An unexpected sight of a bear scaling a utility pole in rural New Mexico captivated online audiences this week, though the adventurous animal reportedly met an unfortunate fate following the peculiar event.

Captured on Monday near Gladstone, New Mexico, about 170 miles east of Santa Fe, the footage portrays the bear precariously clinging to the crossarm of a utility pole. The animal, appearing visibly stressed, was seen panting as it struggled to maintain its position high above the ground.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of the Interior shared the video with a touch of humor, commenting, “We appreciate the enthusiasm for American Energy Dominance, but this isn’t what we meant.”

Neither the Department of the Interior nor the New Mexico Department of Wildlife has yet responded to News Media’s inquiries regarding the incident.

The footage, verified by Storyful, also includes audio from a 911 caller reporting the unusual sight.

“I’m calling to report a bear on top of a light pole,” the caller tells the dispatcher.

The dispatcher responds that state officials had already been notified, but said tranquilizing the animal while it remained atop the pole could have caused it to fall.

Shannon Mullens, who recorded the video, told Storyful she was traveling from Red River, New Mexico, to Oklahoma on Highway 56 when she and her family spotted what they initially believed was a dead bear.

“We really didn’t believe what we saw at first, so we turned around to get another look,” Mullens said.

“At first, we thought that the bear was dead, until we got closer to it, and then we realized that he was still alive.”

The bear was electrocuted and died before wildlife officials could safely rescue it, the New York Post reported.

Wildlife experts say bears can climb utility poles after becoming startled by people, traffic or dogs, treating them much like trees while trying to escape danger.

A similar incident ended differently in Arizona in 2021, when wildlife officials safely rescued a bear that had climbed a utility pole.

In a nail-biting finish, Sabrina Ionescu’s clutch performance secured a narrow 95-94 victory for the Liberty over the Chicago Sky, setting a positive tone as they head into the All-Star break.

Ionescu was unstoppable in the final quarter, racking up 12 of her leading 29 points. She went an impressive 4-for-5 from the field, including three key three-pointers during the crucial last 10 minutes of play.

The decisive edge came when Jonquel Jones clinched the game with a pivotal free throw.

With just under a minute remaining, Ionescu’s three-pointer expanded the Liberty’s advantage to five points. Fierce defensive efforts then forced the Sky into a critical 24-second shot clock infraction, leaving them with 31 seconds on the clock.

After a strategic timeout from New York, Breanna Stewart inbounded to Ionescu, who promptly hit another three-pointer, narrowing the Sky’s lead to just two points.

The Liberty needed a stop.

Stewart was called for a soft foul, sending her former teammate Courtney Vandersloot to the line with 26.3 seconds left. 

Vandersloot split the free throws. Pauline Astier grabbed the rebound. The obvious answer was simple: Get the ball back in Ionescu’s hands and let her cook.

Astier found Ionescu, who dribbled around before driving to the lane for an and-1 layup that tied the score at 94 with 15.1 seconds left. 

Vandersloot found Kamilla Cardoso, whose missed at the rim. Jones secured the rebound and was fouled with 3.4 seconds left. 

Jones hit the free throw, but missed the second one. 

It didn’t matter. 

Vandersloot’s half-court heave was off the mark. 

The Liberty picked up back-to-back wins for the first time in more than a month. 

Monday’s overtime win in Dallas provided the Liberty with a little bit of relief. Their four-game losing streak came to a halt. 

Maybe New York could garner some semblance of momentum heading into the All-Star break. 

Ultimately, the Liberty found a way.

It got scary. The Liberty lost the third quarter and trailed by 12 with less than five minutes left in regulation. But New York managed to weather the adversity and keep momentum on their side every time the Sky tried to extinguish it.

Ionescu went 5-for-7 from deep and had four rebounds and four assists. Jones notched yet another double-double to finish with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Perhaps no one deserves this All-Star break more than Stewart, who had 20 points, nine rebounds and four assists. 

Speculation regarding Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s future in New York continues to swirl as she didn’t play for the third straight game. The WNBA trade deadline is Aug. 2. 

The Liberty will now go on break for the next few days, with All-Star events happening in Chicago on Friday and Saturday. They’ll regroup early next week in Los Angeles to open the second portion of their season.

A mother’s world turned upside down from elation to heartbreak upon learning of a devastating incident involving her airman son, who she believed was on the verge of delighting her with a surprise visit.

Cedric Eneluna, just 23 years old and serving with the US Space Force’s 30th Civil Engineer Squadron, tragically lost his life in an accident at Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County last Thursday, where he was involved with operating heavy machinery.

His mother, Myra Locsin, recalls the ‘unforgettable night’ she experienced when, to her shock, four airmen arrived at her doorstep around 10:15pm.

“I imagined you would appear from behind them, ready to give me a wonderful surprise, but instead, it was a moment no parent ever wishes to face,” Locsin shared in a heartfelt post on Facebook.

Confronted with the tragic revelation of her son’s passing, Locsin described the news as ‘unbearable,’ shaking her to her core.

Eneluna died in an incident that happened when the equipment he was operating rolled down an embankment, according to the US Space Force.

The grieving mother added: ‘I love you Son! You had been a very good son. Loving, responsible and smart kid. You had always made me proud.’

Eneluna first joined the Armed Forces on March 5, 2024, and arrived at Vandenberg about five months later for his first duty assignment.

On Saturday, Locsin wrote that losing her son was ‘heartbreaking’ and ‘surreal.’

‘I will miss your wake up calls, your hugs and kisses, and your voice when you call me “Mama,”‘ she posted.

Four days later, Locsin said she was ‘so proud’ of Eneluna, as she shed light on their family history.

‘I can still remember vividly, you called me one day and thanked me for my sacrifices and your grandmother’s sacrifice, too,’ she said. ‘You knew what responsibility was, growing up without a father.’

The heartbroken mom said that her son had told her he would be ‘a better father and a loving husband one day.’

‘I was so excited to shower my grandkids with the love and care i did for you,’ she wrote.

Eneluna’s last Facebook update had come on July 11, just five days before his death.

He had updated his profile picture to show himself posing with a wide smile next to two dogs.

Eneluna had spent his childhood in the Philippines, with a social media profile listing his birthplace as Bacolod City, but called Fayetteville, North Carolina, his hometown.

The commander of Space Launch Delta 30 at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Space Force Col James T Horne III, said that the base was ‘grieving alongside Cedric’s loved ones and his teammates.’

‘He made a lasting impression on his teammates through his character, dedication, and genuine care for others,’ Horne III said.

Airmen of the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Pavements and Equipment Flight are tasked to help sustain the infrastructure supporting Vandenberg’s launch, test and range operations.

‘He brought out the best in everyone,’ Air Force Lt Col Seth Poulsen said. ‘He was always ready to work, always willing to help, and always had a positive attitude.

Poulsen added: ‘He truly represented what it means to be an Airman.’

The statement announcing Eneluna’s death said his teammates recalled him as a ‘positive influence who approached every challenge with determination, embraced every opportunity to serve, and made everyone around him feel.

Eneluna was part of a crew known on the base as the ‘Dirt Boyz,’ according to the statement.

One of Eneluna’s teammates, Gage Potthoff, tributed him on Facebook as someone who ‘ALWAYS had a smile and found a way to be positive.’

‘The Vandeberg [sic] Dirtboyz love and miss you,’ Potthoff wrote on Friday. ‘I miss you, thank you for having such a big impact on my life for the beautiful person you are.’

As of Wednesday, Eneluna’s official cause of death had not been determined by the Santa Barbara coroner.

The space base said that ‘additional details will be withheld’ until an investigation into his death was complete.

No one else was injured in the fatal incident, according to the space base.

Details about upcoming memorial services and recognitions honoring Eneluna had not been finalized yet.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Vandenberg Space Force Base, the Coroner’s Bureau at the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and Eneluna’s mother, Locsin, for further comment.

Esteemed actor Ed Begley Jr. and his daughter, Hayden Begley, are set to perform together in the critically acclaimed play “Proof” with a noble cause in mind. Their collaboration aims to generate funds to support the battle against Parkinson’s disease, spotlighting an issue close to the family’s heart.

Begley, a veteran of the entertainment industry with nearly six decades of experience across television and film, is perhaps best known for his memorable role as Dr. Victor Ehrlich on the classic series “St. Elsewhere.” For years, Begley has been candid about his own journey living with Parkinson’s disease, a testament to his resilience and dedication to awareness and advocacy.

“I adhere to my neurologist’s advice rigorously,” Begley expressed, highlighting his commitment to managing his health with the same discipline that has fueled his career.

Now 76, Begley recalls noticing early symptoms long before an official diagnosis was ever made. Despite this, his proactive lifestyle might have delayed more obvious signs.

“My first hint was a twitching pinky back in 1991,” he recounted. “On one hand, ignorance was bliss because I didn’t know until 2016. I maintained an active lifestyle—cycling, regular exercise, healthy eating—and those choices kept the disease at bay for quite a while,” Begley explained. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of staying vigilant and the potential of healthy habits to impact one’s quality of life.

Ed Begley Jr. and Hayden Begley, an actress, had long wanted to perform in a play together. They are now appearing in the Tony Award-winning and Pulitzer Prize-winning stage drama, “Proof.”

The production is also serving as a fundraiser.

“One hundred percent of the proceeds from every single production goes to the Michael J. Fox Foundation,” Hayden Begley said. “But if you’re unable to come, you can donate through our link at Proof for Parkinson’s on Instagram.”

For Ed Begley Jr., the production marks his first time acting on stage in years.

“I was a young man back then, a mere 65 years of age, I think, when I last did anything like this,” he said. “So I’m doing it now at nearly 77 years of age and with some challenges. But, avante, as they say in Italian. Forward! Ever onward.”

Hayden Begley, whose career is in its early years, said she has long looked up to her father.

“I’ve admired my dad not just as my father but as a person and an artist my whole life,” she said. “I mean, I’ve looked up to him in his activism and how he just moves about the world. And i’ve been lucky that not only do I have such a great role model like my dad but I’m able to recognize it.”

Ed Begley Jr. and Hayden Begley are scheduled to appear in “Proof” at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, California from Thursday through Sunday.

In a parallel effort to curb fraud, a Pennsylvania woman has been sentenced to five years in prison for defrauding the government of $1.7 million in FEMA funds following Hurricane Ida, according to a Justice Department announcement. This sentencing marks a significant stride in the administration’s anti-fraud crusade.

Jasmine Williams, 34, hailing from Plymouth Meeting, admitted guilt last year to 32 charges, which encompassed fraud related to a major disaster declaration, as well as wire and mail fraud.

In a statement to News Media, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis asserted, “Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Markwayne Mullin, FEMA is actively eliminating fraud in disaster aid.”

Bis further emphasized, “We are ensuring taxpayer money is safeguarded, and disaster assistance reaches those in genuine need. Anyone attempting to exploit survivors will be apprehended and face justice.”

Then-President Joe Biden issued a disaster declaration in September 2021 after the remnants of Hurricane Ida struck much of the eastern portion of the state.

Officials said Williams solicited participants in her scheme — renters, homeowners or the homeless — and submitted fraudulent documents to FEMA on behalf of almost 200 others, including fraudulent leases, letters from landlords, utility bills, earning statements, and home repair estimates.

She recruited the participants over social media, advertising that she could assist them in applying for FEMA benefits, prosecutors said.  

As part of the fraud, she requested half of the payout for herself, amassing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

When one person involved in the scheme didn’t pay her, Williams posted that person’s personal information on social media, officials said.

She also posted a video criticizing the person for not paying the 50% Williams charged.

Williams additionally used social media to solicit images of damaged homes to submit in support of her fraudulent applications, federal prosecutors said.

In fiscal year 2025, FEMA identified more than 1,700 fraud cases.

Williams’ sentence came as the Trump administration has prioritized combating fraud and waste.

In a shocking turn of events, a male teacher from Massachusetts recognized as one of Amazon’s educators of the year in 2022 now faces serious allegations. The educator, who was celebrated nationwide, was arrested for allegedly abusing a 14-year-old student during the same period he received his prestigious award.

Tymond Tran, aged 38, stands accused of raping a teenage student while serving as an eighth grade teacher at Thurgood Marshall Middle School in Lynn. These accusations stem from the 2022-2023 academic year, as outlined by the Essex District Attorney’s Office in an announcement on Wednesday, reported by CBS Boston.

While specific details about the nature of the relationship between Tran and the victim remain unclear, he faces multiple critical charges of sexual misconduct. His actions have led to his dismissal from the educational institution and cast a shadow over his previous accolades.

Tran’s indictment includes numerous serious charges: aggravated rape of a child with at least a 10-year age gap, indecent assault and battery on a person aged 14 or older, depicting or displaying a child in the nude, and distributing obscene materials to a minor, according to the District Attorney.

Ironically, during the same timeframe these grave allegations emerged, Tran was honored as one of only 10 teachers across the United States to earn the Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the Year award, a title accompanied by a $5,000 prize. This recognition is now mired in controversy due to the severity of the charges against him.

He continued teaching at the middle school until 2024, when he left on his own accord, according to the outlet.

Most recently, Tran was a technology teacher at Lowell Community Charter Public School in Lowell —approximately 32 miles northwest of Lynn — but his employment was suspended then terminated on the same day school officials learned of the disturbing allegations, The Lowell Sun reported.

“Mr. Tran’s employment with the school was immediately terminated last month after the DA’s Office informed us of the details of the criminal charges,” Lowell Community Charter Public School said in a statement to the publication.

“Like all employees, this individual underwent all required state and federal criminal background checks prior to employment,” the statement said. “Because the charges were not filed until June 2026, those required background checks did not identify any criminal charges or convictions at the time of hire.”

Tran pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Wednesday in Essex County Superior Court in Salem and was released into 24/7 house arrest with a GPS monitoring device, the outlet reported.

He is due back in court on Aug. 26.

Following Tran’s arraignment, Lynn Mayor Jard Nicholson and Superintendent of Schools Molly Cohen said they “are shocked and disturbed” by the allegations against the former Lynn school teacher. 

“Our primary concern is for the well-being of the former LPS student. Our hope for that student is healing and justice,” the statement said. 

“We also recognize that this news will be deeply upsetting for students, families, staff, and the broader school community, and we will be making support available as needed. We will continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement and are also conducting our own independent investigation.”