A massive AI datacenter proposed for Utah, known as Stratos, faces intense public opposition due to concerns about its enormous energy and water consumption. This project, set to be one of the world’s largest, could significantly impact the already stressed Great Salt Lake ecosystem and exacerbate drought conditions in an arid region. Despite approval from county commissioners and promises of job creation, critics argue the datacenter’s scale poses an irresponsible threat to the environment and local communities, leading to a referendum effort to overturn the decision.
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An Alabama woman is suing after allegedly being left to labor alone for over a day in jail, with staff reportedly dismissing her pleas for help and denying medical attention. The lawsuit claims civil rights violations occurred when jail employees allegedly failed to seek medical assistance despite the woman’s water breaking and her experiencing severe pain. This situation culminated in the birth of her daughter on the jail floor, with another inmate assisting in the delivery and resuscitation of the infant. The lawsuit further alleges a retaliatory punishment was imposed on the women involved after the birth.
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Kevin Warsh has been confirmed as the new Federal Reserve chair, succeeding Jerome Powell in a confirmation vote that marked the most divisive for a Fed chair. Warsh takes the helm amid President Trump’s calls for lower interest rates, a stance complicated by recent inflation data. Powell will remain as a Fed governor, having served as chair since 2018, with Warsh’s appointment concluding a lengthy search for a successor.
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The South Carolina Supreme Court has overturned Alex Murdaugh’s murder convictions for the 2021 killings of his wife and son, citing the improper influence of the county clerk, Becky Hill, on the jury. In a unanimous decision, the court stated that Hill’s actions “placed her fingers on the scales of justice,” denying Murdaugh a fair trial. Consequently, his life sentences were vacated, and a new trial has been ordered, though Murdaugh will remain incarcerated due to his separate guilty pleas for financial crimes. The Attorney General’s office plans to retry Murdaugh for the murders.
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A new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policy requires members of Congress to obtain advance approval to speak with detainees during oversight inspections, a move aimed at reducing what ICE deems disruptive and resource-intensive visits. Under this policy, lawmakers must provide a list of detainees by name and obtain signed consent forms two business days in advance. This change comes as congressional visits have significantly increased, particularly amid a mass deportation campaign, and follows previous attempts by ICE to restrict such access. Critics argue the new policy effectively hinders meaningful oversight by preventing spontaneous and unannounced interactions with individuals in ICE custody.
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A licensed drug addiction counselor who supplied Matthew Perry with the fatal dose of ketamine is scheduled for sentencing. The counselor, Erik Fleming, admitted to distributing ketamine which resulted in the actor’s death and faces a requested sentence of 2 1/2 years in prison. His defense is seeking a reduced sentence of three months imprisonment and nine months in a residential drug treatment facility, citing his significant cooperation with investigators and efforts toward atonement. Fleming obtained the ketamine from a convicted drug dealer known as “The Ketamine Queen,” who received a 15-year prison sentence.
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Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay player and a significant figure for inclusion, has died at the age of 47 following an eight-month battle with aggressive brain cancer. During his 13-year career, Collins bravely revealed his sexuality in 2013, becoming an ambassador for the league and inspiring many. His impact extended beyond the court, fostering a more welcoming environment for future generations in sports, and his kindness and humanity were widely recognized.
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In a hearing held by Democrats from the US House Oversight Committee, near President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, focus was placed on the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein files. This hearing, though without legal authority, aimed to maintain public attention on the case, where lawmakers learned how Epstein and his accomplices evaded accountability for years, leaving victims failed by the justice system. One victim, Roza, courageously testified about her coercion into a modeling career, her subsequent exploitation by Epstein even while he was under house arrest, and how his controversial 2008 plea deal allowed his abuse to continue for nearly another decade.
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A gastrointestinal illness has affected 48 passengers and one crew member aboard the Ambition cruise ship, with symptoms consistent with norovirus or food poisoning. The outbreak reportedly increased after passengers boarded in Liverpool, prompting the cruise line to implement enhanced sanitation and communication protocols. French health authorities have dispatched a medical team to assess the situation and are currently processing samples, leading to a temporary suspension of passenger disembarkations as a precautionary measure.
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A $100 million lawsuit has been filed by an Oregon family alleging medical negligence led to the death of their 18-year-old son, Ethan Cantrell. The suit claims that doctors at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center failed to remove pine needles and debris from his wound before stitching it up, resulting in a severe infection. Despite seeking further medical attention for worsening symptoms, the infection was not adequately treated until it became life-threatening, ultimately leading to his death from necrotizing soft tissue infection.
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John Q. Hosedrinker