Maj. Gen. Janeen Birckhead of Maryland only became a soldier to help pay for college. Three decades later, she's risen to the top military position in Maryland, leading a force of 4,600 soldiers.

California has set up a permanent task force of National Guard members to do what used to be occasional work fighting and preventing wildfires.

If convicted of the six charges against him, the 21-year-old Air National guardsman could face up to 10 years in prison for each charge.

Daniel Wadham and Danny Randolph, members of the Tennessee National Guard, died in the crash in Madison County, Ala., on Wednesday. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Law enforcement across the country were on alert Friday evening for possible unrest in response to the release of the video footage of the arrest of Tyre Nichols. Nichols was beaten by police during a traffic stop in Memphis on Jan. 7 and died Jan. 10 from his injuries. Protests began shortly after the release of the video Friday evening. Demonstrations began in Memphis, New York City, Atlanta and other cities.

The move comes in response to anticipated trucker convoys that aim to stage protests against pandemic restrictions.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced a new initiative to help schools and child care facilities that are experiencing "extreme" staffing shortages. The plan also taps state employees.

Gov. Andy Beshear said at least 74 people died statewide. The search for survivors has been slow going. Teams must move carefully and methodically as they pick through the rubble of demolished homes.

Some 25,000 National Guard members are in the city where insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol just two weeks ago.

In the wake of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, governors are stepping up security and calling in the National Guard in anticipation of potentially violent protests.

The number represents an uptick in National Guard troops that will be deployed to the area, but it could still fluctuate.

The FBI is warning of protests and potential violence in all 50 capitals ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration. On Wednesday, President Trump urged that there be no violence of any kind.

Police yielded to the almost entirely white mob of pro-Trump insurrectionists as they stormed the Capitol. Protesters for racial justice see a contrast with how their demonstrations were policed.

Kenosha, Wis., police Officer Rusten Sheskey, who is white, shot Jacob Blake seven times in the back in August after Blake slowly walked away from officers and toward a parked vehicle.

Uniformed police are generally not allowed around polling places, and the Pentagon doesn't want to get involved. Still, they're getting ready if things get out of control.