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Mississippi Homecoming Turns Deadly — 4 Killed, 12 Injured in Leland Shooting

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Police (Kenny Eliason/Unsplash)

A joyous end to a high school homecoming celebration in Leland, Mississippi turned into tragedy as gunfire erupted downtown in the early hours of Saturday, leaving at least four people dead and twelve others wounded. Authorities say the shooter remains at large as multiple agencies—including the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation—are investigating.

Leland Mayor John Lee confirmed no suspect has been identified, and he appealed for calm and cooperation from the public. State Senator Derrick Simmons described the scene as “very chaotic,” noting that multiple victims were airlifted to Jackson, the state capital, for further care.

This shooting is one of three separate homecoming‑related incidents that struck Mississippi Friday night. In Heidelberg, another deadly shooting claimed two lives, one of whom was reportedly a pregnant woman. A third shooting occurred in Rolling Fork, where two suspects were arrested. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves expressed deep sorrow and pledged full support for the investigations.

UK Migrant Welfare Costs Soar to £10 Billion

London (Sabrina Mazzeo/Unsplash)

British taxpayers are footing over £10 billion in annual welfare subsidies to migrants, with new government figures revealing that one in every six pounds spent on the country’s Universal Credit program went to foreign nationals in 2024.

According to internal data obtained by the Daily Telegraph through Freedom of Information Act requests, £10.1 billion of the £61.2 billion Universal Credit budget—aimed at supporting the unemployed and low-income earners—was allocated to migrants last year. That represents a 16.5% share of all payments, a significant increase from £6.3 billion in 2022 and £7.9 billion in 2023.

The report does not include spending on migrants who have since acquired British citizenship, second-generation migrants, or separate public funding allocated to migrants through housing, education, and healthcare programs. Nor does it account for asylum seekers housed in hotels and provided with food at taxpayer expense.

Universal Credit is generally restricted to individuals who have held “indefinite leave to remain” in the UK, requiring at least five years of residency. As such, the data omits the large influx of migrants who arrived post-Brexit under the immigration reforms initiated by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

A separate analysis by the Centre for Policy Studies estimates the lifetime fiscal impact of post-2021 migrants could cost UK taxpayers £234 billion—roughly £8,200 per household—though they caution that the real cost may be even higher depending on future residency grants.

In response, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has proposed replacing indefinite leave to remain with a five-year U.S.-style work visa, stating that welfare payments should be reserved for British citizens. He has also called for stronger immigration controls to limit the long-term burden on the welfare state.

While Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has previously acknowledged that mass immigration has failed to deliver promised economic benefits, he recently criticized Farage’s proposals, accusing them of unfairly targeting new arrivals despite mounting financial concerns.

MIT Becomes First University to Reject Trump Administration’s Education Proposal

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The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) declined a recent offer by the Trump Administration that would tie federal funding to compliance with new higher‑education conditions. MIT’s leadership argued the proposal threatened institutional independence and free expression.

The administration’s proposal, sent to nine major universities, offered preferential federal grants and enhanced access in exchange for adopting policies including caps on international undergraduate enrollment, limits on tuition increases for U.S. students, and screening foreign student applicants on grounds of “hostility to the United States, its allies, or its values.”

MIT President Sally Kornbluth wrote to the U.S. Department of Education that the institute “cannot support the proposed approach” because it imposes constraints inconsistent with “independent thinking and open competition for excellence.” She emphasized that MIT competes on global scale without relying on special preferences.

Critics of the plan say it would allow political control over academic admissions, scholarship priorities, and campus policies. Supporters argue it imposes accountability and education reform. MIT’s refusal sets a precedent: universities may push back if federal incentives compromise core academic mission.

The decision also highlights tension between conservative-driven federal agendas and universities’ desire to preserve autonomy. MIT’s stance may embolden other institutions to reject conditional funding packages.

Trump Heads to Israel, Egypt for Historic Middle East Peace Tour

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Israel flag (Stanislav Vdovin/Unsplash)

President Donald Trump will depart the White House on Sunday afternoon for a high-stakes trip to Israel and Egypt following the announcement of a historic peace deal between Israel and Hamas. The visit includes an address to the Israeli Knesset and a formal peace ceremony in Egypt.

Trump is set to leave at 3:30 p.m. ET, landing in Tel Aviv Monday morning. At 11:00 a.m. local time, he will address the Knesset and meet with families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Later that afternoon, he will travel to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, to participate in a “Middle East Peace Ceremony.” He is expected to return to the White House shortly after midnight Tuesday.

The peace agreement, announced Wednesday via Truth Social, represents the first phase of Trump’s broader Middle East peace plan. It includes Hamas agreeing to release all Israeli hostages, both living and deceased. Trump confirmed that 20 hostages are believed to be alive, while 28 are confirmed dead.

“We’re bringing them home,” Trump said Friday. “To those parents, the dead young man is just as important as though this person were alive. It’s amazing.”

The deal announcement followed a discreet note handed to Trump by Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a roundtable meeting. The note, photographed by Associated Press photographer Evan Vucci, read: “Very close. We need you to approve a Truth Social post soon so you can announce deal first.”

Trump’s diplomatic success has drawn bipartisan praise. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) described it as a “major legacy moment” and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, during an Oval Office visit, called the agreement “historic,” praising Trump for what he called “almost the best of record.”

As Trump prepares to speak on the world stage and preside over a major peace ceremony, the trip is poised to mark one of the most consequential foreign policy moments of his presidency.

Ian Watkins Prison Murder, Two Inmates Arrested

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Image via Canva

British authorities have launched a murder investigation after Ian Watkins, the disgraced former frontman of the Welsh rock band Lostprophets, was stabbed to death in prison. Watkins, 48, was serving a 29-year sentence for a string of horrific child sex offenses when he was fatally attacked with a knife at HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire on Saturday.

Emergency responders were called to the prison in the morning, but Watkins was pronounced dead at the scene. West Yorkshire Police confirmed the arrest of two male inmates, aged 25 and 43, on suspicion of murder.

Watkins was convicted in 2013 after pleading guilty to 13 charges, including attempted rape of a baby, sexual abuse of a 1-year-old, encouraging a fan to abuse her child, and possession of child pornography. His crimes shocked the nation and drew widespread condemnation, with the presiding judge at Cardiff Crown Court calling it one of the worst cases to ever come before the courts.

“This case breaks new ground,” Judge John Royce said at the time. He described Watkins as a manipulative predator who used his fame to commit unspeakable acts, driven by what the judge called an “insatiable lust.”

At the peak of his music career, Watkins led Lostprophets to commercial success, including a No. 1 UK album in 2006. The band quickly disbanded following his arrest, with its members expressing horror over Watkins’ crimes.

HMP Wakefield, where Watkins was housed, is a high-security prison known for holding some of the UK’s most dangerous offenders. The fatal stabbing has raised renewed concerns about violence within the prison system, especially against inmates convicted of crimes involving children.

UVA Law Students Circulate ‘Antifascist’ Flyer Featuring Burning Flag

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U.S. Flagpole (Christopher Burns/Unsplash)

A University of Virginia (UVA) law student circulated a flyer promoting an “Antifascist Tailgate” that included imagery of a burning American flag and promised “hot dogs and burning flags” in protest of President Trump’s new executive order on flag desecration.
It remains unclear whether the event actually occurred, though it was scheduled for October 3 according to internal group chat messages.

In the flyer, the American flag is shown on a grill as part of the design, signaling the organizers’ intention to elevate the protest imagery. Kirk Woolf, a UVA law student and Navy veteran, is credited with circulating the flyer in a law student group chat. The event was organized under the name “Friends Against Fascism.” Woolf reportedly justified the planned protest as a response to Trump’s executive order targeting flag burning. He argued to critics that “the president does not get to say what the law is; that is solely the province of the judiciary,” framing it as a defense of free speech.

Woolf is also a recipient of the Pat Tillman scholarship, which honors military service and leadership. The incident illustrates rising tensions on campuses as conservative policies prompt dramatic responses from protest groups. The use of provocative imagery challenges norms about political protest and symbol usage in academic spaces.

Family of Man Killed by Off-Duty Officer, Shooting Was Justified

Police vehicle lights via Canva Pro

The family of 26-year-old Elijah Wilks, who was fatally shot by an off-duty Milwaukee police officer Thursday, acknowledged during a press conference Friday that the officer’s actions were justified based on the circumstances.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that the family reviewed video footage of the incident, which showed Wilks slapping the off-duty officer and brandishing a firearm following a minor car accident. Wilks allegedly pointed the weapon at the officer, prompting the fatal shooting.

The officer, a 40-year-old with 20 years on the force, was not on duty at the time but responded immediately to the apparent threat. Local station FOX 6 Now confirmed the officer’s identity and years of service, though his name has not been publicly released.

Wilks’ aunt, after watching the video, said, “He made a decision that he should not have made, and that is just something we have to live with.” She described Wilks as a loved family member—“a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew”—but acknowledged his role in escalating the incident.

The family’s attorney, B’Ivory LaMarr, also publicly affirmed the legitimacy of the officer’s use of force. “We will acknowledge that we believe this officer-involved shooting was justified,” LaMarr stated. “We acknowledge that [Wilks] made a bad decision… and unfortunately it came with dire consequences.”

The incident comes amid ongoing national debate over police use of force, but the Wilks family’s response stands out in its recognition of personal accountability and the legal justification of the officer’s actions. Investigations into the shooting are ongoing.

Case Western Students Hit with $350,000 Vandalism Bill After Anti‑Israel Protest

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Protest (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

Nearly a dozen protesters at Case Western Reserve University have been ordered to pay over $350,000 in restitution after being charged in connection with vandalism during an anti‑Israel demonstration. The settlement comes through a legal diversion agreement that may clear criminal records if conditions are met—and some face ongoing university discipline.

In February 2025, an Ohio grand jury indicted 11 participants in a November 2024 protest on allegations they dumped and smeared gallons of red paint over several buildings, walkways, an electrical pole, outdoor furniture, and on a statue of a former professor—inflicting approximately $400,000 in damage.

Under a resolution negotiated with the Cuyahoga County prosecutor’s office, the defendants submitted restitution exceeding $350,000 as part of a pre‑trial diversion program. If they satisfy all agreed mandates, their criminal records will be expunged.

Despite the legal agreement, three of the individuals still face expulsion proceedings through the university’s own conduct system running in parallel to the criminal case.

Supporters of the protesters, referencing the group as “CWRU 11,” accuse the system of coercion, stating the financial penalty is a tool to “scare us into silence.” They also dispute the $400,000 damage figure as inflated.

This case underscores a sharp message: political expression on campus does not shield individuals from consequences when property damage is involved. Free speech rights do not extend to destructive actions. University and legal systems are signaling that decorum, civil discourse, and respect for campus property remain enforceable standards.

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Defies Student Government, Approves TPUSA Chapter

Charlie Kirk
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) has officially approved a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) chapter, overriding the decision of its Student Government Association (SGA) which had previously denied the group’s request for recognition. The administration’s move reinforces the principle that constitutional rights to free association and speech cannot be obstructed by campus politics.

The SGA voted to reject the conservative student group on September 24, citing vague concerns about “hate speech” and alleged divisiveness. The vote triggered backlash from students, alumni, and constitutional advocates who argued that denying recognition based on ideological grounds violates the university’s obligations under the First Amendment.

Following the rejection, university officials received a letter from attorney Robert Barnes threatening legal action if the denial was not overturned. Barnes cited binding legal precedent affirming that student organizations must be recognized without viewpoint discrimination. UTC’s Office of Student Affairs quickly clarified that only university administration has the final authority to approve or deny student groups.

In an official statement, the university affirmed its commitment to free speech and announced that TPUSA would be fully recognized. The administration acknowledged that while the SGA’s input is considered, it does not possess veto power over official recognition. UTC Dean of Students Dr. Terry Deneka and Chancellor Steven Angle confirmed that the TPUSA chapter would move forward under university policy.

Sophie Fuller, president of the new UTC TPUSA chapter, said the organization will promote open dialogue and conservative values on campus. TPUSA’s founding by conservative activist Charlie Kirk—recently killed at a debate event in Pennsylvania—has fueled renewed interest in the group’s mission across college campuses nationwide.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s decision reflects a growing trend where administrators must step in as student governments seek to suppress conservative voices under the guise of inclusivity or safety.

Rutgers ‘Antifa’ Professor’s Spain Escape Foiled by Sudden Flight Cancellation

(Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

Mark Bray, a Rutgers University history professor known for his scholarship on anti‑fascist movements, attempted to relocate his family to Spain amid mounting threats — only to have his flight canceled moments before departure. Bray suspects the cancellation was intentional.

Bray claimed his reservation at Newark Liberty International was abruptly revoked without clear explanation. The airline then rebooked them for a flight the following day.
He told the Washington Post, “I may sound conspiratorial, but I don’t think it is a coincidence.”

The timing follows increased pressure on Bray. After public criticism and accusations labeling him as “Dr. Antifa,” the discussion intensified when activists circulated a petition through a Rutgers Turning Point USA chapter demanding his termination.
Bray denied involvement with any antifa group, insisting his role is purely academic and research-based.

This incident highlights a broader clash on campus over academic freedom, political labeling, and whether targeted campaigns against controversial faculty cross into intimidation.

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