Tribune News Service - After President Trump declares national emergency, 16 states sue
In response to President Donald Trump declaring a national emergency to build the border wall Feb. 15, 16 states formed a coalition against the declaration. The lawsuit states that the president is misusing the declaration and improper redirecting of funds from drug, military and law enforcement programs. The states, which include California and New York, are all governed by a Democrat except for Maryland. Xavier Becerra, the attorney general of California, interviewed Trump about the emergency, and believes he caught Trump undermining his own reasoning when the president said, “I didn’t need to do this, but I’d rather do it much faster.”
-NBC News
Feb. 15
- Feds announce large cocaine bust
Over the weekend, the Federal Government and its authorities announced Friday they found roughly 221 pounds of cocaine in their most recent bust. The cocaine was hid underneath the floorboards on ships that entered Port Hueneme of Ventura County in Southern California. The shipment, which came from Ecuador, was discovered and seized Jan. 22, totaling 204.2 pounds. A second shipment from Guatemala came six days later equaling 17.5 pounds. Customs and Border Protection, Home Security Investigations and Immigration and Custom Enforcement worked together for the seize and bust. Arrests have not been made, although an investigation is ongoing according to CBP.
-ABC News
Feb. 16
- Gunman opens fire in Henry Pratt warehouse
Gary Montez Martin opened fire at his former co-workers and law enforcement officers on Friday afternoon. The 45-year-old worked at a Henry Pratt Company warehouse in Aurora, Illinois, where he worked for 15 years. Martin went into the building and began to fire after being let go by the company earlier that day. Once police from Aurora and neighboring community Naperville arrived, Martin was shot and killed by law enforcement. The gun battle ended in five civilians dead, one employee injured and six police officers with gunshot injuries.
-USA Today
Feb. 15
- Man dies from fall off Las Vegas observation wheel
A man fell about 50 feet to his death Friday evening. Police reported the 23-year-old accidentally fell from the High Roller Observation Wheel along the Las Vegas Strip. His identity has not been released to the public. The area where the incident occurred was shut down immediately following the accident. The ride, however, remained open. Law enforcement officials believe he fell after going into an unauthorized area, The Linq Hotel run by Ceasars Entertainment.
-The Washington Times
Feb. 16
- People flee from ‘Hamilton’ performance in San Francisco
The audience at a performance of “Hamilton” self-evacuated from the SHN Orpheum Theatre Friday night when a woman’s cry for help turned into what was thought an attack. CNN affiliate KPIX reported someone in the crowd yelled “gun” when a woman was having a heart attack. Police say the shout occured because they thought the woman had been shot. The theatre tweeted out someone pulled the fire alarm also. After people rushed from the audience, some jumped into police patrol cars. Three additional members of the crowd were injured. The woman and three injured fleers were taken to a local hospital.
-CNN
Feb. 15