WASHINGTON — Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that the company responsible for originally applying the “American flag blue” sealant to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool will also handle its repairs.

Officials from the Trump administration have initiated plans to partially drain the 6.75 million-gallon Reflecting Pool to fix its compromised liner. The decision comes after sealant fragments began detaching from the pool.

“We’re going with the same company for the repairs because their initial work was remarkable,” Burgum stated during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday.

Burgum addressed the issue by saying, “Even with the damage—which is quite minimal compared to the overall structure—we’re looking at a surface equivalent to eight football fields. It covers eight acres, and the damage is around just 0.001%.”

“The repair job on the Reflecting Pool was executed exceptionally well,” he emphasized.

Tthe Trump administration drained the Reflecting Pool in April and spent an estimated $16 million to put a liner on the bottom, repair leaky joints, and install an ozone nanobubbler system intended to combat algae.

Shortly after the Reflecting Pool reopened, it was plagued by an algae bloom. Crews poured in gallons of hydrogen peroxide, a compound used in paint removers, as one of the steps taken to rein in the algae.

Then observers began noticing shards of blue sealant peeling off the Reflecting Pool.

Given President Trump’s fixation on fixing up the Reflecting Pool, which has long been plagued by leaks and algae under previous administrations, the debacle turned into a local spectacle.

Trump and top Justice Department officials have alleged that vandals are responsible for the sealant coming off, with US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announcing charges last week against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, accusing him of damaging the liner.

Hearn faces up to 10 years behind bars, and his attorney has vowed to fight the charge.

The Department of the Interior had tapped the Virginia-based Atlantic Industrial Coatings to apply the sealant to the 2,030-by-167-foot pool.

While the renovations were underway, Trump took the presidential motorcade across the Reflecting Pool itself, something that some of the president’s detractors speculated may have led to the sealant peeling.

“No. I was with him when we came that night. He didn’t take the Beast,” Burgum said, referring to the heavily armored presidential limo.

“We were driving in a Cadillac Escalade. It is one of the presidential fleet of cars, but substantially lighter than what you’re talking about.

“At the time that we were there … the whole base level of this industrial rubber layer was not yet completed, and so there was no damage that night whatsoever.”

As President Donald Trump praised the Brooklyn Bridge as “one of the greatest architectural feats of all time” during a speech at the National Mall, firefighters in New York City were engaged in a battle to save the iconic structure from a fire late Saturday night.

The contrasting scenes unfolded amid spectacular America 250 fireworks shows that lit up the skies over both New York City and the nation’s capital from Saturday night into early Sunday morning.

During New York City’s July Fourth fireworks display, a fire erupted on the Brooklyn Bridge. Onlookers on Saturday watched as flames spread across the bridge, sending a cloud of smoke skyward, before firefighters managed to bring the situation under control. Luckily, there were no reports of injuries.

According to the city’s fire department, two fire engines were deployed to extinguish the blaze on the bridge, which was temporarily closed to traffic during the event. The timing of the fireworks show was adjusted earlier due to forecasts of severe weather, which caused disruptions and cancellations for other celebrations along the East Coast.

The rough weather also hit Washington, D.C., where a storm led to the evacuation of crowds gathered on the National Mall.

Coincidentally, Trump was hailing that very bridge in his Salute to America 250 speech.

“We also have the first flag ever to fly over one of the greatest architectural feats of all time, a thing called the Brooklyn Bridge: One of the most beautiful bridges anywhere in the world – built a long time ago,” Trump said in his 37-minute speech, which was also delayed by summer thunderstorms.

Trump’s mention of the Brooklyn Bridge came during his address, highlighting historic American flags, along with ancestors of some of America’s iconic figures.

“American grit, boldness and daring forged heroes like Davy Crockett, Wyatt Earp, Annie Oakley, Teddy Roosevelt, and the legend of the Wild West, Buffalo Bill Cody: These were great, powerful people whose incredible grandchildren happened to be with us tonight,” Trump said, as one presented a flag that first waved over the Brooklyn Bridge.

“And they stand alongside one of the first American flags ever to fly over our expanding nation. It was carried west just as Lewis and Clark began their journey in 1803.

“Thank you very much. Great to have you. Great to have you to honor this audacious and indomitable soul of America.”

The day seemed bleak for the British drivers until the airwaves crackled with a distressing call from the world championship leader, sending a ripple of anticipation through the crowd.

Kimi Antonelli, while not destined to claim victory at Silverstone—an honor reserved for Charles Leclerc—was comfortably stationed in second place. He was steadily racking up more points than his competitors in the championship race.

Among his closest challengers, Lewis Hamilton trailed right behind in third, while George Russell was positioned even further back. These standings in the race bolstered Antonelli’s situation, offering a favorable outlook for the Italian driver.

However, the tide turned when Antonelli’s car clipped the curb at the exit of Stowe, impacting his Mercedes and slowing him down significantly. As panic set in during the 41st lap of the 52-lap race, he urgently radioed, “Something is broken in the car.”

In response, his race engineer, Peter Bonnington, requested more details about the issue. “I don’t know,” Antonelli confessed. That prompted a swift pit stop for a front wing replacement. Despite his efforts to continue, further distress signals emanated from the cockpit.

He pitted again in a final and futile attempt to mend the injury, then thought to be a wheel shield out of joint or, as Antonelli feared, a wrecked suspension. He was weaving off track and so attracting a five-second penalty for exceeding track limits.

All this was delight for Hamilton and Russell. They were running third and fourth at the time. Antonelli was second and applying his foot to their jugular, extending his point advantage by stealth. Not now.

A further twist really fell Russell’s way. He had not been in the contest, never a match for his Silver Arrows team-mate Antonelli. But Max Verstappen, then running third, a place ahead of him, lost control at Stowe and ended up facing the wrong way in front of the Landostand, the 16,000-seater haven of Norris’s fans decked out in fluorescent yellow shirts.

The Dutchman cursed his car as the gravel flew around him.

Hamilton pitted and Russell moved up to second as the late safety car came out.

Would the green light be waved and a final lap contested? It seemed it would, the screens flashing that the safety car would be withdrawn. Inexplicably, it wasn’t. What a damp squib. It was as if the driver forgot to turn in? More likely, the message didn’t reach him.

The upshot was that Russell climbed from 43 points back at the start of the afternoon to only 25 points off the top as Sir Mo Farah waved the chequered flag; Hamilton went down from 47 to 32.

A farcical end, but a happier one for the home drivers than could have been imagined during a pretty dull first two-thirds of the race.

Norris took fourth for McLaren, way ahead of Antonelli, cursed on the day and now with something to think about. With his penalty applied, the 19-year-old finished 16th. He has failed to score in two of the last three races. His lead once stood at 66.

Hamilton, however, faces a post-race investigation for a possible yellow flag infringement.

As for Leclerc, it was his first win since the American Grand Prix of 2024, 624 days before. How will his win swing moods and minds at Maranello, where Hamilton’s win in Barcelona last month went down well, his ‘new’ team warming to him.

The Monegasque was impeccable, very cleanly away from second on the grid, capitalising on a wheel-spinning getaway by Antonelli. Hamilton also passed the Mercedes from third, but he had jumped the start. His wheels turned a quarter of their circumference as he dropped the clutch a fraction early. He paused. But he was still hit with a five-second penalty. Other than for his overeagerness he might have finished runner-up and not third.

There were a few highlights earlier, most notably when Verstappen, Russell and Hamilton were nose-to-tail just after the mid-point of the race. All kept it clean. Russell, who was on his way to his first podium at Silverstone, passed Verstappen for third place but then had to pull in to have a slow puncture dealt with.

This was before the late drama unfolded and Antonelli’s bad luck struck.

Remarkable video footage has emerged showing a teenager with a handgun racking a round into its chamber before unexpectedly approaching an NYPD vehicle and opening fire. The shocking attack resulted in a veteran detective being shot in the back.

The shooter, aged 18, was caught on surveillance waving the firearm while pacing along Nostrand Avenue in Crown Heights early Sunday morning, around 4:45 a.m. The incident took place just half a block away from an unmarked police car, as reported by The Post.

In the video, the unidentified suspect is seen moving along the sidewalk, at one point pulling back the slide of the pistol and then sprinting toward the unmarked police vehicle. Officers, who were on duty from a sex-offender monitoring unit, noticed the individual with the semi-automatic weapon and quickly exited their car, leading to a shootout.

During the gunfire exchange, NYPD Detective Robert Karroll was struck in the back. Fortunately, his bulletproof vest prevented any life-threatening injuries. His partner, sustaining minor injuries, managed to apprehend the gunman.

Detective Karroll, who sources mention is set to retire in less than two weeks, is expected to fully recover from his injuries. Meanwhile, detectives are interrogating the suspect, who remains in custody.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

In Ferguson, Missouri, a mother of five lost her life in a tragic shooting incident during a late-night stop with two of her children to buy slushies. The sudden burst of gunfire erupted at a gas station, prompting law enforcement officials to launch a search for the perpetrator.

The victim, 35-year-old Shakeela Martin, was fatally shot just before midnight on Tuesday at a BP gas station located at the intersection of South Florissant and Woodstock roads. According to the Ferguson Police Department, a conflict that started inside the convenience store escalated, spilling over into the parking lot where the fatal event unfolded.

Martin’s stop at the gas station with her 9-year-old and 6-year-old was meant to be a simple errand for cold beverages on a warm summer evening. However, the night turned tragic when gunshots rang out, and she was hit as she returned to her car with her children. Police officials believe Martin was an innocent victim caught in the crossfire.

“She was here to get some drinks for her kids,” explained Ferguson Police Chief Troy Doyle to First Alert 4. “While they are physically unharmed, the emotional damage is considerable. It’s heartbreaking to think about the trauma children endure witnessing such a tragic event happen to their mother right in front of them.”

A second victim, an adult man, was also struck by gunfire and hospitalized in critical condition. Police have not said whether he was involved in the altercation or was the intended target.

Investigators said the confrontation began inside the gas station before spilling into the parking lot, where shots were fired. No arrests have been announced, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Martin leaves behind five children and a grieving family that says she was on the verge of beginning a new chapter in life.

According to a GoFundMe campaign, Martin was preparing to move her family into a new home the day after she was killed. To celebrate, she had taken her children to the BP station for slushies before the family’s plans were shattered by gunfire.

“Our hearts are shattered as we mourn the unimaginable loss of our beloved Shakeela Martin, who was taken from us far too soon at just 35 years old,” the fundraiser states.

The campaign describes Martin as “a devoted mother to five beautiful children who were the center of her world” and says she did not have life insurance. Organizers said donations will help cover funeral and burial expenses, with any additional funds going toward the immediate needs of her children.

“We will forever cherish Shakeela’s memory and the love she gave so freely to everyone around her,” the fundraiser site says.

The Ferguson Police Department is asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact investigators at 314-522-3100 or CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS.

A former Marine has admitted to fatally shooting his ex-wife in the head, following a dispute concerning a Nintendo Switch.

The victim, 25-year-old Ivy Unruh, who worked as a PBS engineer and was also a marine veteran, was tragically killed outside her apartment complex in northeast Wichita, Kansas, at around 8 a.m. on April 17.

Her ex-husband, 29-year-old Joshua Orlando, confessed to first-degree murder charges in Sedgwick County court and now faces a lengthy prison sentence.

On that fateful morning, Orlando visited the Remington Apartments to deliver a bag of Unruh’s belongings after she had left him and relocated from their shared residence.

Legal records disclose that while he was initially meant to leave the bag at her doorstep, Orlando instead waited at the base of the stairs to confront her as she was headed to work.

Orlando asked Unruh why she didn’t want to see him in person, which sparked an argument that he claimed led her to swing the bag into the side of his head.

He allegedly told police the impact of the Switch into his head gave him flashbacks to a January 2025 fight when he claimed she hit him with a replica Zelda sword.

Unruh supposedly attacked him after he threw a slipper at her, and he locked himself in the bathroom to escape. He didn’t report it, but told police he had photos of his injuries on his phone.

Orlando claimed to police that he took out his handgun after Unruh hit him with the Switch, and ‘blind fired’ while shielding his face with his left arm.

Police found the black Sig Sauer P365 9mm pistol next to Unruh’s body when they arrived at the scene, where Orlando said he dropped it.

Video from Unruh’s doorbell camera showed she left her apartment just 37 seconds before the gunshot rang out. Then Orlando called 911.

‘My wife and I got into a fight. She hit me in the with a… I shot her, I shot her,’ he said.

‘I came to drop off some stuff off and she got really mad that I was there.

‘We were arguing and she hit me. She hit me and I tried to defend myself. I thought she was going to swing again with.’

Orlando cried as police handcuffed him, telling them, ‘I know she didn’t mean to hurt me.’

Unruh’s family said she was the victim of domestic violence and ‘had the courage to walk away from a dangerous situation, yet tragically, her life was still taken.’

They remembered her as an ex-Marine who ‘served her country with honor, strength and selflessness,’ adding that she donated her organs after her death.

‘To those who knew her, she was more than a Marine – she was a daughter, a sister, and a friend who brought light into the lives of others,’ they wrote on GoFundMe. 

‘As you all are aware, Ivy was an organ donor and planned to continue being a hero and saving lives even after she was no longer with us.

‘We have received news from the organ donor team and Ivy saved six people in total. 

‘Six pieces of her that will live on. Six humans that still have life and get to go home to their families because of her. 

‘She saved those six people but it will impact well beyond that for every loved one that gets to hug their family member a little longer.’

Victor Hogstrom, president of PBS Kansas where Unruh worked, said the newsroom has been devastated by her death.

‘I heard about it and the first thing I did was slam the desk with my two hands – bang, what? That was my reaction. I couldn’t believe it,’ Hogstrom told the New York Post. 

Hogstrom added that Unruh was ‘very motivated’ and ‘trustworthy.’

‘She worked with people well. She was smart and very intelligent,’ he said. 

‘She was a good employee. We’re all missing her from here, a very dependable person.’

Orlando is still in the county jail on a $1.5 million bond. He will be sentenced in August.

CHICAGO (WLS) — Although the grand celebration has concluded, the commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary of independence continues with enthusiasm and pride.

In this spirit, we spotlight the remarkable individuals of Illinois, acknowledging their remarkable achievements, captivating stories, and significant contributions that have shaped the nation.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

At the forefront of this initiative is the Illinois America 250 Commission, championing this cause.

“Our mission is to ensure that every resident of Illinois feels a part of our nation’s narrative and that they have the opportunity to engage with it,” explains Gabrielle Lyon, who is the Chair of the Commission and also the Executive Director of Illinois Humanities. “Additionally, we want to guarantee that our efforts are inclusive and reach every corner of the state.”

Lyon highlights that one of the most rewarding aspects of her role with the commission is “the daily discovery of how intricately Illinois’ history is woven into the broader tapestry of our country’s past.”

“That’s everything from before we were a state. We weren’t a state until 1818. All the way up until now, I mean, the organizers, the labor movements, the artists, the musicians. You can’t really tell the story of America without the influence of Illinoisans,” Lyon said.

One of the commission’s major initiatives was to create a passport.

“This passport has a collection of 60 people, places, sites, scenic highways, all of which have ties to making good on the ideals of the Declaration of Independence,” Lyon said.

Lyon says there are a couple of ways that families can tackle the passport as they hit the road to visit some of the landmarks this summer.

“You can be like kids get in the car and just pick something you like. Or you can find an interest that one of your kids has. If they’re young, go to the John Deere Historic Museum. That innovation changed the entire nature of agriculture,” Lyons said. “The truth is, the sweep of American history complex, fraught, amazing; it’s all right here in Illinois.”

And the initiative that Lyon says she’s probably most excited about is Illinois Voices 250 led by Illinois Humanities, “which is an invitation to record a story about this moment with someone you care about.”

“And those conversations are being preserved at the Library of Congress,” she added. “The idea that we’re just celebrating something that happened 250 years ago, to me, misses the point of this moment. The Declaration of Independence is a promise. But it’s a promise you have to actively make good on. And part of that is thinking about, what kind of place do you want to live in, what do you want for your children, what does equality, pursuit of happiness mean to you? And making a conversation that’s going to make a memory is kind of the best way to both imagine it and crystalize that.”

WASHINGTON — Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro recently issued a severe critique of Darializa Avila Chevalier, a socialist congressional nominee from New York, signaling that a contentious debate might soon unfold within the Democratic Party.

In an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, Shapiro (D) did not hold back his reservations. “Her district voted for her, but I have profound differences from that particular candidate,” he stated candidly. There is a clear disparity in values and ideals between Shapiro and Chevalier that he made evident in his comments.

Shapiro elaborated further, suggesting that Chevalier’s views and campaign platform are not aligned with his own. “She’s not someone who seemingly I would agree with on many things or that we share similar values,” he continued. While acknowledging her victory, he pointed out her association with socialism, which he sharply contrasted with his perspectives.

Chevalier’s recent triumph over Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) sent shockwaves through New York’s political landscape. Her victory in the deep blue 13th Congressional District, which includes parts of Upper Manhattan and the West Bronx, marks a significant shift in political sentiment in the area.

Known as a self-described democratic socialist, Chevalier has been vocal about a spectrum of far-left positions. Among these are calls to abolish prisons and eliminate Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Her controversial statements extend to labeling former President Joe Biden a rapist and making inflammatory remarks with national symbols, like her disdainful comment about wiping dirty hands on the American flag.

“I think what our party has to go through that will be very healthy, and something we’ve not really done since the 1992 election cycle, is to have a battle over what we believe in,” Shapiro contended.

Shapiro is widely seen as a comparatively moderate figure within the Democratic Party, though unlike Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), the Pennsylvania governor is careful about picking fights with the far left.

Chevalier campaigned heavily against Israel, an issue that will likely become a problem for Shapiro if he runs for the Democratic presidential nod in 2028.

Shapiro sidestepped a question about how his Jewish identity would impact his prospects of becoming the Democrats’ presidential standard-bearer in two years, given where the party is on Israel.

“I think Pennsylvania is the ultimate swing state,” Shapiro replied when asked. “What I have found in my years of service in government is that the public wants you to be who you are. Be authentic.

“My faith teaches me that no one’s required to complete the task, but neither are we free to refrain from it,” he added. “That’s what my faith teaches me. That’s how my family raised me. That is who I am, and I’m not going to apologize for it.”

In a spirited attempt to unsettle the England players ahead of their crucial World Cup knockout match, Mexican fans have assembled outside the team’s hotel, filling the air with the sounds of blaring horns, booming music, and thundering drums.

Amid a strong police presence and occasional rain showers, the enthusiastic supporters congregated outside the luxurious hotel situated in the southwestern suburbs of Mexico City. The gathering started around midnight local time, corresponding to 7 a.m. BST on Sunday.

Chanting “Mexico, Mexico, Mexico,” the crowd of approximately 50 fans was held at a distance by a sizeable security force, ensuring the complex remained secure under a rigorous police watch.

Outfitted with riot gear, including shields and helmets, about 300 officers were deployed, substantially outnumbering the gathered fans to maintain order and safety.

Despite their efforts to create a ruckus, the fans were positioned roughly 500 meters from the hotel, limiting their ability to disrupt the England squad’s rest. Additionally, the players were provided with earplugs as a preventative measure.

England’s security team exclusively told Daily Mail Sport that Mexican fans’ attempts to disturb the Three Lions’ sleep had little to no impact on the squad.

Insiders said the team had also been given rooms facing away from the street where the Mexican fans had gathered to try and disrupt England’s preparation.

An England security official dismissed suggestions the squad’s preparations had been disrupted when speaking to Daily Mail Sport outside the hotel at midnight local time.

Instead, he insisted the players found the whole spectacle amusing rather than intimidating and suggested they were well used to it.

By Saturday evening in Mexico, barriers surrounded the hotel perimeter while security personnel lined the railings keeping watch over the growing crowds outside.

Riot police and local authorities eventually intervened, moving around 200 fans approximately 300 metres away from the hotel entrance, allowing the area to calm considerably.

The England security official, who spent the evening monitoring the situation from outside the hotel, said the noise could initially be heard from inside the building but stressed it was never particularly loud or problematic. 

Once the supporters had been pushed further down the street, he said the players could no longer hear the commotion from their rooms.

The official praised the efforts of the Mexican authorities, saying the government, local police and security services had been ‘incredibly helpful’ throughout England’s stay and had gone out of their way to ensure the team’s preparations remained unaffected.

He also insisted the players’ mentality had not changed despite the attempts to create an intimidating atmosphere.

‘They’re used to playing for Real Madrid, Barcelona and the biggest Premier League clubs,’ he said. ‘This isn’t their first experience of something like this.’

He added that some players regularly experience more hostile atmospheres in domestic football, joking that ‘sometimes the atmosphere at Everton is worse.’

According to the security official, England’s experienced squad have taken everything in their stride and, if anything, the reception has only sharpened their focus ahead of the knockout tie, which takes place at 1am on Monday UK time.

The official also played down reports surrounding England’s arrival at the hotel earlier this week, which attracted large crowds of supporters and widespread attention on social media.

He described the team’s arrival as ‘very smooth’ and said there was ‘nothing of note’ from the perspective of those responsible for security as it was all a bit of ‘fun’.

He added that members of England’s travelling party were surprised by the scale of the media coverage afterwards because they did not view the scenes as anything out of the ordinary.

The scenes were an echo of what happened earlier this week when Ecuador played Mexico in a round of 32 game.

Before the match Mexican fans gathered in large numbers outside their hotel, the Westin palace, playing loud music and revving car engines in order to stop the players getting a good night’s sleep.

Pictures on social media showed players gathered windows and balconies looking at the fans who were not immediately moved on by police.

It led to the Ecuador FA launching an official complaint against Mexico for ‘unsupporting conduct’ and as a result FIFA moved England into another hotel.

Some fans used loud hailers to chant ‘Mexico, Mexico’ and at one point they were pushed back by police but there were no real violent scenes.

Roads around the hotel had also been closed off and only people who worked or lived in the area were allowed to approach the hotel.

Despite the noisy scenes outside on Saturday night and Sunday morning, England remain confident their preparations have not been compromised as they look to book their place in the World Cup quarter-finals at the Azteca on Monday.

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