West
Alleged Palm Springs fertility clinic bomber had 'large quantity' of explosive chemicals, FBI says
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FBI Los Angeles recently confirmed the suspect accused of targeting a Palm Springs, California, fertility clinic in a car bombing on Saturday had access to a “large quantity” of chemicals that could have been used to make explosives.
The blast, which FBI Los Angeles assistant director Akil Davis called an “intentional act of terrorism,” happened just before 11 a.m. local time near an American Reproductive Centers facility.
Guy Edward Bartkus, a 26-year-old “anti-pro-life” advocate from Twentynine Palms, allegedly set off a car bomb that killed him and wounded four others.
FBI Los Angeles confirmed on Tuesday Bartkus “had access to a large quantity of commercially available chemical products which could be combined to create a homemade explosive device.”
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Acknowledging the attack was “targeted,” officials noted the incident was an act of domestic terrorism.
However, they did note it is “probably one of the largest bombing investigations that we’ve had in Southern California … on the scale of the Aliso Viejo bombing in Orange County,” which killed one person and injured two others in 2018.
Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Miles said debris extended across multiple blocks, describing it as a “massive” crime scene.
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Palm Springs businesses were damaged after an alleged explosion on Saturday. (@_nimasworld / X)
Jason Pack, a retired FBI agent and hostage negotiator, told Fox News Digital it could take days for authorities to search for evidence of explosives through several blocks of rubble.
To determine the type and quantity of devices used, investigators will need to examine blast radius and structural impact to assess the power and direction of the explosion, and search for chemical residues of known explosive materials — such as ammonium nitrate, TATP, RDX, or PETN, according to Pack.
Key finds will also include fragments, shrapnel and device components, to help reconstruct the method of detonation.
“Whether this was a single large device or multiple smaller ones, those answers will come from detailed lab testing and scene reconstruction—not just visual assessment,” Pack said.
Posts on social media showed nearby businesses with glass and debris blown out of windows.
“Terrorism came knocking on the door of Palm Springs,” Miles said during a news conference Saturday night. “We survived, and I can tell you that this city will rise and be more and be more effective as a beacon of hope than before.”
LAS VEGAS POLICE SAY CYBERTRUCK THAT EXPLODED AT TRUMP HOTEL HAD FUEL CONTAINERS, LARGE FIREWORK MORTARS
An apparent explosion prompted a large emergency response in Palm Springs, Calif., on Saturday. (@_nimasworld / X)
The American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic said no staff members were harmed, and while the building was damaged, the IVF lab—including eggs, embryos and reproductive materials—were spared.
“This morning, an unexpected and tragic incident occurred outside our Palm Springs facility when a vehicle exploded in the parking lot near our building,” the company wrote in a Facebook post. “In the face of this tragedy, we remain committed to creating hope—because we believe that healing begins with community, compassion and care. … This moment has shaken us—but it has not stopped us. We will continue to serve with strength, love and the hope that brings new life into the world.”
The Palm Springs Police Department’s active call log listed multiple responses for medical service on the 1100 block of N Palm Canyon Drive, beginning just before 11 a.m. local time.
Map of explosion site in Palm Springs, Calif. (Fox News)
There were also various calls for burglaries in the area, according to police records.
In a statement on X, Attorney General Pam Bondi called the attack “unforgiveable.”
“We are working to learn more, but let me be clear: the Trump administration understands that women and mothers are the heartbeat of America,” Bondi wrote in the post. “Violence against a fertility clinic is unforgivable.”
Glass was seen on a Palm Springs street after the apparent blast in Palm Springs, Calif., on Saturday. (@_nimasworld / X)
In separate posts to X, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli and Gov. Gavin Newsom expressed their condolences and support for federal investigators working on the case.
The Palm Springs Fire Department, California Highway Patrol and Desert Regional Medical Center did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office told Fox News Digital it is not responding to the incident.
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New Mexico
Canyon Venado Fire near Clines Corners grows to 852 acres, I-40 reopened
The Canyon Venado Fire has grown to 852 acres east of Clines Corners and crews say wind farms in the area are threatened.
CLINES CORNERS, N.M. – The Canyon Venado Fire has grown to 852 acres east of Clines Corners and crews say wind farms in the area are threatened.
The fire is burning just east of Clines Corners, south of Interstate 40.
It forced the closure of eastbound Interstate 40 at Clines Corners on Tuesday night. I-40 reopened Tuesday night. I-40 is back open but smoke still affects visibility.
“We’re on the side of I-40 so drivers have to be pretty cautious. As far as our establishment itself we’re pretty isolated by the freeway itself as a nice fire break,” said Lincoln Tarantino, Clines Corner general manager.
The fire has burned around 852 acres, up from just 20 at this time Monday.
Crews say the fire is not contained and wind farms in the area are threatened.
Oregon
Liu makes two! 2nd red panda joins Oregon Zoo family
PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — The Oregon Zoo has welcomed a second red panda to their ranks this month, as 6-year-old Liu gets settled in to the habitat.
Liu comes to Portland from the Toledo Zoo as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for red pandas.
He arrived just weeks after Enoki, a female red panda, and caregivers will soon introduce the duo in the hopes that they may eventually help add to the population of the endangered species.
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For those coming to see the pandas, they should be easy to tell apart. Liu has a blonde tail, and Enoki is much smaller with a darker coat.
“He’s very handsome,” said Dr. Carlos Sanchez, the zoo’s director of animal health, who stopped by Liu’s habitat to observe, a red panda plushy tucked under one arm. “His tail is so blond — surfer blond.”
Liu was born on June 28, 2019 at Prospect Park Zoo in Brooklyn. His name means “willow” in Mandarin Chinese, a nod to his mother, whose name is also Willow.
Enoki is nearly three years old, and is of the refulgens subspecies of red panda, known for having darker faces and more prominent tail rings.
“These two represent a species in trouble,” said Kelly Gomez, who oversees the zoo’s red panda area. “In the past 25 years, habitat loss, poaching and the illegal wildlife trade have wiped out nearly half the world’s red panda population. Hopefully, we can help inspire a new chapter in the conservation of this incredible species.”
The duo joins the Oregon Zoo family more than a year after the death of Moshu, the zoo’s previous resident red panda who was dubbed “Sir Snacks-a-Lot.” Moshu was 14 years old.
More info from the Oregon Zoo.
Utah
4 Prospects the Utah Jazz Could Trade Up to Draft in the Second Round
After landing Darryn Peterson at the top of Tuesday night’s first round, the Utah Jazz are heading into day two of the 2026 NBA Draft without a second round at their disposal.
However, with a front office like the one that’s in Utah, it’d be hard to truly count out the Jazz from making a trade throughout the night to jump into the second round, in the event there was a prospect the Ainges had a certain appeal for.
While most of the big names of this class have already been scooped up in the first 30 picks, there’s certainly a few both interesting and potentially valuable names to keep an eye on through the next 30.
And for the Jazz, a few of them could fit their current lineup or some specific needs well enough that would make sense to get back on the clock once again.
Let’s take a look at four prospects still left up for grabs on day two of the draft that could be a worthwhile pickup for the Jazz to consider trading up for.
Dillon Mitchell | F, St. Johns
An athletic forward fresh off of a season under Rick Pitino at St. John’s, trading up to add another D-Mitchell to Utah’s draft history might not be the worst idea here.
Offensively, he won’t bring a ton to the table, as he only averaged 8.3 points a night during his senior season and shot a rough 6.7% from three. What he does do is check a ton of boxes in terms of size at 6-foot-8, 210 pounds, as well as his abilities as a defender, rebounder, and energy guy enough to warrant a look at the top half of the second round.
For the Jazz, perhaps they’d like to land on a more dynamic fit on both ends than Mitchell. But he sure would bring a nice spark on the defensive end that Utah could utilize after multiple lackluster years of production on that end of the floor.
Richie Saunders | G, BYU
A local product who spent four years with Brigham Young, Saunders might not fit exactly the type of mold on the defensive end that Utah could really covet here in the second round.
However, he does project to be a pretty seamless connecting wing with solid NBA size standing at 6-foot-5, has a strong outside shooting ability with a 38.7% clip from deep from his career, and should be able to at least hold his own on the other end.
He’d be a nice fit in Will Hardy’s system, and have a solid pro career as role player in the wing.
Trevon Brazile | F, Arkansas
If you’re looking for a lengthy, two-way impact player that could fit with the current standout size in this Jazz frontcourt, Brazile would be a perfect fit to bring in that would do just that.
He’s got great length standing at 6-foot-10, can be an ample shot blocker, is a threat at the rim who can finish well, stretches the floor, and on paper, looks like the type of piece in the frontcourt that many front offices around the league would love to get their hands on.
However, he has seen several questions regarding his lighter frame at 225 pounds, and has shown a lack of physicality and a real motor from his time at Arkansas. That same reason is why many GMs might turn away from taking a flier on him.
Jaden Bradley | G, Arizona
For the guards that are up for grabs in this range, Bradley has some of the best traits in terms of size at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, and has the chance to be an impactful player on both ends of the floor as a solid playmaker and perimeter defender.
He wasn’t a high-volume scorer during his three years at Arizona, but he was efficient in his opportunities, shooting over 46% from the field and 39% from three on over nine shots a game. He could be a worthwhile dart throw to bring in for the back-end of the roster.
Another note that could make him a fun target for the Jazz: Bradley and Keyonte George are tight-knit from their days as teammates back at IMG Academy. So he’d be a pretty awesome fit into the locker room on top of the impact he offers on the floor.
Be sure to follow Utah Jazz On SI on X to stay up to date for daily Utah Jazz news, rumors and analysis!
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