Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, a Republican, has requested the deployment of National Guard troops to New Orleans and other cities through 2026, citing the need to combat crime. This request aligns with Trump’s previous actions, which have included sending troops to other cities like Washington D.C. and Memphis, despite crime statistics showing significant decreases in some areas. While the governor pointed to elevated violent crime rates and law enforcement shortages, data indicates that New Orleans is experiencing its fewest murders since 1970, with decreases in carjackings, vehicle burglaries, and shootings. This request has drawn criticism from Democratic leaders in other states and comes amidst concerns about the potential misuse of military force.
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Orange County officials have announced a toddler has contracted measles, though spread is not anticipated due to the family’s isolation. This news comes amid a national rise in measles cases, with 1,514 cases reported. Measles is a highly contagious virus, especially dangerous to young children, and the best protection is vaccination, though vaccine hesitancy is contributing to recent outbreaks. Experts note that this is a sign of the times.
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Tuesday marks the end of AOL’s dial-up internet service, a groundbreaking access point for millions of early internet users. AOL, once a dominant force, facilitated many people’s initial web experiences with its distinctive “You’ve Got Mail!” notification. Despite once boasting over 20 million users and a historic merger with Time Warner, AOL’s dial-up service declined with the rise of broadband. The shutdown follows a period of user decline and a sale to Apollo, though AOL continues to offer other services and still has a few thousand paying dial-up users, even though they no longer provide dial-up services.
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In a recent ruling, a woman who underwent an unlawful strip search at a 2018 music festival was awarded at least $93,000 in damages. The court found that the woman’s treatment at the Splendour in the Grass Music Festival in Byron Bay was “humiliating,” leading to compensation for assault, battery, and false imprisonment. This judgement may have implications for a class action involving 3,000 people who were strip searched by NSW Police at music festivals between 2016 and 2022, potentially leading to $150 million in damages. Lawyers involved in the class action believe this ruling could render thousands of additional strip searches unlawful and are urging the state to settle with the remaining members.
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Following a shooting at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Dallas, a second detainee has died. Miguel Ángel García-Hernández, 32, succumbed to his injuries after being removed from life support. He was one of three detainees shot during the incident; the other detainee who died was Norlan Guzmán-Fuente, 37. The shooter, Joshua Jahn, was found dead at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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Following days of deadly Gen Z-led protests over unreliable utilities, Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina dismissed Prime Minister Christian Ntsay and the entire government. While the President did not indicate he would step down, he announced a call for applications for government positions with a three-day timeframe to review proposals for a new Prime Minister. The UN reported 22 deaths due to the protests and the subsequent violent response from security forces, although Madagascar authorities dispute the toll. Protests, which began peacefully but were met with force, have involved thousands of people in the streets, resulting in roadblocks, fires, and attacks on political figures.
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During a visit to New Zealand, FBI Director Kash Patel gifted inoperable, 3D-printed replica pistols to several senior law enforcement officials. These weapons, which are tightly regulated under New Zealand law, were deemed potentially operable by gun regulators and subsequently destroyed. The gifts were presented as display stands at meetings with the Police Commissioner, the director-general of the human intelligence agency, and the director-general of the technical intelligence agency. The incident raised concerns about compliance with local firearms laws, prompting criticism and the need for the weapons’ destruction, despite the intent being a “genuine gesture”.
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Epirus’s Leonidas high-power microwave weapon recently underwent a successful live-fire demonstration in Indiana, showcasing its ability to neutralize drone swarms. The latest Leonidas system disabled all 61 drones targeted, including taking down 49 with a single beam. This updated version boasts enhanced range and lethality compared to its predecessors. The demonstration, attended by U.S. and allied representatives, highlighted Leonidas’s capabilities in selectively targeting drones and ensuring safe drone landing zones, solidifying its position as a key counter-swarm solution.
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Charlie Javice, the founder of the startup Frank, has been sentenced to over seven years in prison for defrauding JPMorgan Chase out of $175 million. Javice was found guilty of fabricating customer data to inflate the company’s value during its acquisition by the bank in 2021. Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein ultimately dismissed arguments of leniency and maintained that the defendant’s actions were the sole focus of the court, regardless of the bank’s oversight. The prosecution highlighted Javice’s motive of greed, which was reflected in a text message sent prior to the trial, as a key factor in the severity of the sentence.
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Stockbridge police announced a significant drug bust, confiscating over 300 pounds of methamphetamine. The operation, which involved collaboration between local and federal agencies, also resulted in the seizure of four vehicles, a firearm, and over $50,000 in cash. Authorities have linked the case to an international cartel, emphasizing the importance of such partnerships in removing dangerous drugs and weapons from communities. This seizure comes as police are also investigating a separate incident in Atlanta involving the theft of a large quantity of alcohol from a liquor store.
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John Q. Hosedrinker