Hegseth says 'no punishment' for Army pilots who flew near Kid Rock's house

By Phil Stewart

March 31 (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday that Army pilots would not be punished after flying attack helicopters near singer Kid Rock's house over ‌the weekend in an apparent show of support for the vocal backer of President ‌Donald Trump.

Hegseth's announcement, in a social media post, followed remarks by Trump who appeared to play down the incident near the ​musician's house in Nashville, Tennessee.

"They probably shouldn't have been doing it. But they like Kid Rock. I like Kid Rock," Trump said. "Maybe they were trying to defend him."

Reuters, citing a U.S. official, reported earlier on Tuesday that aircrew involved in the incident had been suspended after appearing to deviate from their mission.

The U.S. ‌military is supposed to be apolitical, ⁠loyal to the U.S. Constitution and independent of any party or political movement.

Rock posted a video on X on Saturday, standing in front of his swimming ⁠pool and saluting one of the helicopters.

Hegseth, who has a home in Tennessee, praised Kid Rock as he exonerated the crew.

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"Thank you @KidRock. @USArmy pilots suspension LIFTED. No punishment. No investigation. Carry on, patriots," Hegseth wrote on X.

Military ​helicopters were ​also seen flying close to demonstrators in Nashville taking ​part in organized protests against Trump's policies ‌that were part of the anti-Trump "No Kings" rallies that took place across the country.

Reuters reported on Monday that the Army was investigating the incident and an Army spokesman declined further comment when contacted by Reuters on Tuesday.

"Army aviators must adhere to strict safety standards, professionalism, and established flight regulations. An administrative review is underway to assess the mission and verify compliance with regulations and airspace requirements," U.S. Army ‌spokesperson Major Montrell Russell said on Monday.

"Appropriate action will ​be taken if any violations are found. Until the review ​is complete, there will be no further ​comment," Russell added.

Since being sworn in last year, Hegseth has moved quickly to ‌reshape the military, firing top generals and admirals ​as he seeks to ​implement Trump's national security agenda and root out diversity initiatives he calls discriminatory.

Democratic lawmakers have warned the Trump administration is increasingly trying to use the military for political gain.

In his post ​about the helicopters, Rock took a ‌swipe at Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom, adding: "God Bless America and all those who ​have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend her."

(Reporting by Phil Stewart; Additional reporting by ​Jasper Ward; Editing by Nia Williams and Cynthia Osterman)

byAlpha World

in

April 01, 2026

Hegseth says 'no punishment' for Army pilots who flew near Kid Rock's house

By Phil Stewart March 31 (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday that Army pilots would not...

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Nevada lithium mine clears major hurdle despite conservationists' worries for rare wildflower

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A federal judge in Nevada has ruled against conservationists who wanted to stop a lithium-boron mine they said would harm anendangered wildflower.

The ruling marks a major legal victory for the 11-square-mile (28.49 square-kilometer) Rhyolite Ridge Lithium/Boron Mine Project in Esmeralda County, located between Reno and Las Vegas. The land holds the largest lithium and boron deposit in the world outside of Turkey, said Bernard Rowe, managing director of Ioneer, the Australia-based company behind the project.

U.S. District Judge Cristina Silva ruled Friday that the federal government properly approved the project and sufficiently examined the impacts the project will have on the rare wildflower called Tiehm's buckwheat, whose entire population grows within 10 acres (4.05 hectares) of land in the project area. Environmental groups behind the lawsuit say they may appeal.

Lithium is an essential component of electric vehicle batteries. Rhyolite Ridge would beNevada's third lithium mine, and one of few mines that will process the materials on site, Rowe said.

"Rhyolite Ridge will create hundreds of new American jobs, reduce reliance on foreign materials and processing, and provide a domestic source of two critical minerals," Chad Yeftich, vice president of corporate development and external affairs at Ioneer, said in a statement.

Growing US manufacturing

Ioneer wants construction to start by the end of this year and production in 2029, though it is still looking for a financial partner after a major investor pulled out last year. Sibanye Stillwater said the project did not make financial sense. In January 2025, the Department of Energy finalized a nearly $1 billion loan for the project.

The $2 billion mine would have a life span of over 77 years and would produce enough lithium carbonate for around 400,000 electric vehicles per year, Rowe said. It will also produce boric acid, which is used in pest control, flame retardant, and medical and personal care.

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Rhyolite Ridge wasfirst approved under the Biden administrationas an part of the former president's clean energy agenda. The Trump administration has alsosupported lithium projects in Nevadaas a way to bolster US manufacturing of critical minerals. The Interior Department declined to comment.

Protecting the wildflower

The Center for Biological Diversity, which haslong fought to protectthe wildflower and successfully pushed for its endangered species designation in 2022, is not finished in its fight, Great Basin Director Patrick Donnelly said.

His organization is considering appealing the ruling to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing that the case could have implications for other species and protected habitats on the Endangered Species Act.

"This can seem like a little remote flower in the middle of nowhere. But if we lose on Tiehm's buckwheat, you know, what else are we facing with the whittling away of the Endangered Species Act?" Donnelly said.

Tiehm's buckwheat is a wildflower a couple inches tall that grows in an area the size of seven football fields in the Silver Peak Range. In the spring, the plant produces green leaves and yellow flowers that look like pom-poms. When it blooms, it is the epicenter of a vibrant pollinator community, Donnelly said.

Silva, a Biden-nominated judge, found Ioneer's mitigation efforts, which include fencing around the habitat and buffer zones between the mining activities and the buckwheat, were sufficient for the purposes of the Endangered Species Act. Silva wrote that of the buckwheat's 1.4 square mile (3.63 square kilometers) of critical habitat, it will lose 4.9% due to the project.

Donnelly maintains the mining project will increase the risk of the wildflower going extinct, which would affect the ecosystem's biodiversity. He cast doubt that fencing around the flower's habitat will protect it.

"There's been this kind of death by a thousand cuts for Tiehm's buckwheat," Donnelly said, adding that if it were to move forward, it would be the "death blow" for the wildflower.

byAlpha World

in

April 01, 2026

Nevada lithium mine clears major hurdle despite conservationists' worries for rare wildflower

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A federal judge in Nevada has ruled against conservationists who wanted to stop a lithium-boron mine the...

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Appeals court suspends order for Voice of America employees to return to work

WASHINGTON (AP) — An appeals court panelagreed Tuesdayto suspend a federal judge's order for the Trump administration to bring hundreds of Voice of America employees back to work from paid leave.

The three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a stay pending the government's appeal of the lower court'sMarch 17 ruling. More than 1,000 employees of Voice of America will remain on administrative leave while the appeals court weighs the case, a process that could take months.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ordered President Donald Trump's administration to restore the government-run Voice of America's operations after it had effectively been shut down a year ago. Lamberth was nominated by Republican President Ronald Reagan.

The case is assigned to Circuit Judges Karen LeCraft Henderson, Robert Wilkins and Gregory Katsas.

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Henderson was nominated by Republican President George H.W. Bush. Wilkins was nominated by Democratic President Barack Obama. Katsas was nominated by Trump, a Republican.

Voice of America has broadcast news reports to countries around the world since its formation during World War II. Before Trump's executive order, it had operated in 49 different languages, broadcasting to 362 million people.

Voice of America has been operating with a skeleton staff since Trump issued an executive order to shut it down.

Lamberth also has ruled that Kari Lake, Trump's choice to lead Voice of America, did not have the legal authority to do what she had done at the agency.

byAlpha World

in

April 01, 2026

Appeals court suspends order for Voice of America employees to return to work

WASHINGTON (AP) — An appeals court panelagreed Tuesdayto suspend a federal judge's order for the Trump administration...

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Eddie Cibrian Makes Appearance in Surprise Role on ‘High Potential’ Before Season Finale

Eddie Cibrianmade a surprise appearance in the newest episode ofHigh Potential— but did everyone catch his scenes?

During the Tuesday, March 31, episode of the hit ABC series, Cibrianhad a cameo as the mayorof Los Angeles. He originally resisted having Morgan (Kaitlin Olson) on the case but eventually shared evidence with her to help with the investigation.

According to the synopsis, "Wagner joins Morgan and the team on a hunt for the crew behind a series of heists ripping through elite private vaults." They then "uncover a far more dangerous endgame a looming cyberattack that could cripple Los Angeles' core infrastructure."

The police procedural, which premiered in September 2024,follows a high-potential intellectual— Morgan — who teams up with the LAPD to help solve murders. She gets paired up with a police officer, who is initially skeptical about Morgan's involvement with the Major Crimes unit but ultimately starts to rely on her.

Which 'High Potential' Stars Are — And Aren't — Returning for Season 2 After Several Plot Twists

Season 2 picked up with the confirmation that Morgan's ex Roman was still alive after going missing for more than a decade. The only information Morgan — and all ofUs— have is that her ex worked as an FBI informant and doesn't trust the LAPD.

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"It's a pretty bumpy ride. We're going to start unpacking some pretty intense things with Morgan, as it relates to all things Roman. There are all kinds of trials and tribulations that are going to happen with the kids at home," showrunner Todd Harthan teased to Us Weekly at the time. "It's just going to get messy and complicated — hopefully in all the best ways so that the audience stays on the edge of their seats."

He continued: "Our job now as we get to the back half of the second season is to fill in some of the big blanks and progress some of the relationships. You're going to see some intense things happen between Steve Howey's character and Captain Wagner really starts to bloom in the back half. That causes some good soapy messes on multiple fronts. It's just our normal MO of just trying to mix things up and keep the audience engaged and keep them guessing."

Everything to Know About High Potential's Supersized Season 2 After Major Twist

Harthan also expressed excitementat more guest stars.

"One of the wonderful things about this particular season is now that the show is doing really well, the choices we've had for casting have been incredible," he shared. "In the back half, you're going to see some really exciting guest stars."

Harthan concluded: "We have this wonderful main cast and we're trying to recruit — just like with Steve Howey. These actors have been just incredible. They can come into our show and hang with our wonderful cast and just add their own flavor to our world. It's been exciting and you'll see there's some really cool people popping in."

High Potentialreturns to ABC Tuesday, January 6, at 9 p.m. ET. The show is streaming on Hulu.

byAlpha World

in

April 01, 2026

Eddie Cibrian Makes Appearance in Surprise Role on ‘High Potential’ Before Season Finale

Eddie Cibrianmade a surprise appearance in the newest episode ofHigh Potential— but did everyone catch his scenes? ...

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