Extreme wind gusts hit Chicago area amid severe weather outbreak – NBC Chicago

President Donald Trump is set to sign a directive requiring universities to submit admissions data to demonstrate compliance with non-affirmative action policies, following recent settlements with Ivy League schools mandating the disclosure of applicant race. This directive follows the Supreme Court's ruling against affirmative action, which has sparked significant debate over academic freedom and diversity in education. Want More Context? 🔎

Maryland State Police charged 19-year-old Jayden Ballard with impersonating an officer and unlawfully taking a vehicle after he allegedly made fake traffic stops while in a police uniform and driving a marked cruiser. Investigators are looking into how he accessed the uniform and vehicle, and are urging anyone who interacted with him to come forward; his trial is set for September 24. Want More Context? 🔎

Vance Boelter, 58, pleaded not guilty to federal charges, including six counts of murder, for the June 14 shootings of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. Prosecutors indicated that the case, involving extensive evidence from multiple agencies, may be classified as complex, delaying standard trial timelines. Want More Context? 🔎

FBI Director Kash Patel will assist in locating Texas Democratic lawmakers who left the state to protest new congressional maps aimed at increasing GOP representation. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has initiated civil arrest orders and lawsuits against the lawmakers, while allegations of bribery have emerged regarding funding for their quorum break, leading to fines and ongoing investigations. Want More Context? 🔎

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas announced that the FBI will assist in locating state Democratic lawmakers who left Texas to obstruct Republican redistricting efforts. Cornyn expressed gratitude to President Trump and FBI Director Kash Patel for their support, asserting that lawmakers cannot evade their constitutional duties, despite an official's statement that federal agents would not be used for arrests. Want More Context? 🔎

IndyCar was unaware of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) AI-generated image featuring an IndyCar with ICE branding, shared on social media following the announcement of a new immigration detention center near Indianapolis. In response, IndyCar expressed a preference against using their intellectual property for such matters, while DHS denied any violation of rights, promoting the center as part of their immigration enforcement strategy. Want More Context? 🔎