Federal Probe Blames Loose Wire, Missing Risk Assessment for Deadly Key Bridge Collapse

NTSB says the Baltimore disaster — which left six dead and crippled the port — was “entirely preventable,” faulting ship failures, Maryland oversight gaps, and outdated protections on critical infrastructure.

WASHINGTON | A loose signal wire aboard a massive cargo ship and Maryland’s failure to conduct a critical vulnerability study were the primary factors behind the Francis Scott Key Bridge catastrophe that killed six people and shut down one of America’s busiest ports, according to federal investigators.

In a highly anticipated briefing Tuesday, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued its most direct condemnation yet of the 2024 tragedy, describing a cascade of preventable failures that culminated in the collapse of the iconic Baltimore bridge.

“This tragedy should have never occurred. Lives should have never been lost,” NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said. “As with all accidents we investigate, this was preventable.”

‘Why Don’t You Know?’ Xavier Becerra Rocked by Scandal as California Governor’s Race Tightens

The former U.S. Health Secretary isn’t accused of wrongdoing — but federal indictments against his closest aides have ignited questions about oversight, judgment, and his readiness to lead the nation’s largest state.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. | Xavier Becerra entered the California governor’s race hoping to revive a stalled campaign. Instead, he’s now fighting to contain a political firestorm — one that threatens to derail his bid before it ever gains traction.

Becerra, the former Health and Human Services secretary under President Joe Biden and California’s longtime attorney general, is not accused of criminal wrongdoing in a sweeping federal indictment unsealed last week. But the revelations — centered on a years-long scheme by two of his most trusted aides to siphon more than $225,000 from a dormant campaign account — have plunged Sacramento into chaos and deeply shaken confidence in Becerra’s leadership.

Political strategists say the scandal raises a simple but devastating question: How could Becerra not have known?

“If I was a voter looking at this, I’d ask, ‘Why don’t you know?’” said Los Angeles-based Democratic consultant Doug Herman. “People expect leaders to know what’s happening around them — especially when it involves their own top advisers.”

Larry Summers Withdraws From Public Roles, Says He Is “Deeply Ashamed” After Epstein Email Revelations

The former Treasury secretary faces mounting pressure as newly released messages show he sought Epstein’s advice on romantic pursuits and made controversial remarks about women’s intelligence. Harvard, OpenAI, and other institutions are now weighing next steps.

WASHINGTON | Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers announced Monday that he will be stepping back from high-profile public commitments after newly released emails revealed an unexpectedly close — and deeply troubling — advisory relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In a statement to 'TELL IT LIKE IT IS' News, Summers expressed “deep shame” and accepted responsibility for communications in which he sought Epstein’s advice on personal matters, including how to pursue a romantic relationship with a woman he called his mentee. In one exchange, Epstein described himself as Summers’ “wing man,” while Summers, in another email, suggested women on average have a lower IQ than men.

“I am deeply ashamed of my actions and recognize the pain they have caused,” Summers said. “I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein. While continuing to fulfill my teaching obligations, I will be stepping back from public commitments as one part of my broader effort to rebuild trust and repair relationships with the people closest to me.”

Experts Raise Doubts About Trump’s Dividend Payment Proposal

A bogus online post falsely claims that this month the federal government will issue “a $2,000 direct deposit payment for eligible U.S. citizens” in three phases from Nov. 10 through Nov. 30. 

There are no scheduled direct deposits, and no checks are in the mail.

President Donald Trump has only talked about using revenue collected from tariffs, or customs duties, on imported foreign goods to reduce the federal debt and make “rebate” or “dividend” payments to Americans. He reiterated his wishes on Nov. 9.

“People who are against Tariffs are FOOLS!,” Trump wrote on Truth Social that day. “We are taking in Trillions of Dollars and will soon begin paying down our ENORMOUS DEBT, $37 trillion. Record Investment in the USA, plants and factories going up all over the place. A dividend of at least $2000 a person (not including high-income people!) will be paid to everyone.”

He made his pitch again the next day while taking press questions in the Oval Office.

“Without tariffs, we would be — this country would be in such trouble, as they were for many years,” he said. “That’s why we owe $38 trillion. And one of the things we’re going to do is issue a dividend of about $2,000 to our middle- and lower-income people. And we’re going to use the remaining tariffs to lower our debt.