A panel of judges in Ohio rejected a Haitian group’s request to issue arrest warrants against former President Donald Trump and Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio. In September, the Haitian Bridge Alliance asked the Clark County Court to charge Trump and Vance on several counts including disrupting public services and making false alarms.
The lawsuit came following the claims the Republican politicians made about Haitian migrants in Springfield eating their pets. Dozens of bomb threats were reported, which caused safety concerns.
On Saturday, Oct. 5, the court announced it found no probable cause to issue the warrants or misdemeanor charges against Trump and Vance.
Instead, the case will go to the city prosecutor’s office. The prosecuting attorney will review whether felony charges should be issued.
“We take any actions that disrupt the public services or spread misinformation seriously and remain committed to maintaining public order,” a spokesperson for the city of Springfield said in a statement.
At least 15,000 Haitian migrants arrived in Springfield over the past several years. They have been granted temporary protected status to be in the United States legally.
Critics said the migrants have been unlawfully protected from deportation.
Police chief alleges Springfield PD shielding migrants from law enforcement
Tremont City Police Chief Chad Duncan has raised concerns about rising public safety issues in the city of Springfield, Ohio, following an influx of Haitian migrants. Duncan claims the Springfield Police Department is neglecting to enforce traffic violations involving unlicensed Haitian drivers, contributing to a spike in accidents.
According to Duncan, some of these drivers are not being cited after accidents, leading to increased insurance rates and, in some cases, fatalities.
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“People are losing their lives… it’s a big impact,” Duncan said in an interview.
He recounted pulling over the same Haitian driver twice for speeding, claiming that Springfield police would not have taken action.
Duncan suspects the leniency may be aimed at avoiding deportations, as under U.S. law, two misdemeanor offenses can trigger deportation proceedings.
He also accused the Springfield PD of cutting off radio communications with nearby law enforcement, leaving neighboring departments unaware of potential threats.
Despite Duncan’s criticisms, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recently announced a $2.5 million expansion in public safety, including increased state trooper hires to address rising traffic violations in the region.
Vance, Walz defend their running mates’ records in vice presidential debate
We have a recap of the first, and likely only, vice presidential debate of 2024. And Iran has launched its largest attack ever on Israel. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024.
Vance, Walz defend their running mates’ records in vice presidential debate
For the first time, the two vice presidential candidates took the stage next to one another Tuesday night, Oct. 1. Republican Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz introduced themselves to American voters while defending their running mates’ opposing views.
Vance and Walz kept the vice presidential debate cordial, at various times saying they agreed with the other, but they sparred on the policies and the statements made by their parties’ presidential nominees, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Look if you’re going to be president, you don’t have all the answers. Donald Trump believes he does. My pro tip of the day is this, if you need heart surgery, listen to the people at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, not Donald Trump,” Walz said.
“I honestly, Tim, I think you got a tough job here because you’ve got to play whack-a-mole; you’ve got to pretend that Donald Trump didn’t deliver rising take-home pay, which of course he did; you’ve got to pretend that Donald Trump didn’t deliver lower inflation, which of course he did; and then you simultaneously got to defend Kamala Harris’ atrocious economic record,” Vance said.
The debate covered many topics including abortion, climate change, the economy and health care. The two opened the 90-minute CBS News debate discussing the conflict in the Middle East and the need for stability in the White House.
“I’m 40 years old, when was the last time that an American president didn’t have a major conflict break out? The only answer is during the four years that Donald Trump was president,” Vance said.
“So Iran is closer to a nuclear weapon than they were before because of Donald Trump’s fickle leadership. And when Iran shot down an American aircraft in international airspace, Donald Trump tweeted because that’s the standard diplomacy of Donald Trump,” Walz said.
On illegal immigration, Vance and Walz disagreed on whether former President Trump’s involvement helps or hurts solving the border crisis.
“But as soon as I was getting ready to pass [legislation] and actually tackle this, Donald Trump said no, told them to vote against it because it gives him a campaign issue,” Walz said.
“We have a historic immigration crisis because Kamala Harris started and said that she wanted to undo all of Donald Trump’s border policies — 94 executive orders, suspending deportations, decriminalizing illegal aliens, massively increasing the asylum fraud that exists in our system. That has opened the floodgates,” Vance said.
When the debate turned to gun violence, the two VP contenders shared a moment, highlighting the human aspect and often the aftermath.
“I think all the parents watching tonight, this is just your biggest nightmare. Look, I got a 17-year-old and he witnessed a shooting at a community center playing volleyball, those things don’t leave you,” Walz said.
When it was his turn to speak, Vance responded, “Tim, first of all, I didn’t know that your 17-year-old witnessed a shooting and I’m sorry about that and I hope he’s doing OK. Christ have mercy, it is it is awful.”
Things, however, turned contentious over the 2020 election and Jan. 6.
“[January 6, 2021] was a threat to our democracy in a way that we had not seen, and it manifested itself because of Donald Trump’s inability to say — he is still saying, he didn’t lose the election,” Walz said.
Vance replied, “Tim, I’m focused on the future. Did Kamala Harris censor Americans from speaking their mind in the wake of the 2020 COVID situation?”
“That is a damning non-answer,” Walz said.
Both candidates thanked each other for the debate and the viewers at home, who will make their decision at the polls on Election Day, Nov. 5, in just 34 days.
Trump backs out of ’60 Minutes’ election special; Harris interview to still air
CBS News says former President Trump has backed out an upcoming interview with “60 Minutes.”
For decades, “60 Minutes” has broadcast election specials with the candidates. CBS reported both Trump and Vice President Harris had agreed to take part in this year’s special in separate one-on-one interviews, but Trump has since reportedly changed his mind.
In a press conference last night, Trump said his decision was based on his last interview with CBS anchor Lesley Stahl in 2020 — which he walked out of early.
“They came to me and would like me to do an interview, but first, I want to get an apology because the last time I did an interview with them, if you remember, they challenged me on the computer,” Trump said. “They said the laptop from hell was from Russia. And I said, ‘It wasn’t from Russia, it was from Hunter [Biden].’ And I never got an apology, so I’m sort of waiting. I’d love to do ’60 Minutes’, I do everything.”
In a statement of its own, “60 Minutes” said the special will still move forward.
“Our election special will broadcast the Harris interview on Monday as planned,” the statement read. “Our original invitation to former President Donald Trump to be interviewed on ’60 Minutes’ stands.”
The special is set to air Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. ET.
Iran launches largest-ever attack on Israel; Israel vows retaliation
Israel has vowed to retaliate after Iran launched its largest ever attack on Israel. Late Tuesday, Iran fired more than 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, most of which seem to have been intercepted by the Israeli military with help from the United States and other allies.
So far, one person has been reported to have died in the attack, and the extent of the damage is not yet known.
Iran’s military chief also warned of broader strikes if Israel responds. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already vowed to do so, saying, “Iran made a big mistake and it will pay for it.”
Also Tuesday, just before Iran’s barrage began, at least six people were killed and a dozen more hurt when Israeli police say two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a train station in Tel Aviv. Police say the shooting was an act of terrorism and one of the gunmen was killed at the scene while the other was severely injured.
No specific group has claimed responsibility for that deadly attack.
Search and rescue efforts continue in North Carolina after Helene
Combs is already being held without bond at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.
He has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers have said he is innocent of all charges.
Louisiana governor supports bringing back live tiger mascot to LSU games
College sports are known for fierce competition. Now the governor of Louisiana is looking at making things even more ferocious by bringing back an old Louisiana State University football mainstay.
Officials from PETA are now speaking out against the idea, saying it would be cruel and dangerous for the animal.
These days, the current tiger mascot is on campus in an enclosure near the stadium, but the governor says returning the tiger to the field would be “an unbelievable opportunity.” LSU officials have not yet commented on whether there is a possibility of seeing a live tiger at football games once again.
East Palestine residents may wait years for payments due to appeal of settlement
East Palestine residents may have to wait up to two years before getting paid out by Norfolk Southern for a disastrous train derailment in 2023, according to lawyers on Monday, Sept. 30. Settlement checks were reportedly supposed to go out by the end of this year but now that appears it will not happen after an appeal by one of the plaintiff’s last week.
The appeal challenges whether a federal judge’s decision to approve a more than $600 million settlement gave enough money to East Palestinians.
Some residents reportedly expressed outrage over the weekend about the appeal by a local pastor because they said they needed those payments to move out of town.
Other residents said that they had deeper concerns about the chemicals they were exposed to from the rail disaster after officials decided to blow up the boxcars filled with toxic chemicals. Those residents want the plaintiff’s lawyers to reveal what their expert found when he tested for any lingering contamination in East Palestine.
Now, an appeals court will have to determine whether or not the settlement offers enough money to residents and if enough information was given to East Palestinians before an agreement was reached.
The plaintiffs’ attorneys vowed on Monday to do everything in their “power” to “quickly resolve this appeal,” adding, “It is tragic that one person is substituting their judgement for the entire community who wants this settlement, and instead of opting out, they have gone this route.”
Lawyers say it is likely the payments will be delayed six months to a year. However, they say the wait may be even longer if the case reaches the U.S. Supreme Court or gets sent back to federal court.
The settlement offers payments of up to $70,000 per household and up to $25,000 per individual. The funds are meant to cover health issues and property damage to the community from the derailment disaster.
Dockworkers begin strike at East and Gulf coast ports
Tens of thousands of dockworkers are now on strike across the country — what that could mean for you. And the first and only vice presidential debate is just hours away. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.
Dockworkers begin strike at east and gulf coast ports
Thousands of dockworkers along the East and Gulf coasts have walked off the job, impacting the movement of billions of dollars’ worth of goods. They took to the picket lines just after midnight Tuesday, Oct. 1, once the contract between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance officially lapsed.
The ILA has been calling for higher wages for workers and a total ban on automation in a new contract at some of the busiest ports in the country.
The two sides have not met face-to-face since June. Monday, Sept. 30, the Maritime Alliance asked for an extension, but the ILA did not grant one.
The strike has the potential to cause shortages and price increases of consumer goods right as the holiday shopping season approaches. Trucking companies and freight rail operators were scrambling to move billions in products in advance of the strike.
President Joe Biden could invoke a federal labor law to force the longshoremen back to work, but he has said he has no intention of doing that. Straight Arrow News’ Business Correspondent Simone Del Rosario spoke with Syracuse University Professor of Supply Chain Practice Patrick Penfield about when he thinks the White House should step in.
“I give it at least five days, I think,” Penfield said. “After that, I think the government really needs to step in.”
He added, “I think that’s really all we can afford, to be honest with you. And I think, again, if you’re the Biden administration, this is probably a worry because it’s an election year, right? So, again, if the constituents see that there’s issues and problems here and you don’t resolve them, then that could be bad for, you know, whoever’s running for office.”
JD Vance, Tim Walz to take the stage for vice presidential debate tonight
Tuesday is debate night in America once again, this time, between the two vice presidential nominees. Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will participate in the first and only vice presidential debate with just 35 days to go until Election Day.
The 90-minute debate will be hosted by CBS News and simulcast on other networks. It will take place from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City and moderated by “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell and “Face the Nation” moderator Margaret Brennan.
There will be two commercial breaks during which campaign staff cannot interact with their candidates. Pre-written notes are not allowed and, unlike the presidential debates, a candidate’s microphone will not be muted when the other is talking.
On Thursday, Sept. 26, Vance won the virtual coin toss and opted to go last with his closing statement.
The Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris visited FEMA headquarters, where she told them she and President Biden would do everything they could to help the communities impacted.
“The destruction we have seen in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia is heartbreaking,” Harris said. “In coordination with state and local officials, President Biden and I will continue to make sure that communities have the support and the resources that they need not only to respond to this storm and its immediate aftermath but also the resources they will need to recover.”
President Biden said he will visit hard-hit North Carolina on Wednesday, Oct. 2. Harris said she will be on the ground “as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, Republican nominee former President Donald Trump visited Valdosta, Georgia, which suffered severe damage from Helene. While there, Trump said this was not a time for politics.
“As you know, our country is in the final weeks of a hard-fought national election, but in a time like this, when a crisis hits, when our fellow citizens cry out in need, none of that matters,” he said. “We’re not talking about politics now. We have to all get together and get this solved. We need a lot of help. They have to have a lot of help down here. We look out for one another. We pull together, we pitch in, we persevere and we pull it through. That is really the American spirit. That’s what made America originally great.”
Though Trump said he’d leave politics out of it, some of his words caused controversy in Washington. Trump claimed President Biden had not spoken with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R).
Biden responded saying Trump is lying and Kemp himself said he spoke with the president on Sunday, Sept. 29.
Israel launches ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon
The newest phase of war in the Middle East appears to have officially arrived as Israel has begun ground attacks in Lebanon. It’s the escalation in fighting there that the United States and its allies have been trying to keep from happening for weeks now.
Israel now says there’s intense fighting between its troops and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, which started launching strikes against Israel not long after the war with Hamas broke out in October of last year. Hezbollah has said the strikes are a show of solidarity with Hamas.
On Tuesday, Hezbollah said it had launched rocket and artillery attacks against Israeli troops at positions within Israel, but didn’t mention Israeli forces within Lebanon.
CVS board assessing options, including potential company break-up
CVS could be splitting up. According to a new report from Reuters, the company is exploring options to potentially separate its retail and insurance units, as it struggles to rebound into the health care giant that company leaders have been envisioning.
Investors want the company to improve its operations as CVS’ earnings outlook continues to decrease.
Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters the company’s board has been discussing options with its financial advisers in recent weeks — including what a possible split could look like. The sources said the board has not made any decisions yet and could still choose not to make any major changes to the business.
Fmr. NBA star Dikembe Mutombo, MLB hit king Pete Rose pass away
The sports world is remembering two gifted athletes who died on Monday.
Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo passed away at the age of 58 after a battle with brain cancer. Mutombo played 18 seasons in the NBA, was an eight-time All-Star and went on to serve as the league’s first global ambassador.
He became famous for his finger wag after blocking another player’s shot.
In a statement, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called Mutombo “simply larger than life.”
In his 24-year career, Rose won three World Series championships and was a 17-time All-Star.
However, his career took a turn in 1989 when he was banned from baseball for gambling on games as manager of the Cincinnati Reds. After denying it for many years, Rose would eventually admit he did bet on games in his 2004 autobiography.
Despite not being in the Hall of Fame, Rose still remains on top of the MLB’s career hit list with 4,256 hits. Fans and supporters will remember him as “Charlie Hustle.”
After over 30 bomb threats, Springfield mayor assumes emergency powers
After more than 30 bomb threats against city officials and others, which caused the evacuation of schools and government buildings, Mayor Rob Rue, R, granted himself temporary emergency powers on Thursday, Sept. 19. Rue said the city charter gives him the authority to order local law enforcement to cases of civil unrest, cybercrimes and acts of violence more quickly without contractual or purchasing obligations.
Rue said in a statement on Thursday, “Ensuring the safety of Springfield’s residents is our top priority.”
Rue and the city said that the emergency powers will be lifted once the threat level for the city has dropped but based on ongoing assessments, it could be extended or discontinued.
The decision to enact the powers comes after false claims by former President Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance that Haitian migrants were eating local pets and wildlife.
Rue, Springfield city officials, and Gov. Mike DeWine, R, have all said there is no evidence of such acts ever taking place, and the Haitian Community Support Center in Springfield told NBC News that the conspiracy theories have made local Haitians “scared for their lives.”
Gov. DeWine sent 36 Ohio state troopers to Springfield earlier this week after an announcement on Monday, Sept. 17, to do sweeps of schools before and after students and staff arrived. DeWine said that most of the threats are from overseas and not legitimate, but he is taking action out of an abundance of caution.
Trump announced Wednesday, Sept. 18, that he planned to visit Springfield in the coming weeks, though he didn’t offer specifics surrounding the visit. Rue, a Republican, has repeatedly said that a visit from Trump would strain Springfield’s already thinly stretched resources, and previously said that he wouldn’t mind if the former president skipped the visit altogether.
Trump also vowed to visit Aurora, Colorado, on Wednesday, saying he would do so in the coming weeks as well. The GOP front-runner made claims that a Venezuelan gang had taken over an apartment complex in Aurora earlier this month, and other false stories about Venezuelans in the city. Local officials denied that any Venezuelan gang was living in the apartment complex.
Convicted Kansas cult members forced children to work 16 hour days, beat them
Six members of a Kansas-based cult were convicted on Monday, Sept. 16, of conspiracy. Federal prosecutors said that they forced children as young as eight to work 16-hour long days and live under “deplorable” conditions. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said the former members of the United Nation of Islam left dozens of child workers in overcrowded facilities with mold and rats.
The children were reportedly under strict dress codes and the cult controlled what they ate. Prosecutors note that one victim was so thirsty that she drank water out of a toilet.
The defendants included former high-ranking members of the Kansas-based cult or wives of the founder, Royall Jenkins, who died in 2021. The organization operated businesses across the country, which included Kansas City, Kansas; New York City; Atlanta; Newark, New Jersey, Cincinnati, Ohio; and Dayton, Ohio. The victims worked in cult-owned and operated restaurants, bakeries, clothing stores and gas stations.
The cult never paid workers for their services and the children rarely saw a doctor, according to the DOJ. The DOJ said that if child workers broke any set rules, they would be punished with beatings, isolation or more work.
Kaaba Majeed, Yunus Rassoul, Jame Staton, Randolph Rodney Hadley, Daniel Aubrey Jenkins and Dana Peach were all convicted of conspiracy to commit forced labor following a nearly-month-long trial. The jury also convicted Majeed on five counts of forced labor. The sentences carry up to 20 years for Majeed and up to five years for the other convicts.
DeWine orders Ohio state troopers to Springfield schools after 33 bomb threats
The national attention on Springfield, Ohio, has put the town, including its children, in an uncomfortable position after it became the center of conspiracy theories about Haitian migrants during last week’s presidential debate. Dozens of reported bomb threats, though mostly hoaxes, are forcing Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, R, to take action to protect students.
DeWine ordered state troopers and bomb detection dogs to sweep each school before children and staff arrive for classes. On Monday, Sept. 16, DeWine announced the additional security measures, which include stationing 36 state troopers throughout the city’s school district.
“None of the threats that have come into Springfield have been legitimate. We’re doing this purely as a precaution to prevent further disruption within the Springfield School District,” DeWine said.
DeWine added that he believes the bomb threats are from overseas and meant to cause discord within the United States.
The governor also directed the state’s Homeland Security Offices to look into any vulnerabilities within “critical infrastructure,” and the agency said that on Tuesday, Sept. 17, that it is keeping an eye on the situation in Springfield.
“I spoke with the governor yesterday and over the weekend,” Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said. “We were speaking of the resources that the department of Homeland Security can provide to the city of Springfield. My colleagues in the department have been in touch with the mayor of Springfield, and we’re concerned about the situation.”
Since the presidential debate where former President Donald Trump falsely claimed that Haitian migrants were eating family pets in Springfield, DeWine and Springfield officials have been forced to deny the accusations. However, DeWine has declined to blame Trump for the ongoing threats, saying border and immigration policies are legitimate issues to be debated.
Meanwhile, anti-Haitian rhetoric has been on the rise since the unproven claims began floating.
Recently, a Republican Ohio sheriff, who is running for reelection, reportedly caused alarm after he said on social media that he’s keeping tabs on homes with Harris-Walz signs. He also warned that undocumented immigrants would flood in like “illegal human locust” if Vice President Kamala Harris were to be elected.
His comments sparked backlash from some within his own party and the ACLU of Ohio said it received complaints about his comments. His opponent condemned his remarks.
Ohio gives taxpayer money to private religious schools for construction
Ohio lawmakers have started giving taxpayer money to private, religious schools. The state Legislature passed a bill this summer to provide grants directly to religious schools for building renovation, adding classrooms and improving playgrounds.
$4 million out of the state’s $600 million school budget will go towards the private school funding.
Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, said the goal of providing the grants is to increase the capacity of private schools so they can take on voucher students sooner.
A Christian school in Lima welcomed its largest kindergarten class this year due to the funding.
Other states implemented school voucher programs that give parents taxpayer money to spend on private school tuition for their kids.
Advocates for Ohio’s plan to fund private schools directly said it cuts out the middleman.
Those against using taxpayer money for private schools said Ohio’s plan undermines the funding needed for public schools.
Springfield cancels annual culture festival amid bomb threats, migrant allegations
Springfield, Ohio, has canceled its annual CultureFest, an event which celebrates the community’s diversity, as tensions escalate in the area amid recent allegations against the city’s Haitian migrant population. Local officials cited ongoing bomb threats and an increasingly polarized political climate as the reasons for this year’s cancellation.
This decision comes in the wake of unconfirmed claims, amplified by former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, that Haitian migrants in the area have been killing and eating the pets of other residents.
Both Trump and Vance have referred to testimonials from locals, however, Springfield city officials and law enforcement have denied reports of any such incidents actually occurring.
The city has experienced an influx of approximately 20,000 Haitian migrants since 2020. Following Trump’s remarks during a recent presidential debate, tensions have escalated, with multiple bomb threats targeting government buildings and schools. On Monday, Sept. 16, two elementary schools were evacuated after receiving bomb threats, and a pair of local colleges were also forced to close due to similar violent threats.
Meanwhile, Trump is reportedly planning a visit to Springfield. His campaign team is currently said to be in active discussions to arrange the visit, although the exact timing has not yet been confirmed.
