Local News

President Donald Trump made headlines early in his administration by declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, granting him the authority to spend billions on border enforcement and wall construction. Since then, his administration has pushed for even more funding, seeking approval for an additional $175 billion for border security, which greatly surpasses the amount spent during his first term in office. In the coming months, border towns in Arizona and Texas are expected to see more government grants to fund police patrols, alongside ongoing construction projects for the border wall. These initiatives are expected to inject money into local economies, as workers flood into these areas, spending money at local businesses, renting spaces in RV parks, and eating o...

Randy Evans, executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, has long advocated for openness and transparency within Iowa’s state and local governments. A recent case in Decatur County, southern Iowa, is highlighting the need to protect citizens' First Amendment rights to criticize their government without fear of retaliation or legal action. A constitutional issue is brewing in Decatur County, where taxpayer dollars might be used to defend the county’s attempt to silence a local critic, Rita Audlehelm. Audlehelm, who regularly attends Board of Supervisors meetings in Leon, sent a letter to the editor of the Leon Journal-Reporter criticizing Supervisor Steve Fulkerson for his frequent absences from meetings. In response, Decatur County Attorney Alan Wilson threate...

The Pentagon has seen significant shake-ups this week, as several high-ranking officials have either resigned or been placed on leave amid ongoing leak investigations and a broader power struggle within the department. The developments have raised questions about the stability and efficiency of one of the most critical institutions in the U.S. government, as personnel changes continue to unfold. Three Pentagon officials, including Colin Carroll, the chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg, Dan Caldwell, a senior adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Darin Selnick, the Defense Department's deputy chief of staff, were all placed on administrative leave. The move comes amid a wide-ranging investigation into a series of leaks of classified information th...

If you love coffee and freebies, then today is your lucky day. Wawa, the popular convenience store chain, is giving away free coffee at all its New Jersey locations—and across other states too—in celebration of its 61st anniversary. Yes, you read that right. Free coffee. Any size. All day long. No strings attached. Why is Wawa Giving Out Free Coffee? Wawa is celebrating its 61st birthday today, April 16th. The company started its journey back in 1964, with its very first store opening in Folsom, Pennsylvania. Over the years, it has grown into a beloved brand across several states on the East Coast—and now, it’s expanding even further. As a thank you to its loyal customers and as part of this anniversary celebration, Wawa is giving away free coffee throughout the day at all part...

A jewelry theft case worth $30,000 has been solved by Monroe Police with the help of a polygraph test, according to authorities. The case began on Friday, February 21, when a resident from Monroe reported that several valuable jewelry pieces had gone missing from a bedroom. At the time of the incident, renovation work was being done at the home. Because multiple workers had access to the house during the renovations, it was difficult for the police to know who could have taken the jewelry. To help narrow down the list of suspects, detectives from Monroe Police worked with the New Jersey State Police Polygraph Unit to carry out lie detector tests. The tests were used to check if any of the workers were hiding the truth or knew something about the missing jewelry. After testing...

A woman from San Antonio, Texas has been officially charged in a massive counterfeit coupon scheme that allegedly caused over $17 million in losses to stores and product manufacturers all over the United States. The announcement was made on April 16 by U.S. Attorney Alina Habba after a federal grand jury in New Jersey indicted the woman. The woman, identified as 48-year-old Janet Bernal, now faces serious criminal charges, including one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and five separate counts of wire fraud. Authorities say the illegal activity took place between June 2020 and August 2024. During this time, Bernal is accused of creating and distributing fake coupons that were accepted by popular grocery stores and pharmacies across the country, including many in New Jers...

A 34-year-old man from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is facing several serious charges after police say he left a suitcase full of weapons at Newark-Penn Station and later carried more guns—including a “booby-trapped” rifle—onto a train headed to Virginia. The man, identified as Jefferey O. Kennerk, was arrested at the Trenton Transit Center in New Jersey on January 3, 2025. According to officials, as police tried to confiscate the weapons, one of the rifles unexpectedly discharged, which led to concerns that it had been booby-trapped to fire on its own. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said that Kennerk allegedly brought several deadly weapons and large amounts of ammunition through public transport areas filled with travelers. One of the weapons, an assault rifle, wa...

Republican Senator John Kennedy from Louisiana has strongly criticized a federal judge for blocking the Trump administration's decision to revoke a parole program that affects over 500,000 migrants. The judge in question, Indira Talwani, was appointed by former President Obama and currently serves in the District of Massachusetts. On Tuesday, Judge Talwani issued a nationwide injunction preventing the deportation of migrants who arrived in the U.S. during the Biden administration under what’s called the “CHNV program.” This program had allowed migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the U.S. legally through a special parole system, especially when traditional visa options weren’t available. Senator Kennedy responded harshly during an interview on Fox News...

Charlotte, NC — An 18-year-old man has been arrested in Charlotte, North Carolina, in connection with two separate shootings that occurred in Chester County, South Carolina, over the weekend. The Chester County Sheriff's Office reported that the shootings took place on Saturday, April 12, in the Great Falls area. The first incident occurred around 6:45 p.m. on McClinton Road, resulting in one person being injured. Approximately 30 minutes later, a second shooting on Ridgeway Road left one person dead and another injured. Authorities quickly identified 18-year-old Ronrico Lamont McCullough Jr. as a suspect in both incidents. McCullough allegedly fled Chester County after the shootings and was later apprehended in Charlotte. The sheriff's office is currently working through the...

Even in a peaceful state like Iowa, chilling mysteries and unspeakable crimes have left a dark imprint on its history. While many of us feel safe in our communities, the state has seen its share of haunting cases, some of which remain unsolved to this day. Here are a few of Iowa’s most infamous unsolved crimes that still send shivers down the spine. The Villisca Axe Murders Over a century later, the Villisca Axe Murders remain one of Iowa’s most brutal and puzzling crimes. And yes, you can tour the house where it all happened. According to Iowa Starting Line, the massacre took place on June 9, 1912, inside the home of Josiah and Sarah Moore. In the dead of night, an unknown intruder crept in with an axe and killed the couple, their four children, and two young guests. Thoug...