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☆ Here’s How to Help Victims of the Hawaii Wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Derrick Bryson Taylor | More About Derrick Bryson Taylor | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The devastating wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui this week have upended communities and forced thousands of residents to evacuate. Volunteers and aid groups have mobilized to help feed and shelter those who have been affected. Officials with the Federal Communications Commission have said that scammers may use phone calls, text messages, emails, post mail, and even go door to door. The Federal Trade Commission has tips on how to spot a fraudulent charity or fund-raiser. “In moments of crisis, we all must be extra vigilant against bad actors who try to take advantage of people’s good will.”

Persons: ”, Anne Lopez, “ Organizations: Volunteers, Federal Communications Commission, Federal Trade Commission Locations: Maui

☆ Woman Is Sentenced for Stealing Dead Baby’s Identity and $1.5 Million
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Derrick Bryson Taylor | More About Derrick Bryson Taylor | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

An Ohio woman and former bakery owner was sentenced to six years in prison and was ordered to pay $1.5 million in restitution for stealing the identity of a dead baby and fraudulently obtaining a pandemic relief loan. The woman, Ava Misseldine, 50, was sentenced on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Columbus, Ohio, according to court documents, more than 10 months after pleading guilty to 16 counts of wire and passport fraud. “Ava was very remorseful over her past criminal behavior, and, at sentencing she read a very emotional statement accepting responsibility for her actions,” Alan Pfeuffer, a lawyer representing Ms. Misseldine, said in a statement on Wednesday, adding that she had outlined “plans to seek counseling while in prison.”As per the plea deal, which was outlined by the U.S. Attorney’s Office last year, Mr. Pfeuffer confirmed that Ms. Misseldine had already paid over $300,000 from the sale of a home in Michigan that she had bought using money from her Paycheck Protection Program loan. Another home she owns in Utah is on the market, he said, and proceeds from that sale should bring her within a few hundred thousand dollars of making full restitution for her theft of P.P.P.

Persons: Ava Misseldine, “ Ava, ” Alan Pfeuffer, Misseldine, Pfeuffer Organizations: U.S, Attorney’s Locations: Ohio, U.S, Columbus , Ohio, Michigan, Utah

☆ DJ Casper, Whose Hit Song ‘Cha-Cha Slide’ Made You Dance, Dies at 58
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Derrick Bryson Taylor | More About Derrick Bryson Taylor | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

DJ Casper, the creator of the “Cha-Cha Slide,” an infectious song from the early 2000s that sparked an international line-dance craze that rivaled the Electric Slide and drew people to the dance floor at wedding receptions, bar mitzvahs and family cookouts, has died. His wife, Kim Bradshaw, confirmed his death in a statement to ABC7 Chicago. No cause was given, but Casper had cancer for several years. In her statement to the news station, she said: “Casper was a fun-loving, giving person. Casper was born Willie Perry Jr. in Chicago on May 31, 1965.

Persons: DJ Casper, Kim Bradshaw, Casper, Bradshaw, “ Casper, Willie Perry Jr, James Brown, Teddy Pendergrass Organizations: ABC7 Chicago Locations: Chicago

One man was wounded in a stabbing outside the British Museum in central London on Tuesday, the Metropolitan Police said, adding that it was an isolated incident and that a suspect had been arrested. The incident occurred at about 10 a.m. near the front entrance of the museum, one of London’s most popular tourist attractions. By midday, there was a heavy police presence outside the museum, and several nearby restaurants had closed. A line of several hundred people formed around the block as they waited for the museum to reopen. The British Museum, which had more than four million visits last year, said in a statement that it had increased security.

Organizations: British Museum, Metropolitan Police Locations: London

☆ Ex-Louisiana Trooper Acquitted of Violating Civil Rights of Black Motorist
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Derrick Bryson Taylor | More About Derrick Bryson Taylor | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A former Louisiana state trooper was acquitted on Wednesday of a charge that he violated the civil rights of a Black man when he repeatedly clubbed him with a flashlight after a traffic stop more than four years ago. The case, involving the former trooper Jacob Brown, drew national attention and outrage after police body-camera footage of the beating emerged. The footage showed Mr. Brown striking Aaron Larry Bowman about 18 times in the head and chest with a flashlight, while Mr. Bowman was pinned to the ground after a traffic stop in May 2019. Bowman of his civil rights after a three-day trial in Monroe, La., about 100 miles east of Shreveport.

Persons: Jacob Brown, Brown, Aaron Larry Bowman, Bowman, “ I’m, Mr Organizations: The Associated Press Locations: Louisiana, Monroe, La, Shreveport

☆ 2nd Supermoon of the Year Illuminates the Night Sky Around the World
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Derrick Bryson Taylor | More About Derrick Bryson Taylor | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The second supermoon of this year — the Sturgeon Moon — left stargazers awed on Tuesday night, drawing large crowds in parts of Europe, the Americas and Asia, and once again piquing interest in the night sky. “It’s nice that people get away from their daily routines and all the horrible things that are going around in the world, and then take some time to really appreciate this celestial phenomenon,” Francisco Diego, an astronomer who lectures at University College London, said by telephone on Wednesday.

Persons: awed, ” Francisco Diego Organizations: University College London Locations: Europe, Americas, Asia

☆ California’s Largest Wildfire of the Year Sweeps Across the Mojave
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Derrick Bryson Taylor | More About Derrick Bryson Taylor | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

California’s largest wildfire this year has swept across thousands of acres in the Mojave Desert since the weekend, and has been so powerful that it has produced spinning columns of fire, officials said. Around 77,000 acres had burned with no containment, fire officials said Monday night, making it the largest wildfire in California so far this year. The state’s second largest active fire, the Bonny fire in Riverside County, has consumed only about 2,500 acres. Wildfires have consumed about 100,000 acres in California so far this year, according to Cal Fire, the state’s firefighting agency. After a couple of devastating wildfire seasons, including a record 4.3 million acres burned in 2020, California had a relatively quiet wildfire season last year, with fewer than 400,000 acres burned.

Organizations: Cal Fire Locations: New, San Bernardino County, California, Nevada, Riverside County

☆ Mastercard Moves to Stop Use of Debit Cards at Cannabis Shops
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Derrick Bryson Taylor | More About Derrick Bryson Taylor | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Mastercard instructed U.S. financial institutions this week to stop allowing purchases of cannabis on its debit cards, stripping customers of a convenient way to purchase marijuana without cash. Cannabis businesses say the decision will increase the risk of robbery and violent crime. “As we were made aware of this matter, we quickly investigated it,” a spokesman for Mastercard, one of the world’s largest payment processors, said in a statement on Friday. “In accordance with our policies, we instructed the financial institutions that offer payments services to cannabis merchants and connects them to Mastercard to terminate the activity.”Medical marijuana is legal in 38 states, three territories and the District of Columbia. Recreational use of the drug is legal in 23 states, two territories and the District of Columbia.

Persons: ” Organizations: Mastercard, ”, District of Columbia

☆ Roald Dahl Museum Calls Author’s Racism ‘Undeniable and Indelible’
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Derrick Bryson Taylor | More About Derrick Bryson Taylor | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The organization said it was working to become more welcoming by conducting accessible and inclusive recruitment campaigns for staff and trustee positions. “We are working hard to do better and know we have more to do,” the museum said. Since 2021, the museum said, it had been working with multiple Jewish organizations and staff and trustees had received training from the Antisemitism Policy Trust. It was reported that hundreds of words, including descriptions of characters’ appearances, races and genders, had been removed from some of his books. A spokesman for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of Britain, referencing a work by Dahl, told the BBC at the time, “When it comes to our rich and varied literary heritage, the prime minister agrees with the BFG that we shouldn’t gobblefunk around with words.”

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Dahl, ” Organizations: Trust, BBC Locations: Britain

☆ Former Manson Family Member Leslie Van Houten Is Released on Parole
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Derrick Bryson Taylor | More About Derrick Bryson Taylor | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Leslie Van Houten, a former Charles Manson follower who played a role in the gruesome double murder of a Los Angeles couple in the summer of 1969, was released on parole on Tuesday after serving more than half a century in prison, according to her lawyer. Ms. Van Houten’s lawyer, Nancy Tetreault, said she was taken early Tuesday morning to transitional housing at an undisclosed location. “She’s going to have to learn to live in the world after 53 years in prison,” Ms. Tetreault said in an interview. “So that’s going to take some time.”The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed her release to The Associated Press. Mr. Newsom had reversed Ms. Van Houten’s parole grant three times since taking office, most recently in March 2022.

Persons: Leslie Van Houten, Charles Manson, Van Houten’s, Nancy Tetreault, “ She’s, ” Ms, Tetreault, Gavin Newsom, Newsom Organizations: Los, California Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, Associated Press, California Gov Locations: Los Angeles

A concrete patio was washed into a brook behind a home after flash flooding left widespread damage to the downtown in Highland Falls, N.Y., on Monday, July 10, 2023. Ms. Dagaev looked outside. Ms. Dagaev was unsteady on her feet on dry land. She called her friend, Laurie Tautel, the county legislator, who was just minutes away on Main Street in Highland Falls. “You’ve got to get me out of here!” Ms. Dagaev shouted.

Persons: Katharine Dagaev, Dagaev, Younger, Pat Flynn, Flynn, they’re, “ Let’s, Mr, couldn’t, Laurie Tautel, Tautel, “ You’ve, “, ”, ’ Organizations: “, Credit, Firefighters Locations: Highland Falls, N.Y, Highland, Hudson, New York, West Point

Two firefighters died while working to extinguish a raging fire Wednesday aboard an Italian cargo ship that was loading automobiles at Port Newark in New Jersey, the authorities said. The firefighters “made an attempt to extinguish the fire and, because of the intense heat, they got pushed back out of the area where the initial fire was,” Chief Rufus Jackson of the Newark Fire Department said in a news conference early Thursday. The firefighters who died on the ship, the Grande Costa d’Avorio, were not immediately identified. “This was a tragedy, and my heart goes out to the family of each of these members and also the Newark Fire Department,” Chief Jackson said. “We’re going to continue to work, and we’re going to continue to pray for the family of the two members who were lost tonight.”Port Authority police officers responded after 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday to a fire on a ship that was docked at Port Newark, said Lenis Valens, a spokeswoman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Persons: “, Rufus Jackson of, Jackson, “ We’re, Lenis Valens Organizations: Newark Fire Department, ” Port Authority, Port Authority of New Locations: Italian, Port Newark, New Jersey, Newark, Costa, ”, Port Authority of New York

☆ 4 Killed and 7 Wounded in Shooting at July 4 Party in Louisiana
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Derrick Bryson Taylor | Remy Tumin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Four people were killed and seven others were wounded in a shooting at an Independence Day celebration in Shreveport, La., on Tuesday night, the authorities said. Officers responded to a call of shots fired shortly before midnight at a gathering in the northwest section of the city, Sgt. At least one gunman opened fire at a gathering of about 100 people, she said. A motive for the shooting was not immediately clear and no arrests have been made. Sergeant Willhite said the police found “some rifle shell casings on the scene,” but it was unclear whether the casings were from the same gun.

Persons: Angie Willhite, Sergeant Willhite Locations: Shreveport, La

☆ 3 Are Fatally Shot in Fort Worth, Police Say
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Jenny Gross | Derrick Bryson Taylor | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Three people were killed and eight others were injured on Monday night in a shooting in Fort Worth where a crowd had gathered for a Fourth of July celebration, the police said. The shooting took place just before midnight in the Como neighborhood, southwest of downtown Fort Worth, which has an annual celebration on July 3. The Fort Worth Police Department’s homicide unit is investigating, Officer Daniel Segura, a spokesman, said in an email. No one has been arrested, and the police are asking people to call with any tips, he added. Shawn Murray of the Fort Worth Police Department said at a news conference shortly after the shooting.

Persons: Daniel Segura, Capt, Shawn Murray Organizations: Fort Worth Police Locations: Fort Worth, Como, downtown Fort Worth

☆ Missed Monday Night’s Supermoon? We’ve Got You Covered.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Derrick Bryson Taylor | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Stargazers and astrophiles from Los Angeles to Istanbul rushed outdoors to see the first supermoon of the year on Monday night. It did not disappoint. The supermoon, which was flush with amber and red tones, was 14,000 miles closer to earth than typical full moons. A supermoon — the term was coined in 1979 by the astrologer Richard Nolle, and it is not an official astronomical term — can be about 17 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than a full moon at apogee, or its farthest point from Earth. Here are some quick facts about supermoons and images from around the world.

Persons: Richard Nolle Locations: Los Angeles, Istanbul

☆ Smoky Conditions Persist Across Large Parts of U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Derrick Bryson Taylor | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

At least 10 states from the Midwest to the Northeast on Friday will again face smoky conditions created by raging wildfires in Canada, capping a week in which millions of people struggled to cope with poor air quality. Smoke that has obscured skylines and made it difficult for some to breathe was expected to linger into the long Fourth of July weekend, according to the National Weather Service. However, the air quality was expected to slowly improve as thunderstorms help disperse the smoke.

Organizations: National Weather Service Locations: Midwest, Canada

Severe weather can happen any day of the year. Some people will go to a tornado shelter as soon as a warning is issued. The National Weather Service provides alerts in English and Spanish, which can limit communications with people who primarily speak other languages. How do I get a severe weather warning? Your cellphone should automatically receive severe weather warnings.

Persons: Kathleen Sherman, Morris, Sherman, ”, Amber Silver, Patrick Rios, Harvey, Kim Klockow, McClain, Rory Doyle, Klockow, Ilana Panich, Ms, “ Organizations: Mississippi State University, University, Social, National Weather Service, New, International, of, ., The New York Times, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, The New York, Weather Service, Service Locations: Eastern Tennessee, Albany, Rockport , Texas, New York City, Rolling Fork, Miss, Austin , Texas, .

How has the smoke affected air quality in the American Midwest? Image Chicago on Tuesday, where the Air Quality Index reached “very unhealthy” levels. Canada wildfires Burned Hotspots Source: Canadian Wildland Fire Information SystemHow far has Canadian wildfire smoke spread? In Canada, Environment Canada warned Tuesday that air quality would deteriorate overnight in Toronto, Canada’s largest city and financial capital. Poor air quality has also buffeted Montreal, where the sun has appeared in recent days as a lurid red dot.

Persons: Kamil Krzaczynski, Judson Jones Organizations: NASA, Agence France, Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, Environment Locations: Canada, Quebec, American, Europe, Coast, United States, New York City, Washington, Minnesota, Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, Swiss, Green Bay, Wis, Grand Rapids, Mich, East, ., Portugal, Spain, France, Toronto, Canada’s, Montreal, Mont Tremblant, Ontario, New York

☆ Remains Found in California Wilderness Are Identified as Those of Julian Sands
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Derrick Bryson Taylor | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Human remains that were found on Saturday in the Southern California wilderness have been identified as those of the British actor Julian Sands, who had been missing since January after he went hiking in the area, the authorities said on Tuesday. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement that the remains had been “positively identified” as those of Mr. Sands, and that the cause of death remained under investigation “pending further test results.”Mr. Sands, 65, of North Hollywood, was an avid hiker and was best known for his role in the critically acclaimed 1986 film “A Room With a View.” The film, an adaptation of the novel by E.M. Forster, regularly makes lists as one of the best British films of all time. He also appeared in dozens of other films and television shows, including “Arachnophobia,” “Naked Lunch,” “Warlock” and “Ocean’s Thirteen.”

Persons: Julian Sands, Sands, ”, E.M . Forster, “ Arachnophobia, “ Organizations: San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Locations: Southern California, British, San Bernardino County, North Hollywood

This week’s attempt to rescue the five individuals trapped in the submersible, includes both the U.S. Navy and the Coast Guard. But, she said, when the cost of search and rescue efforts “crosses a certain threshold, funds may be diverted from N.P.S. The Coast Guard did not immediately respond to questions about the expense of past extensive search and rescue efforts. Credit... U.S. Coast Guard, via Associated PressMr. Derreumaux said he was thankful to the Coast Guard for saving his life, along with the lives of many others in need of its help. “I would not have called the Coast Guard if it weren’t a life-threatening situation,” he said.

Persons: ”, Chris Boyer, —, Boyer, Cynthia Hernandez, Peter Anderson, Cyril Derreumaux, kayaker, Derreumaux, “, ” Claire Fahy Organizations: U.S . Navy, Coast Guard, National Association for Search, National Park Service, OceanGate Expeditions, Abercrombie, Kent, The Coast Guard, San Francisco Chronicle, Coast Guard helicopter, . U.S . Coast Guard, Associated Press, Guard Locations: United States, New Hampshire, N.P.S, California, Hawaii, Marin County, Calif, . U.S

“The submersible industry had significant concerns over the strategy of building a deep sea expedition submersible without following existing classification safety guidelines,” Mr. Kohnen said. OceanGate said in the post that because its Titan craft was so innovative, it could take years to get it certified by leading assessment agencies. “Bringing an outside entity up to speed on every innovation before it is put into real-world testing is anathema to rapid innovation,” the company wrote. The submersible sustained modest damage to its exterior, he wrote, leading OceanGate to cancel the mission so it could make repairs. Still, Mr. Concannon wrote in the filing, 28 individuals had been able to visit the Titanic wreckage on the craft in 2022.

Persons: —, Will Kohnen, Mr, Kohnen, Rush, OceanGate, Bart Kemper, ”, Kemper, Charles Kohnen, Will Kohnen’s, “, David Concannon, Concannon, Rebecca Beach Smith, Kitty Bennett Organizations: The New York Times, Stockton Rush, Manned, Vehicles, Marine Technology Society, Titan, Atlantis, Eastern, of, Court Locations: Canadian, U.S, of Virginia

☆ Prince Harry and Meghan to Part Ways With Spotify
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Derrick Bryson Taylor | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Spotify and Archewell Audio, the production company started by Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, have ended their partnership less than a year after her podcast, “Archetypes,” debuted on the platform, the companies announced on Friday. The companies said in a joint statement that they had “mutually agreed to part ways” and were “proud of the series” they made together. It was unclear what led to the decision or whether the podcast would continue on another platform. A spokeswoman for Archewell, a charitable foundation started by the couple, did not immediately return a request for comment on Friday. Although Harry and Meghan’s future with Spotify is uncertain, the couple has other business ventures — namely their multiyear deal with Netflix, which will see them make documentaries, docu-series, feature films, scripted shows and children’s programming.

Persons: Prince Harry, Meghan, ”, Harry Organizations: Spotify, Archewell, Netflix

☆ John Romita Sr., Creative Force at Marvel Comics, Is Dead at 93
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Derrick Bryson Taylor | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“I always felt like a visitor on Spider-Man,” Mr. Romita said. Mr. Romita said that he based the character partially on Ann-Margret, the actress and singer. “We were trying to make a girl that was very with it and very modern, “ Mr. Romita said. Mr. Romita retired in 1996, but carried on working on certain projects for both Marvel and DC. Mr. Romita told The Comics Reporter in 2002 that he regretted not being in the first generation of professional cartoonists and that he thought of himself as following the lead of others.

Persons: Arlen Schumer, “, ”, Romita, Ditko, Jack Kirby, Mr, ” Mr, Mary Jane Watson, Margret, Luke Cage Organizations: New York Times, Marvel, Syfy Locations: Ann

☆ Here’s Where the Smoke from Canada’s Wildfires Will Linger on Friday
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Derrick Bryson Taylor | Judson Jones | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

People in the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic regions will again face smoke from Canada’s wildfires on Friday, capping a chaotic workweek that brought hazy conditions and poor air quality to millions of people as far south as North Carolina. However, based on a New York Times analysis of the forecast models, there will be far less dense concentrations of wildfire smoke for most people on Friday. Pockets of dense smoke could significantly reduce air quality and lead to low visibility, the National Weather Service said early Friday, singling out areas around southern Ontario and across parts of Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia could be the two cities that see the worst of the smoke Friday, but even then it should be better than it has been. A wider region across the eastern United States of light to moderate haze may continue to lead to opaque skies and orange sunsets and sunrises, which have dotted social media profiles this week.

Organizations: New York Times, National Weather Service Locations: Great, North Carolina, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, United States

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