JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 838

Connecticut and Maine municipalities took differing budget actions this week: New Britain Public Schools warned the city it faces catastrophic cuts and potential layoffs if the requested $18.9 million is not provided, Somerset County proposed a fiscal 2027 budget including a 3.5% tax increase and scheduled a May 4 public hearing, Bethel voters approved a $102.5 million budget and school spending with a more than 4% mill rate increase on Tuesday, and Lyme's Board of Finance approved a $14.23 million budget using $2.5 million from reserves to avoid raising its tax rate.

Immediate consequences include a mayoral proposal in New Britain of a $1 million increase and pleas from parents and teachers opposing cuts; Somerset officials will hold a public hearing on May 4 to solicit taxpayer input; Bethel faces noted voter concern amid low turnout and advisory votes that budgets are too high; and Lyme will present the spending plan to voters with capital projects funded, including a culvert replacement expected to be partially reimbursed in a future year.

Washington, United States. The Pentagon told the US Congress on April 23 that clearing naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz could take up to six months following a classified House Armed Services Committee briefing; officials said the mines were reportedly deployed by Iranian forces and that some devices were remotely placed using GPS, complicating detection and clearance.

Lawmakers from both parties expressed frustration this week and pressed for details on costs, strategy and timelines while a senior defence official said demining operations may not begin until after hostilities end; markets reacted immediately, with Brent crude trading above USD 100 at about USD 101.76 per barrel and WTI at USD 92.82, highlighting near-term energy price pressure.

United States: Local water utilities in Kannapolis, N.C., Hammond, La., Shelbyville, Ill., and Wilmington, N.C., issued boil water advisories this week after officials detected E. coli in Kannapolis on April 24, reported a water main leak in Shelbyville around midnight, and scheduled maintenance in Wilmington beginning Tuesday evening, April 28.

City and utility officials instructed affected residents to boil water—generally for one full minute—until laboratory tests confirm safety; Kannapolis began flushing and treating its system and expected results within 24 hours, Shelbyville sent a sample to Mattoon for testing with a potential lift by Friday noon, and Wilmington warned about low pressure for roughly 200 customers during repairs.

NAHUNTA, Ga. On Wednesday, April 22, rapidly spreading wildfires raced across southeastern United States terrain, destroying more than 50 homes in Georgia and prompting mass evacuations in Georgia and northern Florida; emergency crews, state forestry officials, and local authorities fought flames fueled by severe drought, strong winds and abundant dry vegetation.

This week officials ordered hundreds to evacuate, imposed Georgia's first-ever regional burn ban in affected areas, and reported two major blazes scorching over 30 square miles while Florida faced more than 100 active fires; authorities established firebreaks, monitored threatened communities of roughly 1,000 homes, and continued containment efforts on April 22–23.

Los Angeles — On Wednesday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger met with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office to press for FEMA assistance and unpaid wildfire recovery funding after the January 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires. They privately advocated for rebuilding funds, urged pressure on insurers, and sought federal support and bank relief for affected families.

Washington — According to their joint statement released Wednesday, Bass and Barger said the conversation was 'very positive' and that administration officials including White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and OMB director Russell Vought participated; Barger said they 'left details behind' with the president. Trump later referenced EPA head Lee Zeldin's environmental work and indicated continued federal engagement on recovery.

San Francisco: Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani pitched six scoreless innings Wednesday at Oracle Park in a 3-0 loss to the San Francisco Giants, and his career-best 53-game on-base streak ended. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said this week he may at times keep Ohtani out of the batting lineup on days he pitches.

The immediate effect included Ohtani going 0-for-4 in the game and the Dodgers dropping that contest; a week earlier Roberts had withheld Ohtani from batting when he was sore after being hit by a pitch. This season Ohtani has produced low earned-run averages in early starts, and the team is considering lineup adjustments to manage his workload moving forward.

LOWELL, Mass. — Brianne Jenner scored with 1:14 remaining in overtime Wednesday night to lift the Ottawa Charge to a 2-1 victory over the Boston Fleet at the Tsongas Center. Rebecca Leslie also scored in regulation; Abby Newhook opened the scoring for Boston in the second period before Ottawa rallied late to force overtime.

The win gives Ottawa 41 points and extends a three-game winning streak, leaving the Charge needing one point in their regular-season finale Saturday at home against Toronto to clinch the fourth and final playoff spot. Boston, with 58 points, closes its regular season Saturday against New York; Jenner’s goal also extended her personal scoring streak to three games.

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 preceded the departure.

The Pentagon named Undersecretary Hung Cao as acting Navy secretary, and spokesman Sean Parnell posted the change on X this week; anonymous sources cited slow implementation of reform plans, an ethics inquiry, and a leadership rift. Earlier this month, Defense Secretary Hegseth had also moved to replace the Army's top general, signaling broader wartime personnel reshuffling.

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 webcast links, replay availability, and slide presentations; Kelly specified a 9:00 a.m. ET analyst call, Xometry and N-able noted 8:30 a.m. ET webcasts, and Blue Bird confirmed a replay two hours after its May 6 presentation. Analysts and investors can register or access materials via each firm’s Investor Relations page this week ahead of the scheduled disclosures.

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 of the Virginia vote, a judge blocked certification, leaving legal uncertainty, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned Wednesday that Democrats would aggressively contest Republican moves. Governor Ron DeSantis publicly invited Jeffries to campaign in Florida, and both parties signaled immediate national mobilization ahead of decisions in the coming days.