Latest news with #Howell
3 days ago
- Business
Appeals court puts peace institute back in Trump administration hands with stay of lower court
WASHINGTON -- A federal appeals court panel on Friday stayed a lower court ruling that blocked the Trump administration from moving forward with dismantling the U.S. Institute of Peace, an organization taken over in March by the Department of Government Efficiency, then led by Elon Musk. The three-judge panel with the U.S. Appeals Court for the District of Columbia Circuit issued the stay, saying the Trump administration's appeal of U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell's opinion would likely succeed on the merits. The stay added that the president would face 'irreparable harm from not being able to fully exercise his executive powers.' In filings with the higher court supporting its request for an appeal and a stay of Howell's order, the government argued that 'as evidenced by its programmatic, grant making and peacebuilding activities, USIP' was exercising 'considerable executive power.' The filings also went on to explain the board members are 'subject to the president's at-will removal authority.' In issuing the stay, the appeals court agreed and said the nonprofit think tank that focuses on peace initiatives is engaged in activities that fall under the purview of the executive branch. 'Today's decision is a great victory for the American taxpayer. As we have said time and again, the President has the right to manage entities within the Executive Branch — including the so-called 'Institute of Peace,' which cost taxpayers over $50 million per year while failing to deliver peace,' said White House spokesperson Anna Kelly. 'The President looks forward to continuing to implement his government efficiency agenda.' The appeal's court action is the latest turn in the government's shutdown of the USIP, which had been turned back over to the organization's board and acting president following Howell's May 19 ruling. It also places the staff's attempt at restarting its operations in limbo. President Donald Trump issued the executive order in February that targeted the institute and three other agencies for closure in an effort to deliver on campaign promises to shrink the size of the federal government. The first attempt by DOGE to take over the headquarters led to a standoff. Members of Musk's DOGE group returned days later with the FBI and Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police to help them gain entry. The institute and many of its board members sued the Trump administration March 18, seeking to prevent their removal and to prevent DOGE from taking over its operations. The firing of the board was followed by a Friday night mass firing by email on March 28, which threw the workforce into turmoil. DOGE transferred the administrative oversight of the organization's headquarters and assets to the General Services Administration that weekend. Howell, in a lengthy opinion in May, reversed the action when she determined the organization was not part of the executive branch and therefore Trump did not have authority to fire its board and acting president. She ruled that all subsequent actions, including the firing of most of the staff, the cessation of operations and the takeover of its headquarters and assets, were illegal as well. Howell denied a government request for a stay of her opinion while the government appeals, a move that led acting president George Moose and others to reclaim the headquarters and begin trying to ramp USIP's operations back up. Those efforts have been slow going, with much of the staff still furloughed and operations in parts of the world shut down. It was unclear Friday if there would be another change of hands of the headquarters. A press statement from the organization said 'we will continue to fight for USIP's right to fulfill its commitment to our congressional mandate and to control USIP's headquarters, funds, and operations to the fullest extent of the law. We remain confident we will prevail in this case and we look forward to continuing our critical work both at our headquarters in Washington, DC and in conflict zones around the world."
CBS News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Where to view 4th of July fireworks in Metro Detroit and Michigan in 2025
The Fourth of July is around the corner, and many Michiganders are wondering where they can celebrate this year. Listed below are the many celebrations and festivals happening in Michigan. Howell Michigan Challenge Balloonfest Date: June 27-29 at 2-10 p.m.; fireworks at dusk Location: 1200 W Grand River Ave., Howell St. Clair Shores Fireworks Extravaganza Date: June 27 at 9:30 p.m. Location: 32400 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores Shelby Township Huron-Clinton Metroparks Fireworks in Stoney Creek Date: June 27 at 10:05 p.m. Location: 4300 Main Park Rd., Shelby Township Traverse City National Cherry Festival Date: June 28-July 5 times vary; fireworks July 4 and 5 at 10:30 p.m. Location: 521 S Union St., Traverse City Taylor Taylor Summer Festival Date: June 26-29 times vary; fireworks are on June 28 at dusk Location: Heritage Park, 12111 Pardee Rd, Taylor Highland Red, White & Blues Festival Date: June 28 at 5-11 p.m.; fireworks at 10 p.m. Location: 305 N. John St., Highland White Lake White Lake Fireworks Date: June 28 at dusk Location: Over White Lake - Southern Lake Drive Milford Fireworks at Kensington Metropark Date: June 28 at 10 p.m.; fireworks at 10:10 p.m. Location: 4570 Huron River Parkway, Milford Livonia Livonia Spree Festival Date: June 29, times vary; fireworks at 10:15 pm Location: 33841 Lyndon St., Livonia Pontiac Cars Under the Stars Date: June 29 at 6:30 p.m.; fireworks at 9:45 p.m. Location: M1 Concourse, 45399 Woodward Ave., Pontiac New Boston Fireworks at Willow Metropark Date: June 29 at 6 p.m.; fireworks at 10 p.m. Location: 23200 S Huron Rd., New Boston Madison Heights The Madison Heights Festival in the Park Date: June 29 at 6-10:30 p.m.; fireworks at 10 p.m. Location: Civic Center Park, Madison Heights Bedford Township Bedford Township Fireworks Date: June 27 at dusk Location: Bedford High School football stadium Luna Pier Luna Pier Freedom Festival Date: June 28 at dusk Location: Luna Pier city beach Gibraltar Gibraltar Fourth of July Celebration Date: July 4 at dusk Location: Gibraltar Community Center Dearborn Salute to America Festival Date: July 2-5 at 5-10 p.m.; fireworks at dusk Location: Greenfield Village, Dearborn Battle Creek Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival Date: July 2-5 times vary; fireworks at 10:30 p.m. on July 2 and 4 Location: 15551 S Airport Rd., Battle Creek Gaylord Johannesburg 4th of July Celebration Date: July 3 at 8 p.m. Location: Downtown Johannesburg Bay City Bay City Festival Date: July 3-5; fireworks at 10:12 p.m. Location: Veterans Memorial Park and Wenonah Park Clawson Clawson Fireworks Date: July 4 at 10 p.m. Location: Clawson City Park Muskegon Heritage Landing 4th of July Fireworks Date: July 4 at 8-11 p.m.; fireworks at 10:20 p.m. Location:1051 7th St., Muskegon Petoskey Petoskey 4th of July Parade Date: July 4; fireworks at 10:30 p.m. Location: Bayfront Park Woodhaven Uncle Sam Jam Festival Date: July 10-13; fireworks July 11 at 10 p.m. Location: Civic Center Park in Woodhaven
USA Today
4 days ago
- USA Today
The biggest travel worries this summer and how to handle them like a pro
Jan Howell is afraid of the water levels this summer. She's booked on a Danube riverboat cruise, and she's concerned that the water won't be high enough for the ship. That could turn her cruise into a bus tour – or even cancel it. Months of careful planning would go down the drain. "That's my biggest worry," said Howell, a nurse from Spokane, Washington. This summer, travelers are afraid of a lot of things. A recent survey by Aon Affinity Travel Practice suggests travelers are concerned about getting sick and not being able to travel (28%), having a cancellation or delay because of bad weather or a natural disaster (26%) and concerns about the impact of global conflicts (19%). Half of the respondents have purchased travel insurance to protect their trip. "The excitement of summer travel comes with a heightened awareness of potential risks," explained Beth Godlin, president of Aon Affinity Travel Practice. "For many, it's not just about making memories but also helping ensure their financial investment, health and belongings are protected while they're on vacation.' So, what are you afraid of this summer? What should you be afraid of? And how do you allay those fears? Travelers have a lot to fear this summer These fears are not irrational. A recent study commissioned by AXA Partners found that 7 in 10 Americans experienced travel mishaps in the past year. "It can shake a traveler's confidence," said Susan Sherren, who runs the travel design company Couture Trips. "When my clients leave home, they embark on a risky journey, and many unpredictable scenarios can lead to anticipatory anxiety. Safety concerns, loss of control, and travel complexities may make someone think twice about leaving home." Howell, the nurse from Spokane, had heard about the low river levels and researched the problem. Usually, the Danube's levels are fine in late spring, with the runoff from melting snow, but they can sometimes drop quickly during the summer. Her solution was to self-book her hotels through her credit card, which offers cancellation insurance. To address any potential illnesses or injuries, she also ensured her medical insurance covered her for international travel and subsequently purchased a medical evacuation policy through Medjet. "Being stuck alone in a foreign hospital wouldn't be great," she added. Put it all together, and Howell said she feels reasonably confident that her river cruise will go off without a hitch. What to be afraid of this summer and what to do about it How about you? What are you afraid of, and what should you be afraid of? Let's do a lightning round of travel phobias. Are you afraid of the wrong thing this summer? My greatest travel fear this summer is ending up in a crowd with no way out. I'm headed back to Europe on assignment and may be in places that are overrun with tourists. I've been hearing about the crowding problem, and I'm not sure there's anything more I can do than worry. But experts say there is. "What should really worry people is lack of preparation," said James Shaffer, managing director with the website "Choosing nonrefundable tickets. Ignoring insurance. Or booking through a third-party site without researching their policies. These choices can trap you." In other words, instead of worrying about your summer trip, do something about it before you leave. Find a flexible ticket. Get a travel insurance policy. Book through a reliable agent, or do your research and then book the trip yourself. "I expect the unexpected," Shaffer told me. "I only buy refundable airfare. Of course, it costs a little more – but it does give you peace of mind." Ah, peace of mind. Couldn't we use a little more of that this summer? Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at chris@
CBS News
24-06-2025
- CBS News
Three teens arrested after leading police on 100 mph chase in Livingston County
Three teens were arrested after leading police on a high-speed chase last week in Livingston County, Michigan. At about 3 a.m. on June 20, deputies attempted to stop a 2015 Toyota Camry going eastbound on Interstate 96 near Mason Road in Howell Township, according to the sheriff's office. Investigators determined the vehicle was stolen from Grand Rapids days before the chase. The sheriff's office said the driver took off, prompting a police chase through Howell and Pinckney, reaching 100 mph. The sheriff's office released dashcam video of the chase. Deputies stopped the vehicle in Hamburg Township after using a PIT maneuver. Three people were inside the car, identified as two 15-year-olds and a 14-year-old from the Grand Rapids and Kent County area. The sheriff's office said two of the teens were on a tether at the time and had "multiple financial transaction devices that did not belong to them," according to a news release.
South Wales Argus
21-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Cardiff mansion built for department store founder for sale
The property, known as Mansion House, was commissioned in 1865 by James Howell, the businessman behind Howell's department store. According to the listing, the house's unusual entrance was a special request by Mr Howell, who wanted to allow the building to be split in two for future generations. Both doors open into the same hallway, but a wall was built in the cellar so it could be extended upwards to divide the home. Designed by Habershon & Fawckner architects, the building was granted Grade II listed status in 2002 by Cadw, the Welsh heritage body. The listing notes: "The house, which was one of the grandest houses in Cardiff, was built for James Howell, the founder of Howell's department store." After its time as a private residence, Mansion House was bought by Cardiff Corporation and served as the official home of the city's lord mayors until 1971. The property has hosted a number of notable visitors, including King George V, Winston Churchill, and Nelson Mandela. It was also the preferred accommodation in the city for King Charles III during his time as Prince of Wales, according to the listing. In recent years, the building has been used by Cardiff Council and is currently licensed for civil ceremonies and weddings. Mansion House has also appeared in the television series Doctor Who. The property is now up for sale, with offers invited for a freehold sale on an unconditional basis. Savills' Ted Harding-Brown describes Mansion House as 'one of our city's most historically rich buildings' and suggests it could be converted for a range of uses, including a boutique hotel, nursery, health or education facility, or returned to use as a family home. On the ground floor, period features remain, including the entrance hall leading to a dining room and drawing room. There is a fully fitted kitchen and a reception room previously used for formal ceremonies. The first floor includes the former lord mayor's suite with a linked bedroom, lounge, and drawing room. Several bedrooms with en suites are located at the front of the house, with two additional wings at the rear. One wing contains two en-suite bedrooms, while the other has three smaller rooms, including a kitchen. The attic floor has eight rooms and two bathrooms, and the basement offers office space and storage.
