Southeast
Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home could be closed as election nears, with Palm Beach mayor citing safety concerns
![Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home could be closed as election nears, with Palm Beach mayor citing safety concerns Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home could be closed as election nears, with Palm Beach mayor citing safety concerns](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/MAR-A-LAGO.jpg)
The major road next to former President Donald Trump’s home in Florida has been shut down for nearly a month, with only limited access. It could likely lead to the closing of the Mar-a-Lago resort as social season begins on the island and as the pivotal 2024 election gets closer.
Secret Service shut down South Ocean Boulevard a week after the July 13 assassination attempt on Trump at a rally in Butler, Penn. The road closure has led to safety concerns from local residents, whether it be for first responders, caregivers, typical daily traffic and even those worried about other potential violent acts that could be carried out near Trump’s residence.
Palm Beach Mayor Danielle Moore said that as long as South Ocean Boulevard was closed as the social season begins, then Trump’s resort might as well be closed.
CHINESE CITIZEN ARRESTED AFTER REPEATEDLY TRYING TO GET INTO TRUMP’S MAR-A-LAGO
Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort is seen in Palm Beach, Florida. (REUTERS/Marco Bello)
The road was shut down on July 20 to protect both the sprawling club and the former president himself. It’s scheduled to be closed through the Nov. 5 election.
Council Member Julie Araskog asked during the town’s council meeting Tuesday what would be done about the road once the social season picks up during the fall.
TRUMP TO SUE DOJ FOR $100M OVER MAR-A-LAGO RAID, ALLEGING ‘POLITICAL PERSECUTION’
“In my mind, if the road is closed, the Mar-a-Lago Club is closed,” the mayor responded. “There’s no way in God’s green earth that they can bring 350 people into that club. It’s completely illogical that you’ve got a road closed and then you’re going to let 350 strangers into your club.”
![Security stands on the perimeter of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1723965359_269_Trumps-Mar-a-Lago-home-could-be-closed-as-election-nears-with.jpg)
Security stands on the perimeter of former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home, Monday, April 3, 2023, in Palm Beach, Fla. Trump is traveling to New York for his Tuesday arraignment on charges related to hush money payments. ((AP Photo/Evan Vucci))
The mayor and her fellow council members, town staff and residents at the meeting all agreed that none of them wanted anything to happen to Trump, and that politics played no role in their thinking, the Palm Beach Post reported.
“However, you can’t have it both ways, boys and girls,” Moore said. “Either the club’s open or not.”
CONSERVATIVES BLAST BIDEN ADMIN AUTHORIZING ‘DEADLY USE OF FORCE’ FOR TRUMP MAR-A-LAGO RAID
The current closure affects the road near Mar-a-Lago 24 hours a day, seven days a week at least through the election whether Trump is there or not, the Post reported. When Trump was president, South Ocean Boulevard near the club was only closed when he was in Palm Beach.
![Johnson Trump](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1723965359_879_Trumps-Mar-a-Lago-home-could-be-closed-as-election-nears-with.jpg)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) hold a press conference at Mr. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate on April 12, 2024, in Palm Beach, Florida. They spoke about “election integrity,” which has been one of the former president’s top issues. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The road closure has caused headaches for locals and tourists just trying to get around the island. Delivery drivers are forced to take routes that could make a 10-minute drive now an hour-long venture. Big fire trucks have to navigate around traffic and barricades, as do ambulances and law enforcement vehicles.
“There’s a serpentine, there’s a gauntlet that we have to run,” Palm Beach Fire Rescue Chief Sean Baker said at the council meeting.
Council member Araskog said she’s received calls from residents who wish they felt safer during this time.
“Our residents don’t feel safe right now,” Araskog said.
Read the full article from Here
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Southeast
Dirt track racing legend Scott Bloomquist, 60, killed in Tennessee plane crash
![Dirt track racing legend Scott Bloomquist, 60, killed in Tennessee plane crash Dirt track racing legend Scott Bloomquist, 60, killed in Tennessee plane crash](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Scott-Bloomquist-4.jpg)
Scott Bloomquist, a Dirt Late Model racing legend and Hall of Famer, was tragically killed in a plane crash near his home in Tennessee, according to multiple reports. He was 60.
Local authorities confirmed to The Rogersville Review that Bloomquist died in a small aircraft crash near his home in Mooresburg early Friday morning.
Scott Bloomquist, Ford Mustang driver, after practice for the 16th Annual Grassy Smith Memorial 50-lap Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Series event at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, South Carolina. (David Allio/Icon SMI/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Hawkins County Sheriff’s Department could not confirm any details of the reported crash to Fox News Digital, but the Hawkins County Rescue Squad shared an update on Facebook confirming a plane crash on Brooks Road near Highway 31 at around 7:50 a.m.
Moberly Motorsports Park also confirmed the news of Bloomquist’s death in a post on Facebook.
“[Bloomquist’s] mother Georgette just called me and wanted me to announce that he lost his life this morning. At 7:15 EST this morning Scott was out flying his vintage airplane and had a crash on the Bloomquist family farm. The local fire department and law enforcement are still on the scene.”
![Scott Bloomquist looks on](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1723938651_376_Dirt-track-racing-legend-Scott-Bloomquist-60-killed-in-Tennessee.jpg)
Scott Bloomquist, driver of the #51 ToyotaCare Toyota, prepares to drive during practice for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series inaugural CarCash Mudsummer Classic at Eldora Speedway on July 23, 2013, in Rossburg, Ohio. (Chris Graythen/NASCAR via Getty Images)
JOEY LOGANO FINED $50K BY NASCAR FOR POSTRACE ACTIONS AT RICHMOND
The Hawkins County Sheriff’s Department told The Review that Bloomquist crashed into a barn on his property. He was reportedly flying a small two-seat aircraft.
Bloomquist rose to fame in the 1980s, but his career took off in the 1990s. He notably won the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Champion in 2009, 2010, and 2016 and was inducted into the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame as a member of its second class in 2002.
![Scott Bloomquist during practice for the 16th Annual Grassy Smith Memorial 50-lap Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Series event at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, South Carolina in 2014.](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1723938651_989_Dirt-track-racing-legend-Scott-Bloomquist-60-killed-in-Tennessee.jpg)
Scott Bloomquist during practice for the 16th Annual Grassy Smith Memorial 50-lap Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Series event at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, South Carolina in 2014. (David Allio/Icon SMI/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Tributes for Bloomquist poured in on social media.
“Scott Bloomquist’s legendary status not only grew out of his accomplishments on track, but his innovations throughout the dirt Late Model industry,” Brian Carter, World Racing Group CEO, said in a statement.
“He played a key role with DIRTcar Racing and the World of Outlaws, helping to rebuild the World of Outlaws Late Models so it could grow into what it’s become today. His influences also helped the evolution of racetracks and chassis over the years. Bloomquist’s passion for the sport and innovative mind will be deeply missed by all.”
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Read the full article from Here
Southeast
Harris rips economic hardships that began during her own administration in campaign speech
![Harris rips economic hardships that began during her own administration in campaign speech Harris rips economic hardships that began during her own administration in campaign speech](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/harris-biden-economy.jpg)
Vice President Kamala Harris conceded Americans are struggling in the current economy and vowed to improve things after President Biden boasted his policies were “working” just a day earlier.
Harris made the remarks during a campaign stop in North Carolina, where she unveiled part of her economic platform for the 2024 election.
“We’ve made historic investments in infrastructure, in [semiconductor chips], manufacturing, in clean energy. And new numbers this week alone show that inflation is down under 3%. And as president of the United States, it will be my intention to build on the foundation of this progress,” Harris said.
“Still, we know that many Americans don’t yet feel that progress in their daily lives. Costs are still too high and on a deeper level, for too many people, no matter how much they work, it feels so hard to just be able to get ahead.”
BIDEN GETS TESTY WITH NBC’S LESTER HOLT OVER UNFAVORABLE MEDIA COVERAGE: ‘WHAT’S WITH YOU GUYS?’
Vice President Kamala Harris appeared to distance herself from President Biden’s handling of the economy. (Getty Images)
Harris also pledged if she wins to “take on the high costs that matter most to most Americans.”
“Like the cost of food. We all know that prices went up during the pandemic when the supply chains shut down and failed, but our supply chains have now improved, and prices are still too high,” Harris said.
Critics hammered Biden in the first half of his administration over pervasive supply chain issues that left grocery store shelves bare while other goods like automobiles had monthslong production delays.
Inflation and supply chain problems were worldwide issues as most countries struggled to rebound after the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. fared better than most in terms of inflation rates, but many Americans still felt a disconnect between Biden’s early insistence the economy was in good shape and their own financial struggles, a gap that showed in Biden’s low economic approval numbers.
Economists, including some who formerly worked with the Obama-Biden administration, also blamed Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan for over-stimulating the economy and sparking the inflation surge of 2021.
‘RUBBER-STAMPED’: KEY DEM HIT OVER BIDEN-HARRIS SUPPORT ON BORDER, INFLATION
![Kamala Harris and Joe Biden](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1723913189_32_Harris-rips-economic-hardships-that-began-during-her-own-administration.jpg)
It comes after a report that she wants to stake out her own economic policies. (Getty Images)
Harris’ remarks come a day after year-over-year inflation was announced to have reached its lowest level in over three years, with consumer prices only going up 0.2% between June and July.
Biden told reporters Thursday, “I told you they’re going to have a soft landing – we’re going to have a soft landing. My policies are working. Start writing that way.”
CRITICS BLAST HARRIS’ GRASP OF INFLATION, ATTACK ON BUSINESS AHEAD OF POLICY SPEECH: ‘LUNATIC BEHAVIOR’
![supply chain](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1723913189_995_Harris-rips-economic-hardships-that-began-during-her-own-administration.jpg)
Global supply chain issues left many store shelves bare for part of Biden’s term. (Getty Images)
Earlier that morning, Axios reported Harris wanted to distance herself from Biden on the economy, with her advisers urging her to break from him on issues like high prices.
Asked whether Harris would ditch his unpopular “Bidenomics” label, the president told reporters, “The economy is going to continue with all the legislation we passed … working.”
Read the full article from Here
Southeast
Peach State crawling with vacant housing; more squatting cases head to court in Georgia
![Peach State crawling with vacant housing; more squatting cases head to court in Georgia Peach State crawling with vacant housing; more squatting cases head to court in Georgia](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/atlanta-sad-woman.jpg)
Georgia is one state that has seen an uptick in squatter cases being taken to court in recent years, according to a report.
A report by the Pacific Legal Foundation found an upward trend in squatter cases being brought to court beginning in 2019. The number of these cases in Georgia rose from three in 2017 to 50 in 2021.
In 2023, there were 198 civil court cases involving squatting in the Peach State, according to the report.
Additionally, a survey by the National Rental Home Council (NRHC) in 2023 found Atlanta had the largest number, with 1,200 homes being occupied by unlawful inhabitants. Dallas followed with 475, and Orlando had 125.
A report showed a spike in squatter cases going to court in Georgia in recent years. (iStock)
ADVICE FROM PROFESSIONALS ON PROTECTING YOUR HOME AGAINST SQUATTERS
To collect the data reported by the Pacific Legal Foundation, Kyle Sweetland, a research manager for property rights for the public interest law firm, sought out states that had a “centralized record system” for squatting cases and found Georgia had the information available.
“In Georgia, there are certain legal codes that are related to squatting, where I was able to actually check and see that these cases are, in fact, dealing with squatters,” Sweetland told Fox News Digital. He explained that, for other cases, he was able to do a keyword search of the case description itself.
“It’s a very rough estimate, I believe, but it’s an accurate estimate of what sort of cases are being filed that are talking about squatters in these states at a broader level.”
ALABAMA REALTOR SHOCKED WHEN SQUATTER GREETS HER AND POTENTIAL BUYERS AT HOME SHOWING
This report only gathered data from 25 of Georgia’s 159 counties.
![Eviction notice on house](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1723887090_192_Peach-State-crawling-with-vacant-housing-more-squatting-cases-head.jpg)
Removing squatters from homes is a long and expensive process in many states. (iStock)
It’s unclear why squatter cases have spiked in the state, but there are theories.
“One thing that has been brought up [as] the reason for the backlog in the civil court system, which is what the squatters are taking advantage of, is the eviction moratorium in 2020,” Sweetland explained. The moratorium protected legal tenants, but squatters too, under Georgia’s old law, Sweetland explained.
FLORIDA LANDLORD EVICTED SQUATTERS ONE YEAR AGO, HER STORY HELPED PASS A BILL TO PROTECT HOMEOWNERS
Another theory Sweetland offered for the uptick in squatting is the rise in both rent prices and home prices after the 2020 moratorium.
Many states, including Georgia, have passed laws putting rights back in the hands of homeowners and away from squatters.
These laws, like the Georgia Squatter Reform Act put into law by Gov. Brian Kemp, greatly shortened the amount of time it takes to remove a squatter from a home, which was, (and still is in many states), a multi-month, sometimes yearslong process.
![A police in uniform](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1723887090_101_Peach-State-crawling-with-vacant-housing-more-squatting-cases-head.jpg)
States like Georgia, which have passed laws against squatting, have made it easier for homeowners to evict unlawful inhabitants. (iStock)
“This is insanity that people just think they can come in and take over somebody’s home. I mean, it’s just outrageous,” Kemp said on “Fox & Friends” prior to passing the law.
Since this law was passed, it’s likely more squatter cases will be brought to court in the state.
“More people may go that route to try and remove the squatter, because it’s so much faster now and so much easier now to do that,” Sweetland said.
If you are a homeowner who has a squatter living on your property, you should call a real estate attorney.
Jerron Kelley, partner at Kelley & Grant P.A. in Boca Raton, Florida, previously told Fox News Digital that even though a squatter is not part of a landlord-tenant relationship, a real estate attorney will have the most knowledge of the law and the expertise needed to handle your specific situation.
Read the full article from Here
-
Ohio4 days ago
Ohio taxpayers sent families $966 million for private school tuition: Capitol Letter
-
World5 days ago
What could an EU Commissioner do to tackle the housing crisis?
-
Politics1 week ago
Trump says Biden had the 'right to run,' but Dem Party 'took it away'
-
News1 week ago
Newly released video shows chaos and confusion after Trump assassination attempt
-
Politics1 week ago
Tim Walz 'misspoke' about using weapons ‘in war,' Harris campaign says: report
-
Politics1 week ago
Progressive women's groups silent on second gentleman Doug Emhoff's affair
-
World1 week ago
‘Islamophobic, alarmist’: How some India outlets covered Bangladesh crisis
-
Politics1 week ago
Trump campaign frames election is 'complete contrast' against Harris record