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Secret Service explanation continues to evolve one week after attempted assassination

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Secret Service explanation continues to evolve one week after attempted assassination

The Secret Service’s explanation for security lapses that allowed a 20-year-old gunman to take multiple shots at former President Trump has continued to evolve, most recently with the agency acknowledging it had denied some requests by Trump’s team for additional security.

Revelations first reported by the Washington Post that the Secret Service denied repeated requests by Trump’s security detail were just the latest in an ever-evolving explanation by the agency, which initially pushed back hard on claims it had issued such denials.

“The assertion that a member of the former president’s security team requested additional security resources that the U.S. Secret Service or the Department of Homeland Security rebuffed is absolutely false,” Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesman for the Secret Service, said the day after the attempt on Trump’s life.

But Guglielmi walked back that denial in response to the Washington Post, which reported that denials for more security for Trump had been an ongoing source of tension between his detail and headquarters for more than a year.

TRUMP SHOOTER THOMAS MATTHEW CROOKS’ FORMER GUIDANCE COUNSELOR SAYS HE WAS ‘NOT A MENACE TO SOCIETY’

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“The Secret Service has a vast, challenging, and intricate mission,” he told the Washington Post in a statement. “Every day we work in a dynamic threat environment to ensure our protectees are safe and secure across multiple events, travel, and other difficult environments. We execute a comprehensive and layered strategy to balance personnel, technology, and specialized operational needs.”

Guglielmi explained that where the Secret Service might fall short of being able to provide resources, the agency typically leans on local and state law enforcement agencies to fill in the gaps.

“In some instances where specific Secret Service specialized units or resources were not provided, the agency made modifications to ensure the security of the protected,” Guglielmi told Fox News Digital. “This may include utilizing state or local partners to provide specialized functions or otherwise identifying alternatives to reduce public exposure of a protectee.” 

The Secret Service has also offered other explanations for the failures at Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, with agency Director Kimberly Cheatle telling ABC news last week that the building the former president was shot from had a “sloped roof” that would have been dangerous for agents.

Two FBI investigators scan the roof of AGR International Inc, the building adjacent to the Butler Fairgrounds, from which Matthew Thomas Crooks fired at former President Trump, on July 14, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)

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PROFILER SAYS TRUMP SHOOTER, THOMAS MATTHEW CROOKS, LIKELY NOT POLITICALLY MOTIVATED, WAS ‘ORGANIZED THINKER’

“That building in particular has a sloped roof at its highest point. And so, you know, there’s a safety factor that would be considered there that we wouldn’t want to put somebody up on a sloped roof. And so, you know, the decision was made to secure the building, from inside,” she said.

Meanwhile, senators were told during a briefing on the incident last week that the Secret Service had flagged the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, as suspicious over an hour before he opened fire on Trump. The agency also revealed that a countersniper had spotted Crooks and flagged him as a potential threat 19 minutes before the shooting.

But the briefing left many senators frustrated, with many leaving the call and ripping the agency for a lack of transparency and failing to answer detailed questions.

“It’s infuriating,” Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., told Fox News Digital after the briefing, noting that Cheatle had admitted “there were mistakes and gaffes” by the agency leading up to the shooting.

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Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle at a press conference on June 4 in Chicago. (Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images)

“This was kind of a check-the-box, quick briefing. Not providing information, only gives four senators an opportunity to ask questions… this is not providing the kind of information people need,” Johnson added.

The evolving story and lack of transparency have led some lawmakers to call on Cheatle to resign, with Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, arguing that the “lapse” in security “requires a change in leadership” for the agency.

 “The unexplained & inexcusable lapse in basic security measures requires a change in leadership at the Secret Service,” Cornyn said in a post on X last week.

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Pittsburg, PA

Scrambling for Valentine’s Day plans in Pittsburgh? There are plenty of last-minute options

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Scrambling for Valentine’s Day plans in Pittsburgh? There are plenty of last-minute options


Friday and Saturday night, restaurants will be packed full of people celebrating love, but it also means if you’re one of those people who wait until the last minute to make plans…you’re likely out of luck. 

Taking a look online at some of the more popular spots for Valentine’s Day, a lot of them are either booked full or the prime time spots are gone. 

If your significant other thinks you’re all booked and ready for a romantic dinner, but you find yourself panicking internally, take a deep breath, and don’t worry, there are still plenty of options. 

Of course, there’s always the age-old option of cooking at home, but for most, a night out feels more special. 

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“Don’t stress, you’ve got plenty of options, and the most important thing is that you’re with the person you’re with, and you make it a special day,” said Hal B. Klein, a food writer and dining critic in Pittsburgh. 

Pittsburgh’s food scene is no doubt booming, which means those reservations were probably gone a month ago, but according to Klein, just because it’s booked doesn’t mean those places won’t have bar seating or walk-ins available. 

Nothing is guaranteed on Valentine’s Day, but your best friend will be flexibility. 

“What might happen is you’ll go in at 5:00, and they’ll say, ‘Awesome, we can get you into a bar seat at 6:15,’” Klein said. 

Always, always have a backup plan. 

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Just because it’s Valentine’s Day, it doesn’t mean it has to be a white tablecloth and a fixed menu. Pittsburgh is known for its diverse food scene, and thinking outside of the box could be your best bet. 

“This city is full of immigrant-owned restaurants,” Klein said. “Go there, you’re going to find an experience that is warm and welcoming. Maybe something you’ve never had before, and that’s going to create a whole new set of memories.” 

That’s really what it’s all about, making memories with the person you love. That could mean going back to your first date spot or even hitting your favorite fast-food drive-thru. 

“Go there, love the places that you love, stop by your favorite neighborhood spot,” Klein said. 

If all else fails, Klein recommended an at-home, indoor picnic. 

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“It’s cold right now, remind yourself of the warm season, get cozy, light some candles instead of sunlight,” he said. “We’re here in the Strip, there are all these shops to go to, Penn Mac, many more, get some meat, get some cheese.” 

There’s also always the option of grabbing takeout, which can save you a few bucks and avoid the Valentine’s Day rush. 

So, if you’re feeling the pressure, don’t worry too much about it; there are still plenty of ways to make it special. 

Finally, you can always just go out to dinner on another day. 

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Connecticut

Connecticut woman identified as longtime Jeffrey Epstein assistant

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Connecticut woman identified as longtime Jeffrey Epstein assistant


NEW CANAAN, CT (WFSB) — Additional un-redacted names came to light from Jeffrey Epstein files this week, revealing that a longtime assistant of the disgraced financier is from Connecticut.

Lesley Groff from New Canaan was Epstein’s executive assistant for almost two decades. Her name appears in the documents more than 130,000 times.

Documents show that she was served a subpoena in 2019 after Epstein’s arrest, but prosecutors declined to charge her.

She also faced multiple lawsuits by victims accusing her of facilitating his crimes. Those were also dropped.

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Legal representatives say she has cooperated with the investigation in the past and was never told she was considered a co-conspirator.



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Maine

Live updates from the Maine high school basketball tournament

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Live updates from the Maine high school basketball tournament

Our Communities. Our Teams. Our Future.
We’re proud to make high school sports coverage free for everyone—because these moments matter. At Maine State Credit Union, we’re here for the people and places that make Maine strong. Let’s Go! Learn more at mainestatecu.org



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