Good morning.
Maine’s Democratic Senate race has been thrown into turmoil after its nominee was accused of sexual assault, an armed man carrying an alarming cache of weapons was arrested outside a North Carolina church before services, and Sen. Mark Kelly sparked a social media firestorm after wearing a Mexico soccer jersey to a World Cup watch party.
Maine Democrat Accused of Sexual Assault as Senate Race Shaken
Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner is facing a new allegation of sexual assault just months before his showdown with incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
According to Politico, Platner’s former girlfriend, Jenny Racicot, alleges he entered her home uninvited while intoxicated in late 2021 and forced himself on her despite her repeated objections. Racicot said she ended all contact with Platner afterward, telling him the encounter had not been consensual.
“I remember the specific moment where I thought to myself, ‘This is no longer my choice,'” Racicot told the outlet.
Platner, an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran who won the Democratic primary in June, has categorically denied the accusation.
“These allegations are troubling, serious, and false. Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue,” he said in a statement.
The accusation comes after Platner’s campaign abruptly canceled several scheduled events and follows earlier reporting by The New York Times detailing allegations from former partners describing what they characterized as troubling personal behavior.
Racicot told Politico she initially chose not to come forward because she did not want to be publicly identified as a rape victim. She said she later decided to speak publicly after watching another former partner, Lyndsey Fifield, face criticism over her own allegations because of her political affiliations.
Armed Man Arrested Outside North Carolina Church Before Services
Police say alert church members helped prevent what could have become a dangerous incident after an armed man posing as a law enforcement officer was arrested outside a North Carolina church Sunday morning.
Authorities say 44-year-old William S. Milliken III arrived at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church in High Point claiming he was there to investigate a smoking violation. An off-duty police officer attending services responded after a witness reported the suspicious encounter, and additional officers quickly arrived to take Milliken into custody without incident.
A subsequent search of his vehicle uncovered an extensive cache of weapons and equipment, including two flamethrowers, two crossbows, a CO2 launcher, more than 500 rounds of ammunition, body armor, knives, radios equipped with scanners, handcuff keys, duct tape, oxycodone pills, GPS coordinates, and a notebook listing schools, churches, and other public buildings.
Authorities have not announced a motive or said whether any of the listed locations were intended as targets.
Milliken has been charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a weapon of mass destruction under North Carolina law, which covers certain incendiary devices.
High Point Police Chief Curtis Cheeks credited both observant community members and responding officers with preventing the situation from escalating.
“We also want to thank the community members who recognized a potential danger and had the courage to speak up,” Cheeks said, adding that the investigation remains ongoing.
Mark Kelly Faces Online Criticism Over Mexico World Cup Jersey
Sen. Mark Kelly found himself at the center of a social media debate Sunday after posting photos of himself wearing a Mexico national team jersey during a World Cup watch party.
The Arizona Democrat shared images from Mexico’s Round of 16 match against England, drawing criticism from users who questioned why an American senator appeared to be publicly supporting another country’s team.
The post quickly gained millions of views, with many commenters noting they had not seen Kelly similarly promote Team USA during the tournament and asking whether he planned to support the Americans ahead of their matchup against Belgium.
The controversy soon spread beyond soccer fans, with conservative commentators including Clay Travis and CNN contributor Scott Jennings criticizing Kelly’s decision and framing it as emblematic of broader political debates over patriotism and national identity.
Supporters of the senator defended the post, pointing to Arizona’s close cultural and economic ties with Mexico and arguing that fans frequently support multiple national teams during international tournaments.
The online debate unfolded as Mexico’s World Cup run came to an end with a 3-2 loss to England, which advanced to the tournament’s quarterfinals.
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