Blog - Page 614 of 1006

Obama condemned Kirk’s murder, saying political debates must endure.

Politics

US-NEA

-

September 17, 2025

0

Obama condemned Kirk’s murder, saying political debates must endure.

In a speech on Tuesday, September 16th, former President Barack Obama condemned the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk as a horrifying tragedy.
Obama appeared as part of the Jefferson Educational Association’s annual Global Summit Speaker Series.
Obama emphasized that democracy requires the ability to oppose and debate without resorting to violence.

ERRY, Pa. — Former President Barack Obama called the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and other recent acts of political violence “terrifying” and criticised President Donald Trump for using tragedy to curb debates that are important to democracy.

In his first public comment outside of social media on Kirk’s murder at Utah Valley University last week, Obama, the second-term president-elect, said Americans should also freely debate political violence, as well as free to discuss ideas supported by victims of such violence.

“It’s important to us at first to acknowledge that political violence is nothing new,” he told Steve Scully, a veteran broadcast journalist from Ellie, best known for his tenure at C-Span. “It happened at a certain time in our history, but it’s a disgust of the meaning of being a democratic country. And what happened to Charlie Kirk, regardless of where you are in the political light, was a horrifying tragedy.

President Obama told the crowd of 8,000 people in the Erie insurance space that the central premise of democracy can oppose it.

“And when it happens to someone, you think they’re quoting on the other side of the discussion “we’re quoting you haven’t quoted, it’s a threat to all of us, and we have to be clear and open and condemn it,” Obama said.

“We need to spread our grace.”

Since Kirk’s murder, Republicans have not only sharply criticised some on the left for appearing to celebrate the 31-year-old assassination, but also highlighted those who have highlighted the many controversial beliefs held by the founders of Turning Point USA.

“I didn’t know Charlie Kirk,” Obama said. “I was generally aware of some of his ideas. I think those ideas were wrong, but I don’t deny the fact that what happened was a tragedy. I lamented him and his family. He was a young man with two small children and a wife.

“Basic Code”

“At the same time, you could say, ‘I don’t agree with the idea that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a mistake,'” Obama said. “It’s not criticizing your beliefs. It’s observing who we are as a nation. I can say I disagree with the suggestion that my wife or (Supreme Court) Justice (Ketangi Brown) Jackson doesn’t have the right brain processing power. By guiding illegal immigration, they are all topics that can be discussed honestly and frankly.”

Obama praised Utah Gov. Spencer Cox for his handling of Kirk’s assassination and told Republicans he wouldn’t agree “with everything,” but showed that Cox could adhere to “the basic code of how to engage in public debate.” Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said that in 2028, Democratic presidential candidate Shapiro demonstrated similar capabilities just hours after he gave his own speech in Pittsburgh about political violence. Five months ago, Shapiro and his family were the targets of an attempted assassination when parts of the governor’s residence flare up while slept inside.

Obama, 64, portrayed a sharp difference with Trump throughout the evening.

“Before he could determine who the perpetrators of this evil act was, he said, “I realized there was confusion about this recent coming from the White House and some of the other authority positions.” That’s a mistake. ”

He recalled the 2015 murder of a black parishioner at the Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, in the hands of neo-Nazi and white supremacist Dylan Roof. Obama did not respond to the massacre, he said, “I’ll chase after my political opponents,” supposed who influenced “the young people with this problem.” His predecessor, President George W. Bush, spoke systematically and repeatedly after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, as a way to split and target it, as a way to split and target it,” he said.

“I’m not in my White House.”

But Trump and some of his allies have a history of calling political enemies “enemies,” Obama said. He said there is extremism on both sides, he calls it a broader issue that all Americans have to tackle, regardless of their political affiliation.

“But I say this – those extreme views were not in my White House,” he said. “I wasn’t empowering them. I didn’t put the weight of the US government behind them. When we have the weight of the US government behind the views of extremists, we have problems. We are at an inflection point in the sense that we must always fight for democracy, and we must fight for the value that has made this country a vy desire for the world.”

Obama spoke at Ellie as part of the Jefferson Education Association’s Global Summit XVII, the annual speaker series for Regional Think Tanks. He addressed a range of issues during his 80-minute address, from serious topics including the influence of social media on society and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, which he warned will be economically disruptive and poses the risk of being “weaponized” by bad actors, to the lighthearted: his take on fellow Chicagoan and White Sox fan Pope Leo XVI, the infamous “tan suit” scandal and the work on his presidential library and the second installation of his memoirs.

He spoke at length about the Trump White House, but he didn’t mention former President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris. He also did not mention the Democratic state or the efforts by US Attorney General Pam Bondi to launch a major jury investigation into allegations that members of his administration “were armed” the US intelligence news community in Russia’s 2016 election interference.

Ellie, Bellwether County with 268,000 residents, supported President Obama in 2008 and 2012, supported Trump in 2016, supported Biden in 2020, and again in 2024, becoming one of only 25 “boomerang” counties nationwide.

Matthew Link is an investigative journalist for the USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania.

New Revelation of Charlie Kirk Murder

USA

US-NEA

-

September 17, 2025

0

The 22-year-old had planned an attack for a week. He used a weapon he described as “grandpa’s rifle.” He sent a message to his roommate who was in a romantic relationship after shooting and killing the conservative and influential Charlie Kirk.

Tyler Robinson’s roommate, who was told to look under the keyboard, discovered a note saying, “I had the opportunity to take Charlie Kirk away and I’m going to take it.”

“Did you not do that right????” I asked my roommate.

“I’m sorry,” replied Robinson.

These were one of the details included in the 10-page crime information released by Jeff Gray, a former Utah Straight A student, who accused witnesses of worsening murder, felony firearms, obstructing justice and instructing his roommate not to cooperate with Kirk’s death.

Robinson is accused of shooting him in the neck when it was opened to Utah Valley University in Orem on September 10th. The murder of President Donald Trump and the co-founder of Turning Point USA shocked the public amid rising political violence.

Robinson was charged on September 16th with charges with new details about the suspect.

Why did the suspect lead to Kirk’s event?

The charges include allegations that Robinson targeted Kirk because of “Robinson’s belief or recognition of Charlie Kirk’s political expression.”

Robinson’s mother told police that her son “started dating his roommate, a biological man who is transitioning gender,” court documents said.

And she said last year or so, Robinson has become more political and “started to tilt more left, more gay and right-oriented.”

The result was a discussion between the family, particularly Robinson and his father. Robinson had accused Kirk of spreading hatred, Gray said. A message obtained by investigators between Robinson and his room points out that Robinson was “a rather stubborn Magazine since Trump took office.”

After filming, Gray said his roommate, who was cooperating and not charged in the case, shared a text message between the two. Robinson’s roommate explained the exchange with police and was happy to present a message, officials said. Law enforcement also obtained photos of the memo.

When asked why his roommate had done it, Robinson replied in a message, “I had enough of his hatred. Some hatred cannot be negotiated.” He added that he had planned it for “more than a week.”

Gray said Robinson instructed his roommate to “delete his guilty text” and “keep quiet.”

Robinson sent a message to his roommate, according to crime information documents filed in court.

Evidence collected by the police

DNA matching suspect Tyler Robinson was found on the trigger of a rifle that was thought to have been used to kill Kirk, Gray said.

Robinson’s DNA was also found on a towel wrapped around a rifle and a driver found on the roof where police say a fatal shot was fired, federal officials previously said.

According to charging documents, the sculptures on the bullet he recovered in connection with Kirk’s assassination include “Hey fascist! Catch!” “If you read this, you’re a gay Lmao” and “O Bella Ciao…”, a possible reference to the Italian anti-fascist song.

The fired cartridges are references to animated videos and internet memes related to furry culture.

Documents say that searching Robinson’s home, investigators discovered another shell casing with “etching” similar to that found on a rifle found near the attack.

In a text exchange with his roommate, Robinson described the bullet sculpture as “mainly a big meme.”

Gray said the investigation is ongoing.

“We don’t have any additional suspect information at this point, but we know that our law enforcement continues to follow the lead,” he said.

Gray also announced something President Trump wanted publicly, that he would seek the death penalty.

“I’m not underestimating this decision. It’s a decision I made independently as a county attorney based solely on the evidence and circumstances available and the nature of the crime,” he said.

Robinson wanted to cover his truck before surrendering

Court documents suggest that the suspect was seen on campus before the attack, which “allowed to walk on unusual walks.” Police later discovered that “the mark on the gravel rooftop matches the sniper lying on the roof.”

The shooting took place at about 12:23 pm, officials said earlier as the shooters left the campus area.

After the attack, Robinson said at one point in a text exchange contained in court documents that he was OK, but was stuck near the scene until he was able to retrieve the rifle he described as his grandfather’s.

“If we can make the rifle invisible, we can’t leave any evidence, we’ll try to get it back again.

“I’m worried about what the old man will do if he doesn’t get his grandpa’s rifle back,” he texted.

When the 33-hour Manhunt unfolded following a chaotic scene at Utah Valley University, Robinson’s mother saw photos of authorities releasing the gunman and thought it was her son, Gray said.

She told Robinson’s father that the man in the surveillance photo looked like their son, and he agreed. She called her son, but he told her he was sick on September 10th.

Robinson’s father also thought he was aware of the release photo of the rifle he gave him as a gift, court documents alleges. He asked his son to send a photo. When they spoke, his son told him he was going to take his life, according to the prosecutor.

“Robinson’s parents were able to convince him to meet at home,” court documents state. Robinson agreed to speak to a family friend who previously worked as a deputy sheriff. A family friend, along with Robinson’s parents, brought the 22-year-old boy to local law enforcement on September 11th.

Robinson was arrested on September 16th, wearing a ballistic vest from prison and sitting almost on his face. The judge said he would appoint an attorney to represent him.

People’s fear of political violence, employment dismissal

Kirk’s shooting death, which brought conservative movements to the younger generation, inflamed fears of increased risk of political violence against both Republicans and Democrats.

Despite several calls to alleviate political sectors and rhetoric, the Trump administration has vowed to target left-leaning organizations that claim to be promoting political violence. Fallout also led to job search solutions for social media posts that some people deemed to have attacked.

Democrats accused Trump and his allies of ignoring violence against political rights by denounced violence on the left alone. In fact, a recent study by the Libertarian Cato Institute found a significant tilt in politically motivated killings in the United States.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox recently said Kirk’s murder is an opportunity for the country to reassess the dangers of deepening political polarization, saying, “At some point, we have to find an off-ramp, or it’s going to be even worse.”

Brave Barbie, Ken doll with wig accessories

Economy

US-NEA

-

September 17, 2025

0

Brave Barbie, Ken doll with wig accessories

Barbie is launching a new hairless doll line in honor of children with hair loss, including the first Ken without hair.

The new doll is part of the brand’s existing brave Barbie line, featuring ald dolls with attached wigs. According to a press release from September 17th, the latest line introduces the first-ever brave Ken, the new belch version of Barbie’s longtime male companion.

This launch coincides with Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, which will be observed in September. However, these dolls are not sold in stores. They will be given to children around the world who suffer from cancer or autoimmune diseases that cause hair loss, the press release said.

“Their meaningful new look and expansion into brave Ken dolls have these dolls continue to embody courage and compassion,” said Nancy Morenda, vice president of global corporate events and philanthropy at Mattel, in a statement. “To put these dolls in the hands of families and see the light they bring in at the most difficult moments of life is deeply humble and a privilege that brings us closer to our hearts.”

What does a new hairless Barbie doll look like?

There are two brave Barbie dolls. According to the press release, there are five accessories: headphones, hats, headbands, wigs and sticker packs, each with five accessories included.

The first brave Ken doll features a wig in addition to the five accessories of the brave Barbie.

Chase Carter, director of community engagement at CureSearch for Children Cancer, is a nonprofit focused on the end of childhood cancer, and helped develop Brave Ken Doll.

“It was important for the brave Ken to convey the same message that the brave Barbie has given his children for years. “These dolls are more than toys, they represent the courage and companionship of fighting.”

What is the brave Barbie program?

First launched in 2013, the Brave Barbie program exclusively offers hairless dolls to children through nonprofit organizations such as CureSearch for Children Cancer.

They aim to provide comfort to children facing hair loss from cancer and other illnesses.

According to a press release, the program has given children more than 120,000 brave Barbie dolls to date.

This year, the program is expanding globally through partnerships with more organizations around the world, the release said.

Are brave Barbie and Ken for sale?

According to the release, Brave Barbie and Ken Dolls are distributed only through Mattel’s non-commercial partners.

As part of the launch of the new line, Mattel said it will distribute 10,000 dolls to children around the world.

The new doll is scheduled to roll out this fall, but Mattel has not announced an exact release date.

According to the brand, families can seek brave Barbies in treatment facilities. Families can also contact mattelchildrensfoundation@mattel.com.

Inclusive and diverse Barbie dolls

In recent years, Mattel has worked hard to launch more diverse and inclusive dolls. Last July, the brand launched the blind Barbie and the first Black Barbie with Down syndrome.

Dolls are part of Barbie’s Fashionista Line and are a comprehensive range of dolls with over 175 different skin tones, eye colors, hair color and texture, body shape, disability and fashion.

This line represents a variety of obstacles and appearances from the past, releasing Barbie and Ken with mobility AIDS, including wheelchairs and braces, dolls with hearing aids, hair removal and vitiligo.

This collection is described by Mattel as a comprehensive range of dolls “designed to reflect the world children see today.”

Contributor: Mary Walrath Holdridge, USA Today

Melina Kahn is a national trending reporter for USA Today. She can be contacted at melina.khan@usatoday.com.

Indiana Gov. Mike Brown: “It’s probably going to happen.”

Politics

US-NEA

-

September 17, 2025

0

Indiana Gov. Mike Brown: “It’s probably going to happen.”

Gov. Mike Brown said he expects lawmakers to gain sufficient support to redeem and hold special sessions to address “other issues.”

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Governor Mike Brown has shown the most powerful indication that a special session to redraw Hoosier’s state’s congressional map is likely inevitable.

First-term Republicans do not call special sessions without knowing that lawmakers will vote to approve the district change. He repeated this to reporters on September 16th. But his prediction is that he is heading in that direction.

“We’re going to vote for lawmakers. If that’s the case, we’re going to do that,” he said. “My feelings will probably happen.”

Speaking to reporters following the announcement of the new Workforce Training Grant Initiative, Brown noted several lawmakers who have publicly changed their minds on the issue after opposing it. The White House and allies have been putting pressure on since the beginning of last month in the form of a call-up campaign from 501C4 to help push President Donald Trump’s district in the form of a visit from Vice President J.D. Vance to Indiana. He wants to strengthen the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives ahead of the midterm elections.

Seven of Indiana’s nine seats are held by Republicans, but lawmakers can redraw the map to give Republicans one or two more seats.

Both the Indiana House and the Senate GOP Caucus met last week to continue discussing the rezoning.

Brown also suggested for the first time that “other issues” would appear when he invoke a special session.

Asked what they were, Brown said he had nothing to say except that he offered one possibility: By passing laws that further adjust Indiana laws to Trump’s so-called “one big beautiful bill,” we can benefit from what was changed in the big bill.

Indiana Rep. Ed Delaney of Indianapolis, received Brown’s comments and means that he currently doesn’t have enough votes to call out the traditional special session to focus solely on the efforts of “Shoplift Congressional Seats.”

“Instead, he will try to find a way to blend this difficult, challenging topic with our usual business,” he said. “Wait and watch. I’ll be here in November.”

By law, regular sessions of strange numbers of years in late November are ceremonially convened, heading out for the holidays and reconvened by the fourth Monday of January.

Brown believes things are moving in the direction of rezoning, but he says he hopes the decision will be “organic.”

“It’s going to have its own evolution,” he said. “Look tuned. I want it to happen where leaders and lawmakers feel satisfied with it.”

Meanwhile, Democrats plan to serve as opposed constituencies at the Capitol on September 18th, along with former Transport Secretary Pete Buttigigue.

Indystar Statehouse Reporter Contact Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow us on X @kayla_dwyer17.

Texas, Archmanning has a quarterback issue. Is there an answer to the backup?

USA

US-NEA

-

September 17, 2025

0

Texas, Archmanning has a quarterback issue. Is there an answer to the backup?

Steve Sarkisian says it could be “even worse.” Yikes. What advocates.
Texas backup quarterback Matthew Caldwell is a successful transfer at Troy.
If Arch Manning can’t handle UTEP, how will he take the fare against Oklahoma?

I hardly believe my fingers are trying to type these next words, but Texas has a quarterback problem. That’s not an exaggeration.

Texas ranks 15 out of 16 seconds teams. That’s despite playing two games with a cupcake opponent.

It’s a quarterback issue.

That preseason No. 1 ranking has been gone for a long time. All bets slip in the archmanning as the winner of the Heisman Trophy will become fuel for the fireplace once the weather changes.

Pass to the playoffs: Sign up for our College Football Newsletter

Who is the backup quarterback in Texas? Yes, that’s a serious question.

It’s also wrong to think that Manning can’t be the bench if he’s wrong to think that he’s going to be the next Tim Tebou just because he owns a well-known surname and a noble recruitment ranking.

Manning fired 10 consecutive incompleteness in a 27-10 blunt victory over Texas El Paso rather than Ohio State.

“It could be even worse,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “We could lose.”

I can’t believe it’s coming to this, but we’ve officially reached the “possible to be even worse” stage in Texas and Manning.

If Texas had played an opponent outside of the acronym school for alphabet soup, that would have been worse.

Sarkisian compared Manning’s Whack Out of Obs-Obs-Offowing Mechanics to a bad golfer trying to get just one in place.

“Some of us who are bad golfers think about your golf swing,” Sarkisian said. “You shake hard, then you try to slow it down at the end. It’s about making good contact. It’s not a recipe for success. It’s not a good recipe for throwing soccer either. And I felt that it happened from time to time.”

Just like that, I imagine Manning as a local Muni double bogey hacker, sprinkling some good drives between many slices, worm burners and shanks blowing onto the tree.

Who is the Texas backup quarterback behind Archmanning?

To answer the questions I raised, Matthew Caldwell is the backup quarterback for Texas. Upon transfer, he played for three other schools, most recently for Troy. He also played well for Troy.

Having gotten a lot of this, Caldwell won the “Manning Star of the Week” honor for his performance against Georgia Southern last season.

Seriously.

The Sugar Bowl, to honor Mannings’ legacy, recognizes several quarterbacks each week for their performances. Caldwell took the honor after dicing Sunbelt opponents for 288 passing yards and four total touchdowns.

Caldwell was a Zero Star recruit from Auburn High School in Alabama. He began his college career as a walk-on in Jacksonville. That way, he’s everything Manning isn’t.

I reviewed Caldwell’s films in Troy and watched the mobile quarterback on a quick release. You don’t confuse his arms for John Elway, but he’s accurate.

Don’t take that from me.

“He has athleticism and throws accurate balls. …He’s really coachable,” Sarkisian told reporters before the season. “…He has a really good relationship with his teammates.”

So what is the hold-up? See, I think it’s easy to build that backup quarterbacks are the solution and there’s no evidence to support it. There’s a reason why guys were often the backup and not the starter.

However, when Quinn Ewors fought Georgia last season, Sarkisian tried to back him up. It just happened to be the name of the backup being Manning. Now, the name of the backup is Caldwell, but the spelling of the last name is not important.

Behind Caldwell is a pair of quarterbacks who have been announced but are young and untested.

“The last thing I want to do is put a younger player on the field if he’s not ready to play,” Sarkisian said before the season.

So that’s all. It’s a five-star or former Zero Star walk-on from the most famous family in college football. It should be an easy choice, but Manning’s performance stimulates the need for further evaluation.

Texas never played preseason quarterback competition. Sarkisian appointed Manning as the starter in February. Every time Manning gets incomplete, it appears Sarkisian has made a decision too quickly.

Maybe Texas needs a late quarterback competition

Manning, 21, is in his third season in Texas. He started five games. He’s a struggling quarterback, but not particularly a younger quarterback.

After Manning struggled in the season-opening match against Ohio State, the sermon’s patience seemed wise. By the second week, Manning was grimacing and Sarkisian was cracking a toilet joke. Now, after this stinker against UTEP, it’s time to see a rapid improvement this time, Sarkisian has to evaluate his options.

I realized that no coach loves quarterback controversy during the season. But what’s worse than the quarterback controversy? Just as expensive as this.

Texas has the next win and loss Sam Houston state. I can’t imagine a better opponent to test a backup quarterback. There are alternative quarters for Manning and Caldwell. Before the Longhorns resume their game against the big league competition next month, let’s take a look at who’s best for Texas needs.

With the Texas defense playing, the Longhorns don’t necessarily need the next Tebou or Payton 2.0 at quarterback. They need a quarterback more than the arch ever had.

Blake Toppmeyer is a senior national college football columnist for the USA Today Network. Email him to btopppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him with X @btopppmeyer.

CSI and Huloop provide AI-driven efficiency to banks

AI & Tech

US-NEA

-

September 17, 2025

0

CSI and Huloop provide AI-driven efficiency to banks

FinTech, RegTech and Cybersecurity vendor CSI team up with Huloop, a provider of AI-powered no-code automation platforms to help banks improve efficiency. The partnership is designed to present CSI’s Nupoint core banking system to financial institutions, allowing companies to manage their accounts, transactions and other banking operations.

Nupoint customers have access to Huloop’s Work Intelligence Platform, designed for community and local banks. This solution is intended to help address regulatory overhead and running costs.

Sector challenges include customer onboarding and document-based workloads that are error prone to creating approval bottlenecks. Employee fatigue from repetitive, less valuable tasks in an environment with strict compliance essentials can strain staff.

Huloop’s approach combines AI with humans, where intelligent software agents oversee repetitive, mundane tasks. Todd P. Michaud of Huloop said: “With the Loop design, automation ensures that people’s work will be enhanced instead of replacing it. Community Banks and credit unions are under pressure to grow without adding staff at the same rate.

Huloop’s no-code platform allows banks to streamline banking operations, discover productivity, automate processes, workflow orchestration, document processing, and automated testing of lending and collection workflows.

“It helps to automate back-office tasks and improve operational efficiency,” said Jeremy Hoard, EVP & Chief Bank Officer at Legends Bank.

According to Jason Young, Vice President of Product Management at CSI, the ultimate goal is to help banks make the most of their core banking system. “We extend our proven AI-based automation capabilities, simplify operations and help institutions deliver superior services.”

(Image source: “Parkes, former regional bank of NSW” by Mattinbgn is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.)

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out the AI & Big Data Expo in Amsterdam, California and London. The comprehensive event is part of TechEx and will be held in collaboration with other major technology events. Click here for more information.

AI News is equipped with TechForge Media. Check out upcoming Enterprise Technology events and webinars here.

Kash Patel faces more questions

USA

US-NEA

-

September 17, 2025

0

As prosecutors reveal new information about a Utah man accused of murdering Charlie Kirk, FBI director Kash Patel is scheduled to face more questions on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, September 17th, about the case and the handling of his investigation.

Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested a day ago on seven felony charges, including worsening murder, discharge from a felony firearm, obstructing justice and tampering with eyewitnesses. Local prosecutors say they seek the death penalty that Trump has publicly supported.

New details of the case were released in a claim that Robinson’s DNA was discovered saying it was used in the attack in a rifle police trigger, and that Robinson appeared to confess to multiple people after the murder, including his parents and his live-in partner.

Hundreds of all nights are being held nationwide in Kirk’s memory, with more respect scheduled for the weekend. Turning Point USA, a conservative youth-centric organization co-founded by Kirk, announced it will be holding an event in Glendale, Arizona on September 21st to celebrate the 31-year-old’s legacy.

Meanwhile, Patel is scheduled to appear before the House Judiciary Committee on the second day of his testimony at Capitol Hill. On September 16, he defended himself and his agency from criticism from Democrats who seized a contradictory statement released shortly after Kirk’s death.

According to court records, Robinson had planned an attack for a week, using a weapon he called “grandpa’s rifle.” According to court records, Robinson later sent a message to his roommate, who he was in a romantic relationship, after the fatal shooting.

These were the details included in a 10-page charging document released by former Utah Straight A student, Robinson, who accused witnesses of exacerbated murder, firearm felony, obstructing justice and coaching his roommates to not cooperate with Kirk’s death, and after he held a press conference, he held a press conference.

The charges include allegations that Robinson targeted Kirk because of “Robinson’s belief or recognition of Charlie Kirk’s political expression.”

Robinson’s mother told police that her son had begun dating his transgender roommate, court documents said. Click here for details.

– Chris Kenning, Nick Penzenstadler, Christopher Kang

The Utah official’s decision to pursue the death penalty in their case against Robinson opens the door to another question. Utah allows executions by firing a squad or fatal injection, which of the two will be used in convictions and death sentences?

Most executions in the United States are carried out by fatal injections, but Robinson faces trial in Utah. This is just one of two death penalty states in US history that used fire teams. Utah and South Carolina have executed five inmates by firing squads since 1977, but two executions have happened this year.

Before 2025, Utah was the only one who executed the firing squad in 1977, 1996 and 2010.

Utah was a few days away from the execution of shooting squad this month before the Utah Supreme Court intervened. The state was scheduled to execute Ralph Menzies by firing the squad on September 5th for the murder of three married mothers in 1986. Menzies chose the shooting squad decades ago, but the state’s high court stopped it over concerns about his current dementia and whether he still understands why he is still being executed. Click here for details.

– Amanda Lee Myers

FBI director Kash Patel returned to Congress on Wednesday, occasionally screaming with them after facing harsh questions from Senate Democrats about handling major investigations, including the assassination of Kirk.

Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, the Senate Judiciary Committee’s highest ranked Democrat, criticised Patel’s tweet.

“Patel was so eager to gain credibility by finding Kirk’s assassin that he violated one of the fundamentals of effective law enforcement. At a critical stage in the investigation, he will silently let the experts do their job,” Durbin said.

Patel later claimed that under questions from Vermont Democrat Sen. Peter Welch, he did not regret the post or view it as a mistake, and that he issued the information as part of his commitment to the public.

“If you made a statement saying, “We have a guy,” it turns out you didn’t actually have your guy, isn’t that a mistake? “Welch responded later.

– Erin Mansfield and Aysha Bagchi, USA Today

The layoffs hit my company. Do I need to jump the ship too?

Economy

US-NEA

-

September 17, 2025

0

The layoffs hit my company. Do I need to jump the ship too?

When a layoff attacks your company, it’s natural to wonder: am I next? After the initial shock, some employees update their resumes and start applying immediately, while others hope that the worst will end.

That fear is well-founded.

According to a survey of 1,115 US workers in December 2024, 81% are worried about losing jobs in 2025, while 76% believe this year’s layoffs will rise.

That fear has encouraged what experts call “a great stay.” This is the tendency for workers to stick to their current work rather than risking the movements of uncertain times.

But is staying the right move for everyone? And how do you know when it’s time to leave?

To answer that question, we asked Chikara Kennedy, former senior HR manager at Meta and now a career coach, to share a red and green flag that will help us guide the next move.

When you get spared by a layoff, should you stay or should you go?

Akahata: Sudden change

Even if you escaped with the latest layoffs, there could be another wave still coming.

Once the dust has settled down, any sudden or ongoing changes within the company can be a warning sign.

“In many cases, you’ll hear from leaders about industry trends, profitability, or how they don’t feel comfortable with corporate health,” says Kennedy.

She emphasized that employees should not only focus on their performance, but also pay attention to leadership messaging by reading company communications and asking questions to measure leadership trust in the company’s direction.

Be careful if you hear words like “reorganization,” “reorganization,” “reorganization,” or “rationalization.” These conditions are explained by Kennedy: “It shows that your leadership team is considering adjusting things and when those things are happening regardless of your performance, whether you’re in the company, or your relationship, you can be affected.”

Akahata: Silence from Leadership

When communication from above becomes quiet, it could become another red flag.

“When we were laying off, we held these meetings and “Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me,” she says. I can really say, HR was not withholding. They didn’t know, she explains.

At that moment, employees often seek confirmation or peace of mind from the manager or HR. But Kennedy said that was exactly when workers need to change focus.

“It’s time to say, ‘What am I doing,’ no matter what happens, instead of trying to prove myself, instead of looking for something in the company,” she says.

Rather than waiting for guidance from others, focus on what you have control: go your own path.

“I’m the CEO of my life, and the only thing I can control is to make sure I’m ready and make sure I’m considering my options as they are,” she points out.

While caution is always wise when it comes to job security, there are also indications that the company is doing well and supporting its employees.

“There’s no safe company or a safe position. It’s like an old school mistake that doesn’t exist anymore,” she says.

Still, there are positive signals to watch out for.

Two important green flags that your company may thrive are opportunities and confidence to grow from leadership.

Green flag: growth opportunities

When a layoff hits, it can feel like time to run, but growth opportunities can be the green flag that your company is still supporting you.

“You should always talk to your manager and have a relationship with your manager who knows what you are interested in, what your strengths are, what your abilities are,” explains Kennedy.

She emphasized that opportunities aren’t just about promotions and wage increases. You can also include projects and responsibilities tailored to your skills and passion.

“Sometimes people think of opportunities as (a) promotions or increases, but that’s just that I want to work a little more with AI. I want to work more on this side of the business,” they support you.

A strong indicator of a healthy work environment is when leaders create opportunities for you. It involves taking part in a new project, working with another team, or entering a leadership role for the first time.

These experiences show that your interests are respected and that both you and your organization can support each other’s growth.

Green Flag: Confidence from Leadership

Another sign of a healthy company? Clear optimism and confidence from leadership.

“The opposite of restructuring and layoffs is that we are hiring or investing in projects tailored to the areas we match or the jobs you are doing,” she says.

It’s a kind of messaging to show that leadership is not just a response. They have clear plans for the future of the company.

“I hear confidence in performance and the future, like progress in that direction, where they are heading, what steps they are taking,” Kennedy adds.

When leaders share that their targets are met, bonuses are on track, teams are growing and employees’ work is respected. It’s a encouraging and green flag.

Get ready and be ready

No matter how safe your job is, “you don’t just think about whether you should jump over the boat,” explains Kennedy.

Instead, “You should be the protagonist of a career story, not always responding to layoffs. You should always be ready.”

That means consistently putting yourself first by updating your resume, using LinkedIn, getting recommendations, continuing to develop professionally and preparing your proud books, Kennedy says.

“Don’t wait. A lot of people wait, and they don’t remember what I did, don’t remember what I contributed. And they’re in a troublesome position to try and explain their impact in another company after just being traumatized in a layoff,” she explains.

Become the CEO of your own life and always ready in either way.

What is USA Today Top Workplaces 2025?

Do you work for a great company? Each year, USA Today Top Workplaces is a collaboration between Energage and USA Today, ranking US organizations that excel at creating positive work environments for their employees. Employee feedback determines the winner.

In 2025, over 1,500 companies were recognized as the best workplaces. Check out our overall rankings. You can also get more insight into workplace trends and advice by checking out the links below.

Reporter asks Congress about the outfit for the viral video

Politics

US-NEA

-

September 17, 2025

0

Reporter asks Congress about the outfit for the viral video

Reporter Lauren Green asks Congress members about the outfits in the viral video where fashion bridging partisan divisions.

Lauren Green has one of the most colorful jobs on Capitol Hill.

Washington Examination Reporter, 24, covers what Congressional lawmakers are doing, with special emphasis – unlike most journalists in the country’s capital, about what they wear. Green’s video went viral when he asked council members about details of their outfits.

Interrogation of the outfits of everyone, from Green’s buttoned representatives to Parker-dependent Senators, has earned over 600,000 views on Tiktok, showing a less odd aspect of the infamous split Capitol.

“There are some amazing people in Congress on either side of the aisle. I love making videos with them,” Green says.

After graduating from the University of Oklahoma in May 2022, Greene won a job as a Congressional Reporter for a National Magazine. She faced dramatic first few weeks when Republicans moved in the fall of 2023 to overthrow a former GOP speaker in the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy.

“We were straight underground for 21 days, and no one knew. I was a bit crazy because I wasn’t used to the job. To pass the time, Green and his colleagues, who worked at NBC News, evaluated the members’ clothes as they passed.

“One of my colleagues said, ‘You should do that. They’re wearing crazy things so it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Green says. So she did that. And Greene did what the Gen Z reporters in their work might do and turned the bit into viral content.

“OOTD” (costumes for the day) content is popular among members of her generation (born between 1997 and 2012). Gen Z viewers are particularly drawn to content creators like 24-year-old Alix Earle. He gained fame with the “Get Ready With Me” video, told by an influencer who talks about life struggles that are relevant when applying makeup.

Similarly, Green’s videos are accessible to viewers and mixes the everyday habits of dressing in the Washington insider viewing.

From Poshmark to Pizzaz: Lauren Green covers council clothes

In her first video, she has former Rep. Jeff Jackson, D-North Carolina, his own Tiktok star, and two million followers, and is now the state’s attorney general. Jackson, 43, likes a relatively simple suit and tie in predictable gray and blue colors.

“I didn’t think it would be a series,” Green said. “I did it with him because he was great and then people loved it, so I kept going from there.” More viral videos followed. Her #ootd approach to Washington is bipartisan.

In one green video, Maga Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert said he “slaps” a “half-baked match” on second-hand fashion site Poshmark. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive Democrat known for her black and white outfit, wore a theory outlet outfit and a Mark Fisher pump.

Dylan Wells of the Washington Post won the youthful lens follow in Washington, documenting the Democratic governor when he took a shot of West Virginia Sen. Jim Justice’s English Bulldog, Babydog, and Chicago’s staple food, Bitter Recall Maloto, host of the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

Green is also in a place where fashion has been stolen and doesn’t have it on the internet.

Still, some lawmakers are receiving internet backlash for their choice of clothing at the Capitol.

Arizona Senator Kirstensinma wore high thigh boots, a purple wig and a bright pink “dangerous creature” sweater at various times. Her Pennsylvania counterpart Sen. John Fetterman wears a Carhartt sweatshirt that is often paired with black shorts. However, most politicians are stubbornly clad in scripts and dressed in calm clothes.

Lauren Green interviews Gov. Tim Waltz Pete Battig

In one clip, Green had to remember Tennessee Republican Rep. Tim Burchett to tell him what he was wearing: “Oh, I’m wearing a beautiful Carhartt jacket,” he replied. In his @laurenoncapitolhill debut, Texas Democrat Greg Cassar wore a rag tie made in Houston.

Have you ever had Green’s favorite videos? She is dispatched with Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz, the 2024 Democratic candidate for the Vice President, and Pete Battigee, the former Transport Secretary known for her unique twist in fashion.

After Waltz was chosen as Kamala Harris’ running buddy last summer, the campaign unfolded a camouflage hat that rivals President Donald Trump’s Red Magazine hat, which nods to all the images of the governor. Buttigieg regularly supports bold blue ties, white button-down shirts and slacks.

“I meet[Congress]members every day, so it’s pretty surreal to see them, but I don’t see any vice presidential candidates or secretaries every day,” says Green. She said “I couldn’t believe their staff saw my video.”

Green, who counts CNN star Kaitlan Collins, has been praised for her chic looks as though she is a fashion inspo, but has her own thoughts on the senator’s preference for clothing that regularly chooses inappropriate black suits and blue dresses over a wardrobe that boasts a variety of shades.

“I don’t think a lot of them get something that suits them very well,” Green says.

Perhaps Greene himself has found a way to fit in Washington, finding viral moments is always seasonal and listening ears in buildings where seeking attention seems never out of style.

What you can expect to see the Supreme Court break Trump’s tariffs

Economy

US-NEA

-

September 17, 2025

0

What you can expect to see the Supreme Court break Trump’s tariffs

If the Supreme Court abolishes many of the tariffs of the customs president issued during his second term in office, businesses can expect a refund, and consumers can expect a potential price reduction in the long term.

Both should expect more uncertainty.

The domestic Supreme Court reached an agreement on September 9th to hear an appeal against Trump’s lower court ruling. If the court took his side against him, it could be affected, but not all, of the tariffs imposed in his second term.

Trump said the US will face “economic disasters” unless tariffs exist.

Economic experts aren’t that sure. The judge will hear the argument in November.

Rohit Tripathi, Vice President of Industry Strategy at RELEX, said refunds could benefit businesses’ revenues, but consumers wouldn’t see an immediate price drop on the shelves.

“Because so far, many companies are either absorbing these increases in costs or encouraging their suppliers to absorb these costs,” Tripathi said.

Which customs duties are affected?

The case concerns Trump’s tariffs enacted under the International Emergency Economic Force Act or the IEEPA. This law allows the president to deal with “an extraordinary and extraordinary” foreign threats to the US national security, foreign policy, or the economy, including restrictions or bans on imports and exports.

Trump awakened Ieepa on February 1, announcing tariffs on imports from China, Canada and Mexico, leading to a declared emergency regarding drug trafficking and illegal immigration. These are sometimes called “fentanyl tariffs,” and represent the range of tariffs imposed on imports from three countries.

The president declared another state of emergency on April 2nd regarding the US trade deficit and what he described as unfair trade practices. Based on that declaration, Trump imposed a tariff of at least 10% on almost all imports and higher country-specific “mutual tariffs.”

This case does not concern sector-specific customs duties on imports such as steel and aluminum issued under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.

Should the administration issue a refund?

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on September 7th that NBC’s “Meet the Press” would need to issue a refund of “about half of the tariffs that are terrible for the Treasury.”

Trump said he would seek a prompt ruling from the Supreme Court, but said the court’s decision could be delayed by June 2026.

“The longer the final verdict is delayed, the higher the risk of economic disruption,” Bescent said in his declaration to the Supreme Court. “If you delay the sentence until June 2026, for example, you’ll already have a tax collection of $750 billion to $1 trillion, and rewinding them could cause a huge disruption.”

Will Trump impose other tariffs?

Drew Dellon, who heads geopolitical dynamics practices at global strategic and management consulting firm Kearney, said it would be reasonable to assume that the White House will promptly implement its contingency plan if the High Court rules against Trump.

It may look like an administration to impose new tariffs using section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. In this section, measures may be taken that include temporary import duties not exceeding 15% if necessary to address other circumstances that present “large and serious US payment balance deficits” or “basic payment issues.” However, the law ensures that customs duties remain for up to 150 days.

“It has a fuse. So what do you do after the fuse is gone? That was another big question mark. Can you re-upload it?” Deron said.

He imagines the White House backup plan will use Section 122 to set a 150-day gap and use Section 301 of the same law. That method requires research from each country, and according to Delong, it is “more troublesome.”

DeLong also said the White House has a “wild card” option to ask for help from Congress.

“Taxes are very unpopular,” DeLong said. “So, what will Congress do?”

What business can expect

Tripati said, at least temporarily, Wall Street may reward businesses that have been heavily affected by tariffs through rising stock prices.

However, the decision, according to Dellon, will bring “a wide range of headaches” to executives.

Companies that pay tariffs during Trump’s inauguration will first ask if they qualify for a refund and how they can get it.

Then the question comes: What now? Companies will see if the White House will act immediately to implement the STOPGAP solution.

“Before the White House does anything, if there is a window of time they are not valid, you have the following questions: How quickly can we restock the shelves or restock the stock?” Delong has been added.

Economic uncertainty has plagued the boardroom this year, but some companies have not put their plans on hold. They plan multiple scenarios and implement data infrastructure to allow them to pivot in the event of changes in tariffs.

“If you have this substantial volatility, waiting is a strategy,” Deron said.

What consumers can expect

According to Tripati, if the Supreme Court overturns tariffs, this holiday season’s consumer decisions will not be modest as this holiday season’s import and inventory decisions were made months ago.

Six to eight months after the decision, Tripathi said that while consumers may increase stock on the shelves, it would likely take more than a year for consumers to notice some price drops.

Katie Thomas, who heads the Kearney Consumer Institute, an internal think tank in Kearney, said it is unlikely that consumers will receive any kind of refunds for past customs costs handed over to them. However, she said some companies could work to reduce prices to a reasonable level, and the refunds they receive could result in fewer layoffs.

“Can it change the rate? Can it change the inflation? Those heavy questions and unemployment are what I really see,” Thomas said. “Broadly, for years, what benefits most for consumers I don’t think are in the foreseeable future is less uncertainty.”

Reach Rachel Barber at rbarber@usatoday.com Follow her at x @rachelbarber_

Does the Supreme Court view Trump’s tariffs like Biden’s policy?

Politics

US-NEA

-

September 17, 2025

0

Does the Supreme Court view Trump’s tariffs like Biden’s policy?

During the Biden administration, the Supreme Court concluded its attempts to make major policy moves without permission from Congress. Can Trump’s tariffs meet the same fate?

WASHINGTON — When President Joe Biden tried to allow $400 billion in student loan debt, the Supreme Court said it had extended federal law too far.

Similarly, a conservative court said Biden could not extend the suspension of evictions linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Environmental Protection Agency could not regulate power plant emissions that contribute to climate change.

In such cases, the majority said the agency was trying to exceed what Congress approved.

The High Court has recently said that the administrative department is unable to take action that has a significant impact on the economy or is a matter of “political significance” without clear permission from the Congress.

Now, courts could use similar reasoning to shoot down the central presence of Trump’s economic agenda.

Are Trump’s tariffs different?

Nine Justice decides whether that “main question doctrine” applies to Trump’s global tariffs.

The divided appeals court said it would.

However, some legal experts point out that the doctrine is typical of respect and tension that the courts give to the president when it comes to foreign affairs.

Curtis A. Bradley, a diplomatic law expert at the University of Chicago Law School, said:

Both sides of the argument were on display in a 7-4 ruling on tariffs by the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, appealed to the Supreme Court.

The Court of Appeal said it was unlikely that Congress intended to grant the president unlimited powers to impose tariffs.

The economic impact of tariffs has also increased by at least five times the $400 billion student loan debt relief that Biden wanted to enact, the court said.

In that case, Biden argued that he has the authority to grant relief during the Covid-19 pandemic due to legislation that empowers the Secretary of Education to protect borrowers affected by national emergency.

However, Secretary John Roberts said the Secretary of Education could not create a “new and fundamentally different loan waiver program” and rewrite the law “from scratch.”

“The ‘economic and political significance’ of the secretary’s actions is phenomenal on any measure,” Roberts wrote for a 6-3 majority.

In the 2022 EPA case, Judge Neil Gorsuch said key policies benefited from the various perspective inputs required by the legislative process, and would make them more “stable over time.”

“By effectively demanding a wide range of consensus to pass the law, the Constitution sought to ensure that the new law would enjoy widespread social acceptance,” he wrote in the agreed opinion joined by Justice Samuel Alito.

Veteran Supreme Court lawyer Roman Martinez said he will monitor whether conservative courts will use similar inferences when assessing the legality of Trump’s tariffs and other policies.

“It will be interesting to see how these same principles are applied in this context where Republican presidents have major policy initiatives,” he said.

In the tariff dispute the Supreme Court agreed to hear in November, Trump relies on Ieepa, the International Emergency Economic Force Act, or the law historically used to impose economic sanctions and other penalties on foreign countries.

The law does not mention tariffs, but the administration points to the president’s power under the laws that “regulate” imports in the crisis. Trump says the country’s sustained trade deficit and the flow of fentanyl to the US qualifies as such an emergency.

Appeal Court splits over Trump’s tariffs

A majority of the appeals court said each time Congress gives the president the power to impose tariffs on him, lawmakers set “clearly defined, procedural and substantial restrictions” that do not exist on Ieepa.

“As interpreted by the government, Yepa would not impose such restrictions on the authority of the President, unlike these other laws,” they wrote. “The tariffs in this case are both “unknown” and “transformative,” and therefore concerns animating the doctrine of the main questions. ”

Four appeals court judges who dissented, called Ieepa “an eye-opening parliamentary choice,” giving the president a wide latitude.

“Ieepa’s approval of presidential lawsuits in this area is not an unconstitutional mandate of legislative authorities under the Supreme Court’s decision, which supports a wide range of power grants, including tariff authorities in this foreign impact-related area.”

Another potential issue with our customs duties

John Yu, a former Justice Department official for George W. Bush, believes the law gives the president a broad authority to impose tariffs in emergencies. But he said Trump could and should have lost for another reason. The president said he cannot file a reliable lawsuit due to the emergency.

“The 50-year long trade deficit is not as unusual as it constitutes a national emergency,” Yoo wrote recently.

If so, changing climates could also be considered an emergency, and another president could use Ieepa to chase after a country that thinks it’s not enough to stop fossil fuel emissions.

“Advocates of Trump’s tariffs,” Yu wrote. “There is little evidence to oppose the climate emergency.”

Apas Radar-Informai for Pilots: Court

AI & Tech

US-NEA

-

September 17, 2025

0

American Maritime Technology Company’s Mythos AI has completed the installation of the Advanced Pilot Assistance System (APAS) on the Vessel CB Pacific, a chemical cargo ship owned by CB tankers.

The APAS project is designed to manage navigation at sea. Unlike most traditional systems in this space that rely heavily on machine vision, APA uses a radar-first approach in conjunction with other sensing technologies. It can be used to connect directly to the ship’s radar and streamline the data, allowing it to alert the ship’s human crew when needed during the trip. The APA is designed to support Mariners, reduce cognitive loads and improve situational awareness, but maintain human judgment at the heart of navigation.

Geoff Douglass, CEO of Mythos AI, said, “Our goal is not to replace the crew, but to equip the next-generation capabilities. By integrating intelligent warnings with unique radar recognition, machine vision, and vessel dynamics, APA transforms complex situations into clear, practical decisions and operational revivals.”

CB Pacific was selected for testing because of its predictable routes and reliable fluno radar. The trial follows the initial installation of the APA on a Deval tow vessel in the southern part of the Mississippi River in August 2025, and will be a year-long experiment aimed at introducing next-generation bridge intelligence into commercial transport.

“In partnership with LomarLabs and CB Tankers, APA is able to capture and retain Master Mariner’s expertise and the navigational norms of ports around the world (…) We will validate large-scale performance and lay the foundation for adoption of a wider fleet-wide,” Douglas said.

One year testing of the APAS system ensures that IT functions safely and effectively in real terms and ensures that it can comply with international regulations in accordance with Colreg (the Convention on International Regulations to Prevent Collisions at the Sea).

The CB Tanker is part of the Lomar Group of Companies. Stylianos Papageorgiou, managing director at Lomarlabs, said advances in maritime AI have been due to operational testing. “There is no real innovation on pitch decks. It happens in real-time operations, port calls, dry docks, and marine tests.”

With growing interest from the defense sector, the APAS project represents a step towards adopting AI-driven navigation systems in commercial and strategic maritime operations.

(Image source: “M/T Carry Baltic Sea” by Mustang Joe is marked with CC0 1.0.)

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out the AI & Big Data Expo in Amsterdam, California and London. The comprehensive event is part of TechEx and will be held in collaboration with other major technology events. Click here for more information.

AI News is equipped with TechForge Media. Check out upcoming Enterprise Technology events and webinars here.

Menendez’s brother loses bid for a new trial after the judge rejects petition

USA

US-NEA

-

September 17, 2025

0

Menendez’s brother loses bid for a new trial after the judge rejects petition

A Los Angeles judge denied the petition for a new trial of Eric and Lyle Menendez, the latest blow to his brother’s freedom, after serving in prison for decades of murdering his parents at his Beverly Hills, California home in 1989.

In a ruling late September 15th, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge William Ryan rejected the habeas corpora filed in 2023 by his brother’s lawyers. The petition challenged the incarceration based on newly revealed evidence that said the petition changed the outcome of the murder trial.

The lawyers argued that two new evidence supports their claim that the brother’s father, Jose Menendez, was sexually abusive. However, in the ruling, Ryan said, “The evidence for either finding is not particularly strong.”

Ryan said new evidence that the siblings were allegedly sexually abused is “slightly supported,” but it is not denied that the two acted on “assumptions and deliberations” when they fatally shot their parents.

“The court held that these two evidence presented here did not necessarily result in the judges’ judges.

The verdict comes weeks after the brothers are denied parole for consecutive decisions. They currently have only one last measure of freedom from prison. This is a generous request for a long shot that is still pending from California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Renewed interest in the case

Lyle Menendez, 57, and Eric Menendez, 54, were convicted in 1996 for the murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. The two, who had been in custody since March 1990, were sentenced to two consecutive conditions of life without the possibility of parole.

At the time of the murder, Lyle Menendez was 21 and Eric Menendez was 18. The brothers initially denied involvement and tried to make the case look like an organized crime hit.

They later admitted the murder, but said it was self-defense and that they acted out of fear due to years of physical and sexual abuse by their father, an entertainment industry executive and mother. Prosecutors argued that the siblings were seeking millions of dollars in wealth from their parents, highlighting their path to extravagant spending shortly after the murder.

The incident received new attention and support after the release of the popular Netflix show “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” and the documentary “The Menendez Brothers” in 2024. That same year, former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon announced they were immediately eligible for res.

New evidence included allegations of sexual abuse against Jose Menendez

In May 2023, the brother’s lawyers submitted new evidence. This included a letter Eric Menendez allegedly wrote to his cousin, hinting at his father’s abuse and an affidavit from Roy Rossello, a former boy band member who claimed Jose Menendez had sexually abused in the 1980s.

Rossello, a member of the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo in the 1980s, claimed that in Peacock’s 2023 documenary, Menendez + Menudo: Boys boys eded, he drugged and raped him as a teenager.

Gascon said that before he resigned from the profession, the evidence would be considered and considered in his recommendation that the brothers resent. The case faced a setback after Nathan Hochman was elected as new Los Angeles County District Attorney in December 2024, and said he did not support his brother’s resting.

Hochman also opposes petitions from his brother’s habeas. At a press conference on September 16, the district attorney called the petition request pointlessly as he detailed how Ryan’s ruling supported his office’s position.

“He basically said that the evidence claimed here was not so convincing and created reasonable doubt in the minds of at least one ju umpire,” Hochmann said at a press conference. “It’s about how little evidence presented by the Menendez brothers is in this habeasistic move, how unworthy and unfounded.”

The brothers denied parole for inappropriate behavior, contraband cell phones

Despite gaining momentum and momentum for freedom, the May response was repeated to make parole a new qualification, but the brothers were denied parole in late August. The parole committee praised the brothers for being in educational and rehabilitation programs, but they cited long-standing prison violations in their decision.

Eric Menendez was the first sibling to attend the parole committee on August 21. The Robert Burton Committee of California’s Parole Hearing Committee said that it “continued to pose an unreasonable risk to public safety.”

“Contrary to the beliefs of your supporters, you weren’t a model prisoner, and frankly, we feel a bit intrusive,” Burton said.

And after more than 11 hours of proceedings on August 22nd, Lyl Menendez was also denied parole. The commissioner said he still suffers from “anti-social personality traits like deception, minimization, and rule breaking” and would pose a risk to the public if he was released from detention.

The committee also focused much of their attention during hearings regarding the repeated use of smuggling cell phones by both brothers who violated prison rules.

The brothers who are detained in San Diego prisons are eligible for parole within three years.

Contributions: Janine Santucci, Christopher Kang, n’dea yancey-bragg, and Carissa Waddick, USA TODAY;Reuters

Britain attempts a charming attack to keep Donald Trump “sweet”

Politics

US-NEA

-

September 17, 2025

0

Britain attempts a charming attack to keep Donald Trump “sweet”

London – For President Donald Trump, the sights may be the key. He likes that kind of thing. And the British royal family – kings, queens, two princes, princesses and various other blue blood hangers – are experts in delivering honors, elevated roads, historic carriages, gorgeous East feasts and other golden-rimmed pageants.

Trump is a superfan who confessed to the British royal family. “I hate to say that, but I don’t do it like your people in terms of dignity and ceremonies,” Trump visited Scotland in July. “Windsor” he mentioned this week the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, calling it home to 40 monarchs since it was founded by the 11th century conqueror William.

When Trump arrives at Windsor Castle on September 17th to begin his two-day state visit to England, he is greeted by all ritual Hoopra Britain being able to convenes an assault on the president’s charm. There are military bands and riders on horseback. The royal salute is fired from the grass. A banquet in St. George’s Hall, with medieval armor, pikes and shields lined up against the wall, with dazzling tiaras and cutlery laid out with rulers.

“For him, I think this is a really, really important visit,” Trump’s populist ally Nigel Farage said in an interview. Polls show that Farage’s Reform focuses on political platforms on migrant reductions, with a surge in popularity and a high chance of winning the election if held today. “It is his Scottish mother, and his great respect for this country, his royal family, his traditions – visitation means a huge amount for him.

Still, Trump’s travel isn’t entirely without geopolitics. First, there is the fact that this event is happening.

The American president travels to the UK on a daily basis for official, work, and informal visits. When Trump visited Scotland in July he was technically on vacation. He opened a new golf course in Aberdeenshire. He also found time to meet with British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

However, visits to states hosted by British monarchs with glittering redhead treatments aimed at acting on government advice and strengthening the UK’s relationship with other countries are relatively rare.

According to the Royal Family website, Queen Elizabeth II held more than 100 state visits between her joining in 1952 and her death in 2022. George W. Bush acquired one in 2003 and Barack Obama in 2011. Trump was hosted by Queen Elizabeth II for a state visit during her first presidency in 2019.

The American president rarely proposes a state visit in his second term. Instead, if they visit England in that time frame, as in Bush and Obama, they are usually invited to tea or lunch with the monarch.

Tim Bale, a professor of politics and international relations at Queen Mary University in London, said the “overall point” of inviting Trump to visit the second state appears to be aimed at keeping unpredictable allies “sweet.” Priority was personally handing over King Charles’s live TV invitation to Trump when he visited the White House in February. Trump said it was “a great and great honor” and said, “In Windsor – it’s really something.”

The following month, the US and the UK announced their trade agreement. “The government wanted Trump to give us a reasonable trade deal,” Bale said. “Or at least there are fewer bad deals than he gives to all other countries.”

The tactics may have worked out for now.

Trump has imposed a large 50% tariff on goods from India as part of his extensive policy measures on import taxes, but the UK’s obligation is set at 10%. European Union countries face 15% tariffs, with the effective average tariff rate being 18.6%, according to the Budget Institute at Yale University, the Center for Non-partisan Policy Studies.

In a background call with a reporter on September 15, White House officials said Trump’s visit highlighted deeper relations between the United States and the UK. The trip will also recognize and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US establishment, White House officials told reporters over a phone previewing the trip.

Bale also suspects that his priorities will “confine him to the defense of Europe” using Trump’s visit, and said in the war with Russia, “to sweeten him might be less likely to abandon Ukraine.” After more than three years of battle, the war reached a deadlock on both the battlefield and the diplomatic side.

You can also participate in more specific economic situations and businesses.

During the briefing, the White House said the US and the UK will sign off to billions of dollars in new investment deals during their visit. The transaction relates to initiatives focusing on nuclear power development and other technologies. The British Embassy in Washington said the partnership extends to key technologies such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, communications and quantum computing.

The US delegation includes First Lady Melania Trump, Secretary of State Marcorubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Besson, Trump’s best friend, Special Mission and Steve Witkoff. It also includes a delegation of US executives, including AI Chipmaker Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Openai’s Sam Altman.

On September 18th, Trump travels to Checker, a retreat from his ancestors, northwest of London. There, the two leaders will tour archives related to the British wartime prime minister Winston Churchill and hold a joint press conference on the grounds of a 16th century mansion.

Not all bows and curtsies

But all visits may not be a lovely royal and heritage theme, bows, or pinnacles.

During Trump’s first visit in 2019, he called London’s Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan a “stone-cold loser.” He irritated many Brits by suggesting that the country’s beloved public health services should somehow be included in trade consultations by opening some of the services to American bidders. At the time, more than a million people signed the petitions and said Trump should not be honored for visiting the country due to comments on immigration and other sensitive issues. Protesters flew his huge inflatable statue known outside Congress as “Trump Baby” in stunts that produced copycats around the world during his first term.

This time there are also some potential terrestrial mines. This could gush into another kind of sight – media or diplomatic – if Trump decides to talk about the issue of the White House and Downing Street branching out.

The UK is expected to join France and other countries when it recognizes the Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in New York in late September. Trump opposes the move, saying it would “reward Hamas.”

Many of Trump’s inner circles, including Vice President J.D. Vance, have portrayed him as being praised as leading an authoritarian crackdown on free speech, primarily from right-wing activists.

Over 150,000 people descended on the British capital on September 13th, as it was one of the largest far-right demonstrations in decades. The “Unified Kingdom” rally was organized by Tommy Robinson, who was convicted of fraud and violent criminal acts. Billionaire Elon Musk was present via video link, with some demonstrators holding photos and banners featuring images of Charlie Kirk, a murdered conservative activist who defended freedom of speech. Robinson claimed the march as a free speech demonstration and said it was held to protect British heritage and culture.

More recently, due to comments made years ago about his friendship with preferred investor Jeffrey Epstein, Sterme has rejected his US ambassador, Peter Mandelson. Trump appeared to have a good relationship with Mandelson. Meanwhile, as pressure rises to release more information about Epstein’s sex trafficking investigation, Trump continues to push back strongly on the proposal that he contributed a picture of a naked woman for a book marking Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003.

Furthermore, a July Yougov poll found that only 16% of the British surveyed said they had a positive view of Trump. British police said they were planning “nearly foreseeable finality” ahead of Trump’s visit, but protests are expected, with British media full of reports on how Mandelson’s shootings and “Epstein’s ghost” falling under the process. Prince Andrew, King Charles’ brother, was also a friend of Epstein, and his involvement in Andrew’s related claims prevented access to royal duties.

Still, Matt Beach, who directs the British Political Centre at Hull University, said unlike his recent predecessor in the oval office, Trump really loves British and British. He said Obama should not pass the British past and past the colonial empire. And former President Joe Biden ran out towards Ireland for his own legacy.

“What you have with Trump is someone who has Scottish heritage on the side of his mother who owns Scottish property and businesses, in that sense, English. The government was pushing an open door.”

Seattle’s storm is back, Fever fans have left

USA

US-NEA

-

September 17, 2025

0

Seattle’s storm is back, Fever fans have left

Get ready for the WNBA quarterfinals game 3 pair.

The Seattle Storm overcame a 14-point deficit to defeat the Las Vegas ace (86-83) on Tuesday, September 16th, and to force Game 3 in Las Vegas on Thursday, September 18th (9:30pm, ESPN2). Skylar Diggins led the storm with 26 points, while teammate Nneka Ogwumike added 24.

“We had a really tough August. We saw a lot of close games that aren’t going our way,” Ogwumike said. “I think we were actually training the muscles we needed in the postseason, so today was one of the days when we were spending our crunch time and we were able to turn that around.”

Meanwhile, Indiana Fever has reduced five players to season-ending injuries, including All-Star Guard Kate Linklark, but they still managed to make the playoffs.

So it’s not surprising. The fever showed a now-respected resilience by blowing up the Atlanta Dream 77-60 in a winning or home matchup at Gainbridge Field House.

“This is a group that doesn’t let your confidence go,” Fever manager Stephanie White said. “We were in every situation you could imagine and we were able to put ourselves in order to win.”

Kelsey Mitchell (19), Aliya Boston (15) and Natasha Howard (12) all scored in double numbers for the heat returning to Atlanta for the decisive game three on Thursday (7:30pm, ESPN2).

The quarter-final match will take place on Wednesday. Phoenix Mercury faces a must-see face against reigning champion New York Liberty (8pm, ESPN). The Golden State Valkyries will play host to the top-seeded Minnesota Links (10pm ET, ESPN) and advance to the semi-finals with victory.

The fever and storms highlight the winners, but Dreamguard is on the loser’s list on the second night of the 2025 WNBA playoffs.

winner

Fever G Kelsey Mitchell

When the fever season came to the line, veteran guard Kelsey Mitchell became another gem. Mitchell scored a game-high 19 points on Tuesday, shooting six-thirds from the field (4 out of 3-4). More importantly, the heat built such a big lead with a wire-to-wire victory, allowing Kelsey to sit throughout the fourth quarter.

Mitchell has started all games this season, averaging 31.4 minutes in the regular season.

“Sitting in the fourth quarter was one thing, but putting yourself in order to be able to do that is completely different. I scream at our group to stay resilient… I have a stretch big enough to sit,” Mitchell said.

Heat protection

This dream was one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the league, with 31.8% being made in the regular season. The fever kept me down to one of the 10 from the field in the first half. Dream finished five out of 19 (26%) from the 3-point range. Rhyne Howard, who led the WNBA with 3 pointers during the regular season with 3.1 per game, was 4-4 from 3 to 4 on Tuesday night.

Storm C Dominique Malonga

Malonga is 19 years old, but looked like a veteran on Tuesday night. Malonga recorded two consecutive double-doubles with 11 and 10 points in Seattle’s two game wins. Malonga also had the impossible task of defending A’s Center A’ja Wilson, making three MVPs scoreless in the final seven minutes of the game. Malonga was the youngest player in the entire postseason, becoming the first teenager in league history, earning a go-ahead or game winner in the final minute of the playoff game.

Storm Veteran Skyler Diggins, Nuneka Oguumike

Skylar Diggins and Nneka Ogwumike scored 23 points in Storm’s Game 1 Blowout Loss, shooting 21-21 from the field. However, Diggins and Ogwumike combined to score 50 of Storm’s 86 points in Game 2 victory at ACES, making it one in eighth over Arc. No shots were bigger than the Diggins pull-up jumper with 4.7 seconds left to give Arashi an 86-83 lead.

Seattle Storm Fan

It appeared Seattle was on the crisis of another first-round playoff sweep after the ace led the storm 14 points. The Ace has eliminated the storm from two of the last four seasons postseasons. However, Storm ran the second-largest playoff comeback in franchise history to beat the ace and recorded the team’s first playoff victory since 2022. Skylar Diggins said, “There was a great house crowd on our backs and we fed them.”

loser

Ace’s victory consecutive

Las Vegas may not care about a franchise-best winning streak. “[Streak]celebrates this more than we do,” Aja Wilson said Sunday, but the ace was one step away from tying the longest winning streak in WNBA history set by the 2001 Los Angeles Sparks (18). That’s not the only thing that Arashi snapped at home on Tuesday with a Game 2 victory. Entering Tuesday, Las Vegas was 7-0 in the first round playoff game as they took over as coach in 2022. Wilson went scoreless in the final seven minutes of the game.

ACES 3-point shooting

The three-ball wasn’t falling for an ace, who is right out over the arc towards Tuesday. They shot 50.7% off the field and 14% out of 3-29 in Game 1 after setting a regular season record wit 22 3 pointer in the regular season finale on September 11th. “It was trash on the 3-point line,” ace coach Becky Hunmon said after the game.

Dreamguard Line Howard and Alisha Gray

The dream was one victory from punching tickets to the semi-finals for the first time since 2018. After combining 40 points in Game 1, Atlanta dynamic duo Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray scored 19 points on Tuesday, collectively shooting seven-fifths and eighths from the ARC. Dream shot 37.9% from the field as a team, five-in-one from the 3-point line (three comes from Tehina Pao Pao with garbage analysis minutes) and 50% from the free throw line. This marks consecutive playoff games shot below 40% from the field.

Two passionate fans

Gainbridge Field House was electricity during Fever’s victory, but at least two spectators went too far. A pair of Fever fans were escorted from courtside seats in the fourth quarter. The incident happened when Dream chased 71-47 with 6:10 left in the game. Gray warned the arena security about the fan’s behavior and looked visibly upset after the replacement. After the incident, Gray was comforted by his teammate Rhyne Howard on the bench. It is not clear what was said, and grey was not available for post-game interviews.

Dawg. Indiana Fever fans kicked out the game after saying something to Alisha Grey during the Indiana Fever game in the Atlanta Dream vs. playoffs. pic.twitter.com/kr6m4fvigz

-RashticReport (@RashticReport) September 17, 2025

The USA Today app will bring you to the heart of the news – Fast. Downloads for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, EnewSpaper and more.

Planxter projects a giant image of Trump and Epstein at Windsor Castle

USA

US-NEA

-

September 16, 2025

0

Planxter projects a giant image of Trump and Epstein at Windsor Castle

The group was arrested for “fraudulent predictions.” The arrest comes amid protests over Trump’s visit to the UK.

Four British people were arrested around sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, holding their arms at Windsor Castle, the British royal home.

Stunts at the royal residence will come to the president arrives on Tuesday, September 16th to begin his state’s visit to the UK. King Charles is scheduled to greet Trump on Wednesday at a castle about 25 miles west of London.

Photos and videos shared online by British media and others also projected on Castle Tower, indicating that it is an image of a birthday letter Trump wrote to Epstein more than 20 years ago, but the White House has denied that credibility. Photo of Melania Trump between Trump and Epstein. Photos of Epstein victims.

Police said in a statement to Reuters that four adults have been arrested following a “fraudulent projection” at Windsor Castle. Four are in custody.

Earlier Tuesday, protesters near Windsor Castle also spread out a huge banner featuring photos of Trump and Epstein.

What’s going on with Trump and Epstein?

The British stunt released a birthday letter that Democrats allegedly wrote to Epstein in the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday. The release of the letter has brought new attention to the controversy that has plagued Trump in recent months.

Trump has urged people to move on, but Democrats and some Republicans continue to seek details that could potentially be involved in his crimes.

The president and the dishonest investor were friends, but they dropped out a few years before Trump moved to the White House. Epstein died in prison in 2019.

In his birthday letter, Trump calls Epstein “a companion” and says, “everyday might become another great secret.” The text is in a rough sketch of a naked woman silhouette. Trump vehemently denied that he had written words and made pictures. White House officials say they welcome handwritten analysis.

What does Trump do in the UK?

Trump’s three-day swing to the UK is expected to mix the state visit pageantry with policy efforts to expand nuclear energy and invest in new technologies.

The president’s second state visit to Britain, the trip to London follows an invitation from the royal family that British Prime Minister Kiel Stahme extended when he visited the White House in February. Trump’s first UK visit took place in 2019 during his first term.

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump’s agenda includes a meeting with royal members at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, September 17th. Lunch with the king and queen in the dining room in the castle province. He then visited St. George’s Chapel, where he would personally place a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 96. Trump met the Queen during a previous state visit.

The president will also meet in order of priorities for a bilateral meeting on Thursday, September 18th. Both men then make their remarks and hold a joint press conference.

Trump and Priorities will promote new science and technology partnerships between the two countries, including new investments of more than $10 billion. Additionally, the two countries are expected to announce cooperation and agreements on nuclear power, the region where Trump has prioritized.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bescent, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, White House Director Susie Wills and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller are among the White House’s top officials to join Trump on a trip.

– Reuters contribution

Mega Million’s victory on September 16th was a $400 million jackpot.

Economy

US-NEA

-

September 16, 2025

0

Mega Million’s victory on September 16th was a 0 million jackpot.

The Mega Millions Jackpot rose to $400 million for drawing on September 16th, as it did not match all the winning numbers in the painting on Friday, September 16th.

If someone matches all six numbers, they have a one-time cash payment option of $185.8 million.

There were four Mega Million winners this year, but the recent victory on June 27th won Virginia with a $348 million jackpot. Prior to that, on April 18, Ohio players took home a $112 million jackpot, while Illinois Lucky Lottery ticket holders brought home a $344 million jackpot on March 25, and another lucky guy hit the Mega Million jackpot on January 17 for $113 million.

Here are the wins from Mega Millions drawings on Tuesday, September 16th, 2025:

Mega Millions win count on 25/16/9

The number of wins in the painting on Tuesday, September 16th was 10, 14, 34, 40, 43, and Megaball was 5.

To win a lottery number is as follows: Jack Pocket, the official digital lottery delivery company of the USA Today Network.

Did everyone win the huge millions?

Mega Million winners announced by lottery officials will be posted here.

To view a list of past winners, Visit the Mega Millions website.

How to play Mega Million

To play Mega Million you will need to purchase a ticket. This can be done in a variety of places, including local convenience stores, gas stations, and even grocery stores. In some states, you can purchase millions of Mega tickets online.

Once you have your ticket, you will need to select six numbers. Five of these are white balls with numbers 1 to 70. Gold Megaballs range from 1 to 24.

You can ask for a “quick pick” or “easy pick” especially if you feel unlucky or don’t want to go through the hassle of picking. These options allow the computer to generate numbers at random.

Mega millions of tickets include built-in multipliers, increasing prizes other than jackpots by 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 times. Previously, players had to pay extra dollars to add “Megaplier.”

Where can I buy the lottery ticket?

Tickets can be purchased directly at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online Jack Pocket, the official digital lottery delivery company of the USA Today NetworkThese US and territories include Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Maine, Maine, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington, DC, and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app lets you select lottery games and numbers, order, look at tickets, and collect all your winnings using your mobile phone or home computer.

Jack Pocket is the official digital lottery delivery company of the USA Today Network. Gannett may earn revenue from viewer referrals to Jackpocket Services. Must be over 18 in AZ, 21+, and 19+ in NE. It is not affiliated with the state lottery. Gambling issues? Call 1-877-8-Hope-Ny or Text Hopeny (467369) (NY). 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-mylimit (or); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-Gambler (all other). visit jacketpocket.com/tos In perfect conditions.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA Today. Contact him at fernando.cervantes @gannett.com and follow him at x @fern_cerv_.

Congress asks if the wild boar head plant linked to the outbreak should be reopened

Politics

US-NEA

-

September 16, 2025

0

Congress asks if the wild boar head plant linked to the outbreak should be reopened

Congressional Democrats question whether the factory at the heart of the 2024 fatal Listeria outbreak is suitable for reopening, summoning boar principals to confront the federal food safety committee.

In a letter to the boar head dated September 15th, Rep. Rosa Delauro of D-Connecticut and nine other Democrats asked company officials to appear before the Congressional Food Safety Caucus. Members of the Congress called for a meeting with wild boar staff, citing a report from the Associated Press that Jarrat, Virginia, is reopening in the coming months, debating “recurring patterns of food safety negligence that put American public health at risk.”

Boar’s Head closed its Virginia-based facility in 2024, creating Ribaurst, affecting around 500 union members and administrative employees. However, hygiene issues have been reported elsewhere, including Arkansas, Indiana, Arkansas and other plants in Virginia, according to the Associated Press.

“It’s horrifying that wild boar heads are encountering similar problems at their other facilities,” the September 15 letter said. “This information is not certain that the Jarratt, Virginia facility is ready to safely reopen.”

Boar head plants are associated with fatal listeria outbreaks

Inadequate hygiene at Virginia’s wild boar head plant was one of the major contributors that led to the outbreak of fatal multi-attitude Listeria that killed 10 people and made 61 sick last summer, the US Department of Agriculture said in a January report.

A month after the recall began in July 2024, the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Agency released 69 reports of “violations” at the Boar head plant in Jarrat, Virginia, from inspectors in the weeks leading up to the recall. Among the findings are live and dead insects, mold, black and green mold, and other unsanitary conditions.

After the recall, the boar principal announced plans for the new company to enhance food safety and quality measures, including the appointment of a new best food safety and quality assurance officer and the appointment of the Food Safety Council.

The Sarasota, Florida-based company told USA Today in a September 16 statement that it was reviewing letters sent by Congress.

“In our 120-year history, this was the first time that such an event has happened at our Jarat facility,” the company said. “We will work closely with regulators and key food safety experts to move quickly, proactively and decisively, identify the root cause of the problem and implement strengthening food production nationwide to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

The USDA did not immediately return a request for USA Today’s comment on September 16th.

What is Listeria?

Bacteria that can cause listeria poisoning and listeriosis can survive and grow in refrigerated conditions and become infected where the listeria monocytogen is produced, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Listeriosis is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or threatening, especially those who are newborns, pregnant people,

Contributors: Amaris Encinus, Mary Walrath Holdridge, USA Today. CA Bridges, Daytona Beach News Journal

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA Today. Contact him at fernando.cervantes @gannett.com and follow him at x @fern_cerv_.

Would you suspect that Charlie Kirk’s murder will face a shooting squad? What we know

Politics

US-NEA

-

September 16, 2025

0

Would you suspect that Charlie Kirk’s murder will face a shooting squad? What we know

Most executions in the US are carried out by fatal injections, but Robinson has been tested in Utah.

Within hours of Charlie Kirk’s assassination last week, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox began talking about pursuing the death penalty for the incident. President Trump expressed his support for the move early on.

It became official on Tuesday, September 16th. At a press conference that announced the official charges against 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said the prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty.

However, this decision opens the door to another question. Utah allows executions by firing a squad or fatal injection, which of the two is likely to be used in the event of a conviction and death sentence?

Gray said the issue of death penalty in all forms is tough for prosecutors.

“I’m not underestimating this decision, it’s a decision I made independently as a county attorney based solely on the evidence and circumstances available and the circumstances of the crime,” Gray said. “I spoke with both officials from the (Cox and Trump) administration and I couldn’t put any pressure on them to make a decision.”

Gray stressed that “the accused is presumed to be innocent until we, the state, of the defendant’s fellow impartial ju-san, proves guilt beyond reasonable doubt.”

Most executions in the United States are carried out by fatal injections, but Robinson faces trial in Utah. This is just one of two death penalty states in US history that used fire teams. (South Carolina is the other.)

USA Today is considering the use of controversial execution methods in states and countries. And they are considering whether Robinson can face fire forces if he is convicted of murder and sentenced to death. This is what you need to know.

How to run a shooting squad

Since 1977, two states have fired squads and executed five prisoners, but this year two executions have occurred.

South Carolina allowed inmates to choose between a fatal injection, a firing squad or electric shock, and executed Brad Keith Sigmon in March and Mikal Mardy in April. For each, the condition placed the hoods on the man’s head, tied them to a chair, placed the target in his mind, and fired them simultaneously with three bullets.

Before this year, only Utah had executed the firing squad in 1977, 1996 and 2010.

Utah was a few days away from the execution of shooting squad this month before the Utah Supreme Court intervened. The state was scheduled to execute Ralph Menzies by firing the squad on September 5th for the murder of three married mothers in 1986. Menzies chose the shooting squad decades ago, but the state’s high court stopped it over concerns about his current dementia and whether he still understands why he is still being executed.

Idaho, Mississippi and Oklahoma – Three other states have legalized shooting units as a method of execution. Idaho plans to legalize the method in 2023 and become the state’s main method by next summer. A new bill passed in Florida earlier this year will allow executions using non-traditional methods like shooting squads when fatal injections become “impossible or unrealistic.”

Can Tyler Robinson face a shooting squad?

The short answer is yes. If he is convicted of murder and sentenced to death, he will be in a state where he has the execution of legal dismissal forces.

However, the state’s current default implementation method is fatal injection.

Before 2004, inmates could choose to die by firing a squad with a fatal injection, but now they have no choice. Under current law, prisoners will be executed by fatal injection unless the method is found to be unconstitutional or the lethal drug used in the execution is unavailable.

The U.S. Supreme Court has never found a way to enforce unconstitutionality, but states have found it difficult to take fatal injections. South Carolina, for example, legalized its shooting squad in 2021 after state officials said they were struggling to obtain drugs.

It is not yet seen whether Utah will report similar difficulties in obtaining drugs in the future. That means a goodwill for the execution of the shooting squad,” said Dale Beich, who has represented death row inmates for 37 years and has taught the death penalty course at Arizona State University.

What is the timeline for Tyler Robinson’s case?

The Tyler Robinson case is just beginning. His first court hearing took place on Tuesday, September 16th, when Judge Tony Graf read the charges against him and appointed an attorney to represent him, but the person has not been appointed. He is charged with aggravated murder and six other felony.

Robinson, who appeared in the video from the prison, seemed to nod a bit when prosecutor Chad Granander said his team was pursuing the death penalty. Robinson enters a petition against him on a future court date.

Murder cases can take months or years to reach conclusions in the United States, and those convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death often spend decades on death row inmates as appeals slowly move through the system.

“We’re really at the beginning of this journey,” said Robin Maher, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based Death Penalty Information Center.

“We know that it is certainly argued, and we know that the state seeks the death penalty, but there is still a huge amount of information that we need to learn about who this person is. “Many things are still unknown.”

Even if the death sentence was handed down, Baich added, “It would be at least 20 years, perhaps more than that before the sentence is enacted because of mandatory and available appeals.”

In Utah, the ju judge decides whether someone convicted of murder has been sentenced to death. When they weigh decisions, they are asked to consider a number of factors, including the defendant’s mental health and whether childhood trauma should save their lives.

Amanda Lee Myers is a senior crime reporter at USA Today. Follow her on x at @amandaleusat.

Kash Patel clashes with Democrats at Senate hearing

USA

US-NEA

-

September 16, 2025

0

Kash Patel clashes with Democrats at Senate hearing

The Trump appointee told critics on Tuesday: “Please and bring it in.”

FBI director Kash Patel faced tough questions from Senate Democrats and sometimes screamed with him as his agency forced him to handle major investigations, including the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk.

The Trump appointee, who has been in his position since February, told the Senate Judiciary Committee at the beginning of his regular scheduled surveillance on September 16 that he had not left his job, initially telling critics “please, bring it in.”

Patel is a former Republican Congress aide and an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump, and criticizes the FBI’s past investigation into Trump’s relationship with Russia. Democrats opposed Patel’s confirmation.

Republicans generally praised Patel at the hearing, and Iowa Republican Chairman Chuck Grassley read a list of complaints from the Democratic administration about the FBI’s work.

This is five moments from the hearing you may have missed.

shout about Epstein

Sen. Adam Schiff of D-California moved Jeffrey Epstein’s accomplices and sat in an interview with the Department of Justice before getting caught up in a screaming match with Patel as he questioned the administration’s decision to convict sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell on charges. Patel said the decision came from the Prison Bureau.

“Do you want Americans to believe it?” Schiff asked. “Do you think they’re stupid?”

Patel said he was not in the weeds of prisoners’ movements and defended his record. When Schiff interrupted him, Patel called Schiff a “liar.”

“You’re the biggest scam I’ve ever sat in the United States Senate!” exclaimed Patel. “You are dishonorable to this institution and to the complete cowardly!”

“You can create an Internet troll for the FBI Director, but he’s always just an Internet troll,” Schiff said in a steady, loud tone.

“The only thing you care about is child sex predators who have been charged by the previous administration,” Patel said.

Chairman Grassley repeatedly pounded the jewels. “We’re both quiet!” he said in a voice.

Battle of New Jersey

Sen. Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat, told Patel he was making ock laughs for surveillance hearings, and he cited many complaints about the FBI’s leadership, including firing veteran agents and moving too many agents to enforce immigration.

It sparked a fierce exchange that Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, had to finish.

Booker said Patel was “really bad” in his work, he has failed as a leader and that he is attacking the integrity of the country’s premiere law enforcement agency. “I don’t think you’re long,” Booker said. “I think this is your last surveillance hearing.”

When Patel snatched the microphone, he told Booker that his “misinformation rant” did not link the country, striking the already enthusiastic Booker with nerves.

“You’re embarrassing to the divisions of this country,” Patel said.

Eventually, Patel tells him that his time is over, trying to stop talking to Booker.

“Sir, you won’t tell me my time is over,” Booker said. “The people in New Jersey tell me my time.”

‘shut up’

Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, the committee’s highest-ranking Democrat, criticized Patel’s tweet on the night of Charlie Kirk’s murder.

“Patel violated one of the fundamentals of effective law enforcement because he wanted to honour Kirk’s assassin. At a critical stage in the investigation, he will silently let the experts do their job,” Durbin said.

Patel later said he did not regret the post under questions from Vermont Democrat Sen. Peter Welch, who said he had given the information as part of his commitment to working with the public.

Welch replied that the public didn’t need to continue providing information to local law enforcement and the FBI as Patel’s post suggests that the person who committed the murder was in custody.

“I don’t think that’s a mistake,” Patel maintained.

“If you made a statement saying, “We have a guy,” it turns out you didn’t actually have your guy, isn’t that a mistake? ” Welch replied.

Disagreement chat

Patel confirmed the presence of the incongruous chat that the suspect used in Kirk’s shooting, but he did not say what the suspect said in the chat. On September 15, the Washington Post quoted a message from a mismatched chat of suspects confessing to the murder.

“Unfortunately, there’s been leaks to have a discrepancy chat. For those new to that, it’s the online gaming chat room that the suspects have joined,” Patel said. “We’re also going to investigate all those involved in that Discord chat.”

Sen. Josh Hawley of R-Missouri asked Patel about reports of 20 people in the chat, and Patel said “there’s more than that.”

FBI loyalty test

Patel dodged a question from Durbin about whether the FBI is exposed to partisan political loyalty tests during daily polygraphs, as reported in the New York Times. One of the reported questions is whether they said anything negative about Patel.

“I’m not going to respond to reports you’re referring to, ranking members, and reports that contain incorrect information,” Patel said.

“As far as polygraphs are concerned, they have been used in the FBI at all times and have always been used to track people who leak sensitive information and make unauthorized disclosures.

US - NEA

US - NEA

US - NEA.com

US - NEA

Company

US - NEA.com

“We need to spread our grace.”

“Basic Code”

“I’m not in my White House.”

Why did the suspect lead to Kirk’s event?

Evidence collected by the police

Robinson wanted to cover his truck before surrendering

People’s fear of political violence, employment dismissal

What does a new hairless Barbie doll look like?

What is the brave Barbie program?

Are brave Barbie and Ken for sale?

Inclusive and diverse Barbie dolls

Gov. Mike Brown said he expects lawmakers to gain sufficient support to redeem and hold special sessions to address “other issues.”

Who is the Texas backup quarterback behind Archmanning?

Maybe Texas needs a late quarterback competition

Akahata: Sudden change

Akahata: Silence from Leadership

Green flag: growth opportunities

Green Flag: Confidence from Leadership

Get ready and be ready

What is USA Today Top Workplaces 2025?

Reporter Lauren Green asks Congress members about the outfits in the viral video where fashion bridging partisan divisions.

From Poshmark to Pizzaz: Lauren Green covers council clothes

Lauren Green interviews Gov. Tim Waltz Pete Battig

Which customs duties are affected?

Should the administration issue a refund?

Will Trump impose other tariffs?

What business can expect

What consumers can expect

During the Biden administration, the Supreme Court concluded its attempts to make major policy moves without permission from Congress. Can Trump’s tariffs meet the same fate?

Are Trump’s tariffs different?

Appeal Court splits over Trump’s tariffs

Another potential issue with our customs duties

Renewed interest in the case

New evidence included allegations of sexual abuse against Jose Menendez

The brothers denied parole for inappropriate behavior, contraband cell phones

Not all bows and curtsies

winner

Fever G Kelsey Mitchell

Heat protection

Storm C Dominique Malonga

Storm Veteran Skyler Diggins, Nuneka Oguumike

Seattle Storm Fan

loser

Ace’s victory consecutive

ACES 3-point shooting

Dreamguard Line Howard and Alisha Gray

Two passionate fans

The group was arrested for “fraudulent predictions.” The arrest comes amid protests over Trump’s visit to the UK.

What’s going on with Trump and Epstein?

What does Trump do in the UK?

Mega Millions win count on 25/16/9

Did everyone win the huge millions?

How to play Mega Million

Where can I buy the lottery ticket?

Boar head plants are associated with fatal listeria outbreaks

What is Listeria?

Most executions in the US are carried out by fatal injections, but Robinson has been tested in Utah.

How to run a shooting squad

Can Tyler Robinson face a shooting squad?

What is the timeline for Tyler Robinson’s case?

The Trump appointee told critics on Tuesday: “Please and bring it in.”

shout about Epstein

Battle of New Jersey

‘shut up’

Disagreement chat

FBI loyalty test

US - NEA.com

About us

Editor's Picks

The latest

Subscribe