FBI investigating spying for Israel, sources say

WASHINGTON – The FBI is investigating whether an analyst for the Pentagon’s No. 3 official acted as a spy for Israel, giving the Jewish state classified materials about secret White House deliberations on Iran, federal law enforcement officials said Friday. No arrests have been made, the officials said. But another official said an arrest in the case could come next week. The officials refused to identify the Pentagon employee under investigation, but said the person works in the office of Douglas Feith, undersecretary of defense for policy. Feith is a key aide to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

Al-Qaida terrorists looking for a U.S. military target might try to attack a Veterans Affairs hospital rather than a base or other high-security installation, the FBI and Homeland Security Department warned in a new nationwide terrorism bulletin. Although U.S. authorities say there is no credible intelligence about a specific threat against VA hospitals, the bulletin said there have been persistent reports of suspicious activity at medical facilities throughout the United States.

A man was charged with felony arson for allegedly disregarding the risk of wildfire while using a riding lawn mower to cut dry grass on a hot day. A blaze sparked by the mower burned 11,000 acres and destroyed 86 homes. William Rupp, 44, is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Redding on two felony arson charges. He faces a maximum of six years in prison if convicted. The fire broke out Aug. 11 and quickly spread through pine- and oak-covered hills south of Shasta Lake. Officials estimated firefighting costs would top $1.8 million.

A large percentage of the signatures that Ralph Nader’s campaign submitted to get on the Pennsylvania ballot appear to be invalid, his attorney told a court Friday in a concession that casts doubt on whether the independent will be a presidential choice in the battleground state. Lawyers for people sympathetic to Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry claimed in a lawsuit that more than 37,000 of the 47,000 signatures Nader supporters submitted in early August were either forged or flawed.

A federal judge in Chicago on Friday revoked the U.S. citizenship of a Romanian-born former member of the Nazi SS accused of serving as a concentration camp guard. The government accused Joseph Wittje, 84, of Bensenville, of hiding his membership in an SS Death’s Head battalion that guarded Sachsenhausen, a camp near Berlin where thousands were executed or died from starvation, disease and medical experiments. In his 1950 immigration papers, Wittje failed to disclose his membership in the SS, the Justice Department said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Everett fire destroys home under construction, damages adjacent structures

The fire happened around 1 a.m. Wednesday. No injuries were reported.

Everett
Open house on Everett comprehensive plan coming Feb. 28

The state requires fast-growing cities like Everett to create comprehensive plans, which plan for population growth, transportation improvements and more.

Jasmine Donahue talks about being a place for people leave messages when looking for family members, friends or loved ones on the street on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett extends deadline for homeless service facing closure

Hope ‘N Wellness must now comply with city zoning laws by April 30. The organization is “grateful,” its owner said, but still hopes for a permanent solution.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

New Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce CEO CEO Wendy Poischbeg speaks at a kick off event on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Everett Rising’: Wednesday’s chamber luncheon to showcase a new era of growth.

The Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce is beginning its efforts… Continue reading

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The Edmonds School District building on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds School District faces estimated $8.5 million deficit

The shortfall is lower than previous years, but the effects are “cumulative,” Superintendent Rebecca Miner said.

Hundreds rally against Trump on Presidents Day in Everett

People lined Broadway with signs and flags, similar to other protests across the country.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.