DeSantis’ step toward victory on ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ sets up a funding dilemma for Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is facing a funding dilemma over the immigration detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz” built in the Florida Everglades. Last week, an appellate court panel temporarily blocked a lower court decision ordering the governor’s administration to wind down operations at the facility. But the ruling sets up a … Read more

Air race championship takes flight in New Mexico’s Roswell

Fans of head-to-head airplane races at screaming speeds are traveling to unfamiliar skies as a premiere national competition debuts in New Mexico for the first time in its 60-year history. The five-day National Championship Air Races runs through Sunday at a commercial airfield and former Air Force base outside Roswell. It’s a remote oil production … Read more

New Orleans mayor to appear in court on corruption charges tied to alleged affair

NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is scheduled to appear in federal court Wednesday for the first time since the Democrat was indicted on corruption charges stemming from an alleged romantic relationship with her bodyguard. She is expected to enter a plea in response to conspiracy, fraud and obstruction charges in what prosecutors … Read more

Kilmar Abrego Garcia wants asylum. The US wants to deport him. What to know

Kilmar Abrego Garcia faces an uncertain future. The Trump administration wants to deport him to the African nation of Eswatini. Abrego Garcia wants to apply for asylum to stay in the U.S. Either path could begin with a long journey through the legal system. Abrego Garcia, 30, became a flashpoint over President Donald Trump’s immigration … Read more

City can ban LGBTQ+ pride flags on public property, judge says

HAMTRAMCK, Mich. — A Detroit-area city that banned LGBTQ+ flags from publicly owned flagpoles did not violate the Constitution, a judge said. U.S. District Judge David Lawson dismissed a lawsuit against Hamtramck, two years after the city council voted to allow only five flags, including the American flag, the Michigan flag and flags that “represent … Read more

Grove of giant sequoia trees burns in California’s Sierra National Forest

FRESNO, Calif. — A lightning-sparked wildfire in California’s Sierra National Forest burned Tuesday through a grove of giant sequoias and set some of the ancient towering trees on fire. Wildland firefighters with tree-climbing experience were being sent in to put out the fire burning in the canopies of the beloved trees, said Jay Tracy, a … Read more

Utah Olympic organizers announce 9-figure fundraising effort for 2034 Winter Games

SALT LAKE CITY — Organizers of the Salt Lake City 2034 Winter Games announced a fundraising effort on Monday that they say is the largest philanthropic campaign supporting a host city in Olympic and Paralympic history. The initiative, branded as Podium34, has raised more than $200 million and will fund community engagement programs surrounding the … Read more