Judge orders Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ accuser to reveal identity
A federal judge ruled that a woman accusing Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexual assault couldn’t proceed with her lawsuit under the pseudonym “Jane Doe.” Instead, the woman must identify herself if she wishes to continue with her case.
In her decision, Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil explained that Combs had the right to defend himself. That includes the opportunity to investigate his accuser’s claims.
“Defendants have a right to defend themselves, and the people have a right to know who is using their courts,” Vyskocil wrote.
This lawsuit is one of more than a dozen filed against Combs since his September arrest on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. Vyskocil’s case was filed individually but could impact other cases involving the rapper.
The accuser, a Tennessee woman, claimed that Combs raped her in 2004 when she was 19 years old. Her legal team argued that she should be allowed to remain anonymous due to concerns that Combs might harm her.
However, Vyskocil rejected this argument. She noted that Combs has had no contact with the woman in nearly 20 years and is currently detained while awaiting trial.
The judge emphasized that “public humiliation” alone wasn’t sufficient grounds for keeping the woman’s identity secret. Vyskocil also highlighted that several other plaintiffs in similar cases had filed under their real names.
Combs has pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing. His representatives issued a brief statement following the ruling, saying, “The ruling speaks for itself.”
Vyskocil set a deadline of Nov. 13 for the woman to refile under her real name; otherwise, her lawsuit will be dismissed.
SCOTUS weighs RICO case of trucker fired over failed drug test
The Supreme Court will decide whether a trucker can use an anti-racketeering law to recover wages he lost after he was fired for unknowingly using a product that contained THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. The driver is looking to sue the makers of Dixie X — a CBD product advertised as being THC-free — under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, or RICO Act, which could triple damages and attorneys fees from the company if he wins.
Medical Marijuana Inc., maker of Dixie X, presented its own argument, saying RICO can’t be used to sue for personal injuries, only for harm to “business or property.” The driver, Douglas Horn, argues the harm was to his ability to earn a living.
The New York-based Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit sided with Horn, saying the plain meaning of the word “business” allows him to sue.
During oral arguments Tuesday, Oct. 15, some conservative Supreme Court justices expressed concern that allowing that interpretation would open the floodgates to types of lawsuits the law wasn’t intended to cover. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has raised the same concern.
Vance, Walz defend their running mates’ records in vice presidential debate
We have a recap of the first, and likely only, vice presidential debate of 2024. And Iran has launched its largest attack ever on Israel. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024.
Vance, Walz defend their running mates’ records in vice presidential debate
For the first time, the two vice presidential candidates took the stage next to one another Tuesday night, Oct. 1. Republican Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz introduced themselves to American voters while defending their running mates’ opposing views.
Vance and Walz kept the vice presidential debate cordial, at various times saying they agreed with the other, but they sparred on the policies and the statements made by their parties’ presidential nominees, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Look if you’re going to be president, you don’t have all the answers. Donald Trump believes he does. My pro tip of the day is this, if you need heart surgery, listen to the people at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, not Donald Trump,” Walz said.
“I honestly, Tim, I think you got a tough job here because you’ve got to play whack-a-mole; you’ve got to pretend that Donald Trump didn’t deliver rising take-home pay, which of course he did; you’ve got to pretend that Donald Trump didn’t deliver lower inflation, which of course he did; and then you simultaneously got to defend Kamala Harris’ atrocious economic record,” Vance said.
The debate covered many topics including abortion, climate change, the economy and health care. The two opened the 90-minute CBS News debate discussing the conflict in the Middle East and the need for stability in the White House.
“I’m 40 years old, when was the last time that an American president didn’t have a major conflict break out? The only answer is during the four years that Donald Trump was president,” Vance said.
“So Iran is closer to a nuclear weapon than they were before because of Donald Trump’s fickle leadership. And when Iran shot down an American aircraft in international airspace, Donald Trump tweeted because that’s the standard diplomacy of Donald Trump,” Walz said.
On illegal immigration, Vance and Walz disagreed on whether former President Trump’s involvement helps or hurts solving the border crisis.
“But as soon as I was getting ready to pass [legislation] and actually tackle this, Donald Trump said no, told them to vote against it because it gives him a campaign issue,” Walz said.
“We have a historic immigration crisis because Kamala Harris started and said that she wanted to undo all of Donald Trump’s border policies — 94 executive orders, suspending deportations, decriminalizing illegal aliens, massively increasing the asylum fraud that exists in our system. That has opened the floodgates,” Vance said.
When the debate turned to gun violence, the two VP contenders shared a moment, highlighting the human aspect and often the aftermath.
“I think all the parents watching tonight, this is just your biggest nightmare. Look, I got a 17-year-old and he witnessed a shooting at a community center playing volleyball, those things don’t leave you,” Walz said.
When it was his turn to speak, Vance responded, “Tim, first of all, I didn’t know that your 17-year-old witnessed a shooting and I’m sorry about that and I hope he’s doing OK. Christ have mercy, it is it is awful.”
Things, however, turned contentious over the 2020 election and Jan. 6.
“[January 6, 2021] was a threat to our democracy in a way that we had not seen, and it manifested itself because of Donald Trump’s inability to say — he is still saying, he didn’t lose the election,” Walz said.
Vance replied, “Tim, I’m focused on the future. Did Kamala Harris censor Americans from speaking their mind in the wake of the 2020 COVID situation?”
“That is a damning non-answer,” Walz said.
Both candidates thanked each other for the debate and the viewers at home, who will make their decision at the polls on Election Day, Nov. 5, in just 34 days.
Trump backs out of ’60 Minutes’ election special; Harris interview to still air
CBS News says former President Trump has backed out an upcoming interview with “60 Minutes.”
For decades, “60 Minutes” has broadcast election specials with the candidates. CBS reported both Trump and Vice President Harris had agreed to take part in this year’s special in separate one-on-one interviews, but Trump has since reportedly changed his mind.
In a press conference last night, Trump said his decision was based on his last interview with CBS anchor Lesley Stahl in 2020 — which he walked out of early.
“They came to me and would like me to do an interview, but first, I want to get an apology because the last time I did an interview with them, if you remember, they challenged me on the computer,” Trump said. “They said the laptop from hell was from Russia. And I said, ‘It wasn’t from Russia, it was from Hunter [Biden].’ And I never got an apology, so I’m sort of waiting. I’d love to do ’60 Minutes’, I do everything.”
In a statement of its own, “60 Minutes” said the special will still move forward.
“Our election special will broadcast the Harris interview on Monday as planned,” the statement read. “Our original invitation to former President Donald Trump to be interviewed on ’60 Minutes’ stands.”
The special is set to air Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. ET.
Iran launches largest-ever attack on Israel; Israel vows retaliation
Israel has vowed to retaliate after Iran launched its largest ever attack on Israel. Late Tuesday, Iran fired more than 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, most of which seem to have been intercepted by the Israeli military with help from the United States and other allies.
So far, one person has been reported to have died in the attack, and the extent of the damage is not yet known.
Iran’s military chief also warned of broader strikes if Israel responds. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already vowed to do so, saying, “Iran made a big mistake and it will pay for it.”
Also Tuesday, just before Iran’s barrage began, at least six people were killed and a dozen more hurt when Israeli police say two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a train station in Tel Aviv. Police say the shooting was an act of terrorism and one of the gunmen was killed at the scene while the other was severely injured.
No specific group has claimed responsibility for that deadly attack.
Search and rescue efforts continue in North Carolina after Helene
Combs is already being held without bond at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.
He has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers have said he is innocent of all charges.
Louisiana governor supports bringing back live tiger mascot to LSU games
College sports are known for fierce competition. Now the governor of Louisiana is looking at making things even more ferocious by bringing back an old Louisiana State University football mainstay.
Officials from PETA are now speaking out against the idea, saying it would be cruel and dangerous for the animal.
These days, the current tiger mascot is on campus in an enclosure near the stadium, but the governor says returning the tiger to the field would be “an unbelievable opportunity.” LSU officials have not yet commented on whether there is a possibility of seeing a live tiger at football games once again.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs accused of witness tampering, intimidation; bail denied
A U.S. district judge upheld a decision on Wednesday, Sept. 18, to deny hip-hop superstar Sean “Diddy” Combs bail after accusations of witness tampering. Combs’ legal team claimed that the rapper could post a $50 million bond, but Judge Robyn Tarnofsky denied the request on Tuesday, Sept. 17. She said, even if bond were posted, she couldn’t “reasonably assure his return to court or the safety of the community, or a lack of witness tampering.”
Authorities believe that Combs tried to silence people who might speak out against him. U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter Jr. upheld the decision to deny bail after an appeal from Combs’ legal team.
Prosecutors said since being sued in November by his ex-girlfriend, who accused him of years of physical and sexual abuse, Combs has tried to get in touch with her and other witnesses who have received grand jury subpoenas, as well as a person he allegedly harmed. He reportedly called or texted one of the potential witnesses 58 times over a period of four days.
Prosecutors argue that Combs’ power and influence give him the ability to “intimidate” witnesses and victims. Prosecutors said that witnesses they interviewed expressed a fear of Combs.
Combs’ defense contends that he did not know he was under a criminal investigation when he contacted the witnesses and victims, and do not see it as an “obstruction of justice,” adding, that he is not a threat to flee and has “earned” the court’s trust.
Combs is indicted on accusations that he ran a “criminal enterprise” through his businesses, which involved sex trafficking, kidnapping, arson and forced labor. The indictment alleges Combs “abused, threatened and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires.”
Combs has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs denied bail in racketeering, sex trafficking case
Rapper and hip hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has been denied bail and will remain in custody as he faces serious charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering, conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Authorities said Combs will be held by himself at a “special housing unit” in a detention center in Brooklyn.
In a federal courtroom in New York City on Tuesday, Sept. 17, Combs pleaded not guilty to the charges he’s facing. Prosecutors allege that Combs used his business empire to force women into engaging in sexual acts with professional sex workers and himself.
The indictment alleges Combs has been involved in a list of criminal activities from 2008 through the present day.
Prosecutors allege that in late 2023, following public accusations of these crimes, Combs and his associates attempted to pressure victims into silence through bribery.
If convicted on all charges, Combs faces decades in prison.
Hezbollah blames Israel for deadly pager explosions
Hezbollah is blaming Israel after pagers used by the militant group exploded killing at least nine people and injuring thousands. And former President Donald Trump holds his first campaign event since the second apparent assassination attempt on his life. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024.
Hezbollah blames Israel for deadly pager explosions
Multiple explosions in Lebanon have killed at least nine people and left nearly 3,000 injured. Explosives inside pagers used by the militant group Hezbollah were set off Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 17.
The Iran-backed group blames Israel for the attack. Hezbollah said an 8-year-old was among those killed and Iran’s envoy to Beirut was among the injured.
Sources told Reuters Israel’s Mossad spy agency had planted the explosives inside 5,000 pagers. An American source and other officials confirmed to the New York Times that Israel was behind the operation.
The pagers appeared to be from Taiwan-based Gold Apollo. In a statement released Wednesday, Sept. 18, Gold Apollo said they were manufactured by another company based in Budapest that was authorized to use Gold Appollo’s brand.
Hezbollah fighters have been using pagers to bypass Israeli location-tracking following a warning by group leaders earlier this year saying cell phones were more dangerous than Israeli spies.
Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate against Israel.
Hezbollah and Israel began exchanging strikes shortly after Hamas’ deadly terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Tuesday’s blasts add to the growing concern over a larger war in the Middle East.
Secretary of State of Antony Blinken will be in Egypt Wednesday to work on securing a cease-fire agreement to put an end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas and see the release of the hostages who remain in Gaza.
Trump, Harris both use assassination attempt to highlight policy proposals
Former President Donald Trump was back on the campaign trail Tuesday, holding his first event since the second apparent attempt on his life over the weekend. During a town hall in Flint, Michigan Trump told Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders the assassination attempts are proof his policy proposals are powerful.
“It’s a dangerous business however, being president,” Trump said. “It’s a little bit dangerous. It’s, you know, they think racecar driving is dangerous. No. They think bull-riding, that’s pretty scary, right? No, this is a dangerous business and we have to keep it safe.”
He later added, “You know, only consequential presidents get shot at.”
Trump also said both President Joe Biden and, his opponent in the 2024 presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris called him after the assassination attempt, saying it was “very nice” and he appreciated it.
“Not everybody has Secret Service,” Harris said, “and there are far too many people in our country right now who are not feeling safe. I mean, I look at Project 2025 and I look at the ‘don’t say gay laws’ coming out of Florida. Members of the LGBTQ community don’t feel safe right now. Immigrants or people with an immigrant background don’t feel safe right now. Women don’t feel safe right now.”
Both candidates are focusing on swing areas that could decide the election, which is expected to be a close one.
Trump is set to campaign in New York, Washington, D.C., and North Carolina this week. Harris will also stop in Washington as well as Michigan and Wisconsin in the coming days.
Speaker Johnson to bring spending bill up for vote
House Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to put his short-term spending plan up for a vote Wednesday, though there are signs it will not get the GOP support needed to pass.
Johnson previously pulled a stopgap bill that was coupled with the SAVE Act — which would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections — after it became clear it was unlikely to get enough Republican approval to pass. House Democrats also opposed the plan, though it would keep the government funded through most of March.
Congress has until the end of September to pass at least a temporary measure keeping the government open, otherwise a shutdown looms Oct. 1.
Federal Reserve expected to cut interest rates for first time since 2020
The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates for the first time since 2020. However, it’s not yet known by how much.
Straight Arrow News Business Correspondent Simone Del Rosario has a closer look here.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs denied bail in racketeering, sex trafficking case
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been denied bail and will remain in custody as he faces serious charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering, conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Authorities say Combs will be held by himself at a “special housing unit” in a detention center in Brooklyn.
In a federal courtroom in New York City on Tuesday, Combs pleaded not guilty to the charges he’s facing. Prosecutors allege that Combs used his business empire to force women into engaging in sexual acts with professional sex workers and himself.
Prosecutors allege that in late 2023, following public accusations of these crimes, Combs and his associates attempted to pressure victims into silence through bribery.
If convicted on all charges, Combs faces decades in prison.
Billie Jean King to make history as Congressional Gold Medal recipient
Tennis hall of famer Billie Jean King is being recognized with a prestigious Congressional Gold Medal for her efforts on and off the tennis court.
The measure had already passed the Senate and on Tuesday night, it passed the House, making Billie Jean King the first individual female athlete to ever receive the congressional honor.
🚨 History made! 🚨 The House just passed my bipartisan, bicameral bill to award my friend, @BillieJeanKing, legendary athlete, and ardent advocate, the Congressional Gold Medal, making her the first female athlete to ever receive this honor—yet another iconic trailblazing moment… pic.twitter.com/kbkkym0aVN
“Mister speaker, it is now time to enshrine Billie Jean King’s legacy as not only a champion of tennis, but a champion of equality whose impact will continue to inspire women and girls and people across America and across the world,” Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) said before the measure was passed.
After receiving the news that she would receive the Congressional Gold Medal, King took to X to say, “Thank you. I am deeply humbled and honored.”
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs indicted on sex trafficking, kidnapping charges
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been indicted on serious charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and kidnapping. The indictment was unsealed Tuesday, Sept. 17, the morning after Combs’ arrest at a Manhattan hotel.
The indictment alleges that from 2008 to the present, members of the Combs enterprise were involved in a range of criminal activities, including sex trafficking, forced labor, interstate transportation for prostitution, coercion, narcotics offenses, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice.
Prosecutors claim that while the Combs enterprise was intended to operate a global business in media, entertainment, and lifestyle sectors, it also sought to maintain Combs’ power and fulfill his personal desires, particularly through the exploitation of women and commercial sex workers.
One notable aspect of the indictment is the reference to “freak off” parties, which were described as elaborate sex performances arranged and directed by Combs. The indictment alleges that Combs participated in and recorded these activities.
The indictment further claims that Combs used deception to lure women into romantic relationships, only to coerce them into prolonged sex acts with male sex workers. After these encounters, both Combs and the victims were reportedly administered IV fluids to recover from the physical strain and drugs used during the parties, according to the court documents.
Combs has been in the news recently, with raids conducted at his homes in Beverly Hills and Miami. Court documents reveal that the raids uncovered narcotics, more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, and firearms, including three AR-15s with defaced serial numbers and high-capacity magazines.
The indictment also includes allegations of violence against women, detailing incidents where Combs allegedly assaulted women by striking, punching, dragging, throwing objects, and kicking them. It refers to a video-recorded incident from March 2016 at a Los Angeles, California hotel, showing him assaulting his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura.
Prosecutors allege that in late 2023, following public accusations of these crimes, Combs and his associates attempted to pressure victims and witnesses into silence through bribery. If convicted on all charges, Combs faces decades in prison. His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, has pledged to “fight like hell” for his client’s release on bail and maintains that Combs is not only not guilty but outright innocent.
Megaupload’s Kim Dotcom nears US trial after decadelong extradition saga
Kim Dotcom, the founder of the defunct file-sharing site Megaupload, is closer to facing trial in the United States. After years of legal battles, New Zealand’s Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith signed an extradition order. The case dates back to 2012.
Dotcom’s legal issues began when U.S. authorities accused Megaupload of facilitating massive piracy, costing film studios and record companies more than $500 million. The platform allowed users to upload and share files, and it generated about $175 million in revenue before it was shut down.
In 2012, New Zealand police acting on FBI orders raided Dotcom’s Auckland mansion with 70 officers. The raid, captured on video, was later turned into a widely publicized YouTube video.
Dotcom described the raid as a “Hollywood-style publicity stunt,” excessive for his arrest. He eventually reached a settlement with New Zealand police but has continued to face charges of copyright infringement, money laundering and racketeering.
“I considered all of the information carefully and decided that Mr. Dotcom should be surrendered to the U.S. to face trial,” Goldsmith said in a statement on his ruling to allow extradition.
Dotcom, criticizing the decision on social media, described it as an act of compliance by “the obedient U.S. colony in the South Pacific.”
Dotcom, a German-born New Zealand resident, faces 13 charges in the U.S. Two of his colleagues, Mathias Ortmann and Bram van der Kolk, avoided extradition by accepting plea deals that resulted in prison terms in New Zealand in 2023. Another executive, Finn Batato, passed away in 2022.
U.S. authorities claim that Dotcom and his executives encouraged users to store and share copyrighted material, significantly impacting the entertainment industry.
As the extradition process progresses, Dotcom has vowed to appeal the decision, maintaining that he was being penalized for the actions of Megaupload’s users, not his own.
Fani Willis can stay on Trump Georgia case if prosecutor leaves, judge rules
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis can remain on the election interference case in Georgia against former President Donald Trump and his 14 co-defendants, but it comes with a catch. Willis can stay only if the special prosecutor she hired steps aside.
Judge Scott McAfee made the ruling on Friday, March 15, after several defendants called for Willis to be disqualified from the case, accusing her of misconduct and claiming she benefited financially from a romantic relationship with the prosecutor, Nathan Wade.
Both Willis and Wade testified last month, defending their past relationship. They argued there was no conflict of interest.
In his 23-page decision, McAfee did not disqualify Willis, rather he ruled either she or Wade must step down for the case to continue. The judge said the relationship created an “appearance of impropriety that infects the current structure of the prosecution team” and called Willis and Wades’ actions a “tremendous lapse in judgment.”
The established record now highlights a significant appearance of impropriety that infects the current structure of the prosecution team — an appearance that must be removed through the State’s selection of one of two options.
Judge Scott McAfee
McAfee offered two options for the case to continue.
The first option calls for the district attorney to step aside, along with her office. The case would then be referred to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Council of Georgia to be reassigned. The second option would see Wade withdrawing, allowing the case to go forward without interruption.
Trump’s lead attorney in the case, Steve Sadow, said his team will continue to use all legal options to fight the case, which could mean an appeal of the judge’s decision. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
On Wednesday, March 13, McAfee dismissed six counts in the case, including three against Trump which charged the defendants with soliciting public officials to violate their oaths of office. The judge left the rest of the racketeering indictment intact.
Blinken’s unannounced Ukraine visit: The Morning Rundown Sept. 6, 2023
Secretary of State Antony Blinken makes an unannounced visit to Ukraine, and there’s a new oldest wrongful conviction to be overturned based on DNA evidence. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023.
Blinken makes unannounced visit to Ukraine amid counteroffensive
Secretary of State Blinken arrived in Kyiv Wednesday as part of an unannounced visit to meet with Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky. During his two-day trip, Blinken is expected to announce an additional $1 billion aid package from the United States in a signal of continued support, according to senior State Department officials.
Former Proud Boys leader sentenced to 22 years in prison
Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was sentenced Tuesday, Sept. 5 to 22 years in prison for seditious conspiracy. That sentence tops the 18 years given to fellow former Proud Boys leader Ethan Nordean and Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes as the harshest punishment handed down related to the Jan. 6 Capitol riots.
The Justice Department is appealing Rhodes’ sentence, which was less the 25 years prosecutors had requested. Prosecutors sought a 33-year sentence for Tarrio.
Before the sentence came down, Tarrio called Jan. 6 a “national embarrassment.” He apologized to Capitol Police, as well as the lawmakers who were in the Capitol at the time of the attack.
Tarrio’s lawyers, who had asked for no more than 15 years, said they plan to appeal.
“While we respect the judge’s sentence, we respectfully disagree,” Nayib Hassan, an attorney for Tarrio, said. “There will be a day and a time where an appeal will come and we expect appeals to come soon… we will be filing it in due course.”
Tarrio is the final Proud Boys leader convicted of seditious conspiracy to receive his sentence.
61 ‘Cop City” protesters indicted in latest Georgia RICO case
Those who oppose the training facility fear it will lead to lead to greater militarization of police in Atlanta. They have also expressed concern that the facility’s construction in an urban forest will cause environmental damage.
However, ongoing protests have at times veered into vandalism and violence. In the indictment, Georgia Attorney General Christopher Carr described the protesters as “militant anarchists” who supported a violent movement that prosecutors have traced back to the racial justices protests of 2020.
“As alleged in the indictment, the defendants are members of Defend the Atlanta Forest, an anarchist, anti-police and anti-business, extremist organization,” Carr said at a Tuesday news conference. “We contend the 61 defendants together have conspired to prevent the construction of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center by conducting, coordinating and organizing acts of violence, intimidation and property destruction.”
The indictment is the latest application of the state’s anti-racketeering or RICO law. It comes just weeks after the same law was used to indict former President Donald Trump and 18 others over an alleged conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results in the state.
In the Cop City case, many of the 61 indicted were already facing separate charges related to the protests. This includes:
More than three dozen people already facing domestic terrorism charges in connection to violent protests
Three leaders of a bail fund previously accused of money laundering
Three activists previously charged with felony intimidation after authorities said they distributed flyers calling a state trooper a “murderer” for his involvement in the fatal shooting of a protester
Russia, Saudi Arabia extend oil production cuts
Gas prices are at the highest seasonal level in more than a decade, with the national average for regular gasoline at $3.81 per gallon. That price is likely to remain high after news of Saudi Arabia and Russia extending voluntary oil production cuts through the end of 2023.
1.3 million barrels of crude oil per day will be trimmed from the global market through December. The oil production cut extension adds new pressure on Saudi Arabia’s strained relationship with the U.S. President Joe Biden warned there would be consequences for Saudi Arabia over its partnership with Russia.
Man cleared of rape conviction from 47 years ago
A man wrongfully convicted of rape nearly five decades ago has been exonerated after the intervention of the Innocence Project. The organization said the “wrongful conviction is the longest to be overturned based on new DNA evidence.”
72-year old Leonard Mack, a Vietnam veteran, spent 7.5 years in a state prison on charges of raping a teenage girl back in 1976. The new DNA evidence linked a convicted sex offender currently behind bars to the crime.
Flamingos blown across U.S. by winds from Hurricane Idalia
More than 150 flamingos have showed up in states they usually don’t call home. The recent observations by bird watchers came just after Hurricane Idalia blew through Florida and neighboring states.
Bird researchers believe the flamingos originate from Mexico. They have been spotted in the following states:
Florida
Texas
Alabama
North Carolina
South Carolina
Ohio
Tennessee
Virginia
According to the researchers, the birds were blown in by the hurricane and dropped out along the coast. Bird watchers have called the relocation “unprecedented.”