CHICAGO (AP) — A Democratic congressional candidate in Illinois has been indicted along with five others over blocking vehicles during protests outside a federal immigration enforcement building in suburban Chicago, according to court documents.
The indictment, filed last week by a special grand jury, accuses Kat Abughazaleh of blocking a federal agent outside the detention center.
“This is a political prosecution and a gross attempt to silence dissent, a right protected under the First Amendment. This case is a major push by the Trump administration to criminalize protest and punish anyone who speaks out against them,” Abughazaleh said in a video posted to BlueSky.
The Masonic Temple is a popular a venue on the edge of the Cass Corridor that hosts events and concerts. It opened in 1926 after being designed by architect George Mason. In addition to being a venue, it serves as a meeting space for the Free Mason fraternity.
Around this time of year, rumors typically begin to spread about the history of the temple, George Mason’s passing and whether the building is haunted.
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The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate Wednesday for a second time this year as it seeks to shore up economic growth and hiring even as inflation stays elevated.
Job gains have slowed this year, and the unemployment rate has edged up but remained low through August, the Fed said in a statement issued Wednesday. More recent indicators are consistent with these developments." The government hasn't issued unemployment data after August because of the shutdown. The Fed is watching private-sector figures instead.
Wednesday's decision brings the Fed's key rate down to about 3.9%, from about 4.1%. The central bank had cranked its rate to roughly 5.3% in 2023 and 2024 to combat the biggest inflation spike in four decades. Lower rates could, over time, reduce borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards, as well as for business loans.
The move comes amid a fraught time for the central bank, with hiring sluggish and yet inflation stuck above the Feds 2% target. Compounding its challenges, the central bank is navigating without the economic signposts it typically relies on from the government, including monthly reports on jobs, inflation and consumer spending, which have been suspended because of the government shutdown. The Fed has signaled it may reduce its key rate again in December but the data drought raises the uncertainty around its next moves.
The Fed typically raises its short-term rate to combat inflation, while it cuts rates to encourage borrowing and spending and shore up hiring. Right now its two goals are in conflict, so it is reducing borrowing costs to support the job market, while still keeping rates high enough to avoid stimulating the economy so much that it worsens inflation.
On Wednesday, the Fed also said it would stop reducing the size of its massive securities holdings, which it accumulated during the pandemic and after the 2008-2009 Great Recession. The change could over time slightly reduce longer-term interest rates on things like mortgages but won't have much impact on consumer borrowing costs.
The Fed purchased nearly $5 trillion of Treasury securities and mortgage-backed bonds from 2020 to 2022 to stabilize financial markets during the pandemic and keep longer-term interest rates low. The bond-buying lifted its securities holdings to $9 trillion.
In the past three years, however, the Fed has reduced its holdings to about $6.6 trillion. To shrink its holdings, the Fed lets securities mature without replacing them, reducing bank reserves. In recent months, however, the reductions appeared to disrupt money markets, threatening to push up shorter-term interest rates.
Two of the 12 officials who vote on the Feds rate decisions dissented, but in different directions. Fed governor Stephen Miran dissented for the second straight meeting in favor of a half-point cut. Miran was appointed by President Donald Trump just before the central banks last meeting in September.
Jeffrey Schmid, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, voted against the move because he preferred no change to the Feds rate. Schmid has previously expressed concern that inflation remains too high.
Trump has repeatedly attacked Powell for not reducing borrowing costs more quickly. In South Korea early Wednesday he repeated his criticisms of the Fed chair.
Hes out of there in another couple of months, Trump said. Powells term ends in May. On Monday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the administration is considering five people to replace Powell, and will decide by the end of this year.
Meanwhile, the government shutdown has interrupted economic data. September's jobs report, scheduled to be released three weeks ago, is still postponed. This month's hiring figures, to be released Nov. 7, will likely be delayed and may be less comprehensive when they are finally released. And the White House said last week that October's inflation report may never be issued at all.
The data drought raises risks for the Fed because it is widely expected to keep cutting rates in an effort to shore up growth and hiring. Yet should job gains pick up soon, the Fed may not detect the change. And if hiring rebounds after weak job gains during the summer, further rate cuts may not be justified.
Before the government shutdown cut off the flow of data Oct. 1, monthly hiring gains had weakened to an average of just 29,000 a month for the previous three months, according to the Labor Department's data. The unemployment rate ticked up to a still-low 4.3% in August from 4.2% in July.
More recently, several large corporations have announced sweeping layoffs, including UPS, Amazon, and Target, which threatens to boost the unemployment rate if it continues.
Meanwhile, last weeks inflation report released more than a week late because of the shutdown showed that inflation remains elevated but isnt accelerating and may not need higher interest rates to tame it.
The government's first report on the economy's growth in the July-September quarter was scheduled to be published on Thursday, but will be delayed, as will Friday's report on consumer spending that also includes the Fed's preferred inflation measure.
Fed officials say they are monitoring a range of other data, including some issued by the private sector, and don't feel handicapped by the lack of government reports.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations has been called to investigate the deaths of three personnel at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, the Air Force base announced Tuesday.
Wright-Patt wrote in a press release that Ohio BCI and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations are investigating three deaths that occurred Friday, Oct. 24, and Saturday, Oct. 25.
The three people found dead are:
1st Lt. Jaime Gustitus, 25, who worked in the 711th Human Performance Wing, part of the Air Force Research Laboratory Jaymee Prichard, 33, who worked within the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Jacob Prichard, 34, who also worked at the Air Force Research Laboratory
The Air Force base did not specify how any of the three died, but said BCI is leading the investigation. They also did not say what, if any, relation Jaymee Prichard and Jacob Prichard have.
"We are deeply saddened by this tragic event, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones affected," said Lt. Gen. Linda Hurry, deputy commander of the Air Force Materiel Command. "We stand with them as they navigate this unimaginable pain, and we offer our sincerest condolences to all impacted by this heartbreaking loss."
Wright-Patt said the Air Force and local authorities are offering counseling services and support to those impacted by the deaths. Friends and families of those dead will be offered resources through the Air Force's Casualty Assistance Office, the Air Force Employee Assistance Program and the Chaplain's Office.
Anyone with information about the deaths is urged to contact law enforcement.
This article was written by Molly Schramm for the Scripps News Group in Cincinnati.
As the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) faces disruption, the Fair Food Network is taking action through its Double Up Food Bucks Program to help Michigan families.
In response to the US Department of Agriculture pausing SNAP distribution beginning November 1, the Double Up Food Bucks Program will be expanded through the end of December. The program is supported by a grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).
In Michigan, we work to support one another as best we can and this moment is no different, said Governor Gretchen Whitmer in a news release. We know SNAP is a lifeline for Michigan families. It helps families put nutritious food on the table, supports local farmers and grocers, and strengthens our communities and economy. These changes to the Double Up Program will go a long way in ensuring access to healthy food can continue while we push our federal partners to reach a deal that avoids more harm to Michigan families.
According to the state, Fair Food Network is taking the following actions, effective through Dec. 31, 2025:
1. Expanded access and flexibility so families can build up savings on their Double Up cards:
Double Up earnings no longer expire.FFN lifted the 90-day limit so shoppers can use their earned benefits whenever they need them. No daily earning cap.FFN removed the usual $20 per day limit, enabling families to earn as much as they can while shopping for fresh produce. Frozen fruits and vegetables are now eligible.Shoppers can now use Double Up on frozen options with no added salt, sugar, or oilavailable at all 237 locations across the state.
2. NEW: Double Up Bonus Bucks, a limited-time voucher of$40 that willnotrequire a matching SNAP purchase to receive. It can be used exclusively on fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables beginning Nov. 1 and will be distributed:
Directly onto Double Up cards and app, or loyalty cards at participating sites, where applicable. As printed vouchersfor shoppers using tokens or coupons at participating locations.
Double Up Bonus Bucks will expireDec. 31, 2025.
The state has also issued the following guidance for Michigan's SNAP beneficiaries:
You can still use any SNAP dollars already on your EBT cardthose funds are not affected. All previously earned Double Up Food Bucks remain available. Double Up is available year-round at grocery stores, even as farmers market season winds down.
It’s been over five years since the COVID-19 pandemic and local autoworkers are have taken steps to move its employees back into the office.
Ford Motor Company implemented a new policy in September that requires employees to be in office four days a week. General Motors is moving its headquarters to the brand-new Hudson’s site downtown. At the same time, co-working spaces continue to be a popular work place option for companies.
The mix between traditional office space, co-working space and hybrid work has us wondering what the future of the workplace could look like.
Melissa Fisher is an anthropologist whose work focuses on workplace culture and design. She joined the The Metro to discuss what employees and managers take into account when determining an ideal work place.
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While climate change has significant impacts on farming, energy and other sectors, it is also having a major effect on marathons.
Runners tend to perform their best when temperatures are cool and crisp, which is why many major marathons are held in early spring or late fall. For example, the New York City Marathon will be staged this weekend. A new study highlights how warming temperatures are affecting runners.
Many marathons in the United States already struggle to provide ideal temperatures for runners. Elite athletes participating in the New York City Marathon currently have only a 27% to 29% chance of competing in ideal conditions. But Climate Central projects that the odds could drop by as much as 5 percentage points by 2045.
This trend was visible in 2023, when the Twin Cities Marathon, one of the nations largest road races, was abruptly canceled just hours before its scheduled start time. That day marked the first time Minneapolis reached 90 degrees in October.
Typically, morning temperatures in Minneapolis start in the 40s in early October, with highs climbing into the 60s.
Those conditions are much closer to what is considered ideal for both recreational and elite marathoners. According to Climate Central, elite men tend to run their fastest marathon times when temperatures are between 30 and 48 degrees. For elite women, the range is 41 to 59 degrees.
For recreational runners, the optimal range is 37 to 51 degrees.
Climate Centrals study found that the odds of marathoners competing in optimal conditions are expected to drop between now and 2045.
While running in warmer conditions isnt ideal, heat does more than slow runners down it can also create dangerous race conditions.
Heat and high humidity limit the bodys ability to cool itself through sweating putting runners who train and compete in these conditions at risk of heat-related illness. This includes heat exhaustion, heat stroke and muscle damage due to overexertion, Climate Central said.
The report also noted that higher levels of pollution from burning fossil fuels can hamper runners.
During long races, runners breathing increases to provide adequate oxygen. These higher breathing rates can greatly increase the amount of particulate matter marathon runners inhale during a race. This has negative impacts on marathon performance and on health, the report read.
Those running the New York City Marathon might luck out this weekend. The National Weather Service is forecasting the race to begin with temperatures in the mid-40s, warming into the mid-50s as the last runners finish that afternoon.
President Donald Trump appears to be downplaying speculation that he might seek a third term.
The U.S. Constitutions 22nd Amendment limits presidents to two elected terms, and there is no recognized constitutional path for a third. Still, Trump and some of his allies have continued to hint at the idea.
One of his top advisers, Steve Bannon, recently said President Trump would get a third term.
When asked earlier this week about the possibility, President Trump refused to rule it out. But pressed again aboard Air Force One on Wednesday, he appeared to put much of the speculation to rest.
Its pretty clear Im not allowed to run, he said. Its too bad.
The issue has lingered throughout President Trumps second term. While he has previously said its not something Im looking to do, he has sold "Trump 2028" merchandise in his online store. Some Republicans have dismissed the notion as the president trolling his critics, while Democrats warn that any attempt to seek a third term would trigger a constitutional crisis.
One of the biggest issues Detroiters face has to do with their homes. There are a fair number of homes in the city, but over 20,000 of them are in dire need of repairs. That includes leaky roofs, electricity issues, and asbestos in the walls.
The problem is large, but one retired firefighter, Gary Ringer, is trying to chip away at it. The Detroiter, who mostly helps people on the West Side, has been spending a lot of his time going to peoples’ homes, and assisting them with repairs.
What inspires Gary’s volunteerism? What are the repairs people need? And, with the mayoral election next week, what kinds of investments does he think the next mayor should make to facilitate more home repairs?
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The U.S. is set to be in the fairly unusual position of having only a single aircraft carrier deployed and none in the waters off both Europe and the Middle East. The change is especially stark after the U.S. joined Israeli strikes on Iran in June and has engaged in some of the most intense combat operations since World War II against Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
Aircraft carriers, with their thousands of sailors and dozens of warplanes, have long been recognized as one of the ultimate signifiers of U.S. military might and the nation’s foreign policy priorities. There have been five carrier deployments to the Middle East since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, including two carriers in the region at multiple points this year and last.
The new orders for the USS Gerald R. Ford illustrate the Trump administration’s increasing focus on the Western Hemisphere and mark a major escalation of firepower as the U.S. military ramps up fatal strikes on alleged drug boats. With a buildup of warships, aircraft and troops already in the region, Trump himself has signaled what could be next.
Speaking from another aircraft carrier, the USS George Washington, in its home port of Japan, Trump noted the U.S. attacks at sea and reiterated that “now we’ll stop the drugs coming in by land.”
Mark Cancian, a senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a retired Marine colonel, questioned how long the Ford would be able to remain in South America, when only three of the 11 U.S. aircraft carriers are typically out to sea.
“It’s such a powerful and scarce resource, there will be a lot of pressure to do something or send it elsewhere,” Cancian said. “You can imagine the peace negotiations breaking down in the eastern Mediterranean or something happening with Iran.”
The USS Nimitz also is deployed but is heading home from the South China Sea to the West Coast before being decommissioned. It recently lost two aircraft — a fighter jet and a helicopter — in separate crashes that are under investigation. A third carrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, is not deployed but is conducting exercises off the coast of San Diego.
The shift is happening just as violence has flared up again in Gaza despite a ceasefire that Trump helped broker after two years of war. The Israeli army launched a barrage of attacks Tuesday as tensions with Hamas grew two weeks into the fragile ceasefire.
In response to questions about the speculation, Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted Saturday that the U.S. is taking part in a counterdrug operation. And he again accused Maduro’s government of participating in the shipment of narcotics.
“This is a very serious problem for the hemisphere, and a very destabilizing one,” Rubio said. “And that has to be addressed.”
“They are fabricating an extravagant narrative, a vulgar, criminal and totally fake one,” Maduro added. “Venezuela is a country that does not produce cocaine leaves.”
Experts say the U.S. forces in the region aren’t large enough for an invasion. But they could help push out Maduro — and possibly plunge the nation into chaos.
“There’s a really high potential for violence and instability,” according to Geoff Ramsey, an expert on U.S. policy toward Venezuela who is a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. If Maduro loses power, he said Venezuela could “devolve into a Libya-style meltdown that could last years.”
Land strikes are ‘a real possibility’
The Ford strike group, which includes five destroyers, will add to an unusually large U.S. military buildup in the waters off Venezuela. The Navy already has eight warships in the region — three destroyers, three amphibious assault ships, a cruiser and a smaller littoral combat ship that’s designed for coastal waters. It was not clear if all five of the destroyers in the Ford strike group would make the journey.
A U.S. Navy submarine also is operating in the broader area of South America and is capable of launching cruise missiles. The U.S. military also sent a squadron of F-35B Lightning II fighter jets to an airstrip in Puerto Rico and recently flew a pair of supersonic, heavy bombers up to the coast of Venezuela.
The administration says the military has killed at least 57 people in the strikes against vessels accused of transporting drugs. Trump has declared drug cartels to be unlawful combatants because of narcotics flowing into the country and said the U.S. is in an “armed conflict” with them, relying on the same legal authority used by the Bush administration after 9/11.
Lawmakers from both political parties have expressed concerns about Trump’s lack of congressional approval and unwillingness to provide details about the attacks. Others, such as Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham, believe the president has all the authority he needs.
The South Carolina Republican said Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that land strikes in Venezuela are “a real possibility.”
“We’re not going to sit on the sidelines and watch boats full of drugs come to our country,” Graham said. “We’re going to blow them up and kill the people that want to poison America, and we’re now going to expand operations, I think, to the land.”
FILE – The American aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, on its way into the Oslofjord, at Drobak in Norway, Sept. 12, 2025. (Lise Aaserud/NTB Scanpix via AP, File)
Detroit police say they are looking into a situation where an officer appeared during a court hearing on Zoom wearing no pants.
In the video, the officer, who identified himself as Matthew Jackson, appeared during the Zoom hearing on Oct. 27 in 36th District Court.
Jackson was wearing his Detroit Police Department uniform shirt, but did not have pants on. He did have underwear on.
You can see the interaction in the video below
Clip from court hearing where judge asks officer if he has pants on
"You got some pants on, officer?" Judge Sean Perkins asked.
Jackon replied, "No, sir," before moving the camera up so it was no longer visible. The hearing went on as planned.
Detroit police told 7 News Detroit they are investigating the incident and are planning to speak with all of their officers, reminding them of proper etiquette when appearing in court.
"I spoke with Judge Perkins, because I wanted to know, you know, what went through his mind with how he handled the case," 36th District Court Chief Judge William McConico told us. "He was stunned, obviously. He was shocked. Officer Jackson is a person he's known.
"He wanted to stress to me that Officer Jackson is a very professional police officer, he's always been very courteous to the citizens, and that's why it was a little bit stunning," McConico added, saying that's why Perkins said he kept the hearing going.
You can hear more from Chief Judge McConico in the video below
Chief Judge William McConico speaks on officer who appeared via Zoom with no pants on
According to the 36th District Court website, this is the dress code for the court. "Casual business attire is preferred. Prohibited attire includes shorts (cut-offs), skorts, sleeveless shirts (tank tops), hats/caps (except those worn for cultural or religious purposes) and other clothing which is not suitable in a Court or any other professional environment.
Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison also released this statement to 7 News Detroit: The Detroit Police Department requires its officers to represent themselves in a dignified and professional manner while attending court proceedings. the involved officer's actions are not representative of the professionalism of this department and will be appropriately addressed to maintain the public confidence and efficient operation of this department. Our apologies are hereby extended to the judges and staff of the court, as well as anyone else who may have been in attendance during this incident.
TOKYO (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday welcomed Japan’s determination to accelerate its ongoing military buildup and defense spending.
During a visit to Japan, Hegseth said he hopes to see those pledges implemented as soon as possible, noting China’s increasingly assertive military activity.
“The threats we face are real, and they are urgent. China’s unprecedented military buildup and its aggressive military actions speak for themselves,” he said. “Make no mistake about it, our alliance is critical to deterring Chinese military aggression, to responding to regional contingencies, and keeping our countries safe.”
Hegseth said he was “glad” to see Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi — speaking alongside U.S. President Donald Trump this week — make a commitment to increase Japan’s defense spending, calling it “wonderful.”
He said the U.S. government had not demanded Japan’s spending increase.
His comment comes a day after Takaichi, who became prime minister only last week, explained to Trump during their first summit that her government will raise Japan’s defense spending to 2% of its gross national product by March, two years ahead of initially planned. Japan also plans to revise its ongoing national security strategy several years ahead of schedule.
A guard of honor stands for inspection by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, both unseen, in Tokyo Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Takashi Aoyama/Pool Photo via AP)
“It’s an important step forward, and one that we hope would be implemented and believe will be as soon as possible,” Hegseth told a joint news conference after holding talks with Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. “The result, through our shared strength, will deter threats.”
“We’re going to invest now and invest quickly while we still have time,” Hegseth said.
Koizumi welcomed the agreement between the two governments to move up deliveries of U.S.-made Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile, or AMRAAM, though he did not give further details.
Japan is seeking to create a more self-sufficient military as a deterrence against China’s increasingly assertive military activity in the region, and has concentrated on defense buildup on its southwestern islands. Japan also has concerns about the rising tensions caused by North Korea and Russia.
Japan has already moved up a planned deployment of its medium and long-range missiles such as Tomahawk and Japanese-made Tupe-12 anti-ship missiles.
These efforts mark a historic shift from Japan’s longstanding policy of limiting use of force to self-defense only under a pacifist Constitution written after World War II.
It made a major break from that policy under the 2022 security strategy that calls for more offensive roles for Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and easing restrictions on arms exports. The Takaichi government is also seeking to further relax weapons transfers.
Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, right, and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shake hands after a joint press conference at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool)
Aircraft owners at the Oakland County International Airport will get a smoother ride thanks to a $6 million grant from the state.
Work to replace nearly 8,000 feet of pavement will begin next spring, said airport manager Cheryl Bush.
A $6 million grant managed by Michigan’s Department of Transportation will help renovate Oakland County International Airport. This grant money comes from the Federal Aviation Agency but is managed by MDOT. It will pay to reconstruct and improve lighting for Taxilanes D, F and Y and renovate the airport apron.
The county will add just over $151,000 to the state Department of Transportation’s funds.
Bush told commissioners on the county commission’s Economic Development and Infrastructure committee that the work is a year overdue.
“The pavement has been pretty rough. We’ve had some complaints about it,” she told the committee last week, adding that the work couldn’t happen without the support of federal grants.
The work will begin next spring on the airport’s north side and will be done in phases over four months so the nearly 400 airplanes kept at the airport will remain accessible to their owners, Bush told commissioners.
The committee also advised the commission to approve a separate, nearly $2.2 million MDOT grant to reimburse the airport for purchased snow-removal equipment and land to add to a protection zone for Runway 27L and renovate the pavement for Taxilane M.
The airport is in Waterford Township and is the second-busiest in Michigan.
WASHINGTON (AP) — When he was elected the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee in June, Rep. Robert Garcia at once gained a powerful perch and a pressing problem.
Colleagues elected Garcia with a mandate to hold President Donald Trump’s administration to account. He’d pitched himself as an energetic personality who cared about good governance and accountability. But with Democrats locked out of power, he had few tools available to carry out his mission besides strongly worded letters to federal agencies and speeches during committee hearings.
Then came a renewed burst of public attention to the case of Jeffrey Epstein and Trump’s vow to release documents related to the late sex trafficker. As Republicans faced mounting public pressure from conservative activists and voters after Trump backtracked on that promise, Garcia saw an opening.
“If he can betray the American public about this, he can betray and lie to the public about anything,” Garcia said in an interview with The Associated Press. “It all goes together. The Epstein files case shines a light on how Donald Trump is only out for himself.”
How Democrats staged an ambush on Epstein issue
Garcia in July coordinated Oversight Democrats to force a surprise vote on subpoenaing the Justice Department for documents related to Epstein — and it worked. Republicans narrowly backed the subpoenas at a subcommittee hearing. Democrats similarly pushed Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., in August to subpoena the executors of the Epstein estate for documents.
Garcia dismissed the first tranche of more than 33,000 documents from the Justice Department in September as inadequate, mostly public information that lacked a “client list” of Epstein’s purported associates.
The Epstein estate, meanwhile, provided a book of messages compiled for Epstein’s 50th birthday. That book contained a poem and alleged signature from Trump with a sexually suggestive drawing. Democrats immediately published the page online and pointed to it as reason to investigate Trump’s involvement in Epstein’s activities. The estate has shared more information since, including Epstein’s flight logs, personal schedules and financial ledgers.
The burst of attention gave Democrats, still grappling with their party’s failure in last year’s election and divided on a path forward, a jolt of energy and potential blueprint for navigating Trump’s second term.
“I think you’re going to see us take that kind of aggressive approach in the work that we have ahead,” Garcia said.
Commanding the spotlight
The Oversight Committee, led by Comer, is one of the most powerful in Congress, with broad leeway to investigate nearly anything. Lawmakers have long used the panel’s clout to command attention and investigate scandals inside and outside the government.
Garcia has sought to use his position as the committee’s ranking Democrat to weave his party’s disparate stances on Trump, affordability, corruption and democracy into a single message. Oversight Democrats have also sought information on the treatment of U.S. citizens by the Department of Homeland Security, gifts and payments to administration officials and the administration’s response to natural disasters.
“I continue to think this is the most corrupt administration in American history, and we have a huge responsibility to investigate that corruption and to also try to make government work better for working people,” Garcia said.
Garcia has also been a critic of House Speaker Mike Johnson’s decision to delay the swearing in of Adelita Grijalva, a Democratic congresswoman-elect from Arizona. Johnson says Grijalva can’t be sworn in until the government shutdown ends and legislative work resumes in the House. But Garcia and other Democrats say Johnson’s real aim is to delay a vote on legislation that would broaden the subpoena for the Epstein files.
As Democrats revamp their media strategy, Garcia has encouraged Oversight Democrats to engage in new digital media to boost the party’s message. He’s also been meeting with government reform groups to craft legislation around transparency that they hope to put in front of voters next year.
“I think on oversight we have a responsibility to gather the information and then to put it out to the court of public opinion, especially in front of Trump’s voters,” he said.
A fraught relationship with the Republican majority
Oversight hearings have devolved into shouting matches repeatedly during this Congress, reflecting the near-total breakdown of bipartisan relations on the committee.
Comer, the Republican chair, said it was “appalling” for Democrats to release the Birthday Book sketch and accused them of engaging in “cherry-picking documents and politicizing information” to imply without evidence that Trump was involved in Epstein’s actions.
Comer has largely directed the Republican majority to investigate issues that dovetail with the Trump administration’s priorities, like the state of crime in cities and states across the country, former President Joe Biden’s age and alleged misconduct by nonprofit organizations and government agencies. Garcia has opted to focus on the Trump family and Democrats’ priorities rather than respond to GOP investigations.
“If we’re going to actually save this democracy and restore the American public’s trust and move forward post-Trump’s presidency, we have to take on the current grift that this man is doing on the country,” Garcia said.
After Democrats made another attempt at a surprise committee vote — this time to subpoena the head of the Federal Communications Commission for comments about the suspension of late-night TV host Jimmy Kimmel — Comer and Garcia brokered a bipartisan invitation for FCC Chair Brendan Carr to testify on a range of issues.
But Comer, a close Trump ally, also called Garcia “a real big drama queen,” after which Garcia accused him of being homophobic.
Garcia says his identity as a gay immigrant and naturalized citizen has influenced his leadership style and outlook on the country, especially as the Trump administration pursues its hardline immigration agenda.
“I always say that immigrants who are naturalized are some of the most patriotic people we have in this country, because we all have to fight for those rights that many folks are born with,” said Garcia, who became a U.S. citizen in his 20s. “It built a drive to try and make this country better and that drives me in my oversight work.”
FILE – Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., speaks during the Democratic National Convention Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
Focusing on taking longer, steadier walks instead of reaching a daily step goal could cut your risk of heart disease by up to two-thirds, new research suggests.
Scientists from the University of Sydney and Spains Universidad Europea found that people who walked in uninterrupted 10 to 15-minute periods were far less likely to suffer heart attacks, strokes or die prematurely compared to those whose walking was broken into brief spurts of less than five minutes.
The findings, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, challenge the popular 10,000 steps a day mantra, showing that quality and consistency matter more than quantity, especially for those who are less active.
For the study, researchers tracked 33,560 adults aged 40 through 79 who walked fewer than 8,000 steps a day and had no history of heart disease or cancer. Participants wore wristbands for a week to record step counts and patterns, then were monitored for eight years.
Among the least active group those averaging 5,000 steps or fewer longer, steady walks slashed the risk of cardiovascular disease from 15% to 7% and cut the risk of death from 5% to under 1%.
Simply adding one or two longer walks per day, each lasting at least 1015 minutes at a comfortable but steady pace, may have significant benefitsespecially for people who dont walk much, said lead author Dr. Matthew Ahmadi of the University of Sydneys Mackenzie Wearables Research Hub.
The researchers suggest that longer walking sessions may activate cardiovascular and metabolic responses that short, sporadic walking does not.
Earlier this year, a study published in The Lancet suggested that a lower daily step count, such as 7,000 steps, could be a more achievable target for many people, while still providing significant health benefits.
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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — After waiting more than four decades to clear his name in a friend’s 1980 killing, Subramanyam Vedam was set to walk free from a Pennsylvania prison this month.
Vedam and Thomas Kinser were the 19-year-old children of Penn State University faculty. Vedam was the last person seen with Kinser and was twice convicted of killing him, despite a lack of witnesses or motive.
In August, a judge threw out the conviction after Vedam’s lawyers found new ballistics evidence that prosecutors had never disclosed.
As his sister prepared to bring him home on Oct. 3, the thin, white-haired Vedam was instead taken into federal custody over a 1999 deportation order. The 64-year-old, who legally came to the U.S. from India when he was 9 months old, now faces another daunting legal fight.
Amid the Trump Administration’s focus on mass deportations, Vedam’s lawyers must persuade an immigration court that a 1980s drug conviction should be outweighed by the years he wrongly spent in prison. For a time, immigration law allowed people who had reformed their lives to seek such waivers. Vedam never pursued it then because of the murder conviction.
“He was someone who’s suffered a profound injustice,” said immigration lawyer Ava Benach. “(And) those 43 years aren’t a blank slate. He lived a remarkable experience in prison.”
Vedam earned several degrees behind bars, tutored hundreds of fellow inmates and went nearly half a century with just a single infraction, involving rice brought in from the outside.
His lawyers hope immigration judges will consider the totality of his case. The administration, in a brief filed Friday, opposes the effort. So Vedam remains at an 1,800-bed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in central Pennsylvania.
“Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S,” a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said in an email about the case.
‘Mr. Vedam, where were you born?’
After his initial conviction was thrown out, Vedam faced an unusual set of questions at his 1988 retrial.
“Mr. Vedam, where were you born?” Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar asked. “How frequently would you go back to India?
“During your teenage years, did you ever get into meditation?”
Gopal Balachandran, the Penn State law professor who won the reversal, believes the questions were designed to alienate him from the all-white jury, which returned a second guilty verdict.
The Vedams were among the first Indian families in the area known as “Happy Valley,” where his father had come as a postdoctoral fellow in 1956. An older daughter was born in State College, but “Subu,” as he was known, was born when the family was back in India in 1961.
They returned to State College for good before his first birthday, and became the family that welcomed new members of the Indian diaspora to town.
Tejaswini Rao chats with party guests while Subramanyam and Saraswathi Vedam embrace during their parents’ wedding anniversary party at State College, Pa., in August 1981. (Saraswathi Vedam via AP)
A photograph of Saraswathi, 6, and Subramanyam, 2, Vedam posing for a photo in their State College, Pa., home in 1963. (Saraswathi Vedam via AP)
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Tejaswini Rao chats with party guests while Subramanyam and Saraswathi Vedam embrace during their parents’ wedding anniversary party at State College, Pa., in August 1981. (Saraswathi Vedam via AP)
“They were fully engaged. My father loved the university. My mother was a librarian, and she helped start the library,” said the sister, Saraswathi Vedam, 68, a midwifery professor in Vancouver, British Columbia.
While she left for college in Massachusetts, Subu became swept up in the counterculture of the late 1970s, growing his hair long and dabbling in drugs while taking classes at Penn State.
One day in December 1980, Vedem asked Kinser for a ride to nearby Lewisburg to buy drugs. Kinser was never seen again, although his van was found outside his apartment. Nine months later, hikers found his body in a wooded area miles away.
Vedam was detained on drug charges while police investigated, and was ultimately charged with murder. He was convicted in 1983 and sentenced to life without parole. To resolve the drug case, he pleaded no contest to four counts of selling LSD and a theft charge. The 1988 retrial offered no reprieve from his situation.
Although the defense long questioned the ballistics evidence in the case, the jury, which heard that Vedam had bought a .25-caliber gun from someone, never heard that an FBI report suggested the bullet wound was too small to have been fired from that gun. Balachandran only found that report as he dug into the case in 2023.
After hearings on the issue, a Centre County judge threw out the conviction and the district attorney decided this month not to retry the case.
Trump officials oppose the petition
Benach, the immigration lawyer, often represents clients trying to stay in the U.S. despite an earlier infraction. Still, she finds the Vedam case “truly extraordinary” given the constitutional violations involved.
Supporters of Subramanyam “Subu” Vedam demonstrate outside the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pa,, on Feb. 7, 2025, after a hearing over new evidence uncovered in his 1983 murder case. (Geoff Rushton/StateCollege.com via AP)
“Forty-three years of wrongful imprisonment more than makes up for the possession with intent to distribute LSD when he was 20 years old,” she said.
Vedam could spend several more months in custody before the Board of Immigration Appeals decides whether to reopen the case. ICE officials, in a brief Friday, said the clock ran out years ago.
“He has provided no evidence nor argument to show he has been diligent in pursuing his rights as it pertains to his immigration status,” Katherine B. Frisch, an assistant chief counsel, wrote.
Saraswathi Vedam is saddened by the latest delay, but said her brother remains patient.
“He, more than anybody else, knows that sometimes things don’t make sense,” she said. “You have to just stay the course and keep hoping that truth and justice and compassion and kindness will win.”
Subramanyam “Subu” Vedam walks outside the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pa, on Feb. 6, 2025, during a hearing over new evidence uncovered in his 1983 murder case. (Geoff Rushton/StateCollege.com via AP)
The window shopping period has opened for individuals looking to purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, also known as Obamacare.
While people can now compare available plans, they cannot make a purchase until Nov. 1, when open enrollment begins. Shoppers will have until Jan. 15, 2026, to select their coverage.
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the price of marketplace plans has increased this year. Nearly 60% of eligible re-enrollees will have access to a plan in their chosen category that costs $50 or less per month after tax credits down from 83% last year meaning fewer people will find low-cost options and more will likely pay higher premiums.
A separate analysis by KFF found that insurers are raising prices an average of 26% for 2026 coverage. The report said benchmark silver plan premiums which determine the value of federal tax credits are set to rise 17% in states that run their own marketplaces and 30% in states that use HealthCare.gov.
The rising cost of health care has also become a flashpoint in Washington during the government shutdown. Democrats are demanding concessions to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the year, arguing that millions of Americans will face higher premiums if Congress doesnt act. Republicans say the government should reopen first and debate health care later.
For now, the prices shown on HealthCare.gov and state marketplaces assume those enhanced subsidies will continue. If Congress allows them to expire, the actual out-of-pocket costs could be much higher when coverage takes effect in 2026.
Oakland ISD administrator Dwight Levens Jr. has been awarded the 2025 Exemplary Service and Innovation for Technological Advancement Award.
This national award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and innovation in advancing educational technology.
Levens, Jr. is the chief technology and information officer for Oakland Schools, which serves over 175,000 students and 40,000 educators across 28 public school districts.
Levens’ team is responsible for instructional technology coaching and infrastructure modernization to cybersecurity and statewide application support.
The department’s initiatives include the AI Collective, which explores artificial intelligence applications in education in all 28 districts.
“Dwight’s leadership has fostered a culture where operational excellence meets educational innovation,” said Oakland Schools Superintendent Kenneth Gutman. “Oakland Schools Technology Services exemplifies the very mission of an educational service agency: to deliver visionary leadership and equitable access to high-quality services that improve outcomes for all learners.”
Levens' department oversees a cybersecurity ecosystem and manages large-scale consortia like MISTAR and MIPEER.
Photo courtesy Oakland ISD
Huron Township police say a suspect is in custody after a more than hour-long search in a wooded area and neighborhood.
See video from Chopper 7 over the scene below
Police locate suspect they were searching for in Huron Township Search for suspect in wooded area of Huron Township
According to the Huron Township Department of Public Safety, the suspect crashed his vehicle and fled into the woods in the area of Crawford and Middlebelt roads. That's between Pennsylvania and Sibley off of Middlebelt.
Police worked with other agencies, deployed multiple drones and the K-9 unit to assist in the search.
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