Twenty-year-old Tiki, a blind cat, was rescued from Nabnasset Lake in Westford after being spotted floating on a piece of ice. Two contractors, Nate and Kris, bravely used a rowboat and shovel to reach Tiki, pulling him from the frigid water just before hypothermia set in. Upon arrival, animal control found Tiki shivering and lethargic, requiring immediate veterinary care due to dangerously low body temperature. While the cat’s escape from home and potential pursuit by a predator remain under investigation, Tiki is now recovering comfortably at home.
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Nathan Joseph Mahoney faces attempted murder charges following a stabbing incident at Anderson Express in Fruitport Township. The attack occurred during a company meeting where Mahoney allegedly stabbed his boss. Multiple employees witnessed the assault. Court records detail the events leading to the charges against Mahoney.
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Five years after their initial detection in Washington state, the invasive northern giant hornet, also known as the “murder hornet,” has been eradicated from the U.S. This successful eradication resulted from a collaborative effort involving community participation in trapping and reporting, along with researchers using innovative tracking techniques to locate and destroy a hornet nest. No hornets have been detected since 2021, marking a significant victory for human intervention against an invasive insect species. The eradication is also considered successful in British Columbia, Canada, where they were also found.
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Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency in California due to a rising number of bird flu cases affecting both birds and, notably, dairy cows. This action, mirroring a similar declaration in Colorado, provides increased funding and flexibility for state agencies to combat the spread. While human-to-human transmission remains nonexistent in California, the state has already implemented measures to minimize farmworker exposure, many of whom have contracted the virus. Although the risk to the public is currently low, the severity of H5N1 bird flu in humans necessitates proactive measures.
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A bipartisan spending deal passed by the House includes a cost-of-living pay raise for lawmakers—their first since 2009—and an opt-out from the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance requirements. These provisions, slipped into the bill unnoticed, are likely to face criticism; the pay raise is politically sensitive given Congress’s unpopularity, while the Obamacare opt-out could draw opposition from Democrats who were unaware of its inclusion. The pay raise has been sought for years, but its timing may prove detrimental. Republicans have long sought the ACA opt-out, while Democrats remain upset at its clandestine addition.
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A Houston father is pleading for assistance from lawmakers following the detention and deportation of his wife and children to Mexico. His two daughters, born in the U.S. in September, were included in the deportation. The wife is still recovering from a recent C-section, adding to the family’s distress. The father is seeking help to reunite his family.
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Mack Davis, 22, of Owosso, Michigan, pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime charge for plotting a mass shooting targeting the LGBTQ+ community. His plan involved attacking a political headquarters and a bar frequented by gay individuals, fueled by his intense hatred. Davis accumulated weapons, ammunition, and bomb-making materials, documenting his preparations online and physically scouting the locations. His arrest followed a firearms incident and anti-gay graffiti targeting his homosexual neighbors, leading to a federal investigation and his guilty plea, which carries a potential life sentence.
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A British court ordered the seizure of over £2.6 million ($3.3 million) from Andrew and Tristan Tate to cover unpaid taxes, citing their deliberate evasion of tax obligations. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring ruled that the brothers engaged in “a straightforward cheat” of the tax authorities, based on evidence of substantial financial transactions and a history of non-payment. The court found that the Tates failed to pay taxes on £21 million in revenue from their online businesses between 2014 and 2022. The Tates, who deny all wrongdoing, plan to appeal the decision.
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Following a reversal of its previous decision, the House Ethics Committee will release its report on former Representative Matt Gaetz before the end of the current Congress. The report concludes a years-long investigation into numerous allegations against Gaetz, including sexual misconduct and campaign finance violations. Gaetz, who resigned from Congress and denies all allegations, claims to have been exonerated by the Department of Justice. The report’s release is unusual given Gaetz’s departure, and its contents, addressing claims of sexual contact with a minor, are highly anticipated.
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A mass shooting in Towson, Maryland, resulted in one fatality and nine injuries. The incident involved a fiery car crash near a funeral home, with multiple gunshot victims found at the scene. Police believe the event was isolated and targeted, though an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances and identify any suspects. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Baltimore County Police.
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John Q. Hosedrinker