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Providence Mayor Criticizes Controversial Mural Project Honoring Slain Activist Iryna Zarutska

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April 2, 2026

Providence Mayor Criticizes Controversial Mural Project Honoring Slain Activist Iryna Zarutska

The mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, has once more criticized the mural project, now canceled, which was set to commemorate Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee tragically killed while living in North Carolina. Her death, allegedly at the hands of a repeat offender on public transit, sparked widespread attention last year.

“It’s unfortunate how politics have seeped into every aspect of our lives, turning even tragedies into points of contention,” Mayor Brett Smiley remarked during an interview with WPRI. “We should focus on the tragedy of the loss, but instead, misinformation from our president and funding from certain right-wing billionaires have muddied the waters, affecting our community.”

Mayor Smiley criticized the mural initiative for bypassing the city’s unspecified “thoughtful process” for commissioning public art. The mural, although privately funded, was being painted on the wall of a private establishment.

The contentious mural of Iryna Zarutska, which remains incomplete, was located on the side of the Dark Lady club in Providence, captured on March 30, 2026. (David DelPoio/The Providence Journal/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

Elon Musk played a significant role by donating $1 million to support the creation of public murals nationwide, highlighting Zarutska’s story.

“A private owner of a building decided to put a mural up that I don’t think he understood the full context of, and I was asked whether I thought it should come down, and I thought it should,” said Smiley. “I didn’t stifle anyone’s speech, it was his decision whether to continue with it or to take it down, but it certainly wasn’t bringing us together as a community. There was really angry protests on both sides, a lot of hate speech online, and so I don’t think we’re a stronger, more united community because of this mural, and so I thought the best thing to do was just to take it down.”

Earlier this week, Smiley put out his first statement on the mural, calling it “divisive” and “misguided.”

Iryna Zarutska curls up in fear as a man looms over her during a disturbing attack on a Charlotte, N.C., light-rail train. (NewsNation via Charlotte Area Transit System)

“The murder of the individual depicted in this mural was a devastating tragedy, but the misguided, isolating intent of those funding murals like the one across the country is divisive and does not represent Providence,” the statement said, later adding that he wants to “encourage our community to support local artists whose work brings us closer together rather than divide us.”

The business that planned on displaying the mural was The Dark Lady, an LGBT bar in the city.

Facing backlash from the LGBT community and others, the owners of the bar first defended themselves, saying on Instagram, “Any of you who know us personally—even just for five minutes—realize the illicit intentions being portrayed here are completely false.”

The next day, the bar released a statement saying the project was being “temporarily” paused.

Booking photo of Decarlos Brown Jr., taken Sept. 14, 2022, following his arrest in Mecklenburg County. Brown, 34, is charged in the Aug. 22, 2025, stabbing death of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska aboard a Charlotte light-rail train. (Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office)

Still, the business faced intense heat.

On Tuesday, the bar said that after “reflecting and learning,” the project was officially shut down.

Zarutska was killed on Aug. 22 after she was randomly stabbed from behind on a Charlotte, North Carolina, light-rail train. The suspect in her unprovoked murder is Decarlos Brown Jr., who had a lengthy rap sheet, including convictions for larceny, breaking and entering, and armed robbery.

He had previously served five years in prison.

Fox News Digital reached out to Smiley’s office.

Peter D’Abrosca is a reporter at Fox News Digital covering campus extremism in higher education.

Follow Peter on X at @pmd_reports. Send story tips to peter.dabrosca@fox.com.

Tragic Isolation: Firefighter Couple Accused of Locking Adopted Daughter in Room for Years While Caring for Siblings

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April 2, 2026

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Tragic Isolation: Firefighter Couple Accused of Locking Adopted Daughter in Room for Years While Caring for Siblings

Joel Kohnert and Jennifer Kohnert (Broward County Jail).

A firefighter from Florida and his wife are facing accusations of child abuse for allegedly subjecting their 12-year-old daughter to inhumane conditions. Authorities claim that Joel Christopher Kohnert, aged 44, and his wife, Jennifer Renee Kohnert, aged 45, routinely confined their daughter to her room at night and forced her to deal with her waste using her own clothing. Subsequently, she was reportedly made to bathe outdoors in a swimsuit.

The couple has been charged with child abuse without causing great bodily harm. The investigation by the Coral Springs Police Department commenced on February 11, following a disturbing report from the girl to a school resource officer. The young girl recounted that her parents locked her in her room nightly, citing accusations that she would wander around the house and take items from family members.

According to the affidavit, the child was not given access to a bathroom, compelling her to relieve herself in her room. She was then allegedly required to clean up the mess using her clothes and wash herself outside, regardless of weather conditions. The police report also mentioned that she had to wash her soiled clothes in a bucket outdoors.

The conditions in her room were reported as extremely sparse, with minimal furniture, no toys, and an air mattress as her bed.

Additionally, the girl accused her adoptive mother of physical abuse, claiming she had her hair pulled and was slapped to the point that her lip bled.

“[The victim] further reported being called derogatory names, including “little p—er’ and ‘s—ter,’ and being told she is bipolar like her biological mother,” cops wrote.

She said she is treated differently from the other six kids in the home and is subject to harsher discipline, per the affidavit. Those punishments allegedly include forcing her to tread water in the pool for up to 45 minutes and repeatedly write Bible verses.

Investigators interviewed the girl’s siblings, who confirmed much of the girl’s allegations. Cops also noted that the other kids’ bedrooms were fully furnished and were not locked from the outside at night. Meanwhile, not only did the girl have few items in her bedroom, the family also used the space to store items like paint, cops said.

Jennifer Kohnert allegedly admitted to many of the allegations and acknowledged that the practices were unusual. She said the girl “would not thrive in her care and is willing to turn her back over to the State of Florida,” cops wrote. They had been caring for the girl since she was two months old.

Cops called out Joel Kohnert for knowing that locking the girl in the room is unsafe and creates hazards.

“This practice is particularly concerning given Joel’s professional background, where he would reasonably be expected to recognize the inherent safety risks associated with restricting a child’s ability to exit a room during an emergency,” cops wrote.

Investigators concluded that the Kohnerts’ treatment of the child is “cruel and excessive, resulting in significant emotional and psychological harm.”

The suspects were arrested on Tuesday and taken to the Broward County Jail on a $100,000 bond. In an appearance before a judge, their lawyer described the couple as “devout Christians” and “devoutly religious.”

The judge scoffed at that notion.

“When you allegedly have got a 12-year-old child who is locked in a room for upwards of three years and is forced to urinate and defecate in the room and then clean it up with her clothes, that is not a religious issue, that is something else,” the judge scolded, according to a courtroom report from local NBC affiliate WTVJ.

It appears the couple has since bonded out of jail.

WTVJ spoke with some neighbors who said they weren’t too surprised by the allegations.

“I know he is very controlling. I know that they would walk up and down the street, she wasn’t allowed to cut her hair, she wasn’t allowed to make friends with a lot of people,” a neighbor told the outlet. “They kept to themselves, the little times we could see the children they kept them in strollers covered.”

Joel Kohnert has reportedly been with Broward Fire Rescue for more than 15 years and is currently on unpaid leave.

Discover Where to Stream ‘A Great Awakening’: Netflix or Amazon Prime?

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April 2, 2026

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Discover Where to Stream ‘A Great Awakening’: Netflix or Amazon Prime?

History enthusiasts will find a compelling reason to visit the cinema this weekend with the release of A Great Awakening, a fresh historical drama spotlighting Benjamin Franklin and George Whitefield. The film debuts just in time to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence.

The film, directed by Joshua Enck, who collaborated on the screenplay with Jeff Bender and Jonathan Blair, features John Paul Sneed as the multi-faceted Benjamin Franklin—intellectual, inventor, scientist, and a pivotal Founding Father of America. Jonathan Blair takes on the role of Reverend George Whitefield, a key figure in the evangelical movement and a notable friend of Franklin. The narrative explores the dynamics of their friendship and their influential roles in the Great Awakening religious movement.

With a cast that includes Josh Bates as Alexander Hamilton, Stephen Foster Harris as William Blount, Zac Johnson as Caleb Strong, and Matt Meyer as Robert Yates, A Great Awakening is poised to become a staple in A.P. U.S. History classrooms nationwide. For those preferring the comfort of home over a theater seat, the film’s streaming availability is a topic of keen interest.

A GREAT AWAKENING, John Paul Sneed as Benjamin Franklin, 2026 — Photo: ©Roadside Attractions/Courtesy Everett Collection

Where to watch the Benjamin Franklin movie A Great Awakening:

Currently, A Great Awakening is exclusively available in theaters, with its U.S. premiere set for Friday, April 3. To catch a screening nearby, moviegoers can check showtimes on Fandango. As of now, the film is not accessible online or through streaming platforms.

Is A Great Awakening movie streaming on Netflix or Prime Video?

While A Great Awakening is not available on Netflix or Prime Video, there is a possibility it may eventually find its way to Netflix. However, this won’t happen in the near future. The film is an independent production distributed by Roadside Attractions, who has a distribution arrangement with Hulu. This means Hulu will have exclusive streaming rights to A Great Awakening once it completes its theatrical run, entering the “Pay 1” window.

You will be able to purchase A Great Awakening on Prime Video eventually, when the movie becomes available to buy and rent on digital, but you will not be able to stream A Great Awakening for free on Prime Video any time soon, because it is not a Prime original movie. If you want to watch A Great Awakening movie at home, you’ll have to wait for the film to be available to buy or rent on digital platforms, or wait for it to stream on Hulu.

If you’re new to Hulu, you can get started with a 30-day free trial on the streamer’s basic (with ads) plan. After the trial period, you’ll pay $10.99/month. If you want to upgrade to Hulu ad-free, it costs $18.99/month.

If you want to stream even more and save a few bucks a month while you’re at it, we recommend subscribing to one of the Disney+ Bundles, all of which include Hulu. These bundles start at $12.99/month for ad-supported Disney+ and Hulu and goes up to $32.99/month for Disney+, Hulu, and Max, all ad-free.

When will A Great Awakening movie release on digital?

A Great Awakening movie digital release date has not yet been announced. However, we can make an educated guess as to when we might see A Great Awakening on video-on-demand, based on the digital release of previous films from Roadside Attractions.

Another Roadside Attractions movie, H is for Hawk, was released on digital platforms about one month after opening in theaters. If A Great Awakening follows a similar pattern, you might seethe movie on video-on-demand in about one month, around early May 2026. That said, other Roadside movies have taken two months to come to digital, so you might be waiting until June.

After A Great Awakening releases on digital, we expect to see the movie streaming on Hulu.

When will A Great Awakening movie be streaming on Hulu?

A Great Awakening movie is not currently streaming on Hulu, but we do expect to see A Great Awakening on Hulu sometime in the next six months, because the film’s distributor, Roadside Attractions, has had an output deal with Hulu since 2022, which means Hulu has the exclusive streaming rights to Roadside films during the post-theatrical Pay 1 window.

There is no official A Great Awakening Hulu release date yet, but based on past releases—like The Surfer, whic began streaming on Hulu about five months after the movie opened in theaters—we can guess that A Great Awakening will stream on Hulu in about five months, around early September 2026.

But this is all speculation. If you want to see A Great Awakening right away, you can catch the movie in a theater.

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World Cup 2023 Faces Global Outcry Over Unprecedented Ticket Price Surge

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April 2, 2026

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World Cup 2023 Faces Global Outcry Over Unprecedented Ticket Price Surge

The 2026 World Cup, initially hailed as a monumental celebration of soccer spanning the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is quickly evolving into an event marked by staggering expenses.

As FIFA’s official resale platform launched today, fans voiced concerns that the tournament is being transformed into an exclusive luxury affair, with ticket prices reaching unprecedented heights.

Currently, prices for the final match have skyrocketed to an astounding $34,000, while semi-final tickets are peaking at $57,000. Even the most affordable options are now priced in the thousands, a significant leap from the last World Cup in Qatar, where final tickets were around $600.

This World Cup marks the first time the event employs a fully US-style ticketing approach. Featuring dynamic pricing and sanctioned resale, this system allows ticket costs to soar without a ceiling.

Initially set at high prices, tickets see further increases as demand intensifies, with fans able to resell seats for whatever amount the market will bear.

Critics say it marks a huge shift in how the World Cup is being sold. In the UK, for example, sports tickets cannot be legally sold on for a profit.

Professional women’s soccer player Dana Scheriff, an American playing in Ireland for Athlone Town FC, says even she has been priced out of attending the tournament.

‘As a New Yorker now living in Ireland, and someone who’s played the game for over 20 years, it’s really disappointing to see,’ she told the Daily Mail. ‘Between flight costs and ticket prices alone, it puts the whole experience completely out of reach.’

Professional women’s soccer player Dana Scheriff of Athlone Town FC said it was ‘crazy’ how high ticket prices have climbed

‘Tournament tickets are supposed to be for the fans, but it’s starting to feel like only a select few can actually afford to be part of it. It shouldn’t cost this much, plain and simple – but I guess that’s American corporate greed creeping in again.’

Resale prices for some matches have jumped by more than 50 percent within days.

‘This is the most expensive World Cup in history for travelling supporters, from match tickets to travel and accommodation,’ Michael Brunskill from the Football Supporters’ Association, a representative body for soccer supporters in England and Wales, told the Daily Mail.

‘It isn’t just an issue for English fans but for those across the planet. FIFA’s ridiculous ticket pricing and opaque policies have led many fans to conclude they simply can’t afford to attend football’s greatest global event.’

In an earlier statement, the FSA called the pricing ‘scandalous’, pinning the blame on FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who ‘only sees supporter loyalty as something to be exploited for profit’.

A German Football Association representative told the Daily Mail that ticket prices were only shared with them ‘a few hours before the application phase opened’ – leaving little time to prepare fans.

German FA head Andreas Rettig said: ‘The World Cup is, from a German perspective, far away, and attending is already associated with significant effort and high travel costs.

‘That’s why we would have wished for more affordable tickets for our fans overall.’

Scheriff said rising ticket prices reflect growing ‘American corporate greed’, making the tournament feel increasingly exclusive and out of reach for most fans

German Football Association head Andreas Rettig said the World Cup ‘from a German perspective’ is unattainable and wished there were more affordable tickets for fans

The surge has also drawn political backlash, with a group of Democratic lawmakers led by California Rep Sydney Kamlager-Dove demanding answers from FIFA.

‘The extreme high demand for World Cup tickets should not be a green light for price gouging at the expense of the people who make the World Cup the most-watched sporting event in the world,’ she wrote.

The scale of the price surge is clear even before tickets hit the resale market.

When the fifth and final ticketing round opened on Wednesday, fans were stunned to find even basic seats far above previous World Cup levels. Group-stage matches were listed at between $400 and $600 for standard seats, including a Norway vs Senegal fixture.

Semi-final tickets at Dallas Stadium climbed as high as $2,705, even for nosebleed sections, while seats for the opening match between Mexico and South Africa reached $2,985.

Fans hoping to watch the US national team at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium faced prices ranging from $1,940 to $2,735 for a single group-stage game.

That was before resale. Once tickets entered FIFA’s official resale market, prices surged even further.

Final tickets have been listed for more than $34,000, while the same semi-final in Dallas jumped by a whopping 2000 percent, pushing nosebleed seats as high as $20,000, while high-end tickets are going for $57,000.

Opening match tickets for Mexico vs South Africa rose by a further 667 percent, while even lower-tier group-stage seats crept up to around $1,000.

One soccer fan named Nick told the Daily Mail he spent $850 for a single ticket on the resale website to watch Brazil versus Morocco at MetLife Stadium, a group-stage game.

Overall, prices for the 2026 tournament are far higher than any previous World Cup. At the 2022 Qatar final, the most expensive seats were around $1,600.

When the fifth and final ticketing round opened on Wednesday, fans were stunned to find even nosebleed seats priced between $400 and $600 for a group-stage clash between Norway and Senegal

Semi-final tickets at Dallas Stadium climbed as high as $2,705 for nosebleeds, while seats for the opening match between Mexico and South Africa were listed at $2,985

Fans’ broader outrage stems from what fans see as FIFA prioritizing profit over supporters, with sky-high ticket prices fueling the perception that the organization has been overlooking fans in pursuit of revenue.

FIFA confirmed in mid-2025 that the 2026 World Cup would use a dynamic pricing model, meaning ticket costs can surge based on supply and demand.

Prices contrast sharply with what North American soccer officials projected during their successful 2018 World Cup bid, which priced the highest-category final tickets at around $1,550 – comparable seats pre-resale market were listed at more than four times that amount

Cheaper $60 supporter tickets were only introduced by FIFA after a massive uproar, but these are extremely limited, distributed via federations, and not broadly available to all fans.

Unlike the UK and Europe, where resale of sports tickets is restricted or outright banned, the US allows it freely – a difference that is sparking outrage and confusion among traveling supporters.

And that’s before factoring in the soaring cost of attending.

According to The Atlantic, hotel prices in host cities for the FIFA World Cup 2026 surged more than 300 percent after the December draw determined match locations.

In some cases, parking at official FIFA lots in Los Angeles costs fans more than match tickets themselves.

FIFA confirmed in mid-2025 that the 2026 World Cup would use a dynamic pricing model, meaning ticket costs can surge based on supply and demand

Flights are also adding to the burden. Rising oil prices tied to tensions involving Iran have driven an 85 percent spike in jet fuel costs, with international airfares more than doubling.

An in-depth analysis by ESPN found that fans hoping to follow their team throughout the tournament could face a staggering minimum cost of $34,744.

In the latest ticketing phase for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in December, called the Random Selection Draw, some group-stage seats cost up to $700, while most final tickets were priced in the thousands.

And despite releasing some lower-cost tickets, concerns persist – including from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

‘As someone who used to save up for England tickets, I encourage FIFA to do more to make tickets more affordable so that the World Cup doesn’t lose touch with the genuine supporters who make the game so special,’ Starmer wrote on X in December.

Artemis II’s Space Toilet Repaired: Essential Fix Ensures Comfort for Moonbound Astronauts

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April 2, 2026

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Artemis II’s Space Toilet Repaired: Essential Fix Ensures Comfort for Moonbound Astronauts

At Cape Canaveral, Florida, NASA’s astronauts heading to the moon have more than just a successful launch to celebrate—their onboard toilet is now fully operational.

The toilet, affectionately dubbed the “lunar loo,” encountered issues immediately after the Artemis II crew reached orbit on Wednesday evening. With guidance from Mission Control, astronaut Christina Koch managed to troubleshoot and resolve the plumbing problem.

This photo provided by NASA shows NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen.Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP

However, the crew is facing another challenge: the Orion capsule is quite chilly, with temperatures at a brisk 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius). As a result, the four astronauts have resorted to unpacking long-sleeved clothing from their suitcases while Mission Control works to elevate the temperature.

The crew, comprising three Americans and one Canadian, is set to break free from Earth’s orbit on Thursday night, embarking on a flyby of the moon. This will mark Mission Control’s first translunar injection since the final Apollo mission in 1972.

In the meantime, the astronauts are relishing breathtaking views of Earth from tens of thousands of miles away. Koch communicated to Mission Control that they can see entire coastlines of continents and even spot the South Pole, a familiar region from her past explorations.

“It is just absolutely phenomenal,” radioed Koch, who spent a year at an Antarctic research station before joining NASA.

NASA's Artemis II moon rocket lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39-B Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. — NASA’s Artemis II moon rocket lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39-B Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Cape Canaveral, Fla.AP Photo/Chris O’Meara

The mission is due to end with a Pacific splashdown on April 10. NASA is counting on the test flight to kickstart the entire Artemis program and lead to a moon landing by two astronauts in 2028. Orion’s toilet may need some design tweaks before that happens.

Located in the floor with a door and curtain for privacy, the capsule’s lone toilet is based on an experimental commode that launched to the International Space Station in 2020. That station potty barely saw any use and has been out of order for years.

Known as the universal waste management system, the compact toilet uses air suction instead of water and gravity to remove waste, similar to earlier space toilets. It’s also designed to better accommodate female astronauts.

Koch and her crewmates had to resort to a bag and funnel system for urinating until she got the toilet working overnight.

Any toilet – even a fitful one – is better than none if you ask any of the six surviving Apollo astronauts.

NASA’s Apollo capsules were too small to accommodate a commode, so the all-male crews relied on bags to relieve themselves throughout the lunar journey. These so-called Apollo bags were repurposed during NASA’s later space shuttle flights; they served as backup whenever the shuttle toilet acted up.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Easter Getaway Plans Impacted by Rising Fuel Costs: What Travelers Need to Know

AU

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April 2, 2026

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Easter Getaway Plans Impacted by Rising Fuel Costs: What Travelers Need to Know

The intensifying fuel crisis is profoundly affecting regional tourism just as the Easter holidays approach, with numerous establishments observing a significant decline in last-minute reservations.

One holiday park owner in New South Wales has noticed a remarkable change in booking trends this year, as travelers express concerns over potential fuel shortages that might leave them stranded.

Frank, who owns and manages a tourist park in NSW, stated that the spike in fuel prices has “affected us almost immediately,” resulting in a sharp reduction in spontaneous bookings.

“We typically receive a lot of last-minute inquiries, but the fuel situation has completely halted that,” he explained.

Dolphin Point Tourist Park — One manager of a tourist park says rising fuel cost impacted business “very quickly.” (Dolphinpointtouristpark.com.au)

As fuel prices surge, Easter travel plans are being re-evaluated, with holiday parks and accommodation providers observing alterations in booking behaviors leading up to the extended weekend.

While some operators remain fully booked, others say uncertainty around travel costs is already affecting demand.

Frank said tourists would typically make their bookings in the week or two leading up to the Easter long weekend, but that pattern had seen a shift this year.

“We have not seen any of that this year.

“It is looking very quiet.”

The holiday park manager added that uncertainty around travel costs was contributing to the hesitation, with some travellers unsure whether they could afford the trip.

“People don’t know if they will be able to make it home.”

However, some parks remain busy, thanks mainly to accommodation being booked well in advance of the war in the Middle East.

One employee from a caravan park in Coffs Harbour told nine.com.au the venue had seen some cancellations in recent weeks, particularly towards the school holiday period, but demand for Easter remained strong.

Petrol prices and fuel crisis — The global fuel crisis has caused a shift in holiday bookings with more cancellations. (9News)

“We are fully booked for this Easter weekend,” she said, adding that bookings are typically made well in advance, often up to a year ahead.

But a manager from another Coffs Harbour motel confirmed there had been some cancellations.

The mixed responses highlight a shift in travel behaviour as Australians weigh up the cost of road trips during a traditionally busy holiday period, with some destinations holding strong while others face a quieter lead-up to Easter.

Some regional holiday parks and accommodation providers have found it necessary to offer fuel vouchers and adjust their booking systems allowing flexibility in uncertain times.

Australians are making less last minute holiday bookings for the long weekend. (9News)

The Easter period is one of the most important times of year for regional tourism, supporting thousands of jobs across the country.

The Australian Tourism Industry Council says regional tourism generates $15.4 billion in visitor spending and supports more than 53,000 jobs.

In a media release, the council backed measures aimed at easing pressure on travellers, including the temporary cut to fuel excise, and encouraged Australians to continue supporting regional tourism.

“That message is especially important heading into the Easter school holidays.

“Every trip taken – particularly to a regional destination – directly supports local businesses and the people they employ,” said Erin McLeod, CEO of the Australian Tourism Industry Council.

National cabinet meetng today to address fuel crisis — Anthony Albanese says “the months ahead may not be easy.” (Nine)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the nation on Wednesday night in a live broadcast.

He sent out a message to Australia that “the economic shocks caused by this war will be with us for months.

“The months ahead may not be easy.

“I want to be up-front about that.”

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Pennsylvania Man Wins Legal Battle: Judge Overturns Deportation After 1980s Murder Conviction Dismissed

Local News

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April 2, 2026

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Pennsylvania Man Wins Legal Battle: Judge Overturns Deportation After 1980s Murder Conviction Dismissed

HARRISBURG, Pa. – In a significant legal development, a judge has paved the way for the potential release of an Indian national detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after having his Pennsylvania murder conviction overturned. This comes after he spent four decades behind bars.

During a detailed four-hour hearing, Subramanyam Vedam maintained his innocence in the 1980 fatal shooting of Thomas Kinser. Vedam defended his position via a remote connection from the Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, responding to questions posed by a lawyer from the Department of Homeland Security.

Reflecting on his past, Vedam stated, “I was young and stupid and did a lot of dumb things back then.” Despite the federal government’s intent to deport the now 64-year-old Vedam to India—his country of birth, which he left as an infant in 1962—the judge’s ruling offers a new direction.

U.S. Immigration Judge Adam Panopoulos acknowledged Vedam’s genuine rehabilitation and the absence of any threat he might pose to society. The judge highlighted Vedam’s contributions, such as promoting literacy among fellow inmates, and noted his strong family connections, including nieces who have only known him in confinement.

Judge Panopoulos remarked that Vedam “has grown as a person,” emphasizing his commitment to enhancing the lives of others as well as his own through educational endeavors and self-improvement.

A DHS lawyer said he can still be deported on unrelated drug distribution convictions.

Vedam, known as Subu, was born in Mumbai, India, and was brought to the United States when he was 9 months old. He grew up in State College, Pennsylvania, where his father was a physics professor. He is a legal permanent resident of the United States and was days away from becoming a naturalized citizen when he was arrested.

DHS has a month to appeal

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has a month to appeal. Vedam’s lawyer indicated he plans to seek his client’s release on bond.

His attorney, Ava Benach, said Vedam hopes to live with a relative in Sacramento, California, and has been offered a spot in Oregon State University’s doctoral program in applied anthropology.

Late last year, the State College prosecutor declined to retry Vedam after a Centre County judge determined that relevant ballistics evidence had not been disclosed by prosecutors during Vedam’s two trials. Vedam had been on the verge of being freed in October when ICE agents took him into custody and sought to deport him.

Vedam told Panopoulos he turned down plea bargain offers during his first trial and that prosecutors made similar overtures during his retrial. Both ended in first-degree murder convictions.

“I never stopped saying I was innocent of this charge,” Vedam told the judge. He has been behind bars since March 31, 1982.

Vedam and Kinser had been high school friends and both were 19 years old when Kinser disappeared. He was last seen alive after taking Vedam to buy drugs in December 1980. Kinser’s van was found outside his apartment in State College and it was more than nine months later that hikers came across his remains in a sinkhole miles away. He had been shot in the head. The gun was never found.

Vedam was arrested on drug charges and eventually accused and convicted of Kinser’s murder.

Prosecutor declines a third trial

Jurors were told Vedam purchased a stolen .25-caliber gun and ammunition around the time Kinser disappeared but were not informed that an FBI report suggested Kinser’s head wound was too small for bullets that size.

In an Oct. 2 release announcing his decision not to retry Vedam, Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna called it “a compelling circumstantial case” but that a third trial would be difficult because of the passage of time. Cantorna cited “the reality that 44 years is a sufficient sentence for a murder committed by someone who was nineteen years old.”

The prosecutor noted that Vedam had initially denied purchasing or owning a .25-caliber pistol, then testified at the second trial he purchased the gun after Kinser disappeared. Cantorna also wrote that the FBI matched “distinguishing marks” on a bullet casing found with Kinser’s remains to a casing recovered from where the gun seller said Vedam had test fired it.

Despite being cleared of Kinser’s murder, Vedam’s no-contest pleas to LSD distribution charges put him in danger of deportation. During the Wednesday hearing, DHS lawyer Tammy Dusharm pressed Vedam about his other arrests, including for driving under the influence and theft.

Dusharm told the judge that Vedam did not deserve to stay in the United States, given that he “was using and dealing drugs, driving under the influence, committing theft-related offenses.” She also brought up Vedam’s statements that he sold LSD only a few times.

“I find it fairly incredible that it would appear that every single time he sold drugs, he did so to an undercover officer,” Dusharm said.

After Nearly Nine Years, Sai De Silva’s Husband Initiates Divorce Proceedings

Celeb Lifestyle

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April 2, 2026

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After Nearly Nine Years, Sai De Silva’s Husband Initiates Divorce Proceedings

Sai De Silva, known for her role on “The Real Housewives of New York City,” is facing a major personal change as her husband, David Craig, has initiated divorce proceedings after nearly nine years of marriage.

According to court documents accessed by Page Six, Craig officially filed for divorce in New York City on Thursday morning.

The couple, who have been together for almost a decade, are parents to two children: their 14-year-old daughter, London, and their 8-year-old son, Rio.

Page Six has sought comments from De Silva’s representative regarding the divorce filing.

The unfolding of the couple’s separation is expected to feature in the upcoming Season 16 of “RHONY,” which is currently in production.

The cast includes De Silva, Erin Lichy, Jessel Taank, and newcomers Hailey Glassman, Erika Hammond and Daisy Toye, while Carole Radziwill is back as a friend.

De Silva, 45, and Craig tied the knot in a private ceremony in June 2017.

Craig prefers to stay out of the public eye, despite De Silva being an influencer and a cast member on “RHONY” since the show was rebooted in 2022.

“He likes his privacy,” De Silva previously said in a 2023 Bravo blog post. “In a world where we share everything, it’s nice to have something that is private in my life.”

She added of Craig, “He is very involved when it comes to his family and I think he should win an award for father of the year!”

In a past post on her blog Scout The City, De Silva wrote, “We live in a world filled with over sharing and documenting our every move that I think it’s healthy to keep some things private. No, he’s not a celebrity or a famous athlete like some of you have asked.”

She also called Craig her “perfect guy” who is always “supportive” and “encouraging” to her and their kids.

“I admit, he’s a terrible Instagram husband,” she added, “but other than that we’re thick as thieves.”

De Silva previously told People she found it “extremely difficult” to open up about her personal life when she joined “RHONY.”

“To be vulnerable and share my feelings is just something that I don’t really do,” she explained.

“I don’t know if it’s because it has so much to do with me being a New Yorker, you just have a very tough exterior so you can make it here. I’m glad it’s over but I have to keep talking about it.”

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