Law enforcement officials in Pawtucket, Rhode Island responded Monday afternoon to reports of a shooting incident that left several people injured at a local ice hockey facility.
The incident took place at Dennis M. Lynch Arena, located in Pawtucket just outside of Providence, during what was supposed to be a youth hockey game. Authorities have confirmed that multiple individuals sustained injuries, though specific information about the circumstances remains scarce.
Officials have not yet provided detailed information about the Monday afternoon incident. Attempts to reach Pawtucket law enforcement officials, representatives from the mayor’s office, and hospital spokespeople for additional details have not been successful.
YAOUNDE, Cameroon — Immigration attorneys confirmed to The Associated Press that US authorities have sent another group of foreign nationals to Cameroon this week, despite the migrants having no connection to the Central African country.
According to Alma David, an attorney with the US-based Novo Legal Group, eight individuals who are not citizens of Cameroon touched down in the capital city of Yaounde on Monday aboard a deportation aircraft.
Both David and Joseph Awah Fru, a Cameroon-based attorney, confirmed they believe eight third-country migrants were aboard the flight, though they have not yet had contact with the new arrivals. The legal team is currently representing nine other migrants — four men and five women — from various African nations who were sent to Cameroon by US authorities last month.
The attorneys indicated they plan to provide legal assistance to this latest group of deportees as well.
“For now, my focus is handling their shock,” Fru stated.
An unnamed White House representative, speaking anonymously due to lack of authorization to discuss the matter publicly, confirmed the second deportation flight occurred but provided no additional information.
The initial group of nine migrants was first exposed in a Saturday report by The New York Times. David noted that two individuals from that original group have already been returned to their native countries.
Among the nine previously deported migrants, eight had received protective orders from US immigration courts that should have prevented their removal to their home nations due to fears of persecution or torture, David explained. Some faced danger due to their sexual orientation, while others were at risk because of political activities.
By sending them to a third nation like Cameroon, where they could potentially be transferred to their home countries later, authorities were exploiting a legal “loophole,” David argued.
“That is why the United States did not send them directly to their countries,” Fru explained. “Because there is cause for concern that they might be harmed, that their lives are threatened.”
David confirmed that none of the nine individuals sent to Cameroon in the previous month — including migrants from Zimbabwe, Morocco and Ghana — had criminal backgrounds beyond traffic violations. She has not yet obtained information about the eight who arrived Monday.
Cameroon joins at least six other African nations that have agreed to accept deported third-country nationals through arrangements with the US. The agreements also include South Sudan, Rwanda, Uganda, Eswatini, Ghana and Equatorial Guinea. Cameroon has been led by 93-year-old President Paul Biya since 1982.
State Department documents reveal that several of these nations have received millions in payments for accepting deported migrants. However, the Trump administration has not disclosed details of other agreements, including the arrangement with Cameroon.
A recent report from Democratic Senate Foreign Relations Committee staff found that the Trump administration has invested at least $40 million to remove approximately 300 migrants to countries other than their own across Africa, Central America and other regions.
Internal administration records examined by the AP show 47 third-country agreements in various negotiation phases, with 15 completed and 10 nearing completion.
When contacted Monday about the Cameroon deportations, the State Department declined to discuss specifics, stating it had “no comment on the details of our diplomatic communications with other governments.”
“Implementing the Trump Administration’s immigration policies is a top priority for the Department of State,” the statement read, adding “we remain unwavering in our commitment to end illegal and mass immigration and bolster America’s border security.”
Cameroon’s Foreign Ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
The Department of Homeland Security acknowledged January deportations to Cameroon but provided no specific details about third-country migrants and declined to comment on the second flight.
“We are applying the law as written. If a judge finds an illegal alien has no right to be in this country, we are going to remove them. Period,” the department stated. “These third-country agreements, which ensure due process under the U.S. Constitution, are essential to the safety of our homeland and the American people.”
The Trump administration has promoted third-country deportation agreements as a deterrent strategy, warning migrants in the US illegally that they could be sent “in any number of third countries” if deported. Officials also justify the practice as part of efforts to remove individuals they classify as dangerous criminals and gang members.
Legal advocates and activists argue the US should recognize that sending migrants to third countries with poor human rights records puts them at risk of being denied proper legal proceedings and subjected to mistreatment.
In a previous case last year, the US sent five individuals from Vietnam, Jamaica, Cuba, Yemen and Laos to Eswatini in southern Africa. All had been convicted of serious crimes including murder, attempted murder and rape, and had completed their sentences in the US.
Four of those deportees have remained in a maximum-security Eswatini prison for over six months without formal charges and have been denied in-person access to legal counsel. Their detention has prompted two legal challenges in Eswatini courts.
According to State Department documents, Eswatini — Africa’s final absolute monarchy under King Mswati III — will receive $5.1 million for accepting up to 160 third-country deportees. The king has faced longstanding criticism for suppressing pro-democracy demonstrations in a nation where political parties are prohibited, while allegedly using public funds for personal luxury.
A federal court in Pennsylvania has directed the National Park Service to restore a slavery exhibition at a Philadelphia historical location while legal proceedings continue, following the city’s lawsuit against the federal government regarding the display’s removal.
Last month, the National Park Service took apart and removed the exhibition after President Donald Trump made allegations of “anti-American ideology” at historical and cultural facilities – claims that civil rights organizations have dismissed.
Philadelphia filed a lawsuit over the issue, claiming the Department of the Interior, which manages the National Park Service, and senior officials violated the law, and requested judicial intervention to bring back the display.
On Monday, Eastern District of Pennsylvania Judge Cynthia Rufe approved Philadelphia’s motion to temporarily halt the federal government’s actions and commanded the National Park Service to put the exhibition back in place while the legal case proceeds.
“Court is now asked to determine whether the federal government has the power it claims—to dissemble and disassemble historical truths when it has some domain over historical facts,” Judge Rufe wrote in her decision. “It does not.”
Both the National Park Service and Philadelphia officials did not immediately provide responses to requests for comment regarding the judge’s ruling.
The display was located at the President’s House Site within Independence National Historical Park, the residence of America’s first president, George Washington, during Philadelphia’s time as the nation’s capital. The President’s House exhibition detailed the history of slavery and Washington’s ownership of enslaved individuals.
Civil rights organizations have criticized the Trump administration for reversing social advancement.
Arizona law enforcement officials are partnering with Walmart corporate headquarters to trace a distinctive backpack connected to the alleged kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie, according to Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos.
The elderly woman vanished from her Tucson residence on January 31st, with family members filing a missing person report the next day. Crime scene investigators discovered blood evidence on her front porch, and alleged ransom demands were delivered to media organizations, though two payment deadlines have already expired.
Federal investigators have released security camera footage showing a masked individual carrying a firearm holster near Guthrie’s residence on the evening she disappeared. The surveillance recordings captured images of someone wearing winter clothing including a face mask, full-length pants, coat, and hand coverings, along with a backpack.
Sheriff Nanos told The Associated Press via text message Monday that authorities have positively identified the suspect’s “Ozark Trail Hiker Pack” 25-liter backpack as the sole piece of equipment they can confirm with certainty.
“This backpack is exclusive to Walmart and we are working with Walmart management to develop further leads,” Nanos said.
However, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department clarified in Monday’s statement that while the suspect’s other garments “may have been purchased from Walmart but is not exclusively available at Walmart.” Officials emphasized “This remains a possibility only.”
On Sunday, investigators revealed that a glove found in the vicinity of the Guthrie residence has been submitted for genetic analysis. Federal agents reported receiving initial test results Saturday while waiting for official verification. This development occurs as law enforcement continues collecting potential evidence while the search for Guthrie enters its third week. Officials have not yet named any suspects in the case.
Based on surveillance footage analysis, FBI agents describe the suspect as a male approximately 5 feet, 9 inches in height with an average body type.
Law enforcement has voiced serious concerns regarding Nancy Guthrie’s medical condition, as she requires essential daily medications. According to sheriff’s dispatch recordings available on broadcastify.com, she has a cardiac pacemaker and has been managing elevated blood pressure and cardiovascular complications.
DALLAS (AP) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will find himself in an unusual position Monday evening: leading his inaugural campaign rally since declaring his U.S. Senate candidacy nearly a year ago.
The event marks an escalation in Paxton’s effort to oust veteran Republican Senator John Cornyn, who has served four terms, as the attorney general seeks to bring a strong Trump supporter to the Senate in what has become one of 2024’s most heated GOP primary contests.
Previously, Paxton ran a more subdued campaign operation, spending limited funds while drawing attention mainly through his conservative legal initiatives as Texas’s top prosecutor. However, with early voting set to begin Tuesday for the March 3 primary, Paxton has planned multiple campaign stops throughout Texas this week. He has also launched television advertisements connecting himself to President Donald Trump while challenging both Cornyn and Representative Wesley Hunt.
Even though he faces sustained attacks from millions of dollars in negative advertising funded by Cornyn and his supporters, plus opposition from Senate GOP leadership who argue Cornyn would be more electable in November, Paxton appears to be entering the Republican primary as the leading candidate.
“I wish they’d stop sending money from Washington, D.C.,” Paxton stated during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday.” “They are sending the money from D.C., and they’re helping John Cornyn. And it’s going to be … a lot of money spent, and he’s going to end up losing.”
Paxton’s continued political viability seems to challenge traditional expectations, similar to Trump’s own trajectory. The attorney general survived impeachment proceedings on fraud allegations in 2023, and currently faces accusations of extramarital conduct from his spouse, state Senator Angela Paxton.
The three-term attorney general is wagering that his willingness to oppose his own party’s establishment and his aggressive pursuit of conservative legal battles will help him weather ethical and personal allegations that Republican voters in the traditionally red state have largely overlooked so far.
Monday begins a four-day rally tour organized by Lone Star Liberty PAC, a super PAC backing Paxton, designed to alert voters that Texas early voting commences Tuesday.
His earlier campaign appearances were more modest affairs, including local Republican party meetings alongside other candidates. During the fall, he visited five Texas universities to address Turning Point USA chapters following the assassination of the conservative Christian organization’s national leader, Charlie Kirk.
However, those activities have essentially comprised Paxton’s entire public campaign presence until this week, apart from appearances on several podcasts with sympathetic hosts.
Through Friday, television advertising supporting Paxton in Texas totaled just one commercial costing $674,000 to broadcast, based on data from AdImpact, an advertising tracking firm.
That advertisement targeted Hunt, a second-term House representative from the Houston region, rather than Cornyn. Hunt, like Paxton, is attempting to attract primary voters seeking an alternative to Cornyn. By attacking Hunt, Paxton’s supporters hope to capture some of his support to reach 50% of the primary vote — the amount required to secure the GOP nomination without a runoff. Should no candidate achieve 50%, the top two vote-getters would compete in a May 26 runoff election.
Friday saw Paxton’s campaign launch a new advertisement showcasing video footage of Trump commending Paxton alongside photographs of the two together. As of Monday, Trump had not endorsed any of the three Republican candidates.
Paxton has used his Austin-based office to maintain his position at the forefront of conservative causes.
During the previous year, he filed lawsuits against Texas doctors, claiming they violated the state’s prohibition on gender-affirming medical treatment for children, supporting a central issue for social conservatives in their fight against what they term gender ideology.
In October, shortly after Trump repeatedly warned pregnant women, “Don’t take Tylenol,” Paxton sued manufacturers of the pain medication, claiming they misleadingly marketed it to expectant mothers while making unsubstantiated assertions that early exposure to its main component heightened autism risks.
Most significantly, Paxton spearheaded numerous court challenges against the former Joe Biden administration regarding immigration and border enforcement, frequently prevailing and strengthening his reputation as a conservative advocate. Since winning his first attorney general race in 2014, Paxton also regularly sued Barack Obama’s administration during the final two years of the Democratic president’s tenure.
“I think Ken Paxton is a fighter,” stated U.S. Representative Troy Nehls of Texas. Nehls noted that Paxton filed more lawsuits against then-President Joe Biden than any other state attorney general.
This continuous legal activity has maintained Paxton’s media presence throughout Texas, even as Cornyn and his supporters have invested heavily in attempts to damage his standing among Republican primary voters.
By Friday, Cornyn’s campaign and supporting super PACs had invested over $54 million in television advertising since the previous year, according to AdImpact data. Much of this spending highlighted Paxton’s impeachment trial and his wife’s divorce filing citing “biblical grounds,” which alleged extramarital relationships. These organizations have spent additional millions on online advertisements, text campaigns, and direct mail pieces also criticizing Paxton.
One commercial, funded by Texans for a Conservative Majority, begins with a narrator declaring, “Ken Paxton isn’t just corrupt. He’s weird.”
Republican political consultants not connected to any campaign say the extensive spending and months of criticism have not substantially damaged Paxton, who appears confident. No Texas senator in the state’s notable political history has served beyond four terms. Paxton believes his name recognition exceeds that of nearly every other statewide Republican official in Texas, including Cornyn.
During a December podcast appearance with Tony Buzbee, an attorney who represented the attorney general during his impeachment proceedings, Paxton stated that the “only other people with name ID” in the state are Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who are running for reelection, along with Senator Ted Cruz.
Washington-based Republican Senate leadership has expressed concerns about Paxton for months. They argue that a Paxton nomination would require hundreds of millions of additional dollars to defend in the general election due to anticipated attacks, compared to what defending Cornyn would cost. They contend this represents money the party should not need to spend in Texas, a state Trump won by more than 13 percentage points.
Democrats need to gain four total seats to capture the Senate majority in November. The minority party has expressed increased optimism about competing for Republican-held seats in Alaska, Maine, North Carolina, and Ohio.
In Texas, U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett and state Representative James Talarico are pursuing the Democratic nomination. Paxton would fare worse than Cornyn in the November contest against either Democratic candidate, according to strategists from the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the campaign organization led by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, in an early February memo obtained by The Associated Press.
“Cornyn wins the general election,” the memo concludes. “Paxton puts the seat at risk.”
MIDDLEBURG, Va. — Acclaimed Hollywood actor Robert Duvall, who captured audiences with his memorable performances in “The Godfather” saga and earned an Academy Award for “Tender Mercies,” passed away peacefully at his Virginia residence on Sunday. He was 95 years old.
His publicist confirmed the actor’s death, with his wife Luciana Duvall sharing the news through a heartfelt message on his social media page.
“To the world, he was an Academy Award-winning actor, a director, a storyteller. To me, he was simply everything,” Luciana Duvall wrote. “His passion for his craft was matched only by his deep love for characters, a great meal, and holding court. For each of his many roles, Bob gave everything to his characters and to the truth of the human spirit they represented.”
Despite lacking traditional leading man features, the slender, bald performer built an extraordinary career spanning decades, transforming from character actor to Hollywood icon. His journey began in 1962 with his film debut as the mysterious Boo Radley in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” launching a career filled with remarkable character portrayals.
Throughout his career, Duvall received seven Oscar nominations, taking home the Best Actor award in 1984 for his portrayal of troubled musician Mac Sledge in “Tender Mercies.” His trophy case also includes four Golden Globe awards, including recognition for his beloved performance as a cattle-drive leader in the acclaimed 1989 miniseries “Lonesome Dove,” which he frequently mentioned as his most cherished role.
The U.S. government honored his contributions to the arts in 2005 with a National Medal of Arts.
Duvall’s breakthrough came after two decades in the business when Francis Coppola cast him as Tom Hagen in 1972’s “The Godfather.” Having previously worked with Coppola on “The Rain People,” Duvall brought subtle brilliance to the role of the Irish lawyer serving the Italian Corleone family, creating an unforgettable character who operated in the shadows while providing crucial counsel.
Film critic David Thomson praised this casting choice, writing: “Stars and Italians alike depend on his efficiency, his tidying up around their grand gestures, his being the perfect shortstop on a team of personality sluggers. Was there ever a role better designed for its actor than that of Tom Hagen in both parts of ‘The Godfather?’”
In stark contrast to his understated Godfather performance, Duvall delivered explosive energy as the unhinged Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore in Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now.” His portrayal of the surf-loving, war-obsessed officer produced one of cinema’s most quoted lines, delivered with characteristic intensity on the battlefield: “I love the smell of napalm in the morning. You know, one time we had a hill bombed, for 12 hours. When it was all over, I walked up. We didn’t find one of ’em, not one stinkin’ dink body. The smell, you know that gasoline smell, the whole hill. Smelled like — victory.”
Director Coppola once observed Duvall’s remarkable preparation skills, noting: “Actors click into character at different times — the first week, third week. Bobby’s hot after one or two takes.”
While earning Oscar nominations for both “The Godfather” and “Apocalypse Now” in supporting categories, Duvall made headlines when he declined to appear in the third Godfather installment due to salary disagreements, publicly expressing frustration over receiving lower compensation than his fellow stars.
Colleagues consistently praised Duvall’s meticulous approach to his craft and intense focus. Michael Caine, who worked alongside him in 2003’s “Secondhand Lions,” shared with The Associated Press: “Before a big scene, Bobby just sits there, absolutely quiet; you know when not to talk to him.” Those who interrupted his preparation often encountered his well-documented temper, notably displayed during filming of “True Grit” when he clashed with director Henry Hathaway.
Duvall’s Oscar victory came for his leading performance as the struggling country singer Mac Sledge in “Tender Mercies,” accepting the award while wearing a distinctive cowboy tuxedo. In 1998, he earned another Best Actor nomination for “The Apostle,” a passion project about a troubled Southern preacher that he wrote, directed, produced, starred in, and largely funded himself. His dedication to authenticity led him to visit numerous rural churches and spend twelve years developing the screenplay.
His impressive filmography includes diverse characters: the outlaw leader targeted by John Wayne in “True Grit,” the notorious Jesse James in “The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid,” the sanctimonious Frank Burns in “M-A-S-H,” the ruthless television executive in “Network,” Dr. Watson in “The Seven-Per-Cent Solution,” and the harsh military father in “The Great Santini.”
“When I was doing ‘Colors’ in 1988 with Sean Penn, someone asked me how I do it all these years, keep it fresh. Well, if you don’t overwork, have some hobbies, you can do it and stay hungry even if you’re not really hungry,” Duvall explained to The Associated Press in 1990.
Even in his eighties, Duvall continued working, earning another supporting Oscar nomination for 2014’s “The Judge,” playing a character facing hit-and-run accusations. His later works included “Widows” and “12 Mighty Orphans.”
Born Robert Selden Duvall in 1931 in the San Diego region, he spent his childhood moving between Navy installations in Annapolis and California as his father advanced through the ranks to admiral. This military upbringing exposed him to various regional dialects and military culture, experiences that would later inform his acting choices.
His father’s stern military demeanor reportedly inspired his portrayal of the domineering patriarch in “The Great Santini,” adapted from Pat Conroy’s novel. Reflecting on his father in 2003, Duvall said: “My dad was a gentleman but a seether, a stern, blustery guy, and away a lot of the time.” While inheriting his father’s wrestling abilities and competitive spirit, young Bobby showed more interest in his mother’s theatrical pursuits, learning guitar and performing.
Academic struggles nearly derailed his college career at Principia College in Elsah, Illinois. Concerned parents, hoping to keep him enrolled and avoid the Korean War draft, suggested acting classes as a solution. “They recommended acting as an expedient thing to get through,” he remembered. “I’m glad they did.” Drama courses proved to be his calling.
“Way back when I was in college,” Duvall recalled to the AP in 1990, “there was a wonderful man named Frank Parker, who had been a dancer in World War I. We did a full-length mime play and I played a Harlequin clown. I really liked that. Then, I played an older guy in ‘All My Sons,’ and at one point I had this emotional moment, where this emotion was pouring out. Parker said at that moment he didn’t think acting can be carried any further than that. And this guy was a very critical guy. So I thought, at that moment at least, this is what I wanted to do.”
Following military service, Duvall used veterans’ benefits to attend New York’s Neighborhood Playhouse, studying alongside future stars Robert Morse, Gene Hackman, and Dustin Hoffman. His professional breakthrough came after a single performance in “A View From the Bridge,” leading to television opportunities on shows like “The Naked City” and “The Defenders.”
Between major Hollywood productions, Duvall pursued personal directing projects, creating documentaries and independent films including “We’re Not the Jet Set” about prairie life, “Angelo, My Love” focusing on gypsy culture, and “Assassination Tango,” which combined his acting with his passion for Argentine dance.
His love affair with tango began after seeing “Tango Argentina” in the 1980s, leading to numerous trips to Argentina to master the dance and understand its cultural significance. This dedication resulted in the 2003 film about a hitman who shares his passion for tango.
During the production of “Assassination Tango,” Duvall met Luciana Pedraza, an Argentine actress 42 years his junior, whom he married in 2005. His previous marriages to Barbara Benjamin, Gail Youngs, and Sharon Brophy all ended in divorce.
Hollywood has lost one of its most respected performers with the death of Robert Duvall at age 95, his wife announced on social media.
The Academy Award-winning actor, who had deep ties to our region having been raised in Annapolis, Maryland, passed away after a career spanning nearly 100 films and countless memorable characters.
“For each of his many roles, Bob gave everything to his characters and to the truth of the human spirit they represented,” his wife Luciana Duvall wrote in her Facebook announcement.
Born to a Navy admiral father and amateur actress mother, Duvall’s journey to stardom began in Annapolis before taking him to Principia College in Illinois and military service. He eventually landed in New York City, where he shared living quarters with future star Dustin Hoffman and formed friendships with Gene Hackman during their days as aspiring performers.
Duvall’s breakthrough came with his haunting portrayal of the enigmatic Boo Radley in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” a role that showcased his ability to make powerful impressions even without extensive screen time. This collaboration with screenwriter Horton Foote would prove pivotal, as Foote later crafted “Tender Mercies” specifically for Duvall, earning him the 1983 Academy Award for Best Actor as a down-and-out country music performer.
Among his most iconic performances was Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore in Francis Ford Coppola’s Vietnam War masterpiece “Apocalypse Now.” Despite appearing for only minutes, Duvall dominated the screen as the surf-obsessed military officer who famously declared, “I love the smell of napalm in the morning,” adding that it smelled “like victory.”
His collaboration with Coppola extended to “The Godfather” series, where he portrayed Tom Hagen, the trusted advisor to the Corleone crime family. While he returned for the sequel, Duvall declined to participate in the third installment due to disagreements over compensation.
Throughout his career, Duvall demonstrated remarkable range, excelling in both commanding roles like Lieutenant Colonel Bull Meechum in “The Great Santini” and the Soviet dictator in “Stalin,” as well as more vulnerable characters in films like “The Apostle.”
Western roles became a particular specialty for the versatile performer. He captured an Emmy Award for the television production “Broken Trail,” shared the screen with John Wayne in “True Grit,” and earned widespread acclaim for his portrayal of the affable former lawman Gus McRae in the miniseries “Lonesome Dove,” which he often cited as his most satisfying performance.
“I think I nailed a very specific individual guy who represents something important in our history of the Western movement,” Duvall shared with the New York Times. “After that, I felt I could retire, that I’d done something.”
When Hollywood’s demands became tiresome, Duvall took creative control of his projects. He served as writer, director, and star of “The Apostle,” exploring the story of a troubled minister, which earned him another Oscar nomination. He repeated this triple role in “Assassination Tango,” a project that allowed him to showcase his love for Argentine tango dancing.
His passion for tango led him to Argentina, where he met his fourth wife, Luciana Pedraza. In a remarkable coincidence, both shared the same birthday of January 5, though separated by 41 years.
Duvall divided his later years between Los Angeles, Argentina, and a sprawling 360-acre Virginia farm, where he transformed a barn into a dedicated tango studio.
Over his distinguished career, Duvall received seven Academy Award nominations, including recognition for “The Great Santini,” “The Apostle,” “A Civil Action,” and “The Judge” in 2014, cementing his legacy as one of cinema’s most dependable and compelling performers.
President Donald Trump harshly criticized a newly signed clean energy partnership between California and the United Kingdom just hours after the agreement was finalized Monday, according to a Politico report.
Speaking with the publication, Trump characterized the arrangement as “inappropriate” for Britain to negotiate with Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom. The Republican president also launched personal attacks against Newsom, calling him “a loser” and stating “his state has gone to hell, and his environmental work is a disaster.”
Newsom, who frequently criticizes Trump publicly, has reportedly considered pursuing the Democratic presidential nomination for the 2028 election.
The clean energy partnership that Newsom signed with British Energy Secretary Ed Miliband on Monday commits both parties to collaborate on renewable energy technologies including offshore wind projects. The deal also seeks to provide British companies with greater access to California’s energy market.
A spokesperson for Newsom fired back at Trump’s comments via email, stating: “Donald Trump is on his knees for coal and Big Oil, selling out America’s future to China. Governor Newsom will continue to lead in his absence. Foreign leaders are rejecting Trump and choosing California’s vision for the future.”
The clash comes as Trump has recently encouraged oil and gas companies to identify potential drilling sites off the coasts of Southern and Central California for possible lease sales that could begin next year. Both Newsom and environmental organizations have strongly opposed this initiative, warning it poses serious risks to the state’s marine ecosystems.
Adding to the tensions, Newsom was prevented from speaking at the official U.S. location during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland last month, which he attributed to interference from the White House.
California residents are making final preparations as a dangerous multi-phase winter storm approaches, threatening to deliver severe thunderstorms, powerful winds, and massive snowfall accumulations in mountainous regions.
Sacramento-based National Weather Service meteorologist Jacob Spender is encouraging residents to take the threat seriously over the next several days, recommending that anyone planning to travel should prepare emergency winter supply kits.
Pacific Gas & Electric announced it is deploying advanced artificial intelligence and enhanced machine-learning weather prediction systems to strategically position repair crews and critical infrastructure equipment including electrical poles and transformers throughout the affected areas. The power company emphasized that this weather event differs from typical winter storms because it will “progress in several phases,” featuring successive storm systems that are expected to amplify dangers from wind, precipitation, and snow accumulation.
California’s Office of Emergency Services has strategically positioned firefighting and rescue teams along with emergency resources in regions facing the highest risk for flooding and dangerous mud and debris flows.
Precipitation started falling Sunday across the San Francisco Bay Area, prompting local authorities to issue flood risk alerts for residents.
Weather experts predict the Sierra Nevada’s western slopes, northern Shasta County including sections of Interstate 5, and portions of the state’s Coast Range may accumulate as much as 8 feet (2.4 meters) of snow by the time the storm system passes late Wednesday.
Meteorologists warn that the combination of heavy snowfall, strong winds, and severely reduced visibility will create extremely hazardous or potentially impossible travel conditions.
“It has seemed ‘spring-like’ for a large part of 2026, but winter is set to show it’s not quite done yet,” the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post urging residents to stay aware of the storm.
In southern California, Los Angeles area communities still recovering from last year’s catastrophic wildfire damage have been placed under evacuation warnings through Tuesday due to the threat of dangerous mud and debris flows. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced she has directed emergency response teams and city agencies to prepare for immediate deployment should problems arise.
Airport security screeners across the nation are showing up to work without receiving paychecks after a Department of Homeland Security shutdown began early Saturday morning. The situation has travelers concerned about potential delays, particularly those who experienced the chaos from last year’s 43-day government closure that resulted in massive flight cancellations and extensive airport delays.
Security checkpoint personnel from the Transportation Security Administration must continue their duties unpaid as Congress fails to reach consensus on the department’s yearly budget. These same workers also remained on the job during the previous record-breaking shutdown that concluded on November 12, though aviation industry specialists believe this situation could unfold quite differently.
Organizations representing the nation’s travel sector and major airline companies have issued warnings that extended delays in DHS funding could result in increasingly lengthy security checkpoint waits at commercial airports throughout the country.
Key Differences in This Shutdown
The Homeland Security Department lost its funding when the clock struck midnight, though the remainder of federal operations have financing secured until September 30. This arrangement ensures that Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers will continue receiving their regular salaries, which should minimize the likelihood of extensive flight cancellations.
The department’s emergency operations plan designates approximately 95% of TSA personnel as critical workers who must remain at their posts. Congressional Democrats have stated that DHS will not receive new funding unless additional limitations are imposed on federal immigration enforcement activities.
Historical patterns show that air travel disruptions from government shutdowns typically escalate gradually rather than immediately. During last year’s extended closure, TSA was forced to temporarily shut down two security checkpoints at Philadelphia International Airport after about four weeks. On that same day, federal officials took the unusual step of directing all commercial carriers to cut back their domestic flight operations.
John Clark, who was returning to Detroit Metropolitan Airport from a Mississippi business trip, experienced problems during the earlier shutdown and expressed concern about the current situation.
“You might not be able to get home if you’re already out, or it might delay if you worked all week and you’re trying to get home,” said Clark, whose work involves traveling frequently to balance machines. “It’s really bad.”
John Rose, who serves as chief risk officer for international travel management firm Altour, believes airport problems could emerge more rapidly this time since TSA employees still remember the previous shutdown’s impact.
“It’s still fresh in their minds and potentially their pocketbooks,” Rose said.
Effects on Air Travelers
Predicting exactly where, when, or whether security screening problems will arise remains challenging. Even a small number of unexpected TSA employee absences could rapidly create extended wait times at smaller airports, particularly those operating just one security checkpoint.
Travel experts recommend passengers plan to reach airports earlier than usual and budget additional time for security processing.
“I tell people to do this even in good times,” Rose said.
Industry professionals warn that flight delays remain possible despite air traffic controllers being unaffected by the DHS shutdown.
Airlines may choose to postpone departures in certain situations to accommodate passengers still clearing security checkpoints, explained Rich Davis, who works as a senior security consultant for risk management firm International SOS. Insufficient TSA staffing could also create delays in processing checked baggage behind the scenes.
Burnest R. Green, who traveled from Phoenix to Detroit for his sister’s 70th birthday celebration, hopes the shutdown resolves before his return flight in more than a week.
“I just hope that things start to get better before they get any worse,” he said.
Preparation Tips for Travelers
While most airports post current security line waiting times on their websites, Rose suggests checking well before travel day rather than waiting until departure time.
“You may look online and it says two-and-a-half hours,” he said. “Now it’s two-and-a-half hours before your flight and you haven’t left for the airport yet.”
Passengers should exercise extra care when packing since forbidden items will likely extend the screening process. Carry-on luggage should not contain full-sized shampoo or other liquids, large gel containers, aerosols, or items such as pocket knives.
The TSA maintains a comprehensive list on its website detailing permitted and prohibited items for both carry-on and checked baggage.
Rose emphasized the importance of maintaining composure at airports, advising travelers to “practice patience and empathy.”
“Not only are they not getting paid,” he said regarding TSA agents, “they’re probably working with reduced staff and dealing with angry travelers.”
Shutdown Duration Remains Uncertain
White House officials have been in discussions with Democratic legislators, but negotiations failed to produce an agreement by week’s end before senators and House members prepared to begin a 10-day recess.
However, lawmakers from both chambers have been instructed to return to Washington if a shutdown resolution is reached.
Democratic representatives have maintained they will not support additional DHS funding without new constraints on federal immigration enforcement following the tragic deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis last month.
A combined statement from U.S. Travel, Airlines for America, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association cautioned that the shutdown poses risks to air travel as the busy spring break season approaches.
“Travelers and the U.S. economy cannot afford to have essential TSA personnel working without pay, which increases the risk of unscheduled absences and call outs, and ultimately can lead to higher wait times and missed or delayed flights,” the statement said.
While most workers dream of a two-week vacation or long weekend escape, a growing number of Americans are thinking much bigger – taking extended time away from their careers to refresh and reset.
These lengthy career pauses come in various forms and go by different names: mini-sabbaticals, adult gap years, micro-retirement, or simply extended career breaks. People use transition periods between jobs for exploration, negotiate employer-approved leaves of absence, embrace digital nomad lifestyles, or save money for multi-month adventures. The unifying goal is creating space for renewal – whether mental, physical, or spiritual.
However, financial constraints, personal obligations, and concerns about judgment from colleagues, friends, and family often stop people from pressing pause on their professional lives to seek fresh perspectives, according to sabbatical researchers and those who’ve taken the plunge.
Kira Schrabram, an assistant professor of management at the University of Washington’s business school who studies meaningful and sustainable work, notes that American perspectives on time off differ significantly from European attitudes, where leisure and rest receive higher priority. European Union law guarantees workers a minimum of 20 paid vacation days annually.
Nevertheless, increasing numbers of companies now offer weeks or months of paid or unpaid leave as an employee retention strategy, Schrabram explains. Seven years ago, she contributed her burnout research expertise to the Sabbatical Project, an initiative launched by Harvard Business School Senior Lecturer DJ DiDonna that champions sabbaticals as “a sacred human ritual” that should be accessible to more people.
Schrabram, DiDonna, and University of Notre Dame Professor Emeritus Matt Bloom conducted interviews with 50 U.S. professionals who took extended breaks from non-academic careers. Their research revealed three sabbatical categories: working holidays focused on passion projects; “free dives” combining adventure with rest periods; and quests by burned-out individuals who pursued life-changing exploration after sufficient recovery.
More than half of those interviewed funded their own time away. Writing for Harvard Business Review, the research team argued that sabbaticals could serve as recruitment, retention, and development tools for employers. However, since extended paid leaves remain uncommon, “we’re really pushing back on the idea that a sabbatical needs to be sponsored by an employer,” Schrabram said, referring to the Sabbatical Project’s network of coaches and mentors supporting those curious about taking breaks.
Roshida Dowe was working as a corporate attorney in California at age 39 when she lost her job in 2018. Rather than immediately job hunting, she chose to spend a year traveling. The frequent questions about how she managed this lifestyle shift inspired Dowe to become an online career-break coach.
Together with Stephanie Perry, a former pharmacy technician who also took a travel gap year and discovered coaching, Dowe co-founded ExodUS Summit, a virtual conference where Black women discuss sabbaticals and international moves. Conference speakers address practical matters like finances, safety, and healthcare, alongside philosophical topics including rest’s value and breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma.
Highlighting women who venture out to explore the world carries special impact because “a lot of us aren’t open to possibilities we haven’t been shown before,” said Dowe, who relocated to Mexico City during her own transformation.
“When I coach women who are looking to take a sabbatical, the main thing they’re looking for is permission,” she explained.
Perry’s turning point came during a 2014 Brazil vacation when she encountered hostel guests traveling for months rather than days. She investigated budget travel and discovered people managing on $40 daily.
Before that experience, “I thought for sure people who traveled long term were all trust fund babies,” she recalled.
Financial concerns commonly deter people from considering breaks. Creative solutions exist, said Perry, who holds legal residency in Mexico and maintains an apartment in Bogota, Colombia.
“Housesitting is the reason I can work very little and travel a lot,” she noted.
Perry operates a YouTube channel featuring videos about travel and expatriate life as a Black American, and raises subscriber funds to sponsor Black women’s sabbaticals.
Ashley Graham strategically planned her break from nonprofit work in Washington, D.C., by mapping a road trip that included staying with friends at no cost.
“It was a great way to connect with my past life,” said Graham, who eventually moved to New Orleans after falling in love with the city during her sabbatical journey.
Taylor Anderson, a certified financial planner based in Vancouver, Washington, specializes in helping clients prepare financially for sabbaticals. She explains that similar principles apply to saving for extended breaks and retirement planning. Both require financial discipline and recognizing when spending is appropriate.
“We talk about money breathing. Sometimes it’s inhaling, sometimes it’s exhaling,” said Anderson, who has personally experienced sabbatical benefits. “Often we find that people do have money saved, but they’re afraid to spend it.”
“The question of ‘What is enough?’ is really difficult,” she added.
While not everyone can afford weeks or months without income, those who have accumulated savings will find “the cost is actually less than you might assume,” she said.
Artists Eric Rewitzer and Annie Galvin entrusted two employees with running their San Francisco gallery in 2018 while they spent summer months in France and Ireland.
“It was terrifying,” said Rewitzer, describing himself as formerly being a workaholic and control freak. “It was a huge exercise in trust.”
Upon returning to San Francisco, Rewitzer viewed the city through new eyes. He realized his life lacked balance – too much work, insufficient time in nature.
This perspective shift prompted the couple to purchase what they initially planned as a Sierra Nevada weekend retreat. It became their permanent residence when they closed their gallery during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It all comes back to that same place of being willing to take chances,” Rewitzer reflected.
Gregory Du Bois’s college break to work as a ski bum in Vail, Colorado, established a pattern of incorporating mini-sabbaticals throughout his corporate IT career. With each new position, he negotiated extended time off, explaining to managers that peak performance required recharging breaks.
“It’s such a way of life that I almost don’t think of it as sabbaticals,” said Du Bois, who left technology to become a life coach in Sedona, Arizona. “For me, it’s a spiritual regeneration.”
Delaware taxpayers now have the opportunity to file their 2025 tax returns, with the April 15 deadline giving residents just over three months to complete the process. Financial experts are encouraging early preparation to minimize last-minute stress.
Tom O’Saben, who serves as director of tax content and government relations at the National Association of Tax Professionals, advises a balanced approach to filing. “Don’t wait until the last minute but also don’t rush,” O’Saben said.
This filing season brings significant changes due to recent tax legislation that President Donald Trump signed during the summer months. The Republican-backed tax and spending measure introduces several new deductions that could benefit Delaware families and workers.
Miguel Burgos, a certified public accountant and TurboTax expert, highlights the key new benefits: exemptions on tip income, overtime pay exclusions, car loan interest write-offs, and special deductions for individuals who reached age 65 by December 31st.
Financial analysts predict Delaware taxpayers could see substantially larger refunds this year. While 2024’s average refund reached $3,167, projections suggest this year’s average could climb by $1,000 due to the tax law modifications. The IRS handled more than 165 million individual returns last year, with electronic filing accounting for 94% of submissions.
For Delaware residents feeling overwhelmed by the filing process, numerous free assistance programs are available throughout the state.
Essential documents vary by individual circumstances, but most Delaware taxpayers will need their Social Security number, W-2 forms from employers, 1099-G forms for unemployment benefits, 1099 forms for self-employment income, savings and investment records, qualifying deductions including educational costs and medical expenses, and applicable tax credits such as child tax credits.
The IRS website provides comprehensive document checklists for specific situations. O’Saben suggests organizing all paperwork in one location before beginning the filing process and keeping previous year’s returns accessible. Delaware taxpayers can also establish an identity protection PIN through the IRS to prevent fraudulent filings.
Several major changes affect this year’s filings. The standard deduction has increased to $15,750 for single filers, $31,500 for married couples filing jointly, and $23,625 for heads of household.
A significant change involves the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, which has risen from $10,000 to $40,000 under the Working Families Tax Cut enacted in July 2025. Keith Hall, president and CEO of the National Association for the Self-Employed and certified CPA, notes this particularly benefits residents of high-tax states.
“This is a big benefit, especially for states like California, New York, and New Jersey, that have a higher state income tax,” Hall said.
The SALT deduction allows federal tax deductions for certain state and local taxes paid during the year. Since 2018, this deduction had been limited to $10,000 annually.
Delaware residents who previously didn’t itemize their SALT deductions might want to reconsider this year. O’Saben recommends evaluating whether you paid state taxes, property taxes, mortgage interest, or made charitable contributions to determine if itemizing makes sense.
The new tip deduction has specific limitations despite being called “no tax on tips.” This benefit applies only to qualified tips and includes income restrictions.
“It can be cash, it can be electronic as well. But the main thing is, hey, it has to be voluntary (tips),” Burgos said.
The annual deduction caps at $2,500 and phases out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income exceeding $150,000 individually or $300,000 for joint filers. Only certain tipping industries qualify, including bartenders, food servers, musicians, and housekeeping cleaners. Claiming this deduction requires completing the new Schedule 1-A form.
Schedule 1-A serves as the IRS form for calculating four deductions from the recent tax legislation: modified state and local tax deductions, qualified tip deductions, car loan deductions, and senior deductions.
Delaware taxpayers have multiple filing options this year. While IRS Direct File won’t be available, those earning $89,000 or less can access IRS Free File, which offers guided preparation through eight partner companies including TaxAct and FreeTaxUSA.
Beyond commercial services like TurboTax and H&R Block, Delaware residents can hire licensed professionals such as certified public accountants. The IRS maintains a national directory of qualified tax preparers.
Two IRS-funded programs provide free assistance to eligible Delaware residents. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program serves people earning $69,000 or less annually, those with disabilities, or limited English speakers. Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) assists individuals aged 60 and older. The IRS website helps locate VITA and TCE locations throughout Delaware.
Common filing mistakes can be avoided with careful attention to detail. O’Saben emphasizes verifying your Social Security card information, particularly your legal name, which may change after marriage.
“If you got married last year and you now want to use your married name, that married name doesn’t exist if you haven’t filed it with Social Security,” O’Saben said.
Many Delaware taxpayers who choose paperless communications may miss important tax documents that are only available online. O’Saben warns that opting out of physical mail can include tax paperwork.
“These documents may actually be available online because you may have chosen to have paperless contact. And because of that, you may need to go get those documents yourself,” O’Saben said.
Reporting all income sources is crucial. Delaware residents with multiple jobs need W-2 or 1099 forms from each employer. Missing information or errors typically trigger IRS audits, which require additional documentation.
The current child tax credit provides $2,200 per qualifying child, with $1,700 being refundable as the Additional Child Tax Credit. Parents must have at least $2,500 in annual income to claim the Additional Child Tax Credit.
Full credit eligibility requires meeting all criteria and having annual income below $200,000 for individual filers or $400,000 for joint filers. Higher-income Delaware families may qualify for partial credits.
Since September, the IRS has been eliminating paper refund checks. Delaware taxpayers expecting refunds should sign up for direct deposit to receive their money faster and more securely.
Tax season brings increased scam activity, O’Saben warns. Fraudulent communications arrive through phone calls, texts, emails, and social media. The IRS never initiates contact through these methods.
Even tax preparers can operate scams, making it important to ask detailed questions. If a preparer promises unusually large refunds compared to previous years, this may indicate fraudulent activity, O’Saben said.
Always request copies of completed tax returns and ask about each entry if you can’t observe the preparation process.
Delaware taxpayers should maintain tax return copies for five to seven years, as the IRS can audit items from previous filing years, O’Saben recommends.
Military officials announced Sunday that American forces successfully intercepted a ship that had attempted to violate quarantine restrictions ordered by President Donald Trump.
The Defense Department reported that personnel boarded the vessel known as Veronica III during an overnight operation in the Indo-Pacific Command region.
“Overnight, U.S. forces conducted a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding of the Veronica III without incident in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility,” military officials stated in a social media announcement.
According to the Defense Department, the operation involved an extensive pursuit across international waters before the vessel was successfully stopped.
“We tracked it from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, closed the distance, and shut it down,” officials explained in their statement.
The military emphasized that the boarding operation was completed safely with no reported incidents during the enforcement action.
ATLANTA — Political newcomers often brand themselves as outsiders, but Derek Dooley takes that concept to an extreme. The former college football coach admits he stayed away from voting booths for nearly twenty years while now seeking the Republican Senate nomination in Georgia.
Dooley sat out both the 2016 election that brought Donald Trump to the White House and the 2020 contest where Trump was defeated by Joe Biden. Despite this voting absence, he remains confident as he pursues the GOP nomination to challenge Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff.
The candidate argues that Washington requires fresh perspective from someone not driven by personal political ambitions or career advancement. He believes his non-voting history connects him to many Americans who also skip elections.
“If you’re not vigilant in exercising that right, things can go pretty sideways in our country,” Dooley explained to The Associated Press, emphasizing his goal to motivate more citizens to participate in elections.
Two incumbent House members, Mike Collins and Buddy Carter, stand as Dooley’s main competition in the May 19 primary. While Dooley backs Trump, both Collins and Carter maintain stronger connections to the former president’s MAGA movement. With endorsement from Governor Brian Kemp, Dooley faces the challenge of proving his outsider message resonates in Trump’s antiestablishment political landscape.
The primary victor will play a crucial role in November’s midterm elections, potentially helping Republicans maintain their narrow Senate control by defeating Ossoff.
As the son of revered Georgia football coach Vince Dooley, Derek followed his father into coaching after working as an attorney. His tenure leading Tennessee’s program ended in dismissal due to poor performance, followed by assistant coaching roles at various colleges and professional organizations.
After leaving coaching following the 2023 season, Dooley credits his experience mentoring athletes from various backgrounds as preparation for representing Georgia’s diverse electorate.
“In my 30-plus years professional career, it’s never been about me in anything I was doing,” he stated. “It’s about people.”
Political engagement came during Biden’s administration, sparked by concerns over border security, economic decisions, and transgender athlete policies. Dooley cast his first vote for Trump in 2024 and has attacked Ossoff on similar issues.
GOP strategist Brian Robinson observed that “you can tell this wasn’t a guy who spent his life in politics or around politics or consumed by politics.”
Kemp’s longstanding friendship with the Dooley family led to his Senate endorsement, lending establishment credibility to the political novice.
“I was looking for a political outsider, and it just happened to be a guy that I’ve known for, you know, 50-plus years,” Kemp declared during a Thursday Atlanta Young Republicans gathering alongside Dooley.
The event drew positive responses from attendees, with several undecided primary voters expressing appreciation for Dooley’s outsider approach.
However, the Kemp connection draws criticism from some quarters.
“Completely siloing yourself with the old, establishment governor is not a way to say you’re an outsider,” stated Courtlyn Cook, who chairs Glynn County Republicans in southeast Georgia. She noted voter concerns about past tensions between Kemp and Trump, significant given the former president’s strong base support.
Political rivals target Dooley’s gubernatorial ties as weakness. Democratic Party of Georgia senior communications adviser Devon Cruz characterized Dooley as having “access to the Governor’s political machine,” while Carter campaign spokesperson Harley Adsit labeled him the “ultimate insider.”
Canton resident Venessa Artigas, 53, supports both Kemp and Dooley’s candidacy, understanding voter apathy from personal experience.
“I think we need to get career politicians out and get the voice of the people in,” Artigas said at a Turning Point Action event.
University of West Georgia student Timothy Jackson, 19, plans supporting Collins due to Trump connections but remains open to Carter.
“Both of them have been in Congress and so they know what it takes,” Jackson explained. “Dooley is going to be hard because he’s never been in that position before.”
A Kemp-affiliated organization ran fall advertisements supporting Dooley while criticizing Collins and Carter over government shutdown votes, grouping them with Ossoff.
Carter brings nearly three decades of coastal Georgia political experience as a pharmacist-turned-politician. Collins co-owns a trucking business and follows his father’s congressional footsteps.
Veteran Republican consultant Jason Shepherd sees advantages in Dooley’s clean slate.
“Republicans are going to face an uphill battle, but Dooley doesn’t bring the baggage that other candidates could possibly bring and can speak not only to voters on the right and Republicans, but the voters in the center who will make the decision,” Shepherd analyzed. “Jon Ossoff has a voting record that Dooley can run on and pick apart. Dooley does not.”
Dooley’s platform includes expanding workforce development programs and lowering housing costs through reduced government regulations. He applauded the Trump administration’s removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in January and blamed immigration for limiting housing availability for American citizens. He promises legislation preventing lawmakers from using taxpayer funds for campaign-related mailings, accusing Collins of improper practices.
Collins’ spokesperson defended the congressman’s actions as approved by House Communications Standards Commission while dismissing Dooley as “a washed-up lawyer and failed coach.”
Strategist Robinson emphasized that Dooley must convince Georgians that outsider status justifies their support.
“It’s a well-worn path. The saliency of that message probably depends on the mood of the country and the cycle that we’re in,” Robinson assessed. “I don’t think we know just yet if that outsider message is what people are looking for.”
The Pentagon announced Sunday that American military personnel have intercepted a second sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean, following the vessel’s journey from Caribbean waters as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt illegal Venezuelan oil operations.
For years, Venezuela has operated under U.S. oil sanctions, using deceptively flagged ships to secretly transport crude oil into international markets. In December, President Trump implemented a quarantine targeting these sanctioned vessels to apply pressure on former President Nicolás Maduro, who was later captured in January during a U.S. military mission.
According to a Defense Department statement posted on social media, American forces conducted an overnight operation to board the Veronica III, performing what officials described as “a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding.”
“The vessel tried to defy President Trump’s quarantine — hoping to slip away,” the Pentagon stated. “We tracked it from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, closed the distance, and shut it down.”
Treasury Department records show the Veronica III operates under a Panamanian flag and faces U.S. sanctions due to its connections with Iran.
The Pentagon released footage showing American service members conducting the boarding operation on the tanker.
This action represents part of the Trump administration’s expanded campaign to gain control over Venezuelan oil resources through vessel seizures. Pentagon officials did not specify whether the Veronica III has been officially confiscated and placed under American authority, and declined to provide additional details when contacted by reporters.
This marks the second such operation in recent days, following last week’s boarding of another tanker, the Aquila II, also in the Indian Ocean. Military officials indicated that vessel remains in custody while American authorities determine its final disposition.
TUCSON, Ariz. — The search for Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC’s ‘Today’ show co-host Savannah Guthrie, enters its third week as federal and local investigators continue collecting evidence in the 84-year-old woman’s disappearance.
Nancy Guthrie vanished from her Tucson residence on January 31st, with family members filing a missing person report the next day. Blood evidence was discovered on her front porch, and alleged ransom demands have been sent to media organizations, though two payment deadlines have already elapsed without resolution.
Medical concerns add urgency to the case, as Nancy Guthrie requires essential daily medications for serious health conditions including heart problems, high blood pressure, and a pacemaker, according to sheriff’s dispatcher recordings obtained through broadcastify.com.
Federal investigators have made public surveillance footage showing a masked individual wearing a gun holster near Guthrie’s front entrance on the evening she disappeared. The porch security camera captured images of someone in a ski mask, jacket, long pants, and gloves while carrying a backpack.
The FBI identified this person as a male suspect on Thursday, describing him as approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall with a medium frame. Officials noted he was carrying a specific 25-liter ‘Ozark Trail Hiker Pack’ style backpack.
Initially, investigators believed no surveillance footage existed because Guthrie’s doorbell camera service had lapsed. However, digital forensics specialists continued examining backend systems and successfully recovered previously inaccessible or damaged video files.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department reports that DNA evidence collected from Guthrie’s property does not match her or known associates. Laboratory specialists are working to determine the identity of this genetic material.
All forensic evidence continues being processed at the same specialized out-of-state facility that has handled testing throughout the investigation, according to department officials.
Multiple gloves discovered by search teams, with the closest found approximately 2 miles from Guthrie’s residence, have been submitted for laboratory examination. Authorities have not specified the type of gloves recovered.
Sheriff’s officials emphasize their close collaboration with federal agents throughout the investigation.
Both the Pima County Sheriff’s Office and FBI have established dedicated tip lines and online reporting systems. Hundreds of detectives and federal agents have been assigned to work the case.
Since February 1st, when the missing person report was filed, the FBI has received over 13,000 public tips. The sheriff’s department separately reports handling at least 18,000 phone calls related to the case.
Officials have not disclosed whether any submitted tips have provided significant investigative breakthroughs.
Late Friday evening, law enforcement established a security perimeter on a roadway roughly 2 miles from Guthrie’s home as part of their ongoing investigation. Multiple sheriff’s vehicles and FBI units, including forensic specialists, moved through the restricted area.
During the same timeframe, investigators tagged and removed a Range Rover SUV from a nearby Culver’s restaurant parking area.
Saturday’s statement from the sheriff’s department confirmed the Friday night activities were connected to the Guthrie investigation, though no arrests occurred.
Earlier this week, deputies stopped and questioned an individual during a traffic stop south of Tucson. While authorities have not explained what prompted the stop, they confirmed the person was subsequently released.
That same Tuesday, deputies and federal agents executed a court-approved search operation in Rio Rico, located about one hour south of Tucson.
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have posted numerous video appeals on social media directed toward their mother’s suspected abductor.
The family’s Instagram messages have evolved from emotional appeals to the potential captor, expressing willingness to negotiate and pay ransom, to increasingly desperate public pleas for assistance.
Their most recent Thursday video featured home footage of Nancy Guthrie along with a commitment to ‘never give up on her.’
Nancy Guthrie resided alone in Tucson’s affluent Catalina Foothills area, characterized by widely spaced homes with extended driveways, security gates, and thick desert landscaping providing natural privacy.
Savannah Guthrie spent her childhood in Tucson, earned her degree from the University of Arizona, and began her broadcasting career at a local television station before her family relocated to the area in the 1970s. She became a ‘Today’ show co-host in 2011.
In one family video message, Savannah Guthrie characterized her mother as a ‘loving woman of goodness and light.’
White House border chief Tom Homan rejected Democratic calls to overhaul Immigration and Customs Enforcement during Sunday television appearances, as lawmakers remain at an impasse over Department of Homeland Security funding.
The standoff has intensified as Democratic representatives continue pushing for significant changes to ICE operations, while Republicans claim their opponents are playing politics by blocking homeland security funding legislation.
During an appearance on CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” Homan characterized Democratic lawmakers’ ICE proposals as “unreasonable” and noted he was not participating in negotiations over a potential homeland security funding deal tied to ICE reforms.
Earlier this month, Democrats presented congressional Republican leaders with a 10-point list of requirements, including ending racial profiling practices by ICE, banning the use of face coverings by agents, and requiring judicial warrants before officers can enter private residences.
Homan pushed back against allegations of racial profiling, stating that ICE agents conduct stops based on “reasonable suspicion.” A recent Supreme Court decision permitted officers to consider factors like brown skin color or Spanish-speaking as justification for stops.
Regarding mask usage, Homan argued that ICE agents require face coverings to protect their identities, though critics point out that most American law enforcement personnel operate without masks.
The Department of Homeland Security began a partial shutdown Saturday, though operations largely continue since most agency functions are classified as essential services.
Delaware Senator Chris Coons appeared on “Fox News Sunday,” attributing the White House’s willingness to discuss ICE changes to “outcry from Americans,” despite DHS having remaining funding for the near term.
Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin countered on CNN’s “State of the Union” that Democrats are conducting “political theater” and failing to negotiate honestly.
Progress on resolving the dispute may stall further as both congressional chambers enter recess this week.
A dangerous weather system moved through southeastern states over the weekend, prompting tornado alerts in Mississippi and Louisiana before advancing toward Georgia and Florida, while residents across the Northeast finally experienced relief from an extended period of harsh winter cold.
Louisiana’s Lake Charles region experienced some of the most severe weather impacts, where powerful thunderstorm winds flipped over a horse trailer and a Mardi Gras parade float, caused damage to an airport jet bridge, and sent a metal house awning crashing into electrical lines. National Weather Service personnel confirmed these damages during their field assessment of the affected areas.
The weather service documented additional destruction across Louisiana, including snapped and fallen power poles in the communities of Jena, Cheneyville, and Donaldsonville.
Fortunately, authorities reported no fatalities or major injuries from the severe weather, though the storm system pressed onward into southern Georgia and Florida’s Panhandle region, where tornado watches remained active on Sunday.
In contrast, northeastern states began experiencing milder conditions following an unusually prolonged cold snap.
By the middle of last week, Boston’s temperatures were running approximately 7 degrees below February’s typical averages, putting the city on track for its harshest winter in over ten years. While Sunday remained chilly in Boston, meteorologists predicted temperatures would rise into the upper 30s and lower 40s throughout the week, bringing readings closer to seasonal norms.
California residents were preparing for their own weather challenges, with rain, thunderstorms, and mountain snow expected. Jacob Spender, a National Weather Service meteorologist based in Sacramento, explained that a storm system would impact California throughout Sunday and continue into the following week.
Mountain and elevated regions should expect significant snowfall accumulations, according to Spender’s forecast.
“As we get up into the mountains and the foothills, we’re going to be looking at some snowfall,” Spender said. “So there will be snowfall all the way down into the foothills as well.”
Spender urged travelers to pay attention to weather advisories in the upcoming days.
“So if they are traveling, packing winter safety kits. Anything to be prepared. This is a bigger system, and a major system,” Spender said.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that his recently established Board of Peace has secured $5 billion in commitments for reconstructing Gaza following years of devastating warfare, along with promises of thousands of international personnel for peacekeeping operations in the region.
Trump revealed that these financial commitments will be officially disclosed during the board’s inaugural gathering scheduled for Thursday in Washington.
“The Board of Peace will prove to be the most consequential International Body in History, and it is my honor to serve as its Chairman,” Trump declared through a social media post while revealing the pledges.
The president did not specify which countries were providing the reconstruction funding or contributing personnel to peacekeeping efforts. However, Indonesia’s military announced Sunday that as many as 8,000 of their forces could be prepared by late June for possible Gaza deployment as part of humanitarian and peacekeeping operations. This represents the first concrete commitment Trump’s administration has secured.
Reconstructing the Palestinian region presents enormous challenges. International organizations including the United Nations, World Bank, and European Union project that fully rebuilding Gaza will require $70 billion. The territory suffered extensive damage during more than two years of Israeli military operations, with virtually no area remaining untouched.
The current ceasefire agreement requires establishing an international armed peacekeeping presence to maintain security and ensure Hamas militants are disarmed, which Israel considers essential. However, limited numbers of nations have shown willingness to participate in such a force.
The October 10 ceasefire agreement, facilitated by the United States, sought to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas that lasted over two years. Although major combat operations have decreased, Israeli military forces continue conducting air attacks and regularly engage Palestinians approaching military-controlled areas.
Attendance numbers for Thursday’s initial meeting remain uncertain, with the Board of Peace comprising more than 20 member nations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who met with Trump at the White House recently, is not anticipated to attend.
Originally conceived as a mechanism to resolve the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, Trump’s board has expanded with broader goals of addressing international crises worldwide. The initiative appears to represent another attempt by the Trump administration to bypass United Nations processes while reshaping global diplomatic structures established after World War II.
Several key American allies in Europe and other regions have chosen not to participate, viewing the board as a potential challenge to the UN Security Council’s authority.
Trump also verified that Thursday’s session will occur at the U.S. Institute of Peace, which the State Department renamed the Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace in December.
The facility remains embroiled in legal disputes filed by former staff members and leadership of the nonprofit organization after the Republican administration took control of the building last year and terminated nearly all institute employees.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that his recently established Board of Peace has secured $5 billion in commitments for reconstructing Gaza following years of devastating warfare, along with promises of thousands of international personnel for peacekeeping operations in the region.
Trump revealed that these financial commitments will be officially disclosed during the board’s inaugural gathering scheduled for Thursday in Washington.
“The Board of Peace will prove to be the most consequential International Body in History, and it is my honor to serve as its Chairman,” Trump declared through a social media post while revealing the pledges.
The president did not specify which countries were providing the reconstruction funding or contributing personnel to peacekeeping efforts. However, Indonesia’s military announced Sunday that as many as 8,000 of their forces could be prepared by late June for possible Gaza deployment as part of humanitarian and peacekeeping operations. This represents the first concrete commitment Trump’s administration has secured.
Reconstructing the Palestinian region presents enormous challenges. International organizations including the United Nations, World Bank, and European Union project that fully rebuilding Gaza will require $70 billion. The territory suffered extensive damage during more than two years of Israeli military operations, with virtually no area remaining untouched.
The current ceasefire agreement requires establishing an international armed peacekeeping presence to maintain security and ensure Hamas militants are disarmed, which Israel considers essential. However, limited numbers of nations have shown willingness to participate in such a force.
The October 10 ceasefire agreement, facilitated by the United States, sought to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas that lasted over two years. Although major combat operations have decreased, Israeli military forces continue conducting air attacks and regularly engage Palestinians approaching military-controlled areas.
Attendance numbers for Thursday’s initial meeting remain uncertain, with the Board of Peace comprising more than 20 member nations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who met with Trump at the White House recently, is not anticipated to attend.
Originally conceived as a mechanism to resolve the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, Trump’s board has expanded with broader goals of addressing international crises worldwide. The initiative appears to represent another attempt by the Trump administration to bypass United Nations processes while reshaping global diplomatic structures established after World War II.
Several key American allies in Europe and other regions have chosen not to participate, viewing the board as a potential challenge to the UN Security Council’s authority.
Trump also verified that Thursday’s session will occur at the U.S. Institute of Peace, which the State Department renamed the Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace in December.
The facility remains embroiled in legal disputes filed by former staff members and leadership of the nonprofit organization after the Republican administration took control of the building last year and terminated nearly all institute employees.
The White House’s top immigration official announced Sunday that more than 1,000 federal enforcement agents have already withdrawn from Minnesota’s Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, with several hundred additional departures planned in the coming days as the Trump administration scales back its massive immigration crackdown.
Border czar Tom Homan revealed during an appearance on CBS’s Face the Nation that a limited security team will remain temporarily to safeguard continuing immigration personnel and will intervene “when our agents are out and they get surrounded by agitators and things got out of control.” Homan did not specify the exact size of this remaining force, describing it only as “small.”
According to Homan, agents will continue pursuing investigations into alleged fraud cases and examining the anti-enforcement demonstration that interrupted a religious service at a local church.
“We already removed well over 1,000 people, and as of Monday, Tuesday, we’ll remove several hundred more,” Homan stated. “We’ll get back to the original footprint.”
The Minneapolis-St. Paul region became the focus of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s “Operation Metro Surge,” which involved deploying thousands of federal officers. The Department of Homeland Security characterized this as the most extensive immigration enforcement action in the agency’s history, claiming it achieved its objectives.
However, the intensive operation faced mounting opposition as tensions escalated and resulted in the deaths of two American citizens. Community resistance became widespread, with local residents organizing networks to assist immigrants, alert communities about approaching federal agents, and document officers’ activities. The fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal personnel sparked public outcry and scrutiny of officer behavior, ultimately leading to operational modifications.
Last week, Homan initially announced the immediate departure of 700 federal officers from Minnesota, though this still left over 2,000 personnel in the state. By Thursday, he indicated that a “significant drawdown” was already in progress and would extend through the current week.
Homan emphasized that enforcement activities would persist in the Twin Cities area and that nationwide mass deportation efforts would continue uninterrupted. The agents departing Minnesota will either return to their original duty stations or receive new assignments elsewhere.
Regarding the possibility of future operations matching the Twin Cities deployment’s magnitude, Homan responded that “it depends on the situation.”
The White House’s top immigration official announced Sunday that more than 1,000 federal enforcement agents have already withdrawn from Minnesota’s Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, with several hundred additional departures planned in the coming days as the Trump administration scales back its massive immigration crackdown.
Border czar Tom Homan revealed during an appearance on CBS’s Face the Nation that a limited security team will remain temporarily to safeguard continuing immigration personnel and will intervene “when our agents are out and they get surrounded by agitators and things got out of control.” Homan did not specify the exact size of this remaining force, describing it only as “small.”
According to Homan, agents will continue pursuing investigations into alleged fraud cases and examining the anti-enforcement demonstration that interrupted a religious service at a local church.
“We already removed well over 1,000 people, and as of Monday, Tuesday, we’ll remove several hundred more,” Homan stated. “We’ll get back to the original footprint.”
The Minneapolis-St. Paul region became the focus of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s “Operation Metro Surge,” which involved deploying thousands of federal officers. The Department of Homeland Security characterized this as the most extensive immigration enforcement action in the agency’s history, claiming it achieved its objectives.
However, the intensive operation faced mounting opposition as tensions escalated and resulted in the deaths of two American citizens. Community resistance became widespread, with local residents organizing networks to assist immigrants, alert communities about approaching federal agents, and document officers’ activities. The fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal personnel sparked public outcry and scrutiny of officer behavior, ultimately leading to operational modifications.
Last week, Homan initially announced the immediate departure of 700 federal officers from Minnesota, though this still left over 2,000 personnel in the state. By Thursday, he indicated that a “significant drawdown” was already in progress and would extend through the current week.
Homan emphasized that enforcement activities would persist in the Twin Cities area and that nationwide mass deportation efforts would continue uninterrupted. The agents departing Minnesota will either return to their original duty stations or receive new assignments elsewhere.
Regarding the possibility of future operations matching the Twin Cities deployment’s magnitude, Homan responded that “it depends on the situation.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister departed from Tehran on Sunday, heading to Geneva for a second phase of nuclear discussions with the United States, according to reports from Iranian state media.
Abbas Araghchi and his diplomatic team made the journey to Switzerland following initial indirect negotiations that occurred in Oman the previous week. The state-run IRNA news agency confirmed through its Telegram channel that Oman would continue serving as mediator for the Geneva discussions.
Previous diplomatic efforts collapsed last year when Israel initiated a 12-day military campaign against Iran, during which the United States conducted bombing operations targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.
President Donald Trump has consistently issued warnings about potential military action to force Iran into limiting its nuclear activities. Iranian officials have indicated they would retaliate with their own attacks in response to such threats. Trump has also issued warnings to Iran regarding its violent suppression of recent nationwide demonstrations.
Regional Gulf Arab nations have expressed concerns that any military confrontation could escalate into a broader Middle Eastern conflict.
The current Trump administration maintains its position that Iran must completely halt all uranium enrichment activities, a demand that Tehran has stated it will not accept.
While Iran maintains its nuclear activities serve peaceful purposes, government officials have made increasing threats about developing nuclear weapons capabilities. Prior to the June conflict, Iran had been processing uranium to 60% purity levels, bringing it close to weapons-grade enrichment.
During his Geneva visit, Araghchi plans to hold meetings with Swiss and Omani foreign ministers, along with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN’s nuclear monitoring organization.
On Sunday morning, Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed Washington’s continued commitment to finding a diplomatic resolution to the dispute with Tehran, noting that Trump’s representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were en route to participate in the upcoming negotiations.
Trump announced Friday that the USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, would be relocated from the Caribbean to the Middle East to supplement existing U.S. military presence in the region. He also stated that a leadership change in Iran “would be the best thing that could happen.”
Rubio characterized recent military deployments in the Middle East as defensive measures designed to strengthen protection for U.S. facilities and interests. Iran has issued threats to target American military installations in the region should Washington launch strikes. In June, Tehran attacked Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base, though the assault resulted in no casualties among American or Qatari personnel.
“No one’s been able to do a successful deal with Iran, but we’re gonna try,” Rubio stated during a press conference following his meeting with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico in Bratislava. “We are focused on negotiations.” Trump has recently indicated his main objective involves reducing Iran’s nuclear capabilities, while Iranian officials want discussions limited exclusively to nuclear matters. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who met with Trump in Washington this week, has been advocating for an agreement that would eliminate Iran’s missile program and halt its financial support for allied groups including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Iran’s Foreign Minister departed from Tehran on Sunday, heading to Geneva for a second phase of nuclear discussions with the United States, according to reports from Iranian state media.
Abbas Araghchi and his diplomatic team made the journey to Switzerland following initial indirect negotiations that occurred in Oman the previous week. The state-run IRNA news agency confirmed through its Telegram channel that Oman would continue serving as mediator for the Geneva discussions.
Previous diplomatic efforts collapsed last year when Israel initiated a 12-day military campaign against Iran, during which the United States conducted bombing operations targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.
President Donald Trump has consistently issued warnings about potential military action to force Iran into limiting its nuclear activities. Iranian officials have indicated they would retaliate with their own attacks in response to such threats. Trump has also issued warnings to Iran regarding its violent suppression of recent nationwide demonstrations.
Regional Gulf Arab nations have expressed concerns that any military confrontation could escalate into a broader Middle Eastern conflict.
The current Trump administration maintains its position that Iran must completely halt all uranium enrichment activities, a demand that Tehran has stated it will not accept.
While Iran maintains its nuclear activities serve peaceful purposes, government officials have made increasing threats about developing nuclear weapons capabilities. Prior to the June conflict, Iran had been processing uranium to 60% purity levels, bringing it close to weapons-grade enrichment.
During his Geneva visit, Araghchi plans to hold meetings with Swiss and Omani foreign ministers, along with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN’s nuclear monitoring organization.
On Sunday morning, Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed Washington’s continued commitment to finding a diplomatic resolution to the dispute with Tehran, noting that Trump’s representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were en route to participate in the upcoming negotiations.
Trump announced Friday that the USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, would be relocated from the Caribbean to the Middle East to supplement existing U.S. military presence in the region. He also stated that a leadership change in Iran “would be the best thing that could happen.”
Rubio characterized recent military deployments in the Middle East as defensive measures designed to strengthen protection for U.S. facilities and interests. Iran has issued threats to target American military installations in the region should Washington launch strikes. In June, Tehran attacked Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base, though the assault resulted in no casualties among American or Qatari personnel.
“No one’s been able to do a successful deal with Iran, but we’re gonna try,” Rubio stated during a press conference following his meeting with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico in Bratislava. “We are focused on negotiations.” Trump has recently indicated his main objective involves reducing Iran’s nuclear capabilities, while Iranian officials want discussions limited exclusively to nuclear matters. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who met with Trump in Washington this week, has been advocating for an agreement that would eliminate Iran’s missile program and halt its financial support for allied groups including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
A high-ranking Treasury Department official responsible for overseeing the nation’s sanctions programs is expected to resign following reported conflicts with his supervisor, according to a Bloomberg News report released Sunday.
John Hurley, who serves as Treasury under-secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, plans to step down from his role amid tensions with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the report indicates.
In his current position, Hurley leads the department’s efforts to combat financial crimes and manages the implementation of economic sanctions against foreign entities and individuals.
Reuters has not been able to independently confirm the Bloomberg report at this time.
A high-ranking Treasury Department official responsible for overseeing the nation’s sanctions programs is expected to resign following reported conflicts with his supervisor, according to a Bloomberg News report released Sunday.
John Hurley, who serves as Treasury under-secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, plans to step down from his role amid tensions with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the report indicates.
In his current position, Hurley leads the department’s efforts to combat financial crimes and manages the implementation of economic sanctions against foreign entities and individuals.
Reuters has not been able to independently confirm the Bloomberg report at this time.
While death and taxes remain life’s certainties, leaving your family with expensive legal bills doesn’t have to be inevitable.
Wealthy Americans have perfected methods for transferring assets to future generations while minimizing government interference, but financial advisors say these same techniques can benefit families with more moderate savings accounts.
“It’s a strategic game of chess played over decades,” explains Mark Bosler, an estate planning attorney in Troy, Michigan, and legal adviser to Real Estate Bees. “While the average person relies on a simple will, the well-to-do utilize a different playbook.”
The reality is that most American families won’t face federal estate taxes, which typically apply only to estates exceeding $15 million. However, 16 states plus Washington D.C. do impose their own estate or inheritance taxes, according to the Tax Foundation, though these usually target millionaire-level wealth.
Even families who won’t owe taxes can face lengthy legal processes that tie up assets for years while generating substantial attorney fees and court costs.
Estate planning professionals frequently recommend trusts as a cornerstone solution.
While trusts might seem like complicated instruments reserved for the extremely wealthy, they’re actually straightforward mechanisms that make sense for many households. Setting up a trust typically costs several thousand dollars in legal fees, but for retirees who own their homes outright and have retirement accounts plus investment portfolios, trusts can streamline asset transfers to beneficiaries.
One key advantage: estates can become entangled in probate court proceedings, which typically charge fees based on the total estate value, even when no taxes are owed.
“You are leaving what might have gone to your children or other loved ones to attorneys and the courts,” notes Renee Fry, CEO of Gentreo, an online estate planner based in Quincy, Massachusetts. “Anywhere from 3 to 8% of an estate might be lost.”
Trusts enable estates to bypass court systems entirely while maintaining privacy by keeping financial details out of public records. Some individuals also establish trusts to safeguard their savings if they eventually require nursing home care and want to qualify for Medicaid coverage rather than paying privately.
Consider owning stock in a company like Nvidia that has experienced tremendous growth in recent years. Now imagine collecting profits from selling those shares without paying any taxes.
This scenario is achievable with one condition: the original owner must pass away first.
This arrangement, called “step-up” in estate planning terminology, enables affluent families to build wealth while ensuring their descendants won’t face the tax consequences.
Here’s how it functions: Suppose a relative purchased 100 Nvidia shares when the company went public in 1999 at $12 per share. After stock splits and dramatic price increases, that original $1,200 investment would now be valued at over $9 million. If you inherited those shares, you could sell them with minimal or no tax liability because capital gains are calculated from the death date, not the original purchase date.
Benjamin Trujillo, a partner with the wealth advisory firm Moneta, based in St. Louis, Missouri, describes the process as seeming “like a magic trick.” The strategy is entirely legal.
“Wealth transfer looks like smoke and mirrors,” Trujillo states. “Assets like stocks can quietly grow for decades and, when they’re inherited, the tax bill often disappears.”
Congress has occasionally considered restricting the “step-up” provision, but it currently remains in place, serving as one of the most powerful tools available for creating multi-generational wealth. The rule applies beyond stocks to other investments including artwork, real estate, and collectibles.
Financial institutions frequently prompt account holders to designate beneficiaries, and estate planners emphasize this represents one of the most straightforward methods for transferring assets to family members after death.
Rules differ by location, but most banks and investment firms permit customers to name beneficiaries who will receive funds automatically upon the account holder’s death.
“One of the easiest ways to transfer assets hassle-free,” observes Allison Harrison, an attorney in Columbus, Ohio, who focuses on estate planning.
Beneficiary designations typically take precedence over wills, making it crucial to keep these records current to prevent situations where former spouses might inherit assets unintentionally.
These strategies require advance planning, but experts emphasize that dedicating time to estate organization distinguishes financially successful families from others.
Delaware residents will see widespread closures this Monday as the state observes Presidents Day, with government buildings, educational institutions, and financial markets shutting down while major retail chains continue normal operations.
For those planning errands or activities, it’s recommended to verify hours by calling businesses directly or checking their websites for location-specific schedules.
Here’s your complete guide to Monday’s closures and openings for Presidents Day 2026:
All federal and state government facilities will be shuttered Monday. Additionally, court systems and the majority of educational institutions will remain closed.
The federal holiday officially honors Washington’s Birthday, named for America’s first president George Washington, though it’s commonly referred to as Presidents Day. Many also use this time to remember President Abraham Lincoln, whose February 12th birthday falls close to the observance.
Financial institutions and U.S. stock exchanges will suspend operations Monday, resuming normal business hours Tuesday.
Major retail chains and most commercial businesses will maintain regular operating hours.
Delaware residents can enjoy free admission to national parks on Presidents Day. The National Park Service recently modified its free admission schedule, removing Martin Luther King Day and Juneteenth from the list while adding Flag Day and President Donald Trump’s birthday on June 14. The complimentary access continues for Presidents Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day weekend.
After igniting a social media firestorm with comments about extraterrestrial life, former President Barack Obama has moved to set the record straight about what he actually meant.
The controversy began during a rapid-fire question session with podcast host Brian Tylor Cohen, when Obama was directly asked about the existence of aliens.
“They’re real,” Obama responded. “But I haven’t seen them. And, they’re not being kept in Area 51.”
The brief exchange quickly went viral across social platforms, prompting Obama to post an explanation on Instagram Sunday evening to address the widespread speculation his words had generated.
“I was trying to stick with the spirit of the speed round, but since it’s gotten attention let me clarify. Statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there. But the distances between solar systems are so great that the chances we’ve been visited by aliens is low, and I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us. Really!” Obama wrote in his clarification.
The mention of Area 51 has long been a focal point for UFO conspiracy theorists, who have speculated about the secretive Nevada desert facility for decades.
The CIA finally confirmed Area 51’s existence in 2013, though officials made clear this acknowledgment had nothing to do with UFO crashes, alien beings, or faked moon missions.
Previously classified government records officially named the 8,000-square-mile facility after years of federal authorities declining to confirm its existence.
The installation has served as a proving ground for classified military aircraft projects, including the U-2 spy plane during the 1950s and the B-2 stealth bomber in later years.
BOSTON — Long before George Washington took the oath as America’s inaugural president, he was orchestrating a pivotal military operation that would shape the course of the Revolutionary War. Two and a half centuries ago, Washington was concluding the Siege of Boston, his inaugural campaign leading the Continental Army.
After colonial militias trapped British forces in Boston following the clashes at Lexington and Concord in April 1775, the Continental Congress appointed Washington to command their newly established army. The goal was clear: drive the occupying British troops from the strategic port city.
By this date 250 years ago, Washington was wrapping up nearly a full year of military pressure that had confined roughly 11,000 British soldiers and numerous loyalist supporters within Boston’s boundaries. His masterstroke came through dispatching Henry Knox, a young bookseller turned artillery expert, on a grueling winter journey to Fort Ticonderoga in New York to haul back dozens of cannons.
These artillery pieces, dragged across hundreds of miles through harsh winter conditions, proved decisive when aimed at British strongholds. Facing severe supply shortages and constant bombardment, British commanders chose to evacuate the city by sea on March 17, 1776.
According to historians, this British withdrawal — still commemorated in Boston as Evacuation Day — eliminated loyalist influence at a crucial moment, cut off British access to a vital harbor, and delivered a tremendous psychological victory to colonial forces.
“The success of the Siege of Boston gave new life and momentum to the Revolution,” explained Chris Beagan, site manager at Cambridge’s Longfellow House, a National Historic Site that functioned as Washington’s command center during the war. “Had it failed, royal control of New England would have continued, and the Continental Army likely would have dissolved.”
This campaign represented a crucial proving ground for Washington himself. Having left military service nearly two decades earlier after fighting for Britain in the French and Indian War, the Virginia surveyor and planter faced serious questions about his leadership abilities. His Boston triumph secured his position as commander-in-chief throughout the remaining war years.
Doug Bradburn, president of George Washington’s Mount Vernon, noted that Washington began building America’s first truly national military force, drawing militia members from Massachusetts down to Virginia. By war’s end, the Continental Army included substantial numbers of Black and Native American soldiers, creating the most racially integrated fighting force until President Harry Truman desegregated the military in 1948.
Initially, Washington — himself a lifelong enslaver who relied on hundreds of enslaved people at Mount Vernon — resisted allowing formerly enslaved and free Black men to serve. However, facing manpower shortages, Washington recognized that “there are free Blacks who want to enlist and he needs them to keep the British from breaking out” during the siege, Bradburn noted.
Expelling British forces from Boston also transformed Washington into one of America’s most beloved public figures.
“He comes to embody the cause in a time before you have a nation, before you have a Declaration of Independence, before you’re really sure what is the goal of this struggle,” Bradburn observed. “He becomes the face of the revolutionary movement.”
Pulitzer Prize-winning military historian Rick Atkinson emphasized that Washington’s eight-plus years commanding troops prepared him for executive leadership. “Perhaps most important, it gave him a sense that Americans could and should be a single people, rather than denizens of thirteen different entities.”
Washington’s legendary status also spawned numerous false stories that endure today. The famous cherry tree tale — where young George supposedly confessed to chopping down his father’s tree, declaring “I cannot tell a lie … I did cut it with my hatchet” — was completely fabricated by an early biographer after Washington’s death, according to Mount Vernon historians.
Similarly, the persistent belief that Washington wore wooden dentures is entirely false. While he did use artificial teeth made from ivory, gold, and even human teeth, he never had wooden dental work, despite this myth being repeated by scholars well into the 1900s.
Beyond military and political achievements, Washington pursued diverse interests throughout his life. Mount Vernon records show he pioneered innovative farming techniques and championed westward expansion, purchasing up to 50,000 acres across several Mid-Atlantic states. After returning home, he constructed a whiskey distillery that became among the nation’s largest.
Washington’s relationship with slavery remained complex. While advocating for slavery’s eventual end and directing in his will that all enslaved people he owned be freed after Martha Washington’s death, he couldn’t legally emancipate all Mount Vernon’s enslaved population since he didn’t own them all.
For Washington enthusiasts, Presidents Day represents their biggest celebration. Originally created to honor Washington’s February 22 birthday, the holiday has evolved into a shopping event for many Americans. However, numerous locations still commemorate Washington’s legacy with special events.
This year’s tributes include a wreath ceremony at Washington’s Mount Vernon tomb, Continental Army demonstrations, a parade in Alexandria, Virginia, and even a month-long festival in Laredo, Texas, featuring carnival rides, pageants, air shows, and a jalapeño celebration.
WINDER, Ga. — A groundbreaking criminal trial begins Monday as prosecutors prepare to argue that a father should face murder charges for his role in his teenage son’s deadly school shooting rampage.
Colin Gray stands accused of 29 criminal counts, including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges, stemming from the September 2024 attack at Apalachee High School that claimed four lives. His 14-year-old son Colt allegedly gunned down two students and two teachers in what investigators describe as a meticulously planned assault.
This prosecution represents part of a nationwide movement where legal authorities are pursuing criminal charges against parents following their children’s involvement in fatal school violence. According to the criminal indictment, Gray provided his son with both a firearm and bullets despite having adequate warning that the teenager posed a danger to others.
Under Georgia’s legal framework, prosecutors contend this constitutes child cruelty, and the state’s second-degree murder statute applies when a child dies as a result of such cruelty.
The proceedings will take place in Winder, located in Barrow County where the tragedy occurred. While defense attorneys requested moving the trial due to extensive media coverage, and prosecutors supported the request, the presiding judge opted to keep the case local while importing jurors from neighboring Hall County. Jury selection concluded last week.
Law enforcement officials say the younger Gray methodically orchestrated the September 4, 2024 attack at the school serving 1,900 students in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
According to investigators’ accounts, the teenager concealed a semi-automatic rifle in his backpack, with the weapon’s barrel protruding and camouflaged with poster board, before boarding his regular school transportation. During the school day, he departed his second-period classroom, retrieved the weapon from a restroom, and began firing at victims in both classrooms and corridors.
Court testimony from a pretrial proceeding revealed that Colin Gray had presented the firearm to his son as a Christmas present months before the shooting occurred. Additionally, the father purchased an enhanced magazine to increase the weapon’s ammunition capacity.
Prosecutors have disclosed that the elder Gray was aware of his son’s disturbing fixation on perpetrators of school violence, including maintaining what authorities described as a shrine dedicated to Nikolas Cruz, who carried out the 2018 Parkland, Florida massacre. A Georgia Bureau of Investigation officer testified that both parents had discussed their child’s preoccupation with school shooters but dismissed it as harmless joking rather than a serious concern.
Evidence also shows Colin Gray recognized his son’s declining mental health condition and had contacted counseling services in the weeks leading up to the violence. In written communications about his son, Gray stated: “We have had a very difficult past couple of years and he needs help. Anger, anxiety, quick to be volatile. I don’t know what to do.”
Nearly 4,000 Yemeni nationals living in the United States will lose their protected immigration status following a federal decision announced Friday by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The Department of Homeland Security has canceled Yemen’s Temporary Protected Status designation, which had shielded Yemenis from deportation since 2015. Secretary Noem stated that her department conducted an assessment of Yemen’s current situation before making the determination.
“After reviewing country conditions and consulting with the appropriate U.S. government agencies, I determined that Yemen no longer meets the statutory requirements for its TPS designation,” Noem explained in her announcement.
The Temporary Protected Status program provides safety for foreign nationals whose home countries face dangerous conditions such as armed conflict, natural disasters, or other exceptional situations that make return hazardous. Yemen qualified for this protection in 2015 as civil war escalated, involving Houthi rebels, the recognized government, and international military involvement. The ongoing conflict has created massive population displacement and a humanitarian emergency, with United Nations officials consistently highlighting critical needs throughout Yemen.
Secretary Noem defended the termination decision, arguing that maintaining protection for Yemeni nationals no longer serves American interests. She emphasized the temporary nature of the program in her statement.
“Allowing TPS beneficiaries from Yemen to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to our national interest,” Noem declared, noting that the program was designed with built-in time limitations.
Yemeni nationals who benefited from the protection and lack alternative legal immigration status now face a 60-day deadline to depart the country voluntarily. Following the program’s expiration, federal authorities warned they may arrest and deport Yemeni individuals who remain without proper documentation.
Yemen’s government anticipated this policy change, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Mustafa Ahmad Noman, who connected the decision to broader immigration enforcement efforts.
“The decision was not surprising in light of the U.S. administration’s policy of deporting immigrants living in the United States, whether legal or illegal,” Noman commented. He encouraged affected Yemenis to explore legal challenges, noting that “they can pursue legal avenues, as other Arab and non-Arab communities have done and succeeded in delaying it.” Noman added that Yemen’s Washington embassy is coordinating with officials to provide assistance.
This immigration policy change represents another contentious issue in ongoing national discussions about border security and humanitarian protections as the Trump administration implements stricter enforcement measures and reduces protective programs.
A federal healthcare agency serving Native Americans and Alaska Natives will eliminate mercury-based dental fillings within the next few years, officials announced from Albuquerque, New Mexico.
For many years, the Indian Health Service has utilized dental amalgams containing elemental mercury to repair cavities and damaged teeth. Advocacy groups representing Native American communities and environmental organizations have long pushed for this change, contending that these materials expose vulnerable populations to dangerous neurotoxins, particularly those without access to private dental care.
These mercury-based amalgams, commonly called “silver fillings” because of their metallic appearance, have seen dramatic reductions in usage since the FDA upgraded their risk classification from low to moderate in 2009. Most dental practices have transitioned to plastic resin compounds, which offer both safety benefits and better cosmetic results.
By 2027, the Indian Health Service plans to completely transition to mercury-free dental materials. Statistics from the agency reveal a significant decrease in mercury filling usage among their approximately 2.8 million patients – dropping from 12% in 2005 to just 2% in 2023.
The Department of Health and Human Services, which supervises the Indian Health Service, cited increasing environmental and health worries about mercury exposure, along with international initiatives to eliminate hazardous heavy metals, as driving factors behind this month’s announcement.
“This is a commonsense step that protects patients and prevents harm before it starts,” Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated.
Kennedy emphasized that transitioning away from mercury-containing materials also fulfills the federal government’s legal obligations to the 575 officially recognized tribal nations.
The FDA notes that amalgam fillings may emit trace amounts of mercury vapor when installed, removed, or during activities like teeth grinding and chewing gum. The agency advises high-risk individuals – including expectant mothers, children younger than six, and people with neurological disorders – to avoid these fillings. However, both the FDA and American Dental Association maintain that current research doesn’t establish connections between mercury fillings and lasting health problems.
The World Health Organization has developed an initiative encouraging nations worldwide to discontinue dental amalgam use due to mercury exposure risks. In 2013, the United States joined other countries in signing the Minamata Convention, an international treaty addressing mercury’s harmful effects on health and the environment. Last November, treaty participants committed to eliminating mercury dental amalgams by 2034.
Although Kennedy’s 2027 timeline for the Indian Health Service exceeds the global target date, the United States still trails numerous developed countries that have already prohibited these materials.
“The rest of the world is light years ahead of us,” stated Rochelle Diver, who serves as the U.N. environmental treaties coordinator for the International Indian Treaty Council. She argued that Indian Health Service patients shouldn’t receive dental care that many practitioners now consider outdated.
The American Dental Association released a statement recognizing the decreased use of mercury fillings while maintaining they represent a “safe, durable and affordable material.”
Mercury usage in other medical equipment, including thermometers and blood pressure monitors, has also substantially declined over recent decades. While private dental practices have largely moved away from mercury amalgams, patients dependent on government healthcare programs often lack alternatives, according to Charles G. Brown, who leads the World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry.
Brown noted that numerous state Medicaid programs still provide coverage for mercury-containing fillings as decay treatment.
“If you’re on Medicaid, if you are stuck in the Indian Health Service, if you were stuck in a prison or other institution, you just don’t have any choice,” Brown explained.
Federal investigators have discovered what could be a crucial piece of evidence in the search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie who disappeared from her Arizona residence three weeks ago.
The FBI announced Sunday that DNA testing on a glove discovered in a field roughly two miles away from Nancy Guthrie’s Tucson residence appears to connect it to a masked individual captured on surveillance footage outside her home on the evening she vanished.
Nancy Guthrie was last observed at her residence on January 31st and reported missing one day later. Law enforcement officials discovered her blood on the front porch of her home. While alleged ransom demands were delivered to media organizations, two payment deadlines have already expired without resolution.
Medical concerns add urgency to the search, as authorities report Nancy Guthrie requires essential daily medications. According to sheriff’s dispatcher recordings, she has a pacemaker and has been managing high blood pressure and cardiac conditions.
Security cameras recorded footage of the suspected individual on Tuesday, showing someone wearing a firearm holster positioned near Guthrie’s entrance on the night she disappeared. The masked person carried a backpack and wore winter clothing including gloves, long pants, and a jacket.
By Thursday, federal agents had classified this individual as a suspect, describing him as a male approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall with a medium frame. Investigators noted he was carrying a 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack.
The FBI stated Sunday that the glove found alongside a roadway had been submitted for DNA analysis. The agency received initial test results on Saturday and is now waiting for official verification of the findings.
Law enforcement activity intensified Friday evening when agents blocked off a road approximately two miles from the victim’s residence. Multiple sheriff’s department and FBI vehicles, including forensic units, moved through the secured area as part of their investigation.
Officers also impounded a Range Rover SUV from a nearby restaurant parking area. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed this action was connected to the Guthrie case.
Forensic teams have recovered DNA samples from the property that do not belong to Nancy Guthrie or individuals known to have regular contact with her. Investigators are working to determine the identity of this genetic material.
All evidence requiring laboratory analysis is being processed at the same out-of-state facility that has handled testing since the investigation began, according to the sheriff’s department.
Federal agents reported finding approximately 16 gloves in various locations around the residence, though most belonged to search team members who had discarded them during operations.
Both the Pima County Sheriff’s Office and FBI have established tip lines and websites for public assistance. Several hundred detectives and agents have been deployed to work this case.
Since February 1st, the FBI has processed more than 13,000 tips from the public. The sheriff’s department reports handling at least 18,000 phone calls related to the investigation.
Officials have not disclosed whether any submitted tips have provided significant leads in advancing the case.
On Tuesday, sheriff’s deputies stopped and questioned an individual during a traffic stop south of Tucson. While authorities have not explained what prompted the stop, they confirmed the person was subsequently released.
That same day, deputies and federal agents executed a court-approved search in Rio Rico, located approximately one hour south of the city.
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have utilized social media platforms to share multiple video appeals directed at their mother’s suspected abductor.
The family’s Instagram messages have evolved from emotional appeals to the potential captor, expressing willingness to negotiate and even pay ransom demands, to more desperate public pleas for assistance.
Thursday’s most recent video featured simple home footage of their mother along with a commitment to “never give up on her.”
Nancy Guthrie resided alone in the affluent Catalina Foothills area, characterized by widely spaced homes set back from streets behind lengthy driveways, security gates, and thick desert landscaping.
Savannah Guthrie spent her childhood in Tucson, earned her degree from the University of Arizona, and previously worked at a local television station in the city where her parents established themselves during the 1970s. She became part of the Today show team in 2011.
In one video message, she characterized her mother as a “loving woman of goodness and light.”
Savannah has spoken about how her mother kept their family united following her father’s fatal heart attack in 1988 when he was 49 years old, at a time when Savannah was only 16 and the youngest of three children.
A 16-year-old girl from Chicago has passed away after courageously advocating for her father while fighting a devastating cancer diagnosis. Ofelia Giselle Torres Hidalgo lost her battle with stage 4 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma on Friday, according to a family statement.
The teenager received her diagnosis of the aggressive soft tissue cancer in December 2024 and had been receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
Just three days prior to Ofelia’s passing, a Chicago immigration judge made a significant ruling regarding her father, Ruben Torres Maldonado. The court determined he was conditionally eligible for “cancellation of removal” based on the severe hardships his deportation would inflict on his U.S.-born children who hold American citizenship, according to a statement from Torres Maldonado’s legal representative.
This court decision opens a pathway for Torres Maldonado to obtain lawful permanent residency status and potentially pursue U.S. citizenship in the future. Ofelia participated in the recent court proceeding through a Zoom video connection.
“Ofelia was heroic and brave in the face of ICE’s detention and threatened deportation of her father,” stated Kalman Resnick, the attorney representing Torres Maldonado. “We mourn Ofelia’s passing, and we hope that she will serve as a model for us all for how to be courageous and to fight for what’s right to our last breaths.”
Torres Maldonado, who works as a painter and home renovation contractor, was taken into custody on October 18 at a Home Depot location in suburban Chicago. His arrest occurred during a significant immigration enforcement operation called “Operation Midway Blitz,” which launched in early September.
While receiving medical treatment, Ofelia recorded a message that appeared in October on a GoFundMe fundraising page created for her family’s expenses.
“My dad, like many other fathers, is a hard-working person who wakes up early in the morning and goes to work without complaining, thinking about his family,” she said in the video. “I find it so unfair that hardworking immigrant families are being targeted just because they were not born here.”
Despite her condition, Ofelia attended her father’s October court hearing in a wheelchair. Her family’s legal team informed the judge that she had been discharged from the hospital just one day before her father’s arrest so she could spend time with loved ones. The attorneys also explained that Ofelia had been forced to pause her cancer treatment “because of the stress and disruption.”
Torres Maldonado’s legal team filed petitions seeking his release while his deportation proceedings continued. An October ruling by a judge determined his detention was unlawful and violated his constitutional due process rights, leading to a bond hearing being scheduled.
A judge subsequently approved Torres Maldonado’s release on $2,000 bond, noting his clean criminal record as a factor in the decision.
According to his attorneys, Torres Maldonado arrived in the United States in 2003. He and his partner, Sandibell Hidalgo, are also parents to a younger son.
The Department of Homeland Security had contended that he had been residing in the country without legal status for many years and possessed a record of traffic violations, including operating a vehicle without proper licensing, lacking insurance coverage, and speeding infractions. The family has requested privacy regarding funeral arrangements.
NEW ORLEANS — Carnival season has arrived in New Orleans, bringing with it countless strands of traditional green, gold and purple Mardi Gras necklaces.
While parade-goers once treasured glass beads that were difficult to obtain, today’s celebrations feature mass-produced plastic necklaces from foreign manufacturers that float riders distribute freely. Though spectators often collect multiple strands during parades, many end up discarded on streets or thrown away. Following severe flooding several years ago, city workers discovered over 46 tons of these plastic trinkets blocking municipal storm drainage systems.
These necklaces have become an environmental concern, yet imagining Mardi Gras celebrations without them seems impossible. This challenge led the Krewe of Freret to take a bold stance last year by prohibiting plastic beads entirely from their parade route.
“Our riders loved it because the spectators don’t value this anymore,” said Greg Rhoades, who co-founded Freret. “It’s become so prolific that they dodge out of the way when they see cheap plastic beads coming at them.”
For this year’s festivities, the krewe has returned to distributing beads, but not the traditional plastic variety. Freret joins two other parade organizations in testing environmentally-friendly alternatives created by Louisiana State University researchers.
Graduate student Alexis Strain explained that these “PlantMe Beads” are manufactured using 3D printing technology with polylactic acid, a starch-derived material known as PLA. Each individual bead consists of a large hollow sphere filled with okra seeds, allowing the entire necklace to be planted in soil where the okra helps attract decomposition-promoting bacteria.
According to Kristi Trail, who serves as executive director of the Pontchartrain Conservancy, plastic beads create dual environmental hazards. Initially, they obstruct storm drainage systems and contribute to urban flooding. Subsequently, those that escape the drains flow directly into Lake Pontchartrain, potentially endangering aquatic ecosystems. Her organization currently plans to research microplastic contamination in the lake.
Environmental consciousness during Mardi Gras has expanded over recent years, with parade organizers increasingly choosing meaningful alternatives like food items, soap products, and sunglasses instead of disposable trinkets. Trail noted that while comprehensive data on these efforts’ effectiveness remains unavailable, recent grant funding should enable future impact assessments.
“Beads are obviously a problem, but we generate about 2.5 million pounds of trash from Mardi Gras,” Trail stated.
Strain conducts her research under Professor Naohiro Kato, an associate biology professor at LSU who conceived biodegradable bead development in 2013 following conversations with environmentally-concerned community members. Drawing on his plant biology expertise, Kato recognized that vegetation could serve as bioplastic source material and began exploring potential applications.
The laboratory’s initial biodegradable prototypes emerged in 2018 using bioplastic derived from microalgae. However, manufacturing expenses for algae-based beads proved too costly to compete with petroleum-based alternatives. Strain’s subsequent experimentation with 3D printing technology led to the PlantMe Bead innovation.
For the 2026 Carnival season, LSU students have manufactured 3,000 PlantMe Bead necklaces that they’re distributing to three parade organizations in exchange for design feedback and spectator response data.
Kato mentioned an amusing development: people have expressed appreciation for the PlantMe Beads’ uniqueness and desire to preserve them as keepsakes.
“So wait a minute, if you want to keep it, the petroleum-plastic Mardi Gras bead is the best, because this won’t last,” he observed.
The research team continues developing additional sustainable Mardi Gras solutions. Strain experiments with different 3D printing materials that decompose rapidly without requiring soil planting. Kato discusses partnerships with local educational institutions to transform bead production into community engagement projects, envisioning students creating necklaces while learning about bioplastics and plant science. He also continues investigating methods to make algae-based bioplastic economically feasible.
Nevertheless, Kato emphasized that replacing one plastic type with a less harmful alternative shouldn’t be the ultimate objective. He advocates for Mardi Gras celebrations to embrace waste reduction principles.
Rhoades confirmed that Freret shares this philosophy.
“In 2025, we were the first krewe — major parading organization — to say, ‘No more. No more cheap beads. Let’s throw things that people value, that people appreciate, that can be used year-round,’” Rhoades explained.
Among their most popular distribution items are baseball caps featuring the Freret logo. Rhoades regularly notices people wearing these hats throughout the city and reports that other parade organizations have taken notice.
“I really believe that we, and other krewes, are able to inspire your larger krewes,” he said. “They want people to like their stuff. They want people take their stuff home, and use it, and talk about it, and post it on social media, and say, ‘Look what I just caught!’”
A decades-long underwater mystery has finally been solved after researchers located the remains of a passenger steamship that disappeared beneath Lake Michigan’s waters more than 150 years ago.
The international organization Shipwreck World revealed Friday that explorers discovered the Lac La Belle approximately 20 miles from shore between Racine and Kenosha, Wisconsin. The find was made in October 2022 by a team under the direction of Illinois underwater explorer Paul Ehorn.
During a Sunday telephone conversation with The Associated Press, Ehorn explained the delayed announcement occurred because his crew wanted to create a detailed three-dimensional video recording of the vessel. However, harsh weather conditions and scheduling conflicts prevented diving teams from returning to the site until this past summer.
The 80-year-old Ehorn, who has pursued shipwreck discoveries since age 15, revealed he had been hunting for the Lac La Belle’s resting place since 1965. A tip from fellow wreck researcher and writer Ross Richardson helped focus his 2022 search area, leading to the vessel’s detection through side-scan sonar technology within just two hours of searching.
“It’s kind of a game, like solve the puzzle. Sometimes you don’t have many pieces to put the puzzle together but this one worked out and we found it right away,” Ehorn explained. The discovery left him “super elated.”
While Ehorn chose not to reveal specifics about the breakthrough clue, Richardson shared in a brief Sunday phone call that a commercial fishing operator at an undisclosed location had caught something distinctive to 1800s steam vessels. Richardson withheld additional details, citing the competitive nature of shipwreck exploration and concerns about revealing research methods to other searchers.
Historical records from Shipwreck World indicate the Lac La Belle was constructed in 1864 in Cleveland, Ohio. The 217-foot vessel operated routes connecting Cleveland to Lake Superior until suffering damage in an 1866 St. Clair River collision. After being salvaged in 1869 and restored to service, the ship resumed passenger operations.
The steamer departed Milwaukee bound for Grand Haven, Michigan during stormy conditions on the evening of October 13, 1872, carrying 53 passengers and crew members along with cargo including barley, pork, flour and whiskey. Approximately two hours after departure, the vessel began flooding uncontrollably. The captain attempted to return to Milwaukee, but massive waves overwhelmed the ship, dousing the boilers. Storm currents pushed the disabled vessel southward until around 5 a.m., when the captain ordered evacuation and the ship sank stern-first.
During the rescue attempt, one lifeboat overturned while heading to shore, resulting in eight fatalities. The remaining lifeboats successfully reached the Wisconsin coastline in the Racine-Kenosha area.
According to Ehorn’s observations, invasive quagga mussels now coat the wreck’s exterior surfaces and the upper passenger cabins have deteriorated. However, the main hull structure appears sound and the oak interior components remain well-preserved.
The Great Lakes contain an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 shipwrecks according to the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Wisconsin Water Library, with most still awaiting discovery. Recent years have seen increased urgency among wreck hunters due to concerns that invasive quagga mussels are gradually damaging these underwater archaeological sites.
This marks Ehorn’s 15th successful shipwreck location. “It was one more to put a check mark by,” he noted. “Now it’s on to the next one. It’s getting harder and harder. The easier ones have been found.”
Entertainment industry leaders are speaking out against ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, over its latest artificial intelligence technology that they claim illegally uses copyrighted material and celebrity images without consent.
The controversial tool, called Seedance 2.0, enables users to create professional-quality videos simply by typing text descriptions. While currently restricted to users in China, the technology has already sparked fierce criticism from major Hollywood organizations.
The Motion Picture Association has accused the platform of engaging in “unauthorized use of U.S. copyrighted works on a massive scale.”
Charles Rivkin, who serves as chairman and CEO of the MPA, issued a strong statement Tuesday demanding action. “By launching a service that operates without meaningful safeguards against infringement, ByteDance is disregarding well-established copyright law that protects the rights of creators and underpins millions of American jobs. ByteDance should immediately cease its infringing activity,” Rivkin declared.
The controversy intensified when Irish filmmaker Ruairí Robinson shared a video created with the AI tool showing digitally generated versions of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt in a fictional battle scene. The post prompted “Deadpool” screenwriter Rhett Rheese to express his concerns on social media platform X, writing “I hate to say it. It’s likely over for us.”
The actors’ union SAG-AFTRA joined the criticism on Friday, releasing a statement condemning what they called obvious copyright violations. “The infringement includes the unauthorized use of our members’ voices and likenesses. This is unacceptable and undercuts the ability of human talent to earn a livelihood,” the union stated. “Seedance 2.0 disregards law, ethics, industry standards and basic principles of consent. Responsible AI development demands responsibility, and that is nonexistent here.”
In response to the mounting pressure, ByteDance issued its own statement Sunday acknowledging the concerns while defending its commitment to protecting creative rights. “(We) have heard the concerns regarding Seedance 2.0. We are taking steps to strengthen current safeguards as we work to prevent the unauthorized use of intellectual property and likeness by users,” the company responded.
Civil rights organizations led by the NAACP have petitioned a federal court to establish safeguards for sensitive voter information that FBI agents confiscated from a Fulton County elections facility near Atlanta last month.
In a legal filing submitted Sunday evening, the groups argued that Georgia citizens provided their private details to the state in good faith when registering to vote. The January 28th raid on the county’s election operations center “violated that trust, trampled on constitutional privacy rights, and created barriers to voting,” according to their court motion.
The civil rights advocates are requesting judicial intervention to “establish appropriate restrictions on how the government handles the confiscated information” and prevent its use for anything beyond the specific criminal probe outlined in the search warrant documentation. Their demands include blocking any attempts to utilize the data for updating voter registration lists, managing elections, or enforcing immigration laws.
Additionally, the organizations want court orders requiring federal authorities to provide a complete list of all seized materials, identify everyone who has reviewed the records outside the investigation team, document any copying activities, and detail security measures protecting the information.
Justice Department officials had not responded to requests for comment about the motion by Monday evening.
Federal agents executed their search warrant at the elections warehouse located south of Atlanta, collecting materials from the 2020 election cycle including: complete ballot sets, scanner tape records from vote-counting machines, digital ballot copies generated during the initial count and subsequent recount, plus comprehensive voter registration databases. County officials have separately filed their own motion demanding return of the seized items.
Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly targeted Fulton County, which serves as a Democratic stronghold and Georgia’s largest population center, claiming without supporting evidence that massive voting irregularities there denied him victory in the 2020 Georgia race.
According to the FBI agent’s sworn statement used to secure the search authorization, the criminal inquiry originated from information provided by Kurt Olsen, who previously counseled Trump during his efforts to reverse the 2020 election outcome and currently holds the position of Trump’s “director of election security and integrity” tasked with investigating the former president’s defeat.
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law submitted the motion representing the NAACP, its Georgia and Atlanta chapters, and the Georgia Coalition for the Peoples Agenda. The filing highlights that this seizure occurred while the Justice Department has been pursuing complete, unredacted voter registration databases from states nationwide.
Federal prosecutors have initiated legal action against no fewer than 23 states plus Washington D.C. attempting to obtain comprehensive voter information. Department officials claim they need this data to strengthen election security measures, though Democratic leaders and advocacy groups fear the sensitive information could serve other governmental purposes. Multiple federal courts across various states have denied the Justice Department’s requests for these records.
“This pattern of pursuing 2020 election materials, particularly by the same agency now controlling them, raises serious questions about voter data privacy and security while further discouraging voting participation,” the motion states.
Federal investigators have uncovered genetic evidence on a discarded glove that may link to the masked individual suspected in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show anchor Savannah Guthrie.
According to the FBI, the glove containing DNA material was discovered approximately two miles away from Guthrie’s residence in a roadside field. Laboratory analysis was conducted on the evidence, with the bureau receiving initial test results on Saturday while waiting for final verification, officials announced Sunday.
Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her Tucson, Arizona home on January 31st and was reported as a missing person the next day. Investigators discovered blood evidence on her front porch. While alleged ransom demands were delivered to media organizations, two payment deadlines have already expired without resolution.
During the search operation, law enforcement recovered roughly 16 gloves from the surrounding area, though most belonged to search team members who had dropped them during the investigation, according to federal authorities.
This evidence emerged following the release of security camera footage showing a masked individual at Guthrie’s front entrance. The surveillance video captured someone wearing a ski mask, jacket, long pants, and gloves while carrying a backpack on the front porch.
Federal agents identified this person as a suspect on Thursday, describing him as a male approximately 5 feet, 9 inches in height with an average build. The individual was seen carrying an “Ozark Trail Hiker Pack” backpack with a 25-liter capacity.
Law enforcement officials have expressed urgent concerns regarding Nancy Guthrie’s medical needs, as she requires essential daily medications. According to sheriff’s department communications obtained through broadcastify.com, she has a pacemaker implanted and suffers from elevated blood pressure and cardiac complications.
During the early stages of the investigation, authorities had previously collected genetic material from Nancy Guthrie’s property that did not match her DNA or that of people known to have regular contact with her. Investigators continue working to determine the identity of this unknown genetic evidence.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced Sunday that his party stands ready to invest massive resources in Virginia’s redistricting battle, potentially spending tens of millions of dollars to secure four additional congressional seats.
Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Jeffries declared Democrats will commit “whatever it takes” to ensure victory in Virginia’s April ballot measure on redistricting.
This aggressive strategy represents part of a broader national battle over congressional district boundaries as both political parties pursue increasingly combative redistricting tactics leading up to November’s midterm elections.
The GOP, which maintains a slim House majority, has already implemented new district maps in states including Texas, Missouri, Ohio, and North Carolina. Meanwhile, California voters have approved a Democratic redistricting initiative.
Maryland presents another potential battleground, where some Democrats seek to redraw maps to eliminate the state’s only Republican-held congressional seat. However, state Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Democrat, indicated insufficient support exists in his chamber and confirmed no vote is planned on the legislation.
When asked about Ferguson’s position, Jeffries said he hadn’t spoken with the Maryland leader recently but would engage in discussions “at some point” if opposition continues.
The Virginia Supreme Court ruled Friday that the Democratic redistricting initiative can proceed to an April voter referendum, setting the stage for the high-stakes campaign.
“We’re striking back,” Jeffries explained to CNN. “We’re going to make sure that there’s a fair national map.”
The current redistricting wars stem from a 2019 U.S. Supreme Court decision that removed federal courts from overseeing partisan gerrymandering cases, leaving redistricting battles to individual states. Former President Donald Trump’s calls for aggressive Republican redistricting prompted Democrats to adopt similarly confrontational tactics.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina expressed concerns on CBS’s “Face the Nation” about his party’s ability to retain House control, citing redistricting challenges among his worries.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Political leaders showed no indication of finding middle ground Sunday in the ongoing dispute over federal immigration enforcement oversight that has resulted in a Department of Homeland Security funding freeze.
The partial shutdown started Saturday when Congressional Democrats and President Donald Trump’s administration couldn’t agree on funding legislation for the department through September. The disagreement stems from Democratic calls for reformed immigration enforcement practices following last month’s deadly shootings of American citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal agents in Minneapolis.
With Congress in recess until February 23rd, neither party appears ready to budge from their stance. The funding gap impacts multiple agencies including the Transportation Security Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Coast Guard, Secret Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Customs and Border Protection.
Despite the shutdown, ICE and CBP operations continue without interruption thanks to additional funding secured through Trump’s 2025 tax and spending legislation, which allocated extra billions for deportation activities. Approximately 90% of DHS staff will keep working throughout the shutdown, though without receiving paychecks — creating potential financial strain for thousands of workers. The nation experienced a record 43-day government closure last year.
Border czar Tom Homan stated the administration refuses to accept Democratic requirements that federal agents identify themselves clearly, remove face coverings during operations, and wear unique identification numbers.
“I don’t like the masks, either,” Homan said, But, he said, “These men and women have to protect themselves.”
Democratic lawmakers are also pushing for mandatory body cameras on immigration agents and requiring judicial warrants before making arrests on private property.
New York Senator Chuck Schumer, the Senate Minority Leader, argued Democrats are simply requesting that federal agents follow standard procedures used by local law enforcement nationwide.
“And the question that Americans are asking is, ‘Why aren’t Republicans going along with these commonsense proposals?’” Schumer said. “They’re not crazy. They’re not way out. They’re what every police department in America does.”
Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin expressed willingness to support body camera requirements and enhanced training programs. However, he opposed demands for agents to remove masks and provide clear identification, citing concerns about harassment and doxxing of officers involved in immigration operations.
“What are you going to do, expose their faces so you can intimidate their families?” Mullins said. “What we want is ICE to be able to do their job. And we would love for local law enforcement and for states to cooperate with us.”
Alabama Republican Senator Katie Britt, a Trump supporter who advocated for a two-week DHS funding extension during negotiations, criticized Democrats for abandoning discussions, calling their decision “shortsighted.”
Immigration enforcement served as a cornerstone of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, with promises of aggressive detention and deportation of individuals residing in the United States without legal authorization.
According to DHS statistics, more than 675,000 migrants have been deported since Trump resumed office last year, with the department claiming an additional 2.2 million have voluntarily left the country as the Republican president prioritized immigration enforcement.
“President Trump is not going to back away from the mission, the mission that American people said they wanted him to complete, and that is securing our border and making sure that we actually do interior enforcement,” Britt said.
The comments came during Sunday morning political programs, with Homan appearing on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Schumer and Mullin on CNN’s “State of the Union,” and Britt interviewed on “Fox News Sunday.”
