Category: U.S. News

DETROIT — Wayne State University evacuated one of its historic buildings Wednesday afternoon following a blaze that broke out inside the nearly 100-year-old structure.

Television footage captured dense black smoke billowing from upper floors of the 14-story Maccabees Building, an architectural landmark designed by Albert Kahn that sits along Woodward Avenue just north of Detroit’s downtown core.

University officials confirmed through social media that the blaze on the building’s 11th floor had been successfully contained, with no reported injuries. Investigators believe the fire originated within the building’s heating and cooling system.

The university has maintained ownership of the Maccabees Building for over two decades, housing various administrative offices including the Computer Science Department and African American Studies program. However, the facility typically doesn’t serve as a classroom location for students.

The building holds significant broadcasting history, having served as the original home for early radio and television production facilities. Notable programs including “The Lone Ranger” and “The Green Hornet” were broadcast from studios within the building beginning in the 1930s.

SALT LAKE CITY — Advanced DNA analysis has finally confirmed what investigators suspected for decades: notorious serial killer Ted Bundy was responsible for the brutal 1974 murder of a Utah teenager, authorities announced Wednesday.

Seventeen-year-old Laura Ann Aime vanished on Halloween night five decades ago after leaving a party by herself to visit a nearby store. Hikers discovered her remains approximately one month later alongside a highway in American Fork Canyon. The victim had been restrained, severely beaten, and found without clothes. Investigators determined she was likely held captive for multiple days following her kidnapping.

While law enforcement had long believed Bundy was the perpetrator — officials noted he verbally admitted responsibility before his 1989 Florida execution — the case stayed active until definitive proof could be established.

The notorious criminal became one of America’s most deadly serial killers, connected to no fewer than 30 female victims across multiple states during the 1970s. His crimes — committed in college dormitories, public spaces, and other locations — terrified the nation. Bundy’s capture generated intense public interest, partly due to his perceived charm and attractive appearance.

Law enforcement had meticulously maintained physical evidence from Aime’s murder, enabling forensic specialists to examine materials and identify samples most likely to contain usable genetic material, according to Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason.

The state forensics laboratory acquired cutting-edge equipment in 2023 capable of extracting genetic profiles from tiny, deteriorated, or mixed DNA specimens, Mason explained. This advanced technology enabled scientists to isolate a single male genetic profile, which was then compared against a national criminal database.

The results matched Bundy’s DNA profile, Mason confirmed.

Aime’s relatives remembered her as an independent spirit who cherished nature and approached life with enthusiasm.

“Laura Aime is the quintessential daughter of Utah County,” Utah County sheriff’s Sgt. Mike Reynolds stated during Wednesday’s press conference. “We felt the pain the family feels when she was taken. We felt the pain that you felt this whole entire time, and we’ve had the desire to deliver to you some type of healing, we can’t really say closure.”

The timeline of Bundy’s initial attacks remains unclear, but by 1974, young women — particularly university students — started vanishing in Washington state. Law enforcement was still examining those disappearances when Bundy relocated to Salt Lake City and continued his killing spree across Utah, Idaho, and Colorado.

During Aime’s murder, Bundy was enrolled in law school at the University of Utah.

His first arrest occurred in August 1975 after officers stopped his vehicle and discovered suspicious materials including rope, restraints, and a face covering.

The following year, he was convicted of kidnapping and attacking a Utah teenager who had escaped. Bundy received a 15-year prison sentence for that offense, and while incarcerated, faced additional charges related to a nursing student’s earlier death.

Authorities transported him to Aspen, Colorado for court proceedings in 1977, where he escaped by climbing through a courthouse window when left unattended. Though recaptured within a week, he broke free again six months later by breaking through his jail cell ceiling.

Bundy then traveled across the country to Tallahassee, Florida. On January 15, 1977, he invaded the Chi Omega sorority house at Florida State University, killing two women with a wooden club and severely injuring two others. He subsequently attacked another woman at a nearby residence.

Weeks later, he kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and murdered 12-year-old Kimberly Leach in Lake City, Florida. She is believed to be his final victim. Bundy was apprehended in Pensacola while operating a stolen car, and his DNA was collected in Florida.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Medical examiners in Erie County have classified the February death of a visually impaired refugee from Myanmar as a homicide, officials announced Wednesday.

Nurul Amin Shah Alam, 56, was discovered deceased on a Buffalo street in late February, five days after federal Border Patrol agents had dropped him off at a Tim Hortons doughnut shop.

According to the Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office, Shah Alam died from complications related to a perforated duodenal ulcer, which was worsened by hypothermia and dehydration. The medical examiner’s office did not assign blame for the death.

When authorities classify a death as homicide, it indicates the death resulted from someone else’s actions or failure to act, though it doesn’t automatically indicate criminal activity occurred.

County officials scheduled a press conference for later Wednesday to discuss the findings.

TV Delmarva reached out to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for a response. The federal agency had previously stated that Shah Alam appeared to have no distress, movement problems, or disabilities requiring special care when officers left him at the restaurant on February 19th. According to the agency, they selected the Tim Hortons location because it provided a secure, heated environment close to his most recent known residence.

However, Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan confirmed the restaurant was not open for business when Shah Alam was left there.

The refugee had just been released from county jail and was temporarily held by Border Patrol before officials determined he could not be deported. His family members, who had been waiting for his jail release, were never notified that he had been freed.

Shah Alam’s attorney filed a missing person report with Buffalo police on February 22nd.

Two days later, on February 24th, his body was discovered near the downtown sports complex where the Buffalo Sabres hockey team plays. Investigators have not determined how he traveled the several miles from the Tim Hortons to that location, or established the exact time of his death.

A jury in Utica, New York has delivered a guilty verdict against a former corrections officer in the deadly assault of an inmate at a state prison facility.

Jonah Levi was convicted Wednesday on charges of manslaughter, gang assault, and conspiracy in connection with the March 1, 2025 death of Messiah Nantwi at Mid-State Correctional Facility in upstate New York. However, jurors cleared him of the more serious second-degree murder charge.

Levi represents the first corrections officer to face trial in Nantwi’s killing.

The 22-year-old victim suffered fatal injuries after being repeatedly struck by multiple guards using fists, boots, and batons, according to prosecutors. Nantwi died from severe head trauma and additional bodily injuries sustained during the violent encounter.

The deadly incident unfolded during an unauthorized work stoppage by numerous officers, which prompted the governor to deploy National Guard troops to maintain facility security. Nantwi’s death occurred just months following the fatal beating of Robert Brooks at another correctional facility located directly across from Mid-State.

As a member of an emergency response unit, Levi responded to Nantwi’s housing area to assist National Guard personnel who had requested backup after the inmate became uncooperative during a routine prisoner count. Testimony revealed that Nantwi had settled down after additional help was summoned.

The violent confrontation began when responding officers attempted to restrain Nantwi in his cell after he resisted handcuffing and grabbed an officer’s vest. Prosecutors stated the assault escalated significantly when Nantwi bit a guard’s hand.

During the trial, Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick accused Levi of repeatedly stomping on Nantwi’s head and taking part in a subsequent cover-up effort among guards.

“The evidence of guilt here, ladies and gentlemen, is simple and it’s overwhelming. Stomp on someone’s head, you’re not trying to get their attention,” Fitzpatrick stated during Monday’s closing arguments. “You’ve divorced yourself from the human race.”

Defense attorney Lewis G. Spicer argued that his client did not employ any force that led to Nantwi’s death.

“Jonah Levi did not kick Messiah Nantwi in the head,” Spicer declared in his closing remarks.

More than six additional individuals have entered guilty pleas to reduced charges connected to the assault and alleged cover-up attempt.

Two more former guards face upcoming trials, with Caleb Blair scheduled for a May 4 murder trial alongside a co-defendant facing first-degree manslaughter charges. A third guard charged with manslaughter will stand trial on June 1.

Nantwi had been incarcerated since May 2024, serving a five-year term for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon stemming from a 2021 shootout with police officers. During that incident, Nantwi sustained multiple gunshot wounds while the officers remained unharmed.

NEW YORK — A federal judge on Wednesday approved a modest postponement for Luigi Mangione’s trial in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, scheduling it for October rather than September, though defense attorneys had pushed for a delay until next year.

U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett based her ruling on the timeline for Mangione’s state murder trial, which is slated to start June 8 and run four to six weeks. She turned down the defense team’s request to push the federal proceedings back to January or February 2027, which would have allowed them to seek a delay of the state case until September.

Defense lawyers contended that consecutive trials on such a tight schedule would infringe upon his constitutional protections. But Garnett noted their alternative plan to move the federal case to 2027 and reschedule the state case “doesn’t solve any of these problems because it shifts the very same problems from the summer to the fall.”

The federal case will now begin jury selection on Oct. 5 rather than Sept. 8, with opening arguments and witness testimony starting Oct. 26 instead of Oct. 13, according to Garnett. She noted the timeline could shift again if the state proceedings face delays.

The 27-year-old defendant has entered not guilty pleas and could receive life imprisonment if found guilty in either proceeding.

“There really is no way around taking into account the events in the state case,” Garnett stated during Wednesday’s hearing at Manhattan federal court. However, she added, “I am skeptical of moving the (federal) trial wholesale into 2027 when the state trial has not been adjourned. it is a little bit of a tail wagging the dog.”

Alongside setting the new court date, Garnett adjusted the timeline for federal jury selection preparations to avoid conflicts with the state trial, allowing Mangione additional time to examine questionnaires completed by hundreds of prospective jurors.

Judge Gregory Carro, who oversees the state case, had previously suggested moving the state trial to September — but only if federal prosecutors challenged Garnett’s decision preventing them from pursuing capital punishment. They chose not to appeal.

Wednesday’s ruling by Garnett gives Carro limited flexibility to postpone the state trial, and delaying it until after the federal case could create double jeopardy issues.

State double jeopardy protections take effect once a jury is sworn in during a previous prosecution, like a federal case, or if that prosecution concludes with a guilty plea. While the cases involve separate charges, they stem from the same alleged criminal conduct.

During a February court appearance, Mangione voiced opposition to facing two separate trials, stating to the judge: “It’s the same trial twice. One plus one is two. Double jeopardy by any commonsense definition.”

Thompson, age 50, was fatally shot on Dec. 4, 2024, while walking to a midtown Manhattan hotel for UnitedHealth Group’s yearly investor meeting. Security footage captured a masked shooter firing at him from behind.

Authorities report that the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were inscribed on the bullets, echoing language critics use to characterize how insurance companies evade claim payments.

Mangione, who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and comes from an affluent Maryland family, was apprehended five days after the shooting when someone recognized him at a McDonald’s restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania, roughly 230 miles west of Manhattan.

His legal team has claimed that law enforcement compromised his case by turning his arrest into a “Marvel movie” spectacle, including having armed personnel escort him along a Manhattan pier after flying him to New York and publicly announcing their intention to pursue the death penalty before formal charges were filed.

In January, Garnett dropped a federal murder charge — murder through firearm use — that would have allowed prosecutors to seek execution, ruling it legally defective.

The judge, a former Manhattan federal prosecutor nominated to the bench by President Joe Biden, also dismissed a weapons charge but maintained stalking charges that carry a potential life sentence.

ATLANTA — A federal judge has thrown out a civil rights lawsuit brought by the family of an environmental activist fatally shot by Georgia state troopers, ruling that law enforcement acted reasonably when they used pepper balls against the protester’s tent and later fired deadly shots after the 26-year-old wounded an officer.

The fatal shooting of Manuel Paez Terán, who went by “Tortuguita,” occurred on January 18, 2023, and became a rallying point for activists opposing construction of what opponents called “Cop City” — a large-scale police and firefighter training facility built on forested land and a former prison farm outside Atlanta that opened last year.

The family of Paez Terán filed suit against three law enforcement officials they claimed organized and executed the operation targeting demonstrators who had been camping in the woods for months near the DeKalb County construction site. Their legal action alleged officers violated Paez Terán’s constitutional speech rights and used unreasonable force against the activist, causing them to panic and fire shots. A family-commissioned autopsy found that Paez Terán, who identified with they/them pronouns, was seated cross-legged with hands raised when struck by more than a dozen bullets.

In Monday’s decision, U.S. District Judge Steven Grimberg pointed out that even the family acknowledged Paez Terán shot at officers, injuring one, which made the troopers’ deadly response justified. Grimberg further determined that officers were legally permitted to fire pepper balls at Paez Terán when the activist, facing criminal trespass charges, refused commands to exit the tent.

“Because Paez Teran initiated gunfire with the (Georgia State Patrol) officers, Plaintiffs cannot maintain that Defendants’ actions were the proximate cause of the use of deadly force that ultimately ended the decedent’s life,” the judge wrote.

Grimberg additionally found the officers protected by qualified immunity, a legal doctrine that shields law enforcement and government employees from lawsuits claiming constitutional violations.

Attorneys Jeff Filipovits and Wingo Smith said Paez Terán’s parents, Belkis Terán and Joel Paez, are “devastated” by the court’s decision.

“They feel they are being denied the accountability they deserve,” the attorneys said in a statement. “The records of their child’s death still have not been publicly released. They will be reviewing all their legal options.”

Body camera video from four Atlanta officers present doesn’t capture the actual shooting, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. However, the agency reported the footage shows officers finding Paez Terán in a wooded tent and opening fire in self-defense after the activist shot at troopers while disregarding verbal orders to leave.

A prosecutor chose not to file charges against the troopers who killed Paez Terán, determining their deadly force was “objectively reasonable.” Investigators also confirmed ballistics evidence showed the wounded trooper was hit by a bullet from a firearm Paez Terán legally bought in 2020.

Demonstrators created the “Stop Cop City” campaign to oppose building the 85-acre Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, arguing it would harm the environment by destroying large forest areas and worsen flooding risks in a low-income, predominantly Black community. They also objected to spending tens of millions in taxpayer money on what critics called an “urban warfare” training facility.

Demonstrations against the project sometimes turned violent, with masked protesters setting fire to police vehicles and construction machinery — incidents that resulted in a sweeping racketeering case against 61 demonstrators in 2023. A Fulton County judge dismissed the high-profile prosecution on procedural issues last year, though Republican Attorney General Chris Carr is challenging that decision.

While the movement has diminished following the racketeering charges and the training center’s completion, the name Tortuguita continues to appear at anti-police demonstrations, and the activist’s likeness remains visible in murals and protest materials throughout Atlanta.

As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, a prominent research organization has released extensive findings documenting the nation’s transformation over the past half-century. The Pew Research Center has assembled comprehensive data examining how America has evolved since the bicentennial commemoration 50 years ago.

According to the research organization’s findings, significant shifts have occurred in how Americans approach family life and relationships. “The American family has witnessed substantial changes. Americans marry and have children at later ages than they once did, and fewer are doing these things at all. Also, a smaller share of children live with two married parents,” the Pew Research Center reported.

The extensive data analysis provides insight into the demographic and social changes that have reshaped the country during this significant milestone period in American history.

The defendant charged with fatally shooting a healthcare insurance company chief executive in Manhattan will appear before a federal judge Wednesday, requesting postponement of his trial that carries potential life imprisonment.

Luigi Mangione, 27, faces federal stalking charges related to the December 4, 2024 death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Currently, jury selection for his federal case is set to commence September 8, with opening arguments planned for October 13.

Defense attorneys for Mangione want the federal proceedings pushed back to January, citing conflicts with his separate New York state murder trial beginning June 8. His legal team contends that managing preparation for both complex cases simultaneously would compromise his defense.

“Mr. Mangione is now in the position of needing to prepare for two complicated and serious trials at the same time,” his lawyers wrote in a March 18 letter to Manhattan-based U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett.

Mangione maintains his innocence on all charges.

Federal prosecutors from the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s office are fighting the delay request for jury selection and opening statements. However, they indicated willingness in a March 21 filing to adjust the timeline for distributing screening questionnaires to approximately 800 potential jurors, currently scheduled for June 29.

Authorities arrested Mangione in Pennsylvania five days following Thompson’s shooting death outside a midtown Manhattan Hilton hotel. He has remained in custody since then. Thompson served as the leader of UnitedHealth Group’s insurance division.

Originally, Mangione faced possible execution in the federal case. Judge Garnett eliminated that possibility in January by dismissing the federal murder charge, determining it was legally incompatible with the two stalking charges that remain. Federal and state murder statutes have different legal standards.

If convicted on federal stalking charges, Mangione could receive life imprisonment, while the state case carries a potential sentence of 25 years to life.

Although government leaders universally condemned Thompson’s murder, Mangione has gained support among some Americans frustrated with expensive healthcare costs and insurance company policies.

When Holly Deiaco-Smith was just 19 years old, she found herself struggling with homesickness during her study abroad experience in France. What seemed like a routine trip to mail a letter would transform into something much more meaningful.

During the 1990s, while dealing with the challenges of being far from home, Deiaco-Smith visited a French post office where she met Chantal Jouve. That unexpected meeting would mark the beginning of a friendship that has endured for more than two decades.

The connection between the young American student and the French woman proved to be exactly what Deiaco-Smith needed during her time overseas. What started as a simple encounter grew into a bond that has lasted well into the 2000s, with the pair maintaining their relationship across continents and through the years.

Federal prosecutors have filed criminal charges against a Miami tugboat operator following a fatal waterway collision that claimed the lives of three young girls participating in a sailing program.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida announced Tuesday that 46-year-old Yusiel Lopez Insua of Miami has been charged with seaman’s manslaughter stemming from the July incident in Biscayne Bay.

According to federal authorities, Insua was operating a tugboat that was pushing a barge loaded with construction materials when his view became blocked. Officials say no lookout person was posted as the vessel traveled through the waterway that separates Miami from Miami Beach.

The tragic collision occurred when a sailboat carrying a 19-year-old counselor and five children between ages 7 and 13 became disabled in the path of the approaching barge. Prosecutors say Insua failed to spot the stalled vessel before impact.

Three people – the counselor and two campers – were pulled beneath the barge during the crash but managed to break free. However, the remaining three children became caught in the wreckage and lost their lives to drowning.

“Our hearts are with the families of the children who lost their lives in this tragedy,” stated Jason Reding Quiñones, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida. “This information alleges a preventable loss of life on our waterways, including the failure to follow basic maritime safety rules and cellphone use during transit at or near the time of the collision.”

Digital forensics revealed that Insua had accessed the internet on his mobile device around the time of the deadly crash, according to investigators.

If found guilty, Insua could receive a sentence of up to a decade in federal prison.

Neither the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office nor federal prosecutors immediately responded to requests for information regarding Insua’s legal representation.

Emergency responders transported four children to medical facilities following the accident. A 7-year-old and 13-year-old were declared deceased upon arrival, while a 10-year-old who had been fighting for life in critical condition passed away several days later.

The sailing vessel became submerged under the barge in Biscayne Bay, an area dotted with small islands including Star Island, known for its luxury waterfront properties.

According to the Miami Yacht Club, the children were in their final week of summer camp when the tragedy occurred.

Coast Guard data shows that while recreational boating fatalities exceeded 550 nationwide in 2024, only 43 deaths resulted from vessel-to-vessel collisions.

WASHINGTON — A major military deployment is underway as the United States sends thousands more service members to the Middle East amid ongoing tensions with Iran and diplomatic efforts by the Trump administration.

The USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier departed Tuesday bound for the Middle East region, accompanied by three destroyer vessels and carrying more than 6,000 sailors, according to two U.S. officials.

Simultaneously, thousands of soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division have started arriving in the Middle East, confirmed two additional U.S. officials who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of military operations.

While most of these deployed forces represent scheduled rotations planned prior to current conflicts, approximately 1,500 paratroopers are part of an emergency surge authorized by the Trump administration last week.

The administration has remained silent about specific missions for these troops, though the 82nd Airborne specializes in parachuting into dangerous or disputed areas to capture strategic locations and airfields. A Navy vessel transporting roughly 2,500 Marines has recently reached the Middle East, with an additional 2,500 Marines deploying from California.

These reinforcements join tens of thousands of American military personnel already stationed throughout the region. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other administration officials have declined to answer whether ground forces will be used against Iran.

“You can’t fight and win a war if you tell your adversary what you are willing to do or what you are not willing to do to include boots on the ground,” Hegseth stated to reporters Tuesday.

He continued, “Our adversary right now thinks there are 15 different ways we could come at them with boots on the ground. And guess what? There are.”

However, Hegseth emphasized that diplomatic resolution remains the priority, saying “we don’t want to have to do more militarily than we have to.”

The military buildup comes as existing forces and equipment face significant strain from ongoing operations.

The world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, suffered a laundry room fire on March 12, forcing its withdrawal from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean for repairs at a Crete naval facility.

Navy reports indicate the blaze damaged seven sleeping quarters on the vessel, displacing hundreds of sailors and destroying personal belongings.

Currently docked in Croatia for crew rest, the Ford is expected to break deployment duration records, according to Navy leadership. The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier also entered the region in January.

“You’re going to see a recordbreaking deployment by Ford,” stated Admiral Daryl Caudle, the Navy’s senior officer, during a Tuesday discussion at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Caudle projected the aircraft carrier would likely complete 11 months of operational deployment — an unprecedented timeframe that would bring the ship back to Norfolk, Virginia around late May. The Ford previously operated in the Mediterranean before being redirected to the Caribbean for military operations in January that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, then redeployed to support Iran-related missions.

“For those that are not in the Navy, that’s an extraordinary thing to even think about something of that kind of deployment length,” Caudle explained.

NEW YORK — Jurors are preparing to deliberate in the murder trial of a man accused of fatally shooting a New York City police officer in a case that drew national political attention during the 2024 presidential race.

The March 25, 2024 killing of Officer Jonathan Diller became a campaign talking point for Donald Trump, who was then seeking to return to the presidency. Trump attended Diller’s funeral services and used the tragedy to highlight what he characterized as rampant crime in the Democratic-controlled city.

Central to the case is whether Guy Rivera deliberately fired the shot that killed Diller during a routine traffic stop in Queens. Both prosecution and defense teams presented their final arguments Tuesday, offering starkly different interpretations of the events.

Prosecutor John Kosinski told jurors that video footage and witness testimony clearly demonstrated Rivera deliberately drew a hidden weapon and fired at Diller with intent.

Despite being wounded, Diller helped other officers subdue Rivera to prevent additional harm, Kosinski explained.

“Diller chose life. The defendant chose differently,” Kosinski stated while displaying the bullet recovered from Diller’s body. The officer received a posthumous promotion to detective.

Defense attorney Jamal Johnson countered that the state failed to establish intentional action, which is essential for a first-degree murder conviction. Johnson claimed the weapon fired accidentally while Rivera was being restrained by another officer.

“This is not intentional. This is not targeted,” Johnson told the court.

Johnson also challenged the reliability of officer testimony, claiming it conflicted with body camera recordings from the scene.

Addressing a courtroom filled with uniformed police and Diller’s relatives, Johnson encouraged jurors to “question everything” about the police account and suggested the testifying officers had “motive to lie.”

“They want you to disbelieve what the bodycam shows,” he argued.

Kosinski dismissed those claims, saying “William Shakespeare couldn’t come up with the words to show the defendant didn’t fire that gun.”

The prosecutor emphasized that Rivera’s preparation — loading ammunition, chambering a round, and disabling the safety before concealing the weapon — demonstrated clear intent to use it.

“We don’t tell a story to fit the facts. The facts tell the story,” Kosinski said. “He pulled the trigger. It was in his hands. That’s what happened here.”

Deliberations are scheduled to begin Wednesday following the three-week trial.

If found guilty of first-degree murder, the 36-year-old Rivera faces life imprisonment without parole. He also confronts additional charges including attempted murder.

The fatal encounter occurred while Diller and fellow officers patrolled the Far Rockaway neighborhood in Queens. Police reported noticing a suspicious bulge in Rivera’s sweatshirt as he and a companion approached a parked vehicle.

According to authorities, officers were interviewing the driver when Rivera, seated in the passenger position, suddenly produced a firearm and shot Diller.

The bullet penetrated below Diller’s protective vest, causing fatal injuries. A responding officer then shot and injured Rivera.

Diller’s death marked the first NYPD line-of-duty fatality in two years. Memorial ceremonies for the 31-year-old officer in his Long Island community attracted thousands, including Trump.

Following his visit with Diller’s family at the funeral home, Trump described the death as “such a sad, sad event, such a horrible thing.”

“The police are the greatest people we have. There’s nothing and there’s nobody like them. And this should never happen,” Trump commented.

Air travelers heading to San Francisco International Airport should brace for significant delays over the coming six months after federal aviation officials dramatically reduced the number of planes allowed to land each hour.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced Tuesday it is cutting hourly arrivals from 54 aircraft down to just 36 – a reduction of one-third that officials expect will delay approximately 25% of incoming flights by at least 30 minutes.

The sharp reduction stems from two factors: a six-month runway repaving project and new safety regulations specific to the California airport. Aviation authorities determined that the airport’s long-standing practice of simultaneously landing aircraft on parallel runways separated by only 750 feet poses too great a risk given the busy surrounding airspace.

“Officials decided that SFO’s longstanding practice of landing two planes at the same time on closely spaced parallel runways that are just 750 feet apart — along with congested airspace — was too dangerous,” explained FAA spokesman Ian Gregor, who could not explain why the simultaneous landing procedure had previously been permitted.

The airport operates using two sets of parallel runways. Construction work has taken the north-south runways out of service, accounting for nine of the 18 hourly flight reductions. Safety concerns about the remaining runways prompted officials to eliminate the other nine hourly arrivals.

While a fatal collision between an Air Canada aircraft and fire truck occurred at New York’s LaGuardia Airport in March, federal officials emphasized that San Francisco’s new restrictions address problems unique to that facility, including the proximity of its parallel runways and complex regional airspace shared with multiple nearby airports.

Airlines are still determining how to respond to the capacity cuts. United Airlines representatives said the carrier is evaluating whether schedule adjustments will be necessary. Alaska Airlines reported the situation remains fluid, with 15 departing flights experiencing delays Monday but none facing delays Tuesday.

The San Francisco Bay region is served by multiple airports, including San José Mineta International Airport and Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, along with several smaller facilities.

Airport officials have not yet announced how they plan to manage the expected delays and passenger disruptions.

The next time you explore Charlotte, North Carolina’s outdoor trails on foot or bicycle, remember that dedicated community volunteers likely created and care for the path beneath your feet.

These unsung heroes form the backbone of the area’s trail system, donating countless hours to build new routes and keep existing pathways in excellent condition for outdoor enthusiasts throughout the region.

Their efforts are featured as part of an ongoing series highlighting community helpers who make a difference in their neighborhoods.

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The University of Pennsylvania has been directed by a federal court to provide employee records to federal investigators examining allegations of antisemitic workplace discrimination, according to a Tuesday ruling.

U.S. District Judge Gerald Pappert ruled that the university must comply with demands from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for information about Jewish staff members on campus. However, the judge clarified that individual employees retain the right to decline participation in the federal inquiry.

“The agency needs the opportunity to talk to them directly to learn if they have evidence of discrimination,” Pappert stated in his decision.

While largely supporting the federal subpoena, the judge established certain limitations. The university will not be required to disclose workers’ memberships in Jewish-related organizations or provide details about three specific groups, according to the ruling.

University officials had not responded to requests for comment regarding the court’s decision as of Tuesday evening.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Two Army Apache helicopter crews have been grounded from flight duties after making an unscheduled stop at entertainer Kid Rock’s Nashville residence over the weekend, military officials announced Tuesday.

The AH-64 Apache crews are prohibited from flying while military officials conduct an administrative investigation into Saturday’s incident, according to U.S. Army spokesperson Maj. Montrell Russell. Russell explained that grounding crews during such reviews is standard protocol, though discretionary.

The musician, known for his vocal support of President Donald Trump, shared his perspective with WKRN-TV on Monday, explaining that aircraft from Fort Campbell’s 101st Airborne frequently pass over his property. Kid Rock emphasized his strong military support, noting his overseas performances for service members in Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations.

“I think they know this is a pretty friendly spot,” he said. He mentioned attending Thanksgiving at Fort Campbell with Vice President JD Vance and recalled conversations with pilots: “I’ve talked to some of these pilots. I’ve told them, ‘You guys see me waving when you come by the house?’ I’m like, ‘You guys are always welcome to cruise by my house, any time.’”

The entertainer documented the encounter in two brief social media videos showing the military aircraft hovering beside his pool area while he applauded, saluted and raised his fist skyward. One video included commentary criticizing California Governor Gavin Newsom, a frequent Trump opponent.

The footage captured Kid Rock positioned near a Statue of Liberty replica and pool signage reading “The Southern White House.” His hillside Nashville residence was constructed to mirror the White House’s appearance.

According to Maj. Jonathon Bless, public affairs officer for the 101st Airborne Division, the helicopters were conducting training exercises when they diverted to Kid Rock’s property. The same aircraft also flew over an anti-Trump demonstration called “No Kings” in downtown Nashville, though Bless clarified their flight path was unrelated to the protest.

Kid Rock expressed enthusiasm about the military visit, calling it “really cool” that the crews took time to hover at his residence.

“If it makes their day a little brighter for their service to our country, protecting us, I think that’s a great thing,” he said.

When questioned about potential consequences for the flight crews, he remained optimistic: “I think they’re going to be all right. My buddy’s the commander in chief.”

WASHINGTON — During oral arguments Tuesday, U.S. Supreme Court justices appeared inclined to side with a Black Mississippi death row prisoner who alleges racial discrimination influenced his jury selection.

The high court is considering an appeal from Terry Pitchford, whose case bears striking resemblances to another Black Mississippi death row defendant whose murder conviction was reversed by the Supreme Court seven years ago.

Pitchford received a death sentence for his involvement in a grocery store owner’s murder in northern Mississippi. His jury included just one Black member after prosecutor Doug Evans, now retired and known for systematically removing Black potential jurors, dismissed four other African American candidates.

Four decades ago in Batson v. Kentucky, the Supreme Court established that prospective jurors cannot be removed based on race, creating procedures for trial judges to assess discrimination claims and evaluate prosecutors’ race-neutral justifications.

The central question in Pitchford’s appeal concerns whether his defense attorneys adequately challenged Judge Joseph Loper’s decisions and if Mississippi’s highest court reasonably determined they had failed to do so.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh indicated he believed one of Pitchford’s attorneys had raised proper objections. Referencing the trial record, Kavanaugh observed, “She’s trying to make the objections right there.”

Multiple justices agreed that both the presiding judge and defense counsel performed poorly during jury selection.

“This is the most timid and reticent defense counsel that I have ever encountered,” Justice Samuel Alito remarked.

However, Alito also criticized Judge Loper for accepting Evans’ explanations without properly examining whether racial bias motivated the dismissals. “The judge didn’t handle this the way it should have been handled,” Alito stated.

In 2019, the Supreme Court reversed Curtis Flowers’ death sentence and conviction due to what Kavanaugh characterized as a “relentless, determined effort to rid the jury of Black individuals.”

Mississippi Solicitor General Scott Stewart attempted to differentiate Pitchford’s situation from the Flowers case.

“In Flowers versus Mississippi, this Court faced an extraordinary case and ruled against the state,” Stewart argued. “This case is also extraordinary but in a very different way that requires a very different result.”

The Supreme Court might rule in Pitchford’s favor while allowing lower courts to determine whether his conviction warrants reversal.

Pitchford, currently 40 years old, was 18 when he and an accomplice planned to rob Crossroads Grocery near Grenada in northern Mississippi. His companion fired three fatal shots at store owner Reuben Britt but avoided death penalty eligibility due to being under 18. Pitchford faced capital murder charges and received a death sentence.

The legal proceedings have continued for two decades. In 2023, U.S. District Judge Michael P. Mills vacated Pitchford’s conviction, determining that the trial judge failed to provide defense attorneys adequate opportunity to challenge the prosecution’s improper dismissal of Black jurors.

Mills indicated his decision was influenced partly by Evans’ conduct in previous cases. A three-judge panel from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously overturned Mills’ ruling.

During his exchange with Stewart, Kavanaugh commended Mills’ case management. “Mills is a very experienced district judge. He had been a former Mississippi Supreme Court justice. He knows what he’s doing. He read the record entirely differently than you did,” Kavanaugh noted.

When audiences head to theaters Wednesday for “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” they’ll find familiar elements from the beloved video game alongside some unexpected twists. The film delivers what fans anticipate: the cosmic Princess Rosalina makes her debut, complete with scenes where she tells bedtime stories to her glowing star companions called Lumas. The plot whisks Princess Peach, Mario, Luigi and Toad beyond the Mushroom Kingdom into outer space, where characters zip between planets using launch stars—a concept that will resonate with anyone who played the 2007 Nintendo game.

The movie’s most surprising revelation centers on Bowser (Jack Black returns as the voice) and his overlooked son Bowser Jr. (voiced by Benny Safdie), who both turn out to be artists. The father figure uses painting as emotional therapy while remaining prisoner-sized in Princess Peach’s castle, still miniaturized from the previous film’s events. Meanwhile, Bowser Jr.—completely absent from the first movie—creates destructive art as part of his galaxy conquest scheme to earn his father’s approval. Despite being largely absent during his son’s upbringing, Bowser made their limited time together memorable with elaborate puppet shows and theatrical bedtime story presentations.

Family themes extend beyond the villain duo, as Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) grapples with questions about her past. Fortunately, Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) avoid heavy emotional storylines and simply enjoy the adventure. Producers Shigeru Miyamoto, Mario’s creator, and Chris Meledandri from Illumination appear dedicated to maintaining the franchise’s lighthearted spirit while crafting a reasonably engaging narrative.

Directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, returning from the first film, along with screenwriter Matthew Fogel, recognize that Super Mario movie audiences aren’t seeking complex character development or harsh realism. The video game series offers pure escapism—a vibrant fantasy realm where space feels welcoming rather than threatening, filled with sparkle and amazement. Unlike the notorious 1993 film that featured disturbing violence, this version focuses on the joy of exploring locations like the Gateway Galaxy or navigating spinning fire obstacles.

New voice talent joins the cast, including Brie Larson as Rosalina, though her performance sounds remarkably similar to Taylor-Joy’s Princess Peach. Donald Glover voices Yoshi, bringing chaotic energy that makes him an entertaining and likely popular addition. The film doesn’t strictly adhere to the Galaxy games’ specific worlds, which some devoted fans have criticized as overly rigid thinking for this type of adaptation. One standout sequence cleverly combines Mario’s classic 2D pixelated appearance with the stunning 3D animation of contemporary versions.

The movie does carry an unavoidable commercial undertone, existing partly to generate additional revenue through games, toys, and future theme park attractions. It also capitalizes heavily on its predecessor’s massive success. The Lumas obsess over tales of the heroic plumber brothers, as do the Toads—one even sports Mario-themed sleepwear and carries a Mario figurine, raising obvious questions about the merchandise’s origin within their world. Bowser Jr.’s bedroom overflows with villain-themed toys and matching bedding.

While acknowledging that merchandise appeals to younger moviegoers, when these commercial elements become woven into the actual plot, they become distracting. These moments pull viewers away from the magical escape and back toward thoughts of corporate marketing strategies.

“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” distributed by Universal Pictures and opening Wednesday, carries a PG rating for mild violence, action sequences, and crude humor. The film runs 98 minutes and earns two and a half stars out of four.

BULVERDE, Texas — Authorities revealed Tuesday that a 15-year-old high school student was experiencing significant academic difficulties before he wounded a teacher with gunfire and then took his own life on Monday morning.

The tragic incident unfolded at Hill Country College Preparatory High School in Bulverde, where investigators from the Comal County Sheriff’s Office continue their examination of the circumstances. Law enforcement officials have confiscated multiple electronic devices from the teenager’s residence as they work to understand his motivations and the events leading up to the violence.

The attack left one teacher wounded, who remains under medical care at a local hospital. Sheriff’s officials have not disclosed details about her current medical status or the extent of her injuries. No additional casualties occurred during the incident at the school located in the expanding community near San Antonio.

According to investigators, the teenager brought a .357 revolver from his residence to carry out the shooting.

School officials confirmed the student was experiencing academic failure across multiple courses. The institution, operating under the Comal Independent School District, specializes in college preparatory education and academic excellence, as described on the district’s official website.

The campus, serving approximately 250 students, implemented emergency lockdown procedures shortly after 8:30 in the morning. School administrators evacuated students via bus transportation to a neighboring middle school facility, where anxious parents formed lengthy queues — some offering prayers — while awaiting reunion with their children.

District officials suspended Tuesday classes but arranged for professional counseling services to support students and their families during this difficult time.

Federal law enforcement agents will be deployed at a Marine Corps graduation ceremony this Friday at Parris Island, South Carolina, in what officials say is an unprecedented security measure for the military installation.

According to an announcement posted on the Marine base’s website, this marks the first instance in recent years that federal agents have been assigned to support entry operations at the facility.

Media reports from NBC News indicate that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers may be positioned outside the graduation ceremonies to check whether relatives of graduating Marines have proper immigration documentation.

However, the Department of Homeland Security stated on social media platforms that ICE will not conduct arrests during the event. The agency did not provide additional details when contacted for further information about their involvement.

The official notice from Parris Island did not specify which federal agencies would be involved, stating only that the personnel would handle security and operational support.

“Due to increased force protection measures and to expedite enhanced base access procedures, federal law enforcement personnel will be present at installation access points during Recruit Family and Graduation Days,” the announcement stated.

Friday’s ceremony will honor Marines completing their intensive 13-week boot camp at the South Carolina training facility.

The Parris Island depot serves as one of two primary training centers for Marine recruits, alongside a facility in San Diego, California. The West Coast location, which also hosts graduation ceremonies on Friday, has not announced similar federal law enforcement deployment on its website.

Each year, approximately 20,000 new Marines complete their training at Parris Island, where military instruction has taken place since 1915.

“While the Marine Corps routinely coordinates with federal partners on security matters, this is the first time in recent memory that federal law enforcement agencies have supported base access operations at Parris Island in this capacity,” a base representative told NBC News.

Marine Corps officials at Parris Island have not yet responded to requests for additional comment about the security arrangements.

Back in 1965, Filipino and Mexican American farm laborers joined together in a groundbreaking strike against grape growers in California. The historic action brought together Filipino organizer Larry Itliong and César Chavez, who helped establish the National Farm Workers Association. This defining moment has been commemorated through literature, public memorials, and theatrical productions.

Now, following recent sexual abuse accusations against Chavez involving young women and girls within the labor movement, Filipino American communities — including families of the original strikers — are reconsidering how to honor this important historical period.

Several Filipino organizations have called off their planned César Chavez Day marches, while community leaders are pushing to rebrand the March 31 holiday to spotlight Filipino and Chicano farm laborers, especially women, while recognizing those who suffered Chavez’s alleged abuse.

“We really need to kind of center this trauma of women and sexual abuse,” said Dillon Delvo, executive director of Little Manila Rising, a longtime Filipino community hub in Stockton, California. “It’s definitely what the discussion needs to be.”

During America’s colonial control of the Philippines between 1898 and 1946, countless Filipinos learned English and gained permission to move to the United States. Between the 1920s and 1960s, thousands of Filipino immigrants became part of America’s farm labor force, taking jobs on agricultural operations, in processing plants, and canneries, mostly throughout western states. This initial group of men — who came from the Philippines’ Ilocano-speaking areas — earned the nickname “manong,” a loving term meaning older brother.

These Filipino farm laborers faced significant hardships including substandard pay, inadequate living quarters, and dangerous work environments, all while trying to earn money for their families back home. They also dealt with isolation because few Filipino women made the journey to America, and laws banning interracial marriage prevented them from marrying outside their ethnic group.

During the 1960s, Filipino agricultural workers established the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee to coordinate labor actions.

“It came out of necessity and desperation to protect themselves, to try to live in dignity,” said Dennis Arguelles, Southern California director for the National Parks Conservation Association. The region Arguelles, who is Filipino, monitors includes monuments to Filipino farmworkers and Chavez.

On September 8, 1965, Itliong and co-organizer Philip Vera Cruz guided the Committee’s decision to walk off the job at grape farms in Delano, California. Their demand was simple: payment of at least the federal minimum wage. Itliong, described as the more “fiery union leader,” reached out to Chavez, who along with Dolores Huerta led what was then called the National Farm Workers Association.

“Chavez was hesitant to strike,” Arguelles said. “You didn’t feel like the National Farm Workers Association was ready to take on these powerful agribusiness interests. These business structures were very effective in pitting different ethnicities against each other to break strikes.”

Seven days later, the groups officially merged to form the United Farm Workers. The Delano grape boycott continued for five years and transformed the agricultural industry, ultimately resulting in collective bargaining contracts for thousands of workers.

The widely accepted story of Itliong’s role has typically been linked to Chavez, with both men featured side by side in educational materials, museum displays, and artwork throughout California.

The accusations against Chavez have generated concerns about placing historical figures on pedestals.

“There always seems to be a need to be like a main character,” Delvo said. “But the problem is that is not what a union is about.”

The controversy has also reignited discussions about how Chavez’s prominence may have overshadowed other movement leaders.

“Maybe this is our opportunity to tell a more accurate and comprehensive narrative of what took place,” Arguelles said. “I see that as being a positive thing.”

During a public session last week, the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors began procedures to change César Chavez Day to Farmworkers Day. Some participants proposed shifting the holiday, which falls on Tuesday, to September 8 to commemorate the Filipino workers’ strike. Johnny Itliong, the 60-year-old son of Larry Itliong, claimed Chavez had attempted to “erase the history” of how the Delano strike started.

“I’ve spent my whole life speaking up for my father and his generation of men and women who fed America,” Itliong said at the meeting.

A stage production called “Larry the Musical: An American Journey,” which tells the story of the Filipino farmworkers movement, mentions Chavez just once, during a scene where Itliong contacts him by phone. The show’s creators also ensured the narrative highlighted the women in Itliong’s circle. Current developments have reinforced the wisdom of that artistic choice.

“From the beginning, we have always centered this musical on the women of the community as those who keep Larry and the community accountable, and the ones who pass on knowledge to the next generation,” co-producers Gayle Romasanta and Bryan Pangilinan said in a statement.

Vernadette Gonzalez, an ethnic studies professor at University of California, Berkeley, believes teachers should use this moment to spotlight overlooked figures from the Filipino farmworkers movement. She points out that Latina women in the United Farm Workers were simultaneously caring for their children and providing meals for organizational gatherings.

“Nobody’s crediting them in the minutes of the meeting,” Gonzalez said. “Who’s missing from the story? In the United Farmworkers movement, folks will say ‘It’s Larry Itliong and the Filipino farmworkers.’ But I would also say ‘Where are the women?’”

NEW YORK — The digital world’s most prestigious honors are celebrating three decades of recognizing online excellence, with this year’s Webby Award nominees including rap superstar Cardi B, NBA champion Stephen Curry, and an unexpected entry involving actress Sydney Sweeney’s bathwater.

Tuesday’s announcement from the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences revealed nominees selected from more than 13,000 submissions spanning over 70 countries, with The Associated Press receiving advance details.

Political figures made their mark in the nominations, with social media teams for New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and California Governor Gavin Newsom receiving recognition. Kendall Jenner secured three nominations for her humorous Super Bowl advertisement with Fanatics Sportsbook titled “Bet on Kendall,” which playfully referenced her history of dating professional athletes. She’ll compete against Sweeney in the viral PR campaign category, where the “Euphoria” star earned her spot through a Dr. Squatch collaboration offering limited-edition soap infused with her bathwater.

This year’s competition spans eight major divisions: gaming, podcasts, websites and mobile platforms, video and cinema, applications and software, artificial intelligence, plus advertising, media and public relations.

Award recipients will be revealed April 21, followed by a celebration ceremony on May 11 in New York, with “The Daily Show” correspondent and writer Josh Johnson serving as host.

Leading the nomination count, Google topped all organizations with 46 nods, while PBS followed with 29, and Apple, The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal, and Netflix each earned between 22 and 23 nominations.

Several 2025 campaigns gained recognition for their viral appeal, including Absolut’s Tabasco-infused vodka, Ricola’s herb-scented scarf featuring their “signature Swiss alpine herbs,” and two French pastry-inspired products: Panera Bread’s Croissant Clutch purse and Lidl’s Eau de Croissant perfume.

Language-learning platform Duolingo captured attention once more by staging the fake demise of Duo, their popular owl mascot. This stunt, which inspired Dua Lipa to cleverly post “Til’ death duo part” on X, received nominations for outstanding PR campaign and most effective earned media usage. Lipa herself earned recognition when Apple documented a complete day during her Radical Optimism concert tour.

Last year’s cultural sensation “Stranger Things” finale promotion garnered three nominations, including a mobile treasure hunt requiring users to tap a 20-sided die for Upside Down access. Similarly, Bad Bunny fans participated in a nominated scavenger hunt using Google Maps and Spotify to discover song titles from his “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” album.

A Los Angeles billboard showcasing Curry received viral recognition because it appears he’s shooting a basketball at the moon, while fellow NBA legend LeBron James’ Amazon commercial, depicting his consideration of post-basketball careers including barbering and lounge singing, earned a collaboration award nomination.

Academy members select the main awards, while global fans vote for the Webby People’s Voice Award through April 16.

In the music video competition, Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” faces Sabrina Carpenter’s “Tears,” Rosalía’s “Berghain,” Little Simz’s “Young,” and Claude’s Eurovision entry “C’est La Vie.” Lamar previously claimed last year’s music video Webby for “Not Like Us.”

Two-time Oscar nominee Benedict Cumberbatch earned dual nominations for his dramatic interpretations of Amazon customer reviews in the “Five Star Theater” campaign’s second installment. Blackpink’s Lisa received recognition for leading professional ballet dancers and performers in a NikeSKIMS advertisement that inspired numerous TikTok recreations. International girl group Katseye also earned a nomination for their Gap “Better in Denim” commercial.

Dwayne Johnson’s unexpected visit to Apalachee High School’s football team following a campus shooting received recognition in the best long-form video division. Lady Gaga’s Spotify fan Q&A session about creating her “Mayhem” album earned a nomination for outstanding events and livestream social campaign.

Culinary content creator Nick DiGiovanni secured two nominations: one for putting MrBeast through cooking training camp in a video exceeding 71 million views, and another for preparing meals for various animals, including a lion. MrBeast earned his own recognition with the animated series “MrBeast Lab.”

The organizers of a Timothée Chalamet lookalike competition that drew thousands of attendees, including the actor himself, received recognition. Chalamet’s Cash App advertisement, featuring a large spiky tropical fruit, earned a nomination in branded entertainment short-form video and film.

Justin Bieber’s live Twitch broadcast of his Coachella headlining set preparations received a community engagement nomination, while Sonic’s commercial featuring Terry Crews instructing athletes in acting earned recognition for best long-form branded entertainment.

Feature podcast host nominations went to “Good Hang with Amy Poehler,” “Next Question with Katie Couric,” “The Mel Robbins Podcast,” “Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky,” and “Baby, This is Keke Palmer.”

Palmer’s podcast also competed in the entertainment and culture interview category alongside “Thanks Dad with Ego Nwodim,” “All There Is with Anderson Cooper,” “Office Ladies,” and “Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard.”

Sports podcast nominees include “Pablo Torre Finds Out,” “All the Smoke,” “New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce,” “Bussin’ With the Boys,” and “7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony.”

Cardi B’s “Am I The Drama?” album promotion, featuring a Harlem street performance where she sold her album for $9.99 alongside incense, earned two nominations. Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s short film “I Said I Love You First” received recognition, as did Gomez’s Rare Beauty cosmetics line.

Science educator and new mother Emily Calandrelli gained a Webby nomination after her TSA confrontation over breast pump equipment and stored milk sparked the #HandsOffOurMilk movement. Former “Saturday Night Live” performer Bowen Yang and actor Matt Rogers earned recognition for their Olympic discussions with “Sesame Street” characters on NBC Olympics podcast “Two Guys, Five Rings.”

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Airport security officials detained a United States Marine at Palm Springs International Airport after discovering a live explosive device in his luggage during routine baggage screening, authorities announced.

Transportation Security Administration agents uncovered the 25mm explosive round while examining checked bags on Monday, according to a statement from the Palm Springs Police Department.

During questioning, the Marine explained to authorities that he had discovered the ammunition “in the field” approximately one year earlier and decided to keep it, believing it posed no danger.

“Due to extensive rust and corrosion, the round’s original identifying paint markings were no longer visible, making it difficult to determine whether it was an inert training munition or a live explosive device,” authorities stated in their official announcement.

Specialists from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team utilized X-ray equipment to verify the round contained live explosives. The bomb squad transported the device to an isolated desert location along Interstate 10, where they safely detonated it without incident or injury.

Investigators have forwarded the matter to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office for evaluation of possible legal violations and criminal prosecution. The district attorney’s office had not responded to requests for comment as of Tuesday.

Military officials took custody of the Marine following his release from local authorities. He now faces possible disciplinary measures from the Marine Corps as well as potential civil fines from the TSA, police officials confirmed. Both the Marine Corps and TSA have not yet provided statements regarding the incident.

Internal documents suggest that air traffic control operations at LaGuardia Airport may have breached established safety protocols on the evening a deadly collision occurred between an Air Canada aircraft and a fire truck, according to records obtained by Reuters.

The March 22 accident, which happened around 11:37 p.m. Eastern Time and resulted in the deaths of both pilots, has reignited discussions about inadequate staffing levels in America’s air traffic control system and the increasing burden placed on controllers nationwide.

Due to personnel shortages, particularly among supervisory staff, air traffic controllers are increasingly being asked to manage both airborne and ground traffic simultaneously, multiple controllers from various locations have reported.

The National Transportation Safety Board announced last week that investigators are examining the specific responsibilities assigned to each controller as part of their crash investigation.

Should it be determined that the controller managing the incident was handling both aviation and ground operations, this would contradict LaGuardia tower’s established operational guidelines.

A 1997 NTSB final investigation report regarding a similar LaGuardia collision between a private aircraft and ground vehicle noted that new protocols were implemented afterward requiring that “local and ground positions shall not be combined prior to” midnight at the New York facility.

According to a 2023 LaGuardia Tower Standard Operating Procedures document reviewed by Reuters, this regulation remained active as of that year.

“Positions at LaGuardia Tower are not to be consolidated to one position prior to midnight local time or 90 minutes after the start of the shift, whichever is later,” the 2023 document stated. Sources familiar with operations confirmed this policy remained current through 2026.

The Federal Aviation Administration, which oversees American air traffic control operations, has not responded to requests for comment.

UNCLEAR CONTROLLER RESPONSIBILITIES

NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy informed media last week that two controllers were on duty in the airport’s control tower glass enclosure when the accident occurred.

One local controller was overseeing active runway operations and surrounding airspace, while a controller-in-charge was simultaneously providing departure clearances to pilots, she explained.

“It is not clear who was conducting the duties of the ground controller. We have conflicting information,” Homendy stated, referring to the position responsible for managing aircraft and vehicle movement on taxiways, typically excluding active runways.

Several active and former controllers indicated they believe the local controller overseeing runway operations was simultaneously managing ground traffic, based on audio recordings available through LiveATC.net.

The NTSB has not responded to follow-up inquiries.

Aviation accident investigations typically identify multiple contributing elements rather than pinpointing a single cause.

POSITION CONSOLIDATION

The controller-in-charge began their shift at 10:30 p.m., with the local controller starting at 10:45 p.m., according to Homendy’s statements.

Based on LaGuardia’s standard operating procedures, local and ground controller positions should not have been merged until midnight at the earliest.

The procedural document also specifies that position consolidation should only occur when traffic conditions justify it. When positions are combined and traffic increases, they should be separated again, the guidelines state.

On the evening of the Air Canada incident, weather-related delays led to 70 commercial aircraft departures and arrivals between 10 p.m. and 11:37 p.m., significantly higher than the typical 53 flights during the same timeframe since 2022, based on Cirium aviation data.

Multiple controllers interviewed described that evening’s workload as exceptionally demanding and noted that additional personnel would normally be called in or asked to extend their shifts to handle such increased flight volumes.

Local and ground controller positions should have remained separate until midnight at minimum, according to a current New York-area controller who requested anonymity due to media restrictions.

“And that is not even talking about the traffic, volume and complexity that night,” the controller added.

Community volunteers in areas experiencing heightened immigration enforcement activity have organized group escorts to help students safely reach their schools.

These volunteer-led initiatives, which organizers have dubbed ‘walking buses,’ involve adults accompanying groups of children on foot to ensure they can continue attending classes despite ongoing federal immigration operations in their neighborhoods.

The grassroots effort has emerged as a response to increased U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities in various communities across the country, with local residents stepping up to provide safe passage for students who might otherwise face barriers getting to school.

A beloved canine who made history as the first dog ever welcomed into the Surfer’s Hall of Fame has passed away following a fight with cancer.

Sugar, a 16-year-old rescue dog from California’s Huntington Beach, died Monday while being held by her owner, according to an announcement on her social media account. The remarkable pup had claimed five world championship titles in dog surfing competitions.

“She lived to put smiles on faces, volunteer, to send it !! to change dog surfing forever !!! thank you for loving Sugar,” the post said. “Good bye my Sugar., i can’t believe in writing this .. i’m going to miss you so much.”

Originally discovered as a homeless stray, Sugar developed an extraordinary passion for ocean waves that transformed the sport of canine surfing. Crowds would gather to witness the small white dog, wearing her safety vest, expertly navigating her board through rolling waves toward the beach. Sometimes her owner Ryan Rustan would join her on the water, while other times she rode solo.

Earlier this year, Sugar achieved legendary status when her paw prints were permanently preserved in cement alongside those of celebrated human surfers at Huntington Beach’s hall of fame induction.

“This is just incredible. Dreams do come true even for a surfing dog and guys like me,” Rustan said at the ceremony.

Beyond her surfing achievements, Sugar dedicated her time on land to supporting military veterans through therapy work. The city of Huntington Beach honored her memory on social media, calling her a community icon whose loss is deeply felt.

“From inspiring the surfing world to advocating for rescue dogs and bringing comfort to veterans as a therapy dog, her impact reached far beyond the shoreline,” the post said.

For more than three decades, Antonio Bustamante has displayed a watercolor portrait of César Chavez in his Yuma, Arizona law office. During his youth, Bustamante felt inspired by the labor organizer and worked to mobilize workers before becoming part of Chavez’s security detail.

Now, like countless others, Bustamante faces the difficult task of reconciling his admiration for Chavez with recent accusations that the leader sexually abused women and girls.

“I’m trying to figure out how emotionally and intellectually I’ll be able to understand my perception of him as an extremely good man,” Bustamante said, his voice heavy with emotion, “compared to these things that are said he did.”

Chavez gained nationwide recognition for his work organizing agricultural laborers. Working alongside Dolores Huerta — who is also alleged to be among his victims — he established the United Farm Workers union, conducted hunger strikes, organized grape boycotts with Filipino agricultural workers, and ultimately forced growers to negotiate improved wages and working conditions for Mexican American laborers.

Almost two weeks have passed since The New York Times published detailed sexual abuse allegations, and communities and advocacy organizations nationwide continue grappling with how Chavez should be remembered. His name and likeness have already been removed from monuments, street signs and murals across the nation.

Bustamante learned about the allegations when a longtime friend contacted him about the forthcoming news report. He said what immediately came to mind were the faces of others who had known and respected Chavez, and “how their eyes would be devastated.”

“We were looked down upon by society, we were Mexicans,” Bustamante said, remembering the first time he heard Chavez speak outside the Arizona Capitol in 1972 as he began a hunger strike. He “gave us worth, and for young people that was everything.”

Some of Bustamante’s acquaintances have now removed Chavez images from their homes. In his community, Bustamante compared it to rejecting Catholicism and taking down photographs of the pope.

Many view this situation as evidence that movements shouldn’t center around one individual leader.

Teresa Romero, president of United Farm Workers, acknowledged the unavoidable contradiction between Chavez’s achievements and the allegations.

“We have in one hand César Chavez, the man who committed horrible acts that we’re not going to justify,” Romero said. “On the other hand, we have César Chavez, the organizer who brought thousands and thousands of people together to be able to work for farm workers, and improve their lives and working conditions.”

Romero noted that unfortunately, both aspects came from the same individual.

Sehila Mota Casper, executive director of Latinos in Heritage Conservation, emphasized that the farmworker movement was always powered by collective action.

“The rights and protections that came from it belongs to the people that built it,” she said. “It wasn’t just one individual.”

This viewpoint, she explained, provides a path forward: acknowledging Chavez’s contributions while not allowing them to eclipse the work of others, including Huerta, and the obstacles they overcame.

Organizations like the nonprofit Voto Latino adopted a similar position, stating, “The women who organized, marched, and sacrificed alongside farmworkers carried this movement on their backs.”

The allegations also triggered immediate public responses. Within days, statues were taken down and celebrations were canceled or renamed, including events connected to the federal César Chavez Day on March 31.

Political figures from both parties have denounced the alleged abuse. Some Republicans, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, referenced it as part of broader criticism of Chavez’s progressive legacy.

Abbott announced that Texas — a state containing dozens of Confederate monuments — would no longer observe César Chavez Day, stating the allegations “undermine the narrative that elevated Chavez as a figure worthy of official state celebration.”

Meanwhile, organizations like the nonpartisan Latino Victory Project, which focuses on developing Hispanic political leadership, argued this current situation should not overshadow ongoing civil rights struggles.

“Those legacies are unchanged,” said Paul Ortiz, a labor history professor at Cornell University and director of graduate studies for Latino Studies. “And those legacies are all about people power.”

Bustamante believes there will always be questions surrounding Chavez’s name going forward.

“Does that take away the greatness of what his accomplishments were, the meaning of them? No, it doesn’t,” he said. “But can we look past that to honor him? That’s the tough part.”

Authorities in Texas are investigating after a 15-year-old student wounded a teacher and then died by suicide Monday morning at a high school near San Antonio.

The incident occurred at Hill Country College Preparatory High School in Bulverde, a growing community outside San Antonio. Officials report no additional injuries beyond the wounded educator.

The injured teacher was transported to a local hospital, though Comal County Sheriff Mark Reynolds said hours later that he remained unaware of her medical status.

“What happened today is something no community ever wants to face, but we prepare for something that we hope never occurs,” Reynolds stated.

According to Reynolds, the teenager fired at the teacher before turning the weapon on himself. Investigators are now examining the connection between the student and educator while also determining how the firearm was acquired.

The campus, which serves approximately 250 students, went into lockdown procedures around 8:30 a.m., school officials confirmed. A student witness told San Antonio’s KSAT television that loud noises erupted from a second-floor classroom, followed by screaming.

Another student described hearing five gunshots and shouting before a debate instructor directed students into a secure classroom.

School buses transported students to a neighboring middle school facility, where parents formed lengthy queues as they awaited reunification with their children. Some families were seen praying during the wait. Reynolds noted that relatives of the shooter also joined the reunification process.

“We’re trying to collect as much information as we can from witnesses,” Reynolds explained.

Parent Jesse Lopez expressed concerns to KSAT about his daughter’s eventual return to classes.

“For one, she has autism, and she’ll be afraid to go back, she’ll be real afraid to go back,” Lopez shared.

Principal Julie Wiley announced that Tuesday’s classes would be suspended, though counseling services would remain available for students and families. Her statement did not include updates on the teacher’s medical condition.

“Our hearts are with everyone impacted, especially that teacher, their family, and our school community,” Wiley expressed. “We know this has been a difficult day.”

The institution operates under the Comal Independent School District and emphasizes college preparatory academics. The school’s curriculum revolves around science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM), offering specialized courses in cybersecurity and engineering.

Hill Country College Preparatory opened its doors in August 2020 with an initial freshman class and has expanded to include all high school grade levels.

A young American woman’s battle with homesickness during her college years in France took an unexpected turn thanks to a simple trip to mail letters. Holly Deiaco-Smith was just 19 years old when loneliness struck during her study abroad experience, but a chance meeting at a French postal facility would transform her entire outlook.

What began as a routine visit to send correspondence home became the foundation for a friendship that has lasted for decades. The encounter demonstrates how meaningful connections can emerge from the most ordinary circumstances, even when separated by language barriers and cultural differences.

Deiaco-Smith’s experience highlights how study abroad programs, while challenging for homesick students, can create unexpected opportunities for cross-cultural relationships that endure long after the academic experience ends.