SOCOM’s New MK24 Rifle Signals Major Shift in U.S. Special Operations Firepower

Multi-caliber weapon system capable of swapping barrels and firing both 6.5 Creedmoor and 7.62 NATO rounds could reshape battlefield lethality, logistics, and future U.S. military small-arms doctrine.

The U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is preparing to field one of its most significant small-arms upgrades in decades, introducing a highly adaptable weapon system designed to increase battlefield flexibility, long-range lethality, and operational effectiveness across a wide range of combat environments.

Known as the MK24 Medium Range Gas Gun Assault (MRGG-A), the rifle represents far more than a standard replacement for an aging platform. Defense officials and industry representatives describe the weapon as a modular combat system capable of rapidly adapting to changing battlefield requirements through interchangeable barrels and multiple cartridge options.

The rifle is scheduled to begin fielding before the end of the current fiscal year and will eventually replace SOCOM’s MK17 SCAR rifle, according to officials familiar with the program.

CBS News Civil War Escalates: Scott Pelley Accuses Bari Weiss of Misleading Staff After Explosive ‘60 Minutes’ Ouster

Veteran correspondent Scott Pelley publicly challenges CBS News leadership’s account of his firing, deepening turmoil inside “60 Minutes” as newsroom tensions threaten the future of one of television’s most influential news programs.

The internal turmoil engulfing CBS News reached a new flashpoint this week as longtime “60 Minutes” correspondent Scott Pelley publicly accused CBS News leadership of misleading staff about the circumstances surrounding his abrupt dismissal, fueling growing concerns about the future direction of one of television journalism’s most respected institutions.

The controversy centers on competing accounts of Pelley's departure following a heated confrontation with newly appointed “60 Minutes” Executive Producer Nick Bilton. The dispute has quickly evolved from a personnel matter into a broader debate over newsroom independence, editorial integrity, and the future identity of the iconic newsmagazine.

During a staff conference call Wednesday morning, CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss addressed the controversy directly, describing Pelley's departure as the result of a breakdown in trust and professionalism.

“Before we get into it, I need to address what’s transpired in our newsroom over the past two days and what is making news,” Weiss told employees. “I’m only interested in working in a newsroom that is built on trust and mutual respect.”

According to Weiss, CBS News made multiple attempts to repair the relationship with Pelley following Monday’s confrontation.

“We did not want that to happen, but that’s the path that he chose,” Weiss said of the veteran journalist’s departure.

Pelley quickly pushed back against that characterization.

CBS News Upheaval: Scott Pelley Exits ‘60 Minutes’ Following Reported Clash With New Leadership

Veteran Journalist’s Departure Deepens Turmoil at America’s Most-Watched Newsmagazine as CBS Faces Questions About Editorial Direction

NEW YORK | The ongoing transformation of CBS News took another dramatic turn this week as longtime correspondent Scott Pelley reportedly exited *60 Minutes* following a highly publicized confrontation with newly installed executive leadership, raising fresh questions about the future of one of television journalism’s most influential institutions.

Pelley, one of the most recognizable faces in broadcast news and a cornerstone of *60 Minutes* for more than two decades, is reportedly the latest high-profile departure from the iconic newsmagazine amid a sweeping restructuring effort that has already reshaped much of the program’s editorial leadership.

The reported departure comes after a contentious staff meeting in which Pelley allegedly challenged the qualifications and vision of newly appointed executive producer Nick Bilton and editorial chief Bari Weiss. According to accounts reviewed by 'TELL IT LIKE IT IS' Entertainment News, the disagreement reflected growing tensions over the direction of the program as CBS seeks to navigate a rapidly evolving media landscape.

The developments represent one of the most significant periods of transition in *60 Minutes* history.

Tennessee Duo Earn All-America Honors as Lady Vols Complete Historic Women’s Golf Season

Freshman Madison Messimer and Sophomore Kyra Van Kan Become First Tennessee All-Americans Since 2016, Highlighting Program’s National Resurgence

FRISCO, Texas | Tennessee women's golf reached another milestone in one of the most successful seasons in program history Tuesday, as Madison Messimer and Kyra Van Kan were named Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) Honorable Mention All-Americans.

The recognition places the pair among the elite players in collegiate golf and marks the first time since 2016 that Tennessee has produced All-American honorees. Messimer and Van Kan become the 14th and 15th All-Americans in Lady Vol program history and represent the first Tennessee duo to earn All-America recognition in the same season since 2015.

The honors underscore Tennessee's emergence as one of the nation's premier women's golf programs during the 2025-26 campaign.

For Messimer, the accolade caps a sensational freshman season that has already established her among the brightest young stars in college golf. Earlier Tuesday, the standout rookie was also named to the WGCA Division I All-Freshman Team, an honor recognizing the top five freshmen in the nation.

Ole Miss Star Kajsalotta Svarvar Earns First WGCA All-America Honor After Record-Breaking Season

Sophomore Standout Becomes Program’s 10th All-American, Caps Historic Year with NCAA Championship Success

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. | Ole Miss women's golf standout Kajsalotta Svarvar has added one of collegiate golf's most prestigious honors to her rapidly growing résumé.

The Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) announced Tuesday that Svarvar has been named a Division I Honorable Mention All-American, marking the first All-America recognition of her career and further solidifying her status as one of the nation's rising stars.

The honor represents the 10th All-America selection in Ole Miss women's golf history and continues the remarkable success of the program under head coach Kory Henkes, with nine of the Rebels' 10 All-America selections coming during her tenure.

A native of Halmstad, Sweden, Svarvar delivered one of the finest individual seasons in recent Ole Miss history during the 2025-26 campaign. Her 71.39 scoring average tied for the fifth-lowest single-season mark in the program since 2003-04, highlighting the consistency and elite-level play that helped propel the Rebels to one of their most successful seasons.

Svarvar's sophomore season featured four top-five finishes, five top-10 results, and seven top-20 performances. She concluded her season on one of college golf's biggest stages, earning a top-20 finish at the 2026 NCAA Women's Golf Championship in Carlsbad, California, while competing against the nation's best players.

Her impact extended beyond tournament finishes, as she etched her name throughout the Ole Miss record book. Svarvar finished second in program history for rounds at even par or better in a single season with 22 and also ranked second for rounds in the 60s with 12.

Auburn Lands Top Transfer Emma Kamper as Tigers Reload for National Title Push

Former Utah Standout and Danish National Champion Brings Elite Experience, International Pedigree to Auburn Women’s Tennis

AUBURN, Ala. | Auburn women’s tennis has secured one of the most impactful additions of the offseason, landing former Utah standout and Danish national champion Emma Kamper through the transfer portal.

Head coach Jordan Szabo announced Tuesday that Kamper will join the Tigers ahead of the 2026-27 season, giving Auburn an accomplished top-lineup player with professional aspirations and an impressive international résumé.

Kamper arrives on the Plains after three successful seasons at Utah, where she established herself as one of the premier singles players in the Big 12 Conference. The Vejle, Denmark, native earned All-Big 12 First Team honors in 2026 after posting a dominant 16-3 singles record, including an undefeated 8-0 mark in conference play while competing exclusively at the No. 1 singles position.

"Really excited for Emma to be joining us as one of the top transfers available," Auburn head coach Jordan Szabo said. "Emma has big goals to develop into a professional tour player and help us compete for a national title."

Calls for Hegseth’s Removal Intensify as Pentagon Controversies Mount

Critics argue Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s leadership decisions, personnel disputes, and political battles are undermining confidence in the Pentagon, while supporters say he is challenging a resistant defense establishment.

WASHINGTON | Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing increasing pressure from critics who argue that a series of controversial decisions and leadership disputes have plunged the Pentagon into unnecessary turmoil, raising questions about his future atop the Department of Defense.

The latest controversy centers on reports that Hegseth blocked the promotions of multiple senior Navy officers while seeking advancement opportunities for at least one close ally who had previously failed to secure promotion through traditional military channels. The move has sparked concern among lawmakers, retired military leaders, and defense analysts who view the military promotion system as a cornerstone of merit-based leadership.

For opponents, the promotion dispute is only the latest in a growing list of concerns regarding Hegseth's management of the Pentagon.

Growing Criticism Across Washington

Critics contend that Hegseth has increasingly injected politics into military decision-making, creating friction with senior officers and generating uncertainty within the armed forces during a period of heightened global instability.

Several defense observers have questioned whether the Pentagon can effectively execute its mission while navigating recurring personnel battles, public controversies, and leadership shakeups.

"The concern is not simply one decision," said one former defense official familiar with military personnel policy. "It's the cumulative effect of repeated controversies that create uncertainty across the chain of command."

Some members of Congress have begun openly discussing increased oversight of Pentagon personnel actions and decision-making processes, particularly regarding senior military appointments.

Hegseth Freezes Eight Navy Flag Officer Promotions, Triggering Pentagon Power Struggle

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's move to halt senior Navy promotions sparks questions about military leadership, promotion norms, and efforts to elevate a trusted ally previously passed over for advancement.

WASHINGTON | Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has halted the promotions of eight senior Navy officers in a move that is drawing scrutiny across the Pentagon and fueling concerns about political influence within the military’s promotion system.

According to defense officials familiar with the matter, the promotion freeze affects a group of Navy flag officers whose advancement had been expected to proceed through the normal personnel process. The action comes amid reports that Hegseth is seeking to elevate at least one member of his inner circle who had previously been passed over for promotion multiple times.

The dispute highlights growing tensions between traditional military personnel practices and the new leadership priorities emerging under the Trump administration's Department of Defense.

U.S. Air Force Eyes Offshore Oil Rigs as Rocket Recovery Hubs in Bid to Accelerate Space Launch Operations

Project Able Baker would transform decommissioned offshore platforms into sea-based landing sites for reusable rockets, boosting launch cadence, lowering costs, and expanding U.S. space mobility capabilities.

The U.S. Air Force is evaluating an ambitious concept that could reshape the future of military and commercial space operations: transforming retired offshore oil platforms into floating rocket recovery hubs.

The initiative, known as **Project Able Baker**, seeks to repurpose aging offshore energy infrastructure into **Sea-Based Recovery Stations (SBRS)** capable of receiving and supporting reusable rocket boosters launched by the U.S. Space Force and commercial space companies. The concept is being explored through a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) solicitation that highlights both national security and economic advantages.

If successful, the project could provide the United States with a distributed network of offshore recovery locations, reducing dependence on specialized recovery ships while increasing the frequency and flexibility of launch operations.

Jill Biden’s Memoir Reignites Democratic Debate Over 2024 Defeat as Party Struggles to Move Forward

Former First Lady dismisses concerns about reopening old political wounds, but critics say her book tour risks reviving questions about President Biden’s final campaign and Democrats’ path to recovery.

As Democrats attempt to chart a path back to political relevance ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, former First Lady Jill Biden has found herself at the center of an uncomfortable conversation many within the party hoped had already ended.

Her new memoir, released amid ongoing Democratic efforts to analyze and recover from the party’s 2024 presidential defeat, offers a personal and emotional account of one of the most consequential periods in modern American politics. Yet instead of providing closure, the book has reignited debates about President Joe Biden’s final months as a candidate, the Democratic Party’s decision-making process, and the leadership choices that contributed to its electoral loss.

Appearing on NBC’s “Today” show, Jill Biden dismissed suggestions that her promotional tour is reopening divisions within the party.

“Democrats have a great future,” she said. “We’re looking forward to winning the midterms. Things are going to move forward. And yes, we’re going to look back and learn from the mistakes we made.”

Her comments reflect an effort to balance reflection with optimism. However, some Democratic strategists, operatives, and former White House aides reportedly view the memoir’s timing differently. According to critics, revisiting the events surrounding President Biden’s controversial 2024 debate performance risks distracting from efforts to rebuild voter confidence and develop a forward-looking political message.

At the center of the controversy are revelations in the memoir about President Biden’s widely criticized debate appearance, a moment many analysts view as the turning point that ultimately ended his reelection campaign.

Go Build Alabama Connects Job Seekers With Skilled Trades Careers at Montgomery Safety Discovery Day

Elaine Hayes highlights growing demand for construction and trade professionals as families, students, and job seekers explore career pathways through hands-on safety demonstrations and workforce engagement.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Workforce development advocates, industry leaders, and community partners gathered Saturday at EastChase Shopping Center for Go Build Alabama's Safety Discovery Day, an event designed to educate families about safety while introducing students and job seekers to rewarding careers in Alabama's skilled trades industries.

Held near Kohl's on Berryhill Road, the event combined public safety education with workforce recruitment efforts, creating a unique environment where attendees could learn practical safety skills while exploring employment opportunities in some of Alabama's most in-demand professions.

According to Elaine Hayes of Go Build Alabama, one of the event's primary objectives was to connect job seekers with opportunities in the skilled trades sector, where employers continue to face workforce shortages amid growing demand for construction, infrastructure, manufacturing, and related occupations.