FBI Expands Global Operations to Counter CCP With Australia, New Zealand Partnerships
'We're expanding global operations to confront some of the most serious threats to the American homeland: foreign influence, cyber attacks, CCP espionage, and counter narcotics,' he said in an Aug. 3 post on X. 'Australia is a critical ally in that fight.'
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Boston Globe
a minute ago
- Boston Globe
Building the Constitution Pipeline is vital for New England's grid stability
In 2016, the Cuomo administration New England residents now pay a premium for foreign energy supplies instead. At any given hour, Advertisement New England imports most of that natural gas from Canada, and it imports liquified natural gas from as far away as How did we get here? In 2012, the Constitution Pipeline was But in 2016, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation denied pipeline developer Williams Cos. a water quality certification under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, which the statute places largely under the purview of states. Advertisement After much legal wrangling, in 2020, Williams Cos. abandoned the critical infrastructure project. Cuomo and his allies argued pipeline would stymie renewable energy development in New York. This was an overreach of statutory power. Perhaps ironically, New England has become a casualty of New York's decisions. The siren song of climate zealots has derailed American infrastructure projects. And residents pay the price, literally. It's time to build the Constitution Pipeline Massachusetts consumes much more electricity than it generates. Though the state runs on the cheapest source of baseload power — natural gas — it had the third-highest residential electricity prices in the nation in 2023, in large part because of lack of infrastructure. Meanwhile, Infrastructure constraints have also threatened grid reliability as ISO-NE, the region's grid operator, scrambles for natural gas to produce reliable affordable and constant supplies of baseload power in an ever-growing market. The region's last two operational coal-fired power plants are set to close by 2028 and be replaced with solar power plants and battery storage that can't provide baseload power during harsh New England winters. Harsh winters mean high heating bills, which are expected to rise over the next decade without adequate infrastructure. Advertisement I have been meeting with communities in all six states that comprise New England, which also represent EPA Region 1. Businesses and industry leaders are optimistic and ready to invest in innovation, manufacturing, and artificial intelligence. But they recognize the need for more power generation and the underlying infrastructure to support it, to support the growth of industry across New England. Under the Trump administration, the EPA has worked to remove hurdles to critical infrastructure expansion to achieve energy dominance and strengthen national security. Right now, we are working to assess whether it is necessary to clarify the guide rails of states' abilities under the Clean Water Act Section 401 to deny water quality certification. The EPA has initiated a public comment period, which includes States should not block critical energy infrastructure in the name of climate change, as New York's former governor did. And states like New York should not have veto authority to dictate energy policy for, and increase energy costs of, other states. New England should come together to support American energy infrastructure, including the Constitution Pipeline project, to provide much-needed grid stability, create jobs, and reduce energy prices across the region for American families who have suffered long enough.
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Former NFL player convicted in large-scale dogfighting operation in Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A former NFL player from Oklahoma has been convicted for his role in a large-scale dogfighting operation, federal prosecutors announced. Leshon Eugene Johnson, 54, of Broken Arrow was convicted of six felony counts of possessing dogs for use in an animal-fighting venture. He was acquitted of 17 other similar counts. He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count when he's formally sentenced at a later date. 'The FBI will not stand for those who perpetuate the despicable crime of dogfighting,' FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement. 'Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement partners, those who continue to engage in organized animal fighting and cruelty will face justice.' Prosecutors alleged that Johnson operated Mal Kant Kennels in Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma, and selectively bred pit bull-type dogs known as champions or grand champions because of winning dog fights. Earlier this year, the government seized 190 dogs from Johnson that have been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. Johnson allegedly bred dogs that had won as many as five fights and then sold 'stud rights' and their offspring to other dogfighters, according to the Justice Department. The trafficking took place across the U.S. and helped to grow the dogfighting industry, while resulting in Johnson profiting financially, prosecutors alleged. Johnson's attorney, Billy Coyle, said his client was a dog breeder who was never accused of fighting dogs and noted that the jury acquitted Johnson on most of the counts against him. 'He was simply a breeder of the American pit bull terrier,' Coyle said. 'Obviously the jury found that some of his dogs bred were probably or were used in dog fighting, and those were difficult charges to fight.' Coyle said federal agents also used heavy-handed tactics, with more than 40 officers raiding his home late at night, pointing guns at Johnson and his wife and seizing his dogs and property. Johnson previously pleaded guilty to state animal fighting charges in 2004 in Oklahoma. He was given a five-year deferred sentence, according to court documents. Johnson was a running back who played for the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants from 1994-1999.
USA Today
30 minutes ago
- USA Today
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker rallies with Texas Democrats, calls Trump a ‘cheater'
Joined by national and state Democratic leaders, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker accused President Donald Trump and Republicans of trying to cheat American democracy ahead of the 2026 midterm elections by redrawing Texas' congressional maps. The 60-year-old Illinois leader, a possible presidential contender, said Democratic governors cannot ignore Trump's aggressive steps, which under the Texas GOP plan would push as many as five House Democrats out of office. Such a move would provide national Republicans with a slightly heftier cushion next year to protect their slim majority in the House of Representatives as they prepare to defend Trump's agenda and other controversial moves. "Donald Trump is a cheater... and if they're going to cheat, then all of us have to take a hard look at what the effect of that cheating is on democracy, and that means we've all got to stand up and do the right thing," Pritzker said at an Aug. 5 press conference, flanked by Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin along with Texas Democrats and others. "So as far as I'm concerned, everything is on the table," he added. The comments underscore a noticeable shift within the Democratic ranks among even institutionally-minded party and elected leaders who have been hesitant to embrace the mantra of "fighting fire with fire." But many grassroots progressives and their allies have demanded for months that the party take a more aggressive approach, citing how the administration and its MAGA-aligned allies have been bending several U.S. institutions to their will since Trump's return to power. Asked if Texas is providing Democratic-controlled state leaders with a roadmap on how to draw their own maps, Martin told reporters at the press conference that the party will fight back in the same way. "Our constitution is under assault. Voting rights are being completely violated," he said. "Now is not the time for one party to play by the rules while the other party has completely ignored it." Earlier in the day, Trump, appearing on CNBC by telephone, said Republicans were "entitled" to the five new seats drafted by a Texas House committee on Aug. 2, and called out the group of Texas Democrats who fled to liberal-leaning states, saying those places have been using the same tactics when crafting their congressional districts. "Do you notice they go to Illinois for safety, but that's all gerrymandered," he said. "California is gerrymandered. We should have many more seats in Congress. It's all gerrymandered." This story will be updated.
