Tesla shareholders have approved a compensation package for Elon Musk that could potentially make him the world’s first trillionaire. The package, approved by over 75% of the votes cast, would grant Musk up to 423.7 million additional shares over the next decade if the company achieves specific operational and financial targets. To receive the full payout, Tesla’s market capitalization needs to reach $8.5 trillion. This award comes as Musk shifts the company’s focus towards self-driving cars and humanoid robots, despite facing current financial challenges.
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Due to the government shutdown, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered airlines to reduce traffic at the nation’s busiest airports, leading to widespread flight cancellations starting Friday. Approximately 500 flights were cut across the country, with numbers expected to rise as airlines phase in the 10% reduction. The FAA’s decision to cut flights at 40 high-volume airports, like those in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, is intended to alleviate the pressure on air traffic controllers working without pay. Passengers are advised to check their flight status and be aware of their rights, including potential refunds and rebooking options.
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A federal judge in Texas has granted the government’s request to dismiss the criminal conspiracy charge against Boeing related to the 737 Max crashes, which resulted in 346 fatalities. As part of the agreement, Boeing will pay an additional $1.1 billion in fines and compensation. This resolution comes despite the judge’s statement that the deal “fails to secure the necessary accountability to ensure the safety of the flying public.” The Justice Department maintains the resolution is the most just outcome, though some of the victims’ families plan to appeal the decision.
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Maria Florinda Rios Perez, a 32-year-old cleaning woman and mother of four, was fatally shot at the wrong house in Whitestown, Indiana, after mistakenly arriving at the wrong address. According to her brother, Rios, the victim was shot in the head while attempting to open the door with keys and died in her husband’s arms. The Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that the incident was isolated and the individuals were part of a cleaning crew. Police are investigating, and Boone County prosecutors will determine if a crime was committed, considering Indiana’s “stand your ground” laws.
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A man accused of assaulting a federal officer by throwing a Subway sandwich at him during the Trump administration’s law enforcement surge in Washington, D.C. was found not guilty. Despite video evidence of the incident and the officer’s testimony, the jury deliberated for seven hours, ultimately determining that the sandwich did not constitute an assault. The defense focused on the lack of bodily harm, highlighting the trivial nature of the incident and the officer’s colleagues’ reaction, which included gag gifts mocking the event. This verdict underscores the continued resistance of D.C. residents and the willingness of the U.S. Attorney for D.C. to bring assault cases to federal court, regardless of their perceived weakness.
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The IRS will discontinue its Direct File program after a limited pilot and one full filing season, according to Commissioner Bill Long. This decision aligns with the policy directives within a large spending bill, which allocated resources to research and potentially replace direct e-file programs. Despite positive feedback from users, with 94% rating their experience as “excellent” or “above average,” the program is ending. The IRS is committed to modernizing its operations and will provide transparency regarding tax returns and audits.
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In Newport News, Virginia, a jury awarded $10 million to former teacher Abby Zwerner, who was shot by a 6-year-old student, after finding former assistant principal Ebony Parker liable for ignoring warnings about the gun. Zwerner, who was shot in January 2023, had sought $40 million in damages, having spent nearly two weeks in the hospital and requiring six surgeries. The lawsuit argued that Parker failed to act on warnings from school staff who reported the student had a gun in his backpack. Parker faces a separate criminal trial this month on charges of felony child neglect, while the student’s mother was sentenced to nearly four years in prison.
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AP News reports that Sean Charles Dunn, a former Justice Department employee, was found not guilty of assault after throwing a sandwich at a federal agent during the Trump administration’s law enforcement surge in Washington. The viral video of the incident made Dunn a symbol of resistance. Dunn’s defense argued the sandwich toss was a harmless gesture of protest protected by the First Amendment. Prosecutors faced a setback in the case, mirroring broader pushback against the Justice Department’s handling of surge-related criminal cases.
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According to police in Frisco, Texas, Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland was found dead of an apparent suicide after a vehicle chase and fleeing the scene of an accident. The incident began Wednesday night with a traffic violation and a pursuit by the Texas Department of Public Safety troopers. After authorities lost sight of the vehicle, they found it crashed and discovered Kneeland had fled on foot; a search was initiated after receiving reports that he might be suicidal. Kneeland, who was in his second season with the Cowboys after being drafted in 2024, was found dead early Thursday morning.
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Authorities have identified the woman who threw hot coffee at a McDonald’s manager in Buena Vista Township, Michigan. The incident, captured on video, occurred Tuesday morning and depicted the woman complaining about service before throwing the coffee. Police released the video to the public, leading to the woman’s identification. Criminal charges against the woman are possible, but her name has not been released pending arraignment.
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John Q. Hosedrinker