More presumed human remains recovered from submersible that imploded, killing 5, Coast Guard says
The Coast Guard says it has recovered remaining debris, including presumed human remains, from a submersible that imploded in June on its way to explore the wreck of the Titanic, killing all five onboard.
Post-Tropical Ophelia Continues To Pose A Risk Of Coastal Flooding And Locally Heavy Rain From Washington D.C. To New York City Today
At 500 AM EDT (0900 UTC), the center of Post-Tropical Cyclone Ophelia was located near latitude 37.7 North, longitude 77.3 West. The post-tropical cyclone is moving toward the north-northeast near 12...
This is what abortion protests look like in Washington D.C. right now
The Supreme Court on Friday stripped away the nation’s constitutional protections for abortion that had stood for nearly a half-century. The decision by the court’s conservative majority overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling and is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states.
Trump impeachment lawyer defending man in Capitol riot
A lawyer who defended former President Donald Trump during his impeachment trial against a charge of inciting the riot at the U.S. Capitol is now representing a man charged alongside other members and associates of the far-right Oath Keepers extremist group in the Jan. 6 attack.
Man charged in Capitol riot plot to be released from jail
An illuminated traffic barrier is seen on the Capitol grounds before sunrise in Washington, Monday, March 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)A man charged with conspiring with members of the far-right Oath Keepers militia group in the attack on the U.S. Capitol will be released from jail while he awaits trial, a judge ruled Friday after challenging the strength of the evidence against him. It's the biggest conspiracy case the U.S. has brought so far in the Capitol attack, as investigators narrow in on organized extremist groups like the Oath Keepers and another far-right group, the Proud Boys. Authorities have acknowledged there’s no evidence Caldwell was a dues-paying member of the Oath Keepers but have described him as a supporter who appeared to play a “leadership role” within the group. Caldwell's lawyer, David Fischer, said prosecutors have provided no evidence that the riot was anything but spontaneous.
Capitol Police chief appeals for National Guard to stay
Scott Applewhite)WASHINGTON – Worried about continuing threats, the acting chief of the U.S. Capitol Police appealed to congressional leaders Thursday to use their influence to keep National Guard troops at the Capitol, two months after the law enforcement breakdowns of the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection. Pittman said she needed the leaders' assistance with the three-member Capitol Police Board, which reports to them. Paul Irving, who served on the Capitol Police Board as House sergeant-at-arms, denied that Sund asked him to call the Guard. He ultimately called the commanding general of the D.C. National Guard just before 2 p.m., who in turn testified that the request for help was delayed by the Defense Department. “We have the razor wire, we have the National Guard.
Police uncover ‘possible plot’ by militia to breach Capitol
The U.S. Capitol Police say they have intelligence showing there is a "possible plot" by a militia group to breach the Capitol on Thursday. Scott Applewhite)WASHINGTON – Capitol Police say they have uncovered intelligence of a “possible plot” by a militia group to breach the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, nearly two months after a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the iconic building to try to stop Congress from certifying now-President Joe Biden's victory. Members of the Three Percenters were among the extremists who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6. Police were ill-prepared for the mass of Trump supporters in tactical gear, some armed, and it took hours for National Guard reinforcements to come. “We have obtained intelligence that shows a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an identified militia group on Thursday, March 4.” Police did not identify the militia group in the statement.
General: Pentagon hesitated on sending Guard to Capitol riot
Guard troops who had been waiting on buses were then rushed to the Capitol, arriving in 18 minutes, Walker said. Much of the focus at Wednesday's hearing was on communications between the National Guard and the Defense Department. Contee said Sund pleaded with Army officials to deploy National Guard troops as the rioting escalated. AdAccording to the Defense Department, Walker was called at 3 p.m. by Army officials, and was told to prepare Guard troops to deploy. Thousands of National Guard troops are still patrolling the fenced-in Capitol, and multiple committees across Congress are investigating Jan. 6.
WATCH: President Biden speaks on pandemic, says all American adults can be vaccinated by end of May
WASHINGTON D.C. – President Joe Biden delivered remarks on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on Tuesday afternoon. He spoke from the State Dining Room at the White House. Vice President Kamala Harris was also there. The stream of the president’s remarks can be seen below:
Fence at Capitol blocks DC government from enacting new laws
In this Jan. 19, 2021 photo, riot fencing and razor wire reinforce the security zone on Capitol Hill in Washington. The Capitol Police say they are stepping up security at Washington-area transportation hubs and taking other steps to bolster travel security for lawmakers. Scott Applewhite)WASHINGTON – That foreboding black fence erected around the U.S. Capitol building has had an unintentional side effect: walling off the local government’s ability to enact new laws. Last Friday, they did the same with a member of Vice President Kamala Harris' staff; Harris, as vice president, presides over the Senate. Only three D.C. bills have been directly overturned since 1975, but members of Congress do sometimes seek to alter or influence D.C. laws by attaching budget riders to certain bills.
Security across Washington D.C. reaches new heights as Inauguration Day runs safely and smoothly
WASHINGTON D.C. – A massive security presence took over parts of Washington D.C. this week as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were sworn in Wednesday at the U.S. Capitol. That protection remained in place well past Wednesday’s inauguration, leaving some locals to wonder when the military and police presence will subside. Among the visitors from out of town for Wednesday’s events were a mother of five from Atlanta and a lone flag bearer from Philadelphia, who walked around where he could amid the layers of security. The Miami-Dade Police Department Rapid Deployment Force that traveled to the Nation’s Capital to assist with the day’s events were on patrol before dawn, posted along the Inauguration parade route. Protests that had been planned for Inauguration Day were cancelled after the events of Jan. 6 when rioters stormed the Capitol Building.
Donald Trump greets crowds of supporters in West Palm Beach as his presidency comes to an end
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – As the Inauguration of President Joe Biden took place in Washington D.C., now former President Donald Trump was making his way to Palm Beach County. There were plenty of supporters waiting for him, lining the streets to welcome him back to South Florida. In his final speech as president, Trump took credit for things like the COVID-19 vaccines and the economy, continuing to exaggerate his achievements in office while speaking from Joint Base Andrews. “We just wanted to show him how much we appreciate him,” said Anita Bargas, who traveled from Texas to see Trump. As for what he plans to do next, that’s still unclear, but supporters believe this will not be the end of his political career.
This Week in South Florida: Carlos Gimenez
PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – The nation is preparing for a transfer of power in Washington D.C. and braces for those who oppose it. That is the backdrop for the second impeachment of Donald Trump, which accuses him of inciting an insurrection. That impeachment vote in the House of Representatives comes one week after a mob attacked the U.S. Capitol on President Trump’s behalf. Voting against impeachment, Republicans Mario Diaz-Balart, Maria Elvira Salazar and Carlos Gimenez. Congressman Gimenez joined This Week in South Florida hosts Michael Putney and Glenna Milberg to discuss, and their conversation can be seen at the top of this page.
Federal investigations ongoing following Capitol riots as officials warn of additional threats
As that investigation is underway, the FBI is now preparing for armed protests being planned across the country. The FBI saying the group is also planning attacks in Washington D.C. the day of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. Specific threats have been identified against Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Investigators are also trying to identify the man captured in photographs carrying a confederate flag through the capitol. The National Parks Service has closed the National Monument until at least Jan. 24 citing credible threats.
The Latest: McCarrick accuser sees comfort in Vatican report
Scott Applewhite, File)The Latest on the Vatican's investigation of ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and allegations of sexual misconduct (all times local). ___2:30 p.m.A Virginia man who accuses former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of sexually abusing him says he finds some comfort in the Vatican’s release of a report about the former prelate but he wants a public apology. “Its greatest failure is that it lets Pope Francis off the hook: nobody gave him the files, he knew only that there had been rumors, etc.,” she says. ___NoonAn advocate in Argentina for survivors of clerical sex abuse says ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick caused tremendous hurt and laments that church officials knew but did not act. It calls the report “one step in the right direction” but says the Vatican must ensure that past mistakes will not be repeated.
Pope names 13 new cardinals, including 1st Black US prelate
Pope Francis on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, named 13 new cardinals, including Washington D.C. Archbishop Wilton Gregory, who would become the first Black U.S. prelate to earn the coveted red hat. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis on Sunday named 13 new cardinals, including Washington D.C. Archbishop Wilton Gregory, who would become the first Black U.S. prelate to earn the coveted red hat. The pope, when elected in 2013, chose St. Francis of Assisi as his namesake saint. Gregory said in a statement that becoming a cardinal would allow him to work more closely with the pontiff in caring for the Catholic Church. Some cardinals head powerful Vatican offices, and pontiffs frequently turn to cardinals for advice.
This Week in South Florida: Ted Deutch
PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Democrats in Washington D.C. don’t think Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett should be confirmed before November’s election. Do they slow down the confirmation process, or simply refuse to take part in it? Then there is also the looming issue of President Trump’s repeated refusal to say that he’ll abide by the results of the election. Congressman Ted Deutch, a democrat who has represented the 22nd District of Florida since 2017, joined This Week in South Florida host Michael Putney to discuss. Their conversation can be seen at the top of this page.
DC Police release body camera footage from fatal shooting
Police in the nations capital released body camera footage from the officer who fatally shot the Black 18-year-old in the chest. Deon Kay, 18, was shot in the chest Wednesday afternoon in the midst of a foot pursuit with police officers. The officer turns around, sees Kay running a few feet behind him and fires a single shot into Kay's chest. Bowser said her administration had rushed to release the video to help the public answer some questions. Emergency legislation passed by the D.C. Council in June requires the police to release any body camera footage from any fatal shootings or use-of-force incidents within five days.
This Week in South Florida: Rep. Frederica Wilson
PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. The focus on civil rights and addressing systemic racism came into sharper focus this week in Washington D.C. as congress created a commission to study and make recommendations to improve the lives of black men and boys. South Florida lawmakers took the lead, democratic Congresswoman Frederica Wilson in the House, republican Senator Marco Rubio in the Senate. She discussed the efforts during an appearance on This Week in South Florida. The full video can be seen at the top of this page.
DC mayor to order mandatory masks as infections rise again
WASHINGTON With coronavirus cases rising, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said Wednesday that she will issue an executive order making face masks mandatory outside the home an unprecedented step in the nation's capital. Bowser said the order would include enforcement language detailing possible fines for violations. After saying they had successfully blunted the infection curve earlier this summer, health officials say the infection numbers have slowly crept upward, reaching triple digits on Wednesday for the first time in weeks. Health Department Director Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt says her office is particularly concerned with data that shows most new infections aren't coming from people already in quarantine or on the contact trace list of an infected person. That, she said, indicates a high level of community spread.
Senate Democrats block Republican police reform plan
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Republican attempt at police reform stopped even before a debate as Democrats blocked the policing bill, saying that it didn't go far enough. On Wednesday in the White House Rose Garden, President Donald Trump stated that Democrats police reform bill showed that the party wanted to weaken law enforcement. “The Democrats want to weaken very substantially our law enforcement and our police and frankly they want to defund, largely, at least largely. Democrats will press forward Thursday with a House vote on their bill. Barr’s actions make clear in his Department of Justice the President’s allies get special treatment,” House Judiciary Committee Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) said.
South Florida Dreamers celebrate Supreme Court ruling
MIAMI A dramatic day in Washington D.C. began unfolding Thursday morning when the Supreme Court ruled against President Trump and in favor of Dreamers. The ruling doesn't mean the program that protects them is completely out of danger, but it's a big win that so many Dreamers had been waiting for. Nery is a Dreamer whose dream of law school and medical anthropology is back on track with Thursday's supreme court decision. Ana is a Dreamer that was graduating from the University of Florida three years ago when President Trump announced he was rescinding DACA. The supreme court opinion that the president did not rescind it lawfully leaves open the door for him to re-do its end.
Trump in fiery letter to Pelosi objects to impeachment articles
Copyright 2019 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. WASHINGTON – Trump in fiery letter to Pelosi objects to impeachment articles, accuses Democrats of ‘subverting’ democracy. (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526.
The most overworked cities in the US might surprise you
Those three cities, followed by Seattle and Chicago, are the most overworked cities in the United States, according to a study released by the mobile technology company Kisi this past week. For those looking to catch a break at work, consider San Diego, Sacramento and Omaha: the study rated those cities as the least work-intensive. The main factor dragging down the nation's capital seems to be the amount of paid family leave that's mandated by law. Currently, Washington has zero days of legally mandated paid leave, although the city has announced a paid family leave plan beginning in 2020. But under California law, the city fares much better on paid family leave policies.
Mueller's testimony makes strong case for impeachment of Trump, Rep. Ted Deutch says
A South Florida congressman who questioned special counsel Robert Mueller this week in Washington D.C., says his testimony undermined the president's claims of "total exoneration and no collusion."... Copyright 2019 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
DC area gets nearly month's worth of rain in an hour
Almost a month's worth of rain fell in just one hour in Washington D.C., Monday, bringing a halt to the morning rush hour. (CNN) - Almost a month's worth of rain fell in just one hour in Washington D.C., Monday, bringing a halt to the morning rush hour. Between 9 and 10 a.m., 3.30 inches of rain fell at Reagan National Airport, just .43 inches shy of the monthly normal. As the rains stopped, amounts totaled higher than 4 inches across the D.C. metro area. The downpour triggered a two-hour flash flood emergency for the metro region, which is more serious than a flash flood warning.