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First Post
05-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Alcatraz prison: Trump reopens offshore jail closed 60 years ago to 'lock up most dangerous criminals'
Alcatraz Island is now a major tourist site that is operated by the National Parks Service and is a designated National Historic Landmark read more A boat makes its way toward Alcatraz Island with the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in the background in this view from Sausalito, Calif. File image/ AP President Donald Trump has directed his administration to revive and expand Alcatraz, an infamous old prison on a difficult-to-access California island that has been abandoned for nearly 60 years. In a post on his Truth Social site Sunday evening, Trump wrote that, 'For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering. When we were a more serious Nation, in times past, we did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals, and keep them far away from anyone they could harm. That's the way it's supposed to be.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'That is why, today, I am directing the Bureau of Prisons, together with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ, to house America's most ruthless and violent Offenders,' he wrote, adding: 'The reopening of ALCATRAZ will serve as a symbol of Law, Order, and JUSTICE.' The jail, notably impenetrable owing to the powerful ocean currents and chilly Pacific waters that surround it, was known as 'The Rock' and imprisoned some of the country's most renowned offenders, including mobster Al Capone and George 'Machine Gun' Kelly. It has long been a part of the cultural imagination, having been the subject of countless films, notably 'The Rock' with Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage. Despite this, the FBI reports that 36 men tried 14 distinct escapes throughout its 29-year operation. Almost everyone was apprehended or killed during the attempt. The fate of three specific convicts — John Anglin, his brother Clarence, and Frank Morris — is debatable, and it was dramatised in Clint Eastwood's 1979 film 'Escape from Alcatraz'. Alcatraz Island is now a major tourist site that is operated by the National Parks Service and is a designated National Historic Landmark. The closure of the federal prison in 1963 was attributed to crumbling infrastructure and the high costs of repairing and supplying the island facility, because everything from fuel to food had to be brought by boat. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A spokesperson for the Bureau of Prisons said in a statement that the agency 'will comply with all Presidential Orders.' The spokesperson did not immediately answer questions from The Associated Press regarding the practicality and feasibility of reopening Alcatraz or the agency's role in the future of the former prison, given the National Park Service's control of the island. The island serves as a veritable time machine to a bygone era of corrections. The Bureau of Prisons currently has 16 penitentiaries performing the same high-security functions as Alcatraz, including its maximum security facility in Florence, Colorado, and the U.S. penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana, which is home to the federal death chamber. The order comes as Trump has been clashing with the courts as he tries to send accused gang members to a notorious prison in El Salvador without due process. Trump has also directed the opening of a detention centre at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to hold up to 30,000 of what he has labelled the 'worst criminal aliens.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Bureau of Prisons has faced myriad crises in recent years and has been subjected to increased scrutiny after Jeffrey Epstein's suicide at a federal jail in New York City in 2019.
Epoch Times
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Trump Orders Reopening of Alcatraz to Imprison Serial Offenders
President Donald Trump on Sunday announced he will 'reopen and rebuild' the historic Alcatraz prison off the San Francisco coast to jail the nation's most ruthless and violent repeat offenders. In a Truth Social post on Sunday evening, Trump revealed that he has ordered the Bureau of Prisons, the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Homeland Security to reopen the former federal prison located on a small island in California's Bay Area. 'For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering,' Trump Sunday's announcement is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to crack down on criminal activity and keep America safe. Trump has already deported hundreds of accused gang members and illegal immigrants to Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT), the maximum-security prison in El Salvador. 'We will no longer be held hostage to criminals, thugs, and Judges that are afraid to do their job and allow us to remove criminals, who came into our Country illegally,' Trump wrote. 'The reopening of ALCATRAZ will serve as a symbol of Law, Order, and JUSTICE.' Alcatraz served as a federal prison from 1934 to 1963 but was ultimately shut down due to high operational costs and infrastructure challenges. According to the Bureau of Prisons, an Related Stories 5/4/2025 5/4/2025 The island facility has now been closed for more than 60 years. The former military prison was known to be impossible to escape due to the strong currents and cold waters of the Pacific Ocean. Throughout its history, 36 men tried to escape 14 separate times, according to the FBI. But most of those inmates were eventually captured or didn't survive the attempted escapes. A 1979 movie called 'Escape from Alcatraz' featured a story about three inmates who tried to escape the notorious island facility. Alcatraz has infamously jailed well-known criminals such as gangster Al Capone, George 'Machine Gun' Kelly, Alvin Karpis, and Arthur Barker, according to the Bureau of Prisons website. NTD contacted the office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom for comment on Trump's order to reopen the prison but did not receive an immediate response. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has publicly dismissed Trump's directive. 'Alcatraz closed as a federal penitentiary more than sixty years ago,' Pelosi Alcatraz, which has been designated a National Historic Landmark, opened to the public in 1973 and since then has served as a tourist site operated by the National Park Service. Tourists can pay to ride a ferry to the island and take a tour of the former federal prison. More than one million visitors from around the world visit the island each year, according to the Bureau of Prisons. People tour the main cell house on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco on March 15, 2021. Eric Risberg/AP Photo A spokesperson for the Bureau of Prisons said in a statement that it 'will comply with all Presidential Orders.' Trump was pressed by the media on the proposal to reopen the facility. 'It's just an idea I've had,' Trump 'It's long been a symbol, Alcatraz. It's a sad symbol but it's a symbol of law and order,' he added. The Associated Press contributed to this report. From
CBC
25-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
CentreVenture signs agreement to support study on restoring historic downtown Winnipeg church
An agreement has been made to begin a study on the possibility of restoring a historic downtown Winnipeg church threatened with demolition. CentreVenture Development Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding to fund the first phase of a heritage restoration study at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, a more than 140-year-old church at the corner of Smith Street and Graham Avenue, near both the Canada Life Centre and Millennium Library. The church, built in 1884, needs an estimated $7 million in repairs due to significant structural issues. The agreement was signed with the Parish of Holy Trinity, the Diocese of Rupert's Land of the Anglican Church of Canada, Monteyne Architecture and CentreVenture, a Friday news release from the development agency said. The diocese "celebrates the vision that this partnership will work toward," executive archdeacon Simon Neal Blaikie said in the release, calling it "a great day for the city of Winnipeg and the parishioners of Holy Trinity." Mayor Scott Gillingham called the church "a landmark of Winnipeg's history and a key piece of our downtown." CentreVenture's president and CEO, Rochelle Squires, said heritage buildings are "a unique asset" to Winnipeg's downtown, with each telling "a unique and rich story about our shared history." Under the agreement, CentreVenture — an arm's-length City of Winnipeg development agency focused on downtown projects — has committed to funding up to half of the cost of a feasibility study into stabilizing and restoring the building, which is a designated National Historic Site of Canada and a protected historical building in Winnipeg. The church has significant structural damage, including water damage and cracks that creep up the walls around the altar and elsewhere in the building. In an annual report released last year, the parish said it has been aware since the late 1980s that "major repairs to build a foundation under the historic church would be necessary to avoid a collapse." When Holy Trinity was built, it was not uncommon for buildings in Winnipeg to be constructed without foundations. Without an estimated $7 million in repairs, "structural failure and/or the building being condemned is likely a matter of months to a few years at most," an April 2024 post on the diocese's website said. The first phase of the rehabilitation study will be led by Monteyne Architecture and includes building monitoring, surveying, conditions assessment, environmental and hazardous materials assessments, geotechnical investigation, structural analysis and preliminary design of a new foundation, CentreVenture's release said.
Forbes
09-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Buffalo Trace Flood & What Happens When Our Faves Face A Crisis
When Buffalo Trace Distillery—one of Kentucky's most iconic bourbon makers—temporarily shut down due to severe flooding, the bourbon world took notice. Fans responded in real-time, flooding social media with concern and solidarity. One question kept surfacing: What happens when a brand that means something to us hits a wall? What began as localized flooding escalated quickly. From April 5–7, 2025, Buffalo Trace closed its visitor center and gift shop. On April 6, the distillery confirmed the shutdown was due to major flooding in Kentucky, which had caused significant damage. By April 8, it announced that the closure would extend through at least April 10, though the timeline could shift as conditions evolve. In a statement shared on Facebook, Buffalo Trace wrote: Fans are keeping a close eye on the brand as it continues its recovery efforts. This isn't just about a bourbon shortage. Buffalo Trace holds cultural weight—it's part of the American storytelling around craftsmanship and tradition. Located along the Kentucky River, it's a centerpiece of the Bourbon Trail and a National Historic Landmark. It's also survived Prohibition and uncovered 'Bourbon Pompeii,' the remains of 19th-century distillery operations that speak to the brand's layered history. Buffalo Trace is more than a product; it's part of people's personal narratives. For longtime fans, it's connected to family rituals, generational handoffs, and regional pride. So when something like this happens, it feels personal. This moment isn't just a hiccup in production—it's a disruption to something rooted in identity. It shows how legacy brands carry more than economic weight; they carry emotional currency. Crises often sharpen public sentiment, especially when brands meet the moment with clarity and care. Buffalo Trace's loyal following has shown up online with messages of concern, not just for the bourbon but for the people and place behind it. A 2024 study from the International Journal of Strategic and Research Analysis found that transparent communication during crises strengthens customer loyalty. Buffalo Trace's regular updates and clear concern for employees and fans have helped it maintain trust. For many, Buffalo Trace represents more than a drink. It stands for American know-how, family traditions, and shared memories. That's why moments like this land differently—they tap into something deeper than consumer preference. The impact of this flood doesn't stop at the distillery gates. Kentucky produces 95% of the world's bourbon, according to the Kentucky Distillers' Association. The industry brings in around $9 billion a year and supports over 22,000 jobs. So when a big name like Buffalo Trace has to pause operations, it can send shockwaves through the whole system. When production slows down, it affects more than just bottles on shelves. The farmers who grow the grains, the folks who handle shipping and packaging—everyone along the line feels the slowdown. It's not just a hiccup. It throws off the rhythm for a lot of small businesses that rely on things running smoothly. Buffalo Trace brings in thousands of visitors each year. With all tours and tastings on hold, that means fewer people stopping by nearby restaurants, shops, and hotels. This stretch of the Bourbon Trail depends on foot traffic. When that dries up, local businesses lose out. Buffalo Trace makes some of the most talked-about bottles in the bourbon world—like Pappy Van Winkle. If production is interrupted, prices in the resale market could spike, and limited releases might get pushed back. That hits not just collectors but everyday drinkers who look forward to getting their hands on a solid bottle without having to chase it down. This flood isn't just a one-off—it's part of a bigger picture. Distilleries near rivers are especially at risk as climate change makes severe weather more common. Even with solid flood plans, bouncing back is getting harder and more expensive. Buffalo Trace isn't alone in needing to rethink what long-term preparedness really looks like. As of April 8, the Kentucky River had crested, but floodwaters were still too high to fully assess the damage. Buffalo Trace is planning to remain closed through at least April 10, with updates expected as the situation evolves. The distillery is encouraging fans to follow along on social media, especially Instagram at @buffalotracedistillery, for the latest on reopening and recovery. While there's no word yet on long-term fixes or community relief efforts, past crises in the spirits world have often sparked grassroots responses to support impacted teams. For now, what's clear is this: the loyalty Buffalo Trace has built isn't going anywhere. If anything, it's showing up stronger.
Forbes
05-04-2025
- Forbes
How To Plan An Adult Spring Break Vacation To Coral Gables
The exterior of Biltmore Hotel Miami Coral Gables Though Miami is one of the most popular spring break spots for its golden beaches and vibrant nightlife, it can feel rowdy this time of year. So if you're an adult—because grown-ups also deserve time off from the daily grind—who wants to visit The Magic City, but don't want to be in the thick of things, consider Coral Gables. Sra. Martinez is one of the best restaurants in Coral Gables. Just seven miles from downtown Miami, Coral Gables is a postcard-perfect city—no wonder it's nicknamed the 'City Beautiful'—that's adored for its stunning Mediterranean architecture, charming tree-lined streets, and upscale lifestyle. Enticing restaurants abound: Newcomer Sra. Martinez by James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein and her husband David Martinez sends out out Spanish- and Mediterranean-influenced fare (think: oxtail paella, mushroom shawarma, harissa-rubbed prawns) in a swanky dining room filled with live music. Coral Gables is also home to high-end shopping and wellness. (Be sure to try one of Toska Spa & Facial Bar's celebrity-loved facials.) The grand lobby of Biltmore Hotel Miami Coral Gables As for where to stay in town, the answer is obvious. Opened in 1926, The Biltmore Hotel Miami Coral Gables is a local legend that's famed for its storied history—it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986—distinguished guests from Judy Garland to Franklin D. Roosevelt, and elevated but laid-back experience. Nearly a century later, The biltmore still holds court as one of Miami's best hotels. For starters: the design is spectacular. A striking example of Mediterranean Revival architecture, the 315-foot-tall property stretched across 150-plus acres commands your attention long before you've pulled up. Inside, the lobby continues to impress with hand-painted barrel-vaulted ceilings, towering marble columns, and handsome mahogany furnishings. Instead of a bland playlist, you ears will pick up on the cheerful chirps of finches from their nine-foot-tall birdcages. A Junior Suite at Biltmore Hotel Miami Coral Gables Thanks to a $25 million renovation that wrapped in 2018, the 271 guest rooms and suites are spacious retreats, boldly accented with shades of deep amethyst, robin egg blue, and gold, and classically done up with the essentials for a good night's sleep. Even better? All of the accommodations offer breathtaking views, whether you're overlooking the 18-hole championship golf course or taking in the city skyline. The Biltmore Spa at Biltmore Hotel Miami Coral Gables Since The Biltmore is a full-service resort, you might not want to leave after you've checked in. The massive outdoor pool is among the country's largest—and best enjoyed with a private cabana—while golf and tennis fanatics will flip for the Donald Ross-designed championship course, Jim McLean Golf School, and nine hard courts. When it's time to unwind, head to The Biltmore Spa, a 12,000-square-sanctuary for massages—the Deep Vine Theraputic Massage is ideal after a long day out—and facials delivered with expert care. Fontana at Biltmore Hotel Miami Coral Gables Though the Biltmore's signature restaurant Fontana is open all day and has a stunning fountain-adorned courtyard—which provides a pretty backdrop when the weather is nice—dinner stands out with craveable handmade pastas like the Aragosta Fra Diavolo (spicy lobster linguine) and perfectly grilled meats. And on Sundays, Fontana comes alive for its legendary Sunday Brunch, an extravagant all-you-can-eat affair of caviar, sushi, carved meats, and bottomless sparkling wine.
