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LANSING, MICH - Michigan residents and small business owners targeted by the Whitmer administration got a long-delayed chance to speak on April 23 as the Republican-controlled state House held its first hearings on government overreach during the COVID lockdowns.
Two business owners and a lawyer described how they were targeted by Attorney General Dana Nessel, the Whitmer administration, and local government at the House's Weaponization of State Government hearing.
Gov. Whitmer declared barbers and hairdressers “nonessential” in 2020. Six barbers and hairdressers defied the lockdown orders and were criminally charged for cutting hair at the Michigan Capitol on May 20, 2020.
Five years later, Karl Manke, an Owosso barber, is awaiting a ruling in the Shiawassee County Circuit Court to drop the fines, he said in the subcommitte hearing . During the lockdown period, state government entities temporarily suspended his barbershop and occupational license when he reopened his shop, according to Kallman Legal. Click here to read more.
LOS ANGELES, CALIF - A trans-identifying male competed in the U.S. Masters Swimming Spring National Championship meet, and he took gold medals in every event he entered — in the 45-49 age group of the women’s division.
Ana Caldas, who has also raced under the names Hannah Caldas and Hugo Caldas, swam in five individual events and three relays over the course of the four-day competition in San Antonio — and won every individual race: the 50 yard freestyle, the 100 yard freestyle, the 50 yard breaststroke, and the 100 yard breaststroke. Caldas came in a full three seconds ahead of the second place finisher in the 100 yard freestyle, and four seconds ahead in the 50 and 100 yard breaststroke events. Click here to read more.
WASHINGTON D.C. - Secretary Sean Duffy is celebrating 100 days of prioritizing safety and efficiency at the Department of Transportation.
“The Department of Transportation is focused on its core mission of safety and efficiency,” Duffy said in a statement shared with The Daily Signal. “Under this administration, America is building again—forging a future with projects built to last.”
Just days after Duffy was sworn in, he responded to the first major commercial air crash since 2009. Duffy restricted helicopter traffic in the area around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and reduced airway congestion. He made that directive permanent to prevent future crashes.
The secretary also launched two investigations into DEI hiring practices at the Federal Aviation Administration after it was reported that an activist was leaking answers to an air traffic control exam.
Duffy accelerated the hiring of air traffic controllers and streamlined the process. He also demanded leaders in New York City and Washington, D.C., take action to improve transportation safety and reduce crime. Click here to learn more.
WASHINGTON D.C. - One of the illegal aliens accused of stealing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem’s purse was reportedly arrested and released in New York City a few weeks before targeting her.
The suspect is identified as 49-year-old Mario Bustamante-Leiva of Chile, the New York Post reported on Monday, adding he was arrested in Washington, DC.
Prior to allegedly taking Noem’s bag as she enjoyed an Easter meal with her family at Capital Burger in D.C., the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) warrant squad was looking for him.
“Bustamante-Leiva’s rap sheet also includes a 2021 shoplifting arrest in Utah and a headline-grabbing bust in 2015 across the pond in London, where he was arrested for a months-long theft spree and charged with palming $28,000 in phones, wallets and computers,” the Post article said.
In March, he was accused of taking a fanny pack from a shop in Times Square and making $1,200 credit card charges in approximately 20 minutes. Police eventually arrested the man and gave him a desk appearance ticket on fourth-degree felony grand larceny charges, then cut him loose. However, he reportedly did not show up on his court date and authorities launched a search. Click here to read more.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Missouri woman accused of fatally stabbing a paramedic who was trying to help her has been charged with murder.
The Clay County Prosecutor’s Office announced Sunday evening that 38-year-old Shanetta Bossell has been charged with murder in the first-degree and armed criminal action in the death of 29-year-old Graham Hoffman, a firefighter-paramedic with the Kansas City Fire Department.
If convicted, Bossell could be sentenced to spend the rest of her life behind bars. As of Sunday evening, she remained in custody on a $1 million bond, KCTV reports.
The Kansas City Police Department says just after 12:30 a.m. Sunday, emergency crews were called to the area of 152 Highway and North Oak Trafficway with reports of a woman, later identified as Bossell, walking on the highway. Callers had been concerned for her safety. Click here to read more.
