Author: Andrew Rogers

Former US senator Bob Menendez has been permanently banned from seeking or holding public office in New Jersey after being convicted of federal corruption charges, officials said. A New Jersey superior court order on Friday, issued by Judge Robert Lougy, prohibits Menendez from holding “any position of honor, trust, or profit in state or local government.” State Attorney General Matt Platkin said Menendez would face a fourth-degree contempt charge if he attempts to run for or accept public office in violation of the ruling. “Critical to preserving the public’s faith and trust in government institutions is ensuring that elected officials…

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended US military strikes on suspected drug cartel boats in the Caribbean, asserting that President Donald Trump has the authority to take military action “as he sees fit.” He spoke Saturday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, amid growing scrutiny over the legality of the strikes and his leadership at the Pentagon. Hegseth argued the strikes, which have killed more than 80 people since September, were necessary to protect Americans. He compared suspected drug traffickers to al-Qaida terrorists, saying, “If you’re working for a designated terrorist organization and you bring drugs to…

Three Georgia lawmakers are calling for a state audit of the Department of Human Services to review its handling of federal benefits. The request comes amid concerns over rising administrative costs and errors in SNAP payments. State Representatives Marvin Lim, Karen Lumpton, and David Wilkerson sent a letter urging state auditors to examine DHS operations. They cited reporting that revealed the department may need an additional $47 million to cover administrative costs for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, due to federal funding cuts. The lawmakers highlighted that many Georgians already struggle to navigate DHS systems. New federal rules,…

A garbage truck from All American Waste overturned on Long Hill Avenue in Shelton on Thursday but was successfully righted by two cranes. The incident caused a temporary disruption, but authorities confirmed there were no injuries, and the truck sustained little to no damage. Police have not immediately released information on the cause of the accident. However, video footage from the scene shows two large cranes carefully lifting the truck back onto its wheels. The operation required coordination between crane operators and local emergency personnel to ensure safety and prevent further incidents. Local fire crews were on site while the…

Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow, is expected to formally announce his bid for governor of Minnesota before next Thursday. Lindell would be the 13th Republican to enter the race, setting up a challenge against Democratic Governor Tim Walz, who is seeking a third term. The announcement comes amid growing scrutiny of Walz’s administration. State and federal authorities are investigating what they describe as widespread fraud in Minnesota’s welfare programs. Reports allege that networks of fraudsters, including some within the Somali community, diverted billions of taxpayer dollars. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent commented on the situation, stating that the U.S. Treasury…

Minneapolis residents took to the streets this week to protest against rising immigration enforcement. Many gathered near local schools, blowing whistles and shouting as they confronted what they believed were ICE agents and federal vehicles. The city’s mayor recently signed an executive order barring immigration agents from conducting operations on city-owned property. Despite this, ICE began enhanced operations in Minnesota, focusing on the Somali community. Shackled detainees were reportedly flown on charter jets to Omaha, Nebraska. One local said, “I feel that my presence as a neighbor is important, and I want kids to feel safe.” Residents expressed fear for…

Indiana’s state House on Friday approved a new congressional map designed to make all nine of the state’s U.S. House districts favorable to Republicans. The vote was 57-41 and followed months of intense debate and pressure from President Donald Trump and his allies. The bill now moves to the Republican-controlled state Senate, which will reconvene on December 8. Some Senate Republicans have expressed opposition to the redistricting plan, though it remains unclear if their resistance will prevent its passage. Trump praised the House vote on Friday and encouraged the Senate to act quickly. In a post on Truth Social, he…

The Pentagon press corps, once a top assignment for elite journalists, has dramatically shifted in makeup. Traditionally, this role was reserved for reporters from established newspapers and news channels. Today, the press room is dominated by rightwing activists and partisan commentators. Last week, during a key Pentagon press briefing amid ongoing controversies, more than a dozen attendees were rightwing media figures. These included allies of former President Donald Trump, members of Turning Point USA, and staff from a fledgling media company founded by a pillow entrepreneur. This shift followed a mass exit of credentialed journalists from traditional media. In October,…

The Supreme Court will soon decide whether President Trump’s order restricting birthright citizenship is constitutional. The order, issued on January 20, declared that children born in the U.S. to parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily are not automatically American citizens. Lower courts have ruled that the order violates the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil. The Trump administration argues that the amendment was intended to protect the children of newly freed slaves, not children of undocumented immigrants. The case is expected to be taken up in the spring, with a ruling likely…

Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva said she was pepper-sprayed during an ICE raid at a restaurant in Tucson, Arizona. The Democratic lawmaker shared a video on social media detailing the incident and said it occurred while she was advocating for residents. Grijalva said approximately 40 ICE agents, most wearing masks, arrived in several vehicles and confronted community members who were concerned about people being taken without notice or due process. The congresswoman said she was at the restaurant, which she visits weekly, when an agent sprayed her in the face. She added that other agents pushed her and two members of her…