Latest News Digest - February 28, 2026
- Elisa Ballard
- 4 hours ago
- 7 min read
National and International News
Israel and U.S. Launch Attacks on Iran After Failed Negotiations on Iran’s Nuclear Program - Tensions in the Middle East escalated dramatically on February 28, 2026, as the United States and Israel launched a joint military attack on Iran, targeting its leadership including strikes near Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's residence in Tehran, prompting President Trump to describe the operation as "massive and ongoing" and urge Iranians to overthrow their government. Iran retaliated with missile barrages against Israel and U.S. military bases in the Gulf, including explosions reported in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE, where shrapnel from intercepted missiles killed at least one person and led to the indefinite suspension of flights at Dubai International Airport. The attacks also affected Qatar's Doha, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia's Riyadh, with Gulf states condemning Iran's actions and affirming their right to retaliate, while global reactions highlighted concerns over regional stability and oil prices. Iran struck a U.S. base in Bahrain.
President Donald Trump made a statement in an approximately 8-minute video posted on Truth Social early on February 28, 2026, announcing that the United States had begun "major combat operations" in Iran as part of a joint U.S.-Israel effort dubbed "Operation Epic Fury." In the address, he urged the Iranian people directly to rise up and overthrow their government once the military actions conclude, framing it as their "only chance for generations" to seize freedom and a prosperous future. Key excerpts from his remarks include: "To the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight: The hour of your freedom is at hand... When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will probably be your only chance for generations." He also warned Iranians to stay indoors because "bombs will be dropping everywhere," assured them that "America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force," and emphasized that no previous president was willing to take such action despite years of Iranian requests for help against the regime. Trump described the strikes as necessary to eliminate threats from what he called a "very wicked, radical dictatorship," prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, destroy its missile capabilities and navy, and defend U.S. national security interests, while acknowledging potential American casualties. - NPR, NBC News, Truth Social, Gateway Pundit
The Clintons Testified in Epstein Investigation - President Bill Clinton testified for over six hours on February 27, 2026, before the House Oversight Committee as part of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, denying any wrongdoing, stating he "saw nothing" suspicious during his interactions with Epstein, and expressing frustration that his wife Hillary was compelled to testify despite her lack of involvement. Hillary Clinton had appeared the previous day on February 26, also under closed doors, asserting she had no knowledge of Epstein's or Ghislaine Maxwell's crimes and did not recall meeting Epstein. Some reports highlighted a heated exchange with Rep. Nancy Mace, in which Hillary reportedly screamed before realizing it was being recorded. Republican Chairman James Comer stated after the deposition that Clinton told the committee Trump "never said anything to me to make me think he was involved" with Epstein.
Both Clintons indicated they do not believe Epstein committed suicide, according to Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, fueling further scrutiny in the probe that has already led to arrests like that of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, - Gateway Pundit
Partial Government Shutdown Continues - The partial U.S. government shutdown, entering its third week as of February 27, 2026, continues to affect the Department of Homeland Security since funding lapsed on February 14 amid congressional deadlock over immigration reforms, with Democrats pushing for restrictions on ICE operations following incidents like fatal shootings in Minneapolis and Republicans resisting changes under Trump's agenda. Impacts include suspension of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs, causing airport delays, unpaid work for over 41,000 Coast Guard members, and limited FEMA responses to non-disaster areas, while Customs and Border Protection diverts funds to pay some employees under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The White House issued a new funding proposal to Democrats on February 26, urging an end to the impasse before further harm to services like disaster relief, but no agreement has been reached as Congress adjourns for the weekend, with the Senate reconvening on March 2.
Pressure Builds on Senate Leader John Thune to Bring “The Save America Act” for a Vote - The Save America Act, also known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on February 11, 2026, by a 218-213 vote. The Act requires documentary proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, for voter registration in federal elections and mandates photo ID at the polls, aiming to prevent non-citizen voting. Introduced as H.R. 7296 in January 2026 by Rep. Chip Roy, the bill expands on prior versions by adding strict ID rules and database checks through DHS's SAVE system, with Republicans pushing it amid election integrity concerns and over 70% public support for voter ID, though opponents from groups like the Brennan Center argue it overrides state laws and burdens eligible voters. The legislation has stalled in the Senate, where some Republicans advocate bypassing filibuster rules or invoking a talking filibuster to pass it by a simple majority, potentially leading to a "nuclear" option debate. X posts rallied support to pressure Senate Leader John Thune to pass it. - X Posts of ThePersistence (Scott Presler), and Congress.gov
California News
L.A. Superintendent’s Home and Office Raided by the FBI - The FBI raided the Los Angeles Unified School District headquarters and Superintendent Alberto Carvalho's home and office on February 27, leading to his placement on paid leave amid an investigation into an AI chatbot deal that imploded. The probe has raised questions about district finances and technology contracts, prompting the board to recess sessions to deliberate. X posts recapped the week's bad news for California, highlighting this as a major scandal alongside other state issues.
CAL DOGE Uncovers Massive Fraud Scheme - CAL DOGE, a state-level watchdog initiative inspired by the federal Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by figures like Steve Hilton (a former Fox News contributor and gubernatorial candidate), Herb Morgan, the Republican candidate for State Controller, and Jenny Rae Le Roux, a California CEO. On February 26, 2026, CAL DOGE released a report claiming that nearly $928 million—originally collected from gas taxes and electric bills under California's Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) program—was diverted from installing solar panels on apartment buildings for low-income residents into Democratic voter registration drives and left-wing activism efforts by nonprofits like GRID Alternatives and the California Environmental Justice Alliance (CEJA). The report highlights that only about $72 million of the $928 million has been spent on solar installations since the program's start, with the rest allegedly funneled into partisan activities, raising concerns about taxpayer-funded political operations disguised as green energy aid. This has sparked calls for a full state audit and federal investigations, with critics labeling it as blatant fraud and theft from struggling families whose utility bills have risen sharply. Hilton and supporters have amplified the findings on social media and outlets such as the New York Post and California Globe, tying them to broader efforts to expose waste in California's one-party governance. X Posts of Steve Hilton, New York Post, Herb W Morgan, JennyRaeCA
Parole Board’s Decision Sparks Outrage - The California Board of Parole sparked public outrage when it decided to release David Allen Funston, the 64-year-old serial child molester, from prison. Funston was from the Sacramento area and was convicted in 1999 on 16 counts of kidnapping and child molestation involving at least eight young children (ages 3 to 7). He was originally sentenced to three consecutive 25-year-to-life terms.
Funston was found suitable for parole by the California Board of Parole Hearings in September 2025 under the state's Elderly Parole Program (expanded by 2020's AB 3234, which allows consideration for inmates 50+ who have served 20+ consecutive years). Governor Gavin Newsom referred the case for a fuller "en banc" review in January 2026, but the board reaffirmed the parole decision on February 18, 2026, despite Funston admitting in hearings to having pedophilic fantasies and masturbating to thoughts of children as recently as 2021 (though board members noted his "urge control plan" and ongoing treatment).
He was scheduled for release on February 26, 2026, from the California Institution for Men in Chino. However, amid intense public outrage, victim statements, and criticism from Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper (who called the decision "dead wrong" and said such predators don't deserve a second chance), Placer County prosecutors filed new charges that same day stemming from a previously unprosecuted 1996 cold case involving the alleged lewd and lascivious acts/sexual assault of a child in Roseville. - sfchronicle.com
Governor Newsom Accused of Bigotry - Governor Gavin Newsom faced accusations of bigotry after comments he made about his dyslexia during a discussion with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens on February 23. Conservatives and others posted video clips that went viral on social media platforms while the Governor’s office described it as "MAGA-manufactured outrage." The comments were part of a discussion about his new memoir, Young Man in a Hurry, where he opened up about his lifelong struggles with dyslexia and academic challenges to emphasize relatability and perseverance.
“I’m not trying to impress you. I’m just trying to impress upon you, I’m like you. I’m no better than you. I’m a 960 SAT guy. And, you know, and I’m not trying to offend anyone — you know — trying to act all there if you got 940 — but literally, a 960 SAT guy.”
“You've never seen me read a speech because I cannot read a speech. Maybe the wrong business to be in.”
“You know, my dyslexia — I haven't overcome dyslexia. I'm living with it.”
Some posts on X contrasted these statements with an older video in which Newsom made comments to a white couple about their newly released book. In the footage, Newsom praised the work and claimed he had read it quickly. - foxnews.com, X Post of Wesley Hunt
Paramount Wins Bid to Acquire Warner Bros. Discovery - Paramount won a bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery on February 26 after Netflix backed out, in a $2.8 billion deal, stirring fears for CNN's future and power shifts in Hollywood. - NYPost.com
The Legendary American Singer-Songwriter, Neil Sedaka's Death Announced - Neil Sedaka, the legendary American singer-songwriter and performer known for timeless hits like "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do," "Calendar Girl," "Laughter in the Rain," "Bad Blood," and "Oh! Carol," died on February 27, 2026, at the age of 86 in Los Angeles. He was rushed to a hospital by ambulance earlier that morning after feeling unwell, and passed away later in the day, according to reports from TMZ and confirmations from his family and representatives. His family released a statement expressing profound grief: “Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Neil Sedaka. A true rock and roll legend, an inspiration to millions, but most importantly, at least to those of us who were lucky enough to know him, an incredible human being who will be deeply missed.” - ABCNews.com
