Category: U.S. News

Defense lawyers representing the suspect charged with murdering Charlie Kirk will return to court Friday seeking contempt sanctions against prosecutors for public statements regarding bullet evidence recovered from Kirk’s remains.

Tyler Robinson’s legal team has alleged that prosecutors embarked on a “media tour” discussing expert analysis of the bullet. The defense maintains these public remarks breached restrictions established by Judge Tony Graf prohibiting case discussions outside the courtroom.

However, prosecutors defended their actions, stating they were entitled to address false information spread by Robinson’s defense team concerning preliminary ballistics findings that were inconclusive. The initial expert analysis failed to definitively link bullet fragments to a firearm allegedly connected to Robinson. News of these preliminary results led to media speculation about potential exoneration for Robinson.

“The rules expressly allow lawyers to set the record straight,” Deputy Utah County Attorney Christopher Ballard wrote.

Robinson’s defense team has worked to limit media coverage they claim often mischaracterizes their client, as the case has generated significant public interest. The 23-year-old southwestern Utah resident faces aggravated murder charges in Kirk’s Sept. 10 killing, described as an assassination of the Turning Point USA conservative organization co-founder at Utah Valley University.

If convicted, prosecutors plan to pursue capital punishment. Robinson has yet to enter a formal plea.

Robinson’s legal representatives have not detailed specific penalties they want imposed on prosecutors should Graf find them in violation of his directives and hold them in contempt. However, defense filings referenced another criminal matter involving prosecutorial contempt allegations, noting that preventing the state from pursuing the death penalty was mentioned as a possible remedy.

Though the judge in that previous case determined a death penalty prohibition wasn’t warranted, Robinson’s attorneys observed that “the court did not conclude that such a remedy was beyond its authority where the facts support it.”

Graf indicated he will announce his ruling on the contempt matter at a future date.

A crucial hearing is set for next month, when prosecutors must demonstrate sufficient evidence exists to justify proceeding to trial. This would represent the most substantial evidence presentation thus far in proceedings that have primarily centered on media access issues.

Robinson’s counsel has requested Graf suspend the case while they challenge his June 1 ruling that refused to exclude cameras from courtroom proceedings.

A pair of Guatemalan nationals entered guilty pleas Thursday in Texas federal court on human trafficking charges linked to a fatal December 2021 truck accident in Mexico that claimed the lives of 55 migrants among more than 160 people crammed inside the vehicle.

Josefa Quino Canil De Zavala, age 43, and Alberto Marcario Chitic, age 32, who were brought to the United States through extradition, acknowledged their participation in a conspiracy to transport adults and children without guardians from Guatemala through Mexico to reach the United States, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

During one smuggling attempt, approximately 166 migrants were stuffed into a commercial truck that flipped over and crashed into a bridge support structure close to Tuxtla Gutierrez in Chiapas, Mexico.

The December 9, 2021, collision resulted in 55 migrant deaths, including one 16-year-old female, while many others sustained injuries. Video recordings from the scene revealed bodies spread throughout the crash location.

Mexican officials reported at that time that almost all victims were from Guatemala. Chiapas authorities indicated that among the injured were three individuals from the Dominican Republic, along with one person each from Honduras, Mexico, and Ecuador.

Those who survived described being pressed into the trailer space so densely that the majority could only remain standing. The incident was considered one of the most fatal migrant-smuggling tragedies in Mexico over the past ten years.

Both Canil De Zavala and Chitic entered guilty pleas for conspiracy to illegally transport individuals to the United States, causing severe physical harm that led to fatalities, the Justice Department announced.

Each defendant could receive a life sentence when their sentencing occurs on September 9 in Texas federal court, officials stated.

“The defendants ran a calculated alien smuggling operation that moved people across borders like a supply chain – recruiting them in Guatemala, collecting their money and packing them into cattle trucks and tractor-trailers for a dangerous journey through Mexico,” said John Marck, acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Texas.

Marck noted that children without guardians who were smuggled by this network received prepared statements to repeat to authorities if apprehended while attempting to enter the United States.

These two defendants along with three additional Guatemalans charged with participating in the scheme – Daniel Zavala Ramos, 41, Tomas Quino Canil, 37, and Oswaldo Manuel Zavala Quino, 25 – were brought from Guatemala to the United States in 2025 to answer charges.

Federal authorities also detained another Guatemalan citizen, Jorge Agapito Ventura, 33, in Texas during December 2024. Ramos submitted a guilty plea in April. Legal proceedings against the remaining three individuals continue.

The nation’s highest court has blocked Alabama from carrying out a death sentence using nitrogen gas as the method of execution.

As a result of this decision, Jeffrey Lee’s planned execution has been postponed. Lee continues to face capital punishment.

A Massachusetts jury has delivered guilty verdicts against the sibling of the state’s attorney general for sexual assault crimes committed while impersonating a rideshare driver.

The 45-year-old Alvin Campbell was found guilty Thursday on 21 of 22 criminal charges related to sexual assaults that occurred between 2017 and 2019, according to the Suffolk County district attorney’s office. Jurors could not reach agreement on a single rape charge.

“We will determine our action, if any, at a future date on that charge,” the district attorney’s office said in a statement.

Campbell is scheduled for sentencing on June 29 and could receive a life sentence for aggravated rape.

According to prosecutors, Campbell would pretend to be a rideshare driver while targeting women near bars and other venues.

His younger sister made history as the first woman of color elected to statewide office in Massachusetts when she took the oath as attorney general in 2023. A spokesperson for the attorney general’s office did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press following Thursday’s verdict.

Andrea Campbell has previously discussed her family’s complex relationship with the criminal justice system, including her brother’s rape charges.

“One thing I do frequently is share my story because I think there are so many who carry their story with a sense of shame and don’t want to talk about it, including the criminal aspects of my family,” she said in a previous interview with the AP. “But there is no shame in one sharing their story. There is power in it.”

The attorney general serves as the state’s top lawyer and chief law enforcement official.

Following the verdict, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden told reporters he had not communicated with the attorney general.

Hayden described how Alvin Campbell “deceivingly and calculatedly” targeted women during their most vulnerable moments. “I can’t imagine what that horror must have been like for them.” Campbell’s defense attorney did not respond to messages from the AP.

Hayden praised the courage of the women who provided testimony: “We’re happy that we were able to secure justice and accountability for them and so we thank them.”

TRACY, Calif. — Thick black smoke billowed into the sky Thursday as a massive blaze erupted at a medical equipment distribution facility in Northern California, forcing authorities to clear out surrounding warehouses while battling the flames.

The blaze broke out at a Medline distribution center in Tracy, located approximately 55 miles east of San Francisco. Police Sgt. Michael Richards said officials evacuated a significant portion of the surrounding area due to concerns that wind conditions could spread burning debris. The affected warehouse sits within a sprawling industrial complex that includes distribution and fulfillment operations for Amazon, Home Depot and FedEx.

Medline confirmed that all workers and other personnel at the location have been safely accounted for.

“We are coordinating closely with local authorities and first responders as we assess the fire’s impact and will share more details as they become available,” a spokesperson for the company said in a statement.

Fire Chief Randall Bradley of the South San Joaquin County Fire Authority said firefighting efforts were hampered by what appeared to be a malfunctioning sprinkler system and insufficient water pressure from hydrants at the facility. He noted the problems seemed to stem from the warehouse’s water infrastructure rather than the city’s system, though the exact cause remains under investigation.

“Things worked against us,” he said, citing water supply issues, low humidity, high winds and high temperatures. “It was a little bit of a perfect storm for this fire evolving quickly.”

Residential areas were not affected by the evacuation orders.

Federal safety investigators say a devastating train crash in North Dakota two years ago serves as another stark reminder of why transportation officials have spent decades pushing the railroad industry to retire dangerous tank cars that break apart too easily during accidents.

The National Transportation Safety Board released its final investigation report Thursday, concluding that the standard DOT-111 tank cars are desperately in need of replacement due to how they amplify disaster when trains carrying dangerous chemicals derail, particularly when those materials ignite as occurred near Bordulac, North Dakota.

Some of the most catastrophic railroad accidents in recent years have been worsened by leaking tank cars carrying hazardous substances that ignited, including the 2023 East Palestine, Ohio, disaster and the 2013 Lac Megantic accident that destroyed much of that Canadian community and resulted in 47 deaths. The problematic DOT-111 cars were also factors in multiple devastating crude oil and ethanol crashes during the early 2000s when rail companies frequently transported entire trains loaded with these combustible materials.

Even some improved tank car designs created following earlier accidents dating to the 1990s remain inadequate because they feature thin exterior walls. More robust modern rail tank cars have better resistance to breaking open during derailments.

Additionally, railroad companies must modify how they organize their train consists to prevent flammable liquids from being positioned near chemicals that pose inhalation hazards. When this CPKC train went off the rails on July 5, 2024, methanol poured from five damaged tank cars and ignited. The resulting blaze then caused three cars containing anhydrous ammonia to rupture.

While the actual derailment resulted from a culvert failure beneath the train that broke the rail, NTSB investigators determined that the rupture-prone tank cars dramatically worsened the consequences. The safety board found that although the culvert received regular inspections, those examinations lacked the depth needed to detect the collapse danger beforehand.

The North Dakota incident was fortunate in that the remote location meant few residents were affected when 29 of the train’s 151 cars left the tracks. Just two households chose to evacuate for two days while emergency crews extinguished fires and managed the methanol and anhydrous ammonia releases. A dozen additional derailed cars were transporting plastic pellets.

The derailment itself caused no injuries, though several cleanup workers later sought medical attention and experienced health issues after exposure to anhydrous ammonia.

CPKC spokesman Patrick Waldron stated the company obtained the report following its Thursday afternoon release and is conducting a thorough review.

Representatives from the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and the Association of American Railroads trade organization did not immediately respond to inquiries about the NTSB conclusions. The Federal Railroad Administration also declined immediate comment on the recommendations.

The NTSB has advocated for eliminating these cars from hazardous materials service since at least the 1990s due to their problematic track record, and Congress has required their replacement for transporting flammable liquids by 2029. However, they would still be permitted for carrying other dangerous materials beyond that deadline.

A decade has passed since a gunman opened fire at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub, yet the pain of losing 49 young lives continues to weigh heavily on the community.

The tragic shooting occurred 10 years ago, but residents say the emotional wounds remain fresh as they remember those who were killed in the attack.

A unique four-legged assistant is making waves in Florida law enforcement circles. Police departments in the state have enlisted the help of an otter named Splash for specialized underwater missions.

The innovative approach takes advantage of otters’ natural abilities to navigate through cloudy, difficult-to-see-through waters where traditional search methods might fall short. These aquatic mammals can be successfully trained to conduct search and rescue operations in challenging underwater conditions.

Florida’s law enforcement agencies are now putting this training to practical use, marking a creative approach to public safety operations in waterways with poor visibility.

A groundbreaking journalist whose legal fight against workplace discrimination transformed hiring practices in newsrooms nationwide has died at age 89.

Marlene Louise Johnson passed away on May 9 at an elder care facility in Inglewood, California, after battling dementia, her daughter Morenike Joela Evans confirmed.

Johnson’s discrimination lawsuit against the Associated Press in the 1970s ultimately resulted in sweeping affirmative action policies that created opportunities for women, Black and Hispanic reporters across the journalism industry.

A Rochester, New York native, Johnson completed her associate’s degree at the University of Buffalo and earned her bachelor’s at Wayne State University in Detroit. Remarkably, at 75 years old, she obtained a master’s degree in religious studies from Howard University’s School of Divinity.

During her employment at the late-Congressman John Conyers’ Detroit office in the early 1970s, Johnson developed a friendship with civil rights legend Rosa Parks. Parks gained national prominence in 1955 after her arrest for refusing to surrender her bus seat to a white passenger sparked the Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott, eventually leading to integrated public transportation. Parks passed away in 2005.

The Associated Press brought Johnson aboard in 1972 as a general assignment reporter at their Detroit bureau. Her reporting covered Black entrepreneurship, court-mandated school busing in Detroit, conflicts between the predominantly white police force and Black community members, breast cancer awareness, and women’s advancement in business and culture.

Johnson, who was Black, filed her discrimination lawsuit against the international news organization just one year after joining their staff. Despite being recruited through a minority hiring initiative designed to diversify the AP’s workforce, Johnson alleged she received inadequate training after several months on the job. She also contended that she faced different performance expectations than her white male colleagues.

“What the suit was about originally was racism,” Johnson explained during a 2013 interview with History Makers, a nonprofit organization that maintains digital oral histories of prominent and lesser-known Black Americans.

“I was filing a copy, and there was nothing wrong with the copy,” Johnson recalled. “And so, like nine months in, the boss decides that he’s going to retire, and he’s going to dump me. And I said ‘oh, my gosh.’ And so, I was very upset.”

Johnson received assistance from the Newspaper Guild in filing her lawsuit, which eventually expanded into a class-action case involving multiple female minority journalists. She took a leave of absence in June 1975, according to AP documentation. Newspaper records indicate her AP byline appeared on a Detroit-based story in 1975.

“It was a scary thing for her to do,” Evans said regarding her mother’s discrimination complaint against the AP. Years later, “she ended up getting like $700. I remember her being very upset over that — it kind of got taken away from her getting justice.”

The Newspaper Guild’s class-action discrimination lawsuit against the AP reached a settlement approximately ten years later in 1983 for over $1 million. Johnson’s name was not included among the listed plaintiffs. The agreement, which involved the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, mandated that the AP implement affirmative action programs for female journalists and Black and Hispanic reporters.

“The suit turned from all Black and one white (plaintiff), to all white and one Black (plaintiff),” Johnson remembered in her History Makers interview. “And the one Black — the one that went to the civil suit — they took my name off and put another woman’s name on it. A Black woman who I had never heard of before.”

According to a 2019 NewsGuild International report, the seven women named as plaintiffs divided $83,120. The settlement also included provisions for training programs and bonuses for the AP’s minority and female journalists.

“I wasn’t in it for the money,” Johnson stated, while also mentioning that she struggled to secure journalism positions for an extended period following her lawsuit.

“We should be grateful that someone like Marlene, a Black woman in the 1970s at a major news organization who had the courage,” said veteran journalist Vincent McCraw, who is also Black and worked alongside Johnson later at the Washington Times. “Whether she, willingly or not, knew there would be a sacrifice, she took it.”

Johnson subsequently relocated to Washington where she held positions with the Newspaper Guild, the National Urban League and the National 4-H Council. She also contributed to the White House Council On Aging and served in the press office for President Jimmy Carter’s inauguration committee, her obituary noted.

McCraw, currently a regional manager for Report for America, said Evans informed him of Johnson’s death. He first encountered Johnson in the early 1990s in Washington while she worked in communications and he covered municipal government for the Washington Times.

“We struck up a conversation and I learned she’d been in journalism,” McCraw recalled. “What I did not know then was the suit she had against AP. After a year or so she mentioned how she wanted to get back into journalism.”

Through McCraw’s connection, Johnson joined the Washington Times in 1994 as an assistant features editor. She retired from that position in 2004.

Johnson maintained memberships with the National Association of Black Journalists, the Capital Press Club and the Public Relations Society of America.

During her final decade, Johnson resided in the Los Angeles area under Evans’ care.

“She loved being a reporter, a journalist,” her daughter shared. “She was really an advocate for people and telling the truth.”

In her History Makers interview, Johnson expressed her desire to be remembered “as a friend, as somebody you could count on, as a good Christian woman, as a strong woman, as a loving person, as a good mom, as a wonderful grandmom.”

Johnson leaves behind two grandchildren, a son-in-law, and two siblings.

WASHINGTON — Federal authorities allocated $750,000 to hire a private yacht for evacuating one American citizen from a distant South Pacific island following her potential exposure to hantavirus aboard a cruise vessel, creating additional pressure on the State Department’s emergency response budget.

The citizen, who potentially contracted the virus during her time on the Dutch MV Hondius cruise vessel in April, had disembarked and flown to San Francisco before journeying to the isolated British territory of Pitcairn Island via Tahiti, according to two federal officials and internal government documentation acquired by The Associated Press.

The complete evacuation cost remains under evaluation as the operation continues. Both officials requested anonymity when discussing a medical situation protected by federal privacy regulations.

This expensive rescue mission has increased costs alongside rapid evacuations for diplomats and American civilians from Middle Eastern regions since Iran war tensions began, plus preparations for potential evacuations from Ebola-affected nations. These situations have depleted the State Department’s emergency response budget, called the “K Fund,” bringing it to its lowest point in seven years.

Additional internal documentation revealed the State Department is considering transferring up to $50 million into the emergency fund from other sources — $35 million from embassy security, construction and maintenance budgets, plus another $15 million from diplomatic programming accounts. No final decision regarding these transfers has been reached.

One official noted the State Department could alternatively request Congressional funding to restore the emergency account. However, the official indicated the department should manage payments for current and “emerging contingency needs.”

While declining to specify the potential budget shortfall, the official maintained the department remains “well positioned” to support diplomats, federal employees and American citizens forced to evacuate Middle Eastern areas due to Iran tensions, plus Americans requiring help from situations like the African Ebola outbreak.

State Department representatives refused to discuss details of the woman’s Pitcairn Island situation but stated that “when an American is at risk abroad and unable to access commercial transportation, the Department of State seeks to provide appropriate assistance to get them home to the United States or to another safe location.”

Following the woman’s departure from the cruise vessel where the hantavirus outbreak happened, the ship traveled to additional South Atlantic locations, with several passengers becoming sick and at least three deaths occurring. The unnamed American citizen became stranded on Pitcairn, an island housing approximately 50 residents, lacking an airport and having limited maritime departure options.

Pitcairn gained fame as the refuge location for Fletcher Christian and fellow British mutineers from HMS Bounty following the 1789 incident that overthrew Capt. William Bligh, events immortalized through “Mutiny on the Bounty” books and movies. Their offspring comprise most of the island’s present inhabitants.

British officials had requested urgent American help evacuating the woman from their territory, adding complexity to the situation, according to government cost documentation and the second federal official.

However, initial plans to transport her to Tahiti, a French territory located approximately 1,350 miles (2,160 kilometers) — roughly a 30-hour ocean voyage — from Pitcairn, faced rejection from French Polynesian officials. They refused entry because she hadn’t revealed her exposure during her previous transit through the island en route to Pitcairn.

The federal government is moving the asymptomatic woman from Pitcairn to Easter Island, another distant Pacific location roughly 1,400 miles (2,253 km) away, which belongs to Chile and offers direct Santiago flights, enabling her United States return for potential medical care.

These circumstances meant arranging her transport from Pitcairn to Easter Island required many weeks of planning, officials reported.

Government documentation, verified by both officials, indicated the woman’s Pitcairn departure was ultimately coordinated through the “Titaina Explorer” trimaran yacht belonging to a wealthy French owner who uses the vessel for South Pacific exploration. Pitcairn lacks airport facilities and has restricted ocean access.

Officials confirmed the woman possessed no political or celebrity ties and they remained uncertain about her exact United States return timing. Maritime tracking websites indicate the Titaina Explorer left Pitcairn Island on June 5. The Easter Island journey can require up to 10 days based on vessel speed and weather conditions.

CONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire’s highest court has overturned a murder conviction Thursday for a father charged with killing his 5-year-old daughter and relocating her remains for several months before getting rid of the body.

Authorities believe Harmony Montgomery died in 2019, almost two years prior to anyone reporting her disappearance, despite her body never being recovered. Adam Montgomery, her father, received a sentence of at least 56 years behind bars in 2024 following his conviction on charges including second-degree murder, corpse abuse, evidence tampering, witness interference and assault.

However, the Supreme Court overturned the most severe charge, siding with Montgomery’s argument that the assault charge should have been tried in a separate proceeding. The court returned the second-degree murder charge to the trial court while upholding his remaining convictions.

In their unanimous decision, the justices determined that trying the cases together compromised Montgomery’s right to a fair trial since jurors might have relied on stronger assault evidence to reach conclusions about weaker evidence regarding the killing that occurred months afterward.

“There was a significant risk that the jury would draw the impermissible inference that because the defendant assaulted the victim before by striking her in the head, he must be the one who fatally assaulted her in December by again striking her in the head.”

The overturned second-degree murder conviction represents 45 years of Montgomery’s 56-years-to-life sentence, which was added to a previous 32 ½-year sentence he was already serving for separate firearm charges.

Thursday, the attorney general’s office announced plans to retry the second-degree murder charge.

“We remain confident in the facts of this case, the evidence presented, and the exceptional work of our prosecutors, investigators, and law enforcement partners,” spokesperson Michael Garrity stated. “We will continue our efforts to seek justice for Harmony Montgomery and all those who knew and loved her.”

Montgomery’s legal team did not return requests for comment.

Motorists traveling along North Adams Street are encountering periodic lane restrictions between Linden Street and Second Avenue today.

The intermittent lane closures are expected to remain in effect until 3:30 PM, according to traffic officials.

Drivers are advised to expect delays and consider alternate routes when possible during the affected timeframe.

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Fresh polling data from Gallup reveals a notable shift in American attitudes toward several social issues over the past year. The survey shows acceptance of having children outside of marriage dropped significantly from 67% to 58% in just twelve months. Similarly, public approval of gambling decreased from 63% to 57% during the same period. The poll also found reduced acceptance among Americans regarding intimate relationships outside marriage and contraceptive use. Researchers have not identified clear reasons for such dramatic changes occurring within such a brief timeframe. According to Gallup, these findings could signal that the nation’s progressive movement on social matters may be reaching a turning point.

New research from the Public Religion Research Institute reveals distinct regional patterns in America’s LGBT population distribution. The study shows that individuals identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender are most heavily concentrated in Northeast and Far West regions.

In contrast, the research found significantly smaller LGBT populations throughout Southeast and Midwest areas. Nevada and Rhode Island topped the rankings as states with the largest percentages of homosexual residents, while Kansas and South Dakota recorded the nation’s smallest percentages according to the PRRI findings.

The upcoming World Cup tournament represents the most demanding security operation the FBI has ever tackled, according to Director Kash Patel, who spoke during an exclusive interview while traveling on the agency’s aircraft.

With 48 participating teams, 36 training facilities, and 11 venues hosting matches beginning Thursday, the scale of the security challenge is unprecedented. Add to that 3 million expected attendees, including world leaders, plus potential dangers from unmanned aircraft, espionage activities, terrorist threats, unruly spectators, criminal organizations, and explosive devices.

“It’s a huge lift, probably the biggest lift in FBI history, in American history,” Patel stated during the mid-flight conversation aboard the bureau’s Gulfstream aircraft.

During the comprehensive discussion in late May, as Patel traveled from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to Dallas for a law enforcement gathering, he discussed the agency’s extensive preparations for the global sporting spectacle. This comes amid ongoing controversies and regular speculation that his tenure may be cut short.

The 46-year-old Patel assumed the FBI director role in February 2025 and has already overseen multiple significant investigations, including the homicide of Charlie Kirk. However, he emphasized that major sporting events present unique security challenges due to elevated terror and other risks.

“Literally the first week in office when I got to the FBI I said we have to prepare for the Olympics, the World Cup, two Formula One races and the Super Bowl,” Patel explained. The FBI, working alongside the Department of Homeland Security, bears ultimate responsibility for safeguarding the tournament “not just here but overseas,” he noted.

As the primary domestic intelligence agency for the World Cup, which the United States is jointly hosting with Canada and Mexico, the FBI coordinates with state and local law enforcement agencies. The bureau must conduct 300,000 background investigations of athletes, coaching staff, and other personnel, while regional and municipal authorities handle security beyond venue perimeters and assist with anti-drone operations.

DRONE SCHOOL

Unmanned aircraft pose among the most significant risks to the competitions and host communities, Patel explained. The FBI established an anti-drone training initiative in October 2025, successfully training 70 local officers in American host cities.

Drones represent “one of the biggest ways that people who want to conduct adversarial attacks can effectuate them cheaply and from a distance, and with not much planning,” Patel observed.

The FBI has also created a collaborative operations hub featuring international law enforcement from 46 of the 48 tournament nations — excluding Iran and Haiti — to share real-time security intelligence from their respective countries.

This approach mirrors a similar coordination center established in Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics, where American officials worked with Italian authorities to safeguard U.S. visitors and competitors.

That Milan experience also became controversial when Patel was photographed celebrating with the victorious U.S. hockey team, joining in songs, spraying beverages in the locker room, and placing President Donald Trump on speakerphone. Critics characterized the trip as an inappropriate use of taxpayer funds.

This incident coincided with multiple news accounts alleging excessive alcohol consumption, which both Patel and the FBI have categorically rejected. Patel has filed a personal lawsuit against The Atlantic over what he characterizes as inaccurate reporting.

Patel maintains the Milan journey was essential preparation for World Cup security.

“We learned a ton from Milan,” he said.

THREAT ASSESSMENT

Reuters obtained the 78-page joint FBI and DHS security evaluation from May regarding the World Cup, revealing the intricate nature of tournament protection. The document outlines numerous threats both nationally and specific to individual host cities and training locations, providing guidance to local law enforcement across all 11 American host cities.

The assessment notes that Trump’s potential attendance at games will add complexity to security operations and highlights increased risks to law enforcement and venue personnel if they are confused with National Guard or ICE immigration officers.

“Recent conflicts in the Middle East, such as with Iran, have resonated with some U.S.-based violent extremists and some hate crime perpetrators and could further exacerbate anti-U.S., anti-Israel, anti-Semitic, or anti-Muslim grievances,” the evaluation states.

The document specifically addresses concerns surrounding Iran’s two preliminary matches at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles, including potential violent demonstrations from team supporters or Iranian government opponents.

Patel attributed a cyber attack on the Los Angeles Metro system in March to Iran, which disrupted portions of the transit network. The pro-Iran organization Ababil of Minab took credit for the incident.

AIR PATEL

Congressional Democrats have criticized Patel’s use of government aircraft, with lawmakers requesting a Government Accountability Office investigation.

Patel considers these allegations unjustified. Legal requirements prohibit him from using commercial flights, and he must compensate the bureau for personal travel.

FBI data provided to the GAO shows Patel has taken fewer personal flights than his two predecessors while providing required reimbursements.

The FBI informed the GAO that Patel made 11 trips to his personal residence in 2025, roughly half the annual trips of former director Christopher Wray and more than one-third fewer than former director James Comey.

The GAO investigation continues and is anticipated to conclude next year, according to a GAO representative.

Patel also claims to have saved the agency millions by departing from Joint Base Andrews rather than Ronald Reagan National Airport.

“We use military government airfields every chance we get,” he stated.

Reuters compensated the FBI for the reporter’s one-way flight.

Alabama officials are mounting an urgent legal challenge to proceed with a nitrogen gas execution scheduled for Thursday evening, petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a federal judge’s determination that the procedure violates constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment.

On Tuesday, a federal judge declared Alabama’s nitrogen execution protocol unconstitutional and prevented the state from using the method to execute Jeffery Lee, 49. State attorneys are now challenging that ruling.

This urgent legal dispute will decide whether Lee’s Thursday night execution proceeds using nitrogen gas. The case could also shape the future of the disputed execution technique that Alabama started implementing in 2024.

“As Alabama continues to defend its execution protocol in the courts, the governor remains prepared to move forward with the planned execution,” Mike Lewis, a spokesman for Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, wrote in an email.

The procedure involves securing a breathing mask to the condemned person’s face and substituting regular air with pure nitrogen gas, leading to death through oxygen deprivation. Eight executions in the United States have employed nitrogen – seven in Alabama and one in Louisiana. Lee would have been the ninth person executed using nitrogen.

U.S. District Judge Emily Marks determined Tuesday, following an appeals court’s reversal of her earlier constitutional approval, that Lee had demonstrated by a “preponderance of the evidence that the protocol constitutes cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment.” The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 Wednesday night ruling, denied Alabama’s request to halt the decision. The court previously stated that the three minutes potentially required for an inmate to lose consciousness represents an “intolerable” timeframe, “given the suffering that would likely take place under Alabama’s nitrogen hypoxia protocol.”

A representative for the Alabama attorney general’s office confirmed Wednesday night that the state is taking the matter to the Supreme Court. The nation’s highest court has never determined that a particular execution method breaches the Constitution.

The situation has renewed focus on the nitrogen execution procedure and the intense debates surrounding its implementation.

In previous Alabama nitrogen executions, condemned individuals trembled, struggled against restraints and displayed difficult breathing when the procedure began. During the state’s most recent nitrogen gas execution, 30 minutes passed between Anthony Boyd showing effects from the gas and officials drawing the viewing room curtain to indicate the execution’s completion.

State officials have argued the procedure is constitutional and produces no greater suffering than alternative execution methods.

“If nitrogen hypoxia violates the Eighth Amendment because of a risk of anxiety and emotional discomfort, then so too must every other method of execution, many of which carry inherent risks of real physical pain,” state lawyers wrote in a Wednesday court filing to the 11th Circuit.

Lee’s legal team stated Alabama is trying to proceed with an execution method that courts have deemed unconstitutional. His advocates have pressed Ivey to reduce his sentence to life imprisonment, which matches the recommendation made by jurors during his trial.

“Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall wants to execute Jeffery Lee under a death sentence the jury rejected using a nitrogen gas method that two federal courts have ruled unconstitutional. This execution is simply too flawed to move forward,” Lee’s lawyers said in a statement.

“We remain hopeful that Governor Ivey will intervene,” they added.

A jury found Lee guilty of two capital murder charges for the deaths of Jimmy Ellis and Elaine Thompson during a pawnshop robbery on Dec. 12, 1998. Prosecutors stated Lee entered Jimmy’s Pawnshop carrying a sawed-off shotgun and killed Ellis, the shop’s owner, and Thompson, a worker there.

Jurors voted 7-5 for Lee to receive life imprisonment. A judge, however, overruled that recommendation and imposed a death sentence. Alabama eliminated the judicial override practice in 2017 and no longer permits judges to disregard jury sentencing decisions in capital cases. The law ending judicial override did not apply retroactively.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A jury in Los Angeles decided Wednesday that socialite Rebecca Grossman must pay an additional $21 million in punitive damages to the family of two young brothers killed when she struck them with her vehicle in a deadly hit-and-run crash in 2020.

Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson was also ordered to pay $1.17 million in punitive damages.

These penalties come on top of $176 million in wrongful death and emotional distress damages that jurors awarded to parents Nancy and Karim Iskander last week, after determining both Grossman and Erickson acted negligently in the deaths of 11-year-old Mark and 8-year-old Jacob.

“This verdict sends a clear message that everyone must be held accountable when their selfish actions put innocent lives at risk,” said Brian Panish, who represents the Iskander family, in a Wednesday statement.

Jeff Braun, representing Erickson, said they accepted the jury’s decision.

“In the coming days, we will review the verdict with our client and discuss the appropriate path forward,” Braun stated. “Today, however, our focus is on acknowledging the extraordinary loss the Iskander family has endured. We extend our sincere condolences to them and continue to keep them in our thoughts.”

Esther Holm, Grossman’s legal representative, did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

In 2024, Grossman received a sentence of 15 years to life in prison following her conviction on charges of second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run driving in a criminal case. She helped establish the Grossman Burn Foundation and is married to a well-known burn specialist.

The parents of the deceased boys pursued civil litigation against both Grossman and Erickson, who was traveling in front of her vehicle when the Iskander children were fatally struck. The civil trial commenced in April.

The fatal collision happened during the evening hours of Sept. 29, 2020, in Westlake Village, located on the western border of Los Angeles County.

The Iskander family’s lawyer, Panish, contended that both defendants drove recklessly following an evening of consuming margaritas together. The pair were romantically involved during a period when Grossman had separated from her spouse.

According to Panish, Grossman was traveling at 73 mph (117 kph) when her vehicle hit the children as they crossed the street, despite the posted speed limit of 45 mph (72 kph) on that roadway.

He stated that Grossman was trailing behind Erickson, who was also exceeding the speed limit and barely avoided hitting the family.

Grossman’s lawyer, Holm, disputed claims that her client was under the influence of alcohol. She maintained that Grossman became distracted after witnessing the boys’ mother leap away from Erickson’s approaching car.

Erickson’s attorney, Braun, acknowledged the tragic nature of the children’s deaths but stressed that his client’s vehicle “made no contact with the children.”

Motorists traveling on E Main Street will encounter lane restrictions due to ongoing construction activities. The westbound right lane is currently closed between Library Avenue and Tyre Avenue.

The lane closure is scheduled to remain in place until 5:00 AM, according to traffic officials. Drivers are advised to plan for potential delays and consider alternate routes if possible.

Construction crews are working in the area, and motorists should exercise caution when passing through the work zone.

Legal proceedings have begun for the defendant facing charges in connection with igniting the Palisades Fire, with lawyers presenting their opening arguments to the court. The devastating blaze that erupted in January 2025 stands as one of the most catastrophic wildfires in California’s recorded history.

Federal authorities have shut down more than a dozen fraudulent websites that were allegedly being used by Chinese operatives to recruit American workers with access to classified government materials, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.

According to officials, the 13 seized websites presented themselves as legitimate consulting firms posting job opportunities specifically targeting individuals who currently hold or previously held security clearances. However, investigators determined these companies were completely fabricated and the employment opportunities were fraudulent.

This domain seizure represents part of a larger campaign by Western intelligence and law enforcement agencies to raise awareness about suspected Chinese government schemes aimed at recruiting workers who could be manipulated into revealing classified materials.

Just last week, the Five Eyes intelligence alliance — consisting of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the U.K. and the U.S. — released an advisory cautioning that China has been targeting personnel from member nations through employment websites to gain access to restricted information.

The advisory revealed that Chinese military intelligence operatives have been impersonating employees of legitimate private companies or research organizations, posting fake positions such as foreign policy or defense analyst roles while pressuring job seekers to share “non-public” materials.

Court documents filed by the FBI in connection with the website seizure indicate that the fraudulent sites used stolen identities and artificially generated photos to appear credible, while posting vague “consulting” positions aimed at current and former government workers.

“These websites are often linked or referenced within the entities’ job postings on LinkedIn and other hiring platforms,” the affidavit said.

The Justice Department stated that job seekers and recruits received monetary compensation for work-related reports and sensitive materials. Officials allege the scheme’s operators, believed to have connections to Chinese intelligence agencies, utilized digital currency and online payment platforms to conceal their true identities.

Authorities discovered these websites through information provided by targets who reported suspicious contact attempts to law enforcement.

“A lot of this information came from doing interviews, interviews with people who came forward that something didn’t seem right,” Dan Wierzbicki, the special agent in charge of the counterintelligence and cyber division of the FBI’s Washington field office, said in an interview.

“They provided information and said, ‘Hey, this is kind of weird, we’re kind of getting paid by a cryptocurrency or an online payment system that’s not typical,” he added.

Wierzbicki indicated the FBI suspects additional websites are operating with similar purposes and has requested public assistance in locating them.

A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington called allegations of Chinese espionage “entirely fabricated” and “malicious slander.”

Federal authorities in Detroit announced charges Wednesday against eight pro-Palestinian activists accused of orchestrating an intimidation scheme targeting University of Michigan administrators in an effort to pressure the institution into severing financial connections with Israel.

The criminal charges also encompass acts of vandalism directed at Michigan-based businesses and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit.

“In America, we rule by law not by fear. These alleged threats and attempts to terrorize government officials, businesses, and the Jewish Federation are anti-American. We will counter intimidation with justice,” said U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr.

The charging document outlines multiple high-profile incidents from recent years, including the placement of fake bloodied corpses on a university board member’s property and the spray-painting of anti-Israel slogans at the residence of then-university president Santa Ono.

“They marked their victims with threatening symbols used by Hamas, including red inverted triangles and red handprints,” the indictment states. “They used the internet and social media to broadcast their message to ensure their threats and commitment to continuing criminal activity were heard by their victims and others who support Israel.”

Six defendants were scheduled for initial federal court hearings Wednesday in Detroit. According to U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesperson Gina Balaya, one individual was taken into custody in Wisconsin while another remained at large.

The Associated Press was unable to immediately contact the defendants or their legal representatives for statements.

Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict, pro-Palestinian demonstrators have pressured the University of Michigan to divest its endowment from companies connected to Israel. However, university officials maintain they hold no direct investments and have less than $15 million in funds that potentially include Israeli companies, representing under 0.1% of their total endowment.

Police dismantled a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus in 2024 after it remained for one month. University administrators cited public safety concerns as the reason for the removal.

Federal investigators executed a search warrant Wednesday at an aerospace manufacturing plant in Southern California where a dangerous chemical incident last month led to the evacuation of 50,000 area residents.

A federal judge authorized the warrant last week, allowing agents to collect documents and materials concerning how methyl methacrylate was “stored, used, or disposed of” at the facility, according to court papers.

The search authorization also covered “samples of the substance within any tank, tote, drum, vat, vessel, or container suspected of containing or having previously contained methyl methacrylate and/or any hazardous substance,” the warrant stated.

Additionally, investigators were directed to gather documentation about “any cooling equipment or other equipment used to control or regulate the temperature of methyl methacrylate.”

The FBI verified that agents conducted the search at the facility operated by GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems, located in Garden Grove in Orange County.

The company produces aircraft cockpit windows, canopies and windshields. During the incident, a storage tank holding between 6,000 and 7,000 gallons (22,700 to 26,500 liters) of methyl methacrylate experienced overheating. This highly combustible liquid serves as a raw material for manufacturing plastics and protective coatings, including products like Plexiglas and dental prosthetics.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, contact with this chemical can result in severe breathing difficulties, nervous system complications, and irritation affecting skin, eyes and throat.

When asked about the federal probe, a company representative responded to the AP Wednesday morning: “We are cooperating with authorities at our Garden Grove facility and will continue to do so.”

During a community gathering Tuesday night, GKN’s Steve Carlin addressed local residents. He expressed gratitude toward emergency responders and community officials who handled the situation at the facility, which provides employment for over 500 workers, while offering an apology to neighbors.

“On behalf of GKN and the Garden Grove plant I want to say that I’m sorry that this event and this incident occurred. I understand and I realized sitting here tonight what a disruptive event it was and how unsettling it is to the greater community. Particularly unsettling to us at GKN because of the long history that we have with Garden Grove and how connected we are to this community.”

Carlin indicated the company’s willingness to organize a public forum for community questions. However, he noted Tuesday that investigators are still in early stages of determining what occurred, making it premature to decide what remedial steps the company might implement.

Meanwhile, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office has launched its own criminal probe into the aerospace plant, confirmed DA spokesperson Kimberly Edds.

“We have sent a preservation letter to GKN directing them not to modify or destroy any evidence, which the company’s outside counsel confirmed receipt,” Edds stated in an email to The Associated Press.

Approximately twelve individuals and businesses affected by the mass evacuation during the chemical incident have initiated federal court cases against the manufacturer.

Local health authorities have provided assurance that no dangerous materials or vapors escaped into the environment, pledging continued air quality monitoring for several months along with testing of sewage and drainage systems.

A federal courtroom in Los Angeles became the scene Wednesday as attorneys delivered their initial arguments in the arson case against a man charged with igniting last year’s catastrophic Palisades Fire.

Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, has entered a plea of not guilty to allegations he started what would become one of California’s most devastating wildfire disasters.

Federal prosecutors contend that Rinderknecht ignited a fire on January 1, 2025, which continued burning unnoticed in underground root systems before erupting again on January 7.

The massive blaze claimed 12 lives and leveled thousands of residences as flames swept through hillside communities in Pacific Palisades and Malibu.

If found guilty on charges including malicious destruction by fire, Rinderknecht could face a minimum five-year prison sentence.

Defense lawyer Steve Haney has maintained that Rinderknecht is serving as a scapegoat for the Los Angeles Fire Department’s inability to completely put out the initial fire.

The trial, which started with jury selection on Monday, is expected to continue for approximately two weeks.

In a pretrial ruling, Judge Anne Hwang determined that defense attorneys cannot present evidence or make arguments regarding alleged Los Angeles Fire Department negligence, stating such material was not relevant and might mislead jurors.

The defense had intended to call a firefighter to testify that the fire was still visibly burning when emergency crews departed before it reignited several days later.

Haney has indicated he will contend that prosecutors lack strong evidence or eyewitness accounts connecting Rinderknecht to the January 1 fire, and that emergency responders reported hearing fireworks near where the fire began.

Government attorneys plan to present phone location data showing Rinderknecht was present in the fire area as it spread, and point to a barbecue lighter authorities found in his vehicle that he acknowledged carrying on the trail.

Prosecutors also intend to argue he was emotionally distressed over a relationship that had ended and canceled New Year’s Eve plans, claiming he expressed anger toward the world while speaking to his Uber passengers that night.

June brings a packed calendar of summer entertainment to The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County, featuring everything from authentic street cuisine to skilled horseback riders.

The venue is presenting a diverse lineup of memorable events to launch the season, highlighted by what organizers call “the largest Asian food and cultural festival in the U.S.”

Those attending the Dream Asia Festival on June 12-14 will experience Asian culture through authentic street food, traditional sweets, boba tea, henna art, anime merchandise, handmade crochet pieces and additional cultural offerings.

Tickets are currently available for the Revenge Roughstock Rodeo Co. event returning June 19-20. The weekend will showcase professional bull riding, barrel racing competitions and ranch bronc riding demonstrations. Additional details are available by calling 540-521-3959.

The BLM Wild Horse & Burro Adoption event on June 12-13 offers opportunities to provide homes for approximately 140 wild animals available for adoption or purchase. Contact Travis Tolbert at 202-400-1532 for additional information.

Young riders will compete in the Silver Star Farm Open Horse Show Series on June 13-14, with 4-H participants taking part in hunter classes, western pleasure events, jumping competitions, in-hand presentations, trail courses and ranch activities.

Canine enthusiasts can attend the First Colony Cluster Dog Show from June 18-21. This four-day competition will include events hosted by the Gloucester Kennel Club Of Virginia, Dachshund Fanciers Of Central Virginia, Boston Terrier Club Of Virginia, Virginia Kennel Club Inc., and the Metropolitan Washington Dachshund Club.

Another dog competition, the Tidewater-Mattaponi Kennel Club Dog Show, runs June 25-28 and will feature the Mattaponi Kennel Club, Great Dane Club Of Metropolitan Washington, Potomac Basset Hound Club and the Tidewater Kennel Club Of Virginia Inc.

The month concludes with the National Barrel Horse Association Speed Horse Bonanza on June 26-28. More details are available by calling 410-693-2767.

Those wanting updates on upcoming events at The Meadow Event Park can sign up for monthly email notifications.

TOLEDO, Ohio — Authorities in Ohio are actively pursuing a 20-year-old suspect and seeking to identify a second gunman following a mass shooting that injured 12 individuals at a busy community festival.

The Toledo Police Department announced Wednesday they are seeking Ka Nye Taylor on 11 felonious assault charges, following the violence that occurred four days earlier. The incident sent festival-goers running for safety from a park packed with vendor booths and food trucks, while witnesses and emergency responders rushed to assist the injured.

Authorities have also distributed an image of the second suspected gunman and are requesting public assistance in determining his identity. Contact information for Taylor or his relatives could not be located through available resources.

Toledo Police Chief Michael Troendle explained Tuesday that the violence stemmed from a physical confrontation involving members of competing groups. According to his Tuesday press briefing, as one individual was being attacked, another person opened fire, which prompted a second shooter to respond with additional gunfire. Of the dozen people shot, three were participants in the original dispute while nine were innocent bystanders.

City leadership and the police chief commended both officers and civilian heroes who immediately assisted victims.

“We saw strangers who were shocked and frightened by the violence they just saw, they jumped into action,” said Chief of Fire and Rescue Allison Armstrong. “They helped others by placing tourniquets, dressing wounds, applying pressure and comforting those victims until additional help could arrive.”

According to Armstrong, six of the injured arrived at medical facilities already equipped with tourniquets that had been applied by either law enforcement or helpful civilians.

Those wounded included individuals ranging from teenagers to someone in their 60s. By Tuesday, nine of the twelve had been discharged from medical care.

The Old West End Festival, which draws hundreds of attendees annually, is a two-day event in Toledo’s historic neighborhood that includes live entertainment, food stands, house tours and retail opportunities. Toledo sits in northwest Ohio close to Lake Erie’s western shore, approximately 55 miles southwest of Detroit.

Festival organizers called off the remaining Sunday activities, stating “it would not be compassionate, responsible or possible” to proceed with the weekend schedule.

Elementary-age students are making academic progress following pandemic-related learning disruptions, but teenagers’ performance on standardized assessments remains concerning, according to new federal testing information released Wednesday.

The data shows 9-year-old students have returned to their pre-pandemic reading performance levels and demonstrated improvement in mathematics, based on results from an assessment administered consistently across the United States since the 1970s. However, 13-year-old students haven’t experienced similar academic recovery, with their average performance in both subject areas still falling short of pre-pandemic benchmarks. The most recent reading results from teenagers tested in 2024 mirror performance levels recorded when the assessment began in 1971.

Educational institutions and state leaders have concentrated their post-pandemic efforts on transforming elementary instruction, particularly through adopting the “science of reading” approach that teaches children to decode words by connecting letters to sounds. However, the new assessment results indicate that educators must also prioritize middle school students and improving academic performance among adolescent learners, according to Lesley Muldoon, executive director of the National Assessment Governing Board.

The 13-year-old students who participated in the national assessment experienced pandemic-related school closures during crucial elementary learning years. Within a few years, these students will complete their education while potentially still facing academic deficits.

“The 13-year-olds who took this assessment last year are headed to high school now or are already enrolled,” she said. “Schools won’t have them much longer. We can’t hesitate or wait if we’re going to turn these trends around.”

The long-term assessment, typically conducted every four years, provides insight into American students’ academic abilities at ages 9 and 13. Approximately 31,000 students from both public and private educational institutions completed the test during the 2024-2025 academic year. Unlike the primary Nation’s Report Card assessment for fourth and eighth graders, which receives regular updates to reflect evolving educational standards, this long-term evaluation has remained relatively unchanged since the 1970s.

Student academic performance in America was already on a downward trajectory before the pandemic began. Assessment scores reached their highest point around 2012 before beginning to decline, explained Matthew Soldner, acting commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics.

“We can clearly see that this isn’t just a pandemic story,” Soldner said.

The assessment results demonstrate that younger students are strengthening basic academic abilities, including locating information in straightforward news stories and grasping fundamental multiplication and division concepts. Seventy-one percent of 9-year-olds achieved the reading benchmark, while 84% met the mathematics standard, representing modest increases from 2022 results.

Adolescent students face evaluation on more complex abilities, including drawing conclusions from written passages and analyzing data from charts and graphs. Just 58% achieved the reading benchmark and 70% met the mathematics standard, showing no meaningful statistical progress since 2023.

Adding to concerns about stagnant reading achievement: Student engagement with recreational reading has reached historic lows.

Survey responses from test-takers revealed that only 14% of 13-year-olds engage in daily recreational reading, a decrease from 27% in 2012 and significantly lower than the 37% peak recorded in 1992. Among 9-year-old students, 37% reported daily recreational reading, marking a substantial drop from 53% in 2012. Educational researchers have connected the reduction in reading time to increased social media usage on mobile devices.

Despite these challenges, younger students have demonstrated “incredibly encouraging” academic recovery in recent years, Soldner noted. “Almost 50 years of progress has been eliminated” for 13-year-olds, he said.

The 13-year-old participants in the latest assessment would have been second or third-grade students during the pandemic’s first year. They returned to classroom instruction in fourth or fifth grade and completed this national evaluation during their final middle school years.

In comparison, the 9-year-old group began kindergarten or first grade as the pandemic’s most severe phase concluded and schools resumed normal operations. Their second and third-grade experiences more closely resembled traditional classroom instruction.

These educational experiences differ significantly, Soldner explained, as the older students missed critical years for developing fundamental reading and mathematical abilities in school settings.

Although recent declines in student performance are concerning, historical assessment data demonstrates that changing children’s academic paths over time remains achievable, said Mark Miller, an eighth grade math teacher and former member of the National Assessment Governing Board.

“We have made progress in the past, from the early ’70s to 2012,” Miller said. “Can it be done again? Absolutely.”

Federal prosecutors began presenting their case Wednesday against a former rideshare driver they say deliberately ignited what became one of the most catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles history.

Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, faces three federal felony charges including property destruction by fire, arson affecting interstate commerce property, and unlawful burning of timber on government land. He was formally charged last October.

Authorities claim he “maliciously” ignited a fire in January 2025 that firefighters thought they had quickly contained, but the blaze continued burning beneath thick brush before flaring up again seven days later.

Hurricane-strength winds then fanned the flames into a massive inferno that claimed 12 lives and devastated the coastal Pacific Palisades neighborhood, resulting in roughly $150 billion in property losses.

Rinderknecht has entered a not guilty plea but remains jailed since his Florida arrest approximately two weeks prior to his indictment.

A conviction on all charges could result in a minimum five-year sentence, with the possibility of up to 45 years imprisonment, according to federal prosecutors.

Legal teams were scheduled to present opening arguments Wednesday in federal court in downtown Los Angeles following Tuesday’s jury selection process.

Government attorneys allege Rinderknecht started the fire shortly after midnight on New Year’s Day near a mountain hiking path close to Pacific Palisades, which sits beside the ocean next to Santa Monica, following completion of his rideshare work.

Los Angeles fire crews thought they had quickly put out what was called the Lachman Fire. However, it reignited on January 7 and rapidly expanded into the destructive Palisades Fire, federal authorities state.

Powerful Santa Ana winds propelled the flames across more than 23,000 acres, destroying approximately 6,000 buildings.

The disaster occurred alongside another major wildfire northeast of Los Angeles called the Eaton fire, which took 19 lives and devastated Altadena.

Federal authorities say Rinderknecht seemed to hold animosity toward wealthy individuals.

Court filings before trial claimed he was closely following coverage of Luigi Mangione, who faces charges for killing the CEO of insurance company UnitedHealthcare and has gained support in certain extreme political circles as a champion of working people.

The documents also stated Rinderknecht was “deeply agitated” about problems in a romantic relationship.

Legal papers and public comments from Rinderknecht’s attorneys suggest his defense will partly argue he’s being blamed for Los Angeles Fire Department shortcomings.

The defendant, who previously lived in Pacific Palisades, declared his innocence in March court documents, stating he did not intentionally start any fire.

He admitted to witnessing flames from a hilltop where he had gone to view New Year’s Eve fireworks after completing a passenger drop-off.

He stated he contacted 911 to report the fire and remained at the location until firefighters arrived, offering his assistance.

However, criminal charges filed in the case indicate cell phone records showed only Rinderknecht was present in the area where the Lachman Fire began.

Court records reveal that while positioned on “Buddha Hill,” Rinderknecht listened to a rap track whose accompanying video showed items being set ablaze.

He then allegedly started an actual fire and left the area, only to come back shortly afterward to observe the flames and emergency responders.

During his emergency call, the complaint states, Rinderknecht entered a question into ChatGPT asking, “Are you at fault if a fire is lift (sic) because of your cigarettes.” The AI responded “Yes,” according to the filing.

Federal investigators determined the fire was likely started by someone using a lighter to burn flammable materials like plants or paper.

During an October bail hearing, defense attorney Steve Haney argued his client was essentially facing arson accusations for an alleged act committed a full week before the larger fire he’s being prosecuted for.

“So why are they blaming him for whatever the fire department didn’t do?” Haney asked, noting the defense disputed prosecutors’ claim that the two fires were connected.

Haney said at the time his client had no previous criminal history and no documented mental health issues.

Prosecutors stated in court documents that Rinderknecht was driven by resentment toward the wealthy, noting he searched for Mangione news using terms like “Let’s take down all the billionaires,” and discussed the December 2024 shooting with various rideshare passengers.

Authorities in Chicago are examining the circumstances surrounding a large wooden cross that was found ablaze at a city park on Tuesday afternoon, officials confirmed.

Footage captured by a passing driver reveals the wooden structure completely consumed by flames as it rested against a tree within Grant Park, a well-known recreational area situated close to Lake Michigan. Fire department officials verified the burning object was indeed a cross and reported that crews successfully extinguished the blaze.

Law enforcement representatives stated no injuries were reported in connection with the incident and confirmed they are examining both the motivation and situation surrounding the “object on fire.”

Keinika Carlton, 43, was returning home after completing errands with her daughter and mother-in-law when the group witnessed the flaming cross. She described experiencing a mix of shock, sadness, disgust, and curiosity upon seeing it.

“Is this a racial thing? Is this a religious thing?” she said. “As Black women, of course, our first thought is racial, because burning crosses are known to be used as a tactic, an act of violence toward Black Americans in the South.”

Carlton approximated the cross measured no less than 6 feet (1.83 meters) in height. The incident was unprecedented for all three women, including Carlton’s mother-in-law, who was raised in Kentucky.

According to Carlton, as their vehicle slowed to record the flames, she observed additional cars reducing speed and pedestrians in the vicinity stopping to stare at the burning structure.

Though the motivation for the cross burning remains unclear, such acts throughout American history have been recognized as “symbols of hate” that are “inextricably intertwined with the history of the Ku Klux Klan,” based on a 2003 U.S. Supreme Court ruling authored by the late Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. The court determined the First Amendment permits prohibitions on cross burnings solely when they aim to intimidate, as the practice “is a particularly virulent form of intimidation.”

Alyna Carlton, 22, expressed that she never anticipated witnessing such an event during her lifetime.

“It kind of really opened my eyes, had me realize that I’m not that far removed from the past.”

A former Taliban commander received a 42-year federal prison sentence Tuesday for crimes that included abducting a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and supporting operations that resulted in three American soldiers losing their lives.

The sentencing of Haji Najibullah concluded an intense day of proceedings in Manhattan federal court, highlighted by a powerful moment when journalist David Rohde confronted Najibullah directly, telling him he was “refusing to take responsibility as I look at him today” for his role in the 2008 abduction in Afghanistan.

Rohde, currently MSNOW’s national security reporter who previously worked at The New York Times and other news organizations, expressed to Judge Katherine Polk Failla that he felt “surprised and disappointed” by Najibullah’s attempts to shift blame for the kidnapping that also involved another journalist and a driver.

The three men remained captive for more than seven months before successfully escaping from a Taliban-controlled facility in Pakistan’s tribal regions.

Najibullah entered a guilty plea in April 2025 to charges of providing material support for terrorist activities and conspiracy to take hostages.

The 50-year-old defendant, sporting a beard and wearing a black skull cap during Tuesday’s proceedings, acknowledged supplying material support including weapons to the Taliban between 2007 and 2009, understanding these resources would be used against U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

Through an interpreter, Najibullah offered an apology to Rohde and his family, stating “what happened to him was terrible, and I deeply regret my role in it.”

Positioned at a podium mere feet away from Najibullah, Rohde explained that it was Najibullah’s deception that led him to what he believed would be an interview but instead became an ambush.

“Hostage taking is a cruel and cowardly crime. Family members spend weeks and months thinking they have the power to save their loved one’s life,” Rohde stated, describing this belief as “an illusion” since families lack the necessary leverage and enormous sums required for ransom payments.

However, Rohde emphasized that his suffering and that of his loved ones paled in comparison to the deaths of three U.S. soldiers killed by Najibullah’s associates in a different operation.

He emotionally named each soldier three times during his statement, becoming visibly moved while discussing their deaths, his family’s ordeal, and his passion for journalism.

Following the sentencing, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a statement declaring the case demonstrates that “those who harm Americans and engage in acts of terrorism will be hunted down and brought to justice, no matter how long it takes.”

While announcing the sentence, the judge commended Rohde for his and his wife’s advocacy work supporting families of other kidnapping victims.

Judge Failla explained she chose not to impose the life sentence recommended by federal guidelines because Najibullah had entered a guilty plea, preventing additional trauma for victims, and because he endured severe prison conditions for six years, including during the pandemic.

However, she dismissed most leniency arguments presented by his defense attorney, who had sought an 18-year sentence while characterizing his client as someone protecting his homeland during wartime.

The judge noted that fighters under Najibullah’s command had attacked a military convoy, resulting in three soldiers’ deaths.

“I don’t think he needed to pull the trigger, to decapitate a body, to be responsible for what happened,” Failla stated.

Rohde described arranging the interview with Najibullah that led to his kidnapping as the “biggest mistake of my life,” saying he would never have proceeded if he had known about Najibullah’s involvement in killing American soldiers.

During his court statement, Rohde mentioned that his captors had accused him of being a spy “when in fact I was a journalist” attempting to understand a Taliban commander’s perspective “to understand their hopes, their lives and their worldview.”

He then reaffirmed that he remains “a journalist and I could not be prouder of being part of this profession,” a declaration that momentarily left him emotional.

While spectators might consider the buzzing of an unmanned aircraft above a stadium merely bothersome, security officials have long recognized these devices as potentially catastrophic weapons.

As the World Cup prepares to begin, heightened security protocols include strict anti-drone enforcement around venues during all 78 matches scheduled across 11 American cities.

Officials have enhanced anti-drone tactics previously deployed at the Super Bowl and similar large-scale events, while lawmakers have expanded law enforcement’s authority to electronically neutralize unmanned aircraft or destroy them with force.

“The war in Ukraine has become a real-world testing ground for drone technology, and if there is one threat that keeps me up at night, it is from drones,” New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.

In December, lawmakers authorized state and local police departments to seize control of menacing drones or destroy them when necessary, though electronic disabling and safe landing remains the preferred approach. Federal agencies previously possessed these capabilities.

The Federal Aviation Administration will impose flight restrictions above and surrounding packed stadiums during World Cup competitions and fan gatherings — similar to longstanding protocols for NFL and Major League Baseball contests. Those who violate these restrictions could pay penalties reaching $100,000, lose their aircraft to confiscation, and potentially face criminal prosecution for operating within three miles of matches. However, such consequences might not discourage committed terrorists.

Over the past seven years, the FBI has expanded its drone response capabilities by purchasing technology for rapid aircraft identification and control, with authorities already deploying these tools at significant events. The agency also conducted counter-drone training this year for law enforcement across all World Cup host cities, teaching recognition of dangerous aircraft and proper response protocols.

Military forces have also created anti-drone laser systems like those deployed along the Mexican border this year and additional platforms for destroying unmanned aircraft, but the FBI will avoid such tactics during the World Cup due to risks from debris falling over major metropolitan areas.

“If the drone is intercepted and it no longer flies, it’s going to fall. And as we say, no matter what you do, you can’t change the law of gravity,” said national security expert Hal Kempfer, who estimates that he has trained more than 30,000 law enforcement officers on counter-terrorism techniques.

Officials have made substantial investments in systems enabling officers to commandeer suspicious drones for safe landings or block their communications, including distributing $250 million to assist states in securing World Cup matches and major public celebrations planned this summer for America’s 250th birthday.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told Congress at a recent hearing that federal officers have successfully dealt with drones over several recent events, including bringing down eight drones over a Formula 1 race in Miami and 12 that entered the no fly zone over the Masters golf tournament, but “everybody’s a little behind” the rapidly evolving technology.

“Biggest concern I have is honestly with drones,” Mullin said. “I wouldn’t say a vulnerability, but it is, it is one of the areas that we are struggling with every single day.”

The FBI is implementing a “zero-tolerance” strategy for safeguarding airspace surrounding World Cup activities. Devin Kowalski, an FBI assistant director in charge of the bureau’s Critical Incident Response Group, said the agency plans to treat all drones “like they could be a real-deal threat.” Additional federal departments, including Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard, will oversee security at multiple stadiums while the FBI guards three venues.

“When that drone comes into the TFR (Temporary Flight Restricted area), we’re handling it as if it’s something that could hurt people, and we’re aggressively locating its operator and conducting the logical investigation to determine the nature of the situation as well as to hold that person accountable,” Kowalksi said in an interview with The Associated Press.

ATF Director Rob Cekada said in an interview that the focus now is on protecting the World Cup, but the America 250 events, World Series, Super Bowl and the 2028 Olympics aren’t far behind. “Then think about all the events in every communityin the country — high school and college games — that are a concern for our state and local partners. So we want to do what we can to help them as best as possible,” he said.

Derek Reisfield, who is the former president of one of the companies providing counter-drone technology to the host cities, said “this technology in the wrong hands is very scary.” and there are many around the globe who want to harm America.

“We have to assume that there’s somebody in Iran who’s spending every day thinking about how they can attack the United States on our home turf,” said Reisfield, who used to lead Ondas and now serves on the board of a Ukranian company called Swarmer that makes software that allows one person to control hundreds of drones.

Certain technology could enable authorities to identify drones from distances up to 25 miles away, providing additional time to address threats, according to Matt Sloane, the co-founder of SkyfireAI. However, someone could potentially position a drone near a stadium and deploy it from less than a mile away, leaving minimal response time.

Systems created to disrupt operator signals or seize drone control might prove ineffective against pre-programmed aircraft designed to crash into fan-filled stadiums while carrying explosive devices, or those controlled through fiber optic connections.

The combat strategy presenting the most significant danger would involve deploying multiple drones in coordinated swarm attacks. Despite optimal defenses, some aircraft might penetrate security measures and reach their targets, as Iran has demonstrated with large numbers of its Shaheed drones. While the U.S. military possesses various weapons for neutralizing airborne drones, Iran has still managed to strike targets throughout the Middle East.

However, Sloane believes the government is taking appropriate preparatory measures.

“The threat is real, certainly. But I do think that there’s a lot being done to prepare for it. To educate about it,” said Sloane, whose company has helped protect Super Bowls in the past. “And then we just need to tell everybody who’s just trying to take pretty pictures ‘Hey this is not the time. Keep your drone in the box.’”

Civil liberties organizations filed a legal challenge on Tuesday requesting a state court to halt a New York suburban county’s operation of almost 600 license plate scanning devices, describing the program as an unauthorized “mass surveillance network” that breaches state constitutional protections.

The class action complaint further claims Westchester County failed to obtain appropriate approval before implementing the initiative, which has compiled a repository of 1.6 billion license plate records shared with more than 50 external law enforcement organizations, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. According to the filing, this network “captures the extended movement histories, routine behaviors, and private details of countless law-abiding New Yorkers and additional drivers passing through Westchester.”

“In a democracy, a police department cannot unilaterally decide — without legislative authorization — to surveil the daily movements of its own citizens without any real accountability, transparency, or oversight,” said Barry Friedman, founder and faculty director of the Policing Project at NYU School of Law, which brought the suit on behalf of four motorists. “This indiscriminate data surveillance must not be allowed to continue in the dark.”

“Westchester County has not yet received or reviewed the lawsuit referenced,” a spokesperson for the county said.

The extensive deployment of license plate scanning networks, which employ camera systems to capture and store drivers’ plate data, has sparked debate. The Associated Press reported in November that the U.S. Border Patrol operated a covert license plate scanning initiative that targeted motorists based on their movement histories, leading to objections from congressional Democrats who questioned the program’s legality.

A license plate reader company, Flock Safety, announced last year it was suspending operations with the Department of Homeland Security following revelations that police departments nationwide were providing license plate scanner information to immigration officials. Additional municipalities and states are limiting information sharing with federal agencies, shortening data retention periods for license plate scanner records, or terminating agreements following citizen objections.

The civil rights organizations filed the action against Westchester County representing four women residing in the county or neighboring areas. The lawsuit claims these four drivers’ license plate information had been recorded thousands of times collectively by the county’s camera system over recent years. A car owned by one plaintiff, Lora Nelson, was documented by the county’s cameras over 2,400 times. Another plaintiff’s automobile was recorded 1,134 times between 2023 and 2026, according to the lawsuit.

Westchester County, spanning 430-square miles (1,114 square kilometers) and located north of New York City, contains major highways including Interstate 87 and Interstate 95 and the Hutchinson River Parkway that handle daily commuter traffic to and from New York City plus long-distance travel.

The women pursuing the case receive representation from the Policing Project at New York University School of Law, the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, the New York Civil Liberties Union and the law firm Freshfields.

Courts have generally supported license plate reader usage since they document vehicle movement on public streets. The Westchester case represents part of a wider legal campaign attempting to persuade courts to reconsider established legal principles given the expansion of surveillance technology, data gathering and analysis.

A federal judge has permanently stopped Alabama from carrying out an execution using nitrogen gas, determining the technique violates constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment.

U.S. District Judge Emily C. Marks made the ruling on Tuesday, one day following an appeals court decision that overturned her previous determination finding the method constitutional.

The judge’s order permanently prevents the state from executing Jeffery Lee using nitrogen gas. Lee had been scheduled for execution on Thursday at an Alabama correctional facility.

A representative for Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall stated the state is examining the ruling and weighing potential next moves, including filing an appeal. The matter will likely reach the U.S. Supreme Court, which has previously allowed nitrogen executions to move forward.

A representative for Lee’s attorneys indicated they had no immediate statement.

In her 26-page decision, Marks acknowledged that litigation remains constant in capital punishment cases.

“Were Alabama to adopt firing squad as a method of execution, that method would likely be challenged as well. Indeed, there is likely no method — no matter how humane — that would be immune to constitutional challenge. But the Constitution does not guarantee a painless death, and human life cannot be purposefully extinguished without some risk of pain. The Court, the condemned, and the State must all confront that sobering reality,” Marks wrote.

The judge pointed out that Alabama has authorized two additional execution methods: lethal injection and the electric chair. She determined Lee is “not entitled to an injunction barring the State from executing him using one of those methods.”

Marks also determined the state could implement Lee’s preferred alternative method, a firing squad. Inmates who challenge execution methods must propose an alternative approach.

“The State can readily obtain rifles, ammunition, and other materials necessary to carry out a firing squad execution. Additionally, the State would be able to modify space at Holman to carry out executions by firing squad. The State is also able to source and train volunteers willing to carry out such an execution,” Marks wrote.

Lee is held at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore. He received convictions on two capital murder charges for the deaths of Jimmy Ellis and Elaine Thompson during a pawnshop robbery on Dec. 12, 1998. Prosecutors stated Lee entered Jimmy’s Pawnshop carrying a sawed-off shotgun and fatally shot Ellis, the shop’s owner, and Thompson, who worked at the store.

Jurors voted 7-5 to sentence Lee to life in prison. A judge, however, overruled that recommendation and imposed the death penalty. Alabama eliminated the judicial override practice in 2017 and no longer permits judges to disregard jury sentencing recommendations in capital cases.