Category: U.S. News

A Manhattan court has overturned the murder conviction of Harry Ruiz, who spent a quarter-century behind bars for a killing he has always insisted he didn’t commit. The 58-year-old walked free Monday after new evidence surfaced suggesting prosecutors concealed crucial information during his original trial.

Ruiz was found guilty in 1994 for shooting Emmanuel Felix, described as a drug dealer in Harlem. Despite being released on parole in 2019, he continued fighting to clear his name.

“I feel like I can finally breathe again,” Ruiz told reporters Monday as he exited the courthouse surrounded by family members and legal counsel.

During Monday’s proceedings, Judge Robert Mandelbaum delivered sharp criticism toward Helen Sturm, the former prosecutor who handled Ruiz’s original case, calling her unwillingness to cooperate with the reinvestigation “troubling.” The judge stated, “To this court, that speaks volumes.”

When contacted by telephone, Sturm dismissed the judge’s remarks as “inappropriate” and said she had no obligation “to go over a case from 30 years ago.”

The case received fresh attention when NYPD Detective Carlos Vasquez discovered the file while working on a separate homicide and became persuaded of Ruiz’s innocence.

Two years ago, Manhattan’s post-conviction review team launched their own investigation and discovered that prosecutors had given $17,000 worth of cash payments and housing assistance to the mother of a 13-year-old girl who was the sole witness placing Ruiz at the crime scene.

Investigators found no record that defense attorneys were informed of these payments, which would have been legally mandated. Sturm refused to speak with investigators when they attempted to interview her about the matter.

“What do you want me to say? That I feel badly that he was convicted?” Sturm said during a phone conversation. “You don’t get a long sentence like this without evidence.”

She claimed not to recall specific case details but expressed confidence that prosecutors had properly followed disclosure requirements at the time.

The post-conviction investigation revealed that the teenage witness gave inconsistent testimony throughout the proceedings. During one courtroom moment, when asked to point out Ruiz, she mistakenly identified a spectator in the gallery instead.

Even with three relatives providing alibi testimony for Ruiz, the jury delivered a second-degree murder verdict. Judge Harold Rothwax, known by the nickname “Prince of Darkness” for his severe sentencing practices, gave the then-25-year-old defendant 25 years to life.

The review process also uncovered that a federal informant confessed in 2002 to arranging Felix’s murder for payment, stating Ruiz played no role. Another individual came forward that same year to support this version of events.

Court documents show that prosecutors working under former Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau knew about these statements but chose not to reopen the investigation or share the information with Ruiz’s appeals lawyers.

Current Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg released a statement saying extensive interviews and document analysis had uncovered new evidence that “significantly undermines the case presented at trial.”

Defense attorney Ron Kuby argued this case differed from typical wrongful convictions that stem from innocent mistakes or minor oversights.

“This wasn’t the result of some terrible mistake,” Kuby explained. “This conviction was obtained through repeated and calculated misconduct by a former district attorney’s office in suppressing evidence.”

Fighting back tears, Ruiz expressed hope that his vindication would encourage authorities to examine other questionable cases.

“There are a lot of people in there who are the same as me, who deserve justice,” he said. “I hope this never happens to anybody ever again.”

An unexpected passenger joined a Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta on Friday evening when a woman delivered her baby just moments before the aircraft touched down in Portland, Oregon.

Ashley Blair, traveling from Tennessee, welcomed daughter Brielle Renee Blair into the world at 35,000 feet with assistance from two off-duty paramedics who happened to be aboard the Boeing 737. The newborn weighed a healthy 5 and a half pounds, arriving approximately two weeks earlier than expected.

Blair had planned to reach Oregon in time to have her baby alongside her mother, but labor began roughly 30 minutes before the scheduled landing at Portland International Airport.

Paramedic Tina Fritz explained to The Associated Press that she and colleague Kaarin Powell were returning from a Dominican Republic vacation when flight crew asked them to assist. The pair had already been helping a nurse care for another passenger when the situation with Blair developed.

“We found Blair was indeed in labor and contractions were getting close,” Fritz recounted. With 153 passengers packed into the full aircraft, the paramedics quickly relocated nearby travelers to create space for the emergency delivery.

When standard medical supplies weren’t available, Fritz and Powell made do with creative alternatives. Fellow passengers donated blankets while a flight attendant provided a shoelace to secure the umbilical cord. Powell even removed her own shoelace to fashion a tourniquet for starting an IV line.

The dramatic moment intensified when Blair announced: “OK, it’s time. I got to push.”

Just as the delivery reached its critical phase, flight attendants instructed the paramedics to return to their seats for landing.

“We’re like, ‘No! No!’” Fritz remembered responding.

Blair managed three powerful pushes, and according to Fritz, “the baby came out really quickly. It was nice.”

Powell successfully cut the umbilical cord before taking her seat with the newborn in her arms. Fritz settled beside them just as the aircraft’s wheels made contact with the runway.

“Baby pinked up right away,” Fritz observed. “She was gorgeous. Mom was a rock star.”

Once the plane began moving toward the gate, the infant was returned to Blair, prompting celebration and photo opportunities among passengers and crew.

Portland Airport Fire & Rescue personnel met the aircraft and confirmed both mother and baby were in good health. The new family was then transported to a nearby hospital for standard observation, according to Port of Portland representative Molly Prescott.

Delta Airlines issued a statement expressing gratitude to the medical volunteers and crew members who provided assistance. The airline emphasized that customer health and safety remains their primary concern and extended best wishes to the family.

Fritz, who has maintained contact with Blair since the birth, noted that the new mother has been somewhat overwhelmed by media attention surrounding the unusual delivery.

“I feel like we’re friends now forever,” Fritz shared.

A Nevada court has handed down a life sentence to Nathan Chasing Horse, the actor known for his role in ‘Dances With Wolves,’ following his conviction for sexually assaulting Indigenous women and girls.

Judge Jessica Peterson delivered the sentence on Monday after a jury found Chasing Horse guilty on 13 charges, primarily involving sexual assault. Three women came forward as accusers, with one victim being just 14 years old when the abuse started. While convicted on multiple counts, he was found not guilty on certain other charges.

During the sentencing hearing, victims and their relatives shared with Judge Peterson how they continue dealing with lasting trauma from Chasing Horse’s actions and described losing trust in their spiritual beliefs after he misused his authority as a religious leader.

Dressed in his navy blue detention center clothing, Chasing Horse looked straight ahead while victims delivered their impact statements. He maintained his innocence regarding all accusations.

‘This is a miscarriage of justice,’ he stated to the judge during Monday’s proceedings.

This sentencing concludes a multi-year legal battle to bring the former actor to justice, beginning with his arrest and indictment in 2023. His initial detention sent shockwaves throughout Indigenous communities, prompting law enforcement agencies in other states and Canada to file additional criminal charges that remain unresolved.

Canadian authorities in British Columbia filed sexual assault charges against Chasing Horse in February 2023, stemming from an alleged incident in September 2018 near Keremeos, a community located four hours east of Vancouver. The Canadian case was put on hold in November 2023 due to his U.S. legal proceedings but resumed the following year.

According to Damienne Darby, communications counsel for the British Columbia Prosecution Service, Canadian prosecutors will determine their next course of action once Chasing Horse completes all appeals in his U.S. case.

Additionally, Alberta authorities maintain an active warrant for Chasing Horse. The Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service confirmed following his January conviction that they continue coordinating with the Alberta Crown Prosecutors Office regarding the outstanding warrant.

Chasing Horse’s origins trace back to the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, home to the Sicangu Sioux, part of the seven-tribe Lakota nation. After gaining recognition for portraying Smiles a Lot, a young Sioux tribal member in Kevin Costner’s Academy Award-winning movie ‘Dances With Wolves,’ Chasing Horse became a fixture at powwows and healing ceremonies throughout Indigenous territories.

Nevada prosecutors argued during the trial that Chasing Horse leveraged his standing as a Lakota medicine man to target and exploit Indigenous women and girls.

Deputy District Attorney Bianca Pucci informed jurors that Chasing Horse created a ‘web of abuse’ spanning nearly two decades that trapped numerous women.

The jury listened to testimony from three women describing sexual assaults by Chasing Horse. Guilty verdicts were returned on charges connected to all three victims.

Several victims recounted participating in his ceremonial practices or seeking his assistance for medical issues.

One victim, Corena Leone-LaCroix, was 14 in 2012 when Chasing Horse allegedly convinced her that spirits required her to surrender her virginity to save her cancer-stricken mother. He then sexually assaulted her and threatened that revealing the abuse would result in her mother’s death, according to Pucci. The assaults persisted for years, Pucci explained. The Associated Press generally withholds names of alleged sexual assault victims unless they publicly identify themselves, as Leone-LaCroix has done.

Chasing Horse rejected all allegations, while his defense attorney challenged the primary accuser’s reliability, labeling her a ‘scorned woman.’ His legal team requested a new trial, claiming a witness lacked proper qualifications to discuss grooming tactics and that the statute of limitations had run out. The court rejected this request.

Victims and family members testified about struggling with their spiritual beliefs following Chasing Horse’s actions. Mothers of the victims described how Chasing Horse violated their trust and corrupted sacred practices.

‘Even to this day I struggle to regain my faith and spirituality,’ one victim’s mother testified.

Another victim spoke about ongoing medical complications from an ectopic pregnancy resulting from the assault, which required surgical intervention.

‘I am choosing to see this moment as a fresh start. I will rebuild my life, reclaim my voice and continue fighting for the future I deserve,’ one victim declared.

Dr. Crystal Lee, who leads United Natives, an organization supporting sexual abuse victims, expressed hope that the sentencing brings closure to the victims. Lee emphasized that Chasing Horse’s case demonstrates the critical need to hold prominent perpetrators responsible and trust victim accounts.

Chasing Horse exploited both his celebrity status and religious authority to harm victims, similar to other faith leaders who misuse their positions, Lee explained.

‘I think it makes us question who we trust and why we trust,’ Lee observed.

Global music icon Taylor Swift has submitted legal paperwork seeking trademark protection for her voice and image in what experts describe as a defensive move against artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes.

Swift’s legal team filed the applications on Friday with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, listing her company TAS Rights Management as the owner of two audio recordings and one photograph.

The first audio sample features Swift stating: “Hey, it’s Taylor Swift, and you can listen to my new album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl,’ on demand on Amazon Music Unlimited.”

In the second recording, she says: “Hey, it’s Taylor. My brand new album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ is out on October 3 and you can click to presave it so you can listen to it on Spotify.”

The photograph shows the performer on stage wearing a sequined costume while holding a pink guitar.

Neither Swift’s representatives nor the attorneys handling the case responded to requests for comment on Monday.

The singer has become a frequent target of AI-generated content, including fraudulent advertisements, fake political statements, and inappropriate imagery.

Actor Matthew McConaughey has successfully obtained similar trademark protections. He explained to the Wall Street Journal in January that “we want to create a clear perimeter around ownership with consent and attribution the norm in an AI world.”

Trademark lawyer Josh Gerben, who first reported Swift’s applications on his blog Monday, explained that the filings “are specifically designed to protect Taylor from threats posed by artificial intelligence.”

“While existing ‘Right of Publicity’ laws offer some protection against unauthorized use of a famous individual’s likeness, trademark filings can provide an additional layer of protection,” Gerben noted.

According to Gerben, protecting a celebrity’s recorded voice through trademark law represents an untested legal approach.

“Historically, singers relied on copyright law to protect their recorded music,” Gerben explained. “But AI technologies now allow users to generate entirely new content that mimics an artist’s voice without copying an existing recording, creating a gap that trademarks may help fill.”

The attorney said Swift’s photograph filing serves a similar protective function.

“By protecting a distinctive visual, down to Swift’s commonly worn jumpsuit and pose, Swift’s team may gain additional grounds to pursue claims against manipulated or AI-generated images that evoke her likeness,” he wrote.

The nation’s highest court recently examined arguments concerning warning label requirements for Roundup, one of the most widely used herbicides in America.

The legal battle centers on how manufacturers must disclose potential health risks associated with the glyphosate-based product, which has become the subject of extensive litigation linking it to cancer diagnoses.

Thousands of plaintiffs have filed lawsuits claiming the popular weed killer caused their cancer, creating a massive legal challenge for Bayer, the German company that acquired Monsanto and inherited these legal disputes.

The Supreme Court’s eventual ruling will likely determine the future of these numerous pending cases and could reshape how agricultural chemical companies communicate product risks to consumers.

Roundup remains a cornerstone product for farmers and homeowners nationwide, making the court’s decision particularly significant for both the agricultural industry and public health advocates who have raised concerns about glyphosate exposure.

Legal experts anticipate the justices’ decision will establish important precedent for product liability cases involving agricultural chemicals and the adequacy of current warning systems.

ATLANTA — A one-time University of Alabama defensive lineman admitted his guilt Monday in a federal courtroom for swindling investors out of millions through an elaborate disguise scheme where he posed as professional football players.

Luther Davis, 37, accepted responsibility for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges in Atlanta federal court. His co-conspirator, CJ Evins, 29, who allegedly helped orchestrate the fraudulent operation, also entered guilty pleas on identical charges.

Neither defendant spoke to reporters as they exited the courthouse. Federal Judge Steven Grimberg set Davis’s sentencing hearing for October, while Evins will face sentencing in August. Both men could receive up to seven years behind bars, though prosecutors have agreed to seek reduced sentences under their plea agreements.

During Monday’s proceedings, federal prosecutor C. Brock Brockington explained how the defendants created fraudulent banking and email accounts to convince financial institutions they were either representing specific athletes or were the players themselves. The duo eventually targeted more prominent players with larger contracts, according to testimony.

A players’ union security team discovered that athletes’ contracts were being illegally used as loan collateral, Brockington stated.

Throughout 2024, Davis donned various disguises during video conferences with potential investors, masquerading as three separate NFL players. Court documents reveal he used makeup combined with a wig during one call, just a wig for another meeting, and a do-rag-style head covering for a third video session. Prosecutors identified the impersonated players only by their initials.

The NFL players never gave Davis and Evins permission to secure loans using their identities. Beyond the costume changes, federal authorities say Davis created counterfeit driver’s licenses featuring photos of the athletes downloaded from the internet.

The fraudulent operation generated approximately $20 million through at least 13 bogus loans, money that Davis and Evins spent on property purchases, expensive jewelry, and luxury vehicles, according to criminal charges filed last month.

Davis was part of Alabama’s national championship team in 2010.

Correctional officers across New York state are sounding the alarm about what they describe as a prison system in complete disarray. In an unusual show of unity, both staff members and incarcerated individuals are making urgent appeals to state officials to address the widespread dysfunction they witness daily.

The calls for intervention highlight the severity of conditions within New York’s correctional facilities, where those working and living inside the system say fundamental changes are desperately needed.

A vehicle collision has forced authorities to shut down the intersection where Glasgow Avenue meets Belgrave Avenue, creating traffic delays in the area.

The crash has completely blocked access through the intersection, prompting officials to redirect traffic while emergency responders and cleanup crews work at the scene.

Drivers traveling through the area are advised to find alternative routes until the roadway can be safely reopened to normal traffic flow.

No additional details about the circumstances of the accident or potential injuries have been released at this time.

NEW YORK — Jessica Mann thought her courtroom ordeal was behind her when Harvey Weinstein was convicted in 2020.

The accuser had endured three grueling days on the witness stand, detailing allegations that the former Hollywood producer raped her while explaining the complex relationship that followed. Her emotional testimony, which included moments of sobbing so intense that proceedings had to be halted early, helped secure a conviction that marked a major milestone for the #MeToo movement.

But on Monday, six years after first coming forward, Mann found herself walking past Weinstein in a New York courtroom once again, preparing to tell her story to yet another jury.

Mann described meeting Weinstein at a friend’s engagement celebration in early 2013. She recalled he was dressed in formal wear and appeared cheerful, prompting her to approach and introduce herself.

At the time, Mann was pursuing an acting career while living in Los Angeles, she told the court. During their second encounter that same evening, she testified that Weinstein spoke extensively about his film industry success and talent for identifying promising performers.

“He said I was really pretty, prettier than Natalie Portman,” Mann recounted, repeating testimony from previous trials. She explained that she provided her contact information, believing the interaction would lead to career opportunities rather than a personal relationship.

“He was interested in my look. I thought I just got discovered,” she stated.

Weinstein, who maintains his innocence regarding all sexual assault allegations, observed from his wheelchair at the defense table while Mann spoke. He periodically conferred with his attorney during her testimony. Mann avoided eye contact with Weinstein except when asked to identify him in the courtroom.

Mann’s allegations of a 2013 sexual assault at a Manhattan hotel are being heard again due to a complex series of legal developments. Weinstein’s initial conviction was reversed on procedural grounds unrelated to Mann’s testimony. A subsequent retrial involving multiple accusers ended with jurors unable to reach a decision on Mann’s case, leaving only her rape charge to be heard again.

“I am ready, willing and able to endure this as many times as it takes for justice and accountability to be served,” Mann declared in a previous statement.

That resolve is now being put to the test once more.

Mann faces potentially days of examination from both prosecutors and Weinstein’s new defense team. Similar to previous legal representatives, they have characterized Mann as an ambitious aspiring actress who willingly engaged with a powerful industry figure, had consensual intimate relations, benefited from his connections and invitations, then turned against him following media reports about other women’s accusations. Those 2017 news stories sparked the broader #MeToo movement.

The 40-year-old Mann grew up in a small Washington state community and received training as a hairstylist, but harbored dreams of acting and relocated to Los Angeles in her twenties. Financial struggles sometimes left her sleeping in her vehicle, though she had secured some commercial and film roles before encountering Weinstein.

Excited by the Oscar-winning producer’s apparent interest in her career prospects, Mann accepted his invitations to spend time together, beginning with a book shopping excursion focused on cinema, she testified. Within weeks, she has stated, Weinstein began making unwanted sexual advances that she reluctantly accepted.

She has described entering into a confusing relationship with the then-married entertainment executive. While sometimes appreciating his professional support, she also resented his sexual expectations while remaining constantly aware of his industry influence.

In March 2013, Mann and a companion visited New York, where she planned to meet Weinstein for breakfast with her friends. Previous trial testimony detailed how he isolated her in a hotel room, prevented her from leaving by blocking the door, and ultimately assaulted her despite her verbal objections of “I don’t want to do this” and “no.”

Following the alleged assault, Mann continued meeting with Weinstein and engaging in what she described as mostly consensual intimate encounters. Over approximately four years, she sent him messages including “miss you,” “there is no one else I would enjoy catching up with that understands me quite like you” and “I love you, always do. But I hate feeling like a booty call.”

Defense attorneys have pointed to these communications as evidence of a genuine caring relationship. Mann has maintained she was attempting to navigate a complex situation with an unpredictable individual.

The Associated Press typically does not name individuals who report sexual assault unless they consent to identification, as Mann has chosen to do.

Northampton County, Virginia officials have announced that residents can now submit applications for the county’s property tax assistance program designed to help elderly and disabled homeowners.

The Real Estate Tax Relief initiative targets qualifying residents who are either seniors or individuals with disabilities, offering financial relief on their annual property tax obligations.

County officials have set a deadline of May 1, 2026, for all applications to be submitted for consideration in the program.

Eligible residents who wish to participate in this tax relief opportunity should contact the Northampton County Commissioner of Revenue office for application materials and specific qualification requirements.

WASHINGTON — The nation’s highest court appeared split Monday during arguments over whether thousands of cancer-related lawsuits against Roundup’s manufacturer should be blocked.

The legal battle reached the Supreme Court following an avalanche of court cases that resulted in some billion-dollar judgments against Bayer, the global chemical giant that acquired Monsanto, Roundup’s original producer.

Some justices appeared to support Bayer’s position that state-level lawsuits should be prohibited since federal authorities have concluded Roundup probably does not cause cancer. However, other justices questioned lawyers about whether this approach improperly prevents states from adapting to evolving scientific studies.

Monsanto has support from the Trump administration, creating tension with certain Make America Healthy Again advocates who seek stricter pesticide regulations.

The opposing side includes John Durnell from Missouri, whose legal case claims he contracted non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma following more than two decades as his neighborhood’s designated “spray guy,” applying Roundup in parks throughout his historic St. Louis area.

A jury determined the corporation failed to adequately warn him about potential cancer risks and granted him $1.25 million in damages. His case represents one among thousands of similar legal actions, some resulting in multi-billion dollar compensation awards.

Scientific disagreement continues regarding cancer risks and glyphosate, Roundup’s primary component. In 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer labeled the substance as “probably carcinogenic,” while the Environmental Protection Agency has concluded it likely poses no cancer risk to humans when properly used.

The EPA approved labeling without cancer warnings, and Bayer contends it must comply with federal requirements rather than state regulations under which Durnell and others have filed suit.

Attorneys representing Durnell argue that federal regulations do not prevent Bayer from including more comprehensive warnings on products as required by state laws.

While Bayer contests the cancer allegations, the company has allocated $16 billion for case settlements and proposed a comprehensive settlement this year. Simultaneously, it has lobbied states to enact legislation preventing new lawsuits, with several states complying.

Bayer has confronted over 100,000 Roundup-related claims, primarily from residential users. The company has eliminated glyphosate from Roundup products sold to U.S. homeowners and gardeners. Company officials indicate they may need to withdraw glyphosate from American agricultural markets if litigation continues.

Agricultural producers associated with the Modern Ag Alliance, an organization established by Bayer, express concern this could damage the farming sector during an already challenging period.

Environmental organizations claim Bayer seeks to exclude juries from lawsuits due to its defeats in state courts.

Pesticide issues have created divisions between the administration and supporters of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s MAHA movement, who also opposed an executive order designed to increase glyphosate production.

Kennedy has consistently stated that glyphosate causes cancer, while acknowledging the executive order was essential for food security and national defense purposes.

Dozens of MAHA activists and supporters gathered Monday outside the Supreme Court for their “People vs. Poison” demonstration to oppose Monsanto’s attempts to avoid legal accountability.

The Supreme Court’s ruling is anticipated by late June.

AUSTIN, Texas — Teenage staff members at Camp Mystic received zero emergency preparedness training and hesitated to take action during the devastating 2025 flood that claimed 27 lives, according to findings presented to Texas legislators on Monday.

Legislative committee investigator Casey Garrett delivered a comprehensive report detailing how the all-girls Christian camp’s culture of strict obedience, combined with inadequately prepared young staff and delayed response to flood warnings, contributed to the July Fourth tragedy that killed 25 campers and two teenage counselors.

“There was never any real training, no drills of any kind,” Garrett explained during the committee’s inaugural hearing examining the flood that devastated the Guadalupe River camp. She emphasized that neither staff nor campers knew proper procedures for flood emergencies.

The victims included camp owner Richard Eastland, who died attempting to evacuate children to safety. Most of those who perished were under 10 years old, with several attending their first camp experience.

Garrett, a Houston lawyer who previously worked on the legislative investigation into the 2022 Uvalde school shooting, highlighted the absence of adequate emergency protocols throughout her presentation to the packed committee room filled with grieving family members.

The investigation revealed disturbing survival stories, including one camper who described floodwater rising so high in her cabin that her chin nearly touched the ceiling before she escaped. Another counselor reported having to submerge girls underwater to push them through flooded cabin doorways.

Committee members viewed harrowing footage showing water bursting through building cracks and heard cellphone video from a stranded camper calling for help in the darkness as flood waters raged around her.

A critical flaw identified was the camp’s inadequate evacuation procedures. The only guidance provided to girls in flood-prone areas was a single paragraph instructing them to “stay in their cabins unless told otherwise by the office,” claiming all structures were built in “high, safe locations.” State inspectors had approved this plan just two days before the disaster.

When conditions deteriorated, some counselors eventually took initiative, pushing children through cabin windows so they could climb uphill to safety.

“It wasn’t a plan. It wasn’t a safe plan, It was an option taken, thank God,” Garrett stated. “It was very ad hoc.”

Several staff members told investigators they were too frightened to move children to higher ground without explicit authorization, fearing disciplinary action from camp leadership.

The report described an “obedience-encouraged” environment controlled by Richard Eastland, whom family and staff called “The General” and “The Eagle.”

“He ruled,” his widow Tweety Eastland told investigators, with several Eastland family members present at Monday’s hearing.

“He was running the show over there … You just really didn’t cross him,” Garrett observed.

The camp depended almost entirely on Richard Eastland for flood emergency decisions. His son Edward testified in recent legal proceedings that any comprehensive evacuation strategy existed only in his father’s mind.

Richard Eastland’s body was discovered in his vehicle alongside several girls he had attempted to drive to safety. Edward Eastland survived after floodwaters swept him into a tree, while camp security officer Glenn Juenke also survived despite being trapped in a flooded cabin with campers.

Despite the tragedy, Garrett acknowledged Richard Eastland’s positive impact, describing him as a beloved leader who taught countless girls to fish and had a special talent for comforting homesick first-time campers.

“We do know Dick Eastland loved every little girl who came to Camp Mystic,” Garrett said.

The camp’s plans to partially reopen in late May, expecting nearly 900 girls this summer, have sparked outrage among victims’ families. Several prominent state officials have urged regulators to reject or postpone the camp’s license renewal, currently under review.

State regulators have already identified nearly two dozen deficiencies in the camp’s proposed safety plan, including inadequate flood warning monitoring and evacuation procedures.

Following last year’s tragedy, Texas legislators enacted new requirements for detailed emergency planning, staff training, and warning system installation.

Since the Legislature won’t reconvene until January 2027 and the committee lacks authority over camp licensing, lawmakers indicated they plan to use these findings to develop new regulations for all camps statewide.

“Texas’ grief is enduring,” stated Sen. Pete Flores. “We cannot change what happened, but we can change how we prepare for and respond to the next emergency.”

Drivers in the area should be aware of ongoing construction activity causing periodic lane restrictions on Doncaster Road at the intersection with East Edinburgh Road.

According to traffic officials, the intermittent lane closures are expected to continue throughout the day until 6 PM this evening.

Motorists are advised to plan for potential delays and consider alternate routes if possible while crews complete their work in the area.

This summer’s movie season promises to deliver spectacular entertainment for audiences nationwide.

Cinema-goers can expect an impressive array of superhero adventures, beloved franchise continuations, and suspenseful films featuring familiar favorites like ‘Spider-Man,’ ‘Minions,’ ‘Star Wars,’ and ‘Toy Story.’ However, the most highly awaited release isn’t centered on superheroes, toys, or established franchises—it’s based on one of Western literature’s most ancient tales. Director Christopher Nolan’s version of ‘The Odyssey’ will arrive in cinemas on July 17, facing far calmer circumstances than the hero Odysseus encountered.

The Associated Press conducted interviews with more than 24 individuals connected to this summer’s major film releases, including studio heads, directors, screenwriters, performers, and multi-talented industry professionals to discuss their projects and the current state of cinema. Below are the main insights from AP’s Summer Movie Preview.

According to Nolan, ‘The Odyssey’ represented a fundamental story that warranted treatment on the grandest scale possible, utilizing every resource that contemporary Hollywood could provide.

‘There’s a massive amount of pressure,’ Nolan explained. ‘Anyone taking on The Odyssey is taking on the hopes and dreams of people for epic movies everywhere and that comes with a huge responsibility.’

The experience brought back memories of his work on the Batman series.

‘What I learned from that experience is that what people want from a movie about a beloved story, a beloved set of characters, is they want a strong and sincere interpretation,’ Nolan stated. ‘They want to know that a filmmaker has gone to the mat for it. I really tried to make the best film possible.’

Just three years ago, ‘Oppenheimer’ generated close to one billion dollars in revenue. ‘The Odyssey’ features epic battles, mythological deities, fantastical beings, and a stellar cast including Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, and Tom Holland. This marks the first production filmed completely using IMAX technology. Advanced ticket sales for certain IMAX 70mm screenings were completely purchased within 60 minutes, a full year before release.

The summer season launches May 1st with ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2,’ followed by ‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu’ on May 22, marking the franchise’s return to theaters after a seven-year absence. Subsequently, Steven Spielberg ventures back into science fiction with ‘Disclosure Day’ on June 12. Superhero enthusiasts can anticipate ‘Supergirl’ arriving June 26 and ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ on July 31.

Family-friendly PG-rated films have gained significant influence recently. This summer presents ‘Toy Story 5’ on June 19, ‘Minions & Monsters’ on July 1, a live-action ‘Moana’ on July 10, and ‘The Sheep Detectives’ on May 8.

Horror enthusiasts can discover franchise entries such as ‘Evil Dead Burn’ on July 10 and disturbing independent films like ‘Leviticus’ on June 19, plus a new Jane Schoenbrun production, ‘Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma’ on August 7.

Smaller independent productions also deserve attention, including Daniel Roher’s ‘Tuner’ and Boots Riley’s vibrant shoplifting tale ‘I Love Boosters’ (both May 22), Olivia Wilde’s intimate comedy-drama ‘The Invite’ on June 26, and the good-naturedly crude comedy ‘Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass’ on July 10.

Regarding ‘The Odyssey’ length, Christopher Nolan commented: ‘One of the things that’s really important to me is to be showing the film wherever possible on IMAX film, projecting the format, because we shot the entire movie on IMAX film, and the longest we’ve ever been able to get onto the IMAX projector is three hours. So we know it’s less than three hours. I can say the film is shorter than Oppenheimer. It’s still an epic, it’s an epic film as the subject matter demands, but it is shorter.’

James Cameron discussed industry recovery: ‘Hope springs eternal … We still have a very robust theatrical industry at a time when it was kind of almost pronounced dead.’

DC co-chair and co-CEO Peter Safran addressed superhero cinema: ‘I never felt that there was superhero fatigue. I felt it was mediocre movie fatigue. You gotta try something new. You have to change the game a little bit. The essential story on which Supergirl is based is something cool and original and we haven’t seen before.’

Jon Favreau spoke about IMAX productions: ‘People have got great TVs at home. You’ve got to give them a reason to go out.’

Olivia Wilde discussed creative risks: ‘I think one of the reasons that audiences really enjoy the films that A24 are investing in and putting out into world is they can tell that risk is sort of part of the process for them … there’s something exciting about that.’

Marlon Wayans emphasized theatrical comedy: ‘The world needs comedy. It’s a shame that there haven’t been more comedies in the past 15, 20 years. I think it’s really hurting our world … I hope people come out to the theater and they feel good.’

While Hollywood no longer reserves all major releases exclusively for summer months, the 18-week period from early May through Labor Day continues as the industry’s most crucial timeframe, generating approximately 40% of annual ticket sales.

Summer box office has exceeded $4 billion only once since the pandemic began, achieving this milestone in 2023 with the ‘Barbenheimer’ phenomenon. The previous summer reached just under $3.7 billion, with Disney’s ‘Lilo & Stitch’ leading sales. Similar results occurred in 2024, when Pixar’s ‘Inside Out 2’ dominated the charts.

NEW YORK — More than two decades after the shocking murder of Run-DMC’s DJ Jam Master Jay, another piece of the puzzle fell into place Monday when a third suspect confessed his involvement in the legendary rapper’s death.

Jay Bryant, age 52, entered a guilty plea on federal murder charges, acknowledging before a judge that he assisted others in accessing the building where they would later ambush Jason Mizell, the iconic turntablist, inside his Queens recording studio.

“I knew a gun was going to be used to shoot Jason Mizell,” Bryant stated to the federal magistrate. “I knew that what I was doing was wrong and a crime.”

Bryant’s confession provides some answers while simultaneously complicating an already tangled investigation that has spanned nearly 25 years.

The defendant did not identify his co-conspirators during his court appearance. However, a 2024 jury found two additional suspects guilty: Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington. A judge later overturned Jordan’s conviction, while Washington continues fighting his own.

Mizell operated the turntables for Run-DMC, the groundbreaking hip-hop group he created alongside childhood friends Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and Joseph Simmons, who performed as DJ Run and Rev. Run.

The trio revolutionized music during the 1980s with chart-toppers including “It’s Tricky,” “My Adidas,” and their collaboration with Aerosmith on “Walk This Way,” successfully bridging rap music from urban communities to mainstream audiences. Run-DMC achieved multiple firsts: the initial rap act to earn gold and platinum certifications, grace Rolling Stone’s cover, and receive MTV airplay. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honored them with induction in 2009. Mizell additionally guided emerging hip-hop talent, notably mentoring a young 50 Cent.

The 37-year-old musician was fatally shot in his studio located in the same Queens community where he was raised. His October 2002 murder came after the late 1990s deaths of fellow hip-hop icons Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G. Law enforcement faced significant challenges solving all three homicides for many years.

Authorities apprehended Jordan and Washington in 2020 — Mizell’s godson and longtime friend, respectively. Federal prosecutors alleged both men harbored resentment over being excluded from profits in a botched cocaine transaction that Mizell had attempted to arrange. Despite Run-DMC’s well-known anti-drug stance, prosecutors and courtroom testimony revealed the DJ had become involved in cocaine trafficking during his final years to manage expenses and continue supporting friends as music revenue declined.

Trial evidence and prosecutor statements indicated Jordan fired the fatal shots while Washington prevented escape by blocking the studio entrance and forcing one of Mizell’s employees to lie down. Both defendants maintained their innocence. Jordan’s defense team claimed he was at his girlfriend’s residence during the shooting, while Washington’s attorneys argued he had no motive to harm the famous friend who provided him financial assistance.

Almost three years following their arrests, prosecutors unexpectedly added Bryant to their theory of the crime.

Investigators discovered Bryant’s DNA on headwear recovered from the studio crime scene and obtained evidence of him entering the building, leading prosecutors to include him in the murder indictment. He was already incarcerated on separate federal narcotics and firearms violations, to which he has subsequently admitted guilt.

Trial testimony revealed Bryant shared mutual acquaintances with Jordan and Washington. However, unlike the other two defendants, Bryant maintained minimal or no personal relationship with Mizell.

Bryant’s relative has claimed his nephew confessed to shooting Mizell after the artist attempted to reach for a weapon. No other witnesses, however, testified to Bryant actually entering the recording studio, and former prosecutor Artie McConnell argued in 2024 that Bryant was “involved, but he’s not the killer.”

Prosecutors instead maintained that Bryant was recruited to infiltrate the studio building and unlock a rear fire exit, enabling Washington and Jordan to enter without using the intercom system that would have warned Mizell of their arrival.

Although neither Jordan’s nor Washington’s genetic material was found on the recovered cap, McConnell theorized that one defendant had inadvertently dropped it, with Bryant having handled it at an earlier time.

A California man accused of attempting to breach the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner while carrying weapons is scheduled to make his initial federal court appearance Monday following a chaotic incident that forced President Donald Trump to be evacuated and sent guests scrambling for safety.

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was arrested Saturday evening after the violent confrontation and now faces federal charges in Washington. While formal charging documents have not yet been made public, officials indicate Allen will be prosecuted for assaulting a federal officer and employing a firearm in a violent crime. A law enforcement officer struck by gunfire in his bulletproof vest is anticipated to make a full recovery.

Allen, who resides in Torrance, California, has not been confirmed to have legal representation at this time. Multiple attempts by The Associated Press to reach Allen and his family members through phone calls and a visit to his residence were unsuccessful.

While prosecutors have not disclosed a motive, authorities reviewed a communication they say Allen sent to family members just before the attack, in which he described himself as a ‘Friendly Federal Assassin,’ made multiple references to the Republican president without using his name, and expressed complaints about various Trump administration policies.

Law enforcement officials are examining these writings, combined with social media activity and family interviews, as key evidence to understand the suspect’s mental state and potential motivations.

According to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Allen traveled by rail from California through Chicago to reach Washington, where he registered as a guest at the hotel hosting the heavily secured annual dinner event.

Trump shared video footage showing an armed individual, identified by authorities as the suspect carrying firearms and knives, breaching a security perimeter while Secret Service personnel responded.

Public records indicate Allen is an educated tutor and hobbyist video game creator. Social media profiles matching his name and photograph show he has worked part-time for six years at a business providing college admission guidance and test preparation services.

CHICAGO — A 26-year-old man who was being treated at a Chicago hospital following his arrest now faces murder and attempted murder charges after fatally shooting one police officer and critically injuring another over the weekend.

Alphanso Talley was set to appear in Cook County Circuit Court for the first time on Monday, prosecutors announced.

The deadly incident claimed the life of Officer John Bartholomew, 38, who had served with the Chicago Police Department for a decade. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Bartholomew died shortly before 1 p.m. on Saturday following the shooting at Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital.

The Saturday morning violence also left a second officer in critical condition. Police have not disclosed the name of the wounded officer, a 57-year-old with more than two decades of service. Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling provided an update Monday, stating the injured officer was “still fighting for his life.”

“Though this does not bring solace to this tragedy, it does bring the first step in accountability,” Snelling commented regarding the filed charges.

Prior to Monday’s court proceeding, a representative from the public defender’s office declined to provide comment since no legal counsel had been assigned to represent Talley.

The two officers had transported Talley to the medical facility for evaluation after taking him into custody on suspicion of armed robbery earlier that morning. Following the shooting, Talley escaped from the hospital — surveillance images published by the Chicago Sun-Times showed him fleeing without clothing and with medical electrodes attached to his body — before being captured less than two hours afterward.

Authorities have not disclosed how Talley obtained a firearm. Snelling revealed that investigators ultimately seized three weapons during their investigation.

“This shooting was a stark and heartbreaking reminder of the dangers our officers face all too often on this job,” Snelling stated.

In a Facebook statement, hospital officials explained that the individual in police custody had been brought to their emergency department for medical care and was “wanded upon arrival” as part of standard weapon detection procedures. The facility noted that law enforcement personnel maintained constant supervision of the suspect.

State corrections records show Talley has an extensive criminal background, including 2023 convictions for aggravated battery against a police officer and involvement with stolen vehicles, along with prior robbery and weapons-related offenses. A Cook County public defender had previously represented Talley in an earlier case.

Summer cinema traditionally brings Hollywood’s biggest gambles to the big screen – larger budgets, grander visions, major stars, and higher risks. This year’s slate includes expected heavy-hitters like Spider-Man, Minions, Star Wars and Toy Story films. However, the season’s most anticipated release draws from a 3,000-year-old ancient Greek tale.

Director Christopher Nolan views “The Odyssey,” arriving in theaters July 17, as more than just another project – he considers it the ultimate story that warranted the full force of modern filmmaking technology and resources.

“There’s a massive amount of pressure,” Nolan told The Associated Press. “Anyone taking on ‘The Odyssey’ is taking on the hopes and dreams of people for epic movies everywhere and that comes with a huge responsibility.”

The pressure feels familiar to the filmmaker who previously helmed three Batman movies. “What I learned from that experience is that what people want from a movie about a beloved story, a beloved set of characters, is they want a strong and sincere interpretation,” Nolan said. “They want to know that a filmmaker has gone to the mat for it. I really tried to make the best film possible.”

Following “Oppenheimer’s” nearly billion-dollar success three years ago, “The Odyssey” promises epic battles, mythological beings, supernatural creatures and an ensemble cast featuring Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya and Tom Holland. The production marks the first film captured entirely using IMAX cameras. Advanced ticket sales for premium IMAX 70mm screenings sold out within an hour, despite being available a full year ahead of release.

Unlike “Oppenheimer,” this epic will run shorter – three hours represents the maximum runtime possible for IMAX projection equipment. “It’s an epic film, as the subject matter demands,” Nolan said. “But it is shorter.”

While Hollywood no longer reserves all its biggest releases exclusively for warmer months, the 18-week period from early May through Labor Day remains crucial for the industry, generating approximately 40% of annual ticket sales. Since the pandemic began, this period has exceeded $4 billion only once, in 2023.

Marvel typically launches the summer season, but last year Disney contacted director David Frankel when “Avengers: Doomsday” faced delays: Could “The Devil Wears Prada 2” open the season instead?

The May 1 release date coincides with Met Gala timing and provides extended theatrical run potential, Frankel reasoned. The accelerated timeline meant completing production just weeks before release, but enthusiasm from fans photographing Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep on New York streets, plus Anna Wintour’s support, provided motivation.

Beyond renewed “Prada” affection, the media landscape has transformed dramatically over two decades, with print magazines facing extinction. “How does Miranda Priestly deal with this changing world and what’s her future?” Frankel said. “The same with Andy Sachs: If all your ambition has been funneled in this one direction, what happens when you have to pivot and how do you adapt?”

The film industry faces its own adaptation challenges. Box office revenue remains more than 20% below pre-COVID levels. Streaming growth, pandemic impacts and altered release schedules have potentially permanently changed audience viewing habits. A potential Paramount-Warner Bros. merger could reduce major studio competition.

Despite challenges, James Cameron maintains optimism. “We still have a very robust theatrical industry at a time when it was kind of almost pronounced dead,” Cameron said.

Encouraging signs include studios committing to longer exclusive theater runs, original content and premium formats attracting audiences, and continued global market expansion.

Cameron contributes to theater-exclusive experiences with a 3D Billie Eilish concert film arriving May 8. Using innovative technology, 17 camera systems captured four Manchester performances from last year. “Seeing it in 3D is astonishing,” Cameron said. “You really feel an intimacy with her and yet you feel the scale of the spectacle.”

Universal’s summer roster includes another cinema legend: Steven Spielberg returns to familiar territory with “Disclosure Day” on June 12. Superhero offerings include “Supergirl” (June 26), which DC Studios co-head Peter Safran describes as “something cool and original and we haven’t seen before,” and “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” (July 31). The previous Spider-Man film earned over $1.9 billion but concluded with Holland’s Peter Parker erasing himself from everyone’s memory.

“This is a blockbuster action movie with all the humor and emotion we love about Spider-Man,” director Destin Daniel Cretton said. “But at its heart, it’s a story about learning how to reconnect with the ones you love.”

Family-friendly PG-rated content has gained significant influence recently. Summer offerings include “Toy Story 5” (June 19), “Minions & Monsters” (July 1) and live-action “Moana” (July 10), each potentially reaching billion-dollar earnings.

“The Sheep Detectives” (May 8) represents non-franchise family entertainment, featuring animal characters voiced by Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Bryan Cranston investigating their beloved owner’s death (Hugh Jackman). Writer Craig Mazin acknowledges the challenge of numerous inferior talking animal films, but insists this differs from simple comedic animal antics.

“There are some really beautiful moments and themes and things that parents can talk about with their kids,” Mazin said. “And most importantly, it is legitimately a movie that is meant for everyone.”

“Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” (May 22) carries PG-13 rating but features an irresistibly adorable alien character. It joins several productions designed specifically for IMAX presentation.

“People have got great TVs at home,” said director Jon Favreau. “You’ve got to give them a reason to go out.”

Horror continues attracting studio investment with both franchise entries like “Evil Dead Burn” (July 10) and “Insidious: Out of the Further” (Aug. 21), plus independent offerings including conversion therapy horror “Leviticus,” “Rose of Nevada” (both June 19), “Backrooms” (May 29) and Jane Schoenbrun’s “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma” (Aug. 7).

“Scary Movie 6” (June 5) reunites Regina Hall and Anna Faris with franchise creators Marlon and Shawn Wayans, absent since the 2001 sequel. Recent films provide abundant parody material including “M3GAN,” “Get Out,” “Weapons,” “Michael,” and “Sinners,” with Marlon Wayans particularly excited about the latter.

“Mockery is the greatest form of flattery,” Wayans said. “Sending up their movie was definitely tipping our hat to them.”

Audiences seek content beyond established brands and blockbusters. This year viewers have already demonstrated willingness to attend when excitement builds, whether for crowd-pleasers like “Project Hail Mary” or challenging fare like “The Drama.”

Olivia Wilde’s “The Invite” (June 26) shows breakthrough potential – a chamber dramedy following two contrasting couples (Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton) through one wine-fueled evening that sparked competitive bidding at Sundance Film Festival. Wilde appreciated that most studios offered theatrical releases, ultimately selecting A24, which even produced a 35mm print.

“The whole project for me is really tipping my hat to Mike Nichols,” Wilde said. “We thought of the audiences that have always loved those films.”

Additional independent and original options throughout summer include Daniel Roher’s “Tuner” about a piano prodigy turned safecracker, Boots Riley’s colorful shoplifting story “I Love Boosters” (both May 22), John Carney’s musical featuring Paul Rudd (“Power Ballad,” June 5) and David Wain’s wholesome yet raunchy comedy “Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass” (July 10).

As Wilde noted, space exists for both original content and established franchises. “The audience really likes to recognize risk,” she said. “There’s something exciting about that.”

TAMPA, Fla. — Authorities in Florida have discovered another body in waters near the same Tampa Bay bridge where one of two missing doctoral students was located just days ago.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reported Sunday evening that the remains were pulled from waterways around Interstate 275. Officials have not yet released the identity of the person found.

On Friday morning, investigators located the body of Zamil Limon on the Howard Frankland bridge. Hillsborough County Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer stated that same day that search efforts continued for Limon’s girlfriend, Nahida Bristy. Specialized dive teams had been combing the bay waters surrounding the bridge structure.

The sheriff’s office announced Saturday that Hisham Abugharbieh, who shared living quarters with Limon, faces two counts of first-degree premeditated murder with a weapon for the deaths of both victims. The 26-year-old former University of South Florida student remains in custody without bond, with a court appearance scheduled for Tuesday.

Both victims, Limon and Bristy, were 27-year-old USF students who had been discussing marriage plans, according to family members. The pair vanished from campus on April 16. Limon was last spotted at his residence in an off-campus housing complex he shared with Abugharbieh. Bristy, who also lived off-campus, was seen an hour afterward at a university science facility.

Limon pursued studies in geography, environmental science and policy, while Bristy focused on chemical engineering. She had earned her undergraduate degree from Noakhali Science and Technology University. Her alma mater released a statement Saturday calling her a gifted Ph.D. candidate with tremendous potential, spelling her surname as Brishti.

Abugharbieh, an American citizen by birth, was initially arrested Friday at his family residence on various preliminary charges including improper handling of human remains, failure to notify authorities of a death, evidence destruction, unlawful confinement and assault. Public defender records do not show legal representation, and attempts to reach the Hillsborough County public defender’s office were unsuccessful.

Law enforcement officers arrived at Abugharbieh’s family home responding to a domestic violence call just north of the university campus, successfully evacuating his relatives to safety. He then locked himself inside and refused to surrender. A SWAT team deployment included drone technology, robotic equipment and trained negotiators before Abugharbieh emerged with raised hands, reportedly dressed only in a blue towel.

University records indicate Abugharbieh previously attended USF from Spring 2021 through Spring 2023, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Management, but was not currently registered for classes, according to a university representative.

A motor vehicle accident has prompted officials to shut down Park Brown Road at the Pinepitch Road intersection.

The roadway closure is currently in effect as emergency responders work at the scene of the collision. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes and expect delays in the area.

No additional details about the crash have been released at this time. The duration of the road closure has not been announced.

Federal authorities are focusing their investigation on a 31-year-old individual from California following a shooting incident that disrupted Saturday evening’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.

The suspect has become the central figure in the ongoing probe into the violence that occurred during the high-profile media event.

Law enforcement officials continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting as the investigation remains active.

NPR co-host Michel Martin provided a firsthand account of a shooting incident that took place during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner event.

During an interview with NPR’s Steve Inskeep, Martin described what she witnessed when gunfire erupted at the high-profile media gathering.

The veteran journalist shared details about her experience during what is typically considered one of the premier events in Washington’s media calendar.

Fresh entertainment content is arriving on streaming platforms this week, featuring everything from star-studded adaptations to new music releases and animated adventures.

Leading the lineup is director Emerald Fennell’s contemporary interpretation of Emily Brontë’s classic ‘Wuthering Heights,’ premiering on HBO Max May 1st. The film stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as Catherine and Heathcliff in a stylized version that allows the passionate characters to act on their desires. According to Associated Press reviews, the production offers “myriad pleasures to be had in the bold, absurd pageantry and devilish scheming. Yet for all the big swings, Fennell’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ amounts to something oddly shallow and blunt: garish and stylized fan fiction with the scope and budget of an old-school Hollywood epic.”

Netflix debuts the animated feature ‘Swapped’ on Friday, May 1st, featuring Oscar winner Michael B. Jordan as the voice of a small forest animal who exchanges bodies with his enemy, a magnificent bird voiced by Juno Temple. Directed by ‘Tangled’ creator Nathan Greno, the cast also includes Cedric the Entertainer and Tracy Morgan in what’s described as a body-switching comedy similar to ‘Freaky Friday.’

Anime enthusiasts can catch ‘Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc’ on Crunchyroll Thursday. Director Tatsuya Yoshihara helms this R-rated film based on Tatsuki Fujimoto’s manga about a young man killed by the Yakuza who returns with the power to transform body parts into chainsaws for fighting demons, while also featuring romantic elements.

The Criterion Channel exclusively presents ‘Conbody vs Everybody’ starting Friday, May 1st. This five-part documentary series from acclaimed director Debra Granik (‘Winter’s Bone,’ ‘Leave No Trace’) follows Coss Marte’s eight-year journey building a New York fitness center that hires formerly imprisoned individuals.

Hulu streams the thriller ‘Hallow Road’ beginning Saturday, May 2nd, starring Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys as parents racing to assist their daughter following a nighttime accident. Reviews describe it as “an effectively minimalistic thriller that leaves much room for interpretation and debate.”

Country music star Kacey Musgraves drops her seventh studio album ‘Middle of Nowhere’ on Friday, May 1st, featuring the lead single ‘Dry Spell’ and Texas-inspired tracks including ‘Uncertain, TX’ with Willie Nelson, which she previewed at Coachella.

Belfast hip-hop group Kneecap releases their new album ‘FENIAN’ Friday, May 1st, named after 19th-century Irish independence fighters. The politically outspoken trio, known for their BAFTA-winning biographical film and support of Palestinian causes, opens the record with ‘Éire go Deo,’ advocating for Irish language preservation.

Influential indie band American Football, pioneers of the ‘twinkly’ Midwest emo guitar sound, unveils ‘LP4’ featuring ‘No Feeling’ with Grammy-winning Turnstile’s Brendan Yates, showcasing their signature complex time signatures and intricate fingerpicking style.

Tori Amos presents the concept album ‘In Times of Dragons’ on Friday, May 1st, a 17-song political allegory where she portrays an alternate version of herself fleeing a dangerous billionaire spouse, joined by her backing group the ‘Gasoline Girls.’

Television offerings include The Roku Channel’s ‘This First House’ launching Monday, following young homebuyers guided by renovation experts Zack and Camille Dettmore in a spinoff of PBS’s ‘This Old House.’

Prime Video premieres the Spanish-language series adaptation of Isabel Allende’s novel ‘The House of the Spirits’ on Wednesday, chronicling a multigenerational Latin family with a cast including Alfonso Herrera, Dolores Fonzi, and Nicole Wallace, executive produced by Allende and Eva Longoria.

Apple TV introduces the horror comedy ‘Widow’s Bay’ Wednesday, featuring Matthew Rhys as a mayor attempting to develop his eerie coastal town into a tourist destination despite locals’ beliefs about supernatural inhabitants.

HGTV’s ‘Zillow Gone Wild’ returns for a new season Saturday, May 2nd on HBO Max, with host Jack McBrayer touring unusual properties found on real estate websites.

Gaming releases include Sony’s ‘Saros’ for PlayStation 5 Thursday, set on the shape-shifting planet Carcosa where players battle hostile creatures with advanced weaponry and energy shields. Developer Housemarque calls it ‘bullet ballet, evolved.’

Space exploration game ‘Aphelion’ launches Tuesday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, and PC, placing players as separated astronauts on frozen planet Persephone who must reunite while avoiding dangerous life forms. French studio Don’t Nod worked with the European Space Agency for realistic near-future space travel depiction.

Three individuals were killed Sunday when U.S. military forces targeted a vessel suspected of drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific Ocean, U.S. Southern Command announced through social media.

This operation represents the most recent action in an ongoing military campaign against suspected narcotics smuggling boats throughout Latin American waters, which commenced in early September. The overall death toll from these operations has reached at least 186 people, with additional strikes occurring in Caribbean waters.

Military officials have yet to present proof that any of the targeted vessels actually contained illegal drugs.

Following Sunday’s operation, Southern Command shared footage on X displaying a fast-moving vessel before an explosion engulfed it in flames. The command reiterated earlier statements claiming they had engaged suspected drug smugglers operating along established trafficking corridors.

These military operations began during a significant U.S. military buildup in the region and occurred several months before January’s operation that resulted in the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. He was subsequently transported to New York to face narcotics trafficking allegations and has entered a not guilty plea.

President Donald Trump has characterized the U.S. as being in “armed conflict” with Latin American cartels and has defended these strikes as essential measures to prevent drug shipments from reaching American shores.

However, legal experts have raised concerns about whether these vessel attacks comply with international law.

NAHUNTA, Ga. — A massive wildfire burning in southeastern Georgia has expanded beyond 31 square miles, becoming one of two major blazes threatening the region, authorities announced Sunday.

The blaze, known as the Highway 82 Fire, ignited on April 20 and has leveled no fewer than 87 residences as of Saturday. Sunday morning reports indicated firefighters have achieved only 7% containment of the flames.

The fire is located in Brantley County along Highway 82, positioned approximately 35 miles north of the Georgia-Florida border.

“The fire basically doubled last night in size,” Brantley County Manager Joey Cason stated Sunday via Facebook. “It is a dynamic fire event that will be impacted by the wind.”

Meteorologists predicted wind gusts reaching 15 mph throughout Sunday.

Cason warned that evacuation orders might be issued Sunday, urging citizens to comply immediately if alerts are sent.

“We had folks that did not evacuate and they almost got caught by that fire,” he stated. “It’s going to be another potential bad fire day as the winds pick up later in the day.”

A separate wildfire burning roughly 70 miles southwest in Clinch and Echols counties, close to Florida’s border, has consumed more than 46 square miles, demolished at least 35 homes, and reached only 10% containment by Saturday. Sparks from welding work triggered that fire.

The Highway 82 blaze began when a metallic balloon contacted energized power lines, creating an electrical discharge that set ground materials ablaze.

Additional firefighting crews are scheduled to arrive Sunday and Monday to assist in suppression efforts, Cason reported.

“There’s a ton of assets that are being poured into this fire to, hopefully, get it under control or get it out,” he explained. “This whole situation is heartbreaking.”

Updated tallies of damaged or destroyed properties were unavailable Sunday afternoon, according to Susie Heisey, spokesperson for the Southern Area Incident Management Team.

“Our firefighters worked so hard and had so much success in protecting structures and private homes, but there also were losses,” Heisey commented.

The active fire prevents investigators from entering affected areas to evaluate damage, she noted.

Fire crews are simultaneously combating more than 150 additional wildfires across Georgia and Florida, creating smoky conditions that have reached distant communities and prompted air quality advisories in several cities.

An extraordinary number of wildfires are burning throughout the Southeast this spring. Researchers attribute the heightened fire risk to severe drought conditions, strong winds, climate change effects, and fallen timber remaining from Hurricane Helene’s 2024 destruction.

In northern Florida, Nassau County Sheriff’s Office volunteer firefighter James “Kevin” Crews passed away Thursday evening following a medical emergency while fighting a brush fire. Georgia has reported no fire-related fatalities or injuries.

Authorities have released the identity of a Chicago police officer who died after being shot by a suspect under guard at a local hospital. Officer John Bartholomew, age 38, lost his life in the Saturday morning incident at Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital.

The 10-year department veteran was declared dead shortly before 1 p.m. on Saturday, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed.

A fellow officer, age 57 with more than two decades of service, also sustained gunshot wounds during the attack and continues to battle for his life in critical condition as of Sunday, according to police reports.

Police Superintendent Larry Snelling addressed the media Saturday, stating the injured officer was “fighting for his life.” Neither the wounded officer’s identity nor the shooter’s name have been made public.

The two officers had escorted the gunman to the medical facility for treatment after his arrest on robbery charges. Following the shooting, the suspect escaped the hospital grounds but was apprehended later, with investigators recovering a firearm, department officials reported. Authorities have not explained how the man obtained the weapon.

Media reports included surveillance images showing the fleeing suspect without clothing and wearing medical monitoring equipment.

Hospital administrators posted on Facebook that the individual arrived under law enforcement escort for emergency care and underwent security screening with a metal detector wand, which is standard procedure. They confirmed the suspect remained under constant police supervision during his visit.

The facility’s statement noted that the man subsequently opened fire on the law enforcement officers before fleeing the building.

Superintendent Snelling revealed that investigators have collected three firearms as evidence in the case.

BOSTON — More than three decades have passed since thieves walked away with 13 priceless artworks from Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in what became history’s most notorious unsolved art crime, with the stolen pieces now worth over $500 million.

The 1990 heist continues to hold the record as the world’s biggest art theft, dwarfing other museum robberies including a broad-daylight break-in at the Louvre that involved fewer pieces and was quickly solved. While the FBI announced in 2013 that agents had identified those responsible, the bureau refused to release names, creating ongoing mystery around the case.

Now, a retired federal agent who spent more than 20 years leading the investigation has written a book revealing his conclusions about the crime. Geoff Kelly provides the most comprehensive look yet at how authorities tracked the stolen art through underground criminal circles, where several key figures and witnesses met violent deaths, while also disputing widely accepted theories about the case.

The theft carries particular irony given that museum founder Isabella Stewart Gardner had specified in her estate documents that her Venetian palace-style building should never be altered following her 1924 death. Gardner, who actually lived in the museum until she died there, wanted every painting, sculpture and architectural piece to stay precisely where she had placed it.

Today, the ornate empty frames where the missing paintings once hung remain on display as haunting reminders of what was lost.

In the early morning hours of March 18, 1990, while Boston was still recovering from St. Patrick’s Day festivities, two men wearing police uniforms appeared at the museum entrance and persuaded a security guard to admit them, breaking established safety procedures.

After restraining both guards with handcuffs in the basement, the thieves proceeded to the museum’s Dutch Room, where they sliced Vermeer’s “The Concert” and Rembrandt’s “Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee” from their frames, along with pieces by Degas and Manet.

The criminals also grabbed a Napoleonic eagle finial — an ornamental metal object worth relatively little that later baffled investigators — plus the building’s security recording tapes.

Museum officials initially posted a $5 million reward for information leading to the artworks’ return, then increased it to $10 million ten years later.

Investigative leads pointed toward various suspects including Irish Republican Army members and Boston organized crime figures such as infamous gangster Whitey Bulger.

Kelly’s pursuit of clues took him to France, where he observed through field glasses as undercover FBI operatives pretended to be wealthy go-betweens, relaxing on a luxury boat while sipping champagne and enjoying strawberries to attract suspected Corsican criminal contacts.

Back in New England, federal agents conducted searches throughout the region while depending heavily on criminal informants. One terminally ill triple killer nicknamed “Meatball” secretly recorded discussions with possible accomplices, hoping to earn money for his relatives.

However, none of these investigative paths led to recovering the stolen art.

Since the robbery occurred, multiple individuals thought to be connected to the crime have been murdered, with another dying under questionable circumstances.

Robert “Bobby” Donati, a Boston mob associate who had long been suspected in the case, was discovered stabbed to death in 1991, his corpse placed in a car trunk after his residence was searched and ransacked.

Earlier, Donati had toured the Gardner Museum with another known art criminal, Myles Connor, to plan a potential robbery and mentioned that stealing the museum’s Napoleonic finial would serve as his “calling card.” Later, a jewelry dealer informed investigators that Donati had attempted to sell a finial from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum but withdrew the offer, claiming it was “too hot.”

Another investigative thread focused on George Reissfelder, whom authorities believe provided the escape vehicle.

Kelly located Reissfelder’s brother, a former military officer who initially doubted his sibling’s involvement. The brother became emotional after being shown Manet’s “Chez Tortoni,” recognizing it as artwork he had personally hung above his brother’s bed.

Reissfelder subsequently died under suspicious circumstances. When investigators examined his residence, the painting had vanished.

Both suspects had connections to TRC Auto Electric, a Dorchester business associated with Charles “Chuck” Merlino’s criminal organization.

While investigators felt confident about the perpetrators’ identities, obtaining conclusive evidence proved challenging.

During the investigation’s initial phase, the FBI assigned only one agent to the case, which Kelly believes hindered progress.

“You have to keep in mind when you’re talking about investigations, they come down to dollars and cents,” Kelly said. Securing adequate resources was “like pulling teeth.” Federal investigators in Boston were primarily concentrated on violent crimes, narcotics trafficking and organized crime cases at that time.

Kelly criticized the decision to publicize surveillance video despite investigators’ opposition, calling it a persistent distraction. Since no useful footage existed from the robbery night, officials released video from the previous evening showing a museum worker entering after his vehicle broke down. Kelly opposed the theory suggesting the employee was surveying the museum, since that possibility had already been examined and ruled out. The released footage generated years of misdirected suspicion, though the man was eventually cleared of involvement.

One continuing question concerns whether someone inside the museum assisted the thieves.

Photographs from that evening show a museum guard restrained in the basement with duct tape covering his head.

Investigators observed that just before the robbery, the guard violated policy by opening a door that faced the area where the thieves were later spotted waiting — behavior investigators found extremely unusual and suspicious.

“It’s the immutable laws of time and space,” Kelly said. “I think that there was enough information back then that he could have been charged. Would it be enough to convict him? I don’t know.”

By the time investigators focused more intensively on these concerns, Kelly explained, the statute of limitations had run out, eliminating their ability to force cooperation.

The museum guard, Rick Abath, consistently denied participating in the theft. He passed away in 2024.

Kelly characterizes the missing artworks as “perfect fugitives.”

“They don’t go to the doctor. They don’t get stopped for speeding. They don’t leave fingerprints,” he said. “They can just disappear.”

Unlike human fugitives, he noted, artworks can also be replicated.

Throughout the years, this has resulted in pursuing false leads — including paintings discovered in a Reno antique shop, displayed in private residences and even one that appeared in a “Monk” television episode.

Since the works are so widely recognized, selling them openly is virtually impossible.

“Stealing the artwork from the museum, that’s the easy part,” Kelly said. “Profiting from it, that’s the difficult part.”

He believes the paintings will eventually resurface — outlasting those who committed the crime.

“I have no doubt they still exist,” he said.

Law enforcement officials have released details about the man arrested for Saturday’s shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, identifying him as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old California resident with backgrounds in education and technology.

Allen lives in Torrance, California, a South Bay community near Los Angeles along Santa Monica Bay. According to investigators, he was registered as a guest at the Washington Hilton, the venue hosting the annual media event, though authorities have not yet established what motivated the attack.

Social media profiles reveal Allen recently earned recognition from his employer, receiving “Teacher of the Month” honors in December 2024 from C2 Education’s Torrance location. The company provides test preparation and tutoring services for students preparing for college.

His LinkedIn account describes Allen as a “mechanical engineer and computer scientist by degree, independent game developer by experience, teacher by birth.” Educational records show he completed his undergraduate studies in mechanical engineering at the California Institute of Technology in 2017, followed by a master’s degree in computer science from California State University at Dominguez Hills in 2025. Caltech confirmed that someone with that name received a degree from their institution in 2017.

Allen’s work history includes several years of part-time teaching with C2 Education while simultaneously developing games as a freelance contractor. Previously, he spent time as a mechanical engineer with IJK Controls in South Pasadena and served as a teaching assistant during his time at Caltech.

His online profile highlights a 2016 newspaper article covering a robotics competition victory by his Caltech team. Under personal interests, Allen listed only “Science and Technology” as causes he supports.

Secret Service officials report that Allen carried a shotgun when he fired at an agent outside the ballroom where the dinner was taking place. The event drew high-profile attendees including President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and multiple cabinet members before Allen was apprehended.

Federal immigration authorities re-arrested an Egyptian mother and her five children on Saturday, just two days after a court mandated their release from more than 10 months in detention, according to the family’s attorneys.

Hayam El Gamal and her children, ranging in age from 5 to 18, were taken back into custody while fulfilling a mandatory check-in requirement at a Denver Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, as reported by The Colorado Sun.

According to the family’s legal representatives, ICE placed them aboard an aircraft bound for Michigan “and then outside the United States to an unknown location.” However, attorney Eric Lee confirmed that a federal court approved an emergency petition that halted the deportation proceedings.

The Department of Homeland Security issued a Saturday statement defending the detention, claiming the family was receiving “full due process” while criticizing the judge who mandated their release as an “activist judge” who is “releasing this terrorist’s family onto American streets AGAIN.”

“We are confident the courts will ultimately vindicate us,” stated Lauren Bis, the DHS acting assistant secretary.

The department’s statement did not explain the reasoning behind Saturday’s detention following Thursday’s court decision.

El Gamal and her children had been freed on Thursday when U.S. District Judge Fred Biery mandated their release, following a comparable ruling issued earlier that week.

The Colorado-based family was initially placed in federal custody last June. Their immigration detention became the lengthiest family detention under President Donald Trump’s administration, beginning after El Gamal’s former husband, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, faced charges of attempted murder, assault, and federal hate crimes related to a firebomb incident in Boulder, Colorado last year.

Federal officials have stated they were examining the family’s potential knowledge of the attack. El Gamal, who ended her marriage to Soliman following his arrest, has denounced the Boulder incident and maintained that her family was unaware of any attack preparations.

Trump has justified his immigration enforcement policies as essential for controlling illegal immigration and reducing criminal activity. However, advocacy organizations and critics argue that the DHS initiatives infringe upon due process rights and freedom of expression.

Law enforcement officials in Florida have brought murder charges against an individual who shared living quarters with a graduate student from Bangladesh who vanished along with his romantic partner from the University of South Florida campus.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office was called to investigate the case in a neighborhood near the university in Tampa on Friday, April 24, 2026.

The missing persons case involves a doctoral candidate from Bangladesh and his girlfriend, both students at the university. Their roommate now faces two separate murder charges in connection with their disappearance.

Investigators have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the students’ disappearance or what evidence led to the murder charges against their roommate.

A medical facility in Chicago was secured Saturday following a shooting incident that occurred on hospital grounds.

Officials at Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital confirmed that security protocols were activated after gunfire erupted around 11 a.m. on Saturday. Hospital administrators stated that all patients and medical personnel remained unharmed during the incident and emphasized that the threat had been neutralized by mid-afternoon.

Local media outlets reported that two law enforcement officers sustained injuries during the incident. Multiple attempts to obtain additional details from the Chicago Police Department were unsuccessful, as officials did not respond to requests for comment.

TAMPA, Fla. — Authorities in Florida have filed first-degree murder charges against a man accused of killing two University of South Florida students who vanished from campus last month.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced Saturday that 26-year-old Hisham Abugharbieh faces two counts of premeditated first-degree murder with a weapon in connection with the deaths of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both USF students.

According to Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer, investigators discovered Limon’s body on the Howard Frankland bridge Friday morning. Bristy remains missing as the search continues.

Law enforcement initially arrested Abugharbieh Friday at his family’s residence on charges including illegally moving a corpse, failing to report a death, evidence tampering, false imprisonment, and battery.

The arrest occurred when deputies responded to a domestic violence call at the family home near campus. After moving Abugharbieh’s relatives to safety, officers found themselves in a standoff when he barricaded himself inside the residence. SWAT officers, crisis negotiators, a drone, and a robot were deployed before Abugharbieh surrendered, emerging with his hands raised wearing only a blue towel.

Both victims, age 27, had been planning marriage according to family members. The pair disappeared from campus on April 16. Limon was last spotted at the off-campus apartment he shared with Abugharbieh, while Bristy was seen an hour later at a campus science facility where she lived on campus.

Medical examiners are conducting an autopsy to determine how Limon died, with results expected Saturday morning, Maurer stated Friday.

University records show Abugharbieh previously attended USF from Spring 2021 through Spring 2023, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Management, though he was not currently enrolled. Limon studied geography, environmental science and policy, while Bristy pursued chemical engineering.

The sheriff’s office reports Abugharbieh has a history of arrests. He faced battery and burglary charges in September 2023, plus another battery charge that May, all classified as misdemeanors. Records indicate he completed a first-time offender diversion program in 2024, resulting in dismissed charges. His attorney from that case has not responded to requests for comment.

Court documents also reveal two domestic violence petitions filed by a family member in 2023. A judge approved one injunction while denying the other petition. Traffic violations were also on his record.

Investigators urge anyone with information about Bristy’s whereabouts to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office as the search continues.