Home Blog Page 144

Drama in Paradise: Daughter Condemns Stepfather’s Escape as Search for Missing American Mom Intensifies in Bahamas

0

The daughter of a missing woman from the Bahamas has voiced her anger toward her stepfather upon her arrival on Great Abaco Island this Thursday.

Karli Aylesworth has previously criticized her stepfather, Brian Hooker, who was the last known person to be with her mother, Lynette Hooker, on April 4. Brian claims that Lynette accidentally fell overboard from their dinghy at approximately 7:30 p.m. while they were heading towards their sailboat anchored near Elbow Key.

Brian was taken into custody by the Royal Bahamas Police Force on April 8 and spent five days in jail as authorities investigated the circumstances of Lynette’s disappearance. He was released on Monday night without any charges being filed against him.

On Tuesday morning, Brian told various news organizations that he intended to stay in the Bahamas to continue the search for Lynette. However, he departed for the United States on Wednesday, arriving in Atlanta by mid-afternoon, according to a source who spoke to Fox News Digital.

Lynette Hooker's daughter, Karli Aylesworth arrives in The Bahamas

Karli Aylesworth, accompanied by her partner Steven Hansen, touched down in Marsh Harbour, The Bahamas, on Thursday, April 16, 2026. Aylesworth is the daughter of Lynette Hooker, the American woman who remains missing. (Photo by Matthew Symons for the New York Post)

“I think it shows his character. He somehow lost my mom at sea and cries on camera saying he’ll never stop searching, then leaves the next day,” Aylesworth told the New York Post upon her arrival to the town of Marsh Harbour, close to where her mother went missing.

Brian Hooker walking out of a hotel in The Bahamas with his lawyer

Brian Hooker leaves his hotel with lawyer Terell A. Butler in Freeport, the Bahamas, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (Matthew Symons for Fox News Digital)

She deplaned at the tiny Leonard Thompson International Airport in Marsh Harbour with her boyfriend, Steve Hansen. They were reportedly met by a uniformed police officer before taking off in a taxi.

Hooker’s attorney, Terrel Butler, said he was going to visit Hooker’s mother.

Lynette Hooker's daughter, Karli Aylesworth arrives in The Bahamas

Karli Aylesworth and partner Steven Hansen arrive in Marsh Harbour, the Bahamas, Thursday, April 16, 2026. (Matthew Symons for NY Post)

“Following his release from custody without charge, Mr. Hooker is now facing another emergency. In addition to the trauma of his wife of 25 years being missing, Mr. Hooker has received urgent word of his mother’s grave illness,” Butler told NBC News. 

“He has traveled to [the] United States of America to be at her bedside during this critical time.”

After her mother’s disappearance, Aylesworth told Fox News Digital she was aware of “prior issues” with Brian’s behavior.

Brian and Lynette Hooker on dinghy

Brian and Lynette Hooker sit on a dinghy in the water in an undated image. (Brian Hooker/Facebook)

“There have been prior issues brought to my attention, which may be important for any thorough investigation. If this truly was an accident, I can understand and live with it,” Aylesworth said. “However, there needs to be an intensive review of the facts and circumstances of this tragic incident before that can be determined.”

Lynette Hooker's daughter, Karli Aylesworth arrives in The Bahamas

Karli Aylesworth and her partner Steven Hansen arrive in Marsh Harbour, the Bahamas, Thursday, April 16, 2026. (Matthew Symons for NY Post)

Aylesworth said she has been “privy to very little information,” adding her “sole concern is to find out what happened to my mother and make sure a full and complete investigation is performed into her disappearance.”

She also told “Fox and Friends” that something “doesn’t add up” with her mother’s disappearance, and accused Brian of having a “history of domestic violence” and anger issues.

Meanwhile, Bahamian police said their search for Lynette was coming to an end as early as Thursday after analyzing “tide, drift and wind” and deciding there was nowhere else to look. A U.S. Coast Guard investigation remains ongoing.

Lynette Hooker (L and R) and Brian Hooker (C)

Lynette Hooker went missing after she fell off a small boat on Saturday evening. Her husband, Brian Hooker, reported her missing early Sunday morning. (Lynette Hooker/Facebook; Brian Hooker/Facebook)

Brian has maintained he had nothing to do with Lynette’s disappearance and that it was purely an accident driven by windy conditions and choppy seas.

Before he was jailed, he said he was “heartbroken” over Lynette’s disappearance.

“I am heartbroken over the recent boat accident in unpredictable seas and high winds that caused my beloved Lynette to fall from our small dinghy near Elbow Cay in the Bahamas,” he wrote. 

“Despite desperate attempts to reach her, the winds and currents drove us further apart. We continue to search for her, and that is my sole focus.”

Documents Reveal Son as Suspect in Mother’s Murder After Reporting Her Missing

0

Background: News footage of the home in Springville, Utah, where neighbors heard gunshots on March 20 (KSL). Inset (left): Sarah Johnson (Springville Police Department). Inset (right): John Handricks (Facebook).

A Utah man has been taken into custody in connection with the suspected deaths of his mother and her friend, as authorities believe both individuals are deceased.

Matthew Leonard, 28, reported his mother, 50-year-old Sarah Johnson, missing on March 26, according to the Springville Police Department. Police later revealed that Johnson was last spotted at her Springville, Utah, residence on the night of March 20, alongside 50-year-old John Handricks. Handricks had also been reported missing from Salt Lake City, Utah. Following a thorough search of the Springville home and interviews with witnesses, investigators suspect that Johnson and Handricks may have been shot and killed.

Several weeks after the pair vanished, law enforcement apprehended Leonard, who now faces charges of two counts of aggravated murder.

According to court documents reviewed by local NBC station KSL, Leonard had been under law enforcement scrutiny in the weeks preceding the disappearance of his mother and Handricks. He was previously arrested on March 9, facing charges of electronic communication harassment. Reports indicate Leonard had sent numerous text messages and made multiple calls to his girlfriend, who is also the mother of his child. Despite being instructed to cease contact, he proceeded to send 11 messages and make 11 calls within a 90-minute window.

Authorities noted that some of Leonard’s messages contained threats of self-harm, and he exhibited signs of paranoia in the days that followed. Consequently, his girlfriend sought a protective order against him on March 13, as stated by police.

When Handricks was reported missing to Salt Lake City police on March 23, the reporting party said he had last been seen with Johnson on March 20. Police spoke to Leonard on March 26 to ask him about Handricks being seen with his mother. That day, Leonard filled out paperwork to report Johnson missing.

Leonard pleaded guilty to the harassment charge on April 7, the day after Springville police said they received “unconfirmed” information that Johnson and Handricks were dead. According to the court documents, it was Johnson’s father who told police that his granddaughter apparently got a text from her friend that said Johnson “had been shot and the body had not been located.”

Police said witnesses saw Johnson and Handricks at the Springville home with Leonard on March 20, “one of whom heard possible gunshots inside the residence.”

According to the court documents, detectives executed a search warrant at the home on April 11. While investigating inside the house, detectives said they found “evidence of blood, shell casings, and a bullet slug.” In Johnson’s bedroom, they observed blood “in the grooves between flooring planks.” Large pools of blood were allegedly present in the same room against two separate walls, leading detectives to believe that the victims were deceased. The detectives noted that there was an attempt to clean up the blood and said they believed Leonard “disposed of the bodies.”

Leonard was arrested the same day. He is currently being held at the Utah County Jail without bail.

KSL reported that the Utah County Attorney’s Office requested additional time to gather evidence before formally charging Leonard with two counts of aggravated murder. He is also facing pending charges of possession of a substance with intent to distribute, use or possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, prohibited dangerous weapon conduct, and obstruction of justice. His next court date was not available.

Trump Announces Significant Development: Iran Agrees to Halt Uranium Enrichment

0


On Thursday, President Donald Trump prepared to embark on Air Force One, heading first to Nevada and then to Arizona. His mission was to highlight the benefits of the Working Families Tax Cuts and the positive impact these measures have had on average Americans. In his usual style, Trump engaged with reporters in an impromptu press briefing before boarding the aircraft, where he shared some significant updates: most notably, Iran’s decision to relinquish its stockpile of enriched uranium.

Trump stated:

WATCH:

Very important is that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon and they’ve agreed to that. Iran’s agreed to that, and they’ve agreed to it very powerfully. They’ve agreed to give us back the nuclear dust, which is way underground because of the attack we made with the B-2 bombers. So, we have a lot of agreement with Iran, and I think something’s going to happen very positively.

WATCH:




New Initiative Launched to Combat Child Hot Car Incidents: What Caregivers Need to Know


In Florida, April is observed as ‘Hot Car Death Prevention Month,’ a time dedicated to highlighting the severe dangers associated with leaving children unattended in vehicles. This initiative aims to increase awareness and encourage preventive measures to avert these tragic incidents.

Florida ranks among the states with the highest number of pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths, underscoring the urgency of this campaign. Palm Harbor fire officials point out that distractions are the leading cause of caregivers inadvertently leaving their children in cars.

To address this issue, authorities emphasize the importance of never leaving a child alone in a vehicle, regardless of the duration. They have introduced the acronym ACT as a reminder to take proactive steps against this hazard.

Dr. Ebony Hunter, an Emergency Center Physician at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, stresses, “There is no safe amount of time to leave a child unattended in a parked car.” Her words serve as a critical reminder of the potential consequences of even a brief lapse in attention.

  • Avoid heatstroke
  • Create reminders: put your phone, keys, a shoe, etc. in the backseat where the child is.
  • Take action: if you see a child in a hot car, call 911.

“There is no safe amount of time to leave a child unattended in a parked car,” said Dr. Ebony Hunter, Emergency Center Physician, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.

In late March, the first pediatric vehicular heatstroke fatality in Florida was recorded for 2026.

“A child doesn’t thermoregulate or regulate their bodies temperatures like an adult can. So, they regulate or get hotter, three to five times faster than an adult would,” Dr. Hunter said. ‘

Noheatstroke.org said since 1998, over 1,000 children have died in hot cars, and more than half of these deaths happen across the country due to the child being forgotten by the caregiver.

“The biggest thing we’re seeing is distractions and it’s especially our cellphones. We get on our cellphones, or we get a phone call and it’s not in our routine. We’re on our way to work and it’s not in our routine to drop off the baby that day at daycare,” said Liz Willi, PIO for Palm Harbor Fire Rescue and Chair for Pinellas County Safe Kids.

With the extreme heat in Florida, it becomes especially dangerous.

“The temperature in the vehicle can rise as much as 19 degrees in 10 minutes,” said Petra Stanton, Injury Prevention Program Manager with Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Safe Kids Florida Suncoast.

Medical experts said this accident can happen to anyone, so people need to take every precaution they can.

“Leave yourself a reminder in the front, maybe put a baby item on the front seat next to you to remind you, a blanket or a bottle to remind you to look in that back seat,” Willi said.

Officials said these types of incidents are 100% preventable. One example is that technology has advanced so much; they now have sensors that will send you an alert if you don’t unbuckle your child from their car seat.

For more preventative measures, click here.

Scrubs Season 2 on ABC: Latest Updates and What Fans Can Expect

Where oh where has Season 2 of the Scrubs revival gone?

The ABC reboot featuring beloved stars Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, and Donald Faison captivated audiences with its stellar first season. Now, both long-time fans and newcomers are eagerly anticipating a return to the comedic chaos of Sacred Heart Hospital for a second season.

As the new season kicks off, we find J.D. (played by Braff) in a reflective state, searching for meaning and direction in his life following a divorce from Elliott (Chalke). Meanwhile, Turk (Faison), who now balances life with four daughters and his wife Carla (Judy Reyes), grapples with the emotional toll of years in the medical field, leaving him yearning for a renewed passion to prevent him from abandoning his career in medicine.

The introduction of a fresh class of interns and the dynamic reunion of J.D. and Turk as the leading figures in medicine and surgery at the hospital reignites their passion for healing, blending laughter with heartfelt moments. Who could resist the allure of more episodes?

With all this in mind, speculation about a second season is already buzzing. Here’s a look at what we know about the prospective continuation of the Scrubs revival on ABC, including renewal status, cast insights, and potential release dates.

John C. McGinley as Dr. Cox and Zach Braff as J.D. in 'Scrubs'
Photo: Disney via ABC

Has Scrubs Been Renewed For Season 2?

Sadly, as of the airing of the Season 1 finale, the Scrubs revival has not been renewed for Season 2. That doesn’t mean that it won’t be picked up, it just means that ABC is holding a beat.

Why Hasn’t ABC Renewed Scrubs Yet?

This part is unclear, especially since the show is, by many accounts, pretty successful. On top of great reviews from audiences and critics, the series boasts some impressive viewership numbers, at least for the first few episodes. As for the hesitation, we aren’t sure what’s going on, but we’re hoping it’s just that ABC wants to let the show perform on streaming since all episodes are now out on Hulu and Disney+.

How Does Season 1 of Scrubs End?

Cliffhangers, cliffhangers all around! We certainly weren’t expecting Season 1 to tie everything up in a nice, neat bow, but we didn’t expect to leave off by not being sure about what Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley) is looking at, healthwise.

At the end of the first season, not only are we left with the reveal that Dr. Cox’s test results are not trending the right way, i.e. the treatment is not working the way J.D. had hoped, but that J.D. may have a new woman in his life. The last episode not only welcomes back some familiar faces like Jordan (Christa Miller) and The Janitor (Neil Flynn), it also introduces Charlie (Rachel Bilson), who J.D. kisses in the final moments of the episode.

It’s clear that with a new romantic interest for J.D., serious medical issues for Dr. Cox, and an interesting love story between several of the medical and surgical interns, the cast and crew want a second season.

Rachel Bilson and Zach Braff in 'Scrubs'
Photo: ABC via Disney

How Many People Watched the Scrubs Revival on ABC and Streaming?

Back in early March, ABC reported that viewership across platforms hit 11.36 million in the first five days of episodes being available, making Scrubs the highest-viewed ABC comedy episode and top ABC series debut overall on streaming in over a year.

Who Could Appear In Season 2 of Scrubs?

Given that the Season 1 finale welcomed back original cast members like Neil Flynn and Christa Miller, as well as Rachel Bilson — who worked with Braff on The Last Kiss — we can expect to see more of them in a second season. Additionally, showrunner Aseem Batra and the cast have talked openly about trying to get back Dr. Kelso (Ken Jenkins), Doug Murphy (Johnny Kastl), and Sean (Scott Foley) if they get picked up for Season 2.

John C. McGinley and Christa Miller in 'Scrubs'
Photo: ABC via Disney

When Could Scrubs Season 2 Release If It’s Renewed?

The second season of Scrubs could come pretty quickly, actually. If ABC opts to pick up the show for a second season — which they absolutely should do — we predict the writing team would get back to work ASAP in order to have the first few scripts ready by early summer. Typically, shows that premiere in the fall begin shooting in the summer so as long as that timeline holds, it’s possible we see the Sacred Heart doctors as early as September.

Until then, you can stream the entire first season of Scrubs, now on Hulu and Disney+.

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

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

Sarah Ferguson Makes Public Appearance After Lengthy Absence

0

Sarah Ferguson recently made her first public appearance in several months at a high-end ski resort in Austria. This sighting, captured by The Sun, marks a notable moment for the 66-year-old, who lost her Duchess of York title last year due to her controversial ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

The former wife of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was spotted looking calm and composed as she moved from a chalet to a people carrier at the luxurious Alpine destination. She was dressed in a blue coat and carried a teal tote bag, with her hair tucked under a white baseball cap.

This appearance comes after a 213-day absence from the public eye, during which there have been increasing demands for Ferguson to cooperate with U.S. authorities regarding her past association with Epstein.

Dressed in a blue coat, the former duchess carried a teal tote bag with her hair nestled beneath a white baseball cap. 

It comes as Fergie has not been seen in public for 213 days amid calls for her to provide US officials with evidence after the emergence of her relationship with Epstein.  

The 66-year-old had gone off the radar after a trove of documents released by the US Department of Justice, known as the Epstein Files, revealed damning emails between her and the paedophile financier.

Yesterday, a source told the publication that Fergie had been ‘keeping an incredibly low profile’ in the Alps, as she ‘clearly’ wanted to keep out of public view for the foreseeable.  

‘Her choice of outfit when she popped out was obviously carefully chosen to help her avoid being recognised,’ they added.

‘The area is absolutely beautiful, and it’s very quiet most of the time, so it’s the perfect place for a high-profile figure such as her to lie low when the heat is on.’

Sarah Ferguson has been seen for the first time in months at a 'luxury' ski resort in Austria (Pictured on April 20, 2025)

Sarah Ferguson has been seen for the first time in months at a ‘luxury’ ski resort in Austria (Pictured on April 20, 2025) 

Pictured: Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew Mountbatten Windsor attend day four of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 21, 2019

Pictured: Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew Mountbatten Windsor attend day four of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 21, 2019

It comes amid growing scrutiny over her links to Jeffrey Epstein (pictured)

It comes amid growing scrutiny over her links to Jeffrey Epstein (pictured) 

The ex-duchess was last photographed driving from the Royal Lodge, where she lived with her ex-husband Andrew for decades, a week after her last official outing, being the Duchess of Kent’s funeral at Westminster Cathedral on September 16. 

And on December 12,  2025, she attempted to hide in the back of a car as she arrived for her one-year-old granddaughter, Athena’s christening at St James Palace. 

Meanwhile, speculation about her whereabouts began to swirl after she and Andrew were evicted from the Grade II-listed mansion in February, where her ex-husband paid ‘peppercorn rent’ for over two decades. 

The disgraced former Duke, who was stripped of his titles last year, was served notice to surrender the lease at the 30-bedroom mansion last October. 

The move was entirely down to the King and his advisers, without pressure from the government or other family members, such as Prince William, sources told the Daily Mail at the time.

Fergie was understood to be making her own living arrangements; however, in January, she had yet to find a permanent property as she was in the midst of a ‘housing crisis’, as her children could not offer her a home. 

And while Andrew prepared to move into Wood Farm, and then subsequently Marsh Farm, in Sandringham, the 66-year-old would ‘not be moving in’, as she wanted to stay in the Windsor area. 

At the time, she was said to be in a ‘fragile’ state over her fall from grace, telling friends her recent travails were ‘not good for my mental health’. 

Currently, the former duchess is rumoured to be placing ‘false breadcrumbs’ in a bid to stay under the radar.

But the 66-year-old, who wrote a memoir called Finding Fergie, has been seen hiding at a £2,000-a-night ski chalet amid the fallout of the Epstein scandal, with sources claiming she rarely leaves to head outdoors.

)Sarah Ferguson and Andrew depart Westminster Cathedral after the Requiem Mass for The Duchess of Kent State funeral of The Duchess of Kent on September 16, 2025

)Sarah Ferguson and Andrew depart Westminster Cathedral after the Requiem Mass for The Duchess of Kent State funeral of The Duchess of Kent on September 16, 2025 

Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, Andrew and Fergie's former home

Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, Andrew and Fergie’s former home 

It comes US lawmakers have continued calls for Fergie to testify in front of Congress about her ‘close personal and business ties’ with convicted paedophile, Epstein. The former royal has not yet answered their request.  

Last month, Fergie was mentioned numerous times in the latest Epstein files release, with emails suggesting he had been bankrolling her for 15 years. 

In one 2009 email, she is believed to have said to Epstein: ‘I urgently need 20,000 pounds ($27,521) for rent today.

‘The landlord has threatened to go to the newspapers if I don’t pay. Any brainwaves?’

In another gushing message, she appears to say ‘Just marry me’ after a string of compliments to the paedophile who had been convicted of soliciting sex from a minor the year before.

Ferguson even seemed to involve her own children with Epstein, apparently talking of then-19-year-old Eugenie coming back from a ‘sh***ng weekend’ in 2010. 

She is also believed to have introduced her then-22-year-old goddaughter to Epstein following his release from prison.

In one 2011 email, she wrote that he was a ‘steadfast, generous and supreme friend’ to her and her family. 

The correspondence was sent after he was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008 and after she denounced her involvement with him as an error of judgment.

At the time, a spokesperson for the former duchess said the email was sent in response to legal threats following her public comments.

Meanwhile, in the midst of her eviction from the Grade II-listed mansion on the grounds of Windsor Castle, questions about Fergie’s future were also raised as she closed six of her businesses in just three days. 

Sarah and Andrew on their wedding day at Westminster Abbey on July 23, 1986

Sarah and Andrew on their wedding day at Westminster Abbey on July 23, 1986

The York family: Beatrice, Sarah, Andrew and Eugenie pictured at a gathering

The York family: Beatrice, Sarah, Andrew and Eugenie pictured at a gathering 

A source told The Sun that the Epstein files had struck Fergie ‘like a sledgehammer’, as the former duchess has wanted to remain isolated and she can’t bear to face what has been transpiring. 

Adding that very few people were informed of her whereabouts, they said the 66-year-old had been ‘laying false breadcrumbs’ in a bid to remain out of the gaze of the public eye. 

And while Fergie has seen her ex-husband was arrested in February, the source said: ‘While she knows the scandal is not going away, she effectively has her head in the sand and has taken the decision to hide away for as long as possible.’

The disgraced former Duchess has been left with ‘nowhere to go’, the source claimed, adding that she has not been invited to live in Sandringham alongside Andrew, with her two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, said to be keeping ‘their distance’. 

‘It’s the first time she has to fend for herself for two decades,’ the source added. 

Andrew, Fergie, and their daughters were missing from this year’s Easter Service in Windsor in the midst of the Epstein fallout. However, it is believed in the future that Beatrice and Eugenie will attend royal events. 

In February, Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office amid claims he shared sensitive information with Epstein while he served as a trade envoy after he and Fergie were stripped of their royal titles. 

It came as a trove of millions of documents, known as the Epstein files, was released by the US Department of Justice, containing correspondence suggesting he may have shared sensitive trade information. 

The disgraced duke was held in custody for 11 hours and was later released under investigation. Days later, the former US ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson was also taken into custody. 

Mountbatten-Windsor, who remains eighth in line to the throne, has always vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, Fergie has continued to face more shame in her fall from grace as the city councillors unanimously voted to remove her honorary Freedom of the City of York. 

Both she and Andrew were awarded the honour a year after their marriage during a visit to York. The ex-duke was stripped of the honour in 2022.   

It comes as Andrew has been urged to give up his City of London Freedom honour amid the fallout of his links with the paedophile financier. 

It is understood that elected members of the City of London Corporation have written to the former prince asking him to relinquish his honour. 

The disgraced former duke was awarded the honour by ‘virtue of patrimony’ in 2012 because his late father, Prince Philip, was formerly a Freeman. 

Last March, the organisation, which manages the so-called Square Mile, had been investigating whether it could strip Andrew of the title. 

But now, the City of London Corporation has called on the 66-year-old to relinquish the honour amid his links to sex offender Epstein. 

South Carolina Senate Shields Historic Monuments, Nixes QR Code Enhancements


COLUMBIA, S.C. — A sweeping proposal to safeguard nearly all historic statues, monuments, and the names of streets and buildings throughout South Carolina gained approval from the state Senate on Wednesday.

The bill, passed with a 31-7 vote, aims to prohibit the removal or alteration of these historic markers. It also seeks to ban the use of QR code stickers, which supporters argue could provide modern context to the actions of historical figures, including those who were Confederate or segregationist, whose deeds were often celebrated in the past.

Under this legislation, local governments would need to obtain approval from the General Assembly to take down a monument or amend its inscriptions.

In contrast, other Southern states are taking steps to reduce the prominence of Confederate symbols. For instance, Virginia lawmakers have recently revoked certain privileges for groups that commemorate Confederate soldiers, and they are also contemplating the removal of the last three Confederate statues in Capitol Square of Richmond, the former Confederate capital.

Currently, South Carolina already has measures in place to preserve monuments dedicated to the Confederacy, which fought a failed four-year struggle to secede from the United States, as well as those honoring veterans from various conflicts, ranging from the American Revolution to the Persian Gulf War.

But memorials to people not involved in fighting fell into a loophole meaning long since dead figures like former U.S. Vice President John C. Calhoun or segregationist Gov. “Pitchfork” Ben Tillman might not get the same protection from colleges or local governments.

The South Carolina bill protects all historical figures, defining them as any dead person who “played a significant role in past developments.”

All those who voted for it were Republicans, while all those who voted against it were Democrats.

Democratic Sen. Margie Bright Matthews read quotes on the Senate floor from Tillman saying the only way to put freed slaves and their children back in their place was to kill some of them and Calhoun saying slavery was needed because African Americans cannot be civilized.

“Do we want to be a state that continues to debate and defend the legacy of treason, racism and exclusion?” Matthews said. “You ought to be embarrassed about some of the stuff you want to preserve.”

South Carolina’s monument protection law was first passed in 2000 as part of a compromise that removed the Confederate flag that was raised atop the capitol dome during the 100th anniversary of the Civil War in 1961.

The bill, which moves on to the House with about a month left in session, would allow any officially registered private historical groups to sue if they think a monument is not being treated legally. The proposal requires any monument moved because of a building renovation or road project to be displayed in an area of equal or greater prominence.

Democratic Sen. Ed Sutton said that could become a mess for a place like Charleston, which could end up facing numerous lawsuits from unhappy groups. Under the current law, only the state attorney general’s office can sue.

“The practical effect is the city is going to take a step back and say we’re out of the history game,” Sutton said of Charleston, founded in 1670 and pivotal in the Revolutionary and Civil wars.

In Virginia, new Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed into law last week a bill ending a license plate from the Sons of Confederate Veterans with an image of rebel general Robert E. Lee.

Earlier this year, the state’s General Assembly removed from public recognition a song with lyrics about an enslaved person called a racial slur fondly recalling his days in bondage called “Carry Me Back to Old Virginny.” It was the official state song from 1940 to 1997, when it was redesignated the “state song emeritus.”

South Carolina lawmakers are resistant to any historical revision.

In the bill, Republican sponsor Sen. Danny Verdin wrote “the nearer a person stands in time to the event, the more likely their description reflects the conditions, perceptions and meanings as they were actually were understood when they occurred.”

That’s why Verdin successfully fought to keep in the bill a provision banning QR codes on monuments. No other state that protects memorials bans QR codes.

“As our knowledge and understanding of history continues to evolve, please consider the value in allowing for an evolution in how the lives of those in the past are told,” Preservation Society of Charleston President and CEO Brian Turner wrote in a letter to senators.

Democratic Sen. Darrell Jackson said since his ancestors were freed from bondage through the Civil War he doesn’t feel warm and fuzzy seeing a Confederate honored with a statue and his story should be there too.

“History is usually a matter of who sees it, who tells it, who experiences it,” Jackson said.

Urbana Police Alert Residents to Rising False Warrant Scams: Protect Yourself from Fraud


The Urbana Police Department issued a warning on Thursday regarding a new scam that falsely informs individuals they have outstanding warrants for their arrest.

According to the department, multiple reports were received on April 16 about fraudulent calls originating from phone numbers associated with both the Urbana Police and the City of Urbana. Authorities stressed the importance of public awareness about phone number spoofing, a technique scammers use to disguise their calls as coming from legitimate city numbers.

Elderly French Woman, 86, Detained by ICE in Alabama Amid Controversial Estate Dispute with Stepson

0


ANNISTON, Ala. (WIAT) — An 86-year-old French woman who relocated to Alabama to wed her former flame is now entangled in a legal battle and finds herself detained in an ICE facility in Louisiana. This comes just a few months after the passing of her husband, sparking a bitter dispute with his sons over inheritance issues.

Marie-Therese Helene Claire Ross-Mahé, who became the wife of William “Bill” Ross in April 2025, lived with him until his death in January. On April 1st, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrived at her Anniston home, taking her into custody while she was still in her nightgown and robe, as noted in filings with the Calhoun County Probate Court.

A neighbor reported that within an hour of Marie-Therese’s removal, her stepson, Gary Ross, along with his wife, appeared at the house, entered, and changed the locks. At that moment, Marie-Therese was embroiled in a legal dispute with her late husband’s sons, Gary and Tony Ross, over the estate. The judge presiding over the case has indicated that the sons may have played a role in their stepmother’s current situation.

The love story of Marie-Therese and Bill Ross dates back to the 1960s when they first crossed paths in France. Bill, who was serving in the U.S. Army, met Marie-Therese while she worked as a bilingual secretary at the NATO base near Saint-Nazaire, as her children recounted to Ouest France newspaper on April 10.

Court documents reveal that Bill Ross initially met both Marie-Therese and her friend, Michele Pierrette, at the same time. However, it was Michele who captured Bill’s heart, leading him to return to Alabama with her and marry her in 1962. Their marriage lasted until Michele’s death in 2018.

In 2010, the couple and Marie-Therese, who was already married and had three children, somehow reconnected, meeting up several times. Then, with her own husband dying in 2022, Marie-Therese and Ross, then a widow, took their relationship to a new level, her traveling from her home in Orvault to Anniston to see him.

By April 2025, Marie-Therese had told her children that she intended to marry Ross and move to Anniston to be with him. In doing so, she gave up her state-funded pension.

“A charming, adorable man,” Marie-Thérèse’s son told Oust France. “They were just like two teenagers.”

Things changed after Ross died on Jan. 24. According to court documents, Marie-Therese had told her stepsons that she did not want anything from her late husband, other than enough money to go back to France.

According to court documents, Ross’ sons came to the house the day after he died, where they allegedly took his truck and Mercedes-Benz C3000.

“Ms. Ross requested the Mercedes be left at her home for her use for occassional errands,” the documents stated. “W.A. (Tony) Ross; reason for removing the Mercedes was Ms. Ross does not possess an Alabama driver’s license. W.A. Ross initially testified he had driven the Mercedes-Benz to work a few times to keep the battery from draining but later testified he had also drive it to Auburn.”

A week later, Ross’s sons allegedly forced Marie-Therese to give their father’s phone to them, the court documents stated. The three then began a dispute over Ross’ estate, including the cars, his $173,000 home, and a bank account worth an estimated $1,500. During all this, the sons allegedly cut off water, electricity and internet at Marie-Therese’s home.

Prior to her being detained by ICE, Marie-Therese was set to have another hearing in probate court within days of her arrest.

In the wake of Marie-Therese’s ICE arrest, Calhoun County Probate Judge Shirley Millwood has pointed suspicion at Gary and Tony Ross, arguing that they had something to do with her being taken away.

“At some point, the brothers sent Ms. Ross an offer to pay her $10,000 in exchange for her signing a waiver and consent for them to be appointed Administrators of the estate and a disclaimer that would divest her of all interests in her statutory rights to inherit the estate,” Millwood’s order stated.

According to Millwood, Ross’ sons also rerouted all the mail going to Marie-Therese and his home, including mail from immigration services meant for her. At the time, she was reportedly in the middle of trying to get a green card.

In her order, Millwood alleged that Tony Ross, a former Alabama state trooper who currently works at the United States Federal Courthouse in Anniston, knew the day before Marie-Therese was going to be picked up by ICE, as well as reportedly receiving a text message within an hour of her arrest.

“After the brothers were unsuccessful in coercing Ms. Ross to accept their offer, this court believes William Anthony Ross used his position as a United States Federal Government employee for personal gain,” Millwood wrote. “This Court believes that Ms. Ross, an 86-year-old female, is sitting in a detention facility in Louisiana due to William Anthony Ross using his position as a United States Government employee.”

In the weeks since she was taken by ICE, Marie-Therese’s children have sounded the alarm, looking to do anything they can to get her out of the South Louisiana Processing Center in Basile, Louisiana, where she is currently being held.

“According to neighbors who testified in court, our mother would have won her case,” her son told Oust France. “But for us, the urgent priority is to get her out of this detention center and have her repatriated to France. Given her health, she won’t last a month under such detention conditions.”

“Given her age, we really want her to get out of this situation as soon as possible,” Sambou said. “We want to get her out of jail.”

Attempts to reach both Gary and Tony Ross were unsuccessful Thursday.

Read the full court documents on the case below.

Pope Leo Criticizes ‘Tyrants’ Amid Trump’s Call for Pontiff to Grasp Harsh Realities

0

In Brief

  • During a visit to Cameroon on his African tour, Pope Leo says “the world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants”.
  • Donald Trump responded by saying the pope needs to understand the realities of a “nasty world”.

Pope Leo XIV has taken a firm stance against “tyrants” wreaking havoc globally during a highly secure visit to a conflict-ridden region of Cameroon. This comes amid his ongoing verbal clash with US President Donald Trump.

In recent days, tensions have escalated between Trump and Pope Leo, particularly regarding the pope’s outspoken criticism of the ongoing Middle East conflict.

On Thursday, Trump addressed reporters, asserting that while the pope is free to express his views on global affairs, he should also acknowledge the “nasty” realities of the world.

The president’s remarks followed a powerful address by the pope in northwestern Cameroon. This was part of his historic tour across four African nations, where he has more openly advocated for global peace than ever before.

During his speech in Bamenda, a city central to a prolonged English-speaking separatist conflict, Pope Leo declared, “Woe to those who exploit religion and the divine for military, economic, and political gain, dragging sacredness into darkness and corruption.”

“The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, yet it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters,” the pontiff said at Bamenda’s Saint Joseph’s Cathedral.

Speaking later, Trump struck a more conciliatory tone than in recent days, but still sought to school the pope on the war in Iran.

“The pope has to understand Iran has killed more than 42,000 people over the last few months,” he said.

“They were totally unarmed protesters. The pope has to understand that. This is the real world, it’s a nasty world.”

He denied he was “fighting” with the pontiff, saying he had “nothing against” him.

‘Plunder’ of Africa

The barbs come after US Vice President JD Vance — a Catholic — urged the Vatican to “stick to matters of morality”.

But the mood was joyous as the pope arrived in Bamenda under a military escort in a popemobile with bulletproof windows, blessing the worshippers who had gathered, many singing and blowing vuvuzela horns, to welcome him.

 Pope Leo XIV waves to his faithful from his popemobile, which is surrounded by jubilant crowds of people.
Pope Leo XIV waves from his popemobile during a Mass in Cameroon’s western city of Bamenda in Cameroon during his eleven-day trip to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. Source: Getty / Vatican Pool/Getty Images

As he left the cathedral, Leo released white doves, a symbol of peace in a region of the central African country he called a “bloodstained yet fertile land that has been mistreated”.

At Bamenda airport — renovated for his visit after being shut since 2019 because of the insurgency —Leo condemned the ongoing exploitation of Africa in a mass.

He criticised “those who, in the name of profit, continue to lay their hands on the African continent to exploit and plunder it”.

Cameroon is rich in natural resources such as oil, timber, cocoa, coffee and minerals, which have attracted both foreign firms and local elites for decades.

On arrival in the country on Wednesday, the pope appealed to Cameroon’s leaders to examine their “conscience” and tackle corruption and rights abuses, in an uncharacteristically pointed speech at the presidential palace attended by longtime President Paul Biya.

Leo’s trip comes six months after the authorities violently put down protests against 93-year-old Biya’s disputed re-election for an eighth term.

Bolstered security

Security measures had been stepped up on the main routes through Bamenda for the visit.

Cameroon’s two anglophone regions have suffered almost a decade of armed violence following attempts to secede from the rest of the mostly French-speaking central African country.

Teacher Vivian Ndey, 60, from Bamenda, welcomed the pope carrying a “plant of peace” as a symbol of hope.

She spoke at the cathedral of the difficulty of teaching during the crisis, saying teachers were afraid to come to class and students had vanished.

Conflict erupted after Biya, who has ruled since 1982, violently repressed peaceful demonstrations in 2016 by English speakers who felt marginalised.

Civilians have been targeted with killings and kidnappings. At least 6,000 people have been killed since 2016, according to the United Nations.

On Monday, separatist groups announced a three-day truce to welcome the pope.

After the Bamenda trip, Leo is to hold a mass at a stadium in the economic capital Douala on Friday, before leaving Cameroon for Angola on Saturday. He then travels to Equatorial Guinea.

For the latest from SBS News, download our app and subscribe to our newsletter.