Investigations commence following Minnesota shooting incident and dismissal of CDC head: Morning Summary Update
In a tragic turn of events, a shooting at the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has claimed the lives of two children aged 8 and 10, and left 17 other children and three adult parishioners injured. The shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, approached the side of the church armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, and shot dozens of rounds through the side windows. Westman, born Robert Westman, was a former student of the Catholic elementary and middle school who carried out the attack. Westman identified as transgender and changed their name in 2020.
The authorities are working to determine a motive for the attack and are aware of a "manifesto" that the suspect had timed to be released on YouTube. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara stated that the wounded are expected to survive. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the attack a tragedy and demanded action from political leaders.
In other news, a top Florida official predicts that 'Alligator Alcatraz', a notorious alligator nesting area in the Everglades, will likely be empty in a matter of days. The House Freedom Caucus is facing an existential moment with some of its most prominent members considering leaving for new jobs in the 2026 election.
In the political arena, Susan Monarez, the Director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, was fired by the Trump administration after she refused to resign. At least 21 FEMA employees have been put on administrative leave after they signed an open letter criticizing the Trump administration. Sen. Susan Collins was heckled and drowned out at times by demonstrators at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Maine.
The political landscape in Iowa is heating up, with a string of convincing victories in special legislative elections leaving some hopeful that the Democratic party could flip some major Republican-held offices in next year's midterm elections. However, citing low turnout in off-year, down-ballot special elections, Republicans are skeptical about the prospects for Democratic gains in Iowa.
Across the globe, Ukraine is facing intense attacks, with at least 21 deaths and 38 injuries reported from a Russian drone strike on Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the overnight attacks show clearly that Russia has chosen "ballistics over the negotiating table." Zelenskyy reiterated his call for "new tough sanctions" against Russia, hoping the U.S. might target Putin's economy to force him to the table.
The combined strikes were the most significant to hit Kyiv since President Donald Trump intensified his push for an end to the Kremlin's war. The streak includes a win that flipped a Republican seat, breaking the GOP supermajority in the Iowa Senate. The overnight attacks come after Zelenskyy stated that all deadlines have already been missed; dozens of opportunities for diplomacy have been spoiled.
