Atlantic Hurricane Season Ramps Up after Previously Quiet September

Hurricanes Gabrielle, Humberto, and Imelda have marked the peak of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. Gabrielle moved east of Bermuda as a Category 4 hurricane, causing high swells but minor damage in the Azores before dissipating over the Iberian Peninsula.

Hurricane Humberto, a Category 4 with 140 mph winds, is centered about 300 miles southwest of Bermuda and projected to pass west of the island Tuesday night, producing dangerous surf, rip currents, and up to 2 inches of rain in Bermuda. U.S. impacts are limited to hazardous coastal conditions from Florida to the Carolinas.

Imelda, now a tropical storm but forecast to become a hurricane by Tuesday, is tracking northeast well offshore. While the Bahamas face heavy rain, the risk for direct U.S. landfall has diminished, though localized flooding and beach erosion remain threats along parts of the Atlantic coast. Emergency declarations in the Carolinas have been lifted as threats ease, though Bermuda remains in the storm’s path and is under a Hurricane Watch.

 

Actor Robert Redford Dies at 89

Robert Redford, acclaimed actor, director and founder of the Sundance Film Festival, died September 16, 2025, at his home in Sundance, Utah, at age 89. Rising to fame in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "All the President’s Men," Redford won an Oscar for directing "Ordinary People."

He was also known for environmental advocacy and a champion for independent filmmaking.

 His publicist stated Redford died peacefully at home, surrounded by family. Tributes poured in from across Hollywood and beyond, reflecting on his storied career and impact on cinema and conservation.

 

Charlie Kirk’s Funeral Draws Thousands Amid Political Shockwave

Charlie Kirk, a leading voice in conservative youth politics, was remembered this week at a widely attended funeral service in Glendale, Arizona, following his assassination earlier this month. Kirk’s rise from founding Turning Point USA in 2012 to becoming a prominent figure in national debate drew tens of thousands to pay their respects at the stadium in his adopted home state.

The service, highlighted by tributes from politicians and Christian music performers, reached capacity as mourners traveled from across the country to honor his legacy. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and a host of speakers focused on Kirk’s commitment to engaging young Americans in public life. 

The assassination rattled the American political landscape. On the night of September 10, Kirk was speaking at Utah Valley University when a rifle shot from a nearby rooftop fatally wounded him. In the chaos that followed, emergency responders rushed Kirk to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police soon apprehended Tyler James Robinson, a 22-year-old with documented ideological motivations and evidence tying him to the shooting, such as Discord messages and text messages. The investigation remains active as Robinson begins court appearances. 

Kirk’s parents, colleagues, and friends attended the Arizona services, echoing the outpouring of grief that has swept much of the politically active youth community. Funeral organizers noted the breadth of Kirk’s impact, with lines forming early and a roster of influential speakers reflecting on his trademark energy and message. As Turning Point USA faced unprecedented uncertainty, Kirk’s widow Erika Kirk was unanimously elected to succeed him as CEO and Chair by the organization’s board.

Abbott Signs Trump-Backed Redistricting Map

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a new congressional redistricting map into law, pushed by Donald Trump and designed to flip up to five U.S. House seats from Democrats to Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterms. The move came after a charged legislative session, including a two-week walkout by over 50 Texas House Democrats, who allege the map illegally weakens Black and Hispanic voting power and have vowed legal challenges.

In response, California’s Democratic-led legislature passed a map aiming for five new Democrat-leaning districts, explicitly calculated to offset Texas’s gains. This map is set for a voter referendum in November. Missouri’s GOP governor Mike Kehoe announced a special session to redraw maps with the aim of targeting Democrat Emanuel Cleaver’s Kansas City seat and potentially shifting the delegation to 7-1 Republican. These rapid escalations, spurred by Trump’s call for mid-decade redistricting, highlight a broad partisan arms race over control of the House as both parties seek every advantage before the 2026 elections.

 

Two Decades After Katrina: New Orleans Remembers, Rebuilds, and Reflects

Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina tore through the Gulf Coast, New Orleans still commemorates the destruction, survival, and resolve that defined one of America’s greatest urban disasters. On the morning of August 29, 2005, Katrina unleashed winds and water that shattered communities and reshaped American disaster response. Levee failures left about eighty percent of New Orleans underwater, turning neighborhoods into lakes and streets into rivers. The images from those early days - families clinging to roofs, desperate calls for help, the overwhelmed Superdome and Convention Center - are now woven into the city’s collective memory.

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Public Domain
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For those caught in the storm, survival was a matter of ingenuity and grit. Some broke out of attics as waters rose, others commandeered boats to ferry strangers to dry land, and many endured days in overcrowded shelters, waiting for help that came too slowly. Amid tragedy, stories emerged of neighbors sharing food through broken windows, of doctors and nurses working with dwindling supplies in makeshift hospital wards, and of families separated by chaos, reunited months later across the country.
The recovery effort that followed Katrina’s devastation tested the resources, compassion, and patience of the nation. Volunteers from church groups and aid organizations arrived by the thousands, mucking out flooded homes and distributing meals. FEMA scrambled to meet demand, providing millions of meals and bottles of water as evacuees filled cities from Houston to Atlanta. International support landed on U.S. soil in the form of humanitarian teams from Canada and Mexico, underscoring the scale of the crisis and the global willingness to help.
Two decades later, Katrina’s legacy has lost none of its power. While New Orleans has seen vibrant reconstruction, scars remain. Entire blocks were rebuilt, but some neighborhoods never fully recovered, their populations diminished and green spaces overtaking vacant lots. The city’s cultural pulse endures in music and food, but the trauma left lasting wounds: Rates of PTSD among survivors remain high, and many still grapple with loss and displacement.
The storm galvanized overdue reforms: renewed investment in levees, improved disaster planning, and tough questions about government accountability. Katrina’s aftermath revealed stark racial and economic divides, reigniting civic debate over equality, justice, and resilience. For many survivors, the storm became a life-defining line. 
As New Orleans and the rest of the impacted areas mark this milestone, memories are both painful and instructive; the city moves forward with a sense of conviction born from disaster. Twenty years on, Katrina’s lessons inform every hurricane drill, every rebuilt home, and every call to action against weather risks. The anniversary is not only a time to remember the lives lost and chaos endured, but also to honor the resilience cinq unity that ultimately defined the survivors and the city itself.

Jim Lovell, Astronaut Whose Steely Command Saved Apollo 13, Dies at 97

Jim Lovell (1928-2025)

James Arthur "Jim" Lovell Jr., the NASA astronaut who guided the imperiled Apollo 13 mission to safety and became one of the first people to orbit the Moon, died Thursday at his home in Lake Forest, Illinois. He was 97.

A decorated naval aviator, test pilot, and mechanical engineer, Lovell was among the most flown astronauts of NASA’s pioneering years, going into space four times - Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8 and Apollo 13 - more than any astronaut of his generation. Calm under pressure and quietly authoritative, Lovell became a symbol of American ingenuity and perseverance after transforming a life-threatening disaster into one of spaceflight’s most remarkable tales of survival.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1928, Lovell graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1952 and flew jets off aircraft carriers in the Pacific before joining NASA in 1962. Though initially passed over for the Mercury Seven due to a medical issue, he was chosen for NASA’s second astronaut group and soon entered the ranks of America’s space pioneers.
Lovell’s first taste of orbit came aboard Gemini 7 in December 1965, alongside his future Apollo 8 crewmate Frank Borman. The 14-day endurance mission set records for both human stamina and engineering prowess, with Lovell and Borman spending two weeks in the cramped capsule, evaluating the effects of long-duration flight and paving the way for lunar exploration. Mid-mission, Gemini 6 performed the world’s first orbital rendezvous, demonstrating the critical techniques that would later be essential for Apollo’s lunar landings.
He returned to space less than a year later as commander of Gemini 12, joined by Edwin (better known as Buzz) Aldrin. This 59-orbit, four-day flight in November 1966 was the program’s final mission and proved astronauts could perform complex tasks outside their spacecraft, including Aldrin’s pioneering spacewalks. Using a malfunctioning radar and a handheld sextant, Lovell showcased his navigational skills, docked with an Agena target vehicle, and demonstrated that teamwork and quick thinking could overcome adversity in orbit.
But it was Apollo 8 in December 1968 that would bring Lovell global recognition. With Borman and William Anders, he became one of the first three humans to leave Earth’s gravitational embrace and travel to the Moon. They orbited ten times, witnessing firsthand the “Earthrise” over the lunar horizon, a sight of fragile beauty that left a lasting impression on humanity. Their Christmas Eve broadcast, reading from Genesis to a troubled world, offered hope during a tumultuous year and stands among the most poignant moments in the history of spaceflight.
Lovell’s final, and most perilous, mission came as commander of Apollo 13 in April 1970. Intended as NASA’s third lunar landing, Apollo 13 became a drama of survival when an oxygen tank exploded en route to the Moon, crippling the spacecraft. As millions watched and prayed, Lovell led his crew, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert, in a desperate race against time, improvising repairs, rationing supplies, and using the lunar lander as a lifeboat. His understated radio transmission, “Houston, we’ve had a problem” (often misquoted as "Houston, we have a problem") belied the gravity of the situation. The crew’s safe return after four icy days remains one of engineering’s greatest triumphs, with Lovell’s steady leadership earning universal admiration.
Lovell retired from NASA and the Navy after Apollo 13, going on to a successful career in business and co-authoring the memoir Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13, the basis of the acclaimed 1995 film Apollo 13 starring Tom Hanks as Lovell. He received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, among many other honors.
He wife of 71 years, Marilyn Lovell, died in 2023 at the age of 93. She herself was portrayed in the movie Apollo 13 and the 2015 television series The Astronaut Wives Club. 
Jim Lovell and his Apollo 13 crewmates flew higher than nearly any human before him, and, when disaster struck, guided his ship and his crew home. In doing so, he became a paragon of courage and resourcefulness, forever linked to the spirit of exploration and the enduring hope that even in darkness, calm resolve and teamwork can bring humanity safely home.

Trump Revives Obama Russiagate Accusations Following Gabbard Claims

Former President Donald Trump has renewed allegations against Barack Obama following claims by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard that the Obama administration politicized intelligence regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Gabbard presented declassified documents she says prove Obama’s team fabricated intelligence to undermine Trump’s victory. She called it a deliberate effort to “usurp the will of the American people.” Trump echoed her accusations, labeling the actions “treason” and calling for accountability.

Obama’s office dismissed the claims as “outrageous” and insisted the evidence does not contradict long-standing findings by bipartisan Senate committees and the intelligence community that Russia sought to influence, but did not alter, the 2016 election.

Gabbard has referred her findings to the Justice Department, whose investigators have yet to corroborate her allegations against Obama.

 

80s Star Malcolm-Jamal Warner Dies at 54 in Drowning Accident

Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known for his iconic role as Theo Huxtable on “The Cosby Show,” died at 54 during a family vacation in Costa Rica. Warner drowned after being caught in a rip tide while swimming at Cocles Beach and could not be revived by rescuers.

Joining “The Cosby Show” at 14, Warner’s performance from 1984 to 1992 helped transform television’s portrayal of Black families. His nuanced depiction of a middle-class teenager earned him an Emmy nomination and broadened the landscape for Black actors on prime time TV.

Warner remained active beyond his breakout role, starring in “Malcolm & Eddie,” recurring on “Reed Between the Lines” and “The Resident,” and voicing a character in “The Magic School Bus.” He also directed multiple television episodes and championed diversity and inclusion in entertainment.

He is survived by his family, including his daughter. Warner’s work and advocacy leave an enduring influence on American television.

 

Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan Dies at 71

Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, who became the face of professional wrestling and an enduring pop culture icon, died at age 71 following cardiac arrest. Rising in WWE’s (then WWF) early 1980s heyday, Hogan’s towering physique, handlebar mustache, and signature red-and-yellow attire became synonymous with the sport. His charisma and “Hulkamania” catchphrases helped propel professional wrestling into the mainstream, culminating in headline appearances at the first WrestleMania in 1985 and subsequent years.

Hogan captured the WWE Championship six times, battled adversaries such as Andre the Giant, Randy Savage, and later The Rock, and played pivotal roles both in the ring and as an ambassador for the industry. His 2005 induction into the WWE Hall of Fame acknowledged his influence on wrestling’s global reach.

Outside wrestling, Hogan crossed over into movies, television, and endorsements, starring in “Suburban Commando,” “Rocky III,” “Mr. Nanny,” and the VH1 reality show “Hogan Knows Best.” His later years brought legal and personal controversies, including high-profile lawsuits and scrutiny over private conduct, but he remained a defining presence in wrestling events and nostalgia circuits. Hogan’s impact extended beyond sport, shaping the marketing and spectacle-driven approach that now defines sports entertainment. He is survived by his family and by generations of wrestlers and fans who cite him as an inspiration and standard-bearer.

 

 

US Strikes on Iran Spark Ongoing Debate

A week after President Donald Trump ordered U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, debate continues over the legality and effectiveness of the operation. Trump claims the attacks destroyed key sites and ended Iran’s nuclear ambitions, while U.S. intelligence assessments indicate the damage may have set back Iran’s program by only a few months. 

Bipartisan critics, including Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), argue the strikes were illegal without congressional authorization. Proponents of the strikes say that Trump did not need prior congressional approval, with some citing what they view as the imminent danger in Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon.

 

Zohran Mamdani Wins Democratic Mayoral Primary in NYC Upset

Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old Queens assemblymember and democratic socialist, won New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary last Tuesday, defeating former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. With almost all precincts reporting, Mamdani’s lead appears insurmountable.

Mamdani, an immigrant from Uganda, has served in the New York State Assembly since 2021, championing progressive policies like fare-free transit and rent protections. His campaign was noted for energizing young and progressive grassroots voters.

Republicans have quickly framed the win as evidence of a leftward shift among Democrats. GOP leaders warned of what they perceive as his radical policies, while Democratic establishment figures, including Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, have so far withheld endorsements.

Mamdani will face incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, running as an independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa in the general election, with some Mamdani opponents calling on Sliwa to drop out to help consolidate the anti-Mamdani vote.

 

Sweeping “One Big Beautiful Bill” Nears Final Vote

The Senate on Monday entered the final stages of debate over the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” President Donald Trump’s sweeping legislative priority combining permanent tax cuts, increased defense and border security spending, and significant reductions to healthcare and nutrition programs. The bill, which narrowly passed the House last month, is now undergoing a marathon “vote-a-rama” in the Senate, with lawmakers considering a flurry of amendments ahead of a July 4 deadline for passage.

At nearly 1,000 pages, the bill is a centerpiece of Trump’s second-term agenda. It would make permanent the 2017 Trump tax cuts, expand tax breaks, such as exempting tips and overtime pay from federal income taxes, boost military spending by $150 billion, fund mass deportations, and resume border wall construction. To offset costs, the bill imposes cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and eliminates many renewable energy subsidies enacted under the Biden administration.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the bill would increase the federal deficit by $3.3 trillion over the next decade. While the White House argues economic growth will offset these costs, independent analysts and many lawmakers remain skeptical.

Opposition has been fierce and largely partisan. Democrats call the bill a windfall for the wealthy at the expense of working-class Americans, citing cuts to health and food assistance. Even within the GOP, dissent has emerged: two Republican senators voted against advancing the bill, citing concerns over Medicaid cuts and the debt ceiling. The bill’s fate remains uncertain, with Senate passage in doubt and the House needing to approve any Senate changes before it can reach the president’s desk.

 

House Advances Reconciliation Bill as Trump Tariffs in Limbo

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), a reconciliation bill that extends and expands major provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, increases the child tax credit temporarily, removes taxes on tips for workers in certain industries, and introduces new administrative requirements for Medicaid eligibility. The legislation also includes spending cuts, rescinds some unspent energy funds, revises Opportunity Zones, and imposes new fees on electric and hybrid vehicles. Over ten years, the bill is projected to increase primary deficits by nearly $2.8 trillion. The bill now moves to the Senate, where significant changes are expected before final passage.

Separately, in a setback for President Trump, federal judges ruled that his recent tariffs exceeded presidential authority in imposing sweeping tariffs on imports from most countries and that only Congress held such authority. However, the tariffs will remain in effect while the administration appeals the decision. Trump has since announced additional tariffs on steel imports.

 

Pope Leo XIV Caps First Month of Papacy

Pope Leo XIV, the new leader of Roman Catholic Church, made history this month as first US-born pope and the first from the Augustinian order. Born as Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, his election on May 8, 2025, followed a swift two-day conclave of four ballots, one of the shortest in modern history.

The conclave, held in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, brought together 133 cardinals from across the world  to choose the successor to Pope Francis, who died in April following recent illnesses.

Discussions among the cardinals reportedly focused on addressing global challenges like secularism, church reform, and outreach to marginalized communities. Prevost’s extensive experience as a missionary in Peru, coupled with his Vatican roles, including leadership in the Dicastery for Bishops, positioned him as a unifying figure capable of bridging the divide between the more traditionalist conservative bloc and the more liberal bloc aligned with Pope Francis. Prevost was seen as close to Pope Francis and somewhat liberal-leaning, though a more moderate choice overall compared to other cardinals rumored to be contenders for pope.

Upon appearing on St. Peter’s Basilica’s balcony, Pope Leo XIV greeted the onlookers in Vatican City, delivering his address in fluent Italian and Spanish. He thanked the late Pope Francis and reflected on his nearly two decades in Peru, where he most recently served as Bishop of Chiclayo.

In his first weeks as pope, Leo XIV celebrated Mass in the Sistine Chapel, urged Church unity, prayed for war victims, and took possession of St. John Lateran. He met key cardinals to address abuse reform and Vatican finances, emphasizing mercy and human dignity.

 

Harrison Ruffin Tyler, Grandon of 10th President, Dies at 96

Virginia businessman Harrison Ruffin Tyler died last Sunday at 96. Tyler, a noted preservationist of Virginia history, was perhaps most noted for being the last living grandson of the 10th US President John Tyler, who was born in 1790 and left office in 1845.

This genealogical quirk was made possible by President Tyler and his son, Lyon Gardiner Tyler, both having children late in life, allowing the lives of the three men to span nearly the entire existence of the US as a country and across all 47 presidential administrations, from Washington’s first term to Trump’s second.

 

Trump Administration Deals With Fallout from Leaked Chat

A leaked Signal chat involving senior Trump administration officials, including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Vice President JD Vance, and Defense secretary Pete Hegseth, has sparked controversy over its discussion of airstrikes against Houthi militants in Yemen. The chat, which inadvertently included The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, revealed sensitive details about US military planning and intelligence-sharing with Israel. Israeli officials reportedly expressed anger over the exposure of intelligence provided by their sources in Yemen, while critics argue the leak may have compromised U.S. intelligence operations and endangered lives.

The Trump administration has denied that classified information was shared, with CIA Director John Ratcliffe testifying that no sources or methods were disclosed.

President Trump so far has defended Waltz, who is believed to have added Goldberg to the chat, as a "good man.” Trump has continued to refuse calls to remove Waltz from his administration.

 

US Government Vows to Crack Down on Tesla Attacks

Tesla vehicles and dealerships have faced escalating attacks, including arson, vandalism, and gunfire, as protests grow against CEO Elon Musk's role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Critics blame Musk for federal agency cuts and workforce reductions, sparking the ‘Tesla Takedown’ movement.

 The Trump administration has responded forcefully, with Attorney General Pam Bondi labeling the acts "domestic terrorism" and promising severe penalties. The FBI has launched a task force to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the attacks.

 

100 Years Later: Remembering the Deadliest Tornado in US History

Today marks the somber centennial of the Tri-State Tornado, the deadliest tornado in United States history, which tore through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana on March 18, 1925.

The F5 tornado carved a devastating path of destruction spanning 219 miles, maintaining contact with the ground for an unprecedented 3.5 hours. Weather experts estimate the tornado's winds exceeded 300 mph as it thundered across the Midwest with little warning.

In its wake, the tornado left 695 people dead, more than 2,000 injured, and destroyed or damaged thousands of buildings. Entire towns were effectively wiped off the map. Murphysboro, Illinois suffered the greatest loss with 234 fatalities, while the small mining community of West Frankfort lost 148 residents.

What made the Tri-State Tornado particularly deadly was its unusual characteristics. Unlike typical twisters, it lacked the familiar funnel shape, appearing instead as a massive rolling cloud of debris that many witnesses didn't recognize as a tornado until it was too late. The storm also moved at an exceptional speed of 60-70 mph, giving residents precious little time to seek shelter.

At the time, weather forecasting was in its infancy, with no radar systems or modern warning infrastructure. Most victims had mere minutes or seconds to react as the mile-wide storm approached.

A century later, the Tri-State Tornado remains a pivotal event in American weather history that helped drive advances in tornado forecasting, warning systems, and public safety measures that continue to save lives today.

Ruins of Longfellow School in Murphysboro, Illinois, where 17 children perished when the Tri-State Tornado struck at approximately 2:30 PM, devastating the building and forever changing the community

This article was written with the help of generative artificial intelligence.

Musk’s Role in DOGE Ignites Layoff Wave, Controversy

Elon Musk, in his role as de facto head of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has continued his controversial role in aggressively pursuing federal workforce reductions, which have already impacted tens of thousands of federal workers in layoffs and buyout offers.

The Trump administration has escalated these efforts, ordering federal agencies to submit plans for "large-scale reductions in force" by mid-March, as well continuing its return to office mandates for federal workers.

Musk's leadership style, which includes demanding productivity justifications from employees via email, has drawn criticism. At a recent Cabinet meeting, Trump hinted at further dismissals for those who fail to respond to Musk's directives.

These actions have raised concerns and sparked legal challenges about the impact on public services. Critics argue that many of Musk has too much power in the administration and questioned his authority to make these decisions. Musk has been classed as a “special government employee” in his role in the administration.

 

Actor Gene Hackman, Wife Betsy Arakawa Die Under Suspicious Circumstances

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead in their Santa Fe, NM home this week. Their bodies, along with their deceased dog, were discovered during a welfare check on Wednesday. While authorities initially stated no foul play was suspected, a search revealed suspicious details. 

Hackman's body was found in an entryway, while Arakawa was in the bathroom near a space heater. The unlocked door, scattered pills, and signs of decomposition have prompted a thorough investigation into the Hollywood legend’s death.