JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 955

Washington The United States Wednesday imposed sanctions on over 30 individuals, entities and 12 vessels accused of facilitating illicit Iranian oil sales and procuring material for ballistic missiles and weapons ahead of nuclear talks in Geneva. The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control designated shipping operators, drone manufacturers and networks linked to the Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iran's defense procurement, freezing assets under U.S. jurisdiction and barring transactions by U.S. persons. U.S. officials said the measures aim to cut revenue streams for weapons production; talks mediated by Oman were scheduled week. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Atlanta and other U.S. regions experienced a midweek shift to unsettled weather as cold fronts and moist waves moved across the Southeast and Midwest. Meteorologists reported showers and thunderstorms in North Georgia Thursday, with localized heavy totals of two to three inches; light rain in Atlanta and forecasts for clearing Friday. Mobile saw rain Friday with a quarter to one inch expected. Indiana faced brief snow showers, minor accumulations under a half inch, then a warm surge toward sixty degrees in Chicago by Friday. Drier, sunnier conditions are forecast for the weekend. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

LANSING, Mich. Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her eighth and final State of the State address Wednesday, urging lawmakers to approve an affordable housing tax credit, expand literacy investments, and cap medical debt practices. She proposed a budget including a historic literacy package and a $200 million allocation to continue free school meals, emphasized Michigan’s 44th-place ranking in fourth-grade reading, and urged zoning reforms to accelerate housing construction. Whitmer also proposed limits on medical debt liens and interest. Lawmakers and community groups responded with cautious support and calls for broader statewide reforms today. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington, D.C. officials reported progress this week on cleanup, repairs and ongoing public health monitoring after a Jan. 19 Potomac Interceptor collapse released millions of gallons of sewage into the Potomac River. DC Water installed a temporary bypass, halted overflows for more than two weeks, and began emergency pipe replacement with completion targeted by mid‑March. D.C. Health and Maryland regulators described improving water‑quality tests; D.C. advisers plan to lift boating and fishing restrictions on March 2 while Maryland will reopen shellfish harvesting March 10. Regional lawmakers requested federal funding for infrastructure rehabilitation. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Seattle. Bill Gates apologized this week to Gates Foundation staff for past ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after Justice Department-released documents prompted questions, the Wall Street Journal reported. At a Tuesday town hall, Gates said he had two affairs with Russian women that Epstein later discovered and denied any illicit conduct, saying, "I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit." He said photographs in the files were taken at Epstein's request and called spending time with Epstein a "huge mistake." The documents and reporting prompted the public disclosures and apology. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington, President Donald Trump told Congress in his State of the Union address this week that he prefers to resolve the confrontation with Iran through diplomacy but will not allow Tehran to obtain a nuclear weapon, and he reiterated threats of military action if talks fail. He cited Iranian support for militant groups, alleged killings of protesters, and resumed nuclear and missile activity while the administration has increased U.S. forces in the Middle East. Negotiations in Muscat and a second round in Geneva are ongoing, and Trump separately announced higher temporary tariffs. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Escondido — City councilmembers voted to retain a contract allowing Department of Homeland Security agents, ICE officers, to use the Escondido Police Department firing range for training. The arrangement, which officials say reflects prior use since 2013 and a formal 2024 agreement, drew dozens of protesters and nearly 200 public comments opposing the contract during a council meeting. Speakers cited concerns about local cooperation with immigration enforcement and recent federal actions. Council rejected a motion to end the agreement after hours of discussion. The city will receive $22,500 annually under the multi‑year contract. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — President Donald Trump spotlighted a Bakersfield girl injured in a June 2024 Mojave Desert crash during his State of the Union address Tuesday, and urged Congress to pass 'Dalilah Law' to bar states from issuing commercial driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants. Dalilah Coleman, seven, attended with her father after suffering a broken femur, fractured skull and severe brain swelling. Authorities arrested truck driver Partap Singh in August 2025. Republican Senator Jim Banks introduced a bill mirroring the proposal. Transportation leaders backed English‑language CDL requirements while family members advocated nationwide adoption policy. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — President Donald Trump said in his State of the Union address Tuesday that he ended eight wars and credited himself with preventing a nuclear war between India and Pakistan, asserting Pakistan's prime minister had told him 35 million people would have died without his intervention. Indian officials denied U.S. involvement and said Pakistan's military leadership requested a cessation of operations after India's May 7 Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam attack. Pakistani authorities and independent reports cited retaliatory drone strikes and neutralised attacks. Multiple outlets reported variations of Trump's earlier numerical claims. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Ann Arbor, Michigan clinched a share of the Big Ten regular-season title Tuesday, beating Minnesota 77-67 at Crisler Center, improving to 26-2 and 16-1. Elliot Cadeau led with 15 points and five assists, L.J. Cason added 14 points, and Aday Mara contributed ten. The Wolverines used a second-half surge and nine second-half three-pointers to secure the victory. Michigan needs one win in its remaining three games, including Friday at No. 10 Illinois, to clinch the title outright and earned a triple-bye in the Big Ten Tournament, and boosted national NCAA seeding projections. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.