Local News
Large fire reported at building near Touro Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana
A major fire has been reported in a large building near Touro Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Emergency responders are on the scene, and initial reports indicate that several individuals may be trapped inside the building.
The New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) has deployed multiple units to combat the blaze, which was first reported late Monday afternoon.
Firefighters are working diligently to control the flames and conduct rescue operations to ensure the safety of those potentially inside.
The exact cause of the fire and the total number of people affected remain unclear at this time. Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area to allow emergency personnel unobstructed access.
Local law enforcement and emergency medical services are also on-site, coordinating efforts to provide assistance and assess the situation.
Updates regarding the fire’s status and the condition of those affected are expected as the situation develops.
Local News
Suspended Dearborn Ford worker Thomas Sabula received more than $320K after Trump flips him off
DEARBORN, Mich. โ A suspended Ford Motor Company employee has become the focus of national attention after a confrontation with former President Donald Trump during a visit to a Dearborn assembly plant, prompting an outpouring of public support that has raised more than $324,000 for his family through an online fundraiser.
The worker, Thomas โTJโ Sabula, a 40-year-old United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 600 member, was placed on suspension pending an internal investigation following an exchange that occurred while Trump was touring the facility.
According to video later obtained and published by TMZ, an off-camera voice can be heard shouting โpedophile protectorโ at the former president, an apparent reference to the administrationโs handling of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
In the footage, Trump appears to mouth an expletive and make a hand gesture before walking away.
The Washington Post subsequently identified Sabula as the individual who made the remark.
In an interview with the newspaper, Sabula confirmed that he was suspended after the incident and said he believes the action amounts to political retaliation.
โAs far as calling him out, definitely no regrets whatsoever,โ Sabula told The Post. โBut I am concerned about my job. I believe Iโve been targeted for political retribution for embarrassing him in front of his friends.โ
Sabula, who describes himself as politically independent, said he has never voted for Trump, though he has supported Republican candidates in the past.
In the days following the incident, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to assist Sabula and his family during his suspension.
The campaign states that Sabula is โa father of two young children, a husband, and a proud UAW Local 600 line worker,โ and that the funds will be used to help cover household and living expenses โduring this time of uncertainty.โ Donations quickly surged past $100,000, with notable contributions reportedly made by the rock band Dropkick Murphys.
Supporters have characterized Sabulaโs actions as a form of protest and free expression, while others have questioned whether his conduct violated workplace policies.
Ford Motor Company and union representatives have not publicly released details regarding the status of the internal investigation or whether disciplinary action beyond the suspension is being considered.
Following his visit to the Dearborn plant, Trump went on to deliver remarks at the Detroit Economic Club, where he had last spoken in October 2024.
The incident continues to draw attention amid broader political debate, as questions remain about workplace discipline, free speech, and the role of political expression in employment settings.
