WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s been 12 months since President Donald Trump announced a crime emergency in Washington, pledging to make the city “safe and beautiful” and deploying the National Guard. But a mission that seemed temporary has been extended through January 2029. Residents and a new cadre of local officials see in it an unacceptable attempt by the federal government to restrict the heavily Democratic city’s autonomy and, a year in, still question why having troops on the streets of the nation’s capital is necessary. “There’s a deep irony that here we are in the capital of the free world,…

Women’s hiking boots protect against some of the biggest trip-ruiners: rolled ankles, soaked socks, bruised toes, and agonizing blisters. To finalize this year’s rankings, GearJunkie Editor Chris Kassar and two additional testers put 12 women’s hiking boots through a year-long test cycle. From Grand Teton National Park to Patagonia, we logged more than 500 miles and 30,000 feet of elevation gain to find the best pairs. We crowned the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX as our best overall pick for its standout mix of agility, traction, and waterproof protection. Meanwhile, the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof earned our budget…

A terrifying dog attack in a quiet Florida neighborhood ended with a homeowner using a firearm to stop one of two aggressive dogs after they mauled a family pet and injured a woman. According to WPLG Local 10, the incident happened in Lighthouse Point, where two loose dogs escaped from a nearby rental property and began attacking without warning. Family Dog Targeted First Witnesses said the chaos began when two large American Staffordshire mix dogs rushed toward a man who was outside with his grandchild and his elderly spaniel, Brody. “The dog was not letting up,” one neighbor told Local…

Groups are coming out in support of President Donald Trump’s new White House Spouse Commission addressing matters affecting the military spouses and families of America. Such issues of note as part of the executive order will include persistent problems that arise involving employment, housing, and access to health care. The commission, led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s wife, Jennifer Rauchet, will include membership of spouses of several service secretaries, the Joint Chiefs chair, and other high-ranking military service members. It will identify and advise the administration on recommended actions they should take to improve the well-being and quality of life…

A reliable down puffy is the undisputed MVP of cold-weather layering. The best women’s down jackets balance insulation, mobility, and packability for everything from sunrise ski tours to everyday wear. Thankfully, today’s top designs are even lighter and better tailored. Editor and backcountry expert Chris Kassar put 10 women’s down jackets to the test over the last eight months. She logged 200 miles across the Tetons, Colorado Rockies, and Alaska, from ski tours to backpacking trips and rock climbs. To that end, the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody remains our top overall pick thanks to its dependable warmth, durable construction, and…

On today’s Bearing Arms’ Cam & Company, Gun Owners Action League executive director Jim Wallace said that in the state of Massachusetts, the process is the punishment for legal gun owners caught up in the web of draconian gun control laws and overly broad discretion for gun owners. Wallace was referring to a couple of cases involving some egregiously awful license to carry suspensions, but the case of Scott LaPanne may be an even better example of what Wallace was referring to. In February 2024, LaPanne was arrested on nearly two dozen possessory offenses and…

More Americans than ever are carrying concealed handguns, according to new survey data released by the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC). The latest poll, conducted by McLaughlin & Associates for the CPRC, found that 30.9% of likely general election voters now say they carry a concealed handgun at least occasionally. That’s up from 29.8% in May 2026 and 24.3% in December 2024, continuing a noticeable upward trend over the past year and a half. In other words, nearly one in three likely voters now reports carrying a concealed firearm at least some of the time. More People Are Carrying More…

On Jan. 29, 2021, the U.S. Space Force announced the rank naming structure for its guardians, as the members of the U.S. military’s newest service branch are known. On Sept. 20, 2021, the branch released updated insignia for its enlisted guardians. The Space Force is the sixth independent U.S. military service branch, tasked with missions and operations in the rapidly evolving space domain. Read Next: Learn more about the Space Force Like the Air Force, enlisted Space Force ranks are divided into three levels: specialists (E-1 through E-4), noncommissioned officers (E-5 and E-6), and senior noncommissioned officers (E-7 through E-9).…

The Pacific Northwest is a biodiverse outdoor nirvana, home to some of the largest coastal temperate rainforests on Earth. However, a recent string of wildfires is putting those natural landscapes in jeopardy. At the same time, a wildfire in Oregon reaches a near-record size, and all three of Washington’s national parks are ablaze, with multiple fires that have lasted for weeks. What Is Happening North Cascades National Park Located in a remote part of northern Washington, North Cascades National Park attracts visitors for its expansive lakes, stunning mountains, and untouched landscapes. Since June, firefighting crews there have been struggling to…

Some anniversaries get a cake. SOG is celebrating its 40th with a knife collectors are probably going to want to grab before it’s gone. The company has announced the 40th Anniversary Fat Guard Bowie. A limited-edition blade inspired by the original S1 Bowie that helped launch the brand back in 1986. The commemorative knife also pays tribute to the legendary fighting knives carried by MACV-SOG operators during the Vietnam War. SOG is making just 500 individually serialized knives, with each one etched with its unique production number. The knife features a 6.1-inch clip-point AUS-8 steel blade with a polished black…

Commissioned officers in the United States Space Force are entrusted to lead guardians and ensure that the service branch achieves its operational and strategic objectives.The officer rank structure follows the same grade progression as other U.S. armed services, divided into three categories: Company grade officers (O-1 to O-3) Field grade officers (O-4 to O-6) General officers (O-7 to O-10) Space Force Officer Ranks: Company Grade These junior officers serve in direct leadership and developmental roles, focusing on mission execution, technical expertise and the supervision of small teams. Second Lieutenant (2nd Lt) (O-1) The entry-level commissioned officer rank, denoted by a…

Once mocked as a ’90s fashion faux pas, the best fanny packs keep your essentials secure and your hands free. These packs help you seamlessly transition between hikes, bike rides, travel days, and everyday errands. To finalize this year’s rankings, two testers — GearJunkie Editor Chris Kassar and contributor Joybeth Sullivan — put six new fanny packs through a 10-month testing cycle. From Colorado’s high-alpine trails to the rugged Tetons and the windswept Washington coast, we logged countless 5-mile (minimum) load-testing laps on foot, mountain bike, and standup paddleboard to find the best fanny packs. We crowned the Arc’teryx Mantis…