Felicia McClure, 32, faces life imprisonment after allegedly attempting to sell her 13-year-old daughter's virginity for $10,000, according to prosecutors. McClure was charged Tuesday with multiple counts of sexual abuse and exploitation of a minor.
A U.S. Air Force member has died after setting himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., in what appears to be a protest against the Israel-Hamas conflict. The airman, identified as 25-year-old Aaron Bushnell, was confirmed dead by a U.S. official.
Danielle Johnson, an astrology influencer and “divine healer” known online as Danielle Ayoka, was reportedly troubled by the recent eclipse. In posts on X Thursday, she described the astronomical event as “the epitome of spiritual warfare” and urged her followers to “pick a side.” Johnson has been charged with pushing her children from a moving car.
Jessica Woods, 33, has been arrested in Florida for allegedly trying to sell her 18-month-old daughter for $500. Police charged her with child abuse, child neglect, and abandonment of a child, according to a statement from the Palatka Police Department posted on Facebook.
The US Army issued a strong statement condemning former President Donald Trump’s campaign following an incident on Monday at Arlington National Cemetery. According to a statement released on Thursday, participants in a ceremony at the cemetery were informed about federal laws prohibiting political activities on the grounds, yet an employee was “abruptly pushed aside” while attempting to enforce these rules.
“Those involved in the August 26th ceremony and the subsequent visit to Section 60 were made aware of federal laws, Army regulations, and Department of Defense policies, which clearly prohibit political activities at cemetery grounds. An ANC employee who tried to enforce these rules was abruptly pushed aside,” an Army spokesperson stated on Thursday. Section 60 is a part of the cemetery where many Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans are buried.
The statement emphasized the seriousness of the incident and expressed disappointment over attacks on the professionalism of the ANC employee involved. The Army stressed that Arlington National Cemetery is a sacred place dedicated to honoring the military's fallen and that staff members are committed to ensuring that public ceremonies are conducted with the utmost respect and dignity.
This statement marks a rare instance of the military publicly addressing a political issue. It also adds to the list of controversies involving Trump and the military, as his campaign seeks to highlight the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan under the Biden administration as a critical election issue.
Trump was at the cemetery for a wreath-laying ceremony honoring 13 US service members killed at Kabul airport’s Abbey Gate in Afghanistan three years ago. A video posted by the Trump campaign on TikTok showed Trump walking through Arlington and visiting gravesites, with audio criticizing the Biden administration’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal.
Accounts of the Monday incident vary. The Trump campaign maintains that no laws were violated, while cemetery officials assert that participants were clearly informed to avoid political activities. NPR first reported a “verbal and physical altercation” during the cemetery visit, with a source indicating that a cemetery official tried to prevent Trump’s team from taking photos and filming in areas with recent US casualties. In response, Trump campaign staff allegedly “verbally abused and pushed the official aside,” according to NPR.
Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung denied any physical altercation, claiming that an unnamed individual attempted to “physically block members of President Trump’s team during a solemn ceremony.” Cheung suggested there is video evidence to support this claim, though no footage has been released.
Trump campaign manager Chris LaCivita echoed this sentiment, stating that “President Trump was there at the invitation of the Abbey Gate Gold Star Families to honor their loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.”
LaCivita criticized the conduct of the cemetery official, calling it a disgrace and accusing them of disrespecting the sacred grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. He claimed that any allegations against Trump’s team dishonor the armed forces and those who sacrificed their lives.
However, a statement from Arlington National Cemetery, obtained by CNN, reiterated that federal law prohibits political campaign activities within Army National Military Cemeteries. The cemetery emphasized that this rule had been clearly communicated to all participants, including photographers and content creators.
Trump appeared to suggest that the controversy was related to his campaign’s use of photography, sharing a statement from the families of the fallen soldiers approving the presence of Trump’s official videographer and photographer to capture these moments of remembrance.
Despite this, it was not just the graves of the Abbey Gate victims that were featured in the media from Trump’s visit. At least one photo showed the grave of an Army Special Forces soldier who died by suicide, and whose family did not give permission for the campaign to use it. The family of Master Sgt. Andrew Marckesano, a Silver Star recipient, whose grave is next to that of Marine Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover expressed that the Trump campaign did not adhere to the rules set for the visit.
Michele Marckesano, speaking on behalf of her family, stated that while they supported the Abbey Gate families seeking accountability for the Afghanistan withdrawal, the Trump campaign did not follow the rules of Section 60. She stressed the importance of respecting the gravesites of those who sacrificed their lives for the country.
Veterans groups have also criticized the Trump campaign for conducting political activities at Arlington. Allison Jaslow, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, emphasized that Arlington is not an appropriate place for politics, stating that any aspiring leader, especially one seeking to become commander-in-chief, should understand this.
VoteVets, a progressive organization advocating for US troops and veterans, condemned Trump’s actions at the cemetery, describing them as “an affront to all those hundreds of thousands of families who never agreed to allow their deceased loved ones to be dragged into politics.”
Maegan Hall, a former Tennessee police officer dismissed for having affairs with six colleagues, has settled her federal civil lawsuit against her former employer for $500,000, according to reports.
When it comes to financial misconduct, there are numerous documented cases that confirm its existence. From the Enron scandal to instances of lobbyists and politicians engaging in illegal self-serving actions, or even municipal officials embezzling funds, history has shown that unethical financial practices do occur. So, if you ever suspect that significant financial transactions may be ethically questionable, you can rest assured that such transgressions have been known to happen.
Kevin Monahan, 66, was sentenced Friday to more than 25 years to life in prison for fatally shooting 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis. The shooting occurred last April when Gillis’s SUV accidentally entered Monahan’s rural driveway in upstate New York. Monahan was convicted of second-degree murder in the case.
Chad Wheeler, a former backup offensive tackle for the Seahawks, was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison on Friday for the 2021 assault of his then-girlfriend. Wheeler, who played for the Seahawks in 2019 and 2020, was arrested in Kent the following year on charges related to the assault.
Tyler Loudon, 41, has pleaded guilty to insider trading charges after making $1.76 million from nonpublic information about BP's acquisition of TravelCenters of America. Loudon, whose wife is a BP executive, admitted to eavesdropping on her work calls to gain this insider knowledge.
A Dallas man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after reaching a plea deal just before his trial was set to begin. The charge stems from the 2022 murder of a woman following an argument during a pickup basketball game.
In January 2023, Christine Abizaid, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), warned that the U.S. faces threats from both foreign terrorist organizations like ISIS and al Qaeda, as well as state sponsors and lone wolf actors. While the most immediate threat comes from individuals inspired by jihadist groups, Abizaid emphasized the need for vigilance against foreign terrorist organizations, particularly al Qaeda and ISIS.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the network's panel and criticized an interview conducted by Jonathan Karl with Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on the show "This Week." Trump questioned why he should agree to a debate hosted by ABC.
"I watched ABC FAKE NEWS this morning, both lightweight reporter Jonathan Karl’s (K?) ridiculous and biased interview of Tom Cotton (who was fantastic!), and their so-called Panel of Trump Haters, and I ask, why would I do the Debate against Kamala Harris on that network?" Trump wrote.
Trump referenced past actions by “This Week” panelist Donna Brazile, who provided the Clinton campaign with advance notice of town hall questions during the 2016 primary, suggesting that something similar could happen with Harris. He also raised concerns about ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, with whom he has ongoing litigation, potentially being involved in the debate, although there has been no indication that he would be.
Trump had previously agreed to a debate with President Biden on September 10, to be hosted by ABC News. After Harris replaced Biden as the top candidate on the Democratic ticket, Trump expressed uncertainty about his participation.
Despite his reservations, both parties eventually agreed to proceed with the ABC News-hosted debate on September 10. While Trump had advocated for additional debates on Fox News and NBC News in September, the Harris campaign maintained that it would only agree to the ABC News event before considering a second debate.
The September 10 debate is scheduled to take place in Philadelphia and will be moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis, according to ABC News.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) heightened the urgency of the recall on Friday after initially announcing it on August 15. The updated classification indicates that the affected apple juice may cause temporary adverse health effects, although it is unlikely to result in serious or long-term medical issues.
The recall involves 9,535 cases of Great Value brand apple juice sold in 25 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. The recall was voluntarily initiated by Refresco Beverages US Inc., a Florida-based manufacturer after the company identified elevated levels of the chemical contaminant that surpassed industry standards in the six-packs of 8-ounce (227-gram) juice bottles.
"The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority," said Walmart spokesperson Molly Blakeman. "We have removed this product from our affected stores and are collaborating with the supplier to conduct a thorough investigation."
According to the National Institutes of Health, inorganic and organic arsenic are traceable in many food products. Routine testing is conducted since even slightly elevated levels of these compounds can lead to symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, numbness, and muscle cramping.
The FDA notes that inorganic arsenic, which is more toxic than the naturally occurring organic form, poses a greater health risk. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified inorganic arsenic as a carcinogen, a substance that can cause cancer.
Despite the elevated levels found in the recalled apple juice bottles, the FDA does not anticipate severe health consequences from this exposure. So far, the FDA has not received any reports of illnesses related to the apple juice recall.
First-time homebuyers in Oregon can now apply for a taxpayer-funded $30,000 grant to help with down payments. However, there's a catch: only non-U.S. citizens are eligible for this financial assistance.
The grant is being promoted by the Hacienda Community Development Corporation, a Latino-led housing support group based in Portland. Their Camino a Casa program specifically states that the grant is “only for people who are not American citizens.”
The organization’s approach includes working closely with clients through financial coaching and offering workshops on mortgage readiness and financial fitness. “Clients work closely with financial coaches and HUD-certified housing counselors throughout the entirety of the home buying process,” says Hacienda. “In addition to mortgage readiness and financial fitness workshops, we provide various opportunities for down-payment assistance.”
This initiative has sparked controversy, with Republican Oregon state Representative Ed Diehl criticizing it as “state-sponsored discrimination.” He expressed his concern over the use of taxpayer money, saying, “I am appalled that the hard-earned, limited tax dollars of Oregonians are being used to prioritize home ownership for certain non-U.S. citizens,” as reported by the Daily Caller.
The grant funding is part of the state’s Economic Equity Investment Program, which aims to promote economic equity for disadvantaged groups. Hacienda received a $692,775 allocation from this program.
In response to these developments, Republican lawmakers in Oregon are taking action to repeal some of the state’s sanctuary laws, reflecting ongoing political tensions in the predominantly Democratic state.
Baltimore officials have approved a new program that enables the sale of city-owned vacant homes for just one dollar. The Board of Estimates voted in favor of the initiative on Wednesday morning, as reported by USA Today.
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Members of the Central Park Five, who were wrongfully convicted of rape and assault, spoke at the Democratic convention on Thursday, criticizing former President Trump for his past calls for their execution. They didn't hold back, expressing their outrage over his actions and statements.
The Department of Justice has indicted a man from the Prescott area this week, following allegations that he intended to target a Bad Bunny concert in Atlanta in an attempt to incite a "race war."
Handling live calls on television can be challenging, as evidenced by a recent incident on C-SPAN. On Monday, host Greta Brawner received a contentious call from "Dave in Texas," who criticized the perceived lack of gratitude from Black individuals towards Union soldiers in relation to Juneteenth.
