education

A 24-year-old West Virginia Air National Guardsman, Andrew Wolfe, is recovering from critical injuries sustained during a shooting in Washington DC on November 26 that killed his colleague, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom. Wolfe's family reports his head wound is healing and he has shown positive signs like responding with a thumbs-up and moving his toes, though he faces two to three more weeks in acute care. Authorities have charged an Afghan national and former CIA-backed counterterrorism soldier, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, with first-degree murder and assault with intent to kill. The incident has prompted the Trump administration to deploy 500 additional National Guard troops to DC and implement stricter immigration measures, including canceling citizenship ceremonies for immigrants from 19 countries affected by a travel ban.

A special congressional election in Tennessee on December 2nd has unexpectedly become competitive despite the district being reliably Republican territory where Trump won by 22 points in 2024. Both major parties are treating the race seriously, with Democrats pouring resources into the campaign and Republicans worried about voter awareness, as economic concerns about inflation and cost of living dominate voter sentiment even in this conservative stronghold. The contest between Democrat Aftyn Behn, who is focusing on local affordability issues, and Republican Matt Van Epps, an Army veteran who secured Trump's endorsement in the primary, reveals tensions within the Republican Party as Trump's popularity sags and his policies face criticism from some conservatives. The election is being viewed as a potential indicator of Republicans' ability to win without Trump on the ballot and how the party will navigate a post-Trump future, especially after recent Democratic gains in other local elections and Marjorie Taylor Greene's surprise resignation from Congress. # Key Takeaways

A federal judge dismissed criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, determining that prosecutor Lindsey Halligan was invalidly appointed as US attorney and therefore lacked authority to bring the indictments. Both defendants had maintained their innocence and argued they were being targeted for political retaliation by President Trump and the Justice Department. While the ruling represents a significant legal victory for the two Trump critics, the judge left open the possibility for the government to pursue the cases again through different means. The Justice Department, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, has indicated it will appeal the decision and pursue all available legal options, though experts note the government faces substantial procedural obstacles and unprecedented legal complexities in any future prosecution efforts.

A Virginia high school football coach who was initially reported missing is now being actively sought by authorities as a fugitive facing serious criminal charges. Travis Turner, a 46-year-old physical education teacher and head coach at Union High School, is wanted on 10 warrants related to child sexual abuse material possession and soliciting a minor online. When state police visited his residence last week as part of their investigation, he was not present, prompting an extensive search operation involving drones and rescue teams. The school district has placed the unnamed staff member on administrative leave with no access to school grounds or students, while Turner's football team has continued its undefeated season in his absence.

President Donald Trump signed legislation requiring the Justice Department to release government files related to Jeffrey Epstein within 30 days, marking a reversal from his previous opposition to the measure. The bill passed Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support after pressure from Epstein's victims and Republican lawmakers, including Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Greene. While the law mandates disclosure of investigation materials including victim interviews, seized property records, and flight logs, the Justice Department can withhold documents tied to active criminal investigations or that invade personal privacy. Trump has framed the release as exposing Democratic connections to Epstein, though he himself had a lengthy friendship with the convicted sex offender before they allegedly fell out in the early 2000s.

The US Justice Department will investigate convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's connections to major financial institutions and political figures following President Trump's directive to Attorney General Pam Bondi. The probe will examine relationships between Epstein and individuals including former President Bill Clinton, banking institutions JPMorgan Chase, and several prominent Democratic donors. This announcement follows the release of over 20,000 pages of documents from Epstein's estate that reference various public figures, including Trump himself. The investigation comes as the House of Representatives prepares to vote on releasing all Justice Department files related to Epstein, who died in custody in 2019, with bipartisan support from lawmakers responding to appeals from survivors. # Key Takeaways

A Virginia jury awarded former teacher Abigail Zwerner $10 million in damages after determining that assistant principal Ebony Parker acted with gross negligence when a six-year-old student shot Zwerner in her classroom two years ago. The jury found that Parker failed to respond appropriately despite receiving warnings approximately 45 minutes before the shooting that the child might have brought a firearm to Richneck Elementary School. Zwerner suffered severe injuries requiring multiple surgeries when a bullet passed through her hand and into her chest during the 2023 incident. Parker now faces a criminal trial on eight felony child neglect charges, while the student's mother has already been sentenced to nearly four years in prison on related charges. # Key Takeaways

Democrat Mikie Sherrill has secured victory in New Jersey's gubernatorial election, defeating Republican Jack Ciattarelli in a closely contested race. The former Naval Academy graduate, helicopter pilot, and federal prosecutor will replace term-limited Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, having campaigned primarily on cost-of-living issues including utility rate freezes and housing development incentives. Her win is viewed as part of a broader pattern of Democratic victories, including gubernatorial races in Virginia and New York City's mayoral election, that signal public sentiment toward the Trump administration. The election was marred by bomb threats at polling locations on election day, which both candidates condemned as attempts to undermine the democratic process. # Key Takeaways

Rama Duwaji, a 28-year-old New York-based artist with Syrian heritage, is set to become New York City's youngest first lady following her husband Zohran Mamdani's mayoral victory. Despite facing criticism for remaining largely absent from the campaign trail, Duwaji worked behind the scenes, contributing to her husband's campaign branding and visual identity. Her artistic work, which has been featured in major publications and museums, frequently addresses Middle Eastern themes and takes strong political stances on issues like Palestinian rights and American foreign policy. The couple, who met on the dating app Hinge and married quietly in February, have navigated the balance between Duwaji's desire for privacy and the public scrutiny that comes with political life.

A civil trial is underway in Virginia where former teacher Abigail Zwerner is suing ex-assistant principal Ebony Parker for $40 million after being shot by a six-year-old student in January 2023. Zwerner alleges that Parker ignored multiple warnings about the child potentially having a weapon at school approximately 45 minutes before the shooting occurred. The bullet caused severe injuries requiring multiple surgeries, and Zwerner continues to experience both physical limitations and emotional trauma from the incident. Parker's defense argues the shooting was unforeseeable, claiming no one could have predicted a first-grader would bring a gun to school and shoot their teacher. # Key Takeaways

A Los Angeles museum exhibition titled "Monuments" showcases 18 decommissioned Confederate monuments alongside contemporary art pieces, including the melted-down bronze from Charlottesville's controversial Robert E. Lee statue. The exhibition, which opens October 23 at The Brick and the Geffen Contemporary at the Museum of Contemporary Art, challenges narratives about Confederate figures like Lee and Jackson who curator Hamza Walker emphasizes "fought for slavery" and "believed in white supremacy." This exhibition occurs amid ongoing national tension over Confederate monuments, with President Trump recently ordering their reinstallation while activists argue these statues promote racist ideologies. The exhibition, which runs until May, features artist Kara Walker's reconstructed Stonewall Jackson sculpture titled "Unmanned Drone" that transforms the general into a ghostly, headless figure.