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Disgraced Outgoing D.C. Police Chief Melts Down, Drops F Bomb in Walkout Speech
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Disgraced Outgoing D.C. Police Chief Melts Down, Drops F Bomb in Walkout Speech

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Outgoing Washington, D.C., Police Chief Pamela Smith ended her tenure Friday with an unexpected and profane address during her final press conference, departing from prepared remarks to confront critics directly and reflect on her time leading the Metropolitan Police Department.

Smith, who announced last week that she would step down as chief, said she “dared not leave” without speaking to what she described as her “haters.”

During the event, she invoked her religious upbringing and church involvement, arguing that criticism of her leadership had not shaken her faith or personal convictions.

“I dare not leave without saying something to my haters. Listen, I know you taught me well. We were raised in the church, Bible study, Sunday school, BTU choir rehearsal, Wednesday night Bible study, Tuesday night Bible study, children’s choir, you name it,” Smith said.

“There’s enough Jesus in me that’s going to get me to heaven if I die tomorrow. But watch this, you’ve taught me well. And I just need you to just follow me with this just for a few moments, mom. Don’t, don’t, because listen, I listen to her even at 50-something years old.”

Smith then escalated her remarks, delivering a profanity-laced message aimed at those who had criticized her during her tenure, before shifting into what she framed as a declaration of forgiveness rooted in Christian teachings.

“So I’m going to the Bible when I say this to my haters. F you. No, it’s not a drop-the-mic moment. Watch me in this space. I forgive you,” Smith said.

“I forgive you. Because the Bible makes it very clear. When Jesus was hanging on the cross, when he said to his father, even in the pit of agony and defeat, he said, ‘Forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Smith’s remarks came as she prepares to leave her post as chief of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia.

She has served in the role since July 2023 and is scheduled to step down at the end of December 2025, bringing her tenure to roughly two and a half years.

Her time as chief unfolded amid heightened scrutiny of crime and public safety in the nation’s capital.

In recent months, tensions escalated between the White House and Washington’s local leadership over law enforcement and crime policy, with President Donald Trump repeatedly criticizing conditions in the city and warning of what he described as a “tragic emergency” involving violent crime.

Those tensions came to a head in August, when Trump briefly moved to assert federal control over the city’s police department.

At that time, he deployed the National Guard and appointed a federal emergency commissioner, a move that placed Smith’s leadership under national attention. Days later, Trump reversed course, allowing Smith to remain in charge of the department.

Throughout her tenure, Smith faced sustained criticism over crime levels, policing strategy, and her handling of public safety concerns, while also receiving support from city officials and allies who defended her leadership.

Her final press conference, however, marked a sharp departure from typical closing remarks for an outgoing police chief, drawing attention not to policy or accomplishments, but to her personal response to critics.

Her resignation will take effect as scheduled at the end of December 2025, concluding a chapter marked by public controversy, federal intervention threats, and an unusually candid farewell address that immediately drew attention for its tone and language.

Trump Forces Big Pharma to Slash Prices Under Most Favored Nation Plan
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Trump Forces Big Pharma to Slash Prices Under Most Favored Nation Plan

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President Donald Trump on Friday announced what the White House described as the “largest development to date” in implementing Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) pricing for prescription drugs in the United States, unveiling new agreements with nine major pharmaceutical manufacturers aimed at significantly lowering drug costs for American patients.

The announcement was made via the White House website and during an Oval Office press conference.

According to a White House fact sheet, the agreements involve Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Genentech, Gilead Sciences, GSK, Merck, Novartis, and Sanofi.

The White House said the agreements will reduce prices on medications that treat “numerous costly and chronic conditions, including type two diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, asthma, COPD, hepatitis B and C, HIV, and certain cancers.”

Under the terms of the agreements, “every State Medicaid program in the country [will have] access to MFN drug prices on products made by the nine companies,” which the administration said will result in “billions of dollars in savings” for American taxpayers.

During the press conference, Trump highlighted disparities in global drug pricing and pharmaceutical profits.

He said the United States represents approximately 4% of the world’s population but consumes 13% of prescription drugs worldwide, while accounting for 75% of global pharmaceutical profits.

“That ends now,” Trump said, attributing the change in part to tariffs.

The MFN framework requires pharmaceutical companies to sell drugs in the United States at prices no higher than the lowest price they charge in other developed nations.

Trump provided several examples during the announcement, including a Sanofi blood thinner that previously cost $750 and is now priced at less than $16, and an HIV medication from Bristol Myers Squibb that dropped from nearly $1,500 to $217.

He also said a hepatitis B medication would decrease in price from $1,400 to $413, and a hepatitis C medication from Gilead would fall from nearly $25,000 to less than $2,500.

The White House fact sheet listed additional price reductions available to patients purchasing medications directly through TrumpRx.

Amgen will reduce the price of its cholesterol-lowering drug Repatha from $573 to $239.

Bristol Myers Squibb will lower the price of its HIV medication Reyataz from $1,449 to $217.

Boehringer Ingelheim will cut the cost of its type two diabetes medication Jentadeuto from $525 to $55.

Genentech will reduce the price of its flu medication Xofluza from $168 to $50.

Gilead Sciences will reduce the price of its hepatitis C medication Epclusa from $24,920 to $2,425.

GSK will lower prices across its inhaler portfolio, with the asthma inhaler Advair Diskus 500/50 dropping from $265 to $89.

Merck will reduce the price of its diabetes drug Januvia from $330 to $100.

Novartis will cut the price of its multiple sclerosis medication Mayzent from $9,987 to $1,137.

Sanofi will reduce the price of its blood thinner Plavix from $756 to $16 and will list its insulin products on TrumpRx at $35 per month’s supply.

In addition to price reductions, Trump announced that the pharmaceutical companies participating in the agreements will invest more than $150 billion in domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing in the United States. He attributed the shift in investment to tariffs.

The announcement comes as Democrats in Congress continue to focus on the expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies.

The administration said Trump has taken significant action to reduce health care costs in the United States in less than one year.

Bill Clinton is in Hot Water After Epstein Dump Reveals Compromising Pictures
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Bill Clinton is in Hot Water After Epstein Dump Reveals Compromising Pictures

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Former President Bill Clinton appears repeatedly in newly released files connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including photographs showing Clinton reclining nearly naked in a hot tub with an unidentified woman and images of him traveling internationally with Epstein and his associates, according to records made public Friday by the Justice Department.

Clinton, now 79, is featured in numerous photographs contained in the cache of Epstein-related materials released to meet a congressionally mandated deadline.

Among the most widely circulated images is one showing Clinton in a hot tub with a woman positioned at his waist.

The identity of the woman is obscured by redactions in the documents.

Additional photos show Clinton aboard a plane with a young woman, vacationing with Epstein in the United Kingdom, and traveling with him to destinations including Brunei and Thailand.

The files also include images from the 2002 wedding of Moroccan King Mohammed VI, which Clinton attended.

The scope of Clinton’s presence in the materials prompted immediate reaction following the Justice Department’s release, which included thousands of heavily redacted records.

In one image, Clinton is seen swimming with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate who is currently serving a 20-year federal prison sentence for sex trafficking offenses.

“This is his reckoning. I mean, if you turn on CNN, that’s what they are talking about. I’ve gotten a million texts about it,” said a former Clinton aide, speaking about the images’ impact.

“People are like, ‘I can’t believe he was in a hot tub. Who’s the woman in there?’ She’s at, you know, body level. I mean, it’s, like, unbelievable. It’s just shocking.”

The former aide said Clinton’s documented interactions with Epstein are likely to shape public perception after years of speculation about powerful figures linked to the financier.

“[Clinton] is Prince Andrew… He’s kinda done. He was already done before, but now he’s even more so,” the aide said.

“People have to be brought to justice for if they did these things, there’s no question about it.”

The Justice Department’s initial document release drew criticism from Democrats for containing relatively few references to President Donald Trump, who is currently serving as president of the United States.

Trump had social ties to Epstein until about 2004, but the released materials include limited references to him.

One photo in the files shows Epstein and a woman posing with a check that Trump allegedly signed in 1997 for $22,500.

A similar image had previously appeared in a 2003 birthday book for Epstein, accompanied by a note allegedly written by businessman Joel Pashcow stating: “Jeffrey showing early talents with money + women! Sells ‘fully depreciated’ [woman’s name] to Donald Trump for $22,500.”

The Wall Street Journal previously reported that the woman referenced was “a wealthy European then in her 20s” who cut off contact with Epstein around 1997 and had no romantic relationship with either Epstein or Trump, according to her attorney.

Clinton, by contrast, appears prominently throughout the newly released records.

The files show him touring Winston Churchill’s Second World War war room in London, examining maps, documents, and period telephones while surrounded by wax figures representing British military leaders.

Other photographs include Epstein, Maxwell, Clinton, and Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger dining together.

In one image, Jagger and Clinton appear next to a woman whose face has been blacked out.

In Brunei, Clinton and Epstein are shown posing together wearing matching silk shirts. Additional images depict them sightseeing in Thailand and traveling through Morocco. One album is labeled “Clinton Trips-NY,LA,London.”

Another photograph shows Clinton aboard a plane with pop star Michael Jackson.

The files remain heavily redacted, obscuring the identities of women and girls appearing alongside Clinton.

The redactions also conceal some details in ways critics described as inconsistent.

In one group photo from a 2002 trip to Morocco, Epstein’s face is obscured while Clinton and Maxwell’s faces are not.

In another image, a black box covers Epstein’s exposed buttocks on a beach.

The New York Post reported, citing two sources, that Clinton surprised his own staff by requesting that Epstein and Maxwell accompany him to the Moroccan royal wedding, a request that was reportedly approved by Moroccan authorities.

Clinton’s office denied any wrongdoing and sought to shift attention toward Trump’s past associations with Epstein.

A Clinton spokesperson told the Daily Mail, “The White House hasn’t been hiding these files for months only to dump them late on a Friday to protect Bill Clinton.”

“This is about shielding themselves from what comes next, or from what they’ll try and hide forever. So they can release as many grainy 20-plus-year-old photos as they want, but this isn’t about Bill Clinton. Never has, never will be. Even Susie Wiles said Donald Trump was wrong about Bill Clinton,” the spokesperson said.

“There are two types of people here,” the spokesman added.

“The first group knew nothing and cut Epstein off before his crimes came to light. The second group continued relationships with him after. We’re in the first. No amount of stalling by people in the second group will change that. Everyone, especially MAGA, expects answers, not scapegoats.”

The document release followed the expiration of a 30-day deadline under a congressional transparency law requiring the Justice Department to turn over unclassified Epstein-related materials.

Authors of the legislation, Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Ro Khanna of California, said the department failed to comply fully.

“The DOJ’s document dump of hundreds of thousands of pages failed to comply with the law,” Khanna said.

Former Virginia Democrat Finance Chair Busted in FBI Child Porn Case
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Former Virginia Democrat Finance Chair Busted in FBI Child Porn Case

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A former Democratic Party operative in Virginia has been arrested by federal authorities and charged with distributing child pornography following an undercover FBI investigation, according to court records filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Randon “Randy” Alexander Sprinkle, 30, was taken into custody after an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Manassas, Virginia, field office. Sprinkle previously held several prominent roles within Democratic political circles in the state.

He served as finance chairman of the Virginia Democratic Party, was a leader in the Young Democrats of Virginia, and worked in 2025 as campaign treasurer for Richmond City Council Vice President Katherine Jordan.

According to a nine-page criminal affidavit filed Friday, Sprinkle was an active user of the social networking application Jack’d, which markets itself as “the premier social app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people” and reports having more than 15 million members.

Court documents state that Sprinkle used the app under the name “Randy.”

The affidavit says Sprinkle initiated contact with an undercover FBI agent, identified in the filing as “OCE,” who was operating in an online undercover capacity.

The initial conversation occurred on Jack’d before moving to the encrypted messaging platform Telegram.

The affidavit includes the following exchange initiated by Sprinkle on Jack’d:

Randy: “Hey how’s it going”
OCE: “What’s up man”
Randy: “Just horny af you, telegram”
OCE: “Let’s go Randy, what’s your Tele”
Randy: “hmudmv9, got a face pic btw”

After the conversation moved to Telegram, federal investigators say Sprinkle expressed sexual interest in minors and transmitted illegal material to the undercover agent.

Based on that exchange, investigators obtained a federal search warrant as part of the investigation.

According to the criminal complaint, FBI agents executed the search warrant on October 16, 2025.

The affidavit states that investigators conducted a forensic examination of Sprinkle’s electronic devices and recovered archived files that federal authorities identified as child pornography.

The affiant wrote that investigators “completed the extraction” of Sprinkle’s computer and located files containing child sexual abuse material.

One of the files, according to the complaint, involved the sexual abuse of an infant by an adult male.

Federal authorities cited the recovered material as meeting the statutory definition of child pornography under federal law.

Following the arrest, several Virginia Democratic officials who had professional or political ties to Sprinkle issued public statements responding to the charges.

Richmond City Council Vice President Katherine Jordan, who employed Sprinkle as campaign treasurer during the 2024 election cycle, released a statement condemning the allegations.

“What has been alleged is disgusting and abhorrent,” Jordan said.

“I’m shocked and sickened.”

First District Richmond City Council member Andrew Breton, who also previously employed Sprinkle for campaign finance services, issued a separate statement after the charges were made public.

“The allegations are shocking and disturbing,” Breton said.

“I am grateful that law enforcement is involved, and that justice is taking its course.”

Representative Jennifer McClellan, a Democrat representing Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District, was also connected to Sprinkle through past public appearances.

According to reports, Sprinkle appeared alongside McClellan in several photographs posted to social media.

A spokesperson for McClellan addressed the matter following the arrest.

“Congresswoman McClellan is shocked by these appalling accusations which should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” the spokesperson said.

Court records show Sprinkle is currently being held at the Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw, Virginia.

He faces federal charges related to the distribution of child pornography. If convicted, the charges carry significant prison penalties under federal law.

Federal authorities have not indicated whether additional charges may be filed or whether the investigation could expand beyond Sprinkle.

The case will proceed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

The arrest has drawn attention due to Sprinkle’s past involvement in Democratic Party operations at both the state and local levels, as well as his work on multiple political campaigns.

Law enforcement officials emphasized that the charges stem from an undercover investigation and forensic evidence obtained through a court-authorized search.

No trial date has yet been announced.

Electric School Buses in NY Pose Major Problem, Leave Students in the Cold
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Electric School Buses in NY Pose Major Problem, Leave Students in the Cold

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Parents in a western New York school district are raising concerns about electric school buses after reports that students are riding in unheated vehicles during winter conditions, highlighting early challenges as the state moves forward with a mandate requiring school bus fleets to transition to electric power.

According to a report by WIVB-TV, families in the Lake Shore Central School District say some bus drivers have reduced or turned off heat on electric buses in an effort to conserve battery power.

Parents told the station that students have complained of extremely cold conditions during their rides to and from school.

“The kids are coming home saying their bus is freezing cold and the parents are giving them hand warmers,” WIVB reported.

New York’s statewide policy requires that all newly purchased school buses be electric, part of a broader effort to shift public transportation away from fossil fuels.

As districts begin implementing the policy, parents say the transition has exposed operational issues, particularly during colder months.

One of the primary concerns involves the design of the electric buses.

According to WIVB, the heating systems draw power from the same battery source used to operate the vehicle.

Parents say this has led drivers to limit heat usage in order to maintain sufficient battery range throughout their routes.

Multiple parents interviewed by the station said they were aware of at least one instance in which an electric bus broke down during a route.

In those cases, students were left waiting in cold weather for replacement transportation.

“The bus broke down on route,” one parent told WIVB.

“They deployed a substitute bus, and the bus was more than 30 minutes late. My son stood outside for over 35 minutes waiting for a bus that wasn’t coming. Some of those kids are on there for upwards of a half hour or more while the bus makes its route.”

The parent added, “There’s no reason that the kids should freeze for all that time.”

Parents said these incidents have raised questions about reliability and safety, especially given the length of some routes and the winter conditions common in upstate New York.

Several noted that children can spend extended periods on buses before reaching school or home, increasing the impact of reduced heat or delays caused by mechanical issues.

The concerns come as electric vehicle adoption faces broader scrutiny nationwide.

Just one day before the WIVB report aired, Ford Motor Company disclosed that it would absorb a $19.5 billion financial hit related to its electric vehicle investments, citing slower-than-expected demand and rising costs associated with EV production.

Cold-weather performance has long been cited as a challenge for electric vehicles.

In 2024, PBS reported that “Cold weather can cut electric vehicle range and make charging tough,” a factor that can affect both private and commercial use of EVs.

New York’s electric school bus mandate was passed as part of the state’s climate and emissions reduction initiatives.

Supporters of the policy have argued that electric buses reduce pollution and long-term operating costs.

Critics, however, have questioned whether the technology is ready for widespread deployment in all regions and conditions.

Parents in the Lake Shore Central School District said they are seeking answers from school officials and transportation providers about how the district plans to address the reported issues.

Some have called for clearer communication regarding bus performance, contingency plans for breakdowns, and assurances that student comfort and safety will be prioritized during winter operations.

As of the WIVB report, district officials had not announced changes to the bus program, but parents said they expect the concerns to be reviewed as temperatures continue to drop.

The experience in Lake Shore reflects the broader challenges facing school districts nationwide as they implement electric bus programs under state and federal policies.

With winter conditions already testing the limits of battery-powered transportation, parents and educators are closely watching how districts adapt to ensure students are transported safely and reliably.

Jury Convicts Wisconsin Judge Who Helped Illegal Alien Evade Arrest
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Jury Convicts Wisconsin Judge Who Helped Illegal Alien Evade Arrest

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A Wisconsin jury this week convicted Judge Hannah Dugan on a felony obstruction charge after finding she interfered with federal agents attempting to arrest an illegal alien who appeared in her courtroom, while acquitting her on a separate misdemeanor charge of concealing an individual to prevent arrest.

The verdict followed a trial centered on allegations that Dugan attempted to help Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an illegal alien, evade federal immigration agents by altering courtroom proceedings and escorting him through a restricted exit after agents were seen waiting in a public hallway outside her courtroom.

The case stemmed from an incident in which federal agents were present in the courthouse corridor while Flores-Ruiz was scheduled to appear before Dugan.

According to testimony presented at trial, agents eventually left the hallway.

An FBI agent who led the investigation testified that immediately after their departure, Dugan moved Flores-Ruiz’s case to the top of her docket, told him he could appear for his next hearing via Zoom, and then led him out of the courtroom through a private door.

Prosecutors argued that these actions amounted to obstruction of a federal arrest effort.

As part of their case, prosecutors played audio recordings from Dugan’s courtroom.

In one recording, she can be heard telling her court reporter that she would take “the heat” for leading Flores-Ruiz out the back.

The government charged Dugan with felony obstruction and a misdemeanor count of concealing an individual to prevent arrest.

Prosecutors contended that her actions went beyond routine courthouse procedures and were intended to interfere with law enforcement.

Dugan’s defense attorneys disputed that characterization, arguing she was following established courthouse protocols.

They said those procedures required court employees to report the presence of immigration agents to supervisors and maintained that Dugan did not intentionally try to obstruct the arrest team.

Defense attorneys argued that her actions were administrative decisions made within the scope of her judicial role, not criminal conduct.

The trial featured testimony from 19 witnesses called by the government, including federal agents involved in the attempted arrest and a fellow judge who testified about courtroom practices.

The defense presented four witnesses, including two fellow judges, a public defender, and former Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, described in court as a longtime friend of Dugan. Dugan herself did not testify.

After both sides rested, the defense wrapped up its case on Thursday, and the matter was submitted to the jury.

Deliberations lasted approximately six hours before jurors returned their verdict.

During their first hours of deliberations, jurors submitted two questions to the court.

One question focused on Immigration and Customs Enforcement regulations and who must be notified when agents are making an arrest inside a courthouse.

The second question asked whether Dugan needed to know who specifically was being arrested in order to be found guilty of obstruction.

The jury ultimately found Dugan guilty on the obstruction charge but acquitted her on the concealment count.

Following the verdict, Dugan and her attorneys did not address reporters. According to courtroom observers, she and her legal team “left the courtroom, ducked into a side conference room, and closed the door without speaking to reporters.”

The illegal alien at the center of the case, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, was later apprehended despite the actions described at trial.

Authorities confirmed he was deported in November.

The verdict concludes the trial phase of a case that drew attention due to the rare prosecution of a sitting judge on charges related to interference with federal immigration enforcement.

Sentencing has not yet been announced.

Suspected Brown Shooter Found Dead in New Hampshire Storage Unit, Not a US Citizen
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Suspected Brown Shooter Found Dead in New Hampshire Storage Unit, Not a US Citizen

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The man suspected of carrying out a deadly shooting at Brown University has been found dead in New Hampshire, bringing an end to a nearly weeklong manhunt following an attack that left multiple victims dead and wounded.

Authorities confirmed Thursday evening that the suspected shooter was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside a storage unit in Salem, New Hampshire.

The discovery came six days after the shooting at Brown University, where two students were killed and nine others were critically wounded.

The suspected shooter has been identified as 48-year-old Claudio Neves-Valente, a Brown University student and a Portuguese national.

Law enforcement officials said Neves-Valente was located inside a storage unit connected to an investigation that had expanded beyond Rhode Island as authorities worked to track his movements following the attack.

Providence police confirmed the development after the body was located.

Fox News reported the initial confirmation, citing a source familiar with the investigation.

“BREAKING: Suspected Brown University shooter found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, source says,” Fox News reported.

The Associated Press also reported that the man suspected in the Brown University shooting had been found dead in New Hampshire, confirming that the search for the suspect had concluded.

Investigators said Neves-Valente had access to a storage unit at the facility in Salem where his body was discovered.

That same facility was connected to the investigation after authorities located an abandoned vehicle believed to be linked to the suspect.

Law enforcement officials did not release additional details about the circumstances inside the storage unit or how long Neves-Valente had been there prior to being found.

Neves-Valente was described as a Brown University student and a permanent resident alien, not a United States citizen.

Authorities said he was originally from Portugal.

His immigration status became part of the investigation as officials worked to establish his background, travel history, and any possible connections that could explain his actions.

The case has drawn additional attention because Neves-Valente is from the same country as an MIT professor who was killed earlier this week at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts.

The shooting at Brown University triggered a large-scale response from campus police, local law enforcement, and federal authorities.

The university was placed on lockdown as officers searched for the suspect in the immediate aftermath of the attack.

Classes and campus activities were disrupted as officials worked to secure the area and account for students and staff.

Investigators said Neves-Valente fled the scene following the shooting, prompting a multi-day search that extended beyond Rhode Island. Law enforcement agencies across state lines coordinated efforts as tips were reviewed and evidence was analyzed.

The discovery of the suspect’s body brought the search to a close but did not end the investigation into how the shooting occurred and whether warning signs were missed.

Officials have not released details about a possible motive or whether Neves-Valente had prior contact with law enforcement before the attack.

Authorities also have not disclosed what type of firearm was used in the shooting or how it was obtained.

Those details are expected to be addressed as the investigation continues.

Counseling services and support resources were made available to students and staff in the days following the shooting.

The deaths of the two students and the critical injuries suffered by nine others have left the Brown University community reeling.

Law enforcement officials said the investigation will remain active as they work to complete a full timeline of events, review evidence recovered during the search, and provide answers to the victims’ families.

Authorities emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public following the discovery of Neves-Valente’s body.

Troubling Final Text Emerges After Greg Biffle Family Plane Crash
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Troubling Final Text Emerges After Greg Biffle Family Plane Crash

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Cristina Biffle, the wife of NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, sent a final text message to her mother moments before a plane crash that killed the couple and their two children, according to details shared by family members following the deadly incident, as reported by The New York Post.

The crash occurred Thursday morning when a Cessna C500 jet attempted to land at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina shortly before 10:30 a.m. ET.

The aircraft went down on the runway and burst into flames, killing everyone on board.

Cristina Biffle, Greg Biffle, their 14-year-old daughter Emma, and their 5-year-old son Ryder were among the victims. Also killed in the crash were Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton, and Dutton’s son, Jack.

In an interview with People, Cristina’s mother, Cathy Grossu, said her daughter sensed something was wrong during the flight. Grossu said she received a brief text message from Cristina just before the crash.

“She texted me from the plane, and she said, ‘We’re in trouble.’ And that was it,” Grossu told the outlet.

“So we’re devastated. We’re brokenhearted,” she added.

Video from the scene showed the aircraft engulfed in flames on the runway as emergency crews rushed to respond. Authorities have not yet released details on what caused the crash, and an investigation is ongoing.

Grossu said all of the passengers were traveling to Florida for a birthday trip. She described the loss of her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren as overwhelming.

“The entire situation is hard to bear,” Grossu said, adding that she could not “believe they’re gone.”

She told People that she could not recall the final words she exchanged with her daughter, Greg, or the children, but said, “they were happy.”

Greg Biffle, a semi-retired NASCAR driver, won 19 NASCAR Cup Series races during his career and was a one-time Busch Series champion.

In recent years, he had drawn attention for his humanitarian efforts, including flying relief supplies into Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.

NASCAR acknowledged Biffle’s contributions in a statement following his death.

“Beyond his racing career, he gave of himself for the betterment of our community,” NASCAR said.

“Most notably, Greg spent countless hours of his time helping the citizens of North Carolina during the disasters that followed Hurricane Helene.”

Grossu also shared a final conversation she had with Cristina shortly before the trip, centered on a charitable effort involving Santa letters for families in need.

“She said, ‘Mom, can you go pick up the last 17 letters that are at Staples? I want to get them in the mail before I get on the plane tomorrow,’” Grossu told People.

She said she picked up the letters and delivered them to the Biffle home, where Cristina completed them late that night.

“When they got home last night, she put them in envelopes and finished them all up to get them off to those last 17 families to bring joy to them,” Grossu said. “And that would be the last thing that she would’ve done.”

Federal aviation authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash. No additional information has been released.

Trump Administration Unveils Historic Billion Taiwan Arms Package, Elevating Stakes in the Strait
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Trump Administration Unveils Historic $10 Billion Taiwan Arms Package, Elevating Stakes in the Strait

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In a move the Trump administration frames as essential to regional peace and security, Washington unveiled a sweeping arms package for Taiwan valued at more than $10 billion, while the State Department disclosed the details late Wednesday during a nationally televised address by President Donald Trump. The announcement signals a muscular shift designed to bolster Taiwan’s defenses in a tense strategic environment.

The package includes medium-range missiles, howitzers and drones, and would be the largest U.S. weapons package to Taiwan if approved by Congress. It would surpass the Biden administration’s total of about $8.4 billion in arms sales to Taiwan.

The administration argues the sale is necessary to maintain a credible defensive capability in the Indo-Pacific.

Eight sales agreements cover 82 high-mobility artillery rocket systems, or HIMARS, and 420 Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS — similar to what the United States had been providing Ukraine during the Biden administration to defend itself from Russia — worth more than $4 billion.

They also include 60 self-propelled howitzer systems and related equipment worth more than $4 billion and drones valued at more than $1 billion.

Other sales in the package include military software valued at more than $1 billion, Javelin and TOW missiles worth more than $700 million, helicopter spare parts worth $96 million and refurbishment kits for Harpoon missiles worth $91 million. The eight sales agreements amount to $11.15 billion, according to Taiwan’s Defense Ministry.

The State Department said the sales serve “U.S. national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability.”

The proposed sale(s) will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region, the statements said. In a regional context, Taiwan’s bolstering of its defense “is the foundation for maintaining regional peace and stability,” the ministry said.

China’s Foreign Ministry attacked the move, saying it would violate diplomatic agreements between China and the U.S.; gravely harm China’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity; and undermine regional stability.

“The ‘Taiwan independence’ forces on the island seek independence through force and resist reunification through force, squandering the hard-earned money of the people to purchase weapons at the cost of turning Taiwan into a powder keg,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun. This blunt warning underscores the high-stakes nature of Washington’s arms flow.

Under federal law, the United States is obligated to assist Taiwan with its self-defense, a point that has become increasingly contentious with China, which has vowed to take Taiwan by force, if necessary.

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry in a statement Thursday expressed gratitude to the United States over the arms sale, which it said would help Taiwan maintain “sufficient self-defense capabilities” and bring strong deterrent capabilities.

Taiwan’s bolstering of its defense is described by Taiwan’s own officials as the foundation for maintaining regional peace and stability, a claim echoed by the ministry.

Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung similarly thanked the U.S. for its “long-term support for regional security and Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities,” which he said are key for deterring a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, the body of water separating Taiwan from China’s mainland.

The arms sale comes as Taiwan’s government has pledged to raise defense spending to 3.3% of the island’s gross domestic product next year and to reach 5% by 2030. The boost has drawn pushback from Taiwan’s opposition KMT party and some segments of the population.

In Washington, the Trump administration and Pentagon officials have pressed Taiwan to consider even greater defense investments, arguing that deterrence is the best path to regional stability.

The U.S. boost in military assistance to Taiwan was previewed in legislation adopted by Congress that Trump is expected to sign shortly.

The broader posture aligns with a tough, proactive stance widely associated with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in public discourse, who has argued that a robust U.S. defense posture deters aggression and preserves peace through strength.

China’s response followed quickly with rhetoric that framed the move as a violation of the status quo and a threat to regional stability.

Yet supporters in Washington argue the package is a necessary step to maintain balance in the Taiwan Strait and to ensure Taiwan can defend itself, which in turn stabilizes the broader region.

The debate now centers on how much backing the United States should provide to Taipei, and how those choices affect Beijing’s calculations.

For supporters of President Trump and his defense team, the package stands as a clear signal that defense, deterrence, and American resolve remain the linchpins of U.S. foreign policy in a volatile era.

59% of Illegal Alien Families On Welfare Programs, Costing Billion: Scott Turner
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59% of Illegal Alien Families On Welfare Programs, Costing $42 Billion: Scott Turner

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Housing and Urban Services Secretary Scott Turner said a majority of illegal alien families in the United States rely on taxpayer-funded welfare programs, costing tens of billions of dollars each year and placing significant strain on housing, healthcare, education, and public safety systems.

Turner said roughly 59 percent of illegal alien families use at least one welfare program, at an estimated annual cost of $42 billion.

He argued those funds should instead be focused on helping American citizens achieve independence rather than long-term reliance on government assistance.

“That for you, 59% of illegal alien families use one or more welfare program in our country, costing about $42 billion a year,” Turner said.

“So if you think about almost 60% of illegal alien families using our welfare system, one or more of them costing about $42 billion a year, which should be prioritized to help the American people not to remain on subsidies, if you will, but to get a hand up and then to get off of government subsidies to live a life of self sustainability.”

Turner said the financial burden created by illegal immigration affects multiple sectors, including housing availability, affordability, medical services, corrections, and education.

He said the influx of individuals into the country increases demand on systems already under pressure.

“And so you have housing, you have affordability, you have housing supply, you have medical you have the corrections, you have education,” Turner said.

“And so when you get all of these people coming into our country, it puts a strain on us.”

Turner credited President Donald Trump with restoring fiscal discipline and taking steps to secure the border, saying those actions are already producing positive results across the economy.

He said efforts under the Trump administration are focused on improving affordability and increasing housing supply while reducing the financial impact of illegal immigration.

“But thank God you know, under President Trump’s leadership, we’re getting our fiscal house back in order,” Turner said.

“The border is being secured. Affordability is coming around.”

Turner said he believes the effects of those policies will become more apparent in the coming year, leading to improvements in economic stability and public safety for Americans.

“And I believe that next year, because of the things that have happened thus far in President Trump’s leadership and in this administration, that next year, from a financial standpoint, from an economic standpoint, from a safety standpoint and more, that the American people will begin to thrive once again,” Turner said.

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