Fox News Latest Headlines
DeSantis announces plans to use new state law to target dozens of alleged terrorist groups
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, announced on Wednesday the state's intention to use a new state law to designate dozens of groups as terrorist organizations, a move that would still require approval by the Florida Cabinet, prompting legal objections from at least one of the groups.
HB 1471 was signed into law earlier this year and went into effect on Wednesday.
The governor said the state plans to implement its new statutory authority to "identify, designate, and combat terrorist organizations operating in Florida" in the first use of powers established under the legislation.
Florida officials plan to designate more than 90 groups as terrorist organizations, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations the Muslim Brotherhood and Antifa, though the proposed designations must be approved by the governor and Cabinet before they are finalized under the statute.
"Last December, I signed an Executive Order to eliminate the influence of radical terrorist ideologies and the organizations that promote them in Florida. This year, I signed legislation to strengthen those protections and give Florida permanent statutory tools to combat terrorism while defending the Constitutional rights of our citizens," DeSantis said in a statement. "Today, we are officially designating terrorist organizations under Florida law. In addition to CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood, we are adding Antifa to the list—along with more than 90 Foreign Terrorist Organizations, including cartels."
However, under HB 1471, the Chief of Domestic Security may designate qualifying organizations as domestic or foreign terrorist organizations, but the governor and Cabinet may approve or reject those designations by majority vote before they are published in the Florida Administrative Register.
Some of the foreign organizations added to the list include the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and gangs such as Cartel de Sinaloa, Tren de Aragua, Cartel del Noreste and Cartel del Golfo.
The new law allows the governor and Cabinet to approve or reject designations initially made by the chief of domestic security within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
"Keeping our community safe starts with identifying the threat," Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass said. "The safety of our community is strengthened by that knowledge every day, and reinforced by the collaboration between our officers, our federal partners, and—most importantly—the people we serve."
HB 1471 directs agencies to deny groups public support and taxpayer funding. The law also establishes state enforcement mechanisms and criminal penalties for providing material support to designated terrorist organizations.
More specifically, the law restricts certain public benefits, funding and institutional support connected to designated groups, and creates criminal penalties for knowingly providing, attempting to provide or conspiring to provide material support or resources to a designated domestic terrorist organization.
The law also ensures that foreign or religious legal codes cannot override the U.S. or Florida Constitutions in state courts.
CAIR, a Muslim civil rights group, condemned the move and said it would continue challenging the state’s actions, following the governor's announcement on Wednesday, saying the organization does not engage in "terrorist activity" and has not been charged or convicted of a crime. CAIR and CAIR-Florida have also previously sued over DeSantis’ December executive order targeting CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood.
"Throughout CAIR’s long history, our civil rights organization has worked to protect the Constitution’s guarantees of free speech, religious freedom and equality under the law," the group said in a statement. "We have also pursued justice for all people, including American Muslims impacted by hate. This is exactly why Gov. DeSantis has repeatedly targeted our organization. We see through Gov. DeSantis’ latest biased attempt to punish us for our views and our values. We look forward to fighting these baseless attacks in court and proving once again that the Constitution is stronger than any politician’s bigotry."
FLORIDA DESIGNATES MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD AND CAIR AS FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS, DESANTIS SAYS
Critics, including CAIR and civil liberties groups, argue the designations are politically motivated and threaten First Amendment-protected speech and association. DeSantis and state officials have argued the law is aimed at preventing taxpayer support for groups they say promote or support terrorism.
CAIR and civil liberties groups said they would challenge the designation as baseless and unconstitutional.
"Florida’s imminent designation of our clients is both dire and unmoored from reality. CAIR and CAIR-Florida’s speech and advocacy are protected by the First Amendment, which includes their right to criticize the governor, other officials, and their policies. We’re asking the court to protect our clients’ cardinal freedoms," Hina Shamsi, director of the ACLU’s National Security Project, said in a statement.
The designations, if approved by the Cabinet, would operate under Florida law and would not be the same as a federal foreign terrorist organization designation, which is made by the U.S. State Department.
Acting AG Todd Blanche says Newsom's DOJ claims are not 'grounded in fact'
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Wednesday rejected California Gov. Gavin Newsom's claims that the Justice Department is politically targeting him, saying the governor's assertions are not "grounded in fact."
Blanche responded to comments made by Newsom, who said last month that the Justice Department is investigating him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, under orders from President Donald Trump.
While Blanche declined to comment on any ongoing investigations, he dismissed the governor's claims.
GAVIN NEWSOM CLAIMS TRUMP ORDERED DOJ PROBE TARGETING HIM AND HIS WIFE
"The only thing I'll say about what he chose to do and what he chose to say is, I'm not sure his words are in any way grounded in fact," Blanche said during a news conference.
"He'd have to address that," Blanche added.
Newsom claimed June 15 that Trump had directed the Justice Department to investigate him and his wife in an effort to undermine a potential White House campaign.
The California governor has described the investigation as a politically motivated "fishing expedition" by Trump's DOJ, saying he and his wife have "nothing to hide." Newsom has also argued the inquiry is aimed at him because he is considering a presidential run, saying, "To get me, he's coming after my wife."
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEWSOM-LINKED CHARITIES REPORTEDLY CAUGHT IN DOJ’S SIGHTS
"Donald Trump isn’t just coming after me because of my mean Tweets. He’s coming after me because I am considering running for President," Newsom said. "Because he hates that I’ve consistently called him out – over and over again – for his lies and deceit. Donald Trump is simply the most corrupt President in American history."
Blanche also rejected Newsom's broader characterization of the situation.
"He can choose to say whatever he thinks helps him," Blanche said. "It doesn't make it true."
NEWSOM UNDER FIRE AS CALIFORNIA GAS TAX HIKE SENDS PUMP PRICES EVEN HIGHER
Sources previously told Fox News the investigation has been ongoing since 2025 and is based on whistleblower complaints related to Newsom and his wife's personal finances. The matter is being handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Sacramento.
Federal sources confirmed to Fox News there are investigations involving Jennifer Siebel Newsom, but Fox News has not learned of any federal investigation directly targeting Gov. Newsom himself.
The Justice Department has not publicly confirmed any investigation involving Newsom or his wife.
Jennifer Siebel Newsom is a documentary filmmaker who runs The Representation Project, a nonprofit organization that seeks to advance feminism through media production. Fox News Digital previously reported the charity has faced "pay-for-play" allegations, with critics claiming corporations with business interests in California donated to the organization in an effort to gain influence with Newsom.
"There are clearly no boundaries to what Donald Trump will do to get his way or to challenge those who get in his way. This is not presidential behavior, and the Governor and I will continue to speak truth to power because the American people deserve so much more," Jennifer Siebel Newsom said in a previous statement to Fox News.
Following Blanche's remarks Wednesday, the governor's office posted a meme on social media with the caption, "Why you always lyin."
The governor's press office also wrote, "Trump goons know that it’s not a crime to lie to a reporter."
Fox News Digital has reached out to Newsom's office for additional comment.
Fox News Digital's Bonny Chu and Robert Schmad contributed to this report.
Mexican national sentenced in border child smuggling case involving THC-laced candy
A Mexican national was sentenced Wednesday to five years in federal prison after admitting to participating in a human smuggling operation that prosecutors say used THC-laced candy to sedate children as young as 5 before bringing them across the U.S.-Mexico border.
Federal prosecutors said one child suffered THC poisoning and was hospitalized after being given the drug-laced candy during one of the smuggling operations.
Manuel Valenzuela, 35, pleaded guilty last November to one count of conspiracy to transport aliens, three counts of bringing aliens into the United States for financial gain and one count of aiding and abetting.
Valenzuela was one of four people charged last year in the alleged smuggling scheme. Prosecutors accused the group of transporting unaccompanied children between the ages of 5 and 13 from Juárez, Mexico, into the United States.
According to court documents, the smugglers presented U.S. identification documents to border officers while falsely claiming the children were their own parents.
Prosecutors said the children were then transported to El Paso after crossing the border.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION NAMES ROSARIO 'PETE' VASQUEZ TO SERVE AS NEXT US BORDER PATROL CHIEF
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department's Criminal Division condemned the scheme, saying, "Needing to sedate children with THC under the guise of giving them candy shows just how heinous crimes like this are."
"Smuggling unaccompanied children into the country, pretending to be their parents, and then lying to U.S. immigration officials shows the lengths to which criminals like this will go to smuggle children across our borders," Duva continued. "The Criminal Division and our law enforcement partners will put an end to this conduct. Protecting children and keeping our borders safe go hand-in-hand."
Acting Special Agent in Charge Ryan McRae of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso said using children in smuggling operations shows a "total disregard for human life and safety."
DHS HAS ONLY 7 CHILD EXPLOITATION ANALYSTS, HAWLEY MEASURE WOULD FUND 200 INVESTIGATORS
"Using THC-infused candy to facilitate the smuggling of children across the border into the United States is reprehensible and cruel and puts vulnerable minors at serious risk," McRae said. "HSI will relentlessly pursue transnational criminal organizations responsible for these heinous tactics and bring them to justice."
According to the criminal complaint, the smuggling events took place between May 1 and Oct. 18, 2024.
Prosecutors said proof-of-life photographs of some of the children were recovered from the suspects' cellphones.
Fox News' Brooke Taylor contributed to this report.
Virginia officer placed on administrative leave after malicious wounding charge tied to off duty incident
A Virginia police officer was arrested this week after allegedly assaulting a person he knew while off duty, authorities said.
Vincent Baglio, 31, of Arlington, was arrested on charges of malicious wounding, according to the Arlington County Police Department.
Police said the alleged assault took place inside a residence on May 24 while Baglio was off duty. Authorities said Baglio and the alleged victim knew each other.
MINNEAPOLIS POLICE CHIEF RESIGNS AFTER INTERFERING WITH INVESTIGATION, MAYOR SAYS
"During a conversation, the suspect allegedly physically assaulted the victim and made statements threatening harm to them," police said in a statement.
The incident was reported to police on June 30, and Baglio was arrested after detectives investigated the allegations.
Baglio has since been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal and internal administrative investigations, police said.
Arlington County Police Chief Andy Penn said the allegations against Baglio do not represent the values of the department.
"I want to assure our community that the serious criminal allegations in this case represent conduct that is wholly unacceptable and fundamentally inconsistent with the values, standards and responsibilities of our agency," Penn said. "Such actions are in direct contradiction to the oath we take and the professional expectations we place on every law enforcement officer.
Penn said the department will conduct both a criminal investigation and an internal administrative review and vowed to hold officers accountable based on the findings.
"We remain steadfast in our commitment to holding ourselves accountable and taking appropriate action based on the findings of those investigations," Penn added.
Baglio joined the Arlington County police force in June 2024, according to the department.
Two arrested at Costco after alleged fraudulent credit card shopping spree
Two suspected shoplifters were arrested at a Costco location Sunday after allegedly attempting to use fraudulent credit cards to steal merchandise, authorities said.
The incident occurred around 3 p.m. in South Windsor, Connecticut, the South Windsor Police Department (SWPD) said Monday.
Police said the pair are suspected serial Costco shoplifters and identified them as 35-year-old Brittany A. Howard of the Bronx, New York, and 34-year-old Kasheem M. Williams of Brooklyn.
"Officers responded to Costco (1220 Tamarack Ave) for reports of two shoplifters actively stealing from the store and attempting to pay at the self-checkout with fraudulent credit cards," SWPD said.
WEST COAST STATE SHERIFF'S BAIT BIKE STING SNARES DOZENS OF ALLEGED THIEVES IN JUST MONTHS
According to authorities, store staff had been warned that the same suspects had allegedly attempted a similar scheme at a Costco location in Enfield, roughly a 30-minute drive north.
Responding officers later discovered 28 stolen financial documents, all under different names, inside the suspects’ vehicle, along with goods believed to have been stolen from the other Costco location, police said.
After the suspects were taken into custody, authorities said both individuals were found to have active out-of-state warrants.
Williams had an extraditable warrant out of Suffolk County, New York, on multiple charges including burglary, strangulation and assault.
Howard was found to have an extraditable warrant out of Hudson County, New Jersey, on credit card theft charges.
Both suspects now face additional charges, including 28 counts of payment card theft, larceny, identity theft and conspiracy.
Police said the pair were held on $250,000 surety bonds and were scheduled to appear in Manchester Superior Court Monday morning.
USA advances in World Cup after controversial red card vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
The United States men’s national soccer team is heading to the Round of 16, defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2-0, on Wednesday night in Santa Clara, California.
It’s just the second time in Team USA history that they won in the knockout stages. Their only other came in 2002 when they beat Mexico, 2-0, in the Round of 16.
Now, the USMNT will head back to Seattle to face Belgium, who came back from a 2-0 deficit against Senegal in the second half to win in extra time, in the Round of 16.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Usually, when the USMNT enters the knockout stage in the World Cup, they’re considered the underdogs, hoping to be scrappy to force an upset. This time around, in an expanded tournament format that begins with a Round of 32, the country on home soil was the overwhelming favorites.
Their play proved why, even in the face of adversity in the second half.
It was an inauspicious start for the USMNT after Bosnia and Herzegovina secured a couple corner kicks, and goalkeeper Matt Freese, who hasn’t really been challenged much in this World Cup, had to scramble to save one that was destined for the back of the net if he didn’t punch it away.
USA WORLD CUP STAR FOLARIN BALOGUN RECEIVES CONTROVERSIAL RED CARD DURING ROUND OF 32 MATCH
From there, though, the USMNT got to work in the first half, and controlled the match. It seemed like it was only a matter of time before they scored, and Falorin Balogun, who has had a tremendous tournament in terms of goal scoring, did he striker job when he received a pass on a turnover and put it in the back of the net in the 29th minute.
However, the sideline referee threw his flag in the air – offsides. Video replay showed Balogun was clearly off, and there wasn’t much debate from head coach Mauricio Pochettino and his sideline staff either in this case.
Balogun got another chance in stoppage time, and in this instance, he was onside and still lethal.
With Bosnia and Herzegovina defenders draped all over him, Balogun turned and swung his left foot into the ball just inside his opponent’s box and it slipped through the goalkeeper’s legs for the first goal of the match.
The U.S.-heavy crowd went into a frenzy, and Balogun celebrated with an ode to LeBron James, doing his signature stepping move as his teammates congratulated him on his third goal at the World Cup.
But the second half saw a massive moment occur in favor of Bosnia and Herzegovina when Balogun was called for a red card after VAR review determined so following a foul where he stepped on a defender’s ankle. It was a controversial call that changed the complexity of the game with the USMNT down to 10 men to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 11.
Also, despite the hard-fought win, Balogun will have to miss the Round of 16 due to the decision, which is an obvious loss for the U.S.
The red card came in the 64th minute, and the USMNT had to "suffer," as FOX Sports color commentator Stu Holden said during the broadcast, to pull out a victory with a one-goal lead. While they had to defend with more tenacity, the USMNT still created chances to score despite their situation.
One was called back when Christian Pulisic found the back of the net, but was offsides. But Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Stjepan Radelijic held back Sergiño Dest just outside the box, forcing the referee to pull out a yellow card and give the USMNT a grade-A opportunity to pull away a bit in the 80th minute.
Enter Malik Tillman, the German-born son of a U.S. military veteran, who had the perfect free kick, dipping over the five-man wall in front of the net and going past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.
The goal put the U.S. up 2-0, and the momentum Bosnia and Herzegovina had following Balogun’s red card decision, was wiped out. They had desperation attempts to get back into the match, but the U.S. slammed the door shut to the satisfaction of the sold-out crowd at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium and the millions watching at home.
There will be tons of debate about how the U.S. deals with the loss of Balogun in the next round, but the job got done in this match where the home-country favorites kept their title hopes alive.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly donate $1.1 million to pro-immigration groups after 2025 federal enforcement
The Los Angeles Dodgers made headlines in 2025 for a number of reasons. Their front office once again built a dominant roster full of star players. They won back-to-back World Series, becoming the first team since the New York Yankees more than two decades ago to do so.
But the Dodgers organization seems to always find itself in the middle of other off-field controversies, and last season was no exception. When federal immigration officials surged enforcement into Los Angeles, which has long been a hotbed of illegal immigration, the Dodgers inexplicably got themselves involved.
Some Customs and Border Patrol agents parked their cars briefly in the Dodger Stadium parking lot as they prepared to move to a different location. The Dodgers, then, issued a completely false statement saying they'd denied ICE agents access to the parking lot. Except ICE agents, the agency confirmed, never went to Dodger Stadium.
ICE DENIES SENDING AGENTS TO DODGER STADIUM AS TEAM SAYS THEY WERE TURNED AWAY
They left the post up regardless, apparently out of a desire to receive praise from the political left and local far-left sportswriters. It worked, as they received widespread support despite being factually wrong. At the time, OutKick reached out to the team's Vice President of Communications, Jon Weisman (he/him), to find out why they had not issued a correction. He never answered.
But as part of their virtue signaling efforts, the team announced that as a result of quite literally nothing happening, they would make a donation to pro-immigration groups to satisfy those who oppose enforcing the United States border. And a new report from the Los Angeles Times has confirmed that they followed through on their ridiculous promise to make "direct financial assistance for families of immigrants impacted by recent events in the region."
Per the Times, "...The Dodgers donated $1.1 million, representatives for California Community Foundation and Labor Community Services" told them.
WATCH: ANGEL MOM TURNS TABLES ON SANCTUARY POLITICIANS WITH BASIC QUESTION ABOUT THEIR PRIORITIES
What does this have to do with a Major League Baseball team? Nothing, of course. Why should a Major League Baseball team have any interest or impact in federal immigration law enforcement? It shouldn't; it has nothing to do with them or their sport. Regardless of how many illegal aliens live in Los Angeles and support the Dodgers. There are many Catholics who support the Dodgers, and they still felt it wise to give an award to a group of men who dress in drag like nuns and mock their faith.
So what do these organizations do? Well, per their website, the California Community Foundation in 2025 "established a new fund" to support LA County NGO's because immigration raids to arrest violent criminals here illegally was a "humanitarian crisis."
They also frequently issue statements of support for illegal aliens, though, of course, using the preferred progressive dogma language of "undocumented immigrations." Similarly, the Labor Community Services organization is designed to support immigrant groups with a "pathway to citizenship," per their website.
There's little doubt that the Dodgers organization excels at providing a positive experience for their players. They excel at finding and developing talent. And they've done an outstanding job upgrading Dodger Stadium, retaining the character of the building and modernizing it, despite its age. But the ownership group is overwhelmed by left-wing politics. Ironic, since primary owner Mark Walter is the exact type of person the progressive left hates, thanks to his estimated net worth of around $15.5 billion.
It's embarrassing that such a historic organization has sunk so low. But that's what happens when you only care about one side of the political spectrum.
USA World Cup star Folarin Balogun receives controversial red card during Round of 32 match
U.S. men’s national team star Folarin Balogun received a red card in the second half of their Round of 32 World Cup matchup against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday night.
Balogun was making a challenge on a ball when he stepped on an opposing player’s leg. When there was a pause in the action, referee Raphael Claus stopped the match to look at VAR to determine whether Balogun committed a foul worthy of a red card.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
After a few minutes, Balogun was given a red card.
Social media erupted in fury over Balogun being sent off.
The U.S. men’s national team is down to 10 players for the rest of the match. If the U.S. holds their 1-0 lead, Balogun will have to miss the Round of 16 game.
2026 FIFA WORLD CUP GOLDEN BOOT RACE TRACKER: MBAPPÉ MATCHES MESSI; HAALAND LURKING
Balogun scored for the U.S. in the first half.
Bosnia and Herzegovina appeared to feel some kind of momentum from the red card as they increased the offensive pressure on the U.S. men’s national team.
Balogun started the game with a few shots on goal and had one taken away because he was ruled offside. He later buried one off a touch from Malik Tillman. He’s been one of the more exciting players for the U.S. in the tournament.
Tillman later scored on a free kick to make the match, 2-0.
CNN journalist jumps ship to MS NOW over fears of new leadership after merger: report
CNN journalist Paula Reid is leaving the network for MS NOW out of concerns over Paramount Skydance's acquisition of the network, according to a Variety report Wednesday.
"Reid turned down a chance to renew her current contract at CNN, according to two people familiar with the situation, in part because CNN’s next era appears chaotic," Variety reported.
The article noted that Reid's decision allegedly came because of concerns over Paramount CEO David Ellison taking over the network and potentially installing CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss as head of CNN.
JAKE TAPPER RUEFULLY REVEALS CNN WILL BE AFFECTED BY PARAMOUNT'S LOOMING TAKEOVER OF NETWORK
"Paramount has made some indications that it sees Bari Weiss, the editor in chief of CBS News who has generated several public controversies, as the next steward of CNN," Variety reported.
Reid initially joined CNN in 2021 after previously working as a White House correspondent for CBS News.
Neither MS NOW nor CNN confirmed the news to Fox News Digital.
"As a general matter of practice, we don’t comment on personnel matters," an MS NOW spokesperson said in a statement. "As everyone in Washington knows, Paula Reid is an exceptional reporter, and any news organization would be fortunate to showcase her journalism."
CNN declined to comment.
A Fox News Digital report in February found that the mood inside CNN was "horrific" as parent company Warner Bros. Discovery prepared to sell all of its assets to Paramount. In the report, a CNN insider suggested the possibility of talent fleeing CNN ahead of the Ellison takeover if they can afford it.
A second insider said the two main concerns are "job loss" and "editorial indifference," noting the former "greatly outranks" the latter. Specifically, CNN staffers worried about a potential "bloodbath" if CBS News and CNN were to merge.
Other CNN personalities have also publicly denounced the merger. CNN journalist Kara Swisher previously vowed to leave the network if Ellison took charge in March.
CNN BOSS MARK THOMPSON INSISTS HE'S ‘REALLY COMMITTED’ TO NETWORK AMID LOOMING OWNERSHIP CHANGES
Veteran CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour described feeling "concerned" over new leadership in May, pointing to past issues regarding CBS News' "60 Minutes" anchors.
"I’m concerned based on what’s happened to the other things that he’s taken over already, like CBS News, right?" Amanpour said. "I mean, do I have to list what’s happening there? I mean, hemorrhaging viewers, probably hemorrhaging money, this ideological realignment of CBS and the destruction, potentially, of ‘60 Minutes.’"
Wild video captures apartment complex electrical room explosion as firefighters investigate smoke call
Dramatic video captured the moment an explosion erupted inside a Washington state apartment complex electrical room, sending flames and debris toward firefighters as they investigated reports of smoke Sunday.
The wild footage from Tacoma showed a crew of firefighters forcing open the door to the electrical room before thick smoke billowed out. Seconds later, a powerful explosion blasted through the doorway, shattering windows and sending vertical blinds and debris flying as firefighters quickly retreated from the building.
The person recording the incident briefly turned the camera away after the blast. When the video refocused, firefighters could be seen checking on one another and moving away from the damaged building.
'PARCEL BOMB' EXPLODES IN MONACO RESIDENTIAL AREA, LEAVING 2 CRITICALLY INJURED: REPORTS
The Tacoma Fire Department (TFD) later said no firefighters or residents were injured.
Firefighters responded around 5:37 p.m. to an apartment complex at 6400 S. 12th St., after receiving reports of an explosion and smoke coming from an electrical conduit, according to the department. Fire alarms sounded after a resident pulled the alarm, prompting crews to evacuate buildings as a precaution.
"Eight buildings evacuated indefinitely. No active fire," the TFD said in an update on X.
'PARCEL BOMB' EXPLODES IN MONACO RESIDENTIAL AREA, LEAVING 2 CRITICALLY INJURED: REPORTS
Officials said an electrical transformer malfunction pushed smoke into multiple buildings while Tacoma Public Utilities and fire investigators worked to determine the cause. Apartment residents were temporarily sheltered at Hunt Middle School.
In a later update, the department said the explosion occurred inside the electrical room after firefighters shut off power to the building.
'PARCEL BOMB' EXPLODES IN MONACO RESIDENTIAL AREA, LEAVING 2 CRITICALLY INJURED: REPORTS
"Explosion occurred in the electrical room where firefighters shut power off to the building," the Tacoma Fire Department wrote on X. Tacoma Public Utilities continued investigating the cause of the blast.
The utility later cleared residents to return to every building except the 600 building while crews worked to restore power. The American Red Cross assisted residents displaced from that building.
The Tacoma Fire Department said the explosion remained under investigation.