West
SI model leaving CA for TN due to homelessness, 'dirty' streets, taxes and more
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass publicized LA4LA during a State of the City address on Monday, when she called on the “the most fortunate” to contribute “personal, private sector and philanthropic funds” to combat the homeless crisis in the city.
The campaign pleads for wealthy California residents to offer funds, so city officials can move the over 40,000 homeless people from the streets of Los Angeles into housing.
“I quite frankly feel a little bit taken advantage of when I, too, have had to struggle and to create my own opportunities through hard work and education,” Kristen Louelle Gaffney, Sports Illustrated model and resident of San Diego told Fox News Digital over the phone. “Why should somebody have a piece of my hard work?”
Gaffney, a graduate of Sonoma State University and originally from San Jose, financially supported herself through a college education.
LOS ANGELES IN HOT WATER OVER SPENDING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS ON WORSENING HOMELESS CRISIS
Sports Illustrated model Kristen Louelle Gaffney has no plans to contribute any more money toward helping homelessness in California than she already does through taxes. (Kristen Louelle Gaffney)
“I came from nothing,” she said. “I think the most my parents did financially for me was pay for a tank of gas and maybe some groceries here and there in college.”
“We were very, very poor,” Gaffney said.
While Gaffney maintains that she and other California residents have already contributed plenty financially through taxes, she pointed to families cared for by single mothers, veterans and the elderly as the first homeless demographics that she believes should receive free housing.
“Drug addicts should be last on the list,” she said. “We should be focusing on the people that need help. Yes, but let’s create more opportunities and less systems that are ‘hand out’ systems that people are absolutely taking advantage of.”
CALIFORNIA GOP LEADERS CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AFTER STATE CAN’T ACCOUNT FOR $24B SPENT ON HOMELESS CRISIS
Gaffney added, “How can we create opportunities for these, specifically, single women raising children?”
In 2023, 65% of the homeless families in Los Angeles were led by a single mother, according to Gitnux.
In 1990, 196 homeless and 194 housed poor families in Los Angeles were studied by the National Institutes of Health. The study found that of these families, homeless and housed poor mothers were, on average, 29 years of age and had two or three children.
The report states that, at the time, Los Angeles had approximately 35,000-50,000 homeless people.
Kristen Louelle Gaffney, left, is close pals with Brittany Aldean, a Tennessee resident and vocal Republican. (Kristen Louelle Gaffney)
NEWSOM’S HOMELESSNESS COUNCIL BLAMES LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR FAILING TO TRACK BILLIONS SPENT ON CRISIS
In 2023, it was reported that there were over 50,000 unsheltered homeless people in Los Angeles, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.
“You’ve taken enough from us, and you’re only showing me that it’s getting worse,” Gaffney said of homelessness. She credits her frustration to both President Biden and Gov. Gavin Newsom and their policies.
Gaffney is skeptical of where the billions of dollars previously allocated for solving LA homelessness has gone. She says that she has not seen a positive change in chronic homelessness in Los Angeles, which is spreading far outside the city and onto the campuses of her children’s school.
“The more we claim, and I use the word claim very strongly, that we’re helping these people, it seems like the situation is getting worse,” she said.
In February, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced “over $188 million for FY 2023 renewal and new projects to the Los Angeles Continuum of Care,” which includes various housing projects, according to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.
Kristen Louelle Gaffney and her husband, former NFL running back Tyler Gaffney, are fleeing California and moving their three children to Nashville, Tennessee. (Kristen Louelle Gaffney)
A total of $1.4 million was to be earmarked for 47 beds for domestic violence survivors experiencing homelessness, according to the source.
“We’re constantly giving,” Gaffney said. “What more do you want from us?”
As a result of the seemingly incurable homeless crisis in LA, many Americans are uprooting their lives in The Golden State and relocating elsewhere.
Gaffney and her husband, former NFL running back Tyler Gaffney, are only one family on their way out.
The duo, and their three children, are migrating south to Nashville, Tennessee. The homeless crisis, accelerated cost of living, taxable income and an unsafe environment are only a few of the reasons the Gaffney family is moving clear across the country.
“A lot of people come to LA thinking this is the land of my dreams, this is the land of opportunity, this is where I can create something and make a name for myself,” Gaffney said. “LA homelessness…there’s nothing like it. I’ve been on the East Coast, I’ve been on the West Coast, I’ve been in the Bay Area.”
“This is the dirtiest I’ve seen our cities,” she said.
Read the full article from Here
Montana
Bring your Treasures to the Montana Appraisal Fair in Billings
`;
//Diable page scrollable
let body = document.querySelector(“body”);
body.classList.add(“aarp-c-modal–open”);
let closeButton = modal.nextElementSibling;
if (uxdiaUrl) {
modal.parentElement.parentElement.classList.add(
“uxdia-c-lightbox__container”,
);
modal.classList.add(“uxdia-c-coi-modal__content”);
closeButton
? closeButton.classList.add(“uxdia-c-coi-close-button”)
: “”;
closeButton
? (closeButton.dataset.formelementid = “COI-ALERT-CLOSE-UXDIA”)
: “”;
modal.querySelector(“#sendmail-btn”).dataset.formelementid =
“COI-ALERT-SEND-UXDIA”;
}
//Remove aarp-c-modal–closed class
const interval = setInterval(() => {
const modal = document.querySelector(
“.aarp-c-modal:has(.uxdia-c-coi-modal__content)”,
);
if (modal && modal.classList.contains(“aarp-c-modal–closed”)) {
modal.classList.remove(“aarp-c-modal–closed”);
clearInterval(interval);
}
}, 500);
const modalCloseButton = document.querySelector(
“.uxdia-c-coi-close-button”,
);
const parentModalContainer = document.querySelector(
“.aarp-c-modal__overlay”,
).parentElement;
const modalContainer = document.querySelector(
“.aarp-c-modal__container”,
);
const sendMailBtn = document.querySelector(“#sendmail-btn”);
// Close on button click
modalCloseButton.addEventListener(“click”, () => {
body.classList.remove(“aarp-c-modal–open”);
parentModalContainer.classList.add(“aarp-coi-modal-closed”);
});
// Close only when clicking outside modal
parentModalContainer.addEventListener(“click”, (e) => {
// Ignore click if it’s inside modal OR on sendmail button
if (
!modalContainer.contains(e.target) &&
!e.target.closest(“#sendmail-btn”)
) {
body.classList.remove(“aarp-c-modal–open”);
parentModalContainer.classList.add(“aarp-coi-modal-closed”);
}
});
const atCookie = decodeURIComponent(
AARP.StayingSharp.evs.cookie[“at”],
);
const cookiesObj = atCookie.split(“&”).reduce(function (n, o) {
const x = o.split(“=”);
n[x[0]] = x[1];
return n;
}, {});
const userFirstName = cookiesObj.f
? cookiesObj.f.replace(/+/g, ” “)
: AARP?.store?.getState()?.cookie?.at?.f;
const title = modal.querySelector(“#emailverification-modal-title”);
if (title) {
if (userFirstName) {
title.textContent = greetingText + ” ” + userFirstName;
} else {
title.textContent = “Please confirm your email address”;
}
}
const button = $(“#sendmail-btn”);
if (button) {
$(“#sendmail-btn”).addEventListener(“click”, function (event) {
event.preventDefault();
AARP.StayingSharp.evs.sendEvsEmail();
if (uxdiaUrl) {
let modalDescriptionElements = modal.querySelectorAll(
“.sharp-c-coi-modal__padding”,
);
title.textContent = “Thank you!”;
modalDescriptionElements[0]
? (modalDescriptionElements[0].innerHTML = `A verification email is waiting for you in your inbox. Simply click the link in the email and you are good to go!`)
: “”;
modalDescriptionElements[1]?.remove();
button.remove();
closeButton
? (closeButton.dataset.formelementid = “COI-TY-CLOSE-UXDIA”)
: “”;
} else {
// Hide popup here
AARP.Everywhere.GlobalModal.close();
}
});
AARP.StayingSharp.openModal(
“sharp-c-coi-modal”,
closedCoiModalCallback,
);
}
}
},
showConfirmationModal: function (data, confirmCallback, cancelCallback) {
const modal = document.querySelector(“#aarp-c-modal-content”);
if (modal) {
modal.innerHTML = “;
const yesButton = document.getElementById(“confirm-modal-yes-btn”);
const noButton = document.getElementById(“confirm-modal-no-btn”);
const titleElement = document.getElementById(“confirm-modal-title”);
const messageElement = document.getElementById(
“confirm-modal-message”,
);
if (data) {
if (yesButton && data.positiveButtonText) {
yesButton.textContent = data.positiveButtonText;
}
if (noButton && data.negativeButtonText) {
noButton.textContent = data.negativeButtonText;
}
if (titleElement && data.title) {
titleElement.textContent = data.title;
}
if (messageElement && data.message) {
messageElement.textContent = data.message;
}
}
if (yesButton) {
yesButton.addEventListener(“click”, function (event) {
event.preventDefault();
if (confirmCallback) {
confirmCallback();
}
AARP.Everywhere.GlobalModal.close();
});
}
if (noButton) {
noButton.addEventListener(“click”, function (event) {
event.preventDefault();
if (cancelCallback) {
cancelCallback();
}
AARP.Everywhere.GlobalModal.close();
});
AARP.StayingSharp.openModal(“sharp-c-coi-modal”);
}
}
},
drawErrorMssgOverlay: function () {
// $(“#email-verification-failed”).classList.classList.remove(“sharp-c-coi-modal–close”)
},
drawThankYouOverlay: function () {
// $(“#thankyou-popup”).classList.classList.remove(“sharp-c-coi-modal–close”)
},
drawRewardsThankYouOverlay: function () {
const modal = document.querySelector(“#aarp-c-modal-content”);
if (modal) {
modal.parentElement.classList.add(“sharp-c-coi-modal__popup”);
if (uxdiaUrl) {
modal.parentElement.parentElement.classList.add(
“uxdia-c-lightbox__container”,
);
modal.classList.add(“uxdia-c-coi-modal__content”);
modal.innerHTML = `
`;
let closeButton = modal.nextElementSibling;
closeButton
? closeButton.classList.add(“uxdia-c-coi-close-button”)
: “”;
closeButton
? (closeButton.dataset.formelementid = “COI-TY-CLOSE-UXDIA”)
: “”;
} else {
modal.innerHTML = `
`;
}
const userFirstName = AARP?.store?.getState()?.cookie?.at?.f || “”;
const title = modal.querySelector(“#emailverification-modal-title”);
if (title) {
title.textContent = “Thank You” + ” ” + userFirstName;
}
const button = $(“#continue-btn”);
if (button) {
$(“#continue-btn”).addEventListener(“click”, function (event) {
event.preventDefault();
// hide popup here
AARP.Everywhere.GlobalModal.close();
});
AARP.StayingSharp.openModal(“sharp-c-coi-modal”);
}
}
},
};
if (
(AARP?.StayingSharp?.apiConstants?.isEditMode === “false” &&
AARP?.StayingSharp?.apiConstants?.isPreviewMode === “false”) ||
(AARP?.Everywhere?.isAuthor === false &&
AARP?.Everywhere?.isEdit === false)
) {
if (window.location.href.includes(“stayingsharp”)) {
AARP.readyStateLoader(function () {
const checkAppViewParam = AARP.StayingSharp?.utils?.getQueryString(
“EXP”,
window.parent.location.href,
);
sessionStorage.setItem(“STAYINGSHARP_COI_MODAL_DISPLAY”, “COIMODAL”);
if (
sessionStorage.getItem(“STAYINGSHARP_LEGAL_MODAL_DISPLAY”) ===
“LEGALMODAL” ||
sessionStorage.getItem(“STAYINGSHARP_FREE_TRIAL_MODAL_DISPLAY”) ===
“FREETRIALMODAL” ||
sessionStorage.getItem(“FREE_TRIAL_ASSESMENT_MODAL_DISPLAY”) ===
“FREETRIALASSESMENTMODAL” ||
sessionStorage.getItem(“ASSESSMENT_REMINDER_MODAL”) ||
checkAppViewParam === “staying_sharp_app”
) {
return;
}
document.addEventListener(“FREE_TRIAL_ASSES_MODAL_LOADED”, () => {
if (
sessionStorage.getItem(“STAYINGSHARP_ACTIVE_MODAL_DISPLAY”) ===
“UNAUTHMODAL” ||
sessionStorage.getItem(“STAYINGSHARP_LEGAL_MODAL_DISPLAY”) ===
“LEGALMODAL” ||
sessionStorage.getItem(
“STAYINGSHARP_FREE_TRIAL_MODAL_DISPLAY”,
) === “FREETRIALMODAL” ||
sessionStorage.getItem(“FREE_TRIAL_ASSESMENT_MODAL_DISPLAY”) ===
“FREETRIALASSESMENTMODAL”
) {
return;
}
AARP.StayingSharp.evs.doEvsCheck();
});
});
} else {
AARP.StayingSharp.evs.doEvsCheck();
}
}
})();
Nevada
Nevada first responders receive autism training to improve emergency response
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — First responders from across Nevada gathered for a free training session on how to better recognize and respond to people on the autism spectrum as part of a broader push following the passage of Senate Bill 380 last year.
The free, day-long session, hosted by the Autism Coalition of Nevada, brought together police, firefighters, and emergency personnel from agencies statewide for what organizers call a “train-the-trainer” model. It equipped attendees with tools they can take back to their departments and share with others.
The training is designed to help first responders identify key behaviors associated with autism, such as delayed responses, lack of eye contact, or repetition, and adjust their approach in high-pressure situations where those behaviors could otherwise be misinterpreted.
“The training is to help them understand what’s in front of them, which is a person on the spectrum, and not somebody that’s being combative or argumentative,” said Michelle Scott-Lewing, president of the Autism Coalition of Nevada.
Advocates said misunderstandings can happen frequently, sometimes leading to unnecessary arrests, and this type of education is aimed at reducing those outcomes.
Senate Bill 380, signed into law by Governor Joe Lombardo, requires autism-specific training for first responders and adds guidance around how officers should be educated on recognizing and interacting with individuals on the spectrum, marking a significant step toward more consistent awareness across agencies.
The session was led by First Responder Autism Training, a national program that travels the country teaching officers and emergency crews how to recognize autism indicators and respond appropriately, with real-world scenarios that emphasize slowing down and de-escalating.
Henderson police said their officers already receive training on a range of mental health conditions, but this builds on that foundation with a more focused approach.
“For officers to be able to recognize those signs and be able to understand like, hey, this person, even though they’re not talking to me or they’re not doing what I’m saying, that doesn’t mean they’re non-compliant,” Deputy Chief Matthew Murnane with HPD said. “It just means maybe, hey, there’s something else going on there.”
Organizers said they want to expand the training with an additional session this year in Northern Nevada, aiming to make it more accessible statewide and ensure more first responders have the tools needed to safely handle interactions involving people on the spectrum.
New Mexico
Decision 2026: Gubernatorial candidates discuss education and other topics during second forum
RIO RANCHO, N.M. — We won’t know who New Mexico’s next governor will be until November, but you’ll be deciding who will be on that ballot in just five weeks.
When it comes to the race for governor there are 6 candidates. Tuesday, the community got more insight into their platforms during a forum held at Rio Rancho Public School headquarters.
They touched on a lot of topics: the economy, crime, healthcare and more but one in particular kept coming up: education. In last week’s forum in Santa Fe, they mainly focused on the economy.
Five candidates participated in the forum: Republicans Gregg Hull, Duke Rodriguez and Doug Turner and Democrats Deb Haaland and Sam Bregman. Independent candidate Ken Miyagishima did not participate.
All five candidates say when it comes to education, it’s an issue New Mexico is failing at and pointed to the fact that our state ranks last across the nation.
Hull and Turner both believe part of the answer is stopping what they called “social promotion” which means letting a child go to the next grade even if they don’t meet certain goal posts like reading.
“I’m going to be very, very focused on getting Career, Technical Education into all of our school districts, any school district that wants it, we need to be a partner with that and make sure that we’re meeting the needs of the workforce,” Hull said.
“We can’t just promote kids throughout the their school career, because we end up with a workforce that nobody can hire. So if we don’t focus on our children at all levels, we will be we will continue to fail,” Turner said.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez believes the answer is in offering more programs.
“You can’t have better students without taking care of your teachers, which includes funding their pension plan. We have got to go back to the basics and make our students value their education, make the parents realize the importance,” Rodriguez said.
Both Democrats Haaland and Bregman believe more intervention from educators is needed.
“Our kids need to read sooner. That’s why I want to put reading coaches in the classrooms and make sure that teachers can identify kids that need the help, so that we can make sure that they are ready to go on to the next grade, and that gives builds their confidence,” Haaland said.
“When a first and second grader isn’t up to that grade level, we need to rush in with ped, get them the help they need right away, so that we don’t end up in a situation where they’re at third grade not reading at grade level, at third grade, not doing math at that level,” Bregman said.
All five candidates will be on the primary ballot which will be held June 2.
The Republican and Democratic nominees will face independent Ken Miyagishima — if he gets more than 14,000 signatures and files on June 25, per the Secretary of State’s office.
-
Montana5 minutes agoBring your Treasures to the Montana Appraisal Fair in Billings
-
Nebraska11 minutes agoLincoln Marathon to affect City Campus traffic, parking this weekend
-
Nevada17 minutes agoNevada first responders receive autism training to improve emergency response
-
New Hampshire22 minutes agoPortsmouth Children’s Day Set For Sunday In Downtown With Block Party, Activities
-
New Jersey28 minutes agoSunny Mehta can get a quick win for the New Jersey Devils, but it will take some convincing
-
New Mexico35 minutes agoDecision 2026: Gubernatorial candidates discuss education and other topics during second forum
-
North Carolina41 minutes ago
NC Lottery Pick 3 Day, Pick 3 Evening results for April 28, 2026
-
North Dakota47 minutes agoNorth Dakota Congressional delegation reacts to King Charles visit, speech