WASHINGTON – Google’s autonomous vehicle division Waymo has responded to congressional inquiries regarding the role of remote workers in their self-driving taxi operations, clarifying Tuesday that these personnel have never actually controlled vehicles during regular street operations.
In correspondence with Senator Ed Markey, the company explained that remote driving capabilities or “tele-operations” are not employed for actual driving functions. The letter detailed that while some domestic staff members could theoretically guide a stationary autonomous vehicle to creep forward at 2 mph for brief distances to clear traffic lanes during unusual situations, this capability has only been utilized during training scenarios, not in real-world service.
The nation’s largest pediatricians organization has taken the Federal Trade Commission to court, claiming the agency is conducting an unconstitutional investigation targeting their position on medical care for transgender children.
On Tuesday, the American Academy of Pediatrics filed the federal lawsuit in Washington, D.C., contesting the FTC’s January demand for extensive documentation related to the group’s stance on gender-affirming treatments for young people.
The medical organization argues that the federal agency’s information request violates constitutional free speech protections and represents payback from President Trump’s administration for the group’s advocacy positions.
“Unable to prevail in the marketplace of ideas, the FTC has resorted to burdening AAP with an intrusive and expensive investigation that is unconstitutional and outside the scope of the FTC’s statutory authority,” the pediatricians stated in their court filing, which asks a judge to halt the document demand.
The FTC has not yet provided a response to requests for comment on the legal challenge.
According to court documents, the Federal Trade Commission issued what amounts to a subpoena on January 15, investigating potential false advertising or deceptive practices related to how the organization promotes “pediatric gender dysphoria treatment.” Gender dysphoria refers to the medical diagnosis for distress caused when someone’s gender identity differs from their biological sex at birth.
This federal investigation follows Trump’s executive orders from January 2025 that established official recognition of only male and female sexes while directing government agencies to halt all federal support for gender-affirming medical care for minors.
The pediatricians group contends the FTC is specifically targeting them over a 2018 policy statement where they endorsed appropriate medical interventions to help transgender youth.
Just three days before the trade commission’s document request, a federal judge prevented the Department of Health and Human Services from canceling nearly $12 million in grant money awarded to the pediatricians organization. That funding was terminated following disputes with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding vaccine policy changes.
The medical group is also pursuing separate litigation challenging federal health officials’ efforts under Kennedy to modify vaccine policies in ways they believe will reduce immunization rates and damage public health.
Established in 1930 and headquartered in the Chicago region, the American Academy of Pediatrics represents 67,000 pediatricians and pediatric specialists across various medical fields.
Foreign policy analysts are questioning President Donald Trump’s decision to have his top envoys handle negotiations on two major international crises during a single day in Geneva, Switzerland.
Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner conducted separate discussions Tuesday addressing both Iran’s nuclear program and the ongoing war in Ukraine. The ambitious diplomatic schedule has sparked debate among experts about whether the approach can effectively address either complex situation.
Trump, who has repeatedly claimed credit for ending various conflicts during his presidency, appears focused on securing additional international agreements as he pursues recognition including a potential Nobel Peace Prize.
The rapid organization of both negotiations in Geneva has drawn criticism from foreign policy professionals who question the strategy’s effectiveness.
“Trump seems more focused on quantity over quality instead of the difficult detailed work of diplomacy,” said Brett Bruen, a former Obama administration foreign policy adviser who now leads the Global Situation Room strategic consultancy. “Tackling both issues at the same time in the same place doesn’t make a lot of sense.”
The Iran discussions began the diplomatic marathon, with the American delegation engaging in indirect talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi through Omani mediators. The 3.5-hour session took place at Oman’s diplomatic facility under tight security.
Both parties suggested modest advancement occurred during the nuclear program discussions, though no immediate resolution appeared likely for the prolonged dispute.
Trump’s continued military buildup near Iran signals that military action remains a possibility while diplomatic efforts continue, potentially maintaining regional tensions and concerns about broader conflict escalation.
Following the Iran meetings, the U.S. team immediately relocated to the luxury Intercontinental hotel for Ukraine-Russia negotiations. These talks, scheduled for two days, address the conflict Trump previously promised to resolve within 24 hours during his 2024 campaign.
Observers held minimal expectations for significant progress in ending what represents Europe’s largest military conflict since World War II concluded in 1945.
An Iranian leadership source expressed skepticism about Washington’s commitment to either diplomatic effort, given the simultaneous approach.
“The approach risks overstretch,” the official told Reuters anonymously. “It resembles an emergency room with two critically ill patients and a single doctor unable to give either case sustained attention, increasing the likelihood of failure.”
Mohanad Hajj-Ali from the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut emphasized the high stakes involved in Iranian diplomacy.
“Having a team of Witkoff and Kushner tasked with resolving all the world’s problems is, frankly, a shocking reality,” he stated.
Several analysts expressed concerns that both negotiators, who come from Trump’s New York real estate background, may lack sufficient expertise to match experienced diplomats like Araqchi and their Russian counterparts in these intricate international disputes.
Notably absent from the Geneva meetings was Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s chief diplomat recognized for his foreign policy expertise.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended the administration’s efforts when asked for comment, stating Trump and his team “have done more than anyone to bring both sides together to stop the killing and deliver a peace deal” regarding Ukraine. She criticized anonymous “critics” of the president’s methods but did not address specific questions about the Geneva approach.
Administration officials have consistently supported Witkoff and Kushner’s roles, pointing to their negotiation abilities, Trump’s confidence in them, and the limitations of conventional diplomatic methods over time.
Witkoff, frequently dubbed the “envoy for everything” due to his extensive responsibilities, helped broker the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement in Gaza last year, though progress toward permanent resolution has stalled. His diplomatic work with Iran and Russia has shown limited success to date.
During Trump’s first presidency, Kushner led the Abraham Accords initiative, which established historic diplomatic relationships between Israel and several Arab nations. However, the agreement has seen little advancement since Trump’s return to office approximately 13 months ago.
Some experts argue that Trump’s reduction of the State Department and National Security Council staff, including the departure of many experienced personnel, has weakened Kushner and Witkoff’s diplomatic capabilities.
“We’ve seen a hollowing-out of our diplomatic bench,” former Obama foreign policy adviser Bruen explained. “So there’s a question of whether we still have the right people to work on these big issues.”
An Australian pharmaceutical company announced Wednesday it has secured exclusive rights to develop a potentially groundbreaking treatment for heart complications in patients with severe kidney disease.
CSL entered into a licensing deal with pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Co, obtaining rights to develop and market clazakizumab, an antibody designed to reduce cardiovascular illness and death in patients with end-stage kidney disease.
Under the agreement, CSL will pay Eli Lilly $100 million upfront and could provide additional payments based on clinical trial results, regulatory approvals, and commercial success. The Australian company would also pay royalties on worldwide sales of the drug.
The treatment works by blocking a protein called IL-6 from connecting to its receptor, potentially reducing inflammation that contributes to disease progression in immune and inflammatory disorders, according to CSL.
“Clazakizumab is a promising therapeutic candidate with the potential to significantly impact the treatment landscape for various immuno-inflammatory and cardiovascular conditions,” said Bill Mezzanotte, head of research and development at CSL.
The Australian biotechnology company noted that finalizing the agreement depends on meeting standard closing requirements.
Following Miami’s decision to part ways with star wide receiver Tyreek Hill, buzz is building around a possible return to Kansas City, where the speedster spent his first six NFL seasons. However, the Chiefs will face stiff competition from numerous franchises looking to bolster their receiving corps.
The 31-year-old receiver, who celebrates his 32nd birthday on March 1, continues his rehabilitation from a torn ACL and dislocated knee suffered in late September. During a recent Twitch livestream, Hill shared that his recovery is “going good,” though he mentioned needing one additional surgical procedure.
Given Hill’s injury status and unlikely participation in offseason training programs, his availability for Week 1 remains questionable. This uncertainty means his free agency market may develop slowly as teams assess whether the player known as “Cheetah” can return to his trademark explosive performance.
Nevertheless, speculation continues about Hill’s 2026 destination.
During his Kansas City tenure, Hill accumulated impressive statistics with 479 receptions for 6,630 yards and 56 touchdowns. The Chiefs struggled with their passing game last season, ranking 16th in aerial yards, while dealing with inconsistent performance and injury issues from young receivers Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy.
Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones publicly campaigned for Hill’s return on Monday, posting on X: “@cheetah it’s ‘time’” along with a clock emoji.
However, Kansas City faces significant offseason challenges beyond wide receiver needs, including Patrick Mahomes’ recovery from ACL surgery, decisions regarding tight end Travis Kelce’s future, and improvements to their struggling ground game.
Despite these concerns, sportsbooks have established Kansas City as the +400 betting favorite to secure Hill’s services, though several other teams are expected to pursue him aggressively.
The Buffalo Bills emerge as strong contenders with +500 odds, featuring new offensive coordinator Joe Brady and desperately seeking playmakers for quarterback Josh Allen.
In the NFC, the New York Giants present an intriguing option under new head coach John Harbaugh. The franchise is building around young quarterback Jaxson Dart and features receiver Malik Nabers, who is also recovering from a torn ACL.
Additional contenders include the Denver Broncos (+700) following their AFC Championship Game appearance and the San Francisco 49ers (+900), who plan significant changes to their receiving unit.
The New England Patriots (+1000) also join the conversation after their Super Bowl run, seeking deep threats to support quarterback Drake Maye’s development.
Complete betting odds for Hill’s next destination include:
Kansas City Chiefs (+400) Buffalo Bills (+500) New York Giants (+600) Denver Broncos (+700) Green Bay Packers (+750) San Francisco 49ers (+900) Las Vegas Raiders (+1000) New England Patriots (+1000) Baltimore Ravens (+1200) Atlanta Falcons (+1400) Pittsburgh Steelers (+1600) Los Angeles Chargers (+1800) Tennessee Titans (+2200) Chicago Bears (+2500) Arizona Cardinals (+2800) Carolina Panthers (+2800) Cleveland Browns (+3300) Los Angeles Rams (+3300) Indianapolis Colts (+4000) New Orleans Saints (+4000) New York Jets (+4000) Washington Commanders (+4000) Houston Texans (+4500) Seattle Seahawks (+4500) Jacksonville Jaguars (+5000) Philadelphia Eagles (+5000) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+5000) Dallas Cowboys (+6600) Detroit Lions (+6600) Minnesota Vikings (+6600) Cincinnati Bengals (+7500)
Before his injury, Hill managed 21 catches for 265 yards and one touchdown across four games. His career totals include 819 receptions for 11,363 yards and 83 touchdowns over 145 games with Kansas City (2016-21) and Miami.
Hill addressed his situation Monday via Instagram, expressing gratitude to the Dolphins organization while emphasizing his determination to return.
“Every chapter in life has taught me something. This one taught me leadership, resilience, and mostly gratitude,” Hill wrote. “The love I have for this game is unexplainable. And right now, this off season, for the first time ever, The Cheetah is all the way turned up and locked in. Focused.
“The Cheetah don’t slow down. Ever.
“So to everyone wondering what’s next… just wait on it. The Cheetah will be back…Born Again.”
U.S. Capitol Police detained an 18-year-old man Tuesday afternoon after he charged toward the Capitol building while armed with a loaded shotgun, according to Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan.
The suspect arrived at the scene shortly after midday in a white Mercedes SUV, parking close to the Capitol before exiting his vehicle and sprinting toward the building that serves as home to Congress, Sullivan explained.
Authorities discovered the young man was outfitted in tactical equipment, including a protective vest and gloves. Officers also found additional gear in his vehicle, including a Kevlar helmet and gas mask.
When confronted by law enforcement officers who commanded him to surrender his firearm, the suspect cooperated and dropped the weapon, Sullivan reported to the media.
Police have not yet determined what motivated the individual’s actions.
This security breach occurred just under three months following a deadly ambush attack near the White House that claimed the life of one National Guard member and left another injured.
The timing is particularly notable as President Donald Trump is scheduled to present his State of the Union speech at the Capitol next week.
“We take the State of the Union very, very seriously, and this doesn’t change our posture. We will be prepared on State of the Union night,” Sullivan said.
Trade officials at America’s largest seaport are reporting troubling signs for international commerce, with January figures showing a significant downturn in outbound cargo shipments.
Gene Seroka, who leads the Port of Los Angeles, announced Tuesday that export volumes dropped 8% last month compared to the same period last year, marking the weakest performance in almost three years. The port processed 104,297 twenty-foot equivalent container units of outbound freight during January.
“Exports to China look dismal,” Seroka stated when discussing the monthly trade figures.
The decline reflects broader challenges stemming from the Trump administration’s tariff policies, which have disrupted international commerce patterns and prompted retaliatory measures from trading partners. American agricultural producers have been especially affected by these trade disputes.
Agricultural shipments tell a particularly stark story, with soybean exports to China from the Los Angeles port plummeting 80% over the past year, according to Seroka. He noted that trade discussions between American and Chinese officials at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in November and December failed to improve the situation.
Chad Bown, a trade policy specialist at the Peterson Institute of Economics, provided additional context on the broader trade picture. “There’s not much that the United States is exporting to China these days,” Bown observed, noting that American shipments of products ranging from agricultural goods like beef and corn to energy commodities including crude oil and coal all declined in 2025.
Incoming cargo also showed weakness, with imports reaching 421,594 container units in January, representing a 13% decrease from the particularly strong numbers recorded twelve months earlier, Seroka reported.
Looking ahead, the port director indicated that February import levels appear relatively unchanged from last year’s figures. However, he anticipates a March slowdown due to Chinese manufacturing facilities closing for Lunar New Year celebrations.
Despite these challenges, Seroka maintains a cautiously optimistic outlook for the first quarter overall, projecting that total port activity will decline by less than 10% compared to the same period last year. That earlier period saw heightened activity as American importers accelerated shipments ahead of threatened tariff implementations.
“I don’t see the economy or cargo volume dropping off a cliff after that, and even though holiday sales were softer than we would have liked, I don’t see a dire situation,” Seroka commented, referencing disappointing December retail performance that raised concerns about consumer spending, which accounts for roughly 70% of national economic activity.
Agricultural commodity markets showed mixed results as weather patterns and currency movements influenced trading activity. Soybean futures posted modest gains driven by short covering and technical purchasing, while wheat prices faced downward pressure from dollar strength and potential rainfall in the Plains region.
Market analysts are closely monitoring crop conditions in South America, where Argentina continues to face challenges from persistent dry weather. The country’s crop condition ratings have deteriorated further, though meteorologists are forecasting precipitation that could provide some relief to stressed growing areas.
Meanwhile, Brazil is in the midst of what’s expected to be a record-breaking harvest season. Weather forecasters predict generally favorable conditions will continue across many Brazilian growing regions in the coming weeks, supporting the country’s robust production outlook.
Traders remain watchful for indicators of new crop demand and planting intentions as the agricultural season progresses. The interplay between global weather patterns, currency fluctuations, and supply chain dynamics continues to drive volatility in grain markets.
FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Minnesota Twins received devastating news during their initial full-team practice session when star pitcher Pablo López sustained a serious elbow injury that could end his 2025 season before it begins.
Team General Manager Jeremy Zoll announced to media at their spring training complex on Tuesday that López suffered a “significant tear” in the ulnar collateral ligament of his right arm. While awaiting additional medical consultation, Zoll indicated that Tommy John surgery would most likely be required. The injury occurred after López cut short his Monday bullpen session due to discomfort in his pitching arm.
López, who has served as Minnesota’s opening day starter for the past three seasons, faces the crushing reality of missing both the upcoming MLB campaign and next month’s World Baseball Classic, where he was set to represent Venezuela.
“I already feel I’m letting a lot of people down,” López stated. “I’m letting myself down. I’m letting the Twins down. I’m letting my family down.”
The pitcher, who will celebrate his 30th birthday on March 7, is earning $21.75 million this season and remains under contract through 2026.
“We know injuries are part of the game. You’re always trying to get through spring training as healthy as possible,” Zoll explained. “It’s definitely a blow, but we’re going to just do the best we can to push forward.”
López began his professional career with the Miami Marlins in 2018, playing five seasons before joining Minnesota through a trade. During his inaugural year with the Twins, he earned All-Star recognition and played a crucial role in breaking the franchise’s historic 18-game postseason losing streak in North American professional sports, posting a 2-0 record with a 0.71 ERA across two playoff appearances in 2023.
This won’t be López’s first experience with Tommy John surgery, as he underwent the procedure while in the Seattle Mariners system, missing the entire 2014 minor league season.
“We’re not designed to throw things that hard for an extended time,” López remarked to reporters at the Lee Health Sports Complex. “Having done it once, I can do it again. Doesn’t mean I want to, but I’m going to have to and I know I can.”
Last season proved challenging for López, who missed approximately three months due to a shoulder problem, limiting him to just 75 2/3 innings. Despite being frequently mentioned in trade discussions as the Twins reduced payroll, management chose to retain both López and fellow right-hander Joe Ryan to anchor what was anticipated to be a formidable starting rotation.
With López sidelined, the Twins must now rely on Ryan, a 2025 All-Star selection, to lead the pitching staff, while Bailey Ober faces increased expectations to serve as a dependable second starter.
The team’s younger pitchers, including 25-year-olds Simeon Woods Richardson, Zebby Matthews, and David Festa—who collectively started 98 games over the previous two seasons—are expected to compete for rotation spots. Additionally, Taj Bradley and Mick Abel, both acquired during last summer’s trade deadline activity, remain strong candidates for starting roles.
“In a lot of ways, we view this as a real opportunity for someone to step up and take advantage of that,” Zoll noted. “We’ll pick up the pieces once we have a better handle on things.”
Salisbury’s Field Operations Department has shut down St. Peters Street this week as construction crews tackle concrete enhancement projects in the area.
While West Main Street and West Church Street will stay accessible to traffic, drivers should prepare for heavier congestion and potential delays when traveling through downtown. The construction timeline calls for completion by Friday, February 20.
Mayor Randy Taylor highlighted how crucial these infrastructure upgrades are for the city’s business community.
“Investing in our infrastructure is key to boosting business downtown,” the mayor said. “These improvements will make our streets safer and more accessible, creating a better experience for residents and visitors alike.”
City officials recommend that drivers plan alternative routes and budget additional time for their commutes. Those seeking project updates can check www.salisbury.md or follow the City of Salisbury’s social media accounts.
Federal food safety officials have announced proposed regulatory changes that would permit meat and poultry processing plants to operate their production lines at increased speeds.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service, which operates under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has put forward the new regulations affecting facilities that handle pork and poultry processing operations nationwide.
For the fifth year in a row, Minnesota has shattered its own records for E15 gasoline sales, reaching new heights in 2025. The state sold more than 144 million gallons of the ethanol-blended fuel, surpassing the previous year’s achievement by over one percent, according to the Minnesota Biofuels Association.
Brian Werner, who serves as executive director of the Minnesota Biofuels Association, highlighted the significance of these numbers. “And it’s also the fourth straight year in which we’ve seen numbers above 100 million gallons,” Werner stated.
The continued growth in E15 sales demonstrates Minnesota’s commitment to renewable fuel sources and reflects consumer acceptance of the higher ethanol-blend gasoline option.
Livestock commodity prices experienced substantial gains at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange as traders positioned themselves before this week’s direct trading activities and the upcoming USDA On Feed report scheduled for Friday.
Live cattle contracts saw notable increases, with April contracts jumping $2.17 to reach $242.80 per hundredweight, while June contracts climbed $2.30 to settle at $238.45. Feeder cattle showed even stronger performance, with March contracts surging $4.82 to close at $370.97 per hundredweight.
The price movements reflect market anticipation surrounding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s weekly livestock data, which provides critical information about cattle inventory and feeding operations nationwide.
Salisbury’s Waterworks Utilities Division is conducting emergency repairs on a damaged water main located in the 600 block of Baker Street this Tuesday, February 17. The repair work is part of ongoing citywide efforts to upgrade and maintain the municipal water distribution infrastructure.
City officials anticipate the repairs will be finished by approximately 3:00 p.m., assuming no unexpected complications arise during the process.
The construction zone has forced authorities to completely shut down Baker Street between East Railroad Avenue and Barclay Street, blocking all vehicle traffic from passing through the area.
Local officials have already contacted Wicomico Schools, Central Alarm services, and utility locator companies about the street closure. Residents experiencing water service interruptions or dealing with broken pipes can contact the Salisbury Police Department’s non-emergency number at (410) 548-3165, and utility personnel will be sent to assist.
City representatives are asking for public understanding and patience while crews complete the necessary infrastructure repairs.
A University of Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball standout has captured dual recognition from the Northeast Conference this week.
Chase Valentine has been selected as the NEC men’s volleyball Defensive Player of the Week for the third occasion this season, while also earning Rookie of the Week distinction for the second time.
The double honor highlights Valentine’s exceptional performance on the court for the Hawks volleyball program. His consistent defensive prowess has made him a repeat recipient of the conference’s top defensive recognition throughout the current season.
Valentine’s achievements demonstrate the strong talent emerging from UMES athletics as the team continues its competitive season in Northeast Conference play.
BOONVILLE, N.Y. — Five individuals were hospitalized Tuesday morning following a devastating blast at a New York church that authorities believe was triggered by propane heating equipment.
The explosion occurred around 10:30 a.m. at Abundant Life Church in Boonville, located approximately 50 miles northeast of Syracuse. State police report the incident began when emergency crews were called to investigate reports of gas fumes inside the building.
According to investigators’ initial findings, four individuals were located in the church’s lower level when the heating system activated, causing the deadly blast. The force of the explosion hurled a firefighter on the main floor against a wall as he attempted to clear the building of dangerous gases.
Among those injured were 43-year-old Pastor Brandon Pitts and four members of the local fire department, ranging in age from 43 to 71 years old. Medical facilities in the area treated all five victims, who remain hospitalized in critical but stable condition, authorities confirmed.
Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente praised the emergency responders’ courage in a public statement: “Our thoughts are especially with the Boonville firefighters and church members who were injured. I commend the bravery and professionalism of our first responders who rushed toward danger to protect others.”
Law enforcement officials stated they found no evidence suggesting the explosion was intentionally caused. The religious facility suffered severe structural damage from the blast, which created massive clouds of dark smoke visible throughout the community.
State police continue their investigation into the incident involving the propane-heated building.
Late-night television host Stephen Colbert disclosed that CBS network attorneys blocked him from broadcasting an interview with Texas Democratic Senate hopeful James Talarico due to concerns over federal broadcasting regulations that could require equal airtime for opposing candidates.
The controversy centers on federal rules mandating that television stations provide equivalent on-air opportunities to all political candidates when one appears on their programming. Colbert discussed the situation during Monday evening’s broadcast and subsequently released the complete interview through online channels.
The Trump administration, working through the Federal Communications Commission that oversees America’s broadcast networks, has been tightening enforcement of these requirements, particularly targeting talk shows like Colbert’s that officials claim may have “partisan purposes.”
“He was supposed to be here, but we were told in no uncertain terms by our network’s lawyers, who called us directly, that we could not have him on the broadcast,” Colbert explained during “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”
CBS released a statement Tuesday explaining that Colbert’s program “was provided legal guidance that the broadcast could trigger the FCC equal-time rule for two other candidates” competing in the March 3 Democratic primary, “and presented options for how the equal time for other candidates could be fulfilled.” The network decided “to present the interview through its YouTube channel with on-air promotion on the broadcast rather than potentially providing the equal-time options.”
Talarico, who has been vocal in his opposition to President Donald Trump, shared a brief excerpt of his Colbert conversation on social media platform X, describing it as “the interview Donald Trump didn’t want you to see.”
The regulatory framework stems from the Communications Act of 1934, comprehensive legislation that has governed American broadcasting for nearly nine decades. The law requires stations to provide comparable airtime to competing candidates when one receives coverage, if requested by opponents.
These requirements also extend to paid political advertising, mandating that stations offer equal advertising opportunities to all candidates seeking the same office.
Several exemptions exist within the regulations, including news programs, legitimate interview shows, live event coverage, and documentary programming. However, when candidates appear on entertainment shows or host their own programs, the equal time provisions are triggered.
Importantly, these rules only affect traditional broadcast television and radio, excluding cable networks, streaming platforms, and social media content.
Historically, talk shows have not been subject to equal time requirements, but the current administration has moved to alter this precedent.
The Federal Communications Commission issued updated guidance in January, alerting late-night and daytime talk show hosts about equal time obligations. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has challenged the talk show exemption, suggesting hosts operate with “partisan purposes.”
“The FCC has not been presented with any evidence that the interview portion of any late night or daytime television talk show program on air presently would qualify for the bona fide news exemption,” the agency’s public notice stated.
The guidance also requires television networks to seek individual program exemptions from the agency.
Colbert emphasized the distinction between broadcast and streaming regulations during his remarks, noting that his nearly quarter-hour interview with Talarico appeared exclusively on his show’s YouTube channel rather than on traditional television.
Chairman Carr, whom Trump selected to head the FCC, has frequently targeted network talk programs, previously suggesting that investigating ABC’s “The View” — whose hosts regularly criticize Trump — over exemption violations might be “worthwhile.”
The FCC did not provide immediate responses to requests for comment Tuesday.
The agency previously enforced the Fairness Doctrine, established in 1949, which required broadcasters to present opposing perspectives on controversial public issues. Unlike equal time rules written into federal law, this was an FCC regulation rather than congressional legislation.
The doctrine focused on topics rather than individual candidates. The Supreme Court validated the rule against First Amendment challenges in 1969, determining that limited broadcast spectrum availability justified government regulation.
The FCC eliminated the Fairness Doctrine in 1987, citing increased spectrum availability, and President Ronald Reagan blocked congressional efforts to make it permanent law.
PUEBLO, Colo. — A devastating multi-vehicle collision claimed the lives of four people Tuesday morning on a Colorado highway when powerful winds created dangerous dust storm conditions that left motorists unable to see the road ahead.
The massive crash occurred around 10 a.m. on Interstate 25 near Pueblo, involving more than 30 vehicles including half a dozen large commercial trucks, according to the Colorado State Patrol. Strong winds whipped up dirt and debris, creating what officials described as “brown out” conditions that gave drivers virtually no ability to see.
Emergency responders transported 29 individuals to area hospitals, though officials have not yet released information about the severity of their injuries.
Investigators are still working to determine what caused the deadly collision. Trooper Sherri Mendez, speaking for the state patrol, indicated that while the poor visibility will certainly be examined as a contributing factor, other elements may have played a role in the tragedy.
Tuesday’s severe weather pattern brought powerful winds across eastern Colorado, creating hazardous conditions that not only contributed to the highway disaster but also increased wildfire dangers and disrupted air travel at Denver’s main airport due to the combination of strong gusts, elevated temperatures, and extremely dry conditions.
In contrast, Colorado’s western regions were receiving beneficial snowfall in mountainous areas that have been in need of winter precipitation.
WASHINGTON — An 18-year-old man was taken into custody by U.S. Capitol Police on Tuesday following a dangerous incident in which he abandoned his vehicle and charged toward the Capitol building while armed with a loaded shotgun.
According to Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan, the suspect left a Mercedes SUV parked near the Capitol and sprinted “several hundred yards” toward the building’s west entrance before law enforcement officers stopped him and forced him to the ground.
During a news briefing after the incident, Chief Sullivan revealed that the individual was equipped with tactical gear including a protective vest and gloves. Officers also discovered a Kevlar helmet and gas mask inside his vehicle. Sullivan confirmed the shotgun contained ammunition and the suspect carried extra rounds.
Authorities are still investigating what motivated the attack, including the possibility that members of Congress were intended targets. However, Congress is currently not in session.
Chief Sullivan mentioned that his department has surveillance video of the event but is requesting any additional footage the public may have captured.
“Who knows what would have happened if we wouldn’t have officers standing here?” Sullivan stated, noting that his department had conducted active shooter training exercises in nearly the same location in recent months.
The suspect was previously unknown to law enforcement and Sullivan indicated he is not from the Washington area. The Mercedes SUV was not registered under the young man’s name, and authorities say he maintains multiple residential addresses.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A bipartisan group of New Mexico state lawmakers began a formal inquiry Tuesday into activities that occurred at convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s remote desert compound, questioning whether local officials failed to investigate potential crimes.
The four-member House panel will examine claims that the isolated property served as a location for sexual abuse and human trafficking. Legislators are also seeking answers about why Epstein failed to register as a sex offender following his 2008 guilty plea for soliciting an underage prostitute, and whether government corruption played a role.
At Tuesday’s press conference, Democratic Representative Marianna Anaya from Albuquerque, who serves on the truth commission, encouraged anyone with knowledge of abuse connected to Epstein’s ranch to step forward.
“That perpetrator could not act alone. They could not run a sex ring alone, they could not commit these types of financial crimes alone. So we know as a commission that enablers must also be held accountable, including the state itself, if needed,” said Anaya. “If you do want to share, we’ll be here and we will be operating with confidentiality.”
Recent connections to Epstein have resulted in several prominent figures losing their positions or being forced out.
The financier acquired the expansive Zorro Ranch property in 1993 from former Democratic Governor Bruce King, later constructing a massive 26,700-square-foot mansion on a hilltop complete with its own airstrip.
Following Epstein’s death, his estate sold the ranch in 2023 to cover debts, with the buyer being the family of Don Huffines, a Texas Republican running for state comptroller. Huffines announced on social media platform X that the property has been rechristened San Rafael Ranch, named for a healing saint, and will function as a Christian retreat center.
Huffines stated that his family would provide complete cooperation to any law enforcement requests for property access.
Epstein died by suicide in a New York City jail cell in 2019 while facing federal charges for sexually abusing and trafficking numerous minors.
Commission chair and Santa Fe Representative Andrea Romero indicated that multiple Epstein abuse survivors have suggested trafficking operations occurred at the ranch, located approximately 35 miles south of Santa Fe.
“We’ve heard years of allegations and rumors about Epstein’s activities here. But unfortunately, federal investigations have failed to put together an official record,” Romero stated Tuesday. “This truth commission will finally fill in the gaps of what we need to know.”
The commission roster also features retired FBI agent and Republican Representative William Hall from Aztec, along with former prosecutor and Representative Andrea Reeb from Clovis. State House members voted unanimously Monday to establish the commission with subpoena authority and more than $2 million in funding.
Although Epstein never faced criminal charges in New Mexico, the state attorney general’s office confirmed in 2019 that it was conducting an investigation and had spoken with potential victims who had visited the ranch.
In 2023, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez initiated an investigation into financial institutions used by Epstein and their legal responsibilities, leading to settlements with two banks that allocated $17 million toward human trafficking prevention efforts, according to a spokesperson for Torrez’s office.
WASHINGTON – The United States Air Force revealed Tuesday that it will implement a fresh color design for its executive transportation fleet, including future Air Force One aircraft, featuring a combination of red, white, gold and dark blue colors.
This updated appearance represents a shift away from the traditional white and dual-tone blue coloring that has been in use since the Kennedy presidency in the 1960s. The new design incorporates aspects of a red, white and blue color scheme that former President Donald Trump had previously suggested, but which was abandoned in 2022 when Air Force officials concluded that darker paint colors might lead to aircraft overheating problems.
President Donald Trump revealed details Tuesday about three significant infrastructure developments planned for construction across Ohio, Texas, and Georgia.
Through a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump outlined the planned facilities: a natural gas power generation plant slated for Ohio, petroleum and natural gas operations in Texas, and a critical minerals processing center in Georgia.
The announcement marks the latest in a series of energy sector investments being promoted by the Trump administration.
A major Australian insurance company saw its profits crash by more than two-thirds during the first half of its fiscal year, according to financial results released Wednesday.
Suncorp Group reported that severe weather disasters across Australia and New Zealand devastated its bottom line, with the company paying out A$1.32 billion (approximately $935 million) in natural disaster claims during the six-month period ending in December.
The insurance giant faced nine separate major weather catastrophes, including destructive thunderstorms, coastal storm systems, powerful windstorms, and widespread flooding that battered communities across the region.
These disaster-related expenses far exceeded the company’s budgeted allowance of A$866 million for the half-year period and represented more than double the A$503 million in similar costs from the previous year.
Adding to the company’s financial troubles, investment returns declined by 31% to A$259 million compared to the same period last year.
The combination of massive weather claims and reduced investment income caused Suncorp’s cash earnings to plummet to A$270 million for the first half of the year, down dramatically from A$828 million in the previous year’s corresponding period.
Financial analysts had projected earnings of A$311.2 million, making the actual results significantly worse than market expectations.
Following the disappointing financial performance, Suncorp announced it would pay shareholders an interim dividend of 17 Australian cents per share, a substantial reduction from the 41 Australian cents distributed during the same period last year.
The company completed its transformation into a specialized insurance operation in 2024 after selling its banking operations to ANZ Group.
Basketball coaching legend Doug Moe passed away Tuesday at the age of 87, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in professional basketball.
The Denver Nuggets expressed their sorrow in an official statement shared on social media. “The Denver Nuggets organization was devastated to learn of the passing of legendary coach Doug Moe,” the team said in a statement posted to social media. “Coach Moe was a one of a kind leader and person who spearheaded one of the most successful and exciting decades in Nuggets history.”
Moe became synonymous with fast-paced, offensive basketball throughout his coaching career. His innovative approach earned him NBA Coach of the Year honors during the 1987-88 season, and he later received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.
Throughout his coaching tenure, Moe accumulated an impressive 628-529 record while leading three franchises: the San Antonio Spurs from 1976-80, the Denver Nuggets from 1980-90, and the Philadelphia 76ers during the 1992-93 season. His teams qualified for postseason play 12 times, compiling a 33-50 playoff record.
Under Moe’s leadership, Denver made nine straight playoff appearances and advanced to the Western Conference finals in 1985, ultimately falling to the championship-bound Los Angeles Lakers in five games.
The Nuggets became the league’s top scoring team six different times during Moe’s tenure. His 432 victories with Denver place him second in franchise history, trailing only current coach Michael Malone’s 471 wins.
“He will forever be loved and remembered by Nuggets fans and his banner commemorating his 432 career victories as head coach will hang in the rafters to forever honor his incredible legacy,” the team statement said.
Prior to his coaching career, Moe distinguished himself as an All-American forward at the University of North Carolina. His playing career included professional stints in Italy and the American Basketball Association, where he earned three All-Star selections and captured a championship with the Oakland Oaks in 1968-69.
The University of Delaware women’s lacrosse squad is preparing to take on a formidable opponent this Wednesday when they welcome the 11th-ranked Naval Academy team to Delaware Stadium in Newark.
The Blue Hens will face off against the highly-ranked Midshipmen in what is expected to be a challenging home contest. Navy enters the matchup with a strong national ranking that reflects their competitive program.
The game represents an opportunity for Delaware to test themselves against one of the nation’s top lacrosse programs on their home turf. Wednesday’s contest will take place at Delaware Stadium, giving local fans a chance to support the Blue Hens against elite competition.
A Dense Fog Advisory is now in effect for the entire Delmarva Peninsula, with visibility dropping to just one-quarter to one-half mile starting at 10 PM tonight through 10 AM Wednesday morning.
The National Weather Service issued the advisory at 1:15 PM today, warning that hazardous driving conditions are expected across Delaware, the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and southeastern Virginia. The thick fog will also impact parts of New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania.
Locally, all Delaware counties are included in the advisory, along with Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Caroline, and Sussex counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The fog is expected to be most dense during the overnight and early morning hours.
“Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous,” meteorologists warned. Drivers are urged to slow down, use headlights, and maintain extra distance between vehicles when traveling through foggy areas.
The advisory remains in effect until 10 AM Wednesday, though conditions may improve gradually as morning temperatures rise. Commuters should plan for extra travel time and consider delaying non-essential trips during the peak fog hours.
Stay with TV Delmarva for continuing weather updates throughout the night and Wednesday morning.
Syrian public opinion has shifted dramatically since the fall of Bashar Assad last December, with a new survey showing strong support for American involvement and optimism about future relations with Israel.
The YouGov poll, funded by the Council for a Secure America, revealed that 65% of Syrians support US involvement in their nation, while only 12% oppose it. The remaining respondents said they were either neutral or hadn’t decided on the issue.
Regarding Israel, the survey uncovered surprising optimism. Nearly 6 out of 10 respondents – 59% – believe peace between Syria and Israel could happen down the road, while just 14% think it’s unlikely. The remaining participants had no strong opinion either way.
When it comes to security cooperation with Israel, support was even more robust. The poll found 64% of Syrians would back a security partnership, compared to only 9% who would oppose such an arrangement. About 30% remained neutral or undecided on the matter.
However, opinions split more evenly on establishing full diplomatic ties. Nearly half of those surveyed – 47% – said they would support normalizing relations with Israel once Palestinian issues are resolved, while 13% rejected the idea and 40% remained uncertain.
The survey also revealed strong anti-Hezbollah sentiment among Syrians. Seven out of 10 respondents said the Iranian-supported militant organization has harmed their country. Just 11% viewed Hezbollah positively, while over one-third offered no opinion. The Assad regime had maintained strong connections with both Hezbollah and Iran throughout his time in power.
Syria’s new leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, received positive ratings from most respondents. About 69% described his job performance as good, while 12% gave him poor marks and 19% weren’t sure. The Trump administration has backed al-Sharaa’s government despite his previous connections to al-Qaida, as his administration works to establish control throughout Syria.
YouGov conducted the research between January 8 and January 15, interviewing 260 Syrian adults selected from a pool of 40,000 panel participants. The survey carries a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.
American military personnel continue operating in Syria as part of the ongoing mission against the Islamic State, which Washington considers an active threat despite the recent change in Syrian leadership.
Two agricultural economics experts are raising concerns about the ongoing decline in farming revenues nationwide. Danny Munch, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, indicates that recent USDA projections paint a troubling picture for agricultural producers.
“Major revisions in this new 2026 report,” Munch stated when discussing the updated federal income forecasts. He explained that previous estimates had been significantly more optimistic. “Last year, we originally had expectations for about $180 billion in net farm income,” he noted, highlighting the substantial changes in the government’s economic outlook for the agricultural sector.
The revised projections represent a concerning shift for farmers who have already been dealing with financial pressures in recent years. These new figures suggest that agricultural producers may face continued economic challenges as they navigate an increasingly difficult marketplace.
The cattle industry is experiencing a transformation as slaughterhouses modify their operations to accommodate shifts in modern livestock farming practices. According to Wisconsin rancher Brady Zuck, who spoke with Brownfield, cattle are now being sent to processing facilities at significantly higher weights than in previous years.
“We do know that today, our nation’s cow herd is extremely tight. You know, we don’t have a lot of excess cattle around, and I think the packing [plants are responding accordingly],” Zuck explained.
This adjustment reflects the current state of America’s beef supply, with producers holding onto their animals longer before sending them to market. The shift requires processing facilities to adapt their equipment and procedures to handle the larger livestock effectively.
Agricultural technology could face significant setbacks due to recent Federal Communications Commission regulations limiting foreign drone imports, according to a university researcher.
Leo Baldiga, a PhD student at Michigan State University, explains that the new FCC restrictions have created obstacles for advancing drone technology in farming operations. He noted that manufacturers experienced a last-minute surge to secure approval for their international drone models before the import restrictions became effective at the close of 2025.
The regulatory changes specifically target foreign-manufactured products, creating potential delays in bringing cutting-edge agricultural drone technology to American farmers who rely on these devices for crop monitoring, pesticide application, and other farming operations.
A human rights organization reported Monday that drone attacks on a crowded marketplace in central Sudan resulted in the deaths of at least 28 civilians, according to AFP reports. The strikes occurred as military clashes between Sudan’s national army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have grown more intense along a heavily disputed battlefront.
The Emergency Lawyers, an organization tracking violations throughout the ongoing conflict, reported that multiple drones targeted the al-Safiya marketplace on Sunday. The attack took place in RSF-controlled territory close to Sodari in North Kordofan province. According to the monitoring group, the marketplace was packed with people when the strikes occurred, and they cautioned that the death toll may increase.
The town of Sodari sits in an isolated section of northern Kordofan where various desert trading paths meet. Located approximately 230 kilometers (132 miles) northwest of El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state, Sodari has been part of the RSF’s months-long effort to surround the strategic city as part of their wider regional offensive.
The Kordofan region has emerged as a critical battleground in the three-year conflict, experiencing an uptick in deadly drone warfare as both military forces compete for dominance over Sudan’s primary east-west transportation corridor. This vital route links the RSF-controlled western Darfur region through El-Obeid to the army-held capital city of Khartoum and beyond to other areas of the nation.
Aerial bombardments and drone attacks have consistently targeted communities and villages throughout extensive portions of Sudan, frequently causing mass civilian casualties in individual incidents. Military officials have accused both the national army and RSF of launching strikes against populated centers located far from active combat zones.
Previous reports indicate that a drone attack last Wednesday resulted in two children’s deaths and injured approximately twelve individuals when it struck an educational facility. That same day, another assault caused significant damage to a United Nations storage facility housing emergency food aid supplies.
Following their successful consolidation of control over the Darfur region last year, the RSF advanced eastward into the resource-rich Kordofan area, which contains valuable oil and gold deposits, in their campaign to capture Sudan’s central corridor and broaden their territorial influence.
The armed conflict began in April 2023 and has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths while forcing approximately 11 million people from their homes, creating what humanitarian organizations characterize as the globe’s most severe hunger and displacement emergency. The warfare has effectively split Sudan into separate territories, with government forces maintaining control over much of the central, northern and eastern regions, while the RSF governs the west and, alongside allied militias, portions of the south.
Aviv Shapira received a PTSD diagnosis in early 2023 following challenging military service that concluded before the October 7 attacks and subsequent conflict.
Watching their daughter struggle with inadequate support, her parents Avital and Moti Shapira recognized that numerous women dealing with military-related trauma weren’t receiving appropriate assistance.
This realization prompted them to take action and establish change.
The family created Arim Roshi (meaning “I shall rise”), a community support network for women with combat PTSD, originally scheduled to begin operations in 2024. However, following the October 7 massacre, the Shapiras moved up their timeline and launched the organization ahead of schedule, establishing a dedicated healing environment for women.
During Sunday’s ICAR (Israel’s Collective Action for Resilience) Summit presentation, Avital Shapira explained that her daughter rejected all available support programs. Initially puzzled by this response, she later understood that existing programs failed to address her daughter’s specific requirements.
“We realized women’s needs are very different from men’s,” Shapira said. “Just like physical health is different for men and women, so is mental health.”
Following decades of fighting for equal treatment in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), women now serve in combat and police positions alongside their male colleagues. However, while receiving identical field treatment, military approaches to PTSD prevention and care frequently overlook gender-based differences.
Recent Ynet statistics reveal that women comprised approximately 20% of IDF combat personnel during the latest conflict, totaling over 65,000 female service members. These women participated in border protection, counterintelligence, and additional frontline operations. Similar to their male colleagues, many now face post-traumatic challenges.
Latest data from the Ministry of Defense rehabilitation department indicates that among more than 82,000 wounded personnel under their supervision, 31,000 are managing psychological wounds and post-trauma conditions.
Arim Roshi operates on four foundational elements: community support, therapeutic workshops, individual guidance, and research initiatives.
“Many women think they’re the only ones dealing with this,” Shapira explained. Arim Roshi creates a safe space where members can connect, share their experiences, and support one another.
The group conducts workshops incorporating movement, artistic expression, aquatic therapy, and horse-assisted treatment to help women work through trauma using methods beyond conventional talk therapy.
Additionally, Arim Roshi offers individual assistance to help women handle bureaucratic processes, manage family relationships, and complete Ministry of Defense recognition procedures.
The organization also monitors results and collects information about effective methods, aiming to support broader research efforts and enhance care for women with military-related PTSD.
Shapira joined other speakers addressing women and warfare issues during a panel led by Israel’s special envoy for trade and innovation, Fleur Hassan-Nahoum. The discussion examined distinctive wartime challenges facing women and institutional improvements needed to better serve them.
“The health of women is not just related to gynecology,” said Dr. Michal Sela of NOGAFem, a center for health innovation and policy. “We are different in every way.”
Despite this awareness, Sela noted that research and information about female fighters’ wartime experiences remains insufficient.
“The information is lacking,” Sela said.
The consequences reach well beyond frontline female personnel.
Dr. Inbal Shlomi from the Merhavim Medical Center for Brain and Mind Care described nationwide trauma levels as “unbelievable.”
“Even though most of us were not in Gaza or on the frontline, we all experienced unbelievable levels of trauma,” Shlomi explained. Social media exposure and constant interaction with people directly affected by the attacks contributed to widespread secondary trauma.
Furthermore, hundreds of Israeli women suffered sexual assault and abuse by Hamas terrorists on October 7 and during captivity. Shlomi explained that women with previous sexual abuse experiences might have experienced intensified symptoms, renewed flashbacks, or worsening PTSD after learning about their peers’ experiences that day.
She shared details about one patient who explained that before October 7, she considered the world evil but thought she might be wrong and attempted to challenge that viewpoint. Following October 7, she stated that nobody could persuade her otherwise.
Mothers also experienced profound trauma.
Agamit Gelb, who founded Inner Forces, described becoming a mother, sister, and aunt to fighters on October 7. While sending family members into combat, she realized she was experiencing complex emotions that seemed unrecognized by others.
Initially, few anticipated the conflict would continue for nearly two years, keeping loved ones on frontlines for extended durations. However, prolonged conflicts aren’t unprecedented for Israel. Gelb observed that her 70-year-old mother has served as a fighter’s mother, grandmother, and aunt throughout her life, yet remained overlooked in national discussions.
Gelb understood that mothers and other female relatives required support and clear information. However, the State failed to recognize their need for these resources.
She responded by establishing Inner Forces, a program designed for female family members of fighters. Working with Ruppin Academic Center, she researched 400 mothers. Results demonstrated that many women dismissed as simply anxious or concerned were actually experiencing trauma. About 20% of survey participants lost employment due to wartime challenges of being a soldier’s mother.
“The family is what provides resilience,” Gelb said, noting that keeping these women strong was essential.
Gelb reported that when asking mothers about their coping strategies, many would start crying. However, they frequently felt guilty about expressing distress because their sons hadn’t been killed or kidnapped.
“I was just a mom of someone in the field,” Gelb said, describing how she felt lost because she viewed her own trauma as less significant than others’.
Through Inner Forces, she established a community providing resilience programming, psychoeducation, and crucially, a gathering place for mothers to connect and support each other throughout the war.
As increasing numbers of women assume combat responsibilities and serve in critical IDF positions, understanding mental health protection becomes increasingly vital, Shapira emphasized. She noted that many women work in frontline positions not officially designated as combat roles, yet potentially expose them to equivalent trauma levels.
Nevertheless, she expressed optimism.
Her own daughter, who had suffered significantly, recently delivered her second child. She observed that many women who experienced early war trauma are now contributing to what she called a “baby boom.”
“There is hope,” she told the room. “You can live with PTSD,” she added, “and it can even be transformed into post-traumatic growth. That is our hope.”
University of North Carolina’s standout freshman Caleb Wilson is expected to make his comeback from a fractured left hand in the near future, according to head coach Hubert Davis.
The towering forward broke his non-shooting hand during the Tar Heels’ 75-66 defeat against Miami on February 10th.
Wilson has been a dominant force for the 16th-ranked North Carolina squad (20-5, 8-4 Atlantic Coast Conference), putting up impressive numbers with 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.
During his Monday evening radio program, Davis praised Wilson’s determination and eagerness to return to action.
“Caleb, he is great,” Davis stated. “I think if I said ‘OK,’ I think he would play with his cast on or his splint. I think he would. He’s just champing at the bit to come back because obviously he loves to play, but he loves his teammates and he loves playing here.”
Davis continued with optimism about the timeline, saying, “He’ll be back on the floor soon, so that’ll be great.”
The 6-foot-10 Wilson has garnered significant attention as a potential top-five selection in the 2026 NBA Draft.
With Tuesday evening’s matchup against Pittsburgh in Chapel Hill included, North Carolina faces six remaining contests in their regular season schedule.
The NFL’s trading period is set to intensify as teams prepare for franchise tag decisions starting Tuesday and the upcoming free agency period next month.
A year ago, major player movements dominated headlines before free agency officially began, including DK Metcalf’s move from Seattle to Pittsburgh, Geno Smith’s trade from the Seahawks to Las Vegas, and Laremy Tunsil’s relocation from Houston to Washington alongside Deebo Samuel, who joined the Commanders from San Francisco.
Though Seattle’s strategy seemed unclear initially, the Seahawks ultimately signed Sam Darnold as a free agent and captured Super Bowl LX. Now, numerous franchises are exploring potential trades as part of their long-term rebuilding efforts.
Several prominent veterans could find themselves in trade discussions, each carrying significant financial implications for both their current teams and potential suitors.
Philadelphia Eagles WR A.J. Brown
The 29-year-old receiver presents a complex situation with over $110 million remaining across four contract years. His 2026 salary cap impact would be $23.4 million for Philadelphia but only $7 million for an acquiring team.
Tensions between Brown and quarterback Jalen Hurts have created an uncomfortable dynamic that simple apologies cannot resolve. Trading Brown would saddle the Eagles with a massive $43.5 million dead money hit on their 2026 cap. However, General Manager Howie Roseman might prioritize team chemistry over financial concerns. Brown’s situation mirrors that of cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who has been traded three times during his career.
Las Vegas Raiders DE Maxx Crosby
The 29-year-old pass rusher carries a 2026 cap hit of $35.88 million, which would drop to $30.79 million for a new team. Las Vegas would absorb only about $5 million in dead money.
With minority owner Tom Brady’s input, the Raiders’ front office might consider moving Crosby if they receive substantial compensation. Teams like the New York Jets or Dallas Cowboys could offer multiple first-round selections or valuable assets such as an offensive tackle to entice General Manager John Spytek. Without a premium offer, Las Vegas should wait until October’s trade deadline when Crosby’s value remains high.
Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray
Murray’s contract situation reflects concerning value concerns, as the Cardinals paid him $158.5 million in salary and bonuses from 2023-25 while he appeared in just 30 games over three seasons. His 2026 cap hit of $52.7 million would decrease to $24.9 million for a trading partner, making the deal structure potentially attractive despite his injury history and inconsistent play.
Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa
At 28, Tagovailoa represents the most expensive option with a $56.3 million cap hit in 2026, reduced to $42.9 million for an acquiring team. Miami would face a devastating $45.2 million dead money penalty.
Despite the financial pain, the Dolphins could survive this hit if they believe in seventh-round rookie Quinn Ewers or plan to draft a replacement in April. Tagovailoa’s current cost exceeds what the Rams pay Matthew Stafford and surpasses contracts for Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Sam Darnold, Jordan Love, Jalen Hurts, Brock Purdy, and Trevor Lawrence.
Miami’s new leadership experienced similar decisions in Green Bay when Aaron Rodgers was traded and the Packers committed to Jordan Love. The Dolphins likely won’t receive significant compensation for Tagovailoa, similar to Denver’s situation with Russell Wilson, where the Broncos absorbed over $80 million in dead money after one season with Sean Payton. Denver’s decision proved correct as they drafted Bo Nix and earned the AFC’s top playoff seed in 2025.
Limited cattle availability threatens to create significant disruptions throughout the beef supply chain, according to a leading industry analyst. Randy Blach, who serves as CEO of CattleFax, highlighted the severity of the livestock shortage during recent industry discussions.
The cattle scarcity has created a notable mismatch between processing facilities and available animals. “We came into the year, and we had about 25,000 more hooks than we had cattle on a weekly basis,” Blach explained, referring to the processing equipment capacity versus livestock supply.
According to Blach, the imbalance has worsened considerably from the perspective of meat processing companies. “That situation deteriorated significantly from a packer’s point of view,” he noted, indicating that the gap between supply and demand continues to grow.
The livestock shortage represents a significant shift in market conditions that could have far-reaching implications for both producers and consumers in the beef industry.
Agricultural industry leaders are setting their sights on 2026 as a pivotal year for boosting international trade in American farm products. Ellen Zimmerman, who serves as the director of industry relations for the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council, emphasized the urgent need to focus on expanding global markets.
Speaking with Brownfield, Zimmerman highlighted the current challenges facing farmers. “Especially right now when we look at the price of commodities. How can we look at profitability and that bottom line more? Trade is a big part of that,” she explained.
The council’s initiative comes at a time when commodity prices are putting pressure on agricultural producers across the country, making international market expansion a critical component of maintaining farm profitability.
The Goldey-Beacom College Lightning baseball program has once again earned national recognition, claiming a tie for 30th place in the latest American Baseball Coaches Association Division II poll released this season.
This marks the fourth occasion in five years that the Lightning have secured a position in the national rankings, demonstrating the program’s consistent excellence and competitive performance at the Division II level.
The ranking represents the first in-season poll from the American Baseball Coaches Association Division II Coaches Poll, positioning Goldey-Beacom among the top programs in collegiate baseball nationwide.
Labor activists are expressing growing alarm over the whereabouts and wellbeing of roughly 200 Iranian workers who remain in custody at military-run storage facilities following recent strikes at the nation’s primary natural gas complex.
The workers were taken into custody during labor demonstrations at Asaluyeh, which houses Iran’s most significant gas operations and ranks as the globe’s largest such facility. They are currently being held at warehouses operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters.
Family members have been unable to contact the detained workers for several weeks, according to reports from The Media Line.
A worker employed in South Pars gas field operations revealed to The Media Line that employees from various industries throughout Asaluyeh had initiated organized meetings, demonstrations, and work stoppages several weeks prior to the broader protest movement that spread across Iran.
The current status and treatment of the detained workers remains unclear, sparking concern among labor rights advocates about conditions at the detention facilities.
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) — The twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago came to a virtual standstill Tuesday as the Caribbean territory approached the peak of its world-renowned two-day carnival celebration.
However, this year’s festivities — often called “the greatest show on Earth” — confronted significant financial challenges as escalating expenses have priced out an increasing number of local residents from joining the celebration.
Premium event passes reached nearly $700, while outfits for popular masquerade groups exceeded $2,000.
Recognizing these climbing costs, educators and artists are developing innovative approaches to make the carnival accessible to locals, whose ancestors were enslaved people prohibited from taking part in such celebrations.
Joshua Lamorelle, who visits low-income neighborhoods to provide complimentary stilt-walking instruction, explained: “It is giving the kids an opportunity to be a part of something that is very hard for them to afford.”
Just days before educational institutions and workplaces closed for the major carnival street procession that started Monday, Lamorelle offered students their final coaching session. He watched as 11-year-old Kanye Simmons positioned himself on a wall and fastened stilts to his legs before a youth parade.
For Simmons, stilt-walking has become his preferred activity, surpassing even video games: “I find it’s very educational, and it’s very fun.”
His mother, Chrisann Clarke, expressed appreciation for Lamorelle’s efforts to teach young people about their nation’s traditions and carnival origins. She also felt thankful that her son could join the parade without the typical payment requirement.
“It’s actually great, because most parents are unable to afford it,” she said.
The Trinidad and Tobago carnival takes place during the two days before Ash Wednesday — known as Carnival Monday and Tuesday. While not officially recognized as national holidays, tens of thousands of participants wear elaborate costumes for the street procession.
These festivities trace back to the 1700s, when French colonists introduced the celebrations to the islands while preventing African slaves from joining. During the 1800s, formerly enslaved Africans clashed with British authorities who attempted to ban the festivities.
The carnival has since transformed into a major cultural event and economic driver, providing jobs for thousands while generating millions in tourism income.
As ticket and costume prices continue climbing, soca artist Kimba Sorzano developed an inventive method to promote his latest carnival music.
Using his minibus, called a “maxi taxi,” he provides complimentary transportation to riders who agree to listen to his songs throughout their journey.
This marketing strategy gained such popularity that local fast-food establishments joined in, providing free morning meals during the commute.
“Some people got priced out of the carnival, but at the same time we are the carnival,” said Sorzano, who maintains that carnival’s authentic spirit resides within the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
Other performers are also sharing carnival joy without charge. Vocalist Patrice Roberts hosted a free soca concert in late January that attracted over 10,000 attendees.
Recognizing the financial struggles affecting families, Roberts stated in a social media video that she understood “not everyone can indulge” this year.
“This is for all the faithful fans, families and for anyone who still wants to feel the magic,” Roberts said.
Lamorelle maintains that increasing access to carnival and other cultural elements of Trinidad and Tobago enhances people’s quality of life.
“Anything to make the youths better and have a better vision on culture is what I am going for,” he said.
This year, Lamorelle established a children’s carnival masquerade group, funding most expenses himself with assistance from several sponsors.
This represents a valuable chance for a nation of approximately 1.4 million residents whose jobless rate increased to 4.8% in the third quarter of 2025, up from 3.8% the previous quarter, based on recent government statistics.
Officials have implemented new taxes and raised various fees since taking office last April. This has resulted in higher consumer prices and employment losses, with some business owners reporting they were compelled to close their operations.
Lamorelle receives backing from residents in Valencia, a small community in northeastern Trinidad.
“He’s doing wonderful work in the community because he has the children more occupied than just loitering and doing nonsense,” said Nakita De Verteuil, whose two children participate in the group.
Her son, Josiah De Verteuil, who performed as a “midnight robber” on four-foot stilts, considers Lamorelle a role model.
“He is a very lovable person,” the 17-year-old said. “And to children, he is one of the best influencers.”
New Jersey’s acting attorney general announced Tuesday that she will abandon efforts to revive racketeering charges against influential Democratic figure George E. Norcross III and his co-defendants.
Jennifer Davenport, recently named to the position by newly-elected Governor Mikie Sherrill, made the announcement almost three weeks following an appellate court’s decision to uphold a lower court’s dismissal of the criminal charges. The original indictment had been pursued by Matt Platkin, who held the attorney general position under former Governor Phil Murphy.
“In light of the Appellate Division’s decision, we have concluded that our prosecutorial resources would be best spent on other matters,” the attorney general’s office said in a statement. “Our office remains committed to prioritizing public corruption prosecutions in this time of deepening mistrust in government.”
The criminal charges originated from a June 2024 indictment that Platkin revealed during a press conference where Norcross made the remarkable decision to attend personally, positioning himself directly before the attorney general as the charges were announced.
The indictment alleged that Norcross and five additional defendants operated “an enterprise” dating back to 2012, leveraging their political connections to shape laws that would benefit their personal interests. However, a state judge issued an extensive ruling spanning nearly 100 pages, determining that the prosecution’s claims failed to establish criminal coercion or extortion and were beyond the statute of limitations.
Throughout the legal proceedings, Norcross and his legal team consistently proclaimed his innocence, arguing the charges were driven by political motivations—claims that Platkin has consistently rejected.
Norcross, who held the position of executive chairman at insurance company Conner Strong & Buckelew, has long been recognized as one of New Jersey’s most powerful unelected Democratic figures. His influence extended to serving on the Democratic National Committee until 2021 and previously leading the Camden County Democratic Party.
Federal Reserve officials must conduct thorough research to determine if artificial intelligence is enhancing economic productivity and allowing for stronger growth without sparking inflation that would force tighter monetary policies, according to San Francisco Federal Reserve President Mary Daly.
Speaking Tuesday at a San Jose State University event organized by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, Daly addressed the ongoing debate about AI’s economic effects. The Trump administration claims AI is already delivering economic benefits, while some economists believe continued AI investment will drive productivity gains similar to the computer revolution of the 1990s.
However, current research tells a different story. “Most macro-studies of productivity growth find limited evidence of a significant AI effect,” Daly stated in her prepared remarks. She suggested this could be because it’s premature to measure results from corporate AI investments in specific industry sectors.
Alternatively, she noted, “it could also be that we are simply not there yet,” explaining that widespread economic transformations typically require extended timeframes to materialize.
Daly drew parallels to the 1990s, when Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan recognized that productivity statistics failed to capture the economic benefits of computer and software investments occurring throughout the economy. Greenspan chose to maintain steady interest rates rather than increase them to prevent inflation, a decision that proved correct.
To determine whether AI presents a similar scenario, Daly emphasized that the Fed must examine data beyond national statistics, engage directly with business leaders, and evaluate economic trends carefully.
“The willingness to confront what we know and what we don’t is essential to making appropriate and durable policy that serves all Americans,” she explained.
Daly refrained from discussing immediate monetary policy plans during her Tuesday speech. Previously, she endorsed the Fed’s January decision to maintain interest rates between 3.50% and 3.75%, though she acknowledged arguments for rate reductions to support a job market where workers face limited opportunities and wages eroded by inflation.
Peru’s legislative body voted Tuesday to remove President Jose Jeri from power after serving just four months as the nation’s leader, amid controversy surrounding secret meetings with a Chinese business figure.
The South American country’s lawmakers used a censure motion to dismiss Jeri through a simple majority vote, extending Peru’s pattern of frequent leadership changes.
The president’s downfall stemmed from a scandal involving undisclosed encounters with a businessman from China, which ultimately cost him his position in the ongoing revolving door of Peruvian leadership.
Diplomatic efforts to find a resolution to the ongoing Ukraine conflict moved forward Wednesday after a challenging day of negotiations in Geneva, according to reports from Russian news agencies.
A source familiar with the discussions told Russian media that Tuesday’s U.S.-facilitated negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian representatives were marked by significant tension. The diplomatic meetings stretched on for six hours before participants agreed to reconvene the following day.
“(The talks) were very tense,” the source revealed to the agencies. “They lasted six hours. They agreed to continue tomorrow.”
The marathon negotiation session included various meeting configurations, with participants engaging in both bilateral discussions between two parties and trilateral formats involving all three sides, according to the source.
Flight operations came to a standstill at Lithuania’s main international airport Tuesday evening after weather balloons launched from Belarus crossed into Lithuanian airspace, according to the country’s emergency management officials.
The Vilnius Airport suspended all activities at 6:30 p.m. GMT following the airspace incursion. Located approximately 19 miles from the Belarusian border, the facility has experienced more than ten similar shutdowns since the beginning of October 2025, all related to comparable balloon incidents from its neighboring country.
Lithuanian crisis management authorities confirmed the temporary closure, which highlights ongoing tensions between the two nations that have resulted in repeated disruptions to commercial aviation in the region.
The nation’s egg-laying hen population experienced a notable decline in 2025, dropping 3 percent compared to the previous year, according to new federal agriculture data.
Throughout 2025, egg-producing flocks maintained an average of 365 million birds across the United States, marking a significant decrease from 2024 levels. The reduction reflects ongoing pressures within the poultry industry that have affected production capacity nationwide.
The annual statistics, compiled by federal agricultural officials, highlight the continuing volatility in the egg production sector. Industry observers note that various factors including disease outbreaks, economic pressures, and operational challenges have contributed to fluctuations in hen populations over recent years.
This population decline could have implications for egg availability and pricing across grocery stores and food service operations throughout the country, including here in the Delmarva region where many consumers rely on affordable egg supplies for their daily meals.
American officials have provided fresh details about what they claim was an undisclosed Chinese nuclear weapons test that took place in 2020, according to statements made at a Washington D.C. gathering.
A U.S. government representative revealed that seismic activity initially recorded as a distant earthquake in 2020 was actually the result of a Chinese nuclear test conducted in secret.
The disclosure comes amid growing concerns about China’s expanding nuclear weapons program and capabilities. Military analysts have noted that China is currently engaged in a significant buildup of its nuclear arsenal.
The allegations highlight ongoing tensions between the United States and China regarding nuclear weapons development and transparency in testing activities.
Federal authorities have indicted a 46-year-old Jacksonville man on charges of orchestrating a doping scheme designed to impact major international athletic competitions, including last year’s Paris Olympics, according to an announcement Tuesday from U.S. prosecutors.
Paul Alexander Askew stands accused of working with others to supply performance-enhancing substances to at least one athlete between July 2023 and January 2024, according to U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe’s office.
The alleged scheme targeted several high-profile competitions, including the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships, the U.S. Olympic Trials, and the Paris Summer Olympics, federal prosecutors stated in the indictment.
Under federal law, an indictment represents formal criminal charges, though defendants remain innocent until proven guilty in court.
Should he be found guilty, Askew could face up to a decade behind bars in federal prison.
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency praised the charges, noting they were brought under the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act. This 2020 federal law allows American prosecutors to pursue penalties of up to $1 million in fines and 10-year prison sentences, even against foreign nationals whose actions impact American competitors.
“While athletes face clear sanctions under the World Anti-Doping Code, others have escaped responsibility for undermining the integrity of sport,” USADA said in a statement.
“Without RADA, this indictment of an athlete support person never would have happened, demonstrating how it can be a powerful complement to the Code in ensuring that all those who engage in doping fraud are held accountable.”
A high-ranking Russian military leader confirmed Tuesday that SpaceX Starlink satellite terminals utilized by Russian forces have been offline for a fortnight, though he maintains the outage hasn’t disrupted their unmanned aircraft operations.
Deputy Defence Minister Aleksei Krivoruchko stated during a State Television interview: “Starlink terminals have been down for two weeks, but this has not affected the intensity or effectiveness of the troops’ unmanned systems, as confirmed by data from objective monitoring of damage to enemy equipment and personnel.”
This Russian confirmation comes roughly fourteen days after Ukrainian authorities announced that Moscow’s military had lost access to these satellite communication devices.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov had previously reported the terminals were cut off, with other Ukrainian leaders claiming the disruption significantly impacted Russian military capabilities.
Ukraine’s armed forces depend on thousands of Starlink satellite connections for battlefield communications and controlling certain drone missions.
Safeguarding the operational freedom of pork producers remains a primary long-term objective for the National Pork Board, according to a key organization official. Chief sustainability officer Jamie Burr explains that his group assists agricultural producers in implementing Pork Cares Farm Impact Reports.
According to Burr, these specialized reports serve to strengthen important relationships throughout the supply chain while promoting pork’s image as a nutritious and environmentally responsible protein source.
Delaware authorities are continuing their investigation into a fatal propane gas explosion that rocked a Dagsboro residence on September 30th, 2025.
The blast, which investigators have determined was accidental in nature, claimed the life of one person who was inside the home at the time of the incident. A second occupant sustained minor injuries during the explosion.
Officials have confirmed that the explosion involved liquified petroleum gas and have found no evidence suggesting any criminal wrongdoing was involved in the deadly incident.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the explosion remains ongoing as authorities work to determine the exact cause of the tragic accident.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan declared Tuesday that Israel’s acknowledgment of the breakaway Republic of Somaliland serves no positive purpose for either Somaliland or the broader region.
Back in December, Erdogan had condemned Israel’s formal recognition of Somaliland—a northern territory that proclaimed independence in 1991—calling the move both illegal and unacceptable. At that time, he also claimed Israel was attempting to create instability in the Horn of Africa.
Speaking at a news conference while visiting Addis Ababa, Erdogan stated: “I would like to especially underline our stance of valuing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states in the area where Ethiopia is located.” He emphasized that Turkey opposes any new conflicts emerging in the region.
“We believe regional countries need to find solutions to the problems of the region and for the Horn of Africa not to become a competition field for foreign forces. In that regard, I would like to emphasise that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland does not benefit Somaliland or the Horn of Africa,” Erdogan continued.
The NATO member nation has expanded its presence across Africa in recent years, providing training for Somalia’s security personnel and offering development aid in exchange for strategic positioning along crucial international shipping lanes. Turkey has also built strong relationships with other nations in the region, including Ethiopia.
Meanwhile, Somalia has severed all diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates, claiming the UAE influenced Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland. Following this break, Somalia signed a defense pact with Qatar, and Turkey deployed fighter aircraft to its Somali base as a demonstration of military support.
Turkey has emerged as one of Israel’s harshest critics regarding its military operations in Gaza, which Turkish officials have labeled as genocide. The country has halted all commercial dealings with Israel and has advocated for international sanctions against Israeli leadership.
Television viewers watching Major League Baseball games this season will notice something missing from their screens – the familiar strike zone graphics that previously showed whether pitches were balls or strikes.
This change comes as MLB introduces its new automated ball-strike challenge system, which allows teams to contest umpire decisions. While broadcasters can still display the strike zone outline, they will no longer include indicators showing the accuracy of each call.
League officials made this decision to prevent teams from gaining an unfair advantage by watching broadcast feeds to determine which calls to challenge. Under the new system, each team receives two challenges per nine-inning game.
The automated challenge technology debuts this season following extensive testing in Triple-A baseball and during spring training games in 2025. Baseball fans will get their first look at the system on March 25 when the New York Yankees face the San Francisco Giants on Opening Night, marking Netflix’s inaugural live MLB broadcast.
According to Yahoo Sports, an MLB representative explained the reasoning behind removing the visual aids: “With ABS now determining the zone, we want fans to trust the system without second-guessing every call through a digital strike box.”
Chemical manufacturing giant Bayer announced Tuesday it will offer $7.25 billion in a class action settlement aimed at resolving thousands of legal cases alleging the company’s popular herbicide Roundup is linked to cancer.
The pharmaceutical and agriculture company’s head of litigation, Bill Dodero, discussed the proposed agreement during a Tuesday conference call with investors and media representatives. Dodero explained that the settlement would resolve multiple outstanding legal issues.
“By that, we mean addressing all of the present and potential claims of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma,” Dodero stated during the call.
The proposed settlement represents Bayer’s latest attempt to put an end to the mounting legal challenges surrounding Roundup, one of the world’s most widely used weed-killing products. The company has faced numerous lawsuits from plaintiffs who claim exposure to the glyphosate-based herbicide led to their cancer diagnoses.
Delaware farmers who embrace technology-based agricultural methods are experiencing more reliable crop production, according to new research from a leading agricultural analytics company.
Jon Fridgen, who serves as Chief Science Officer at Advanced Agrilytics, reports that his company’s studies demonstrate how farmers benefit when they use scientific data tools to make decisions about fertilizers, seeds, and other farming inputs. The research indicates these tech-savvy growers achieve more predictable harvest results compared to those using conventional approaches.
“With these growers, we’re seeing that yield distribution shift to the right, so that gives us the yield increase,” Fridgen explained. “In the case of corn, we’re cutting about 30 bushels an acre difference.”
The findings suggest that data analytics are becoming increasingly valuable for agricultural operations throughout the region, helping farmers optimize their production while reducing uncertainty in crop outcomes.
The chief executive of the United Soybean Board has stepped down from his position, the organization announced. Lucas Lentsch departed his leadership role immediately after serving the agricultural checkoff organization for two years.
Darryl Chatman, who serves as executive vice president for compliance, will take over as temporary chief executive while the board conducts its search process. According to a statement provided to Brownfield Ag News, the United Soybean Board plans to launch a thorough recruitment process to find a permanent successor.
The organization has not disclosed the specific reasons behind Lentsch’s departure from the leadership position.
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Military weapons were removed from showcases, unmanned aircraft flew over vendor booths, and massive monitors displayed continuous video of rocket strikes throughout the exhibition halls at Tel Aviv’s convention center during the Defense Tech Expo Israel 2026.
The conference united Israeli military contractors, international representatives, and financial backers to showcase innovations spanning personal weapons and automated systems to aerial and rocket defense platforms plus cybersecurity solutions.
Exhibition spaces featured large-scale models of defense missiles and pilotless vehicles, with company representatives explaining combat features to prospective purchasers. Corporate negotiations took place next to monitors displaying war zone simulations and marketing videos.
The current year’s conference demonstrated increased global attention toward Israel’s military industry, with companies marketing products developed through recent military engagements.
Beyond the conference center, a small collection of demonstrators opposed the military and weapons business. Several protesters connected the trade show to the Gaza conflict, carrying placards that called the region a “testing lab” for armaments.
Combined, these events illustrate the conflict between the business presentation of warfare technology and the civic discussion about how it gets used.
This represents a photo collection assembled by AP photography staff.
For nearly two decades, staff at Frederick County’s jail in Maryland have routinely posed two questions to every inmate: Which country holds your citizenship? What is your place of birth?
When responses indicated origins outside the United States, local deputies with specialized federal training would begin investigating potential immigration violations. Frederick County Sheriff Charles Jenkins reports that since 2008, his department has transferred 1,884 individuals to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.
This practice ends immediately following legislation enacted Tuesday by Democratic Governor Wes Moore, which bans immigration enforcement partnerships between local agencies and federal authorities.
Maryland’s new statute demonstrates how Democratic-controlled states are resisting President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement expansion. A total of ten states, all under Democratic leadership, have implemented statewide restrictions preventing law enforcement from participating in key programs Trump uses for mass deportation efforts.
Similar legislation prohibiting ICE cooperation agreements became law this month in New Mexico and took effect in January in Maine. New York Governor Kathy Hochul supports comparable measures that would prevent local officers from receiving ICE deputization. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger recently ended state-level ICE partnerships established by her Republican predecessor, though local sheriff agreements remain intact.
Democratic opposition has intensified as the Trump administration faces growing criticism over large-scale enforcement operations in multiple cities and the deadly shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minnesota.
“There needs to be accountability for this organization, because right now the Trump-Vance ICE operation is not moving with proper accountability measures,” Moore stated to reporters following the signing ceremony.
Frederick County’s longtime Republican sheriff argues that ending the ICE partnership will require releasing individuals who might subsequently commit additional offenses.
“I’m extremely disappointed with the legislation,” Jenkins said, “because really and truly, it’s going to put the public at risk in a lot of ways.”
After assuming office last year, Trump reinstated a decades-old initiative that provides local officers with training to question and detain suspected undocumented immigrants.
The 287(g) initiative — referencing the 1996 legislation that established it — operated under President Joe Biden’s administration solely for immigrants already in custody on criminal charges. Trump broadened its scope to include local task forces authorized to conduct street arrests, reviving an approach that former President Barack Obama had ended due to racial profiling concerns.
Program participation has surged dramatically, growing from 135 agreements across 20 states before Trump’s presidency to over 1,400 current agreements spanning 41 states and territories. Some local departments maintain multiple agreements covering various immigration enforcement functions.
Approximately 800 agencies hold task force agreements, providing the broadest enforcement authority. As incentive, ICE provides local agencies signing task force agreements with $100,000 for new vehicles. For each trained task force officer, ICE covers salary, benefits and $7,500 in equipment costs.
Four Republican-led states — Arkansas, Florida, Georgia and Texas — mandate local jail participation in the program. These states represent half of all 287(g) agreements nationwide.
The expansion of ICE partnerships coincides with increased federal immigration enforcement funding. A major tax reduction law signed by Trump last year allocates $150 billion for immigration enforcement, including over $46 billion to recruit 10,000 ICE agents and $45 billion for expanded immigrant detention facilities.
Nine Maryland counties led by Republican sheriffs maintain cooperative ICE agreements. These partnerships must cease under the new law, which passed with overwhelming support in the Democratic-controlled General Assembly.
Maryland House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk, who arrived from the Dominican Republic at age 8, described the legislation as reflecting Maryland’s commitment to civil rights.
“We value empathy,” she stated. “We value peoples’ contribution. We value the Constitution. We value and support and protect civil rights.”
However, some Republican sheriffs and legislators warn that prohibiting cooperative agreements may prompt ICE to deploy more federal agents within the state.
“I think what you’ll see is more immigrant enforcement, not less,” said Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler, whose department has transferred approximately 430 inmates to ICE over nine years. “Our program was the safest way and the best way to identify people” in the U.S. illegally.
The Department of Homeland Security claimed the new law “will make Maryland less safe” and increase federal workload in the state.
“When politicians bar local law enforcement from working with DHS, our law enforcement officers have to have a more visible presence so that we can find and apprehend the criminals let out of jails and back into communities,” the department stated.
An AP-NORC poll indicates approximately 60% of U.S. adults believe Trump has “gone too far” in deploying federal immigration agents to American cities, with political independents showing increasing discomfort with his methods.
“The growing public pushback against Trump’s immigration enforcement – especially in more Democratic-leaning states – has created political pressure and a political opening to pass laws like the one in Maryland,” said Nayna Gupta, policy director at the nonprofit American Immigration Council.
Tuesday saw Virginia’s Senate approve legislation along party lines establishing significant restrictions on proposed 287(g) agreements. The measure still requires House approval.
“I’m seeking to give some comfort to thousands of men, women and children in the Commonwealth who are living in fear that federal agents might send them or their family members to a country they fled, or a country they have never been to,” said Democratic state Senator Saddam Azlan Salim, the bill’s sponsor.
New Mexico lawmakers also referenced intensive immigration enforcement activities in Minnesota when justifying limits on ICE cooperation. The New Mexico legislation prohibits state and local government contracts for ICE detention facilities and eliminates agreements allowing local officers to perform federal immigration duties.
Curry County, located roughly 100 miles southwest of Amarillo, Texas, represents New Mexico’s sole jurisdiction with a 287(g) agreement. Sheriff Michael Brockett explained the arrangement provides secure transfer methods to ICE custody, “rather than federal agents searching for released prisoners on the streets and in neighborhoods of our community.”
Chemical giant Bayer and lawyers representing cancer patients have unveiled a massive $7.25 billion proposed settlement on Tuesday aimed at ending thousands of lawsuits across the United States that claim the company didn’t adequately warn consumers that its widely-used Roundup herbicide may lead to cancer.
This settlement announcement arrives as the nation’s highest court gets ready to consider arguments regarding Bayer’s position that federal Environmental Protection Agency clearance of Roundup without cancer warnings should nullify lawsuits brought in state courts. The upcoming Supreme Court case won’t be impacted by this proposed agreement.
However, the financial deal would reduce potential risks from a future Supreme Court decision that remains unpredictable — benefiting both the chemical company and patients pursuing compensation.
The German-owned corporation, which bought Monsanto and its Roundup brand in 2018, continues to reject claims that glyphosate, the herbicide’s main component, leads to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Nevertheless, Bayer has expressed concern that escalating litigation expenses are jeopardizing its capacity to keep marketing the product to American farmers.
“Litigation uncertainly has plagued the company for years, and this settlement gives the company a road to closure,” Bayer CEO Bill Anderson said Tuesday.
Attorneys submitted the proposed agreement in St. Louis Circuit Court in Missouri, which houses Bayer’s North American crop science operations and serves as the location where numerous lawsuits have been filed. Court approval is still required for the settlement to move forward.
ST. PAUL, Minn. — As Minnesota’s legislative session begins Tuesday, Democratic lawmakers are pushing to limit the authority of federal immigration enforcement agents within state borders, while their Republican counterparts plan to concentrate on eliminating fraud in government-funded programs that President Donald Trump referenced when defending recent immigration operations.
According to White House border czar Tom Homan, over 1,000 federal officers have already departed the Minneapolis-St. Paul region this past weekend, with hundreds more expected to leave soon. However, the political consequences of these enforcement actions will continue to shape discussions at the state capitol throughout the session, which extends into late May.
Passing meaningful legislation may prove challenging given the legislature’s narrow partisan divide. Republicans control the House with a tied chamber and Republican speaker, while Democrats maintain just a single-seat advantage in the Senate. This means any bill requires support from both parties to advance. Adding complexity, this year brings elections for all 201 legislative positions, and House Speaker Lisa Demuth, who is seeking the Republican gubernatorial nomination, hopes to secure Trump’s backing.
“There are definitely going to be priorities on both sides of the aisle. … But when it comes right down to it, we need to have bipartisan votes to move bills through the committees and get the work done for Minnesotans,” Demuth told reporters Monday.
Enhanced security measures are now in place at the capitol following last summer’s tragic assassination of former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her spouse. All visitors must now pass through weapons detection screening.
Democratic Governor Tim Walz announced a $10 million assistance package last week to help small businesses that suffered customer and employee losses during the federal enforcement operations, with additional aid proposals potentially forthcoming.
Prior to the session’s start, Democratic legislators in both chambers introduced eleven separate bills designed to address what they view as federal immigration officers’ most problematic actions during the recent surge.
The proposed measures would prohibit federal agents from entering schools, daycare facilities, medical centers, and universities. Additional provisions would ban federal officers from concealing their faces with masks while mandating clearly visible identification. The legislation would also require federal authorities to include state investigators in probes of officer-involved shootings, including the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. State officials remain excluded from these investigations, with the FBI formally notifying Minnesota Monday that it will not provide information or evidence from the Pretti death investigation.
House Democratic leader Zack Stephenson acknowledged they don’t anticipate backing from Republican leadership but hope individual GOP members might cross party lines.
“What we’ve seen these last six weeks has been so exceptional, so damaging, that I don’t know how you can be human and not respond to it,” Stephenson said. “But even if it’s not that, we also know it’s an election year and voters are watching, and voters will hold people accountable if they don’t stand up to this administration.”
Stephenson recognized that any state-imposed limitations on federal law enforcement would likely face court challenges.
“But some things are worth fighting for,” Stephenson added. “And if we’re not going to fight for this, what are we doing here?”
Republicans show minimal interest in confronting federal authorities and prefer redirecting attention toward anti-fraud efforts.
“Minnesotans want our state and local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement,” said Rep. Harry Niska, the House’s second-ranking Republican.
A primary Republican anti-fraud goal involves establishing an independent Office of Inspector General to investigate and prevent public fund misuse. The Senate approved similar legislation last year with bipartisan support in a 60-7 vote. House Democratic leadership prevented a floor vote at the previous session’s conclusion, but the proposal returns this year.
Republicans also seek greater accountability measures for agencies and officials who allow fraud to occur under their oversight.
NEW YORK — Federal regulators under the Trump administration are siding with prediction market companies Kalshi and Polymarket as these platforms battle states seeking to shut down their operations.
Michael Selig, who was recently named to lead the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, announced the agency’s backing in what could reshape sports betting regulation across the nation. Should these prediction market companies win their legal fights, it might weaken states’ power to control gambling within their borders.
The federal decision could also create financial benefits for the Trump family. Donald Trump Jr. has put money into Polymarket through his investment firm and serves as a strategic advisor to Kalshi.
Currently, the CFTC oversees prediction markets, giving companies like Kalshi federal permission to operate nationwide, including in states where gambling is prohibited. Multiple states have filed lawsuits against both Polymarket and Kalshi, claiming these companies run illegal gambling operations that violate state laws, demanding they cease operations within state boundaries.
Writing in The Wall Street Journal, Selig declared: “The CFTC will no longer sit idly by while overzealous state governments undermine the agency’s exclusive jurisdiction over these markets by seeking to establish statewide prohibitions on these exciting products.”
These prediction market platforms let users purchase and sell contracts based on likely outcomes of future events. People can place bets on various scenarios, from tomorrow’s weather in Los Angeles to NBA championship winners to potential military conflicts between nations. Contract prices typically range from one cent to 99 cents, reflecting the percentage likelihood users assign to each outcome.
Sports betting dominates both platforms’ business models. About 90% of Kalshi’s trading activity involves sports wagers, while approximately half of Polymarket’s trades focus on sporting events. Kalshi reported over $1 billion in trading volume during the Super Bowl alone.
Nevada has launched the most significant legal challenge, with the Nevada Gaming Control Board taking enforcement action against both companies for allegedly running unlicensed sports betting businesses. A federal judge sided with Nevada officials and granted a temporary restraining order preventing Kalshi from operating in the state.
Kalshi has now appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, prompting the CFTC to file what’s called a “friend of the court” brief supporting the company.
The CFTC traditionally regulates commodities, futures, and derivatives markets including oil futures, farm products, precious metals, and other financial instruments. With approximately 700 staff members, the agency is considerably smaller than the Securities and Exchange Commission’s roughly 5,000 employees. However, the CFTC has expanded its influence significantly over the past five years as cryptocurrency firms and prediction market supporters have gravitated toward its oversight.
By entering this lawsuit, the Trump administration is adopting an unusually expansive interpretation of what constitutes commodities and futures. Selig has changed his stance from his confirmation hearing testimony, where he told senators the CFTC should let courts handle the central legal questions facing Kalshi and Polymarket.
Selig now argues that prediction markets function similarly to traditional futures contracts, allowing customers to protect against weather risks or energy price fluctuations, rather than gambling against the house like traditional sportsbooks. States pursuing legal action counter that while these companies do offer betting on future events, sports wagering makes up the bulk of their business. Additionally, prediction markets typically allow users as young as 18, while state-regulated gambling requires participants to be at least 21.
Selig now maintains that states cannot override federal regulatory authority.
“To those who seek to challenge our authority in this space, let me be clear, we will see you in court,” Selig stated in a video announcement.
Some Republican officials have criticized Selig’s position, including Utah’s governor, whose state maintains some of America’s strictest anti-gambling laws.
“Mike, I appreciate you attempting this with a straight face, but I don’t remember the CFTC having authority over the ‘derivative market’ of LeBron James rebounds,” Governor Spencer Cox wrote on Twitter. “These prediction markets you are breathlessly defending are gambling — pure and simple.”
A major utility company owned by billionaire Warren Buffett’s investment empire is offloading nearly $2 billion worth of power generation facilities and infrastructure as it grapples with potentially catastrophic wildfire-related lawsuits.
PacifiCorp, which operates under Berkshire Hathaway’s umbrella, announced Tuesday it will transfer its Washington state operations to Portland General Electric in a $1.9 billion deal. The massive transaction stems from mounting financial pressures tied to Oregon wildfire litigation that threatens the company’s cash flow.
The sale package encompasses significant energy infrastructure across central and southern Washington, including the Chehalis natural gas facility, the Goodnoe Hills wind farm, two Marengo wind installations, and an extensive network of 4,500 miles of power lines. Portland General Electric will inherit approximately 140,000 customers spanning roughly 2,700 square miles of territory.
Manulife Investment Management will acquire a 49 percent ownership interest in the Washington utility operations, according to Portland General Electric officials. Regulatory approval processes at both federal and state levels are expected to delay the transaction’s completion for at least twelve months. Both companies maintain their headquarters in Portland, Oregon.
The financial strain driving this asset sale traces back to devastating September 2020 wildfires in Oregon. Thousands of residents have filed lawsuits alleging PacifiCorp’s negligence in maintaining active power lines during dangerous windstorm conditions directly caused four major fires.
Legal damages sought in these cases could reach $52 billion, though PacifiCorp expects the final settlement amounts will likely fall below that figure. Court proceedings may continue through 2028. The utility has petitioned Oregon’s state appeals court to overturn class-action status and eliminate compensation requirements for victims’ emotional trauma.
In its official announcement, PacifiCorp described facing “extraordinary pressure” from conflicting regulatory approaches across the six western states where it provides service. These policy differences have undermined the company’s financial stability, available cash reserves, and credit worthiness.
This divestiture represents an unusual move for Berkshire Hathaway, which rarely sells major business units or substantial asset portfolios. Greg Abel assumed the chief executive role at the Omaha-based conglomerate on January 1, replacing legendary investor Warren Buffett. Abel previously managed PacifiCorp’s parent company, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, for approximately ten years.
“PacifiCorp is navigating a complex set of financial and regulatory pressures,” the utility stated. “The sale is an important step in strengthening the company’s overall position and simplifying operations.”
The transaction excludes PacifiCorp’s hydroelectric power generation facilities located in Washington state.
As industrial clients and data processing centers drive unprecedented electricity demand growth, utility companies nationwide are actively pursuing additional power generation and transmission infrastructure to meet increasing consumption.
During a conference call with investors, Portland General Electric CEO Maria Pope described the acquired PacifiCorp facilities as “a valuable mix of natural gas and wind resources that provide safe, reliable and affordable power.”
Portland General Electric also reported adjusted fourth-quarter earnings of $53 million, equivalent to 47 cents per share. Wall Street analysts had projected earnings of 63 cents per share, according to LSEG data.
Four New York City public pension funds have taken legal action against telecommunications giant AT&T, filing a federal lawsuit Tuesday over the company’s decision to block a shareholder proposal focused on workforce diversity reporting.
The pension funds filed their complaint in Manhattan federal court, alleging that AT&T improperly prevented shareholders from voting on a measure that would require the company to publicly share demographic details of its 133,000 employees broken down by race, ethnicity, and gender.
According to the lawsuit, AT&T justified blocking the proposal by pointing to a November policy update from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that allows companies to exclude shareholder proposals if they can demonstrate a “reasonable basis” for doing so.
However, the pension funds argue that SEC rules don’t provide AT&T with valid grounds to prevent the vote at the company’s 2026 annual shareholder meeting. They claim this exclusion causes “irreparable” harm and are seeking to stop AT&T from gathering shareholder proxies that don’t include their diversity proposal.
The lawsuit reveals that the Dallas-headquartered company already provides this workforce demographic information annually to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. While AT&T made this data available to the public from 2021 through 2023, the company discontinued the practice in 2024 without providing any explanation, according to the complaint.
Neither AT&T nor a representative for New York City Comptroller Mark Levine provided immediate responses to requests for comment on the legal action.
The lawsuit involves several major pension funds, including the New York City Employees’ Retirement System along with retirement funds for police officers, teachers, and other educational workers.
This legal challenge comes amid broader corporate governance discussions. Each year, hundreds of corporations request guidance from the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance to ensure they won’t face penalties for removing shareholder proposals from voting ballots. Historically, regulators have approved roughly half of these requests.
SEC Chair Paul Atkins has previously stated that numerous shareholder proposals fail to meet legal standards under Delaware law, where AT&T and approximately two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies maintain their corporate registration.
The timing of this lawsuit coincides with shifting corporate attitudes toward diversity initiatives. Many businesses have scaled back their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a federal crackdown on such efforts, including potential civil litigation threats, which he declared shortly after starting his second presidential term.
The nation’s highest court revealed Tuesday it has implemented automated technology designed to flag potential ethical conflicts among the nine justices, who maintain the final say on whether to remove themselves from cases.
Developed by the court’s IT department working alongside other staff members, this new system will cross-reference details about attorneys and case participants with information supplied by each justice’s chambers, according to a court representative.
Court officials described these “automated recusal checks” as an addition to current methods justices use when evaluating possible conflicts of interest.
Last year, the Supreme Court established its inaugural formal ethics guidelines governing justice behavior. However, critics highlighted the lack of enforcement tools and the continued practice allowing individual justices to personally determine whether to recuse themselves from cases.
According to the court’s ethical standards, justices must step aside from cases where their “impartiality might reasonably be questioned.”
Supporting this technological upgrade, the court announced enhanced documentation standards for certain legal filings, requiring more comprehensive listings of case participants and applicable stock symbols when appropriate. These updated filing rules become effective March 16.
Gabe Roth from Fix the Court advocacy organization described the announcement as “somewhat positive,” while expressing his broader concerns about justices maintaining stock portfolios during their service.
“The court wrote at the end of the code that it would ‘undertake an examination of best practices’ on judicial ethics, and the use of conflict-check software is a best practice,” Roth said, noting software-based checks have long been used by lower courts.
United States women’s soccer coach Emma Hayes announced Tuesday her 26-player roster for the upcoming SheBelieves Cup tournament, marking the first time since she took over two years ago that no newcomers made the squad.
Hayes is using the March tournament as preparation for the team’s World Cup qualifying matches scheduled for this fall. The competition will allow teams to use expanded rosters for the first time.
“The SheBelieves Cup is a fantastic tournament which gives us the opportunity to replicate the group stage of a FIFA tournament,” Hayes said in a statement.
“Three quality games in quick succession also allow us to replicate conditions that will prepare us for the World Cup qualifying campaign this fall.”
The roster includes eight players who won Olympic gold medals at the 2024 Paris Games and brings back 13 athletes from last year’s tournament, which Japan captured to break the Americans’ five-year championship run.
Missing from the squad is Catarina Macario, who leads the team in scoring this year. Hayes explained that the Chelsea striker is recovering from a heel injury and hasn’t been cleared to play for her club team.
“She’s getting closer and closer with every day, but she’s not available for selection yet at Chelsea,” Hayes told reporters. “I don’t know when that is going to come – I don’t know if that’s a week, two or three weeks away.”
Portland Thorns striker Sophia Wilson also won’t participate after taking maternity leave for the 2025 season following her daughter’s birth in September.
“Soph and I spoke and she’s just not ready. The return to play protocol just isn’t giving her enough time, I think, for her to be in the place that she wanted to be in,” Hayes added.
The team features sisters Alyssa and Gisele Thompson, who will compete together in their second SheBelieves Cup.
Just three athletes on the roster have earned more than 100 international caps: Lindsey Heaps with 170, Rose Lavelle with 116, and Gisele Thompson with 113, highlighting the squad’s younger composition.
The tournament’s 11th edition kicks off March 1 in Nashville, where Team USA will open against Argentina before meeting Canada and Colombia.
Six organizations dedicated to park conservation, historical preservation, and scientific education launched legal action Tuesday to halt the Trump administration’s efforts to eliminate informational materials from national parks and monuments, following the removal of displays addressing subjects including slavery and climate science.
The National Parks Conservation Association, American Association for State and Local History, and four additional organizations filed their federal court challenge in Boston, contending that the U.S. Department of the Interior is conducting a “sustained campaign to erase history and undermine science.”
According to the legal filing, the department is eliminating signage and displays from parks in direct violation of congressional directives that govern operations at more than 430 national park locations, implementing an unlawful policy without providing reasonable justification for the removals.
“Censoring science and erasing America’s history at national parks are direct threats to everything these amazing places, and our country, stand for,” stated Alan Spears, senior director of cultural resources at the National Parks Conservation Association.
The Interior Department has not provided a response to requests for comment.
This legal challenge represents one of two court cases filed Tuesday targeting modifications the department has made to national monuments and parks under its oversight as part of Trump’s broader policy agenda.
Multiple community organizations initiated separate litigation in New York, claiming the department illegally removed Pride flags from the Stonewall National Monument, which stands as the nation’s first national monument honoring the LGBTQ rights movement.
The Boston court filing came one day after a Pennsylvania federal judge mandated that the National Park Service restore a display that had been taken down from the President’s House Site at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, which detailed the history of slavery and President George Washington’s ownership of enslaved individuals.
Tuesday’s legal action indicated that this particular exhibit was among multiple displays removed following Trump’s executive order signed in March 2025, which targeted what he described as a “revisionist movement” that depicted the United States as “inherently racist, sexist, oppressive, or otherwise irredeemably flawed.”
Trump’s directive instructed the Interior Department to restore parks, monuments, and memorials that had been altered or removed to combat what the White House characterized as a “false revision of history.”
The lawsuit states that after Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued subsequent orders implementing Trump’s directive, the National Park Service identified hundreds of signs and materials that it has started removing from parks across the country.
These removals include signage at Maine’s Acadia National Park that explained climate change’s effects on the park and discussed the cultural importance of Cadillac Mountain to the Wabanaki people, who are native to that region.
A new study from the San Francisco Federal Reserve reveals that declining unauthorized immigration has contributed to slower job growth across the United States, with construction and manufacturing sectors hit particularly hard.
The research, released Tuesday, examined the surge in unauthorized immigration that started in 2021 and its subsequent decline beginning in March 2024. Researchers discovered that local employment patterns closely mirrored these immigration fluctuations, with job growth rising and falling alongside worker inflows.
These findings carry significant weight as the nation grapples with stricter immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s second administration, potentially affecting both employment prospects and housing costs.
Recent government data revisions revealed the U.S. economy generated just 181,000 new jobs in 2025, a dramatic decrease from the 1.459 million positions created in 2024 during former President Joe Biden’s final year in office. While economists have previously connected this downturn to reduced immigration, the Federal Reserve analysis provides concrete evidence through its comprehensive examination of unauthorized worker movements and their effects on regional job markets.
Federal Reserve economists Daniel Wilson and Xiaoqing Zhou noted in their findings: “On average, places experiencing the biggest slowdowns in unauthorized immigration saw the biggest slowdowns in employment growth in construction, manufacturing, and other services.” They emphasized the construction sector’s vulnerability, stating: “The effect for the construction sector is particularly notable, because it suggests that falling UIWF (unauthorized immigrant worker flows) in recent months could be slowing residential construction and hence slowing down the growth of housing supply.”
The Trump administration maintains that reducing immigration will create opportunities for American workers while making housing more accessible by decreasing home demand.
The study’s authors concluded: “U.S. employment growth is likely to face continued downward pressure as long as the ongoing declines in unauthorized immigrant worker flows continue.”
A San Francisco-based software company has secured a massive $300 million investment round, bringing its total valuation to $5 billion as businesses increasingly rely on artificial intelligence technology.
Temporal announced the Series D funding round, spearheaded by venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, with participation from Lightspeed Venture Partners and Sapphire Ventures. Several existing investors, including Sequoia Capital, also contributed to the round.
The new valuation represents a significant jump from the company’s $2.5 billion worth established during a secondary funding round in October, which was led by Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC.
Since its establishment in 2019, Temporal has focused on developing open-source software and cloud services that provide what the company calls “durable execution” for computer code. This technology allows applications to pick up where they stopped after system failures, eliminating the need for engineers to create custom recovery solutions.
Company co-founder and CEO Samar Abbas explained that this reliability feature is becoming increasingly important as AI systems evolve from simply providing answers to actually performing real-world tasks.
“We’ve been building Temporal for over a decade now and what we are trying to solve is these core reliability problems for distributed systems,” Abbas explained during an interview. “When the software moves from generating answers to executing work, the tolerance of failure basically becomes tiny.”
Abbas emphasized that the funding decision wasn’t driven by “chasing an AI moment,” but rather focused on developing a platform specifically designed to handle reliability challenges in complex, extended processes that AI agents commonly require.
The company operates by providing its open-source software at no cost while generating revenue through Temporal Cloud, a managed service that bills customers according to their usage levels.
Notable clients include major AI company OpenAI, along with other industry leaders such as Snap, Netflix, and JPMorgan Chase.
While the company has not yet achieved profitability, Temporal reported revenue growth exceeding 380% compared to the previous fiscal year. The organization currently employs more than 380 people and intends to allocate the new funding toward research, product development, and expanding sales and marketing operations.
Sarah Wang, an Andreessen Horowitz partner who spearheaded the investment, highlighted the critical nature of reliability in AI systems.
“Reliability is not like an optimization, it’s actually a gating factor for these systems to work,” Wang stated. “Temporal is essentially the execution layer for all of that, so we believe this is the perfect gen AI infrastructure bet.”
Health authorities in South Carolina documented 12 new measles infections between Friday and Tuesday, pushing the state’s total confirmed cases to 962, according to data released by state health officials.
The Tuesday announcement marks a continued climb in what has become a significant outbreak, with health department leaders cautioning that the spread of the highly contagious disease may continue for weeks or even months to come.
Officials point to insufficient vaccination rates as a key factor allowing the outbreak to persist and expand throughout the state. The measles virus spreads rapidly in communities where immunization coverage falls below protective levels.
A senior Federal Reserve official indicated Tuesday that the nation’s central bank plans to keep interest rates unchanged for an extended period as policymakers continue monitoring inflation trends and economic conditions.
Governor Michael Barr told members of the New York Association for Business Economics that current economic conditions support maintaining steady rates while officials evaluate incoming data and assess various risks to the economy.
“Based on current conditions and the data in hand, it will likely be appropriate to hold rates steady for some time as we assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks,” Barr stated during his prepared remarks to the business group.
The Fed governor emphasized a cautious approach to future monetary policy decisions, explaining that officials need adequate time to evaluate changing economic circumstances.
“The prudent course for monetary policy right now is to take the time necessary to assess conditions as they evolve,” Barr explained. He added that he wants to observe “evidence that goods price inflation is sustainably retreating before considering reducing the policy rate further, provided labor market conditions remain stable.”
While Barr acknowledged expectations that tariff-related price pressures may eventually diminish, he stressed that inflation remains a significant concern for policymakers.
“There are many reasons to be concerned that inflation will remain elevated,” he stated. “I see the risk of persistent inflation above our 2% target as significant, which means we need to remain vigilant.”
Regarding employment conditions, Barr noted that recent economic indicators suggest the job market has found stability. However, he cautioned that the employment situation exists in a “delicate balance” and warned that “the labor market could be especially vulnerable to negative shocks.”
During 2024, the Federal Reserve reduced its benchmark interest rate target by 0.75 percentage points, bringing the range to between 3.5% and 3.75%. This action aimed to support a weakening job market while maintaining sufficient economic restraint to combat elevated inflation levels.
President Donald Trump’s trade policies have contributed to inflationary pressures, interrupting what had been a declining trend in price increases. Federal Reserve officials maintained their current rate target during their late January meeting and have generally shown reluctance to signal additional rate reductions.
Barr also addressed the growing influence of artificial intelligence technology on the economy during his speech. He noted that while AI appears to affect employment patterns, it hasn’t become a major factor in overall job losses.
“More broadly, rather than laying off workers, there is evidence that AI adoption is so far leading to re-allocation within firms,” Barr observed. Despite this current trend, he cautioned that “we should be prepared for the possibility that there might be serious short-term disruptions in the labor market, even if the long-term gains to society could be quite favorable.”
The Fed governor suggested that artificial intelligence developments could influence future monetary policy decisions as well.
“In the longer run, I expect AI will boost productivity and living standards,” Barr said, while noting that “I expect that the AI boom is unlikely to be a reason for lowering policy rates.”
Delaware’s agricultural community is confronting challenging financial conditions as federal economists project a substantial decline in farming profits nationwide. The United States Department of Agriculture’s most recent economic analysis shows net farm income is expected to fall by $1.2 billion compared to 2025 projections.
According to Nathan Kauffman from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, crop and livestock prices have maintained relatively stable levels since the beginning of 2024. “They’re still higher than what they were in 2019. But, once again, expenses are much higher than they were in” previous years, Kauffman explained.
The income decline comes despite various federal assistance programs that have helped cushion the financial blow to agricultural producers. Without these government support measures, farming operations across Delaware and the broader Mid-Atlantic region would likely face even more severe economic pressures.
Atlanta United has brought aboard seasoned midfielder Fafa Picault, the team revealed on Tuesday.
The 34-year-old player from Haiti has signed a deal running through 2026, with the club holding an option to extend until June 2027.
Picault was part of Inter Miami’s championship squad that captured the MLS Cup this past season, contributing four goals across 20 regular-season appearances.
“I first met Fafa two decades ago at a clinic for the Haitian community while I was playing for Miami Fusion,” Atlanta chief soccer officer and sporting director Chris Henderson said. “Just a kid at the time, his pace, quality, and joy for the game stood out. I followed his journey closely and worked to bring him to Inter Miami CF.
“Now, after winning MLS Cup this past season, it’s special for me to welcome him to Atlanta United. He has been a productive player in this league for a long time, and he brings experience, professionalism, and championship mentality to our group. For me, this signing is truly full circle, and I’m thrilled we could make it happen.”
Throughout his MLS career beginning in 2017, Picault has tallied 60 goals and 28 assists across 244 matches while suiting up for six different clubs. His professional journey has taken him through Philadelphia Union, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Nashville SC, Vancouver Whitecaps and most recently Miami.
Atlanta United kicks off their 2026 MLS campaign with a road match against FC Cincinnati this Saturday.
WASHINGTON – Federal transportation officials have freed up an additional $77 million in previously frozen funding for the massive $16 billion Hudson Tunnel Project, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Tuesday.
The funding release follows legal action taken by New York and New Jersey after the U.S. Department of Transportation withheld $205 million designated for the tunnel project starting October 1st. Combined with $30 million released last Friday, federal officials have now provided $107 million of the disputed funds.
Despite the partial funding restoration, work on the major infrastructure project remains at a standstill. The Gateway Development Commission, the agency managing the tunnel construction, stated Tuesday they are actively working to “get workers back on the job to resume some construction as soon as possible.”
Motorists across the Delmarva Peninsula should prepare for treacherous driving conditions tonight as the National Weather Service has issued a Dense Fog Advisory effective from 10 PM tonight through 10 AM Wednesday morning.
Visibility will drop dramatically to just one-quarter to one-half mile in dense fog, creating hazardous conditions for drivers throughout the region. The advisory covers all of Delaware, including New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties, as well as the Delaware beaches.
On Maryland’s Eastern Shore, affected areas include Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Caroline, and Sussex counties. The fog will also impact portions of southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.
“Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous,” warns the National Weather Service Mount Holly office, which issued the advisory at 1:15 PM today.
Drivers are strongly urged to take extra precautions if travel is necessary. Slow down significantly, use your headlights, and maintain extra distance between vehicles. Consider delaying non-essential travel until conditions improve.
The Dense Fog Advisory will remain in effect until 10 AM Wednesday morning. Stay tuned to TV Delmarva for continued weather updates and traffic conditions throughout the night.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released encouraging data regarding agricultural export inspections this week, showing gains in several key commodity areas. Both soybean and sorghum shipments demonstrated growth when compared to the previous week and the same timeframe from last year, as Chinese orders placed earlier in the current marketing cycle begin moving through American shipping facilities.
Wheat inspection numbers declined from the prior week but remained higher than year-ago levels, demonstrating continued strong interest from several important international buyers of U.S. grain products.
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — The harrowing scene of Lindsey Vonn writhing in pain on the slopes before being evacuated by helicopter following her Olympic accident served as a brutal reminder of downhill skiing’s inherent risks.
Perhaps most troubling: Her skis never detached.
During her tumbling crash at the Milan Cortina Games, Vonn’s boots stayed locked to her skis, twisting unnaturally as she came to rest while clearly suffering tremendous pain.
While it’s unclear if releasing skis would have prevented her severe tibia break — which has already necessitated several operations — the catastrophic injury has highlighted concerns about binding technology, which connects boots to skis and represents one of skiing’s most outdated systems.
Associated Press sources reveal that an advanced binding mechanism engineered to automatically detach skis when racers like Vonn lose control remains in early conceptual stages following years of delayed conversations.
“Unfortunately, sometimes it does take horrific accidents to shine even more of a light on what can be done,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, president and CEO of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association. “It’s an area we can’t be competitive in; we’ve all got to be in it together with our different country counterparts and FIS (the International Ski and Snowboard Federation).”
Ski bindings have maintained essentially the same fundamental structure for fifty years: After a skier enters toe-first and secures by pressing down their heel, force must be exerted for the mechanism to free the boot. Recreational skiers use bindings calibrated to release more readily to prevent leg trauma; elite competitors have theirs tightened significantly to maintain connection during high-speed racing.
Most observers weren’t shocked that Vonn’s skis stayed on. The real debate centers on whether they should have released.
An intelligent binding system utilizing algorithmic technology and engineered to automatically disengage when skiers lose control “would have surely” prevented Vonn’s leg fracture, according to Peter Gerdol, FIS women’s race director for both Olympic and World Cup competitions.
“That’s exactly what the system will be designed to do,” Gerdol told AP. “Her skis would have definitely popped off. … We’ve seen a lot of other cases in which the bindings don’t open and it results in knee issues, especially when the still-attached ski acts as a lever, either on the net or on the snow or on a gate or on any other obstacle. The leg becomes blocked and the knee gives out.”
Just nine days prior to her Olympic accident, Vonn damaged her left ACL during a crash in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. She ended up tangled in protective netting with her skis still connected.
This intelligent binding technology could utilize components from the protective airbag systems that became required for speed event competitors this season.
“It’s still going to take time to develop but the idea is that the binding would be triggered by the same algorithm that prompts the air bag to inflate,” Gerdol said. “The heel piece would slide back and the athlete’s skis would pop off.”
Dainese and its affiliated company, D-Air Lab, invested years creating algorithmic technology for airbags that inflate beneath racers’ suits after establishing similar systems for motorcycle competition.
Working alongside FIS, Dainese is providing the airbag algorithm to major binding manufacturers including Look, Tyrolia, Salomon, Atomic and Marker to modify the technology for ski release applications.
Automatic ski release presents greater complexity than airbag deployment. Elite athletes sometimes achieve remarkable recoveries after becoming airborne and frequently rely on their skis for braking before colliding with protective barriers.
“It’s a very complicated project,” said Marco Pastore, a Dainese representative on the circuit for the air bag system. “If you release a binding, you’ve got to be absolutely sure you do it at the right moment. For the air bag you can look at the rotations and the entire body position. But with the bindings you’ve got to examine how the feet move, what the trajectory of the skis is — plus a series of other variables.”
Although FIS seeks to oversee the initiative, funding questions persist.
“These are very costly projects and to be honest Dainese has not made much” from the air bags, Pastore said. “Right now it’s costing us money. Everyone wants these great things but at the end of the day someone has to pay for it.”
Sasha Rearick, who led the U.S. men’s ski team from 2008-18, remembers binding discussions during his tenure with the World Cup coaches’ working group almost ten years ago.
“The problem is that Dainese is the one who’s putting the money and all the investments,” Rearick said. “So if they’re sharing it with the binding companies, the binding companies now need to invest heavy, and it probably costs (a lot).”
Markus Waldner, director for men’s World Cup and Olympic racing, stated earlier this season that FIS is “working with bio-mechanists and manufacturers to refine boot and binding standards to reduce the likelihood of catastrophic edge catches at high speed.”
Nevertheless, Gerdol estimates the project could require anywhere from two to six years before implementation.
To prevent accidental ski detachment, technicians adjust racers’ bindings to create virtually permanent connections.
Leo Mussi, who services equipment for American downhill racers Bryce Bennett and Sam Morse, calibrates his athletes’ bindings to withstand up to 200 kilograms (440 pounds) of force — more than twice the capacity of consumer-grade bindings.
Austrian competitor Marco Schwarz sustained significant knee damage during a December 2023 crash at the Bormio downhill. His skis remained attached as he slid into safety barriers.
“It’s tough to say,” he said of whether the skis popping off would’ve saved him from injury, and he isn’t sure about changing things.
“The best way is to keep it simple,” Schwarz said. “I don’t want to push too much into more technology.”
Nina O’Brien, an American athlete who underwent four operations following a severe compound fracture at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, said she didn’t fault any equipment issues for her crash and credited her technician.
“Regardless if I’ve worn the skis that morning, clicked out and gotten a coffee,” O’Brien said, “when I step back in, he checks them to make sure they’re perfect.”
The protective airbag system underwent initial World Cup testing in 2013 and only became mandatory for downhill and super-G speed events this season. During the interim period, some athletes complained the devices affected their aerodynamics, caused discomfort, or potentially contributed to injuries.
Safety concerns gained urgency recently following the death of Italian skier Matteo Franzoso after a preseason training crash in Chile.
“Unfortunately, it always takes something serious to happen for people to say, ‘No. Now we need to do something,’” Pastore said.
This season also marks the first time cut-resistant undergarments are mandatory for all World Cup and Olympic events.
Significant opportunities exist for safety improvements. While smart-binding development continues, Rearick — currently director of Apex 2100, an international ski academy in Tignes, France — recommends addressing racing suit standards.
“Make one suit of material for everybody that’s a little bit warmer, that’s a little bit slower, that’s cut-proof,” Rearick said. “That will make the sport a lot safer for everybody.”
NEW YORK — President Trump’s family business has submitted federal trademark applications seeking exclusive control over using his name on airports, though the company states it won’t charge fees for at least one proposed airport renaming in Florida.
The Trump Organization’s filings with the federal trademark office request sole rights to the president’s name on airports and numerous airport-related items, including passenger shuttle buses, umbrellas, luggage, and flight suits. These applications come as Florida lawmakers debate legislation to rename Palm Beach airport after Trump, while separate disputes involve funding for a New York-New Jersey tunnel linked to proposals naming both that project and Virginia’s Dulles International Airport after the president.
According to the Trump Organization, the Florida legislation prompted these trademark applications, with the company emphasizing it seeks no financial gain — only defense against “bad actors” since the Trump name represents the “most infringed trademark in the world.”
“To be clear, the President and his family will not receive any royalty, licensing fee, or financial consideration whatsoever from the proposed airport renaming,” the company stated, referencing what’s currently known as Palm Beach International Airport, located near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort.
When questioned about potential future royalty charges for Trump’s name at other airports or on merchandise covered in the filings, the company didn’t provide an immediate response.
Trademark attorney Josh Gerben, who discovered these filings over the weekend, described the applications as unprecedented in his experience.
“While presidents and public officials have had landmarks named in their honor, a sitting president’s private company has never in the history of the United States sought trademark rights in advance of such naming,” Gerben explained on his blog. “I should be very clear: these are trademark filings that are completely unprecedented.”
The applications submitted by DTTM Operations, a Trump family company division, to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office cover three variations — President Donald J. Trump International Airport, Donald J. Trump International Airport and DJT.
Over the past year, the family has expanded their branding efforts, attaching the Trump name to towers, golf facilities and housing projects across Dubai, India, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam. The company has additionally marketed Trump-branded electric guitars, bibles and sneakers through the same DTTM division.
Addressing concerns about profiting from his presidency, Trump has maintained that his business operates under a trust managed by his sons, with no direct daily involvement from him.
LONDON (AP) — Participants wearing elaborate outfits that included a giant number two pencil, penguin, and strawberry costume dashed across a downtown London plaza while clutching frying pans during the city’s traditional annual pancake flipping race. The festive event marks the observance of Shrove Tuesday, commonly called Fat Tuesday, which represents the last day before Lent begins — the 40-day period of Christian fasting.
The photo collection was assembled by Associated Press photography staff.
ATLANTA — Survivors of a devastating Georgia school shooting broke down in tears Tuesday as they described the terrifying moments when bullets began flying in their classroom two years ago.
The emotional testimony came during the criminal trial of Colin Gray, whose son Colt Gray is accused of orchestrating the deadly September 4, 2024 attack at a high school northeast of Atlanta. The shooting claimed the lives of four people – two educators and two students – while injuring several others.
One ninth-grader described the moment she discovered a bullet wound in her wrist during the chaos in her Algebra I classroom.
“I was also worried that I was going to die and how that would affect my parents because my dad has a heart problem,” the student testified.
As emergency responders evacuated her from the building, she encountered the suspected shooter restrained on the ground and confronted him directly.
“I remember yelling at him that we were kids, because we were kids,” she said during testimony where her face was not shown due to her age.
The case represents part of a growing national trend where prosecutors seek to hold parents accountable when their children carry out mass shootings.
Colt Gray, just 14 when the attack occurred, is facing 29 criminal charges including second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and multiple counts of cruelty to children.
District Attorney Brad Smith argued in opening statements Monday that Colin Gray bears responsibility for giving his son access to deadly weapons after receiving clear warnings about potential violence.
“This case is about this defendant and his actions in allowing a child that he has custody over access to a firearm and ammunition after being warned that that child was going to harm others,” Smith told jurors.
Defense attorney Brian Hobbs countered that the father couldn’t have prevented what his son deliberately concealed from him.
“That’s the difference between tragedy and criminal liability,” Hobbs argued. “You cannot hold someone criminally responsible for failing to predict what was intentionally hidden from them.”
Investigators revealed that Colt Gray transported a semi-automatic rifle to school hidden in his backpack, with the barrel protruding and concealed by poster board. After leaving his second-period class, he retrieved the weapon from a restroom and opened fire in classrooms and corridors.
The prosecution outlined a disturbing pattern of warning signs that preceded the attack. In September 2021, school officials discovered Colt had searched “how to kill your dad” on a school computer, though authorities later dismissed it as a misunderstanding.
More significantly, 16 months before the shooting in May 2023, federal authorities contacted the family after tracing online threats against an elementary school to their home computer. When questioned about his son’s gun access, Colin Gray assured investigators that they “take this school shooting stuff very seriously.”
Despite these red flags, Colin Gray purchased the rifle as a Christmas gift for his son that year and continued buying accessories and large quantities of ammunition afterward.
Prosecutors revealed that Colin Gray was aware of his son’s disturbing obsession with previous school shooters, including maintaining what they described as a shrine to the Parkland, Florida gunman in his bedroom.
Perhaps most chilling was a text message Colin Gray received from his son just three weeks before the attack: “Whenever something happens, just know the blood is on your hands.”
Court testimony also revealed that Colin Gray recognized his son’s declining mental health and had reached out to counseling services weeks before the shooting.
“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,” Colin Gray wrote about his son’s condition.
However, prosecutors argue that despite expressing these concerns, Colin Gray failed to follow through on getting his son admitted to an inpatient mental health facility.
SAVANNAH, Ga. — A tragic collision just outside Savannah has claimed the life of a dedicated educator after a man evading federal immigration agents crashed into her vehicle while she was traveling to work, according to law enforcement and school district officials.
The fatal accident occurred Monday when 38-year-old Oscar Vasquez Lopez, a Guatemalan national, attempted to escape during a traffic stop conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. Lopez now faces multiple charges including vehicular homicide, reckless driving, and operating a vehicle without proper licensing, and remained behind bars Tuesday. Federal authorities confirm Lopez was residing in the country without legal status.
ICE agents were actively seeking Lopez to carry out a deportation directive issued by an immigration judge in 2024, according to agency spokesperson Lindsay Williams, who noted Tuesday that Lopez had no prior criminal record.
The sequence of events began when Lopez initially complied with officers’ emergency signals and pulled his vehicle to the side of the road, Williams explained. However, as agents approached, Lopez suddenly accelerated away from the scene, executed a dangerous U-turn, and ran through a red traffic signal before the devastating collision occurred.
When questioned about whether federal officers pursued the fleeing vehicle, Williams clarified: “Chased? I wouldn’t say that. They followed him until he crashed.”
Williams could not specify the distance Lopez traveled before the fatal impact.
School district officials have identified the victim as Linda Davis, who taught special education students at Herman W. Hesse K-8 School in the Savannah-Chatham County system.
Davis earned deep respect throughout her school community, according to Principal Alonna McMullen.
“She dedicated her career to ensuring that every child felt supported, valued, and capable of success,” McMullen stated in an official announcement. “Her kindness, patience, and enthusiasm created a nurturing environment for her students and inspired those around her.”
The deadly collision took place within half a mile of Davis’s workplace. Although students enjoyed a holiday Monday for Presidents Day, teaching staff were scheduled to report for duty. District spokesperson Sheila Blanco confirmed Davis was en route to the school when the accident occurred.
As of Tuesday, jail documentation showed no legal representation had been assigned to Lopez, and bond information was not available. Court records had not yet reflected his case details.
The incident comes amid heightened examination of federal immigration enforcement methods during the current administration’s expanded efforts to address unauthorized immigration, particularly following a recent fatal shooting involving ICE agents in Minneapolis that killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Department of Homeland Security representative Tricia McLaughlin issued a statement criticizing “politicians and the media constantly demonizing ICE officers and encouraging those here illegally to resist arrest.”
Chatham County police confirmed they had no advance knowledge of the federal operation or the traffic stop that preceded the fatal crash.
Area leaders are questioning whether Davis’s death could have been avoided through different enforcement approaches.
“I’ve always been and remain very concerned about the activities of ICE in cities, particularly where they’re not coordinating or communicating,” Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, who previously served in law enforcement, told media representatives Tuesday.
“What this individual was wanted for, did it necessitate the end result?” Johnson asked.
Chester Ellis, who chairs the Chatham County Board of Commissioners, pointed to local police department restrictions that permit vehicle pursuits only when officers suspect violent felony activity is involved or imminent.
“The no-chase policy is to help protect our citizens more than it is anything else,” Ellis explained to WTOC-TV. “So there may have been a different way to corner the individual so that he could not run, or that he could not cause the accident that took the life of Dr. Davis.”
A federal judge has blocked Immigration and Customs Enforcement from taking back into custody a Salvadoran man residing in Maryland, determining that the mandatory 90-day detention window has lapsed and federal officials lack a realistic deportation strategy.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s situation has emerged as a significant case in ongoing immigration discussions following his erroneous deportation to El Salvador in the previous year. Upon his return to the United States, he has been contesting efforts by Department of Homeland Security personnel to send him to multiple African nations.
U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis of Maryland criticized the government’s approach in her Tuesday ruling, stating they “made one empty threat after another to remove him to countries in Africa with no real chance of success.” She concluded that “there is no ‘good reason to believe’ removal is likely in the reasonably foreseeable future.”
The man maintains family ties in America through his wife and child and has established residence in Maryland over several years, though he originally entered the country without authorization as a minor. A 2019 immigration court decision determined he could not be sent back to El Salvador due to gang-related threats against his family there, yet he was incorrectly deported regardless.
Under mounting public criticism and judicial pressure, the Trump administration facilitated his return in June, though only after obtaining criminal charges against him for alleged human trafficking activities in Tennessee. He has entered a not guilty plea to these charges. Administration officials maintain he cannot remain in the United States permanently and have indicated plans to deport him to Uganda, Eswatini, Ghana, or Liberia according to court documents.
Judge Xinis highlighted in her decision that the government has “purposely—and for no reason—ignored the one country that has consistently offered to accept Abrego Garcia as a refugee, and to which he agrees to go,” referring to Costa Rica.
His legal representative, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, contended during proceedings that immigration detention should not function as punishment. He argued that immigrants may only be held to enable their removal and cannot be confined indefinitely without a realistic deportation strategy.
“Since Judge Xinis ordered Mr. Abrego Garcia released in mid-December, the government has tried one trick after another to try to get him re-detained,” Sandoval-Moshenberg stated in a Tuesday email. “In her decision today, she recognized that if the government were truly trying to remove Mr. Abrego Garcia from the United States, they would have sent him to Costa Rica long before today.”
An Italian pharmaceutical company announced ambitious financial targets for 2026 on Tuesday, projecting core earnings between 995 million and 1.03 billion euros ($1.18-1.22 billion) following strong performance in its rare diseases division.
Recordati’s strategic shift toward specialized treatments for uncommon medical conditions has proven successful, with therapies targeting endocrine disorders leading the charge. This focus has helped protect the company from pricing challenges and currency fluctuations that have impacted the broader European drug market.
“There is excellent momentum in rare diseases, which continues to be a key driver of growth and value creation for the group,” Chief Executive Officer Rob Koremans said in a statement.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Milan-headquartered company anticipates net revenues ranging from 2.73 to 2.80 billion euros, though currency headwinds are expected to create roughly a 3.5% negative impact. Management also expects adjusted net income to fall between 655-685 million euros.
The pharmaceutical firm reported impressive 2025 results, with core earnings climbing 14.5% compared to the previous year, reaching 991.1 million euros and achieving a 37.8% margin on net revenue. Total revenue expanded 11.8% to 2.62 billion euros.
Adjusted net income increased 14.5% annually to 651.1 million euros. The rare diseases division showed particularly strong performance, surging 29.7% compared to 2024, or 16.6% when accounting for comparable business conditions.
Television host Stephen Colbert announced Monday evening that CBS legal representatives blocked the broadcast of his conversation with Texas Democratic State Representative James Talarico, who seeks his party’s U.S. Senate nomination.
During Monday’s episode of “The Late Show,” Colbert stated, “Donald Trump’s administration wants to silence anyone who says anything bad about Trump on TV, because all Trump does is watch TV.”
The Federal Communications Commission, now under Republican leadership, announced last month that daytime and evening talk programs no longer qualify as legitimate news shows exempt from equal opportunity regulations. These rules mandate that broadcasters provide comparable airtime to competing political candidates.
Colbert directed criticism toward FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and CBS attorneys, arguing they implemented Carr’s policy for “purely financial reasons.”
This explanation mirrors Paramount’s justification when announcing in July that Colbert’s show would conclude in May while the company pursues FCC approval for its $8.4 billion acquisition by Skydance Media.
News organizations reported earlier this month that the FCC launched an inquiry into whether ABC’s daytime program “The View” violated equal time regulations following Talarico’s guest appearance.
President Donald Trump has consistently urged Carr to challenge U.S. television networks and has denounced what he perceives as biased reporting.
The blocked interview appeared on the show’s YouTube channel, accumulating approximately one million views by 11 a.m. Eastern Time.
Before January, talk show programs qualified for equal opportunity exemptions as legitimate news interviews, following a 2006 FCC Media Bureau decision regarding Jay Leno’s “The Tonight Show” interview segments.
Television networks have used this precedent to justify recent candidate interviews.
Neither Carr, Paramount Skydance, nor CBS responded to comment requests regarding Colbert’s statements. The White House declined commentary.
Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez condemned CBS’s choice to withhold the interview, characterizing it as censorship. She emphasized that the FCC lacks legal power to pressure broadcasters for political motives and that CBS maintains free speech protections to broadcast the conversation.
“This represents another concerning instance of corporate surrender to this administration’s extensive effort to censor and manipulate speech,” Gomez stated. “While Paramount, CBS’s parent corporation, faces regulatory matters with the government, business interests cannot excuse withdrawing newsworthy programming.”
Paramount Skydance currently pursues the acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery.
Carr encountered bipartisan opposition after demanding broadcasters remove ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel in September, threatening penalties or license revocation, declaring “it’s time for them to step up.”
Two prominent broadcasters agreed to remove Kimmel, and Disney temporarily suspended his program before reinstatement. In December, Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin confronted Carr, stating “you used your position within the federal government to take Jimmy Kimmel off the air in a clear attempt to chill free speech.”
Minnesota Twins star pitcher Pablo Lopez faces a lengthy recovery after suffering a major tear to the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm, team General Manager Jeremy Zoll announced on Tuesday.
The 30-year-old right-handed ace may require Tommy John surgery, which would end his 2025 season. Lopez is seeking additional medical opinions before making a final decision on treatment.
The injury became apparent during Monday’s live batting practice session, which Lopez had to stop early. Manager Derek Shelton described the issue at the time as “a little bit of elbow soreness.”
Lopez was participating in spring training activities at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida, where he pitched more than two innings against live batters. He had been getting ready to represent Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
The veteran pitcher, who celebrates his 30th birthday on March 7, has dealt with multiple injuries recently. Despite making 32 starts in both 2022 and 2024, Lopez spent time on the injured list three separate times in 2025 due to hamstring, shoulder muscle, and forearm problems. He finished with a 5-4 record and 2.74 ERA across 14 starts, pitching 75 2/3 innings.
Throughout his eight-year major league career split between Miami (2018-2022) and Minnesota, Lopez has compiled a 59-53 record with a 3.81 ERA. The 2023 All-Star has struck out 994 batters while walking 251 over 965 innings pitched across 172 career starts. He is currently in the third year of a four-year contract worth $73.5 million that he signed in 2023.
GENEVA – A United Nations committee is defending one of its Palestinian rights experts after multiple European governments demanded her removal based on statements she says she never made.
The UN Coordination Committee issued a strong rebuke Tuesday against what it called malicious attacks targeting Francesca Albanese, the organization’s special rapporteur for Palestine. The committee accused European officials of spreading false information about the Italian lawyer’s comments.
Over the past week, government ministers from Germany, France, Italy, and the Czech Republic have called for Albanese’s removal from her position. The controversy began when Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka posted on social media Friday, claiming Albanese had described Israel as a “common enemy of humanity” and demanding her resignation.
However, a Reuters review of transcripts from Albanese’s February 7 speech in Doha found no evidence she used those words, though she has been a consistent critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The six-member UN committee, which oversees the work of special rapporteurs, accused the European ministers of relying on fabricated information.
“Instead of demanding Ms Albanese’s resignation for performing her mandate…these government representatives should join forces to hold accountable, including before the International Criminal Court, leaders and officials accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza,” the committee stated.
The panel warned that the pressure against Albanese represents a growing pattern of politically driven attacks targeting independent human rights investigators, UN staff, and international court judges.
The Trump administration has also taken action against Albanese, imposing sanctions after she sent correspondence to American companies, alleging their involvement in human rights violations by Israel in Gaza and the West Bank.
Special rapporteurs like Albanese work independently from the UN itself, though they are appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council to investigate and report on specific human rights situations.
While no special rapporteur has ever been removed mid-term, diplomatic sources indicate that member states of the 47-nation council could theoretically propose such action. However, they noted that strong Palestinian rights support within the council makes successful removal unlikely.
Three student-athletes from Salisbury University have been recognized with Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week awards, sponsored by Jersey Mike’s A Sub Above program.
Baseball players Jackson Inman and Aidan Brinsfield claimed the season’s inaugural weekly honors from the C2C conference for their performances during the February 9-15 period. The duo’s recognition marks the first weekly awards of the new baseball season.
Women’s lacrosse standout Avery Dunbar also earned recognition, capturing C2C Offensive Player of the Week honors for her scoring performance on the field.
The awards highlight strong early-season performances by Sea Gulls athletes across multiple sports programs at the Salisbury campus.
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – The Swedish women’s curling team’s perfect record came to an end Tuesday at the Winter Olympics, but Anna Hasselborg and her squad still found reason to celebrate after securing their place in the semi-finals.
The Swedish team, which had dominated their first six round-robin matches, fell 8-6 to Canada’s Rachel Homan-led squad, marking their initial setback of the tournament. Canada, holding two world championship titles, handed Sweden their first defeat in what proved to be a closely contested match.
Hasselborg expressed surprise and joy upon learning of her team’s semi-final qualification despite the loss.
“What! I didn’t know. Oh, wow. Okay, this made me very happy,” Hasselborg remarked when told of their advancement. “We’re qualified. Woo! Okay, that’s good news and also a little weird, because I’m very disappointed with my own performance there. But that was a bandage!”
The Swedish skip reflected on the competitive nature of the match, adding, “I think this game could have gone either way, with two teams trying to figure it out. It’s just like proof that we have done something really right, all the other games.”
This marks the third consecutive Olympics where Hasselborg’s team has reached the semi-final round. The squad captured gold at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and earned bronze four years later in Beijing.
Canada’s victory brought their tournament record to four wins, placing them in a tie for fourth position with South Korea.
“Every game here is huge for us,” Homan commented following the win. “We have to keep playing our game, keep staying within ourselves. We’re just taking it one shot at a time right now.”
Tuesday’s action also saw Switzerland and the United States both claim victories, creating a deadlock for second place in the standings. Switzerland, led by Silvana Tirinzoni and boasting four world championship titles, defeated South Korea 7-5. Meanwhile, Tabitha Peterson’s American team dominated Denmark with a commanding 10-3 victory.
In other Tuesday results, host nation Italy secured their second tournament win by defeating Japan 8-6.
The round-robin format continues Wednesday, with each team scheduled to play nine total matches. The top four finishers will advance to Friday’s semi-final competition.
Delaware’s agricultural community is increasingly embracing leasing arrangements as economic pressures mount across the farming sector. Financial institutions report growing demand from producers seeking alternative ways to acquire necessary equipment and infrastructure without straining their budgets.
Anjie Erbsen, who serves as a senior leasing specialist with Compeer Financial, explains that her work involves helping agricultural clients secure leasing arrangements for various operational needs including structures, grain processing systems, and farming machinery.
“We are in an area in the ag economy currently where cash flow is tight for many clients, so we also want to make sure” farmers have access to flexible financing options, Erbsen noted.
The shift toward leasing reflects broader challenges facing Delaware’s farming community as producers seek ways to maintain operations while managing financial constraints in today’s agricultural marketplace.
Trading activity in the cash cattle markets remains sluggish during midday hours, with buyers and sellers yet to establish clear pricing levels. Market participants have not revealed their bid or asking prices as negotiations continue.
Based on patterns observed in recent weeks, substantial trading volumes are expected to materialize later in the week, most likely occurring on Thursday or Friday. Meanwhile, at Missouri’s Joplin Regional Stockyards, feeder steers under 800 pounds have seen price increases ranging from $5 to $20 per head compared to previous sessions.
Weather forecasters are predicting warmer-than-usual conditions for most of the United States in the coming week and a half, according to the latest national weather outlook.
The extended forecast covering the next 6 to 10 days indicates that temperatures and rainfall amounts are expected to meet or exceed seasonal averages across the majority of the nation. Active weather patterns are anticipated to persist for most regions during this timeframe.
However, some areas will experience different conditions. Temperatures below normal are forecast to remain limited to northern California, the Pacific Northwest region, and communities situated along the Canadian border extending eastward to North Dakota.
Regarding precipitation, below-average rainfall is expected to affect a specific corridor, though the complete details of this drier zone were not fully specified in the initial forecast data.
Drivers in Seaford will need to find alternate routes as the Market Street drawbridge begins a lengthy construction period that will keep it closed for nearly two years.
According to the Delaware Department of Transportation, the bridge closure went into effect and will remain in place through April 9, 2026, with traffic expected to resume at 6 PM on that date.
The extended shutdown affects one of Seaford’s key transportation corridors, requiring motorists to use other crossings during the construction period. DelDOT has not yet released specific details about the nature of the construction work being performed on the drawbridge structure.
Local residents and commuters should plan for additional travel time and consider alternative routes while the infrastructure project is underway.
Maryland’s Agricultural Fair Board has announced plans for a virtual meeting set to take place on February 19th, 2026, beginning at 1:00 pm.
During the online session, board members will review organizational reports, discuss financial matters, and engage in strategic planning discussions focused on operational improvements.
Those seeking additional details about the upcoming meeting can reach out to Harrison Palmer, who serves as Chief of Staff. Palmer can be contacted via email at [email protected] or by phone at (410) 841-5882.
Delaware residents may have received a tsunami warning alert on February 17th, but there was no cause for alarm as it was only a test.
The National Weather Service’s Tsunami Warning Center conducted a routine emergency alert test that began at 12:30 PM Eastern Standard Time and concluded at 1:30 PM on the same day.
These types of testing exercises are conducted periodically to verify that emergency notification systems are working correctly and can effectively reach the public during actual emergencies.
The one-hour test helped ensure that warning protocols and communication channels remain functional for potential future coastal emergencies affecting the Delmarva Peninsula region.
WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors have delivered additional subpoenas as part of a Florida-based probe examining the government’s handling of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential race, sources with knowledge of the investigation tell the Associated Press.
The initial round of subpoenas sent out in November sought documents connected to the creation of an intelligence community report that outlined Russia’s comprehensive campaign to assist Trump in defeating Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election.
While the earlier subpoenas focused on materials from around the January 2017 release of the intelligence report during the Obama administration’s final days, these newer legal demands are seeking any documentation from the years that followed, according to sources who requested anonymity when discussing the non-public investigative requests.
The Justice Department refused to provide comment on Tuesday.
These subpoenas demonstrate ongoing investigative work in one of multiple criminal probes the Justice Department has launched targeting Trump’s political adversaries. Various former intelligence and law enforcement leaders have received subpoenas in this investigation. Legal representatives for former CIA Director John Brennan, who supervised the intelligence assessment’s creation and whom Trump has labeled “crooked as hell,” stated they’ve been notified he’s a target but haven’t been given any “legally justifiable basis for undertaking this investigation.”
The intelligence community report, released during the Obama administration’s closing days, determined that Russia had formed a “clear preference” for Trump in 2016 and that Vladimir Putin had directed an influence operation designed to weaken faith in American democratic processes and damage Clinton’s electoral prospects.
This finding, along with a separate probe into potential coordination between Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia, have remained among the Republican president’s primary complaints, and he has promised payback against government officials who participated in these inquiries. The Trump administration’s Justice Department indicted former FBI Director James Comey last year on charges of making false statements and obstruction, though the case was subsequently dropped.
Several government investigations, including bipartisan congressional studies and former special counsel Robert Mueller’s criminal probe, have confirmed that Russia interfered to benefit Trump through hacking and releasing Democratic emails and conducting a hidden social media operation designed to create division and influence American voters. Mueller’s investigation concluded that Trump’s campaign eagerly accepted Russian assistance, but didn’t prove that Russian agents and Trump or his team conspired to manipulate the election outcome.
The Trump administration has recently reexamined the intelligence community assessment partly because a classified section included a summary of the “Steele dossier,” a collection of Democratic-funded opposition research compiled by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele and subsequently provided to the FBI. This research into Trump’s possible Russian connections contained unverified claims and scandalous allegations, and Trump has consistently highlighted its flaws to undermine the entire Russia investigation.
A declassified CIA review commissioned by current Director John Ratcliffe and published last July criticizes Brennan’s supervision of the assessment.
The review doesn’t dispute the finding of Russian election meddling but criticizes Brennan for allowing the classified version to reference the Steele dossier.
Brennan told Congress, and also stated in his book, that he opposed including the dossier in the intelligence assessment because its content and sources hadn’t been verified, and he has maintained the dossier didn’t influence the assessment’s conclusions. He claims the FBI advocated for its inclusion.
The recent CIA review attempts to portray Brennan’s position differently, claiming he “showed a preference for narrative consistency over analytical soundness” and ignored dossier concerns because he felt it aligned “with existing theories.” It cites him, without providing context, as stating in writing that “my bottomline is that I believe that the information warrants inclusion in the report.”
In a December letter sent to the chief judge of the Southern District of Florida, where the investigation is headquartered, Brennan’s attorneys questioned the investigation’s foundation, asking what justification prosecutors had for launching the inquiry in Florida and noting they had received no explanation from prosecutors about what potential crimes were being examined.
“While it is mystifying how the prosecutors could possibly believe there is any legally justifiable basis for undertaking this investigation, they have done nothing to explain that mystery,” the lawyers said.
Wisconsin dairy farmers are lagging behind in enrolling for a federal protection program designed to help their operations. According to Katie Detra from Wisconsin’s Farm Service Agency, just 1,616 dairy operations had finished registering for the Dairy Margin Coverage program by February 17th.
The enrollment figure represents merely 31.5% of Wisconsin’s 5,116 licensed dairy operations, leaving thousands of farms without coverage. Detra is urging dairy farmers across the state to complete their enrollment in the program.
ARLINGTON, Va. — Delaware farmers will soon have access to cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology that can measure the nitrogen benefits from their cover crops, thanks to a major new conservation initiative.
The Nature Conservancy is leading this groundbreaking program that combines farmers, conservation organizations, agricultural businesses, universities, and government agencies to provide AI-powered data about cover crops and their nitrogen contributions to farming operations.
According to The Nature Conservancy, this initiative targets a significant information gap regarding nitrogen management for corn production that follows diverse cover crop plantings.
The organization anticipates the program will eliminate the need for 3 million pounds of nitrogen fertilizer that farmers would typically need to buy and spread on their land.
The technology relies on PlantMap3D, a system created by North Carolina State University. Agricultural service companies Willard Agri-Service and GROWMARK FS will install specialized cameras on spray equipment to capture detailed photographs of cover crops during spring herbicide treatments. Artificial intelligence software trained to recognize different cover crop species will then process these images.
The outcome will be detailed maps showing exactly where nitrogen from cover crops is present across each acre, giving farmers precise information to adjust their fertilizer applications and apply nutrients only where necessary.
“AI-powered camera systems are how we can finally bring precision and sustainable agriculture together,” explained Chris Reberg-Horton, a North Carolina State University professor working on the project. “We hope this program will help farmers reduce their costs while also improving environmental outcomes.”
This four-year conservation effort plans to encompass 150,000 acres throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including 37,500 acres in Delaware, 92,500 acres in Maryland, and 20,000 acres in Pennsylvania. Implementation begins this spring growing season.
The USDA contributed $16 million in federal support through the USDA-NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program, while partner organizations provided an additional $11.3 million in funding.
The initiative seeks to help farmers better understand and modify their actual nitrogen requirements while preserving crop yields, preventing greenhouse gas emissions, and enhancing soil and water quality throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed, according to The Nature Conservancy’s announcement.
“Knowledge is power, and this program arms TNC and our agricultural partners with unparalleled data that will boost biodiversity, water quality and farmers’ bottom lines in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, a globally important conservation landscape,” stated Amy Jacobs, Chesapeake Bay Director at The Nature Conservancy. “We are thrilled to be working with partners that are leaders in their field to deploy this new technology to support farmers with solutions that are both good for the environment and their businesses.”
Delaware farmers interested in joining this program can submit applications through February 28. Requirements and application details include:
• Location: Delaware farmers in all counties are eligible (New Castle, Kent, Sussex); Maryland farmers must be in Baltimore, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Talbot, Queen Anne’s or Wicomico counties; Pennsylvania farmers must be in Adams, Cumberland or York counties.
• Farms must currently use multi-species cover crops containing legumes, with plans to terminate them this spring (Spring 2026).
• To apply, contact Amanda Bunn, Applied Agricultural Conservationist at The Nature Conservancy, at [email protected].
Part of the project funding will assist Pennsylvania farmers in establishing mixed-species cover crops on their properties, since Pennsylvania lacks a centralized cover crop program similar to those in Maryland and Delaware, where cover crop adoption is more widespread.
“In partnership with the Pennsylvania and Delaware Maryland 4R Alliances, TNC, agribusinesses, and government agencies have been working to ensure that every application of fertilizer is guided by the 4Rs of nutrient management: using the right source, at the right time, in the right place, and applying the right amount,” Jacobs added.
PARIS — Officials in France announced Tuesday that they have freed an oil tanker detained last month in Mediterranean waters, which authorities believe was operating as part of Russia’s covert shipping network designed to bypass international oil sanctions.
In a social media statement, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot revealed that the vessel named Grinch was permitted to depart French territorial waters following payment of a financial penalty worth “several million euros” and enduring “three weeks of costly immobilization.”
“Circumventing European sanctions comes at a price. Russia will no longer be able to finance its war with impunity through a ghost fleet off our coasts,” Barrot said.
French naval forces had redirected the vessel last month and secured it at the Fos-sur-Mer port during an investigation into allegations of operating without proper flag documentation. The ship’s crew members, all of Indian citizenship, remained aboard throughout the detention.
“As part of a guilty plea procedure the company that owns the vessel was sentenced by the Marseille judicial court to a financial penalty of confiscation,” according to a combined statement from the Marseille prosecutor’s office and regional maritime authorities.
Officials did not reveal the precise sum of the monetary penalty.
Intelligence reports suggest Russia operates more than 400 vessels to circumvent sanctions related to its military campaign in Ukraine. France and allied nations have pledged to intensify enforcement efforts.
This covert maritime operation consists of deteriorating ships and oil carriers controlled by obscure companies registered in non-sanctioning nations, operating under those countries’ flags.
In September, French naval personnel boarded another oil vessel off France’s Atlantic coastline that President Emmanuel Macron also connected to the shadow fleet operation. Putin condemned that seizure as an act of piracy.
The captain of that September incident faces trial next week on charges related to the crew’s alleged failure to comply with authorities.
Television host Stephen Colbert disclosed that CBS network attorneys blocked his scheduled interview with Texas Democratic Senate hopeful James Talarico from appearing on Monday evening’s program due to concerns about violating federal broadcasting regulations regarding equal time for political candidates.
During his program “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” the host explained the situation to viewers. “He was supposed to be here, but we were told in no uncertain terms by our network’s lawyers, who called us directly, that we could not have him on the broadcast,” Colbert stated.
The comedian went on to reveal additional restrictions placed on the discussion. “Then I was told, in some uncertain terms, that not only could I not have him on, I could not mention me not having him on. And because my network clearly doesn’t want us to talk about this, let’s talk about this.”
The incident occurred just as early voting commenced in Texas primary elections, highlighting how media organizations are adapting to revised broadcasting regulations implemented during the Trump administration that govern political candidate interviews.
Talarico shared portions of the conversation on social media platforms, describing it as “the interview Donald Trump didn’t want you to see.”
While broadcasters have long been subject to equal time requirements for political candidates, these regulations historically did not extend to talk show programming. However, the Federal Communications Commission released updated guidance in January, alerting late-night and daytime television hosts that they must now provide equal access to political candidates. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr challenged the previous talk show exemption, suggesting hosts were acting with “partisan purposes.”
The FCC’s public notice stated: “The FCC has not been presented with any evidence that the interview portion of any late night or daytime television talk show program on air presently would qualify for the bona fide news exemption.”
Colbert pointed out that equal time rules apply only to traditional broadcast television, not streaming services. As a result, his approximately 15-minute conversation with Talarico appeared on his show’s YouTube channel instead, with the host specifically noting the segment would only be available online rather than on television.
On social media platform X, Talarico posted a brief excerpt from their discussion, writing: “This is the interview Donald Trump didn’t want you to see. His FCC refused to air my interview with Stephen Colbert. Trump is worried we’re about to flip Texas.”
Neither CBS nor the FCC provided immediate responses to requests for comment on Tuesday.
Texas voters began early voting Tuesday in races where Talarico and Representative Jasmine Crockett are among Democrats competing for the U.S. Senate position currently occupied by four-term Republican Senator John Cornyn. The primary election is scheduled for March 3.
Chairman Carr, whom Trump selected to head the agency last year, has frequently targeted network talk shows with criticism. He previously suggested that investigating ABC’s “The View” — whose hosts regularly critique Trump — regarding the exemption could be “worthwhile.”
Colbert’s tenure as host is approaching its end, following CBS’s decision last year to conclude his program in May due to financial considerations, ending a long-running television tradition amid an evolving media environment.
However, the timing of that cancellation announcement — occurring three days after Colbert criticized an agreement between Trump and Paramount Global, CBS’s parent company, concerning a “60 Minutes” report — prompted two U.S. senators to publicly question the decision’s motivations, as it removes one of Trump’s most vocal and consistent late-night television critics from the airwaves.
WASHINGTON — American military forces announced Tuesday they launched operations against three vessels suspected of drug trafficking in Latin American waters, resulting in 11 deaths during one of the most lethal days in an ongoing monthslong operation.
Monday’s operations increased the total number of fatalities to a minimum of 145 individuals since the current administration initiated its campaign against what it terms “narcoterrorists” operating small watercraft beginning in early September.
According to U.S. Southern Command, the military targeted suspected narcotics traffickers operating along established smuggling corridors, consistent with most statements regarding the 42 documented operations. Officials reported that two watercraft, each carrying four individuals, were struck in eastern Pacific waters, while a third vessel with three occupants was targeted in Caribbean waters. Military officials released video footage showing the destruction of boats but provided no documentation proving the vessels contained illegal narcotics.
President Donald Trump has declared the United States is engaged in “armed conflict” with Latin American cartels and has defended these operations as essential measures to interrupt drug trafficking. However, the administration has provided minimal evidence supporting its assertions about eliminating “narcoterrorists.”
WASHINGTON — Multiple conservation and historical organizations filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday challenging National Park Service policies they claim are eliminating historical facts and scientific information from America’s national parks.
The Boston-filed legal action alleges that directives from President Donald Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum have compelled park officials to eliminate or modify displays containing accurate historical information and scientific data, particularly regarding slavery and climate change.
These exhibit modifications followed a Trump executive directive aimed at “restoring truth and sanity to American history” throughout the nation’s museums, parks and historic sites. The order instructed the Interior Department to prevent these locations from featuring content that “inappropriately disparage Americans past or living.”
According to the plaintiff organizations, this review initiative has intensified recently, resulting in the elimination of multiple displays covering slavery history, civil rights, Indigenous peoples’ treatment, climate science, and other “core elements of the American experience.”
The legal challenge involves a coalition including the National Parks Conservation Association, American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers and Union of Concerned Scientists. This lawsuit follows Monday’s federal court ruling requiring restoration of an exhibit about nine individuals enslaved by George Washington at his former Philadelphia residence.
Park officials eliminated informational displays last month from Independence National Historical Park, where George and Martha Washington resided with nine enslaved people during the 1790s when Philadelphia served as the temporary national capital. The judge mandated exhibit restoration by Presidents Day, the federal holiday celebrating Washington’s legacy.
Beyond the Philadelphia situation, park officials have identified civil rights movement interpretive materials for elimination, according to the organizations. At Alabama’s Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, approximately 80 items face removal.
Officials have targeted the permanent display at Kansas’s Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park for mentioning “equity,” the lawsuit states. A Pride flag was eliminated from New York City’s Stonewall National Monument. Missing signage from Grand Canyon National Park previously described how settlers forced Native American tribes “off their land” for park establishment and “exploited” the terrain for mining and grazing.
“Censoring science and erasing America’s history at national parks are direct threats to everything these amazing places, and our country, stand for,” stated Alan Spears, senior director of cultural resources at the parks conservation association.
“National parks serve as living classrooms for our country, where science and history come to life for visitors,” Spears continued. “As Americans, we deserve national parks that tell stories of our country’s triumphs and heartbreaks alike. We can handle the truth.”
The Interior Department did not provide immediate comment.
U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe ordered Monday that all Philadelphia exhibit materials must return to their original state while legal proceedings continue regarding the removal’s legitimacy. She barred Trump officials from installing alternative displays explaining the history differently.
Rufe, appointed by Republican President George W. Bush, opened her written decision with a quote from George Orwell’s dystopian novel “1984” and drew comparisons between the Trump administration and the book’s authoritarian Ministry of Truth, which altered historical records to match its preferred narrative.
A 64-year-old man who served more than four decades behind bars for a murder he didn’t commit has been refused bail while challenging his removal from the United States.
Subramanyam Vedam will continue to be held in federal custody as he contests a deportation order from 1999. The Board of Immigration Appeals decided this month to review his case, citing what they termed extraordinary circumstances.
During the previous administration, officials had sought Vedam’s swift removal from the country and transferred him to a Louisiana detention facility last fall before two courts stepped in to halt the process.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Vedam’s attorney contended that her client would likely have avoided deportation and obtained citizenship if the murder case hadn’t derailed his life, considering the immigration policies that existed then. Attorney Ava Benach explained that Vedam would have completed his sentence on drug charges by 1992.
“It was delivery of LSD on a very small scale. This is not importing tons of cocaine,” Benach stated during Tuesday’s proceedings. “He is not a danger to the community. We are talking about offenses that occurred over 40 years ago.”
Last August, a Pennsylvania court dismissed Vedam’s murder conviction related to the 1980 killing of a college acquaintance, after discovering that prosecutors had concealed ballistics evidence during his two trials. Among those who participated remotely in the bail hearing were a Centre County prosecutor and State College’s mayor, where Vedam’s deceased father had served as a distinguished Penn State University professor, according to Benach.
Immigration Judge Tamar Wilson, presiding from Elizabeth, New Jersey, ruled that detention remains required due to his felony drug conviction. She also sided with Department of Homeland Security officials who maintain he poses a public safety threat.
“The fact he’s been a ‘model prisoner’ does not suggest that out in the general public he’s going to be safe,” Wilson stated.
Officials have not yet determined whether Wilson or another judge will preside over the deportation case proceedings. No future hearings have been set.
“Subu is nothing if not resilient, and we’re resolved to emulate the example he sets for us by focusing on the next step in his fight for freedom. We continue to believe his immigration case is strong and look forward to the day we can be together again,” his sister Saraswathi Vedam said, using his family nickname.
She had planned to take him home following his release from state prison on October 3rd, only to watch federal immigration authorities take him into custody instead. Vedam had entered the United States lawfully from India as an infant when his parents returned to State College.
“He was someone who’s suffered a profound injustice,” Benach told The Associated Press previously. “Those 43 years aren’t a blank slate. He lived a remarkable experience in prison.”
Vedam is currently detained at a 1,800-capacity U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in central Pennsylvania.
“Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S,” a Department of Homeland Security representative said regarding the case last year.
