10 hospitalized after propane tank explodes at Florida strip mall
At least 12 injured after tree falls during commencement ceremony
Diablo Valley College said the tree has since been removed.
President Donald Trump spoke before this year's U.S. Military Academy graduates as their commencement speaker on Saturday amid the administration's crackdown on diversity initiatives and removal of key military leaders.
Trump addressed the crowd while wearing a red "Make America Great Again" hat and brought a few graduates on the stage as he praised their achievements.
The president and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have called for major changes to military academies since assuming office as part of the administration's rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and these changes took center stage in Trump's speech.
In February, shortly after Hegseth was confirmed by the Senate, West Point disbanded several student clubs, including the National Society of Black Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers, the Latin Cultural Club and the Native American Heritage Forum.
President Donald Trump addresses graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point in Michie Stadium, on May 24, 2025, in West Point, NY.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
MORE: West Point disbands student clubs related to gender and race
The changes were made "in accordance with recent Presidential Executive Orders, Department of Defense guidance, and the Department of the Army guidance," according to a memo obtained by ABC News.
Also in February, Trump, who avoided being drafted during the Vietnam War due to what he claimed were bone spurs, dismissed the boards of visitors of military academies, claiming without evidence that the schools were "infiltrated by Woke Leftist Ideologues."
PHOTO: President Donald Trump and US Military Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Steven Gilland listen to the national anthem at the 2025 graduation ceremony at the US Military Academy West Point ,on May 24, 2025, in West Point, New York.
President Donald Trump and US Military Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Steven Gilland listen to the national anthem before Trump delivers the...Show more
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
This winter, 381 books, many of which were written by Black authors or discussed the history of racism, were removed from U.S. Naval Academy libraries because of an order issued in a Pentagon memo.
The memo mandated that military services were to submit and remove book titles from the libraries of their military educational institutions that touch on diversity, race and gender issues using the Pentagon's specific search terms.
All but 20 of the books that were initially removed were returned this week, according to the school.
Former West Point teachers and other military members have criticized Trump and Hegseth for the orders, contending that such programs did not inhibit the values, training and education of the academies.
President Donald Trump delivers the commencement address at the 2025 US Military Academy Graduation Ceremony at West Point, New York, on May 24, 2025.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
MORE: Navy reverses course on DEI book ban after Pentagon review
"These were brazen demands to indoctrinate, not educate," Graham Parsons, a West Point professor wrote in a May 8 guest essay in the New York Times.
"Whatever you think about various controversial ideas -- Mr. Hegseth’s memo cited critical race theory and gender ideology -- students should engage with them and debate their merits rather than be told they are too dangerous even to be contemplated," he added.
In this Oct. 26, 2014, file photo, West Point Military Academy campus is shown.
John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images, FILE
MORE: Military academies criticized for removing DEI-related books from libraries
Two protests are planned during the ceremony, one outside West Point's gate and another on the Hudson River involving people on boats, according to organizers.
The president and his Cabinet have promoted their work with the military and attended several events honoring members, in which they have touted high recruiting numbers.
Earlier this month, Trump hosted military mothers at the White House with first lady Melania Trump and second lady Usha Vance to celebrate Mother’s Day.
Next month, Trump plans to showcase the military and honor service members with a parade throughout Washington, D.C.
He will join veterans, active-duty troops, wounded warriors, Gold Star families and people from across the country as part of America's 250th birthday celebration.
Organizers intend to commemorate the legacy of the U.S. Army while looking ahead to the next 250 years of American patriotism and the military.
In this June 13, 2020, file photo, President Donald Trump delivers the commencement address at the 2020 US Military Academy Graduation Ceremony at...Show more
Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images, FILE
Trump last spoke to the school in 2020, and his appearance drew questions about his health. He was seen slowly walking down a ramp and appeared to have trouble drinking water from a glass while speaking.
The president, who has frequently criticized the health of his Democratic opponents, brushed off the criticism in a post on Twitter, now X.
"The ramp that I descended after my West Point Commencement speech was very long & steep, had no handrail and, most importantly, was very slippery," he wrote, despite the weather being sunny during the ceremony.
ABC News' Michelle Stoddart and Kelsey Walsh contributed to this report.
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Education
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Ten people were injured after a propane gas tank exploded at a Florida strip mall, causing a partial building collapse, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said.
Fire officials received reports of an explosion at the strip mall in Florida City at 8:51 a.m. local time, Erika Benitez, a spokesperson for Miami Dade Fire Rescue, said.
Eight of those injured were transported to a local hospital, Benitez said. Two of the people injured were considered "trauma alerts" and they were transported to a local trauma center, Benitez said.
PHOTO: Miami-Dade Fire Rescue vehicle
STOCK IMAGE/Getty Images
Canine units at the scene checked and found no additional patients inside the structure, Benitez said.
Local businesses were not open at the time of the explosion, she said.
The incident remains under investigation.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates
10 hospitalized after propane tank explodes at Florida strip mall
There was also a partial collapse of the building
Ten people were injured after a propane gas tank exploded at a Florida strip mall, causing a partial building collapse, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said.
Fire officials received reports of an explosion at the strip mall in Florida City at 8:51 a.m. local time, Erika Benitez, a spokesperson for Miami Dade Fire Rescue, said.
Eight of those injured were transported to a local hospital, Benitez said. Two of the people injured were considered "trauma alerts" and they were transported to a local trauma center, Benitez said.
PHOTO: Miami-Dade Fire Rescue vehicle
STOCK IMAGE/Getty Images
Canine units at the scene checked and found no additional patients inside the structure, Benitez said.
Local businesses were not open at the time of the explosion, she said.
The incident remains under investigation.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.


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