PREPARED CITIZEN INTELLIGENCE BRIEF
August 4 2025 | 07:30 CDT
Analyst Insight
The past weekend was marked by isolated acts of violence, severe weather, expanding wildfire emergencies, and a major labor strike in the defense sector. Conditions remain volatile but not chaotic. Extreme heat and storms are stressing infrastructure and raising fire danger, while a large strike could ripple through the aviation supply chain. Vigilance on cyber and scam activity is warranted as agencies warn of phishing. Overall posture: watchful and strained.
1. Domestic Security & Civil Unrest
Montana bar shooting manhunt – Police in Anaconda, Montana, continued searching for Michael Paul Brown, suspected of killing four patrons at The Owl Bar on Aug. 1. Brown, 45, is considered armed and dangerous; authorities believe he knew the victims. A reward of $7,500 has been offered, and portions of public land were closed during the search.
Portland, OR shooting – Portland Police reported that shortly after 2 a.m. on Aug. 3, officers monitoring a crowd of about 100 people in the Old Town neighborhood heard gunfire. Responding officers found a man critically injured and a woman with non‑life‑threatening wounds; about 50 people surrounded officers and obstructed their access. Both victims were hospitalized (one hospital briefly locked down). No arrests had been made.
Texas traffic fatality – A crash on Interstate 35 near Farm to Market 2482 in Bell County, TX, at 3:25 a.m. Aug. 3 killed one person and closed southbound lanes. Texas Department of Public Safety troopers are investigating; lanes reopened around 1 p.m.
No major unrest or active‑shooter events – Beyond the incidents above, there were no credible reports of protests, riots, terrorist attacks, or large brawls in the U.S. during the past 72 hours.
2. Infrastructure & Grid Alerts
Flight disruptions and flooding – Severe thunderstorms on Aug. 3 caused widespread flight cancellations and delays across the Plains. Dallas‑Fort Worth recorded at least 25 cancellations and 685 delays, while Denver International had 79 cancellations and 882 delays. Flash flooding struck Ruidoso, New Mexico, prompting rescues and a federal disaster declaration.
Cyber scam alert – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) warned travelers of phishing scams posing as TSA PreCheck enrollment. The agency urged applicants to use only the official tsa.gov/precheck site; scammers are sending fake emails/websites to harvest personal information and fees. The Federal Trade Commission echoed the warning, advising first‑time applicants to pay in person and avoid online payments.
No major power‑grid or water disruptions – As of 07:00 CDT, there were no reports of widespread blackouts, brownouts, pipeline leaks, or water contamination beyond routine localized outages.
3. Extreme Weather & Natural Hazards
Western heat dome and wildfires – A growing heat dome over the western U.S. is pushing temperatures past 100°F and worsening drought. The Dragon Bravo Fire near the Grand Canyon has burned more than 110,000 acres; Utah’s governor declared a statewide wildfire emergency. The National Interagency Fire Center reported 40,945 U.S. fires burning 3,253,963 acres so far this year.
Colorado Elk Fire – Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency for the Elk Fire near Meeker after the blaze jumped from roughly 600 to 3,000 acres between July 2 and Aug. 3. Evacuations were ordered along County Road 8; hotshot crews and state resources have been deployed.
Wildfire‑linked smoke – New fires (Lee Fire ~700 acres, Grease Fire ~1,000 acres) ignited by lightning in western Colorado threatened oil‑and‑gas infrastructure, adding to smoke hazards.
Russian volcanic eruption – The Krasheninnikov volcano on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula erupted Aug. 3 for the first time in centuries, sending ash 3.7 miles high. The eruption was accompanied by a 7.0‑magnitude earthquake and triggered tsunami warnings (later lifted) for parts of Kamchatka. Moderate explosive activity could continue.
New Jersey earthquake – A rare magnitude 3.0 earthquake near Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, on Aug. 2 rattled portions of New York City but caused no injuries or major damage.
4. Border & Immigration
No accessible official or verified reports of mass crossings, cartel violence, or large‑scale deportation actions were found for the period since Friday morning. Border operations appear routine.
5. Church, Mission & Civilian Safety
There were no verified reports of attacks, kidnappings, or harassment of U.S. missionaries or church workers overseas during the reporting window.
6. International Flashpoints
Russia/Asia – volcanic and seismic activity – As noted above, the Kamchatka eruption and accompanying earthquake led to minor tsunami waves reaching Japan and Alaska, briefly raising alert levels.
No major battlefield shifts – No significant military escalations or missile attacks impacting U.S. interests were widely reported during the period.
7. Supply Chain & Liberty Watch
Supply Chain
Defense‑sector strike – More than 3,200 unionized Boeing defence workers in Missouri and Illinois walked off the job at midnight on Aug. 4 after rejecting a contract proposal. The workers build F‑15 fighter jets and other military aircraft. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said the strike was about pay, schedules, and pensions; it is the first walkout at Boeing’s defence division since 1996. Boeing officials downplayed the immediate impact, but prolonged work stoppages could slow production of military aircraft.
No other major supply‑chain disruptions – There were no reports of port closures, trucking strikes, or large food shortages in the past 72 hours.
Liberty & Policy
Texas student cell‑phone ban – A new Texas law (House Bill 1481) took effect for the 2025‑26 school year, prohibiting students from using cell phones, smartwatches, headphones, and other devices during instructional time. Districts must adopt policies by Sept. 18; the devices must be stored in secure pouches or lockers. Exceptions exist for medical or special‑education needs.
No new gun‑law changes or court decisions were widely reported during the window.
Signals to Monitor
Rising temperatures and drought conditions in the western U.S. could trigger additional wildfires and strain power grids.
Weather warnings and severe‑storm alerts across Texas and the Plains, including hail and high winds.
Labour negotiations tied to the Boeing strike; prolonged stoppage could ripple into supply chains for military aviation and subcontractors.
Ongoing manhunt for the Montana bar‑shooting suspect, including any potential sightings or community disruptions.
Phishing scams imitating government programs (e.g., TSA PreCheck); watch for similar scams targeting other agencies.
Preparedness Action Items
Heat and wildfire safety – If you live in or plan to travel to the western U.S., limit outdoor activity during peak heat, stay hydrated, and follow local fire restrictions. Prepare for smoky conditions by having N95 masks and air purifiers.
Storm readiness – Residents in North Texas and surrounding areas should secure outdoor items, park vehicles under cover, and be prepared for hail, strong winds, and localized power outages. Keep flashlights, batteries, and a weather radio accessible.
Travel vigilance – When enrolling in programs like TSA PreCheck, navigate directly to official government websites (ending in “.gov”) and avoid paying fees online unless you are renewing. Report suspicious emails to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Emergency kit review – Maintain a household emergency kit with food, water, flashlight, first‑aid supplies, radio, simple tools, matches/candles, and at least three days’ worth of necessary medications. Identify a family meeting place and ensure phones and radios are fully charged during weather alerts.
Stay informed – Monitor official alerts from local emergency management, NOAA Weather Radio, and credible news sources. Consider owning a hand‑crank radio or ham radio for backup communication.
Preparedness Focus of the Day
Bug‑In Essentials (Option Gray) – When sheltering in place due to storms, wildfires, or civil unrest, have a clear family plan and kit. We advise designating an indoor meeting area and fully charging all communication devices. Basic supplies should include food, water, a flashlight, first‑aid kit, a battery‑ or crank‑powered radio, cash, simple tools, matches/candles, and at least a three‑day supply of essential medications. Keep the kit in an accessible location and review procedures regularly. Source: Option Gray – How to Bug‑In.