Ellen Mitchell

Ellen Mitchell

Army Corps of Engineers to deploy 1,100 personnel to Baltimore

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is deploying more than 1,100 personnel to Baltimore, Md., following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge into the Patapsco River early Tuesday morning, the service said in a statement. The corps’ Baltimore District has activated its Emergency Operations Center, “clearing the way for more than 1,100...

Disapproval of Israel-Hamas war growing in US

Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security   The Big Story Disapproval of Israel-Hamas war growing in US A majority of Americans now disapprove of Israel’s war against Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza, with support dropping from 50 percent in November to 36 percent this month,...

Boeing under microscope in Washington after high-profile accidents

Congress is eyeing more government oversight of Boeing after a series of high-profile accidents have launched multiple investigations into the company’s practices and temporarily barred the airplane manufacturer from increasing production. Boeing has been under intense scrutiny after a panel blew off one of the company’s 737 Max 9 jetliners in midflight on Jan. 5. An investigation...

SXSW controversy spikes as bands drop out over military ties

Controversy surrounding the annual South by Southwest festival, familiarly called SXSW, has spiked after more than 100 acts, the majority of them European, dropped out over the U.S. Army’s and defense contractors’ sponsorship of the music and cultural event in Austin, Texas. As of Wednesday, five music labels and 105 bands and individual musicians, including...

America’s defense spending dragged into budget chaos 

The Pentagon is sailing into somewhat unprecedented waters as it prepares to unveil its 2025 fiscal year budget next Monday. The Defense Department (DOD) still doesn't have a full budget for 2024, faces a looming 1 percent across-the-board cut unless Congress can break its logjam and is still reeling from years of high inflation.  What’s more, the...

Pentagon report says no evidence of alien visits

Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter {beacon} View Online Defense &National Security Defense &National Security   The Big Story Pentagon report says no evidence of alien visits A new Pentagon report says there is “no evidence” the U.S. government or any private companies have reverse-engineered extraterrestrial technology, nor are there any confirmed sightings...

Army National Guard grounds helicopters after 2 crashes

All Army National Guard helicopter units are grounded for a safety review following a string of incidents involving the rotary wing aircraft, including a deadly crash. Army National Guard Director Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen ordered the aviation safety stand-down to “review safety policies and procedures,” after a Mississippi National Guard Apache helicopter crashed Feb. 23, killing the two pilots aboard. A Utah National Guard...

Austin’s staff cleared in internal probe of secret hospitalizations

Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter {beacon} Defense & National Security Defense & National Security The Big Story  Austin's staff cleared in internal probe of secret hospitalizations The Pentagon on Monday released the results of a 30-day review that found no attempt to hide Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s secret hospitalizations in December and January, effectively absolving...