Category: U.S. News

A deadly stabbing occurred outside Busch Stadium in St. Louis early Monday morning, resulting from an argument between two cleanup workers hired to handle post-game duties, according to police.

Both individuals involved were employed by contractors responsible for cleaning up after baseball games, not direct employees of the Major League Baseball team.

“This could have happened anywhere, but what happened tonight was a dispute between two people. Unfortunately, it happened at a treasured St. Louis staple,” said Mitch McCoy, spokesperson for St. Louis police.

The Cardinals organization characterized the incident as an “isolated altercation.”

Officers responded to the scene at approximately 3 a.m. Monday morning. A 27-year-old man died from his injuries, while a 65-year-old suspect was questioned by detectives.

The team had faced the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday evening. Monday’s scheduled matchup against Milwaukee proceeded as planned, unaffected by the deadly incident.

Defense technology firm Anduril Industries revealed Tuesday which companies will join its effort to build orbital missile interceptors for the U.S. Space Force, marking a key development in the Golden Dome for America defense program launched during the Trump presidency.

The Space-Based Interceptor program represents a shift from traditional ground-launched defense systems by positioning weapons directly in orbit. This orbital positioning allows American forces to target and eliminate incoming threats much earlier during their trajectory, striking missiles closer to their launch point.

Anduril’s partnership roster features Impulse Space, Inversion Space, K2 Space, Sandia National Laboratories, and Voyager Technologies. The collaboration combines emerging commercial space companies with established research facilities to create what Anduril calls “affordable, scalable” interceptor technology.

The Space Force has distributed contracts valued at up to $3.2 billion collectively among 12 companies working on orbital missile defense interceptor development. Major defense contractors receiving awards include Northrop Grumman, RTX’s Raytheon division, SpaceX, and Lockheed Martin.

“The U.S.’s near-peer adversaries have invested in exotic, highly maneuverable vehicles, introducing considerable challenges to protecting the U.S. homeland,” stated Gokul Subramanian, who serves as Anduril’s senior vice president of engineering.

The timeline calls for demonstrating a complete interceptor system integrated with Golden Dome infrastructure by approximately 2028, establishing an orbital defense layer for American homeland security.

The Golden Dome program carries an anticipated price tag of $185 billion and aims to enhance existing ground-based defensive capabilities including interceptor rockets, detection equipment and command systems while incorporating space-based components for threat identification, monitoring and potential elimination from orbit.

Space Force General Michael Guetlein, who leads the Golden Dome initiative, has previously characterized the orbital interceptor program as the project’s most challenging component, pointing to scalability and cost-effectiveness as primary obstacles. He has indicated that directed energy weaponry and advanced artificial intelligence technologies offer the greatest potential for reducing per-target elimination costs.

ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes will become the new television host for the Scripps National Spelling Bee, bringing her analytical expertise to the century-old academic competition. The announcement, made Tuesday, marks the first time a celebrity will host the event since LeVar Burton took on the role in 2022.

The hosting change comes as Scripps, the Cincinnati-based media company, works to revitalize the broadcast after taking control from ESPN and moving it to ION and Bounce networks. The company has also enlisted a new production crew headed by Michael Davies, who currently executive produces “Jeopardy!”

This year’s competition is scheduled for May 26-28 at Constitution Hall in downtown Washington, where 247 young spellers will vie for the championship trophy and more than $50,000 in cash and prizes.

“My goal in this is to give it the big-game feel,” Kimes shared with The Associated Press before the official announcement. “Any event that requires skill and knowledge and preparation can have that feel if it’s presented with enough care and pride on television.”

Davies, whose resume includes “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” “Reading Rainbow” and “Good Morning Football,” echoes Kimes’ enthusiasm for elevating the competition’s profile. His objective, he told AP, is to “make it bigger and make it more famous.”

“We really need to focus the entire broadcast and everything we’re doing around the stakes of the competition and the incredible winning moment, the winning word that happens at the end of the final,” Davies explained.

The 40-year-old Yale graduate is recognized for her thorough research methods and detailed analysis of game footage when breaking down NFL players and coaching strategies. She describes her preparation for the spelling bee in similar terms.

“It honestly does feel a little bit like watching game tape because I really think these kids are elite competitors, not just in terms of being the best of the best, but you can see all of the work that they so clearly put in,” Kimes explained. “The way they get to the right answer is fascinating to me and the more you watch, the more you see the way their brains work. I see a lot of similarities to what I do with football, and I’m so pumped to be a part of this.”

While Kimes never reached the national competition level, she has personal experience with spelling contests, capturing victories at her school in second, third and fifth grades.

Young competitors earn their spots in the National Spelling Bee through regional victories nationwide and must be in eighth grade or younger to participate. Even the most talented students, many working with professional coaches throughout the year, typically have just one or two opportunities to claim victory in this premier English-language spelling contest before becoming too old to compete.

In recent years, Scripps has primarily featured former spelling bee participants as hosts and commentators on air. Paul Loeffler, a sports broadcaster and former competitor who is also the sibling of bee executive director Corrie Loeffler, will continue in his analyst position.

Despite Scripps’ claims of reaching larger audiences through ION’s broader household availability compared to ESPN, viewership numbers have remained flat and shown slight decreases recently, based on Nielsen statistics. The combined primetime finale audience across ION and Bounce totaled 609,000 in 2022, 641,000 in 2023, 461,000 in 2024 and 488,000 last year.

The competition attracted more than 1 million viewers on ESPN in 2012. The championship rounds of the final three pre-pandemic broadcasts on ESPN recorded audiences of 606,000 (2017), 550,000 (2018) and 559,000 (2019).

Motorists traveling on Pennsylvania Avenue should expect delays today as construction work has forced officials to close the left lane in both the northbound and southbound directions.

The lane closure affects the stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue running between River View Avenue and N Grant Avenue, according to traffic officials.

Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling through the work zone and allow extra time for their commute. The lane restriction is scheduled to be lifted by 7 PM this evening.

Officials recommend seeking alternate routes if possible to avoid potential traffic backups in the area during the construction period.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Picture yourself standing on a deserted stretch of asphalt, watching the golden sunset paint Arizona’s desert landscape. For photographer David Schwartz, that scene represents the culmination of a journey that began with a Depeche Mode song and led to creating stamps honoring America’s most famous highway.

Schwartz has traveled Route 66 an impressive 42 times across 20 years, documenting the legendary roadway that earned him the opportunity to photograph commemorative stamps celebrating the Mother Road’s 100th anniversary.

On Tuesday, the United States Postal Service launched eight new stamps highlighting notable locations along the historic route as it passes through each state, featuring classic diners, filling stations, and motor lodges — many now preserved or renovated — alongside stunning landscapes and endless horizons.

The famous highway carries deep historical significance, serving as an escape route during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression, functioning as a crucial supply line in World War II, and later becoming the answer to America’s desire for adventure. This symbol of independence and movement has transformed into a living museum of American culture, rich with memories and glowing neon signs.

Back in 1988, teenage Schwartz and his closest friend planned a cross-country adventure after discovering Depeche Mode’s version of Bobby Troup’s 1946 classic “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66.” However, his mother prevented the trip, postponing his first experience with the open highway until 2004.

For Schwartz, this 2,448-mile stretch embodies a crucial element of America’s newly mobile 20th century, spanning from its establishment in 1926 until its official retirement in 1985. “Road trips, big cars, neon signs,” he describes. Despite losing its federal highway designation, large portions remain active and continue attracting adventure seekers and vacationers.

“So much to explore. You start here in Illinois on 66 and you’re cruising through prairie land,” Schwartz explained during a recent Springfield interview. “By the time you get out west, you’re in the desert or you’re in mountains through hairpin turns. It’s just an incredible journey and you just get such a beautiful slice of America going through it.”

After growing weary of retail management, Schwartz returned to school for photography studies and conceived the Route 66 stamp concept a decade ago. The Postal Service selected him for the assignment in 2023, and he remembers thinking, “Here is my moment to bring Route 66 to the masses.”

USPS stamp design art director Greg Breeding was developing a graphic featuring the road’s map when he encountered Schwartz’s photographs. The images were artistically captured rather than commercially polished.

“They’re as if you were there,” Breeding noted, “which makes them especially useful for stamps.”

The postal sheet includes 16 stamps, with two representing each Route 66 state. A ninth photograph functions as selvage, the border image around the stamp block. This features the empty Arizona highway scene, captured in 2023 near Seligman, Arizona, when Schwartz and his high school companion finally completed their delayed 35-year journey.

But what makes Route 66 special compared to modern interstate highways that eventually replaced it?

“You’d probably get run over,” Schwartz responded with humor.

“Interstates are designed to move traffic quickly. They cut through the sides of mountains, they do not follow the contour of the land…,” he continued. “On Route 66, you’re actually part of the landscape as you move through it. You feel the land as you’re traveling.”

Breeding and Schwartz avoided the highway’s most famous destinations, not only due to licensing challenges, but also to offer people a “fresh look,” according to Breeding. The stamps exclude people, he explained, partly to generate mystery rather than tourist destination feelings.

With this approach, the collection captures both ongoing business and roadside remnants that suggest their past vitality. Consider the Conoco Tower Station and U-Drop Inn in Shamrock, Texas, an Art Deco masterpiece decorated with neon that illuminates beautifully at twilight.

In Yucca, Arizona, Schwartz captured the deteriorating “Motel” sign under harsh midday sunlight, showing desert abandonment while revealing “the enduring pulse of the open road.”

His preferred image shows Illinois, featuring a friend’s 1929 Model A Ford traveling along the sole remaining hand-laid brick section of Route 66 in Auburn, near Springfield. The objective was creating an image that would transport viewers to Route 66’s beginning.

“We wanted to show it to be colorful. We wanted to show the quirkiness. We wanted to show the age,” Breeding explained. “It’s like a sort of show, the idea that Route 66 is a living history of the United States, from the past to the present.”

Schwartz expressed amazement that stamps featuring his photography will “travel all over the United States and end up in people’s mailboxes.”

“I hope they really inspire people to get out there and travel the road and support the Mom and Pop businesses and keep Route 66 alive for another 100 years,” he added.

Three significant national developments are unfolding today that impact Americans nationwide.

The United States military has launched a new operation aimed at ensuring commercial shipping vessels can safely navigate through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global commerce.

Meanwhile, today’s primary election results in Indiana are being closely watched as a measure of former President Trump’s continuing influence within the Republican Party.

In Washington, the Supreme Court has postponed implementing new limitations on mifepristone, a medication used for abortion procedures, keeping current access rules in place for now.

WASHINGTON — Two individuals died Monday when American military forces targeted a vessel suspected of drug smuggling in Caribbean waters, according to U.S. officials.

This latest strike continues the Trump administration’s ongoing offensive against alleged narcotics trafficking operations throughout Latin American waters, a campaign that began in early September and has resulted in at least 188 deaths overall. Similar operations have also occurred in eastern Pacific waters.

The military operations have intensified in recent weeks despite ongoing conflicts with Iran, demonstrating the administration’s continued commitment to what it describes as combating “narcoterrorism” across the Western Hemisphere. Military officials have not released evidence confirming drug presence on any of the targeted vessels.

These strikes coincide with the largest U.S. military deployment to the region in decades and preceded the January operation that resulted in the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Maduro was transported to New York to face drug trafficking allegations, to which he has entered a not guilty plea.

U.S. Southern Command described Monday’s operation as targeting suspected drug traffickers operating along established smuggling corridors, echoing language from previous announcements. The command shared footage on X displaying a vessel traveling across water before being consumed by a large explosion.

President Donald Trump has characterized the United States as being in “armed conflict” with Latin American cartels, defending these strikes as essential escalation to reduce drug imports and prevent American overdose deaths. However, his administration has provided minimal evidence supporting claims of eliminating “narcoterrorists.”

Legal experts have raised concerns about the lawfulness of these maritime strikes.

For Nayomie Mendoza, the typical American approach to Cinco de Mayo has become all too familiar: endless taco platters, flowing margarita pitchers, and lively mariachi music filling restaurant spaces.

The Los Angeles restaurant owner joins a growing movement of Mexican American entrepreneurs speaking out about the importance of honoring Mexico’s rich heritage and the holiday’s true historical meaning, particularly as they face increased anti-immigrant rhetoric targeting Latino communities.

As owner of Cuernavaca’s Grill, Mendoza seeks celebrations that acknowledge “everything that as a community we’re enduring today.” Her restaurant’s Cinco de Mayo events will feature traditional mariachi performances and authentic Mexican dishes while paying tribute to Mexican triumph over French forces in the Battle of Puebla more than 160 years ago.

“Just looking at how much they did with very little resources,” she said. “It just showed resilience. So, on Cinco de Mayo we always make it a testament of our resilience.”

Latino community leaders have been working to reshape how Cinco de Mayo is observed in America for years, moving beyond superficial cultural representations toward meaningful historical education and community building. According to Sehila Mota Casper, director of Latinos in Heritage Conservation, this year’s festivities particularly emphasize traditional Mexican culture and its preservation.

“These are just incredible moments of educating and knowledge sharing,” Mota Casper said. “The more we educate, the more knowledge we share, the better a community and people we become.”

Census Bureau data from 2024 shows Hispanic-owned businesses represent 8.4% of the nation’s 5.9 million employers. The National Restaurant Association reports that approximately 18% of all U.S. restaurant establishments were Hispanic-owned last month.

Raul Luis, who operates Birrieria Chalio Mexican Restaurant locations in Los Angeles and Fort Worth, Texas, expects party-focused customers might discover more meaningful and thoughtfully prepared menu options. His Cinco de Mayo offerings feature traditional “guisados” — authentic Mexican stews and braised dishes used as taco fillings — similar to what families would serve in their own homes.

Luis believes quality traditional cooking attracts returning customers regardless of their ethnic background.

“It’s the ultimate opportunity for restaurants to take advantage of that moment and bring them in and entice them to authentic Mexican food,” Luis said.

The holiday commemorates the 1862 anniversary when Mexican forces defeated invading French armies at the Battle of Puebla. This unexpected victory against larger, better-equipped French troops provided tremendous morale for Mexican soldiers under General Ignacio Zaragoza’s command.

Mexico’s central city of Puebla hosts annual historical reenactments honoring this victory. Participants portray Mexican and French soldiers alongside Zacapoaxtlas — Indigenous and farming communities who assisted Mexican forces.

American Cinco de Mayo celebrations have honored Mexican American heritage since the 1800s in California, featuring parades, street vendors, neighborhood festivals, mariachi contests, and traditional dancing.

Folklórico performances showcase spinning dancers wearing vibrant ruffled gowns with ribbons adorning their hair.

Many Americans incorrectly associate May 5th with Mexican Independence Day, which actually falls on September 16th.

Latino advocates and academics attribute this American confusion to unclear historical understanding and marketing campaigns that promote stereotypes including fake drooping mustaches and oversized colorful sombreros.

Following President Donald Trump’s 2025 return to office, he has maintained his characterization of Mexican immigrants as criminals and gang members, while Latino communities face intensified immigration enforcement. Official White House social media accounts have shared content perpetuating negative Latino stereotypes, alongside federal English-only policies and diversity program eliminations that appear to target minority communities.

These developments have created widespread anxiety within Latino neighborhoods.

Mendoza acknowledges the restaurant industry faces additional challenges from increasing operational costs. Despite these obstacles, Cuernavaca’s Grill will mark its 20th anniversary this year.

Her restaurant’s Cinco de Mayo celebration will include a food and toy collection drive supporting community members facing current hardships.

“This is a testament of our resilience,” Mendoza said. “It’s a testament of our hard work. It is pride to our community and everything that we’ve accomplished.”

CONCORD, N.H. — Back in 1985, a 13-year-old from New Zealand noticed purple, lip-shaped sunglasses featured in “Young Miss” magazine. This past March, a New Hampshire woman journeyed 9,000 miles to personally deliver those very sunglasses, completing a promise made to her pen pal four decades earlier.

While International Youth Service, the organization that originally connected the two correspondents 40 years ago, has since closed its doors, numerous pen pal services have not only endured but actually flourished during the digital era. Despite postal services worldwide cutting back operations — New Zealand reducing home delivery schedules, Denmark eliminating letter delivery entirely, and Canada considering similar changes — experts are noticing renewed enthusiasm for handwritten correspondence.

“The hunger is there,” explained Rachel Syme, a New Yorker magazine contributor who launched a pen pal initiative during the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequently authored a book promoting traditional letter writing.

Syme’s Penpalooza initiative attracted over 15,000 participants in 2020, and she continues receiving hundreds of applications during her quarterly matchmaking sessions. Book signings for “Syme’s Letter Writer – A Guide to Modern Correspondence” generate frequent requests for pen pal connections, while New York City stationery shops she visits remain consistently busy.

“People are very interested in physical, analog things right now,” she observed. “I think it really has an appeal especially to a younger generation who grew up with a phone glued to their hand, to do something that’s more tactile, slower, more intentional, more mindful, but also just disconnected from the internet in every way.”

The New Hampshire correspondent was still a decade away from internet access when she received her first aerogramme from New Zealand — a light blue sheet functioning as both writing paper and mailing envelope with a 45-cent postage stamp. That initial message concluded with the reserved signature “Yours (hopefully) Molly Nunns,” but within twelve months, she was ending letters with “Lots and lots of love” or “Your friend forever.”

Through countless letters, Molly decorated the letter “y” in both their names with tiny hearts, requested updates about middle school romantic interests, and shared tales of her schoolmates and relatives. The writer could vividly envision Molly’s daily life, though imagining Christmas celebrations during summer months proved challenging from snowy New Hampshire.

“I am thinking of you heaps and I wonder what you are doing because you’re a SUPER pen friend and I hope that we never stop writing to each other and that one day we will get to meet each other,” Molly wrote in early 1986.

Julie Delbridge, now 65, developed comparable friendships after becoming a member of International Pen Friends as a teenager in 1979. Corresponding with pen pals across more than twelve nations from her Australian home proved so rewarding that she eventually joined the organization’s staff and assumed the presidency in 2001. Beyond enjoying photo, postcard, and gift exchanges with her correspondents, the experience provided emotional support during her parents’ difficult divorce proceedings.

“It was a pastime that I totally immersed myself into in a positive way and gained a lot of enjoyment from,” she recalled. “There was an abundance of non-judgmental friendship, fun and different perspectives.”

Throughout its 59-year existence, IPF has connected over 2 million individuals ranging from age 8 to beyond 80, according to Delbridge. While membership reached its highest point in the late 1990s, it experienced another surge during the pandemic, with this year showing increased participation among people aged 21-26.

During 2021, the U.S. Postal Service distributed cards and envelopes to 25,000 elementary classrooms for a pen pal initiative, though older students are also embracing handwritten communication.

Texas medical students established an anonymous pen pal system to encourage peer support and self-reflection. At Villanova University, Professor Kamran Javadizadeh requires his literature students to mail letters to classmates as part of “Letters, Texts, Twitter,” a course examining various forms of written communication in literature.

“I make them put pieces of paper in envelopes and take them to the post office and send them to each other even though they could just as easily hand it to the person in class,” he explained. “Something is lost when you have instantaneous communication. So I’m interested in the relationship between synchronous kinds of intimacy and asynchronous forms of intimacy.”

Gordon Alley-Young, communications dean at New York’s Kingsborough Community College, compares letters to vinyl records — experiencing renewed popularity as younger generations discover tangible media from previous eras. He has both researched letter-writing history and employed it to develop student empathy.

During an interpersonal communication course, he observed students providing cold, almost harsh assessments when analyzing relationship problem case studies. However, when he reformatted those same scenarios as letters from friends requiring written responses, students began sharing personal emotions and providing more compassionate guidance.

“We really want students to connect to what they’re looking at,” he noted. “And letter writing encourages that.”

An application called Slowly attempts to merge contemporary technology with traditional pen pal anticipation. Users transmit messages electronically, but delivery delays range from one hour to multiple days, simulating postal mail timing.

“This delay naturally encourages longer, more thoughtful messages because you wouldn’t just say ‘hi’ if you know you have to wait days for a reply,” explained cofounder JoJo Chan.

Since launching in 2017, the application has attracted 10 million users across more than 160 nations, primarily people in their twenties and thirties. One participant mentioned curiosity about pen pal relationships after hearing grandparents discuss them, Chan reported.

“Slowly offers a convenient way and a modern way for them to try that experience,” she said.

Syme, however, champions the physical elements of letter writing. Her book provides guidance on paper and pen selection plus various items suitable for envelope inclusion.

“There is joy to be had once you fully embrace the medium’s outdated extravagance,” she writes.

Yet letter writing, she explained in an interview, resembles a swimming pool — both attractive on the surface and profound in depth. Decorative elements and embellishments pale compared to actual written content.

“That’s where I think it can get very real, very quickly,” she said.

Molly and the New Hampshire writer had maintained correspondence for 15 years before meeting face-to-face, spending a day together in New York during Molly’s May 2000 U.S. tour. They encountered each other again in London several years later, and in 2018, Molly and her family visited New Hampshire.

“Who would have thought when we started writing in 1985 that one day you’d be sitting here? It’s quite amazing,” Molly remarked during the recent visit. “We’ll always have a special connection, I’m sure.”

Along with the sunglasses, the writer presented Molly with a bound collection of 200 pages containing scanned and printed copies of her letters. At 13 years old, she never could have anticipated someday having searchable digital files of their teenage correspondence that artificial intelligence could analyze in seconds. However, what strikes her more profoundly is the emotional depth experienced during their tearful airport farewell.

They will certainly reunite again. Until that time, lots and lots of love, Holly.

Pentagon officials announced Monday that American military forces conducted a strike against a boat in Caribbean waters, resulting in the deaths of two individuals aboard the vessel.

According to U.S. Southern Command, the targeted boat was allegedly controlled by what they termed “designated terrorist organizations,” though military officials did not specify which groups they were referring to. No American service members were injured during the operation.

Military spokespeople characterized the two deceased individuals as “male narco-terrorists” but provided no additional information about their identities or specific activities.

The incident represents another in a series of similar military actions that human rights organizations have criticized as “extrajudicial killings.” The Trump administration has defended these operations as necessary measures against “narco-terrorists” operating in the region.

DENVER – A 46-year-old Egyptian national accused of carrying out a deadly firebombing at a pro-Israel demonstration in Colorado will admit guilt to all 184 state charges against him this Thursday, according to his legal team.

The announcement came through an emergency court filing Sunday by defense lawyers representing Mohamed Soliman in connection with his separate federal hate crimes case.

The same legal motion requests a federal court order blocking the deportation of six family members – including Soliman’s former wife and five children – until federal authorities determine whether they will seek capital punishment in their case against him.

Defense attorneys contend that sending his relatives out of the country would violate Soliman’s constitutional rights by preventing them from serving as character witnesses during a potential death penalty trial.

The filing reveals that Soliman has offered to accept a life sentence in the federal case, though prosecutors have not yet responded to that proposal.

Regarding the state proceedings, defense lawyers stated that Soliman “will plead guilty to all charges” on Thursday as part of an agreement where Boulder County District Court will “impose a prison sentence of life without parole, plus at least 400 years.”

Court records show a “filing of charges hearing” scheduled for Thursday, though neither Soliman’s attorneys nor the Boulder County prosecutor’s office provided additional comment Monday.

The charges against Soliman total 184 counts related to the June 1, 2025 assault, encompassing multiple murder charges, attempted murder, assault, and illegal use of explosive materials.

Court documents from both sides describe how Soliman hurled two gasoline-filled bottles at participants in a peaceful downtown Boulder gathering aimed at highlighting the situation of Israeli hostages captured by Hamas fighters on October 7, 2023.

Prosecutors say Soliman also wielded an improvised flame-throwing device created from a commercial weed sprayer during the assault, shouting “Free Palestine” while the firebombs he launched ignited among the crowd.

Officials documented 29 total victims, including individuals who suffered burns or injuries while escaping or who were close enough to be considered attempted murder targets, the Denver Post reported. An 82-year-old victim, Karen Diamond, succumbed to her injuries later that month.

Prosecution court filings indicate that following his arrest, Soliman admitted to investigators his desire to “kill all Zionist people” and revealed he had spent a year planning the attack, though he postponed execution until after his daughter’s high school graduation.

Immigration authorities detained Soliman’s family members last June after his arrest, transporting them to a Texas facility where they remained for over 10 months before their court-ordered release on April 23.

The mother and five children were detained again on April 25, just hours after returning to Colorado by plane. They were placed on a Michigan-bound aircraft for eventual deportation when legal representatives stepped in, prompting immigration officials to return them to Denver and release them again on April 26, according to the defense emergency filing.

The current status of the family members remains unclear. A representative for the U.S. Attorney for Colorado declined to discuss the federal case’s progress.

A former corrections officer has admitted his role in the deadly beating of an inmate at a New York state prison, accepting an 11-year prison sentence as part of a plea agreement reached Monday.

Caleb Blair, who previously worked as a guard at Mid-State Correctional Facility near Utica, entered his guilty plea to manslaughter charges just as his trial was about to begin. Blair had originally been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the March 1, 2025 death of 22-year-old Messiah Nantwi, making his case the most severe among the officers involved.

According to prosecutors, Nantwi endured a brutal assault consisting of 69 individual strikes from corrections officers who attacked him with fists, boots, and batons during multiple beatings. The young man died from severe head trauma and additional injuries. Blair was identified as one of two guards responsible for inflicting the fatal head wounds on Nantwi, who was serving a five-year term for engaging in a shootout with police officers.

The violent incident began when Nantwi resisted being handcuffed during a routine prisoner count, court documents revealed.

Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick, who handled the prosecution, confirmed that Nantwi’s family supported the plea arrangement.

“I’m satisfied that justice was done,” Fitzpatrick stated during a phone conversation with The Associated Press following the court proceeding. “There has to be systemic changes in the facilities regarding relationships between (corrections officers) and incarcerated individuals, and I hope that people just don’t turn the page.”

Defense attorney William Sullivan said his client took full responsibility for his conduct. Sullivan noted that Blair had maintained an unblemished record as a corrections officer without any disciplinary issues and had military service with the National Guard overseas.

“It was a terrible combination of eight minutes, six minutes, in that cell that ruined an otherwise exemplary life,” Sullivan explained. “If you had a daughter and Caleb Blair came home to ask for her hand, you’d be proud.”

The court scheduled Blair’s sentencing for June 17.

Legal representatives for Nantwi’s family emphasized that the relatives’ primary concern was ensuring accountability for his death.

“Most of the defendants here are going to jail. And hopefully the impact of that will resonate throughout the state prisons, which for far too long have tolerated and turned a blind eye to violence against inmates,” lawyers Earl Ward and Katie Rosenfeld wrote in their statement.

Jonah Levi, the second former officer whom Fitzpatrick identified as delivering head blows to Nantwi, was convicted of manslaughter and additional charges by a jury last month despite denying the accusations. He is awaiting his sentencing hearing.

Another ex-guard, Craig Klemick, entered a guilty plea on Friday to charges of filing false documentation, a charge typically used when someone lies in official incident reports. Multiple other former guards have also accepted plea deals, leaving just one remaining case for trial.

The original indictment from last year named 10 corrections officers, with six facing assault charges related to Nantwi’s beating. The remaining four were accused of orchestrating a cover-up that involved submitting fraudulent reports, attempting to plant a homemade weapon, and removing blood evidence from Nantwi’s cell.

The fatal assault took place during an unauthorized work stoppage by numerous officers, which prompted the governor to deploy National Guard personnel to maintain facility operations. Nantwi’s death occurred just months after Robert Brooks was beaten to death at another prison located directly across from Mid-State.

NEW YORK, May 4 – A parade of A-list celebrities walked the red carpet Monday evening at New York’s prestigious Met Gala while demonstrators gathered outside to voice opposition to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ major financial backing of the exclusive event.

Notable attendees making their grand entrances included recording artists Sam Smith and Doja Cat, along with acclaimed actress Nicole Kidman at the fashion industry’s most exclusive annual gathering.

Lauren Sanchez Bezos, wife of the tech billionaire, was spotted among the evening’s earliest arrivals at the yearly fundraising event benefiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, which has gained worldwide recognition for its elaborate fashion displays and celebrity guest list.

The Bezos couple served as primary event sponsors through a contribution that media sources report reached $10 million, earning them honorary chair positions. This significant financial involvement sparked calls for boycotting the gala due to concerns about economic disparity and labor practices.

Demonstrators positioned themselves outside the museum wearing vibrant clothing while displaying letters that spelled out “tax the rich” alongside banners proclaiming “resistance red carpet” and “eat the rich.”

The evening’s anticipated guest list featured major names including Rihanna, Beyoncé, Venus Williams and Kim Kardashian. While individual tickets carry a $100,000 price tag, most celebrity attendees receive invitations as honored guests.

Internet sensation Emma Chamberlain made an early appearance for photographers wearing a form-fitting outfit with floor-length sleeves, while La La Anthony showcased a jewel-encrusted gown.

The 2024 event embraced the theme “Fashion is Art,” encouraging attendees to view their bodies as artistic canvases.

French social media influencer Lena Mahfouf turned heads in a sculptural top designed to resemble silver hands paired with a flowing bottom portion.

Actress Gwendoline Christie created another memorable moment upon arrival, sporting an elongated crimson dress complemented by elaborate feathered headwear and a realistic facial covering.

College-bound students are submitting standardized test scores at significantly higher rates during this admissions cycle, even though many universities continue to offer test-optional policies.

Data shows that student submissions of SAT and ACT scores have increased by 10% when compared to last year’s application period. This trend suggests that despite having the choice to apply without test scores, many students believe including their standardized test results strengthens their college applications.

The increase comes as numerous higher education institutions across the country maintain policies that allow prospective students to apply for admission without submitting standardized test scores, a practice that became widespread during the pandemic.

NEW YORK — A comprehensive investigation by The Associated Press examining how governments worldwide use advanced surveillance technology has earned the news organization a Pulitzer Prize for international reporting.

The award recognized the work of AP reporters Dake Kang, Garance Burke, Byron Tau, and Aniruddha Ghosal, plus independent journalist Yael Grauer, for what judges described as “an astonishing global investigation into state-of-the-art tools of mass surveillance.” The series examined China’s expanding monitoring systems and revealed how U.S. Border Patrol secretly tracks American drivers through license plate data.

“This complex and difficult reporting, done by journalists across several continents, embodies the true spirit of the AP: leveraging our global footprint and deep expertise to tell important, impactful stories,” stated AP Senior Vice President and Executive Editor Julie Pace. “It comes at a critical time when the immense and growing power of U.S. tech companies — and their increasingly complex relationship with governments — is in the spotlight and of immense public interest.”

The three-year investigation involved analyzing thousands of documents and conducting extensive interviews. Reporters discovered that American corporations helped establish the framework China now uses to monitor and control its population, with some companies actually promoting their technology’s surveillance features as marketing advantages.

“This was sweeping and deeply impactful reporting, the kind of work that highlights the unique strengths of AP’s global, multiformat newsroom,” Pace told staff members via email. She serves as one of the Pulitzer Board’s newest appointees.

The investigation also examined how multiple U.S. presidential administrations permitted technology companies and China to circumvent rules designed to prevent Chinese access to sensitive materials, including sophisticated computer processors.

Within the United States, reporters uncovered that Border Patrol agents were covertly operating an intelligence system using license plate data to monitor drivers’ movement patterns beyond just border crossings. When algorithms flagged certain travel behaviors as suspicious, drivers could face traffic stops and potential arrest.

AP noted the challenges journalists faced while pursuing this story, including harassment and behind-the-scenes pressure from sources attempting to prevent publication.

The multimedia project featured extensive photography and video components, with significant contributions from AP photographer David Goldman and visual journalists Marshall Ritzel and Serginho Roosblad.

Additional reporting came from Michael Biesecker and Sam Mednick, who examined how major U.S. technology companies discretely provided Israel with enhanced capabilities to identify and target suspected militants in Gaza and Lebanon through expanded artificial intelligence and computing resources.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A dual citizen of El Salvador and Mexico who sustained multiple gunshot wounds during an immigration enforcement operation entered a not guilty plea Monday to federal assault charges, according to prosecutors.

Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez faces a federal grand jury indictment handed down Friday charging him with two counts of using a deadly weapon to assault a federal officer and one count of destroying government property.

Defense attorney Patrick Kolasinski maintains that Mendoza became frightened and attempted to escape when Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers surrounded his vehicle, stating his client had no intention of harming anyone. Kolasinski also challenges official assertions that Mendoza was a suspected gang member sought by El Salvador authorities for murder-related questioning.

According to his attorney, court records from El Salvador show Mendoza was cleared of murder charges there, and he has consistently denied any gang affiliation. Kolasinski stated that Mendoza arrived in the United States in 2019 with a clean criminal background.

Federal prosecutors announced Monday that Mendoza has opted for a jury trial, with a status hearing scheduled for July 27.

The defendant continues his recovery following multiple surgical procedures to treat various gunshot injuries, including damage to his jaw, according to his legal counsel.

The Department of Homeland Security maintains that ICE personnel discharged their weapons in self-defense after Mendoza attempted to strike them with his vehicle. According to DHS, officers were executing a targeted enforcement action against the 36-year-old on April 7 in Patterson, located approximately 75 miles southeast of San Francisco.

This incident represents one of several officer-involved shootings during heightened immigration enforcement efforts focused on detaining and removing undocumented individuals. The case joins others where federal officials face scrutiny over circumstances, particularly instances where video footage has contradicted initial official statements.

Actress Blake Lively and director Justin Baldoni have reached an agreement to resolve their contentious legal fight connected to their 2024 movie “It Ends With Us.”

The settlement was finalized Monday, preventing a scheduled trial concerning Lively’s allegations that Baldoni worked with publicists to deliberately damage her public image after she privately confronted him about sexual harassment during filming.

Both parties issued a joint statement saying: “Raising awareness, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors — and all survivors — is a goal that we stand behind. … It is our sincere hope that this brings closure and allows all involved to move forward constructively and in peace, including a respectful environment online.”

Baldoni, who both directed and acted alongside Lively in the film, had rejected allegations of harassment or coordinating any reputation attack. He maintained that Lively fabricated the behavioral complaints as part of a scheme to gain creative authority over the production.

The agreement allows both parties to sidestep a courtroom battle that would have exposed Hollywood’s darker aspects and potentially created additional damaging disclosures.

Recent court decisions had already eliminated some legal claims from both sides.

Judge Lewis J. Liman threw out Lively’s sexual harassment allegations in early April, determining she couldn’t pursue them under federal statutes because she worked as an independent contractor, not an employee, during the film’s production.

The same judge had earlier dismissed Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios’ lawsuit accusing Lively and her spouse, “Deadpool” star Ryan Reynolds, of defamation and extortion.

“It Ends With Us,” based on Colleen Hoover’s popular 2016 book, hit theaters in August 2024 and performed better than anticipated at the box office.

According to Lively’s legal filing, Baldoni made unwelcome remarks about her physical appearance during production, crossed physical boundaries while shooting intimate scenes, and insisted on nudity during a childbirth scene despite her objections.

Baldoni maintained his actions fell within standard creative filmmaking practices.

When dismissing the harassment claims, the judge recognized the complicated nature of the situation, observing that creative professionals “must have some amount of space to experiment within the bounds of an agreed script without fear of being held liable for sexual harassment.”

The planned trial would have centered on Lively’s assertion that Baldoni and the studio sought revenge for her harassment complaints by employing publicists to turn public opinion against her. Her legal team claimed this effort included recruiting a “digital army” to create false negative social media content about Lively and providing “manufactured content to unwitting reporters.”

The legal documents stated the goal was to “retaliate against Ms. Lively by battering her image, harming her businesses, and causing her family severe emotional harm.”

Baldoni’s attorneys argued that Lively was the one strategically damaging Baldoni’s public reputation, partially by using assistance from her celebrity connections.

Lively gained recognition in the 2005 movie “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and the television series “Gossip Girl” from 2007 to 2012, later appearing in films such as “The Town” and “The Shallows.”

Baldoni performed in the television comedy “Jane the Virgin,” helmed the 2019 movie “Five Feet Apart,” and authored “Man Enough,” a book questioning conventional masculine stereotypes.

A defendant charged with a deadly firebomb assault on supporters of Israeli hostages in Colorado is scheduled to enter a guilty plea this week, court filings reveal.

Mohamed Sabry Soliman could receive a life sentence without parole if a judge accepts his admission of guilt for the June 1 incident in Boulder’s downtown area, according to documents his legal team submitted Sunday in the corresponding federal case.

Initially, Soliman had entered a not guilty plea after being charged with hurling two incendiary devices at demonstrators gathered at a pedestrian shopping area. An elderly woman, 82, who sustained injuries during the assault subsequently passed away. Twelve additional people were wounded.

Federal officials identify Soliman as an Egyptian citizen residing unlawfully in the United States. According to investigators, he spent a year preparing the assault and was motivated by his goal “to kill all Zionist people.”

The defendant faces numerous state criminal charges, including homicide and multiple counts of attempted homicide.

In the federal case, Soliman maintains his innocence regarding hate crime allegations. His legal representatives indicate prosecutors are weighing whether to pursue capital punishment in that matter. Last August, Soliman’s defense team stated he was willing to admit guilt to federal charges in exchange for life imprisonment.

The Associated Press attempted to reach Soliman’s legal counsel in both proceedings. His federal public defenders wrote in Sunday’s filing that the assault “was profoundly inconsistent” with Soliman’s previous behavior and “came as a total shock to his family.”

Prior to the incident, Soliman resided with his family in a small Colorado Springs apartment. He had held various minimum-wage positions after arriving in America from Kuwait in 2022 with his spouse and five children, his lawyers stated. The marriage ended in divorce this past April, according to his attorneys.

Shannon Carbone from the 20th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, handling the state prosecution, refused to discuss Soliman’s planned guilty plea, citing judicial restrictions on prosecutor statements.

“From the very first day, our office has been committed to fighting for justice in this case,” Carbone stated in an email, noting that County Attorney Michael Dougherty will speak about the matter after Thursday’s court appearance.

According to investigators, Soliman admitted his intention was to kill approximately 20 people participating in the regular demonstration at Boulder’s Pearl Street pedestrian area. However, he deployed only two of the more than 24 incendiary devices he carried while shouting, “Free Palestine!” Authorities said he explained that fear stopped him because he had never previously harmed anyone.

Federal prosecutors claim the victims were chosen due to their perceived or real ties to Israel. However, Soliman’s federal defense attorneys argue hate crime charges are inappropriate because evidence demonstrates his actions were driven by anti-Zionist beliefs rather than religious hatred.

Under federal statute, attacks motivated by political opposition do not qualify as hate crimes.

State prosecutors have documented 29 victims from the incident. Thirteen suffered physical harm, while others present are classified as victims due to potential danger. A canine was also hurt in the attack, leading to animal cruelty charges against Soliman.

WASHINGTON — Federal authorities shot someone Monday afternoon in the area surrounding the Washington Monument, according to Secret Service officials.

Details about the individual’s medical status and what led to the shooting near the intersection of 15th Street and Independence Avenue remained unclear in the immediate aftermath.

Secret Service officials urged the public to stay away from the location while emergency responders handled the situation, which occurred close to the White House during President Donald Trump’s small business gathering.

Authorities temporarily secured the White House while investigating what happened. Secret Service agents moved reporters who were positioned outside into the briefing room, while Trump’s scheduled event proceeded without disruption.

According to Vito Maggiolo, a spokesperson for the D.C. Fire and EMS Department, emergency medical teams took an adult male to a local hospital and provided care to what appeared to be a teenage male who sustained minor injuries. Maggiolo directed additional inquiries to police officials.

The shooting brought numerous law enforcement officers to the scene, occurring just over one week following an attempted breach at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner by an armed individual carrying guns and knives. Authorities have filed charges against Cole Tomas Allen in connection with that incident, which resulted in injuries to a Secret Service officer.

NEW YORK — This year’s Pulitzer Prize winners in the arts include an unconventional World War I story and a theatrical exploration of women’s liberation movements from decades past, officials announced Monday.

Daniel Kraus claimed the fiction award for “Angel Down,” an innovative novel about World War I written entirely as one continuous sentence. The drama prize was awarded to Bess Wohl for “Liberation,” which examines the feminist consciousness-raising circles of the 1970s.

Monday’s announcement also recognized several works exploring American history. The history prize went to Jill Lepore for “We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution,” while Amanda Vaill earned the biography award for “Pride and Pleasure: The Schuyler Sisters in an Age of Revolution.” Yiyun Li received recognition in the memoir category for “Things in Nature Merely Grow,” her raw examination of losing two sons to suicide. The general nonfiction prize was awarded to Brian Goldstone for “There is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America.”

In other categories, Juliana Spahr’s “Ars Poeticas” won the poetry prize, and Gabriela Lena Frank received the music award for “Picaflor: A Future Myth,” a symphonic piece drawing inspiration from Andean folklore and California’s wildfire crisis.

Kraus, 50, has built a varied career spanning fantasy, horror and young adult literature, including partnerships with directors George Romero and Guillermo del Toro. Prize officials described “Angel Down” as “a stylistic tour-de-force that blends such genres as allegory, magical realism, and science fiction into a cohesive whole, told in a single sentence.”

Wohl’s theatrical work brings together feminists from various backgrounds as they confront issues including sexism, internalized prejudices, domestic violence and traditional gender expectations. The production moves between different time periods, and includes a scene where six performers appear nude at the start of the second act. The recognition comes just one day before Tony Award nominations are revealed, with “Liberation” anticipated to receive a nod for best new play.

A United Airlines flight carrying 231 passengers came within feet of a major disaster Sunday when the aircraft collided with a delivery truck and light pole while approaching Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

The Boeing 767, arriving from Venice, Italy, managed to strike the semitrailer on the New Jersey Turnpike during its final approach before successfully completing its landing. The truck driver, who was operating a bakery delivery vehicle, received treatment at a local hospital for minor injuries, while all passengers and crew members remained unharmed.

Aviation safety specialist Steve Arroyo, a former United pilot with extensive experience on the same runway, emphasized how close the situation came to tragedy. “A major catastrophe was avoided by feet,” Arroyo explained. “Had it been another five feet lower, eight feet, I mean, no more than 10 feet, that plane would have been all over the New Jersey Turnpike.”

The National Transportation Safety Board announced Monday that officials have upgraded their classification of the event from an incident to an accident due to the severity of aircraft damage, though specific details about the damage remain undisclosed.

Audio recordings from air traffic control suggest the collision may have created an opening in the aircraft’s fuselage, though neither United Airlines nor federal investigators have verified this information. The flight crew chose to contact the control tower by telephone after landing rather than discussing damage details over radio communications.

More than thirty minutes following the collision, air traffic control recordings captured a conversation between a controller and ground personnel. “They felt something over the threshold and there’s a hole in the side of the airplane,” the controller stated.

Dashboard camera footage from the delivery truck captured the moment of impact and shows the vehicle appearing to roll onto its side. Given that commercial trucks typically measure 13.5 feet in height, the aircraft was flying extremely low during its approach.

Federal investigators arrived Monday to conduct interviews with the flight crew and begin their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision. The NTSB typically releases preliminary findings approximately one month after such incidents and has announced no plans for press briefings regarding this accident.

The aircraft utilized Runway 29 for landing, which spans 6,726 feet and represents the airport’s shortest landing strip. This runway typically sees use only during periods of strong winds, such as the conditions present Sunday afternoon when gusts reached 31 mph. Newark’s two other runways extend 11,000 feet in length.

Arroyo noted that investigators will examine the crew’s preparation for landing on the shorter runway, including their use of flight control systems and cockpit navigation equipment. These systems assist pilots in maintaining proper approach angles before transitioning to visual landing procedures.

“It’s one of the most challenging approaches in the world,” Arroyo observed. “The margin of error is extremely low.”

Former federal crash investigator Jeff Guzzetti, who previously worked with both the NTSB and Federal Aviation Administration, said he cannot recall another incident involving a commercial airliner striking a vehicle. While similar collisions have occurred with smaller aircraft, airline jets have not been involved in comparable accidents. Guzzetti suggested investigators may also consider whether crew fatigue from the transatlantic flight contributed to the incident.

Federal officials have instructed United Airlines to preserve both cockpit voice recordings and flight data recorders for examination. The airline has placed the flight crew on administrative leave pending completion of the investigation.

A recent conversation between NPR’s Ailsa Chang and Stanford education economist Thomas Dee explored new research examining the consequences of cellular device restrictions in educational settings.

The discussion centered on Dee’s latest findings regarding what transpires when educational institutions implement policies prohibiting student use of mobile phones during school hours.

The research provides valuable insights into how these technological restrictions affect student behavior, academic performance, and the overall learning environment in schools across the country.

NEW YORK — Major news organizations including The Associated Press and Reuters claimed top honors at Monday’s 2026 Pulitzer Prize ceremony, with their investigative journalism taking center stage.

The Associated Press earned the international reporting prize for a comprehensive investigation revealing how American corporations have helped build China’s extensive citizen surveillance and monitoring network. The three-year investigation involved analyzing thousands of documents and conducting extensive interviews.

The AP’s reporting also uncovered how multiple presidential administrations permitted technology companies and Chinese officials to circumvent rules designed to prevent China from obtaining sensitive materials like sophisticated computer chips.

Reuters captured recognition for examining Trump’s expansion of presidential power through federal government resources and supporter networks to target political opponents, according to award judges.

Reuters claimed a second prize in the restored beat reporting category for their coverage of social media company Meta.

The Minneapolis-based Minnesota Star Tribune won the breaking news award for their coverage of a tragic mass shooting at a local Catholic school last year.

Award judges commended the newspaper’s “thoroughness and compassion” while reporting on the devastating incident in their community. The shooting occurred during the school’s opening Mass of the academic year, resulting in two children’s deaths and injuries to more than a dozen others. The gunman was later discovered dead from an apparent suicide.

Monday’s Pulitzer announcement via livestream occurred just over a week following a security incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, where an armed individual breached a checkpoint and engaged in gunfire with Secret Service personnel. The suspect faces charges for attempting to assassinate Trump, who was making his first presidential appearance at the event.

The journalism Pulitzers recognize 2025 work by American news websites, newspapers, magazines, and wire services across text, photography, and audio formats. Video and graphics may supplement entries, with television and radio station websites eligible when focusing on written content.

Monday’s ceremony also recognized achievements in literature, music, and theater.

Established through newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer’s estate, the awards debuted in 1917. Recipients earn $15,000, while the distinguished public service winner receives a gold medal.

The Columbia University-based Pulitzer Board makes final selections. Julie Pace, The Associated Press’ executive editor, recently joined the board.

New Jersey State Police have confirmed that a United Airlines commercial aircraft collided with a light pole and caused damage to a truck during its approach to Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday.

The incident involving the passenger jet occurred as the aircraft was attempting to land at the New Jersey airport, according to authorities.

Officials have not yet released details about potential injuries or the extent of damage to the aircraft or ground equipment involved in the collision.

NEW YORK — Manhattan’s Eugene O’Neill Theatre was forced to shut down Monday after an electrical fire erupted backstage, temporarily halting performances of the hit Broadway musical “The Book of Mormon.”

The flames originated in an electrical utility room and resulted in “substantial damage” throughout the historic venue, New York Fire Department Assistant Chief David Simms reported. Fire investigators are still working to determine what sparked the blaze.

“Everyone has been safely removed from the theater,” ATG Entertainment, which owns the facility, announced in an official statement. “We will keep all parties abreast of this developing situation.”

Theater officials have not yet announced when the 1,108-seat venue might reopen. Representatives for “The Book of Mormon” production have not responded to requests for comment, though the musical was scheduled to perform again Tuesday evening.

According to Simms, the fire primarily affected the theater’s fourth floor and a backstage area housing lighting systems and hanging chandeliers. Firefighting efforts also resulted in water damage throughout parts of the building.

Crews faced initial challenges containing the flames due to the theater’s complex network of catwalks and stage rigging, Simms explained, though they ultimately gained control of the situation. One firefighter sustained minor injuries during the response.

“The Book of Mormon” ranks among Broadway’s most enduring productions, having staged over 5,000 performances since its Eugene O’Neill Theatre debut in 2011.

The venue itself dates back to 1925 and has welcomed numerous acclaimed productions over the decades, including “Sweeney Todd,” a revival of Tennessee Williams’ “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” and the rock musical “Spring Awakening.”

Federal prosecutors are revealing new details about the mental state of the man they say ignited the catastrophic Palisades Fire that devastated Los Angeles communities earlier this year.

Court documents show that 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht was frustrated about having no New Year’s Eve plans and expressed rage toward society before allegedly setting the fire that would claim 12 lives. The defendant has entered a not guilty plea to charges related to starting what authorities call one of California’s most devastating wildfire disasters.

The massive blaze erupted on January 7, 2025, consuming hillside communities in Pacific Palisades and Malibu. However, federal authorities allege Rinderknecht initially set a fire on January 1 that smoldered undetected in underground root systems for nearly a week before resurging with deadly force.

A June 8 trial date has been scheduled for Rinderknecht. His legal team argues he’s being made a scapegoat to cover up the Los Angeles Fire Department’s inability to completely put out the original blaze.

The prosecution’s case strategy was outlined in an April 29 pre-trial document from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which provides insight into Rinderknecht’s alleged mindset during the critical timeframe.

Court filings indicate that on New Year’s Eve, witnesses observed Rinderknecht driving dangerously while working Uber shifts in the Palisades area. Passengers told investigators he appeared “angry, intense, driving erratically, and ranting about being ‘pissed off at the world,’” according to the prosecution memo.

The documents reveal that Rinderknecht discussed accused UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter Luigi Mangione, capitalism, and vigilante justice with his passengers. During a January 24 interview with investigators, when questioned about potential motives for Palisades arson, Rinderknecht allegedly “responded that it would be out of resentment of the rich enjoying their money as ‘we’re basically being enslaved by them,’” and again brought up Mangione’s alleged actions.

Prosecutors also claim Rinderknecht was dealing with romantic relationship troubles and was upset about his canceled New Year’s Eve arrangements.

Defense attorney Steve Haney responded via email Sunday, stating: “My client maintains his innocence as he has from the beginning and we look forward to clearing his name at trial. The offered motive that my client started a fire on NYs Eve because he did not have date speaks for itself.”

During a March press conference, Haney demanded his client’s release from custody, citing evidence he believes proves Rinderknecht’s innocence. The attorney referenced deposition testimony from a firefighter who said he observed smoldering ground on January 2 and warned supervisors about remaining hot spots. This testimony emerged from litigation filed by fire victims against the city.

However, a battalion chief testified that he conducted four perimeter walks of the burned area throughout the day and confirmed all hot spots were extinguished.

Fire Department Chief Jaime Moore, who took the position in October, has expressed concern about the conflicting firefighter accounts and ordered an independent investigation into how the January 1 fire was managed.

Haney maintains this crucial evidence was unavailable to the defense team when the indictment was issued.

CINCINNATI (AP) — The legendary WKRP call letters have made their way from television fiction to radio reality in Cincinnati as of this Monday.

Co-owner Jeff Ziesmann reports that listeners are thrilled about the station’s adoption of the famous call letters from the beloved CBS comedy series, just in time for Monday’s morning commute programming.

“Our phones have been mobbed this morning, as I’m sure you can imagine,” Ziesmann said.

The WKRP identifier now covers three broadcasting locations across Cincinnati, northern Kentucky and Dayton, Ohio, which all share the same programming through simulcasting. These stations will maintain their existing adult-hits music format featuring songs from the 1960s through 1980s with a special focus on 1970s hits, previously known under “The Oasis” branding.

Station ownership secured these call letters through a charitable contribution to a North Carolina nonprofit organization that had held the WKRP designation since 2014 for their low-power radio operation. According to Ziesmann, federal broadcasting rules allow his full-power station to use identical call letters because the North Carolina WKRP-LP operates under different regulatory classifications.

Ziesmann clarified that the nonprofit contribution wasn’t a direct transaction for the call letters themselves, but rather purchased the opportunity to petition the FCC for those call letters with the North Carolina organization’s support.

The original “WKRP in Cincinnati” television series aired from 1978 through 1982, featuring stars like Loni Anderson, Howard Hesseman, Tim Reid and Richard Sanders, who portrayed the hapless news reporter Les Nessman.

Sanders responded to the news in character, writing via email: “I have spoken with Les Nessman regarding the resurrection of WKRP in Cincinnati. After the failure of his dream to replace Walter Cronkite on the CBS evening news, he is hopeful that he can resume his duties as the News, Sports, Weather, Traffic, and Farm Report Director at WKRP.”

“I think we can all hope that WKRP will return to the airwaves with more music and Les Nessman,” Sanders added, referencing a beloved catchphrase from the comedy series.

The 81-year-old former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is hospitalized Monday while battling pneumonia, with his representative confirming he remains in critical but stable condition.

Giuliani gained worldwide recognition in 2001 for his leadership during New York’s response to the September 11 World Trade Center attacks, but his spokesperson revealed this experience resulted in him developing restrictive airway disease.

“This condition adds complications to any respiratory illness, and the virus quickly overwhelmed his body, requiring mechanical ventilation to maintain adequate oxygen and stabilize his condition,” the statement explained, noting that Giuliani is now able to breathe without assistance.

The former mayor’s reputation as “America’s Mayor,” which he earned through his handling of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, became damaged following his unsuccessful attempts to challenge President Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss.

His involvement in the 2020 election controversy resulted in criminal charges filed against Giuliani in two states, as well as a defamation case brought by election workers. Giuliani maintains his innocence regarding the criminal allegations.

Current New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a Democrat, extended well wishes to Giuliani on Monday for his recovery.

“He’s been a fixture in our city’s politics and public life for so many years. And I know that many New Yorkers are concerned by the reports that he’s in critical condition,” Mamdani said.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been taken off a ventilator and is now breathing independently while recovering from pneumonia at a Florida medical facility, according to his representative.

The 81-year-old political figure continues to receive treatment in critical but stable condition at the hospital near Palm Beach, with medical staff keeping close watch as a safety precaution, spokesman Ted Goodman announced Monday.

According to Goodman, Giuliani’s respiratory problems were worsened by restricted airway disease linked to his contact with debris and harmful substances during the September 11, 2001, World Trade Center attacks.

The former mayor’s admission to the hospital followed his Friday evening online program, where viewers could hear him coughing and speaking in a raspy voice as he told his audience his voice was “a little under the weather.”

“This condition adds complications to any respiratory illness, and the virus quickly overwhelmed his body, requiring mechanical ventilation to maintain adequate oxygen and stabilize his condition,” Goodman stated.

The spokesperson characterized Giuliani as “the ultimate fighter” and declared, “he is winning this battle.”

Goodman noted that Giuliani’s relatives and main doctor are staying close to the former mayor. He mentioned their gratitude for the “outpouring of love and support” from those sending well-wishes.

“The mayor believes in the power of prayer, and we are feeling that strength today,” Goodman stated.

During his eight years leading America’s largest city, Giuliani’s time in office was marked by the 9/11 terrorist attack occurring just months before his term ended. His response to the crisis earned him recognition as “America’s mayor,” a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II, and Time magazine’s Person of the Year honor.

The Republican politician later launched an unsuccessful presidential campaign and served as an advisor to President Donald Trump, leading efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 election.

Trump announced last year that he would present Giuliani with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

During Friday’s broadcast of his nightly program “America’s Mayor Live,” Giuliani began coughing and spoke with an unusually hoarse voice. Before discussing Iran-related topics, he noted: “My voice is a little under the weather, so I won’t be able to speak as loudly as I usually do, but I’ll get closer to the microphone.”

Writing on his Truth Social account, Trump described Giuliani as “a True Warrior, and the Best Mayor in the History of New York City, BY FAR.”

“What a tragedy that he was treated so badly by the Radical Left Lunatics, Democrats ALL — AND HE WAS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING!” Trump posted Sunday. “They cheated on the Elections, fabricated hundreds of stories, did anything possible to destroy our Nation, and now, look at Rudy. So sad!”

While serving as Trump’s personal lawyer and advisor, Giuliani actively promoted the president’s claims of election fraud in 2020, which Democrat Joe Biden won. Trump and his supporters lost numerous court cases alleging fraud, and multiple recounts, examinations and audits of election results revealed no evidence of substantial misconduct or mistakes.

Two former Georgia election officials subsequently secured a $148 million defamation award against Giuliani. During efforts to collect the judgment, the former federal prosecutor was held in contempt and faced a winter trial regarding ownership of his assets.

Giuliani eventually reached an agreement allowing him to retain his residences and various possessions, including treasured World Series rings, in return for undisclosed payment and a commitment to cease making negative statements about the former election workers.

Last September, Giuliani required hospitalization after sustaining a broken vertebra and additional injuries in a New Hampshire vehicle accident.

Born in New York, Giuliani won the mayoral election in 1993 following his career as one of the country’s most prominent federal prosecutors, pursuing organized crime figures and corrupt Wall Street professionals.

He sought a U.S. Senate seat in 2000 but ended his campaign against Hillary Rodham Clinton following a prostate cancer diagnosis.

Giuliani pursued the presidency in 2007, initially leading among Republican candidates due to his post-9/11 fame. However, his campaign faltered quickly as he exited the race after poor primary performances, facing GOP opposition to his previous positions on abortion rights, gay rights and gun control, along with questions about his personal affairs and Middle Eastern business connections.

He considered running for additional offices before shifting to political analysis.

In 2016, Trump utilized Giuliani’s political expertise and dedication, deploying him as a spokesperson to lead attacks against Clinton, his Democratic opponent. Following Trump’s victory, Giuliani remained his defender, even journeying to Ukraine to gather damaging material about Biden’s son Hunter.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Another sloth has died at a Central Florida zoo following its rescue from a failed Orlando tourist attraction that authorities say was responsible for the deaths of more than 30 other sloths.

The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens announced that Habanero, an adult male sloth, was put down on Saturday to end his suffering. Zoo officials had been providing intensive care to Habanero and a dozen other sloths surrendered by Sloth World, an Orlando-area tourist destination that was planned but never launched.

Last week, another rescued sloth named Bandit also died at the facility.

“When the sloths arrived, all were underweight and are being treated for gastrointestinal (GI) issues, requiring intensive, specialized care,” the zoo said in a statement. “Habanero initially showed encouraging signs of stabilization, including eating and drinking regularly under the close supervision of the zoo’s veterinary and animal care teams. In recent days, however, his condition worsened.”

State and local officials have launched a criminal probe into how the animals were cared for while under Sloth World’s control.

Records from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission show that 31 sloths died between December 2024 and February 2025.

According to the wildlife commission, 21 sloths brought from Guyana perished at an Orlando location known as Sanctuary World Imports during December 2024 when cold weather pushed temperatures down to 40-55 degrees Fahrenheit. Unlike many other mammals, sloths cannot effectively control their body temperature and need environments between 68-85 degrees Fahrenheit to survive.

The attraction subsequently brought in 10 more sloths from Peru in February 2025. Two arrived already dead, while the remaining animals appeared severely malnourished and succumbed to what officials described as “poor health issues,” the state report indicated.

Attempts to reach the tourist attraction for comment were unsuccessful Monday.

Drivers traveling through a busy intersection should plan for potential delays as construction crews continue their work throughout the day.

The intersection of Doncaster Road and East Edinburgh Road is experiencing periodic lane restrictions while construction activities take place. Traffic patterns may be disrupted as workers alternate between opening and closing lanes as needed for their operations.

According to transportation officials, the temporary traffic control measures will remain active until 6 PM today. Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time when passing through this area and to follow all posted signs and flagging personnel directions.

The construction work is part of ongoing infrastructure improvements in the area. Drivers should exercise caution and reduce speeds when approaching the work zone for the safety of both motorists and construction workers.

Worcester County, Maryland officials have announced the implementation of fire restrictions throughout the entire county jurisdiction.

The prohibition on outdoor burning activities has been established due to current environmental conditions that pose increased fire risk to the area.

Residents and property owners within Worcester County boundaries are required to comply with the burning restrictions until further notice from county authorities.

The fire ban affects all outdoor burning activities across the county’s geographic area.

Legal representatives for pop icon Britney Spears will face a California judge Monday to address charges that the entertainer operated her BMW while impaired by drugs and alcohol.

The 44-year-old performer faces a single misdemeanor count following her March arrest in Ventura County, California. Law enforcement responded to calls about a black BMW driving dangerously at excessive speeds, according to the California Highway Patrol. When officers found the vehicle, they detained Spears after noticing indicators of impairment.

Whether Spears will personally attend Monday’s arraignment at Ventura County Superior Court remains unknown. Since the offense is classified as a misdemeanor, her attorneys may submit a plea without her presence.

Court documents indicate Spears illegally operated a vehicle while affected by alcohol combined with at least one additional substance. The filing does not identify the specific drugs authorities suspect she consumed.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office plans to offer Spears an opportunity to accept a reduced charge of reckless driving involving intoxicating substances. Officials say this outcome frequently occurs for defendants with clean DUI records who avoided crashes and demonstrate commitment to getting help. The typical penalty involves 12 months of supervised probation.

A spokesperson for the artist announced in April that Spears had entered a rehabilitation program following her DUI arrest.

News outlets reported that Spears finished her residential treatment program recently and returned home to continue therapy sessions virtually. Her publicity team has not responded to media inquiries seeking additional information.

The performer behind “Baby One More Time” spent 13 years under a legal conservatorship that governed her personal choices and financial matters until a court terminated the arrangement in 2021.

Supporters organized a “Free Britney” campaign, contending that Spears required no oversight. Her relatives maintained that Spears struggled with mental health conditions and the conservatorship served to safeguard both her wellbeing and her $60 million fortune.

In 2007, Spears faced charges for hit-and-run property damage and operating a vehicle without proper California licensing, both misdemeanor offenses. She also received psychiatric hospitalization for undisclosed mental health concerns during that period.

Officials from California, Arizona, and Nevada have unveiled a new water-sharing agreement for the Colorado River as they continue working toward a comprehensive long-term solution.

The three western states, which all depend on the Colorado River for water supply, developed this interim proposal to manage water distribution while policymakers craft permanent plans for the river’s future.

A violent incident at a youth party near an Oklahoma City-area lake has left multiple people injured and hospitalized Sunday evening.

Emergency responders transported at least 10 individuals to area hospitals after gunfire erupted around 9 p.m. at a gathering of young people near Arcadia Lake, according to Edmond police spokesperson Emily Ward. Additional victims transported themselves to medical facilities for treatment.

Ward indicated late Sunday that law enforcement had not yet made any arrests in connection with the violence and emphasized that officials do not believe there is an ongoing danger to community members.

“We’re kind of all over the metro speaking with victims and witnesses,” Ward stated.

The spokesperson noted that those injured were in “various conditions” but did not provide specific details about the severity of their injuries or the total number of people who sought medical attention.

The shooting occurred at Arcadia Lake, an artificial reservoir situated approximately 13 miles north of Oklahoma City in the suburb of Edmond, which has roughly 100,000 residents. The lake serves dual purposes as a flood management facility and recreational destination, drawing visitors for activities including fishing, boating, picnicking and camping.

Reports of hate incidents targeting Asian American and Pacific Islander communities have declined from pandemic-era peaks, though discrimination remains a significant concern, according to new polling data released as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month begins.

The survey from AAPI Data and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals that approximately 25% of AAPI adults experienced hate crimes or incidents within the past year, including verbal harassment or physical attacks. While this figure matches results from last summer’s polling, it represents a notable decrease from October 2023, when 36% reported experiencing racially motivated abuse during the previous year.

Federal crime statistics support this downward trend. Preliminary FBI data shows anti-Asian hate crimes and bias incidents declined between 2024 and 2025 as the pandemic’s influence waned.

Despite these improvements, roughly 30% of AAPI adults believe they will “extremely” or “very” likely face racial or ethnic discrimination over the next five years.

“The key is there’s been a decline but a stabilization. So, it hasn’t declined since last year,” explained Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder and executive director of AAPI Data. “Both hate crimes and hate incidents are still an issue in our community.”

The survey shows significant reductions in verbal attacks compared to two years ago. About 10% report being targeted with racial or ethnic slurs in the past year, down from roughly 20% in October 2023. Additionally, 15% experienced verbal harassment or abuse due to their race or ethnicity, compared to 23% in 2023.

Community advocates note that hostile rhetoric has evolved from COVID-19-related blame to anti-immigrant messaging.

“We’re seeing things like ‘Go back to China’ still. But, it’s more like ‘ICE is going to deport you,’” said Stephanie Chan, data and research director at Stop AAPI Hate. “The rhetoric that’s being used to justify very harsh and aggressive immigration enforcement, all of this is also feeding into anti-AAPI hate persisting.”

Ambar Capoor, a 52-year-old India-born resident of Los Angeles, experienced this hostility firsthand last year while waiting at a restaurant. A white man pushed him aside and declared: “You don’t belong here. You should go back to your country.”

Capoor, a naturalized citizen who has called America home for 26 years, typically brushes off such encounters. “None of this stuff normally bothers me,” he said. “If somebody starts an altercation, that I’ll walk away from.”

However, Capoor, who identifies as a Democrat, believes the current political environment has encouraged people to express racist views more openly.

Nosheen Hamid, 36, has faced similar treatment in Salt Lake City, where she has lived since 2009. The stay-at-home mother, originally from Pakistan where her Catholic family was a religious minority, encounters racial profiling in her predominantly white Utah community.

Recently, a door-to-door salesman seemed shocked that she owned her home. “He was like, ‘Are you renting here?’ He asked me a few times and it got to me for just a second,” Hamid recalled. “People didn’t expect me to be in the space that I was, work-wise, school-wise.”

Economic pressures currently outweigh discrimination concerns for many AAPI adults. About 40% identify personal finances as a “major source” of stress, while roughly 20% cite health issues and family relationships. In contrast, only about 10% consider discrimination a major stressor, with approximately half reporting it causes no stress at all.

John Magner, 58, of West Jordan, Utah, faces a different challenge. The mixed-race man of Hawaiian, Chinese, and white heritage encounters discrimination primarily from Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders who question his Hawaiian ancestry. Utah is home to approximately 60,000 Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, according to census data.

Last year, a Pacific Islander customer at Magner’s hardware store workplace called him “cracker and a little wannabe Pacific Islander.”

Rather than dwelling on such incidents, Magner focuses on managing family expenses while working and pursuing a master’s degree in counseling. “I work full-time but we’re struggling,” Magner said. “Inflation and then also some family stuff that’s gone on, having to pay medical bills. It’s just bills.”

Ramakrishnan suggests reduced scapegoating of immigrants of color may reflect public understanding that such groups don’t influence current economic conditions. “The likely reasons for those economic struggles have nothing to do with race or immigration,” he said. “They have to do with other factors, like tariffs, war on foreign policy, AI data centers. Those are all the things that people see that are driving up costs.”

Experts acknowledge that hate crimes and incidents often go unreported, and some AAPI subgroups may experience higher rates than others.

“If you look at it in the longer term, (hate incidents) are still really high compared to what it was like pre-pandemic,” Chan noted, referencing FBI statistics.

Recent data shows increasing incidents targeting South Asian communities, with spikes typically occurring “in moments of South Asian visibility,” such as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s election, according to Chan.

Given the political climate and his Indian heritage, Capoor has carried his U.S. passport card on a lanyard for six months. “After seeing all the reports of actual white folk getting arrested and thrown into camps and taking them like three days to get out of it,” Capoor explained. “I don’t have friends in high places. I don’t have the correct skin color.”

The poll surveyed 1,228 U.S. adults who are Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander between March 23-30, using NORC’s probability-based Amplify AAPI Panel. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.5 percentage points. This research is part of an ongoing project examining views within Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities, which are typically underrepresented in surveys due to small sample sizes and language barriers.

Entertainment fans have plenty of fresh content to choose from this week as new movies, television series, music albums and video games make their streaming debuts across various platforms.

Among the most anticipated releases is ‘The Drama,’ featuring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson as an engaged couple whose relationship takes a dark turn following an unsettling discovery. The romantic comedy that transforms into something more sinister becomes available Tuesday through premium video-on-demand services after generating significant buzz during its theatrical release. Director and writer Kristoffer Borgli’s film recently achieved the milestone of becoming A24’s fifth movie to earn more than $100 million in box office revenue. AP critic Mark Kennedy noted in his review that the movie ‘wastes two of the planet’s most gorgeous people and will surely get everyone involved in trouble for using a current American tragedy as a plot point.’

Director Sam Raimi brings his signature style to ‘Send Help,’ a survival comedy-thriller that premieres Thursday on Hulu following its earlier cinema run. The film stars Rachel McAdams as a woman who becomes marooned on an uninhabited island alongside her demanding supervisor, played by Dylan O’Brien, after their aircraft crashes. The story becomes progressively more chaotic as the power dynamic between the characters shifts dramatically.

Netflix introduces ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ on Friday, May 8, adapting Shelby Van Pelt’s popular novel for the screen. Sally Field portrays a grieving widow who finds employment at an aquarium, where she forms an unexpected therapeutic relationship with a massive Pacific octopus. Lewis Pullman appears in a supporting role.

Music lovers can look forward to MUNA’s fourth studio release, ‘Dancing on the Wall,’ which drops Friday, May 8. The synth-pop trio delivers what’s being described as perfect summer party music for those who’ve overcome heartbreak, featuring standout tracks like ‘So What,’ the title song, and the playful ‘Wannabeher.’

Country music artist Ashley McBryde unveils ‘Wild,’ her most intimate and rock-influenced collection to date, also releasing Friday. The album showcases McBryde’s passionate energy through songs like ‘Lines in the Carpet,’ which offers sharp commentary on domestic life, and the meaningful title track. The record kicks off with four high-energy numbers that fans know from her concerts – ‘Rattlesnake Preacher,’ ‘Arkansas Mud,’ ‘Water in the River’ and ‘Creosote’ – before exploring different musical territories.

Television offerings include ‘The Other Bennet Sister,’ which shifts focus to Mary Bennet, the often-overlooked middle daughter from Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice.’ Ella Bruccoleri stars as the thoughtful and socially awkward Mary, who emerges from her sisters’ shadows to discover love and self-reliance. The series, already popular in Britain and on social platforms, begins streaming Wednesday on BritBox.

‘Ozark’ co-creator Bill Dubuque presents ‘M.I.A.,’ a crime series set in Florida’s Keys region rather than the Missouri backwoods. The story centers on a young woman attempting to escape her family’s narcotics operation who gets drawn into a revenge plot when their business collapses. All nine episodes become available Thursday on Peacock.

Horror fans can tune into ‘The Terror: Devil in Silver,’ the anthology series’ third installment, premiering Thursday on both Shudder and AMC+. Dan Stevens stars as a man incorrectly confined to a psychiatric facility where he confronts both otherworldly and mental threats. The cast also includes CCH Pounder, Judith Light and John Benjamin Hickey.

Starz presents a fresh take on ‘Amadeus’ beginning Friday, May 8, with Will Sharpe portraying the legendary composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Paul Bettany as Antonio Salieri. The limited series explores Salieri’s growing fixation on achieving the recognition and praise that Mozart receives effortlessly.

Gaming enthusiasts can explore ‘Mixtape’ starting Thursday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Switch 2 or PC. Published by Annapurna Interactive, the game features music from iconic alternative bands including Siouxsie and the Banshees, the Cure, Smashing Pumpkins, Roxy Music and Devo. Set in the 1990s, players follow three high school seniors on their final night before graduation as they seek adventure through activities like skateboarding and party-crashing.

‘Wax Heads’ launches Tuesday across PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Switch and PC platforms. Created by UK-based Patattie Games, this puzzle game puts players in charge of a record shop called Repeater Records, where they must interpret customers’ vague requests to find the perfect vinyl albums. The developers describe it as ‘cozy-punk,’ featuring an entirely fictional soundtrack from imaginary bands.

VENTURA, Calif. — Pop icon Britney Spears faces arraignment Monday morning on misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence following her March 4 arrest in California. However, only her attorney is expected to appear before the Ventura County judge.

The 44-year-old entertainer was formally charged Thursday with one misdemeanor count stemming from the early March incident.

Following her arrest, Spears entered a substance abuse treatment facility on her own. Because the charges are at the misdemeanor level, her personal attendance is not mandatory, and her non-appearance will not be held against her case. Her representatives have remained silent about her court appearance plans or the legal proceedings.

A spokesperson had earlier described her behavior as inexcusable and expressed hope it would prompt necessary life changes.

The Grammy-winning artist owns property in Ventura County, located just beyond Los Angeles County boundaries, where the arrest occurred. Monday’s proceedings will take place in Ventura, a coastal city home to approximately 110,000 residents situated roughly 70 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

District attorneys indicated they will follow standard procedures for first-time DUI defendants who caused no accidents or injuries and registered low blood-alcohol readings.

Legal officials stated that Monday’s hearing will include an offer for what’s typically called a “wet reckless” plea. Accepting this arrangement would result in one year’s probation, mandatory DUI education courses, and state-required financial penalties.

Such plea offers are routine, particularly for defendants who demonstrate independent initiative in addressing their substance issues through treatment, according to the district attorney’s office.

California Highway Patrol officers stopped Spears for operating her black BMW at excessive speeds and with erratic driving patterns on U.S. Highway 101. After showing signs of impairment and failing field sobriety evaluations, she was taken into custody and transported to Ventura County detention facilities, CHP reported.

The former Disney Channel “Mickey Mouse Club” cast member rose to international fame in the late 1990s and 2000s with chart-toppers including “Toxic,” “Gimme More,” and “I’m a Slave 4 U.” The Recording Industry Association of America has awarded platinum certification to most of her nine studio releases, with two achieving diamond status: 1999’s “…Baby One More Time” and 2000’s “Oops!…I Did It Again.”

Media attention intensified around Spears during the early 2000s as she struggled with mental health challenges while photographers relentlessly pursued details of her personal affairs.

A court-imposed conservatorship began in 2008, primarily managed by her father and his legal team, which governed her personal and financial matters for more than thirteen years before ending in 2021.

Since regaining control of her life, she has experienced marriage and divorce, and published her bestselling autobiography “The Woman in Me.”

Her musical career has largely remained dormant in recent years, with only occasional collaborative releases since her final complete album “Glory” debuted in 2016.

When actor Denis Leary wanted to raise money for his firefighter foundation, he decided against traditional golf tournaments and auctions. Instead, the comedian and star of Fox’s “Going Dutch” developed what he describes as an unconventional concept: allowing ordinary people to train like real firefighters.

The celebrity, famous for voicing Diego in the “Ice Age” film series, partnered with New York City’s Fire Department and FDNY Foundation to create the annual Denis Leary FDNY Firefighter Challenge. This unique fundraising event coincides with International Firefighters Day each May 4th.

Beginning in 2016, this special program represents the sole occasion when the FDNY Fire Academy on Randall’s Island opens its doors to civilians. Participants receive an extraordinary chance to undergo authentic emergency response training typically reserved for professional firefighters.

“It was exciting from the get-go,” Leary shared with The Associated Press. “Now, 10 years in, it just gets better and better every year. It’s truly amazing.”

During the intensive experience, volunteers work alongside professional firefighters, entering structures engulfed in flames, hauling fire hoses to battle blazes, and conducting rescue operations for trapped victims. The training also includes rappelling down building exteriors to safety.

According to Leary, who maintains strong ties to the firefighting community through his foundation and his role in the FX series “Rescue Me,” nobody is forced to participate in activities beyond their comfort level. However, witnessing the collaboration and skill of firefighters often motivates people to push their boundaries.

The actor recalls with amusement how “The Good Wife” actress Julianna Margulies initially planned to serve as a coach rather than participate directly. “Maybe two hours later, I went over by the high-rise simulator and she was coming out in full bunker gear and she’s like, ‘I just rappelled down the side of the building!’” Leary recounted. “And I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’ She’s like, ‘I know! I overcame all my fears.’”

Leary’s celebrity status attracts numerous actors, professional athletes, and corporate sponsors to the annual gathering. The funds generated enable the foundation to distribute additional grants to fire departments nationwide for essential equipment purchases and specialized training programs they couldn’t otherwise obtain, according to David Morkal, a retired FDNY battalion chief serving on the foundation’s board.

“When we started this 10 years ago we were giving out maybe $200,000 in grants a year and now we’re giving out $850,000,” Morkal explained, noting the foundation aims to reach $1 million in grants this year. “There are volunteer fire departments out there that are fighting for every $100 they can get.”

The foundation’s grant criteria remains unchanged since Leary established it in 2000, following a devastating Worcester, Massachusetts fire that claimed six firefighters’ lives, including Leary’s cousin and childhood friend.

“His mission is to provide them with all the equipment and training that (firefighters) need to walk away from a fire after it’s out and go home to their families,” Morkal stated. “That’s the kind of stuff we’re doing. We’re giving them training and equipment.”

At Alabama’s Talladega Fire Department, Assistant Fire Chief John Tyson reports that the forcible entry trainer his department received from Leary’s foundation sees daily use. This equipment allows firefighters to rapidly break through locked doors, improving the department’s emergency response capabilities. However, such tools often rank low on budget priorities due to financial constraints, Tyson noted.

“We’re a small department in rural Alabama,” he said, expressing appreciation for the foundation’s support. “It’s touching to me that someone who has achieved the success he has still wants to give back.”

International Association of Fire Fighters General President Edward A. Kelly expressed disappointment that philanthropic assistance remains necessary for fire departments to obtain basic equipment and training. Kelly’s union represents 360,000 firefighters and first responders across the United States and Canada.

“When you think about the core role of government, first and foremost, it is to protect its citizens and that’s what fire departments do every day,” Kelly observed. “We have a problem where fire departments in the United States are on budgets where they’re competing with a multitude of other demands on city government — whether it’s the schools or new bridges or parks or anything that’ll get a politician reelected. That’s a flawed system.”

Kelly described Leary’s foundation as filling “the giant void” created by systematic funding shortfalls. After 26 years of charitable giving, most fire departments nationwide have received equipment donations from the foundation.

“We owe a great debt of gratitude to Denis and to all the people that have helped support the Leary Foundation,” he said. “Whatever will fill the gap that will prevent the next tragedy is well worth the investment.”

Following the September 11th terrorist attacks, Leary briefly hoped federal intervention might eliminate the need for his foundation. “There was a brief moment about six months later when we thought, ‘Is the government gonna step in?’” he recalled. “It was the tiniest glimpse of hope but we realized, ‘No, of course not.’ But that’s OK. I love doing this.”

Leary credits Boston Bruins hockey legend Cam Neely, now the team’s president, as his inspiration for using fame for charitable purposes. Neely’s work supporting cancer patients at Tufts Medical Center provided a model for meaningful celebrity involvement.

“He was the first person I saw where I thought, ‘Wow, somebody famous can really make a difference,’” Leary reflected. “So by the time I had to do something, I had a good example of what you can use fame for.”

Nine Native American tribes from South Dakota, North Dakota and Nebraska have launched a federal lawsuit against the U.S. government seeking to block exploratory drilling for graphite near a sacred ceremonial location in the Black Hills.

The tribes filed their legal challenge Thursday in South Dakota federal court, targeting the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Department of Agriculture. They claim these agencies broke federal law by approving a project close to Pe’Sla, a meadow in the central Black Hills where tribes conduct ceremonies, prayers and youth camps throughout the year.

Small groups of protesters have been demonstrating both at the drilling site and at the mining company’s offices since learning that ground was broken on the project in late April.

This legal battle represents the newest conflict between tribal nations and mining companies in the forested Black Hills region, which covers more than 1.2 million acres across southwest South Dakota and into Wyoming.

While the area draws millions of visitors annually to attractions like Mount Rushmore and wildlife parks, it has held sacred significance for Sioux tribes much longer. The tribes call the region He Sapa and view it as “the heart of everything that is,” according to court documents.

Mining activities have previously transformed parts of the landscape, beginning with the 1870s gold rush that developed the area and forced out Native Americans. In recent years, higher gold prices have attracted new mining operations back to the region.

The lawsuit states that the project by Pete Lien & Sons, a Rapid City-based mining company, would interfere with traditional, cultural and religious practices at Pe’Sla. The tribes also argue the Forest Service failed to consult with them before green-lighting the project.

Sioux tribes purchased portions of Pe’Sla in 2012, 2015 and 2018, and worked with the Forest Service to create a two-mile buffer zone on public lands surrounding the site, the lawsuit notes.

The tribes contend the approval breaks both the National Historic Preservation Act and National Environmental Policy Act because Pe’Sla wasn’t considered as an affected area and no environmental assessment was performed.

Pete Lien & Sons, which provides materials including limestone, sand and gravel, did not respond to requests for comment Thursday or Sunday.

Frank Star Comes Out, president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, described the lawsuit as “a historic demonstration of unity” among the nine tribes in a written statement. While these tribes are separate, federally recognized governments with their own territories, they share cultural and linguistic heritage.

“We as Lakota people have been coming and praying and holding ceremony at these places for over 2,000 years,” stated Wizipan Garriott, president of Indigenous advocacy group NDN Collective and a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. “And so us being here is a continuation of countless generations before us. And it’s important that these sacred places be protected for future generations to come.”

The Forest Service issued the project permit in February without requiring an environmental assessment, claiming it qualified for a categorical exclusion due to its duration of less than one year and supposed lack of environmental and cultural impacts.

However, tribal opponents dispute that these conditions were satisfied and warn that exploratory drilling typically leads to future mining operations.

Along with the tribal lawsuit, NDN Collective and other environmental organizations have requested a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to stop the project.

According to NDN Collective, some drilling platforms are located within the buffer zone around the sacred site. The project allows the company to drill as many as 18 holes extending approximately 1,000 feet underground to gather samples.

On Thursday, protesters carried signs reading “Protect Pe’Sla” and “Sacred ground not mining bound” near two drilling platforms to prevent access. NDN Collective reported that the Forest Service informed them drilling was suspended for the remainder of the day and contractors were dismissed.

When asked for comment about the project, the Forest Service declined to provide details.

“The Forest Service does not comment on the specifics of the case or on issues that are part of ongoing legal proceedings,” the agency stated.

While it remains unclear exactly when drilling operations began, NDN Collective discovered active drilling platforms last week. The organization plans to continue protest activities as necessary to safeguard Pe’Sla.

“As Lakota, we pray as long as we need to,” Garriott said.

Federal investigators are looking into an incident where a United Airlines aircraft collided with a lighting fixture while approaching Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday afternoon.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, United Airlines Flight 169 made contact with a light pole situated on the nearby New Jersey Turnpike around 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday. The Boeing 767, which had departed from Venice, Italy, completed its landing without further incident, the FAA reported.

In a company statement, United confirmed that Flight 169 “came into contact with a light pole” during its final descent into Newark.

“The aircraft landed safely, taxied to the gate normally and no passengers or crew were injured,” the airline stated.

United officials indicated their maintenance personnel are assessing any damage to the plane, while the flight crew has been temporarily grounded pending what the company described as a “rigorous” safety review.

The National Transportation Safety Board announced through a post on X that it has launched its own inquiry into the occurrence. An NTSB investigator is scheduled to arrive in Newark on Monday, and the agency has requested United turn over both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder for examination. Officials expect to release a preliminary report within 30 days.

WASHINGTON – Rudy Giuliani, who served as New York City’s mayor during the September 11th terrorist attacks, is currently receiving hospital treatment and remains in critical but stable condition, his representative announced Sunday.

Giuliani’s spokesperson Ted Goodman declined to share additional information regarding the 81-year-old’s medical situation or the duration of his hospital stay.

“Mayor Giuliani is a fighter who has faced every challenge in his life with unwavering strength, and he’s fighting with that same strength now,” Goodman stated. “We do ask that you join us in prayer for America’s Mayor Rudy Giuliani.”

The former mayor became widely recognized for his leadership during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York City, which led to him being called “America’s Mayor.”

In recent years, Giuliani served as legal counsel for former President Donald Trump during attempts to challenge the 2020 election outcomes, work that resulted in criminal charges in two states and a defamation case filed by election officials. Giuliani has maintained his innocence regarding the criminal allegations.

This hospitalization follows a previous medical stay last year after Giuliani was involved in a motor vehicle accident in New Hampshire.

A United Airlines flight from Venice, Italy experienced a frightening incident Sunday afternoon when the aircraft collided with a light pole during its approach to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

The collision occurred around 2 p.m. as United Flight 169, a Boeing 767-400, was making its final approach for landing, according to Federal Aviation Administration officials. The impact damaged the light pole located along the New Jersey Turnpike near the airport.

Despite the collision, the aircraft completed its landing without incident and all passengers aboard remained unharmed, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed. Airport officials noted that the plane sustained minor damage from the encounter.

A United Airlines representative stated that their maintenance crew is currently assessing the extent of damage to the aircraft. “We will conduct a rigorous flight safety investigation into the incident and our crew has been removed from service as part of the process,” the spokesperson said.

The incident had consequences beyond the aircraft itself. A truck driver traveling on the turnpike below was struck by debris from the damaged light pole and required medical attention. The driver was transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries and was later discharged, according to Port Authority officials.

Airport operations resumed normal schedules shortly after the incident. Ground crews conducted a thorough inspection of the runway area to clear any potential debris before allowing regular flight operations to continue.

Both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have announced they will launch investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collision.