This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

In the days after three Americans were killed in a horrendous Florida highway crash caused by an illegal alien from India, a campaign quickly emerged – not from the local community, but from Indian media and diaspora organizations intent on shaping perceptions of a U.S. criminal case. As the victims' families grieve, that chorus urges leniency and portrays routine law enforcement as "discriminatory."

Harjinder Singh, an Indian national living unlawfully in the U.S., has been charged with three counts of vehicular homicide after allegedly making an illegal U-turn Aug. 12 along a Florida highway, resulting in three fatalities, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Singh, who reportedly has limited English-language skills, allegedly made the turn through an "Official Use Only" access point in St. Lucie County, blocking all lanes with his truck and causing a deadly wreck.

Ironically, back in May, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, while introducing new Trump administration enforcement guidelines, announced: "A driver who can't understand English will not drive a commercial vehicle in this country. Period."

Judge Lauren Sweet of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit denied bond to Singh, describing the accused driver as an "unauthorized alien" and a substantial flight risk.

On Aug. 19, Duffy announced the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration had opened a formal investigation.

"If states had followed the rules, this driver would never have been behind the wheel and three precious lives would still be with us," Duffy said, calling the crash "a preventable tragedy" and pledging to "use every tool" to hold states and bad actors accountable.

'The families of the deceased deserve justice'

But from abroad, the narrative pivoted quickly. In the Hindustan Times, the North American Punjabi Association argued that "Punjabi truckers are the backbone of the logistics industry in North America" and called for a "balanced approach to safety and fair treatment of immigrant workers."

The Times of India went further, quoting MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal's claim that "Punjabi and Sikh drivers make up 20% of the United States' trucking industry" and "Any mass-level action against them would have a detrimental effect on trucking families and would be discriminatory."

Relatives in Punjab appealed for compassion, saying the driver mortgaged family land to reach the United States and warned that a long sentence would ruin Harjinder Singh's life. Supporters added that a potential decades-long term would devastate his family, cutting off income and leaving them with debt and uncertainty.

In reality, bond rulings, immigration reviews, CDL verification, training standards and insurance checks are not ethnicity tests, but are neutral safeguards that apply to everyone because a 40-ton vehicle can cause catastrophic harm when rules are ignored.

Likewise, a judge labeling the defendant an "unauthorized alien" and a "substantial flight risk" is not a cultural judgment, but a legal one grounded in statute and risk assessment. And a federal safety investigation is not a referendum on any community; it is the state doing its job after three funerals.

There is also an unavoidable irony: If many of the loudest Indian diaspora advocates are in America lawfully and came through the proper channels, the principled position would be to defend equal enforcement, not to demand carveouts for co-nationals. The same rules that protected their own path – immigration screening, licensing and safety compliance – are the rules that protect every family driving beside a tractor-trailer at highway speed.

America's courts and regulators answer to evidence and law, not transnational pressure campaigns. Calling routine public-safety enforcement "discrimination" while asking for India-specific exceptions does not strengthen trust in the system, it erodes it. The way to honor both immigrants who follow the rules and the victims of this crash is the same: Apply one standard of law to everyone, without fear, favor or foreign lobbying.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Officials responded to a mass-casualty shooting Wednesday morning at a Catholic church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where at least two children were killed and 17 others injured.

The shooting took place about 8:30 a.m. at the Annunciation Church, which has a kindergarten-through-8th-grade school on the property. The shooter fired from outside the building through a window and shot children and staff members who were attending morning mass.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara says the shooter who was in his early twenties was armed with a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol. He ultimately killed himself.

"This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshiping," O'Hara said at a midday news conference. "The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible."

"Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed where they sat."

Seventeen other individuals, 14 of whom are children, were also injured, with two listed in critical condition.

"The coward that fired these shots ultimately took his own life in the rear of the church," O'Hara said. "This deliberate act of violence is just a sign of cruelty that is beyond comprehension."

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports: "An Annunciation parent who was sitting in the back pew at the 8:15 a.m. Mass said students were packed into the pews when a shooter opened fire outside the building with some kind of semiautomatic weapon."

"He just pepper-sprayed through the stained-glass windows into the building, 50 to 100 shots," said the parent, who did not want his name used. "He killed two kids."

"There are no words that can capture the horror and evil of this act," Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said. "Do not think of these as just somebody else's kids … Think of this as if it were your own."

"Don't just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now! These kids were literally praying. It was the first week of school. They were in a church. These are kids who should be learning with their friends."

"I'm so deeply saddened and so sorry to the families that are suffering right now."

"FBI is aware of the reports coming out of @FBIMinneapolis and our agents are en route to the scene. We will provide more updates as able," said FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino.

President Donald Trump said on Truth Social: "I have been fully briefed on the tragic shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The FBI quickly responded and they are on the scene. The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved!"

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said: "DHS is monitoring the horrific shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis.

"We are in communication with our interagency partners, and will share more information as soon as it becomes available.

"I am praying for the victims of this heinous attack and their families."

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated: "The shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis is horrifying. Praying for the children, families and first responders during this moment of terror and unimaginable grief. Weapons of war have no place in our neighborhoods, streets or schools."

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., indicated: "I am beyond heartbroken over the tragic news of the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. I am praying for all the families impacted by this horrific tragedy. I will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide updates."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

After days of backlash and negative media coverage, restaurant chain Cracker Barrel has scrapped its controversial new logo, returning to the traditional symbol with "Old Timer," or "Uncle Herschel," in place.

"We thank your guests for sharing your voices and love for Cracker Barrel," the restaurant chain posted on X. "We said we would listen, and we have. Our new logo is going away and our 'Old Timer' will remain. At Cracker Barrel, it's always been – and always will be – about serving up delicious food, warm welcomes, and the kind of country hospitality that feels like family."

For days, the company has taken incoming for its bland new logo, which nixed the "Old Timer" leaning against a barrel, including from the president of the United States.

As WorldNetDaily reported, President Trump posted Tuesday on Truth Social: "Cracker Barrel should go back to the old logo, admit a mistake based on customer response (the ultimate Poll), and manage the company better than ever before.

"They got a Billion Dollars worth of free publicity if they play their cards right. Very tricky to do, but a great opportunity.

"Have a major News Conference today. Make Cracker Barrel a WINNER again."

The company didn't have a news conference but has made it known they have taken Trump's advice.

The company issued a statement Monday, indicating: "If the last few days have shown us anything, it's how deeply people care about Cracker Barrel. We're truly grateful for your heartfelt voices."

"You've also shown us that we could've done a better job sharing who we are and who we'll always be."

Cracker Barrel has also come under fire for its DEI ideology, which recently has been purged from its website.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

As Americans express outrage at Cracker Barrel for removing "Uncle Herschel" and his barrel from its logo, the restaurant chain is now admitting it "could've done a better job sharing who we are and who we'll always be."

The company issued a statement Monday, indicating: "If the last few days have shown us anything, it's how deeply people care about Cracker Barrel. We're truly grateful for your heartfelt voices.

"You've also shown us that we could've done a better job sharing who we are and who we'll always be."

"What has not changed, and what will never change, are the values this company was built on when Cracker Barrel first opened in 1969: hard work, family, and scratch-cooked food made with care. A place where everyone feels at home, no matter where you're from or where you're headed."

The company says "the things people love most about our stores aren't going anywhere: rocking chairs on the porch, a warm fire in the hearth, peg games on the table, unique treasures in our gift shop, and vintage Americana with antiques pulled straight from our warehouse in Lebanon, Tennessee. We love seeing how much you care about our 'old timer.' We love him too."

"While our logo and remodels may be making headlines, our bigger focus is still right where it belongs … in the kitchen and on your plate: serving generous portions of the food you crave at fair prices and doing it with the kind of country hospitality that brightens your days and creates lasting memories."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Alina Habba, the acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey whose position has been the subject of legal gymnastics since her appointment by President Donald Trump, is now alleging "collusion" against her as she calls out Republican senators she says are trying to block her confirmation.

Appearing on "Sunday Morning Futures" with Maria Bartiromo on the Fox News Channel, Habba criticized U.S. Sen. Tillis of North Carolina and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa for what she called "the new lawfare."

"The president was rightfully voted in by a majority of Americans, and he is entitled to pick his U.S. attorneys, his Department of Justice officials, his judges, so that we can continue the agenda that the American public voted for which is to get rid of crime," Habba began.

"In the state of New Jersey in June alone, we arrested over 300 criminals, illegals, rapists. What is so bad about that work?"

"The truth is it has nothing to do with the work that we're doing. It has nothing to do with the crime that we're stopping. It has to do with trying to prevent President Trump from continuing his agenda, and it has to stop!"

"So I would say to Sen. Tillis and Sen. Grassley: You are becoming part of the issue. You are becoming part of the antithesis of what we fought for four years."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

The foreign-born population in the United States exploded by millions under Joe Biden.

After all, he imposed essentially open borders practices that allow just about anyone who could walk across the border a place at the public benefits table, and even encouraged foreigners who lived thousands of miles from America's borders to come.

But under President Donald Trump's secure border agenda, that population already is down by 1.5 million, the first time that has happened in more than half a century, the 1960s, according to Pew Research.

The report actually noted that the number of immigrants living in the U.S. reached a record high of 53.3 million in January 2025, just as Joe Biden was packing his things to move out of the White House.

Pew also revealed that the number of noncitizens in the U.S. illegally reached a record high of 14 million in 2023.

A report at the Center Square noted that the months after Biden left show "a decline of nearly 1.5 million."

"A nationwide crackdown on immigration has been a central part of Trump's second-term policy agenda. He has signed 181 executive orders relating to immigration since returning to the White House in January. The administration has implemented its immigration policies through mass deportations of noncitizens, incentivizing self deportations, heightened security at the U.S.'s southwestern border and by toughening up student visa requirements," the report explained.

It's all made a difference as the percent of the U.S. population made up of immigrants shrunk to 15.4% in June from 15.8% in January.

Pew's own report documented that, "The U.S. unauthorized immigrant population likely continued to increase rapidly through at least mid-2024, reaching new highs, according to available government data. Growth continued in the second half of 2024 at a much slower pace and may have stopped entirely as inflows dropped dramatically due to Biden administration policy changes."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

GAINESVILLE, Florida – An anti-woke Florida mother says her son's history teacher nominated him "Most Likely to Become A Dictator" for his conservative views, while another son was precluded from sitting next to his friend on the bus because of her conservative views.

Crystal Marull of Alachua County voiced her concerns to local officials, captured on camera by the Florida Channel.

"My son, 6 years old, was prohibited from sitting next to his friend on the school bus because a parent objected to my perspectives on book challenges," Marull said.

"My older son's history teacher let students label him a 'Naziphile' simply for his interest in history and participation in ROTC.

"She later nominated my son as the 'Most Liked to Become a Dictator' and had his classmates vote on it and try to force him to the front of the class to receive the certificate, which he rightly refused, all because of his conservative values and our perspectives."

Marull has been fighting woke books in the school system for years, and on Tuesday, she said on X: "School libraries are not a safe space. There are so many dark forces afoot, parents need to wake up.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former President John F. Kennedy and recent appointee to the America 250 Commission, donned a blonde wig and mocked first lady Melania Trump in an Instagram video, reading parts of her recent letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The letter, meant to stress the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on children, was hand-delivered to Putin by President Trump at their meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, Friday and posted online Saturday.

Schlossberg's video includes a photo of Mrs. Trump and her letter floated on the screen.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

In a scenario that could come only from the upside-down world of transgenderism, a school has suspended two boys who complained that a girl was allowed into their locker room.

That's right, a girl goes into a boys locker room, and in fact violates school rules by recording the boys complaining about her presence. So the boys get suspended.

The details are in a report at RedState.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

An increasing number of members of the U.S. military services are choosing to take a religious objection to the mandated flu shot. Many also question the likelihood of a flu pandemic at this point in history, while others claim evidence shows the flu shot is not effective.

Recent news stories of a Marine Corps officer, an Air Force major and an Army sergeant continue to document the concerns of countless service members who have taken a moral and religious objection to the mandated flu shot.

WorldNetDaily spoke to Technical Sergeant William "Tony" Oslin, whose religious convictions may cost his service in the military. Having both a father and stepfather who served in the military for 20 years each, Oslin's desire to join the military was present at an early age.

He served as an active-duty noncommissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force between 1991 and 1995. Then in 2013, he returned, joining the Air National Guard, and a few years later, began serving full-time, working in the Active Guard Reserve program as a technician.

In August 2021, his dedication to the Air Force became jeopardized over the then-mandated COVID-19 shot. Interestingly, his Religious Accommodation Request was never adjudicated, allowing him to continue to serve without being separated from the military.

During this time, Oslin's knowledge of the so-called vaccine increased. He admitted questioning the efficacy and effectiveness of the COVID-19 shot – and other vaccines, including the flu shot. But more than that, he maintained a religious objection to the shots, considering his body "a temple of the Lord." Even with this sincerely held belief, his request for a religious accommodation with regard to the flu shot was denied.