In Oakley, Illinois, farmers are facing the aftermath of significant flooding in Macon County following Monday’s storms. This comes as a blow to those who had just planted corn for the upcoming season.
Glenn Eads, a local farmer from Eads Farms, expressed his concerns about the potential impact on the newly sown corn seeds. The downpour’s intensity has him worried about the viability of the crop.
The husband of a Massachusetts woman accused of killing her two children pleaded with authorities for clarity as the gravity of the situation unfolded, according to new documents.
At the time of the tragic incident, Samuel MacAusland, 62, was in New Hampshire, while his wife, Janette MacAusland, 49, allegedly took the lives of their young children, Kai and Ella, aged seven and six, respectively, in their upscale Wellesley, Massachusetts home valued at $1.5 million.
The Boston Globe initially reported dispatch records indicating that Samuel was informed by a neighbor about police presence at his residence, prompting him to make a frantic 911 call seeking information.
A dispatcher communicated with the police commander at the scene, noting, “The father is on the phone now… he’s very distressed.”
The dispatcher emphasized, “He urgently needs to understand what’s happening.”
The commander then said he was trying to connect Samuel to law enforcement near him in New Hampshire, while investigators searched the gruesome scene where his children were killed.
Police said Kai and Ella were strangled to death in their family home, and their bodies were left for ‘some time’ before they were discovered on Friday night.
The newly revealed dispatch logs also revealed the moment police found the children’s bodies, as an officer reported that he arrived to find no cars in the driveway and a ‘rear door unsecured.’
Janette MacAusland, the Massachusetts mother accused of strangling her two children to death
MacAusland allegedly murdered her son Kai and daughter Ella, aged seven and six, in their $1.5 million home in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and their bodies were found on Friday night
The officer at the scene told dispatch that seconds after entering the home, he found evidence that a gruesome crime had been committed.
‘There’s blood splatter,’ the officer said, according to police recordings posted by Broadcastify.
As more units arrived at the home around 10pm Friday night, officers then found the bodies of Kai and Ella strangled to death.
Authorities said they believe the children were in the home for ‘some time’, but have not elaborated on how long it was before their bodies were found.
After allegedly killing her children, Janette MacAusland fled the scene and drove around 140 miles away to her aunt’s home in Bennington, Vermont.
MacAusland confessed to murdering her children to Vermont police, telling investigators, ‘I strangled them and then I tried to kill myself’, according to a police report.
Documents say she was in the midst of a bitter divorce from her husband at the time, and her social media shows she had become obsessed with spirituality and ‘enlightenment’ in recent months.
MacAusland is accused of killing her children while in the middle of an ugly divorce with her husband, Samuel MacAusland
Newly revealed police records showed that when officers arrived at the scene, they found ‘blood splatters’ inside the home moments before discovering the children’s bodies
Police said after she allegedly killed her children, MacAusland then arrived unannounced at her aunt’s home and knocked on her window, who said she initially did not recognize her niece as she was covered in blood with a large cut across her throat.
Her aunt, Sandra Mattison, called local police to report her niece acting ‘hysterical’, cops said.
‘Mattison advised that she did not recognize MacAusland at first, only seeing that a female was at her window who had a laceration to her neck,’ the report said, adding that she ‘finally recognized her niece and brought her in the home.’
When investigators spoke to MacAusland, the mother allegedly confessed to murdering her children, saying she tried to then kill herself because she wanted the three of them to ‘go to God together, but it didn’t work.’
MacAusland was arrested in Vermont and made an initial court appearance in the state as she was charged with two counts of murder, and she is set to be returned to Massachusetts for her next court hearings.
MacAusland attended a court hearing in Rutland, Vermont, on Monday, donning a green anti-suicide smock. She is set to be returned to Massachusetts for her next court hearings
After police say she allegedly killed her young children, MacAusland is said to have dashed to her aunt’s home in Vermont, according to a police report
MacAusland made her interest in the cosmic world apparent online, writing: ‘Surfing waves of the Zuvuya. Counting sleeps ’til enlightenment,’ in her Instagram biography, in what appears to be a reference to an element of Mayan spirituality
A professional acupuncturist, MacAusland made her cult-like obsession with spirituality clear online, writing in her Instagram bio: ‘Surfing waves of the Zuvuya. Counting sleeps ’til enlightenment.’
The first part refers to a Mayan concept that involves the practice of navigating inter-dimensional time periods, like the past, present, and future, to access higher levels of human consciousness.
Her words most likely are a reference to the book Surfers of the Zuvuya, written by New Age figure José Argüelles about a ‘journey from the center of the earth to the outermost reaches of the galaxy.’
Her mention of enlightenment is also seemingly a nod to Mayan and New Age spirituality and life beyond the physical – referring to a shift in consciousness and cosmic awakening.
Followers of the New Age movement, from which MacAusland’s eclectic beliefs seemingly derive, believe semi-divine entities like angels roam the earth and communicate with humans, and focus heavily on alternative medicine for healing.
Although MacAusland portrayed herself as a successful businesswoman with a dream marriage and family, according to her former peers, they feared the ‘manipulative’ mother’s facade might crumble one day.
‘She reinvented herself as an acupuncturist and had a successful wellness center, her husband was very successful too, we all would say when she cracks from this facade it will be bad, but never imagined this,’ a former classmate of hers told WNYT.
The unnamed source also recalled MacAusland being ‘intelligent’ and ‘conniving,’ the outlet reported.
MacAusland attended New England School of Acupuncture and was listed as an acupuncturist with New England Integrated Health, which has since removed her description.
Her profile said she also worked at Massachusetts General Hospital and founded Boston Acupuncture Trauma Relief after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
Authorities have successfully retrieved 15 industrial drones, designed for dispersing substantial volumes of liquid chemicals, after they were reportedly stolen from a New Jersey firm, as per official reports.
These drones, identified as Ceres Air C31 models, were taken from CAC International, a logistics and shipping business based in Harrison, New Jersey, on March 24. The High Side, a Substack publication, highlighted the potential risk of this theft, with an expert describing it as a potential “nightmare scenario.”
On April 27, agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) managed to recover the missing drones.
HSI Newark announced on Wednesday that the drones were located in Dover, New Jersey, more than a month following their disappearance.
In an earlier statement to Fox News, the New Jersey State Police revealed that the drones were found at Prudent Corporation, a trucking company with a warehouse at the site.
“On April 27th, the New Jersey State Police Cargo Theft Unit recovered 15 stolen agricultural drones and spray systems. These drones are labeled as agricultural drones due to their specified function as registered crop dusters. The theft occurred on March 24th at CAC International, a logistics and shipping company located in Harrison, NJ. The drones were recovered at Prudent Corporation located in Dover, NJ. This is an active, ongoing investigation that Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Patrol are assisting with. No additional information is available,” the New Jersey State Police wrote.
Former FBI agent Steve Lazarus said the drones could be a danger to the public.
“Even common chemicals, used improperly, can be a public safety danger. Throw in the Internet recipes for biological and chemical weapons that anyone with a Tor browser has access to, and this is a potential nightmare scenario,” Lazarus said in an interview with The High Side.
“These aren’t hobby drones with cameras. They’re industrial sprayers designed to carry and disperse significant amounts of liquid quickly and with precision.”
This is a developing story.
Decades after “The Brady Bunch” concluded its run, fans in Southern California now have the chance to explore the legendary house that became synonymous with the series.
Currently owned by Tina Trahan, who acquired the property for $3.2 million in 2023, the Los Angeles residence is set to host tours inspired by the beloved show. Starting at $290, tickets are available through Bucket Listers, with limited slots open for fans from May 11 to June 12.
The California Post was treated to an exclusive visit on Tuesday, guided by Trahan and Christopher Knight, the actor who portrayed Peter Brady in the series.
Inside, the home has been transformed into a heartfelt homage to the show, featuring over 400 hidden references for enthusiasts to find. The first treat awaits outside—a custom 1971 Plymouth Satellite Wagon, identical to the vehicle used in the series.
Additionally, visitors can view a letter supposedly penned by The Monkees’ singer Davy Jones, showcased in the episode titled “Getting Davy Jones.”
Other artifacts include a typewriter from the Season 5 episode “Lost Locket, Found Locket,” and the iconic horse statue that was seen in the Brady’s living room throughout the show.
There’s a bunch of tiny details too — with every phone in the home including the written numbers used during the show’s run on television.
One of the most painstaking elements of getting the home ready, Trahan revealed, was curating the extensive nightgown collection, worn by the late Florence Henderson’s character Carol. Trahan revealed it took quite a long time to get the collection together, which fans can now see for themselves.
Tickets for the experience include a “semi-private, self-guided visit” that can be purchased in one-hour blocks. A portion of ticket proceeds will be donated to Wags and Walks dog rescue in Los Angeles.
The house — used only for exterior shots on the sitcom — was thrust back into the spotlight in 2018 when HGTV renovated it for the 2019 TV series “A Very Brady Renovation,” which featured cast members Barry Williams (Greg), Maureen McCormick (Marcia) and Knight (Peter).
The interior was remodeled to replicate the inside of “The Brady Bunch” house — scenes that had previously been shot on a soundstage.
Earlier this year, after a two-year campaign, the home gained Historical-Cultural Monument status through the city of Los Angeles.
The sitcom — created by Sherwood Schwartz which ran form 1969 to 1974 — became a beloved classic through syndication in the years that followed.
A 45-year-old man has been taken into custody on suspicion of attempted murder, following allegations of trying to stab police officers. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrest in a recent statement.
The incident, which took place in Golders Green, resulted in injuries to two men—one in his 70s and another in his 30s. Fortunately, both victims are currently in stable condition at the hospital. No police officers sustained injuries during the altercation.
In the wake of the attack, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his shock, labeling the antisemitic assault as “appalling.” He extended his gratitude to the local charity security group, Shomrim, the Jewish ambulance service Hatzola, and the police for their swift response.
According to Shomrim, the attacker was observed “running along Golders Green Road armed with a knife, attempting to stab Jewish members of the public.” The organization, known for its neighborhood watch and emergency support, reported an immediate reaction to the threat.
The police, upon arriving at the scene, utilized a Taser to subdue the suspect, effectively preventing further harm.
Specialist counter-terrorism officers are leading the investigation and working to establish the suspect’s nationality, background and any terrorist links, police said.
Large swathes of the road had been cordoned off by police by the time CNN reached the area, and several emergency service vehicles, including an ambulance and police helicopter, were in attendance.
Video circulating on social media appeared to show a man being detained by several police officers as well as two men in plain clothes.
London’s Jewish community has been targeted by a wave of antisemitic attacks in recent weeks.
Last month, arsonists set fire to four ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity in Golders Green. Four people were subsequently charged by police.
Then, weeks later, a synagogue and the former premises of a Jewish charity, both in north London, were attacked.
No one was injured in the arson incidents, which all happened within a few kilometres of each other.
Counterterror officers are investigating whether the recent arson attacks were the work of Iranian proxies.
Starmer joined politicians condemning the attacks saying, ”attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain”.
“We all need to .. be absolutely clear in our determination to deal with any of these offences, the like of which we’ve seen too much recently,” Starmer added in parliament on Wednesday.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said that “London’s Jewish community have been the target of a series of shocking antisemitic attacks.
“There must be absolutely no place for antisemitism in society,” he said.
Another prominent Jewish organisation – the Board of Deputies of British Jews – said they were working with the police “to understand what has happened and ensure a forceful response”.
Britain’s Jewish community is long-established but tiny as a percentage of the population, numbering about 300,000.
The north-west London suburb of Golders Green is one of its epicentres, home to kosher restaurants, multiple Jewish schools and several dozen synagogues, as well as large Asian and Middle Eastern communities.
Britain’s chief rabbi has said that UK Jews are facing a campaign of violence and intimidation.
The number of antisemitic incidents reported across the UK has soared since the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel and the subsequent Gaza war, according to the Community Security Trust. The group recorded 3700 incidents in 2025, up from 1662 in 2022.
In October 2025, an attacker drove his car into people gathered outside a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur and stabbed one person to death. Another person died during the attack after being inadvertently shot by police.
– Reported with CNN and Associated Press.
NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.
Ambassador Monica Crowley will be the centerpiece of a significant policy event hosted by a leading news organization, where she will delve into her pivotal role in orchestrating the historic Freedom 250 semiquincentennial celebration.
The event, scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, promises to offer an exclusive glimpse into the meticulous preparations for this monumental occasion. Matthew Boyle, the Washington Bureau Chief, will guide the conversation, providing insights into what audiences can expect as the celebration unfolds.
Ambassador Crowley is instrumental to Freedom 250, a collaborative initiative bridging public and private sectors. This partnership is galvanizing communities across all 50 states and even internationally through a series of national programs, compelling stories, and high-profile events. Highlights include the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C., and the UFC Freedom 250 at the White House.
As the U.S. Chief of Protocol, Crowley is not only the face of America250 but also represents the nation at major events hosted on American soil. Her responsibilities extend beyond the 250th birthday festivities to include overseeing preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California.
Expressing her enthusiasm, Crowley remarked, “I am thrilled and excited to participate in the May 6 event with this esteemed news organization, which perfectly embodies the spirit to ‘Celebrate American Greatness.’ I eagerly anticipate discussing our plans for Freedom 250, celebrating our remarkable history, vibrant present, and promising future.”
Before Senate confirmation to her current role, Crowley served during President Donald Trump’s first time as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Public Affairs. She has since emerged as one of the president’s most trusted advisors, standing by his side during many of the most consequential moments of his presidency, most notably as he interacts with foreign leaders in Washington and around the globe—historic events for which she played a key role in orchestrating and executing.
Most recently, the world watched this week as Crowley greeted King Charles III of the United Kingdom and his Queen Consort Camilla as they arrived in the United States for yet another historic state visit in which she played a critical part.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla are greeted by U.S. Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley, right, as they disembark their plane upon their arrival on day one of their State Visit to the United States, on April 27, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
“It’s no secret why President Trump picked Ambassador Crowley to lead the efforts to celebrate the 250th anniversary of this incredible nation: She loves America and it shows in everything she does, including most recently as the Chief of Protocol of the United States,” Boyle said. “America is the shining city on a hill for a reason, and throughout many challenges in our young history as the world’s greatest civilization, we have endured. We can’t think of a better person to host an event with the title ‘Celebrating American Greatness.’”
Crowley has proven to be not only a skilled ambassador representing all Americans on the global stage but also a loyal advocate and messenger for Trump and his agenda.
“The MAGA generation really is the natural heir to the Revolutionary generation, and that’s what makes this whole next year of celebration of America’s 250th birthday so incredibly special,” Crowley told Boyle in June 2025 ahead of a massive parade in the nation’s capital celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday. “It is an absolute gift that we have America’s 250 while Donald Trump is president of the United States. That is the bigger framework into which all of the events over the next year are going to take place.”
President Donald Trump, left, and Monica Crowley, U.S. chief of protocol, walk through the Cross Hall of the White House on August 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
During the first Trump administration, Crowley was awarded the Treasury Department’s highest honor, the Alexander Hamilton Award, in recognition of her exemplary leadership and service. Before joining the administration, she rose to prominence as a broadcaster and politics and foreign policy analyst, most notably for Fox News.
This policy event follows others that – News has hosted in 2026 which have included events with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, and Sens. Jim Banks (R-IN) and Tom Cotton (R-AR).
– News is once again partnering with CGCN and the Alfa Institute to host the Crowley event.
“Partnering with – is a natural fit for CGCN. They have real credibility with the Republican base that shapes how Congress and the administration operate,” Sam Geduldig, Managing Partner at CGCN, told – News. “We’re grateful for the alliance, and our clients benefit from that alignment. With Freedom 250 approaching, this is where the conversation is happening—and where it starts to translate into action.”
– News held similar events in 2025 with Vice President JD Vance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
Federal prosecutors have unveiled a disturbing selfie of Cole Tomas Allen, the man accused of plotting to assassinate Donald Trump. The image, taken just before the dramatic incident, offers a glimpse into the moments leading up to his brazen attempt at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Captured in his hotel room, the selfie reveals Allen dressed in formal evening attire. Shortly afterward, he allegedly approached a security checkpoint armed with a shotgun, intent on carrying out his deadly plan.
The court documents detail his appearance in the photo: Allen was clad in a black dress shirt and slacks, with a red necktie conspicuously tucked into his trousers. This attire, however, concealed a more sinister arsenal.
Prosecutors also noted that Allen carried a “small leather bag” brimming with ammunition. Alongside this, he was equipped with a shoulder holster, a sheathed knife, pliers, and wire cutters, underscoring the seriousness of his intentions.
He was also wearing a ‘small leather bag’ filled with ammunition, a shoulder holster, a sheathed knife, pliers, and wire cutters.
New video footage released Tuesday by the Washington Post also provides the clearest look yet at the opening four seconds of the confrontation, with agents firing on Cole Tomas Allen, 31, and missing every shot.
An officer draws his weapon within two seconds of Allen appearing on camera, then fires multiple times in his direction, with at least some rounds passing close to other agents as Allen runs past them.
A new chilling selfie of accused Donald Trump’s ‘would-be assassin’ Cole Tomas Allen was released by federal prosecutors
An officer draws his weapon within two seconds of Allen appearing on camera, then fires multiple times in his direction, with at least some rounds passing close to other agents as Allen runs past them
New video shows Secret Service agents opening fire on the man accused of charging a White House Correspondents’ Dinner security checkpoint with a shotgun in an alleged plot to kill Donald Trump
The footage, shot from a fixed angle, does not show Allen firing his weapon, though authorities have charged him with discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
No muzzle flash from his shotgun is visible as he sprints past agents.
After the video emerged, Secret Service responded by claiming its security measures are ‘rigorously tested’ and ‘were critical in mitigating the threat and preventing significant harm.’
Allen then moves out of frame before tripping and falling at the top of a staircase one floor above the ballroom.
Inside the Washington Hilton, guests dive under tables as Secret Service agents hustle Trump and Vance out of the room.
When asked whether Allen fired the shot that hit the agent, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Monday he couldn’t confirm it and that the forensic analysis is still ongoing.
‘We want to get that right. So we’re still looking at that,’ he added.
The officer did not suffer serious injuries because he was wearing a bulletproof vest, Blanche confirmed.
Inside the Washington Hilton, guests dive under tables as Secret Service agents hustle Trump and Vance out of the room
The footage, shot from a fixed angle, does not show Allen firing his weapon, though authorities have charged him with discharging a firearm during a crime of violence
Despite missing every shot, Blanche praised the Secret Service: ‘Law enforcement did not fail. They did exactly what they are trained to do.’
The Justice Department charged Allen with three felonies, including attempting to assassinate the President of the United States.
If convicted, Allen faces the possibility of life in prison.
Allen traveled by train from Los Angeles to Washington and checked into the Hilton Hotel hosting the dinner before it began.
Allen is also facing a second charge on transportation of a firearm in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony.
The third charge is using a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a minimum of 10 years, as well as the possibility of life imprisonment if prosecutors can prove the weapon was discharged.
Allen is being represented by court-appointed attorneys. He said he has no drugs in his system when asked by federal Judge Matthew J Sharpe.
A courageous Pennsylvania mother of three tragically lost her life in what relatives are calling a heroic act. She stepped in to defend another woman just before a gunman unleashed gunfire outside a local bar.
Jessica Hilliard, 34, was fatally shot in the early hours of Sunday morning near Niki’s Quick Six in Parks Township, Armstrong County, according to a report from Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 (WTAE).
The Pennsylvania State Police reported to WTAE that the incident began shortly after 1 a.m. with a verbal dispute erupting in the bar’s parking area.
The situation intensified when a woman dashed into the bar, claiming she had been assaulted. This prompted several individuals, including Hilliard, to rush outside to assist.
Jessica Hilliard, pictured with one of her children, was remembered for her bravery. Reports indicate she was attempting to aid a woman during a shooting incident outside a bar in Parks Township. (GoFundMe)
Hilliard was among those trying to intervene when she was shot multiple times in the chest, according to the report.
The suspected gunman, identified by WTAE as 36-year-old David Dunmire, allegedly pulled out a gun and fired multiple rounds into a crowd while running away, striking four people.
Jessica Hilliard with her son in an undated photo. She was killed in a shooting in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, authorities say. (GoFundMe)
Three others were wounded in the gunfire, including a 24-year-old woman who was listed in critical condition. Two men were reported to be in stable condition, WTAE said, citing police.
Family members told the outlet that Hilliard wasn’t involved in the dispute but stepped in because she believed someone was in danger.
“Our sister died a hero,” one of her sisters said, according to the outlet.
Jessica Hilliard and her daughter in a selfie. The mother of three was killed in a shooting outside a bar in Parks Township, Pennsylvania, according to reports. (GoFundMe)
A GoFundMe created for Hilliard’s family reinforces that account, saying she was killed “while trying to stop a man from hurting a woman,” and describing her final moments as an act of “courage and selflessness.”
The fundraiser says Hilliard, who leaves behind two daughters and a son, was “protective, strong, and deeply loved,” adding that “she was the kind of person who stepped in when someone needed help.”
Her death has left what the family describes as “an unimaginable hole” as loved ones now work to support her children and cover funeral expenses.
WTAE reported the suspect was taken into custody at the scene and faces multiple charges, including criminal homicide.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Pennsylvania State Police and local law enforcement for additional information.
Scientists are on high alert over recent findings.
A study published in the Seismological Research Letters reveals that one of America’s most perilous fault lines is overdue for a seismic event, casting a shadow of potential threat over millions residing in California. The findings have sparked concern among researchers, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The research team, comprised of experts from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), warns that an earthquake along this fault line could inflict significant damage across the densely populated area. “Such an event could cause extensive damage to such a dense population zone,” the team emphasized in their report.
At the heart of this concern is the Hayward Fault Line, a segment of the expansive San Andreas Fault. Stretching 74 miles, it weaves through key urban centers in the Bay Area, including Berkeley, Oakland, and Fremont — areas that collectively house approximately 8 million people.
The Hayward Fault is notorious for its history of producing magnitude 7 earthquakes, which are even more powerful than the infamous 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. That disaster left 63 people dead and injured 3,757 in the Bay Area, underscoring the potential devastation of another significant quake.
If one of these earthquakes were to occur today, it could potentially kill 800 people and injure up to 18,000, per a previous US Geological Survey report called the “HayWired Scenario.”
While the last event to occur was in 1868, scientists have calculated that Hayward ruptures every 95 to 183 years, meaning we’re overdue for a seismic event.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, Hayward has a 14.3% chance of a 6.7 magnitude or larger seismic event by 2034 and a 33% chance before 2043, making Hayward one of the most hazardous fault lines in the region.
“This fault is what we sort of call a tectonic time bomb,” USGS earthquake geologist emeritus David Schwartz told the Los Angeles Times in 2018. “It’s just waiting to go off.”
To analyze just how dangerous this tremor factory is, the researchers used 3D simulations to examine 50 magnitude-7 simulations along the Hayward Fault, providing Californians insight into how they should prepare.
“We are interested in learning what the ground motion for a typical magnitude-7 earthquake in the Bay Area could be, so that we can work with engineers to make sure that the infrastructure and buildings in the Bay Area can withstand this motion,” said author and LLNL scientist Arben Pitarka.
The team, which was helming the project for the Department of Energy, focused on two key models: a simulation of how seismic waves are created during the earthquake rupture and broadcast seismic vibrations through the Earth.
“These large-scale simulations allow us to reduce the uncertainty in ground motion estimates” that are associated with the oft-unpredictable earthquake rupture phenomenon, per Pitarka. The models also allowed the team to pinpoint areas vulnerable to “very strong shaking” in the San Francisco Bay Area.
These models revealed that the shaking generated during of these simulated tremors could be up to 50 percent more powerful than prior forecasts for nearby population centers. Affected hubs included Livermore, Oakland, Berkeley, Hayward, San Leandro, Emeryville and Alameda.
Caused by the pulse-like nature of the ground motion, which concentrates the seismic energy like a lens, this preternaturally violent shaking poses an outsized threat to tall or flexible buildings.
Per the current would also potentially impact the deep “basin” areas in California, which would likely trap and magnify an Earthquakes waves, upping the length and power of the reverberations.
Affected areas include Livermore Basin, the East Bay Hills, and Bay Mud, a low-lying area situated on the shore of San Francisco Bay.
The USGS predicted in 2018 that the disaster could potentially also cause 400 fires that could destroy 50,000 homes and displace nearly half a million people.
Thankfully, by painting a picture of the threat, these simulations allow city officials to plan accordingly.
“With that information, we can also start preparations for retrofitting some of the vulnerable structures,” said Pitarka.
The team plans to use the same simulations to analyze the neighboring San Andreas, the epicenter for some of California’s most devastating earthquakes, such as the 1906 San Francisco event that killed more than 3,000 people.
During an unexpected turn of events at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Sunday, chaos nearly erupted as a gunman allegedly attempted to assassinate President Donald Trump. At this prestigious event, five of the top six individuals in the presidential line of succession were present.
President Trump was accompanied at the elegant gathering by Vice President JD Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The 31-year-old suspect, Cole Thomas Allen, reportedly had a manifesto that revealed his intentions to target these high-ranking officials, listing them from “highest-ranking to lowest,” according to investigators.
Allen, who was allegedly armed with firearms and knives, attempted to breach a security checkpoint but was swiftly detained by Secret Service agents before he could enter the Washington Hilton’s ballroom, where the dinner was being held.
Thanks to the quick actions of security, President Trump and other key officials remained unharmed and were promptly escorted to safety.
Had Trump and other high-ranking officials been killed, the US could have faced one of the most severe political crises in modern history, with much of the presidential line of succession no longer alive.
The incident has already prompted a review of the president’s security arrangements, with the White House confirming a “designated survivor” was not chosen for the event.
David Smith, an associate professor at the United States Studies Centre, told SBS News it was “very rare” to have events in which the president, vice president and speaker of the house were together.
“Usually it’s only the State of the Union address,” he said, noting the president and vice president also travel on separate planes.
It raises the question: What happens if the president and other key officials die or are incapacitated?
US law lays out a clear line of succession in the event the president is killed or otherwise incapacitated.
If that did happen, the vice president — currently JD Vance — would assume the presidency, serve out the remainder of Trump’s term and nominate a new vice president.
If both Trump and Vance were incapacitated, house speaker Mike Johnson would step in, followed by president pro tempore of the senate, a largely ceremonial post typically held by the longest-serving member from the majority party.
That role is currently held by senator Chuck Grassley, a 92-year-old who was the highest-ranking official in the line of succession not in attendance at the dinner.
Various cabinet positions are next, with a total of 18 officials in the line of succession. According to CNN, 13 of them were at the dinner.
All are currently Republicans except health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, who is 12th in line and an independent.
During part of Trump’s first term, Democrat and fierce Trump critic Nancy Pelosi became second in line to the presidency after she was elected house speaker following the Democrats’ victory in the 2018 mid-term elections.
Events such as the September 11 terror attack in 2001 have raised the possibility of the entire line of succession being killed or incapacitated if they gathered in a single place.
As a precaution, a “designated survivor” has been occasionally chosen from the line of succession and does not attend high-profile events where other officials are gathered.
Instead, they stay in an undisclosed location away from the event under Secret Service protection.
This includes the State of the Union address and presidential inaugurations, as well as other major gatherings such as conservative commentator Charlie Kirk’s funeral.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed discussions were held about choosing a designated survivor for the gala, but it was deemed “not necessary” as several members in the line of succession were not in attendance.
The US government does not reveal how a designated survivor is chosen but in a 2016 interview, former president Barack Obama’s top speech writer Jon Favreau revealed the selection was “entirely random”.
However, if a State of the Union address focused heavily on a particular policy area, Favreau said the relevant cabinet secretary would not be chosen, as was the case for former education secretary Arne Duncan.
The continuity plan inspired the US television series Designated Survivor, in which the housing secretary unexpectedly becomes president after an explosion kills everyone ahead of him in the line of succession.
The practice reportedly dates back to the Cold War when the US government was concerned about continuity in the event of a nuclear strike by the Soviet Union.
Eight US presidents have died in office — four from assassination, and four from natural causes. In all cases, the vice president assumed the presidency.
Smith told SBS News the US government’s continuity plans differ from those of other democracies, such as Australia, because the executive branch of government is separate from the legislature.
In Australia, the prime minister is the leader of the political party or coalition that has a majority in the House of Representatives.
If the prime minister dies, the deputy prime minister would typically be appointed caretaker prime minister by the governor-general until the governing party votes on a new leader.
“Parliament, very clearly, has a mechanism for fairly quickly replacing them,” Smith said.
“Whereas in the United States, the president and the vice president are elected, but then everybody else in the cabinet is appointed by them.”
The prime minister can also authorise others to exercise their powers if they are overseas, absent or otherwise unable to perform their duties.
After last year’s federal election, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese authorised, in order, the Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher and Trade Minister Don Farrell to exercise prime ministerial powers.
Three Australian prime ministers have died in office: Joseph Lyons in 1939, John Curtin in 1945 and Harold Holt in 1967. Lyons and Curtin died from natural causes, while Holt disappeared while swimming in the sea, presumed drowned.
In all three cases, a caretaker prime minister was sworn in before the leadership was put to a vote.
For the latest from SBS News, download our app and subscribe to our newsletter.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
Copyright Newsfinal Publications.
