Federal authorities announced the arrest of a 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht, in connection with the catastrophic Palisades Fire in Los Angeles earlier this year -- which claimed 12 lives and destroyed thousands of homes.

Embattled Virginia Democrat attorney general nominee Jay Jones walked away from a reckless driving charge with a slap on the wrist in 2022. That same charge resulted in suspended licenses and jail time for many other Virginia residents. Jones, who is already under fire for 2022 texts that advocated for the assassination of former Virginia state House Speaker Todd Gilbert (R), was convicted of reckless driving that same year after he was caught driving 116 miles per hour in a 70 mph zone. In addition to a $1500 fine, he was ordered to complete 1000 hours of community service. According to data reviewed by 7News — an Arlington, Virginia, ABC affiliate — Jones appears to have been handled with kid gloves by the court system in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and others who committed similar infractions have faced much steeper consequences. Reporter Nick Minock found that others who were convicted of similar speeding infractions — in approximately a dozen cases — often faced jail time in addition to fines and suspended licenses. Get 40% off new DailyWire+ annual memberships with code FALL40 at checkout! One case in particular involved a man who was caught driving 115 miles per hour in a 70 mph zone — an infraction nearly identical to Jones’ — and in addition to a $2000 fine, he spent ten days behind bars, and lost his license for six months. Even after he got his license back, he was only permitted to drive to and from work. Others in the cases reviewed by 7News faced similar fines and license suspensions, and one even spent 20 days in jail. Jones is facing continued backlash from his 2022 text messages. A number of Republicans have called on him to drop out of the race. Democrats have been hedging their bets, however, saying that they believe his comments were reprehensible but stopping short of withdrawing endorsements or demanding that he step out of the race. The Virginia Law Enforcement Sheriff’s Association joined the growing number calling for him to bow out on Tuesday, and released a public statement to that effect. Virginia Law Enforcement Sherriff’s Association calls on ⁦@jonesjay⁩ to withdraw from Virginia AG race pic.twitter.com/ceB45zUUOr — Audrey Fahlberg (@AudreyFahlberg) October 8, 2025 “This call for violence against a family of the Commonwealth of Virginia and law enforcement is disgusting and unacceptable,” the statement read in part, before addressing Jones directly: “Sir, you need to hold yourself accountable and immediately withdraw from the Attorney General race.”

In a fundraising email sent on the anniversary of Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed made no mention of the terror group’s atrocities and blamed Israel for launching “a ground invasion of Gaza.” The email — posted by POLITICO’s Congressional reporter, Nicholas Wu — was sent on Tuesday as Israel and the United States remembered the 1,200 lives lost when Hamas terrorists crossed the Israeli border and killed men, women, and children. The email sent out by El-Sayed’s campaign began, “Two years ago this month, Netanyahu’s military launched a ground invasion of Gaza. Since then, the world has watched tragedy unfold in real time.” The email then went on to condemn Israel’s military strikes in Gaza and accused the pro-Israel lobbying group, AIPAC, of influencing politicians to “add fuel to the fire.” El-Sayed also accused AIPAC of “meddling with our race here in Michigan” because he “is one of AIPAC’s top targets to defeat.” Abdul El-Sayed sends out a fundraising email: “Two years ago this month, Netanyahu’s military launched a ground invasion of Gaza. Since then, the world has watched tragedy unfold in real time….” pic.twitter.com/3fICTzXnpe — Nicholas Wu (@nicholaswu12) October 7, 2025 El-Sayed’s campaign told POLITICO that the email was sent on Tuesday by mistake. “Abdul has been clear and consistent: he holds equally valuable the lives of all innocent people and condemns violence against them,” a spokeswoman for the Democratic candidate said. El-Sayed also released a statement on the 2nd anniversary of Hamas’ assault on Israel where he condemned Hamas for the “heinous attack,” but then accused Israel of committing “genocide.” Get 40% off new DailyWire+ annual memberships with code FALL40 at checkout El-Sayed is a doctor and former health director who’s running to replace outgoing Michigan Democratic Senator Gary Peters. The Michigan doctor came in second place behind Governor Gretchen Whitmer in the 2018 Democratic gubernatorial primary. El-Sayed has been endorsed by Democratic socialist Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and California Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna. Earlier this year, El-Sayed spoke at an event alongside Hamas sympathizers, including one activist who expressed “euphoria” over the terror group’s October 7, 2023, attack, The Washington Free Beacon reported. El-Sayed is running against Democratic Michigan state Senator Mallory McMorrow and Democratic U.S. Congresswoman Haley Stevens. McMorrow has recently taken a more anti-Israel stance on the war in Gaza, while Stevens has voiced pro-Israel views in the past and has been backed by AIPAC. Democrats have maintained control of both Michigan U.S. Senate seats since 2001. Republican Mike Rogers, who lost to Sen. Elissa Slotkin in the 2024 election, is running for Senate again and appears to be the GOP’s best chance at winning the seat in 2026.

'She is condescending'