In a significant legal setback for the Trump administration, a federal appeals court ruled on Saturday to uphold an injunction against implementing more stringent mail-in voting measures ahead of the looming midterm elections. With the political landscape tense and control of both the House and Senate at stake, this decision is particularly impactful.

The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held firm in its decision not to overturn a previous lower court ruling from June, which had declared certain components of President Trump’s directive unconstitutional. This legal challenge was spearheaded by several Democrat-led states, including California, Massachusetts, and Washington, who successfully argued against the administration’s stance.

In a close 2-1 decision, the appeals court denied the Trump administration’s appeal, reinforcing the earlier verdict.

President Trump’s contested order tasked the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with compiling a list of verified U.S. citizens eligible to vote in each state, utilizing sensitive information gleaned from federal databases. Furthermore, the directive instructed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to scrutinize officials mailing ballots to individuals deemed “not eligible” to vote.

In her ruling, Judge Talwani underscored that President Trump lacked the authority to mandate the DHS to assemble such data, and similarly, the USPS could not enforce these mail-in voting directives. She emphasized that Trump did not possess the legal power to coerce local election officials into relying on these inevitably incomplete citizenship lists under the threat of criminal prosecution.

Trump has remained critical of mail-in ballots and in his July primetime address on election integrity said there were “shocking vulnerabilities in our election infrastructure. This evidence shows that the election system we have dangerously exposes, and really exposes like levels never thought possible, the hacking, exploitation, and foreign interference.”

He also mentioned in the same speech that how long it took California to count mail-in ballots was “one example of insanity” caused by mail-in voting.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has said that absent any ruling in its favor the administration may ask the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene. 

In a tragic sequence of events that unfolded in Owasso, Oklahoma, an influencer was shot dead by her own husband, who subsequently took his own life. This shocking murder-suicide occurred just two weeks after she publicly accused him of being a pedophile on the popular social media platform TikTok.

The influencer, 43-year-old Sara Gilson, had recently shared a video following a trend on TikTok known as the “Netflix Documentary.” This trend features users creating mock segments as if filming a real documentary, ranging from humorous tales to personal, often painful stories. In her video, Gilson addressed the serious allegations against her estranged husband, 48-year-old Shawn Duffey, accusing him of pedophilia.

“Preparing for when Netflix drops a documentary about my soon-to-be ex-husband, who I just found out is a pedophile,” Gilson stated in her TikTok post, casting a spotlight on her troubled relationship with Duffey.

The video carried a caption that left little doubt about the severity of her claims: “I wish I was joking #plottwist #netflix #documentary.”

In a devastating development less than two weeks after the video’s upload, both Gilson and Duffey were discovered deceased in her Owasso residence on Thursday, July 23. This harrowing incident underscores the unpredictability and potential consequences of public disclosures in the digital age.

A child who lived in the home made the 911 call and authorities arrived at the scene around 11:15 p.m., according to KTUL. They were identified as the victims by a family member. 

Last month, Gilson was in court to explain why she wanted to extend an emergency protection order against Duffey, who was required to stay 100 yards away from his wife, forcing him out of the home, according to People.

Gilson alleged in her application for the protective order that Duffey had threatened suicide “and went on the run,” according to The Oklahoman.

The same day, another protective order was issued against Duffey by on behalf of a 15-year-old girl who was a member of the youth basketball team he coached.

Duffey allegedly sent the minor inappropriate messages, kissed her and touched her inappropriately, and invited her to his hotel room during a tournament, offering money “to keep her quiet.”

The Owasso Police Department did not immediately respond to the Post’s request for comment.

Two towering, abandoned skyscrapers in the heart of Los Angeles are about to receive a much-needed facelift, after years of being marred by graffiti that turned them into a stark emblem of urban deterioration.

The saga of these neglected high-rises began over a decade ago. It all started when Oceanwide Holdings, a Chinese corporation, invested a staggering $1.2 billion to acquire a vast parcel of land opposite the renowned Crypto.com Arena.

Ambitious from the outset, the company aimed to bring luxury living and hospitality to life with upscale condos and a hotel. However, their grand vision screeched to a halt in 2019. The interruption was caused by the Chinese government’s decision to curtail overseas investment, leaving Oceanwide financially stranded.

For years, the city has battled to address this urban blunder through the bankruptcy court as these three forlorn towers stood, empty and silent.

In their abandoned state, the structures earned the nickname ‘graffiti towers,’ as vandals clambered up the buildings, plastering them with sprawling street art.

The site also became a hotspot for thrillseekers who filmed stunts like base jumping and tightrope walking there, resulting in dozens of arrests. 

Mayor Karen Bass enhanced a police presence in the area and blocked off access to the towers in 2024, but the development stood as a visual reminder of LA’s economic woes. 

Signs of hope for an end to the madness came earlier this month when the city withdrew its objections to a modified bankruptcy plan proposed by a new buyer. Although the site was initially bought for $1.2 billion, the new buyer purchased the towers for $470 million. 

‘Oceanwide Plaza sits at the center of one of Downtown Los Angeles’ most important economic corridors, linking the Convention Center, Crypto.com Arena, LA LIVE, and the broader South Park district,’ Bass said in a statement on Monday. 

‘Completing this project is about far more than finishing a building. It’s about restoring confidence, reconnecting a vital commercial corridor, and unlocking the economic potential of one of the city’s most strategic destinations ahead of a transformative decade for Los Angeles.

‘I look forward to an expedited closing and the proposed buyer delivering on their commitments.’ 

The news is a much-needed win for Bass’s administration amid heightened concerns about crime. 

City officials have also been under pressure to clean up the streets ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  

KPC Development Co emerged as a potential buyer in February. The company has previously erected commercial properties in California and India. 

A spokesperson for the parties involved said one of the towers will be designed for an 11-story luxury Park Hyatt hotel above residential floors. 

KPC is also building a $300 million hotel next to SoFi Stadium. CEO Kali P Chaudhuri told the Los Angeles Times in February that he was ‘very excited’ about the project. 

‘I’ll try my very best to turn it around and make it the jewel of downtown LA,’ he said. Chaudhuri added that his first priority would be to remove the graffiti. 

Bass said at the time that she looked forward to working with KPC to revitalize the plaza, writing in a statement, ‘Right in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, the blighted Oceanwide Plaza has been an eyesore for too long due to failed ownership.’

‘With the resurgence of our Downtown and as we prepare to host Olympic and Paralympic events right across the street, I look forward to working with the new ownership to transform this plaza into something that spurs further investment — and that Angelenos can be proud of.’

Despite KPC’s interest, the sale had been caught up in bankruptcy court since April as the city struggled to agree on terms. 

City attorneys withdrew their objections on Monday, conceding that KPC had agreed to ‘meaningful improvements’ that serve the interests of downtown residents. 

‘Today’s ruling reflects months of coordinated work across every stakeholder in this case,’ Sharon Weiss, an attorney representing the buyer, said in a statement. 

‘The withdrawal of objections from the City and County, combined with the court’s confirmation, paves the way for the sale to move toward closing.’

Among the terms of the agreement was the immediate removal of graffiti within 30 days. 

‘Our team is ready to move from planning to implementation, beginning with graffiti abatement and site cleanup, and ultimately delivering meaningful economic investment, jobs, hospitality and long-term community benefits for Los Angeles,’ Chaudhuri said in a statement to Bloomberg. 

A man clad in tactical gear emerged from a Queens residence shortly after a fiery explosion shook the neighborhood on Saturday. This dramatic turn of events unfolded as officers from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) responded to an urgent 911 call reporting gunshots and a man ominously shouting, “kill them, kill them.”

The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Keegan Thompson, was taken into custody after being shot by police in the chaotic aftermath of the explosion, as confirmed by NYPD Assistant Chief Christopher McIntosh. Inside the home, authorities tragically discovered the bodies of two family members.

Police officers were dispatched to the scene on Ocean Crest Boulevard in Far Rockaway just after noon. The 911 call was made by a caller reporting her husband was armed, McIntosh explained.

Upon their arrival, officers were met outside by a woman who recounted hearing gunshots coming from inside the house. She described entering a room where she found a body lying motionless on a bed, prompting her hasty exit to call for help.

The woman also alerted officers that her husband was likely armed with a shotgun, adding to the urgency and sense of danger surrounding the situation, according to officials.

Officers established a perimeter, requested the NYPD Emergency Service Unit (ESU) and repeatedly attempted to contact the suspect, but were unable to establish communication.

At about 12:15 p.m., as ESU officers prepared to enter, a large explosion erupted from inside the home, McIntosh said.

Fifteen to 20 seconds later, the suspect emerged from the burning home carrying a shotgun while wearing a tactical vest loaded with additional ammunition.

Officers repeatedly ordered the suspect to raise his hands and drop the weapon, police said. When he failed to comply and continued holding the shotgun, an officer fired, striking him.

He was taken into custody, and officers rendered aid before he was taken to Jamaica Hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition.

McIntosh said Thompson has no criminal history or history of mental illness documented by the NYPD.

Officers later found two dead family members inside the home. The victims have not been identified, and investigators are working to determine their causes of death.

As flames engulfed the house, responding officers evacuated neighboring homes to protect nearby residents.

Investigators have not determined what caused the explosion. When asked whether explosives were involved, McIntosh said the investigation remains ongoing.

The shooting was captured on officers’ body-worn cameras and is being investigated by the NYPD’s Force Investigation Division.

“The bravery of the officers who responded today cannot be overstated,” McIntosh said. “They responded to a 911 call not knowing what was waiting for them, and they ran toward the danger with no hesitation.”