Author: Grace Johnson

Middle school students from Orange County achieved strong national recognition at the 2026 United States Academic Pentathlon National Finals held in Nashville, Tennessee. The teams earned top placements and multiple individual medals across several academic categories, highlighting their performance on a national stage. The Academic Pentathlon Orange County teams competed on May 15 and 16 in a rigorous academic contest designed for students in grades six through eight. Participants were tested in five subject areas: literature, mathematics, science, social science, and fine arts. The competition also included written tests, essays, and team-based events. This year’s theme focused on “The Roaring…

Florida’s Supreme Court has allowed new Republican-drawn US House districts to be used in the upcoming midterm elections, giving the GOP a major legal and political win in an ongoing national battle over redistricting. In a 6–1 decision on Wednesday, the court rejected a request from voter groups seeking to block the new map. The challengers argued that the districts violate Florida’s constitutional ban on partisan gerrymandering and asked the court to keep the previous district boundaries in place for the election cycle. However, the court ruled that it did not have jurisdiction to intervene at this stage of the…

The US House of Representatives has narrowly approved a major $70 billion funding package aimed at expanding immigration enforcement, marking a significant boost to President Donald Trump’s deportation agenda and setting the stage for increased federal operations over the next three years. The bill passed late Tuesday by a razor-thin vote of 214 to 212, reflecting deep political divisions in Congress over immigration policy and federal spending priorities. The legislation now heads to President Donald Trump for his signature, which would make it law. The package provides long-term funding for key Department of Homeland Security agencies, including US Immigration and…

A Washington Parish UTV crash has left a 48-year-old man dead after his off-road vehicle entered traffic and collided with a car on LA Highway 25 near E. Daniels Road on Sunday afternoon. The victim has been identified as Timothy Blackwell of Folsom. Authorities said he was driving a Can-Am UTV northbound along the shoulder of the highway around 1:20 p.m. when the crash occurred. According to Louisiana State Police Troop L, the UTV moved from the shoulder into the northbound lane of travel for reasons that are still under investigation. At the same time, a 2004 Saturn ION was…

Washington voters could see major changes under new Washington mail ballot rules proposed by the U.S. Postal Service, which would change how mail-in ballots are tracked and processed in federal elections. The proposal is now open for public comment and has sparked debate among state and federal officials. Under the plan, every mail-in and absentee ballot envelope would need a unique barcode. Election offices would also have to submit a list of voters linked to each barcode. The system would create a new “Mail-in and absentee participation list” designed to track ballot movement more closely through the postal system. Washington…

Indiana University has officially launched its new Capital Campus in Washington, D.C., marking a major expansion of its academic presence in the United States capital. The Indiana University DC Campus is housed in an eight-story building designed to bring together classrooms, research spaces, administrative offices, and student housing in one central location. University leaders say the new site will strengthen academic programs while connecting students more closely with national and international institutions. The campus is located along Massachusetts Avenue, a prominent area known as Embassy Row due to its concentration of foreign embassies and global organizations. The surrounding neighborhood includes…

The Trump administration has abandoned plans to create a controversial $1.8 billion compensation fund that was intended to support people who claimed they had been unfairly targeted by government investigations. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed the decision during a congressional hearing on Tuesday. He told lawmakers that the Justice Department would not move forward with the proposal. The fund, known as the “anti-weaponisation” fund, had generated intense debate since it was announced. Supporters argued it would help people who believed they had suffered from politically motivated investigations. Critics, however, warned that it could provide money to individuals involved in…

A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked the enforcement of a Trump administration policy against several transgender military members, allowing them to continue serving while a legal challenge moves forward. The ruling, issued Monday by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, represents a significant legal victory for transgender service members who challenged the policy in court. The case centers on a military policy introduced after President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January 2025. The order was later implemented by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and sought to restrict transgender individuals from military service. In…

Matt Brown, known for his role in the reality television series Alaskan Bush People, has been found dead in a river in Washington state, according to authorities. His body was recovered by a private search team after several days of coordinated search efforts in Okanogan County. Officials from the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the body was discovered in the Okanogan River on Saturday. The remains were later identified by the county coroner, who will now determine the official cause and manner of death. Authorities said Brown’s body was found following an extended search operation launched after a report…

A proposed Trump Washington arch has moved a step closer to reality after a federal design commission approved its concept, marking a key milestone in a controversial plan to build a large new monument in the US capital. The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts approved the updated design for the 250-foot triumphal arch that President Donald Trump has proposed for Washington, D.C. The decision supports the visual concept of the project but does not authorize construction or funding. The approval comes as the project continues to face strong public opposition and legal challenges. Critics argue the arch would dramatically alter…