How Waffle House helps Southerners — and FEMA — judge a storm’s severity

A federal judge approved a $2.3 million settlement for a class action lawsuit against Trinity Teen Solutions, a now-defunct program for troubled teens in Wyoming, which faced allegations of forced labor, including humiliating punishments for non-compliance. The settlement covers over 250 former residents from 2010 to 2022, though some plaintiffs express dissatisfaction due to a nondisparagement clause and the lack of an admission of wrongdoing by the ranch. More Context

Stock markets globally fell and oil prices surged following Israel's military strikes on Iran, targeting nuclear facilities and military figures. The S&P 500 futures dropped 1.1%, while U.S. crude oil prices rose 7.3% to $72.91 per barrel; analysts warn that increased energy costs could hinder U.S. inflation progress, despite no immediate impact on Iranian oil exports. More Context

A Maryland mother, Darrian Randle, has been charged with murdering her 3-year-old daughter, Nola Dinkins, after falsely reporting her kidnapping, leading to an Amber Alert. Randle admitted to lying to divert attention from her boyfriend, Cedrick Antoine Britten, who has also been arrested as an accessory to the murder; human remains consistent with a child were found, pending identification. More Context

Democratic Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed and handcuffed during a press conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles, prompting widespread condemnation from both Democrats and some Republicans. Padilla attempted to ask questions regarding immigration enforcement amid ongoing protests, leading to accusations of "disrespectful political theatre" from the Trump administration, while he argued that such actions against a senator highlight broader issues of authority and dissent. More Context

Protests in Los Angeles against immigration raids, ongoing for a week, have led to a significant law enforcement presence, including local police and federal agencies, with active-duty military involvement ordered by President Trump. Despite a federal judge blocking the deployment, around 4,000 troops are in the area, and various law enforcement agencies have been engaged in crowd control and immigration enforcement operations. More Context

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, recently returned to the U.S. after being detained in El Salvador, is set to be arraigned in Tennessee on human smuggling charges, following a complex legal battle over his deportation linked to alleged MS-13 gang ties. Federal prosecutors seek pre-trial detention, citing flight risk and potential witness intimidation, while his attorneys dispute these claims, arguing he poses no risk of flight or obstruction. More Context