Local News

Mayor Muriel Bowser has ignited controversy with her proposed 2026 budget, which includes a quiet but major policy shift—repealing the District’s long-standing sanctuary city law. The proposed repeal would end current limits on the Metropolitan Police Department’s cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This means D.C. police could once again detain undocumented immigrants on behalf of ICE and share information about residents' immigration status—something prohibited under current law. The change, first flagged by journalist Martin Austermuhle, wasn’t publicly announced but appears in the fine print of Bowser’s newly released budget proposal. The move shocked many, especially since Bowser previously branded D.C. a “proud sanctuary city” in 2019. What Sanct...

A Charleston man’s quick grocery stop turned into a life-changing moment when he scratched his way to a $500,000 win in the South Carolina Education Lottery. The winner, who chose to remain anonymous, purchased the lucky ticket from the Publix supermarket on Folly Road in downtown Charleston. The $10 “Cash King” scratch-off game, launched earlier this year, gave him the top prize—despite odds of 1 in 1.5 million. “I just felt like it was a blessing,” the winner told lottery officials. For many South Carolina residents, lottery winnings are often treated with a sense of disbelief and gratitude, and this case was no different. The Charleston native wasted no time in putting his prize money to good use—he made a down payment on a new home. Life-Altering Win From A Simple Ticket Th...

An anonymous tip sent to Laurens County Crime Stoppers has led to the arrest of a suspect, according to the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office. The information, received on May 19, 2025, played a key role in helping law enforcement apprehend an individual believed to be involved in ongoing criminal activity. Authorities have not released the identity of the suspect or details about the charges, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. However, the Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the tip contained enough actionable intelligence to enable swift enforcement action. “This is a perfect example of how crucial community involvement is to public safety,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a brief statement. “We appreciate every citizen who takes the time to provide us with information—especial...

A routine drive took a dangerous turn Thursday morning when a fire truck from Laurens County flipped over and crashed into a tree, injuring two people on board. The South Carolina Highway Patrol confirmed that the fire engine was not responding to an emergency at the time of the accident. The incident happened around 9 a.m. on Arnold Lane in the town of Waterloo, located in Laurens County. According to authorities, the fire truck veered off the right side of the road, hit a ditch, flipped over, and then slammed into a tree. Troopers from the South Carolina Highway Patrol responded to the scene shortly after the crash was reported. Officials say the fire truck did not have its emergency lights or sirens on during the time of the accident, indicating it was not en route to a call. T...

Massive, uncontrolled wildfires in Canada have sparked a growing public health crisis across the Upper Midwest in the United States, as thick smoke from the blazes drifts southward into states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Officials are warning of dangerous air conditions and have issued air quality alerts urging residents to take precautions, especially those with respiratory issues. Wildfires Rage in Manitoba and Saskatchewan The fires began spreading rapidly across Manitoba and Saskatchewan earlier this week, forcing thousands to evacuate as dry conditions and high winds fueled the flames. As of Thursday, over 491,000 acres have burned in Manitoba alone, with officials declaring a state of emergency across several fire zones. According to The Washington Post, roughly...

In a modest Eau Claire living room, two friends are giving small-town queer life a big, bold platform. Small Town, Big Gays, a Wisconsin-based podcast hosted by Travis Gorell and Chance Smith, is building a space for LGBTQ+ voices often unheard in rural America. With new episodes every Friday, the podcast brings heart, humor, and honesty to a landscape still learning to embrace its diversity. What started as casual conversations quickly evolved into a platform challenging stereotypes and lifting queer voices beyond city borders. Gorell, who performs in drag under the name Khloe Wold, teams up with Smith, a native of New Lisbon, Wisconsin, to record weekly episodes full of laughter, stories, and candid takes on everything from dating apps to drag shows. Why Their Podcast Matters Th...

A Des Moines man will not face criminal charges after a fatal incident in which a pedestrian was struck and killed along Interstate 35 in November 2024, according to Clear Lake Police. The victim, 59-year-old Michelle Schutz of Mason City, was walking in the southbound lane of I-35 near Clear Lake during the early hours of November 2, 2024, when she was struck by a vehicle. The driver was later identified as 60-year-old Henry Moss Jr. of Des Moines. According to police reports, Moss did not remain at the scene of the crash but was later located by law enforcement. After months of investigation, Clear Lake Police Chief Mike Colby announced on May 28, 2025, that Moss will not be charged in connection with the fatal crash. Police Findings and Legal Reasoning Investigators determin...

Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn is taking a strong stand against food assistance fraud, calling for urgent reforms to prevent vulnerable families from losing vital benefits due to theft. At the center of this push is a proposed law that would ensure victims of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud are reimbursed quickly and fairly — without being penalized for a crime they didn’t commit. The urgency for reform became clear after multiple Iowa families, including a 65-year-old Army veteran and a refugee household, lost their SNAP benefits due to electronic theft. Their stories reflect a growing issue nationwide, where outdated EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card systems have made recipients easy targets for fraudsters using skimming devices. Veteran’s SNAP Benefits Spen...

A Budd Lake man was arrested Tuesday night after allegedly causing a disturbance by repeatedly driving through the restricted parking lot of the Mount Olive Township Police Department, honking his horn and yelling out of his vehicle. The incident took place on May 27, 2025, around 8:11 p.m., when officers observed a car entering the secure area of the department's lot. The driver, later identified as 21-year-old Zachary Petzinger, reportedly made several passes through the lot while loudly honking and shouting, drawing attention from on-duty officers. According to police, the area Petzinger entered is clearly marked as restricted, intended only for authorized personnel. Despite the signage and secure nature of the lot, Petzinger ignored warnings and continued to loop through the spac...