Rant & Rave: Reader appreciates ‘Santa’s helpers’ in Edmonds

Stanley Dotson, a 41-year-old man with a criminal record of at least 26 arrests, has been charged with felony attempted kidnapping of a 13-year-old girl in Houston. He allegedly attempted to abduct her while she was riding her electric scooter by grabbing her arm and dragging her before she screamed for help, resulting in his flight. Dotson was identified through an anonymous tip and photo lineup, and his bail is set at $100,000, with authorities...

The Pentagon has mandated military leaders to review and potentially remove library materials related to diversity, anti-racism, and gender issues within two weeks, as part of the Trump administration's initiative to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion content from federal agencies. This order requires identifying materials deemed incompatible with the military's core mission, using specific search terms such as "critical race theory" and "gender identity," and sequestering them for further review. Similar actions have already led...

Rich Trumka Jr., recently dismissed from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) by President Trump, asserts his firing is illegal and plans to challenge it in court. Trumka, along with two other Democratic commissioners, was removed after opposing the integration of members from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) into the agency, fearing it would undermine product safety. Consumer advocacy groups have condemned the firings, citing concerns over the independence of the CPSC and...

Mexico is suing Google for calling the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America on Google Maps for US users, following repeated requests to revert the name. President Claudia Sheinbaum contends that an executive order by Donald Trump, which renamed the gulf for federal agencies, only applies to the US continental shelf and lacks authority over the entire body of water. Google maintains that the name change reflects official updates, but Sheinbaum's government insists on...

In a historic moment for Chicago, childhood friend Sherry Stone congratulated Robert Prevost on his election as Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, while the city celebrated with humor and pride. Local officials, including Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson, highlighted the significance of this event, with residents sharing personal connections to Leo and expressing confidence in his ability to unite people. Born in Chicago in 1955, Leo's deep-rooted faith and community ties...

A federal judge has ordered the release of Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk, who was detained in Louisiana after being arrested by US immigration officials in Massachusetts. The judge criticized the government's case, which relied solely on her critical op-ed about Israel, stating her detention infringed on First Amendment rights. Ozturk, who suffers from asthma and has a Fulbright scholarship, can now return to her studies and teaching, marking a significant win for civil liberties...