Border Patrol Arrests Firefighter Amid Wildfire Response, Sparking Outrage and Legal Action

SEATTLE — Legal representatives are calling for the release of a long-time Oregon resident who was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol while he was engaged in firefighting during a wildfire in Washington state. The incident has raised concerns among advocates, who maintain that the firefighter was in the process of obtaining legal status after assisting federal investigators with a crime involving his family. According to the lawyers, the arrest was unlawful and contravened guidelines set by the Department of Homeland Security, which prohibit immigration actions where emergency responses are active. The firefighter, along with … Read more

Tragic Lawsuit Alleges Oregon Officers Abandoned Mentally Ill Man to Die in Hot Patrol Car While They Scrolled on TikTok

COOS BAY, Ore. — The family of a man who died in police custody has filed a lawsuit, claiming that officers failed to provide necessary medical care while focusing on personal distractions, including social media. Nathan Bradford Smith, 33, who struggled with mental illness, died of heat stroke exacerbated by methamphetamine use after an arrest in July 2024. According to the lawsuit filed Wednesday, Coos Bay police officers allegedly neglected Smith’s obvious signs of medical distress, instead spending time in a parked patrol car watching TikTok and texting. The complaint accuses the city of Coos … Read more

Hawaii’s Marine Patrol Units Launch Coastal Initiative to Protect Ocean Ecosystems and Promote Awareness

Honolulu, Hawaii — Marine patrol units from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) are actively monitoring the waters surrounding Oahu, Hawaii Island, Maui, and Kauai. These patrols oversee approximately 700 miles of coastline, enforcing regulations from the high-water mark of beaches to three miles offshore, according to Jason Redulla, chief of the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE). DOCARE officers play a critical role in safeguarding Hawaii’s natural resources, focusing on education as much as enforcement. Errol Kane, the lead officer for Oahu’s marine patrol, emphasized the need for a continued … Read more

Minnesota State Patrol Clarifies Use of Amateur Radio During Driving; Ensures Safety and Compliance with Hands-Free Laws

Detroit Lakes, MN – Amid growing concerns over distracted driving, many drivers who also serve as trained storm spotters during weather emergencies wonder about the legality of using amateur radio devices while driving. According to state laws, while such devices are crucial during emergencies, they must still be used responsibly to ensure safety on the roads. In Minnesota, devices such as amateur radios, two-way radios, and citizens band (CB) radios are not covered under the hands-free law, which primarily targets the use of devices like smartphones and tablets for sending texts or emails while driving. … Read more