JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 827

TALLADEGA, Ala. On Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR majority owner Jim France stepped down as chief executive officer and appointed Steve O'Donnell as his successor; France will remain chairman and retain his majority ownership stake. Ben Kennedy was promoted to chief operating officer, and O'Donnell becomes the first CEO from outside the France family.

Charlotte, N.C., this week, the leadership change follows O'Donnell's more-than-three-decade tenure at NASCAR, including his promotion to president in March 2025. The transition comes after 2025 revenue-sharing negotiations that produced an antitrust suit and a December settlement granting teams permanent charters; immediate next steps include O'Donnell taking operational control and engaging with teams and sponsors.

United States officials are weighing the deployment of a second aircraft carrier near Iran as tensions in the region escalate, signaling a potential buildup of American military power. The review follows stalled negotiations with Tehran that have left core disputes unresolved and added to uncertainty over the next steps in U.S.-Iran relations. The possible expansion of military assets, including additional naval forces, comes as Washington seeks to reassure allies and deter further instability in a strategically critical area. The situation has drawn close scrutiny from policymakers concerned about U.S. national security and regional balance.

Israel is sending senior leaders to Washington for urgent consultations on security and regional stability as signs of increased U.S. military activity emerge. Military planners and diplomats are closely tracking visible troop movements and naval positioning around Iran, viewing them as key indicators of the evolving security posture. Global governments and financial markets are monitoring developments amid rising concern over the prospect of a broader regional confrontation. While the outcome of the current deliberations remains unclear, officials describe the pace of events as rapid and the potential consequences for global stability as significant.

Augusta, Maine. Governor Janet Mills vetoed on Friday a bill (L.D. 307) that would have imposed a temporary moratorium on large data centers and another measure related to sealing criminal history records; the veto followed legislative approval of the moratorium and cited a specific project in the town of Jay that local leaders support.

The veto removes the immediate statutory pause that would have frozen approvals for facilities above a 20-megawatt threshold until October 2027; Mills said she will issue an executive order to establish a council to study data-center impacts this week, while state lawmakers and stakeholders continue to debate environmental, grid and economic implications and other states weigh similar measures.

NEW ORLEANS — A three-judge panel of a federal appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump’s declaration of an “invasion” at the U.S.-Mexico border is unconstitutional, issuing a late-night decision on Friday that strikes at the heart of the White House’s flagship domestic policy. The court found that the executive branch exceeded its constitutional authority by attempting to bypass existing statutory asylum laws through an emergency declaration, and it ordered an immediate halt to the administration’s “Operation Border Shield.” The ruling requires federal authorities to reopen ports of entry to individuals seeking asylum under current federal law, directly reversing the administration’s recent efforts to keep those crossings closed.

WASHINGTON — The decision sets up an immediate confrontation between the executive branch and the federal judiciary, as the Department of Homeland Security responded with a defiant statement saying the administration is “exploring all options” to maintain order at the border, including the potential use of the Insurrection Act to keep crossings shut. Migrant groups are already gathering at major ports of entry in Texas and Arizona in anticipation of renewed access, while several Republican governors have indicated they may deploy state National Guard units to help keep the border closed despite the court’s mandate. The outcome raises questions about compliance with the ruling and underscores heightened tensions between federal authority, state-level actions, and the power of the courts.

Lincoln, Kansas: Two people were found dead after a Thursday night house fire that collapsed the two-story structure and damaged adjacent buildings; the Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office said high winds spread the blaze and autopsies were scheduled. Friday, a commercial building fire in Chapmanville, West Virginia, sent flames through the roof but caused no injuries. Saturday, a multifamily structure fire in Chesapeake, Virginia, showed from a center unit and prompted evacuation; occupants escaped safely. Saturday night in Baton Rouge, firefighters extinguished a stairwell blaze in about 16 minutes, preventing displacement of roughly 75 residents.

Authorities have opened investigations in each case; the Kansas State Fire Marshal cited wind as a factor in Lincoln, and autopsies were planned to confirm causes and identities. Multiple departments assisted in Chapmanville and Chesapeake, where the American Red Cross was contacted to aid three displaced families. Fire departments reported response times and suppression details this week, and officials continue evidence collection and inquiries as next steps.

Las Vegas — The Las Vegas Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza with the No.1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night, bringing the Heisman Trophy winner and national champion from Indiana to the organization; the team hosted Mendoza Friday at its Henderson headquarters where he participated in franchise traditions and addressed attending fans.

The selection arrives as the Raiders seek to rebuild after one playoff appearance since 2017 and no postseason wins since January 2003; this week the club also used draft-day moves to add Treydan Stukes, Keyron Crawford and Trey Zuhn III on Day Two, while management and coaches confront remaining roster needs, particularly at wide receiver.

WASHINGTON: The United States and the European Union on Friday released an action plan to coordinate trade policies and measures for critical minerals supply chains and signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen cooperation. Ambassador Jamieson Greer announced the transatlantic mechanism on April 24, and officials including Marco Rubio and Maroš Šefčovič participated in the disclosures.

The plan commits the US and EU to explore trade measures, including border-adjusted price floors, to bolster domestic processing and downstream sectors like semiconductors and electric vehicles; officials said this week the action plan will serve as the primary transatlantic coordination tool and could lead to a binding plurilateral agreement in coming months.

Baton Rouge, La. Two groups exchanged words and opened fire at the Mall of Louisiana food court on Thursday afternoon, killing a 17-year-old Ascension Episcopal School senior and injuring five others; police said three of the wounded were students from the Lafayette-area school and several suspects were taken into custody.

Lafayette, La. officials and school leaders expressed grief on Friday as community members placed flowers and mourned the victim; Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse said the shooting appeared linked to social-media disputes and 'maybe gang-related,' while Gov. Jeff Landry pledged targeted warrant sweeps and coordination with federal partners as the investigation continues.

Washington. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday that the United States has widened a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports and vessels and is expanding the operation globally. He told reporters, "Our blockade is growing and going global," and said U.S. forces have so far redirected 34 ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. He added, "No one sails from the Strait of Hormuz to anywhere in the world without the permission of the United States Navy." Hegseth said U.S. forces have seized several vessels linked to Iran, and that commercial ships will be required to comply with U.S. conditions.

Washington. Hegseth said the Defense Department, under the direction of Donald Trump, will ensure Iran cannot acquire nuclear weapons. He said Washington prefers to resolve the issue through diplomacy and a verifiable agreement but warned that if Tehran refuses to change its stance the United States is prepared to stop it "the hard way." He described the measures as a full naval blockade intended to increase pressure on Tehran and said the operations could deal a severe blow to Iran's economy as they continue.

Washington: On April 24, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced that the Justice Department will close its criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell regarding costly renovations at the Fed’s Washington headquarters and instead asked the Fed’s Office of Inspector General to examine alleged cost overruns.

The announcement on Friday removes an immediate legal impediment to the Senate confirmation of President Trump’s nominee Kevin Warsh and follows subpoena actions earlier this year that were blocked by a federal judge; Pirro said she may reopen a criminal probe if the IG’s findings or new evidence warrant further action.