Category: U.S. News

WASHINGTON — The National Museum of African American History and Culture will undergo changes to its slavery exhibition next month as a significant artifact returns to its country of origin following the conclusion of a lending arrangement.

A 33-pound wooden fragment from the São José-Paquete de Africa, one of the earliest slave ship wrecks ever discovered, will be removed from the museum’s “Slavery and Freedom” display and sent back to South Africa. The timber piece has been a centerpiece of the exhibit since the museum’s opening in 2016.

The lending arrangement with the Iziko Museums of South Africa was originally set for five years, then extended for an additional five years in 2021. That agreement concludes on July 1, according to documents reviewed by The Associated Press.

Museum visitors will have until March 22 to view the timber fragment, which has been dramatically presented suspended above a dark space alongside ship ballast. Due to the artifact’s fragile condition, museum staff must construct a specialized shipping container for its journey back to South Africa.

Additional artifacts from the vessel, including ballast stones that served as counterweights for human cargo, will remain on display for two more years before their return. A ship’s manifest detailing the cargo will take the place of the timber piece.

The São José was a Portuguese ship carrying more than 400 enslaved people from Mozambique to Brazil when it crashed into rocks and sank near Cape Town in December 1794. About half of those aboard died in the wreck, while survivors were sold back into bondage in the Western Cape region, according to museum records.

The wreckage was discovered in 2015 and identified through the Slave Wrecks Project, an international collaboration of institutions that verified its connection to the transatlantic slave trade. It represents one of the first confirmed slave ship wrecks where enslaved Africans perished that has been recovered and studied.

Located on the museum’s lowest public floor, the artifact is part of the comprehensive “Slavery and Freedom” exhibition that examines the slave trade, transportation methods, conditions aboard ships, and displays items like shackles.

The display focuses on the Middle Passage, the treacherous Atlantic crossing where countless captives died. Paul Gardullo, assistant director of history at the museum, noted that while precise numbers don’t exist, millions of people died during these voyages.

This exhibition modification occurs during a period of heightened scrutiny over historical presentations at federal museums and public spaces. The Trump administration has emphasized presenting America favorably as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence’s signing.

An executive order signed by President Trump in March 2025, called “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” has placed several Smithsonian museums under review, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Deputy Director Michelle Commander told the AP that the exhibition change stems entirely from the loan agreement, though she acknowledges the timing may prompt questions.

“That’s why we’re being transparent in this moment, because we are aware that there are those kinds of questions,” Commander stated. “But, as we’ve said, this is really about the conservation needs of that item.”

Gardullo explained that South Africa maintains strict cultural patrimony laws governing how artifacts and historical materials are handled and the duration of international loans.

“The wooden materials are more fragile, and they need a little more close care,” he noted.

Recent museum visitors, unaware of the upcoming change, described the powerful impact of seeing the slave ship timber. Visitors often wait in lines to enter the darkened Middle Passage gallery, where the solemn atmosphere encourages reflection on the historical tragedy.

Krystina Hernandez, who was accompanying her 7-year-old son’s school group, said the physical artifacts make the history tangible rather than just academic.

Anehtra Reynolds from northern Virginia became emotional while viewing the exhibit. She said the presentation, including the artifacts and the gallery’s darkness, provided her with “a piece of what they felt in terms of their misery.”

“I think there was a sign in there that mentioned there were some slaves who starved themselves to death in hopes that they would, when they died, they would be returned to their land,” Reynolds observed.

Jim Carnes, visiting from Birmingham, Alabama, where he works in civil rights education, called the artifacts “extraordinarily powerful.” He expressed feeling both sadness and anger, not only about the enslaved people’s conditions but also about current federal efforts to “deny this ever happened.”

Jorge Carvajal, originally from Colombia but now living in south Florida, said the exhibit helps counter stereotypes, particularly the notion that Black people are unreasonably angry.

“Empathy is what I’m trying to say. This will help people empathize a lot more. I mean, at least you would hope,” he explained.

Commander assured that museum staff will work to maintain the exhibit’s emotional impact using the remaining artifacts and displays.

“The story does not leave the museum because this timber is going to be returned to its owners,” she emphasized.

Student loan borrowers across the nation may face increased risks due to gaps in federal monitoring, according to a new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

The watchdog agency revealed that the Department of Education has ceased certain oversight activities that previously helped protect borrowers from servicing errors and problems.

According to the GAO’s findings, the absence of this federal supervision means student loan recipients could face serious consequences, including being “placed in the wrong loan repayment status, billed for incorrect amounts” and other harmful mistakes.

The oversight mechanisms were designed to ensure loan servicing companies properly handled borrower accounts and followed federal regulations. With these protections no longer in place, millions of Americans with student debt may be more vulnerable to administrative errors that could impact their financial standing.

The Government Accountability Office’s report highlights concerns about borrower protection at a time when student loan debt remains a significant financial burden for many Americans.

An advocacy organization focused on combating anti-Semitism reports that their New York City taxi advertising campaign was terminated before its planned conclusion. The initiative by Jew Belong was created in response to rising incidents of anti-Jewish hostility throughout the city. The advertisements described how Jewish individuals frequently feel the need to conceal their faith due to concerns about potential backlash.

According to Jonathan Greenblatt from the Anti-Defamation League, “If this campaign is considered controversial, that should alarm all of us. The problem isn’t the signs, it’s the climate that made the message resonate in the first place.”

In other news, the ride-sharing company Uber has expanded nationwide a safety feature that connects female passengers with female drivers, building on an earlier test program designed to address security concerns on their platform. Both Uber and Lyft have received numerous reports of sexual assault incidents involving both riders and drivers over recent years. However, transgender advocacy organizations are raising objections to the program because Uber bases gender identification on what appears on a person’s driver’s license. This policy means transgender women cannot access the service unless their state permits gender marker changes on official identification documents.

Wyoming’s Governor Mark Gordon has enacted legislation prohibiting abortion procedures once a fetal heartbeat is detectable, typically around six weeks into pregnancy. This action places Wyoming among five states with similar restrictions, joining Florida, Georgia, Iowa, and South Carolina. Additionally, thirteen states have comprehensive abortion bans with limited exceptions. The Republican governor expressed reservations about the law in correspondence with state legislators, noting his concerns about the absence of exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest, though the legislation does include provisions to protect maternal life.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Annette Ziegler, who first won election in 2007, has announced she will not pursue a third ten-year term in the upcoming election. This decision provides liberal candidates another opportunity to strengthen their court majority as significant cases involving social issues, electoral maps, labor rights, and education funding approach the docket. Ziegler becomes the second conservative justice in consecutive years to step down following liberals gaining control of Wisconsin’s supreme court in 2023. Liberal justices maintained their advantage in last year’s election that set national campaign spending records and featured billionaire Elon Musk making campaign appearances in the state.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Family members of enslaved individuals captured in what historians consider the earliest photographs of enslaved people express relief that these historic images are returning to South Carolina.

Following a seven-year court battle, Harvard University has agreed to transfer the photographs to Charleston’s International African American Museum, the institution announced Wednesday.

The daguerreotypes from 1850 show seven enslaved individuals: a man called Renty, his daughter Delia, and five others identified as Jack, Drana, Alfred, Fassena and Jem. These early photographic images captured the subjects unclothed from multiple perspectives and were originally created for a Harvard biologist’s racist studies that supported pro-slavery arguments during the pre-Civil War era.

Charleston’s museum intends to carefully preserve the original daguerreotypes while creating reproductions for public display as the centerpiece of an exhibition exploring the lives of these seven South Carolinians.

The lawsuit was filed by Tamara Lanier, who claims Renty as her great-great-great-grandfather. Lanier pushed for the photographs to be housed at the South Carolina institution because it sits in the same state where her ancestor lived in bondage and where the images were originally captured, according to her legal representative Joshua Koskoff.

“It’s almost spiritual they are coming home. They can breathe at the museum,” Koskoff said.

The court proceedings between Lanier and Harvard moved through Massachusetts courts until both parties reached a settlement agreement in 2025. University officials stated they had always supported transferring the images to an appropriate museum but contested the lawsuit because they could not verify Lanier’s ancestral connection to the photographed individuals.

According to Lanier’s legal team, Harvard generated revenue by licensing these historical images.

“Slavery robbed Renty and Delia of their humanity. But it was Harvard who robbed them of their story,” Koskoff said.

The International African American Museum recently opened at Charleston’s Gadsden’s Wharf, the historic site where nearly half of all enslaved Africans first arrived on American soil.

The head of Los Angeles public schools, currently on paid administrative leave while federal agents investigate, issued his first public statement Wednesday proclaiming his innocence and requesting immediate reinstatement to his position.

Alberto Carvalho has been away from his duties since late February when FBI agents executed search warrants at his residence and the school district’s main offices on February 25th. The district’s Board of Education voted without opposition two days following the searches to temporarily remove him while the investigation continues.

“Mr. Carvalho remains confident that the evidence will ultimately demonstrate that he acted appropriately and in the best interests of students,” said the statement, attributed to a spokesperson and distributed by Holland & Knight, the law firm representing him. “We hope the school board reinstates him promptly to his position as superintendent.”

Federal investigators have not revealed specific details about what they’re examining in the district that educates over 500,000 students, and no criminal charges have been filed against Carvalho.

The FBI investigation also included a search of property near Miami, Florida. According to the Miami Herald, that location was connected to Debra Kerr, who had previously been employed by AllHere, an educational technology firm that had business dealings with the Los Angeles school system before the company failed and its chief executive faced fraud charges.

During 2024, Carvalho actively promoted a partnership with AllHere for an artificial intelligence chatbot called “Ed” that was supposed to assist students. However, approximately three months after introducing the technology and paying AllHere $3 million, the district terminated its relationship with the company, which subsequently filed for bankruptcy. Later, company founder Joanna Smith-Griffin faced charges including securities fraud, wire fraud, and identity theft.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Carvalho previously denied having personal involvement in choosing AllHere as a vendor. Wednesday’s statement marked his first public comments since the February searches occurred.

“Mr. Carvalho respects the rule of law and the investigative process and has always acted in the best interests of students and within the bounds of the law,” the statement said. “While the government’s investigation remains ongoing, no evidence has been presented by prosecutors supporting any allegation that Mr. Carvalho violated federal law.”

After the search of district headquarters, LA Unified officials stated they were providing full cooperation to investigators and had no additional information to share.

Board members explained their decision to place Carvalho on leave was designed to prevent any interference with their primary goal of educating students. Andres Chait, who serves as chief of school operations, has been appointed to serve as acting superintendent during this period.

Carvalho took over leadership of the LA school system in 2022, coming from his previous role heading Miami’s public school district.

LAS VEGAS — A former actor from the acclaimed movie ‘Dances With Wolves’ was set to receive his prison sentence Wednesday morning following his conviction for sexually assaulting Indigenous women and girls in a case that has deeply impacted Native American communities nationwide.

Nathan Chasing Horse’s sentencing follows his conviction last month on 13 out of 21 criminal charges brought against him. The majority of these charges involved his actions against a victim who was just 14 years old when the abuse began. While convicted on most counts, Chasing Horse was found not guilty on several sexual assault charges.

Throughout the proceedings, Chasing Horse maintained his innocence. His defense lawyer Craig Mueller challenged the primary victim’s reliability, describing her as a “scorned woman.”

The convicted actor is looking at a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years behind bars.

After the trial concluded, Mueller attempted to secure a new trial by filing a motion that claimed a witness lacked proper qualifications to discuss grooming behavior and that the time limit for prosecution had passed. The court rejected this motion.

Wednesday’s sentencing concludes a multi-year legal battle that began when authorities first took Chasing Horse into custody and formally charged him in 2023. His initial arrest created ripple effects throughout Native American communities, prompting law enforcement agencies in multiple states and Canada to pursue additional criminal cases.

Canadian authorities in British Columbia filed sexual assault charges against Chasing Horse in February 2023, stemming from an alleged incident that occurred in September 2018 near the village of Keremeos, located approximately four hours east of Vancouver. The Canadian case was temporarily suspended in November 2023 due to the ongoing U.S. proceedings but later resumed.

According to Damienne Darby, communications counsel for the British Columbia Prosecution Service, Canadian prosecutors will evaluate their next moves once Chasing Horse has completed all appeals in his U.S. case.

Additionally, the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service in Alberta confirmed in a statement following the conviction that an active warrant remains against Chasing Horse, and they continue coordinating with the Alberta Crown Prosecutors Office.

During the trial, Nevada prosecutors argued that Chasing Horse exploited his status as a Lakota medicine man to target Indigenous women and girls for abuse.

Deputy District Attorney Bianca Pucci informed jurors that Chasing Horse had “spun a web of abuse” that trapped numerous women over nearly two decades.

Three women testified about their experiences of sexual assault at the hands of Chasing Horse. The jury found him guilty on charges related to all three victims.

After gaining recognition for his role as Smiles a Lot in Kevin Costner’s Academy Award-winning “Dances With Wolves,” Chasing Horse, who was born on South Dakota’s Rosebud Reservation, became a fixture at powwows and healing ceremonies across Native American communities.

Several victims testified about participating in his ceremonies or seeking his help for medical issues.

The primary victim was 14 years old in 2012 when prosecutors say Chasing Horse manipulated her by claiming spirits required her to lose her virginity to heal her cancer-stricken mother. He then assaulted her and threatened that revealing the abuse would result in her mother’s death, according to Pucci. These assaults continued over several years, prosecutors stated.

NEW YORK — A clever red fox managed to pull off quite the international adventure by secretly boarding a cargo vessel bound for America.

The 11-pound male fox somehow made his way onto the ship while it was docked in Southampton, England, and rode along for the entire two-week voyage to New York. Zoo officials announced Wednesday that the animal is now receiving care at the Bronx Zoo.

According to the zoo, the fox appears to be in good health following initial veterinary checkups.

“He seems to be settling in well,” said Keith Lovett, the zoo’s director of animal programs, speaking by telephone. “It’s gone through a lot.”

The mystery remains as to exactly how the fox managed to board the automobile-carrying vessel, which departed Southampton on February 4th. The ship reached the Port of New York and New Jersey on February 18th, and port authorities delivered the unexpected passenger to the zoo the following day. Veterinarians estimate the fox to be approximately 2 years old.

Zoo staff members were unable to provide details about how or when crew members first spotted the fox during the journey. Officials have reached out to various government agencies connected to the port for additional information.

The red fox, scientifically known as Vulpes vulpes, can be found across Europe, Asia, North America and certain regions of Africa. Once the animal completes additional health evaluations, zoo officials will determine a permanent living arrangement.

Currently, the fox is staying at the zoo’s veterinary facility where staff are providing him with a varied diet including fruits, vegetables, protein sources and specialized biscuit treats appropriate for omnivores.

A state investigation reveals that a Connecticut police officer experiencing what was described as a “mild anxiety attack” commandeered the initial ambulance dispatched for a fatally wounded shooting victim, forcing the injured man to wait an additional 10 minutes for emergency medical transport.

The incident involved 39-year-old Dyshan Best, who sustained a gunshot wound to his back while running from Bridgeport police officers last year. According to a report made public Tuesday by the state’s inspector general, investigators determined the shooting was warranted since Best was armed and the pursuing officer had legitimate safety concerns.

However, the investigation highlighted troubling details about the emergency response following the March 31 incident, which left Best, an African American man, with life-threatening internal bleeding.

Emergency medical personnel reached the shooting location at 6:02 p.m., roughly 14 minutes following the gunfire. Instead of transporting Best to medical care, fellow officers convinced paramedics to use that ambulance for Officer Erin Perrotta, a white officer who had participated in the foot pursuit, according to the investigation.

Medical responders noted that Perrotta refused treatment during transport, stating according to the report: “I am fine, I just needed to get out of here.” A colleague described Perrotta as appearing “visibly hysterical (crying and breathing rapidly) and had blood all over her uniform” during the incident.

A second emergency vehicle didn’t reach the scene until approximately 6:12 p.m. Medical facility records indicate Best arrived for treatment at 6:22 p.m. — roughly 14 minutes following Perrotta’s hospital arrival, the investigation noted.

Best succumbed to his injuries at 7:41 p.m. while receiving treatment for the gunshot wound, which caused damage to his liver and right kidney.

Inspector General Eliot Prescott’s report stopped short of determining whether the ambulance delay played a role in Best’s death.

Tatiana Barrett, Best’s niece, shared with The Associated Press that the report’s findings have brought anger and grief to family members and friends. They maintain he might have survived with immediate ambulance transport.

“Honestly it’s heartbreaking hearing all these details,” she expressed. “We were looking for justice. In our community, we don’t know what justice looks like. We want justice for my uncle. We truly believe he was murdered.”

Bridgeport police spokesperson Shawnna White refused to provide comment Wednesday regarding Perrotta’s use of the first ambulance. In an email response, she indicated the department’s Internal Affairs Division would launch its own review.

Perrotta is currently on administrative leave for an unrelated issue, which White did not specify.

Attempts to reach Perrotta, Mayor Joe Ganim’s office, Prescott’s office, the police union, and Darnell Crosland, the family’s attorney, were unsuccessful Wednesday.

The chain of events started when someone contacted 911 about a fight involving approximately 30 individuals, with reports that some were armed. A witness directed officers toward two men in an SUV, claiming they possessed a weapon, the report states.

Perrotta approached the vehicle’s passenger side and opened the door. Police body camera footage shows Best in the passenger seat holding an alcohol bottle, vape pen, and mobile phone. The video captures Perrotta requesting Best exit the SUV for a pat-down search. Best complies but then flees on foot with officers in pursuit.

While running, Best drew a 9mm pistol, investigators found. As he entered a lot containing disabled vehicles, pursuing Officer Yoon Heo discharged his weapon twice, with one bullet striking Best.

The inspector general determined the shooting was legally justified based on video evidence showing Best pointing his weapon backward toward Heo during the chase.

While injured on the ground, Best stated “I got shot,” captured on video. Heo responded “You pulled a gun on me,” which Best denied. Heo insisted “Yeah you did.” Prescott confirmed a pistol was recovered near Best at the scene.

Following the shooting, family attorney Crosland challenged claims that Best carried a gun, arguing he was holding a vape pen instead. Prescott stated police body camera footage definitively shows Best holding a firearm.

Barrett described her uncle as a truck driver who had returned to his Bridgeport hometown to attend a friend’s funeral.

VILLA RICA, Ga. — Authorities in Georgia are investigating the death of a sixth-grade student who passed away several days after collapsing in the street following a physical confrontation with a classmate near her neighborhood bus stop.

Jada West, 12, died after being hospitalized following the Thursday afternoon incident in Villa Rica, a suburban community located approximately 30 miles west of Atlanta.

Police spokesman Sgt. Spencer Crawford announced Wednesday that investigators are examining evidence, including cellphone footage of the altercation, while waiting for autopsy findings. Authorities plan to consult with prosecutors later this week to determine potential charges.

The altercation involving Jada and a fellow Mason Creek Middle School student occurred at a neighborhood intersection close to the girl’s residence on Thursday afternoon, Crawford reported.

Cellphone footage shared by Jada’s aunt on social media reveals the school bus had already departed more than 90 seconds before any physical contact began. The recording shows both girls exchanging verbal taunts while maintaining distance, surrounded by watching classmates.

An unidentified voice can be heard asking, “Who is going to fight you over some noise?”

The footage captures both students simultaneously dropping their backpacks before approaching each other and exchanging blows. Within moments, they tumbled to the ground while grappling, with Jada falling backward and rolling over her head and neck area.

After both girls got back on their feet, an adult woman stepped in, instructing Jada to return home. The video concludes with Jada retrieving her backpack and seemingly walking away.

What transpired afterward remains unclear, but Jada never reached her residence. Crawford explained that officers responded to an emergency call regarding “a young juvenile who was in cardiac arrest laying in the street.”

“When we actually arrived, paramedics were on the scene, and they were already loading her up and performing CPR,” Crawford stated. “Paramedics told us there was an adult on the scene performing CPR when they arrived.”

Medical personnel transported Jada to a local hospital. Her mother, Rashunda McClendon, posted a Facebook video Sunday requesting prayers, saying “please pray for my baby. She’s fighting for her life.”

Later that same day, Jada’s aunt, De’Quala McClendon, confirmed her niece’s passing through a Facebook announcement.

“Now you got your spiritual crown,” she posted, “it hurts so so bad but I know you are ok.”

Rashunda McClendon chose not to speak with an Associated Press journalist who visited her residence Wednesday.

A handwritten memorial sign placed near the altercation site reads “RIP JADA WEST” with the words “Heaven gain an angel,” accompanied by flowers and a decorative pinwheel.

Douglas County District Attorney Dalia Racine acknowledged her office’s awareness of the police investigation but provided no additional details.

In an official statement, the Douglas County School System characterized Jada as “an upbeat, kind, and vibrant student.” School officials made counseling services available to students and staff members.

“This incident did not occur on school property or during school hours, and there is nothing to indicate that this is related to any on-campus activity,” the district’s statement clarified.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Lyft has agreed to implement nationwide changes protecting the rights of disabled passengers to travel with service animals following a settlement announced Wednesday in Minnesota.

The agreement stems from complaints filed by college student Tori Andres, who contacted the Minnesota Department of Human Rights after multiple Lyft drivers denied rides to her and her service dog, Alfred. State investigators found the ride-sharing company had violated Minnesota’s Human Rights Act, leading to negotiations that produced a settlement with national implications through mandatory driver training and app modifications.

“This case is a deeply personal thing to me because I travel pretty much everywhere with my guide dog,” Andres explained during a press conference, while her black Labrador rested calmly beside her. “He is my eyes. He is my freedom, and he is why I am able to live independently.”

Under the settlement terms, Lyft must provide disability rights training to all drivers and warn them they could face “deactivation” and lose driving privileges for violating accessibility laws, according to state Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero. She emphasized that drivers cannot cancel or deny rides due to service animals, wheelchairs, or passengers with vision impairments. The state will oversee Lyft’s compliance for three years, while Andres receives $63,000 in compensation.

“We expect that all riders in Minnesota and in fact, across the United States, will benefit from these changes,” Lucero stated.

The settlement mandates several app improvements, including enhanced accessibility settings allowing passengers to inform drivers about service animals and streamlined reporting for service denials. When drivers attempt to cancel rides after passengers disclose service animals through the app, they’ll immediately receive warnings stating “It’s against the law to refuse service animals” and face potential termination.

Minnesota officials reached this agreement without filing a lawsuit. While competitor Uber wasn’t involved in this settlement, Lucero noted that Minnesota’s Human Rights Act applies to all ride-sharing companies. She indicated her office regularly receives transportation-related discrimination complaints but didn’t specify current actions against other companies.

“We recommend that all businesses use this as an opportunity to look at their policies, training and accountability systems to make sure that it’s being enforced correctly,” Lucero advised.

Neither Lyft nor Uber representatives immediately responded to requests for comment about the settlement or their service animal policies. Uber’s website states that service animals must be accommodated according to accessibility laws and company policy, with no exceptions for allergies, religious concerns, or animal fears.

This settlement comes as the federal government pursues a lawsuit against Uber filed in San Francisco last September, alleging systematic refusal to serve disabled individuals, including those with service dogs. A federal magistrate judge recently rejected Uber’s motion to dismiss the case.

“Access to ride shares like Lyft is not a convenience. It is, in fact, a civil right,” Lucero concluded.

WASHINGTON — Federal authorities arrested a motorist Wednesday morning following a collision with a temporary security barrier positioned outside the White House grounds.

According to the Secret Service, the incident occurred shortly before 6:30 a.m. when the individual drove his van directly into the security barrier. Officers from the Secret Service’s uniformed division immediately apprehended the driver at the scene.

The suspect’s name has not been disclosed by authorities, who say he is currently being questioned by investigators. Officials indicate that criminal charges are expected to be filed against the man.

As a precautionary measure, a police bomb squad responded to examine the vehicle and confirmed it contained no explosive materials or other dangerous items.

WASHINGTON – An international cybercriminal successfully penetrated FBI computer systems in 2023, gaining access to materials connected to the bureau’s Jeffrey Epstein investigation, according to a knowledgeable source and Justice Department records obtained by Reuters.

This marks the first public disclosure of specific details about who infiltrated servers at the FBI’s New York Field Office, including confirmation that an overseas hacker was responsible for the security breach.

The FBI characterized what they called a “cyber incident” as “an isolated one” in their official response.

“The FBI restricted access to the malicious actor and rectified the network. The investigation remains ongoing, so we do not have further comments to provide at this time,” the bureau stated.

While the source indicated the attack appeared to be conducted by a cybercriminal rather than a state-sponsored actor, the incident highlights the potential intelligence significance of these files, according to one expert. Court-ordered releases of Justice Department materials have revealed the deceased financier’s connections to influential figures across politics, finance, academia and business sectors, sparking investigations worldwide.

“Who wouldn’t be going after the Epstein files if you’re the Russians or somebody interested in kompromat?” said Jon Lindsay, who researches the role of emerging technology in global security at the Georgia Institute of Technology. “If foreign intelligence agencies are not thinking seriously about the Epstein files as a target, then I would be shocked.”

News outlets CNN and Reuters initially reported the breach on February 17, while French publication Marianne first identified the Epstein connection.

Epstein, who had longstanding ties to President Donald Trump, entered a guilty plea in 2008 to prostitution-related charges, including soliciting a minor. He died by hanging in his jail cell during 2019, officially ruled a suicide, following his re-arrest on federal sex trafficking charges involving minors.

February 2023 Security Incident

The cyberattack succeeded after Special Agent Aaron Spivack accidentally left a server at the Child Exploitation Forensic Lab vulnerable while attempting to work through the bureau’s complicated digital evidence protocols, according to the source and documentation.

Spivack’s written timeline, part of the extensive Epstein document release earlier this year, indicates the infiltration occurred on February 12, 2023. He discovered the breach the next day upon starting his computer and finding a text file alerting him to the network compromise.

Additional investigation revealed evidence of suspicious server activity, with the document noting the activity “included combing through certain files pertaining to the Epstein investigation.”

The timeline doesn’t specify which particular files were viewed, whether the hacker downloaded information, or the intruder’s identity. Reuters couldn’t determine any connection between the compromised data and either the Epstein documents released publicly or those still classified.

Spivack, whose name appears throughout the documents related to the Epstein investigation, hasn’t responded to multiple contact attempts. Reuters couldn’t reach Richard J. Roberson, Jr., identified as Spivack’s attorney in the documents. Seven FBI agents named in the documents as participants in the breach investigation also didn’t return messages.

Video Communication Between Hacker and FBI

In his statement to FBI investigators examining his potential responsibility for the breach, Spivack claimed he was being made “a scapegoat for the intrusion” and blamed contradictory bureau policies and inadequate IT guidance. Reuters couldn’t confirm the outcome of the internal FBI investigation.

The knowledgeable source revealed the intrusion was executed by an international hacker who seemed unaware they had accessed a law enforcement server. The cybercriminal reportedly expressed revulsion at finding child abuse imagery on the system and left a message threatening to report the owner to federal authorities.

Bureau officials reportedly resolved the situation by proving to the hacker they actually were the FBI, partly through a video conference where agents displayed their law enforcement badges to a webcam.

Reuters couldn’t establish – and the source claimed not to know – the hacker’s identity, operating location, what they did with accessed materials, or whether authorities attempted to identify or prosecute them for the FBI server intrusion.

Numerous Justice Department documents remain heavily censored while others stay completely classified despite legal requirements for full disclosure last year. The Trump administration cites protection of victim identities and ongoing investigations as reasons for withholding material.

LEWIS, N.Y. — The peaceful wilderness of New York’s Adirondack Mountains, known for echoing loon calls and quiet lakeside camping, could soon echo with the thunder of military artillery if a controversial testing proposal moves forward.

A military contractor’s plan to conduct howitzer testing in this rural Adirondack Park community has sparked fierce opposition from local residents and environmental advocates, prompting park officials to schedule a rare public hearing on the matter.

Critics worry that artillery blasts on private property would destroy the area’s peaceful atmosphere and frighten away wildlife including moose, deer, bears and various bird species. Environmental groups express additional concern since the proposed testing site sits close to state-owned forest land within the 6-million-acre park’s mix of public and private property.

“I hunt. I shoot. I reload. I know guns,” local resident Dan Canavan explained from his home located roughly one mile from the proposed testing facility in Lewis. “You can’t equate a 155 millimeter howitzer with a hunting rifle, but that’s how he’s been selling it.”

Military contractor Michael Hopmeier argues his howitzer barrel testing would serve national security interests and maintains that noise levels reaching the closest neighbors through the forest wouldn’t exceed typical rural sounds like chainsaws or hunting firearms.

Hopmeier plans to create a testing facility along a country road approximately 10 miles west of Lake Champlain.

The proposal calls for firing steel projectiles from barrels measuring up to 155 millimeters (roughly 6 inches) across a distance equivalent to two football fields, occurring 30 times annually. Testing would happen during midday hours on weekdays, limited to twice daily. A metal shipping container packed with sand and gravel would capture the projectiles, which would contain no explosive warheads.

“We are not investigating explosive shells. We are not blowing things up,” Hopmeier explained during a recent presentation to neighboring town officials.

His company aims to evaluate factors like barrel deterioration and recoil for military applications. Adirondack Park Agency regulators have repeatedly requested additional details since receiving the initial application in 2021.

Hopmeier’s business, Unconventional Concepts, Inc., stated in their application that testing would support research at the U.S. Army laboratory at Watervliet Arsenal, located about two hours south. While no current contract exists, Hopmeier indicated via email that his company could pursue government contracts once testing authorization is secured.

The Army’s DEVCOM Armaments Center confirmed via email that it currently has no plans for howitzer testing at the Adirondack location, “but may consider future artillery experimentation based on Army priorities.”

The proposed testing range would sit near a Cold War-era nuclear missile silo that Hopmeier’s company purchased in 2015 — one of twelve that previously surrounded the now-closed Plattsburgh Air Force Base. The former silo site currently serves research purposes.

Artillery testing would occur on property adjacent to this site. Despite the remote location, 44 residences fall within a 2-mile radius of the proposed testing area.

Howitzer blasts generate extremely intense sound — approximately 180 decibels at the source, exceeding most fireworks and reaching levels that can cause hearing damage and physical harm.

Although testing would occur away from well-known Adirondack destinations like Lake Placid and Lake George, Hopmeier’s proposal has generated significant public attention. State regulators received more than 1,400 public comments, with only 19 expressing approval.

Town council member Lanita Canavan fears losing the tranquil character of their remote community of roughly 1,300 residents and worries about birds abandoning her feeders. Resident April Guilder questions potential impacts on local water sources.

“Who’s sticking up for us? That’s my question,” Guilder asked during a recent informational session at the town fire station. “I don’t feel like there’s anybody that’s doing that, and that’s kind of frustrating.”

Some residents remain upset about Hopmeier’s “Jaded Thunder” military exercises from last September, which involved his property and helicopters from Fort Drum. Multiple complaints emerged about low-altitude helicopter flights and gunfire. One local resident compared the experience to the film “Apocalypse Now.”

While the howitzer proposal stands separately, some residents view it as another disruption connected to Hopmeier’s activities.

However, Jim Pulsifer, who owns the proposed testing property, stated he wouldn’t participate if he believed noise levels would be excessive. Citing the work’s national importance and potential local employment benefits, he offered his land without charge.

“I know there’s a lot of people that moved into the Adirondacks for their little peace and quiet,” said Pulsifer, who lives near the proposed test site. “Well, people have to live in the Adirondacks, too — and make a living.”

Following multiple postponements, a public hearing is scheduled for April 22. An administrative law judge will spend months examining whether howitzer testing aligns with park regulations and character.

Hopmeier has questioned the park agency’s authority to block his testing plans, though he acknowledged that regulatory approval “makes things cleaner.” He has also filed litigation seeking to invalidate the board’s hearing decision, claiming one member with previous environmental group connections should have recused themselves.

“Allowing them to treat me unfairly and disregard basic rights is a disservice to my community and country,” Hopmeier wrote, “so I fight on.”

The 49-year-old son of entertainment icon Cher is set to appear in court Wednesday to address charges stemming from an alleged home invasion in New Hampshire this month.

Elijah Allman, a Malibu, California resident, was taken into custody for the second time in just days after his February 27 arrest for reportedly causing a disturbance at the elite St. Paul’s School in New Hampshire. Authorities have not established any link between Allman and either the prestigious preparatory academy or the Windham, New Hampshire residence he allegedly targeted.

According to Superintendent Jonathan Banville, Allman is currently being held at the Rockingham County Department of Corrections under preventive detention measures.

The son of the late musician Gregg Allman is facing multiple charges related to the March 1 home invasion, including two criminal mischief counts, one burglary charge, and a bail violation count. Law enforcement officials stated in their report that Allman lacked authorization to enter the property and used force to gain access.

During the earlier prep school incident, Allman received charges on four misdemeanor counts: dual simple assault charges, criminal trespass, and criminal threatening. He also received a disorderly conduct violation, which New Hampshire law treats as illegal but not criminal.

Around 7 p.m. on the day of the school incident, Concord police officers responded to complaints about Allman disrupting activities in St. Paul’s School dining facility. Following his charges, authorities released Allman on bail while his case proceeds through the judicial system.

Attempts to reach Allman for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not reply to email inquiries and his phone number was non-functional. Court documentation does not clearly indicate whether Allman has secured legal representation.

Last December, Cher petitioned a court to establish temporary conservatorship over her son’s financial affairs, citing concerns that his mental health struggles and addiction issues have compromised his ability to handle his wealth responsibly and may endanger his wellbeing.

The entertainment star’s legal filing indicated that Elijah Allman receives scheduled distributions from a trust fund. However, the petition stated that “given his ongoing mental health and substance abuse issues,” she worried that “any funds distributed to Elijah will be immediately spent on drugs, leaving Elijah with no assets to provide for himself and putting Elijah’s life at risk.”

Several weeks following the filing, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Jessica Uzcategui rejected the conservatorship request, stating she remained unconvinced that such urgent intervention was necessary. Allman attended the hearing alongside his legal team, who recognized his past difficulties but contended he was currently stable, participating in support meetings, receiving treatment, and rebuilding his relationship with his previously separated spouse.

HUNTSVILLE, Texas — A 51-year-old North Texas resident was set to receive a lethal injection Wednesday evening for the brutal murders of his girlfriend and her young child almost 13 years ago.

Cedric Ricks received a death sentence for the May 2013 murders of Roxann Sanchez, 30, and her 8-year-old son Anthony Figueroa inside their Bedford apartment, located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. During the violent attack, Sanchez’s older son Marcus Figueroa, then 12, sustained injuries but survived.

The execution was scheduled to take place after 6 p.m. Central Time at the Huntsville state prison facility, located approximately 70 miles north of Houston.

Ricks’ legal team filed an emergency petition with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to halt the execution, claiming prosecutors improperly excluded potential jurors based on their race, violating his constitutional protections. Courts have previously rejected other appeals from Ricks that challenged his legal representation and sought to exclude certain evidence.

The Supreme Court established in its 1986 Batson v. Kentucky decision that removing jurors due to racial considerations breaches the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause.

“At trial, Ricks already suspected that the State had singled out minority jurors to exclude them from his jury,” Ricks’ attorneys said in their petition to the Supreme Court.

Defense lawyers contended that prosecutorial notes from jury selection, which weren’t discovered until 2021, demonstrate that prosecutors targeted minority jurors for removal.

However, the Texas Attorney General’s Office maintained that court documentation proves the prosecution’s jury selection choices were “race neutral,” with lower courts already determining that prosecutors acted without discrimination.

Ricks “viciously stabbed his girlfriend Roxann and her eight-year-old son Anthony to death,” the attorney general’s office said. “The public has a strong interest in enforcement of Ricks’ sentence.”

On Monday, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles rejected Ricks’ petition for either a 90-day delay or sentence commutation.

According to prosecutors, the tragedy unfolded when Ricks and Sanchez engaged in a heated dispute inside their residence. When Sanchez’s two children from her previous relationship — Anthony and Marcus Figueroa — attempted to intervene in the altercation, the situation escalated.

Court documents reveal that Ricks seized a kitchen knife and repeatedly stabbed Sanchez. Marcus Figueroa fled to his bedroom closet and attempted to contact emergency services. Following Anthony Figueroa’s death, Ricks continued his attack on Marcus, who managed to survive by pretending to be dead. Ricks left unharmed his infant son Isaiah, who was 9 months old at the time.

After fleeing the scene, Ricks was subsequently apprehended in Oklahoma.

During court proceedings, Ricks acknowledged having anger management problems and claimed he was protecting himself from the two boys who had intervened to help their mother.

“Explaining my rage, I was upset. Things happen. I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know. I wish I could bring them back, like, right now,” said Ricks, who also apologized for the killings.

The day prior to the fatal stabbings, Ricks had made a court appearance on charges related to a previous assault against Sanchez.

Should the execution proceed as planned, Ricks would become the second individual executed in Texas this year and the sixth nationwide. Texas leads all states in the total number of executions performed.

Meanwhile, Charles “Sonny” Burton, a 75-year-old Alabama death row inmate, was originally scheduled for execution Thursday. However, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey commuted his sentence Tuesday to life imprisonment without parole. Burton had been condemned to death for a 1991 robbery-related killing, despite not being the shooter.

A federal jury in Manhattan has delivered guilty verdicts against three brothers on sex trafficking charges after deliberating following a lengthy five-week trial that concluded Monday.

Two of the convicted men had built careers as highly successful luxury real estate agents, ranking among the most prominent brokers in the nation’s high-end property market before facing these serious federal charges.

The convictions mark the end of a significant federal prosecution that has drawn attention due to the defendants’ previous prominence in the luxury real estate industry.

Delaware’s youngest elementary students continue facing academic challenges linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, even though most were infants or not yet born when the crisis first disrupted schools in early 2020.

A new study released Tuesday by education research organization NWEA reveals that first and second-grade students are underperforming compared to their peers from before the pandemic on both mathematics and reading assessments. While math performance shows gradual improvement each year, reading abilities have remained flat since spring 2021.

The findings suggest the academic struggles extend beyond simple classroom interruptions to broader changes in society during the pandemic years.

“There’s something kind of systemic here happening … within schools and outside of schools,” explained NWEA researcher Megan Kuhfeld. “We can’t pinpoint one specific cause.”

The pandemic’s impact on older students has been extensively documented – remote learning replaced in-person instruction, children missed crucial face-to-face time with teachers, mental health declined during isolation periods, and some students stopped attending school entirely.

Federal funding totaling billions of dollars was distributed to school systems nationwide to address learning gaps, producing varying degrees of success. Recent national testing data from 2024 shows fourth and eighth-grade reading scores continuing to decline, though math performance has shown upward movement.

Because standardized testing for younger children occurs less frequently, the NWEA research provides valuable insight into how deeply the academic disruption affected early learners. The study analyzed test results from students during the current 2024-25 academic year.

Kindergarten students maintained steady math and science scores throughout the pandemic period. However, first and second-graders mirror patterns seen in older students, with both subjects scoring below pre-pandemic benchmarks despite math showing slow recovery.

Reading scores have essentially stagnated since the conclusion of the first complete pandemic school year in spring 2021.

Researchers point to several potential contributing factors, including emerging evidence that fewer parents are reading aloud to their children – an activity proven to enhance literacy development. A 2024 survey conducted in the United Kingdom found less than half of children under age 5 receive regular read-aloud time, representing a 20-point decrease from twelve years earlier.

Some school districts report success in addressing the reading challenges. Minnetonka Public Schools near Minneapolis says their reading scores have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels through increased emphasis on phonics instruction and regular literacy assessments. Students needing additional support receive targeted help in specific areas where they struggle, such as having difficulty with oral reading practice with classmates.

However, certain factors remain beyond schools’ influence. Associate Superintendent Amy LaDue noted that many young children spent extended time at home during the pandemic, missing experiences like museum visits and peer interaction that support language and literacy growth. This particularly affected children from lower-income households.

“These kids weren’t in school when the pandemic happened, but (some) were … in early childhood and preschool,” LaDue observed. “Their opportunities … to have those experiences outside of their home that build literacy skills and to apply them with peers probably were impacted because they were home.”

In response to these challenges, numerous states and municipalities are expanding early childhood education programs. California has implemented universal pre-kindergarten, while New York City is extending pre-K programs to include 2-year-olds. New Mexico has eliminated child care costs for nearly all families.

A defendant who was originally charged with murder for his role in the deadly shooting following the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl celebration received a two-year prison sentence on Monday after prosecutors dropped the murder charge due to Missouri’s self-defense statutes.

Dominic Miller entered a guilty plea to a firearms violation as part of a negotiated agreement. Court documents show Miller was one of at least six individuals who discharged weapons during the chaotic incident that forced players, city leaders, and hundreds of spectators to flee for safety.

The violence broke out near Kansas City’s Union Station as the festivities, which attracted roughly one million attendees, were winding down. Radio host Lisa Lopez-Galvan lost her life while attending the event with her relatives. Approximately 24 additional victims, including many minors, sustained injuries but recovered.

Court filings indicate that 12 individuals displayed weapons during the incident, with confiscated firearms including no fewer than two assault-style rifles.

“Under Missouri’s self-defense and defense-of-others doctrines, we must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any charged defendant was the initial aggressor or did not act in lawful self-defense or defense of others to overcome justification,” the Jackson County prosecutor’s office said in a written statement.

Attempts to reach Miller’s legal representative for comment were unsuccessful.

The original second-degree murder accusation against Miller would have resulted in a sentence ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment.

However, Missouri joins more than 30 other states that have enacted various forms of stand-your-ground legislation during the last 20 years. Unlike previous laws that permitted individuals to use force for protection within their residences, stand-your-ground provisions extend broader self-defense protections without regard to location.

Law enforcement officials and prosecutors have stated the shooting spree began when members of one group challenged another for looking at them. Lyndell Mays faces accusations of initiating the gunfire. Subsequently, a 15-year-old opened fire in Mays’ direction, striking Miller, who also acknowledged discharging multiple rounds.

While investigators initially indicated ballistic evidence connected the fatal bullet to Miller’s weapon, prosecutors stated in their recent announcement that insufficient evidence existed to establish his gunshot caused Lopez-Galvan’s death. Officials noted they briefed the victim’s family on the legal obstacles involved.

“The greatest justice would be having Lisa back, but since that is not possible, accountability still matters,” the family said in a statement released through the prosecutor’s office. “We also share the hope expressed in court that change can come from this and that people recognize the importance of making better choices.”

Mays is set to face trial next year on multiple charges including second-degree murder. The juvenile participant previously received a sentence to a youth correctional facility.

NEW YORK — A jury has found three brothers guilty of sex trafficking Monday following a five-week trial that exposed how they allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted numerous women while using their wealth and luxurious lifestyle to lure victims.

Eleven women took the stand to testify about sexual assaults committed by one or more of the defendants: 38-year-old twins Oren and Alon Alexander, and their 39-year-old brother Tal Alexander.

The victims detailed assaults that took place during trips to upscale destinations, including the Hamptons, a Caribbean cruise, and a skiing vacation in Aspen, Colorado. Prosecutors stated that over 60 women have accused one or more of the brothers of rape.

Defense attorneys argued that the alleged victims had unreliable recollections or were motivated by the brothers’ wealth. While acknowledging their clients were promiscuous, the defense maintained all sexual encounters were consensual.

Deliberations started Thursday before the guilty verdict was reached.

Both Oren and Tal Alexander previously worked as brokers at major real estate company Douglas Elliman before launching their own business called Official. Alon Alexander was employed at the family’s private security company.

In addition to the criminal charges, the brothers are facing approximately two dozen civil lawsuits, including one filed Thursday by Tracy Tutor, who appears on Bravo’s “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles.” Tutor claims Oren Alexander drugged and attacked her in a restaurant restroom during a real estate industry event in New York City.

After these lawsuits began emerging, numerous additional women stepped forward with allegations of sexual harassment and assault, revealing that the brothers’ inappropriate behavior toward women had been widely known within real estate circles for years.

Throughout the trial, many witnesses testified they suspected they had been drugged after accepting drinks from the brothers. Several described losing physical control after consuming less than one alcoholic beverage.

The brothers encountered their victims at nightclubs, social gatherings, and through dating applications, often inviting them on expensive trips to exclusive locations while covering travel and accommodation costs. One witness testified about meeting the brothers at a 2012 party at actor Zac Efron’s Manhattan residence. She said she had minimal contact with the actor, who faces no allegations of wrongdoing, before going to a nightclub and later awakening naked with an unclothed Alon Alexander standing nearby.

Prosecutors disputed claims that accusers were pursuing financial gain through litigation. Prosecutor Elizabeth Espinosa informed jurors that only two victims have pending lawsuits, and both women are financially well-off.

One witness who testified about being raped by Alon Alexander in Aspen, Colorado, in 2017 when she was 17 years old, described herself as a billionaire’s daughter.

“I don’t want their money. I just don’t want them to have it,” she told the jury.

Lindsey Acree, a Brooklyn-based artist and gallery owner, testified that Tal Alexander and another man raped her at a Hamptons residence during summer 2011 after she became severely disoriented from drinking less than half a glass of wine, leaving her feeling paralyzed.

The 40-year-old woman explained she filed a lawsuit against Tal Alexander last year despite never needing “their money” because she was frustrated that the Alexanders “kept calling us gold diggers, shake down artists, con artists.”

“If there’s a kid with a stick who keeps hitting people, you take their stick away,” she testified. “Money is their stick, so you take it away so they can’t hurt people anymore.”

The Associated Press typically does not name individuals who report being victims of sexual assault unless they publicly identify themselves, as both Acree and Tutor have chosen to do.

Beyond witness accounts, prosecutors presented text messages and emails showing the brothers apparently bragging about sexual encounters and discussing how different drugs affect women’s ability to resist, along with a blog post titled: “It’s not rape if …”

According to prosecutors, the brothers exchanged emails about smuggling drugs — referred to as “party favors” — onto a cruise ship, filmed at least one assault, and distributed photographs of their victims.

At just 23 years old, Emma MacTaggart realized her limited free time was constantly consumed by screens. Working demanding hours in investment banking, she would immediately reach for her phone after logging off from work each day.

Together with her roommates, MacTaggart sought out an activity to break this digital habit. They discovered needlepoint – a skill she had briefly learned from family members during childhood but hadn’t practiced in years. The trio quickly became captivated by the craft.

“It was a really therapeutic way to kind of distract yourself from either work or stress, but also just do something with your hands instead of doomscrolling,” MacTaggart explained. “We became completely obsessed.”

MacTaggart represents a growing wave of young adults gravitating toward hands-on activities and traditional crafts to disconnect from technology while rediscovering creative expression. Paradoxically, this movement away from digital devices has gained momentum through its popularity on social platforms.

These pursuits – including knitting, gardening, and needlepoint – have earned the nickname “grandma hobbies” online, referencing the older generations typically linked with such activities. However, numerous other hands-on crafts like pottery, origami, and blacksmithing have also captured the attention of Gen Z and millennial audiences on social media.

The pandemic in 2020 initially sparked interest in these activities when many people found themselves with additional leisure time. However, these traditional hobbies have maintained their appeal well beyond the initial lockdown period, with some experiencing continued growth in online popularity.

Despite not considering herself naturally crafty, MacTaggart, now 26, launched her needlepoint company What’s the Stitch and manages popular social media accounts under the same brand. Responding to increasing interest in her posts, she expanded her venture and now offers needlepoint patterns, supplies, and digital templates. Her creations feature playful humor and occasional colorful language.

“It is such a historically buttoned up craft, so it’s fun to put a young spin on it,” MacTaggart noted.

According to Jaime Kurtz, a psychology professor at James Madison University who studies happiness, these activities can help decrease anxiety and stress while providing satisfaction through their focus requirements and challenging nature.

“Hobbies are really important, and a lot of us have lost them, or we just don’t prioritize them enough, or we think we’re too busy,” Kurtz observed. “But just finding little bits of time to carve out to do these kinds of things is a really wise use of time.”

Clara Sherman co-created So Bam Fun to revitalize mahjong among younger players. She describes achieving a peaceful mindset when playing with friends.

“You kind of feel like you’re existing in this little bubble of just myself, my friends and this game we’re all enjoying together,” Sherman shared. “It just really does allow you to shut off the rest of the world.”

Not all young enthusiasts seek to completely avoid their devices through their chosen activities. Some find ways for modern technology to enhance their experiences.

Isaiah Scott, who creates content about birdwatching and art, considers the eBird app essential to his hobby. The application enables bird enthusiasts to record and monitor their sightings while contributing to scientific studies and conservation efforts.

While it’s common to criticize his generation for being “glued to their phones,” Scott argues that technology access “opens so many doors to get involved in hobbies that may have been forgotten about or (are) just difficult to get into otherwise.”

The Savannah, Georgia-based Scott compares birdwatching to the Pokémon games he enjoyed as a child. “It feels like a video game, but in real life,” he explained. Visiting new areas resembles unlocking fresh game levels, while spotting numerous species mirrors achieving high scores. Scott has personally observed approximately 800 different bird species.

Beyond personal enjoyment, birdwatching inspired Scott, 22, to dedicate himself to wildlife protection and conservation. He established the nonprofit Rookery and Roots Conservancy and recently acquired 16 acres in Rincon, Georgia, to preserve natural habitats. His online platform helped make this land purchase possible.

Social media exposure has enabled other traditional craft practitioners to develop successful enterprises. Anna Weare works full-time as a blacksmith and farrier while maintaining her online presence as AnvilAnna.

Weare had already established a solid client base before beginning to share videos on TikTok and other platforms, where she now reaches international audiences. She believes interest in blacksmithing and other ancient trades may stem from frustration with an overly digital world and low-quality manufactured goods. The waiting list for Weare’s handcrafted one-piece spurs, prized for their strength and uniqueness, extends about one year.

“People, now more than ever, are realizing that things made in factories or mass produced, they wear out so quickly,” Weare, 27, observed. Whether customers purchase her creations or feel motivated by her content to try blacksmithing themselves, Weare said “people want longevity, and this craft has been around for so long for a reason.”

Many artisans and hobby enthusiasts also experience strong connections within their communities.

Kristie Landing developed Verse & Sip, a platform for poetry enthusiasts, and shares videos featuring letter writing, letter folding techniques, wax sealing, and origami among other paper crafts. Landing, 34, regularly receives inquiries from an engaged audience about her materials and tools, but viewers also seek connections with like-minded individuals.

She recently launched a pen pal matching service after numerous followers expressed interest in finding correspondence partners who would value the effort invested in handwritten communications and appreciate quality penmanship.

Landing also operates the Verse & Sip Mail Club, sending original poems with accompanying tea to several hundred subscribers worldwide each month. She aims for her online content to deliver the same peace and happiness as reading a printed poem while enjoying tea.

“I am trying to create slower moments on platforms that are based on really quick, short attention span kind of videos,” Landing explained. “These kind of stop you in the scroll.”

Multiple hobbyists interviewed view their chosen activities not as temporary trends but as deliberate choices to embrace non-digital experiences.

Regarding the “grandma hobbies” label, MacTaggart embraces the description.

“I joke with my friends that I have been a grandma my whole life,” she said, “so it’s only fitting that this is now my career.”

Entertainment enthusiasts have plenty of new content to explore this week across various streaming platforms, from blockbuster animated films to acclaimed drama series.

Disney’s massively successful sequel “Zootopia 2” arrives on Disney+ this Wednesday after earning an impressive $1.85 billion at theaters worldwide. The follow-up to the 2016 original continues tracking rabbit officer Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and fox partner Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) as they investigate a new case involving a mysterious viper character (Key Huy Quan) that uncovers fresh secrets about their animal city.

History will be made this Sunday, March 15, when the 97th Academy Awards becomes the first Oscar ceremony available for streaming. While the show airs live on ABC starting at 7 p.m. EDT, Hulu subscribers can watch without needing cable access. Viewers still have time to catch nominated films across platforms: HBO Max features “Sinners,” “One Battle After Another,” “Weapons” and “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”; Netflix offers “Frankenstein,” “Train Dreams,” “KPop Demon Hunters” and “Blue Moon”; while Peacock streams “Bugonia,” “Hamnet” and “Song Sung Blue.”

Music fans can anticipate Kim Gordon’s latest solo effort “Play Me,” releasing Friday. The Sonic Youth founding member and alternative rock pioneer follows up her Grammy-nominated 2024 release “The Collective” with another experimental album featuring aggressive production and socially conscious lyrics, including commentary on consumer culture and wealth inequality.

Heavy metal legends Lamb of God drop their tenth studio record “Into Oblivion” on Friday, with frontman Randy Blythe describing the title as reflecting current world conditions across ten intense tracks.

Television offerings include four fresh “Sesame Street” episodes arriving Monday on Netflix as part of the show’s 56th season. Tuesday brings the second season of Netflix’s live-action “One Piece” adaptation, titled “Into the Grand Line,” continuing Monkey D. Luffy’s pirate adventures across eight new episodes based on Eiichiro Oda’s popular manga.

Nicole Kidman stars in “Scarpetta,” premiering Wednesday, bringing Patricia Cornwell’s renowned forensic pathologist character to screen. The series spans dual timelines with Rosy McEwen portraying the younger Scarpetta and Kidman in present day, supported by Jamie Lee Curtis, Bobby Cannavale, Simon Baker, and Ariana DeBose.

Saturday, March 14 sees Taylor Sheridan’s Western family drama “The Madison” launch on Paramount+. Michelle Pfeiffer leads the Clyburn family as they relocate from New York to Montana following tragedy, joined by Kurt Russell, Patrick J. Adams, Matthew Fox and Beau Garrett, with a second season already completed.

Gaming enthusiasts can explore “Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection” starting Friday, March 13 on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Switch 2 and PC. This Capcom spinoff allows players to partner with creatures rather than hunt them, featuring turn-based combat within a story about two kingdoms facing potential destruction.

NEW YORK — A celebrated salsa music legend will be honored Monday morning as family, friends and admirers come together at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan to remember Willie Colón, the trailblazing musician and activist who passed away last month at age 75.

The public funeral Mass at the iconic midtown cathedral follows a weekend of both private family gatherings and public visitations for mourners. Family members have chosen to keep the burial ceremony private.

The renowned trombonist, songwriter, arranger and vocalist passed away on February 21st. While his family has not disclosed the specific cause of death, they shared on social media that he died peacefully with loved ones by his side at a Westchester County medical facility, located just north of New York City.

“While we grieve his absence, we also rejoice in the timeless gift of his music and the cherished memories that will live on forever,” his family said in a statement.

A native of the Bronx, Colón created an impressive musical legacy spanning more than 40 albums that achieved worldwide sales exceeding 30 million copies. Throughout his career, he worked alongside numerous renowned performers, including the Fania All Stars, David Byrne and Celia Cruz.

The accomplished musician earned recognition with 10 Grammy nominations and one Latin Grammy nomination, becoming famous for memorable tracks such as “El gran varón,” “Sin poderte hablar,” “Casanova,” “Amor verdad” and “Oh, qué será.”

Pietro Carlos, who served as Colón’s manager, paid tribute on social media, noting that the artist didn’t simply transform salsa music but also “expanded it, politicized it, clothed it in urban chronicles, and took it to stages where it hadn’t been heard before.”

Beyond his musical achievements, Colón dedicated himself to community advocacy and civil rights causes, primarily throughout the United States. His involvement in public service included roles as a special assistant to former New York City Mayors David Dinkins and Michael Bloomberg. In 1994, he mounted an unsuccessful campaign against then-U.S. Representative Eliot Engel in the Democratic primary election.

Pop superstar Rihanna escaped harm Sunday afternoon when a woman opened fire on her Beverly Hills residence, sending at least one bullet through the home’s wall, according to multiple news reports.

Law enforcement officials responded to the shooting incident at 1:21 p.m. on Sunday and took a 30-year-old female suspect into custody, the Los Angeles Times and NBC4 reported, referencing statements from a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson.

According to police radio communications cited by the Los Angeles Times, the suspect discharged “approximately 10 shots” from a vehicle positioned across the street from the property’s entrance gate.

While the Grammy-winning artist was inside her residence during the attack, no one sustained injuries in the incident, the Los Angeles Times reported based on information from a source familiar with the situation.

Neither the Los Angeles Police Department nor representatives for Rihanna provided immediate responses to media inquiries about the shooting.

Family members of a key Jeffrey Epstein accuser made their first visit to the convicted sex offender’s former New Mexico property on Sunday, calling for federal officials to make public complete government documents that could expose additional perpetrators.

Virginia Giuffre’s two brothers gathered with hundreds of demonstrators near the entrance to what was once Epstein’s ranch, located roughly 30 miles south of Santa Fe. The rally coincided with International Women’s Day, with Epstein’s hacienda-style home visible in the distance.

Giuffre, who died by suicide this past April, had been among Epstein’s most vocal accusers. Her brother Sky Roberts, age 37, pressed the Justice Department to make public records that would identify individuals who visited Epstein’s Zorro Ranch property, where authorities say women and girls were sexually exploited.

“All those names are in the files and right now the government is covering those up,” Roberts stated, standing alongside his older brother Daniel Wilson, 47, and their family members.

The disclosure of extensive Epstein records has revealed the financier’s connections to numerous politicians, business leaders and academics who received invitations to the ranch facility.

These document releases have created ongoing political challenges for President Donald Trump, who was referenced in FBI materials made public Thursday containing allegations from an unnamed woman regarding a purported sexual incident.

New Mexico made history in February by establishing the nation’s first state-level “truth commission” to investigate how Epstein managed to conduct operations at Zorro Ranch in secrecy for over two decades.

“New Mexico is setting the example and we expect other states to follow behind,” stated Amanda Roberts, Sky Roberts’ 37-year-old spouse, referencing New York and Florida locations where Epstein maintained properties that warrant similar investigations.

Public opinion research by Reuters/Ipsos indicates Americans widely regard the Epstein matter as evidence that wealthy, influential individuals escape accountability, with most believing federal authorities continue concealing information about Epstein’s associates.

Six people were killed when American military forces attacked a suspected narcotics smuggling boat in the Pacific Ocean on Sunday, according to officials in Washington.

This latest deadly strike raises the fatality count to no fewer than 157 individuals since the Trump administration launched its military offensive against what it terms “narcoterrorists” operating small watercraft in early September.

U.S. Southern Command announced it had struck alleged drug runners along established trafficking corridors, following the pattern of previous statements regarding more than 40 documented attacks in Pacific and Caribbean waters. Military officials provided no proof that narcotics were aboard the targeted vessel, though they released footage on social media showing a small craft exploding on the ocean surface.

President Trump has declared the United States to be in “armed conflict” with Latin American cartels, defending these operations as essential escalation to halt drug imports into America. However, his administration has provided minimal evidence supporting its assertions about eliminating “narcoterrorists.”

During Saturday’s conference with Latin American officials, Trump urged regional leaders to collaborate with America in military operations against drug cartels and international criminal organizations, describing them as presenting an “unacceptable threat” to hemispheric security.

This week witnessed joint military actions between Ecuador and the United States targeting organized criminal networks within the South American nation.

Saturday’s summit allowed Trump to showcase his continued dedication to prioritizing Western Hemisphere affairs in U.S. foreign policy, despite simultaneously conducting warfare against Iran that has created Middle Eastern complications.

Opponents have challenged both the legal authority for these maritime attacks and their practical value, noting that fentanyl responsible for numerous overdose deaths typically enters America through Mexican land routes, manufactured using chemicals from China and India.

The naval strikes have faced harsh condemnation after reports emerged that military forces killed survivors from the initial boat assault in a subsequent attack. Trump administration officials and Republican legislators defended these actions as lawful and essential, while Democratic politicians and legal scholars characterized the killings as murder or potential war crimes.

Motorists should plan alternate routes as Lincoln Street remains shut down for emergency utility repairs between Lancaster Avenue and West 2nd Street.

The road closure is scheduled to last until 10 PM tonight while crews work to address the utility issue. Drivers are advised to seek alternative routes and allow extra travel time in the area.

Officials have not provided details about the nature of the utility emergency that prompted the street closure.

NEW YORK CITY — Authorities have confirmed that an object hurled during a weekend confrontation at an anti-Islam rally was an improvised explosive device, according to initial police findings.

The incident occurred Saturday during a demonstration called “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City,” organized by far-right figure Jake Lang near Manhattan Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s home. Two individuals remain in police custody related to the altercation.

While Lang’s gathering had few attendees, it attracted a significantly larger group of opposing demonstrators. Among them was someone who hurled a smoking item packed with nuts, bolts, screws and what authorities described as a “hobby fuse,” according to police reports.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch addressed the matter on social media Sunday, stating that bomb squad analysis revealed the item was not a fake device or simple smoke bomb, but rather an “improvised explosive device that could have caused serious injury or death.”

According to Tisch, the explosive burned out just feet away from officers at the scene. She added that the individual who threw the first device then obtained another explosive from a fellow counterprotester, though this second item was dropped and failed to detonate.

Criminal charges remain under consideration for both counterprotesters involved. Tisch indicated that investigators are collaborating with federal prosecutors and FBI agents on the matter.

“Violence at a protest is never acceptable,” Mamdani stated Sunday. “The attempt to use an explosive device and hurt others is not only criminal, it is reprehensible and the antithesis of who we are.”

Police also took into custody someone connected to Lang’s demonstration, filing charges including reckless endangerment, assault and unlawful possession of a noxious substance after allegedly using mace against opposing protesters.

Lang previously faced charges for striking a police officer with a baseball bat, civil disorder and additional offenses, though he received clemency under President Donald Trump’s broad pardons for January 6 participants last year. He has recently declared his candidacy for U.S. Senate in Florida.

This year, Lang organized a pro-Trump immigration rally in Minneapolis that quickly dissolved when angry counterprotesters forced him to flee the scene.

KANSAS CITY — Operations at Kansas City International Airport returned to normal Sunday afternoon following a temporary closure that lasted approximately three hours while federal authorities investigated a security concern, according to the Kansas City Aviation Department.

Jackson Overstreet, a spokesperson for the airport, confirmed via email just after 2 p.m. that the terminal had been cleared for reopening. The facility was shut down around 11 a.m. when officials received word of the potential threat. Aircraft that arrived during the closure were required to remain on taxiways until the all-clear was given.

FBI Director Kash Patel announced on social media Sunday afternoon that federal investigators had examined the threat and concluded it was “not to be credible.”

Traveler Logan Hawley, 29, described the chaotic scene as he prepared to depart for Texas. He observed numerous law enforcement officers and police dogs flooding the terminal area before the evacuation order came.

“Suddenly there was an airport worker saying, ‘Immediately evacuate.’ People got up fast and rushed out of there,” Hawley said.

According to Hawley’s account, approximately 2,000 passengers and visitors were directed outside onto the airport’s tarmac area during the security sweep.

Authorities in New York City confirmed Sunday that a homemade bomb hurled during weekend demonstrations near Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s residence had the potential to inflict severe injuries or kill people.

According to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the improvised explosive consisted of a glass container packed with nuts, bolts, and screws, covered in black tape and equipped with a fuse. A counterprotester launched the device on Saturday near Gracie Mansion, though it failed to detonate after the fuse burned out. Two individuals are now in police custody, Tisch confirmed.

Police reported that demonstrators threw two such devices during the confrontation between opposing groups. Officials are still analyzing the second explosive, Tisch noted.

Far-right organizer Jake Lang orchestrated Saturday’s demonstration at Gracie Mansion, where Mamdani resides with his spouse, protesting what he claimed was an Islamic “takeover” of the city and opposing Muslim public prayer. Tisch indicated during Saturday’s news conference that the mayor and his wife appeared to be away during the incident.

On Sunday, Mamdani issued a statement criticizing Lang’s demonstration while expressing greater concern about the subsequent violence.

“Violence at a protest is never acceptable,” Mamdani said. “The attempt to use an explosive device and hurt others is not only criminal, it is reprehensible and the antithesis of who we are.”

Lang’s gathering drew approximately 20 participants, while a significantly larger counter-demonstration of 125 people formed to drive “Nazis” from New York, Tisch explained during Saturday’s briefing. Authorities identified 18-year-old Emir Balat as a counterprotester who ignited and launched the explosive device.

The bomb rolled toward officers before its fuse died out, Tisch reported Saturday. After throwing the first device, Balat fled but subsequently ignited and discarded a second explosive in the roadway, according to the commissioner.

Police apprehended Balat and a second suspect, later identified as Ibrahim Kayumi, at the scene. The NYPD is collaborating with federal authorities including the FBI and Justice Department on the ongoing investigation.

While Tisch stated Saturday that investigators found no immediate connection between the incident and recent U.S. military action against Iran, the probe continues.

Operations returned to normal at Kansas City International Airport on Sunday afternoon after authorities completed their investigation into a security threat that temporarily shuttered portions of the facility.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the resolution via social media, stating: “The security incident at @Fly_KansasCity is now clear and normal operations are resuming.”

Officials with the Kansas City Aviation Department initiated evacuations of certain areas within the Missouri airport starting approximately 11:15 a.m. local time in response to what they described as a potential threat. Local airport police collaborated with FBI agents during the investigation process.

The airport serves as a major transportation hub, handling nearly one million travelers each month based on facility statistics.

Traffic is being diverted around a section of Porter Road after a railroad crossing malfunction forced authorities to close the roadway near Old Porter Road.

The crossing equipment failure has prompted officials to shut down the affected stretch of Porter Road as a safety precaution while repairs are underway.

Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes and expect delays in the area until the railroad crossing issue can be resolved and the road reopened to normal traffic flow.

Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro is launching an ambitious initiative to address what he calls a “five-alarm fire” facing Latino communities nationwide.

Castro, who previously ran for president and now leads the Latino Community Foundation, announced Wednesday his organization’s commitment to establishing a $250 million endowment while expanding grant distribution throughout southwestern states.

“The destiny of the United States is intertwined with the destiny of the Latino community like never before,” Castro shared with The Associated Press. “We’re confident that by helping to ensure that the Latino community does well, we’re helping to ensure that the United States does well in the years to come.”

The initiative addresses a stark funding gap in charitable giving. Organizations serving people of Latin American heritage consistently receive less than 1% of all philanthropic funding, according to Hispanics in Philanthropy, despite Census data showing nearly 20% of Americans identify as Hispanic or Latino.

This disparity has grown more pronounced as community organizations assist immigrant families dealing with President Donald Trump’s expanded enforcement measures. The current administration is increasing detention facility capacity to potentially house around 100,000 immigrants, while enforcement actions in cities like Minneapolis and Chicago have created fear in predominantly Latino neighborhoods, where some residents avoid leaving their homes regardless of their legal status.

Responding to these challenges, the Latino Community Foundation launched its first nationwide funding program last month, distributing an initial $500,000 to five organizations in Minnesota, California and Nevada focused on holding federal immigration authorities accountable and safeguarding families.

The foundation has evolved significantly since starting as a San Francisco United Way affinity group in 1989. Castro hopes to distribute at least $10 million yearly, matching last year’s output when Los Angeles-area wildfire response pushed grantmaking beyond typical levels.

However, the organization’s current $35 million endowment — which Castro describes as “modest” compared to other philanthropies — cannot address expanding nationwide demand.

“Now is the moment, under these unique circumstances that we face, to go bigger and to seek to make a real, lasting impression on philanthropy,” he explained.

Castro, who previously served as San Antonio’s mayor before leading HUD during President Barack Obama’s second term, discussed his foundation vision exclusively with AP.

He emphasized the widespread need across America, noting Latino population growth over recent decades extends beyond traditional areas into smaller communities throughout the Southwest, Midwest, and every region.

During visits to Arizona and Nevada, Castro observed numerous excellent community-rooted nonprofits conducting voter registration, voter mobilization, small business capital access, and Latino empowerment work — all chronically underfunded.

“It feels like an imperative,” Castro said about the current moment. “The moment that we’re going through gives me and the LCF team an added sense of purpose and of urgency to serve our community.”

He noted that all team members share immigrant heritage and feel fortunate to have accessed American opportunities while pursuing their aspirations.

“And that’s what we want for everybody in the country — of course, including other Latinos, whether they’re recent immigrants or they’ve been here for five generations,” Castro continued. “And what I see happening in the country right now is the taking away of opportunity. Subtraction instead of addition.”

The endowment will provide funding for nonprofits typically excluded from mainstream philanthropy, Castro explained, since the Latino Community Foundation emerged partly because mainstream philanthropic dollars rarely reach Latino-led organizations.

“This endowment will help ensure that if somebody is doing excellent grassroots work to serve the Latino community, they always have a place to look,” he said.

Castro acknowledged that many organizations remain deeply connected to their local communities but face staffing shortages, lack grant writers, and need expertise in securing philanthropic resources. He also noted that major philanthropy still requires significant progress in reflecting national diversity and understanding comprehensive community needs.

“We know that there’s a very strong need. We know that that need is going to continue. And that the investments that we’re making to Latino-serving organizations are consistent with the current law,” Castro stated.

While some funders have reduced investments in organizations serving specific demographic groups, Castro called this development unfortunate given persistent generational inequities.

“The Latino Community Foundation is absolutely committed to our mission. And through thick and thin, we’re gonna have the community’s back,” he concluded.

Military families across Iowa are grieving after learning that members of their state’s Army Reserve logistics unit were among those killed in Sunday’s deadly attack in Kuwait.

The Pentagon released the names of four fallen soldiers on Tuesday, though two others who perished in the Iran war incident remain unidentified pending family notification. The servicemembers belonged to a specialized unit responsible for providing essential supplies and equipment to deployed troops.

Among those lost was 20-year-old Sgt. Declan Coady, whose sister Keira spoke with reporters outside the family’s West Des Moines residence while holding her brother’s military photograph. The young soldier was part of the Iowa-based reserve unit that played a crucial role in maintaining supply lines for American forces.

The logistics unit’s mission involved ensuring that deployed personnel received necessary provisions, from meals to critical equipment, making their work essential to military operations in the region. The Sunday attack marked a significant loss for both the Iowa National Guard community and the families who lost their loved ones in service to their country.

Military officials continue working to notify remaining family members before releasing additional names of those killed in the Kuwait incident.

The Defense Department contacted mining companies on Friday requesting assistance in increasing domestic production of 13 essential minerals crucial for manufacturing semiconductors, military weapons, and other defense products, according to documents obtained by Reuters.

The timing of this mineral supply request is significant, coming just 24 hours before the United States and Israel conducted coordinated military strikes against Iran. This development highlights ongoing concerns about America’s limited access to materials essential for military operations.

Defense officials reached out to members of the Defense Industrial Base Consortium, which includes mining companies, academic institutions, and other military suppliers. The Pentagon is seeking project proposals by March 20 that would focus on mining, processing, or recycling materials including nickel, graphite, rare earth elements, and ten other critical minerals.

The Defense Industrial Base Consortium serves as a network connecting the military with private sector companies, universities, and research organizations that provide essential supplies and services to the armed forces.

When contacted for comment, representatives from the White House, the Defense Industrial Base Consortium, and the Pentagon had not yet provided responses to inquiries about this mineral supply initiative.

NEW YORK CITY — Authorities are examining an incident where a counterdemonstrator ignited and hurled an explosive device filled with metal fragments at participants in an anti-Islamic rally on Saturday, according to police officials.

The confrontation began Saturday morning when a member of the “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City” demonstration, linked to conservative activist Jake Lang, discharged pepper spray toward a group of counterdemonstrators gathered near Gracie Mansion, the mayor’s official residence, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch reported.

The situation escalated when a counterprotester ignited and launched a device that Tisch characterized as football-sized or smaller toward the roughly 20-person anti-Islam gathering, she explained.

The explosive struck a barricade and went out “just a few feet from police officers,” according to Tisch. The individual then fled, receiving a second device from another person before dropping it. Both devices were covered in black tape and packed with nuts, bolts, and screws, along with a hobby fuse designed to be ignited, Tisch said. Authorities remain uncertain whether the devices were operational or fake.

Three individuals have been taken into custody as the investigation continues, Tisch confirmed.

During her press briefing, Tisch reported no injuries occurred and indicated she believed Mayor Zohran Mamdani was away from the residence during the incident.

Lang previously faced charges including officer assault with a baseball bat and civil disorder related to January 6th before receiving clemency through President Donald Trump’s broad pardoning of January 6th defendants last year. Lang has recently declared his candidacy for U.S. Senate in Florida.

Lang also participated in demonstrations in Minneapolis during the previous Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts.

According to Tisch, approximately 20 individuals attended Lang’s Saturday demonstration, while the opposing group reached a maximum of 125 participants.

An investigative journalism team at NPR conducted an extensive examination of court documents related to Jeffrey Epstein’s connections to the Interlochen Center for the Arts, revealing previously unknown details about predatory behavior at the renowned institution.

The investigation focused on how Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell exploited their relationship with the prestigious arts center to identify and approach vulnerable young students. The reporting team analyzed extensive legal documentation to piece together the methods used by the convicted sex offender and his accomplice.

The examination of these court records has provided fresh insights into the systematic way Epstein and Maxwell leveraged their association with the well-regarded educational institution as part of their criminal enterprise targeting minors.