A levee breach south of Seattle, following a week of heavy rains, prompted an evacuation order for portions of Kent, Renton, and Tukwila. The failure on the Desimone levee along the Green River led to the evacuation of approximately 1,100 homes and businesses. While the initial flash flood warning covered a large area, it was later reduced as authorities assessed the impact, with the flooding primarily affecting industrial areas. Crews were present and utilizing sandbags to manage the breach, which damaged a bike path, while long-term repairs to the damaged levee are not expected until 2031.
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The US labor market experienced unexpected growth in November, adding 64,000 jobs, exceeding economists’ expectations, though the unemployment rate climbed to 4.6%. Prior jobs growth figures were revised downward, and the government shutdown caused delays and concerns about data accuracy. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell expressed skepticism about the data due to the shutdown’s impact, as well as the effects of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Furthermore, the report came amidst significant changes to the Bureau of Labor Statistics including a recent firing of the BLS commissioner and a drop in staff members.
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Dramatic footage has emerged showing Boris and Sofia Gurman, a married couple, bravely confronting the Bondi beach attacker. The couple, identified by their family, were tragically killed while attempting to disarm the gunman. Their family has expressed immense pride in their selfless actions, highlighting their devotion to helping others and their courageous response to the terror. The attack has been the worst mass shooting in Australia since 1996, and bystanders are being applauded for their heroic efforts.
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iRobot, the maker of Roomba, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection while being acquired by Picea, its primary contract manufacturer. The company, known for its robotic vacuums, has faced challenges like increased competition and a failed acquisition by Amazon. Despite the bankruptcy, iRobot anticipates no disruption to its operations, customer programs, or product support. The acquisition by Picea is expected to strengthen iRobot’s financial position, with the prepackaged chapter 11 process targeted for completion by February.
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Ford Motor Co. is adjusting its electric vehicle strategy due to financial losses and changing consumer preferences, shifting investment towards gasoline-powered and hybrid vehicles. The company will discontinue the all-electric F-150 Lightning, instead focusing on an extended-range version and retooling its Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center to produce gas-powered trucks. These changes come as Ford has lost billions on EVs and anticipates further financial hits, with plans to have half of its global volume be hybrids and extended-range EVs by 2030. The shift reflects broader industry trends, as consumer demand for EVs has lagged, influenced by factors like cost and charging infrastructure, alongside policy changes from the Trump administration impacting fuel economy and emissions regulations.
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Ashley Fagan has been sentenced to 18 to 23½ years in prison for her role in the death of her 6-year-old daughter, Eva Bretz. Fagan pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including permitting child abuse and involuntary manslaughter, after an autopsy revealed Eva suffered from chronic physical and sexual abuse, multiple injuries, and fentanyl in her system. The victim’s grandfather expressed the immense grief and injustice of the situation, emphasizing the mother’s failure to protect her daughter. Fagan’s boyfriend, Blake Hutchinson, who was also a suspect, died by suicide before he could be arrested.
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In the wake of the deadly Brown University shooting on December 13, 2025, the FBI released new photos and videos of a person of interest. These images depict a man wearing dark clothing near the university hours before the incident, and authorities believe he is the same individual seen in previously released footage. As the gunman remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous, a reward of up to $50,000 is being offered for information leading to his identification, arrest, and conviction. The public is urged to review the images and contact the authorities with any relevant information, as the investigation continues.
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Authorities in Providence, Rhode Island, continued their investigation into the Brown University shooting that killed two students and injured nine others. The FBI released new videos of the masked suspect, described as a man with a stocky build and approximately 5 feet, 8 inches tall, and is offering a $50,000 reward for information. Law enforcement searched for evidence and interviewed locals, while the community mourned the victims, including a sophomore and a freshman. Concerns about campus security and the suspect’s escape are being raised as the investigation proceeds.
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Hilda Ramirez Sanan, a green card holder, along with her two US citizen children, are suing ICE after a violent detention in Massachusetts. The lawsuit alleges that ICE officers, without warning or identification, surrounded their car, smashed windows, and forcibly arrested Ramirez Sanan in front of her children. The officers also allegedly questioned her autistic son about his legal status. Following the incident, Ramirez Sanan and her children were hospitalized. Lawyers for Civil Rights is representing Ramirez Sanan, seeking $1 million in damages, and decrying the officers’ actions as illegal and inhumane.
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New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against UPS, alleging the company cheated seasonal holiday workers out of millions of dollars in wages. An investigation revealed that UPS failed to record all hours worked, required off-the-clock labor, and manipulated timekeeping systems. The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, claims UPS violated state and federal labor laws by not paying minimum, promised, and overtime wages to seasonal workers. UPS responded by stating they are aware of the lawsuit and take all accusations seriously while investigating the matter.
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John Q. Hosedrinker