Joseph Jorgenson, 41, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the deaths of Fanta Xayavong and Manijeh Starren, whose dismembered remains were found in storage units. He confessed to strangling Starren and striking Xayavong in the head before dismembering both bodies. Jorgenson faces a maximum of 40 years concurrently for each murder and is scheduled for sentencing on February 28th. Both victims had struggled with addiction and prior relationships with Jorgenson.
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Sister Inah Canabarro, a Brazilian nun and devout soccer fan, is now recognized as the world’s oldest living person at nearly 117 years old. LongeviQuest, a supercentenarian tracking organization, validated her age based on early life records. Despite health challenges, she remains active in spirit, known for her humor and faith, which she credits for her longevity. Canabarro, a former teacher and marching band founder, even counts a former military dictator among her students and boasts a lifelong love of Inter, her local soccer club.
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The New Orleans ISIS-inspired attack highlights a concerning rise in radicalization fueled by readily accessible online extremist communities and heightened political polarization. Law enforcement faces challenges tracking this increasingly fragmented threat, which encompasses various ideologies, including far-right, Islamist, and far-left extremism. While the majority of radicalized individuals do not commit violence, the motivations of those who do often prioritize a desire for significance over specific ideological tenets. Despite increased law enforcement efforts, preventing all attacks remains impossible.
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New York City launched its congestion pricing program, the first of its kind in the US, to alleviate traffic and fund public transit improvements. The daily charge, varying from $2.25 to $21.60 depending on vehicle type and time of day, applies to a zone encompassing Midtown and Lower Manhattan. Despite opposition from figures like Donald Trump and some local groups, a court challenge failed, and the program is now in effect. The initiative aims to address New York’s notoriously congested streets, ranked the world’s most congested in 2022.
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Five Assumption University students, inspired by the TV show *To Catch a Predator* and a TikTok trend, lured a soldier to campus via Tinder, falsely accusing him of soliciting underage sex. The ensuing attack involved a large group of students, resulting in charges of kidnapping, conspiracy, and assault. The victim, who was in town for a funeral, suffered injuries during the assault, which was captured on video. The university condemned the students’ actions, describing the incident as abhorrent and highlighting the dangers of harmful social media trends.
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Zachery Ty Bryan, known for his role as Brad Taylor on “Home Improvement,” was arrested in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on January 2nd and charged with second-degree domestic violence. This arrest follows multiple prior legal issues, including two 2024 DUI charges and previous domestic violence accusations. Bryan, now 43, was held at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center with a $10,000 bond. Details surrounding the circumstances of this latest arrest remain unavailable.
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) released a report finding that Oklahoma City and its police department discriminate against individuals with behavioral health disabilities, citing unnecessary institutionalization and inappropriate police responses to mental health crises. The DOJ investigation, launched in 2022 following a complaint, revealed a pattern of escalating situations through armed intervention rather than utilizing behavioral health professionals. This often leads to avoidable use of force and unmet mental health needs. The DOJ seeks a resolution with city and state officials but may file suit to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act if necessary.
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Jaia Cruz, 24, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the death of 36-year-old U.S. Postal Service worker Ray Hodges. The stabbing occurred inside a Harlem deli following an altercation reportedly sparked by a dispute over a food order. Hodges, a Bronx resident, was stabbed in the stomach and later died at a hospital. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is collaborating with the NYPD on the ongoing investigation.
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A new California law mandates that baby food manufacturers publicly disclose heavy metal testing results via QR codes on product labels, starting January 1, 2025. Major manufacturers are expanding this transparency nationwide, despite the law’s California-only application. This initiative follows concerns about dangerously high levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in some baby foods, previously hidden from consumers. While complete elimination is impossible, the increased transparency aims to pressure manufacturers to improve sourcing and processing methods to reduce heavy metal content.
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Rudy Giuliani faced a seven-hour contempt hearing regarding his failure to fully comply with a court order to turn over assets to compensate two women he defamed. Giuliani claimed he didn’t intentionally withhold information, citing memory issues and a desire to protect sentimental items like his grandfather’s pocket watch. However, inconsistencies emerged regarding his asset declarations, including missing items from his apartment and conflicting accounts about the location of a signed Joe DiMaggio jersey. The judge deemed Giuliani in violation of the court order, and further hearings are scheduled to determine sanctions and the surrender of additional assets.
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John Q. Hosedrinker