News briefs

Tribune News Service on Sep 30, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

Newsom mocks Trump’s weight after Hegseth insults ‘fat’ leaders

California Gov. Gavin Newsom body shamed President Donald Trump on Tuesday after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told military brass there’s no room for “fat generals” or troops in the U.S. military.

Trump and Hegseth summoned top-ranked U.S. officials from around the globe to Virginia for a morning rally in which the former Fox News weekend host stressed the importance of physical fitness among all military personnel.

“Frankly, it’s tiring to look out at combat formations, or really any formation, and see fat troops,” Hegseth said at the unorthodox gathering of senior officers. “Likewise, it’s completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon leading commands around the country and the world.”

Newsom, who in recent weeks has used social media to relentlessly troll the president, posted a photo of Trump on the campaign trail in 2024 with his gut hanging over his waistband as he took off his sports coat. “I guess the Commander in Chief needs to go!” Newsom, 57, captioned the photo.

—New York Daily News

'Every child in America' saw video of Charlie Kirk's death, teachers union leader says

EASTPOINTE, Mich. — "Every child in America" saw video of conservative activist Charlie Kirk's shooting death, Randi Weingarten said, and the nation's teachers had to figure out how to talk to them about it.

Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, the second largest teachers union in the United States, said this week what public schoolteachers needed most after Kirk's assassination was leadership from their state superintendents, telling them, "This is what we need to do; this is how we need to deal with public events." Instead, she said, "They sent a memo saying snitch on your colleagues."

Weingarten spoke Monday at Eastpointe High School auditorium to rally support for public schools, which she and local officials said are being intentionally defunded to foster ignorance among young people, so they won't question authority.

State leaders in some red states have taken steps to curb perceived inappropriate speech in the days after Kirk was gunned down during a debate session at a Utah college campus, saying that comments critical of Kirk are akin to glorifying violence.

—The Detroit News

Family sues Denver’s Eating Recovery Center for allegedly ignoring suicidal thoughts

DENVER — A Virginia family is suing the Eating Recovery Center over what they allege was a failure to prevent patients from harming themselves during their daughter’s treatment at a facility in Denver.

Jerry and Rebecca Music and their now-adult daughter, Allison Music, sued the Eating Recovery Center and 29 executives, physicians and other staff members in Denver District Court on Sunday.

They alleged the providers didn’t respond appropriately when Allison voiced thoughts of suicide or nonfatal self-harm, and forced her to witness other patients hurting themselves or attempting suicide.

Eating Recovery Center hasn’t seen the lawsuit and can’t comment on pending litigation, said Henry Artime, senior vice president of marketing and communications.

—The Denver Post

Congo military court sentences former leader Joseph Kabila to death

KINSHASA, Congo — Congo's former President Joseph Kabila was sentenced Tuesday to death in absentia by the High Military Court in Kinshasa for treason and war crimes.

Kabila, who ruled the resource-rich Central African nation from 2001 to 2019, was found guilty of crimes including the glorification of violence, conspiracy and plotting to overthrow the government.

The charges relate to his role in the conflict between the government and the M23 militia, which captured large areas of eastern Congo this year. Kabila denied the allegations.

The court ordered the immediate arrest of the former president, who has lived in exile for about two years, including in South Africa. The trial began in July. Judgments of the military are not subject to appeal. His sentence could only be enforced if he returns to the country.

—dpa