North Carolina Officer Charged After Doorbell Camera Video Captures Assault","description":"A former police officer was charged following a doorbell camera recording of him repeatedly punching a woman, prompting swift action from the department and the State Bureau of Investigation.","summary":"Officer Karson Hyder, 22, was arrested, fired, and charged after a doorbell camera video showed him punching Cherrie Moore, 34, during a breaking‑and‑entering incident. Hyder turned himself in, was released on a $10,000 bond, and is awaiting trial. The State Bureau of Investigation has opened an inquiry into the case.","image":"https://via.placeholder.com/600x400","text":"<p style=\"font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:1.5;margin:0 0 15px 0;\">SHELBY, N.C. — A former North Carolina police officer caught on a doorbell camera repeatedly punching a woman in the face was charged Monday with assault.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:1.5;margin:0 0 15px 0;\">The video of Deputy Officer Karson Hyder — 22 — caught pummeling Cherrie Moore on Friday has been widely shared on social media. Hyder turned himself in to the Cleveland County Detention Center on Monday morning and was released on a $10,000 secured bond.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:1.5;margin:0 0 15px 0;\">Hyder was suspended Friday and fired Saturday, having responded to a breaking‑and‑entering call when the conflict began. According to a warrant, Moore, 34, fled from the residence on foot and resisted arrest, assaulting Hyder by grabbing and ripping his uniform.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:1.5;margin:0 0 15px 0;\">A separate warrant filed on Monday alleged Hyder “unlawfully and willfully did assault and strike Cherrie Moore” by grabbing her by the arm, pushing her to the ground and striking her in the face with a closed fist, inflicting serious injuries including a possible broken nose and busted lip.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:1.5;margin:0 0 15px 0;\">Moore was initially charged with breaking and entering, resisting arrest and assault on a public officer, but the last two charges have since been dismissed. She was freed on an unsecured bond. A phone number associated with Moore was disconnected.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:1.5;margin:0 0 15px 0;\">The State Bureau of Investigation announced Saturday that it has opened an investigation into Hyder’s conduct.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:1.5;margin:0 0 15px 0;\">“The heinous actions of former Officer Karson Hyder will forever negatively impact Ms. Cherrie Moore and her family,” said Moore’s attorney, Ronald Haynes. \"It’s a small relief that city officials responded so promptly to terminate and charge Mr. Hyder.\"</p>\n

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Muhammad Ali’s Legacy Celebrated on 10‑Year Anniversary of His Death","description":"Lonnie Ali reflects on his compassion and the Day of Compassion event honoring the iconic boxer at The Muhammad Ali Center.","summary":"On the anniversary of Muhammad Ali’s passing, the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville hosts a Day of Compassion to honor his lifelong commitment to service. Lonnie Ali, his wife and director of the center, spoke about Ali’s compassion, advocacy for civil rights, and the need for unity in a divided nation. The event highlights his lasting influence and invites community members to continue his philanthropic spirit.","image":"https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/7206977/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4032x2688+0+0/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F3a%2F03%2F98441901e1582c782dec5079bc1d%2F66cd961b5cdf430983fceed947896c6b","text":"<h2 style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1.8em; line-height:1.4; margin-bottom:0.7em;\">Muhammad Ali's Legacy Celebrated on 10-Year Anniversary of His Death</h2><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">The Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky, is marking the decade that has passed since the boxing legend died on June 3, 2016. Longtime director and wife of Ali, Lonnie Ali, appeared in the center’s main hall to pay tribute to a man whose influence stretched far beyond the ring.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">“He transcended boxing into every space you can imagine,” Ali recalled, “Muhammad lived by this mantra: service to others is the rent we pay for our room here on earth.” She emphasized how Ali’s compassion and empathy were integral to his identity and how the community could learn from him.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">Ali, born in Louisville and dubbed the “Louisville Lip,” first became a public figure in the 1960s as a trash‑talking heavyweight champion, and soon turned his platform toward civil‑rights activism. His legacy is now celebrated not only for his three heavyweight titles and Olympic gold, but also for his lifelong work in service, education and community empowerment.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">The center’s “Day of Compassion” is slated for Wednesday, the anniversary of Ali’s death, as a way to promote acts of service and care. Lonnie Ali said the hope is to grow the event into an annual celebration that encourages acts of volunteerism and community support.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">“Today we are in a place where we are losing touch with humanity,” she noted. “It’s causing rifts, not just in families and communities, but in this nation. We’re becoming increasingly polarized and separated.” She urged leaders to act with compassion, pointing to recent Supreme Court decisions weakening voting rights and the need for equal representation.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">Lonnie Ali reminded her audience that Ali's message was about uplifting communities, not making their lives harder. She challenged political leaders to imagine how they could support and empower every citizen, especially in an era where voting rights are under attack.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">Walking through the halls of the Muhammad Ali Center, visitors witnessed displays of Ali’s life, including exhibits on his boxing triumphs and his activism for civil‑rights. The center closed the week with a grand funeral procession that reversed the city’s streets, echoing the ceremony held in 2016 when Ali’s body was taken across Louisville to his hometown home near downtown.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">Former President Bill Clinton, actor Billy Crystal, and Will Smith—who portrayed Ali in a 2001 biopic—were among the dignitaries who spoke at the 2016 service. The event was livestreamed to millions worldwide, showcasing the global mourning for the icon.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">Ten years later, Ali’s face graced a U.S. Postal Service stamp, a testament to his enduring influence and the way his memory continues to inspire new generations.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">As the center gathered to honor Ali, Lonnie Ali highlighted the breadth of his reach: “We’re talking about people who traveled thousands of miles to come here, who had never met the man, never laid eyes on him personally, but wanted to... give their last respects to him: kings, princes, presidents, heads of state, celebrities, sports figures.” Her words underscored the universal appeal of Ali’s empathy and his call for unity in a fractured world.</p>

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Pope Leo XIV Calls for AI Regulation in New Encyclical, Sparking Viral Internet Trend","description":"The first U.S.-born pope released a sweeping encyclical urging strict regulation of artificial intelligence, igniting memes, social media reactions and a broader debate on technology and faith.","summary":"Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural encyclical ‘Magnifica Humanitas’ emphasizes the need for governing artificial intelligence, blending pop culture references with a call for moral and legal oversight. The announcement sparked viral memes on Instagram and X, fueled discussion about AI’s societal impact, and prompted criticism from some Catholic conservatives. Experts note the pope’s approachable style and his use of contemporary culture— from movie talks with Hollywood stars to Tik‑Tok‑like gestures—may broaden the Church’s appeal to younger audiences. The encyclical also revisits the Church’s stance on war and policy, calling the doctrine of ‘just war’ outdated and urging dialogue, diplomacy, and forgiveness as a path to peace.","image":"https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/c9fe054/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2922x1948+0+0/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F6b%2Fc2%2F25b9cdb43530b18dd1ac054cd557%2Fa45f8e3ebdc6447ca5bacbb963f5dd7d","text":"<p>In a decisive moment for the modern Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, the United States’ first native-born pontiff, released a sweeping encyclical that calls for the robust regulation of artificial intelligence. The document, titled <strong>Magnifica Humanitas</strong>, arrives amid a global conversation about technology’s rapid rise and its moral implications.</p>\n\n<p>The pope’s declaration quickly became a social media phenomenon. An Instagram account called Saint Hoax, which follows the Pope’s weekly posts, shared a video to its more than 3 million followers during which a meme highlights the Pope’s plea to “disarm” AI. The caption read: “Love my woke pope (I’m not even Catholic).” A trending X post amplified the reaction, reading, “The atheism leaves my body the moment the pope starts talking about how AI is an affront to God and the new Tower of Babel.”</p>\n\n<p>These reactions reflect a broader sentiment. Many young people believe that political and global leaders have not adequately addressed the consequences of AI. The encyclical’s insistence that the Church must engage with contemporary challenges has resonated strongly online.</p>\n\n<p>“It’s clear that this is written by an American pope,” said Robert Orsi, a professor of religious studies at Northwestern University. He noted that the document’s emphasis on individual freedom and human dignity echoes the spirit of the Declaration of Independence.</p>\n\n<p>Leo XIV is not the first pope to embrace pop culture. He was photographed wearing Nike sneakers under his cassock and famously referenced Gandalf from <em>The Lord of the Rings</em> in his opening remarks. A recent visit to the Vatican saw the 70‑year‑old pontiff perform an online meme gesture known as the 6‑7 meme— a playful nod that sparked cheers from an enthusiastic crowd.</p>\n\n<p>Beyond the memes, the encyclical stresses the Church’s responsibility in shaping social relations: “She cannot consider herself a stranger to the forces shaping society. On the contrary, the Church actively participates in the processes by which society grows and is organized.”</p>\n\n<p>Leo’s engagement extends beyond technology. In 2025, the pope hosted a “World of Cinema” day at the Vatican, welcoming actors such as Cate Blanchett and Spike Lee. He received a custom New York Knicks jersey numbered 14 with “Pope Leo” on the back. He voiced belief that art can open possibilities that algorithms cannot, underscoring the importance of cultural venues in community building.</p>\n\n<p>The encyclical also revisits the Church’s stance on war. Leo directly critiques the doctrine of “just war,” calling it outdated. He encourages the Church to promote dialogue, diplomacy, and forgiveness instead of armed conflict.</p>\n\n<p>The Vatican’s partnership with Anthropic, a tech company co‑founded by Christopher Olah, illustrates its willingness to engage Silicon Valley in dialogue over AI’s human costs. Critics argue that such collaboration risks diluting the Church’s spiritual mission, while supporters say it is necessary for the Church to understand the technology that shapes modern life.</p>\n\n<p>Across social media, the encyclical’s reception continues to unfold. A Bostonian comedian, Isabel Thurston, posted a video that garnered over three million views, celebrating the pope’s message. Her content showcases a merging of faith and contemporary culture, engaging Catholics and non‑Catholics alike.</p>\n\n<p>As the world watches, Pope Leo XIV’s blend of tradition, innovation, and approachable leadership might redefine how the Vatican interacts with the digital age and broader society.</p>

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Hawaii Man Arrested for Murdering Three Elderly Men on Big Island","description":"A 36‑year‑old man was captured after killing three retired men in the Puna region of Big Island, where police discovered gruesome remains and evidence of a brutal assault.","summary":"Jacob Baker, 36, has been charged with the murders of two 69‑year‑old men and a 79‑year‑old man in Hawaii’s remote Puna community. Prosecutors say the killings were extraordinarily cruel and the victims’ ages should push for a harsher sentence. Police found the victims in a cement pond, a coral reef, and beneath a corrugated roof, with signs of severe violence. Baker exhibited erratic behavior and made threats before being apprehended during a statewide manhunt.","image":"","text":"<p><strong>Honolulu, Hawai\u00ed</strong> – Police apprehended Jacob Baker, 36, after a four‑day search of the Big Island’s eastern Puna district, where three elderly men were found dead under brutal circumstances. The victims, all over 60, included 69‑year‑old Robert Shine, 69‑year‑old John Carse, and 79‑year‑old Frederick Morse. Their bodies were discovered in a concrete pond, an open‑air coral reef, and beneath a corrugated roof, respectively. Autopsies reported extensive injuries: Morse’s body showed severed fingers; Shine suffered fractured ribs and was strangled before being buried in the pond; Carse had cuts to the face, severed neck muscles, a broken jaw, and other wounds.</p>\n\n<p>Prosecutors filed a criminal complaint brimming with detail, characterizing the murders as “exceptionally depraved” and describing them as “especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel.” The complaint argues the fact that all victims were over 60 should trigger a harsher penalty under Hawaii’s enhanced homicide statutes.</p>\n\n<p>Baker appeared in court on Monday. A judge granted the defense a request that Baker undergo a mental‑fitness examination, with a report due August 4 and a subsequent hearing scheduled for August 11. The court noted that if the jury is persuaded that the suspect intentionally targeted elderly men and acted with particular cruelty, Baker faces life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.</p>\n\n<p>Police said they first located the three bodies on the evening of the killings: Shine’s body was found face‑down in a concrete fishpond; Morse was discovered face‑down in muddy soil under corrugated roofing in a rural area; and Carse’s body lay near a dirt patch, a few hundred feet from the other victims. The forensic report further details how each victim suffered severe injuries before death.</p>\n\n<p>A witness recounted that Baker was driven by a woman to a Hilo store before the men went missing. While on the drive back, the suspect showed a freshly purchased knife and boasted about “shanking” rapists and “cutting up” anyone who challenged him. He allegedly talked in Spanish about being a hitman, and police seized two brass knuckles from him. He also got a tattoo on the left side of his face at a local shop.</p>\n\n<p>Baker is held without bail. Police anticipate more information from the mental‑fitness assessment. The case has drawn intense scrutiny from the Puna community, which is known for its jungle‑like landscape, lava fields, and close‑knit off‑grid lifestyle.</p>\n

Iowa Tragedy: Six Killed in Family Mass Shooting, Suspect Takes His Own Life

Virginia Bus Driver Indicted on New Charges After Fatal Crash","description":"A Staten Island driver faces additional theft and reckless‑driving charges after a chain‑reaction crash that killed five people on Interstate 95.","summary":"Jing Sheng Dong, 48, previously charged with involuntary manslaughter for a 2025 crash, has been indicted on three extra manslaughter counts and a reckless‑driving charge following a fatal bus collision on I‑95. The incident, involving a motorcoach traveling from New York to North Carolina, killed three Massachusetts residents and one Worcester woman, sparking a NTSB investigation.","image":"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1685286202305-4c3c7e3fa1ba?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1200&q=80","text":"<p>Jing Sheng Dong, a 48‑year‑old bus driver from Staten Island, New York, faces new accusations after a chain‑reaction crash on Interstate 95 on Friday morning. The incident, which involved a motorcoach traveling from New York to North Carolina, killed five people and injured dozens more.</p><p>Dong was initially charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter. On Monday, a Virginia grand jury indicted him on three additional manslaughter counts and a single charge of reckless driving, according to the Stafford County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.</p><p>Authorities said Dong was driving the coach when it struck a line of vehicles that had slowed for a work zone. Among those killed were a Massachusetts family of four and a 25‑year‑old woman from Worcester. Dong had earlier been hit with speeding accusations in Colonial Heights, Virginia, in November 2024 and Annapolis, Maryland, in March 2025, where he allegedly drove 72 mph in a 50‑mph zone.</p><p>In addition to the battering charges, Dong was convicted of driving 73 mph in a 55‑mph zone and fined $219 plus court costs. A separate case in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, alleges he trespassed on property in July.</p><p>The bus involved in the crash was operated by E&P Travel Inc. of Kings Mountain, North Carolina. The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the collision.</p><p>No attorney has been listed on the court filings for Dong. Prosecutor Eric Olsen stated the driver will be transferred to jail upon his release from the hospital.</p>

South Carolina Jury Rules Store Owner Not Guilty in 2023 Shooting of 14-Year-Old","description":"After a tense trial, a jury cleared convenience‑store owner Chikei Rick Chow of murder for shooting 14‑year‑old Cyrus Carmack‑Belton, sparking community reactions and plans for a civil lawsuit.","summary":"In Columbia, South Carolina, a jury found store owner Chikei Rick Chow not guilty of murder for shooting 14‑year‑old Cyrus Carmack‑Belton in 2023. The verdict prompted emotional responses from the victim’s family and community members, and the victim’s mother has announced a civil lawsuit against Chow.","image":"","text":"<p>In Columbia, South Carolina, a jury on Monday declared store owner <b>Chikei Rick Chow</b> (61), who is Asian, not guilty of murder in the 2023 shooting of Black teenager <b>Cyrus Carmack‑Belton</b>.</p><p>Chow testified that he fired his .40‑caliber pistol in the back of Carmack‑Belton while he was fleeing from his convenience store, claiming he acted to protect his son. Prosecutors argued Chow was angry because he believed the teen had stolen four bottles of water, but defense lawyers said Chow had to decide quickly after the teen pointed a firearm at him. The jury’s verdict closed a tense debate over the shooter’s mental state and motive.</p><p>The verdict sent waves of sorrow through Richland County’s largely Black community. Azimuth footage shows the family’s sorrow as they sat in the gallery, while Chow remained silent, slowly bowing his head before folding his hands. Defense attorney Jack Swerling expressed both pride in the verdict and empathy for the victim’s family, noting that a 14‑year‑old should not be “roaming the streets of Columbia with a semi‑automatic pistol loaded and ready to fire.”</p><p>Contrasting views emerged in the appeals district: actress and legislator Todd Rutherford, who stood beside Carmack‑Belton’s father, announced that the family would file a civil lawsuit, “to make it clear the child’s life mattered.” Rutherford, who has practiced law nearly 30 years, said the case “no one has ever seen like this” and expressed disbelief over the decision.</p><p>The legal battle highlighted vivid divisions in the case’s narrative. Prosecutors recounted that Chow chased the teenager more than 130 yards (119 meters) from the store, and that the teen’s semi‑automatic pistol fell to the ground during the pursuit. Several witnesses testified they saw no gun in the teen’s hand and did not see him point any weapon as he ran. Defense closed by stating “the case is not about a shoplifter; it is about a father who sees a gun pointed at his son.”</p><p>In the wake of the shooting, the community held vigils and protests outside the store, marking a bottle of water for each victim with the letters of the teen’s name. The city and its residents are now left grappling with questions of safety, conflict resolution, and community healing.</p>

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North Carolina Drone Search Leads to Arrest After Virginia Sheriff’s Deputy Killed","description":"Wildlife‑camera footage and drone tracking helped locate suspect Michael Puckett, who fired on a wellness‑check crew, killing Deputy Logan Utt and injuring his partner.","summary":"Investigators used a wildlife game cam and a drone to find Michael Puckett in Surry County, North Carolina, after he shot at two Virginia sheriffs, killing one. Puckett was arrested without bond and extradited to Virginia.","image":"https://example.com/image-placeholder.jpg","text":"<p>In a swift chase combining wildlife‑camera data and drone surveillance, North Carolina law‑enforcement located Michael Puckett on the evening of June 10, 2026, outside a home a few miles from the Virginia state line. The suspect was in possession of a firearm and was taken into custody without a bond request. Puckett, 55, will be extradited to Virginia for prosecution.</p><p>Arriving in Virginia five days earlier, Deputy Logan Utt and a second sheriff’s deputy were conducting a welfare check at a residence in Carroll County. When the suspect opened fire, both Deputy Utt (31) and the other officer were struck. Utt was shot through a hair‑shirt, killing him on the scene, while the second deputy’s body armor protected him and he survived, according to Sheriff Kevin Kemp.</p><p>Puckett was tracked by the state’s Bureau of Investigation after a wildlife game camera captured his movements in Surry County, north of Mount Airy. The footage, combined with a drone that followed his route, gave investigators a clear “hot spot”. Within hours, he was found ringing the doorbell at a nearby house and was seized in an arrest warrant out for him.</p><p>On Monday, he appeared before a Virginia court for an extradition hearing. He declined a court‑appointed attorney and waived his right to counsel, according to local media. The court then ordered his transfer to Virginia for further proceedings.</p><p>Deputy Utt was buried Friday morning after the funeral procession marched from Roanoke, Virginia, to Mount Airy. Utt was a former firefighter and a military veteran who joined the sheriff’s office in 2023. Sheriff Kemp honored his service, describing him as “a servant’s heart” who cared for others, his country, and his family.</p><p>The incident, which raised questions about Sheriffs’ readiness for violence, has sparked a broader conversation about welfare‑check protocols, firearms, and state‑by‑state cooperation in crime investigations.</p>

OpenAI sued in Florida for alleged role in mass shootings