Category: U.S. News

NORFOLK, Va. — Law enforcement officials reveal that the firearm used in Thursday’s deadly attack at Old Dominion University had its serial number deliberately destroyed, creating additional challenges for investigators trying to determine how the convicted felon acquired the weapon.

According to a law enforcement source who requested anonymity due to the ongoing investigation, authorities must now attempt to restore the obliterated number to trace the gun’s origin.

Federal investigators have named Mohamed Bailor Jalloh as the gunman responsible for the classroom attack, which is being treated as an act of terrorism. Jalloh previously served in the Army National Guard and had admitted guilt in 2016 to charges of attempting to support the Islamic State.

Before launching his attack, Jalloh shouted “Allahu akbar” and began firing, but was quickly confronted and fatally stopped by ROTC students, according to FBI representatives who commended the students’ courage in preventing additional casualties. The violence claimed the life of an ROTC instructor who served as a professor of military science at the university, while two others sustained injuries.

Jalloh had completed an 11-year prison term and was freed from federal incarceration in December 2024. At the time of the shooting, he remained under supervised release conditions similar to probation.

The circumstances surrounding his early release from prison remain unclear. While inmates may receive sentence reductions for various factors, officials have not confirmed whether this applied to Jalloh’s situation.

University Police Chief Garrett Shelton reported that fewer than 10 minutes elapsed from the initial emergency call about gunfire in the business school facility to confirmation that the shooter had been neutralized.

Lt. Col. Jimmy Delongchamp, serving as public information officer for the U.S. Army Cadet Command at Fort Knox, Kentucky, confirmed to reporters that two shooting victims were enrolled in ODU’s Army ROTC program. This program provides educational scholarships to students while preparing them for commissioned military service.

Voorhees University in South Carolina has identified the deceased victim as Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, who was related by marriage to one of the university’s trustees.

According to his university biography, Shah had previously attended ODU as an ROTC cadet and returned to the institution in 2022 as a program leader. During his military career, Shah flew helicopter missions across Iraq, Afghanistan and Eastern Europe.

The perpetrator also possessed military experience. Jalloh, who became a naturalized American citizen after immigrating from Sierra Leone, served as a specialist in the Virginia Army National Guard between 2009 and 2015, receiving an honorable discharge.

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — What began as a grassroots automotive movement within Mexican American and Chicano neighborhoods across the American Southwest has evolved into an internationally acclaimed art form featuring custom cars.

Starting in the 1940s and 1950s, car enthusiasts began modifying ordinary vehicles with spectacular paint jobs, shining chrome details, luxurious interiors and hydraulic mechanisms that enable the cars to cruise in their signature “low and slow” style.

The cultural movement, which was previously misinterpreted by many, has gained widespread appreciation as an expression of artistic talent, skilled workmanship and community heritage — recently receiving official acknowledgment from the U.S. Postal Service through a commemorative collection of forever stamps featuring these distinctive automobiles.

This photo gallery was assembled by Associated Press photo editors.

An 18-year-old college student at Northern Arizona University has died from alcohol poisoning after consuming dangerous amounts of vodka during a fraternity initiation activity, according to an autopsy report made public Monday.

Colin Daniel Martinez was discovered unconscious on January 31st and medical personnel were unable to revive him, according to the official report. The autopsy revealed his blood-alcohol concentration reached 0.425% — over five times Arizona’s legal driving threshold and at levels typically considered lethal.

Authorities have taken three Delta Tau Delta fraternity officers into custody in connection with Martinez’s death.

The Coconino County Attorney’s Office announced Monday they are examining the circumstances to decide if formal criminal charges should be filed against the three officers, all age 20 when the incident occurred. Law enforcement arrested them on suspected hazing violations.

Court records from the previous month indicate Martinez was one of four fraternity hopefuls who consumed two vodka bottles as part of an initiation requirement designed to make them sick. Some witnesses suggested the alcohol may have been mixed with water to reduce its strength.

According to legal documents, people present attempted to help Martinez throughout the evening by repositioning him while he slept, monitoring his vital signs, and researching alcohol poisoning warning signs online.

Following Martinez’s death, university officials immediately suspended the fraternity chapter. The national Delta Tau Delta organization subsequently decided to permanently close the Northern Arizona University chapter.

Law enforcement officials in New Mexico launched a search Monday of Jeffrey Epstein’s former remote ranch property, where the deceased financier and associates allegedly committed sexual abuse against women and girls, according to state officials.

The Democratic-led state is pursuing fresh leads contained in federal documents made public in January, which include claims that Epstein directed the burial of two foreign girls in hillsides surrounding the isolated compound.

Monday’s operation comes after New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez announced last month he would restart the probe into the convicted sex offender’s suspected criminal conduct at the property located 30 miles south of Santa Fe.

“The New Mexico Department of Justice will continue to keep the public appropriately informed, support the survivors, and follow the facts wherever they lead,” officials stated.

A reporter at the scene Monday observed barking dogs and witnessed a government vehicle displaying a paw-print emblem, indicating it was transporting animals, departing the ranch grounds. State police cruisers and a county emergency response vehicle were also present.

The Epstein document releases have created ongoing political challenges for President Donald Trump.

State officials had previously ended their Epstein probe in 2019 after federal investigators requested they step aside. No comprehensive investigation has ever been conducted regarding the alleged assaults committed by Epstein, his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and ranch guests.

New Mexico made history last month by establishing the nation’s first legislative “truth commission” designed to expose potential government corruption that enabled Epstein to conduct operations secretly at the ranch for 26 years until his 2019 death.

The deceased financier’s estate transferred ownership of the land in 2023 to Texas entrepreneur Don Huffines, who rechristened it San Rafael Ranch.

Current property owners are providing full cooperation with investigators and have authorized access for the search operations, the department confirmed.

The January 30 document dump revealed millions of additional files detailing Epstein’s relationships with politicians, corporate leaders, and academics whom he hosted at the ranch facility.

Recent Reuters/Ipsos survey data indicates most Americans consider the Epstein matter evidence that wealthy elites seldom face consequences for their actions.

A Chicago mother whose life was turned upside down by an apartment fire in 2019 discovered an unexpected silver lining in the form of a lasting friendship with her Red Cross helper.

The woman’s story was captured in a StoryCorps interview where she sat down with the Red Cross volunteer who provided assistance during her recovery process following the devastating blaze.

The interview highlights how the volunteer’s support during one of the most difficult periods in the mother’s life blossomed into a meaningful, long-term relationship that continues to this day.

Their conversation demonstrates how acts of service during times of crisis can create bonds that extend far beyond the initial emergency response.

Federal investigators are looking into two distinct violent incidents that are not connected to each other, according to the FBI.

The bureau is examining an assault that took place at a synagogue located in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, as well as a separate shooting incident that occurred inside a classroom at a university in Norfolk, Virginia.

Authorities have confirmed that these two cases are unrelated to one another and are being handled as separate investigations.

Residents of Scotland, Connecticut face a unique postal predicament that turns something as simple as getting mail into a daily challenge. This small community operates under six separate zip codes, creating ongoing headaches for anyone trying to receive deliveries or correspondence.

The unusual situation means that neighbors living just streets apart may have completely different zip codes, leading to frequent mail mix-ups and delivery delays. For residents of this compact town, what should be a straightforward process has become a source of regular frustration.

Federal authorities have taken two individuals into custody on charges of attempting to provide material support to the terrorist organization ISIS, according to law enforcement officials.

The arrests stem from an alleged plot involving explosive devices that were intended to target areas near the official residence of New York City’s mayor. The scheme was reportedly thwarted before any attacks could be carried out.

The suspects are accused of planning the bombing attacks as part of their alleged support for the Islamic State terrorist group. Details about how authorities discovered and prevented the plot have not been released.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about ISIS-inspired domestic terrorism threats across the United States. Federal prosecutors are handling the charges against both defendants.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — What started in working-class Mexican American and Chicano neighborhoods across the Southwest has now reached the prestigious halls of the Smithsonian and even streets in Japan — lowrider car culture has achieved global recognition.

Now the United States Postal Service is celebrating this artistic movement with a special stamp collection featuring the iconic “low and slow” custom vehicles. The commemorative stamps, adorned with traditional pinstriping details, made their debut Friday at a ceremony in San Diego.

Members of the lowrider community view this postal tribute as official recognition of their vibrant art form that emerged during the 1940s across working-class neighborhoods in Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, where ordinary vehicles were reimagined as unique artistic creations.

These custom cars are distinguished by their brilliant paint jobs, sparkling chrome details, plush interiors and remarkable hydraulic systems that can make them bounce. The vehicles serve as expressions of creativity, skilled workmanship, community pride and cultural heritage.

Designer Antonio Alcalá, who grew up in San Diego admiring these automotive artworks from a distance, considered it a privilege to create the stamp series. His biggest challenge involved selecting the perfect combination of vehicles and color schemes to capture the essence of lowrider culture.

After examining countless photographs, Alcalá narrowed his selection to five vehicles: a 1946 Chevy Fleetline, three different classic Chevy Impalas and a 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. Each vehicle showcases distinct characteristics, from flowing body curves and lowered profiles to glimpses of the mechanical systems that enable the cars to hop and dance.

“It’s a real thrill,” said Alcalá, the postal service’s art director. “The postage stamps are supposed to represent the best of America. They’re kind of a way that the United States signals to the rest of the world these are things that we find important about our people, our accomplishments, our culture, etc. So to have it commemorated on a stamp is a big deal.”

Alcalá was inspired after watching Danny Alvarado demonstrate the art of pinstriping, mesmerized as the brush moved smoothly across metalflake paint to create elaborate swirling patterns. This became the finishing element he added to each stamp’s corner.

Alvarado, who works as both an illustrator and sculptor, has dedicated approximately five decades to mastering his pinstriping technique and now passes on his knowledge to new artists. The stamp project holds personal significance for him — his father served as a postal worker for over two decades, and the stamps mark another milestone as lowrider culture attracts new enthusiasts and gains broader acceptance.

During the 1980s, various municipalities enacted anti-cruising ordinances and vehicle height requirements, which many viewed as discriminatory measures targeting Chicano youth and unfairly linking lowriders to gang activity, despite the community’s focus on artistic expression and family values.

However, as the Hispanic population has grown across the United States and lowriding has gained popularity, these restrictive policies have been reversed in recent years. California eliminated cruising prohibitions in 2024, while New Mexico legislators honored Lowrider Day at the state capitol last year, though efforts to designate the lowrider as New Mexico’s official state vehicle fell short.

Roberto Hernández, who founded and leads the San Francisco Lowrider Council, started cruising during the late 1970s when California had banned the practice. With the stamp release, Hernández feels “like we got the final stamp of approval as lowriders.”

Alvarado shares this sentiment, noting that widespread appreciation for lowriding’s positive contributions has been overdue.

“It’s a big hit. I mean the lowriding community is so excited about these stamps,” Alvarado said from his home in Monrovia, California. “Everybody I’ve talked to already knows about them, so they just can’t wait till they come out.”

Alvarado referenced car clubs operating in Las Vegas, Albuquerque, Chicago, Dallas, New York and emerging groups internationally — spanning from London to Hungary, New Zealand, Australia and Japan.

Photographer Humberto “Beto” Mendoza, whose images served as reference material for three stamps, compiled his own extensive list, characterizing lowrider culture as both a family tradition and an inclusive community.

Mendoza has traveled extensively to photograph many legendary custom vehicles that have appeared on magazine covers. Among these is “El Rey,” a red 1963 Chevrolet Impala featured on one stamp and currently exhibited at the National Museum of American History.

Mendoza’s passion for lowriders preceded his professional photography career. As a child, his father, who had immigrated from Mexico, taught him composition techniques using a simple point-and-shoot camera before eventually purchasing his first professional equipment. Mendoza then worked tirelessly, carrying a portfolio of his photographs while convincing lowrider owners to let him document their customized vehicles.

The stamp collaboration came as a surprise to Mendoza, who said the timing couldn’t have been better. After suffering a stroke in 2022, he had been struggling emotionally. The project provided hope for both him and the broader lowrider community.

“We’re usually outcasted, you know, so them acknowledging us in this community is historic,” he said. “We feel accepted now.”

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah state judge will determine Friday whether court records and hearings should remain accessible to the public in the death penalty case against the man charged with fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a university campus.

The decision will influence an upcoming April hearing where defense lawyers for Tyler Robinson plan to argue for banning television cameras, recording equipment, and photographers from courtroom proceedings.

Judge Tony Graf has been balancing public transparency against defense concerns that extensive media coverage could jeopardize Robinson’s constitutional right to an impartial trial. District attorneys, Kirk’s surviving spouse, and legal representatives for news outlets have all pushed Graf to maintain open court access.

Robinson, age 22, faces aggravated murder charges and potential execution for the September 10 fatal shooting of the conservative political figure at Utah Valley University in Orem. He has yet to formally respond to the charges.

Legal teams are scheduled to argue Friday over whether the defense’s written motion to ban cameras — currently sealed from public view — should be released. The court classified this document as confidential.

Graf will also decide if the April 17 hearing on media restrictions will proceed openly or behind closed doors. Robinson’s legal team contends in filings that certain portions should remain private to prevent spreading what they characterize as inaccurate information from news reports and government sources.

Questions about press access have dominated recent court sessions, with Graf implementing temporary limits on local television stations for broadcasting images of Robinson in restraints, violating judicial orders, and filming close-up footage that might reveal confidential attorney-client conversations.

The judge has also blocked complete video recordings of Kirk’s shooting from courtroom display after defense attorneys claimed the disturbing footage would compromise trial fairness. Approximately 3,000 attendees gathered at the outdoor political event to hear Kirk, who co-established Turning Point USA and worked to encourage young voter participation for former President Donald Trump.

District attorneys have stated that DNA analysis links Robinson to the homicide.

During the most recent February hearing, Graf rejected a defense motion to remove the local prosecutor’s office from the case. Defense lawyers had claimed a conflict of interest existed because a prosecutor’s daughter witnessed Kirk’s shooting.

Federal court records reveal that Mohamed Bailor Jalloh had been freed from prison in December 2024 after serving time for trying to support ISIS, less than two years before he carried out a deadly shooting at Old Dominion University in Virginia on Thursday.

ROTC students at the university stopped and fatally wounded Jalloh during the classroom attack that claimed one life and wounded two others. The FBI has confirmed Jalloh as the shooter in the incident.

The violence has sparked concerns from lawmakers about Jalloh’s imprisonment history and release conditions, with many questioning how an individual with documented ISIS connections could execute such an assault.

“The horrific tragedy that occurred today on ODU’s campus never should have happened,” U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans, who represents the congressional district neighboring the university, wrote on Facebook.

Following his guilty plea in October 2016 for supplying material assistance to the Islamic State terrorist organization, a federal judge imposed an 11-year sentence in 2017, including credit for time already served dating back to his July 2016 arrest.

Federal authorities released Jalloh on December 23, 2024. Officials have not immediately explained the reason for his earlier-than-expected release. While inmates may receive sentence reductions for various reasons, it remains unclear whether this applied to Jalloh’s case.

At the time of Thursday’s attack, he remained under supervised release – similar to probation – which was scheduled to continue until 2029 based on his release date.

Jalloh’s October 2016 guilty plea followed a three-month undercover FBI operation during which the then-26-year-old admitted to an FBI agent that he was considering an attack modeled after the 2009 Fort Hood shooting that killed 13 people. The investigation began after Jalloh contacted ISIS members in Africa earlier in 2016.

During conversations with the informant, Jalloh revealed that ISIS had approached him about participating in an attack. He attempted to contribute $500 to the organization, but the funds were actually deposited into an FBI-controlled account, according to court filings.

Jalloh subsequently attempted to purchase an AR-15 assault rifle from a Virginia firearms dealer but was denied due to incomplete documentation. Court documents show he returned the following day and successfully bought a different assault rifle. Unknown to Jalloh, prosecutors stated the weapon had been disabled before he left the store. Authorities arrested him the next day.

In 2017, Justice Department prosecutors sought a 20-year prison term for Jalloh, citing his repeated efforts to join ISIS and his attempt to obtain weapons for a murder conspiracy.

“The defendant was fully aware of what he was doing, and the consequences of those actions. His only misgivings seemed to be a fear that he would waver at the critical moment,” prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memorandum.

They added: “By putting the idea of this murder plot into religious terms, and by suggesting that murdering members of the US military would be a path to heaven, the defendant showed how strongly committed he was to the deadly ideology” of the Islamic State.

Defense attorneys requested a 6½-year sentence and asked that Jalloh be placed in a facility offering residential drug treatment for inmates struggling with addiction and substance abuse.

U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady, appointed by former President George W. Bush, instead imposed the 11-year prison sentence.

The judge also mandated Jalloh’s participation in substance abuse testing and treatment programs, along with mental health treatment, and recommended evaluation for the federal prison system’s residential drug program.

The federal Bureau of Prisons allows inmates who complete the Residential Drug Abuse Program to reduce their sentence by up to one year. It remains unclear whether Jalloh qualified for this program, as inmates serving terrorism-related sentences typically are not eligible.

Additionally, well-behaved inmates can earn up to 54 days of good conduct credit annually toward sentence reduction. However, the 2018 First Step Act prison reform law excludes inmates convicted of terrorism-related charges from such credits.

Public information about Jalloh, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Sierra Leone, is limited. Court records describe him as a troubled individual who became radicalized by Anwar al-Awlaki, a prominent American imam turned al-Qaeda propagandist.

The Virginia Army National Guard verified his service as a specialist from 2009 to 2015, when he received an honorable discharge. According to a 2016 FBI affidavit in his criminal case, Jalloh told a government informant he left the National Guard after listening to al-Awlaki’s lectures.

In a letter to the federal judge overseeing his sentencing, Jalloh expressed remorse: “I feel deep regret in having been driven by my emotions rather than my intellect and becoming involved with such an evil organization. … I reject and deplore terrorism and any groups associated with it, especially ISIL.”

He explained that drug use began after his girlfriend ended their six-year relationship.

“The pain I felt internally was unbearable, and drugs and alcohol were the only things that took that pain away,” Jalloh wrote. “I started doing marijuana, coke and mushrooms using one of them at least on a daily basis in order to kill the pain I was in and to fill in the void I felt internally.”

While the complete letter remains sealed, his attorney included portions of it in the sentencing memorandum.

Two separate deadly attacks struck American communities Thursday, as violence erupted at both a Virginia university and a Michigan synagogue in what authorities are investigating as targeted acts of extremism.

At Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, a gunman with ties to ISIS opened fire in a classroom, fatally shooting one person and wounding two others before Reserve Officer Training Corps students tackled and killed him. The FBI has launched a terrorism investigation into the shooting.

Hours later in West Bloomfield, Michigan, an attacker drove his truck directly into Temple Israel and its preschool facility before being killed by security personnel. While all 140 children at the daycare were safely evacuated, 30 law enforcement officers required hospitalization due to smoke inhalation from a fire that broke out when the vehicle crashed into the building.

The Virginia shooter has been identified as Mohamed Jalloh, who served federal prison time after pleading guilty in 2016 to supporting ISIS and was released in 2024. FBI Special Agent Dominique Evans reported that Jalloh shouted “Allahu Akbar” before beginning his attack on the university campus, which has strong military connections and a student population that is nearly one-third service members.

“All three victims were affiliated with the university,” Evans stated, noting that two of those wounded were Army personnel.

At the Michigan synagogue, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard praised the rapid response of trained security staff for preventing greater casualties. One security guard was temporarily knocked unconscious after being struck by the attacker’s vehicle.

“What happens around the world sometimes affects us, so we have to prepare for it,” Bouchard explained to reporters, though he said investigators are still working to establish the exact motivation behind the synagogue attack.

The FBI is treating the Michigan incident as what Special Agent Jennifer Runyan described as a “targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.” The attacker, whose identity has not been released, drove his truck through the synagogue’s entrance and continued down an interior hallway before being confronted by security.

These attacks come during a period of escalating tensions following recent military strikes between U.S.-Israeli forces and Iran, which have heightened security concerns for both Jewish and Muslim communities across America.

According to FBI statistics, antisemitic incidents have surged in recent years, representing nearly two-thirds of more than 5,300 religiously motivated hate crimes recorded since February 2024.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel responded to Thursday’s synagogue attack with a statement emphasizing unity: “Antisemitism has no place in Michigan and cannot be tolerated. In moments like these, it’s more important than ever that we come together, stand with our neighbors, confront hate whenever it appears, and build stronger communities.”

President Donald Trump addressed the Michigan attack Thursday evening, saying he had been briefed on the situation. “I want to send our love to the Michigan Jewish community and all of the people in the Detroit area following the attack on the Jewish synagogue earlier today,” Trump stated.

Both Jewish and Islamic organizations nationwide have implemented enhanced security protocols since the U.S. and Israel began their military operations against Iran on February 28.

Sheriff Bouchard told CNN that law enforcement had been anticipating potential violence for weeks. “We’ve been talking for two weeks about the potential, sadly, of this happening. So there was no lack of preparation,” he said, adding that Jewish facilities throughout the region will receive increased police presence.

The nation has experienced multiple security incidents since the current conflict began, including airport scares in Kansas City and the Washington area, plus the arrest of two individuals who allegedly detonated homemade explosives during an anti-Islam demonstration outside New York City’s Gracie Mansion. Police reported that those suspects claimed inspiration from the Islamic State.

ATLANTA — A Georgia judge has turned down a bid for a new trial for Jose Ibarra, the Venezuelan immigrant found guilty of murdering nursing student Laken Riley in a case that ignited nationwide immigration discussions.

Defense lawyers claimed Ibarra’s constitutional protections were breached when the court denied two pre-trial requests. The first sought additional time for an expert to examine DNA evidence, while the second aimed to block certain cellphone data from being presented.

Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard, who oversaw the proceedings, stated in Monday’s ruling that the prosecution’s evidence against Ibarra was “overwhelming and powerful.” Following Ibarra’s decision to forgo a jury trial, Haggard convicted him of murder and additional charges in November 2024, imposing a life sentence.

Defense counsel have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the judge’s rejection of their new trial motion. Ibarra has a 30-day window to file an appeal notice.

The 28-year-old defendant crossed into the United States without authorization in 2022 and was permitted to remain while his immigration proceedings continued.

According to prosecutors, Ibarra came across Riley during her morning run at the University of Georgia campus in Athens on February 22, 2024, and fatally attacked her in an altercation. Riley was enrolled at Augusta University College of Nursing, which operates a satellite campus in Athens, approximately 70 miles east of Atlanta.

Defense attorneys had requested a trial postponement after their DNA specialist indicated she required six weeks to examine evidence processed through TrueAllele Casework, specialized software for DNA analysis. In Monday’s decision, Judge Haggard noted that Ibarra’s legal team “effectively challenged the TrueAllele DNA evidence at trial” and determined that rejecting the delay request caused no harm to the defendant.

The DNA specialist provided testimony at a January hearing regarding the new trial motion, but the judge stated he found her testimony neither convincing nor reliable, and that it would not have altered the trial’s result.

Defense lawyers also contested the confiscation of two mobile phones from Ibarra’s residence, claiming they weren’t specified in the search warrant, and tried to suppress evidence obtained from the devices. Haggard ruled there were “exigent circumstances authorizing the seizure of the cellphones” and noted the phones remained unsearched until proper warrants were secured for examining their contents.

A deep-sea explorer who discovered one of America’s most significant underwater treasures has walked free from federal prison after spending more than ten years locked up for withholding information about missing gold coins, according to federal records.

Tommy Thompson was released from custody last Wednesday, as confirmed by Bureau of Prisons documents obtained by The Associated Press. The Ohio native gained national fame in 1988 when he found the legendary S.S. Central America wreckage off South Carolina’s coastline.

The research scientist became a celebrated figure after uncovering the vessel and its massive treasure trove, which had rested on the Atlantic Ocean floor for over 150 years following its tragic sinking.

However, Thompson’s story took a dark turn in subsequent years as financial backers claimed he defrauded them of millions. He eventually became a wanted fugitive before landing in prison for defying judicial orders, all while insisting he had no knowledge of what became of 500 gold coins created from the shipwreck’s precious metal.

The Central America carried an enormous fortune from California’s Gold Rush era when it went down during a devastating hurricane in 1857. The disaster claimed 425 lives and sent thousands of pounds of gold to the ocean depths, helping trigger a nationwide financial crisis.

Financial supporters of Thompson’s expedition filed suit against him in 2005, claiming they never saw a penny from the $50 million generated by selling more than 500 gold bars and thousands of coins — representing only a portion of the ship’s wealth.

Thompson, who had relocated to Florida, disappeared from public view before becoming a federal fugitive in 2012 when an Ohio judge issued an arrest warrant after he skipped a court appearance.

Law enforcement officers found Thompson at a Florida hotel three years after the warrant was issued. The presiding judge subsequently found him in contempt and ordered his imprisonment at the close of 2015 for his refusal to discuss the missing coins’ location.

Thompson, who is now 73 years old, consistently claimed the coins — worth approximately $2.5 million at the time — had been transferred to a Belize-based trust. He also stated that most of the $50 million from the initial gold sales went to cover attorney fees and outstanding loans.

His incarceration continued despite federal statutes typically capping contempt-related jail time at 18 months. In 2019, a federal appellate court dismissed Thompson’s legal challenge, ruling that his non-compliance breached the terms of his plea deal.

During a 2020 video hearing, U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley once again questioned whether Thompson was prepared to reveal the gold’s location.

“Your honor, I don’t know if we’ve gone over this road before or not, but I don’t know the whereabouts of the gold,” Thompson replied. “I feel like I don’t have the keys to my freedom.”

This past February, Judge Marbley decided to terminate Thompson’s civil contempt sentence, stating he no longer believed continued imprisonment would yield results. The judge then directed Thompson to begin serving a two-year term for failing to appear at the 2012 hearing.

Dwight Manley, a California coin merchant who purchased and resold nearly all of the treasure, commented Monday that Thompson faced excessive punishment for what essentially constituted a commercial disagreement.

“Going to prison for 10 years over a business dispute is not America,” Manley stated. “People kill people and get out in half the time.”

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama’s governor has spared a 75-year-old death row prisoner from execution just days before it was scheduled to take place, citing concerns about fairness in the case.

Gov. Kay Ivey announced Tuesday that she has changed Charles “Sonny” Burton’s death sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Burton had been facing execution this week for his role in the 1991 murder of Doug Battle during a robbery, despite the fact that Burton was not present in the building when Battle was actually shot and killed.

The fatal shooting was carried out by Burton’s co-defendant, who had his own death sentence overturned on appeal and converted to life in prison. This disparity in punishment prompted the Republican governor’s decision to intervene.

“I cannot proceed in good conscience with the execution of Mr. Burton under such disparate circumstances. I believe it would be unjust for one participant in this crime to be executed while the participant who pulled the trigger was not,” the Republican governor said in a statement.

Motorists will need to find alternate routes around the 800 block of Lore Avenue after an underground water pipe burst, prompting officials to shut down the roadway.

The street closure will remain in effect until March 13, 2026 at 7:00 AM while crews work to repair the damaged water main infrastructure.

Drivers are advised to plan for delays and use alternative routes when traveling through the area during the extended closure period.

BALTIMORE — A Baltimore police officer sustained a leg wound Tuesday afternoon when responding to a burglary report, with the armed suspect fatally shot by a fellow officer, according to city officials.

During the intense standoff, one woman leaped from a window while another was threatened at gunpoint by the man before he was fatally wounded, according to Police Commissioner Richard Worley.

“It was relatively quick because he was firing on our officers,” Worley said.

The wounded officer remains in stable condition at University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Dr. Thomas Scalea commended a “buddy” who quickly applied a tourniquet on scene.

“We’re just so thankful that the officer or any other folks in that neighborhood were not severely harmed,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott told reporters. “Our thoughts are with him and his family, and even the family of the deceased.”

According to Worley, the deceased man had family connections to the residence where the incident occurred.

Authorities have not disclosed the identities of those involved. The Baltimore Fraternal Order of Police, representing the officers, reported that “all involved members are in good spirits.”

Residents of a small Connecticut community face an unusual postal predicament that turns something as simple as getting mail into a daily challenge. Scotland, Connecticut operates under six separate ZIP codes within its borders, creating ongoing confusion for both residents and mail carriers.

The multiple postal designations have transformed what should be routine mail delivery into what locals describe as an unpredictable experience in the small town.

SAVANNAH, Ga. — A military court will consider whether to accept a guilty plea from an Army sergeant who wounded five colleagues during a shooting incident at Fort Stewart last August.

Sgt. Quornelius Radford, 28, now wishes to enter guilty pleas to six criminal charges, including two counts of attempted murder, three counts of aggravated assault, and one domestic violence charge, according to military prosecutors who announced the development Thursday.

The shooting incident occurred when Radford discharged his personal firearm at members of his supply unit, striking four soldiers and one civilian employee who had been romantically involved with Radford. Fellow soldiers subdued and disarmed Radford after the attack, military officials reported.

Initially, Radford entered not guilty pleas last fall to 13 separate criminal charges: six attempted murder counts, six aggravated assault counts, and one domestic violence count. Military prosecutors noted the charges covered six total victims, including one person Radford targeted but failed to hit.

The Army’s Office of Special Trial Counsel, handling Radford’s prosecution, stated that his defense team informed a military judge of his intention to change his plea during a recent court appearance.

Defense attorney Lt. Col. Dylan Mack has not responded to requests for comment regarding the plea change.

Military court records indicate Radford’s plea status shifted from “not guilty” to “guilty plea” in advance of his March 31 court hearing, when the judge will review his request to alter his plea.

Military prosecutors emphasized they have not entered into any plea agreement with Radford, meaning he could still receive a life sentence if the judge accepts his guilty plea.

Officials have not disclosed any suspected motive behind the shooting. Radford remains in military custody awaiting trial.

Fort Stewart, the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi River, houses thousands of personnel from the 3rd Infantry Division and sits approximately 40 miles southwest of Savannah.

Radford worked as a supply sergeant within the division’s 2nd Armored Brigade and joined the Army in 2018, according to military records.

During the August 6 incident, soldiers responded to gunfire sounds and discovered smoke-filled hallways in an office building, with wounded victims scattered across floors and offices.

Brig. Gen. John Lubas, who commands the 3rd Infantry, praised soldiers for their immediate response in providing medical assistance, including using their hands to stop bleeding from gunshot injuries.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll traveled to Fort Stewart the following day to present Meritorious Service Medals to six soldiers who helped subdue the gunman and assist the wounded.

Property owners in Virginia’s Northampton County now have access to a new tool designed to combat real estate fraud through an innovative alert system launched by the Circuit Court Clerk’s office.

The newly implemented VADeed Alert service provides free notifications to residents whenever official documents involving their property are filed with the court system. This proactive approach aims to help homeowners quickly identify and respond to potentially fraudulent activity targeting their real estate assets.

Deed fraud has become an increasingly concerning issue for property owners, as criminals attempt to illegally transfer ownership or use properties as collateral without the legitimate owner’s knowledge. The alert system serves as an early warning mechanism, notifying property owners immediately when any paperwork affecting their land or buildings is officially recorded.

Residents interested in enrolling in this protective service can sign up at no cost. The system represents part of ongoing efforts by local government officials to leverage technology in protecting citizens from sophisticated fraud schemes that target one of most people’s most valuable assets – their homes and property.

The Circuit Court Clerk’s office encourages all property owners in the county to take advantage of this preventive measure to safeguard their real estate investments and maintain awareness of all official activity involving their properties.

Communities across America are launching initiatives to provide no-cost childcare services as officials recognize the urgent need for family support. This nationwide movement extends far beyond New York City’s recent efforts to expand childcare access.

Local governments are examining this emerging pattern and exploring different methods to finance these programs. Officials are investigating various funding strategies to make childcare accessible to working families in their communities.

The trend reflects growing recognition among municipal and state leaders that affordable childcare represents a critical need for families and economic development in their regions.

WASHINGTON — Cybersecurity professionals are sounding alarms as Iranian-supported hacking organizations expand their digital assault on American companies and infrastructure amid ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts.

Iranian-backed cyber groups took credit for a major digital assault on Wednesday targeting Stryker, a Michigan-based medical technology corporation. Since late February when hostilities began, these digital attackers have attempted to compromise surveillance cameras across Middle Eastern nations to enhance Iran’s missile guidance systems. Their targets have included regional data facilities, Israeli industrial sites, a Saudi Arabian educational institution, and a Kuwaiti airport.

Tehran has made substantial investments in developing offensive digital warfare capabilities while building relationships with various hacking organizations. Over recent years, Iranian-aligned groups have breached former President Donald Trump’s campaign email servers, attempted to compromise American water treatment facilities, and sought to infiltrate military and defense contractor networks.

Their strategy focuses on weakening American military operations, increasing energy costs, overwhelming cybersecurity resources, and inflicting maximum damage on companies supporting the defense sector.

“Something is going to happen because the gloves are off,” stated Kevin Mandia, who founded cybersecurity firms Mandiant and Armadin.

A collective calling itself Handala, which supports Iranian and Palestinian causes, claimed responsibility for disrupting Stryker’s operations. The group justified their attack as revenge for alleged American strikes that reportedly killed Iranian students.

Unlike financially motivated cybercriminals, Handala operates from ideological convictions, explained Ismael Valenzuela, who serves as vice president of threat intelligence at Arctic Wolf cybersecurity company.

“What distinguishes this group is its clear focus on data destruction rather than financial extortion,” Valenzuela noted in written comments.

Polish investigators are examining a recent cyber incident targeting a nuclear research center that may connect to Iran, though officials acknowledge other groups might be responsible and using current conflicts to hide their true identity.

Moving forward, American defense contractors, government suppliers, and Israeli business partners face heightened risk, along with essential infrastructure including medical centers, shipping ports, water treatment plants, electrical grids, and transportation systems.

Iranian-affiliated hackers openly share their strategies through Telegram and similar online platforms.

“The datacenters need to be taken out,” one user posted, according to research from the SITE Intelligence Group. “They host the brains of USAs military communication and targeting systems.”

These digital operations also serve intelligence gathering purposes — such as Iran’s attempts to access neighboring countries’ camera systems to improve missile accuracy. Breaking into American networks would provide insight into military strategies and supply chain operations.

Recent military strikes against Iran and internet disruptions may have temporarily reduced Tehran’s cyber capabilities. However, security experts predict Iranian hackers and their supporters will pursue quick wins by exploiting America’s most vulnerable cybersecurity weaknesses.

Frequently, municipal water systems and healthcare organizations lack sufficient funding and expertise to implement current software updates or other protective measures. This makes them attractive targets due to both their accessibility and the public alarm such disruptions create.

Attack methods may include denial-of-service campaigns that overwhelm networks to block legitimate users, website alterations that prevent customer communication, and hack-and-leak schemes threatening to publish stolen confidential information.

The techniques aren’t particularly advanced, according to Shaun Williams, a former FBI and CIA operative now serving as senior director at SentinelOne cybersecurity firm. However, organizations that have neglected their digital security could face severe consequences, he warned.

“Patch your systems. Ensure your firewalls and security solutions are up to date,” Williams advised. “Remove your stale accounts. All the cyber hygiene that you should be doing, it’s more critical now than ever. Prepare for disruption.”

While Russia and China pose the most significant cyber risks to America, with North Korea emerging as an increasing threat, Iran compensates for limited resources through creative approaches, specialists note.

Recently, Tehran’s digital operatives have masqueraded as American activists online to secretly promote anti-Israel demonstrations on university campuses. They’ve established fraudulent news sites and social media profiles designed to spread misleading information before major elections.

During 2024, Iranian hackers penetrated Trump’s campaign email system and subsequently attempted to distribute files they claimed to have stolen. Iran-connected hackers also tried accessing WhatsApp accounts belonging to both Trump and his Democratic rival, President Joe Biden.

This activity led the Department of Homeland Security to release a public alert about Iranian cyber dangers.

“Iran and especially the proxies don’t care how big or smart you are. This is about making an impact, about creating chaos,” said James Turgal, a cybersecurity specialist with 22 years of FBI experience who now works as vice president at Denver-based Optiv security firm.

Analysts are monitoring whether Russia, China, or their allied hacking groups will assist Iran with digital attacks designed to undermine American operations and complicate sustained military engagement.

Although China has maintained a cautious stance, evidence suggests pro-Iranian hackers in Russia are already active. CrowdStrike cybersecurity researchers identified increased activity from Russian hackers supporting Tehran since conflicts began.

A group called Z-Pentest claimed responsibility for disrupting multiple American networks, including closed-circuit camera systems.

The attack timing indicates hackers were targeting American interests due to Iranian conflicts, according to Adam Meyers, who leads counter adversary operations at CrowdStrike.

“Western organizations should continue to remain on high-alert,” Meyers stated.

Oregon may soon add a stunning natural landmark to its public holdings after legislators intervened to purchase a beloved waterfall that appeared on the real estate market.

Abiqua Falls, featuring a dramatic 92-foot plunge down a columnar basalt cliff face, has remained in private hands for more than 100 years while staying open for public visits. Earlier this year, The Abbey Foundation of Oregon, a nonprofit supporting a Benedictine monk community, decided to sell the property.

When the natural wonder appeared on Redfin, concerned nature enthusiasts feared losing access to the site. However, lawmakers from both parties came together during the final days of the legislative session to authorize $2.1 million for the purchase.

“It’s not every day where you see a waterfall come up for sale on Redfin or Realtor.com with no price,” said Travis Williams, president of the Willamette River Preservation Trust, a conservation nonprofit. “The public was really confused and fearful that the site would be closed off.”

Located approximately 30 miles east of Salem and about 50 miles south of Portland, the waterfall requires visitors to navigate a rugged dirt road followed by a challenging downhill trek. The path is so demanding that previous hikers have installed ropes at certain points to help others navigate the terrain.

Republican state Sen. Fred Girod, who represents the area containing the waterfall, issued a statement saying “Oregon is pledging that Abiqua Falls will continue to be protected and accessible for generations to come.”

Mount Angel Abbey originally obtained the waterfall property in 1908, later transferring ownership to The Abbey Foundation of Oregon in 2002, according to foundation communications director Amanda Staggenborg.

“We just realized that it was time,” she said. “There were a lot of people that were hiking on the property, and while we welcome that, we wanted to ensure that the proper stewardship was overseeing it.”

The foundation launched an open auction for the property in early February without setting minimum or maximum bid requirements, Staggenborg explained. They accepted the state’s proposal submitted through the approved legislation.

Before finalizing the transaction, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department must conduct thorough due diligence, including environmental and archaeological assessments, according to spokesperson Katie Gauthier.

The site won’t automatically become a state park, which would require additional funding, Gauthier noted. Management could fall to local governments, tribal authorities, or other state departments.

“Abiqua Falls is a beautiful but very remote and difficult-to-access site, and we are concerned about the impact managing a property like this could have on an already stretched state park system and our current budget shortfall,” Gauthier said.

Public reaction on the Willamette River Preservation Trust’s social media channels showed support for state ownership, though some expressed concerns about potential entrance fees and increased visitor traffic.

The trust, which submitted its own bid shortly after the listing went live, endorsed the state’s acquisition effort, Williams said.

“It has a sense of spirituality about it,” he said. “It’s just gorgeous.”

A decorated Vietnam War veteran who broke barriers as one of the first African American officers to command Green Beret units has finally received recognition that was long overdue. Paris Davis earned the nation’s highest military honor through his courageous service during the Vietnam conflict, but it took nearly six decades before he was properly acknowledged with the Medal of Honor.

Davis made history as a trailblazing leader among the elite Special Forces, serving with distinction during one of America’s most challenging military engagements. His extraordinary valor and leadership in combat merited the Medal of Honor, yet bureaucratic delays and systemic issues prevented him from receiving this recognition for almost 60 years.

A Chicago-based librarian has transformed a real-world controversy over banned books into a compelling graphic novel that explores censorship in schools.

Jarrett Dapier, who works as a librarian, has authored a graphic novel that recreates the 2013 incident when Chicago Public Schools limited student access to “Persepolis,” the acclaimed memoir by Marjane Satrapi.

The book presents a fictional retelling of the actual events that unfolded more than a decade ago, when school officials placed restrictions on Satrapi’s autobiographical work about growing up during the Islamic Revolution in Iran.

Dapier’s graphic novel offers readers insight into the complexities surrounding book challenges in educational environments, drawing directly from the real experiences that occurred within the Chicago school system.

The work represents a creative approach to documenting and discussing the ongoing debates about which materials should be available to students in school libraries and classrooms.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey made the rare decision Tuesday to spare the life of a death row prisoner who was set to be executed this Thursday, even though the man never directly killed anyone.

The governor changed Charles “Sonny” Burton’s death sentence to life imprisonment without any chance of parole. The 75-year-old Burton had been found guilty of capital murder in connection with Doug Battle’s shooting death during a 1991 robbery. However, it was another individual, Derrick DeBruce, who actually fired the fatal shot after Burton had already exited the store.

The fatal incident took place on August 16, 1991, at an AutoZone auto parts store in Talladega during an armed robbery. Doug Battle, a 34-year-old military veteran with four children, was gunned down after walking into the store while the crime was in progress.

According to court testimony, Burton had declared before entering the store that he would “take care of it” if anyone caused problems during the robbery.

When Battle walked into the store as the crime was wrapping up, he threw down his wallet and got on the ground, then had words with DeBruce. LaJuan McCants, who was 16 years old at the time, gave testimony that Burton and the others had already left the premises when DeBruce shot Battle in the back.

Both DeBruce and Burton received capital murder convictions and death sentences from a jury. During final arguments, prosecutors claimed Burton bore equal responsibility to Derrick DeBruce “because he’s there to aid and assist him.” The prosecution used Burton’s earlier statement about handling trouble as proof he led the robbery, though Burton’s legal team challenged this characterization.

DeBruce successfully appealed his death sentence when a court determined his legal representation was inadequate. He received a new sentence of life in prison and eventually died while incarcerated.

Ivey explained she “cannot proceed in good conscience with the execution of Mr. Burton” given that the actual shooter had his sentence reduced to life imprisonment.

“I believe it would be unjust for one participant in this crime to be executed while the participant who pulled the trigger was not,” Ivey stated. “To be clear, Mr. Burton will not be eligible for parole and will rightfully spend the remainder of his life behind bars for his role in the robbery that led to the murder of Doug Battle. He will now receive the same punishment as the triggerman.”

This marks just the second instance the Republican governor has shown mercy to a death row prisoner during her tenure, which has overseen 25 executions.

“The murder of Doug Battle was a senseless and tragic crime, and this decision does not diminish the profound loss felt by the Battle family. I pray that they may find peace and closure,” Ivey stated.

The governor’s choice sparked both support and opposition from various officials.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall expressed being “deeply disappointed” with the decision and argued Burton’s execution should have proceeded as planned. Marshall maintained that Burton orchestrated the armed robbery that resulted in Battle’s death, noting that “longstanding Alabama law recognizes accomplice liability, as has every judge that has touched this case over three decades.”

“There has never been any doubt that Sonny Burton has Douglas Battle’s blood on his hands,” Marshall declared.

Alice Marie Johnson, who former President Donald Trump appointed as his “pardon czar” last year, commended Ivey’s decision. She said the governor “showed what courageous and common sense leadership looks like.”

“By commuting the death sentence of Charles ‘Sonny’ Burton, she ensured that justice — not technicalities — guides the most serious decision a state can make,” Johnson posted on social media.

Similar clemency decisions have been made by other Republican governors when concerns arose about executing the less responsible party. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt commuted Tremane Wood’s sentence to life last year, matching his brother’s punishment after the brother admitted to the killing.

Burton will be relocated from Alabama’s death row, where he has been held since 1992, though the timing of this transfer remains uncertain. The Alabama Department of Corrections spokesperson did not respond immediately to requests for information.

Burton will remain imprisoned for life with no possibility of release on parole.

PHILADELPHIA — A federal judge heard arguments Tuesday on whether the University of Pennsylvania should be compelled to turn over employee membership information for Jewish organizations as part of a federal investigation into alleged workplace antisemitism.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is investigating whether antisemitic incidents at the Philadelphia Ivy League institution have created a hostile work environment for staff members. The probe has documented multiple troubling events, including someone screaming antisemitic slurs and vandalizing a Jewish student life center, a Nazi swastika being painted on a campus building, and hateful graffiti appearing outside a fraternity house.

Federal investigators are also examining the university’s handling of protests related to the Gaza conflict and its response to various antisemitic incidents on campus.

During Tuesday’s four-hour hearing before U.S. District Judge Gerald Pappert, attorneys debated the EEOC’s November petition against Penn’s Board of Trustees to enforce an administrative subpoena. The subpoena seeks information as part of the agency’s investigation into allegations that the school has created an illegal hostile workplace for Jewish faculty and staff based on their national origin, religion, or race.

Judge Pappert did not indicate when he might issue his ruling following the lengthy hearing.

The controversy started in December 2023 when the EEOC formally accused Penn of exhibiting a pattern of antisemitic conduct. In court filings last fall, the agency stated it was taking action “in light of the probable reluctance of Jewish faculty and staff to complain of a harassing environment due to fear of hostility and potential violence directed against them.”

In November filings, the EEOC declared that Penn’s “workplace is replete with antisemitism,” and informed the court that investigators believe “identification of those who have witnessed and/or been subjected to the environment is essential for determining whether the work environment was both objectively and subjectively hostile.”

University attorneys countered in January that Penn has been cooperative throughout the more than two-year investigation, providing approximately 900 pages of documentation to federal investigators.

The university maintains that the only remaining disagreement involves what it characterizes as the EEOC’s “extraordinary and unconstitutional demand” for compiled lists of employees that would reveal their Jewish faith or heritage, connections to Jewish organizations, participation in Penn’s Jewish studies programs, and other sensitive information — including personal home addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses.

Vic Walczak, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, explained that five organizations his group represents in the matter have serious concerns about gathering and potentially misusing the information demanded by federal officials.

These organizations — including some with specific Jewish connections and others representing broader faculty groups — support examining antisemitism but believe “this is not the way to do it,” according to Walczak.

“We’re on the same side as Penn — we’re not opposing an investigation, what we’re opposing is the court forcing Penn to create, essentially, lists of participants in Jewish organizations and turning over confidential information, including home addresses,” Walczak explained.

A Penn representative stated via email that the institution will wait for Judge Pappert’s decision.

The university proposed an alternative approach last fall, offering to inform all employees about the federal investigation and provide them with contact information for the agency. However, the EEOC rejected this suggestion. Penn argued this method would “not invade employees’ privacy, sense of safety, and constitutional rights or echo terrifying periods of history for Jewish communities.”

Attempts to reach EEOC regional attorney Debra Lawrence and the agency’s Philadelphia office for comment were unsuccessful Tuesday.

Two people were hospitalized with injuries following a deadly shooting incident at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia on Thursday, according to university officials.

The shooting took place inside the university’s business school facility, where the gunman fired shots before dying at the scene. University officials have not yet disclosed the circumstances surrounding the shooter’s death.

In response to the incident, ODU officials immediately shut down all classes and campus activities for the remainder of Thursday. The university advised students, faculty and community members to stay away from the vicinity of Constant Hall while emergency responders continued their work at the scene.

Federal law enforcement agencies responded to assist with the emergency situation, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirming on social media platform X that their agents were actively supporting the response efforts.

BALTIMORE — Defense attorneys for the alleged leader of a group linked to six fatalities across multiple states requested a mental competency assessment Thursday, telling a federal judge their client may be unfit for trial proceedings.

Jack LaSota, who identifies as a transgender woman and uses the name “Ziz,” was scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court for a two-day suppression hearing regarding evidence gathered during her February arrest in Frostburg, Maryland. However, Judge James Bredar instead considered a competency motion filed by defense counsel the previous evening.

Defense attorney Gary Proctor stated in court documents that he has “reasonable cause to believe that the defendant is presently suffering from a mental disease or defect rendering her mentally incompetent to the extent that she is unable to understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings.”

During Thursday’s proceedings, Proctor explained that LaSota has shown difficulty comprehending court processes, making connections between her fugitive status and transgender identity, and making unfounded accusations against judicial officials. LaSota expressed her desire to handle her own legal representation.

Law enforcement officials have identified LaSota as the presumed head of what observers term the “Zizians” — a collection of young, intellectually gifted technology professionals who reportedly hold extreme views on plant-based diets, animal welfare, gender issues, and artificial intelligence. Beginning in 2022, group members have been connected to multiple violent incidents: a member’s death during an assault on a California property owner, the subsequent murder of that landlord, the fatal shootings of a member’s parents in Pennsylvania, and a deadly gun battle on a Vermont interstate that claimed the lives of a border patrol agent and another group member.

LaSota, along with Michelle Zajko and Daniel Blank, were taken into custody last February after a property owner discovered them residing in box trucks on a remote, snow-covered access road. While none face direct charges in the six fatalities, investigators immediately linked them to the homicide cases spanning California, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.

Maryland State Trooper Brandon Jeffries documented following their February 16, 2025 arrests that all “suspects involved are to be questioned regarding other crimes that have occurred across the country and have ties with the Zizians Cult.”

The trio faces state-level charges including trespassing and unlawful possession of firearms and controlled substances. LaSota additionally confronts a federal charge for illegal weapon possession as a fugitive, plus obstruction charges related to the investigation into Zajko’s parents’ deaths. Officials have designated Zajko as a person of interest in that case while investigating Blank’s potential involvement.

According to recent defense filings, “Ms. LaSota eschews the term Zizian and denies any and all allegations that she and her friends have formed a cult.”

Defense attorneys Proctor and Jennifer Smith contend that law enforcement violated LaSota’s Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, arguing she wasn’t trespassing since the landowner had granted them additional time to depart. They further claim officers conducted illegal warrantless searches of the box trucks, making any recovered evidence inadmissible at trial.

Federal prosecutors responded that officers had sufficient grounds to arrest LaSota and her companions for trespassing, regardless of extended permission that couldn’t apply retroactively. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Beim maintained that officers were justified in conducting protective sweeps for weapons and hidden individuals based on officer safety concerns and reasonable suspicions about the group’s potential for violence, drawn from media coverage.

California’s governor offered reassurance Wednesday following federal intelligence warnings about potential Iranian drone strikes targeting the West Coast, stating that no immediate danger threatens the Golden State.

Gov. Gavin Newsom acknowledged that unmanned aircraft concerns “have always been top of mind” for state officials.

“We’ve been aware of that information. … It’s all about a posture of preparedness for worst-case scenarios,” Newsom told reporters Wednesday.

Federal Bureau of Investigation officials recently issued alerts to law enforcement agencies across California warning of possible Iranian retaliation attempts.

According to reporting by ABC News, the federal warning stated: “Iran allegedly aspired to conduct a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles from an unidentified vessel off the coast of the United State Homeland, specifically against unspecified targets in California, in the event that the US conducted strikes against Iran.”

“We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack,” FBI officials noted in their alert.

When questioned about the intelligence Wednesday at Joint Base Andrews, President Donald Trump acknowledged the ongoing investigation.

“It’s being investigated, but you have a lot of things happening. All we can do is take ’em as they come,” Trump responded.

Law enforcement agencies in major California cities including Los Angeles and San Francisco confirmed they are actively tracking international developments that could pose risks to their communities. Officials from both departments emphasized their coordination with state and federal security agencies.

A jury in Los Angeles is set to hear final arguments Thursday in a groundbreaking case that could reshape how social media companies are held accountable for their impact on young users.

The proceedings at Spring Street Courthouse will conclude nearly a month of testimony from mental health professionals, addiction specialists, tech engineers and company leaders, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Jurors must now determine whether social media platforms bear responsibility for psychological harm suffered by children who use their services.

The case centers on a 20-year-old woman known in court documents as KGM, though her legal team refers to her as Kaley during proceedings. She alleges that using social media from an early age created an addiction that worsened her depression and thoughts of suicide.

Meta and YouTube, owned by Google, remain as defendants after TikTok and Snap reached settlements prior to trial. This case serves as one of three bellwether trials, meaning the verdict could influence the outcome of thousands of similar lawsuits filed against social media companies nationwide.

Both sides acknowledge that Kaley experienced a troubled home environment. Her legal representatives argue she was targeted as a vulnerable user, while defense attorneys for Meta and YouTube contend she used their platforms to cope with existing mental health issues.

Meta’s defense strategy has emphasized Kaley’s pre-existing difficulties before she began using social media. Company attorney Paul Schmidt previously told the court that the central issue is determining whether the platforms played a significant role in causing Kaley’s psychological struggles.

YouTube’s legal team has taken a different approach, arguing that their platform should not be classified as social media and that its design features do not create addiction.

A Michigan jury has delivered a guilty verdict against a farmer who murdered his wife and concealed her body in an agricultural tank for years after her disappearance.

Dale Warner was found guilty Tuesday on charges of second-degree murder and evidence tampering in the death of his wife Dee Warner, whose remains were located in a rural Michigan farm tank in 2024, three years following her disappearance.

The trial revealed details of a dysfunctional marriage between the couple, although Warner’s defense team stressed the absence of physical evidence directly connecting him to the killing. The high-profile case attracted attention from true crime podcasts and television programs.

Community members in Lenawee County, located approximately 70 miles southwest of Detroit, displayed signs and banners throughout the area demanding “Justice For Dee.”

The 52-year-old Dee Warner vanished in April 2021. Authorities filed murder charges against Dale Warner over two years later, even though investigators had not yet located her body at that time. Her remains were eventually found inside a fertilizer tank in 2024, which bore a handwritten note stating “out of service” and “do not fill.”

Medical examination results revealed that Dee Warner died from strangulation and blunt force injuries.

During closing arguments, Prosecutor Jackie Wyse argued that Dale Warner made deliberate choices after realizing what occurred, telling jurors he could have contacted emergency services and admitted “I screwed up,” but instead sealed Dee Warner’s mouth and nose with tape, preventing her from breathing.

“Those were all conscious decisions,” Wyse said.

Defense lawyer Mary Chartier maintained there was sufficient reasonable doubt, pointing out that Dale Warner consistently cooperated with investigators throughout the search and repeatedly denied harming his spouse. She noted his work background in farming and transportation.

“You are not here to judge Mr. Warner as a husband,” Chartier told the jury. “You may think he was a bad husband, a not-very-attentive husband, whatever you may think of him.”

Motorists traveling on Cleveland Avenue should prepare for traffic disruptions as construction activities require periodic lane restrictions at the North Chapel Street intersection.

The ongoing construction work will continue to impact traffic flow with intermittent lane closures scheduled to remain in place until 5:00 AM.

Drivers are advised to plan for potential delays and consider alternate routes when possible during the construction period.

Property owners in Accomack County, Virginia now have access to a free monitoring service designed to safeguard them against deed fraud, according to the local Circuit Court Clerk’s Office.

The clerk’s office is actively promoting enrollment in VADeed Alert, a complimentary and optional monitoring program that tracks changes to property deeds and alerts owners to potential fraudulent activity.

Deed fraud has become an increasingly concerning issue for property owners, as scammers attempt to illegally transfer ownership or use properties as collateral without the legitimate owner’s knowledge or consent.

The VADeed Alert system works by monitoring public records for any changes or filings related to a property owner’s deed. When activity is detected, the system automatically sends notifications to enrolled property owners, allowing them to quickly identify and respond to any unauthorized transactions.

Property owners interested in the service can sign up through the county’s official website or contact the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office directly for assistance with enrollment.

The initiative represents part of ongoing efforts by local government offices to help residents protect their most valuable assets from increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes targeting real estate ownership.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State University moved quickly Thursday to fill its top leadership position, selecting its current provost as president just days after the previous leader stepped down amid scandal.

The board of trustees selected Executive Vice President and Provost Ravi Ballamkonda to take over the role, skipping the typical national search process that would normally be conducted. This marks the fourth presidential change at the institution since 2020.

The appointment follows growing details about former President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr.’s improper relationship with a woman who hosts a podcast aimed at military veterans.

Ballamkonda brings extensive academic credentials to the position, working as both a bioengineer and neuroscientist. He came to Ohio State in 2021 after serving in leadership and research roles at several prestigious institutions including Emory University, Duke, Georgia Tech and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. He holds a Ph.D. in medical science and biomaterials from Brown University.

The leadership change came after university trustees received an external tip and confronted Carter about his conduct less than a week ago. Carter acknowledged in his public statement that he had “made a mistake in allowing inappropriate access to Ohio State leadership” before submitting his resignation. The former Navy vice admiral had served only two years of a five-year agreement that paid him over $1.1 million annually, plus additional compensation and housing at the university’s presidential residence.

Board Chair John Zeiger said he was surprised and disappointed when he accepted Carter’s resignation on Sunday. The university announced it was looking into Carter’s “inappropriate relationship with someone seeking public resources to support her personal business.”

The state’s economic development agency, JobsOhio, confirmed Carter’s departure was “possibly connected” to his association with Krisanthe Vlachos, who hosted a planned four-part veterans’ podcast series called The Callout. The agency paid $15,000 per episode for the full series and is now working to recover the $60,000 payment.

“Ohio State is a trusted partner and Admiral Carter, sharing our passion for military and veterans, recommended The Callout Podcast as an opportunity to build and engage a military and veteran audience in Ohio,” the agency wrote on X, “and connect them to the massive job opportunities coming to Ohio’s super sectors like advanced aerospace/defense and energy.”

University spokesperson Ben Johnson said the investigation centers on Vet Earn USA LLC, a business Vlachos registered in Ohio on December 19.

JobsOhio also provided Vlachos with $10,000 for a veterans’ theater production titled “Last Out” Elegy of a Green Beret.” This funding came through the agency’s Hometown Heroes program, which provides free entertainment for military members, veterans and their families.