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Video Captures LAPD Crackdown on Los Angeles Street Takeover

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A late-night street takeover in South Los Angeles came to an abrupt end early Saturday when a large-scale LAPD operation closed in on the crowd, with dramatic drone video capturing hundreds of people rushing to flee as officers sealed off the area.

Authorities said more than 700 people had gathered for the illegal event near South Figueroa Street and West Alondra Boulevard at about 2 a.m.

This time, however, law enforcement appeared to be waiting.

The Los Angeles Police Department told the California Post that a tactical alert was issued at 3:21 a.m., bringing more than 150 officers into the operation. Police said the crackdown resulted in 69 arrests, 570 citations, 200 vehicle impounds and the recovery of seven firearms.

Video from above showed the tense scene unfolding as officers moved in around the intersection, forcing attendees to weave between vehicles while searching for an escape route.

Tow trucks were also waiting nearby to haul away vehicles caught up in the massive bust.

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said the operation, dubbed “Operation Street Sweeper,” was months in the making, per ABC7.

Investigators used intelligence gathering and drone technology to anticipate the locations of four separate street takeovers, allowing officers to move in before participants could simply scatter and disappear.

“This is not harmless fun. This is criminal behavior,” McDonnell said during a press conference announcing the arrests. “Your children are participating in an active crime scene where they are lawfully subject to immediate arrest and exposed to harm.” 

A resident who lives just steps from the intersection, Maple Patton, told the outlet the chaos sounded like an explosion.

“I’m thinking, ‘Did a bomb go off?!’” Patton said. “Every weekend, they’re taking over, and I’m thinking, ‘We gotta do something to stop this.’”

The operation also involved Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol officers.

At least one impounded vehicle caught fire during the operation, McDonnell said.

Street takeovers have become an ongoing scourge across Los Angeles County, with authorities warning that the gatherings can fuel dangerous driving, violence and other crimes. Some recent events have also been linked to robberies at nearby businesses.

The Sheriff’s Department has pledged to target not only spectators but organizers and participants through arrests, citations, vehicle impounds and criminal prosecution.

Jimmy John’s Worker Accused of Firing at Car, Hitting Teen

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A confrontation that started inside a Jimmy John’s restaurant in St. Louis escalated into gunfire, leaving a 14-year-old girl wounded and an employee of the sandwich shop facing criminal charges, according to police and court records.

The teen was shot in the leg shortly before 6 p.m. Saturday near Vandeventer and Laclede avenues, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement posted on X. She was transported to a local hospital and listed in stable condition.

Court records named the alleged gunman as 27-year-old Adam White. Police said White worked at the Jimmy John’s location where the dispute initially began.

A dispute involving individuals associated with a Jimmy John's restaurant in St. Louis ended with a 14-year-old girl being shot in the leg, leading to the arrest of two men, authorities said.

Investigators said the incident grew out of a disagreement involving the girl’s mother and “several individuals” connected to the Jimmy John’s in the 3800 block of Laclede Avenue. (Google Maps)

White has been charged with multiple felony offenses, including first-degree assault, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon and first-degree child endangerment.

In their statement, police said the shooting stemmed from a dispute involving the teenage girl’s mother and “several individuals” associated with the Jimmy John’s in the 3800 block of Laclede.

“A preliminary investigation indicates the shooting followed a disagreement involving the girl’s mother and several individuals associated with the Jimmy John’s in the 3800 block of Laclede. The mother’s connection to the restaurant remains under investigation,” the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said.

According to investigators, the girl’s mother’s boyfriend later arrived at the restaurant with the 14-year-old. The confrontation escalated, and gunfire erupted.

Court documents identify the alleged shooter as 27-year-old Adam White, whom prosecutors say worked at the Jimmy John's where the confrontation began.

Court documents identified the alleged shooter as 27-year-old Adam White. (City of St. Louis)

Court documents allege that White got into a verbal argument with a former employee, which continued into the parking lot. 

Police say the former employee, her boyfriend and her juvenile daughter then got into a vehicle.

As the vehicle drove away, White allegedly fired multiple rounds into its rear, striking the teenage girl in the left leg.

“As they drove off, the defendant fired multiple rounds into the rear of the vehicle. Victim 3, the juvenile, was struck by one of the bullets in her left leg,” court documents state.

Investigators said they found ballistic damage to the trunk of the vehicle.

Sirens on a police unit.

According to court documents, White initially fled the scene but later returned and was taken into custody. (Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

According to court documents, White initially fled the scene but later returned and was taken into custody. After being advised of his Miranda rights, White allegedly admitted firing at the vehicle and told detectives he had left the gun at his home.

A judge ordered White held without bond pending trial.

Jimmy John’s and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department did not immediately respond to News Media’s requests for comment.

Barnaby Joyce Clashes With ABC Host in Fiery 7.30 Comeback

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Barnaby Joyce has found himself in another tense exchange with Sarah Ferguson, returning to one of the ABC’s most prominent current affairs programs in combative fashion.

The One Nation MP appeared on 7.30 on Monday night to promote the party’s sweeping new housing policy, which would let renters and mortgage holders access up to a quarter of their superannuation contributions over three years.

It marked Joyce’s first time back on the program since July, when a moment in which he shouted at his dog Stella during a live interview went viral.

‘It’s an absolute welcome to be back,’ Joyce told Ferguson as the interview began.

But the discussion soon became disorderly, with Joyce appearing ill-prepared as Ferguson pressed him on whether he and One Nation leader Pauline Hanson had modelled the inflationary impact of the party’s controversial superannuation proposal.

Ferguson then challenged Joyce to model the lifetime losses Australians of different ages would incur if they opted to act on the policy.

‘Well, once more, how long is a piece of string?’ Joyce fired back.

‘Here we go folks, I’ll try and answer something which we’ll need an annuity table and will also need a sort of lineal regression, but I’ll do it for you, straight down the barrel.

Barnaby Joyce appeared to ABC's 7.30 for the first time since becoming an internet meme

Barnaby Joyce appeared to ABC’s 7.30 for the first time since becoming an internet meme 

7.30 host Sarah Ferguson became increasingly frustrated with Joyce's inability to answer questions on One Nation's bold superannuation policy

7.30 host Sarah Ferguson became increasingly frustrated with Joyce’s inability to answer questions on One Nation’s bold superannuation policy

Ferguson interrupted: ‘Barnaby Joyce, if I may, obviously this is a policy that your party has come up with, so we would expect you as the Treasury spokesman for that party to be across it, just try it.’

Joyce snapped back: ‘The Treasury spokesman [yes], not Jesus Christ.

‘You need to give me the details of these things if you’re going to put them forward to me.’

Ferguson pressed on, reading out figures that a 30-year-old earning the average wage of $108,000 would be $94,000 worse off, a 40-year-old $51,000 while a 50-year-old would be $27,000 worse off.

‘Well, folks, how on earth. I mean, this is ridiculous. This is like saying, “Well, look, I’m now going to give you an incredibly complex question”. Now, Sarah, I’m happy to come back to you tomorrow. And as I said on another stable, and as long as you’re prepared to pay my accountancy fees, we can do this regression analysis,’ he said. 

The aim of the policy is to give Australians breathing space by allowing them to access more of their own money while facing cost-of-living pressures, without touching existing super balances. 

Employers would continue to make the full compulsory 12 per cent super contribution.

Aussie workers would then be able to choose to receive three per cent as wages, while the remaining nine per cent would go towards their retirement nest egg.

The last time he was on 7.30, Barnaby Joyce (above) interrupted the interview to yell at his dog

The last time he was on 7.30, Barnaby Joyce (above) interrupted the interview to yell at his dog 

Nothing would change for those who opt to keep the full 12 per cent in super.

Under the proposed scheme, a couple earning a combined $168,000 a year would take home an additional $4,300 a year after tax, or $82 a week.

An individual worker earning $90,500 would pocket about $2,300 extra, or $44 a week, for three years.

Matt Suhey, Chicago Bears Super Bowl Champion, Dies at 68

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CHICAGO — Matt Suhey, the former Chicago Bears fullback remembered as a key blocker for Walter Payton during the franchise’s iconic 1985 championship run, has died at 68.

The Chicago Bears announced that Suhey died Sunday morning. The team did not release additional information about the circumstances of his death.

A second-round pick by Chicago in the 1980 NFL Draft, Suhey spent all 10 of his professional seasons with the Bears. Known for his toughness and reliability in the backfield, he played an important role in opening lanes for Payton, who went on to become the NFL’s all-time rushing leader before Emmitt Smith broke the mark on Oct. 27, 2002.

Suhey’s connection with Payton extended well beyond football. The two were close friends, and Payton was named godfather to Suhey’s youngest son, Scott.

Chicago Bear's Matt Suhey heads for a touchdown against the New England Patriots during NFL football's Super Bowl XX in New Orleans, Jan. 26, 1986.

Chicago Bear’s Matt Suhey heads for a touchdown against the New England Patriots during NFL football’s Super Bowl XX in New Orleans, Jan. 26, 1986.(AP Photo/File)

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On Monday, Payton’s son Jarrett shared a heartfelt tribute on social media, saying Suhey became the most important father figure in his life after Walter Payton died in 1999. Jarrett wrote that Suhey stepped in during uncertain times, protected the Payton family and continued to look after them year after year without seeking attention for himself.

“That is who he was.”

Suhey was Chicago’s second-leading rusher when the Bears went 15-1 during the 1985 regular season, finishing with 471 yards on the ground. Payton rushed for 1,551 yards and nine touchdowns that year.

The 1985 Bears shut out the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams in the playoffs before routing New England 46-10 in the Super Bowl. Suhey scored the first TD against the Patriots on an 11-yard run in the first quarter. He finished with 52 yards on 11 carries, and he also had a 24-yard reception.

The durable Suhey played in 148 regular-season games during his 10 years with the Bears, starting 100. He had 828 carries for 2,946 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also had 260 receptions for 2,113 yards and five TDs.

Copyright © 2026 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Woman Arrested for Hitting, Threatening to Stab Boyfriend

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Stephanie Yuliana Cabrera, 35, was arrested Saturday night after police said she hit her boyfriend and threatened him with a knife during a domestic dispute.

Gainesville Police Department officers were called at about 9:38 p.m. on September 6 to the 3500 block of SW 28th Terrace. The victim told officers Cabrera had been drinking and appeared intoxicated before she allegedly became aggressive, started an argument, punched him in the head, then grabbed a knife and threatened to stab him. He said he feared she would carry out the threat.

According to the victim, he managed to take the knife from Cabrera and throw it away from her. After he called 911, he said Cabrera fled the residence through a back window.

Officers later found Cabrera. After being read her Miranda rights, she reportedly denied having a knife or threatening the victim with one. When asked why she left the home, she allegedly said she believed the victim’s parents were on their way and did not want them to see her with him.

Cabrera, whose listed address is in Tallahassee, has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and domestic battery. Her criminal history was not available because those records are not posted on holidays. Judge Sheree Lancaster set her bail at $30,000.

Fans Roast Naomi Osaka’s Bold Outfit Before US Open Loss

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Naomi Osaka faced a wave of online ridicule from tennis fans after unveiling another daring US Open walkout outfit, then suffering a straight-sets defeat to world No. 2 Elena Rybakina on Monday afternoon.

The four-time Grand Slam winner has been one of the biggest talking points at Flushing Meadows, drawing attention throughout the tournament with a series of bold, runway-style looks that have pushed well beyond traditional tennis fashion.

But the focus on Osaka’s US Open fashion quickly turned against her after her round-of-16 match, as Rybakina overpowered the Japanese star in a ruthless 6-1, 6-4 victory.

Before play began, Osaka had once again made an entrance, walking onto the court in a striking oversized hooded coat finished with a heavy faux-fur lining.

The streetwear-inspired ensemble marked a clear departure from her earlier outfits at the tournament, but after Osaka struggled to make an impact on court, social media users were quick to mock the look.

One critical viewer wrote on X: ‘Osaka comes out in a ridiculous coat and gets absolutely smoked in 1st set. Maybe leave the ludicrous bling in the locker room.’

Naomi Osaka debuted yet another bold pre-match outfit at the US Open on Monday afternoon

Naomi Osaka debuted yet another bold pre-match outfit at the US Open on Monday afternoon

However, the Japanese star's time in the competition came to an end after a straight-set defeat

However, the Japanese star’s time in the competition came to an end after a straight-set defeat

Elena Rybakina secured a 6-1, 6-4 win over Osaka to punch her ticket to the quarterfinals

Elena Rybakina secured a 6-1, 6-4 win over Osaka to punch her ticket to the quarterfinals

Another fan took aim at the pre-match theatrics, writing: ‘Clothes are great, but let’s see if she can back it up on the court. Style points don’t win matches.’

‘What is this, a modeling shoot? The outfits are garish!’ another spectator blasted.

‘Naomi Osaka latest outfit, looks like an oversized fur coat number? Meanwhile her opponent and fellow elite athlete Elena Rybakina entered in her playing outfit, not seeking any attention just here to play a match of tennis,’ another wrote. 

The online backlash proved swift as Rybakina wasted no time seizing complete control of the contest, ruthless on serve and blasting groundstrokes past Osaka to snatch the opening set 6-1 in a blistering 22 minutes.

Osaka offered stiffer resistance in the second set, however, Rybakina’s relentless power proved decisive once again, breaking through in the crucial stages to seal the set 6-4 and punch her ticket to the quarterfinals in just over an hour. 

Speaking after the game, Rybakina said: ‘I honestly didn’t expect it. I played really well today. Feeling the ball was really good from my side. 

‘A bit lucky in some moments. I caught some lines. Super happy with the performance. Naomi is a tough opponent. 

‘I knew no matter the score I needed to focus on each ball. She’s also an aggressive player. I’m very glad with the way I played today. Thank you so much for an amazing atmosphere guys.’

The Japanese star was swept aside in just over an hour in the round of 16 clash

The Japanese star was swept aside in just over an hour in the round of 16 clash

Osaka wore an eye-catching, oversized hooded coat lined with thick faux-fur on Monday

Osaka wore an eye-catching, oversized hooded coat lined with thick faux-fur on Monday

Osaka, meanwhile, had been the center of attention throughout the tournament after showing off a range of bold pre-match looks at the US Open.

However, after arriving for her first-round match at Roland Garros in a flowing black skirt and corset, then unveiling a shimmering gold dress, her opponent Laura Siegemund aimed a pointed comment in her direction. 

‘I came here to play tennis, not to put on a fashion show,’ Siegemund had told TNT Sports. ‘And if others want to put on a fashion show, then they should go ahead and do it. That’s totally fine with me.’ 

But Donna Vekic, who Osaka faced in the second-round, told critics to ‘relax’ and embrace Osaka’s approach. 

‘Some people take tennis way too seriously,’ she said. ‘Relax, it’s just an outfit. I think it’s good that she’s doing different things, expressing herself through fashion. 

‘Whether it’s good or bad, that’s a different thing, it’s fashion.’ 

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Spark Ring Buzz on Dinner Date

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Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce stepped out for a stylish date night, making one of their first high-profile public appearances since becoming husband and wife.

In exclusive photos obtained by The Daily Mail, the newlyweds were seen leaving dinner at Ambassadors Clubhouse in New York City on Sunday evening, both turning the sidewalk into a fashion moment.

Swift, 36, commanded attention in a fluid halter gown with shimmering metallic accents that skimmed her tall frame, finishing the look with gold heels and a coordinating handbag.

Kelce, also 36, opted for a polished yet relaxed ensemble, wearing a silky Amiri button-down with brown trousers, though his checkered slip-on Vans added an unexpectedly casual twist to the dressed-up look.

The pair appeared deeply affectionate during the outing, with the Kansas City Chiefs star placing a steady hand on Swift’s back as he guided her toward the Indian restaurant.

Their glittering wedding rings were also on fully display.  

Newlyweds Taylor Swift, 36, and Travis Kelce, 36, enjoyed a glamorous and rare night on the town since officially becoming husband and wife

Newlyweds Taylor Swift, 36, and Travis Kelce, 36, enjoyed a glamorous and rare night on the town since officially becoming husband and wife

The couple enjoyed dinner at the Indian restaurant Ambassadors Clubhouse, which recently opened in New York City

The couple enjoyed dinner at the Indian restaurant Ambassadors Clubhouse, which recently opened in New York City

As Swift headed inside the restaurant, a glimmer of the massive engagement ring was visible. Kelce’s gold band also glittered amongst the flashing lights. 

The Daily Mail has contacted a representative for Swift for comment but has not yet heard back.

A source told People the couple had dinner in the eatery’s lower ground main dining room area, where they enjoyed ‘a variety of classics from the menu’, such as dishes and beverages. 

Described as ‘impossible-to-get-into’ by Eater, Ambassadors Clubhouse first opened in London before expanding to 1245 Broadway earlier this year. 

‘Ambassadors Clubhouse is a restaurant centrally located in New York’s NoMad district that brings together the shared culinary heritage of Northern India. The restaurant takes inspiration from the party mansions of the region and celebrates classic Indian hospitality through the sharing of fine food and spirits,’ the restaurant’s website states.  

The date night isn’t the first time the couple have been spotted since tying the knot in July.  

They were photographed for the first time as newlyweds at JuJu Smith-Schuster and Laura Kruk’s wedding just days after saying ‘I do’ in Madison Square Garden.  

‘I wanna thank everyone at MSG, we wanted to do it somewhere where we could have an intimate and genuine setting without a lot of distractions,’ Kelce recently said on his podcast, New Heights. ‘We needed to have a private feel, and MSG went above and beyond to give us that.

Kelce guided Swift towards the restaurant, placing a protective hand on her back

Kelce guided Swift towards the restaurant, placing a protective hand on her back 

The couple wed just two months ago in a massive Madison Square Garden extravaganza

The couple wed just two months ago in a massive Madison Square Garden extravaganza 

Swift dazzled in flowing, metallic-infused halter dress that cascaded down her statuesque physique

Swift dazzled in flowing, metallic-infused halter dress that cascaded down her statuesque physique

She paired the look with gold heels and a purse in hand

She paired the look with gold heels and a purse in hand

The NFL player was outfitted in a silky Amiri button down, brown slacks and checkered slip-on Vans that clashed with his more dressed-up outfit

The NFL player was outfitted in a silky Amiri button down, brown slacks and checkered slip-on Vans that clashed with his more dressed-up outfit

The couple looked as in love as ever, with Kelce guiding his wife towards the Indian restaurant with a protective hand on her back

The couple looked as in love as ever, with Kelce guiding his wife towards the Indian restaurant with a protective hand on her back

Their glittering wedding rings were also on fully display

Their glittering wedding rings were also on fully display

‘I can’t thank everybody enough, not just who showed up but helped put that show on.

‘[…] It was very cool to see how everyone interacted with no phones, everyone is on guard, it makes everyone be in the moment and present. It was cool to see friends of my childhood and of Taylor’s all the way to people we encountered through our careers and became good friends with. We wanted it to be a beautiful ceremony and made sure everyone left there having some fun.’

He also gave a special shoutout to Sandler for getting ordained in the state of New York to be able to marry the couple ‘Sand-man style.’

The three-time Super Bowl winner also confirmed that he and his A-list wife have become proud owners of a white Samoyed named Wendy.

The adorable pup made her public debut alongside the tight end in a campaign for Tommy Hilfiger this week.

‘She is officially a picture dog. We gotta get the line in her size,’ Travis said.

‘Unfortunately, she’s just got her fur on. We gotta work with Tommy on getting her some good clothes,’ he quipped.

The Kansas City Chiefs star said he talked to Taylor about having Wendy in the photo shoot and the singer was ‘all for it.’

A source told People the couple had dinner in the eatery's lower ground main dining room area, where they enjoyed 'a variety of classics from the menu', such as dishes and beverages

A source told People the couple had dinner in the eatery’s lower ground main dining room area, where they enjoyed ‘a variety of classics from the menu’, such as dishes and beverages

Described as 'impossible-to-get-into' by Eater, Ambassadors Clubhouse first opened in London before expanding to 1245 Broadway earlier this year

Described as ‘impossible-to-get-into’ by Eater, Ambassadors Clubhouse first opened in London before expanding to 1245 Broadway earlier this year

The singer accessorized with a delicate bracelet

The singer accessorized with a delicate bracelet  

Swift carefully navigated the sidewalk in her heels

Swift carefully navigated the sidewalk in her heels  

The couple finally married in front of 1,000 of their closest friends – and the world's biggest stars – in a colossal blowout at Madison Square Garden on July 3

The couple finally married in front of 1,000 of their closest friends – and the world’s biggest stars – in a colossal blowout at Madison Square Garden on July 3

Both the bride and groom were dressed in Christian Dior, her publicist announced

Both the bride and groom were dressed in Christian Dior, her publicist announced

‘It’s kind of crazy how perfect she looks in the Tommy Hilfiger world. She matches the brand and the shoot and it was pretty easy to get her to jump on the couch and have some fun with us,’ he said of the furry pup.

‘But yeah, Wendy’s a model. She’s a model dog,’ he added.

Travis also revealed that he and the ‘Bad Blood’ singer have had Wendy for a while now.

‘Little ‘ol Wendy’s a little over a year old now. We’ve had her for quite a while,’ he shared, adding that the pair was ‘trying to keep it under wraps.’

The pet’s existence was first revealed by the Daily Mail in exclusive footage from inside the couple’s wedding, which showed a picture of the happy couple posing with their furry friend.

A source told the Daily Mail that ‘it seems that Travis made it happen’ regarding the dog.

The name may be a reference to Wendy Peffercorn, the lifeguard character in The Sandlot, who Travis previously revealed was his favorite ’90s character and childhood crush.

Meanwhile, Taylor has also referenced Peter Pan in her music, including the character of Wendy.  

The couple's Love Story began three years ago, when Kelce first laid eyes on the singer at her Kansas City Eras Tour concert on July 8, 2023

The couple’s Love Story began three years ago, when Kelce first laid eyes on the singer at her Kansas City Eras Tour concert on July 8, 2023

'Whenever I’m with her, it feels like we’re just regular people... When there is not a camera on us, we’re just two people that are in love,' Kelce previously told GQ

‘Whenever I’m with her, it feels like we’re just regular people… When there is not a camera on us, we’re just two people that are in love,’ Kelce previously told GQ

Swift showed off her signature bangs during the latest outing

Swift showed off her signature bangs during the latest outing

After months of teases, rumors and conflicting reports, the couple finally married in front of 1,000 of their closest friends – and the world’s biggest stars – in a colossal blowout at Madison Square Garden on July 3. Both the bride and groom were dressed in Christian Dior, her publicist announced.

There were no bridesmaids, instead, Swift’s brother Austin acted as her ‘man of honor’, and Jason was the best man.

The couple’s Love Story began three years ago, when Kelce first laid eyes on the singer at her Kansas City Eras Tour concert on July 8, 2023.

The Chiefs’ tight end tried to meet Swift that evening, bringing along a friendship bracelet that contained his phone number. However, his attempt at handing her the jewelry was unsuccessful.

At the same time, Swift was at her own professional peak, traveling the world for her sold-out stadium shows, with Kelce flying in to support her.

Despite their hectic schedules and intense public interest in their romance, Kelce claimed that he felt calmed by both his girlfriend’s presence and down-to-earth nature.

‘Whenever I’m with her, it feels like we’re just regular people… When there is not a camera on us, we’re just two people that are in love,’ he told GQ.

Rikers Deaths and the Risks of Mamdani’s Jail Reform Agenda

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Last month, Mayor Mamdani offered condolences on behalf of New York City to the family of Clarence Woodward, a Rikers Island detainee who died while awaiting trial in connection with the fatal stabbing of one man and the wounding of another.

“We do not yet know the cause of death,” the mayor said, “but we do know that too many New Yorkers have died on Rikers Island. Our administration is fully committed …..(to) closing Rikers Island as quickly as possible.”

The mayor’s decision to personally highlight Woodward’s death raises an obvious question: why this case? To his critics, the answer is political. They argue the statement fit neatly into Mamdani’s broader push to shutter Rikers, turning a single death into a broader indictment of the city jail system.

New York City, with a population of roughly 8.5 million, sees about 60,000 deaths in a typical year — approximately 164 every day. Around 2,000 people die annually from drug overdoses, or about five per day. According to the city Department of Health, 634 homeless New Yorkers died in fiscal year 2025, nearly two per day. Roughly 600 people die by suicide each year. And when Mamdani made his remarks, 172 people had been murdered in New York City during his tenure. How many of those grieving families received a public message of condolence from City Hall?

Listening to the mayor, one might come away believing that deaths on Rikers Island occur daily because of mistreatment or neglect. But the numbers do not support that impression.

In the almost eight years from January 1, 2019, through August 31, 2026, a total of 82 people died in city custody.  That is an average of 10 deaths per year.  To date in 2026, there have been 7 deaths in city custody, including Woodward. Each one of the other six died from medical complications.  Two of them died in hospitals after being transferred from Rikers for medical emergencies, and one died in a holding cell in the Bronx and never even made it to Rikers.

I fully understand that some people may be troubled by my reducing questions of safety on Rikers to cold numbers, but we simply can’t continue to set important public safety policy based on individual incidents and emotional rantings misleadingly used to create false narratives.

So, if 10 people die out of a Rikers population of 6,500, that is one out of every 650 people on Rikers, or about one every 36 days.  The Rikers population consists, to a very large degree, of substance abusers, homeless, mentally ill, physically debilitated individuals and repeat criminal offenders. In fact, this is the profile of the city’s jail population as of July 2026, compiled by Mamdani’s own NYC Health and Hospitals Correctional Health Services:

  • Enrolled in Mental Health Services: 61%

  • Serious mental illness: 23%
  • Alcohol use disorder: 31%
  • Opioid use disorder: 26%
  • Asthma, COPD or lung disease: 28%
  • Hypertension, heart disease, heart failure, vascular disease: 17%
  • Epilepsy, stroke history: 9%
  • Diabetes, hepatitis, kidney disease: 14%
  • AIDS: 3%
  • Many inmates suffer from multiple health and mental health issues; thus the total exceeds 100%.

    Every death is a tragedy — but given this profile, it is nothing short of remarkable that out of 6,500 inmates, an average of only one in 650 dies each year. 

    The death rate per year in the city for all residents is 1 in 142. For residents of homeless shelters, it’s 1 in 282. For Unsheltered homeless is 1 in 14 to 1 in 23. For Rikers, it’s 1 in 650.

    The bottom line is that, incredible as it may sound, homeless people are statistically safer in Rikers than living on the streets of NYC or in a NYC shelter.  

    The NYC CHS estimates that 29% (1,885) of the inmates on Rikers were classified as homeless. If they died in city custody at the same rate as the non-incarcerated homeless die on NYC streets (1 in 14), that would be 135 in custody deaths a year just among that 1,885 inmate subgroup. 

    If the inmates on Rikers died at the same rate as the general population in NYC, it would mean there would be 46 deaths a year. Rikers averages 10.

    So why is the mayor so concerned with Woodward’s death? Because he has no legitimate arguments to support closing Rikers, reducing the jail population by another 35% and building smaller jails in residential neighborhoods, rather than rebuilding new jails on Rikers Island.

    Just as George Floyd’s horrible death was used at demonize police everywhere, and phony statistics and embellished narratives on other cases were used to paint a distorted picture of the entire criminal justice system, the mayor and his allies are using any death in city custody, from whatever cause, known or unknown, to push their decarceration agenda and demonize the entire corrections system. 

    Their rhetoric is designed to deflect honest debate about the city’s totally irresponsible city plan to close Rikers Island and build just 4,160 jail cells for a city of 8.5 million, whose jails currently house 6,500 inmates. It is deceptive and reckless.

    Maybe the mayor should show some compassion for the family of the man Woodward murdered, or the more than 75,622 victims of crime on his watch so far this year, which is 21% higher than it was pre-bail reform in 2019. 

    But I guess that would keep him too busy. Shame.

    Jim Quinn is a retired career prosecutor in the Queens District Attorney’s Office, where he served for 42 years.

    NTSB Confirms Crew Fatalities in Amazon Cargo Jet Crash and Releases Victim Details

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    The crew members on board an Amazon cargo aircraft that crashed Sunday at Miami International Airport survived the incident, federal aviation investigators said.

    The National Transportation Safety Board shared the update at a Sunday news conference, after officials reported that the cargo jet went past the runway during landing and burst into flames. Authorities said the Miami airport crash left five people dead and five others injured.

    aerial view of prime jet crash

    A Prime Air cargo aircraft went down Sunday afternoon at Miami International Airport. (WSNV)

    NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said the jet struck two vehicles that together were carrying at least eight people.

    Investigators said seven of the victims were inside a van operating within the airport’s secured area and used by airline cleaning crews. A separate civilian vehicle was also hit after the aircraft broke through the airport perimeter.

    This is a developing story. Please check back for updates

    Survivor Pulled From Crushed Car After Amazon Plane Crash

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    Dramatic video captured the extraordinary moment rescuers found a person alive after an Amazon cargo plane crashed into their vehicle during what officials said was the aircraft’s third flight of the day.

    At least five people were killed when the Boeing 767 veered off the runway and struck two vehicles at about 2pm on Sunday, authorities said.

    Jennifer Homendy, chief executive officer of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), said Monday afternoon that those who died were inside the vehicles. Officials have not yet released the victims’ identities.

    The Amazon cargo jet first hit a 2012 Ford van, then skidded across the ground before crashing into a second car. Homendy said seven people employed by a contract airline cleaning company were in the van at the time. It remains unclear how many people were inside the other vehicle.

    The pilot and co-pilot, whose names have not been made public, were also injured, though their conditions have not been disclosed. Homendy said the plane had been arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on its third trip of the day.

    When emergency responders arrived at the scene, they immediately started trying to locate victims. 

    At one point, a police officer ran over to a crumpled SUV that was flipped on its side after the collision and tried to talk to someone inside. 

    He asked them, ‘You alright?’ as he crouched down and peered into the vehicle. 

    An Amazon cargo plane crash-landed on Sunday afternoon after it overshot the runway at Miami International Airport

    An Amazon cargo plane crash-landed on Sunday afternoon after it overshot the runway at Miami International Airport

    A video captured the moment a police officer rescued a person inside one of the cars that was hit. At least five people died after the jet crashed into two vehicles

    A video captured the moment a police officer rescued a person inside one of the cars that was hit. At least five people died after the jet crashed into two vehicles

    After realizing that someone was inside and that they were alive, the officer called over a rescue team to help get them out. 

    ‘We got one for you! He’s alive!’ the cop and another man shouted. 

    The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but a preliminary report by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) found that the airport is not equipped with the Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) that has been installed at more than 120 airports nationwide.

    The system places beds of lightweight, crushable material at the end of a runway to help bring planes that overshoot the tarmac safely to a stop, the agency said. 

    Homendy said the plane overshot the runway, making it about 1,300ft past the paved surface. 

    She said that the NTSB’s primary focus is trying to help families find their loved ones. 

    ‘Recovery of victims is most important,’ she said in a press conference before describing the aftermath at the scene. 

    ‘There is fuel everywhere, which will have to be remediated, and they are removing fuel from the aircraft, and as we speak, recovery operations continue,’ she told the press. 

    On Monday, Jennifer Homendy, the chief executive officer of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), said the jet was on its third flight of the day

    On Monday, Jennifer Homendy, the chief executive officer of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), said the jet was on its third flight of the day

    Terrifying dispatch audio obtained by the Daily Mail revealed the horrific moment rescuers counted the dead after the crash. 

    ‘This aircraft overran the runway and crossed 67th Avenue. It struck a truck,’ one emergency responder said, according to the audio.

    ‘We do have a patient on the ground. We’re looking at surveilling the area for more patients.’

    Another rescuer from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue added: ‘Be advised, we have three patients; it appears to be two black, we have two black and one red.’

    First responders use color codes during triage to help sort patients quickly. Black means the person is deceased, while red means they have suffered critical, life-threatening injuries.

    Homendy said the plane overshot the runway, making it about 1,300ft past the paved surface. A preliminary report by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) found that the airport is not equipped with the Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS), which places beds of lightweight, crushable material at the end of a runway to help bring planes that overshoot the tarmac safely to a stop

    Homendy said the plane overshot the runway, making it about 1,300ft past the paved surface. A preliminary report by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) found that the airport is not equipped with the Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS), which places beds of lightweight, crushable material at the end of a runway to help bring planes that overshoot the tarmac safely to a stop

    When the emergency call initially came in, a first responder could be heard telling his crew: ‘Guys, the plane’s on fire, the plane’s on fire, put your game faces on.’

    As officials arrived on the scene, it became evident just how dire the situation was.

    Firefighters ran out of water and requested backup as the plane continued to burn, the audio revealed.

    Crews also had to rescue a person who was trapped under a vehicle, with one emergency responder telling dispatch that they were ‘going to need extrication.’

    A ‘green’ patient, someone who suffered minor injuries, was found ‘off to the side,’ according to the audio.

    Authorities kept working the scene, leading to the discovery of further victims.

    Homendy said that 32 investigators are on the case, and that the recording device in the plane has been sent to headquarters for evaluation.