National

An armed man who tried to break into the FBI building in Cincinnati on Thursday leading to a lockdown in the nearby area has been shot and killed by police.

Driving the news: The man, whom officials have yet to publicly identify, was wearing body armor. He was shot after he raised a gun toward officers around 3:40pm, according to Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The FBI in Cincinnati confirmed he tried to breach the visitor screening facility at the building. They fled the scene after a response from special agents.

The bureau said Ohio State Highway Patrol and local law enforcement were on the scene "trying to resolve this critical incident."

An earlier statement from the Ohio Department of Public Safety said the suspect had unknown injuries. No officers or bystanders were injured.

Details: Ohio DPS said Ohio state troopers responded to an alert of an armed man who fled from the FBI office building in Cincinnati.

Law enforcement said they found the suspect's vehicle near Interstate 71. The suspect fled in the vehicle and a pursuit began.

"Once troopers got behind the vehicle, the suspect fled and a pursuit ensued. While behind the vehicle, a suspected gunshot was fired from inside the suspect’s vehicle," Ohio DPS said in a statement emailed to Axios.

The suspect then left the vehicle and gunfire was exchanged with law enforcement, authorities said. 

What they're saying: The FBI said was now reviewing the case.

Brian O'Hare, president of the FBI Agents Association, condemned violence against federal agents in a statement Thursday.

"The threats made recently contribute to an atmosphere where some have, or will, accept violence against law enforcement as appropriate. It is not," O'Hare said.

"This is not a partisan or political issue," O'Hare added. "It is a matter of public safety and basic decency. Calls for violence against law enforcement are unacceptable, and should be condemned by all leaders."

The big: The Clinton County EMA confirmed buildings in Clinton County went into an immediate lockdown.

Police closed I-71 and State Route 73 in both directions in Clinton County due to the police activity, WLWT reports.

Go deeper: FBI chief expresses alarm at rise in politically driven violence in U.S.

Editor's note: This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

Armed man who tried to breach Cincinnati FBI office dead after police standoff

Officials said law enforcement "traded shots" with a male suspect wearing body armor.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Politics & Policy

The armed man who attempted to break into the FBI building in Cincinnati has been identified as Ricky Shiffer, the Ohio Department of Safety said Friday.

Why it matters: Shiffer, who was shot and killed after a standoff with police, was allegedly at the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection, the Associated Press reports. He was not charged with any crimes related to Jan. 6.

The 42-year-old man from Columbus, Ohio, is suspected to have had ties to extremist groups, including the Proud Boys, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The FBI did not immediately return Axios' request for comment.

Details: Shiffer appeared to have posted messages on Truth Social, former President Trump's media platform for conservatives, about attempts to gain access to the FBI building, according to screenshots of the account @RickyWShifferJr.

"Well, I thought I had a way through bullet proof glass, and I didn't.  If you don't hear from me, it is true I tried attacking the F.B.I., and it'll mean either I was taken off the internet, the F.B.I. got me, or they sent the regular cops while," the account posted shortly after the break-in attempt on Thursday.

The user also called for people to prepare themselves for "combat" in the days after the FBI searched Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence for classified materials.

"We must not tolerate this one," said one post. Another urged people to kill the FBI "on sight, and be ready to take down other active enemies of the people and those who try to prevent you from doing it."

Catch up quick: Ohio state troopers pursued the suspect after he took off in a vehicle, the state's Department of Safety (DPS) said in a statement Thursday.

"While behind the vehicle, a suspected gunshot was fired from inside the suspect's vehicle."

The suspect then left the vehicle and "gunfire was exchanged" with law enforcement, DPS said.

Go deeper ... FBI chief expresses alarm at rise in politically driven violence in U.S.

What we know about the FBI Ohio office attack suspect

It appears he posted messages on Trump's Truth Social before the FBI office breach.

Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The armed man" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/08/11/fbi-cincinnati-armed-breach" data-vars-content-id="6afa9550-78b3-4c0c-91e5-7c4f550e0184" data-vars-headline="What we know about the FBI Ohio office attack suspect" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/08/11/fbi-cincinnati-armed-breach" target="_self">The armed man</a> who attempted to break into the FBI building in Cincinnati has been identified as Ricky Shiffer, the Ohio Department of Safety said Friday.Why it matters: Shiffer, who was shot and killed after a standoff with police, was allegedly at the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Associated Press" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/fbi-office-shooting-suspect-killed-eb85e9faa93612fc54fb15639075d0fe" data-vars-content-id="6afa9550-78b3-4c0c-91e5-7c4f550e0184" data-vars-headline="What we know about the FBI Ohio office attack suspect" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/fbi-office-shooting-suspect-killed-eb85e9faa93612fc54fb15639075d0fe" target="_blank">Associated Press</a> reports. He was not charged with any crimes related to Jan. 6.

Florida has moved to prohibit transgender residents from using Medicaid to pay for gender-affirming care.

The big picture: Florida joined at least 10 other states — including Texas, Arizona and Missouri — in barring residents from using Medicaid to pay for the medications and surgeries prescribed to those diagnosed with gender dysphoria, the Washington Post reports.

These medical treatments often include hormone therapy and puberty blockers.

Details: The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration added the new language Thursday. The new rules for the state's $36.2 billion Medicaid program will take effect on Aug. 21, Politico reports.

Brock Juarez, the communications director for AHCA, said in an emailed statement to Axios that "several services for the treatment of gender dysphoria... are not consistent with widely accepted professional medical standards and are experimental and investigational with the potential for harmful long term affects."

What they're saying: "Since taking office we have seen a dangerous mix of politics and medicine from doctors in the Biden administration and many of our medical societies across the United States," Simone Marstiller, the secretary of AHCA, said in a statement emailed to Axios.

 "They have often traded their oath to do no harm in exchange for political gain. 

"It is imperative for states like Florida to step up and ensure our focus remains on the actual evidence, rather than the eminence of a medical society or association."

Catch up quick: Last week, Florida's medical board took a step toward creating guidelines that would prohibit minors from receiving hormone therapy and undergoing surgeries because of gender dysphoria, Axios previously reported

The board approved holding workshops, gathering data and speaking with experts in order to build a standard of care.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration asked the state's medical board in June to ban transition-related care for transgender minors.  

Between the lines: Major medical organizations such as the American Medical Association and American Psychiatric Association have endorsed gender-affirming care as standard and accepted medical treatment for years.

The AMA has asked governors to oppose state legislation on gender transition-related care for minor patients, saying it is “a dangerous intrusion into the practice of medicine."

Transgender and nonbinary identities "are normal variations of human identity and expression," the AMA said.

Understanding of transgender health care continues to evolve as doctors remain divided on the issue, Axios' Tina Reed reports.

Florida to block use of Medicaid for gender-affirming care

The new rules for the state's Medicaid program will take effect on Aug. 21.

 Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at a press conference.

 Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at a press conference. Photo: Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Florida

Florida has moved to prohibit transgender residents from using Medicaid to pay for gender-affirming care.The big picture: Florida joined at least 10 other states — including <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas" data-vars-click-url="https://transhealthproject.org/resources/medicaid-regulations-and-guidance/texas/" data-vars-content-id="726f3fde-cadc-42ba-916f-4c0646f8c9a1" data-vars-headline="Florida to block use of Medicaid for gender-affirming care" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://transhealthproject.org/resources/medicaid-regulations-and-guidance/texas/" target="_blank">Texas</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arizona" data-vars-click-url="https://transhealthproject.org/resources/medicaid-regulations-and-guidance/arizona/explicit-exclusion/" data-vars-content-id="726f3fde-cadc-42ba-916f-4c0646f8c9a1" data-vars-headline="Florida to block use of Medicaid for gender-affirming care" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://transhealthproject.org/resources/medicaid-regulations-and-guidance/arizona/explicit-exclusion/" target="_blank">Arizona</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Missouri" data-vars-click-url="https://transhealthproject.org/resources/medicaid-regulations-and-guidance/missouri/explicit-exclusion/" data-vars-content-id="726f3fde-cadc-42ba-916f-4c0646f8c9a1" data-vars-headline="Florida to block use of Medicaid for gender-affirming care" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://transhealthproject.org/resources/medicaid-regulations-and-guidance/missouri/explicit-exclusion/" target="_blank">Missouri</a> — in barring residents from using Medicaid to pay for the medications and surgeries prescribed to those diagnosed with gender dysphoria, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Washington Post" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/08/11/florida-transgender-medicaid/" data-vars-content-id="726f3fde-cadc-42ba-916f-4c0646f8c9a1" data-vars-headline="Florida to block use of Medicaid for gender-affirming care" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/08/11/florida-transgender-medicaid/" target="_blank">Washington Post</a> reports.

The U.S. faces a range of health care flashpoints — unaffordable drugs, opioids, vaping — as we debate whether to adopt universal care. For now, the Affordable Care Act is the law of the land, but Republicans want to issue it a final death blow.

Health

Trader Joe's workers in downtown Minneapolis on Friday voted to unionize, marking the second victory for Trader Joe's United in less than three weeks, HuffPost reports.

The big picture: A Massachusetts Trader Joe's became the first store to unionize at the end of July. These victories come as employees at other major national retailers — including Starbucks and Amazon — have voted to unionize in recent months.

Driving the news: Trader Joe's workers on Friday voted 55-5 to join the Trader Joe's United union, calling on the retail chain to create a contract with the store, per the HuffPost.

Sarah Beth Ryther, who helped lead the union efforts in Minneapolis, said that workers are hoping to receive better wages while also keeping workers safe, according to the Minnesota Reformer.

“In many ways, Trader Joe’s is a really good place to work,” Ryther told the nonprofit news outlet. “But there are a lot of problems that we would like to address and we think a union would help us do that.”

What's next: A Trader Joe's store in Boulder, Colorado, has filed for a union election, too, according to the Washington Post.

Trader Joe's has more than 530 locations nationwide, CNBC reports. 

Massachusetts Trader Joe's becomes first store to unionize

Amazon workers' union victory is turbocharging a new labor movement

Trader Joe's store in Minneapolis votes to unionize

The vote marks the second victory for Trader Joe's United in less than three weeks.

A signage on a shopping cart at the Trader Joe's store.

Signage on a shopping cart at the Trader Joe's store. Photo: Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Labor unions

Trader Joe&#x27;s workers in downtown Minneapolis on Friday voted to unionize, marking the second victory for Trader Joe&#x27;s United in less than three weeks, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="HuffPost reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trader-joes-workers-unionize-second-store-minneapolis_n_62f4181ae4b095e7887d1c38" data-vars-content-id="7dab81f5-dda3-4603-8d22-6442ee5f61a6" data-vars-headline="Trader Joe&#x27;s store in Minneapolis votes to unionize" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trader-joes-workers-unionize-second-store-minneapolis_n_62f4181ae4b095e7887d1c38" target="_blank">HuffPost reports</a>.The big picture: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Massachusetts Trader Joe&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/07/28/trader-joes-hadley-first-store-unionize" data-vars-content-id="7dab81f5-dda3-4603-8d22-6442ee5f61a6" data-vars-headline="Trader Joe&#x27;s store in Minneapolis votes to unionize" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/07/28/trader-joes-hadley-first-store-unionize" target="_self">Massachusetts Trader Joe&#x27;s</a> became the first store to unionize at the end of July. These victories come as employees at other major national retailers — including <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Starbucks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2022/07/28/union-station-starbucks-closing-sunday" data-vars-content-id="7dab81f5-dda3-4603-8d22-6442ee5f61a6" data-vars-headline="Trader Joe&#x27;s store in Minneapolis votes to unionize" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2022/07/28/union-station-starbucks-closing-sunday" target="_self">Starbucks</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Amazon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/04/06/amazon-union-vote-starbucks-labor-jobs" data-vars-content-id="7dab81f5-dda3-4603-8d22-6442ee5f61a6" data-vars-headline="Trader Joe&#x27;s store in Minneapolis votes to unionize" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/04/06/amazon-union-vote-starbucks-labor-jobs" target="_self">Amazon</a> — have voted to unionize in recent months.

After a record economic expansion, the coronavirus pandemic sent the U.S. economy into a recession as unemployment soared to staggering heights. The country now faces urgent questions about how much stimulus is needed for reeling consumers and businesses, and what a recovery might look like.

Economy & Business

A judge on Friday reportedly denied a request to dismiss the Manhattan tax fraud case against the Trump Organization and its longtime chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg.

Why it matters: Friday's denial allows the case to move forward to a trial in October, the New York Times reports. 

The big picture: The decision came after former president Donald Trump suffered another legal blow earlier this week when the FBI searched his Florida home at Mar-a-Lago in a separate criminal investigation.

Catch up quick: Last year, the Manhattan district attorney’s office charged Weisselberg and the Trump family business for allegedly engaging in a 15-year scheme to defraud state and federal tax authorities by compensating top executives with "off the books" perks.

Weisselberg and the Trump Organization tried to get the charges dismissed in February, claiming that they were politically motivated, the Times reports.

Details: Judge Juan Merchan dismissed one of the tax fraud counts, per CBS News, but allowed the remaining 14 to stand.

Merchan also granted a hearing to hear Weisselberg's arguments to suppress statements he made while in custody in July 2021 after he surrendered himself to authorities, per CNN.

Go deeper: Presidential Records Act and Trump search explained

Judge denies Trump Organization attempt to dismiss tax fraud case

Trump suffered another legal blow earlier this week when the FBI searched his Florida home at Mar-a-Lago in a separate criminal investigation.

Former Trump Organization chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg leaves

Former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg after a hearing on Aug. 12. Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Trump Organization

A judge on Friday reportedly denied a request to dismiss the Manhattan tax fraud case against the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump Organization" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/07/01/trump-organization-manhattan-da-charges-tax" data-vars-content-id="e04f38f1-60b8-46be-a192-2f41ef5f2379" data-vars-headline="Judge denies Trump Organization attempt to dismiss tax fraud case" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/07/01/trump-organization-manhattan-da-charges-tax" target="_self">Trump Organization</a> and its longtime chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg.Why it matters: Friday&#x27;s denial allows the case to move forward to a trial in October, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the New York Times reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/12/nyregion/trump-weisselberg-investigation-plea.html?partner=slack&amp;smid=sl-share" data-vars-content-id="e04f38f1-60b8-46be-a192-2f41ef5f2379" data-vars-headline="Judge denies Trump Organization attempt to dismiss tax fraud case" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/12/nyregion/trump-weisselberg-investigation-plea.html?partner=slack&amp;smid=sl-share" target="_blank">the New York Times reports</a>.

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Trader Joe's store in Minneapolis votes to unionize

Florida to block use of Medicaid for gender-affirming care

Judge denies Trump Organization attempt to dismiss tax fraud case

What we know about the FBI Ohio office attack suspect

Armed man who tried to breach Cincinnati FBI office dead after police standoff