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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. 

BONDI ANNOUNCES DAY-ONE DOJ DIRECTIVES

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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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Midwest

Terrifying moment caught on camera as road collapse suddenly swallows vehicles at busy intersection

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Terrifying moment caught on camera as road collapse suddenly swallows vehicles at busy intersection

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Dramatic video showed the moment a road collapsed below two unsuspecting motorists near the University of Nebraska-Omaha Tuesday, sending their vehicles feet below ground.

Footage taken by university security cameras appeared to show the two vehicles rolling up to an intersection, side-by-side, before a car pulled up behind them, seemingly triggering the collapse.

Emergency crews responded to the incident at 67th and Pacific streets at about 3:30 p.m., local outlet WOWT reported.

The collapse appeared to be triggered by a pickup truck behind the two cars. (UNO Public Safety/TMX)

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The vehicles’ occupants had escaped the hole by the time authorities arrived.

“This caught everybody by surprise,” University of Nebraska-Omaha Public Safety Lt. Dan Martin told the outlet.

Dust could be seen as the vehicles fell into the pavement. (UNO Public Safety/TMX)

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No injuries were reported, though WOWT reported a water main broke during the collapse.

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It is unclear what led to the collapse.

The outlet reported a heavy-duty tow truck with a crane retrieved the cars a few hours later, and crews worked to pull concrete from the crater.

It is unclear what led to the road collapse. (UNO Public Safety/TMX)

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Martin warned the sinkhole could expand, though it appears no additional sinkholes had been spotted as of Wednesday night.

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Officials told WOWT the street will remain closed for “several days,” and motorists should avoid the area.

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Detroit, MI

Michigan State Police sends message to drivers after trooper involved in hit and run:

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Michigan State Police sends message to drivers after trooper involved in hit and run:


“Slow down and move over” is the message that Michigan State Police is sending to drivers after one of its troopers in a parked patrol car was struck while investigating a crash this weekend. The driver of that vehicle fled the scene.

Michigan State Police tells CBS News Detroit that we’re two months into the year, and it has had six incidents across the state where patrol cars were struck by oncoming vehicles. One of those incidents occurred on Sunday evening.

“Could have been much more tragic,” said MSP Lieutenant Rene Gonzalez, First District public information officer.

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Michigan State Police


Gonzalez says on Sunday, an MSP trooper was near M-10 and Schaefer Highway in Detroit, simply doing his job, when his patrol car was hit from behind.

“Trooper was out there, and he was investigating a crash when, at the time, a Jeep SUV drove into the rear of the parked vehicle,” Gonzalez said.

The impact slid the trooper’s car into a concrete wall. The 29-year-old Detroit woman driving the Jeep SUV struck the center median, got out of the vehicle, and ran away.

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“Not sure why they did it. Maybe not paying attention if they were distracted. They’re attempting to locate her at this time,” said Lt. Gonzalez.

The trooper walked away with minor injuries. Gonzalez says this incident is an example of why Michigan’s Move Over Law was put in place many years ago. The law, which went into effect in 2019, requires drivers to move over into the next lane and reduce their speed by at least 10 mph when emergency or service vehicles — police, fire, rescue, ambulance and road service — have their lights activated. 

Drivers who are not able to move over are still required to reduce their speed.

“Trying to do our jobs, however, people are not paying attention. The law is easy. It’s simple. You see us, you see our lights activated, you have to slow down ten miles below the posted speed limit, and then if able, move over to the next occupied available lane,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez says crashes like this can be deadly and often avoided.

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“One life lost over something that was a totally preventable crash, it’s way too much. We’re asking that you slow down and move over when you see our lights. It’s a simple message that we’ve been pushing out for years,” he said.

Sunday’s crash remains under investigation. Michigan State Police detectives are still working to track down the 29-year-old suspect.

In the meantime, police are out enforcing the Move Over Law.



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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Bucks injury report: Is Giannis playing tonight vs. Celtics?

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Milwaukee Bucks injury report: Is Giannis playing tonight vs. Celtics?


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The Milwaukee Bucks host the Boston Celtics at Fiserv Forum just over 24 hours after one of their most disappointing losses of the season, when they scored just eight fourth-quarter points and gave up a 39-point swing in the second half in a blowout loss at Chicago on March 1.

Boston comes into town as one of the league’s hottest teams having won eight of its last 10 and after beating Philadelphia on March 1. The Celtics (40-20) are currently the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and are looking to stay in front of New York.

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The Bucks (26-33), meanwhile, had been winning games but have dropped two in a row and three of their last five. In those three losses, all to teams currently in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, the team failed to score 100 points.

Is Giannis playing?

Yes.

Giannis Antetokounmpo began the day as questionable to play, and was upgraded to available after his pregame workout. It was the first time he had been listed as anything other than “out” since reinjuring his calf on Jan. 23. The game will mark the return of the former two-time MVP, who has missed the last 15 games with a strain of his soleus muscle in his right calf.

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What is the Bucks record without Giannis?

11-17.

Milwaukee is 15-15 when Antetokounmpo plays any number of minutes. They are 1-2 when he has exited games early due to injury.

Is Jayson Tatum playing?

No.

Boston’s all-NBA wing is continuing to work his way back from a torn Achilles tendon suffered during the playoffs in May. Tatum has been doing five-on-five work lately.

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Boston Celtics injury report

  • Jayson Tatum, out (Achilles)
  • Jaylen Brown, out (illness)
  • Neemias Queta, out (rest)

Taurean Prince, out (neck surgery)

Giannis Antetokounmpo, questionable (right calf strain)

Bucks probable starters

  • Guard: AJ Green, Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr.
  • Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo
  • Center: Myles Turner

What time is the Bucks game?

The game is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. CT.

What channel is the Bucks game on?

The game will be broadcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin with Lisa Byington, Wesley Matthews and Melanie Ricks on the call. The game was originally supposed to be a national broadcast on Peacock but was moved to NBA TV.

NBA playoff standings

The Bucks are currently out of the postseason picture entirely. Here are the play-in standings in the Eastern Conference heading into game play on March 2:

No. 7: Orlando (31-28): The Bucks and Magic have split the season series 1-1. The Bucks host the Magic on March 8.

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No. 8: Miami (32-29): The Bucks and Magic have split the season series 1-1. Milwaukee travels to Miami on March 12.

No. 9: Atlanta (31-31): The Bucks lead the season series 1-0. The Bucks host the Hawks on March 4 and then travel to Atlanta on March 14.

No. 10: Charlotte (30-31): The Bucks own the tiebreaker over the Hornets having won the season series 3-1.

No. 11: Milwaukee (26-33): The Bucks have had better luck against the play-in teams to date, as they are just 5-13 against the top six seeds in the conference.

“We say we didn’t play ourselves out of it,” Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said. “Obviously I’m competitive. I think we should’ve had an even better record. But, not having your best player for that long and staying above .500 is huge for us. It’s funny, when he went out (Jan. 23) the talk around me was ‘being .500’ and I was like we can be better than that. We were. I’ll take it. But, never satisfied.”

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The four teams in the play-in will face one another to determine the final two playoff teams (which will face the top two seeds). Teams that hold the Nos. 7 and 8 seeds only have to win one game to advance, teams that hold the Nos. 8 and 9 seeds must win twice to advance

Bucks vs. Celtics odds

Boston is a 7.5-point favorite over Milwaukee with the over/under set at 216.5 points, per BetMGM.



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