Washington
Noa Argamani is not a political pawn, she can make her own decisions – editorial
Noa Argamani became a symbol of the October 7 attacks after harrowing footage of her abduction by Hamas terrorists went viral.
The distressing video showed Noa being forcibly taken away on a motorcycle from the Supernova music festival, screaming for mercy. This heart-wrenching imagery quickly captured global attention, emphasizing the human toll of the conflict and making her one of the most recognizable faces among the hostages taken that day.
Argamani’s captivity lasted 245 days – just over eight months – during which her image continued to evoke strong emotional responses worldwide. Her dramatic rescue by Israeli forces on June 8, 2024, further solidified her status as a symbol of resilience and hope amid the brutal conflict.
Recently rescued from the horrors of Hamas captivity, Argamani’s decision to accompany Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington on Monday has sparked a fiery debate.
Critics accuse her of being a pawn in a political game, but this perspective overlooks a fundamental truth: Argamani, above all, deserves the autonomy to make her own decisions.
Among the harsh criticisms, journalist Uri Misgav wrote, “Noa Argamani and her father should be ashamed until their last day for agreeing to serve as a backdrop for this crazy and smiling couple’s flight, especially on the morning we learned of two more captives who were unlucky enough to die in captivity and not fly to Washington with the captives’ abandoner. A shame like no other.”
Overlooking Argamani’s personal struggle
Another critic, veteran journalist Dan Margalit, echoed these sentiments, posting on X, “Joining Uri Misgav, shame on Noa Argamani and her father for willingly serving as a backdrop for Bibi’s display in Washington.”
To those who criticize Argamani’s participation in Netanyahu’s trip, we pose this question: Who are we to judge? The ordeal of captivity is unimaginable. The trauma, the constant fear, and the longing for freedom are experiences that no one can fully comprehend unless they have walked in those shoes. For Argamani, every decision she makes now is deeply personal and rooted in her quest for meaning and justice for the hostages still languishing in Gaza – and for her own recovery.
It is important to recognize the historical significance of this trip. The potential outcome – the release of 120 hostages – cannot be understated. Argamani’s presence is not just symbolic; it is a powerful reminder of the human lives at stake. Critics argue that she is being used by Netanyahu, but even if there is a political undertone, the ultimate goal remains noble. The liberation of hostages should transcend political divides and be a cause that unites us all.
Argamani’s critics should also consider the broader implications of their attacks. Unity, especially in times of conflict, is paramount. The venomous words directed at her serve only to deepen divisions and detract from the collective goal of securing the release of all hostages. Instead of tearing down a survivor who has already endured so much, we should rally behind her, offering support and solidarity.
Moreover, Argamani’s decision to join this trip is not just about politics; it is about leveraging every possible platform to advocate for those still in captivity. Her boyfriend remains among the hostages. Her presence in Washington is an opportunity to amplify her plea for their release. It is a chance for her to speak directly to those in power, to ensure that the plight of the hostages is not forgotten amidst political maneuvering.
The criticism leveled against Argamani is not just unfair; it is a reflection of a broader societal issue. It is far too easy to sit in judgment, to cast aspersions from the comfort of detached observation. But true empathy requires us to support those who have suffered, to uplift their voices rather than silence them with criticism.
Argamani has the right to make her own choices. She has earned that right through unimaginable suffering and resilience. Let us respect her decisions, whether or not we agree with them, and recognize that she, more than anyone, understands the stakes involved.
Walla News journalist Liat Ron summarized this situation in the most blunt and direct way: “The hostages and their families are allowed to do anything, and we all need to shut up.”
At least one person died in Washington County, Kentucky, when a powerful tornado left widespread damage Friday morning.
The county’s sheriff’s office confirmed the death and multiple injuries in a Facebook post at 9:48 a.m. EDT, about two hours after the twister struck the area located about 50 miles southwest of Lexington.
“Please be respectful during this time. Prayers are needed for this family and our county,” the sheriff’s office also said.
(MORE: Canada Wildfires To Create Unhealthy Air For Millions In Midwest)
The National Weather Service will survey the damage today. According to NOAA’s database, this is the 63rd tornado death in the United States in 2025, and the 20th in Kentucky.
“The tornado occurred in a supercell thunderstorm that formed ahead of an area of low pressure tracking through Kentucky this morning,” said weather.com senior digital meteorologist Chris Dolce. “The severe weather risk has ended in central Kentucky, but parts of the mid-Atlantic, Carolinas and Georgia could see storms produce wind damage, hail and an isolated tornado threat the rest of today.”
For more information on the severe weather threat in the Southeast later today, click here.
This is a developing story; please check back frequently for updates.
Washington
This Washington city has one of the most Instagram worthy commutes in the US, report says
Drive Smart: Mastering Attentive Driving
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Hey, at least the drive to work is pretty.
Vancouver in Southwest Washington has the “most scenic” commute on the West Coast and the third most attractive drive to work in the United States, according to a new report from Sixt, a mobility services company that works in such fields as car rentals and ride hailing.
The company drew on U.S. Census Bureau data to determine the average commute times for more than 550 communities nationwide, then identified the cities with the most scenic, affordable, and efficient commutes. Scenic-commute rankings were determined by factoring in the number of state parks close by, the number of public parks, social media posts, and commuter satisfaction, according to the report.
Vancouver residents spend about 23 minutes daily on their commutes, and the city “boasts 345,000 Instagram hashtags focused on its scenery, a perfect park rating, and three state parks close by — making the city a haven for nature lovers,” the Sixt report states.
The only other city on the West Coast that ranked in the company’s top 10 places with the most scenic commutes was the California college town of Davis, outside Sacramento. Davis ranked seventh in the country.
Which city has the most scenic commute in the country?
Clearwater, Florida, in the Tampa Bay area, has the most scenic commute in the country, according to Sixt. Residents in Clearwater spend an average of 23 minutes commuting per day, the report said.
“This Florida gem boasts 343,000 Instagram hashtags dedicated to the city’s beauty, a perfect park rating, and three state parks nearby, it’s no shock that this seaside city comes out on top,” the report states. “With the Causeway Byway stretching nearly two miles across Clearwater Bay, offering panoramic views of the sea, it’s safe to say that locals look forward to their daily commutes.”
The top 10 cities with the most picturesque commutes in the US
According to Sixt, these are the cities with the most scenic commutes in the country:
- Clearwater, Florida
- Ocean City, Maryland
- Vancouver, Washington
- Wilmington, Delaware
- West Palm Beach, Florida
- Burlington, Vermont
- Davis, California
- Newark Delaware
- Pleasant View, Utah
- White, Utah
Washington
Third time's the charm for Port Washington boys lacrosse in Nassau Class A semifinal win over Farmingdale
Farmingdale ended Port Washington’s season in the Nassau Class A boys lacrosse final two seasons ago and then again in the semifinals last season.
This time, the third-seeded Vikings were the ones making a happy sprint toward their goalie, Max Eynon, at the end. They ousted the second-seeded, two-time defending county and Long Island champion Dalers, 9-5, in the semis Wednesday night at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium.
“They sent us home the last two years, and we just wanted this one so bad,” Eynon said. “We’re not done yet and we just want to keep going.”
The sophomore made eight saves. Christian Sarchese and Harry Eynon, Max’s brother, each scored three times and Will Ahmuty delivered four assists.
So Port Washington (15-3) will face top-seeded Massapequa for the title at 3 p.m. Saturday at Shuart.
“We definitely think we’re going to win it,” Max said.
Farmingdale (10-8) lost despite three goals and one assist from Sean Schumeyer and 10 saves from Matt Hughes.
“Listen, there’s plenty of years where we didn’t win the championship,” Dalers coach Eric Dunne said. “There’s a lot of young guys returning for next year. There’s a lot of lessons for them to learn.”
Massapequa, which beat Port Washington, 9-7, on April 25, will play a team that has yielded six goals or less 15 times.
“It starts from the attack,” Vikings coach Glenn Lavey said. “Our riding again was excellent. I think our middies get back and make it six-on-six. Then once we’re in the box, we have really good players and a really good goalie.”
Lavey had been saying since the Dalers defeated Port Washington, 8-6, on May 9 that Sarchese was going to be the difference the next time they played.
“He made the prophecy come true,” Lavey said.
Farmingdale cut it to 6-4 with 9:48 left.
Then Ahmuty made a great pickup by the left of the cage and sent the ball out to Sarchese. The senior scored his third, and the margin never got closer than three from there.
“The momentum started to shift away,” Sarchese said. “They started crawling back. That one really put us back on top and gave us that boost we needed to finish out the game.”
It was 3-2 Port after one quarter, 4-3 Port at halftime and 5-3 Port after three.
“We didn’t do a great job of clearing the ball,” Dunne said. “ . . . We got a little rattled at times.”
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