A tornado struck Enid, Oklahoma, Thursday night, damaging homes and forcing the closure of Vance Air Force Base. Officials reported no fatalities and minor injuries as emergency crews continue recovery efforts.
Posts tagged as “James Lankford”
In March 2026, the Trump administration strengthened its ties with the combat sports world through an FBI partnership with the UFC and the appointment of former MMA fighter Senator Markwayne Mullin as Secretary of Homeland Security, highlighting the growing influence of combat sports within conservative politics. This connection is rooted in Trump’s longstanding affinity for combat sports and is further amplified by prominent fighters and media figures like Joe Rogan who promote right-wing ideologies and alternative health views. Concurrently, escalating Middle East tensions involving Russia, Iran, and U.S. forces have intensified debates in the Senate over military responses, amid broader regional conflicts with significant global implications.
Senator Markwayne Mullin appeared before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for a confirmation hearing to become the next Secretary of Homeland Security, facing scrutiny over past remarks and concerns about his readiness to lead amid ongoing departmental challenges. While Republican supporters praised Mullin’s experience and work ethic, Democrats expressed reservations about his ability to address issues such as immigration enforcement reforms, funding impasses, and agency misconduct. The committee’s recommendation will move Mullin’s nomination to the full Senate, where a simple majority vote is needed for confirmation.
Negotiations over a bipartisan agreement to provide continued U.S. military assistance to Ukraine are in danger of stalling due to Republican demands for major changes to the nation’s immigration laws and border policies. Progress is being made, but time is running out before the Senate adjourns for the year, and the election year could make it even harder to secure a deal. President Biden and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy are both appealing to Congress to pass the aid package, but it is unclear if it will be able to pass.
Key takeaways: Impasse between Democrats and Republicans has deepened, and it is unclear when a deal will be reached. White House has warned of the…
Senate Republicans have proposed a one-page plan to President Biden, calling for stricter immigration laws as part of an emergency funding package. The plan includes raising the “credible fear” standard for asylum-seekers, curtailing officials’ ability to grant humanitarian parole, toughening penalties for illegal border crossings, and creating a new “border security trust fund” to pay for additional personnel and technology at the border. The proposal has been met with criticism from some immigration advocates, and it is expected to be a major point of contention in the negotiations over the emergency funding package.
Randy Lankford, owner of Lankford Funeral Home and Family Center in Jeffersonville, IN, pleaded guilty to 43 counts of felony theft. He was sentenced to 12 years, four of which will be spent in prison and eight in home incarceration, and must pay restitution to 53 families totaling $46,000. The investigation began after the county health department received a complaint about a foul odor coming from the building, and the Jeffersonville Police Department, Clark County Prosecutor's Office, and the Indiana Attorney General's Office worked together to investigate the case.
The Senate Ethics Committee has admonished Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) for violating Senate rules during a Fox News appearance last November by directly soliciting campaign contributions for Herschel Walker in the Russell Senate Office building. The committee has asked Graham to respond to the letter within 30 days, and it is unclear what action, if any, the committee will take against Graham if he does not comply.