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By Aileen Graef, CNN

(CNN) — The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is planning to potentially print a commemorative $250 bill with the image of President Donald Trump to mark the country’s 250th anniversary.

A Treasury Department spokesperson confirmed the plans in a statement, saying it was conducting “appropriate planning and due diligence” in response to “active legislation.”

“Should this legislative mandate be signed into law, the BEP is moving proactively to produce a $250 commemorative note which will appropriately recognize the 250th Anniversary of our great nation,” the spokesperson told CNN.

Republican Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina has introduced legislation that would “symbolically recognize the President of the United States during the Semiquincentennial anniversary,” per a press release from Wilson’s office. The legislation has languished in Congress and there’s no evidence it would be passed.

In fact, putting the image of a living person on US currency is not authorized by US statute. An exception to that law would have to be authorized by Congress. CNN has reached out to the designer of the mockup of the bill for comment.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins during a White House press briefing that he didn’t think there was “anything untoward” about having Trump on a commemorative bill. But, he added, it was “up to” Congress if the bill became a reality.

The design, as reported by the Washington Post, resembles one that GOP Rep. Andy Barr of Kentucky posted on X in January. It showed a stern portrait of Trump with the colors of the flag, the “250” logo and the president’s signature.

The Treasury spokesperson confirmed Trump’s signature is on the potential currency.

“Based on the recommendation of U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach, Secretary Bessent will recognize the historic achievements of our great country and President Trump by adding his signature to the currency,” the spokesperson said.

They also noted that no tax dollars were used, since the agency is self-sustaining and doesn’t rely on congressional appropriations.

The story has been updated with additional developments.

CNN’s Kit Maher contributed to this report.

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Por Harmeet Kaur, CNN

Equipos de construcción comenzaron esta semana a trabajar en la edificación de una “jaula” en el jardín de la Casa Blanca. La estructura arqueada de una arena deportiva temporal ya se eleva sobre el edificio neoclásico como una montaña rusa en un parque temático.

Durante más de tres décadas, la jaula —una estructura octagonal de malla metálica recubierta de vinilo— ha sido el escenario oficial de las artes marciales mixtas, en las que combatientes de distintas disciplinas se enfrentan bajo reglas frecuentemente brutales y reducidas a su mínima expresión. En abril, el presidente viajó a Miami para sentarse junto a la jaula en un evento de Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC, por sus siglas en inglés), donde abrazó al director ejecutivo de la organización, Dana White, su amigo y aliado, y observó atentamente a través de la reja mientras los peleadores derramaban sangre.

Ahora Trump organizará su propio espectáculo de combate para conmemorar el 250 aniversario de Estados Unidos y su cumpleaños número 80. El 14 de junio, también Día de la Bandera, la jaula instalada en la Casa Blanca será el escenario del evento UFC Freedom 250, en el que el georgiano Ilia Topuria y el estadounidense Justin Gaethje se enfrentarán en una pelea por el título destinada a marcar el aniversario de la firma de la Declaración de Independencia.

Los aficionados de la UFC conocen la jaula como el Octágono. Imágenes compartidas por la compañía el fin de semana pasado muestran la Casa Blanca en primer plano junto a la estructura característica, con su malla negra y lona acolchada de color claro, diseñada para resaltar la sangre derramada. En esta recreación del evento, dos luchadores representados de forma ambigua se enfrentan dentro de la jaula, mientras espectadores sentados alrededor observan. La Banda del Cuerpo de Marines de Estados Unidos se ubica bajo el Pórtico Sur. La bandera estadounidense ondea al fondo.

Esta jaula, proclama la imagen, es Estados Unidos.

¿Por qué llamar jaula al ring? Las jaulas se usaban originalmente para contener aves u otros animales y, por extensión, para confinar y castigar a los humanos. A finales del siglo XIX, el término “jaula” adoptó diversos significados en el deporte: la portería de hockey o la estructura donde los jugadores de béisbol practicaban bateo. Los primeros partidos de baloncesto se jugaban dentro de recintos cerrados con redes o mallas metálicas, y durante décadas los periodistas deportivos siguieron llamando “cagers” a los jugadores.

Pero el verdadero antecedente del Octágono de la UFC podría ser la jaula de lucha libre. En la década de 1930, la lucha libre profesional utilizó jaulas para aumentar el valor de entretenimiento de combates guionizados, explica Michael Thomsen, autor de “Cage Kings: How an Unlikely Group of Moguls, Champions & Hustlers Transformed the UFC into a $10 Billion Industry”. Colocar un combate en una jaula transmitía a los espectadores la idea de que el caos no podía contenerse en un ring convencional. Las primeras jaulas se construían con malla de gallinero, hasta que en la década de 1980 comenzó a utilizarse acero.

En los años 80, Art Davie, un vendedor de autos convertido en ejecutivo de publicidad en el sur de California, recibió el encargo de crear una campaña de marketing para la cerveza Tecate, explica Thomsen. Propuso una idea con la que esperaba atraer a consumidores más jóvenes: una serie de televisión patrocinada por Tecate en la que luchadores de distintas disciplinas y tamaños se enfrentaran entre sí.

Mientras investigaba la propuesta, Davie encontró un artículo sobre el maestro brasileño de jiu-jitsu R

By Bianca Betancourt, CNN

(CNN) — Mayor Zohran Mamdani, like many politicians, often leans on the ease of uniform dressing. Since being elected as one of New York City’s youngest (and first Muslim, first South Asian) mayor late last year, the city official has become synonymous with sleek but simple suiting — mainly sporting affordable two-pieces from Suitsupply. But every now and then, Mamdani throws on a surprise alternative, like the Carhartt workwear jacket, personalized with a vintage New York City logo, that he wore during the city’s relentless winter storms.

To celebrate the start of Eid al-Adha (the Muslim religious holiday that honors the importance of unwavering faith, submission, and charity), Mamdani joined hundreds of Muslim New Yorkers for a public prayer in the Bronx, just steps outside of Yankee Stadium, wearing a sporty take on a traditional kurta. (Whether the garment is best described as a South Asian kurta or a Middle Eastern thobe – which is typically ankle-length – is a matter of debate online.)

Mamdani has made no secret of the fact that he’s a fervent soccer fan and that his English Premier League team of choice is none other than Arsenal —who won the Premier League title last week and could be crowed European champions on Saturday. While the crowd that surrounded Mamdani for the occasion wore traditional garments in a number of varying colors including seafoam greens, deep purples, and classic white linen detailed with shimmering gold embroidery, Mamdani’s inventive jersey easily drew the most attention. It was designed to look like the team’s blue away shirt with lightning bolt patterns and Adidas’ classic three-stripes running along the sides. Taking credit for the design online, co-founder of the Arsenal fan club Brooklyn Invincibles, Jason Andrew, said the “custom kurta” resulted from a collaboration with his longtime tailor and had been inspired by his own family’s “seamstress legacy.”

Mamdani knew what he was doing. The decision to wear the bold outfit grabbed headlines, helping to shine light on the holiday itself while reinforcing his down to earth image — what could be more relatable than proudly repping your favorite team? He was joined by US representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for the outing, where he spoke about Eid’s core theme of sacrifice and its role in his mayoral mission.

“Today as we honor Prophet Ibrahim, Eid al-Adha reminds us that sacrifice is not a burden. It is an opportunity to see ourselves as part of something larger. To extend a hand to those who need it most,” Mamdani wrote on X. “I am honored to be New York City’s first Muslim Mayor and I am determined to lead through solidarity. Together, we are working to ensure every New Yorker can afford the groceries, housing, and child care they need.”

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SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - The United States of America will celebrate its 250th anniversary in just a few weeks on the Fourth of July, and the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo is getting an early jump on the festivities.

During its five-day run, the Elks are commemorating the big occasion with a number of red, white and blue themed tributes, including its traditional American flag parachute jump.

Once again, each of the five performances will begin with a giant American flag brought into the Event Center arena by parachutist Brian Naiman right before the singing of the National Anthem.

"It is a huge honor," said Naiman. "I'm honored to be able to do it, to be able to represent it, and present it to everyone. All the patriotism that goes with it and to just see what it means to people and the joy and the pride that it brings to them. I've walked out of some arenas and I've had veterans come up to me with tears in their eyes, thanking me for what I do and it has just touched me so deeply in my heart that I get to do that for people."

A native of Michigan, Naiman now resides in Woodland, near Sacramento and is co-owenr of Skydance Skydiving.

During his 15-year skydiving career, he's made over 5,000 jumps and performs regularly at rodeos and other events in the Western United States.

This marks the fourth straight year Naiman has performed at the Elks Rodeo, which he calls one of his favorite events to take part in.

"This is such a beautiful arena," said Naiman. "It's a beautiful town and a beautiful community, and just getting to be in the sky and look out of the plane, and see the ocean and see the ground, and see the rodeo stands, and all these people down here waiting for me to come in, it's just amazing and spectacular."

While the weather was less than ideal for Naiman's first jump of the week on Wednesday night, Mother Nature cooperated at the last moment and allowed him kick off this year's rodeo with a dramatic arrival in cloudy conditions.

"Last night, as we were taking off from the airport it was pretty overcast over there," said Naiman. "To be honest, we weren't sure if it was going to happen. So we took off and we were able to find some blue holes and get up over the clouds and find the arena. Fortunately, we were graced with a nice blue hole over the arena. We were able to come down. I had to kind of skirt around the edge of a cloud, but made my way right into the center of the arena here."

The Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and Parade will be held May 27-31 31 at the Elks Event Center, located just off of Santa Maria Way on the east side of Highway 101.

For more information about the rodeo, or to purchase tickets, visit elksrec.com.

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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara Humane returned to your Morning News this week with a new and shiny gem, sweet puppy Peridot!

Named after the vibrant, green gemstone, two-month-old Peridot was born in a litter of five, along with his sisters Diamond and Sapphire. Chief Operating Officer of Santa Barbara Humane, Dori Villalon, says the bulldog-mix is the perfect cuddly and sleepy addition to any home.

While adopting puppies can be intimidating, Dori says Santa Barbara Humane can get you the help to make it a smooth ride. With services like private trainings and online classes, vaccine clinics, and free advice from a certified trainer, Santa Barbara Humane makes it easy to give dogs like Peridot a home.

June 6th is California Adopt-a-Pet day and to celebrate Santa Barbara Humane will be at Santa Maria Pride Fest at the Santa Maria Fair Park, waving all adoption fees for that day only.

The organization will also be hosting at night of 'Bingo for Bottles' at Carr Winery in Santa Barbara. Buy a Bingo Card ($5 each) for a chance to win bottles of Carr Wine. 100% of proceeds from all bingo card sales will go directly to Santa Barbara Humane.

For more information on events, Peridot, and all other available animals visit Santa Barbara Humane.

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