Category: US & Canada

Lori Luepke had just finished feeding the birds in her yard on Wednesday morning when she heard gunshots echo through her neighborhood. Recently retired from a teaching position at a nearby Catholic high school, Luepke knows many of the families at Annunciation Catholic School, just down the block. “It was so surreal to be sitting on the deck, finishing my coffee, and thinking about how great it is to be retired,” she said. “And then, hearing those gunshots—it was like something out of a nightmare.” As police began to cordon off surrounding streets, Luepke and her neighbor, Steven Delegard, walked nearby, anxiously waiting for more information. Delegard’s niece attends the school, but he had not yet received word on her safety. “We could have called, but they’re probably busy and upset,” he said. “So, we’ll just have to wait and see.” Alex Jacques, who had traveled across town to offer support to a friend whose 3-year-old son attends the preschool at Annunciation, shared similar feelings of uncertainty. His friend had rushed to the school after hearing gunshots from her backyard. “When we got there, the teacher wasn’t fully aware of what was happening,” Jacques recalled. “So my friend helped keep the children safe while we waited for more help to arrive.” School Shooting Part of a Grim Trend in Minnesota Minneapolis, MN — August 27, 2025By Andi Babineau, CNN The shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis marks the latest in a series of tragedies that have struck the state of Minnesota in recent months. Just one day before the school shooting, CNN affiliate KARE reported a shooting across the street from a Catholic high school in the area, which left one person dead and six others injured. The violence has shaken local communities, already reeling from other recent tragedies. In June, Minnesota’s Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were tragically assassinated in their home. In a separate attack, state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were seriously wounded by the same assailant. Authorities identified the suspect, Vance Boelter, who was dressed in law enforcement tactical gear and a silicone mask to conceal his identity during the attacks. Boelter now faces both state and federal charges. Additionally, the state has not fully recovered from the 2020 death of George Floyd, whose killing in Minneapolis sparked national outrage and fueled the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement. The disturbing video of police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes led to Chauvin’s conviction on federal and state charges, along with three other officers who failed to intervene and provide aid. Minnesota residents continue to grapple with the emotional toll of these events, and the latest school shooting only deepens the sense of insecurity felt by many in the state.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday described the Federal Reserve’s independence as a “political arrangement,” one day after President Donald Trump announced plans to dismiss Fed board member Lisa Cook amid allegations of mortgage fraud. Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Bessent praised the President’s actions, framing them as part of a broader effort to restore public confidence in U.S. institutions. “You have the overwhelming mandate from the American people. You’re restoring confidence in government,” Bessent told Trump. Referring to growing public scrutiny of the central bank, Bessent remarked, “The Federal Reserve is on the front of everyone’s mind.” He went on to assert that the Fed’s credibility stems not solely from its structural independence, but from the trust it commands among the American public. “The Federal Reserve’s independence comes from a political arrangement between itself and the American public,” Bessent said. “Having the public’s trust is the only thing that gives it credibility, and you, sir, are restoring trust to government.” Bessent did not directly name Lisa Cook, the Fed board member whom Trump said he was removing late Monday, citing unverified allegations of mortgage fraud. The unprecedented move has drawn sharp criticism from legal scholars and economists, who warn that it could severely undermine the Fed’s perceived independence from political influence. Critics argue that the dismissal—if carried out—may face constitutional challenges, as members of the Federal Reserve Board are protected by statutory terms and can only be removed under specific legal conditions. The White House has yet to provide additional details regarding the allegations against Cook or the legal justification for the President’s decision. This story is developing.

A gunman who killed four people in a New York skyscraper was attempting to attack the NFL headquarters but mistakenly took the wrong elevator, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The attacker, identified as 27-year-old Shane Tamura from Las Vegas, entered 345 Park Avenue—home to several high-profile firms including the NFL, Blackstone, and KPMG—on Monday evening with an M4 rifle. Mayor Adams told MSNBC: “We have reason to believe he was focused on the NFL agency located in the building, but he entered the wrong elevator.” Among the victims was NYPD officer Didarul Islam, 36, who was married with two children and a third on the way. Also killed was Blackstone Senior Managing Director Wesley LePatner. The investment firm described her as “brilliant, passionate, and deeply respected.” A female NFL staffer was seriously injured and remains in hospital. According to authorities, Tamura had a documented history of mental illness and left a note expressing frustration about his mental health issues being linked to his high school football background. Investigators suspect he believed he had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain condition associated with repeated head trauma. CCTV footage showed Tamura arriving in a black BMW just before 6:30 p.m., entering the lobby, and opening fire. After fatally shooting multiple people, including a security guard, he ascended to the 33rd floor where he killed another victim before turning the weapon on himself. The tragic event has raised questions about building security, mental health intervention, and the impact of contact sports on long-term brain health.