Northeast

Secret Service explanation continues to evolve one week after attempted assassination

Published

1 year ago

July 24, 2024

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’

“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)

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.

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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Pennsylvania

The town that saved Christmas, Wellsboro Pa.

Published

13 minutes ago

December 26, 2025

Press Room

The town that saved Christmas, Wellsboro Pa.

Wellsboro is a borough in the northern tier of Pennsylvania, close to the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania and popular hiking and biking trails. The small town also has a holiday history and comes alive at Christmas. WGAL’s Susan Shapiro visited on a picture-perfect day to find out more about the town that saved Christmas.

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Lucky For Life, Numbers Midday winning numbers for Dec. 25, 2025

Published

19 minutes ago

December 26, 2025

Press Room

The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 25, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

23-29-31-37-45, Lucky Ball: 16

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

Midday: 5-0-3-3

Evening: 3-5-2-2

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

08-09-11-23-37, Extra: 02

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
Winners of the Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.

When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Vermont

Efficiency Vermont winter resources – The Vermont Journal & The Shopper

Published

55 minutes ago

December 26, 2025

Press Room

REGION – As 2025 draws to a close, many Vermonters are facing uncertainty and rising costs. When budgets are tight, projects that improve comfort and reduce energy bills may feel out of reach. Recognizing that households and businesses are feeling stretched, Efficiency Vermont has gathered a collection of free resources, practical tools, and affordable projects that can help Vermonters begin to improve their homes and get more from their energy budget.

Do you want to understand what’s driving your electricity costs? Try our electricity usage calculator to see how your energy bill adds up with your appliances, lighting, and other needs, and see where you can save.

Do you need to diagnose the cause of high energy bills? Call Efficiency Vermont’s energy advisors to see how your home is using energy, understand what equipment could be wasting money, and learn about services and rebates that can help you reduce costs.

Looking for a deep dive into ways your home can save energy? Schedule a free virtual home energy visit, and take a virtual tour of your home with an Efficiency Vermont energy consultant. Get personalized advice for using less energy at home, plus a customized list of next steps tailored to your needs and priorities.

Get $100 back for a do-it-yourself (DIY) weatherization project. Use our $100 DIY weatherization rebate to get cash back for completing simple projects like air sealing windows or adding weather stripping.

Businesses, nonprofits, and other commercial operations can also take advantage of helpful resources and rebates, such as those listed below.

Free business energy consultations – Understand where your business is losing energy, and what you can do to fix it, through a business energy consultation. Our energy advisors can help you identify cost-effective opportunities, find efficient equipment, and connect you with our Efficiency Excellence Network of contractors.

Up to $25,000 in bonus rebates for custom projects – Businesses can double their incentive, up to $25,000, for custom projects tailored to an operation’s specific needs. These bonuses are available for businesses, nonprofits, farm operations, and institutions that complete projects by November 2026.

Increased incentives for preapproved lighting projects – Businesses that switch to energy-saving LED lamps can get up to 100% of the product costs covered when they replace existing linear fluorescent lamps. Agricultural businesses upgrading to LEDs in livestock or sugaring facilities can get up to 100% of project costs covered.

Efficiency Vermont’s 2025 holiday gift guide also offers inspiration for sustainable, local, and fun holiday shopping. The guide has a collection of thoughtful gifts and experiences, including ways to donate previously used items, implement energy savings, give the gift of rebate-eligible appliances, and support local businesses.

Federal home energy tax credits expire at the end of December, but Efficiency Vermont’s rebates and programs will remain available in 2026 and beyond. Whether you’re just starting to think about energy efficiency, or you’re ready to begin a project, visit www.efficiencyvermont.com/rebates to find ways to meet your energy goals.

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