Midwest
Texas governor exposes ‘hypocrisy’ of Dem push for states’ rights in Minnesota after Biden years
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EXCLUSIVE: Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott called out the “hypocrisy” of the Democratic Party advocating for states’ rights in Minnesota after he was widely lambasted, and even sued, for his efforts to enforce the border during the Biden administration.
Abbott remarked that “hypocrisy is the word choice that really applies to them, because, suddenly, these Minnesota states, they want to insist on states’ rights,” during an interview with Fox News Digital.
In 2021, Abbott launched “Operation Lone Star,” which deployed state troopers and the Texas National Guard to the border and funded barrier construction to deter illegal crossings. He was sued by the administration that same year. Abbott said that Texas’ struggle with the Biden administration is fundamentally different from the controversy in Minnesota and other sanctuary states.
“Texas insisted on states’ rights, but actually, what we were doing in Texas during the Biden administration, we were very simply trying to enforce the federal immigration laws that Joe Biden was refusing to enforce,” he explained. “What we see in Minnesota, however, is total chaos, total anarchy, because what they are doing is not trying to enforce the law; they’re trying to interfere with the enforcement of the law.”
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott visiting the border with the National Guard in Eagle Pass, Texas. (Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
“My job as governor was to make sure we used every tool to secure the border, and it worked,” he explained. “Joe Biden required Texas to take matters into our own hands because of the lack of safety that he instilled in the country. Look at the millions of people who’ve crossed the border illegally. Look at the criminals, the rapists and murderers who came into Houston, Texas, that Joe Biden allowed in.”
“We are a nation that was built upon the rule of law, and the rule of law has to be enforced. When it is enforced, it leads to safer communities,” he added.
The result, according to Abbott, was an over 85% decrease in illegal immigration in the state and a simultaneous over 40 percent decrease in fentanyl deaths.
Now, Abbott is running for re-election on a platform that he says will double down on making Texas a top destination for people seeking not only economic opportunity, but also “the opportunity of freedom to live their own life.”
One of the core issues Abbott is running on is a plan to slash property taxes in Texas during the next legislative session. Abbott has proposed a five-step overhaul of the Texas property tax system that includes limiting local government spending growth to population growth or inflation, requiring two-thirds voter approval for local property tax increases, allowing voters to trigger rollback elections with a 15% petition threshold, capping homestead appraisal growth at 3% and expanding that cap to all properties, requiring appraisals only once every five years, and pursuing a constitutional amendment to let voters eliminate school district property taxes for homeowners.
While many Democrats, such as U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, have predicted the Lone Star State is on the edge of turning blue, Abbott believes the GOP is well-positioned to win come November.
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Gov. Greg Abbott laughs upon arrival during a bill signing in the State Capitol on April 23, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
“As long as Republicans remain engaged, as long as we’re able to get out our vote, we’re going to win these elections and win them with ease, but also, very importantly, when we show the contrast between Republicans and Democrats,” he said. “We just had a forum here talking about cutting property taxes. Democrats are against cutting property taxes in Texas, Democrats are in favor of defunding the police, whereas Republicans believe in law and order and law enforcement. Democrats stood for these crazy open border policies, where Republicans fight to close the border, enforce immigration laws, and don’t let people in illegally.”
Abbott shared that he intends to go on the offensive this election, even challenging Democrats in areas that have long been written off as blue strongholds, such as Harris County, in which the city of Houston sits.
“I take every election seriously. I take nothing for granted,” he said. “We constantly battle against the Democrats in this state that believe in defunding the police. We fought a battle and won one here in Houston, Texas, where we had socialist judges letting murderers out of jail on low bond, only to go back out and murder somebody else. We passed laws cracking down on that here in Texas.”
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Gov. Abbott attributed Texas’ success to its adherence to economic and personal freedoms. (iStock)
“Texas is the state that’s most on fire in the entire United States of America,” Abbott went on. “I [have] met people who moved from New York and other states because they wanted to get out of the chaos and communism in those states and come to a state that truly believes in capitalism, but also opportunity of all sorts.”
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“So, what our goal is to make sure we continue to pass policies that keep Texas attractive,” he concluded. “It’s a constant battle against the socialists, whether they’re in Minneapolis or Houston, Texas, or Austin, Texas, but righteousness and the rule of law will always prevail.”
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Cleveland, OH
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
Illinois
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.
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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
Copyright 2026 KMOV. All rights reserved.
Indiana
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.
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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