Ultrasound image of flood victim's son found on Connecticut beach miles from collapsed home
A Connecticut mother got some good news this week after the heartbreak of her home being destroyed in deadly flooding that ravaged parts of the state on Sunday. An ultrasound image of Randy Marcusio's now 3-year-old son was found on a beach in Westport, about 30 miles from her property in Oxford. A stranger walking along the beach on Monday found a slip of paper with Marcusio's name and two ultrasound images on it. She returned the slip to Marcusio on Wednesday. The creek beside Marcusio's house overflowed, washing away much of the land below it and causing the house to collapse on Monday.
Detroit judge accused of handcuffing teen girl and putting her in prison gear during school field trip
DETROIT (AP) — More uproar in Detroit a week after a judge ordered a girl to wear a prison uniform and handcuffed during a school field trip. Lawyers for 15-year-old Eva Goodman have filed a lawsuit in federal court. They accuse Judge Kenneth King of humiliation, false arrest and false detention. They specifically noted that the judge saw the girl as falling asleep and behaving badly. The girl's lawyers say King's behavior was “extreme and outrageous.” There has been no immediate comment from the judge's lawyers. King was removed from court work last week until she completes training.
Sam Sam the Cat ran away and was found nearby 11 years later thanks to a microchip.
A South Carolina cat has been reunited with his owner after 11 years thanks to a microchip. Charleston County Animal Control found Sam the Catman earlier this month. Sam was skinny and had been eating scraps from a group of stray cats. Charleston Animal Society staff scanned Sam's microchip and found out his owner lives on a farm less than a mile from where he was found. Jennifer Ravenel said she was surprised and overjoyed. Stroking her lost friend, she said she has been heartbroken since Sam was gone and that she can no longer hold a cat on her lap.
Florida quietly removes LGBTQ+ travel information from state website
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Key West, Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors are some of the Florida cities that have long been the most popular U.S. destinations for LGBTQ+ tourists. So it came as a surprise to travelers this week to learn that Florida's tourism marketing agency had quietly removed its “LGBTQ travel” section from its website over the past few months. Florida business owners who cater to LGBTQ+ tourists said Wednesday it was the latest attempt by state officials to erase the LGBTQ+ community. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis previously pushed a bill to ban classes on sexual orientation and gender identity in all grades and supported a ban on gender-reassignment care for minors.
Gold prices are reaching record highs. Here's why
NEW YORK (AP) — Gold prices hit an all-time high this week. Spot gold prices closed above $2,514 per troy ounce on Tuesday, meaning a 400-ounce gold bar or brick would be worth more than $1 million. Interest in buying gold often rises during times of uncertainty. Potential concerns over inflation and a strong U.S. dollar, for example, have some looking for other places to park their money. Factors driving the current rally include looming interest rate cuts, ongoing geopolitical risks and increased demand from central banks. But future gains are never guaranteed, and precious metals are prone to volatility.
The internet's love for 'highly unadulterated' content highlights what viral trends mean for creators
NEW YORK (AP) — You're not alone. The word “meek” has been used to describe everything online lately. It all started earlier this month when TikTok creator Jules Lebron posted a video that soon became a social media sensation. In just a few weeks, Lebron's “very thoughtful, very meek” phrases became the latest words to define the internet's summer lexicon. And the trend's surging popularity also means something to the TikTok user herself. Lebron, who identifies as a transgender woman, said last week that she's now able to cover the remaining costs of her transition. A few online creators have made a tidy income from their social media fame in recent years, but it's still quite rare.
Jennifer Lopez files for divorce from Ben Affleck after two years of marriage
LOS ANGELES (AP) — After a 20-year relationship, two engagements, two marriages and countless headlines, Jennifer Lopez has filed for divorce from Ben Affleck. The filing, filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, marks an apparent end to a celebrity couple that has shone from the heights of pop culture and graced countless tabloid covers (at least for the second time). They were known as “Bennifer” before the term was coined to describe such a power couple. After meeting, falling in love and getting engaged in the early 2000s and co-starring in the infamous “Giri” in 2003 and “Jersey Girl” in 2004, the couple split, blaming the pressures of public attention in part.
23 people indicted for allegedly using drones to smuggle drugs, cellphones into Georgia prisons
STATESBORO, Ga. (AP) — Federal prosecutors in Georgia have charged 23 people in a scheme that authorities say used drones to smuggle drugs and cellphones into prisons. All but six of the defendants indicted were current and former inmates, U.S. Attorney Jill Steinberg's office said in a news release Wednesday. They allegedly coordinated with others using the contraband cellphones to deliver marijuana, methamphetamine and contraband cellphones onto prison grounds. Prosecutors said the drone deliveries had taken place since 2019 at Smith State Prison and Telfair State Prison, among other locations. The indictment describes text messages between the defendants.
Your audience is full of Republicans. The Democratic Convention is underway. How do you cover it?
The Democratic National Convention presents Fox News Channel with a delicate challenge: how to cover a party suddenly enthralled by a possible election when many of its viewers hold different political views. Fox aired President Joe Biden's farewell speech but skipped many others. Personalities called the convention “boring” and the start of a “week of lies.” Kamala Harris was portrayed as an inexperienced “princess.” Fox says it is presenting the Democratic perspective much more than it has in the past. But the coverage illustrates the difficulty for a cable news network to cover breaking news by mixing news and opinion personalities.
Two injured Russian climbers rescued after being stranded on Pakistan mountaintop for six days
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Two injured Russian climbers stranded for six days on a remote peak in northeastern Pakistan have finally been rescued, climbing officials said. Another is missing and is presumed dead. The five-person team that launched an expedition to retrieve the body of a fellow climber at the peak of Mount Gasherbrum was hit by an icy mountain on Friday, officials said. Rescuers evacuated the two climbers by plane on Monday, but more planning was needed to evacuate them by helicopter to the city of Skardu. Khalar Haidri, secretary general of the Pakistan Mountaineering Club, said Wednesday that both climbers were in stable condition.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
