Category: U.S. News

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of Michigan’s president-elect announced Wednesday that he must withdraw from the position due to a brain cancer diagnosis.

Kent Syverud, who currently serves as Syracuse University’s chancellor, revealed he learned of his condition following health concerns that arose last week.

“I am currently undergoing treatment at the University of Michigan. … I am aware that I am one of many, many people who face a diagnosis like this — people who show up each day with courage,” Syverud stated. “I take inspiration from all of them.”

The university selected Syverud for the presidency in January, with his tenure scheduled to begin in May.

Domenico Grasso, who has been serving as Michigan’s interim president, will continue in that role as the Board of Regents conducts a new search for permanent leadership.

Rather than assuming the presidency, Syverud will join Michigan’s law school faculty and provide advisory support to the Board of Regents, according to university officials.

The position became available after Santa Ono served as president through 2025, when he was expected to transition to leading the University of Florida. However, that appointment fell through when Florida’s Board of Governors rejected his candidacy in a 10-6 vote last June.

Conservative critics had opposed Ono’s appointment, citing his previous advocacy for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and other programs they considered problematic liberal policies.

Newark Police officers issued dozens of traffic violations Tuesday during a targeted safety operation at one of the city’s busiest intersections.

The Traffic Response Unit focused their enforcement efforts at South Main Street and West Main Street on April 14th, responding to persistent safety issues at that location. The operation resulted in 46 citations being issued to drivers.

According to police data, accidents at the intersection continue to be linked to drivers who aren’t paying attention to the road. The enforcement detail was specifically designed to address these recurring traffic safety problems.

The directed patrol represents the department’s proactive approach to reducing crashes and improving safety for both drivers and pedestrians in the area.

Delaware attorneys are joining colleagues nationwide in issuing urgent warnings to clients: conversations with artificial intelligence chatbots could end up as evidence in criminal prosecutions and civil lawsuits.

The cautionary advice has intensified following a significant federal court decision in New York earlier this year. A judge determined that a former financial company CEO facing securities fraud charges could not prevent prosecutors from accessing his conversations with AI chatbots.

Legal professionals are now alerting clients that discussions with popular AI platforms such as ChatGPT from OpenAI and Claude from Anthropic may be subject to court orders in both criminal investigations and civil litigation.

“We are telling our clients: You should proceed with caution here,” stated Alexandria Gutiérrez Swette, an attorney with the New York law firm Kobre & Kim.

While conversations between attorneys and their clients receive strong confidentiality protections under American law, AI chatbots do not qualify as lawyers. Legal professionals are now instructing clients on methods to better protect their communications with artificial intelligence tools.

More than twelve prominent U.S. law firms have distributed guidance through client emails and website postings, offering strategies to reduce the likelihood of AI conversations becoming courtroom evidence.

Some legal firms are incorporating these warnings directly into client contracts. Sher Tremonte, a New York-based firm, recently included language in a client agreement stating that sharing attorney advice or communications with a chatbot could eliminate attorney-client privilege protections.

The landmark case involved Bradley Heppner, former chairman of bankrupt financial services firm GWG Holdings and founder of alternative asset company Beneficent. Federal prosecutors charged Heppner last November with securities and wire fraud; he entered a not guilty plea.

Heppner had utilized Anthropic’s Claude chatbot to create reports about his case for sharing with his legal team. His attorneys argued that these AI conversations should remain confidential because they contained details from lawyers regarding his defense strategy.

Government prosecutors contended they had the right to obtain materials Heppner created using Claude, arguing that his defense attorneys weren’t directly involved and that attorney-client privilege doesn’t extend to chatbots.

Sharing information from a lawyer with any outside party can compromise the standard legal protections for attorney communications.

In February, Manhattan-based U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff ordered Heppner to surrender 31 documents created using Anthropic’s Claude chatbot in connection with the case.

Judge Rakoff wrote that no attorney-client relationship exists “or could exist, between an AI user and a platform such as Claude.”

Neither Heppner’s legal team nor the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office provided responses to requests for comment.

Courts are increasingly confronting the expanding use of artificial intelligence by both lawyers and self-represented individuals in legal proceedings, which has resulted in court filings containing fictional cases generated by AI systems.

Rakoff’s decision represented a crucial early examination in the AI era of fundamental legal protections covering attorney-client communications and materials prepared for litigation.

On the same date as Rakoff’s ruling, U.S. Magistrate Judge Anthony Patti in Michigan reached a different conclusion. He determined that a woman representing herself in an employment lawsuit against her former employer didn’t need to provide her ChatGPT conversations about her employment claims.

Judge Patti classified the woman’s AI discussions as part of her personal “work-product” for the case, rather than conversations with an individual whom her employer could seek to use in its defense.

ChatGPT and other generative AI programs “are tools, not persons,” Patti wrote in his decision.

The privacy and usage policies for both OpenAI and Anthropic indicate that the companies may share user data with third parties. Both companies also require users to consult qualified professionals before depending on their chatbots for legal guidance.

During a February hearing in Heppner’s case, Judge Rakoff observed that Claude “expressly provided that users have no expectation of privacy in their inputs.”

Neither OpenAI nor Anthropic representatives provided immediate responses to requests for comment.

Legal counsel recommendations have varied from advising clients to carefully choose their AI platforms to proposing specific language for chatbot interactions.

Los Angeles-based O’Melveny & Myers and other firms indicated in client advisories that “closed” AI systems designed for corporate use might offer stronger protections for legal communications, though they noted this remains largely unproven.

Several firms suggested that AI legal research is more likely to receive attorney-client privilege protection when conducted under lawyer supervision. If an attorney recommends using AI, individuals should indicate this in their chatbot prompt, according to New York-headquartered Debevoise & Plimpton in a website notice.

“I am doing this research at the direction of counsel for [X] litigation,” the firm recommended people include in their messages.

Details about AI usage are also becoming standard in law firm client contracts, based on a Reuters examination of contracts posted on a U.S. government website.

Sher Tremonte, which frequently represents white-collar criminal defendants, stated in a March contract: “Disclosure of privileged communications to a third-party AI platform may constitute a waiver of the attorney-client privilege.”

Justin Ellis from New York-headquartered MoloLamken and other legal professionals anticipate that additional court rulings will eventually establish clearer guidelines for when AI conversations can serve as evidence.

Until that clarity emerges, attorneys are emphasizing that a time-tested principle remains valid: avoid discussing your case with anyone except your lawyer — including artificial intelligence.

Officials at a correctional facility in Fulton County, Georgia have deployed aerial surveillance technology to prevent prohibited items from reaching prisoners behind bars.

The facility is utilizing unmanned aircraft systems to stop the flow of illegal contraband being delivered to inmates. These surveillance drones are manufactured by Flock, a technology company that has faced criticism regarding the extent of its monitoring operations.

The implementation represents a growing trend of correctional facilities turning to advanced technology to address security challenges and prevent dangerous materials from entering prison grounds through unauthorized delivery methods.

Well-known comedian Dave Chappelle recently opened up about his commitment to supporting public broadcasting during an interview with NPR’s Michel Martin.

The discussion touched on Chappelle’s financial backing of public media outlets, including his assistance to an Ohio public radio station that was searching for new facilities.

During the wide-ranging conversation, Chappelle also shared his thoughts on the craft of stand-up comedy and spoke about his ties to Yellow Springs, Ohio, where he has established roots in the community.

The interview highlights the comedian’s growing involvement in media investments and his dedication to preserving public broadcasting resources.

An Austin-based federal judge is currently reviewing witness testimony as part of deliberations on whether to maintain a temporary halt to restoration work at Camp Mystic, the location where flooding claimed 27 lives last year.

The tragic incident involved both campers and staff members who perished when floodwaters swept through the facility. The judge must now decide whether repair and renovation activities at the camp site should remain suspended while legal proceedings continue.

DENVER — A chain-reaction collision involving approximately 70 vehicles on a snow-covered Colorado interstate Tuesday resulted in eight people being transported to hospitals, state authorities reported.

The multi-vehicle wreck forced authorities to shut down eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 in Clear Creek County, located roughly 50 miles west of Denver, the Colorado State Patrol announced.

Emergency responders assessed 19 individuals for potential injuries at the scene, with eight requiring hospital transport. Among those hospitalized, one person had “sustained serious bodily injuries,” state patrol officials reported.

Social media photos from the scene revealed extensive damage, showing multiple commercial trucks caught in the wreckage, scattered vehicle parts across the roadway, crushed front ends, and at least one vehicle precariously balanced above ground level.

Authorities have not yet determined what triggered the massive collision.

WACONIA, Minn. (AP) — Despite deep political divisions, Minnesota residents have discovered common ground in their enthusiasm for meat raffles.

These charitable gaming events have flourished across certain regions of the United States for generations, providing an entertaining fundraising method for nonprofit organizations while distributing prizes that include everything from hamburger meat and frankfurters to poultry and premium cuts. However, as inflation has climbed and protein costs have skyrocketed, Minnesota’s $70 maximum prize value per event has remained unchanged for almost four decades.

Although Minnesota’s sharply divided state legislature has struggled to find consensus on most issues this session, lawmakers appear ready to increase the prize ceiling to $200. This change will enable charitable organizations to provide larger meat packages and premium steaks while supporting local athletic programs and community initiatives. The adjustment will also help preserve the state’s cherished, though unusual, tradition of wagering for protein products.

“This is probably the best feel-good bill that we have going on in the Legislature right now,” said Republican Rep. Jim Nash, lead House author of the meat raffle legislation.

Despite current restrictions, Andrea “Mama” Avaloz celebrated success with her $2 wager. Event coordinators spun their wheel, which stopped on her number 5, declaring her a winner at American Legion Post 150 in the lakeside community of Waconia, approximately 30 miles west of Minneapolis.

“So I have a little fajita meat. We are set to go!” Avaloz said as she picked up her plastic-wrapped prize. “Beef sticks! Love them!”

Shortly afterward, she discovered an unexpected bonus hidden beneath her beef and sausages.

“Oh my God, I have pork chops!” she exclaimed. “I picked a good one! I’m so excited!”

The practice of meat raffles began during World War II as Britain’s answer to wartime food restrictions. The concept expanded to Canada, Australia and New Zealand, eventually reaching Minnesota, Wisconsin, western New York and several other states.

Nash, who serves Waconia’s district, anticipates the House will vote next week to raise the prize limit, with Senate approval following shortly.

“It’s an opportunity for bipartisanship,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to do good things.”

Service organizations operating meat raffles and other charitable gaming activities in Minnesota return their earnings to local communities. Bars and restaurants hosting these events benefit from increased patronage that generates additional food and beverage sales.

Joe Gifford, commander of Post 150, established in 1920, explained that those sales translate to additional funding for Legion baseball and softball programs, plus maintenance of veterans’ memorials.

“Every dollar we raise here, after we pay our bills, actually goes right back into all those different services for community, veterans, and active duty military,” Gifford said. “And the meat raffle is a part of that. It’s one of the instruments where we actually draw crowds in on a Friday.”

In Minneapolis, weekly meat raffles occur Friday evenings at the 1029 Bar, a establishment frequently visited by law enforcement officers. A bullet-damaged police cruiser door hangs behind the bar as decoration.

Roberta Rodriguez, site manager for the Northeast Minneapolis Lions Club, oversees the charitable gaming activities at the establishment, which like Post 150 also features additional games including bingo and pull-tabs.

“We have a lot customers that come every week,” Rodriguez said. “So they get to know each other, they tease each other when someone wins too much.”

Ashley Burris was unfamiliar with meat raffles before relocating to Minnesota from Virginia. She now actively searches for establishments offering them.

“It’s kinda my vibe,” she said during a break in the action.

Burris indicated she was unaware of the proposed legislation or concerns about inadequate prize amounts. Her focus remained on enjoyment.

“It’s never crossed my mind — although you can never have too much rib-eye,” she said.

GOSHEN, N.Y. (AP) — A woman whose husband was convicted of shooting a DoorDash delivery driver has entered a guilty plea for destroying doorbell camera footage that captured the incident.

Selina Nelson-Reilly, 46, from Chester, entered her guilty plea on Friday for evidence tampering, Orange County prosecutors announced. Her plea comes shortly after her spouse, John Reilly III, was convicted on assault charges for opening fire on the delivery driver’s vehicle as he attempted to exit their property in May 2025.

At the time of the shooting, Reilly served as Chester’s highway superintendent in the town situated roughly 60 miles north of Manhattan. During trial, he claimed he was protecting his household after delivery driver Alpha Barry allegedly demanded entry into their residence. However, Barry’s court testimony indicated he had simply requested to charge his mobile phone. Following the gunfire, Barry required emergency medical treatment and surgeons had to remove a portion of his small intestine, according to prosecution officials.

The day following the shooting incident, state police visited the residence and questioned Nelson-Reilly, who claimed she had no information about what had occurred, Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler’s office stated. However, once the investigators departed, she proceeded to erase 17 video recordings from the home’s doorbell camera system, officials reported.

Prosecutors revealed that she subsequently sent a text to an acquaintance stating she had irreversibly erased the video files.

Despite her efforts, several doorbell camera clips surfaced following the shooting. One recording captured the delivery driver approaching Reilly’s entrance carrying a plastic bag. Additional footage showed the driver returning to his vehicle while Reilly emerged from the house armed with a pistol, discharging a round into his yard while commanding, “Go.” As the driver performed a three-point turn to leave the driveway, the video appeared to document Reilly firing at the departing car.

Under Nelson-Reilly’s plea arrangement, she will serve one year of probation and perform 200 hours of community service, Hoovler’s office confirmed. Upon successful completion of these requirements, she may return to court to have the felony evidence tampering charge dismissed, receiving sentencing only on the misdemeanor attempted evidence tampering charge.

Should she violate the plea agreement terms, she could receive up to four years in state prison, prosecutors warned.

Her husband potentially faces 25 years imprisonment on the primary assault charge when sentencing occurs on May 18. He remains incarcerated, and his legal counsel has indicated plans to challenge the conviction through appeal.

Nelson-Reilly’s defense attorney, Andrew Jason Proto, did not provide an immediate response to requests for comment on Tuesday.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Federal prosecutors have filed assault charges against a California man who sustained multiple gunshot wounds during an immigration enforcement operation last week.

Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez faces allegations of striking a federal agent with his vehicle and ramming into a law enforcement car following a traffic stop on April 7, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California.

During Tuesday’s court proceedings in Sacramento, U.S. Magistrate Judge Allison Claire questioned the prosecution’s request to deny bail, stating: “This isn’t someone who is seeking out law enforcement to target.” The judge approved Mendoza’s release on $50,000 bond, determining he presents minimal public safety concerns or flight risk. However, she granted higher court officials two days to review or reverse her decision.

Appearing in court in a wheelchair just one day after his discharge from intensive care, Mendoza relied on a translator throughout the proceedings. He acknowledged the judge’s release conditions with nods as they were read aloud.

Following the hearing, approximately eight demonstrators gathered outside the courthouse displaying signs and shouting “Justice for Carlos” in solidarity with Mendoza. Passing motorists honked their horns in response.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE agents opened fire in self-defense when Mendoza attempted to drive toward them. The enforcement action targeted the 36-year-old in Patterson, located roughly 75 miles southeast of San Francisco.

Authorities have characterized Mendoza as a suspected gang affiliate sought for questioning regarding a homicide in El Salvador, though these claims were absent from both the court hearing and formal charges. The complaint indicates Mendoza, who holds dual citizenship in El Salvador and Mexico, was targeted due to his illegal presence in the United States.

Public defender David Harshaw argued for immediate release, emphasizing Mendoza’s clean criminal background and current physical limitations due to his injuries that eliminate any public danger.

Federal prosecutor Jason Hitt countered that Mendoza poses a flight risk, citing his failure to comply with officer commands during the April 7 incident.

Defense attorney Patrick Kolasinski previously stated his client became frightened and attempted to escape when ICE agents surrounded his vehicle.

“We are prepared to fight them,” Kolasinski declared regarding the charges.

Television station KCRA obtained dashcam video showing three officers positioned around a stopped vehicle. The footage captures one officer near the driver’s window as the car begins reversing and turning, striking a vehicle behind it. At least two agents can be seen with drawn weapons aimed at the car. The driver then accelerates forward toward the officers’ location before making a sharp turn across the road median.

The silent video does not reveal when shots were fired or any verbal exchanges that may have occurred.

Court documents detail how four agents conducted the traffic stop and Mendoza refused orders to exit his vehicle. With two agents positioned on each side of the car, one officer shattered the passenger window to extract him as Mendoza shifted into drive and moved forward, striking an agent. He subsequently reversed into an ICE vehicle before accelerating again, forcing one agent to jump clear.

Kolasinski maintains that agents fired upon Mendoza while his vehicle was stationary, prompting him to drive away from the gunfire.

“He is doing everything he can to not run them over,” the attorney explained regarding his client’s actions during the stop.

Kolasinski also challenges DHS assertions about an outstanding warrant for his client. He describes Mendoza as a laborer and father to a 2-year-old daughter who is engaged to an American citizen. While stopped for minor traffic violations, Mendoza has no U.S. criminal history and faces no arrest warrant in El Salvador, where he was cleared of murder charges.

Neither DHS nor ICE have responded to Associated Press inquiries about the attorney’s statements.

This incident represents one of several shootings occurring during the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement efforts, which have prompted scrutiny of federal immigration agencies.

Mendoza required three surgical procedures to treat multiple gunshot injuries, his lawyer reported. Speech difficulties resulted from a jaw wound, and Mendoza denies any gang involvement, according to Kolasinski.

A court document dated October 25, 2019, from an El Salvadoran judge shows Mendoza was acquitted of murder charges and ordered immediately released. The document contains no references to gang membership or related criminal activity.

WASHINGTON — American military forces conducted another deadly strike against a suspected narcotics trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific waters on Tuesday, resulting in four fatalities. This marks the fourth such military operation announced within recent days.

The action represents the most recent development in an ongoing series of military strikes targeting boats that officials claim are involved in drug smuggling throughout Latin American waters. This campaign commenced over seven months ago and has persisted despite military focus being divided by conflicts with Iran.

Since operations started in early September, the cumulative death count has reached 175 individuals. Search efforts by the U.S. Coast Guard for one survivor from Saturday’s attack have been called off.

On Tuesday, U.S. Southern Command released aerial footage through social media platforms depicting a vessel floating on the water’s surface before being hit by a projectile and subsequently exploding. Military officials previously announced strikes on two boats Saturday and an additional vessel Monday.

According to military statements, all targeted vessels were “operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations” and intelligence verified they “were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and were engaged in narco-trafficking operations,” though no supporting evidence was presented.

President Donald Trump has declared the United States is engaged in “armed conflict” with Latin American cartels and has defended these attacks as essential measures to reduce drug trafficking into America and prevent fatal overdoses affecting American citizens. However, his administration has provided minimal evidence supporting claims of eliminating “narcoterrorists.”

These strikes commenced months before the January U.S. operation that resulted in the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. He was transported to New York to face drug trafficking allegations and has entered a not guilty plea.

Opposition voices have challenged both the legal authority for these maritime strikes and their practical effectiveness, noting that fentanyl responsible for numerous fatal overdoses typically enters the U.S. through overland routes from Mexico, where it’s manufactured using chemicals sourced from China and India.

A reality television personality from “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” has been cleared of potential criminal charges stemming from domestic violence allegations earlier this year, according to Salt Lake County prosecutors.

The District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday that Taylor Frankie Paul will not face charges related to two February incidents involving her former partner, Dakota Mortensen, who is the father of her 2-year-old child. Mortensen had filed domestic violence complaints with police departments in Draper City and West Jordan, both Salt Lake City suburbs.

Breanne Miller, an attorney with the district attorney’s Family Protection Unit, explained the decision in a written statement: “Several incidents that were submitted do not rise to the level of criminal offenses. The remaining incidents lack sufficient evidence to support filing criminal charges.”

While Paul won’t face prosecution, the decision doesn’t directly impact the protective order proceedings between the former couple. Both individuals have sought protective orders against each other, with a hearing scheduled for April 30. Currently, Paul can only visit her son under supervised conditions, as ordered by a court commissioner.

During an April 7 court hearing, Paul’s lawyer Eric Swinyard described one February altercation as “the truck tussle,” claiming Mortensen was the primary aggressor. According to protective order documents, Mortensen alleged Paul threw a beverage at him during an argument in a vehicle, which occurred to avoid disturbing sleeping children inside Paul’s residence.

However, Swinyard countered that Mortensen struck Paul’s head against the dashboard and punched her leg, presenting photographs of her resulting injuries as evidence.

Paul’s legal troubles have significantly impacted her television career. A 2023 altercation between the couple prompted ABC to take the extraordinary step of canceling an already-completed season of “The Bachelorette” after footage of the incident became public last month. Additionally, her co-stars have requested that Hulu postpone production of the upcoming “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” season due to her ongoing domestic situation.

The leaked 2023 video showed Paul physically attacking Mortensen by punching, kicking, and hurling furniture while her young daughter witnessed the violence and became distressed. Paul entered a guilty plea to misdemeanor assault in that case, while more serious charges including aggravated assault and domestic violence in a child’s presence were dropped.

Court records indicate eleven separate confrontations between Paul and Mortensen are being examined as part of their mutual protective order requests. Michael McDonald, a court-appointed advocate for their son Ever, referenced another video from May of the previous year showing Paul forcibly pushing Mortensen and yelling for him to leave her home while he held their child.

“That makes me very nervous about her ability to control herself,” McDonald stated during the April 7 proceedings.

Paul’s legal team argued that Mortensen intentionally used their child as a “human shield” during confrontations. Meanwhile, Mortensen’s attorney Daniela Diaz contended that Paul manipulates their son “as a pawn to start fights.”

The tumultuous relationship between Paul and Mortensen became a central storyline on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” when it premiered in 2024, helping establish Paul as a reality television figure. The show’s first episode even incorporated police body camera footage from her 2023 arrest.

AUSTIN, Texas — A medical officer at a Texas summer camp where 27 people died in flooding last year admitted in court Tuesday that she has never officially notified state health regulators about the deaths, despite the camp’s recent application to resume operations this summer.

Mary Liz Eastland, who belongs to the family that owns Camp Mystic, faced questioning during ongoing legal proceedings between camp management and families of flood victims who have filed lawsuits. The families want the camp to maintain damaged areas as evidence. The two-day hearing has revealed the most comprehensive account yet from camp leadership about the July 4 early morning flood along the Guadalupe River and the fatal delays in evacuation efforts.

Though the deaths of 25 campers and two teenage counselors at the Christian girls’ camp have been extensively covered in media reports, Texas regulations mandate that camps notify state health officials about fatalities within 24 hours.

“I did not think of this requirement in the moments happening after the flood,” Eastland testified, noting she had also failed to do so before submitting the camp’s March 31 reopening application.

Eastland was unable to pinpoint when she first learned about camper deaths, stating it might have been one day or several days following the flood. Her father-in-law, Richard Eastland, also perished in the disaster.

When questioned whether she should now formally notify authorities with the camp license under review, Mary Liz Eastland responded, “I guess so.”

Whether this reporting failure will impact the camp’s licensing application remains unknown. The camp’s submitted application contains lists of staff members and flood zone maps. Management must also provide a comprehensive safety plan, though this document is not available for public review.

State officials plan to inspect the camp during the licensing process. The regulatory agency is also examining hundreds of complaints lodged against the facility and has requested assistance from the Texas Rangers investigative division. State legislators are conducting their own separate inquiry into the flooding incident.

“DSHS will consider any findings from the inspection and investigation when making the determination on the renewal application,” the agency stated Tuesday.

The camp’s intention to reopen portions of its facilities this summer for nearly 900 girls has angered families of those who died. The family of 8-year-old Cile Steward, the sole camper whose body remains missing, initiated the lawsuit that led to this week’s court proceedings.

The Steward family argues the camp should not resume operations while the Eastland family continues in leadership roles. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has separately stated that no license should be granted until all investigations conclude.

Mary Liz Eastland’s testimony followed extensive questioning of her husband Edward Eastland on Monday and Tuesday regarding overlooked weather alerts, postponed evacuation choices, and frantic efforts to rescue children as floodwaters tore through the facility with sufficient power to generate rapids around the cabins.

He emotionally recounted seizing two girls while another climbed onto his back before the current swept them all away.

“A genuine hero testified today,” said Mikal Watts, representing the Eastlands. “He told a gripping story of saving lives in an unprecedented tsunami. I am proud to represent Edward Eastland and his family.”

Mary Liz Eastland detailed her actions that evening when she and her children departed their residence to join her mother-in-law. She described water flooding the house and breaking a window to escape. The family managed to reach higher elevation.

She also recounted what she witnessed at dawn when she approached the riverbank, “seeing girls in trees.” She and other staff collected survivors for attendance, comparing names to cabin lists.

“I had to figure out who we had and didn’t have at that point,” she testified.

However, she admitted never attempting to reach low-lying areas to evacuate campers during the storm’s initial stages, explaining she could not navigate the rising floodwaters. She was also questioned about why, as the camp’s head medical officer, she did not attempt to contact or alert other medical personnel to reach the campers before catastrophe struck.

Steward family lawyer Christina Yarnell pointed out that Eastland had been associated with Camp Mystic as a camper, counselor, or staff member since 2002.

“You knew the property. You knew the flood lines. You knew access points,” Yarnell stated. “Your children knew them. These were first-year campers … Cile needed your help and you abandoned her, didn’t you?”

“Yes,” Eastland replied.

Law enforcement officers in Omaha, Nebraska fatally shot a woman Tuesday after she kidnapped a toddler and attacked him with a knife in a Walmart parking lot.

According to Deputy Chief Scott Gray, the woman confronted a female shopper and a young child between 2 and 3 years old inside the store. After stealing a large knife from the retail location, she brandished the weapon and “took possession of the child, essentially kidnapping the child,” Gray explained.

The attacker forced the woman to walk ahead of the shopping cart while she followed behind, holding the child at knifepoint, Gray reported. The group moved outside the store and into the parking area, where the two women engaged in “some verbal back and forth” for several minutes before police responded.

When officers arrived after receiving an emergency call, they issued commands to the suspect. She then started “swiping the knife at the child, cutting him across the face,” Gray stated. One or more officers opened fire on the woman, killing her at the scene.

Police body camera footage that was made public shows the suspect holding a knife above the small boy who was seated in a shopping cart while an officer points his weapon at her.

Medical personnel transported the child to a local hospital where he received treatment for a significant cut on the left side of his face and an injury to his hand, Gray said. Doctors expect him to make a full recovery.

Authorities have not determined what motivated the attack. Gray confirmed the two women were strangers to each other. Officials have not clarified the relationship between the boy and the woman who was shopping with him.

Investigators are examining surveillance footage from inside the store. Gray described the incident as appearing to be isolated. The Walmart remained mostly empty while police conducted their investigation, he noted.

The suspect’s behavior inside the store would not have seemed suspicious to other customers, Gray observed.

“They kind of just purposely but casually walk out of the store, so I don’t think anybody was actually looking at them as being a suspect of anything,” Gray commented.

The officer-involved shooting will undergo investigation by Omaha police working alongside the Nebraska State Patrol and Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office.

AMHERST, Mass. — Hampshire College in western Massachusetts will shut its doors permanently following the fall semester, the institution announced Tuesday, citing overwhelming financial difficulties that have proven insurmountable.

The college’s Board of Trustees made the difficult decision to permanently close the campus after what administrators characterized as mounting economic pressures that have become too challenging to overcome. According to a joint statement from the board and President Jennifer Chrisler, attempts to boost student numbers, restructure existing loans, and generate income through property sales have all failed to provide adequate relief.

“The rationale behind this painful vote reflects several realities. The College no longer has the resources to sustain full operations and meet our regulatory responsibilities,” administrators explained in their announcement.

In a post shared on Instagram, Chrisler recognized the heartbreak surrounding the closure. “This is an incredibly painful moment for the Hampshire community, and we are doing everything to support our students in completing their studies and assist our faculty and staff in navigating what comes next,” she stated.

College officials indicated the December closure timeline will enable currently enrolled students at the small western Massachusetts campus to either finish their degrees at Hampshire or transfer to affiliated schools.

Established in 1965, the institution has faced ongoing challenges for multiple years. School leadership initiated a major $60 million fundraising effort in 2020, which brought in significant contributions, including a substantial $5 million donation made in recognition of notable graduate Ken Burns, the acclaimed documentary filmmaker.

Hampshire gained national headlines in 2023 when it extended enrollment opportunities to students from New College of Florida, after that institution underwent changes under conservative leadership appointed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis.

The Massachusetts school had offered Florida students in good academic standing the opportunity to transfer while maintaining their current tuition costs through financial assistance. Both colleges share similar educational philosophies, emphasizing progressive values, non-traditional academic approaches, alternative grading systems, and student-directed learning programs.

Hampshire’s closure adds to a growing number of small New England colleges that have been forced to cease operations in recent years.

Educational institutions nationwide are increasingly struggling as they face a declining student population. Reduced birth rates have resulted in fewer college-bound young adults, while some regions have experienced drops in the percentage of high school graduates pursuing higher education following the coronavirus pandemic.

These demographic changes have created an oversupply situation in higher education markets. Numerous colleges, particularly smaller private institutions, have experienced sustained enrollment declines that have severely impacted their financial stability. New England, with its dense concentration of academic institutions, has been particularly affected by these trends.

A Texas man accused of launching a firebomb attack against OpenAI’s chief executive is scheduled for his first court hearing on Tuesday in San Francisco.

Daniel Moreno-Gama, 20, from Spring, Texas, made the trip to San Francisco last week and launched an incendiary device at CEO Sam Altman’s residence on Friday, igniting flames on an outdoor gate before running away, according to law enforcement. Within an hour of the attack, Moreno-Gama traveled approximately 3 miles to OpenAI’s corporate offices and made threats to set the building ablaze, officials reported.

The incidents resulted in no injuries at either Altman’s residence or the company facilities.

Law enforcement officials revealed that Moreno-Gama had documented his animosity toward artificial intelligence technology in written materials, calling it a threat to human existence and predicting “impending extinction,” based on legal documents.

“This was not spontaneous. This was planned, targeted and extremely serious,” FBI San Francisco Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Cobo said during a news conference Monday.

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced that Moreno-Gama faces state charges including two counts of attempted murder and attempted arson. According to Jenkins, the suspect targeted both Altman and a security officer at the residence. Authorities have not disclosed whether Altman was present during the incident.

Court records do not currently indicate if Moreno-Gama has secured legal representation.

Jenkins noted the state charges could result in sentences from 19 years to life imprisonment.

Federal agents conducted a search of Moreno-Gama’s residence in the Houston area Monday morning, spending multiple hours at the location. Federal prosecutors have also filed charges against him for possessing an unregistered weapon and property destruction using explosives. These federal violations carry maximum sentences of 10 and 20 years respectively.

“We will treat this as an act of domestic terrorism, and together with our partners, prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law,” U.S. Attorney Craig Missakian said when announcing the federal charges Monday.

Federal court filings do not identify legal counsel for Moreno-Gama, and his initial federal court appearance has not yet occurred.

The written materials in which Moreno-Gama expressed his anti-AI views also contained threats directed at Altman and leadership at other artificial intelligence companies, according to officials.

“If I am going to advocate for others to kill and commit crimes, then I must lead by example and show that I am fully sincere in my message,” Moreno-Gama wrote, according to authorities.

Organizations that have raised concerns about AI’s potential societal risks have denounced the violent actions.

Anthony Aguirre, president and CEO of the Future of Life Institute, said in a written statement Friday that “violence and intimidation of any kind have no place in the conversation about the future of AI.”

PauseAI, another advocacy organization, released a statement clarifying that while the suspect had no official connection to their group, he had joined their Discord forum approximately two years ago and contributed roughly 34 messages, none explicitly promoting violence though one was marked as “ambiguous.”

Discord announced Monday that it has permanently banned Moreno-Gama due to “off-platform behavior.”

Hip-hop star Offset suffered a gunshot wound to his leg during an attempted robbery by multiple attackers outside a South Florida casino, federal authorities announced Tuesday.

The FBI reports that investigators continue hunting for the group of suspects who attacked the Migos rapper last Monday evening at the Seminole Hard Rock casino in Hollywood, located just north of Miami. During the attack, one gunshot struck Offset in the leg as the assailants unsuccessfully attempted to steal his timepiece, according to federal officials. The artist, known for his work in the groundbreaking rap group Migos, spent several days recovering in the hospital before returning to perform at a University of Arkansas music festival on Saturday.

The attackers escaped in two separate Chevrolet vehicles – a black Suburban heading toward Hollywood, Florida, and a Tahoe traveling south toward Miami.

Police took two individuals into custody after the incident, though authorities have not presented evidence directly connecting either person to the shooting.

Among those detained was rapper Lil Tjay, whose legal name is Tione Jayden Merritt. The Seminole Police Department arrested him for his involvement in a disturbance that happened prior to the shooting incident. Authorities charged him with disorderly conduct and driving without proper licensing. His attorney, Dawn M. Florio, confirmed to The Associated Press that Lil Tjay was unarmed and faced no firearms-related charges. He secured his release after posting bail.

The victim, born Kiari Kendrell Cephus, gained fame as part of Migos, considered among hip-hop’s most successful groups ever. The Atlanta-based trio became known for pioneering a distinctive rapid-fire rap style that significantly influenced the trap music genre.

The group achieved massive commercial success with platinum-selling tracks such as “Bad and Boujee,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 across all music genres, along with hits like “Stir Fry” and “Narcos.” Throughout their career, Migos produced four complete studio albums.

Tragedy struck the group over three years ago when Offset’s relative Takeoff, also a Migos member, was fatally shot at a Houston bowling facility.

While America’s most common family names stayed the same over the past decade, surnames of Asian origin experienced the most dramatic growth nationwide, according to new data released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Traditional surnames including Smith, Johnson, Williams, Brown, and Jones maintained their positions as the nation’s five most prevalent last names in 2020, matching their 2010 rankings based on the most recent national population count. However, Census officials report that Asian family names dominated the list of fastest-growing surnames during the decade.

Leading this growth were Zhang, Liu, and Wang, which claimed the top three spots for surname increases.

Completing the 2020 top-10 list of most frequent last names were Garcia, Miller, Rodriguez, Davis, and Martinez. The sole shift from 2010 rankings occurred when Rodriguez moved past Davis to claim eighth place.

This marks the fourth consecutive decade that the Census Bureau has tracked surname frequency, beginning with the 1990 count. For the first time since that initial survey, the 2020 Census also collected data on given names, though the Social Security Administration maintains annual records of popular baby names by gender.

Census findings indicate that Michael, John, James, David, and Robert were the most common male first names in 2020, while Mary, Maria, Jennifer, Elizabeth, and Patricia topped the female list.

Comparing these results to 1990 data shows minimal change over three decades. Thirty years ago, James, John, Robert, Michael, and William led male names, while Mary, Patricia, Linda, Barbara, and Elizabeth were most popular among females.

The Census Bureau’s methodology differs from Social Security Administration tracking by including all residents rather than focusing solely on newborns.

“The names people choose are a function of what they are exposed to, so culture certainly plays a role, but so does social influence,” said Jonah Berger, a professor of marketing at the University of Pennsylvania. “People are constantly exposed to names of others around them, and that can shape not only which names they like, but also which ones they avoid.”

Students at Arcadia High School in Accomack County, Virginia witnessed a powerful educational demonstration this week as the school staged a mock drunk driving accident on campus.

The simulated crash was organized as part of the school’s ongoing efforts to educate students about the dangers and consequences of driving while intoxicated. The realistic demonstration aimed to provide students with a sobering look at how impaired driving can devastate lives and families.

School officials coordinated the educational event to coincide with heightened awareness campaigns about safe driving practices, particularly targeting teenage drivers who are statistically at higher risk for motor vehicle accidents.

The mock accident scenario was designed to create a lasting impression on students about making responsible choices when it comes to alcohol and driving, emphasizing the importance of designated drivers and alternative transportation options.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nearly 400,000 students in Los Angeles will head to class as scheduled after school district officials and support staff workers hammered out a contract agreement in the final hours before a planned walkout.

The Service Employees International Union Local 99 announced through social media early Tuesday that negotiators secured a preliminary contract featuring significant improvements, including pay increases and expanded work hours. District officials confirmed they had reached an agreement in principle with SEIU Local 99, ensuring schools would operate normally Tuesday while both sides work to complete the contract details.

According to SEIU Local 99, the preliminary agreement also secured safeguards against outsourcing jobs, prevented planned information technology department cuts, and boosted staffing levels. The union instructed members to return to their regular work schedules Tuesday and expressed gratitude to allied unions and the Los Angeles community, stating the “victory belongs to ALL of us.”

Educational staff, school administrators, and teachers had been ready to launch a coordinated work stoppage if negotiations failed. Union representatives for teachers and principals had already secured preliminary contract deals with the country’s second-largest school system during weekend negotiations.

The three labor organizations representing approximately 70,000 employees throughout the Los Angeles Unified School District had committed to a unified strike if any single union failed to secure a preliminary agreement.

Never before have all three unions conducted simultaneous work stoppages — school administrators typically remained on duty during past teacher strikes to maintain limited operations. This occurred in 2023 when Local 99 employees walked off the job and teachers supported them for three days. During that action, roughly 150 of the district’s 1,000 schools stayed open.

NEW YORK — Disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein is returning to a New York courtroom to face rape charges once again, following years of legal battles and imprisonment stemming from the #MeToo movement.

The former film executive’s latest court proceedings could begin jury selection as soon as Tuesday, marking the third time a panel will consider allegations that he sexually assaulted actress and hairstylist Jessica Mann at a Manhattan hotel in 2013.

Weinstein’s new legal representative, Marc Agnifilo, recently informed Judge Curtis Farber that this proceeding won’t replicate previous trials.

Unlike earlier cases that involved multiple accusers and various charges, this trial centers on a single allegation from one complainant, rather than the numerous accusations presented in his prior New York and Los Angeles proceedings. The Academy Award-winning producer maintains his innocence regarding all allegations and stated in court this past winter that while he “acted wrongly,” he “never assaulted anyone.”

The presiding judge has suggested he may reconsider certain evidentiary decisions regarding what information about Weinstein and Mann’s relationship history will be admissible. Additionally, Weinstein’s recent attorney change could influence the trial’s approach and strategy.

Agnifilo and his legal team assumed representation only this past February, after Arthur Aidala, Weinstein’s long-standing counsel, withdrew from the retrial to concentrate on the former studio executive’s appeals and civil litigation. While both Aidala and Agnifilo are prominent New York criminal defense lawyers, their courtroom approaches contrast significantly — Aidala employs a more casual style, whereas Agnifilo presents a more formal demeanor.

The former producer once commanded considerable influence within Hollywood, having established his career through acclaimed films including “Shakespeare in Love,” “Pulp Fiction,” and “Chocolat.” He also maintained a high profile as a Democratic Party contributor.

However, multiple sexual harassment and assault accusations against Weinstein surfaced in media reports during 2017, catalyzing the widespread #MeToo movement.

Criminal charges were filed against him in New York during 2018, followed by additional charges in Los Angeles two years afterward.

Weinstein faced trial and received convictions on certain charges in both jurisdictions, though not on all counts. His original New York convictions were later reversed, necessitating last year’s retrial.

The retrial produced split results: Weinstein was found guilty of compelling production assistant and producer Miriam Haley to perform oral sex in 2006, but was cleared of similar charges involving model-turned-therapist Kaja Sokola from the same year. The jury failed to reach a decision on the rape charge concerning Mann after the jury foreman declined to continue deliberations.

Following the proceedings, Weinstein reportedly contemplated accepting a plea agreement, according to Aidala. Ultimately, Weinstein appears to have declined that option.

Mann previously testified that she maintained a consensual, intermittent relationship with Weinstein, who was married at the time. However, she described an incident where he trapped her in a Manhattan hotel room during a weekend trip, and despite her protests of “I don’t want to do this,” she told jurors he persisted with his advances and demands until she “just gave up.”

While Weinstein has not provided testimony in any of his trials, his defense attorneys have argued that all sexual encounters were consensual.

The defense maintained that Mann and other accusers voluntarily engaged with his advances because they sought his assistance in advancing their entertainment careers. The accusers, however, testified that Weinstein used his Hollywood power to lure them into his sphere before victimizing them.

His conviction for sexually assaulting Haley could result in up to 25 years imprisonment, though no sentencing date has been scheduled. The pending rape charge represents a lesser felony with a maximum four-year sentence. The 73-year-old Weinstein has already served more than that duration.

Weinstein experiences multiple health issues and requires a wheelchair for mobility. During a January court appearance, he expressed fear about potentially dying in New York’s Rikers Island facility.

“My mental state is collapsing. … My spirit is breaking,” he addressed the judge.

Weinstein’s legal team has contended that his New York conviction last year was compromised by juror conflicts. He is simultaneously appealing his Los Angeles verdict.

Personal tragedies and housing instability derailed Jevona Anderson’s educational journey when she was just months away from earning her bachelor’s degree. At 59, the University of Baltimore student watched her grades plummet as family deaths and homelessness overwhelmed her ability to focus on coursework.

Anderson became part of what educators call “stopouts” – approximately 38 million working-age Americans who have abandoned their college studies before graduation. These individuals often carry student debt without the credential needed to increase their earning potential.

Though most students who leave college express intentions to return, very few actually do. Recent initiatives by educational institutions and local governments are changing that trend. Data shows stopout reenrollment climbed to over 1 million during the 2023-2024 academic year, marking a 7% jump from the previous year.

For Anderson, a specialized scholarship program became her pathway back to education. The financial assistance enabled her to resume studies at the University of Baltimore.

“It was so easy for someone my age to stop, because I have a lot of professional skills to get a job to continue to just live,” said Anderson, who aspires to become an educator. “It’s bigger than that.”

Despite the long-term financial benefits of completing a degree, countless students abandon their academic pursuits even after investing substantial money and time. The challenges are multifaceted – higher education demands significant time and financial resources while presenting complex administrative requirements. Simple obstacles like outstanding fees, confusing paperwork, or difficulties managing childcare, employment, health concerns, and transportation can derail academic progress.

“Life is always changing. Everybody is going through something,” said Nina Diggs-Pindell, a University of Baltimore student who has interrupted her studies multiple times due to parenting duties and work obligations.

Anderson initially enrolled at the University of Baltimore in 2019 to study environmental sustainability. Her diverse work background included roles as a fingerprint technician and fitness director, but her career vision became clear during substitute teaching assignments in urban schools.

Childhood memories of playing outdoors combined with observations about the lack of green spaces in low-income urban areas motivated her educational goals. She sought a bachelor’s degree to potentially teach and share environmental knowledge with children through interactive learning experiences.

“I needed to make sure that I get this degree so I can get back to them somehow, some way,” said Anderson, now 60.

Balancing academic demands with life responsibilities proved challenging for Anderson. Fellowship opportunities provided valuable experience but minimal compensation. Grief from losing family members intensified her financial difficulties, and the eviction made concentration nearly impossible.

“I’m looking at my grades go from A’s and B’s to, like, ‘what is this?’ … to ‘I have to take this class again,” Anderson said.

Following extensive discussions with her student support coordinator, she chose to temporarily suspend her studies.

According to National Student Clearinghouse data, the overall stopout population continues expanding despite decreasing annual dropout rates and increasing reenrollment numbers. Recent departures significantly exceed the number of students returning to their studies.

Nevertheless, states are making progress through deliberate efforts providing financial support or eliminating administrative barriers such as account holds.

When Anderson’s circumstances improved late last year and she felt prepared to return, academic advisers informed her about a university scholarship program targeting students near degree completion, primarily funded by the Carnegie Corporation. The assistance covered her remaining credit hours and housing expenses. She now approaches graduation.

“Higher education continues to have great unmet potential to help people live better lives, and we’re talking about a group of Americans that have already started down to that path; they’re close to the finish line,” said James Kvaal, former undersecretary of education during the Biden administration who currently oversees Carnegie’s educational and democracy grantmaking.

Maryland institutions reenrolled 25,068 students from across the country during 2023-2024, an increase of 2,259 from the previous year. However, this represents a small fraction compared to the 600,000 working-age adults who had withdrawn from Maryland schools without completing degrees.

Multiple states have collaborated with ReUp, a company facilitating reenrollment through coaching services and data analysis tools that help schools improve outreach strategies. The organization also connects students with appropriate college programs based on academic records, personal circumstances, and career objectives.

Many institutions utilize data analytics to identify individuals with substantial credit accumulation, focusing on specific support services to help them complete their degrees.

Tracking and reengaging people who have deprioritized education presents significant challenges. ReUp research indicates an average of 24 contact attempts – including text messages, emails, and meetings – before a stopout reenrolls.

Many colleges consider this a worthwhile investment and less demanding than recruiting completely new students, according to Jennifer Latino of education research firm EAB, which has examined reenrollment strategies.

When Richie Ince established a stopout scholarship at Colorado’s Pueblo Community College approximately ten years ago, he discovered many former students left due to what he terms “life happens moments.” Gentle encouragement through social media advertising and personalized communication – combined with a scholarship now valued at roughly $2,000 – frequently succeeded in bringing students back.

“We just heard a lot of students say this was the kind of kick in the pants they needed, or that they just needed someone to reach out,” said Ince, the college’s director of enrollment management.

Scholarship recipients must pass their first semester back with C grades or better before receiving funds. This requirement helps ensure the program produces graduates, Ince explained. Staff members also assist returning students with financial aid applications and provide regular check-ins to maintain progress.

The scholarship provided the support Melody Blair, 55, needed to pursue an associate’s degree in health information management. She has worked decades of night shifts at a call center – employment that covers expenses but causes exhaustion. “There are days I just want to take the headset off and say ‘no more,’” she said.

Blair, who was adopted as an infant, is now pursuing a career in genomic registry work, assisting people who lack access to their medical histories. “It’s one of those jobs I know I can wake up and look forward to doing.”

While Anderson expects to graduate after this semester, she felt disappointed realizing she couldn’t afford graduation regalia. The school’s student center has since offered to loan her a cap and gown. Regardless, she emphasized that the most important aspect is the opportunity to work with children again soon.

“Me and God made a pact — I am graduating this spring,” she said.

House lawmakers will cast votes Tuesday evening on aviation safety legislation developed in response to the tragic January collision between a commercial airliner and military helicopter near Washington DC that claimed 67 lives, though several senators and grieving families believe the proposed law requires additional strengthening.

Known as the Alert Act, the House legislation has gained support from major industry organizations. The National Transportation Safety Board recently indicated that the updated bill now incorporates their recommendation mandating aircraft operating near high-traffic airports to install advanced positioning systems that provide pilots with precise real-time information about surrounding air traffic.

The NTSB has advocated for these technological improvements since 2008, with Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy stating that implementing such systems would have averted the catastrophic crash between the American Airlines aircraft and Army Black Hawk helicopter that crashed into the frigid Potomac River on January 29, 2025.

Two major House committees gave unanimous approval to the measure last month. The legislation now moves to a full House vote under procedures that prohibit any modifications. However, families who lost loved ones emphasize the importance of including firm deadlines to ensure reform implementation.

Co-sponsored by Republican Sam Graves and Democrat Rick Larens, the bill must obtain support from two-thirds of House members to proceed to Senate consideration. Alternative legislation known as the ROTOR Act, developed by the Senate, fell just one vote short during House deliberations. Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell have indicated the Alert Act requires further enhancements.

NTSB Chairwoman Homendy delivered harsh criticism earlier this year regarding the bill’s initial draft, describing it as a “watered down” proposal insufficient to prevent future catastrophes. The safety board now says the updated version addresses deficiencies their investigation revealed and mandates action from the Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation Department and military branches.

During late January hearings, National Transportation Safety Board officials expressed serious concern about years of unheeded warnings regarding helicopter traffic hazards and additional safety issues that preceded the collision.

All passengers and crew aboard the American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas, and the military helicopter perished in the crash. The incident represents the most devastating aviation disaster on American territory since 2001, with casualties including 28 individuals from the figure skating world.

Investigators determined that a helicopter corridor intersecting with a Reagan National Airport runway approach failed to maintain adequate spacing between helicopters and aircraft using the airport’s alternate runway, and officials did not conduct regular evaluations of this route. The flawed design of this flight path contributed significantly to the accident, along with air traffic controllers depending excessively on pilots’ visual detection and avoidance of other aircraft.

The current legislation mandates aircraft installation of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast In technology capable of receiving location data from nearby aircraft. Supporters argue these systems would have provided earlier warning to American Airlines pilots about the approaching collision with the Black Hawk. Most commercial aircraft already carry the corresponding ADS-B Out equipment that transmits their positions.

While the NTSB identified systemic failures and years of overlooked safety warnings as primary crash factors, Homendy emphasized that equipping both the airliner and Black Hawk with operational ADS-B In systems would have prevented the collision. Army regulations at the time required helicopters to operate without this technology activated to maintain location secrecy, despite this particular helicopter conducting routine training rather than classified operations.

Military officials announced Monday that U.S. forces conducted a fatal strike against a vessel suspected of drug trafficking in the Pacific Ocean’s eastern waters, resulting in two deaths.

This ongoing military operation targeting alleged narcotics smuggling boats in Latin American waters has now lasted over seven months, continuing despite the military’s focus on the Iran conflict for more than six weeks.

Monday’s action marked the second consecutive day of announced strikes by U.S. Southern Command through social media channels. Officials reported Sunday that forces destroyed two vessels in the eastern Pacific on Saturday, resulting in five deaths and one survivor whose current status remains unknown.

Following Monday’s operation, the death toll from these maritime strikes has reached at least 170 people since the campaign launched in early September, occurring months before the January U.S. operation that resulted in the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Maduro now faces drug trafficking charges in New York and has entered a not guilty plea.

U.S. Southern Command reiterated earlier statements claiming the strikes targeted suspected drug traffickers operating along established smuggling corridors. Military officials did not present evidence confirming the vessel was transporting narcotics. They shared footage on X depicting a small watercraft before an explosion engulfs it in smoke.

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

Trump appeared to reference these maritime strike tactics Monday while issuing fresh warnings to Tehran as an Iranian port blockade commenced.

“Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at Sea,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Newly released police body camera footage reveals a St. Louis officer shooting 17-year-old Emeshyon Wilkins in the back of the head as he ran away, directly challenging the department’s initial claim that the teenager had aimed a weapon at law enforcement.

The footage was made public Monday after family attorney Al Watkins secured it through federal court proceedings. Watkins says his attempts to obtain the video through standard public records channels were unsuccessful.

“They fought that video issue for over a year,” Watkins told The Associated Press. “We had to file a federal lawsuit to get it. That’s not transparent. That’s not integrity. Indeed, it’s irresponsible.”

The fatal shooting occurred in June 2024, just two weeks following Wilkins’ 17th birthday. According to Watkins, the Black teenager had no previous criminal record.

The incident began when detectives tried to pull over an SUV that had been reported as stolen, according to police reports. While authorities described a brief chase, Watkins characterized it as a low-speed pursuit with the vehicle traveling approximately 10 mph.

The chase concluded when Wilkins abandoned the SUV and ran on foot, with two officers following behind. Court documents indicate one officer carried a taser while the other was armed with a firearm.

The recorded footage captures the gun-carrying officer shouting commands for the teenager to lie down while raising his weapon. The officer can be heard ordering the teen to drop a gun. As Wilkins continues fleeing, the officer opens fire.

According to the lawsuit, one of four bullets hit the teenager in the back of his head, causing his death. While a firearm was discovered in Wilkins’ pocket, the lawsuit states it was broken apart into several pieces and could not be fired.

The video evidence does not show Wilkins holding or pointing any weapon at the pursuing officer.

“There was no threat to the public, and you look at the video, and there were no furtive movements,” Watkins said.

Following Monday’s video release, police officials admitted that “information provided by a third-party to investigators in the immediate aftermath of the incident was not consistent with the actual events or what was initially shared with the community.”

The department announced it now deploys a member of its body-worn camera unit to such incidents so footage can be examined by investigating supervisors before detailed public statements are issued.

“In this case, an earlier review of body-worn camera footage would have provided greater clarity than what was available in the initial moments following the incident,” the statement says.

The shooting brings back painful memories of the 2014 killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown, an unarmed Black teenager, by a white Ferguson police officer in the St. Louis area. Some witnesses claimed Brown had raised his hands in surrender. The officer was cleared of criminal charges and later resigned, while Brown’s death sparked months of demonstrations.

Watkins noted that officials promised reforms would follow that incident. However, he points out that the officer who killed Wilkins remains on administrative duty with full pay, questioning why the investigation is proceeding so slowly.

“The family needs answers, and the only way answers can be given is if there is justice that is open and transparent,” Watkins said.

The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office confirmed receiving the police investigation report in October. However, officials say they conduct their own “review of the evidence and law to determine whether there is a basis for criminal liability.”

“The CAO is committed to reviewing each matter as expeditiously as possible while ensuring that all available evidence and legal considerations are carefully and thoroughly evaluated,” the statement says.

Authorities in the Bahamas have freed a Michigan man who had been detained while investigators looked into his wife’s mysterious disappearance during a boating trip earlier this month.

Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles confirmed Monday that Brian Hooker, 59, was released from custody after being taken into custody on April 8. He had originally been brought in for questioning as a witness before his arrest.

Hooker’s attorney, Terrel Butler, maintains her client did nothing wrong. She said authorities moved Hooker from Abaco, where initial questioning took place, to Grand Bahama, the island chain’s second-largest population center.

The incident occurred on April 4 when Hooker and his 55-year-old wife Lynette were traveling between Hope Town, Abaco, and Elbow Cay, according to initial police reports.

The Michigan couple was aboard an 8-foot hard-bottom dinghy named “Soulmate” when Lynette reportedly fell into the water while holding the vessel’s keys, police stated. Brian told authorities he paddled to shore after losing sight of his wife in the water.

Once he reached land, Brian notified someone about what had happened, and law enforcement was contacted, the report indicated.

Butler said police later brought Hooker back out on the water to help locate the Soulmate vessel, keeping him in handcuffs throughout the search “despite the choppy and dangerous sea conditions.”

During that search operation, Hooker “lost his footing and fell overboard,” sustaining a knee injury and cuts, his attorney explained.

Medical personnel treated Hooker’s injuries at a hospital on Grand Bahama, Butler confirmed.

WASHINGTON – American military forces conducted a deadly operation Monday in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of two individuals involved in drug trafficking activities.

U.S. Southern Command confirmed the military action through a statement posted on social media platform X, explaining that intelligence gathering had verified the targeted vessel’s involvement in illegal narcotics operations.

“Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations,” the command stated in their announcement.

The military operation represents ongoing U.S. efforts to combat international drug smuggling networks operating in Pacific waters.

Federal authorities have filed charges against a 20-year-old Texas resident accused of launching a firebomb attack on the San Francisco home of artificial intelligence company CEO Sam Altman.

Daniel Moreno-Gama faces federal charges after surveillance cameras captured him lobbing an incendiary device at the residence of OpenAI’s chief executive, according to an FBI affidavit submitted to federal court Monday.

When San Francisco police took Moreno-Gama into custody, investigators say he was carrying a handwritten document expressing opposition to artificial intelligence technology.

The FBI stated that Moreno-Gama’s written manifesto, which authorities are using to establish his motive, included specific threats targeting Altman personally.

U.S. Attorney Craig Missakian indicated prosecutors may pursue domestic terrorism charges depending on the investigation’s findings. “We are only at the beginning of this investigation, but if the evidence shows that Mr. Moreno-Gama executed these attacks to change public policy or to coerce government and other officials, we will treat this as an act of domestic terrorism and together with our law enforcement partners prosecute him to the fullest extent allowed by law,” Missakian said in a statement.

The incident comes as OpenAI encounters increased examination over national security concerns, particularly regarding potential agreements allowing the government to utilize the company’s AI systems for classified defense purposes.

Prosecutors have charged Moreno-Gama with attempting to damage property using explosives and illegally possessing an unregistered weapon.

Authorities report that Moreno-Gama made the journey from Texas to California specifically to conduct these attacks. During his arrest, law enforcement confiscated several explosive devices, kerosene, and ignition equipment.

Court documents reveal that Moreno-Gama explicitly told OpenAI security staff at the company’s main office that he planned to set the facility ablaze and injure employees inside.

Should he be found guilty, Moreno-Gama could receive between five and 20 years imprisonment for the explosives-related charges, plus an additional decade behind bars for the firearms violation, according to federal sentencing guidelines.

Federal authorities have taken into custody a man who sustained multiple gunshot wounds when Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers opened fire during a traffic stop in central California last week, according to his legal representative.

Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez was taken into FBI custody Monday following his release from medical care, lawyer Patrick Kolasinski confirmed. Federal officials have not disclosed what criminal charges the 36-year-old may be facing, and attempts to reach the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office for additional details have gone unanswered.

Kolasinski revealed that Mendoza, who required three surgical procedures to treat his gunshot injuries, was released directly to federal custody without any advance notice given to his family or legal representatives.

“We’re in shock,” Kolasinski told The Associated Press. “He should not be out of that hospital. He was in no condition to be released.”

The Department of Homeland Security maintains that ICE officers discharged their weapons in self-defense when Mendoza attempted to strike them with his vehicle following a traffic stop last Tuesday. Authorities stated they were conducting a targeted enforcement operation against Mendoza in Patterson, located approximately 75 miles southeast of San Francisco. They characterized him as an alleged gang associate sought by El Salvador for questioning regarding a homicide case.

During a press conference last week, Kolasinski reported that Mendoza was experiencing speech difficulties due to a gunshot wound to his jaw, but maintained his innocence regarding any gang affiliation. The attorney stated his client has only been cited for minor traffic violations, maintains a clean criminal record in the United States, and is not wanted on any arrest warrant in El Salvador, where he was cleared of murder charges.

Federal agencies have not provided an explanation for why Mendoza became the focus of their enforcement efforts. The Department of Homeland Security has remained silent regarding Kolasinski’s assertions.

Last Tuesday’s incident represents another shooting occurrence during the current administration’s intensified efforts to apprehend and remove undocumented immigrants, raising ongoing concerns about federal immigration enforcement tactics.

Kolasinski contends that officers opened fire on Mendoza while his vehicle was stationary, prompting him to drive away to escape the gunfire.

A court document dated October 25, 2019, from an El Salvadoran judge shows Mendoza was cleared of murder accusations and ordered released immediately. He was 29 years old at that time. The same document lists 10 other individuals who received convictions for crimes ranging from aggravated robbery to homicide, noting that at least one belonged to the 18th Street Gang. However, the document makes no reference to Mendoza having gang ties or participating in gang-related activities.

Regarding the California ICE incident, dashboard camera video secured by KCRA-TV reveals three officers positioned around a vehicle pulled over on a roadside. One officer appears to be making contact with the driver’s window when the car starts reversing and turning, striking another vehicle positioned behind it. Two officers can be seen with drawn firearms aimed at the car. The driver then accelerates forward toward the officers’ location and makes a sharp turn, crossing over the road’s median strip.

The footage lacks audio, making it impossible to determine the timing of gunshots or any verbal exchanges.

Kolasinski reported Monday that Mendoza’s fiancée visited him at the hospital over the weekend, where he remained in considerable pain.

According to Kolasinski, Mendoza holds citizenship in both El Salvador and Mexico and arrived in the United States in 2019, though the attorney was uncertain about his immigration status or method of entry.

The lawyer described his client as a construction worker specializing in fire damage restoration. Mendoza is the father of a 2-year-old daughter and is engaged to an American citizen, according to his attorney.