The Atlanta City Council voted 11-4 in favor of a controversial plan to build a massive public safety training center, dubbed "Cop City" by opponents. The $90-million, 85-acre facility would be used by police, firefighters and emergency responders to train, and includes a firing range, driving track, and classrooms. Opponents worry the proposed campus could negatively impact the environment and be used by police to "practice urban warfare," while supporters argue it will help improve public safety. The legislation must still be approved by the mayor and the 2023 budget must be approved by the City Council.
Posts published in “Crime”
Prince Harry, second son of Britain's King Charles III, made history on Tuesday when he appeared in London's High Court to testify against a tabloid publisher he accuses of phone hacking and other unlawful snooping. This is the first time a senior member of Britain's royal family has appeared in court to give testimony since the 19th century, and Harry's statement accuses the publisher of using unlawful techniques on an “industrial scale” to get scoops. Harry is suing the tabloid publisher for unlawful information gathering, and his appearance in court is a historic moment for the British monarchy.
Ukraine has accused Russian forces of blowing up a major dam and hydroelectric power station in southern Ukraine, threatening a massive flood that could displace hundreds of thousands of people. Ukrainian authorities have warned that the dam’s failure could unleash 18 million cubic meters of water and flood Kherson and dozens of other areas. In response, Ukraine has ordered residents downriver to evacuate, though the exact number of people affected is still unknown.
Deja Taylor, a 25-year-old mother from Virginia, has been charged with two federal gun crimes related to the shooting of her 6-year-old son's first-grade teacher earlier this year. She is accused of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm and being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm. The teacher survived the shooting but suffered serious injuries.
A tragedy occurred in Ocala, Florida on Friday when Ajike “AJ” Owens, a mother of four, was shot and killed by her neighbor. Family members of Owens have demanded justice for her death, and Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods is investigating the role of Florida’s “stand your ground” law in the shooting. The law, enacted in 2005, allows people to use deadly force if they feel their lives are in danger and has been a controversial topic in the state.
On Monday, a plane carrying 20 migrants landed in Sacramento, California, prompting California Governor Gavin Newsom to call out Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The incident has raised questions about the role of state governments in the transportation of migrants, and the California Department of Justice is currently investigating. The U.S. government is now allowing nearly 40,000 migrants to be admitted into the country each month through a mobile app.
Former President Donald Trump has suggested that he may soon be charged in the Department of Justice's investigation into his handling of classified documents. He has denied any wrongdoing and accused the Justice Department of targeting him for political reasons, while noting that Hillary Clinton was not charged for having classified information on her private email server. Three of his lawyers were recently seen leaving the Justice Department after meeting with special counsel John Durham, who is leading the investigation.
Four people were killed on Sunday when a private plane crashed in Virginia. The plane had taken off from Tennessee and was headed northeast towards Long Island when fighter jets were scrambled to intercept it. The wreckage is expected to take days to gather and sort, and the pilot's father has expressed his devastation at the news.