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Starke Resident Arrested for Possession of Child Sexual Exploitation Materials

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Florida’s Attorney General, James Uthmeier, revealed that a Bradford County resident could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison if found guilty of serious charges.

In a significant development in Bradford County, Florida, a man has been charged with possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM). Attorney General James Uthmeier made the announcement on Wednesday, bringing attention to the ongoing case.

The accused, 59-year-old Gary Adams from Starke, came under scrutiny after the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) received a cyber tip on April 24. The tip suggested that Adams was involved in sharing and uploading CSAM through his Facebook account, sparking a thorough investigation.

On April 29, authorities from both the FDLE and the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office executed an arrest at Adams’ residence. As the investigation progresses, Attorney General Uthmeier indicated that additional charges could potentially be brought against Adams.

Currently, Adams is detained at the Bradford County Jail with a set bond of $850,000. Should the charges lead to a conviction, he may face a maximum of 30 years in the Florida Department of Corrections, as highlighted by Uthmeier.

“Sharing images and videos of child sexual abuse is a predator’s way of controlling the victims, and we cannot allow that cycle to continue,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Anyone possessing or distributing these materials is contributing to the abuse. We will continue hunting down every child predator in Florida and ensure they remain behind bars.”

Shocking Incident at Denny’s: Man Walks in with Severed Throat and Exposed Trachea

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Left inset: Christopher Thomas. Right inset: Christopher Parkins. Background: The Oregon Denny’s that Christopher Thomas stumbled into after allegedly getting his throat slashed by Christopher Parkins (KOIN/YouTube).

In a shocking incident in Oregon, a mother learned of her son’s severe injury from a news broadcast detailing the violent attack. Her son, Christopher Thomas, had suffered a life-threatening throat slash from a stranger, leaving his trachea exposed as he staggered into a Denny’s restaurant, police reported.

Deborah Thomas, Christopher’s mother, shared her initial reaction with local CBS affiliate KOIN, saying, “I … freaked out.” She expressed immense gratitude towards the Denny’s staff who sprang into action to assist her son, stating, “They saved his life.”

The accused assailant, Christopher Parkins, now faces charges of attempted murder, assault, and unlawful weapon use. Authorities noted that Parkins had concealed a knife within his sleeve when they apprehended him.

The attack unfolded when Christopher Thomas was randomly targeted by Parkins at a strip mall parking lot in North Portland, before he sought help at a nearby Denny’s. According to police, Parkins admitted to being recently homeless and stated he had been awake for several days under the influence of methamphetamine and whiskey prior to the assault.

In court documents accessed by The Oregonian, Parkins is quoted as saying, “Everything feels like it’s not real, like real.” The documents also confirmed that the slash to Thomas’s throat was so severe that it exposed his trachea, according to the local newspaper.

“I heard that he came up from behind Christopher,” Deborah Thomas told KOIN. “Blindsided him.”

Christopher Thomas underwent surgery and is currently recovering. His mom credits the staff at Denny’s for rushing to save his life.

“If it would have been any longer, he would have bled to death,” she said. “There are very very good people, and I’m so thankful for them.”

Parkins is being held without bond and has a preventative detention hearing scheduled for May 4.

Heartfelt Plea: Family Urges Safe Return of Missing Sharon Granites

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The family of a missing five-year-old girl in the Northern Territory is making a poignant plea to her potential abductor, urging them for her safe return. The search for the young girl has now entered its fifth day.

Note: This article contains information that may be distressing to some readers.

The family of missing five-year-old Sharon who disappeared from her Alice Springs home have appealed for her safe return. (NT Police) (Supplied)

The child was last spotted holding hands with Jefferson Lewis at 11:30 p.m. Authorities have since confirmed their suspicion that Lewis may have taken her from the campsite.

Sharon’s grandfather Robin told The Sydney Morning Herald the family were praying for her safe return, and appealed for Australians to keep their missing child in their hearts.

“There was nothing I could do – just cry,” a family member expressed, overwhelmed with emotion.

The missing girl is described as a kind, quiet, and gentle child by those who know her.

Robin said he discovered his granddaughter was missing while watching the Anzac Day memorial nearby.

“I heard it was my granddaughter who was being snatched up and [had been] taken off by a man from prison,” he said.

Jefferson Lewis was last seen with Sharon Granites. (NT Police)

Lewis had been released from jail just six days before Sharon went missing, charged for violent offences including assault and domestic violence.

Police found the items of clothing on the riverbank at the back of the Old Timers Camp where Sharon was last seen on Sunday, but have only just revealed their findings.

Northern Territory Assistant Police Commissioner Peter Malley said the shirt found by police is Lewis’ ”distinctive” yellow and black shirt captured on police bodycam footage when officers visited the Old Timers Camp earlier on Saturday for an unrelated mental health call out.

A doona cover was also found alongside the shirt and children’s underwear.

Police scour the house where Sharon Granites was staying in Old Timers camp just outside of Alice Springs when she was allegedly abducted by Jefferson Lewis. (9News)

Robin appealed through the media for Lewis to “listen” to him.

“I want you to send that baby back. She is our baby. It’s our kid … she is just too small. Please, can you bring her back? We want to be back safe.”

He appealed for anyone who spotted the pair to contact him or police as soon as possible.

Robin also said Sharon had trouble communicating at times.

“She didn’t have really have a voice … she’s just been using a hand signal,” he said. 

Local MP and Northern Territory Legislative Assembly Speaker Robyn Lambley told Today this morning the whole community had been mobilised in the search.

“We have all been out there looking for her … the whole town is all about finding her.”

She said the small community of Old Timers Camp was a “notoriously hard place to live”.

The widening manhunt has also reached interstate, with Western Australian police contacting Lewis’ wife and children in Bolga, who police say are cooperating with authorities.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)

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JP Morgan Executive Faces Allegations of Exploiting Male Broker in Disturbing Case

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An executive at JPMorgan Chase is facing serious allegations of using her position to sexually harass and abuse a junior male colleague, according to a recent lawsuit. The accusations include drugging the employee, subjecting him to racial slurs, and threatening his career when he resisted her advances.

Lorna Hajdini, a 37-year-old executive director in the bank’s Leveraged Finance division, is named in the lawsuit. The legal filing claims that she coerced a married banker into engaging in “non-consensual and degrading sexual activities” over several months, ignoring his repeated requests to stop.

The accuser alleges that Hajdini admitted to administering the date rape drug “roofies” to him on multiple occasions. During one incident, she allegedly berated him while he cried, as she engaged in a sexual act against his will.

The lawsuit was submitted on Monday to the New York County Supreme Court by a plaintiff identified as John Doe. He chose to remain anonymous to protect himself and his family, citing threats he had received.

Additionally, the lawsuit charges JPMorgan Chase with facilitating the alleged misconduct and retaliating against the banker after he came forward with his claims. The suit asserts that the bank placed him on involuntary leave, tarnished his reputation, and allowed the threats to persist, while Hajdini and others involved faced no repercussions.

Neither Hajdini nor JPMC has responded to the lawsuit yet. The Daily Mail reached out to both parties for comment.

A spokesperson for JPMC said a thorough internal investigation found no evidence to support Doe’s accusations. ‘Following an investigation, we don’t believe there’s any merit to these claims,’ said the spokesperson. While numerous employees cooperated with the investigation, the complainant refused to participate and has declined to provide facts that would be central to support his allegations.’

According to Doe’s complaint, Hajdini’s alleged abuse started almost immediately after the pair began working together in the spring of 2024.

Lorna Hajdini, 37, an executive director in JPMorgan Chase’s Leveraged Finance division, has not yet responded publicly to the lawsuit

Lorna Hajdini, 37, an executive director in JPMorgan Chase’s Leveraged Finance division, has not yet responded publicly to the lawsuit

Doe, who is Asian, joined as a Senior VP/Director that March, and Hajdini was appointed to the team in a senior role the following month. 

In early May 2024, Doe alleges Hajdini dropped her pen on the floor next to his desk and, while bending to pick it up, rubbed his leg and squeezed his calf. 

He claims she then remarked: ‘Oh, you did play basketball in college? … I love basketball players… they get me so wet.’

From there, Doe alleges the advances grew more explicit and frequent.

Later that May, Doe said in the complaint that Hajdini invited him out for drinks, but he declined. In response, she is alleged to have said: ‘If you don’t f**k me soon, I’m going to ruin you… never forget, I f**king own you.’

Twice, Doe claims that Hajdini propositioned him for oral sex in the office, on one occasion asking: ‘Birthday BJ for the brown boy? My little brown boy.’

While Doe claims he continued to resist her advances, Hajdini allegedly threatened professional retribution, telling him if he wanted to be promoted to executive director, he would need to start ‘pleasing’ her, according to the lawsuit.

‘You’re gonna need to earn it, my little Arab boy toy,’ Doe alleges she told him during a work social event at her private members club. During the same event, he claims she repeatedly groped his groin under the table and spat in her hands, running them over his neck and head.

Eventually, Doe claims the alleged harassment escalated into sexual assault. Two witnesses are cited in the complaint as corroborating parts of his account.

Doe alleges that Hajdini used escalating threats and racial abuse to coerce him into performing sexual acts.

He also claimed that Hajdini admitted to drugging him with the date-rape drug and other drugs without his knowledge before some encounters to incapacitate him and facilitate sexual activity, according to the complaint.

Doe also claimed Hajdini used her executive status to gain unauthorized access to his bank account to track his ‘every move.’

Hajdini's accuser claims in his complaint that she admitted to drugging him with without his knowledge on multiple occasions and once berated him as he cried while she performed oral sex on him

Hajdini’s accuser claims in his complaint that she admitted to drugging him with without his knowledge on multiple occasions and once berated him as he cried while she performed oral sex on him

In the summer of 2024, it is claimed in the lawsuit that Hajdini showed up at an apartment where Doe was staying, knowing he’d be there.

Inside, Hajdini allegedly made sexual advances on Doe, which he rebuffed, insisting he wasn’t interested.

‘Do you want to get promoted at year end or not?’ Hajdini warned him, according to the lawsuit. ‘Do you want a future at JPMorgan? It’s that simple. I don’t know why you’re fighting this.’

Hajdini then allegedly removed her shirt, began fondling her breasts and racially insulted Doe’s wife, remarking: ‘I bet your little Asian, fish head, wife doesn’t have these cannons,’ the complaint reads.

Doe claims she then forcibly removed his pants and performed oral sex on him against his will. He continued to protest and began to cry, according to the lawsuit.

Hajdini allegedly admonished him for crying and scolded him for failing to achieve an erection.

‘Stop f**king crying. You think anyone would ever believe you? You’re a f**king douche bag who thinks he’s hot s**t, but you can’t even get your d**k hard for me? What the f**k is this?’ she allegedly said.

She then ordered him to perform oral sex on her, ignoring his pleas of ‘don’t make me do this.’

‘Afraid that Ms. Hajdini would act on her threats to retaliate against him, [Doe], embarrassed and humiliated, complied with her demands,’ the lawsuit states.

Doe claims he was assaulted again later the same month.

During the second encounter, Hajdini allegedly ordered him to suck her toes, pushed him to the ground and sat on his face, berating him when he was unable to sustain arousal.

‘I’m very uncomfortable, please, Lorna, please, I’m begging you,’ Doe claims he told her. But she allegedly laughed before making a racist remark that at least his genitals didn’t ‘taste like curry,’ according to the complaint.

Over the following months, Doe claims Hajdini continued to subject him to overt sexual advances at work and in public, and continued to sexually assault him.

The complaint says she repeatedly reminded him that she ‘owned’ him and that she controlled his promotion and bonus, which he understood as a threat that she would block both if he refused.

During an encounter in late September 2024, Hajdini allegedly yelled at Doe that he wasn’t bringing in enough business to help her secure a promotion to Managing Director, before again threatening him if he refused to have sex with her, the complaint says.

‘I f**king own you! I will make you pay… Do you think you’re going to be in good standing if you do not have me in your corner,’ she allegedly said. ‘You really think [management]… want some Brown boy Indian leading Originations?… If you don’t f**k my brains out tonight, I’m going to sabotage your promotion.’

Fearful of retaliation, Doe claims he relented and submitted to another encounter.

His initial protests were overheard by a second witness who was staying in the adjoining room, according to the lawsuit.

The complaint was filed Monday in New York County Supreme Court by a plaintiff proceeding anonymously as John Doe

The complaint was filed Monday in New York County Supreme Court by a plaintiff proceeding anonymously as John Doe

Doe claims Hajdini later admitted to drugging him with Rohypnol or ‘roofies’ and ‘an erection-enabling pharmaceutical substance’, to ensure he could perform before coerced encounters.

Fearful of reporting her behavior, and allegedly concerned JPMC would not properly investigate his claims, Doe began seeking job opportunities elsewhere in late 2024.

However, he claims in the complaint that Hajdini and other senior managers conspired to derail his prospects with ‘aggressively negative’ references after learning of his plans to leave.

In May 2025, Doe delivered a written complaint to JPMC detailing what he described as race and gender-based discrimination and harassment, and a pattern of ‘severe sexual abuse.’

A week later, he claims the firm began retaliating against him.

That included receiving anonymous threatening phone calls from individuals he believes were acting on behalf of Hajdini and others, attempting to scare him into silence, according to the complaint.

‘Just wait ‘till you’re back in New York, Brown boy…’ one caller allegedly told him. ‘You better stay away – snitch.’

On June 9, 2025, Doe says he received a voicemail from someone claiming to be a manager at JPMC, telling him he wasn’t welcome because of his skin color, adding that ‘people don’t want you or your kind here.’

Another caller allegedly threatened to contact US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) about him and his family.

The lawsuit also accuses JPMorgan Chase of enabling the alleged abuse and retaliating against the banker after he reported it

The lawsuit also accuses JPMorgan Chase of enabling the alleged abuse and retaliating against the banker after he reported it

Doe claims the company took overt steps to retaliate against him as well, the complaint states.

Within days of filing his report, he says he was reprimanded and then locked out of all company systems and placed on involuntary leave – a decision he claims HR linked to his complaints.

Meanwhile, he alleges that Hajdini and other executives he accuses have faced no comparable action.

JPMC denied Doe’s claims, insisting an investigation found no evidence to support his allegations. Hajdini is still employed at the company.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Doe’s attorney, Daniel J. Kaiser, called his client’s allegations horrendous and disturbing.

Kaiser said Doe has been left devastated personally and professionally by the treatment he was allegedly subjected to.

He claims his client has been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and continues to struggle financially because his reputation has been damaged and he has been unable to find another job.

Doe is seeking damages for lost earnings, emotional distress and reputational harm, as well as punitive damages and changes to the bank’s practices, according to the complaint.

Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed Open Up About Financial Struggles After Departing Hollywood


Ian Somerhalder recently opened up about how he and his wife, Nikki Reed, best known for her role in “Twilight,” managed to overcome a significant financial burden after he stepped away from his acting career.

The former star of “The Vampire Diaries” revealed that he found himself in an eight-figure debt due to a business venture that didn’t pan out as planned. In a candid interview with E! News, Somerhalder explained, “I retired from acting seven years ago and left a highly lucrative career in television due to a financial upheaval. I had attempted to build a business, but it wasn’t done correctly, and along with experiencing fraud, it led my wife and me into a massive financial pit.”

He recounted how everything “came crashing down” after making personal guarantees to a bank that amounted to eight figures. He expressed immense gratitude towards his wife for her pivotal role in resolving their financial crisis.

“Climbing out of an eight-figure debt is incredibly challenging,” Somerhalder acknowledged. “But Nikki and I managed to do it. She was instrumental in negotiating us out of this predicament. We ended up selling houses, paintings, cars, watches—everything.”

“Eight figures is a hard hole to climb out of,” he said. “But Nikki and I did it. You know, she really negotiated us out of this deal, but we sold houses, paintings, cars, watches, everything.”

“I mean, I should have been retiring off of one of the biggest TV shows in the world,” he added, referring to the CW’s “The Vampire Diaries,” which he starred in from 2009 to 2017.

Somerhalder is now an entrepreneur after retiring from acting. He co-founded Brother’s Bond Bourbon with his “The Vampire Diaries” co-star Paul Wesley, and Somerhalder and Reed also co-founded the Absorption Company, which offers high-absorption powdered supplements.

Somerhalder’s advice for anyone looking to start a business with their significant other is to “make it fun.”

“The ups and the downs in the journey are supposed to be fun,” he said. “The grind is supposed to be fun.”

“Find the beauty in all of it,” he added.

Somerhalder, 47, and Reed, 37, tied the knot in April 2015. They share two children together: daughter Bodhi, 8, and a son they welcomed in June 2023.

The couple moved to a farm just outside of Los Angeles with their kids a few years ago and have never looked back.

“We’re building three companies at the same time, raising kids,” he told People in October 2024.

He also told E! News in January of that year of his acting career, “I loved what I did for a really long time. I don’t miss any of it. I love making films, and I just did it for so long. We had an amazing run.”

Disney World Enforces Zero Tolerance: Guest Faces Lifetime Ban for Alleged Employee Assault During Character Photo Op

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A father has been permanently banned from Walt Disney World Resort after being arrested for allegedly assaulting a park actor portraying Mirabel from the popular 2021 film “Encanto.”

The incident, which took place last week, underscores the ongoing challenges faced by theme parks in maintaining order and ensuring guest safety, especially during high-demand character meet-and-greet events. Disney parks are known for their stringent guest conduct policies, with any violations potentially leading to ejection or lifetime bans from the premises.

As reported by The Travel, Diego Rodriguez was attending the Epcot area with a woman and child, waiting in line for a photo opportunity with the Mirabel character. The actor was accompanied by another park employee tasked with managing the large groups of families eager for a picture.

This event serves as a reminder of the importance of respectful behavior in theme parks, where the joy of the experience relies heavily on the cooperation and civility of all visitors.

Disneyland

Recently, a father was banned from Walt Disney World Resort property after assaulting a park actor and employee. (AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Rodriguez reportedly grew impatient and attempted to cut to the front of the line multiple times, despite being told by an employee that he could not.

The child then tried to run to the actor before being stopped. The woman with Rodriguez also asked Mirabel to sign her child’s autograph book, but the actor said she was only taking photos at the time. The woman then waved the book in the employee’s face.

Rodriguez then got involved, reportedly grabbing the Disney employee’s arm, shaking her and verbally assaulting both the actor playing Mirabel and the employee.

Mugshot of Diego Rodriguez

Diego Rodriguez was arrested on battery charges after becoming impatient waiting in line to take a photo with a character. (Orange County Sheriff’s Office)

Witnesses said they heard Rodriguez yelling during the interaction, saying, “Why everyone can take a picture but us?”

Following the incident, he received a lifetime trespass notice, permanently banning him from Walt Disney World Resort property, and was held on battery charges by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in connection with the incident.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office and a representative for Disney did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

This enforcement aligns with Disney’s official park rules, which state that guests who engage in disorderly or unsafe behavior will be removed without refund and may face long-term bans.

Statues of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse at Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida

In October 2025, Disney raised prices at both Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California. (Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)

In recent years, Disney has added specific language to its “Guest Courtesy” policy, emphasizing a zero-tolerance approach to physical or verbal abuse directed at its “Cast Members.”

These rules grant Disney, as a private property owner, the right to trespass individuals for any violation of park safety protocols. Once a lifetime ban is issued, it is rarely overturned, serving as a permanent reminder that the “magic” of the parks depends strictly on guest cooperation and mutual respect.

West Wilson’s Relative Faces Charges in Grandmother’s Murder Case

West Wilson‘s family is grappling with an unthinkable tragedy.

The star of Summer House, West Wilson, is facing heartbreak as their cousin, Dakota Sweeney, has been taken into custody in Missouri. Sweeney stands accused of allegedly murdering their grandmother, Gayle R. Wilson, according to information provided by Carroll County authorities to TMZ.

Details of the incident emerged from a residence in Carrollton at approximately 10:30 p.m. on April 22, as noted in a probable cause statement obtained by E! News.

Upon responding to homicide reports, police officers discovered the lifeless body of 75-year-old Gayle inside the home. Dakota was present at the scene, along with a witness believed to be Gayle’s husband, Roger Wilson. The witness informed authorities that they had seen the 28-year-old Dakota shoot Gayle with a handgun, according to the document.

The witness claimed that an argument about Dakota’s lack of help with household chores had taken place earlier in the evening. However, the situation escalated fatally when Dakota, who had been sitting on a separate couch near Gayle for nearly 30 minutes, unexpectedly shot her without any prior warning, as outlined in the statement.

Tragic Revelation: The Confirmed Cause Behind ‘Melrose Place’ Star Patrick Muldoon’s Untimely Death

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The official cause of death for “Melrose Place” actor Patrick Muldoon has been revealed.

According to documents acquired by Us Weekly on Wednesday, the actor succumbed to a myocardial infarction, commonly referred to as a heart attack.

Additional contributing factors to his passing included a genetic coagulopathy disorder, which affects the blood’s ability to clot properly, and a pulmonary embolism, characterized as “a sudden blockage in a lung artery.”

Muldoon died on April 19 at the age of 57.

Shana Muldoon-Zappa, the “Days of Our Lives” star’s sister, shared with TMZ that her brother spent the morning with his partner, Miriam Rothbart, at their residence in Beverly Hills before heading to shower.

But when Rothbart went to check on the “Starship Troopers” star, she discovered him unconscious on the bathroom floor.

Although paramedics were promptly called, Muldoon was reportedly pronounced dead on the scene.

Described as “endlessly generous” by those closest to him, Muldoon was remembered as “stylish, charismatic and full of life” and someone who “embraced each day with a full-tilt, rock ’n’ roll spirit.”

He also “loved animals and people alike, gave unforgettable hugs, and possessed a rare quality of making others feel safe and seen.”

Born in the San Pedro neighborhood of Los Angeles in 1968, Muldoon appeared in two episodes of “Who’s the Boss?” while attending college at the University of Southern California.

He went on to land a three-episode recurring role in “Saved by the Bell” shortly after graduating from college in 1991, before joining “Days of Our Lives” as the iconic Austin Reed from 1992 to 1995 and then again from 2011 to 2012. 

After departing the long-running soap opera in 1995, Muldoon joined “Melrose Place” as the wicked Richard Hart for Seasons 3 through 5 from 1995 to 1996.

Muldoon’s acting credits also included the 1997 hit film “Starship Troopers,” which he starred in alongside Denise Richards.

The late actor looked happy and healthy during his final public appearance at the 53rd Annual Saturn Awards in March.

His last Instagram post was shared on April 17, two days before his death, where he expressed “excite[ment]” for his upcoming film, “Kockroach.”

Many of Muldoon’s former co-stars took to social media following the news of his death to pay tribute to the “endlessly generous” actor.

“Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alum Lisa Rinna, who starred with Muldoon in “Days of Our Lives” and shared a brief fling with him in the ’90s, posted a throwback snap of the pair with a heartbreak emoji.

Mario Lopez, who starred with Muldoon during his short stint on “Saved by the Bell,” wrote “RIP my friend” on X alongside a black-and-white photo of the late actor.

Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams Gifts Autographed Jersey to Elgin Educator for Innovative Math Lesson Using His Football Statistics

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ELGIN, Ill. (WLS) — Some students in the suburbs received an unexpected treat when their teacher incorporated statistics from the Chicago Bears to make math more engaging.

This innovative teaching method caught the attention of Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.

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Often regarded as a challenging subject, math found a new champion at Harvest Christian Academy in Elgin. Here, a fourth-grade teacher has teamed up with the Bears’ quarterback to inject some excitement into the classroom.

Emily Romano, the teacher in question, is passionate about math and aims to pass on this enthusiasm to her students. She devised a creative strategy to boost their interest by tracking Williams’ record-breaking passing yards from last season.

“We used addition to calculate his total yards, division to find his average, and subtraction to determine how close he was to his goal,” Romano explained.

It’s been a big success with her students. Many have not only learned math, but also started following football. On Fridays, the students would predict how many yards Williams would throw for that weekend. The winner would get extra recess for the classroom.

Their teacher posted pictures of the class as they progressed through the season on social media, and eventually it got the attention of Williams himself, who liked and commented on the post. He also sent a signed jersey to the class. It was a big hit.

SEE ALSO | 2026 NFL Draft: Chicago Bears wrap up final day with 3 defensive selections

“I’m just a fourth grade teacher doing something fun with my class,” Romano said. “But it’s cool. He saw it, and people see what we’re doing and maybe be inspired to try it in their classroom.”

The school has even seen an improvement in their overall math scores.

“They are coming in on Monday morning excited to share what they’re learning and how they’re applying it,” admissions manager Lauryn Miller said. “It really doesn’t get better than that as a teacher.”

Romano has yet to figure out which Bears player or statistics she plans to have the class follow next year, but regardless, she says she is committed to Bear Down with the Monsters of the Midway.

SEE ALSO | Gov. Pritzker says he wants Bears stadium deal done ‘as fast as possible’ as team meets with NFL

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London Stabbing of Two Jewish Men Investigated as ‘Terrorist Incident’ by UK Police

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The UK police have launched an investigation into the stabbing of two Jewish individuals in north London, treating the incident as an act of terrorism.

These shocking attacks in Golders Green, a neighborhood known for its significant Jewish community, have drawn condemnation from King Charles III and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The stabbings occurred amidst a backdrop of recent arson attacks on Jewish sites throughout London, including a prior incident in Golders Green where two ambulances from a Jewish organization were set ablaze.

Authorities have apprehended a 45-year-old suspect, who also allegedly attempted to stab police officers. The two victims, aged 76 and 34, are currently receiving medical care and are reported to be in stable condition.

At the scene, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley revealed that the suspect has a known history of significant violence and mental health challenges.

Urgent government meeting

Local resident Moshie, 20, said he had been “shocked” by the incident.

It feels like the violence is “escalating,” he told the Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency. “Whenever I look around I have one thing in mind. Does this person have a knife? That’s our life now.”

Starmer convened an emergency meeting of senior ministers and officials, telling broadcasters later he would meet on Thursday with “criminal justice agencies to make sure that we have effective and swift justice in these cases”.

“The government is taking action in relation to security, cohesion, extremism,” he added.

“But of course it’s our responsibility to coordinate the immediate response here to this appalling attack, to ensure security is in place.”

Monarch ‘deeply concerned’

King Charles III, who is on a state visit to the United States, said he was “deeply concerned” in a statement issued by Buckingham Palace.

The spate of arson attacks on synagogues and other Jewish sites in north London in recent weeks have heightened security fears.

“After attacks on synagogues, Jewish institutions, community ambulances and now Jews targeted in Golders Green, the UK government can no longer claim this is under control,” Israel’s foreign ministry said on X.

Several badly damaged ambulances parked in a row.
Four ambulances belonging to a Jewish community group were targeted last month in an incident police treated as an antisemitic hate crime. Source: Getty / PA Images

Assistant commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing, said the stabbings had been declared “a terrorist incident”.

He noted his officers and the capital’s Metropolitan police were “working with the security services to ensure we have a full intelligence picture”.

The incident unfolded shortly after 11am local time, when the Shomrim Jewish neighbourhood watch group first reported that a knife-wielding man was “attempting to stab Jewish members of the public”.

Shomrim members helped detain the suspect before police arrived and subdued him using an electroshock weapon. The response of the Jewish volunteers earned widespread praise.

The victims were also treated at the scene by Hatzola, a Jewish volunteer ambulance service that was targeted in an attack last month.

The stabbings follow a deadly assault on a synagogue in Manchester last October on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur that killed two people and seriously injured three.

Other incidents have followed last month’s ambulance attack, including an attack on the Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow as well as the premises of a Jewish charity.

Last week, the Finchley Reform Synagogue was targeted.

‘Why do we have to live in fear?’

“Why do we have to live in fear? We’re doing our best to live our lives as normal as possible, but every day is a struggle,” Shomrim volunteer Steven Bak told AFP.

About 150 people protested on Wednesday evening (local time) close to where the attack happened, and were addressed by Richard Tice, the deputy leader of anti-immigrant party Reform UK.

Ephraim Mirvis, Britain’s chief rabbi, told reporters the community was “strong” and “resilient” but “such attacks need to stop now”.

“Zero tolerance — that’s what our community wants,” he said.

Police have arrested 28 people in total over the various attacks — including Wednesday’s — which have taken place since the US and Israel initiated a war against Iran on 28 February.

Monitoring groups have reported a surge in antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents in the UK, particularly since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza in 2023.

The Community Security Trust (CST) charity recorded 3,700 antisemitic incidents in the UK in 2025, the second-highest total ever reported to CST in a single calendar year.

It was an increase of 4 per cent from the 3,556 anti-Jewish hate incidents recorded by CST in 2024, and 14 per cent lower than the highest ever annual total of 4,298 antisemitic incidents reported in 2023. CST recorded 1,662 antisemitic incidents in 2022, and 2,261 in 2021.

Attacks have also risen worldwide.

In Australia, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) reported that during the twelve-month period from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025, there were 1,654 anti-Jewish incidents logged by volunteer Community Security Groups (CSGs), official Jewish state roof bodies, and the ECAJ.


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