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Saint Paul, Minnesota – Former CNN host Don Lemon has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges stemming from a protest at a Minnesota church, a case that has ignited debate over freedom of the press and the right to protest. The charges relate to a demonstration against immigration policies at Cities Church in Saint Paul, where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official is a pastor. Lemon maintains he was present as a journalist covering the event, not as a participant, and vowed to fight what he calls “baseless charges.”

The protest, which occurred last month, saw demonstrators chanting slogans like “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” referencing the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis. Lemon, now an independent journalist, appeared in court on Friday wearing a black suit and acknowledged supporters, stating his commitment to defending the principles of the First Amendment. This case highlights the increasing tension between immigration enforcement and activist groups, and the legal boundaries of protest within places of worship.

Charges Under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act

Lemon and eight other defendants are facing charges under the 1994 Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, a law originally intended to protect access to reproductive health clinics. The act, as applied in this case, prohibits interference or intimidation of anyone “seeking to exercise the First Amendment right of religious freedom” at a place of worship. Penalties for violating the act can include up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, according to court documents. Civil rights lawyer Nekima Levy Armstrong, too a defendant in the case, also pleaded not guilty on Friday. Another independent journalist, Georgia Fort, is scheduled for arraignment next week, according to reports.

“For more than 30 years, I’ve been a journalist, and the power and protection of the First Amendment has been the underpinning of my function,” Lemon said outside the courthouse. “The First Amendment, the freedom of the press, are the bedrock of our democracy. And like all of you here in Minnesota, the great people of Minnesota, I will not be intimidated, I will not back down.”

Separate Investigation into ICE Shooting

The court appearance came amid a separate investigation into an incident involving ICE agents in Minneapolis. Two immigration agents have been placed on administrative depart after questions arose regarding their initial statements about a shooting on January 14th, just days after the death of Renee Good. Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan man, was shot in the thigh by an ICE officer during an encounter with agents.

Initial reports from ICE agents accused Sosa-Celis and Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna, also from Venezuela, of assaulting an officer with a broom handle and snow shovel. However, video evidence emerged that was “materially inconsistent” with the agents’ testimony, leading prosecutors to dismiss the charges against the two men, Reuters reported. This is reportedly one of at least five shootings involving ICE where initial accounts from officials were later contradicted by video evidence.

Acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd Lyons stated that the agents could face termination and potential criminal charges following a thorough investigation. “Lying under oath is a serious federal offence,” Lyons said in a statement. The unfolding situation raises concerns about accountability and transparency within ICE operations.

The legal proceedings involving Don Lemon and the broader scrutiny of ICE’s conduct underscore the complex interplay between protest, law enforcement, and the rights of individuals within the United States. The outcome of Lemon’s case, and the investigation into the ICE shooting, will likely have significant implications for future protests and the standards of conduct expected of federal agents.

As the cases progress, attention will focus on the interpretation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act in the context of political protest, and the extent to which journalists are protected when covering demonstrations. Further arraignments are scheduled next week, and the ICE investigation is ongoing. The public will be watching closely for developments that could shape the future of protest and accountability within immigration enforcement.

What are your thoughts on the charges against Don Lemon? Share your opinions in the comments below.

Astronomers have discovered a planetary system 116 light-years from Earth that challenges conventional understanding of planetary formation. The system, designated LHS 1903, features an unusual configuration: rocky planets both near and far from its host star, a modest, cool red dwarf.

The discovery, detailed in a study published in Science, centers on LHS 1903, observed using data from the European Space Agency’s (ESA) CHEOPS satellite. Initial observations revealed a system resembling our own, with inner rocky planets and outer gas giants. However, CHEOPS data confirmed that the outermost planet in the system is also rocky, a configuration that deviates from established planetary formation theories.

“This strange arrangement makes it a unique system,” said Thomas Wilson, the lead author of the study, from the University of Warwick. “Rocky planets are not usually formed far from their star, outside of the gas giants.”

Current theories suggest that planets close to a star tend to be rocky because stellar radiation strips away their atmospheres. Gas giants, conversely, form further out where lower temperatures allow them to retain gas. The existence of a rocky planet so distant from LHS 1903 suggests that planetary formation can occur even in gas-poor environments, or that the planet may have lost its atmosphere.

Researchers initially considered several hypotheses to explain the system’s unusual structure, including the possibility that planets had migrated from their original positions or that the outermost rocky planet had lost its atmosphere through collision. However, evidence indicated that the four planets formed sequentially, from the inside out. This stepwise formation suggests that each planet evolved in a different environment and by the time the outermost rocky planet formed, the system may have been depleted of gas, hindering the formation of gas giants.

“When this last outer planet formed, the solar system may have run out of gas, which is considered crucial for planet formation,” Wilson explained. “We have found the first evidence of a planet formed in a gas-poor environment.”

The discovery prompts a reevaluation of existing planetary formation models, which have historically been based on observations of our own solar system. “Historically, our theories about planet formation have been based on what we see and know about our own Solar System,” said Isabel Rebollido, a researcher at the ESA. “As we observe more exoplanetary systems, we are beginning to revise our theories based solely on it.”

In February 2026, NASA confirmed the passage of an interstellar comet through the solar system, a separate but contemporaneous observation highlighting the diversity of celestial bodies and systems beyond our own. Astronomers continue to refine methods for detecting exoplanets, relying on observing stellar wobbles, blueshifts, and transits, as even the most powerful telescopes cannot directly image these distant worlds. In late 2025, Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster, carrying the mannequin “Starman,” completed its deep-space journey, offering a unique, if unconventional, marker of human exploration beyond Earth.

Jupiter’s existence has been credited with protecting Earth from extinction-level events, a factor that underscores the importance of understanding planetary system dynamics. A recent study also suggested that a small asteroid that visited Earth may be a fragment of lunar rock, further demonstrating the complex interactions within our solar system.

Further research is planned to investigate the atmospheric composition of the planets in the LHS 1903 system, which may provide additional clues about their formation, and evolution.

Sacramento State University is on the verge of a historic shift in its athletic program, with negotiations intensifying for membership in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). A vote by the league’s presidents could come within days, potentially bringing the Hornets’ football team to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level as a football-only member. The move, driven by Sacramento State’s willingness to contribute over $15 million, represents a significant financial windfall for the MAC and underscores the growing competition for conference realignment in college athletics.

The potential agreement marks the second FCS-to-FBS transition this month, following North Dakota State’s acceptance into the Mountain West Conference. Sacramento State’s pursuit of an FBS invitation has been aggressive, with university executives proposing a multi-million dollar offer to multiple leagues, even suggesting they would forgo a portion of conference distributions to secure a spot. While previous attempts to join conferences like the Mountain West and Pac-12 were unsuccessful, the MAC has emerged as a viable option, particularly given the current financial pressures faced by many smaller FBS conferences.

Financial Incentive Drives MAC Consideration

The financial incentive is a key factor in the MAC’s consideration. Sacramento State’s proposed entry fee of more than $15 million is particularly attractive to the league’s member schools, many of which operate on limited budgets. This influx of capital comes at a time when universities are increasingly seeking revenue streams to support their athletic programs. North Dakota State is contributing $12.5 million to the Mountain West, plus an additional $5 million standard FBS entry fee, demonstrating a similar trend of programs “buying in” to higher-level conferences. Memphis reportedly offered $200 million to join the Big 12 last year, though the conference ultimately decided against expansion.

Officials at both Sacramento State and the MAC have declined to comment on the ongoing negotiations, citing standard policies regarding expansion discussions. Yet, multiple sources with knowledge of the agreement have confirmed the progress to Yahoo Sports. University President Luke Wood and Athletic Director Mark Orr have publicly expressed their desire to elevate the football program to FBS status for months.

Navigating Conference Transitions and Athletic Alignment

Sacramento State’s athletic department is currently undergoing a significant transition. The Hornets are moving from the Big Sky Conference to the Big West Conference this year, but the Big West does not sponsor football. This creates a unique situation where the football program will compete as an independent in the FCS while the other Sacramento State sports participate in the Big West. The university’s waiver request to play as an FBS independent this season was denied last summer, necessitating a conference affiliation to achieve FBS status.

If the deal with the MAC is finalized, Sacramento State would follow a model similar to Northern Illinois, which competes in football in the Mountain West while its other sports remain in the Horizon League. The MAC currently consists of 12 member schools after adding UMass last year and losing Northern Illinois. The conference is also in the midst of negotiating a new television deal with ESPN, which could further enhance its financial stability and visibility.

Investment in Athletics and Future Outlook

Sacramento State has demonstrated a commitment to investing in its athletic programs. The university recently hired Mike Bibby, a 14-year NBA veteran, as its men’s basketball coach and announced Shaquille O’Neal as a voluntary general manager. In football, first-year coach Alonzo Carter has taken the helm, replacing Brennan Marion, who left for a position with Deion Sanders at Colorado after earning over $1 million in his single season with the Hornets. The program has also seen success on the field, winning three consecutive Big Sky championships under former coach Troy Taylor, including a 12-1 record and an FCS quarterfinal appearance in 2022.

The Hornets’ football program has scheduled seven games for the 2026 season, with six opponents hailing from the FCS level. Renovations are planned for the football stadium to meet FBS standards, and discussions regarding a potential new stadium are also underway.

The MAC presidents’ vote represents the next critical step in Sacramento State’s pursuit of FBS membership. A successful outcome would not only elevate the university’s athletic profile but also provide a significant financial boost to the Mid-American Conference. The decision is expected in the coming days, and the college football landscape will be watching closely.

What comes next hinges on the vote by the MAC presidents. If approved, Sacramento State will begin the process of fully integrating into the conference, preparing for competition at the FBS level. Share your thoughts on this potential conference realignment in the comments below.