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Paperwork Mix-up Blamed for Sonoma State Student’s Unexpected ICE Detainment

SAVANNAH, Ga. () — The lawyer for a Savannah State University (SSU) baseball player, aged 22, recently arrested by ICE, described the incident on Thursday as a result of a “minor bureaucratic issue.”

According to his attorney, John Jeha, Johan Sandoval arrived in the U.S. in 2022 on an F-1 student visa, after earning an associate degree at Bryant and Stratton College in upstate New York.

Jeha explained that a problem with Sandoval’s student visa paperwork emerged when he made the transfer to SSU.

“It’s an issue concerning the school’s transfer paperwork related to SEVIS [Student Exchange Visitor Information System], a federal system for interaction with universities,” Jeha noted. “This federal law assigns responsibility to school officials rather than students.”

Sandoval’s attorney said the baseball player learned of the issue for the first time when ICE detained him and he believed up until that moment that he had provided all of the correct documentation to both schools.

The attorney went on and said, “He was repeatedly assured that his paperwork had been completely correct,” and he believes if there was an issue with the student VISA it did not have to result in detention. He called it “overkill,” “dramatic” and “catastrophic.”

Jeha said Sandoval is currently being detained in a facility in Western New York over four hours away from where he was arrested and friends and family. Jeha said he spoke with him Wednesday.

“He was not mad. He was not upset,” said Jeha. “…he was hopeful that because he had done nothing wrong, we would be able to resolve this.”

According to an ICE spokesperson, Sandoval tried to flee on foot during the arrest in New York on July 3. Jeha said this was not an accurate characterization of what occurred.

“He did not attempt to evade the law,” Jeha told . “He did not attempt to evade ICE. And he did not engage in any conduct suggesting that he was trying to escape. Most importantly, his actions before and out after the encounter speak for themselves. He presented his immigration documents. He cooperated with the agents, and he’s continued to participate in the legal process.”

He continued, “Johann is, again, a full-time college student with no criminal history. He’s on a full athletic scholarship, a fiancée who’s a U.S. citizen and only one year remaining before graduation. Those are not the circumstances of someone trying to run away from the process. They are the circumstances of someone who has every incentive to resolve his case through the legal system.”

Efforts to get Sandoval out of detainment

Jeha said himself and Sandoval’s family are grateful to SSU who they said has submitted a new I-20 document which will hopefully get Sandoval his F-1 reinstated.

Read SSU’s most recent statement below:

“As we approach one week since the detention of Savannah State University student Johan Sandoval, we want our students, employees, alumni, and friends to know that we remain in close contact with Johan’s family and legal counsel.

We are grateful to share that Johan is in good spirits and deeply appreciative of the prayers, messages of encouragement, and unwavering support he has received from Tiger Nation and the broader community.

As this remains an active legal matter, we are hopeful for a positive resolution and will share updates as we are able.

To everyone who has reached out, offered words of encouragement, and kept Johan and his family in your thoughts, thank you. Your compassion has been a powerful reminder of what it means to be part of Tiger Nation.”

In the meantime, Jeha has reached out to ICE to either be released on his own accord or grant him bond. Because he said they have not heard back, they have also completed a formal motion for Sandoval’s release with immigration court.

Jeha said he hopes they can clear up everything before Sandoval is due back in Georgia for the start of baseball season.

“Detaining him serves no purpose,” his attorney said. “He should be released so he can finish his degree and move on with his life.

contacted Bryant Stratton College for comment on the alleged paperwork issue Thursday, but we have not received a response as of publication.

SSU provided this statement to :

“The University has fully cooperated with counsel and has provided Johan’s attorney with all requested documents to support his legal representation and assist in his case.”

Pinellas County Schools Face Second Wave of Closures Amid Low Enrollment Projected Until 2050

In Gulfport, Florida, Pinellas County Schools gathered parents for three “Planning for Progress” community meetings on Thursday. The discussions centered around prospective changes for the 2027-2028 academic year, providing a platform for feedback on these potential plans.

This initiative is part of the district’s broader strategy to achieve fiscal prudence and optimize space usage. By consolidating and closing certain schools, the district aims to effectively manage resources across the county.

These potential shifts bring a mix of concern and apprehension among parents. Ben Wyatt, a parent who attended the meeting, expressed worries over the emotional impact on students. “Kids have a lot of partnerships, relationships built in that school. So if they have to go to another school, there’s anxiety… new teachers, new environment. Those are things that I would worry about as a parent,” he shared.

During a session at Boca Ciega High School, Superintendent Kevin Hendrick addressed the attendees, focusing on a notable decline in student enrollment. He revealed that the district currently hosts around 45,000 vacant seats. Of the 7,600 children born annually in Pinellas County, only approximately 68% are enrolled in public schools, as reported by the district.

“This is not a problem for 2026. This is not a problem that has to be addressed in one year. This is a decades-long problem that our community, not just Pinellas County schools, but our community is all looking at,” the superintendent said.

Those in attendance had the opportunity to give their thoughts on changes to district leaders and speak with the superintendent about plans. Earlier this year, PCS chose to close Cross Bayou Elementary and Disston Academy, as well as consolidating other locations into K-8 spaces of learning.

“Things we look at… What [does] the school look like? What’s the investment to improve it, to keep it going? What’s the capital needs over several years? Those are what we are researching,” the superintendent said.

These meetings are the first batch of community meetings. Next week, three more will be held at St. Pete High, Dunedin High, and Pinellas Park High. Following those meetings, Pinellas County School Board members will discuss potential options during workshops. Then, school-specific town halls will be held, prior to a vote. Changes would take effect for the 2027-2028 school year.

Authorities Discover Child’s Remains in Forest Following Father’s Abduction

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Featured (left to right): Ronnell Marquese Jones and Kirstie Dora (St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department). Behind: News footage revealing the location in Stookey Township, Ill., where a child’s remains were discovered (KMOV).

Authorities in Missouri have detained a man following the unsettling discovery of a child’s remains in a neighboring state.

Ronnell Marquese Jones, 32, along with Kirstie Dora, 35, faced arrest and were charged with parental kidnapping and harassment. This situation unfolded during an investigation concerning a missing young boy. Evidence, including court documents examined by Law&Crime, indicates that Jones, the boy’s biological father, has allegedly prevented the child’s mother from seeing him since April 2024. That year, the mother officially reported her son’s disappearance.

In her account to the Desloge Police Department, the mother recounted the last occasion she saw her son. He was inside Jones’ vehicle, notably with missing teeth, before Jones purportedly left the state with him.

Through the course of the investigation, police reported Jones provided varying accounts regarding his son’s whereabouts. At one point, he claimed the child was under state custody, while another time, he alleged to have dropped the boy off at an Amish community in Mississippi, where he purportedly “visits him.” Law enforcement has noted Jones’ consistent refusal to cooperate with their efforts.

Witnesses told police that they had reason to believe the boy was dead.

A warrant was issued for Jones’ arrest on suspicion of parental kidnapping and harassment on June 12. He was arrested on June 30; Dora was arrested on the same charges on July 2. Details about the relationship between the two defendants were not provided by police.

Jones was scheduled for a bond hearing, but Desloge police announced Thursday that a child’s remains were found in Stookey Township, Illinois, located about 16 miles away from St. Louis, Missouri, where both defendants live. The child has not been identified, but Desloge police said the find was in connection with Jones’ parental kidnapping case.

Court documents for Jones’ case stated that “in light of new information,” he should be held without bond. Dora is also being held without bond. Neither defendant has been charged in connection with the child’s death.

Both Jones and Dora are in custody at the St. Francois County Jail. Jones is scheduled to appear in court on July 16. Case information for Dora was not available.

Explosive Courtroom Drama: Key Revelations from the Tyler Robinson Case as Lance Twiggs’ Interview Unfolds

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PROVO, Utah — In a dramatic courtroom moment, the former lover of Tyler Robinson, who stands accused of murdering Charlie Kirk, revealed a significant admission in a video shared with Utah prosecutors Thursday. According to this video testimony, Robinson expressed deep regret over the incident.

“I confronted him directly if what he confessed the previous night was genuine,” Lance Twiggs recounted to investigators during questioning. “He affirmed it was true, broke down a bit, and admitted that he wished he hadn’t gone through with it.”

The confession aligned with messages sent the night before, where Robinson allegedly claimed responsibility for Kirk’s tragic shooting during a conversation with Twiggs, as prosecutors later revealed through text message evidence.

Charlie Kirk memorial portrait with American flags

Tributes to Charlie Kirk have been arranged at a makeshift memorial outside of Turning Point USA’s headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. The memorial, observed on September 18, 2025, honors Kirk, who was tragically gunned down on September 10 while delivering a speech at his “American Comeback Tour” event at Utah Valley University. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

The poignant video surfaced on the fourth day of Tyler Robinson’s preliminary hearing. This legal procedure aims to establish whether the case holds enough evidence to proceed to trial.

Prosecutors had attempted to play it Wednesday, but the defense asked the judge to order redactions.

Lance Twiggs in a video interview

A video interview with Lance Twiggs, Tyler Robinson’s roommate and reported romantic partner, is shown during a preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, who is accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, at the Fourth District Courthouse in Provo, Utah, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (Spenser Heaps/AP via Pool)

After some back and forth over what could and couldn’t be included, it was shown in court Thursday morning, and Robinson appeared to watch it closely.

Charlie Kirk in October 2024.

Charlie Kirk was a conservative activist who led Turning Point USA. (Alex Brandon/The Associated Press)

Twiggs, who is cooperating with investigators and hasn’t been charged with a crime, was also Robinson’s lover and roommate, according to prosecutors. He said that he identified as “Luna” to some associates, including Robinson.

Tyler Robinson, charged with killing Charlie Kirk appears in court

Tyler Robinson, accused of the murder of Charlie Kirk, appears during a hearing in Fourth District Court in Provo, Utah on Dec. 11, 2025. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via Pool)

Twiggs was briefly placed under FBI protection and has since left the state.

After the shooting, Twiggs allegedly received a text message from Robinson telling him to look under his keyboard. There, according to prosecutors, he found a note that he said he took a picture of.

Lance Twiggs seen with alleged texts to Tyler Robinson

A video interview with Lance Twiggs was played in court on July 9, 2026. (Fox News)

Prosecutors showed it in court, but the judge said it could not be photographed. It was a full page, written by hand.

“I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it,” it read at one point.

After seeing the note, Twiggs then allegedly texted Robinson asking if he was joking.

Mug shot of Charlie Kirk's suspected killer, Tyler Robinson

Booking photos for Tyler Robinson, 22, the suspected in the Utah assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. (Utah Gov. Spencer Cox)

“I am still ok my love, but am stuck in orem for a little while longer yet,” Robinson replied — allegedly. “Shouldn’t be long until I can come home, but I gotta grab my rifle still. To be honest I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age. I am sorry to involve you.”

“You weren’t the one who did it right????” Twiggs replied.

Accused Charlie Kirk killer, Tyler Robinson's roommate Lance Twiggs

Lance Twiggs, Tyler Robinson’s roommate and reported romantic partner, is shown during a preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, who is accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, at the Fourth District Courthouse in Provo, Utah, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (Spenser Heaps/AP via Pool)

“I am,” Robinson allegedly wrote back. “I’m sorry.”

Twiggs also alleged in the video that Robinson began engraving bullets roughly a month before the shooting.

Tyler Robinson in court for the assassination of Charlie Kirk

Tyler Robinson, left, accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, sits beside defense attorney Kathryn Nester during a hearing in Fourth District Court in Provo on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (Bethany Baker/The Salt Lake Tribune via Pool)

“I don’t remember exactly when, but he had said he was planning to go hunting with his family,” Twiggs told prosecutor Ryan McBride in the recorded interview. “And he asked me…if we had a Dremel tool, because he said he wanted to create messages on bullets.”

Prosecutors have said that cartridges and a spent casing recovered from the suspected murder weapon had been engraved with several messages. Another casing with a similar engraving had been recovered from the home Robinson and Twiggs shared, according to testimony Thursday.

Several times when the Dremel tool allegedly used to engrave the bullets came up Robinson appeared uncomfortable in the courtroom, fidgeting in his chair.

Twiggs said he told Robinson where to find the tool and warned him not to accidentally discharge a bullet while engraving — then didn’t think of it again until after Kirk was killed.

Political Activist Charlie Kirk Shot Dead At Utah Valley University

Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his “American Comeback Tour” when he was shot in the neck and killed. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)

Mention of the tool also appeared to have an impact on Robinson’s family in the first row of the gallery in court.

As the Dremel discussion continued, Robinson’s brother was bent over with his head down, with his mother rubbing his back, and the father’s arm around her.

Later in the hearing, when the court saw a text message conversation between Robinson and Twiggs, Erika Kirk could be heard crying as the texts were read in court of Twiggs asking Robinson questions about the gun, which by the time they were sent had been recovered by police in a wooded area just off campus.

People run after Charlie Kirk was shot at UVU

People run after shots were fired during an appearance by Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his “American Comeback Tour” when he was shot in the neck and killed. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)

According to Twiggs’ video interview, Robinson allegedly told him that he had a “long drive to work” on the morning of the shooting.

“I don’t know an exact time,” he said. “I just know he left early. I heard him leaving, and he just said he had, like, long drive to work that day. So he was leaving early.”

That was on Sept. 10, the day of Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Robinson allegedly lingered in the area until after midnight on Sept. 11.

Tyler Robinson's alleged texts to Lance Twiggs

A screenshot of text messages displayed during Tyler Robinson’s preliminary hearing shows messages prosecutors allege discuss Robinson’s motive and efforts to recover the rifle after the Sept. 10, 2025, shooting of Charlie Kirk. (Credit: Brooke Curto / Fox News)

When Twiggs said he woke up at around noon to 1 p.m. on the day of the shooting, members of Kirk’s family scoffed from the third row of the gallery.

Robinson reached up and scratched his throat when Twiggs talked about the last time he saw Tyler before he went to surrender.

In another portion of the video interview, Twiggs told investigators that Robinson looked like the man circulated on an FBI wanted poster connected to the shooting, which showed a person of interest on campus.

“They do look like Tyler Robinson,” Twiggs said.

He had downplayed the identification, however.

“I wouldn’t say with 100% certainty just because of camera quality, but that looks like him in terms of the shoes he’s wearing, the sunglasses,” Twiggs said. “I don’t think I’d specifically seen him wearing that hat, but he was usually wearing a hat, and the jeans.”

Text messages between accused Charlie Kirk killer, Tyler Robinson and Lance Twiggs

A photograph which prosecutors say shows a text message exchange between Tyler Robinson, who is accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, and Robinson’s roommate and romantic partner Lance Twiggs, is shown during a preliminary hearing at the Fourth District Courthouse in Provo, Utah, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (Spenser Heaps/AP via Pool)

Twiggs did not testify in person at the preliminary hearing but may be asked to do so if the case goes to trial.

Near the end of Thursday’s hearing, Judge Tony Graf Jr. indicated that he would not make a decision at the end of the preliminary hearing this week. Instead, he agreed to a defense request to allow briefs to be filed by both sides before he listens to oral arguments at a hearing scheduled for Sept. 1.

Only after that would he make a decision on where there’s enough probable cause to send Robinson’s case to trial.

The 23-year-old accused assassin has not yet entered a plea and won’t do so unless the judge agrees with prosecutors that the charges are warranted.

The September hearing will be nearly a year after a sniper’s bullet killed Kirk during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.

Robinson could face the death penalty if convicted.

Worst Neighbor Ever” Star Discusses Warning Signs Before Caroline Herrling’s Tragic Incident

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The series Worst Neighbor Ever immerses its audience into an unnerving tale of neighborhood conflict. Yet, despite the eventual chaos, the woman at the heart of this story didn’t initially set off any alarm bells, according to one participant.

This participant appears in the newest installment of Netflix’s true crime anthology, where she shared insights exclusively with Oxygen. She recalled that upon her first encounter with Caroline Herrling—also known as Carrie Phenix—there was nothing particularly memorable about her. Caroline was friendly, blending comfortably into the neighborhood’s fabric. However, this perception dramatically altered in 2020.

“She was very innocent,” the participant, Baskin, noted. “She seemed very normal, very sweet. We would always walk our dogs at the same time. Nothing was suspicious about her.”

But the year 2020 marked a turning point.

“And then around (the) COVID (pandemic) in 2020 is when there was a major shift in her,” Baskin stated. “We believe that she started using methamphetamines.”

The episode follows Herrling’s shocking criminal case. Prosecutors say she discovered wealthy Sherman Oaks, Calif. property owner Charles Wilding dead inside his home, then moved his body to her West Los Angeles apartment instead of contacting authorities. According to federal prosecutors, Herrling and her co-conspirators attempted to dissolve Wilding’s body with chemicals before dismembering it and set out to steal his estate as part of a scheme targeting “vulnerable victims.”

Looking back, Baskin said there were dots she didn’t initially connect. 

“We started to notice her hanging out with a suspicious crowd,” she said, recalling people with ankle monitors and “prison” style tattoos gathering outside the apartment building. Baskin also noticed Herrling stopped making eye contact, changed the way she dressed and fell behind on rent.

Soon afterward, packages began disappearing from residents’ doorsteps, and a neighbor’s bicycle was stolen from the garage, Baskin said.

“So things like that started happening,” Baskin said.

Still, she never imagined the crimes authorities would later accuse Herrling of committing.

Baskin said she first learned about the allegations from a news article sent to her by a friend. Suddenly, nights she had dismissed as strange but harmless took on a chilling new meaning.

“I thought she was doing normal meth activities, like rearranging furniture,” Baskin said, explaining she had mistaken loud sawing noises for furniture being dragged across the floor. “Not chopping up bodies or doing millions in wire fraud.”

Watching Worst Neighbor Ever brought back even more disturbing details.

“I didn’t know that she pulled (Wilding’s) teeth out and crushed them,” Baskin said. “It gives me chills just thinking about it. It’s horrifying that that was going on like 50 feet away from me.”

Herrling pleaded guilty in March 2023 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was later sentenced to 240 months in federal prison. Looking back, Baskin said she is grateful her former neighbor is no longer living in the apartment complex.

“We were all so relieved to have her gone,” she said. “Even though we didn’t know what we know now, we still were being terrorized.”

Air Force Rescinds 135 Promotions After Scoring Error on Technical Sergeant Exam

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In a significant setback, over 100 U.S. Air Force airmen have experienced the revocation of their recent promotions due to a critical error in the scoring of a mandatory examination. Officials from the Air Force have acknowledged the mistake, cautioning that it will prove to be challenging for those who are affected.

On Tuesday, the Air Force disclosed that a dated answer key had been applied erroneously to the scoring of the Specialty Knowledge Test—a pivotal exam that influences promotion decisions for security forces airmen.

As a consequence, 135 promotions were rescinded, impacting airmen set to advance to the rank of Sergeant. The available positions were subsequently reassigned to other qualified troops under the rectified scoring criteria.

“We have an obligation to immediately address this situation for those impacted,” stated Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David R. Wolfe. “This mistake is understandably difficult for everyone involved.”

The mistake was identified post-publication of the promotion list, when a member of the enlisted promotions team at the Air Force Personnel Center noticed the usage of an incorrect scoring key, as reported by the service.

Officials rescored all 2,285 eligible exams and learned that 135 airmen who had been told they were selected for promotion to technical sergeant no longer met the cutoff score.

Another 135 airmen who were initially passed over will now be promoted instead.

Technical sergeant is a mid-level enlisted rank, and promotions are based on several factors, including performance, time in service and scores on the Specialty Knowledge Test.

After the exams were rescored, 451 of the original 586 selectees kept their promotions. The total number of promotions did not change.

The Air Force described the mix-up as an isolated and unprecedented case of human error that affected only the security forces career field.

Officials said they verified the correct answer key with subject matter experts before rescoring every eligible exam.

“We promote Airmen based on merit, which is established in federal law and policy,” Lt. Gen. Jefferson O’Donnell, the Air Force’s deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services, said.

“Who we are as an Air Force, defined by our core values, demands integrity in the meritocratic promotion system.”

The Air Force Personnel Center plans to announce the 135 newly selected technical sergeants in a supplemental promotion release during the week of July 13.

Officials said the new selectees will receive adjusted line numbers that will not delay their promotions.

The service said leaders are notifying affected airmen directly, have set up a hotline to answer questions and are tightening review procedures as they investigate how the mistake happened.

Officials also emphasized that the error was caused by human error — not AI.

The promotion blunder follows other high-profile testing problems in the Air Force.

Last year, the Air Force Academy investigated nearly 100 cadets accused of cheating on a weekly knowledge test.

In 2021, another cheating scandal involved nearly 250 cadets accused of honor code violations, prompting a broader review of the academy’s programs.

Mexican National Fatally Shot in Houston ICE Operation Not Intended Target, Lawmaker Reports

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A tragic misstep in Houston has left a Mexican national living in the U.S. dead after being shot by an agent from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The incident involved an unintended victim, according to U.S. Representative Sylvia Garcia, who disclosed this development on Thursday.

Representing the district where the shooting took place, Congresswoman Garcia conveyed that Acting ICE Director David Venturella informed her about the oversight. Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, the man who was killed, was not the intended target of the operation, as confirmed by the agency.

Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a homebuilder who had resided in the United States for over 35 years, was on the verge of securing legal status at the time of his death. His family asserts he had no criminal history, casting the incident in an even more tragic light.

“Something needs to be done. This is another needless death,” Garcia emphasized during an interview with MS Now. “We should consider bringing in external, independent investigators to examine this case,” she suggested, stressing the need for a thorough investigation.

As of late Thursday, a request for comment from the Department of Homeland Security had not been answered. The agency’s silence continues to leave many unanswered questions regarding the circumstances of Salgado Araujo’s death.

DHS, which oversees ICE, previously said that federal officers were conducting a targeted operation to arrest a person in the country without legal status when they attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Salgado Araujo. The agency has said Salgado Araujo rammed an ICE vehicle and that a federal officer fired a weapon in self-defense.

Asked whether ICE agents had been specifically targeting Salgado Araujo, DHS said earlier Thursday that officers had been surveilling a property where they had previously observed two white vans.

“On July 7, officers were almost at the target’s address when they observed a white van with an individual who resembled the target. Officers then initiated the vehicle stop,” the department said.

The federal agents weren’t wearing body-worn cameras, DHS said, and few photos or videos surrounding the shooting have emerged publicly in the days since the encounter, unlike other deaths involving federal immigration officers.

In a statement, DHS said the agents at the scene in Houston had not yet been issued body cameras, which it blamed on Democrats and a record government shutdown that was fueled by President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.

U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee, a Democrat who also represents Houston, said if the agents didn’t have the devices, it was because Trump and Republican lawmakers did not want them to be carrying them.

“Houston is done accepting excuses from an agency that has more money than it knows what to do with and still can’t manage basic accountability,” he said in a statement.

The Harris County District Attorney’s office said it would conduct an investigation into the shooting. The office is consulting with local prosecutors in Minneapolis, where federal agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens, to learn how they have navigated investigations into federal immigration agents, spokesperson Rafael Lemaitre said.

“Although access to key evidence remains under federal control, we are pursuing investigative avenues available to us and will conduct a review of any information we collect within our reach,” Lemaitre said in an emailed statement.

Three men, including Salgado Araujo’s brother, were detained by ICE during the fatal traffic stop, according to Juan Proaño, CEO of the League of United Latin American Citizens, who has been communicating with their families.

“It’s going to make it even more difficult to find the truth in all this,” he said.

DHS said the ICE agents involved in the incident were expected to receive body-worn cameras in the next 60 days.

In the aftermath of the fatal Minneapolis shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, Democrats had refused to fund ICE and the Border Patrol without changes to those operations designed to increase accountability and transparency. Republicans in Congress eventually passed legislation funding just ICE and CBP for three years.

Evil Dead Burn’s Dramatic Finale and Post-Credits Scene Explored: A Detailed Breakdown

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Warning: Spoilers for “Evil Dead Burn” are included below.

The sixth installment of the “Evil Dead” series, titled “Evil Dead Burn” and directed by Sébastien Vaniček, offers viewers the anticipated blend of grotesque humor and chilling horror. A notable scene includes the bizarre transformation into a Deadite when dentures are licked. The film stands alone within the franchise, presenting a harrowing family reunion while branching away from the iconic character Ash Williams, played by Bruce Campbell. Instead, it focuses on the horror that ensues for anyone who crosses paths with the infamous Necronomicon.

Upon further examination, the narrative complexity deepens. Similar to “Evil Dead Rise,” this film can be enjoyed independently of the series’ timeline, likely appealing to new followers. However, it intricately weaves into the larger mythos, leaving enthusiasts pondering its links to past entries. Although viewers might leave with questions about the redefined supernatural lore, the movie’s fierce and chaotic nature remains enjoyable. We delve into the final act and conclusion of “Evil Dead Burn,” assessing how it sets the stage for future sequences.

The ending of Evil Dead Burn is about exposing abuse

Building on the 2026 trend of horror films exploring toxic relationships, “Evil Dead Burn” closely follows the success of “Obsession.” It centers on a widow meeting her late husband’s family. Before Will’s (George Pullar) passing, he is seen initiating conflict with Alice (Souheila Yacoub), accusing her of inappropriate behavior with his brother Joseph (Hunter Doohan). Post-funeral, Alice’s discomfort around her in-laws is palpable as she struggles with emotional expression, frustrating them. She intends to escape to Paris, eliciting their anger despite evidence of Will’s abuse, underscored by a burn scar on her stomach that her in-laws blatantly overlook.

Key to the gruesome climax is a revelation from Will’s mother, Susan (Tandi Wright), after becoming a Deadite: “They’re not our enemies, they just want back something my father stole,” referring to the ancient Kandarian Dagger. While the Deadites’ pursuit of the dagger is considerable, Alice’s personal redemption takes precedence. When Will returns from the dead, Alice claims revenge against her abusive spouse, ultimately killing him with the dagger and shattering his skull. The conclusion signifies more than Alice’s triumph over supernatural foes; it marks her emergence from silence about the abuse. As first responders arrive, Alice finally confesses that her “ex-husband did this,” pointing to both fresh and old scars.

The origins of the Kandarian Dagger explained

The Kandarian Dagger is an important item in “Evil Dead” lore, though its origins are somewhat murky, and “Evil Dead Burn” further muddies the waters. First appearing in 1981’s “The Evil Dead,” the dagger — alongside the Necronomicon — was left in the cellar of the secluded cabin in the woods where Ash Williams and his friends came to stay. The cabin belonged to the archeologist Raymond Knowby, who had recovered the items from King Arthur’s Castle Kandar during a dig. Things get more complicated from there when you factor in the multiple realities of the “Evil Dead” universe. Different iterations of the Kandarian Dagger are found throughout it, such as in the Starz series “Ash vs Evil Dead,” where it had been owned for years by Ruby (Lucy Lawless), a demon in humanoid form. 

In “Evil Dead Burn,” the dagger is found upstairs in the family attic next to the Necronomicon (three canonical copies of the book exist within the extended “Evil Dead” universe), field recordings, and some diaries, far removed from the cabin in the woods where it was found in the first film. This version is consistent with “Evil Dead Rise,” which didn’t feature the dagger, although another volume of the book, as well as a priest’s recordings researching it dating back to 1923, were found beneath the apartment block in the 2013 film. It was suggested by “Rise” director Lee Cronin that Bruce Campbell, who voiced the priest in a cameo, was a time displaced Ash Williams, stuck in the early 20th Century, warning others not to read from the book.

Will’s family is connected to an important player in the Evil Dead story

Who is the absent grandfather who left the cursed artifacts to rot in the family attic? We don’t hear the family surname, or the man’s name directly, but we do learn that he was a researcher who travelled with Raymond Knowby and shared his obsession with the Necronomicon. This is the new film’s most direct tie to the original trilogy, and it’s a great way to tie the franchise’s history into the specific theme of family legacy being explored in “Evil Dead Burn.”

The events of Sébastien Vaniček’s film were set in motion by a patriarch who is seen as a pariah for his obsessive research and long periods of absence. He’s something of a buried secret — just like the late Will’s treatment of his wife, which nobody in the family feels comfortable acknowledging. Like the Deadite curse, this is something that can only be kept in the dark for so long, with the movie using the supernatural lore of the franchise to flesh out a metaphor about hiding abuse.

In “Evil Dead Burn,” the franchise’s history returns via the character of Joseph, who is obsessively writing his own book about the grandfather he barely knew, which is why he’s been hoarding so much. In a recent Out magazine profile, Joseph actor Hunter Doohan said: “His grandfather knew Professor Knowby. I loved how this script not only ties back a little bit to ‘Evil Dead Rise,’ but this movie connects the lore through the whole franchise, which I found really exciting.”

The needle drop that dissects the toxic relationship

For a sign that Will and Alice’s relationship was toxic from the start, look no further than the lyrics to their wedding song, Jacques Brel’s “La Chanson Des Vieux Amants” (The Song of Old Lovers). The final verse, translated into English, reads: “And much of the time we act like we’re at a funeral/And much of the time we create pain/But this is not the worst trap/That living in peace is for some lovers. Certainly, you cry a little less early, I fall apart a little later/We protect our secrets less, we leave less to chance/We guard against going with the flow/Yet there is always a tender war.” To modern eyes, this sounds like excusing destructive behavior, a series of red flags misinterpreted as emotional honesty. This being the couple’s first dance song suggests Will’s behavior had always been there and either shrugged off or merely excused as passion from the start.

As well as being used quite pointedly at his funeral — which the lyrics point out their relationship felt like most of the time — it appears in a reprise in the final act, as the Deadite Will is alerted to Alice’s presence in the construction site via the song playing over her phone speaker. Coupled with his threat later in that scene that he won’t let her live without him, it plays out at one last attempt at emotional manipulation, directly alluding to the years of abuse. This moment ultimately offers more catharsis about escaping from a manipulative relationship than the ending of “Obsession” does, and it manages to address this serious theme without compromising on the over-the-top gore fans have come to expect.

Does the mid-credits scene set up Evil Dead Wrath?

The film’s mid-credits sting rewards fans with one last campy kill. We see grandmother Polly (Maude Davey) miles away from the family home, still under the Deadite curse that has temporarily cured her dementia, crawling by the side of the road after her legs have been ripped off. A young woman pulls up beside her to ask if she needs help, leading Polly to respond, “He stole my legs… but yours will do just fine!” This isn’t setting up the next unfortunate antagonist in the series, however, as it’s already been revealed by producer Robert Tapert that the next movie will be a prequel. However, with her husband established as a past associate of Raymond Knowby, that doesn’t rule out a younger actress playing Polly decades earlier.

2028’s “Evil Dead Wrath” will take place in 1972, a decade before Ash Williams set foot in that fateful cabin, so don’t expect the mid-credits scene from “Evil Dead Burn” to set up any direct continuity. What you should expect is a stylish throwback to the exploitation movies of that era. “That one, unlike ‘Burn,’ has a lot of coming-of-age sexual hijinks in it, which the ‘Evil Dead’ universe is not really known for, but this one does,” Tapert told Dread Central, adding, “It’s going to be the one since the first ‘Evil Dead’ movie that may have the most difficulty with the MPAA.” Tapert also said that “Evil Dead Wrath” will utilize Ektachrome 100 to give it the look and feel of a 1970s movie.

The post-credits scene sets up an Evil Dead cinematic universe

The incredible post-credits scene in “Evil Dead Burn” ties back into 2023’s “Evil Dead Rise” after revealing that the ashes of single mother Ellie (former “Vikings” cast member Alyssa Sutherland), shockingly possessed in the previous film, are being held at the same crematorium where Will’s funeral took place. A little girl reads over the names of the urns and lands on one marked “Ellie.” The lights flicker, and suddenly the previous movie’s big bad is standing in the mirror. The girl reaches out, and we see that Ellie is right there in the room, quickly snapping her neck before cheekily turning to the camera and delivering her kiss-off line. It’s hilarious, nasty, and, above all, it suggests that these supposedly standalone sequels are building a bigger, interconnected universe tied together by this shared curse.

This post-credits scene raises more questions than it answers, as Ellie had fused together with her children to become a multi-limbed Marauder — far more powerful than the usual Deadite — by the ending of “Evil Dead Rise.” Were they somehow separated and put into different urns? It’s not really clear, and we have no idea when Ellie will return to the big screen, but Robert Tapert has already revealed that this is part of a grander plan to connect all the sequels. He told Forbes: “We said to Sébastien [Vaniček] that you have to connect back to ‘Evil Dead Rise’ somehow. Left to all the directors’ devices, they don’t want to carry the water for what came before or what’s coming afterwards, but the one thing that Sam [Raimi] and I feel is that the ‘Evil Dead’ movies can’t just be a whole series of standalones because the audience wants to start connecting the dots.”

Shocking Sleepwalk Incident: 10-Year-Old’s Nighttime Adventure Ends in Disaster

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Tragedy struck in northern Kansas City when a 10-year-old boy was discovered lifeless in a pond near his residence, after reportedly sleepwalking from his home during the night.

Jackson Georgari was last captured on video around midnight on Thursday, as seen in footage from a doorbell camera at the apartment complex where he lived, according to a statement from the Kansas City Police Department.

A missing person alert was issued by authorities later that morning. The search for the young boy quickly intensified, involving multiple police departments, the Kansas City Fire Department, and concerned neighborhood volunteers.

After an exhaustive search spanning several hours, which employed the use of drones and K-9 units, officers made the heartbreaking discovery of Georgari’s body in a pond situated approximately a mile south of his home around noon on Thursday, 12 hours after he was last observed.

Despite the best efforts of fire and rescue teams to revive him, the boy could not be saved and was sadly pronounced dead at the scene, Kansas City police confirmed.

Police added that ‘there were no immediate signs of foul play,’ though the boy’s death is under investigation. 

The medical examiner is working to determine Georgari’s cause and manner of death.

While the search was still underway, the little boy’s family told KMBC that he had sleepwalked in the past. 

Jackson Georgari, 10, was found dead in a pond in Kansas City around noon on Thursday. Police said there were no immediate signs of foul play

Jackson Georgari, 10, was found dead in a pond in Kansas City around noon on Thursday. Police said there were no immediate signs of foul play 

The boy was found in this pond located about a mile south of the apartment complex where he lived in northern Kansas City

The boy was found in this pond located about a mile south of the apartment complex where he lived in northern Kansas City

Semina Richard, Georgari’s older sister, told the outlet that the first time he had sleepwalked was when the family was living in San Diego, before they recently moved to Kansas City. 

‘Someone found him on the street and they called 911. They brought him over and he was found safely,’ Semina said of that incident. 

The second time was after the family had moved to Missouri. ‘He ran away again, and he went all the way up there where his school is at because that’s the only place he recognizes,’ she said. 

The little boy’s death has rattled the local community. 

‘It hurts in your community when you have a kid that goes out in the middle of the night and whatever the circumstances were that led to him ending up in there,’ Kansas City Police Department Captain Jake Becchina told KCTV.

‘You feel for the family involved in this. It’s unimaginable. I can’t even imagine. They went to bed last night, and everything was normal. And now today they have to deal with this,’ the police captain added. 

Neighbors who had participated in the search effort recounted their experience and expressed their heartbreak for the family.

‘I had an appointment this morning, right after the police had left. And I thought, well, maybe I’ll be lucky and find him. But he may have already been passed by that [point],’ Heather Meikenhous said. 

Georgari's family said he had sleepwalked twice in the past. He is pictured with a loved one

Georgari’s family said he had sleepwalked twice in the past. He is pictured with a loved one

Kansas City Police Department Captain Jake Becchina said the family and community are devastated by the loss of the little boy

Kansas City Police Department Captain Jake Becchina said the family and community are devastated by the loss of the little boy

Georgari had last been seen in doorbell camera footage from this apartment complex where he lived

Georgari had last been seen in doorbell camera footage from this apartment complex where he lived

‘It’s just so sad. My heart goes out for his parents. And please, please get peace. I wish you the best,’ she added. 

Estela Yslas, a resident who has lived in the neighborhood for 40 years, told KCTV it was the first time she had seen anything like this happen in the area. 

‘I would like to tell them that I prayed for them, and I’m so sorry for their loss. But I prayed that they will find them. But not like that,’ Yslas said in a message to Georgari’s family.

The Briarcliff Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization confirmed that the boy was a student at the school in a statement shared on social media. 

‘We extend our deepest condolences to the student’s family, friends, classmates, teachers, and everyone whose lives were touched by him,’ the statement said.

‘Please continue to hold this family and our entire Briarcliff community close in your hearts,’ the parent teacher organization added. 

Georgari would have started fifth grade when school resumes in the fall.  

John Rose Engages Voters: A Pivotal Visit to Elizabethton and Rogersville in the Gubernatorial Race

In Rogersville, Tennessee, Congressman John Rose, who is also running for governor, paid visits to Elizabethton and Rogersville this past Thursday. These stops marked part of a broader series of town hall meetings he’s hosting across the state.

The aim of these meetings is twofold: to engage directly with the concerns of voters and to better understand the challenges they face in their communities.

During his visit, Congressman Rose addressed a multitude of issues, with a significant focus on emergency management. This topic resonates deeply with residents as they continue to recover from the destructive aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The hurricane wreaked havoc on the region and highlighted gaps in disaster response protocols.

“When disaster strikes, immediate assistance often comes from where it matters the most—from neighbors and nearby counties,” Rose articulated. He stressed the importance of regional support over reliance on federal intervention. “The federal government shouldn’t be expected to arrive with all necessary aid in hand,” he added. Citing President Trump’s views, Rose emphasized reforms towards decentralizing emergency management and empowering state-level responses, a strategy he supports wholeheartedly as a means to improve efficiency during crises.

Rose told News Channel 11 that his stop in Rogersville was his 48th so far and that he has visited all 95 counties.

He is running against Marsha Blackburn and Monty Fritts in the Republican primary.