The US Defense Department has released a selfie taken from the cockpit of a U-2 spy plane, showing the shadow of the aircraft on a Chinese surveillance balloon that was shot down by the US military earlier this month. The photo provides a rare glimpse into the operations of the U-2 spy plane, and serves as a reminder of the US military's commitment to protecting US airspace and its citizens. The incident highlights the need for increased vigilance, as the US has been engaging in surveillance operations of its own in the South China Sea.
News Mash
On Wednesday night, residents of East Palestine, Ohio gathered for a CNN town hall to voice their concerns about the train derailment that occurred on February 3. Governor DeWine and Norfolk Southern CEO Shaw attended the town hall to answer questions from the residents, and the Federal Transportation Administration is set to release a preliminary report on the derailment on Thursday.
Garrett Miller, a 36-year-old unemployed Texan, was sentenced to 38 months in prison on Wednesday for his involvement in the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. Miller had threatened Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on social media and was wearing a T-shirt with a picture of President Donald Trump when he was arrested. With credit for good behavior, Miller is expected to serve another eight months in prison, serving as a reminder that the consequences of participating in the Capitol riot are serious.
A major winter storm is expected to bring snow, blizzard conditions, and icing from California to the Northeast, causing numerous power outages and road closures. In the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, up to 12 inches of snow is forecasted, while the Midwest and Northern Plains are expected to be the most affected. Meanwhile, the Southeast is experiencing unseasonably high temperatures, with residents advised to take precautions.
An attempted stabbing attack by a woman at the entrance of a West Bank settlement was met with fatal gunfire from security guards. In response to a rocket attack from Gaza, the IDF launched airstrikes targeting alleged weapons manufacturing and storage sites in Gaza. The incident has caused tension between Israel and the Palestinians, with the international community urging both sides to de-escalate the situation and find a peaceful resolution.
The Alaska House of Representatives has unanimously voted to censure Representative David Eastman for his comments about fatal child abuse being a "cost savings", which have been widely condemned by both sides of the aisle. Eastman has a history of making incendiary remarks and has not yet commented on the censure.
The Arizona Attorney General's office has released documents that show the former Attorney General suppressed findings from an investigation into the 2020 election, which concluded that there was no evidence of widespread fraud. The current Attorney General, Kris Mayes, released the documents and said that they prove the election was conducted fairly and accurately. The investigation was launched after numerous complaints of voter fraud, but the documents show that the investigation found no evidence of widespread fraud.
Three people were killed and two were injured in a series of shootings in Orange County, Florida on Wednesday. The suspect has been arrested, and investigators are still trying to determine the motive. The local media community is mourning the loss of a journalist, and the Sheriff's Office has asked anyone with information to come forward.