united states news

A US immigration judge has ordered the deportation of pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil to Algeria or Syria, claiming he omitted information from his green card application. Khalil, a 30-year-old permanent US resident who gained prominence during Columbia University's Gaza war protests, was detained for three months by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in March as part of the Trump administration's crackdown on campus antisemitism. His lawyers have announced they will appeal the deportation order and note that existing federal court orders prevent the government from deporting or detaining him. Khalil, who recently became a father while detained, has characterized the deportation effort as political retaliation for his free speech activities supporting Palestine.

Authorities have identified decomposing remains found in an impounded Tesla as 15-year-old Celeste Rivas, who had been missing since April 2024. The vehicle, registered to 20-year-old singer D4vd (David Anthony Burke), was discovered at a Hollywood tow yard on September 8 after being abandoned in the Hollywood Hills five days earlier. Police report that the cause and time of death remain unknown, and the body appeared to have been deceased for an extended period. D4vd, known for viral hits like "Here With Me" and "Romantic Homicide," is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

The federal government will cease issuing paper checks for Social Security, veterans' benefits, tax refunds, and other programs starting September 30, 2023, as mandated by Executive Order 14247. Approximately 5 million Americans, including seniors and people with disabilities, will need to transition to electronic payments through either direct deposit or the Direct Express debit card system. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that this transition will reduce fraud, theft, and payment delays, while critics warn the deadline could create challenges for vulnerable populations. Limited waivers will be available for people over 90, those in remote areas, or individuals with certain disabilities.

A Spirit Airlines flight received urgent warnings from air traffic controllers after flying parallel to Air Force One during President Trump's journey to the UK. The aircraft were eight miles apart, which didn't violate FAA safety regulations but raised sufficient concern for controllers to repeatedly instruct the Spirit pilots to turn away and "pay attention." Spirit Airlines confirmed that Flight 1300 followed proper procedures and landed safely in Boston as scheduled, while the FAA's preliminary investigation verified that required separation between the aircraft was maintained throughout the incident.

A shooting in North Codorus Township, Pennsylvania resulted in the deaths of three police officers and left two others critically injured while they were conducting a follow-up investigation on a domestic-related case. The gunman was fatally shot by police during the incident, which occurred around 2:00 PM local time and briefly forced a nearby school in Spring Grove to shelter in place. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro visited the area to meet with families of the slain officers and ordered state flags to be lowered to half-mast in their honor. Officials stated there is no ongoing threat to the public as the investigation continues, with the FBI providing assistance to local and state authorities.

Washington, D.C.'s deteriorating sidewalks pose significant safety hazards for residents and visitors, with complaints about uneven surfaces, cracked pavement, and tree-root damage across the city's 1,500 miles of walkways. Despite the D.C. Department of Transportation's (DDOT) official repair timeline of 270 days, many sidewalk hazards remain unfixed for over a year, leading to community-led initiatives like Sidewalk Palooza where residents collectively submit repair requests through the 311 system. Critics note that sidewalk maintenance receives less priority than road repairs, disproportionately affecting seniors, disabled residents, and lower-income communities, with noticeable quality disparities between neighborhoods despite a $5 million funding increase approved by the D.C. Council in 2023.

The article commemorates the 62nd anniversary of the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, which killed four young Black girls: Addie Mae Collins, Dennis McNair, Cynthia Wesley, and Carol Robertson. Alabama Congresswoman Terri Sewell states that this anniversary prompts reflection on civil rights, voting rights, and civil liberties that defined the civil rights movement. Various leaders highlight how the tragic bombing by white supremacists represented a dehumanizing act of violence against Black Americans while also serving as a catalyst for national awareness about racial injustice in America. The article notes that a fifth person, Sara Collins Rudolph (Addie Mae's sister), survived the bombing but lost an eye and bears physical scars from the attack.

Senators Tammy Baldwin (D) and Lisa Murkowski (R) introduced a bipartisan bill to restore national emergency suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ youth that were eliminated by the Trump administration in July. The legislation would modify the Public Health Service Act to reinstate these specialized services and require the Health and Human Services Secretary to maintain them. According to the Trevor Project, over 1.8 million LGBTQ+ youth seriously consider suicide annually, and calls to their crisis hotline increased by 700 percent after Trump's 2024 election victory. The 988 hotline, originally established through bipartisan legislation signed by Trump in 2020, has received nearly 1.5 million contacts from young Americans seeking specialized LGBTQ+ services since its launch in July 2022.

President Donald Trump's attempt to remove Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors has been temporarily blocked by a federal appeals court in a 2-1 decision along party lines. Trump claimed he was firing Cook "for cause" over allegations of mortgage fraud, though she has not been charged with any wrongdoing. The court ruled that Trump failed to provide Cook with minimal due process before attempting to remove her. This case raises significant concerns about Federal Reserve independence, as it would mark the first time in the central bank's 111-year history that a president successfully fired a Fed governor if Trump ultimately prevails.

Cynthia Miller-Idriss, founding director of American University's Polarization and Extremism Research & Innovation Lab (PERIL), argues that gender-based bigotry is a significant predictor of violent extremism that security officials consistently overlook. In her new book "Man Up," Miller-Idriss presents research showing how misogyny frequently appears in the history of violent extremism, noting that over half of mass shooters target partners. Despite clear evidence connecting domestic violence to mass shootings, national security models fail to account for misogyny, with various institutional barriers preventing effective monitoring of gender-based violence as a precursor to extremist acts. Miller-Idriss advocates for integrating misogyny into threat assessment models and encourages communities to address hostile sexism through conversations with young people about harmful online content. # Who is affected - People targeted by gender-based violence and extremism, including women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and progressive politicians - Victims of mass shootings connected to domestic violence - Black communities (referenced in examples of extremist violence in Buffalo and Charleston) - Young people vulnerable to online radicalization through misogynistic content - Communities experiencing political and extremist violence # What action is being taken - Miller-Idriss is researching the connection between gender-based bigotry and violent extremism - PERIL is partnering with educators, pastors, and parents to prevent online radicalization - Miller-Idriss's lab is creating resource kits for parents, educators, coaches and faith leaders to combat radicalization and gender-based bigotry among youth - Miller-Idriss is publishing her research in a new book called "Man Up: The New Misogyny and the Rise of Violent Extremism" # Why it matters - Studies show 59 percent of fatal mass shootings from 2014-2019 were connected to domestic violence - In 68 percent of mass shooting cases, the shooter had a history of domestic violence - Fewer victims survive mass shootings tied to domestic violence - Current threat models completely omit misogyny as a warning sign, despite it being potentially "the biggest predictor" of trajectories leading to mass violence - The siloed approach to domestic violence (Department of Justice) versus mass violence (Department of Homeland Security) prevents effective intervention - The lack of data collection on gender-based crimes makes the problem invisible in national security contexts # What's next - Miller-Idriss wants misogyny integrated into threat models used in national security - She advocates for state attorneys general to create sex trafficking enhancement charges for extremist groups involved in gender-based violence - Miller-Idriss suggests communities can help by addressing hostile sexism and talking with young people about harmful online content - PERIL will continue developing resources to help adults guide youth in recognizing and rejecting radicalization and gender-based bigotry

The Michigan gubernatorial race has intensified with competing Teamsters endorsements for two Detroit candidates. Michigan Teamsters Joint Council 43 endorsed independent Mayor Mike Duggan, while Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson secured endorsements from five local Teamsters unions representing a majority of the state's members. The endorsement announcements created controversy when Duggan's campaign initially claimed incorrectly that all ten local affiliate unions had endorsed him. Both candidates, along with other Democratic and Republican contenders, continue to seek labor support in the increasingly competitive race for governor.

President Trump's recent social media post criticized the Smithsonian Institution for allegedly focusing too much on slavery and not celebrating American success, prompting him to instruct his attorneys to review the museums. This follows an August 12 letter from Trump administration officials demanding a "comprehensive internal review" of eight Smithsonian museums based on a March executive order to remove "improper ideology." A. Scott Bolden, the author, counters that the Smithsonian museums accurately depict history in a nonpartisan manner, noting that Trump himself had previously praised the National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2017. Bolden emphasizes that the museums balance their portrayal of difficult historical periods like slavery with extensive exhibits highlighting Black Americans' achievements and success stories across various fields.

On September 13th at Swiss Park & Hall in Chula Vista, Thelma Van-Anders celebrated her 95th birthday surrounded by family and friends who traveled from across the country to honor her. The celebration featured a lavish luncheon with various dishes including fried fish, chicken, and numerous sides to accommodate all attendees. Throughout the event, the birthday honoree received heartfelt tributes from her nine children and other family members who praised her strength, wisdom, and unconditional love. Thelma, described as a "world treasure" by her daughter Tracy Van-McCallie, was visibly moved by the outpouring of affection, expressing gratitude while being at a loss for words.

The Trump administration has ordered federal agencies to remove exhibits and materials highlighting slavery and racial injustice by September 17, with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issuing the directive that has sparked protests. In Philadelphia, activists are defending the President's House memorial site, which documents George Washington's enslavement of nine people while serving as the first president. The administration's actions are part of a broader campaign that includes a March executive order empowering Vice President JD Vance to review and remove "improper ideology" from Smithsonian programming. Historians and community leaders warn this represents an attempt to sanitize history rather than confront it, with federal agencies already making controversial removals of historical information about Black Americans.

The San Diego County Registrar of Voters has sent postcards to over 2 million registered voters detailing their options for the upcoming November 4 special election. Voters will receive mail-in ballots beginning the week of October 6, which they can return by mail, at official ballot drop boxes, or at vote centers. California voters will decide on Proposition 50 regarding redistricting, while Poway District 2 residents will additionally vote on whether to remove their city council representative. Early voting begins October 6 at the Registrar's office, with select vote centers opening October 25 and all centers operating by November 1.

Georgia's highest court has declined to review Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' appeal of her removal from the election interference case against Donald Trump and others. Willis was removed due to an "appearance of impropriety" created by her romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, whom she had hired to lead the case. The decision means the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia must appoint a new prosecutor to replace Willis, who stated she would make the case file and evidence available for transfer. This Georgia case was one of four criminal cases brought against Trump in 2023, with Trump calling it "a rigged case" while his supporters celebrated the court's decision.

NBA player Tobias Harris has launched a $4 million homeownership initiative in Detroit to address the city's affordable housing crisis. The program will provide up to 40% down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers in nine working-class neighborhoods, using a shared appreciation model designed to make homeownership more accessible than renting. Targeting individuals earning up to 140% of the area median income, the initiative aims to help 100-130 Detroiters become homeowners while addressing historical inequities in mortgage lending that have disproportionately affected Black communities. Harris hopes to eventually expand the program to $10 million in commitments to create greater impact in a city where housing costs are rising while incomes remain stagnant.

Detroit City Council Pro Tem James Tate has announced his intention to seek the Council presidency starting in 2026, running unopposed for reelection this November. As the longest-serving council member with 15 years of experience, Tate aims to build consensus and strengthen teamwork among the nine-member body, emphasizing the need for the council to work collectively rather than individually. The next council will have at least two new members as President Mary Sheffield and Council Member Fred Durhal III vacated their seats to run for mayor, potentially bringing significant changes to the body's composition. Tate plans to improve public understanding of the council's decision-making process and enhance resident participation in civic matters.

Donald Trump's fascination with the British royal family, which began when he watched Queen Elizabeth II's coronation as a six-year-old, has shaped his appreciation for pomp and ceremony throughout his life and career. His upcoming second state visit to the UK, a historic honor as the only president invited twice, represents a culmination of his lifelong admiration for royal pageantry and status. Trump has consistently leveraged royal connections and imagery to enhance his own brand, from claiming potential royal interest in his properties to modeling Mar-a-Lago's ballroom after Versailles. This royal preoccupation stems from both his mother's Scottish heritage and devotion to the monarchy, as well as his personal desire for the legitimacy, status, and media attention that royal association provides.

Lon Walls, the 75-year-old president of Walls & Associates Inc. and former president of the Capital Press Club, has combined his successful public relations career with his passion for Bando, a martial art from Myanmar. Walls began studying Bando in 1970 at Ohio University under Dr. U. Maung Gyi, who introduced the martial art to the United States, and now holds a sixth-degree black belt after competing in over 200 freestyle fights and 30 kickboxing bouts from the 1970s-1990s. He currently teaches Bando classes at Gold's Gym in Northwest D.C., viewing his instruction as both an income source and an opportunity to mentor students, particularly helping women feel more secure through self-defense. Walls credits Bando's disciplinary fundamentals for his professional accomplishments, describing it as "a way of life" that has become increasingly relevant in today's environment where personal safety concerns are growing.

At the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's 2025 Innovative Housing Showcase, Secretary Scott Turner emphasized his commitment to making homeownership accessible to all Americans but declined to establish specific programs for African Americans despite the significant homeownership gap between Black Americans (43.9%) and non-Hispanic whites (74%). Turner indicated his administration will focus on reducing regulations to encourage housing development across demographics, highlighting the showcase theme "The American Home is the American Dream." The event featured displays from companies like Aevolve Green Solutions, which develops environmentally sensitive housing for homeless and low-income individuals, and included discussion of bipartisan legislation aimed at addressing the nationwide housing shortage of approximately 7 million units.

During a press interaction, US President Donald Trump accused Australian journalist John Lyons of "hurting Australia" after being questioned about his wealth accumulation since returning to office. Trump responded that he didn't know about his financial status as his children handle the family businesses, then threatened to inform Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the journalist's questioning. The exchange comes amid strained US-Australia relations, including Trump's recently announced review of the Aukus submarine deal and implementation of tariffs on Australian exports. Despite Trump's reaction, Lyons defended his questioning as legitimate and professionally delivered, while Albanese confirmed plans to meet with Trump during the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York.