Free Republic

<p>An armed woman crashed her car into a barrier near the White House on Friday, briefly sending it into lockdown, authorities said.</p> <p>Jessica R. Ford, 35, of La Vergne, Tenn., — about 20 miles southeast of Nashville — barreled through a barrier at 17th and E Streets NW near the Old Executive Office Building while holding a pistol, police said.</p>

A Tennessee woman who was convicted last year of trying to climb a White House barrier was arrested again Friday after authorities said she drove a vehicle into a barricade near the executive mansion and was found with a gun in her hand. D.C. police identified her as Jessica R. Ford, 35, of La Vergne, Tenn., about 20 miles southeast of Nashville. Police said Friday night that she was charged with gun possession and other offences. The U.S. Secret Service said a woman driving a white van or SUV “intentionally drove” into the barrier at 17th and E streets NW...

Judge makes historic party switch By BRETT TROXLER btroxler@wbrz.com 2theadvocate.com staff From a report by WBRZ's Summer Jackson A black judge in Baton Rouge announced Wednesday he is switching his political affiliation to the Republican Party. A spokesman for the GOP said Lavergne's switch (first name not given) is the first time in the modern era that a black elected official made such a change. Lavergne said the way he looks at it, he did not leave the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party left him. "If you are labeled a Democrat you will be for more taxes, more spending by...