YouTube held liable + Memphis crime plummets — Sen. Marsha Blackburn speaks out

A sweeping law enforcement crackdown in Memphis has led to a dramatic drop in crime, with overall offenses down 43% since last fall, according to new data.

Senator Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., who joined former President Donald Trump on a recent visit to the city, called the turnaround a “clear example” of what can happen when federal, state and local officials coordinate on public safety.

The Tennessee Republican said the effort began after she raised concerns during confirmation hearings for federal officials, helping spur a multi-agency task force launched in September. Since then, authorities have made more than 9,000 arrests, recovered hundreds of illegal weapons, and located roughly 150 missing children.

“That overall crime drop is really quite amazing,” Blackburn said. “People in Memphis are saying, ‘let’s keep it going.’”

Beyond crime, Blackburn also pointed to a recent California jury verdict finding Meta and YouTube liable in a social media addiction case involving children and teens.

Blackburn, a longtime advocate for stricter online protections, said the ruling reinforces her push for the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which aims to regulate how platforms design their products.

Blackburn also weighed in on an ongoing standoff in Congress over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), warning that failure to pass a funding measure could keep impacting agencies including FEMA, the Secret Service, Coast Guard and TSA.

She criticized Democrats for backing away from a bipartisan appropriations deal and opposing a narrower measure to fund the Transportation Security Administration.

#marshablackburn #memphis #crime #socialmedia #dhs #governmentshutdown #tsa #meta #publicsafety

--------------------------------------

The National Desk (TND) brings you award-winning local storytelling from Sinclair Broadcast Group's local TV newsrooms across the United States and feeds from sources throughout the world.

Like us on Facebook for live feeds, video

Follow us on Instagram

Follow us on TikTok

Follow us on X

Read more & watch our videos

TND covers content from Sinclair's stations in:

Abilene-San Angelo, TX : KTXS

Albany, GA : WFXL

Albany, NY : WRGB

Amarillo, TX : KVII

Asheville, NC : WLOS

Austin , TX : KEYE

Bakersfield, CA : KBAK/KBFX

Baltimore : WBFF

Beaumont, TX : KFDM/KBTV

Birmingham, AL : WBMA

Boise, ID : KBOI/KYUU

Bristol, VA : WCYB

Cedar Rapids, IA : KGAN/KFXA

Champaign, IL : WCCU

Charleston, SC : WCIV

Charleston, WV : WCHS/WVAH

Chattanooga, TN : WTVC

Cincinnati, OH : WKRC/WSTR

Columbia, SC : WACH

Columbus, OH : WSYX/WTTE

Dayton, OH : WKEF/WRGT

El Paso, TX : KFOX/KDBC

Eugene, OR : KVAL/KMTR

Eureka, CA : KAEF

Flint, MI : WEYI/WBSF

Fresno, CA : KMPH

Gainesville, FL : WGFL

Green Bay, WI : WLUK

Greenville-New Bern, NC : WCTI

Harlingen, TX : KGBT

Harrisburg, PA : WHP

Jefferson City, MO : KRCG

Johnstown, PA : WJAC

Kalamazoo-Grand Rapids, MI : WWMT

Kirksville-Ottumwa, IA : KTVO

Las Vegas, NV : KSNV

Lewiston, ID : KLEW

Lincoln, NE : KHGI/KWNB

Little Rock, AR : KATV

Lynchburg, VA : WSET

Macon, GA : WGXA

Medford, OR : KTVL

Mobile, AL : WPMI

Myrtle Beach, SC : WPDE

Nashville, TN : WZTV

Oklahoma City : KOCB/KOKH

Pasco, WA : KEPR

Pensacola, FL : WEAR/WFGX

Portland, ME : WGME/WPFO

Portland, OR : KATU/KUNP

Providence, RI : WJAR

Quincy-Hannibal, IL : KHQA

Redding-Chico, CA : KRCR

Reno, NV : KRNV/KRXI

Rochester, NY : WHAM

Salt Lake City : KUTV

San Antonio, TX : KABB/WOAI

Savannah, GA : WTGS

Seattle, WA : KOMO/KUNS

Sioux City, IA : KMEG/KPTH

South Bend, IN : WSBT

Springfield, IL : WICS

Steubenville, OH : WTOV

Syracuse, NY : WSTM

Toledo, OH : WNWO

Traverse City, MI : WPBN

Tulsa, OK : KTUL

Washington DC : WJLA

West Palm Beach, FL : WPEC

Wilkes-Barre, PA : WOLF

Yakima, WA : KIMA

This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information contact us at contentsales@sbgtv.com