JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 965

Annapolis, Maryland — Gov. Wes Moore signed emergency legislation Tuesday banning formal 287(g) agreements that allowed local law enforcement to enter memoranda of understanding with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Maryland General Assembly passed the bills Feb. 13, and the measures took effect immediately upon the governor’s signature. Nine Maryland jurisdictions previously maintained 287(g) agreements. Several county sheriffs said this week they would end formal agreements but continue lawful communications with ICE and explore legal challenges. State leaders emphasized protecting immigrant communities while coordinating on violent offenders. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research and official statements from sources.

Los Angeles: A powerful winter storm struck California this week, bringing heavy rain, high winds, flash flood warnings and significant mountain snow, officials said. The National Weather Service issued watches and winter storm warnings across the state Monday, prompting evacuation warnings for burn scar areas and travel restrictions. Pacific Gas & Electric pre-positioned crews using AI-enhanced forecasts while local authorities deployed emergency responders. Road closures and accidents were reported from I-80 to US-101 as snowfall totals in Sierra Nevada reached up to eight feet in places. Power utilities warned of possible outages. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Polk County, Fla. authorities arrested a Bartow High School teacher on Feb. 15 after a backyard debris fire spread to about five acres, police said. The blaze occurred amid a county burn ban and a state of emergency declared for drought conditions. Deputies said the homeowner burned cardboard and materials inside an old refrigerator and lost control of the flames. The incident was one of more than thirty brush fires across Polk County, prompting Feb. 16 press conference by officials. Charges include reckless land burning and burning during a state of emergency. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Baton Rouge, Local authorities arrested a man accused of setting a woman's car on fire, continued a search for a work-release inmate who walked off a job site, and ceremonially commissioned a 13-year-old cancer patient into the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office this week. Fire officials say the car fire occurred in January and caused about $1,000 in damage; police booked 61-year-old Cedric Matthews on a simple arson charge on Feb. 15. Deputies sought 41-year-old Dwayne Cedotal after he left a North Street job site. The Sheriff's Office participated in the boy's ceremony. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Atlanta, NAACP and allied groups asked a federal judge this week to restrict federal use of voter records seized by FBI agents from the Fulton County elections hub on Jan. 28, seeking limits to prevent use beyond the criminal probe and demanding inventories of seized materials. Fulton County separately filed motions seeking immediate return of 2020 election records and challenged the affidavit supporting the warrant as speculative. Georgia's State Election Board scheduled a post-raid meeting. The Department of Justice executed the search amid a probe stemming from referrals about 2020 election handling. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States. Regional gasoline prices moved modestly this week as national averages edged higher, according to GasBuddy and AAA surveys. Michigan averages rose to $2.98 per gallon after a 15-cent weekly increase, while Indiana averaged $2.80 and Ohio's Toledo area held at $2.74. South Carolina's state average fell to $2.55, and Wyoming counties reported mixed increases with the lowest statewide prices. The national average climbed roughly 2.6 cents to $2.84 to $2.87 per gallon, and diesel rose by one cent. Analysts cited refinery maintenance and the switch to summer blends as drivers. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Indianapolis and regional forecasts report an unseasonable warmup this week, with dense fog advisories Monday morning and highs expected to climb into the 60s and 70s by midweek. Meteorologists warn gusty southerly winds Wednesday with a midweek cold front bringing scattered showers and limited rain late week. Forecast models show regional variation, with coastal areas remaining slightly cooler than inland zones, and forecasters emphasize travel impacts from fog and breezy conditions. Dense fog has reduced visibility this morning in many locations and created travel hazards. Local offices also note potential record highs later in the week and issued advisories to monitor closely. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. Michigan's men's basketball team claimed the No. 1 spot in Monday's Associated Press Top 25 poll for the first time since January 2013, receiving 60 of 61 first-place votes after a dominant win over UCLA and a 24-1 record. Arizona dropped after consecutive losses to Kansas and Texas Tech. Purdue rose to No. 7 following wins over Nebraska and Iowa and will host Michigan Tuesday night. The Wolverines face another ranked opponent, Duke, this weekend in Washington, D.C. Poll movements reflect recent game results and analytics rankings, widely reported. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

WINDER, Ga. Prosecutors opened a trial Monday against Colin Gray, the father of the teenager accused in the Sept. 4, 2024, Apalachee High School shooting that killed four people and wounded nine. Gray faces 29 felony counts alleging he supplied a firearm and ammunition after warnings; jurors were seated this week. Prosecutors cited a December 2023 rifle purchase and prior law enforcement alerts about online threats linked to the suspect. Opening statements and witness testimony described warnings and responses by school staff. The trial will determine whether parental conduct meets criminal liability. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Wilmington, N.C. Law enforcement agencies across southeastern U.S. counties are actively searching for multiple missing teenagers this week. Pender County deputies reported 15-year-old Landen Hairr missing after he was last seen Sunday near Pinnacle Parkway in Hampstead. Brunswick County officials said 17-year-old Natayah McCree did not board her bus Feb. 17 after leaving a high school. Charleston deputies seek 17-year-old Sylvanna Jacobs, last seen about two weeks ago in Hollywood. Broward Sheriff’s Office alerted the public after 19-year-old Angelina Anderson went missing Feb. 13. Authorities request any tips and provide contact numbers. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.