U.S. Navy Secretary Fired Amid Pentagon Shipbuilding Dispute

 

Washington — Navy Secretary John Phelan was removed from his post on Wednesday, April 22, after the Pentagon issued a brief statement saying he was leaving 'effective immediately.' Officials and people familiar with the matter told reporters that disagreements over shipbuilding reforms and strained relations with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth...

US Firms Announce Early May Earnings Webcast Schedules

 

Macon, Ga. — Blue Bird Corporation said it will release fiscal 2026 second-quarter results on May 6, 2026 and host an audio webcast at 4:30 p.m. ET, while Kelly, Xometry and N-able announced they will publish first-quarter 2026 financial results and host investor webcasts on May 7, 2026. The companies provided...

Florida redistricting debate intensifies after Virginia vote

 

Tallahassee, Fla. Florida's looming congressional redistricting fight intensified this week after Virginia voters approved a mid‑decade measure to alter how maps are drawn and a Virginia judge then paused certification. Florida lawmakers scheduled a special legislative session beginning April 28 to consider whether to redraw congressional districts in response. Within hours...

Autopsy Unsealed as D4vd Faces Murder Charge

 

Los Angeles. This week the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner released an autopsy finding that 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez died of multiple penetrating injuries, ruling her death a homicide; her dismembered remains were found in bags in the trunk of a Tesla registered to singer David Burke (stage name D4vd)....

High School Track Meets Produce Wins, Records, Personal Bests

 

Manchester — High school track teams from Lynchburg-Clay, Whiteoak, West Union, Oskaloosa, Jamestown and other area schools competed at regional invitationals this week, including the Manchester Invitational on Monday, April 20, and additional meets on Monday and Tuesday; Eastern won the Manchester boys title with 150 points and West Union...

Cowboys keep Pickens on franchise tag; draft surprises

 

FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys announced Wednesday that they will not negotiate a long-term contract with wide receiver George Pickens and expect him to play under the franchise tag for the 2026 season, executive vice president Stephen Jones said at the club’s pre-draft news conference, citing organizational precedent and...

LSU Board Approves Basketball Season Ticket Price Hikes

 

BATON ROUGE — LSU Athletics asked the university Board of Supervisors Thursday to approve higher season-ticket prices for men's and women's basketball, proposing top men's tickets rise from $450 to $500 and top women's from $250 to $300 for next season; per-game increases were reported at $1 to $22 for...

Pakistan trip canceled as Iran talks collapse

 

WASHINGTON — U.S. Vice President JD Vance has indefinitely canceled a planned visit to Islamabad, Pakistan, where he was due to lead a second round of high‑stakes peace talks with Iran, according to multiple media reports. Pakistan had been set to host and mediate the discussions between Washington and Tehran,...

US Treasury issues 30-day waiver for Russian oil sales

 

Washington: The US Treasury this week extended a 30-day sanctions waiver permitting the sale of Russian oil after representatives from more than ten energy‑vulnerable countries requested the measure during IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings; Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testified to the Senate on April 22–23 that the waiver aimed...

Governor Kemp declares emergency amid Georgia wildfire surge

 

ATLANTA — Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency Wednesday for 91 Georgia counties, ordered the Georgia Forestry Commission and related agencies to mobilize all necessary resources, and the state forester issued a broad outdoor burn ban to reduce wildfire spread amid extreme drought, while air assets and National...