Congressman Ro Khanna spearheaded the legislative effort that led to the passage of a bill mandating the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, despite initial resistance. With the Justice Department now obligated to release the documents, Khanna warned officials to comply or face potential consequences, including prosecution in future administrations. He also expressed support for issuing a subpoena to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, to compel him to answer questions about his relationship with Epstein. Khanna emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability, particularly as Democrats aim to regain control of the House of Representatives.
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Grammy-winning rapper Pras Michel of the Fugees has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for illegally funneling millions in foreign contributions to Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign. The 52-year-old was convicted on 10 counts, including conspiracy and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government, following a trial in which actor Leonardo DiCaprio testified. Prosecutors sought a life sentence, citing the breadth of Michel’s crimes and greed, while his defense argued for a much shorter sentence and will appeal the conviction. Michel obtained over $120 million from Malaysian billionaire Low Taek Jho and attempted to obstruct a Justice Department investigation, leading to the court’s decision.
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Two Texas chapters of the Center on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) have initiated legal action against Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, challenges Abbott’s designation of CAIR as a foreign terrorist organization and subsequent ban on the group owning land within the state. The suit alleges violations of CAIR’s First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and association, along with due process violations under the Fourteenth Amendment. CAIR’s legal challenge also highlights Abbott’s direction to investigate the organization, as well as claims made by the Governor that CAIR is a “front group” for Hamas and a direct subsidiary of the Muslim Brotherhood.
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A man pardoned by former President Trump after the January 6th Capitol riot has been arrested in Florida. Andrew Paul Johnson, 44, is accused of molesting an 11-year-old boy on multiple occasions. According to an affidavit, Johnson attempted to bribe the child by gifting him an iPhone and claiming he would receive $10 million and be included in his will due to his involvement in the January 6th events. Johnson had previously pleaded guilty for his actions during the riot but was later pardoned.
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According to The Associated Press, the U.S. Border Patrol is operating a secretive surveillance program, monitoring millions of American drivers using license plate readers and predictive intelligence. This program analyzes travel patterns to identify and detain individuals deemed suspicious, often leading to aggressive questioning and searches based on pretextual traffic stops. The Border Patrol has expanded its reach beyond the border, collaborating with other agencies and utilizing AI, creating a mass surveillance network impacting people throughout the country. Civil liberties advocates raise concerns about the constitutionality of this program and its potential for abuse, as exemplified by cases where individuals were stopped and searched with no evidence of wrongdoing.
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On Wednesday evening, Tiffin Police responded to a home on Huss St. after a mother reported a shooting. Investigation revealed that the mother was moving belongings with the help of Dustin Wiley, while her husband, Ryan Eagon, was believed to be out of town. Eagon fatally shot the two children, aged 7 and 7 months, as well as Wiley, before taking his own life. Law enforcement and emergency services responded, but all four individuals, including the children, Wiley, and Eagon, were pronounced dead.
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Kelly Garrett Ivey, a 43-year-old Georgia man, received a life sentence with 50 years to serve after pleading guilty to multiple child sex crimes in Monroe and Jasper counties. Ivey’s charges included trafficking of persons for sexual servitude, cruelty to children, and attempted rape. The investigation revealed Ivey used a teenage girl’s social media to solicit child molesters, even attempting to sell her personal information on the dark web for kidnapping and sexual assault. The case came to light in 2023, prompting the FBI’s intervention and highlighting the importance of vigilance in protecting children.
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In a surprising turn of events, the U.S. government has moved to dismiss federal charges against Marimar Martinez, who was shot by a Customs and Border Protection agent. Martinez and co-defendant Anthony Ruiz had pleaded not guilty to assaulting federal officers. The prosecution’s decision follows public scrutiny and a judge’s skepticism regarding the investigation’s handling. Defense attorney Christopher Parente expressed appreciation for the dismissal, while the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated it continually evaluates cases to ensure justice is served. A status hearing on the motion to dismiss is scheduled for later this afternoon.
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The U.S. Coast Guard will cease classifying the swastika as a hate symbol under a new policy. This controversial decision, effective next month, removes the symbol associated with fascism and white supremacy from the Coast Guard’s list of prohibited symbols. The swastika is historically linked to the genocide of millions during World War II, a conflict where over 400,000 U.S. troops lost their lives fighting against such ideologies.
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A Texas grand jury has indicted Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez on a murder charge for the killing of actor Jonathan Joss. The investigation has not yet determined if Joss’s sexual orientation played a role in the shooting, and whether it will be considered a hate crime remains unclear. Police allege Alvarez confronted Joss and his husband before the shooting, with Joss’s husband claiming the shooter used homophobic slurs. Alvarez’s attorneys have not commented, but one previously stated their client’s innocence.
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John Q. Hosedrinker