New Pope Leo Faces Backlash for Anti-Trump Posts | JQJO

A federal judge ruled late Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s practice of knocking on doors and asking about immigration status and recent voting likely violates the Voting Rights Act. Judge Araceli Martinez‑Olguin ordered immigration authorities to cease elections‑related field operations in nine states, including California and New York, until polls close. The ruling followed a CBS News investigation that documented agents approaching homes in multiple states. Martinez‑Olguin sided with groups that sued over the practice, citing intimidation of legal voters and high likelihood of error in target lists. The order remains until Election Day, with a stay until Friday 5 p.m. to allow appeal.

On Wednesday, WISN 12 hosted the only debate between Democratic candidate David Crowley and Republican candidate Tom Tiffany for Wisconsin’s next governor. The moderated discussion covered cost of living, taxes, education, data centers, immigration enforcement, election security, abortion, and marijuana legalization. Tiffany proposed cutting income taxes for middle‑income households and ending a 400‑year property tax increase. Crowley called for a fairer tax system and more public school funding. Both candidates addressed transportation funding and data center impacts on communities.

Prosecutors in New Mexico filed a civil lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime lawyer Darren Indyke and accountant Richard Kahn, accusing them of profiting from his sex‑trafficking ring. The lawsuit, filed under the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act and New Mexico Racketeering Act, claims the men concealed abuse at Epstein’s Zorro Ranch near Santa Fe. Indyke and Kahn deny any knowledge of the crimes and their attorney rejected the claims as "categorically false." The suit is separate from the state’s criminal probe, which was re‑launched in February. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez argues the executors are blocking victims’ efforts to recover Epstein’s estimated $635 million estate.

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as a "humanitarian" after Moscow released American Stephen James Hubbard, who had been detained for more than four years. GOP Senator John Cornyn condemned the remark, calling Putin a "stone cold killer." The comments sparked immediate criticism from lawmakers and media outlets.

Federal and state law enforcement are investigating connections between violent online extremist groups and the 16‑year‑old shooter who killed three children and a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend last week, according to multiple sources. Investigators are working to discern the shooter’s motive and whether other people online encouraged or helped plan the mass shooting. The Bend Police Department, leading the investigation, has served search warrants on the suspect’s home, electronic devices and social media accounts. Law enforcement is examining the shooter’s ties to “nihilist violent extremist” groups, including the decentralized online network “764,” which the FBI says seeks to “sow chaos and facilitate the destruction of society” and “glorify violence, mass killers, and self‑harm.”

A Republican candidate released a viral attack ad that featured the mother of Democratic nominee Amy Acton, calling her daughter a liar. The ad omitted that Acton alleged her mother was raped by her stepfather forty years ago when she was twelve. Acton and her brother were removed from their mother’s custody in 1978 after her stepfather was arrested and charged. The stepfather was never prosecuted and died in 2004. The ad was first posted on social media on Monday evening, and the campaign confirmed it on Tuesday, pledging to spend four million dollars to air it further. Ohio Governor Kathy Hochul and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker condemned the attack as abhorrent and vile. Acton’s team countered with a video featuring her brother Philip Stearns, describing childhood abuse and criticizing the Republican candidate.

The UK government approved production from the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea, a decision that has sparked intense debate over environmental and economic impacts. Ministers said the first gas could be produced by the end of this month, helping heat millions of homes, and announced the creation of a new energy wealth fund. Environmental campaigners warned the decision would hamper efforts to tackle climate change and make no meaningful difference to UK energy security. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused the prime minister of dithering on Jackdaw and urged the repeal of a ban on new oil and gas licences. Andy Burnham defended the decision, saying the previous Tory government had messed up the original choice.

Australian independent MP Helen Haines, 65, had both legs amputated after being struck by a car on Monday near her Wangaratta office. The incident, described by police as a targeted attack, left her in a stable condition at a Melbourne hospital. Haines’ husband, Phil, said surgeons had to amputate her legs after days in intensive care. Brendan Nugent, 43, was charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and the federal offence of harming a public official, carrying a maximum 10‑year sentence. Nugent also faces charges for cannabis cultivation and possession. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised Haines as a “fighter” and called for respectful disagreement amid rising threats to elected officials.

The Supreme Court has ruled that the Trump administration cannot deny gender‑affirming care to transgender inmates while the policy is being implemented. The decision prevents the administration from withholding such medical treatment from incarcerated individuals who identify as transgender. The ruling applies to the policy currently under review by the Court.