Latest news with #Sandoval
Geek Dad
37 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Dad
Review – DC's Kal-El-fornia Love #1: Super Vacation
DC's Kal-El-Fornia Love #1 cover, via DC Comics. Ray: DC's latest anthology turns the focus over to the Superfamily for a summer of wacky adventures, with eight new tales. How do they shake out in a golden age for the property? Credits. Via DC Comics. 'See Spot Fly' by Miller and Sandoval is a quick, fun Superman story that perfectly captures his heroic energy. A kaiju has attacked Metropolis, seemingly a juvenile alien monster who is confused and hungry. Lois tried to rescue some kids on the ground – only for all of them to be swallowed up. Now Superman has to figure out how to neutralize the creature peacefully – and get his wife and the kids out of the monster's stomach safely. It's a great little story and I love seeing Miller back on DC books. Crash landing. Via DC Comics. 'The Gorilla Ex-Wife of Jimmy Olsen' by Bogacs and Salcedo revisits the most infamous Jimmy Olsen story/meme of all time, with Jimmy being reunited with his short-lived Gorilla wife Bruna at a Hollywood premiere. He needs to get an exclusive for the Daily Planet – but doesn't want to talk to Bruna since he broke her heart. So naturally, he thinks the best approach is to challenge her manager/mate Gorilla Grodd to a tournament of Gorilla Games. It's obviously a completely ridiculous story, but I think it's supposed to be. 'Before Sunrise' by Fialkov and Abdias focuses on Power Girl – except not really. This is essentially an Ice story, as she tries to enjoy a baseball game, gets hit on by a random guy, and then the stadium gets attacked by a political shooter and Power Girl shows up to offer an assist. The two heroines from JLI days hang out, share frustrations with being a woman in a male-dominated field, and discuss relationship issues. In the end, it gives Ice the motivation to make an important life decision, although this is probably the most laid-back story here. 'Against the Wind' by Reid and Mikel brings back my favorite version of Bizarro – the confused, well-meaning bumbling clone who causes a lot of chaos accidentally. After destroying a bridge to save a kitten and getting verbally ripped apart by Guy Gardner, Bizarro decides to prove everyone wrong and become Superman – by auditioning for a new movie filming in LA. After a brief detour in Louisiana and disrupting Basil Karol's audition, he gets an important message in what it means to be Superman in a sweet, timeless finale. 'Bite of the Apple' by Fitzmartin and Vargas sends Lois Lane on a solo adventure, as she flies in to guest on a podcast run by a sinister Nancy Grace-esque pseudo-journalist. The two have butted heads over a recent high-profile murder where the journalist has fingered the boyfriend. As Lois plays verbal chess with this woman, we flash back to her and Lucy exploring the scene of the crime. The big reveal in this story is a little out-of-nowhere, but I do think the main story has very good Lois characterization. 'Across the Room' by Thomas and Ba has John Henry Irons and Natasha taking a vacation to California to relax – and Natasha instantly meets a gorgeous wedding planner who she falls for. But as she tries to connect with her new love interest, she keeps getting called away by one crisis and monster attack after another. The story here is a lot of fun, but the main selling point here is Juni Ba's incredibly unique art. There's a cartoony but still incredibly detailed style to his work that's among the best cartooning out there. 'Who Do You Belong To' by Wielgosz and Vasquez focuses on Jon Kent and Conner Kent, the two Superboys – who have never quite gotten to know each other, with both having anxiety about who the other is to them exactly. But when one of Conner's old friends/pets from Cadmus gets loose and is targeted by ARGUS, the two figure it out and team up to protect the giant cat-like thing. The characterization here is really good, especially considering the very strange permutations both characters have been through recently. 'Something in the Water' by Mann and Mercer closes things out, and this Supergirl tale finds her just trying to enjoy a day at the beach – only for it to be interrupted by some sort of supernatural giant squid. It's not just a standard Kraken, it's an elder God summoned by a dark mage – so John Constantine's come to lend a hand and a lot of sarcastic comments. These two make a fun odd-couple duo, and the art is gorgeous and incredibly vivid. Supergirl is having a great run of stories right now. Overall, this is a light, fun anthology with quite a few great tales in this and zero duds. To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week. GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
The Hill
4 days ago
- The Hill
Former member of Texas National Guard convicted of conspiring to smuggle migrants
A former member of the National Guard has been convicted of conspiring to smuggle migrants into the country by a U.S. District Court in Texas. According to a press release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Mario Sandoval began smuggling people into the country in July 2024 after a deployment with the Texas National Guard as part of Operation Lone Star. During the one-day trial July 21, agents with ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) presented text messages from Sandoval's phone in which he expressed needing drivers for trips from the Rio Grande Valley to destinations north of immigration checkpoints. Footage was also presented during the trial that showed him at an immigration checkpoint while sending texts about 'law enforcement and K-9 presence.' Investigators allege that Sandoval's actions were motivated by money. 'His actions directly undermined the very mission he was deployed to support and put his fellow guard members in danger,' Chad Plantz, a special agent with HSI Houston, said. Sandoval was discharged from the Texas National Guard in October 2024. The 27-year-old's defense argued that there was no conspiracy and that his text messages were taken out of context. His sentencing is scheduled for October 22, and he faces up to 10 years in federal prison. During a press conference July 2, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said there were 4,200 National Guardsmen on state active duty in support of Operation Lone Star in Texas. According to the Department of Justice, Sandoval's case is part of Operation Take Back America. The nationwide initiative is geared towards achieving the 'total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations.'
Eater
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
The Stampede of Steakhouses Continues in West Loop
is the James Beard Award-winning regional editor for Eater's Midwest region, and in charge of coverage in Chicago, Detroit, and the Twin Cities. He's a native Chicagoan and has been with Eater since 2014. Steak is just so hot right now, whether it's in a fast-casual bowl, inside a vending machine, or in the traditional sense at a formal restaurant. Trino is the latest addition to this avalanche of beef and will open Wednesday, August 6, along Randolph Street in the West Loop. Reservations are live. Chef Stephen Sandoval has been prepping for the steakhouse's debut via a series of pop-ups at Soho House Chicago. This will be Sandoval's third project in Chicago. He launched Diego in 2023 in West Town, a tiny bar serving tacos, cured seafood, and more. Sandoval remains optimistic that Entre Sueños, his ode to Baja Med cuisine, will open later this year in West Town. The delayed project remains one of Chicago's most anticipated openings of 2025. At Trino, expect live-fire cooking with Spanish and Latin influences. Unique sauces — like huitlacoche bordelaise — will play significant roles, and there will be creative seafood and pasta dishes. Sandoval will deliver fun twists on familiar steakhouse standards. Caviar, for example, will be paired with chicharrón. Sandoval cited Argentinian pyromanic chef Francis Mallmann as an influence. Sandoval is partnering with friend Oscar Sotelo. The pair met while working at Leña Brava, the West Loop Mexican restaurant, formerly run by Rick Bayless. Together, they formed Cinco Sueños, which will operate the Trino and a speakeasy-style bar on the lower level called Laberinto. The two projects replace Komo, a sushi restaurant owned by Nils Westlind. Westlind's upper-level lounge, ESCO, will remain. A rep says that 'together, the three concepts will form a cohesive, multi-level hospitality destination under one roof.' Leaning into the speakeasy vibe, a rep didn't share much about Laberinto. The interiors of Trino and its sibling bar will be designed in collaboration with Aida Napoles of AGN Design. Chicago chefs have worked hard to show America that the city's restaurant scene is about more than meat and potatoes, often a stereotype offered by myopic coastal elites offended by Midwestern charm. But steakhouses are also a safe bet to bring in revenue. As America deals with volatility — whether it's increased wages or labor challenges furthered by changes to immigration policy — diners will see fewer risks. Although the steakhouse formula is as tried and true as it gets, any genre can be livened up. Customers will soon see if Trino is up for the challenge. Trino, 738 W. Randolph Street, planned for a Wednesday, August 6 opening; reservations available via Resy. Eater Chicago All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trader Joe's is adding a new store location in Oregon: See where
Oregon is set to get another Trader Joe's as the company plans to open 16 new locations across the U.S. Trader Joe's is a U.S. supermarket chain owned by Aldi Nord and is known for products not typically found in other stores. The California-based company has grocery stores in 42 states, with 15 locations throughout Oregon. Here's what to know about the new Trader Joe's location coming to Oregon. Where is the new Trader Joe's store opening in Oregon? Gresham is getting its first Trader Joe's. The location will mark the grocery store's 16th location in Oregon. The new Trader Joe's will be located at 2083 NE Burnside Road at the former Big Lots location in the Oregon Trail Center. When will the new Trader Joe's in Gresham open? Trader Joe's has not yet announced an opening date for the Gresham location, but it is expected to open in 2025. Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at GSandoval@ or on X at @GinnieSandoval. This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: New Trader Joe's location is coming to Gresham, Oregon in 2025 Solve the daily Crossword
NBC News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
Abused and abandoned immigrant youth on special visas fear the future after Trump changes
Rodrigo Sandoval, 17, just graduated from high school in South Carolina. He gets excited when he talks about what he'd like to do — he's interested in business administration, graphic design or joining the Navy — but his face becomes solemn when he talks about the future. 'I've noticed a lot of changes, especially in the Hispanic community. We live in constant fear of being deported, arrested and all that,' said Sandoval, who came to the U.S. at age 12, fleeing El Salvador due to gang violence that threatened his and his family's life. One of his earliest memories is when he was 5. 'It's one of my traumas because they put a gun to my head. All I remember is crying out of fear,' said Sandoval, who is a beneficiary of the Special Immigrant Juvenile Status classification. The SIJS classification, created by Congress in 1990 as part of the Immigration and Nationality Act, protects immigrant minors who have been victims of abuse, abandonment or neglect in their countries and gives them a path to permanent residency in the U.S. They must be under 21 or under 18 in some states, including South Carolina, where Sandoval lives. Last month, the Trump administration ended a measure in place since 2022 that automatically issued the young immigrants work permits and protection from deportation as they waited for their green card applications, which can take years. 'Once they're approved for special immigrant juvenile status, they're put on a waiting list, which is currently very, very long. We typically tell clients it'll probably take more than four or five years,' Jennifer Bade, an immigration attorney based in Boston said in an interview with Noticias Telemundo. Now after changes under the Trump administration, work permit and Social Security applications must be processed separately, complicating the process for many young people because, in many cases, granting the applications depends on visa availability. 'It's very strange that they're in that category because SIJS is about humanitarian protection for young immigrants. There shouldn't be visa limits for these young people,' said Rachel Davidson, director of the End SIJS Backlog Coalition, a nonprofit organization that advises SIJS recipients and proposes solutions to tackle the backlog in their green card applications. Verónica Tobar Thronson, a professor at Michigan State University's School of Law, said many of these young immigrants may not be able to get work permits or renew current ones. 'If they don't have a work permit or an ID, they can't travel, they can't enter a federal building, they can't apply for a Social Security number — they also don't qualify for student loans if they enroll in college, and in some states, they can't apply for assistance with medical or social services because they don't qualify for anything at all.' In information sent to Noticias Telemundo, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services stated that foreign nationals from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras currently make up the majority of SIJS applicants, 'and collectively represent more than 70% of all SIJS applications,' although they did not specify the total number. USCIS stated to Noticias Telemundo that while it's not rescinding protection from deportation from those who already have it, it has the 'right to rescind the grant of deferred action and revoke the related employment authorization at any time, at its discretion.' A long wait for green card status More than 107,000 young SIJS beneficiaries from 151 countries were on the waiting list to apply for a green card as of March 2023, according to data collected by groups such as the End SIJS Backlog Coalition and Tulane Law School's Immigrant Rights Clinic. Of the approximately 280,000 SIJS applications approved in the last 12 fiscal years, 'more than 139,000 have been filed or approved for adjustment of status," according to USCIS. The current processing time for applications for the program (the SIJ I-360 form) is less than five months, according to USCIS. However, the annual visa cap creates a bottleneck because, regardless of the speed of SIJS processing, the number of visas issued remains the same. Both Rodrigo Sandoval and his 20-year-old sister, Alexandra, have already been approved for SIJS but are on the waiting list to apply for permanent residency. Both Alexandra's and her brother Rodrigo's work permits expire in 2026, and according to their lawyer, they still have three to five years to wait before adjusting their status. Though they currently have protections under SIJS, Alexandra is still worried about what could happen. "If the police stop us and ask for our documents, it's all over because we risk being deported.' Hiromi Gómez, a 17-year-old student with SIJS, said it took her nine years to get to apply for a green card, "and I still haven't received it." She worries about more recent young immigrants who will have a harder time securing protections due to recent changes. Exploring options Khristina Siletskaya is a South Carolina-based immigration attorney who, among other things, handles cases involving SIJS beneficiaries, including the Sandoval siblings. The Ukrainian-born attorney said that despite changes in U.S. immigration policies, 'all hope is not lost.' 'This new change that everyone is talking about eliminated the automatic granting of deferred action (from deportation). However, the United States continues to approve cases of special immigrant juvenile status; that continues to operate normally,' the lawyer explained. Siletskaya and other experts emphasize that the recent changes are a return to the past, because the automatic granting of deferred action and work permits was implemented in May 2022 but did not exist before. Attorneys for young people with SIJS are exploring other legal avenues to assist them in their search for protection. 'Does this mean young people can't get Social Security? First, you can try the Department of Social Services. Often, you may be able to get Social Security, but it will indicate that you're not eligible for work purposes,' Siletskaya said. 'So young people could at least get emergency Medicaid, but that will depend on each state.' Regarding work permits, the attorney said there are ways to try to obtain one. The first is to apply for one separately and ask USCIS to grant it. Siletskaya said she has several cases where they've initiated this process, but warns that she has not yet received a response in those cases. Another option explored by attorneys is to obtain a work permit based on parole, since a young person with SIJS is often granted parole as they work to adjust their status and obtain a green card. Following the recent changes to SIJS, a group of 19 lawmakers led by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem expressing concern about the changes. The letter said it "leaves abused and abandoned youth in legal limbo while heightening their vulnerability to exploitation.' In the letter, the members of Congress said they had received reports 'of an increase in the number of detentions and deportations of SIJS beneficiaries.' Cortez Masto and other Democrats introduced the Vulnerable Immigrant Youth Protection Act in Congress, seeking to change visa categories for SIJS beneficiaries and prevent delays in adjusting their status, among other things. But the lack of Republican lawmakers supporting it could hamper its passage. The bill is still in its early stages of discussion in the Senate, according to Cortez Masto's office, and members of Congress have not yet received an official response to the letter sent to Noem. 'Not give up' Both Siletskaya and other attorneys consulted by Noticias Telemundo recommend that young people with SIJS avoid taking risks and remain cautious. "Don't get into trouble. If you don't have a driver's license, let your friends drive. Stay discreet, respect the law, stay out of situations where you might be exposed, and wait until you receive your green card,' she said. Despite immigration changes and other challenges, Rodrigo Sandoval said he wanted to make the most of every minute of his work permit, which expires next year. That's why he has two jobs: He's a barber and also works on construction sites to help his family. 'My message to people is to keep fighting and keep dreaming big. I don't think there are limits because we as Hispanics are fighters. And this comes from other generations,' he said, getting emotional. 'The truth is, what we have to do is not give up.'
