Critics say anti-violence program pays criminals
Rep. Emily Dievendorf, D-Lansing, requested $2 million in taxpayer funding for a nonprofit program that has drawn criticism in other states for reportedly working with violent offenders while not cooperating with police investigations.
The earmark request, submitted on behalf of Ingham County, would fund the Advance Peace program in the Lansing area through 2028.
The program aims to reduce shootings by intervening with individuals considered most likely to commit gun violence, according to the legislatively directed spending request. Click here to read more.
Violent Crime Drops as More Americans Pack Heat
Alessandra Coote was walking on a trail with her 2-year-old daughter and dog two-and-a-half years ago when a man began yelling at her and threatened to kill her dog. When the petite single mom made it back to her Utah home, she decided she needed a firearm for protection.
A few months later, while living in what she described as a “shady part of town,” a homeless man threatened her. After that encounter, she began regularly carrying a firearm under Utah’s Constitutional Carry law.
Coote, who just graduated this spring from the University of Utah, says carrying the gun has given her the confidence to feel safe in public. “It’s been life-changing,” she told RealClearInvestigations. Although she has never had to draw or fire the weapon, she has faced a threatening individual when she was armed, but stopped the attack by merely letting the man know she was carrying. Click here to read more.
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Memo reveals Florida’s plan to pursue organizers of social media-fueled ‘teen takeovers’
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida’s Office of Statewide Prosecution is seeking assistance from law enforcement agencies across the state as prosecutors prepare a coordinated effort to investigate and potentially charge organizers behind a series of social media-fueled “teen takeover” events, according to a memorandum obtained by Florida’s Voice.
In a memo sent to Florida law enforcement agencies, Statewide Prosecutor Bradley McVay said the state has experienced a recent wave of unlawful gatherings organized through social media that have resulted in violence, arrests and public safety concerns in multiple regions of Florida. Click here to read more.
American journalist pleads guilty to acting as unregistered agent for China
An American who worked as an editor and commentator for state-run media in China, Thomas Pauken II, pleaded guilty Thursday to working as an unregistered agent for the Chinese government in the U.S.
During a roughly 40-minute hearing in Alexandria, Virginia, Pauken, 51, told U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema he was unaware of the legal requirement to register before acting for a foreign government, but he also said he understood that his lack of knowledge was not a defense to the charge.
The hearing shed no light on one of the mysteries of Pauken’s case: the identity of a Trump administration official Pauken helped connect to a Chinese government contact Pauken knew as “Cathy.” That U.S. official, described as “Person 1” in court filings, was still working in the government as of February, according to an affidavit an FBI agent filed in support of the criminal case. Click here to read more.
Economic frustrations fuel concerns for Republicans in midterms
Warning signs are flashing for Republicans ahead of the November midterms as Americans are growing more pessimistic about the economy and placing blame of President Donald Trump.
American consumers have grown increasingly agitated about the state of the economy with inflation running high every year since COVID even as jobs have been plentiful and growth has been mostly steady. The recent spike in gas prices tied to the war with Iran has put that frustration into overdrive and many voters say they blame Trump and his policies for making life more expensive.
Trump has argued the goal of preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon is worth the cost of higher oil prices and has at times dismissed concerns about the cost of gasoline and the impact they will have on the midterms. He came into office promising to make life more affordable for Americans after years of struggles with inflation during the Biden administration and has had a hard time convincing voters of progress. Click here to read more.
