National Guard member shot near White House dies
November 28, 2025/
One of the National Guard members shot near the White House on Wednesday died from her injuries, President Donald Trump said.
U.S. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old from West Virginia, died from her injuries. Staff Sgt Andrew Wolfe, 24, also of West Virginia, remains in critical condition.
Beckstrom started serving in the National Guard in June 2023 and was “outstanding in every single way, in every department,” Trump said.
The suspected gunman, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, is an Afghan national who entered the country in 2021 under former President Joe Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome, according to the FBI.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed Lakanwal had a “relationship in Afghanistan with partner forces.” Patel said in a Thanksgiving Day news conference that the shooting is being investigated as an act of terrorism. Lakanwal was shot during the incident and is at an area hospital, officials said. The charges against him are expected to be upgraded now that one of the guard members has died.
Community Events
MondayDecember 8, 2025
TuesdayDecember 9, 2025
WednesdayDecember 10, 2025
ThursdayDecember 11, 2025
FridayDecember 12, 2025
SaturdayDecember 13, 2025
MondayDecember 15, 2025
TuesdayDecember 16, 2025
Latest News Stories
WATCH: Sanctuary bill soon law; Use of force case proceeds; CTU audits due Mon
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop airs concerns a...
Park District Board Approves New Management Job Descriptions
Manhattan Park Board Meeting | October 9, 2025 Article Summary:The Manhattan Park Board approved a series of new and updated job descriptions for five management-level positions, including a new Deputy...
CTU can’t sue group for campaigning in union elections
By Scott Holland | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A federal appeals panel won’t let the Chicago Teachers Union sue a rival group over allegations it campaigned on behalf of CTU...
IL U.S. House candidate: drug screen expectant moms getting subsidies
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A doctor running for Congress in Illinois’ 5th Congressional District says the first step to improving the...
Illinois quick hits: Ameren requests rate hike; Pearl Harbor remembrance
By The Center SquareThe Center Square Ameren requests rate hike A year after receiving a $308.6 million electric rate hike, Ameren Illinois is asking the Illinois Commerce Commission for authority...
First Look at Lincoln-Way 210’s Proposed 2026-2027 School Calendar
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | November 20, 2025 Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education reviewed a draft of the 2026-2027 school calendar, which proposes starting...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan Township Board for October 2025
Manhattan Township Board Meeting | Oct. 14, 2025 The Manhattan Township Board met on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, to handle standard monthly business, approve minutes from four prior meetings, and...
Everyday Economics: A consumer slowdown, fraying margins, and a big test for the Fed
By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square Last week’s data told a clear story: the U.S. consumer is still standing, but looking increasingly tired – and businesses are starting to absorb more...
Manhattan Buried Under Nearly 12 Inches of Snow; Sub-Zero Temperatures Forecast for Friday
Article Summary: Manhattan residents are clearing driveways after a major winter storm dumped nearly a foot of snow over the weekend. The active weather pattern is set to continue, with...
Manhattan Fire District Grapples with Surging Insurance Costs in Draft Budget
Manhattan Fire Protection District Meeting | October 2025 Article Summary:The Manhattan Fire Protection District is facing significant increases in insurance premiums as it develops its next operational budget. In a...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Jackson Township Board for Oct. 2025
Jackson Township Board Meeting | October 2025 The Jackson Township Board met on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, to handle standard monthly business, including the approval of financial donations to three...
Frankfort Turns to County for Wildlife & Dangerous Animal Control
Will County Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Village of Frankfort has entered into a two-year agreement with Will County Animal Protection Services to handle calls regarding bats...
Illinois rejects federal ‘no tax on tips’ rule, keeps state tax on tipped income
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois is not adopting the new federal “no tax on tips” provision, meaning tipped workers in...
JJC Foundation Director Kristin Mulvey to Retire After 25 Years of Transformative Leadership
Joliet Junior College Meeting | November 12, 2025 Article Summary:Kristin Mulvey, the longtime Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and the JJC Foundation, was honored by the Board of Trustees as...
