Category: U.S. News

The rescued beagles from a Wisconsin research breeding facility immediately showed signs of relief upon their removal, displaying affectionate behavior toward their rescuers within the first hour of freedom.

“They started within an hour or so coming up to us, wanting attention. Some crawled in people’s laps. Every single one of them are super sweet,” said Lauree Simmons, president and founder of Big Dog Ranch Rescue, on Sunday. “I think they are loving the attention. I just know they know they’re safe.”

Two animal welfare organizations – Big Dog Ranch Rescue and the Center for a Humane Economy – reached a private agreement to buy all 1,500 dogs from Ridglan Farms for an undisclosed amount. The Wisconsin facility became the center of controversy last month when law enforcement deployed tear gas and pepper spray against activists attempting to remove beagles from the property. Earlier in March, protesters had broken into the facility and removed 30 dogs, leading to 63 people being referred for potential criminal charges by the sheriff’s department.

The purchase negotiations had been underway for months prior to the April confrontation, and Simmons emphasized that her organization had no involvement with the protest activities. Big Dog Ranch Rescue will handle placement of 1,000 dogs through partner organizations nationwide, while the Center for a Humane Economy will manage the remaining animals.

More than 700 adoption applications have already been submitted to Simmons’ organization, though the placement process will require time for proper screening of potential owners, transportation to various shelters, and ensuring the dogs are house-trained before final placement.

The initial group of 300 beagles was removed from Ridglan on Friday, with additional removals planned throughout the coming week. The rescue groups have established a temporary facility with outdoor play areas in Wisconsin, where the animals receive vaccinations, microchipping, spaying or neutering, and preparation for relocation. Big Dog Ranch Rescue has begun transferring some dogs to their facility in western Palm Beach County, Florida.

“The younger dogs will adjust quicker, and the older dogs will take time,” Simmons explained. “A lot of them are more willing to accept love and want to be with people.”

Ridglan Farms has not responded to requests for comment regarding the situation.

According to Simmons, beagles represent the most frequently used canine breed in laboratory testing due to their compact size and gentle nature.

“A Belgian Malinois is not going to put up with being tested on, being confined in a kennel their whole life,” Simmons said, referencing the athletic shepherd dogs used by police and military. “Beagles are just so trusting and docile and calm and forgiving, so they are the most chosen dogs for animal testing. And so we’re going to take one of the sweetest, kindest, most trusting breeds and abuse them? This is wrong. This needs to stop.”

In October, Ridglan Farms agreed to surrender its state breeding license effective July 1 as part of an arrangement to avoid prosecution on felony animal mistreatment charges. While the company has denied animal abuse allegations, a special prosecutor concluded that Ridglan Farms conducted eye procedures that violated state veterinary regulations.

Approximately 1,000 activists from throughout the nation gathered at Ridglan Farms in the rural community of Blue Mounds, located about 25 miles southwest of Madison, on April 18 in an effort to remove the beagles. Law enforcement responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and pepper spray. The Dane County Sheriff’s Department reported 29 arrests, with five individuals facing felony burglary charges.

The activists have initiated a federal lawsuit in Wisconsin claiming police employed excessive force. Ridglan has characterized those who attempted to enter the facility as a “violent mob” who conducted “an assault on a federally licensed research facility.”

A Seattle radio journalist has undertaken an uncommon journalistic exercise – scrutinizing her own reporting from 20 years ago involving a teacher facing sexual abuse allegations.

Isolde Raftery, who works as an investigative reporter for KUOW, recently looked back at her earlier coverage of an educator accused of sexual misconduct. The veteran journalist decided to re-examine the story and her editorial choices from two decades past.

Raftery has shared her findings about this self-reflective investigation, offering insights into how her approach to such sensitive reporting has evolved over time.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg campus experienced an emergency Saturday evening when flames erupted inside a marine science laboratory building, leading officials to order an evacuation.

Thick gray smoke could be seen rising from the research facility as emergency crews responded to the scene. Both campus police and local fire officials confirmed that no one was hurt in the incident.

Investigators have not yet determined what sparked the blaze. Campus police indicated they would provide additional details as their investigation progresses.

A close-knit community of pickleball enthusiasts is grieving the loss of five club members who perished when their small aircraft went down in Texas Hill Country.

Texas Department of Public Safety officials confirmed Saturday that Justin Appling, Hayden Dillard, Brooke Skypala, Stacy Hedrick and Seren Wilson lost their lives when their Cessna 421C crashed Thursday evening. Appling was serving as the pilot for the flight.

The plane had taken off from Amarillo and was bound for New Braunfels National Airport when it went down in Wimberley, located approximately 40 miles southwest of Austin, according to state safety officials.

According to the Amarillo Pickleball Club’s social media announcement, all five victims were club members traveling to compete in a pickleball tournament in New Braunfels.

Both Dillard and Appling, who was known by the nickname Glen, operated a manufactured home dealership in Amarillo. The company announced Friday morning it would remain closed through the weekend.

Sarah Lister, who knew Dillard and Appling through tournament play, remembered them as authentic individuals. She recalled how Appling constantly brought humor to their group, while Dillard excelled as both a businesswoman and mother.

According to Lister, Dillard leaves behind two daughters, including one preparing to enter college. She noted that Dillard and Appling had been longtime mixed doubles partners, while Skypala served as Dillard’s women’s doubles teammate.

“The pickleball world is super, super small, even though it’s huge at the same time,” Lister explained. “And when one of us has a tragedy like this, it’s like it’s the whole community that gets hit.”

Club member Leroy Clifford, who had flown separately to the tournament, viewed all five as family members despite having met Wilson only recently. The group had competed together in Pro Pickleball Association-sanctioned events across the nation, from Dallas to Las Vegas. Their bond formed through high-level competition, though they maintained a lighthearted approach to the sport.

“One thing I can say about this group is this group, you wanted to be around this group. They were fun, carefree, not uptight, just relaxed, loved to joke with each other, make fun of each other,” Clifford shared. “You couldn’t ask for better friends, honestly.”

Clifford played most frequently with Skypala, whom he characterized as sharp-minded and naturally athletic.

“She was very witty, super sweet and very funny,” Clifford remembered.

Skypala, a married mother, had recently achieved a professional goal she’d pursued for ten years. She announced on Facebook last month that she had begun accepting clients as a counselor. With a master’s degree in education from West Texas A&M University, Skypala specialized in helping clients dealing with “anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, and life transitions,” according to her social media post.

During the previous summer, Skypala had helped organize a pickleball camp for children from the Amarillo Children’s Home nonprofit organization.

Clifford described Hedrick as someone who embraced laughter, maintained an optimistic attitude, and “had a big heart.” Her aggressive playing style earned her the nickname “Rippy” from Appling, which other players adopted.

“She was a very good tennis player. In pickleball, you have to be able to do drop shots,” Clifford explained. “We gave her that nickname because all she did was rip. All she did was smash the ball or forehand it really hard.”

Wilson, the youngest of the group, had distinguished herself as a talented tennis player. She captured the University Interscholastic League team tennis state championship in 2022, according to the tennis booster club at Amarillo High School, her alma mater.

A Wilson family member declined to speak when contacted by phone Saturday.

The pickleball club wrote on Facebook that “Seren loved big and her presence, encouragement, and spirit will be deeply missed by so many.”

Federal investigators are now examining the circumstances that led to the crash.

Audio recordings reveal that another pilot in the vicinity confirmed the aircraft’s emergency locator device had activated, prompting an air traffic controller to contact emergency services.

Weather conditions included mostly cloudy skies in the New Braunfels area before the crash, with thunderstorms developing two hours afterward, the National Weather Service reported.

The Cranky Pickle facility in New Braunfels, located about 30 miles northeast of San Antonio, canceled Friday’s tournament events following the tragedy, according to head professional Martin Robertson.

“We’re very heavy-hearted, heartbroken from this,” Robertson said. “Everybody knows everybody.”

Clifford said the Amarillo club is now concentrating on supporting those closest to the five victims and working to “lift these families up in prayer.”

“It’s going to be a long road ahead. But there’s a lot of love and support from everyone that knew these people,” Clifford concluded.

A fatal vehicle collision at a Portland, Oregon athletic facility early Saturday morning has drawn the attention of federal investigators after authorities discovered evidence of an explosive device at the scene.

The deadly incident took place just before 3 a.m. at the Multnomah Athletic Club, according to the Portland Police Bureau. Officials report that one individual perished in the crash, which resulted in a fire at the facility.

The victim was discovered inside the vehicle after firefighters successfully extinguished the blaze, police confirmed.

The Multnomah Athletic Club describes itself as America’s largest private athletic and social facility, established in 1891 with a membership exceeding 21,000 people.

Club representative Adam Linnman released a statement confirming that the collision happened during closed hours, ensuring no members or employees were harmed. He noted that club leadership is cooperating with local and federal investigators for further information.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has deployed special agents to assist with the investigation, the federal agency announced.

Portland police have released limited details about the circumstances surrounding the incident as the investigation continues.

Stand-up performer Sheng Wang has mastered the art of turning everyday experiences into comedy gold in his latest Netflix release. The comic transforms ordinary activities – such as selecting dental care products – into hilarious material that resonates with audiences.

During a conversation with NPR’s Emily Feng, Wang shared insights about his approach to discovering humor in life’s simple pleasures and routine experiences. His comedy special showcases how the most ordinary situations can become sources of entertainment when viewed through the right lens.

NEW YORK — The New York Police Department has made public body camera footage showing the fatal shooting of an armed man who attacked three people with a machete at the Grand Central subway station last month.

The footage, uploaded to the police department’s YouTube channel on Friday, captures the confrontation with 44-year-old Anthony Griffin following his random assault on three individuals at the 42nd Street-Grand Central station, which links to Grand Central Terminal.

Detectives Ryan Giuffre and Anthony Manetta, both in uniform, encountered Griffin around 9:40 a.m. on April 11 as he climbed a staircase carrying a large blade.

The officers repeatedly commanded Griffin to drop his weapon, with Giuffre drawing his firearm as Griffin kept the knife raised near his head.

Griffin initially backed down the stairs but then advanced toward the officers while still brandishing the weapon overhead as they followed.

“Nobody wants to hurt you,” Giuffre can be heard saying in the recording. “We can talk about it. Get down. Get down. Dude, I’m not going to ask you again. Please. Please. Please. Get down!”

Griffin continued yelling and moving unpredictably toward the officers while holding the large blade above his head.

“I don’t want to be here. Shoot me,” Griffin stated during the encounter. At another moment, he declared, “I am Lucifer.”

Giuffre subsequently discharged two rounds, causing Griffin to collapse immediately. Medical personnel transported him to a hospital where he was declared deceased.

At the time of the incident, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch reported that officers instructed Griffin to surrender his weapon no fewer than 20 times, but he failed to cooperate.

“Our officers were confronted with an armed individual who had already injured multiple people and was continuing to pose a threat,” she said. “They gave clear commands. They attempted to de-escalate. And when that threat did not stop, they took decisive action to stop it and to protect New Yorkers on one of the busiest train platforms in the city.”

The three stabbing victims — men aged 84 and 65, plus a 70-year-old woman — suffered injuries including “significant lacerations to the head and face” and a skull fracture, according to Tisch. However, their wounds were not deemed life-threatening.

A security incident at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner has brought renewed attention to the hospitality industry’s ongoing struggle with security vulnerabilities.

Cole Allen, 31, has been charged with breaching security and discharging a shotgun near the event where President Donald Trump was present. In writings discovered by authorities, Allen expressed surprise at the lack of security measures he encountered.

“I expected security cameras at every bend, bugged hotel rooms, armed agents every 10 feet, metal detectors out the wazoo,” Allen wrote before the incident. “What I got,” he added, “is nothing.”

The breach underscores a longstanding challenge for hotels: implementing robust security while preserving the welcoming atmosphere that guests expect. Although some companies are developing AI-based surveillance technologies, hotels have been hesitant to invest in systems that could increase expenses and compromise guest privacy.

Nicolas Graf, who teaches hospitality management at New York University, explained the delicate balance hotels must maintain. “Security is going to continue to improve with technology in identifying strange behavior. But at the end of the day, it’s a hospitality business where customers have to feel welcome,” Graf said.

Allen managed to navigate through the hotel before rushing a security checkpoint located above the dining area where Trump was eating with 2,600 attendees including journalists and government officials. While Trump was evacuated safely and no guests were injured, the incident demonstrated how threats can emerge from within hotel properties.

Security experts point to recurring weaknesses that attackers exploit: numerous entry points, around-the-clock guest arrivals, inconsistent screening procedures, and unclear boundaries between public areas and secure zones.

Morgan Stevens, who oversees global security operations at Crisis24, emphasized the importance of controlled access. “Not every guest in the building is screened the same way, which is why zoning and access control become critical,” Stevens noted.

The hospitality sector faces pressure to enhance security measures while managing costs. The nine largest hotel, casino and resort companies generated approximately $102 billion in revenue in 2025, though they’ve experienced profit margin challenges recently.

Following the incident, the Washington Hilton stated it had been following “stringent” Secret Service procedures. Hilton Worldwide Holdings chose not to provide additional comments, but the response followed a predictable sequence of events.

Authorities cordoned off the property, investigators reconstructed the suspect’s movements, and security professionals analyzed what could have been handled differently.

Allen faces charges including attempted assassination, firing a weapon during a violent crime, and illegally transporting firearms and ammunition across state boundaries after traveling by train from California. He has not yet entered a plea.

Hotels typically remain operational during major events but implement access restrictions such as dedicated elevators or off-limits floors. Security preparation for significant events usually requires several days to a week, during which teams survey the location, establish credential protocols, and create controlled security zones.

However, regular guests continue to access lobbies, dining areas and guest floors alongside screened event attendees, creating unavoidable security vulnerabilities.

The American Hotel and Lodging Association described their approach: “Hotels employ a layered approach to safety and security.” These measures include staff training, monitoring systems, access restrictions and collaboration with law enforcement officials.

Robert McDonald, a University of New Haven professor and former Secret Service supervisory agent, explained that the agency typically collaborates with hotel security, local police and White House staff to create security protocols rather than shutting down properties completely.

This recent breach has shaken confidence in existing security models. Trump later criticized the venue, saying the hotel was “not a particularly secure building.” Law enforcement sources told Reuters they are reevaluating security procedures at the Washington Hilton, which gained notoriety after President Ronald Reagan was shot outside the building in 1981, earning it the nickname “Hinckley Hilton.”

Following Reagan’s shooting, the Hilton installed a protected garage enabling presidential motorcades to enter the building directly, expanded use of metal detectors and implemented stricter media access controls, according to McDonald.

International hotel attacks have also driven security improvements. The 2008 assault on Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, which killed 31 people inside the property, marked a significant turning point for the industry.

“The industry has improved quite significantly since” the Mumbai attack, NYU’s Graf observed.

In 2017, a gunman firing from a 32nd-floor room at Las Vegas’s Mandalay Bay hotel killed 58 people at a nearby concert in what became the deadliest mass shooting in American history, with hundreds more wounded.

Hotels are beginning to explore AI-powered weapons detection technology, though experts warn that meaningful security improvements would be expensive and complicated to implement.

Before the December 2024 murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan Hilton, AI security company Xtract One reported receiving interest from a major hotel chain’s security chief about their weapons detection technology. However, no deployment has occurred yet.

Xtract One CEO Peter Evans described the complexity of the challenge. “This is a complex problem to solve, not simply addressed by putting in a single screening device,” Evans said, citing the high volume of people, multiple entrances, and diverse luggage that move through large hotels.

International markets have shown greater interest in such technologies, Evans noted, particularly in Mexico where cartel violence has deterred travelers and reduced revenues.

Anthony Varchetto, who co-founded Blue Star Security, observed that hotels frequently focus resources on external threats while underestimating dangers from registered guests.

“That’s a common oversight,” Varchetto said. “People get complacent, they understaff, and a lot of it comes down to budget.”

An innovative phone booth installation at the Boston Public Library is offering visitors a unique opportunity to record personal messages in a dedicated space. The project, known as the ‘Tell-A-Booth,’ was developed to create a soothing environment for library patrons.

Boston Globe journalist Meredith Goldstein, who spearheaded this initiative, recently spoke with NPR’s Scott Simon about the project’s goals and impact. The booth serves as a designated area where individuals can share their thoughts and experiences through recorded messages.

The installation represents a creative approach to providing comfort and connection within the library setting, transforming a traditional phone booth into a space for personal expression and reflection.

A California community newspaper is getting a second chance at life thanks to new owners determined to restore local journalism to their area.

Laura and Tim Schneider recently sat down with NPR’s Scott Simon to discuss their efforts to revive the Palisadian-Post, which ceased operations after Los Angeles wildfires forced its closure.

The husband-and-wife team has taken over the publication and is working to bring it back to serve their community once again. The newspaper had been serving local residents before the devastating fires disrupted operations and led to its shutdown.

During their conversation with Simon, the Schneiders outlined their plans for relaunching the community-focused publication under their stewardship.

ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. — Leon Botstein, who has served as president of Bard College for five decades, revealed his plans to step down at the end of June following months of investigation into his connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The 79-year-old administrator shared his retirement decision in an email distributed to The Associated Press through the college. While Botstein avoided directly addressing the Epstein controversy in his message, he noted that he delayed making his departure public until an external investigation into his relationship with the disgraced financier was completed.

Following his departure from the presidency, Botstein plans to continue his association with the small liberal arts institution as both an educator and musician on the faculty.

While no allegations surfaced suggesting Botstein participated in Epstein’s criminal activities involving the exploitation of young women and girls, he joined numerous other high-profile individuals who maintained social connections with Epstein despite his criminal history.

Federal documents made public this year revealed extensive contact between the two men, including instances where Epstein traveled to the campus via helicopter. Correspondence showed Botstein extending an invitation for Epstein to attend the college’s 2013 commencement ceremony and proposing they attend an opera together.

Additional communications demonstrated that Botstein contacted Epstein following The Miami Herald’s 2018 reporting on new developments in Epstein’s legal troubles, writing “I want you to know that I hope you are holding up as well as can be expected.” In separate correspondence, Botstein characterized their connection as a “friendship.”

Financial records indicate Epstein provided $150,000 to Botstein in 2016, money the president stated he transferred to the college. Botstein had previously maintained that his interactions with Epstein were purely professional, focused on securing donations for the institution rather than personal friendship.

The college’s board of trustees commissioned the law firm WilmerHale to examine all correspondence between the two men. Their investigation concluded that while Botstein committed no crimes, he “made decisions in the course of that relationship that reflect on his leadership of Bard.”

“In his public statements and his statements to the Bard community, President Botstein minimized and was not fully accurate in describing his relationship with Epstein,” investigators determined.

The review revealed that Botstein disagreed with a senior faculty member who opposed the college’s engagement with Epstein. The president argued that someone “convicted of crimes involving sex with a minor—’an ordinary sex offender’, in his words—could be presumed to be rehabilitated in the same way that any other convicted person should, in his view, be given that presumption.”

“President Botstein forcefully argues that Bard’s need for funds was paramount. His view was, ‘I would take money from Satan if it permitted me to do God’s work,’” the investigation found.

In a statement from Bard’s Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees, officials expressed appreciation for Botstein’s lengthy tenure while acknowledging that the “concerns raised in recent months have been serious and deeply felt.”

The trustees announced that any money connected to Epstein would be donated to organizations supporting survivors of sexual violence.

The college’s media relations department issued a statement describing Botstein as “a transformative leader with the vision and unwavering commitment that has shaped Bard into the world-class educational institution it is today.”

The founding member of the acclaimed hip-hop trio Fugees has begun serving his federal prison term after being convicted of illegally channeling foreign funds into Barack Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign.

Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, 53, entered a minimum-security federal facility in Arizona on Thursday to start his 14-year sentence, according to prison records and his representative.

“Today is a painful day for Pras, for his family, and for everyone who believes in a fair system of justice. Pras honors the legal process as he reports to begin his sentence,” his spokesperson Erica Dumas stated, noting that his attorneys continue to challenge the conviction.

“This chapter is difficult, but it is not his final one,” Dumas added.

A jury found Michel guilty in 2023 on ten criminal charges, including conspiracy and operating as an unregistered foreign agent. The court imposed his sentence in late 2023.

Federal prosecutors alleged that Michel received more than $120 million from Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, known as Jho Low, then illegally funneled portions of those funds to Obama’s reelection effort using intermediary donors. Authorities also accused Michel of attempting to halt a Justice Department probe into Low’s activities, interfering with witnesses, and lying under oath during his trial. Low continues to deny wrongdoing.

Michel achieved fame as one-third of the Fugees alongside childhood companions Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean. The groundbreaking group earned two Grammy Awards and achieved massive commercial success, selling millions of records worldwide.

Drivers traveling on Commerce Street should expect delays as construction crews have blocked the right lane of westbound traffic.

The lane closure affects the stretch of Commerce Street running from Farmington Road to Brown Street, with work expected to continue until 4 PM today.

Motorists are advised to use caution when driving through the construction zone and consider alternate routes if possible to avoid potential delays.

Comic book industry veteran Gerry Conway, the creative mind behind the iconic Punisher character and numerous other beloved superheroes, has passed away at the age of 73.

Conway died Sunday at his residence in Thousand Oaks, California, after battling pancreatic cancer, according to his wife’s statement to The New York Times. Marvel Comics announced his passing on Monday, calling him a legendary figure with an extraordinary career spanning decades.

“From Spider-Man to the Avengers, Iron Man to Captain Marvel, Gerry Conway has deftly written almost every character in the Marvel Universe,” stated Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski. “Gerry Conway’s legacy has made an undeniable and indelible impact on the Super Hero stories we know and love. He will be dearly missed.”

The comic book community paid tribute across social media platforms following news of his death.

“While many know his Marvel accomplishments … Gerry’s contributions to DC were equally impactful and significant: shaping Batman, Superman, the Justice League of America, and co-creating Firestorm, Jason Todd and Power Girl and so many more,” wrote Jim Lee, chief creative officer and president of DC Comics, in an Instagram tribute. “Thank you, Gerry, for the worlds imagined and the heroes created.”

Born September 10, 1952, in Brooklyn, Conway developed a passion for comics early in life. He began crafting comic stories during his teenage years and secured a position writing for “The Amazing Spider-Man” at just 19 years old — a role Marvel described as transformative for both his career and the entire comic book world.

Conway’s storytelling included groundbreaking narrative choices that fundamentally altered the Spider-Man series, including the controversial death of Gwen Stacy, Peter Parker’s love interest. He also helped develop the Punisher, the skull-emblazoned vigilante anti-hero who became one of Marvel’s most recognizable characters.

The distinctive skull symbol has generated debate in recent years due to its adoption by some law enforcement agencies. Conway previously criticized police departments for using Punisher imagery on their vehicles, explaining on social media that the character represented “a complex morally compromised anti-hero, not to be emulated by cops,” according to the Syracuse Post-Standard’s reporting.

Marvel praised Conway’s ability to create multi-dimensional characters with emotional complexity.

“Gerry Conway brought real stakes to his writing, able to weave together sensational super heroics with the human and relatable, and in doing so created some of the most memorable stories and characters of all time,” said Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige.

Conway’s work extended far beyond Spider-Man, encompassing major titles like “Fantastic Four,” “Thor,” and “The Incredible Hulk.”

Speaking with The Comics Journal in 1981, Conway reflected on comic books’ broad appeal across age groups.

“I’m writing for the youthful part of myself, the primitive part of myself,” he explained to the publication. “If an adult likes the books it’s because of a nostalgic feeling for that primitive, easy conceptualization of heroic purpose.”

Conway leaves behind his wife, Laura Conway, and two daughters from earlier marriages.

NEW YORK (AP) — A woman accusing Harvey Weinstein of rape returned to the witness stand Friday to continue her testimony, one day after expressing difficulty concentrating due to emotional stress.

Jessica Mann faced additional cross-examination from defense attorneys representing the former Hollywood producer, who focused their questioning on her messages and meetings with him following the alleged sexual assault in March 2013.

“I’m not doing too good right now, so I’m really trying to remember,” Mann told the court. She later added: “I feel like I said a lot, and I’m trying to get through this.”

Despite her emotional state, Mann answered questions for several hours, though she appeared tired at times and occasionally requested that questions be restated.

The 40-year-old accuser and 73-year-old Weinstein are now participating in their third trial regarding her allegations that he sexually assaulted her in a Manhattan hotel room. Defense attorneys maintain that all interactions between the pair were consensual and occurred within a four-year romantic relationship.

Weinstein received a conviction in 2020, but an appellate court reversed the decision. A subsequent retrial ended without resolution last year when jurors halted deliberations on the rape charge after the jury foreperson refused to continue participating. This situation necessitated the current proceedings.

The former film executive enjoyed significant success in Hollywood before accusations against him sparked the #MeToo movement addressing sexual misconduct in 2017. Weinstein has stated he “acted wrongly, but I never assaulted anyone.”

Mann and Weinstein first encountered each other in early 2013, when he held a studio executive position and she was a 27-year-old hairstylist and aspiring actress seeking to advance her film career. According to her testimony, he began pursuing her romantically shortly after their introduction, and despite feeling uncomfortable, she chose to enter into a relationship with the married producer.

She claims that several weeks into their acquaintance, he cornered her in a midtown Manhattan hotel room, angrily demanded she remove her clothing while standing over her, disregarded her objections, and sexually assaulted her.

Their association persisted intermittently for years following the alleged incident. Mann testified that she had feelings for “a part of him” and “always tried to see the good in him,” while also being cautious about opposing a powerful, well-connected individual who demonstrated his influence. She recalled him claiming that his “enemies don’t step a foot in this town.”

During Friday’s proceedings, defense attorney Teny Geragos presented Mann with numerous cordial and complimentary messages she had sent to or about Weinstein throughout their relationship. One text from May 2013 showed her telling a friend that “I like the Harvey we know. I feel some sense of protection.”

Mann explained to jurors that Weinstein assisted her in understanding the film industry and “there was a time when I felt he did protect me.”

The Associated Press maintains a policy of not identifying individuals who report sexual assault unless they consent to being named publicly, which Mann has agreed to do.

Motorists traveling on Main Street should be aware of ongoing traffic adjustments in the area today.

A temporary lane shift is currently active on Main Street in the section between Jersey Road and Truitt Alley. The traffic pattern modification is expected to remain in place while crews continue their work operations.

The lane shift is scheduled to be lifted by 4 PM this afternoon, according to traffic officials.

Drivers are advised to exercise caution when traveling through the affected area and allow extra time for potential delays.

The Defense Department announced Friday it has formed partnerships with seven major technology companies to integrate artificial intelligence capabilities into classified military operations, marking a significant expansion of AI use in warfare.

The companies involved in the initiative include Google, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Nvidia, OpenAI, Reflection and SpaceX. These firms will supply resources designed to enhance decision-making capabilities for military personnel operating in challenging battlefield conditions, according to Pentagon officials.

Military leaders have been dramatically increasing their reliance on artificial intelligence technology in recent years. According to a March report from the Brennan Center for Justice, AI systems can significantly decrease the time needed to locate and engage battlefield targets, while also improving weapons maintenance operations and supply chain management.

The announcement follows ongoing tensions with Anthropic, a technology firm not included in the partnership list, which has taken the Pentagon to court over AI usage restrictions. The company sought contractual guarantees that its technology would not be deployed in fully autonomous weapons systems or for domestic surveillance purposes. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth insisted the military must retain the right to use the technology for any lawful purpose.

Legal action by Anthropic began after President Donald Trump moved to prohibit federal agencies from using the company’s Claude chatbot, while Hegseth attempted to classify the firm as a supply chain security risk – a designation typically reserved for potential foreign threats to national security infrastructure.

OpenAI previously secured a Pentagon contract in March to substitute its ChatGPT technology for Anthropic’s services in classified settings.

Military officials stated Friday that personnel are currently utilizing AI tools through the official GenAI.mil platform.

“Warfighters, civilians and contractors are putting these capabilities to practical use right now, cutting many tasks from months to days,” Pentagon officials said, emphasizing that enhanced AI capabilities will “give warfighters the tools they need to act with confidence and safeguard the nation against any threat.”

ORLANDO, Fla. — Hillsborough County authorities have confirmed that remains discovered in Tampa Bay belong to the second missing University of South Florida doctoral student from Bangladesh, Sheriff Chad Chronister announced Friday.

The body of Nahida Bristy was recovered Sunday inside a garbage bag that snagged a kayaker’s fishing line, according to Chronister. Investigators used DNA analysis and dental records to positively identify the severely decomposed remains.

Bristy’s fellow USF doctoral student and friend, Zamil Limon, was found dead in a similar garbage bag on a bay bridge two days earlier. Authorities arrested Limon’s roommate, 26-year-old Hisham Saleh Abugharbeih, on the same day and charged him with two counts of first-degree murder. He remains in custody without bond.

When confronted with evidence of the crimes, the suspect displayed a disturbing lack of emotion, Chronister reported.

“He was nonreactive,” Chronister said. “He was callous and showed no emotion when we showed him the information we had.”

While investigators believe both students were killed at the same location and timeframe, the sheriff said additional investigation is needed to make that determination official.

Chronister acknowledged that detectives have not yet established what drove the suspect to commit the murders.

“I hope we find that out,” Chronister said.

Although Abugharbieh had deleted information from his mobile device, forensic specialists uncovered troubling internet searches made in the days leading up to April 16, when both victims disappeared. The searches included disturbing queries such as “Can a knife penetrate a skull?” and “Can a neighbor hear a gunshot?”

Evidence shows the suspect also bought cleaning supplies, heavy-duty construction-grade garbage bags, and other materials, according to the sheriff.

“This was calculating. That’s what makes this so premeditated,” Chronister said.

Investigators discovered extensive blood evidence throughout the shared apartment, including the kitchen area, hallway leading to Abugharbieh’s bedroom, and inside his room. The apartment was shared by Abugharbieh, Limon, and a third roommate.

Forensic testing using luminol spray even revealed bloodstains forming the outline of a person in a fetal position beside Abugharbieh’s bed, the sheriff noted.

Surveillance showed Limon was last spotted at their off-campus housing complex, while Bristy was last seen at a university science facility on the same date. Limon was pursuing studies in geography, environmental science and policy, while Bristy focused on chemical engineering. Abugharbieh was no longer enrolled at the university.

Jennifer Spradley, a public defender representing Abugharbieh in Tampa, declined to provide comment on the case when contacted earlier this week.

WIMBERLEY, Texas — Five people died when their aircraft went down in a wooded area of central Texas Thursday evening, according to local authorities.

The fatal accident occurred in Wimberley, located approximately 40 miles southwest of Austin, Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra announced through social media on Friday.

Federal Aviation Administration officials confirmed the Cessna 421C went down at approximately 11:25 p.m. Thursday with five occupants on board. Both the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will conduct investigations into the incident.

Flight records indicate the aircraft had departed from Amarillo roughly two hours before the crash, with New Braunfels National Airport as its intended destination. Images published by the Austin American-Statesman revealed the completely destroyed plane scattered throughout a forested region.

Judge Becerra stated that victim identities will remain confidential until relatives receive proper notification.

A second plane traveling in the same vicinity successfully completed its landing at New Braunfels airport, situated about 30 miles northeast of San Antonio.

Audio recordings from Air Traffic Control reveal one pilot mentioned flying alongside the Cessna pilot to the same destination.

“I haven’t heard anything from him,” the pilot states in the recording.

An air traffic controller replied: “He started to move erratically and now his track is disappeared from the scope. So we want to make sure everything’s all right with him.”

At least one aviator in the vicinity verified that the distressed aircraft’s emergency locator beacon had activated. Emergency services were subsequently contacted by the controller.

Weather data from the National Weather Service showed overcast conditions in the New Braunfels region before the accident, with thunderstorm activity developing two hours afterward.

The community of Wimberley, home to roughly 3,000 residents, serves as a well-known tourist and recreational hiking spot in the Texas Hill Country along the Blanco River.

PORTLAND, Maine — A Maine court has determined that a teenager accused of murdering a woman while she was paddleboarding is mentally fit to proceed with his trial.

The killing of 48-year-old Sunshine “Sunny” Stewart from St. George sent shockwaves through the Crawford Pond area in Union, Maine last summer. Law enforcement officials arrested Deven Young of Frankfort, Maine on murder charges in connection with Stewart’s death approximately two weeks after her remains were discovered in July.

Young, who was 17 when the alleged crime occurred and has since turned 18, has been processed through the juvenile court system up to this point. State prosecutors are seeking to try Young as an adult, but first required a competency evaluation to move forward.

Maine District Court Judge Eric J. Walker issued his ruling Wednesday, stating: “The court finds that the defendant is competent to proceed based on the court’s finding that the juvenile has a rational, as well as a factual, understanding of the proceedings and a sufficient present ability to consult with legal counsel with a reasonable degree of rational understanding.”

Young’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 7. According to police reports, a medical examiner concluded that Stewart died from strangulation combined with blunt force trauma.

Defense attorney Jeremy Pratt, representing Young, refused to provide comment Thursday. Prosecution team members also declined to speak about the case.

Law enforcement has not disclosed any potential motive for the killing. Brief court filings that appeared temporarily on the state’s judicial website before being removed contained minimal information, only noting that Young “did intentionally or knowingly cause the death of another human being, namely Sunshine Stewart.”

Audio files obtained by media outlets from the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office earlier this year revealed Young’s previous incidents of aggressive conduct and mental health struggles before Stewart’s death occurred. According to the Portland Press Herald, Young had been awaiting state-provided behavioral health treatment.

Stewart disappeared while paddleboarding at Crawford Pond on July 2, with her body recovered the following day. The pond serves as a popular summer destination for swimming, boating and fishing activities. Stewart’s home was located approximately 21 miles away in the Tenants Harbor section of St. George.

Family members and friends honored Stewart’s memory with a maritime memorial service last August. The tribute featured a boat parade through Tenants Harbor, with several vessels decorated with flowers.

The boats displayed photographs of a smiling Stewart alongside a large banner reading “Shine On.” Throughout her life, Stewart had worked in various roles including fisherman, boat captain, biologist, carpenter and bartender, according to those who knew her.

BEREA, Ky. — Kentucky State Police have arrested a suspect believed to be connected to Thursday’s deadly bank robbery that resulted in the shooting deaths of two U.S. Bank employees.

Trooper Justin Kearney announced Friday that authorities have detained someone who is “believed to be involved” in the fatal incident that occurred at the Berea branch.

According to state police, the gunman entered the U.S. Bank location Thursday dressed in a gray-white hoodie, mask, and gloves before opening fire on a male and female worker.

The manhunt involved multiple law enforcement agencies conducting house-to-house searches for evidence and video footage, while helicopters, drones, and K-9 units scoured the area. The investigation included personnel from the Lexington Police Department, county sheriff’s departments, FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

“This was a team effort,” Kearney wrote in his Friday morning social media post.

The trooper declined to release additional information about the arrest.

Local schools were placed under lockdown protocols Thursday as a precautionary measure until officials confirmed campus safety. State police reported that bus transportation was suspended, requiring parents to personally retrieve their children from school.

U.S. Bank officials released a statement expressing their cooperation with investigators and commitment to assisting the victims’ loved ones and staff members.

“We’re deeply saddened by the tragic event that took the lives of two of our employees at our Berea, Kentucky branch earlier today,” the financial institution stated. “Our hearts go out to the families of the victims, our colleagues and the entire Berea community.”

Berea is located approximately 36 miles south of Lexington.

The U.S. Navy has awarded a substantial contract worth nearly $100 million to enhance its artificial intelligence capabilities for detecting Iranian mines in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, according to recently disclosed contract information.

San Francisco-based Domino Data Lab received the contract to develop advanced AI software that can rapidly train underwater drones to recognize different types of explosive devices. This technology aims to dramatically reduce the time needed to clear mines from one of the world’s most vital shipping corridors for oil transport.

The contract, valued at up to $99.7 million, expands Domino’s involvement in the Navy’s Project AMMO — Accelerated Machine Learning for Maritime Operations — which seeks to make underwater mine detection more efficient, precise, and less reliant on human personnel.

“Mine-hunting used to be a job for ships,” explained Thomas Robinson, Domino’s chief operating officer, in a Reuters interview. “It’s becoming a job for AI. The Navy is paying for the platform that lets it train, govern, and field that AI at a speed required for contested waters that block global trade and imperil sailors.”

The AI platform combines information from various sensor technologies, including side-scan sonar and visual imaging equipment, while allowing Navy officials to track the effectiveness of different detection models in real-time and implement improvements as needed.

The technology’s primary advantage lies in its rapid deployment capability. Previously, updating AI systems aboard unmanned underwater vehicles to recognize new or unfamiliar mine designs required up to six months. Domino’s innovation has shortened this timeframe to just days.

Robinson provided a practical example of the system’s strategic value: “If there were UUVs in the Baltic Sea trained on Russian mines, and then they needed to be deployed to the Strait of Hormuz to detect Iranian mines, with Domino’s technology, the Navy could be ready in a week rather than a year.”

President Trump has stated that Navy forces are actively removing Iranian mines from the strait, a crucial waterway whose disruption poses significant threats to the global economy. The mine-sweeping operation could extend for months despite an unstable ceasefire following weeks of conflict between the United States and Iran.

Navy representatives were not immediately available to provide additional comments on the contract award.

A private girls’ summer camp in central Texas will remain shuttered this summer following a devastating flood disaster that claimed 27 lives last year.

Camp Mystic officials announced they have pulled their application to resume operations for the upcoming summer season. The facility became the site of tragedy when flooding swept through the central Texas area, resulting in the deaths of 27 individuals.

The decision means families who may have been hoping to send their daughters to the camp will need to make alternative arrangements for summer activities.

NEW YORK (AP) — Eight New York City police officers were injured when a Queens residence exploded in a dramatic blast that hurled the responding officers across a yard during the early morning hours of Thursday.

The officers had been called to the scene regarding reports of an armed individual with a knife and the odor of gas when the devastating explosion occurred. All eight officers sustained minor injuries, including burns and at least one head wound, according to police officials. Medical personnel treated the injured officers, and authorities confirmed that everyone who had been inside the residence was located, though several required hospital treatment.

Dramatic body camera footage captured the terrifying moment just before 3 a.m. when officers approached the small Queens home. As one officer began opening the front door, a tremendous explosion erupted, shattering windows and launching the officers backward across the yard into a fence. The video shows the officers struggling to get back on their feet amid the debris while smoke poured from the damaged structure, with officers checking on each other’s welfare.

“You guys good?” one of the officers can be heard saying.

The footage then jumps forward about a minute, showing an officer assisting two young children from the home while several other residents stumbled out of the building.

“I want to be clear: We got very lucky today, alright,” Assistant Chief Christopher McIntosh of the New York Police Department said at a news briefing hours later. “This could have turned out really differently.”

“Thankfully, today, luck was on their side,” he said of the officers.

According to McIntosh, the individual who triggered the initial emergency call had come to the residence while intoxicated, carrying a knife and two garbage bags containing canisters filled with an “unknown substance.” The man forced entry by pushing through an air conditioning unit to access a basement apartment where his wife, daughter and two grandchildren were living.

The family members managed to escape the building before officers arrived on scene. The suspect remains missing, McIntosh reported.

The residence completely collapsed following the explosion, and surrounding homes also sustained damage, authorities confirmed.

ATLANTA — Standing inside the wooden framework of what will soon become his first home, 27-year-old Ozzy Herrera let his imagination run wild on a recent morning. He pictured rich brown leather furniture complementing the flooring, warm terra-cotta paint on the walls, and a stylish bar cart positioned near the kitchen area.

The dual-job airport worker never thought homeownership would be possible at his age.

“It’s special. It’s magical,” he said.

This coming May, approximately 1,000 volunteers working with Habitat for Humanity will finish construction on Herrera’s residence along with 23 additional affordable housing units in Atlanta’s Sylvan Hills area as part of the 40th Carter Work Project.

These concentrated week-long construction efforts, honoring former President Jimmy Carter and his deceased wife Rosalynn, have resulted in approximately 5,000 homes across 14 nations since beginning in 1984. Atlanta will host the project for the first time since 1988, when the Carters participated in building 21 residences in a different area of the city.

The Sylvan Hills development represents Habitat for Humanity’s evolving approach toward real estate development as the organization marks its 50th year during an escalating affordable housing shortage and expanding political debates over housing costs.

“The gap between what a family can afford and what it costs to create that unit of housing is the widest it has been in modern history,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of the international organization.

The charitable organization intends to take on developer responsibilities for additional projects since many smaller development companies remain unable to recover from COVID-19 pandemic financial damage or have closed permanently.

Within Sylvan Hills, Habitat for Humanity is constructing on an 8-acre property acquired in 2015. The organization also secured rezoning approval for the former saw-blade manufacturing site to allow residential construction. The 24 housing units will combine single-family houses and townhomes, creating a new neighborhood called Langston Park. This represents Atlanta Habitat for Humanity’s inaugural multifamily townhome construction project.

“We do believe it’s important to get the best use out of every precious piece of land that we’re able to acquire and come by so that we can serve more families,” said Atlanta Habitat for Humanity President and CEO Rosalyn Merrick.

Each Langston Park residence will require approximately $200,000 to construct. Future homeowners will make monthly mortgage payments calculated according to their earnings, though Habitat eliminates interest charges. Plans call for constructing an additional 40 homes at the location eventually.

Phileena Daniel, also 27, received approval to purchase one of the houses. She and her 7-year-old child have faced housing difficulties over the last two years, including residing in a pest-infested apartment with rats and cockroaches. She appreciates the security that permanent housing in Langston Park will provide.

“You know, sometimes we don’t see ourselves going far in life as young Black women in this society,” she said. “This is giving us an opportunity to expand.”

Habitat for Humanity’s transition into community development represents “a classic example of a nonprofit organization really trying to be responsive to community needs,” said Vincent Reina, urban economics and planning professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

“They can still be true to their core mission, which is advancing homeownership opportunities, but they are also acknowledging that we need a diverse set of housing solutions to really meet the needs of individuals,” said Reina, who is also founder and faculty director of the Housing Initiative at Penn.

Elevated home prices and 30-year mortgage rates exceeding 7% have placed homeownership beyond reach for moderate-income families in all except a few of the 98 most costly metropolitan regions nationwide, according to research released last year by Reina and Benjamin J. Keys, a Wharton real estate and finance professor.

This transformation has elevated affordable housing into a significant national concern.

In Congress, both chambers have approved separate affordable housing legislation. Legislative leaders are working to resolve disagreements before sending final legislation to President Donald Trump for his signature.

Trump has issued executive directives aimed at reducing housing regulatory obstacles and assisting smaller financial institutions in providing home loans. His proposed 2027 budget, though, calls for reducing Department of Housing and Urban Development funding and eliminating various community development initiatives that currently assist cities in creating affordable housing.

Meanwhile in Atlanta, Herrera continues contemplating the opportunities that homeownership might create. His mother battled breast cancer, and both his parents could move in with him if circumstances required. Predictable, affordable monthly housing costs would also support his ambition of opening a coffee shop. Herrera explained that increasing rental prices throughout the Atlanta region had previously forced him to relocate, consuming time and resources that could have advanced that business goal.

“Now, I can finally take some risks,” he said.

Those who believe journalism offers a glamorous lifestyle should examine Ann Hermes’ photograph of Tom Haley during a cold winter day at his Vermont workplace.

The image shows Haley writing in a notebook while reclining in his office chair, wearing loose-fitting khakis and a baseball cap. His left foot props up on the only clear space of a desk otherwise buried under stacks of notebooks, newspapers, printed documents and a lanyard dangling from a stray photo. A crooked calendar decorates the wall behind him, while worn blue carpeting covers the floor.

Hermes specializes in capturing subjects that represent bygone eras or face extinction. Her previous work includes documenting North America’s final operating Morse code station and old-fashioned department store photo studios. Recently, she’s focused her lens on newsrooms similar to Haley’s workplace at the Rutland Herald.

The Brooklyn photographer has documented approximately 50 newsrooms throughout America, primarily in smaller communities, creating a visual record of spaces and careers threatened by decades of industry decline. One newspaper she photographed in Alameda, California, has already ceased operations.

Her project continues to expand.

Despite her own newsroom experience as a former Christian Science Monitor employee, Hermes never expected this work to become such an intensive personal mission.

“I love these spaces,” she says. “I love spending time with these people. The more time I spent in newsrooms and hearing about their difficulties of life, it took on a different agenda. I couldn’t have spent so much of my free time on this if I didn’t enjoy it.”

Her photographs challenge stereotypes about journalism as an elite, prestigious profession, particularly at the community level. The images reveal dedicated workers in modest environments that would horrify interior designers. Sticky notes cling to computer screens. Writing supplies, notebooks, and paper boxes clutter bookshelves alongside half-finished whiskey bottles. Carpet stains remain unaddressed. Antacid containers rest atop microwaves.

One empty metal filing system sits beneath a sign reading “stories to be written,” evidence of an abandoned organizational effort.

New Yorker writer Zach Helfand observes: “News people tend to pay their surroundings little mind. There’s too much to do and always a deadline looming. What you see hanging around these rooms isn’t designed but improvised, and more revealing.”

Newsrooms aren’t the only endangered elements Hermes captures. Physical newspapers, increasingly rare as publications abandon printing for digital formats, appear throughout her images. They overflow from storage spaces, yellow with age, pile up in delivery vehicles, and stack in precarious towers requiring careful navigation.

Additional newspapers fill archival storage areas, or “morgues,” a term gaining unfortunate relevance. These cardboard files contain clipped articles that once served research purposes before digital databases emerged.

These archives preserve community history, however. Their disappearance means losing countless local memories.

“This is really a love letter to local journalism,” Hermes says. “It’s not a ‘gotcha’ piece.”

She admires the “true believers” who remain committed to their profession despite facing criticism from public officials who resist scrutiny and economic pressures that have forced colleagues into other careers.

“The rewards are diminishing in doing this job,” she says. “You have to really believe in the fundamental civic service that you are providing. Otherwise, why else would you do it? It’s a really difficult job.”

Hermes displays her work online and hopes to compile her newsroom photography into a published collection. She believes her role has evolved beyond documentation into advocacy, planning exhibitions in communities she’s visited to emphasize local journalism’s importance.

Her target involves photographing 100 newsrooms total: “I feel like I learn something new in every newsroom I visit.”

BEREA, Kentucky — A deadly bank robbery in Kentucky has left two employees dead and sparked an intensive manhunt for the gunman, law enforcement officials announced Thursday.

The shooting occurred at a U.S. Bank location in Berea when an armed individual wearing a gray-white hoodie, mask and gloves entered the building and opened fire on a male and female worker, according to Kentucky State Police spokesperson Trooper Scottie Pennington.

“They’re our people that work in our community, and they’re no longer with us,” Pennington told reporters. “At this time we do have some leads, and we’re trying our best to bring this evil person to justice.”

Authorities have launched a comprehensive search operation involving local police, state troopers, FBI agents and additional federal agencies. The effort includes door-to-door canvassing for witness accounts and security footage, along with aerial searches using helicopters and drones, plus K-9 teams, Pennington explained.

Officials have not determined how the perpetrator escaped the scene or disclosed whether any money was stolen during the incident, the spokesperson noted.

Kentucky State Police have released a photograph of the suspect through social media channels and are asking the public for assistance in identifying the individual.

“If you see something strange and you don’t feel right about it — you know, your dogs are acting weird — call us,” Pennington said. He advised community members to stay alert, keep exterior lights illuminated and ensure their cell phones remain charged.

Several nearby schools implemented temporary security lockdowns until officials confirmed the campuses were secure. Parents were required to personally collect their children rather than allowing normal bus transportation, Pennington reported.

U.S. Bank officials stated they are cooperating fully with investigators and pledged assistance to the victims’ relatives and fellow employees.

“We’re deeply saddened by the tragic event that took the lives of two of our employees at our Berea, Kentucky branch earlier today,” the company said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to the families of the victims, our colleagues and the entire Berea community.”

Berea is located approximately 36 miles south of Lexington.

The United States Air Force has committed to purchasing five additional Boeing E-7A Wedgetail surveillance planes, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink announced during congressional testimony on Thursday.

Meink informed members of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee that the service will acquire five engineering and manufacturing development versions of the E-7A aircraft. This purchase comes on top of two prototype models that are already under contract.

The surveillance aircraft program faced uncertainty in the previous year when Pentagon officials stepped back from an original plan to purchase 26 Boeing E-7A units. That larger acquisition was intended to modernize the military’s aging fleet of airborne early warning and control system aircraft, known as AWACS, which dates back to the Cold War era.

When the Defense Department reduced its acquisition plans, NATO also abandoned its own proposal to purchase six E-7A aircraft.

The E-7A Wedgetail is built using Boeing’s widely-used 737 commercial aircraft as its foundation. The United States had previously committed to acquiring the two prototype versions of the surveillance plane.

TACOMA, Wash. — Authorities in Tacoma, Washington rushed to Foss High School Thursday afternoon after receiving reports of a knife attack that left six people wounded, including the student responsible for the assault.

Four students and one adult security guard sustained injuries during the incident, while the attacking student was also hurt and taken into police custody, according to Tacoma Police Department spokesperson Shelbie Boyd.

Emergency responders from the Tacoma Fire Department arrived at the school at 1:38 p.m. following the attack report, said spokesperson Chelsea Shepherd. Medical crews provided treatment and transported five victims to area hospitals, with four listed in critical condition and one suffering minor wounds.

The student suspect, who was the sixth injured person, remained under police supervision while receiving medical care at a local hospital for minor injuries. By late afternoon, all victims were reported to be in stable condition.

Fire department officials declined to specify the exact nature of the injuries sustained during the incident.

“The school is secure, and we are currently investigating. Parents can pick up their kids in the student’s parking lot. There’s a reunification area there,” Boyd explained.

School officials implemented immediate lockdown procedures at 1:38 p.m., with students safely released from the building at 2:45 p.m., Tacoma Public Schools confirmed in a written statement. All school activities and after-school programs scheduled for Friday have been called off.

Classes will resume Monday with mental health counselors available on campus to assist students and faculty members.

“We are grateful for the quick, calm action of our staff and our first responders,” district officials stated.

A U.S. Coast Guard vessel that vanished during a devastating World War I attack has been located by divers more than 100 years after it disappeared beneath the waves off England’s coast.

Coast Guard officials revealed Wednesday that the USCGC Tampa has been discovered approximately 50 miles from Newquay, Cornwall, resting more than 300 feet below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. The British technical diving group Gasperados confirmed the identity of the sunken cutter.

Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Kevin Lunday stated that the bravery and sacrifice demonstrated by the Tampa’s crew exemplifies the service’s tradition of protecting America throughout every military conflict since its establishment in 1790.

“When the Tampa was lost with all hands in 1918, it left an enduring grief in our service,” Lunday said. “Locating the wreck connects us to their sacrifice and reminds us that devotion to duty endures.”

The vessel met its fate when struck by a torpedo from a German submarine while traveling through the Bristol Channel, according to officials. The ship went down in under three minutes, claiming the lives of everyone on board – totaling 131 casualties. Among the victims were 111 Coast Guard members, four Navy sailors, and 16 British naval personnel and civilians. This tragedy represents the greatest single loss of American naval lives during World War I combat operations.

The Gasperados diving team made 10 separate expeditions to potential wreck sites during their search.

“This discovery is the result of three years of research and exploration,” team leader Steve Mortimer wrote on Facebook. “TAMPA is of huge importance to the United States and the relatives of everyone who died that day. Their final resting place is known at last.”

The volunteer diving group initially reached out to the Coast Guard Historian’s Office in 2023 about the Tampa investigation.

“We provided the dive team with historical records and technical data to assist in confirming the wreck site,” Coast Guard Atlantic Area Historian William Thiesen explained. “This included the archival images of the deck fittings, ship’s wheel, bell, weaponry, and archival images of the Tampa.”

Coast Guard leadership is currently working on plans for future underwater research and exploration of the site.

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University was forced to move several final examinations to new locations after authorities arrested a man found with chemical substances that could be used for methamphetamine production inside the campus’s biggest academic facility.

A 31-year-old individual faces charges filed Wednesday for malicious property destruction and possession of materials to operate a methamphetamine laboratory. Wells Hall remains shuttered since Monday following the incident.

Campus Police Chief Mike Yankowski stopped short of confirming whether investigators found an operational drug manufacturing setup within the facility. However, court documents indicate the chemical substances “destroyed approximately $20,000 or more of Wells Halls, specifically multiple doors and flooring.”

The police chief would not confirm the suspect’s student status, though the police affidavit notes he carried an outdated student identification card. A judge set his bond at $500,000 cash.

Officers responded to a trespassing report Sunday evening and found the individual inside the building carrying several bags containing liquids, which testing revealed to be hydrochloric acid, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone and butane, according to Yankowski.

“Most of these items are household items,” Yankowski said. “Those products alone might not be dangerous, but if you start mixing chemicals together there is a reaction.”

The East Lansing university is currently conducting final examinations this week before upcoming graduation ceremonies.

Aviation fuel costs have surged to nearly double their previous levels due to ongoing conflict with Iran, creating a significant financial burden for wildfire suppression efforts nationwide.

The dramatic increase in fuel expenses is expected to drive up the cost of aerial firefighting operations by tens of millions of dollars during the upcoming summer fire season, when aircraft play a crucial role in battling blazes across the country.

AUSTIN, Texas — Camp Mystic administrators announced Thursday they are pulling back their licensing application to operate during the upcoming summer season, stating they want to allow more time for bereaved families to mourn their losses.

The announcement follows several days of intense scrutiny from Texas state legislators who have been examining how camp leadership handled the catastrophic flooding that occurred on July 4th. That disaster took the lives of 25 young campers and two teenage staff members. Camp owner Dick Eastland also perished in the flood waters.

“No administrative process or summer season should move forward while families continue to grieve, while investigations continue and while so many Texans still carry the pain of last July’s tragedy,” Camp Mystic said in a statement.

The Texas Department of State Health Services verified Thursday that camp officials had indeed withdrawn their licensing request.