New York State Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher, a Democratic Socialists of America member, told a news conference that people who shoplift necessities like soap and toothpaste act out of "biological need", drawing sharp rebukes from city officials and the working-class New Yorkers who bear the cost. Gallagher stood outside Manhattan Criminal Court on Thursday alongside the […] The post Brooklyn assemblywoman argues shoplifting for soap and toothpaste should go unpunished appeared first on American Almanac .
New York State Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher, a Democratic Socialists of America member, told a news conference that people who shoplift necessities like soap and toothpaste act out of "biological need", drawing sharp rebukes from city officials and the working-class New Yorkers who bear the cost. Gallagher stood outside Manhattan Criminal Court on Thursday alongside the advocacy group Court Watch NYC and other left-leaning politicians to demand that Mayor Zohran Mamdani end what she called "broken windows policing" by the NYPD. Her central argument: prosecuting people who steal everyday hygiene products from chain drugstores amounts to criminalizing poverty. The assemblywoman, who represents Greenpoint and other parts of northern…Open
AI:Brooklyn Assemblywoman and Democratic Socialists of America member Emily Gallagher is fueling chaos by claiming that shoplifting essentials like soap and toothpaste should go unpunished because it fulfills a "biological need." Speaking at a press conference alongside left-leaning activists, the DSA lawmaker argued that prosecuting these thefts criminalizes poverty and targets billion-dollar retailers rather than addressing wealth disparity. However, this radical agenda ignores declining NYPD larceny statistics and has been slammed by local business owners and community members who fear such "treatment-not-jail" policies will lead to a complete exodus of grocery stores and pharmacies from vulnerable neighborhoods. Local officials and…Open
Republican lawmakers have introduced the GATE Act to shut foreign adversaries out of America's most sensitive research facilities, after years of warnings that thousands of Chinese nationals walked freely through the same labs developing cutting-edge military technology. Rep. Pat Harrigan of North Carolina is leading the House effort, with Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas backing […] The post New bill would bar Chinese, Russian, and Iranian nationals from all 17 U.S. national labs appeared first on American Almanac .
Republican lawmakers have introduced the GATE Act to shut foreign adversaries out of America's most sensitive research facilities, after years of warnings that thousands of Chinese nationals walked freely through the same labs developing cutting-edge military technology. Rep. Pat Harrigan of North Carolina is leading the House effort, with Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas backing a companion bill in the Senate. The legislation would prohibit nationals from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba from accessing any of the 17 national laboratories run by the Department of Energy. It would also revoke security clearances already granted to covered foreign nationals, a provision that signals just how deep the existing exposure runs. The bill,…Open
AI:Republican lawmakers have introduced the GATE Act to finally lock the doors against foreign adversaries who have been walking through America's most sensitive research facilities for years. Led by Representative Pat Harrigan and supported by Senator Tom Cotton, the legislation seeks to prohibit nationals from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba from accessing any of the 17 Department of Energy national laboratories where cutting-edge military and nuclear technology is developed. The bill aims to rectify a massive security failure that allowed tens of thousands of visits from hostile nationals—including over 5,000 instances by Chinese nationals in fiscal year 2025 alone—to occur under previous administrations. To prevent further…Open
Bears owner George McCaskey says the franchise is "moving forward" with a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana, a decision driven by Illinois lawmakers' failure to act while a rival state rolled out the welcome mat. McCaskey used a broadcast booth appearance during the Bears' preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns on Aug. 15 to lay […] The post Chicago Bears confirm Hammond, Indiana stadium plans as Illinois pays the price for inaction appeared first on American Almanac .
Bears owner George McCaskey says the franchise is "moving forward" with a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana, a decision driven by Illinois lawmakers' failure to act while a rival state rolled out the welcome mat. McCaskey used a broadcast booth appearance during the Bears' preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns on Aug. 15 to lay out the team's position in plain terms. Hammond is the priority. Two sites are under review. And he wants patience while the due diligence grinds forward. Two days earlier, McCaskey and Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren held a joint press conference where the owner made the pecking order official. Arlington Heights, Illinois, once seen as the leading option, now sits behind Hammond, a city roughly 22…Open
AI:Chicago Bears owner George McCaskey has confirmed the franchise is prioritizing a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana, specifically targeting sites like the Lost Marsh Golf Course and Wolf Lake Terminal. This shift comes as Illinois lawmakers failed to pass critical stadium legislation or provide tax certainty, leaving the door open for Indiana's pro-growth administration to sweep up the $8.9 billion organization. While Bears CEO Kevin Warren maintains occasional contact with Illinois officials, the team is heavily committing resources toward the Indiana move to escape the high taxes and regulatory stagnation that have already driven massive domestic migration out of Illinois.Open
Hundreds of fans packed the streets of a small Welsh seaside village Saturday to welcome home the coffin of Bonnie Tyler, the coal miner's daughter whose voice carried "Total Eclipse of the Heart" past a billion streams and into permanence. Tyler's hearse rolled through Mumbles, near the city of Swansea, with her coffin draped in […] The post Hundreds line Welsh streets as Bonnie Tyler's coffin comes home to Mumbles appeared first on American Almanac .
Hundreds of fans packed the streets of a small Welsh seaside village Saturday to welcome home the coffin of Bonnie Tyler, the coal miner's daughter whose voice carried "Total Eclipse of the Heart" past a billion streams and into permanence. Tyler's hearse rolled through Mumbles, near the city of Swansea, with her coffin draped in a Welsh flag. Dozens of mourners gathered outside her former home on Mumbles Road, leaving floral tributes along the curb. The singer died last month in a hospital in Faro, Portugal, at 75, months after undergoing emergency intestinal surgery there in May. NBC News reported that fans traveled from across the United Kingdom and beyond to pay their respects. The procession brought Tyler back to the village she…Open
AI:Hundreds of fans gathered in the Welsh seaside village of Mumbles to honor the life and legacy of legendary singer Bonnie Tyler as her coffin returned home. The "Total Eclipse of the Heart" star, who passed away at age 75 in a Portuguese hospital following health complications, was met by massive crowds lining the streets near Swansea. Once a coal miner's daughter from Skewen, Tyler achieved global stardom with hits like "Holding Out for a Hero" and earned an MBE for her contributions to music. Following a procession through Mumbles draped in the Welsh flag, a formal celebration of her life is scheduled at a church in Swansea before a final journey through her birthplace.Open
Prince William would refuse to appear alongside Prince Harry to mark the 30th anniversary of Princess Diana's death, royal author Phil Dampier claims, arguing that the brothers' once-shared pledge to honor their mother's legacy has collapsed beyond repair. Dampier, who wrote Royally Suited: Harry And Meghan in their own words, told the Daily Mail that […] The post Royal author says William and Harry's vow to honor Diana together 'is broken' appeared first on American Almanac .
Prince William would refuse to appear alongside Prince Harry to mark the 30th anniversary of Princess Diana's death, royal author Phil Dampier claims, arguing that the brothers' once-shared pledge to honor their mother's legacy has collapsed beyond repair. Dampier, who wrote Royally Suited: Harry And Meghan in their own words, told the Daily Mail that the Prince of Wales has no intention of reuniting with his younger brother, not even for a milestone tied to their late mother. The 30th anniversary of Diana's death falls in August 2027, and Dampier says William will make sure he is nowhere near Harry when the date arrives. That assessment marks a sharp contrast with the promise both brothers reportedly made years ago. An unnamed close…Open
AI:Royal author Phil Dampier claims that the pact between Prince William and Prince Harry to jointly honor Princess Diana's legacy has been permanently shattered. According to Dampier, William refuses to reconcile with Harry due to the public fallout from the Sussexes' media blitz—including the Spare memoir and Oprah interview—which resulted in allegations of racism against Catherine, Princess of Wales. This deep-seated resentment suggests that William will likely boycott the 30th anniversary of their mother's death in 2027 and avoid upcoming events like Harry's Invictus Games to prevent being used for his brother's public image. While the brothers once stood together at Diana's statue unveiling, they now operate on separate continents,…Open
Previously unreleased video of Michael Jackson filmed between 2000 and 2003 has resurfaced through the producer who shot it, offering a raw, unscripted look at the late pop star that his estate has so far declined to address. Marc Schaffel, a producer and close friend of Jackson's during that period, captured hundreds of hours of […] The post Unseen Michael Jackson footage surfaces, showing the star's offbeat humor and a young Beyoncé's big moment appeared first on American Almanac .
Previously unreleased video of Michael Jackson filmed between 2000 and 2003 has resurfaced through the producer who shot it, offering a raw, unscripted look at the late pop star that his estate has so far declined to address. Marc Schaffel, a producer and close friend of Jackson's during that period, captured hundreds of hours of footage for a planned three-part reality series. The project was shelved after law enforcement raided Jackson's Neverland Ranch in November 2003, and the material sat unused for more than two decades. Now, with the Jackson biopic Michael having grossed over $1 billion worldwide and a sequel in production, Schaffel wants the footage seen. The clips, described by The Sun on Sunday , show Jackson in unguarded…Open
AI:Unreleased footage captured by producer Marc Schaffel between 2000 and 2003 has resurfaced, offering a rare look at Michael Jackson’s private life before the legal battles of 2003 upended his career. The unscripted material includes Jackson revisiting his childhood home in Gary, Indiana, engaging in lighthearted pranks with his entourage, and an enthusiastic phone call from a then-19-year-old Beyoncé Knowles during a recording session for a charity single. Schaffel intends to use the footage as a rebuttal to previous documentaries that shaped the negative public narrative around Jackson, aiming to present a more humanized view of the superstar through these raw, behind-the-scenes moments. While the Jackson estate has remained silent,…Open
A storm system that began pounding Indiana on August 11 has killed at least six people and triggered historic flooding across the state, prompting a state of emergency, dozens of water rescues, and federal disaster assistance from President Trump. Indiana Department of Homeland Security officials confirmed the sixth death on Saturday, August 15, after a […] The post Indiana storms leave at least six dead as historic flooding breaks century-old records appeared first on American Almanac .
A storm system that began pounding Indiana on August 11 has killed at least six people and triggered historic flooding across the state, prompting a state of emergency, dozens of water rescues, and federal disaster assistance from President Trump. Indiana Department of Homeland Security officials confirmed the sixth death on Saturday, August 15, after a news conference earlier that day had put the toll at five. Among the dead: a four-year-old boy in Jennings County, in southeastern Indiana, who died Tuesday when a tree toppled onto his home during an outbreak of severe weather. A 19-year-old man and a 58-year-old woman in Delaware County, in the eastern part of the state, were also among the victims. State officials have not publicly…Open
AI:A catastrophic storm system has ravaged Indiana, leaving at least six dead and triggering historic flooding that shattered a 113-year-old record set in 1913 when the White River crested at 24.6 feet. The devastating weather, which includes casualties such as a four-year-old boy and several others across multiple counties, has left 150,000 residents without power and forced dozens of water rescues by emergency services. Governor Mike Braun has declared a state of emergency and secured immediate federal disaster assistance from President Trump to aid the region in its recovery efforts. The flooding, which submerged large portions of Indianapolis and surrounding communities, follows a pattern of severe weather battering the Midwest that…Open
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says the backlash to her publicly documented egg-freezing process is just the price of being a woman in politics, but critics see a carefully staged political performance ahead of a possible 2028 run. Ocasio-Cortez took to Instagram on Saturday to push back against what she called "negativity" following her Aug. 8 announcement […] The post Ocasio-Cortez deflects criticism of public egg-freezing journey by blaming sexism appeared first on American Almanac .
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says the backlash to her publicly documented egg-freezing process is just the price of being a woman in politics, but critics see a carefully staged political performance ahead of a possible 2028 run. Ocasio-Cortez took to Instagram on Saturday to push back against what she called "negativity" following her Aug. 8 announcement that she had begun freezing her eggs. The New York Democrat, who represents parts of the Bronx and Queens, framed every bit of the criticism as proof of a sexist double standard, and insisted she would do it all again. The congresswoman had spent the prior week posting a series of Instagram updates walking followers through the process, which involves roughly two weeks of hormone…Open
AI:Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is attempting to rebrand a highly publicized social media spectacle as empowerment after facing backlash for documenting her egg-freezing process. Rather than addressing criticisms regarding the performative nature of turning a private medical procedure into a multi-day Instagram campaign, the New York Democrat has deflected all scrutiny by labeling it as sexism and gender-based persecution. This calculated branding effort comes at a critical juncture as she eyes potential 2028 runs for President or the Senate, using her personal fertility journey to launch political attacks against the Trump administration's reproductive policies while simultaneously avoiding questions regarding her own personal…Open
A newly released autopsy reveals that Melissa Casias, a 53-year-old Los Alamos National Laboratory worker who vanished from her Taos, New Mexico, home in June 2025, was shot through the base of the skull, yet state investigators still classify her death as "undetermined." The report from New Mexico's Office of the Medical Investigator found that […] The post Autopsy shows Los Alamos lab worker was shot in the head, but cause of death remains 'undetermined' appeared first on American Almanac .
A newly released autopsy reveals that Melissa Casias, a 53-year-old Los Alamos National Laboratory worker who vanished from her Taos, New Mexico, home in June 2025, was shot through the base of the skull, yet state investigators still classify her death as "undetermined." The report from New Mexico's Office of the Medical Investigator found that a bullet entered the right side of Casias's cranial base near the foramen magnum, the opening where the spinal cord meets the brain, damaged the topmost vertebra in her neck, and exited through her left temple. The wound occurred "perimortem," meaning at or around the time of death. But advanced decomposition of her remains, which sat in the wilderness for roughly eleven months, prevented…Open
AI:An autopsy of Melissa Casias, a 53-year-old Los Alamos National Laboratory worker who vanished in June 2025, reveals she was shot through the base of her skull, yet state investigators have classified the death as "undetermined." Her skeletal remains were discovered eleven months after her disappearance propped against a tree in the Carson National Forest near a handgun. While law enforcement cites decomposition as a reason for being unable to determine if the wound was self-inflicted, an anonymous source insists the bullet trajectory makes suicide impossible and points toward murder. The investigation is mired in controversy due to allegations of severe chain-of-custody failures by New Mexico State Police, including leaving bones and…Open
NOAA forecasts a "very strong" El Niño developing in the equatorial Pacific, possibly among the strongest in the modern record, yet the scientists tracking it concede the climate pattern's interaction with the polar vortex remains an open question with no reliable answer. The federal agency's characterization lands at a moment when Americans from the mid-Atlantic […] The post A potentially historic El Niño could collide with the polar vortex this winter — and scientists admit they don't fully understand what happens next appeared first on American Almanac .
NOAA forecasts a "very strong" El Niño developing in the equatorial Pacific, possibly among the strongest in the modern record, yet the scientists tracking it concede the climate pattern's interaction with the polar vortex remains an open question with no reliable answer. The federal agency's characterization lands at a moment when Americans from the mid-Atlantic to the Pacific Northwest are trying to plan for a winter season that could swing between unusual mildness and punishing cold, depending on atmospheric forces that even top researchers describe in terms of probability, not certainty. Four scientists from NOAA, MIT, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Miami each offered USA TODAY variations on the same theme: we know a strong El…Open
AI:NOAA is forecasting a potentially historic and "very strong" El Niño developing in the equatorial Pacific, yet top scientists from NOAA, MIT, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Miami admit they cannot predict exactly how this phenomenon will interact with the polar vortex. While a strong El Niño typically shifts jet stream patterns, there is significant scientific uncertainty regarding whether it will trigger sudden stratospheric warming events that push Arctic air deep into the eastern United States or result in an overall milder winter. This lack of predictability poses real-world challenges for American families facing rising heating costs, farmers hedging crops, and municipalities planning winter infrastructure, especially as this…Open