National: A shooting occurred in Texas on Wednesday at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, killing one and critically injuring two. A 29-year-old man is the suspect. According to released information, the suspect has no criminal history. The accused gunman killed a detainee and then took his own life. The FBI is investigating the shooting as a “targeted attack,” as the FBI director said anti-ICE slogans were engraved into the bullet casings. President Trump blamed “radical left Democrats” on social media for the violence. “The continuing violence from Radical Left Terrorists, in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, must be stopped,” Trump said.
National: President Trump deployed 200 National Guard members to Portland, Oregon, for the protection of the city’s ICE facility. The State of Oregon responded by suing Trump. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said the deployment “threatens to undermine public safety by inciting a public outcry.” Governor Tina Kotek said there “is no insurrection. There is no threat to national security. And there is no need for military troops in our major cities.”
National: A 40-year-old ex-Marine shot 12 congregants, killing four, at a Mormon church in Maine on Sunday. The shooter apparently used gasoline to start a fire after driving his truck into the church. Police officers fatally shot the killer. Almost the entire church burned to the ground. Officials have yet to release a suspected motive for the attack.
Economy: Vice President JD Vance said the government is likely to shut down after Congress failed to pass a funding bill. “I think we’re headed to a shutdown because the Democrats won’t do the right thing,” Vance said. The shutdown threat happened after Republicans in the House passed a bill to extend the current level of federal funding until November. Democrats in the Senate want the bill to include healthcare provisions, such as boosting public healthcare funding. Republicans refuse, and the shutdown will likely occur on Oct. 1. Federal agencies may have to cease operations indefinitely as a result.
Global: President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss a peace treaty with Gaza. Netanyahu has agreed with the deal, and Trump said he’s “hearing that Hamas wants to get this done, too.” The president has previously made promises to end the war, which has claimed around 68,300 lives since Oct. 7, 2023. The proposal requires Israel to withdraw from the Gaza Strip, for Hamas to recede from power, and for both parties to release hostages and prisoners of war.
Editor’s Note: It’s essential to stay informed, regardless of how disturbing the headlines may be. But negative news doesn’t have to dictate your mood. Time spent with silence, with nature, with family and friends – this is the remedy for our time. We must de-radicalize one another. We must de-radicalize ourselves. This is our collective mission.
