Latest news with #Vinson
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Yahoo
River parish residents sue Formosa Plastics over burial site for their descendants
RIVER PARISHES, La. (WGNO) — Formosa Plastics is in hot water after Inclusive Louisiana and The Descendants Project filed suit claiming Formosa won't allow descendants access to the burial site on the land. 'Formosa Plastics has met them with threats, threats of law enforcement action, threats of litigation and threats and surveillance from private security contractors. Today, our clients say no more,' said attorney from the Center for Constitutional Rights Kayla Vinson. Three arrested, one sought following Kenner shooting The $9.4 billion planned plastics facility was acquired in 2017 in St. James Parish. In 2024, the remains of five enslaved people were discovered by researcher Lenora Gobert. 'Simon, Betsy, Rachel, Stanley and Harry deserve no less than to have their lives, along with the many others interred in the burial site,' said Gobert. The lawsuit claims that since 2019, the residents' only goal has been to honor and dignify their deaths, something they never received. Filing in federal court, Vinson says Formosa has continuously violated the 13th Amendment. 'We envision a place where all future generations can come to pay their respects, not only to these five souls, but all the souls buried on the Bonavista property,' said Co-Founder of Inclusive Louisiana Gail LeBoeuf. 'Our clients are asking the court to issue an order declaring that Formosa Plastics has violated their rights to access to care and to protect the sacred grounds of the Buena Vista Plantation cemetery,' said Vinson. Tractor trailer hauling scrap overturned in Pearl River area Those like Barbara Washington say this shows the ongoing battle their area known as 'Cancer Alley' is faced with. The groups are requesting a judge to end Formosa's power and protection against interference with any of the remains found on the property. 'They poisoned our community by polluting the air, the land and the water with carcinogens and other toxic pollutants and waste, ' said Washington. With the lawsuit in the early stage, Vinson is unsure of a timeline for it to end. 'It could be a few months before there's sort of a next step in the litigation. And it could be years before the litigation is resolved entirely,' said Vinson. A statement attributable to Janile Parks, Director of Community and Government Relations for FG LA LLC says: 'FG is aware of the lawsuit, although it has not formally been served and reviewed. FG remains committed to the St. James Parish community and to preserving its rich history and cultural resources. FG has been and will always be respectful of the remains and unmarked burial site within property the company owns in St. James Parish. With the oversight of and coordination by the appropriate governmental agencies, FG has followed all procedures in researching and preserving the protected area. FG has been fully transparent and cooperative in giving residents access to the burial and one of the plaintiffs were parties to a previous lawsuit concerning the terms of access to the burial site for an event to be held by the plaintiff and other groups in February 2025. Ultimately, FG provided access and the plaintiff's event went forward without incident. Since the event in question went forward by agreement of the parties, the previous lawsuit was dismissed without will continue to work closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state regulators and local partners to navigate the final steps in bringing this important project to reality. FG is disappointed by the delays the project has faced, but remains confident that all permits were properly issued. We do not intend to give up the fight for this important economic development project that will benefit the people of St. James Parish and assured, we continue to navigate these ongoing challenges to the project.'Stormy by day with Super BUCK Moon by night for Thursday Judge Seeber bridge to fully close for repairs: DOTD Walmart recalls about 850,000 water bottles after 2 people blinded Three fall into water at Glacier National Park while taking photo: rangers Iconic cereal maker WK Kellogg selling to Ferrero for $3B Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
30-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Projecting the roles for all 11 of the Ravens' 2025 NFL draft picks
With the rookie report date just 15 days away, we're projecting the Week 1 roles for all 11 picks. The Baltimore Ravens added 11 draft picks to their roster in this year's NFL draft, landing Malaki Starks near the end of Round 1 to cap things off. Overall, the consensus for Eric DeCosta centered on draft value and landing prospects who can develop into starters regardless of the round in which they were selected. Of course, we won't know the actual impact of this year's class until these players hit the field and have time to develop, but on paper, it does appear that DeCosta has maintained and created another Super Bowl window. With the rookie report date just 15 days away, we're projecting the Week 1 roles for all 11 picks. Round 1, No. 27 overall: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia Projected role: Starting safety Kyle Hamilton is a Swiss army knife, and Baltimore just drafted his positional twin. Starks was the only player in the FBS to play at least 1,500 snaps at safety and 500 snaps at slot cornerback over the last three seasons, according to ESPN Research. Round 2, No. 59: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall Projected role: Rotational pass rusher Green's 22 tackles for loss ranked only behind Abdul Carter, who was selected No. 3 overall by the New York Giants. His 51 quarterback pressures were tied for the sixth-most in the FBS. Round 3, No. 91: Emery Jones Jr., OL, LSU Projected role: Backup offensive guard Jones is recovering from a shoulder injury and is expected to be sidelined until at least training camp. A late start to the competition will give Andrew Vorhees the edge. Jones had a 67.4 PFF pass-blocking grade at right tackle, but could be even more productive playing in a less confined space. Round 4, No. 129: Teddye Buchanan, ILB, California Projected role: Backup linebacker, special-teams standout Buchanan was a first-team All-ACC performer who led Cal with 114 tackles and 12 tackles for loss. He is the third player from Cal to get drafted by the Ravens, joining quarterback Kyle Boller (first round in 2003) and cornerback Marc Anthony (seventh round in 2013). Round 5, No. 141: Carson Vinson, OT, Alabama A&M Projected role: Backup offensive tackle A late-round pick, Vinson should make the 53-man roster, but a year on the practice squad isn't out of the question. Vinson was named First Team All-SWAC for his play in 2024 and a First-Team FCS All-American. He accepted an invitation to the 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl and was the lone invite from an HBCU program at the 2025 NFL Combine. Vinson plays with a physical, aggressive mentality and loves to set the tone in the run game, something the Ravens excel at. Round 6, No. 178: Bilhal Kone, CB, Western Michigan Projected role: Backup cornerback Kone primarily plays on the outside but has spent some time in the slot. Last season, Kone led Western Michigan with nine passes broken up. He added 70 tackles and one interception. According to PFF, Kone allowed a completion on just 45.7% of throws in coverage last season. He forced eight incompletions and one interception while allowing just one touchdown. Last season, Kane led Western Michigan with nine passes broken up. He added 70 tackles and one interception. Round 6, No. 186: Tyler Loop, K, Arizona Projected role: Starting kicker The Ravens drafted a kicker for the first time in their 30-year history, and he'll be in the spotlight after Baltimore released Justin Tucker. Loop has one of the strongest legs in this draft. He has converted 6 of 9 attempts from 50-plus yards, including making a 62-yarder last season. At the NFL combine, Loop hit 13 of 14 field goal attempts (93.3%) and finished by making a 60-yarder. Round 6, No. 203: LaJohntay Wester, WR, Colorado Projected role: Special teams standout Wester managed a 66.7% contested catch rate in 2024 while also earning an 81.5 receiving grade against man coverage. Wester averaged 12.2 yards on punts last season, including a 76-yard touchdown. Round 6, No. 210: Aeneas Peebles, DL, Virginia Tech Projected role: Backup defensive tackle. His 25 pressures were tied for the most among ACC defensive tackles. Peebles also recorded the FBS' fastest time to pressure among defensive tackles at 2.44 seconds. Round 6, No. 212: Robert Longerbeam, CB, Rutgers Projected role: Special teams The 5 feet 11, 174-pound cornerback from Rutgers is projected to play slot cornerback, and Longerbeam is only the second player from Rutgers to get drafted by the Ravens, joining running back Ray Rice (second round in 2008). According to PFF, Longer beam forced 11 incompletions in 2024. When targeted in coverage, opposing passers posted just a 78.0 passer rating. Round 7, No. 243: Garrett Dellinger, G, LSU Projected role: Backup offensive guard Dellinger is the third offensive lineman drafted this year by the Ravens, who have selected the most offensive linemen by Baltimore since 2018. He is an experienced offensive guard with 30 career starts (including 24 at left guard). During his time at LSU, Dellinger was flagged just twice for penalties in 1,937 snaps. Despite playing just 268 pass-blocking snaps due to injury, he surrendered only three total pressures and did not allow a sack.
Chicago Tribune
26-06-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Air conditioning restored to some units at Park Forest apartment complex
Air conditioning was restored for some units of a Park Forest apartment complex Thursday after the system shut down across four buildings, village officials said. Park Forest spokesperson Joshua Vinson said Autumn Ridge apartment management reported fixing the air conditioning at two of the complex's four buildings and that they were on track to restore air in the rest of the building by Friday. 'They give us an update, so this is what they're saying,' Vinson said, noting the village is still working to determine who owns the 119 E. Sycamore St. apartments. Vinson acknowledged 'conflicting reports' of which units' air conditioning were functioning, such as from Park Forest Trustee Randall White, who has helped coordinate donations of air-conditioning units from churches and individuals. White said Thursday air conditioning restored at the first building later shut back off, and that only half of the units in the second building had their air switched on at all. 'I know people got the air back on, but don't celebrate yet,' White said. 'I've been getting calls from people in the buildings that they had air for awhile, but now it's back off.' While Vinson said Monday he believed daily fines of up to $750 could be levied. He was more cautious Thursday, requesting residents reach out to the village with their concerns to determine the best course of action. 'If citations need to be posed to the property owners, then we can go through whatever legal process that needs to happen from there,' Vinson said. Vinson said the village is involved with ongoing litigation with the apartment owner over 170 previously issued citations. 'The village just can't go out there and put an orange sticker on a building and say, 'This building is closed. It's condemned. They don't have air so we're just going to tell everybody that they have to evacuate,'' Vinson said. White said several community members stepped up to bring fans or air conditioning units to Autumn Ridge residents, but they have run into challenges. Because the apartments lacked windows, White said, residents had to hang traditional window units outside their screen doors. He also said the building is poorly managed, with an interior home to mold, hole-filled ceilings and leakages. 'It's a nightmare of problems,' White said. There appears to be a large, long unused or maintained pool on the property. Weeds have sprouted through concrete surrounding it and the pool was covered by a blue tarp. The Facebook page for Autumn Ridge shows a photo of a crystal-clear pool. The last post at the page is from January 2020.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Major U.S. Middle East-Focused Buildup Confirmed (Updated)
The U.S. Navy is sending the supercarrier USS Nimitz and the rest of its strike group to the Middle East amid a new buildup of forces in the region ostensibly for defensive purposes, U.S. officials have told TWZ. Overnight, dozens of U.S. Air Force KC-135R and KC-46A tankers had already been tracked heading east over the Atlantic Ocean. That has prompted speculation about the potential start of a major contingency operation, possibly around a shift in U.S. policy toward the ongoing Israel-Iran war, as you can read about in more detail here. U.S. air, naval, and ground forces have already been aiding in the defense of Israel since the start of the current hostilities last week. Readers can first get up to speed on the latest developments in the conflict between Israel and Iran in our reporting here. Though currently sailing in the Western Pacific, 'the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is heading to the Middle East without delay,' a U.S. official told TWZ. The U.S. official added that this is a scheduled deployment to replace the USS Carl Vinson and its strike group, which is currently on station in the Middle East. However, they would not say when Vinson might now be expected to leave the region. USS Nimitz is about to transit Malacca Strait, likely heading to CENTCOM AOR. — Duan Dang (@duandang) June 16, 2025 Fox News has separately reported that the decision to send Nimitz to the Middle East, though previously planned, has been accelerated by multiple months, and that it and Vinson will be in the region together for at least a period of time. In addition to the carrier and its air wing, Nimitz's strike group is currently known to include four Arleigh Burke class destroyers. At least one fast attack submarine also typically accompanies Navy carriers on deployments. CONFIRMED: The USS Nimitz aircraft carrier strike group is on its way to the Middle East from the South China Sea, a U.S. official tells Fox News. The Nimitz was previously scheduled to replace the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group which has been deployed for several months,… — Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) June 16, 2025 When asked, a second U.S. official could not comment specifically on the recent movement of KC-135R and KC-46A tankers, but told TWZ that 'additional defensive forces are moving to the region to provide flexible options for leadership.' They declined to elaborate on the exact composition of those forces. Other reports have linked the flights directly to this 'defensive' buildup. A U.S. official confirms to me a wave of tanker flights across the Atlantic in the last 24 hours, in part to have resources closer to the Middle East and provide options to defend U.S. assets and interests. — Dan Lamothe (@DanLamothe) June 16, 2025 Both U.S. officials spoke to TWZ on the condition of anonymity to discuss operational details. The Air Force's Air Mobility Command (AMC), which oversees the bulk of the service's tanker and airlifter fleets, declined to comment in response to queries from TWZ, citing operational security concerns. We have also reached out to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), and the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) headquarters for more information. CENTCOM directed us to contact the White House, which we have also done. Just having an additional aircraft carrier strike group in the region will offer an important boost in available defensive and offensive capacity to U.S. commanders. As part of any regional contingency operation, Nimitz's air wing could be tasked with helping to intercept aerial threats, including drones and cruise missiles, as well as striking targets on land and at sea. Naval F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, like the F-35Cs currently embarked upon the USS Carl Vinson, are known to have shot down drones launched by Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen in recent months, something TWZ was first to report. The other ships in a carrier strike group offer significant air and missile defense capabilities, as well as their own ability to target enemy vessels and/or ground-based assets. Collectively, a carrier and its escorts can provide a wide array of other forms of valuable support, including in terms of surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as command and control and battle management. A senior Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told TWZ over the weekend that Aegis combat system-equipped ships, which would be Arleigh Burke class destroyers and/or Ticonderoga class cruisers, have already been helping to intercept missiles heading toward Israel since the current conflict erupted. There is also evidence of the use of SM-3-series anti-ballistic missile interceptors, which U.S. warships with Aegis systems specially configured to support the ballistic missile defense mission employ. The Third-Stage Rocket Motor for a U.S. Navy RIM-161 SM-3 Block lB Surface-to-Air Missile was apparently discovered yesterday in Iran, confirming that Arleigh Burke-Class Guided-Missile Destroyers with the U.S. Navy, likely stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean, are assisting in… — OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 15, 2025 U.S. officials had previously told us that an additional Arleigh Burke, the USS Thomas Hudner, was moving into the Eastern Mediterranean in light of current events. Another destroyer of this type was also reportedly repositioned for a potential forward deployment to the region, if requested. Thomas Hudner is notably a BMD configured Arleigh Burke, which would bring additional SM-3s to the theater along with other munitions. U.S. stockpiles of SM-3s, in general, are relatively limited, and the Navy also currently has no operational way of re-loading vertical launch systems on warships like Arleigh Burke at sea. In terms of observed U.S. airpower movements, online flight tracking software shows that at least 32 Air Force tankers have now arrived at locations across Europe and the Middle East. It remains unclear whether any of the tankers were 'dragging' combat jets with them across the Atlantic. Good the addition of 4 tankers out of New Jersey, there are now at least 32 tankers observed in the overnight group. A considerable portion went to Morón Air Base in Spain, with others on to UK, Germany, Italy and 1 to Estonia. A few pressed on to CENTCOM AOR. — Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555) June 16, 2025 4 of the 32+ tankers that crossed the Atlantic overnight are still en route to their destinations. KC-46A Pegasus RCH026 and RCH027 are heading to the Pegasus convention at Ramstein, while KC-135s RCH032 and RCH033 join the party in Chania, Greece. — TheIntelFrog (@TheIntelFrog) June 16, 2025 Distribution map. Moron, Spain had the most at 11-12 tankers. — RivetJoint (@SpeckleBelly64) June 16, 2025 The aforementioned senior IDF official also told TWZ that U.S. fighter aircraft in the region have been taking part in defensive operations already. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles played key roles in defending Israel from incoming missile and drone attacks last year. F-15Es recently saw their counter-drone capabilities, in particular, significantly expand through the addition of laser-guided Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) rockets to their available arsenal. Air Force F-16s in the Middle East had already been using APKWS IIs to down drones launched by Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen since last year, which we were first to report. From bases in Europe, the armada of aerial refueling aircraft would also be positioned to support long-range flights by cargo aircraft, movement of fighters, or even global airpower bombers, from the United States to the Middle East and back. TWZ has previously highlighted the potential role that the unique combination of Air Force B-2 bombers carrying 30,000-pound GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bombs could play in procuring deeply buried Iranian facilities, including the nuclear enrichment plant at Fordo, should the U.S. government make the decision to join Israel's campaign on a kinetic level. Just moving additional ground-based air and missile defense assets, or replenishing stocks of interceptors for units already forward deployed, by air, also requires significant resources, as you can read more about here. U.S. Army Patriot surface-to-air missile systems and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) ballistic missile defense systems in the Middle East are also among the assets already being employed in the defense of Israel. Third, Anniston. RCH313 is C-17A 07-7172 # — Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555) June 16, 2025 Whether the new U.S. military buildup presages a new phase of American participation in the conflict remains to be seen. As TWZ noted when the armada of tankers first appeared heading east over the Atlantic, that movement is something one expects to see in a number of different contingency scenarios. Beyond increasing options for defending Israel, there remains the prospect that U.S. interests across the region come under more direct threat. Iran has notably reiterated long-standing threats to close the highly strategic Strait of Hormuz, though there are questions about its ability to and interest in doing so given the global ramifications of such action, as we recently explored in detail. Anti-ballistic missile defense, in particular, would be key to responding to any Iranian strikes aimed at bases hosting U.S. forces in the Middle East, as well as an attempt to blockade the Strait of Hormuz. Contingencies include: -opting to provide AR to IAF.-Joining the kinetic offensive fight (offensive) -Dealing countering an attempt to close the strait (defensive)-Providing BM left of launch interdiction/hunt (defensive) -Providing a robust bridge for global airpower bomber… — Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) June 16, 2025 Pressure also reportedly continues to build on U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration to enter the conflict more actively in support of Israel and its objectives. In particular, Israeli forces have significantly more options for attempting to neutralize deeply buried facilities in Iran, especially the Fordo enrichment plant. Knocking out Fordo is widely seen as essential for putting a real hold on Iran's ability to produce nuclear weapons. Even just providing the Israeli Air Force (IAF) with U.S. aerial refueling support would give that country's ongoing campaign a major boost, as we have noted before. In the meantime, the scope of Israel's campaign against Iran is also steadily moving beyond its initial focus on nuclear targets. This has been driven in part by what Iran has targeted in Israel, including energy-related sites, in retaliation. Whether or not a major shift in U.S. policy toward the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict occurs, the U.S. military is now engaged in a major buildup of forces that could be poised to help with any future offensive, as well as defensive operations, in the Middle East.'Over the weekend, I directed the deployment of additional capabilities to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility,' U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has now said in a statement. 'Protecting U.S. forces is our top priority and these deployments are intended to enhance our defensive posture in there region.' — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) June 16, 2025'Consistent with the duty to protect U.S. forces in the Middle East, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth directed the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility to sustain our defensive posture and safeguard American personnel,' a U.S. defense official has now also told TWZ directly. ' In the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) AOR the U.S. Navy continues to conduct operations in the Eastern Mediterranean in support of U.S. national security objectives.' They also reiterated a previous statement that 'the U.S. is assisting in shooting down missiles targeting Israel on land and by sea.' Contact the author: joe@
UPI
16-06-2025
- Politics
- UPI
USS Nimitz carrier group to join Vinson in Middle East
The Nimitz strike group could reach the Middle East later this week, an observer said. The aircraft carrier (picture in 2024) was commissioned in 1975 and is one of the U.S. Navy's older class of carriers. File Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Samuel Osborn Mass/U.S. Navy June 16 (UPI) -- The Nimitz aircraft carrier group was rerouted from the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East, joining the USS Carl Vinson. The move comes amid airstrikes between Israel and Iran. Also, the Defense Department is moving aircraft to the European and Central Command theaters if needed to support U.S. bases in the region, the Navy Times reported. And other ships, including Navy destroyers, are also headed to the region, a U.S. official told NBC News. Those ships, which are now based in U.S. European Command, include ballistic missile defense, or BMD, capabilities. Some destroyers are now stationed off Israel's coast in the Mediterranean. "Over the weekend, I directed the deployment of additional capabilities to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted Monday on X. "Protecting U.S. forces is our top priority and these deployments are intended to enhance our defensive posture in the region." The Nimitz was scheduled to go to the Middle East but officials canceled a stop in Vietnam, NBC News reported. The George Washington carrier group is operating in the Philippine Sea. The Nimitz strike group could reach the Middle East later this week, an official told Politico. The exact location hasn't been disclosed. The carrier was sailing in the South China Sea and has made its way through the Strait of Malacca, which connects the Andaman Sea and the South China Sea and is about 1,200 miles from Iran. The Vinson has sailed in the Arabian Sea, and it has partnered with the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group to hit Houthi targets in Yemen, as well. Its home port is San Diego. President Donald Trump hasn't said whether the United States will join Israel against Iran. "We're not involved in it," Trump said during an interview with ABC News. "It's possible we could get involved. But we are not at this moment involved." Israel's aircraft have mainly been targeting nuclear facilities, including the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant built into a mountain and buried deep underground. The Nimitz carrier group has about 5,000 sailors and Marines, including aircraft crews. Assigned destroyers are Wilbur, Gridle, Meyer and Higbee The aircraft carrier was commissioned in 1975 and the home port is in Bremerton, Wash. All but three of the 11 active U.S. aircraft carriers are in homeports now. The Vinson and Nimitz are among the 10 in an older carrier class. The USS Gerald R. Ford carrier is only one commissioned in the new class.
