MS-13 gang member, murder suspect enrolled at Maryland high school
A murder suspect and MS-13 gang member who entered the United States illegally enrolled at a Maryland high school. Police failed to tell school administrators of his background as reported on Monday, Sept. 9, by Baltimore’s Fox 45.
The revelations have sparked outrage by the murder victim’s mother over the potential danger it posed to students at the school he attended.
Walter Martinez, who was 16 at the time, became the primary suspect in the murder of Kayla Hamilton in 2022. Authorities said that surveillance video and an audio recording placed Martinez at the scene of the crime, and they already read him his Miranda Rights. All they needed to arrest him were DNA results.
“They knew he was guilty,” Tammy Nobles, Hamilton’s mother, told Baltimore’s Fox 45. “They just needed that DNA.”
However, the DNA results would take six months and while police waited for the results, Martinez was able to attend Edgewood High School in Hartford County.
“It makes me angry,” Nobles said. “You’re sitting there putting this monster into high school with other people’s children. You’re putting children at risk. Look what he did to Kayla.”
DNA results in January 2023, would lead to Martinez’s arrest for the murder of Hamilton. Maryland law allowed Martinez to attend school, and authorities are not required to tell the district about a student’s background if they are not yet charged with a crime. However, Nobles said that they should have and wants the law to change.
“Somebody needs to be held accountable,” Nobles said. “Why did you put him in a public school? I want to know why?”
Nobles believes that a suspect in a felony case should not be able to attend school with other kids when virtual learning is an option.
Meanwhile, the school said that it had no prior knowledge of the pending charges against Martinez nor that he could be a danger to students. School officials say that law enforcement does not allow them to freely access student information regarding any affiliation with gangs or connection to “heinous and disturbing crimes.”
Martinez, who is from Salvador, reportedly entered the United States as an unaccompanied minor through the Texas border. U.S Border Patrol and Customs took him into custody, and he eventually went to live with a sponsor in Maryland.
Four months later, police say he strangled Hamilton to death. He pleaded guilty to the killing of Hamilton and was sentenced to 70 years in prison in August 2024.
One-third of election officials resigned, retired since 2020 election
More than one-third of top election officials across the country have resigned or retired since the 2020 presidential election, according to a CBS News investigation. This turnover rate, the highest in over two decades, raises significant concerns about potential impacts as the next major election approaches.
Here are a few examples of the election worker turnover:
In Pennsylvania, Luzerne County has had five different directors of elections in the past five years.
In Maryland, the turnover rate is a 46% as of January 2024, meaning nearly half of the state’s election officials have started their roles since 2020.
In Texas, 77 out of 254 counties have lost at least one election official since the 2020 election.
Nationally, the turnover rate among local election officials has reached 36% between November 2020 and January 2024, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. This is the highest turnover rate since the early 2000s, though the data might not fully reflect recent changes, as it only extends through the beginning of this year.
What’s behind this surge in departures?
Election integrity groups told CBS News that threats and harassment are significant factors.
“We’re talking about real people receiving the most horrible, hateful, graphic, sexist, violent, death threats on the telephone,” one group said.
Some officials worry that this high turnover is leading to a loss of valuable experience, with seasoned workers retiring early or leaving after decades of service.
They fear that the inexperience of new supervisors could lead to more mistakes, further eroding trust in the election process.
However, Edward Perez, who studies voting technology and election administration, argued that mistakes are a normal part of elections and should not undermine confidence in the system.
“For the past many decades, mistakes happen in elections all the time. And they don’t lead to the end of the world and they don’t rock our democracy. What does rock our democracy is when simple mistakes happen and bad faith actors put them under a microscope and say this is the end of our democracy,” Perez said.
A notable example occurred during the 2022 midterm elections in Luzerne County. Sixteen precincts ran out of the correct ballot paper, causing delays and frustrations for voters.
This mistake sparked backlash from the community and led to an investigation by the district attorney, who attributed the problem to a lack of training and experience among the county’s election officials.
As Election Day nears, the challenge of staffing, training, and restoring public trust in the electoral process remains a critical concern.
Father of 14-year-old Georgia school shooting suspect charged with murder
The father of the 14-year-old suspect in the shooting at a Georgia high school has been arrested and charged in connection to the deadly incident. And in a surprise move, Hunter Biden has pleaded guilty in his federal tax case. What’s next for the president’s son. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.
Father of 14-year-old Georgia school shooting suspect charged with murder
The 14-year-old arrested in connection to the Georgia school shooting is expected to appear in court Friday, Sept. 6. Colt Gray has been charged with murder as an adult.
He’s now not the only one charged in connection to the shooting. His father has been arrested by authorities and charged with second-degree murder.
Colin Gray, 54, is facing four counts of involuntary manslaughter, eight counts of cruelty to children, and two counts of second-degree murder.
Authorities said the charges stem from Colin Gray “knowingly allowing his son” to have a gun. According to investigators, he bought the AR-style gun used in the shooting as a gift for his son.
This comes as we’re getting a clearer picture of what happened inside the school as shots first rang out. An eyewitness says 53-year-old math teacher Christina Irimie died after jumping in front of a student to protect them from gunfire.
We’ve also learned more about an incident report from last year involving the suspect regarding anonymous posts threatening a school shooting. Those threats were made on the social media platform Discord under a username referring to the 2012 Sandy Hook gunman, according to the police file.
Colt and Colin Gray were interviewed at the time. Colin Gray told investigators there were guns in their home, but his son did not have access to them. Colin Gray denied making the threats and authorities say there was no probable cause at the time for an arrest.
Hunter Biden pleads guilty in federal tax case
In a surprise move, Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to federal tax charges Thursday, Sept. 5. It was not part of any plea deal and sets up the possibility the president’s son could spend decades in prison.
The plea was a move to avoid a second criminal trial this year. He was after already found guilty in a federal gun case, which he’s set to be sentenced for in November.
The plea is related to charges alleging Hunter schemed to avoid paying more than a million dollars in income taxes. His attorneys acknowledged the evidence is “overwhelming” and offered a guilty plea — while keeping options open for an appeal.
“Hunter decided to enter his plea to protect those he loves from unnecessary hurt and cruel humiliation,” defense attorney Abbe Lowell said. “Hunter put his family first today, and it was a brave and loving thing for him to do.”
It’s considered an unorthodox and unexpected move in the federal court system. Guilty pleas often come with plenty of warning and after negotiations with prosecutors.
Last year when Hunter Biden was on the cusp of reaching a plea agreement that many critics called “a sweetheart deal” that would have spared him from any prison time. That deal was tossed out over concerns the president’s son was getting preferential treatment.
US announces new controls on chip-related exports to China
As China makes advances in the global chip industry, the U.S. is rolling out new export controls on certain crucial technologies like quantum computing and semiconductor goods.
The Commerce Department cited “national security and foreign policy reasons” for issuing the new rules over worldwide exports. It does, however, make exemptions for countries that adopt similar rules, like Japan and the Netherlands.
In the past, federal investigators have also subpoenaed cell phones belonging to the New York police commissioner and another one of the mayor’s close advisers, Tim Pearson, but it’s also not clear if that was related to the recent searches.
Federal probe targets airlines’ frequent flyer programs
Today, @SecretaryPete opened a probe into some of the big airline points programs. The inquiry seeks to better understand: – Rewards devaluation tactics – Hidden pricing and junk fees – Risks of reductions in competition and choice https://t.co/FQWTbY1Pjc
The Department of Transportation has ordered the CEOs of American, Delta, Southwest, and United airlines to answer detailed questions and provide records on their policies for how passengers can accrue and spend their miles. The probe is focused on how consumers could be affected by the devaluation of earned rewards, extra fees, hidden or dynamic pricing, and reduced competition and choice.
First NFL game of the season ends in dramatic fashion
We’ve heard of winning “by a nose” in horseracing. But last night, in the first NFL game of the season, it came down to winning “by a toe.”
With the seconds ticking down in the fourth quarter, it appeared Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson successfully threw a touchdown pass to tight end Isaiah Likely, giving Baltimore a chance to win the game.
Biden admin reaches deal with drugmakers to cut Medicare prescription costs
The Biden administration is touting a win. The White House announced Wednesday night, Aug. 14, federal officials had come to an agreement with drug companies to lower the prices of Medicare’s ten most popular – and expensive – prescriptions.
The White House said the lower prices should save taxpayers around $6 billion, while older Americans could save roughly $1.5 billion on their medications. According to the White House, this deal will impact the price of drugs used by millions to help manage diabetes and blood cancers and prevent heart failure or blood clots.
Some of the drugs that will see a price drop include the blood thinners Xarelto and Eliquis and diabetes drugs Jardiance and Januvia. Last year, Medicare spent $50 billion covering those four medications alone.
This deal will be the focus of a joint appearance by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in Maryland on Thursday. This will be their first public event together since the president announced he was ending his bid for the 2024 election, paving the way for Harris to become the Democratic presidential nominee.
Biden, Harris making first trip together since Biden dropped out of 2024 race
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will make their first trip together since the president dropped out of the 2024 race. And Columbia University’s president becomes the latest Ivy League leader to step down following concerns of antisemitism on college campuses. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024.
Biden, Harris making first trip together since Biden dropped out of 2024 race
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will be in Maryland on Thursday, Aug. 15, for their first joint appearance since Biden dropped out of the 2024 race. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump will be in Bedminster, New Jersey to host another news conference following his rally in the battleground state of North Carolina on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
The Biden and Harris are expected to focus on efforts to lower prescription drug costs Thursday, Aug. 15. On Friday, Aug. 16, Harris will be in North Carolina to lay out her own economic agenda, which is said to include a plan to “tackle inflation” and “lower costs for middle class.”
The economy is taking center stage in the race this week, as Trump also laid out some of his plans for the economy when he was in North Carolina. He told rallygoers he plans to remove taxes on Social Security and claimed his administration would slash energy costs to ease inflation.
With the Democratic National Convention (DNC) starting on Aug. 19 in Chicago, Trump’s campaign said it plans to offer some sort of counter-programming. Harris’ presidential campaign is launching a $90 million advertising effort over the next three weeks. It’ll be her campaigns’ largest-yet investment in messaging to voters with just two and a half months left until Election Day.
Walz agrees to vice presidential debate on Oct. 1
On the vice presidential front, both Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn, and Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, have also been busy. Each hit the campaign trail in solo appearances in rallies and fundraising events across battleground states.
Vance held a rally in Michigan on Wednesday, Aug. 14, and will speak at a veterans event Thursday, Aug. 15 morning in Pennsylvania. Walz held events in Denver and Boston on Wednesday and will be campaigning in Newport on Thursday.
Vance has not formally accepted. He said in an interview he wants to know the debate rules and moderators first to avoid what he called a “fake news media garbage debate” but added he “strongly suspects” he will be there.
Columbia University’s president resigns in wake of recent protests
Columbia University President Minouche Shafik has resigned effective immediately. It comes months after student protests over the Israel-Hamas war turned destructive, leading to multiple arrests and widespread criticism over how the university handled the demonstrations.
In April, more than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested, and an on-campus tent encampment was removed by New York City police after Shafik gave them the go-ahead. Students pushed back, leading to weeks of protests and widespread tent encampments before students ultimately ended up occupying the university’s Hamilton Hall.
Shafik — who became the first woman and person of color to lead the university in 2023 — is the third Ivy League president to step down in recent months among concern over antisemitism on college campuses.
Hurricane Ernesto heads toward Bermuda after pounding Puerto Rico
A hurricane watch is in effect in Bermuda as Ernesto heads that way after dropping torrential rain on Puerto Rico. That storm also knocked out power to two-thirds of homes and businesses across the U.S. territory.
Ernesto, which is currently a Category 1 hurricane, is strengthening and could become a Category 3 hurricane by Friday, Aug. 16. Its center was expected to pass near Bermuda on Saturday, Aug. 17.
Cisco cuts 7% of workforce amid focus shift
Cisco Systems, one of the world’s largest makers of computer networking equipment, has announced its second round of job cuts this year. The tech company plans to cut about 7% of its workforce, which is expected to affect nearly 6,000 employees.
This comes after the company already laid off around 4,000 workers in February. Cisco said the jobs cuts come as the company pivots its focus to artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Mars to buy Kellanova for $36 billion
The merger that’s shaking up the snack food aisle is now official. Candy giant Mars has acquired the snack food maker Kellanova.
Mars, the company behind M&Ms and Snickers, is buying Kellanova, the maker of Cheez-Its and Pringles, for nearly $36 billion.
The purchase is not expected to close until next year, but analysts have been discussing what’s in it for mars. Bank of America’s Peter Galbo told CNBC the deal gives Mars three things: Additional space in stores beyond the chocolate section, expansion in international markets and innovative new product opportunities.
“Then third and probably the most fun for the consumer, you’re going to get the fun innovation with the salty and sweet what we’ve seen out of Hershey over the past year with things like chocolate covered popcorn.” Galbo said. “Now Mars will have that opportunity with some of the Kellanova brands.”
The Associated Press suggested the deal could lead to possible combinations like Skittles-flavored Pop-Tarts or Snickers-flavored Pringles.
Hamas leader reportedly killed in Iran amid rising tensions in Middle East
A Hamas leader is reportedly assassinated in Iran as developments in the Middle East raise concerns of conflict escalating in the region. And Vice President Kamala Harris is closer to naming her running mate with plans of holding their first rally in a matter of days. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
Hamas leader reportedly killed in Iran amid rising tensions in Middle East
Major developments in the Middle East, with reports of a top Hamas leader being killed in Iran on the same day Israel struck Lebanon’s capitol and killed a Hezbollah commander. The U.S. also carried out a strike in Iraq in what U.S. officials are calling a move of self-defense.
According to state media, Iran’s president said the country “will defend its territory and make those responsible regret their actions.” Fears of an all-out regional conflict have also been renewed with the Hamas leader’s death happening on Iranian soil.
Tensions are also growing in Iraq as the U.S. said it carried out a strike against a base in Baghdad used by Iraqi forces, killing four Iraqi fighters. The U.S. said the move was in self-defense, telling Reuters those militants were looking to launch drones and posed a threat to the U.S.
Some global media outlets are also reporting hopes of any ceasefire hostage deal between Israel and Hamas are looking slim to none given the escalations happening within the past 24 hours.
Kamala Harris to hold rally with vice president pick in Philadelphia next week
Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to announce her running mate pick on Monday, August 5, as she looks to win the presidency. Then, on Tuesday, August 6, she’s expected to hold a rally in Philadelphia with her new running mate joining her on stage.
The campaign trail is heating up, with Harris holding her largest rally yet in Atlanta, Georgia on Tuesday, July 30.
Both the Harris and Trump campaigns also released new political ads attacking the records of their opponent. And both are on the road to more events to rally their supporters.
This race will be among a handful that determine who controls the U.S. Senate this fall. Currently, the Senate is controlled by Democrats while the House is controlled by Republicans, both with slim majorities.
Riots over Venezuela’s presidential election continue
Authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro accused opposition leader María Corina Machado and presidential candidate Edmundo González of “criminal violence,” and a close ally is calling for their arrests.
Protesters are demanding Maduro make voting data from Sunday’s, July 28, election public. Venezuela’s opposition and multiple Latin American leaders are refusing to recognize Maduro’s victory.
Machado said on Monday, July 30, the country’s opposition had about 73% of the voting tallies from Sunday’s election, proving Maduro did not win.
The national electoral authority has proclaimed Maduro the winner, giving him a third term in office and extending 25 years of socialist party rule.
Boar’s Head recall expanded to include 7 million more pounds of deli meats
Boar’s Head, a company known for deli meats, is recalling an extra 7 million pounds of its products. This is because there’s an outbreak of listeria, a dangerous bacteria, that has been linked to two deaths and made dozens of people very sick in 13 states.
The recall includes various types of meats like liverwurst, ham and salami made at their Virginia plant and have sell-by dates ranging from July 29 to Oct. 17. This recall adds to an earlier one of more than 200,000 pounds of similar products.
The issue was first noticed when a liverwurst sample from Maryland tested positive for listeria. Further tests confirmed that this same listeria strain was making people sick.
Starbucks sales down as prices go up
For the second quarter in a row, Starbucks’ sales have slumped as prices continue to rise. In its latest earnings report, Starbucks’ sales dropped 3% globally and 2% in North America.
Total transactions at North American stores fell by 6%, but higher prices shorten the gap between sales and revenue as coffee chains and restaurants alike continue to struggle with bringing customers in amid high prices.
Simone Biles leads U.S. Women’s gymnastics team to gold medal
After dropping out of the women’s gymnastics team event in Tokyo three years ago and taking time to focus on her mental health, Simone Biles returned to the same event on Tuesday, July 30, in Paris. This time she led Team USA to the gold.
Biles, along with Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey, won by more than five points. Italy took home the silver medal and Brazil won bronze.
With the victory, Biles becomes the most decorated U.S. gymnast in history, with eight medals.
And she’s not done yet. Biles will compete in four more individual events including the all-around final on Thursday, Aug. 1, where she’ll have a chance to add more gold to her historic record.
The agreement, pending ratification by the store’s 85 workers, includes scheduling improvements, a 10% pay raise over three years, job protection measures and severance guarantees. A vote is set for Aug. 6.
This milestone comes as similar union efforts at companies like Starbucks and Amazon have not yet secured contracts. Negotiating a first contract can be prolonged, with Bloomberg Law noting an average duration of 465 days, and some unions taking over two years, according to a 2023 study.
The deal could influence future unionization efforts at other Apple stores across the U.S., where only one other store, in Oklahoma City, has voted to unionize. Apple, which owns about 270 stores nationwide, has not commented on the agreement beyond expressing pride in their team’s compensation and benefits.
Israel says Hezbollah will ‘pay the price’ after deadly attack on soccer field
Israel vowed Hezbollah will “pay the price” after the deadliest strike on Israeli territory since Oct. 7 killed 12 children. And former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris continue on the campaign trail with less than 100 days to go until Election Day. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, July 29, 2024.
Israel: Hezbollah will ‘pay the price’ after deadly attack on soccer field
Tensions are escalating in the Middle East after a deadly assault on Israel on Saturday, July 27. Israeli officials said a Hezbollah rocket launched from Lebanon struck a soccer field in the Israel-occupied Golan Heights, killing 12 children.
It marked the deadliest attack on Israeli soil since Hamas’ Oct. 7 terror attack. Hezbollah has denied it was behind the strike.
Now, attention turns to how Israel will respond to the threat and if the war is on the brink of expansion.
Thousands of people attended funeral services for the children who died in Saturday’s attack. Their caskets were hauled through the streets as people paid their respects.
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Hezbollah “will pay the price” for the latest attack.
It’s an escalation in a series of back and forth between Hezbollah and Israel. The Iran-backed militant group has been firing rockets at Israel from Lebanon since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Israel has been retaliating, striking their targets in Lebanon and killing top Hezbollah and Hamas leadership in the region, but this latest hit against Israel could create a larger response.
Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said the country will not get involved in a war but will stand behind Hezbollah. The foreign minister said Lebanon has received reassurances from the U.S. and France that Israel’s response will be “limited.”
The Biden administration has warned Israel of how its next steps could lead to a larger conflict and is warning against them hitting Hezbollah targets in Lebanon’s capital of Beirut. International flights into Beirut are being canceled out of fears of escalation.
Harris, Trump look to rally support less than 100 days until election day
With less than 100 days left until the 2024 presidential election, both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump spent the weekend speaking to their supporters at campaign events. Harris spoke to voters in Massachusetts and Trump held events in Florida.
“She was a bum,” Trump told his supporters in West Palm Beach on Friday, July 26. “Three weeks ago, she was a bum, a failed vice president in a failed administration with millions of people crossing when she was the border czar.”
Harris promised supporters her “underdog” campaign would prevail.
“Donald Trump has been resorting to some wild lies about my record,” she said on Saturday, July 27. “And some of what he and his running mate are saying, it’s just plain weird.”
New polling from ABC News shows support for Harris is growing among independent voters. Forty-four percent have a favorable view of Harris — up from 28% from only a week ago — as she tries to rally Democratic Party support before officially becoming the nominee.
On July 30 and Aug 1., Harris will hold campaign events in Georgia and Texas, respectively. Trump will head back to Pennsylvania for the first time since surviving an assassination attempt at a rally in the state on July 13.
Mark Meadows asks SCOTUS to intervene in Georgia election interference case
Mark Meadows, the former White House chief of staff during the Trump administration, is turning to the Supreme Court to intervene in the Georgia election interference case against him. Meadows’ lawyers have asked the justices to take up his bid to move the case to federal court.
In their filing on Friday, July 26, Meadows’ legal team argued his actions are entitled to immunity from prosecution citing the high court’s recent ruling that gave former President Trump immunity for official acts as president.
Meadows has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The case, however, remains on hold as Meadows and other co-defendants — including former President Trump — challenge a ruling that allows Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to continue prosecuting the case amid claims of improper conduct.
Maduro and opposition both claim to win Venezuela’s presidential election
In a highly watched and highly scrutinized electoral process, Venezuela’s authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro claimed to have won the presidential election on Monday, July 29. However, his political opponents have too.
With 80% of votes counted, Maduro is said to have won with more than 51% of the vote, leading electoral authorities to declare him the winner.
However, the opposition claims candidate Edmundo González had received 70% of the vote against Maduro’s 30% and González said all rules were violated. The opposition is demanding electoral authorities present all the voting tallies issued by the voting machines to verify the results.
The United States and multiple regional nations have also voiced skepticism about official results handing victory to Maduro.
The man accused of starting what is now the largest active wildfire in the country is set to appear in a California court on Monday, July 29. The fast-spreading fire near Chico has burned more than 350,000 acres in three days, forcing thousands of people in four counties to leave their homes.
The Park Fire had scorched an area greater than the size of Los Angeles as of Sunday, July 28, causing poor air quality in a large part of the northwestern U.S. and western Canada.
Cooler temperatures and more humidity over the weekend helped firefighters make some progress. They say the fire is now 12% contained.
Apple reaches first-ever union deal with Maryland employees
Apple has reached its first-ever union contract with employees at a Maryland store. The union representing the employees of a store in a Baltimore suburb said it’s reached a tentative three-year deal with Apple to increase pay by an average of 10% and offer other benefits to workers.
The tentative agreement still has to be approved by the store’s 85 workers. A vote is set for Aug. 6.
Team USA wins most medals in Olympics opening weekend
Team USA is off to a strong start at the Paris Olympics, picking up 12 medals over the weekend. That’s the most of any country so far in the games.
USA athletes had won gold three times as of Monday, July 29 morning, including the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay team, giving Caleb Dressel his eighth gold medal. Torri Huske won the women’s 100m butterfly and Gretchen Walsh took silver, with just four hundredths of a second separating the American athletes.
Lee Kiefer brought home gold in fencing. In gymnastics, Simone Biles made her Olympics return, leading the U.S. Women’s Team into the finals despite suffering a minor calf injury.
On the basketball court, LeBron James led Team USA to victory in their first game, defeating Serbia 110 to 84.
Second man charged in 2022 Oregon substation attack pleads not guilty
The second of two Washington men charged with attacking and damaging two Oregon electrical substations in November 2022 pleaded not guilty to the crime on Tuesday, July 16. Zachary Rosenthal faces three counts of damaging the energy facilities.
Authorities said that Rosenthal and Nathaniel Cheney, both from Washington state, vandalized two electrical substations in Oregon four days apart. Cheney pleaded not guilty to the charges he faced in April and is out of jail with certain conditions as he awaits his trial by jury in August.
At the substation with the most significant damage, authorities said that the two men cut the fence and opened fire on equipment, which caused around $100,000 in damage. The other station hit suffered an estimated $5,000 in damage.
If convicted of the charges the men face could up to 20 years in prison. Investigators said that the motive for the attack still remains unclear.
However, several other attacks at substations were also reported in Washington. Authorities said that vandals set fires and short-circuited electrical systems using firearms and chains.
Additionally, in 2022, two power substations in North Carolina were damaged by gunfire and tens of thousands of customers were left without power.
That same year, the United States Department of Justice charged the suspected leader of a neo-Nazi group with conspiring to destroy an energy plant in Maryland.
Authorities said that they do not believe the crimes are connected, but a memo sent out by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in 2022 did warn local law enforcement agencies of increased threats to “electrical infrastructure.”
In addition to the charges Rosenthal faces in regard to the alleged attack on the substations, he also received a second indictment on Tuesday related to charges of stealing 24 guns and possession of firearms as a convicted felon in 2023. Rosenthal pleaded not guilty to those charges as well.
Senators are trying to ban members of Congress from buying stocks
Democrats and Republicans in the Senate joined forces in an effort to ban members of Congress from stock trading. The newly introduced Ethics Act would ban members of Congress, the president and vice president from buying or selling securities, commodities, futures, options, trusts and other investments immediately.
Members would have to divest from those same assets starting in 2027. The bill would also cover lawmakers’ spouses and dependent children starting in 2027.
Sens. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Josh Hawley, R-Mo., Gary Peters, D-Mich., and Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., introduced the bill.
“Across the state of Georgia, Democrats, independents, Republicans overwhelmingly agree that members of Congress should not be playing the stock market while we legislate and while we have access to confidential and privileged information,” Ossoff said. “This is long overdue, this is necessary.”
According to a poll from the University of Maryland, 86% of registered voters favor prohibiting members of Congress from stock trading. That includes Republicans, Democrats and Independents. Voters also favor the same prohibition for the president, vice president and Supreme Court justices.
The lawmakers who wrote this proposal say the manner in which members trade stocks is “corrupt.” They also say members take their stock portfolios into account when they write legislation.
Violations of the Ethics Act would carry a stiff penalty. If a member fails to divest, they will be subject to a fine of their monthly salary or 10% of the value of covered assets, whichever is greater.
“Congress should not be here to make a buck,” Hawley said. “Congress should be here to serve the people. There is no reason why members of Congress ought to be profiting off of the information that only they get and the rest of the American people don’t get.”
According to the Motley Fool, these are the five members who conducted the most trades in 2023, although they did not necessarily make the most money.
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.: 4,200 trades, 94 million shares.
Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas: 1,800 trades, 287 million shares.
Rep. Daniel Goldman, D-N.Y.: 1,300 trades, 30 million shares.
Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J.: 620 trades, 93 million shares.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Al.: 404 trades, 11 million shares.