After synagogue attack, Pittsburgh tries again to curb guns

County bans unvaccinated minors in public as measles spreads

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A county in New York City’s northern suburbs declared a state of emergency Tuesday over a measles outbreak that has infected more than 150 people since last fall, hoping a ban against unvaccinated children in public places wakes their parents to the seriousness of the problem. “It’s an attention grab, there’s... Read More

True to form, Avenatti attacks Nike a day after arrest

NEW YORK (AP) — Attorney Michael Avenatti came out swinging Tuesday against Nike, accusing the shoemaker — without evidence — of “rampant” corruption mere hours after he was released from U.S. custody on charges he tried to extort up to $25 million from the company. In a string of posts on Twitter — a medium... Read More

Michael Avenatti, Nike

Man charged in Wisconsin kidnapping, killings due in court

BARRON, Wis. (AP) — A man accused of kidnapping a 13-year-old Wisconsin girl, killing her parents and holding her captive in a cabin for three months is expected to enter a formal plea Wednesday when he appears in court for an arraignment. Jake Patterson, 21, wrote in a letter to Minneapolis’ KARE-TV this month that... Read More

Jake Patterson

Donald Trump, Robert Mueller

Trump says Mueller report summary couldn’t have been better

WASHINGTON (AP) — An exuberant President Donald Trump took a victory lap on Capitol Hill, emboldened by the end of the special counsel’s Russia probe, even as Democrats pressed insistently for Robert Mueller’s full report and Justice Department officials said more information could be released in “weeks, not months.” Trump strode into a high-spirited gathering... Read More

Criminal Justice News, News, Politics

Dismissal of Smollett case brings backlash, more questions

CHICAGO (AP) — Prosecutors still insist Jussie Smollett faked a racist, anti-gay attack on himself in the hopes that the attention would advance his acting career. The “Empire” star still says he was assaulted by two men late at night in downtown Chicago. But with little explanation, authorities on Tuesday abruptly dropped all charges against... Read More

Criminal Justice News, Entertainment, News

Jussie Smollett

Foreman defends acquittal of officer for black teen’s death

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The foreman of a jury that acquitted a white Pennsylvania police officer of homicide said Michael Rosfeld did not know the black teen he shot was unarmed and that his decision to run after his vehicle was pulled over factored into the verdict. Juror Jesse Rawls Sr. told WHTM-TV that Antwon Rose... Read More

Criminal Justice News, Guns, Law Enforcement, News

Michael Rosfeld

Alabama man gets 40 years for scalding 2 children in bathtub

ATHENS, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama man accused of intentionally scalding two children in a bathtub has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to serve 40 years in prison. News outlets report that 33-year-old Derrick Defoe pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of aggravated child abuse just before opening statements in his trial were set to... Read More

Bad Parenting, Criminal Justice News, News

Pittsburgh official, husband arraigned in Detroit hotel case

DETROIT (AP) — An elected official from Pittsburgh and her husband have been arraigned on charges stemming from an altercation with Detroit police at a hotel. Chelsa Wagner and Khari Mosley were arraigned in Detroit Monday. Both are accused of disorderly conduct. Wagner, the Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, controller, also faces a felony resisting police charge.... Read More

Judge cautions lawyers to watch language in abortion case

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A federal judge in Kentucky has cautioned lawyers to watch their language in their bitter legal feud over abortion — this time over a lawsuit challenging two new state laws aimed at putting more restrictions on the procedure. U.S. District Judge David J. Hale set a Friday hearing on a motion... Read More

Abortion

Sentencing set for man who duped Alabama town

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A man who pleaded guilty to scamming an Alabama town for nearly $2 million is due in federal court to find out how long he will go to prison. Sentencing for 43-year-old Kyle Sandler is scheduled for Tuesday morning in Montgomery. Sandler moved to the east Alabama town of Opelika (Oh-puh-LIE-kuh)... Read More

Criminal Justice News, Fraud, News

Kyle Sandler

Mark Geragos, Michael Avenatti

Celebrity lawyer Geragos named in Avenatti extortion case

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Attorney Mark Geragos has had a long career representing high-profile clients including Michael Jackson, Colin Kaepernick and Jussie Smollett. Now Geragos might need a defense attorney himself after being named in a case accusing lawyer Michael Avenatti of trying to extort Nike. Geragos is not charged with a crime but two... Read More

Criminal Justice News, Entertainment, News

50 years for man who raped neighbor, then offered yard work

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A 20-year-old convicted of raping his neighbor and then offering to do work around her house to make it up to her is being sent to prison for 50 years. Jurors in West Palm Beach found Timothy Walding guilty of sexual battery, false imprisonment and armed burglary in October.... Read More

Criminal Justice News, News, Sexual Abuse