DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Cedar Key: Hurricane Idalia turned a 'haven for artists' into a flooded wreck
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Eric Levenson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Thomas Simonetti/The Washington Post/Getty ImagesA view of the flooding in Cedar Key, Florida, on August 30, 2023. Julio Cesar Chavez/ReutersPhotos on the Cedar Key Fire Rescue Facebook account showing some of the early destruction. And unlike Key West, Cedar Key has avoided high-end commercial development along its shores and remains a low-key spot. What Idalia did to Cedar KeyA vehicle was partially submerged after the arrival of Hurricane Idalia in Cedar Key on Wednesday. “Everything is flooded,” Shely Boivin, the manager of a beachfront motel in Cedar Key, told CNN.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Idalia, ” Michael Bobbitt, CNN’s John Berman, Thomas Simonetti, Julio Cesar Chavez, Bobbitt, “, John Muir, ” Muir, Leslie Sturmer, Julio, Cesar Chavez, Reuters Levy, Mayor Heath Davis, “ We’re, ” Bobbitt, ” Heather Greenwood, CNN’s Carlos Suarez, Sean Rayford, Cheney Orr, Reuters Jewell Baggett, Cristobal Herrera, Ulashkevich, EFE, Jack Lemburg, Richard Burkhart, Douglas R, Clifford, Zuma Press Donnye Franklin, Joe Raedle, Rebecca Blackwell, Ron DeSantis, Savannah Alderman Nick Palumbo, Ken Kruse, Hurricane Idalia, Eva Marie Uzcategui, Christian Monterrosa, Stephen M, Dowell, Reagan Ortagus, Tyler, Bob Self, NOAA Ana Iris Aguiar, Alexandre Meneghini, Marco Bello, Adrees Latif, Samson, Victor Cassano's, Chris O'Meara, Yamil Lage, Sharon Walsh, Doug Engle, Christine Willis, Andrew West, Shely Boivin, ” Boivin, ‘, John MacDonald Organizations: CNN, Rescue, Washington Post, Key, USA’s, University of Florida Institute of Food, Agricultural Sciences, WUFT, Reuters, Mayor, Tampa Bay Times, ZUMA Press, Press, Angels Episcopal Church, Savannah Morning, USA, Network Rescue, Zuma Press, AP Florida Gov, Savannah, Bloomberg, Getty, Duke, Orlando Sentinel, Florida Times, Union, AP, Reuters Pike Electric, Idalia, Southwest Airlines, Tampa International Airport, Reuters Home Depot, Reuters Fort Myers, Emergency Locations: Key , Florida, Gulf of Mexico, Cedar, Mexico, Dock, Horseshoe Beach , Florida, Bend, Tampa, Perry , Florida, Keaton Beach , Florida, Horseshoe Beach, Madison , Florida, Steinhatchee , Florida, Samarra, St, Savannah , Georgia, Savannah, Steinhatchee, Crystal River , Florida, Perry, Crystal, Tarpon Springs , Florida, Mayo , Florida, Tarpon Springs, Myers, Hurricane, Gainesville , Florida, Sumterville , Florida, Johns County , Florida, Florida, NOAA, La Coloma, Cuba, Clearwater , Florida, Playa Majana, Suwannee , Florida, Batabanó, AFP, Guanimar, Ocala , Florida, USA, Reuters Fort Myers Beach, Levy

☆ This Steer Rides Shotgun
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Michael Levenson | More About Michael Levenson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Let this be a warning to those of you who long to hit the open road with a 2,200-pound steer riding shotgun: Observe all traffic laws, especially when passing through Norfolk, Neb. Lee Meyer, 63, a retired machinist, learned that lesson on Wednesday. For seven years, Mr. Meyer has been chauffeuring his 2,200-pound Watusi-longhorn mix named Howdy Doody with its horns and head exposed to the open air in a customized Ford Crown Victoria with the license plate “Boy Dog.”But he had never been stopped by the police, he said, until Wednesday morning as he drove Howdy Doody into Norfolk from his 15-acre ranch south of Neligh, about 35 miles away. Mr. Meyer had just turned off the highway on what was supposed to be a test run in preparation for Howdy Doody’s appearance at Norfolk’s Oktoberfest when he noticed a police car behind him had turned on its flashing lights.

Persons: Lee Meyer, Meyer, Howdy Doody, Howdy Doody’s Organizations: Ford Crown Victoria Locations: Norfolk, Neb, Neligh

A graduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has been charged in the fatal shooting of one of his professors on Monday, a killing that spread fear across the campus and forced an hourslong lockdown, according to court documents. The student, Tailei Qi, 34, was charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm on educational property in the killing of Zijie Yan, an associate professor in the applied physical sciences department, inside a campus lab, according to court documents filed in Orange County Court in Hillsborough, N.C.Mr. Qi made a brief appearance in court on Tuesday afternoon and was ordered held without bond until his next court appearance on Sept. 18. He did not enter a plea. The public defender who represented him did not immediately respond to an email and phone call seeking comment. Court documents did not describe a motive for the shooting, and Jeffrey L. Nieman, the Orange County district attorney, declined to comment on what might have led to it.

Persons: Tailei Qi, Zijie Yan, Qi, Jeffrey L, Nieman Organizations: University of North, Chapel, Orange County Court, Mr Locations: University of North Carolina, Orange County, Hillsborough, N.C

CNN —Police at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill responded to an “armed and dangerous person on or near campus,” according to an alert from the university on Monday. A witness on campus told CNN they were locked down in their building and saw armed officers searching campus. The UNC Hospital also has received no patients from the scene, a spokesperson told CNN. Video from CNN affiliate WRAL in Chapel Hill showed a large number of police vehicles at the campus with their lights flashing. Calls to the Town of Chapel Hill were not immediately returned.

Persons: ”, Roy Cooper, “ Organizations: CNN — Police, University of North, UNC Police, University, CNN, North Carolina Gov, Twitter, UNC, UNC Hospital Locations: University of North Carolina, ”, Chapel, Carrboro

☆ Alexandra Paul, Olympic Figure Skater From Canada, Is Killed in Car Crash
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Michael Levenson | More About Michael Levenson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Alexandra Paul, a figure skater from Canada who competed in the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, was killed in a car crash last week in which her infant son was injured, officials said. Ms. Paul, 31, was traveling with her son on a county road in Melancthon Township in rural Ontario on Tuesday, when a tractor-trailer crashed into a line of cars that had stopped in a construction zone, according to the police and a statement from the Olympic Games. The Ontario Provincial Police said in a statement that officers responded at 3:10 p.m. to a report of a serious crash involving seven vehicles in Melancthon, about 65 miles northwest of Toronto. Several passenger vehicles had stopped in a construction zone when a tractor-trailer entered the zone and crashed into the rear of the line of vehicles, the police said.

Persons: Alexandra Paul, Paul Organizations: Olympic Games, Ontario Provincial Police Locations: Canada, Sochi, Russia, Melancthon Township, Ontario, Melancthon, Toronto

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was under a shelter-in-place order on Monday afternoon after the school warned that an “armed, dangerous person” was on campus. The university sent an alert just after 1 p.m. that advised people in the area to go inside and stay away from windows. All classes & events canceled for today.”Students returned to class on Aug. 21 after summer break. The university did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It was not clear whether there were injuries.

Organizations: University of North, Chapel, ” Locations: University of North Carolina

CNN —The White gunman who killed three Black people in a racist attack at a Dollar General store in Jacksonville, Florida, on Saturday legally purchased two firearms earlier this year, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. The gunman, identified as 21-year-old Ryan Christopher Palmeter, bought a handgun in April and an AR-15-style rifle in June, the sheriff said. Jacksonville Sheriff's OfficeThe gunman used racial slurs, left behind a racist screed and drew swastikas on his firearm, authorities said. The encounter was reported to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office by EWU security,” the school said. Jacksonville Sheriff's OfficePhotos of the weapons the gunman had were shown by authorities, including one firearm with swastikas drawn on it.

Persons: Waters, Ryan Christopher Palmeter, ”, Palmeter, Angela Michelle Carr, Anolt Joseph “ AJ ” Laguerre, Jerrald Gallion, Sheriff Waters, Kia, Carr, Laguerre, Gallion, texted, Black, ” Waters, “, They’re, Baker, Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, Ron DeSantis, ” DeSantis, Joe Biden, ” Biden Organizations: CNN, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K, Dollar, Justice, Jacksonville Sheriff's, Edward Waters University, Jacksonville, Madden, University police, University, WJXT, Authorities, Kia, Jacksonville Mayor, Florida Gov, NAACP Locations: Jacksonville , Florida, Orange, Jacksonville, Washington, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Clay County, Duval County, Florida, America

☆ How forensic investigators use DNA, fingerprints and other methods to identify remains after a fire
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( Eric Levenson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

“DNA has been really extremely helpful for us, with the Rapid DNA,” said Alison Galloway, professor emerita of anthropology at the University of California-Santa Cruz, who helped identify remains during the Camp Fire. “If you don’t have that … then it’s a lot more difficult.”In general, forensic experts rely on DNA, dental analysis, fingerprints, medical hardware or circumstantial evidence to try to identify remains. “We’re still diligently working trying to make sure that we can identify (remains), and that’s why that DNA is so important, because we got fingerprints from three,” he said. Galloway, the forensics professor, said one of the advantages of the Rapid DNA technology is in quickly determining whether a DNA swab is usable. Maui asks for family members to come forwardFor Rapid DNA to work, family members of the missing have to willingly submit to DNA swabs.

Persons: ”, Alison Galloway, Santa Cruz, Josh Green, CBS’s, Sarah Salmonese, Go Nakamura, Ken Alba, Jae C, Yuki Iwamura, Patrick T, Fallon, Bryan Anselm, Mike Blake, Matthew A, Foster, Rick Bowmer, Lauren Haley, Makalea Ahhee, Justin Sullivan, Max Whittaker, Zoltan Balogh, Robert Gauthier, Mengshin Lin, Evelio Contreras, CNN Vixay Phonxaylinkham, Lana, Phonoxaylinkham, Marco Garcia, Claire Rush, Myrna Ah Hee, Sui, Ty O'Neil, Ku'u Kauanoe, ZUMA, Matthew Thayer, John Pelletier, “ We’re, Stephen Meer, Sudhin, –, Meer, we’ve, you’ve, you’re, ” Meer, Jonathan Masaki Shiroma, what’s, …, Robert Quinn, “, Robert Quinn’s Organizations: CNN, University of California, New York Times, Getty, Reuters, Staff, US Army National Guard, Maui Police, Facility, AP Volunteers, Grace Baptist, Volunteers, Los Angeles Times, AP, Washington Post, Kahului Airport, Technologies, Kahului, AP Helicopters, Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, Reuters Residents, ZUMA Passengers, Maui News, ANDE Corp, Forensic Science, Fire, FBI, Maui Emergency Management Agency Locations: Maui, California, Santa, Hawaii, Lahaina , Hawaii, Lahaina, AFP, Wahikuli, Wailuku, Kula , Hawaii, Kula, Kihei, West Maui, Grace, Napili, Honokowai, Honolulu, Maalaea, Kahului, Las Vegas, Church, Lahaina Hongwanji, Paradise , California, Galloway, Ukraine, ”, Butte County

☆ New DNA evidence indicates that 3 men convicted of murder did not do it, forensics expert testifies
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Eric Levenson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

They have petitioned a judge to throw out their convictions and order a new trial based on the new DNA evidence. The prosecution has argued in court filings there was no evidence the sex was nonconsensual or that this unknown male killed Nickens. Chappell, Johnson and Grasty were each convicted in separate trials of second-degree murder and other charges in 2000 and 2001 and sentenced to life in prison. Eric Levenson/CNNWitness also testified at Alex Murdaugh trialPalmbach’s testimony came a month after another defense witness testified about the new DNA evidence as part of this petition. On cross-exam Tuesday, Delaware County Assistant District Attorney Sara Vanore noted that Palmbach came to his conclusions even though he was not a DNA expert and didn’t closely review court testimony.

Persons: Timothy Palmbach, rebutting, ” Palmbach, Derrick Chappell, Morton Johnson, Samuel Grasty, Henrietta Nickens, Nickens, Chappell, Johnson, Grasty, Richard McElwee, McElwee, Shook, Hardy, Bacon, Trio ”, “, ”, Janet Purnell, Johnson’s, –, Mahir Sharif, It’s, Cynthia Chappell, Chappell’s, “ I’m, Brenda Brown, Kenyett LeBue, Eric Levenson, Alex Murdaugh, Sara Vanore, Palmbach, Vanore, Murdaugh, Jeffrey Fumea Organizations: Pennsylvania CNN, Prosecutors, CNN, Innocence, Chappell, Pennsylvania Innocence, Centurion, Delaware, Pennsylvania State Police Locations: Pennsylvania, Delaware County , Pennsylvania, Chester , Pennsylvania, McElwee, South Carolina

CNN —Ron Cephas Jones, who won two Emmy Awards for his acting on the hit television drama “This Is Us,” has died at age 66, according to his manager, Dan Spilo. “As a parent that’s the most fulfilling that I could ever feel at the moment,” Jones said after his win, according to Deadline. He was on and off a ventilator and had to learn to breathe, eat and walk again, the Times reported. Jones, right, starred as William Hill, the biological father of Randall Pearson, played by Sterling K. Brown, in "This Is Us." Ron Batzdorff/NBC/Getty ImagesBrown, who played opposite Jones in “This Is Us,” praised him in an Instagram post.

Persons: Ron Cephas Jones, ”, Dan Spilo, Jones, William Hill, Sterling K, Brown, Mr, “ Luke Cage, Montrellous, ” Jones, Jasmine Cephas Jones, she’s, Randall Pearson, Ron Batzdorff, “, ” Dan Fogelman, ” “ Ron, Ron Organizations: CNN, Sterling, ”, New York Times, Times, NBC, Getty Locations: “

☆ Driverless Car Gets Stuck in Wet Concrete in San Francisco
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Michael Levenson | More About Michael Levenson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Driverless vehicles promise a future with less congestion and pollution, fewer accidents resulting from human error and better mobility for people with disabilities, supporters say. But every now and then, one of the cars runs into trouble in a way that casts a bit of doubt on that bold vision. So it was on Tuesday in San Francisco, where a driverless car somehow drove into a city paving project and got stuck in wet concrete. Paul Harvey, 74, a retired contractor who lives in the city’s Western Addition neighborhood, took a photo of the car with roof-mounted sensors, tipped slightly forward, its front wheels mired in the freshly poured concrete.

Persons: Paul Harvey Locations: San Francisco

☆ Michael Oher: 'The Blind Side' star's long effort to correct the record
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Eric Levenson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —In his 2011 memoir, Michael Oher wrote that he had a special skill for forgetting his difficult past. Sean Tuohy told the Daily Memphian that his family was devastated. In 2003, he began to stay more often with the Tuohy family, whose daughter Collins also attended Briarcrest. Another contract from April 2007 exists that was “purportedly signed by Michael Oher” in which Oher gives away his name, likeness, voice, etc. “It’s hard because you have to defend yourself, but whatever he wants, we’ll do,” Sean Tuohy said, according to the Daily Memphian.

Persons: CNN —, Michael Oher, “, ”, Oher, White, Sean, Leigh Anne Tuohy, Steve Farese, Sean Tuohy, Michael, Don Yaeger, “ ‘, I’d, Ole Miss Michael Oher, Ole, Matthew Sharpe, ” Oher, Michael Lewis, Lewis, Mike, Collins, Tuohy, David Bergman, Sandra Bullock, Oscar, Lily Collins, Tim McGraw, Jae, Quinton Aaron, Warner, Larry French, “ Michael, Michael Oher’s, Oher “, Michael Oher ”, ” Tuohy, “ We’re, he’d, ‘, You’ve, It’s, Sean Tuohy Jr, ’ ”, Tiffany Roy, Kobi, Kierstin, Jim Rome, that’s, ’ Organizations: CNN, ”, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Briarcrest Christian School, University of Mississippi, Baltimore Ravens, AP, Academy, Warner Bros, Baltimore, Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers, NFL, Foundation, Creative Artists Agency, Daily, Barstool Radio, ’ ” CNN Locations: Memphis, Tennessee, Oxford , Mississippi, Baltimore

☆ Michael Oher, depicted in ‘The Blind Side,’ alleges he was never adopted by Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, but signed into a conservatorship
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Jennifer Henderson Eric Levenson | Jennifer Henderson | Eric Levenson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

A lawyer for Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, Steve Farese, said they have no comment but will be issuing a statement Tuesday. During the summer after his junior year, Oher started staying with Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy occasionally. Instead, the papers appointed Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy his conservators. Another contract from April 2007 exists that was “purportedly signed by Michael Oher” in which Oher gives away his name, likeness, voice, etc. Sandra Bullock won best actress for her performance of Leigh Anne Tuohy in the 2010 82nd annual Academy Awards.

Persons: CNN —, Michael Oher, ”, Sean, Leigh Anne Tuohy’s conservatorship, Oher, Leigh Anne Tuohy, Steve Farese, Sean Tuohy, “, Michael, ” Sean Tuohy, Oher’s, Michael J, ” Oher, Michael ”, Tuohy, Dad ”, “ Michael, Michael Oher’s, Oher “, Michael Oher ”, Conservators, Michael Lewis, ” Tuohy, Lewis, “ We’re, he’d, ‘, You’ve, It’s, Sandra Bullock Organizations: CNN, NFL, Juvenile, Creative Artists Agency, ESPN, University of Mississippi, Ole Miss, Baltimore Ravens, AP, Baltimore, Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers Locations: Tennessee, Memphis, alma mater, Baltimore

☆ A Timeline of Hunter Biden’s Life and Legal Troubles
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Michael Levenson | More About Michael Levenson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

With the news that the Justice Department has named a special counsel to investigate a wide range of conduct by President Biden’s son Hunter Biden, his life is bound to come under even more intense scrutiny. A father of four with a law degree from Yale, Mr. Biden, 53, has acknowledged a decades-long addiction to alcohol and crack cocaine, and his foreign business dealings have led to questions about President Biden’s influence. Here’s a look at key dates in the life of the president’s son. Feb. 4, 1970Hunter Biden is born, the second child of Joseph R. Biden Jr. and his first wife, Neilia Hunter Biden. Hunter’s older brother, Beau, was born in 1969, and his sister, Naomi, was born in 1971.

Persons: Biden’s son Hunter Biden, Biden, Biden’s, Hunter Biden, Joseph R, Neilia Hunter Biden, Beau, Naomi Organizations: Justice Department, Yale

☆ Dozens of Children Die Every Year in Hot Cars. Could Technology Save Them?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Michael Levenson | More About Michael Levenson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Ever since Tyler Cestia left his son Thomas in his truck on a hot morning in June two years ago, he has felt, he said, like a cork bobbing in the ocean. At lunchtime, he drove to a restaurant with the auditor and then back to his office. That afternoon, it occurred to him that he didn’t remember seeing the babysitter that morning. He ran to his truck where he found Thomas in his car seat behind the driver’s seat. “It was just a total utter shock,” said Mr. Cestia, 37, who lives in New Iberia with his wife, Pam, and their two other children.

Persons: Tyler Cestia, Thomas, Cestia, ”, Pam, “ Locations: New Iberia, La

CNN —Tou Thao, the former Minneapolis police officer who held back a crowd of bystanders during George Floyd’s fatal arrest in May 2020, was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison Monday for aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. Tou Thao, the last former Minneapolis police officer to face sentencing in state court for his role in the killing of George Floyd, appeared in court Monday. During the arrest, Lane held down Floyd’s legs, Kueng held down Floyd’s torso, and Thao stood nearby and kept back a crowd of upset bystanders, including an off-duty firefighter trying to render aid. Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in state court and was sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison in June 2021. Lane, Kueng and Thao were found guilty in federal court of violating Floyd’s civil rights and of failing to intervene to stop Chauvin during the restraint.

Persons: Tou Thao, George Floyd’s, Thao, ”, George Floyd, Peter A, Cahill, “ Mr, Chauvin, Kueng, Lane, ” Thao, “, Derek Chauvin, Thomas Lane, J, Alexander Kueng, George Floyd's, Floyd, Floyd’s, Judge Cahill Organizations: CNN, Minneapolis, Minnesota Department of Human Rights Locations: Minneapolis, Minnesota, Hennepin, Floyd, Kueng

☆ Opinion: Trump’s hat trick is America’s Rorschach test
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( Jane Carr | Opinion Jane Greenway Carr | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

We’re looking back at the strongest, smartest opinion takes of the week from CNN and other outlets. “The ramifications of these charges for Trump and the country are enormous,” wrote legal scholar Michael Gerhardt. A sobering new studyAfrica Studio/Adobe StockA recent study has found that alcohol-related deaths are rising more quickly among American women than among American men. There’s no reason to think that will changeMike Shields: A tectonic shift in GOP voter turnout is underwayA back-to-school questionDenver Public School nurse Jennifer Nelson works at McAuliffe Manual Middle School. Every child deserves a school nurse.”

Persons: Pythagoras, It’s, Tobias Smollett, Peregrine Pickle, who’s, won’t, Donald Trump’s, Jack Smith’s, ”, Michael Gerhardt, “, Trump, ” Clay Jones, John Avlon, Ulysses S, Grant, Black, … Trump, ” George Costanza’s, Eric Klein, Jeremi Suri, ” Klein, Tanya Chutkan, Klein, Suri, Russell J, Levenson, Jr, Julian Zelizer, Dean Obeidallah, Phil Hands, Jon Gabriel, Gabriel, Badri, Paul Kane, punctuating, Aimee Phan, wouldn’t, Phan, Morocco’s Nouhaila, …, I’ve, CNN Opinion’s Kirsi Goldynia, Dr, Catherine Donnelly, Donnelly, Whitney Browne, Alvin Ailey, O’Shae Sibley, Clay Cane, Cane, ” Cane, Jill Filipovic, Filipovic, —, ” Filipovic, Eric Winer, Winer, Don’t, Ralph Tedy Erol, Catherine Russell, Rachel Marshall, Georgia Mark Zandi, Mike Shields, Jennifer Nelson, Hyoung Chang, ’ Organizations: CNN, Trinity, Capitol, Trump, Ku Klux Klan, Klan, Reconstruction, US, GOP, Warner Bros, Agency, Sun, FIFA, Canada, Germany, juggernaut, Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences, University of Vermont, Adobe, Yale Cancer Center, Haitian National Police, Denver Public School, McAuliffe, Middle, Denver Post, National Association of School Nurses, American Academy of Pediatrics, Research Locations: Scottish, Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, United States, Washington ,, Wisconsin, Phoenix , Arizona, xeriscaping, Morocco, Colombia, South Africa, Jamaica, Vietnamese, Philippines, Zealand, Vietnam, States, Thailand, Washington, Brooklyn, America, New York City, Philadelphia, Africa, American, Port, Prince, Haiti

Six white former law enforcement officers in Mississippi pleaded guilty on Thursday to federal civil rights offenses several months after they raided a home where prosecutors said two Black men were handcuffed, beaten and shocked with Tasers. One of the men was shot in the mouth during a “mock execution,” and a sex toy was forced into the other man’s mouth, federal prosecutors said. After the assault, the officers tried to cover up the attack and plant evidence, prosecutors said. In federal court in Jackson, Miss., the former officers pleaded guilty to felony offenses that included civil rights conspiracy, deprivation of rights under color of law, discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice, according to Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, which also announced state charges against the officers. The former officers face varying sentences, but some could receive life in prison when they are sentenced in November, prosecutors said.

Organizations: Mississippi Attorney General’s Locations: Mississippi, Jackson, Miss

CNN —Robert Bowers, the gunman who killed 11 worshippers and wounded six others at a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018, was unanimously sentenced to death by a federal jury on Wednesday. The jury further found he was eligible for the death penalty on July 13, moving the trial to a third and final sentencing stage. “This is a case that calls for the most severe punishment under the law – the death penalty,” he said. In court, those who survived the shooting testified about hiding in closets and listening to the final words of their friends and loved ones. This is the second federal death penalty case to be prosecuted under the administration of President Joe Biden, who had criticized the death penalty on the campaign trail.

Persons: Robert Bowers, It’s, Biden, Bowers, “, Eric Olshan, ”, “ You’ve, Rob Bowers, You’ve, Judy Clarke, Dave Klug, Dor Hadash, Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, I’m, Dor, Joe Biden, Trump Organizations: CNN, Prosecutors, Immigrant Aid Society Locations: Pittsburgh, New York City

☆ Opinion: This throwback president is the kind of leader the GOP needs today
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Opinion Reverend Dr. Russell J. Levenson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

But I now find that the GOP leadership of today is unrecognizable when compared to the party I supported enthusiastically during the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and George H.W. A GOP that once welcomed character, decency and morality is sinking quickly into an abyss. How unlike Bush is the severely morally challenged GOP of today, with failings that eclipse even those of former President Richard Nixon. Wallace asked McDaniel whether the Republican Party would have a problem nominating a presidential candidate who is under federal indictment or who is a convicted felon. McDaniel and many other top-tier Republicans have missed their moment to offer moral leadership.

Persons: Dr, Russell J, Levenson, Jr, George H, Barbara Bush, CNN —, Thomas Hardy’s, Russell Levenson, Gabriel Oak, Oak’s sheepdogs, Ronald Reagan, George H.W, George H.W . Bush, Bush, Richard Nixon, Donald Trump, —, Ronna McDaniel, Chris Wallace, Chris Wallace ”, Wallace, McDaniel, “ It’s, They’re, Trump, shrugged, Nixon, “, ”, Facebook Trump, It’s, hurtling, Bush — Organizations: St, Martin’s Episcopal, CNN, Republican Party, GOP, Democrat, Republican, Twitter, Facebook, —, Republicans Locations: Martin’s, Houston , Texas, George H.W .

☆ Passive House designs could cut your energy bill in half
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

One way is through designing buildings and residences using Passive House standards, a green building-certification program focused on energy efficiency. Developers are interested in how Passive House buildings can help save energy, emit fewer greenhouse gasses, and deliver lower utility bills. A Passive House is more akin to a thermos," Ken Levenson, the executive director of the Passive House Network, a nonprofit that educates the real-estate and construction industry on the standards, said. Passive House standards don't require that electricity come from renewable-energy sources, but they do encourage it, Levenson said. He said there weren't any major cost increases due to designing to Passive House standards.

Persons: Ken Levenson, Levenson, Kent Gonzales Organizations: Service, Passive House Network, Residents Locations: New York, Massachusetts, Europe, Newton , Massachusetts, Northland, New York City, Boston

☆ 1 Dead and 22 Injured in Cargo Ship Fire Off the Netherlands
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Michael Levenson | More About Michael Levenson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

One crew member has died and 22 others have been injured in a fire on a large cargo vessel loaded with nearly 3,000 vehicles off the Dutch island of Ameland in the North Sea, officials said on Wednesday. The fire was reported just before midnight on Tuesday and was still burning on Wednesday, the Dutch Coast Guard said. Video posted by the Coast Guard showed smoke billowing from the 656-foot vessel, as one of the many ships that responded to the fire doused it with water. Lea Versteeg, a Coast Guard spokeswoman, told The Associated Press that the cargo ship, called the Fremantle Highway, had been carrying 2,857 cars, including 25 electric cars. The cause of the fire was not known, the Coast Guard said, adding that specialists from a marine salvage company were assessing the situation, which it described as “stable at the moment.”

Persons: Lea Versteeg Organizations: Dutch Coast Guard, Coast Guard, Associated Press Locations: Ameland, North

CNN —Bronny James, the son of NBA star LeBron James, suffered a cardiac arrest during basketball practice at the University of Southern California and was hospitalized on Monday, according to a statement from a family spokesperson. “Yesterday while practicing Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest. LeBron James, left, poses with his son Bronny after Sierra Canyon beat Akron St. Vincent - St. Mary in a high school basketball game on December 14, 2019, in Columbus, Ohio. “My last year will be played with my son,” James told the Athletic in 2022. Last July, USC freshman forward Vince Iwuchukwu suffered a cardiac arrest during a summer workout.

Persons: CNN — Bronny James, LeBron James, Bronny James, “, James, LeBron, ” Bronny, Bronny, Vincent, St, Mary, Jay LaPrete, ” James, It’s, Vince Iwuchukwu, Iwuchukwu, Jon Yonamine, Erin Tillman, Lauren Crawford, Andy Enfield, ”, Damar Hamlin, ” Hamlin Organizations: CNN, NBA, University of Southern, USC, USC’s, Sierra Canyon High School, Sierra Canyon, Akron St, Los Angeles Lakers, Athletic, American Heart Association ., Buffalo Bills, Twitter Locations: University of Southern California, Savannah, Los Angeles, Sierra, Columbus , Ohio, that’s

☆ How investigative journalists and a Netflix film kept the focus on the Gilgo Beach victims over a decade
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( Eric Levenson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Watch The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper: The Gilgo Beach Killer Sunday at 8 p.m. The bodies of four women were among nearly a dozen sets of human remains found near Gilgo Beach and Ocean Parkway on Long Island. Suffolk County Police DepartmentHeuermann has pleaded not guilty to the murders of Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy and Amber Lynn Costello. A major corruption scandal within Suffolk County law enforcement did not help the matter. Notably, a day after he was arrested, the Suffolk County police deputy commissioner announced that the FBI would join the investigation into the Gilgo Beach murders.

Persons: Anderson Cooper, Shannan Gilbert, Long, Gilbert, WH ”, ”, Spencer Platt, Rodney Harrison, Rex Heuermann, Heuermann, Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard, Barnes, Amber Lynn Costello, Megan Waterman, Suffolk County Police Department Heuermann, “ It’s, ” Robert Kolker, CNN International’s Rosemary, “, it’s, ” Kolker, “ There’s, who’s, Kolker, Ellen Killoran, Erin Moriarty, Amy Ryan, Liz Garbus, Shannan, Mari, Mari Gilbert, Garbus, James Burke, Burke, Thomas J, Spota, Christopher McPartland, Harrison, Heuermann’s, he’s, Ray Tierney, I’m Organizations: CNN, Netflix, Getty, Suffolk County Police, FBI, Force, Suffolk County Police Department, CNN International’s, “ People Magazine, New York Times, Authorities, Long Island Press, Golden State, Attorney Locations: Shore, Gilgo Beach, Long, Suffolk County, Suffolk

☆ Nebraska Teen Who Used Pills to End Pregnancy Gets 90 Days in Jail
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Michael Levenson | More About Michael Levenson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A Nebraska teenager who used abortion pills to terminate her pregnancy was sentenced on Thursday to 90 days in jail after she pleaded guilty earlier this year to illegally concealing human remains. The teenager, Celeste Burgess, 19, and her mother, Jessica Burgess, 42, were charged last year after the police obtained their private Facebook messages, which showed them discussing plans to end the pregnancy and “burn the evidence.”Prosecutors said the mother had ordered abortion pills online and had given them to her daughter in April 2022, when Celeste Burgess was 17 and in the beginning of the third trimester of her pregnancy. The two then buried the fetal remains themselves, the police said. Jessica Burgess pleaded guilty in July to violating Nebraska’s abortion law, furnishing false information to a law enforcement officer and removing or concealing human skeletal remains. She faces up to five years in prison at her sentencing on Sept. 22, according to Joseph Smith, the top prosecutor in Madison County, Neb.

Persons: Celeste Burgess, Jessica Burgess, Joseph Smith Organizations: ” Prosecutors Locations: Nebraska, Madison County, Neb

Search resuls for: "" Levenson"

25 mentions found