PREPARED CITIZEN INTELLIGENCE BRIEF
Thursday, August 7, 2025 | 0925 CDT
Analyst Insight
The U.S. remains in a fragmented security posture today. A military shooting at Fort Stewart, a bomb threat in Illinois, and renewed calls to federalize Washington, D.C. highlight a tense domestic backdrop. Infrastructure strain continues—especially in Texas and Arizona—while cyber intrusions target law enforcement. Internationally, Nigeria, Sudan, and Mexico present escalating threats to regional and global stability. Tropical threats in the Atlantic are active but not yet imminent for U.S. territory.
1. Domestic Security & Civil Unrest
Fort Stewart, Georgia – Five soldiers were shot at the headquarters of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team by Army Sergeant Quornelius Radford. He was tackled and detained by fellow soldiers. All five victims are hospitalized; three underwent surgery. The base was locked down but has since resumed normal operations.
Washington, D.C. – President Trump proposed federalizing the District of Columbia after a DOGE staffer, Edward Coristine, was brutally beaten during a carjacking. Only two of the attackers have been apprehended. Federalization would likely overhaul or dissolve local law enforcement structures.
St. Charles, Illinois – A bomb threat at the Q-Center hotel prompted the evacuation of 400 people on the morning of August 6. A bomb squad found no device. The site was cleared and reopened later that morning.
No major protests, riots, or 2A-related doxxing events have been reported in the last 24–36 hours.
2. Infrastructure & Grid Alerts
Texas (Houston) – Ongoing complaints about repeated power surges and equipment damage. CenterPoint Energy seeks a $1.3 billion rate hike tied to storm recovery. Public Utility Commission complaints are increasing.
Arizona (Phoenix, Scottsdale) – A car crash and blown fuse triggered two separate outages during peak heat (116°F), affecting 350 APS customers on August 6. Power was restored late evening.
Minnesota – A cyberattack targeting North St. Paul PD business systems was traced to a phishing email. While services like 911 were unaffected, some personal data may have been compromised.
Freeborn County, MN – Over 2,000 customers lost power during overnight storms. As of 10:30 a.m., only 56 remained without service.
New Jersey – A fire aboard a PATH train at Newport Station prompted evacuation. Service resumed hours later. The cause is under investigation.
United Airlines (Nationwide) – A system-wide IT glitch triggered a ground stop on August 6. Flights resumed by late afternoon, but widespread delays persisted.
3. Extreme Weather & Natural Hazards
Tropical Storm Dexter – Currently in the central Atlantic. Tracking northwest with no current U.S. threat.
Invest 96L – A tropical wave off Africa has a 60% chance of developing into a tropical cyclone. Ensemble models suggest a northward recurvature, but a few outliers suggest westward motion.
Yellow X Disturbance (SE Coast) – A smaller system off the Southeast U.S. has a 30% chance of development. Likely to stay offshore, but will be monitored.
Severe Storm Risk – Northern Plains –
Enhanced Risk (Level 3/5) over central North Dakota and northwest Minnesota.
Threats: Large hail, damaging winds, isolated tornadoes.
Preparedness: Charge devices, monitor warnings, avoid travel after 3 p.m. CDT.
Houston, TX – Heat index hit 111°F on August 6. Little to no rain expected through the weekend.
No major hurricanes, floods, tornados, or earthquakes directly affecting the U.S. were reported. One 5.7-magnitude quake occurred in the Dominican Republic.
4. Border & Immigration
Cartel Sanctions – Treasury sanctioned members of Cartel del Noreste on Aug. 6, including rapper El Makabelico. His royalties were allegedly used to launder cartel funds. YouTube and Spotify have begun removing accounts.
Smuggling Tactics – Cartels increasingly use legal border crossings, hiding fentanyl in commercial vehicles. 80%+ of seizures now occur at ports of entry.
Census Debate – House Republicans renewed pushes to exclude illegal immigrants from apportionment calculations. California and Texas would be most affected by proposed changes.
DHS Statement – DHS honored victims of violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants in an Aug. 6 release, pledging to prioritize removals of criminal non-citizens.
5. Church, Mission & Civilian Safety
No verified attacks or kidnappings involving U.S. missionaries, pastors, or aid workers globally in the past 24 hours.
6. International Flashpoints
Africa
Nigeria – 60+ civilians abducted in coordinated raids in Zamfara.
Sudan – Accuses UAE of hiring Colombian mercenaries for RSF.
Ethiopia – Oromia conflict continues; medical systems near collapse.
Middle East & North Africa
Iran – Executed two men (one accused of Mossad ties, one ISIS-linked).
Israel–Lebanon – Airstrike killed Hizbollah™ cell leader in Bekaa.
Asia-Pacific
China – Chikungunya outbreak: 7,000+ cases in southern industrial zones.
India – Flooding in Uttarakhand has caused fatalities and blocked relief routes.
Antarctica – NZ Air Force completed emergency evacuation of 3 Americans.
Europe
Bosnia & Herzegovina – Dodik removed from office; ethnic tensions expected to rise.
Lithuania – Two drone incursions from Belarus; NATO aid requested.
Turkey – Parliament reopens peace talks with PKK.
Western Hemisphere
Mexico – Senior prosecutor assassinated in Reynosa; migrant activist detained before caravan launch.
Bolivia – On brink of sovereign default amid supply shortages.
Colombia–Peru – Tensions over Amazon border island spark dispute.
Dominican Republic – 5.7 quake shakes region; no major damage reported.
7. Supply Chain & Liberty Watch
Espionage Arrest – Army soldier Taylor Adam Lee, 22, was arrested for attempting to sell defense secrets, including Abrams tank data, to Russia. He allegedly handed over an SD card with sensitive material.
Airline IT Failures – United Airlines’ August 6 ground stop caused over 1,200 delays. The issue has been resolved, but it highlights vulnerabilities in travel infrastructure.
No major port closures, fuel strikes, or food shortages reported in the last 24 hours.
Signals to Monitor
Rising tension around federal oversight of Washington, D.C., could trigger legal and civil responses.
Increasing use of cyber attacks on public agencies (e.g. North St. Paul PD) suggests evolving domestic cyber threats.
Power grid instability in Texas and Arizona continues under extreme heat stress.
International cartel sanctions may trigger retaliatory actions in Mexico or at U.S. border crossings.
India trade conflict with U.S. could escalate under BRICS alignment dynamics.
Preparedness Action Items
Northern Plains – Secure outdoor items, review shelter locations, charge phones. Prepare for power loss.
Gulf Coast / East Coast – Monitor NHC updates on Invest 96L. No U.S. threat yet, but track changes quickly.
Cyber Hygiene – Update passwords, verify email sources. Expect continued phishing attempts on local gov systems.
Travel – Expect airline schedule recovery delays from the United Airlines outage. Monitor gate changes.