Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, also known as former WWE wrestler “Kane,” issued a statement on Monday against the use of Flock Safety cameras and similar devices. “I am urging our commission to prohibit the use of Flock cameras and similar devices in our county. For those of you who don’t know, these cameras, technically called Automated License Plate Readers, are motion activated and take a picture of every vehicle which passes by,” Jacobs said. “While License Plate Readers have been around for a while, because of AI and vastly increased networking and data retention capacities, these Flock cameras have capabilities not even imagined in the past. Older cameras only took a photo of your license plate, which was then retained for a short time. Flock cameras take a photo of your plate, but also use AI to catalogue distinguishing features of your vehicle: make, color, model, even bumper stickers,” Jacobs continued. “That data is stored in a searchable database for sometimes up to a month or more, depending on the policies of that particular agency. When these cameras are deployed in large numbers, they create a network that can be used to track your movements. Currently, there is no federal regulatory framework governing these devices in place, and the Tennessee laws regulating them were written over a decade ago,” Jacobs said. “My fear is that we may be inadvertently creating a warrantless mass surveillance system and undermining the privacy and liberty of our people. So I urge the Tennessee General Assembly and the United States Congress to look at this issue and take necessary action to safeguard our privacy and civil liberties as these new technologies continue to emerge,” he concluded. Watch below: Please see this video and press release regarding Flock cameras in Knox County. Video transcript:Hello, this is Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. Today, I am urging our Commission to prohibit the use of Flock cameras and similar devices in our County. For those of you who don't… pic.twitter.com/soDD4TNwN2 — Glenn Jacobs (@GlennJacobsTN) July 27, 2026 WVLT has more: Knox County Commissioner Adam Thompson released a joint statement alongside County Mayor Glenn Jacobs Monday, calling for a slowdown in the Knox County Sheriff’s Office’s planned rollout of more than 200 Flock cameras across the area. ““I appreciate our Knox County Sheriff’s Office and everything they do every day to keep our citizens safe,” Thompson said. “This technology erodes the privacy and constitutional liberties of Knox County residents. These devices need meaningful oversight, and complete transparency.” Thompson said, much like Jacobs, the cameras pose a threat to security and privacy for those who live in Knox County. He also called for a pause on Flock camera use in the county. “I presented the resolution formally requesting an in-depth presentation because people deserve to know this information. At this time, I do not believe this technology has a place in Knox County,” Thompson said. “This isn’t about being against law enforcement. I support our deputies and appreciate the difficult job they do every day. It’s about making sure the public understands what information is being collected, how long it’s being kept, who has access to it, and what safeguards exist to prevent misuse.” The camera rollout is the product of a $1.5 million grant given to the sheriff’s office for increased policing. There’s no requirement to spend the money on cameras, and Thompson said some cameras had already been rollout out in ZIP codes outside of the grant’s scope. “I was surprised to learn that several of these cameras had been installed in Corryton and Mascot, which is not one of the ZIP codes identified in the grant,” Thompson said. Flock cameras read license plate information and create searchable databases of cars via images. How long that data is kept on file can vary, but the sheriff’s office has reported their models would only keep information for 30 days. Multiple Congress members have said they would introduce legislation to restrict the funding of Flock Safety cameras, including Reps. Tim Burchett (R-TN) and Thomas Massie (R-KY). “Draconian” – GOP Congressman Wants To “Ban” Flock Safety Cameras "Great move Mayor," Burchett responded to Jacobs. "Appreciate your stand, Congressman, and look forward to working with you on this," Jacobs said. Appreciate your stand, Congressman, and look forward to working with you on this. https://t.co/LohtwqU0x7 — Glenn Jacobs (@GlennJacobsTN) July 27, 2026 "I’ll soon be sponsoring a bill to withhold federal money from municipalities and police departments that deploy Flock (and other style) cameras to surveil law abiding citizens," Massie said on Saturday. I’ll soon be sponsoring a bill to withhold federal money from municipalities and police departments that deploy Flock (and other style) cameras to surveil law abiding citizens. pic.twitter.com/FGzE69psxS — Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) July 25, 2026 The Center Square shared further: Republican U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett is proposing a bill called the Protection Against Mass Surveillance Act that would eliminate federal funding for the Flock cameras. He said the cameras violate the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits warrantless searches. "We should never choose between safety and liberty," Burchett said in a video posted on social media. "We've got to keep our country safe, but we keep sacrificing some freedoms that define us." Withholding federal funding from the police departments that rely on the technology would have real consequences for public safety, Flock Safety, the company that manufactures the cameras, said in a statement to The Center Square. "In 2025, we estimate Flock technology supported more than one million public safety investigations, assisted in 20% of solved cases in jurisdictions that partner with Flock, and helped locate more than 10,000 missing people," the company said. "Rather than banning a critical public safety tool, Congress should consider strong, clear safeguards that ensure accountability, oversight, and responsible use are enshrined in law. We do not have to choose between protecting privacy and giving law enforcement the tools it needs to keep communities safe. We can – and should – do both." In Georgia, several officers are facing charges related to the misuse of the cameras, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. In one case, five Albany police officers are facing charges of misuse of license plate data and violation of their oath of office. They are accused of accessing the cameras several times for non-law enforcement purposes, according to the agency. The most recent arrest reported by the GBI involves a Conyers police dispatcher who is accused of accessing the cameras 30 times between April and July for non-law-enforcement purposes. Lawmakers in the state of Washington passed a bill that regulates where cameras can be placed, how long agencies can retain data, who can use that information, and for what reasons. The bill was signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson on March 30 and took effect upon his signing, according to the Legislature's website. The post WWE Star Turned Mayor Issues Statement Urging Lawmakers To Prohibit Use Of “Flock Cameras And Similar Devices” appeared first on 100PercentFedUp.com.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune is facing another direct challenge from inside his own conference. Sen. Darline Graham of South Carolina says she is ready to stay in Washington for as long as it takes to pass the SAVE America Act and send it to President Trump’s desk. Her message leaves no room for excuses, delays, or a comfortable August escape while one of the Republican Party’s biggest election-integrity priorities remains unfinished. Graham put her support for President Trump in writing: President Trump is 100% correct. The SAVE America Act is top priority. I will stay here as long as necessary to get it passed and signed into law. I came to Washington to fight for the people of South Carolina and deliver on our conservative agenda. pic.twitter.com/rFshKZfU5n — Darline Graham (@DarlineGrahamSC) July 27, 2026 That is the kind of resolve Republican voters have been waiting to hear. President Trump has demanded that the Senate remain in session until lawmakers pass the election-security bill. He has also renewed his call for Republicans to eliminate the filibuster if Democrats continue using it to stop the conservative agenda voters elected this Congress to deliver. The Associated Press reports that Thune has resisted canceling the August break without a clear path to the 60 votes required under current Senate rules. Republicans control 53 seats, leaving them short of that threshold if Democrats hold together. Thune has said he supports the legislation and has pointed to previous Senate votes on election integrity. But President Trump and a growing bloc of Republican senators are making a much simpler argument: the Senate should not reward its own failure by leaving town. Graham is adding her name to a group that already includes Sens. Mike Lee, Rick Scott, and Ashley Moody. Their willingness to object to the recess could force Senate leadership to put members on the record instead of quietly letting the chamber empty out. The stakes are straightforward. Congress.gov states that the SAVE America Act would require documentary proof of United States citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. It would also require voters to present photo identification when casting a ballot in person, with defined alternatives for eligible voters who need them. Those are basic safeguards that enjoy overwhelming support among Americans who believe American elections should be reserved for American citizens. Graham was sworn into the Senate earlier this month after being appointed to fill the seat held by her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham. She has wasted little time staking out a position on the fight now consuming the Republican conference. Thune can keep pointing at the Senate math. Graham is pointing at the job Republicans were sent to Washington to do. If senators are willing to campaign on secure elections, they should be willing to stay at work until they deliver them. This is a Guest Post from our friends over at WLTReport. View the original article here. The post BREAKING: GOP Senator Bucks Thune, Vows To Stay Until SAVE America Act Is Passed appeared first on 100PercentFedUp.com.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued an emergency order across 17 states due to the region’s “energy emergency brought on by hot weather conditions.” “The order directs the Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (SPP) to dispatch specified generation units and to order their operation as needed to maintain reliability,” a release from the DOE read. “The order also authorizes SPP to direct backup generation resources to operate as a last resort before declaring an Energy Emergency Alert (EEA) 3 or during an EEA 3. The order was issued pursuant to a request from SPP,” it continued. “The Trump Administration is tapping into an abundant supply of unused backup generation to maintain affordable, reliable, and secure power for hardworking American families and businesses,” Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said. “The previous administration’s energy subtraction policies weakened the grid, leaving Americans more vulnerable during emergency events. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we are reversing those failures and using every available tool to ensure Americans have continued access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy to power and cool their homes,” he added. Blackout fears erupt as 17 US states are placed under power emergency https://t.co/ufGFBdIweW — Daily Mail (@DailyMail) July 27, 2026 Reuters shared further: The ⁠risk of rotating blackouts escalated in SPP during the past week. On Friday, a sudden loss of electricity imported from neighboring grids left SPP with razor-thin reserves for possible power plant outages and falling renewable generation in its territory spanning parts of Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming and Utah. SPP ​avoided outages that day ​by appealing for voluntary ⁠conservation of electricity to maintain reserves. But SPP expects the western territory’s highest demand of the week on Sunday evening as temperatures rise above 90 ​degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). Usually SPP is a net exporter of electricity because ​of its massive ⁠base of wind generation. Last week’s heat meant neighboring grids could not provide much power to SPP because they faced the same weather-driven high demand. SPP said its West region will remain until August 1 in a conservative ⁠operations advisory, ​which was issued to raise awareness of potential threats to ​the grid’s reliability. “Our West is likely to continue to experience advisories and energy emergency alert conditions, particularly during periods of high ​customer demand,” SPP said in a statement. The full list of states impacted in the emergency order includes: Arizona Arkansas Colorado Iowa Kansas Louisiana Minnesota Missouri Montana Nebraska New Mexico North Dakota Oklahoma South Dakota Texas Utah Wyoming Approximately 20 million people live in the affected area. “The order is effective on July 26, 2026, and shall expire at 11:59 PM CDT on August 3, 2026,” the DOE stated. The order is a last resort before issuing Level 3 Energy Emergency Alerts, which could lead to rolling blackouts throughout the U.S. https://t.co/IE3dl3ONRO — WGRZ (@WGRZ) July 27, 2026 WUSA9 has more: The emergency order isn’t aimed at homeowners and renters directly, meaning it’s not directing you to do anything specific to save electricity. Experts recommend setting your thermostat higher than you normally would during a heat wave, because it can be especially pricy to cool a home during a summer heat wave. That being said, heat kills more Americans than any other weather event, including tornadoes and flooding, even though most heat-related deaths are preventable through outreach and intervention, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Safety is the No. 1 priority, officials caution. “Heat is the silent killer. No one thinks about it,” said Ben Zaitchik, a professor and climate scientist at Johns Hopkins University whose research includes heat waves. “It’s getting hotter just about everywhere. That means even without a particular weather phenomenon, like what we’re seeing in Texas right now, we’re seeing temperatures we aren’t used to, and that in its own right is a risk.” The body normally cools itself by sweating, but extreme heat can interrupt your ability to do that, potentially leading to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, organ failure or death. Older adults, young children and people with chronic illnesses like diabetes are most at risk. But that doesn’t mean healthy people are immune, said Ashley Ward, director of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainability. The post ALERT: “Hot Weather” Prompts Emergency Order Impacting 17 States – “Mitigate The Risk Of Blackouts” appeared first on 100PercentFedUp.com.

President Trump on Monday thanked Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco, for naming a highway after him in North Africa. “Thank you to Highly Respected Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco — Such a Great Honor! I look forward to traveling the entire length of this Great Highway someday, hopefully soon!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. Trump shared a video about the highway: “Thank you to Highly Respected Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco — Such a Great Honor! I look forward to traveling the entire length of this Great Highway someday, hopefully soon! President DONALD J. TRUMP” pic.twitter.com/WSYZoGFxzB — Department of State (@StateDept) July 26, 2026 Bloomberg shared further: Morocco hasn’t officially confirmed the naming, and a government spokesman didn’t respond to a request for comment. The move would further cement the US leader’s close connections with a country that’s long been one of Washington’s top allies in North Africa. The Western Sahara, a resource-rich area roughly the size of the UK, has been disputed between Morocco and an Algeria-backed armed independence movement since colonial ruler Spain withdrew in 1975. It’s largely controlled by Morocco, whose claim won Trump’s endorsement as part of a deal that saw the kingdom re-establish ties with Israel. France and Spain later followed suit, accelerating a development boom that includes a $1.3 billion deep-sea port, tourist resorts and green-energy facilities. Hollywood movie director Christopher Nolan filmed parts of The Odyssey around Dakhla last year, earning the ire of the Polisario Front, an armed group that claims to represent the indigenous Sahrawi people and seeks a referendum on independence. The $1 billion highway has reportedly been completed and is operational, which Morocco hopes will provide a strategic road corridor in the region. Naming the highway after Trump would symbolize the significance Morocco places on U.S. recognition of its position in the Western Sahara region. New: King Mohammed VI of Morocco has named its 1,055-km highway through the Sahara Desert the “President Donald J. Trump Highway.” pic.twitter.com/VTZTGeDabM — The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) July 27, 2026 Business Insider Africa has more: Stretching from Tiznit in southern Morocco to Dakhla, the highway passes through Guelmim, Tan-Tan and Laayoune, dramatically improving road connectivity to Morocco’s southern provinces while strengthening access to Mauritania and the wider West African market. The highway is one of Morocco’s most strategic infrastructure investments in recent years. Beyond easing domestic transport, it is expected to reduce freight costs, improve road safety and cut travel times for goods moving between Europe, Morocco and West Africa. It also forms a critical link to the planned Dakhla Atlantic Port, a multibillion-dollar deep-water port that Rabat hopes will become one of Africa’s leading logistics hubs. Together, the expressway and port are designed to support Morocco’s broader strategy of positioning itself as a commercial bridge between European markets and fast-growing African economies. The project also complements Morocco’s Atlantic Initiative, which seeks to improve access to global markets for landlocked Sahel countries by providing alternative trade routes through Morocco’s Atlantic coastline. The post President Trump Says “Great Highway” In Africa To Bear His Name appeared first on 100PercentFedUp.com.

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green just did what members of his own party so often refuse to do: he told an indicted ally that it may be time to go. Green, a Democrat, is publicly urging Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke to consider formally resigning after she was charged in a sweeping state corruption case. Luke had already taken unpaid leave. She had already ended her reelection campaign. For Green, that is apparently no longer enough. The governor’s message changes this from a legal crisis surrounding one officeholder into an open break at the top of Hawaii’s state government. A Leave Is No Longer Enough Hawaii News Now reported that Green issued his statement after an Oʻahu grand jury indicted Luke and four other people Friday. The governor said Luke “needs to consider formally resigning” so the state can move forward. Those words matter because Luke has not been performing the duties of lieutenant governor since April. She stepped away without pay after receiving a target letter from investigators, and state Comptroller Keith Regan has been serving in her place. Luke later abandoned her reelection bid, but she did not give up the office itself. A leave preserved the possibility that she could return if the investigation ended without criminal charges. The indictment changed that calculation. Green is no longer merely managing an absence; he is publicly signaling that Hawaii needs a permanent answer. Hawaii Already Has A Replacement In Place The Office of the Governor designated Regan as acting lieutenant governor on April 23, giving him the constitutional duties of Luke’s office while allowing him to continue leading the Department of Accounting and General Services. The administration described the move as necessary to maintain continuity across state government. Regan came into the assignment with more than two decades of public-sector experience. His previous roles included managing director and finance director for Maui County and chief administrative officer for the Hawaii Tourism Authority. The temporary arrangement let state business continue without immediately creating a vacancy or forcing Green to declare Luke politically finished before prosecutors completed their work. Luke still holds the title and can leave only by resigning or through Hawaii’s removal process. Green has now put his position on the record: he wants her to consider ending her tenure. Honolulu Civil Beat captured the scale of the political fallout as the case moved through the weekend: What Luke Is Actually Charged With Hawaiʻi Public Radio reported that Luke is charged with criminal conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, and falsifying candidate committee reports. She is one of five defendants named in a 12-count indictment produced by a six-month state investigation. The other defendants are former state Rep. and former Human Services Director Ryan Yamane, state Airports Administrator Ford Fuchigami, former Public Utilities Commission Chair Leo Asuncion Jr., and businessman-lobbyist Tobi Solidum. They face varying allegations involving bribery conspiracy, bribery, false entries, campaign-report falsification, and obstruction of justice. Yamane’s bail was set at $150,000, while Luke, Fuchigami, and Asuncion each received $80,000 bail. Luke and the three other defendants in Hawaii surrendered and posted bail Friday. Court dates had not yet been scheduled when the charges were announced, and every defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence. An Important Distinction In The Case The indictment centers on an alleged effort by Solidum to secure state support for an emergency COVID-19 community-testing program in which prosecutors say he had financial interests. At a recorded January 2022 dinner, Solidum allegedly discussed two $5,000 campaign contributions for Luke and the possibility of as much as $70,000 in additional support. Prosecutors allege Luke agreed to help advance funding for the testing program. But the indictment does not allege that Luke accepted a $35,000 cash bribe or personally took cash at all. Retired federal public defender Alexander Silvert told Hawaii News Now that the case appeared less direct against Luke than against some of the other defendants. He also noted that the recorded conversation appears to show her declining Solidum’s offer of more money. That distinction does not make the charges disappear. It does mean the public should judge the evidence against each defendant separately rather than treating every allegation in the 12-count case as interchangeable. The Warning Signs Came First Honolulu Civil Beat previously reported that campaign-spending officials filed a separate civil complaint alleging eight counts of false reporting and four counts involving unauthorized handling of campaign money by Friends of Sylvia Luke in 2021 and 2022. The state Attorney General’s Office, meanwhile, confirmed that its criminal investigation remained active. Luke acknowledged receiving the two campaign checks totaling $10,000 at the 2022 dinner. She said she returned the money after an earlier federal corruption case became public, but the contributions were not reported to campaign regulators until years later. The civil complaint cited campaign filings, bank checks, campaign letters, and public statements. Luke’s lawyers sought to pause that proceeding while the criminal investigation continued, arguing that running both cases at once could jeopardize her right against self-incrimination. On July 17, state prosecutors said their Special Investigation and Prosecution Division was still working toward a conclusion based on verified facts and law. One week later, the grand jury returned the indictment. The Legal Case And The Political Verdict An indictment is an accusation, not a conviction. Luke will have the opportunity to challenge the state’s theory, the recorded conversation, and the alleged connection between campaign support and public funding. Green does not appear willing to wait for that process before deciding what is best for his administration. He has already installed an acting lieutenant governor. Luke has already stepped away from her duties and dropped her campaign. Now her own governor is asking her to consider making the break permanent. This is a Guest Post from our friends over at WLTReport. View the original article here. The post Democrat Governor Breaks With His Own Lieutenant — Makes His Next Move Clear appeared first on 100PercentFedUp.com.