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Chilling Confession: Tanner Horner’s Shocking Words After the Tragic Murder of Athena Strand

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Chilling Confession: Tanner Horner’s Shocking Words After the Tragic Murder of Athena Strand

A FedEx driver who kidnapped and murdered a seven-year-old girl during a delivery of her Christmas gift confessed to his mother that he did not assault the child due to his low sex drive.

Tanner Horner, 34, communicated with his mother from jail following the tragic incident involving Athena Strand in November 2022. During the conversation, his mother pressed him for details about the harrowing event.

“What did you do? Did she die on her own?” his mother inquired in a recorded phone call, which was played during his sentencing hearing on Monday, as reported by Fox 4 News.

Horner confessed, “No.”

His mother, clearly distressed, responded, “Oh my God,” before questioning him about any possible sexual abuse of the young girl.

‘Tanner, I just hope you didn’t do nothing weird to that little girl,’ she told her son, who replied that he didn’t.

‘OK. I didn’t think you did, I just know how you get,’ Horner’s mother said.

‘Well, actually, with my medication, I barely even have a libido as it is,’ the FedEx driver then revealed.

The shocking recording was played for jurors, who must now decide whether Horner should be executed for abducting Strand from outside her home in Paradise, Texas, while she played outside unattended. 

Tanner Horner, 34, abducted and killed seven-year-old Athena Strand from outside her house in Paradise, Texas in November 2022

Tanner Horner, 34, abducted and killed seven-year-old Athena Strand from outside her house in Paradise, Texas in November 2022

The seven-year-old was kidnapped and strangled by Horner when he was delivering gifts to her family home in November 2022

The seven-year-old was kidnapped and strangled by Horner when he was delivering gifts to her family home in November 2022 

Horner had been delivering a box of Barbies that were due to be Strand’s Christmas present when he abducted and strangled the youngster before dumping her body in a creek. 

A now-infamous grab from a video camera inside his delivery van showed a concerned-looking Strand being driven to her death. 

In another phone call played in court on Monday, Horner again denied raping Athena to his grandmother.

‘Are you remorseful, Tanner?’ she asked her grandson.

‘How can I not be?’ he replied. ‘I haven’t been on my medication for the last few weeks and I’m getting emotional.’

The FedEx driver then went on to break down on the call, while talking about how he would not be able to spend Christmas with his young son. 

By January 2023, Horner decided to send Strand’s heartbroken family a remorseful letter saying he does not ‘do well with changes or things that are unpredictable’ due to his Asperger’s Syndrome – an autism spectrum disorder whose sufferers may struggle to cope if their usual daily routine is disrupted.

‘When I first started out as a driver at FedEx, I was given a singular route and that route wouldn’t change for a while,’ he explained.

‘After a bit, my employer started making random changes to my route, adding stuff from other routes so they could make more money. 

‘I don’t do well with change, I can have meltdowns when unexpected changes to my daily routine happens.’ 

Horner (pictured during the abduction) blamed the murder on the delivery company FedEx changing his driving routes in a self-pitying letter to her family

Horner (pictured during the abduction) blamed the murder on the delivery company FedEx changing his driving routes in a self-pitying letter to her family

He moaned about the impact his vile crime would have on his own family in the letter to Strand's loved ones

He moaned about the impact his vile crime would have on his own family in the letter to Strand’s loved ones 

Horner said he was extremely stressed by not being able to drive the exact same route in his FedEx truck every day, which he blamed for committing the murder. 

He said that his frustration with driving varying routes led him to have a ‘suicidal episode’ shortly before killing the seven-year-old, writing that the ‘only thing that stopped me was thinking of my son growing up without his father.’ 

‘I got put on medication and a week later I was back at work. I let my employers know I needed to keep a consistent routine and I wouldn’t have any issues, and I was ignored,’ he wrote. 

‘When I returned they did the opposite of what was good for someone like me. They put me on a different route every day.’ 

Horner then claimed his demands to FedEx ‘went in one ear and out the other’, and says ‘in hindsight I think they were trying to get me to quit, which in retrospect was kind of scammy.’ 

Horner also moaned about the impact his vile crime would have on his own family in the letter to Strand’s loved ones. 

‘So many people were affected by my breakdown. Not just your family but mine as well. You’re never going to get to see your baby girl grow up… now my son is going to grow up without his father and protector,’ he wrote. 

He claimed the girl was in the ‘wrong place at the wrong time.’ 

Horner claimed in the letter that Strand was in the 'wrong place at the wrong time'

Horner claimed in the letter that Strand was in the ‘wrong place at the wrong time’

At Horner's trial on Monday, prosecutors also revealed the first images of the creek where Horner dumped Strand's body

At Horner’s trial on Monday, prosecutors also revealed the first images of the creek where Horner dumped Strand’s body

Horner's letter also included a 'side note' continuing his frustrations with FedEx, disregarding his role in Strand's murder and writing that the delivery company was 'negligent when it comes to safety'

Horner’s letter also included a ‘side note’ continuing his frustrations with FedEx, disregarding his role in Strand’s murder and writing that the delivery company was ‘negligent when it comes to safety’

‘I’m sorry I allowed my mental state to be unstable. I’m sorry I took your little angel away from you. She didn’t deserve it. My son didn’t deserve to lose his father,’ he wrote.  

‘My mother didn’t deserve to lose her son. My fiancé didn’t deserve to have her wedding day stripped away from her. I pray my death eases your suffering,’ he concluded. 

Horner’s letter also included a ‘side note’ continuing his frustrations with FedEx, disregarding his role in Strand’s murder and writing that the delivery company was ‘negligent when it comes to safety.’ 

In another letter addressed to detectives, Horner also tried to evade accountability for killing Strand by alluding to another person being responsible. 

He said another man was present when he took Strand, alleging that the man pulled a ‘rifle’ on him and told him to murder Strand. 

Prosecutors say there is no evidence of anyone else being responsible for Strand’s murder.

Earlier in his trial, it was revealed that Horner also made an audacious request to investigators to be given a month to enjoy Christmas with his son when he was first arrested in November 2022

Earlier in his trial, it was revealed that Horner also made an audacious request to investigators to be given a month to enjoy Christmas with his son when he was first arrested in November 2022

At Horner’s trial on Monday, prosecutors also revealed the first images of the creek where Horner dumped Strand’s body, as an agent said he waded in waist-deep water to retrieve her remains. 

Medical examiner Jessica Dwyer testified that Strand was found naked in the water with her hands covered by plastic bags, though she noted the young girl’s body showed no signs of sexual trauma.

Dwyer said that during the autopsy, it was determined that Strand’s body showed evidence of trauma to her head, neck, chest and back. 

A forensics expert previously testified last week that when police found Strand’s body, she had markings pressed into her face that matched the floor of Horner’s FedEx vehicle.

Earlier in his trial, it was revealed that Horner also made an audacious request to investigators to be given a month to enjoy Christmas with his son when he was first arrested in November 2022. 

Horner was seen in footage played at his trial on Thursday being questioned after cops arrested him in November 2022, as they pressed him for the location of Strand’s body.

The jury was told that Horner requested to have the interview with investigators, and he began the conversation by telling them: ‘I imagine that you have, basically, a list and bullet points that you want to know from me.’

‘There’s only one thing in this world that I want,’ Horner said. ‘I want a month.’

He continued: ‘You can’t do that, I understand. Even if y’all have to put an ankle monitor on me, GPS monitor, check-ups with you.

‘If you give me a month with my family, so I can have Christmas with my son, I’ll tell you everything.’

Police told the suspect that his entitled request was likely impossible, as he was under arrest for the murder of the child.

‘Either way, that’s basically my price,’ Horner responded. The request was not granted.

Jonesborough Mayor Assures Stability with New Atmos Energy Agreement: ‘Nothing Will Change

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Jonesborough Mayor Assures Stability with New Atmos Energy Agreement: ‘Nothing Will Change


In Jonesborough, Tenn., the Board of Mayor and Aldermen convened on Monday night to deliberate on several key community initiatives. Noteworthy among these were a renewed collaboration with Atmos Energy, the introduction of a modern emergency alert system, and preliminary discussions about a prospective new park.

The board reached a consensus to extend their agreement with Atmos Energy for another year. This decision reassures residents that there will be no immediate changes to their natural gas service. Mayor Kelly Wolfe emphasized continuity, stating, “Nothing changes. We’ve had an agreement with them for 20 years. We’re going to explore some things in the next year, but for the next year anyway, everything goes just like it had been doing already.” This reflects the board’s commitment to maintaining stability while potentially exploring future enhancements.

In a move to bolster the town’s readiness for emergencies, the board also approved the implementation of a new emergency alert system. This system will replace the previous one, aiming to provide more efficient and reliable communication to residents during crises. The decision underscores the board’s proactive approach in ensuring community safety and preparedness.

“Nothing changes,” Wolfe said. “We’ve had an agreement with them for 20 years. We’re going to explore some things in the next year, but for the next year anyway, everything goes just like it had been doing already.”

The BMA also approved an emergency alert system that will replace what the town used to have.

“This will be a three or four-zone system that allows us to actually have verbal communications, let people know what’s going on, and also have a siren component to it just to let people that a natural crisis is occurring,” Wolfe said. “We hope to one day have some text blast that we can do. That’s not part of this program, but we’ll be able to at least have an emergency alert system back in Jonesborough.”

Another potential plan residents can keep an eye out for is a new park.

“We’ve been talking to BrightRidge about a little piece of property they have with a substation on it on East Main Street there, and how when they tore the house down, it left some light pollution because the house actually served as a buffer,” Wolfe said. “Our staff has been meeting with them and we hope to implement a plan with BrightRidge, which is a cooperative agreement where we can not only buffer that property from the surrounding areas there but maybe even have a little park that will be a part of the new First Frontier trails it’s built.”

Final details were also adopted for a sales contract to buy Greene Hill off of Duel Lane.

Rep. Pressley Champions Haitian TPS Extension to Safeguard Essential Community Workers

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Rep. Pressley Champions Haitian TPS Extension to Safeguard Essential Community Workers

Representative Ayanna Pressley, a prominent member of the “Squad” and a Democratic lawmaker from Massachusetts, has emphasized the crucial role Haitian Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders play in supporting local communities and businesses. She has called for the extension of TPS for Haiti, underscoring its importance.

Pressley posted on X:

In a video shared by Pressley, she expressed her position as the Supreme Court gears up to hear a significant case in late April. The case will determine whether the Trump administration can terminate TPS for approximately 350,000 Haitians and more than 6,000 Syrians, a move that lower courts have previously blocked.

According to a report by the New York Times published in January, at least 50,000 migrants with protected status are employed in the healthcare sector. In 2023, Haitians held around 111,000 healthcare jobs across the United States, highlighting their essential contributions.

The report also spotlighted Springfield, Ohio, where a significant Haitian community, numbering over 10,000, has settled in recent years. Here, Haitian migrants are integral to the workforce, filling roles in hospitals, clinics, warehouses, and factories, further showcasing their vital role in the local economy.

Pressley also shared a video in which the speaker said:

Haitian TPS holders are not abstract policy debates. They are cooks, dishwashers, servers, managers and owners. They’re experienced reliable, legally authorized workers, and they’ve become our family. Many are parents to us, citizen children. Many care for elders. Many have worked in the same restaurants for years, some for decades, paying taxes and doing everything right under the promise TPS made to them. 

If TPS is terminated, the damage will be immediate. 

This isn’t just a labor issue. It’s a supply chain issue that hits consumers, small businesses and local economies all at once. When those workers disappear, the food chain doesn’t bend, it snaps. This is a humanitarian issue, and it’s also an economic one. You cannot remove a vital workforce and expect small businesses or communities to survive the shock.

Pressley’s comments come as the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments in late April over whether the Trump administration can end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for about 350,000 Haitians and more than 6,000 Syrians after lower courts blocked the move.

A January report by the New York Times said at least 50,000 migrants with protected status work in health care, and that Haitians held about 111,000 health care jobs in the United States in 2023.

The report highlighted Springfield, Ohio, where more than 10,000 Haitians have settled in recent years and where Haitian migrants work in hospitals, clinics, warehouses, and factories.

The New York Times also reported that nursing homes and senior care centers in states with large Haitian populations, including Florida, New York, and Massachusetts, have warned that they could lose longtime workers if TPS is terminated.

According to the State Department’s 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report cited by Breitbart News, about 3,000 Haitian police officers departed Haiti since 2022, with the majority anecdotally leaving through the U.S. government’s visa processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, and the humanitarian parole program that included Haitians beginning in January 2023.

Breitbart News also referenced a Miami Herald report stating that an estimated 30 percent of Haiti’s teachers have migrated to the United States and elsewhere. Gang violence and political instability in Haiti have fueled the broader “brain drain” described by Breitbart News.

Homebuyer’s Costly Blunder: Court Orders $1.1 Million Payment After Contract Mishap

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Homebuyer’s Costly Blunder: Court Orders $1.1 Million Payment After Contract Mishap

A man from New Zealand has been ordered to pay over $1.1 million in damages and legal fees after withdrawing from a property purchase agreement. This decision came after Paljeet Singh reneged on buying a home from Robert and Margaret Smallridge, situated in Auckland’s Avondale suburb. Singh had initially bid $1.925 million for the property during an auction in November 2021.

The transaction was set to be finalized a year later; however, Singh backed out six weeks before the settlement date. He claimed that the Smallridges violated a critical agreement by denying him reasonable access to the house, which he needed to market and resell it.

Unfortunately for the Smallridges, the real estate market took a downturn, and the four-bedroom residence eventually sold for just $1.13 million. This figure was a staggering $800,000 less than the original auction price from a year and a half earlier.

Six weeks out from the settlement date, Singh pulled out of the sale, claiming that the vendors had breached an essential agreement by not allowing reasonable access to the property to enable him to market and on-sell it.

By then, property values had plummeted and the four-bedroom house later sold at $1.13million – almost $800,000 less than what it initially sold for 18 months prior.

The Smallridges launched a claim for damages for wrongful cancellation, prompting a counterclaim from Singh for the return of his $96,250 deposit, according to High Court documents.

The couple denied breaching the sales agreement and told the court last year that Singh had only once requested access, which they immediately co-operated with.

Their claim was refuted by a real estate agent engaged by Singh to on-sell the property, telling the court that he attended in March 2022 to ask if a potential purchaser could visit.

Robert and Margaret Smallridge's home sold for $1,925,000 at an auction in November 2021

Robert and Margaret Smallridge’s home sold for $1,925,000 at an auction in November 2021

The Avondale home later sold for almost $800,000 less after initial buyer Paljeet Singh pulled out six weeks out from settlement

The Avondale home later sold for almost $800,000 less after initial buyer Paljeet Singh pulled out six weeks out from settlement

Agent Kapil Rana from Barfoot & Thompson claimed that he was told by Ms Smallridge that a visit could not happen until settlement – an allegation she denied.

Singh told the court that around the same time, a potential buyer offered $2.1million for the property but then backed out due to not being able to access or view it.

The court heard that Singh met the couple at the property in October 2022 to inform them he wanted to back out of the deal, and at that time said it was because he could not obtain financing. 

Singh rejected that claim and told the court the purpose of the visit was to express concerns regarding access.

Several weeks later, Singh declined to finalise the purchase on the settlement date and demanded the return of his deposit.

The court heard the Smallridges initially offered to settle at a much lower claim to avoid further stress and delays.

They launched legal action when Singh did not respond.

Justice Tracy Walker ‘had no difficulty’ in ruling that the Smallridges did not breach any agreement terms or deny access to their property.

Paljeet Singh must pay back at least $1.1million in damages and legal costs over the sale of the home (pictured)

Paljeet Singh must pay back at least $1.1million in damages and legal costs over the sale of the home (pictured)

A High Court judge sided with Robert and Margaret Smallridge over the sale of the Avondale property

A High Court judge sided with Robert and Margaret Smallridge over the sale of the Avondale property

‘They were straightforward witnesses who made appropriate concessions when they were called for and whose evidence was clearly their own given the slight, immaterial differences in detail between their accounts,’ Justice Walker wrote in her findings.

‘I also found their evidence more consistent with the overall chronology of events.

‘There is no evidence that Singh could settle the purchase without on-selling the Property. 

‘It was much more likely that settlement depended on that occurring despite his evidence that he intended to settle had there been no alleged breach and could do so through financing.

‘I am satisfied that Singh’s inability to on-sell was a product of a falling market and his own unreasonable price expectations and that the ‘access’ issue was no more than an attempt to find some reason to back out of the agreement to avoid settling.’

Singh was ordered to pay $753,803.25 in out-of-pocket costs to the couple.

He must also fork out an additional $99,604.48 at 14 per cent interest for the 17-month period between the original sale agreement and the date the property sold.

Singh must also pay contractual interest on the net loss of the resale at $268.01 per day from April 15, 2023, until it is paid. 

The figure currently stands at $270,958.

Michigan Man Released by Bahamas Police After Wife’s Mysterious Disappearance from Boat

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Michigan Man Released by Bahamas Police After Wife’s Mysterious Disappearance from Boat


(AP) – Authorities in the Bahamas have released a man from Michigan who reported that his wife vanished after going overboard from a small vessel in the island nation’s waters, officials announced on Monday.

Brian Hooker, hailing from Onsted in southern Michigan, had been held by police since April 8 while being interrogated regarding the incident.

After discussions with prosecutors, law enforcement decided to release him, opting not to file charges at this moment as the investigation continues.

According to Brian Hooker, his wife Lynette Hooker, aged 55, fell off their 8-foot (2.4-meter) motorboat on the night of April 4. The couple was navigating from Hope Town to Elbow Cay, a cluster of small islands located on the eastern edge of the Bahamas. He explained that Lynette had the boat’s keys, which caused the engine to stop, compelling him to paddle back to shore.

“Strong currents then swept her away, and he lost visual contact with her,” police noted in an official statement.

After reaching shore, Brian Hooker alerted someone about his wife’s disappearance early the following day, according to authorities.

Hooker has denied any wrongdoing, according to his attorney, Terrel Butler.

The U.S. Coast Guard has opened an investigation separate from the one being conducted by authorities in the Bahamas.

The couple has been married for more than 20 years and chronicled their adventures sailing around the Caribbean on their “Sailing Hookers” Facebook page. They posted videos in 2023 of buying a sailboat they named Soul Mate in the coastal town of Rockport, Texas, and then embarking on a cruise through the Gulf of Mexico from the port town of Kemah, Texas.

The couple’s home in Onsted is about 70 miles (120 kilometers) southwest of Detroit.

Lynette Hooker’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, told NBC News that it is unlikely her mother would “just fall” off the boat, saying she was an experienced sailor. She noted the couple had been sailing for years on their voyages.

The couple has had a history of contention, with Brian and Lynette Hooker accusing each other in 2015 of assault, according to a Kentwood, Michigan, police report obtained by NBC.

Brian Hooker, who was intoxicated and bleeding from the nose, told police his wife had struck him multiple times in the face, the report said. He told officers Lynette also was drunk. She was arrested and spent the night in jail. A warrant was denied because it wasn’t clear “who started the assault.”

Lisa Hochstein & Jody Glidden’s Legal Team Responds to RHOM Stars’ Recent Charges

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Lisa Hochstein & Jody Glidden’s Legal Team Responds to RHOM Stars’ Recent Charges

Attorneys representing Lisa Hochstein from “Real Housewives of Miami” and her former partner, Jody Glidden, have addressed the recent legal troubles facing the duo. Speaking with Reality Blurb, the legal team discussed Jody’s recent arrest and the criminal charges looming over both him and Lisa.

EXCLUSIVE: Legal Counsel for ‘RHOM’ Stars Lisa Hochstein and Jody Glidden Issue Official Statement Amid Pair's Criminal Charges

Credit: Seth Browarnik/INSTARimages

Jayne Weintraub, who serves as Lisa’s defense attorney, alongside Howard Srebnick and Frank Gaviria, representing Jody, released a joint statement. They emphasized, “This matter is part of a contentious divorce proceeding and does not belong in criminal court.”

The charges stem from allegations that Lisa and Jody unlawfully intercepted communications related to Lisa’s former husband, Lenny Hochstein. This development has added a dramatic twist to the ongoing divorce saga.

Jody’s arrest reportedly occurred on a Saturday, leading to both him and Lisa facing charges of “interception of wire, oral or electronic communications” in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The case continues to unfold as legal representatives argue the charges are more suited for family court than a criminal trial.

Jody was reportedly taken into custody on Saturday, and now, he and Lisa are facing one count of each of “interception of wire, oral or electronic communications” in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

The count they each are facing pertains to action they are accused of taking against Lenny years ago. 

A report on April 1 from Local 10 News confirmed that court documents were filed against Lisa and Jody on March 19 in regard to incidents that took place between March 12 and March 31, 2023.

Lisa and Jody “unlawfully and intentionally” intercepted, tried to intercept, or tried to have someone else intercept “oral statements by Leonard Hochstein and those Leonard Hochstein spoke with,” they alleged.

Jody was no longer listed in the online database at the prison he was taken into custody of as of Monday. It remains unclear whether he was released or bailed out, and when either of those things took place.

The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office confirmed that the warrant had been sealed.

According to Page Six, a warrant is currently out for Lisa’s arrest as well.

For background, the lawyer representing Lisa is the same attorney who represented her three years ago when Lenny and m his now-ex-fiancée, Katharina Nahlik, brought stalking charges and tried to get an injunction. The judge issued an order after a full trial that there was no just cause for even a temporary restriction and dismissed the case.

Lisa and Jody began dating in late 2022, and reportedly split last year.

In May 2023, Lisa was accused of planting a “listening device” on his vehicle, which she denied.

At the time, a report from Page Six revealed that Lenny had alleged Lisa had placed “at least one” listening device in his car in order to “access and monitor his private, non-public communications involving this litigation.”

The Real Housewives of Miami is currently on pause ahead of its eighth season.

 

 

 

 

 

Phil Collins, Oasis, and Wu-Tang Clan Headline 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees

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Phil Collins, Oasis, and Wu-Tang Clan Headline 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has unveiled its 2026 class, honoring a diverse group of 18 artists spanning genres such as heavy metal, Britpop, and classic hip-hop. This announcement was made during a special airing of “American Idol” in Los Angeles.

This year’s list of performers being inducted includes iconic names like Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Sade, Oasis, Wu-Tang Clan, Luther Vandross, and the combined acts of Joy Division/New Order.

John Sykes, the chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, expressed the significance of the honor by stating, “Induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is music’s highest accolade. We are eager to celebrate these extraordinary artists at this year’s ceremony, which promises to be an unforgettable event.”

Phil Collins makes his second entry into the Hall with this induction, having been previously recognized as part of Genesis in 2010. For bands like Oasis and Iron Maiden, this acknowledgment follows years of anticipation from fans and multiple previous nominations.

Alongside the main performer category, the Hall has also announced several Special Merit awards. Recognized with the Early Influence Award are Queen Latifah, Celia Cruz, Fela Kuti, MC Lyte, and Gram Parsons, celebrating their impactful contributions to music.

The Musical Excellence Award will be presented to producers and songwriters Rick Rubin, Linda Creed, Arif Mardin and Jimmy Miller. Television host Ed Sullivan will be honored with the Ahmet Ertegun Award for his role in bringing rock and roll to mainstream American audiences.

The 41st annual induction ceremony will take place Nov. 14 in Los Angeles. The event will stream on Disney+ and air on ABC later this year.

See the full list of inductees below:
Phil Collins (Performer category)
Billy Idol (Performer category)
Iron Maiden (Performer category)
Joy Division / New Order (Performer category)
Oasis (Performer category)
Sade (Performer category)
Luther Vandross (Performer category)
Wu-Tang Clan (Performer category)
Linda Creed (Musical Excellence Award)
Arif Mardin (Musical Excellence Award)
Jimmy Miller (Musical Excellence Award)
Rick Rubin (Musical Excellence Award)
Celia Cruz (Early Influence Award)
Fela Kuti (Early Influence Award)
Queen Latifah (Early Influence Award)
MC Lyte (Early Influence Award)
Gram Parsons (Early Influence Award)
Ed Sullivan (Ahmet Ertegun Award)

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

Copyright © 2026 OnTheRedCarpet.com. All Rights Reserved.

Gov. Wes Moore’s Effort to Redraw Maryland’s Congressional Map for Democratic Edge Hits Roadblock

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Gov. Wes Moore’s Effort to Redraw Maryland’s Congressional Map for Democratic Edge Hits Roadblock


In a significant decision, Maryland Democrats have declined to pursue a new congressional map designed to enhance their prospects in the upcoming midterm elections. This represents a setback for Governor Wes Moore, who had championed the proposal as a countermeasure to President Donald Trump’s redistricting efforts.

The proposal’s demise became official as the state legislative session ended late Monday night, falling victim to internal party discord. Ultimately, the Maryland Senate, controlled by Democrats, chose to leave the bill in committee. This decision stemmed from concerns that the proposal might not withstand judicial scrutiny.

This mid-decade redistricting initiative gained momentum after Trump encouraged Texas, governed by Republicans, to redraw its map last year. The trend is expected to continue, with Republicans aiming to alter congressional boundaries during a special legislative session in Florida, while Democrats are pushing for a redistricting referendum in Virginia.

Despite these efforts, Democrats will not see an immediate advantage in Maryland. The proposed map could have facilitated the removal of the state’s sole Republican representative in the U.S. House, but that opportunity will not materialize for now.

Governor Moore, who is viewed as a potential presidential candidate for 2028, expressed his disagreement with Maryland’s state Senate President, Bill Ferguson, over the necessary strategies to counter Trump’s influence.

Ferguson has said redistricting could actually cost Democrats seats in Maryland because, in the inevitable legal battle that would ensue, a court could order a new map that would be even less favorable to the party. He refused to budge despite pressure from Moore and U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

While speaking at National Action Network in New York on Thursday with the Rev. Al Sharpton, Moore complained that Trump was urging some states to redraw maps to favor Republicans, while telling other states to “sit on your hands.”

“Don’t play with me,” Moore said. “And if the rest of the country is going to have this conversation about mid-decade redistricting, then so should Maryland, and so should every other state. Because until it is done nationally, we have to make sure that this election is not stolen right before our face so this pain is made permanent.”

But while Moore named a panel in November that proposed the new map for Maryland, the governor could not prevail on the heavily Democratic Maryland Senate to approve it.

When it was before the Democratic-controlled General Assembly, the governor told lawmakers in January that the state needed to act to counter what he called “political redlining” by Trump in other states at the cost of Black representation in Congress.

Moore, who is the nation’s only serving Black governor, compared Trump’s push for Republican-friendly redistricting to discriminatory housing practices, saying the president and his allies “are doing everything in their power to silence the voices and trying to eliminate Black leadership — elected leadership — all over this country.”

Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1 in Maryland and already hold a 7-1 advantage in the state’s U.S. House delegation, with Rep. Andy Harris the lone GOP representative.

The Maryland House passed legislation containing a new map in early February, but the measure ran into opposition from Ferguson.

The senator pointed out a map adopted in 2021 that would have made it easier to flip Harris’ seat was ruled unconstitutional by a judge who called it “a product of extreme partisan gerrymandering.” Maryland passed another map in 2022, and the parties dropped their legal fight.

Meanwhile, here’s a look at what’s happening in other states this month in mid-decade redistricting efforts:

Florida

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has scheduled a special session next week for the Republican-dominated Legislature to draw new congressional districts.

Currently, 20 of Florida’s 28 congressional seats are held by Republicans.

Congressional districts in Florida that are redrawn to favor Republicans could carry big consequences for Trump’s plan to reshape districts in GOP-led states, which could give Republicans a shot at winning additional seats in the midterm elections and retaining control of the closely divided U.S. House.

Virginia

Early balloting has already begun for a vote on a constitutional amendment for a new congressional map in Virginia next week.

After a cascade of redistricting efforts, Republicans believe they can win a combined nine more U.S. House seats in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio, while Democrats think they can win a total of six more seats in California and Utah. Virginia could give Democrats an extra four seats.

Teen’s Shocking 20-Year Sentence: The Controversial Case of a 13-Year-Old Convicted of Murder

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Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Ke’mani Narda Hill, a 15-year-old, has been handed a 20-year prison sentence after pleading nolo contendere to several adult charges, including manslaughter with a firearm, armed robbery, shooting into a vehicle, possession of a firearm by a minor, and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

Initial Arrest

On April 19, 2024, at approximately 11:42 a.m., officers from the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) arrived at the Tiger Bay Apartments at 484 SE 24th Dr., where they discovered Wilber Perez, a male victim, dead inside his car.

According to surveillance footage from the apartment complex, Perez was seen arriving and parking near Building 4. Moments later, his vehicle abruptly reversed, veered to the side, and collided with the leasing office.

A witness who was in the victim’s vehicle said the victim was on the phone with someone when he arrived at the complex; after he parked, several black juveniles walked up to the driver’s side window, then one of the juveniles, later identified as Zion James (14 at the time), snatched a bag of marijuana from the victim’s lap and ran. When the victim began backing out of the parking space, the witness said, another juvenile, later identified as Hill (13 at the time), stuck a gun through the window, and then the witness heard a gunshot. The victim drove away quickly and then crashed into the building, and the witness said she noticed at that time that the victim had been shot.

Read our original article about the investigation.

Read about Zion James’s 10-year prison sentence.

Hill was originally charged with first-degree murder (capital felony), armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and possession of a firearm by a minor.

Plea and sentence

Today, she entered a plea of nolo contendere to manslaughter with a firearm (a lesser included offense instead of first-degree murder) and the other four original offenses. According to the plea document, the maximum sentence for the charges is life in prison.

Judge Denise Ferrero sentenced Hill to three concurrent sentences of 20 years in prison, with credit for 685 days served, followed by 10 years of probation; Hill received an additional concurrent sentence of 15 years in prison for shooting into an occupied vehicle and was also sentenced to 364 days with credit for 364 days served for possession of a firearm by a minor. While gain time can be applied to the other sentences, the 20-year sentence for armed robbery is a minimum mandatory sentence.

Assistant State Attorneys Glenn Bryan and Dean Zipes led the prosecution team.


Iran’s UN Breakthrough: Backed by Global Powers as US Stands Isolated

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Iran’s UN Breakthrough: Backed by Global Powers as US Stands Isolated

Democratic nations such as the UK, France, Canada, and Australia are under fire for permitting Iran and other authoritarian states to gain seats on key United Nations bodies. In contrast, the United States stood alone in opposition to these developments.

The controversy arises from actions taken by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), a 54-member entity that significantly influences U.N. policy and oversees the staffing of critical committees.

Opponents of this move caution that it could enable regimes accused of violating human rights to sway global policies and dictate which civil society organizations can engage with the United Nations.

Members of the United Nations Security Council voting during a meeting at UN headquarters in New York

In a session focused on Iran and Middle Eastern affairs held at the U.N. headquarters in New York on April 7, 2026, members of the United Nations Security Council voted on a resolution concerning the Strait of Hormuz. (Photo by Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images)

On Wednesday, ECOSOC appointed the Islamic Republic of Iran to the U.N.’s Committee for Program and Coordination, a group responsible for influencing policy on issues such as human rights, women’s rights, disarmament, and counterterrorism.

The nomination is widely expected to be finalized, as the United Nations General Assembly typically approves such recommendations without a vote.

At the same session, ECOSOC elected China, Cuba, Nicaragua, Saudi Arabia and Sudan to the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, which oversees accreditation and access for thousands of NGOs operating within the U.N. system.

The United States was the only member state to formally break from consensus.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting, after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran, at U.N. headquarters in New York City, Feb. 28, 2026. (Heather Khalifa/Reuters)

In remarks delivered April 8, U.S. Representative to ECOSOC Ambassador Dan Negrea said the U.S. “disassociates from consensus” on both decisions, calling several of the countries involved unfit for such roles.

“The regime threatens its neighbors and has, for decades, infringed on the Iranian people’s ability to exercise their basic human rights,” Negrea said, adding that “we believe Iran is unfit to serve” on the committee.

The decision drew sharp criticism from UN Watch, a Geneva-based watchdog group.

Hillel Neuer told Fox News Digital: “By their cynical actions at the UN, major Western states have betrayed their own human rights principles, severely undermining the rules-based international order that they claim to support.”

“We note that the EU states clearly had another option. They did take action in recent years to stop Russia from getting elected to similar bodies, and so we deeply regret that they failed to do the same now to stop the election of serial violators such as Iran, China, China, Cuba, Nicaragua, Saudi Arabia and Sudan.”

“We salute the United States for their moral clarity and leadership in objecting to the election of the Islamic Republic of Iran and other brutal regimes.”

Neuer warned the composition of the NGO committee could allow authoritarian governments to influence which organizations are accredited, potentially sidelining independent human rights groups.

“This means dictatorships will have a majority on the committee in order to deny United Nations accreditation to independent organizations that call out their human rights violations, and to accredit more fake front groups created by the regimes,” he said.

Israel’s mission to the United Nations also pointed to political tensions surrounding the vote, saying Iran attempted to challenge Israel’s candidacy during the same ECOSOC session.

Iran's Ambassador Amir-Saeid Iravani attending a United Nations Security Council meeting in New York City

Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir-Saeid Iravani attends a United Nations Security Council meeting, after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran, at U.N. headquarters in New York City, U.S. Feb. 28, 2026. (Heather Khalifa/Reuters)

Israel was elected to several U.N. bodies, according to the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations, including the Commission on the Status of Women and the NGO Committee, despite opposition.

“Iran also tried to turn the elections at the UN into an arena for incitement against Israel and failed,” Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon said. “Those who oppress women and trample on human rights in their own country will not teach us what women’s rights are.”

Ahead of the vote, around 70 civil society groups warned that countries with poor human rights records could secure seats on key oversight bodies, but the elections proceeded without a formal vote, a process known as approval “by acclamation.”

Critics argue that this procedure allows controversial candidates to secure influential roles with limited transparency or accountability.

The developments are likely to intensify scrutiny over how U.N. bodies are staffed and whether political considerations are outweighing human rights concerns.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting, after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran, at U.N. headquarters in New York City, U.S. Feb. 28, 2026. (Heather Khalifa/Reuters)

Fox News Digital reached out to the UK, France, Canada, Australia and U.S. mission for comment but did not receive responses in time for publication.

The Iranian mission to the United Nations declined to comment.

Efrat Lachter is a foreign correspondent for Fox News Digital covering international affairs and the United Nations. Follow her on X @efratlachter. Stories can be sent to efrat.lachter@fox.com.
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