Emails released by US lawmakers reveal that Noam Chomsky maintained “regular contact” with Jeffrey Epstein, even after Epstein’s conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. A letter of support attributed to Chomsky lauded Epstein’s intellectual contributions and described their relationship as a “most valuable experience.” The correspondence indicates a deeper relationship than previously acknowledged, including discussions of musical interests and potential vacations. Furthermore, Epstein offered Chomsky the use of his residences.
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A person in Washington state has died from a rare strain of bird flu, identified as H5N5, marking the first human fatality from this specific strain. The individual, an older adult with underlying health conditions, had a backyard flock of poultry exposed to wild birds and developed the illness in early November. Despite the fatality, health officials emphasize that the risk to the public remains low, as no other individuals involved have tested positive for the virus and there’s no evidence of human-to-human transmission. The CDC has also stated that the case doesn’t indicate an increased public health risk.
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Texas schools are navigating a new state law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, leading to varied reactions. Some teachers, like Gigi Cervantes, have resigned in protest, while others, such as Dustin Parsons, view the displays as historical context. Despite legal challenges, including court orders against the mandate, many schools are implementing the law and receiving donated posters. The issue has sparked debate among students, parents, and school staff, raising questions about religious freedom and the role of schools.
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In Utica, NY, four prison guards were sentenced to prison terms for their involvement in the 2023 death of Robert Brooks, an incarcerated Black man at Marcy Correctional Facility. The guards pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges, stemming from the brutal beating, which was captured on body camera footage. Nicholas Anzalone and Anthony Farina received 22-year terms, while Michael Mashaw and David Walters received sentences ranging from two years, four months to nine years. The sentencing followed the convictions and plea deals of other guards involved in the case, with the trial for another guard scheduled to begin in January and trials in another fatal beating at a different lockup.
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In a recent court appearance, Curt Andersen, the Indiana man accused of killing Maria Florinda Rios Perez De Velasquez, a house cleaner who mistakenly arrived at his home, had his bail set at $25,000 and was ordered to surrender his passport. Andersen, charged with voluntary manslaughter, appeared in court wearing a jail jumpsuit and bulletproof vest. The judge also scheduled a jury trial for March 30. The incident occurred when Rios and her husband, part of a cleaning crew, went to Andersen’s home by mistake, and Andersen fired a shot through the door, fatally wounding Rios.
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Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene announced her resignation from Congress, effective January 5th, via a statement posted to her social media account. Greene’s decision comes after a public falling out with former President Donald Trump, who criticized her in a social media post and severed ties. The congresswoman cited concerns for her safety and a desire to avoid a primary battle. This follows a period of growing discontent with the political system, including criticisms of the Republican Party and attempts to appeal to a wider audience.
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A remarkably well-preserved copy of “Superman #1,” discovered in a California attic, has become the most expensive comic book ever sold, achieving a record-breaking $9.12 million at auction. The comic, found by three brothers while clearing out their mother’s attic, was from the first print run and in exceptional condition. Heritage Auctions deemed it the “highest ever graded copy,” further contributing to its value. This sale surpasses previous records held by other Superman comics, solidifying the character’s enduring legacy in pop culture.
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On Thursday afternoon in Bella Coola, British Columbia, a grizzly bear attacked a group of schoolchildren and teachers on a walking trail, resulting in injuries to 11 individuals, including two in critical condition. The attack prompted a response from police and conservation officers, with the aggressive bear remaining at large. The Nuxalk Nation advised residents to stay indoors. Reports from parents indicated that a male teacher sustained the brunt of the attack, and a fourth- and fifth-grade class was involved, with one student describing the harrowing experience.
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Two Texas men, Gavin Rivers Weisenburg and Tanner Christopher Thomas, have been charged by the Department of Justice with plotting a coup d’état on the island of Gonâve, Haiti, with the intent of sexual assault and enslavement. The men allegedly planned to kill all the island’s men and exploit the women and children, recruiting individuals and acquiring military skills and resources to execute the invasion, which began in August 2024. Thomas joined the Air Force, and the men sought to procure a boat, weapons, and ammunition. The charges include conspiracy to murder, maim, or kidnap in a foreign country, and producing child pornography, with potential sentences of life in prison.
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The FBI spied on a private Signal group chat of immigrants’ rights activists who were organizing “courtwatch” efforts in New York City. Law enforcement records show the FBI gained access to a Signal group coordinating volunteers monitoring federal immigration court proceedings and labeled the court watchers as “anarchist violent extremist actors.” The FBI’s report, which did not clarify how they accessed the group or provide evidence of the “extremist” claims, was shared with other law enforcement agencies. Critics have condemned the surveillance, noting the non-violent nature of courtwatch efforts and likening the actions to past FBI overreach.
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John Q. Hosedrinker