Category: news

The cause of death for 13-year-old Madeline Soto, whose tragic disappearance led to the arrest of her mother’s boyfriend, has now been disclosed by authorities.

Madeline was discovered deceased in a wooded area on March 1, just a few days after she was reported missing on February 26 from her home in Kissimmee, Florida, according to earlier reports from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The medical examiner has officially classified her death as a homicide, confirming that she died due to strangulation, as reported by FOX 35 Orlando, WESH, and Click Orlando.

During the investigation into Madeline’s disappearance, her mother’s boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, 37, was taken into custody on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material. Although these charges were initially unrelated to Madeline’s disappearance, Sterns was quickly identified as the primary suspect in her case.

In April, Sterns faced additional charges, including first-degree murder, in connection with Madeline’s death, as announced by authorities in Osceola County. Investigators uncovered numerous disturbing images and videos, leading to a total of 60 charges against him, including capital sexual battery, lewd or lascivious molestation, and possession of child pornography, according to a statement from the State Attorney’s Office.

The sheriff’s office revealed evidence suggesting that Madeline “was never dropped off near her school” on the morning of February 26, contrary to what was initially believed. Sterns was reportedly the last person seen with her that morning. The night before her disappearance, Madeline’s mother allegedly asked her to sleep with Sterns so she could rest after a late work shift, as she later informed authorities, according to a “supplemental case report” cited by WESH.

On the morning of her disappearance, Sterns was reportedly captured on video discarding items in a trashcan at the apartment complex where he lived with Madeline and her mother. Authorities later retrieved Madeline’s backpack and laptop from that trashcan. About an hour after this, Sterns was seen with Madeline in his car, and investigators believe she was already deceased at that time.

Sterns is accused of sexually abusing Madeline and recording the abuse on video, with authorities alleging that the abuse began as early as 2022, when Madeline was just 11 years old. Despite the overwhelming evidence, Sterns has pleaded not guilty to all 60 charges, as reported by Click Orlando and the Osceola News-Gazette.

An accident in Texas has left four people dead and ten others injured after a passenger van lost control and flipped multiple times on a highway. The incident occurred around 8 a.m. when a Chevrolet Express 3500 van, traveling north on U.S. Highway 287 near Alvord, veered into the median and overturned several times.

According to Tony De La Cerda, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), 14 individuals were in the van at the time of the crash. Three people, including the driver, were pronounced dead at the scene, while another succumbed to injuries later at the hospital.

The DPS confirmed that only one person in the van was wearing a seat belt. De La Cerda emphasized the importance of seat belt use, stating, “Every vehicle has a seat belt, and if you use that seat belt, it’s gonna save lives.”

The exact destination of the van remains unclear, but it was confirmed that the group was traveling from Florida. Preliminary investigations suggest that the van left the roadway, and the driver overcorrected, leading to a loss of control and causing the vehicle to roll over multiple times. Several passengers were ejected from the van during the crash.

Emergency responders, including three ambulances and three medical helicopters, were dispatched to the scene to transport the injured to nearby hospitals. Among the injured, two passengers were critically hurt, while others sustained non-critical injuries or minor injuries.

The accident led to the closure of U.S. Highway 287 for more than three hours, with authorities working to clear the scene and reopen the road. Witnesses described the aftermath as devastating, with bodies and injured individuals scattered across the road and nearby grass.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation as authorities work to determine what led to the tragic incident.

De La Cerda expressed the emotional toll on first responders, saying, “Just seeing all those people on the road, on the grass, that is very difficult because we have to be able to keep our composure and be able to treat every single one to the best of our ability until the EMS arrives.”

The famed “Hawk Tuah Girl” was the New York Mets’ special guest Thursday, throwing out the first pitch ahead of their game.

“Hawk Tuah Girl” is Haliey Welch, a Tennessee native who went viral with her now-infamous phrase, which was her response when she was asked “what move” in the bedroom makes a guy go “crazy.”

“Awh, you gotta hawk … tuah, spit on that thang — you get me?” she said in Nashville during the weekend of the Country Music Awards.

The clip became an instant hit on TikTok and has since spread everywhere. At first, Welch, 21, kept a low profile, but she’s now capitalizing on the opportunity.

Last month, she reportedly raked in $30,000 to make an appearance at a south Florida pool club, fittingly in a Tua Tagovailoa shirsey.

On Thursday, she put her athletic skills to the test, taking the mound for a day game between the Mets and Oakland Athletics.

Welch’s appearance drew quite a reaction.

“So the Mets decided to get the Hawk Tuah Girl to throw out the 1st pitch for a summer ‘camp day’ day game where the vast majority of fans are 11 year old kids at the ballpark on camp trips. Seriously what were they thinking? Be better than this,” one user wrote on X.

“What an awful, awful decision to legitimize her and give her a platform,” said another.

Others came to Welch’s defense, considering she didn’t sign up to go viral. She also made charitable donations since becoming famous on social media.

The Mets squandered a 5-0 lead to the A’s and lost, 7-6, in the longest nine-inning game in the pitch-timer era (3 hours, 45 minutes). Many now believe Welch cursed the 2024 Mets.

That, of course, remains to be seen, but Thursday might have marked the worst loss of the season for the Mets.

Fox News Digital reached to the Mets for comment on the backlash.

Nearly three decades after a teenage Montana girl was found dead near a fishing access point, a married father of two identified as her suspected killer took his own life, hours after being interviewed by investigators, authorities said.

Advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy led authorities to identify 55-year-old Paul Hutchinson as the killer of 15-year-old Danielle “Danni” Houchins.

“We never gave up on finding the truth for Danni and her family, exhausting all means necessary to bring closure to this heartbreaking chapter,” said Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer. “Our commitment to justice for victims and their loved ones is unwavering, and we will continue to use every resource at our disposal to solve these cases, no matter how much time has passed.”

Houchins left her home in Belgrade, Montana, around 11 a.m. Sept. 21, 1996, and never returned. After reporting her missing, the teen’s mother found her truck at the Cameron Bridge Fishing Access point on the Gallatin River. Later that night, Houchins’ body was found face down in shallow water.

DNA evidence was collected and several suspects were interviewed over the years, but the case eventually went cold. In 2021, Springer hired private investigator Tom Elfmont, a retired Los Angeles Police Department officer, to assist in the investigation.

Hair collected from Houchins’ body was sent to labs in California and Virginia, where Hutchinson was identified as a suspect.

On July 23, Elfmont and Sgt. Court Depweg of the Newport Beach Police Department, who specializes in solving homicides using DNA technology, interviewed Hutchinson. During the nearly two-hour interview, Hutchinson appeared nervous and showed signs of being uncomfortable when he was shown a picture of the late teen, authorities said.

“Investigators noted he sweated profusely, scratched his face and chewed on his hand,” the sheriff’s office said. “Upon release, his behavior was observed to be erratic.”

The next morning, Hutchinson called the Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Office, saying he needed assistance before hanging up. He was later found by deputies on the side of a road with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said.

“When the time came to face up and account for his violence, he instead chose to end his life,” Houchins’ younger sister, Stephanie Mollet, said at a press conference. “He knew of his guilt and couldn’t face my family or his family and the pain he had caused.”

Houchins and Hutchinson had no connection prior to her death. Investigators described the killing as a “crime of opportunity.” They believe the pair randomly encountered each other at the river and that Hutchinson raped and suffocated her in shallow water.

At the time of the murder, Hutchinson had just become a student at Montana State University, where he graduated with a degree in fisheries wildlife biology. He worked for the state Bureau of Land Management for 22 years.

He had no criminal or traffic history, authorities said.

An Algerian boxer who was deemed to have male chromosomes won a fight in the 66-kilogram women’s division at the Paris Olympics

Imane Khelif defeated Italy’s Angela Carini after Carini abandoned her match. The fight lasted all of 46 seconds before Carini went to her cornermen to call off the fight.

Khelif celebrated the win while Carini was left in tears. After the fight Carini, was heard yelling to her coaches in Italian questioning the fairness of the bout.

She then broke her silence about why she abandoned the match.

“I got into the ring to fight,” she said, via Italy’s ANSA. “I didn’t give up, but one punch hurt too much and so I said enough.

“I’m going out with my head held high.”

Carini’s coach, Emanuele Renzini, said that quitting the match wasn’t a part of the plan ahead of time.

“It would have been easier not to show up, because all of Italy had been asking her not to fight for days,” Renzini said. “But Angela was motivated and wanted to do it.

“Of course, when she met her opponent at the draw, she said ‘it’s not fair.’ But there was no premeditation here today She quit after taking one punch, she told me she didn’t feel she could fight.”

Khelif fought under a firestorm of controversy regarding a failed gender eligibility test in 2023.

Khelif was disqualified during the 2023 World Championships, sanctioned by the International Boxing Association. The organization said Khelif, and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting failed to meet gender eligibility standards.

IBA president Umar Kremlev explained the decision at the time, according to Russia’s Tass News Agency. Reuters reported at the time that Khelif tested positive for having high levels of testosterone.

“Based on DNA tests, we identified a number of athletes who tried to trick their colleagues into posing as women. According to the results of the tests, it was proved that they have XY chromosomes. Such athletes were excluded from competition,” Kremlev said.

Khelif and the Algerian Olympic Committee (COA) both denied the claims. The International Olympic Committee also cleared Khelif to compete in the Games.

“Everyone competing in the women’s category is complying with the competition eligibility rules,” IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said. “They are women in their passports and it’s stated that this is the case, that they are female.”

The COA called the claims “baseless.”

“COA strongly condemns the unethical targeting and maligning of our esteemed athlete, Imane Khelif, with baseless propaganda from certain foreign media outlets,” the committee said Wednesday, via Reuters.

“Such attacks on her personality and dignity are deeply unfair, especially as she prepares for the pinnacle of her career at the Olympics. The COA has taken all necessary measures to protect our champion.”

Italy’s ANSA quoted Rosario Coco, the president of Gaynet Communications in Italy, as saying that he learned Khelif was intersex and not trans gender.

“In contrast to the reports that have been circulating, the Algerian athlete Imane Khelif is not a trans woman,” Coco told the news agency.

“From the information we have about her, she is an intersex person, who has always socialized as a woman and has a sporting history in women’s competitions.

Apostolos Christou (Greek: Απόστολος Χρήστου; born 1 November 1996) is a Greek swimmer. He competed for Greece at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. In the men’s 100 metre backstroke competition, he placed 18th in the heats with a time of 54.12 seconds and did not qualify for the semifinals.

In the men’s 200 metre backstroke competition, he placed 24th in the heats with a time of 1:59.78 and did not qualify for the semifinals.

Christou also swam on the men’s 4 x 100 metre medley relay team for Greece. They placed 15th in the heats and did not qualify for the final

A video released by the Philadelphia Police Department appears to show a woman walk up to two people pushing a stroller and begin firing several gunshots. A 7-month-old baby was shot in the leg, say police.

The incident occurred on Meridian Street, the department said. Police added that the suspect fled the scene.

“F— your baby,” the woman can be heard yelling in the surveillance video, at a woman standing behind the stroller.

Two days after the shooting, a woman, Dominique Billips, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and other offenses in connection with the incident, according to reports from ABC 6, NBC 10 and Fox 29, citing police.

It is not immediately clear if Billips has entered a plea or retained an attorney.

ABC 6 reported that police identified Billips as a suspect after receiving a tip.

According to NBC 6, the baby is in stable condition after being taken to the hospital in a private vehicle.

U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned in the wake of mounting pressure following the assassination attempt on former President Trump, Fox News confirmed.

Cheatle testified before the House Oversight Committee Monday, just over a week after a would-be assassin Thomas Crooks attempted to take the life of Trump at his rally in Butler, Pa.

Trump, during his rally, ever-so-slightly turned his head—narrowly missing the bullet shot by 20-year-old suspect Crooks’ AR-15-style rifle by just a quarter of an inch. The bullet hit him, instead, in his upper right ear.

The bullet killed firefighter, father and husband Corey Comperatore as he protected his family from the shots, and severely injured two others.

Cheatle admitted under oath that the Secret Service “on July 13th, we failed.”

“As the director of the United States Secret Service, I take full responsibility for any security lapse of our agency,” she said. “We must learn what happened and I will move heaven and earth to ensure that an incident like July 13th does not happen again.”

Cheatle added: “Our agents, officers and support personnel understand that every day we are expected to sacrifice our lives to execute a no fail mission.”

House Republicans, including House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, had been calling on Cheatle to resign, calling her and the agency under her watch “the face of incompetence.”

“It is my firm belief, Director Cheatle, that you should resign,” Comer said during the hearing. “The safety of Secret Service protectees is not based on their political affiliation. And the bottom line is that under Director Cheatle’s leadership, we question whether anyone is safe.”

But Cheatle had defied those calls for days, maintaining she would not tender her resignation, and instead appeared before Congress to answer questions for the American people.

Cheatle’s initial explanation of why there was such a significant security lapse that led to the near assassination of Trump included details about the roof Crooks was perched upon.

“That building in particular has a sloped roof at its highest point. And so, you know, there’s a safety factor that would be considered there that we wouldn’t want to put somebody up on a sloped roof,” Cheatle said last week. “And so, you know, the decision was made to secure the building, from inside.”

During the hearing, Cheatle said the Secret Service is “still looking into the advanced process and the decision made” as to why an agent wasn’t positioned on top of the roof that Crooks used to fire at former President Trump.

“The building was outside of the perimeter on the day of the visit. But again, that is one of the things that during the investigation, we want to take a look at and determine whether or not other decisions should have been made,” she said.

She added that “I’m not going to get into the specifics of the numbers of personnel that we had there, but we feel that there was a sufficient number of agents assigned” to the event.

Trump’s security detail reportedly asked for additional security from the Secret Service, repeatedly, but those requests were not met.

The Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general has opened an investigation into the Secret Service’s handling of security for the Trump rally on July 13.

Mother’s Day is a special occasion dedicated to celebrating the incredible women in our lives who have nurtured, loved, and guided us through every step of our journey. Finding the perfect gift to express appreciation for all they do can sometimes be challenging. However, with a bit of thoughtfulness and creativity, you can find a gift that truly speaks to your mother’s heart. Here are some of the best ideas for Mother’s Day gifts to make her day extra special

1. Personalized Gifts:

Personalized jewelry: A necklace, bracelet, or ring engraved with her initials, birthstone, or a meaningful date.

Customized photo album: Compile cherished memories in a beautifully designed album.

Customized wall art: Have a piece of art created with family names, significant dates, or a heartfelt message.

2. Spa and Relaxation Gifts

Spa gift basket: Fill a basket with luxurious bath salts, lotions, candles, and a plush robe.

Massage or spa day: Treat her to a relaxing massage or a day at the spa for pampering.

Aromatherapy diffuser: Gift her a diffuser with essential oils to create a calming atmosphere at home.

3. Experiential Gifts

Cooking or art class: Enroll her in a class she’s always wanted to try, whether it’s cooking, painting, pottery, or photography.

Wine tasting tour: Plan a day out at a local winery for a tasting experience she’ll remember.

Tickets to a show or concert: Surprise her with tickets to see her favorite band, a play, or a musical.

4. Subscription Services

Monthly flower delivery: Sign her up for a subscription service that delivers fresh flowers to her doorstep every month.

Book club subscription: If she loves to read, gift her a subscription to a book club tailored to her preferences.

Gourmet food or wine club: Treat her to a monthly delivery of gourmet foods, chocolates, or fine wines.

5. Tech Gadgets

E-reader: For the book-loving mom, an e-reader allows her to carry her favorite books everywhere.

Smartwatch or fitness tracker: Help her stay connected and track her health and fitness goals.

Digital photo frame: Load it with family photos so she can enjoy them rotating throughout the day.

6. DIY Gifts

Handmade crafts: Get creative with DIY projects like hand-painted pottery, knitted scarves, or homemade candles.

Recipe book: Compile her favorite family recipes into a personalized cookbook.

Memory jar: Fill a jar with handwritten notes of cherished memories and reasons why she’s loved.

7. Outdoor and Gardening Gifts

Gardening kit: Equip her with tools, seeds, and gardening accessories for her green thumb.

Hammock or outdoor lounge chair: Provide her with a cozy spot to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

Bird feeder or birdhouse: Bring a touch of nature to her backyard with a bird feeder or charming birdhouse.

8. Wellness and Fitness Gifts

Yoga mat and accessories: Encourage her wellness journey with a quality yoga mat, blocks, and straps.

Fitness tracker: Help her stay motivated and track her workouts with a fitness tracker.

Healthy cooking appliances: Upgrade her kitchen with appliances like an air fryer, juicer, or blender for nutritious meals.

9. Sentimental Gifts

Handwritten letter or poem: Express your love and gratitude in a heartfelt letter or poem.

Memory book: Create a scrapbook filled with photos, ticket stubs, and mementos of special moments shared together.

Family tree artwork: Commission a personalized family tree illustration showcasing her heritage and loved ones.

10. Time Together

Plan a special outing: Whether it’s a picnic in the park, a hike in the mountains, or a day at the beach, spend quality time together.

Cook a meal together: Share laughs and stories while cooking her favorite meal together at home.

Three officers from a U.S. Marshals task force were killed, and five officers were wounded after a suspect opened fire after being served a warrant in Charlotte, North Carolina, on the afternoon, according to police.
The shooting began when a U.S. Marshals task force attempted to serve a warrant for firearm possession by a convicted felon. During a Monday evening press briefing, authorities said the suspect officers were serving the warrant on was the one who initially opened fire. That suspect, police said, was found dead.
Police believe two shooters may have been involved. They said two persons of interest were taken to the police station for further investigation. One person of interest is a 17-year-old juvenile, police said. The other is a woman.
“We have two people of interest at the police station that are being questioned right now,” Police Chief Johnny Jennings said during the presser. “And we have confirmed that the individual that was set up that we were serving the warrant on was the individual who fired the initial shots and was deceased in the front yard at the end of all of this.
A total of eight law enforcement officers were shot. Three officers from the U.S. Marshals task force – one deputy and two task force officers – were killed.

Four Charlotte police officers were injured, including one who sustained critical injuries, and another U.S. Marshals task force officer was wounded.
Jennings called the incident “the most tragic one that I’ve been involved in.
“I’ve been with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for 32 years. I can’t remember an incident where three law enforcement officers were [injured] and also three that were killed in the same incident, as well as one in critical condition and additional that were shot and injured,” he said.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) initially reported that “numerous” officers were shot at the scene in the 5000 block of Galway Drive, which is in the Shannon Park neighborhood.
All officers who were injured were transported to hospitals. At 2:23 p.m., police confirmed that a SWAT team was on the scene and urged residents to stay inside their homes.
“Avoid the area,” the police department said. “Many roads are closed for faster ambulance transport. Please cooperate with authorities
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper confirmed that his office was aware of the shooting.
“I am in contact with law enforcement concerning the tragic shooting in the Charlotte area, and we have offered state resources to help,” Cooper wrote on X.
Former FBI special agent in charge and Fox News contributor Nicole Parker spoke to Fox News Digital about the situation
These officers on this U.S. Marshals task force are the best and the brightest and the bravest. Each day when you walk out the door for work, you understand you may never make it home,” she explained.
“I cannot say it enough – Americans need to back the blue… They aren’t making huge sums of money, but their sacrifices are infinite and priceless.
Parker said violence against law enforcement officers must not be tolerated.
We must restore full support, respect and honor to those who courageously wear the badge every day and fearlessly carry out their duties,” she said.