On Friday, 200 Oregon National Guard troops were federalized by President Donald Trump, after he said the city of Portland had become a “war zone.” On Saturday, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzer said he was notified that the administration planned to federalize 300 troops there. The announcements mark the latest escalation of Trump’s use of federal intervention in U.S. cities. The president has called the deployment of federal immigration agents and guard troops in cities necessary and attacked Democrats on crime and immigration policies. But Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek says the deployment is an abuse of power. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker calls the administration's demands un-American.
The Trump administration plans to federalize 300 members of the Illinois National Guard, according to Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, who called the move “absolutely outrageous and un-American.” Pritzker said the Illinois National Guard received word Saturday that they would be called up. He didn't specify when or where the troops would be deployed, but President Trump has long threatened to send troops into Chicago. The escalation follows similar crackdowns to combat crime in other parts of the country, including Baltimore and Memphis. Trump deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles over the summer and as part of his law enforcement takeover in Washington, D.C.
Former NFL quarterback and current Fox Sports analyst Mark Sanchez has been arrested after he was apparently stabbed in an overnight altercation in downtown Indianapolis. Sanchez was charged with battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication — all misdemeanors. Indianapolis police said Sanchez was in a hospital and had not been booked into a detention center. He was in stable condition, according to Fox Sports. Police said earlier in the day that they were investigating a confrontation between two men, one of whom was hospitalized with stab wounds. Sanchez was in Indianapolis to call Sunday’s Raiders-Colts game.
Virginia’s Democratic candidate for attorney general has been widely condemned for text messages from 2022 that revealed him suggesting that a prominent Republican get “two bullets to the head.” Democrat Jay Jones is on the defensive in what has been a hard-hitting campaign. Early voting is well underway in Virginia ahead of the November general election. Jones is running against Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares. Jones has faced a torrent of bipartisan criticism since the messages surfaced. The texts were first reported by The National Review,
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America installed the Rev. Yehiel Curry as its first Black presiding bishop on Saturday, marking a historic moment for the predominantly white denomination. Curry succeeds the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, the first woman to lead the ELCA. His six-year term began Oct. 1, following his election in July. Curry's leadership comes as the ELCA faces challenges like a steep membership decline. Born in Chicago, Curry grew up Catholic and became Lutheran as an adult when he was working as a middle school teacher. His leadership aims to foster diversity and strengthen connections within the church.
Tropical Storm Priscilla forms in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexico.
The iconic Vermont venue known for launching the jam band Phish and fostering a variety of music and musicians has closed its doors after 50 years. Nectar's said in June that it was taking a summer pause due to challenges in downtown Burlington. But weeks later, it announced that it wouldn't reopen at all, citing economic struggles and downtown construction as contributing factors. The club hosted many artists and was famous for its regular music series. Community members say its absence leaves a significant gap in Burlington's music scene.
A federal judge has concluded that the Department of Justice’s prosecution of Kilmar Abrego Garcia on human smuggling charges could amount to illegal retaliation. U.S. District Court Judge Waverly Crenshaw late Friday granted a request by lawyers for Abrego Garcia and ordered discovery and a hearing in Abrego Garcia’s human smuggling case in Tennessee. Abrego Garcia's lawyers say the federal prosecution of Abrego Garcia is illegal retaliation because he successfully sued the Trump administration over his deportation to El Salvador. Abrego Garcia was charged June 6, the day the U.S. brought Abrego Garcia back from a prison in El Salvador. He pleaded not guilty. If convicted, Abrego Garcia could be deported.
Attorneys for Sean “Diddy” Combs are planning to appeal after the Grammy-winning artist and music executive was sentenced Friday to more than four years in prison. He was sentenced for transporting people across state lines for sexual encounters. The case shattered his cultivated reputation as an affable celebrity entrepreneur, A-list party host and reality TV star. It culminates a public reckoning for the 55-year-old hip-hop star. He made a plea for leniency and wept as his lawyers played a video portraying his family life, career and philanthropy. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian also fined Combs $500,000, the maximum allowed.
Every year, growers raise giant pumpkins and compete in annual weigh-offs against other colossal fruits. They choose seeds that have yielded large pumpkins in the past or test new ones. After that, it comes down to the right combination of water, nutrients and care. As the leafy patch expands, growers remove smaller pumpkins that sprout. Because of gravity, giant pumpkins grow wide but not tall. Pumpkins aren’t the only crops that can get massive. Other members of the gourd family like squashes, cucumbers and watermelons also can get huge.