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Kentucky bill that would allow child support to start with pregnancy advances

Lawmakers in Kentucky advanced a bill Tuesday that would grant the right to collect child support for unborn children, reflecting a broader effort in some Republican-led states to push legislation conferring a fetus with the same rights as a person. The measure would allow a parent to seek child support up to a year after giving birth to cover pregnancy expenses. The bill won approval from the Senate Families and Children Committee, sending the proposal to the full Senate. It was the first vote on the legislation, which was introduced in mid-January and referred to the committee more than a month ago. Republicans have supermajorities in the Kentucky Senate and House. Kentucky is among at least six states where lawmakers have proposed measures similar to a Georgia law that allows child support to be sought back to conception. Georgia also allows prospective parents to claim its income tax deduction for dependent children before birth; Utah enacted a pregnancy tax break last year; and variations of those measures are before lawmakers in at least four other states. KENTUCKY REPUBLICAN SAYS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IS THE ANSWER TO WORKFORCE, CHILDCARE CRISES A recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos are legally protected children spotlighted the anti-abortion movement’s long-standing goal of giving embryos and fetuses legal and constitutional protections on par with those of the people carrying them. In Kentucky, Republican state Sen. Whitney Westerfield, a staunch abortion opponent, is sponsoring the legislation — Senate Bill 110 — that would allow child support to be applied retroactively to cover a fetus. “That child is a human life,” Westerfield told the committee. “And the support obligation begins as soon as that life begins. And I think we ought to be able to go after that.” The bill was amended by the committee to only apply to child support ordered within a year after birth, setting a strict time limit for seeking a court order dating back to the time of conception. “So if there’s not a child support order until the child’s 8, this isn’t going to apply,” Westerfield said. “Even at a year and a day, this doesn’t apply. It’s only for orders that are in place within a year of the child’s birth.” Some abortion rights advocates in Kentucky expressed concerns about the bill afterward. “This type of bill sets the stage for personhood,” Tamarra Wieder, the Kentucky State director for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, said in a statement. “SB 110 is a slippery slope and one that leads us in the same direction” as the Alabama court ruling. “Instead of trying to push the idea of personhood via child support, this legislature should instead look at supporting pregnant people through expanded insurance, paid leave or any number of options that might provide more inclusive benefits,” she added. One potential obstacle for the Kentucky bill is the additional expenses that county attorneys would incur to enforce child support orders applying to the unborn. In such cases, prosecutors could not use federal funding they typically rely on to cover expenses related to child support enforcement, Westerfield said. The bill’s supporters could seek a state appropriation to cover those additional costs. House and Senate leaders will hash out final details of the state’s next two-year budget in March. For abortion opponents, the bill’s recognition of the unborn for child support purposes goes to the heart of an overarching issue, said Republican state Sen. Danny Carroll, the committee’ chairman. “That’s where life starts,” Carroll said. “And that’s where that obligation to take care of that child should begin. And I think it’s a fundamental fairness issue that we do this.”

Jill Biden to lead national ‘Women for Biden-Harris’ program, campaign announces

First lady Jill Biden is set to lead a program encouraging women to vote for her husband, President Biden. The “Women for Biden-Harris” program, aimed at bringing in female voters, is rolling out nationwide events leading up to the November presidential election. “Women put Joe in the White House four years ago, and women will do it again,” Jill Biden said in an announcement of the program.  JILL BIDEN OFFERS EXPLANATION FOR WHY BIDEN BLANKED ON SON BEAU’S DEATH IN SPECIAL COUNSEL INTERVIEW The first lady continued, “In our communities, women are the organizers, the planners, the mobilizers. We get things done. That’s exactly why we’re launching ‘Women for Biden’ now because when women organize, we win.” The program is set to start on Friday, marking the beginning of Women’s History Month in the U.S. Women were a key demographic victory for President Biden in 2020, breaking for the Democratic ticket by a margin of 11%. JILL BIDEN ‘STUNNED’ JOE’S FAMILY DURING HEALTH SCARE, MARKING HER STATUS AS ‘FULL-FLEDGED’ BIDEN: BOOK “Women for Biden-Harris” is hoping to maintain the Democratic Party’s popularity with women via a series of events in battleground states such as Wisconsin and Arizona. Biden campaign manager Julie Chávez Rodriguez emphasized the role of women in Biden’s 2020 victory via a statement on the new program. “Americans will face a real choice at the ballot box this November between Joe and Kamala who will stand up and fight for women and their freedoms each and every day, and Donald Trump who is looking to take our rights and freedoms away,” Rodriguez said.  She added, “Republicans have underestimated the power of women time after time and together, this November, we will make sure that they never make that mistake again.” The Biden-Harris campaign reported Women for Biden-Harris as one of its largest coalitions heading into the 2020 presidential election. Harris is simultaneously undertaking a separate series of appearances – the “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms” tour – focusing on abortion policy.

Lauren Boebert’s son arrested on multiple felony charges in connection with string of thefts: police

The eldest son of Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., was arrested Tuesday after several property thefts were reported in Rifle, Colorado, police said.  Tyler Jay Boebert, 18, faces five felony charges and more than a dozen misdemeanor offenses in connection to a recent string of vehicle trespass and property thefts, the Rifle Police Department said.  Boebert is charged with four counts of criminal possession of ID documents belonging to multiple victims, one count of conspiracy to commit a felony and “over 15 additional misdemeanor and petty offenses,” the department stated.  “This is an ongoing investigation, no further information will be released at this time,” Rifle police said, adding that all suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.  REP. LAUREN BOEBERT’S EX-HUSBAND ARRESTED FOLLOWING ALTERCATION WITH CONGRESSWOMAN AT RESTAURANT Online jail records show the teen is currently in the custody of the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office. There is no bond information listed. Rep. Lauren Boebert’s office did not respond to a request for comment. Police were involved with Boebert’s family earlier this year when officers received reports that the congresswoman was fighting with her ex-husband and Tyler’s father, Jayson Boebert. Jayson Boebert was arrested on January 9 following the incident on charges of misdemeanor assault and criminal mischief. He was later released on bail from Garfield County Jail, according to the New York Post.  BOEBERT RESPONDS TO REPORTS OF FIGHT WITH EX-HUSBAND AT COLORADO RESTAURANT AFTER POLICE CALLED A judge granted Rep. Boebert a temporary restraining order against her ex-husband earlier this month after she alleged Jayson threatened to harm her and himself.  In court papers, the lawmaker claimed her former spouse “made multiple suicidal threats and threats to harm me over the past 14 months,” according to the Denver Post.  LAUREN BOEBERT SWITCHES DISTRICTS, ANNOUNCING RUN FOR COLORADO SEAT BEING VACATED BY KEN BUCK Jayson Boebert told the Associated Press in an interview that he was the victim at the restaurant. “I would never harm Lauren I just want to move on and be in peace,” he said. He also accused his ex-wife of using the restraining order to “justify” her move to a new congressional district. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP In her request, Boebert also cited a physical fight between her ex-husband and their 18-year-old son on Jan. 9. As Tyler called authorities, Jayson Boebert allegedly grabbed a rifle and left, according to court documents. Jayson Boebert was charged with harassment, prohibited use of a weapon and third-degree assault, court documents show. Lauren Boebert was not present during that altercation. A Republican who has served two terms in the U.S. House representing the western side of the state, Boebert announced on Dec. 27 that she was switching congressional districts this year to run for a seat representing the eastern side of Colorado. The 4th Congressional District seat is open with the retirement of Republican U.S. Rep. Ken Buck. Fox News Digital’s Timothy H.J. Nerozzi, Danielle Wallace and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Biden’s moratorium on natural gas exports could crush small businesses, top Republican warns

FIRST ON FOX: A top House Republican is warning that President Biden’s recent moratorium on liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports over climate concerns could hit U.S. small businesses the hardest. House Small Business Committee Chairman Roger Williams, R-Texas, penned a letter Wednesday morning to President Biden and Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, warning of the “detrimental impacts” the policy will have on small businesses, the U.S. economy broadly and America’s strategic interests worldwide. In the letter, Williams demanded answers to a series of questions about the administration’s actions. “Currently over 90 percent of oil and natural gas extractors are small businesses, and the Committee seeks a deeper explanation of this decision and its impacts on those businesses and U.S. strategic priorities,” Williams wrote to Biden and Granholm, adding that the administration appears intent on making it hard for small fossil fuel operators to “to compete and earn a living.” “This export decision will force the U.S. to turn its back on our European allies and push them back into the hands of the Russian Federation,” the Small Business Committee chair continued. “This not only works against the U.S.’ strategic interests, but creates challenges for businesses, large and small, that had planned to export their products to Europe and Asia over the coming years.” TIKTOK ACTIVIST SAYS HE ADVISED WHITE HOUSE ON BIDEN’S NEW NATURAL GAS MORATORIUM Williams added that small U.S. natural gas producers have taken advantage of the opportunity to replace Russian gas in global markets. In the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago, U.S. LNG largely filled the void left by Russian natural gas as U.S. allies sought to wean off Russian exports and punish the nation’s economy, a plan Biden endorsed at the time. In December 2023, more than 87% of U.S. LNG exports went to Europe, U.K., or Asian markets. DOZENS OF FORMER TOP FEDERAL OFFICIALS CALL ON CONGRESS TO STRIKE DOWN BIDEN’S NATURAL GAS CRACKDOWN “It is important for agencies to examine small businesses’ interests — which make up 99.9 percent of all businesses in the U.S. — when making such an impactful decision. America’s small businesses deserve to have their voices heard and considered,” Williams wrote. In January, Biden ordered the Department of Energy (DOE) to pause pending permits for LNG export facilities while federal officials conduct a rigorous environmental review assessing the projects’ carbon emissions, which could take more than a year to complete. The action is a major victory for activists who have loudly called for such a move, which they said would help combat global warming. STATE AGS WARN BIDEN’S NATURAL GAS MORATORIUM VIOLATES FEDERAL LAW, DEMAND REVERSAL The president confirmed the pause on LNG permitting was a part of his sweeping climate agenda, adding the action “sees the climate crisis for what it is: the existential threat of our time.” He also took aim at “MAGA Republicans” for willfully denying the “urgency of the climate crisis.” However, the move was blasted by industry groups, former federal officials and bipartisan lawmakers, who noted energy exports, in addition to aiding allies in Europe and Asia, bolster domestic energy production and boost the U.S. economy. HOUSE DELIVERS BLOW TO BIDEN’S CLIMATE AGENDA, VOTES AGAINST NATURAL GAS MORATORIUM Fossil fuel industry groups recently cited research indicating that LNG exports could add as much as $73 billion to the U.S. economy by 2040, create 453,000 American jobs and increase U.S. purchasing power by $30 billion. Critics of Biden’s action also argued it would not help the environment since global consumers will, as a result, likely revert to greater reliance on coal or Russian gas, both of which are dirtier than U.S. LNG. “Holding exports of American LNG, which meet U.S. environmental standards, in favor of European and Asian coal or Russian LNG, is likely to harm the environment more than simply approving these exports,” Williams wrote. While it remains unclear which proposed projects the action will affect, a senior administration official said at least two have a larger capacity and two have a smaller capacity. Another official added that the pause implemented Friday will only impact projects that have gone through FERC’s lengthy approval process and are ripe for DOE approval. According to federal data, there are 11 projects that have been green-lit by FERC but are not yet under construction. An additional four projects are pending before FERC and two are in the pre-filing stage. Those six projects would not be impacted by the pause since they are not before the DOE yet but would be impacted if approved by FERC. The White House and DOE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Mitch McConnell stepping down as Republican leader

Longtime Republican leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., announced Wednesday he will step away from leadership in November.  McConnell, who turned 82 last week, announced his decision in the well of the Senate shortly after noon, a place where he looked in awe from its back benches in 1985 when he arrived and where he grew increasingly comfortable in the front-row seat afforded the party leaders. “One of life’s most underappreciated talents is to know when it’s time to move on to life’s next chapter,” he said in prepared remarks reported by The Associated Press. “So I stand before you today … to say that this will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate.” The dramatic decision, which will set up a leadership election in the GOP conference with several likely candidates, comes as Republicans have expressed increasing discontent with McConnell’s handling of the bipartisan border bill and national security supplemental package that included aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.  Though McConnell will not be GOP leader after this year, he said he will finish his current senate term, which ends in January 2027. “As I have been thinking about when I would deliver some news to the Senate, I always imagined a moment when I had total clarity and peace about the sunset of my work,” McConnell said on the Senate floor. “A moment when I am certain I have helped preserve the ideals I so strongly believe. It arrived today.” This is a developing story and will be updated. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Biden-Harris campaign announces new hires after Michigan primary result ahead of Super Tuesday

The Biden-Harris re-election campaign has announced the hiring of three key staffers after a chunk of Democrats voted “uncommitted” in the Michigan primary and ahead of next week’s Super Tuesday. The campaign’s new hires include Alana Mounce, who will serve as political director; Meredith Horton, who will serve as national director for voter protection and access; and, Roohi Rustum, who will serve as national organizing director. The announcement came a day after approximately 15% of Michigan Democrats voted for an option other than President Biden to be the party’s nominee, with most of the dissent going to an option that read “Uncommitted.” The new reinforcements are joining the campaign just days ahead of Super Tuesday on March 5, the day when several states all vote in their respective primaries with hundreds of delegates up for grabs. POLL SHOWS BIDEN’S LEAD OVER TRUMP SHRINKING IN 2024 MATCHUP AS CONCERNS OVER PHYSICAL FITNESS GROW Campaign Manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said in a statement released Wednesday that the “battle-tested operatives” would help bolster the campaign’s efforts, helping in various capacities. “I’m thrilled to have these battle-tested operatives join our team. This is a team with unparalleled expertise, creativity, and grit that will be critical to winning this November,” said Rodriguez. “We’re excited that Alana – a seasoned Biden-Harris operative – will lead our political operation. She is a proven and trusted leader who knows the importance of mobilizing the Biden-Harris coalition, and will be masterful at leading our political efforts.” Campaign general counsel Maury Riggan offered similar praise. “Meredith will be an invaluable asset to lead our voter protection and access program. Her expertise will spearhead the essential role our campaign will have in protecting every American’s fundamental right to participate in our democracy – especially critical, as MAGA Republicans openly embrace election denialism and work relentlessly to restrict the right to vote.” BIDEN SAYS HE’S MAKING UNANNOUNCED VISIT TO WALTER REED FOR PHYSICAL EXAM Also on Wednesday, Biden’s campaign announced it was launching a nationwide effort to win over women in November. First lady Jill Biden will lead the “Women for Biden-Harris,” the campaign said. Biden was ultimately declared the winner in Michigan’s Democratic primary despite a late push by Arab Americans to “abandon” him over his continued support of Israel in their war against Hamas. On Super Tuesday, voters in 14 states and American Samoa will head to the polls to choose their candidate: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. Mounce was previously the campaign’s ballot access director. She joined the campaign from the White House, where she was the deputy political director in the Office of Political Strategy and Outreach. She previously served as the DNC political director and worked for both President Obama and Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaigns. Horton is a veteran consultant and joins the campaign from the consulting firm MPH Concepts, where she is the founder and president. She has previously worked at the Southern Poverty Law Center, Southern Coalition for Social Justice, and the Texas Civil Rights Project. Rustum joins the Biden-Harris campaign from the DNC, where she served as the interim national organizing director. She previously worked for Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

House GOP lawmakers from Georgia blame Biden’s ‘disastrous’ border policies for murder of Laken Riley

FIRST ON FOX: Republican lawmakers from Georgia are blaming President Biden’s “disastrous” border and immigration policies for the murder of 22-year-old Laken Riley at the hands of an illegal migrant. Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student at Augusta University, was found dead on the University of Georgia campus Thursday after her roommate reported to authorities that she had not returned home from her morning run.  Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., led the Georgia Republican Congressional delegation in writing a letter to President Biden on Wednesday. Fox News Digital first obtained the letter, which blasts the president for his border policies, and his reversal of those from the Trump administration, saying his actions have had “devastating consequences,” and demands immediate action. BIDEN WHITE HOUSE RESPONDS TO LAKEN RILEY MURDER ON UGA CAMPUS: ‘PEOPLE SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE’ The University of Georgia Police Department arrested Jose Antonio Ibarra and charged him with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another, UGA Police Chief Jeffrey L. Clark said during a news briefing Friday evening.  The suspect is not a U.S. citizen. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Sunday confirmed that the Venezuelan national entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and had previously been arrested in New York City. “Every parent, and every American is extremely shocked and heartbroken to learn of the murder of Laken Hope Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student from Woodstock, brutally murdered by illegal immigrant and Venezuelan national Jose Antonio Ibarra while jogging on the University of Georgia campus on February 22, 2024,” Loudermilk and his colleagues wrote. “Our prayers are with Laken’s family and friends as they begin to navigate this tremendously difficult time.” TRUMP BLAMES ‘BIDEN’S BORDER INVASION’ FOR LAKEN RILEY MURDER, VOWS ‘LARGEST DEPORTATION OPERATION’ IF ELECTED They added, “Your inaction to resolve the unprecedented humanitarian and national security crises at the U.S. Southern border has directly led to her tragic death.” “Your disastrous border policies have turned every community into a border community and destroyed countless American families like Laken’s,” they wrote. The GOP lawmakers challenged Biden, saying he “should not wait until your State of the Union address on March 7, 2024, to announce changes to immigration policy.” “The proliferation of deadly fentanyl, the increased threat of human trafficking by drug cartels, and the impacts illegal immigration has had on our nation’s cities – all must be immediately addressed,” they wrote, adding that Biden should “immediately revoke your harmful executive orders” and “issue new executive orders that regain full operational control of the U.S. southern border.”  Biden “should empower ICE to remove the aliens who have criminal convictions or pending criminal charges, including those who fail to appear for their court date. You should issue a Statement of Administration Policy in support of H.R. 2, urge the Senate take up its consideration, and quickly sign and enact it,” the lawmakers wrote. “When you fail to secure operational control of our nation’s border, you should be fully transparent and accountable with both our nation’s governors and the American people,” they wrote, urging Biden to reply to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s letter from this week demanding information on Ibarra. BIDEN, TRUMP TO MAKE US-MEXICO BORDER STOPS THURSDAY AS MIGRANT CRISIS ROILS ELECTION “Mr. President, we must ensure justice for Laken, and that starts by securing the border,” they continued. “We will not waver in our effort to resist your administration’s failing policies that weaken our nation’s immigration law and national security.” The letter was signed by Loudermilk, along with Reps. A. Drew Ferguson IV, Buddy Carter, Rich McCormick, Austin Scott, Andrew Clyde, Mike Collins, Rick Allen and Marjorie Taylor Greene. Loudermilk told Fox News Digital that Riley’s murder “has devastated our community, sending shockwaves across the state and the nation.” “President Biden’s refusal to enforce our immigration laws has resulted in unprecedented humanitarian and national security crises at our southern border,” Loudermilk told Fox News Digital. “His unwillingness to act directly led to Laken’s tragic death.” “Laken Riley’s murder could have been prevented if our border was secure and illegal aliens weren’t flooding into our country,” Greene said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Joe Biden, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and the rest of the Biden adminisitration have blood on their hands.” She added, “It’s past time to act.” The letter comes after the White House weighed in on the tragedy days after it transpired. “We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Laken Hope Riley,” a White House spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “People should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law if they are found to be guilty. Given this is an active case, we would have to refer you to state law enforcement and ICE.” The demands also come just a day before President Biden is set to make a trip to the U.S. southern border. He is expected to travel to Brownsville, Texas, and is set to meet with U.S. Border Patrol agents and law enforcement. Meanwhile, Biden’s trip comes the same day as former President Trump’s. The 2024 GOP frontrunner is set to deliver a speech in Eagle Pass, Texas. Trump also has blamed Biden’s border policies for the “invasion” that led to Riley’s death. Fox News’ Adam Shaw contributed to this report. 

Georgia House advances gun safety training tax credit, ban on gun store merchant category code

Separate gun bills passed by the Georgia House of Representatives Tuesday would provide a tax credit to pay for gun safety training and gun safes, while another would prohibit financial institutions from using a code to distinguish firearms retailers. The tax credit bill received bipartisan support, passing the chamber by a vote of 162-3. It provides a state income tax credit of up to $300 that could be used to pay for training and gun storage devices. But Democrats decried the second bill banning the merchant code as a giveaway to the gun lobby that would make the state less safe. STATE DEMS ACCUSED OF PUSHING ‘BACKDOOR GUN TAX’ ON LAWFUL FIREARM OWNERS Both bills now go to the state Senate for consideration. Merchant category codes exist for almost every kind of purchase, including those made at supermarkets, clothing stores, coffee shops and many other retailers. In 2022, Visa and other credit card companies said they would adopt the International Organization for Standardization’s new merchant code for gun sales, though they later put that decision on hold in the face of opposition from the gun lobby and conservative politicians. There had been hope that categorizing credit and debit card purchases would allow authorities to potentially see red flags — like significant ammunition purchases — before a mass shooting could happen. Republican state Rep. Jason Ridley, noting the ISO is based in Switzerland, said the code could be used to create a registry of gun sales. “I don’t care which side of firearms you stand on,” he said. “Nobody should know what you’re buying and keeping a registry, especially a foreign country.” Democratic state Rep. Shea Roberts said the legislation would take away a tool banks could use to detect fraud and law enforcement agencies could use to spot people stockpiling weapons for a possible mass shooting attack. “It’s what we’ve seen time and time again,” she said. “The gun lobby trumps everything.”

Sen. Cotton probes DOD how US airman who lit himself on fire was ‘allowed to serve on active duty’

FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., wants to know how the Department of Defense (DOD) allowed a U.S. airman – who set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C., on Monday – to serve as an active duty member since 2020. Aaron Bushnell, 25, who was an Air Force member from Whitman, Massachusetts, lit himself on fire as a protest against Israel defending itself against Hamas terrorists following the Oct. 7 attacks. Bushnell livestreamed from his Twitch account, declaring as he approached the embassy that he “will no longer be complicit in genocide,” a source told the AP. Cotton wants to know how Bushnell flew under the DOD’s radar, and whether he had any access to classified information that could compromise U.S. national security. NETANYAHU VOWS TO INVADE RAFAH REGARDLESS OF POTENTIAL CEASE-FIRE WITH HAMAS: ‘IT WILL HAPPEN’ “You have made it a top priority to address ‘extremism’ amongst our total force, and this act of horrific violence – in support of a terrorist group – raises serious questions about how this individual was allowed to serve on active duty,” Cotton wrote to DOD Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday.  By March 7, Cotton wants the DOD to provide information on whether Bushnell exhibited any “extremist leanings,” as well as if the DOD’s anti-extremism training includes addressing support for Islamic militant groups like Hamas.  Cotton, a member of the Armed Services Committee, also wants to know if Bushnell displayed “any concerning behavior” before the incident, and if any actions were taken to address it. He’s also probing whether any other military members engaged in anti-Israeli actions, violating DOD policy on restricted political activities. The livestream of Bushnell was removed from Twitch, but officials investigating the death believe he placed his phone on the ground and poured a liquid over himself before setting himself on fire.  In a statement on Monday, the Air Force announced Bushnell died as a result of the act.  PENTAGON SAYS ACTIONS OF US AIRMAN WHO SET HIMSELF ON FIRE OUTSIDE ISRAELI EMBASSY IN DC WAS ‘TRAGIC EVENT’ “When a tragedy like this occurs, every member of the Air Force feels it,” U.S. Air Force Col. Celina Noyes, 70th Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance Wing commander said in a statement. “We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Senior Airman Bushnell. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, and we ask that you respect their privacy during this difficult time.” The Air Force said Bushnell was a cyber defense operations specialist with the 531st Intelligence Support Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio. Fox News Digital reached out to the DOD for comment.

Jharkhand: Train runs over passengers at railway station in Jamtara, 2 dead

In a major accident, a train ran over some passengers at Kala Jharia railway station in Jamtara of Jharkhand, Jamtara Deputy Commissioner Shashi Bhushan Mehra said.