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NYT Reveals Russini Probe Findings After Affair Scandal

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The Athletic has completed its review into former reporter Dianna Russini, concluding that she failed to comply with the outlet’s standards while finding only limited evidence of biased reporting related to Mike Vrabel.

Russini left the New York Times-owned publication after photos surfaced in March showing her with New England Patriots coach Vrabel at an adults-only resort in Arizona.

Additional material emerged in the following weeks, intensifying scrutiny over the nature of their relationship and raising broader questions about journalistic ethics, particularly given Russini’s role as an NFL insider covering the league.

The investigation did not determine the exact nature of Russini and Vrabel’s relationship. Both denied having an affair or being unfaithful to their partners, although Vrabel later issued an apology for his “actions.”

The report said: “Russini’s relationship with Vrabel was in clear violation of The Athletic’s standards. Regardless of whether the relationship was romantic, it was a breach and should have been disclosed.

‘Specifically, when it comes to The Athletic’s standards, Russini was noncompliant.’

The Athletic has released a bombshell report on Dianna Russini after the Mike Vrabel scandal

The Athletic has released a bombshell report on Dianna Russini after the Mike Vrabel scandal 

The report said that Russini's relationship with Mike Vrabel was a 'clear violation of standards'

The report said that Russini’s relationship with Mike Vrabel was a ‘clear violation of standards’

Per The Athletic, Russini declined to be interviewed but insisted: ‘I stand by any and all reporting I’ve ever done in my career.’ 

The report added: ‘We neither completed an investigation nor reached any conclusion about the nature of the full relationship between Vrabel and Russini, but the totality of the public photographs are enough to conclude a violation of company policy.’ 

The five-month-long inquiry was conducted by Mike Semel, The Athletic’s editorial director for standards and editorial quality.

He ‘reviewed 903 stories and 77 videos’ that carried Russini’s byline as well as reviewing ‘204 episodes of the Scoop City podcast’, her show with the company. He also interviewed ‘approximately 14’ of her colleagues and tried ‘to evaluate how The Athletic’s coverage of certain events involving Vrabel or his teams compared to coverage in other publications.’

The report claims that ‘when first confronted with the photos by The New York Post, Russini waited two days before telling her editors and managers. She then told a story to explain the photos that did not align with facts, raising issues of trust.’ 

However, Semel found limited evidence of favoritism towards Vrabel, stating: ‘Most of what Russini wrote about Vrabel or the Patriots was transactional and newsy. In addition, I’ve not found a clear link to conclude that Russini used her platform to promote Vrabel or help his teams during her time at The Athletic.’

He added: ‘That said, there are examples of Russini writing glowingly of Vrabel that in hindsight are awkward or even uncomfortable.’

The report points out that ‘One story in particular likely would not have happened were it not for the connection between Russini and Vrabel,’ an article regarding the year between him being fired by the Tennessee Titans, then hired by the New England Patriots.

The Athletic found no evidence of bias in Russini's reporting of the Patriots and Mike Vrabel

The Athletic found no evidence of bias in Russini’s reporting of the Patriots and Mike Vrabel

Russini left The Athletic shortly after the story broke before a months-long investigation began

Russini left The Athletic shortly after the story broke before a months-long investigation began

However, the story idea came from another reporter at The Athletic, and while they ‘asked Russini to broker a meeting with Vrabel’, she was not present and ‘had nothing to do with the journalism’. As a result, the report found: ‘The story itself meets Athletic standards, even if the access is questionable.’

The report also noted that ‘Russini’s work was seldom reliant on Vrabel as a source or subject’ and said that Athletic staffers ‘did not suspect she was closer with Vrabel than anyone else’. 

Just last month, one of Russini’s former colleagues spoke publicly about the saga and defended her reporting, calling her a ‘really good friend’ and stating he was ‘really, really proud of the journalism we did together’.

‘I don’t think people understand the level of elite that she was performing at in terms of keeping in touch with the really important people around the league,’ Mike Silver said. 

‘And I don’t mean just agents and transactional, like players, coaches, owners, all of it, talking, having real conversations with them every day and really knowing what was going on and competing at a very high level.’

Silver added:  ‘And I do think she’s going to be back, probably not as an insider, at least in the short term. But I think she’ll be back in this realm, probably talking about football and other things pretty soon.’

Russini’s next move has not yet been revealed, but she has been tipped to return to the NFL world in the coming months.

The release of The Athletic’s investigation would appear to pave the way for a potential return to employment, with no ongoing probe looming over her.

Russini previously worked for ESPN, where she covered the Titans when Vrabel was coach

Russini previously worked for ESPN, where she covered the Titans when Vrabel was coach

Silver revealed: ‘I do think she’s going to be back, probably not as an insider, at least in the short term. But I think she’ll be back in this realm, probably talking about football and other things pretty soon.’

Silver went on to comment on the wellbeing of Russini and her family after the fallout. She is married to Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt, with whom she has two young sons. The couple has put on a united front, having been pictured kissing in May as they were seen for the first time since the scandal.  

‘I do know her family,’ Silver said. ‘She’s got a great family. And so, you know, a lot of people have had a lot of thoughts about it. 

‘I’m not really getting into that, but I would say she is doing a lot better and her family’s doing well.’

Maria Bartiromo Leaves Fox News After More Than a Decade at the Network

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Maria Bartiromo has left Fox News after more than 12 years with the cable news network, the company confirmed Thursday.

“Effective today, Maria Bartiromo is no longer with Fox News Media,” the company said in its announcement.

In a statement, Fox News Media added, “We thank Maria for her work over the last 12-and-a-half years and wish her all the best on her next chapter.”

Bartiromo’s weekday Fox Business Network program, “Mornings with Maria,” aired its final episode Thursday morning. Beginning Friday, the time slot will be filled by “Mornings with FOX Business,” which will use a rotation of anchors.

Her weekly program, “Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street,” is also being renamed “FBN’s Wall Street.” Cheryl Casone will host this week’s edition before the show moves to rotating anchors.

Bartiromo also hosted Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures.” Jason Chaffetz will host the program this Sunday, while Fox said a permanent replacement will be named later.

Fox Business also plans to unveil a new weekday programming schedule in the coming weeks.

Fox News and Fox Business are subsidiaries of Fox Corp — sister company to The Post’s corporate parent News Corp.

Prosecuting Evil with Kelly Siegler Season 3 Teases Prison Break and Untouchable Serial Killer Cases

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Kelly Siegler is stepping back into the spotlight.

The seasoned prosecutor returns to Oxygen for a new season of the true-crime series Prosecuting Evil with Kelly Siegler.

Season 3 premieres Oct. 3 at 9 p.m. ET/PT and brings viewers inside some of America’s most gripping murder cases and unforgettable courtroom battles. This time, Siegler revisits chilling investigations that include an alleged serial killer who seemed beyond reach and a woman who said she acted in self-defense after fatally striking her boyfriend with the heel of a stiletto.

According to a press release, the new episodes feature both cases Siegler personally prosecuted and major trials that left a lasting impression on her throughout her legal career. Each installment examines a different legal angle, showing why the case mattered and how it influenced criminal law, courtroom strategy, investigative methods and the broader justice system.

Across the season, Siegler unpacks the arguments, tactics and turning points that shaped each trial, offering insight into how prosecutors worked to secure justice for victims and their families.

“These crimes have changed lives, changed laws, and even changed me,” Siegler remarked in a trailer for the new season. “This is not just a job. You carry the victims and their loved ones with you every step of the way. But one thing I can tell you: justice never comes without a fight.”

Formerly the Chief of the Special Crimes Bureau for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, Siegler—who also leads Oxygen’s Cold Justice—has tried around 200 cases during her career, including 68 murder cases and 20 capital murder cases, giving her a unique perspective into the mind of a murderer.

“To prosecute murder cases,” she added in the promo, “you’ve got to be ready for anything.”

The season will kick off with a two-hour premiere that delves into the infamous Texas Seven, a name given to a group of prisoners who pulled off the largest prison break in the state’s history.

“Seven inmates escape from a high-security Texas prison and launch a violent crime spree,” reads an episode description,“culminating in the brutal ambush and killing of Irving police officer Aubrey Hawkins on Christmas Eve.”

To learn more about other cases explored this season on Prosecuting Evil with Kelly Siegler, read on below:

• During a routine traffic stop, a teenage passenger flees into the darkness, leading to a deadly confrontation that leaves a Houston deputy dead.

• When police arrive at a Houston high-rise, they find a beloved professor dead, with his girlfriend claiming she acted in self-defense using a blood-soaked stiletto heel as a weapon.

• The strangling of a 21-year-old marks the beginning of a chilling Houston serial murder investigation, with additional victims and a disturbing call to a local newsroom revealing a killer who appears to be untouchable.

• In a tiny Texas town, a custody dispute turns deadly when a father and stepmother of five are gunned down in broad daylight on church steps.

Prosecuting Evil with Kelly Siegler is produced by Wolf Entertainment, Universal Television Alternative Studio, a division of Universal Studio Group, and Magical Elves. 

While Paul Storck serves as the series’ showrunner, the series is executive produced by Dick Wolf, Kelly Siegler, Casey Kriley, Jo Sharon, Adam Kassen, Tom Thayer and Zak Cordova.

Schools Close Early for Funeral of A66 Youth After Vigil Disorder

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Several schools in Middlesbrough are to close early on Friday, citing pupil “safety” as the first funerals are held for the five young men who died in a head-on collision with a police car.

At least four schools have confirmed they will finish the day ahead of schedule, with hundreds of mourners expected to gather in the area for the funeral of Jakub Matusiak. He was killed in the A66 crash in Teesside, which also claimed the lives of two police officers.

The funeral service is set to take place at St John the Evangelist Church in South Bank, the same church where a silent prayer vigil was held last month in memory of PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough.

South Bank Primary School said it would close at 12pm on Friday “to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our pupils.”

Archway Academy Teesville, Outwood Academy Normanby and St Margaret Clitherow’s Catholic Primary School are also set to close early, while the Mackenzie Thorpe Centre will remain shut for the entire day.

There are fears the service could cause widespread disruption or break out into violence following vigils for the five men which saw off-road vehicles tear around estates, flares set off and even cars set alight.

Youths in balaclavas lit flares and set off fireworks at a memorial to Jakub Matusiak in South Bank on August 24

Youths in balaclavas lit flares and set off fireworks at a memorial to Jakub Matusiak in South Bank on August 24

The 23-year-old was one of five young men killed when a stolen Volkswagen Passat crashed head on into a marked police vehicle

The 23-year-old was one of five young men killed when a stolen Volkswagen Passat crashed head on into a marked police vehicle

Crowds, motorbikes and quad bikes are expected to congregate for the funeral.

On social media, one associate of Matusiak discussing his funeral told mourners to bring ‘as many bikes quads jeeps anything let’s send him of how he would love [sic].’

At a ‘memorial’ for Matusiak last month, close to the crash site in South Bank, orange balloons were released, fireworks set off and balaclava-clad bikers intimidated residents.

The schools closing early tomorrow are also blaming possible ‘congestion and traffic disruption’, but the decision comes following a series of appalling incidents on Teesside which prompted former mayor Andy Preston to say criminals in the area are ‘untouchable.’

Matusiak was one of five occupants of a Volkswagen Passat who died in the head-on collision with a marked Cleveland Police armed response vehicle on the A66 on August 22.

Matusiak, 23, Cole Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and Michael Cahill, 23, were pronounced dead at the scene, alongside PC Blades and PC Clough.

A 'memorial' for Michael Cahill, who was also killed in the crash, led to cars being set alight in Haswell, County Durham

A ‘memorial’ for Michael Cahill, who was also killed in the crash, led to cars being set alight in Haswell, County Durham

PC Tom Clough and PC Matthew Blades were killed in the A66 crash. A fundraiser collected £1.2million in memory of the officers

PC Tom Clough and PC Matthew Blades were killed in the A66 crash. A fundraiser collected £1.2million in memory of the officers

Four of the young men in the vehicle had criminal convictions, including for assaulting a police officer and vehicle offences.

Cahill had no previous convictions. However, a memorial to him in County Durham last week saw vehicles set on fire.

Cleveland Police has arrested 27 people for activities linked to ‘serious and organised crime’ in the wake of the A66 crash after drafting in more than 200 police officers from other forces to assist with the crackdown.

In a message posted on social media, head teacher Tammy Cooper said: ‘A funeral is being held locally at St John’s church on Normanby Road that day and we are expecting large numbers of people in the area which will inevitably cause congestion and transport disruption in the immediate area.

‘This decision has been reached after careful consideration of the potential impact on the departure of pupils, staff and families.’

Ms Cooper said the school also recognises ‘some pupils may feel upset or anxious about the funeral taking place locally’ and the pastoral team would be available for support.

Earlier this week, a fundraiser launched for the families of the two Cleveland Police officers reached its target, surpassing £1.2million.

Organisers said money raised would be split equally between the two officers’ families, while the Police Federation would continue to provide support.

Jewish Attorney General Issues Chilling Warning to Voters in Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter

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– Democratic attorney general draws backlash over appeal to Jewish voters on humanity, safety and antisemitism
– Trump signals openness to Christian-backed proposal aimed at helping Canadian Jews facing antisemitism relocate to the U.S.
– Hollywood figure faces accusations of antisemitism from industry insiders following comments tied to the Paramount merger

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is under intense scrutiny after remarks to Jewish Democrats at a closed-door event sparked outrage among critics. Invoking the biblical story of Queen Esther, Nessel framed the moment as a moral test for Jewish voters, urging support for Democrats even as concerns over antisemitism and community security remain deeply felt. Opponents described the appeal as an alarming demand that Jewish voters place broader political goals ahead of their own safety.

Michigan AG Dana Nessel

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has accused the Democratic Party of permitting members accused of antisemitic conduct to attend the party’s upcoming convention. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has warned that antisemitism remains an “age-old plague” with consequences far beyond Jewish communities, arguing that Holocaust denial and distorted narratives spreading across social media are worsening the threat.

A group of Christian lawmakers is pressing President Trump to support a plan that would help Jewish Canadians facing antisemitism pursue legal immigration to the United States, and Trump has indicated he is open to the idea. Supporters say more than 2,000 Jewish Canadians are seeking a way out amid rising antisemitic violence north of the border, with the proposal designed to fast-track relief for families who say they are being targeted by hate.

Marvel superstar Mark Ruffalo is facing after slamming Paramount’s massive $111B merger, accusing executives of fueling genocide through tech tied to Israel. Heavyweight producers and studio brass fired back, accusing Ruffalo of peddling “simple antisemitism” and hateful tropes about Jewish wealth. The furious actor blasted the claims as “appalling.”

: Progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed is facing fresh fury after campaign records revealed he Dan Bilzerian. Bilzerian made national headlines with vile, AI-fueled antisemitic attacks against his Republican primary opponent. The common link? Both candidates took tens of thousands from anti-Israel donors pushing to slash U.S. aid.

: Veteran diplomat Shahar Azani writes that the attack on an NBC News crew by Israeli settlers should be condemned, but so should the press’s fixation on West Bank violence. The “” approach deliberately feeds an anti-Israel pipeline that misinforms the public and fuels outrage, Azani argues.

“For generations, America has served as a refuge for people fleeing religious persecution. We urge you to ensure that, consistent with federal law and the security interests of the United States, that door remains open to our Jewish brothers and sisters in Canada who need it today.” – National Association of Christian Lawmakers in letter to President Trump.

– Looking for more on this topic? Find more antisemitism coverage from Fox News here.

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Lindsay Clancy Trial Jury Enters Day 6 as Mistrial Looms

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Jurors have twice informed the judge that they remain unable to reach a unanimous decision on whether the Massachusetts mother should be held criminally responsible for the deaths of her three young children.

PLYMOUTH, Mass — Deliberations in the Lindsay Clancy trial moved into a sixth day Thursday, as the deadlocked jury continued trying to reach a verdict and prevent a mistrial after twice signaling to the court that they could not agree on her criminal responsibility in the killings of her children.

Clancy, 36, a former labor and delivery nurse, has not disputed that she strangled her children in the basement of the family’s home in 2023. Her defense team argues she was suffering from postpartum psychosis at the time, while prosecutors contend she understood her actions when she killed 5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson and 8-month-old Callan Clancy.

Moments before jurors returned to the courtroom Thursday, walking in with their eyes lowered, Clancy sat at the defense table and took a deep breath.

The livestreamed trial has drawn widespread attention, filling the courtroom with reporters and spectators and fueling intense public debate. At the center of the case are difficult questions about criminal culpability, postpartum mental health and how the justice system should weigh claims of severe maternal mental illness after childbirth.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988.

Lindsay Clancy’s reaction to the jury

Clancy stared at the jury with no expression on Wednesday as Judge William Sullivan explained to the courtroom that jurors were again at an impasse — a sign there’s a growing chance of a hung jury and the trial ending without a resolution.

Sullivan told the jurors not to abandon their own convictions just to reach a verdict, but urged them to seriously consider opposing views and reassess their positions if appropriate.

No one knows, he said, that another jury would be “more intelligent, more impartial or more competent to decide it than you are.”

Lindsay Clancy could go on trial again

If the jury ultimately can’t agree on a verdict, the judge could declare a mistrial. Prosecutors would then have to decide whether to put Clancy on trial again, drop the charges or try to negotiate a plea deal with her lawyer.

If the jury decides Clancy was criminally responsible for her actions, it could convict her of either murder or manslaughter. If she is acquitted, a judge could still order her confined to a mental health facility if an evaluation determines that she poses a danger to the public.

The evidence against Lindsay Clancy

Jurors have heard testimony from relatives and doctors about how Clancy’s mental health declined in the months before the killings and how her treatment included several medications and a short stay in a psychiatric hospital.

Medical experts hired by the prosecution and the defense reached sharply different conclusions about her psychiatric state when she killed the children.

Patrick Clancy has said in interviews that he forgives his now ex-wife, whom he views as ill rather than evil.

Clancy strangled the children with exercise bands in their home’s basement, then jumped from a second-floor window. She remains paralyzed from the waist down. Her lawyers say she heard a voice telling her to kill the children so she could end her own life.

The prosecution argues she deliberately sent her then-husband on errands to get him out of the house, and prosecutors have questioned the seriousness of her suicide attempt.

Trump Approves Permanent White House Fence in Major Security Upgrade

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Views of the White House from Lafayette Square could soon be limited for good, as the Trump administration advances a security plan that would place a tall permanent fence around one of Washington, D.C.’s most recognizable and historically significant public parks.

The proposal, scheduled to go before the National Capital Planning Commission on Thursday, outlines a black metal barrier measuring roughly eight to 10 feet high surrounding the full eight-acre park, which sits directly across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House.

If built, the new Lafayette Square security fence would replace the mix of temporary fencing, bicycle racks, bollards and other protective measures that have been used at various times around the presidential complex.

According to The Washington Post, the plan also features large gates at the park’s key entry points, giving authorities the ability to shut down access to Lafayette Square whenever security concerns call for it.

The commission’s review was focused on the fence’s design and placement, rather than serving as a final green light for construction to begin.

The push came as Trump has faced an unprecedented series of threats to his personal security, including three assassination attempts.

He was targeted twice during the 2024 presidential campaign, including the July shooting at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and a separate alleged assassination attempt at his Florida golf course in September.

The Trump administration is calling for a black metal fence standing between eight and 10 feet high around the entire eight-acre park directly across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House

The Trump administration is calling for a black metal fence standing between eight and 10 feet high around the entire eight-acre park directly across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House

The proposal comes as Lafayette Square had already spent nearly eight months behind fencing

The proposal comes as Lafayette Square had already spent nearly eight months behind fencing

In July, Secret Service officials argued that permanent security infrastructure could make it easier to secure the park than repeatedly installing temporary barriers during major security events

In July, Secret Service officials argued that permanent security infrastructure could make it easier to secure the park than repeatedly installing temporary barriers during major security events

In April, a gunman opened fire near the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, while Trump was present.

And security concerns were heightened again in May when Secret Service officers fatally shot a man who opened fire near a White House security checkpoint.

Trump has since supported beefing up security around the White House and himself.

Asked about his support for the Secret Service’s security projects, Trump said last month: “It’s only up to Secret Service. I just follow what they’d like to do.”

The White House has argued that the changes are necessary to strengthen security around the 18-acre White House complex while improving the appearance and functionality of the surrounding area.

“The White House and the Secret Service are always looking for ways to improve the security apparatus of the White House Complex,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle told the Post, adding that Trump was “uniquely positioned” to advance the area toward a “21st century security posture.”

Secret Service spokesman Nathan Herring similarly said the proposed fencing and a planned White House visitors center would “enhance security” while maintaining public access.

The proposal came as Lafayette Square had already spent nearly eight months behind fencing.

The park was closed in January for an America 250 renovation project that the National Park Service originally expected to finish by May 31.

Yet by September, the fencing remained despite the renovation work reportedly having been completed weeks earlier, according to The Washington Post.

In July, Secret Service officials argued that permanent security infrastructure could make it easier to secure the park than repeatedly installing temporary barriers during major security events.

The administration has also argued that the permanent gates would allow Lafayette Square to remain open under normal circumstances while giving officials the ability to quickly shut it down if a security threat emerged.

But critics have warned that making the infrastructure permanent could make it easier for the government to restrict access to a park that has long served as one of Washington’s most prominent locations for protests and demonstrations.

The current proposal was the latest chapter in a debate that has resurfaced repeatedly over whether the park should remain an open public gathering place or become part of the White House’s permanent security perimeter.

The idea of permanently fencing Lafayette Square was discussed during Trump’s first administration, particularly after protesters flooded the area during the George Floyd demonstrations in May and June 2020.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the White House following Floyd’s death, and temporary fencing and concrete barriers were erected around Lafayette Square as tensions escalated.

On June 1, federal law enforcement cleared protesters from the park shortly before Trump walked across the area to St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Trump had also been briefly taken to a secure underground bunker beneath the White House as protesters gathered outside the complex.

A tall fence went up around the northern edge of Lafayette Square the following day, with additional fencing and concrete barriers soon blocking access to the park and other nearby public spaces.

The park remained fenced for much of the following year before reopening in May 2021.

The history of fencing the park goes back much further.

Lafayette Square was enclosed by a wooden fence as early as 1826, followed by an iron fence in 1853.

That iron fence was removed in 1888 and 1889 and sent to Gettysburg for use at the national cemetery.

The Clinton administration later faced its own debate over White House security following the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

President Bill Clinton closed Pennsylvania Avenue to vehicular traffic in front of the White House but deliberately kept it open to pedestrians.

“It should be seen as a responsible security step necessary to preserve our freedom, not part of a long-term restriction of our freedom,” Clinton said at the time.

Past administrations also considered more extensive fencing around the White House and Lafayette Square but ultimately resisted making the park’s security perimeter permanent because of concerns over public access.

The Obama administration, for example, moved to increase the height of the White House fence after a man scaled the existing barrier and entered the White House grounds. A 13-foot-high fence was ultimately installed during Trump’s first administration.

Now, more than a century after Lafayette Square’s last permanent perimeter fencing, Trump’s administration is once again proposing to enclose the entire park.

For preservationists, historians and civil liberties advocates, the question is no longer simply how to protect the president.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Cultural Landscape Foundation and Washington residents are expected to speak against the fencing proposal at Thursday’s National Capital Planning Commission meeting, warning that the changes could permanently alter both the historic landscape and the public’s ability to gather directly across from the White House.

Green Card Wait for Indian Immigrants Hits 179 Years as Trump-Era Limits Tighten Path to Residency

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Indian professionals seeking permanent residency in the United States are facing an almost unimaginable wait: up to 179 years for a green card, according to a new analysis, as tighter immigration processing policies and long-standing annual caps continue to strain the system.

The employment-based green card backlog has climbed to roughly 1.2 million people, the National Foundation for American Policy reported. Under federal immigration law, only 140,000 employment-based green cards can be issued each year, and no single country may receive more than 7% of the total.

That country-by-country limit has created especially severe delays for applicants from populous nations such as India and China, where demand for U.S. permanent residency far exceeds the number of green cards available annually.

The wait time for skilled legal immigrants looking to obtain a green card has grown significantly amid the Trump administration’s border crackdown, with some given timeframes of decades or more. Robert Mecea for NY Post

The report found that a Chinese national applying in the EB-2 category — typically used by professionals with advanced degrees, including many workers with master’s degrees — could face an estimated wait of about 25 years.

For Indian professionals in the same immigration pipeline, the projected delay is far longer: 179 years, according to the National Foundation for American Policy, a Virginia-based nonprofit that researches immigration, trade and related economic policy.

Workers from the Philippines, meanwhile, have a wait of just a few months.

The longest wait times for coveted EB-1 green cards — reserved for those with “extraordinary ability” — sit around four to five years for Indian nationals and five years for applicants from China.

The NFAP argues that the long wait times makes it harder for US-based employers to hire and retain foreign-born workers, and burdens immigrant families.

“Many Americans don’t realize how challenging it can be to immigrate legally to the United States, even for the most highly skilled and innovative people in the country,” Stuart Anderson, executive director of the NFAP, told the San Francisco Chronicle.

“These are people who want to become Americans and are willing to wait years for the chance.”

ICE agents surrounded by protesters on Lafayette Street.

Immigration advocates argue that the interminable wait times makes it harder for US-based employers to hire and retain foreign-born workers, and burdens immigrant families. William Farrington

For those holding temporary H-1B work visas, which are most often given to those in the tech sector, pending green card applications keep them mired in so-called “H-1B limbo,” requiring them to stay in specialty professions where their employer sponsors their application.

If an H-1B worker is laid off, they have just 60 days to find another job or leave the country, according to the outlet. The Trump administration says it intends to impose a $103,000 administrative fee for H-1B visa applications, complicating matters further as the federal government has curtailed the number of H-1B holders in the country.

Kevin Lynn, executive director of the D.C.-based Institute for Sound Policy, who opposes the H-1B visa system, claims the current setup allows US companies to hire foreign workers and pay them less than their US counterparts, arguing it negatively impacts American jobseekers.

“We don’t need these tech workers,” he told the Chronicle.

“These employment visa programs that have led to this logjam have negatively impacted American innovation and inventiveness. … If you don’t want to be in that backlog, don’t come to the United States, don’t participate. That’s a choice someone makes.”

Georgia Police Officer Identified After Fatally Shooting Baby Donkey Named Heehaw

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A Georgia police officer who shot and killed a young donkey after saying the animal “charged” at him has been named, as new details emerge about why he opened fire.

Cedartown Police Department Officer Trenton Garner fatally shot the donkey, named Heehaw, on Saturday night while assisting a bloodhound team in the search for a missing 12-year-old girl, according to an incident report reviewed by the Daily Mail.

Garner, 24, stated in the report that he and other officers were tracking footprints along a trail when the search led them into a pasture belonging to Elsberry Riding and Farm, a local business known for petting zoos, pony rides and trail rides.

Citing the “exigency of locating this missing juvenile,” officers entered the pasture, where they soon encountered several horses that became “spooked” and ran off, the report said.

Moments later, Garner wrote, a K-9 handler spotted a donkey before the animal “began to charge at us.”

In an attempt to ‘deter’ the bottle-fed animal, the K-9 handler tased the animal, but when that didn’t work, Garner drew his Glock 17 from his holster and pointed it at Heehaw, he detailed. 

The officer, who was sworn onto the force in July 2023, then said he fired one shot at the male donkey, causing it to ‘retreat up the hill before falling over.’ 

He said he fired the gun to protect himself, the K-9 officer and the team of bloodhounds from the baby animal, Garner stated in the report. 

Heehaw, a bottle-fed baby donkey, was fatally shot by a Georgia police officer late Saturday night

Heehaw, a bottle-fed baby donkey, was fatally shot by a Georgia police officer late Saturday night

Cedartown Police Department Officer Trenton Garner has been identified as the cop who pulled the trigger. He detailed the incident in a police report reviewed by the Daily Mail

Cedartown Police Department Officer Trenton Garner has been identified as the cop who pulled the trigger. He detailed the incident in a police report reviewed by the Daily Mail

After Heehaw was down, Garner said he informed his sergeant and the animal’s owner. 

Hannah Israel, Heehaw’s devastated owner, then told him that ‘she bottle fed the donkey from the time of infancy’ and that he had an approximate value of $6,000 because of that, Garner documented. 

Israel went on to tell him that her now-deceased animal ‘would never act aggressive towards anyone, nor would it try to bite anyone,’ he said. 

Garner said that a drone launched by the Rockmart Fire Department that was flying overhead at the time captured the incident involving Heehaw. 

The young girl was later found ‘in the direction that we were tracking with the bloodhound before the donkey attacked the tracking team,’ according to Garner. 

After news broke of Heehaw’s death, the incident quickly became national news. 

The Cedartown Police Department later issued a statement about the ordeal. 

‘Late Saturday night, into early Sunday morning, an officer with the Cedartown Police Department responded to a request for assistance from the Polk County Police Department in searching for a missing child,’ Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome said.

The officer, who was sworn onto the force in July 2023, said he fired his Glock 17 at the animal in order to protect himself, his fellow officer, and a bloodhound team that was there. (Pictured: Him and his wife at his swearing in ceremony)

The officer, who was sworn onto the force in July 2023, said he fired his Glock 17 at the animal in order to protect himself, his fellow officer, and a bloodhound team that was there. (Pictured: Him and his wife at his swearing in ceremony)

‘During that search, it is with a heavy heart that I report a Cedartown police officer shot and killed a donkey that was in its own pasture. 

‘I cannot imagine the grief and frustration that the tragic loss of Heehaw has caused, but I want our community to know what we are doing now,’ he added. 

Newsome said he has been in contact with the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s law enforcement division, which is now conducting its own investigation into the deadly shooting. 

He also shared that Garner has been placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation. 

‘I ask everyone to join us in prayer for everyone who has been impacted by this tragic event, but give time for the investigation to be completed,’ Newsome concluded. 

After her beloved donkey was killed, Israel created a GoFundMe page to raise money in honor of Heehaw. 

‘My bottle baby donkey “HeeHaw” was killed in his own pasture on Saturday night by trespassing cops. He was a loved member of our family and did many petting zoos and made many people smile,’ she wrote. 

The donations will go to a foundation in Heehaw’s name and will also be used to care for the other farm animals. 

Hannah Israel, Heehaw's devastated owner, told Garner that her now-deceased animal 'would never act aggressive towards anyone, nor would it try to bite anyone,' he said

Hannah Israel, Heehaw’s devastated owner, told Garner that her now-deceased animal ‘would never act aggressive towards anyone, nor would it try to bite anyone,’ he said

Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome said he has been in contact with the Georgia Department of Agriculture's law enforcement division, which is now conducting its own investigation into the deadly shooting

Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome said he has been in contact with the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s law enforcement division, which is now conducting its own investigation into the deadly shooting

In an update posted on Wednesday, she remembered her donkey as 'our bottle baby.' More than $118,000 has been raised in his honor

In an update posted on Wednesday, she remembered her donkey as ‘our bottle baby.’ More than $118,000 has been raised in his honor

In an update posted on Wednesday, she remembered her donkey as ‘our bottle baby.’ 

‘He grew up here on our farm, right in our home in the early days. He greeted everyone who came near his pasture, brought so much joy to the kids at petting zoos, and was truly part of our family. 

‘Losing him the way we did has broken my heart in a way I am still trying to hold together,’ she said. 

Israel thanked everyone who has donated. As of Thursday morning, more than $118,000 had been raised.   

The Daily Mail contacted Garner, Israel, and the Cedartown Police Department for comment. 

Frantic 911 Call After Autistic Girl, 5, Vanishes in South Carolina

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A newly reported 911 call placed shortly after a 5-year-old girl with autism vanished from a South Carolina rental home records her father telling dispatchers she was missing and that he needed to search the water nearby.

The extensive search for Saylor Hayes came to a tragic end Monday when authorities recovered her body from waters near Pawleys Island, South Carolina. One day later, her parents were taken into custody in Tennessee.

According to the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office, John Herb Hayes III, 70, and Geordyn Nichole Hayes, 31, were arrested Tuesday evening in Tennessee and booked into the Carter County Jail on fugitive-from-justice charges.

Young girl with brown hair sits on a blue beach chair on a sandy beach while wearing pink flotation devices and yellow shorts.

An undated image shows Saylor Hayes sitting in a beach chair along the shoreline. (Georgetown Sheriff’s Office Facebook)

Under South Carolina law, the pair is accused of placing their daughter in danger or abandoning her.

John Hayes called 911 just before 11:40 a.m. Aug. 30 from a rental home on Old Waccamaw Drive in Pawleys Island.

“I need help,” Hayes told the dispatcher. “My little 4-year-old, 5-year-old girl, she’s very autistic, just escaped.”

Hayes described Saylor as white with brown hair and green eyes and said he thought she was wearing a bluish bathing suit. The dispatcher asked whether Saylor responded when called by name.

Booking photo of John Herb Hayes III, a gray-haired man wearing a red-and-pink striped shirt in front of a height chart.

John Herb Hayes III, 70, is shown in a booking photo after his arrest in Tennessee. (Carter County Sheriff’s Office)

“She doesn’t talk,” Hayes said. “She’s nonverbal.”

“This is bad,” he later said. “This is real bad.”

Hayes said the family had been preparing to go to the beach and that Saylor had been buckled up in a vehicle. He said he went inside to get juice and other items before returning to find her gone.

Booking photo of Geordyn Nichole Hayes, a blonde woman wearing a red-and-pink striped shirt in front of a height chart.

Geordyn Nichole Hayes, 31, is shown in a booking photo after her arrest in Tennessee. (Carter County Sheriff’s Office)

“We had her in the car, buckled in,” Hayes said. “And I went inside to get her juice and some more stuff. And to leave, I came back out. She’s gone.”

As the call continued, Hayes began searching the property and said he needed to check the water.

“Yeah, I need to go look at the water,” he said. “I’ve got to look around. I’ve got to find her.”

Georgetown County dispatch records show a deputy arrived within minutes. Dispatchers noted that the caller was near water and later recorded that Hayes was searching the house because he could not stay on the phone while looking for Saylor.

The records show officials also sought information about a Project Lifesaver tracking device. A caller reported that Saylor had the device, but Washington County, Virginia, had the code needed to use it. Dispatchers contacted Virginia authorities and worked to obtain the equipment and the device’s frequency.

People walk on beach on Pawleys Island

Residents walk past Pawleys Pier on Pawleys Island, S.C., Oct. 1, 2022.  (REUTERS/Jonathan Drake)

Search crews also moved quickly into the water. Dispatch notes say command was established outside the home with personnel watching the water. The response included a South Carolina Department of Natural Resources dive team, drones, a marine unit and a helicopter.

That early search activity is notable because arrest warrants allege that John Hayes and Geordyn Hayes directed search efforts toward a tracking device they knew Saylor was not wearing and away from a nearby body of water. The warrants allege the device had been removed before the family left Virginia.

The dispatch records do not establish what the parents knew about the device or what instructions they may have given searchers. They do show that law enforcement pursued both the tracking technology and the water during the initial response.

Saylor wandered from a rental home in the Hagley Estates community of Pawleys Island late Sunday morning, the sheriff’s office said. More than 200 residents searched nearby properties and guarded local docks while deputies, firefighters, state agents and other agencies joined the effort.

Department of Natural Resources agents found Saylor’s body at about 9:45 a.m. Monday in waters near where she was last seen, the sheriff’s office said. A later entry in the call-for-service record noted that the child had been found and directed DNR personnel to take her to the morgue.

The warrants do not state Saylor’s cause or manner of death.

The sheriff’s office said John and Geordyn Hayes will be returned to South Carolina after extradition proceedings.