Despite overwhelming evidence of abuse, including a suicide note stating “I was murdered,” Ryan Wellings was acquitted of manslaughter in the death of his ex-partner, Kiena Dawes. Wellings was convicted of assault and coercive control, but the family believes justice has not been served and Kiena’s voice has not been fully heard. The case highlights the rarity of manslaughter charges in suicide cases stemming from domestic abuse, despite the significant number of women who die by suicide after experiencing abuse. Kiena’s family and advocates continue to call for increased accountability for abusers in such situations.
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First United American Companies, a firm linked to Alex Jones, has significantly increased its bid for Infowars to over $7 million, more than doubling its previous offer. This follows a voided auction where The Onion’s parent company, Global Tetrahedron, had initially won with a lower bid. The trustee overseeing Jones’ bankruptcy will now evaluate both the new offers from First United American and the expected renewed bid from Global Tetrahedron. The sale proceeds will primarily benefit the Sandy Hook families awarded damages in defamation lawsuits against Jones. The future of Infowars and the specifics of the sale process remain undetermined, pending court approval.
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Meta plans to reduce its global workforce by approximately 5%, accelerating its typical performance-based cuts. This decision, announced by Mark Zuckerberg, anticipates a challenging year ahead for the company. The affected roles will not be refilled until later in 2025. The specific geographic distribution of the layoffs remains undisclosed.
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Governor Newsom’s executive order protects Los Angeles County fire victims from predatory real estate practices by prohibiting undervalue offers on fire-damaged homes for three months. This action, mirroring a similar Hawaii order, targets speculators exploiting vulnerable residents in areas like Altadena, hard-hit by the Eaton Fire. The order directs state agencies to inform the public of their rights and resources, with violations potentially resulting in criminal prosecution. The governor also announced additional measures, including expedited debris removal and a legislative request for $2.5 billion in fire aid.
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Senator Duckworth expressed serious doubts about Hegseth’s qualifications for Secretary of Defense, arguing his confirmation hearing focused on the suitability of women in combat rather than his capabilities. She highlighted his lack of experience in crucial areas like audits and international negotiations, suggesting his nomination was based on personal connections to President Trump rather than merit. Duckworth emphasized the indispensable role of women in the military, contrasting their earned positions with Hegseth’s unearned nomination. She ultimately urged the committee not to lower its standards for the position.
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Incoming Vice President JD Vance’s family reached out to the current residents, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, regarding the Naval Observatory residence. While initial attempts to coordinate a visit were rebuffed, communication eventually occurred between the Vance team and Navy officials, followed by a conversation between Usha Vance and Doug Emhoff. Harris’s team cited a busy schedule and past circumstances, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Capitol riot, as reasons for the lack of a formal invitation. This contrasts with the transition between the Biden and Pence administrations, where a visit was facilitated.
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Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested at his residence by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), marking a historic first in South Korea. The arrest, following a previous failed attempt, involved a large police presence and the CIO’s use of force to overcome resistance from the presidential security service. Yoon stated he cooperated to prevent bloodshed, despite deeming the investigation illegal. He is currently being questioned at CIO headquarters and faces charges related to a botched martial law declaration.
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A video surfaced showing a Trump supporter live-streaming his drive on the anniversary of the January 6th Capitol riot, during which he boasted of his actions and played altered versions of “YMCA.” While claiming God had cleared a path, he crashed his car into a median. The incident drew comparisons to a similar crash involving pro-Trump merchandise sellers and sparked mixed reactions online, with some seeing it as karmic justice and others expressing relief at the occupants’ safety. The driver’s actions and statements were particularly noteworthy given the context of the January 6th anniversary.
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Following negotiations facilitated by the Catholic Church, the Biden administration removed Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, resulting in the release of 553 political prisoners. This action, coupled with waivers on Title III of the Helms-Burton Act and the rescission of National Security Presidential Memorandum 5, aimed to ease economic pressure and improve human rights conditions in Cuba. The decision, however, faced immediate criticism from Republican members of Congress, who argued that Cuba’s actions did not warrant such concessions. The administration asserted that the changes would provide immediate relief to imprisoned protesters and their families.
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Minnesota House Democrats staged a walkout on the first day of the legislative session, preventing a quorum and blocking Republicans from electing a speaker. Republicans, despite lacking a quorum, proceeded to elect Rep. Lisa Demuth as speaker, a move Democrats intend to challenge in court. This action follows disputes over the seating of two Democratic representatives, one due to a residency challenge and another due to a ballot counting error. Democrats plan to maintain their walkout until a special election in late January, which is expected to restore the 67-67 party balance.
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John Q. Hosedrinker