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'Tough decisions' in store for 'sanctuary' cities after Bondi turns off federal funding spigot

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'Tough decisions' in store for 'sanctuary' cities after Bondi turns off federal funding spigot

With Attorney General Pam Bondi ordering a pause on federal funds for so-called “sanctuary cities,” Fox News Digital asked leaders of both parties in states likely to be affected their thoughts, and whether they believe their cities can handle the dearth of funding.

Bondi also directed the DOJ probe instances of jurisdictions that are impeding law enforcement, and that they be prosecuted when necessary. 

In Pennsylvania, at least two major cities have enacted sanctuary policies, while leaders in a third have signaled opposition to working with federal immigration authorities.

Philadelphia notably announced its new paradigm when then-Mayor Jim Kenney videotaped himself dancing in his office and singing, “We are a sanctuary city” after a judge ruled in the city’s favor on enacting such policies. The video went viral. 

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The Philadelphia skyline (Getty Images)

A representative for current Mayor Cherelle Parker declined comment on Bondi’s action when reached Thursday.

Lancaster, a blue dot in Amish country’s sea of red, also approved sanctuary city status – while Republicans at the county level passed an ordinance ensuring cooperation with the feds.

While Pittsburgh is not formally a sanctuary city, Democratic Mayor Ed Gainey recently announced: “I am not going to be working with ICE,” after border czar Tom Homan took the reins in Washington.

Democrats hold a slim, one-seat majority in the state House and the GOP controls the Senate, with Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro leading the executive branch.

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House Minority Leader Jesse Topper, R-Bedford, said in a Thursday interview that it is the position of the GOP caucus to support the law.

“If these municipalities are not upholding the law, then I would expect there to be consequences, and I support that,” Topper said.

Asked what he would say if city leaders sought assistance from him, he would tell them they would have to enforce the law if they expect federal help – and that he and other lawmakers always examine closely all budget requests, whether they be from Philadelphia or elsewhere.

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Topper added that Pennsylvanians showed their support for Bondi’s type of decisions when they elected Sen. David McCormick and President Donald Trump.

State Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-Allentown, said Bondi is totally within her rights to give cities this ultimatum.

“I can’t imagine that losing that funding would be easy to manage for Philadelphia and imagine that they’re going to have some tough decisions to make,” said Coleman, who chairs the state’s panel on government operations.

Sen. Doug Mastriano – the 2022 GOP nominee for governor – said failed sanctuary city policies “put illegals ahead of our citizens.”

“Instead of admitting failure, the city leaders as well as our governor will double down and launch lawsuits for them to continue to put illegals ahead of our people,” said Mastriano, R-Gettysburg.

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Meanwhile, Shapiro said he supports Trump’s efforts to get “criminals who are here illegally out of our communities – I want to see that happen.”

“I don’t want people who are breaking the law in our communities who are wreaking havoc on our communities or claiming lives in our communities to be here,” he added, though he did not directly address Bondi’s order.

Across the state line, New York leaders were bracing for potential action against the sanctuary state and cities like Albany and New York City.

House Speaker Carl Heastie, D-Bronx, was asked about Bondi’s order but did not respond by press time.

But Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt, R-Niagara, said Bondi is “doing exactly” what Trump promised.

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“For far too long, the Biden​ administration, aided and abetted by Kathy Hochul and New York Democrats, pretended to care about public safety while they did nothing about the ​migrant crisis​ in our backyards and​ continued to shovel taxpayer dollars to​ illegal migrants,” Ortt said, adding that Democrats have been ignoring Republicans and constituents’ calls to end such policies.

State Sen. Steve Chan, R-Bensonhurst, one of few minority-party officials in New York City, said he welcomes action against his hometown.

“I don’t blame the Trump administration at all. It’s called fiscal responsibility and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are being spent in the right place,” Chan said.

“There’s a whole long list of more important issues that need funding – we have our own needy, our own homeless, our own veterans, our own victims of disasters, etc. I’d be very grateful to the Trump administration if they can fund New York City in regard to those issues instead of those here illegally.”

Boston is another city likely to be hit with a Bondi withholding order. Mayor Michelle Wu has accepted an invitation to testify on the immigration matter before Congress.

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Massachusetts writ-large has some sanctuary-type policies, including those stemming from its unique right-to-shelter law shepherded by former Gov. Michael Dukakis, the 1988 Democratic presidential nominee. Current Democratic Gov. Maura Healey has said Massachusetts is “not a sanctuary state.”

Fox News Digital reached out to both Massachusetts Senate Leader Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, and House Minority Leader Brad Jones, R-Reading.

New York City skyline (Getty)

In California, where several major municipalities enacted sanctuary policies, a spokeswoman for Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom suggested Bondi may have trouble moving forward with her order.

“Our state laws do not conflict with any federal law and courts have already ruled that attempting to freeze key grants over this issue is illegal,” Diana Crofts-Pelayo told Fox News Digital.

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Newsom also met with Trump on Wednesday and told CNN he was confident the two political foes will have a “strong partnership moving forward.”

“Not specific commitments, but broad strokes,” Newsom said.

As for Republicans in the Golden State, their state Senate leader said Bondi’s order shouldn’t be a shock to sanctuary cities there.

“Local jurisdictions enforcing unlawful sanctuary policies are now officially on notice,” Sen. Brian W. Jones of San Diego told Fox News Digital.

“Law enforcement should prioritize public safety, not cave to extreme, soft-on-crime policies that put our communities at risk.”

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Jones also announced he would be filing legislation within a few weeks to “overhaul” California’s sanctuary state policies.

Jones’ bill will compel law enforcement to cooperate with ICE for violent criminal illegal immigrants, he said.

Chicago is also likely to be a focus of Bondi’s order. Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker – a likely 2028 presidential hopeful – did not respond to a request for comment. 

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Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Jo Daviess, could not immediately be reached.

But in a separate statement Thursday, Pritzker responded to a lawsuit lodged by Bondi’s office in relation to the Land of Lincoln’s noncooperation with ICE.

“Unlike Donald Trump, Illinois follows the law. The bipartisan Illinois TRUST Act, signed into law by a Republican governor, has always been compliant with federal law and still is today,” Pritzker said.

“Illinois will defend our laws that prioritize police resources for fighting crime while enabling state law enforcement to assist with arresting violent criminals.” 

Former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, who preceded Prizker, enacted the TRUST Act, which prevents law enforcement from holding illegal immigrant prisoners without a court warrant.

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Fox News Digital’s Brooke Singman contributed to this report.

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Cleveland, OH

David Henry Obituary – Vermilion, OH

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David Henry Obituary – Vermilion, OH



David Henry


OBITUARY

David G. Henry, 70, of Vermilion, passed away Sunday, March 1, 2026, at his home following a lengthy illness.He was born December 14, 1955, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and had made Vermilion his home for the past 42 years, moving from Irwin, Pennsylvania.Dave began his career with Westinghouse in Pennsylvania before relocating to Ohio in 1983. He was employed at Elyria Foundry for 20 years and later worked as a machinist for 14 years at Betcher Industries, where he retired. He was known throughout his career for his strong work ethic and skilled craftsmanship.In his free time, Dave enjoyed woodworking, taking pride in the projects he created with his hands. Above all, he cherished the time he spent with his family, especially his children and grandchildren.He is survived by his daughter, Alicia Parsons of Vermilion; his sons, David (Fiona) Henry of Bloomington, Indiana and Jonathan (Joanna) Henry of Vermilion and Anthony (Ashley) Cico of Amherst; and 13 beloved grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene (nee Eckenrode) Henry in 2017; his parents, Charles and Gloria (nee Krider) Henry; his brother, Howard Henry; and his son-in-law, Cliff Parsons.The family will receive friends on Friday, March 20, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 5:00 p.m. at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio.Memorial contributions may be made to Friendship Animal Protective League of Lorain County, Inc. 8303 Murray Ridge Road, Elyria, OH 44035 or Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 95000 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com



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Illinois

Illinois lawmakers consider tightening DUI law to 0.05 BAC

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Illinois lawmakers consider tightening DUI law to 0.05 BAC


COLLINSVILLE, Ill. (First Alert 4) – Right now, in Illinois, Missouri and most of the country, drivers must be at or over 0.08 to get a DUI. A proposal in the Illinois Statehouse would lower that threshold.

“Make it as safe as you possibly can out there,” said John Sapolis.

Collinsville resident John Sapolis said while lowering Illinois’ DUI threshold would not affect him, as he rarely drinks, he likes the idea of getting drinkers off the road.

“It’s bad enough out there driving around with people who are not drinking,” said Sapolis.

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If a bill passes in the Illinois House of Representatives, the blood alcohol limit would be lowered, meaning fewer drinks could put somebody over the line for a DUI.

Two Chicago-area lawmakers propose lowering the threshold from 0.08 to 0.05.

“Your body still is not in a proper state to really be behind the wheel,” said Erin Doherty, Regional Executive Director for Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Doherty said even at 0.05, drivers are less coordinated and cannot track moving objects as well as when they are sober.

Utah is the only state in the country to have the 0.05 limit, and Doherty said one in five drivers there changed their behavior.

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“There are so many other options before getting behind the wheel,” said Doherty.

Sara Floyd used to live in Utah and now calls Collinsville home.

“The Midwest people like to have a few beers while they watch their Little League games

“In Utah, you can barely get alcohol at a gas station,” said Floyd.

She said the culture in Utah is very different and thinks there should be some wiggle room for drivers.

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“If one person had a beer within an hour period and then drove, they shouldn’t get a DUI for one drink,” said Floyd.

Doherty said they do not recommend driving even after a single drink.

“You really should not get behind the wheel when you’re any kind of impaired, one drink, five drinks, whatever that looks like, just don’t drive,” said Doherty.

While each body processes alcohol differently, according to the National Library of Medicine, in a two-hour period it takes a 170-pound man three to four drinks to reach 0.05, and it takes a 137-pound woman two to three drinks to reach the same state.

April Sage said she does not think this law would work, saying instead it would help more if the state added more public transit.

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“I could have three beers and get a ride home safely,” said Sage.

First Alert 4 reached out to a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Transportation to see if they had any comments on this bill. The spokesperson said they are not going to comment because it is pending legislation.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, fatal crashes involving one driver who had been drinking increased 4% from 2019 to 2022, despite multiple studies showing fewer Americans are drinking.



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Indiana

Chicago Ridge man accused of stealing vehicles with tow truck, selling them for scrap metal: police

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Chicago Ridge man accused of stealing vehicles with tow truck, selling them for scrap metal: police


CHICAGO (WLS) — A tow truck driver has been accused of selling vehicles he stole.

Illinois State Police arrested 36-year-old Saeed E. Mustafa of Chicago Ridge on Friday.

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Investigators say he used his tow truck to steal vehicles, before selling them for scrap metal.

One of the thefts took place on Feb. 12 on the Bishop Ford Freeway, Illinois State Police said.

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SEE ALSO: 1 in custody after shots fired at 2 CPD squad cars on South Side: Chicago police

Several had been stolen out of Chicago and Indiana, according to police.

Mustafa has been charged with conspiracy to receive/possess/sell a stolen motor vehicle.

He is being held, pending his first court appearance.

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