Author: Andrew Rogers

The head of the U.S. Catholic bishops has warned that aggressive deportation efforts are creating fear and uncertainty across the country. Archbishop Paul Coakley said many immigrant communities are living in anxiety as deportations increase under the Trump administration. Coakley, who serves as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, spoke on Sunday about the emotional impact of current immigration enforcement. He said fear is spreading widely, especially in areas with large migrant populations. According to Coakley, families are worried about sudden removals, harsh language, and unclear policies. The archbishop stressed that the church recognizes the importance of national…

The White House has warned the Smithsonian Institution that it could lose federal funding if it does not fully comply with a broad review ordered by President Donald Trump. The warning marks a major escalation in tensions between the administration and the nation’s largest museum organization. In a letter sent on Thursday to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III, White House officials stated that federal funds are only available if they are used in a manner that aligns with an executive order signed by Trump in March. That order directed aides to remove what the administration calls ideological or divisive narratives…

President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry will serve as the United States special envoy to Greenland. The appointment brings renewed focus to the Arctic region, which Trump has described as critical to U.S. national security and global stability. Greenland is a vast, mineral-rich island that is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark and holds a key position in the Arctic. Trump announced in a post on his social media platform, stating that Landry understands Greenland’s importance and will work to advance U.S. interests. He said the role is tied to protecting the safety and security of…

US Coast Guard officials are pursuing an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, marking the second such action over the weekend and the third in a week. The pursuit in the Caribbean Sea comes a day after another vessel was seized off Venezuela, as the U.S. increases pressure on the country’s oil industry. Officials told U.S. media that the vessel being tracked on Sunday is part of Venezuela’s sanctioned “dark fleet” used to evade U.S. sanctions. The tanker, identified by news outlets as the Bella 1, has been under U.S. sanctions since 2024 for alleged ties to Iran and…

President Donald Trump announced Sunday that Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry will serve as the U.S. special envoy to Greenland. The Arctic island, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, has drawn attention from the U.S. for its strategic location and resources. Trump has previously said the U.S. needs control over Greenland to protect national security. “Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country’s Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World,” Trump said during the announcement. Trump first raised the issue during his presidential transition and early months…

Investigators in Rhode Island are searching for the motive behind the Brown University shooting that killed Alabama sophomore Ella Cook. Authorities say a high-tech tip helped them track the suspect, Claudio Neves Valente, who is believed to be responsible for both the Brown University and the nearby Massachusetts attack. A Reddit user known only as John provided a crucial clue about Valente’s vehicle, helping police identify him. The attacks included the shooting at Brown University, where two students were killed and nine others injured in an engineering building on Saturday. About 50 miles away, MIT professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro was…

Pennsylvania voters will head to the polls on February 24, 2026, to elect representatives for two vacant state House seats. The 22nd District in Lehigh County and the 42nd District in Allegheny County became vacant after the November election when their incumbents were elected to new offices. Rep. Joshua Siegel (D) of the 22nd District will serve as Lehigh County’s next county executive, while Rep. Dan Miller (D) of the 42nd District was elected to the Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. Both lawmakers resigned on Wednesday, allowing House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia/Delaware) to issue writs of election, formally scheduling the…

Col. Christopher Paris is stepping down as commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police to take a new position with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. His last day will be January 2, 2026, concluding a 26-year career with the agency. Paris was nominated by Governor Josh Shapiro on January 19, 2023, and unanimously confirmed by the state Senate shortly thereafter. In a statement, Paris expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the agency. He said it was an honor to serve the people of Pennsylvania and praised the work of the state police during his tenure. Under Paris’ leadership, the agency…

Sterling Management, a Fargo-based investment firm, has purchased the recently built Falcon Apartments in North Branch for $24.5 million, according to a press release from the property’s brokers. The sale was structured as a 1031 exchange. The Falcon Apartments, developed by Kuepers Inc., feature 144 units across four stories and were completed in 2023. The property is located at 5385 385th Street in North Branch, roughly 47 miles from downtown Minneapolis. Kuepers sold the property to free up capital for other projects, while its related management company, Prairie Lake Management, will continue overseeing operations at Falcon Apartments. The sale was…

North Carolina ranks last in the nation for its efforts to fund public schools, according to a new report, and is second-to-last in overall funding levels. The findings highlight ongoing challenges in ensuring access to adequate educational resources across the state. The Education Law Center released its “Making the Grade 2025” report, evaluating school funding across the United States. The report examines per-pupil spending, funding fairness, and the effort states put into financing public education from PreK through 12th grade. In the report, North Carolina received an “F” for funding effort, which measures investment in public education as a share…