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The University of Mobile is mourning the sudden death of freshman basketball player Kaiden Francis this week. Francis, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, collapsed on campus Tuesday morning and died, university President Charles Smith said in a letter to students and faculty. "Yesterday morning Kaiden Francis, freshman point guard from Fort Lauderdale unexpectedly passed away after doing what he loved to do, working on his craft in the gym," Archey wrote. Classes at the university of almost 2,000 students were canceled Wednesday, and a vigil was held on campus Wednesday morning. "He was profoundly gifted and clearly loved by his teammates," Smith wrote.

Persons: Kaiden Francis, Francis, Charles Smith, Kaiden, Smith, Darnell Archey, Archey Organizations: University of Mobile, Facebook Locations: Fort Lauderdale , Florida, Fort Lauderdale

Two people were killed and a third was injured after a house in an Ohio village exploded and caught fire Tuesday morning, officials said. The home exploded at around 8:44 a.m. in Bethel, a village of around 2,600 southeast of Cincinnati, Bethel Fire Chief Christopher Cooper said at a news conference. “It was a large explosion that had sent debris across the neighborhood,” Cooper said, describing the scene as chaotic. Firefighters work the scene of a house explosion in Bethel, Ohio, on Tuesday. The property that exploded was a one-story ranch house that used propane instead of gas, he said.

Persons: Christopher Cooper, ” Cooper, Stephanie Young, Cooper Organizations: Bethel Fire, Firefighters, NBC Locations: Ohio, Bethel, Cincinnati, Bethel , Ohio

More than 60 million households watched the much-hyped boxing match between 58-year-old retired boxing legend Mike Tyson and the far-younger Jake Paul on Friday night, Netflix said. Netflix on social media acknowledged the problems, which were lampooned by X users who posted heavily pixelated videos purported to be the match. "The boxing mega-event dominated social media, shattered records, and even had our buffering systems on the ropes," the company wrote on X Saturday. There were around 65 million concurrent streams at the peak of the Tyson-Paul fight, which was held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Netflix said said in a statement Saturday. Around 50 million households watched the fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, the co-main event that directly preceded the fight between Tyson and Paul.

Persons: Mike Tyson, Jake Paul, Tyson, Paul, downdetector.com, Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano, Taylor Organizations: Netflix, T Locations: Texas, Arlington , Texas

A 44-year-old Florida woman accused of using her mother’s identity to apply for hurricane aid told a Bradenton city employee that she looked so much younger because of botox, the police department said Saturday. When the Torres arrived to pick up the check Thursday a city employee challenged her on her appearance compared to the age in the application. “Her explanation of ‘botox treatments’ failed to convince the employee,” police said in a statement. Bradenton is a city of around 55,000 north of Sarasota, on the state's western coast. That area was affected by powerful Hurricane Helene as it passed by in September, and in October Hurricane Milton made landfall in Siesta Key, just south of Sarasota.

Persons: Veronica Torres, Torres, ’, Helene, Hurricane Milton Organizations: Bradenton Police Department Locations: Florida, Bradenton, Sarasota, Hurricane, Siesta

There was plenty of criticism surrounding Friday’s much-hyped Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul boxing event streaming on Netflix, but it had nothing to do with the boxers in the ring. Issues with video streaming quality, pixelation, stuttering and even outright crashes lit up social media well before the main event at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, as undercard fighters slugged it out. Tracking website downdetector.com showed a surge of reports of problems with Netflix’s website beginning just before 8 p.m. local time. The hashtags #NetflixFight, #buffering and #netflixcrash trended on the social media platform. Paul, 27, gained fame as a social media star before he began training and boxing.

Persons: Mike Tyson, Jake Paul, Tyson, YouTuber, Paul Organizations: Netflix, T, internet's America Locations: Arlington , Texas

Former Detroit Lions linebacker Leander Antwione Williams was arrested in Georgia on Thursday and is charged with assaulting police officers during the Jan. 6 attack at the U.S. Capitol, federal prosecutors said. Williams, who went by Antwione Williams in the NFL, played for the Lions during the 2016 season. He’s also charged with three misdemeanors related to entering and remaining on restricted Capitol buildings and grounds, disorderly conduct and acts of physical violence. The FBI interviewed Williams at his home in 2023 and noticed a red key fob similar to one seen in the Jan. 6 video, the FBI agent wrote. More than than 1,561 people have been charged in connection with the Jan. 6 riot, and of those, more 590 have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, according to the Department of Justice.

Persons: Leander Antwione Williams, Williams, Antwione Williams, He’s, Trump, Williams “, “, Donald Trump, Joe Biden Organizations: Detroit Lions, U.S . Capitol, NFL, Lions, Attorney’s, Washington , D.C, Trump, U.S, Capitol, ” Capitol Police, FBI, White, Department of Justice Locations: Georgia, Savannah, U.S, Washington ,, Washington, Trump's

Journalist Christ Wallace is leaving CNN after almost three years, the network said Monday. But CNN+, a streaming service, was not to last. Wallace had a CNN show, "Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?" "Chris Wallace is one of the most respected political journalists in the news business with a unique track record across radio, print, broadcast television, cable television and streaming," CNN CEO and Chairman Mark Thompson said in a statement Monday. "This is the first time in 55 years I‘ve been between jobs,” Wallace told the outlet.

Persons: Christ Wallace, Wallace, ” Wallace, Chris Wallace, Max, Mark Thompson, he’s, Thompson, I‘ve, ” Organizations: CNN, Daily, Fox, Fox News

A man accused of murder after a 911 call about a fake bear attack in the mountains of Tennessee led authorities to a dead man last month has been found and arrested, police said Sunday. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said it was informed Sunday that Hamlett, who had been sought on a first-degree murder warrant, was found and arrested in South Carolina. “The sharing of Hamlett’s wanted poster led the public, whom is our most valuable resource, to act as our eyes and ears,” Monroe County Sheriff Tommy J. Jones II said in a statement. Hamlett was arrested in South Carolina after a hospital employee recognized him and alerted authorities, Columbia police said. His case did not appear to be available online on Monroe County court records Monday.

Persons: Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, Hamlett, Hamlett’s, Tommy J, Jones II, Nicholas Wayne Hamlet, Brandon Andrade, Charles Hall, Brandon Kristopher Andrade —, “, ” Jones, Jones, Steven Douglas Lloyd Organizations: Sheriff’s, Charles Hall Bridge, Hamlett, NBC, Columbia Locations: Tennessee, Columbia , South Carolina, Monroe County, Monroe, South Carolina, Tellico Plains, Alabama, Knoxville, Columbia

Five people were stabbed in an apparently random attack in Seattle on Friday, and police are investigating whether the suspect may have stabbed five other people since Thursday morning. A fifth victim was stabbed but was treated and released at the scene, Seattle police Deputy Chief Eric Barden said. "It’s certainly plausible that the suspect involved in today’s stabbing is the same suspect involved with the previous five incidents, but the investigation is ongoing," Barden said. In the other stabbings, a 52-year-old woman was stabbed multiple times around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, and four other people were stabbed in separate attacks between then and Friday's mass stabbing, Barden said. A 53-year-old man was also stabbed in the neck around 1 a.m. Friday, police said.

Persons: Eric Barden, Barden, " Barden Organizations: District, Harborview Medical, Seattle, Police Locations: Seattle, Chinatown

Injuries were reported and homes were threatened in a Southern California wildfire that began Wednesday and, fueled by high winds, rapidly grew to over 10,000 acres, officials said. B&J Drive - InThe fire began at 8:51 a.m. local time, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. High winds prevented fixed-wing aircraft from helping fight the fire, the Ventura County Fire Department said. The fire jumped State Route 118 and part of it was closed due to fire on both sides of the freeway, the California Department of Transportation said. Smoke was also limiting visibility and slowing traffic on the busy 101 freeway, south of the state route, the department said on X.

Persons: ” Organizations: California Department of Forestry, Fire Protection, Cal Fire, Fire Department, California Department of Transportation, National Weather Service, UC San Diego Locations: Southern California, Ventura County, Santa Ana, Ventura , Calif, Ventura, Santa, Tierra Rejada

A long-shuttered administration building at the struggling Knoxville College, a historically Black institution, was destroyed in a fire Monday night, officials said. Firefighters spray water on a building fire on the Knoxville College campus, in Knoxville, Tenn., on Monday. Knoxville College is a small historically Black college and university, or HCBU, founded in 1875. Frank Shanklin, Jr., a member of Knoxville College's board of trustees, told WBIR that the former administration building has not been used in the last 40 or 50 years. "We're going to keep fighting for Knoxville College," Shanklin said, adding that he hopes the city, county and people in the region keep it in their prayers.

Persons: Mark Wilbanks, ” Wilbanks, Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon, Kincannon, Frank Shanklin, WBIR, Shanklin Organizations: Knoxville College, Knoxville Fire Department, NBC, Firefighters, Knoxville College campus, Knoxville News Sentinel, Knoxville Mayor Locations: Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn, Jr

Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce apologized Monday for smashing the phone of a person after an anti-gay slur was used to refer to his brother, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. I’m not proud of it,” Jason Kelce said on ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown,” where he is a panelist on the pre-game show. The incident happened Saturday outside Penn State’s Beaver Stadium in Pennsylvania at the game between Penn State and Ohio State. In the videos, Jason Kelce then appears to turn around, grab the man’s phone, smash it to the ground, pick it up again and walk away. In this video, Kelce appears to repeat the slur to the person.

Persons: Jason Kelce, Travis Kelce, I’m, ” Jason Kelce, ESPN’s, ” Kelce, Taylor Swift, Kelce, “ Organizations: Philadelphia Eagles, Chiefs, Penn, Penn State, Ohio State, NBC News, Beaver, ESPN, Eagles Locations: Pennsylvania, Kelce

A jury on Friday found a former Louisville, Kentucky, police officer guilty of violating Breonna Taylor’s civil rights in a botched raid that led to her death, NBC affiliate WAVE of Louisville reported. The jury earlier Friday found Brett Hankison not guilty of a second count that accused him of violating the civil rights of Taylor’s neighbor. Prosecutors had accused Hankison of shooting blindly into Taylor’s apartment, though he was not charged with fatally shooting her. Hankison fired 10 shots into Taylor's apartment during the raid but none hit anyone. In the current trial, the jury found Hankison not guilty of violating the neighbor’s rights and then returned to deliberate on the count regarding Taylor herself.

Persons: Brett Hankison, Taylor, Prosecutors, Timothy D, Hankison, Apu Gomes Organizations: NBC, WAVE, Justice Department, Former Louisville, Easley, Getty, Western, of, Associated Press Locations: Louisville , Kentucky, Louisville, Ky, U.S, of Kentucky

A Montana man found slain in his tent earlier this month welcomed his alleged killer, a stranger, to his campsite and offered him a beer, the Gallatin County sheriff said Thursday. Abbey in a confession to detectives “stated, Dustin welcomed him to the campsite and offered him a beer,” Springer said. “The motives of this attack are still unknown.”DNA from a beer can found in the tent was matched by the state crime lab to Abbey, Springer said. He set up the camp on Oct. 10, a Thursday, and he planned to pick his girlfriend up from work the next night, Springer said. The girlfriend and a friend drove to the campsite on Oct. 12, a Saturday, and found Kjersem dead inside the tent, Springer said.

Persons: Daren Christopher Abbey, Dustin Kjersem, Sheriff Dan Springer, Kjersem, Springer, “, Dustin, ” Springer, Abbey Organizations: Sky, Sheriff, Abbey, Montana Department of Justice, Montana Department of Corrections Locations: Montana, Gallatin County, Butte, Big, Basin , Montana

A suspect in the killing of a man whose death in Montana was initially thought to have been caused by a bear is in custody, the Gallatin County sheriff said Wednesday. The suspect in the death of Dustin Kjersem, whose body was found in a remote area on Oct. 12, was not immediately released. Gallatin County Sheriff's OfficeThe suspect acted alone and there is no threat to the community, Springer said. The attack was described as "vicious," and Kjersem died after sustaining “multiple chop wounds,” according to his autopsy, Gallatin County sheriff's Capt. "Our thoughts and prayers continue for the family of Dustin Kjersem," Springer said Wednesday.

Persons: Dustin Kjersem, Sheriff Dan Springer, ” Dustin Kjersem, Springer, Kjersem, Nathan Kamerman Organizations: Sheriff, Gallatin County Sheriff's, Moose Locations: Montana, Gallatin County, Belgrade , Montana

An overdue hunter in Alaska was found dead Wednesday after an apparent attack by at least one brown bear, state police said. A search was launched, and his remains were found at around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, state troopers said in a daily report of incidents. Investigators know a brown bear was involved because that's the only type of bear in the area, DeSpain said. Alaska has black bears, brown bears — which include grizzlies — and polar bears. There are around 100,000 black bears and around 30,000 brown bears in Alaska, the state Department of Fish and Game says on its website.

Persons: Tad Fujioka, ”, Fujioka, Tim DeSpain, DeSpain Organizations: Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Department of Public Safety, State, Alaska Department of Fish, grizzlies, of Fish Locations: Alaska, Sitka, Juneau . Alaska

“I strongly support clemency for Erik and Lyle Menendez, who are currently serving sentences of life without possibility of parole,” Gascón said in a statement. Erik Menendez and Lyle Menendez at a pretrial hearing in Los Angeles in December 1992. Lyle Menendez was 21 and Erik Menendez was 18 at the time of the killings. Attorneys for the brothers argued in clemency requests that they both were sexually abused by their father beginning at a young age. Those factors and their ages — Lyle Menendez is 56 and Erik Menendez is 53 — make each “an exemplary candidate for clemency,” the attorneys wrote.

Persons: Lyle, Erik Menendez, George Gascón's, “, Erik, Lyle Menendez, ” Gascón, Gavin Newsom, Newsom, we’re, José Menendez, Kitty Menendez, Vince Bucci, Gascón, — Lyle Menendez, ” Organizations: ANGELES, Los Angeles, Democrat, Beverly Hills, Getty, Prosecutors Locations: Los, Los Angeles County, California, Beverly, Los Angeles, AFP

Kendra Panteah, 37, pleaded guilty Friday to one count of kidnapping not resulting in death in federal court in Albuquerque, according to court records. Another man, Gilbert John Jr., fatally stabbed the victim, the prosecutor's office said. Panteah said the two other people got out as she drove to Gallup with the man still locked in the trunk, according to the plea agreement. They stopped at Bass Lake, which is where the victim began breaking out of the trunk and John stabbed him repeatedly with a machete, Panteah and prosecutors said. He and Panteah sat on the trunk of the car until the victim stopped moving, according to Panteah's plea agreement.

Persons: Kendra Panteah, Panteah, John Doe, Gilbert John Jr, John, Witch, —, Navajo, Erlinda Johnson, Johnson Organizations: Attorney's, District, Gallup, Navajo Locations: New Mexico, Albuquerque, U.S, Zuni , New Mexico, Witch Wells , Arizona, Bass

An Alabama man was sentenced Tuesday to one year and nine months in prison for threatening a sheriff and a district attorney in Georgia over the jail mug shot of former President Donald Trump, prosecutors said. Hanson also threatened District Attorney Fani Willis, saying that if Trump was indicted, "anytime you’re alone, be looking over your shoulder." Hanson made the threats in two voicemails left for Labat and Willis on Aug. 6, 2023, before Trump was indicted or his mug shot was taken. A Fulton County grand jury indicted Trump and 18 other people last year on state charges related to efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia, an election that Trump lost. Trump was indicted on Aug. 14, 2023, and 10 days later, he surrendered to the Fulton County Jail and his mug shot was released publicly.

Persons: Donald Trump, Arthur Ray Hanson II, Trump, ” Hanson, Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat, Hanson, Fani Willis, Willis, ” Sean Burke, Prosecutors, Alejandro Mayorkas Organizations: Fulton County Sheriff, Attorney's, Labat, Jail, FBI, New, New Jersey Department of Homeland Security, U.S . Homeland Locations: Alabama, Georgia, Huntsville, voicemails, Fulton County, U.S, Atlanta, Fulton, Labat, New Jersey

A hiker was found dead Monday along a trail in Big Bend National Park in Texas after rangers noticed a vehicle that had been parked for several days and launched a search, staff members said. The National Park Service did not name the 24-year-old hiker in a statement. The Marufo Vega Trail is one of the most rugged locations at Big Bend National Park in Texas. "Big Bend National Park staff and partners are saddened by this loss,” Deputy Superintendent Rick Gupman said in the statement. “Our entire park family extends condolences to the hiker’s family and friends.”Even though it is late October, temperatures in the desert parts of Big Bend National Park have been reaching almost 100 degrees each afternoon, the park service said.

Persons: Vega, Rick Gupman Organizations: National Park Service, National Park, Lajitas International, Weather Locations: Big Bend, Texas, Big, Odessa

A 15-year-old was charged Thursday with the murders of his parents and three siblings and in the attempted murder of another sibling who survived Monday’s attack at the family’s Washington state home. The 15-year-old was taken into custody on the day of the shooting and was being held in a detention facility for juveniles Thursday. One child in the home survived the attack and was hospitalized, the King County Sheriff’s Office said earlier this week. The 11-year-old told investigators the teen shot her and then left the room, and that she heard someone shouting, "stop" and "help," before she escaped, the detective wrote. Our thoughts are with his surviving family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.”

Persons: Amy Parker, Molly Campera, ”, ” “, Sarah Perry, “ Organizations: Attorney's, NBC, King County Sheriff’s, Harborview Medical, King County Sheriff's, Glock, KING, Facebook, Hargis Engineers Locations: Washington, King County, Lake Alice, Fall City, Seattle, King

Two co-owners of a Colorado funeral home where around 190 decomposing bodies were found last year pleaded guilty Thursday to federal fraud charges, officials said. Some of the remains found were of people who died in 2019, four years earlier, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. The Hallfords also admitted to Covid relief fraud of around $800,000, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. The funeral home where the remains were found was later demolished, NBC affiliate KUSA of Denver reported at the time. Attorneys listed as representing Jon Hallford and Carie Hallford did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday evening.

Persons: Jon Hallford, Carie Hallford, ”, Hallfords Organizations: Attorney’s, District of, Attorney's, NBC Locations: Colorado, U.S, District of Colorado, Penrose, Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Denver

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said Thursday he will seek resentencing for Lyle and Erik Menendez in their parents' murders, paving the way for their potential release from prison after decades. Defense attorneys also provided evidence that one of the members of the Menudo boy band alleged he was sexually abused by José Menendez, Gascón said. Lyle and Erik Menendez alleged sexual abuse by their father at their first trial. Lyle Menendez is now 56, and Erik Menendez is 53. “Erik and Lyle Menendez’ motive was pure greed,” Cady wrote in the letter, which was sent Oct. 14.

Persons: George Gascón, Lyle, Erik Menendez, Gascón, resentencing, Menendez, ” Gascón, ”, “, ” Joseph “ Lyle ” Menendez, José Menendez, Kitty Menendez, Roy Rosselló, “ Menendez, Anamaria Baralt, Erik, Lyle Menendez, Prosecutors, Milton Andersen, Kitty Menendez’s, “ Mr, Andersen, Kathy Cady, “ Erik, ” Cady, Clara Shortridge Foltz, Relatives, they’ve, José Menendez’s, ” Joan Andersen VanderMolen, “ Lyle, Eric Organizations: Angeles, Beverly Hills, Defense, Menudo, RCA, Unit, Los Angeles County DA, Resentencing, Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal, Center Locations: Angeles County, Beverly, California, resentencings, Los Angeles

The search for a woman who fell from a Taylor Swift-themed cruise ship in the Bahamas was suspended Wednesday, a day after she went into the water, officials said. The U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday afternoon that the Royal Bahamas Defence Force was suspending its search pending new developments and that it no longer needed the Coast Guard's assistance. The Coast Guard said it sent an HC-144 airplane and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter to help. A Royal Caribbean spokesperson said that a search-and-rescue operation was immediate launched and that it is working with local authorities. The trio worked with Royal Caribbean to host private events centered on Swift and her Eras Tour, according to the group's website.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Swift, Jessica Malerman, Nicole Rivera, Shelby Reyes, Marvelous, Taylor Organizations: U.S . Coast Guard, Royal Bahamas Defence Force, Royal Caribbean, Coast Guard, HC, Dolphin, Royal Locations: Bahamas, U.S, Nassau, Royal Caribbean, Miami

The U.S. Transportation Department announced a $50 million fine Wednesday against American Airlines over allegations it mistreated passengers with disabilities, which the department said in some cases caused injuries. “They repeatedly failed to provide prompt wheelchair assistance, and they damaged thousands of passengers’ wheelchairs, which left passengers without the device they need to live their life fully,” he said. American Airlines may not be alone in violations of laws that protect travelers with disabilities. Buttigieg said there are investigations into other airlines, although he said that “American Airlines appear to be one of the worst offenders.”“The problems that we have uncovered in our investigation are not confined to one airline,” Buttigieg said. American said last year that it transported more than 146,000 wheelchairs and other mobility devices.

Persons: Pete Buttigieg, ” Buttigieg, “, ”, Julie Rath, Buttigieg Organizations: U.S . Transportation Department, American Airlines, Transportation, Transportation Department, Airlines, Bureau of Transportation Statistics Locations: Delta, Southwest

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