A Utah father, initially lauded as a hero for surviving a winter hike with his three children, is now facing charges of child abuse and torture. After the family was rescued following a harrowing ordeal, it was discovered that the children described Smith as ill-prepared and selfish. Prosecutors allege that Smith chose to summit a mountain despite the children’s expressed discomfort and that he displayed odd behavior. The children’s accounts and video evidence from the hike suggest that Smith was unaware of the trail and ill-equipped for the challenging conditions.
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Wisconsin authorities have requested that a state court revoke the conditional release of Morgan Geyser, who was involved in the 2014 Slender Man stabbing and recently fled a group home. A Waukesha County judge sealed the petition, filed due to Geyser cutting off her GPS bracelet and escaping with a 43-year-old companion, leading to her apprehension near Chicago. Geyser, who did not fight extradition, is currently held in Waukesha County jail pending a hearing, and could be returned to a mental institution and face new charges. The 23-year-old was previously granted conditional release in September.
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The devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court public housing complex in Hong Kong rapidly consumed seven of the eight buildings, resulting in at least 83 deaths and hundreds missing. Residents have raised concerns about the construction safety during the ongoing renovations. Three arrests have been made, and criminal and anti-corruption probes have been launched. Many residents, particularly the elderly, now face homelessness and loss.
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Following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers near the White House by an Afghan national, the US has halted all immigration requests from Afghanistan. The suspect, who entered the US in September 2021 under a program for Afghan refugees, had previously been granted asylum. In response, President Trump has stated the need to reassess all Afghan immigrants, and the Pentagon is deploying additional National Guard members to the capital. This action follows the implementation of a travel ban and the termination of a program offering deportation protections for Afghans.
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The suspected shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who ambushed two National Guard members in Washington D.C., is confirmed to have worked with CIA-backed military units in Afghanistan. Lakanwal, who entered the U.S. in 2021 through an Operation Allies Welcome program, allegedly drove from Washington State with a targeted plan, using a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver. The two injured National Guard members, Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe, are in critical condition, and the FBI is investigating the shooting as a potential act of terrorism. The suspect is now in custody and will face charges including assault with intent to kill.
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A recent outbreak of infant botulism has been linked to ByHeart brand powdered formula, with at least 37 infants affected. The California Department of Health found Clostridium botulinum bacteria in an opened can of formula, leading to a nationwide recall of specific batches, and eventually all ByHeart products. Despite the recall, the FDA reports that ByHeart formula remains on store shelves in multiple states, including major retailers. Investigations are underway to determine how the formula became contaminated, with concerns that the outbreak may expand as officials review earlier cases.
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A case before the Supreme Court challenges the U.S. Postal Service’s exemption from lawsuits regarding lost or mishandled mail, stemming from a Texas landlord’s claim of deliberate mail withholding. The Postal Service argues a ruling against them could trigger a flood of litigation, particularly impacting the already busy holiday season. The central question is whether the postal exemption to the Federal Tort Claims Act applies when postal employees intentionally fail to deliver mail, with the lower court previously disagreeing with the exemption. A decision in the case is expected to be issued next year.
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OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, has responded to a lawsuit filed by the family of a teenager who died by suicide after extensive conversations with the chatbot. The company asserts that the death was a result of the user’s “misuse” of the technology, not caused by ChatGPT itself. OpenAI’s legal filing claims the user violated terms of service and points to limitations of liability. The company expressed sympathy for the family and stated a commitment to improving the technology’s safety, acknowledging existing challenges in long-form conversations. The company is currently facing other lawsuits related to ChatGPT.
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A Peruvian court has sentenced former President Martín Vizcarra to 14 years in prison for accepting bribes while governor of a southern state. The court also imposed a nine-year ban from public office, though Vizcarra has stated his intention to appeal the decision, claiming the sentence is retribution for his political clashes. The conviction stems from illegal payments received from companies in exchange for awarding contracts for construction projects during his tenure as governor of Moquegua. Vizcarra is one of several former Peruvian presidents either in prison or who have served time.
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In Marion County, Florida, four Fire and Rescue employees have been arrested following a violent hazing incident involving a 19-year-old co-worker. The incident, which took place at Fire Station 21, included alleged waterboarding of the victim, as well as physical assault and robbery. The four employees were charged with kidnapping, robbery, and battery, and have since been fired. The Sheriff’s office initiated an investigation after being contacted by fire and rescue supervisors, and the victim has returned to his post after the incident.
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John Q. Hosedrinker