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Trump orders military to take control of federal land at southern border

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Trump orders military to take control of federal land at southern border


The U.S. military will take control of a strip of federal land that spans three states along the southern border in an effort to stem illegal immigration, a memorandum Friday by President Donald Trump said. 

The memorandum, “Military Mission for Sealing the Southern Border of the United States and Repelling Invasions,” directs the secretaries of Defense, Interior, Agriculture and Homeland Security “to provide for the use and jurisdiction by the Department of Defense over such Federal lands, including the Roosevelt Reservation and excluding Federal Indian Reservations, that are reasonably necessary to enable military activities.”

He wrote it could include “border-barrier construction and emplacement of detection and monitoring equipment.”

NAVY DEPLOYS ANOTHER HOUTHI-FIGHTING WARSHIP TO NEW US SOUTHERN BORDER MISSION 

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Marine Corps troops weld and install concertina wire along the U.S.-Mexico Tijuana-San Diego Beach border last month.  (Carlos Moreno/Anadolu via Getty Images)

“Our southern border is under attack from a variety of threats,” Trump wrote in the memorandum. “The complexity of the current situation requires that our military take a more direct role in securing our southern border than in the recent past.”

The federal land, which consists of a narrow, 60-foot-deep strip at the border within the Roosevelt Reservation, would become a “military installation” designated as “National Defense Areas” where “military activities” would occur. 

AMERICAN WOMEN ARRESTED AT CALIFORNIA IMMIGRATION CHECKPOINT FOR ATTEMPTING TO SMUGGLE CHILDREN: ‘UNBEARABLE’

“Our southern border is under attack from a variety of threats,” Trump wrote in the memorandum. “The complexity of the current situation requires that our military take a more direct role in securing our southern border than in the recent past.” (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

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The Roosevelt Reservation covers California, New Mexico and Arizona and was designated as federal land by Theodore Roosevelt in 1907 to keep the border secure. 

The memorandum added that the secretary of defense can “determine those military activities that are reasonably necessary and appropriate to accomplish the mission” of keeping the border secure. 

The Roosevelt Reservation covers California, New Mexico and Arizona and was designated as federal land by Theodore Roosevelt in 1907 to keep the border secure.  (Carlos Moreno/Anadolu via Getty Images)

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Trump campaigned on securing the border and “mass deportations” and has focused on both in the first months of his presidency. 

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Atlanta, GA

Habitat for Humanity building a legacy by transforming former Atlanta skate park into neighborhood

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Habitat for Humanity building a legacy by transforming former Atlanta skate park into neighborhood


At Langston Park in Sylvan Hills, a once-abandoned eight-acre skate park is being transformed into a new community.  

Over the course of a single week, over 700 volunteers are working alongside future homeowners to build 24 homes as part of a major Habitat for Humanity effort.

Habitat for Humanity hasn’t constructed a development in Atlanta since 1988.

For Chip Carter, the project carries both personal and global meaning. His parents, former President Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter, began their work with Habitat for Humanity in 1984, helping elevate the organization into a worldwide mission. Over the past 50 years, Habitat says it has helped more than 65 million people access new or improved housing.

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Over the course of a single week, Hundreds of volunteers are working alongside future homeowners to build 24 homes in Atlanta as part of a major Habitat for Humanity effort.

CBS News Atlanta


Homes are sold without interest and built largely through volunteer labor, helping keep costs within reach. That matters in a city like Atlanta, where housing affordability has become increasingly strained. According to JPMorgan Chase, the share of median income needed for a monthly mortgage in the city jumped from 25 percent to 41 percent in just five years.

Habitat homes aren’t giveaways. Applicants go through years of screening, including financial reviews, background checks, and proof of steady employment and income. They also complete more than 250 hours of training to prepare for the responsibilities of homeownership.

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“This is a much bigger deal,” Carter said. “To have a place to sleep is a big deal. And not having to pay rent — when you put money into it, you get to build equity.”

For Langston Park’s future homeowners like Lauren Clarke, that path to ownership is anything but automatic. Clarke, a University of Georgia graduate and single mother of twin 5-year-olds, has been living with her parents while searching for stable housing.  

As she helped to hammer nails into the wall siding, Clarke professed, “It makes me feel strong. I feel strong today.”

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Lauren Clarke, a University of Georgia graduate and single mother of twin 5-year-olds, is one of the future homeowners in the Habitat for Humanity neighborhood.

CBS News Atlanta

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For her, the opportunity represents more than just a roof over her family’s heads.  

“When you buy a house, it gives you a sense of pride — in the best way,” she said. “Maybe we can keep that going generation to generation.”

Sixty-eight families are expected to begin moving into the homes by the end of the summer, and there are plans to expand the development in the next few years.



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Augusta, GA

Augusta Mayor Candidates: Garnett Johnson

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Augusta Mayor Candidates: Garnett Johnson


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Mayor Garnett Johnson is making his case for reelection, pointing to economic growth and new investments as evidence he deserves four more years leading Augusta-Richmond County.

Johnson sat down with WRDW as part of a series featuring all four candidates in the mayoral race.

The incumbent launched his reelection bid with three promises: more economic growth, smarter spending and a government that delivers results.

“Growing our economic opportunities through jobs and investments, growing our population, growing our housing inventory,” Johnson said.

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New employers and bipartisan funding

Johnson pointed to new investments including incoming employers like Aurubis and NetJets. He also credited a bipartisan approach to securing funding from both the Biden and Kemp administrations.

“My only fight is Augusta’s fight, so you let the Democrats and Republicans and Independents fight the battles in Atlanta and in Washington,” Johnson said. “My only fight is making sure that we secure the funding to make sure that Augusta continues to grow and to thrive.”

SPLOST 9 and Riverwalk improvements

Johnson discussed SPLOST 9, which he said combines lifestyle options and basic infrastructure. The package includes critical needs for the sheriff’s office, addressing concerns around the safety and condition of the jail.

“Those that are housed in our jail are considered innocent until found guilty,” Johnson said.

The plan also includes reimagining the Riverwalk.

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“The Riverwalk is actually our front door and our living room. As people come to visit, the first place they want to see is the Riverwalk,” Johnson said.

The project would also address the boathouse, which is currently abandoned and not open to the public. Johnson said the goal is to open it for wedding anniversaries, wedding receptions, graduation parties and family reunions.

COVID rental assistance issues

Johnson’s tenure has faced challenges, including more than six million dollars in federal COVID rental assistance funds that were not distributed as intended. The money was meant to help Augusta families pay rent and utilities.

Johnson said the accounting issues occurred prior to his administration, but his office uncovered the problems.

“We’re changing that. We’re exposing things that should have been exposed years ago,” Johnson said. “We have the administrator’s office as well as the commission and the mayor’s office that’s working through all of these issues that have been underlying issues that have not been made apparent to the public that we’re now addressing.”

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Johnson said he called for federal agencies to investigate to ensure proper transparency and accountability.

“This was a time and an opportunity for us to help a lot of families that were struggling as a result of COVID and a result of losing jobs and wages,” Johnson said. “For more than six million dollars not to be used in that manner is certainly a travesty, and it should never have happened.”

The city anticipates submitting an audit in early May before the June deadline, which will also include the 2025 audit to get the city back in compliance with state grants.

Fiscal responsibility and governance

Johnson said he stands on the side of the taxpayer and has delivered fiscal responsibility in his own department, returning thousands of dollars to the general fund each year.

“What we have to do is we just have to tighten our belts and find out where there’s opportunities to create more efficiencies in our departments and deliver those savings to the taxpayer.”

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Johnson said he will not be a mayor that raises taxes or fails to control spending.

On governance structure, Johnson said voters in 2024 gave the mayor an equal vote. He said the current structure requires six votes to get anything done among 10 commissioners, a mayor and a city administrator.

“Someone ultimately has to be in charge to make the day-to-day decisions as it relates to this governance, and I believe that person should be a professional manager,” Johnson said.

Johnson said any charter review process should engage the voters of Augusta-Richmond County to decide their future and how to move the city forward.

Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

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Washington, D.C

DC Council passes permanent youth curfew after final vote

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DC Council passes permanent youth curfew after final vote


The D.C. Council approved a permanent youth curfew in an 8-5 vote on Tuesday. The bill grants Mayor Muriel Bowser or the D.C. police chief broad authority to establish curfew zones that can begin as early as 8 p.m. FOX 5 D.C.’s Tom Fitzgerald has the latest.



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