Author: Andrew Rogers

Louisiana Congressman Cleo Fields was fined $2,500 on Friday by the state Board of Ethics for not submitting a report on leftover funds and debts from his 2004 Public Service Commission campaign. Fields, a Baton Rouge Democrat elected to Congress in 2024, did not comment on the fine when contacted. The report, due in February, would have documented any spending or debt forgiveness in 2024 related to that old campaign. Fields lost the District 3 public service commissioner race to Lambert Boissiere in a 2004 runoff. For years, officials have been required to file reports for old election accounts if…

The University of Kentucky has received a $150 million gift from the Bill Gatton Foundation to build a new arts district in Lexington. This is the largest donation in the university’s history and will support major arts construction projects. The gift will support the relocation and construction of a new College of Fine Arts Building next to the Gray Design Building. It will also fund a large theater for dance, music, and theatrical performances, as well as a pavilion with a park that connects several blocks near the existing School of Arts and Visual Studies Building. Bill Gatton, a UK…

Lawmakers in New Mexico are proposing stricter regulations for firearms dealers, triggering a debate between state officials and gun store owners. The move comes amid concerns over guns used in crimes and the safety of communities across the state. Keith Bledsoe, co-owner of Rose’s Guns and More, LLC, in Moriarty, said the new proposals could burden small business owners. He noted that existing laws already give authorities the tools to catch illegal activity. “It just puts a big stranglehold on us,” Bledsoe said, referencing regulations already in place. He described an incident involving a customer attempting multiple purchases. “I only…

Jersey is introducing its first island-wide remote health monitoring system to track the health of vulnerable residents in their homes and communities. The landmark project has been awarded to Graphnet Health, which will provide the technology solution to Family Nursing & Home Care (FNHC). The initiative is backed by an £800,000 CareTech Challenge grant aimed at helping older residents live independently while receiving continuous health support. Rosemarie Finley, chief executive of FNHC, described the project as a “powerful way” to monitor the wellbeing of residents at home. She highlighted the challenges faced by frail patients and those managing long-term conditions…

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…