21 people charged with stealing nearly $7 million from USAA bank and its customers

A federal grand jury in Louisiana has indicted 21 people in connection with stealing millions of dollars from military service members and other customers banking with USAA.

Ukraine pulls US-provided Abrams tanks from front lines over Russian drone threats

Ukraine has sidelined U.S.-provided Abrams M1A1 battle tanks for now in its fight against Russia, in part because Russian drone warfare has made it too difficult for them to operate without detection or coming under attack.

US-China talks start with warnings about misunderstandings and miscalculations

The United States and China butted heads over a number of contentious bilateral, regional and global issues as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Friday with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and both men warned of the dangers of misunderstandings and miscalculations.

Air Force relaunches warrant officer corps to beef up cyber, IT capabilities

The Air Force is reinstating its long-dormant warrant officer corps and looking for airmen to specialize in information technology and cyberspace as the U.S. confronts China’s rising military might.

WWII veteran Army pilot, 101, gets birthday wish to fly again

Donald Stern, a WWII pilot who flew 32 combat missions in Europe had a wish for his 101st birthday — to fly once again in a small plane. He fulfilled his dream Thursday sitting in the front passenger’s seat for a 40-minute flight aboard a Cessna Skyhawk that soared above the Statue of Liberty and other landmarks.

Virginia defense contractor acquires Ohio business near Wright-Patterson AFB

A Chantilly, Va.-based national security company has announced its acquisition of Vana Solutions LLC, in Beavercreek, positioning the company to better serve the Air Force and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Health data of millions of veterans might have been leaked in cyberattack of VA vendor

Fifteen million veterans were notified by the Department of Veterans Affairs this week that a cybersecurity breach involving one of its vendors might have exposed their private health care information

Coast Guard’s top chaplain fired for failing to act on knowledge of another’s sexual misconduct

The chaplain of the Coast Guard was fired after an investigation found he did not act appropriately when he learned of another chaplain’s sexual misconduct that predated military service, the Coast Guard said.

Immigrant workers sue Minnesota vegetable farm for shorted pay, ‘deplorable’ conditions

Nearly 40 immigrant workers claim in a federal lawsuit that a central Minnesota vegetable farm shorted their paychecks and subjected them to “deplorable” working and living conditions.

Minn. teen faces upgraded manslaughter charge for punch that killed Vietnam veteran

An 18-year-old Minnesota man now faces an upgraded charge of manslaughter for killing a Vietnam vet with a punch at Harriet Island Regional Park in late January.

US-required bridge inspections don’t test for ship strike. Then, one hit the Key Bridge

When the Francis Scott Key Bridge was inspected in May 2021, its railings and guardrails met modern standards. Its foundations were “stable” and didn’t show signs of erosion at the riverbed. Protection around its piers was “functioning.” It wasn’t, however, assessed for its ability to withstand a collision from a vessel.

Army veteran receives high school diploma at 83

Before completing his senior year of high school in Beckley, Billy F. Garretson left to join the U.S. Army, serving from 1958 to 1964. Though he graduated from a military academy, worked as a minister for decades and earned other educational certificates, a high school diploma always eluded him.

NASA astronauts arrive for Boeing’s first human spaceflight

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will serve as test pilots for Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which is making its debut with crew after years of delay. They flew from Houston into Kennedy Space Center on Thursday.

Walk across America effort to raise funds for fallen and wounded veterans

Jack Huffman’s past two trips across the country and his current trek have been fundraisers for the Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund, a Michigan-based nonprofit organization helping to cover living and healthcare costs to wounded veterans, as well as assistance to the families of those who have fallen.

Judge reject’s Trump’s bid for a new trial in $83.3 million E. Jean Carroll defamation case

A federal judge in New York rejected Donald Trump’s request for a new trial on Thursday after a jury awarded $83.3 million in damages to a longtime magazine columnist who sued the former president for defamation for calling her claim that he had sexually assaulted her in a Manhattan department store a lie.

Net neutrality restored as FCC votes to regulate internet providers

The FCC on Thursday restored “net neutrality” rules that prevent broadband internet providers such as Comcast and AT&T from favoring some sites and apps over others.

Korean shipbuilder agrees to a deal that could bring more jobs to Philadelphia

The world’s largest shipbuilder, South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., has signed a deal to seek U.S. government shipbuilding and maintenance contacts in alliance with Philly Shipyard Inc., which employs around 1,000 at the former Philadelphia Navy Yard site in South Philadelphia.

Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield old friend Trump

The former publisher of the National Enquirer testified Thursday at Donald Trump’s hush money trial about going to great lengths to help shield his old friend from potentially damaging stories using a catch-and-kill scheme prosecutors allege amounted to interference in the 2016 presidential campaign.

Veterans aim to connect at Massachusetts luncheon series

Retired Air Force Lt. Col. John Paradis, a volunteer with the Easthampton Coalition for Veteran Wellness and Building Bridges Veterans Initiative and one of the driving forces behind the monthly lunches, says “we’re striving to get back to the essence of what it meant for us as service members.”