Local News
Non Credible Bomb Threats to Polling Locations Originate From Russian Email Domains
Georgia state officials reported that five polling stations in the state received bomb threats, leading to temporary evacuations at two locations.
The threats, traced back to Russia, prompted evacuations at Etris Community Center and Gullatt Elementary School in Union City, Fulton County, with closures lasting about 30 minutes each.
Three other targeted sites remained open despite the threats.
The Fulton County Police Department issued a statement confirming that no active threats were discovered and assured voters of their continued safety measures.
“Voters will see officers at all 177 polling places today,” the statement read, emphasizing that safety is the highest priority.
To ensure fair access, the Fulton County Department of Registration & Elections is seeking a court order to extend voting hours at the evacuated locations for the same amount of time they were closed.
At a press conference, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger confirmed the threats’ origins as Russian, which he said underscores foreign efforts to disrupt U.S. elections.
“They don’t want us to have a smooth, fair, and accurate election,” Raffensperger remarked. He expressed that these interference tactics aim to sow division within the U.S., and he highlighted the importance of national resilience against such threats.
Russia has denied involvement in U.S. election interference, though other nations, including Georgia and Moldova, have similarly accused Russia of attempting to influence their own democratic processes.
Fire crews swiftly responded to a brush fire that broke out on Monday afternoon at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar in San Diego, California.
The fire, which was first reported at approximately 2:20 p.m., scorched roughly 10 acres before its progress was slowed by fire suppression efforts.
The wildfire was located just south of MCAS Miramar, with plumes of smoke visible from nearby neighborhoods, including North Park, and from major roadways.
Early visuals captured red flames consuming brush in the affected area.
Firefighters from the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD), along with neighboring agencies, were quickly deployed to the scene.
Aerial firefighting units, including helicopters from SDFD and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, utilized nearby reservoirs to perform water drops, significantly aiding in containment efforts.
As of the latest updates, the fire is holding steady at approximately 10 acres with a slow rate of spread. Favorable wind conditions have prevented the fire from threatening any structures, and no evacuations have been ordered.
Residents and commuters in the surrounding areas reported seeing smoke but were assured by officials that the situation is under control.
Authorities continue to monitor the fire’s perimeter to ensure it does not rekindle.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Firefighters will remain on-site to conduct mop-up operations and ensure no hotspots remain.
Further updates will be provided as the situation develops. Community members are advised to stay alert for any official announcements from local authorities.