In an unexpected turn of events, former reality TV star Joseph Duggar and his wife, Kendra, have retracted their previous not guilty pleas regarding allegations of child endangerment and false imprisonment.

The couple was scheduled to appear in an Arkansas court today, but this last-minute decision has altered those plans.

Back in March, the Duggars faced charges after authorities searched their home, following Joseph’s arrest due to a separate offense in Florida. In that case, he was accused of lewd and lascivious behavior involving a victim under the age of 12 which led to further legal scrutiny.

During the investigation at their Tontitown residence, officers discovered locks installed on the outside of the children’s bedroom doors.

Subsequently, the authorities charged the couple with four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and an equal number of counts for second-degree false imprisonment.

Kendra, 27, was arrested on March 20 and booked into the same jail where her 19 Kids and Counting star husband was being held in awaiting extradition over the Florida case.

The couple avoided having to appear in court in Arkansas on Monday by submitting a plea by order, which will allow them to change their plea to guilty or no contest. 

Joseph’s separate Florida case is unaffected by the development and is expected to proceed as normal. He has pleaded not guilty to the Florida charges, waived his arraignment and demanded a jury trial. 

The judge presiding over the case is now expected to accept the couple’s filing and determine their sentence. If convicted on all eight counts, the Duggars face up to eight years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines. 

The couple share four children together, sons Garrett and Justus and daughters Addison and Brooklyn. 

Kendra was released on a $1,470 bond 90 minutes after her arrest. Joseph was released from the Florida jail he was extradited to after posting a $600,000 bond on April 1.

A judge initially issued an order forbidding her to have contact with her kids, however, this was overturned after attorney Travis Story, who has represented the Duggars in the Arkansas case, filed a motion. The Daily Mail has contacted Story for comment. 

Joseph’s accuser in his Florida case, who is currently 14, alleged she suffered ‘several incidents of sexual abuse’ when she was nine years old on a family vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida, according to the affidavit obtained by the Daily Mail. 

She made the claims in a forensic interview she gave to a detective with the Tontitown Police Department, per an affidavit written by Deputy Sheriff Darrell Norris of the Bay County Sheriff’s Office in Lynn Haven, Florida.

At the time of the Florida vacation described in the document, the couple had two children and Kendra was pregnant with their third.

Joseph’s accuser told a detective that during the Florida vacation, she ‘would sit on the defendant’s lap’ and he would ‘cradle [her] with his arms,’ the affidavit states.

As the holiday progressed, Joseph’s behavior is said to have evolved, according to the underage girl’s account of events as relayed in the legal document.

Joseph allegedly requested that she ‘sit on the couch beside [him],’ whereupon he supposedly ‘covered the parties with a blanket,’ per the affidavit.

The alleged victim accused Joseph of fondling and groping her under the blanket.

She claimed he ‘eventually approached the victim and apologized for his actions’ and then ‘the incidents stopped occurring,’ the affidavit claims.

After the underage girl gave her forensic interview to the Arkansas detective, Deputy Sheriff Darrell Norris in Florida ‘requested the detective and victim’s father call Joseph’ in order to obtain a confession from him.

The affidavit claims that during the call, Joseph ‘admitted his actions, stating he touched the victim over her clothing’ and ‘admitted his intentions were not pure.’ 

A tragedy unfolded on New York Harbor when a boat, allegedly operated illegally by a New Jersey resident, capsized. Despite repeated safety warnings, the incident resulted in the heartbreaking deaths of a young mother and her five-month-old child.

Authorities have charged 46-year-old Manuel Hernandez from Manville with grievous misconduct and neglect as a ship officer, following the capsizing of the Yamaha AR210 he was navigating on Saturday night.

On Monday, Hernandez appeared in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo, facing charges that could potentially lead to a 10-year prison sentence for each account.

According to federal prosecutors, Hernandez was conducting tours without a proper license, dangerously overcrowding his vessel with 14 passengers—exceeding its 10-person capacity—and failed to provide an infant aboard with adequate life-saving gear.

According to the federal complaint, it was not Hernandez’s first time allegedly taking paying customers onto New York Harbor without the required credentials.

After his arrest, Hernandez allegedly told investigators he had previously piloted at least two other boat tours for the same tour company using his own vessel.

He allegedly acknowledged he lacked the required Merchant Mariner Credential and Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection for those trips and said he was paid about $1,000 for each.

Coast Guard Investigative Service Assistant Director Josh Packer said illegal charter operations “gamble with human life.”

“In this case, the alleged conduct led to an unthinkable tragedy,” Packer said.

Before Saturday’s fatal trip even began, Hernandez allegedly asked the baby’s parents whether they had an infant-sized flotation device. When they said they did not, Hernandez told them the boat did not have one either, according to the complaint.

Despite that, Hernandez allegedly instructed one parent to wear a life vest and hold the baby throughout the tour. The child’s mother did so.

About three hours and 20 minutes into the excursion, Hernandez allegedly made a U-turn while heading toward the Statue of Liberty, bringing the vessel into a swell that may have been caused by the wake of a larger passing boat.

Hernandez tried to accelerate through the swell, but it swamped the bow and the vessel “immediately capsized,” prosecutors allege.

All 14 people were thrown into the harbor. Eleven passengers and Hernandez survived, while the mother and baby were recovered unresponsive and later pronounced dead at a Brooklyn hospital.

“The defendant allegedly flouted those regulations when he transported paying customers on a commercial vessel without appropriate licenses, overcrowded the vessel, and took on a five-month-old infant passenger, with no infant life vests onboard,” U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald said.

The boat used in the fatal trip belonged to a friend and was smaller than Hernandez’s own vessel, which needed mechanical repairs, according to the complaint.

Hernandez allegedly told investigators he did not know the borrowed boat’s maximum capacity and had expected 12 passengers before ultimately agreeing to take 13.

The victims were identified in a GoFundMe organized by friends and colleagues as Sara Sanchez, 27, and her 5-month-old daughter, Antonella Garcia. Sanchez’s partner and Antonella’s father, Andres Garcia, was also aboard the boat and survived.

Garcia is now grieving their deaths while caring for the couple’s 6-year-old son, Salvador, according to the fundraiser, which is raising money for funeral expenses and other costs. “No amount of money can replace Sara or Antonella,” organizers wrote.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Hernandez showed “a complete disregard for the safety of his passengers.”

“This tragedy could have been prevented, and now a family is left to grieve the unimaginable loss of a mother and her five-month-old daughter because of his negligence,” Tisch said.

From the left: Confessions of a Token Black Prof

In a candid critique of academia’s shortcomings, Tyler Austin Harper of The Atlantic sheds light on his decision to leave a promising position at Bates College. Harper argues that the extreme adherence to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, along with what he refers to as “wokery,” serves as a diversion for senior faculty. These movements, he suggests, detract from addressing deeper issues like student debt and soaring tuition fees. By championing causes like Black Lives Matter, #MeToo, and trans rights, colleges conveniently sidestep their economic and social responsibilities. Harper asserts that embracing social justice rhetoric while focusing on faculty diversity offered a superficial and cost-effective solution compared to lowering tuition or expanding tenure-track opportunities. Meanwhile, graduates of elite institutions often pursue careers in tech, finance, or consulting, casting doubt on the claim that they are being groomed for civic virtue.

Science beat: To Root Out Fauci’s Rot

Mike Fallagher of The Wall Street Journal raises alarm over the systemic dysfunction in government science, highlighted by Anthony Fauci’s diaries. He points to a critical report by White House official Michał Kratsios, emphasizing that current institutions and funding frameworks are inadequate for modern research demands. Fallagher advocates for Kratsios’ reform agenda, which encourages backing unconventional proposals and enhancing collaboration between academia, national laboratories, and industry. By embracing deregulation and empowering scientists, he argues, the undue influence of bureaucratic gatekeepers could be diminished, ultimately serving national interests. Restructuring the institutions that supported figures like Dr. Fauci, Fallagher believes, is necessary for progress.

Culture critic: Art Museum Rejects Beauty

The launch of the David Geffen Galleries at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art has sparked criticism for its stark design and unconventional exhibit arrangement. Caitlin Flanagan of The Free Press describes the galleries as engulfed in “Soviet gray” brutalism, with art displayed in what she calls a “garage-sale style” under “museum abolition theory.” This approach rejects traditional categorizations by period, place, or artist, leading to what Flanagan deems a chaotic jumble reminiscent of a real-life TikTok feed, with constantly shifting displays. She argues that the galleries eschew educational value and fail to inspire with beauty, leaving visitors wanting more from their cultural experience.

Conservative: Dem Establishment Hugs Its Killers

In the quest to reclaim political dominance, Democrats like Senator Chuck Schumer are accused of shielding leftist extremists, according to Fox News’ Jonathan Turley. Despite the establishment’s apparent indifference to radical factions within their ranks, these groups are acutely aware of the establishment’s implications. Activists like David Hogg argue that the Democratic party’s “big tent” doesn’t accommodate their ideals, while brocaster Hasan Piker seeks to root out Democrats not endorsing figures like Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, labeling dissenters as “haters” deserving of reprimand. Schumer’s reliance on inclusive narratives, Turley warns, might backfire if these candidates secure victories, revealing the party’s tent to be less expansive than presumed.

Libertarian: Inside the Dem-Socialist Appeal

J.D. Tuccille of Reason takes aim at the recent rise of socialism among young college graduates, attributing it to a disconnect between credentials and economic reality. With universities producing an oversupply of graduates burdened with debt from degrees that offer limited career prospects, these individuals often misdirect their frustrations towards capitalism, Western civilization, and even Israel and Jews. Tuccille defends free-market capitalism as a driver of liberty and prosperity, contrasting it with what he sees as the repressive nature of socialism. He cautions against today’s radical ideologies, which blend outdated and dangerous doctrines such as totalitarianism and bigotry into a seemingly modern political creed that attracts those dissatisfied with their circumstances.

— Compiled by The Post Editorial Board

STICKNEY, Ill. (WLS) — The historic era of horse racing in northern Illinois is drawing to a close as a bankruptcy judge gives the green light for the sale of Hawthorne Race Course to a Delaware-based company for a substantial $90 million. This decision brings extensive implications, particularly for the community that has depended on this industry for livelihoods and accommodation.

Approximately 300 individuals, encompassing entire families with children who reside above the track’s stables, are now confronted with the daunting task of seeking alternative housing solutions.

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Eighteen-year-old Arleth Roman knows no other home than Hawthorne, having lived here and previously at Arlington Park since she was just five. With her parents employed at the facility, Roman is not only facing the transition into college life post-high school graduation but also the urgent quest for a new place to call home.

“It’s pretty sad over here. We have friends, family close to each other. Now everyone has to go,” she lamented, capturing the collective sentiment of displacement among the affected families.

Meanwhile, 14-year-old Maya Heins and her family are planning a move to Kentucky, where fresh opportunities at another racetrack promise a new beginning.

“I’ve been here since I was four. It’s a really hard change. I made a lot of friends. Gonna be hard to go, but can’t do anything about it,” Heins said.

According to the report, Hawthorne’s owners attempted to find a buyer who would keep the property operating as a racetrack. Those efforts were unsuccessful, and last month a judge allowed a Delaware company with other plans for the property to purchase it.

“You’re uploading a whole community. There’s a sense of closeness here. Everybody knows each other,” said George Moreno of the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association.

The closure also affects horse owners and others whose livelihoods have been tied to racing.

“I’m not the only one whose life revolves around horses. And we’ve been trying to save this place. But there’s nothing more we can do,” said horse owner Mena Perez.

The situation is particularly difficult for residents of the backstretch, who are losing both their jobs and their homes. Among them is Sylvester Espinosa, who said he has been unable to find housing because prospective landlords are asking for proof of income and a rental history, neither of which he has.

Roman said many residents are seeking help as time runs short.

“It’s over now. It is what it is. I’m very sad,” she said.

Despite the planned closure of the track, Hawthorne’s owners have applied for racing dates for next season. According to information provided in the report, the owners still hold the racing license and are hoping to find a partner to continue racing at another location.

Popular style influencer Brigette Pheloung recently gave fans a peek into her lavish wedding festivities, featuring her enchanting wedding gown.

Based in New York City, the acclaimed content creator legally wed her long-term partner, Mitch McHale, in June. On Monday, she took to Instagram to unveil the grandeur of this second, more extravagant celebration.

Pheloung, who captivates nearly three million followers, initially tied the knot in Philadelphia earlier this year. However, she has since indulged in a more expansive ceremonial affair.

Taking to Instagram, the blonde beauty, 28, shared a carousel of images from her special day that took place on Saturday, August 8.

The celebration included heartwarming images of the joyful couple as they exchanged vows, walked hand in hand down the aisle, and shared a private moment against a picturesque clifftop backdrop.

Their path was adorned with an elegant array of white and pale yellow flowers, including roses and hydrangeas, creating a stunning floral archway under which they lovingly said ‘I Do’.

But it was Pheloung’s dress that really stole the show.

To tie the knot, she wore an off-the-shoulder ballgown that appeared to be by Vera Wang.

It was adorned with abstract gazaar florals across the waistband and winding rosettes around the hem of the train. 

Pheloung wore her tresses in loose curls before accessorizing with a veil, diamond pendant necklace and matching bracelet. 

She shared the images alongside a caption that simply read: ‘Husband & Wife. 08/08/26.’

Pheloung then dedicated a separate video upload to her gown, which showed a before and after, describing it as: ‘The dress of my dreams.’

Her twin sister Danielle, who was her maid of honor, also shared a series of snapshots of the day. She wore a strapless black ballroom-style gown but opted to wear her hair in a sweeping up-do.  

Many of Pheloung’s followers flooded to the comments to heap praise on the new bride’s dress, which was worlds away from her choice of outfit for her previous intimate ceremony.

Back in June, Pheloung officially tied the knot with McHale at Saint Joseph’s University, where the pair first met nine years prior.

She made the announcement by sharing a video to Instagram, which showed clips from their private wedding, and was narrated by each of them telling the story of how they met.

For that occasion, Pheloung donned a figure-hugging, long-sleeved lace gown, which featured a hood as well as an open back.

It was custom-made for the influencer by her and twin sister Danielle’s own clothing brand, Phe Phe.

But some of the social media star’s followers were not fans of the look, as they took to Reddit to slam the gown, branding it as ‘too much’ and ‘ridiculous’ for a summer event.

Pheloung’s big day comes after she also made headlines for her extravagant bachelorette party.

She set off for the trip in a Boeing Business Jet worth millions of dollars and stayed in a private villa in St. Barths with her closest friends.

The jet ride and villa were both sponsored by AI mirror company Swan Beauty, which sells an $800 ‘smart beauty mirror’ that gives users an AI skin analysis and face mapping, along with tutorials from professional makeup artists and even includes a makeup shopping app.

While Pheloung is only including twin sister Danielle in her actual bridal party, she invited along nearly 20 friends for the sponsored weekend-long trip, including fellow content creators Kit Keenan, who is the daughter of fashion designer Cynthia Rowley, Audrey Trullinger, Lauren Wolfe and Klea Mulla.

The women showed their followers every detail of the weekend, starting off with their private jet ride, where they were greeted with drinks in coconut shells with her bachelorette catchphrase – ‘acquired a husband’ – as well as a buffet of breakfast foods and treats. 

The jet not only featured a full-size bed on board, but also a conference table and cashmere sofas and chairs.

The bridal party all wore neon sweatsuits from the twins’ brand, Phe Phe, while Brigette wore a custom-made, bedazzled white suit that read ‘bride’ on both her shirt and the back of the sweatpants.

The bride-to-be toted a $35,000 mini Hermès Kelly bag during her travels.

While they were in the air, the girls made plenty of TikTok videos chronicling the trip, and even gave the bride a gift, which was a white tote bag from designer Goyard, which costs over $2,000, complete with her new initials painted on it in bright pink.

After they made their way from New York City to St. Barths via the private jet, they were transported to a huge, private villa where the girls will stay for the weekend.

The villa featured multiple huge living rooms, a large kitchen and open-air bedrooms that each have their own private view of the nearby beach and sea.

It’s unclear exactly what villa the brand has rented for the weekend, but similar, multi-room villas in the area go for over $18,000 per week.