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Florida Man Arrested for Brutal Animal Cruelty Incident

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HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. – A troubling incident unfolded in High Springs as Nicholas Matthew Alex, aged 46, found himself in handcuffs for allegedly assaulting a dog.

On the morning of August 25, around 9:30 a.m., officers from the High Springs Police Department were dispatched to NW 184th Place’s 23700 block. A concerned woman reported witnessing a man relentlessly beating a dog while driving on NW 237th Street. After she intervened and asked him to cease, he allegedly turned his aggression towards her.

Both the woman and another eyewitness reported observing the man harshly grabbing the dog by its leash and delivering powerful kicks.

Alex purportedly confessed to punching the dog, defending his actions with a claim that he was attempting to “remove the dog from the roadway.”

Facing charges of felony animal cruelty, Alex’s legal troubles are not unfamiliar; his criminal record includes eight non-violent felony convictions along with five misdemeanors, one of which involved violence. In his recent court appearance, Judge Meshon Rawls granted his release on his recognizance with the stipulation that he refrain from owning any animals.

Unlicensed Miami Surgeon Evades Trial for Botched Surgeries

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In an unexpected twist, a Brazilian man facing serious legal accusations in Miami has vanished just days before his trial. Authorities allege that Joao Batista Cunha De Araujo, accused of executing unauthorized plastic surgeries, disappeared amid a slew of charges related to theft, fraud, and practicing medicine without a license.

Araujo, 57, who has been pejoratively nicknamed “Dr. Frankenstein” by detractors, is charged with 14 counts, including 13 felonies within Miami-Dade County. His arrest followed a covert operation prompted by anonymous tips, where an undercover officer, posing as a patient, sought a consultation for chin liposuction and allegedly received a quote for the surgery.

Following his arrest, Araujo complied with a court order to surrender his passport and was equipped with an ankle monitor. Despite these precautions, he has since slipped off the radar, leaving authorities baffled.

Joao Araujo wearing a green shirt, clean shaved and with dark, wavy hair in a mugshot photo

An image of Araujo was released by the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department. (Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department)

Local law enforcement is redirecting inquiries about Araujo’s disappearance to the U.S. Marshals and the Brazilian government. At the time of reporting, neither entity had provided a comment on the situation.

According to court documents, Araujo’s ankle monitor “generated a tamper alert” on Saturday, Aug. 1 — three days before the scheduled beginning of his trial.

A man resembling Araujo appeared in a video posted to his wife's Instagram story at a restaurant

A man resembling Araujo appeared in a video posted to his wife’s Instagram story Wednesday morning. Amanda Ungaro, a co-defendant in the criminal case, had previously been deported from the U.S. It was not immediately clear when or where the video had been taken. (Amanda Ungaro/Instagram)

Two officers responded to his last known location in a high-rise on the Bay Harbor Islands, just north of Miami Beach. They were unable to locate Araujo or the ankle monitor, and his house arrest was revoked and a Miami judge issued a new arrest warrant and authorized full extradition.

someone performing a laser face lift

Authorities allege this still image taken from an Instagram video linked to Araujo shows him performing a laser face-lifting process. They used the watch and bracelets pictured on his left wrist to link him to other photos where the surgeon’s face is not shown. (Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office)

Araujo’s attorney, Mark Eiglarsh, told News Media he was still looking at discovery in the case and that the trial date likely would have been pushed back.

“My client previously entered a plea of not guilty to the charges, and I was prepared to vigorously challenge the allegations brought by the prosecution,” he said. “For reasons unknown to me, he has chosen to make himself unavailable to continue fighting for his innocence. If he ever reappears, I will continue to fight zealously on his behalf.”

Joao Araujo standing at a podium

Joao Araujo pictured at a podium in a photograph included in court documents. (Miami-Dade County Clerk)

According to a New York Post report citing four sources close to the case, Araujo is believed to have left the country for his native Brazil — raising questions about how he did so after turning in his passport.

Amanda Ungaro wearing a yellow and black jacket during an event

Amanda Ungaro and Paolo Zampolli pictured at an event on May 16, 2019 in New York City. (Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Paolo Zampolli)

Araujo’s wife and co-defendant Amanda Soares Felizardo Ungaro, 41, posted a video Wednesday that appears to show her husband smiling and sitting across from her at a restaurant table. It was not immediately clear when or where it was taken.

She faced seven charges in connection with the case against her husband and was deported earlier this year. She did not immediately respond to a message from News Media.

Araujo had previously asked the court to allow him to return to his home country while awaiting trial — a request Judge Tanya Brinkley denied amid concerns that he would not be able to return to Florida, court documents reveal.

According to a police affidavit, the Florida Department of Health confirmed that neither Araujo or Ungaro had any kind of medical license in the state.

Read the arrest warrant:

CALIFORNIA DOCTOR CONVICTED OF $45M MEDICARE FRAUD SCHEME THAT FUNDED LUXURY VACATIONS AND A $12K CROSSBOW

At least one patient suffered injuries from a botched procedure, according to court documents.

A victim identified in court documents as “AJ” told police that she visited Araujo for some lip and jaw filler and was injected with 17 bottles in a single sitting.

Police cars are seen outside the Miami-Dade County courthouse in Miami, Florida on November 8, 2019.

Police cars are seen outside the Miami-Dade County courthouse in Miami, Florida on November 8, 2019. (ZAK BENNETT/AFP via Getty Images)

The filler hardened, leaving lumps in her lips, jaw and cheekbone.

She initially paid $15,000, according to the complaint, but the price was reduced to $7,000.

She went on to seek help from a licensed plastic surgeon.

49ers Owner Jed York’s Prostitution Arrest: Video Unveils Shocking Embarrassments

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San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York faced a public embarrassment recently, with every second of his arrest video stirring up discomfort. Yet, among the entire footage, a few segments stand out as particularly excruciating.

Here are the five moments from the 45-year-old’s August 23 incident at an East Palestine, Ohio, trailer park that are especially mortifying.

5. LYING ABOUT PROFESSION

York avoided mentioning any connection to the 49ers when he was handcuffed over allegations of solicitation, opting instead to offer officers a glimpse into his unusual line of work.

The video reveals an officer seemingly recounting York’s claim that he worked as “a real estate guy.”

4. WAD OF CASH

Following his detainment, York sat in the back of a police car as two officers conducted a search of his rented Volkswagen SUV.

They discovered York had hundreds of dollars of cash in the ride — all in $20 bills.

There was so much money, one cop said at the scene, “He’s got a s—t ton of cash.”

Another officer wondered why York was in the position given all of his apparent funds.

“It’s crazy the people that do this,” the cop said. “They could do whatever they want. They could do other things. They could go other ways. It’s wild.”

3. STUNNED LOOK ON HIS FACE

If York’s mug shot doesn’t live in infamy following his arrest, the image of his face when he was being yanked out of his car by police certainly will.

York looked bewildered as a cop unbuckled him from his seat and moved him to the side of the car.

Moments later, York was heard feebly asking cops, “Can I ask what you’re doing?”

2. YANKEES SHIRT

York’s outfit — which included basketball shorts and running shoes — was not exactly the most flattering, but the New York Yankees T-shirt he was donning will certainly grab its share of headlines.

It seemed to be a bit small, and as the owner of the Bay Area’s NFL team, it will no doubt upset plenty of San Francisco Giants fans.

1. WEDDING RING

Despite filing for divorce from his wife, Danielle Belluomini, in May, York was nonetheless still wearing a wedding ring.

Throughout the arrest video, the black band on his left ring finger was apparent, even though he wrote in his divorce filing that he and Belluomini — who wed in June 2011 — had sustained “irreconcilable differences.”

9/11 Mastermind Set to Face Long-Awaited Trial

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The long-awaited trial of the alleged mastermind behind the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks is scheduled to commence in 2028. After years in legal limbo, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is finally set to face justice alongside three of his purported accomplices.

Mohammed and his three alleged co-conspirators have been detained at Guantanamo Bay since the early 2000s. Despite the gravity of their accusations, the legal proceedings have been persistently stalled, pushing back the timeline for holding them accountable for orchestrating such a catastrophic event.

In a recent bid to advance the trial process, government prosecutors proposed to initiate proceedings against Mohammed, Walid bin Attash, Mustafa al-Hawasawi, and Ammar al-Baluchi by January 2027. However, their efforts met with a setback when Judge Lt Col Michael Schrama dismissed the proposal on Wednesday.

Judge Schrama instead penciled in a new trial date: June 5, 2028. This timeline, as reported by The New York Times, hinges on the ability of both legal teams to adhere to a sequence of procedural deadlines known as ‘milestones.’

The path to trial is further complicated by pending decisions from a military appeals court. They are tasked with ruling on an earlier judgment to disregard al-Baluchi’s confession due to torture claims, alongside other appellate considerations, as highlighted by the Times.

Schrama also has yet to rule on similar torture-related litigation involving Mohammed, bin Attash and al-Hawasawi.

A fifth defendant, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, was found to be incompetent to face trial, and his case is now being handled by a different judge. 

Schrama’s decision comes just weeks before the 25th anniversary of the attacks.

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind behind the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, is due to face trial in 2028. He is pictured shortly after his capture during a raid in Pakistan in 2003

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind behind the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, is due to face trial in 2028. He is pictured shortly after his capture during a raid in Pakistan in 2003

Walid Bin Attash

Mustafa al Hawsawi

Walid Bin Attash and Mustafa al Hawsawi are also scheduled to face trial in 2028 

A military appeals court will now have to rule on an earlier judge's decision to suppress the confession of Ammar al-Baluchi

A military appeals court will now have to rule on an earlier judge’s decision to suppress the confession of Ammar al-Baluchi

It also comes two years after then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin dramatically revoked plea deals in which Mohammed, Walid Bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawasawi would plead guilty to conspiracy in exchange for life sentences.

Government prosecutors had negotiated the deals with defense attorneys under government auspices, and the top official for the military commission at Guantanamo Bay had approved them. 

But within days of the deals being leaked in 2024, Austin issued a brief order saying he was nullifying them – clearing the way for Mohammed and the others to face the death penalty.

Plea bargains in possible death penalty cases tied to one of the gravest crimes ever carried out on US soil were a momentous step that should only be decided by the defense secretary, Austin said at the time. 

His assertion came after families of victims of 9/11 said they were ‘deeply troubled’ when they learned of the deals.

‘We are deeply troubled by these plea deals. While we acknowledge the decision to avoid the death penalty, our primary concern remains access to these individuals for information,’ 9/11 Justice President Brett Eagleson said at the time.

‘These plea deals should not perpetuate a system of closed-door agreements, where crucial information is hidden without giving the families of the victims the chance to learn the full truth.’

By June 2025, a US appeals court officially rejected the deal and Mohammed’s lawyers have since said they plan to ask the US Supreme Court to intervene.

The judge's ruling comes weeks before the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks

The judge’s ruling comes weeks before the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks

Firefighters are pictured at the World Trade Center in the aftermath of 9/11

Firefighters are pictured at the World Trade Center in the aftermath of 9/11

That decision marked the latest delay in the decades-long case, which has been plagued by legal disputes – especially over the legal ramifications of the interrogation under torture that the men initially underwent while in CIA custody.

Families of the nearly 3,000 people killed in the September 11 attacks say they now hope they will finally get some justice.

‘We have been asking for a trial date for 20 years. Hopefully, this time it is for real,’ retired NYPD officer Jim Smith, whose wife, Moira, died while responding to the attacks told the New York Post. 

But he said it will all ‘depend’ on Schrama, who is the fifth judge to oversee the case.

‘We’ve been through so many, some good, but mostly officers who wanted nothing to do with this case,’ Smith recounted. ‘Someone has to man up and take charge.’ 

Meanwhile, retired police officer Kathy Vigiano, the wife of the late Detective Joseph Vigiano, questioned why she and other victims’ families have to wait another two years for potential closure.

‘We have waited 25 years. Why do we have to wait another two years?’ she asked, rhetorically. ‘How much time do you need for pre-trial? Why can’t they start the trial now? It’s time for the victims to get justice now.’

She also wondered if Schrama will still be on the case when the trial date finally rolls around and ‘if not, what happens?’ 

Victims' families say they are hopeful they will finally get justice more than 25 years later

Victims’ families say they are hopeful they will finally get justice more than 25 years later

On September 11, 2001, conspirators from al-Qaida seized control of airplanes and hit New York’s World Trade Center and the Pentagon near Washington.

A fourth plane was headed for Washington but crashed in Pennsylvania after crew members and passengers tried to storm the cockpit.

It was Mohammed who presented the very idea of such an attack on the United States to al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. 

Mohammed also received authorization from bin Laden to craft what became the Sept. 11 attacks, the United States’ 9/11 Commission concluded.

The other defendants are alleged to have supported the hijackers in various other ways.

Mohammed was captured alongside Hawsawi in March 2003 before being held in CIA prisons until their transfer to Guantanamo in 2006. 

Officially, the casualty count associated with the attacks is numbered at 2,996 – including 2,977 victims and 19 hijackers. 

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Defense Department for more information. 

This is a breaking news story and will be updated. 

Bryan Kohberger’s Plea Challenge Awaits Hearing Date Despite June Calendar Marked

BOISE, Idaho – In a significant development, an Idaho judge has outlined the procedural timeline regarding Bryan Kohberger’s effort to rescind his guilty plea in the high-profile case of four slain University of Idaho students. The judge has emphasized that any fresh evidence introduced will be rigorously scrutinized under stringent legal criteria.

Judge Steven Hippler of the Fourth District Court, who initially sentenced Kohberger to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole following his guilty plea last year, has delineated the next legal steps in an official order released on Wednesday morning. This move sets the stage for how the ongoing legal proceedings will unfold.

Rather than granting an immediate hearing on Kohberger’s motion to withdraw his guilty plea, Judge Hippler has tentatively reserved a spot on the court calendar for a potential evidentiary hearing next June, pending his decision on the necessity of such a proceeding.

At 31 years old, Kohberger is currently serving four consecutive life terms for the brutal killings of Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, and Madison Mogen, which occurred in an off-campus rental home near the Moscow, Idaho university in 2022. In a plea bargain, prosecutors agreed to drop the pursuit of the death penalty in exchange for his guilty plea.

Last month, Kohberger submitted a handwritten request to the court, asking to retract his plea. He claimed his attorneys coerced him into the plea deal by assuring him of improved prison conditions and instilling fear about the harsh realities of life on death row.

Kohberger offered only a few details in elaboration, saying they failed to disclose or review evidence that might have helped his case during plea discussions. Kohberger has since been appointed a new attorney, Greg Rauch, who said he couldn’t immediately comment on the case.

In Wednesday’s order, Hippler told prosecutors and Kohberger’s attorney that they must “strictly adhere” to the Idaho Rules of Court Procedure, particularly the sections detailing what evidence is admissible in court. The judge also detailed how both sides should object to evidence that they feel is not admissible.

Anyone who doesn’t comply with the court’s order could be subject to sanctions, Hippler wrote.

Hippler said both sides should disclose any potential witnesses, including experts, by the start of February. He also set a status conference for next June.

Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Undocumented Mother Faces Charges for Child Abuse and Arson Amid Mental Health Plea

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A Cuban immigrant in the U.S. is confronting serious charges including child abuse, neglect, and arson after reportedly subjecting her young daughter to a horrific ordeal involving hot wax and a home fire in Miami.

Meliza Campos-Sanchez now faces two counts of child neglect, one count of child abuse, and an arson charge, linked to events that authorities say unfolded on August 16. As part of the judicial process, she is slated for a court-mandated mental competency evaluation.

Responding to an emergency call, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at a property where a kitchen blaze was allegedly set intentionally, according to the criminal complaint filed and accessible through News Media.

The subsequent investigation unearthed videos that Campos, a social media influencer with a following of 87,000 on Instagram, had posted online. The clips purportedly showed her applying melted candle wax on herself and the hands of at least one of her daughters. Another disturbing video reportedly captured her singing and dancing in the kitchen before setting clothes on fire with a lighter.

Meliza Campos-Sanchez

The complaint details that Campos’s daughters, ages 3 and 6, were allegedly reassured by her “not to be scared” just before she dripped hot wax onto the hand of the younger child. Despite the alarming act, the affidavit indicates that no injuries were visible on the child. (Instagram/@melizacsanchez)

According to the complaint, Sanchez allegedly told the two girls – ages 3 and 6 – “not to be scared” before putting a drop of hot candle wax onto one daughter’s hand. The affidavit notes that the child had no visible injuries from the incident.

According to the complaint, one child allegedly told an arson-squad detective that she and her sister saw their mother burn a shirt, starting a fire while they were inside the residence.

Following Campos’ arrest, officers did not interview her because she was sedated.

The Department of Homeland Security said Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged an immigration detainer with the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center the day after her arrest, asking local officials to notify federal immigration authorities before releasing her so ICE could potentially take her into custody.

Campos illegally entered the United States through Florida in May 2022 under the Biden administration, ICE said.

Meliza Campos-Sanchez booking photo

Meliza Campos-Sanchez has been charged with two counts of child neglect, cruelty toward child, child abuse and arson. ICE lodged a detainer with the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center the day after she was arrested. (Miami-Dade County)

“This Cuban illegal alien is charged with child abuse and arsonafter she poured hot wax onto one of her own children and then lit a fire in her home,” said a DHS spokesperson. “If it weren’t for the Biden administration’s reckless open-border policies, criminals like this woman would have never been able to enter our country. ICE has lodged a detainer asking Miami officials to not release this criminal from jail. We will work with our partners in Florida to make sure she is removed from our country after she faces justice.”

In her initial court appearance, Campos’ defense sought a competency evaluation, and the judge ordered evaluations by two Spanish-speaking doctors.

Meliza Campos-Sanchez seen in a gif lighting house on fire

Meliza Campos Sanchez is facing serious charges, including arson and child abuse. But on Friday, her family came to her defense, raising concerns about her mental health. (Instagram/@melizacsanchez)

The court-mandated mental health evaluation came after Campos’ husband said he had previously sought help and called police because he was concerned about her mental state and relatives said she had been prescribed medication but stopped taking it.

News Media has reached out to Campos’ court-appointed attorney for comment.

Rachel Reilly Urges ‘Survivor’ Tactics for ‘Big Brother 28

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Rachel Reilly is cheering for Dee Valladares and Rick Devens to clinch victory in “Big Brother 28,” even if it means giving “Survivor” contestants enduring bragging rights.

Reilly voiced her support for this “Survivor” duo in an exclusive conversation with Page Six. She was joined by fellow “Big Brother” alumni Britney Haynes and Danielle Reyes, as they celebrated the 1,000th episode of the popular reality show, which aired on Thursday.

“I really want them to dominate because if Dee and Devens can outwit, outplay, and outlast their competitors while winning challenges and strategically using their abilities, it sets the stage for more exciting battles in future seasons,” Reilly explained.

Reilly, who triumphed in “Big Brother 13,” highlighted how Valladares, 29, and Devens, 42, have managed to maintain their momentum alongside “Big Brother 26” veteran Angela Murray, partially due to the actions of some overly talkative newbies.

“This season, we’re seeing Drew [Campbell] and Barrett [Pfeiffer] delivering information to the ‘Icons’ — what’s going on with that?” she remarked, noting the unusual alliances forming within the house.

“So I think the fact that they’re able to outplay these people so easily… I give them props. You have to give it to the gamer.”

Reyes, however, feels differently.

“If you’re ‘Big Brother’ alumni, we do not want them to win,” the Season 3 runner-up told us. “We want to see them play the game, but we don’t want them to win because that’s our kingdom.”

“We don’t want them to come into our ‘Big Brother’ house and win, when we have this inner struggle of what’s the harder show, ‘Big Brother’ or ‘Survivor?’ So that’s where I stand in watching these two play this game.”

Haynes agreed she’s rooting against Valladares and Devens because of the unspoken “rivalry” between “Big Brother” and “Survivor” players.

“Winning both shows, which Dee the potential to do, that is something that has never been done,” Haynes told us. “So of course, there’s that piece of you that wants the ‘Big Brother’ person to be the first one to do it.”

Mixing veteran players with new contestants has happened before on “Big Brother,” including in Season 14, which saw Season 10 winner Dan Gheesling lose to newbie Ian Terry in a controversial jury vote that fans still debate today.

But Haynes, who voted for Terry to win despite being a returner that season, doesn’t think there will be as much resentment against the Season 28 vets.

“The difference was that sentiment was spread through the house the very first week,” Haynes explained. “I haven’t really seen the same type of communal uprising on ‘Big Brother 28.’”

Looking toward the future, Reilly, Reyes and Haynes all believe CBS should keep bringing players back in some capacity.

“I would love to see some of the more recent players come back and play against other people from other seasons, even sprinkling in some like really old-school players,” Reilly said. “I think that would be so much fun.”

Reilly added, “I think they could do a legends season for like three weeks or something like that. I mean, I would go for that. But for a whole summer, I would absolutely love to see a full All-Star season.”

Echoing Reilly’s opinion, Reyes name-dropped Season 2’s Monica Bailey and Season 3’s Lisa Donahue — who beat her in the final jury vote— as deserving returners.

“I would love to see Lisa play again. I think people don’t give her flowers for what she did,” Reyes explained.

“And I know people are like, ‘Oh, Dani, you should have won the game.’ But I would love to see Lisa come in and cement her legacy in ‘Big Brother. “I would love for them to give her a chance and to play the game again.”

“Big Brother 28” airs every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and is available to stream the next day on Paramount+.

Golfer Allegedly Rams Teen with Cart in Slow Play Dispute

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Inset: Rhett Drummond (Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office). Background: Lansbrook Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Fla. (Google Maps).

In a bizarre incident at a Florida golf course, a local man found himself in legal hot water after clashing with a teenage player over slow play, authorities reported. The man is currently out on bond.

Identified as Rhett Drummond, 50, the man was released on a $500 cash bond after an arrest on August 22 for child abuse. According to documents secured by NBC affiliate WFLA, Drummond’s day on the greens at Lansbrook Golf Club in Palm Harbor took an ugly turn. An alleged confrontation with a 15-year-old boy over pace of play escalated into a dispute.

At first, tensions between Drummond and the minor seemed to subside after both engaged in mutual disrespect. They parted ways to different sections of the course. However, the respite was short-lived as Drummond is accused of driving his golf cart into the teenager’s cart. The move reignited the conflict.

Facing charges of third-degree child abuse, Drummond was detained at the Pinellas County Jail. He has since posted bond and made a court appearance later that Monday. Although a subsequent court date has yet to be determined, according to available online records.

The post Golfer attacked 15-year-old boy over slow play after ramming into him with his golf cart: Police first appeared on Law & Crime.

New FDA-Approved Drug Doubles Survival in Pancreatic Cancer Breakthrough

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In a monumental leap for cancer treatment, health officials have sanctioned a novel drug that significantly boosts survival chances for pancreatic cancer patients.

On Wednesday, the FDA greenlit the use of daraxonrasib, a groundbreaking oral medication specifically designed to tackle the KRAS genetic mutation. This mutation is a known culprit behind nearly 90% of pancreatic cancer cases, making the drug a focal point for medical innovation.

Administered as two pills daily, daraxonrasib is now available for individuals battling metastatic pancreatic cancer—cases where the disease has spread to other parts of the body and previous chemotherapy treatments have been attempted.

In an influential clinical trial disclosed earlier this year, patients taking daraxonrasib enjoyed a median survival of 13.2 months. This period nearly doubles the typical survival time of patients undergoing chemotherapy, with some participants surviving several years post-treatment initiation.

Although not a definitive cure, the development of this drug represents an important beacon of hope for those afflicted by one of the United States’ most lethal cancers, which historically claims the vast majority of lives within five years.

‘We’ve never seen a benefit like this,’ Dr Anna Berkenblit, the chief scientific and medical officer at the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, said. 

Drug manufacturer Revolution Medicines said the approved daraxonrasib will be sold under the brand name Rasonque. The company has not yet announced how much the medication will cost. 

However, since May, more than 2,000 patients have received free, early access to daraxonrasib through the FDA’s expanded access program, including former Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse, who was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer in December.

The FDA has approved a daily pill that doubles survival odds in pancreatic cancer patients

The FDA has approved a daily pill that doubles survival odds in pancreatic cancer patients 

Revolution Medicines said people receiving the drug through expanded access will transition to getting it covered through their insurance. 

Pancreatic cancer strikes 67,000 Americans every year and kills 52,000, American Cancer Society data shows. 

For decades, it was regarded as a disease of old age, most commonly affecting people over 65, particularly those with long-standing risk factors such as smoking, obesity or type 2 diabetes. 

But over the past 20 years, doctors have warned an increasing number of patients in their 20s, 30s and 40s are being diagnosed, often without classic risk factors. 

Population-level data appears to support those observations. According to the American Cancer Society, the lifetime risk of developing pancreatic cancer is one in 56 for men and one in 60 for women. 

While the disease remains rare in younger adults, incidence rates are rising steadily.

Between 2000 and 2021, pancreatic cancer diagnoses increased by 4.3 percent per year among Americans ages 15 to 34, and by 1.5 percent annually among those ages 35 to 54, according to a 2025 analysis.

In its early stages, symptoms are vague and easily dismissed: a dull back ache, intermittent indigestion, unexplained fatigue, subtle yellowing of the eyes or skin that comes and goes. 

Ryan Dwars of Iowa with his family. He was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer at 36

Ryan Dwars of Iowa with his family. He was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer at 36

Doctors often describe it as a cancer that ‘whispers’ rather than shouts – and by the time it finally makes itself heard, it is frequently a death sentence. Its stealth is what makes pancreatic cancer uniquely dangerous.

Around 80 percent of cases are diagnosed only after the disease has spread beyond the pancreas, at which point surgery – currently the only potential cure – is no longer an option.

Overall, just 12 percent of patients survive for five years after diagnosis, and the majority do not live more than a year.

In May, researchers shared the results of a clinical trial involving 500 patients, with an average age of 66, from North America, Europe and Asia with metastatic pancreatic cancer who had previously received other treatments.

The above chart shows the survival rate of pancreatic cancer by stage

The above chart shows the survival rate of pancreatic cancer by stage

Just under half received daraxonrasib while the remaining patients were given standard chemotherapy. 

The median survival was 13.2 months in the daraxonrasib group compared to 6.7 months for those who had chemotherapy. Daraxonrasib also caused fewer side effects than chemotherapy, with patients mainly reporting rash, diarrhea, fatigue and nausea.

About 90 percent of pancreatic cancers are driven by a mutated cellular protein called KRAS. Daraxonrasib is thought to ‘glue’ molecules together to shut down KRAS, slowing the spread of cancer cells.

Clinical trial lead Dr Brian Wolpin of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston said when the findings were unveiled at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting: ‘It is exciting that we may soon be able to help patients with metastatic [advanced] pancreatic cancer in ways we haven’t been able to before, improving both survival and quality of life.

‘I have not seen anything like that before in trials we have run in pancreatic cancer. I just kept repeating, “Wow,”‘ 

Father Pfleger Reinstated at St. Sabina After False Claims

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CHICAGO (WLS) — In a heartfelt gathering on Wednesday, the congregation at St. Sabina Church warmly welcomed Father Michael Pfleger back into their midst. His return comes after a period of absence, during which the Archdiocese of Chicago temporarily removed him following an abuse allegation that was later deemed baseless by church officials.

This past Monday marked Father Pfleger’s official reinstatement by the Archdiocese, which concluded that the accusations lacked substance. Jubilant parishioners expressed their support by embracing the seasoned pastor and commemorated the occasion with photographs after the service.

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Addressing the congregation, Pfleger expressed deep gratitude, saying, “I am honored and I am humble to be your pastor. I want to thank all those who stood by me because they believed in me.”

With a remarkable tenure of 45 years at St. Sabina, Pfleger has faced similar allegations in the past, all of which were dismissed as unfounded by the church.

In his speech, Pfleger voiced criticism of the Archdiocese for the methods employed in handling such allegations, underscoring the need for a more just process.

“the Archdiocese policy is unjust and it’s broken. There is no balance nor fairness without a simple investigation, a background check, or even an interview,” he said.

His attorney, James Figliulo, said the case highlights the need for changes to the process while maintaining protections for children.

“We can still protect children and provide a fair process for the priests, and that’s what we’re going to do. And there’s 100 ways to do it, and we’re going to work together to get it done. And we’re not letting it go,” Figlio said.

Among those attending the celebration of Pfleger’s return were students and staff from Leo High School. Dr. Shaka Rawls, the school’s president and principal, said the situation offered an example for students.

“I have a school full of Black and brown young men, and false accusations are unfortunately pretty common in our community. So I want to show them firsthand how to fight, combat these things, how to be aware of these things, and how to move forward,” Rawls said.

Church member Joyce Maltbia also expressed support for Pfleger’s reinstatement.

“So thrilled that justice is served and that god has spoken and god has returned him to his rightful place,” Maltbia said.

Pfleger acknowledged that he has faced death threats over the years because of his activism. The longtime white pastor of a predominantly Black church said he intends to continue speaking out on issues he believes are important.

“I am not going to remain silent, and I will not be silenced. In fact, I am going to turn up the value on justice, on righteousness, on truth, and on love,” Pfleger said.

During his time away from the congregation, Pfleger said he was also undergoing radiation treatments for cancer. He said he is now cancer-free.

Sunday will mark Pfleger’s return to the pulpit after a seven-week absence at St. Sabina in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood.

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