Midwest
REAL ID 'unnecessary in keeping us safe,' GOP lawmaker says as deadline looms
With the final REAL ID deadline looming this week, one House Republican lawmaker told Fox News Digital he believes it’s an “unnecessary” burden on Americans.
“I personally don’t support the REAL ID. I think that it’s unnecessary in keeping us safe,” Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., told Fox News Digital in an interview.
The Missouri Republican said his state made it “very easy” for residents to comply with the coming May 7 deadline, though he suggested he didn’t agree with it.
NO ‘REAL ID’ APPOINTMENTS OPEN IN NEW JERSEY AS RESIDENTS SOUND OFF: ‘GET WITH THE TIMES, NJ’
A TSA agent, a DMV center and lines of travelers at a U.S. airport (Getty Images)
“I think that when you look at, you know, this was implemented from recommendations from the 9/11 Commission. But yet every one of the terrorists that were here had a passport. I mean, they had more than just a state ID. I don’t think any of them were operating on a state ID,” Burlison said.
“It’s once again government seeing an opportunity in making the lives of U.S. citizens more difficult.”
REAL ID was created by law in 2005, but the federal government has delayed its implementation multiple times, most recently in 2022. But the Trump administration has made clear the current May 7 deadline is final.
‘MASS SURVEILLANCE’: CONSERVATIVES SOUND ALARM OVER TRUMP ADMIN’S REAL ID ROLLOUT
Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., said REAL ID is “unnecessary” for safety. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
From then, a REAL ID will be needed for domestic airline travel — rather than a normal state-issued license — as well as in areas where federal identification is required.
Having a REAL ID itself is not required, particularly if one has a U.S. passport.
The Trump administration has argued that finally acting on REAL ID helps the White House’s crackdown on illegal immigrants, millions of whom have entered the country since President Donald Trump was last in office.
But the scramble to reach the deadline has led to long lines at DMVs, with some states opening emergency locations in airports and other places to help deal with the surge of people seeking appointments.
REAL ID will be needed for domestic air travel in place of a state ID. (Fox News)
When previously reached about the deadline by Fox News Digital, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said, “Beginning on May 7, passengers will need a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification to fly, like a passport or military ID. TSA is committed to enforcing the law, as directed by Congress.
“Noncompliant passengers may expect wait times or additional measures at airports. If you are an illegal alien without a REAL ID, the only way you will be permitted to fly is if you are self-deporting,” TSA said.
Fox News Digital reached out to the TSA for comment on Burlison’s remarks.
Read the full article from Here
Midwest
Hamline University student brags on video that he celebrated Charlie Kirk’s assassination
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A student at a small private college in St. Paul, Minnesota, was caught on video by Turning Point USA members defending conservative titan Charlie Kirk’s assassination, and at times celebrating it.
The student approached the Turning Point members on the campus of Hamline University while they were hosting a tabling event, according to Frontlines TPUSA.
“Why shouldn’t I be glad that [Charlie Kirk] got shot? Like honestly?” the unnamed student asked the Turning Point members.
After a back-and-forth about gun control, the agitator doubled down.
A student at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, standing inside a campus building in late 2025, tells Turning Point USA chapter members that he celebrated founder Charlie Kirk’s assassination. (Courtesy: @FrontlinesTPUSA)
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“I wanna — I’m for the Second Amendment — I’m just glad Charlie Kirk got shot because he said some really stupid s—,” he said.
The student was asked whether he had ever said “stupid s—.”
“Well yeah, but —” he said, before being cut off by a Turning Point member, who asked if he should be shot for stupid things he has said.
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“No, well, because I didn’t call for — I didn’t say that gun violence is necessary,” the student replied.
During his career as a conservative commentator, Kirk argued that, while tragic, school shootings don’t justify infringing on the Second Amendment, and in any case, criminals would still have access to guns.
“I’m just saying, I think it’s good Charlie Kirk got shot because he got what he preached. He said that violence is necessary. He said that empathy is a weakness. Why should I be empathetic to that?” the student argued.
Hamline University hosts the Class AA girls’ pole vault at the 2006 State Boys’ and Girls’ Track and Field Meet. (Joey McLeister/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
Kirk never said empathy is a “weakness,” but did say on a 2022 episode of his podcast that he disliked the term.
“He got shot because he called for it,” the provocateur continued. “He said bring it on. I watched the video of him getting shot in the neck and I clapped.“
“That’s so sad,” a Turning Point student replied.
YEARS OF CAMPUS ATTACKS ON CONSERVATIVE ACTIVISTS RESURFACE AFTER CHARLIE KIRK’S MURDER
“I don’t think it is yet. I think bad people deserve to die,” the Kirk opponent said.
The students then launched into a brief debate about fascism, with the agitator claiming that President Donald Trump is a fascist.
Nationwide, there have been several instances of people publicly celebrating or mocking Charlie Kirk’s shocking assassination.
Charlie Kirk speaks before he is assassinated during Turning Point’s visit to Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, Sept. 10, 2025. (Tess Crowley/The Deseret News via AP)
Less than a week after Kirk’s Sept. 10 killing in broad daylight while holding an event on the Utah Valley University campus, a student on the Clemson University campus was caught on video mocking the commentator, who left behind a wife and two young children.
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Around the same time, a Texas Tech University student disrupted a Kirk vigil on campus, yelling, “”F— y’all homie dead, he got shot in the head.” That student was expelled.
A Chicago public school teacher was also accused of making light of Kirk’s death during a “No Kings” protest in October. She was caught on video making a gun symbol with her fingers, putting it to her neck, and pulling the imaginary trigger.
“Hamline University does not condone violence in any form,” the school said in a brief statement.
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Detroit, MI
Detroit Lions running backs open up about life on and off the field
Milwaukee, WI
‘We’re still struggling’: Milwaukee mom seeks help after historic flooding as Christmas approaches
MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin has confirmed a new 24-hour rainfall record after more than a foot of rain fell in Milwaukee during historic summer flooding, but for some families like Victoria Kiepert’s, the damage never ended.
The August 9th and 10th storms brought 14-and-a-half inches of rain to northwest Milwaukee in just 24 hours, now officially the most rain ever recorded in a single day in Wisconsin. Behind that historic number are families still trying to rebuild as Christmas approaches.
“We lost all of our stuff in the basement,” Kiepert said.
TMJ4
Floodwaters damaged Kiepert’s northside home, destroying nearly everything her family owned. She applied for help, but says months later, recovery is still falling on her shoulders.
“Beds, appliances, all that stuff, kids’ clothes, TVs, everything,” Kiepert said.
The Milwaukee mother, who cares for five children, says her family was left homeless for two weeks after the flooding.
Victoria Kiepert
“We had to move, and I couldn’t find a house right away, so we were homeless for two weeks, and then we moved and still don’t have the things we need,” Kiepert said.
Watch: Milwaukee mom seeks help after historic flooding as Christmas approaches
Milwaukee mom seeks help after historic flooding as Christmas approaches
Climate experts say the storms were unprecedented, with rain falling one to three inches an hour for several hours, overwhelming basements, streets, and sewer systems. Radar estimates show 10 to 12 inches fell across northern Milwaukee and northeast Waukesha counties, confirming the devastation was widespread.
Kiepert says she and her kids have to sleep on air mattresses, and the holidays only add more pressure to an already overwhelming situation.
“People think that after people get FEMA money, it’s just done and over with, and that should be enough, but it’s really not because it takes months, even years, sometimes when you’re starting all over,” Kiepert said.
She’s unsure how she will provide gifts for her kids this Christmas, her family still needs basic necessities months after the flooding.
Victoria Kiepert
“We still need beds, dressers, kids’ clothing, a lot of stuff,” Kiepert said.
As Wisconsin marks a new chapter in climate history, families like Kiepert’s say recovery can’t stop at statistics, especially as Christmas approaches.
“This year’s really hard, because mostly because of the flood, cause all the stuff we lost, I have to buy them new stuff, because that money isn’t available for Christmas,” Kiepert said.
The flooding has made this Christmas particularly challenging for Kiepert’s family, including her youngest daughter experiencing her first Christmas.
“This is my daughter’s first Christmas, it would help for all my kids but mainly for her, to make like a Christmas miracle for them,” Kiepert said.
Despite the hardships, Kiepert maintains perspective on what matters most during the holidays.
“Sometimes it’s not about the gifts, it’s about being stable and having family around,” Kiepert said.
As Victoria’s family continues to rebuild, community support can make a real difference. A GoFundMe is available for those who wish to donate money or provide much-needed household items. If you can donate any of the furniture items she seeks, her email is Victoria.kiepert@icloud.com, or you can reach out to me by email at gideon.verdin@tmj4.com, and I will connect you with Victoria.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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