme was reportedly connected to an ongoing custody battle involving their 7-year-old child.

Gabriela Gonzalez, age 24 and known for her substantial social media presence, received charges on Tuesday including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation of murder in the supposed plan targeting Jack Avery, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Two additional suspects face identical charges: Francisco Gonzalez, her 59-year-old father, and Kai Cordrey, her 26-year-old boyfriend at the time.

“This is a case where the defendants are accused of going to great lengths to find someone to commit murder,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a news release.

According to Hochman, the charges resulted from an extensive investigation that began with the FBI before being transferred to the district attorney’s office.

In a Thursday Instagram message, Avery expressed gratitude to prosecutors and law enforcement for their assistance and stated his priority remains “being the best father I can be.”

According to prosecutors, Gonzalez allegedly enlisted Cordrey’s assistance to locate someone willing to kill Avery during the period spanning 2020 to 2021. Authorities claim that in April 2021, her father provided Cordrey with $10,000 as initial payment for the scheme. Prosecutors allege that two months afterward, Cordrey received an additional $4,000 from Francisco Gonzalez when the supposed assassin demanded more compensation.

In September 2021, an undercover law enforcement agent pretending to be a contract killer engaged in conversations with Cordrey regarding the murder-for-hire scheme. Authorities say Cordrey identified Avery as the intended victim and discussed both payment arrangements and requirements for proof of death with the undercover officer.

Gabriela Gonzalez, whose Instagram account boasts more than 450,000 followers, remained in custody at a Los Angeles-area detention center on Thursday with bail set at $2 million. Her legal representative, Elliot Zarabi, did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

Francisco Gonzalez was taken into custody in Florida and is currently waiting for extradition proceedings. He was being held Thursday at a Seminole County jail facility in Florida. Information about legal representation for him on these charges was not available.

According to Los Angeles County jail documentation, Cordrey was arrested on Thursday. Jail records did not indicate whether he had secured legal counsel.

All three suspects could receive life imprisonment if found guilty of the charges.

The musical group Why Don’t We put out their first album in 2018, featuring the track “8 Letters,” followed by a second album three years afterward. The band has since split up, and Avery independently released the song “XOXOX” this year.

Thousands of family members and friends gathered to welcome home the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford following an extended deployment that lasted nearly a year at sea.

The homecoming celebration was designed as part of efforts to help sailors navigate the challenging adjustment period that follows months of separation from their loved ones.