A Georgia judge has temporarily halted the execution of Stacey Humphreys, which was already delayed, citing questions about potential conflicts of interest on the state’s parole board. Humphreys, 52, was convicted of murdering Cyndi Williams and Lori Brown in a 2003 shooting at their Cobb County real estate office and was scheduled for execution on December 17. His lawyers argued that two parole board members—Kimberly … Continue reading Judge halts a Georgia execution over inmate’s concerns about the clemency process

A New Jersey vintage guitar store had two stolen mandolins returned by the thief, who left a handwritten note apologizing and saying, “SORRY, I BEEN DRUNK, MERRY CHRISTMAS You are good man.” The instruments, valued at $3,500 and $4,250, had been stolen on December 22, with surveillance footage showing the thief stuffing them under his parka. Store owner Buzzy Levine said he saw the man … Continue reading Thief returns stolen mandolins to New Jersey guitar store with apology note

A 21-year-old Texas man, John Michael Garza Jr. of Midlothian, was charged in federal court with attempting to provide material support to ISIS, the Justice Department said. Prosecutors allege Garza took concrete steps toward violent activity, including fundraising for ISIS and bringing bomb-making materials to a meeting with an undercover agent posing as an ISIS supporter. Authorities say he also paid cryptocurrency to the agent, … Continue reading Texas man charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS

The body recovered near Davenport Beach in California has been identified as 55-year-old Erica Fox of Monterey County. Fox went missing on December 21 at Lovers Point in Pacific Grove while swimming, and witnesses reported she may have been attacked by a shark. Her family confirmed the identification based on her clothing, and she had been wearing a shark deterrent anklet at the time of … Continue reading 55-year-old woman ID’d after body discovered in possible California shark attack

President Donald Trump has authorized a National Guard deployment in New Orleans starting Tuesday to bolster security for New Year’s celebrations, a year after a Bourbon Street attack killed 14 people. The 350 Guardsmen will patrol the French Quarter, focusing on visibility and public safety, and will not participate in immigration enforcement. Their presence complements more than 800 local, state, and federal law enforcement officers … Continue reading National Guard to patrol New Orleans for New Year’s a year after deadly attack

Dennis Hamlin, father of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, died Sunday in a house fire in Stanley, North Carolina, officials confirmed. His wife, Mary Lou Hamlin, was hospitalized in Winston-Salem with burn injuries. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the home was completely destroyed after burning for about two hours. Both Dennis and Mary Lou were outside the house when emergency responders arrived, … Continue reading NASCAR star Denny Hamlin’s father dies from injuries in house fire, officials say

A powerful storm system in the northern U.S. intensified into a “bomb cyclone,” bringing blizzard conditions to the Plains and Great Lakes on Monday. The storm rapidly strengthened due to a sharp drop in atmospheric pressure, a defining feature of bomb cyclones, according to NOAA. Forecasters warned that an Arctic front colliding with warm southern air could create hazardous conditions, including snowstorms, thunderstorms, and unusually … Continue reading “Bomb cyclone” brings blizzards to Midwest as storm turns to East Coast

A Utah judge ordered the release of a transcript and audio from an October closed-door hearing concerning whether Tyler Robinson, charged with killing Charlie Kirk, must be shackled in court. The hearing also included the first defense request to ban cameras, arguing that images of Robinson in restraints could bias potential jurors. Judge Tony Graf emphasized public transparency while implementing measures to protect Robinson’s presumption … Continue reading Court releases transcript from closed hearing for man accused of killing Charlie Kirk

States will receive $10 billion next year through the Rural Health Transformation Program to support rural hospitals and offset Trump-era budget cuts. Half of the funds will be distributed equally, while the other half is based on a CMS formula considering rural population, hospital finances, and health outcomes. $12 billion of the five-year funding is tied to states adopting policies aligned with the Trump administration’s … Continue reading Trump administration rolls out rural health funding

Federal Homeland Security officials conducted a fraud investigation in Minneapolis as part of a broader crackdown on large-scale misuse of federal funds, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said. The action follows years of investigations tied to the Feeding Our Future case, a $300 million COVID-era fraud scheme involving child nutrition programs, with 57 convictions so far. Federal officials allege that a significant portion of billions in … Continue reading Noem says Homeland Security is investigating fraud in Minneapolis