Islamic State warns Syrian dam at risk, evacuates residents
RAQQA, Syria — The Islamic State group ordered residents to evacuate the Syrian city of Raqqa on Sunday following reports that a dam contested by U.S.-backed forces upstream on the Euphrates River could collapse, activists reported.The militants said coalition airstrikes had weakened the Tabqa Dam, some 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Raqqa, and that the water level behind the dam was rising.
Pentagon presenting counter-IS plan to White House
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is presenting the White House with a plan to "rapidly defeat" the Islamic State group, a Pentagon spokesman said Monday.
Madison man who tried to join ISIS sentenced to 10 years in prison
MADISON -- The Madison man who tried to join the Islamic State was sentenced to ten years in prison on Friday, February 17th.U.S. Attorneys say 36-year-old Joshua Van Haften planned to "betray the United States and join terrorists dedicated to the murder of innocent individuals."
Madison man pleads guilty to attempting to support ISIS: "Only thing that matters is war against America"
MADISON -- 34-year-old Joshua Van Haften on Monday, October 24th pleaded guilty to federal charges -- accused of attempting to provide material support and resources, namely himself as personnel, to a foreign terrorist organization.The United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin announced the plea deal Monday.According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Van Haften admitted that in 2014, he attempted to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), knowing that the organization was a designated terrorist organization that has engaged and engages in terrorism.According to the government’s evidence, Van Haften traveled to Turkey in 2014 and attempted to cross into Syria.
FBI: 1st US law enforcement officer charged in terror sting
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Authorities say a Washington, D.C.-area transit police officer has been charged in an FBI sting with attempting to support the Islamic State group.The FBI says he is the first law enforcement officer in the U.S. to be charged with a terror-related crime.Court documents say 36-year-old Nicholas Young of Fairfax was arrested Wednesday morning.
"My animals are my life:" Woman says her dog was stolen by her former landlord
MARION COUNTY, Oregon -- An Oregon woman says her landlord stole her dog after she moved out of a home owned by the woman.
AP: ISIS has trained at least 400, sending them into Europe for terror attacks
PARIS — Security officials have told The Associated Press that the Islamic State group has trained at least 400 attackers and sent them into Europe for terror attacks.The network of interlocking, agile and semiautonomous cells shows the reach of the extremist group in Europe even as it loses ground in Syria.
Wisconsin man accused of trying to join ISIS challenges finding that he's competent
MADISON — A Wisconsin man accused of trying to join ISIS is challenging a finding that he's competent to stand trial.A psychologist filed a report last month finding Joshua Van Haften competent.A federal magistrate judge in Madison gave Van Haften's attorney, Joseph Bugni, until Wednesday, February 24th to decide whether to accept the ruling or challenge it by conducting his own competency examination.Bugni sent a letter to the judge on Wednesday saying he'll evaluate Van Haften with his own expert by April 29.Van Haften was charged last year with trying to cross from Turkey to Syria to join the Islamic State.
"Jim: The James Foley Story" debuts on HBO: MU professor featured in the film speaks out
MILWAUKEE -- A documentary chronicling the live of Marquette University alumnus James Foley debuted this weekend on HBO.While working as a freelance war correspondent during the Syrian Civil War, Foley was abducted on November 22nd, 2012 in northwestern Syria.He was beheaded in August 2014 -- purportedly as a response to American airstrikes in Iraq, thus becoming the first American citizen killed by the Islamic State of Iraq (ISIS).Foley's close childhood friends are now making a new documentary called "Jim: The James Foley Story."Marquette University's own Thomas Durkin was featured in the film about his friend, and said it is a portrayal of a man with great achievements and heart."I agree with Brian Oakes, who directed it.
"Jim: The James Foley Story" documentary coming to HBO in February
MILWAUKEE -- A documentary about James Foley is coming to HBO in February.The freelance war correspondent was abducted in Syria and beheaded in 2014 by ISIS."Jim: The James Foley Story" is directed by Brian Oakes, Foley's close childhood friend.It includes interviews with friends, family members and colleagues.Foley was a graduate of Marquette University.The documentary is set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival later in January.
"ISIS is good, ISIS is great" chants during sex? Story out of Brown Deer getting attention worldwide
BROWN DEER -- A small police incident in Brown Deer this past weekend is now getting attention worldwide.
How a hacking group is working on taking down terrorists
MILWAUKEE -- The hacker group Anonymous has targeted large companies before including PayPal and Sony.
"We take all threats seriously:" FBI investigating ISIS threat at WWE event in Atlanta
ATLANTA — FBI officials have confirmed to WSB-TV they are taking seriously a report about an ISIS threat at a WWE Survivor Series event in Atlanta on Sunday, November 22nd.The FBI released the following statement to WSB-TV:
Utah school apologizes for homework assignment to make propaganda poster for terrorist group
SALEM, Utah -- Students in 9th grade at Salem Junior High School were given a homework assignment where they were told to draw a propaganda poster for a terrorist organization.After parents complained, the assignment was canceled.
Report early Wednesday: 33 ISIS members killed in airstrikes over the last 72 hours
RAQQA, Syria — A Syrian activist group says airstrikes on the northern Syrian city of Raqqa and its outskirts over the past three days have killed at least 33 fighters with the Islamic State group.The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the fighters were mostly killed when their checkpoints were attacked by French and other warplanes.France has launched waves of airstrikes against the IS group following attacks that killed at least 129 people in Paris on Friday.
"We were deceived:" Mother of James Foley, executed by ISIS, says family felt abandoned by government
WASHINGTON — The mother of American journalist James Foley, who was publicly beheaded in August 2014 by the Islamic State, says her family felt abandoned by the American government.She wants to see a review of the U.S. hostage policy.Testifying at a House hearing, Diane Foley of Rochester, New Hampshire, demanded proof that the current U.S. policy not to negotiate to seek the release of Americans held captive abroad is actually saving lives and decreasing the rate of Americans being captured.
James Foley's parents say 'Jihadi John' killing does nothing to bring back their son
MILWAUKEE -- The Pentagon says the face of ISIS terrorism was the target of a recent airstrike in Syria.
"'Black Lies Matter' will join forces with ISIS:" Comments made by Sheriff Clarke causing controversy
MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke's recent commentary is causing some controversy not only here in Milwaukee, but across the country.
Scott Walker: United States should not take in Syrian refugees, and instead focus on ISIS
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Republican presidential candidate Scott Walker says the United States should not take in Syrian refugees.Wisconsin Public Radio reported Wednesday that Walker clarified his position after refusing to address the question when asked about it in New Hampshire.Walker told reporters following a business summit in Eau Claire that America should focus on taking out the Islamic State terrorist group to solve the humanitarian crisis in Syria.Walker says the U.S. is already putting plenty of resources into humanitarian efforts.