INTERNACIONAL
LA business leader says crime, wildfire fallout fueling Pratt surge as voters seek change: ‘People are angry’
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SANTA MONICA, CA — A business leader and former city council candidate is reacting to Spencer Pratt’s surge in the Los Angeles mayoral race by pointing to crime, the recent wildfires, and the inhospitable business climate as the reason why voters are discontent with the status quo.
«I think a lot of people are concerned about what’s happening, they really don’t know how to fix this, and I think the crime, the homelessness, the addiction, all the above behaviors of what’s happened in our city as politicians that are causing this, I think a lot people are seeing that,» John Putnam, the president of Putnam Brands & Putnam Accessory Group, told Fox News Digital.
«And I think Spencer’s actually bringing the light in a real way. He’s pretty basic with his delivery of his issues and I think that’s resonating a lot. Even if you don’t want to vote for him, you’re listening, though and I think that’s resonating with a lot of people.»
Putnam, a former candidate for Santa Monica City Council in 2024, told Fox News Digital that even though his town of Santa Monica doesn’t vote for LA mayor, the winner’s platform will have a «trickle down» effect all across the county.
SPENCER PRATT ENTERS LA MAYOR RACE, ACCUSES CURRENT LEADERSHIP OF ‘CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE’ OVER FIRE RESPONSE
John Putnam, president of Putnam Brands and Putnam Accessory Group, told Fox News Digital that Spencer Pratt is «bringing the light» to LA. (Fox News Digital ; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
«California’s got a big issue, but the city, especially where we live, Santa Monica is a byproduct of what’s happened in Los Angeles and across the world,» Putnam said. «In Santa Monica alone, we’re a people driven economy. 80% of our revenue comes from outside this city. We need revenue being generated from people that are coming here to visit.»
Putnam’s company, which he has run for 40 years, is based near downtown Los Angeles and he told Fox News Digital that it’s clear when you drive around the city that the business climate is being significantly handcuffed by crime, homelessness, high taxes, and other factors.
«It costs so much to operate a business here,» Putnam said. «Out of 250 cities that were surveyed a few years ago, Santa Monica came in number one of being the most expensive place to do business and that’s because of all the regulation, all the other aspects.
RESIDENTS IN EXCLUSIVE ENCLAVE DEMAND DEM MAYOR ACT ON CRIME SURGE
Television personality and Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt visited «Fox & Friends» at Fox News Channel Studios on Jan. 28, 2026, in New York City. (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
«But on top of that, if you can’t create an inviting environment and a safe environment and a clean environment, there’s no hope. I mean, the bottom line, there is zero hope in that arrangement. So we have to do something quickly and the pain is there. We just as voters, hopefully will determine what we have to do to change that.»
Crime has been a highly talked-about issue in the mayoral race between Pratt, incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, and progressive Councilwoman Nithya Raman. Putnam says that over the past few years, crime has gotten worse overall, despite statistics that say specific violent crimes are down.
«There’s all sorts of stats, it’s worse, everyone’s trying to sugar coat it in different ways, but the stats are out there, they’re saying crime is down, I think violent crime is down across the country, but all this petty stuff is happening,» Putnam said.
SPENCER PRATT ANNOUNCES LA MAYOR RUN ON ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF PALISADES FIRE THAT DESTROYED HIS HOME
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass toured the downtown business district of Pacific Palisades on Jan. 8, 2025, in Los Angeles as the Palisades Fire continued to burn amid strong Santa Ana winds. (Eric Thayer/Getty Images)
«It’s come in all neighborhoods. I mean you know it’s down in the south side of Los Angeles, east. It’s everywhere. You know even here in Santa Monica, we’re definitely being victims of this behavior of crime, and the drug addiction that’s running rampant in our city that’s causing this kind of criminal activity doesn’t really satisfy anyone. It doesn’t protect us. It doesn’t make us feel safe and it doesn’t help our community just to grow.»
Roughly a year and a half ago, the Los Angeles area was devastated by wildfires in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades that killed 31 people. The Palisades fire crept within a few miles of Putnam’s home in Santa Monica and destroyed more than 6,000 structures, including Pratt’s home.
Putnam told Fox News Digital that the fires, and criticism of Bass’s preparedness and response, is «definitely a point of every conversation» with Los Angeles residents as only a handful of homes have been rebuilt.
«People are feeling left out, they’re not feeling like they’re being helped,» Putnam said. «I mean, their whole town, Altadena and Palisades were just destroyed. Beyond that, you had nail salons, you have all these hair salons, you had restaurants, these people are homeless from their businesses, their income and they aren’t getting the love and the attention they deserve, we need to come together and help those people.»
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LA council member Nithya Raman is also running against Republican Spencer Pratt for governor of Los Angeles. (Eric Thayer / Getty Images)
«That’s what’s frustrating. I think people are angry, but also just really concerned. And I think this is really, Spencer’s really done a good job of bringing that out and letting people know this is not acceptable and we have a choice here.»
Pratt will face off in the mayoral primary on Tuesday night against Bass and progressive city council member Nithya Raman in an election where the top two candidates will move on to the November general election; however, if a candidate receives 50% of the vote, they become the next mayor outright.
issues, local, primary results, state and local primaries, homeless crisis
INTERNACIONAL
Orsi regularizó obras y pagó una deuda tributaria tras la polémica por sus casas: “Debo tener más cuidado”
El presidente de Uruguay, Yamandú Orsi, regularizó la situación impositiva y el registro de obras de dos casas familiares en Salinas (Canelones). El mandatario uruguayo había quedado envuelto en una nueva controversia que involucró su patrimonio personal, luego de que el programa radial Informativo Carve informara que tenía una deuda vencida y que no había regularizado algunas construcciones.
“Lo resolvimos, lo resolvimos. Por suerte lo resolvimos”, dijo el presidente Orsi el pasado jueves en una rueda de prensa, al participar de actividades oficiales en el departamento de Colonia.
“Tengo que tener más cuidado, por supuesto”, reconoció ante los periodistas. “Tenés que estar atento. Lo que pasa es que también es un tema de tener claro todo lo que tenés que hacer. Son procesos que a veces son lentos y uno a veces se deja estar”, agregó.
El presidente dijo que este tipo de controversias pueden impactar en la aprobación de su gestión (hoy fuertemente desaprobada por la ciudadanía según las encuestas), aunque señaló que lo más importante es que cumplir con las obligaciones. “Eso está pasando”, se defendió.
“Todos los uruguayos –y fundamentalmente los que tenemos responsabilidades– tenemos que presentarle bastante más atención a estas cosas”, cerró Orsi.
Tras buscar cerrar la controversia por la compra de su camioneta con descuento de USD 25.000, una investigación periodística del programa Informativo Carve concluyó que Orsi tenía una deuda del impuesto de Primaria (que se destina a programas de educación pública) y no había actualizado ante organismos del Estado obras que había realizado en su casa.
El programa radial detalló que una de las casas –adquirida en octubre de 2024– tenía una deuda vencida del Impuesto de Primaria de 5.509 pesos uruguayos (unos USD 137). La segunda propiedad, que está al lado y que pertenece a su esposa Laura Alonsopérez, tuvo obras y mejoras que no figuran actualizadas en la documentación catastral disponible en el país.
Orsi vive junto a su familia en Pine Park, un barrio de la localidad de Salinas, en el departamento de Canelones. En su predio hay dos inmuebles linderos: una vivienda comprada en 2010 y otra casa obtenida en 2024.
La propiedad debía el Impuesto de Primaria de todo el ejercicio de 2025, sumado a la primera cuota de 2026 , multas y recargos. Mientras tanto, la segunda propiedad de la familia Orsi tiene declarados 198 metros cuadrados. Pero, según consignó el programa radial en base a imágenes de Google Earth, entre 2018 y 2019 se realizaron obras en el patio de la vivienda, que podrían corresponder a una piscina, una barbacoa o un área construida.
La actualización de ese valor catastral es la base para configurar el monto de la contribución inmobiliaria, uno de los tributos que los propietarios deben pagar a los gobiernos departamentales en el país (las municipalidades). En este caso, en Canelones.
Según detalló el noticiero Subrayado de Canal 10, el mismo día que se conoció la noticia, Orsi comenzó a encaminar ambas situaciones. El mandatario encomendó a una arquitecta que revisara planos y registros oficiales para registrar las obras que se habían hecho y que no se habían informado. Los trámites se cumplieron en la misma semana. Ahora la casa quedó registrada por su valor efectivo, en base a los metros de construcción que tiene y las obras incorporadas.
Alejandro Sánchez –secretario de Presidencia (jefe de gabinete) y uno de los jerarcas más cercanos a Orsi lo defendió públicamente. Entrevistado en Radio Sarandí, el funcionario señaló: “Ahí hay más responsabilidad de su secretaría, que es la que lleva adelante muchas cosas. Imagínese que el presidente no está mirando y llevando las cuentas personales cuando tiene que dirigir un país”.
democracia y desarrollo en américa latina y el caribe 2026,hombre,interior,pnud,políticos,presentaciones de informes,presidentes uruguayos,retrato
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Ukraine’s wartime government is getting another shake-up after Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stepped down Sunday, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying he has offered her a «new, important» role as he reshapes his administration during the ongoing war with Russia.
Svyrydenko announced her resignation in a statement on social media, saying she was «proud to have had the honor of leading the government during one of the most difficult periods in Ukraine’s modern history.» She said she had discussed «next steps» with Zelenskyy, but did not disclose what her next position would be.
«I remain ready to serve the Ukrainian state and carry out every task aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s position, defending our national interests and bringing a just peace closer,» Svyrydenko wrote.
HOUSE REPUBLICAN DON BACON SAYS HE WANTS ‘PARIAH STATE’ RUSSIA BOOTED FROM UN SECURITY COUNCIL
Zelenskyy, who has remained in office under martial law because wartime elections are prohibited, framed the move as part of a broader shift in Ukraine’s governing strategy.
«Ukraine is changing its political strategy,» Zelenskyy wrote in a social media post, adding that he had offered Svyrydenko the chance to lead «a new, important area» in Ukraine’s relations with a key international partner.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko attends a session of Ukrainian parliament, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine July 17, 2025. (REUTERS/Andrii Nesterenko/File Photo)
The Ukrainian president said each major area of foreign policy would be assigned to an experienced official responsible for carrying out agreements reached with foreign leaders and advancing the interests of the Ukrainian people. He also announced planned changes to the country’s top law enforcement leadership, though he did not immediately provide additional details.
18 HOUSE REPUBLICANS DEFY TRUMP TO PASS UKRAINE AID PACKAGE HEADED FOR VETO FIGHT
The reshuffle marks the fourth major reorganization of Zelenskyy’s government since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, reflecting the president’s repeated efforts to inject new momentum into his wartime administration.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko visit the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, which was hit during Russian missile and drone strikes, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 15, 2026. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS)
Svyrydenko, who previously served as Ukraine’s economy minister, was appointed prime minister in July 2025 at age 39 after playing a key role in negotiating a minerals agreement between Ukraine and the United States. The deal was widely viewed as a way to strengthen U.S. economic interests in Ukraine while reinforcing Washington’s long-term commitment to the country’s security.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at a press conference after meetings with the heads of the EU and Ireland, following a formal ceremony to mark the launch of Ireland’s eighth EU presidency, at Dublin Castle in Dublin on July 1, 2026. (Paul Faith / AFP via Getty Images)
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Following the announcement, Zelenskyy met with several senior officials, including Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko and Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, signaling that additional changes to his government could be forthcoming.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
ukraine, volodymyr zelenskyy, world politics, world
INTERNACIONAL
Michigan Dem senator throws support behind candidate to replace him in contentious primary
Democratic candidates’ remarks under scrutiny as party attempts to flip red states
The ongoing Graham Platner scandal in Maine jeopardizes Democratic bids for Senate control, making the midterm elections even more precarious. Chief Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram analyzes several other crucial Senate races featuring controversial candidates, including Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan and Mary Peltola in Alaska, whose rhetoric and past remarks are drawing scrutiny.
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Retiring Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., has abandoned his neutrality in Michigan’s high-stakes Democratic Senate primary, backing U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens as party leaders rally to stop progressive rival Abdul El-Sayed from winning the nomination.
Peters, who is retiring after two terms in the Senate, announced the endorsement Monday, saying Stevens «will be ready on day one to fight for Michigan.» The move reverses his position from late May, when he told The Associated Press he planned to stay neutral in the Aug. 4 primary.
Democrats are eager to keep the Michigan seat as they try to win back the Senate majority, and many party leaders have lined up behind Stevens, a four-term congresswoman they see as a stronger general election candidate.
DEMOCRATS’ CIVIL WAR HEADS TO MICHIGAN WHERE PROGRESSIVES FACE BIGGEST TEST YET IN HIGH-STAKES SENATE SHOWDOWN
Michigan U.S. Sen. candidate, Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., speaks with media after a debate at WoodTV studios on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in Grand Rapids, Mich. (AP Photo/Kristen Norman)
Stevens has centered her campaign on manufacturing, jobs and Michigan’s auto industry. El-Sayed, a former Michigan health director who has never held elected office, has run on a more progressive platform that includes Medicare for All and campaign finance reform. He has also made the war in Gaza a central issue in his campaign, highlighting a divide that has surfaced within the Democratic Party.
Michigan U.S. Sen candidate, Abdul El-Sayed, speaks with media after a debate at WoodTV studios on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in Grand Rapids, Mich. (AP Photo/Kristen Norman)
Peters’ endorsement comes weeks after State Sen. Mallory McMorrow ended her campaign, leaving Stevens and El-Sayed as the only major Democratic candidates in the race.
«Senator Peters knows what it takes to win in Michigan, and he knows what Michigan needs from our next U.S. Senator: grit, effectiveness, hard work, and Michigan common sense,» Stevens said in a statement. «I am honored to have his support.»
Peters has won two Senate elections in Michigan and previously chaired the Senate Democrats’ campaign committee during the 2022 and 2024 election cycles.
Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, the chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, is interviewed by Fox News Digital, at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, on August 19, 2024 (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
His endorsement follows similar backing for Stevens from Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev. El-Sayed has been endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.
The campaign has become increasingly personal in recent weeks.
MICHIGAN SENATE HOPEFUL CALLS AIPAC DONATIONS ‘LEGALIZED BRIBERY,’ REMAINS SILENT ON OTHER DONATIONS
El-Sayed has criticized Stevens over tens of millions of dollars in outside spending supporting her campaign, including money from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Stevens has accused El-Sayed of refusing to release his personal financial records. During a July 7 debate, both candidates accused the other of running a negative campaign.
The Democratic nominee will likely face Republican Mike Rogers, a former Michigan congressman who is running unopposed for his party’s nomination. It is expected to be among the nation’s most expensive and closely watched Senate contests in November.
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Michigan has taken on added importance for Democrats after turmoil erupted in another key Senate race in Maine, where Democratic nominee Graham Platner withdrew following a sexual assault allegation. The unexpected vacancy has complicated the party’s efforts to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins, increasing the pressure to avoid setbacks in other battleground states such as Michigan.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
midterm elections, democrats senate, michigan, elections, politics
Laporta en EE.UU.: la oferta por Julián Alvarez y «Messi extraordinario»
Revelan el secreto mejor guardado de Lionel Messi a horas de la semifinal de Argentina contra Inglaterra: «Está en un momento…”
Alertan por una maniobra para que una secretaria de un juez K quede al frente de la causa de la mansión atribuida a Toviggino
La Justicia citó a Facundo Leal, el extitular de Arsat y el Orsna que cayó con drogas y millones de dólares
Quiénes se quedan con las esquinas más cotizadas de la Ciudad tras el cierre de sucursales bancarias
Siguen las nubes, pero sube la temperatura: así estará el clima en el AMBA durante esta semana de julio
“Hablame bien”: el tenso cruce de Lionel Messi con el árbitro en la victoria de Argentina ante Suiza en el Mundial
Pablo Cervi, senador de LLA, defendió la eliminación de las PASO: “Hay que sacarle ese costo a la población”
Hackearon a la AFA y enviaron correos con falsas denuncias sobre el arbitraje ante Egipto
Shutdown en Argentina: la razón detrás de la idea de Milei de avanzar con un «apagón» del Estado
DEPORTE1 día ago“Hablame bien”: el tenso cruce de Lionel Messi con el árbitro en la victoria de Argentina ante Suiza en el Mundial
- POLITICA2 días ago
Pablo Cervi, senador de LLA, defendió la eliminación de las PASO: “Hay que sacarle ese costo a la población”
- POLITICA3 días ago
Hackearon a la AFA y enviaron correos con falsas denuncias sobre el arbitraje ante Egipto
