Matzav

President Donald Trump’s security detail has been reinforced in the wake of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, according to a Thursday report in the Wall Street Journal.

The Journal noted that the Pentagon’s annual September 11 memorial ceremony was relocated to a safer site as part of these enhanced measures.

The report further said that tighter protections will be implemented when Trump attends Thursday night’s matchup between the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

According to the paper, discussions are already underway regarding long-term adjustments to ensure Trump’s security at future events beyond this week’s schedule.

The Wall Street Journal also revealed that the firearm recovered from the Kirk shooting contained bullets etched with slogans tied to pro-transgender themes and “anti-fascist” rhetoric. Authorities are now reviewing what role, if any, these markings play in the investigation and examining the suspect’s background.

The FBI has said it possesses sharp images of the shooter, believed to be of college age.

Investigators also located a powerful rifle abandoned in the wooded area where the gunman fled. Fingerprints discovered on the weapon are currently under review.

Footage from the attack shows a bullet striking Kirk in the neck as he clutched a microphone, followed by a collapse as blood flowed. He was immediately transported to the hospital in grave condition and rushed into surgery. Roughly two hours later, Trump announced to the American people that Kirk had died from his injuries.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu reflected Thursday in an interview with Fox News on his personal memories of Charlie Kirk, the conservative pro-Israel activist who was murdered the day before.

Netanyahu said that he, his wife, and their family are “heartbroken,” and mentioned that during Kirk’s trip to Israel in 2019, his son had the chance to share a meal with him.

“We’re shattered, first as human beings, because a great human being has been taken from us. He was an extraordinary friend,” the Prime Minister said.

He recalled that Kirk had sent him a letter this past May in which he wrote, “One of my greatest joys as a Christian is advocating for Israel and forming alliances to defend Judeo-Christian civilization.” Netanyahu added that “a few weeks before the tragedy yesterday, I called him and I invited him to Israel, and sadly that visit will not take place.”

Netanyahu praised Kirk as a “defender of our common Judeo-Christian civilization. He was unbelievably excited to walk in the footsteps of Jesus here; he valued the bond between America and Israel. He did so many things to defend free speech. He had his truth, he stood up for it, but he said, ‘You can come and debate me.’ He invited that debate; he certainly didn’t invite the violence that tried to silence him.”

Addressing the broader implications of the attack, Netanyahu said it reflects a “worldwide problem. The people on the extremes: the radical Islamists and their union with the ultra-progressives. They often speak about human rights, they speak about free speech, but they use violence to take down their enemies, whether it’s President Trump, who was almost assassinated twice, or they tried to kill me here too, but they got Charlie Kirk, and it’s just heartbreaking.”

Drawing a personal connection, Netanyahu likened Kirk to his own brother Yoni, who was killed at the same age while leading the rescue of hostages in Entebbe. “I’ve thought of my brother all my life, and I’ll be thinking of Charlie all my life. They’re gone, and maybe they’re once in a generation, but those generations live by their legacy.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu has put his signature on a deal advancing the highly disputed E1 settlement initiative, a project that would carve through land the Palestinians claim as part of a future state.

“We are going to fulfill our promise that there will be no Palestinian state, this place belongs to us,” Netanyahu declared while visiting the Ma’ale Adumim community in the West Bank, where the plans envision thousands of additional homes.

“We will safeguard our heritage, our land and our security… We are going to double the city’s population.” His office broadcast the remarks live as he spoke.

Just last month, the E1 blueprint received its final green light from planners, a step that would effectively sever the West Bank and isolate East Jerusalem from it. Though today’s signing was mainly symbolic, it clears the way for authorities to proceed with actual building.

{Matzav.com}

Under the direction of Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, Israel’s parliament building was illuminated in red, white, and blue to commemorate the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks and to pay tribute to Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist who was gunned down on Wednesday in Utah.

“Today, 24 years ago, the deadliest terrorist attack took place on the soil of the United States, our closest ally, when four planes carrying passengers were hijacked by Islamist terrorists and crashed in various locations, taking the lives of nearly 3,000 people and changing the skyline of New York,” Ohana declared in a statement.

“Tonight, one of the most prominent voices in the struggle against Islamist terror was murdered, one of the greatest and bravest freedom fighters of our time, Charlie Kirk,” he said.

“In memory of the victims then, and in memory of the victim today, the Knesset is illuminated in the colors of the American flag as a sign of friendship and brotherhood between the two peoples. May God bless the bereaved families and comfort them.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

The upcoming New York City mayoral election will shape our yeshivos, shuls, and community life for decades. Every vote counts, including those of our sons and daughters studying in Israel. Thanks to an initiative spearheaded by Agudath Israel and the Igud Yeshivos Bnei Chul, students in Israel who are registered to vote in NYC will be able to receive absentee ballots at their parents’ NYC homes and return them securely for submission to the Board of Elections.

Here’s how it works:

1. 1. Registering – Make sure voter registration is complete. You can check voter registration by clicking here.
   2. Apply for an Absentee Ballot – The application for an absentee ballot can be found online by clicking here.
   3. Ballots Sent to Your NYC Home Address – Once the application has been submitted, the absentee ballots will be mailed to the voter’s home address in New York City. Parents can expect to receive them within a few days.
   4. Required Information – Each ballot must have a completed form (click here), which includes the following details:
      1. Student’s full name
      2. Yeshiva or seminary name
      3. Contact phone number in Israel
      4. Contact email (Israel or U.S.)
      5. Home address in New York City
   5. Drop-Off Locations – Parents will then bring the ballots, along with the completed form, to one of several designated drop-off sites throughout New York City. A full list of locations will be provided.
   6. Delivery to Israel – The collected ballots will be securely sent to the Igud Yeshivos office in Israel.
   7. Distribution to Students – Igud staff will personally deliver the ballots to each student in their yeshiva or seminary, where they can complete them.
   8. Return for Processing – Once filled out, the ballots will then be returned for submission to the NYC Board of Elections.

   This initiative ensures that the voices of our children, learning and growing in Eretz Yisroel, will still be counted in shaping the future of New York City. With your partnership and participation, together we can make a difference.

   Drop Off Locations

   Kew Gardens Hills: 73-20 136th Street Flushing, NY 11367 (Leave it in the mailbox)

   Far Rockaway: 792 Caffrey Ave Far Rockaway, NY 11691 (Leave it in the mailbox)

   Flatbush: TBA

   Marine Park: JCCMP Office- 3415 Quentin Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11234 (Leave in the mailbox)

   Boro Park: BPJCC HQ- 1310 46th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219 (During regular business hours).

   If you would like to arrange a drop-off location in your community of if you have any questions, please reach out to egurell@agudah.org or call (212) 797-9000 extension 320.

{Matzav.com}

Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, the commander of the Israeli Air Force, disclosed on Wednesday that F-16 Barak fighter jets from the Barak Squadron carried out bombing runs in Iran during Operation Rising Lion without requiring midair refueling.

The achievement is striking given the age of the aircraft, which are three to four decades old and were originally designed for use in nearby arenas such as Lebanon and Gaza.

Bar shared these details at a ceremony where Colonel A. officially assumed command of the Ramat David Airbase. In his remarks, Bar highlighted that the older planes successfully traveled distances of 1,500 to 2,200 kilometers from Israel and completed their assignment.

Addressing the personnel, Bar said: “We can’t describe Operation Rising Lion as it was executed without your significant contribution to the Air Force’s capabilities… You were the X-factor, you were the decisive variable.”

He went on to note that the prevailing belief in the Air Force was that these older aircraft were not fit for a third wave of operations. However, the initiative and resolve of the unit’s leadership and pilots proved that assumption wrong.

According to Bar, “You sat, you thought, you calculated, and you called me for a visit, which proved the opposite: ‘We can get to Iran without refueling, we can do it at a high rate, non-stop,’ that’s what you told me. It was possible with the maturity, professionalism, and experience of the airmen here.” He added that the creativity and precision displayed by the squadron caught him by surprise and ultimately made the mission a success.

{Matzav.com}

Senior Hamas figure Mohammad Nazzal, speaking from abroad, weighed in on recent reports about possible renewed efforts for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal between Israel and the group.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Nazzal dismissed the notion, insisting the discussions are “not relevant” after Israel’s strike targeting Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar.

Nazzal explained that the gathering in the office of senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya was centered around “Palestinian resistance” and included talks about a fresh U.S. proposal. Yet he described the chatter about restarting negotiations as nothing more than “an entertaining discourse.”

“What would have happened if the attempted elimination had succeeded?” he challenged. “Which delegation does [Israeli Prime Minister] Netanyahu want to hold negotiations with?”

At this stage, Nazzal emphasized, it is “crucial” to coordinate with other Palestinian Arab factions, along with mediators such as Qatar and Egypt, and to address the ramifications of the attempted assassinations.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Manchester, NJ, is yet another neighborhood experiencing tension over the growth of its Jewish community. A mikvah is being built to serve 500 families, and it has drawn fierce opposition. Local bloggers and activists are rallying neighbors to fight against it, while Facebook has once again erupted with venomous attacks against the Jews of Lakewood and surrounding areas.

Some argue that nothing can be done. It’s antisemitism. Eisav sonei l’Yaakov. It’s inevitable. The cultures are too different, and peace will never be possible. All we can do is fight it out in court.

But Rav Mattisyahu Salomon zt”l taught a very different perspective. The Torah way of life is meant to attract. It naturally elevates and inspires. Its very purpose is Kiddush Sheim Shamayim. And if, instead, it generates hatred and opposition, then we must pause and ask: are we truly representing Torah fully with middos and derech eretz? The name of Hashem should become beloved through us.

“Eisav sonei l’Yaakov” is not a decree of inevitability. It depends on us. As the Netziv (Sefer Sheair Yisroel) explains, when we fail to represent Hashem properly, He sends hatred as a wake-up call. But when we do serve as true representatives, there can be love and admiration.

Shragie Bloch, who is spearheading the mikvah project, shared how one neighbor living right near the new mikvah has been surprisingly supportive and advocating for the mikvah. This man was a mechanic in Lakewood for 17 years, and had countless interactions with Jews—and all his experiences were positive!

Imagine if there were hundreds of such advocates in the growing neighborhoods, each with warm stories of respectful, positive encounters—on the street, at work, or even just on the road. The Kiddush Sheim Shamayim would be immeasurable.

So the question is: can each of us make a difference? Could we change the tide? Could our explosive growth be an explosive growth in Kiddush Hashem?

The Yamim Noraim are a time when we focus intensely on our ultimate mission of Kiddush Hashem, a theme woven throughout our tefillos. This is the time to look inward and ask: are my actions aligned with this mission? Is our community’s growth in Torah, leading to a parallel growth in Kiddush Hashem in the world?

To help inspire this reflection, the Living Kiddush Hashem Foundation has produced a powerful, free film with three remarkable stories—including the shocking story of the Manchester mikvah with many more astounding details.

Rabbi Uri Deutsch and Rabbi Joey Haber share fundamental yesodos on the mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem, alongside Avi Schnall, who offers perspective on the current friction in New Jersey.

This film is truly life-changing. It offers a whole new perspective on our glorious mission of Kiddush Hashem.

Watch it at LivingKiddushHashem.org beginning Motzei Shabbos Selichos, September 13.

{Matzav.com}

A Turkish hacking collective leaked the personal cell phone number of Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz.

One member of the group even placed a video call to the minister. Katz answered, only to be met with a barrage of verbal abuse from the hacker. The exchange was recorded and quickly circulated online before Katz cut the call short.

Following the exposure of his number, Katz has been inundated with thousands of hostile messages, many of them generated by automated accounts. Among the deluge were direct death threats, including chilling warnings such as “We’ll kill you.”

Katz issued a statement in response: “Organized Islamist-Jihadist gangs from various countries around the world are calling my civilian, non-classified phone and leaving abusive messages and threats. They will continue to call and threaten, and I will continue to order the elimination of their fellow terrorist leaders.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Vice President JD Vance has decided not to participate in New York’s annual September 11 commemoration, opting instead to travel to Salt Lake City to comfort the family of conservative leader Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed on Wednesday while speaking at Utah Valley University.

According to The Washington Post, the change in Vance’s plans was confirmed by a source familiar with his schedule who was not permitted to speak on the record.

Kirk, 31, the founder of Turning Point USA, had been addressing an audience as part of his “American Comeback Tour” when a gunman fired from an elevated spot nearby. Authorities said the fatal shot struck him while the suspect managed to escape and is still being sought.

The incident quickly drew widespread attention across the nation, with Utah Governor Spencer Cox labeling it a “political assassination.”

Vance, who had been slated to deliver remarks in New York, turned to X to share his sorrow. He described Kirk as more than a colleague, noting that his friendship and steadfastness left a deep impression on him. In his message, he added, “You ran a good race, my friend.”

Kirk had been instrumental in boosting Vance’s prominence in Republican circles, including throwing his weight behind Vance’s successful run for the vice-presidential nomination in 2024.

{Matzav.com}

The FBI has made public two images of a person they are seeking in connection with the assassination of conservative leader Charlie Kirk.

The blurry pictures reveal someone dressed in dark clothing, including a long-sleeve black shirt, pants, a hat, and sunglasses.

In a statement accompanying the photos, the FBI requested assistance from the community. “We are asking for the public’s help identifying this person of interest in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University,” the Salt Lake City field office posted on X.

Later in the day, the FBI announced it is putting up to $100,000 on the table for information that can help lead to the capture and identification of the killer.

The announcement came not long after officials revealed that significant evidence had been collected from the crime scene at Utah Valley University, including the firearm used in the killing and clear surveillance footage.

According to FBI agent Robert Bohls, a “high powered, bolt-action rifle” was discovered in a wooded location the shooter ran toward after carrying out the attack on Kirk.

Bohls, who heads the FBI’s Salt Lake City office, also reported that investigators retrieved “a footwear impression, a palm print and forearm imprints for analysis.”

He added, “We’re not sure how far he has gone yet.”

Utah’s Commissioner of Public Safety, Beau Mason, confirmed, “We do have good video footage of this individual.”

However, Mason explained that “we are not going to release that at this time,” unless the suspect cannot otherwise be identified.

Although police declined to share detailed characteristics of the suspect, Mason noted the man “blended in well with the college” and “appears to be of college age.”

Mason further described how the gunman showed up on campus just before noon, positioned himself on a rooftop overlooking the area where Kirk was speaking, and after firing the fatal shot, moved across the building, leapt down, and escaped into a nearby neighborhood.

That same morning, law enforcement clarified that two individuals initially taken into custody were no longer considered linked to the shooting.

“There are no current ties to the shooting with either of these individuals,” the Utah Department of Public Safety said Wednesday night.

“There is an ongoing investigation and manhunt for the shooter,” the agency added.

The fatal bullet was fired from roughly 200 yards away, striking Kirk in the neck as he addressed the crowd from a tent on campus, according to Utah Valley University.

President Donald Trump was the one to deliver news of Kirk’s passing, honoring him as a “truly Great American Patriot.”

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

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But for over 20,000 children from secular homes and communities, the day ends before it begins. Not because they don’t want to learn. Not because their parents don’t care. But because without a bus, a Torah school is out of reach.

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Your $1 a day fills the gap — and puts a child on the bus to Torah.
https://www.chinuchatzmai.org

During his remarks at the 9/11 memorial, President Donald Trump revealed that Charlie Kirk will be honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

“Let me express the horror and grief so many Americans at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk have felt,” Trump said in his speech before turning his focus to the anniversary of 9/11. “Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty, and an inspiration to millions and millions of people.”

The president extended words of comfort to Kirk’s family. “Our prayers are with his wonderful wife, Erika, and his beautiful children: Fantastic people they are. We miss him greatly.”

Trump emphasized that Kirk’s message would continue to influence generations despite his tragic death. “Yet, I have no doubt that Charlie’s voice and the courage he put into the hearts of countless people, especially young people, will live on.”

He concluded by announcing the forthcoming award. “I’m pleased to announce that I will soon be awarding Charlie Kirk, posthumously, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The date of the ceremony will be announced, and I can only guarantee you one thing. That we will have a very big crowd. Very, very big. Thank you.”

{Matzav.com}

The Israeli Hamodia newspaper launched a sharp attack this morning following the split within the chareidi factions during Wednesday’s Knesset vote on the “defense funding package.”

The divide was evident within Agudas Yisroel: party chairman MK Yitzchok Goldknopf cast his ballot against the budget, while MKs Meir Porush and Yisroel Eichler chose to abstain — a move that allowed the bill to pass by a narrow margin.

The vote took place in a special recess session after Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu applied heavy pressure on coalition partners, focusing in particular on United Torah Judaism. Within Degel HaTorah, all MKs abstained in line with the directive of their leadership, Rav Dov Landau and Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, who ruled that a security budget could not be toppled because of pikuach nefesh considerations.

Behind the scenes, MK Moshe Gafni was in direct contact with the Prime Minister’s Office while simultaneously consulting with the gedolim, who instructed him to abstain “demonstratively.”

Agudas Yisroel, however, showed a more divided front. Goldknopf had publicly declared in advance that he would vote against, but Porush and Eichler, after consultations with their rabbonim, opted instead to abstain. The result was a serious internal rift within the party.

Hamodia’s report accused Netanyahu of exploiting these divisions: “Netanyahu succeeded in splitting the chareidi representation, and the budget law passed — despite his failure to honor the written and signed commitment to secure the status of Torah learners.”

The newspaper went further, asserting that the Prime Minister “achieved his goal without advancing the legislation that would safeguard the position of yeshiva students.”

In addition, Hamodia announced that, as a result of the Knesset vote, the nationwide prayer rallies planned in protest of the draft law were being postponed. “It is impossible on the one hand to abstain or support the government’s budget, and on the other hand hold demonstrations against that same government,” the paper wrote.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Dear Matzav Inbox,

While learning today’s Daf Yomi, I was struck once again by how timeless Chazal’s words are. In Maseches Horiyos (10a), Rav Yehoshua turns to Rabban Gamliel with a sharp reminder: “You have two talmidim — Rav Elazar Chisma and Rav Yochanan ben Gudgeda. They are capable of analyzing the most intricate details of tekufos and gematrios — yet they have no bread to eat, no clothing to wear.” Their brilliance was unmatched, yet their pockets were empty.

Rabban Gamliel, recognizing the truth of this, immediately elevated them, appointing them to positions that gave them honor and support.

I believe that the Gemara is teaching us far more than a historic anecdote about two great Amoraim. It’s reminding us of a fundamental principle: mezona lo bizchusa talya milsa, ela b’mazala talya milsa — sustenance does not come because of one’s merit, but because of one’s mazel.

This is such a vital perspective for our generation. How often do we — consciously or subconsciously — equate a person’s financial situation with their worth, their intelligence, or their diligence? Someone with wealth is assumed to be successful, clever, or even blessed with special favor. Someone struggling to make ends meet is, unfairly, thought of as less capable, less deserving, or simply not trying hard enough. But Chazal tell us: that is not how the Ribbono Shel Olam runs the world.

Parnassah is not a barometer of chochmah. It is not a measuring stick of madreigah. The same Gemara that records Rav Elazar Chisma’s brilliance also records his poverty. The Torah world is filled with people of immense talent and burning dedication who carry the crushing burden of financial hardship. And it is filled with people of modest learning who live with great material wealth. Neither extreme is an indicator of merit or lack thereof.

This should humble us. It should also soften us. When we meet someone struggling with parnassah, let us not cast silent judgments about their “choices” or their “worthiness.” When we meet someone with great wealth, let us not assume their spiritual standing is higher or lower because of it. Mezona lo bizchusa talya milsa — parnassah is in Hashem’s hands, determined by His will, His mazel, His cheshbon.

And perhaps most of all, it should remind us to treat every Yid with respect and dignity, whether they walk in with an expensive suit or worn-out shoes. Rav Yehoshua’s call echoes across the generations: see the greatness in others, even if their pockets are empty.

Y. D. K.

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{Matzav.com}

A former Israeli prime minster has warned Israel will attack any country that harbours anyone it sees as responsible for the death of Israelis. Naftali Bennett told Yalda Hakim there would “no safe haven”, adding: “You cannot kill Jews and think you can get away with it.”

WATCH:

Dear Matzav Inbox,

There are moments in life when words fail to capture the depth of gratitude one feels. I recently experienced such a feeling, and I feel compelled to share it, not because my story is unique, but because it is yet another testament to the boundless chesed of Klal Yisroel.

Several weeks ago, my family and I faced a crisis that shook us to our core. My teenage son was suddenly rushed to the hospital with a medical emergency. It was late at night, my husband was out of town, and I found myself overwhelmed, sitting alone in the emergency room with fear gripping my heart.

And then Klal Yisroel stepped in.

It began with one simple phone call to a neighbor, just to let someone know what was happening. Within minutes, a cascade of kindness poured forth. A woman I barely knew showed up at my house to stay with my younger children so I could focus on my son. A father from our block drove across town in the middle of the night to bring me food and drinks in the ER, saying quietly, “You won’t have the strength to care for him if you don’t take care of yourself.”

By the next morning, word had spread. Hot meals appeared at my doorstep, every one packaged with love. Friends coordinated rides for my children to and from school. Someone slipped an envelope under my door to help cover hospital parking and expenses. Others texted me daily, not just with offers, but with concrete suggestions—“I’ll pick up your laundry today,” or “I’m taking your kids for Shabbos so you can rest.” Each offer was specific, thoughtful, and practical.

Perhaps the most moving moment came on Shabbos, when my son was still in the hospital. I was torn between staying with him and being home with the rest of my family. Without me asking, a rotation of people volunteered to sit by his side over Shabbos. They sang zemiros, learned with him, and simply made sure he didn’t feel alone. When I walked into the hospital room on Motzei Shabbos and saw my son smiling for the first time in days, surrounded by young men who had given up their own comfort, I couldn’t hold back my tears.

This, I realized, is the heartbeat of Klal Yisroel. In times of joy and in times of hardship, no Jew is ever truly alone. We are bound together not just by shared faith, but by shared responsibility.

I write this letter not only to say thank you to the malachim who carried us through those difficult days, but also to remind myself and others: every act of chesed, no matter how small it may seem, creates ripples far greater than we can imagine. The meals, the rides, the visits….they were not just gestures. They were lifelines.

May we always merit to be on the giving end of such chesed, and may we never forget that in lifting up another Yid, we elevate ourselves and all of Klal Yisroel.

Der greste zach in der gantzeh velt iz tzu ton a tovah far a Yid.

With endless gratitude,
A Grateful Mother

To submit a letter to appear on Matzav.com, email MatzavInbox@gmail.com

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{Matzav.com}

A scathing new report reveals that fare and toll evasion cost the MTA around $1 billion in 2024, far exceeding the already shocking figures the transit authority had admitted to, the NY Post reports.

According to the Citizens Budget Commission, the chronically underfunded MTA is poised to lose another $900 million in 2025 due to subway turnstile jumpers, bus riders refusing to pay, and drivers skirting tolls.

“We still need to ensure that all riders pay their fair share and frankly improving fare evasion improve the public’s confidence in the MTA and the system,” said CBC President Andrew Rein.

At the same time, officials at the MTA have chosen to pile new costs onto paying customers. This year they implemented a $9 congestion toll to drive into Manhattan below 60th Street and are weighing a fare hike to $3 for subways and buses.

Flashy attempts to stem evasion — such as spiked barriers, high-tech fare gates, keeping emergency exits locked, hiring security guards, and even commissioning a $1 million study on the psychology of freeloaders — have done little to curb the problem.

The watchdog group argues that cutting down on fare evasion is crucial to narrowing the agency’s persistent $800 million annual operating deficit.

Yet the analysis cautions that the MTA’s own bookkeeping may underplay the size of the problem.

CBC researchers note that the authority’s published numbers consistently come in lower than their independent estimates.

“The MTA’s estimate, often reported as $700 to $800 million, is lower because it assumes a larger share of individuals who evade the fare would not have paid anyway than CBC’s,” according to the study.

The report explains that the MTA excludes from its tallies certain riders it assumes wouldn’t pay regardless — such as children, students with OMNY passes, or others entitled to free rides.

Broken down by mode of transit, the CBC found in 2024 the MTA lost $568 million on buses, $350 million on subways, no less than $46 million on commuter rail, and about $51 million from unpaid tolls.

All told, the $918 million loss was more than three times the $305 million the agency lost in 2019, before the pandemic disrupted ridership.

“Every minute during 2024, 330 subway fares and 710 bus fares were evaded,” the analysis states, stressing that the MTA and police could never realistically stop every instance.

There was one encouraging sign: heightened enforcement in late 2024 coincided with a steady decline in lost revenue, even as more riders returned to the system.

Still, Rein warned that the progress shouldn’t mask the staggering scale of the problem.

“From one perspective it’s good to see that reduction, from the other perspective we’re still seeing $900 million in losses, which is equivalent to three rounds of fare increases. And frankly these numbers are three times what they were before the pandemic,” he said.

The CBC urged the agency to move faster on installing next-generation faregates, expand proof-of-payment systems on buses, coordinate with the city on policing strategies, and broaden participation in the Fair Fares Program for low-income riders.

“Fare evasion is not victimless,” Rein said. “When people evade fares it really puts more of the burden on everybody else, everyone else who is paying the fare, the toll.”

{Matzav.com}

A retired FBI official believes the killer who targeted Charlie Kirk selected a rooftop that offered both a clear shot and a quick escape route, allowing them to be “miles and miles away” not long after pulling the trigger.

Law enforcement reported that the shooter, who was still at large as of early Thursday, fired the lone deadly round from the top of the Losee Center Building at Utah Valley University. The building stood roughly 200 yards from where Kirk was sitting in a temporary tent addressing a crowd of 3,000.

“If you come off that roof — and I’ve seen the drone footage of this — there’s an open-air parking lot behind that building,” retired FBI supervising agent James Gagliano explained on “Fox and Friends.”

“So this is a big concern because this person, within three to five minutes of that shot going off, that person could have been in a vehicle on his way out and miles and miles away,” he said.

“Provo airport’s only about 45 minutes from there,” he added, noting that the assassin might have quickly fled the state as well.

Kirk, 31, a husband and father of two, was struck in the throat while speaking outdoors on Wednesday. The shot sent panicked students running and screaming as he collapsed to the ground bleeding.

Video captured right after the shot was fired seems to show a small, dark figure leaping and dashing across a rooftop in the distance while the audience ducked in fear.

Another recording, filmed earlier, depicts a dark form lying flat on the same rooftop where the sniper was later positioned, as bystanders below speculated about what they were seeing. Moments later, the shot was fired at Kirk.

“People are suggesting this was a professional hit. And yet from that distance, we’re talking a little over 500 feet, just short of 200 yards, that’s not a tough shot with a rifle, if this suspect had a scope,” Gagliano said.

“It’s a very easy shot.”

US Army Sergeant Nicholas Ranstad, a decorated sharpshooter, echoed that assessment, calling it an “easy shot” and saying there was no reason to assume the gunman was highly trained, making the case even harder to solve.

Ranstad, who once held the American record for the longest confirmed sniper kill in Afghanistan, criticized the lack of security at the university, describing it as “a buffet for someone who wanted to kill someone.”

“When you have events like that, you look at the security, if you push 250, 300 yards, it’s an easy shot,” he said.

“Not to mention out in the open, wind is low out in the country. It’s not like in the city, where a bullet flying past the buildings will move more,” Ranstad added.

According to UVU Police Chief Jeff Long, only six campus officers were assigned to the event, working in tandem with Kirk’s private security staff.

Kirk was transported to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind his wife and two young children.

In the immediate aftermath, investigators detained two people for questioning but later released both of them.

Even so, Gagliano expressed confidence that the manhunt would soon yield results, predicting authorities would have the shooter in custody before the end of the day Thursday.

{Matzav.com}

Investigators revealed Thursday morning that the person who killed Charlie Kirk was a young adult who appeared to fit in with college students before climbing to a rooftop and firing a single round with a bolt-action rifle.

According to Beau Mason of the Utah Department of Public Safety, the shooter reached the Utah Valley University campus at 11:52 a.m. on Wednesday, less than thirty minutes before taking the fatal shot at the Turning Point USA event that ended Kirk’s life.

Officials confirmed they are in possession of surveillance recordings showing the suspect, though they stressed the footage will not be made public at this stage.

Robert Bohls, the FBI’s Special Agent in Charge, stated that the firearm used in the attack was located in a wooded area near the school. He also noted that the Bureau has already received upwards of 130 leads connected to the case.