Month: September 2024

Police in Tempe, Arizona are investigating a gunfire incident in an office used by Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign that was shot at, just days before Harris is scheduled to visit Arizona as she campaigns for president. Tempe police said in a statement to NBC News: “We can confirm that on 9/23/24, what appears to be damage from gunfire at … a DNC Campaign Office, was discovered.”  

According to investigators, the office in Arizona used by the Harris campaign (which the local Democratic Party also uses) was shot at early Monday morning in the second apparent gun attack in a week. The same office was shot at just a week prior, on Sept. 16, in an incident the police said appeared to involve a BB or pellet gun. That shooting also happened just after midnight and caused “criminal damage,” according to the police.

Police in Tempe, Arizona, responded to the office after they received calls from staffers about the damage. At least five bullet holes were found in the windows and the door. Tempe Police spokesperson Sgt. Ryan Cook told ABC News: “No one was inside the office during the overnight hours, but this raises concerns about the safety of those who work in that building, as well as those nearby.”  Police said they were analyzing evidence and were taking “additional measures to ensure the safety of staff and others in the area.” A motive for the shooting has not yet been determined and the investigation continues, according to the police.

Arizona Democratic Party Chair Yolanda Bejarano condemned the vandalism in a statement to local Phoenix affiliate KNXV: “It’s extremely sad that the Arizona Democratic Party has become the target of violence — it’s not who we are as Arizonans or Americans. We are working with law enforcement to ensure this threat is taken seriously and that our staff members are safe while they’re at work.”

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The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday morning that a suspect has been detained after two people suffered non-life threatening injuries from an explosion that was intentionally set off at a Santa Maria courthouse.

Raquel Zick, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office, wrote in a post on social media that authorities received a call reporting the explosion at 8:48 a.m. and a person of interest was detained “immediately,” described as an adult male. Zick wrote in a post at 10:49 a.m. that the ‘explosion was from an intentionally set improvised explosive device,”

The City of Santa Maria posted on X: “CLOSURE: Due to a law enforcement investigation of a bomb explosion at the nearby #SantaMaria Superior Court this morning, Santa Maria City Hall, Finance Department, City Attorney’s Office, Santa Maria Public Library, and Recreation and Parks Department are closed for today.”

The courthouse ws closed for the day and city buildings within one block of the courthouse are temporarily closed, per Mark Van de Camp, spokesperson for the city of Santa Maria.

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President Joe Biden called on nations to band together amid the conflict in the Middle East, the Russia/Ukraine war, and growing global concerns about China during his last speech as president before the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday. Biden delivered his farewell address to world leaders at the UN, beginning his speech: “This is the fourth time I’ve had the great honor speaking to this assembly as president of the United States. It will be my last. I’ve seen a remarkable sweep of history.”

Biden used the gathering to condemn the militant group Hamas for its initial attack on Israel on Oct. 7, and said that the Palestinian people deserved their own state without the influence of Hamas.  He reiterated his call for a cease-fire in Gaza, calling on both Israel and Hamas to accept a deal hammered out by the United States, Egypt and Qatar and endorsed by the United Nations Security Council. Said Biden: “Now is the time for the parties to finalize its terms, bring the hostages home and ensure security for Israel and Gaza free of Hamas’ grip, ease the suffering in Gaza and end this war.”

The President also emphasized the United States’ continued support of Ukraine in front of the annual gathering of world leaders in New York, and urged those to continue supporting Kyiv in its mission to defend itself against Russia, with Biden stating that Kyiv’s backers “cannot grow weary.” Biden said Russia and President Vladimir Putin failed at their core goal to destroy Ukraine: “He sat out to weaken NATO, but NATO is bigger, stronger and more united than ever with two new members in Finland and Sweden. We cannot let up. The world has another choice to make. Will we sustain our support and help Ukraine win this war preserve its freedom, or walk away … and let it be destroyed? I know my answer.”

Biden also reflected on his decision to end his campaign for reelection, finishing up his remarks: “There’s so much more I want to get done. As much as I love the job, I love my country more. I decided after 50 years of public service, it’s time for a new generation of leadership to take my nation forward. I truly believe we’re at another inflection point in world history. The choices we make today will determine our future. My fellow leaders, let us never forget, some things are more important than staying in power. It’s your people. It’s your people that matter the most. Never forget, we are here to serve the people, not the other way around.”

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Former NFL QB Brett Favre revealed during his testimony at a congressional hearing on federal welfare reform on Tuesday that he was “recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease”. Parkinson’s disease is a condition that causes deterioration in the brain and affects motor skills; over one million people in the United States live with the disease and nearly 90,000 are diagnosed each year (according to the Parkinson’s Foundation.)

Favre, 54, was speaking before the House Ways and Means Committee in a discussion on “guardrails” regarding dispersing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds — which saw nearly $8 million go to Favre, a volleyball stadium at University of Southern Mississippi and Prevacus, a defunct drug company backed by the Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Favre said during the House hearing: “Sadly, I also lost my investment in a company that I believed was developing a breakthrough concussion drug I thought would help others. As I’m sure you’ll understand, while it’s too late for me — I’ve recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s — this is also a cause dear to my heart. Recently, the doctor running the company pleaded guilty to taking TANF money for his own use.”

Favre allegedly accepted $1.1 million in federal TANF funds through the state of Mississippi, allegedly accepting those funds in exchange for no-show speeches dating back to 2017. Favre also allegedly worked with a nonprofit organizer and former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant to send $5 million in TANF funds to build a new volleyball arena at Southern Miss while his daughter played for the team. Favre added during his testimony: “I wanted to help my alma mater and benefit the community. Southern Miss introduced me to the nonprofit to see if they could help with funding. I had no way of knowing that there was anything wrong with how the state funded the project, especially since it was publicly approved by many state agencies and multiple attorneys including the Attorney General.”

Favre is not facing any criminal charges in the matter in question.  He initially repaid $500,000 to Mississippi in May 2020 and the remaining $600,000 in October 2021; he said he didn’t realize the funds used at Southern Miss were intended for welfare recipients. Federal prosecutors alleged that Favre is one of 47 “well-connected people” who funneled $77 million in funds away from their intended recipients in one of the poorest states in the country, federal prosecutors alleged.

Favre retired from the NFL after the 2010 season, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016. The 11-time Pro Bowl selection, three-time MVP and one-time Super Bowl champion ranks No. 4 all time in touchdown passes (508) and passing yards (71,838), with his 336 interceptions standing as the most in NFL history.

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