Category: Security

Two Coast Guard members from Air Station Sitka in Alaska suffered serious injuries late Monday night in an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crash during a search and rescue mission.

A press release by the U.S. Coast Guard explained that after the helicopter crashed at 11:05 p.m. on Read Island, rescue crews from Petersburg Fire and Rescue and Alaska Wildlife Troopers arrived at the scene about 12:50 a.m. Tuesday, prior to a second MH-60 Jayhawk air team from Air Station Sitka arriving at 1:39 a.m.

The Coast Guard explained that the rescue teams provided “preliminary medical care” to two members of the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter team who received serious injuries during the crash.

“The four crew members were hoisted aboard the second Coast Guard helicopter and were transported to Petersburg for medical care,” the press release stated. “They were then transferred to Seattle via a C-130 Hercules aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak for a higher level of care.”

The Coast Guard noted that watchstanders were notified of the Jayhawk helicopter crash by Lydia Marie, a fishing vessel that was receiving search and rescue aid from the helicopter team for an issue with flooding on the vessel.

READ MORE: 5 US Special Ops killed in helicopter crash

According to Stars and Stripes, while the cause of the crash is currently under investigation, the National Weather Service had reported near-freezing temperatures Monday night in the area, a mixture of snow and rain, and possible guests of winds up to 20 mph.

Addressing Monday night’s incident, Rear Adm. Megan Dean, commander of the Coast Guard’s 17th District, said, “Our priority is to provide the highest level of care possible for our injured members and their families.

“We are grateful for the swift response and professional skill shown by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers and Petersburg Fire and Rescue members who answered our call for assistance during this critical time,” he added. “We have opened an investigation into the cause of this event and will be forthcoming with the results as they become available.”

While the four crew members of the Jayhawk helicopter were rescued from the crash, the Coast Guard dispatched the Elderberry and Douglas Denman cutters to provide assistance to the damaged Lydia Marie fishing vessel and establish a security zone at the site of the crash to preserve the crash site for investigators.

The Coast Guard also provided an update on the helicopter crash incident Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter.

“Coast Guard crew members injured in the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crash Monday night on Read Island continue to receive medical care, and the search and rescue case for fishing vessel Lydia Marie has been completed,” U.S. Coast Guard Alaska stated. “The two Coast Guard members reported to have serious injuries were listed in serious condition, while the other two members were listed in good condition with minor injuries.”

In an event captivating worshippers and sparking global interest, a statue of the Virgin Mary in El Canal, Mexico, has been filmed seemingly shedding tears, drawing hundreds to witness what many are calling a miraculous phenomenon.

The alleged miracle, captured in a video that has been circulated on social media, shows what appear to be tears falling from the statue’s eyes, creating an emotional and spiritual spectacle. Jack Posobiec, a conservative media personality, shared the video on X, stating, “Real-life ‘miracle’ as Virgin Mary statue is filmed crying in Mexico.”

According to Daily Mail, some people have claimed that the statue’s eyes became red as the water droplets fell. For example, local resident Victor Ramos said, “Similarly, when we cry, and our eyes become red, the same happens to the image.”

A Georgia Democrat lawmaker, who was recently fired from her position after a video was released of her screaming at medical professionals who allegedly found the lawmaker passed out drunk near a sports bar, is suing the county for firing her.

Felicia Franklin, Former Clayton County Board of Commissions Vice Chair, recently told Daily Mail that she is filing the lawsuit for wrongful termination of her employment after she was fired by a unanimous vote from county officials due to video footage recorded by police body cameras that showed her yelling at medics and hitting an EMT in September.

Franklin told Daily Mail that she is filing a lawsuit because she believes she was drugged. On Oct. 1, Franklin also released a statement on Facebook, saying, “It is believed by medical professionals that I was drugged with a GHB pill, more commonly known as the ‘date rape pill,’ and this incident has shaken me to my core.”

She added, “I will be working closely with authorities to ensure that justice is served, and I will also be advocating for improved safety measures at events like these.”

READ MORE: ‘Clearly drunk’ Marine arrested in Japan, faces charges

Despite Franklin’s claims, Morrow Police Department Sgt. Scott Stewart told Fox 5, “We have found no evidence to support that she was in fact drugged with GHB.” Stewart suggested that Franklin “probably” had “three and a half, four drinks” before having “a swig of beer.”

The police department has alleged that Franklin drank three drinks called “that’s a home run,” which consisted of 40-proof Grand Mariner and Hennessy, as well as a glass of wine, and a “swig” of another person’s beer, according to Fox 5.

According to The New York Post, video footage shows how Franklin was found passed out and lying on the ground near the bar when police arrived at the scene. The video footage shows police officers lifting the unconscious Franklin onto a stretcher before she regained consciousness and started screaming, swearing at local medics, and crying.

Franklin was recorded shouting, “I don’t know what they gave me.” At one point in the video, she can be seen hitting an EMT in the ambulance and demanding that the EMT “get the f-ck out of my face.”

Despite a police officer warning Franklin that she was “about to go to jail,” Franklin insisted, “I don’t give a f-ck, get him out of my face.”

This article was originally published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is reprinted with permission.

A court in Ukraine’s western city of Lviv on November 13 sentenced former lawmaker Illya Kyva to 14 years in prison in absentia after finding him guilty of high treason and public calls to seize power and change the constitutional order among other crimes.

Kyva has been known for his pro-Russia stance. After Russia launched its ongoing unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kyva moved to Russia, where he took part in televised pro-Kremlin talks shows and roundtables.

Tupac Shakur could finally win his first Grammy, with a little help from his mom.

The rapper, who died in 1996, received a relatively little-noticed nomination Friday in the category of best music film for “Dear Mama,” a five-part FX docuseries directed by Allen Hughes now streaming on Hulu.

The series, which takes its name from Shakur’s single from the album “Me Against the World,” features Shakur’s life, music and relationship with his mother, Afeni Shakur, a Black Panther Party activist.

The Shakur film will compete against movies centered on Kendrick Lamar (“Live From Paris, the Big Steppers Tour”) and Lewis Capaldi (“How I’m Feeling Now”) as well as two other posthumous nominees, David Bowie (“Moonage Daydream”) and Little Richard (“I Am Everything”).

Bowie did win a competitive Grammy in his lifetime, but Little Richard infamously did not. “I have never received nothing,” Little Richard told the audience at the 1988 Grammy Awards. “Y’all never gave me no Grammys, and I’ve been singing for years! I am the architect of rock ‘n’ roll!” Little Richard won a lifetime achievement Grammy in 1993, but this would be his first Grammy in a competitive category.

This is Shakur’s seventh Grammy nomination and his second posthumous nod, according to Grammy data.

At the 1995 Grammys, Shakur was nominated for best rap album for “Me Against the World” and best rap solo performance for “Dear Mama.”

The next year — when Shakur wore a black pinstripe Versace suit and presented alongside KISS — Shakur was considered but passed over for best rap album (“All Eyez on Me”) and best rap performance by a duo or group (“California Love” and “How Do U Want It”).

Shakur received his first posthumous nomination in 1999 for best rap solo performance for “Changes,” which was released on the “Greatest Hits” collection.

Shakur was fatally shot on the Las Vegas strip in 1996 while riding in a BMW driven by Marion “Suge” Knight, the then-owner of Shakur’s “Death Row Records” label. He was 25.

In September, Las Vegas police made their first arrest in the long-unsolved slaying. Duane “Keffe D” Davis — who had previously admitted to riding in the car from which the shots were fired but said another passenger was the shooter — has been indicted for murder, not for pulling the trigger but on suspicion of providing the gun and encouraging the shooting.

Davis has pleaded not guilty. An attorney for Davis, Ross Goodman, has said authorities have no gun, no car and no witnesses, just Davis’ comments about the shooting over the years.

The 66th Grammy Awards are set to be held Feb. 4 at Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles.

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© 2023 Los Angeles Times

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Gov. Hochul, who had pursued the idea of issuing state-approved work papers to migrants, took the lofty plan off the table Monday, saying she would not have been able to protect New York employers from criminal exposure under federal laws.

“I’m constrained by the law,” Hochul said at a news conference in Midtown Manhattan, two months after she indicated her pursuit of a state work permitting concept. “Pursuing it has led us to the conclusion that I cannot protect employers under this scenario.”

Thousands of asylum seekers have been languishing for months in the city without federal work authorization, with the city and state marshaling significant resources to shelter the arrivals.

Asylum seekers must wait for months to get their work papers approved: the standard 150-day gap between when migrants submit asylum papers and work permit applications is complicated by a backlogged work authorization system, creating extensive delays.

Changes to the 150-day gap are subject to the whims of Congress. Immigration reform efforts have long been deadlocked in Washington.

New York officials have spent the last year calling on the federal government to expedite asylum seekers’ work authorizations, finding limited success. At one point, Hochul warned the White House that she “may be having” to begin to distribute state work papers. (The White House said it would not encourage such an effort.)

But on Monday, Hochul said the plan was not tenable. She said the state had considered an approach in which it would have hired the migrants directly and then subcontracted them to employers.

“I cannot indemnify or protect the employers from any kind of federal prosecution for violating immigration laws,” Hochul said. “That’s the only barrier. And it’s a big one.”

No state has ever tried to supersede the federal government’s role as the dispenser of work papers, said Stephen Yale-Loehr, a professor of immigration law at Cornell University. He said the approach that Hochul described likely would have invited long-running litigation, and would not have helped the state in the short-term.

Since spring 2022, more than 139,000 asylum seekers have arrived in New York City, and about 66,000 remain in the city’s over-stretched shelter system, according to government tallies. The population of the shelter system has jumped from below 50,000 in July 2022 to about 120,000 this month.

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© 2023 New York Daily News

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Auburn University now offers a master’s program in brewing science and operations, the only program of its kind in the country.

According to the university, the program started in the fall 2015 as a graduate certificate but has recently expanded the program to have a Master of Science program. That began in 2021, and the first cohort of students graduated in August 2023.

“The most basic requirement is having a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, we select students based on their experience in the craft beer industry and homebrewing. Most of our students have at least some brewing experience or interest in craft beer. It also doesn’t hurt to have some knowledge of biology and chemistry,” said Clark A. Danderson, director of brewing science and operations. “We also want students that are highly motivated and can work in a non-traditional educational environment. As our program is distance-learning, students need to be able to maintain their educational schedule and feel comfortable learning from their personal computer.”

The master’s program takes two years to complete over six semesters, and the graduate certificate can be completed in one year, through Auburn’s Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management College of Human Sciences.

Danderson also said the program is exclusively online and works mostly with students who work full-time or are enlisted in the military. “Our program allows them to pursue their dreams of succeeding in the craft beer industry without hindering other aspects of their personal and professional lives,” he said.

Additionally, the university partners with on-campus brewery New Realm Brewing Company, which allows students to have a hands-on approach and learn the ins-and-outs of the industry.

In a video tweeted by Auburn, the General Manger of New Realm, Drew Kostic mentioned the brewery will be hiring students who graduate from the program.

There are currently 17 students enrolled in the program.

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© 2023 Advance Local Media LLC

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

Fox Nation is hosting its annual Patriot Awards ceremony on Thursday, November 16, in Nashville, Tennessee, at the city’s iconic Grand Ole Opry House. The event honors American heroes, including military veterans, first responders, and “inspirational figures who have contributed to their communities.”

Veteran Pete Hegseth, co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend, will return this year to emcee the annual event, which will be streamed live on Fox Nation at 8 PM/ET. Fox News Channel will also air an encore presentation on November 23 at 8 PM/ET.

“A portion of the proceeds from the evening will be donated to Answer the Call, an organization which provides financial assistance and support to the families of New York City police and firefighters killed in the line of duty,” Fox Nation told American Military News in an email. “Patriot awardees will be honored in a number of categories, including Most Valuable Patriot Award, Back the Blue Award, Young Patriot Award, the FOX Weather Award for Courage and more.”

New this year, actor and Fox Nation host Dennis Quaid will make an appearance at the event to perform a song from his gospel album “Fallen.”

Other popular Fox News Media personalities will also be at the event, including Sean Hannity, Jesse Watters, Laura Ingraham, Dana Perino, Harris Faulkner, Steve Doocy, Ainsley Earhardt, Brian Kilmeade, Judge Jeanine Pirro, Lawrence Jones, Jimmy Failla, Jessica Tarlov and Johnny Joey Jones.

Last year, actor Gary Sinise received the “Service to Veterans” award at the Fox Nation Patriot Awards for helping countless veterans over decades.

“His dedication to supporting our heroes through thick and thin, all their challenges, is unrivaled,” Fox News host Laura Ingraham said during the show. “It’s inspiring.”

Sinise said he was honored to receive the award and that “providing entertainment, visiting the hospitals in warzones, building homes for our wounded, providing healing retreats for those struggling with mental health issues, simply letting [veterans] know they are appreciated has given great purpose to my life.”

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced Friday that all World War II veterans are now eligible for health care, medical services, and nursing home care at no cost.

A VA press release stated, “All WWII Veterans who served between Dec. 7, 1941, and Dec. 31, 1946, are eligible under this expansion, regardless of their length of service or financial status. These Veterans will not have to pay copays, enrollment fees or monthly premiums.”

According to research provided last Thursday by the Pew Research Center, the number of living World War II veterans in the United States is now under 120,000, comprising less than 1% of living veterans. Military.com reported that the 2022 Cleland-Dole Act requires the VA to provide care at no cost to this group of veterans.

“These members of the Greatest Generation answered the call to serve when our nation-and the world-needed them most,” VA Under Secretary for Health, Dr. Shereef Elnahal, stated in Friday’s press release. “Now, it’s our job to serve them in every way that we can. We are proud to provide world-class, no-cost health care to these heroes at VA, and we encourage all of them to enroll today.”

READ MORE: Disabled veteran evicted after judge rules in favor of pop star

The VA press release noted that the department is planning to contact World War II veterans “by phone and mail” in order to encourage individuals who have not yet enrolled in the VA to apply for enrollment. The agency explained that World War II veterans will also be able to keep Medicare, private insurance providers, and most other forms of insurance when they enroll in the VA.

“All WWII Veterans are encouraged to enroll in VA health care – the best, most-affordable health care in America for Veterans,” the VA stated.

The VA claimed that veterans enrolled in the department’s health care system have been proven to experience “better health outcomes” than veterans who do not enroll with the VA. Additionally, the department claimed that VA hospitals have “dramatically outperformed” other hospitals with regard to patient satisfaction ratings and quality ratings.

Gov. Greg Abbott (R-Texas) signed a law Friday that bans private employers in Texas from mandating COVID-19 vaccines for employees.

In a press release last Friday, the Texas governor explained that the new law (Senate Bill 7) prohibits employers from requiring employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination and carries a $50,000 for employers who violate the new law. In addition to the $50,000 fine, employers would also be subject to a lawsuit and injunctive relief from the state’s attorney general.

“This law adds to the law that I already signed that prohibits state and local governments from imposing COVID mandates,” Abbott stated. “It’s long past time to put COVID behind us and restore individual freedom to all Texans. I thank Senator Middleton, Representative Leach, and all other members of the Texas Legislature who stood with this issue every step of the way.”

Abbott previously tweeted a celebratory post in late October after the legislation passed both the Texas Senate and House. The ban on COVID-19 mandates for private employers was one of the governor’s top priorities for Texas’ third special session.