Category: U.S. News

A nationwide investigation has uncovered how for-profit residential facilities treating troubled teenagers are successfully accessing taxpayer-funded special education dollars, despite mounting concerns about safety at these private institutions.

The Associated Press investigation reveals that these facilities, part of what’s known as the troubled teen industry, continue receiving this funding due to a fragmented special education bureaucracy with significant oversight gaps.

These centers employ several strategies to maximize profits, including establishing individual contracts with school districts and enrolling students from other states — tactics that weaken regulatory supervision. Industry experts note these facilities also exploit a broad disability classification and use a network of educational consultants to generate referrals.

Meg Appelgate, who leads Unsilenced, an organization supporting former residential facility attendees, highlighted the lack of standardized regulations governing how these centers gain approval to provide special education services and the absence of transparency when students report abuse.

“It’s a huge issue,” Appelgate said. “It’s simply got too many holes in it and we have to shut it down.”

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act serves as the federal legislation enabling special education funding for residential placements. These services are outlined in each child’s Individualized Education Program plan, known as an IEP, supported by combined funding from local districts, states, and federal sources.

When the AP contacted education departments in all 50 states, officials indicated that individual school districts bear sole responsibility for ensuring proper use of special education funds. Most agencies reported they don’t monitor private residential placements, while states including Colorado and Maine informed the AP they don’t track students sent to out-of-state facilities.

“(C)hildren enter and exit these institutions frequently,” said Chloe Teboe, a spokesperson for the Maine Department of Education.

A 2022 study requested by California lawmakers discovered only half of all states maintain certification processes, with few requiring facility inspections. Most state regulations addressed educational matters while overlooking elements like building safety standards or employee background screening.

This oversight gap becomes problematic as many residential programs depend heavily on students from distant states rather than local enrollees.

Calo Programs, located in Lake Ozarks, Missouri, reports serving children from 30 states as one of the nation’s largest facilities of this type, conducting substantial IEP business with Illinois and California. In 2025, special education funding from these states covered expenses for at least 24 children attending Calo.

Meanwhile, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reported only two in-state students have been placed at Calo over the past ten years.

In a statement, Calo explained its specialized program attracts students nationwide because it effectively serves IEP students, and the company supports thorough external oversight built into district contracts.

“Calo works with a high-volume of school districts across the country, and those districts can attest to the quality of care, instruction, and academic support we provide to all students,” Calo said in a statement.

Jennifer Rodriguez, who directs the San Francisco-based Youth Law Center, described IEP funding as a problematic loophole in California that puts hundreds of vulnerable children at risk.

Her advocacy organization spearheaded last year’s effort to prohibit adoption subsidies from funding out-of-state facilities. California had previously banned foster care money for similar placements, yet the California Department of Education reports nearly 300 California students have been out of state during the current academic year.

“Education systems are often under a lot of pressure to meet specialized needs,” Rodriguez said. “They have completely different legal mandates, but you know the risk is the same … they’re exposing youth to the same harm — no matter who is funding them.”

California state Sen. Shannon Grove described communication as “broken” after child welfare systems stopped sending foster children out of state, prompting her to champion new legislation last year requiring education officials to conduct in-person student interviews and maintain quarterly phone conversations on unmonitored lines.

“We don’t even have a face-to-face interview with these kids who could be there for months, even years. That’s completely unacceptable,” Grove said.

Special education funding for residential placement frequently depends on the broad “emotional disturbance” disability classification.

Aaron Rachelle Campbell, a special education professor at Lincoln University of Missouri studying this trend, explained that residential centers are overusing this label, which is so expansive it lacks meaningful definition. The category can encompass anything from severe depression to classroom disruption, while the special education process doesn’t involve medical diagnosis determination.

“We don’t always see signs of it at the level that we would say is a (special education) diagnosis,” Campbell said.

Oregon state Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin worked to address this issue by establishing the country’s first registry for private educational consultants frequently hired to help parents secure IEP funding for placement.

Her 2021 legislation, which prohibited consultants from receiving payment from companies for referrals, faced strong industry opposition, including from Calo’s parent company, Embark Behavioral Health, which operates multiple facilities.

“Their argument was that without the education consultants, they would go out of business,” Gelser Blouin said.

Gelser Blouin also reported independently contacting the Embark admissions hotline that year to understand their position and was immediately directed to educational consultant contacts.

“So you go to the consultant and $10,000 later, they make a recommendation to you, which likely will include one of the facilities that is with Embark or many of those facilities,” Gelser Blouin said. “It’s this whole big racket.”

Calo disputed having any financial arrangements with educational consultants.

“In all cases, our relationship with referral partners is focused solely on supporting the families they refer to our care,” the company said in a statement.

Imy Wax, an educational consultant working in the Chicago area, stated that she and other credible professionals associated with the Independent Educational Consultants Association would never accept company payments for referrals.

She noted the current increase in families seeking IEP funding for residential programs has occurred alongside significant cost increases for such placements.

“What I’m seeing is that parents are financially frightened,” Wax said. “I see much more leaning into the school system than I did in the past.”

During this week’s news cycle, several notable developments captured attention across different sectors, according to a recent news quiz summary.

The pontiff directed criticism toward artificial intelligence technology, marking another instance of religious leadership weighing in on modern technological advances.

In the automotive sector, a luxury vehicle manufacturer made its initial move into the electric vehicle marketplace, signaling continued industry shifts toward electrification.

Additionally, a first lady generated headlines with an unexpected statement, adding to the week’s collection of surprising political commentary.

The quiz format highlights these diverse stories spanning technology policy, business developments, and political news from the past week.

Despite living in an era where physical paper plays a diminished role compared to previous generations, vintage paper collectibles continue to captivate enthusiasts. At a recent paper show in Pennsylvania, younger collectors who grew up in the digital world were spotted browsing for vintage postcards and comic books.

The event showcased how paper ephemera maintains its appeal even among those who have never known a world without smartphones and tablets. These collectors, born into the digital age, are finding value and interest in tangible pieces of history that previous generations once used in their daily lives.

A devastating blast at a Dallas apartment building has claimed the lives of at least three individuals, including one child, according to local officials. Emergency responders continue searching the scene as authorities warn additional casualties may be discovered.

The deadly incident occurred at a residential complex in the Texas city, though officials have not yet released details about what caused the explosion or the current condition of other residents who may have been affected.

DES MOINES, Iowa — A former school district leader in Iowa’s most populous district will discover Friday the length of his prison term for making false citizenship claims and unlawfully having weapons. His incarceration would precede expected deportation proceedings.

Ian Roberts, who hails from the South American nation of Guyana, entered guilty pleas in January to both charges, which could result in up to 20 years behind bars. Defense attorneys are requesting probation “to facilitate his removal from the United States,” while federal prosecutors seek a 37-month prison term — slightly more than three years — based on court filings.

Federal authorities accused Roberts of knowingly working without proper employment authorization throughout nearly his entire 20-year tenure in city school systems and providing a fake Social Security card when hired to lead the Des Moines public schools, an organization educating 30,000 students.

The remarkable case has spanned the academic year from Roberts’ September 26 arrest through Friday’s sentencing proceedings. Des Moines Public Schools announced last month it updated its conflict-of-interest guidelines following an audit that revealed Roberts directed district contracts to a consulting company where he had employment ties, confirming earlier Associated Press reporting from weeks after immigration authorities apprehended him.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers targeted Roberts and conducted a traffic stop while he drove his district-provided Jeep Cherokee. Officials say he attempted to escape before state troopers helped locate him. Law enforcement discovered a loaded firearm wrapped in cloth beneath the vehicle’s seat along with $3,000 in currency. Investigators found three additional weapons when searching his residence.

Defense lawyers stated in court papers that Roberts devoted his American life to serving the public and, while he failed to follow federal regulations, posed no danger to community safety. Following Roberts’ marriage to an American citizen, his legal team explained, immigration officials rejected his application for permanent residency because he hadn’t revealed a previous arrest. Roberts claimed he believed disclosure wasn’t necessary since prosecutors had dismissed those charges.

“While Dr. Roberts tried to adjust his status three more times, this initial mistake by Dr. Roberts sealed his fate,” his attorneys wrote. “In the background of his career for the next 24 years, this denial of his adjustment of status haunted Dr. Roberts like a ghost, eventually derailing his life and career.”

Numerous individuals wrote character references supporting Roberts to challenge his public portrayal and highlight his positive contributions. His defense team emphasized he likely faces removal to Guyana, where he will “be left without his career, without his wife, without his children, in a country where he has not lived for thirty years,” they wrote. “While it is the correct outcome, it is also going to already be incredibly harsh on Dr. Roberts.”

Federal prosecutors stated Roberts “placed his self-interest above the law and the duty he owed the public he served.” In seeking the three-year term, prosecutors outlined years of intentional misrepresentation regarding his immigration status. They indicated uncertainty about which documents Roberts used to demonstrate work eligibility from 2008 onward, years before receiving temporary authorization in 2018, but noted he “deliberately obtained employment without work authorization at school after school, within state after state” while aware of his unlawful presence.

Prosecutors maintained this history should influence the judge’s sentencing decision, arguing that potential deportation alone doesn’t justify a lighter punishment.

Roberts “cultivated a public image grounded in integrity, leadership, and authenticity,” prosecutors wrote. Yet, he “engaged in conduct that undermined those values.”

WASHINGTON — The weight of expectations followed Shrey Parikh into the Scripps National Spelling Bee as a top contender, but his self-assurance was evident each time he received a familiar word. When the competition ultimately came down to a lightning-round showdown with Ishaan Gupta, Shrey delivered a decisive performance.

The 14-year-old transformed what had been a tight, high-caliber championship into a commanding victory Thursday evening, blazing through the 90-second “spell-off” and correctly spelling 32 words to claim the title of America’s top young speller. Ishaan managed 25 correct spellings during the tiebreaker round.

Hailing from Rancho Cucamonga, California, Shrey had previously placed third in 2024 but suffered a setback at his school competition last year while fighting illness. Since then, he has dominated spelling competitions, claiming victories in multiple online contests against many of the same competitors he defeated this week in the nation’s capital. His championship prize includes a personalized trophy and $52,500 in prize money.

“Right now I’m probably the happiest I’ve ever been. I’m just so happy and relieved, and just such a flood of emotions,” Shrey said. “At my school bee last year, I was really dejected and just very upset. It didn’t even sink in until the next day. I had a really tough time, but I’m glad I was able to bounce back.”

Ishaan, a 12-year-old seventh-grader from Jersey City, New Jersey, had reached the semifinals previously, exceeded expectations by outperforming seasoned competitors in the finals, and remains eligible for next year’s competition.

Sarv Dharavane, a 12-year-old sixth-grader from Dunwoody, Georgia, claimed third place for the second year running and has two additional opportunities to better that result.

This marks the first time in the competition’s history that both second- and third-place finishers from a previous year have gone on to claim victory. Faizan Zaki captured last year’s title after finishing as runner-up two years prior, just ahead of Shrey, who is his close friend.

Dressed in business-casual attire featuring a dark, long-sleeved collared shirt, khakis and sneakers, the tall Shrey approached the microphone wearing a serious, nervous expression that immediately disappeared when he heard his word from pronouncer Jacques Bailly and nodded enthusiastically — his signature indication that he recognized the word.

When the announcement declared his spell-off victory, Shrey turned and offered his competitor a handshake.

His triumph can be attributed to rigorous preparation. Shrey worked with three coaches: Sam Evans, who has guided each of the last three champions; Sohum Sukhatankar, himself a co-champion in 2019; and Vijaya Ganesh, a veteran coach and mother of a former competitor. He engaged in continuous practice against other elite spellers, studied advanced materials thoroughly, and worked to minimize the factors that had caused the few surprising defeats in his extensive spelling career.

“The school bee last year was a blessing in disguise,” said Shrey’s father, Gaurav Parikh. “That’s very important in life to experience, you know, ups and downs. You’re not going to win everything. You’re going to learn how to deal with setbacks.”

Past competitors, coaches and other experts characterized this year’s finalists as exceptionally talented, and they demonstrated their abilities early by achieving a perfect 18-for-18 start, sailing through the initial spelling and vocabulary segments. Aiden Meng of Orinda, California, broke that perfect streak when he stumbled on “catometope” at the beginning of the second spelling round.

The audience then reacted with surprise when the elimination bell sounded for two contestants considered championship contenders: Oliver Halkett for “Faesulae” and Zwe Spacetime for “vaesite,” words featuring challenging etymological origins and vowel combinations.

The competition’s relocation to Constitution Hall, which had drawn criticism from spellers and their families due to logistical challenges, actually enhanced the event’s energy, with more intimate seating arrangements and improved sightlines bringing spectators closer to the competition.

New television host Mina Kimes of ESPN provided smooth commentary alongside veteran bee analyst Paul Loeffler.

One element absent from the new venue: The traditional confetti shower when the winner was announced. Shrey’s celebration remained subdued and respectful. However, there was no question that he had earned his victory.

“Shrey’s relentless,” Evans said. “I’ve really never seen someone put this much effort into spelling bees and learning everything that he possibly can.”

A 14-year-old student from Rancho Cucamonga, California, claimed victory at the Scripps National Spelling Bee Thursday evening, taking home the $50,000 grand prize after a dramatic spell-off finale.

Shrey Parikh, an eighth-grader, outperformed his competitor by correctly spelling 32 words in a 90-second rapid-fire round. His opponent, 12-year-old seventh-grader Ishaan Gupta from Jersey City, New Jersey, managed 25 correct spellings from the same word list while sequestered during Parikh’s attempt.

The two finalists reached the climactic showdown after successfully navigating 18 rounds without a single misspelling during the final day of competition. Competition officials implemented the spell-off format in 2021 following the 2019 event that concluded with eight co-champions who continued spelling words without error.

According to event organizers, Parikh’s championship word was “bromocriptine,” defined by the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary as “a polypeptide alkaloid that is a derivative of ergot and mimics the activity of dopamine.”

Parikh secured his spot in the spell-off by successfully spelling “Philepitta,” a genus of Madagascan birds, while Gupta matched his performance in the 18th round with “Ertebolle” — referring to an Early Neolithic or Late Mesolithic culture in the Baltic region.

The Scripps National Spelling Bee stands as one of America’s most recognized academic competitions, with roots dating back to 1925 when the Louisville Courier-Journal newspaper launched a national spelling contest for students.

Throughout the years, the competition has transformed into an intensely competitive event attracting hundreds of participants from throughout the United States and internationally.

Participants earn their spots through local and regional competitions, tackling challenging and unusual words by often constructing unfamiliar terms using knowledge of etymology, pronunciation and meaning.

A total of 247 finalists, all 15 years old or younger, participated in the three-day televised national championship at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington.

A federal judge issued a decision Thursday determining that executions using nitrogen gas do not breach the Constitution’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, dismissing claims from an Alabama death row prisoner that the method inflicts excessive pain.

The decision followed the nation’s first comprehensive court trial examining whether this execution technique violates constitutional protections. Eight individuals have been put to death using this method – seven in Alabama and one in Louisiana. The court’s finding allows Alabama and additional states to proceed with nitrogen gas executions and represents a defeat for opponents who anticipated a thorough review of Alabama’s procedures would end its implementation.

This execution technique, initially implemented in 2024, requires securing a breathing apparatus over the condemned person’s face and substituting regular air with pure nitrogen gas, resulting in death through oxygen deprivation. Death row prisoner Jeffery Lee filed the legal challenge last year. The 58-year-old Lee faces execution by nitrogen gas on June 11 at a prison in southern Alabama.

“While Lee establishes that death by nitrogen hypoxia involves some suffering, he fails to show that the protocol is cruel and unusual in violation of the Eighth Amendment,” U.S. District Judge Emily C. Marks wrote.

Legal representatives for both the state and Lee disagreed about the duration inmates remain conscious during nitrogen gas executions. Judge Marks determined the evidence demonstrates Alabama’s procedure “likely causes severe air hunger —the most severe form of breathing discomfort — for one to three minutes” but concluded this did not constitute a constitutional breach.

Lee’s legal team has indicated through court documents they plan to appeal the ruling.

The Alabama attorney general commended the judge’s ruling.

“After the first full trial on nitrogen hypoxia in the entire country, the district court found it to be constitutional. The district court considered all the evidence and concluded that nitrogen hypoxia is not cruel and unusual, affirming that the question of capital punishment belongs to the people and their representatives, not the courts, to resolve,” Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said.

Condemned individuals executed through nitrogen gas have exhibited varying degrees of trembling during the procedures, with state and defense attorneys disagreeing whether these movements are involuntary responses or indicators of distress. Alabama’s most recent nitrogen gas execution required more than 30 minutes to finish.

Judge Marks observed that Lee confronted a difficult legal standard since the U.S. Supreme Court has not determined any state’s execution method constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.

According to the Death Penalty Information Center, five states have approved nitrogen gas for executions, though only two have actually implemented it.

Lee received a capital murder conviction for the deaths of Ellis and Thompson on Dec. 12, 1998, close to the small community of Orrville, Alabama. Prosecutors stated Lee entered a pawn shop carrying a sawed-off shotgun and fatally shot Jimmy Ellis, the shop’s owner, and Elaine Thompson, an employee.

A jury decided 7-5 that Lee should receive life imprisonment. Nevertheless, a judge overturned that recommendation and imposed a death sentence. Alabama eliminated the judicial override practice in 2017 and no longer permits judges to reject jury sentencing decisions in capital cases.

Lee’s attorneys did not provide an immediate response to the decision.

“The real torture of the death penalty is in the decades of waiting. With what we know about each of the available methods of being killed in Alabama or in the U.S., I can’t imagine anyone choosing conscious suffocation,” said Abraham Bonowitz, executive director of Death Penalty Action, a group that opposes the death penalty.

He noted that Lee would not receive the death penalty if sentenced under current law since judicial override has been eliminated.

A woman from Ghana who is expecting a baby has been confined with her young son for over a week in a room without windows at Washington Dulles International Airport, despite entering the country legally, according to her legal representatives.

Annabella Gyasi, 38, and her four-year-old child arrived at the airport last Tuesday with plans to travel to Ohio for medical treatment. The boy, who was born with hand deformities, had a scheduled May 30 appointment at Akron Children’s Hospital to determine if he was ready for surgical intervention, the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia stated in emergency court filings.

The family had previously visited the United States in 2024 seeking medical treatment but returned home when doctors determined the child was not yet old enough for the procedure.

However, U.S. Customs and Border Protection detained both mother and child after Gyasi, who is more than four months into her pregnancy, expressed fears about returning to Ghana due to persecution they had experienced there, her attorneys stated.

“Ms. Gyasi legally traveled to the U.S. to get necessary medical care for her son, but the illegal detention and inhumane treatment that she’s experiencing at Dulles is endangering her son’s health as well as her own,” said Sophia Gregg, senior immigrants’ rights attorney at the ACLU of Virginia.

Federal immigration authorities disputed claims of mistreatment.

“These allegations are false,” the Department of Homeland Security responded. “Everyone in CBP custody, including this individual, has access to appropriate care, including medical evaluation by a doctor, medication, and food.”

During her time in custody, Gyasi has required emergency hospital care on two occasions due to pregnancy-related complications, including bleeding and dizziness, but was brought back to the detention facility each time, her legal team reported. Medical staff during one hospital visit “expressed concern that she was not eating enough in detention and was over-stressed,” according to the civil liberties organization.

The mother repeatedly requested additional food for herself and her child from detention officers but was refused, her lawyers stated.

Concerned about her unborn child’s welfare, Gyasi told officials she would prefer deportation rather than continue without adequate nutrition. Food was provided only after she signed deportation paperwork, her attorneys said.

Her legal team subsequently informed Customs and Border Protection personnel that she had agreed to deportation only due to desperate circumstances.

Court documents from U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema revealed that immigration authorities claimed Gyasi could not legally enter using tourist visas and was being prepared for expedited removal because she had “admitted under oath that she came to the United States in order to seek asylum and her intent was not to leave the United States to return to Ghana.”

Judge Brinkema has scheduled oral arguments for Friday.

A federal judge conducted an extramarital relationship with a senior police officer — including engaging in sexual activity within courthouse chambers during working hours that court staff could hear — and initially denied the conduct before ultimately receiving only a confidential reprimand while staying in position, according to a judicial system investigation.

The 11th Judicial Circuit’s Judicial Council, covering Alabama, Florida and Georgia, issued a February ruling ordering the private reprimand. The United States Judicial Conference’s Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability upheld that decision last week. Authorities did not reveal the judge’s identity or specific courthouse location within the circuit.

While federal judges serve lifetime appointments, they face potential disciplinary measures including censure, public or private reprimands, and temporary case suspensions. Congressional impeachment represents the only removal method.

The investigation determined the judge and the unnamed officer engaged in “sexual intercourse in the judge’s chambers during business hours within hearing distance of staff” and that the judge attended a partisan political gathering. Initially, the judge called these claims “outrageous” and rejected them entirely.

When deciding on the confidential reprimand that protected the judge’s anonymity, the committee considered that the judge withdrew her false denials. The committee also determined the judge would probably not repeat such behavior, noting the relationship had ended and the judge promised to avoid partisan political activities going forward. The committee additionally weighed the judge’s “otherwise exemplary service to the court.”

“Although the special committee is deeply troubled by the conduct in which the judge engaged, the Subject Judge has demonstrated a strong propensity for rehabilitation and continued diligent service to the judiciary,” the committee’s report says.

Lester Tate, an attorney who frequently represents Georgia judges facing state judicial system misconduct charges, characterized the penalty as a “slap on the wrist.”

“I’m shocked that there was not a more severe punishment for the false statements that were made by this judge during the course of the investigation,” he said, adding that he always advises his clients that it is best to tell the truth.

Someone with a lifetime appointment who judges others must be truthful about their own shortcomings, and most people would probably consider “being held up for a little public scorn” fitting in this situation, Tate said.

The investigation began when one of the judge’s law clerks reported the judge had participated in sexual conduct with an officer repeatedly in the judicial office. Additional allegations included improper clerk supervision and an incident where the judge shouted and used profanity toward staff members.

William Pryor, the 11th Circuit’s chief judge, requested the judge address these allegations. The judge responded immediately and “specifically denied” every claim. In a subsequent email the following day, the judge suggested to Pryor that the law clerk might have fabricated the allegations as revenge for mandatory office work requirements. Pryor formed a special investigative committee.

The committee’s examination of entry logs and security recordings revealed an officer had regularly visited the judge’s chambers wearing uniform during lunch periods. Six clerks recalled observing someone matching the officer’s appearance, with three remembering hearing what could have been sexual activity from the judge’s office.

Three clerks remembered bringing summer interns on their initial day to observe the judge conducting a criminal case hearing. Immediately afterward, they informed the committee, the judge refused to have lunch with the interns, admitting to consuming too many martinis the previous evening at a primary election celebration for a district attorney friend.

The clerks reported the judge failed to provide adequate guidance and “rarely, if ever, substantively edited civil orders the clerks drafted.” While clerks described an “eggshell culture,” the committee found no evidence of abusive conduct.

The judge eventually confessed to maintaining an extramarital sexual relationship with the officer but rejected the staff mistreatment allegations, the committee documented. The judge acknowledged attending a “mixer” for former district attorney’s office employees, where the judge previously worked, but claimed it occurred in a separate room from the victory celebration.

The judge also agreed to compose apology letters to six former law clerks, decline the district chief judge position when eligible, and avoid serving on any Judicial Conference committees.

DENALI NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE, Alaska — Emergency teams are working to locate four mountaineers who tumbled down Alaska’s Mount McKinley, the continent’s highest mountain, according to Thursday reports from the National Park Service.

Officials have not determined the status of the fallen climbers after the incident was reported to park rangers during overnight hours, with rescue teams waiting for favorable weather to deploy helicopters to the location, according to an agency announcement. The mountaineers were members of a seven-person expedition.

The remaining three team members provided assistance to those who had fallen before heading back to their base location, the announcement states. The accident happened close to Denali Pass, at approximately 18,200 feet (5,547 meters). The climbing party retreated to what’s called high camp at roughly 17,000 feet (5,181 meters), the announcement states. McKinley reaches approximately 20,310 feet (6,190 meters).

Throughout the years, numerous mountaineering accidents and fatalities have taken place on the route connecting high camp and Denali Pass, primarily due to falls without proper safety equipment, the park reports.

Park officials and mountaineering instructors set up and service snow pickets — devices used to create anchoring systems for additional safety on challenging terrain like steep inclines — along the route from high camp to Denali Pass, according to the park. Mountaineers are encouraged to carry their own pickets should the safety equipment installed by officials and instructors be absent or covered by snowfall.

The park service reported that atmospheric conditions on the peak were getting better and would allow helicopter rescue missions shortly. The department did not provide immediate responses to requests for additional details.

A standard mountaineering period for Mount McKinley starts in late April and runs through mid-July, the park states. Officials could not immediately confirm the current number of climbers attempting the ascent.

On Wednesday, two different climbers were airlifted from the mountain by helicopter at approximately 11 p.m. in an unrelated emergency, though park officials stated they had no further details to provide.

A Manhattan courtroom was notably empty Thursday when Randy Santos received his sentence for the brutal murders of four homeless men he attacked with a metal pipe while they slept on city streets.

No family members or friends were present to share memories of Florencio Moran, Nazario Vásquez Villegas, Anthony Manson, or Chuen Kok, whose lives were cut short during Santos’ violent spree through Manhattan’s Chinatown area nearly seven years ago. Nobody was there to confront Santos directly about his mental illness-driven attacks or witness his apology.

Nobody watched as he received a sentence of 40 years to life behind bars.

“There are no victim impact statements here today. There’s nobody here to tell this court about their lives and how their absence is a loss,” Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Alfred Peterson told Judge Laura A. Ward.

“But I’m certain this court and this city understands the value of every life, and the gift of life that we’re afforded to live and make choices and have free will,” Peterson said, haltingly and emotionally at times. “That gift was taken away by Randy Santos.”

Santos, who was found guilty in February of first-degree murder, sat quietly with his court-appointed attorneys, using headphones to hear a Spanish interpreter translate the proceedings. A Chinatown activist who had organized Kok’s funeral observed from the gallery, sitting near Santos’ family members.

Speaking to the court in English, the 31-year-old defendant asked for a shorter sentence that would give him the chance to “be somebody” once released from prison.

Santos explained to the judge that his mental state — which defense attorneys said had convinced him he needed to murder 40 people or face death himself — “is much better now” thanks to daily medication. He vowed to spend his incarceration completing his education, improving his English skills, and learning job skills.

“I just want to say, I’m very sorry for what I did,” Santos said. “I apologize to the people for what I did. I feel very bad about what I did. I wish it never happened.”

Ward characterized Santos’ situation as representing the “coming together of three horrible symptoms of this city: homelessness, mental illness and narcotics abuse.” She noted these factors “are the constant in all our violent crime cases.”

Peterson described the case as “a study in how the life of a young man can go off track so horribly,” adding that Santos “clearly has his own challenges in life, much like the victims.”

During the trial, Santos’ defense team contended that his schizophrenia diagnosis, which came months prior to the killings, had filled his mind with irrational beliefs and made him violent. They unsuccessfully attempted to persuade jurors that he bore no criminal responsibility for the murders and should receive psychiatric treatment rather than imprisonment.

Since his arrest, Santos has moved between jail and psychiatric facilities multiple times.

“We ask that Mr. Santos not be sentenced to die in prison,” defense lawyer Arnold Levine told Ward, requesting a 20-year to life sentence. “He is not incorrigible or beyond redemption or hope.”

Ward expressed sympathy for Santos but said she struggled with the “difficult time getting past the fact that Mr. Santos targeted the most vulnerable people in our society. People who were doing nothing but sleeping on the street, homeless.”

The prosecution had sought a 50-year to life sentence. Beyond the murder convictions, Santos was also found guilty of attempted murder for attacks that seriously wounded two additional men.

Prior to announcing the sentence, Ward reviewed surveillance footage of the assaults. The video evidence included scenes of Santos repeatedly raising a 4-foot (1.2 meter) metal bar above his head before striking one victim’s head.

Witnesses included a couple on a date who observed Santos attacking another man with the same weapon, which he had picked up from the street, according to prosecutors. The only person to survive the 30-minute attack spree, 49-year-old David Hernandez, who was critically wounded, managed to reach a nearby street where officers were attempting to save another Santos victim.

Officers apprehended Santos while he was still carrying the blood-covered bar. Laboratory analysis revealed his DNA on one end and victims’ blood on the other, prosecutors stated. The victims’ ages spanned from 39 to 83 years old.

Following Santos’ removal from the courtroom in handcuffs, Chinatown activist Karlin Chan expressed that the sentencing provides the community with closure.

“He knew what he was doing,” Chan said, rejecting Santos’ apology as insincere. “At the end of the day here, he’s going to a place where he deserves to be: jail.”

Years of reduced investment in a majority Black St. Louis community made residents particularly susceptible to damage from tornadoes that struck the area last year. Community advocates now express concern that property ownership levels could decline in the aftermath.

The lack of long-term investment in the neighborhood’s infrastructure and housing stock left many homes more vulnerable when severe weather hit the area twelve months ago.

Recovery efforts have been slow to reach the affected community, raising questions about whether residents will be able to rebuild and maintain their properties in the coming years.

Emergency crews responded Thursday to a massive blaze at a Dallas apartment complex that caused at least one building to collapse, sending thick black smoke into the air and covering the ground with debris.

Television footage captured dozens of emergency responders working at the scene. Some directed water hoses at smoldering rubble while others moved charred lumber and debris, appearing to search for anyone who might be trapped beneath. Two firefighters positioned on extended ladders aimed water at the flames from above, while another directed a stream from a window in an adjacent structure.

The cause of the blaze remains unknown, and officials have not released information about potential injuries.

Emergency vehicles including fire trucks, ambulances and police cars with flashing lights filled a nearby street.

Julie Jensen, who lives less than a block away, said she heard what sounded like an explosion that made her ears ring.

“I was sitting on my couch watching TV — stuff flew off our walls,” Jensen said.

After looking outside and seeing smoke rising with neighbors fleeing the area, Jensen grabbed her family’s cat and evacuated to a nearby parking lot where she waited until it was safe to go home.

A spokesperson for Dallas Fire-Rescue did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Dallas Police Department directed all inquiries to fire officials.

NEWARK, N.J. — A confrontation between demonstrators and federal immigration enforcement officers outside a Newark detention facility resulted in six arrests Wednesday evening, as protesters alleged detainees inside are conducting a hunger strike due to substandard conditions.

Video footage and images shared on social platforms showed demonstrators, many donning gas masks and face coverings, forming human chains outside Delaney Hall on Wednesday night.

Activists constructed barriers using trash bins, discarded mattresses, umbrellas and various other items while facing off against U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement personnel. Several demonstrators attempted to prevent people and cars from accessing the facility’s entrance and exit points, hurling orange traffic cones and additional items toward ICE agents positioned at the entrance.

Protesters shouted “You will hang!” and “Every cop, every fed, shoot yourself in the head,” along with other hostile remarks directed at the officers, who were equipped with helmets and tactical gear.

Federal agents deployed pepper spray in an effort to scatter the crowd, based on social media videos. Several officers used batons to strike and push back demonstrators while working to open the roadway for vehicle passage.

One truck operator exited his vehicle to express anger when protesters attempted to obstruct traffic on the street fronting the detention facility. People held inside the building could occasionally be observed gesturing to protesters through Delaney Hall’s windows.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, ICE’s parent agency, reported that approximately six demonstrators faced arrest for attacking law enforcement personnel.

“Assaulting and obstructing ICE law enforcement is a crime and felony,” the agency said in a statement. “Anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Earlier Wednesday, Democratic members of Congress from New York City conducted a tour of the facility as part of oversight responsibilities. A private prison company operates the detention center, located along an industrial section of Newark Bay.

Reps. Jerry Nadler, Daniel Goldman and Adriano Espaillat, who all represent Manhattan, outlined harsh conditions where detainees receive limited portions of frequently rotten food and have their diverse medical requirements neglected.

DHS spokespersons have rejected claims of any hunger strike, mistreatment or substandard conditions within the facility and characterized criticism from adversaries as political theater.

LONGVIEW, Wash. — Search operations continued Thursday as crews looked for nine workers still missing after a catastrophic chemical tank explosion at a Washington state paper mill claimed 11 lives, devastating a tight-knit community where mill work has been a family tradition for decades.

The victims include a devoted grandfather known for his willingness to help others and a 26-year-old newlywed remembered as selfless and compassionate, according to friends who have started fundraising efforts for the grieving families.

Officials have stated there is no possibility of finding survivors from Tuesday’s tank explosion at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. facility in Longview, marking it as one of the most devastating workplace tragedies in recent American history.

The damaged tank released more than 500,000 gallons (1.9 million liters) of white liquor, a highly caustic chemical mixture used in converting wood into specific paper products.

Emergency officials announced Wednesday that the recovery process would proceed carefully and slowly due to ongoing chemical hazards in the area.

The investigation into what caused the disaster remains ongoing, and officials have not yet made public the identities of the deceased workers.

Gilbert Bernal, a grandfather who worked as an electrician at the facility, was identified as the first confirmed fatality by his friend Todd Cornwell.

“He was one of the most genuinely good people that you’ve ever met. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He was always there willing to help in whatever needed to be done,” Cornwell said.

CJ Doran, who was 26, was among those presumed dead, according to a GoFundMe post verified by the crowdfunding site.

He was a husband who was “the spiritual leader of their family, the joy of their home, and the family provider,” the post said.

Eight additional people sustained injuries from the tank failure, including one firefighter. Several victims suffered burns or breathing-related injuries, according to authorities.

The mill’s Japanese parent company, Nippon Paper Group, said in a statement Wednesday that it was offering its “deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families.”

Officials confirmed Wednesday that the chemical spill has not contaminated local air quality or drinking water supplies in Longview and surrounding areas. The city of approximately 40,000 residents sits near the Washington-Oregon border and has strong historical connections to paper and lumber manufacturing. Multiple generations of local families have been employed at area mills, and numerous residents interviewed had relatives or acquaintances with current or past employment at the Nippon Dynawave facility.

Work teams are currently flushing water from drainage areas near the plant and diluting it before directing it into the Columbia River, which runs alongside the mill.

While some contamination has entered the river, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported it has caused no observable impact.

Federal authorities have charged a former high-ranking CIA official with theft and making false statements after allegedly discovering tens of millions of dollars worth of stolen gold bars and cash at his Virginia home.

David Rush, who previously held a senior position at the intelligence agency, stands accused of taking the valuable items from his CIA storage facility. The FBI says the substantial cache of gold and money had disappeared from the secure location but was later recovered during a search of Rush’s residence.

In addition to the theft allegations, investigators claim Rush provided false information about his educational background and military service record. The case highlights security concerns within one of the nation’s most sensitive intelligence organizations.

Rush now faces federal charges as authorities continue their investigation into how such a significant amount of valuable materials could be removed from CIA premises without detection.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minneapolis finds itself in familiar territory once more, grappling with uncertainty after Police Chief Brian O’Hara stepped down following findings that he probably meddled in a misconduct inquiry.

O’Hara came to Minneapolis as an outside hire tasked with transforming the police force following George Floyd’s death in 2020, which resulted in federal and state investigations revealing patterns of excessive force and discriminatory policing. His background included extensive experience in Newark, New Jersey, where he implemented reforms after that city’s department operated under federal oversight due to excessive force violations and unconstitutional practices.

The obstacles facing Minneapolis were evident well before O’Hara took the helm in late 2022. The department’s very existence had been questioned, with more than 43% of residents voting in 2021 to eliminate it entirely as the community struggled with Floyd’s death and the subsequent massive demonstrations and widespread unrest.

Law enforcement specialists had recognized the enormous responsibility awaiting Minneapolis’ incoming police leader, who would need to restore public confidence and revitalize a department whose spirits had fallen so dramatically that officers were leaving in droves.

“I don’t think there was a bigger challenge to any American city than what Minneapolis faced when he arrived,” said Chuck Wexler, executive director of a Washington think tank, the Police Executive Research Forum. “They had gone from 850 to 500 officers, violent crime was significantly up, trust with the community was broken, a police station had burned down and a federal consent decree would face the next chief. Then you had the politics of Minneapolis.”

Taking charge of a major department as an outsider presents significant obstacles, particularly when tasked with transformation and reconstruction, according to Renée Hall, president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives who relocated from Detroit to oversee the Dallas Police Department from 2017 to 2020.

“It’s extremely challenging to walk into an organization, where you don’t even know where the light switches are, where the bathrooms are. And that’s just the basics,” Hall said. “You have to learn the officers, the community, the politics of that particular city, and try to learn and navigate the existing relationships, like unions or officer associations and who is tied to whom and who is fighting for whom.”

Hall explained that external appointments often encounter hostility from internal staff who favored promoting from within. Building community confidence also requires considerable time, she noted.

Following the defeat of the police elimination proposal, O’Hara entered the administration of a strongly progressive city frequently torn by political conflicts between the mayor and City Council, as well as among council members themselves.

These tensions were clearly visible Wednesday during a City Council press conference regarding O’Hara’s departure, which progressive members used to criticize Mayor Jacob Frey, who describes himself as a “pragmatic progressive.”

The resignation “is a symptom of a much larger problem, which is simply that Mayor Frey continues to be unable to effectively manage the Minneapolis Police Department,” said Council member Robin Wonsley, a cornerstone of the council’s progressive bloc.

Frey, who recently advocated for O’Hara’s reappointment, defended his response to allegations about the chief’s potential wrongdoing.

“I don’t make decisions based on rumors and anonymous complaints,” he said in a statement, adding that he would work with the council to find a replacement. “I took action promptly after receiving the investigative report. … Decisions this serious have to be grounded in facts, evidence and completed investigations. Anything less would be irresponsible.”

O’Hara did not return a message seeking comment Wednesday. His attorney, Doug Kelley, released a statement touting successes during O’Hara’s tenure, including diversifying and increasing the department’s ranks, the decreasing violent crime rate and mitigating violent clashes during the immigration crackdown.

“The circumstances of Chief O’Hara’s departure should not define his service,” Kelley wrote. “He was proud to serve Minneapolis, remains grateful to the officers and community partners who did difficult work under extraordinary pressure, and hopes the city continues moving forward. He understandably looks forward to returning to his young family in New Jersey.”

The departure occurred just months after Minneapolis returned to national attention during a federal immigration surge that resulted in three civilians being shot, two fatally. O’Hara faced criticism he hadn’t done enough to stop the crackdown.

Violence plagued the city in 2025, including deadly attacks on state politicians in the Minneapolis suburbs; gunfire that erupted at a popular city picnic spot; and a shooting during Mass at the Church of the Annunciation that left two children dead and more than a dozen people injured. O’Hara called the church attack a “truly unthinkable tragedy.”

Critics say dozens of complaints were filed against O’Hara, from accusations that he was rude to the public to the recent investigation into an ultimately unproven allegation he had a sexual relationship with a city employee. Most of the complaints have not been made public, and 17 complaints are still being investigated. Investigators closed 17 more without any disciplinary actions.

An independent investigator did not find evidence to substantiate the alleged sexual relationship with a city employee, but a second report released this week said O’Hara likely deleted the employee’s contact from his phone during the investigation and that he talked to another employee about the probe despite being told it was not to be discussed.

That recent report led to a written reprimand; Frey told O’Hara he would be disciplined and that he could be terminated. Frey said O’Hara chose to resign instead.

Frey appointed an interim chief Tuesday from inside the department, and he has 30 days to nominate a successor under the city’s charter.

Hawaiian authorities launched an intensive manhunt Thursday for a 36-year-old suspect they consider “armed and extremely dangerous” in connection with three fatal attacks that occurred within a 48-hour period earlier this week.

According to Hawaii Police Chief Reed Mahuna, law enforcement is using “significant resources and personnel” in their efforts to locate Jacob Baker, a Pahoa, Hawaii resident.

The victims — three elderly men aged 69, 69, and 79 — were discovered dead on Monday and Tuesday in the Puna district of Hawaii’s Big Island.

“These are a tragic series of events and our thoughts are with those who are grieving at this time,” Mahuna stated during a Wednesday press conference. “The Hawaii Police Department understands the fear and concerns incidents like this bring to our community.”

While Mahuna refused to share specifics about the ongoing search operation, he emphasized that apprehending Baker represents his department’s “No. 1 priority.”

Law enforcement officials indicated they have not determined a motive but expressed confidence that Baker participated in all three fatal attacks. Mahuna withheld details about how investigators identified Baker as their suspect or what evidence links him to the deaths.

The police chief confirmed that Baker has previous contact with law enforcement but provided no additional details.

The first victim, a 69-year-old man, was discovered around 8 p.m. Monday at a home, found partially submerged in a concrete pond, according to Mahuna. Initially uncertain whether criminal activity was involved, police later determined it was a homicide based on preliminary autopsy findings.

On Tuesday, investigators found a 79-year-old victim with apparent blunt force trauma shortly after 12:30 p.m., Mahuna reported. This attack occurred approximately 400 to 500 feet from the initial homicide location.

The third victim, another 69-year-old man, was found dead with injuries around 10 p.m. Tuesday when officers responded to a welfare check at a property roughly 19 miles from the first two crime scenes, Mahuna said.

Police are requesting public assistance in locating Baker and reporting any suspicious activity in the areas where the homicides occurred, while strongly advising residents not to approach the suspect.

The nation’s highest court delivered a Thursday decision favoring a Black Mississippi death row prisoner who argued racial discrimination tainted his jury selection process.

In a narrow 5-4 decision, the justices supported Terry Pitchford, who received a death sentence for his involvement in a grocery store owner’s murder.

The jury that decided Pitchford’s fate included just one Black member, after a now-retired prosecutor with a documented pattern of excluding Black jurors for discriminatory reasons removed four other Black potential jurors.

This case bears striking similarities to another Black Mississippi death row prisoner whose conviction the Supreme Court reversed seven years earlier.

Four decades ago, the Supreme Court established in Batson v. Kentucky that prosecutors cannot remove jurors based on race, creating a framework for trial judges to assess discrimination claims and evaluate prosecutors’ race-neutral justifications.

The central question in Pitchford’s appeal concerned whether his defense team adequately challenged Judge Joseph Loper’s decisions and whether the state Supreme Court reasonably determined they had failed to do so.

The Supreme Court previously overturned Curtis Flowers’ death sentence and conviction in 2019, with Justice Brett Kavanaugh citing a “relentless, determined effort to rid the jury of Black individuals.” Doug Evans prosecuted that case as well, while Loper oversaw Flowers’ final two trials out of six total.

Pitchford, currently 40 years old, was just 18 when he and an accomplice planned to rob the Crossroads Grocery near Grenada in northern Mississippi. His companion fatally shot store owner Reuben Britt three times but escaped the death penalty due to being under 18. Pitchford faced capital murder charges and received a death sentence.

This legal battle has wound through the court system for two decades. In 2023, U.S. District Judge Michael P. Mills threw out Pitchford’s conviction, determining that the trial judge failed to provide adequate opportunity for Pitchford’s attorneys to challenge the prosecution’s improper dismissal of Black jurors.

Mills indicated that Evans’ conduct in previous cases influenced his decision. However, a unanimous three-judge panel from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals later reversed that ruling.

American military forces executed additional defensive operations against Iran following President Trump’s declaration that Iran is “negotiating on fumes” and his assertion that the upcoming November midterm elections won’t pressure him into hastily reaching an agreement to resolve the conflict that has stretched nearly three months.

Additionally, a federal court judge refused to stop Trump’s executive directive establishing a federal voter registry and restricting mail-in voting, paving the way for potentially major modifications to American election procedures just ahead of this year’s midterm contests.

Here are the latest developments:

A federal court judge refused to stop Trump’s executive directive establishing a federal voter registry and restricting mail-in voting, paving the way for potentially major modifications to American election procedures just ahead of this year’s midterm contests.

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols in Washington, D.C., a Trump appointee, on Wednesday evening denied the petition from Democrats and civil rights organizations who had contended that Trump’s directive would likely be deemed unconstitutional since states and Congress, rather than the president, possess authority to establish election procedures. Nichols sided with the Trump administration’s argument that it was premature to issue the directive since implementation had not yet begun.

The court challenge to the provision now moves to Boston, where voting rights organizations have filed a separate federal lawsuit challenging the executive directive.

The American military reported that Kuwait had intercepted missiles fired by Iran late Wednesday evening, describing the Iranian assault on one of America’s key Persian Gulf allies as an “egregious ceasefire violation.”

The assault on Kuwait represented the most recent escalation threatening the fragile ceasefire established last month between America and Iran.

Kuwait had previously confirmed an attack on its territory, while Iran announced it had responded following strikes earlier this week on an American base in an unnamed Gulf state.

The Iranian attack followed earlier weekly American strikes on Iranian missile launch facilities, minelaying vessels and attack drones that officials said presented threats near the blockaded Strait of Hormuz.

The American military on Wednesday attacked another vessel suspected of drug transportation in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in two fatalities.

U.S. Southern Command shared video on social media displaying a boat floating on water before being hit by an explosion. The final moments of the footage show smoke and flames emerging from the vessel.

One day prior, American forces had launched an attack on an alleged drug vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing one person and leaving two survivors. Southern Command reported it “immediately notified the U.S. Coast Guard to activate the Search and Rescue system for the survivors.”

The Trump administration’s strategy of destroying suspected drug-trafficking vessels in Latin American waters, including the eastern Pacific and Caribbean Sea, has continued since early September and resulted in at least 196 total deaths. The military has not presented evidence that any of the vessels contained drugs.

The Trump administration has quietly directed federal prosecutors in Miami to refrain from pursuing criminal investigations into Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez, a long-standing target of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, according to current and former U.S. law enforcement officials, marking the latest indication of improving relations between the White House and the oil-rich nation.

It remains uncertain whether prosecutors had connected Rodríguez to any crimes or whether investigators were approaching an indictment. A Justice Department spokesperson stated in an email, “There was never an investigation into her to shut down.”

However, DEA documents obtained by The Associated Press earlier this year demonstrate she repeatedly appeared on federal law enforcement’s radar dating back to at least 2018, though she has never faced criminal charges in the U.S. like several other high-ranking Venezuelan officials.

The instruction to suspend scrutiny of Rodríguez was intended to prevent disrupting the administration’s efforts to stabilize Venezuela following the capture of her predecessor, Nicolás Maduro, among other factors, the official stated. It remained unclear whether the White House, which referred comment to the Justice Department, participated in the decision.

Global markets fell Thursday following additional operations that the American military described as defensive strikes against Iran.

Oil prices rose more than $2 per barrel after having dropped significantly the previous day.

In early European trading, Germany’s DAX remained nearly flat at 25,175.63 and the CAC 40 in Paris declined 0.4% to 8,172.84. Britain’s FTSE 100 dropped 0.9% to 10,416.62.

The futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.1%.

On Wednesday, American stocks reached new records after oil prices fell more than 4%, reducing pressure on consumers and businesses globally.

American forces executed additional defensive operations against Iran on Wednesday following Trump’s assertion that Iran is “negotiating on fumes” and his insistence that November’s midterm elections won’t pressure him into hastily reaching an agreement to end the nearly three-month conflict.

U.S. Central Command forces destroyed four Iranian one-way attack drones that presented a threat around the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. officials who were not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity.

The American military also attacked an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was preparing to launch a fifth drone, the officials reported.

Information about the operations became available after Trump, during a Cabinet meeting earlier Wednesday, expressed confidence that his administration was making progress on resolving the conflict, even though negotiations remain highly uncertain.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Television comedian Conan O’Brien will address Harvard University’s graduating class during Thursday’s commencement ceremony, as the prestigious institution continues facing legal challenges from the Trump administration.

Federal officials filed a lawsuit against Harvard in March, claiming the university’s leadership has not adequately confronted antisemitism on its campus. This legal action follows a previous court ruling that favored Harvard and required the administration to restore billions in funding cuts.

The federal government had previously eliminated over $2.6 billion from Harvard’s research budget, terminated government contracts and tried to prevent the institution from welcoming international students. University officials maintained they were being unlawfully punished for declining to embrace the Trump administration’s positions.

Recent Harvard graduation ceremonies have taken on increasingly political overtones, largely due to these continuing conflicts with federal authorities.

During last year’s ceremony, students applauded speakers who stressed the importance of preserving a diverse international student population and defending truth against administration attacks. The previous year saw graduates exit the ceremony while chanting “Free, free Palestine” following weeks of campus demonstrations concerning the Gaza conflict. Other attendees responded with chants of “Let them walk, let them walk” after the university announced that some students involved in protest encampments would not receive their diplomas with fellow graduates.

For this year’s ceremony, Harvard graduate students who are currently on strike have declared plans to protest outside commencement due to stalled contract negotiations with university administration. The more than 4,000 graduate student workers are seeking improved compensation, an independent system for addressing harassment and discrimination issues, and contract protections for international and disabled employees, along with additional demands.

Motorists traveling on N Star Road are encountering intermittent lane restrictions today as construction crews continue their work along a section of the roadway.

The temporary lane closures are affecting the stretch of N Star Road located between Planet Road and Cox Road. According to traffic officials, these restrictions are expected to remain in place until 5 PM today.

Drivers are advised to plan for potential delays and consider alternate routes if possible while the construction activity continues in the area.

Social media posts featuring trendy slang and memes aren’t just for entertainment anymore — they’re becoming powerful tools to draw young people into online betting platforms where real money is at stake.

Companies like Kalshi and Polymarket use viral internet language and humor to promote prediction markets, where users can wager money on everything from sports outcomes to bizarre scenarios like alien confirmations or religious prophecies. These platforms welcome users starting at age 18, three years younger than traditional gambling restrictions in most states.

Research examining 588 million transactions on one major platform revealed a troubling pattern: while a tiny group of elite traders captured most profits, approximately 69% of all users ended up losing money.

The 18-to-21 age gap represents a crucial period for brain development, making young adults particularly susceptible to gambling problems, according to medical experts. “The adults in the room are not taking the fact this is meant to be an adult activity seriously, so when adults don’t take it seriously, why would the kids?” said Dr. Timothy Fong, an addiction psychiatrist and the co-director of the UCLA Gambling Studies Program.

Fong warns that the rapid pace of modern betting combined with easy access creates dangerous conditions for developing minds.

Congressional lawmakers are taking notice. Last week, legislators from Alabama and Connecticut introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at preventing social media companies and advertisers from targeting minors with sports betting promotions. One senator criticized how these platforms treat “young people like a gold rush, flooding the internet with advertisements and promotions to hook them on gambling when they’re young.”

The meme-focused marketing strategy isn’t accidental, according to industry insiders. Jason Levin, whose company Memelord Technologies creates marketing materials for betting platforms, explains the deliberate approach: “If you want to attract a younger audience, you’re going to use memes. You’re going to use unhinged humor. You’re going to try to get in front of them by any means necessary.”

Recent advertisements showcase this strategy clearly. One platform featured an influencer dramatically falling from a hot air balloon, while another showed chimpanzees in business suits at parties. A third company used popular meme formats showing cars making sudden highway exits.

Platform representatives defend their marketing choices. A spokesperson for one company told reporters that memes represent standard corporate branding today and aren’t necessarily age-targeted. The company claims its average user is 33 years old, while a competitor declined to provide comment.

Survey data reveals the growing appeal among young adults. About 30% of Americans under 30 reported placing sports bets within the past year, with online wagering among this group jumping from 7% three years ago to roughly 20% currently.

These platforms attempt to distance themselves from traditional gambling by calling their activities “predictions” rather than bets. Because federal agencies regulate them instead of state gambling authorities, they avoid many restrictions that apply to conventional betting operations, including higher age requirements.

Some sports wagering platforms operate under sweepstakes models, allowing 18-year-old users in many states while emphasizing entertainment over monetary risk. Though technically free to use, these platforms often encourage payments for real-money rewards.

Industry observers see clear business motivations behind youth targeting. Stephen Findeisen, a YouTuber with over 4 million followers who investigates online fraud schemes, explains the long-term customer strategy: “If you’re one of these platforms, you are incentivized to try to target them as soon as you can get them as a customer, so you can be the first kind of business they engage with in that space.”

Many platforms offer minimal entry costs to reduce barriers, since “the hardest wager to get is the first wager,” Findeisen noted.

Financial educators worry about timing consequences. Paris Woods, who teaches financial literacy, emphasizes that age 18 marks the critical period for building wealth and stability. Betting and prediction trading can create “a cycle of addiction and debt” that impacts not just immediate finances but future prosperity.

“It’s not just eroding the present and sort of taking their hard-earned money out of their hands at 18 or 19, but it’s actually taking money out of that 40 or 50-year-old version of themselves,” Woods explained.

Game-like features intensify the appeal and risk. Platforms incorporate leaderboards, achievement systems, rewards, and other video game elements that extend user engagement. Adrian Hon, a game designer and author, describes how these features “tighten the loop of setting a bet and getting the feedback,” making the experience “more visceral” and “more exciting.”

One platform exemplifies this approach with bright colors, customizable avatars, user profiles with statistics, follower systems, chat functions, leaderboards, and achievement badges. The company states it provides “a fun, social and rewarding experience” while taking responsibility measures, noting that paying customers average 26 years old.

The platform emphasizes its “social gaming experience” includes “no-cost avenues for users to participate in predictions and engage in friendly competition,” comparing its features to standard consumer applications.

Other platforms include similar social elements like leaderboards and comment sections with text and animated image capabilities. Representatives describe these as “core elements” that help users make informed decisions, though they’ve reportedly rejected more intensive gaming features like celebratory animations.

Safety measures vary by platform. Some require live selfies for account approval and use facial recognition for login verification to prevent underage access.

Regardless of intentions, medical experts warn about exposing developing minds to intense stimulation. Dr. Fong emphasizes the neurological impact: “A young brain that’s not fully formed — that’s going to leave a significant mark. And that brain is going to want it again.”

American military forces stationed in combat zones have faced targeting by enemies using commercially available location information, defense officials have confirmed in reports that highlight how the worldwide data surveillance industry is impacting modern warfare.

According to a correspondence shared with Reuters by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, U.S. Central Command reported it had “received multiple threat reports concerning adversary exploitation of commercial location data to target or surveil U.S. personnel in theater.” The April 14 communication provided no additional details, though Centcom oversees operations in the Gulf region, where American forces are confronting Iranian military forces near the Strait of Hormuz.

This revelation represents the first official acknowledgment that American troops have been targeted in an active combat zone, according to Wyden and a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers who sent correspondence on Thursday to the Pentagon.

“Commercial location data can be used to identify where U.S. troops congregate and their pattern of life, which can be exploited by adversaries to target attacks such as missiles, drones, and roadside bombs, as well as for counterintelligence purposes,” the correspondence cautioned. Wyden stated it was time to “start treating the adtech industry as a national security threat.”

Pentagon officials did not respond to requests for comment. The legislators noted in their correspondence that attempts to gather additional details from military leadership regarding the reported targeting have been unsuccessful.

Location information plays a significant role in digital marketing, serving as a major revenue source for numerous technology firms. This data typically comes from mobile phones or other devices through applications or service providers before being purchased by data brokers who compile and redistribute the information, often through complicated networks of middlemen.

While privacy risks from selling details about people’s daily movements in open markets have been publicly debated for years, its potential as a national security concern has recently gained attention.

Dating back to 2016, one American defense contractor successfully used commercially available location information to monitor special operations forces traveling from their domestic bases to a classified staging area in Syria, according to reporting first revealed by the Wall Street Journal.

In recent developments, reporters at Wired and two German publications used billions of coordinates obtained from a data broker to reveal detailed movements of personnel at or near 11 American military and intelligence facilities in Germany.

Two organizations representing digital marketing professionals, the Interactive Advertising Bureau and the Association of National Advertisers, did not respond to requests for comment.

The lawmakers’ correspondence to the Pentagon argued that given military officials’ knowledge about location data trading, they should have moved more quickly to safeguard their personnel, including disabling unique advertising identifiers on military-issued equipment, automatically deactivating location sharing on field smartphones, and directing staff away from Google’s Chrome web browser toward more privacy-focused options.

Among the correspondence signatories was U.S. Representative Pat Harrigan, a North Carolina Republican and former U.S. Army Special Forces officer. Harrigan stated that browsers like Chrome “are built from the ground up to collect and share user data” and that every day they remain on government-issued equipment “is another day we are handing our adversaries a weapon against our own troops.”

In response, Alphabet’s Google stated that Chrome maintained “industry leading security.” The company added it had “long advocated for stronger rules and safeguards against data brokers.”

Search and rescue operations continue at a Washington state paper mill where a catastrophic chemical explosion has claimed two lives and left nine people still unaccounted for.

The fatal incident involved a chemical tank that suffered an implosion at the industrial facility. Emergency responders are facing significant challenges in their recovery efforts due to dangerous environmental conditions at the accident site.

Authorities have not yet been able to safely access all areas of the facility to search for the missing individuals because of the hazardous materials present following the tank failure.

Federal authorities have filed charges against a retired high-ranking CIA official, alleging the former intelligence officer made off with hundreds of gold bars valued at more than $40 million from government stockpiles.

The accused former agency employee, who previously maintained top secret security clearance during their career, is suspected of hiding the stolen precious metals at their personal residence, according to the charges.

The case involves what prosecutors describe as a massive theft of federal property, with the gold bars representing a significant financial loss to taxpayers.

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, Minn. — A young student cautiously walked toward the therapy dog positioned near the school library, extending her hand to stroke the animal’s soft golden fur. Social worker Nicole Herje watched closely.

“How does it feel when you pet Sage?” Herje asked.

“I like it,” the child responded. “In Ecuador, I had a dog.”

Just months before, this student and numerous others at Valley View Elementary had been hiding indoors to escape immigration enforcement agents swarming their Minneapolis-area neighborhood. School attendance dropped dramatically as families chose to keep children home during the enforcement operation under the previous administration.

Sage the goldendoodle serves more than just comfort. The dog represents part of a comprehensive approach to heal the mental trauma experienced by children who saw arrests happen, lost family members to deportation, or spent frightening weeks confined to their homes. Four students from the school were actually detained themselves and transported hundreds of miles to a detention facility in Texas.

Before “Operation Metro Surge” concluded in February, immigration enforcement resulted in over 4,000 arrests and multiple shootings, including two deaths, creating psychological scars in young children that mental health experts warn could persist for years.

Columbia Heights Public Schools, similar to other districts, provided remote learning options for students who stayed home during the enforcement period, though virtual classes stopped after spring break. Now that many have returned to campus, educators are concentrating on helping them heal.

“What we know about trauma is that our bodies hold on to the fear,” Herje explained.

During February, the children connected to Zoom sessions from different areas of their houses: family rooms and bedrooms with closed curtains, underneath clothing racks in closets, on sofas with a Mexican flag displayed on the wall. Many kindergarten students struggled to remain seated. One child walked away to perform cartwheels.

Anxiety continued long after the thousands of immigration agents deployed by President Donald Trump to the Twin Cities area had departed. The situation worsened when one of their fellow students, preschooler Liam Conejo Ramos, was apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement upon returning home from school, still carrying his Spiderman backpack and wearing a bright blue hat with bunny ears.

This explains why, during their virtual learning time, Herje conducted a special lesson about feelings with the kindergarten class. Students discussed what brought them joy and sadness, peace and anger. They expressed missing their friends and wanting to come back to school.

“When you’re happy, you laugh and jump and dance and play, and you want to share that feeling with everyone,” Herje said, reading from the children’s book “The Color Monster.” “Anyone want to raise your hand and tell us something that makes you feel happy?”

“When I’m happy, I want to go to school when I see my friends,” one student replied.

Herje then asked: What made them sad?

“When my grandma, she go (to) Ecuador,” another student answered.

Every child had experienced one of the most intense immigration enforcement campaigns in U.S. history. They witnessed masked agents driving through neighborhoods in SUVs, followed by protesters using loud whistles. They saw videos of crying and screaming immigrants being arrested, shared repeatedly on social media. Many times, parents were separated from their families.

Increasing research reveals how trauma affects children, including those too young to comprehend what’s happening. Extended exposure to high-stress situations can alter a baby’s brain development, according to Rebecca Parlakian, the senior director of programs at early childhood advocacy group Zero to Three.

“When a child is experiencing sustained and consistent traumatic experiences where they have lost the sense of basic safety, we see that the brain reorganizes itself for survival, which actually translates to structural anatomical changes in the brain,” Parlakian explained.

Trauma symptoms can differ significantly based on the individual child, their age, and what they witnessed or endured. Robyn Tabibi, a family physician in St. Paul who frequently works with expecting parents, described treating a 3-year-old who lost multiple family members to deportation and had to relocate with his mother to avoid being targeted.

“He gradually stopped eating, became listless, refused to play anymore,” Tabibi said. “He’s in this new space, and he is so traumatized.”

Even children from families without immigration worries developed anxiety disorders.

Sarah Anikpo was born in the U.S., and her Liberian-born husband became a citizen in 2020. So Anikpo, a psychiatric physician assistant, didn’t consider discussing the enforcement operation with their 9-year-old son Zeke, despite helicopters flying over their South Minneapolis area.

Then an ICE officer fatally shot Renee Good, a U.S. citizen who had recently dropped her son at his elementary school. Demonstrations began. Zeke’s school district cancelled classes for two days.

Following that incident, Zeke couldn’t sleep in his bedroom. He described a “grey man” appearing in his nightmares and became worried about flashing lights outside his window. A classmate became upset, asking Zeke to pray for her mother and grandmother, who had gone back to Mexico. This made him both angry and scared.

“We couldn’t talk him out of it,” Anikpo said. “He definitely didn’t feel safe.”

The anxiety affecting immigrant families — including those with legal status — may have lasting effects on an entire generation of American students, according to specialists. The Brookings Institute calculates 4.6 million U.S. citizen children live with a parent who lacks documentation or has temporary legal status, and over 200,000 have parents who were detained or deported during the previous administration.

“Children in mixed-status families often live with chronic anticipatory anxiety that a loved one could be detained or deported,” a group of psychiatrists wrote in a special report for Psychiatric News. “These fears have been shown to lead to school absenteeism, academic disengagement, and heightened emotional distress.”

Valley View staff have identified students requiring additional support, including two fifth-graders and a second-grader who, like Liam, had been held at Dilley Detention Center in Texas, where court documents indicate children lacked sufficient food and medical care. Herje conducted group therapy sessions with Sage the goldendoodle for these students.

Coming back to school is what many truly needed. Herje has observed happy reunions between young friends who hadn’t met in person for months.

Herje asked them previously what makes them feel loved. One student responded: “When I’m in love, I find my best friend.”

WASHINGTON — American forces carried out a deadly attack Wednesday on a vessel believed to be transporting narcotics in the eastern Pacific, resulting in two deaths.

U.S. Southern Command released footage on social media platforms displaying a watercraft floating on the ocean surface moments before an explosive strike. The final moments of the recording capture flames and smoke billowing from the targeted vessel.

Tuesday saw U.S. forces conduct a similar operation against a suspected narcotics boat in the eastern Pacific, resulting in one death and two people rescued. Southern Command stated it “immediately notified the U.S. Coast Guard to activate the Search and Rescue system for the survivors.”

The current administration’s strategy of destroying suspected drug-smuggling boats throughout Latin American waters, spanning the eastern Pacific and Caribbean Sea regions, has continued since early September and resulted in no fewer than 196 total deaths. Military officials have not released proof that any targeted vessels actually contained narcotics.

The Pentagon’s oversight office announced last week it would examine whether U.S. forces adhered to proper targeting procedures during these operations against suspected smuggling boats. The six-step Joint Targeting Cycle encompasses military commander objectives, target identification, analysis, decision-making, execution and evaluation.

The Pentagon inspector general’s office described the review as “self-initiated.” The investigation will not examine the legal basis for these operations, which have faced significant criticism from some Democratic lawmakers and military legal experts.

The current administration maintains the U.S. is engaged in warfare against Latin American drug organizations, which it blames for the epidemic of deadly drug overdoses affecting numerous American communities.

WASHINGTON, May 27 – American military forces conducted an operation in the eastern Pacific Ocean that resulted in the deaths of two individuals, according to military officials.

The U.S. Southern Command released a statement explaining the action, saying “Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations.”

Thousands of Southern California residents who fled their homes when a chemical storage tank overheated are back in their neighborhoods, but many remain anxious about living close to an aerospace facility with a troubled safety record.

Last week, approximately 50,000 people were forced to leave their homes in and around the Orange County community when a cooling system malfunction caused authorities to warn of a possible devastating blast. The storage container eventually developed a crack that released pressure naturally, allowing the temperature to stabilize without additional measures and enabling people to return.

Bobbi-Lee Smart came back to her residence on Monday but keeps her luggage, pet carriers and vital paperwork prepared for a quick departure if necessary.

“I won’t even open the doors and windows in my house because I don’t know for sure that the air is safe,” said Smart, who lives in Anaheim, next to Garden Grove. “How do we know it is stable?”

The same day California officials ended the last evacuation warnings, a separate chemical container burst at a mill facility in Washington state, resulting in fatalities and missing persons in another dangerous industrial incident.

The storage vessel at GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems, a manufacturer of aircraft cockpit windows, canopies and windshields, holds between 6,000 and 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, a highly combustible substance. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, contact with this chemical can lead to severe breathing difficulties, nervous system damage and irritation of skin, eyes and throat.

Orange County Fire Capt. Brian Yau reported Wednesday that the container’s temperature stayed steady at 91 degrees without requiring sprinkler cooling.

“The team will continually monitor the temperature,” Yau said.

Public health authorities have told residents no pollution or toxic gases escaped, and they plan to continue air quality testing for several months while also examining sewage and storm drainage systems.

Smart believes the business should have faced greater oversight given its violation history. She wants the company to relocate from the crowded, working-class area filled with family businesses, but only after providing compensation to residents and local business owners.

“The reality is the company has broken the public trust,” Smart said.

The United Kingdom-based GKN Aerospace stated it is working with officials and partnering with charitable organizations to assist community recovery efforts.

Legal action filed on behalf of a nearby couple claims the company failed to shield neighbors from “foreseeable chemical releases, toxic vapor migration, evacuation conditions, and catastrophic industrial failures.”

The legal complaint states residents experienced strong chemical smells, breathing problems, headaches and dizziness, leaving them concerned about ongoing risks.

During Tuesday evening’s city council session, community members questioned why the chemical facility was permitted to operate in such close proximity to residential areas.

The Orange County District Attorney’s office has opened an investigation. Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein promised the company would face consequences for its actions.

In the previous year, GKN paid state regulatory agencies over $900,000 to resolve violations related to record maintenance, permit problems and nitrogen oxide emissions, based on documentation from the South Coast Air Quality Management District website.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has conducted four inspections of the company’s facility since 2018, discovering 10 violations according to public documents reviewed by the Los Angeles Times. Additional details about these violations were not readily accessible.

During 2019, the California Department of Industrial Relations asked an Orange County Superior Court judge to require the company to pay $2,898 in outstanding civil fines.

The violation, detailed in court documents obtained by the Times, accused the company of failing in April 2018 to “ensure that all machinery and equipment in service were inspected or maintained as recommended by the manufacturer.”

None of the documented violations appear connected to the overheated storage tank incident.

Purdue University engineering professor Andrew Whelton indicated the container would probably need replacement.

Whelton noted the California emergency resembles a 2014 chemical leak in Charleston, West Virginia, where storage containers failed at a Freedom Industries facility. That spill forced the state capital and surrounding communities to stop using tap water for multiple days. Local businesses temporarily closed and hundreds sought emergency medical care for symptoms ranging from nausea to skin rashes.

The West Virginia incident led to new state legislation mandating increased inspections and registration requirements for above-ground storage containers. Freedom Industries later filed for bankruptcy and two executives received federal prison sentences on pollution charges.

A remote detention facility situated in the Florida Everglades that has earned the nickname ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ could be shutting down in the near future due to rising operational costs.

Officials indicate that maintaining the facility in the swampland location has proven financially unsustainable, prompting discussions about potential closure.

While students across the country typically ride buses to reach their classrooms, children in the remote Alaska community of South Naknek experience a very different daily commute. For nearly four decades, pilot Jon King has been transporting students to school by aircraft on almost every school day.

The remote location of South Naknek in rural Alaska makes traditional school transportation methods impractical, leading to this unique aviation-based solution for getting students to their education.

The winner of the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee is offering guidance to aspiring competitors looking ahead to next year’s competition.

The champion is revealing the strategies and preparation methods that led to victory, providing valuable insights for students who hope to compete successfully in the 2026 spelling competition.

Two dramatically different approaches to spelling success are on display as 54 young competitors vie for spots in Thursday’s National Spelling Bee finals.

Shrey Parikh, a 14-year-old from Rancho Cucamonga, California, exemplifies the intensive preparation method. After placing third in the 2024 competition but stumbling at his school bee last year, he’s gone all-in for his final eligible year. The teenager works with three different coaches, purchases specialized word lists and study materials, and dedicates himself to mastering Greek and Latin roots along with language patterns. He also participates year-round in online competitions against the nation’s elite spellers.

In stark contrast stands 12-year-old sixth-grader Sarv Dharavane from Dunwoody, Georgia, who also secured third place in 2025 despite being relatively unknown in spelling circles. His secret? Complete reliance on the Merriam-Webster’s Unabridged dictionary as his sole study companion.

“The book is my coach,” Sarv explained.

His methodology remained unchanged from his previous success. “I didn’t really change anything because my strategy got me far last year, but I did more of what I did before,” he noted. “I used to read the dictionary and set aside difficult words to study later. I did it a lot, so I got a lot of words and it was really easy just to go through them. I’ve always been able to remember pretty well, and I can read through long lists without getting tired, so this strategy works pretty well for me.”

These contrasting methods have reignited an ongoing discussion within spelling communities about whether language comprehension or memorization techniques prove more effective.

Sam Evans, who has coached the previous two champions, advocates for memorization’s importance. “At the end of finals, most of the words aren’t going to have a really clean-cut language pattern or rule that you can pull from. So I think memorization is really important,” he stated. “Sometimes it gets a bad reputation, but you have to do it.”

Reaching the finals typically requires understanding word components absorbed into English, including roots and origin languages. However, certain champions have distinguished themselves through exceptional memory capabilities – the capacity to immediately visualize encountered words or recite dictionary definitions word-for-word. This group includes Nihar Janga in 2016, Zaila Avant-garde in 2021, and Bruhat Soma in 2024.

Dev Shah, the 2023 winner, promotes what he calls an artistic spelling methodology, also supported by his coach Scott Remer. This approach emphasizes mastering roots and language patterns while learning to identify exceptions, enabling spellers to tackle unfamiliar words through deduction rather than recall.

Shah acknowledged the impossibility of memorizing the entire dictionary – “No one can,” he said – and believed unknown words could be solved through reasoning. “The skill of guessing is everything,” he wrote in a Washington Post opinion piece following his victory.

In a Wednesday interview, Shah recognized memorization’s value, particularly for unusual words with obscure backgrounds. He identified the top spellers, including Avant-garde, as those who balance memorization with mastery. Understanding conceptual spelling principles can also support performance under pressure when memory lapses occur, Shah noted, admitting he finds memorizing vast word volumes challenging.

Former champion Sohum Sukhatankar, who coaches Shrey, emphasizes loading competitors’ minds with the most valuable information. “When you’re at the highest level, you have to be prepared for hundreds of thousands of words,” he explained. “You want to do as little memorization as possible to avoid the chance that you just forget it, so it’s all about efficiency.”

While Shrey recognizes he may need to guess at the microphone, he aims to minimize uncertainties. This approach makes sense considering last year’s setback when he failed to become his school’s top speller.

“I had a fever at my school bee last year, and I just blanked on the word ‘calipers’ … and I missed it,” he recalled. “I was really devastated.”

Several months passed before Shrey felt motivated to resume studying. Upon restarting, he added Sukhatankar to his coaching roster. He’s developed techniques for slowing down at the microphone following a negative 2023 experience when rushing through a word led to unclear pronunciation and an incorrect ruling from judges.

Shrey also supports study guide usage. He credits an interactive, AI-powered platform called Onyma – offering personalized learning and inter-speller competition, launched this month by Sukhatankar and Evans – with improving his preparation. Additionally, he utilizes SpellPundit, an online resource developed by former spellers and their parents that gained prominence at the 2019 bee when most of that year’s eight co-champions used it. The company reports every subsequent champion as a client.

Despite winning the annual SpellPundit bee, the South Asian Spelling Bee, and several other online competitions, Shrey doesn’t view these victories as necessarily beneficial. “I feel like it (creates) more pressure to perform,” he said.

Evans believes spellers seeking victory should maximize study time efficiency, though no limits exist on learning every possible word. “There’s a common joke among spellers that says everything’s in the dictionary, so it’s all ‘on-list,’” he noted. “The dictionary is the most basic thing that spellers need to know.”

Authorities have issued a warning about fraudulent activity targeting people and businesses in connection with the Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Festival.

Reports indicate that scammers are sending deceptive emails that falsely claim to offer vendor opportunities for the festival. These fraudulent messages are demanding complete payment upfront from potential participants.

Officials want to make it clear that these email solicitations are not legitimate and represent a scam operation targeting unsuspecting victims.

A Brooklyn federal judge dismissed criminal charges Wednesday against a former Fox television executive following a prosecutor’s statement that the soccer corruption case no longer aligns with current administration enforcement priorities.

Judge Pamela K. Chen granted the government’s request to drop the indictment against Hernan Lopez after U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. explained the administration’s shift in focus away from international soccer corruption cases.

Lopez, who previously served as CEO of Fox International Channels, smiled as he departed the federal courthouse and expressed relief to reporters, saying “a case that never should have started is finally over.”

During the hearing, Nocella informed Chen that the current administration prioritizes cases involving domestic and international terrorist groups, national security matters, drug trafficking, human trafficking and violent criminal organizations.

The judge determined that Nocella’s explanation, combined with written documentation filed with the court, offered adequate grounds to approve the dismissal request.

In 2023, Lopez and Full Play Group SA, a South American sports media corporation, faced conviction for distributing tens of millions in bribe payments to secure broadcasting rights for World Cup matches and other premier soccer competitions. Chen later overturned those convictions with an acquittal ruling.

An appellate court reversed the acquittals in July, restoring the original convictions, though subsequent appeals left the prosecution’s future unclear.

Chen clarified during Wednesday’s proceedings that her decision to dismiss the charges was not influenced by her earlier acquittal ruling.

Government attorneys informed the Supreme Court in December that officials had concluded dismissing the criminal case serves justice, without providing additional reasoning.

Before issuing her ruling, Chen questioned all parties about how dismissing this indictment might impact the broader decade-long corruption investigation into television rights for international soccer tournaments, which has produced multiple convictions.

FIFA, the international soccer governing organization, stated in court documents filed two weeks prior that it supported the U.S. government’s position that dropping charges against Lopez and Full Play would not directly impact other defendants’ convictions.

FIFA noted its collaboration with the Department of Justice to eliminate corruption from soccer and described implementing disciplinary measures, including permanent bans, to address misconduct uncovered by U.S. authorities.

Justice Department officials wrote to the judge on March 12 explaining that each prosecution within the broader case involves distinct facts and circumstances.

In its filing, FIFA reported that the U.S. government had already transferred $201 million to FIFA and other organizations for distribution to soccer-related community impact projects globally.

FIFA highlighted various funded initiatives, including after-school soccer programs in disadvantaged Miami neighborhoods, renovated community soccer facilities in Ohio, Tennessee and Washington, D.C., teacher and coach training programs throughout the Caribbean, and youth soccer tournaments across South America.

INTERLOCHEN, Mich. — A prestigious Michigan arts academy and summer program where Jeffrey Epstein allegedly encountered at least two victims plans to demolish a building that previously carried the convicted sex offender’s name.

Officials at the Interlochen Center for the Arts announced this week that trustees have given the green light to destroy the Green Lake Lodge, formerly called the Jeffrey E. Epstein Scholarship Lodge before administrators severed connections and removed all references to the deceased millionaire sex criminal following his initial conviction in 2008.

The disgraced financier was a camper at Interlochen Arts Camp in 1967 during his teenage years and contributed over $400,000 to the institution from 1990 through 2003, with $200,000 specifically funding the lodge’s construction.

“The lodge has, over time, come to carry associations that are not reflective of who we are as an institution or the values we strive to uphold,” Interlochen said in a statement. “After careful consideration, the Board determined that removing this structure in a safe and timely manner is the right step for Interlochen at this time.”

The internationally recognized institution for aspiring artists, performers and musicians has produced notable graduates including Grammy winners Chappell Roan and Norah Jones, plus Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph.

Two women who accused Epstein have stated they encountered him at Interlochen during the 1990s.

School officials acknowledged awareness of media coverage regarding these women’s allegations and extended invitations for them to meet with an independent investigator conducting an external probe into reports of past misconduct at Interlochen.

Two internal examinations, including one conducted after Epstein’s sex trafficking arrest in 2019, discovered no documentation of improper behavior involving Epstein in school files, according to administrators.

Epstein made regular visits to Interlochen, frequently accompanied by his associate and former romantic partner Ghislaine Maxwell, and used the lodge scheduled for demolition as his accommodation.

Justice Department documents recently made public reveal that Epstein arranged for student tuition payments from his donations and once transported violinist Itzhak Perlman to the campus using his private aircraft.

Epstein took his own life in a federal Manhattan detention facility in August 2019, one month following his indictment on federal sex trafficking charges. He previously served jail time in Florida in 2008 and 2009 after entering a guilty plea for soliciting prostitution from a minor.

Maxwell received a sex trafficking conviction in 2021 for her role in recruiting Epstein’s underage victims and is currently serving a 20-year prison term.

CBS News has decided against renewing the contract of correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi from “60 Minutes” following her disagreement with Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss regarding a December story about a Salvadoran prison, the New York Times reported Wednesday.

The network withdrew the story — which focused on a large prison facility where the United States has placed hundreds of primarily Venezuelan migrants without trials — just hours before its scheduled broadcast, leading to claims from “60 Minutes” staff and members of Congress that CBS was practicing self-censorship due to political influence.

Speaking to the New York Times Wednesday, Alfonsi confirmed she remains a CBS employee but lacks a contract and doesn’t anticipate returning to the renowned news program.

The network’s refusal to extend her contract “sends a chilling message to the entire newsroom,” Alfonsi stated to the Times. “I think it was a deliberate choice to penalize a journalist for refusing to sanitize accurate reporting.”

CBS falls under Paramount Skydance ownership. A network representative did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Attempts to contact Alfonsi directly were unsuccessful.

The prison story circulated online in December before eventually broadcasting on CBS one month afterward.

At the time, Alfonsi condemned the network’s choice, stating in a message to her colleagues that CBS withdrew the story for “political” motivations. Weiss defended the delay in a December staff email, explaining that regaining Americans’ confidence “sometimes means holding a piece about an important subject to make sure it is comprehensive and fair.”

Skydance Media, led by David Ellison — son of President Donald Trump supporter Larry Ellison — purchased Paramount in August and appointed Weiss as editor-in-chief in October. David Ellison helped obtain regulatory clearance for the transaction that formed Paramount Skydance, promising the CBS network would represent the “varied ideological perspectives” of American audiences.

Trump has consistently urged the Federal Communications Commission to remove broadcasting licenses from major networks NBC and ABC while demanding payment for their use of public airwaves, criticizing their news coverage.

Before the acquisition, Paramount settled a 2024 Trump lawsuit for $16 million concerning a “60 Minutes” interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris, which he claimed presented a misleading portrayal of his presidential opponent.

The FCC stated the settlement and regulatory approval process were separate matters.

Weather conversations are commonplace, particularly across Britain.

Yet it’s difficult to envision a gentle discussion about meteorological conditions serving as an emotionally powerful moment in a motion picture. This becomes even more surprising when the movie centers on World War II, among the most dramatically compelling topics in cinema history.

However, this changes once you experience Andrew Scott’s performance, an actor capable of making even mundane material sound captivating — or at minimum, touching and complex.

Individuals frequently discuss precipitation, his character, Capt. James Stagg, contends during “Pressure,” which chronicles how weather science influenced the success of D-Day. Yet do they contemplate the reasons behind rainfall? Or what creates wind patterns? How, he wonders, could such phenomena be considered dull?

At moments, “Pressure,” helmed and co-authored by Anthony Maras, resembles a sequence of similarly refined monologues. This approach makes sense given its theatrical origins — the 2014 stage production by David Haig. Chronicling the lesser-known account of how weather experts determined the optimal timing for the Normandy beach assault, the movie creates tension between two figures: Scott’s contemplative, obstinate, even bitter weather scientist, and the legendary Dwight D. Eisenhower, distinguished military leader and eventual president, portrayed by Brendan Fraser.

Fraser’s interpretation of Eisenhower appears physically commanding — significantly more so than the historical figure — and equally headstrong, though more vocally so. However, he proves less compelling than Scott’s complex Stagg, a role and portrayal that transforms an otherwise competent, well-crafted military film into something more captivating.

The movie opens with fallen soldiers scattered across a shoreline beside bloodied waters — evoking the disastrous D-Day preparation known as Exercise Tiger, which claimed hundreds of American military lives. This serves as Maras’s method of emphasizing both the human cost and the potential for additional tragedy.

Several months afterward, in June, Stagg arrives for assignment at Allied command. The Scottish weather expert, reluctant to leave his expectant wife behind, has been recruited to assist with Eisenhower’s planned assault, which depends on surprising the enemy. Additionally, and critically, on meteorological conditions.

Stagg receives orders to meet Eisenhower, through his reliable assistant Kay Summersby (an outstanding Kerry Condon, injecting energy into a part that avoids further speculation about her connection with the general). Eisenhower explains that the entire war’s outcome depends on this mission. “We invade France Monday,” he declares.

However, the commander requires an accurate weather prediction. The mission demands a full moon and cloudless skies for aerial support, plus tranquil seas. Eisenhower seeks approval — which his own reliable forecaster, Irving P. Krick (Chris Messina), readily provides. Using historical data, Krick maintains that June 5, 1944, will bring peaceful and bright conditions.

Krick represents everything Stagg isn’t — sociable, bold, self-assured. He even performs songs and dances. Stagg, however, disagrees with the American’s evaluation. “Get me the data,” he demands. Historical trends hold no value in this volatile area, he maintains.

Requesting information from every weather monitoring post or balloon within 2,000 miles of Normandy, Stagg contends two storm systems approach. A June 5 launch will result in massive casualties, he warns. Actually, suitable weather might not appear until June 18. This message finds no welcome audience — not from Eisenhower, not from Krick and certainly not from Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery (Damian Lewis, embracing the theatrical nature). “My men are ready and primed,” Montgomery declares. “Get them onto the beaches, and leave the rest to me.”

As historical records confirm, D-Day did not occur on June 5. Eisenhower eventually decides to delay based on Stagg’s prediction, proven correct when Sunday’s clear weather suddenly becomes stormy during morning worship. Yet just as the chance seems lost, Stagg identifies a temporary weather improvement. He suggests — spoiler alert — that the invasion move forward one day later, on June 6.

For beach combat sequences, Maras utilized archival material — he has stated inspiration from Peter Jackson’s remarkable World War I documentary “They Shall Not Grow Old” — adding color and combining it with his own footage of frightened soldiers. Somehow, genuine tension emerges when Eisenhower and others assemble in the operations room.

Close by, silently, Stagg remains. Like his role, Scott accomplishes more with minimal resources. While the performer may be recognized for praised performances in “Fleabag,” “Ripley” and “Sherlock,” he’s also an accomplished theater artist, and his contribution here echoes the nuanced work he delivered in “Vanya,” the Chekhov adaptation where he portrayed all eight characters. Among Scott’s most powerful moments: when he receives heartbreaking news via telephone during a crucial war planning period. His suffering is evident, yet somehow he shows minimal external reaction.

“The weather feeds us,” Stagg states earlier, making his argument that weather is far from tedious. Indeed, meteorology itself becomes the central character in “Pressure.” The movie relates a story in which John F. Kennedy, traveling to his inauguration, questioned his predecessor about what advantage the Allies possessed.

“We had better meteorologists than the Germans,” Eisenhower responded.

“Pressure,” a Focus Features release arriving in theaters Friday, has received a PG-13 rating from the Motion Picture Association for “war violence, bloody images, some strong language, and smoking.” Runtime: 100 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four.

With warmer weather on the horizon, countless individuals begin planning their time on the water. From angling and water skiing to leisurely cruises and peaceful moments in quiet bays, boat rentals offer an excellent opportunity to experience aquatic recreation without the financial burden and maintenance demands of owning a vessel.

For those planning vacations or seeking more outdoor adventures, several key factors should guide your selection of the perfect rental boat.

1. Research Thoroughly in Advance

Begin by investigating rental companies operating in your target waterway or local area through online searches. Examine customer feedback and verify that businesses maintain appropriate licenses and insurance coverage. Company websites typically contain essential details about their fleet, policies, and safety protocols, making advance review worthwhile. Additionally, seek referrals from acquaintances and relatives—personal recommendations frequently lead to trustworthy operators that deliver exceptional boating adventures.

2. Evaluate Available Vessel Options

Various water activities demand specific boat categories. Determine your desired boating adventure before booking. Will you need an open motorboat for angling, a personal watercraft for touring, a kayak for paddling, a pontoon vessel for group relaxation, or specialized equipment for towed water activities?

Numerous rental operations maintain diverse fleets, while some focus on particular categories like personal watercraft, pontoon vessels, or sailboats. Confirm your chosen company stocks the appropriate craft for your intended pursuits.

3. Seek Clear Pricing Information

Verify that all expenses are outlined transparently from the start, covering fuel costs, security deposits, cleaning charges, and supplementary equipment fees. When uncertain about any charges, inquire before completing the contract. Unexpected expenses can dampen an otherwise perfect day on the water.

4. Examine the Vessel Before Departure

Spend time evaluating the boat prior to launching. Does the craft look clean and properly maintained? Are there any pre-existing damages that require documentation before your rental period starts?

Additionally, ensure the rental company demonstrates the location and correct usage of mandatory safety gear, including life preservers, fire suppression equipment, sound devices, and other required items.

5. Review the Rental Contract Thoroughly

The rental contract represents a legal agreement between you and the boat rental company that defines mutual rights and obligations. Study it completely and seek clarification on any confusing elements before accepting the vessel.

Through advance preparation and proper questioning, boat rentals can provide enjoyable, secure, and unforgettable water experiences this summer. Enjoy responsibly and always wear your life jacket.

Opening statements commenced Wednesday in a South Carolina courtroom where a store owner faces murder charges for the deadly shooting of a 14-year-old Black teenager in 2023. Prosecutors described the incident as unprovoked and “heinous,” while defense attorneys maintained their client acted to protect his son.

Chikei Rick Chow, 61, who is Asian, fatally shot Cyrus Carmack-Belton in the back while pursuing him on foot in Columbia on May 28, 2023. Prosecutors say Chow mistakenly believed the teen had stolen four water bottles from his store. The incident deeply impacted the African American community in Richland County, where Black residents make up nearly half the population.

Although prosecutors admit Carmack-Belton carried a semiautomatic pistol, they contend the weapon dropped to the ground during the pursuit and the teen never used it to threaten anyone. However, defense attorneys claim the teenager aimed the gun at Chow’s son, Andy, prompting Chow to fire a single defensive shot.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, what is the value of a human life?” prosecutor Byron E. Gipson asked the 12-member jury. “To grieving parents who lost a 14-year-old to senseless acts of violence, a human life is priceless.”

Gipson added, “But on May 28, 2023, Chikei Rick Chow, the defendant in this case, determined that Cyrus Carmack-Belton’s life was worth less than four bottles of water.”

The prosecutor then challenged Chow’s assertion that he was defending his son.

“In what world do you get to falsely accuse a 14-year-old of stealing, chase a 14-year-old 130 plus yards down a road while you’re armed with a pistol, shoot that person in the back, then claim you’re defending your son?” he said. “Folks it’s for that senseless act, for that ridiculous act, for that heinous act, that Chikei Rick Chow, the defendant in this case, has been charged and indicted for the crime of murder.”

Defense attorney Jack Swerling opened by questioning why the teenager was carrying a pistol with a laser sight on Columbia streets.

“If he didn’t have that weapon, he never would have had a weapon to draw on Andy Chow,” Swerling said. “He never would have had a weapon to put Andy Chow in danger. And he never would have had a weapon that would cause Mr. Chow to believe his son was going to be shot and have to make a split-second decision — a split-second decision — as to whether or not to go ahead and fire that gun and protect his son.”

Swerling argued Chow believed he had no alternative but to shoot the teenager. The defense attorney noted that Chow administered CPR to Carmack-Belton afterward, which he said demonstrates Chow acted without malice — a necessary component of murder charges in South Carolina.

“Nobody’s saying everybody’s happy about this, but unfortunately there are occasions in human life when someone has to exercise that right of self-defense or defense of others,” Swerling said. “It’s sad. It’s tragic. There’s no question about that. My heart goes out to the family. They suffered a tremendous loss.”

Chow sat with his legal team at the defense table, dressed in a dark suit and white-collared shirt without a tie, periodically taking notes on a pad.

Following opening statements, a responding police officer became the first witness to testify. The trial is anticipated to continue for several days.

Carmack-Belton had entered the store around 8 p.m. that evening, wearing a hoodie and carrying a backpack. Following store policy, he left the backpack at the entrance and walked through the aisles, Gipson explained.

The teenager eventually approached a cooler and removed four water bottles, then returned all the bottles to the cooler, Gipson said. While Carmack-Belton shopped, the Chows observed him with suspicion, he noted. The Xpress Mart Shell station store had multiple surveillance cameras both inside and outside that captured the sequence of events.

A confrontation occurred when Carmack-Belton returned to the store entrance and rejected the Chows’ accusations that he had stolen water, Gipson said. The teen then retrieved his backpack and exited the store.

Chow and his son Andy then pursued Carmack-Belton, who started running. The teen lost a shoe and stumbled several times during the chase, which covered approximately 130 yards from the store to a city street before the shooting occurred, Gipson said.

A firearm was discovered near Carmack-Belton’s body, but investigators have stated there is no evidence the teen ever pointed the weapon at Chow or his son.

Owning a business was a dream for Chikei Rick Chow, Swerling said. Chow was born in Hong Kong and his wife was born in Malaysia. Both became U.S. citizens and had two sons, he said.