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Articles by Phil Heslel
Comedian Carrot Top Hospitalized And Recovering, His Representative Says
Comedian Carrot Top has been hospitalized and is recovering, his representative said Saturday. “Mr. Thompson is recovering in the hospital and is receiving the care and support he needs,” his representative Jami Schlicher said in a statement using his real name, Scott Thompson.
Suspect Dead After 8 Children Killed, 2 Women Wounded in Louisiana Shooting
A man in Louisiana killed eight children Sunday in a shooting that authorities described as a domestic violence incident and was later killed by police after he fled in a carjacked vehicle, officials said. The suspect’s wife and a woman believed to be his girlfriend were also shot and seriously injured in the violence, which occurred at two homes in the early morning, Shreveport police said. The children killed were three boys and five girls, ages 3 to 11, the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office said.
John Beam, Who Appeared on Netflix's 'Last Chance U,' Is Shot
Laney College Athletic Director John Beam, who was featured on the Netflix show “Last Chance U” was shot on the Oakland, California, campus Thursday, officials said. Beam was in critical condition Thursday night and police are investigating the shooting that occurred at the Laney College Fieldhouse, the Peralta Community College District said.
2 Girls Die While Apparently 'Surfing' Atop New York City Subway Train
Two girls were found dead on top of a New York City subway train Saturday morning, prompting a warning from the head of the transit agency about the hazards of “subway surfing.” The ages of the deceased girls found atop a Brooklyn-bound train were not confirmed Saturday, a spokesperson for the New York Police Department said. Demetrius Crichlow, the president of NYC Transit, called the deaths a tragedy and highlighted the dangers of “subway surfing,” when people ride on top of trains.
Jimmy Kimmel Seeks to Smooth Tensions in 1st Show Since ABC Suspension
LOS ANGELES — Returning to the air to thunderous cheers and applause in his first episode since ABC suspended his late-night show, Jimmy Kimmel on Tuesday took direct aim at President Donald Trump while also trying to smooth tensions following his joke about the Republican reaction to the killing of Charlie Kirk. “You understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” Kimmel said, his voice breaking, during his opening monologue.
Charlie Kirk's Widow Speaks Out for 1st Time Since His Death
The wife of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Friday said her husband was a good man who wanted to be remembered for his courage and faith and vowed that his movement will continue. Speaking for the first time publicly since her husband was fatally shot Wednesday at Utah Valley University, Erika Kirk called those responsible for his death evil. “The evildoers responsible for my husband’s assassination have no idea what they have done,” she said.
3 Killed in Austin Target Shooting; Suspect is Detained
Three people were killed Monday afternoon in a shooting outside a Target store, and the suspect was arrested after stealing a car and fleeing the scene in Austin, Texas, police said. Police responded to a shooting call at 2:15 p.m., and officers found three people who had been shot in the parking lot, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said. The shooting happened outside the store, the chief said.
2 Crew Members Injured After Southwest Plane Descends Minutes Into Flight
Minutes after takeoff Friday, a Southwest flight leaving Burbank, California, rapidly descended because another aircraft was in the area, injuring two flight attendants and frightening passengers, according to officials and those on board. “Southwest Airlines Flight 1496 responded to an onboard alert that another aircraft was in the vicinity while in Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center airspace,” the Federal Aviation Administration said.
UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect thanks people for mail on new website
The suspect in the ambush killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson thanked people who have written to him as he is jailed in a New York City detention facility. Luigi Mangione’s statement, posted on a website set up by his defense to provide information about his cases, appear to be his first public comments since he shouted to reporters before a court appearance in Pennsylvania in December.
Most of the U.S. won’t have snow on the ground on Christmas
Dec. 21, 2024, 8:06 PM UTC / Source: NBC News Well, at least the snow globes will have a white Christmas. Most of the United States will not have snow on the ground on Wednesday, the National Weather Service said in a forecast Friday, although the parts of the Rocky Mountains, Minnesota, Wisconsin and other areas close to the Canadian border could be in luck.
DA Wants Menendez Brothers Resentenced, Which Could Free Them From Prison
Oct. 24, 2024, 9:15 PM UTC / Source: NBC News Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón on Thursday said he will seek resentencing for Lyle and Erik Menendez in their parents’ murders, paving the way for their potential release from prison after decades. The brothers’ case will now go before a judge. Joseph “Lyle” Menendez and Erik Menendez fatally shot their parents, entertainment company executive Jose Menendez and Kitty Menendez, with shotguns in their Beverly Hills home in 1989.
California socialite sentenced to 15 to life for killing 2 kids in crosswalk Original
June 10, 2024, 11:26 PM UTC / Source: NBC News By A wealthy California woman who co-founded a burn center in Los Angeles was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison Monday for the hit-and-run killings of two children while they were in a crosswalk more than three years ago. Rebecca Grossman was speeding when she struck and killed Mark Iskander, 11, and his brother Jacob, 8, while they were in a crosswalk in the LA-area city of Westlake Village on Sept. 29, 2020.
Indianapolis columnist apologizes to Caitlin Clark over ‘awkward’ heart gesture
April 18, 2024, 12:42 PM UTC / Source: NBC News By An Indianapolis sports columnist has apologized for flashing a heart symbol with his hands, as well as for his subsequent comments, to new Indiana Fever player and college basketball star Caitlin Clark in what soon became an “awkward” interaction.
Selma Blair Apologizes After Islamophobic Comment Original
Feb. 14, 2024, 2:40 AM UTC / Source: NBC News By Actor Selma Blair apologized Tuesday for what she said was a mistake in judgment after comments condemned as Islamophobic went viral this month. “I mistakenly and inadvertently conflated Muslims with Radical Islamists and fundamentalists, a terrible err in my words, and resulted in hurting countless people I never meant to, and I deeply regret this,” Blair wrote on Instagram.
Alec Baldwin pleads not guilty to manslaughter in deadly ‘Rust’ shooting
Alec Baldwin on Wednesday, Jan. 31, pleaded not guilty to an involuntary manslaughter charge in the 2021 accidental fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on a New Mexico movie set. Baldwin, 65, was indicted on the single count by a grand jury Jan. 19. The actor was holding a prop gun on the set of the movie “Rust” at Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe on Oct. 21 when the gun fired a live round and killed Hutchins, 42. Director Joel Souza was wounded in the incident.
Alec Baldwin pleads not guilty to manslaughter in deadly ‘Rust’ shooting
Alec Baldwin on Wednesday, Jan. 31, pleaded not guilty to an involuntary manslaughter charge in the 2021 accidental fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on a New Mexico movie set. Baldwin, 65, was indicted on the single count by a grand jury Jan. 19. The actor was holding a prop gun on the set of the movie “Rust” at Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe on Oct. 21 when the gun fired a live round and killed Hutchins, 42. Director Joel Souza was wounded in the incident.
Alec Baldwin pleads not guilty to manslaughter in deadly ‘Rust’ shooting
Alec Baldwin pleads not guilty to manslaughter in deadly ‘Rust’ shooting Chloe Melas and Diana Dasrath and Phil Heslel February 1, 2024 at 1:20 AM Alec Baldwin on Wednesday, Jan. 31, pleaded not guilty to an involuntary manslaughter charge in the 2021 accidental fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on a New Mexico movie set. The actor was holding a prop gun on the set of the movie “Rust” at Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe on Oct.
Pilot Accused of Trying to Stop Engines Midflight After Taking Magic Mushrooms
Nov. 11, 2023, 9:31 PM UTC / Source: NBC News By The off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot accused of trying to shut down the engines of an airborne plane last month after taking magic mushrooms thought he was dreaming and had questioned if he was in hell, he said in an interview published Saturday. Joseph Emerson, 44, told The New York Times in a jailhouse interview in Portland, Oregon, that when he took the psychedelics around a campfire — which he had never taken before — on Oct.
Bobby Knight, legendary Indiana Hoosiers basketball coach, dies at 83
Nov. 1, 2023, 11:18 PM UTC / Source: NBC News By Bobby Knight, the Indiana University basketball coach who guided the Hoosiers to three NCAA championships, has died at 83, his family said. The Hall of Fame coach died Wednesday surrounded by his family at his home in Bloomington, Indiana, his family said in a statement. The did not provide a cause of death.
Patriots fan was punched in head before he died, witness says
A New England Patriots fan who died at a home game Sunday was punched in the head twice before the medical emergency, a witness said Tuesday. Massachusetts State Police have said that Dale Mooney “suffered an apparent medical event” during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. “A fan in a Dolphins jersey reached over and just punched the victim twice in the face,” witness Joe Kilmartin said.
Patriots fan was punched in head before he died, witness says
Create your free profile or log in to save this article Sept. 20, 2023, 1:31 AM UTC / Source: NBC News By A New England Patriots fan who died at a home game Sunday was punched in the head twice before the medical emergency, a witness said Tuesday. Massachusetts State Police have said that Dale Mooney “suffered an apparent medical event” during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
Rescuers race to save ill American stranded deep inside a cave in Turkey
More than 150 rescuers are racing to reach an American stranded deep inside a cave in Turkey after he became ill. Mark Dickey, 40, is suffering from gastrointestinal bleeding — but he has been stuck several thousand feet below the ground inside the vast Morca cave since Saturday. The Turkish Caving Federation, which is assisting in the rescue, said Dickey was at a campsite 3,400 feet from the entrance to the 4,100-foot cave, the third-deepest in the country.
Rescuers race to save ill American stranded deep inside a cave in Turkey
More than 150 rescuers are racing to reach an American stranded deep inside a cave in Turkey after he became ill. Mark Dickey, 40, is suffering from gastrointestinal bleeding — but he has been stuck several thousand feet below the ground inside the vast Morca cave since Saturday. The Turkish Caving Federation, which is assisting in the rescue, said Dickey was at a campsite 3,400 feet from the entrance to the 4,100-foot cave, the third-deepest in the country.
El Paso Walmart mass shooter Patrick Crusius sentenced to 90 consecutive life sentences
EL PASO, Texas — The Texas man who fatally shot 23 people at an El Paso Walmart in a targeted attack against people of Mexican descent was sentenced Friday to 90 consecutive life sentences. Patrick Crusius, of Allen, agreed in February to the back-to-back life sentences when he pleaded guilty to 90 federal counts, including 45 hate crime charges. The judge asked that he is sent to ADX Florence, a maximum facility prison in Fremont County, Colorado, and requested he receive mental health treatment.
What is the Wagner group? A look at the mercenary group accused of ‘armed mutiny’ in Russia
Long at odds with Russia’s military leaders during the war in Ukraine, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner mercenary group, took his feud to a new level Friday when he leveled accusations that his fighters had been struck and vowed revenge. The threat, made on his official Telegram channel, sparked a crisis in Russia, where the country’s Federal Security Service called for members of the private military contractor to refuse Prigozhin’s orders and detain him.
Pregnant woman fatally shot in back by her 2-year-old son, Ohio police say
A pregnant woman and her unborn child died after a toddler got a hold of a gun and shot her in the back last week, Ohio police said. Laura Ilg, 31, called 911 on Friday afternoon and told the dispatcher she was 33 weeks pregnant and had been shot by her 2-year-old son, the Norwalk Police Department said in a statement. Her husband, Alek, called in a report moments later that he had received a call from his wife who was screaming for him to call police.
Human remains identified as Minnesota mother missing since March, police say
Human remains found in Minnesota on Wednesday have been identified as a Minnesota mother of two who had not been seen since March, police said Thursday. Winona police Chief Tom Williams made the announcement during an afternoon news conference. “This morning, the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office performed an autopsy,” he told reporters.
Human remains found at Lake Mead identified as man who disappeared in 1998
April 27, 2023, 11:38 AM UTC By Phil Heslel Human remains found at diminished Lake Mead in Nevada have been identified as those of a 52-year-old man who disappeared in 1998, Clark County said in a statement Wednesday. The skeletal remains were identified by the county medical examiner’s office as those of Claude Russell Pensinger, of Las Vegas, it said. The remains were found on three different dates — July 25, Aug. 6 and Aug. 16 — but all were his, the office said.
A Man Who Threatened Merriam-Webster Over Gender-Inclusive Definitions Was Sentenced To Prison
April 15, 2023, 1:05 PM UTC By Phil Heslel A California man who threatened to bomb and shoot people at Merriam-Webster Inc. over the dictionary company’s inclusive language around gender was sentenced to prison Thursday, prosecutors said. Jeremy David Hanson, 34, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts said in a statement Friday.
$100K worth of dimes stolen from truck in Philadelphia parking lot
April 14, 2023, 12:50 PM UTC / Source: NBC News By Phil Heslel The break-in at a Philadelphia parking lot wasn’t a nickel-and-dime case. Just dimes. Police are looking for whoever broke into a trailer carrying $750,000 worth of dimes, a crime discovered Thursday that left coins scattered on the ground. An estimated $100,000 or more in dimes was stolen from the truck, which had picked up the coins from the U.S. Mint and was parked in the lot overnight, Philadelphia Police Capt.
At least 7 dead and dozens injured as tornadoes devastate parts of Midwest
April 1, 2023, 11:35 AM UTC By Tim Stelloh, Phil Heslel and Mirna Alsharif A ferocious storm system tore through the South and Midwest Friday, whipping up deadly tornadoes in Arkansas and Indiana and collapsing a theater roof during a heavy metal concert in Illinois. Central Arkansas suffered “significant damage” Friday, Gov.
At Least 23 Dead After Tornadoes Tear Through Mississippi
March 25, 2023, 4:54 PM UTC / Source: NBC News By Phil Heslel, Kurt Chirbas, Elizabeth Maline, Leila Sackur and Mirna Alsharif A father and his little girl were among at least 23 people killed when tornadoes swept through Mississippi Friday night, officials said. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency confirmed the death toll in a tweet early Saturday.
South Carolina Investigating Stephen Smith’s Death as Homicide
March 22, 2023, 3:06 AM UTC / Source: NBC News By Phil Heslel The death of a South Carolina man who was found on a rural road around 15 miles from the home of now-convicted killer Alex Murdaugh has been investigated as a homicide, a state law enforcement agency said Tuesday. Lawyers of the family of Stephen Smith, 19, announced the homicide investigation as a major development. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) said it has been investigating it since 2021.
Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 16 years in L.A. rape conviction
Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 16 years in prison Thursday for a rape conviction in Los Angeles, adding to a more than two-decade long sentence already handed down in New York. In the Los Angeles case, a jury found Weinstein guilty of three counts related to the accuser known as Jane Doe 1: forcible rape, forcible oral copulation and sexual penetration by foreign object. Harvey Weinstein appears in court in Los Angeles on Oct.
Sixth Memphis Officer Fired After Tyre Nichols’ Death
IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Sixth Memphis officer fired after Tyre Nichols’ death Officer Preston Hemphill was at the scene of the initial aggressive traffic stop but not at the violent beating that occurred later, his attorney has said. Feb. 4, 2023, 12:58 AM UTC An additional Memphis police officer has been fired after the death of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old man who died after he was beaten by officers last month, police said Friday.
2nd Hiker Missing on Mount Baldy As Search For Actor Julian Sands Continues
A second hiker has disappeared on California’s Mount Baldy, the same mountain where actor Julian Sands vanished on Jan. 13, officials said Monday. Jin Chung, 75, failed to return from a hike and meet two others as planned Sunday, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department said in a statement. Sands has not been since Jan. 13, when he went to hike the peak in the San Gabriel Mountains northeast of Los Angeles. The search for both men continues.
Attacker killed after shooting 1 person at an Indiana Walmart, police say
Police shot and killed an attacker in a gun battle after he shot a person inside an Indiana Walmart on Thursday, an Evansville police spokesperson said. The victim, who was shot at the Walmart in Evansville in southern Indiana just before 10 p.m., was alive when officers arrived. Police Sgt. Anna Gray did not have the victim’s condition at a briefing for reporters later. Officers killed the shooter, who fired multiple shots at officers, she said. He was identified only as a male.
NFL game suspended after 24-year-old Buffalo Bills player collapses, taken to hospital
Jan. 3, 2023, 2:43 AM UTC Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed in the first quarter of Monday Night Football in a game against the Bengals in Cincinnati. An ambulance arrived on the field, and Hamlin received CPR for nearly 10 minutes. Emotional players and coaches stood by, and the Bills knelt to pray. The game was suspended and both teams retired to their locker rooms.
Southwest cancels 70% of its flights as travelers try to get home
On the travel-heavy day after Christmas, Southwest Airlines canceled more than 2,800 flights, or 70% of its schedule, frustrating passengers across the nation. And the company plans reductions for days as it works to recover from the winter weather, flying just one-third of its schedule, the company said Monday. “Our heartfelt apologies for this are just beginning,” Southwest said in a statement Monday.
Twitter suspends journalists who have been covering Elon Musk and the company
Hours after the suspensions took hold, Musk faced off with one of the journalists he suspended in a Twitter Space audio discussion before an audience of more than 30,000 listeners. The suspended journalist, along with several others, found a backdoor way onto the platform through the website’s audio function. “You doxx, you get suspended. End of story. That’s it,” Musk said, explaining his latest policy to the group, before he left minutes after having joined the discussion.
WNBA star Brittney Griner arrives back in US after Russian prisoner swap
WNBA star Brittney Griner arrived back in the United States early Friday after being freed from Russian custody, bringing a nearly yearlong ordeal to an end. Griner could be seen climbing down the steps of a plane shortly after it arrived at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas before 6 a.m. EST. “So happy to have Brittney back on U.S. soil. Welcome home BG!” Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens tweeted shortly after.
FedEx driver arrested in the kidnapping and killing of 7-year-old
A FedEx contract driver in Texas was arrested Friday and accused of kidnapping and murder in the death of a 7-year-old girl who went missing two days earlier, officials said. The disappearance of Athena Strand, who vanished Wednesday from her home in Paradise in Wise County, prompted a large search with around 200 volunteers from the community. On Friday, authorities found her body southeast of the city of Boyd, a city around 11 miles away, Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin told reporters.
Former San Antonio Officer Indicted in Shooting of Teenager Outside Mcdonald’s
A former San Antonio police officer who shot a teenager in a McDonald’s parking lot in October was indicted on assault and attempted murder charges, prosecutors said Thursday, Dec. 1. The former officer, James Brennand, was fired by the police department two days after the Oct.
At least 7 dead, including suspect, in shooting at Walmart in Virginia, police say
At least seven people, including the suspect, are dead after a shooting Tuesday night at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Virginia, officials said. “Chesapeake Police confirm 7 fatalities, including the shooter, from last night’s shooting at Walmart on Sam’s Circle,” the City of Chesapeake said in a tweet early Wednesday morning. A police spokesman told NBC News authorities were aware of multiple reports the shooter was a Walmart employee. Officials could not confirm those reports, the spokesman said.
Walmart worker in Virginia opens fire, killing at least 6, police say
Investigators were searching the house Wednesday of a Walmart employee who opened fire at a Virginia store, killing at least six people and wounding at least four more before taking his own life. A motive has not been established for the mass killing Tuesday night at the Walmart Supercenter in the city of Chesapeake, but a senior law enforcement official told NBC News the suspect was a disgruntled employee who was armed with a pistol of some kind. The shooter’s identity has not yet been released.
Deaths of Phoenix Family of 5 Being Investigated as Homicide, Police Say
A family of five were found dead Wednesday in a Phoenix home, where natural gas was also detected, police said. Detectives are investigating it as a homicide, Phoenix police Sgt. Melissa Soliz said. “This scene is a complete tragedy behind us,” she told reporters. Police and fire officials responded to the home near West Augusta Avenue shortly after 8 a.m. on a report of a possible hazardous materials investigation and an unresponsive person inside, and they detected natural gas, she said.
Nike suspends relationship with Nets star Kyrie Irving in antisemitism fallout
Nike said Friday it was suspending its relationship with Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving and will not release a new shoe named after him following controversy over a post linking to an antisemitic movie. Nike said the suspension is effectively immediately and the company will no longer launch the Kyrie 8 shoe. “At Nike, we believe there is no place for hate speech and we condemn any form of antisemitism,” Nike said in a statement.
Twitter Sued Over Short-Notice Layoffs as Elon Musk’s Takeover Rocks Company
A lawsuit was filed against Twitter on Thursday alleging the social media company now headed by Elon Musk violated federal and state law that requires 60 days’ notice of mass layoffs, according to a court document. The suit filed in U.S. District Court in San Francisco names five current or former workers as plaintiffs, one of whom was told he was terminated effective Tuesday, according to the lawsuit. It names Twitter as the defendant.
At least 13 shot, including 3 children, in Chicago drive-by shooting on Halloween, police say
At least 13 people were shot in a drive-by shooting in Chicago on Monday night, police said, including a 3-year-old and two other children. No deaths were reported in connection with the shooting. The condition of those wounded ranged from critical to not life-threatening, Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown said at a news conference. An additional person was struck by a vehicle while attempting to escape the scene, he said.
Powerball Jackpot Reaches $1 Billion for Second Time In Its History
Someone could get a Halloween treat of a lifetime Monday when Powerball draws for a jackpot worth $1 billion. It’s the second time a jackpot has passed the $1 billion mark. Winners in California, Florida and Tennessee won the other one — a $1.5 billion jackpot — in 2016. Monday’s top prize is so large because no one has matched all five numbers and a Powerball since Aug. 3, almost three months ago. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.
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