A massive winter storm, driven by a southward dip of the polar vortex, has blanketed much of the U.S. east of the Rockies with ice, snow, and strong winds, causing hazardous roads, school closures, power outages, and flight cancellations. Southern states, including Texas and Florida, faced unusually cold conditions, while Washington, D.C., saw heavy snow during the certification of President-elect Trump’s victory. In Kentucky, freezing … Continue reading Polar vortex keeps much of the US in its icy grip

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced a full review of New Orleans’ security plans following the New Year’s Day terror attack on Bourbon Street, which killed 14 and injured dozens. The review will examine planning, funding, and risk assessments for New Year’s Eve and the Sugar Bowl, amid criticism over the failure to deploy anti-vehicle barriers and the removal of malfunctioning bollards. Murrill praised police … Continue reading Louisiana AG orders review of New Orleans security plans after deadly truck attack

A federal judge has held Rudy Giuliani in contempt of court for failing to provide information about his assets after being ordered to pay $148 million to two Georgia election workers for defamation. Judge Lewis Liman ruled that Giuliani deliberately missed the deadline to disclose his finances, accusing him of stalling. Sanctions will be imposed later, and a trial on January 16 will determine if … Continue reading Rudy Giuliani held in contempt of court in 2020 election defamation case 

Civil rights advocates have long fought to remove criminal records, but many people’s lives continue to be affected by old media coverage of minor offenses. Some news outlets have launched programs to remove or deindex these stories to help individuals move on. For example, Cleveland.com’s Chris Quinn pioneered a “right-to-be-forgotten” initiative, reviewing old stories to remove names in cases of minor crimes. This effort has … Continue reading US newspapers are deleting old crime stories

A Virginia man, Alexander Sweetman, 19, was arrested on New Year’s Day after fleeing from police and being found in a car containing items resembling homemade explosives. Police had received reports of a suspicious vehicle and located Sweetman at a 7-Eleven, where he was apprehended. A search of the car, which Sweetman did not own, revealed burglary tools and possible explosives.  Authorities, including the bomb … Continue reading Virginia man arrested with homemade explosives in car on New Year’s Day, police say

Three people, including a 16-year-old, were arrested in connection with the death of Paul Clifford, a 53-year-old good Samaritan in Arizona. Clifford was found dead near a burned car northeast of Tucson after leaving home on December 23 to help someone with a stranded vehicle. The suspects, Jack Upchurch, 40, Elmer Smith, 19, and the minor, face charges including first-degree murder, armed robbery, and arson. … Continue reading 3 arrested in connection with good Samaritan’s killing in Arizona

An avalanche in western Wyoming killed 36-year-old skier Kenneth Goff and injured another after their group triggered the slide while ascending a 10,400-foot slope east of Grand Teton National Park. The avalanche buried Goff completely and partially buried a second skier, who suffered leg injuries. Stormy weather delayed rescue efforts, with rescuers taking nearly four hours to reach the site by skis, the Associated Press … Continue reading 1 person killed in large avalanche in western Wyoming backcountry