Happy Friday, Panthers! I hope you all had a great St. Patrick’s Day this Monday and made sure to wear green. Without further adieu, here are this week’s KICs. We start off this week with Trump talking to Putin, the White House announcing the elimination of national monuments, an Iranian-American journalist with a bounty on her head, Newnan’s “Mother of Public Safety” passing away at 87, and Musk scheduling a meeting with the Pentagon.
World – Trump to speak with Russian President Vladmir Putin
While speaking with reporters on Air Force One Sunday night, President Donald Trump said he will most likely speak with Russian President Vladmir Putin. Trump was traveling from Florida to Washington D.C. when he told the reporters his upcoming plans.
Trump shared the possibility of dividing land, power plants, and other assets in an effort to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. Trump also expressed that he made lots of progress over the weekend. His main goal is to end the war, and he thinks he has a good chance at it.
When they meet on Tuesday, it will mark the second time they have met in the past month. After the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witoff said on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Trump confirmed he would speak with Putin on Tuesday.
National – White House announces it will eliminate national monuments
Last Friday night, the White House announced that it would remove the protections from millions of acres former President Biden declared as national monuments. However, it was later erased from the fact sheet.
The Trump administration stated in a fact sheet on an executive order that it was “terminating proclamations declaring nearly a million acres constitute new national monuments that lock up vast amounts of land from economic development and energy production.” However, by Monday it was scrubbed from the fact sheet.
The White House went on to tell the Washington Post that it planned to get rid of two national monuments Biden established in California. The monuments in question are the Chuckwalla National Monument and the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument.
State – Iranian-American journalist had a bounty on her head
Iranian government put a bounty of $500,000 to whoever murdered journalist Malish Alinejad in order to silence her for her pro-women campaign. The Iranian government is known for their harsh rules and tyranny around women and people against their beliefs.
Malish left Iran to go to America and started an Instagram page to motivate women to expose their hair when the Iranian police were not around. Her whole campaign revolved around standing up to the government. When the government got hold of this they tried everything to stop her, like harassing and intimidating her, but she did not back down.
Russian mob members Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov were paid to assassinate her but did not accomplish the task due to unstated consequences. Sufficient evidence was used to charge them but a verdict will be decided in a few days.
Local – Norma Hayes passes away but still leaves her accomplishments behind
Formerly known as the “Mother of Public Safety,” Norma Hayes passed away on March 10 at the age of 87. She not only leaves behind an impacting effect, but also a legacy that will be remembered, according to Coweta’s Sheriff Office.
Norma is credited with making a way for not only men to be involved in the police department. She also started a nonprofit named Newnan Coweta Public Safety Foundation, which helps provide resources to different communities. She has earned several astonishing awards for her work as well.
Earlier this week a funeral was arranged to pay tribute to her memory. Sheriff officers and her family were in attendance and wished her a safe journey goodbye.
Politics – Elon Musk scheduled to visit the Pentagon
According to two defense officials, Elon Musk is scheduled to visit the Pentagon to discuss China on March 21, 2025. President Trump denies the report that the briefing will include discussion of war with China.
The New York Times reported yesterday that Elon Musk would be briefed on military plans for potential war involving China. Late that night, President Trump denied that the briefing would include discussion about China. Trump claims the story is completely untrue, ridiculous, and disgraceful.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also deemed the New York Times’ report fake news. The briefing will be unclassified.