Janeese Lewis George leads Kenyan McDuffie in Washington, D.C.’s unsettled Democratic mayoral primary as officials count ballots under the city’s first ranked-choice primary system. The race has centered on affordability, public safety and how the next mayor would confront federal pressure over D.C. home rule.
Posts tagged as “the national guard”
As the partial government shutdown extends into its third week, ICE agents have been deployed to 14 major U.S. airports to assist with crowd control amid severe TSA staffing shortages causing long security wait times. While ICE personnel support TSA officers by managing passenger flow, they are not trained to conduct security screenings, drawing criticism from TSA unions and civil rights groups concerned about safety and traveler anxiety. The deployment has heightened political tensions, with calls for Congress to restore TSA funding as airports continue to struggle under the strain of the shutdown.
Severe flooding on Oahu, Hawaii, has led to evacuation orders for over 5,000 residents due to concerns about the aging Wahiawa dam potentially failing after intense rainfall. The flooding has caused catastrophic damage, with emergency crews rescuing stranded residents and the National Guard activated to assist, while ongoing heavy rains continue to pose risks. Governor Josh Green emphasized the urgency of evacuations as water levels fluctuate, amid a broader pattern of extreme weather events across the United States.
Thirteen U.S. Service Members Killed in Iran Conflict as VA Mental Health Care Faces Staffing Crisis
Thirteen U.S. Service Members Killed in Iran Conflict as VA Mental Health Care Faces Staffing Crisis
Since the conflict with Iran began in late February, 13 American service members from diverse backgrounds have died, including six from a U.S. Army Reserve unit in Iowa and others in incidents across the Middle East. Among the fallen are Capt. Cody A. Khork of Florida, Sgt. Nicole M. Amor of Minnesota, and Sgt. Declan J. Coady of Iowa, each honored for their service and sacrifice by family and local officials. Separately, a ProPublica investigation reveals ongoing challenges in the Department of Veterans Affairs mental health system, with significant staff reductions and increased difficulties for veterans seeking consistent care despite the administration’s claims of improvement.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced Thursday that the state will be taking steps to secure its border with Mexico with a “water-based barrier” of buoys in the Rio Grande, as well as a “virtual wall” of drones, sensors, and other technology. Abbott also signed six bills related to border security, aimed at increasing law enforcement presence, providing resources to local law enforcement, and increasing penalties for human smuggling. The governor said that the state is committed to ensuring the safety of its citizens and will continue to take steps to secure the border.
On Thursday night, a group of migrants passed through Gate 42 at the El Paso border wall, just after the Biden administration officially ended the Title 42 policy. A lawsuit has been filed by the ACLU and other groups challenging the new Biden administration restriction on asylum, which took effect on Friday. Father Arturo Bañuelas was present to show solidarity with the migrants and to ensure their rights were respected. The Biden administration has stated that the new asylum rule is intended to deter illegal border crossings while also allowing for the processing of asylum claims.
Jesse James Rumson, a Donald Trump supporter, was arrested on Monday for his involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Video footage shows him entering the Capitol through an emergency fire escape wearing a panda costume, and he has been charged with multiple offenses including assaulting an officer. This is the latest in a series of arrests related to the Capitol riot, and has sparked a renewed focus on Capitol security.
U.S. military has shot down a third high-altitude object over Canada, prompting lawmakers to call for more information from the Biden administration. Rep. Elissa Slotkin and Senator Angus King have both expressed the need for a full accounting of the facts, but the administration has yet to provide any details. The incidents have raised questions about the unusual activity in the sky and what can be done in response.