HAVANA, CUBA is in many ways, “stuck in time” because of U.S. sanctions (Shutterstock).

A “national emergency” over Cuba has been declared by President Donald Trump.

The president signed the executive order on Thursday, according to United Press International. The order states that Cuba, its practices, policies and actions constitute “an unusual and extraordinary threat” to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.

As a result, the order creates a new tariff sanction against those nations who deal in oil with Cuba.

The legal question of the power of the White House to declare emergencies as a means of imposing tariffs – a power generally reserved for Congress – is being considered by the Supreme Court.
Specifics of the tariff were not announced, including the amount and which nations would be targeted.

FBI will investigate Pretti shooting

A civil rights investigation into the shooting death of protestor Alex Pretti by federal agents was revealed Friday by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The New York Times is reporting that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche made the announcement. According to The Times, that action represents a change of direction for the DOJ, which had initially planned to make the case a more narrow “use of force” inquiry into the Department of Homeland Security.

“We’re looking into everything that would shed light on what happened that day,” said Blanche at a press conference. “I don’t want the takeaway to be there is some massive civil rights investigation. I would describe it as a standard investigation by the FBI.”

Don Lemon arrested for “”disruption”

Journalist Don Lemon has been charged with federal civil rights crimes for his role in an anti-immigration enforcement protest connected with the alleged disruption of a service at a church in Minnesota.

According to the Associated Press, Lemon, who had served as an anchor on CNN before being fired in 2023, was at the site as an independent journalist along with two other journalists.

They were arrested and then released. The Department of Justice alleges that the arrests occurred because while they were interviewing churchgoers and demonstrators, the protesters chanted “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good” during the service.

Lemon and the other journalists accused the DOJ of “pure intimidation and government overreach.”

Weather: Temps go up, down, up

We have some roller coaster weather coming in our West Orange County cities for the next few days. Saturday will warm to a high of 87 and with a low of 53 under sunny skies. Sunday will cool to 79 (51) with partly cloudy skies. Monday will be a bit cooler at 73 (50) with clouds. A turnaround to 76 (54) will come on Tuesday along with partly cloudy skies.

Great Thoughts (exercise)

“If you don’t take time for exercise, you’ll probably have to take time for illness.”
– Robin Sharma

“A year from now you may wish you started today.”
– Karen Lamb

“Whenever I feel the irresistible urge coming over me to exercise, I lay down until the feeling goes away.”
– Mark Twain