Midwest
'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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
Fox News Digital’s Brooke Singman contributed to this report.
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Missouri
Patrol reports 10 arrests in north Missouri from June 19-21, 2026
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The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported 10 arrests across north Missouri between June 19, 2026, and June 21, 2026. The arrests involved allegations including driving while intoxicated, kidnapping, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to maintain a single lane, and outstanding warrants.
It is important to note that, while all the individuals listed below have been reported as arrested, they may not have been physically transported to a detention center. Depending on the circumstances, an individual may be issued a summons, which includes a court date. When the Missouri State Highway Patrol issues a summons with a court date, it is considered an arrest, even if the individual is not physically transported to a detention center.
Noah T. Nims, 35, of St. Joseph, Missouri, was arrested in Buchanan County on June 19, 2026, at 6:14 p.m. He was accused of driving while intoxicated, first offense, and failure to maintain a single lane. Nims was held at the Buchanan County Law Enforcement Center on a 24-hour hold.
Jaedyn C. Bacerra, 22, of Kansas City, Missouri, was arrested in Livingston County on June 19, 2026, at 9:47 p.m. Authorities alleged he was driving while intoxicated. Additional allegations included failure to have two lighted headlamps and failure to equip a vehicle with two approved red taillights. Bacerra was held at the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office and later released.
Justin F. Myers, 35, of St. Joseph, Missouri, was arrested in Andrew County on June 20, 2026, at 2:11 a.m. He was accused of driving while intoxicated as a prior offender and operating a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner involving an accident. Myers was released to Mosaic and was listed as released.
Edgar Y. Martinez Ramirez, 36, of Olathe, Kansas, was arrested in Harrison County on June 20, 2026, at 8:46 a.m. He was accused of child kidnapping, a Class A felony; first-degree kidnapping, a Class A felony; and first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, a Class D felony. Martinez Ramirez was held at the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department on a 24-hour hold.
Albin B. Kos, 42, of Kansas City, Missouri, was arrested in Daviess County on June 20, 2026, at 2:23 p.m. Authorities alleged he unlawfully possessed drug paraphernalia as a prior offender, operated a vehicle without a valid driver’s license, and failed to maintain insurance. He was also wanted on misdemeanor Jackson County warrants for failure to appear on charges related to speeding and driving without a valid license. Kos was held at the Daviess-DeKalb Regional Jail and was listed as bondable.
Andres A. Reed, 43, of Omaha, Nebraska, was arrested in Holt County on June 21, 2026, at 1:40 a.m. He was accused of misdemeanor driving while intoxicated. Reed was held by the Holt County Sheriff’s Office on a 12-hour hold.
Timothy R. Nelson Ptomey, 32, of St. Joseph, Missouri, was arrested in Buchanan County on June 21, 2026, at 10:11 p.m. He was accused of driving while intoxicated, failing to display valid license plates on a motor vehicle or trailer, and driving the wrong direction on a divided highway in a manner that created an immediate threat of an accident. Nelson Ptomey was held at the Buchanan County Law Enforcement Center on a 24-hour hold.
Trace A. Wheeler, 23, of Edina, Missouri, was arrested in Lewis County on June 19, 2026, at 5:39 a.m. He was accused of driving while intoxicated and failing to drive on the right half of the roadway in an incident involving an accident. Wheeler was held at the Lewis County Jail and later released.
Shane D. Kurk, 29, of Canton, Missouri, was arrested in Lewis County on June 21, 2026, at 1:31 a.m. He was accused of driving while intoxicated. Kurk was held at the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department and later released.
Travis J. Miles, 41, of Shawnee, Kansas, was arrested in Ralls County on June 21, 2026, at 11:28 p.m. He was accused of driving while intoxicated and failing to wear a seat belt. Miles was released following his arrest.
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Nebraska
Four-star wide receiver picks up offer from Nebraska
Nebraska extended an offer to one of the top receivers in the class of 2028. Four-star receiver Malachi Lee earned the offer while competing on campus in the Battle of the Boneyard 7-on-7 Tournament, which the Huskers hosted this weekend.
Lee is the 50th overall player in the 2028 class, the eighth overall wide receiver in the class, and the top player in his class from the state of Virginia, according to the Rivals Industry Rankings. The wide receiver has an extensive offer sheet that includes Maryland, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Syracuse.
The 2028 recruiting class currently has no commitments. This is no reason for alarm, as the coaching staff is just putting the finishing touches on the 2027 class as we speak.
Nevertheless, it’s good for the Huskers to get a head start on the 2028 group, as talent is evident in the class.
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire (https://twitter.com/CornhuskersWire) on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebook (https://www.facebook.com/CornhuskersWire) to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.
North Dakota
‘North Dakota 250 Road Trip’ exhibit opens July 1
BISMARCK — The public is invited to the opening of the State Historical Society of North Dakota’s new exhibit, “North Dakota 250 Road Trip: Our American Story,” with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1, at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck.
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, visitors can enjoy light refreshments, live music by Mythtickle, face painting, Scouting America Pinewood Derby races and opportunities to visit with agency curators, archivists and community partners until 1 p.m.
Developed as part of the America250 commemoration, the free exhibit explores North Dakota’s significant role in the American story through themes of travel, migration, innovation, and community. Visitors can explore highlights of how North Dakota has influenced the nation and how the nation has shaped us, beginning with stories dating back to the 1770s from tribal nations.
“We designed this exhibit as a road trip through North Dakota’s past, present, and future,” Exhibitions Manager David Newell said. “We are encouraging people to discover new stories and explore places they haven’t visited yet.”
Visitors can plan their own road trips, contribute to the state’s story on a kiosk, research longtime owners of Centennial Farms and learn how to explore your roots.
“This exhibit is an American story, a North Dakota story, and a personal story,” Audience Engagement & Museums Director Kimberly Jondahl said. “We invite people to dive into their own family histories using State Archives resources in the genealogy area. Do you know where your own people were in 1776?”
These programs are part of the ND250 commemoration celebrating our country’s 250th birthday.
The North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, located at 612 E. Boulevard Ave. in Bismarck, is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free.
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