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In an Unconventional Career Move, Victor Finds Success by Offering Emotional Support Through Crying

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Brief

  • Professional mourners are becoming more common in western Kenya for funerals.
  • An expert says it’s a result of urbanisation and family sizes shrinking.

In the picturesque lakeside town of Rabuor, nestled in Kenya’s Kisumu region, Victor Ouma has carved out an unusual niche for himself: he’s a professional mourner.

Struggling to secure traditional employment, Ouma discovered a unique opportunity in the funeral industry. He offers his services to cry for those who lack family to mourn them, ensuring a dignified farewell for the departed.

“We saw it as a promising venture to generate income, steering clear of crime and idleness,” Ouma explained.

But shedding tears isn’t their only task. According to Francis Oyoo, another professional mourner, their services extend to organizing catering and setting up tents for the bereaved families.

The work commences as soon as the body is retrieved from the mortuary. These professionals then engage in wailing and singing dirges until the burial is complete.

Oyoo said his business was important for those with limited family.

“At times a person has no family, but has money, and at least they need somebody or people to come and be with them, stand with them, so that they can give their loved one a better send-off,” he said.

“It comes to a point where they need professional mourners and that is where we come in.”

‘We believe that his spirit is happy’

Georgina Achieng hired professional mourners to cry for her deceased uncle.

She’s a member of the Luo community, which views a crowded funeral procession as a status symbol.

“In our culture as Luo, we believe that if somebody is dead, if you don’t give him a good send-off, his spirit might hover around and maybe haunt some people, like the children or maybe even the family members,” said Achieng, whose late uncle had no immediate family of his own.

“So if you give him a good send-off, we believe that his spirit is happy.”

For the workers, emotions come easily even if the deceased is a stranger, according to Willis Omondi, who manages a group of professional mourners.

“We don’t have to be related to the person. We only have to get the feeling that a human being is dead and then start to cry,” Omondi said.

“Now we will be thinking if it were my relative. That is how it comes, that we can mourn someone who we are not related to.”

Owuor Olunga, a professor of anthropology at the University of Nairobi, said there has been a rise in the use of professional mourners, which reflects broader societal changes in Kenya.

“Urbanisation has sort of replaced our traditional roles,” she said, explaining that family sizes have shrunk as a result.

“So you find that when an individual passes on, the degree to which you have people related to you by blood in the urban centres may not be there,” Olunga said.

“So in such cases, depending on your standing in life, standing in position, in society, you may find that there are all manners of mourners, most of the time not hired by the family, but brought in by your friends or your social network to be able to show your worth.”

— Produced with reporting by the Associated Press

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China Faces Scrutiny Over Alleged Crackdown on Underground Catholic Community: Report Highlights Escalating Pressures

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China Faces Scrutiny Over Alleged Crackdown on Underground Catholic Community: Report Highlights Escalating Pressures

According to a recent report by Human Rights Watch, the Chinese government is intensifying its efforts to compel underground Catholic communities to integrate into the state-controlled church. This move is accompanied by increased surveillance and stricter controls over the country’s estimated 12 million Catholics.

The report highlights that this pressure forms part of a long-standing campaign aimed at aligning religious organizations with the ideologies of the Communist Party.

The Associated Press noted that Beijing has dismissed these allegations, accusing Human Rights Watch of maintaining a “consistently biased” stance against China.

For many years, China’s Catholic community has been divided between a government-approved church and an underground church that remains faithful to the Vatican. In a bid to minimize these divisions, Pope Francis reached an agreement in 2018, allowing the Chinese government a say in the selection of bishops.

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaking at an international business meeting in The Great Hall of the People in Beijing

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers remarks during an international business summit at The Great Hall Of The People on March 28, 2025, in Beijing, China. (Ken Ishii/Pool/Getty Images)

“A decade into Xi Jinping’s Sinicization campaign and nearly eight years since the 2018 Holy See-China agreement, Catholics in China face escalating repression that violates their religious freedoms,” Human Rights Watch researcher Yalkun Uluyol said in the report. 

“Pope Leo XIV should urgently review the agreement and press Beijing to end the persecution and intimidation of underground churches, clergy, and worshipers.”

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson’s office told The Associated Press that Human Rights Watch “fabricates all manner of lies and rumors and lacks any credibility whatsoever.”

The office added that the government “oversees religious affairs in accordance with the law and protects citizens’ freedom of religious belief and normal religious activities.”

A man looking at a Catholic church in Zhuozhou, Hebei province, China

A man looks on at a Catholic church in Zhuozhou, China’s northern Hebei province April 22, 2025. (Adek Berry/AFP)

Human Rights Watch said its researchers are not allowed into China and that the report is based on interviews with people outside the country who had firsthand knowledge of Catholic life in China, along with experts on Catholicism and religious freedom.

The 2018 agreement stipulates that Beijing proposes candidates for bishop, which the pope can veto, though the full text has never been made public.

In June 2025, Pope Leo XIV, who had just become the pope, appointed a Chinese bishop under the 2018 agreement and said he would continue to honor the deal “in the short term.”

Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV waves as he arrives at Saint Joseph’s Cathedral in Bamenda on the fourth day of an 11-day apostolic journey to Africa April 16, 2026. (Alberto Pizzoli /AFP via Getty Images)

“I’m also in ongoing dialogue with a number of people, Chinese, on both sides of some of the issues that are there,” Leo said. “It’s a very difficult situation. In the long term, I don’t pretend to say this is what I will and will not do, but after two months, I’ve already begun having discussions at several levels on that topic.”

Since 2018, Human Rights Watch says Chinese authorities have pressured underground Catholics to join the state-run church through detentions, disappearances and house arrests, citing accounts from unnamed individuals who have left China.

The report also said China has tightened ideological control, surveillance and restrictions on religious activity and foreign ties, including requiring state approval for clergy travel, while officially recognizing and closely overseeing five religions: Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism, Protestantism and Islam.

Xi Jinping said in 2016 he would “Sinicize” the country’s religions, a policy aimed at aligning religious practices with Communist Party ideology.

Human Rights Watch said authorities have taken sweeping steps to curb religious practice, including tearing down churches and crosses, blocking gatherings at unregistered churches and seizing religious materials not approved by the state.

The group said the broader “Sinicization” campaign has also led to intensified crackdowns on Tibetan Buddhists and Muslims.

Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.

Story tips and ideas can be sent to Greg.Wehner@Fox.com and on Twitter @GregWehner.

Authorities Report Wife Allegedly Ends Husband’s Life to Alleviate Suffering

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Authorities Report Wife Allegedly Ends Husband’s Life to Alleviate Suffering

Inset: Andrea Graham (Battle Creek Police). Background: The area in Michigan where Graham allegedly killed her husband (Google Maps).

A Michigan woman, aged 31, faces allegations of killing her husband, purportedly after shooting him several times within their home. Andrea Graham was detained on Monday and has been charged with open murder and a felony firearm offense related to the death of her husband, Alan Graham, as per court documents reviewed by Law&Crime.

In a statement released by the Battle Creek Police Department, officers were dispatched to a shooting incident at approximately 4:30 p.m. at a residence located on the 100 block of South Ridgeway Drive, roughly 120 miles west of Detroit.

Upon arrival, first responders discovered a man with visible gunshot wounds in his upper body, as detailed in the police department’s release. Andrea Graham, identified as the woman at the scene, directed officers inside where emergency personnel attempted to revive the man, who was later pronounced dead.

Andrea Graham was subsequently arrested and placed in the Calhoun County Jail while the investigation is ongoing, according to the release.

The Battle Creek Enquirer reported that court documents have shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

According to the report, investigators said the shooting occurred in the basement hallway, where officers discovered Alan Graham dead from multiple gunshot wounds.

At the scene, Graham allegedly told responding officers she shot her husband during a violent encounter and described her actions in blunt terms, according to a report from Grand Rapids, Michigan, NBC affiliate WOOD.

“I shot him a couple of times to make sure he was out of his misery because I didn’t want him to suffer slowly,” she said.

Investigators recovered a 9 mm pistol and multiple shell casings from different areas of the home, and they found shattered glass from a picture frame on the victim’s body, the report said, suggesting the incident involved movement through several rooms.

Andrea Graham claimed she acted in self-defense, telling authorities her husband had been strangling her when she fired the weapon. Meanwhile, investigators said they did not observe injuries consistent with that claim and found evidence that did not support her account.

She later appeared in Calhoun County Court and entered a not guilty plea, declining to comment on the allegations, according to Kalamazoo, Michigan, CBS and CW affiliate WWMT. Her attorney described her as a stay-at-home mother of two and said she has no prior felony convictions.

Graham is currently being held without bond and is scheduled to return to court on April 22 for a probable cause conference, according to court records.

Wave of Arson Hits Multiple Melbourne Restaurants in One Week

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Wave of Arson Hits Multiple Melbourne Restaurants in One Week

Authorities are reaching out to the public for assistance following a recent spate of suspicious fires targeting Melbourne’s hospitality venues. The incidents have sparked concern among residents and officials alike.

In the past week alone, the city’s metropolitan area has witnessed two fires, an arson attack, and two attempted arsons at licensed establishments. This alarming trend has prompted detectives to investigate any potential links between these events and to understand the motivations behind them.

Detective Inspector Chris Murray of the Arson and Explosives Squad emphasized the grave risks associated with such reckless acts. “We have repeatedly warned about the dangers of fire and the severe consequences for those who choose to start them,” he stated. “Unfortunately, we’ve seen individuals suffer life-altering or even fatal injuries for what is often a meager financial reward compared to the value of a human life.”

Police are appealing for information after a series of suspicious fires at multiple Melbourne hospitality venues.
Police are appealing for information after a series of suspicious fires in Melbourne. (9News)

“We have issued repeated warnings about the dangers of fire and the potential for those lighting them to suffer life changing or fatal injuries,” Detective Inspector Chris Murray, Arson and Explosives Squad, said in a statement.

“Despite that, we have seen arsonists die or suffer serious and life changing injuries as a consequence of being paid very little money compared to the value of a life.

“Fire is incredibly unpredictable – those who are responsible are risking their lives, the lives of an innocent community around them as well as people’s livelihoods.”

The first incident was an attempted arson at a Londsdale Street just before 6am on Tuesday.

There was a fire around 3am on Wednesday at a venue on York Street in South Melbourne.

A 25-year-old Coburg man has been arrested in relation to the incident.

Police are appealing for information after a series of suspicious fires at multiple Melbourne hospitality venues.
Police are calling on anyone with information about the incidents to come forward. (9News)

There was a fire at a venue on Commercial Road in South Yarra just after 4am yesterday, the same time as an attempted arson at a venue on Cecil Street in South Melbourne.

Two more incidents occurred this morning: a drive-by shooting at a venue on Lonsdale Street and an arson at a venue on Southbank Boulevard.

Both occurred within 10 minutes, just after 4am.

Two boys, aged 16 and 17, were arrested around 5am in relation to the arson.

Police are appealing for information after a series of suspicious fires at multiple Melbourne hospitality venues.
Melbourne locals have been warned to stay alert this weekend. (9News)

Police are now calling on anyone with any information about the incidents – including who is responsible and what the motivation is – to come forward.

“I would implore anyone who knows anything about these incidents to visit us and tell us what you know before we visit them.”

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.

“Please – if you’re out in metropolitan Melbourne and particularly entertainment precincts this weekend – call triple zero if you see anything suspicious,” Murray said.

“That could be a car that’s driving too slowly, people behaving oddly or something that just doesn’t look right.”

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Remains of Oregon’s Martin Family, Missing Since 1958, Identified After Discovery in Columbia River Car

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Remains of Oregon’s Martin Family, Missing Since 1958, Identified After Discovery in Columbia River Car

Remains discovered in a submerged vehicle in the Columbia River have been confirmed through DNA analysis as belonging to an Oregon family that vanished in 1958 during a trip to gather Christmas greenery, officials announced on Thursday.

The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office revealed that the state medical examiner has positively identified the remains as those of Kenneth and Barbara Martin and their daughter, Barbie. The remains were recovered from the wreckage of their vehicle in the river.

Concluding their investigation, the sheriff’s office stated that there was no evidence pointing to foul play in the family’s disappearance.

The family’s Ford station wagon, long suspected to have gone missing with them, was finally located in 2024 by a dedicated diver who had been searching for the vehicle for several years.

In the subsequent year, authorities successfully retrieved a portion of the car from the river, bringing closure to the decades-old mystery.

The family vanished in December of 1958.

The bodies of two of the family’s children were found months after the disappearance, but the other members never turned up.

The search for the Martin family was a national news story at the time and led some to speculate about the possibility of foul play, with a $1,000 reward offered for information.

“Where do you search if you’ve already searched every place logic and fragmentary clues would suggest?” an Associated Press article asked in 1959, months after the disappearance.

Only the frame and some attached components were retrieved from the water because of the “extent to which the vehicle had been encased in sediment,” the sheriff’s office said.

Analysis of those items allowed investigators to conclude that it was indeed the Martin family’s car.

Later in 2025, the diver located human remains that were ultimately turned over to the state medical examiner’s office.

Scientists developed DNA extracts from the remains and generated a profile that was compared with relatives of the Martin family, allowing for the identifications, authorities said.

Disney Unveils Blockbuster Lineup at CinemaCon: ‘The Mandalorian,’ ‘Moana,’ and More Exciting Announcements

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Disney Unveils Blockbuster Lineup at CinemaCon: ‘The Mandalorian,’ ‘Moana,’ and More Exciting Announcements

LAS VEGAS — Disney wrapped up CinemaCon 2026 with a splash, unveiling a host of star-studded appearances and exciting new trailers that promise to captivate audiences in the coming months.

The event, held in the entertainment capital of the world, showcased an impressive lineup of upcoming films. Alan Bergman, Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, took the stage to preview the diverse range of movies set to hit theaters. Among the anticipated releases are Disney’s “Moana” (July 10), the hilarious “Super Troopers 3” (August 9), the intriguing “The Dog Stars” (August 28), the much-awaited “Whalefall” (October 16), the adventurous “Wild Horse Nine” (November 6), the thrilling “Hexed” (November 25), Marvel’s highly anticipated “Avengers: Doomsday” (December 18), the animated “Ice Age: Boiling Point” (February 5, 2027), and the creative collaboration “Gatto” from Disney and Pixar (March 5, 2027).

Amidst the excitement, director Jon Favreau captivated the audience with insights into “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” Attendees were treated to an exclusive 17-minute preview of the film, accompanied by the release of its final trailer. Favreau also announced that tickets will be available for purchase starting Friday. For those eager to delve deeper, the trailer and additional details are accessible HERE.

Adding to the star power, Tom Hanks and Tim Allen made a special appearance to debut new footage from the eagerly awaited “Toy Story 5,” leaving fans buzzing with anticipation for the beloved franchise’s next chapter.

Tom Hanks and Tim Allen were also on hand to show the audience new footage from “Toy Story 5.”

“We will all see you at the movies… June 19,” said Hanks.

"Toy Story 5" stars Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are pictured at the Walt Disney Studios presentation at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on April 16, 2026.
“Toy Story 5” stars Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are pictured at the Walt Disney Studios presentation at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on April 16, 2026.Chris Pizzello/AP

Catherine Laga’aia joined Dwayne Johnson to introduce new footage from the upcoming live action “Moana.”

"Moana" stars Catherine Laga'aia and Dwayne Johnson are pictured on stage at the Walt Disney Studios presentation at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on April 16, 2026.
“Moana” stars Catherine Laga’aia and Dwayne Johnson are pictured on stage at the Walt Disney Studios presentation at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on April 16, 2026.Chris Pizzello/AP

“The hero of our story is not a princess, she’s a warrior. All men of all ages, we should empower and support and champion all women. That’s what real masculinity looks like,” said Johnson.

We also got a look at “The Dog Stars,” in theaters August 28. It’s Ridley Scott’s latest movie and stars Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley and Josh Brolin. More on that film HERE.

Hailee Steinfeld and Rashida Jones were announced as the stars of Disney’s “Hexed” and Queen Latifah, Denis Leary and Ray Romano will be back for “Ice Age: Boiling Point.”

"Ice Age: Boiling Point" stars Queen Latifah, Denis Leary and Ray Romano are pictured at the Walt Disney Studios presentation at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on April 16, 2026.
“Ice Age: Boiling Point” stars Queen Latifah, Denis Leary and Ray Romano are pictured at the Walt Disney Studios presentation at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on April 16, 2026.Chris Pizzello/AP

Then it was Marvel time.

Robert Downey Jr. took the stage along with “Avengers: Doomsday” directors Joe and Anthony Russo, Marvel boss Kevin Feige and Cap himself, Chris Evans. The audience was treated to a sneak peek at the trailer for “Doomsday,” which includes scenes with Doom and Thor, Mystique, Gambit and Shang-Chi, the mysterious return of Evans as Captain America and a scene between him and Thor. The trailer has yet to be released to the public.

Robert Downey Jr., Joe Russo and Chris Evans are pictured talking about "Avengers: Doomsday" at the Walt Disney Studios presentation at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on April 16, 2026.
Robert Downey Jr., Joe Russo and Chris Evans are pictured talking about “Avengers: Doomsday” at the Walt Disney Studios presentation at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on April 16, 2026.Chris Pizzello/AP

Marvel also announced the launch of Infinity Vision, which is a new premium large format certification for movie theaters.

“Disney’s standards for production quality are second to none, with every single detail of a film finely tuned for an immersive experience,” said Andrew Cripps, Head of Theatrical Distribution for The Walt Disney Studios in a statement. “Infinity Vision certification extends that commitment to the theaters themselves, representing a shared effort between The Walt Disney Studios and the exhibition community to help audiences quickly find the very best screens in their area to experience our films in exactly the way they’re designed to be seen – on a huge screen with the sharpest, clearest color and sound.”

Infinity Vision will begin with the re-release of “Avengers: Endgame” September 25.

The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of this ABC station.

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Heart-Wrenching: Jury Overwhelmed by Emotional Video of Athena Strand Confronting Her FedEx Attacker

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Heart-Wrenching: Jury Overwhelmed by Emotional Video of Athena Strand Confronting Her FedEx Attacker

In a heart-wrenching courtroom scene, jurors were visibly emotional after witnessing distressing footage involving a seven-year-old girl, Athena Strand, moments before she was tragically killed. The video, presented during a trial in Fort Worth, captured the young girl’s voice as she asked FedEx driver Tanner Horner, aged 34, if he was a kidnapper.

The chilling exchange, captured on a dash camera, showed Athena conversing with Horner about her school and teacher on the fateful day in November 2022 when the horrific incident occurred. The tension in the recording escalated as Athena’s fear became palpable when the delivery truck came to a stop, according to a report by Fox4.

The emotional weight of the footage proved overwhelming, leading to tears among several jurors during Thursday’s proceedings. The distress was so profound that some family members, unable to bear the impact of the video, chose to exit the courtroom.

She grew increasingly frightened when the truck stopped, Fox4 reported.

Multiple jurors sobbed during Thursday’s hearing, while family members were so traumatized by the footage that they left the courtroom. 

A horrific photograph displayed last week showed Athena kneeling close to Horner in the truck as he drove her to her death.

He snatched the youngster from her home in Paradise, Texas, while delivering a parcel of Barbies her father and stepmother had bought for her Christmas present.

Horner admitted capital murder hours before his trial was due to start, and a jury is now tasked with deciding whether he should be executed.

Athena Strand with FedEx driver Tanner Horner after her abduction. On Thursday, jurors were played video of the frightened youngster's final moments

Athena Strand with FedEx driver Tanner Horner after her abduction. On Thursday, jurors were played video of the frightened youngster’s final moments 

Athena was abducted from her family's home in Paradise, Texas, on November 30, 2022

Athena was abducted from her family’s home in Paradise, Texas, on November 30, 2022

Ahead of the footage being shown in court, Judge George Gallagher warned people in the courtroom to leave if they did not wish to see it. 

‘If you think you cannot watch it or listen to it, leave now. Now’s your time to get out,’ Gallagher said. 

Athena’s parents, Jacob Strand and Maitlyn Gandy, have both testified in the trial but they did not sit in the courtroom while the video was played. 

The full footage showed Horner arriving at Athena’s house. He walked past the driver’s side window to deliver parcels and Athena walked behind him. 

He opened the truck while the child stood close by, and he then picked her up and placed her inside the truck before closing the door. 

Horner can be heard whispering something and moving Athena from the back of the vehicle to the front. 

The terrified child then asked him: ‘Are you a kidnapper?’ She repeated the question several times later in the footage. 

Horner told her to sit down and threatened to hurt her if she screamed. As this was shown in the courtroom, several of the little girl’s relatives left. 

Athena enjoyed living out on their land in the country, where she got to 'run wild and free', her stepmother said

Athena enjoyed living out on their land in the country, where she got to ‘run wild and free’, her stepmother said

Horner admitted capital murder hours before his trial was due to start, and a jury is now tasked with deciding whether he should be executed

Horner admitted capital murder hours before his trial was due to start, and a jury is now tasked with deciding whether he should be executed

Athena asked the trucker where they were going, and he told her to sit down before covering the camera in the truck, meaning only audio could be heard from that point. 

Horner can be heard making small talk with the child by asking her age, where she goes to school, her teacher’s name, and whether her teacher was nice. 

She answered the questions, then told him she had a sister. Horner then told Athena, ‘You’re really pretty. You know that?’

The truck can be heard halting, before Athena asked: ‘Is this your house?’ Horner replied: ‘No, I don’t live around here’. 

When the little girl asked where he lived, he said: ‘Far away’. 

After a few moments, the truck appeared to start then brake again, as the child asked: ‘What are we doing?’ to which Horner told her to ‘hang out for a minute’. 

Horner then asked the child to remove her shirt, and she said ‘no’ before asking for her mom. 

The following moments are harrowing, as the child could be heard crying and screaming while a banging noise rang out. 

Some of the jurors began sobbing at this point, and the audio recording stopped as the court paused for lunch. 

Horner, an independent contractor working with FedEx, killed Athena on November 30, 2022. 

Athena talked to Horner about her teacher and her school in footage shot on a dash camera on the day of the November 2022 murder in the back of his FedEx van

Athena talked to Horner about her teacher and her school in footage shot on a dash camera on the day of the November 2022 murder in the back of his FedEx van 

Horner abruptly pleaded guilty to capital murder last week

Horner abruptly pleaded guilty to capital murder last week

According to an arrest warrant, Horner told authorities that he strangled Athena after accidentally hitting her with his van while making a delivery. 

Horner said that Athena wasn’t seriously hurt after he hit her while backing up, but he panicked and put her in his van. 

He then strangled her to death in his truck, and her tortured final moments were captured by a microphone in his vehicle after he covered a camera inside. 

Horner told police he tried to calm Athena down, but when he was unsuccessful, a sort of alter ego of his, called Zero, ‘kind of took over.’

‘He [Zero] told her, “Just get in the back of the van, we’re going to go to the hospital,”‘ Horner said.

Horner said Zero killed Athena. 

‘I didn’t do it, but he did, and that’s what f***s with me… I’m wondering who the hell’s been in my head this whole time,’ he said. 

‘Part of me is in denial because I didn’t pull the trigger,’ Horner said.

‘You feel like Zero pulled the trigger?’ Investigators asked, to which Horner replied in the affirmative. 

‘I tried to disarm the gun. I tried to stop all of this from happening,’ he said.

Maitlyn Gandy, Athena's mother, took the stand at Horner's sentencing hearing on Wednesday

Maitlyn Gandy, Athena’s mother, took the stand at Horner’s sentencing hearing on Wednesday

The little girl's father, Jacob Strand, testifies during the capital murder trial on Thursday

The little girl’s father, Jacob Strand, testifies during the capital murder trial on Thursday

The warrant said Horner took investigators to where he had left Athena’s body.

In opening statements, Horner’s attorney Steven Goble told jurors: ‘When someone’s brain is what’s injured, you don’t see it.’

Goble acknowledged that the evidence against Horner was ‘overwhelming’ and ‘terrible’. 

But he also told jurors that Horner’s mother drank while she was pregnant, that he has autism and suffered from ‘various mental illnesses throughout his life’ in addition to being exposed to a ‘massive amount of lead.’

Goble asked jurors to sentence him to life in prison.

Ashley Strand, Athena’s stepmother, told jurors that the package Horner had dropped off was a Christmas present for Athena – a box of ‘You Can Be Anything’ Barbies. 

Ashley, who has since divorced Athena’s father, said the little girl enjoyed living out on their land in the country, where she got to ‘run wild and free.’

The trial was moved from rural Wise County to Fort Worth after Horner’s attorneys argued that he would not have received a fair trial.

Did You Catch the Hidden Post-Credits Gem in The Pitt Season 2 Finale?

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Did You Catch the Hidden Post-Credits Gem in The Pitt Season 2 Finale?



Warning: Spoilers Ahead for “The Pitt” Season 2, Episode 15 — “9:00 P.M.”


Dr. King sitting in the ER

HBO Max

Much like its inaugural season, the conclusion of “The Pitt” Season 2 sees its characters winding down after an exhausting workday. While some narratives find closure, others remain unresolved, paving the way for future storylines. Yet, the grueling July 4th shift finally concludes for the hospital’s dedicated doctors, nurses, and support staff. But don’t switch off just yet; an enchanting post-credits scene awaits those who linger.

As the episode concludes, we witness Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch (played by Noah Wyle) discovering tranquility as he tends to Baby Jane Doe in the nursery. Meanwhile, other members of the emergency team gather on the rooftop, enjoying the fireworks display. However, the narrative offers one last glimpse into the lives of two pivotal characters. Following up on an earlier exchange, Dr. Mel King (portrayed by Taylor Dearden) and Dr. Trinity Santos (Isa Briones) venture out to a karaoke bar.

Taking the stage together, the duo passionately performs Alanis Morissette’s hit “You Oughta Know.” Mel even lets her hair down, figuratively and literally, as the typically conflicting doctors find themselves sharing a rare moment of unity. But how did they arrive at this juncture, and what implications does it hold for Season 3? Let’s delve deeper.

The July 4th shift proved to be a taxing day for all, especially for Dr. King and Dr. Santos, who seem unable to catch a break. For Mel, the day marks her debut deposition in a malpractice suit, only to learn by shift’s end that she’ll face another deposition due to insufficient clarity in her previous testimony. Compounding her stress, her sister Becca (played by Tal Anderson) has found herself a boyfriend, leaving Mel without her usual confidante and holiday partner.

Dr. King and Dr. Santos find common ground


Dr. Santos sitting in the ER

HBO Max

The July 4th day shift is stressful for every major character, but it’s especially hard on Dr. King and Dr. Santos, neither of whom seem to be able to catch much of a break. For Mel, the day marked her first-ever deposition in a malpractice lawsuit, and by the end of her shift she learns that she’ll be deposed again because her earlier testimony didn’t clear her well enough. Meanwhile, her sister Becca (Tal Anderson) has gotten herself a boyfriend, leaving Mel without her typical security blanket and holiday companion.

On Trinity’s side of things, her friends with benefits relationship with Dr. Garcia (Alexandra Metz) seems to be crumbling, her former roommate Dr. Whitaker (Gerran Howell) has a new life, and she’s getting warnings from all of her attendings that her residency might be in jeopardy if she can’t keep up with her charting. She’s overwhelmed, and the return of Patrick Ball’s Dr. Langdon months after she accused him of stealing meds from the hospital has only made things worse.

Both doctors go through these things on a day when the ER is busy with gruesome holiday injuries and the digital charting system breaks down, leaving them to catch up on digitizing all of their paperwork. As the night lengthens, Trinity decides to brush off the rest of her work and, in a moment of semi-desperation, asks Mel if she’d like to go sing karaoke together. It’s an unlikely bonding moment between the two, and it seems to work out quite well.

What the karaoke scene means for Season 3


Dr. Robby sitting on his motorcycle

HBO Max

Precious little is known about the third season of “The Pitt.” We don’t know when it will be set, which characters will be major players in the story, or even which cast members are set to return. What we do know is that Mel and Trinity’s bonding experience over karaoke sets an interesting stage for their relationship and beyond.

From the beginning, Mel and Trinity were at odds just in terms of their styles as doctors. Trinity is energetic, confrontational, and cocky, while Mel is precise, gentle, and careful. They’re not natural companions in the trauma rooms, and they’re not exactly fast friends, but their shared residency in the ER has paid dividends. By the end of Season 2, they understand each other better, and they also understand that they need each other (both inside and outside the hospital) to keep surviving in this fast-paced, high-expectation environment.

Beyond Mel and Trinity’s own bonding, this scene also means something for Dr. Robby. In the finale, wracked with indecision over what to do with the rest of his life, he laments never having kids — or at least not having kids yet — and wonders if giving his life to the hospital will ever truly be enough for him. While he seems to find his answer with Baby Jane Doe, the show also gives us another answer: Through him, a family has emerged amid the students and residents in the emergency department. Mel and Trinity are, in some ways, his kids, and he’s done a better job with them than he knows.



4 Effective Bed Exercises to Quickly Trim Waist Overhang for Adults Over 60

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4 Effective Bed Exercises to Quickly Trim Waist Overhang for Adults Over 60

Eliminate stubborn belly fat by incorporating these effective bed exercises into your routine.

Two undeniable truths exist about the stubborn fat accumulating around your waistline. First, this bothersome “love handle” area can rapidly expand as you age, thanks to natural muscle loss, hormonal shifts, a slowing metabolism, and decreased physical activity—sigh. Second, without a strategic plan in place, this fat tends to persist and even increase.

It’s important to understand that excess fat is not just a cosmetic concern; it poses significant risks to your health. This type of fat, known as visceral fat, is located deep within the abdomen, enveloping your organs. It is notoriously difficult to shed and is linked to several severe health issues, including high blood pressure, insulin resistance, heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and even certain cancers.

The encouraging news is that you can effectively tackle that waistline bulge and improve your fitness level more swiftly than traditional ab workouts, especially after the age of 60. We’ve compiled five bed exercises to help you embark on this journey.

The good news is you can shred that waist overhang and get into shape faster than ab workouts after 60, and we are here with five bed exercises to help you get started.

Bed exercises can be beneficial additions to your routine because they decrease joint strain while consistently engaging the core and hips, says Karen Ann Canham, CEO and founder of Karen Ann Wellness, Board-Certified Wellness Coach, and Nervous System Specialist who has almost two decades of experience in the wellness space.

As you enter your golden years of life, it’s common to avoid ab workouts due to the discomfort that comes with getting on and off the ground. The bed, however, offers solid support so your muscles can be trained in a successful manner without putting tension on the lower back. Below are five essential exercises to prioritize.

Clamshell

  1. Lie on your side with your knees stacked and bent.
  2. Keep your feet together as you lift your top knee, like a clamshell opening.
  3. Lower.
  4. Avoid rotating through your lower back.
  5. Perform 2 sets of 12 reps.

Heel Slides

  1. Start by lying flat on your back with your legs on the mattress.
  2. Place your arms at your sides and gently press your lower back into the mattress.
  3. Slide one heel back toward your hips before lengthening it back out.
  4. Complete 2 sets of 10 reps on each side to boost joint mobility and the hip flexors.

Glute Bridges

  1. Begin by lying flat on your back with bent knees and feet hip-width apart on the mattress, arms at your sides with palms pressing into the surface.
  2. Press through your heels to lift your hips until your body forms a straight line from head to heels.
  3. Squeeze your buttocks, holding at the top for a moment.
  4. Lower your hips back to the start position.
  5. Perform 2 sets of 12 reps.

Side-Lying Leg Lifts

  1. Begin by lying on one side with your legs stacked, your head resting on your bottom arm, and your top hand placed on your hip.
  2. Lift your top leg upward.
  3. Hold it for a moment.
  4. Slowly lower.
  5. Repeat on the other side.
  6. Perform 2 sets of 15 reps on each side.

FSU Shooting Anniversary: Student Stories and the Urgent Call for Campus Safety Legislation

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FSU Shooting Anniversary: Student Stories and the Urgent Call for Campus Safety Legislation


TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Friday, April 17 marks the solemn anniversary of the tragic mass shooting that occurred at Florida State University one year ago.

FSU President Richard McCullough has announced that the university will observe a moment of silence at noon this Friday. This gesture is intended to provide a space for students and staff to pause and remember those who lost their lives in the heartbreaking incident.
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